Celebrate GROUNDHUG DAY with Disney Hyperion!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday! Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.

So...were your predictions made true this Friday?

Did you think the groundhog would see his shadow?
I mean, it was Groundhog Day and supposedly the little critter can tell us if Spring has sprung or we're in for a few more weeks of winter...which apparently, we are. *sigh*  Hmm...curious indeed, but if the friends in today's featured storybook title had anything to say about it, there'd be at least one groundhog that would't be seeing his bed for the foreseeable future.  Ladies and gents, join me as we shine a STORYBOOK SUNDAY spotlight on a title perfect for TWO holidays...the latter mentioned, and the upcoming Valentine's Day!  Yep, that's right!  A curious two for one, but you'll see what I mean in a moment.  Ready, set...READ!

Groundhug Day

by

Anne Marie Pace

Illustrations by

Christopher Denise

9781484753569

Disney Hyperion

First of all, MAD PROPS for the RIDICULOUSLY ADORABLE COVERART, let alone the interior images!  I mean, I was in love from the start!  How can you not be?  Look at Groundhog, trying to look all bothered and humbug while his woodland friends surround him with the warmth of the heart.  It's just SO DARN CUTE!  *ahem*  Anywho, back to the story...

Moose and friends are preparing for their upcoming Valentine's Day party, but it just won't be the same without everyone there. But how does one convince a groundhog to stay out of his den when he's seen his shadow? A most perplexing dilemma, but one these friends are more than up for...if groundhog will cooperate that is.

A charming story filled with heart, humor, and good intent, and overflowing with cheerful illustrations that'll bring a smile to your face.  It reminds us that both holidays have their time and place, but friendship is for all seasons. 

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Special thanks to Cassie at Disney Publishing Worldwide for ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Disney Hyperion, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.


Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Celebrate Valentine's Day with... The Ugly Dumpling by Stephanie Campisi!

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're celebrating VALENTINE'S DAY with a special Blog Tour courtesy of Mighty Media Press.  (~waves~)  This has been an event in the making for quite some time and now I've the pleasure of presenting it to all of you on this love filled day of the year!  Why is that important?  Well, it's a special book to say the least with an important message to impart...but that's where I'll leave it for now before I get ahead of myself.  Ladies and gents, children of all ages, let's gather round and share the love as we welcome today's blog tour guest and Picture Book of choice...

The Ugly Dumpling

by

Stephanie Campisi

Illustrated by

Shahar Kober

978-1-938063-67-1

Mighty Media Kids

About the book...

It’s not easy being the ugliest dumpling in a dim sum restaurant. Uneaten and ignored, the ugly dumpling is down in the dumps. But when an encouraging cockroach sees the dumpling’s inner beauty, this unlikely duo embarks on an eye-opening adventure, leading the ugly dumpling to discover its true identity and realize that being different is beautiful after all.

A modern fairytale retelling with a timeless moral: There’s a little ugly dumpling in all of us.

AMAZON  |  B&N  |  POWELLS  |  IndieBound

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As I'm not one for insects of any sort, I did have to find my happy place when initially beginning this read...after all, one of the stars is a COCKROACH.  *gulp*  I am happy to report that thanks to the supreme skills of the illustrator it was the cutest little guy I ever will see.  It made it that much easier to immerse yourself in the story, absorbing the messages while experiencing the beautiful tale word and image wise.  I felt SO BAD for our little dumpling because to be honest, he wasn't ugly in the least AND as it turns out, didn't need to be hanging with those ordinary dumplings anyway.  He was something special comparatively and while it made him the outcast in the bunch, he was shown the way when his usual "hero" came to save the day.  The adventure that followed was unexpected, after all how often does one see an insect exploring the wonder of the world around them with a dumpling by its side, but it just went to show that there is beauty in unexpected places and one never knows where your bestest of all friends will come from. 

 

All in all, I'd say it was a definite win in both picture and story.  It's a new twist on the age old tale that will have readers cheering for the unusual duo as they take on the world....The Ugly Dumpling reminds us that we are ALL special, ALL unique, and yet there is a place in the world where we belong despite what others may say or circumstances may lead us to believe.  For a special visual treat, CLICK HERE for a special sneak peek and take a gander at the beautiful interior spreads that await you. 

