Growing up is hard to do... LOWLY by Laura P. Angaroni

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're exploring a Christian Young Adult title that proves once again that growing up is hard to do...but with a little help from the big guy upstairs, a bit of trust in our friends, and a good long look in the mirror with an open heart, we can make it through anything.  So, if you'd be so kind, join me in welcoming today's book of choice into the spotlight...

Lowly

by

Laura P. Angaroni

9781632694256

Deep River Books

About the book...

I'm Lola, and I thought this year would be different. Just for once, I wanted to be a glass-half-full kind of girl for. It's 1981, and nice girls don't curse. But the Demented Duo has been harassing me since middle school--cutting down my looks, my Christianity, my virginity. How am I supposed to control my anger when everyone at Sunset High School seems like they're out to get me? They'll embarrass me about anything.

And Then George strides in, and like magic, everything is better.

If only it lasted.

How will I ever clean up my mess and make amends? Can anyone still love me?

AMAZON  |  B&N

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I was warned from the start...

My protagonist is more of an anti-hero. Some people love her up front, some not so much. I wanted to demonstrate a lot of growth in her during the book, so I made her as real as possible.

...the results of my adventure through the pages, certainly prove those statements to be true!

Lola, aka Lowly, is not a gal that's easy to like.  She's like a rubix cube...many sided with personalities to match at least that number if not more...then again, she IS a teenager.  *smirk*  Seriously though, I was in the latter camp of "not a fan" of her for the better part of the book, but I don't think it was so much to do with her as it was to do with the story, or lack thereof.  I know that sounds harsh, but give me a second.  

From the synopsis, I was expecting something different, perhaps with more a focus on her relationship (or whatever it was) with George, or even her battles with the Demented Duo, when in all actuality, it was as scattered as feathers in the wind.  It was here, showing us how those two dough headed boys tormented her.  It was there, seated at the lunchroom table as new kids joined their group, welcomed or not.  It was near, bringing her faith and values into question in relation to her actions and reactions.  It was far, revealing the smallest bits of her relationships with her friends as well as those with potential to be more some day.  I was constantly grabbing at each new idea thinking....this is it...this is the thread of the story...when in fact, the multiple loose ends were really the heart of it all.

In the end, it reminds us that life is fragile, love is precious, and to truly be ourselves is a gift like no other.  Accepted or not, we are perfect just the way we are....and when we're really with those we are meant to be with, that sense of belonging will come like the sun on a cloudy day.  It was an interesting journey, albeit not an easy one, but hey, life is like that sometimes; you have to take the sweet with the sour and hopefully, as was the case here, the combination of the two surprises you.  Recommended read for Young Adult fans of all ages.

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About the author...

Raised in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, Laura Angaroni (BS, Economics, Baylor University) is proud to be from what some consider the wrong side of the tracks. She and her husband, Craig, live in Houston, Texas, where Laura writes, coaches her two teens, and after four years of high school ministry is taking a break to chase preschoolers around the church nursery.

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM

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Special thanks to author Laura Angaroni for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Deep River Books, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today!

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

BLOG TOUR: Inkspirations: Fruit of the Spirit - Coloring fun for everyone! - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we are pleased to help kick off the TLC Book Tours promotion for another great pick that deserves a spot on your wish list.  It's a celebration for a newly released title that fits perfectly with coloring craze sweeping the nation and is family friendly to boot.  So ready your favorite pencils, crayons, or markers, because we're diving between the pages of today's book of choice...

Inkspirations:

Fruit of the Spirit

Illustrated by

Lorrie Bennett

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books a Million | Barnes & Noble |  HCI Books

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I must admit, I'm not the first to sign up for the coloring book options when they come around.  It's not a lack of interest, but the fact that my mind never seems to still enough to JUST color and let the worries of the world drain away from the moment.  Something about this one spoke to me though and I thought...why not? 

I gathered my supplies, deciding on a combination of colored pencils and markers, and my adventure began.  I like to take a spin through the pages, see what catches my attention and by jove, I adored the look of this dress...

