Featured book + Interview: Just a Little Bit of Love (Ines Bautista-Yao)

Sometimes, a little bit can make a *really* big difference. Ines Bautista-Yao's newest release offers us just that. Read on for Just a Little Bit of Love.

Isn't the cover soooo pretty?

Just a Little Bit of Love

Three short stories about three young girls: Anita, Ina, and Carla. Each one finding their lives disrupted by a boy. Maybe it’s because he wanders into the coffee shop where she works after school every Tuesday. Maybe it’s because he won’t leave her alone even if she has made it clear that she is crushing on his football teammate. Or maybe it’s because she’s spent one unforgettable afternoon with him—despite being oh-so-forgetful. Three small doses of love that serve up a whole lot of feels.

+ + + Buy Just a Little Bit of Love NOW! + + +

My favourite of the lot is Ina and John's story, On The Sidelines (I'm biased since I beta-read this story. Hahaha!). So for this post, I decided to interview John :-)

CPS: So, John. What exactly about Ina made you want to get to know her better?

John: Who accuses someone they've just met of having a small brain? It pissed me off at first because really, no one does that. Not to me anyway. But when I watched her get all frazzled and riled up over who knows what, something inside me just... I don't know. I knew I had to get this girl's attention.

CPS: (Note to self: Insulting a guy is a good way to get his attention. Yes, even guys over twelve.) But weren't you fazed by her apparent obsession with Ethan?

John: Considering she can barely breathe let alone say two words whenever he's around, no. Haha! But seriously, I knew we belonged together. I just had to wait for her to see that.

CPS: (*nods* Good point.) Besides the cheese rolls, how did you get her to notice you?

John: Besides hang around her all day and pretend to study while finding ways to stare at her without her knowing?

CPS: (*nods again* persistence and patience. Good strategy, that) So now that you're together, where did you take her on your first *real* date?

John: Would you believe it? I found out our school's theater org was staging The Merchant of Venice and I got us tickets. I read whatever I could find on it online so I could impress her too. Let's just say it worked.

CPS: (*claps* A for effort!) What's changed now that you're officially together?

John: Not much now that I think about it. She still gets annoyed with me and tells me to stop bugging her, but now if I move in to kiss her, I know she'll kiss me back.

Thanks, John!

Isn't he an absolute sweetheart? And the fact he's such a hunk doesn't hurt either *swoon* Hihihi. Get to know more about him and Ina by reading Just a Little Bit of Love now! But be sure to buy cheese rolls before you do! :-)

+ + + Buy Just a Little Bit of Love NOW! + + + 

About Ines Bautista-Yao

Ines Bautista-Yao is the author of One Crazy Summer, What’s in your Heart, and Only a Kiss. She has also written two short stories, “Flashbacks and Echoes,” which is part of a compilation called All This Wanting and “A Captured Dream,” one of the four short stories in Sola Musica: Love Notes from a Festival.

She is the former editor-in-chief of Candy and K-Zone magazines and a former high school and college English and Literature teacher. She is also a wife and mom and blogs about the many challenges and joys of motherhood at theeverydayprojectblog.com. She has recently launched The Author Project, a section in her current blog devoted to the stories in her head.

+ + + Buy Just a Little Bit of Love NOW! + + + 

Featured Author: Jay E. Tria

Whee! Today we have on the blog author Jay E. Tria (also known as Jhay---but only if you've read Songs Of Our Breakup. Hihihi.) Jay's a Filipino indie author who wrote Blossom Among Flowers, Songs Of Our Breakup, and Majesty.

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CPS: Tell us about the first story you ever wrote.

JET: Oh gosh. I honestly don’t remember the plot. I do remember an LI named Matt. I liked that name. Matt had brown hair and blue eyes and was likely based on Brad Renfro or Devon Sawa. I was in elementary then and I wrote on notebooks because I was inspired by Sweet Valley, Unicorn High, and Teen Beat. And the feels I got from reading weren’t enough so I had to write something down. I even pestered my friends to write their own stories so we could form a series. I was a bossy kid. But it didn’t work out because I was the only one who cared. Haha.

CPS: What’s your writing process like?

JET: This is going to sound corny, but for me it starts with a feeling. A heartbreak, an infatuation, a frustration over an ending I didn’t like, or a couple I was shipping but the ship didn’t sail. Before, I didn’t make an outline, but now I do. I don’t always follow it to the letter, but it’s there to give me structure, to help me stick to a schedule. It’s also a self-check mechanism of sorts to see if the plot is making sense. With my last few works I was able to write the ending and the beginning scenes first. That might be weird for some but I think that’s super great, because I find those are the hardest things to write!

CPS: When and where do you write? Do you have a set schedule for writing?

JET: I try to write every day. I write at home. Sometimes I write during my lunch break, or in between meetings, or before walking home. I wrote Slipstream while I was on the MRT from Ayala to Quezon Avenue. I write whenever, wherever, basically.

CPS: Tell us a little about the books you’ve published. Is there any overlying theme that connects them all?

JET: Blossom Among Flowers is a Japanese manga/drama-style high school love story. Songs of Our Breakup is heartbreak, indie rock and roll, and a hot celebrity. Majesty is a beautiful ghost visiting her mourning best friend. When I lay them out like that it doesn’t seem like there’s an overlying theme. Just a lot of feelings. But a reader recently said that I write to give hope to sad people. That’s a lofty theme to claim, but it’s a good one to try and live up to ☺

CPS: What are the last five books you’ve read? How did you like them?

I’ve been doing a marathon of Filipino-penned literature. Enumerating them below:
a. Only a Kiss by Ines Bautista-Yao – Ines got me from the first page. The story starts off with the POV of nine-year-old Katie, and she’s an adorable bossypants. I have a soft spot too for the friends-to-lovers trope, and when done right, like in this book, it goes straight to my list of favorites.
b. Janus Silang books 1 and 2 by Edgar Cabalia Samar – This series is killing me. It’s one of those books that betray you. Starts off as nice and friendly then hits you with the big guns—chills and tears all at once. I haven’t read in Filipino in a long time, so reading comprehension was my initial challenge. But Egay’s prose is fluid and at times, street, so it was easy to get deep into the story. I cannot wait for book 3!
c. The Year We Became Invincible by Mae Coyuitco – This is a very honest book. It’s telling me secrets, opening doors, whispering dreams to my ear every time I turn the page. Young Adult done best by a young adult. I wanted to hug this book.
d. Learning to Fall by Mina V. Esguerra – the many times I blushed while reading this! This is the steamiest MVE book I’ve read, and I’ve been time-hopping across her backlist, so I know she started with sweet romances. It’s a fun ride. Grayson is <3 p="">e. Be Careful What You Wish For by CP Santi – I read you say somewhere that this reads like a Jdorama, and that your peg is Oguri Shun. For shame, woman. How dare you lure me? But I’ve told you this: this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading about a scientist MC (lab coats are sexy) and OguShun as Ken. So yes, I loved this book. It gave me feels. (Uy, sipsip! Hihihi - CPS)

CPS: What inspires you to write?

