Tag Archives: #filipinoauthor

ANJ MIRANDA – Featured Author

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Anj Miranda knew she wanted to be an author since she began scribbling stories with crayons. She believes books are a way to travel and explore—and since she can’t just beam herself to a new destination, she counts on stories to give her that thrill. Give her flawed, complex characters, romance with all the feels, and a satisfying happily ever after any day of the week. Bonus points if the story takes place in a unique setting!

Anj lives in Metro Manila, Philippines, where you’ll find her tucked away at home with her laptop and a signature iced coffee.

 

Socials

     Instagram – @authoranjmiranda
     Threads – @authoranjmiranda
     Facebook – Anj Miranda
     TikTok – @authoranjmiranda
     Pinterest – authoranjmiranda

Book Sites

     Goodreads – Anj_Miranda
   Amazon – Anj Miranda
   Romance.io – Anj Miranda
   Bookbub – Anj Miranda

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THE REYES SIBLINGS SERIES

Book 1: The Off-Chance of Me and You

He’s an athlete at the top of his game, and she’s the girl he left behind. Now he’s asking for a second chance, but this time, she’s calling the shots.

Tala Reyes lives life dancing to a breathless beat. With two full-time jobs and a family to support, she has no time to dwell on what-ifs: What if her grandmother never got sick? What if she never left Manila? And definitely not what if Jason Meyer hadn’t ghosted her in college?

The world knows Jason as the NBA golden boy, but to Tala, he was her first friend in the US—and her first taste of heartbreak. So when he shows up in town, she reminds herself not to cave to his overdue apology and superstar charm. She has more than enough to worry about, especially when she discovers her work visa is on the line.

Despite her doubts, he’s determined to make up for his absence. Tala wonders: what if she gave this thing between them a chance?

They’re from different worlds, and their futures have never been more uncertain. But it’s just for the summer, right? No big deal.

Famous last words.

 

The Off-Chance of Me and You is a second-chance, ex-friends-to-lovers romance with a slow burn and a dash of spice. This is the first standalone novel in the Reyes Siblings series.

 

Buy Links: 

Books2Read     Amazon     Apple     B&N     Google Play     Indigo     Kobo

Book 2: The Odds of Happily Ever After

All bets are off when Little Miss Sunshine and her sister’s grumpy best friend learn to play nice.

Luna Reyes moved to the US with a dream: to prove herself to her family. After her older sister returns to Manila, Luna is determined to get through college on her own, despite her parents’ doubts and her insecurities. She doesn’t need a keeper—especially not her sister’s best friend. Not when he’s been a jerk to her since they met.

Gabe Martins has one goal: to build a stable life for himself. He has no patience for relationships—except when it comes to his best (and only) friend. So even though he wants nothing to do with Luna, he considers it his duty to check in on her. Sterling’s too small a town not to run into her anyway.

One text turns into a phone call, and soon, they’re going on a road trip without killing each other. It turns out he’s got a sweet side she always wanted, and she’s the bright spot he never thought he needed.

But with their goals at stake, will they go all in for a chance at happily ever after?

 

The Odds of Happily Ever After is a dislike-to-friends-to-lovers contemporary romance with a simmering slow burn and a dash of spice. It is the second novel in the Reyes Siblings series but can be read as a standalone.

 

Buy Links:

Books2Read     Amazon     Apple     B&N     Google Play     Indigo     Kobo

Book 3: The Fallacy of True Love (releasing on August 12, 2025)

The city boy with a promising future meets the beach town girl with a troubled past in this unlikely romance.

Alonzo Reyes has everything going for him: a close-knit family, a scholarship to law school, and his dream girlfriend. He’s golden…or so it seems. In reality, he’s floundering on the brink of that dreaded f-word. Failure.

After a revelation pushes him over the edge, he escapes to the waves of La Union and crashes right into the town’s resident grumpy surfer.

