by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 1, 2023 | Book Reviews
I’ve reviewed a story by Caroline Above Story before and I enjoyed the book (which is still ongoing) so I thought I would give another one of her stories a shot. I scanned through her books on Goodnovel and stopped on My Professor Is My Alpha Mate by Caroline Above Story. “Taboo” romances are often interesting if written properly and I was curious to see just how taboo this story would be.
The book begins with Lila turning 18 soon but already in college/university (yep, a smart egg) and an art student. When she catches her boyfriend in a liplock with another woman, she turns to the nearest male and kisses him, not realizing that the person she kissed was a teacher. Oh, boy!
Enzo is the youngest Alpha (in his early 20s) and was tasked by the council to teach combat in the shifter school. When Lila kissed him randomly in the corridor, he didn’t react or kiss her back. His expression remained stoic but inside he was shocked.
Lila decides to switch classes to one her cheating boyfriend is not a part of and discovers that she kissed the professor. Talk about embarrassing! It isn’t until a few days later when she turns 18 that they discover they are mates. Enzo has a lot of things going on and while he acknowledged the mate bond he was not willing to claim her. Interestingly, he was not rejecting her either! Poor Lila. I honestly wished at first that she would just reject him.
But things are not as simple as that. There are so many things that are getting in the way … pack issues, uncontrolled powers, friends with issues to resolve, “mortal enemies”, and thirsty she-wolves lusting after Enzo.
Their romance is frustrating as it is a slow burn but I still feel compelled to read the new chapters as they come out, lol! Are there spelling and grammar issues? A few, such as not always remembering how things are spelled (is it MONRO or MONSTRO?) which is frustrating but I choose to just read it however I want to and move forward as there are more interesting things happening anyway.
So far, I am enjoying My Professor Is My Alpha Mate by Caroline Above Story. Classification: light reading, slow burn.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 31, 2023 | Events
The stage is set for the most anticipated event of the year — the biggest sports gathering in the country — the Philippine Sports Expo, happening on June 30 to July 2, 2023, at the iconic Crystal Pavilion. It is a grand celebration of athleticism, perseverance, and prowess, where sports stakeholders and enthusiasts from all corners of the country will gather to witness the spectacle of talents, teams, associations and federations, and sports brands.
The Philippine Sports Expo is an annual gathering of our country’s sports athletes and stakeholders and a celebration of their significant contributions to our sports industry. The 3-day event will draw in over 20 associations and federations, teams, icons, and celebrities and will showcase extensive collections of notable sports brands, from apparel, shoes, wearables, gadgets, and equipment to sports nutrition, clinics, medicine, supplements, and the latest advancements in fitness and sports science and technology.
The expo is set to take place at the sprawling Crystal Corridor Okada Manila, which will be transformed into a vibrant sports paradise. The venue will be adorned with colorful banners, showcasing the various sports disciplines that would be featured during the event. Inside, there are multiple brands and booths of sports associations and federations, each dedicated to a specific sport.
On the day of the expo, the doors swing open, and a wave of energy sweeps through the crowd. Athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts, and families will flood into the Crystal Corridor, ready to experience the thrilling world of sports.
In one section, basketball courts will be set up with hoops of different heights. Budding young basketball players will dribble and shoot, emulating their favorite Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars. Coaches from renowned basketball academies will offer tips and guidance to aspiring players, nurturing the next generation of Filipino basketball talent.
Across the way is a stage where our official national sports and martial arts of the Philippines, also known as “Kali” or “Eskrima,” will be situated to create buzz and intensity in the venue. Children of all ages are welcome to join the demo and learn about sports from renowned coaches and players from the Philippine national team. Special appearances by gold medalists in the sports are also planned to inspire young players as well as aspirants and enthusiasts.
In another hall, martial arts will take center stage. The air crackles with anticipation as spectators gather around the elevated platform where local and international martial artists will display their mastery of different disciplines. From the lightning-fast strikes of Arnis to the powerful kicks of Taekwondo, the crowd will witness a mesmerizing showcase of the Philippines’ rich martial arts heritage.
The expo isn’t just about traditional sports; it will also present emerging sports and recreational activities. In one hall, a rock-climbing wall will tower over the crowd. Climbing enthusiasts, both young and old, will test their skills and conquer new heights.
