"Eye of the Storm" Review

Eye of the Storm by John  Goode
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First impression be damned, this book wasn't the same one after the first one and by all means I meant that in a good way. Great even, because the effect of surprising the reader from a different theme to another was fluidly executed.

I'm not a science fiction fan myself but I literally enjoyed the book. It took just much willpower on my part to not give up on the book because it wasn't my thing and it did not disappoint. Half-way on the book I was enjoying it so much that I do not mind a lot of new information was being thrown at me, and amazingly, I understood them as if I knew about Realms, Lord-of-the-rings-clashed-with-Star-wars type of scenarios. The plot, the story, was real magic itself.

Plot aside, I'm really liking the character build-up not only between Kane & Hawk, but the others as well. Like Ater, Ferra, and Ruber most especially, damn even on Tatiana and Oberon. The book carried enough emotional turmoil that it wouldn't look too "action" movie of blood, guts, and war. I'm really thankful of that.

AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO THE THIRD BOOK? FUCK YES ABSOLUTELY I AM, SIR AND MADAMS. I'm so hyped up for the third book so much that you must agree with me that the book, even on the last pages, gave me so much feelings and excitement, it isn't a joke to say how awesome this book was.

John Goode's words/story on the last book was a nice touch also. It only didn't made me know about him more, but absolutely think of him of a guy who isn't really doing this wonderful books with raw writing skills, but with help and patience. Especially with cats. Cats are always a nice touch. That's why this is a perfect 5 STAR!


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"Emily's House" Review

Emily's House by Natalie Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you for Natalie Wright, winning a signed copy from her was really a first for me. Again, thank you.

Personally, I was never into Celtic themed books. Not that I disliked them, but I had a hard time grasping the reality of it. After reading Emily's House, I can't help but wonder how blind I was like the people inside the book. Emily's House focuses on the discovery of something seemed impossible that you couldn't deny if it happened in real life, you won't know what to do or what to believe.

But that what makes Emily's House amazing is that it challenges people's realism. That we are so fed up with technologies and improbability of things; We do oversee things and take them for granted. Though the approach in telling this tale is for real young adults, it never missed the action normally readers crave for. Also, I had earned a new perspective about Celtic History and it was really never about magic and just fairy tales but it somehow resembles some people way if life (i.e. Monks) That the way of Celtic is also a simple science and a little bit of great imagination. I had found a new theme to love.

Hence, I will definitely wait and read for the sequel.

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This book is my baby: "Trust Me"

(This will include spoilers whether I am aware or not.)

This would be related to my recent blog post about Gay Romance books that had me fussing over. I would not deny that I have a total of 3 books on that theme as ultimate favorites and the book that I am about to introduce you, not certainly my number 1 but this is the only successful book that ever related Religion and Sexual preference in a flawless, smooth, and "earth-friendly" plot. Jeff Erno has what it takes to set the bar on being respectful but outright blunt on what he sees on society today. There is no downplaying and how painful it is to read such facts that could be happening and still happening at this moment, so let me indulge as to reasons why I admire this book.

Trust Me by Jeff Erno
RATED 5/5

I would advice you to read the book first because you might not follow me on this one, but nevertheless here's the synopsis via Goodreads: "Shawn Graham and Bobby Wilder couldn't be more different. Shawn is a devout Christian fundamentalist from northern Michigan; Bobby is a street-smart latchkey kid from southern Ohio. From an early age, they are both confused and troubled by their attraction to the same sex. Shawn believes that homosexuality is sinful, and a traumatic incident of childhood sexual abuse adds to his guilt and shame. Bobby has an image to maintain and flatly denies the possibility that his same-sex attractions even exist. He's just too cool to be gay. When they finally connect, their preconceptions are suddenly dwarfed by what they feel for each other. They become inseparable and fall deeply in love; however, love doesn't make life easy. Plans are in motion that will surely devastate the young couple. Painful experiences of the past overshadow happy memories, and heartbreaking obstacles loom over the possibility of a future. If Shawn and Bobby want to stay together, they will have to fight with everything they have." Give it to Jeff to rightly put the situation to a religious and innocent boy which frankly picture wholesomely a lot of kids in our time. If you think kids these days are out there doing drugs, having sex and etc. You'd be surprise that a lot more is still on the act of purity such as Shawn, be it a boy or a girl. And another reason is that you will see mostly strict religious people are condemning the same-sex relationship act. So why not hit them right where it will hurt in the words: "What if you were in their situation".

What got me really going on for this story is the difference and comparison of upbringing between Shawn and Bobby. People would start to say that "Oh, Shawn lived in a perfect family and Bobby didn't" which I am going to laugh at you because the situation isn't like those stereotype movies. (Having a hard time explaining while not giving everything out) Shawn may be like one of those boys who are annoyingly nice but there is a bit of darkness on how he downplay himself. He always thinks he's a sinner even when the situation isn't his fault. While to Bobby, he's pretty a good guy himself but only to be roughen up because he hated being rejected. Yes, he does drugs. Yes, he smokes but what I love about this more is how Shawn doesn't really and I think never openly commanded or even pleaded Bobby to stop his habits even him being so upright and all. The reality of the situation basically captures me. If you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend or just know anyone who practically lives to command people what to do with their lives, they'd be dead right now. Or worse, shunned.

Second, I loved where the moment where Shawn's mother (the perfect example of a denying parent) had to deal with Shawn's gender, though how much she loved her own son, she made some wrong choices and got the devastating results. I love also where there is no parent here that was openly and ready to shun any offspring of them just because of being gay. Because does people like that really exist? Is there some really greater evil where a parent just readily going to stop loving their own flesh and blood because of a "defect"? I don't think so. Mostly because we are humans, sure we do unforgivable deeds, but where do we really pass the border to just plain evil? Again, I think that would never happen.

Third, the issue on how many kids end up getting killed or doing suicide because of the lack understanding from people who actually matters. Sure, the internet would accept them (Head to tumblr and you'll meet open-minded people there) and other social groups that protects Gay-rights but still no matter what doesn't get the plain acceptance from the poeple who was supposedly believed that no matter what, gay or not, tall or short, they would be the same person. It's sad really, so I wouldn't deny I cried my heart out to this book.

Kudos to my man, Jeff Erno. Thank you for the awesome book. (I would kill for a sequel though) And I hope a lot of people get to read this book, because it really tackles a lot of things that probably a many of people religious or not cannot answer.

Reading more Gay Romance or M/M Erotica books

I promise I won't bring in religion topic into this post but just to educate you, I believe in God. Second, I support same-sex relationships and marriages. Third, I do a lot of daydreaming I was born a dude and likes guys ... It would be fun if that comes true. Now back to the topic:

I'm the kind of person who has a flair interest with Gay Romance if not fetish. It feels like whenever a tendency like that occurs, the stakes or hardships are doubled and the result of certainty in love is greater. Being simply heterosexual in our time today has different approach. Most of us (I could tell) are mature enough to accept it, because what is there not to? Everyone is unique, as they popularly say. You may like baseball as much as I like football but that wouldn't change that we both are human beings, with feelings, with eyes, nose, and many more. Few of us (I respect them) are strongly agreed on their beliefs that they won't have it any other way. Hence, the issue I know will never cease or stop, so I won't tire myself on telling my opinion until needed.

Now you would wonder what is a straight girl loving on Gay stories? Like there is something wrong with it, but of course there is not but let me tell you I had my share on identity crisis. I myself was a lesbian on age 15. Not because of the media, not because I see people doing it, but because I started feeling a great attraction to girls. I kissed some, loved some, and even went on with a relationship. I do not regret anything but unfortunately one day I stopped infatuating myself with girls because guys pull harder on me. That doesn't mean I shunned my ability to find a woman attractive because I can assure you I have lust tendencies when I find a girl enough to make my underwear drop. Also that doesn't mean I neglected people who are heterosexual. If not a supporter, I understand them. Sure because I had an experience to be one, BUT THAT AIN'T THE POINT, LOVE.

