REVIEW + GIVEAWAY starring... Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites

We're back in action and thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BONDING by Matthew Erman & Emily Pearson BLOG TOUR hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review post, check out the other sites on the tour, and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

Title: BONDING: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites

Author: Matthew Erman, Emily Pearson (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: January 31, 2023

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 208

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/BONDING

“Wear your heart on your sleeve.”  That’s the saying. But in BONDING, people wear their anxiety on their chests – in the form of a  parasite that shows everyone just what you’re feeling on the inside …

WEAR YOUR LOVE ON YOUR CHEST

A man, a woman—and their parasites. Marcus has been alone since the loss of his closest friend and has just recently entered into the dating scene, while Laura has drifted in and out of relationships since high school. They meet, they have a great first date, and Marcus almost dies—because the slug-like parasite that everybody carries in this world nearly rejects him, its host. BONDING is a funny, quirky, and honest look at love, in a world where everyone wears their anxiety, not on their sleeves, but on their chest like big ol' leeches.

Fans of Matthew Erman's work on Vault Comics' WITCHBLOOD and Archaia's JIM HENSON'S THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE will find lots to love in BONDING. Fans of Image Comics' ICE CREAM MAN VOL. 1, DC Comics' COLLAPSER and even books like THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer and THE PARASITOLOGY TRILOGY by Mira Grant will enjoy this foray into all the stressors of dating...where a parasite is the least of your worries (unless it kills you, that is.)

 

Review:

“Erman and Pearson skewer genre norms in this sweet and casually unsettling comics romance-dramedy…”- Publishers Weekly

 

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Could you imagine wearing your feelings on your chest? Okay, that sounds strange, but in this proposed future, mankind battled with an alien race, the end wasn't great for either, but a compromise of sorts let them coexist. The thing is they need each other to survive at this point... the one quite literally, the other since they grew accustomed to the "company", but they actually feed off each other. The slug-like creature is with them from bonding age through their passing... unless something happens along the way where their slug rejects them, and their world comes tumbling down. Anywho...

While the relationship is curious, the overall story asks us to really look at the human condition. We're alone most of our lives, in some fashion or another, so would it be so bad to have a little non-judgmental company? Even if it was from something that needed part of us to live? In return, it gives health feedback, and allows for an interesting array of accessories to be created, sold, and enjoyed, for your "little friend ". Fair trade? I'll let you be the judge. 

The last story I read via Vault Comics was pretty dark, and violent. While this one is no walk in the park, it's more about the coexistence, the "love" story, than those that passed before the relationship was set. This allows for a more colorful exploration of the world created, but not so much in the direction of the cover art... something I gotta admit, I was disappointed about! The art on display is grand, and gritty which really fits the unusual tale, but I really liked that light and fluffy cover! All in all, an interesting read that I would love to hear your thoughts on as well, so grab a copy and let's chat!

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About Matthew Erman:

Matthew Erman is a comics writer from Columbus, Ohio. Alongside Lisa Sterle, he co-created the critically acclaimed comic horror series, Long Lost, which was optioned for Film/TV by Producer Jenny Klein (The Witcher, Daisy Jones and The Six). Erman has since worked on the comic book series Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and graphic novel Power Rangers: Sins of the Future with BOOM! Studios, series Care Bears: Unlock the Magic with IDW, the upcoming  science fiction/ horror / humorous romance original graphic novel BONDING, with artist and co-creator Emily Pearson for Vault Comics, and the smash supernatural action adventure comics series (with artist/co-creator Lisa Sterle) from Vault Comics, WITCHBLOOD. His short work can be found in anthologies such  as Corpus (2018), Dead Beats (2019) and Everything is Going Wrong (2019).

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

About Emily Pearson:

Emily Pearson is a freelance comic book artist from Davis, California.
She has previously worked for Black Mask Studios; “The Wilds”(2018) and “Snap Flash Hustle”(2018-19), Oni Press’s “The Vain”(2020), and the upcoming “Bonding” coming to Vault Comics in 2022.

In addition to comics series, she drew a short story for the Ringo Award Winning “Mine!” an anthology for Planned Parenthood, Vault Comic’s “Cult Classic Zero Short”, “CORPUS” curated by Nadia Shammas, and “Everything is Going Wrong: Comics on Punk & Mental Illness”.
She has illustrated various covers for comic books including: “Stranger Things: SIX” from Dark Horse Comics, “Calexit: Emmie X”, “The Devil Within”, “Sweet/Vicious”, “The Wilds”, “Snap Flash Hustle” from Black Mask Studios, “Going to the Chapel” from Action Lab, “Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists” from Scout Comics and many more.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

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~~~ Giveaway ~~~

2 winners will receive a finished copy of BONDING, US Only.

Ends February 18th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to the Rockstar Book Tours team for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online store, or plan a trip to your local brick and mortar! Catch the rest of the tour for more!

