Zoom It! #AtoZChallenge

April 30, 2015
Hi! I'm Masako Ara Maine Prado, a.k.a. Ara the Booksnake, and I am a PROUD BOOK NERD!!

I decided to end the A to Z Challenge by sharing a little something about myself. How I read, what I like to read, and who my favorite authors are. Yeesh, talk about pressure.


Okay, first things first. I am a FAST reader. See how I had to type that on all caps? Yeah, I had to emphasize it. I don't know if there's a term for people like me, I haven't Googled it yet (although I might later), but my reading speed is ridiculous. I can finish a 7-800 page book (one that I find interesting of course) in 4 uninterrupted hours or so. I have tried timing myself, so I know. Let me just clarify, I am not boasting. I'm not even proud of it. Why? There's a downside to this "condition" of mine. I may read very fast, but I don't retain that much memory of the scenes in the book after I read it. Sucks right? I have to read a novel about 3 times before I can accurately quote lines from it. Another negative effect is my incapibility of remembering which story belongs to what title and who the characters are. Unless it's a favorite of mine, that is. But I'm not kidding. It's the reason why I started The Booksnake Etc. to begin with. It serves as my ledger and monitors the books I've read, how the story goes, and if I liked them or not. I remember reading an article saying that you read as fast as you talk. That would explain a lot actually, considering I talk like I ate Eminem's songs for breakfast.

If you hang around here for a bit, you would instantly know which genre appeals to me the most. Did you say Romance? Yes? Then you would be correct. I read all kinds of books, but romantic stories and all its sub-genre are my go-to reads. People who know me are usually surprised when I tell them I'm a (secret) hopeless romantic. They tell me I don't look the part, that I seem like the kind of person who enjoys action-packed thriller/suspense books. Maybe even crime and mystery since I like watching TV series like Castle, Criminal Minds, Bones. 

For some reason, the kind of shows and movies I'm fond of watching are the ones I don't like reading about, and vice versa. I have no explanation for this whatsoever. 

Okay, let me iust have a moment to be 110% honest here (not that I was lying at any point before). I don't have a list of favorite authors. I haven't really given it much thought actually. Sure I have a few names that come to mind instantly like: Marian Tee, Lori Foster, Maya Banks, Emma Chase, Marie Harte, J.J. McAvoy. These are just a few of them, like I said. The thing is, if I make a list of authors I love, people might start doubting if they really are favorites. Because what does favoring someone mean? It means you put them on top of other authors. I am unable to do that. Not wired that way, sorry. If I like a book, I instantly consider the author a favorite. 

So where am I going with this? I have absolutely no idea. But I just want to close the A to Z Challenge 2015 with a part of me to share with my readers. It has been a fun 26 days.


Youngsters #AtoZChallenge

April 29, 2015
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/
Oh young love. *sigh* So sweet, so beautiful, so dramatic. There's just something about the romance of young people. It makes us think of our first love, first kiss, maybe even our first heartbreak. 

Let me just say though that in the Philippines, seeing a couple that is still in high school is quite an eye sore. Why? They're about 13-15 years old (still pretty young), wearing their school uniforms, cutting classes (wasting their parents' hard earned money), showing excessive PDA, and hanging out at the most imconvenient places. Doesn't sound too sweet, does it? 

But going back to my original point; it's really inspiring reading about love that is full of hope, chances, passion, and the like. That's why I've compiled books about love formed at a young age. 
 
>>> The Fault in Our Stars by John Green <<<
 

>>> Easy (Contours of the Heart #1) by Tammara Webber <<<
 

>>> Fallen Too Far (Rosemary Beach #1) by Abbi Glines <<<
 

>>> My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick <<<
 

>>> Slammed (Slammed #1) by Colleen Hoover <<<
 

>>> More Than This (More Than #1) by Jay McLean <<<
 

>>> Going Under by S. Walden <<<
 

>>> When It Rains (Rains #1) by Lisa De Jong <<<
 

>>> Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward <<<
 

>>> Emerge (Evolve #1) by S.E. Hall <<<
 

>>> Ruin (Ruin #1) by Rachel Van Dyken <<<
 




XXX #AtoZChallenge

April 28, 2015
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/
 
(NOTE: Contains adult content.)
I remember a friend telling me once that 50 Shades of Grey is porn on paper. Instead of watching it, you read it. I neither agreed nor disagreed. Why? First off, 50 Shades has a better storyline than any porn I've seen. Second, so what's wrong with it being erotic? What? Women can't have our own dose of steamy hotness? 

I love a good erotica from time to time. Books with really intense sex scenes. Some I've read have really good plots, so the sex was just a bonus, while some have no story whatsoever. Just down and dirty fu**ing. I'm not being crass right now, I bleeped. 
 
Let me give you a list of must-reada that should get you in the mood for your partner, or even your B.O.B. *wink*:

>>> Sex Love Repeat by Alessandra Torre <<<


>>> Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Bastard #1) by Christina Lauren <<<
 
 
>>> The Ex Games (The Ex Games #1) by J.S. Cooper and Helen Cooper <<<
 
 
>>> Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders, #1) by Lorelei James <<<
 
 
 

>>> Willing Victim by Cara McKenna <<<
 
 
>>> Gabriel's Woman (The Lover #2) by Robin Schone <<<
 
 
 

Wait! Wait! #AtoZChallenge

April 27, 2015
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/
We all love a good cliffhanger, right? Keeps us on edge. It's like dangling a deliciously rich swiss chocolate in front of your mouth but denying yourself the pleasure. 
 
It gets frustrating for sure, especially if it's really good. I've compiled a list of books with frustratingly great cliffhangers I've personally read. Here they are: 
(Note: this post will contain spoilers. Consider yourself warned.)

