Bon Appétit and a Book starring Her Sweetest Fortune by Stella Bagwell

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Here's hoping you had a splendid Valentine's Day yesterday, and everything came up roses (get it?  Roses...because that's the typical V-Day gift?  ^_^).  Just because the holiday has passed doesn't mean that we stop celebrating the LOVE, I mean because really, with book there is more than enough to go around. 

Speaking of which, today we are taking part in a Meryl L. Moss Media and Harlequin Books BLOG TOUR highlighting a few titles from their epic selection of books that should be on your reading radar this month.  For my part, I selected a work by author Stella Bagwell that I might just have to add to my own reading rotation because it just sounds like a lot of fun...and a little something extra for the taste buds.  First things first though, BRING ON THE BOOK!

Her Sweetest Fortune

The Fortunes of Texas:  The Secret Fortunes

by

Stella Bagwell

978-0-373-623266

Harlequin Books

About the book...

Sophie Fortune Robinson is on a mission. The word around the office water cooler is that the boss's youngest daughter is intent on landing Mr. Right by Valentine's Day—and that she has her eyes, and heart, set on a certain hunk in Marketing.

But when she enlists her longtime pal and coworker Mason Montgomery to teach her how to get a man to notice her, little does she know she's already captured his attention!

Now Mason's in a real bind! He has just a few short weeks to fight his way out of the "friend zone." On his agenda: convincing sweet Sophie that he is the real man of her dreams! Will Fortune smile on true love's venture?

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Sounds good, right?

Well, now to add that little something extra I mentioned.

Sweets for the sweet...or rather the 'bon appétit' to go with this book!

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Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without something chocolate! Here’s a cake recipe that my family enjoys.

Buttermilk Cocoa Cake

2 cups sugar, ¾ cup shortening, 2&1/2 cups flour, ½ cup cocoa, 2 teaspoons soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup boiling water.

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat until smooth. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternately with buttermilk to creamed mixture. Add vanilla and water. Pour batter into 13/9 inch pan, or if you prefer layers, two 9 inch pans and bake at 350 degrees until cake springs back when touched.

Frosting

4 cups confectioner sugar, 6 Tbs. cold butter, ½ tsp. vanilla, ¼ tsp. salt, ¼ scant cup milk. Whip with mixer until creamy.

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About the author...

STELLA BAGWELL is a USA Today bestselling author who has written close to 90 books for Harlequin. She lives on the Texas Gulf coast with her husband, where the winters are mild and the summers sweltering. Along with her writing, she stays busy helping her husband care for their 10 horses, 11 cats, and a flock of gulls that always seem to know when it's feeding time!

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Special thanks to Tracy at Meryl L Moss Media and the Harlequin Books team for the chance to participate in this promotion as well as the copy for (future) review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or those tours on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, 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!



HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: Killing Jane by Stacy Green

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Can you believe that it's THE LAST DAY OF JANUARY?  I mean, where DID the time go?  It seems like only yesterday we were ushering in the new year and making resolutions that we may or may not keep.  So far, 2017 isn't off to the greatest start (take one look at the world in general, and you know exactly what I mean), but in the world of reading, we're still experiencing smooth sailing.  Okay, in light of today's title, perhaps smooth isn't the best descriptive term to use...maybe we should consider "chaotic-stormy-waters-with-flashes-of-lightning-merely-a-breath-away" as the best descriptive passage, in the BEST way possible!  You'll see exactly what I mean here in a minute...

Ladies and gents, coming to us by way of Meryl L. Moss Media and celebrating its BOOK BIRTHDAY via Vesuvian Books, I give you today's Thriller of choice...

Killing Jane

by

Stacy Green

9781944109271

Vesuvian Books

About the book...

What if everything you've ever heard about Jack the Ripper is wrong ...

A young woman is brutally murdered in Washington D.C., and the killer leaves behind a calling card connected to some of the most infamous murders in history.

Jack the Ripper

Rookie homicide investigator Erin Prince instinctively knows the moment she sees the mutilated body that it’s only a matter of time before someone else dies.