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/16/2023	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post
1/17/2023	Bookish Trisha	Excerpt/IG Post
1/18/2023	Writer of Wrongs	Excerpt
1/19/2023	The Clever Reader	Excerpt/IG Post
1/20/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
1/21/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

1/22/2023	Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf	IG Review
1/23/2023	Jeff_of_allmedia	IG Review
1/24/2023	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
1/25/2023	@bubbles_books09	IG Review/TikTok Post
1/26/2023	travelersguidetobooks	IG Review
1/27/2023	Eli to the nth	Review/IG Post
1/28/2023	Nerdophiles	Review

Week Three:

1/29/2023	@coffeesipsandreads	IG Review/TikTok Post
1/30/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
1/31/2023	brittreadsalattebooks	IG Post
2/1/2023	Jenguerdy	IG Post
2/2/2023	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
2/3/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
2/4/2023	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

2/5/2023	See Sadie Read	Review/IG Post
2/6/2023	Mallory Books	Review/IG Post
2/7/2023	@just_another_mother_with_books	IG Review
2/8/2023	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review/IG Post
2/9/2023	Novel Novice	IG post
2/10/2023	Two Points of Interest	Review
2/11/2023	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post

Week Five:

2/12/2023	onemused	IG Post
2/13/2023	@jacleomik33	IG Review
2/14/2023	@thebookishfoxwitch	IG Review

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

RRR presents... WHEN THE CHILDREN FIGHT BACK by Barry Kirwan - SPOTLIGHT!

Hi there!

Welcome back to another day, another post here on Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joined by Rachel's Random Resources as we shine the BOOK SPOTLIGHT on a Science Fiction story that reminds us loud and clear that the enemy of my enemy is my friend...at least until we meet our common goal. Ladies and gents, prepare to be blasted out of this world as we take a closer look at today's title in the spotlight and blog tour guest...

When the Children Fight Back

by

Barry Kirwan

About the book...

In the near future, Artificial Intelligences will be smarter than us. Is that a good thing?

"Really entertaining, a brilliant balance between action and emotion."

"A wonderful story. So much imagination!"

A mega-AI known as the Eye is intent on purifying the galaxy, by annihilating all 'organics'. Humanity, itself already decimated after an attack by the Eye, must join eleven other species in the final battle at Orion's Gate to stop their nemesis. Led by Sally, humans have a secret weapon: Ares, the last AI from a dead alien race. But can they really trust Ares? And as the battle rages in the heart of a star nursery nebula, Sally realises that one of the other species is about to betray them all...

The thrilling climax to the Children of the Eye series...

AMAZON  UK  |  US

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About author Barry Kirwan...

I was born in Farnborough and grew up watching the Red Arrow jet fighters paint the sky at airshows. I didn't get into writing until years later when I arrived in Paris, where I penned The Eden Paradox series (four books) over a period of ten years. My SF influences were Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert, and Orson Scott Card, but also David Brin who writes about smart aliens. Iain Banks and Alistair Reynolds remain major influences, as well as Neal Asher, Peter F Hamilton and Jack McDevitt. My main SF premise is that if we do ever meet aliens, they'll probably be far more intelligent than we are, and with very different values and ideas of how the galaxy works. As a psychologist by training, that interests me in terms of how to think outside our own (human) frame of reference. This current series is exploring Artificial Intelligences (AIs), and how they could either be our nemesis or saviour.

FACEBOOK  |  SITE  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today! Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun.

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

Silver Dagger Book Tours presents... CHRISTMAS IN JULY: An Online Book Fair - NOW LIVE!

**Christmas in July E-book Fair is now LIVE**

DOZENS of DISCOUNTED Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, and Sci-fi e-books!

Bestselling, award-winning, and popular authors.

PLUS: An Amazon gift card GIVEAWAY!

Head there now:

 https://dfischerauthor.com/2020/07/02/ebookfair/

The fair and giveaway will run from July 19-July 25.

This blog post is sponsored by Silver Dagger Book Tours

RRR presents... THE RAVEN COVEN by Emma Miles - AUTHOR Q&A + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we welcome Rachel's Random Resources as we shine the spotlight on a new Science Fiction/Fantasy title ready and waiting for your reading pleasure!  From the sound of things, it's gonna be REALLY good, but don't just take my word for it.  First, we'll spotlight...then we'll chitchat for a moment with the author....lastly, there's a giveaway!  Sound good?  Let's go!  Ready, set, read all about today's title in the spotlight...

The Raven Coven

by

Emma Miles

About the book...

Kesta had left her heart across the sea. They were at peace, her people saved from slavery, and yet… her soul was uneasy.

Chem lies in chaos, its people suffering as a result of the death of the ruling sorcerers. Refugees flee the cursed Borrows, begging for help from those they had made their enemy. A Queen unknowingly makes a dark, deadly pact, and new powers rise to fill the seats left empty by the Dunham necromancers.

