It's a Ball by J. Morgan McGrady

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to the Sunday Surprise edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Why is it a surprise you ask?  Simple!  Normally on Sundays, we forgo the reviews and have a little comic (as in strip) entertainment.  Today, we're seizing the day all carpe-diem-like and shining the book spotlight on a Fiction novel based on real life events, but if the author revealed how much or how little were REALLY true, she'd have to kill you. *-*  Okay, so she probably wouldn't resort to actual death but she'd definitely whip your tail on the court.  Ladies and gents, grab your tennis whites (or preferred color outfit of choice) and prepare for the invasion of the balls!  Today's book of choice is...

 

 

 

It's a Ball

by

 J. Morgan McGrady

9780615997308

 

About the book...

A raunchy, fictitious novel based on laughable true-life accounts, It's a Ball follows a team of eight misfit tennis players during the Austin League championship season and exposes the real country club tennis culture.

 

Recreational tennis may sound like fun, but as they soon learn, the competition is a Molotov cocktail shaken with vodka and estrogen. Their underdog team must navigate the perils of contentious rivalries, cheating opponents, scandalous and backbiting rumors, and illegal shenanigans in a quest to become Queens of the Court.

Along the way, they find that tennis is not all about balls, racquets, and team uniforms, but the special bonds between women. Campy and brash, It's a Ball is a story about unlikely victories on and off the tennis court.

 

 

 

 

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Okay, so as the description above already warns you, this book can get raunchy; trust me, it's not stated just to include an odd to spell word.  HOWEVER, if you can make it through the private part ruminations, team to team trash talk, and occasional outbursts, I can also promise you this...it is A LOT of FUN!

 

 

Picture this, a team of eight women giving it their all to win their local tennis tournament, taking down such rivals as the Hot Flashes, and the Net Results, only to wind up going hand to hand with their arch nemesis, The Alley Cats.  *cue dramatic fight music*  It's only a game, right?  Umm, not so much at this point.  It seems one of the ladies has a rather big mouth mixed with a gambling problem, thus a wager is made that is set to make them $8,000...poorer.  What?  They would have to come from 10th place to 1st place in a matter of weeks!  Do you REALLY think they could pull that off?  Well, I certainly won't confirm or deny the outcome, but their march to claim victory as their own certainly had some bloopers (let's just say one of them is a pro at "passing" the time), potholes (doubling the wager...WTH!?!), and marginal success (laced baked goods to keep the customer SATISFIED...and coming back for more whether they wanted to or not) along the way.  What it all adds up to though is something much more...

 

Though a humorous fictional story, it really speaks of the strength of women everywhere.  It reminds us that our lots in life are what we make of them and anyone can force a change of scenery if they want it bad enough.  You can't help but remember that friendships are things meant to last forever, through thick and thin (we certainly see a lot of both here), and are created not despite our differences but because of them.  Of course, we also have a detailed list of reasons both for joining a local team and against, but in the end, I think the good outweighs the stiff competition. 

 

 

 

 

In closing, to believe or not to believe, that is a VERY good question...and one that I actually won't pose to the author because seriously, if some of the things mentioned were revealed as truths, I might be listed as an accomplish for having knowledge of the acts!  *-*  Let's just say, it's better to use your imagination in this case and enjoy the ride.  You'll learn a thing or two about tennis, discover a rather lengthy list of names for both mudslinging AND personal areas of the anatomy, all while discovering more reasons why one shouldn't over imbibe.  You'll laugh, you'll sigh, you'll shake your head at the audacity of it all, but in the end, you'll have had a great time with some lively and colorful ladies.  Recommended read for ADULT READERS ONLY, for the reasons mentioned and alluded to previously.

 

 

 

 

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About the author...

