by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 23, 2022 | Book Reviews
Let me tell you something about He’s My Alpha by Cassandra M. I have been trying to write my review of this story for weeks now and I keep stalling – not because I have nothing to say but because I have a LOT to say. And yet I will restrain myself so that I don’t inadvertently give unforgivable spoilers.
Jacob and Claire have known each other for years, ever since they were kids. They are 5 years apart in age. Claire used to bring him treats like cupcakes and cookies that they would eat by the lake. Jake would let her join in when he and the other boys were playing, despite the protests of the others. Sweet, ain’t it?
Even at a young age Jake already knew that he didn’t want a Luna and mate and mentioned this to Claire, which made her sad. She even asked him, what if she was his Luna?
Fast forward to the present. Jacob Galhart is the Alpha of the Black Shadow pack and he does not want to have a mate. Claire Montrell is the sister of the Black Shadow pack’s Gamma, Aaron. On the day Claire turned 18, you know what happened? If you said that they discovered that they are mates then you are correct. But Jake refuses to accept her but does not reject her. Meanwhile, Claire is hurt and feels rejected and, of course, decides to leave.
Why is Jake so against having a Luna, and a mate? It all boils down to a curse and is pretty messed up. Their story gets more complicated when another Alpha enters the picture and wants Claire to be his Luna. Btw, said Alpha is not a bad guy. He is just really attracted to Claire.
Intrigued yet? To know more about this messed up couple check out He’s My Alpha by Cassandra M on Goodnovel. I swear Jake was driving me batty! You are likely to be as annoyed, frustrated, exasperated, and hooked on this story, lol!
This story is also available in paperback format on Amazon in case you want to hold and own the physical book.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 22, 2022 | Book Reviews
Stephanie Brother does it again with another Screaming Eagles MC reverse harem called Secret Baby for the Bikers. One wild night over a year ago with four bikers brings an unexpected result for Alessa. Despite using protection and contraception, her passionate encounter with Screaming Eagles Cleanup Crew (Viking, Hawk, Snark, and Bear) ended up forming a baby, Isabella, nine months later.
But things are not as simple as some guys getting a girl knocked up. This girl happens to be the granddaughter of the head of the mafia in their area, the Giordanos. Sidenote: I found that funny because, to me, Giordano is a shirt brand.
Alessa tried to reach out to them when she found out she was pregnant but despite her efforts, she could not even get passed the gate of the Screaming Eagles MC compound to talk to them. And so, despite the hardship, she decided to raise her child on her own.
Fast forward to 17 months later and a truce is being negotiated between the mafia and the Screaming Eagles. At the meeting, they all unexpectedly meet again and they then decide to look for Alessa. Days later, they go to her secret apartment and discover that they have a child.
Who the actual father is is not important, as far as they are concerned, all four of them were there, then all of them are the father. Complicate the story with a persistent mafioso suitor who won’t take no for an answer but does not know about her baby. Their feelings for each other were never in question. Despite the many months that have passed they are still quite attracted to Alessa and she felt the same. Her only real hesitation was how it would affect Izzy (short for Isabella) who is her number one priority.
I enjoyed reading this because it is a loving story, with not too much drama between the five of them. Even Hawk’s reticence made sense, I just knew there had to be a tragic backstory. The acceptance from all the men upon learning about their daughter, Isabella, was just heartwarming. How many men would be that accepting from the get-go?
To be honest, when I “met” them in the first book, Taken by the Bikers, I pictured them older except for Snark, who I imagined to be in his early 20s.
This is a loving story from the start. It is all passion and having them fall in love is icing on the cake. Since there are four of them and only one of Alessa, there is always at least 1 man who is getting left out when they make out but somehow they make it work. I was excited to get to the claiming.
Secret Baby for the Bikers by Stephanie Brother is easy to read since it isn’t angst-riddled. I enjoyed every moment I spent reading it. You can get a copy of Secret Baby for the Bikers by Stephanie Brothers on Amazon starting October 23, 2022.
If you want to know what happens a few years down the line with Alessa and her family, you can check out the bonus chapter here.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 21, 2022 | Public Service
When I wrote about how to apply for a PWD ID in 2018, I made sure to include a section on whether applications can get disapproved. And for those who didn’t bother to read the article, the answer is YES! Non-apparent disabilities can be rejected if the accompanying documents are unable to substantially prove that the applicant is qualified for a PWD ID.