I love this kind of stories because of the emotional and character depth the author deals with (also the sexual overtones). I mostly love the stories where a guy or girl is on the verge of confusion about their sexuality only to realize people could give a fuck and she/he won't care. The transition of one weak (or scared) individual to someone who has enough voice and guts to tell their real sexuality and leave it at that is flawless for me. It what makes people flawless, what makes this character from books such a epitome of what people should understand. Same goes to people who loves them, it paces the story not into something lovely but challenging and near to action. It's bad enough I am obsessed with books, but now I'm obsessed on books like Something Like Summer (which I promised to do a review on, but I was such in a emotional wreck after reading it, I don't think I can give it justice), Maybe with a Chance of Certainty and many more.

My fondness on this will never change, I think. Jesus, I even suggested (I did not force him, K.) to my boyfriend to start reading as well and of course he doesn't lie when he said "He likes it and finds it ... good." If you know what I mean. OK, OK. I'm stopping right there. I think I need to go and fish some more books.

Note: The making of this post may be or may not be done while watching gay porn. LOL

It's a immigrant thing on "College/Universities"

Many months has passed and thank god for Gandalf that I only understood now how to apply to some Undergraduate Application for Universities. Since landing on this blessed soil, my life has been officially restarted to a range of 100 staggering percent. No friends, a few relatives, and a totally clueless environment. Being the only sole 19-year old in a close community within Carson, California-so far I only knew how, when and why to ride a bus. How and where to buy food. Where and when to waste time. Why and where to spend dough and other things god knows what.

I have been left the task to pick myself up from whatever basket they left me in and go things from there. So the question? What things in my life did I need to rebuild or just leave it at that. One thing for sure, my weight isn't going away soon. (Pizza heaven everyone, do not judge.) Second thing is either I work or go to college. Do not get me wrong, I have no issues on working but I do have issues on WHERE do I work. OK, I can hear your gears working and saying, "Faye, it isn't about what job. It's about earning money." Well here's a upside for you: Do you think a girl like me with no medical experience or knowledge at all would pass as a Care Giver? ... Sure let me give you some minute to think about your answer. Go ahead. .... Have your answer? Well here's my argument: No. I would certainly not. Giving me a run around about a day on a medical facility wouldn't make me learn anything about where rightly to stab a syringe in a human's body. Cleaning? Sure? Medications? Nada. Let's not forget about what to do on emergencies or accidents! If you think I'd be the person who runs to a drowning body and do CPR, you are clearly mistaken. Sure I'd saved the guy from drowning ... but CPR? What? Do I just kiss? See where I'm going? I need education about it AND I AM SICK OF PEOPLE THINKING THAT I DO NOT NEED ONE.

Obviously, I'm no genius but neither a a genius or me would know what to do in a situation we do not have experience in. Believe me, I read a lot of books. I read about how assassins or serial killers do their thing, doesn't mean I'd be the next Jason Bourne.

Education isn't my first love. We have that love-hate and give-take relationship. You'll hear me complaining about school one day but I'd be complaining having not a school on the other. Saying so, my top priority is really finishing my goddamn course as a I.T. and majoring in Web Development. For the people who doesn't know? I left College at my 4th year but have I known how hard it is to apply to a college here in U.S.? I wouldn't have dared go here before I finish my studies. (Moment of silence regret and rolling eyes)

Past on the verge of rage ranting, I had a couple of times on feeding myself information about scholarships, admissions, etc. One of the downside here is really not knowing about how the education system works. And I have no one in my age to practically lay it down for me in simple steps or instructions. I haven't ever been in a scholarship, nor did I applied it. Back in the Philippines it's either you have money or not. So here I was clueless as ever and I don't even bother once I get frustrated. But frustrated no more! Thank god for the one who made University of Southern California website/blog which I understood what I had to do in one reading. I'm actually planning on getting on with the application but I had a tip that I had to at least wait a solid year before getting with my education in college. I don't know why but it was suppose to lay me off on some big bucks. So here I am just waiting for the time.

I honestly can't remember how I go through with school days, but now especially I am in a foreign ground: I'd bet I will be twice the loner I was. I'm actually not around to make friends but it would be nice to know at least one person in the school or one person each of my class, so that if I suddenly had to disappear, I can ask someone. Not that people are not approachable here, matter of fact, they are too approachable and open, it gets awkward for me. And hence the staying away from people. But that's not the issue right now, I'm just happy to at least know I can do applications now. I have plans on studying speaking Russian. LOL