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...

Thursday, April 28, 2022

RRR presents... THE EARL SHE SHOULD NEVER DESIRE by Lara Temple - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hello, hello!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Post number two for the day, delivers another scrumptious Historical Fiction title on tour currently with Rachel's Random Resources. By now you know, I'm a fan of the genre, and whether your a new fan or seasoned vet, you won't want to miss this one! I didn't actually realize I hadn't read the author's work prior to this story, I'd only featured it once upon a time, but it didn't make a bit of difference because it felt like coming home to an old friend (and a new to me author to add to my watch list!). Ladies and gents, grab your bonnet and waistcoat as we prepare to meet today's second ebook of choice...


The Earl She Should Never Desire
by
Lara Temple
Mills & Boon


About the book...

This very handsome earl…
Is the one man she cannot fall for…

War widow Lily Walsh has left her aristocratic family behind, but she can’t deny her younger sister’s request to come to London to meet her fiancé. Though not a love match, Lord Sherborne is kind, amusing and ideal for her sister on paper. But as Lily gets to know him, she’s finding him alarmingly attractive! And the forbidden look in the earl’s eye shows the feeling is mutual…








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I admit, I kind of had a notion of the basic story line the moment I began. After reading several (to say the least) and considering the title, I wasn't sure how many surprises we'd get along the way, but surprises there were and happy I was!

I've actually started to write this review a few times over, and I keep getting bogged down in the details. I don't want to tell the story to you, that you can do by getting a copy of your own to explore, but I do want to impart the massive about and range of feelings it contains, the laughter it brings, the twists and turns it'll throw, and the seductive nature of the love story within. Lily is a character to be cherished. She's been through a lot, but she still feels, still cares, still loves. The love aspect pertained more specifically to the memory of her daughter, and her siblings...whom she'd do anything for, including face her "loving" mother in order to bring some modicum of comfort to Annie regarding her upcoming nuptials...which leads us to the title, and beyond. Lily and the Earl's connection was instant...and instantaneously denied by both parties. The thing is...the heart wants what the heart wants, even when it doesn't seem possible, and especially when the underlying circumstances are not what is being presented as truth. It means the heart can sense a loophole even when we didn't know one existed...and it's a good thing for these two because OMG what a force they could be...for each other!

All in all, it may started the way one would anticipate, but along the way you get so drawn into everything, you won't see the forest for the trees...and you'll be thankful for it! There's nothing better than getting lost between the pages, so much so that you never want to leave, and such was the case here to boot! I thoroughly enjoyed my time in London and can not wait to see what other stories the author has up her sleeve...er, pen.





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About the author...


Lara Temple writes strong and sensual Regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion. She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she writes and dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.


AMAZON US | UK




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YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...
...(1) of 3 e-copies of The Earl She Should Never Desire by Lara Temple 
(Open INT)


*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.





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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!


RRR presents... WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE VENICE by Leonie Mack - REVIEW!

Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Today has been a day, and it's only just begun because I'm typing this bad boy in the wee hours of the morning. It's only going to get worse before it gets better (busy day at work ahead), but such is life and besides...at least the reading is good! Speaking of which, today's first post is coming at you and it stars a Romantic Comedy that's ready to whisk you away to the city of love as it extolls its many virtues, and we get up close and personal with our two potential lovebirds. Ladies and gents, please join me as we welcome Rachel's Random Resources and today's ebook of choice...



We’ll Always Have Venice
by
Leonie Mack


About the book...
Who can resist the romance of Venice…

When Norah arrives in Venice for a ten-week internship she is surprised to discover that her guide for her work trips around the lagoon is the undeniably gorgeous and kind Gianluca. She can’t help thinking he might be too good to be true, with his endless fascinating local stories, and his infectious laugh.

Norah is still bitter after an accident left her with a serious injury and also meant the end of her long-term relationship. And besides, she's serious about her career and that means leaving Venice at the end of the summer.

