Are you an avid reader looking for your next "fix"? Can't bear to be without some form of reading material in your spare time? Welcome to my world! Whether you are seeking a new book to "feed your need", or you are an author seeking an unbiased point of view on your own recent masterpiece, this is the place to be. With life as with books, you never know where the next step might take you...

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... A SCOUNDREL OF HER OWN by Stacy Reid - REVIEW!

Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Can you believe we're almost ready to say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022?  I mean, where has the time gone...and I've still got so many GREAT READS I want to share with you!  Well, we're get there eventually, and today's post will certainly check another one off my box while adding to your wish lists!  Today, we're celebrating a BOOK BIRTHDAY for author Stacey Reid as the newest addition to the Sinful Wallflowers series hits bookshelves via Entangled Publishing! If you're a fan of Historical Romance filled with fabulous characters, secret identities, a love that never truly died, danger in many forms, and a scintillating end that is just so...so....PERFECT for this story...this is SO the book for you! So, ready...set...feast your peepers on today's blog tour guest via TLC Book Tours and our book of choice...


The Sinful Wallflowers, Book 3
by
Stacy Reid
9781640637696
Entangled Amara

About the book...
Lady Ophelia Darby exists in two worlds. In one, she is the impudent, willful daughter of a powerful marquess and darling of the ton. In the other, she moves through the underworld’s shadows as songstress Lady Starlight, protected only by the notoriously wealthy scoundrel Devlin Byrne. But when she stumbles upon her beloved father’s darkest secrets, the line between her two worlds quickly blurs. Now she needs the help of the one man a lady should never trust.

Devlin Byrne stands on the edge of London society, knowing he will never be accepted. No one else knows that his obscene wealth and ruthlessness aren’t without purpose. Or that his purpose has golden-brown eyes that shimmer with mischief, the palest of skin, and a lush mouth that beckons to be kissed, and deeply. But having Ophelia is only the beginning of Devlin’s plans.

It’s undeniable that Devlin Byrne is a dangerous temptation?but just as Ophelia begins to trust him, maybe even fall for him, she discovers she’s not the only one with secrets. And his would lead her down more than just the path of scandal…



Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke
* Her Wicked Marquess
* A Scoundrel of Her Own



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So, any time I break out the fangirl pic, you know things are about to get seriously real.

Another add to the Sinful Wallflowers series, and another FABULOUS story for Historical Romance fans to indulge in!  These ladies are far from the wallflowers that the ton has made them into, and in an effort to hedge their bets in their own directions, they've come together and made a pact, if you will, to live life on their own terms, seek our their desires, and make their own way in a world dominated by men, but held captive by the women standing subtly by.

I really enjoyed how this story began, in childhood no doubt, sharing with us just how deep their bond really was.  The innocent beginnings that turned into long held desires that seemed as if they would never see the light of another day...and yet, fate showed them just enough mercy for a reintroduction; what they did with it from there is entirely up to them.  Or was it?  It's a time when the voice of one among the ton can make or break you.  Your reputation as a lady, and your family name, are the most important things outside of lofty bank accounts, and stepping outside your class, in any sense of the word, is pretty much forbidden.  But what's a girl to do when her father, lying on his death bed, reveals a secret, startling, yes, and yet making clear things you never before understood?  What if after same said confession, a turnabout in health occurs...leaving the secret aired, and both parties with whom the knowledge lies at opposing ends of what to do next?  It's a predicament that sends Lady Ophelia into a world of shadows and darkness, as she seeks to make sense of her world torn asunder, but she's not truly alone in her endeavor...

Enter Devlin Byrne...my somewhat latest book boyfriend, and mysterious shadow to our Lady Ophelia.  With his connections, nay with his reputation alone, her safety is not in question...but what of her heart?  There's something there just beneath the surface that aches to know more.  The why, what, and who that are driving her mad with curiosity, and yet...in the telling, in the revelation, in the removal of masks painstakingly set in place, her world is about to shatter all over again.  She'll gain knowledge of things she never knew she wanted to know.  She'll grow to understand things between men and women that she and her friends could only speculate about.  She'll discover things about herself, society, and those she holds dear that will shock, awe, and inspire, but ultimately, when all is said and done, Lady Ophelia will understand that life is only well lived if one embraces it with a full and open heart.  