JET: Daydreams. Literally, daydreams. Blossom Among Flowers and Songs of Our Breakup are documentations of long, winding daydreams. I had another daydream that I was friends (okay, maybe more) with Robert Pattinson, and that resulted into a 30k+ word manuscript that I don’t know how to even begin editing. Music is always inspiring, and places. Humans are always inspiring, being we are so weird and amazing.

CPS: Of all the characters you’ve written so far, who’s your favorite and why?

JET: Why are you making me choose a favorite child?? This is a mean interview. That said, I love Shinta. I always say that the snobbish, Takeshi-type of guy gets me every time. But in reality what I really want is a Shinta. Someone easy and fun to be around with, smart and a smart ass. Someone who is patient but does not wait in vain. Someone consistent but not too intense. Someone taller than me, with abs. He also fits into the friend-to-lover trope quite nicely. Oh what’s that? You asked about my favorite character and not the character I want to be my boyfriend? Oops. (Tsk, tsk. Hahaha!-CPS)

CPS: What story are you working on right now?

JET: I’m working on Playlist#2, Songs to Get Over You. I’ve had the plot bunny hopping inside my head since I finished Songs of Our Breakup, before I even released it. Miki’s story is begging to be written. Here is a man who doesn’t seem to think he should find happiness in love. He’s so used to heartbreak. Dissecting his thoughts and feelings is so much fun and so much work! Haha.

CPS: Tell us about your latest release, Majesty (this story is part of #StrangeLit Darkest Dreams story bundle).

JET: When I was 25, my best friend died. She was 30. We’ve known each other for less than a year. I know that reads funny, but my grief was whole and my love for her was real. I wanted to capture those feelings when I was writing Majesty. Having written it with a paranormal/fantasy twist for StrangeLit class gave it the sparkle that it needed, I think. It’s my gift for my best friend. I promised her I would always remember.

CPS: Any writing goals you’d like to achieve in the next few years?

JET: I have so many ideas for new books, it makes me panic sometimes! I always feel like time is running away from me. I’ve written all the ideas down together with the dates I want them released, so I don’t forget about them and so I’m motivated to keep going on days that I feel like I suck. One important goal though is to learn the business side of this writing thing. The starving artist paints a very romantic picture, but I don’t want to be ‘starving’ as an author for too long ☺

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Thanks very much, Jhay . . . este Jay pala! Hihihi.

And happy happy birthday! *pasabog ng confetti and eats cake*

Connect with the author!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Wattpad | Goodreads | Amazon

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If you want to read Jay E. Tria's books in print, check out the #romanceclassbooks box at UniqubePH (3F University Mall in front of DLSU Taft)!!! 

Lots of freebies (including a free ebook!) with every purchase!!!

Photo from Mina V. Esguerra

Featured Author: Tara Frejas

Hi everyone! I'm making up for skipping a ton of posts by featuring two authors every month until December (#ambitious). But really, it's fun getting to know more about all these Filipino authors!

So this week, we're featuring author Tara Frejas, author of Paper Planes Back Home and The Forget You Brew (#StrangeLit).

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CPS: Tell us about the first story you ever wrote.

TF: I wish you could hear me laugh as I read this first question, but not because the first story I ever wrote was hilarious. If memory serves me right, I was nine when I wrote it, and it wasn’t even straight-up prose or anything badass like that. We had a school requirement wherein we had to turn in comic strips, and because the only thing I could draw rather decently back then was Snoopy, I created comic strips of a dog that looked just like him. And the story was about a dog that baked . . . pies, I think. I don’t remember the premise now, just that he was a baker dog.

CPS: What’s your writing process like?

TF: Not sure I have an actual writing process because I usually start really, really small, like with a sentence or paragraph, or lines of dialogue. Sometimes I start with a chapter and see how that flows before I move on to the next, and the next. Before signing up for #SparkNA, I have never seriously outlined any of the previous fics I wrote, except for when I’m in the middle of writing it and I realize I need to sort out character or event timelines. So yeah, the process usually varies for me.
With Paper Planes Back Home, for example, I started by writing a chapter and then sending it off to a friend who took a look at it and said it was promising. I took her cue and continued writing it until I challenged myself to finish it in time for a Wattys thing last year. It took me around 6 months to finish the entire thing. #SparkNA was outlined, but I did veer away from that when I got to the middle, and my outline for #StrangeLit was completely scrapped when I started writing it.
The thing which is constant, however, would be me looking at photos or watching videos of my character pegs. Research, I say, haha. It helps me figure out how they would react to certain things, how they would move or how their voices would sound like when speaking. Some of those details don’t appear in the stories, but they help motivate me anyhow. Also, listening to music is an absolute must.

CPS: When and where do you write? Do you have a set schedule for writing?

TF: I can write almost everywhere when inspiration strikes, or when a deadline is looming, but I do most of my writing at home. As for schedules, no. I’m very bad at schedules, which was why I signed up for Mina’s workshops. I wanted to discipline myself enough to be able to sit down at a fixed time and just write something, because I am a serial procrastinator who usually juggles way too many things. So far, I’ve successfully finished two workshops, but at the moment I’m resting from fic writing to support other authors (blog tours, etc.) and market my finished work (yay, #StrangeLit!).

CPS: Tell us a little about the books you’ve published so far.

