#Maan Gabriel

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Forevermore ~ A Romance Anthology

Ten wonderful romances with a wedding central to the story. The book begins with the matriarch, Naty Moore, reminiscing about her first visit to her husband’s vineyard that is now also the Hacienda Luz. It was marvelous returning to see how this loving extended family is doing and see which members of the family and some of their friends will find their happily ever after at the autumn wedding.

Each story provides a description of the story along with triggers and heat level. There are stories for everyone with many romance genres provided. I loved hearing how Natividad “Naty” and Robert met, married and ended up in Napa. This historical portion was a treat and I love Mia Hopkins writing. I ended up reading two stories featuring older women with younger men and the couples were perfect for one another. The Second chance for Gabriella “Bri” and Cole was a delight as was good girl Viola and bad boy Toby’s stories. The fifth story was that of Rafa and Vida as they became engaged and then prepared for the big family event of their wedding. The other five stories are waiting for me and will be read but not by publication date and I do want to get this review posted.

Thank you to the authors for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

You are cordially invited. The Moore family requests the pleasure of your company on a starry harvest night, rich with tales of passion, magic, and love. Our beloved Filipino American family hosts a gathering at Hacienda Luz this autumn for another grand celebration – Vida and Rafa's long-anticipated wedding. As promises of fidelity and infinity fill the air, ten couples live and relive intimate stories that attest to the true meaning of happily ever after. Acclaimed and bestselling Filipino American authors – Aurora Paige, Elle Cruz, June Gray, Kaye Rockwell, Liz Durano, Maan Gabriel, Maida Malby, Mia Hopkins, Sarah Smith, and Tif Marcelo – bring you Forevermore, a romance collection celebrating love everlasting. ~ * ~ Forevermore, A Romance Anthology is a collection of new and never-been-published stories by the authors that brought you Pasko Na, My Love, A Holiday Romance Anthology, and from exciting voices in Filipino American Romantic Fiction. Lola Naty is back along with her sprawling multicultural family, friends from all over the world, and a gatecrasher or two. - Moments In The Vineyard by Aurora Paige - The Memory of You by Elle Cruz - Double Exposure by June Gray - Maybe This Time by Kaye Rockwell - Stay With Me by Liz Durano -Someone's Always Saying Goodbye by Maan Gabriel - Now That I Have You by Maida Malby - Moonlight Serenade by Mia Hopkins - The Stand-In by Sarah Smith - Win Your Love by Tif Marcelo

[irisblobel]

#BlogTour "twelve Hours in Manhattan" by @MaanGabrielAuthor @XPressoTours

    Twelve Hours in Manhattan Maan Gabriel Publication date: April 18th 2023 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fairy Tales, Romance       Two worlds. One heart. Twelve hours. 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, and he’s in town for one night to escape the pressures of…

[dilawrosas]

[BOOK REVIEW] ARC: Twelve Hours in Manhattan by Maan Gabriel

This Maan Gabriel book is AVAILABLE NOW! ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️ The heroine is at a low point of her life when she meets the hero at a bar. For twelve hours, the two explore the city to escape the realities of their lives. When it was over, they separated, the heroine was dealt a serious blow to that will test her resolve. With the memory of her precious time with the hero, time passed and then they meet…

[ao3feed-ladynoir]

The Princess Problem

The Princess Problem by Azuracity

15th July, 2003.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, of Thomas and Sabine Dupain-Cheng, is born to an ancient line of mythical miraculous wielders, who coincidentally also happen to be the same ancient line of royalty who rule the affluent island nation, Maan.

Brought up in a different world, this Marinette is slightly colder, slightly harsher, and armed with not one but two life-changing secrets as she tries to survive school life at College François-Dupont.

Amidst a series of twists that life keeps throwing at her, a persistently annoying Chat Noir, and growing political turmoil in her home country, how will Marinette come to embrace her heritage, as both the Miraculous Ladybug and as Heir presumptive to the throne? For how funny would it be for Paris’ sweetheart superhero to also be the daughter of the lost princess of Maan?

Words: 2781, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Multi

Characters: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug's Parents, Original Cheng Character(s), Original Dupain-Cheng Character(s), Chloé Bourgeois, André Bourgeois, Gabriel Agreste, Alya Césaire, Nino Lahiffe, Master Fu, Order of the Guardians, Luka Couffaine, Juleka Couffaine, Rose Lavillant, Caline Bustier's Class, Original Miraculous Ladybug Character(s)

Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Alya Césaire/Nino Lahiffe, Juleka Couffaine/Rose Lavillant, Chloé Bourgeois & Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Alya Césaire & Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir & Chloé Bourgeois, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug & Tikki, Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir & Plagg, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug & Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug's Parents, Gabriel Agreste & Nathalie Sancoeur, Sabine Cheng & Tom Dupain, Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir & Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug & Original Character(s), Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug & Original Character(s)

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Partners to Lovers, Badass Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Rich Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Good Chloé Bourgeois, Kwami & Miraculous Lore, world building, Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir Needs a Hug, Family Drama, Family Shenanigans, Literally created a new country, Author Is Sleep Deprived, Not Beta Read, How Do I Tag, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Slow Burn

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47747239

[clinchcoverenthusiast]

Another meh reading month.  Some books started and rejected, others added to the list of started and abandoned for whenever.  I began the month with Unmask Alice, which was a compellingly wild read (shoutout to the homie for the rec-you know who you are :D), and ended with Loving the Mountain Man by Adriana Anders, who never lets me down.  I got Loving the Mountain Man by subscribing to Adriana’s newsletter and purchased Three Kings.  Unmask Alice and Pasko Na, My Love were from Libby.

Three Kings - Freydís Moon* **

Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the Worlds Most Notorious Diaries - Rick Emerson

Pasko Na, My Love - Maida Malby, Elle Cruz, Mia Hopkins, Maan Gabriel, Tif Marcelo, Sarah Smith, Preslaysa Williams* **

Loving the Mountain Man (Love at Last #3) - Adriana Anders

* = author(s) of color

** = main character(s) of color

[televinita]

Library Triage! kinda?

I have soooo many library items checked out right now and I’m making progress on returning none of them; between working overtime and spending way more of my downtime than usual just incessantly watching the same clips on YouTube, I am not reading very much. But I can’t seem to let anything go. So this (even more than usual) is just me trying to make sense of everything so I don’t lose any items this time...

Part 1: DVDs

No Escape: I have watched this already (twice now in this checkout period, including the one with commentary!) so really I should be done with it, but I’m not. I want it close at hand. It’s too good.

The Hollow Crown: Complete Series: the gifs have been promising so we’re gonna have fun with this. Eventually. Right now my ability to handle it is taking one look at a still from any of them and immediately turning into a cartoon with eyes/heart ballooning out of my body, so I am not yet calm enough for that.

The Night Manager: I’m pretty sure this is actually the project I’m going to target next. I know what I gotta shield my eyes about but I also think I can manage the rest of it, and I’m finally interested in the larger story.

Thor 1-3 + The Avengers: for when I’m ready to continue my Loki journey.

(And yet, I’m still over here like, “I gotta go check out those other two movies I want to see. I gotta.”)

================

Part 2: Books

After Perfect -  Maan Gabriel: 2 months ago, I pulled several titles off my Goodreads TBR that I thought I might like to try soon. And then...Hiddleston Spiral. Library is already down to 1 copy of this small-press 2021 release (they started with 3 or 4), and I’m genuinely afraid it’s gonna get weeded entirely very soon. But still, I think I’m too far off course now to be in the right mood for this particular romance, which is rare (age-appropriate student/creative writing professor, except the professor is the younger one), so I want to save it.

Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix (illustrated): I’ve decided not to reread this one yet, I’m just looking at the pictures, but even that I can’t commit to doing. I have been waiting more than a year for this release to get into my hands; I have to be ready to appreciate them. Block out an hour or so to observe/maybe reread select passages/jot notes on my faves.

The Hungry Place - Jessie Haas: a children’s pony book by an author I like that I really thought I would be more excited about/devour quickly, but instead I’m kind of blocked up about it. Like. There is some sadness here before the happy parts, IDK if I’m ready for it!

Just Gus - McCall Hoyle: speaking of children’s books, a cute one about a dog, companion novel to Stella. It really won’t take me more than 90 minutes to read. Why do I keep putting it off.  [edit: go me, I actually started this one in the brief interim between queuing this post and its appearance]

The Essex Serpent - Sarah Perry: still haven’t even opened it, but I WILL whether I fully read it or not.

(Meanwhile: those 20+ books I just bought and was kinda planning to read at least some of soon...) (p.s. I actually have my latest sale post written up! I just wanted to take photos)

+ 5 books I’ve technically read but don’t wanna give back because I love them and love paging through them

+ 3 Taylor Swift CDs -- Reputation for Getaway Car (I don’t think I’m ready to explore further yet, but I have as yet been too lazy to rip it); and Folklore and Lover to play in the car, the former’ cause I don’t own it and the latter ‘cause IDK where I put my copy and am frankly too lazy to look. :P

[accidentalspaceexplorer]

June Monthly Recap:

Once again, I read a lot in June, 18 books! Slightly more than I did in May, although it felt a lot less, mostly because I ended up DNF’ing a lot (5 different books!) But I still read some excellent books, including Where the Drowned Girls Go and Unraveled. I also made some progress on finishing series that have been hanging around on my TBR for a long time! I’m all caught up on the Wayward Children series, and I finally finished Phedre’s trilogy after 5(!!) years.

Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire: 4/5

Unraveled by Courtney Milan: 5/5

New Worlds, Year Two by Marie Brennan: 4/5

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi: 3.5/5

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada: 3.75/5

Hexarchate Stories by Yoon Ha Lee: 5/5

The Prince of Midnight by Laura Kinsale: 2.5/5, dnf

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison: 5/5, re-read

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson: 4.5/5

Paladin’s Strength by T. Kingfisher: 5/5, re-read

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons: 2/5, dnf

All the Feels by Olivia Dade: 4.25/5

Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire: 5/5

So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park: 2/5, dnf

After Perfect by Maan Gabriel: 1.5/5, dnf

A Lady’s Guide to Ruin by Kathleen Kimmel: 4.5/5

Kushiel’s Avatar by Jacqueline Carey: 4.25/5

Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi: 3/5, dnf

Edit: even more goals

22 in 2022: 9

Read 100 Books: 82

Read 40% AOC: 38%

Completing Series: 13 series completed/caught up vs. 10 started

Translated Works: 2

Books in Spanish: 0

Numbered TBR: 7

Discworld: 0

Books by an Indigenous Author: 1

Physical TBR: 10

Storygraph Recs: 3

[artisticflutter]

AU August - Day Sixteen: Superheroes & Villains

Maan I hate playing catch-up, but I really couldn’t brain this one proper. So, here’s something rough and rushed, but filling... maybe.

Series: Miraculous Ladybug Rating: G+ Genre: Angst, Romance Pairing(s): Early Adrinette Summary: Adrien meets Marinette at school, and is amazed he can hold her hand. Warning: Continued from previous fills here and here!

Could this day get any worse?

Father permitted him outside with the explicit instructions of finding a girl harboring powers opposite his own. It meant he was finally free to attend school and feel normal - be normal - after years of being locked inside with only the media as company. He’d managed to learn somehow to control his powers so he stopped destroying every electronic device placed before him, and he thought he would manage now.

However…

Shortly after attendance began and he announced himself present - perhaps with a little too much enthusiasm - everyone started laughing. Embarrassed, he sank back into his seat and ducked his head low, hearing attendance continue, but also hearing the whispers.

Gabriel Agreste had a son?

Had he been homeschooled?

His mother was that missing actress?

Did you hear she apparently went missing after he discovered his powers?

Maybe he made her disappear?

The teacher was proceeding with her lecture, but Adrien couldn’t concentrate; he could feel all the eyes on him, and hear the whispers getting a bit louder, bolder, more outlandish with what they were saying. He wanted to focus - he wanted to be another study - but beneath his hands, he soon felt ash falling away and he hid the destruction underneath his desk.

“U-Uhm… Mme. Bustier?” he interrupted, feeling ashamed that he had done so, but he needed to get away; he didn’t want to just run out either and get her or himself in trouble with his father.

“Yes, Adrien?”

“I’m… not feeling well suddenly. Is… Where should I go?”

“Ah, the Nurse’s Office. Marinette, do you mind taking him?”

“No, I don’t mind. Leave it to me, Mme. Bustier.”

The girl’s voice had come from right behind him and Adrien only turned his head slightly before she was next to him, waiting. Awkwardly holding his hands, he rose, and followed her out of the classroom, relieved to have restrained himself otherwise Marinette wouldn’t have been opening a door. Wringing his hands with firmer rubs, he wondered how he would explain to his father that he destroyed his gloves barely twenty minutes into class and needed a spare pair brought. So lost in attempting to figure out his words, he found himself almost colliding into Marinette who had stopped.

“Here’s the Nurse’s Office, but… I could probably take care of your hands first.”

Looking down, he noticed he’d rubbed his wrists red on accident; but before he could stop her, her fingers were already touching the afflicted spot. His eyes widened and he choked, “Wait, don’t…!”

But she was touching him… she was healing him…

… He looked up, and she was still there, smiling brightly.

“It’s just a little healing. It doesn’t hurt, does it?”

Adrien could only open and close his mouth in awe. Was this… the girl he was searching for?

[jgmail]

¿ACASO ISRAEL Y PALESTINA ESTÁN A LAS PUERTAS DE OTRO CONFLICTO?

Por Leonid Savin

Traducción de Juan Gabriel Caro Rivera

 Durante diciembre del 2020 se produjeron un aumento de las tensiones nacionales en la zona de Cisjordania, incluidas varias manifestaciones y ataques de grupos israelíes contra hogares palestinos (1).

 Los informes indican que diciembre fue el mes más intenso de ataques realizados por nacionalistas israelíes en contra de palestinos en los últimos tres años, es decir, algo que no pasaba desde principios del 2017 (2). Las agencias de seguridad israelíes han registrado un total de 41 casos de actos cometidos por extremistas israelíes que claman venganza y usan la violencia en contra de los palestinos (3). También se ha informado de un total de 25 ataques violentos.

 Mientras tanto, el 29 de diciembre, Hamas llevó a cabo ejercicios militares en la Franja de Gaza. Según un comunicado emitido por esa organización, los ejercicios tenían un carácter defensivo, pero también estaban centrados en la futura liberación de Palestina. Un total de once organizaciones participaron en tales ejercicios, siendo todas ellas consideradas organizaciones terroristas por el Estado de Israel.

 Es obvio que los ejercicios se llevaron a cabo como parte de un despliegue de fuerzas debido a las crecientes tensiones entre Estados Unidos e Irán. Debido a que existían ciertos indicios de un posible de un ataque militar contra Irán (todo esto sucedió por la presencia de un submarino israelí y un grupo de ataque de portaaviones estadounidense que estaban operando cerca de Irán), Hamas y la Jihad Islámica decidieron mostrarle a Israel lo que podía enfrentar en caso de que se produjera tal ataque. Dadas las capacidades de combate que posee Hezbollah en el Líbano (la frontera norte de Israel), tales ejercicios no podían haber pasado desapercibida para los servicios de inteligencia israelíes y estadounidenses.

Otra de las fuentes de tensión que se está haciendo cada vez más evidente son los acuerdos laborales que han firmado tanto Israel como Palestina. Según la Administración Civil israelí, alrededor de 80.000 palestinos cruzan la frontera todos los días para trabajar en Israel. Otros 30.000 palestinos trabajan en Cisjordania, donde existen asentamientos israelíes; la mayoría de los palestinos trabaja en la zona industrial. No existe ninguna duda de que Israel depende de la mano de obra palestina.

 El 31 de diciembre del 2020, los trabajadores palestinos se declararon en huelga en la fábrica de Yamit (4). En respuesta a las demandas de la organización laboral Maan (que es israelí y no palestina), el propietario de la fábrica, Ofer Talmi, declaró: “La Tierra de Israel pertenece al pueblo judío. Por lo tanto, no estoy dispuesto a contratar trabajadores palestinos que tengan alguna conexión con el Estado de Israel” (5).

 Sin embargo, las autoridades israelíes han adoptado una nueva decisión sobre la construcción de los nuevos asentamientos que van a ser instalados en el territorio palestino ocupado por Israel. El 11 de enero, el ministro de Defensa, Benny Gantz, aprobó la construcción de alrededor de 800 viviendas para israelíes en los asentamientos de Cisjordania (6).

 El primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu anunció que continuaría con la construcción de varios asentamientos en Cisjordania. Tuiteó lo siguiente: "El primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu ordena que empiecen a construirse aproximadamente 800 unidades residenciales en Judea y Samaria [Cisjordania], incluso en Tal Menashe, la comunidad donde vivía la difunta Esther Horgan".

 Se espera que el Comité Superior de Planificación de la Administración Civil llegue a aprobar los planes que se trazaron para la próxima semana. Los planes incluyen la construcción de 500 viviendas en asentamientos como Itamar, Beit El, Shavei Shomron, Oranit y Givat Ze'ev ubicados en la Ribera Occidental, los planes que se están trazando incluyen la construcción de 100 viviendas en asentamientos como Tal‑Menashe y la construcción de más de 200 nuevas unidades en Nofei Nehemia.

 Sin embargo, Benny Gantz también ha acordado la legalización de los asentamientos palestinos que se encuentren bajo el control militar y administrativo de Israel. Algunos analistas creen que esta decisión fue tomada para compensar de alguna manera a los palestinos por el hecho de que se estén apoderando de sus territorios. Por otro lado, el movimiento derechista y defensor de los asentamientos israelíes, Regavim, criticó ásperamente la decisión tomada por Gantz y culpó de la misma a Netanyahu.

 Los militantes palestinos afirman haber visto el lanzamiento de un cohete que fue disparado durante un ejercicio militar organizado por facciones militares israelíes en las afueras de la ciudad de Gaza el 29 de diciembre del 2020.

 “Si bien Netanyahu declara que se producirá la expansión de los asentamientos judíos con la construcción de 800 nuevas unidades de vivienda, al mismo tiempo esta tratando hacer que las Autoridades Palestinas aprueben varios planes para la construcción ilegal de los mismos por medio de una legalización de cientos de dunams. El significado de tales actos es terrible: los asentamientos [judío] deben convertirse en lugares pequeños y cercados por rejas, mientras que las Autoridades Palestinas se expande sobre el territorio de Israel y tienen el derecho de aprobar o no esos planes”, tuiteó Regavim.

