BLOG TOUR: Unlocking Worlds by Sally Allen

Hi guys!

Welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

We're sending November out with a BANG as we add to your reading list TWICE as much today.  That's right.  If you missed it, there's a cover reveal lurking around the site, but right now, we're saying HELLO to an awesomely bookish title via iRead Book Tours.  It stars a Non Fiction work about Fiction (and Non) reads and how they've impacted the author.  Curious?  Good!  Let's dig a little deeper.  Today's book of choice is....

Unlocking Worlds:

A Reading Companion for Book Lovers

by

Sally Allen

Illustrated by

Ha Pham

9780983644613

Griffins Wharf Productions

AMAZON   |   B&N

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

As I said, this is a book that's MADE for readers, not simply because it's in print full of words (and images!) to digest, but because of what those letters strung together actually SAY. 

Within the pages of this wonderfully covered read (really, I love the cover), you'll find a familiar soul.  You'll discover someone who really gets you and the enjoyment that reading brings.  Ms. Allen shares a lot of the same ideals that I hold true.  First up, that the reader is who truly assigns merit to a work.  That is not to say I can say YAY or NAY and the masses fall to my decision, but rather that every work means something to someone; it only needs to reach the right audience.  Next up, books are not merely words on a page but portals we follow for escape, enrichment, or pure joy.  Every time we open a cover, turn a page, even flick a screen (yes, you too ebook fans), we are placed in someone's time and place to see things we may not have seen, contemplate ideas we may not have thought, or simply live a life we never imagined.  

She and I also share several titles on our "read" list as well as a few on my "to read" list.  It was highly enjoyable to see her fascination with A Little Princess and how she connected with Sara throughout her life.  This was a book that I read in my youth as well (still have a copy somewhere in my stacks) and thoroughly enjoyed.  I totally get how some stories stick with you more than others, despite the number of years it may have been between reads.  The thoughts she shared of her read through Before I Fall sparked memories of my own time between the pages, and of having similar trouble putting it into words when describing it on the fly.  It has a plot that moves it along in the undercurrent but it's more about the main character discovering how she could have done things differently.  Last but certainly not least, the holiday reads inclusion of A Christmas Carol.  For those of you that have been visiting for some time, you know that I try to read a version of this story pretty much every year.  It's a self created tradition I adopted and thoroughly enjoy.  I never tire of reading about Scrooge's miserly ways and how a few ghostly visitors were able to turn his soul around.  Tiny Tim's proclamation of "God bless us, every one!" still brings a tear of joy to my eye when his future is no longer shadow cast.

Overall, it's a wonderful tribute to the power of books.  It shows the wonder to be had between the pages no matter your age, background, or social status.  It reminds us that the joys of reading are for ONE AND ALL, though we may not get to read all the books, we can still try, and that those not indulging in this particular past time are truly missing out.  Recommended read for teens through adults looking for another perspective on some of their favorite reads or perhaps new additions to their own "must read" lists, as well as a way to connect with another reader that owns the term bookish. 

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

About the author...

Award winning writer and teacher Sally Allen holds a Ph.D. from New York University in English Education, with an emphasis in writing and rhetoric, and a M.A. in English Language and Literature. She teaches writing, literature, and communications, leads book group discussions, and is the founder and editor of Books, Ink at HamletHub.

SITE   |   TWITTER

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

Special thanks to Laura at iRead Book Tours for the review copy and chance to bring this title to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on THIS TOUR, this title, the author, the publisher, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Griffin Wharf Productions, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time....happy reading!

COVER REVEAL: Cooking Up Trouble by Judi Lynn

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host to a COVER REVEAL courtesy of Pump Up Your Book.  It stars a Romance eBook that's sure to get things heated up in the kitchen but with a dash of sweetness that makes it perfect for the holiday.  Ready to feast your eyes upon the cover that beat out the rest?  Here we go!  Ready or not, here is today's spotlight title....

