Free Book Review Sheets for Steamerella

 I have good news!

My book, Steamerella, is one of the books scoped and evaluated by the Department of Education for Supplementary Reading Material for schools. 

Because of that, I am giving away this free Book Review Page. Feel free to print this. 

If you are an English teacher, this book is great for book reviews. You can use or modify the pages below.

Unlocking Reading Skills: Create a Cozy Reading Area

 In a previous post, I wrote about creating exciting activities to get your appetites wet for the books. This is especially true for books in a series.

Before all this, some of you would be fidgeting in your seat at the thought of sitting for hours to read. This is because your area isn't conducive to reading.

Before we can expect ourselves or our child/students to enjoy reading, we must foster an environment conducive to reading. Create an inviting reading nook in the classroom or school library by incorporating comfortable seating, adequate illumination, and a variety of books on exhibit. I am already making a pinterst board to create my home library. I want a home library that is versatile but decorated to every genre I hold dear. Decorations can encourage students to investigate various genres and topics.

Teachers and parents, you can adorn shelves for your children or involve them in the process. They say children who grew up with a home library tend to be smarter. I don't mean to brag but I did graduate Cum Laude in college. And yes, I want to thank my mother for always making sure we had a couple of shelves of books. It wasn't quite a home library but she was very encouraging when it came to books.

Manananggals in the City - A Fusion of Folklore and Modernity

"Manananggals in the City" is a remarkable collaboration that not only celebrates but also reimagines Filipino folklore, revealing its relevance and depth in a modern environment. The initiative highlights the skill and originality of Filipino Indie Authors by presenting an intriguing tale that captivates, fascinates, and invites readers to discover the compelling combination of myth and urban contemporary. Prepare to enter a world where tradition collides with innovation, and the manananggal emerges as a symbol of undying myth and ageless attraction.

At the helm of this ambitious literary endeavor is Mayumi Cruz, spearheading the efforts of the Pinoy Indie Authors. Working in collaboration with esteemed authors like Maita Rue of Romance Writers of the Philippines, Jean Karl Gaverza of Philippine Spirits, and Yeyet Soriano of Heist Club, Keira Viresse, Paola Aliedo, Mia Daquial, Fred Figueroa, and Marigold Andres Uy. They form a creative powerhouse dedicated to exploring the uncharted realms of folklore and contemporary fiction.

Upcoming Titles in the Collaboration

 

1.    The Tie That Binds by Mayumi Cruz

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror

FB: MayumiCruzAuthorPage

IG: @mcruz501

www.mayumi-cruz.com

 

2.    Moonlight Eclipse by Maita Rue

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy

FB: @authormaitarue

IG: Babymoonmaita

TikTok & YouTube: @maitarue

www.MaitaRue.com

 

3.    My Girlfriend Is a Manananggal by Keira Viresse

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Urban Fantasy

FB page: @KeiraViresse

IG: @keira_viresse

Linktree: linktr.ee/keira_viresse

 

4.    One by One by Yeyet Soriano

Genre: Crime Fiction

FB: @Yeyetsorianowrites

IG: @Yeyetsoriano

Youtube: @yeyetsoriano6242

www.yeyetsoriano.com

 

5.    Naima's War by Jean Karl Gaverza

Genre: Fantasy

FB&IG: @Phspirits

https://phspirits.com/

 

6.    My Manananggal Dream by Paola Aliedo

Genre: Urban Fantasy

FB: @paolaaliedo

 

7.    The Groovy Manananggal by Fred Figueroa

Genre: Fantasy

FB: @fred.figueroa2

 

8.    Maya, At Your Service by Marigold Andres Uy

Genre: Action, Fantasy

FB &IG: @goldenartsbymarigold

 

9.    Expansion by Mia Daquial

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy

FB: @MiaDaquial

Philippine buyers can buy these books by contacting the authors on their social media account.

Ebooks and paperbacks are also available on Amazon and other digital stores on each author’s account.

 

New Titles! Paranormal Paramores and more!

 

Hello! It's been so long since I've published. Covid had put a damper on my plans, not to mention a damper on my mood. I have been writing but I have not finished most of the things that I've started. Now, I have pushed myself to finally put an ending to some of the stories so they can progress.

Here are some of the titles and most of the new releases will be Paranormal Romance. To let you know, they will all be set in the same universe but will have a different focus. Some characters will be making an appearance or two or three.

Resto Rescue will get a fresh new cover this year to fit in with the theme of the Paranormal line. Although these aren't marketed as a series but a standalone, it's a definite great read to kick-off the paranormal line. Rafe Redmoon will be making an appearance in the BBW X Supernatural Romance Series. 

My Vampire Heart for Your Human Soul is set in the same universe but also a stand-alone. It is set pre-pandemic and stars a Vampire cum nanny.

Care Package Mate is set during the pandemic. Which is around now-ish. It stars a carefree gym mogul Vampire who falls in love with a big curvaceous girl. She's generous in heart and size.

This book will come in a series. Part 2 will be released this summer. I have already written it but I want to marinate it a bit just in case I want to edit a few things. Part 3 is partially written and is scheduled for release this August 2021.

A third new title will be revealed soon!

All these titles will be released on Amazon!

Click here to buy Maita's Books.

What is the Reading Order of Maita's Books?

