by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 20, 2023 | Book Reviews
I eagerly awaited the release of Cloud 9 by Stephanie Brother and when it finally did happen I dropped whatever else I was reading and basically inhaled this story, lol! I knew good things were coming Dawn’s way when we met her in Inked 8 and I was super glad to see it finally happen.
From the moment she got YOLO tattooed over her ass I just HAD to find out the story. What is behind her carefree attitude? What secrets hide behind her smile? All gets revealed in Cloud 9.
Cloud 9 is three things … the name of the bar managed by 9 friends, the 9 aforementioned amazing men (Lachlan, Logan, Thomas, Cooper, Bradley, Bryce, Mitchell, Jared, and Joshua) and the heights of passion these men bring Dawn to everytime she is intimate with any one, two, or all of them.
Dawn gets an international smorgasbord when she decides to hook up with Cloud 9 … a Scot, Londoners, Texans, and Aussies. The only continents not represented are Asia and Africa. 😀 But this story is not just about all the sex Dawn is having. Besides personal challenges there are also relationship and business challenges for Dawn and her men to face.
As I read the one question stuck in my head was … what the hell is wrong with DAWN?!? The way she was avoiding her dad and how she determinedly pastes as smile on her face tells me there is something there. Thank God for friends like Kyla and men like Cloud 9.
If you want to read this wonderful story, Cloud 9 by Stephanie Brother is available on Amazon for $2.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited. Don’t forget to read the bonus content on stephaniebrotherbooks.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 19, 2023 | Book Reviews
I discovered Sharing Beatrice by Alexis Dee by accident when I was randomly adding books to my bookshelf on iReader. I was intrigued because the book opens with Beatrice being humiliated by her mate, Alpha Flynn. What?!? This wasn’t just chapter 1, this was page 1!
This got me curious to see 1) how this would play out and 2) who is he supposedly sharing her with. From the cover art, it is safe to assume there will be three additional men. Boy, was I wrong. It turns out four men would be entering her life. That brings her mate count to five!
Akin, Helel, Zane, and Maddox are the Alpha Kings and sons of Alpha Lord Vazquez. Each son has a very unique personality that make each one stand out. Beatrice is a shy, introverted girl with an insane fear of sleeping alone at night.
On the day that Beatrice gets rejected by Flynn, she finds out that she and her mom were moving to live with Lord Vazquez who has chosen her mom, Scarlet, as his mate. When the parents leave for a trip Beatrice is forced to approach the brothers one by one to ask them to sleep with her (literally, not metaphorically) so that she will not get nightmares.
Long story short, they discover they are all mated to her but rather than treat her well, they were disparaging and hurtful and treated her like nothing more than a sex doll. I was mad at her for being so spineless and looked forward to the pages when she would grow a backbone. Sharing Beatrice by Alexis Dee is an interesting story despite the many incorrect word usage to be found. As the book progressed, there were fewer, though. I do not know if it is completed yet or not but so far you can read it on iReader.
More story than sex, which makes it interesting and not smutty.
To be honest, the copy editor in me is really irritated by all the errors in this book: homonyms, completely wrong terms used, and worse, when the author can’t keep track of who is talking and what to call them. For example … she is referring to one of the guys and then she calls him “stepmother”. This is not an insurmountable problem. I hope that the author hires a copy editor to go over the story before deciding the publish.
The story has a lot of potential but the multitude of errors makes my teeth hurt.
This story is still ongoing on iReader. Download the app and read Sharing Beatrice by Alexis Dee on your tablet or phone.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 16, 2023 | Book Reviews
I started reading The Lost Lycan Luna by Jessica Hall on iReader at a friend’s recommendation. I didn’t even know about it because the story is not on Goodnovel, which is where I primarily read pay-per-chapter books.
This is a story of an abused rogue orphan girl, Ivy, who we later discover is the lost princess of a Lycan kingdom. On the day of her execution, her life was spared when the Lycan King, Kyson, intervened and decided to take her and her best friend Abbie with him back to his castle. Kyson realized she was his mate but since she hadn’t turned 18 yet, she was unable to sense the mate bond.
