Scary Tales: Home Sweet Horror by James Preller

Hi there!

Welcome back to the SPOOKIEST place to be in the blogosphere on a day like today...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Now, if you're wondering WHY it's the spookiest place today then you might need to check your calendar because today is the day that's all about the CANDY CaNdY cAnDy CANdy CANDY...as Garfield the cat would say.  What's that?  You don't know WHAT on earth I'm talking about?  Oh come one!  You've had to have seen the Garfield Halloween special...or wait, maybe some of you haven't.  Man...I feel old now.  -_-   No matter; young or young at heart, you can appreciate this animated holiday special so if you've seen it, you're in good company...if not, it's on DVD (and probably BluRay at this point) so seriously, seek it out!  You'll be glad you did.  Now, back on topic...

Today's pick was a HARD decision.  I mean, I knew it had to be something spooky, something creepy, and hopefully something on my growing read-but-need-to-review stack (pile...mountain...whatever - don't judge, it's not nice) but it also had to be a perfect fit for the day.  *think think think*  EUREKA!  In a moment of pure brilliance, also known as reviewing the titles IN the stack (hehe), I discovered just what the book of the day should be.  Can you guess?  Have you any inkling?  Okay, okay...Mr/Mrs Smarty-Pants...rereading the title at this point is SO cheating!  For the sake of time, I'll forgive you, just this once...don't let it happen again!  (^_^)  Dim the lights and grab some extra flashlight batteries, today's book of choice is...

Scary Tales

Book 1:  Home Sweet Horror

by

James Preller

Illustrated by

Iacopo Bruno

Feiwel & Friends

9781250018861

The short of it...it's SCARY but appropriately so with a unique twist at the end that you only sorta see coming while it both startles and warms your heart.  The long of it...well, that could fill another book on its own, but let me see if I can condense it for you so that you can check out this read THIS Halloween as opposed to next.  Deal?  Here goes...

This is the first installment in a planned series (entitled Scary Tales), of which the next two are already on a bookstore shelf as we speak, and introduces young readers (and those young at heart) to the joys of SCARY literature.  It's not scare-the-pants-off-you bad but it definitely turns up the creep factor and once you add in the illustrations, you have a well rounded read fit for a campfire gathering or Halloween night.

As the synopsis shares, Liam Finn and family have just moved into a new house...well, a new-to-them house...and it's showing MAJOR signs of having more guests than themselves.  Add in a well timed (or perhaps ILL-timed) game of Bloody Mary and you're definitely inviting more in than you bargained for...that is if you believe in all that stuff.  Which of course, I don't.  ~looks around...turns on more lights~  Ahem.  Things get a bit hairy with ghastly glows, possessed drawings, missing dogs, and somewhat sinister messages left using the fridge magnets (you know, the alphabet ones?) and I'm not talking about "honey, I left for work" either.  One thing leads to another which reveals the history of the house and an explosion of gasp worthy magnitudes...the likes of which they would be lucky to escape, if in fact they do.  Dun dun dunnnn...

Yes, sorry my friends, but I shan't be spoiling the ending for you now or later...you'll just have to read it.  I will say that Liam is a great kiddo, his sister is too.  He has a loving family both near and "far" who only want the best for them all.  He's been through a lot and the move to a new town and new home are merely the least of it but even with the monkey wrenches thrown in the works, he has persevered...a feat at twice his age.

In the end, a great read for this time of year or any time for that matter when you're looking for something to give you a little start.  Young readers will easily identify with either child, enjoy the dark illustrations perfectly in tune with the tale and experience some trembles from the SPOOKY mystery interjected...after all, MOST have heard of Bloody Mary at some point or another, but not all have stayed to tell the tale.  (Mwuahahahahahaha!) Older readers will thrill in the overall story from startling start to haunting finish and appreciate the appropriateness of the read for a wider audience.  It's hard to find a haunted story that has a good balance of spook and content...this one hits the mark dead center.  Oh, I didn't shouldn't have said dead.... *-*

ARC for review courtesy of Ksenia at MacMillian Children's Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, friend them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.

Until next time....HAPPY HALLOWEEN....and happy reading!

 

Be afraid...be VERY afraid! It's...Pinocula by Obert Skye!

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that aims to please the reader in you EVERY day of the week...and EVERY season of the year....Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today's selection is a classic mashup on the Children's Fiction side of things marking the third installment in an ever growing series aimed at Middle Grade readers but suitable for those well beyond in years.  The fabulousness of this one comes in the fact that it introduces young minds (and reminds those with more seasoned minds) to the classics of old in a new way, leaving room for further exploration after the read is through.  Ready to meet today's featured title?  Let's!  Get the garlic ready for this puppet has no strings to hold him down, it's time to introduce...

The Creature from My Closet:

Pinocula

by

Obert Skye

Henry Holt / Christy Ottaviano Books

9780805096897

About the book...

For Rob Burnside, things are going pretty well. His friends are behaving, school isn’t too bad, his family’s getting along, and Janae, the girl of his dreams, occasionally notices him. Yep, life’s okay—until the lying starts.  Meet Pinocula, the new creature from Rob’s closet. He is a liar and a jokester and is determined to drive Rob crazy. 

....something which he accomplishes time and time again but never to the extent that Rob forgets his mission, well...not completely anyway.

