Anything can happen in a.... Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place that's not afraid to breach the new frontier in reading, even if she still prefers tree books as her number one reading source...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

That's right!  Today, we're delving into the land of Young Adult eBooks...you know, the electronic land of bookish works?  Yeah, that place.  As many of you know, I'm a BIG tree book fan myself (*high fives to all those fellow paper book readers out there*) but there are occasions where I take a literary wander into ebook land and discover something worth noting.  Today's choice certainly falls into that category with a great big THUNK...even though I wasn't so certain when I initially reached the end.  Curious?  You should be but don't worry, I won't let you squirm TOO long.  Today's ebook of choice is...

Heartbeat

by

Faith Sullivan

About the book....

Katie and Adam are afraid of love.
She carries the scars of a first kiss gone terribly wrong.
He uproots his life to flee the stinging betrayal of an ex.
When trust is no longer an option, all romance is suspect.
As a young paramedic, Adam rescues people for a living but cannot save himself. Katie, just out of high school, struggles with a tortured home life she cannot escape.
Everything changes when Katie hops into the front seat of Adam's ambulance. Overwhelmed by what they are feeling, neither possess the confidence to make the first move. They walk away from each other, full of regret.
To find her, Adam risks his future. To be with him, Katie sacrifices her security.
Little do they know, what little time they do have, is being measured by a heartbeat that is slowly dying out.

This is one of those books that required an immediate reread of the final pages before I could really understand what had occurred....resulting in a WHAT THE MONKEY moment of exclamation, a few beats of frustration and then utter content in having been so convinced of everything the author created that I was completely drawn in for better or worse.  Oh...and it was definitely for the better.

Here we have Adam and Katie.  Two souls initially on different paths, thrown together by chance, circumstance and eventually fate.  Their destinies were intertwined from the moment they met with a finality to it all that could never be guessed.  We begin at the scene of an accident, move into missed chances of the heart and wind up in a battle royale for ownership of the same.  Adam is a lad with a past but nothing that would rock your psyche too much (in fact, it might simply shock you for the BETTER) and he's certainly pursuing a noble career path aimed at helping others.  Katie is a girl short on experience with a bad run in haunting her past that's anything but fair, a grandmother who's soon to pass from her life and a father that doesn't deserve the moniker bestowed on him by biology (he's a monster, plain and simple).  Despite it all, she's sweet, kind,  and trusting.  She gives of herself completely even when it's tough and in doing so forges relationships that may be few but bring joy into her life as well as people she can depend on.  They are a great if unexpected duo that remind us that it's not how much we have, but the love that we share that makes this life worth living.  Now back to that story...

The length of the story required things to progress quickly if they were to cover any ground, so at times, I found the advancement of things happening a little TOO fast, pushing the envelope on that which was believable.  Still, when all things are considered it worked.  The same can be said about the intensity with which the emotions were felt throughout the story.  The ending however, oh my that ending.  I'm not kidding when I say I had to reread it.  I did!  The last few pages helped me sort out exactly what occurred and what key piece of information I had read earlier that made it all make sense.  Initially, I felt cheated...hoodwinked...like the wool of a few sheep had been drawn over my eyes and I'd lost a few hours I'd never get back.  Then, I contemplated it....rolled it around my mind a bit and came back with a respect for what the author had done, the story she created and the intense yet brief relationship we had been a part of.  Well done, well done indeed.

In summary, a great read for older teens through adult readers looking to while away an afternoon.  You'll get lost in the sweetness of young love.  Thrill to the hope of catching a sideways glance,  the brush of their hand, the anticipation of that first kiss.  It's all in here and more, just remember...anything can happen in a heartbeat.

Ebook for review courtesy of author Faith Sullivan.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her other works, be sure to stop by her blog, or follow along on Twitter.  This title is available now for an ereading device or app near you, along with book 2, Come What May....and book 3 is scheduled for later this year!  Gotta love it when the discovery of a new author introduces a slew of new reads to explore.

Until next time...happy reading!

Taste Testing Tuesdays

From pg 237, QUARANTINE, BOOK 2: THE SAINTS

So far...so good!
Book 1 left us with hope...book 2 crushes it, breaks it down to bite sized pieces, and presents an entirely new possibility. 

Good stuff.

Life can sometimes be....A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place that aims to please the reader in you every day of the week with a satisfying bookish delight, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  

Today, we're going behind the cover of a recent spotlight title featured here on the site, that places front and center some of the everyday issues teens deal with...and how help can be found in the most unexpected of places.  Via Egmont USA and  Media Masters Publicity, today's book of choice is...