She and her partner, Todd Beckett, are on the trail of a madman, and a third body sends them in the direction they feared most: a serial killer is walking the streets of D.C.

The clock is ticking.

Erin must push past her mounting self-doubt in order to unravel a web of secrets filled with drugs, pornography, and a decades old family skeleton before the next victim is sacrificed.

The only way to stop a killer is to beat them at their own game.

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First things first, this book is intended for adult audiences due to graphic content...mostly in the form of damage inflicted upon the human body...and boy, oh boy does this killer get creative!  *-*

Here we have Erin Prince, a detective that's worked her way out from behind her family name, only to discover that she's still trying to prove herself; for her own benefit or everyone else's is another question altogether, but whether she realizes it or not, it's seriously getting in the way of her judgment, her ability to see the forest for the trees so to speak...as is the secret she's hiding (something apparently covered in another book, but we're told enough about to glean the extent of the damage done).  She's a complex leading lady, but she's got more than enough gumption to see this case through...and boy is she going to need it!  It's a crime that screams violence from the moment it's discovered until the final showdown.  The path to uncover who is behind these gruesome attacks is not only twisted but paved with enough false starts to discourage anyone from seeing the truth, but as with all things, it WILL come out...especially if Erin has anything to say about it.

I only had two slight negatives when all was said and done.  First, the way the violent act Erin experienced was portrayed, or rather the way she handled it, didn't seem to fit with her character.  She thought if she brought it to the attention of others, or filed a report with the police, that she'd be looked down on, scorned even, because her department doesn't generally have a lot of female employees.  To me, I think her reporting the act, actually doing what she expected others to do, would have served both her and those she served more.  I would think they would see she wasn't going to take it lying down and that dedication may have even "won her points", if anything.  The second issue was actually more general.  Whereas we start off right in the action and we finish out with a bang, the middle tends to get a little dry.  Obviously, research and footwork needs to be completed to solve the crime at hand, but it seemed to draw things out a bit much for my taste.

Overall though, I enjoyed my time between the pages.  I really liked how the author allowed us a glimpse inside the mind of the killer periodically throughout the book, though I must say, I was a little perplexed by Charlie and Mina...don't worry, they all come out to play eventually. I must admit, I did guess a piece of the final outcome, but not to the extent that it came to light, or the multi-faceted nature of it.  Way to keep us guessing, Ms. Green!  See if you can solve the case of the century, whether it be this one or the last (Jack the Ripper, anyone?) is a big part of the puzzle, but it makes it THAT much more intriguing.  Recommended for fans of Crime Fiction or Historical Fiction with a psychological twist.

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About the author...

Stacy Green is a bestselling mystery and thriller author known for the Lucy Kendall series and the Delta Crossroads trilogy. ALL GOOD DEEDS (Lucy Kendall #1) won a bronze medal for mystery and thriller at the 2015 IPPY Awards. TIN GOD (Delta Crossroads #1) was runner-up for best mystery/thriller at the 2013 Kindle Book Awards. Her next series is KILLING JANE, An Erin Prince thriller.

Stacy has a love of thrillers and crime fiction, and she is always looking for the next dark and twisted novel to enjoy. She started her career in journalism before becoming a stay at home mother and rediscovering her love of writing. She lives in Iowa with her husband and daughter and their three spoiled fur babies.

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to Erika at Meryl L. Moss Media for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is IN STORES NOW via Vesuvian Books, 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!



BLOG TOUR: Rustler's Moon by Jodi Thomas - EXCERPT!

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're welcoming Meryl Moss Media as they tour the blogosphere with the latest from author Jodi Thomas.  Perhaps you've read her work?  If so, then you're a fan of Contemporary Romance with a penchant for tales unfolding on the ranch as secrets hide around every fence post; if not, then you're in MY boat and just taking a closer look at her work RIGHT NOW.  You know what though?  Either way, you're in good company, so let's get this book party started, shall we?  Ladies and gents, please direct your adoring gaze to today's blog tour guest and spotlight title....