Gianluca has had a summer fling before that led to heartache for him and he won't do it again. He enjoys the long hours out on the lagoon with Norah, but after a storm strands them on a picture-perfect island for a night, they agree they should just be good friends for the summer.

But life doesn't always go to plan, and when it's time for Norah to go, they have to decide whether what they have between them is really just a friendship, and not something more…







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This was like taking a vacation without ever having left my comfy reading spot. It took you to places you've longed to see, with characters you weren't likely to forget. I liked the blend of life, issues, science, family, and love. Okay, that was a mouthful, but it's true and I shall try to explain my reasoning....

Norah's life wasn't perfect, in fact, she was recovering from some pretty big issues, but she made the most of things, determined like heck to carry on. The issues stemmed from a life changing accident that took place barely a year ago. She survived, but is not without lasting scars, both to her body, and soul. The science comes into play with her field of work, or study. Who knew algae could be considered for a biofuel source? Apparently, she did, as did Manu...but she's another story altogether (so much history there!). The family...well, it starts with her mother (getting married for the first time, well over the hill!), continues with her sister, and carries right on over to Gianluca, Nona, and Manu...which require more explanation than I am willing to type here, but suffice it to say that if you've ever met someone and they felt like family from the start, this is totally like that. Finally, we have the love, and while you've think being where they were, it would have happened in a flash...but you'd be wrong. Yes, there were a few sparks thrown here and there, but anything worth having takes time, and these two (Norah and Gianluca) were so busy getting in their own way, it was definitely going to take some time.

In the end, they made it though...and that's all one can really hope for in fiction and life! My favorite parts were when they were "stranded" on the deserted island (not really deserted) and inadvertantly startled the friar (totally worth the awkward breakfast!), and when a certain Artic tern showed up where least expected. Take a trip around the world to discover a place to call home for your mind and your heart...




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About the author...


Leonie Mack is an author of romantic comedies with great international locations. Having lived in London for many years her home is now in Germany with her husband and three children. Leonie loves train travel, medieval towns, hiking and happy endings!





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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. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!


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


Wednesday, April 27, 2022

TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: My Old Friend, Then by Katherine Davis-Gibbon - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Today, we welcome The Children's Book Review as we join their AWARENESS TOUR for a Picture Book title that asks little readers to take a moment, slow down, and appreciate not just the future and the past, but the present.  Ready or not, fair readers, here comes today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...


by
Illustrated by
Ages 4 and up | 40 Pages
9781737957607
Riverlet Press LLC


About the book...
A child ponders … who is her best, most loyal friend? Is it her constant companion, Then, who regales her with extravagant stories of their shared past and imagined future? Or is it precious, patient Now, with whom she sensitively explores each new moment that unfolds?


My Old Friend, Then explores mindfulness the same way that kids approach life: with curiosity, humor, and unspoiled sincerity. Pairing accessible and relatable language with vivid, quirky illustrations, this book invites readers to share in a young girl’s journey as she grapples with the trappings—and delights in the boundless potential—of her own brilliant mind.







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This colorfully illustrated work invites little ones in to explore concepts of time and grow an appreciation for living in the moment.  Now, obviously, it doesn't do so in quite those terms because it's talking to wee readers not above them, so instead of timelines, and streams of stats, you have the introduction of Then and Now as friends.  Then is always there to remind and contemplate things since passed, but Now brings to life moments that turn into memories and create the colorful tapestry of our lives. Together, they show the lead child how important they both are, in their own right, and help teach those kiddos reading along the same lesson too.  

Try to remember back to when YOU were a child.  Were you more concerned with the present and all that was happening?  Or were you perhaps more concerned with things that already happened, and what adventure was around the next bend?  It's okay...it's GOOD to look in both directions, so long as we don't forget to celebrate the time we have now.  The old adage of "the past is history, but the present is a gift" certainly has itself grounded in truth, and in this story it makes the concept more accessible to little ones, granting them the go ahead to stop and smell the roses, even in our go go go world.




