Yearly Archives: 2015

Asia’s Next Top Model Season 3 – Episode 1 Photoshoot (The Girl In A Spin)

Posted on March 26, 2015 | 4 comments
Bias aside, I think Amanda totally killed this shoot! I'm so inlove with it!!!!

Bias aside, I think Amanda totally killed this shoot! I’m so in love with it!!!!

The first episode saw the the fourteen lucky hopefuls settled into their new house. They then meet with host Georgina and fellow judge Joey to evaluate their runway walk which will be part of their very first challenge. As per Top Model outrageous tradition, the girls were asked to walk the runway with a turn table at the end. Barbara (JPN) won the runway challenge although the judges were unanimous about Monika’s runway prowess. (just gotta get that out yeah? home girl and all LOL) Their first shoot was a swimsuit shoot where the youngest contestant Amanda from the Philippines easily stood out from the rest along with Barbara and Monika. Meanwhile, Shareeta (so gorg btw) struggled so much which led to her untimely demise on the show >a bit extreme I know< but I really loved the girl and thought that she’d go so far!!!! Too bad really!!!

Barbara

Barbara

I loved the proportion of her body although I was a bit distracted by the angle of her face. This was a beautiful shot overall.

Monika

Monika

The girl whom the judges thought was born for runway! I couldn’t agree more. Loved this shot but found her waist too thin! Still, that face! that face!

Tahlia

Tahlia

I’m not really a fan of this shot but I loved her face so I’m okay with her position so far.

Gani Ayu

Gani Ayu

Gawd! You gotta love that Asian flavor! Not my favorite shot in the bunch but I so love her oriental beauty!

Aimee

Aimee

I’m not that impressed with her facial expression here but the neck below was almost perfect!

Loretta

Loretta

This one though reminds me of an underwear catalog from Avon – dunnowhy?

KB

KB

This for some reason reminds me so much of a GUESS? ads!

Chesca

Chesca

Gaaahhh. I don’t understand this one. It’s too pedestrian.

Melissa

Melissa

A wee bit cliche yeah? Remember Anamaria from America’s Next Top Model Cycle15?

Kiana

Kiana

I actually loved this shot!! The feel is very “Tropical” and I loved the contour of her body. What drag this down though was her eyes. Too bad really.

Rani

Rani

Not exactly a good shot of her – proportions were off and the styling. Just tsk.

Celine

Celine

Great face. Lacks inspiration.

Shareeta

Shareeta

As much as I loved the beauty of this girl, I just have to agree with the judges. It’s the weakest photo in the bunch. I won’t be blaming it all to Shareeta though. I thought her styling overall does not suit her.

Call Out Order First Call Out: Amanda 2. Barbara 3. Monika 4. Tahlia 5. Gani 6. Aimee 7. Loretta 8. KB 9. Franchesca 10. Melissa 11. Kiana 12. Rani 13. Celine ELIMINATED: Shareeta Do you agree with the judges’ decision to eliminate Shareeta this early in the competition?

images via starworld

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Book Review: Starting Point (Turning Point #3) – N.R. Walker

Posted on March 26, 2015 | Leave a comment

Starting PointBLURB: Matthew Elliott is a recovering man. As an ex-cop and ex-fighter, his new job teaching kids at the local community gym about drug awareness and self-defence, is a little bit of both. His new focus on helping street kids is helping him heal, and with Kira by his side, he’s making strides.

Brother and sister, Rueben and Claudia, are homeless kids and they’re very much alone. As they strike a chord with Matt, he does everything in his power to help them.

But when Ruby and Claude need more help than he bargained for, it stops being about work, and starts being about home.

The day he met Kira, Matt’s life changed direction, and it’s only now he realises that everything he’s been through was a lead up to this. It was never about endings. His life, his purpose, was just beginning.

***

I really thought that after the disappointing second installment, the third book will be able to pick it up but oh lawd! No! It spiraled down even deeper. Like it “cannot be saved deep,” “Like what the hell happened deep?”

After finally reaching his breaking point, all Matthew Elliot can do now is to start over. And when I said start over – he decided to become Superman trying to save everyone. I think he was punched really hard in the second book and something happened with him psychologically. I don’t even know this new Matt. I’m not sure if he’s downright annoying or just too much everything.