Amidst all the action, some booths will promote health and wellness and showcase the importance of proper nutrition, fitness routines, and sports-related products. Display the latest sports equipment, clothing, and technology, enticing visitors with their innovative offerings.
There will be interactive sessions throughout the expo where attendees can participate in workshops and try their hand at different sports. From billiards to table tennis, volleyball to badminton, the expo provided a platform for people to discover new passions and explore their sporting potential.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 25, 2023 | Video reviews
I had the opportunity to watch The Little Mermaid (2023) on May 24 at Robinson’s Magnolia’s Movie Theater 5 with my family and it was beautiful! It was like watching the animated version that first appeared in 1989 but with some variations in scenes and added songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you’ve watched Hamilton, In The Heights, Vivo, you will immediately recognize the songs he wrote as Lin has a very distinctive style. In an interview with Collider, this is what Lin had to say:
“So much of my work on The Little Mermaid was that wish fulfillment. I actually didn’t write any new songs for Sebastian the Crab because I love his songs so much. I was like, “I can’t. Nope, not me. I can’t do it.” I did get to write for some of the other characters in that movie. Every song you love in The Little Mermaid is still in The Little Mermaid, we just found some new moments to musicalize. That’s really tricky.”
The songs we know and love in the original Disney cartoon that was written by Alan Menken are still there, including my favorite song from the movie, Part of Your World, originally sung by Jodi Benson.
Halle Bailey as Ariel
Halle Bailey as Ariel (aka the Little Mermaid) confused me at first because I thought that Halle Berry would be too old to play the role of a teenage mermaid. The similarities in their names are definitely cause for confusion. I’m glad that got cleared up in this article on movieweb.com. I don’t know why there was such a hullabaloo about her playing Ariel, she was fantastic as Ariel. Maybe I’m just color-blind because, to be honest, the fact that Halle is not white was not the first thing I noticed about her in the movie.
It is possible that this was not a great concern for me since I grew up watching stage plays in school and then later in the bigger theaters. I attended an all-girls Catholic school and when the drama club put on a play they didn’t usually match the perceived appearance of the character role. Whoever was the best in playing the character, was the one assigned to play it. In this rendition of The Little Mermaid, the best person happened to be Halle.
Other notable performances
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric was a great choice. His acting was on point and he certainly has the singing chops for the role. I also thought it was perfect that his physique was not like romance book male leads. It made him seem more … attainable, perhaps the word I am looking for. He’s fit, just not buff, which I felt was appropriate for the character.
Before watching The Little Mermaid, I had never heard of Jonah Hauer-King. To be fair, I also haven’t been watching a lot of movies lately. This movie certainly put him in the leading man category for this and future films.
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula is surprising but in a good way. I know her best in her comedic roles so seeing her acting villainous and not trying to draw a laugh is refreshing! I’m glad to know she has more than just comedy in her toolbelt.
She looked so much like the cartoon Ursula but better! More glam, way prettier, and somehow more menacing. The way she modulated her voice was so on point, I got chills. By the way, I chose a pic of her as Ursula because I was just really amazed at how she looked in this movie.
A question that is often asked about Ursula is whether she is an octopus or a squid. Based on the dialogue where she referred to King Triton as her “squibling” (wordplay of squid and sibling) I think it is safe to safe she is a squid. However, no matter how many times I count it, she only has 8 tentacles so that should make her an octopus … unless we count her arms in the limb count.
Daveed Diggs as Sebastian
Daveed Diggs plays Sebastian is certainly a far cry from playing LaFayette in Hamilton. Nonetheless, he was able to deliver the role of stodgy majordomo, unwilling babysitter, and later, desperate matchmaker to a tee.
I don’t know what an authentic Jamaican accent sounds like, but he carried one off pretty well to these uneducated ears.
Awkwafina as Scuttle
Awkafina plays Scuttle, the kooky seagull that likes to tell Ariel stories about humans and their gadgets and things. Even though the original voice actor in the animated version was male, I don’t think it was ever really stated that Scuttle had to be a specific gender so it worked. If at all, I think it worked better with her in the role, because she easily gave that busybody vibe I was expecting from Scuttle.
