REVIEW: Vision in White by Nora Roberts

* Review was written a couple of days ago while I was reading. Too lazy to post it until now :)

I love Nora Roberts. I love most of the books she's written, and she's my goddess. What did they say about her? That she's "frighteningly prolific"? And she is, by God! How many books could she write in a year? And while I'm not crazy about all her books, I'm crazy about her skill and her writing style. Anyway, I'm reading (yes, even as I type) the first book in her new Weddings Quarter, Vision in White, and, as always, I'm enjoying it. I'm a sucker for a good series.

The Weddings Quarter is a series about four friends who run a wedding business named Vows. They handle everything from the setting to the food to the flowers to the photographs. Vision in White is Mackensie Elliot's story. She's the resident photographer who thinks her family majorly sucks. Her father is off somewhere with his third wife and son, and her mother drives her to drink. Her geeky but über-cute hero is Dr. Carter Maguire, a clumsy, adorable Lit professor who's had a crush on her since high school. I don't know if it'll do something for you, but I just fall for all of her shy, sexy geek characters.

I always have a soft spot for cute, sexy geeks in NR books. If you've read her Heaven and Earth, Carter is sort of a more bashful version of Dr. Mac Booke. I <3 them both, though. Something about a really sexy geek who needs glasses that just stirs me up (although Travis Fimmel does not need to be a geek or wear glasses to make me do just that).

There was a mention of my favorite movie, Stand by Me which is a 1986 coming-of-age film starring Wil Wheaton, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland and the late River Phoenix.

What I liked about the book is the dynamics of the friendship among the four women who are at the core of the quartet: there's the heroine, Mac who is a softie to the point of martyrdom when it comes to her flighty mother; the ever-efficient Parker who manages the whole deal; the adorable, Baby Spice-ish florist, Emma and the feisty, straight-forward pastry chef, Laurel whom I think hasn't been developed enough yet in this book. There are also several mentions of (potential, but I'm sure it's them) heroes, such as Parker's brother, Delaney who's a lawyer, and his architect friend, Jack.

It may not be her best book but I still think it's pretty good. Any book that has got me laughing and crying is a good book. Besides, I really as in seriously love Carter. Where can I find a guy like that?

Storage

First off, let me just do some shameless plugging. If you love paranormal romance stories with vampires, werewolves and Greek gods and would like to read one, please sign up to receive bi-weekly installments of my novel Among Men. It's free, and it's SPAM-proof, I swear by the River Styx :) And, you can also tell me if it sucks, I don't mind. In fact, I appreciate any feedback...

Click link to sign up.

Thanks a bunch!

Now to my BTT...


How do you arrange your books on your shelves? Is it by author, by genre, or you just put it where it falls on?

I don't have shelves but I have a book closet. I have OCD when it comes to my books, so I arrange them by genre. All my science-fiction books are lumped together, and all my romance books, all my travel guides, etc.

After I arranged them by genre, I arrange them by author, and then by how I like them. My favorites are right at the top where I don't need to dig around for them, and eventhough it doesn't look like they're arranged by anything, I know exactly how they're supposed to be placed in the closet. I'm obsessive that way ;)

I have a shrine to Nora Roberts in that closet... which reminds me that I need to do my annual book closet inventory...

How do you fix yours?

I have a novel coming out!

This is a shameless plug but I'm currently working on a romance novel for an online company and we need subscribers to sign-up to receive the twice weekly installments of the story.

I'm writing a paranormal romance based on Greek mythology with a twist, with a few vampires and werewolves thrown in. If you're a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon (or at least know of her), you might want to check it out.

If you're interested or know someone who might be interested in reading a paranormal romance (or even if you're not interested but you're my friend anyway), you can go to this link and sign-up for the feed.

This is my first attempt at publishing one of my works of fiction for an international audience, and I'm really excited (and terrified). And, I'd really, really appreciate your support.

Thanks a bunch!

Dream Warrior SPOILERS

I finished reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dream Warrior at 2 a.m. earlier today and I just have to say I so enjoyed it. It just blew the whole series out of the freaking water. Again, these are my thoughts and there will be spoilers to click off the site if you don't want to be spoiled.

