Review: Hard Evidence

Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Pamela Clare did it again.

The second installment of the I-team series tells the story of Tessa Novak, cop specialist in the I-team of Denver Independent , who eye-witnessed a murder by drive-by only to discover later on a that is wasn't just murder at all but a serious case of human trafficking. Along the way, she discovered a complicated love with the undercover special agent, Julian Darcangelo, who tried his very best to protect her, and keep her at a distance but failed to do so.

It was hot and smoldering, their secrets added to the mystery and complications of their relationship, but in the end, it was a happily ever after.

I gave it 5 stars because Clare hadn't disappointed me at all. The case of human trafficking is practically what I imagined, the movement of the cops, the man behind the huge power of sexual abuse of underage women. This is what I always imagined and my motivations in studying and getting my degree. She gave a concrete evidence of reality while maintaining the romance plot. She gave us, non-investigative writers, the feel of journalism in a real sense of the word.



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Review: Unlawful Contact

Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The third installment of the I-Team series gave us a feel of what it was like to be a fugitive. A story of a man who spent years in jail on a life imprisonment to cover-up the murder that wasn't his fault but his sister who was separated from him at an early age, abused and raped and rehabilitated by the cops in the juvenile county jail.

Its a story of a man who only wanted to save his sister from the hell that he knew he was headed for, trying to shove the love that he believed he didn't deserve from the reporter Sophie Alton, his high school love. It was heartbreaking, and at the same time it was thrilling. I didn't expect the hardcore action from the second installment but I didn't expect to see such heartbreak without being too sappy in this book.

Clare never fails to amaze me. She is a goddess. She gave a new angle in investigative story and I can't wait to finish the next books.



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Review: Extreme Exposure

Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I found myself reading contemporary romance and adult fiction lately and my innate tendency to be partial to series had been the reason why I found this story.

Kara McMillan, an investigative reporter of environmental problems and a single mother, had come across a messy transaction between pollution brought by a company working behind corrupt politicians and greedy businessmen that led to health problems, attempted and successful murder, betrayal, and even love. Yes, love. Kara not only met the news that would take her career a level higher and would save lives, but Miss McMillan also met the handsome as hell Senator Reece Sheridan who keeps her bed warm and gives the emotional support of a father to her son better than the biological father did.

It was a smoldering connection between them and a thrilling chase between the facts. I actually worry about reading investigative stories because it made my mind ache with piercing the puzzle together, oh and the addiction that it brought to my senses once I started reading, but this one called to me. It made my head hurt and I couldn't stop reading it, but it was so worth it.

Clare's writing made me imagine not a sappy love story, though some parts did, but it was more of a detective show, like Criminal Minds without the gory details. She was descriptive enough but you never leave the feeling that what you're reading is part-journalistic. It was a fiction and news-writing in one. It was a good combination. There was the emotion and detachment but there's the struggle between two. It never hurts anyone, well but Kara and Reece at one point.

This story is addicting, exciting and touches the heart of tree-huggers. ;)



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Review: Le Petit Prince

Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



I'd be honest and say that I haven't read the book again in quite a long time. I lost my copy but anyway that is totally beside the point.

I gave it five stars, not because I'm a kid and understood it, nor I'm a grown-up and denies that I'm one. I gave it five stars because I truly believe that it deserves it, at least for me.

Yes, this is meant for kids, and the like, but I believe that every one had and still has that little child inside of them and would appreciate the little prince in this books. I agree that it's quite charming, witty and whimsical, but I think its more than that. He's a child who knew a lot but is still quite naive. And the pilot was quite like him, a child with his naivete.

It not just because he's very profound, nor was the pilot one too. But their differences shown in the book made me realize how similar were they. And it made me think how similar I am to any other person, whether they're a child or a grown-up.

It wasn't that quote "What's essential is invisible to the eye," that I think was very important. I think that the point that even the grown-ups make mistakes and everyone has their own biases and ignorance. And one shouldn't take pride that they know everything. This book taught me how to be humble, because in a way or another, I know I don't know everything and I don't own everything. And I'll meet someone who would know these things and just remind me that I'm still human and that my feet should always be on the earth.



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Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



There really was nothing creepier than receiving a pile of letters, or in this case, audiotapes from a person who committed suicide and somehow blames you why he or she did it.

Logically, I'd say I did nothing wrong and she should blame herself because it was her decision. But why reading it, I tried to put myself into her shoes.

It was like when I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I had to remind myself time and time again that I'm putting myself in the shoes of someone younger, someone in a different situation, someone of different culture before I could see how I relate, how I actually fit into their lives.

And it took me less than a day to do that. Quite unlike Perks. But perhaps it was easier because Hannah was full of emotions, was full of inquisitiveness and naivete and somehow I pictured myself quite like her when I was her age.