I’m so glad that Kira somehow stayed in character but I really thought that he’s way better with someone else. That’s just for me though. I’d stop now because I’ve nothing more good to say about this third book. This was a fluke for sure at least for me. It’s just…tsk tk tsk.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Published May 23rd 2014 by Totally Bound (first published May 22nd 2014)

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Meet The Contestants Of Asia’s Next Top Model Season 3!!!

Posted on March 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

Asia's Next Top Model S3After the highly successful first two season of Asia’s Next Top Model – the region is yet again searching for the new face of said show. Last year, Liam Yee Sheen better known as Sheena from Malaysia was awarded the title amidst tremendous backlash from Pinoy netizens. Right now though, all is well and dandy and with Filipina top model/endorser Georgina Wilson spearheading this season replacing last year’s host Nadya Hutagalung and will also judge along with with third time judge Joey Mead-King and Australia’s Next Top Model resident judge and fashion designer, Alex Perry. With this, the show promises to have its best season so far.

So let’s meet the fourteen girls who made the cut in the hopes of becoming Asia’s Next Top Model!

COUNTRY: Hong Kong

Loretta Chow

Loretta Chow

Full Name: Loretta Chow
Nickname: Lori
Age: 27
Height: 179cm
Country: Hong Kong
Occupation: Actress / Singer / Part‐time model
Favourite Feature: Smile
Worst Feature: Armpits
Favourite Model: Candice Swanepoel
Favourite Designer: Christian Louboutin / Alexander McQueen
Phobias: Insects that sting / bite

Kirsteen Barlow

Kirsteen Barlow

Full Name: Kirsteen Ching Wing MacGregor Barlow
Nickname: KB
Age: 25
Height: 171cm
Country: Hong Kong
Occupation: Model
Favourite Feature: Upper abdominals
Worst Feature: Arms
Favourite Model: Kate Moss
Favourite Designer: Elie Saab / Givenchy
Phobias: Deep open water

COUNTRY: Indonesia

Ayu Gani

Ayu Gani

Full Name: Ayu Gani
Nickname: Gani
Age: 23
Height: 173cm
Country: Indonesia
Occupation: Student
Favourite Feature: Eyes
Worst Feature: Big legs
Favourite Model: Karlie Kloss
Favourite Designer: Dolce & Gabbana
Phobias: Alone in a dark room

Tahlia Raji

Tahlia Raji

Full Name: Tahlia Raji
Nickname: Tahlia
Age: 18
Height: 173cm
Country: Indonesia
Occupation: Model
Favourite Feature: Eyes and lips
Worst Feature: Teeth
Favourite Model: Miranda Kerr
Favourite Designer: Karl Lagerfeld
Phobias: Being alone at night when it’s raining.

Rani Ramadhany

Rani Ramadhany

Full Name: Rani Ramadhany
Nickname: Rani
Age: 20
Height: 173cm
Country: Indonesia
Occupation: Student / drummer / model
Favourite Feature: Eyes
Worst Feature: Shoulder
Favourite Model: Cara Delevingne / Adriana Lima
Favourite Designer: Nina Nikicio
Phobias: White bright light

COUNTRY: Japan

Akemi Katsuki

Akemi Katsuki

Full Name: Barbara Akemi Katsuki
Nickname: Akemi
Age: 27
Height: 173cm
Country: Japan / Brazil
Occupation: Model / student
Favourite Feature: My smile
Worst Feature: My feet
Favourite Model: Kiko Mizuhara (Japan) / Alessandra Ambrosio (Brazil)
Favourite Designer: Ralph Lauren
Phobias: Snakes

COUNTRY: Malaysia

Melissa Tan

Melissa Tan

Full Name: Melissa Tan Li Hsia
Nickname: Mel
Age: 27
Height: 173cm
Country: Malaysia
Occupation: Financial Industry / Part‐time Model
Favourite Feature: Arms
Worst Feature: None
Favourite Model: Coco Rocha
Favourite Designer: Alexander McQueen
Phobias: Heights / certain types of insects

Shareeta Selvaraj

Shareeta Selvaraj

Full Name: Shareeta Selvaraj
Nickname: Sharee
Age: 24
Height: 168cm
Country: Malaysia
Occupation: Freelance Model / Content Manager
Favourite Feature: Eyebrows
Worst Feature: Scary fingers
Favourite Model: Joan Smalls
Favourite Designer: None
Phobias: Fingernails on a chalkboard / things with holes

COUNTRY: Philippines

Amanda Chan

Amanda Chan

Full Name: Amanda Bianca Chan
Nickname: None
Age: 17
Height: 176cm
Country: Philippines
Occupation: Student
Favourite Feature: Legs
Worst Feature: Feet
Favourite Model: Cara Delevingne
Favourite Designer: Steve Madden
Phobias: Heights

Franchesca Lagua

Franchesca Lagua

Full Name: Franchesca Denise Lagua
Nickname: Chesca
Age: 23
Height: 172cm
Country: Philippines
Occupation: Model
Favourite Feature: Teeth / legs
Worst Feature: Nose
Favourite Model: Kendall Jenner
Favourite Designer: Vera Wang
Phobias: Flying cockroach.

Monila Sta.Maria

Monila Sta.Maria

Full Name: Marlena Monika Sta Maria
Nickname: Monika / Mon
Age: 23
Height: 177cm
Country: Philippines
Occupation: Model
Favourite Feature: Freckles
Worst Feature: Kinky baby hair on my hairline
Favourite Model: Candice Swanepoel
Favourite Designer: Michael Cinco
Phobias: Flying cockroach

COUNTRY: Singapore

Aimee Bradshaw

Aimee Bradshaw

Full Name: Aimee Rose Cheng‐Bradshaw
Nickname: ACB
Age: 19
Height: 175cm
Country: Singapore
Occupation: Model
Favourite Feature: Hair texture
Worst Feature: Sideburns
Favourite Model: Miranda Kerr
Favourite Designer: Marciano
Phobias: Cicada

COUNTRY: Thailand

Kiana Guyon

Kiana Guyon

Full Name: Kiana Anora Guyon
Nickname: Kay
Age: 20
Height: 170cm
Country: Thailand
Occupation: Student
Favourite Feature: Smile
Worst Feature: Thighs
Favourite Model: Candice Swanepoel
Favourite Designer: Elie Saab
Phobias: Spiders

COUNTRY: Vietnam

Celine Duong

Celine Duong

Full Name: Duong Celine Thuy‐vi
Nickname: Celine
Age: 18
Height: 174cm
Country: Vietnam / France
Occupation: Student / Part‐time model
Favourite Feature: Eyes / arms
Worst Feature: Ears
Favourite Model: Gia / Naomi Campbell / Liu Wen / Cara Delevingne
Favourite Designer: Isey Miyake
Phobias: Spiders

At the moment, my favorite are Celine, Shareeta and my homegurl Monika! Do you have favorites by now?

The first episode is airing tonight via Star World 8.45PM 7.45PM JKT/BKK/VN!!!

images via starworld

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Book Review: Breaking Point (Turning Point #2) – N.R. Walker

Posted on March 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

Breaking PointBLURB: As guilt plagues him, Matthew Elliott’s world begins to spiral out of control. The harder he holds on, the more it slips through his fingers, and he’s helpless to stop it.

Entering into the underground cage-fighting scene, he starts out fighting for what’s right. The deeper he gets, the more guilt consumes him – the more pain he takes for his penance, and he’s soon fighting for more than justice.

***

Honestly, this one didn’t work for me. It’s just too much and too angsty for me. There was also a bit of an inconsistency here about Matt’s character which if you’d read from the first book – you’d easily get it.

In this installment, Matt decided to “quit” the force and enters an underground cage-fighting scene. This was surprise! Surprise! An undercover job which he kept from Kira in “order to protect him”  – really man?!

You see, Matt’s still guilty for what happened to Kira in the first book and so he added more weight into his guilt by lying to Kira this time. Baloney!

I feel like this series lost its way from promising to less than enticing. Matt became unbearably annoying and all the talks about guilt, guilt and guilt were a bit unnerving. I really didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d like to. I only liked Kira here and thought that he should’ve let Matt grovel more and not gave in that easily. This series is definitely not one of my favorites from N.R. Walker.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Published November 22nd 2013 by Totally Bound (first published November 21st 2013)

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Book Review: Point of No Return (Turning Point #1) – N.R. Walker

Posted on March 24, 2015 | Leave a comment

Point Of No ReturnBLURB: Matthew Elliot is one of LA’s best detectives—a smart, tough, closeted gay man. When he falls for his gym instructor Kira Takeo Franco, it’s not his colleagues he should be worried about finding out…it’s the bad guys.

Matthew Elliot is one of LA’s best detectives. He’s been labelled the golden boy of the Fab Four: a team of four detectives who’ve closed down drug-rings all over the city. He’s smart, tough and exceptionally good at his job.

He’s also a closeted gay man.

Enter Kira Takeo Franco, the new boxing coach at the gym. Matthew can’t deny his immediate attraction to the man his fellow cops know as Frankie. But in allowing himself to fall in love with a man known to his colleagues, Matthew risks outing them both.

Matt and Kira work to keep their relationship and private lives hidden from Matt’s very public life, fearing it would be detrimental to their careers.

But it’s not the other cops who Matthew should be worried about finding out his deepest, darkest secret…it’s the bad guys.

All I can say is that I enjoyed reading this first book and back when I read this December of last year [2014], I was rather please to find out that this was actually only the first book in the series of three. Matt and Kira have amazing chemistry and the insta-love between them was amazing. The sex scenes were great although I honestly didn’t expect Matt’s preference in bed. The kidnapping was a great conflict which made it easy for Matt to come out and finds out who really his friends are. It’s a well written first book! Not as exciting or as the author’s other series but it’s still very enjoyable.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published August 2nd 2013 by Total E-Bound (first published August 18th 2012)

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Book Review: Nothing Ventured – Jay Northcote

Posted on March 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

Nothing VenturedBLURB: When Aiden agrees to run the Mad Mucker—a twelve-mile muddy slog over an obstacle course—he’s expecting it to be a bit of a laugh. The training will be tough, but Aiden could use the motivation to regain some fitness.

Matt is the sexy cousin of one of Aiden’s coworkers and a last-minute addition to the team. When he agrees to train with Aiden, Aiden suddenly finds the prospect of regular workouts a lot more appealing.

Soon attraction flares, and they embark on an intense physical relationship. Matt doesn’t want to fall in love with a man, and Aiden doesn’t want to fall in love at all, but despite their insistence on no strings, they grow closer. As the day of the race approaches, time is running out for them to work out how they feel about each other.

***

I’m not really that sold with this story. I still question Matt’s sincerity towards Aiden. He’s bisexual and was too cynical to give love a chance – with a guy, that is. Yes, there was great chemistry between them but I find Matt too conscious for his own good. It feels like everything he’s doing was calculated. The ending isn’t that great as well. I was maybe hoping an engagement of some sort to cement Matt’s level of commitment on Aiden. The set up Aiden had with his friend was way hotter than the actual detailed sex scenes with Matt. There you go…I guess some people would enjoy this since it’s a fairly quick read though the story isn’t hat explosive as I expected it to be.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Published November 12th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press

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Book Review: Nothing Serious – Jay Northcote

Posted on March 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

Nothing SeriousMark O’Brien just got out of a six-year relationship because he realized that he’s in a relationship with the wrong gender. When he meets the big, bad sexy removal man Jamie Robertson – Mark was smitten at first sight.

When a cardboard box splits, revealing items of a personal nature that Mark never wanted anybody to see, he’s mortified but that started a friendship with Jamie – a friendship with benefits.

What started out as nothing serious turns into something really important that both men are terrified to admit – will they ever find the courage to tell each other how they really feel?

I thought the whole premise was cute with both Mark and Jamie charming the pants off their readers. I myself find myself smiling giddily with the whole thing. The feel of the story was light, feel-good and just adorable. This is the kind of story that you read whenever you feel like sitting under sun, chilling out and just wanted to pass the time. There was no major conflict here and it’s just a quick read which I don’t mind rereading every now and then.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Published October 23rd 2013 by Dreamspinner Press (first published October 22nd 2013)

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Book Review: Splintered Lies (In the Shadow of the Wolf #3) – Diane Adams, R.J. Scott

Posted on March 22, 2015 | Leave a comment

Splintered LiesWe met Joe Christie and Nick Alexander from the first book as the two shifters under Rob’s team. This was actually a total surprise for me when I found out that Joe’s the MC here and is going to do the nasty with Nick. I’m like – okay – he’s like super straight and has got a baby on the way right? It turns out that they actually have history together – deeper than being best of friends.

With the death of his wife and baby, Joe’s life was only consumed with grief and anger. When new information about his family’s death comes to light, his first instinct was to put the law into his own hands.

Trying to get at the bottom of this case muddled with murder and betrayal, Nick will do everything for Joe and fight the people who want to kill them both.

This has got to be my favorite in the whole series. The backstory given regarding Joe and Nick’s past was beautifully presented and quite bittersweet at that. It really hurts to see that one person you loved the most suffering. And it also hurts when you feel that other person will be happier with someone else – only, it wasn’t quite the case here. It was a whole case of misunderstanding, suppressed feelings, respect and just getting through life.

As they say though, love moves in mysterious ways. Although it moves in such a dick way, killing Joe’s family in the process – their love somehow will always be on top. I loved seeing Joe’s vulnerability here and felt his suffering all throughout. It’s also nice that Nick just kept on waiting and never loses patience. I guess that is what’s beautiful about their love for each other – it was solid, pure and it’s always there.

I loved that we get to see more of the whole gang as we go through Joe and Nick’s story and although this last book was written 3 years ago, I’m still hopeful that we’d get to see more of these characters. There’s more to the story especially now that we’ve got a new character. Was it Corbin? Not sure about the name but there surely was an opening for the next book to happen.

This I would say though, as a whole – this series was exceptional. It’s very easy to read and the characters are very easy to like. You’d definitely want to read this one!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published July 19th 2013 by Love Lane Books (first published September 29th 2012)

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Book Review: Broken Memories (In the Shadow of the Wolf #2) – Diane Adams, R.J. Scott

Posted on March 21, 2015 | Leave a comment

 

Broken Memories[Book 2 of In The Shadow Of The Wolf Series]

Sam Harrison almost didn’t make it if not for the help of Jamie (from the first book) and was left near “broken.” He doesn’t remember anything from his former life and only has nightmares that gave him trauma in shifting from human to wolf.

This is what Doug McKenna does not understand. He’s always been an Alpha and has little respect for the weak ones. With Sam near broken and helpless, he find himself looking out for the other guy and realized that he’s exactly what the guy really needs.

Okay, so I loved Doug from the first book but I didn’t get his sudden change of attitude. Yes, he was very parental over Jamie when the latter was still rooming with him but I thought he’s a chill and fun shifter. It’s like a new Doug altogether in this book. Of course, there was a “reason” behind this but it felt off if you’re going to compare the Doug from book 1 and the Doug this book.

As a whole though, I thought the story was solid and has continuity. I wished there’s more information about Sam and it’d been more fun if there’s more blood bath in here. Nonetheless, this was a great second book and I couldn’t wait to read the next book!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published July 5th 2013 by Love Lane Books (first published November 25th 2011)

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Book Review: Shattered Secrets (In the Shadow of the Wolf #1) – Diane Adams, R.J. Scott

Posted on March 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

Shattered Secrets[Book 1 of In The Shadow of the Wolf Series]

At first, I didn’t get Rob’s revulsion towards having a relationship with a “different species” (werewolves), not even an intimate one-time contact would do for him. When he met Jamie at a club and had a very hot one night stand with him, he was affronted when he realized that the other guy was a “shifter.”  He’d gone all Rambo and kicked the other guy out. His reasoning all throughout the story doesn’t really make sense that with not having equal strength / power in a relationship. That was pretty lame, really.

As Rob got promoted to a special police force specializing wolf/human cases, a kidnapping of young werewolves used for sex trade landed on his desk revealing secrets that he thought he already had knowledge of especially since his best friends are actually werewolves. When he faced Jamie again, he found himself going back and forth with his prejudices and fighting off his feelings but in the end, he knows that he’s got to do something about it to keep his lover alive.

Don’t get me wrong though, I loved the story as a whole but I just don’t like Rob’s prejudice towards the werewolves. It was like rejecting a whole bunch of people who are in love with shifters. He’s not perfect yeah but he comes off through the first part of the book like a big effin prick. Jamie on the other hand reminds me of Jessica, the baby vamp from True Blood if you’re familiar? He’s that cute and his maturity level isn’t there yet in my opinion. He’s what you call in the shifter world, a late bloomer but yeah – his characterization was cute and charming but isn’t a strong one. I guess his character simply balance out Rob’s dick thoughts regarding human-shifter relationships.

The supporting characters here were great especially Doug. I initially thought that it’d be some kind of a love triangle but was glad that one didn’t pan out. The whole “breaking” thing was new for me and that was the most interesting part of the book and I loved that it’s at least something new to offer the readers of this genre. It’s not so bad, it’s really not so bad.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published June 21st 2013 by Love Lane Books (first published August 27th 2011)

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