For the love of...progress (& picture books, take 2)!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, the place that aims to please your curious mind with flights of fancy…and then some.

 The “and then some” mentioned there is referring to that instance that happens when you pick up a book expecting one thing, have that preconceived notion satisfied, but ALSO walk away with something to think about.  That is just what today’s featured book offers, along with a host of illustrations that I found quite appealing.  That’s right!   Today we’re heading back to the land of Picture Books with an author who’s well known in her field (40+ works published!) and an illustrator whose work is new to me, but if I had to make a snap judgment, I like it!  Get ready to step into the future through a window from the past, today’s book of choice is…

The Tweedles Go Electric

By

Monica Kulling

Illustrations by

Marie Lafrance

9781554981670

A Groundwood Book

Meet the Tweedles.  They’re an innovative family even if at first they seem more backwards than forwards.  I mean in an age of gas and steam cars (early 1900’s), they’re choosing to ride bicycles!  How quaint…or perhaps, how GREEN.  Ever been hip before your time or catch a trend before it even was one?  That’s the Tweedles in a nutshell with their first venture into automobiles.  You see, one day Papa decides they are taking all the money they saved from riding their bikes and investing it in a vehicle!  (Way to go Papa!)  Mama is deliriously happy, Francis (aka Frankie) is beside himself with glee and young Frances (aka Franny), well she’s happy but would frankly rather not be interrupted as she is currently reading a very interesting book (yes….a bookworm! ~tiptoes past her page~).  With this monumental decision made, all that’s left to do is actually PICK one…a task much simpler than you might think.

Now remember, we’re in the early 1900’s so options are limited to begin with but not so much so that choosing should be down to only one model in either gas or steam.  Well, it wasn’t but you see the Tweedles are, as the title implies, going ELECTRIC.  They want a motor vehicle with a quiet heart that doesn’t belch gases in the air and leave a trail of toxins behind it…and the best place to get one of these beauties is Mister Mo’s Motors.  The man behind the dealership is Mister Mo himself and he has a green vehicle just right for this family…in both function AND color.  The Tweedles couldn’t be more pleased.  But wait, what’s this?  Not everyone is welcoming of their chosen mode of transportation, in fact some are downright disturbed by it…like one Mr. Hamm.  *ahem* Why exactly remains a mystery for YOU to ponder (or discuss…hello eco conversation!) but the reality of it all (and the author’s viewpoint) comes to light when a crisis strikes and the Tweedles, as well as their motor car, are placed front and center.  Will they save the day or fizzle out like the last sparks of electricity from a broken socket?  *dun dun dunnnn*

If you can’t tell, I had a great time with this little read.  The story is socially and environmentally aware without being overbearing.  It makes a good case for the cleaner and quieter electric vehicles that we’re starting to see more out and about today but also opens the door for discussion as to why we need or still use the other varieties.  The Tweedle family is diverse enough and well written that most readers can easily find themselves in one of their pairs of shoes.  As for the illustrations, they strike me as more painting-like and yet they are still accessible to eyes of all ages.  You can see the elation on the young boy’s face when he’s playing with wheeled objects, the concentration in Franny’s features as she delves into another book, and the consternation in the motion stills of the citizens of their small town as they share their discontent of the little green wonder.  All in all, it amounts to a wonderful addition to the author’s many works and a great introduction to an illustrator with obvious talent.

Author Monica Kulling

Review copy courtesy of author Monica Kulling and Groundwood Books.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her complete body of works, be sure to stop by her official site or friend her on Facebook.  Oh and don’t forget to friend the Tweedles themselves on Facebook!  That’s right….they have their own page to celebrate their romp within the pages.  (^_^)  This book is available now via Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore or virtual shelf near you.