The romance between Jericho and Delphine actually took a backseat to the bigger events happening in the Dream-Hunter world. In short, they were all routed and all their asses kicked, and in order to save them, or at least get them to fight, Zeus had to free them from the curse that bound their emotions. And get this... no Dream-Hunter played a prank on Zeus while he was asleep. He cursed the lot of them because Tiresias prophesized that one of them, a half-breed, would overthrow Zeus from the throne. And that Dream-Hunter happens to be Delphine... who happens to be Leta's (as in Upon a Midnight Clear Leta) daughter. So they now have emotions and the Skoti and Oneroi are struggling to find peace with that.

The biggest question for me is... WHAT THE HECK ARE JARED AND JADEN TO EACH OTHER? Their scene in this book just had my eyes popping wide. Are they brothers, best friends? Heck, ARE THEY LOVERS?!? If you've seen the scene, the AG can definitely plant a demon seed in you brain until you try to pick on it and pick on it and pick on it. Dang! This book absolutely gave me an insight on Jaden's back story, that he's a Source god, and that he's "working" for Noir and Azura, but why the heck was the the cause of Jared's punishment? Why did the leader of the Sephirii betray his men, and did he do it for Jaden?

And, Nick is such a big freaking deal in the universe! I mean he just happened to be a big pain in Kyrian's ass and now everybody wants to get him on their side because he plays a major, major part in the existence of everything. Not to mention that he can't be killed because Ash's life is tied to his. He dies, Ash drops dead. Appollymi goes free, and everything dies. So he's now being trained by the baddest bad asses in the DH world, the Dogs of War, Dark-Hunters who are so powerful they don't even feel that they're draining each other's powers. All of them are insane, I tell you. And the lot of them are being babysat by Jericho, Jared (who has been freed from Zephyra when Jaden gave up this superduper anti-god amulet for the other guy's freedom) and pyscho-ass Zarek (who is such a doting, adorable, psycho-dad to little Bob).

Also, remember M'Adoc? The Dream-Hunter? I finished the book cussing because the freaking last scene was Jaden asking HIM why HE never told anyone he was related to Nick.

*takes a deep breath* So there! It definitely made me want to grab the AG and shake the heck out of her until she tells me what happened next. As it is, we all have to wait for the next book. Gah!

*slinks off to sulk and pout*

But I do love the demon Asmodeus. Mister Master it is! Love the guy :)

Inspired

Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?

My reading is inspired by a good story written by an amazing author who knows how to draw the readers into a different world. It doesn't have to be a bestseller, or a really popular book. It can be obscure but it could touch me, then I would still read that.

I love books that could just yank me out of reality and put right in the middle of the situations where the characters are. I love books that would make me laugh, and cry and fall in love.

As long as there are books that are like that, and writers who would write those books, then I'm reading them.

Happy BTT!

And I used to hate waiting...

Got off from part four of my five-part dentist special earlier than I thought I would so I walked from my aunt's place to SM Megamall. Long walk, great exercise... With goodies at the end.

I had lunch at Sbarro (half a baked ziti) and now am waiting at Krispy Kreme, sharing a table with a nice lady, for one o'clock so I can go get my check from my publisher.

How i wish I had wireless at home...

Anyway, i managed to fix my iTunes problem yesterday by loading it to my brother's laptop and copying the files to mine. I'm updating Achimou's apps as I write.

Dang! I should have loaded the keyboard app. Typing using the iPod keys is a bit... Slow. As if I could type with two hands if u load that.

Oh, well. I love my Achimou :)

The Day the Earth Stood Still

"If the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the Earth lives."
~ Klaatu, The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Not a movie review, just my thoughts.

It's 7.5 degrees in Baguio and about 18 degrees in Manila. Last night, my sister and I were playing around with a knitted beanie and a scarf, and we could get away with it because of the temperature. I'm writing this entry by the window (because this is the only place in the house where there's phone signal), wrapped in a blanket, wishing for a cup of hot chocolate.

I love the weather. I love the cold because Manila is humid and sticky, and I'd look back to this month in the summer and cry (and sweat). And, I'd hate it. After graduating, I hated summer. I had work so summer lost all meaning. And there was the heat.