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Special thanks to Sammy at Mighty Press Media for the chance to bring this promotion to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is coming to a bookstore shelf and virtual retailer of your choosing THIS APRIL via Mighty Media Kids, so pre-order your copy now or add it to your wish list for future purchasing opportunities.  Be sure to check out the rest of the tour as it makes its way through the blogosphere and don't forget to DOWNLOAD YOUR EXCLUSIVE UGLY DUMPLING VALENTINE for a sweet treat to share with you and yours! 

Until next time...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY...and happy reading!

SUGAR & SPICE BLOG TOUR: Guest Post with Author Kristan Higgins + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Can you believe it?  It's already FEBRUARY!  It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the winter holidays and such but here we are on the cusp of all things flowers and hearts.  Will wonders never cease...if I can help it, they certainly won't.  ^-^  ...and along with the help of TLC Book Tours and Harlequin Books, you're gonna have another reason to celebrate this month.  That's right!  It's time for a little blog tour fun starring a selection of titles and fabulous group of authors from the ranks of HQN Books in....

...the Sugar & Spice Blog Tour!

Yep.  It's a little bit sweet and a little bit saucy but a WHOLE lotta fun.  Today, I have the pleasure of bringing you a guest post from one of my favorite Contemporary Romance authors who shares with us a little of herself and how she gets the feels in her works just right for her readers.  But wait!  Before I reveal the WHO, let's reveal the WHY behind her being on the tour.  The WHY is simple, to celebrate the latest release in the Blue Heron series.  Ahh, you've guessed who it is now have you.  Smart little readers...but let's get that spotlight primed with a quick look at that new title, shall we?  Ready, set, here we go!

Anything for You
by
Kristan Higgins

About the book...

Before you get down on bended knee…

…you should be pretty darn sure the answer will be yes. For ten years, Connor O'Rourke has been waiting for Jessica Dunn to take their on-again, off-again relationship public, and he thinks the time has come. His restaurant is thriving, she's got her dream job at Blue Heron Vineyard—it's the perfect time to get married.

When he pops the question, however, her answer is a fond but firm no. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Jess has her hands full with her younger brother, who's now living with her full-time, and a great career after years of waitressing. What she and Connor have is perfect: friends with an excellent benefits package. Besides, with her difficult past (and reputation), she's positive married life isn't for her.

But this time, Connor says it's all or nothing. If she doesn't want to marry him, he'll find someone who does. Easier said than done, given that he's never loved anyone but her. And maybe Jessica isn't quite as sure as she thinks…

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

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Shot Through the Heart

A guest post by New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins

That horrible, awful, wonderful moment.

Call me a sadist, but I really do love writing—and reading—those scenes where my hero or heroine is—to quote the great poet Jon Bon Jovi—shot through the heart.

I only love those scenes because I know what lies ahead. And I love having the feels, that wonderful ache in my chest, the sting of tears, where I have to press my lips together or cry. That’s the mark of a great book.

In that moment of loneliness and rejection and sorrow, I always see myself. Like a lot of female characters in romance novels, I loved and was not loved in return.

I remember this one particularly painful time when I was in my twenties, dating a nice guy. His only flaw was that he didn’t love me. And I loved him! I loved him so, so much! He liked me fine. But I loved him, did I mention that?

One night, we went to a going-away party for this other couple. This perfect couple. This couple where you wanted to be her and have him. They were going to the Peace Corps, together. They were engaged, soon to be married.

While we were eating dinner, The Perfect Man reached over and stroked the Perfect Woman’s ear with one finger, and she turned to him. (I think I’ve used this gesture in at least one book, and if I haven’t, I’m going to.) There was such love between them that the air shimmered with it. Time seemed to stop for a second while they simply looked into each other’s eyes.

It was beautiful. Their love was so tangible that my chest ached. And my stomach hurt, because I didn’t have that with my boyfriend. It was undeniable and wrenching. We would never be that in love, that connected, that committed. I loved him. He liked me.

The rest of the dinner party was endless. My boyfriend was having a great time—these were his friends, not mine—and I sat, trying to be cheerful, trying not to cry, swamped by the knowledge that this wasn’t going to work.