Until next time…happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: I Am Abraham by Jerome Charyn

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, the place to be when you're in the mood for some wordy fun and the genre or subject is left up to happenstance; you know I won't disappoint.  ^_^

Today, we welcome a Tribute Books blog tour starring a Historical Fiction book from an author with a LONG list of titles attributed to his name.  It fits into our "month of love" celebration as the central character is a figure I have immense respect for thanks to an intense History project in High School.  Yes, we're talking lots of research, assembling of information, final presentation complete with a photo booklet, counts for half your grade sorta report.  Believe it or not, I had a blast!  My History teacher even asked to keep it over the summer so he could read it more closely.  *smiles*  Curious to find out who it was and more importantly the book that brought all this to the forefront of my mind?  Gents, grab your stovepipe hats, ladies, your white gloves....it's time to greet today's blog tour guest and book of choice....

I Am Abraham

by

Jerome Charyn

Liveright

Narrated in Lincoln’s own voice, the tragicomic I Am Abraham promises to be the masterwork of Jerome Charyn’s remarkable career.
Since publishing his first novel in 1964, Jerome Charyn has established himself as one of the most inventive and prolific literary chroniclers of the American landscape. Here in I Am Abraham, Charyn returns with an unforgettable portrait of Lincoln and the Civil War. Narrated boldly in the first person, I Am Abraham effortlessly mixes humor with Shakespearean-like tragedy, in the process creating an achingly human portrait of our sixteenth President.
Tracing the historic arc of Lincoln's life from his picaresque days as a gangly young lawyer in Sangamon County, Illinois, through his improbable marriage to Kentucky belle Mary Todd, to his 1865 visit to war-shattered Richmond only days before his assassination, I Am Abraham hews closely to the familiar Lincoln saga. Charyn seamlessly braids historical figures such as Mrs. Keckley—the former slave, who became the First Lady's dressmaker and confidante—and the swaggering and almost treasonous General McClellan with a parade of fictional extras: wise-cracking knaves, conniving hangers-on, speculators, scheming Senators, and even patriotic whores.
We encounter the renegade Rebel soldiers who flanked the District in tattered uniforms and cardboard shoes, living in a no-man's-land between North and South; as well as the Northern deserters, young men all, with sunken, hollowed faces, sitting in the punishing sun, waiting for their rendezvous with the firing squad; and the black recruits, whom Lincoln’s own generals wanted to discard, but who play a pivotal role in winning the Civil War. At the center of this grand pageant is always Lincoln himself, clad in a green shawl, pacing the White House halls in the darkest hours of America’s bloodiest war.
Using biblically cadenced prose, cornpone nineteenth-century humor, and Lincoln’s own letters and speeches, Charyn concocts a profoundly moral but troubled commander in chief, whose relationship with his Ophelia-like wife and sons—Robert, Willie, and Tad—is explored with penetrating psychological insight and the utmost compassion. Seized by melancholy and imbued with an unfaltering sense of human worth, Charyn’s President Lincoln comes to vibrant, three-dimensional life in a haunting portrait we have rarely seen in historical fiction.

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AMAZON:  EBOOK   |   HARDBACK

B&N:   NOOK   |   HARDBACK

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This is one of those books that one must allow to speak for itself.  For me, I enjoyed the read overall, but I found it hard to reconcile the character of Mr. Lincoln with the man I came to know during my own research so many odd years ago.  Here, I found him a bit too lost within the opposite sex (I swear one more prairie type reference to female anatomy and I was going to close the cover at one point), a man of even less words  and even less actions than I do believe he was known for, and perhaps the most disturbing for me....his stance on slavery.  I always valued his strong stand on ending "man owning man" and yet here, thought I know it to be a work of fiction, he almost couldn't care less.  It was a means to an end that he would have left alone if he could.

Now I know the author researches his subjects and winds fact and fiction to seamlessly create a story to draw both history fans and fiction revelers, but I'm in a quandary as to who had the wool pulled over their eyes.  If it was me?  So be it.  If it was the author....well, perhaps it wasn't wool in the first place but the mighty stroke of the pen creating a world so believable it is enough to get lost within.  My suggestion?  You be the judge.  It's well worth the 400+ page read in either case.