It's a story right from the pages of literature with a moral for today's generation...lying gets you nothing but a BIG nose and if you don't sleep in your own home sweet home, you may just turn into an inanimate block of wood!  Hard lessons for anyone to learn.  (hehe)  Seriously though, through Robs trials and tribulation in dealing with his little brother, addressing his crush on the neighbor girl (when WILL that ever work out for the poor lad!) without his fingers crossed and fessing up to every little thing he blows out of proportion in order to impress people that don't even truly need impressing...readers are treated to a real life look at how things can snowball into the h-e-double-hockey-stick of wrongness, and still be righted in the end.  That's not to say that Rob gets off scott free because really, he doesn't, plus there's the fact that we never know just what Beardy has in store for him next time the closet opens...but in the end, he'll be ready for it because he's growing up not only in age but in character.  What else could we possibly want from a work of Children's Fiction when all is said and done?

Author Obert Skye

In conclusion, another great installment in this growing series that will have readers of all ages clamoring to their local bookstores for another peek inside the closet.  The journal like entries complete with illustrations will capture the eye of readers young and old for their whimsy but also humor...a few snaps of which I shared myself on Twitter.  Could not resist!  If you're looking for a fun romp through the pages of not just one book but technically THREE, this is definitely one to set your sites on...and with the length of the story, it makes a quick read so take a reading break in your day and see just what happens when you cross a creature of the night with a boy made of wood.  Curious results...curious results indeed...

ARC for review received courtesy of Ksenia at MacMillian Children's Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this series as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  To discover more of author Obert Skye's world, check out his site, Facebook page, or Twitter feed.

Until next time...happy reading!

Starchild: Book One: The Age of Akra by Vacen Taylor

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when you're in the mood for an escape from the everyday mundane aspect of life; after all, reading can take you ANYWHERE.

Today's adventure is taking us out of this world and into the realm of Fantasy, but only just.  It's the beginning of a Children's Fiction series aimed at middle grade readers but perfectly suited for those well beyond in years.  It comes to us from a rising name in the literary arena and aside from being a good friend, fabulous photographer, and an awesome tweep from halfway around the world, she's a great writer too!  Talk about a triple threat (or is that quadruple?)!

Seriously though, my experience reading her work thus far has been positive and the first release in her children's series only goes to push that opinion even higher.  Haven't had the pleasure of reading her work just yet?  Ah, but you will...RIGHT NOW!  How's THAT for instant gratification?  I do aim to please.  (^_^)  Today's book of choice is...

Starchild

Book One:  The Age of Akra

by

Vacen Taylor

Prepare to be taken away to the planet Sage, as we embark on a quest for the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts and are led well beyond the scope of our initial journey.  When a chance encounter (or is it?) with the prophesied Starchild sets our brother and sister duo on a mission far greater than their own (though that was PRETTY important as it is!), it will take strength, courage and the powers of the seven nations to surmount the obstacles placed in their paths.  Their success or failure is entirely in their own hands because on this trip, the foes FAR out number the friends...and they are not that easily discerned either.

Far be it from me to try and over explain a work of fantasy even at a middle grade level seeing as how it's not my usual forte, admittedly though, I HAD FUN!  So, in order to better get across my likes/dislikes, I'll approach this one on familiar ground.  Characters anyone?  Mai was a GREAT character; humble, loyal, eager to learn as well as share what she has learned, in other words a great model as well as fictitious leader in the making.  She has a lot on her shoulders but makes the most of each challenge and never accepts defeat.  (Definitely like her... ^_^)  Long, the unlikely volunteer and yet perfect traveling companion especially with his unique skills, proves to be the comic relief most often, but also shows us that your lot in life does not measure the size of your heart...and despite any misgivings you may have about him, Long's really is quite large.  Oh yes, and speaking of comic relief, I couldn't forgive myself if I left out Barka!  He's a good-natured little fellow that never hesitates to tell you like it is...though tell is not meant in the traditional sense.  Think Rapunzel...(read the book...you'll see)...

Outside the family, we have Akra, who is a newcomer to both these lands as well as the world in general.  How so?  Well, he is supposedly the long await Starchild that will bring balance to them all...but first, he had to grow into all the powers he is to possess AND avoid being taken out by the dark forces in hot pursuit.  Yep.  He's got troubles aplenty but with the help of his new found friends, the odds are a bit more in his favor.  Continuing on that darkened path, we have the spiderflax (-shudders- ...if Aragog creeped you out...BE PREPARED!) and the Dementra (-double shudder- ...no comment but their name in and out itself should tell you something), not to mention all the other baddies out to influence Akra and Sahib to join with the dark side; a myriad of pitfalls but only their faith in the light and friendships can guide them through.  What's that?  I forgot to mention Sahib?  Silly me.  He is an integral part of all that will unfold, though how and why are not immediately clear.  All I can say is to give it time...and pay attention!   (It's SO worth it!)

Author Vacen Taylor

So, in conclusion, book one in a forthcoming seven book series for Middle Grade readers and beyond that will introduce you to the world of fantasy literature, one step at a time.  It's perfect for those that aren't accustomed to the intensity a full-fledged adult fantasy can bring, or who simply don't care for that sort of thing.  Hey to each their own and to my own, I count this book as a win!  I know I'll be checking out the second installment (which I do believe is available now) and hope you'll join me in the adventure!