It just makes me think why the extreme temperature changes? Because we're experiencing a rare 18 degrees in Manila this month, are we going to expect as high as 40 degrees during summer? God forbid.

Is the Earth mad at us? I mean, tsunamis, earthquakes, tropical storms and hurricanes like the world has never seen before. Is it global warming? Should we expect Keanu Reeves to land in the middle of Central Park with a huge-assed humanoid, hellbent on ending the our existence so the world can go on?

Scary or not, it makes sense. We need our planet, but our planet does not need us.

And, why the heck do I have to be philosophical about it when I can just shut up and enjoy the cold while it lasts?

BTT: Sing! Sing a Song

This is my first BTT for the year, and I promise to be a more responsible BTT-er this year. Wow! We're branching away from books now? Hehe, good question though.

* What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love?
* Why?
* And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?

Whenever I write, I usually come up with a playlist so that my story would have a soundtrack. Recently, I've been listening to the albums of a great band called Mae, although I don't think a lot of you guys know who they are.

They have great songs that deal with a lot of diverse themes (love, life, etc.), and the words may not be THAT poetic, but they speak to me. Such as these songs, The Everglow and Ready and Waiting to Fall. They're both fun and happy songs that make me just want to smile.

Another song that I think is absolutely great is Switchfoot's Learning to Breathe. It's so hopeful.

The thing that makes a great song, in my opinion, is that it speaks to someone. It doesn't have to be Grammy-winning or written by an incredible song writer to be a great song.

Personally, what catches me first is the tune and the beat. If the beat is good, then I listen to the lyrics. If I don't really like the tune, then I don't really listen to the lyrics.

How 'bout you?

Sherrilyn Kenyon Books News Update

When I grow up, I want to be like Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Here are a few new Sherrilyn Kenyon books that I would definitely have to look forward to in 2009.

Dream Warrior - which comes out February 3, 2009


Product Description from Amazon:
"The son of Warcraft and Hate, Cratus spent eternity battling for the ancient gods who birthed him. He was death to any who crossed him. Until the day he laid down his arms and walked into self-imposed exile. Now an ancient enemy has been unleashed and our dreams are his chosen battlefield. The only hope we have is the one god who swears he will never fight again.

As a Dream-Hunter, Delphine has spent eternity protecting mankind from the predators who prey on our unconscious state. But now that her allies have been turned, she knows in order to survive, the Dream-Hunters need a new leader. Someone who can train them to fight their new enemies. Cratus is her only hope. But she is a bitter reminder of why he chose to lay down his arms.

Time is running out and if she can't win him to her cause, mankind will be slaughtered and the world we know will soon cease to exist."

*** I've read the excerpt and it sounds really cool! Of course, it's another one of those wronged-and-tortured-macho-guys-who-are-absolute-marshmallows-inside that I have a weakness for. Plus the Greek mythology roots? Dang, I'm so hooked. We'll also get to see loads of Zarek and little Bob.

Here's a tiny teaser from the AG SK herself, "Dream Warrior is UNREAL!! Oh and you get to see Nim and Simi interact. LOTS more of Jared and Jaden (and a surprise about Jaden) I just have to hush before I ruin it. But I will say one more thing– there is a special preview in the back of DW for the upcoming DH manga that will be out in April."

Can't wait, can't wait!

Also, my second most awaited book (after Acheron's) since Vane and Bride's story is coming in August, and it has such a cool cover and a cool title. Fang and Aimee's book, and it's going to be called Bad Moon Rising. Yep, the same as that CCR song. Is that cool or what?!


I've also heard that we're gonna be taken back in time to THE beginning. Probably when Fang was in a coma after being chewed on by nasty Daimons.

I haven't seen a snippet for this, but I'm sure it'll come along.

Also, Acheron will finally be re-issued on mass market on April 7 *happy dancing* Great, great news ^_^ Although I still want to get my hands on a hardbound edition *tsk*

And, come May, the Dark-Hunter manga's coming out. Whee! I think it's Kyrian's story as I've seen the preview. Another BAD book will also come out. Carlos' story entitles Whispered Lies. When will Joe and Tee's story come out, I wonder. Or have I missed it? *scratch head*

September, DH Manga II will be released along with the new Lords of Avalon book. The AG's also re-releasing her League books. I've read the originals, but she's rewriting the series.