 

 

 

Much to the amazement of the literary world and the public, little is known about the elusive author, J. Morgan McGrady. Only her tennis teammates at Cedarway Country Club and a few folks at the local shooting range claim to know the eccentric woman. At the age of five, J. Morgan was abandoned at a rundown trailer park near the rural town of Bug Tussle, Texas.  She was raised by an elderly woman, Zig-Zag, the owner of a feed store off I- 35. An accomplished comic and satirist, McGrady fostered her writing skills at a young age by first penning humorous stories and unsubstantiated rumors on bathroom doors at truck stops and honkytonks. Later she was accepted, albeit blackmailing the dean of admissions, to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.  It’s a Ball is J. Morgan McGrady’s debut novel, however she is completing two more humorous books about her world travels and ranch life in the Texas Hill Country. Currently, J. Morgan and her husband are living in Austin, Texas  with their blind kangaroo, Sheila and dachshund, Fred.

 

 

SITE   |   BLOG   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

 

 

 

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SIGNED review copy courtesy of author J. Morgan McGrady and Penny at Author Marketing Experts, Inc.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or book promotions forthcoming, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now in print and ebook formats, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

 

Until next time...happy reading!

 

 



Saturday Snicker

Have a great weekend guys!

Pack your bags, we're heading to...Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're closing out the week with the perfect addition to your summer read list.  It's got the glitz and glamour of the movies with the down home feelings only a small town can give.  Don't believe me?  You don't have to...yet, but just try to deny it once you've finished taking a gander at today's review.  Lights, camera, today's book of choice...

Beach Town

by

Mary Kay Andrews

9781250065933

St. Martin's Press

About the book...

Greer Hennessy needs palm trees.

As a movie location scout, picture-perfect is the name of the game. But her last project literally went up in flames, and her career is on the verge of flaming out. Greer has been given one more chance, if she can find the perfect undiscovered beach hideaway for a big-budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida panhandle town called Cypress Key. There's one motel, a marina, a long stretch of pristine beach and an old fishing pier with a community casino-which will be perfect for the film's explosive climax.

There's just one problem. Eben Thibadeaux, the town mayor, completely objects to Greer's plan. A lifelong resident of Cypress Key, Eben wants the town to be revitalized, not commercialized. After a toxic paper plant closed, the bay has only recently been reborn, and Eb has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again. But Greer has a way of making things happen, regardless of obstacles. And Greer and Eb are way too attracted to each other for either of them to see reason.

Between an ambitious director and his entourage-including a spoiled "It Boy" lead actor-who parachute into town, a conniving local ex-socialite, and a cast of local fangirls and opportunists who catch the movie bug, nothing is going to be the same in Cypress Key. Now Greer is forced to make some hard choices: about the people and the town she's come to care about, and about her own life. True love is only for the movies, right? Can Greer find a way to be the heroine in her own life story? 

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I must admit, I was tickled pink to find out that this novel starts out in my own backyard!  No, really; it mentions my town by name.  Now grant it, the title character doesn't choose to use it as her location for the next BIG MOVIE, but it's described to a "T".  White sand beaches, blue ocean water...too many high rise hotels...oye.  Yeah, it use to be more lined with mom and pop motels with a scattering of hotels but a few years back it went BOOM and the rest is history.  Nowadays, I leave the beach to the tourists and stick to the other side of the bridge (except for the occasional shopping trip as there happens to be a fairly decent sized outdoor mall on the west end that is worth a trip once in a blue moon).  Oh and I gotta say, Greer's induction to the Florida side of things is so HI-larious and yet similar to my own (think an unexpected encounter with the unofficial "flying bird" of the South ...el Palmetto bug ...though mine was in a sink not in a bed ~shudders~). Anywho...back to the story.

The location landed upon is a quaint-ish little town called Cypress Key; personally I've never been but I recognize the name.  It has everything the director of the movie wants, and is brimming with small town charm to boot, until all heck breaks loose in the form of an overindulged music turned movie star and a director too big for his chair AND budget.  Oye!  How our leading lady, that would be Greer Hennessy, deals with him on  daily basis one only knows.  Well actually we DO know because it involves time spend with friends (CeeJay!), chowing down on the local grub (which involves pizza that shouldn't be called pizza and cookies...more on that later), and keeping in touch with family.  She's a good egg, a smart girl, one that looks both ways before crossing the street, and doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth (whatever that means), but she isn't doing that well in the love department.  