The story is compelling. It possibly falls under the “dark romance” genre because of all the scenes depicting violence but not between the main characters. It is a love story where Kyson and Ivy struggle with each other and try to overcome prejudice, miscommunication, and mistrust.
I was amazed at how strong Ivy is. Her ability to withstand pain for the people she loves is awe-inspiring. Her relationship with Abbie is incomparable, it is greater even than her affection for the king. As Ivy and Abbie always say … “more than my life”.
If this is a story you would like to read, too, you will find it on iReader. Be warned, though, that the story is actually 3 stories, which is why there are so many chapters. I’m looking forward to The Lost Lycan Luna by Jessica Hall on Amazon soon.
Was this plagiarized?
the photo was taken from https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna32657885
As I was reading, I noticed that there were some similarities to another story I’ve read/am reading by another author. Continuing to read, however, I realized that the similarities are superficial.
- main characters are the Lycan King and the lost Lycan princess
- the main female character was thought to be a rogue orphan
- the main character has a best friend who came with her to the Lycan King’s castle
- the main female character did not know that she was a Lycan
As the story progresses the differences between the two become very apparent as the way the story develops is different. Let’s face it, if we look hard enough we will find many similarities between stories A through Z. I’ve honestly lost count of how many stories I’ve read of a man who is married to a woman for three years divorces her so that he could be with her cousin/stepsister only for him to later find out that his wife was secretly a rich and powerful woman.
My point is, we shouldn’t be too quick to accuse another author of plagiarism without actually reading further into the story. While there could be strong similarities at the start it doesn’t mean that the story is exactly the same.
There is an exercise we do in one of the classes I used to teach where I would give the entire class the same information to write their own versions of the story. This is a similar situation to that. And, let’s be honest, nothing is truly original anymore. We all take inspiration from many things, and it would not be inconceivable for many authors to get inspired by a story written by someone else. It does not make them a plagiarizer.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 15, 2023 | Book Reviews
The Fae’s Gamble by Ferrell Dawson combines three things I love … mythology/supernatural tales, pop culture references, and fated mates! Growing up I have always been fascinated by stories about the supernatural. I would read any story that spoke of gods and goddesses, different types of fae, characters from different folklore, etc.
I started to read this book because it tells the story of what supposedly happened to the magic and magical creatures of Scotland. Many of the names of their magical creatures I can’t even pronounce without looking them up first, lol! Our female lead went to Scotland for her doctorate degree, not knowing that a) she has witch blood and b) she was invited to complete her degree there because she is a direct descendant of the witch that bound the magic and could possibly break the curse.
Dr. Calum Welsh is a fae prince. For centuries he has been researching ways to break the curse. In doing so he established the Office of Highland Magic where faculties members are actually different magical creatures in disguise. He invited Fern to Scotland to join his faculty and earn her degree knowing of her lineage but not realizing that she is his mate.
Both of them try hard to resist the pull of the bond. Together with a wulver and a baobhan sith our hapless mates travel and desperately seek ways to help Fern break the curse.
The Fae’s Gamble by Ferrell Dawson is a romance, sure. But the adventure/fantasy aspect is so much more interesting! It is definitely worth the $3.99 on Amazon. If you have a Kindle Unlimited account, though, it’s free.
FYI, pop culture references made include Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to name but a few.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 14, 2023 | Book Reviews
Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Candy Cane Craving by Colbie Dunbar was a surprise for me for the genre because this is probably the first time I’ve encountered a male omega who is more witty, confident, and outgoing than the Alpha. It is already a stereotype that Alphas are supposed to be strong, fearless, yada yada and Omegas are supposed to be soft and gentle. So to have an Omega aggressive and who know what he wants right off the bat was a wonderful surprise for me. Gage had me smiling from the get-go.
In Colbie Dunbar’s world “Alpha” is not necessarily some powerful leader. Conan is an accountant working a regular job, has a boss, and makes enough money to be able to afford his own apartment. In contrast, Gage is an Omega who has made enough money to not have to work for more than a year (so far), has a large property he is currently renovating, and can afford to take his time and not do anything for some time to come.
