Author Archives: paddylastinc

Book Review: The Prince Of Tides – Pat Conroy

The Prince Of TidesEvery now and then, I find myself rereading some of my old books that shaped my views on a lot of different topics most especially the ones from one of my favorite authors of all time – Pat Conroy. The Prince of Tides along with Beach Music, Red Sky At Morning and Lonesome Dove became the seminal books from my youth.

In this very particular book, many things have struck me speechless. Who could ever forget that rape scene? and that oh-so-endearing scene at the park when Tom started coaching Bernard? Just a lot of fantastic scenes that I will always remember from the book.

The lyrical rendition of Conroy on telling the past and the present events in the book through his character Tom Wingo left me with different emotions. I cried, I laugh and I cried again. Then I got mad, I was sad. Mad, then so, so sad and cried all over again.

The Prince of Tides is a book full of emotion that will leave you hopeful in some way, thoughtful and perhaps too maudlin to get out of bed on any given day.

“Lowenstein. Lowenstein.”

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published March 26th 2002 by Dial Press Trade Paperback (first published 1986)

About The Author
Pat Conroy is the New York Times bestselling author of two memoirs and seven novels, including The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, and The Lords of Discipline. Born the eldest of seven children in a rigidly disciplined military household, he attended the Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. He briefly became a schoolteacher (which he chronicled in his memoir The Water Is Wide) before publishing his first novel, The Boo. Conroy lives on Fripp Island, South Carolina.

America’s Next Top Model Cycle 22 – Episode 3 The Guy Who Gets Shipped Out [RECAP]

tyra episode 3

I was trying to get my friend Livvy to do the recap for me this week since some gig came up and I was unable to watch the latest episode of Cycle 22 right away (but ala, bitch says NO CAN DO)  so of course, I did try to watch it before writing this despite the shitty net connection in the mountains. I cannot believe Delanie (sorry, no spoiler tag) actually went home over *********.

So from last week, the remaining models are to do this really embarrassing runway where they would find  out whether they actually made the cut. Really, mama TyTy? :/

On to the runway/elimination pre-final 14 – these (this) are (is) the model (s) that made the mark for me. -> Lacey – She’s clearly the frontrunner of this cycle. That jaw, that look, that personality. This cycle is hers to lose at this early stage of the competition.

You gotta love the angle between Devin and Bello.LOL OMG. Those two are TV golden!

Challenge winner by the way was Mame – still gorgeous but I thought Lacey killed it!

Photoshoot:  Each model were paired and bounded together for the shoot . Here are the photos and the pairings.

Ashley and Devin

Ashley and Devin

First Call Out: Devin = 36  (It was a great photo but honestly not the best for me – so don’t fret Devin fans – that just IMO *wink)
2. Justin = 35.5 (lovely shot but getting points way higher than Lacey was just ridiculous – doesn’t he look like Rain in there though?)
3. Lacey = 34.7 (I still think this girl should’ve taken the best photo)
4. Mikey = 34.5 (He’s good, like really good but he should learn to stfu because his attitude just totally suck donkeyballs)
5. Ava = 33.3 (she totally nailed it, not the best but she’s the one who carried the picture)
6. Mame = 33 (I hope she wont be stuck just being the very pretty mdoel)
7. Bello = 32.3 (I’ve to give it to Bello – he worked really well with Lacey)
8. Ashley = 32.2 (forgot about her as of this writing)
9. Courtney = 30.7 (it was a pretty photo but Mikey totally overshadowed her)
10. Hadassah = 30.1 (meh – girl, you are so pretty but that shot *smh*)
11. Nyle = 30 (just not spectacular – too blank IMO) 
12. Dustin = 29.5 (bae, what happened?)
Bottom Two: Stefano (it was awful so just stop with your cocky attitude already) and Delanie (wtf? Delanie??!)
Eliminated: Delanie

Again, I cannot believe Delanie went home first! Do you think the right model got the boot?

photos via america’s next top model

Dear Auteur,

 

giphy (1)Dear Auteur,

You’ve already been published by a reputable publishing house – please don’t do this to yourself. I live in a third world country and writing isn’t where I am getting my income – I simply just love to read.  I am only doing it for fun and I’m not even writing in English. I could send you my awful writings in English if you wished to so you can rate it and maybe rant how awful the book was. Also, it’s not even my dream to be known as a writer. Hell, I know I don’t even write that well so who am I kidding? If people loved what I wrote, then thank you very much. If not, thank you very much as well for taking the time to read my “free for all stories.”

