PRE BOOK BIRTHDAY BUZZ: Mona Lisas and Little White Lies by John Herrick

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're helping to spread the PRE BOOK BIRTHDAY BUZZ for the forthcoming release from author John Herrick.  If the name sounds familiar, it should...I've read/reviewed several of his other works and have yet to be disappointed.  This time around, it's a Romantic Comedy that will have you not only in stitches, but by the heart strings as you hold your breath wondering whether life will imitate art and if love of a muse can turn into something more.  Ready or not, make room on your wish list for today's book of choice...

Mona Lisas and Little White Lies

by

John Herrick

9781732431409

Segue Blue

About the book...

She’s America’s hottest new celebrity. But her identity remains a secret.

Lily Machara is a wisecracking auto mechanic. She’s never cared for glitz or drama. But when Ryder Flynn, a rising star in the world of commercial art, adopts Lily as his muse after a random sighting, Lily discovers herself painted into his hot new pieces … and becomes America’s newest — anonymous — celebrity.

The only problem: The woman Ryder imagines isn’t the true Lily.

Or is it?

Now, as Lily and Ryder give in to mutual curiosity and a budding romance, Lily’s life — secrets and all — fall victim to a pop culture with one question on its mind: Who is the woman in Ryder Flynn’s art?

Fancy a SIGNED COPY?  Click here!

AMAZON  |  B&N

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I started this one in the middle of the night, just as I was about to tuck in from a long day at work, and I found myself...rather addicted.  From my previous experience with the author's work, I was already high on my anticipation levels for the story to come, and that instant draw to the story was OH SO promising.  Did it live up to my hopes?  You'll see...

I really enjoyed the opening chapters, and meeting the leads for the first time.  It was very one-sided, after all...you didn't REALLY know what she would hold on to come morning...but still so magical.  I loved how he saw such beauty through her pain.  I adored the pedestal he placed her on, and yet it wasn't set at an unattainable height...merely a fantasy (of sorts) that needed a little more explanation, or perhaps imagination.  When Lily discovered herself EVERYWHERE, I could only imagine how disconcerting that had to feel, but the emotions it stirred were enough to set in motion events that may not otherwise have come to pass, allowing her to discover not just the artist behind the art, but the beauty of her own character in ways she hadn't previously viewed herself.  Oh and hats off for the nonconventional life, or rather career choice the author gave her.  Hey, not everyone is made for an office!

Now, I will admit to being a bit concerned for our artistically rendered Mona Lisa as she reached a crossroads or two and things could have gone so many ways my head was spinning! Regardless of the outcome, I was content in the knowledge of one thing...it was gonna be one heck of a trip.  With his high level emotions and her feistiness, there were bound to be some fireworks...whether they were beauty personified or burning something to cinders remained to be seen.  The only issue I had was the lynchpin that seemed ready to potentially tear their whole world apart.  I get it, it was an untruth, but as a reader, it only registered on a minor level.  I had to really place myself in the story and view it through their eyes to feel its full force.  I mean, if this was made to seem this way, what else may be hidden in darker corners?

Like any work of artistry, in the end, it had its ups and downs, but its true beauty shined through. Fans of the author's previous works will not be disappointed (like moi!), nor will those just being inducted into his fan club (like some of you that haven't had the pleasure previously).  This is definitely one novel that is its own unique work of art.

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About the author...

A self-described "broken Christian," John Herrick battled depression since childhood. In that context, however, he developed intuition for themes of spiritual journey and the human heart.

Herrick graduated from the University of Missouri—Columbia. Rejected for every writing position he sought, he turned to information technology and fund development, where he cultivated analytical and project management skills that helped shape his novel-writing process. He seized unpaid opportunities writing radio commercial copy and ghostwriting for two nationally syndicated radio preachers.

The Akron Beacon Journal hailed Herrick's From the Dead as "a solid debut novel." Published in 2010, it became an Amazon bestseller. The Landing, a semifinalist in the inaugural Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, followed.

Herrick's nonfiction book 8 Reasons Your Life Matters introduced him to new readers worldwide. The free e-book surpassed 100,000 downloads and hit #1 on Amazon's Motivational Self-Help and Christian Inspiration bestseller lists. Reader response prompted a trade paperback.

In Between These Walls, readers returned to Hudson, Ohio, to which he introduced them in From the Dead. And in Beautiful Mess, a 2017 Best Book Awards winner, readers found a romantic comedy with a twist on screen legend Marilyn Monroe.

Herrick admits his journey felt disconnected. "It was a challenge but also a growth process," he acknowledges. "But in retrospect, I can see God's fingerprints all over it."

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK

 

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Special thanks to author John Herrick for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or his other works, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is set to release March 19th, 2019 via Segue Blue, so mark your calendar or preorder your copy today!