Rustler's Moon

Ransom Canyon series, Book 2

by

Jodi Thomas

9780373788620

Harlequin Books

About the book...

On a dirt road marked by haunting secrets, three strangers caught at life's crossroads must decide what to sacrifice to protect their own agendas…and what they're each willing to risk for love.

If there's any place that can convince Angela Harrell to stop running, it's Ransom Canyon. And if there's any man who can reveal desires more deeply hidden than her every fear, it's Wilkes Wagner. Beneath the rancher's honorable exterior is something that just might keep her safe…or unwittingly put her in danger's path.

With his dreams of leaving this small Texas town swallowed up by hard, dusty reality, all Wilkes has to show for his life is the Devil's Fork Ranch. Though not one to let false hope seduce him, he can't deny the quiet and cautious beauty who slips into his world and changes everything.

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~~~ EXCERPT ~~~

Wilkes

Devil’s Fork Ranch

     Wilkes Wagner stared at his aging uncle, wondering which of them had completely lost their mind. Common sense rarely ran in the Wagner family, but Great-Uncle Vern’s suggestion was ridiculous.

     “I’ve given it some thought, and this is the only answer, boy,” the crippled-up old cowboy repeated as if Wilkes were ten and not thirty-two. “Look at it this way, we breed cattle, don’t we? Why not just pick out a woman with all the right traits and mate with her? It shouldn’t take but a few tries before we got at least one offspring to claim the next generation. And there’s a fifty-fifty chance we’ll get a boy on the first try.”

     “You mean marry some woman, don’t you?” Wilkes was never sure when his uncle was kidding.

     “Of course! There’s an order to these kinds of things. You’d need to marry her first, get her pregnant and wait for a son.” The old man lit a pipe that looked as if it might have survived the Battle of the Alamo. “Look on the bright side, half your life is about over anyway. If you’re miserable at marriage, the last thirty or forty years will seem to move slower with a mean woman around the place and we’ll all work harder so we don’t come home early.”

     Wilkes rolled his eyes. He needed another drink. Or better yet give Great-Uncle Vern a few more and with luck he’d pass out.
     To humor the cowboy, Wilkes asked, “And what would those traits be that I’m looking for in this breeding-bride?”
     Vern smiled as if he’d won the argument. “Stout. You don’t want one of those skinny girls who only eats out of the garden. She’ll need to have a little meat on her bones. Ain’t nothing worse than trying to cuddle up to a skinny gal on a cold night. I did that once in Amarillo, and about midnight I decided driving home in a snowstorm would be warmer.”
     Wilkes grabbed a pen off the poker table and started writing on the back of his Western Horseman magazine. Not skinny.
     His uncle leaned back in an old rocker that had come to the Devil’s Fork Ranch in a covered wagon. “She’ll need to know how to cook and clean and sew, too, otherwise she’d be wearing out the road to town buying takeout, hiring housekeepers and replacing clothes she’s lost a button on.”
     “All that might be hard to find these days.” The only thing the four or five women Wilkes had stepped out with in the past six years could make for dinner was reservations. He considered them cooks if they knew how to use the microwave for popcorn.
     His aging uncle wasn’t paying attention. He was busy thinking. “And she needs to be rich. Not just have money coming to her, mind, but already have it in the bank. You don’t want to count on her father liking you, ’cause if he don’t he might cut her out of the will. Then you’ll be stuck with a poor wife with rich habits.”
     Rich. Wilkes scribbled.
     “And dumb.” Uncle Vern lit his pipe. “Ain’t no smart girl ever going to marry you, even if you are good-looking. If she’s got much schooling, she’ll want to work at something or sit around and read all day.”
     Wilkes had humored his old uncle long enough. Vern was the dumbest and the youngest of four children, and all his brothers and sisters claimed he’d been dropped on his head one time too many when he was a baby. He had lived on the Wagner family ranch all of his seventy-seven years. The rule was whoever ran the Devil’s Fork also had to keep an eye on Vern. Wilkes’s father and grandfather had done it, and now it was Wilkes’s turn. The few other relatives, who’d been smart enough to move to the city, never wanted to come back and take over the job.
     This crazy idea Vern had tonight was the worst one yet.
     Wilkes leaned forward until Vern’s whiskey-blurred eyes focused on him. “I’m real busy with the calving right now, uncle. Do you think you could keep a lookout for a possible wife? She shouldn’t be too hard to find. She’s chubby, eats beef and is rich and dumb. She’ll be wearing a homemade dress and probably have freshly made jam dripping down her chins. Oh, I forgot, she needs to be easy to impregnate, ’cause I won’t be visiting her often.” Wilkes fought down a laugh. “Only, that trait might be hard to prove on sight.”
     Vern didn’t get the joke. He rocked back so far that the forward swing, a moment later, shoved him out of the chair and onto his wobbly legs. “I’ll do my best for you! I promise. Might go into Crossroads tomorrow and put up a few signs. I don’t think I’ve been to town since spring and the Franklin sisters always say they miss seeing me.”
     Wilkes laughed. “You do that, Uncle Vern.”