Awkwafina is not a name that is easy to forget. 1) She’s like Madonna or Prince … doesn’t use a last name so that makes her stand out. 2) Her voice is distinctive … raspy and loud and full of character. I think I saw her for the first time in Crazy Rich Asians and after that, it felt like the name Awkafina became synonymous with funny female Asian.
Sebastian and Scuttle have so many scenes together and their dynamic is fun! Not counting Ariel’s solo, I think my favorite songs in the movie are Scuttlebutt and Kiss the Girl, which they sang together.
My thoughts on the movie
Thank you, technology, for making it possible to have underwater scenes without actually being underwater all the time. I loved watching the way their hair moved as if they were underwater. Was a lot of the underwater scenes wirework? Even in the scenes where we see Ariel swimming I had to look closely to see if she was actually in the water or in the air on wires. Movie magic is awesome! However it was done, I applaud it.
I think my favorite action sequence was at the beginning with the shark. That was scary! I’m glad we opted not to watch on 3D. As for musical numbers, it will have to be Kiss the Girl, hands down. The harmonies, the choreography, the special effects … they all worked together to create that masterpiece number.
I think this movie bears repeating. Maybe next time I will watch it in 3D.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 17, 2023 | Book Reviews
Age gap romances are “in” right now and Silver Fox Secret Daddy by Ruby Emhart is one such story.
Dr. Jensen Banks is a well-known heart surgeon. He is well-known for his skill in the operating room and in the bedroom. Panties fall when he walks into a room. Yes, he is that hot. At 47, Jensen has it made … a successful career, any woman he wants, and no romantic relationship to tie him down. To the casual observer, Jensen has everything. And yet a memory of a passionate moment in the past often enters his thoughts and makes him wish for more.
Luna is an aspiring doctor who just got hired to intern at a hospital in Boston. An amazing encounter in Heathrow Airport’s VIP lounge restroom left her with memories of the best sex of her life and a baby she later named Eloise. Little did she know that her trip to Boston would bring her closer to her baby daddy.
Bring in the complication: Peter. He is Jensen’s best friend. He also happens to be Luna’s estranged father. Jensen talks to him often about “the one that got away”. Luna reconnects with Peter in an attempt to possibly build a familial relationship with him and talks about this man she is dating. None of them realize they are talking about each other.
I think I both love and hate Ruby Emhart at the same time because she makes me wish that men like Jensen actually existed in droves. I mean, where are all these sexy silver foxes? Most men I meet who are in their 40s and up don’t seem to measure up to these book boyfriends. At the same time, it does make me smile to think of the “what if”. 🙂
Wait until you meet their uber-lovable daughter, Eloise.
This story was more interesting than I thought it would be. Are there funny moments? Yes. Are there parts that make me want to giggle like a schoolgirl? Yes. Are there scenes where I want to hit Luna at the back of the head? For sure. Are there steamy scenes guaranteed to make my eyes glaze? Absolutely! Am I telling you to read this book? Hell yeah!
This story shows us how love can change preconceived notions and push people to become better versions of themselves for someone else. Silver Fox Secret Daddy by Ruby Emhart is the fourth book of the Boston Billionaires series. Grab a copy now on Amazon in Kindle or paperback. With a Kindle Unlimited account, you can read for free!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 16, 2023 | Book Reviews
Huge Deal by Stephanie Brother has left me breathless! Talk about hot! It starts off innocently enough until Kain, Blake, and Dalton Nowak accidentally walk in on Gabrielle just as she was pleasuring herself, mistaking her cry of passion for a cry of distress.
All three brothers have been attracted to Gab for quite some time but hesitated to pursue anything because of their best friend, Travis, who happens to be her older brother. After walking in on Gab the thought of being with her grew in their minds and all three (together) decided that they would offer to “service” her in exchange for home-cooked meals. To their surprise, Gab agreed.
Gab is a young woman with a hearty sexual appetite. She, herself, has been greatly attracted to all three brothers and could not pick one over the other. This was a fact she wrote in her diary when she was younger that her annoying brother revealed to them … which was actually a factor in their decision. When the Nowak brothers made the deal with Kain as their spokesperson, it didn’t take long for Gab to accept. After all, it seemed like an answer to a prayer.
I love how Gab and the Nowak brothers expressed their desires from the beginning and it was apparent (to us) that there was more going on than sex, despite Gab pretending otherwise.
Every page turn had me alternately giddy or salivating and the thought of these 3 huge men makes me swoon … Kain with his athletic physique, Dalton with his jaw-dropping muscles that look like he could lift a truck, and Blake with his sexy ink and stimulating piercing … I just kept waiting for Travis to arrive to ruin their fun. I haven’t even mentioned the parents yet. Oh! I just had to cover my eyes waiting for the train wreck.
There is nothing tentative about Huge Deal. This is a book you will not want to read while you are out in public. Wet panties are inevitable, lol!
Huge Deal by Stephanie Brother is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback versions. Read it for free with Kindle Unlimited!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 16, 2023 | Book Reviews
If you are looking for a story with heat then you should check out A Night with a Vampire by Roanna Hinks on Dreame. It only has 40 chapters so it isn’t difficult to read. A word of warning, though, erotic scenes happen very early in the story.
Jax is a vampire. For many years he has been traveling with two vampires, Ward and Riley, and a werewolf, Vance. Together this foursome has been visiting clubs in many places and indulging their sexual appetites. He always keeps a part of himself aloof as he yearns for his mate who he has yet to find.
Renee is human. As is often the case in these romances, she was mistreated in her previous relationship. The moment she meets Jax sparks fly and she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him.
If you are on the lookout for a story that would qualify as porn then this is the novel for you. I think my eyes must’ve crossed more than a few times as I was reading this story. It barely goes a few pages before the main characters are at it again. I think it actually took me longer to read this book because I had to keep coming up for air often, lol!
It does take a step up, though, in that it isn’t just a fuckfest, there actually is a story to follow, phew! It just takes a long, hot, steamy route to get there. This story deals with sexual proclivities like voyeurism, light BDSM, and group sex. Since it is a vampire romance novel, you can also be sure that there is a lot of biting and nibbling involved.
For the writing itself, the story needs editing as there are some incorrect terminology and some redundant phrasing. Thankfully, it isn’t so bad that I couldn’t get passed it to enjoy the story. As I am posting this review A Night with a Vampire by Roanna Hinks on Dreame. I don’t know how much longer it will be so consider snapping it up soon!
by Ginny Angeles | May 14, 2023 | Book Reviews
Susan Mateo’s Laws for Training Your Best Dog is best bought in paper form. It’s the kind of book I’d love to hold and highlight key points. It’s a very useful reference manual. If there were more pictures, this could be a coffee book.
One of the first things I noticed (and loved) is that she says dog parent instead of dog owner. It’s a small nuance for some but I agree with thinking that a dog is a part of the family. We consider our dogs fur babies.
The book is laid out pretty simply and is very easy to understand.
She starts right off the bat saying there are 4 laws that we should know and that these are what we pay dog trainers for.
If you’re looking to get your dog parenting life off to a good start or just want to have a better-trained dog, here’s a practical and useful guide. You can find this on Amazon in Kindle, Audible, paperback, and hardcover format. Prices vary depending on format but if you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s free!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 13, 2023 | Business
SunAsia Energy Inc. and Blueleaf Energy have secured contracts from the Philippine government to build and operate the world’s largest floating solar project in the Philippines, which has a cumulative capacity of over 610.5 megawatts (MW).
The move is viewed as a milestone in the country’s energy sector, with the Department of Energy (DoE) issuing the first set of Solar Energy Operating Contracts (SEOCs) for a total of 1.3 gigawatts (GW) in floating solar projects.
In September 2022, Blueleaf Energy, a stand-alone portfolio company of Macquarie, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Singapore. The company made a commitment to significantly increase its sustainable infrastructure investments in the Philippines.
In partnership with SunAsia Energy, Blueleaf Energy is jointly developing the large-scale floating solar facility on Laguna Lake, spanning the growing cities of Calamba, Sta. Rosa and Cabuyao, and the towns of Bay and Victoria.
During the contract turnover ceremonies, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla reiterated his promise to strengthen the renewable energy sector and declared the DoE’s strong support for the commercialization of floating solar facilities as an emerging technology.