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About the author....

Jerome Charyn is an award-winning American author. With nearly 50 published works, Charyn has earned a long-standing reputation as an inventive and prolific chronicler of real and imagined American life. Michael Chabon calls him "one of the most important writers in American literature." New York Newsday hailed Charyn as "a contemporary American Balzac,"and the Los Angeles Times described him as "absolutely unique among American writers." Since the 1964 release of Charyn's first novel, Once Upon a Droshky, he has published 30 novels, three memoirs, eight graphic novels, two books about film, short stories, plays and works of non-fiction. Two of his memoirs were named New York Times Book of the Year. Charyn has been a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. He received the Rosenthal Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and has been named Commander of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture. Charyn was Distinguished Professor of Film Studies at the American University of Paris until he left teaching in 2009. In addition to his writing and teaching, Charyn is a tournament table tennis player, once ranked in the top 10 percent of players in France. Noted novelist Don DeLillo called Charyn's book on table tennis, Sizzling Chops & Devilish Spins, "The Sun Also Rises of ping-pong." Charyn lives in Paris and New York City.

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |    TWITTER   |   GOODREADS

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Review copy received courtesy of Nicole at Tribute Books.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their future events, be sure to stop by their official site, friend them on Facebook, or catch them on Twitter.  This title is newly available within the past few weeks via Liveright, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.  Now, this being a blog tour and all, the fun doesn't stop here!  Be sure to pay a visit to my other fellow bloggers along the virtual route for more insight, intrigue, and fun....oh and speaking of fun.....CONTEST TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time....good luck....and happy reading!

For the love of….DINOSAURS! The Dinotek Adventures

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that’s bringing the love back to you all the way from the Cretaceous Period,  bookishly of course…Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Why the reference to Jurassic times and such?  Aww, that’s a question EASILY answered by the revelation of today’s featured titles.  Yes, that’s right.  Titles…with an “s”.  It’s a two for one combo in the best possible sense of the phrase; meaning I’m bringing you news of not one but TWO fun new-ish chapter books in a series that combines past with present, leading to an unknown future.  Care to join our friendly little expedition?  Grab your hiking boots, thinking caps and muster your courage, we’re going on an adventure!  Introducing, The Dinotek Adventures by N.S. Blackman….

Book 1:  The Secret Dinosaur

9780992752507

Dinosaur Books Ltd, London

Meet Marlin Maxton.  He’s an inquisitive young lad who loves nothing more than to tinker with gears and mechanisms under the tutelage and guidance of his Uncle Gus.  (Hey, he’s a kiddo….supervision is a must in these circumstances!)  One day, he’s discussing his school’s upcoming field trip to the natural history museum, when his Uncle utters something about metal dinosaurs he met on a trip from his younger days to the very same place.  He seemed to remember them being kept in a room away from the usual traffic flow, and that Centrosaurus aka Protos were the keenest of all.  His curiosity peaked, Marlin tries to question him again…but his Uncle merely redirects the conversation, almost feigning ignorance on the matter.  Strange…curious…the early signs of a deteriorating mind?  The former two, yes; the latter, don’t count on it. 

There’s far more going on here though than meets the eye, and much more mystery and danger ahead.  You see, there happens to be a certain man in power that wants nothing to do with the marvels hidden within the walls of this institute of learning…for shame indeed!  He doesn’t even understand what they are, where they came from, or what they are capable of imparting….and he doesn’t care.  Some people see the value IN things; others only see the value OF them.  I’d make my camp with the former if I were you if not for the knowledge but the company.  Now, seeing as how this one is aimed at younger audiences whose attention spans can sometimes mirror the weight of a hummingbird, we’re left with a cliffhanger-esque ending and ready for our second adventure to begin…