I cannot blame the PDAO for thoroughly examining the documents, as there are many applicants who do not genuinely have a disability but simply wish to take advantage of the benefits granted to those who do. I am aware of individuals who have purchased their PWD IDs by falsely claiming to have a mental disability. If a lack of conscience can be considered a mental disability, then that certainly applies here!
Non-apparent disabilities
Mental disabilities
Certain mental disabilities, such as ADHD and bipolar disorder, often require a comprehensive medical abstract from a licensed psychologist affiliated with a hospital before they can be approved. I’ve heard of cases where a person may have both ADHD and bipolar disorder simultaneously, frequently accompanied by severe depression. Although this can occur, approval for these conditions will not be granted without the necessary medical documentation.
Orthopedic disabilities
Orthopedic disabilities that are not immediately visible may be denied if the accompanying documentation, such as the medical abstract, does not adequately demonstrate that the condition qualifies as a disability.
Disc herniation
A slipped (or herniated) disc, for example, is not considered a disability. I am not a doctor, so please don’t quote me on this, but I assume that a herniated disc is not approved because it is common and does not significantly impact our lives in the long term.
According to the Mayo Clinic, disc herniation is often the result of gradual, aging-related wear and tear or disc degeneration. This means that as we age, we all experience a disc herniation. If we are healthy, then to a lesser degree than someone who was injured.
Disc herniation can also happen to young adults due to trauma such as that caused by an injury related to an accident, work, or sports. A disc herniation on its own is not a sufficient reason to qualify for a PWD ID. Once implants are required and the spine is permanently compromised, then that is when it qualifies.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is considered a disability; however, not all applicants with this condition are approved for assistance, especially if there is no visible curvature in their spine and the supporting documents do not adequately validate the condition. I know someone who claims to have scoliosis, but despite my efforts, I can’t see any indication of it. To be fair, it may not be very pronounced, and I’ve never seen his bare back, so how could I really know? I also haven’t viewed his X-rays, and most importantly, I am not a doctor.
My niece has scoliosis as well. When she was younger, she had to wear a body brace. Although she no longer wears one, her scoliosis hasn’t disappeared; it has simply become less severe. I’m not sure if her parents ever applied for a PWD (Person with Disability) ID for her, as that option didn’t exist back then.
Visual disability
You don’t need to be completely blind, but if your eyesight is so poor that it cannot be addressed by corrective glasses, lenses, or medication, then you can apply.
What to do
If you have a non-apparent disability and wish to apply for a PWD ID, ensure that your documents are complete. The medical abstract you provide should clearly demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for the ID. If you do not qualify, take a moment to appreciate your good health.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 20, 2022 | Book Reviews
I started reading Bite-Size Luna by Ashleigh Dana Burnell out of curiosity, partly because I knew it was a prequel to the A Queen Among series but mainly because the title intrigued me.
Gabrielle from Xena: Warrior Princess played by Renee O’Connor
The main character is Sorrell. In my head, I was visualizing Gabrielle from Xena: Warrior Princess with the sais. She is diminutive in stature and an Omega, which means she has a wolf but cannot shift. But despite this, she is a warrior, trained by her dad, and wants to be a warrior for the pack. Her weapon of choice: sais. Sadly, their pack does not recognize Omegas as equals and is not included in training.
The new Alpha of the pack is Alden. He did not agree with many things his father, the former Alpha, imposed on the pack. He planned to make some changes, including warrior training for all, including children. He believes that the only way to be sure the pack is safe is if everyone in the pack has the basic skills (at least) to protect it – and the most vulnerable pack members, like the children, are always the ones more likely to get hurt.
He also wanted to change the prejudice his pack has against Omegas. Just because they are unable to shift does not make them any less than the others. Omegas are not servants or slaves. They are mutolupus just like everyone else. He spots Sorrell in the forest training in secret, mimicking the drills below, and is instantly attracted to her. In his heart, he feels she is his mate, but she is still too young to know it.
Ashleigh Dana Burnell’s world feels the same but different at the same time. This is mostly because of the different terms she used in place of the ones most people are used to. Where most authors would call fated mates simply “mate”, she called them “animai”. Where others would just say “werewolf”, she called them “mutolupus”.