TF: Paper Planes Back Home is a novel where two people—Skylar and Gianna—meet in some sort of limbo while their physical bodies are lying in hospital beds. In the beginning, we meet Gianna, who’s just being “initiated” into this entire realm where paper planes are currency for how much you are being thought of by the people who love you. As the story goes on, we learn from Skylar that you could actually craft a ride out of the paper planes so you could get out of that limbo and go back home. Meanwhile, we are also introduced to two other characters, Aaron and Anna, who become instrumental in getting those paper planes up there for Skylar and Gianna to use in their journey.
For #StrangeLit, I wrote The “Forget You” Brew, which tells the story of Kyle and Allison who stumble upon Nowheretown—essentially a “town of requirement” in that it finds you when you’re in desperate need of something. The thing is, Kyle and Allison are in love with each other but they’re idiots, haha. They’ve been good friends for years, so there’s that thing about getting scared of rejection and having the Friendship Over flag getting waved and all. Eventually, Allison walks into this cafe where you’re supposedly going to get served what you need, and she gets an afforgeto, which will basically wipe out all memories and feelings she has for Kyle. But of course, Kyle doesn’t want that, and of course he finds out after Allison drinks it . . . so he goes on a quest to retrieve her memories of him.

CPS: What are the last five books you’ve read? How did you like them?

TF: I have an all-Filipino lineup! The last five I’ve read are Choco Chip Hips by Agay Llanera, Songs of Our Breakup by Jay Tria, The Year We Became Invincible by Mae Coyiuto, Fall Like Rain by Ana Tejano, and another one of Agay’s, Once Upon a Player. I’ve already blogged my reviews (more of spazz accounts, actually) about the first four, but in general, I really could say that I loved them for All The Feels they made me feel. I am so looking forward to reading more Filipino-authored books because I apparently missed out on a lot these past several years.

CPS: What do you eat/drink/listen to while you write?

TF: Copious amounts of coffee are a must. I already have caffeine immunity, I think, because I can sleep fine even after having it. But that doesn’t stop me from consuming it while I write; I just need coffee to function. As for food, I don’t have a go-to food item . . . I just usually grab what I can from the fridge or the cupboard, or sometimes when I feel like it, I buy certain things like Jalapeno Cheetos (fave!) or hopia or ramen. Depends on what I’m craving, if I am, but coffee usually does the trick.
Sometimes I listen to just one song when I write. You know, that one song that sums up what your characters are feeling, like you can imagine that song playing in the background while the scene you’re writing plays in your head? Yep, I do that. I loop one song and listen to it over and over again until I’m done with a scene (or chapter). I remember looping Marianas Trench’s Beside You and F.T. Island’s Severely a lot while I was writing my #SparkNA novel, haha.

CPS: Of all the characters you’ve written so far, who’s your favorite and why?

TF: Oh why must you make my life difficult? ☹
If I really must choose, I’d go with Filipina Legaspi. She’s my #SparkNA heroine who works as a roadie for a Korean pop-rock band called East Genesis Project. Fi is my favorite because she’s dedicated to her work, but she’s not all about the money—she really does care about her band as though they were her family, and she loves her job not because of its perks but because she feels like she helps inspire people. She has a good heart, and I like that about her, even if it gets her into trouble sometimes.
A runner up would be Anna from Paper Planes Back Home because she’s just a precious, precious soul. ☺

CPS: What story are you working on right now?

TF: Oh god, plenty. I haven’t really started writing them, but I am outlining several things bit by bit. There’s a #SparkNA sequel in the works, and there’s a #StrangeLit spinoff I’d like to finish before our three-month bundle contract with Buqo is finished. Apart from that, my #TalesFromTheMetro stories are begging to be continued, and at the same time I’m doing research for another possible novel that involves theatre people.
I know I should be working on them the soonest, but I’m dallying and I hate myself for it. I will get there soon enough, I promise! ^_^

CPS: Tell us about your latest release.

TF: My latest work is, as I’ve mentioned, The “Forget You” Brew which is part of the #StrangeLit Killer Seasons bundle. It’s available only via Buqo for now, at least up until the end of December, I think.
Little trivia about The “Forget You” Brew: I started formulating the story around bunnies, because in early March, my sister bought a bunny from the street market near us and we fell in love with him. And while the direction of the story didn’t focus much on bunnies, I might do that with the spinoff I’m planning, which should be out by January. Wish me luck!

CPS: Any writing goals you’d like to achieve in the next few years?

TF: There are several, actually, but having my books on shelves at local bookstores would be on top of the list and I’m trying to get there eventually . . . hopefully by next year? I’m crossing my fingers, haha. And I would definitely be working hard to get more stories written, finished and published, maybe have one produced as a stage production—that’s a nakakakilig dream of mine. I also want to work with an artist who could translate my work into art because I would love to have a story book version of some of my stories, like Paper Planes Back Home.
But yeah, basically my goal is to write a lot more stories so I could experiment with them in terms of style, so I could also determine the aspects I’m good at and the ones I need improvement in. Finally, this is not a writing goal, but I would love to be of service to the writing community in any way possible. Getting to know Mina and the other Filipino writers through the workshops opened a lot of opportunities and prospects for me, and as excited as I am for my own growth as an author, I am also very excited to be able to eventually pay it forward.

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Thanks very much for your time, Tara! Hoping to read more from you soon!

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Check out these books by Tara Frejas!

Paper Planes Back Home - Amazon, Smashwords, Buqo

#StrangeLit: Killer Seasons - Buqo

Connect with Tara Frejas!

Facebook

Twitter

Wattpad

Blog

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P.S. I'm reviewing Tara's The Forget You Brew next week, so be sure to check that out ;-)

P. P. S. If you want to read #romanceclassbooks in print, check out our box at UniqubePH (3F University Mall in front of DLSU Taft)!!! Lots of freebies (including a free ebook!) with every purchase!!!

Photo from Mina V. Esguerra

JustWritePH: For Redemption (Jesse David, Yeyet Soriano, Angie Sanchez, and Racquel Sarah A. Castro)

Hi everyone! Still doing the #JustWritePH Blog Tour :-) This week, I'm featuring the For Redemption bundle :-)

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Redemption doesn’t come easy. It involves hardship, righting wrongs, and making tough choices. This four-story bundle showcases characters who made wrong turns in life, and want nothing more than to make things right. Features “Era” by Jesse David, “Turning Points” by Yeyet Soriano, “A Fateful Encounter” by Cali (Angie Sanchez), and Encyclopedia Mystique by Racquel Sarah A. Castro.

Era

by Jesse David

What do we need to live this life to the fullest? For Era, it is money. He realizes that it is hard to live this life to the fullest without money. We need money to travel the world, to eat every food, and to live to in the most beautiful city. But what if, money is not the answer? What if you live your life the wrong way, and it is too late to turn back? What if you had a second chance?

Excerpt

This story is about Era.