...as well as the things it says to clothe yourself with. Kindness.  Compassion.  Gentleness.  All these attributes and more are often in short supply in today's day and age.  Never hurts to have a beautiful reminder of just how their use can glam up any old occasion.  Next up, the two page spread that allowed me to put pen to paper and play as if I was Mother Nature...

I really had a good time with this one, choosing the boldness of the markers for the flowers while utilizing the blendable nature of the colored pencils for the foliage, basket weave, and "love birds".

I was quite fond of the final product and felt that the imagery the illustrator chose for the verse shared conveyed the message beautifully.  In the end, I can easily see this one being an escape for adults from the every day hubbub of life, as well as a welcome creative time for the kiddos.  The detailed, but not overly so, images present scenes that one could glimpse right outside their own window as well as things we should seek within our heart of hearts.  They truly strike a wonderful bond between the spiritual world and a simple pastime that just works.  But you don't have to just take my word for it...KEEP READING!  ^-^

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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the copy for review as well as the chance to bring this tour to you.  (THANKS!) For more information on THIS TOUR, this title, the illustrator, the publisher, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  To find out more about Inkspirations, click on over to their official site... www.inkspirations.com ... where you'll see their entire line up (thus far), including some pretty awesome Color Me Greeting Cards. 

BEFORE YOU GO...

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO SCORE A COPY OF THIS BOOK TO CALL YOUR OWN!  JUST FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW AND YOU'RE IN IT TO WIN IT!  Entries accepted through 08/20/16.

US only; no PO Boxes please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time...happy reading!



Garden of Eden: Beautiful Bible Scenes to Color and Inspire

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here we're a bit of melty, drippy fun.  Okay, perhaps not so fun because we're either melting from the CRAZY high temps or drowning in the spin off from a Tropical Storm (both current situations) but that doesn't mean there's no fun to be had.  You just have to look a little closer, a bit outside the box to find the beauty that surrounds, and if need be, take it into your own hands.  Today's book of choice does just that...

Garden of Eden:

Beautiful Bible Scenes to Color and Inspire

9780310759751

Zondervan

Here we have 80 pages of coloring fun just waiting for your stroke of inspiration.  No matter what medium you choose, there's beauty to inspire your heart and dazzle your eyes with every turn of the page...



...along with the story of the garden itself!

That's right!  The coloring fun is paired with biblical passages that tell the creation of man and beast, from the glory of the gates...

...to those who live under the deep blue seas, from the swampy bayous to the dusty savannahs.  My favorite were the full fledged garden views, including the infamous tree, as well as the animal portraits, but everyone from tiny critters to Adam and Eve is depicted.  Every page turn takes you deeper within the story, while providing you with another opportunity to share your artistic gifts with the world...or simply de-stress after a long, hard day.

With pages of inspirational images and verse to explore, you're bound to find your inner peace once again while re-centering your focus on the truly important things in life...

...a heart filled with kindness, a giving nature, and love for our fellow man.

Where will your coloring adventure take you?  The sky is the limit and your own imagination the only thing holding you back.  So grab a copy of this spiritually endowed work for yourself, a friend, your loved one, or simply a neighbor in need.  It's a work for all ages that I can easily see being used for a family afternoon of arts and crafts or even a Sunday school group activity to be displayed in the halls. 

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Special thanks to Liane at Zonderkidz for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

The Penny Predicament by Veola Vazquez

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're diving between the pages of a Middle Grade Fiction selection with a dash of diversity and a heaping dose of love from the Big Man upstairs.  If I had to guess, I'd say it'll attract everyone from the Wimpy and MacKenzie fans to those who simply love a good story with heart.  It's the second release in the Coin Chronicles series, and though I've not read the first, it worked quite well as a stand alone.  So throw those reservations to the wind and join me as we discover today's book of choice...

The Penny Predicament

The Coin Chronicles, Book 2

by

Veola Vazquez, Ph.D.

Illustrated by

Lauren Boebinger Lewis

9780692394908

Double Letter Press

About the book...

What would a 12-year-old boy do to help save his family from financial ruin? In Jake King’s case, he’d do just about anything. But uncertainty sets in as his plans go awry, his friendships start to fail and his faith takes a few hits. Finding a rare coin worth a fortune might be the answer. But what if it’s not real? Will Jake lose his best friend and his family’s future at the same time? Only God knows and, hopefully, he’ll let Jake in on it.