I don’t think it is a big deal since authors can basically do whatever they want in their made-up world and as we read, we just get used to it. To be honest, I kept reading “animai” as “animal” so it often made me pause as it didn’t make sense.
Ashleigh Dana Burnell categorizes Bite-Size Luna as a “novella” as it is longer than a short story at 30 chapters. I’ve read shorter stories on Goodnovel but of a different genre.
Bite-Size Luna by Ashleigh Dana Burnell is fun to read. Set in the 70s, it has humor, romance, frustrating characters, new monsters, and unexpected friendships. You can find this jewel on Goodnovel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 19, 2022 | Book Reviews
I posted a quick recommendation for Mated to the Alpha Twins by Jane Doe on 12 May 2022 on my Facebook and Instagram accounts but I feel like I wasn’t really able to give enough information for a decent review.
Aurora St. Claire is, to all intents and purposes, an orphan. Her dad is still alive but she has never met him. Her mom, who she is now living with after her grandmother passed away, is married to an alcoholic bum and both of them treat her like a waste of space. When her mom is at work her stepfather would hit her and would make sexual advances. Therefore, at an early age, Aurora started working part-time jobs to get out of the house, while at the same time, supporting herself and saving money for college.
Alec and Kane are twins and the kings of campus. The boys wanted to be them and the girls wanted to be with them. From the moment they bumped into Aurora there was something about her that drew them.
Since Alec and Kane are wolves they knew it was the mate bond. The thing is, while they shared most things, as twins are wont to do, they have never shared a woman in the past. But the mate bond tells them that both of them are her mates.
Aurora finds herself strangely attracted to both despite their playing with her and seemingly bullying her. As the story progresses so many things are revealed about Aurora’s true nature, her connection with the boys, and later, the realities of the shifter world. While the story is set in high school for the beginning part of the story, I hesitate to categorize this as YA/Teen as the steamy scenes are just way too steamy! This story needs an 18+ rating.
Jane Doe tells a great story but really needs a good editor. If you can forgive the many grammatical and spelling errors then you will surely enjoy Mated to the Alpha Twins by Jane Doe. You can find it on Goodnovel and on Wattpad, I believe.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 18, 2022 | Book Reviews
I started reading Alpha Bully by Sam Crescent because I was curious to see how Marshall, an Alpha wolf, who bullied Scarlett, a human, intended to win her over. After all, he bullied her terribly for the last 5 years.
Marshall was just one of many people who bullied Scarlett, mostly because of her body shape. She wore loose, baggy clothes, and no matter how much dieting she did, she just couldn’t seem to lose weight. “Chunky girl” and “Piggy” were just two of the horrible nicknames other students in her school called her.
Rather than fight, as usual, our bullying victim just suffered quietly and in tears. Pffft!
After Marshall discovers that Scarlett is his mate he suffers pangs of regret and worries that he won’t be able to win her over. After talking with his dad and his best friend Jack he decided to just do his best.
As the story progresses it is interesting to see how much effort he is really putting in to try to get Scarlett. What I didn’t quite comprehend was how quickly it seemed for her to start accepting him. She expressed her doubts internally, but she still let him get away with doing things like holding her hand and putting his arm around her shoulder … on day 2 of school!
In my culture that is moving too fast, but the setting is not here, so I can only assume that in the U.S. kids just move and accept that fast. Here, he would be lucky if she even made eye contact.
That aside, the story is actually enjoyable. So much so that I bought the next book when I discovered it was about his best friend Jack and his mate. Marshall’s being a werewolf is almost incidental for most of the story.
Alpha Bully by Sam Crescent is book 5 of the Alpha Shifter Collection. It is available on Amazon in Kindle format for $3.99.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 17, 2022 | Book Reviews
Sinful Temptation by Kathleen Hayat is a forbidden romance. Emma Belle Richardson is a smart human 18-year-old student who is treated as an outcast in her school. Xander Colt is her Math teacher who is secretly an Alpha werewolf.
Emma is mocked for her body shape, her brains, and her quiet demeanor. She prefers solitude and often finds an empty classroom to have lunch in rather than go to the cafeteria. Despite being “a nerd” she and math don’t get along, which I find weird. After all, the stereotype often is a high proficiency in most, if not all, academic subjects, where math and science are usually where they excel.
