Cover Reveal: The Last Wish by Tsina Cajayon

Posted on March 28, 2014 by jholitonjua

The Last Wish
by Tsina Cajayon

Paano mo ibabalik ang nakaraan at itatama ang mali?

Paano mo tuturuan ang puso na huwag ng magmahal dahil hindi rin ito magtatagal?

When Franco De Guzman found out that he has a rare heart problem na posibleng ikamatay niya ng kahit anong oras ay agad siyang nabahala tungkol sa dalawang bagay: Una, mawawalan ng isang guwapong lalaki sa mundo at pangalawa ay hindi pa siya nakakahingi ng tawad kay Georgina Escudero sa mga kasalanan niya noong nasa high school sila.

Nang muli niyang makita si Georgina ay nagbago ang lahat. Ang puso niyang may expiration date ay tila gusto pang humingi ng extra life para lamang makasama ito ng matagal. Ang puso niyang hindi naman marunong umibig ay tila gustong kumuha ng crash course para lang matutunan niya kung paano siya mamahalin ni Georgina kahit alam niyang ikakasal na ito kay James.

Paano niya sasabihin kay Georgina na huwag na si James at siya na lang?

The Last Wish
by Tsina Cajayon

Follow Tsina Cajayon and her books here:

Twitter: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21538696-the-last-wish?from_search=true
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7487663.Tsina_Cajayon
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21538696-the-last-wish?from_search=true
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19177178-my-chinito-boss
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyChinitoBoss
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Last-Wish/224726401049427

The Last Wish by Tsina Cajayon published by Lifebooks will hit the bookstores on April 10, 2014! ❤ Happy reading! 🙂

Giveaway Winner: Interim Goddess of Love Trilogy in Kindle by Mina V. Esguerra

Posted on March 27, 2014 by jholitonjua

And … the winner of our Interim Goddess of Love Trilogy in Kindle giveaway is:

Thanking everyone who participated! ‘Til our next giveaway! 🙂

You can get the Kindle bundle version of the Interim Goddess of Love trilogy at $0.99 (US price, $2.99 Asia Pacific) until this weekend. Its regular price is $4.99! ❤

Happy reading! 🙂

Giveaway: Interim Goddess of Love by Mina V. Esguerra: The Complete Trilogy in Kindle

Posted on March 22, 2014 by jholitonjua

Get the Kindle bundle version of the Interim Goddess of Love trilogy! It will be $0.99 (US price, $2.99 Asia Pacific) for a limited time. Its regular price is $4.99! Or: join the giveaway by clicking the link below for a chance to win all three ebooks! ❤

a Rafflecopter giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/N2Y0NjU4NWM3ZmNjOTdiM2ZlYmFiNmQwYjg1NGYwOjA=/

Giveaway ends by Thursday, March 27, 2014. 🙂 Good luck! ❤

About the Interim Goddess of Love: The Complete Trilogy

Publication Date: February 6, 2014 Get the entire INTERIM GODDESS OF LOVE trilogy in one ebook!

College sophomore Hannah Maquiling doesn’t know why everyone tells her their love problems. She’s never even had a boyfriend, but that doesn’t stop people from spilling their guts to her, and asking for advice. So maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise when the cutest guy in school tells her that she’s going to have to take on this responsibility — but for all humanity.

The Goddess of Love has gone AWOL. It’s a problem, because her job is to keep in check this world’s obsession with love (and lack of it). The God of the Sun, for now an impossibly handsome senior at an exclusive college just outside of Metro Manila, thinks Hannah has what it takes to (temporarily) do the job.

INTERIM GODDESS OF LOVE: While she’s learning to do this goddess thing, she practices on the love troubles of shy Kathy, who’s got a secret admirer on campus. Hannah’s mission, should she choose to accept it, is to make sure that he’s not a creepy stalker and they find their happily ever after — or at least something that’ll last until next semester. (As if she could refuse! The Sun God asked so nicely. And he’s so, well, hot.)

QUEEN OF THE CLUELESS: If you’ve been feeling neglected by the Goddess of Love lately, don’t worry — Hannah Maquiling, college sophomore, is in training to take over. The Original Goddess is missing, but Hannah is Interim Goddess now, and she should figure out how to solve humanity’s love problems soon. Quin (God of the Sun) is still her mentor, still really hot, but apparently isn’t as honest about his other earthly relationships as she thought. It’s frustrating, and enough to make her check out possibilities with Diego (God of the Sea) and Robbie (Cute Human).

