I'm going to the beach! :D

By the time you're reading this, I've already (I hope) landed in Coron, Palawan and preparing to see this...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="486"]Coron Source[/caption]

...and this.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="539"]Coron Source[/caption]

I've been looking forward to this trip because I didn't have the chance to go to the beach last summer. Most of you probably know how busy I've been lately so this trip is absolutely necessary for my sanity. Time to de-stress and take a break from work and technology.

I'm not abandoning YOU though. Here are some quick updates that I'd like to share with you before I go:


    • I'm reading Fairytale Apocalypse by Jacqueline Patricks and so far, it's good.

    • I'm listening to The 5th Wave audiobook (which I got for free on Audible). It's good, confusing at times, and definitely scary. I avoid listening to it at night time. I'm a wuss, I know.

    • I watched If I Stay three weeks ago and I loved it! I didn't cry as much as I did when I read the book, and I still love the book more than the movie, but I did love it. I know some people are not so happy about it, and I can understand why, but I am happy about it. And the soundtrack? Lovely. Been listening to it for a few weeks now and I just love it.

    • Also watched The Maze Runner last week. I'm glad that it remained faithful to the book (I love that book, it kept me up all night) though I did feel that there wasn't enough character development. This is understandable; I've always believed that books are better than their film adaptations, most of the time. That said, I think The Maze Runner (the movie) was good. There were several scary, suspenseful parts and I'm glad I didn't watch alone. The Grievers were not what I imagined but they were okay. Over all, I enjoyed the movie.

    • Jennifer E. Smith and Lissa Price came to the Philippines last week. Sadly, I wasn't able to go to the signing. But Laila came to the rescue and had my books signed by Jennifer. Her handwriting is sooo tiny but I'm not complaining. Thanks again, Lai! :)





  • Lastly, Dre of Sporadic Reads is looking for co-blogger(s). I would have applied, but it's not a secret that I'm having schedule problems as well so instead I'm spreading the word. If you're awesome and you love books and blogging, apply now!


That's it for now. Will be back with a review and a clearer, rested mind and body next week.

Have a great mid-week, guys! :)
1:00 PM
In 2012, my friend Joy (yes, there are a lot of us in the planet) introduced me to Percy Jackson. Sure, I've heard about him from other people but I didn't know what I was missing until Joy (confused yet?) convinced me to dig in. She's a true blue Rick Riordan fan and pretty soon, I became part of the club. From the moment I started reading Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, I was hooked. In about a month I finished reading the whole series, including the companion books. And then I went on to read the spin-off series, Heroes of Olympus, just in time to read the 3rd book, The Mark of Athena, which came out in October 2012. When there was nothing to do but wait for The House of Hades (came out October last year), I read Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles. As if Greek gods weren't enough, I also had to know about Egyptian mythology, which was even more confusing than Greek mythology. I didn't care if Rick Riordan was milking a cash cow -- I just had to read everything he writes.

Percy Jackson is the ultimate male fictional character for me, at least from the fantasy genre. He started off as this dyslexic, confused kid and grew to be this strong, witty, brave, and VERY FUNNY teenaged demigod. I had to emphasize that he's funny, for those who haven't read the books (really, what's your excuse?), because that's my favorite thing about him. In the face of danger, evil spirits, giants, monsters, and crazy Greek and Roman gods, Percy remains absolutely hilarious. And smart, especially when he's with Annabeth and his other demigod friends.

This October, Rick Riordan is slated to release the last book of the Heroes of Olympus series, The Blood of Olympus. Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Leo, Frank, Hazel, and Nico continue their journey to Greece and Rome and face off with Mother Earth herself, Gaea. The waiting is almost over... and I am extremely excited!



While waiting, I got lucky and got an ebook copy of Percy Jackson's Greek Gods. Instead of sharing his and the gang's adventures, Percy tells the story of how the Greek gods came to be. He starts with the primordial gods such as Ouranus, Gaea, and Tartarus, and then the Titans (Kronos, Rhea, Prometheus, Atlas, etc.) and finally the Olympians (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia, Demeter, Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Hermes, Haphaestus).



After reading about 25% of the book, I saw that there's a free audio book of it on Audible and of course, I downloaded it.

