TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey by Pat Black-Gould - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we welcome The Children's Book Review as we feature a moving and heartfelt Picture Book currently on tour. It takes us back in history to a time of great persecution, and shows us the events through a child's eyes. It's quite the change in perspective, and that subtle switch sheds a whole new light on the tragedy of the events. Ladies and gents, I give you today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...

The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey

by

Pat Black-Gould

Illustrated by

Katya Royz

9781955119207

Purple Butterfly Press

About the book...

A Star of David necklace or a rosary?

In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died.

The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.

This beautifully illustrated picture book is loosely based on a true story. Although told through the eyes of a young girl, the book is written for readers of all ages. It also contains two study guides. One is for children, parents, and teachers. The other is for adults who may gather in places of worship, book clubs, and small groups. Discussion topics include themes of compassion, empathy, and diversity.

AMAZON  |  BOOKSHOP.ORG  |  B&N

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This is truly a story that will make you FEEL, make you THINK, and make you CONSIDER.  The horrid events depicted in a kid-friendly way make it consumable for the audience intended, while still getting across the very wrongness of the situation, and the very rightness of allowing people to be who they truly are.  It wasn't hard to imagine a parent trying to make things easier on their children by turning it into a game.  How else could you explain the fact that they had to hide their true hearts?  How else could you expect them to so readily accept the persona they had to take on and uphold under severe pressure?  How else could they prepare themselves to make the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of their children?

Through easy to understand dialogue, and haunting imagery, the author and illustrator bring a stark beauty to a time that shall never be forgotten, but hopefully learned from.  It's hard to tell in today's world sometimes, but each of us can make an impact.  From the tall to the small, we all have a choice each day to make...to be open and accepting of others, to stand up for those that can't, to take a stand for our own beliefs...to try to make the world a better place one heartbeat at a time.

Readers will come to understand the history covered in a new way, while learning about the efforts of those around the world to make sure it is recorded not simply for posterity, but to serve as a reminder of where hate and bigotry can lead.  A great addition to classroom reading time, as well as those moments at home, and a touching way to help young minds understand, learn, and lead with love.

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About the author...

Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.

Many years ago, Pat heard a powerful story that haunted her until she committed it to paper. The Crystal Beads was first published in Jewish Fiction. net in 2020. The short story then won first-place honors in two writing competitions conducted by the National League of American Pen Women, Washington, D.C.

The first was an award by the Pen Women Florida State Association. She then received the Flannery O’Connor Short Story Award as part of the National Biennial Letters in Competition. Pat felt it important to bring the story to a younger audience. At that point, she rewrote it as a children’s book. She hopes that The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey, will do justice to the story she once heard and carry its message to younger generations.

Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman.

For more information, visit www.patblackgould.com.

FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  GOODREADS

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Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey!

Four (4) winners receive:

(1) signed copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey!

The Crystal Beads: Book Giveaway

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and as well as the ebook 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, July 11, 2022

The Children’s Book Review

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Life Is What It’s Called

An interview with author Pat Black-Gould

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

The Momma Spot

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Friday, July 15, 2022

Writer with Wanderlust

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Monday, July 18, 2022

Me Two Books

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Barbara Ann Mojica

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Thursday, July 21, 2022

The Twirling Book Princess

An article by author Pat Black-Gould

Friday, July 22, 2022

The Fairview Review

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Monday, July 25, 2022

Lisa’s Reading

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Shooting Stars Mag

An article by author Pat Black-Gould

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

J.R.s Book Reviews

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Crafty Moms Share

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

Friday, July 29, 2022

Because I Said So

A book review of The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey

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

A Light in the Desert by Anne Montgomery

 Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're headed out West with a Fiction title that is mighty curious indeed.  There are so many different elements running about, it's hard to wrap your mind around at times, but when reflected on at book's end, the mystery becomes clearer.  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

A Light in the Desert

by

Anne Montgomery

9781614563006

Sarah Book Publishing

About the book...

A Light in the Desert traces the story of a pregnant teenager who bears an odd facial deformity, a Vietnam veteran and former Special Forces sniper who, as he descends into the throes of mental illness, latches onto the girl, and a group of Pentecostal zealots – the Children of Light – who have been waiting over thirty years in the Arizona desert for Armageddon.

The Amtrak Sunset Limited, a passenger train enroute to Los Angeles, is derailed in their midst’s, a deadly act of sabotage. Their lives are thrown into turmoil when local and state police, FBI investigators, and a horde of reporters make camp by the twisted wreckage of the Sunset Limited. As the search for the saboteurs continues, the authorities find more questions than answers. The girl mysteriously vanishes, the assassin struggles to maintain his sanity, and a child is about to be born in the wilderness.

AMAZON   |   B&N

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As I said, SO many different elements.
There's religion, secrets, abuse, vandalism, murder, and mystery...just to name a few.  Separately listed, they seem an odd bunch; put together as one and they create a unique story to say the least.

The basic gist?
Kelly Garcia is a teenager whom fate has not smiled upon. Unloved by her stepmother and overly so by her stepfather, she's a ship without a port to call home in circumstances that are beyond her control.  Despite what was written in her cards, others outside her blood relatives take a shine to her, wanting to do what's best by her and her soon to be born babe.  Between The Children of the Light and Jason Ramm, her future may not be so hard to imagine...that is until some nutters decide to take out the train she just happens to be on.  Grant it those behind the atrocity have had their share of problems, but if we let that be an excuse for improper behavior, than Kelly should be able to do anything carte blanc without someone so much as batting an eye.  No need to worry though, the truth has a way of catching up to people, even when they feel out of reach.

