Brain Tabs: June 2016

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2:34 PM

Review: Maybe This Time by C.P. Santi

2:34 PM

There were two other promos/book tours I've signed up to before I received C.P. Santi's email providing me info for Maybe This Time. Unfortunately, I didn't like the other two books, I didn't even finish one of them.

So when I opened the email providing the download link for this book, I was a bit hesitant. I didn't want to commit because I'd rather not say anything than bad-mouth someone else's hard work. I still gave this a shot, and it was a good thing because I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Summary:

An accidental reunion . . . a sneaky plot . . . things finally falling into place.

Maybe This Time contains three heart-warming stories of love and second chances. Because when fate gives you a break, you grab the chance to finally make things right.

In Sweeter by the Second, when paintings conservator Rina David arrives for the Arts Festival in the heritage town of Jimenez, she’s reunited with Tony, the guy she once loved and lost. Now vice-mayor of Jimenez, Tony wants Rina back in his life and will do everything he can to convince her that they belong together.

Pamela Quiroz hatches a plot to get her parents back together in Exorcising my Ex. But will a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner succeed in reconciling Geno and Viv? After all, it’s been more than fifteen years since they first got together and they aren’t the hormone-driven teenagers they once were. Will wine and cheese balls still do the trick?

Torch, meet hand. Arne Weichmann has been waiting twenty-one years for Bea. Is it finally the right time to make his move and convince her that they are Meant to Be? He hopes so. Because he doesn't think he’ll survive losing the one person who brought warmth and sunshine to his life.

How do I love this, let me count the ways:

The theme - second chances. I don't know anyone (personally) whose second chance worked out for them. I don't even wish it for myself, but the stories in this collection made me believe that maybe, second chances work. If you're a hopia, read this and your feels will be validated. Haha!
Writing style - This is the first C.P. Santi book I've read, but this certainly won't be the last. I was excited to read more of her works that I almost one-clicked When Cocoy became Kikay in Amazon, when I already previously bought it from Smashwords. I liked the balance of humor and sarcasm in her endearing characters but I especially liked her poetic way in describing things. When Geno described Viv in Exorcising my Ex, he said, "Though still passionate, her fervor was now muted . . . yet it ran richer and deeper. Her mischievous nature still flitted in and out of view, but her impulsiveness had been tamed. The hunger and restlessness in her eyes was now tempered by patience and acceptance.” Aww. Isn't that wonderful when someone appreciates how you succeeded in adulting?
I am usually not fond of short stories because I think they're bitin. That's also usually my comment about novellas. I find it hard to get attached to the characters because I find their development lacking. But this was not the case for Maybe This Time. Though concise, the stories were written in a way that made the characters easily likable and relatable. Short and sweet is an apt description to this. The stories (especially Meant to Be) gave me Love, Rosie feels minus the frustrations.
The many references to Pinoy culture. The sense of community, the #AlDub hype, Jollibee Spaghetti, and the whole family being invested in one's lovelife. It was such a joy to read. The town of Jimenez in Misamis Occidental had also been added to my list of places to visit.
I usually gravitate into reading YA and NA (forever feeling young), but I liked how the stories here featured people in their 30's. The flashbacks were bittersweet and nostalgic as it showed why the relationships didn't work at their first shot at love. But we also see in the present day how the characters matured, how they were able to pursue their passions and dreams. It was amazing to see how they decided that despite their successes, they want those people they've once lost in their lives. In the Author's note, Santi said, "Love isn’t something with an expiration date. People in their thirties, forties, and fifties are capable of loving and being loved. Heck, even octogenarians have hearts that beat with love. I hope we never forget to believe in the power of love and second chances . . . at whatever age :-)", I say, Amen, sister!

I recommend this book to anyone who needs a light-hearted and charming read. I'm usually #TeamAngst, but I found love in the simplicity and humor of this collection. Maybe this time, love won't end?

You may purchase Maybe This Time by C.P. Santi through this link:
Amazon

authors

Blog Tour: Underneath It All by Ysa Arcangel

9:47 AM

UNDERNEATH IT ALL

A senior at Gates University, Agata Ferrero knows without a doubt that Reeve Gates is off limits…

Students can’t date faculty, and Reeve has been appointed by his father as the new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. But when a near accident with the front end of Reeve’s sleek sports car brings her in close contact with him, Agata can’t deny the flash of desire that consumes her.

Reeve Gates is a man hell-bent on revenge…

Abandoned in the care of his step-mother as a child, Reeve accepts the position at Gates University for the sole purpose of ruining his father’s career. What he didn’t expect was to be sidetracked by the sultry eyes of a student.

Resisting temptation is even harder than it looks…

When a sorority pledging incident leaves Agata stranded on campus in the middle of a treacherous storm, her better judgment falters and she accepts help from the young Dean she can’t get out of her head. Certain there is a beating heart underneath his stone-cold exterior, she escapes with Reeve on a romantic retreat away from prying eyes.

