Category Archives: Books

Book Review: Fawn – Nash Summers

Posted on August 6, 2015 | Leave a comment

Fawn

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love is an Open Road” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

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You know that feeling when you have just experienced something magical, and it leaves you breathless for a moment, and when you close your eyes, and upon opening them again, it’s as if you can see clearer. That is how I would describe my experience after reading Fawn.

Let me tell you how I’m so in love with Rust’s character. He’s one of the most beautiful characters I’ve ever read and someone I wished I created myself. His characterization is almost otherworldly. Rust’s sweet innocence will put a smile on your face and will make your heartache when reality strikes him with its hate and grim.

Ancel on the other is no stranger to the real world. He is a representation of a lot of hurt souls. He’s that creature who’s looking for that glimmer of hope that will save him from darkness.

“I don’t need a chance at heaven. I just need a chance with you.”

This may be one of the best stories I’ve read in years. The poetic rendition of the author with the prompt left me yearning for more. It made me happy, and it made my heart ached at the same time. There’s just something magical about the author’s storytelling. This stirring narrative will bring you joy, will make you weep, and will make you remember it for the longest time.

And you don’t even have to buy it.

Nash Summers, thank you for this gift.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Get Kindle copy for free below!

Published June 3rd 2015 by M/M Romance Group @ Goodreads

Download you free copy here: MM Romance Group

About The Author
Nash Summers rarely has any idea what she’s doing. But, when she likes to pretend, she pretends by writing stories at the pace of drying paint. And if that wasn’t exhilarating enough, Nash enjoys absolute silence, general politeness, and waiting her turn in line.
Needless to say—she’s a genuine hellraiser.

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Book Review: Before We Were Strangers – Renée Carlino

Posted on August 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

Before We Were StrangersI’ve been a fan of Renée Carlino since the first time I’ve read Sweet Thing and through her succeeding novels, you can easily see how she has grown exponentially as an author and this new book makes me love her even more.

The story is about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives Matthias and Graceland their second chance at love a decade and a half after they got separated in New York City.

The first met in college during senior year, became BFFs and eventually a couple, each with dreams and aspirations to become successful. Matt loves photography and was granted internship with National Geographic. Grace on the other hand was musically talented, but her family situation leaves her with no choice but pursue her graduate studies to earn money the soonest. When Matt returned from his internship, Grace was gone without a trace. Fifteen years later, they finally saw each other at a subway station. Now, it’s up to Matt and Grace if they’ll be up to relive the past and give their love a second chance.

I actually read this non-stop until I was about to fall deep into dreamland and slept with a smile on my face. It was just so engrossing and the characters are very engaging. I usually do not like very long separation like this with my “couples” because when I get invested with the characters, I am the one who feels the regrets of those lost years that should’ve been spent just loving each other but it does happen right? We cannot always predict the future so we just have to try to move on and that’s what Matt and Gracie did, though they know that they’ll each have a special place in their hearts.

I’ve always question the concept of “The One That Got Away.” We all have that don’t we? I find it really sad because it feels to me like a bit of a betrayal somehow especially when you’re in a relationship and at the back of your mind, whenever you get reminded of that person ‘that got away,’ you always ask yourself the ‘what ifs.’ I guess, that is how love works. It works differently and feels differently for the one in your present and the one from the past. It may be easy to move on but it’s more than hard to forget. However, can you really say you have moved on if you have not totally forgotten that person from the past?

Before We Were Strangers puts good emphasis on these questions. The writing was fluid all throughout. It was a bit predictable – yes – but I have always said that there’s a ‘good and bad predictable’ and this is definitely a good one. I loved that it doesn’t feel that long because of its continuity. People would love Matt and Gracie onset of the story and they will ache for their losses. I know I did.

This is such a beautiful story about letting second chance at love swept you off your feet until you realize what you have been missing all your life and finally have the will to chase it.

I am very much recommending this to everyone who are longing for “the one that got away” and would like to imagine how love truly is a magnificent thing the second time around.

Again, bravo Renée Carlino!

Rating: 5 out 5 stars

Expected publication: August 18th 2015 by Atria Books

About The Author
Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of romantic women’s novels. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

An ARC of this book was given in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

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Book Review: Motel.Pool. – Kim Fielding

Posted on August 4, 2015 | 2 comments

Motel PoolIt’s the 50’s and Jack Dayton is aspiring to emulate James Dean’s success. A sleazy director gave him empty promises after letting him use his body. A series of poor decisions found Jack drowning in the pool of a cheap motel off Route 66.

Fast forward to sixty years – Tag Manning is losing the will to live, feeling hopeless and directionless until he stopped at a deserted town where he found a desecrated motel with a pool. Resuming his journey, Tag didn’t expect to find a ghost hitchhiking with him. It’s Jack. A friendship develop between them that blossomed into something more. But what are the odds of them being actually together? For real.

There’s something about this book that makes my heart ache for both Jack and Tag. It’s the feeling of sadness when you lose someone or something that you actually cannot replace. It’s the feeling of hollowness. There’s this somber mood throughout the book that transport you to that exact time in the 50’s and 60 years after, and Kim Fielding was able to really get that feel fully in this book.

The almost whimsical vibe was also very palpable with every page. It’s something sad but also something lovely between the boys. I feel like I’ve known them for the longest time – perhaps because I can totally relate to what they’re feeling. I even got teary eyed at one point because of the intense emotion that scenes have invoked in me.

Motel.Pool. is almost lyrical to some extent. It shows Fielding’s ability to transport its readers to places and time they can only dream of. She will make you believe in this story. She will make you appreciate life and appreciate what you have. It’s definitely one of the best books Kim Fielding has ever come up with.

I am totally in awe of her pure genius.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published May 12th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published May 11th 2014)

About The Author
Kim Fielding lives in California and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phonebooth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out homework assistance to her children. Her favorite word to describe herself is “eclectic” and she finally got that third tattoo.

All royalties from her novels Stasis, Flux and Equipoise are donated to Doctors Without Borders.

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Book Review: Him – Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy

Posted on August 3, 2015 | 1 comment
HIM

Ryan Wesley and Jamie Canning spent every summer together at a hockey camp since they were fourteen. Every six weeks of those summers made them inseparable until that one night of their last summer together that cost their friendship. After almost four years without contact, the former best friends reunited again at a hockey game, and it seems that they have not lost that spark between them. Another six weeks at the summer camp led them to confront their feelings, but what are they willing to give up to have each other?

I think this may just be one of my favorite reads this year. Initially, I felt that their reminiscin’ of that particular night that cost their friendship (from Ryan’s end at least) will drag on until Christmas. Still, I thank all the gods that the story picked up quickly from their first reunion in years and at the camp – ugh, just yum-yum galore from there.

Henry Cavill GIF

I loved the simple storytelling here. It was quick and on-point. I loved how we got to see both men’s vulnerability and when their moment of clarity came up – I was relieved at no end. I loved my boys getting their happily ever after, and this one has it. This is my first book from both authors, so I’m excited to see what they would have to offer or provide more for the MM genre.


Highly recommended.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published July 28th 2015

About The Authors
Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college.

Sarina enjoys skiing, espresso drinks and the occasional margarita. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

To be kept abreast of new releases, please feel free to sign up for the mailing list at http://www.sarinabowen.com/contact. Or visit the her Facebook page, or tweet her @sarinabowen. (less)

Elle Kennedy
A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

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Film Review: Paper Towns (2015)

Posted on August 2, 2015 | Leave a comment

Paper TownsPaper Towns is the only book of John Green that I have not read, though I remember starting the first chapter of it last year but decided to drop it because I got emotionally exhausted after reading The Fault In Our Stars and Looking For Alaska consecutively so I thought I needed a John Green break. So when I decided to check this film out, I’ve nothing to compare it with and can look at it with no preconceived ideas or whatsoever.

The film follows Quentin helping her childhood friend Margo exact revenge to a friend who betrays her. The day after their mischief, Margo didn’t show up at school and is nowhere to be found. With clues left behind, Q along with his other friends embarks on a mission to find Margo, the girl he is still in love with.

I was actually ecstatic when I found out that Nat Wolff would be headlining Paper Towns because I loved his character in the film adaptation of The Fault In Our Stars. He’s got incredible charisma on screen and I thought he’d be perfect for another young adult book-to-movie adaptation but on a leading role this time. Then there’s the surprising addition of pseudo-supermodel Cara Delevingne. Not exactly a fan of Cara but I love her as a model.

Paper Towns 2

I loved the direction director Jake Schreier (Robot & Frank) was trying to get into with this film but I kinda missed the point midway because I lost the connection from both Cara and Nat, more so with Cara I believe. She’s definitely no Shailene or even Kristen and she acts like she’s on a runway. Sorry for the comparison but it’s just bland, blank and I dunno – dull or any other synonyms of what I just mentioned. It was disheartening that I didn’t get much from her aside from her insistence of what she felt like all over the film – I’m like, girl get over it! Meanwhile, I was fawning all over Nat Wolff because this guy just outshined everyone in the film the way Woodley did it in The Fault In Our Stars. So it’s kind of a 50/50 like and not liking this film for me mainly because of the two main characters.

Sure, they have good chemistry but their acting prowess clearly was imbalance. What I probably enjoyed most about it though, was the almost magical feel of the film. There’s this subdued ambiance over the shots and even the dialogueswith characters deciphering the mysterious “Paper Towns” Schreier so meticulously crafted but aside from that, everything just fell flat.

This is a teenage movie after all –  angsty but too contrived (at least for me) but would definitely work for its demographic.

Director: Jake Schreier
Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Halston Sage, Austin Abrams, Justice Smith, Jaz Sinclair, Caitlin Carver, Tom Hillmann, Jim Coleman, Ansel Elgort 

Rating: 5/10

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Book Review: Something Like Fall – Jay Bell

Posted on August 1, 2015 | 3 comments

Something Like FallBefore anything else, I would like to thank Jay for giving us this novella, which by the way totally made my day! I have been waiting for this since he announced it after the Indiegogo Marathon for Something Like Summer the Movie*** and now it’s finally here! I terribly missed Ben and Tim and reading this made me feel a bit nostalgic again, the same way I feel after reading the first book. Of course, I am also happy because to read about Jason and Jace. Then there are some of the characters from the first four books! What a journey really it has been!

Told from Ben’s perspective, I find the three continuous short stories pretty-much Jace-centric. Nothing wrong with that though, I just have to roll my eyes a few times at Greg’s antics (of course, we all know that he has become something like a bff with Tim eventually but still). I loved seeing Tim again obviously and rekindling the moment when he and Ben “rekindled” their romance.

I almost forgot that Ben could be so funny!

“I am only human,” he blurted out, “although I regret it.”

Laugh out loud moment indeed. He’s just so adorbs!

“Chinchilla had failed in her duty as guard dog.”

I’ll pay to be inside Ben’s brain 24/7.LOL

I won’t spoil the story with any other lines (since they basically transpired over the course of the first four books) but fans alike are going to love this one. What a truly lovely novella! Again, thank you Jay Bell for this wonderful gift.

I am looking forward to watching Something Like Summer the Movie real soon!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

***Something Like Fall is a special story created in thanks for those who supported the Something Like Summer movie fundraising efforts. It sees the return of Benjamin Bentley and reveals events new and old from his perspective. Something Like Fall will be available at a later date for those who were unable to contribute to the movie. Details forthcoming.

About The Author
Jay Bell never gave much thought to Germany until he met a handsome foreign exchange student. At that moment, beer and pretzels became the most important thing in the world. After moving to Germany and getting married, Jay found himself desperate to communicate the feelings of alienation, adventure, and love that surrounded this decision, and has been putting pen to paper ever since.

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Book Review: More Happy Than Not – Adam Silvera

Posted on July 31, 2015 | Leave a comment

More Happy Than NotAfter reading so much acclaim about this debut novel with several folks even comparing this to Benjamin Alire Sáenz’ Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe, I finally decided to give it a go. That comparison alone and all the reviews I’ve been reading just totally did it for me.  Of course, I am not going to obsessively compare these two books throughout this review. I’ve enough to say about Silvera’s book that will entice you to experience it yourself.

More Happy Than Not made me feel a lot of things over the course of reading it and a few good hours after. There’s just this plain sadness that’s overpowering the book’s hopeful tone as I ponder upon the main character’s fate.

Aaron Soto is not happy about being gay. He felt responsible for his father’s suicide so he decided to take the same route and thankfully, did not succeed. He doesn’t want to be “different” and be alienated from his friends. He wants to forget about all of these things and he did.

The almost magical Leteo Institute does a procedure that could make you forget things.

BUT…

“The procedure cannot be faulted for the heart remembering what the mind forgot”

The author’s portrayal of Aaron’s struggles encompasses not only the youth under the low-socio economic class but also the ones in general that seeks acceptance, longs for help and those who find it hard to live life on a day to day basis for whatever reasons.

Suicide is a serious issue that the author tackled here with tact. It’s a cry for help from Aaron (as he mentioned) but I did asked at one point, what about his father? Just how does one cope with that? How do I feel about that? Who’s to blame? Is there someone to blame? Should there be a blaming game for these cases?

“So I did this as a cry for help, I guess, because I didn’t like the bad place I was in.”

Then there’s homophobia. We’ve all heard (rather KNOW) that this DISEASE – sorry (not sorry) y’all bigoted piece of shit who thinks that you’re above anyone that’s not like you – leads people (especially the young ones) into hiding what they are that in some extreme cases, leads to suicide. I despise the hating  and I know I am hating the hater so I’m no good to judge but fucking fuck – who the fuck are they to deem themselves having the right to alienate people because they’re different from them?! FUCK!

Okay, so I just rambled a little in there but seriously… homophobia certainly was the catalyst of the twist in the story. It was very easy to guess but with or without the twist – the abject stuff that the protagonist faces was more than enough to render its readers stunned or mad for that matter.

I know I WAS mad. I’m mad because his friends aren’t his real friends. With bigoted people, friendship won’t matter. History will be erased as if it never happened.

I am mad at his parents. Aaron’s dad was an asshole who deserves all kinds of hell for what he did when he was alive and what he did to himself eventually.

I am mad at Aaron’s mom because she signed on with the procedure to escape her responsibility. Sure, she’s got good intention and all but in my opinion, she should’ve known better.

I am mad at Thomas because I feel like he led Aaron on. I do not like his character at all. At first I did because of his somewhat philosophical shit that may have helped Aaron in some ways but somewhere in the middle, he simply became void of anything that is worth liking (at least for me).

I am mad because all of these things led to what Aaron has eventually become.

Ending with a promising and hopeful tone, the author made me ponder many things. Mainly because Aaron’s character totally resonates with me and his fate makes it more painful for me to read the novel’s last page. He’s one of the bravest characters I’ve ever encountered and I’m so glad that at the end of everything he’s been through, he’s finally more happy than not.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published June 2nd 2015 by Soho Teen

About The Author
Adam was born and raised in the Bronx and is tall for no reason. He was a bookseller before shifting to children’s publishing where he worked at a literary development company, a creative writing website for teens, and as a book reviewer of children’s and young adult novels. He lives in New York City.

More Happy Than Not is his debut novel.

Represented by Brooks Sherman of the Bent Agency.

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Book Review: Best Man – Aris Santos

Posted on July 30, 2015 | Leave a comment

Best ManI had a hard time composing myself. “Alam ko na kahit noong tayo pa, mas nangingibabaw ang pagiging lalaki mo. Pero hindi ka 100% straight!” “Nakapagdesisyon na ako. Pakakasalan ko si Romina,” ang sagot niya. Parang saglit na tumigil ang mundo ko. “May hihilingin sana ako sa’yo,” ang sabi niya. “Ano yun?” ang tanong ko. Inapuhap niya muna ang mga mata ko bago nagsalita. “Will you be my best man?”

Napaka-usual ng kwentong ito at napakawabe rin ng narrative. Makatotohanan din. Bakit nga ba may mga tao sa buhay natin tinatawag natin na “The One That Got Away?” – tapos naisip ko, eh anong tawag natin sa mga nakatuluyan natin in the end? Second choice?

Malungkot ang kwento and I’m sure maraming makakarelate sa mga kaganapan dito. Maganda ang estilo ng pagsusulat ni Aris Santos dahil tumatagos talaga sa puso, malinaw at makatotohanan ang pagkukwento niya.