I can't tell you how much I laughed throughout the book.

I already love Percy for his sass, wit, humor, and sarcasm. All of these traits came in handy for this book. I knew that this book was going to be awesome but I was surprised by how good it turned out to be. It was very informative (if you ever need extensive knowledge about the Greek gods and Titans, you should read THIS) and educational. Despite the many ungodly acts that the Olympians managed to pull through (incest, rape, bullying, abortion), the book remained children-friendly because of Percy's humor and sarcasm and his total lack of reverence for the gods, even for his father, Poseidon. Percy injected a lot of reminders (don't do drugs, alcohol is bad for you) and morals, like this one...

“Maybe the lesson is: Know when to brag and when to keep your mouth shut. Or: Sometimes life isn’t fair, even if you are as gifted as Athena. Or maybe: Don’t give away free tapestries.”

… and a lot of unexpected jokes and an absolutely irreverent style of story-telling about Percy's dysfunctional immortal family:

"As for the last brother, Oceanus, he took charge of the outer waters that circled the world. That's how the big expanses of water bordering the earth came to be called oceans. It could have been worse. If Iapetus had taken over the waters, today we'd be talking about the Atlantic Iapet and sailing the iapet blue, and that just doesn't have the same ring to it."

"In the beginning. I wasn't there."

"The king was a guy named Aeetes. (As near as I can figure, that's pronounced "I Eat Tees.") His big claim to fame was that the Golden Fleece -- that magical sheepskin rug I'm related to -- ended up in his kingdom, which made the place immune to disease, invasion, stock market crashes, visits from Justin Bieber, and pretty much any other natural disaster."

"Her sacred animals were the owl and the snake. Supposedly, the owl was a symbol f wisdom from the heavens. The snake symbolized wisdom from the earth. Me, I never understood that. If owls were so wise, why would they go around asking Who? all the time, like they couldn't remember their own names?"

My favorite part is the story of how Hermes stole Apollo's cows. It was mentioned a few times on the other books but this book tells the whole story behind it.

I alternated between reading the book and listening to the audio book, and a few times I read while I listened. I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would because I read faster than the narrator, Jesse Bernstein. Jesse sounded well -- I could totally picture Percy while listening to him. But in my mind, it was all Logan Lerman. Teehee!

Percy Jackson Logan Lerman

Anyway, praises to Rick Riordan for coming out with another masterpiece. I can't imagine how much time and research went into creating this book. Man, you're awesome.

I urge you all to read this book. If you haven't read any of the Percy Jackson books, that's still okay. You can start with this. Or read The Lightning Thief first, because you have to know Percy first. Whichever you decide to read first, I am 100% sure that you're going to enjoy it!

Now, excuse me while I look for more Logan Lerman GIFs as I wait for The Blood of Olympus.

[caption id="attachment_383" align="aligncenter" width="138"]5 stars Loved it to bits and pieces![/caption]



As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.
3:00 AM
You know those tagging posts on Facebook that lists down 10 books that have stayed with you, or 10 books that have affected you in some way? Of course you know this! You've probably done it yourself.

I usually just ignore these tagging games because I'm OC with lists. It's so hard for me to come up with just 5 movies, or 15 songs, or 7 pets. It has to be perfect for me, even though the rules clearly state "don't think too hard" and "doesn't have to be in order." I know, I make my life hard sometimes. So I don't usually join even when I'm tagged.

This book list though... it's about books! A chance to list down and promote great books is something that I'll likely enjoy so when Laila tagged me to do it, I said GAME ON!

And because not all of you are my friends on Facebook, I wanna share my list with you. Feel free to blog yours, too, whether you've done it on Facebook or not. :)

Again, this is in no particular order. Click on the photos to see the blurbs.

1. The Trolls by Polly HorvathThe Trolls
When someone asks me for a book recommendation (without genre restrictions), this is the first title that comes to my mind. I can't remember exactly when I read this (high school?) because it was a long time ago. Which is exactly why it's on top of my list. This list is in no particular order, but The Trolls truly deserve the top spot because it's the one book that I've never forgotten since I read it.

It has nothing to do with trolls.

And everything to do with family, regret, and forgiveness.

