What goes around, comes around: KARMACK by J.C. Whyte

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the site that aims to please the reader in you every day of the week….Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we’re exploring inside the ecover of a Middle Grade/Tween novel from author J.C. Whyte, which keeps us right in line with my theme of things I love (and perhaps you should consider too  ^_^). It serves up a great message for guys and gals alike while ensnaring readers with its many charms.  Ready to join me on another adventure through the pages?  You’ll have to be “speedy-eyed” if you’re to see all the action, but I’ve got faith in you.  (^_^)  Today’s ebook of choice is…

Karmack

By

J.C. Whyte

9781771273350

MuseItUp Publishing

About the book…

A strange little creature enters the lives of three tough guys at Higgins Elementary. And from that point on, pranks come back like boomerangs, smacking the bullies right in their fifth grade butts!

 

Sully, the leader of the gang, is the only one who can see this creature, which he names Karmack. Sully learns that the creature’s job is to balance all the bad pranks the bullies have pulled over the years. Karmack warns that if this fails,

“dreadful, awful doom” awaits them all.

 

Sully soon realizes that he must save not only himself but his friends, who have no idea why they keep getting boomeranged by Karmack!

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First let me say….I REALLY LIKED THIS STORY!  I’m not an ebook fan by any means, but sometimes a story will come along that’s only available in that particular format and it sounds good enough to turn my head.  Needless to say when it turns out even better than anticipated, I not only count it as a win but a DOUBLE WIN.  One for the pleasure achieved by reading it and another for the ability to now share it with all of you.  So, shall we now continue?  *ponders*  Yep…I think that sounds like a marvelous plan. 

Okay, so the little critter gets his name from a misunderstanding between him and our lead, Sully.  You see, Karmack’s name is actually derived from his job…as a Karmic Balancer.  See where this is going?  Hence the boomeranging pranks and what not.  Anywho, Karmack has been sent to balance Sully and his friends, but what he sees as bad karma, they only see as jokes meant to amuse themselves.  Oh for the love of little boys, or in this case…little bullies!  Thing is, Sully and friends don’t see themselves that way which is pushing their karmic  balance all out of whack and literally creating a tower of bad karma ready to topple right on top of their little “angelic” heads.  *cough cough*  Let’s just say, if Karmack is gonna keep them from the BIG AWFUL DOOM, he’s got his work cut out for him. 

Does he succeed?  I bet you’re on the edge of your seat for that answer.  Well, as I’m not one to spoil the BIG surprise  (or at least I try not to), the answer is both yes and no, and the yes part is not in the way you might be thinking.  This bodes well for some of our friends (those that maybe-sorta-kinda escape the BIG part of the DOOM), and not so much for a few others (those on the opposite end of that hyphenated sentence previously made).  The COOLEST part about it though is that those that make it through, those that survive everything that happens, earn a reward greater than money, greater than fame (though some goes along with it)…they grow up.  They learn a few of the BIG lessons that life has in store for everyone in their own time and the outcome is just right.

In conclusion, it's not a fairy tale nor a myth but a fun and amusing story that reminds us that what goes around comes around...eventually...and sometimes with an even mightier THUNK than when the initial "hurt" was carried out.  Score 1 for karma; bad guys, zilch!  A wonderful read that will entice Middle Grade readers of all ages, both male and female.  (Yep, add another title to your "boys reads" lists!)

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About the Author…

J. C. Whyte discovered a love for writing while she was still in elementary school. Back then of course, she only wrote children’s stories. But when she grew up, J. C. had to face the harsh reality that such writing seldom pays the bills. So she got her degrees in Journalism and Communications, and turned to Public Relations, where for ten years she focused her creative energies in feature writing.

Then after marriage, kids, several more degrees and occupations (including stints as a travel agent and paralegal), J. C. entered law school. While there, she became a columnist for the student newsletter; one of her humorous articles was even published in The National Jurist.

After graduating and passing the Bar, J. C. realized within a few years that creative writing was still what made her heart sing. So now, as a grandma, she has returned to writing for children. And with the publication of Karmack, she’s come full circle, back to where her writing journey truly began!

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Ebook for review courtesy of author J.C. Whyte and MuseItUp Publishing.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, friend them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  This ebook was released in 2013 via MuseItUp Young, an imprint of MuseItUp Publishing so be on the lookout for it at an ebook retailer of your choosing.  Oh and one more thing!  Since we’re all readers here, or at the very least interested know one, the publisher also has a Readers Club you can join with lots of cool benefits and the promise of more great reads ahead…and who wouldn’t like THAT opportunity?  ^_^

Until next time…happy reading!

WINNERS WINNERS WINNERS!

Hi there everyone!

It's time for yet another announcement today, but this is another fun one, I guarantee.  We have a few winners to announce as one contest closed this weekend and another one ended early so without further adieu, may I present the winners....

