Book Review: Love You Senseless – Susan Mac Nicol

[Book 1 of Men In London Series]

Love You SenselessBlurb: An award-winning chef with his own restaurant and an inexhaustible passion, Gideon Kent once had everything. Then came tragedy. It stole more than Gideon’s home. He hasn’t cooked since.

Until Eddie Tripp. Fun-loving and vivacious, the Norfolk redhead’s a real up-and-comer in Gideon’s kitchen—and other places. Slim where Gideon’s broad, easy-going where Gideon is growly, he and Gideon seem polar opposites, and yet Eddie conjures flavors that would tempt anyone with a taste for perfection. The sauce of love is already simmering, and this pair is about to dine on the most delicious dish they’ve ever prepared. Because Eddie’s been Gideon’s missing ingredient all along.

***

This was my second book by Susan Mac Nicol (the first one being Stripped Bare) and I actually loved its original premise but didn’t really find myself drawn to the main characters. It’s a quick read and I find myself wanting more of Gideon and Eddie. I didn’t feel much connection from both of them and I thought Eddie’s roomates Leslie and Taylor were much more interesting than the main couple. I figured that they’re up next in the series either as a couple or with different partners. I wished that this went well as I’d expected. There wasn’t enough romance for me here and I feel like the focus went to Eddie’s roomies more. I also find Carmen and Sarah pretty annoying. Their characters are one and the same so I rather find their characters unnecessary – or redundant to say the least. The head chef Jerome was already there and I thought he would’ve sufficed for their roles.

Overall, it was a decent start for said series. The MCs are forgettable but I loved the characterization of Taylor and Leslie. Really, they’re the best thing to happen here which made me interested to read their own book in the future.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Published October 9th 2014 by Boroughs Publishing Group

Review: That Thing Called Tadhana (2015)

That Thing Called TadhanaGoin’ into the theater, I already expected that I’d love it no matter what since it’s starred by JM de Guzman whom I considered a superb performer and being partnered with the feisty Angelica Panganiban – my impression was solidly cemented for good.

A Thing Called Tadhana isn’t your usual pa-tweetums romantic pinoy flick. It’s sooooo far from it. Directed by Antoinette Jadaone, the whole thing was like a local adaptation of Before Sunrise – but definitely has its own charm. Mace (Panganiban) and Anthony (de Guzman) met at an airport in Rome. Both broken-hearted, they decided to take on a road trip in the northern part of the Philippines – a whirlwind trip that went deeper than their new found friendship as they delved into searching where do really broken hearts go?

I just totally loved how their relationship developed throughout their journey. The dialogues weren’t overly dramatic but very memorable. They’re not the usual “one-liners” that border on being contrived. It’s the lines that you’d actually remember the most after watching this film. I especially loved this one  – “Hindi Na Kita Mahal, Makakaalis Ka Na! Yung eight years naming, tinapos niya in seven words!” – I thought it was genius through and through!”

I also loved the fact that it focuses more on dialogues than visuals although it feels like you’re also travelling with them as they went to Baguio, then Sagada (I totally got nostalgic on their way there because Sagada’s one of my favorite places on earth!!!!) – I’m happy that these places were highlighted in the story without out-staging the actors. The only thing I would consider to be an issue about it is the excessive use of profanity which I felt was lazy on the part of the screenwriter. Other than this, it is golden.

JM de Guzman and Angelica Panganiban just had this undeniable chemistry that made the film relatable more than its glaring mass appeal. It’s so refreshing to watch a Filipino film that does not resort to visual grandeur which often does not work in their favor. I loved the film’s simplicity, its funny antics and its touch of nostalgia that everyone could easily relate to. Jadaone created a pierce here that will probably propel her into the mainstream cinema film making. Congratulations!

Director: Antoniette Jadaone
Cast: Angelica Panganiban, JM de Guzman

Rating: 6/10

Film Review: Fifty Shades Of Grey (2015)

Fifty Shades Of GreyI’m probably one of the minorities in the country that does not (or will not) hate the censorship the Movie And Television Review And Classification Board (MTRCB) has added into this film – ugh! I kind of expected it so I just went through it and tried to disregard the fact that I paid money “to see everything” but I figured that If I wanted to watch gritty-bitty sexy parts – I’d go watch porn but no, I’d like to watch how a book which I liked (yeah blah-blah-blah-so what) was transformed into the big screen.

