I am Maria

An Introduction: I’m Maria and I’m an addict

(updated Nov 2019)

Hi!

Nine years since I published this ‘About Me’ page, and reading it again last night… that wasn’t me anymore.

So. A new introduction seems to be in order. =)

Obviously, I like to read. Add to that, I like to watch Korean dramas, too. Oh, and Thai series. Fine, I also watch Chinese youth dramas. I like to eat. I like to travel; last October I went to Bangkok. I still worship Rafael Nadal. I now drink coffee.

(I’m so rusty in blogging, I couldn’t think of anything more to add!)

You can find me yakking about my latest faves on twitter: @lakwatchera –> come find me there if you think we share similar interests! Or if not, I also dig agreements on disagreements, lol.

 

36 thoughts on “I am Maria”

  1. Hi! We are The Antithesis Collective Publishing Company. We’ve just recently extended our Call for Manuscripts and we’d like to spread the news to all aspiring writers.

    We are wondering if you are interested in writing a short post about our Call for Manuscripts. We will be happy to provide you with all sorts of materials about The Antithesis Collective.

    We are also opening our site for contributions for featured articles. Consider yourself invited. 🙂

    Should you be interested, just shoot us a reply.

    Cheers,

    The Antithesis Collective Publishing

    Reply

  2. Hello,

    Thanks for introducing me to your site. You were a a young adult enthusiast so I had to come and check it out! You like the exact same types of books that I read (not to mention write :))
    I wa just wondeirng, are you interested at all in reviewing a self-published book? (I browsed your reviews and alot of them I knew so I assumed none of them are unpublished.)

    Please let me know: angel_chic_21@hotmail.com

    P.S. i am jealous that you have already read Riordan’s new book. For a guy writer, he does appeal to both the male and female audiences, (I think.)

    Reply

  3. If you only lived closer I have no doubt we would be besties.. you sound like my type of person minus the dislike for coffee… LOL

    Reply

    • Hi JoJo! hugs from Manila, Philippines! with our common like for books, i know we will click right away. We can still go for coffee (I’ll have hot chocolate, of course). keep in touch!

      Reply

  5. Thanks for introducing me to your site. You were a a young adult enthusiast so I had to come and check it out! You like the exact same types of books that I read (not to mention write )
    I wa just wondeirng, are you interested at all in reviewing a self-published book? (I browsed your reviews and alot of them I knew so I assumed none of them are unpublished.)
    +1

    Reply

  6. re: book review request by award-winning author

    Dear Maria,

    I’m an award-winning author with a new YA book out this fall. Ugly To Start With is a series of thirteen interrelated stories about childhood being published by West Virginia University Press.

    Can I interest you in reviewing it?

    If you write me back at johnmcummings@aol.com, I can email you a PDF of my book. If you require a bound copy, please ask, and I will forward your reply to my publisher. Or you can write directly to Abby Freeland at:

    Abby.Freeland@mail.wvu.edu

    My publisher, I should add, can also offer your readers a free excerpt of my book through a link from your blog to my publisher’s website:
    http://wvupressonline.com/cummings_ugly_to_start_with_9781935978084

    Here’s what Jacob Appel, celebrated author of
    Dyads and The Vermin Episode, says about my new collection: “In Ugly to Start With, set in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, Cummings tackles the challenges of boyhood adventure and family conflict in a taut, crystalline style that captures the triumphs and tribulations of small-town life. He has a gift for transcending the particular experiences to his characters to capture the universal truths of human affection and suffering–emotional truths that the members of his audience will recognize from their own experiences of childhood and adolescence.”

    My short stories have appeared in more than seventy-five literary journals, including North American Review, The Kenyon Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, and The Chattahoochee Review. Twice I have been nominated for The Pushcart Prize. My short story “The Scratchboard Project” received an honorable mention in The Best American Short Stories 2007.

    I am also the author of the nationally acclaimed coming-of-age novel The Night I Freed John Brown (Philomel Books, Penguin Group, 2009), winner of The Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers (Grades 7-12) and one of ten books recommended by USA TODAY.

    For more information about me, please visit:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Michael_Cummings

    Thank you very much, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

    Kindly,

    John Michael Cummings

    Reply

  7. Hi Maria! I just found out you have a blog. I read your reviews in Goodreads and you’re really great at what you do. And I just have to say this: Are you my soulmate? Where were you all this time? We have a lot of things in common, well, minus the coffee-hate part but I pretty much agree with the Catholic Church thing.

    Reply

  9. Hi Maria, I would love for you to read and write a review for my new book, Angel Evolution, see below for a synopsis. If interested, feel free to send me an e-mail at davidestes100(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au. Thanks for your consideration!!