>>> Ruthless People (Ruthless People #1) by J.J. McAvoy <<<


The Cliffhanger: After getting their revenge on the people who wronged them, Mel and Liam find out that the person who wants them gone is no other than Mel's mother...who is supposed to be dead.
 
 
 
The Cliffhanger: Mel calls Liam in the middle of the night, telling him that she won't be returning -- yet. Liam goes to jail because of false accusation pertaining to Mel's death.

>>> Swish (Heart Racer #3) by Marian Tee <<<
 

The Cliffhanger: To prove herself worthy of Helios, MJ tries to conquer her fear of motorcycles by riding one...on a slope. She lands very bad, gets rushed in a hospital and wakes up declaring that she has given up on him...on them.
 
The Cliffhanger: Because Damen thought that Mairi was cheating on him, he made her leave his house and his life, but not without thoroughly hurting her with his words first. He found out the truth, but by then it was too late. She was already gone, and there was no way he can find her.
 
>>> Professor Cline Revealed (Professor #1) by J.M. La Rocca <<<
 
 
The Cliffhanger: After a passionate night with Emma, Mason woke up from a nightmare in cold sweat. So he did wha he does at times like these. But Emma saw him, and in an attempt of self-preservation, he runs her off breaking her heart and losing himself in the process.

 

Voluptious and Vivacious #AtoZChallenge

April 25, 2015
We can admit that, more often than not women in romance books are described like this: slim figure with just the right curves, pert breasts, tight ass, and long and shapely legs. 

As much as I love these characters -- and their respective partners -- there are moments when I can't help but ask myself, "Do I really have to be physically perfect to get a guy like this?" (We all know the definition of "this" guy, I'm sure.) It's a completely valid thought. That's why books with BBW or Big Beautiful Woman are a hit. Here's a list of some of the best BBW romance books:

>>> Night Play (Were-Hunter #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon <<<
 
 
>>> Beast by Pepper Pace <<<
 
 
 
 
>>> The Lawson Boys: Marty (The Lawson Boys #2) by Angela Verdenius <<<
 

>>> On the Plus Side (Chubby Girl Chronicles #1) by Tabatha Vargo


And a bonus...

>>> Triple X by Christine Zolendz and Angelisa Stone <<<



Uberliscious #AtoZChallenge

April 24, 2015

 
There has never been a truer sentence uttered, am I right? Then again, we aren't all blessed with really good genes, and we're all still hopeless romantics deep inside. So how are we going to satisfy our cravings for both love of happily-ever-after and love of food? By reading books of course! 
 
I have here a list of the best culinary romance novels that will satisfy your palette and heart. (Well actually it depends on how you look at it, because you might also get hungry in real life.) 
 
>>> Savor the Moment (Bride Quartet #3) by Nora Roberts <<<
 
 
A pastry chef in love with a hotshot Ivy League lawyer, who also happens to be her best friend's older brother. Can her childhood fantasy turn into reality?
 
>>> Delicious (Buchanans #1) by Susan Mallery <<<
 
 
Ex-husband and wife reunited for a chance to save a family business, as well as be renowned in the culinary world. Could this also be an opportunity to rekindle old flames? You know what they say: love's always sweeter the second time around.
 
>>> On the Steamy Side (Recipe for Love #2) by Louisa Edwards <<<
 
 
A celebrity chef with an estranged son and a sassy southern girl hired to be the kid's nanny. Add in a lot of spice in the mixture, and we have ourselves a great recipe for love.
 
>>> Delicious Desires by Jackie Williams <<<
 
 
A ruthless architect is going to do everything for his career. That is until he meets the beautiful and fierce owner of the bakery shop he is out to get. Is passion enough to make things work out, or will they be better of apart?
 
 
 
A man who is willing to be domesticated and a woman who wants to keep him for herself. Will she be able to convince him that he's better of with her, or will they both end up miserable in the end?
 
I hope you guys enjoyed this list. Honestly, these are all going on my to-read list and I can't wait to get to them. Imagine: Food, Fun, and Foolin' Around. Does that not make a wonderful contemporary romance novel.
 
 

Tres. Trois. Three. #AtoZChallenge

April 23, 2015

Women like to feel cherished. Taken care of. Wanted. And sometimes (this is not for everybody) we fantasize about having two men worship and spoil us. This is a lot like how men think of threesomes, but the difference is: with women, it's not just on a physical level. 

I'm not saying this is ideal in real life, because it is very much looked down upon by society. Personally though, I know of someone living this lifestyle. And to be honest, sometimes I envy her. But then again, I think that would be a wee bit more complicated than what I'm ready for in real life. That's why I'm just going to continue living vicariously through these women and their respective (2) others.
 
>>> Jessa Wade with Cole and Burke Lennox in Their Virgin's Secret (Master of Ménages #2) by Shayla Black
 
 
>>> Riley Ramirez with Kincade Marshall and Trevor Wellington in A Table for Three (New York #1) by Lainey Reese


>>> Kaycee Alcott with Sam and Tyler Warren in Their One and Only by Trista Ann Michaels



>>> Dana Arthur with Simon Dirk and Ethan Cowell in Restraining the Receptionist (The Receptionist #2)  by Juniper Bell


 
>>> Reagan Elliot with Trey Mills and Ethan Connor in Double Time (Sinners on Tour #5) by Olivia Cunning

 
>>> Laura Niles with Rafe Kincaid and Cameron Briggs in Lost in Bliss (Night in Bliss, Colorado #4) by Sophie Oak


This list will surely keep the heat level high in the room. These are for readers who are into ménages and erotica. I just realized while I was writing this, I could've easily gone with a list of books with love triangles. Huh. Eh, where's the fun in that. 
 
I hope you guys enjoy these books, because I will also get started on reading 'em. Or I can also save them for the drought, if ya'll catch my drift.

 
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