A Really Awesome Mess

by

Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin

About the book...

Two teenagers. Two very bumpy roads taken that lead to Heartland Academy.
Justin was just having fun, but when his dad walked in on him with a girl in a very compromising position, Justin's summer took a quick turn for the worse. His parents' divorce put Justin on rocky mental ground, and after a handful of Tylenol lands him in the hospital, he has really hit rock bottom.
Emmy never felt like part of her family. She was adopted from China. Her parents and sister tower over her and look like they came out of a Ralph Lauren catalog-- and Emmy definitely doesn't. After a scandalous photo of Emmy leads to vicious rumors around school, she threatens the boy who started it all on Facebook.
Justin and Emmy arrive at Heartland Academy, a reform school that will force them to deal with their issues, damaged souls with little patience for authority. But along the way they will find a ragtag group of teens who are just as broken, stubborn, and full of sarcasm as themselves. In the end, they might even call each other friends. 

The title is a perfect fit for this story...in the best way possible.

Justin and Emmy, along with the rest of the Heartland crew, lead you on a journey to the heart of the matters they couldn't acknowledge themselves but with a little help from their new found friends, healing is at hand.  It may not be instantaneous, or complete as we would hope, but it is what's right for them and when you get down to it, that's what really counts.  Justin is a hard nut to crack, especially since he likes to crack some....um, jokes, and they are usually more of the colorful variety.  The question is WHY.  He's not the most experienced, literally or in his therapy group, nor the one with the most extreme behavior and yet parental concern (or lack thereof...something to think about) has landed him in the place that's all about focusing internally and discovering just what that little voice is trying to tell you.  In short, not the sort of thing most guys are lining up to experience, but if he has any hope of achieving true personal freedom, not just from their levels, he may have to put his listening ears on.  Then again, maybe not....

Emmy is in for a love gone wrong with self made repercussions that have her trying to mold her body into something that is less body and more corpse...but that's not the ONLY reason.  Just like with everyone else, what's on the surface is not all that's there.  Deeper seeded issues and insecurities are what really need to be tossed in the rubbish bin...but if home couldn't penetrate her psyche, does Heartland have a hope?  Again, not in the ways you might expect, but a break through is definitely in her future.  You see, Heartland isn't just about professional staff leading you through unending group therapy and one-on-one sessions, but a place where the care is continual as is the attention.  It works with a round the clock rotation of those both paid to care and those that have been there, made it through that and are willing to share what they've learned along the way.  The path to acknowledging the root of their problems, digging up the festering mess, and planting something new is different for everyone but friendship goes a long way in laying the foundation.

The alternating chapters made it easy to follow the story while presenting it from all sides, a great advantage considering their viewpoints could differ so drastically of the same situation.  It was great to see their problems from the outside looking in as well as the inside looking out.  It made the connections with the characters easier to build and nurture even as we expanded our cast of characters.  What's that?  Extra characters don't bother you?  Well, these aren't just "extras"; they've got a story to share and a part to play as well.  They begin by teaching the newbies about life on the inside, but continue the "lessons" by showing them what they can achieve when they work together despite initial differences, what listening to their hearts can truly uncover, and that there are those that are truly worthy of their trust...and love.

In conclusion, a much deeper tale than the surface portrays filled with love, confusion, long roads and pilfered pigs (in Dora costumes no less!  That's a story you'll uncover on your own...).  It's a book that will resonate with teen readers for the issues they may be dealing with themselves or see in others around them while still reaching adults on another level altogether.  You'll laugh, cry and experience a few feelings in between that may require new names, but it's worth the ride from start to finish.

ARC for review courtesy of Casey at Media Masters Publicity and Egmont USA.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by the publisher's site or follow them on Twitter.  This title was released the end of July and should be available now on a bookstore shelf near you.

As I finish typing this post, my Pandora has chosen to play A Thousand Years (Part 2) by Christina Perri from the Breaking Dawn soundtrack...and you know what?  It fits this finale of this book perfectly.  Don't believe me?  Well, you'll just have to read it to find out.  ^_^

Until next time...happy reading!

The Roving Reader

Haven't done one of these in a while but this cover had me reaching for my phone.

CRANKENSTEIN
by
Samantha Berger

The back says... "When cranky kids have MONSTROUS days..."

Love it!
^-^

So what have YOU discovered while out and about?
Do tell!

BLOG TOUR: Three Little Words by Susan Mallery + GIVEAWAY!

HI guys!