Book 2:  The Secret Dinosaur 2

9780992752514

Dinosaur Books Ltd, London

We open with a brief recap of book one, then catapult right back into the story at hand as if we never even turned the last page of the first.  Now that’s what I call a seamless transition!  Let’s see, when we left the dinoteks plus Marlin, we were in the middle of a planning session to see just how we might be able to escape oblivion…yet again.  Though there’s no meteor , asteroid or continental drift to contend with, there might as well be…and he calls himself Mr. Grubbler.  Well, okay, that’s his given name, he calls himself the museum curator…but that’s a debatable point to say the least.  See, in my mind, the person that carries that moniker has the best interest of the museum at heart.  Mr. Grubbler…yeah, not so much…and just wait, things are about to get even MORE interesting! 

We’re going hunting, or rather HE is along with one Mr. Snickenbacker (light on the “mister” reference though)…and it’s a DINOSAUR hunt.  They’re yet to catch but fleeting glimpses of the dinoteks (soon to be remedied) and yet still are hay-bent on destroying them.  Humpf.  Scrap metal indeed.  Well buddy, you’ve got another thing coming to you if you think they’ll go down without a fight.  By book’s end, you’re more than ready to see what’s in store in the forthcoming conclusion….

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All in all, it was quite the adventure…and one I’m sorely looking forward to concluding (or just continuing, I’m good with continuing!) upon book three’s release.  I loved dinosaurs as a child, something reinforced by my Mother taking me to the Museum of Natural History (THANKS, MOM!), and seeing them brought to life in a new way for boys AND girls of all ages, is warming to my heart.  The length of these adventures is just perfect for kiddos branching out on their own, and the topics covered will aid in continuing the lesson after the final page is turned.  Who knows?  It may even spark the inventor in someone out there who can create a wonderland such as this….you know, something ala Jurassic Park without the whole “attractions eating the tourists” bit.  *ahem*

Review copies received courtesy of Sonya at Dinosaur Books Ltd.  (THANKS!)  Book one and two are both available now via Dinosaur Books Ltd, London, so be on the lookout for them (as well as BOOK THREE!) on a bookstore shelf near you, or online retailer of your choosing.

Until next time…happy reading!

BOOK BLAST: Love Like the Movies by Victoria Van Tiem

Hey guys!

Welcome back to the place that's run by a gal who can be found hopscotching through the stacks with a book in her hand and one in her sites EVERY day of the week....Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host to a BOOK BLAST from the fab folks over at Pump Up Your Book.  The featured title reaches publication TODAY (Happy book birthday!) and you've got a chance to not only READ ALL ABOUT IT right now, but ENTER TO WIN a copy and SO much more!  So much more in fact, I want to enter it myself!  Ready to gain the upper hand on this fun Chick Lit with a side of Romance title that should be on YOUR radar (and IS on my reading list come next month)?

Here.  We.  GO!

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TODAY is the US premier of LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES through Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Star & You’re Invited to our HOLLYWOOD LAUNCH PARTY!


FIRST, let's check out a bit about the book hitting the shelves today....

LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES
by
Victoria Van Tiem

A contemporary romantic comedy.

In this irresistible romantic romp, movie fanatic, Kensington Shaw is thrown into love—Hollywood-style–when her gorgeous ex presents a big screen challenge to win back her heart. What girl wouldn’t want to experience the Pretty Woman shopping scene? It’s number two on the list. Or, try the lift from Dirty Dancing? It’s number five. One list, ten romantic movie moments, and a handful of shenanigans later, Kenzi has to wonder…should she marry the man her family loves, or risk everything for a love like the movies?



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LIMITED TIME PROMO PRICE $1.99 One-click NOW!

     

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Sounds good, right?
Right!
Now, let's reveal a bit more about this BIG event!
Got your official invite?
If not....I've got a spare....



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This is an ALL DAY FACEBOOK Red Carpet Event.

★★CLAIM your VIP ticket now to the LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES online premiere event and Join us for movie fun and awesome prizes.★★
https://www.facebook.com/events/790570154291472/

★Last chance entries for our MOVIE Swag Sweepstakes.
Winners will be announced throughout the day.

-2 first prizes of $25 iTunes gift cards and free Ebook

-GRAND PRIZE worth over $150 – Popcorn gift basket of 10 ROM-COM DVDs, EBook, movie swag and candy!

★Win additional fun prizes throughout the day!
★Go behind the scenes!
★Meet the Cast!

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Author Victoria Van Tiem is repped by Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency. An artist, black belt, mom of two, wife of one, and resident caretaker of the family zoo—including her beloved, pot-bellied pig, Pobby. When she’s not writing, she indulges in her two favorite pastimes: a good book and a romantic movie.

Visit her website at www.wantiem.wordpress.com.

Connect & socialize with her online ...

BLOG: http://vvantiem.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/v.vtiem
Rafflecopter–Facebook contest: http://tinyurl.com/mcfqcqr
Twitter:https://twitter.com/vtiem

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Special thanks to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book for the chance to bring this BOOK BLAST to all of you!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this BLAST as well as those forthcoming, be sure to stop by their official site, or follow along on Twitter.

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

The Roving Reader

That's right!
The Roving Reader is back and boy have I scrounged up a title for you.

A SNICKER OF MAGIC
by
Natalie Lloyd

It looks to be about food and yet while it does have thosen ingredients, the jacket reveals it actually about a young girl that collects WORDS, a tiny town that's lost its spark, and her journey to unlock the magic hiding below the surface.

Sounds good, right?
*adds to wish list*

So, what have you discovered while out and about this weekend?
Do tell!

^-^

Mail Call!

Hi guys!
Got a rare day off and thusly I'm staying mostly offline today. Still, had to share two new arrivals in my mailbox today.

The first is a signed edition of book 3 in a 6 book series, JOURNEY INTO THE REALM: THE STOLEN CHILD by Markelle Grabo. Feel free to search on my site for my coverage of the first two releases....

The second is a new to me author with a YA lit title focusing on a subject that may hit close to home, TENT CITY PRINCESS by Lynn Anns.

So I've shared mine, time to share yours!
What's crossed your doorstep or inbox this week?  Do tell!

Until next time....happy reading.

For the love of...DOGS! I Could Chew on This by Francesco Marciuliano

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers….the site that makes bookish a part of their regular vocabulary, and thinks you should too.  (Just sayin’.)

Well, we’re still celebrating the month of love here on the site, in its many shapes and forms.  Today’s spotlight is shining on one of my FAVORITE types of love….PUPPY LOVE!  No, no, no…not young love or love in its early stages, actual PUPPY LOVE as in a love of pups and all the antics, all the mishaps, all the things they do that make you smile.  So break out the Milky Bones, and hides the dirty laundry, today’s book of choice is coming at you in 3…2…1…

I Could Chew on This…

…and Other Poems by Dogs

By

Francesco Marciuliano

9781452119038

Chronicle Books

They’re BAACCCCKKK…and cuter than ever!  No really, there is MAJOR CUTENESS ahead.  From the author that brought us I Could Pee on This… (reviewed just this week!), comes a collection for dog lovers that should carry a warning.  Yep.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  In fact…

~WARNING~

Cuteness overload may occur from reading the poems within this work.  Symptoms of this syndrome include inability to wipe the smile off your face, an overall jolly nature after turning the final page, a lack of self control when it comes to randomly selecting a passage to read to anyone and everyone in your general vicinity, and a case of the giggles that may prove incurable for short lengths of time.  Proceed with caution.  *dusts hands off*

There.  Hey, fair is fair and I do believe in making sure you know what you’re about to get yourself into.  A level playing field is good for all, and keeps the pups from landing on their muzzles when trying to catch that fly ball you just popped into the end field.  Don’t believe me?  Ah, but you will.  You know how I know?  Because…you’re going to be so tempted by my review that you’re going to run to your local bookstore (or if not quite quick enough, the online retailer of your choice) and pick up a copy to peruse.  Yep.  I would bet good money on it…or at least a box of biscuits.  Though I found the entire work hilarious for a quick pick me up at any given point in a day, I did have a few favorites that I would like to point out….

