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?
Born 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
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
… 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.
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.
It’s a bad day for Ben. After years of earnest work, he’s been fired from his job as a speechwriter for a Philippine senator. Name tarnished and bridges burned, he steps into what he thinks is a shuttle ride home, and accidentally joins a tour of his own city.
It was supposed to be a good day for Naya. Her passion is traveling, her hobby is discovering cool things to see and do, and taking people on tours of Metro Manila is her only job right now. An extra person at the last minute isn’t ideal, especially if the person is a former colleague and the subject of the day’s hottest political trash fire. But work is work, and she decides to let him stay in the tour.
She’s hoping she won’t regret it. He’s hoping his day turns around. What kind of day could it be? Maybe the best kind.
I’ve had a couple of Mina’s books for a while now, but I’ve kept them on my TBR still unread. This May, in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I decided to prioritize romance novels written by authors from the Pacific region and/or set there. When the opportunity to receive an ARC of Mina’s latest book came, I took it right away.
I had been expecting New Adult characters and storyline and was pleasantly surprised by the maturity of the themes in What Kind of Day. I didn’t think I was going to be able to relate to Naya and Ben at all. I was happy to be proven wrong. It helped that I have family and friends in the Philippines who are in politics. The situation that Ben found himself in sounded true to me. Same with Naya floating around with her hobby. Yep. Been there, done that at the same age.
Now, for the romance. The speed of the physical hook-up was unexpected. Yes, there was a proper build-up of mutual attraction, but I didn’t think they’d act on it so quickly. It worked for the story, however. It gave them a bond that would not have been there if they just went their separate ways that first day. It reminded me of Before Sunrise in some ways, which I love.
A final note – I haven’t lived in the Philippines for fifteen years so I appreciate the “See This Manila” tour. If it exists in real life, I’d do it when I go back in July.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance novellas. Visit her website minavesguerra.com for more about her books, talks, and events.
When not writing romance, she is president of communications firm Bronze Age Media, a development communication consultant, and a publisher. She created the workshop series “Author at Once” for writers and publishers, and #romanceclass for aspiring romance writers. Her young adult/fantasy trilogy Interim Goddess of Love is a college love story featuring gods from Philippine mythology. Her contemporary romance novellas won the Filipino Readers’ Choice awards for Chick Lit in 2012 (Fairy Tale Fail) and 2013 (That Kind of Guy).
She must marry a duke… But which one?
Born 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
Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance novellas. Visit her website 
Maida Malby 
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