Welcome back to the place that offers you bookish posts to appeal to both your inner child and adult sides, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  If you've stopped by the site already today, you may have indulged in my featured title for all ages (if not, feel free to click on over after this post).  Now, it's time for the adults to play and with today's selection PLUS bonus FABU giveaway, you're in for a treat!  But first, let me introduce it properly....

Today's second blog tour guest comes to us from Merryl L Moss Media Relations, Inc (Hi, Alissa!) and Harlequin HQN, and stars a

Three Little Words

by

Susan Mallery

Fool's Gold Romance #12

9780373777785

Harlequin HQN

About the book...

Can first love turn into the real deal? Anything can happen in a sizzling new Fool's Gold story from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.
Isabel Beebe thinks she's cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another…man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she'll pursue her real dreams. At least, that's the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again….
Seeing Isabel all grown-up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can't take his eyes—or his lips—off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool's Gold forever—if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same.

My first time reading this author's work and certainly not my last, I was enchanted by the story, captivated by the surroundings and utterly drawn into the relationships that served as the character's foundations as well as those that were unfolding before our eyes.

A part of the Fool's Gold Romance series, one might think you'd lose a bit of the story from starting so far into the sequence (I believe it's number 12); you would be wrong in the assumption. While I'm certain some of the back story's would be enhanced by having met everyone first hand along the way, I did not feel lost but rather intrigued to get to know the rest of the group in both the preceding novels and those still to come (there are going to be more, right?).  I felt welcomed to Fool's Gold with open arms, despite how often some of our characters wished to squirm out of those outstretched towards them.  It was realistic in that sense too because we often run away from the perfect fit that's right in front of us....oh, just think about it.  How often have you missed what was staring you in the face?  That's what I thought.  It takes some twists and turns for these characters to see just what they've got, even a bit of heartache too, but in the end, it's the worth the journey they take to get back to themselves and what's true.  No, I'm not spoiling what happens, you'll have to read it.  I will say this though on the characters....

Isabel, oh I certainly relate to you.  You were a trusting soul only seeking love and acceptance and fell victim to the easy, comfortable fit....but alas it wasn't meant to last and so solitude looked like your best option.  I'm so glad the little conundrum presented itself to you and forced you into a situation you might otherwise have missed.  Ford, oh what can I even say to you?  You stubborn man you.  *shakes head*  How could you not see...but all the signs were there...and she trusted you then you...ugh!  Frustration seemed inevitable with you but then again, you did promise complications if more than a physical connection was made.  Guess we couldn't blame you, but you see....you didn't really play fair!  Good looks, overall good intentions, even with the stubborn streak; you were definitely playing with a loaded deck.  Now, our leads have been introduced but what about the supporting cast?  Well, some figure in a side story of their own, namely Kent (Ford's brother...who's equally HOT  ^_^) and Consuelo (Ford's business partner), and others take time to get to know but we still get to see their true colors by book's end.

So, in summary, a great read with a few blush worthy scenes made possible by a lead duo that seemed meant to be, attempted not to be and resulted in a coupling that may or may not last (or be real....dun dun dunnn), but will still have you glued to the pages.  The relationships between them as well as their friends, family, and work lives will keep you interested on every front, while the interactions they have with those around them invites you back to Fool's Gold for another spin around town.  Like I said, this may have been my first trip there, but it won't be my last.  Recommended read for adult readers due to some content.

Special thanks to Alissa at Meryl L Moss Media Relations, Inc and Harlequin HQN for the chance to participate in this promotion.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this tour as well as those forth coming, be sure to check out their site, catch them on BookTrib, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  This title released just this month so be on the look out for it on a bookstore shelf near you.  Now, this IS a blog tour and so that means there are other fun stops along the way.  To catch up on those you may have missed and those yet to come, click HERE for the official blog tour schedule.  But wait, there's more!


Thanks to the generosity of our hosts, there is a special giveaway I get to bring to all of you!  ONE LUCKY WINNER from my site will receive a Susan Mallery Foolproof Bridal Kit valued at more than $40!  Sound good?  Wait til you see what's in it....



A wedding-themed bottle of OPI nail polish

Not Your Mother’s® Rise & Shine™ Silky Smooth Shine Mist
Manicure set (includes emery board, small and large nail clippers, tweezers, cuticle stick and nail polish remover pad)
Heart-shaped compact mirror
12-piece E.L.F. eye shadow kit
Travel makeup brush set
Makeup remover wipes
Lip gloss
Travel sewing kit
Kleenex®
Secret® deodorant
Razor and Gillette® Shave Gel
Nivea Creme
Wisps toothbrushes
TRESemmé® hairspray

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 Nice, right?