The story is about his lifetime, and also the meaning of his name is a lifetime. This person really follows a strict time when it comes to business. He wakes up on time. Go to his work on time, but never going home on time because going home is not part of the business.

A lot of people are like him. They love to follow a schedule. It is much easier to follow life on a schedule. It is easier to live if you know what you will do next.

Are you like him, always doing things on schedule? Exact time to eat, exact time to take a shower, and exact time to sleep.

The time now is 5:28 a.m., by exactly 5:30, his clock will alarm. He will wake up, go to the bathroom to take a shower, and brush his teeth. He will then have his coffee. After that, he will now proceed on leaving his unit at exactly 5:58 a.m.

He will now walk to the train station and arrived at 6:05 a.m. The train should arrive at 6:10 a.m. but we are not living in the perfect world or rather a perfect country that follows a strict time. It is acceptable to be for an hour late in this country.

The train arrives at the station at 6:23 a.m. which is totally occupied. To get inside of the train, you need to transform as Spartan soldier, this is one of the ways to get in the office on time with this volume of people. And since Era is a person that loves a schedule, he will ride this train even if only a single person is the only one that will fit in, but eventually 5 persons will try to get in. But don't worry, with the magical push from the people outside, the 5 people will actually fit in.

After the train, he will then need to fall in line for the gate ticket. But with the volume of people in the line, Era estimated that it will take 2 minutes for him to pass the ticket gate and another 5 minutes to get in the building.

 He could have a longer time to wait if the line for the elevator is long. Using the stairs could be an alternative but the time and effort will double or even triple.

Era works as an executive in an international company. He always makes it on time to go to the office but never going home. His dream is to live life to the fullest. Having this dream, he thought that he needs to be rich first before he can enjoy life to the fullest.

Connect with Jesse David!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessedavidwriter

---Buy #JustWritePH For Redemption NOW!---

Turning Points

by Yeyet Soriano

Imagine you were about to die, and you were given a chance to change something in your past and live for a few hours in the alternate world created with that change. Would you do it? What have you got to lose, right? What if you got stuck in that world, and although you have achieved all of the dreams you never pursued before, you lost everything that you’ve ever held dear? Sandy Garcia, a forty-something working mother of three, did just that. She wished she never met and married her husband, and she got to live in the world where she became a popular theater star instead. The trouble was, since she never met her husband, then she never had her children. Her entire life was different, and she started to realize that maybe she already had it good in her reality. Alex Marquez was a multi-hyphenated star—theater actress-singer-dancer-published author- professional photographer. On the road to success, she made a lot of wrong choices which left her single, with one child, in her forties, remembering the relationships she screwed up and the children she should have had in the past. Suddenly, she got the chance to live the family life since she got stuck in Sandy’s world. As both women navigate the intricate web of the lives they never initially chose to live, they question whether they still have a chance of getting back their own lives. What does it take to reclaim their real lives? Are both willing to do so? Will they succeed?

Excerpt

“Hi, Sandy.”

I heard the voice. I knew the voice. Was I dead?

“No, you’re not dead,” the voice said.

I opened my eyes and saw him, my dear friend from very long ago.

I slapped him. I had no time to think; my hand had a life of its own.

Luca reeled from the slap. Served him right.

“Sandy . . .”

“Luca.”

We stayed that way for a while just looking at each other. I had so much anger and pain, emotions I thought I had forgotten about. How dare he show his face right now?

Oh, shit . . . this had to be a dream. I remembered I was on a plane, and it was crashing.

 “Where am I?” I asked. I looked around and there was just nothing. Everything was white. “You said I was not dead, so where the hell am I?” I demanded an answer.

Luca still looked at me with a sad expression.

 “You are in a pause state,” he said.

 “A what state?” What the hell was he talking about? Why was I talking to Luca at this moment? And why would I believe him if he told me I wasn’t dead?

 “Pause.” Luca enunciated the word. I heard it right the first time, I just didn’t understand it. I still didn’t understand now. I kept quiet and waited for him to explain.

 “A pause state is when we get a chance to step away from time moving forward and just . . . take a breather.”

“A time-out of sorts?” I asked. Now I’m sure I am dreaming. This is ridiculous.

“You can say that,” Luca said.

 “So . . . after this . . . the plane will still crash?”

 “Ummm, yes, time will move forward.”

 “Can’t we make it move backward so that the plane doesn’t crash?”

 “It doesn’t work that way,” he said patiently.

 “Then why the hell am I here?”

Luca breathed deeply as he stared at me. I was obviously still mad, but I couldn’t meet his stare. Memories were coming back, and I didn’t think I was ready to confront them . . . again. After all these years.

Connect with Yeyet Soriano!

Email: yeyetms@gmail.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ysrealm

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Yeyetsorianowrites

Website: http://www.ysrealm.com

Buy #JustWritePH For Redemption NOW!

A Fateful Encounter 

by Angie Sanchez

A Fateful Encounter is a story about a college computer science student, Samantha, who just got back from an eight-month holiday. Not a single soul knows why she left in the first place – not her professors, her best friend Aimee and her closest group of friends. She logs in an online chat site and meets Michael, an engineering student from the same university.

Excerpt

I continued to argue with myself quietly. I want ice cream. Do I really need ice cream? No. But do you want ice cream. Yes. Is it right to put yourself in danger for the sake of ice cream? No. But you want one, right? Yes. There you go. And there goes my logic. But in order to dig into my cravings, I must find someone to go out with me at this time of night. Now who’s going to be my knight?  It would be wrong to ask for my friends after what happened earlier. My only available choice was Requiem. He offered to go out with me. Nothing’s wrong with accepting someone’s offer, right? I thought about it again. And again. It was unacceptable and irresponsible. Who goes out with a stranger, at night, for ice cream? I sat thinking of all the possible solutions for my dilemma. It wouldn’t be bad to trust someone, just this once?

 [10:30 pm] Requiem: San kita pupuntahan?

 [10:35 pm] Me: Nakatira ako sa may apartment sa dulo ng Emerald.

 [10:36 pm] Requiem: Sige. Puntahan na kita.

 [10:37 pm] Me: Ingat ka. Text mo na lang ako.

I suddenly became nervous. My heart started beating so fast that I could feel it could jump off my chest. Just because of a stupid craving, I invited a guy I didn’t even know over for ice cream. It was ridiculous. And idiotic. Aimee had already warned me before that nothing good comes out from meeting strangers. I could already picture out Aimee scolding me. I groaned. She is a very protective friend.