Seemingly it would actually appear as though Gage is the Alpha and Conan, the Omega, but I will trust in Colbie Dunbar’s process. In a nutshell, it seems that the only real distinction I can tell is that it is the Omegas who get pregnant. I love the fact, though, that this book explores the idea of the Omega being top and the Alpha, bottom.
If you are curious about Candy Cane Craving by Colbie Dunbar you can find it on Amazon for $3.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 12, 2023 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways
Globe’s retail venture Rappit is showering its customers with a practical kind of love this February, from discounts on your favorite products to special offers, there’s definitely something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a gift for your special someone or want to treat yourself, Rappit has got you covered! Here’s what’s in store.
Rappit curated special collections, including the Somebunny To Love collection of chocolates from Toblerone, Kisses, Cadbury, and KitKat; the All Things Blush collection of beauty products from Olay, St. Ives, Vaseline, and Aveeno; and the Singles collection with treats from Heineken, M&Ms, Rio Strong, TimTam, San Miguel, Snickers, and Suntory.
If you’re planning a romantic evening, the Date Night Collection is perfect, with premium meats from Mrs. Garcia’s and Meltique, fine wines from Carlo Rossi, Novellino, Yellow Tail, Arbor Mist, and Beringer, and chocolates from Hershey’s, Ferrero Rocher, and Cadbury.
Rappit’s Love Yourself collection is perfect for those looking to care for their health, with healthy picks from UnMeat, Quaker Oats, Nestle Yogurt, Kellogg’s Cereals, Kirkland Organic Almond Milk, Del Monte Juices, and Century Tuna.
In addition, Rappit also lined up a special offer for all chocolate lovers out there! Pick your favorite chocolates from the Valentine’s Mix and Match of Toblerone and Cadbury and have a P60 off voucher when you spend P300 on participating items.
And since we love you at Rappit, you get to enjoy free delivery with just a minimum spend of P3,000 on your groceries!
“This Valentine’s Month, we at Rappit want to show our love and appreciation to our customers by offering sweet deals and collections – from treats to health and beauty products, we’ve got something for everyone. Whether you’re celebrating with your significant other or just looking for ways to pamper yourself, we’re here to make this Love Month extra special,” said Cindy Toh, CEO of Rappit.
So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to shower your loved ones (and yourself) with lots of love this Valentine’s Day with Rappit. Visit https://rappitph.page.link/BF2023PR to learn more and start shopping today!
About Rappit
Rappit, formerly PureGo, is a collaboration between 917Ventures and Puregold. Rappit is every Filipino’s rewarding grocery sidekick, the only app that brings great grocery deals with a more rewarding shopping experience. It offers over 6,000 great groceries and serves several cities in the Philippines through same-day and scheduled deliveries.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 12, 2023 | Book Reviews
I had mixed feelings when reading Fighting Fate by Alle. A part of it was because the first chapter was more like a preview to the future and the succeeding chapters did not really connect to it. By the time the story was anywhere near what the first chapter was talking about, I’d already read more than half the story. In my opinion, the first chapter was unnecessary and could be scrapped … or shortened and made a preview instead. Skipping over that chapter, though, the story as it progressed was pretty good. It was easy for me to accept why both Selene and Rocco did not want to meet their fated mates.
In Alle’s world werewolves don’t sense their fated mates by scent or touch at any old time so long as they are of age. They must be within sensing distance on a full moon in her world. It also presumes that their fated mate will also be a wolf. This made it easy for the lead characters to “fight their fate” as they made sure not to be near any other wolves on a full moon.
Moving past the first chapter, the story is easy to get immersed in. Before I knew it I found myself involved in the story and couldn’t put it down. I think Selene and Rocco are perfect for each other. Their determination to succeed in life is admirable and the reasons why they are avoiding the mate bond are understandable.
Fighting Fate by Alle has 64 chapters so it won’t take you forever to read. The story length is just perfect. Some chapters feel like they run longer than the rest (which they probably do) but mostly I’ve discovered that those are the chapters where a lot of things happen to our characters. If this is the kind of story you think you can get into, then you can read it on reading apps like Goodnovel or …
I was happy to discover that it is also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble for $4.99! Yessssss! This means we can enjoy this book without paying chapter by chapter, which is a less expensive alternative. doing the dance of joy
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 11, 2023 | Food & Beverage
Celebrate the journey of love this February with a romantic sojourn and an array of delectable dining selections at The Manila Hotel.