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About the author...


Katherine Davis-Gibbon is a yoga teacher, a longtime practitioner of Vipassana meditation, and most importantly a mother of two. She is also the founder of Riverlet Press, a children’s book company for conscious parents raising mindful kids.

For more information, visit www.riverletpress.com.


- - - - - - - - - - -


About the illustrator...

Allie Daigle is an illustrator who strives to create immersive and expressive images that stimulate the imagination. Whether for a children’s book, a product label, or her original pieces, Daigle’s works implore the viewer to linger and explore the details within. Allie primarily works with traditional watercolor & ink as well as digital mediums.

For more information, visit www.alliedaigle.com.



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Enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of My Old Friend, Then, along with a box of You're Wonderful Thoughtfulls!


One (1) winner receives:
An autographed hardcover copy of My Old Friend, Then
A box of You're Wonderful Thoughtfulls pop-open cards by Compendium Inc.



Three (3) winners receive:
An autographed hardcover copy of My Old Friend, Then




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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 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!


TOUR SCHEDULE


Monday, April 4, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Tuesday, April 5, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Wednesday, April 6, 2022
An interview with
Author Katherine Davis-Gibbon

Thursday, April 7, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Friday, April 8, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Sunday, April 10, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Monday, April 11, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Tuesday, April 12, 2022
An Instagram video book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Wednesday, April 13, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Thursday, April 14, 2022
An article by Katherine Davis-Gibbon
The Importance of Teaching Kids Mindfulness

Tuesday, April 26, 2022
A book giveaway of
My Old Friend, Then

Wednesday, April 27, 2022
A book review of
My Old Friend, Then

Thursday, April 28, 2022
An article by Katherine Davis-Gibbon
Mindfulness Activities with Your Kids


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


Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to...The Great Peach Experiment 2: THE PEACH PIT by Erin Soderberg Downing - REVIEW!

Hi there!
Great to see you here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!


So, have you enjoyed all the bookish fun today? Sure hope so, because I know I have...and we're not done yet! Our third and final post of the day features a title celebrating its BOOK BIRTHDAY with Pixel+Ink. It's a Middle Grade Fiction book, and the second in The Great Peach Experiment series, that may look a bit comedic on the outside, but it has oh-so-much heart to spare! Ready or not, get ready to help blow out the candles as we get between the pages of today's book birthday celebrant and book of choice...


by
9781645950363
Pixel+Ink


About the book...
Hammer together a mission to turn a crumbling mansion into a cozy bed-and-breakfast, a treasure map, and a family trying to figure out their new normal to build this charming middle grade bursting with humor, heart, and hope.

Much to their surprise, the Peaches had a great summer running their food truck business selling their pies across the Mid-West, but they’re happy to be back home in Duluth, Minnesota, where they can settle back into a routine just in time for the new school year.

That is until Great Aunt Lucinda drops a big surprise on them: She wants to gift them her historic mansion. But there are conditions: they’re to turn it into a cozy and welcoming bed-and-breakfast, something the Peach kids’ mom always dreamed of before she passed away. And they only have until Thanksgiving to do the renovations and prove they can make the business work. It looks like it’s a new chapter of The Great Peach Experiment.

But as the Peaches roll up their sleeves, they quickly realize the house is more of a pit than a welcoming escape. And as the family juggles builders, possible hauntings, doggie obedience training, a treasure hunt, and the demands and worries of work and school, they soon realize that there are wonderful secrets hidden within the house’s walls, if only they can take the time to see them.




🍑      🍑        🍑       🍑      🍑



You can't keep a good peach down, and these peaches are among the best.

Herb, Freddy, and Lucy...a trio of kiddos older than their years in part thanks to the parting of one of their own (their dear mom), but also in part to how they were taught, their own tenacity, determination, and heart.  Herb may be the youngest, but he's also a pretty smart fellow.  He comes up with some amazing gems, or rather peach pits of wisdom, that will leave a tear in your eye and a smile on your face.  He's also the one that's great at customer service; something that will certainly help out if their new venture takes off.  Freddy may be the middle child, but he's doesn't get lost in the crowd.  He's the artistic one, and though he needs to work on his ability to commit to one idea instead of them all, you can always count on him in the end.  He's good at constructing things, and cooking...again, two great skills for their current experiment...even if his French accent could use some work.  Then we have Lucy, the eldest, who loves a good book, some quiet time to herself, but also takes care of her siblings without a second thought.  She always has their best interests at heart...even if she has taken a little but a time and space to herself this time around.  Hey, we all need a place to call our own, and even the most loving of hearts has to love itself at some point.

These guys can tackle anything...with the help of their scientific, scattered brained, can't really so all the things, but is willing to try some of them at least...dad.  Yes, they have a parental figure, but he's been a bit lost since losing his other half.  It's heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time, but the true magic here is how the kids are working their magic to bring their family back together.  It may be one short in number, but the heart of it is still there...the memory is as alive as ever, and in everything they do, it will continue to be.  It's a great story about life's ups and downs, how to roll with the punches even when you want to call a TKO, and the resilience of family.






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About the author...


Erin Soderberg Downing has written more than fifty books for kids, tweens, and young adults. Some of her most popular titles include the middle-grade novel Moon Shadow and two fun chapter-book series: Puppy Pirates and The Quirks. Before becoming an author, Erin was a children’s book editor, a cookie inventor, and also worked for Nickelodeon. She lives in Minneapolis with her adventurous husband, three hilarious kids, and a mischievous pup named Wally. Her all-time favorite flavors of pie are key lime and her grandma’s good ol’ fashioned apple.




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Special thanks to Sara at Pixel+Ink for the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the publisher, the author, or her other works, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available TODAY via Pixel+Ink, so stop by your favorite brick and mortar or click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today.


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




TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale by David Horn - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Time for the second post of the day, and it just so happens to feature the SECOND book in a Chapter Book series that's (quite literally) out of this world! Yep. That's right. We're heading into outer space, but don't worry...much...we're in good hands. Ladies and gents, make room on your reading list for one precocious, determined, often times in trouble, but always full of heart kiddo as we join her for a second jaunt through the stars on The Children's Book Review tour starring...


by
David Horn
Illustrated by
Deven Hoover
9781736677421


About the book...
Freedom for lobsters! The second in the Eudora Space Kid series: a hilariously funny, early reader sci-fi chapter book perfect for elementary-aged kids. Can Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, rescue her favorite lobsters from becoming the next meal at the spaceship’s New Year’s buffet?

Eudora is a normal third-grader who just happens to live on a 36 deck AstroLiner. In SPACE! As a math and science whiz who’s been adopted by what you might call . . . aliens, she has normal ambitions—like being the chief engineer on an AstroLiner. But when her favorite lobsters on board appear on the menu at Chef Franklin’s dinner buffet, Eudora and her best friend, Arnold, hatch a plan to break them out. Will they save their crustacean friends? Or will they end up locked in the ship’s brig? Again . . .

Brilliant for engaging emergent and early chapter book readers.







🦞 🪐 🚀 🦞 🚀 🪐 🦞




There's one thing you can always count on with Eudora...
...you'll have a blast!

Okay, so maybe it would be better said that you're bound to get into hot water...probably the same water the lobster friends were trying to avoid...but by story's end, you'll pull through with a little more shine than you started.  In Eudora, kids have a friend til the end, a die or ride, if you will, for any adventures they wish to partake in, but she's also a good role model.  How so?  Especially with all her antics?  Ah, but you see, pushing the envelope and the limits put forth are all a part of her curious nature, and that very same thing is what give her an edge in the STEM fields she wishes to study.  I mean, her dream is to be a major part of the ship's crew, and the only way to get there is through great grades, know-how, and determination.  She's got plenty of those in spades, with the added bonus of a creative streak, and a curious mind that may lead her into trouble, but also out of it as well...as we see in this story, and a  good thing too because WHEW!  That outcome could have been much MUCH worse...not simply for the lobsters, but the ENTIRE SHIP!

So come aboard, don't be shy!  This is the adventure you didn't know you were waiting for, with a cast of characters you'll grow to love, and a lot of strange and new things to learn and explore!  That's the fun of it though...enriching young minds while having more fun than you could know.  Just watch out for the pinchers because yeah...lobsters don't exactly understand human words or intent, but their defense system is top notch!





🦞 🪐 🚀 🦞 🚀 🪐 🦞



About the author...


David Horn lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters, and a funny dog named Trixie. He is a huge science fiction fan and loves reading science fiction books from both the old and new greats. His daughters inherited his love of science fiction and love watching sci-fi shows like Star Trek, Babylon 5, Stargate, and Star Wars. The Eudora Space Kid early reader chapter book series started as funny stories he told his daughters at dinner to get milk to come out of their noses. He hopes your children love Eudora’s silly antics in space too and milk comes out of their noses too!

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



🦞 🪐 🚀 🦞 🚀 🪐 🦞





Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!


One (1) grand prize winner receives
A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.


Two (2) winners receive:
A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale






🦞 🪐 🚀 🦞 🚀 🪐 🦞





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!



TOUR SCHEDULE


Monday, April 11, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Tuesday, April 12, 2022
An interview with
Author David Horn

Wednesday, April 13, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Thursday, April 14, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Friday, April 15, 2022
A book giveaway of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Monday, April 18, 2022
An interview with
Author David Horn

Tuesday, April 19, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Wednesday, April 20, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Thursday, April 21, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Friday, April 22, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Monday, April 25, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale

Tuesday, April 26, 2022
A book review of
Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale




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




RRR presents... STYLE AND THE SOLITARY by Miriam Drori - EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Today on the blog, you're in for a WHOLE LOT OF BOOKISH FUN! That's right! It's another super posting day filled with bookish content of all kinds, so stay for this post, and be sure to come back later for more! First up, Rachel's Random Resources with a spotlight and excerpt from a murder filled mystery thriller that's ready and waiting for you to discover. So, let's discover it together...RIGHT NOW! Ready or not, here comes today's title in the spotlight...


Style and the Solitary
by
Miriam Drori


About the book...
An unexpected murder. A suspect with a reason. The power of unwavering belief.

A murder has been committed in an office in Jerusalem. That’s for sure. The rest is not as clear-cut as it might seem.

Asaf languishes in his cell, unable to tell his story even to himself. How can he tell it to someone who elicits such fear within him?

His colleague, Nathalie, has studied Beauty and the Beast. She understands its moral. Maybe that’s why she’s the only one who believes in Asaf, the suspect. But she’s new in the company – and in the country. Would anyone take her opinion seriously?

She coerces her flatmates, Yarden and Tehila, into helping her investigate. As they uncover new trails, will they be able to reverse popular opinion?

In the end, will Beauty’s belief be strong enough to waken the Beast? Or, in this case, can Style waken the Solitary?








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




~~~ EXCERPT ~~~

Nathalie, the main character, recently moved from Strasbourg to Jerusalem, and still hasn’t quite acclimatised. The extract also includes some of her impressions of Asaf, who, she is about to learn, has just been arrested for murder. (An ulpan is an intensive course in the Hebrew language, or a centre providing such courses.)


Nathalie stamped her feet as she waited for the bus on the noisy Hebron Road. She was glad she’d wrapped up warmly, decked out in coat, boots, gloves and hat. She’d never expected Jerusalem to get so cold. Wasn’t the Middle East supposed to be hot? In the office, there had even been talk of snow. Apparently, that could close the whole city down for a day, sometimes more.

Waiting with her was a group of schoolchildren, babbling away in excited tones. Kids were the hardest to follow. She was glad she hadn’t gone into teaching. She’d considered it, before discovering PCB layout design, because there didn’t seem many options with a French degree, although she wasn’t looking forward to controlling large classes of bored kids. These children at the bus stop would be hell to teach. She imagined them mocking her accent with words she didn’t even understand. No, hi-tech beat school hands down. Even the pay compared favourably.

The 71 bus arrived. Nathalie boarded, used her card, and found a seat at the back. The bus stop names flashed up on the screen and boomed out from the loudspeaker, but Nathalie no longer needed them.

She’d been lucky to be taken on by Gidel Electronics when fresh from ulpan with very flawed Hebrew. Gidel was a great place to work. The people were really friendly. They messed her around, sometimes, over her Hebrew bloopers and ignorance of Israeli culture, but they did it in a friendly way and also helped her to become acclimatised. The ulpan had been good for learning Hebrew, too, but it didn’t give her a lot of practice with Israelis. In the three months she’d been working at Gidel, she’d become much more confident at talking.

As far as the work went, the person she had to interact with the most was Asaf. He was the one who designed the boards before she could do the layout. Asaf stuck out by not sticking out. He kept to himself, and she usually saw him alone in his cubicle, bent over his desk, either staring at intricate diagrams on a screen or using tweezers to move tiny components on a board, a magnifying glass attached to his head like an earphone headset. She’d see various instruments around him, like an oscilloscope, a voltmeter and a soldering iron, and he always seemed completely immersed in what he was doing. Even on Thursday, he didn’t attend Ido’s little party to celebrate his promotion.

Nathalie remembered her shock at the large piece of cream cake that Ido dumped on her plate. She remembered using her plastic fork to cut it into two, transferring the larger piece back to the central dish. She remembered taking tiny bites to make her piece last, and chatting with the others, still marvelling at the ease at which she did so. And all the while, she wondered about Asaf’s absence. Did he mind that Ido had been promoted, or did he simply prefer to be alone? It was hard to know what went on behind his generally bland façade.

But she was working on it.





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About the author...


When Miriam Drori says she loves to perform, people don’t believe her. When she says she’s not shy, they think she’s delusional. The fact is, things ain’t what they seem. A witch called social anxiety took away her ability to be spontaneous, but it didn’t change her exhibitionist nature. You need to watch her dancing or speaking before an audience to understand that.

Fortunately, she has found an outlet for her thoughts in writing, a solitary activity with multiple recipients. She never doubted her ability to write, but only in recent years has she managed to gather her views and observations together into papier-mâché balls worth throwing far and wide.

If you ignore the witch, life has been good to Miriam, especially since she made the decision to move from the UK to Israel. She has a wonderful husband, three lovely children and a delightful house. She loves to read, travel, hike and dance. She has worked in computer programming and technical writing, and now enjoys the freedom and versatility of creative writing. And she believes passionately in raising awareness of social anxiety.







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YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...
(1) of 5 paperback copies of Cultivating a Fuji by Miriam Drori 
(Open INT)


*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.





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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. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

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


Monday, April 25, 2022

TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Meow Is Not a Cat by Kelly Tills - GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY!


Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Today, we're joining The Children's Book Review for an AWARENESS TOUR starring a title that truly celebrates the weird, the wonderful, the things that make you and I...well, you and I!  The lead character is Meow and, as the title says, she's most certainly not a cat.  What she IS though is uniquely her, and it leads to a colorful adventure for her entire class.  Ready or not, fair readers, join me as we set out sights on today's blog tour guest and title in the spotlight (and then keep reading for the SPECIAL GUEST POST and your chance to win!)...





Written by Kelly Tills
Illustrated by Max Saladrigas
Ages 4+ | 44 Pages
FDI Publishing LLC
9781736700488


About the book...
Publisher’s Synopsis: Meow is definitely not a cat. Cats lick their butts. Follow along as this wild child’s unique way of following instructions ends up going a little bananas.

Meow Is Not Cat is a completely goofy story, guaranteed to make kids laugh. With a cynical cat, wild monkeys, butt jokes, and a banana cannon, even pre-readers will love shouting out their favorite parts as you read aloud. Nestled among the laughs is a lesson about how embracing a person’s different way of interpreting the world can lead to surprisingly good results —and bananas, lots of bananas.








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~~~   SPECIAL GUEST POST   ~~~
~~~   with Author Kelly Tills   ~~~


 Are You My Kind of Weird?

