PRE BOOK BIRTHDAY BUZZ: Bikes for Sale by Carter Higgins

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.



Today, we're shining a light on a SOON TO BE RELEASED title coming THIS TUESDAY via Chronicle Books!  It's slated as a "meet cute" for the wee ones as it parades its Picture Book format around the forest and through the town on a bicycle built for...well, you'll see.  Anywho, let's send March out with a flurry of pages as we set our sights on April and today's PRE BOOK BIRTHDAY BUZZ title of choice...

Bikes for Sale

by

Carter Higgins

Illustrated by

Zachariah OHora

9781452159324

Chronicle Books

About the book...

Maurice rides his bike to his shop every day. Lotta rides her bike to collect sticks every day. Both go about their separate routines, unaware of the friendship that awaits them just a few blocks away. But what happens when a branch and a lemon peel get in the way? This delightful falling-in-like story from acclaimed picture book creators Carter Higgins and Zachariah OHora celebrates the power of coincidence to lead us to the friends we're meant to meet all along.

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

Maurice and Lotta's lives were turned topsy turvy when their usual routes had unexpected forks (or rather sticks and lemons) thrown in the road, and while they were sad for themselves, they were equally down in the mouth for the friendly creatures they brought their wares to.  Goes to show you that they were selfless, good hearted critters, intent on bringing joy to the masses, right?  Right!  Until one day an accident throws them a curveball they weren't prepared for...what DO you do when your mode of transportation, your means to a meaningful day's work is taken from you?  You try another angle and get the job done...but it certainly helps to have a friend along for the ride.

Initially, I wasn't enamored...though I think it was the abstract way the story unfolded and the color palette utilized that did it for me; in hindsight, it had it's own cute factor.  It tells of an unlikely friendship developing from an unfortunate meeting thanks to chance, circumstance, and the particularly awesome skills of one bicycle shop owner. Both Maurice and Lotta are dedicated to their chosen crafts and when those are put on pause, it obviously saddens their hearts.  When they discover their beloved bicycles, thought lost forever, were given a new life...they take it in stride and push the pedal forward on a new adventure with smile on their faces and some pep in their step...err, push.

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


About the author and illustrator...

 

Carter Higgins is an elementary school librarian and the author of Everything You Need for a Treehouse and This Is Not a Valentine. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Zachariah OHora is the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Wolfie the Bunny, among many other beloved books for kids. He lives and works in Narberth, Pennsylvania. 

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

Special thanks to the Chronicle Books team for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is set to celebrate its BOOK BIRTHDAY Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 (as of this post) via Chronicle Books, so mark your calendar or pre order your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

The Hudson sisters bid us adieu in... THE GOODBYE CAFE by Mariah Stewart!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining ranks with other readers throughout the blogosphere as we unite with Simon & Schuster to bring you the scoop on the latest release from Mariah Stewart.  It's the third and final book (maybe?) in her Hudson Sisters series, and while reading them in succession would obviously be the ideal, I was jumping into this one from book one, but despite that bookworm hole, it still felt relatively easy to catch up.  Speaking of which, let's catch up with the girls, shall we?  Today's book of choice has arrived...

The Goodbye Café

The Hudson Sisters series, Book 3

by

Mariah Stewart

9781501145124

Gallery Books

About the book...

California girl Allie Hudson Monroe can’t wait for the day when the renovations on the Sugarhouse Theater are complete so she can finally collect the inheritance from her father and leave Pennsylvania. After all, her life and her fourteen-year-old daughter are in Los Angeles.

But Allie’s divorce left her tottering on the edge of bankruptcy, so to keep up on payments for her house and her daughter’s private school tuition, Allie packed up and flew out east. But fate has a curve-ball or two to toss in Allie’s direction—she just doesn’t know it yet.

She hadn’t anticipated how her life would change after reuniting with her estranged sister, Des, or meeting her previously unknown half-sister, Cara. And she’d certainly never expected to find small-town living charming. But the biggest surprise was that her long-forgotten artistry would save the day when the theater’s renovation fund dried up.

With opening day upon the sisters, Allie’s free to go. But for the first time in her life, she feels like the woman she was always meant to be. Will she return to the West Coast and resume her previous life, or will the love of “this amazing, endearing family of women” (Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author) be enough to draw her back to the place where the Hudson roots grow so deep?



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

Though this story belongs to the whole family, it does circle a bit more around Allie and Barney...and what a tale to tell!  Poor Allie was in a pickle between fighting her own demons, addressing the situation with this Ben fella (what a bonehead!), and her daughter's sudden desire to stay after the theater is finished.  I couldn't fathom what new straw would appear and be the one to break her...though she has more backbone than she seemed to know.  It was great to watch her become comfortable in her own skin, even addressing those issues that she attempted to hide, and realize her own potential.  It also warmed my heart when things moved from grousing to cordial in the man department...*ahem*...but, umm, yeah...I'll let you discover that part.  Anywho...