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About the author...

A fifth-generation Texan, JODI THOMAS sets the majority of her novels in her home state. With a degree in Family Studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics. Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A & M University campus, where she currently serves as Writer in Residence. When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, Tom, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo, and "checking up" on their two grown sons.

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Special thanks to Amanda at Meryl Moss Media for the chance to bring this promotion to you.  (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.

Until next time...happy reading!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: BookTrib Event with Anne Rice and Christopher Rice + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that's bookish any time of the live long day...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  Today, we're stopping in to bring you your daily news and what's this?!?  There's something BIG going on TOMORROW NIGHT!  Grab your calendars and prepare to clear your schedule, BookTrib is at it again!

WHERE:  BookTrib.com

WHEN:  airing Monday, August 5th, 2013 - 8 PM EST

WHAT:  A thrilling recap of an AWESOME interview that took place at ThrillerFest VIII between Anne Rice and Christopher Rice!

BIG NEWS:  Besides the obvious, you'll also have a chance to win a SIGNED copy of The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice!

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Sounds like a good time to me!

Though I wish I could see it first hand, alas, I have to work...but that doesn't mean YOU can't attend and tell us all about it?

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Special thanks to Veronica at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc for the heads up regarding this event.  (THANKS!)  For more information on their endless bookish comings and goings, check out their official site or follow along on Twitter.

Until next time...SPREAD THE WORD....and happy reading!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: LIVE BookTrib Chat with Author Andrew Gross!

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that aims to bring the books to you whether they impress, depress, amaze or confuse...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. 

You know why I own that statement?  Because...while one man's trash may be another man's treasure, the same goes with a reader's favorite book versus less-than-loved reads.  That's right.  The very reason I happen to dislike a book might be the exact reason it met with your reading preferences and vice versa.  So let it be said, anything I read I shall share with an honest opinion and with all due respect that the author deserves for sharing their "baby" with all of us.  Speaking of honest opinions....

Today's post is intended to inform you about an event coming up a little later today.  Brought to you by the great folks at BookTrib, there's a LIVE CHAT with author Andrew Gross happening at 7PM EST/6PM CST where not only can you ask your questions directly but you'll also have to chance to win a brand new Kindle Fire loaded with a selection of his books!

Cool, right?

Thought you might agree.

Here's the scoop one more time...consider it your official invite.

Just click HERE and you'll be whisked away to the party.

Special thanks to Veronica at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc for the head's up regarding the event.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this event as well as those forth coming and all things bookish, be sure to stop by their official site or follow along on Twitter.

Until next time...happy reading!