Coming off a bad relationship, or rather a relationship that was bad for her, has left Greer a bit gunshy and when Eben Thibadeaux (town mayor, real estate agent, motel owner, grocery store owner, etc) comes a calling, her reactions aren't exactly what you would call inviting.  Despite all of that, connections are made...but can they be sustained?  I mean, we have two parties wounded at the heart with one leaving in a matter of weeks and misunderstandings doing their fair share of mucking things up.  The odds are definitely NOT in their favor...but then again, lady luck does like her surprises (a well chosen term considering part of the debate revolves around the demolition of an old casino).  

It's been a while since I read this author's work and I had forgotten how far into the character's lives she really draws you...that's a good thing!  You really get to know the many sides of Greer as well as that of Eben, Allie, Ginny and a whole slew of others that I shan't list right now but are so worth the know.  You see Greer make friends with the locals, reconnect with her father while uncovering the truth of secrets long held, babysit the "big star", and turn the tables on a frenemy in disguise (go go girl!).  She's not always right with her impressions of things but she's not afraid to take a step back and try again.   By book's end, you feel like part of the family, for better and worse....but mostly better because every Hollywood story needs a happy ending (but for WHOM is the question!).

So in closing, I have to say this is one trip through the lower forty-eight that you won't soon forget.  It'll charm its way into your reading list, leave you in stitches now and then, make you drop your jaw a time or two, and cross your fingers that everyone gets their just desserts...mmm, cookies!  (Inside joke for those who've read it... ^-^)  Recommended for older teens through adult readers, paired with a sunny day out enjoying the best of the season.

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About the author...

Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times bestselling author of SAVE THE DATE, LADIES’ NIGHT, CHRISTMAS BLISS, SPRING FEVER, SUMMER RENTAL, THE FIXER UPPER, DEEP DISH, BLUE CHRISTMAS, SAVANNAH BREEZE, HISSY FIT, LITTLE BITTY LIES and SAVANNAH BLUES.

A former reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she wrote ten critically acclaimed mysteries, including the Callahan Garrity mystery series, under her “real” name, which is Kathy Hogan Trocheck. Her mysteries have been nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Awards.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida (and a diplomate of the Maas Bros. Department Store School of Charm), she started her professional journalism career in Savannah, Georgia, where she covered the real-life murder trials which were the basis of MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL.

As a lifelong “junker” the author claims to know the location of every promising thrift store, flea market and junkpile in the Southeastern United States, plus many parts of Ohio.

She has a B.A. in newspaper journalism from The University of Georgia (go Dawgs!), and is a frequent lecturer and writing teacher at workshops including Emory University, The University of Georgia’s Harriet Austin Writer’s Workshop, the Tennessee Mountain Writer’s Workshop and the Antioch Writer’s Workshop.

Married to her high school sweetheart, Tom, she has two adult children and two grandchildren. After a three-year hiatus in Raleigh, NC, she and her husband moved back to their old neighborhood in Atlanta. She also owns two restored beach cottages on Tybee Island, GA, both of which are named for fictional locations in her novels.

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |    TWITTER   |    PINTEREST

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Special thanks to Meg at Literary Tandem for the ARC for review and helping keep readers like me (and you!) up to date on what's hot now.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or the promotions coming soon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title released earlier this month via St. Martin's Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf, virtual retailer, or beach bag (^-^) near you.

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: The Saffron Crocus by Alison McMahan

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're welcoming playing host to a stop along the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours route for a Young Adult Historical Mystery!  (Fitting, right?  ^-^)  It stars the work of a new-to-me author that really brought something special to the page.  So, grab your gumption and prepare, there's danger ahead as we meet today's book of choice...