My legs are shaking from panic. I could feel my hands getting cold and sweaty. I couldn’t think right. What if this guy were a poser who might think of kidnapping me and holding me for ransom? Or worse, rape me and throw my body somewhere? I promised my parents to stay out of trouble, but I’m directly putting myself into a mess. No one except for myself knows that I would be meeting him tonight – not my friends, my family – absolutely, not a single soul. If something bad happens, no one would even know. I walked to the living room, then back again to the kitchen. I suddenly had the idea to send him a message that I have a bad stomachache and couldn’t get up. I was about to text him through WeChat, but a message appeared.

 [10:46 pm] Requiem: Andito na ako.

 I frantically rushed to the kitchen drawer to get my Swiss knife and pepper spray. I’ve always kept these in case of emergency. I placed both of them inside my purse along with my phone, my wallet and sneaked a peek frim my apartment window. There, I saw a person standing right outside the gate. For a while, I remained seated on the couch debating whether to go through with it or not. I gathered all my courage and closed the gates behind me.

 “Hello,” a guy wearing a jacket and cap said.

 “Hi,” I replied nervously.

 “Tara na?” he asked.  

Connect with Angie Sanchez!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorangie

Email: theangiesanchez@gmail.com

Buy #JustWritePH For Redemption NOW!

Encyclopedia Mystique 

by Racquel Sarah A. Castro

Amelia Agustin is a digital converter in the National Library of the Philippines by day and a digital artist by night. At 24, she supports Filipino Authors by buying and reading their works. She rates the books honestly but she didn’t have the courage to write a review. She has this habit of doing digital art inspired by her favorite scenes. She loves to go to Korea to visit Incheon, the newly proclaimed book capital of the world. She admires Jay Diaz, a popular newscaster/bachelor in town. Serendipity pulls them together in an embarrassing incident. Take a glimpse on where their relationship would go.

Excerpt

“Techie geek . . . at the national library? Interesting!” He curiously stares at me. Well, I like geek reporters with glasses. That’s why I have a little admiration, okay, a lot of admiration for him. I have glasses too by the way. That’s a match.

“See you around!” I leave him with a quick glance and a friendly wave.

Toni sees me smiling and asks, “The smile is for . . .”

“I am going to the restaurant now. Bye.”

Toni grabs a bit of my hair and asks again;”Don’t you want to meet your crush?”

“I met him just a few minutes ago. Bye Toni! I am late.”

“Call me!” Toni shouts and to my surprise, I hear another familiar voice.

“Wait! Ms. Jiu Jitsu!” Jay Diaz runs towards my way. And he calls me Ms. Jiu Jitsu?

I display a what-do-you-need stare. Jay catches his breath while saying, “Can I get your name?”

“Her name is Amelia. Do you need her number?” Toni smiles at me. I stop walking. A thought bubble seems to come out of my head: Is he interested to get my name? Or maybe he will get my name to report me to my boss?

I notice that he is an inch too close to me. I turn back to hide my smile. He immediately pronounces, “Amelia! Wait.”

“Yes.” When I turn, he is closer than half an inch and our eyes meet.

“Can you wait for me?”

I curiously glance at him with narrowed eyebrows. He clarifies, “I mean, can I do what I have to do and go with you. This won’t take too long, I promise.”

I want to ask why but my inner self appears and verbalizes aloud, “Sure.” What are you thinking Lia? Are you sure about this?

I wait for him at the lobby. Mr. Villar sees me and asks, “Are you not going to the restaurant today?”

“I am waiting for Mr. Jay Diaz. He might feature our restaurant.”

“Hidden motives huh.”

“Yes sir.” I laugh.

 “I’ll go ahead. See you on Monday!” Mr. Villar salutes me first before going upstairs.

At last, I spot Jay Diaz with his crew after 30 minutes of roaming the whole place. It is exactly 12:30 in the afternoon when we leave the national library. His crew, however, will take their lunch before going back to the place for another set of interviews.

I am about to get a cab when he shouted, “Hoy! Di ba sa akin ka sasabay.”

“Maka-hoy naman to. Sundan mo na lang yung taxi.” I get in the cab and wave farewell. While I can see him get in the car and follow the cab, I instruct the driver to take me to our restaurant.

When I arrive, I run as fast as I can. A staff greets me, “Good afternoon ma’am!” He probably observes my nervous-me-what-will-I-do glances and asks,”Ma’am Lia, sinu po tinataguan nyo?”

“Yung crush ko, kakain dito.”

“Si Jay Diaz, Ma’am?” He curiously says.

“Oo.” I intensely say with so much excitement on my voice. I ask, “Okay ba yung itsura ko?” I don’t have the time to wonder why one of my staff knows who my crush is.

“Yes. You look gorgeous.”  My dad says while he and his business partner come and I pay respect to them by pagmamano.

 Jay comes to me and says, “Huli ka!” He laughs and my dad clears his throat.

Connect with Racquel Sarah A. Castro!

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rsacastro017

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racquelsarahcastro

Blog: http://www.racquelsarah.wordpress.com/

Email: racquelcastro2884@gmail.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rsacie

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11574447.Racquel_Sarah_A_Castro

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00RTBGT62

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/RacquelSarahCastro

Buy #JustWritePH For Redemption NOW!

Note: The #JustWritePH workshop, which ran from July 1 to August 8, 2015, challenged participants to write a story and prepare it for publication in a little under 6 weeks. Tips and lessons were delivered online & in person. The reward? Guaranteed distribution on Buqo, plus marketing opportunities like a bundle launch (held at Bo’s Coffee Megamall on August 22), a Facebook party, and a blog tour.

#JustWritePH—For Love: Beth G., Carla de Guzman, Giselle Bacalla, and Amae Dechavez

Hey there! This is a (super) delayed post featuring the awesome work of Beth G., Carla de Guzman, Giselle Bacalla, and Amae Dechavez, whose works are all part of the #JustWritePH—For Love bundle :-)

Love is never easy, but the journey to that happily ever after is what makes it worth it.

Witness the struggles of these characters as they work their way through both new romances and second chances at love in this four-story bundle. Features “I Still…” by Beth G., “Sigh No More” by Carla de Guzman, “Velvet Valentine” by Giselle Bacalla, and “One Sweet November Day” by Amae Dechavez.

Read on for the sweet and exciting story blurbs!

I Still. . . 

by Beth G.