Review copy courtesy of author Vacen Taylor.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her future works, be sure to stop by the book's official page, like her on Facebook, pin her on Pinterest, or follow along on Twitter!

Until next time....happy reading!

Scamps and Scoundrels Unite: Big River's Daughter by Bobbi Miller

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when you hear the voice of adventure calling but you just can't determine the source.  No worries, I'll help set you on the right course.  All in due time...and speaking of time...

Today, we are going back in time to a land both familiar and yet not so much.  Its leading lady is anything but expected and the rapscallions she encounters are straight out of history.  Though some might shirk at something historically tinged word to the wise...THIS ONE GETS IT RIGHT (in my humble opinion at least).  Are you ready to set sail on the mighty waters of a river wilder than most and in more ways than one?  Let your hair fly free and holler out a big WHO-OP...it's time to meet today's book of choice...

Big River's Daughter

by

Bobbi Miller

Holiday House

978082342752

About the book...

Raised by her pirate father on a Mississippi keeler, River is a half-feral river rat and proud of it. When her powerful father disappears in the great earthquake of 1811, she is on the run from buccaneers, including Jean Laffite, who hope to claim her father's territory and his buried treasure. But the ruthless rivals do not count on getting a run for their money from a plucky slip of a girl determined to find her place in the new order.

River is one little lady I'd rather not be inside the mind of.  Why you might ask?  Because...I'd rather count her as a friend by my side than a puzzle to be puzzled.

She's a red-headed rough-and-tumble scamp who knows her way around the river like the back of her hand.  Navigatin' with the aid of her Da's spyglass, she takes the world by storm...though not purely by choice.  While it's true enough she can handle her own affairs even at the whippersnapper age she be...her mostly solo status is a result of bad timing, Mother Nature's fury, and the mighty Mississip.

One nasty earthquake that broke the whole of the ground they infrequently tread and nothing was ever the same again; harrowing scenes hard to read even though certainly censored enough for the target reading audience.  We go from childhood freedom and bliss to heartache in the blink of an eye.  Treading the murky waters left behind, danger is never far just like the spirit of her Da, whether he still be earthbound of travelling beyond.  Why is not for her Da's fierceness burning withing (something a striped friend recognizes along the way and calls kin) and her own determination, I do believe we'd find the young lass victim to any number of foul plays which seem to follow closer than her own shadow...with or without her Tiger friend.  What's that?  Oh, yes...she has a Tiger as a friend.  It's rather sweet actually...the relationship, not necessarily the tiger.  Does wonders in proving just how far kindness and understanding can take you though when language is not the common denominator.  Moving forward...

The story is written so we get a mix of fact and fiction but IT WORKS, exposing readers of all ages to a time period in history that for many is long forgotten.  The characters are vivid and rich with real emotions on which to tread, lives on which to impose and friendships of which to establish lifelong (okay, book long) connections.  From River herself who would rather do almost anything than be "civilized" (too funny when they try, too!) to Tiger who is all BIG cat but built with enough heart to recognize goodness when he sees it.  From Annie Christmas, whom I'd rather NOT owe a pearl or anything besides thanks to, and ALL her boyos, whose kindness is too grand a scale to measure, to Gurdy and his swampy kin.  There is so much and so many to love and yet only so much cyberspace I can allot to this review...or at least only so much you'd be willing to read before ditching the site for your own "date" with the book.  ^_^

Author Bobbi Miller

In the end, whether good (yay River!), bad (boo Pirate Laffite and your double crossing crossed crony's), or somewhere in between (Harpe...nuff said), this tale of triumph and tragedy on the grand ole Mississip will have you glued to the page like a river pirate to his guiding pole.  There's trausre to be had, true enough and if I were a betting woman, my money would be on River to find it first...but the REAL treasure is the work itself.  It's fit for all middle grade readers and beyond, boy and girl alike.  What the story doesn't do for you, the characters will...as will the spot on dialect (bookmarks up to the author for capturing it so well!).

Review copy received courtesy of author Bobbi Miller.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her other works, be sure to visit her online, or friend her on Facebook.  This book is available now via Holiday House, so seek thee out a copy on a bookstore shelf nearest you.

Until next time...WHO-OP...and happy reading!

Four Legged Fiends Strike Again...courtesy of Penguin!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be if you're loving life, especially the bookish aspect of it.  

Today, we have a book that celebrates two of my FAVORITE things...READING...and...DOGS!  Yep.  A two in one winning combo that you simply can't go wrong with...well, okay, perhaps that's an over statement.  I mean some of these dogs, or rather the poems submitted on their behalf, ARE a bit on the "off" side of things, but it's harmless fun nonetheless.  Ready to greet today's featured title?  Alrighty then.  I'll just need you to sit, stay, and READ!  Today's book of choice is...

Throw the Damn Ball:

Classic Poetry by Dogs

by

R.D. Rosen, Harry Prichett, and Rob Battles

Yes.  It IS as FUN as the title and cover image lead you to believe.  From sweet to scary, obnoxious to what-in-the-world, there is something to induce laughter, smiles, gasps of surprise, and even tears on every page.  You'll be hard pressed to choose a favorite, or at least stick with a favorite.  I mean, how DO you choose?  It's like having a favorite child in a family of four; it just can't be done.  So, to be fair, I'm choosing to highlight a FEW of my favorites.  *ahem*  Let's see now, there's...