Cam Cruz has no blood ties, no college degree, and no boyfriend. But she loves her life near the sea with friends who feel like family. All she needs is a stable job—not an annoyingly attractive boy from Manila messing up her flow.

Alonzo can’t help being intrigued by the one girl he can’t seem to charm, and no matter how many times Cam says goodbye, fate has other plans. When their paths cross again, they learn that there’s more to each other than meets the eye. Judgments are questioned, emotions are compromised, and soon, their beliefs about love are put to the test.

Can they overcome their differences for the chance at an epic ride, or will they play it safe and stick to solid ground? 

 

The Fallacy of True Love is a strangers-to-lovers contemporary romance with angst and spice. It is the last book in the Reyes Siblings series but can be read as a standalone.

 

Buy Links:

Books2Read     Amazon     Apple     B&N     Google Play     Kobo     Smashwords

Do you know that I also have a story with a main character named Reyes, set in the Philippines? It’s called PANAGAT featuring Belen Reyes. 

Here’s the blurb:

US Air Force officer Jack O’Connor washes ashore on a remote island in Palawan, Philippines, and into the arms of its beautiful owner, Belen Reyes.

It’s free to read for my newsletter subscribers. If you’re a subscriber but haven’t downloaded it yet, access it via Bookfunnel. And if you haven’t subscribed, here’s the link to my newsletter. I promise not to spam you and only send out bookish news once a month. 

I hope you check it out.

 

 

CARINA GASKELL – Featured Author

FB Cover

CARINA GASKELL

Romance Author

ABOUT CARINA

AUTHOR PIC

Carina Gaskell has been writing stories since she could hold a pen, and dreaming them up even before that.

Raised in the province in a house full of love and books, it’s no surprise that the Manila-based author would go on to carve out her own space in the romance genre writing cozy, feel-good novels.

Her stories feature sweet and swoon-worthy heroes, strong (and artistic!) heroines, and a lovable cast of side characters. She loves indulgent wish-fulfillment romances, Happy Ever Afters, and the concept of soulmates—both romantic and platonic.

Her favorite love story is that of hers and her partner’s.

 

CONNECT WITH CARINA:

Website: carinagaskell.com
Email: contact@carinagaskell.com
Instagram: instagram.com/carinagaskellwrites
Threads: threads.net/@carinagaskellwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/Carina_Gaskell
Amazon: .amazon.com/Carina-Gaskell/author
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@carinagaskellwrites
Facebook: facebook.com/carinagaskellwrites

CARINA’S BOOKS

BOOK LAUNCH

Second Chance Books

SCB COVERWhen Nell’s brother-in-law walks out on her pregnant sister, it falls on Nell’s shoulders to cover their mountain of bills. To do so, she must convince the owner of a secondhand bookstore to sell his property so she can earn a commission.

But when she visits the store, two unexpected things happen: the owner offers her a job sorting the shelves—extra income!—and her childhood crush, Thomas Whelan, turns out to be the only other employee there. Only a fool would turn that opportunity down.

When Thomas reveals he needs help with his love life, it seems all too perfect: get an in with Tom by helping him prepare for his dates, recruit him towards her cause of convincing their boss to sell, get paid, and live happily ever after.

Except the more time she spends with Tom, the more she gets attached: to him, to the bookstore that soon might not even exist, and its customers.

Set in a small town in the throes of gentrification, Second Chance Books is a novel that explores the power of love, literature, and community when it comes to changing and saving lives.

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Second Chance Books is free to borrow with Kindle Unlimited subscription. Also available in paperback. books2read.com/secondchancebooks

True North

TRUE NORTH COVER

After Sophie’s long-term boyfriend decides he doesn’t want to marry her, she flies back home to her native Philippines with her tail tucked between her legs. Forget romance. With the help of Ninang, her wealthy grand-aunt on her mother’s side, she picks her pieces back up and throws herself headfirst into her dream project: opening a coffee shop on the famous beach resort island of Dalisay.

But there’s a catch. Ninang agrees to help fund the cost of starting a new business, if and only if Sophie hosts her younger sister, Narra, and their cousin, Layla for the summer. Fresh out of college, Narra and Layla have come to Dalisay for three months of fun and romance, and they refuse to leave Sophie out of it.

Enter Archie Hastings. A smooth-talking, motorcycle-riding Brit, he moved to the island to work at a non-profit and nurse a heartbreak of his own. When Narra indulges in a little too much fun and romance, he’s there to help Sophie save the day, only to find himself pulled into a scheme to get Sophie—and by extension, himself—laid.

Sophie just wants to be left alone. But love has a funny way of sneaking up on you, and this summer, on the beautiful sunny island of Dalisay, where the white sand is soft like powder and the blue sea impossibly clear, it might just catch her off-guard.

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True North releases on August 4, 2024. Preorder now! books2read.com/truenorthis1

 

 

MAY THE BEST DUKE WIN by Paulia Belgado — Featured New Release

May the Best Duke Win

MAY THE BEST DUKE WIN

Paulia Belgado

BLURB

9781335723406She must marry a duke… But which one?

American heiress Kate Mason loves being a rail engineer—yet her father is demanding she marry an English aristocrat! Her plan is to accept any noble who’ll allow her to pursue her railway ambitions—until she kisses Sebastian, Duke of Mabury. He is a duke, but the wrong one. He’s shunned society since a family scandal and vowed never to wed at all. So why does being with him feel so right?

Buy Links:

Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Harlequin     Indiebound

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ABOUT PAULIA

MVIMG_20180924_183501Born and raised in the Philippines, Paulia Belgado has worn many hats over the years, from office assistant, flyer distributor, singer, nanny, and farm worker. Now, she’s proud to add romance author to that list. After decades of dreaming of seeing her name on the shelves next to her favorite romance authors, she finally found the courage (and time! Thanks, 2020!) to write her first book. Paulia lives in Asia with her husband Jason, Jessie the poodle, and an embarrassing amount of pens and stationery art supplies. Follow her on Twitter @pauliabelgado or on facebook.com/pauliabelgado

Website: www.pauliabelgado.com

VAMPIRES OF PORTLANDIA by Jason Tanamor – Book Blog Tour

VAMPIRES OF PORTLANDIA

by

Jason Tanamor

Publisher: Parliament House Press
Publication date: 29 September 2020
Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Folklore

SYNOPSIS

When Marcella Leones relocates her family of aswang vampires from the Philippines to Portland, Oregon, she raises her grandchildren under strict rules so humans will not expose them. Her only wish is to give them a peaceful life, far away from the hunters and the Filipino government that attempted to exterminate them.

Before she dies, she passes on the power to her eldest grandchild, Percival. He vows to uphold the rules set forth by Leones, allowing his family to roam freely without notice. After all, they are aswangs.

However, when the aswang covenant is broken, the murder rate in Portland rises drastically. Who is behind the murders? And who is behind the broken covenant? Along with sensie Penelope Jane, Percival must find the truth.

It’s then they discover that there are other breeds of aswangs—werebeasts, witches, ghouls, and viscera—who have been residing in Portland for years.

Based on Filipino folklore (aswang), “Vampires of Portlandia” is a fantastical tale of different monsters coexisting in the weirdest city in America.

Purchase Links:

Amazon          B&N          Google Play          Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jason Tanamor is the critically acclaimed author of the novels “Anonymous” and “Drama Dolls.” His new novel “Vampires of Portlandia” is a NA urban fantasy about Filipino folklore – aswang. His writings have appeared in more than 250 publications. He’s interviewed personalities such as Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Pete Rose, and Dane Cook, and has covered U.S. President Barack Obama. Tanamor currently lives and works in the Portland, Oregon area. 

Author Links:

Website     Facebook     Goodreads     Instagram     Twitter

REVIEW

This book has an intriguing premise that excited me when I first heard about it. The aswang supernatural creatures have been staples of Filipino folklore for ages and a story of them being present here in the US is an endeavor I like to support. 

In Vampires of Portlandia, a family of vampires settles in Portland after a narrow escape from being killed by an hunter and a manananggal (viscera) in the Philippines.  Ten years later, the head vampire Marcella Leones is dying and has to pass on the power to her eldest grandson Percival. A huge problem is that aside from some rules she imposed on her four grandchildren, Marcella never told them anything about their powers and responsibilities. Nothing about the existence of other aswang beings (werebeasts, witches, ghouls, viscera), nothing about the covenant that governs their behavior, and nothing about their kind being the supposed leader. So when other creatures are preying on the homeless and one of his siblings breaks the covenant, Percival is overwhelmed with no recourse other than to surrender the amulet that gives him his power and ultimately, sacrifice  his life.

I don’t know how many more revisions the book underwent after I received it, but it was severely unpolished and could have gone through more developmental and copy editing. The world building was inadequate, the device of breaking the fourth wall should have been deleted, the nouns used to refer to the same person were confusing, some of the information about the Philippines were incorrect, the plot holes were too numerous, and the characters needed more fleshing out. 

I wish I liked it better, but I can only give it three stars. I appreciate the effort to bring the Filipino culture into the American publishing mainstream. The book was easy to read with its use of simple language and it’s also quite diverse with the inclusion of multiethnic characters and LGBTQ romantic subplot. 

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour. 

#AswangInPortland book blog tour conducted by Caffeine Book Tours.

SNIPPET SUNDAY: Know

SF in bed todays

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Twenty-Two

“Carpe diem,” he read out loud. His fingers traced the outer edges of each word, scratching at the leftover adhesive. He stretched out beside her, his hand continuing to caress, to build the fire. “When did you get it done? And why?”

Maddie shivered in delight. His touch provided both relief from the itch and the slow-burning heat. “Last Sunday, after my first time at paddling, I decided to get a tattoo. For me, this describes my attitude towards the future after I returned to you.” She turned to face him. “I don’t know if tomorrow will come, and if it does, what will happen. I only know I want to spend my todays with you from now on.”

Aidan scooted closer, placed an arm around her, and kissed her lightly. “I want that too. I want to be beside you in the present and in the future. I love you, Maddie-mine.”

Maddie kissed him right back. “And, I love you, Aidan-mine.”

 

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

Check out other blogs participating in Snippet Sunday on Facebook.

SNIPPET SUNDAY: Today

SF bed No guarantees

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Fourteen

She loved Krista and Blake. She was happy for them. But seeing them together reminded her of what she wanted but didn’t have. Yet.

Maybe Krista and Blake had it right, carpe diem-ing their decisions in life. There were no guarantees for their future. Today was the only day that mattered.

If she told Aidan she loved him, what was the worst thing that could happen? That he didn’t love her back. But, what if he did?

Aargh! She was going to give herself a headache with these thoughts, and that would make sleep difficult. She did need to be early at work in the morning, as she was leading a pitch. If tomorrow came, she’d seize the day. For now, it was time to hit her lonely bed.

 

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

Check out other blogs participating in Snippet Sunday on Facebook.

SNIPPET SUNDAY: Hope

couple on a bed holding hands

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Nineteen

Dear Maddie,

I’m sorry. For stealing the privilege of using the name only your friends call you. You may no longer consider me your friend, but I will always think of you as mine.

I’m sorry for letting my job take precedence over you. It was never my intention to hurt you, yet my choices took away yours. I will give up my career if it means having you by my side and in my arms again.

I’m sorry for my selfishness in holding on to your things. As long as they remain with me, I have hope that you’ll return.

I’m sorry my words are inadequate to express my regret for hurting you. I will wait until you grant me the opportunity to say it in person and seek your forgiveness and love.

Always yours,

Aidan

 

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

Check out other blogs participating in Snippet Sunday on Facebook.