    Angel Evolution Synopsis
    The first book in the young adult fantasy trilogy: The Evolution Trilogy… When Taylor meets Gabriel at college, she is in awe of the subtle glow that surrounds him. No one else, not even her best friend, seems to notice. Something about him scares her. Is all as it appears? While Taylor struggles for answers, she finds herself in the middle of a century old war centered on one miraculous revelation: evolution.

    Reply

  10. Hi, Maria!

    Good day! I’m Kate, a Filipino writer published internationally. I wanted to share with you my young adult paranormal romance coming out from Crescent Moon Press entitled Taste.

    Here’s the blurb:

    At Barinkoff Academy, there’s only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

    When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

    I hope that you can join me in a cover reveal on your blog as well.

    Sincerely,
    Kate Evangelista

    Reply

  11. Hello;

    I’m the publicist for WordCrafts Press, a small indie publisher located in the middle of nowhere, Tennessee. I came across your blog and thought you might be interested in our young adult fantasy novel, The Awakening of Leeowyn Blake, by first time author, Mary Parker. It is a story that compelled me to keep turning the pages, and I think it might do the same for you.

    “My parents split up when I was little. I’m not sure why. My mom never talks about it. Whatever it was, it was bad enough to make my mom pack me up in the middle of the night when I was four years old and run to my Gran’s condo in Jacksonville. My mom got the condo after Gran died. From that time on all I had known my entire life was beach life.
    Until four years ago.
    Until my uncle found me.”

    Free review copies are available in all popular eBook formats. I get that you are busy and need to be selective in the stuff you read and review, so we appreciate your consideration. We don’t set deadlines for reviews. Let me know if I can hook you up. We are also wide open to giveaways and author interviews, if you are so inclined.

    Peace,
    CE Edwards
    Senior Publicist
    WordCrafts Press & WordCrafts Theatrical Press
    pr@wordcrafts.net
    http://www.wordcrafts.net

    Reply

  12. Hi, Maria!

    I am interested in having you review my epic mythological novel – “The Book of Horus – Breathings.” This book is the first in a series, published February 2012, and though it has been out in the market just recently, it has sold in four countries to date (USA, Canada, UK, and Japan) with a Spanish translation in the works.

    “This is an epic and inventively told novel. Read it and enjoy.” – Catherine Bush, internationally acclaimed author of “Claire’s Head” and “The Rules of Engagement”.

    ********
    Summary:

    “King O’Siris and Queen Isis are content to rule with their extended family as an advanced civilization on their beautiful island home many thousands of years ago. Peace reigns, until the unthinkable occurs; the immortal King is murdered, setting off a chain of events that threaten to keep their family separated forever.

    “Several couples begin a journey through the many eons of time and space to reunite the Royal Family beginning with finding O’Siris’ lost heir, Horus. Ma’at and Thoth, a young married couple and new parents, desperately search for Horus’ four sons who each, with their canopic jars, hold a key to finding Horus. O’Siris’ father and mother, Geb and N’ut, after being cruelly separated during this time of tragedy, are trying to find each other, while N’ut’s parents, Shu and Tef-N’ut, join forces to assist in providing a time-traveling portal so all those that find them can be reunited to a specific point in time.

    “Finally, Nellie and Ace reluctantly join the search. Young, flirty and in a very new relationship, together they witness the strange happenings of the Ancient Egyptians Gods emerge into their beautiful town located in the Southern Tier of New York State during the 1930’s. In order to help their new, but mythological, friends, Ace decides to also search for the Royal Family; only to make a shocking discovery!”

    *******
    Please let me know if you are interested in reviewing my work of non-linear prose, and I will email you a complimentary e-book (kindle, apple or nook). It is currently available on Amazon.com as a paperback for $9.99 and as a kindle for $0.99.

    Reply

  13. Hello Maria,

    I am requesting you to consider reviewing my latest novel, The Brotherhood Of Piaxia. It is an epic fantasy. I have just released it, March 15, 2012.

    My previous release, a science fiction entitled, Grave Is The Day, featured a number of five star reviews. It is my hope that this work matches that performance.

    Short Synopsis – Years have passed since the overthrow of the monarchy by the Brotherhood of Warlocks and they rule Piaxia in peaceful accord. But now forces are at work to disrupt this rule from outside the Brotherhood as well as within! In the border town of Rok, a young acolyte, Tarlok, and his older brother, Savan, a captain of the guard, become embroiled in the machinations of dominance. In the capital city, Tessia, the daughter of Piaxia’s most influential merchant, begins her own journey of survival. Follow the three as their paths intertwine, with members of the Brotherhood in pursuit and the powerful merchant’s guild manipulating the populace for their own ends.

    The work stands at 104,416 words, and is edited by Kate Richards.

    You can view the book at Smashwords right now – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/142208 You can view the first 20%.

    Here is a coupon – RW48F

    It is also at Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/The-Brotherhood-Of-Piaxia-ebook/dp/B007KPS442/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331982698&sr=1-3

    It is also formatted as a PDF if desired.