I enjoyed reading the “Fifty Shades” trilogy and was rather excited to watch it since Charlie Hunnam was chosen and then ceremoniously dumped from the role of BDSM-loving billionaire Christian Grey and was eventually replaced by Jamie Dornan. I got even more excited when Dakota Johnson was announced for the role of Anastasia Steele – a naïve college student on her foray into the dark and se[x]nsual world of the impossibly rich and controlling and more stoic than Edward Cullen, Christian Grey.

yeah... more or less

yeah… more or less

Okay, so on to the movie itself. I was not a happy kid after sitting through the whole thing + the credits! I felt like the book was murdered into pieces and the screenwriter made some sort of raffle which scenes should be included in this first installment (okay, so yeah – they will be making the next two films as well, yeah right). There’s just not enough of Jamie Dornan who will do fine as a crazy stalker in another film but here – it was just totally off. I guess that is what irks me the most about the film – Christian Grey was not properly portrayed here.

stalker alert

stalker alert

I’m not blaming Jamie; I’m blaming the script because there’s not much to work on it aside from all his kinky times with co-star Dakota. There’s just not enough angst from where his character’s love for BDSM was coming from – it was all too bland If I may say it so bluntly. It was such a shame really because his character didn’t build up into anything that is remarkable and not even the cliffie at the end could get me excited for the next film!

*stammering*

*stammering*

Johnson on the other hand was a surprise here despite her deer-in-the-headlights-oh-shoot-what-the-fuck-did-I-just-sign-up-to expression 80 percent of the time – I was rather impressed by her portrayal as the uber-innocent Anastasia Steele. There was tenderness in her attack and that naivety that the role was asking for. (no fun inner goddess though –boohoo!)

Britney Not That Innocent

This film wasn’t so bad. It was like a trial of some sort whether us audience will bite into it and devour its characters up to its second and final installment. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the way they made this one like an appetizer – I did after all pay for the main course. I was disappointed yes but there’s a slight chance that I may consider re-watching it given the proper incentive. Okay, I’m still going to watch it on DVD. *wink*

Rating: 6/10

Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Based on the book by E.L. James
Cast: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eloise Mumford, Luke Grimes, Rita Ora, Victor Rasuk, Max Martini, Dyan Neal, Callum Keith Rennie, Jennifer Ehle, Marcia Gay Harden

p.s. a friend asked me about the soundtrack – I’m like, no I didn’t notice it at all. Ugh. I mean, this isn’t Step Up or something. Okay..ta’

Henry Cavill And The Man from U.N.C.L.E. First Official Trailer!

The Man From UNCLE posterWho isn’t excited about this film? Finally, after Man of Steel we’ll see something from Henry that will show his versatility as an actor. I mean cmon’ he’s great and all but post- Superman­-blitz, I was thinking that he’d be stuck as just the Superman which isn’t such a bad thing at all to be honest. And it’s fun to see him getting all down and (dirty?! – nah) and suave for his role as Napoleon Solo and ofcourse, he’s co-starring here with the charming Armie Hammer ^_^

So let me cut this short now and check out the trailer of the film that was released yesterday 🙂

Here are some of the movie stills released by Warner Bros. Pictures

The film is slated for release August 14 of 2015!

Book Review: Dumped In Oz – Andrew Grey

[Book 1 of Tales From Kansas Series]

Dumped In OzBlurb: Because of an opportunity he’d be a fool to turn down, Lyle Powers transfers to his company’s warehouse in central Kansas. The last thing he expects is to meet another gay man in the small town, let alone one who captures his interest.

Roger Kypers is a recovering alcoholic with a twelve-year-old daughter he only gets to see for part of the summer. Neither Lyle nor Roger is looking for a relationship, and they fumble at the start, yet emotions build as Roger shows Lyle the landmarks of Oz.

But when Roger’s wicked witch of an ex-wife threatens to take his daughter away for good if he doesn’t act “normally,” he’s faced with the challenge of letting her get away with it, or fighting to accept himself and standing up for what he knows is right.

