Sorry For No Posts

I feel so bad but I can't seem to push myself to write a review!! I've just been so busy lately that I can barely finish reading 3 pages then fall asleep. Not to mention I got sick with a flu (sniff). I still got the sniffles to prove it. I was hoping I can catch up this weekend but my sister and I are scheduled to go on a vacation. So, I'll probably haul myself next week for some reviews. I haven't stopped reading though. Currently, it's JR Ward's Lover Mine. Honestly? I'm not really into M/M. But, I've read all of her BDB books so I'll finish this one, too! :)

My Review on 'Be Mine Tonight' :The Brotherhood Of The Blood Series By Kathryn Smith

Some spoilers..FYI

I have seldom encountered a book, particularly a series, in the historical/vampire genre. First book that comes to mind is the Cin Craven Series and it's one of my favorites. The first book of the series of The Brotherhood of the Blood, was surprisingly good. I was not expecting the story to take place years in the past with the cover looking hot and passionate. Not that historical books can't be hot LOL. I liked the premised that the brotherhood became vampires because they had drank from the Blood Grail thinking it to be the Holy Grail.
The brotherhood was on a mission to capture the Holy grail when Chapel was terribly injured. They were in a tunnel where the Templars had hidden the Holy Grail. Thinking of saving himself, he drank from the cup. When he drank, all of the brothers drank with him after seeing his injuries healed. It did not only saved him but made all of them immortal. These vampires were Catholic and has deep ties to the church, before the church 'purged' them from evil. Centuries later, of the 5 brothers, he was the only one left who remained in the service of the church. He believes that he is evil and working for the church will eventually bring him closer to salvation.
Prudence was vibrant, full of life but she was dying. Feeling cheated out of life, she endeavored to save herself by searching for the Holy Grail convinced that it will cure her out of Cancer.
The two were irrisistably drawn to each other. But, with Chapel being a vampire and thinking himself tainted with evil and Prudence wanting to live, therein lies the conflict. Chapel does not want to turn her into a monster ,risking instead of losing her to death forever. It was really touching how Chapel has to overcome his self loathing and eventually accepts himself as he is so that he in turn can save Prudence. The struggles both of them went through before Prudence gasped her last breath was touching that I was teary-eyed reading. But of course, I knew in the end that Chapel could not bear to lose Prudence and not live with her forever.

This is a wonderful series and I will definitely look for the others.

Spirit Bound Teaser from Penguin Australia

One of the YA books I love, The Vampire Academy Series book 5, Spirit Bound will be release on May 15 (Amazon.com).  For the meantime, Penguin Australia will release teasers at youtube.com, quotations from the book.  Here's one:


Thanks Ms. Mead for sharing in your blog! Can't wait to read it!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yes, I am turning 33 tomorrow :). I feel like I ought to celebrate or something but with so much things going on, our new Bar and Resto opening, we are so busy to celebrate.  Although we planned a double celebration in Manila with my friend Van ;).  I just hope our WAW friends are going to have some free time to spend dinner with us.  Really looking forward to it!
Going back on getting older, I'd like to acknowledge the things that I'm thankful of for the past year of my life.  First, my dream of going to the U.S. coming true. When I finally stepped through U.S. grounds, it was so surreal! I had to mentally pinched myself to make sure that it's really happening. When I was a little girl, it felt like it was a impossible dream.  Like there was a very remote chance of me going there. Still I day dreamed of eating hotdogs from the street and gorging on huge pizza slices and monster size burgers, very hollywoodish, I know haha. When I got there, I was suddenly struck by the thought that I could live in the states with my family.  I'm the only one in my side of the family left here in the Philippines so moving there won't be difficult.  We're considering it, hubby and I but for the meantime, we'll be back again next year, hopefully.
I'm thankful that my family is in good health and Alecxi is growing up a happy and healthy little girl.
Business is thriving and we are still keeping our fingers crossed that the new bar and restaurant we just opened will be successful.
I'm thankful that life has never been that hard for us.  We have all the things we need, and some of our wants. I thank God I have all these around me, my husband who still makes me laugh and somehow irritates me at the same time, my precious daughter who takes away my frustrations and makes life easier, and a family that support and guide.
For 33 years of my life, I have now the full understanding of patience being a virtue.  And what you may want years ago when you were younger won't be the same from what you'll want now that you are older.  Priorities definitely change.

On ARC (Advance Reading Copies) And Such..

I was wondering if anybody can help me on how to get Advance Reading Copies (ARC) of books and free copies from newly released books for PNR and Urban Fantasy authors? Do I contact the publishers? Do they have some criteria before they send you these books? I plan to giveaway books to my blog readers from the Philippines especially since books are usually released here like 1-3 months later than U.S. release dates..yeah so sad :(
If you can help, I would greatly appreciate it!

Up for Review Next: Be Mine Tonight By Kathryn Smith

When things get a little calmer, I'll be posting my review about book 1 of Brotherhood of Blood Series.  I was unexpectedly really liking it! :)


*****

See below for my review:
Be Mine Tonight, My Review

My Thoughts on Evermore By Lynn Viehl

Some of the Darkyn series were good some not so good, including this one.  I don't know about you but for me, I'd like to read abut a particular couple and not share the limelight with another one.  I mean, I'm confuse, is this book about Jayr and Aedan or still Alexandra and Michael?? And Alexandra has this loud mouth that isn't amusing anymore and is getting into my nerves.  How do Michael put up with her?! Although the story of Jayr is quite unique her being turned without fully developing her puberty, I would have loved it if not for the reason I mentioned above.
***
I rate this book as 2/5 stars