...Jose the "Dog Lord" Chihuahua from New York City (pg 41)...if the picture wasn't enough, the poem reminds you that size is DEFINITELY not everything, and never underestimate the little guy.
...Zooey from New York City (pg 37)...draws you in with her adorable-ness, and steal a tear with her simple yet moving question.
...Jax from Jacksonville, Florida (pg 64)...may be down a paw or two but he has spunkiness to spare.
...Cliff from Newhall, Iowa...who may just have the same sentiments in mind as one of my pups when it comes to the whole cookie business.
...and of course we can't leave out Oscar from New York City (pg 66), whose poem inspired the title of the entire collection!


These are just a few of the wonderfully adorable (and more than likely COMPLETELY sincere) rhyme filled, well worded wonders gracing the pages of this fun little read.  You'll smile at the sentiments, laugh out loud at some of the pics and be reminded just how much joy our four legged friends bring to our lives each and every day.  The only "warning" of sorts I must pass along is that some of the content is not exactly kiddo rated...it's in the minority.  So, if you're looking for something to brighten your day, the day of someone you know, or simply seeking a better insight into the mind of your pooch, this is definitely a title that should be on your MUST READ list.  Even my pups gave it two paws up...and they can be PRETTY darn picky!

Review copy received courtesy of Milena at Penguin Group USA.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to visit their official site.  To join all the buzz being generated by this new release, check out the Facebook page or follow along on Twitter.  This book reaches publication this month, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time....happy reading!

Happy birthday to...

...me!
A little work, and a lot of play!
Took the day off from the blog to relax for the evening with the fam....and yes, that's MY minion cake.
Jealous?   ^-^
-shares a virtual slice!

Edutainment for One and All: The return of the Great Ideas Series...

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the site that's not afraid to mix reading and learning; in fact, we ENJOY it and think you will too!

No, seriously...if you haven't tried any of the many edutainment options out there for yourself or the little ones in your life, you are sorely missing out.  They combine a wonderful learning experience with great stories and usually illustrations of the same high quality...such as the book we are reviewing today...to create an experience you won't soon forget.  Take today's title for example. 

 It's a Children's non-fiction choice via Tundra Books from an author I've come to know and appreciate through her various works (and online wit!).  If you're a frequent visitor to the site, you may recognize the name going in...if not, be prepared to be dazzled, and walk away with a bit of knowledge you did not formerly hold.  Readers and readettes, today's book of choice is...

Great Idea Series: Making Contact!

Marconi Goes Wireless

Written by Monica Kulling

Illustrated by Richard Rudnicki

Tundra Books

978-1-77049-378-0

This is the story of how wireless communication came to be.  It all started with one man's random thought of how can I make this better and I wonder if.  Once the idea was formed, nothing could stop him from reaching his goal and laying the groundwork for all that we take for granted today.  His name is Guglielmo Marconi.

Don't worry if you've never heard of him before, neither had I until I was introduced to this nifty book, but believe me, you are well acquainted with the long distance fruits of his labors.  I mean you can hardly walk down the street, shop in a mall, go out to eat, even go to a movie theater without seeing SOMEONE on their smart phone, PDA, laptop or other wireless device.  Even at home when cell time is over, there are still cordless phones to contend with.  All of these devices had their start, their initial skeleton laid out for them from Marconi's great idea.

Once upon a time, he was a boy enjoying life in Bologna, Italy.  A reader from the start, he was fascinated with the likes of Benjamin Franklin and his infamous kite flying expedition, as well as the wonders of Morse code.  After getting use of the telegraph machine under his belt, he moved on to even bigger ideas, ones that would in fact change how we communicate with and around the world.  It took time, it took dedication, it took heart...but it also took gumption and the ability to not only DREAM THE DREAM but FOLLOW IT THROUGH.  He didn't let his missed attempts along the way persuade him to put his ambitions aside. Instead, he took the knowledge gleaned from those experiences and pressed on, knowing that one day, his dream would be realized.

Along with learning about this great mind, we gain exposure to the places his life took him along the way through the artwork.  While there are some aspects of it I'm not as in favor of, I have to say that the broader strokes, the more general scenery or aspects of a room are what really captured my attention, especially the Italian countryside.  I love the scene depicted early on showing a courtyard of sorts with a statue and low lying stone wall.  The array of colors reflected in the work is beautiful, the texture it provides to the scene...inspired.  It rounds out the experience and gives readers another aspect of the book to appreciate.

Now, I know this story is about the "king of wireless communication" and the marvels his one great idea brought to us all, but I have to also comment on the less modern entertainment making an appearance in the story.  As much as I love my visual entertainment options from DVDs to BluRays, movie theaters to civic center stages, and although I'm not truly a fan of audio books (no throwing things!  To each their own!), I have to say that I rather loved how the author described "when Radio was queen".  So though not the exact vocal point of the story, I'm veering off for a few moments.