***

I’m not exactly sure how to go with this review – This was my first book by Andrew Grey and I was maybe expecting a bit too much from this that’s why I end up disappointing myself. The book wasn’t so bad – I thought the MCs – Roger and Lyle had great chemistry but the story as a whole didn’t do anything for me. It lacks development and each character is rather forgettable. Halfway through it, I was hoping that there’ll be some sort of drama aside from Roger’s ex-wife but it seems like all the characters went to boringtown until the end of the book. It’s a good thing that it’s not that long because for its thinly veiled plot, it’s a wonder that it went over a hundred pages. ‘Not very sure about this series but I’d probably read more Andrew Grey stories in the future because I’ve read so many positive reviews from his other books.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Published January 15th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press

Paolo Ballesteros And The Faces Of Miss Universe 2014!

Filipino TV host and actor Paolo Ballesteros looks like he’s on a mission to impersonate the beautiful queens of the 63rd Miss Universe pageant! He already posted on his instagram account a make-up transformation of Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa and has since then did four more with Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell, Miss Colombia and the newest Miss Universe Paulina Vega, Miss USA Nia Sanchez and the latest was Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha!

Colombia

as Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega

USA

as Miss USA 2014 and Miss Universe 2014 1st runner up Nia Sanchez

Ukraine

as Miss Universe 2014 2nd runner up Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha

Jamaica

as Miss Universe 2014 4th runner up Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell

Philippines

Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa (top 10)

Pretty neat make-up transformation yeah? Now all we need is Miss Netherlands Yasmin Verheijen (3rd runner up) to complete the 5 top finishers!

via http://instagram.com/pochoy_29

Book Review: Champion of the Scarlet Wolf Book Two – Ginn Hale

And so the story continues…

Champion Of The Scarlet Wolf Book TwoSkellan saved Milmuraille from the demon Lord and Oesir is now dead. He also found out that he’s actually the stolen son of count Radulf and one of the grimmas. Now, it’s time for him to step up as their leader and with Elezar Grunito in his side along with his “powerful” friends – are they equipped enough to beat the Old gods?

Now, this I enjoyed immensely because it’s so full of action I can’t even turn a page without any sort of chaos ensuing around Skellan and Elezar. It’s also fun to see Elezar finally loosening up and his acceptance towards his true nature. He’s obviously over with Javier but he’s still got a lot to learn about being comfortable with a man. I loved that he and Skellan are so in-synch and it may be because of Skellan’s spells but cmon’ it’s got to be true love right? After all, Elezar is Skellan’s man.

I also loved that in this second book of the Scarlet Wolf – we get to see more of Javier and Kiram affectations towards each other. It was so beautiful to read how they are so comfortable with each other and how through the years, they’ve grown not only as a couple but as individuals. It makes me feel a bit nostalgic thinking back when they were still students of the Sagrada Academy.

At the end of this story, I feel like there’s more to these characters. I may want to have Morisio and Altreau’s story although I’m not that certain about Altreau’s  true orientation – I may have to cross my fingers that this playboy nobleman will give Morision a chance after all. Oh and wouldn’t it be fun to have Kiram’s brother and Altreau fighting for Morisio’s affection? I don’t think it will happen but I want some resolution in this series – I mean, I want Cadeleon to change its law and I want Prince Sevanyo to have his own story. I feel like there’s more that Ginn Hale could explore in this story. In the meantime, go to Amazon and buy this epic series. It’s just so worth it!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published October 7th 2014 by Blind Eye Books

BUY LINKS
Amazon
Blind Eye Books

Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Official Swimsuit Glam Shots Candidates 18-34!

Here’s the rest of Binibining Pilipinas 2015 official swimsuit glam shots of candidates number 18-34 shot by famed photographer Raymond Saldaña. Now, for this batch – the best photo goes to candidate number 34! Teresita Marquez or better known as WynWyn Marquez is totally working it here – and she looked absolutely amazing! That long body, bone structure and all – gosh crown her already!

Teresita Ssen Marquez

Teresita Ssen Marquez

via Binibining Pilipinas Official
Photographed by: Raymond Saldaña

Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Official Swimsuit Glam Shots Candidates 1-17!

I totally loved this year’s edition of Binibining Pilipinas official glam shot! This was like Miss Universe glam shot quality! I loved the flowery -summerish swimsuits by the candidates and most of them looks every inch of a beauty queen already! For this batch, my best glam shot goes to Brenna Cassandra Gamboa (#17) – I’m not just sure about the missing hands but overall, girl’s working it!