The Saffron Crocus

by

Alison McMahan

9781626942189

Black Opal Books

About the book...

Venice, 1643. Isabella, fifteen, longs to sing in Monteverdi’s Choir, but only boys (and castrati) can do that. Her singing teacher, Margherita, introduces her to a new wonder: opera! Then Isabella finds Margherita murdered. Now people keep trying to kill Margherita’s handsome rogue of a son, Rafaele.

Was Margherita killed so someone could steal her saffron business? Or was it a disgruntled lover, as Margherita—unbeknownst to Isabella—was one of Venice’s wealthiest courtesans?

Or will Isabella and Rafaele find the answer deep in Margherita’s past, buried in the Jewish Ghetto?

Isabella has to solve the mystery of the Saffron Crocus before Rafaele hangs for a murder he didn’t commit, though she fears the truth will drive her and the man she loves irrevocably apart.

AMAZON US  |  UK    |     BARNES & NOBLE    |    KOBO

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A fast paced, young adult read filled with the mystery promised and so much more.

It speaks of a time when women were respected and yet only so much.  They were permitted to be seen but not speak their own minds freely.  They were allowed to visit with male callers but not without a chaperon in attendance.  They were given the chance to let their voices soar in song, but only in the venues chosen by the men that surrounded them.  Yes ladies, it was a man's world.  *grumble grumble* For our leading lady Isabella, that proved a very difficult point to accept for she desired to sing in the infamous all male choir and wouldn't you know it, between fate and circumstance...she got just what she wanted.  Or did she?  You see, that "dream come true" came at a price most high with consequences undesired and a change of heart most unexpected.  Though it fulfilled one wish, it opened the door to so many more...good thing she's not a girl to take things lying down.

I really enjoyed getting to know Isabella.  She was full of spunk and a healthy appetite for life despite the fact that society wasn't really in her favor at the time.  She didn't let the day rule her though it tried; she let her heart and mind work together to sort through the good, bad, and deadly.  Her unanticipated (yet arranged to some degree by his own mother, Margherita...who has an interesting past of her own!) connection with Rafaele packed a punch, though little in any form of "action" actually occurs.  That's right ladies and gents, it's back to a time when the words both said and unsaid really made a difference as well as the belief in one another.  Speaking of Rafaele, though he acted the spoiled brat at times, he wasn't without his good qualities, the more of which came out as he learned about his own history.  It was great watching him grow from the experiences he had as well as the reciprocated feelings from one lovely girl.  The tortures he survives are certainly stomach clenching but the limited detail included won't have you face first over any buckets any time soon.  (Good balance!)  

In conclusion, whether a fan of Historical Fiction or simply the Young Adult genre, this book has something that will appeal to you.  The musical inclusions along the way make the story soar right off the page and into your heart as we say hello and goodbye to several souls along the way.  The mystery at its heart is actually bigger than itself and extends to several key people you won't necessarily expect truly keeping you on your toes as you make your way through the labyrinth.  Recommended as much for its beauty and grace as for its murder and mystery to teen through adult readers.

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About the author...

Alison McMahan chased footage for her documentaries through jungles in Honduras and Cambodia, favelas in Brazil and racetracks in the U.S. She brings the same sense of adventure to her award-winning books of historical mystery and romantic adventure for teens and adults. Her latest publication is The Saffron Crocus, a historical mystery for young. Murder, Mystery & Music in 17th Century Venice.

She loves hearing from readers!  

Connect with her today via these online sites...

BOOK PAGE   |   SITE 1  |  2    |    FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER   |   GOODREADS    |    PINTEREST    |    GOOGLE+    |    INSTAGRAM    |    TUMBLR

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Special thanks to Amy at HFVT for the review copy as well as the chance to bring this tour to you!  (THANKS!)  For more information on THIS TOUR, the title, author, publisher, or future promotions, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title celebrated its book birthday December 2014 via Black Opal Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or online retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Hold Me by Susan Mallery

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're traveling to California with a fangirl-ish review of the latest release from author Susan Mallery.  Excited?  You should be and from the rest of this post, I think you'll see that I was/am too.  Consider this intro the virtual postman knocking on your INBOX.  