Blinded by retaliation…

Reeve manipulates his dying father into handing over control of the university—and immediately threatens to shut down the school as a form of cruel payback. His scheme sparks a campus-wide protest that leaves one of Agata’s professors dead and her future hanging in the balance.

Agata must fight to convince Reeve he is capable of forgiveness, and their taboo love is worth more than revenge.

But is there really a bright future awaiting…

Underneath It All

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30355218-underneath-it-all

EXCERPT #1:

That night I was left alone in our dorm. The three of them were off to the Pre-Thanksgiving party thrown by the student faculty.

They prohibited me from going and suggested I stay and just rest for the night.

I stripped down to my panties; threw a shirt on over my head and climbed into bed.

My phone rang, displaying an unknown number.

“Hello? Who’s this?”

“Agata.” The voice on the other end answered. My stomach plummeted at the unmistakably deep resonance from Reeve’s voice.

“Hi,” I took an audible deep breath. “Where did you get my number?”

“I’m your dean, Agata, I know everything about you.”

“I thought so.” I immediately caught myself smiling at the sound of his voice.

“Did you attend the Pre-Thanksgiving party?”

“Nope. I just stayed in bed.”

He went quiet for a second. “What are you doing, Agata?”

“Uhm, just…lying in bed,” I stated the fact, unknowingly allowing him an opportunity to explore dangerous territories.

“What are you wearing?”

“Seriously?” I giggled at his question and the playful tone of his voice.

“Yes, seriously. Tell me what you are wearing.”

Well, this could be interesting.

“I’m wearing one of my t-shirts and panties.”

“I wish I was beside you.” With those words, I tensed. “Don’t tense, just listen.” As if he was seeing me through the phone. “I want to kiss you just like I did in my room last night. You have no idea how much I wish I could take your shirt and panties off and lick your whole body, paying attention to specific areas.”

“Reeve. No.” A breathy voice left me.

“Shh. Just listen, baby.” He gave me a second to decide whether to hang up or keep listening. “Have you touched yourself before?”

“No.” I bit my lower lip.

“Will you touch yourself for me?”

I was frozen for a second, the sound of my breathing growing rapid. My fingers inched under my panties and I touched myself, rubbing gently as I listened to his voice.

I knew he could tell I obeyed by the change in my breathing pattern.

“Close your eyes. Imagine my lips on your neck kissing you the way I did before.” Heat flooded my body as I recalled it so vividly. “My tongue moves farther down your neck and to your chest, where I take your nipple into my mouth and suck gently.”

My fingers moved faster as the vision of being at Reeve’s mercy sent crippling waves of pleasure through me.

“It feels so good, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” I whispered letting him take every ounce of doubt I felt about doing it because I could hear the ecstasy in his voice and I knew he was touching himself too.

“I am stroking faster as I listen to your small moans, Agata.”

My eyelids shut even tighter as I tried desperately to feel him somewhere amidst what I was doing.

“I suck harder and nip at your breast. Do you enjoy that?”

“Very much.” Small moans emanated from my throat as I became lost in the sensations. The pleasure became addicting and the excitement of it all heightened every sense I had.

“I drag my tongue lower, lingering at your belly button, then continuing down until I reach your thighs. My lips and tongue kiss inside your thighs before I replace your fingers with my mouth.”

I was breathless now and whimpering for him, making me stroke myself even faster. I could hear him breathing hard now and I knew he was ready to come.

“You taste so good, Agata. Feel my tongue and my warm breath on you, licking faster.”

I could tell I was close by the way my breathing rapidly increased. His breathing responded the same way.

“Reeve…” I panted, the sounds became muffled as I buried my head into my pillow.

“That’s it, baby.” Reeve growled into the phone and I knew he came too.

“That was good,” I uttered breathlessly, my eyes shut to withstand the first orgasm I ever had.

“Never in a million years did I think I would be having phone sex with someone I hadn’t fucked yet,” he voiced quietly. “Sleep now, Agata. I’ll see you in my dreams.”

He hung up before I could respond. I closed my eyes knowing tomorrow I would be a different Agata, but tonight I would allow what happened to soothe me.

EXCERPT #2:

EXCERPT 2:

He walked up to the counter and prepared a glass of orange juice. He grabbed a bowl and poured butternut squash soup into it. He prepared a cup of coffee and reheated a box of pizza and a bowl of spaghetti.

“Let’s eat.” He ordered and sat across from me. He stirred his coffee without taking his eyes off me.

“Thank you. It smells really good.” I gave him a grateful smile. Knowing he cooked for me, intentionally, on a day that meant nothing to the rest of the world, meant everything to me.