Imagine the experience with fresh eyes, not ones that have watched enough 3D in HD on the plasma tv in your den to create a few more acronyms.  Imagination was KING when radio was Queen and the vivacity of what could be conceived was up to the listener.  When spoken word met with the possibility of what if, it had to be something to see, to experience.  Nowadays everyone is so exposed to the extremes of everything pretty much from birth, the simple joys that can be found in your family room (do some of you even KNOW where that is?) at your mother's/father's knee, gathered around the radio, a board game, a reader even (as in a person, not a device) are gone with the wind....BUT, they don't have to be.

I task you...no, I CHALLENGE each of YOU to unplug from modern technologies for one night, hey even one hour a week.  Spend the time with your friends, your family, or even simply yourself, enjoying something from a less complicated era when enjoyment wasn't measured in screen pixels or the dimension a film was viewed in but by the activity chosen and the company you kept.  Remember the simpler days and the join back up with the here and now...and thank goodness Marconi and his far out wild idea of the past that brought us the ability to connect with each other across the miles so easily today.

Recommended read for all ages for the sheer edutainment of it all.  Little ones will enjoy the colorful pages as the story progresses while those on the path to adulthood (and beyond) will have a new appreciation for another great name from our past whose contributions are often used but seldom received recognition.  Just think about it.  The next time someone marvels at their wireless communication device...you can say, did you know that it all started with Guglielmo Marconi?

Review copy received courtesy of author Monica Kulling.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her other works within the Great Idea Series and beyond, be sure to visit her officialsite or friend her on Facebook.  This title is available now from Tundra Books so be on the look out for it on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: The Return of Scrooge by Robert Elisberg

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the place to be when you're in the mood for some brain food...with a HEAPING side of entertainment and a steaming cup of comfort and joy; Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers has your place set and welcomes you warmly to the table of mankind.

So.  It's October...which means we're in the last quarter of the year filled with month after month of holiday celebrations.  Yipee!  I know you've got to be ready for Halloween (and if not, I highly suggest you get those costume ideas confirmed STAT!) but how's about the yuletide?  You know, Christmas?

Hey!

Come back here!

NO running away when reading a post...it's just not proper!

Seriously though, it IS coming faster than you think (though not as fast as the stores are pushing it in our faces...*ahem*) and so when I saw a particular blog tour coming to town, I simply had to join the fun.  Despite the fact that I've hot pumpkins outside right now.  Despite the fact that it's BARELY Fall temperatures outside.  Despite the fact that it is in fact October and I'd normally reserve a book of this nature for a December read.  It DOES however get me an extra book counted in my annual 'Christmas Carol' tradition so there's a wee silver lining...of course the fact that it was immensely entertaining helps as well.  Ready to meet the Christmas "kid" dressed in shades of autumn that turned MY head early this year?  Don your gay apparel and light the lanterns, it's Christmas (for a wee time)...one and all!  Today's blog tour guest and book of choice is...

A Christmas Carol 2:

The Return of Scrooge

by

Robert Elisberg

Think you know the Dickens classic of old?  Well, quite right, you SHOULD be!  It IS a classic after all.  Think you know this tale of new?  Think.  Again.  Unless of course you HAVE actually read it and then WOW...just WOW.  *high five* Don't worry friends who haven't shared a spot of tea or pint of Bishop with this title yet, I've hot high fives for each of you as you check it off your "to--read" lists once...maybe even twice.

It's a smile a minute, a reflection a second, a book that branches out to touch most holiday celebrations with a hardy handshake and a cup of goodwill, for everyone...well, mostly.  In this tale, we are presented with the continuing story of Bob Crachit.  Let us set the scene...Scrooge is dead to begin with.  No really!  Passed on to the great beyond or what have you and seeking the treasures of the afterlife, but those left behind that knew him or of him are filled with feelings of loss in lieu of joy as his vision predicted in the original classic.  Yay Scrooge for staying on the straight and narrow!  From the sound of things, he kept his promise to remember the lessons of the three spirits and keep them in his heart the whole year through.

With that in mind, so begins our journey to save the charitable soul of Bob who though kindly and giving, shows us that there truly is a line between "good business" and just plain foolishness.  It's the "old give a man a fish, he eats for a day...teach him to fish, he's nourished for a lifetime...just without the actual fish.  You see, Bob means well, but in order to continue helping others, he has to help himself AND the business stay afloat or once the funds run dry, that's it.  The end of the line.  The final curtain.  The last hurrah.  The last cookie in the cookie jar.  The big sleep...well, for the business anyway, but the outward reach of such an event is MUCH wider than simply one.  Thank goodness he knew the likes of Scrooge and having been haunted himself once upon a time, is perfectly happy to pass along the experience...first hand.

Yep.  Scrooge himself or at least a form of his former self make an appearance on behalf of good old Bob Crachit, who while as good  as a good man can be, needs a bit of business sense.  Thanks to Scrooge, he's gonna get what's coming to him THREE FOLD, or rather thanks to the three spirits called upon short notice to assist in someone elses well being.   A few ticks of the clock later and we're back to the story you know and love with a noticeable twist and though it IS different, it is definitely enjoyable.  It was fun to see the ghostly visits through the eyes of someone entirely different, someone more open to believing in the abstract and needing it's nudge to find his own footing again.  Scrooge was a hoot...nuff said.  The ghostly "heroes" served their functions with a bit of comic relief and the sheer fact that the character roster included almost every one ever written by the man himself.  Curious how it all works out?  Well, you KNOW what you have to do... (~whispers~  READ IT!)

