Bianca Maria Curtis is at the brink of losing it all when she meets Eric at a bar in Manhattan. Eric, as it turns out, is the famous Korean drama celebrity Park Hyun Min who is in town for one night to escape the pressures of fame. From walking along Fifth Avenue, eating ice cream at Serendipity, to sharing tender moments on top of the Empire State building, sparks fly as Bianca and Eric spend twelve magical hours far away from their respective lives. They talk about love, life, and happiness, and the freedom they both seek to fully exist and not merely survive.
But real life is more than just twelve magical hours.
As the clock strikes the 12th hour, Bianca returns back to the life she detests to face a tragedy that will test her strength and resolve – and the only thing she has to keep going is the memory of a man she loves in secret from a world away.
Maan Gabriel is a mom, wife, dreamer, writer, and advocate for women’s stories in literature. She earned her BA in communications from St. Scholastica’s College in Manila and MPS in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. She has lived in Manila, Brussels, Dakar, and Mexico City. During the day, she works in strategic communications. Gabriel, along with her husband and son, currently calls suburban Washington DC home.
Thirty-six-year-old Gabriella Stevens is living quietly and contently as a devoted housewife to Simon—just as her traditional Filipino mother has always told her to do—when, after sixteen years of marriage and twenty years together, he tells he wants a divorce.
With New York City as her backdrop, Gabby—single for the first time since she was a teenager—goes back to school, gets her first real job, and faces unfamiliar reality with determination. But when she unexpectedly falls in love with her mysterious but utterly beautiful creative writing professor, Colt, she learns he is battling demons of his own: a tragic past that may have made him incapable of love. Is Gabby destined for another heartbreak—or will her connection with Colt be what unbreaks her?
“A heartfelt debut, After Perfect depicts a woman’s healing after divorce with grace and empathy. Maan Gabriel is an author to watch in contemporary women’s fiction.” ―Tif Marcelo, USA Today best-selling author of In a Book Club Far Away and The Key to Happily Ever After
“At once relatable and unexpected, AFTER PERFECT is the story of one woman’s quest to learn to live—and love—on her own terms after heartbreak. Maan Gabriel is a refreshing new voice in women’s fiction.” —Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around
“Maan Gabriel’s After Perfectis the story of a marriage and a divorce and the complexities of both. Gabriel explores how cultural expectations may not only inform decision-making but determine it. In clear prose and through vivid scenes, Maan Gabriel shows us this irony―often through relationships, we come to know ourselves.” ―Corie Adjmi, author of Life and Other Shortcomings
ABOUT MAAN
Maan Gabriel is a mom, wife, dreamer, writer, and advocate for women’s stories in literature. She earned her BA in communications from St. Scholastica’s College in Manila and MPS in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. She has lived in Manila, Brussels, Dakar, and Mexico City. During the day, she works in strategic communications. Gabriel, along with her husband and son, currently calls suburban Washington DC home. After Perfect is her first novel.
From its pain-filled opening scene to the sigh-worthy hopeful ending, After Perfect is one highly evocative read. Maan Gabriel’s wonderfully polished debut involves the reader in newly-divorced Gabby Stevens’ journey to self-discovery amidst heartbreak and uncertainties.
After being cosseted most of her life, Gabby resolves to start over, go back to school, get a job, move into a small place, open herself up to new experiences, and stand on her own. Along the way, she maintains the support of her parents and best friend while creating meaningful relationships with new people.
I like how Ms. Gabriel made Gabby so real and relatable by giving her balance in both long-held insecurities and newfound strengths. I love how she made Gabby’s Filipino heritage integral to her identity. I admire the way she drew her characters with dimensions, with light and shade. Thomas is, of course, a favorite as well as Gabby’s parents and her best friend Felicity. They provide the humor necessary to counter the angst in the storyline. As for Simon and Colt, I can see the attraction and approve of the final choice. They’re both important but this book is all about Gabby.
Other things I love:
The inclusiveness and diversity of the characters reflect the society we live in today.
The great sense of place in both New York City and Washington DC locations
Everything that has to do with books (Thomas’s bookshop!!!), the writing and reading of them
All the food
Some of my favorite quotes:
The thing about writing … It defines who you are as a person. It evolves and revolves around you, around how you feel, or around how you perceive life.”
If I become light, then darkness cannot overpower me. You can’t extinguish the light from the sun.”
When you have a book, you have been everywhere.”
Love is nobody’s fault. Love is someone’s magic. And no one should feel guilty for loving.”
Content notes: adultery, on-page miscarriage, deaths (narrated), body image issues
From the author of Once Upon a Sunset and The Key to Happily Ever After comes a heartwarming and moving novel following three Army wives—estranged friends—who must overcome their differences when one of them is desperate for help.
Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden usedto be best friends. As Army wives at Fort East, they bonded during their book club and soon became inseparable. But when an unimaginable betrayal happened amongst the group, the friendship abruptly ended, and they haven’t spoken since.
That’s why, eight years later, Regina and Sophie are shocked when they get a call for help from Adelaide. Adelaide’s husband is stationed abroad, and without any friends or family near her new home of Alexandria, Virginia, she has no one to help take care of her young daughter when she has to undergo emergency surgery. For the sake of an innocent child, Regina and Sophie reluctantly put their differences aside to help an old friend.
As the three women reunite, they must overcome past hurts and see if there’s any future for their friendship. Featuring Tif Marcelo’s signature “enchanting prose” (Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake) and the books that brought them together in the first place, In a Book Club Far Away honors the immense power of female friendship and how love can defy time, distance, and all old wounds.
I always sound like a broken record when it comes to my reviews of Tif Marcelo’s books. It’s because I see myself in her characters. For one, there’s always a Filipina in her stories. And Filipino food, of course.
With this book in particular, I see myself in all three women–Regina, Adelaide, and Sophie. I’m a military spouse (Air Force, not Army) and a founding member of a book club initially comprised of military spouses. We set it up in a military city when our service members were all still active duty or working at the base/fort. Alongside discussions about our book of the month, we also talked about our experiences of military life. I relate closely with the strong friendship that developed among such like-minded people. Three years after I’ve left that city, I still belong to the book club and I remain great friends with many of the members. This is why this book resonated with me greatly.
However, one doesn’t have to be a military spouse to relate to this story of a fractured friendship and reconciliation. As long as you appreciate good storytelling, compelling diverse characters, great sense of place, intelligent conversations, and evocative real-life situations, you’ll enjoy this book too.
ABOUT TIF
Tif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away, Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, and the Journey to the Heart series.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Love contemporary romances in the Big City? Say yes, and you’ll love this collection of hot and steamy stories set in city high-rises, each perfect for reading in one sitting.
Within these pages, find an exotic cocktail — billionaire, fake, curvy women, older men, interracial, LGBTQ, straight, office, mafia … and much, much more.
Get these HOT stories from the TOP stories of some of the biggest, sexiest city high-rises.
A portion of net proceeds goes to the Equal Justice Initiative.
The 57th Floor – Hazel Storm When a client meeting sends matchmaker, Madelyn, hurtling to the high-rise office of CEO Peter Waring, she doesn’t expect to be blown away by this way-too-hot older man. But hookups with clients aren’t allowed, and now, Madelyn has to find Peter the perfect match.
A Change of Plans – PE Kavanagh Ways to make the best of a NYC blizzard: 1. Take shelter in a luxury penthouse 2. Stock up on all your favorite snacks 3. Get stranded with your big sister’s best friend, who happens to be the woman of your dreams
A Hole – Phoebe Alexander With meddling friends and myriad misunderstandings, can Ace and Ella find their happy ending? Or will Ella just become the punchline of Ace’s next joke?
The Wolf of Wall Street – Lucy Eden CEO, Luis Pine and Executive Assistant, Aurora Douglas have a million reasons to keep their relationship strictly professional, except for one … fate.
44th & Blue – Jodi Payne When Benjamin Waters’ law firm moves to the 44th floor of a Midtown high-rise, the last person he expects to encounter is his casual hookup, Cole Turner. Cole is working on the finishing touches to the office space, wearing a sexy tool belt and threatening to disrupt Benjamin’s carefully compartmentalized life.
Courtney – Jayce Ellis Courtney intends to relax, relate, release, when he comes home after a decade abroad. When he meets Tracey, his plans abruptly shift, and now getting to know the cautious, but sinfully gorgeous man is the only thing on his mind.
The Right Note – Bree Kraemer In a high-rise in Chicago, Eliza and Henry are unaware that the other even exists. Until music brings them together.
Felling Bechet – Stella Williams Bechet Cross seems the perfect fling for Isis Hale. No strings, no games, until he fell.
Asylum Club – Aidy Award I need this job at the infamous Asylum Club, but I don’t submit for anyone. Not even the sinful billionaire owner whose dominant side drives me crazy in all the hottest ways.
The Glass Tower – Emily Gray While Zel Thatcher dreams of escape from a glass prison, Regina Prince restores the passion for music he thought was lost. Can they overcome his uncle’s malice to find love and a fairytale ending?
Make Me Beg – Moni Boyce Teagan Palmer hates Reid Beckett. Unfortunately, the sexy, ruthless fixer is the only one standing between Teagan and the hit on her life. An enemies to lovers, mafia romance.
Global City Tryst – Maida Malby One alluring French-Filipina beauty. One sexy US Air Force officer. One torrid weekend tryst.