‘Outside the Store’, Pg 52 – Okay, so it totally helps that the dog pictured on the opposite page is a Yorkie (I’ve had 3 in my lifetime) but this one SO reminds me of my little Ashley (RIP).  Definitely sentiments she would have shared if given the chance as well as the repercussions of me leaving her outside the store later on… *-*

‘Wingman’, Pg 66 – Two words….TOO FUNNY!  You seriously don’t see this one heading in the direction it does until the pup pulls the proverbial rug out from under you.  It will make you laugh out loud, so be careful where you are when you read this one or risk some strange looks.

‘Lassie’, Pg 72 – Guilty as charged; dressing up the dog and all.  My dogs all have raincoats too, though not the galoshes (not for lack of trying to find them, or at least MOM trying to find them), and I do believe they would feel pretty much the same way.  I KNOW my little doxy Winston (RIP) was definitely echoing this pups thoughts when I bought him a new Santa outfit the one year, complete with little gold booties.  *blink blink* What?  He was adorable!  *ahem*

‘The Best Day’, Pg 98 – Combined with the pic of the smiling pup, this is a PERFECT poem for anyone having a bad day.  Really puts you in the right frame of mind…

‘I Could Chew on This’, Pg 110 (see picture above and to the right) – Couldn’t close out my picks without paying homage to the namesake of the book and although it may be the last poem in the book, the combo of words and image are just OMG….CUTENESS OVERLOAD!  It’s just…there are no words that convey the amount of true-ness as well as adorableness that is encompassed within this last entry.  So. Cute.

In conclusion, a great pick for the dog lover in your life or anyone that needs a quick pick me up courtesy of the critter coined as man’s best friend.  Whether taken in small doses or all at once, this is definitely a title that should be on your “to read” list.  Review copy received courtesy of the fab folks at Chronicle Books.  (THANKS!)  For more on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to stop by their site or follow the little blue bird…that would be Twitter.

Until next time…happy reading!

What goes around, comes around: KARMACK by J.C. Whyte

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the site that aims to please the reader in you every day of the week….Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we’re exploring inside the ecover of a Middle Grade/Tween novel from author J.C. Whyte, which keeps us right in line with my theme of things I love (and perhaps you should consider too  ^_^). It serves up a great message for guys and gals alike while ensnaring readers with its many charms.  Ready to join me on another adventure through the pages?  You’ll have to be “speedy-eyed” if you’re to see all the action, but I’ve got faith in you.  (^_^)  Today’s ebook of choice is…

Karmack

By

J.C. Whyte

9781771273350

MuseItUp Publishing

About the book…

A strange little creature enters the lives of three tough guys at Higgins Elementary. And from that point on, pranks come back like boomerangs, smacking the bullies right in their fifth grade butts!

 

Sully, the leader of the gang, is the only one who can see this creature, which he names Karmack. Sully learns that the creature’s job is to balance all the bad pranks the bullies have pulled over the years. Karmack warns that if this fails,

“dreadful, awful doom” awaits them all.

 

Sully soon realizes that he must save not only himself but his friends, who have no idea why they keep getting boomeranged by Karmack!

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First let me say….I REALLY LIKED THIS STORY!  I’m not an ebook fan by any means, but sometimes a story will come along that’s only available in that particular format and it sounds good enough to turn my head.  Needless to say when it turns out even better than anticipated, I not only count it as a win but a DOUBLE WIN.  One for the pleasure achieved by reading it and another for the ability to now share it with all of you.  So, shall we now continue?  *ponders*  Yep…I think that sounds like a marvelous plan. 