In the meantime, she’s decided to spend some of her precious training time helping to break up a relationship, instead of putting one together. Why? Because the girl in question happens to be her best friend Sol, whose boyfriend is stealing not just from her, but from other people on campus. Sol didn’t exactly summon the Goddess, but this is what power over Love is for, right? Surely it’s not just about matchmaking, but ending doomed relationships too. (Even when it’s not what people want.)

ICON OF THE INDECISIVE: College student Hannah Maquiling, also temporarily working as the Goddess of Love, has had

Icon of Indecisive (Interim Goddess of Love #3) by Mina V. Esguerra

enough of everyone asking for her help when it comes to relationships. It’s her turn to find romance! She deserves it, after serving as matchmaker and confidant to everyone else in Ford River College for the past year. She’s had a crush on handsome senior (and God of the Sun) Quin forever, but he’s destined to fall in love with an extraordinary mortal woman, so she’s figured her chances with him have pretty much dropped to zero.

It’s not like she doesn’t have any options for a classic college romance though. There’s Diego, God of the Sea and Quin’s best friend/enemy. And regular guy Robbie is stepping up, making sure she knows how he feels about her. How hard can it be for a goddess to find someone to love, and be loved in return?

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Interim-Goddess-Love-Complete-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00IAV7ZT0

About Mina V. Esguerra

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance and young adult novellas. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a master’s degree in Development Communication, put to good use in her work as trainer and content management consultant. Mina lives in Metro Manila, Philippines, with her husband and daughter.

She finds inspiration in the lives and experiences of other people, so the answer to “Is this story based on you?” is always, always “No.”

Currently Reading: Inappropriate Entanglement by D.R. Lee

Posted on March 15, 2014 by jholitonjua

Inappropriate Entanglement
by D.R. Lee

On their first meeting, she ordered him to strip.

Kaye is the independent and workaholic creative director of an ad agency. She’s been single for five straight years but she still isn’t so keen on joining the dating pool anytime soon. Unfortunately, Matt, a hunky client she needs to please and appease, has other plans.

On their first meeting, he stripped.

*Exclusively distributed through the Buqo app downloadable from the iStore.

About the Author

D.R. Lee is the pen name of a law student hailing from the Philippines. Outside of her academic endeavor, she does writing, painting, and a whole lot of reading. On a perfect day, she talks with the people inside her head and tells their stories through printed words.

Currently Reading | Amazed: A Girl’s Infinite Pursuit to Grasp the Essence of Humanity in Writing

Posted on March 15, 2014 by jholitonjua

Life is nothing as it seems.

And yet its simple but profound wonders are the core that makes human existence all worth it.

In this candid collection of essays and short stories, the girl with the infinite pursuit brings to light her insightful, heart-tugging, and seemingly ordinary moments in the chase to unravel the exquisite marvel that is our lives.

Published by: Isshin Dream Publishing
Photo by: EdCel Photography | Maricel and Ed Dijamco
Cover design by: Joanne Crisner V. Alcayaga
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18761381-amazed?from_search=true

Amazed by Joanne Crisner V. Alcayaga

About the Author

Joanne Crisner Alcayaga is a Journalism graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). She had previously worked as a writer for a Public Relations firm in Makati but is now working as a Supervisor at Tollways Management Corporation while doing freelance writing in her spare time.

Though she studied Journalism, Joanne is more passionate about creative writing, mainly doing personal essays, poems, and short stories on the essence and beautiful complexities of life.

Joanne Crisner co-authored Brightest, a children’s book about a lost firefly catcher, trying to find his way home; and a broken firefly that had long lost himself. And how friendship and being there for each other had made a difference in their lives.

Giveaway Winners: Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin ni Bernadette Villanueva Neri

Posted on March 14, 2014 by jholitonjua

Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin ni Bernadette Villanueva Neri

Narito po ang mga nanalo sa Giveaway. Papadalhan po sila ng mensahe kung paano makukuha ang mga premyo.