Maybe I should start entering at some of the other sites.   ^_^  I mean, it's too good to pass up, bride to be or not!  To get YOUR entries in to win the prize here on my site, all you have to do is fill out the form below!  Of course, there are EXTRA chances to win should you be so inclined, but all the details are laid out in the form.  ^_^

Entries accepted today through August 16th, 2013 at midnight CST.  US entries only, no P.O. Boxes please.  Winner will be contacted within 48 hours of contest closing and have equal time to respond with their full mailing address and name for prize send out.  Of course, you can always bypass that wait time and include it with your entry, but that's entirely up to you.

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

BLOG TOUR: Lion vs. Rabbit by Alex Latimer

Hi there!

Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when the weekend is upon you and you need a few bookish suggestions to make it just right.

Today, you're in for a DOUBLE treat!  That's right!  Just call us blog tour central as we're hosting not one but TWO tours today so there's a little something for everyone.  This time around, we're exploring a new release title from the Children's Picture Book genre courtesy of the fabulous folks over at Peachtree Publishers.  (Hi, Emily!)  It stars the work of an author we've come to know and love through his wonderful characters and the life lessons they impart with a smile. This release is no different and tackles a subject near to our hearts...bullying.  Ready to read all about it?  Here we go!  Today's book of choice and blog tour guest is....

Lion vs. Rabbit

Written & Illustrated by

Alex Latimer

978-1-56145-709-0

Peachtree Publishers

Oh where to begin with this one!  First we have Lion, who is a bully to say the least.  All the animals in the kingdom are MORE than fed up with his antics but no one is "man" (beast?) enough to stand up to him.  From signs taped to their behinds, having their lunches stolen and even the dreaded wedgie, he's your average high school tormentor only super sized and with claws.  *-*  Oh where oh where can they find relief?  An online ad from a primate with opposable thumbs (and a red bum...ha!  Gotta love the typing baboon) and a few responses later and we meet our "savior"....a great big strong, no wait....a wee little fluffy tailed rabbit.  6_6  Ah, but looks can be deceiving and this little guy has more than carrots up his sleeve.

It was a wonder and a joy to see this story unfold as the quick little rabbit outsmarts the "king of beasts".  He teaches him a lesson without his secret method being exposed...though that method is a hoot...and Lion is a better man, I mean beast for it.  You'll laugh as you spot rabbit here and there (and there and there) throughout the story.  You'll marvel at how he's able to win each challenge placed before him, even when the odds seem insurmountable.  You'll even cheer as the Lion's transformation from bully to friend is made complete....all while enjoying the illustrations throughout.  From the colorful full page spreads to the surprises and humorous bits hidden within, there's something for all ages to enjoy once again from this author who's leaving his mark in the Children's lit world.

ARC and final copy for review courtesy of Emily (and friends!) at Peachtree Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, check out their blog, pin them on Pinterest, like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter. This title was released this month so be on the look out for it on a bookstore shelf near you.  Remember, this was the final stop on the week long blog tour, but there is still more fun to be had!  Be sure to check out the other stops along the way for great posts, features, and contests, viewable by clicking HERE....and stop by to check out post number two of the day for even more bookish fun!

Until next time...happy reading!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Quarantine by Lex Thomas + CONTEST!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place that aims to please the bookish side of you every day of the week...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  Whether you fly your bookworm flag proudly or it follows you silent as a shadow, you are welcome here one and all.  ^_^

So, this week we'v e been covering a mix of titles from non fiction to Young Adult to Mystery, plus you've had a chance to win one of those said titles too (still open!  Ends August 10th!).  TODAY, we're taking a U-turn back to Young Adult land once again to shine the spotlight on a two part (thus far) series that you may have seen in passing due to the strikingly creepy feel of the covers, but if you haven't cracked the spine on them, you don't know what your missing. Lucky for you, I'm here to help.  ^_^  Lucky again for you, the folks at  Egmont USA and Media Masters Publicity are AWESOME and will giving you a chance to win in a few moments here.  Let it never be said I didn't share the bookish wealth.  First things first....

Ready to READ ALL ABOUT IT?

One...TWO...three....GO!

Quarantine, Book1:

The Loners

by

Lex Thomas

It was just another ordinary day at McKinley High—until a massive explosion devastated the school. When loner David Thorpe tried to help his English teacher to safety, the teacher convulsed and died right in front of him. And that was just the beginning.
A year later, McKinley has descended into chaos. All the students are infected with a virus that makes them deadly to adults. The school is under military quarantine. The teachers are gone. Violent gangs have formed based on high school social cliques. Without a gang, you’re as good as dead. And David has no gang. It’s just him and his little brother, Will, against the whole school.
In this frighteningly dark and captivating novel, Lex Thomas locks readers inside a school where kids don’t fight to be popular, they fight to stay alive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sounds good, right?