 

 

#8 - Carrie at In the Hammock Blog

You've won an ARC of The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike....provided I receive your mailing information in the next 48 hours....  ^_^

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#20 - ONESHORTKUTZ

You've won a copy of The Chill of Night by James Hayman...and since you included your address in the entry, I've already submitted it for prize send out.

 

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone that entered!  Didn't win?  No worries!  Check out the current contest going on right now as listed in the right hand sidebar and stay tuned for more fun to come, right here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When 'Karma Bites', Hold Your Own....CONTEST!

Hi!

Welcome back to a what is it...the third post of the day?  Whoa...new record for me I think but hey, this bit of fun needed to be shared, pronto.  You may have heard about a new book that made it's way into the literary world yesterday...you know the one.  What?  You don't recall?  GASP!  No worries, I shall remind thee.

Karma Bites

by Stacy Kramer and Val Thomas

Ring a bell now?

Thought it might.  I mean besides the great cover and fun title, reviews and BUZZ have been everywhere...including right here!  Yes, that was a shameless plug but it is what it is.  Anywho...

The wonderful author team behind this latest fun release have devised a contest within a contest idea, but gave book bloggers free reign on how to present it and what exactly to present.  Confused?  Let me explain.  For those bloggers that participate, the prize up for grabs is the chance to win an ARC of one of their two upcoming titles...not bad, right?  There's more.  The GRAND PRIZE winner will get their blog's name incorparated into the story line of one of their upcoming books!  Excited yet?  I am.  But wait...

Originally I wasn't going to participate in this contest.  Why?  Well, although the concept is interesting and the "free form" of it all, different to say the least....I just wasn't certain what to present as an appropriate prize for you, my readers.  Luckily for both of us, a very special and very fun package landed on my doorstep just yesterday. 

Have you caught your breath yet?

No...your eyes are NOT deceiving you.

I was fortunate enough to snag an ARC of The Secret of Ka by Christoper Pike via Twitter thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (yes, the same great folks that published Karma Bites...how's THAT for karma?)!  If that wasn't wonderful enough, the great folks over there included a few extra copies for me to distribute to other readers...YAY ME and therefore YAY YOU!

Now I know what your thinking....how do these two books tie together?

Good question and a valid one at that.  Besides sharing the same publisher, they both deal with magic in their own unique ways.  Plus, the author of The Secret of Ka, Christopher Pike, happened to pen a 'Chain Letter' series which is so beyond perfect for this contest (you'll see why when you see how to enter) that it can't merely be viewed as a coincidence

Welcome to the official start of my entry into the contests for a contest....

When Karma Bites, HOLD YOUR OWN - CONTEST!

Like the title?  Hope so...I was trying to go for something catchy.  So, let's get to the nitty gritty details of it all, shall we...since this one requires a bit of work on both our parts.

The prize:

(1) ARC of The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike

A little about the book straight from the back cover:

Could finding a flying carpet change the course of your life -- in a bad way?

One minute Sara's bored out of her mind on vacation in Istanbul.  The next, she's unearthed a flying carpet that cleverly drags her to the mysterious Island of the Djinn -- or genies.  By her side is Amesh, a hot boy she has a crush on but doesn't yet trust.  When Amesh learns the secret of invoking djinn, he loses control.  He swears he'll call upon only one djinn and make only one wish.  The plan sounds safe enough...

But neither Sara nor Amesh is any match for the monster that swells before them.  It quickly hypnotizes Amesh, compelling him to steal Sara's flying carpet and leave her stranded on the island.

Discovering the carpet has sparked a new path for Sara, one that will lead her to battle creatures even deadlier than djinn.  In this fight, Sara can save mankind, herself, or the boy she cares for.  Who will she be forced to sacrifice?

Sounds good, right?

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How to enter:

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS IS A TWO STEP ENTRY PROCESS.

BOTH STEPS ARE REQUIRED FOR YOUR ENTRY TO BE COUNTED.

STEP ONE

I need you to send an email.  No worries, you won't be spamming someone or anything, this is all strictly by the book from the guidelines as received from the authors!

Here's what it needs to include....

Send to:  BittenByKarma@gmail.com

Subject:  Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - "chain-letter"

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STEP TWO

Fill out this FORM.

(I've kept it simple...promise!)

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The rules:

*Open to US mailing addresses only (sorry guys...I'm footing the postage).  No P. O. Boxes please.

* Entries will be accepted from Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 through Sunday, August 29th, 2010 at midnight CST. The entries will be tallied and entered into the random.org randomizer, after which a random number will be picked by their number generator. (This way all the entries are mixed up nicely.)

* All entries must be submitted using the form accessible through this post. You MUST include your email address in order to be counted as well as contacted should you be chosen as the winner!

*The winner will be announced and contacted via email by Monday, August 30th, 2010 and will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address, unless of course it was provided in the entry form initially. Should they fail to respond in the given time frame, a new winner will be chosen.

*Winner's name and address will be used by yours truly for prize send out only and then discarded.

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See?

Not so bad.

YOU help me...and I reward YOU with bookish goodness.

Good trade!

So, get your entry in and spread the word both about the book AND the contest!

Until next time....happy reading!

Happy Book Birthday: Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas

Hi there!

Happy Monday to you from me, the Insatiable Reader...here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!  (Hmm, good place to be with a name like that....)  Today we usher in a new week, well it is Monday after all, but more than that, we are making a point to say...Hello world!  Did you know a great read was "born" today?  Yep, it was!  Allow me to introduce you...  Okay, so the great read part is my opinion, but it is definitely shared by many folks that have had the privilege of reading this new gem.  Today's book of choice celebrating its birthday-type arrival into the literary world is....

Karma Bites

by

Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas

A great story filled with the antics of a young girl just trying to make the world (okay..her world) a better place...one heartfelt wish at a time. Franny Flanders is a border crosser in the hierarchy that is middle school...crossing the lines of peaks, geeks, beeks (and so on) in order to stay a true friend to her two besties.  She's running interference so much , she barely has time for herself, but THAT is all about to change thanks to Franny's Granny (gotta love that combo) and her magic box. Magic box?  Yep, magic box.  It seems it has a recipe to solve whatever ails you. Sort of like a magic eight ball combined with an Easy Bake oven.  Sounds cool, right?  Well, the box comes with a set of strict instructions, the main one being moderation.  You are only to use the box when all else fails and sparingly even then (Okay, now I'm getting a flashback to Gremlins...you know, don't feed the critters after midnight, or else...). But really, what harm could come from trying to spread a little good will? Franny is about to find out...

When reading this book, it's hard not to get caught up in the drama of it all.  I mean whether you're in middle school, looking forward to going, or have been-there-done-that many moons ago, you can relate to at least one character either primary or secondary in this story.  I myself found a bit of myself in Franny, since I was more border crosser than any one group in school.  Let's just hope the one you identify with isn't Elodie.  We're talking school kid Queen B with an attitude to match...and that's not quite a compliment.  *shudders* Franny on the other hand is a jewel.  She tries her best to make everyone happy even when it's at the expense of herself....definitely something she learns from by book's end.  With a full cast of characters worth a mention, it's hard to not list them all.  From Franny's friends Joey and Kate, to her never tired of playing and fighting brothers....and especially Franny's wee tad eccentric Granny (but she KNOWS her stuff!) and Lama Tensing Pasha, guru extraordinaire and spiritual advisor to the stars (and winged taxi to one uber hottie singer Justi....well, you'll see when you read it...hehe.....it's really the only part that threw me for a loop, but the Stacy Kramer was kind enough to explain why it was there....).  You never quite know who you'll bump into next.

Though listed as Middle Grade Fiction, the only thing that keeps it there is the age of the lead characters (they're 12, but they seem far more mature than some adults I know)....the story itself, is perfectly suited to the YA genre and fans of it. Highly recommend this gem of a book if not purely for the fun story for the recipes!  That's right!  YOU, readers, get to try out some of the recipes Franny uses within the story from the "Make-It-Better Munchie Mix" to the "Sensationally Sexy Smoothie" (a favorite of mine I might add.....although the spinning in a circle and chanting bit in the instructions would definitely turn a few heads if done in public), all to rather delicious ends. 

All in all, I'd say this book is really about being true to yourself and therefore presenting the real you to others.  Only in this way can you develop those life long bonds of friendship (and maybe something more with the cute boy she is crushing on) worth nurturing in the years to come.  That and also a great study in social structure.  I mean once the lines begin to cross and the so called rules are removed, utter chaos races right in.  Definitely a good case for mingling among social groups, but not necessarily the total annihilation of them.  This book was scheduled for release TODAY...so a great big HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to both the book and it's illustrious authors!  (I tried putting a cake and candles in the screen to share, but ended up having to wipe icing off the monitor.  This pic will have to do....)

Special thanks to author Stacy Kramer and Jennifer at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  To find out more about Franny, her adventures, and what others are saying about her novel debut, visit the official Karma Bites website, or follow author Stacy Kramer or Valerie Thomas on Twitter!  To learn more about the publisher and their catalog of books, check out their website or...guess where....yep, Twitter!

COMMENT CREATOR

Boy, it's been a while since I've done one of these....for those of you new to the site and wondering what in the world this is....it's an idea starter, a conversation creator if you will.  It gives you something to start from if you should decide to a leave a  comment on my post.  So, today's question...what were YOU like in middle/high school?  Would you be hanging out with the poms (cheerleaders)?  Planning gigs with the beeks (band geek)?  Or perhaps somewhere altogether different?  Do tell!

Until next time....happy reading!