Hopping into trouble: EASTER BUNNY MURDER by Leslie Meier - DOUBLE Giveaway!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place that doesn’t know the meaning of the words NO TIME TO READ…pfft!  No time; I’ll give you time… *breaks out the chemistry set*

So…yesterday was a CRAZY day, as those of you who follow me on Twitter may have read.  First, job one is all haywire, then the office chair dumps me on my butt.  Journey to job two and the first shift lead had to go home early (sick), then a member of my night team called off (sick), and to top it all off, I sprain my ankle…with dramatic flair of course.  ^_^  Yeah, I’m looking at the bright side because as much as this sucker hurts, it could be worse.  So, a few Tylenol’s in the system and an ice bag (or three) later and I’ll be good to go…just a bit slower.  *ugh*  Oh well, life marches on…but not if you’re starring in today’s featured title.  *plays ominous music*

That’s right!  We just ended the Printed Books Giveaway Hop and I’m in the process of going through the entries to select a winner (keep an eye on your email boxes my friends, it could be YOU!) but that doesn’t mean the fun ends there…no siree.  For you see, there is this fabulous little mystery from a well known author that’s hopping down the bunny trail just in time for Spring’s arrival…though he won’t be hopping for long according to the synopsis.  *-*  Oh boy.  Colored eggs, jelly beans…and an energizer-less bunny.  Looks like this Easter is starting off on the wrong rabbit’s foot…

Easter Bunny Murder

By

Leslie Meier

Spring has sprung in Tinker's Cove, and Lucy Stone has a mile-long to-do list. From painting eggs with her grandson, to preparing the perfect Easter feast, to reviving her garden after a long, cold winter, she hardly has time to hunt for a killer with a deadly case of spring fever... Lucy has always loved covering the annual Easter egg hunt for the Pennysaver. Hosted by elderly socialite Vivian Van Vorst at Pine Point, her luxurious oceanfront estate, it's a swanky event where the grown-ups sip cocktails while their children search for eggs that are as likely to contain savings bonds as they are jelly beans. But when Lucy arrives with her three-year-old grandson, VV's normally welcoming gates are locked, and a man dressed as the Easter Bunny emerges only to drop dead moments later…
Lucy discovers that the victim is Van Vorst Duff, VV's grandson, and soon learns that not all is as it seems at idyllic Pine Point, where the champagne and caviar seem to be running dry. Always a social butterfly, VV has been skipping lunch dates with friends, and her much-needed donations to local charities have stopped with no explanation. Maybe she's going senile, or maybe her heirs are getting a little too anxious to take over her estate…
As Lucy gathers a basketful of suspects, she's convinced someone's been hunting for a lot more than eggs, and she'll have to chase the truth down a rabbit hole before the killer claims another victim…

AMAZON   |   Barnes & Noble   |   Indiebound   |   Books-A-Million

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Sounds good, right?
That’s what I thought too!  So what could I do but quickly add it to my “read-in-the-near-future” list…but that wasn’t the end of this book’s day in the sunshine, no way.  

Thanks to Judy and McKenzie at BookTrib, a division of Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc, (you know, the place that’s open 24/7 for all your bookish needs AND hosts great giveaways every week, author chats and more!  Needless to say, I’m a frequent visitor… ^_^) and the great folks at Kensington Publishing Corp., I have the privilege of giving you a chance to win…and when I say win, I mean WIN BIG!  Here’s the scoop.  

FIRST...
...by stopping by my site you have gained access to win a copy  of this newly released title to call your own!  Exciting, right?  Before you get TOO excited, fill out the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!  Entries accepted today through Friday, February 22nd, 2013.  Winner will be chosen and contacted by Monday, February 25th, 2013 and have 48 hours to respond with their full mailing information for prize send out.  If not response is received within the given time frame, a new winner will be chosen.  Open to US residents only, no P.O. Boxes please.  Now HURRY because that’s not the only news to pay heed to this fine Friday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, are you ready for the rest?

Really?  Be sure now because it’s a doozy…

…in like the BEST way possible!

The SECOND part of today’s fantabulous news is another contest being run by Kensington and BookTrib for a whopper of a prize!  No, the prize is not a whopper…how would they even send it?  NO, the prize is a Wonderful-heart-opening-power-packed-every-reader” basket of bookish goodness sure to put  spring in your hop…err, umm, step.  ^_^  Ready to READ ALL ABOUT IT?  Check it out guys…

It’s time for the...
EASTER BUNNY MURDER BASKET
...contest!

Brought to you by BookTrib and Kensington Publishing Corp., this is YOUR chance to win a basket full of mystery filled reads sure to get your deduction skills in tip-top shape along with a plush bunny and other assorted Easter goodies.  How can you go wrong?

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is click HERE to be whisked away to the BookTrib page where you can read all about it.  THEN, click on the image on the page, sign in to your BookTrib.com account (it’s FREE and easy to sign up for if you don’t already know the fun that’s within its virtual boundaries), and click ENTER!  It’s THAT easy.  Yep, promise.  Winners will be selected each week starting February 8th through February 22nd.

So…what are you waiting for?  Spread the love of reading and the discovery of a new book by adding this little gem to your upcoming spring reads today and get yourself entered to win a copy or more with the great folks at BookTrib!  You can never go too far wrong when you’ve got great reading within your grasp.

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

READ ALL ABOUT IT: BookTrib & Meryl L Moss Media celebrate 20 years of author love!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place that despite Father Time's many attempts at roadblocking my bloggy fun, it GETS DONE anyway.  *nah nah nah nah nah nah* ^_^

Anywho...I have some exciting news for you today.

Wait, scratch that...EXCITING NEWS (that's better) for you today.

If you haven't heard yet, be prepared...it's gonna take up several dates on your calendar starting this month as BookTrib.com celebrates their 20th Anniversary of promoting authors with Meryl Moss Media Relations in a BIG way!  To keep you in the know and add to your ever growing list of favorites, they've planned 20 LIVE CHATS for 2013...and that's just the beginning because if you've ever been to one of their online events, you KNOW they love to "hand" out party favors to participants.  

The first event is coming up fast and features an author who recognizes the importance of having a few special girlfriends in our lives as does her latest release.

Mark your calendar, here comes the scoop!

Who:  Susanna Sonnenberg,

author of SHE MATTERS: A LIFE IN FRIENDSHIPS

What: BookTrib LIVE CHAT

Where: BookTrib.com -- of course!

When:  Thursday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m. ET

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About the book...

SHE MATTERS is an antidote to the typical book on female friendship:  it is honest and rigorous where others are sentimental. SHE MATTERS explores the intensities, subtleties, and frailties of friendships between women through Sonnenberg’s reflections on her own powerful and intimate relationships.  The early part of the book is devoted to development and missteps, including some friendships that lasted only a few months or a year but were nevertheless psychologically significant.  Later, Sonnenberg focuses on complex and enduring relationships as she delves deeper into the ambiguities of connection.                  

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What people are saying...

“As much as we cherish the men in our lives, we need women to confide in, to vent to and to fashion ourselves after. For Sonnenberg, these friendships provide ways to try on and discard identities; they also provide the lenses through which she views herself and comes to understand love, loyalty and betrayal.”

--New York Times Book Review

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So if you've got the time, you already know the place and you can count on it being a BLAST.  The more the merrier so invite your friends, family, or hey, I know; make it a group event and gather your closest girlfriends from near and far!

Special thanks to Alissa at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc for the heads up!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this event as well as a whole lot of bookish fun, be sure to visit them online, or follow along on Twitter.

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Author Interview - Joe Abruzzo

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place that aims to please come rain, snow, wind or LIFE....Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  ^_^

So.  It's the day before Thanksgiving and all is ...well, not well per se but managed at least.  This afternoon we'll have a new refrigerator...yay!  Hopefully that will put the holiday feast back on track and a cold glass of Diet Coke in my hand.  (*yum*)  In the mean time, I plan on feeding your need to read with a little Q&A today....sound like a plan?  I thought so.  Our guest "speaker" comes to us courtesy of Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc and features an author celebrating their recent release, Curious about the book? I thought you might be.  Here's a peek inside the cover...

Dogs Running a Hill

by

Joe Abruzzo

Whether he is bird hunting on the plains of Kansas or conducting search-and-rescue in earthquake-shattered Turkey, there is always a dog at Jay Gerinni’s side. The one constant in his tumultuous life are the dogs that supply him with adventure, companionship, fierce loyalty—and protection. Jay and his beloved Lee Anne are living the American dream in their country home when problems with a psychotic neighbor begin to escalate. Can he protect the very creatures who would give their lives for him?