 No hay duda de que la expansión de los asentamientos israelíes terminará por ser interpretada por los palestinos como un acto de agresión, independientemente de que las Autoridades Palestinas terminen por aprobar los acuerdos que se están proponiendo.

 Todas estas acciones apuntan a una tendencia que podría conducir a un conflicto muy grave entre los palestinos e Israel. También debe tenerse en cuenta que, en el período previo a las elecciones al parlamento israelí (el Knesset) previstas para el 25 de marzo de este año, todos los partidos políticos de Israel utilizarán la carta palestina de una forma u otra, y la derecha israelí recurrirá a una fuerte retórica anti-palestina.

 También se están desarrollando en Palestina una serie de negociaciones que intentan reconciliar a los movimientos de Fatah y Hamas, y que tienen la intención de conseguir la unidad del pueblo palestino (7). Este proceso cuenta con el apoyo de varios países del Norte de África y Oriente Medio.

Vale la pena tener en cuenta que el Estado de Israel ahora está incluido en el área de seguridad en la cual opera el Comando Central de los Estados Unidos. Anteriormente la seguridad de Israel estaba bajo el amparo del Comando Europeo, pero Donald Trump consideró necesario cambiar esta base de operaciones (8). El Comando Central se encarga de las operaciones destinadas al Oriente Medio, Egipto y Asia Central.

 Los expertos en asuntos militares de los Estados Unidos creen que tal medida es completamente lógica, ya que Israel se encuentra geográficamente en el Medio Oriente. Tal reorganización ayudará a que se mejoren las actividades logísticas destinadas a preparar una intervención rápida en casos de conflictos, especialmente en un escenario donde el ejército estadounidense necesite realizar operaciones que involucren a Israel.

 Notas:

 1. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/01/israel-west-bank-palestinians-ahuvia-sandak-settlers-attack.html

2. https://www.kan.org.il/Item/?itemId=97912

3. https://www.timesofisrael.com/25-settler-attacks-on-palestinians-reported-since-teen-died-in-police-chase/

4. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/01/israel-palestinians-west-bank-nitzanei-shalom-oslo-accords.html

5. https://www.kan.org.il/item/?itemid=98049

6. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/01/israel-palestinians-benny-gantz-benjamin-netanyahu-settlers.html

7. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/01/palestine-reconciliation-efforts-hamas-fatah-turkey-egypt.html

8. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trump-shakes-us-defense-structure-moves-israel-under-us-middle-east-command

 Fuente: https://orientalreview.org/2021/01/21/are-israel-and-palestine-headed-towards-yet-another-conflict/

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Pasko Na, My Love

A Holiday Romance Anthology

 Stepping into Hacienda Luz, an elegant Napa hotel, and being able to attend not only the 100th birthday of amazing Lola Naty but the stories of six couples finding love during the holidays was a treat indeed. The Filipino culture was a character on its own and fun for me to learn a bit more about. This is a book that can be savored a story at a time making it last for a while or, if you find yourself with a day free and wish to step into the Hacienda Luz for the entire event, it can be devoured in a shorter time.

 Drawn to this book by my love of Mia Hopkins writing, I read her story first and ILLICIT was just as complex and edgy as I was expecting. It told of the closeness felt by two teens as they met the first time and how what seemed so right went so very wrong. As they meet again for the first time in fourteen years, they are given an opportunity and a second chance that might make that earlier potential come to fruition…loved reading Eden and Nick’s story.

 Second up was written by Maan Gabriel, MY ONLY LOVE. It is the story of two chefs with an issue from the past to overcome, if they can, and a huge event to cater. Ruby and Mason were classmates in culinary school, talented chefs in the making, doing well professionally…and yet…there is that thing in the past that really must be discussed before both can move on.

 And, as this review should go up NOW and not wait till I finish the rest of the book, I have to say this is a book that has opened my eyes in more ways than one and that more than one author in this anthology will be on my read-again list in the future.

 Thank you to Mia Hopkins for the ARC – this is my honest review.