Letter received and ready to read....

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Dear Ms. Mallery,

Thank you so much for yet another wonderful page turner through the cozy town of Fools Gold.  If ever there was a realistic fictitional place I wish were a reality, this would certainly be it.  

The people are so welcoming, making a place for both newcomers and life longers alike.  Mayor Marsha is a real hoot; the power she wields through acts of kindness is incredible (still pushing with my fellow fans for a book focused on HER story!).  Then we have visits and drop ins from familiar faces that we've met previously, and yet even if this is your first venture to town, you won't be lost without the backstory (though I definitely recommend getting the backstory because seriously, why miss out on the fun?!).  

Our new potential couple to be is a memorable addition as well.  I really enjoyed getting to know both Destiny and Kipling.  Destiny is strong in her belief that love can wait; a strong and dependable partner is more important.  She's got no time for the romance of it all what with her job and newest "dependent", Starr...her half sister (watching this relationship blossom was an added bonus!). Kipling lives by the seat of his pants with a new girl every few months, and he has no plans on changing those habits even though he's landing in the town of "happy endings".  They are as different as can be in so many ways and yet at heart, they connect.  That is truly what made this one so special.

My only hesitation was towards book's end when a sudden shotgun-less marriage came to pass.  I was a bit surprised, especially by how fast things transpired, BUT I should have known things would turn out all right in the end, and guess what?  They did!  Of course you already knew that, having written the book.  *ahem*  Anywho, my point is this...

Fools Gold is a remarkable series that brings love, friendship, and relationships to the page in its

many colors.  There's not a story that readers can't find themselves in in some way.  There's not a heart that won't flutter at the connections made at least a time or two (with a little blushing now and then too).  Picking a favorite character or couple is near impossible (for me at least) because their stories are unique and memorable, leaving impressions that last well off the page.  I'll tell you, I'd love to sit down with the girls and chat in Jo's bar.  I wouldn't even mind visiting The Man Cave to hear the karaoke on an off night.  Of course, one would have to be there during at least one of the many festivals to see the town really dressed up and what visit would be complete without a cameo from Priscilla!  In other words, if ever a day comes that our favorite fictions become reality, consider my bags packed and ready to go.

THANK YOU from my bookish heart to yours for sharing your gifts with readers near and far....and LONG LIVE FOOLS GOLD!  

With fondest regards,

Gina

(aka the Insatiable Reader)

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ARC for review received courtesy of Lisa at Harlequin.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, those forthcoming, the author, or the publisher, please feel free to click through the links above. Hold Me was released just this month and is the first of FOUR titles coming this year from author Susan Mallery (woo-hoo!) via Harlequin.  Be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Miles from Nowhere by Amy Clipston

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a look at a title from a new to me author that I learned about from TWO different sources.  Care to guess?  What's that?  Oh yes, the publisher WAS in fact one of them...and that publisher would be Zondervan so we can count on good, clean fun with a Christian angle to the story.  The second source was my bloggy friend Nayu from Nayuleska's Reading Corner!  That's right.  She's read several titles fairly recently from the author's Amish series and though I wasn't personally sold on those, when I saw this new Young Adult title from the same writer, I thought...why not?  So, here we are and away we go!  Today's book of choice is....

Miles from Nowhere

by

Amy Clipston

9780310736707

Zondervan

About the book....

Chelsea Morris has always been responsible, dependable, and focused on her dreams of fashion design—a dream that will officially begin come fall, when she leaves for college in New York City. And as she settles into her role as the lead designer for the local summer stock theater group, she decides to make the most of her last summer in North Carolina. But with her best friend Emily busy working late and spending time with Zander, and tensions with Chelsea’s boyfriend, Todd, running high, the summer she envisioned seems to be falling flat.