Aunt Sally was a great story-teller and I had vivid images of Canada and her whole family the whole time I was reading this book.
The book was labeled "Middle Grade" but I don't know if kids can enjoy this as much as adults would. It's a little dark, so it'd be best if a child reads this WITH an adult and they can enjoy it together.

2. Anna and the French KissAnna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Here I go again. I know, I know, you're probably tired of hearing it. Sorry I'm not sorry!

Anna and the French Kiss was not the first Perkins book I read; Lola and the Boy Next Door was. But for some reason (Etienne, Paris, friends-turned-lovers... I can go on, you know), Anna affected me more. It has turned me into a Stephanie Perkins fan for life.

3. Columbine by Dave CullenColumbine
The only non-fic in this list is a tragic one. It reveals the story behind one of the most shocking massacres in American history, before the time tragedies like this have become kind of commmonplace.

This book is riveting. Recommended by a friend of mine, I read it after the Sandy Hook school shooting and even though it's non-fic, I was thoroughly engrossed.

4. The Lightning Thief from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (and all other books in the series and the spinoff series and the companion books) by Rick RiordanPercy Jackson Lightning Thief
I was kinda late to this party, having only started reading Percy in 2012. But from the get-go, I was hooked. Sold. I knew that whatever Rick Riordan writes, I will read it.

What I like about Percy is his abundant and self-deprecatory sense of humor. I guess when you're forced to face monsters and deal with annoying gods, humor is the only thing that will keep you sane.

5. Something Blue by Emily GiffinSomething Blue
You've probably seen the movie Something Borrowed which was based on the book of the same title. It was a good book... but the movie was better. I know, right? That almost never happens.

Something Blue is the sequel and I love it. Ethan was a more interesting character than Dex. And though I don't normally like flashy, loud girls, Darcy's 180-degree turn made me root for her.

I read this book 3 times (the 3rd time was mostly just the last few chapters and my favorite lines) so it's no wonder it stayed with me.

6. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren MyracleLet It Snow John Green
I like holiday-themed books. But I found this one really sweet (and we're allowed to be sweet and cheesy and mushy on special days) and special. I liked John Green's story least (surprise, surprise!) but it's my favorite book of his. The trio of short stories are all intertwined and the way it was done was pure genius.

7. Little Men (Little Women 2) by Louisa May Alcott
Little Men is not as popular as Little Women, and the only reason I know about it becauseLittle Men there was a Japanese cartoon series adaptation of it that aired in ABS-CBN when I was in grade school. It was one of my favorite shows then and I have very fond memories of it. So it made sense for me to read the book.

I haven't finished Little Women yet. I plan to. But it's okay to jump ahead and read this first. Little Men is lighter, an easier read, and full of lessons for children and adults alike.

8. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
I cannot mention this book without feeling bittersweet.Stargirl

Stargirl is very special for me. It hit me hard. It made me laugh, made me cry, and dazed me. It made me rethink my very existence.

9. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
I remember seeing this in a magazine and I thought, hmmm... sounds fun! And it is fun. But also heart-wrenching.Flipped

Before Eleanor & Park, there were Juli and Bryce. I'm not saying their story is the same but both books capture the essence of young love. I would've included E & P in this list but I read Flipped first and it was really wonderful. And the movie was also good.

10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (and the two other books) by Stieg Larsson
The whole MillenniumDragon Tattoo trilogy is amazing. The first few chapters are slow, very slow... but once you get to the part where Mikael and Lisbeth meet, you can't stop.

Lisbeth is a unique character and I couldn't help but rally behind her. She's the ultimate femme fatale. Her friendship with Mikael is remarkable. But what I found great about this book is it's smart, not-at-all-subtle, attack on misogyny.

There it is, my list of 10 books that have stayed with me/affected me in some way. I won't be tagging anyone, but you're welcome to post yours. I look forward to reading it. :)
3:00 AM
Musings of The Bookshelf Intruder

This week was awful. There's no getting round through it, I can't gloss it over... It's awful. It was the worst week I've had since that the typhoon Glenda and that week even offered little nuggets of happiness. This past week though... It was emotionally and physically horrible.

I don't want to get into the details. Suffice it to say that I had tons of work to do and I made a few mistakes with some of my work. I was called out and I felt really bad about it. This, plus PMS, made me very emotional. I cried (which I rarely do when it's because of work) and I felt very anxious. At one point, I got really troubled because I was dreaming of emails and work stuff. Not a good sign.

And then there was the fact that the daily commute (which I've been doing for a really long time, only now the journey's even longer) is physically draining me. I've been trying different routes and all that but this new house is really far. The price of a nicer, quieter neighborhood...

Let's not forget the blog. No, no, I don't see this blog as a problem. Far from it: it's my solace. But I can also see that work and life leaves me very little time to tend to my blog and visit other blogs. And I want to do that sooo much. Oh, life's a bitch.

Fortunately, I have Argie (true, human boyfriend) and Percy Jackson (true...ish boyfriend) to keep me sane through all of these. I've been reading Percy Jackson's Greek Gods and it's freaking funny. So far, it's making my jaw hurt from too much laughs. My worries are far from over, but at least my books are here to make me forget, even for just a few hours. And this, writing, helps relieve some of the stress. Plus, oh-kay, there was actually one good thing that happened last Thursday: I won Aimee's giveaway!

So I ask you, dear booknerds. Do books help you get through your worst times? I bet they do. What are your go-to books when you're feeling down and out? Do you go for the funny ones, like I do? Or do you pick fantasy, so you can lose yourself in another world? Tell me! Your recommendations will be much appreciated. :)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="402"]books happiness Source: imagesbuddy.com[/caption]
2:00 AM
Slam Book with Shay West

Hello, bookworms!

It's been a while since my last Slam Book post and I'm so glad that another author is game for it!

Presenting Dangerous Reflections author *drumroll and confetti* Shay West! Here we go!



Shay West was born in Longmont, CO and earned a doctorate degree in Human Medical Genetics from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical. Dr. West currently lives in Grand Junction, CO with her two cats. When not writing novels, she plays with plushie microbes and teaches biology classes at Colorado Mesa University. She is the author of the Portals of Destiny series and the Adventures of Alexis Davenport series. She has also been published in several anthologies: Battlespace (military scifi), Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior (fundraiser), and Ancient New (steampunk/fantasy).

You can find Dr. West and more of her work at Shay-West.com. [Source]



NICKNAME: Shaydy (like shady LOL)
AGE: 41
ZODIAC SIGN: Libra
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS: Total science geek

FAVORITES
COLOR: purple
ACTOR: Benedict Cumberbatch
ACTRESS: Karen Gillan
SONG: God’s Great Dance Floor
BAND/SINGER: Chris Tomlin
BOOK: Lord of the Rings trilogy
MOVIE: Guardians of the Galaxy
BOOK-TURNED-MOVIE: The Green Mile
BOOK/MOVIE QUOTE: I’m your Huckleberry.
FICTIONAL CHARACTER: Eowyn from LOTR trilogy
FOOD: my mom’s home-made spaghetti
HOBBIES: reading and amateur photography
GUILTY PLEASURE: watching endless hours of Netflix
PET PEEVES: people who drive too slow, people with entitlement issues

LET’S GET PERSONAL! *aka obligatory cringe-worthy questions*
Note: I don't know how other countries do it, but in the Philippines, these questions are always, always included in a slam book. :)
DEFINE ‘LOVE’: Depends on the type of love you mean. there’s agape love which is unconditional love, eros is the sensual, physical love, philia which is used with regards to friendship, and storge, the love a parent has for a child. It’s a very complicated emotion tossed about with hormones and all that.
WHO IS YOUR CRUSH? I actually don’t have one at the moment. LOL I divorced last year and am happily avoiding all things that have anything to do with guys and dating ;)
WHO IS YOUR FIRST LOVE? Someone I knew back in my 20’s. I really thought we were going to make it but he ended up leaving to go to school in Utah. I haven’t seen or heard from him in close to twenty years.
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT: Earning my PhD in Human Medical Genetics
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: Far too many to even be able to think of just one LOL In high school, I called the football player I had a crush on. *blushes just thinking about it* He was so nice, humouring the nerdy girl that had a serious crush.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYTHING/ANYONE/ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW, WHAT/WHO/WHERE WOULD YOU BE? A wizard living in a remote castle surrounded by a moat. LOL

THE REAL STUFF...