The great big mystery that surrounded Barney and the dessert maker dropped us a clue here and there as to what created such a rub between them, allowing the plot to thicken quite nicely, and build to a final reveal of sorts by book's end. Oh, it's not what you think (or maybe it is, depending on what's in your head), but rest assured while it could be quite the scandal, our gal Barney has it all in hand just as she always does.  Really, how can you NOT adore her character?  She's there for EVERYONE, always knows what to say or do, and pretty much NOTHING throws her for a loop.  I mean, can I be here when I grow up?  Seriously?

All in all, it was a wonderful conclusion to what's been an amazing series.  It gave us satisfying ends for our leading ladies three (and sorta four, and maybe five, and...okay, I'll stop) as well as the potential for new beginnings long after we turn the final page. ♡  For me, it also felt like a little piece of home because the setting of the book is actually in the surrounding area of where I was born and partially raised...haven't been up there in FOR-EV-ER, but it's still nice to reminisce, and reading about places I've been, lived, or seen, gives it another layer of "personal".

    

Recommended for Women's Fiction and Contemporary Romance fans.

For more fun with the Hudson family, be sure to check out books one and two of the series!

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

About the author...

Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of numerous novels and several novellas and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life and tends her gardens while she works on her next novel. Visit her website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Instagram.

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

Special thanks to Hannah at Simon & Schuster for the eARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the series, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title celebrated its BOOK BIRTHDAY this Tuesday, March 26th, 2019, via Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Be sure to check out the other sites participating in this blog tour as it makes the virtual rounds!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



Rockstar Book Tours presents... SAMANTHA SPINNER series by Russell Ginns - EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining ranks with Rockstar Book Tours for a stop along their current promotion featuring the Samantha Spinner series.  From the sound of things, you're gonna enjoy the ride, but your mind won't be taking a vacation here, no sir.  There are puzzles to be puzzled, secret messages to be un-secreted, and mysteries to solve...and if I may point out, a dog with a bit of attitude if the cover reflects the story accurately!  I mean, come on...I can't be the ONLY one that noticed?  Anywho, let's DIVE RIGHT IN as the fun has already begun (did you see the other stops on the tour?  They aren't to be missed!), and we're continuing the program already in progress... 

SAMANTHA SPINNER AND THE SUPER SECRET PLANS

(Samantha Spinner #1)

by

Russell Ginns

Pub. Date: February 27, 2018

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, audiobook, eBook

Pages: 256

Goodreads

Get ready for round-the-world adventure with Sam Spinner and her brother Nipper in the first book in a new hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.

Samantha Spinner's uncle Paul disappeared, and here's what he left:

* Samantha's sister got a check for $2,400,000,000.

* Samantha's brother got the New York Yankees.

* And Samantha got a rusty red umbrella with a tag hanging off its worn handle. The tag says "Watch out for the RAIN."

Thanks a lot, Uncle Paul.

After all the strawberry waffles, stories, and puzzles they've shared, how could he just leave without saying goodbye? And what is the meaning of that mysterious message?

The answer is simple. Sam knows in her heart that Uncle Paul is in danger. And if he taught her anything, it's that not everything is exactly what it seems. Which is why we should pay close attention to that rusty red umbrella, and never trust a monkey at a hula-hoop contest.

The RAIN is coming and Samantha Spinner is about to find herself mixed up in some super-important, super-dangerous, super-secret plans.

Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

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

What people are saying...

"A winning mix of fast-paced action, fascinating facts, bathroom humor, and hidden puzzles...[that is] sure to please action-loving middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews

"Full of adventure and survival,...[and with] characters [that] are likable, realistic, and well rounded...[Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans is] great for [readers of] series like The 39 Clues." --School Library Journal

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

SAMANTHA SPINNER AND THE SPECTACULAR SPECS

(Samantha Spinner #2)

by

Russell Ginns

Pub. Date: March 12, 2019

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, audiobook, eBook

Pages: 416

Goodreads

Get ready for more round-the-world adventure with Samantha Spinner and her brother, Nipper, in the second book in this hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.

When Samantha Spinner's uncle Paul disappeared, he left presents for his nieces and nephew. Samantha's sister, Buffy, got $2,400,000,000. Her brother, Nipper, got the New York Yankees. Samantha got . . . a rusty old umbrella.

Wow! So unfair, Uncle Paul.