I didn’t even attack your book the way other people are so ruthless with their reviews going as far as attacking the author. That is not my style. I even congratulated you for releasing your first book. I don’t understand why you’d have to go and do what you’re doing now.

Here’s my advice, perhaps you can just attack me on a non-conspicuous way because seriously, it’s really starting to look pathetic. It’s fun at first and I could easily laugh it off but it’s getting to a point that it’s annoying especially after enduring a 12-hour trip and you’d be notified by these cheap attacks.  Man’ I don’t even know that you have it in you because you sound really mature on twitter whenever I see your tweets and I feel good when you tweet your support on LGBTQ causes.

Why don’t you talk to me directly? You can pm me here and it’d just be between the two of us. I’d love to hear from you and would easily forget everything if you can just be straight with me. No pun intended.

I even bought your book from kobo for P240.99 ($5 and some change) because a friend recommended it. See, I even spent my hard earned-money on your book so of course, I will fucking read it! And I fucking did. I even gave you a 3.5 rating so man’ just stop with what you’re doing now.

JUST. STOP.

Book Review: Mad About the Hatter – Dakota Chase

Mad About The HatterHenry has never believed his sister Alice’s tales about the Wonderland until he finds himself thrown in it with an instruction to find the Mad Hatter. Enter Hatter who’s trying to keep his head from rollin’ by delivering Henry also known as Boy Alice to the evil Red Queen.

This modern take on Wonderland by author Dakota Chase is nothing short of ‘wonderful.’ At the beginning, I was a bit wary because I find the first few chapters slow-going with all their ‘adventures’ at the Drawrof, the Neverglades, the confection mountains and so on and so forth. I thought it‘d just be a series of adventures where they have to pass through it and that would be it. But no, all along – we see how Hatter and Henry seemed to be developing feelings for each other. I really loved the subtle approach of the author here when it comes to the budding romance between the two main characters. There’s sweetness in it. It’s not hurried and you know it’s there even if it’s not obvious. It’s feel good and I loved that in this story. There’s this sweet innocence about it. I also loved the fact that sexuality wasn’t such a big deal for both Hatter and Henry.

I also adore their banter. I especially love Hatter’s characterization here. He’s about the most charming and adorable ever especially when he went to Henry’s world and got to see the vehicles, the buildings, taste the food, watch cinema – he’s just so funny, charming and all kinds of adorable I just wanna keep him! Haha!

The conclusion was rather anti-climactic but apt for our characters since it was established early on that it’s not gonna be some sort of an all-out war thingy and stuff.  Overall, the author’s fresh approach on the story will endear its readers to the characters especially with Hatter. Plus, it’s absolutely well-written so hat’s off to Dakota Chase.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Expected publication: August 20th 2015 by Harmony Ink Press

About The Author
Dakota Chase writes stories of the fantastical, of ghosts and monsters, and time travel. She lives right on the border of Normal, and has been known to take quick trips into the next town over, Crazy, although she usually finds her way home again without little trouble. She shares her home with Nibbles, her Shar-Pei/Labrador mixed breed that may or may not be a werewolf in disguise, and a husband who definitely isn’t a werewolf even though he’s been known to be shaggy and howl from time to time. She has four grown children, one of whom has spawned, resulting in two grandchildren whom she adores. When she isn’t writing, Dakota likes to crochet odd things, like killer shark slippers and skull dolls. She loves sushi, spicy foods, and grapes, but is highly allergic to any form of math.

WEBSITE: http://www.dakotachase.com
E-MAIL: dakotachase@tampabay.rr.com
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/dakotachase
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/dakota.chase.1840

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

Book Review: We’ll Never Be Apart – Emiko Jean

We'll Never Be ApartWe’ll Never Be Apart is a young adult psychological thriller that you’ll either love for its good writing or dislike for its unoriginal twist. I called the twist early on in the book but that did not deter me to continue with it. There are some good parts in the book and some maybe underdeveloped ones that the author could’ve explored more to enhance the story as a whole.

The start of the book was from Cellie’s point of view as she started a fire intent on killing her twin sister Alice and her boyfriend Jason. Then the next chapter until the epilogue switches to Alice’s POV at the hospital and her admittance at the same mental institution she and her twin sister have been to the first time around. There she meets fellow patient, Chase who volunteered to help her with her plan to seek Cellie for vengeance. Only things didn’t go as planned when she was finally confronted by the truths she has been hiding all her life.

The writing as I’ve mentioned was enough to get you on with it despite the easy predictability of the story. There’s something captivating about Alice and Cellie’s character. They’re a product of unhealthy childhood which leads to doing what they did in the story. I guess even If I were to be put in the same situation as Alice and Cellie, I’d also feel ruined and start to see things differently.

I would’ve like a more detailed characterization on Chase but his character was apparently not that important since half of the time, it was Alice, Jason and Cellie monopolizing the story. It would’ve been great to exploit the romance aspect between Alice and Chase. I personally think that Chase is the most interesting character in the book. What happened to him (or at least the way it was narrated) made him bland once he admitted it to Alice. Like, his character suddenly became pointless.

Overall, this is still a very engaging story that I won’t really mind recommending to people for its good writing. With this being a debut novel, I’d expect for the author to release more engaging story and perhaps new materials on her future endeavors. Congratulations Miss Emiko Jean!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Expected publication: October 6th 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

Book Review: Going Home – Max Vos

Going HomeBlurb
Journalist Carter Roberts was required to interview Carl Foltz and Matt Evans for an article on their lives. It was not an assignment he relished: he just wanted to get there, get it done and get out. Thinking about the subject matter made his stomach churn.

The interview reveals as much about himself as about the two men, and for the first time, Carter learns what a real home feels like. He never would have expected that meeting the two men would change his way of thinking – and his life – forever.

WARNING: Contains materials for ADULTS only. If you have any reason to think that you cannot or will not tolerate any type of mature subject matter, please do not continue. If you have any issues with any type of taboo, or what you may consider taboo material, please do not read. If you have a closed mind about any sexual activities whatsoever, please put this book down or delete it now. If you truly believe that love is love, then by all means, continue.

Review
This may just be the raunchiest book I have read in a long while. I’m not much of a fan of the topic (incest) here but I do love all kinds of love. I’ve to give props to the author for giving us those steamy-straight-out-of-porn scenes that made me blush here, there and everywhere. LOL

As for the story, the insta-love got me laughing so hard I feel like going Queen Elsa all over these three guys but it was fun just the same. I wrote a shorty about insta-love before and it’s always something that ticks people off depending on how the context of the story develops. In this case, I simply just don’t buy it. Insta-lust yes, but love? Nah.

That ending though, totally deflated me – Mr. Max Vos, Why’d you have to do that? >____<

Overall, I find the whole thing impressively well written albeit lacking story development.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Published October 16th 2014 by Max Vos (first published September 29th 2014)

About The Author
Max Vos is a classically trained chef with over 30 years of food service experience. After retiring in 2011, Max found himself with time on his hands and was urged to turn his talents to writing. ‘Cooking English’, a short story, was his first published work, and since then Ravenous Romance have published five more of his short stories. His first novel, P.O.W. was released October, 2013 with MLR Press. His second novel, My Hero was a best seller and has just been recently been released in French.

You will find everything in a Max Vos story. From sweet and sexy, even raunchy, to powerful, raw and gritty–something for all tastes.

You can keep up with him by reading his weekly blog posts here:
http://max-vos.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/max.vos.393 or visit his website, www.maxvos.com

Book Review: The Color Of The Clear Blue Sky – Momoko Tenzen

The Color Of The Clear Blue Sky“I can no longer fly as high as I used to. Is that okay?”

“When all my thoughts of him coalesce… a clear blue sky appears behind him. Even if there comes a day you won’t be able to fly anymore…I will always stay by your side looking far ahead, the vast, infinite sky reflect the colours of my thoughts of you.” “

All along,Fukada thought that Sakae only sees him as a father figure even though they are colleagues now. When Sakae was still a student, only Fukada was able to see through him inspiring him to become a better person promising that he’ll always be there for Sakae. Their reunion was a big shock for both that send them to examining their feelings for each other with Sakae holding on to the promise he was given years before.

The flow of the story was enjoyable from the start until that sweet ending. I thought it was more on the line of student – teacher affair but the premise of this one is much better methings. There are no awkward scenarios at all – just fluffy cotton candy clouds and rainbow butterflies all around them. Another uber-sweet yaoi romance for ya’ll sappy souls!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published October 11th 2011 by Digital Manga Publishing (first published August 5th 2008)

Book Review: The Possession of Lawrence Eugene Davis – E.E. Ottoman

The Possession of Lawrence Eugene DavisI love me some historical fiction every now and then. I’m not the biggest fan of the genre but when I come across with something like this story, I am more than happy to share how I enjoyed such work. The story takes place at the beginning of the Great Depression as Lawrence Eugene Davis returns to his family’s ranch to set his father’s affairs in order. Arriving at his childhood home, unpleasant memories bounced back along with his miserable time in the trenches. With these unhappy thoughts comes the untoward incident from a sinister presence that haunted him upon his first night in the house.

When a stranger suddenly showed up claiming he can get rid of the demon possessing him. Lawrence has no choice but to agree, only he has to offer himself as the price.

I totally enjoyed reading this novella because it has all the good elements of a horror / paranormal read adding to the apt description of the period it was set in. I figured out from the start that Lawrence will get involved with their ranch hand Billy and I was slightly surprise that it’s not just Billy who will be “romantically (?) / sexually” involved with him. So there folks, this one’s actually a ménage between two humans and an incubus! Exciting right?! I mean, the dynamic between them was so good and just oh-so-sexy that I find myself yearning for more. That’s the only downside I could think of in this story. I want more scenes with the three of them in it!

The paranormal aspect of the story was easily dealt with from the very first possession up to the main instigator of it. There was not much fuss going on with the possession and it was easily resolved at the end so the story’s mostly telling rather than showing but in a really good way.

I loved it when I get a free book to review and it’s just so good, I feel like I should’ve paid for it in the first place! So if you’re up for a paranormal / historical ménage read, then this one’s for you!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Expected publication: September 2nd 2015 by Less Than Three Press

Less Than Three PressCLICK TO PRE-ORDER

About The Author
E.E. Ottoman is a geek and a gentleman. They spends their time mostly in libraries doing research, and sometimes, when there is no one else there, dancing in the aisles. E. has always adored speculative fiction, especially paperback fantasy and science fiction. They loves a good ghost story and thinks every story becomes automatically better if you add tentacles. Overall, though, they just loves a story that is fun to read. E. is especially fond of writing and reading stories with geeky, queer people doing awesome and sexy things.

They grew up in the woods, farmlands and mountains of upstate New York and has spent most of their adult life trying to spend as much time as possible back there. They are the oldest of four and can often be found actively engaged in hijinks with their three other siblings. E.E. Ottoman has two degrees in history, another one in law, and one very spoiled princess cat. E. would like to be a history professor or maybe just a professional author one day, only time will tell.

When not writing, E. loves to cook and looking dapper in menswear. E. is an avid powerlifter and can often be found at the gym trying to hit a new max weight.

E. identifies as a queer, nonbinary, trans dude and is actively trying to change the world (and maybe the past) one novel and work of history at a time.

E.E. Ottoman’s pronouns are:
they/them/theirs

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

[Trailer] “Life” | A James Dean Biopic Starring Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan

LifeFilmmaker Anton Corbijn directed the new biopic called Life starring Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan. The film will depict James Dean’s relationship with Life Magazine photographer Dennis Stock when he was still “just” Jame Dean and not the global icon we’ve come to know.  The film actually had its premier in early February of this year at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival.

Dane DeHaan (you might remember him as Harry Osborn / Green Goblin in the Amazing SpiderMan 2) will be playing the iconic role and Pattison as Stock. I’m not exactly sure about DeHaan playing the role but I guess he’s okay and the uncanny resemblance seen in the newly release trailer was there.

I wonder if this is the James Dean version of “My Week With Marilyn.” Needless to say, I am very excited to see this film!!! Watch its trailer below.

Beyoncé On The Cover Of US Vogue September 2015 Ed.

Vogue by Beyonceno words. just damn B.

via marc jacobs