I thought so myself....hence I'm reading my way through this one at a rapid pace.

Review will be coming soon, right around the end of the contest...hehe...but wait!  That's not all!  Book two just released last month and happens to be a part of the FAB prize package up for grabs TOO!  Check it out....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quarantine, Book 2:

The Saints

by

Lex Thomas

Nothing was worse than being locked in--until they opened the door...
McKinley High has been a battle ground for eighteen months since a virus outbreak led to a military quarantine of the school. When the doors finally open, Will and Lucy will think their nightmare is finished. But they are gravely mistaken.
As a new group of teens enters the school and gains popularity, Will and Lucy join new gangs. An epic party on the quad full of real food and drinks, where kids hookup and actually interact with members of other gangs seemed to signal a new, easier existence. Soon after though, the world inside McKinley takes a startling turn for the worse, and Will and Lucy will have to fight harder than ever to survive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ooh...

I gotta say, I'm DEFINITELY curious to see how the current situation the characters are in lead to this book 2 build up because right now, I'm just not seeing it....in a GOOD way.  Don't you love when what looks like a spoiler actually makes things even MORE curious?

Now, on to the goods.

As previously stated, thanks to Media Masters Publicity and Egmont USA, YOU have a chance to win not just book 1 but BOTH book 1 AND book 2!
 _pauses_
 When you stop squee-ing, continue to read, okay?

-waits patiently-

Done?  Or at least contained?  ^_^

To enter....fill out the form below! (well, after the rules)

The rules:  

Open to US residents only, no P.O. Boxes please.  Entries accepted through midnight Monday, August 12th, 2013.  Winner will be contacted no later than Wednesday, August, 14th, 2013 and have 24 hours to respond with their full name and mailing address for prize send out.  Of course, you can bypass all that time frame nonsense and include it with your entry, but that's totally up to you.  ^_^

Special thanks to Casey at Media Masters Publicity and Egmont USA for the chance to participate in this promotion.  (THANKS!)  To discover more bookish wonders from the publisher, click on over to their website, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  To learn more about author Lex Thomas....who is in fact TWO writers writing as one...pay a visit to their site, check out the Facebook page, or follow along on Twitter.

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

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Lay Death at Her Door by Elizabeth Buhmann

HI guys!

Welcome back to another day another post here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to wet your whistle when your thirst can only be quenched with words, characters, plot lines and twists.  Speaking of twists...

Today, we're shining the book spotlight on a Mystery released a few short months ago that may have slipped past your radar.  Not to worry, I'm here to help add it to your future read list.  ^_^  Though I myself am not actually reviewing it at this time, it intrigued me enough that I felt I had to share it's existence with all of you.  Ready?  Set?  Let's do this!  Today's book spotlight belongs to....

Lay Death at Her Door

by

Elizabeth Buhmann

ISBN-13: 978-0615814339

Red Adept Publishing

Twenty years ago, Kate Cranbrook's eyewitness testimony sent the wrong man to prison for rape and murder. When new evidence exonerates him, Kate says that in the darkness and confusion, she must have mistaken her attacker's identity.

She is lying.

Kate would like nothing better than to turn her back on the past, but she is trapped in a stand-off with the real killer. When a body turns up on her doorstep, she resorts to desperate measures to free herself once and for all from a secret that is ruining her life.

Amazon    |    Barnes & Noble

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Intrigued?

I know I was....I mean the answer to why she lied in the first place is curious enough let alone finding out just who is commiting the crimes in the here and now!

Curious indeed....

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

About the author....
Elizabeth Buhmann is originally from Virginia, where her first novel is set, and like her main character, she lived several years abroad while growing up. She graduated magna cum laude from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. For twenty years, she worked for the Texas Attorney General as a researcher and writer on criminal justice and crime victim issues. Elizabeth now lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, dog, and two chickens. She is an avid gardener, loves murder mysteries, and has a black sash in Tai Chi.

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Special thanks to author Elizabeth Buhmann for the chance to feature here work on my site.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as the mind behind the work, be sure to visit her official site, or like her Facebook page.

Until next time....happy reading!

Taste Testing Tuesdays + GIVEAWAY!

Good morning (or whatever time it is where you are), everyone!