Australian Ambassador HK Yu PSM and Singaporean Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong were among those who attended the event at the DoE office in Makati City. The program echoed the need to accelerate the realization of the country’s decarbonization targets by 2040.
Raghuram Natarajan, CEO of Blueleaf Energy, said that “as an active investor in sustainable infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region, we believe the Philippines holds great potential to add significant renewable energy capacity to its energy mix and at the same time delivering green energy at an affordable cost compared to fossil fuels.”
The recent announcement of the removal of foreign ownership restrictions, Mr. Natarajan said, “is an important step in attracting the much-needed foreign direct investments in Philippine Renewable Energy (RE) sector to accelerate the energy transition for meeting the country’s decarbonization and net zero targets.”
After the signing of the SEOCs, Blueleaf Energy’s top executive said his company would push for cooperation among public and private stakeholders to ensure the successful development of the project.
This will “not only contribute to the country’s RE goals but also spark green job growth locally during construction and the long-term operations of these floating solar projects, enable local supply chains through the manufacturing of critical components, and bring about notable benefits to the local community,” Mr. Natarajan said.
The SEOC is a testament to the viability of this emerging technology. Tetchi Capellan, president and CEO of SunAsia Energy, noted that “land use is becoming a big issue for renewables.”
“People are worrying about competing uses of land, and in some markets, you might struggle to find land,” Capellan said. “There is a strong incentive to build on water as the Philippines gears up for an ambitious 46 GW solar energy installations in 2040 and at the same time, increase power supply in the country.”
She said that this first 610MW floating solar project “is our collective legacy, our immeasurable contribution to the body of knowledge in the renewable energy space and to the growing solar energy installations worldwide.”
“Once built, we are certain that it will stand as one of the engineering wonders of the world. It will capture the imagination of developers, it will be published in multiple journals, shared in social media, visited by hundreds of practitioners, and studied by academics,” Capellan added.
Since 2019, SunAsia Energy has been operating a testbed on Laguna Lake to study the behavior of waves, the movement of wind, the intensity of the sun, as well as the variability of the temperature in the locality. The wealth of experience has contributed to the growing knowledge of floating solar panels on the lake.
SunAsia Energy further explained that like land-based systems, floating solar panels generate electricity from the sun’s rays. But the bodies of water that these farms rest on also help to cool the panels, allowing them to be more efficient than terrestrial solar, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
Solar-on-water will definitely boost clean power as the world races to cut carbon emissions. Massive solar farms can now be found atop bodies of water in South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Portugal.
Developing solar-on-water projects, in the country’s largest lake, will help achieve not only the government’s ambitious decarbonization target but also much-needed power to run industries, light homes, and energize cities.
More importantly, it will be a legacy of the Philippines to the global renewable energy space, SunAsia Energy said.
In the last two decades, Blueleaf Energy has developed and built almost 2 GW of solar capacity across the globe, including 250 MW in the Philippines. It currently has over 7 GW of solar, wind, and storage projects project pipelines across the Asia Pacific region.
SunAsia Energy, a developer of sustainable solar energy in the country, has since its inception in 2013 partnered with various entities to develop solar projects including the 60 MWp Toledo solar project in Cebu and the 20 MWp Dagupan solar project in Pangasinan.
About Blueleaf Energy
Blueleaf Energy is a leading Pan Asian Renewable energy platform that develops, finances, owns, and operates renewables and storage assets to accelerate the energy transition towards net zero and beyond.
Committed to upholding the highest environmental, social, governance, and safety standards, Blueleaf Energy serves both corporate and industrial consumers and large utilities, providing our customers access to competitive and green energy mixes and solutions to achieve their sustainability targets.
Blueleaf Energy has a development pipeline of solar, wind, and storage projects in excess of 7 GW and a historical track record of developing and building 2 GW of capacity globally which includes over 500 MW in the Asia Pacific. Blueleaf Energy is a portfolio company of Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG), operating on a standalone basis. In the Philippines, Blueleaf Energy is managed by the Macquarie Capital operating group of the Macquarie Group.
SunAsia Energy
SunAsia Energy Inc. is a pioneer renewable energy developer in the Philippines harnessing the power of the sun to provide environmental and business solutions. Founded in 2013 by innovative entrepreneurs from real estate and agriculture, SunAsia Energy continues to deliver megawatts of clean electricity in support of the energy security goals of the country and contribute to global efforts to transition toward a net-zero carbon emission future.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 12, 2023 | Art and Science, Events
From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces — all using shoe molds — created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.
“We looked for volunteer artists by posting publicly on Facebook who was willing to paint or make any kind of art out of hulmahan [shoe molds] that are no longer being used because the pandemic hit the struggling shoe industry in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” relates Bernardo. The call for volunteers had a positive response and hundreds of artists all over the Philippines expressed interest.
The Manila Hotel’s creative consultant Rachy Cuna, National Artists Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Kidlat Tahimik, sculptors Pete Jimenez, Jonathan Dangue, Julie Lluch-Dalena, and thespian Dolly De Leon are some of the participating artists whose works are featured in Project Hulmahan.
Project Hulmahan is the brainchild of Zena Bernardo, one of the members of Ladies Who Launch (LWL) and one of the co-founders of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya. Ms. Bernardo met with shut-down shoe manufacturers in her hometown, Marikina, and their group purchased almost 500 pairs of shoe molds to transform them into artworks to earn funds for community-based activities.
“It is fitting that The Manila Hotel collaborates with inspiring ladies, as the Grand Dame celebrates ladies, especially mothers, in the month of May,” says Marvin Kim Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Manila Hotel. Ladies Who Launch is a four-woman team comprised of Zena Bernardo (mother of Ana Patricia ‘Patreng’ of the famed Maginhawa community pantry), Dolly De Leon, internationally acclaimed actress, Judith Albano, and Jasmine Ong. They were the founders of the community kitchen, which assisted many people during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The proceeds from the artworks will benefit the advocacy efforts of these three organizations: Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya for community kitchen and livelihood programs, The Community Kitchen Project for national disaster response, and a community-based art school for kids.
“Sa akin napaka-deep ng story ng [Project] Hulmahan. We want to give dignity back to the community; we consider them as partners in our community-based projects and not beggars. We may not be popular, but we want to be transparent and accountable. [Project] Hulmahan is about molding a person and molding a society. The success of this project will depend on working together and pooling resources so we can ensure that those in need have access to necessities during these challenging times,” says Bernardo.
Project Hulmahan is on display at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery until May 20, 2023. Admission is free.
To culminate the fundraising endeavor, a grand auction will be held at Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on May 21 from 6 PM to 11 PM. This is by invitation only.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with The Manila Hotel Spa and Health Club. It has 6 dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 12, 2023 | Book Reviews
You can add Mated to the Bully Stepbrothers by Qeemahhh (aka Enitan Abdulazeez) to the list of books that don’t make a lot of sense. From the title alone I automatically assumed this is a shifter romance since “mates” were mentioned. However, aside from the mention of Arielle being an Omega, her wolf’s name being Talia (in the first two chapters), the “mates” thing, and the reference to quicker healing, there is no other indicator that any of the characters are werewolves at all. That could have been taken out completely and made them all human and it would not have affected the story. They don’t even have a mind link which is common lore for werewolf stories with characters that are related or part of the same pack.
Just for context, this is the (unedited) blurb of the book, for your reference:
She has spent most of her life at the expense of others, bullied at school, working shifts and also tons of suffering but Arielle did not mind. Arielle has believed that clocking 18 would be the game-changer for her because she’ll find her mate and live an exotic life. Before her parents left her and her sister to the cruel world, a witch has told them she’ll be mated to a powerful creature and she’ll live a good life. What Arielle didn’t expect was to be mated to the three sons of the alpha of the pack, and also step brothers.
Would Arielle get the beautiful life she has always wanted or would it be a series of new torture? Would she be able to bring the three creatures together?
What would happen when the brothers learn that Arielle is not a normal omega and possesses a strong power? Will the power take either Arielle or the three brothers? Find out in this thrilling story.
The story begins with Arielle living in a hovel with rats eating her food as she doesn’t even have a fridge and her sister working for the Luna. The story even goes on to say that her sister lives at the packhouse and has no things at her place as she lives alone. Then as soon as the story introduces Derek, Enzo, and Aiden as her mates, she suddenly lives in a low-cost apartment complete with appliances and furnishings. She still wears “rags” but now she doesn’t live in a hovel.