Jamee is head over heels with Denmark. And after several years of not seeing each other, they meet again, and Jamee cannot deny the fact that after all those years, she is still in love with him. As their renewed friendship seems to progress, all while their common college friends hold a reunion for all of them, Jamee discovers the truth behind her heartache with Denmark years ago. Will she still surrender on how she feels for Denmark and give herself a chance on love? Or will it be too late?

Connect with Beth G.!

WordPress: http://bethgstories.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bethgonline

--- Buy #JustWritePH—For Love! ---

Sigh No More 

by Carla de Guzman

Beatrice and Claudia never thought they would see Benedick and Hiro ever again, not that they wanted to. But when the business opportunity of a lifetime hinges on Ben and Hiro's work, they find themselves head over heels and crashing into the boys again. But why did they ever have to be apart in the first place? Can Hiro win Claudia's heart back? Can Beatrice and Benedick ever stop fighting? This book is a modern retelling of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

Connect with Carla de Guzman!

Twitter : http://www.twitter.com/somemidnights

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/somemidnights

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/somemidnights

Website: http://www.somemidnight.wordpress.com

--- Buy #JustWritePH—For Love! ---

Velvet Valentine 

by Giselle Bacalla

Elizabeth Mariana Hernandez Cruz, a freshmen in St. Agnes Integrated School has only one agenda; to live the life she always dreamed about in school. She grew up from a small town and studied in a small sectional school until now. As soon as stepping into high school, she vowed that things will finally change. As young, careless and naïve Elizabeth struggles her way through her freshmen year and that changed until the day she meets Isaac D. Rodriguez, a third year senior who always dropped by in her classroom. Little did she know that this boy would be the catalyst of change. After long years of house arrest, watch her adventure to discover life in a different light as she experience friendship, love and reality. “Excuse me, are you by any chance, Sakura?” “How did you know about me?” Velvet Valentine’s Elizabeth will bring you places and memories you thought you’ve long forgotten.

Connect with Giselle Bacalla!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiselleMarisBacalla

Wordpress: http://gpicks.wordpress.com/

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Gpicks

--- Buy #JustWritePH—For Love! ---

One Sweet November Day 

by Amae Dechavez

Nagtagpong muli si Ethan at Maylie. Sinong magaakala na pagkatapos nilang magkakilala at maging matalik na magkaibigan noong bakasyon sa Pila, Laguna ay magkikita silang muli? Sa saglit na pagkakalayo nilang dalawa ay lalong nilang napagtanto na mahal na nga nila ang isa’t isa. Kaya sa muli nilang pagkikita sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Los Baños ay hindi na pinalagpas pa ni Ethan ang pagkakataon niya. Sinabi niya kay Maylie ang mga katagang “Mahal kita.” “Mahal din kita” ang naging tugon ng dalaga. Girlfriend na Ethan si Maylie—first girlfriend. Ngunit magtatagal ba ang pag-iibigan nila?

Connect with Amae de Chavez!

Website:  http://amaedechavez.blogspot.com/

Email:  amaeauthor@gmail.com

Facebook:  https://facebook.com/amaeauthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amaeauthor

Goodreads:  https://goodreads.com/amaeauthor

Wattpad:  https://www.wattpad.com/user/amaeauthor

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/amaeauthor/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/amaeauthor/

Ask.fm:  http://ask.fm/amaeauthor

--- Buy #JustWritePH—For Love! ---

Congrats to all the authors of #JustWritePH!!!

Note: The #JustWritePH workshop, which ran from July 1 to August 8, 2015, challenged participants to write a story and prepare it for publication in a little under 6 weeks. Tips and lessons were delivered online & in person. The reward? Guaranteed distribution on Buqo, plus marketing opportunities like a bundle launch (held at Bo’s Coffee Megamall on August 22), a Facebook party, and a blog tour.

Featured Author (October): Agay Llanera

Okay, so I know I planned to feature a different Filipino author every month, but as they say, life happened. I got so caught up with writing stories (and kindergarten---but that deserves a separate post), that I neglected the blog for a bit. But I hope to change that soon :-) So stay tuned for more featured authors, reviews, and general ramblings :-)

+ + +

Our featured author for October is Agay Llanera, author of Vintage Love, Once Upon a Player, and Choco Chip Hips :-)

Agay and I met through a common friend, and we were able to hang out a couple of times in college and after we'd graduated. Late last year, we 'found' each other on Wattpad and have since reconnected on social media.

I actually read her first #romanceclass book, Vintage Love before I realised I knew her. It was such a fun read! The narrative was beautifully textured and the descriptions were really vivid. And the sweet ending was just right :-) And I loooved Choco Chip Hips, which was released just a few months ago (read my review here).

I'm especially happy to hear that print copies of Vintage Love (Visprint) and Once Upon a Player (Spark Books) were released during the recent Manila International Book Fair *hoots, claps, and whistles*

Here's my interview with Agay:

CPS: What's the very first story you wrote? As in ever?

AL: I think I was 5 or 6 years old when I wrote “Bobby Elephant” on a sheet of pad paper. It was around three sentences short, basically describing where Bobby lived and what he liked to do. I remember even illustrating an elephant below the title.

CPS: Seriously, how much chocolate did you eat while writing Choco Chip Hips?

AL: Even when I don’t write, I consume copious amounts of chocolate. They don’t have to be the fancy-shmancy kind (for me, Twix and Mars are fancy enough); in fact, I’m content with just eating bowlfuls of powdered Milo.

CPS: How did you come up with the idea for Choco Chip Hips?

AL: I was taking zumba classes so I wanted to write something with a dancing theme. Also, if you’ve ever been to a gym, you know what the atmosphere is like: people lifting weights, treadmilling, and dancing as if their lives depended on it. I guess all that unspoken mantra of “burn, burn, burn those calories” I was exposed to on a regular basis prodded me to write about body issues as well. Before writing the story, I also consulted some writer-friends, who helped me build the foundation for the story.

CPS: Tell us a little about Jess; who's your peg for her?

AL: I have a zumba-classmate, who seems to be of high-school age. She likes dancing at the very back, and she’s the youngest in our class, composed of mostly mommies. In my head, I’m cheering her on, to not be shy of swaying her hips or twerking.

CPS: What's your writing process like? When and where do you write? Do you adhere to a schedule?