The highs and lows of love and societal demands will keep you turning pages long into the night, while the relationship between our leads will have you on high alert.  You'll hope against hope that all turns out well, both in Lady Ophelia's quest, and Devlin's endeavors...and while it may not all be a smooth road to happily-ever-after, those bumps along the way create pure magic.  A high recommendation for ADULT Historical Romance fans...sorry younger readers, but there's definitely adult content and conversation best kept for older ears/eyes.  Even I never knew there were so many names for certain things between men and women...some most comical too!




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About the author...


Stacy is an avid reader of novels with a deep passion for writing. She especially loves romance and adores writing about people falling in love. Stacy lives a lot in the worlds she creates and actively speaks to her characters (out loud). She has a warrior way, never give up on her dreams. When Stacy is not writing, she spends a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime and playing video games with her love, Dusean Nelson.






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Special thanks to TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this title to you and to the Entangled Publishing team for the ebook/book for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the series, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today!  Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun...


INSTAGRAM FEATURES:
Monday, December 27th: @nsiabblog
Monday, December 27th: @onemused
Tuesday, December 28th: @a_bookish_dream
Tuesday, December 28th: @liber_lady
Wednesday, December 29th: @moonlight_rendezvous
Wednesday, December 29th: @ksquaredreads
Thursday, December 30th: @latestbookcrush
Monday, January 3rd: @bookscallmyheart


REVIEWS:
Tuesday, December 28th: What is That Book About – excerpt
Tuesday, December 28th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Wednesday, December 29th: K-Squared Reads
Monday, January 3rd: @thecurvysavante
Wednesday, January 5th: @barr_bookworm
Thursday, January 6th: @shopcoffeekids
Friday, January 7th: @transportedlfl
Monday, January 10th: From the TBR Pile
Monday, January 10th: @currentlyreadingwithcoffee
Wednesday, January 12th: Stranded in Chaos and @sarastrand9438
Thursday, January 13th: @readingforamoment
Friday, January 15th: Books Cooks Looks
Monday, January 17th: @readinginfairyland
Wednesday, January 19th: Lady With a Quill and @ladywithaquill
Thursday, January 20th: @nerdy_book_lover_1987
Monday, January 24th: Laura’s Reviews and @laurasreviews_1


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

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Make this holiday BOOKISH and bright!

Happy holidays, everyone… 
...and welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. 


We’re in the home stretch where the holidays are just around the corner and we’re following the example of the jolly man in red as we make our lists and check them twice. If you’re running short on ideas, or simply looking for the perfect gift for those loved ones you’ve yet to check off, I’ve got a great selection of titles to recommend today, all available now for your reading and gifting pleasure! So KEEP READING to see what appeals to you and yours to make this holiday extra merry and bright... 


  



Embassy of the Dead: Hangman's Crossing 

by
Will Mabbitt 
Illustrated by
Taryn Knight 
Book 1: 9781536210477 
Book 2: 9781536210484 
Walker Books US 


The first title in the series introduces us to a young man who was in the wrong place at the right time, discovers he is sensitive to ghosts, helps sort one out to earthly contentment and another into passing over, all while trying to inadvertently save the world. Jake Green is quite the character, but Cora, his body-challenged cohort, is nothing to sneer at either. Together, they are an unstoppable force, even if Jake would much rather stop because hello….GHOSTS….and Afterworld….and so much other stuff that he was not bargaining for! The second title in the series has our duo saving the world once again...well, that is if they aren’t too late and can figure out just who is involved and how far into the Embassy the betrayals stem! Danger is afoot, but you can be sure that thanks to dumb luck, blind determination, and a few self-assured moments of clarity...these guys will have it covered! This series has proven with both installments that one can be seriously dedicated to solving a problem that is not your own, and still have a grand time of things too! Filled with humor and heart, it’s a series you won’t want to miss... 