Title: Cooking Up Trouble

Author: Judi Lynn

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Romance

Format: Ebook

Nothing stirs the pot like a new man in town…

Welcome to Mill Pond and small-town country living, filled with fresh air, fresh food, and plenty of fresh gossip—especially when it comes to romance…

It’s impossible not to notice when someone new shows up in Mill Pond. Especially someone as obviously out-of-place as Ian McGregor. His stylish suit and fancy car scream “city slicker.” And when Tessa Lawrence discovers he can’t even change a tire, she has no choice but to help. That’s just what the locals do. And when she finds out Ian’s her new neighbor, of course she’s obliged to invite him to dinner too…

Turns out Ian’s come from New York to open a luxury resort on the property next door to Tessa’s farm, where she grows berries and sells her famous jams and delectable baked goods. But despite their quickly growing friendship and temptingly close proximity, Tessa plans to keep things with Ian strictly neighborly. For one thing, Ian’s got a fiancée who, unlike Tessa, doesn’t have dirt under her nails. Plus, Tessa knows from bitter experience that a guy this gorgeous is all too likely to break a simple country girl’s heart. Even if he’s as sweet as one of her cinnamon buns—and equally hard to resist…

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

ORDER INFORMATION

Cooking Up Trouble is available for order at

   

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

A word from the author...

All of my works are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, smashwords, Scrib'd, Kobo, and more. I'm a member of Goodreads and my author page can be found at:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5023544.Judith_Post

I'm lucky enough to be represented by Lauren Abramo at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. I've been a member of Summit City Scribes for more years than I care to remember, and they've made me a better writer.  Thanks, guys!

My blog can be found at http://writingmusings.com/ 

My author's facebook page is:  https://www.facebook.com/JudithPostsurbanfantasy 

You can tweet me at:  @judypost 

To sign up for my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/_fal5 

 

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

Sites participating in this event...

Inkslinger's Opus

Room With Books

Review From Here

Book Babble

Literal Exposure

To Read, Or Not To Read

I'm Shelf-ish

Queen of All She Reads

The Dark Phantom

Teatime and Books

Lover of Literature

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

A Title Wave

Written Love Reviews

Write and Take Flight

Lisa's Louisiana Home

Harmonious Publicity

Crystal's Chaotic Confessions

A Taste of My Mind

All Inclusive Retort

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

Special thanks to Tracee at Pump Up Your Book for the chance to bring this book-abration to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the site participating, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.


Until next time...happy reading!



Cured by Love by Stacy Eaton

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're jumping between the epages of a title that's sure to chase away those winter blues, if indeed it feels like winter where you are...which it decidedly does NOT here...and if not, well it'll warm your heart nonetheless.  It's another release in The Remington's Kindle World series which consists of works inspired by Melissa Foster's Remington series.  You might remember my review of Pulled by Love by Amy Manemann?  Same series!  Basically, the original books had such a live following that it inspired other writers to build upon the world and characters she created.  Pretty nifty, right?  If done correctly, yes...and though I've not read the original series, I did heart-fully enjoy this glimpse into it through another's eyes.  Ready or not, here comes today's ebook of choice...

Cured by Love

The Remington's Kindle World
Inspired by Melissa Foster's Remington series
by

Stacy Eaton

About the book...

Dina Greene and Ellie Parker met during their college years and on the night that they meet at NightCaps to reconnect, Dina’s life begins to change. For six years, Dina has closed off her heart, moving from one man to another, trying to feel something other than her own pain and guilt.

Ryan Wilde is a plastic surgeon who strives to give people a better quality of life, especially children. The night he watches Dina leave the bar with another one-night stand, he resolves to offer up a challenge to get her to view herself in a new light.

Little does he know that the challenge will change both their lives, but when Dina’s secret is exposed, will Ryan be able to accept it and trust her, or will Dina go back to her old ways and leave Ryan broken?








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




Ryan is a sweet, sensitive soul with piercing eyes, a killer bod, and a lifestyle/career a girl can't help but swoon at.  I mean, he's a doctor, a plastic surgeon to be precise, but before you go thinking that he only works on butts and busts all day like out leading lady, take a train to reality check because he's got a lot more heart than all of that.  The "challenge" he issues to a woman in need is unconventional at best and yet touching at the same time.  Most wouldn't bother; they'd simply take advantage of a "sure thing" but not this guy...a gentleman to the end, but with a spicy streak that shows when the time is right.  It's nice to see a man wanting to show a woman how they deserve to me treated (and not in a controlling sort of way) and it ACTUALLY panning out.  Don't worry though, as I said he's not all boy scout and chivalry; he allows "adult time" to have its time and he has an issue or two.