Xander is undercover as a math teacher in Emma’s school. In reality, he is a werewolf and an Alpha of a powerful pack and his enemies think he is dead. As math teachers go he really knows his stuff but looking at him “math teacher” is the last thing you would think. He is tall, good-looking, muscled, and looks like he should be walking the runway. As the girls would say … he is a god!
Their worlds collide when Xander actively seeks out Emma in school, seemingly bullying her. I’ve heard of students bullying other students, but teachers?
Xander can’t help himself. While he isn’t the nicest person, he is inexplicably drawn to Emma … especially since discovering that she is his mate. Since Emma is human, she feels a strong attraction to him but does not recognize the mate bond. All she knows is, she is his student and what Xander is doing is wrong and taboo.
Their relationship starts off rocky and continues to be so until the truth is revealed and acceptance happens.
From the way the author writes, I can tell that English is not her first language but I can forgive the faulty grammar and incorrect idiomatic expressions when the story development is engaging … I still wish she would get a good proofreader or editor, just to make the book even better.
Sinful Temptation by Kathleen Hayat is book one of the Alpha’s Lethal Desire series which you can read on Goodnovel. And also on Booknet for $2.99. Enjoy!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 16, 2022 | Book Reviews
I don’t always understand why stories are cut up into several books but I would assume it has to do with how long the story is. But in the case of Seduced by the Alpha Wolf by Kaycee Kline, I feel that it could have just been one book. The first book is made up of 177 pages while the 2nd book (which continues the story) has 82 pages. It makes sense in that the second book is a different chapter in the lives of Marie and Adrian.
Marie is in college and was looking for a job she could do while on break. She applies for a job as a live-in companion to a reclusive billionaire and, at the first interview, was immediately hired.
Adrian is the said reclusive billionaire. Unbeknownst to Marie, he turns into a werewolf (more like a lycan, actually) every night. When his parents died he was raised by his aunt who later decided she wanted him as her lover. When he refused she cursed him so that he was a man in the day and a werewolf at night … 2 separate personalities as well.
Kaycee Kline’s werewolf is a man with wolf-like features and bigger. Think of this story as a take on Jekyll and Hyde meets Beauty and the Beast, except in the daytime, he is the prince. As the story progresses Marie falls in love with both the man and the beast and … I will let you read the rest.
One thing that bothered me about the story is that Adrian had no pack. Wolves, by nature, are social creatures so he must’ve been very lonely.
Reading both books is important if you want to complete the story but book 1 can stand on its own.
Seduced by the Alpha Wolf by Kaycee Kline books 1 and 2 are available on Amazon. Book 1 is free! And Book 2 is $2.99. Or you can get the complete set for $2.99. If you have a Kindle Unlimited account, you could read them for free with your subscription.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 15, 2022 | Entertainment
Tony Mabesa, 27 JAN 1935 – 04 OCT 2019
I count myself as one of the lucky ones who had the privilege to attend Pagtutuloy, Pagtutulay: A Tribute to Tony Mabesa. The name Antonio “Tony” Mabesa is a name that brings love, happiness, respect, and admiration to every person he has ever encountered. His career in theater, film, television, and the academe span about 70 years.
While he has done so much for the entertainment industry, his biggest contribution, in my opinion, has been as an educator and founder of the Dulaang UP and other theater groups. His passion infected the people around him and made all his students and mentees strive to be better than they thought they could be.
Watching testimonial after testimonial from former students and individuals (some of whom are renowned personalities in theater, TV, and film) he has worked with was very heartwarming and tear-inducing. It made me regret that I never had the opportunity to work with him.
Joel Lamangan – director, mentee, and friend
Joel Lamangan shares his experiences with Tony Mabesa
The most memorable part of the evening for me was when Dir. Joel Lamangan came onstage to share stories and anecdotes about learning and working with Tony Mabesa. I smiled and laughed with everyone in the crowd when he talked about how Tony could not act like a poor man, which is why as an actor, he was always cast as the businessman, the priest, and the don.
As Joel relates more of his anecdotes he segues into how Tony Mabesa is the reason why Philippine university theater exists. It is because of him that Dulaang UP exists.
Balikwas by Dulaang UP
This media event kicks off the new season of Dulaang UP called “Balikwas” which begins with a one-act play by Floy Quintos under the direction Dexter Santos called The Reconciliation Dinner. It will be performed live from November 18 to 20 at the UP Theater Main Hall.