Valentine Room Escape
Bask in the spirit of love with our Valentine’s Day room offer at a special rate of P10,000 nett (inclusive of breakfast buffet for two, dinner buffet for two, and a deluxe room accommodation) where couples can indulge in a luxurious overnight stay in a Deluxe Room. Enjoy our signature breakfast buffet and take pleasure in our romantic dining experiences at Café Ilang-Ilang.
Exquisite culinary journeys at our famed Café Ilang-Ilang
Intricate yet sumptuous flavors of local and international cuisines shine throughout our famed Café Ilang-Ilang. With an extensive selection of buffet delights, satiate your tastebuds this Valentine’s Day.
To better accommodate our guests, the dinner buffet will have two seatings on February 14 and 15, with only 350 persons each time. The first seating will be from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM while the second seating will be from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM. A designated waiting area will be provided for guests arriving early for the second seating. Senior citizens will be prioritized. Regular buffet rates apply.
Embrace romance and glamour at the Champagne Room
Food is a love language, and if it happens to be the one you speak, there’s no better place to indulge than in the most romantic room in Manila—The Champagne Room. The fine-dining restaurant welcomes guests to the sophisticated culinary landscape of delectable European fare.
Our exquisite Valentine’s degustation dinner menu is offered at P6,000 nett per person and will only be available from 13 to 15 February 2023.
Valentine Gift Selections
The Manila Hotel also presents its signature offerings as ideal gifts this Valentine’s season. Inspired by sweet moments and little acts of love, the hotel’s well-loved pralines and smashable chocolate heart (P1,480 nett) double as thoughtful presents to loved ones or as an indulgent date night dessert.
For reservations and inquiries, please call (632) 85270011 or (632) 530015500 or email re************@************el.com
For more information on the hotel’s offers and updates, please visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph or follow The Manila Hotel on Facebook and Instagram.
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 500 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 Manila Hotel 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;
- The Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila — features French cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting;
- Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of jazz music;
- Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings;
- Red Jade is a fine-dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and
- The Deli offers the hotel’s signature pastries, breads, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 10, 2023 | Book Reviews
Accidental Vegas Daddy by Ruby Emhart was fun to read. I confess I was mostly smiling as I was reading it. From start to finish Mason and Kenzie (Lynn) are humping like bunnies just about every time they are within a few feet of each other. It is like there is a magnet pulling them together each time.
I couldn’t help but laugh at how much of a thrill they got from making out in semi-public places. That fear of getting caught upped the heat by a thousand!
But, of course, the story can’t be an uncomplicated HEA. Enter Mason’s sister who happens to be Kenzie’s best friend with whom she made a pact in college never to get involved with exes or family members. Also enter Rebecca, Mason’s “betrothed” from an arranged marriage planned by his father. Add to that Mason’s reputation for being a playboy. All that didn’t make life easy for these two lovebirds.
A few are left unanswered, though.
- What is so special about Marin Digital, Kenzie’s small publishing firm, that so many big companies would offer to buy her company, including Mr. Media, Mason’s company?
- What is Alice’s damage that upon finding out about Mason and Kenzie, she ends up alienating both of them by roping in Rebecca? I thought she was smart.
- Since when did Conrad become “dad”? After Mason and he had that long overdue talk how long did it take for them both to reach that point?
If you are looking for something not too heavy, check out Accidental Vegas Daddy by Ruby Emhart on Amazon for only $0.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 8, 2023 | Book Reviews
I hesitated to read The Bogeyman’s Woman by Sam Crescent only because I don’t usually like mafia romances … mostly as it feels wrong to romanticize something bad but Ruin is mafia adjacent. I rationalize so that my mind will accept it. It helps that in the story we don’t really see too many instances of Ruin doing this job, although it does happen, and his targets are bad people so I see Ruin as an executioner simply meting out justice.