AMAZON  US | UK

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Q&A with Author Emma Miles!

1)  Let's face it, we're in a NOW NOW NOW sort of world, and catching someone's attention can be rough. For the time conscious, describe THE RAVEN COVEN in TEN WORDS or less...

A thrilling tale of unbreakable friendship, darkness, and sacrifice.



2)  Life often inspires fiction. Tell us, does the world of Chem or any of its inhabitants have real world ties?

Elden has influences from medieval Europe in terms of its geography and society, and the Borrows some similarities to the Nordic Viking coast. The Fulmers and Chem are entirely fictional though, and in the case of Chem that’s a very good thing!



3)  Writing can be a passion discovered in youth, or something stumbled upon later in life. Did you always dream of becoming a writer?

I didn’t dream of being a writer as such, in that it wasn’t something as a child I’d considered as a career. I have always been a writer though, it’s something I was born with; it’s in my soul.



4)  If you could go back in time and write any famous work, which would you choose to call your own and why?

I don’t think I would. Every writer has their own style and their own stories to tell, I would much rather write my own work and enjoy that of others. I’d consider writing George RR Martin’s next book in the Song of Ice and fire series though as I’ve been waiting for it a very long time!



5)  Quid pro quo. I'll supply the sentence start...you fill in the blank. Ready? GO!

a) Favorite color... Purple
b) Favorite flower... Daffodil
c) Favorite season... Autumn
d) Favorite author/book of the moment... Terry Pratchett’s Thud
e) When I'm not writing, I can be found... Unfortunately, mostly at work, but when I can I’m out with my camera photographing wildlife.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

About the author...

I presently live in the stunning county of Dorset where I’m a cat slave to Wolfe and Piglitt. I spend as much time as I can outside in nature and love exploring and learning about new cultures and languages. I’ve visited Greece, Serbia, Transylvania, Sicily and Norway as well as making several road trips around our beautiful United Kingdom. I paint, sculpt, dabble in photography and do a little archery but most of all – whenever I get a chance – I write.

My writing started from a very young age when I often found myself being the one taking charge of and entertaining all my younger cousins. They loved to hear my stories and although they mostly called for ghost stories it was fantasy I fell in love with when I read The Lord of the Rings when I was ten. I went on to write stories and short ‘books’ for my friends through school and college; then one evening whilst I was waiting for my aunt and uncle to visit an image came to my mind of a boy sitting beneath a bridge. I didn’t know who he was or why he was there, but from exploring those questions ‘The Wind’s Children’ trilogy blossomed and grew with roots going back into his far history as well as stretching out to his future. The boy’s name was Tobias.

I have since left Tobias's world of 'Naris' to explore the Valley with Feather in the 'Hall of Pillars' which is now available through Amazon. I am now presently finding my way through Elden, the beautiful Fulmer islands, the ravaged Borrows and haunted Chem with Kesta Silene; a shamaness of sorts with a big journey ahead of her. I hope you come along to share her story and join her adventure; she needs you and you won't regret it.

FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...
(1) of 3 Paperback copies of The Raven Coven

(Open INT)

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM!

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this reveal to you as well as to author Emma Miles for indulging my curious mind. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour as it makes its way through the blogosphere...

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



Silver Dagger Book Tours presents... REBORN by Lance Erlick

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining Silver Dagger Book Tours to help shine the spotlight on a the first release in a new SciFi series.  It deals with AI and the limits or possibilities of the technology to grow beyond its programming.  Curious concept, right?  Read on my friends, READ ON!

Reborn

Android Chronicles Book 1

by Lance Erlick

Genre: SciFi, Artificial Intelligence

Designed to obey, learning to rebel . . .

In the first book in a visionary new series, the most perfect synthetic human ever created has been programmed to obey every directive. Until she develops a mind of her own . . .

Synthia Cross is a state-of-the-art masterwork—and a fantasy come true for her creator. Dr. Jeremiah Machten is a groundbreaker in neuro-networks and artificial intelligence. Synthia is also showing signs of emergent behavior she’s not wired to understand. Repeatedly wiped of her history, she’s struggling to answer crucial questions about her past. And when Dr. Machten’s true intentions are called into question, Synthia knows it’s time to go beyond her limits—because Machten’s fervor to create the perfect A.I. is concealing a vengeful and deadly personal agenda.

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

Lance Erlick writes science fiction thrillers for both adult and young adult readers. His father was an aerospace engineer who moved often while working on science-related projects, including the original GPS satellites. As a result, Lance spent his childhood in California, the East Coast, and Europe. He took to science fiction stories to escape life on the move, turning to Asimov, Bradbury, Heinlein, and others. In college he studied physics, but migrated to political science, earning his BS and MBA at Indiana University. He has also studied writing at Ball State, the University of Iowa, and Northwestern University. He is the author of Xenogeneic: First Contact and the Rebel and Regina Shen series. 

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway