MEETING THE AUTHORS: STOHL, DELA CRUZ, NOEL'S BLOGGER FORUM IN MANILA.

Where I relive the experience and share all the feels before, during and after meeting these fantastic authors WHO ARE BASICALLY LIFE.

Last saturday (September 14), I was given another chance to attend a Blogger Forum with New York Times Best Selling Authors Margaret Stohl, Alyson Noel and Melissa Dela Cruz at Best Sellers in Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas. Best Sellers is National Book Store's sister company. I was stoked not only to meet these fantastic authors but to also see my lovely co-bloggers! I missed them to bit! If I haven't mentioned it on any of my old posts, Best Sellers is definitely the biggest book store I've ever been to! IT WAS GINORMOUS. There was a sale so I didn't pass the chance to hoard!

Going back to the Blogger Forum, I didn't record the entire Q and A because I know it would be difficult to transcribe but how I wish I did! Its kind of hard to rely on my unreliable memory. Let me still try to share the important stuff from the said event.

Clockwise: Me, Louisse and Lyra; Me and Dianne; Me and Kai; Michelle, Me and Nicole;
Me amd Louisse; Chad and I.

Clockwise: The books I bought for the signing; The ever jolly JB of NBS;
The panel table at the event; The EPIC Chad of NBs; TADAAAAAH! The TRIO!!

There my co-bloggers Louisse, Lyra and Precious were interviewed by National Book Store then the Q and A began. There were several of us who asked the trio and OMG, Margaret was just so funny! We learned that Blue Bloods by Melissa Dela Cruz was opted to be a TV series only to be cancelled. A week after, Vampires Diaries started filming. Gaaaah! It could have been Blue Bloods' slot! Alyson Noel will also have more books published because at the moment' she's writing them. Margaret Stohl also told us the story behind Beautiful Creatures -- it was written for their kids! She also said that She and Kami Garcia exchanged chapters for the entire series then would edit each other's work. She's also very excited for the spin off series! She also told us that she wanted to tell a story of her own thus Icons. It wasn't hard to write something different according to her because Icons is like, her expression of herself. Melissa also came back to the Philippines after 28 years and I loved her American Accent! They were all gorgeous in person! Melissa was wearing Valentino shoes and Jimmy Choo for Alyson! I forgot was Margaret was wearing! You wouldn't believe how they know each other very well and the support they have for each other was just mind blowing!

Clockwise: Margaret Stohl signing my Beautiful Redemption; Melissa Dela Cruz signed with my signed Frozen
and Alyson Noel siging my copies of Fated and Echo!

It was so fun meeting Alyson again! She's as gorgeous as ever! Melissa Dela Cruz was a bit reserved but funny and stunning! Just like what she said, a fashion editor is always a fashion editor. I loved her Valentino shoes! Margaret was just the bomb! I will never be able to FLAIL like her! It was really surreal meeting these lovely authors and getting to understand their passion for writing as well as the inspiration behind the novels! IT WAS JUST AWESOME!

THE PH YA BOOK BLOGGERS. ♥

I would not be hosting a giveaway at the moment because I am so broke but I hope you enjoyed these pictures! I cannot wait for the next bookish event!

THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH JB AND CHAD OF NATIONAL BOOK STORE FOR HOSTING SUCH FANTASTIC EVENT, MELISSA, MARGARET AND ALYSON FOR BEING LOVELY AND MY CO-PH YA BLOGGERS!

Don't forget to visit these pages and check out the pictures!
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REVIEW: SHADOWLAND BY ALYSON NOEL.

Title: Shadowland
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: The Immortals #3
Edition: Paperback
Publication: November 17, 2009 by St. Martin's Press
Source: Bought
Pages: 339 pages
Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis:

Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever. But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude.

Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…

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That is right. I did not become a fan of this book. Ever doesn't seem to grow as a character AT ALL because of her worsening misjudgments. Damen appears to be the same weak immortal he's been. Just because Jude and Ever had a past, I don't think Damen's right on asking Ever to choose. I mean do you really have to make your relationship complicated when you're claiming its all you want for the past 400 years? I couldn't write so much about this book because the plot jumps from one idea to another, focuses on non-essential things (like how to have sex for crying out loud! being a "parent" to the twins, the ugly car etc..) and the characters are just lost. If it weren't for Roman, Jude and the only thing that made sense which is the Book of Shadows, I may have rated this just a single star.

"While we may judge things as good or bad, karma doesn't. It's a simple case of like gets like, the ultimate balancing act, nothing more, nothing less. And if you're deteremined to fix every situation you deem as bad, or difficult, or somehow unsavory, then you rob the person of their own chance to fix it, learn from it, or even grow from it. Some things, no matter how painful, happen for a reason. A reason you or I may not be able to grasp at first sight, not without knowing a person's entire life story—their cumulative past. And to just barge in and interfere, no matter how well-intentioned, would be akin to robbing them of their journey. Something that's better not done."

MEETING THE AUTHOR: ALYSON NOEL IN MANILA 2012.

Where I relive the experience and share all the feels before, during and after meeting these fantastic authors WHO ARE BASICALLY LIFE.

July 20, 2012 - an epic day for me so expect a long post here!

It has been almost a month since I've asked this question to Alyson Noel, author of the The Immortal Series among others. Truly, I've waited for this event because she's one of my fave authors. When she announced on Twitter that she will be signing here, (my blog post here) I immediately talked to my manager and filed for a leave just for this event.

Then the day came just like that. As if few weeks didn't pass at all. I arrived at PowerBooks GreenBelt 4 exactly 1PM for the registration and the series of photos would tell the story.

Yes, I arrived early and was able to register and I would be the 19th person to have my books signed. I was also the first person they allowed to sit at the event. Kwentillion also cooperated in the event aside from the bookstores and Shangrila Hotel. (I mentally noted that next book signing I'll attend, I'd dress up a little or maybe better because I had no idea that there would be cameras all over the place! LOL)

I didn't expect that a lot of people really do go to such events. I mean, aside from kids and young adults, I saw some grannies there, too! The staff were so busy fixing things from the chairs to the flash cards and though they look exhausted like me, smile never leaves their faces. At one point I was beginning to think that none of my friends would really make it, when Ralph just saved the day the last minute! And after 5 and a half hours of waiting, the anticipated event started: Alyson arrived!

This was during the interview part. She was asked so many questions and answered very straight-forward like how she wouldn't opt to be an immortal because it would mean goodbyes and she doesn't like that, she also gave tips to writers to hang in there because her first book took her 15 years (if I heard that part right) to finish especially she recommended Blake Synder's Save The Cat, that she and Ever Bloom have only one thing in common which is grief and that she enjoys Manila!

There.... The moment of truth. The second I told her I waited so long, she remembered my tweet and even asked if I was exhausted. Well, I told her a bit but it was worth it! This is I think the most surreal experience I've ever had in my book blogging life. Aside from meeting an awesome author and getting your books signed, she cared and was very enthusiastic in meeting her fans, plus she remembers! HAHA! I couldn't contain how happy I am and this event is just worth everything!

Now these are my signed books and as an aspiring book blogger, these are now valued twice as much as I've before HAHA seriously. It isn't everyday that you get to meet an awesome author you know! This is another fruit of a hard labor! (you know, braving the rain and waiting almost 6 hours and all that). Plus, these are the first ones I got signed (hopefully not the last).

After the signing, ofcourse I was still in cloud 9 and well, had a little chat with Ralph and bought some tea then called it a day. Up until the moment I reached home, I felt like I've accomplished something huge not only as a book lover but now, as a blogger! Is it too much? Happiness overload!

Thank you so much National Bookstore, Powerbooks Store, and Kwentillion for having Alyson here. Thank you Alyson for making time and cutting your vacation short just to see your fans here in Manila! Thank you, thank you! *wipes away the tears* HAHA!

REVIEW: BLUE MOON BY ALYSON NOEL.

Title: Blue Moon
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: The Immortals #2
Edition: Paperback
Publication: July 7, 2009 by St. Martin's Press
Source: Bought
Pages: 289
Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis:

Alyson’s Noël’s bestselling Immortals series has been hailed as “addictive” “beautiful” “haunting” and “mesmerizing.”  In the second installment, Ever can bring her family back from the dead—but only if she’s willing to sacrifice the guy she loves more than life itself.

Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him.  As Ever’s powers are increasing, Damen’s are fading—stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.

Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen’s past—the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden—but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day...

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Where do I even begin?

This second installment to Alyson Noel's The Immortal series put me on a series of arguments with myself. As a sequel, the book started just right where Evermore has ended: Ever's learning how to control her abilities, her friends are treating her normal though she's really not, she has at least showed she's doing okay with her family's death and Damen's being such a cool boyfriend. Oh well, not until Roman, another gorgeous and mesmerizing guy, showed up and messed everything.

It basically revolved around Damen's weaknesses and Ever's misjudgments. I kept on arguing with myself that somewhere in this book, I would get the gist of the series. I tried and tried but up till the end, it left me clueless. First, Damen's 600 years old and being around that long should've made you what, wiser? But in his case, he was easily tricked and hypnotized by Roman. I was expecting more from his character. He could've sensed that there's something wrong especially when Ever started feeling weird around Roman and how weird he's going through since he doesn't get sick at all. He could've been prepared and he should have known better. But he was so weak that its very very disappointing.

Second thing, Ever's never-ending misjudgments. From the way she blames herself for her family's death to always trusting the wrong people. I actually liked Roman better specially when he explains why he had to hypnotize and poison Damen. This girl doesn't seem to trust her instincts. Look what happened in the end, because she's so lost, she left Damen just to undo all the misfortunes she's experiencing which is a bit selfish and she believed Roman over those who wanted to really help her. It's quite pathetic.

But but but. There are still some things I liked about the book. Like Riley's sign (which made me teary-eyed), Ever's eagerness to fix everything at the expense of losing Damen (which showed braveness if you'll look at it that way), Summerland (which is the fuss-less part of the book), Roman (which is clever and handsome!) and lastly, BUTTERCUP hahahaha!

I know its rating should only be 2 stars and I tried to make this review as positive as possible (it turned out to be somehow a rant-review LOL) but you see, my heart couldn't give 2 stars. Though the characters are disappointing, I still see a good plot in it.

"The weird thing about saying goodbye is that it never gets easier."

REVIEW: EVERMORE BY ALYSON NOEL.

Title: Evermore
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: The Immortals #1
Edition: Paperback
Publication: February 3, 2009 by St. Martin's Press
Source: Bought
Pages: 367
Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis:

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste . . .

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

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This series isn't due to be read yet till about 3 more weeks but because Alyson Noel will be signing books here on the 20th, might as well read it ahead of its schedule. Paranoia presented itself that she might ask questions like who is my favorite character or what is my favorite scene (the likes) and I don't wanna embarrass myself infront of an author by pretending that I actually read her series.

I've mentioned on Twitter that I was trying not to compare books. Aside from I think its unnecessary, its unethical especially unfair to the authors. But as a reader, I just couldn't stop myself from doing it. This book is actually similar to a lot of the previous ones I've read and if I'll be reviewing it this way, this wouldn't even get a single star. But but but, I feel that I am being my best if I focus ONLY on the book itself so let's go ahead and make the review. LOL

As a teen who just lost her whole family and blames herself for it, Ever is tough. I admire her courage to hold herself together after such a huge loss. Being a clairvoyant after the accident didn't help her at all. It made her lose her old habits and mostly herself because she opted to hide under baggy, hooded clothes and bust her eardrums with goth music just to shut the thoughts down. It is creepy for others but I understand when she couldn't let go of Riley, her ghost sister. The first few chapters I think were the most exciting part in this book. Maybe because those are the parts where Ever was still trying to figure out what has happened to her and how she could handle her "gifts". Those were also the parts where she and Damen kept on trying to figure out their feelings for each other because they seemed to fight every time. I kind of predicted what Ever's really going through and on that part where Drina was about to kill her, I thought I was right. Summerland was just a bit confusing for me as well as Damen.

Though I kind of heard the story before, the twists this has was just quite enjoyable. If Alyson would ask me who my favorite character was, it would definitely be BUTTERCUP!

"I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone-you just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence."