France Book Tours presents... FALLING FOR PROVENCE by Paulita Kincer - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we welcome France Book Tours as we feature a Women's Fiction title that hit virtual shelves just last month via Oblique Press.  We're whisking you away to Provence for some rest, relaxation, and perhaps the chance at love.  There's absolutely no trouble on the horizon.  Nope.  None at all...or okay, maybe a little.  *ahem*  Anywho, let's get between the pages of today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...

 

Falling For Provence
A New Life in Provence, Book 2
by

Paulita Kincer

Oblique Press 

Release date: June 5, 2020

Goodreads

About the book...

Running a French B&B isn’t all wine and smelly cheese, Fia Jennings discovers as she tries to create a new life for herself and a smooth path for her teenage twins, while not—absolutely not – falling into a new romance. But she didn’t anticipate a handsome stranger showing up on her doorstep and sucking her into an art caper with dangerous overtones. Can she make a new life in France or will she retreat to the States and her broken marriage?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

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Fia is just coming out of a marriage that ended in betrayal.  She's not ready to get back in the saddle for anyone, let alone a new man that's sparked her interest...or is she?  Enter the mysterious Ali, newly arrived in the area to speak at the local college regarding Mesopotamia culture, and art.  He's exotic, new, and certainly receptive to Fia's half-hearted attempts at flirtation, but is he being straight with her or should his evasive answers, and curious occupation be sending red flags?  After all, her marriage didn't simply end due to an unfaithful spouse, but rather an scheme to abscond with a WWII painting her relatives secretly held...her husband's poor choice was merely the cherry on the sundae.  Jilted and hesitant or watchful and weary...tick tock, tick tock!  There's only so much time to decide before things pass into the danger zone...

So, this was the second release in the New Life in Provence series, but I didn't really feel behind the curve.  You get enough glimpses into what transpired previously to land Fia and her kids where they are now that you'll be on the same page...but that page is rather unusual.  The story takes us along for the ride as Fia gets her feet back under her, trying to create a new life for herself and her family, while coming to grips with everything that happened not so long ago.  The monkey wrench of love being thrown in sends her a bit off course, but sometimes exploring those deviations from our chosen path can have AMAZING outcomes.  This time...umm, well, I can't REALLY tell you because it'll ruin the surprise, but let's just say that she DOES get closer to someone, while also cutting ties with several other someone's, and the ending sort of leaves you scrambling for solid ground.  I suppose a few of the loose ends of a sort were to allow for further installments to be added to the series, but the one regarding the actual theft or rescue (depending on how you few it) of the artifact, simply left me to wonder.  To me, it seemed to be more about the belief in the thing versus the actual thing itself, and how powerful that can be...at least, that's how I took it...trust me, that'll make more sense when you read it.

In the end, I enjoyed my visit to Provence, but I'm not certain I'd want to call it home.  If you enjoy Women's Fiction with a bit of Mystery, and a dash of Suspense, this is definitely a book I'd check out!



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About the author...

 

  Paulita Kincer has an M.A. in journalism from American University. She and her husband moved to southern France in 2018. She teaches college English online and ESL to adorable Chinese children. 

SITE | BLOG | TWITTER

INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK.

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You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blog participating in this tour. Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter, as listed in the entry form below, and win more entry points!

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! 

[just follow the directions on the entry-form] 

  Global giveaway open to all 

5 winners will receive a copy of this book

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CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ MORE REVIEWS, A GUEST-POST, AND AUTHOR INTERVIEW!

 Special thanks to Emma at France Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the ecopy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.Save

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

France Book Tours presents... HADAMAR: THE HOUSE OF SHUDDERS by Jason K. Foster - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!
 Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. 

 Today, we're joining France Book Tours for a stop along their current promotion featuring a YAlit Historical title you won't want to miss. It's based on true events, so warning...things most certainly get "real" and not in any way that you'd care to fathom in our world today.  So, ready or not, here comes today's title in spotlight...

   

Hadamar:The House of Shudders

by

Jason K. Foster

(YA- Historical Fiction)

 Based on true events   

 Release date: June 1, 2019

  Big Sky Publishing 

   370  pages   

  Website | Goodreads

 

About the book...

  Nazi Germany is ruled by Hitler’s barbaric policies of racial cleansing. Ingrid Marchand’s only sin was to be born black. Horrifying institutions like Hadamar are where the undesirables – including the mentally and physically disabled and children – are systematically tortured, gassed and executed. It is where Ingrid is humiliated and brutalised and will encounter a depth of hatred the world has never seen before. On the brink of starvation, can Ingrid survive the horrors of her incarceration and help bring her tormentors to justice? Hadamar is a gripping tale of survival in a world of hatred, horror and insanity.  

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To be quite honest, this one cut me to the quick. My heart literally hurt for Ingrid as she was tortured, tormented, and virtually killed in every way possible without actually taking her life. It wasn't even what they did to her that fractured her soul, but the loss of those she cared for time and time again...and yet she still had this un-conquerable inner strength that no amount of hatred could dim the light of.  She was smart, loyal, kind hearted and still the only thing people saw was the color of her skin...their loss. 

It was so hard to read about the atrocities that man committed against man, but I must tip my hat to the author for providing the human side to a few of those that were on the other side of good. He was able to make readers realize that not all who fight do so with evil in their hearts. Sometimes they are caught up in the circumstances. Sometimes they aren't given all the facts or they're so twisted, the truth within them can't be fully recognized. He also made sure that our beloved Ingrid was not without her flaws, as harshly revealed in full by the actions she took after the indiscretion she believed she had witnessed committed against her by someone she called friend. I can't say I blame her, it was a gut reaction, but it does speak to her being human as well.