Lust at first sight strikes Maddie Duvall and Aidan Ryan in Manila. A day at the beach with friends and family does not give them an opportunity to succumb to their mutual attraction. Both single and available, they agree on a secret weekend affair. No strings, no promises. Satisfy their desire for one another and they’re done.
Or so they say.
Global City Tryst, a Carpe Diem Chronicles novelette, is the prequel to Singapore Fling.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
HAZEL STORM Hazel Storm writes stories about love between characters with conscience. Over the past two decades, she has been vegan, raw vegan and vegetarian. She loves hot yoga and cool martial arts. Learn more and join Hazel’s newsletter here: www.hazelstorm.com
PE KAVANAGH PE Kavanagh writes smart and steamy contemporary romances with a splash of suspense and a sprinkle of magic. She’s committed to the life-changing powers of true love and great orgasms. www.pekavanagh.com
PHOEBE ALEXANDER Phoebe Alexander writes bodypositive, sexpositive erotic romance and lives on the East Coast with her husband, sons and multiple fur babies. Learn more and join Phoebe’s newsletter at www.phoebe-alexander.com
LUCY EDEN Lucy Eden is the nom de plume of a romance-obsessed author who writes the kind of romance she loves to read. She’s a sucker for alphas with a soft gooey center, over the top romantic gestures, strong & smart MCs, humor, love at first sight (or pretty damn close), happily ever after & of course, dirty & steamy love scenes. www.lucyeden.com
AIDY AWARD Aidy Award writes curvy girl romance, about real love, and dirty fun, with happy ever afters because every woman deserves great sex and even better romance, no matter her size, shape, or what the scale says. www.aidyaward.com
JODI PAYNE Jodi Payne’s addictions include nonfat lattes, tequila any way you pour it, Broadway and live music. Her men are imperfect but genuine, stubborn but likable, often kinky, and frequently their own worst enemies as they stumble along the path to their happily ever after. www.jodipayne.net
JAYCE ELLIS Jayce spends her days divorcing “happily married couples” and her nights writing about people like her: Black, queer, fighting for their happily ever afters, with her husband and two turtles by her side. www.authorjayceellis.com
BREE KRAEMER Bree Kraemer writes contemporary romance, sometimes with a lot of hot, steamy sex and sometimes with just a little. She lives in Ohio with her husband and 3 kids, All of which are teenagers and make her want to pull her hair out. Hence her use of the F-word and the drinking of margaritas. www.BreeKraemer.com
STELLA WILLIAMS Stella Williams is a Blogger, Booktuber, and Romance Author, who lives in Washington State. She has a degree in Anthropology from The University of California, Santa Cruz. Stella prides herself in using her studies to create diverse worlds and characters for her novels. Her latest project is a magical paranormal romance series entitled “Secret of Ceres.” www.serpentinecreative.com
EMILY GRAY Emily Gray is an author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. While ensuring her characters get their HEA, she lives on coffee and chocolate. www.emilygray.org
MONI BOYCE Moni Boyce is a writer, filmmaker, poet and author of contemporary and paranormal romance. She considers herself a bookworm, film buff, foodie, music lover and an avid world traveler having visited 33 countries and counting. www.moniboyce.com
MAIDA MALBY Maida Malby cooks up multicultural, foodie, international contemporary romance stories filled with sizzling heat, mouthwatering spice, and a whole lotta love. She is a member of select writing groups and romance book clubs. Her To-Be-Read Mountain and book reviews are featured on her website www.maidamalby.com
“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.
Bianca Maria Curtis is at the brink of losing it all when she meets Eric at a bar in Manhattan. Eric, as it turns out, is the famous Korean drama celebrity Park Hyun Min who is in town for one night to escape the pressures of fame. From walking along Fifth Avenue, eating ice cream at Serendipity, to sharing tender moments on top of the Empire State building, sparks fly as Bianca and Eric spend twelve magical hours far away from their respective lives. They talk about love, life, and happiness, and the freedom they both seek to fully exist and not merely survive.
Maan Gabriel is a mom, wife, dreamer, writer, and advocate for women’s stories in literature. She earned her BA in communications from St. Scholastica’s College in Manila and MPS in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. She has lived in Manila, Brussels, Dakar, and Mexico City. During the day, she works in strategic communications. Gabriel, along with her husband and son, currently calls suburban Washington DC home. 
Thirty-six-year-old Gabriella Stevens is living quietly and contently as a devoted housewife to Simon—just as her traditional Filipino mother has always told her to do—when, after sixteen years of marriage and twenty years together, he tells he wants a divorce.
From the author of Once Upon a Sunset and The Key to Happily Ever After comes a heartwarming and moving novel following three Army wives—estranged friends—who must overcome their differences when one of them is desperate for help.
I always sound like a broken record when it comes to my reviews of Tif Marcelo’s books. It’s because I see myself in her characters. For one, there’s always a Filipina in her stories. And Filipino food, of course.
Maida Malby 
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