Well, it seemed unfair--until Samantha discovered that the old umbrella holds the plans for a super-secret network of transit systems that covers the globe. It's the ticket to danger and adventure beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

But Uncle Paul is still missing. And Samantha just received a new gift from him: a pair of strange purple sunglasses. Are they another powerful present? A clue to his whereabouts? Or just a bad fashion choice? Samantha and Nipper need to figure it out fast, because . . . here comes the SUN!

Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

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

~~ EXCERPT ~~~

Samantha sat across from her sister at the ornate dining room table. Together, they reviewed scripts and set designs.

“Nate’s in the kitchen,” said Buffy. “He says he wants us to get ready for a ‘Polynesian Surprise.’ ”

Samantha wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but her sister’s grouchy assistant sure was a good cook. The food would probably be delicious.

After a frustrating day, she was starting to feel better. While Samantha helped Buffy with the play, Nipper borrowed the purple sunglasses from her and snooped for clues about Uncle Paul. Samantha had to admit, she was actually looking forward to becoming a producer. Maybe she could help her sister turn the play around. And then, who knew where it could lead?

“What’s up with the monster trucks and the fog machines?” she asked Buffy.

A blueprint on the table showed a big propeller inside a cage.

“And what’s that?” she added. “A big fan?” “Horace Temple told me it was very important to

have all these things,” said Buffy.

Samantha nodded, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Were these clues? Did they have something to do with watching out for the SUN? Or was Uncle Paul just pretending to think like a Broadway producer, so Buffy would keep him around?

“The bagpipes and the giraffes were my idea,” Buffy said proudly. “And the fireworks.”

“Stop,” said Samantha, gesturing with both hands. “Never cause an explosion in a theater. That violates a dozen safety codes and regulations.”

Buffy frowned.

“I have some ideas for the opening number,” Samantha said. “But first we have to talk about the unicorns.”

“What about them?” Buffy asked quickly.

“Face it,” said Samantha. “There aren’t any unicorns. So I don’t think we should plan the whole production around them.”

“What?” Buffy asked, much louder. Nipper tapped Samantha on the shoulder.

“Hey, Sam,” he whispered. “I think I found some clues.”

“Hold on one minute,” she told Buffy, and turned to her brother.

Nipper handed her four Word Whammy! cards.

“A, L, I, and M,” he said. “They were on the floor in a hallway.”

Samantha looked at the cards.

“Did you find them in this order?” she asked. “Mmmm—maybe,” he replied.

He shrugged his shoulders and looked like he had no idea.

“Samantha . . . I’m waiting,” said Buffy.

Nipper handed the glasses back to Samantha and shrugged again.

“Are these the only letters?” she asked quickly. “Were there any other cards around?”

“I dunno. Probably.” He shrugged. “I was in a hurry and I didn’t really—”

“You didn’t really pay attention, did you,” Samantha snapped.

“Sammy!” Buffy called.

Samantha hated it when people called her “Sammy.” She turned back to the table to see Buffy scowling at her.

“Okay, okay,” said Samantha. “Let’s talk about these mermaids.”

She pointed to the drawing of a big cave. Huge letters above the entrance spelled out Hydrangea!

“I don’t think ancient Egyptians had anything that looked like—”

“You’re fired!” said Buffy. “What?” Samantha asked. “Go home. Now.”

Excerpt copyright © 2019 by Russell Ginns. Published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

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

About Russell:

Russell Ginns is a writer and game designer who specializes in puzzles, songs, and smart fun. He has worked on projects for a wide variety of organizations, corporations, and publications, including Sesame Workshop, Girl Scouts of America, Nintendo, and Scientific American. Russell lives and writes in Washington, D.C. He is the author of Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans and Samantha Spinner and the Spectacular Specs. To learn more about him, visit samanthaspinner.com and follow @rginns on Twitter.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

CATCH THE TOUR!

Week One:

3/25/2019

Lifestyle of Me

BookHounds YA

 

3/26/2019

Lone Tree Reviews

A Dream Within A Dream

 

3/27/2019

Nerdophiles

For the Love of KidLit

 

3/28/2019

Brooke's Library

Literary Gold

 

3/29/2019

Feed Your Fiction Addiction

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

 

Week Two:

4/1/2019

Rhythmicbooktrovert

Kelly P's Blog

 

4/2/2019

Christen Krumm, Writer

❧Defining Ways❧

 

4/3/2019

Adventures Thru Wonderland

The Hermit Librarian

 

4/4/2019

Savings in Seconds

Twirling Book Princess

 

4/5/2019

Two Points of Interest

Dazzled by Books

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

Special thanks to the Rockstar Book Tours & Publicity team for the chance to bring this tour to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this series, the author, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!