Not all Steampunk Books are Part of the Steam Theatre World. This Reading Order List and small FAQs is for the Stories from The Steam Theatre Series.

What makes it part of the series?
- The Phantom of the Steam Theatre is present or exist in it.
- The stories are Steampunk.

What are the Steam Theatres?
- The Steam Theatres are a franchise of theatres over Europe which employs talented performers. What sets them apart from other theatres in Europe is the use of technology and various sizes of automatons to run many aspects of the theatres.

What does the Marquis have to do with all this?
- The Marquis de Chats owns the Steam Theatres in all of Europe (I might expand to other continents!) and he employs the Phantom of the Steam Theatre to run his affairs.

What is the Phantom of the Steam Theatre?
- The man mechanical or the Phantom is a mysterious character who runs the theatres. He is a genius when it comes to human-automata hybridization. As the Marquis invents things, the Phantom perfects them and even fine-tunes them to the wearer. But nothing is free and so there is a cost to those he helps. (Don't be fooled, the man is compassionate!)
- He is around a hundred and fifty years old. That is because he is mostly mechanical. You can read more about his origins in The Doll House.

Reading Order:
- The Doll House
- Steam Singer
- Steamerella
- The Shoemaker's Daughter
- The Christmas Debt
- Steam Theatre Masquerade

Author's Note: Battle Opera Arena is a re-imagined future for this world but that will be confirmed for another time. Jane Clatter's story is not over. Not if she can still fight. ;-)
The Bride and Her Letters don't take place in this world either.

Romantic Times Booklovers Convention 2018

This event was the happiest and saddest ever!

During the welcoming breakfast, Katherine announces that this would be the last RT. I was looking forward to more but hey, times were changing. After 35 years of  RT, it was time to go. I was glad to experience two years. I vowed to make sure I made the most of this.

I met the authors that I've met last year. They were fun. I've learned a lot from them!

It wasn't as big as Atlanta but I had so much fun!

There was a Stempunk Party!

Kerrilyn Sparks and Kate Allure are so fun!

I didn't expect to meet Meljean Brooks but she was there!!!

I hope to join other similar events in the future as I make a name for myself as a writer.

My Experiences in RT2017

This is my first time to attend the Romantic Times Book Lovers’ Convention, so I am called an RT Virgin. It is the biggest single genre book convention in the US. Romantic Times or RT covers Romance Books and it’s sub-genres. It took a year of savings but I finally get to Atlanta without a hitch. I registered as an author and so I was issued a green badge. 

The events I have signed up for was packed. My agenda for this convention was to learn, better myself as an author, better my marketing skills, learn the global trends and network. Given this opportunity, I was given a free table to do my very first book signing.

The convention or RT17 kicks off with the pre-con. I took up Cherry Adair’s Master Class. It was the best $125 of my life. Her teaching style was fast-paced so we could tackle as much as we could. Her insights into the industry was very informative. The best part of this two-day class was her one-on-one session on fixing plots.

The next six days of the convention were divided between seminars and socials. Seminars or workshops were equally as face-paced. Panel discussions covered a wide range of topics such as BDSM Beyond 50 Shades, Publishing Beyond Amazon, Marketing on a Budget, Hot New Trends in Publishing and so much more. The Socials were sponsored parties by authors or publishing houses. The best part in Socials was getting goody bags filled with free books. Socials is a time to meet authors. Among those I met were Linda Lael Miller, Lora Leigh, Sherrilyn Kenyon, B. J. Daniels, Kerrilyn Sparks, Karen Rose, Beverly Jenkins, Tina de Salvo and more. There were pop-up signing in the corridors so you could meet new authors and grab books and goodies from them.

The highlight of the RT Conventions was the Giant Book fair on the Saturday of the event. Over three thousand people came to buy books and meet authors. Although I was not ready to participate here, I did try to familiarize myself by being a volunteer. It gave me great discounts when I had time to do my rounds and grab books.

FAN-Tastic Day was scheduled that night. This Social activity was sponsored by the LGBT publisher Dreamspinner Press. In this party, authors and fans could meet. I was given a space with other writers to meet and greet new fans for forty-five minutes.

To cap off the event, the RT Roundup was scheduled that Sunday as a send-off. It was a mini book fair for new, self-published and hybrid authors. I was the only Filipina author for the roundup. I was happy to meet new people, new authors and potential fans. I was also happy to have my book Resto-Rescue and Anthology Victorian Steam sold out.

All in all, my RT experience has been an eye-opener. The socials, book signing and workshops were a whole new level from what we have here in the Philippines. As a Filipino author, I ask myself if we can compete globally and the answer is: Yes, we can! We already have an advantage of speaking and writing in English. We understand and can relate to the Western Culture. Best of all, we have the creativity and talent to write beautiful stories. So, will I participate in future RT Conventions? Yes, I definitely will.

Master Story Creator's Anthology now in e-book and print!

My stories are in MSCA 1 and MSCA 3.

Books in Amazon is Kindle Unlimited enabled. 

Two New Books now in AMAZON KINDLE!

I'm proud to announce two new books now in Amazon Kindle. They are Kindle Unlimited enabled and is enrolled in Kindle Select.

The Pirate of Rose Lagoon

Genre: Steampunk, Romance

$2.99

It is a light read with a steamy ending.

Steam Singer

Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy

$0.99

It is a short read about a girl who thread the boards.

These books are set in an alternative Victorian England.