I don't know American High School, but I knew of it based on what I read and what I heard and what I watched. It wasn't much unlike ours but in a way it was different with ours... and yet I found myself in deep with her story, hooked in with it. Curiosity kept me going, like Clay perhaps. It was different type of curiosity but I'm pretty sure that in the end, I felt what he must have felt



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A Night with Marilyn

 

What the bloody hell? I’m a blubbering mess. I just finished watching My Week with Marilyn at 00:52 GMT +8 on Wednesday, April 3, 2012. It was definitely one of the most wonderful movies ever made, and that’s saying something!

I was never a fan of memoirs and so forth, not when the stories aren’t historical or from a fiction I loved. But My Week with Marilyn is simply amazing. Of course, I wasn’t wild about Marilyn Monroe, even if she’s one of the most amazing woman in the world. I wasn’t born when she was, so I don’t know her like I do my idols right now. But blimey, she’s one heck of a woman, if any of Michelle Williams’ acting is to be my basis.

I absolutely adored Emma Watson’s role. Well, anything that Emma did, I find it adorable. Now, that! That woman is my idol. She practically Marilyn in my life. But that wasn’t what I want to talk about.

I want to talk about the emotions I’ve been feeling since watching it, considering it’s only 1:02 GMT+8, right? My emotions are pretty high and it literally stops me from sleeping. Clark’s memoirs are wonderful. Even if I wasn’t into Marilyn, the way she drank pills, but goodness, the woman’s a great actress, you couldn’t help but admire her when she’s in the screen. I think Williams did a great job portraying our beloved Marilyn Monroe.

Somehow, I wanted to be in front of the camera. She knows what she’s doing, alright? Well, probably half the time she does. I hope I’ll be in front of the camera someday, showing off what I can, and hopefully conquering the fears and insecurities of my existence.

A Commentary of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

 

Years ago, I had taken into my to-do list to read every book Jane Austen wrote. Consider it due to my fascination to English life during her time, or my mere obsession to the mastery of language. I believe that pursuing this task had actually invoked my passion for language, consequently resulting in a persuasion of studies of language.

Unfortunately, it hadn’t been until two years ago (2010) that I have managed to purchase my very first copy of a Jane Austen book- Pride and Prejudice. It took me months to read it, I admit it unabashedly. It was slightly disappointing seeing I usually read novels, in mere hours. I blame it on my poor knowledge on the language- which has been improved I believe- but nevertheless said book had inspired me so. Being a school girl (despite being enrolled in University, I’m still 16 that time), the book managed to engross me in one of the most wonderful love stories I’ve ever read. I admit, this is not entirely reliable for I have only read a handful of books in my short seventeen years of living, but to me, it is enough for now. Pride and Prejudice will always be one of my favorite books of all time.

Weeks ago, I was in the bookstore in one of the branches of a well-known mall in the city looking for some new books (and their prices) to add on my wish-list. Imagine my excitement when I had seen this simple (and excellent) book entitled The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James. I do not know the author, but I had always fancied reading things about my inspiration. I purchased said book although I didn’t get around into reading it until a fortnight ago due to academic circumstances.

I was so engrossed in the story, I even thought that the editor’s foreword and after word, plus the book itself was not a work of fiction. Forgive me, but it was that good. I always fancied myself as an idealist, a sucker for romance but had a hint of realism. Everything in the book sounded so realistic, I was even on the verge of tears in some parts. It wasn’t until I reached the end of the book (the author’s note) that I had snapped out of my reverie. Everything written in a work of fictions with some exemptions.

While it is a work of fiction, James had managed to stay true to character (on Miss Austen’s relations and so forth), and I really do think she did quite a magnificent job into inventing her own characters based of the characters Jane Austen wrote in her novels. It pains me to think that Mr. Ashford is not real. I would have fancied someone quite handsome as he. Even if he was the poorest bloke in the world.

It pains me to think –more deeper this time- of Miss Austen’s untimely death. I know that the technology during her time was not as flourished as what we have right now. Still, it would have been better if she did manage to write her own memoir, published it, or it would have been better if she married for love, like Lizzy did. I used to think Miss Austen was Lizzy in so many ways. I wonder what would it be like to meet Miss Austen. It must be great! Someday, perhaps on the after life?

Over all, I think James’ job in telling this so-called lost memoirs of our beloved writer is not in naught. I believe that we are all suckers for love stories (yes, I do!), and while it is very heart breaking that Austen died (I couldn’t bare to revel more of the ending especially about Mr. Ashford), I think this is a very worth it book.

After all “Some things are best left to the imagination,” as told by Miss Austen herself in Syrie James “The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen”.