Then Dylan joins the latest summer production. There’s something about the college boy that makes her feel free and alive, and soon she’s broken up with Todd, and is sneaking out late to meet Dylan at parties and breaking rules at the playhouse. But before she knows it, her exciting nights are interfering with her job, her role on the play, as well as her relationship with Emily and with her parents. Worse, Chelsea finds herself feeling more and more estranged from God.

As the summer becomes wilder than she ever dreamed, Chelsea must decide if her heart is leading her in the right direction after all.

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Okay, here's the thing.  I'm pretty picky about my Christian Fiction reading selections.  I'm not against Godly messages, verse, or Church in reading, BUT I don't like feeling preached to when I'm trying to get lost in a fictitious story.  So, where did this one rate?  Well, my "preachy radar" was raised a time or two, but then as things progressed, it settled down to a happy little buzz...and speaking of buzzes...

Here we have a story that could have been ripped from any teenagers diary with truth, experimentation, rule breaking, and the dreaded seen-but-ignored consequences.  Chelsea is a great leading lady, well technically she's the lead costumer but you know what I mean.  She takes care of her little brothers, respects her parents, spends times with her friends, and chases her dreams with an open heart.  She also has a wonderful fella who adores her...too bad he's a bit distracted this summer (with good reason, but still...we all know that a lack of attention can make the relationship road more than a bit rocky).  Guess it's a good thing she's really throwing herself into the summer production of Grease...and it doesn't hurt that she's getting a bit of extra attention from one of the male leads either.  Now, before you go getting any ideas, she's a good kid, without a traitorous bone in her body, but the heart wants what it wants, no matter how fleeting or confused it might be.  The fallout from those decisions can be heartbreaking, earthshaking, and even....deadly.

I must say, I really enjoyed this story more than I thought I was going to.  I really connected with Chelsea (yeah, I was and am the "responsible, dependable, and focused" type) and appreciated her desire to break free of the image she found herself towing the line for.  At times her choices made me cringe (going against her mother, sneaking out, DRINKING!) but I held out hope that she'd see the light and find her way back.  All it took, was a little help from her TRUE friends, a re-connection with the big guy upstairs, and some twisted metal....don't ask, you'll have to read it to understand THAT one.  She comes out better for it in the end, with stronger relationships with all those that really matter (Marni, her parents, Dylan, the plays producer, to name a few).

In conclusion, it's a book that tackles the BIG topics teens face in our day and age with grit AND grace.  You've got underage drinking AND driving, unsupervised parties, the desire to be cool above all else, and the need to try the path less traveled despite the warning signs posted in flashing neon lights, all with the consequences that some of this seemingly invincible set never believe will happen to them.  It doesn't matter how smart or pretty or rich or cool you are, what matters is what you put first in your life and what's in your heart of hearts.  When that's settled and at peace, you're truly free to follow the path set forth for you and those that try to stand in your way will merely seem like another opportunity for growth instead of obstacles.  So, what's in your heart?  Are you secure in your relationships with others, your beliefs, and your life path?  If so, I APPLAUD YOU...if not, it's never too late.

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About the author...

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple best-seller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats. 

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Review copy received courtesy of Liane at Zonderkidz.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher's complete catalog, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title was released April 2015 via Zondervan, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

We remember...

A day of remembrance for those who have served;

A moment of silence for all those we've lost.

Our heartfelt thanks for all that they give..

...and our sincerest hopes that one day we reach a place where that sacrifice is no longer necessary.

Wishing you and yours a...

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

The Daddy Diaries by Joshua Braff

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Well, you did it.  You made it through another week.  Congrats!  I have to wonder though, was YOUR week anywhere near as crazy as this dad's week, nay life? Hmm...I don't know.  Let's check it out, shall we?  From the author we featured earlier this week in a Guest Post discussing just how much of his work is real life versus fiction, he comes today's book of choice...

The Daddy Diaries

by

Joshua Braff

9780986417504

Prince Street Press

About the book...

Jay and Jackie uproot their family of four from San Francisco after Jackie loses her job but finds a lucrative new one in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jay, a one-time copywriter and aspiring author, now plays househusband, caring for his troubled thirteen-year-old son and precocious daughter as they adjust to their new life. As his children begin to assert their independence, Jay realizes that the challenges of child rearing are only going to grow more difficult in the teen years. Through a series of misadventures and run-ins with his narcissistic older brother, his lunatic childhood friend, and his increasingly estranged but beloved son, Jay learns that he must tap his own vulnerabilities if he is to be the rock of stability his family so desperately needs. Overflowing with pathos and humor, The Daddy Diaries is a memorable take on contemporary fatherhood and a clear-sighted look at how the upending of traditional marital roles can affect the delicate balance of familial love.

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Role reversal.  It's not a new topic nowadays but it IS when it comes to works of Fiction, or at least it is in my own reading world.  Anywho, it was interesting to see how things worked from the guy side of it all while the little lady was the bread winner of the household.  (Oh and yes, I did just use the "little lady" phrase, but it was fair game with the whole guy role versus girl role stereotype breakthrough; don't you think?)  Did it cause grief?  Sometimes, but what marriage DOESN'T have obstacles.  Their problems were created by distance in miles as well as of the heart.  Once they finally got everything out on the table and were on the same page, things progressed a bit more copecetically.  Was it easy?  Heck no...but that's the reality of it all that makes it all the more believable a tale.  

So, if you read the Guest Post this past Tuesday, you already know more about this book than you might think.  The entire story of Jay and family is chronicled in a combination of journal entries and this-is-happening-now moments.  From the "Trying" days (and we're not talking about marital spats...yet) to the "Elite 2" trip that sent our two men of the house to opposing corners, the "Hangover" that was the least of what he deserved for the situation he landed himself in to the "Kidnap" that resulted in a right hook being caught by his eye but was still absolutely the right move, there's a glimpse of life from the other side of the diapers from a MALE perspective.  

In conclusion, a tale of Fiction derived from real life that'll make you wonder where one ends and the other begins...in a good way.  You'll laugh at some of the antics, raise your eyebrows at others (good gravy, that childhood friend of his that moved the amber water and was a total a**...ugh!), and find a bit of yourself somewhere along the way.  Don't believe me?  Well then, I guess you'll just have to read it to find out now won't you?  ^-^

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About the author...

Joshua Braff grew up in South Orange, New Jersey, and graduated from Columbia High School and NYU. He earned an MFA in creative writing/fiction from St. Mary's College of California. Josh's first novel The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green (Algonquin Books, 2004), about a dysfunctional, Jewish family in late ‘70s was chosen as a Barnes & Noble Discover pick. Peep Show (Algonquin Books, 2010), his second book, was about a 17-year-old boy forced to choose between his Orthodox mother's life and his father's career in the porn industry. People Magazine raved, "Braff skillfully illuminates the failures and charms of a broken family. That teen longing for adults to act their age haunts long after the final page." Josh lives in California with his wife of almost 20 years and their two kids. He is an avid baseball fan and an accomplished painter who plays guitar and drums. The Daddy Diaries is his third novel.

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Special thanks to Meg at Literary Tandem for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or publicist, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title reached published status just this month via Prince Street Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A COPY, CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GOODREADS GIVEAWAY NOW THROUGH MAY 31, 2015!

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Out from the Underworld by Heather Siegel

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, the bookish site that's not afraid to get REAL every now and then.  Speaking of which...

Today, we are joining the iRead Book Tour already in progress for a NON-FICTION title that really reminds us that while our parents/guardians are suppose to be the ones with all the answers, they're human and can sometimes fall short too.  The sad part is when they do, the fall for those in their care can be pretty dramatic and the experience can either make or break them.  The good part is that if the former "make" happens versus the latter, they are a more improved version of themselves than previously planned with far reaching intentions set to make the world a better place for all those they touch.  Without further ado, today's book of choice and blog tour guest is...