1. Dangerous Reflections was a beautiful mix of historical fiction and young adult contemporary. I love it. What inspired you to write it?
I was getting ready for work one day and thought it would be so awesome if my reflection changed to someone else. After a bit of work, the premise for the series was born.
2. I’m sure Dangerous Reflections is purely fiction… but is Alex's real life (without the time traveling) anything like your teenage life?
Alex’s life is a mixture of my middle school/high school life and stuff from my adult life. I had a difficult time in middle school, but not nearly to the degree that Alex has to deal with. And writing was therapeutic when dealing with my divorce, though a lot of those emotions come into play in the last book of the series (Desperate Reflections).
3. I like that you talked about bullying in this book. What made you decide to include that?
I dealt with bullying a LOT in middle school. And though it would be nice if we could simply “teach” people not to bully, I don’t believe that will ever happen, any more than we can “teach” men not to rape. For me, dealing with the bullies and learning to let their words wash over me helped more than simply wishing they would stop. After a time, the bullies left me alone. It’s no fun to pick on someone if they honestly don’t care what you think or don’t react to your words in any way.
4. I’m excited to read Twisted Reflections! Are you planning to write a 3rd book?
The third book is already out for sale! And it’s really intense, much more so than the other two. And a lot of emotion comes out in this one.
5. Any advice for new writers?
This one is always hard since there’s always so much going around. But based on my own experiences, I would have to say knowing the rules for the genre you’re writing in and read a TON of books in that genre so you get a feel for it. If you want to write paranormal, you need to read those books to know what’s expected. Same with romance or fantasy or steampunk or young adult. Deviating too much from the norm will make it difficult to group your books with others that are similar and that makes it hard for people to find your book, whether it’s only online or in a bookstore.

Thank you so much for answering my Slam Book, Shay! :D

You have to admit that while reading books is absolutely fun, knowing the authors behind our favorite books is a different kind of fun altogether! It's like we get to see the book in a slightly different light. So I hope I can get more authors to answer my Slam Book.

Hope you enjoyed this, guys! 'Til next time! :)
1:30 AM
I liked a lot of things about this book. It wasn't perfect, it had its flaws... but not enough to stop me from enjoying the book.

Dangerous Reflections was a pleasant surprise. It was unexpectedly exciting. The first few chapters kept me on the edge of my seat as Alexis realizes that she has a special power. I'm a history enthusiast like Alexis so her trips back in time were really fun for me. The book was equal parts historical fiction and contemporary, with a little bit of  sci-fi (time travel, but the book doesn't explain the dynamics of this), and in combinations like this, one genre usually overpowers the other. In this case, I'm glad that it didn't. Both parts of Alex's life were given enough space.

Alexis (who has the same birthday as mine) is a good daughter and a good student -- someone who actually enjoys studying and learning. I love that Shay West came up with a protagonist who's not the usual angsty, rebel teenager because not every teenager is like that, right?

But Alexis isn't perfect either. Her teenage hormones drives her to like Beau, this jock at school. Cute, has beautiful eyes, and plays baseball, and is a major jerk. So I couldn't understand why Alexis likes this guy. Yes, I'm judging. I can't help it. I hate guys (and girls) who think they can get away with everything just because they look good. So I was silently cheering her on during the few times that she stood up for herself.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="325"] Go girl![/caption]

Speaking of standing up for herself, Dangerous Reflections also talked about bullying, and showcased a simple but effective way to fight bullies.

I only have a bit of an issue with the ending. It was a cliff-hanger but some cliff-hangers are okay, right? I mean, they don't leave you hopelessly hanging. This book felt like that for me for a bit, because there were things that weren't resolved yet. I feel like it could have seemed more "wrapped up" than it was. Of course, now that I have a copy of the sequel, I have no worries because I can go on reading Alex's adventures.

Dangerous Reflections is a great choice for readers who are looking for an exciting and somehow educational YA fantasy. It's a great read and I think YOU should check it out.

Thanks to Pam Labbe of Booktrope Publishing for the free digital copy of Dangerous Reflections and Twisted Reflections.