“Kids are wonderfully weird.” That’s been a catchphrase of mine for eons. To be fair, I have dozens of catchphrases ranging from the cautionary, “Rule number one: no choking, no dying.” to the absurd, “Never miss an opportunity to accessorize!” That last one is usually accompanied by the kids tossing down the couch pillows into an impromptu runway and cat walking to `Right Said Fred` (Yes, that song).

But I digress. When I say “kids are wonderfully weird” it’s with a tinge of envy. I remember childhood days when doing a realistic impression of a cawing crow in the middle of a social event was completely acceptable. Years later, I was at a cocktail party – in my fancy dress, standing on one foot, cawing and flapping one arm while holding my drink in the other – when I realized this is not accepted behavior for an adult. Being different is considered weird.

Listen, I’m about as plain Jane as they come. So if I’m weird, then what is normal supposed to look like? The answer is: there is no normal. Everyone is weird. We’re all just different types of weird. I now live my life a bit like the baby bird in Are You My Mother? Except my burning question is slightly different. It’s: Are You My Kind of Weird?

I often get asked how much of me is reflected in the main character of my book, Meow Is Not a Cat. The fact is, not much. Meow is not my kind of weird, and that’s what makes Meow so fascinating to me. Where I speak in stories, Meow understands literal instructions. Where I assume everyone is different, Meow sees others as mysteriously similar. Where I might occasionally bump up against boundaries, Meow blasts past them at warp speed (while squawking like a pterodactyl, of course).

In this story, it’s the teacher, Ms. Snickety, who is my kind of weird. She’s the observer. She speaks in colloquialisms and assumes everyone knows what she means. She’s all for boundaries and is dumbfounded when they are observed differently than she expected. But, thankfully, she is also well-intentioned. She can embrace the joy a creative kiddo can provide, it just… takes her a little while to figure it all out.

I hope that the other Ms. Snicketys in the world take a cue. When kids “aren’t listening”, is it possible your request was clear to you but not to them? When folks act in totally unexpected ways, is it possible not everyone is as surprised as you are? When you have that ah-ha moment and finally see someone’s wonderfulness, is it possible for you to meet them where they are and… just dance?

In other words, is it possible that not everyone is your kind of weird? The answer is, of course, they aren’t! We’re all wonderfully weird in infinitely unique ways.




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About the author...


Kelly Tills is the creator of her own uniquely shaped family. Kindness, neurodiversity, and potty humor are her jam. She writes silly stories for kids and believes even the smallest hat-tip, in the simplest of books, can teach our kids how to approach the world. Kelly’s children’s stories are perfect to read aloud to your little humans or to have your older kids read to you (hey, let them flex those new reading skills!). Either way, you’ll enjoy the giggles.


SITE  |  INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER




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Enter for a chance to win a copy of Meow Is Not a Cat!


Five (5) winners receive:
A copy of Meow Is Not a Cat







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TOUR SCHEDULE




Wednesday, April 13, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Thursday, April 14, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Friday, April 15, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Monday, April 18, 2022
An article by the author
Kelly Tills

Tuesday, April 19, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Wednesday, April 20, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Thursday, April 21, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Friday, April 22, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Monday, April 25, 2022
An article by the author
Kelly Tills

Tuesday, April 26, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Wednesday, April 27, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Thursday, April 28, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Friday, April 29, 2022
An interview with
Author Kelly Tills

Monday, May 2, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Tuesday, May 3, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat

Wednesday, May 4, 2022
A book review of
Meow Is Not a Cat







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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!




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