Alrighty then ,let's talk flaws, because every GREAT GUY has them, right?  Indeed yes, but it has nothing to do with being a GREAT GUY but the fact that he is written so HUMAN.  (Nice job!)  He has a problem fully trusting others and it stretches not just to her family relationships but into his personal ones as well...namely Dina, the girl of the hour. Funny, right?  The guy asking some strange woman he doesn't even know to trust HIM yet he can't fully trust them.  Go figure.  Family wise, it hits home between him and dear old Mom who happens to be bringing home her newest boy toy...let's just say he's less than impressed but it's all about him and not them. Issue number two would be his wild side when unleashed...in the bedroom.  *ahem*  It's not in a weird way or anything, and certainly more than welcome but it shatters his reserved image a bit from what we've come to know.  Really though, I just love how much he cares for others....simple and true.


Dina is running from a past that's anything but her fault and only interested in losing herself...one night at a time. That means a different bed several times a week and while she's careful, it's not good for her self-esteem subconsciously nor her heart.  Until now, it was always good enough, something to take the edge off things and keep her focus on track; operative words there though are UNTIL NOW.  While Ryan's offer is certainly unconventional, think Pretty Woman without the hooker aspect, and she's pretty much insulted by his insinuations about her life, she comes to realize the real reason for her rejection of it is how close it comes to the truth.  I love that she risks it all to give him a chance.  I felt so bad when Whitney pulled her little stunt and sorry she fell so hard for it.  I had hoped and whispered...no, it's not true...but the heart and mind don't always work together leading her down a trail of tears.  Seriously, if I could have come through the epages to slap Whitney upside the head, I would have...but dear old Mom gets the last word on that one...and boy is it a doozy!


In the end, certainly not for the kiddos as it had too much steam leading up to a blush worthy performance...but a good way to warm up on a cold winter's day.








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






About the author...

Stacy has been a full-time police officer since 2000. Her current assignment is as Detective of her small town department.  She enjoys crime scene investigation; taking a passion in putting the pieces together to figure out the crime. She is also a business owner where she helps people get the awareness out for the causes they care most about. She is a mother of two, a son proudly serving in the United States Navy and a young daughter. Her husband is also in law enforcement. She is very much into photography and carries her Nikon Digital SLR with her almost everywhere, just in case.




SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER






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

Special thanks to author Amy Manemann for directing my attention to this wonderful read and for the ebook for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the growing series, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so pick up ae copy today to call your own.


Until next time...happy reading!








BLOG TOUR: Dark Turns by Cate Holahan

Hi there!

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

Today, we're playing hosting to a blog tour courtesy of Meryl L. Moss Media, starring Thriller filled with murder (or suicide?) and mystery.  It's fit for the YA crowd yet more than enjoyable for those outside the teen spectrum an keeps you turning paging with its likable characters...or even the dis-likable ones.  So if you're ready to move En Avant, please join me in welcoming today's guest and book of choice...

Dark Turns

by

Cate Holahan

9781629531939

Crooked Lane Books

About the book...

Nia Washington is an incredibly talented ballerina. She fought her way up from the streets and was nearing the pinnacle of her profession when an injury and a broken heart derailed her career. Taking a temporary job at an elite boarding school was supposed to give her time to nurse both body and soul. It was supposed to be a safe place to launch a triumphant comeback. It is anything but.

Shortly after she arrives at the beautiful lakeside campus, she discovers the body of a murdered student, and her life takes a truly dark turn. It’s not long before she is drawn into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a ruthless killer. And Nia isn’t the only target. She must use all of her street smarts to protect her dancers, save a wrongfully accused student, and rescue the man she loves.

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

If the setting seems familiar, it should...classic boarding school where the kids are a mix of privileged and non, with teachers who MOSTLY care about them, trying to pass some morsel of wisdom into their teenage brains.  The characters are more along the lines of a more recent trend in YA Fiction; the one, the only....ballerinas in training.  There's been a mini-slew of this type of story floating around but this one certainly stands on its own pointe shoes without an assist.

The death at the center of things comes at you full force.  From the first chapter, we are shown around the campus and immediately find ourselves in a spotlight we never intended to be in.  Potential suspects emerge only to whither in the bright light of day with things finally coming to a head...leaving the guilty to face the final curtain.  Who was responsible for ending Lauren's life so soon?  Was it self-inflicted, a jealous ex perhaps, or something far more gruesome and shady?  Only one way to find out because I'll never tell....