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 









by 
Steven Banks 
Illustrated by 
Mark Fearing 
9780823446162 
Holiday House 


Have you met Tom the Vam-Wolf-Zom? No? Oh, I couldn’t imagine why not. I mean, he’s just your average middle school kid...who just so happened to be bitten by a vampire, a werewolf, AND a zombie before his first day of 6th grade...what’s so special about that? *cue the bulging eyes and dropped jaw * Yes, Tom is one special kid, and that very special “heritage” is what’ about to get him into a slew of trouble! Honestly, I hadn’t read the first novel, but even so…I found his adventures curious, interesting, and downright humorous! It’s not every day that you meet someone of his lineage and get unwittingly drawn into a battle that’s been raging for eons between these separate paranormal species. Take the time to get to know Tom, and you’ll see he’s just like the rest of us...trying to pick his way along the path of life while staying at a comfortable distance from those who might mean him harm! 






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 









by 
Claire Mcfall 
9781536218459 
Walker Books US 



Meeting Dylan and Tristan made this a read to remember. Have you ever wondered what would happen if today, this very moment, was your last? I mean, anything can happen at any time, so it’s always best to live in the moment, but Dylan’s moment but her at a crossroads in life she never saw coming and in the cross hairs of a potential untimely death. The trials and tribulations they go through will mark your heart. The care and understanding shown even when it shouldn’t be possible will grip your soul. The ending will ultimately leave you breathless...but, if you’re anything like me, you’ll quickly take in a gasp of air and wonder aloud at high volumes how on earth the author could simply leave you there?! Trust me, it’s a good exasperated state in this case, but you’ll have to check it out to understand fully. A recommendation for the teen set and beyond in this case, lest little ones dreams turn nightmarish. 






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by 
Catherine Fisher 
Book 1:  9781536222920 
Book 2:  9781536214925 
Walker Books US 



Are you ready to escape from every day life into a world so much like our own and yet filled with magic, mystery, and potentially devious fae set on taking from our world what they deem rightfully theirs? Meet little orphan Seren Rhys...as she embarks on her way to a new life at the remote country mansion of Plas-y Fran. In book one, she’s met with curiosity, and skepticism, from the staff of the estate and warned off from various locations both inside and outside of the house. Why? Well, it seems young master Tomos disappeared some time ago, never to be seen or heard from again...but with enough tenacity, smarts, and the help of an unexpected feathered clockwork friend (term used decidedly loosely at the start), Seren is set to uncover more than she bargained for...yet perhaps make lasting connections she never imagined. In book two, Seren has a few new folks to call friends...until she doesn’t. It seems the house, let alone the household, has come under the influence of some mighty strange goings on...and if things aren’t sorted soon, not only will she be out of a home, but those that have become dear to her may be lost forever. Much magic abounds, but the true messages at heart are of the strength of the family ties we choose, as well as the love for others over simply ourselves. 






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



Special thanks to all the publishers listed above for the copies for review.  Whether digital or print, I am ever grateful.  For more information on the books I featured, feel free to click through the links provided for more about the title, publisher, author, and/or illustrator.  All titles are available now, so add a few to your own shelves or pick them up for the gift recipients on your list!


Happy holidays...and happy reading!



Sunday, December 19, 2021

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours presents... FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER by Kim Davis - SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Today, we're shining the book spotlight on a Cozy Mystery release ready to bring some holiday cheer to your seasonal reading...and this one sounds like a doozy!  The fourth release in the Cupcake Catering series, make room on your plates...I mean shelves...for Frosted Yuletide Murder (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series) by Kim Davis!

 

Frosted Yuletide Murder (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series)

by

Kim Davis

Cozy Mystery 4th in Series 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cinnamon & Sugar Press

 (December 17, 2021) 

Digital ~300 Pages

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09M939WKD

Set against the holiday cheer of twinkling lights, costumed carolers, and a festive line of extravagantly decorated boats participating in the annual Christmas boat parade in Newport Beach, California, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez finds that the grinch has crashed the party. Together with her sister Carrie, Emory is catering a delectable feast of holiday cupcakes and cookies aboard a luxury yacht for the new Mrs. Blair Villman and her guests.

 Sparks fly when Carrie comes face-to-face with the hostess, who just happens to be Carrie's high school frenemy, and old grievances are dredged up. Adding fuel to the fire, Blair's stepson brings his mother, the former Mrs. Villman, to the party. Instead of celebrating holiday cheer, someone seems intent on channeling the Burgermeister Meisterburger and shutting down Blair’s party permanently. When Emory finds a body aboard the yacht, she needs to discover who iced the victim before the Scrooge ruins not only her livelihood but her freedom as well.
 

Includes delicious holiday recipes.



 

About the author...

Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband. When she's not chasing her new puppy or spending time with her granddaughters she can be found either writing stories or working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats.  She has published the suspense novel, A GAME OF DECEIT, and cozy mystery, SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION, CAKE POPPED OFF, and FRAMED AND FROSTED. She also has had several children’s articles published in Cricket, Nature Friend, Skipping Stones, and the Seed of Truth magazines. Kim Davis is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.





TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 14 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW
December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
December 15 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Our Holiday Journey – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
December 16 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
December 16 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
December 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 17 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 17 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
December 19 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW


Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?




Saturday, December 18, 2021

STORYBOOK SATURDAY: The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish & Gideon Sterer - REVIEW!

Hi guys and gals!
Happy holidays and welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Saturday...the holiday edition! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Saturday and/or Sunday! It crops up from time to time when the feeling is right and boy does this one ever!  Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.

Today's selection came to my attention via Wunderkind PR.  It was a Storybook released this October that tells the tale of a little owl that found his home suddenly mobile, becoming the center of attention and holiday cheer in our very own New York City.  Ring a bell?  Okay, sad to say, it didn't for me (was I under a rock?!), but apparently it all played out LAST YEAR because this GORGEOUSLY ILLUSTRATED storybook is based on the TRUE STORY of none other than a little owl appropriately dubbed, Rockefeller.  So, sit back, get cozy, and prepare to be entertained, delighted, and educated, as we explore today's holiday title in the spotlight and book of choice...


by
Ellen Kalish & Gideon Sterer
Illustrated by
Ramona Kaulitzki
9780316299121
Little Brown Books for Young Readers

About the book...
A New York Times bestseller! Experience the beautiful story that captivated the country about a little owl found in the world's most famous Christmas tree. When Little Owl’s home is cut down by people saying it will make a beautiful Christmas tree, she’s not sure she wants anything to do with Christmas, whatever that means. But then she is saved by a woman named Ellen, whose house is merrily decorated for the holiday, and filled with birds who need someone to care for them. Surrounded by kindness and helpful new friends, Little Owl begins to wonder if Christmas might not be such a bad thing after all….

Co-written by Ellen Kalish, caretaker of the real owl found inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, The Christmas Owl is a charming story of friendship, compassion, and the true meaning of this special time of year





🌲     ðŸ¦‰      🎄     ðŸ¦‰     ðŸŒ²


This is a BEAUTIFUL book, in both story and images, that shares a tale of unexpected adventure, holiday spirit, and the kindness of strangers.  

Our little owl friend wasn't expecting to go to sleep one night and wake up to a road trip far from home, nor was she to know that the holiday her and her animal friends were contemplating was about to be revealed in all its splendid magical glory.  She'd come to understand Christmas just THAT much more as she journeys from woodlands to city to rehabilitation center and back home once again.  With her new moniker that would forever earmark her story in our hearts, Rocky was returned to where she belonged thanks to the help of perfect strangers turned newly made friends that saw an animal in need an made it their mission to help her.  


If the story itself wasn't enough to bring a gleam to your eye, the illustrator does a wonderful job of visually bringing the story to life.  Page after page of woodland beauty, cityscapes, and that gloriously lit up Rockefeller tree, not to mention our little Rocky herself, appear right before you eyes as the tale unfolds, bringing you to the touching conclusion AND your chance to explore the full real life story on your own!  That's right.  At book's end, it includes a section that details Rocky's story with real life pictures of her fluffy feathered self, and a bit about the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center that helped our young owl friend recover fully in order to return to her wilderness friends.

All in all, it's a wonderful chance to indulge both your fiction and your nonfiction sides this holiday season, while sharing that love of reading with even the youngest amongst your family and friends.  It imparts beautiful messages that touch the heart, while perhaps also sparking that interest in wildlife recovery in the next generation for further exploration off the written page.




🌲     ðŸ¦‰      🎄     ðŸ¦‰     ðŸŒ²






Rocky's Official Ornament



🌲     ðŸ¦‰      🎄     ðŸ¦‰     ðŸŒ²



About the authors and illustrator....

Ellen Kalish is the Executive Director of Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, a rehabilitation and educational center that focuses on rescue and release for wild birds. She served on the board for the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, and is the recipient of the William R. Ginsberg Stewardship Award from the Woodstock Land Conservancy and the Appreciation Award from the Catskill Exotic Bird Club. She invites you to visit her online at ravensbeard.org.

Gideon Sterer is the author of From Ed’s to Ned’s, Not Your Nest!, The Night Knights, and The Midnight Fair, among others. Gideon grew up in the woods of upstate New York where his parents owned a little zoo, in which he would run around after-hours and let the animals out. He now lives in the Hudson Valley and invites you to visit him online at gideonsterer.com and @gideonsterer.

Ramona Kaulitzki is the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First, as well as Wonderful You, Badger’s Perfect Garden, and several others. She enjoys creating characters and breathing life into them while imagining the worlds in which they live, and her love of animals and nature is a major inspiration for her work. She invites you to visit her online at ramonakaulitzkiart.com and @ramonakaulitzki.



🌲     ðŸ¦‰      🎄     ðŸ¦‰     ðŸŒ²




Special thanks to Elena and Evalyn of the Wunderkind PR team for the chance to bring this to you and to Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the authors, the illustrator, Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, or Rocky herself, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now for your reading and gifting pleasure, so stop by your local brick and mortar, or order your copy online today!

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





Thursday, December 16, 2021

TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm by Lori Adams - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Ahoy there matey!
We be welcoming you back to this here site that aims to bring you bookish treasure at every turn...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today be a special day indeed...I can smell it on the air, feel it in the waves, and see it in...wait, are those gathering storm clouds?  Okay, perhaps I should shed my pirate accent (because let's face it, I can be creative, but a whole post worth might be overdoing things!), and get on with the show before the show becomes us!  *eyes storm clouds*  


Now on deck, we've got book one in what I'm assuming will be a series (*fingers crossed...and eyes...and toes*) that fits nicely into the Children's Fantasy genre, but is a GREAT READ for shellbacks and landlubbers more advanced in years as well.  It's currently making the rounds with The Children's Book Review, so while I get to reviewing, you get to reading because there's a treasure to be found beyond the book (though that is treasure enough!), but well before you reach the end of today's post (can we say GIVEAWAY?).  Ready, set, let's set sail for adventure with today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...


by
Lori Adams
9781737131205
Spyhop Publishing

About the book...
When a young girl learns she is the Last Heir of the legendary pirate Davy Jones, she is whisked away to begin life aboard an enchanted schoolship for Pirate Heirs where danger and excitement awaits.

Contemporary kids who happen to be Heirs of the most villainous and celebrated pirates in history. Superstitions, mysteries, curses, secrets, strange ocean creatures, undead pirates, and seafaring legends will thrill middle-grade readers in this rollicking, globe-trotting adventure.

Avalina Jones, the Last Heir of the infamous pirate Davy Jones, has never heard of Sea Magic, flying dinghies, Pirate Heir schoolships, phantom islands, undead pirates, or creatures called Half Ones. And she has never understood her strange connection to water. But when a beautiful woman arrives in a swirling waterspout, Avalina’s life explodes with more adventures than she can possibly imagine. She takes her rightful place aboard a giant Pirate Heir schoolship teeming with Heirs of the world’s most nefarious pirates.