Second point, the title says that the men are “stepbrothers” however they indicate that they have the same dad but different moms … that makes them half-brothers since they are all still related by blood. We don’t know if they belong to the same pack Arielle does. We don’t know if they are ranked wolves. What we do know is that they are wealthy.
Third, the book cover says “her” instead of “the” but Arielle is an orphan so they could not be her step anything.
Fourth, I have read up to chapter 40 now (yes, 40!) and she is bullied in every chapter by everyone except her sister. I think everyone is aware that bullying is bad, right? So how is it acceptable as a romance story arc for the main character to be bullied for (so far) the whole story, including by her supposed mates? We’re not even talking about just verbal abuse. Arielle is abused verbally, physically, psychologically, AND cyberbullied. Yes, her so-called “mates” are part of that whole twisted party. They don’t even want people to know that they are mates. She is their dirty little secret … nothing more than a sex slave.
Fifth, they just mark her (as in just bit her neck with no warning) on the day they discover they are mates at her apartment. She never marks them back.
Sixth, it takes the brothers more than 30 chapters to realize what douchebags they are, and then with the flip of a switch, they are suddenly nice to her, protective, and declaring to everyone that she is their mate. JUST. LIKE. THAT. No epiphany, no transitionary paragraphs, they are just suddenly nice. IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
Don’t even get me started on the grammar and word usage! For example, every time the says “phantom” she actually means fathom. In an effort to self-edit, some words have asterisks in place of letters. That’s fine and all if it made sense. For example, if she says “c–k” when referring to the male genitalia, that makes sense. But when she says “c–ked” referring to “tilting the head” then the asterisks are just ridiculous! There are so much more but those are the ones that stood out the most as I was reading. Note: I’ve replaced the * with – for this post because the page is not translating the way I want it to.
To be honest, I don’t even know why Arielle is still alive. I also don’t understand how the entire school bullies her and no person of authority has a clue. With everything that has happened to Arielle, I would have had her murdered or committing suicide (by jumping off a cliff or drowning in the river, for example) much earlier in the book where (assuming this is still a shifter story) the Moon Goddess intercedes, gives her a second chance at life somewhere else or as somewhere else. I would LOVE for this to be a rebirth story, rather than spending so much time on the bullying.
If the author really wants her to end up with the three, there has to be something that triggers the change in them, and we should see it. At the moment, I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. They tricked her like that before, humiliating her in front of everyone, what is to stop them from doing it again? I think the author needs to figure out what she really wants to happen and where this story is supposed to go because right now it just seems like she enjoys making Arielle suffer. Is there such a thing as fictional character bullying?
If you are curious and want to check out Mated to the Bully Stepbrothers by Qeemahhh (aka Enitan Abdulazeez) for yourself to form your own opinion you can find it on Dreame. It is an ongoing story so who knows where the story will go.
Dr. Jensen Banks is a well-known heart surgeon. He is well-known for his skill in the operating room and in the bedroom. Panties fall when he walks into a room. Yes, he is that hot. At 47, Jensen has it made … a successful career, any woman he wants, and no romantic relationship to tie him down. To the casual observer, Jensen has everything. And yet a memory of a passionate moment in the past often enters his thoughts and makes him wish for more.
All three brothers have been attracted to Gab for quite some time but hesitated to pursue anything because of their best friend, Travis, who happens to be her older brother. After walking in on Gab the thought of being with her grew in their minds and all three (together) decided that they would offer to “service” her in exchange for home-cooked meals. To their surprise, Gab agreed.
Jax is a vampire. For many years he has been traveling with two vampires, Ward and Riley, and a werewolf, Vance. Together this foursome has been visiting clubs in many places and indulging their sexual appetites. He always keeps a part of himself aloof as he yearns for his mate who he has yet to find.
Susan Mateo’s Laws for Training Your Best Dog is best bought in paper form. It’s the kind of book I’d love to hold and highlight key points. It’s a very useful reference manual. If there were more pictures, this could be a coffee book.
From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces — all using shoe molds — created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
Just for context, this is the (unedited) blurb of the book, for your reference:
You must be logged in to post a comment.