You can get your tickets at Ticket2Me. For ticket inquiries and sponsorship we can reach out to Dulaang UP at du***********@****du.ph or we can send them a message on their Facebook Page: Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP Official Page).
Congratulations, Dulaang UP! I look forward to watching your plays again soon.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 15, 2022 | Book Reviews
10 years really isn’t that big of an age gap when you are both of age.
I have mixed feelings about Fireman’s Secret Baby by Kate Lovelace because the character growth felt a little slow for me. Also, Bree’s childish behavior in chapter one made me want to bend her over my knee and spank her. I know it isn’t fair that her mom seems to favor her sister more than her, which she felt growing up and I agree that the way her mom talked to her and treated her was not nice. Maybe it’s cultural, but here, you can’t get away with throwing a tantrum like that and you can’t just commandeer the living room for painting just because it isn’t being used. At the very least, she should have asked her mom for permission first, not just started using it.
Michael seems like a straight-up guy from the get-go but he has issues of his own to deal with which takes him 10 chapters to face. Despite that, he is actually sweet and caring, and extremely easy to fall for.
As the story progresses it gets better and, thankfully, they finally connect. This is a light, sweet romance, with some drama thrown in just to spice things up. Light reading you could enjoy.
You can get a copy of Fireman’s Secret Baby by Kate Lovelace on Amazon currently priced at $0.99!
But things are not as simple as some guys getting a girl knocked up. This girl happens to be the granddaughter of the head of the mafia in their area, the Giordanos. Sidenote: I found that funny because, to me, Giordano is a shirt brand.
Certain mental disabilities, such as ADHD and bipolar disorder, often require a comprehensive medical abstract from a licensed psychologist affiliated with a hospital before they can be approved. I’ve heard of cases where a person may have both ADHD and bipolar disorder simultaneously, frequently accompanied by severe depression. Although this can occur, approval for these conditions will not be granted without the necessary medical documentation.
A slipped (or herniated) disc, for example, is not considered a disability. I am not a doctor, so please don’t quote me on this, but I assume that a herniated disc is not approved because it is common and does not significantly impact our lives in the long term.
Scoliosis is considered a disability; however, not all applicants with this condition are approved for assistance, especially if there is no visible curvature in their spine and the supporting documents do not adequately validate the condition. I know someone who claims to have scoliosis, but despite my efforts, I can’t see any indication of it. To be fair, it may not be very pronounced, and I’ve never seen his bare back, so how could I really know? I also haven’t viewed his X-rays, and most importantly, I am not a doctor.
Aurora St. Claire is, to all intents and purposes, an orphan. Her dad is still alive but she has never met him. Her mom, who she is now living with after her grandmother passed away, is married to an alcoholic bum and both of them treat her like a waste of space. When her mom is at work her stepfather would hit her and would make sexual advances. Therefore, at an early age, Aurora started working part-time jobs to get out of the house, while at the same time, supporting herself and saving money for college.
Marshall was just one of many people who bullied Scarlett, mostly because of her body shape. She wore loose, baggy clothes, and no matter how much dieting she did, she just couldn’t seem to lose weight. “Chunky girl” and “Piggy” were just two of the horrible nicknames other students in her school called her.
Emma is mocked for her body shape, her brains, and her quiet demeanor. She prefers solitude and often finds an empty classroom to have lunch in rather than go to the cafeteria. Despite being “a nerd” she and math don’t get along, which I find weird. After all, the stereotype often is a high proficiency in most, if not all, academic subjects, where math and science are usually where they excel.
Marie is in college and was looking for a job she could do while on break. She applies for a job as a live-in companion to a reclusive billionaire and, at the first interview, was immediately hired.
I have mixed feelings about Fireman’s Secret Baby by Kate Lovelace because the character growth felt a little slow for me. Also, Bree’s childish behavior in chapter one made me want to bend her over my knee and spank her. I know it isn’t fair that her mom seems to favor her sister more than her, which she felt growing up and I agree that the way her mom talked to her and treated her was not nice. Maybe it’s cultural, but here, you can’t get away with throwing a tantrum like that and you can’t just commandeer the living room for painting just because it isn’t being used. At the very least, she should have asked her mom for permission first, not just started using it.
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