I really wanna be like her ^_^

I Love Being a Night Owl

Daniel Dumas' article on the 3 Smart Things About Sleeping Late.

Because I've decided to slack off today rather than start working again (it's still a holiday, for crap's sake), I decided to do aimless browsing and found this great excuses for my being a night owl.

1. You may need more sleep than you think.

My motto had always been "there is no such thing as too much sleep". Although I go okay with five to six hours, very little is better when I've had eight to ten. One blissful , blissful time, with the aid of badly needed (at that time) antihistamine, I went a straight fourteen hours, woke up to drink, then slept for another four. Ah. I never get the too-much-sleep headache. To me, that's a myth.

2. Night owls are more creative.

Yey! I love working at night when all is quiet, and I'm the only one awake. I tried to go the normal day route and found the everyday noise, and having people around distracting to writing. The first time (after starting my work-at-home stint) I worked at night, I wrote eleven hours straight from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and finished a 20K word manuscript. Yeah! Also, the article linked to this Discovery News article about that that you might wanna check.

3. Rising early is stressful.

Personally, getting out of bed is stressful. Why do you think I work at home?

I really just love the nightlife... ^_^

via Wired.com.

Photo Credit: dryicons.com

Unusual oDesk-capade

I mentioned that I'm working on two projects with oDesk right now. I have the blogging stint with three luxury blogs, and as a writer for a technology blog, writing descriptions for videos they'd be posting on YouTube. Although I find myself a bit busier than normal, working for oDesk and writing my novels, I still apply as a writer or editor to job openings, thinking that hey! the more, the merrier, right? Besides, I'm not THAT busy. I only work on three blogs (12 entries a week), and the videos (which is, at the moment, a part time gig), so I still have loads of time in between.

Earlier, while preparing to log out, I checked my e-mail for what was supposed to be the last time for today, and saw a new e-mail. It said that I applied for a writing job with their team, but they wanted to consider me for something else because I have "other" skills.

It was a proposal to write a romance novel that would be posted on a blog as well as sent to people over e-mail at least twice a week. I will, of course, be paid for writing the novel, and, in the event that it would be published (as in published in book form), I'd get something from that too. There was a talk of contracts and stuff that got my eyes bugging out and hope springing eternal, but then came the knee-jerk, "I don't think I can do it". I mean, I've never written a novel that the public would read. My best friends does not the public make. And then, this comes my way.

Of course, this is just a proposal. Look at that. My future boss is the one making the proposal instead of me fighting tooth and nail to get the job. I'm not sure it would work. HE's not sure it would work either, but he wants to know my take on it.

I just sent him an e-mail saying that I'm interested in the project (God help me) and my right brain is working overtime, trying to come up with nice plots and story lines, while my left brain is fighting to shut it down, saying that it's not final yet, and the stress of worrying about what's still in the dark won't help. It's all up in the air at the moment, and I can't help but wish that my life is just a book and I could skip pages and read the ending so I have an idea how this chapter would pan out.

Anyway, I just wanted to share...

Wanderlust

They (or the "matatanda") say that when a person has a mole on his or her foot, that person has wanderlust. I have two moles at the sole of my left foot, and one at the sole of the right. Now, I'm a homebody. I don't even want to commute to work. But I went to college in Baguio and worked in Nueva Ecija for close to a year. And right now, I want to pack up a bag and go live, not visit, but live, in Baguio, even just for a few months.

I want a tiny room that I can rent for a month or two. The thing is, moving to Baguio is like a business. I will need capital hehe

What's funny right now, is that without a decent Internet connection, I can't make a career of my oDesk jobs. Which means I only have two writing jobs right now, and my salary from both is nearly one-fifth of my call center salary because they're just part time jobs. But I'm deliriously happy. I don't have that much money, but I'm loving every moment of it. I do want to get another job, of course. So that I can be deliriously happy AND have money at the same time.

Maybe, when I'm earning enough, I'm going to pack up, and live and work in Baguio for a month. That would be absolutely cool. I hope that happens some time in 2009. Another one of my convoluted wishes.