Raised as a Landlubber, Avalina quickly realizes bizarre and danger are normal aboard Pirate Heir schoolships-food fights back, school supplies giggle or explode in your face. And not everyone can be trusted.

When Avalina is accused of a terrible crime, she must prove her innocence or risk being banished from the schoolship forever-and this in the middle of a crucial Treasure Hunt!

Avalina races to unlock the secrets of the ship, and makes a dangerous discovery that threatens everyone aboard. With the help of her new friends Charlie, Pippa, and Bummy, Avalina draws closer to the truth, unaware that a deeper, darker fate awaits.

Author Lori Adams expertly delivers a story that is timeless, bringing together elements of sea lore, magic, and adventure. The first book in a seven-book series, Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm, is a romping tale for middle graders who are searching for the next enduring fantasy classic.






☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     




Do you like ACTION?
Do you like ADVENTURE?
Do you like heartwarming stories with lead characters you can't help but love, despite their mysterious backgrounds, and uncertain futures?
Do you enjoy finding yourself in the middle of a magical pirate ship with new friends AND enemies, as well the potential for an infamous family curse to be weighing over your head?
Do you like second, third, and even fourth layer characters that are drawn into the forefront because they too deserve their time in the spotlight and are memorable too, even if the story isn't there's at heart?
Do you want me to stop asking if you love these things because OBVIOUSLY you're still reading this and the answer is pretty clear...YES, WE ARE SHARING THE SAME BOAT OF BOOK LOVE FOR THIS TITLE?

Good because I was running out of questions!  🤣
Seriously though, this book was un-put-down-able from start to finish.  Once I knew Avalina, I had to know more.  I felt bad that she had the start she did, but as time goes by, some of that grit, that gumption, that I can survive anything attitude really comes into play, and you can't help but wonder...was that why she grew up where and how she did?  (*ponders*)  The moment her non-Anna-esque time comes to seek bigger, grander adventures, I was in awe...I mean it's not often a character LITERALLY escapes in/on Cloud #9 (inside joke...read it, you'll see!), lands where she does, gets passed around like a bad omen, only to find a home she never knew to look for, with friends that are by her side through thick and thin!  Pirating may be her heritage, but the size of her heart is the real treasure...and I know a couple of Buccaneers that would swear to that statement in a heartbeat, let alone members of the crew.

Get on board this new Children's Fantasy series post haste because once the ship has sailed...okay, well the only thing that will happen is you'll have to play catch up in order to read the series, but seriously, be IN THE KNOW NOW and you can grab top rank in the fandom order of things!



☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     


About the author...


LORI ADAMS is the author of the Avalina Jones series for middle-grade readers (Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm (#1) as well as two young adult series: The Kate March Mysteries: Speak Easy (#1) set in Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, and the Soulkeepers Series: Forbidden, Awaken, and Unforgiven, a paranormal fantasy set in the quintessential but fictitious town of Haven Hurst, Connecticut and first published through Random House.

Lori was born and raised in Oklahoma but moved to Southern California where she lives with her family. She loves traipsing along SoCal’s wonderful beaches, watching Angel’s baseball, Cowboys’ football. Aside from writing, Lori loves reading and watching Classic Hollywood Movies.

For more information, visit https://loriadamsbooks.com.



☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     




Enter for a chance to win an Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm prize pack!