    I’m pretty simple – really. No awards, no accolades, no writing degrees or diplomas, only a deep rooted love of reading and writing.

    I am available for author interviews & giveaways.

    Thank you.

    Michael Drakich
    748 Argyle Road
    Windsor, Ontario, Canada
    N8Y 3J7
    519.818.6624

    Reply

  16. Dear Maria,

    My name is Roy Huff, and I saw your book blog from Google.
    I will have a self published fantasy novel called Everville
    The First Pillar coming out on Amazon sometime during late February to
    April. As a new unknown author, I felt it would be beneficial to have
    some respected book bloggers honestly review my book since it’s
    unlikely I will have any traditional reviews and press. I believe my
    work is high quality, and I am hoping that during the first 5 day free
    promotion on Amazon that would be able to buy the book during the free
    period and provide an honest review. I think you would enjoy the book
    which I’m hoping would be enough incentive for you to leave the review
    once the book becomes available. If you are interested, please let me
    know and I’ll send a reminder the day the book becomes available.
    Thank-you very much for your consideration.

    Thanks again,

    -Roy Huff, MS, MAEd
    owensage.com

    Reply

  17. Maria. Ownshelf is a new service for eBook readers to share their ebooks with friends across devices. We just launched our beta and opened up to public use and feedback. I would like to invite you to try it out. Blog about it if you like. And certainly send me any feedback.

    Ownshelf.com

    Regards,
    Rick.

    Reply

  19. Greetings Maria, my name is Larry Rodness and I am inquiring about receiving a review on my newest novel entitled, “Perverse”, published by Itoh Press in both print and electronic formats. Synopsis as follows:

    19 year old Emylene Stipe is a 2nd generation Goth who, like every teenage girl, is trying to find her place in the world. One night she comes upon an old painting in an antique store and is compelled to purchase it. When she brings it home an image of a young woman appears in the sketch and then magically materializes in her apartment. Emylene nick-names her ‘Poinsettia’ and they soon become fast friends. But Poinsettia has an ulterior motive for her sudden and strange intrusion into her host’s life which causes Emylene to question her whole belief system.

    If there is interest I can forward a PDF.

    You can also get more info at my website: http://www.larryrodness.com

    Reply

  20. Hi! I found one of your reviews in Amazon and was pleasantly surprised when I found out you’re Filipino as well. Was even happier when I got here and saw that you love Nalini Singh as well (I just feel more at ease when the person I’m talking to likes the same books I do lol).

    Anyway, I’d love to have you review any of my books when you have the time (but hopefully you’ll want to review Drawn: His Secret Toy, a YA contemp romance with a manga-ish plot). Just let me know. Thanks and great blog btw!

    Reply

  25. eBook review request – Fancy Pants Poetry

    Hello Maria, I found your blog on Book Blogger Directory. I’m promoting my eBook titled Fancy Pants Poetry. Would you consider reviewing it?

    Cover IMG: http://i.imgur.com/nYupU3z.jpg
    Cover by: Samantha Scafidi

    The poetry you’ll meet in this collection will be biting, defensive, cynical and sarcastic. Dark humour is used to elaborate upon bleak life outlooks. At many times the spirit in these poems are rooted in antonymous rebellion. All that said, the reader will also encounter various instances synonymous with the proverbial “light at the end of tunnel”.

    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23642813-fancy-pants-poetry
    50 pgs
    Dec 1 2014
    978-0-9936659-3-6

    Agostino Scafidi. Montreal, Canada.
    http://www.facebook.com/AgostinoScafidiAuthor

    For readers to purchase my eBook:
    http://agostinoscafidi.bigcartel.com
    My eBooks come in mobi, epub, pdf, doc w/ cover.

    To download Fancy Pants Poetry for your review:
    Send me an email agostinoscafidi at gmail dot com

    Sample for you and your readers:
    http://thehermitrant.blogspot.ca/2014/12/new-ebook-fancy-pants-poetry.html

    Thank you for your time!
    _Agostino

    Reply

  26. Hello Maria! This is irrelevant to your post, but I hope that is okay because I didn’t know where else to contact you. Anyways, my name is Aya, and I am a fellow book blogger/lover. I was wondering if you’d be interested in participating in a small project that I am doing. I wanted to ask a bunch of bloggers (49, to be exact :p), to give me one of their favorite book quotes. I’m going to compile them all in one post and then post it on my blog on the 22nd of this month. It’d be fantastic if you were to be a part of this. Just let me know by this Sunday, please, so that I have plenty of time to compile and/or ask someone else. Thank you!
    P.S. You are the 42nd one to be asked!

    Reply

      • Oh, that’s okay! I am sorry you couldn’t; perhaps the next time I do one, you’d like to take part? As for the project being fun, it most definitely was 🙂

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