Early next year, after I pay off my dentist bills, I plan to go to several places out of Manila. I'm hoping to go back to Nueva Ecija, to the dorm, for some time, then to Allan's in Subic for MJ's birthday late January. Then, I'm going to go see Ching early Feb in Nueva Vizcaya. I promised to be with her on her birthday.

I have all the time now. I just need my laptop and my phone to be able to work, and I can work anywhere. I just have to worry about making enough money to cover my fare and my bills, and I'm set. My dentist bill was out of budget, but I hope my dentists love me enough to give me a deep discount on the stupid root canal I wasn't planning on having. Without that added expense, I could have spent Christmas in Baguio.

I guess working at home just made me itch to travel. Seeing the same four walls day in and day out has its disadvantages. Gah, I wish I could travel.

Sama kayo?

Year-end Personal Survey : 2008 Edition

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Work as a freelance writer, took my writing seriously and tried to make a living out of it.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Nope. Don’t make them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not really close, but one of my uncles passed away this year.

5. What countries did you visit?
Nyahaha still dreaming!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Still an internationally published book (wahehe), although I’m quite happy now without; a passport, and a stamp on my passport; more money for travel, same thing… although I noticed that I scratched the discipline for writing off the list from last year, woohoo!

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Hmm… none so significant that I remember the actual date…

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Earning dollars, yeba! And finishing a 20K novella in three days.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I failed at failing ;)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a bout with flu for a couple of weeks, and a couple of the usual illness (cough, cold, occasional fever)

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new laptop, Cedric :) and my new akri, my iPod Touch, Achimou

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine! Haha 2008 is awesome!

13. Whose behavior appalled you and made you depressed?
Hmmm… people who can’t keep their noses out of other people’s businesses

14. Where did most of your money go?
My mom, gas, food, books, fare…. Same thing as last year. Oh, and Cedric! My backpay went to Cedric and my first oDesk pay went to Achimou.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finishing lots and lots of stories

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
My anthem for 2008, "Learning to Breathe", Switchfoot. That and The Spill Canvas' "This is for Keeps" and "The Night Will Go As Follows" <3

17. Compared to last year, are you?
i. happier or more sad? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner! Yey!
iii. richer or poorer? comparatively poorer haha lower salary

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel, definitely.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry… and procrastinate… and bitch.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had Noche Buena at home at midnight then opened gifts. Des opened his. He got loads from his students. Then we had Christmas lunch the next day with relatives at my uncle’s house.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Edward Cullen

23. How many one-night stands?
None… don’t believe in them.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Didn’t watch any TV series at all this year.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.

26. What was the best book you read?
The Twilight series!!!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Mae, The Spill Canvass <3 and Twilight fanmixes. I love Livejournal. The Twilight OST was also awesome.

28. What did you want and get?
Cedric and Achimou, and lots and lots of time to write

29. What did you want and not get?
Hmmm… more clothes?

30. Favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight. Kung Fu Panda is also uber-funny. I would have to add Twilight to the list, not because it was spectacular (because it wasn’t), but because I had fun with it.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Sleep, and write, and eat! I’m 28.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I’d become published internationally ^_^ but it’s okay if I never do. The fact that I tried to get published anywhere, including here in Manila, is an achievement.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans and sneakers… same as my answer a couple of years ago, although I started wearing skirts

34. What kept you sane?
My writing… my laptop… my friends and family… and the peace and solitude NE had to offer.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Edward Cullen… I love Edward Cullen and Cedric Diggory. I like Rpattz if he’s cleaned up.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not into politics… although I hate it that the crooks in the government has become even more shameless when it comes to stealing the people’s money.

37. Who did you miss?
My CVG family, most of all.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
The new Mango peeps, Zhel! Who is also a die-hard Twilight fan.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Have faith in the Lord. * Believe in your dreams. * If you don’t take a step forward, you’re always in the same place. *

40. What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
When my brother introduced me to his friends, he said “eto ang idol ko sa buhay”. My eyes just started to tear up.

41. The most touching experience you've had this year?
When my uncle who used to drive me to work, and hadn’t really seen in two years just grabbed me and gave me a hug, and told me how he missed me and was proud of me.