Okay, so the little critter gets his name from a misunderstanding between him and our lead, Sully.  You see, Karmack’s name is actually derived from his job…as a Karmic Balancer.  See where this is going?  Hence the boomeranging pranks and what not.  Anywho, Karmack has been sent to balance Sully and his friends, but what he sees as bad karma, they only see as jokes meant to amuse themselves.  Oh for the love of little boys, or in this case…little bullies!  Thing is, Sully and friends don’t see themselves that way which is pushing their karmic  balance all out of whack and literally creating a tower of bad karma ready to topple right on top of their little “angelic” heads.  *cough cough*  Let’s just say, if Karmack is gonna keep them from the BIG AWFUL DOOM, he’s got his work cut out for him. 

Does he succeed?  I bet you’re on the edge of your seat for that answer.  Well, as I’m not one to spoil the BIG surprise  (or at least I try not to), the answer is both yes and no, and the yes part is not in the way you might be thinking.  This bodes well for some of our friends (those that maybe-sorta-kinda escape the BIG part of the DOOM), and not so much for a few others (those on the opposite end of that hyphenated sentence previously made).  The COOLEST part about it though is that those that make it through, those that survive everything that happens, earn a reward greater than money, greater than fame (though some goes along with it)…they grow up.  They learn a few of the BIG lessons that life has in store for everyone in their own time and the outcome is just right.

In conclusion, it's not a fairy tale nor a myth but a fun and amusing story that reminds us that what goes around comes around...eventually...and sometimes with an even mightier THUNK than when the initial "hurt" was carried out.  Score 1 for karma; bad guys, zilch!  A wonderful read that will entice Middle Grade readers of all ages, both male and female.  (Yep, add another title to your "boys reads" lists!)

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About the Author…

J. C. Whyte discovered a love for writing while she was still in elementary school. Back then of course, she only wrote children’s stories. But when she grew up, J. C. had to face the harsh reality that such writing seldom pays the bills. So she got her degrees in Journalism and Communications, and turned to Public Relations, where for ten years she focused her creative energies in feature writing.

Then after marriage, kids, several more degrees and occupations (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), J. C. entered law school. While there, she became a columnist for the student newsletter; one of her humorous articles was even published in The National Jurist.

After graduating and passing the Bar, J. C. realized within a few years that creative writing was still what made her heart sing. So now, as a grandma, she has returned to writing for children. And with the publication of Karmack, she’s come full circle, back to where her writing journey truly began!

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Ebook for review courtesy of author J.C. Whyte and MuseItUp Publishing.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, friend them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  This ebook was released in 2013 via MuseItUp Young, an imprint of MuseItUp Publishing so be on the lookout for it at an ebook retailer of your choosing.  Oh and one more thing!  Since we’re all readers here, or at the very least interested know one, the publisher also has a Readers Club you can join with lots of cool benefits and the promise of more great reads ahead…and who wouldn’t like THAT opportunity?  ^_^

Until next time…happy reading!

For the love of…WOMEN’S FICTION! Sweet Nothings by Janis Thomas

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place to be for sweet treats this February; you know, just with a bookish flair.

Today, we’re shining the light on a title that easily fits into the Women’s Fiction genre as well as a Contemporary Romance; all depends on the eyes/opinion of the beholder.  It stars enough desserts to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth, as well as some treats that are, well, not commonly found in your local bakery.  *ahem*  Shall we stop walking on broken eggshells discarded during our latest baking foray and cut right to the chase?  Let’s!  Today’s book of choice is…

Sweet Nothings

By

Janis Thomas

9780425264829

Berkley

SNAPSHOT:  Our middle-age heroine in the making gets dumped by her long term husband, side swiped by the wreckage he leaves behind, comes to terms with the obstacles before her and manages to find not only a new sense of normalcy but herself…AND a second chance at love along the way.  Oh, and there’s A LOT of cake.  ^_^

So, I have to ask you…if YOU were a baked good, what would you be and why? 