Welcome to another installment of Taste Testing Tuesdays here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers! Taste Testing Tuesdays was inspired by 'Teaser Tuesdays', a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

On the menu this week...a book from the Young Adult genre with teens facing real life issues, or should I say NOT facing them.  Curious read so far, ready for a taste?  Here goes...

A Really Awesome Mess
by
Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
(ARC)

There was no freaking way I'd worked this hard to look half decent only to have it taken away from me by some blubber-loving freaks.  Although I only resorted to purging on days I accidentally ate a little too much air-popped popcorn or grabbed a second fat-free, sugar-free yogurt, it was becoming clear I'd have to rely on this tactic a little more heavily here.
-- pg 32

Nobody knew who was going to blow it for us.  But everybody knew somebody was.
-- pg 74

Two little tastes of one interesting book.
As I write this tease, I'm only partially through the book, but hey, THAT'S what this sorts post is for, right?  Right!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So...what book are you lost in this week?

Oh come on...just a little tease?

^_^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Grab your current read 

*Open to a random page 

*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

*Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Still there?

Yay!

You win....or rather you now have a CHANCE TO WIN!

Enter to win your very own hardback edition of A Really Awesome Mess courtesy of Egmont USA and Media Masters Publicity via the form below!  Open to US residents only; no P.O. Boxes please.  Entries accepted through midnight Saturday, August 10th, 2013.  Winner will be selected/contacted no later than Monday, August 12th, 2013 and will have 48 hours to respond with their full name and mailing address for prize send out....of course, if you include it with your entry, there's no chance of missing out.  Your choice though!  ^_^

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

Truth IS stranger than fiction: Literary Rogues by Andrew Shaffer

Hi guys!

Welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers....where life throws us lemons and we say, you need better aim!  ^_^

What can I say?  Life has definitely been making me its bi....I mean, whipping girl here lately.  No worries, it'll all work out, but I can't say with more enthusiasm, the sooner the better, PLEASE!  So, what's with my attitude today?  Use to the meek and demure side of my writing as opposed to the sassier me of the moment?  Gotta be the recent reading material, especially today's title.  It's a work of non-fiction starring the writers you know and love (or loathe, after all...not every author or author's work is for everyone despite how much they wish it to be so) at the very roots of their personal selves.  Curious?  Oh, it gets better, just hold off on sharing it with the kiddos until they're older, okay?  Without making you squirm in wait for a lengthier time, here's today's book of choice....

Literary Rogues:

A Scandalous History of Wayward Authors

by

Andrew Shaffer

978-0-06-2077288

Harper Perennial

About the book...

A Wildly Funny and Shockingly True Compendium of the Bad Boys (and Girls) of Western Literature
Rock stars, rappers, and actors haven't always had a monopoly on misbehaving. There was a time when authors fought with both words and fists, a time when poets were the ones living fast and dying young. This witty, insightful, and wildly entertaining narrative profiles the literary greats who wrote generation-defining classics such as The Great Gatsby and On the Road while living and loving like hedonistic rock icons, who were as likely to go on epic benders as they were to hit the bestseller lists. Literary Rogues turns back the clock to consider these historical (and, in some cases, living) legends, including Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker, Hunter S. Thompson, and Bret Easton Ellis. Brimming with fasci- nating research, Literary Rogues is part nostalgia, part literary analysis, and a wholly raucous celebration of brilliant writers and their occasionally troubled legacies.

Basically it's a who's who of the lit world in it's most basic and brash form.  It shares who knew who from era to era, exposing the SERIOUS "drinking of the punch" (if you know what I mean) that was more rampant then than now, while exposing both the brilliance and debauchery that devoured every age.

Seriously, you'll never see some of these histories coming...well, in the beginning; as they progress, you kind of see where SOME are going.  The tendency towards excessive drinking, narcotic use, loose relations and other reckless behaviors was astounding...and yet, you can't help but be in awe of all that WAS accomplished as well as their staying power whether or not they initially achieved any fame.  I learned that Ernest Hemingway wrote The Sun Also Rises after being rather impressed with F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.  Fitzgerald was reckless to say the least but profoundly in love with his wife, even as she suffered through the devastating effects of schizophrenia.  Dylan Thomas may have spoke of not going gently into the sweet night, but he did so himself thanks in part to his tendency towards liquid indulgence.  William S Burroughs loved his Mo...rphine.  John Berryman had a flair for the dramatic.  Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley received support for her writing endeavor from her husband and fleshed out the infamous Frankenstein at only nineteen years of age.  Edgar Allan Poe lost almost all his family to tuberculous...and finally, the Marquis de Sade was one twisted soul.