42. What did you like most about yourself this year?
That I can write… really write.

43. What did you hate most about yourself this year?
That I’m lazy…

44. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“Oh, oh. And our hearts are on the everglow…” ~ The Everglow, Mae

45. Was 2008 a good year for you?
It’s MY year!

46. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Realizing that I was flying…

47. What was your least favorite moment of the year?
When I was in an anti-social, bitchy phase… even to my friends, and I was so sensitive I would gnash my teeth if someone ever said something wrong to me… especially about Twilight.

48. Where were you when 2008 began?
At home.

49. Who were you with?
With my family.

50. Where will you be when 2008 ends?
See questions number 48 and 49

51. Do you have a new year’s resolution for 2009?
Procrastinate less… maybe

52. What was your favorite month of 2008?
October

53. Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008?
Nope. Thankfully no.

54. Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Yes, the CVG1 coaches *sniff *

55. What was your favorite record from 2008?
Mae’s The Everglow, and Twilight Movie OST

56. How many concerts did you see in 2008?
None :( So sad… but I’m not really the concert-going type. I’d rather be in bed with my iPod

57. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2008?
No.

58. Do a lot of drugs in 2008?
I don’t do drugs, and neither should you.

59. You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Hmm… no…

60. How much money did you spend in 2008?
Lots and lots. More than I did last year, I tell you that.

61. What was your proudest moment of 2008?
Finishing Cedric in less than a month, and Noah

62. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
Embarrassment is ten seconds tops…

63. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be?
I’d be less harsh and more sensitive to people.

64. What are your plans for 2008?
Write more… sell more of what I write… hopefully travel… move to Baguio? (WISH!), work harder, save money, lose weight

65. How are you different now that the year has ended?
I’m more confident about what I want, and what I can and cannot do.

66. What are your wishes for the new year?
That I might sustain the confidence and the faith, that I never give up on my dreams, that I’m able to save money, that I might be able to finally travel.

Slainte! Here's to 2009!!!

New Addiction: Audiobooks

My current addiction is the audiobook of Nora Roberts' "The Hollow". I'm currently in love with Fox B. O'Dell. Anyway, I'm planning to get most of NR's audiobooks because I just very recently found the joys of the audiobook.

There are pros and cons, as in anything. I love being able to listen to the performances. Marie Caliendo did a great job with "The Hollow". I love the effects and still get the shivers every time the demon boy spoke. It's just that I love Fox, and it's distracting because, although Marie's voice lowers when she's reading Fox's lines, it's still weird because you know she's a girl and you want to hear a really sexy guy voice speak the guy parts.

Same with Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Acheron". Walter Graham is amaaaaazing as Acheron, but it's a bit freaky when he's reading Tory's or Artemis' parts. But he's one heck of a reader! I love the performance.

Ilyana Kadushin reading the Twilight series wasn't very spectacular. She doesn't really... perform. She just reads, and changes tones a bit. Maybe it has something to do with the stories being told in Bella's point-of-view.

I love the U.K. version of the Harry Potter series. I listen to them to study the accent.

What I don't really like is that, after listening to the books, I tend to hear the reader's voice when I read the books again... if I don't concentrate hard enough. Oh, well. That doesn't stop me from completing the Sign of Seven trilogy, then the Circle Trilogy.

All that Glows and Glitters

When I started working for a bag blog, I was scared of being so out of my element. You see, I'd rather write about books and gadgets. Although I'm not very techie, I though I would know more about tech stuff than the latest fashion. But then, I had always loved handbags. I usually made it a point to change bags everyday before I go to work... when I still needed to go to work, and match my handbag to my clothes.

So, after a few days of researching bags, I realized that I enjoyed it so much that I've decided to come out of the closet... Yes, I AM a GIRL. And a girly one at that, although I still draw the line at make up.

I also found out that I absolutely love window shopping. So to mix the two, I've decided to come up with a girly girl blog where I would write about shopping experiences, my bag, shoes and accessories wish lists, and online stores that I bought from or want to buy from. It's also a way for me to monetize my blog, and take blogging (which is currently my real job) seriously.

If you're not iffy and icky about pink things and shopping, visit my accessories blog at All that Glows and Glitters *so girly*

I just need to figure out how to change my template and I should be all set ;)