From the start, we come to know Nia as a kind soul with an unforgiving past, belabored by injuries that just won't go away, but a determination to succeed that would shame many less driven.  I immediately liked her character and felt deeply for her having to hide things about her life, suffer the appraisal of teens who believe they know everything, and be bossed within an inch of the stage's edge by her superiors.  I loved how she was quick to defend the image of the deceased young lady when it seemed everyone else was placing the blame squarely on her cold shoulders.  The fact that her heart was moved by love's potential in spite of her past experience, just proves furthermore that she's a good soul.  It was great to see a young-ish adult figure portrayed in such a good yet realistic light.  Her life wasn't perfect by any means, but she made do and strives for more.  Though many others try to steal the spotlight, for me, Nia was truly the prima ballerina of them all.

Recommended read for Young Adult and Fiction fans that like a bit of darkness with their light.  This one drives you forward with the character connections forged but keeps you guessing as to where it will all land.  

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

About the author...

Cate Holahan is an award-winning journalist and a former television producer. Her short fiction won first place in the 19th Annual Calliope competition. Cate currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. This is her debut novel.

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

Special thanks to Amanda at Meryl Moss Media for the book for review and the chance to bring ithos tour to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or those tours on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Crooked Lane, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  

Until next time...happy reading!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Wishing you and yours a very tasty holiday shared with family, friends, or even simply a great read.

^-^

BLOG TOUR: An Old-Fashioned Christmas by Ellen Stimson - Review + GIVEAWAY!

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to the site that aims to please all your bookish appetites, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host to a TLC Book Tour starring a perfectly timed holiday read but before you get whisked away into flights of fantasy, I must warn you...this one's for REAL.  That's right!  It's not a work of Fiction but a work of a lifetime and filled with treasures you'll be glad to have shared.  Don't believe me?  Well then, let's get to proving!  Grab your winter gear and prepare to board a one horse sleight straight to Vermont as we welcome today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

An Old-Fashioned Christmas:

Sweet Traditions for Hearth and Home

by

Ellen Stimson

9781581573282

The Countryman Press

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

This is the story of the Stimson family.  It tells of how they came together, where their love of Christmas met winter wonderland fun, and eventually of moving the family across the US of A to Vermont and staking their own claim on the holiday season.  To describe it as a snowglobe minus the glass would be an understatement, for it sounds much more magical if that's even possible.  Okay, life in Vermont isn't without its drawbacks but imagine if you will for a short time at least, living in an older house full of charm, being surrounded by the wonders of nature in their full winter glory, spending time with loved ones out in the snow or around the fire sipping hot chocolate, and curling up with a good book to top off the night.  Doesn't it just sound dreamy?  *daydreams*  Ahem, but this is much more than simply an ode to a white Christmas.  It's a treasury of special moments, traditions, and holiday cheer.  

Opening this book is like stepping into a family album of sorts.  Ellen is a wonderful narrator and allows us full access to the fun, the messy, the quirky, and the amazing Christmas' that she and her family have spent over a lifetime.  From the move to the "far north" where snow can shut down a whole city while no one really seems to mind to the beginning of their annual Christmas Adventures that carry forward year after year creating lasting memories for all, there's not a moment of the holiday that isn't shared and explored.  They invite you to see into their traditions, adopt what you wish as your own, and encourage you to make new ones, no matter how big or small.  

My favorites?  Hmm, that's a tough one.  The adventures were great because they didn't always require a big expenditure, they were about those the time was being spent with more than anything else.  Then there's the Christmas ornament tradition where every year they each get one (sometimes two) a piece to add to their tree, creating another way to remember the holidays of yesteryear with something tangible to hold.  Gotta say I love the dresser ornament with the books on top.  I agree with the author, it feels like home.  Finally, there's the feasting.  Yes, I said feasting.  You see, strewn throughout the work are sections of recipes to help with holiday dinners, parties, and the random snack.  After reading through them, you'll be able to make your own mayonnaise, fry up some delicious latkes, add some roasted balsamic brussels sprouts to your holiday dinner, or even sit back with a glass of buttered rum.   There's even a section dedicated to pet snacks because they realize that the fur-babies love the holiday feast-tivities too.  