DVD Copies

– Theresa Cruz-Escaros
– Kwesi Ian Jay Junsan
– Ivy Bernadette Concepcion Nobleza
– Shekinah Joy Gapay
– Luna Cassandra VanderWoodsen

Signed Copies

– Clare Angeles Almine
– Arminda Puno de Leon
– Katrina Victorio

Muli, maraming salamat po! At hanggang sa susunod na blog tour! 🙂

Currently Reading: Come to Me by Megan Derr

Posted on March 13, 2014 by jholitonjua

I am currently reading: Come to Me by Megan Derr

Come to Me by Megan Derr

Publisher: Less than Three Press

About the book:

The roles of High Paladin and High Necromancer do not allow for much free time, even less where they might spend it together. When they do finally obtain some time to spend with each other, Sorin and Koray find there are still doubts and fears between them that will take more than time to overcome …

About this author

Megan is a long time resident of m/m fiction, and keeps herself busy reading, writing, and publishing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her cats, or watch movies (especially all things James Bond). She loves to hear from readers, and can be found all around the internet. maderr.com maderr.tumblr.com maderr.livejournal.com lessthanthreepress.com @amasour

Book Review: Black Magic by Megan Derr

Posted on March 11, 2014 by jholitonjua

Black Magic by Megan Derr

My Rating: ★★★★★

Publisher: Less than Three Press

My Review:

I’ve been trying to avoid reading this book since like forever ~ no, not because I didn’t like the blurb of the story ~ in fact, I loved it very much. It’s just that this is way too long for me and when I read, I don’t stop until I finish the book. Needless to say, nowadays, I prefer reading shorts.

But, Come to Me was released ~ the sequel of Black Magic. I really love short stories and I wanted to read that one, badly. LOL. And it bothered me that Come to Me has been sitting on my tablet for over two weeks already ~ left unread. So I figured, why shouldn’t I read this? After all, I finished Of Last Resort ~ Megan’s other latest book ~ rather quickly, and that one was only like 22% shorter than this one.

And so, I finally picked up this book and after reading it, I wanted to kick myself for not reading it earlier. ^___^

The thing with Megan’s works is that, after reading them, it would leave me undecided as to which one is my most favorite story of hers ~ it’s just that I love them all and it’s really hard to choose. 😛

Anyway, Black Magic rendered me … speechless. I just … I loved Koray very much. And I love stories about the oppressed rising above the tides ~ there’s something about it that’s inspiring. I have no words to describe how I felt after reding this. I was sooo just happy and feeling sooo inspired and I don’t know … jubilant? elated? 🙂 I know, I know. ^__^ But it’s such a feel-good book, though at the same time, I feel sad for Ambrose and Rakken.

I’m not going to say any more. 🙂 You’ll have to read the book yourself. Although the world is complicated, it’s such an easy read.

Now, I can finally read Come to Me. Lol. ❤

Happy reading! Cheers! 🙂

About the book:

When High Paladin Sorin discovers the brutally dismembered body of his cousin Alfrey, a much loved priest in the royal palace, he is left baffled as to who would do so terrible a thing to so good a man. But to find the answer to that question, he must cooperate with one of the highly despised necromancers, men who practice black magic, sleep in graveyards and feed upon souls …

The necromancer Koray, however, is far from what he expected. He is beautiful, stubborn, and possessed of a tongue sharp enough to cut down even the High Paladin himself. Koray is also possessed of a strength like nothing Sorin has ever encountered, and the power of the Goddess herself.

It does not take them long to realize that solving a murder is the easiest challenge they must face, and in order to save a kingdom they must first unravel centuries of lies and misunderstandings.

About this author

maderr.com
maderr.tumblr.com
maderr.livejournal.com
lessthanthreepress.com
@amasour

Book Review and Giveaway: Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin ni Bernadette Villanueva Neri

Posted on March 6, 2014 by jholitonjua

ANG IKAKLIT SA AMING HARDIN
Kuwento ni Bernadette Villanueva Neri
Guhit ni CJ de Silva
Salin sa Ingles ni Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo
Layout ni Jennifer Padilla-Quintos
Inilimbag ng Publikasyong Twamkittens (2012)

Review

Ang Ikaklit Sa Aming Hardin (Ikaklit in Our Garden) by Bernadette Villanueva Neri and CJ de Silva

Children can be cruel sometimes about things that they don’t understand.

Ang Ikaklit Sa Aming Hardin (Ikaklit in Our Garden) by Bernadette Villanueva Neri and CJ de Silva is about a child who was being bullied regularly by her classmates for not having a father and for having two mothers instead. She also has friends like Sheryl who also got bullied for not knowing who her parents were.

This story kind of struck a chord in me because 1) I was practically an orphan. No, I didn’t get bullied when I was growing up. Do my classmates gossip about me? No, I don’t know for certain, but while the people do love to gossip sometimes, our little town was full of religious people. It’s still hard not having parents though. Even if you perfected exams and quizzes, you’re still at the bottom of the honor roll because you didn’t have parents who donate stuff to school.

2) and because the child loved planting. Granted, she planted flowers while I practically plant everything I could get my hands on: corn, tomato, papaya, santol, atis, ampalaya, peanuts, camote, you get the drift…

I started planting when I was seven… as a kid, the first thing that I would do everyday after waking up was go visit my plants and water them. Then I will visit them again before it gets dark. It was fun. 🙂

My rating is 5/5 because: 1) this book encourages children to plant; and because 2) it touches several societal issues such as that of having parents of the same gender and the hardships that children like Ikaklit’s friends were facing — the ones who didn’t have a father (Pati), who didn’t know her parents (Sheryl), etc.; and lastly because, 3) the art is awesome! 🙂

Tungkol sa Aklat

Aklat-pambatang tumatalakay sa mga di-kumbensiyunal at di-tradisyunal na pamilya ang Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin (2012). Partikular nitong tinutuunan ang mga hámong hinaharap ng isang batang may dalawang nanay.

Tungkol sa mga Manlilikha

NAGSULAT

Bernadette Villanueva Neri

Nagtapos ng MA Filipino: Malikhaing Pagsulat si Bernadette Villanueva Neri sa UP Diliman at BA Mass Communication major in Journalism sa UP Baguio. Kumakatha siya ng mga kuwentong pambata, sanaysay, dula, at maikling kuwentong lesbiyana (na binansagan niyang “naratibô” o naratibo ng mga tibô). Kasalukuyan siyang nagtuturo sa UP Diliman, kasabay ng pagkuha ng duktorado sa Malikhaing Pagsulat sa parehong paaralan. Kasama niya ngayon sa bahay ang limang muning na tulad niya’y mahilig din sa ikaklit at iba pang mga halaman.

GUMUHIT

CJ de Silva

Si CJ de Silva ay nakilala bilang Promil Kid sa mga commercial nito noong 90s. Ngayon, si CJ naman ang gumagawa ng mga patalastas bilang Art Director sa isang advertising agency. Hilig pa rin niya ang magpinta at gumuhit.

NAGSALIN SA INGLES

Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo

Nanay ng dalawang munting binibi si Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo. Siya ay isang manunulat, editor, mananaliksik, at aktibista. Nag-aral siya ng peryodismo sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas at kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa isang internasyunal na organisasyon. Mahilig siya sa tula at potograpiya, at nait matutong maggitara.

NAG-LAYOUT

Jennifer T. Padilla-Quintos

Si Jennifer T. Padilla-Quintos ay nanay ng dalawang masayahing batang sina Gaby at Joaquin. Isa siyang graphic artist, art teacher at manggagawang pangkultura. Nagtapos siya ng Fine Arts sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman.

IKAKLIT LINKS

Panayam sa mga manlilikha
Manunulat (Det). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IHOcloUho0
Gumuhit (CJ). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxEVBijAvTc
Nagsalin sa Ingles (Ate Jeni). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxKiDUJTxSk
Nag-layout (Ate Poti). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHgrzEvcFAo

Mga Video Blurb
Vlad Gonzales (Guro, Kritiko, Manunulat). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdKF9QrQj74
Rose Torres-Yu (Guro, Kritiko, Manunulat). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU9VZjx-zDU
Poti Padilla-Quintos (Nanay). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mGn5kV_5Nc
Ging, Rose & Roni (Rainbow Family). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJSLAweBEbc
Roni (Batang may dalawang nanay). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Net09DFwbXs