I grew up hooked on historical romances written by Judith McNaught, Johanna Lindsey, and Julie Garwood. The plot is always the same—the heroine is virginal, beautiful, and is always friendly with the servants, while the hero starts off a bitter and cynical man. Just when they are about to live happily ever after, some scandal / miscommunication / past secret surfaces, testing the relationship, but eventually all is resolved and they all live happily ever after.

Fortunately, The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn is not that kind of historical romance. For one thing, the heroine, Miranda, is not drop-dead gorgeous, a fact repeated throughout the book quite often. What she has going for her, though, is a sharp wit and keen intellect. Our hero, Turner, on the other hand, is bitter and cynical, but he is never mean-spirited and is actually charming at most times.

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AYALA MALLS MAKATI Midnight Madness, November 23-25, 2007.

DESIGNER SOIREE Year-End Holiday Spectacular Sale. November 22, 2pm to 8pm. November 23, 10am to 8pm. 3/F Hall B, One Roxas Triangle.

RUSTAN’S MAKATI Thanksgiving Sale, November 29-30, 2007.

PAUL & JOE Special Thanksgiving Sale, 25% off selected items. November 29-30, 2007. Rustan’s Makati.

ELANCYL One-Day Only Special Offer. 25% off on all items. November 30, 2007. Rustan’s Essences branches.

EVITA PERONI Sale, up to 50% off. Offered in their boutiques at Glorietta 4, Power Plant Mall, and Citywalk Eastwood Libis. November 7-30, 2007.

HAVAIANAS SALE, 20% off most styles. October 30 – November 30, 2007. Available at ALL FLIP FLOPS with branches at The Fort, Mall of Asia, Glorietta. Also at Rustan’s Department Store, Crossings Department Store, Celio, Chocolate Clothing Co., and Gas.

* Note: Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

SM APPLIANCE FIESTA
Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall
October 26 – November 18 (Friday-Sunday)

KARL EDWARDS’ SHOP @ THE FORT BAZAAR
KEI Tent, Bonifacio Global City, 32nd Street corner 8th Avenue (in front of MC Home Depot), Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
November 3-4 , 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 (Saturday-Sunday)
For inquiries, contact Joan at 372-8453 or 374-3726.

ALL STAR BAZAAR @ PACIFIC STAR
Pacific Star Building, Makati Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
November 5-9, 27-29 (Monday-Wednesday, Tuesday-Thursday)
9:00 am to 7:00 pm

AMERICAN WOMEN’S CLUB BAZAAR
World Trade Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
November 5, 2007 (Monday)
8:30 am to 3:00 pm

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR @ GATEWAY
November 9-21 (Friday-Wednesday)
For direct inquiry, contact 455-1242 (telefax) or 0918-491-4407 or via e-mail at mykenthb4@yahoo.com.

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