Review copy and stop over today courtesy of Dorothy Thomspon at Pump Up Your Book Publicity.  For more information on this tour as well as those forthcoming, be sure to stop by their official site or check them out on your favorite social media outlet.

Until next time...happy reading!

Taste Testing Tuesdays

Today's tease comes to us from pg 119 of my current read in progress. ..

BIG RIVER'S DAUGHTER
by
Bobbi Miller

...which I must say, is rather GOOD! It's written in the local dialect back in the days of Pirate Laffite and well let's just say young River just escaped with a tiger in tow.
What happens next?
-grabs book...dives in-

So...what are YOU reading?
Feel free to share...after all, teasing is allowed today.
^-^

BLOG TOUR: Cover Reveal: Fire on the Water by P.J. Parker + CONTEST!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place where you never know what you might happen upon, except...it will be bookish.

To that end, we are starting the week off right with a cover reveal courtesy of TWCS Publishing House starring a title perfectly fit for the season.  How so?  Well, there isn't any trick or treating nor jack-o-lanterns but there IS a distinct air of mystery, a definite "ooh" factor, and from the sound of it some chills to creep up your spine...not to mention the subject of the story is a well known name in the classic literary horror world.  Ready to meet today's guest?  Let's!  Today's spotlight falls to....

Fire on the Water:

A Companion to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

by

P.J. Parker

Release Date: December 12, 2013

978-1-61213-196-2

TWCS Publishing House

Rachel, a young American biographer researching the life of Mary Shelley in Montreux, Switzerland, is entangled and consumed by the escalating threads of her investigation. Shards of Shelley’s creation are exhumed from the past. Precious memories are hacked and sutured to the unthinkable. The unblemished flesh of the one she loves is stripped back to reveal what lies beneath—aspects of Frankenstein incised and ripped from the nineteenth century and transplanted into her own.

The archival records contained within the chiseled stone of Château de Chillon give some insight into a life long gone. It is, however, the contents of a document trunk that has remained unopened for generations that discloses what truly occurred in the idyllic Swiss Riviera village of Montreux to jolt the monster into existence. Personal letters and diaries detailing events, suppers, lectures, and conversations between Mary Shelley and her confidant, Doctor John Polidori, reveal a spiraling progression of horrors, dismembered cadavers, and uncertainties. Doctor Polidori assists the local gendarmerie in their investigation, unaware of how closely the knife will cut to Mary’s life and his own.

Rachel is drawn into the centuries-old conversations as she attempts to discern fact from fiction. But opening the trunk could not come at a more difficult time for Rachel. Her boyfriend has recently been killed in a motorbike accident and now, as she attempts to reconstruct her life, she is repeatedly confronted by a man of gigantic structure, of uncommon beauty, of intriguing origin.

Fire on the Water: A Companion to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein interweaves Rachel’s search with the plot of Frankenstein and the horrific occurrences of the summer of 1816 when Mary Shelley dared to dip her quill into the ink of her darkest of waking dreams.

The truth is given life.

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

OOoooh.

So, what do YOU think?

Me...I'd definitely say my interest has been acquired.

The cover fits the classic story that we know and love while the content sounds like it would be a way to further explore the original from a new perspective.  The whole blurring the line of fact and fiction aspect reminds me of another book that did just that...only with Dracula.

*curious*

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

About the author...
P.J. Parker was born and raised in rural Australia. With a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of New South Wales, he has traveled and lived extensively around the world, focusing on cultures of historic interest and buildings of architectural significance before transitioning into a career as a fraud analyst and programmer with a leading international financial institution. An avid reader and researcher, P.J. undertakes his writing with a passionate and exacting attention to detail.

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

So...now that you've SEEN the big reveal...

...and been intrigued by the sneak peek....

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE A CHANCE TO WIN?!

I thought you might.

Enter using the Rafflecopter below for your chance to score an ARC of this forthcoming novel...AND as a bonus, your review may be used in the book's promotion!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Special thanks to TWCS Publishing House for the chance to bring this cover reveal and spotlight to you, my readers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to stop by their site, friend them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  This title will be available this December so mark your calendars and spread the word!

Until next time...happy reading!

Who or what will YOU be?: FAUX PAW by Julia Dweck

HI guys!

Welcome back to the Sunday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place that aims to speak to the reader in each and every one of you, one book at a time.

Today, we're bringing to the forefront a familiar name from the Children's Picture ebook arena that  you've seen featured here quite a few times. You know why?  Because I can, that's why!  Just kidding..though still true.  ^_^  No, it's also because her work is so much fun, keeps getting better with each release, and consistently grabs my attention in a head turning grip of steel.  Don't believe me?  Don't worry...we're almost to the actual book and you'll have your head turned in a moment as well.  Ready to set your sights on today's featured ebook of choice?  Put your brave face on as we meet today's imposing title choice...

Faux Paw

by

Julia Dweck

Illustrated by

Walter Carzon

Xist Publishing

9781623955458

Scary cover, right?  ^_^  Okay, so NOT!  I mean, it's un-BEAR-ably cute.  Utterly adorable.  Beyond the cutest of the cute...and that's saying something since her covers tend to be pretty darn huggable historically.  Anywho, back to this beary cute tale...