The story, though, is not about his job, not really. It is about how Ruin falls for his target, Callie, from the moment he sees her picture. This leads him to investigate why there is a hit on her while falling even more hopelessly in love.
Callie is a simple girl living a simple life. There is nothing about her that stands out unless you count her penchant for knitting. She has no social life and generally keeps to herself so how is it even possible that she caught the attention of a capo?
The Bogeyman’s Woman by Sam Crescent is a story of their courtship. Reading their courtship and romance develop was quite thrilling. This story is available on Amazon for 3.99 if you’d like to read it, too.
by accident when I was randomly adding books to my bookshelf on iReader. I was intrigued because the book opens with Beatrice being humiliated by her mate, Alpha Flynn. What?!? This wasn’t just chapter 1, this was page 1!
on iReader at a friend’s recommendation. I didn’t even know about it because the story is not on Goodnovel, which is where I primarily read pay-per-chapter books.
The Fae’s Gamble by Ferrell Dawson combines three things I love … mythology/supernatural tales, pop culture references, and fated mates! Growing up I have always been fascinated by stories about the supernatural. I would read any story that spoke of gods and goddesses, different types of fae, characters from different folklore, etc.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Candy Cane Craving by Colbie Dunbar was a surprise for me for the genre because this is probably the first time I’ve encountered a male omega who is more witty, confident, and outgoing than the Alpha. It is already a stereotype that Alphas are supposed to be strong, fearless, yada yada and Omegas are supposed to be soft and gentle. So to have an Omega aggressive and who know what he wants right off the bat was a wonderful surprise for me. Gage had me smiling from the get-go.
I had mixed feelings when reading Fighting Fate by Alle. A part of it was because the first chapter was more like a preview to the future and the succeeding chapters did not really connect to it. By the time the story was anywhere near what the first chapter was talking about, I’d already read more than half the story. In my opinion, the first chapter was unnecessary and could be scrapped … or shortened and made a preview instead. Skipping over that chapter, though, the story as it progressed was pretty good. It was easy for me to accept why both Selene and Rocco did not want to meet their fated mates.
Fighting Fate by Alle has 64 chapters so it won’t take you forever to read. The story length is just perfect. Some chapters feel like they run longer than the rest (which they probably do) but mostly I’ve discovered that those are the chapters where a lot of things happen to our characters. If this is the kind of story you think you can get into, then you can read it on reading apps like 
Bask in the spirit of love with our Valentine’s Day room offer at a special rate of P10,000 nett (inclusive of breakfast buffet for two, dinner buffet for two, and a deluxe room accommodation) where couples can indulge in a luxurious overnight stay in a Deluxe Room. Enjoy our signature breakfast buffet and take pleasure in our romantic dining experiences at Café Ilang-Ilang.
Intricate yet sumptuous flavors of local and international cuisines shine throughout our famed Café Ilang-Ilang. With an extensive selection of buffet delights, satiate your tastebuds this Valentine’s Day.
Food is a love language, and if it happens to be the one you speak, there’s no better place to indulge than in the most romantic room in Manila—The Champagne Room. The fine-dining restaurant welcomes guests to the sophisticated culinary landscape of delectable European fare.
The Manila Hotel also presents its signature offerings as ideal gifts this Valentine’s season. Inspired by sweet moments and little acts of love, the hotel’s well-loved pralines and smashable chocolate heart (P1,480 nett) double as thoughtful presents to loved ones or as an indulgent date night dessert.
Accidental Vegas Daddy by Ruby Emhart was fun to read. I confess I was mostly smiling as I was reading it. From start to finish Mason and Kenzie (Lynn) are humping like bunnies just about every time they are within a few feet of each other. It is like there is a magnet pulling them together each time.
I hesitated to read The Bogeyman’s Woman by Sam Crescent only because I don’t usually like mafia romances … mostly as it feels wrong to romanticize something bad but Ruin is mafia adjacent. I rationalize so that my mind will accept it. It helps that in the story we don’t really see too many instances of Ruin doing this job, although it does happen, and his targets are bad people so I see Ruin as an executioner simply meting out justice.
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