All in all, a moving novel set in a period of history we'd rather forget, but is best remembered so we don't repeat the same mistakes. Looking at today's world, I can't say that it'd take much of a stretch of the imagination to even contemplate, which is certainly a rather frightening place to be. 

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About the author...

   

Jason K. Foster is an author, poet, freelance journalist and high school teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communications) and Graduate Diploma in Teaching from WSU as well as a Master of Arts (History) from Macquarie University and a Diploma in Spanish from Macquarie University. Jason is widely travelled having spent time in five continents and over fifty countries. He has taught in Australia, the United Kingdom, Spain and Argentina; experiences that bring a distinct range and unique world view to his writing. He has published ten books in the true crime and historical narratives genres. He has also been published the world over with his work appearing in a range of mediums from History magazines in the United States to Australian travel magazines to Poetry Anthologies in the United Kingdom.

Follow the author on Facebook 

 Visit his website

Buy the book: paperback and ebook available from the publisher, on Amazon, Google Play, or the App Store

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  You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blog participating in this tour. Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter, as listed in the entry form below,and win more entry points!  

  ENTER THE GIVEAWAY   

  Tweeting about the giveaway every day of the tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form]   

  Global giveaway open to all

1 winner will receive a print copy of this book  

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CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ MORE REVIEWS, EXCERPTS, AND AN INTERVIEW

 

Special thanks to the France Book Tours team for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for the signed copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the tour, or those on the horizon, click through the links above. 

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

    Save

#FranceBT presents... PARIS EVER AFTER by K.S.R. Burns - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining France Book Tours for OUR maiden tour with this group (how exciting!) and shining the spotlight on a perfectly suited title.  Why?  Well, it IS called FRANCE Book Tours and the book just so happens to take place in...you guessed it, FRANCE.  Same-same!  Sorry, leftover Judy Moody-ism.  *ahem*  Moving on..... When I saw the cover, it looked just as sweet as the French Macaroons bedecking it, and I knew I had to take a bite.  Was I rewarded for my love at first site?  Hmm, now that's a bit tricky, but we'll get to the sticky part in a second.  First, let's introduce this little beaut.  Ladies and gents, Monsieurs and Mademoiselles, please join me as we welcome today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

Paris Ever After

by

K.S.R. Burns

Velvet Morning Press 

About the book...

Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after?

Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined.

Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.

As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris? Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.

ADD TO GOODREADS

AMAZON  |  B&N  |  BAMM  |  KOBO | iTUNES | NOOK

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You know how when you're reading and you're REALLY into a story, the pages just fly by, and what seemed like a long book initially ends up not being long enough?  OH yeah, I LOVE that feeling...and yet, sometimes it's harder to grasp than others.  Now hold on, I know what you're thinking...this is all leading into a review, so it MUST mean I didn't enjoy my time between the epages...ah, but see, that making that assumption without reading on would make you mal mort (loosely translated...dead wrong).

See, when locked in the e-passages, I found myself getting bogged down by the details.  It wasn't so much the fact that the author takes us on a walking tour of France (très beau), or that the French language is sprinkled throughout the text (hello, it IS set there after all!), but there were things I felt I should have already known or understood better from the start.  Being the second in the series, I think I would have cared more for the characters earlier on if I'd read the first.  For example, Margaret is such a source of strength for Amy, but in my time with her, I saw more of the stereotypical French attitude than motherly affection...true she was going through some MAJOR things, but still. I mean, some books work better as standalone titles, while others need their compadres to prop them up a little; that's nothing to frown at, just another reason to READ MORE!  So, let's get down to business....

As I read, I was rooting for Amy to stay in France even though it seemed things were getting tougher by the moment...it seemed her heart was there even if everything else was screaming for escape...and while I wouldn't have taken the leap of faith she did without making William sing first (he said he had news but kept hedging, spill it son!), she did so with her whole heart.  I literally wanted to knock the head off of William's scummy shoulders after he finally gave her the big news, or rather she pried it from him (and his suitcase!)...but he'll get what's coming to him eventually; karma likes a challenge.  Meanwhile, Manu played a most unexpected role between the start and the finish...I honestly didn't see that transition coming...and Herve, well, let's just say I was surprised, but I wasn't (something didn't quite add up with all those business ventures).  I wish I could say I loved Margaret, but the side I saw of her wasn't very likable, nor was that of someone else that I won't mention by name because it will spoil the surprise, but I did actually appreciate the presence of Kat, however "distant" it was.  She seemed like someone to know, and yet another reason to perhaps read that first book.

After having finished my read through, and taking a step away from the epages, I can more fully appreciate the story as a whole.  It was filled with secrets, revelations, final goodbyes, and new beginnings...all of which add up to a surprisingly good read.  See?  Aren't you glad you kept reading past my intro?  A great addition to your Women's Fiction collection or weekend reading list...though I do suggest perhaps taking in The Paris Effect first.

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About the author...

K. S. R. Burns is the author of the Amazon bestseller, THE PARIS EFFECT, its upcoming standalone sequel PARIS EVER AFTER, and THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF WORKING GIRL: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use.

She has lived and worked in four countries and 22 cities, including Paris.  No longer a wanderer, Burns now resides in the Pacific Northwest, where in addition to novels she writes a weekly career advice column for The Seattle Times.  Subscribe to her newsletter.

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to Emma at France Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as 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.  This title just celebrated its BOOK BIRTHDAY on the 1st, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today!

BEFORE YOU GO...

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN IN THE TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY!

Up for grabs...FIVE digital copies of this very book!

OPEN WORLDWIDE!

JUST CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE FORM!


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