Shortly thereafter, we broke up, and it really was for the best. It hurt, but man, it was such a relief, too! Not just to be free of our lopsided relationship, but free to find the kind of love that would make the air shimmer.

And I did. It was worth the wait.

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About the author...

KRISTAN HIGGINS is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author and two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. She is the mother of two lovely kids and the wife of a brave firefighter who is also (perhaps more important) a fantastic cook.

For more information, visit her website at KristanHiggins.com

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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this promotion to you and to author Kristan Higgins for letting us into her world for such a personal share.  I can definitely see why your writing affects readers like me, so much.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, the tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Harlequin Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.


BEFORE YOU GO...

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!  JUST CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN ALL 10 FEATURED TITLES, A SPECIAL NOTEBOOK, AND A $50 GIFT CARD!


Until next time...GOOD LUCK...and happy reading!

Expressions of Love for All Ages from Xist Publishing!

Why hello there!

Happy Monday and welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  Before we get started, a reminder that you have TWO great chances to win right now on the blog…both of which end THIS WEEK!  So before you leave today, be sure to get your entries in.  

*checks remind fabulous readers about contest off the to-do list*

Now then, on to today’s post…

It’s February…in case you forgot to change your calendar which would be TOTALLY easy because let’s face it, this year is FLYING by…and guess what that means?  Only so many odd days til the big V…Valentine’s Day.  That’s right.  As of today, you have 10 days left to figure out what you are or are not going to do for that special someone in your life (or for all us singles out there, for yourself) on this Hallmark-ishly charged day.  So, what shall it be?  Candles?  Flowers?  Chocolates?  Dinner and a movie?  Seeing as we’re all a bit on the bookish side, how about a book?  What a novel idea (pun TOTALLY intended) and as it just so happens, that brings me right to today’s featured titles; funny how that happens, no?  ^_^  Now before you head off into uncharted reading waters, no; they’re not THAT kind of book (although to each their own) but rather ones you can even share with the little ones in your life let alone your significant other.  Interested?  I thought you might be so without further ado, let's get down to today's COMBO post.  

Oh.  I did mention this was a 2-for-1 deal, right?  My apologies!  It is in fact a two-fer and a grand one at that because both titles are adorably wonderful image wise and just right to express your sentiments to or about the one(s) you love.  So, ready the count down....here come the books!

I Love You!

by

Calee M. Lee

illustrated by

 Tricia Tharp

This ebook features a collection of similes appearing on torn out sheets of notepad paper (nice touch!) as the giver tries to explain the depth of their love for their child.  A dog and its bone.  A secret to an ear (love that one!).  A pillow fort.  A shooting star (so beautiful!).  Some are more obvious associations, others not so much but they stretch the imagination and paired with the adorably cute drawings that appear as a combination of artistic measure and a child's coloring book, you've got a winning combination sure to warm the hearts of readers of all ages...with children and without because really, who can't appreciate a good picture book?!  In fact, though being featured at this lovey-dovey time of year, I can totally see this being used as a token of love felt, shared ANY time of year.  Now back to the holiday fast approaching and another title primed for the picking...

Be Mine

by Brenda Ponnay

I hesitate to call this one an ebook per se simply because the two page spreads of graphically simple yet enjoyable images and short but sweet sayings make it the PERFECT Valentine card pull out instead.  I mean seriously, who knew a little owl hooting "Whoooo loves you?" could be THAT cute!  From puppies to kitties, foxes to rockets and everything in between, there is something to cover everyone on your Valentine list and if it's not too punny to say...I'll think sharing this book with your special someone's will definitely make you the cat's meow.  ^_^

So, Valentine's Day...it's fast approach can send some running especially if you've no idea what to get or do. How's about sharing the joy of reading with those you love this year and put a smile on the faces of the little ones (and not so little ones) in your life with sentiments straight from the heart?  SO much simpler than flowers (though those do smell nice) and much easier to send across the miles (melted candy...not such a winner)....

Ebooks for review courtesy of Calee at Xist Publishing.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these titles or their complete and growing catalog of colorful digital wonders, be sure to visit their official website.  These ebooks are available now at an online retailer near you.  For a quick jump over to snag a copy to call your own, just click on the links embedded in the titles.

Until next time...happy reading!