AL: I write in the afternoons when my son takes a nap. I usually aim to write 2 chapters a week. I write the first draft by hand. And then I type it on my laptop. Then I give it another run-through before uploading it on Wattpad. I upload all my works-in-progress on Wattpad because even if at least one reader reads or comments on my story, that’s enough to keep me going. Then when I’m done, I take the whole thing out of Wattpad. save for the first few chapters, and I self-publish it (after it goes through beta-reading and professional editing, of course). I write at the foot of my son’s bed, on the floor.

CPS: In the books you've published, who's your favourite character and why?

AL: (sighs) Must I choose? I fell in love with all of them. But someone puts a gun to my head and demands an answer, I’d choose Jessie from Choco Chip Hips because I love her transformation from wishy-washy to girl on fire.

CPS: You've written NA and YA romances, is there any genre you'd like to experiment with in the future?

AL: I’d like to write more YA stuff, but I’d also like to come up with mommy lit—basically stuff that Anne Tyler and Elizabeth Berg come up with. Novellas that are more adult in tone, dealing with adult issues, and exposing the complexity and vulnerability of the late 30s to 40s age group.

Vintage Love's new cover (Visprint ed.)

CPS: What are you currently working on?

AL: A New Adult something called This Side of Sunny. You can check out its progress on Wattpad.

CPS: Any advice for aspiring writers?

AL: Write, write, write. Learn to be critical of your own work. Listen to feedback. Don’t over edit, and publish as soon as you can. Then move on to the next, making sure you’ve learned from the last.

New releases from Spark Books! Can't wait to get my hands on them :-)

CPS: Where can we get copies of your books?

AL: E-books are on Amazon, Buqo and Smashwords. Physical copies of Vintage Love and Once upon a Player are available in local bookstores.

+ + +

Thanks very much Agay!

And hope to see Mela and Paolo's story on Amazon soon :-)

Book Review: Songs of Our Breakup

Whee! Here's another review in time for #BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy :-) 

Disclaimer: The author and I first 'met' on social media, but were able to meet up recently when she and a friend visited Tokyo. And though we had tons of fun in the few hours we managed to spend together, this does not in any way affect my review of her book :-) (Naaaks!)

Songs of Our Breakup

by Jay E. Tria

Every breakup has its playlist. 

How do you get over a seven-year relationship? 21-year-old Jill is trying to find out. But moving on is a harder job when Kim, her ex-boyfriend, is the lead guitarist of the band, and Jill is the vocalist. Every song they play together feels like slicing open a barely healed tattoo. 

Jill’s best friend Miki says she will be out of this gloom soon. Breakups have a probation period, he says. Jill is on the last month of hers and Miki is patiently keeping her company. 

But the real silver lining is Shinta. Having a hot Japanese actor friend in times like these is a welcome distraction. This gorgeous celebrity has been defying time zones and distance through the years to be there for Jill. Now he is here, physically present, and together, he and Jill go through old lyrics, vivid memories, walks in the rain, and bottles of beer. Together they try to answer the question: what do you do when forever ends?

Excerpt

April 21, Tuesday, midnight

She could draw his face easily if she had a drawing hand. The straight nose, almond-shaped eyes—rich and deep as dark chocolate, the strong jaw, and the jet black hair that swayed as if remembering the hands of its last stylist. 

Idol, indeed. 

Jill pulled her coffee tumbler closer to her chest with fists—coffee that Shinta paid for, after all—and took a loud sip. Innumerable swarms of girls in Asia would die of heart failure if they could sit around a small round table in front of him, close enough to see that the long lashes were real. Her own heart was playing a mad drumbeat inside her rib cage. Having known Shinta for years didn’t make him any less godlike in her eyes. It only made her less embarrassed to stare at him. 

Already their neighboring caffeine consumers were speaking in rapid murmurs, darting covert looks and batting eyelashes at him. Was everyone updated in Japanese cinema now too, or was it only because he was beautiful? 

Shinta kept his eyes on his own frappe, slurping. “What?”

Jill slurped back, her eyes darting to his full lips, wet from his coffee. “It always feels weird seeing you here.”

His eyes flicked up. A pucker of whipped cream was resting on his upper lip. “At a coffee shop?”

“In this side of the Pacific Ocean.”

“I was here just this New Year’s, remember?” Shinta said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “And hey, I’m part-Filipino.”

Jill’s eyes left his mouth to fix him a glare. She frowned. “Your parents were both born in Kodaira, Tokyo.”

“My mother has been teaching in a Philippine state university for the past fifteen years.” 

Jill began a slow smile. She’s heard this speech before. 

“That has to count for something.”

“Lodging and an easy scholarship, sure.” She bit her straw. “Citizenship too, you think?”

“And a nickname with an extra H.”

“Shintah.”

He laughed. “Jhill.” 

He gnawed his straw, and together they slurped, punching teeth-shaped holes on the green plastic.

Shinta was already a hot movie star when Jill first met him. It was three years ago at a music festival in Tokyo. Trainman had played four songs in two languages their audience did not understand but still jumped and danced to. Shinta had crept backstage afterwards—trailed closely by a line of his fans—and stood there among them, towering, long-limbed and luminous, a stark contrast to their post-set grit and sweat. He spoke to them in fluent English—having an English literature major for a mother must have helped—inviting them for beer and asking for autographs. 

It seemed like a normal occurrence under those absurd circumstances, so a friendship between the six of them was inevitable. There were other music festivals, small gigs, a vacation to Japan that left her and her bandmates broke for six months, Shinta’s visits to his expatriate mother, and blackout nights over the deadly mix of sake and Kirin.

Still, there were times like now when Jill would think, wow, a hot Japanese idol paid for my grande. 

“How’s your mother?” Shinta’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“Still in love with you,” Jill said sulkily.

Shinta beamed. There was a time when Jill’s mother openly stated that she liked Shinta over Kim, as if there was even a contest. Jill thought that wasn’t fair. Shinta must have won her mother over with those matcha products and queer anti-aging implements he always brought her.

“Sometimes I think if she could choose her only child, she’d want it to be you,” Jill mused darkly.

“Better that than I become your brother!” Shinta exclaimed, pulling a face. “Hey we should invite her to my mother’s party.”

“Don’t you dare,” Jill hissed. “I said no,” she said firmly when Shinta opened his mouth to protest. 

Shinta chuckled, then returned to his coffee, slurping while scanning her face. “I wanted to come here earlier,” he said in a quieter voice. “I wanted to see you.” 

“Well you had that TV show to shoot, and that fan meeting. Then you had that stalker situation.” Jill waved her hand in the air as she enumerated. These actor problems. “Did you ever get your sock drawer back from the culprit?”