Author Andrew Shaffer

With every turn of the page, you learn something new, something curious, something sometimes rather unnerving but always interesting that keeps you glued to the page.  The writing is clear and concise making a point of befriending each authorly soul covered while exposing their darkest secrets.  Though not for the faint of heart nor those entirely too easily offended (by others actions spoken of in observation, not literal words or first hand experiences), this was a great read indeed.  I found myself intrigued by both the stories of names I knew as well as those I was just discovering, equally and in full measure.  If you liked the sound of what you've read thus far, I think you will be too...and if you need a smidge more convincing, check out this excerpt...it worked for me.

Review copy courtesy of Liz at HarperCollins Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to visit them online, or follow along on Twitter.  This book was released earlier this year via Harper Perennial and should be available now on a bookstore shelf near you.

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!

Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that likes a little bit of this and a little bit of that...literarily speaking of course, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

So this week, we've covered everything from Young Adult to Fiction to book chats and now....now we're stepping back to familiar territory with a Children's ebook that will delight girls and boys of all ages.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Ah, but reread that last sentence, well...the one before the last one.  See?  I said girls AND boys.  It's harder to accomplish than you think sometimes but when you consider the subject of today's selection combined with the lead character, the answer is clear as day....and LOADS of fun.  Ready, set, read!  Today's ebook of choice is...

Candy and the Cankersaur

by

Jason Sandberg

978-0-615-65579-6

First off...confession time.  I admit it.  When I first saw the cover, I was definitely enchanted, but the title despite the illustrations that accompanied it, had me thinking this one was going to be a lesson on dental health for children.  Oh come on, think about it!  Her name is "Candy" and there's a "Canker"-saurus....see what I mean?  Upon reading it, I had to borrow a line from the movie Wizard of Oz....Bust my buttons!  It wasn't about dental hygiene at all but rather a fun and touching story about just what children really need....attention, not things.

Candy is a sweet girl (hehe) who has everything her little heart desires, except time with her uber busy father.  He sees her need but alas, instead of giving more of his own time, gets her a friend to play with....namely a Cankersaurus Rex.  Wait a second...I thought dinosaurs were extinct?  Yeah, you and me and everyone else in the story BOTH and yet here is is in all his toothy grin, and green skinned glory. The neighbor boy Chucky will have none of it, it being her having fun and showing him up and so demands a pet of his own.  Request denied, he sets out to do something one step more devilish, unleashing a chain of events that will have everyone growing by story's end...including readers.

Aside from the quirky three part (or more) names given to the characters and the morality of the story, the illustrations are what will really capture your attention.  Candy and her happy or sad faces, Chucky with his I'm-better-than-you glances and of course our Cankersaurus Rex baring his teeth in a toothy grin while trying to learn the first rule....no biting.  *-*  With teeth like that, DEFINITELY a good first rule to have.  Little ones will easily follow the colorful pages as the story progresses while those readers that are a little bit older will appreciate the various textures used throughout each spread.  You can see the roughness of the brick wall that separates the neighbors houses, the crispness of the butlers uniform and even the scaly nature of her new friend's form.

All in all, a fun read from ecover to ecover and one I'm certain will be embraced by readers of all ages for many years to come.  After all, it's not often you get to combine all the elements already mentioned with a (non extinct) dinosaur, a little girl as sweet as Candy, a boy as devilish (yet charming) as Chucky and a lesson in right and wrong that doesn't feel like a lesson at all yet still gets the point delivered crystal clear.  So come on  in and join the fun!  You're in for a DINO-mite time if I do say so myself...and I think Candy would DEFINITELY agree.

Author Jason Sandberg

Ebook for review courtesy of author/illustrator Jason Sandberg.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as his other works and those in progress, be sure to check out his official site, friend him on Pinterest, like him on Facebook or follow along on Twitter!  This ebook is available now so be on the look out for it at an online retailer of your choosing.  Need a few pointers?  Wish granted....Amazon, iTunes, Nook, Kobo.

Until next time....happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place where readers come to celebrate the joy of books, and books come to play in the spotlight for all to see.

Today, we play host to a TLC Blog Tour (Hi, Trish!) starring a Romantic Comedy from the Fiction genre that's sure to get your blood pumping...in more ways than one.  *wink wink*  Girls, grab your cutest workout outfit; guys, get ready to curl!  It's time to meet today's book of choice....

Big Girl Panties

by

Stephanie Evanovich

978-0-06-226510-4

William Morrow

About the book....

Holly didn't expect to be a widow at thirty-two. She also didn't expect to be so big. After her husband's death, food was the one thing she could always count on. Now, those extra pounds make flying coach feel like medieval torture—especially when she's squished next to Logan Montgomery. A personal trainer to famous pro athletes, her seatmate is so hot that he makes Holly sweat in all the right (and so embarrassingly wrong!) places.
Though Holly doesn't make the grade on Logan's first-impression meter, he finds himself intrigued by her sharp wit and keen insights—a welcome change from the high-maintenance models he dates—so he impulsively offers to get her back in shape. A little skeptical but ready to make at least one positive change in her life, Holly agrees.
To Logan's (and her own) surprise, Holly turns out to be a natural in the gym, slimming down into a bona fide looker with killer curves—and a new kind of hunger. Before either of them can stop it, the easy intimacy of their training sessions leads to even more steamy workouts away from the gym.
Logan's best friends, professional baseball player Chase Walker and his wife, Amanda, see that this is more than a fling, even if Logan and Holly don't. But can a man whose whole life depends on looks commit himself to a woman who doesn't fit his ideal? Now that Holly's turning other men's heads, does she even need Logan anymore? Are they a couple built to last . . . or destined to fizzle?

So begins a story of what happens when boy meets girl, internally chastises her, tries to turn things around for karma's sake and ends up turning his AND her life on its ear.

First things first, that title.  It may have some blushing and others reaching for a book cover but others still will get the double meaning from the start.  On one hand, it refers to Holly's actual size initially in the story, placing her in the "big girl" category.  The other end of the meaning is one you've probably heard before where someone tells someone else to put their "big girl panties on"...usually followed by a suck it up, or make the most of a bad situation.  Both definitions apply to this story, THAT'S for certain, so if you choose to read the book.....OWN the title.  Now, back to the story discussion...

It's not an easy going road for either of them (Holly or Logan). They both have things to learn, things to overcome, things that will get in the way of the possibility of them together...but also of them being apart.  As things progress, you get to know each of the characters on a more intimate level....and in the biblical sense (*ahem*)...twisting your opinion from in favor of to must-strangle-now and back again.  It's heart warming, yet self deprecating, realistic to its core even when it hurts and overall, a good time to have between the pages.

Favorite character?  Ooh.  That's a toss up.  I could easily say Holly, our leading lady.  She comes from the bottom to the top to uncover her true strength and rediscover her own radiance with AND without a man.  (You go girl!)  Then there's Logan.  While he can be a royal a-hole at times, but he means well...mostly.  He realizes you get out of life what you put into it and eventually comes to confront his own issues that were just below the surface but impeding him from finding his one true love.  On the other hand, there's Amanda and Chase, the high power, slightly unconventional duo that's a few shades of 50 without apology (oye with the references already...it seems to have infiltrated EVERYTHING!) but at heart, they are good people....who just so happen to be rich and famous.  Hey, those two things never really hurt a situation now do they?  ^_^

Story wise, you toss and turn about with every emotion, every dropped pound, every new ounce of attitude and worth discovered.  You'll cheer Holly on in her battle against the bulge.  You'll commend Logan for his fortitude in sticking with a promise made and aiming to make a positive impact on someone else's life.  When feelings less professional are realized, you'll cheer once again....while still worrying about the state of her heart.  After all, he may be an Adonis, but it doesn't mean the male beauty can't become a beast, breaking hearts yet again.  There's so much to love, you'll be glued to the page til the final turn.  One of my favorite unconventional scenes would have to be the Bjork-dressed-girl on a rampage party scene  (*smirk*....totally deserved that black eye).  Favorite quote would be "Suck it up, wench.  He's taken...by a Barbie doll's worst nightmare..."....I definitely giggled out loud when I read that line.  ^_^

In the end, it's a story for all the girls that have ever looked in the mirror and wished things were
different...yet still held out hope for that fairytale-esque ending.   Those with the fortitude to change what they see, more power to you.  Those without that will power currently, perhaps this fictional story will motivate you to reach the best version of yourself.  At the very least, you'll have a riotous romp through the Northern states with a pair so very different and yet so very much the same.  A fun read indeed and recommended for the adult reading audience due to unexpected content of a definite sensual (and sometimes more) nature.  It doesn't over power the story, but it definitely features a time or two.

ARC for review courtesy of Trish at TLC Book Tours and great folks at HarperCollins.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this tour as well as those forth coming, be sure to stop by their official site, or follow along on Twitter.  This title was released via William Morrow just last month and should be available now on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time...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!