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



PRE-PUB PARTY: Beautiful Mess by John Herrick

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're throwing a PRE-PUB PARTY for the latest forthcoming novel from author John Herrick.  You may remember his name from your own personal reading, or one of several reviews here on my site (love his work!), and I was nothing but pleased when the opportunity came around to explore between the pages of this work.  It takes us to Hollywood, both old and new, with all the glamour and glitz, all the heartaches and hardships, all the fights to the top and scary long falls to the bottom, as well as those tentative reaches made to rectify a life gone astray, or perhaps even come to the aid of another that missed the warning signs.  Yes, my friends, you're in for a silver screen story right in the palm of your hand, so grab your most fabulous finery (or not, I'm not judging!), and prepare for today's book of choice...

Beautiful Mess

by

John Herrick

Segue Blue

9780991530960

About the book...

A fallen star. A former hippie. And the Marilyn Monroe you only thought you knew.

Del Corwin is an aging Hollywood relic, destined to fade into a history of forgotten legends—unless he can revive his career. All he needs is one last chance.

When Del uncovers an original screenplay by Marilyn Monroe—and proof that she named him its legal guardian—he surges to the top of Hollywood’s A-list. But the opportunity to reclaim his fame and fortune brings a choice: Is Del willing to sacrifice newfound love, self-respect and his most cherished friendship to achieve his greatest dream?

A story of warmth, humor and honesty, BEAUTIFUL MESS follows one man’s journey toward love and relevance where he least expects it—and proves coming-of-age isn’t just for the young.

AMAZON  |  B&N

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A bit of a departure from the author's usual fair, which actually had me worried initially with some of the language and content, but by book's end, it was a Hollywood affair of the heart to remember. We've the aging leading man seeking to make it one last time, delivered that chance by the long gone hands of someone very close to his heart. It seems a perfect match...but sometimes what seems perfect at the start is anything but when the final curtain is called. There's a choice to be made with r A bit of a departure from the author's usual fair, which actually had me worried initially with some of the language and content, but by book's end, it was a Hollywood affair of the heart to remember. We've the aging leading man seeking to make it one last time, delivered that chance by the long gone hands of someone very close to his heart. It seems a perfect match, everyone gets what they want with no strings attached...but sometimes what seems perfect at the start is anything but when the final curtain is called. There's a choice to be made with repercussions both unforeseen and much further reaching than his party of one...and some of those efforts could be lethal. What would you do if fame and fortune were at your door if it meant forsaking the life (gone or not) of another? What indeed... Author John Herrick brings us the glitz and glamour of Hollywood while beseeching us to look beneath the veneer and discover the truth at heart.  We get up close and seemingly personal with some of the big names...only to discover that what we see as Johnny Q. Public isn't always what we get.  It doesn't matter how big a marquee our name is displayed upon...if at the end of the day (or our days, for that matter), we can't honestly say we did all we could to leave a positive mark on the world around us, reached out to those seeking a open ear or kindred heart, or spent our time with a heart full of love versus envy and greed.  If we only lived for ourselves, than what was it all for? Recommended for the author's current fan base as well as those seeking a new "voice" to add to their reading repertoire.  This is one of my "go to " authors and I'll bet my Hollywood star (that I theoretically have) that he'll be one of yours too.  ^-^

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About the author...

A self-described "broken Christian," John Herrick battled depression since childhood. In that context, however, he developed intuition for themes of spiritual journey and the human heart.

Herrick graduated from the University of Missouri—Columbia. Rejected for every writing position he sought, he turned to information technology and fund development, where he cultivated analytical and project management skills that helped shape his novel-writing process. He seized unpaid opportunities writing radio commercial copy and ghostwriting for two nationally syndicated radio preachers.

The Akron Beacon Journal hailed Herrick's From the Dead as "a solid debut novel." Published in 2010, it became an Amazon bestseller. The Landing, a semifinalist in the inaugural Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, followed.

Herrick's nonfiction book 8 Reasons Your Life Matters introduced him to new readers worldwide. The free e-book surpassed 100,000 downloads and hit #1 on Amazon's Motivational Self-Help and Christian Inspiration bestseller lists. Reader response prompted a trade paperback.

His latest novel, Between These Walls, returns readers to Hudson, Ohio, to which he introduced them in From the Dead. Herrick admits his journey felt disconnected. "It was a challenge but also a growth process," he acknowledges. "But in retrospect, I can see God's fingerprints all over it."

      

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Special thanks to author John Herrick for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or his full body of works, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to celebrate its BOOK BIRTHDAY August 1, 2017 via Segue Blue, so mark your calendar or preorder your copy today!

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

PRE-PUB CELEBRATION: Between These Walls by John Herrick

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a look at the latest release from an author who's work we've sampled before.  For those frequent visitors to the site, you might remember my review of From the Dead or perhaps The Landing.  While both were certainly note-worthy and memorable reads, neither was perhaps as hard hitting or controversial as his forthcoming novel, which just so happens to be the one we're reviewing today.  Ladies and gents, get ready to be up in arms in one fashion or another, as I introduce today's book of choice...

Between These Walls

by

John Herrick

9780991530915

Segue Blue

About the book...

Hunter is a Christian. Hunter is the man next door. Hunter Carlisle is gay.

At 26 years old, Hunter Carlisle has a successful sales career, a devoted girlfriend, and rock-solid faith. He also guards a secret torment: an attraction to other men. When a career plunge causes muscle tension, Hunter seeks relief through Gabe Hellman, a handsome massage therapist. What begins as friendship takes a sudden turn and forces the two friends to reconsider the boundaries of attraction. Along the road to self-discovery, Hunter's secret is exposed to the community. Now Hunter must face the demons of his past and confront his long-held fears about reputation, sexual identity, and matters of soul.

A story of faith, fire and restoration, BETWEEN THESE WALLS braves the crossroads of love and religion to question who we are and who we will become. 

AMAZON   |   B&N   |   BAM   |   INDIEBOUND

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This is both a powerful and controversial book.

From the start, I really loved what the author was trying to do....give us a sense of Hunter's current self as well as that of his childhood so that we might develop a more well-rounded picture of our lead.  The glimpses into his past suggested nothing other than normal every day behavior from a growing boy, until one day...something changed.  About the time boys start getting feeling for girls, Hunter realized he felt affection for them too but not the same pull as he did for other males.  He tried to broach the subject anonymously with friends and family to appease his young mind and try to find some shelter for his heart, but the reception he received even in that vague sense of the questions posed was less than welcoming, leading to a lifetime of hiding, unnecessary struggle, and heartache on both sides of the spectrum...and all for what?  To fit in?  To be accepted?  To feel loved?  By book's end, Hunter finds out the true meaning of all these things and more as his journey takes him out of the closet (no, literally...he's in a pre-construction home closet at one point) into the limelight and finally to a place he can call home.

As I said, a powerful read...but one I can also see some taking the wind out of some readers sails.  That latter point, I'm not going to debate.  We are each entitled to our beliefs and I would never force my own on you nor expect yours to be forced on me.  Sharing is one thing, conversion is another.  Personally speaking, I really respected the road Mr. Herrick took with his characters.  Everything felt real, no matter how positive or negative the impact.  Hunter's outing had me gasping, curious to see what might happen next.  His discussion with the pastor was enlightening; I actually shed a tear at his reaction.  That being said, his parent's reactions also had me teary eyed, albeit for different reasons.    Those that reached out to him in his time of need touched my heart, while those that made him the enemy, made my soul cringe...as did their ill effects that spread through the community, hitting home with someone that saw no light at the end of his journey.  It had its moments of triumph, and its moments of defeat, but all in all, allowed readers the glimpse I believe was intended.

There is but one thing I must mention that I felt could have made this an even better read.  Though I understand the author's goal to show us how much Hunter struggled physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually with his every day life, there were times that he got so caught up in his own mind that it took away from the story.  I get it.  I was HARD AS NAILS to deal with well, EVERYTHING, but to read the struggle and actually have the readers hang on to every word, some wanderings could have been cut shorter.  Just my opinion, but there you go.

In the end, a read I'd recommend for any adult reader interested in looking through another's eyes and realizing that though their struggles may be different (or not, depending on the audience), we ALL have things to work through or with.  Whether or not they make us proud is another story, but it doesn't mean that we should be judged by our fellow man any differently.  We are all here to live, learn, and love not just from written words or THE written Word, but from each other.  A kind word, a helping hand, a hug when someone is down, or even a smile shared out of a genuine heart...these are the things we should be openly giving...not ridicule, disgust, and hatred.  Really, where do the latter get us anyway?  There's enough stress in life to go around, and certainly no need to create any more.

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

About the author...

A self-described "broken Christian," John Herrick battled depression since childhood. In that context, however, he developed intuition for themes of spiritual journey and the human heart.

Herrick graduated from the University of Missouri—Columbia. Rejected for every writing position he sought, he turned to information technology and fund development, where he cultivated his analytical and project management skills that helped shape his novel-writing process. He seized unpaid opportunities writing radio commercial copy and ghostwriting for two nationally syndicated radio preachers.

The Akron Beacon Journal hailed Herrick's From the Dead as "a solid debut novel." Published in 2010, it became an Amazon bestseller. The Landing, a semifinalist in the inaugural Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, followed.

Herrick's nonfiction book 8 Reasons Your Life Matters introduced him to new readers worldwide. The free e-book surpassed 100,000 downloads and hit #1 on Amazon's Motivational Self-Help and Christian Inspiration bestseller lists. Reader response prompted a trade paperback.

His latest novel, Between These Walls, returns readers to Hudson, Ohio, to which he introduced them in From the Dead. Herrick admits his journey felt disconnected. "It was a challenge but also a growth process," he acknowledges. "But in retrospect, I can see God's fingerprints all over it."

SITE   |   BLOG   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER 

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Special thanks to author John Herrick for the signed review copy.  (THANK YOU!!!)  For more information on this title, his previous work, the publisher, or anything else that might strike your fancy as you continue to read this post, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is set to celebrate its BOOK BIRTHDAY February 10th, 2015 via Seague Blue, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!