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This is a story that hits close to home for many while reminding us to not sweat the small stuff, and that EVERYTHING is small stuff.  It allows readers of all ages to share in Jake's very personal struggle to overcome his family's circumstances while at the same time shining a light on the fact that while we can affect SOME things, we can't change everything...only HE can...and putting our faith in His power in times of hardship though difficult is exactly what we're suppose to do.

Jake is a wonderful lad.  Model student, perfect brother, best best friend ever...okay, let me stop there because if He is involved in this post, fibbing should be kept out of the mix.  *smirk*  Jake IS a wonderful lad but perfect, he is not.  He gets into disagreements with his brother, unintentionally ignores his best friend when those cooler than them (seemingly) come calling, and gets up to what could be considered mischief despite his intentions.  He's a kid; normal, average, everyday, but that's all a part of his charm.  It makes him easy to relate to and for our male readers, that's something not always easily attained.  Getting back to Jake, outside of his normal-ness, he has something that he definitely owns...his coin collecting.  Yes, my friends, he has a penchant for collecting coins anywhere, anytime, anyhow and some of those "hows" are exactly why he lands in sticky situations.  The collecting urge itself, though, might just be what the doctor ordered to get him and his family out of the circumstances that have befallen them...but not without some well-meaning yet misdirected antics first.  *giggle*

I'll admit, despite the Godly mention in the synopsis, the religious aspect, the beliefs shared actually took me by surprise.  They weren't unfounded or something I've never heard, I just didn't see the story taking that turn and after the initial jolt, it felt like the perfect match-up for Jake and friends.  After all, who wouldn't want to team up with the big G-O-D, right?  The author took it not in the preachy direction it could of went but more in a reminder fashion as to the fact that we are not alone in our struggles, there IS always someone to turn to in our times of need, and that we're never given more than we can truly handle.  (I can't say I always remember that, especially in those actual trying moments, but the reinforcement of the ideals never hurt anyone.)  She let's Jake take his own responsibility for his actions despite his good intentions but also shares that lesson learned with his parents, something that translates well from the page to a real life call to action...and the ending?  Well, you'll have to read it to believe it because while being a total surprise, it reinforces once again the "leave things in His hands" thought pattern.

In the end, it's a story filled with heart that tells us to hold our loved ones close and never forget how truly special we are.  There may be difficulties that we have to face in our lives, but we're never truly facing them alone...a comforting thought for all, but especially for kiddos that may be going through similar experiences.  The author has done a fine job of creating a realistic tale of fiction with the occasional illustration to raise a smile to your lips that will stick with you after the final page has been turned.  Recommended for the target MG audience as well as though readers a bit more beyond in years.

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About the author...

Dr. Veola Vazquez, the mother of two boys, uses humor, personal experience and insight to captivate young readers. As a Christian psychologist, she approaches the difficult issues of young life in a way that encourages and instructs the children who read her books. Her witty and fun stories build on real life issues to teach lessons about faith, friendship and family. 

In addition to her works for children, Dr. Vazquez maintains a website and blog where she provides tools for parenting and devotionals to encourage Godly living. With a specialty in childhood issues such as AD/HD and childhood depression, anxiety and trauma, she has special insight into the ways parents can be most helpful to their children. Also, as a mother herself and a wife of over 20 years, she uses her personal wisdom in conjunction with her professional experience to guide and inspire families.

With a passion for helping both children and families, Dr. Vazquez is also a Bible teacher and inspirational speaker for women's events and mom's groups. In addition to her inspirational teaching, she is also a professor at a Christian university in Southern California where she teaches both graduate and undergraduate psychology courses. 

Finally, Dr. Vazquez loves to spend her time reading and taking walks with her family and wiener dog, Paco.

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to author Veola Vazquez for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or the series, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Double Letter Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Don't miss book one in the series, The Nickel Nuisance, available now and the forthcoming book three, The Quarter Question, a perfect addition to your wish list.

Until next time...happy reading!