Out from the Underworld

by

Heather Siegel

9780991619406

Greenpoint Press

 About the book...

Heather Siegel was six years old when her mother disappeared, sending her father into a tailspin that took Heather and her siblings down with him - from a comfortable suburban home to a barely habitable basement apartment, a dark world they soon found themselves fighting to return from the exile of foster care, then fighting even harder to escape.  Forty years later, Heather Siegel tells the remarkable story of how she and her siblings, Jaz and Greg, banded together to find out what happened to their mother and fight their way Out from the Underworld with nothing but their wits, determination, unbreakable bonds, and gifts for humor and compassion to sustain them.

Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble

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I almost always preface my review of a Biography/Memoir with something about me not judging the story itself but the delivery style and sharing my thoughts/reactions to what I read.  That being said, I won't dwell on the point, but consider it noted...deal?  Now, on to that story...

This recollection of thoughts and memories takes us from the author's childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.  She and her siblings survived much more than a broken home.  From the moment her mother made a seemingly selfish decision ("seemingly" only because of what we learn about her later on), it was almost all downhill from there.  From a self-imploding father unable to step out of his own shadow to care for those in his charge to a parade of women that would each leave their mark (for better or worse) on their young lives, the eventual realization reached was that no matter how much they wished, hoped, and dreamed that their remaining parent would rise above to save them like a phoenix from the ashes, it simply was not in their cards.  So, the had to make their own luck and reach towards a happier ending.

It was so hard to watch this little family within a family be broken up again and again with atrocities committed against them that none should have to bear.  It was inspiring to see how they pulled together to take care of each other while still reaching out to try and rescue the lost parent that still lived.  Jaz may have been a hardcore-kick-butt-and-apologize-later type of girl, but deep down she was the "mother" between them, always guiding, sharing, and caring...in her own way.  Greg, their brother, was a gentle spirit, and carried that kindness with him despite the tortures others inflicted upon him.  As for Heather, she's more than simply our narrator or a victim of circumstance, she's a survivor, and considering where she came from any sort of normalcy achieved would be a celebratory point.  So, settle for what she could get?  Nope!  She shot for the stars and while fame and fortune may not have been the end result, a life in the sun, with loved ones to cherish, and even a chance to make amends with her father, are definitely not something to shrink from.

In conclusion, an honest share of a life that was much more thorns than roses but with an ending that opened more doors than it closed, for the better.  It's been said you never know what you're capable of until put to the test.  Well, when their feet were to the fire, they didn't shirk away.  They kept looking for that brighter tomorrow even when all felt lost.  The word that comes to mind to describe them is OHANA...in Hawaiian it simply means family, but as a little blue animated critter once added, it also means nobody gets left behind.  Case in point.  Recommended read for older teens through adults for some language as well as general interest in the subject matter.

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About the author...

 Heather Siegel holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from The New School. Her work has appeared on Salon.com and in The Mother Magazine and Author Magazine, as well as in various trade publications. She was a finalist for the 2010 Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Award in Nonfiction Writing, the 2011 San Francisco Writers Conference Nonfiction Writing Award, the Carolina Wren Press 2012 Doris Bakwin Award and the 2012 Kore Press First Book Award. A multi-creative person with interests in the arts, nutrition, health and beauty, she has founded several independent businesses, including a coffeehouse, a café, an organic juice bar and a natural beauty bar. She currently lives with her husband, Jon, and daughter, Julia, in the woods of Long Island in a house filled with light. 

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Special thanks to Laura at iRead Books and author Heather Siegel for the review copy as well as the chance to bring this tour to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or the other fabulous stops on the tour, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Greenpoint Press, a division of New York Writers Resources, New York, NY, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.


FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF FIVE COPIES OF THIS TITLE AND A MUSIC CD FROM GREG FINE, US AND CANADA READERS CAN CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Until next time...happy reading!