In conclusion, there's a feast for the eyes, heart, and mouth within the pages of this gorgeously covered holiday read.  Though it will be right at home on your coffee table, I do believe if you find it missing you should check your kitchen.  With recipes like these, it's gonna be hard to keep them from each other.  So whether you're looking for new ideas to create traditions in your own family or wishing to borrow one from someone else, this is certainly a book that I'd recommend you take for a walk in a winter wonderland.  It's got the a great balance of life story and kitchen pizzazz without being all formal about one or the the other.  The author let's her life guide the flow of stories and recipes creating the perfect balance and perfect gift for cooks and non-cooks alike while reminding us that the most important part of all this holiday is not the gifts or food, but the family gathered round the table near and far as we welcome another season with love in our hearts.

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

About Ellen Stimson

Ellen Stimson is a bread-and-butter home cook…possibly more butter than bread. Her table is usually overflowing with friends, family, and folks who have come just to listen to her stories. Some of those tales made it into her bestselling memoir, Mud Season. She cooks and writes from a farmhouse in Vermont.

Connect with Ellen

 Website | Facebook | Twitter

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

Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this title to you, and added thanks to the publicity team at The Countryman Press for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on THIS TOUR, this title, the author, the publisher, or those tours on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title celebrated its book birthday at the start of this month via The Countryman Press, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

To help spread a little holiday cheer, TLC Book Tours has authorized me to give YOU a chance to WIN A COPY OF THIS VERY BOOK!  All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below (choose as many or as few options as you like) and leave a comment sharing a holiday tradition of your own!  

Open to US residents only; no P.O. Boxes please.  Entries accepted through Saturday, December 5th, 2015.  Winner will be contacted and have 48 hours to respond with their full name and mailing address.  If no response is received, a new winner will be chosen.  SFIR is not responsible for lost prizes or those packages not received.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Whistling Willie from Amarillo, Texas by Jo Harper and Josephine Harper

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a mosey over to the Children's Storybook section of things and catchin' up on our readin', I do reckon.  If you're in for a mighty high time in the semi-old west, then you've come to the right corral for inside today's selection, you'll catch a glimpse of history along with the whimsical nature imbued into works of this particular genre.  So get your ten gallon hat, and saddle up your trusty horse, it's time to ride off into the sunset with today's book of choice...

Whistling Willie from Amarillo, Texas

by

Jo Harper and Josephine Harper

Illustrated by

David Harrington

9781455620562

Pelican Publishing Company

You can't help but LOVE little Willie and his fast little horse.  His ten gallon hat is only matched by his ten gallon heart.  His snakeskin boots and belt may be a little risque in the fashion department, but served to complete his image.  He was a future Texas Ranger...if only they treat him like Rudolph at the reindeer games. "They" in this case encompasses a slew of nincompoops from the townspeople to his fellow Rangers...until one day they finally see just how special he truly is.

It warmed my heart to see Willie have his day and the way it came about once again showed the power of his heart.  It wasn't about him showing off or even saving the day (though he surely would have....), but about him standing up for the very Texas Rangers he idolized...that turned him away.  Good thing you can't keep a good man down or the varmints would have spoiled the whole weekend.  I have to say though the illustrations are something to truly remember.  From good hearted Willie to the tough as nails Rangers, the devious varmint hiding here and there (one even adopted a cactus shape!) to the big tornado called forth by who-know-who, there's a whirlwind of fun that's ready to blow you away.  

In conclusion, a read fit for the target audience and beyond.  If you've an affection for Children's Storybooks, love a little history mixed in your fiction, and can't wait to round up this star in the making, this book's for you and any other buckaroos that happen to be about.  

Special thanks to the fab team at Pelican Publishing Company for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or the publisher, fee free to click through the links are provided above,  Thie title is available now via Pelican Publishing Company, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer near.

Until next time...happy reading!

I Want to Eat Your Books by Karin Lefranc

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Betcha thought I forgot about you, right?  No new bookish news to feed the reader in your soul for a day or two and BAM, I'm down for the count.  Trust me, I'm not down but I have been out seeing as work has been UBER busy and running be ragged.  I'm lucky I've been able to enjoy my favorite pastime let alone find the strength of mind and body to blog.  But, let's let bygones be bygones and today be a new day...err, night.  ^-^

Today on the blog, we're shining the Picture Book Month spotlight on a title from Sky Pony Press.  It stars a paranormal creature many readers love while showcasing the power of books, all in an age appropriate setting so even the littlest among you can indulge.  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