Samantha Balbin

Samantha Balbin

Jenny Feliz Gonzalez

Jenny Feliz Gonzalez

Ria Rabajante

Ria Rabajante

Renee Soraya Hassani

Renee Soraya Hassani

Cannielle Faith Santos

Cannielle Faith Santos

Toni Alyessa Hipolito

Toni Alyessa Hipolito

Enrica Roxiele Guieb

Enrica Roxiele Guieb

Kimverlyn Suiza

Kimverlyn Suiza

Maolin Yalung

Maolin Yalung

Pia Wurtzbach

Pia Wurtzbach

Janicel Lubina

Janicel Lubina

Kylie Verzosa

Kylie Verzosa

Mae Liezel Ramos

Mae Liezel Ramos

Princess Joy Camu

Princess Joy Camu

Paula Rich Bartolome

Paula Rich Bartolome

Marvi Ann De Lima

Marvi Ann De Lima

 Brenna Cassandra Gamboa

Brenna Cassandra Gamboa

via Binibining Pilipinas Official
Photographed by: Raymond Saldaña

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 (18-3)

 

Book Review: Champion of the Scarlet Wolf Book One – Ginn Hale

Champion Of The Scarlet Wolf Book OneI’m a happy kid yet again after saying temporary farewell to Kiram Kir-Zaki and Javier Tornesal in the Lord of the White Hell book 1 and 2 – Ginn Hale yet again brings us to this world but this time the focus is on Elezar (remember Javier’s bestfriend who’s got this unrequited love for him for years?) Oh yes, good times!

I was not the biggest fan of Elezar since I found out that he’s been pining for Javier (I think we got that memo in the second book of Lord of the White Hell during the  winter’s solstice when Kiram sneaked up to the Hellions’ rooms bearing gifts while the rest are attending some sort of solstice ceremony and he saw a picture of Javier in Elezar’s drawer – that was the time I realized it of course – that was it right?) Anyways, of course he almost killed Javier and was sending dagger looks towards Kiram eversince but since they all went together in the Old Road until the end – I guess, it went okay by then. But of course, Javier and Kiram had to leave which left Elezar in Cadeleon and so the book started five years after the couple flee for their lives.

Things didn’t go easy for Elezar and he always finds himself in trouble – mainly becoming this big, kickass nobleman whose life suddenly spiraled down to a purposeless existence. When he acted to save his dear friend and fellow Hellion Altreau from getting killed – he’s got no choice but to flee Cadeleon with Altreau and was sent on a mission by Fadeles (yup, remember Javier’s possessed cousin?) in the heart of Milmuraille. There he meets Skellan, a street witch whom he initially met and saved as a street hound. There’s more to Skellan than meets the eye and this red head witch awakens something from Elezar that he thought he’d long buried five years ago.

So I won’t into too many details because really, there’s so much in this book that I’d really like to discuss. Case in point, the long babbling I just did. Anyhoo, this story was a signature Ginn Hale book – detailed, deep UST and a lot of feels which I can’t even!

This book will very much remind you of Narnia because of the witch’s familiar and well – the witches. There’s so much magic going on that sometimes it was a bit difficult to catch up. I myself gets confused and had to go back to a certain page.

The good thing about this book though was how detailed it was with each character, each event and each minute references. I’ve no problem with the length of the story and I enjoyed reading it that I even find myself skipping a meal to actually get to the main action. O_O

This was Elezar’s story more than Skellan obviously but at some point in the book, I can’t help but feel for Skellan’s character and what he’s endured before he met Elezar. There were some characters whom I’d rather see die in the first book but unfortunately didn’t (yes – I’m bad that way) but overall, it made the story even more exciting.

Milmuraille achieved relative peace at the end – atleast for our characters but it also opened a lot of questions and revelations for the second book to dissect. Now this is what’s so good about the story, it makes you wanna read the next book right away because it makes you anxious to know what will happen with these characters. After this first book, I was so attached with Skellan ( I loved him) and Elezar that I just really want them to be together already without Elezar’s worrying to much about the law and religion (ugh. Like’s he’s a very religious guy to begin with) and yes – this book made me even giddy to read more about Javier and Kiram!

This book is another masterpiece from Ginn Hale. Ugh. Seriously, she doesn’t know how not to deliver!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published October 7th 2014 by Blind Eye Books

BUY LINKS Amazon Blind Eye Books