I blame the book for this intrusion into your inner thoughts entirely and yet, I can’t bring myself to apologize.  Sorry.  Taking a page from Ruby the Rebel…guess that would make me Gina the Griller…hmm, not so certain it has the same ring to it though.  (If you think of another, I’m all ears!)  Anywho, where I was going with this is right into the inner workings of our leading lady, one Ruby McMillan. 

She’s an ace mother, top baker and owner of ‘The Muffin Top’ bakery (love that name!), and a bit down on her luck right now…but don’t call her out of the game because honey, she is ANYTHING but; even if she doesn’t exactly know it right yet.  *smirk*  Hard times call for focus, renewed dedication, and enough Stress-ipes to fill a book (or blog….*hint hint* at future things to come)!  Good thing most of them come out delicious because HELLO!  Instant featured item of the week at the bakery!  Anyway, back on track here because when it comes to sweets, it’s definitely easy to get off on a tangent… ooh, how about vanilla cupcakes with tangerine icing? 

Despite her husband’s obvious blunder of ginormous proportions, Ruby has a supporting cast that will help her through just about anything.  Shall we meet them?  *nods enthusiastically* Let’s see, there’s Izzy, her best friend, business partner and Latina with attitude to spare (LOVE HER!).  Then we’ve got Smiley and Marcy, two of her fabu assistants at the bakery, both bringing their own unique style to the table.   On the family side of things, there’s her daughter Colleen, who’s a whiz with the beauty makeovers and modeling manners but could use a tune up on her verbal filter, and her son Kevin, a laid back surfer kid with heart to spare.  Even her Ruby’s mother, Estelle, who can barely remember her own mind let alone the faces and memories associated with her past, plays a role in all the things that come, adding strength to the foundation of her daughter’s walls both encased in icing and those with more of an emotional front.

Moving away from close relations, we step into the path of those that want to BE closer relations, if you know what I mean.  *wink wink* On that front, we’ve two…well, three if you count the ex (the scoundrel)…contenders.  In this corner, weighing in at who-knows-how-many-pounds-of-flour is Shane, over there is Jacob, and WAY over there is Walter (the putz).  Yes, yes.  They are quite the merry band of Ruby fans but not all with the same enthusiasm, nor the same approach.  Believe me, there were times I just wanted to slap one of them abouts the head so that he might get his point across, and others where it was like “down boy”.  *giggles*  Trust me, you’re in for a treat…and some steamy scenes too.  But I digress, because although love is a focal point in the story to some degree, it’s not what’s it’s all about…unlike turning around in the hokey pokey dance/song. 

Author Janis Thomas

It’s a story of life.  A tale of paths taken, new paths shown, and some forced down our throats like a dry brownie…with NO milk.  ( ** ) It shows us that like may not be a box of chocolates as Mr. Gump would say, but it definitely has its share of fruitcakes.  *ahem*  …it’s what you do with them that really counts.  So, in conclusion, I will call this a sweet treat of a read with a dash of sugar and a WHOLE lotta spice…maybe along the lines of a Pumpkin Spice Cake with Vanilla Icing; something you’re not certain you’ll like all the ingredients in, and yet blends wonderfully together to surprise and delight.   Recommended for older teens (possibly) through adults; though I’d lean more towards the latter group in both story interest and content (for the innuendos and steamier scenes…they are few but whew! *ahem*).  Oh and for those wondering what baked good I related myself to… the jury is still out on that.  I’m taking opinions though so throw out your thoughts and we’ll see where it takes us. (^_^)

the horror

Review copy received courtesy of Leyane at FSB Associates.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their future promotions, pay a visit to their official site, or follow along on Twitter.  This title is available now via Berkley Books, a division of Penguin Group USA, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time…happy reading!

[So, I’m trying a little something different in the format of my review today with a SNAPSHOT section; sort of a story summary without all the juicy bits spelled out.  It may be a permanent change; it may be only a trial.  We shall have to see how it goes…but feel free to leave feedback on it either way as YOUR two cents goes a LONG way in my book.  ^_^]