 

DOGS RUNNING A HILL, based on the screenplay “A Day in Dog Years,” will touch the heart of dog lovers as Jay questions his faith in God and confronts the evil that lives next door. Anyone who shares their life with an animal companion will identify with the unconditional love of Jay’s dogs and how deeply they affect his life. The story weaves its way through Jay’s aging memories as his growing relationship with a series of canines helps him find comfort, direction, and hope. 

 

As Jay faces his own mortality, the secret that he has kept covered for many years threatens to overtake his peace of mind.  Can the canine friends he has devoted his life to now be the answer to his own salvation? DOGS RUNNING A HILL is a unique and inspirational story of love, devotion, and friendship between a man and his dogs. 

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Sounds interesting, right?

There's mystery, danger, a search for self and something bigger than us...and of course, dogs!  ^_^  Sorry, big dog lover here and stories that feature them tend to pull a little harder on my interests at times.  That being said, when the opportunity to participate in this tour came around, I had to decline the read (schedule is too full right now...but perhaps in the future) but said YES to the Q&A; after all, it's always fun to learn more about the mind behind the work.  With that in mind, please join me in welcoming author Joe Abruzzo....

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INTERVIEW:  Author Joe Abruzzo

Q. Please tell us about your current release.

Even after reading the synopsis, you could still actually consider the novel as a triple love story with a lot of twists and turns. An unconditional love between a man and his dogs, an unconditional love between a man and his wife, and a questioning love between a man and his God. This is certainly no "Lassie Come Home Story" and is designed to hit on all cylinders when it comes to emotion and reason. Hopefully the reader will come away thinking about the story days later.

Q. How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I wanted to write about the consequences of vulnerability. If you love something, anything (even dogs) you are at risk. Somebody or something can get to you.

Q. Can you tell us about the journey that led you to write your book?

Having been a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild), I was privy to a lot of screenplays, movies, actors, directors etc. I felt that what was missing was a unique story, different than the tired old sequels & boring films that the Hollywood bean counters continued to come up with. So, I wrote an original screenplay that I felt was different, passionate, and lasting. We had the ear of CAA (Creative Artist Agency) and a seasoned Director named William A. Graham. Unfortunately, Director Billy was severely injured forcing the project to be put on hold. To keep the story out there, I converted the screenplay into a novel. Sounds ass backwards, and probably is, but these were the cards we were dealt.

Q. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything about the book?

Nothing about the book, but as far as the overall project, I would have considered going digital (relatively new at the time) rather than 35 mm. We could have accomplished this at a lower budget before Director Billy's accident.

Q. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Although fiction, one still needs to pull on his/her own experiences for knowledge and authenticity. In my case, it became very emotional at times. I had lost eleven dogs in the past eleven years including the six on the cover of the book.

Q. Do you have a musical play list you listen to when writing? If so, what kind of music?

Music is the unsung hero of any inspirational creation. For promotional purposes, we actually created a 30 minute CD that alternated between narrative of the story and snippets of music ranging from classic instrumental to 'twangy' sounding country, and everything in between.

Q. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Don't think I really have any. But I did carry a small notebook & pen with me where ever I went.

Q. Do you plan any subsequent books?

Vulnerability again. Losing your identity (identity theft) but this time it would be a comedy.

Q. Please tell us your latest news.

Nothing really new .... just trying to stir the pot to create a buzz about the story for not only the novel, but the film as well.

Q. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

One needs to know that there is no wasted word or slug line in a screenplay. This concept was transferred to the the novel; meaning that speed reading would not be recommended.

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Special thanks to Liz at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc for the chance to participate in this blog tour and to author Joe Abruzzo for taking the time to answer our questions.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this tour as well as those upcoming, be sure to visit their official site or stop by BookTrib for more bookish fun.  For more information on the author, stop by his site and say hi!  This book is available now so be on the lookout for it on a store shelf near you.

Until next time...happy reading!