“Are you feeling better now?” he asked and shoved a spoonful of spaghetti in his mouth.

“Yeah, thank you.”

“If you were wondering if I was the one who changed your clothes, no. It wasn’t me, Tatiana did that; she was here earlier.”

“Oh, I see.” I nodded and began to sip my soup. I felt the liquid pour down my throat. The warmth of the soup enveloped my lungs and felt so good. “You shouldn’t have gone through all the trouble of bringing me here. You could have dropped me off at my dorm and left me there.”

“If I want to fucking spend time with you, I will, okay? I wanted to make sure you’re fine.”

There he went again changing moods. I swear there had to be something mentally wrong with this guy. No other person in my life frustrated me as much as he.

“Well, aren’t you sweet?” I smirked.

“So you want to tell me what happened this afternoon? What were you doing out in the storm, Agata? Are you trying to kill yourself?”

One quick bite then he got down to business.

My breath caught in my throat. I really didn’t want to tell him.

“I was…” I paused and bit my lip. I wasn’t sure how to phrase it, “…finishing a task.”

Reeve paused with a fork halfway to his mouth. “Task?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. I didn’t answer. “Sorority task?”

I mentally face palmed and nodded in confirmation. “How long did I stay out there? You think I lasted thirty minutes out there?”

“I knew it,” he stated, shaking his head. “Agata, I don’t give a damn if you finished that fucking task or not. You scared the shit out of me; don’t you know that? You’re not joining the sorority.”

“I have the right reasons for joining.” I bit my lip.

“Reasons?” He gave me a confused look.

“The sisterhood is important to me.” I thought of giving him some lame excuse.

The room grew still. He stared at me, his face blank, and I couldn’t move.

“Are you kidding me?” His gaze was unyielding. “You think the sorority will save you from dying out there? They don’t give a damn, Agata!”

“It’s part of the process,” I reasoned out.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“You should have known it. You’re part of the organization.”

“That’s why I don’t want you in!” He threw his napkin on his plate and shot up to his feet. I remained silent and gazed at my food. “Agata, what’s gotten into you?” His words almost forced me to look at him.

“I’m leaving.” I stood from my chair but he grabbed my hand and pinned me to the wall. “For once, I wanted to do something for myself without thinking of whatever people might say,” I spat.

He released a heavy sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. “Agata, after three and a half years you thought of joining a sorority? For what?”

My chest rose and fell erratically as I met his eyes. “Once I finish my task and pass the initiation, I’ll be one of them. By that time, I can tell if this guy who keeps giving me mixed signals really feels something for me. They say he only dates sorority girls. If he will not date me, then it’s confirmed—he’s only messing around with me.”

I didn’t move a muscle as his eyes burned back into mine. A shaky gasp escaped from my lips and I flinched as he reached for my face. After pausing momentarily to observe my reaction, he went on to gingerly brush my tangled hair from my face.

“Agata, you’re not the type I want to date.”

I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. His words grated against my ears and it hurt like a bitch.

“You’re not someone I want to take out for dinner, walk home, kiss goodnight, nor say goodbye.”

He didn’t stop tearing with the knife, and pierced through the walls of my heart.

“Because you know what, Agata? I don’t want to just date you and walk you home. You’re someone I want to come home to, someone I want to cook dinner with, to sleep with, to kiss hard, and fuck harder.”

The words snapped out of his mouth quick enough to petrify me. I looked up at him; his plump lips were pursed into a stern frown. His eyes were darkened, no time for bullshit. I bit my lip, and with every second that I didn’t reply his face grew more and more serious.

A small smile crept upon my lips and I looked away to hide my flushed cheeks. I couldn’t contain my happiness. I wondered how my mood had changed so drastically in this conversation.

He smiled, bringing his thumb up to graze my cheek. “You’re blushing.”

I reached up and quickly wiped my cheeks.

“Now, are you still joining the sorority?”

He came closer. Our noses were almost touching, his eyes never leaving mine. I held my breath. I closed my eyes. He was going to kiss me. I could almost feel the touch of his lips on mine, his breath in my lungs. He leaned down, then I heard my stomach growl in hunger, which caused Reeve to chuckle.

“Hungry? Come on, let’s continue to eat.”

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Ysa Arcangel is a Filipino author based in Manila. She works as a Spanish-English GDS Helpdesk by day and a writer by night. She is a loving partner to a chef and a mom to three amazing kids.

She enjoys creative writing and uses her obsessive nature by writing contemporary paranormal and romance fiction with lots of laughs, tears and sighs showcasing sweet, funny and badass female leads with raunchy and hot male love interests whether human or supernatural.

She's a lover of coffee, tattoos, and giant dogs. She is also an extreme sports enthusiast. When she's not writing, you can see her spending time with her family, reading, or having TV series marathons.

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