 5 Stars

     BLURB

 Family, heart, and a Merry Christmas Happily Ever After. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all ‘round Hacienda Luz bustled in celebration of Natividad Luz Moore’s 100th birthday. A Filipino American woman of courage, strength, and heart, Lola Naty has touched the lives of many. Celebrities and politicians make merry, fine dresses and barong Tagalogs shimmer, and food and drink flow freely. And it’s all to honor family, tradition, and the very essence of that thing called love. While Filipino ballads fill the chilly Northern California air, hearts throb and passions ignite as six remarkable couples find love in all the right—or wrong—places. From acclaimed and bestselling Filipino American authors—Elle Cruz, Maan Gabriel, Maida Malby, Mia Hopkins, Sarah Smith, and Tif Marcelo—comes Pasko Na, My Love, a holiday romance collection that is sure to warm your heart and uplift your Christmas spirit.

[magical-xirl-4]

Okay let’s review Ladybug!

Aww, we see Adrien working on the lucky charm to give to Marinette (also confirming this is before Befana!)

Lmao Gabriel is finally here for once to eat a meal with this son. And Adrien really asks for his opinion on the gift ;-;

“She’s a really awesome girl, she loves helping others-“ AHH mah heart

Oh ok... so we’re getting flashbacks of previous episodes, which is leading up to the current time of this episode? And Lila saw Adrien giving Marinette the charm!

Noo, Lila’s pulling in Nathaniel now

UGH at least Alya is standing up for Marinette about the test answers

oh my god this feels cathartic. EVERYONE in the class is standing up for her, including Adrien.

Ms Bustier just sends them to the office alone... probably cause she doesn’t want to try and solve this problem and just leave it to them -_-

FUCKING BITCH LIES DOWN ON THE GROUND PRETENDING SHE GOT PUSHED OVER EJDUHSH 

they should just check that she isn’t injured!!! She probably doesn’t have a bruise or scratch on her >:(

UAHHH ADRIEN YOU SHOULD’VE SAID SOMETHING SOONER

also, expelled? Mr. Damocles that’s a bit extreme for a kid who supposedly cheated on a test, pushed another kid over, and stole said kid’s necklace. Other than that Marinette is a great student, ugh, idiot...

oh FUCK, Catalyst is back

BITCH WHAT THE FUUUCK. PRINCESS JUSTICE?? HOLY SHIT WE’RE ACTUALLY GETTING AKUMATIZED MARINETTE. SABINE IS FINALLY GETTING AKUMATIZED TOO

(ok Hawky’s facial animation is like so fluid)

oh you gotta be shitting me. At that exact moment Nathalie began to cough, and Mari nearly took off her earrings. Just took a sigh of relief... but that moment really relied on coincidence (and maybe fate?)

can’t help but notice how quick Gabriel was to get down to help Nathalie

(Okay fuck I went on a giant rant about Alya being an idiot for saying all the evidence points to Mari being the bad guy, but then she just said that she’ll try to prove her innocence. Read it if you want I spent time on it, so I can’t delete it 😂)

Are you serious Alya? Jee thanks for being a supportive friend (and not at all a total idiot). EVERYTHING SHE RECAPPED JUST POINTS THE STORY TOWARD LILA BEING THE LIAR. Earlier she tried to stand up for Marinette saying “she always scores high on her tests!”, and there IS NO SOLID EVIDENCE OF MARI PUSHING LILA, just Lila crying that’s what had happens. And if Alya just thought about it for one second she’d realise that two things just so happened to be in Marinette’s possession, the test answers and the necklace. Even if Marinette’s motive was to get Lila away from Adrien, THIS WAS A SHIT WAY TO GO ABOUT PULLING OFF THAT GOAL. What would stealing the answers and acing the test have to do with Lila being away from Adrien? Maybe pushing Lila down the stairs to send her to the hospital would do the trick, but does Alya honestly believe Marinette would willingly do that to someone?? And again, what does stealing the necklace have to do with getting Lila away from Adrien??? It’d be just so Lila could feel like shit I GUESS, but I thought you said she had a clear. MOTIVE.

Alya, this is why Marinette wants to accuse Lila. Because she and her were the only two people at the staircase, who else could’ve orchestrated Lila’s fall if only the two of them were there? They weren’t even supposed to be going to the staircase, and instead to the principal’s office! UGH JUST THINK ABOUT IT.

anywho, it’s time for Marinette 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 bake

Gabriel really is prioritizing Nathalie this time round. So... how will the sentimonster come to be?

ahh Gabriel just fell asleep on the chair. Like I don’t know whether to think that’s funny, or kind of soft because he thought Nathalie was resting

Duusuu crying about how romantic it all is, is definitely what I’ve been expecting in her character

OKAY BITCH WTF SHE CAN STRAIGHT UP CREATE A SENTIMONSTER WITH HER BAREHANDS (that is so cool and the way it was done was great)

Adrien plsss pllsss do something to defend Marinette

QUICK MARI PUT THAT DECOR ON THAT GINGERBREAD

“Cat Noir, I don’t feel so good” AKSDHKSHS

DUDE IM FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE AND WHERE THEY’RE PLACING THEIR HANDS

AHAHAA I LITERALLY BURST OUT LAUGHING WHEN THE REAL LADYBUG STEPPED IN. THE RING WAS ON HIS FINGERTIP AND IF SHE SHOVED THEM APART THEN THE RING SHOULD’VE COME OFF 😂 (I was also shouting, “just do it! Just take it off, do it bitch!)

“You know I’m already in love with someone else” ok so you heard that part, but it took you so long to step in?

YES LB, you smart!! (Also I need to mention how much I like the setting rn, the backdrop of Paris looks great)

You know what? LADYNOIR IS CUTE ASF. “I’m nowhere near as perfect as her - “I love you just the way you are m’lady” AAAH-

*Lucky Charm summons a fork* Cat: Ok, you’re definitely the real one. (I LOVED THAT)

Ahaha Nooroo “I couldn’t bring myself to wake you up, you were sleeping so peacefully”

AWW THATS SO SWEET HOW LADYBUG GAVE THE SENTIMONSTER A CHANCE 😭

OOHH SHIT. Cat: How could you?! (FUCK THAT REMINDS ME OF DESPERADA) THEN HAWKMOTH JUMPED IN AND I SCREAMED

aakaahaha, why is Hawkmoth’s voice so much deeper 😂 HE FULL ON GROWLED/ROARED TO WHAT IS THIS?

OH MY GOD THIS IS ACTUALLY SO TENSE. I LOVE THIS. THEY’RE FACING HAWKMOTH AND ITS NOT EVEN THE SEASON FINALE

WOOOAHH FUCKING FULL ON THOUGHT HM AND LB WERE GOING TO FACE OFF BY THEMSELVES. But they care about their partners so much 😭

HA CAT TRIED TO KISS HER AGAIN, bitch you thought

OH MAAN. Adrien better diss Lila right now!! He’s getting mad I can tell, this better be good

AND. I. AM. SATISFIED

I LET OUT THE UGLIEST LAUGH SEEING MARINETTE LIKE THIS

Conclusion: This was a pretty good episode! It was kinda intense and definitely furthered the plot

(btw sorry if some of this didn’t make sense, as soon as I woke up I began to watch the episode and thus started making this post)

[hamletteprinceofdenmark]

36-40

😳 That’s so many!

Top 5 worst moments

1. The burrow scene between Harry and Ginny in 6. Movie Hinny is 🤮

2. The dawning realisation that Clarke wasn’t going to make it time to be part of SpaceKru

3. Woden leaving Brunhilda on the mountain top in Die Walküre

4. When Kaatang happened instead of Zutara (Imnotstillbitterwhaaaaaat)

5. Monty and Jasper’s last scene 💔

Top 5 funniest moments

1. John Mulaney’s Salt and Pepper Diner bit

2. Harry “not to mention the pincers” Potter

3. Any time Ruby is on screen in AWAE. Kyla Matthews is Killing It right now.

4. The entire Gabriel and Aziraphale jogging scene. Delightful. (Good Omens)

5. Benedick eavesdrops on the gang in David Tennant and Catherine Tate’s MAAN. That staging was Masterful.

Top 5 saddest moments

1. Post bomb scene in The Book Thief

2. Satine’s death in Moulin Rouge

3. The murderer reveal in Broadchurch Season 1. Olivia Coleman out here breaking my heart

4. Allison and her dad at the hospital after Victoria died (Teen Wolf)

5. “I love you zillions, superstar” (Broadchurch) 😭😭😭

Top 5 soundtracks

1. The Waterhorse | James Newton Howard

2. Good Omens | David Arnold

3. Pirates of the Caribbean | Hans Zimmer

4. Treasure Planet | James Newton Howard

5. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | Imogen Heap

Top 5 pictures (I’m not sure what this question means tbh - does it mean like ... screenshots? I’m gonna say it means screenshots)

1. Broadchurch, Episode 1.1 - Ellie looks through the blinds helpless as Mark speaks to Danny.

I’ve already mentioned this scene, and it’s one that always makes me cry, mainly due to Andrew Buchan and the way he delivers that line. But I love that we get shots back to Ellie throughout it, the blinds that obscure her face - reminiscent of bars on a prison window - convey immediately how trapped and helpless she feels.

2. Anne with an E, Episode 1.5: Tightly Knotted to a Similiar String - Matthew and Jeannie have tea.

Are you sensing a theme here? Gods, I just love *clenches fist* the-physical-representation-of-intangible-things. Matthew and Jeannie are super cute, and I love that they introduced this relationship but I super love that they don’t let Matthew’s intense introversion get erased in this new storyline. He and Jeannie may be sitting at the table, but his anxiety and their history still sit between them, just as present as the tea she’s serving. The fact that they’re both framed in doorways - that they’re both open to what may be beginning here - but there is still an obstacle between them?? Ugh, it’s just *chef’s kiss*

3. Into the Spiderverse - Miles rising.

People have talked about this shot ad naseum but that does not stop it being Dope As Hell. It’s so beautiful, especially when put in conversation with the previous parallel shot when he falls out of control. As Miles rises, so do we.

4. North and South, Episode 1.1 - Thornton walks through the factory or “I’ve seen Hell”

Please please please watch North and South.

This is a shot from one of my favourite scenes. Margaret writes a letter to her friend, but her monologue reveals all the things she’s not saying. In it she laments “I believe I’ve seen Hell - and it’s white. It’s snow white.” She’s refering to the local mills, which are filled with white cotton fibres, byproducts of the local trade’s production. As Margaret sleeps, we see Thornton’s cotton mill. The man himself walks across the screen, his silhouette dominating the scene. When the scene starts, the cotton fibres are everywhere, but by the end they’re gone. We later find out that Thornton has installed giant fans which whip them away, reducing the chances of his workers inhaling them and developing the fatal disease, “cotton lung”.

But at this moment in time, we don’t know that, we don’t even really notice as the cotton fibres disappear. We see what Margaret sees, a tyrant dominating his kingdom, not the man we come to know later who is overseeing the wellbeing of those left in his care.

Gah! I love this series.

5. Lord of the Rings - Samwise tends to his garden.

And to round it off, I thought I’d have some fun. I’ve been giving analysis for the last four shots, but the question does say favourite, and there’s not a shot in the film industry I love more than this one.

I love Samwise Gamgee so much. He’s one of my absolute favourite characters and Sean Astin brings him to life absolutely perfectly. If I’m “watching” LoTR I usually actually just have it on in the background as I let the soundtrack and dialogue wash over me, but I always always watch the introduction to the hobbits and in particular this shot. It’s such a beautiful introduction to the Little Folk and to Sam himself - A gardener, first and foremost, looking on his charge with such love and care and contentment. He’s so utterly at peace, so utterly where he’s meant to be, and I love him and this shot so much.

This was hard! (and i loved it)

[bravechamomile]

*Adrien is sleeping in his bed. Suddenly wakes up bc of the noise. Sees Gabriel putting off his ring*

Adrien: Father what are you doing?

Gabriel: *sweats* eeeeehh I jusst..wanted to take a closer look to your ring because..it's design is really inspiring annd I wanted to..get myself the same??

Adrien: OmG yOU meAn MatcHing rIngs fOr fathEr ANd SoN??! You diDN't evEn need tO aSK here take it.

Gabriel : *holding Adriens miraculous* You're so oblivious it hurts me.

Adrien: what

Gabriel: I'm Hawkmoth.

Adrien: whAT

*Marinette appears from nowhere near Gabriel*

Marinette: And I'm Ladybug.

Adrien: WHAT

Marinette and Gabriel in their miraculous costumes: boo

*Adrien wakes up, sits*

Adrien: Maan what a crazy dream. Wonder what it means.

*Through his slightly opened door in the hall Gabriel is chasing escaped butterflies from his lair *

Adrien: Guess I'll never know lol.

[nitewrighter]

What do the fankids address their parents as? Besides just english Mom and Dad. Other relatives too

If the twins want to distinguish between Pharah and Satya, then Pharah is “Umi” and Satya is “Maan.” Ana is “Grandma” or “Teta.” Grandpa Sam is distinguished from Grandpa Reinhardt by either being called “Grandpa Sam” or “Canada Grandpa.” 

Rei tends to default to english for addressing her parents, but in conversation distinguishes her grandparents from either side using German and Japanese. Also McCree is “Uncle Jesse” but Hanzo is just “Uncle.”

Marti calls Widowmaker and Sombra her aunties, and distinguishes them with ‘Tia’ for Sombra and ‘Tantine’ for Widowmaker.

I should note that the kids don’t really refer to the other kids’ parents as aunties or uncles. Like, even though Mei and Mercy are close, Mei isn’t ‘Aunt Mei’ to Rei, she’s just ‘Mei.’ 

Moira is ‘Mum’ for Aedan. 

Seye tends to use a kind of formal ‘Father’ address for Doomfist in front of others because that kind of...has more supervillain gravitas, but he’ll call Doomfist ‘Baba’ in private.

Faustine addresses Maximilien as “Monsieur” during matters of business, but will casually call him ‘Papa’ at home.

Gabriel continues to be “Sir” for S100, much to his chagrin (Though he’s not sure how much more comfortable he would be with ‘Dad.’)