As a reader and reviewer, I aim to write fair and honest reviews, both on this site and on Goodreads. Please read my Review Policy here.
4:00 AM
My fellow booknerd, Vee of The Blah Blah Notebook tagged me with the Seven Deadly Sins tag. I've never done a tag post before... but who am I to refuse a seemingly fun opportunity to talk about what I like or hate?

So, here we go.

GREED
1. What is your most unexpensive book?
A lot! I rarely buy books and when I do, it's usually at a book sale. I get most of my ebooks for free, and I have more than a hundred of them right now -- all unread.

WRATH
2. What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?John Green
This is a hard question. When I read books penned by the same author, that's usually because I like his/her works. Cases in point: Rick Riordan, Stephanie Perkins, Sophie Kinsella, and Cindi Madsen. I love all of their works that I've read. I have to copy Vee's answer: John Green. I know, I know, he has a lot of fans. Don't mob me. I've rated most of his books 4 stars because I liked them at the time. But now, all I remember is the mind f*ckery that I went through while reading his books.

GLUTTONY
3. What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?
Hands down, Anna and the French Kiss. 'Nuff said.

SLOTH
4. Which book have you neglected reading due to laziness?
That would be Gone Girl. Now, now, you don't have to talk me into it. I am totally convinced that it's good because  I've never seen a bad review of it and a lot of people have been pushing me to read it. It's not actually laziness but more of my unmotivating (is there such a word) schedule that's hindered me from reading this. But since I know that I'll read it faster if I have it in print, I finally bought it.

PRIDE
5. What books do you most talk about in order to sound like an intellectual reader?
Classics would definitely do the trick... except I rarely read classics (next to never). But I do read non-fiction.  I guess that's something I'll pull out when I want to impress someone with my wit.

LUST
6. What attributes do you find attractive in a male or female character?
I like strong female characters like Katniss Everdeen and Annabeth Chase and Sadie Kane. But honestly, I love clumsy, funny ones more, especially when they're English/British -- like Sophie Kinsella's girls. As for male characters, he has to be funny. Like Percy Jackson and Etienne St. Clair and Levi (of Fangirl... does he have a last name?). Also a bit nerdy and weird, like Cricket Bell and Simon Lewis (of the TMI series).

ENVY
7. What book would you most like to receive as a gift?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="281"]isla and the happily ever after Source[/caption]

Isla and the Happily Ever After. There is nothing else. I even made a playlist for it (with Laila's help). I've read it but I don't have it in print yet. Anyone, please? Ktnxbye.

 

That was fun! Thanks, Vee, for tagging me. :)

Now I am tagging (I hope you haven't done this yet)...

Cait/Mime of Notebook Sisters
Ana of Tara! Let's Be Happy
Aneca Camille of The Rhapsodic Curiosities
Irish of Nocturnal Reader
Stormi of Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh my!

Excited to read your answers, guys! :)
4:00 AM
If you've read my review of Isla and the Happily Ever After, then you know how CRAZY I am about that book. It's insane how much I love it. It's the I-want-to-hold-you-in-my-arms kind of love. Alas, I only have the ebook copy.

If you still haven't read the book (WHY?! There is no valid excuse!) and you're unconvinced by my review and Michelle's review and Larissa's review, let me try again.

This time, I invited (or she invited me first, I'm not sure) my fellow Perkins fangirl, Laila, to make an Isla playlist with me. The book was just begging it. It's so beautiful that you can't help thinking of tunes while reading it. And we are pretty sure that when you listen to this playlist, you'll be itching to read or re-read Isla.

First, meet Laila.

P1140923Hi! I'm Laila from Cebu, Philippines. I'm a nocturnal bookworm who loves strong heroines in YAs, a hopeless romantic, and I often secretly fangirls (with screaming and jumping) in my room. I am part of a Cebu-based book club community called OTSP - On The Same Page and I also volunteer as a moderator over at Read Philippines, an online Filipino book lovers forum (where Joy and I met). I am into a lot of fandoms like Divergent, The Maze Runner, Stephanie Perkins PH group, Cebu Institute for Shadowhunters in Cebu, Rainbowsessed - A Rainbow Rowell PH group, and many more. Seriously, I love connecting with other fangirls/boys online who share the same passion as I have for books. When I'm not reading, I go online (or outside to see the sun shining) or tend to our family properties.