One (1) grand prize winner receives:

An autographed copy of Avalina Jones: And the Eye of the Storm
An Avalina Jones quote tote
A Hands-Off Me Gigglin’ Grog mug
An Avalina Jones fridge magnet
An Avalina Jones bookmark


Two (2) winners receive:

An autographed copy of Avalina Jones: And the Eye of the Storm
An Avalina Jones bookmark







☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     ☠     ðŸ’Ž     







Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

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


TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Boy Between Worlds: The Novice Collector by Cynthia C. Huijgens - GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Today, we're shining the BOOK SPOTLIGHT on a title currently on tour with The Children's Book Review as we host a special GUEST POST and give you a CHANCE TO WIN!  Sound good?  I thought it might.  So, let's take a peek between the pages of today's featured title, then learn a little more from the author herself about why the particular setting for the book was chosen.  Ladies and gents, explorers of all ages, please set your sights on today's title in the spotlight...


by
Cynthia C. Huijgens
9781732925847
Idle Time Press

About the book...
On his thirteenth birthday, Max Mead wakes up battered and bruised in the villa of his grandfather, a famous antiquities expert, in Cairo. He has a hard time remembering how he got there, but slowly details of his quest to locate his missing grandfather begin to emerge. But the Lieutenant, leader of a ruthless antiquities trafficking gang, has left Max with more than a few nasty bruises.


AMAZON  |  BOOKSHOP



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~~~   GUEST POST with Author Cynthia C. Huijgens   ~~~
Egypt As the Setting for a Kids' Novel



I grew up in Southern California. The first time Egypt came onto my radar was when King Tutankhamun’s golden funerary mask began its tour of the United States in the winter of 1976. I was nineteen years old at the time, the same age King Tut was when he died. I didn’t see King Tut’s mask then (it didn’t come to the nearby Los Angeles County Museum of Art until 1978), but the advertising billboards and TV commercials made the mask an object of unparalleled beauty, mystery, and magic. 

Fast forward several years. When I came to live in Egypt just after the revolution of 25 January 2011, I found myself swept up in that ancient magic all over again, only this time, I was completely surrounded by it. There were no tourists for obvious reasons, but when it was safe, I toured the ancient sights. It was my Indiana Jones moment. There was no one between me and the ancient ruins and I felt an instant connection to every mummy, hieroglyph, and piece of faience I saw. I travelled by boat to Luxor and Aswan, visited the Abu Simbel Temples and tombs of pharaohs buried deep within the Valley of the Kings. I visited the grand temple of Hatshepsut, and Karnak, dedicated to the ancient Egyptian gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, and stepped inside one of the spectacular pyramids of Giza. I took Arabic lessons, progressing enough to read road signs and newspapers and make casual conversation with my Egyptian neighbors. I found myself completely pulled into Egyptian culture, and when I returned to Southern California every year to visit family, I was surrounded by curious people, young and old, who asked a lot of questions about Egypt. Setting my story in Egypt seemed like the best way to honour the Egyptian people who had shown me incredible kindness, unparalleled beauty, mystery, and yes, magic. And it seemed a great way to share all that I had seen and learned with people who might never get a chance to experience Egypt for themselves.

There have been loads of books set in Egypt for all the reasons I have just mentioned. And kids love them, perhaps now more than ever with covid making travel more difficult. The topic of Ancient Egypt has fascinated generations with its pharaohs, buried tombs filled with treasure, tales of magical curses, mythical gods, and the afterlife. Many of those books focus on Egyptian gods and heroic quests and yes, ancient Egyptian magic. But when I set out to write my novel, I fell back on my museum education background to tell a story about Egypt that is, perhaps, a little different. My story is built around objects. Many ancient languages have not survived, but objects, surprisingly, have. These objects provide insight into past civilizations and in my story, objects have ears and eyes, and they’re good at telling stories!

The best part of studying art and later working as a museum educator was spending thousands of hours in art and history museums. Museums are places to engage with energy and ideas from the past and launching pads to imagining different possibilities for the future. Something happens when a child explores an object, you can see it in their face. A spark is ignited as a connection to different times and places magically opens up. With Boy Between Worlds: The Cabinet of Curiosities, and Boy Between Worlds Book Two: The Novice Collector, I set out to write a story that dwells in that world of imagination and encourages young readers to explore the outer limits of their curiosity while gaining an appreciation for different people, places, and cultures of the world.



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About the author...