“No.” Shinta frowned. Jill knew he liked those socks. “But I got a restraining order.”

“Good enough. Anyway, you’re not late for your mom’s birthday. Which I’ve heard is your first one here since you were fourteen, because your mom won’t shut up about it. My mom was never that excited when it was her turn to throw the big 5-0 party.” She paused, thinking. “I haven’t been Professor Mori’s student for three years. I’m breaking some kind of student-teacher code here about post-class relations.”

“It’s your fault,” he said. “You encouraged her too much. She thinks she’s responsible for the success of your debut album.”

Jill grinned. She, Kim, Miki, Son, and Nino took Professor Mori’s Creative Writing class in their sophomore year in university. They wrote songs for homework on fiction, songs for non-fiction, songs for poetry and haiku. They were able to write their debut album in one semester. It was an indie success story.

“Well she kind of is. And I did get a 1.0 for my final project.” 

She felt it was very important to say this. She was as proud of that as of her 1.0 in Development Economics, and her teacher there was an iron lady.

“You bribed her with future concert tickets,” Shinta pointed out. “For when you sell out coliseums.”

Jill grinned. “She might have to hold on to that promise for a while. Although I don’t think she minds. She has a soft spot for Miki.”

Shinta started drumming his fingers on the table to a familiar beat. “While I stumble on the floor of your room/Flushed when you look at me/While I look in the glass and see no one there/Still you’d make me believe…” 

Shinta smiled, leaning towards her. “That’s a great song.”

An easy blush spotted on her cheeks, her hands suddenly cold at the small breathing space Shinta held between them, but Jill’s frown came easier. Why did Shinta have to pick the lines Kim wrote? She wrote the next stanza. He could have sung that.

“What?” Shinta nudged her elbow.

“You’re not a very good singer.”

“Sorry, I’m just a fan,” he said, laughing.

Jill leaned back against her seat and returned to slurping her coffee.  

“You’re glaring at the slushy bits,” Shinta said.

Jill slurped louder.

“They didn’t do anything to you,” he went on.

Slurp. Sluuurrpp.

Shinta planted his chin on one palm. “While I get tangled, awkward in your sheets/ Scared as you come to me/ While I close my eyes and see no one there/Still you say, I’m here.”

Grudgingly, Jill fixed him a stare. His evil smolder was in place and her breath caught in her throat. The words she wrote suddenly sounded sexy. She thought she heard a girl from the nearby table swoon.

“You’re already a famous actor with fan clubs across Asia,” she shot at him. “Don’t be an overachiever.”

Shinta started laughing, raucous peals that echoed through the coffee shop’s walls and drew even more attention from the already ogling patrons. She wasn’t even trying to be funny. Shinta was now slapping his thighs to the tune of his guffaws, and Jill’s only comfort was her coffee jelly.

“I’m taking you home now to your mother,” Jill grumbled.

“Wakata, wakata-ne.” Shinta nodded in efforts to restrain his laughter. “I guess the jet lag is getting to me after all.”

“It was a four-hour flight, you wimp.” 

Shinta pulled her chair back as she stood, catching her car keys before they hit the floor again. 

“At least I know my mother missed me,” he said, depositing the keys on her palm and closing her fingers around them. He pivoted to the glass doors.

“I’m not falling for that,” Jill called out as she followed Shinta to her car.

It was a quiet drive from there as the pains of Shinta’s cross-ocean commute seemed to catch up with him. The Strokes’ Clampdown was on repeat in Jill’s music player, the only sound between them. He worked very hard to keep his eyes open, alternating between watching the dancing lights on the streets and watching Jill shift gears from third to fourth and back. When they parked in front of his mother’s house, he had successfully evaded sleep in the entire 30-minute race.

“Can you please drive slower on your way home?” Shinta peeked at her through the open window as he stood outside, bag in tow.

“But this is the only time when there’s no traffic.” 

“Didn’t you say you’ve had premonitions about dying in a car crash?”

“Fears,” Jill corrected him. “Fears are different from premonitions.”

Shinta frowned. “Fine.” He walked the couple meters past the gate, where the porch light illuminated the door to his mother’s house. 

He looked back. “Jill!”

She looked out the passenger window. “Shinta?”

To Jill, Shinta looked curious from this short distance. “You don’t look very horrible, for a person with a broken heart.” 

“Uh. Thanks?”

His mouth lifted in one corner. “You’re welcome.” He gave her a small bow. “Good morning.”

“Don’t get lost on your way in!”

“I’ll call you if I do,” he said as he went through the door, waving back at her.

When the door closed the porch light went off too, and Jill thought she heard the distinct sound of a mother’s excited squealing. She lunged on the gas and drove off, a smile stretching across her face as she sang the old song that Shinta liked at the top of her voice.

Review

Fact. Breakups are harsh.

They’re even more so when you’re forced to work with the person who broke your heart on an almost daily basis. And that’s the situation that Jill, the protagonist finds herself in.

The narrative starts off a bit edgy and confusing—reflective of Jill’s state of mind as she braces herself to perform onstage with her ex, Kim. The music is an escape, and Jill tries to lose herself in the exhilaration of the performance. But at the same time, the songs are a painful reminder of her past—she and Kim wrote most of their band’s songs after all.

But then Shinta comes onto the scene.

All at once, you feel the dark cloud lift and the narrative picks up as Jill comes to terms with her breakup and begins to move on.

Jill was a complex character---sarcastic and funny, a keen observer, yet was totally clueless about some things. I liked how she was slowly able to let go of her hurt and bitterness . . . showing that moving on is a conscious decision that comes from within. I like how the author showed glimpses into Jill and Kim’s history, thereby justifying the difficulty Jill experienced in letting go of her first love. Their struggles were relatable and real.

I just loved how steady and sweet Shinta’s character was . . . how he waited patiently for Jill, how he was simply there for her, and how he understood her . . . er, not-so-social tendencies. And please, when I learned the author used Oguri Shun as a peg, I fell in love with Shinta on the spot :-)

But really, this book should really come with its own soundtrack :-)

About Jay E. Tria

Jay E. Tria writes contemporary Young Adult and New Adult romances about characters that live inside her head, about people she meets and people she wishes to meet. She also reads, daydreams, and blogs. She loves skinny jeans, sneakers, and live gigs. Also, adopted cats. She is not a cool kid.

Blossom Among Flowers, a Japanese high school love story, is her first completed work.

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Buy Songs of Our Breakup NOW!