Now, sing along!


Isla and the Happily Ever After from purplejoys on 8tracks Radio.


1. Jump Then Fall - Taylor Swift
"I like the way I can't keep my focus
I watch you talk, you didn't notice
I hear the words but all I can think is
We should be together..."
I chose this song as it reminded me of how Isla secretly longed for Josh from afar. After one wonderful moment with her "happy pill," she wondered if their encounter at Kismet actually happened. - Laila

2. Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
"Kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me..."
I think this was a perfect companion to Josh and Isla's first date. And let’s face we were all waiting for that perfect first kiss -- except it wasn’t exactly perfect! - Laila

3. Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
"Well, I'm not sure what this is gonna be,
But with my eyes closed all I see
Is the skyline, through the window,
The moon above you and the streets below.
Hold my breath as you're moving in,
Taste your lips and feel your skin.
When the time comes, baby don't run, just kiss me slowly..."
One of my go-to songs whether I'm feeling down or happy. It's just so sweet and from the first time Laila and I decided to make a playlist, I knew that this song had to be in it. Kiss Me (above) is more for Isla but Kiss Me Slowly is for Josh, but I think it's more fitting for the time Josh was painting a mural. - Joy

4. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons
"I’ve had the highest mountains
I’ve had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps moving
I take it in but don’t look down..."
If you've read Anna and Lola, you know that Perkins has the talent for making you feel like you're in the same place as the characters, whether it's in Paris, or in San Francisco. With Isla, we get to be not only in Paris and Manhattan, but also in Barcelona! This song is a great background song for Josh & Isla's Barcelona adventure. - Joy

5. Treacherous - Taylor Swift
"I can’t decide if it’s a choice
Getting swept away
I hear the sound of my own voice
Asking you to stay
All we are is skin and bone
Trained to get along
Forever going with the flow
But you’re friction..."
Another one from Taylor Swift. She has knack for capturing feelings of young love with her music. The lyrics reminded me of how Isla adored Josh so much. Even when other people around her kept warning her that Josh will not be good for her because they perceived him to be just another slacker student and will only be bringing her down, she refused to give in to it and have faith that there is more to Josh than meets the eye. I won't spoil you with the details but I can tell you that Isla's involvement with Josh drives her to do some reckless things. I think Isla has waited all her life for someone like Josh to light her up inside, that very friction to spark her up! - Laila

6. Wait For You - Elliott Yamin
"Girl you could have stayed but you wouldn't give me a chance
With you not around it's a little bit more than I can stand..."
Although this book is from Isla’s POV, I need to give a voice for Josh, too. Again, because I don't want to spoil you, I won't tell what happened but yes, Josh also went through a painful time (a lot of times, actually). - Laila

7. Mirror, Mirror - M2M
"Why don’t I like the girl I see?
The one that’s standing right in front of me
Why don’t I think before I speak?
I should have listen to that voice inside me..."
This song definitely reminded me of how Isla was after she made a big decision which made her miserable. - Laila

8. Brave - Sara Bareilles
"You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up..."
Isla was a shy, quiet, insecure girl who likes to play it safe. But she had a turning point, and finally took a risk. This song is a great reminder of that moment. - Joy

9. I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
"Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you..."
This book reunites Anna, Etienne and their friends. That part of the book was one of my favorites because it shows that Perkins not only creates romance, she also creates friendships that are meant to last for a very, very long time. And sorry, but there is no better song about friendship than this one. There's a reason why it's the theme song of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., you know. - Joy

10. Ever, Ever After - Carrie Underwood
"Storybook endings, fairy tales coming true
Deep down inside we want to believe they still do
In our secret heart, it's our favourite part of the story..."
I was totally blasting this song when I finished reading Isla! I think this is totally fitting for Isla and Josh's love story. - Laila

And there you have it. Feel free to listen to these songs while you read and fall in love with Isla and the Happily Ever After. Happy listening/reading! :)
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Welcome to my tour stop for The Maid of Milan by Beverley Eikli! To check out other stops, visit IndieSage PR! :)