Cynthia C. Huijgens writes for children of all ages, including children’s picture books. She holds a BA in Art and Design, Masters in Education, and is a certified K-12 Art Teacher. Cynthia graduated from Simon Fraser University’s The Writer’s Studio.

For more information, visit https://www.idletimepress.com.



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Enter for a chance to win a Boy Between Worlds prize pack!


One (1) grand prize winner receives:

An autographed copy of Boy Between Worlds: The Novice Collector
Two (2) 100% pashminas purchased from a vendor in the Khan el Kahlili, Cairo
A custom bookmark
An Idle Time Press t-shirt



Three (3) winners receive:

An autographed copy of Boy Between Worlds: The Novice Collector







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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for the special guest post. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!



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


Tuesday, December 14, 2021

RRR presents... A NOT SO QUIET CHRISTMAS by Suzie Tullet - REVIEW!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


I find myself still reading up a storm as the holidays grow closer and closer. It's not so much reaching a "read books" goal, as I already surpassed what I said I'd read this year and then some, but more so the enjoyment of the read AND the chance to bring that title to the forefront for you. Yep. That's my cup of tea, and today's title is no exception.

On tour now with Rachel's Random Resources, it's a Fiction title that's ready to whisk you away for an English countryside holiday...whether you like it or not! Ready, set, let's get between the pages of today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...


A Not So Quiet Christmas
by
Suzie Tullett


About the book...
A solo getaway at an English country cottage is a pleasant way to spend the holiday—but it takes two to really make things merry . . .

Antonia prefers a quiet Christmas. She’s happy to spend it on her own, watching Hallmark holiday movies in her pyjamas, eating what she wants, when she wants.

Antonia’s friend Jules, on the other hand, loves a big Christmas celebration and plans on travelling to the Yorkshire Dales for a festive break. But when Jules breaks her leg, she persuades Antonia to make the trip on her behalf. Arriving at the little cottage, Antonia meets the handsome property agent Oliver. But she can’t escape the weird locals—or avoid embarrassing situations like mistaking a cow for a burglar.

As Christmas approaches, the attraction between Oliver and Antonia grows. She could choose to return to the bustling city and spend it alone. Or she could choose love and have a not so quiet Christmas . . .



KOBO  |  IBOOKS  |  B&N




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It reminded me a bit of the movie The Holiday, but in all the right ways. I loved Antonia for her dedication to her friend, her ability to make things better for others even if only in her small way, and her frankness of self. It's not often a character is simply themselves, and while maybe embassassed at times, still mostly accepting of themselves, and comfortable enough to present that truth to the world. I appreciated how much Jules gave of herself as well. She may have been someone we got to know from afar, or at least at a distance from Antonia in the physical sense, but her heart was there one hundred percent. Oliver was one of many notable figures of the town, helpful and with a heart of gold, he was definitely harboring a tender for our gal Antonia, and while neither seemed eager to act on it first, it doesn't make it any less sweet when the moment finally comes. Then there's Oliver's granddad, the new mother and son in town, the brother's who couldn't be more different yet the same at heart...and so many others you'll feel blessed to make the acquaintance of.

So this holiday season, get in touch with your inner Christmas spirit and prepare for a holiday louder in decibels than in the past, but heartwarming just the same. You'll fall in love with the town (so quaint!), where everyone knows your name (definitely before you know theirs!), and the latest embarrassing situation you have gotten yourself into (gotta love the cow burglar!), perhaps before you're even out of it (hanging from a rockface, 'nuff said!)! Whether you're a holiday homebody or a party thrower extraordinaire, you'll find your comfort zone in their holiday celebrations. Who knows? You may get a few ideas for your next get together! Who says life can't imitate art?




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About the author...


Suzie Tullett is an author of contemporary humorous fiction and romantic comedy. She has a Masters Degree in Television & Radio Scriptwriting and worked as a scriptwriter before becoming a full-time novelist. When she's not busy creating her own literary masterpieces, she usually has her head in someone else's.

Suzie lives in a little cottage on the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, along with her husband and two Greek rescue dogs.



FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM




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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of tour for more bookish fun!


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


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