Seems like it’s the season for wonderful romance anthologies, because here’s another one from six #romanceclass authors I look up to. Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories is a collection of short stories set in six different provinces in the Philippines–Misamis Occidental, Negros Occidental, Aklan, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, and Zambales. I one-clicked this gem after its March 29 release (but I’ve not read it yet–I will get to it soon!) and I really think you should, too. I’ve seen a lot of people tweet positive thoughts about this book, and I feel like turning the book’s pages will take me on a lovely, lovely trip.
Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories
C.P. Santi, Ines Bautista-Yao, Jay E. Tria, Chris Mariano, Georgette S. Gonzales, Agay LlaneraTake a quick tour of the Philippines with six hometown love stories.
Visit Jimenez, Misamis Occidental where a priest might just set you up with a man whose dimples are to die for.
Visit Silay, Negros Occidental and get on a horse alongside hunky, hazel-eyed Negrense royalty.
Visit Kalibo, Aklan and find yourself in the arms of a cute drummer boy who just happens to be your kuya’s BFF.
Visit Hagonoy, Bulacan and spend All Saint’s Day next to a distracting boy who promises to write you a song.
Visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur and meet the hot man you used to bully when he was a shy, scrawny boy.
Visit Pundaquit, Zambales and find love in a bronzed fisherman whose eyes hold depths you’ll want to explore.
Click on the Read More button for more about this anthology.
Only the Beginning / C.P. Santi
After Andi returned to Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, she swore the bright lights and smooth ways of Manila would never seduce her ever again. But when a particular Manileño sets foot in her hometown, why can’t she get his dimples out of her mind?
About the Author
C.P. Santi is the author of Dare to Love and When Cocoy Became Kikay. She loves cake, chocolate, J-doramas, karaoke, and running around the house playing tickle tag with her boys.
In another life, she is also an architect and tarot card reader. [ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram ]
Letters About a Boy / Ines Bautista-Yao
Dear Annette,
Inside this envelope are my letters to you throughout the years, letters about dashing, hunky Nicolas. About his hazel eyes and pink lips. About the magical night of his grandma’s birthday. About when I fell in love.
Love, Tin-tin
About the Author
Ines Bautista-Yao is the author of young adult and contemporary, sweet romance books and short stories. Her first book, One Crazy Summer, was published in the Philippines by Summit Books in 2011.
She is the former editor-in-chief of Candy and K-Zone magazines and a former high school and college English and Literature teacher. She is also a wife and mom and blogs about the many challenges and joys of motherhood at theeverydayprojectblog.com. She also posts story spirals on her author blog: http://theeverydayprojectblog.com/inesbautistayao-author/ [ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram ]
Drummer Boy / Chris Mariano
The Ati-Atihan drums are suddenly rocking Reina’s pretty chill world. Not only does she start to see Ben as more than her brother’s best friend, she also wonders if she has the courage to finally stand up for something.
About the Author
Chris Mariano’s work has appeared in The Philippines Free Press, the Philippine Speculative Fiction Anthology Vol. 7, and other online journals. She wrote Cover (Story) Girl, a contemporary romance novella, and Wired Differently, a collection of short stories. [ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram ]
One Certain Day / Jay E. Tria
18-year-old Alice didn’t think she would ever like All Saint’s Day, until it becomes the day she spends with her Manileno relatives and Son, the curly-haired, musical boy she has only ever seen around school. But will this change when she musters up the courage to tell Son how she feels?
About the Author
Jay E. Tria is inspired by daydreams, celebrity crushes, a childhood fascination of Japanese drama and manga, and an incessant itch to travel. She writes contemporary young adult and new adult romance. Sometimes, paranormal fantasy too. Visit her website at www.jayetria.com. [ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram ]
Once Upon a Bully / Georgette S. Gonzales
A long time ago, Bridgette bullied Miguel no end, he always ended up crying. What happens now that they are both back in the neighborhood and living next to each other?
About the Author
Author of romance in Filipino (as Edith Joaquin of My Special Valentine) and in English (as self); also writes crime fiction; milrom junkie; loves to cook but does not enjoy baking; traveler, singer, poet. [ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram ]
Back to the Stars / Agay Llanera
After a decade, Leah returns to her hometown in Pundaquit, Zambales with the office hottie, whom she plans to snag before the beach weekend is over. Instead, she comes face to face with Wency, her childhood friend-turned- fisherman, who shows her how the past can help unlock her future dreams.
About the Author
Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and video, and a published writer of children’s books based in Manila, Philippines. [ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram ]
Promdi Heart: Hometown Love Stories will be available for the first time in print at #romanceclass April Feels Day on April 30, 2107! Come join us for an afternoon of books, fun, and feels at the Urban Turf of U.P. Town Center from 1:00 PM onwards. For more information, follow our event page or track the #romanceclass and #AprilFeelsDay2017 hashtags on Twitter!
See you there! <3