This is the story of Walden Bear....a little boy who when presented with the question of what he wants to be when he grows up, answered simply....a BEAR.  Unusual?  Certainly.  Impossible?  Not truly...though his teacher would have him believe otherwise.  (Bad teacher!  Where is your imagination?!)  Push comes to shove, Walden's mother gets involved (REALLY involved) and when all is said and done, suffice it to say that Mrs. Hunter (ironic name...as are the rest of the kids in the class considering their animal choices) is out...but Mrs. Lions is in!  A perfect fit if I do say so myself.

The real glory behind this amazing story besides the obvious and the illustrations (LOVE THEM!) is the message.  Ms. Dweck is notorious for including something for kiddos (well, and readers in general) to take away from the read besides entertainment value and in this case it's a BIG one...you can be ANYTHING you want to be!  All it takes is dedication, heart, perseverance and determination, and you can achieve any goal you set and surmount any obstacle placed before you.  Of course, it never hurts to have "mama Bear" in your corner as well (love her portrayal of the Mom character here), but you, yourself and I are the ones that will get the job done.  Don't let others squash your dreams just because they say it can't be...if those folks won out all the time, we'd never have many of the wonderful things around today!

So, if you're looking for an adora-BEAR read that is PAW-sitively wonderful in both story and visual content, THIS...this is one for you.  Recommended for little ones just discovering the world as well as those up and coming in number still finding themselves.  It's a wonderful read with much to enjoy and filled with imagination to boot.  Oh...and one more thing.  At story's end, there are also some playful add in's and edutainment pages for further learning opportunities.  Talk about a great combination.  I can BEAR-ly contain myself.  ^_^

Ebook for review courtesy of author Julia Dweck.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her complete body of works, be sure to stop by her official site, or follow along on Twitter.  To check out the wonderfully illustrated world of Walter Carzon, stop by his site.  This title will be available OCTOBER 22, 2013 from Xist Publishing so be sure to mark your calendar and snag a copy from your favorite online retailer.
Until next time...happy reading!

BabyLit: Little Master Stoker, Dracula!

Vhy hello there.

Velcome to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place that really knows how to take a bite out of reading and still save some for the vest of us.

Blah blah blah!

Hehe.

Sorry about that.  Couldn't resist.

Wondering why so corny or Transylvania-ish today?

Good question...to which I have an appropriately timed answer.

It's inspired by today's title selection that's once again celebrating the time of year with some spooky locations and a distinct inclusion of some rather pointy teeth, but for the wee little ones.  Yep.  You read that right.  Grab your not-so-sharp stakes (there are kiddos around) and a head of fresh garlic, it's time to greet today's board book of choice...

Little Master Stoker:  Dracula

A Counting Primer

by

Jennifer Adams

Illustrated by

Allison Oliver

BabyLit

978-1-4236-2280-6

As you might have presumed from the cover, it's a book starring creatures of the night, or rather one of the original night creatures, but for the set that would be WAY WAY WAAAAYYYY past their bedtime if they were roaming about at that hour.  No worries parents, guardians, and caretakers, this one won't keep the kiddos up later as the actual scare content is tempered, allowing the visuals and learning to take center stage.

Curious right?  I mean, how much actual learning can take place within a children's board book that seems to be story oriented?  A LOT actually.  First of course, the actual story included through both picture and word gets the wee ones acquainted (and older ones RE-acquainted) with the classic of yesteryear.  Well now, I suppose that was misspoken because it's just as popular (if not more so) today as it was back in the day, but I digress.  Each turn of the reinforced page reveals another glimpse into the tale as it progresses from innocent meeting to curious end, without the presence of so much as a drop of crimson to be seen.  A truly remarkable feat indeed as the story is still recognizable even as we track our progress mathematically.  Yes, here's where the other half of the learning equation comes in.

You're not simply reading this one for kicks, though you can if you like.  You're reading this one to learn your 1 - 2 - 3's.  Yes siree.  By the time you reach the end, you'll have counted everything from friends to heroes, wolves to boxes (*ahem*) and a few other surprising elements along the way.  Little ones will see not only visual representation of the numbers, but also have fun counting along the lushly illustrated canvas, something this series of kid's classics are well known for (and even have available for purchase as prints and more!  *squee*).

So, if you're looking for a holiday read to share with the WHOLE family including those perhaps still in diapers, seek thee out a copy of this title on a bookstore shelf near you.  Review copy To learn more about the BabyLit series, a trademark of Gibb-Smith, Inc, be sure to check out the series site (and shop!), the official site, the Facebook page, the Pinterest board, or follow along with the Twitter tweets.


Until next time...happy reading!

Home HAUNTED home...

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when you're ready for a SPOOKY read and your brain is perplexed by the plethora of choices.  No worries, I'll help light the way with a grin and a....BOO!  ^_^

So, I did something recently that will shock you.  No really!  It's SO out of character that you'll wonder just who is REALLY writing this post.  I mean, it even shocked ME!  Wanna know what it is?  Well, do you?

Come close.

A little bit closer.

~whispers~

I read a book OFF the review list.

*GASP*

~Shock~

!! AWE !!

I know, right?  Seems like a not-a-big-deal situation, however the life of a book blogger (especially one that LOVES to read a wide range of genres) can get quite busy...not complaining in the least, just making an observation...and so the chance to interject something other than what's on the books (so to speak) can be few and far between. Well, one day after watching a movie (The Conjuring to be precise), I felt inclined to investigate the people behind the film, or rather some of the people portrayed IN the film.  One thing led to another and BOOM...a new book was on my read-now list lickety split.  

Ready to read all about the title that caught my attention (among others), interrupted my reading program, and got me started on a haunted note for the season?  Let's DO this!  Today's book of choice is...

A Haunted Love Story:

The Ghosts of the Allen House

by

Mark Spencer

So imagine sharing your house with another.  What's that?  Oh, you do already?  I bet they are FAR less interesting than these house guests...or at the very least, less deceased.  *gulp*

Yes, this book is taking us on a visit to the other side via a house in the here and now, occupied by both the present AND the past.  Welcome to the Allen House in sunny Monticello, Arkansas, where the view at first glance is stately and majestic...but wait, who IS that at the writing desk in the upstairs window?  *glances*  Whether a believer in the other side or merely curious, this one presents a true story of events that have transpired with an openness that is at once refreshing and inviting...letting you draw your own conclusions from all that is presented.  The Spencer's openness to having the haunting confirmed or debunked will have you glued to the pages turn after turn (hopefully not by themselves, though it will seem as such as those remaining decrease in number).

 Mind you, they didn't set out to buy/move into a haunted house per se, it merely called to them, or should we be saying CHOSE them.  Yep.  No other way to put it really when looking at everything as a whole.  Let's see there's the original owners not wanting to sell to anyone...until the Spencer's arrived.  The house they rent while the deal is being worked just so happens to be connected to their future home...and well, you get the picture.  Sounds to be like those from the past were ready to make their stories known and the Spencer family received their "BOO" of approval.

In conclusion, if you are easily spooked...I'd recommend reading this one with during daylight hours or with your best bud, whether human or fur baby; if not, have at it my friend!  I highly enjoyed it, even the more historically charged parts (and we all know how much a fan I am of that particular genre...or not) and personally would LOVE the chance to visit the house, meet with the current family, and witness an interaction with the spirits that are still there today.  Step inside and meet souls from the past and the present while discovering just how much in common we ALL still have.

Review copy obtained on my own for my reading pleasure.  This title is available now from Llewellyn Worldwide, so be on the look out for it on a bookstore shelf near you.


Until next time...happy reading!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Soul Sisters by Janiera Eldridge

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when you're looking for what's new, what's HOT, what's happening, in the world of books!  Speaking of which...

Today's post sets its sights on a new-to-me title that's actually the beginning of a trilogy.  Sporting the appropriately seasonal vamps, this one lends a different view to those critters of the night as well  as incorporating a multi-cultural aspect not seen very often.  Ready to READ ALL ABOUT IT?  Here we go!  Today's featured title goes to....

Soul Sisters:

Soul Sisters Trilogy

by

Janiera Alexandria Eldridge

About the book...

Soul Sisters is an urban fantasy novel about African-American twin sisters Ani and Dana who have a rather unique secret: one sister is human while the other is a vampire. While the sisters have lived peacefully with each other for many years one fateful night will change both their lives forever. When a drunken man tries to attack Dana (the human sister) Ani (the vampire sister) protects her sister with all of her ferocious power. 

However, when the vampire’s leader Donovan finds out about the public display he calls for the sisters to be assassinated for disobedience. Ani and Dana now are in for the fight of their lives to protect each other as well as the lives of their dedicated friends who have joined them on their mission for survival. 

If Dana and Ani can make it through this time of uncertainty, Ani can take her new place as vampire queen. Soul Sisters is expected to be a trilogy; The book also features a multicultural cast of characters that brings a new edge of chic to the vampire world!

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

Ooh...sounds good, right?

Imagine having a sibling that's a VAMPIRE.

Imagine it being a secret (more or less) and coming to light at the worst of times...when trying to protect your human self.

Imagine the idiot that seems to be named Donovan going after the both of you because of your loyalty to each other...and that pesky superior power display in public.  I mean, he'd do the same thing if he has a brother, right?

Hmmm...suffice it to say, it sounds like there's some interesting times ahead for these two....if they can in fact KEEP their heads....

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

About the author...
Janiera Eldridge enjoys feeding her book addiction when she not writing. She is also a book blogger at Beauty and Books where she mixes being a book nerd with keeping things chic. When not reading or writing she is freelance writing in the entertainment industry. When trying to relax she likes a huge yard sale on a Saturday morning, rainy days to read by and nacho cheese is her kryptonite. Soul Sisters is her debut novel.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

Special thanks to Kellie, the author's virtual assistant, and author Janiera Eldridge for the 4-1-1 on this tour.  (THANKS!)  To discover more about this new trilogy in the making as well as connect with the author herself, stop by her blog, like her on Facebook, pin her on Pinterest, or follow along on Twitter.  Both book 1, featured above, AND book 2, Dark Expectations, are available now so click on over to Amazon or other site of choice to grab your copy now.

Until next time...happy reading!