Isa itong maikling kwento na sumasalamin sa mga karanasan ng hindi lamang ng mga taong nabibilang sa ikatlong kasarian kung hindi narin sa kahit sinong taong umiibig ngunit dala ng mapanghusgang lipunan o dala marahil ng pressure, napipilitan tayo/silang piliin ang desisyon na sumasalamin sa kagustuhan ng nakararami.

Bravo Aris! Keep on writing good stories!!!

Maari niyong i-download ang maikling kwento na ito sa link sa ibaba.
Free download at: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/..

Connect with ARIS SANTOS online:
http://www.akosiaris.blogspot.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/akosiaris
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6150416.Aris_Santos

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The 36th Manila International Book Fair | September 16-20, 2015

Posted on July 30, 2015 | Leave a comment

Hello there fellow readers! It’s the time of the year again where us bookworms gather and celebrate the joys of reading! ^^ I’m pretty sure most of you are already excited about the upcoming Manila International Book Fair [MIBF] and lemme tell you that I’m already gearing up for this event for months now! I’ve been into ebooks recently and have missed reading and smelling them printed books! So take note or bookmarked this event because you won’t wanna miss it!

123for more details about this year’s MIBF – go to their website at http://www.manilabookfair.com/

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Book Review: Out of the Rain – Renae Kaye | ‘You Are the Reason’ Out Next Week!

Posted on July 29, 2015 | 2 comments

Out Of The RainFrom Blinding Light to this lovely short story and everything in between, Renae Kaye never failed to deliver the goods! On her second year as an MM author, she hasn’t come up with a missed yet as far as I’m concern.

When Mitch found a stranger crying in his neighbor’s backyard, he immediately rescued the young guy named Elijah who’s apparently got kicked out by his parents for being gay.  Elija’s young, beautiful and everything that Mitch was scared of falling in love with. He is after all approaching middle ageand young Elijah’s just starting out. Will his sexual prowess be enough to make Elijah want to stay?

Out of the Rain is an endearing story compressed in a 38-page ebook and truthfully, I would’ve love a longer version because of its lovely characters with lovely personalities! This is such a great appetizer for her next novel  You Are The Reason coming out next week! Excited Much!

Read this one booboos! ^^

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published July 10th 2015 by Renae Kaye

You can also pre-order your copy of

You Are The ReasonYou Are the Reason
The Tav #2
Published by Dreamspinner Press
Release date: 7th August 2015

Davo’s a pretty average guy. He has a decent job, owns his own home, and spends his weekends at the pub. He fully accepts that he’s gay, but doesn’t want to be one of those gays, who are femme and girly. He likes football and other masculine pursuits, and firmly avoids anything that could be seen as femme—including relationships that last beyond fifteen minutes.

Then Davo’s friend and gay idol not only gets a boyfriend, but also adopts a baby girl. Davo is seriously spooked and scuttles down to the pub in fright. That’s where he meets Lee, who is cute from her cherry-red hair, to her pretty little dress and pointy red shoes. Davo is charmed—but how is that possible? He’s gay. Isn’t he? Then Lee tells him he’s actually a guy—he just likes to wear women’s dresses occasionally. Thoroughly confused about an attraction that’s out of character for him, Davo begins the long journey to where he can accept himself without caring what everyone else thinks.

About The Author
Renae Kaye is a lover and hoarder of books who thinks libraries are devilish places because they make you give the books back. She consumed her first adult romance book at the tender age of thirteen and hasn’t stopped since. After years – and thousands of stories! – of not having book characters do what she wants, she decided she would write her own novel and found the characters still didn’t do what she wanted. It hasn’t stopped her though. She believes that maybe one day the world will create a perfect couple – and it will be the most boring story ever. So until then she is stuck with quirky, snarky and imperfect characters who just want their story told.
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Renae lives in Perth, Western Australia and writes in five minute snatches between the demands of two kids, a forbearing husband, too many pets, too much housework and her beloved veggie garden. She is a survivor of being the youngest in a large family and believes that laughter (and a good book) can cure anything.

You can email Renae on: renaekaye@iinet.net.au
You can also follow her on twitter (@renaekkaye) and instagram (renaekayeauthor).

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