A little something about myself. I love world history, especially World War II. I like historical films, TV series, documentaries, historical books -- the works. But I don't usually read historical romance books. I've read a few in the past, but those were a long time ago and I've forgotten them already. So I won't pretend to be the expert here. I did some research about the Regency era though so I won't be totally clueless.
The Regency Period officially began when the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) assumed the role of Prince Regent after his father, King George III, was declared unfit to rule in 1811.  King George III is believed to have suffered from porphyria, a disorder affecting the production of hemoglobin (a component of blood cells).  Symptoms include abdominal pain, sensitivity to light and nervous system issues. George IV, his son, became Prince Regent – not quite King as George III was still alive, but wielding the power of the king when his father became debilitated and lost focus of reality. Once in power in 1811, the Prince Regent was discouraged from making decisions regarding official governing business and issues involving war.  Instead, the Prince Regent spent his time indulging in excesses.  He spent more money than the Treasury could cover on building projects and lavish parties, thus leaving the burden of restocking the coffers to the people he ruled.  He was a great patron of the arts and literature and created Regent’s Park, but was extravagant in fashion and indulgent with food, becoming quite obese. [Source]

Fans of Jane Austen and Emily Bronte know this era all too well. There are a lot of books and films (mostly adapted from books) inspired by the Regency period and the only reason I didn't know they were from the Regency era is because I usually avoid classics. Nothing against it, it's just not my cup of tea.

So why did I read The Maid of Milan? One, I wanted change. I've always wanted diversity in my shelves. Two, the blurb sounded intriguing. It screamed romance + mystery to me, a combination I am always up for. I'm glad I went for it. The Maid of Milan didn't make me feel as if I was reading a classic. Maybe that's not a good thing for some but for me, it is.

You see, I always want my books to be relatable (there's that word again. Can't help it.) and realistic -- unless it's fantasy. Despite the many differences between the Regency period and the present time, the issues that this novel tackled were not hard to recognize. Love triangles, drug addiction, infidelity, and controlling mothers -- these are still very present, if not more prevalent, in today's time. But in spite of the familiarity of these issues, The Maid of Milan was very convincing. It didn't feel forced, and not at all typical.

Adelaide's story was so complex. Again, this book is not all romance, it also contains mysteries, making it a brilliant page-turner. It's so easy to want to read the next page, because just when you thought you know what's coming, it comes and it's not what you expected at all! Needless to say, the surprises got me. There was one part which I didn't like but the ending made up for it so I'm good.

Beverley Eikli has written characters that felt real and invoked emotions. James infuriated me. I hated his guts and ugh, he's so annoying! Tristan was so easy to love, but sometimes I want to pour a bucket of ice-cold water over his head just so he'd see the obvious. Adelaide herself is an interesting study -- sometimes I like her, sometimes I don't. Her wit, determination and resilience were admirable traits... her weakness frustrated me. But among all characters, it was Mrs. Henley who affected me most. She was one of the most enraging characters I've ever stumbled upon. But knowing this is also what made me liked the novel -- because it meant that Beverley's writing was effective!

I recommend this book to readers who'd like to spice up their romance shelves. I say go for it. If you're looking for the not-so-typical romance novel, or just infuriating mother-in-laws, read this book. It won't disappoint.



About The Author:

Bevie-and-Homer-med-quality-199x300Beverley Eikli is the award-winning author of eight historical romances, laced with mystery and intrigue.
She has worked as a journalist, magazine editor, a safari lodge manager in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, and an airborne geophysical survey operator working in the back of low-flying aircraft on contracts around the world.

Beverley's writing career took off when she married the handsome Norwegian bush pilot she met around a camp fire in Botswana. As a pilot's wife living in twelve different countries - and, often as the only woman on the survey contracts she worked on - writing romance was her preferred entertainment when her male colleagues were playing cards.

Beverley loves exploring complex issues such as the consequences faced by characters who make errors of judgement in a punitive society. However her heroines always have the wit to triumph over the strictures of the society in which they live, even as they battle the dangerous currents which threaten to swamp them.

Beverley and her husband have finally settled in a pretty country town near Melbourne, Australia, where she teaches in the Department of Professional Writing & Editing at Victoria University.

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