SNIPPET SUNDAY: Crave

vanilla massage v2

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Twelve

The moment the heady scent of vanilla infused the air, she knew what he was going to do. Just like that, all tension left her.

“I bought this from your perfumer,” he said as he spread the fragrant oil on her shoulders and all over her back. “It promises to soothe tired and sore muscles, promote rest and relaxation, and nourish your skin.”

It was working. The soothing and relaxation part, at least. Maddie sank deeper on the bed as Aidan alternated the pressure and pace of his ministrations, digging hard and slow at the base of her neck and shoulder blades, while sweeping fast along the fleshy parts of her back and thighs.

He delivered on his promise to take care of her, sliding off the bed to better reach her entire body.

There was pain—was there ever. The tear-inducing force of the heel of his hand on her left calf, the jolt caused by his thumb on her right instep that had her gasping for breath, she’d expected all of that. It was part of the therapy.

She also anticipated the healing and the pleasure. Especially the pleasure. There was relief when he scratched the marks her tight bra had left on her flesh. Tingles fluttered on her skin from the glide of his palms on the sides of her breasts.

”’

Aidan’s voice was rough as he tipped the vial over his palm, catching the drops as they fell. “Did you know when you chose vanilla to be your signature scent that it’s a powerful aphrodisiac?” He rubbed his hands together, warming the oil.

“Yes,” she gasped as he brought his hands down to her chest, smoothing the oil in circular motions.

“That’s why I can’t keep my hands off you. The reason I can’t get enough of your scent,” he said, bending down, inhaling deeply. “Why I enjoy the feel of your skin, why I crave your special taste.”

 

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

Check out other blogs participating in Snippet Sunday on Facebook.

SNIPPET SUNDAY: Please

bed 1

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Sixteen

… tonight was for giving, not taking. Tonight was for Maddie, not him.

He lowered her to her feet beside their bed and took the towel from her.

“I can dry myself,” she protested but released the fabric at his tug.

“I know you can. I want to do it for you. Will you let me?” When she sent him a questioning look, he said, “Please?”

Please forgive me for keeping secrets from you.

Please remember tonight.

Please know how much I love you.

Her nod of assent felt like an absolution that he didn’t deserve, but that he wanted more than anything else.

Soft pats burst the bubbles that still clung to her silky skin. Gentle swipes dried most of the moisture from her body.

He’d get her wet again, Aidan promised himself as he laid them both down on the bed.

He’d get her hot. It wouldn’t take much. It never had.

One kiss. All they needed to set fire to their passion for each other.

As if she’d read his mind, Maddie reached up to twine her arms around his shoulders and pulled him to her. “Kiss me, Aidan,” she murmured against his lips.

 

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

Check out other blogs participating in Snippet Sunday on Facebook.

SNIPPET SUNDAY: Bathtub

bathtub scene

SINGAPORE FLING
Carpe Diem Chronicles 2
Chapter Sixteen

A baby. An image of a black-haired, brown-eyed little girl flashed in his mind. She’d have her mother’s beauty and his height. Their child. His and Maddie’s. Without thinking, he dragged the sponge to Maddie’s flat stomach. “Do you want to have children?”

She stilled in his arms for a second before resting her head on his shoulder. “Yes. At least one.” She exhaled a soft whish of breath against his neck. “But not yet. Before I turn thirty-five for sure,” she said in a perkier voice, but he still heard the wistfulness she tried to hide.

Aidan, who’d never planned anything long term, was all of a sudden dreaming of babies with the woman in his arms. If this wasn’t love, he didn’t know what else it could be.

 

Singapore Fling is Book 2 of Carpe Diem Chronicles, a series of multicultural contemporary romance novels. The stories celebrate the rich cultures of exotic Southeast Asian islands through languages, food, and festivals.

It’s now available from your favorite etailers in eBook and paperback.

Check out other blogs participating in Snippet Sunday on Facebook.