I Want to Eat Your Books

by

Karin Lefranc

Illustrated by

Tyler Parker

9781634501729

Sky Pony Press

As far as target audience appeal, this one has it in the bag.  Little ones will have a blast with the zombie invading school and tearing through the pages of every book it can find.  Okay, well maybe not the tearing through the pages part because frankly that gave me a mini heart attack, but I digress....loads of fun for the munchkins.  Readers will love how instead of EATING the books, he eventually learns that READING the books is much more enjoyable.  Definitely speaks to the adage you've probably heard about how it only takes ONE BOOK to turn a non-reader into a reader.  Basically this zombie gets voracious in the sense of the word we avids love!  The illustrations are great...unique in style, simple in design, but stand out just the same.  I can honestly see young artists out there trying to duplicate their form in order to create their own zombie stories....what fun!  Older readers are where the questions come in...  *raises hand*

Yes, I am in that category because obviously (at least I hope so), I'm not in the "target audience" range.  Does that mean I don't enjoy a good picture/storybook?  Hardly!  I adore my fair share of them, thank you very much, but I also question different things that jump out at me.  Here, I can't help but wonder WHY a zombie.  Grant it, I'm not a huge zombie enthusiast but as I am an avid reader, this book practically SCREAMED at me to take it for a spin.  The "why the zombie" question actually comes in with the title and the zombies favorite refrain.  I want to eat your books... add a Transylvanian accent and some blah blah BLAHs and can't you see this one actually going the way of the vampires?  I get the devouring books aspect, whereas they would satiate the zombie because they are knowledge filled just like BRAINS, but the saying is SO CLOSE to the I want to suck your blood that I can't help looking for fangs.  Also, what was with the mummy inclusion at story's end?  They were in a school library, not a museum.  Where on earth did she come from? 

Anywho...aside from the random head scratching moments, it wasn't a bad read.  Definitely something little Judy or Johnny might clamor for on a weekend afternoon or for a quick trip through the pages before bed.  It takes the paranormal craze and makes it accessible to the wee ones while driving home (like stake to the heart...okay, I promise, enough with the vampires) the point that BOOKS ARE GOOOOD food for the brain, no matter how you may have acquired them.

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

About the author and illustrator...

Karin Lefranc grew up all over the world, living in Sweden, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, before moving to the U.S. to attend Bard College in New York. She now lives in Connecticut with her three girls and one boy, who all love devouring books in all shapes and sizes. Karin is also a certified children’s yoga teacher.

- - - - - - - - -

Tyler Parker received his BFA in illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art and also has an MA in sequential design and illustration from the University of Brighton. He is the illustrator of more than seven children’s books including Monsters Meet on Mondays and The Ice Cream Shuffle. He currently lives in Seattle, Washington.

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

Special thanks to both the author, illustrator, and Bostick Communications for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, future works, or promotions, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title hit store shelves September of this year via Sky Pony Press, so be on the lookout for it near you.

Until next time....happy reading!



Penny the Palomino Quarter Horse and Her New Shoes by Gary Scogin

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the site that believes there truly is no such thing as a non-reader, only people who haven't been introduced to the right book yet, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're stepping back into the wild and zany world of Children's Fiction with a Storybook that is sure to please.  Why?  Well there are SO many reasons I could list, but wouldn't you like to know exactly what title we're discussing first?  You know, that makes it a WHOLE lot easier when you're trying to buy it for your own shelves or to gift to a reader in the coming season.  I mean, just sayin'... ^-^  I'm kidding, I'm kidding...I mean it does, but I just want to introduce it to you properly because the amount of fun to be had inside as well as the takeaway lessons will leave you with a smile on your face.  Ladies and gents, readers of all ages, don your favorite pair of shoes and prepare to meet today's book of choice...

Penny the Palomino Quarter Horse and Her New Shoes

by

Gary Scogin

Illustrated by

Alex Ray

9781614563204

Sarah Book Publishing

Meet Penny.  She's the resident horse of this particular farm and the star of this story.  Penny prances, paws, even plays with her best pal Meekah (a dog, gotta love a story with a dog!), all while being the apple of Mr. Dollarhide's eye. One day, she overhears Mr. D (hopefully he won't mind me calling him that) talking about her on the phone....never a good situation, that is being talked about as well as listening in. *tisk tisk*  It seems Penny is getting new shoes and that's all her horsey mind needs to start conjuring up all sorts of silly and highly unusual shoe-uations.  Will it be sneakers with wheels?  Red high HIGH heels?  Well worn boots?  She couldn't begin to fathom how any of those would work.  All her worrying and fretting has her on edge until THE DAY arrives only for her to discover...Mr. Dollarhide knew what he was doing after all.

As I said, Penny is quite the charmer.  Penny is adorable...for a horse.  Okay, even if she wasn't a horse, she's adorbs (yes, slang...I use it here and there, but let's stay on track, shall we?) which speaks well of the illustrator's fine tuned hand.  Very expressive, creative, and playful all at once.  Her skepticism could be read a mile away as she pondered her new shoe options.  The illustrations really brought her to life.  The scene with her in high heels?  HI-larious...though I can't say I'd fair much better in that situation and I only have to worry about TWO legs!

All in all, it was humorous and touching in all the right places.  A great way to reassure little ones about new situations (and new shoes!), warn against eavesdropping, and teach those curious about horses the proper footwear for them to wear (lest they get any ideas about putting their shoes on old Bessie's hoofs).  The story and illustrations work hand in hand to provide a memorable experience I feel fit the target age range as well as those well beyond in years.  After all, all you truly need to enjoy a book gauged for the younger set is an active imagination....which I have in spades. ^-^

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

About the author...

Gary Scogin is a middle school language arts teacher in Friendswood, Texas who loves getting his students excited about reading and writing. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Gary married his college sweetheart and they have two wonderful children together. They spend time each summer in the San Juan mountains of South Fork, Colorado exploring new trails, riding horses, and jumping into any creek, river, or stream that comes their way. His first book, Penny the Palomino Quarter Horse and Her New Shoes, won the award for Best First Picture Book given by Literary Classics.

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

Special thanks to the author for the SIGNED review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or works in progress still to come, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Sarah Book Publishing, so be on the lookout for it on a virtual shelf of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Christmas on Candy Cane Lane by Sheila Roberts

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

The holidays are fast approaching.  I can almost smell the roasted turkey, stuffing and yams wafting my way.  Just behind the Thanksgiving celebration comes the Christmas holidays, marching right along like a toy soldier with a mission.  Sugar plum fairies, nutcrackers, polka dot elephants and the like, make their way to the homes of good boys and girls courtesy of the big man in red....but what of the missus?  Doesn't she get a starring role too?  She does in THIS story, but perhaps not in the way that you're imaging.  

Today's selection has a decidedly holiday appeal with enough drama and heart to keep you turning pages.  When it arrived in my mailbox, I was thrilled to bits to discover it was signed by the author, and included another little surprise in the form of a recipe.  It was for Peppermint Pie and I simply had to try it out.  The end result?  Well let's just say that as I'm typing this, I'm trying not to devour the whole thing.  ^-^   Without further ado, allow me to introduce today's Pump Up Your Book blog tour guest and book of choice...

Christmas on Candy Cane Lane

(Life in Icicle Falls, Book 8)

by

Sheila Roberts

9780778318354

MIRA Books

About the book...

Everyone's getting ready for Christmas in Icicle Falls, especially on Candy Cane Lane, where holiday decorating is taken very seriously. Tilda Morrison, town cop, is looking forward to celebrating Christmas in her first house…until she discovers that she's expected to "keep up" with the neighbors, including Maddy Donaldson, the inspiration behind the whole extravaganza. But this year, someone's destroying Maddie's precious candy canes! Thank goodness for the cop in their neighborhood. 

Tilda already has her hands full trying to sort out her love life and fix up her fixer-upper. Oh, and won't it be fun to have the family over for Christmas dinner? Not really… Then there's her neighbor, Ivy Bohn. As a newly single mom, Ivy can sum up the holiday in two words: Bah, humbug. But she's determined to give her kids a perfect Christmas. 

Despite family disasters, irritating ex-husbands and kitchen catastrophes, these three 

women are going to find out that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year!

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

I had a lot of fun visiting Icicle Falls, so much so that I imagine I'll be back much sooner than the odd family relations stay during the holidays.

This is almost a three in one story; that is to say that the focus is on three individual ladies and their families as opposed to simply one,but they all have connections to each other just the same.  First there's Tilda, the new addition to Candy Cane Lane.  She's a tough cookie with a soft center, just don't let that get out as she IS in fact a cop and that harder exterior serves her well....perhaps too well at times.  She ends up keeping people at arms length and forgetting to look past their transgressions to the person they are beneath it all, or even the person they are trying to be.  Though she's hard on others, she's still hardest on herself.  Maybe a little time beneath the mistletoe with a certain Mr. Black will help chase the chill from her heart.  *waggles eyebrows*  Hey!  I'm not saying it happens, I'm just saying there's potential.  *ahem*  

Next up, we have Maddy and Ivy.  Two peas in a pod?  Not exactly, and especially not after the year they've had.  Ivy is up to her eyeballs in smashed dreams and a broken heart thanks to her two timing ex-husband.  Her kids keep her grounded but even they are testing her limits, not to mention the reappearance of same said ex who is awfully helpful all of a sudden.  Maddy on the other hand has her family life down pat and is in complete control while making sure the holiday happenings, happen on Candy Cane Lane.  Someone called in sick for Mrs. Claus candy duty?  She's got it!  Someone can't pick up candy canes?  She'll grab them and drop them off!  There's vandals taking out the candy canes on their appropriately named street?   She's got it covered!  Did I say she had her family life down pat?  Yeah...not so much.  Acting out is an understatement when it comes to dealing with her daughter and when you add the in-laws to the bunch (especially when their stay gets extended due to unfortunate circumstances), things get really "festive".  It's only once a year, right?  Right...

I have to say, I really enjoyed getting to know these ladies and the whole town for that matter.  My favorite?  I'd have to go with Tilda by a landslide...though Ivy comes in a close second.  I love her character, the way she's in charge and not afraid to hang with the boys, actually preferring it some degree, but finds herself drawn to the friendships she's building in her new neighborhood and against her judgment (notice I didn't say BETTER) the feelings she's developing for a certain handy man. My favorite moment had to be when it turns out that the turkey isn't actually what it seems and Devon gets to don his imaginary hero cape while saving the day.  He didn't gloat or make her beg, he simply stepped in and aided a damsel in distress.  Other moments of note, Ivy giving Ashley what for in the bar, Maddy realizing that the holiday will go on without her constant vigilance in more ways than one, Ivy's children's wish to Santa and the big guy upstairs, and....oh so many more!  I'll stop there for fear of running you off but suffice it to say that it had much more to celebrate than simply a well scaped light display and free candy cane handout.

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed my time between the pages and would definitely recommend it to Contemporary Romance and Women's Fiction fans in their older teens and above.  There's a bit of steam, but nothing to overly blush at.  Things are hinted at but go the traditional route of the "fade to black".  I admit, I did not realize that this book was part of a series until I was adding it to my GoodReads shelf.  Did that change my mind about reading it?  Certainly not...how can you really resist the combination title and cover at this time of year?  I know I couldn't, but it did give me a little pause.  Initially I had a bit of trouble getting the who's who straight in my head.  It actually took quite a few pages to really dig in my heels but once set, I was hooked and realized something.  It's not a cookie cutter copy or anything, but the general setup, the community dynamic, the relationships and friendships, even the Man Cave bar, all reminded me of one of my favorite Contemporary Romance series, Fool's Gold by author Susan Mallery.  Both author's set their works up with the ability to be read as stand alones but the overall picture is much clearer, the connections much stronger the more you "visit".  That being said, I honestly do feel that because the focus in this novel was on three different women versus one potential couple, the extra background on the characters would help readers see just where they are coming from...or at least this reader.  

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

About the author...

Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in the Pacific Northwest. She’s happily married and has three children. She’s been writing since 1989, but she did lots of things before settling in to her writing career, including owning a singing telegram company and playing in a band. Her band days are over, but she still enjoys writing songs. Sheila's books are best sellers and often appear as Reader's Digest Condensed Books. Her novel "Angel Lane" was named one of Amazon's top ten romances in 2009. Her novel "On Strike for Christmas" was a Lifetime Network movie and her novel "The Nine Lives of Christmas" is now a Hallmark movie, scheduled to air November 8th.

When she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences or hanging out with her girlfriends she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts:family, friends, and chocolate.

SITE   |    BLOG    |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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

Special thanks to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Books as well as the author herself for the SIGNED copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those tours on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via MIRA Books, an imprint of Harlequin Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...watch out for that mistletoe and oh look, one piece left!

Happy reading!