Now, along the way, there are mishaps and situations that no one could possibly predict...yes, outside of the train wreck that is.  One such instance leads a man who prefers the company of the bottle to believe he being visited by the Mother of God while she is with child.  Another finds a man getting lost in his own mind, only to come out believing he is the Messiah.  Finally, that ending!  I'm still reasoning through it and rightfully so when it circles back to Jason Ramm's beginnings.  Nothing is exactly what it seems here, but it reminds us that the same is true in life.  We can't simply take things at face value or from merely what's observed.  What appears to one person as a kidnapping is interpreted as a rescue by another and still a third person may think it was nothing out of the ordinary.  Observation alone doesn't tell us what the circumstances are behind what we are seeing, only experience can take you there.

In the end, an unusual read that will really resonate with some and possibly perplex others.  Personally speaking, I fall somewhere in between the two and I'm perfectly fine with that.  Not every book is cut and dry, sometimes the best ones leave us asking why until we puzzle and puzzle and puzzle things out to a conclusion we can believe in.  Here, Kelly and Jason were obviously the true heroes but I also rather enjoyed Dog the dog.  What can I say....I'm a pet lover and she was an exceptional judge of character.  Recommended read for adult audiences due to some content and concepts discussed.

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About the author...

Anne Butler Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces. When she can, she indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Special thanks to author Anne Montgomery for the signed paperback 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 Sarah Book Publishing, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!



Miles from Nowhere by Amy Clipston

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a look at a title from a new to me author that I learned about from TWO different sources.  Care to guess?  What's that?  Oh yes, the publisher WAS in fact one of them...and that publisher would be Zondervan so we can count on good, clean fun with a Christian angle to the story.  The second source was my bloggy friend Nayu from Nayuleska's Reading Corner!  That's right.  She's read several titles fairly recently from the author's Amish series and though I wasn't personally sold on those, when I saw this new Young Adult title from the same writer, I thought...why not?  So, here we are and away we go!  Today's book of choice is....

Miles from Nowhere

by

Amy Clipston

9780310736707

Zondervan

About the book....

Chelsea Morris has always been responsible, dependable, and focused on her dreams of fashion design—a dream that will officially begin come fall, when she leaves for college in New York City. And as she settles into her role as the lead designer for the local summer stock theater group, she decides to make the most of her last summer in North Carolina. But with her best friend Emily busy working late and spending time with Zander, and tensions with Chelsea’s boyfriend, Todd, running high, the summer she envisioned seems to be falling flat.

Then Dylan joins the latest summer production. There’s something about the college boy that makes her feel free and alive, and soon she’s broken up with Todd, and is sneaking out late to meet Dylan at parties and breaking rules at the playhouse. But before she knows it, her exciting nights are interfering with her job, her role on the play, as well as her relationship with Emily and with her parents. Worse, Chelsea finds herself feeling more and more estranged from God.

As the summer becomes wilder than she ever dreamed, Chelsea must decide if her heart is leading her in the right direction after all.

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Okay, here's the thing.  I'm pretty picky about my Christian Fiction reading selections.  I'm not against Godly messages, verse, or Church in reading, BUT I don't like feeling preached to when I'm trying to get lost in a fictitious story.  So, where did this one rate?  Well, my "preachy radar" was raised a time or two, but then as things progressed, it settled down to a happy little buzz...and speaking of buzzes...

Here we have a story that could have been ripped from any teenagers diary with truth, experimentation, rule breaking, and the dreaded seen-but-ignored consequences.  Chelsea is a great leading lady, well technically she's the lead costumer but you know what I mean.  She takes care of her little brothers, respects her parents, spends times with her friends, and chases her dreams with an open heart.  She also has a wonderful fella who adores her...too bad he's a bit distracted this summer (with good reason, but still...we all know that a lack of attention can make the relationship road more than a bit rocky).  Guess it's a good thing she's really throwing herself into the summer production of Grease...and it doesn't hurt that she's getting a bit of extra attention from one of the male leads either.  Now, before you go getting any ideas, she's a good kid, without a traitorous bone in her body, but the heart wants what it wants, no matter how fleeting or confused it might be.  The fallout from those decisions can be heartbreaking, earthshaking, and even....deadly.

I must say, I really enjoyed this story more than I thought I was going to.  I really connected with Chelsea (yeah, I was and am the "responsible, dependable, and focused" type) and appreciated her desire to break free of the image she found herself towing the line for.  At times her choices made me cringe (going against her mother, sneaking out, DRINKING!) but I held out hope that she'd see the light and find her way back.  All it took, was a little help from her TRUE friends, a re-connection with the big guy upstairs, and some twisted metal....don't ask, you'll have to read it to understand THAT one.  She comes out better for it in the end, with stronger relationships with all those that really matter (Marni, her parents, Dylan, the plays producer, to name a few).

In conclusion, it's a book that tackles the BIG topics teens face in our day and age with grit AND grace.  You've got underage drinking AND driving, unsupervised parties, the desire to be cool above all else, and the need to try the path less traveled despite the warning signs posted in flashing neon lights, all with the consequences that some of this seemingly invincible set never believe will happen to them.  It doesn't matter how smart or pretty or rich or cool you are, what matters is what you put first in your life and what's in your heart of hearts.  When that's settled and at peace, you're truly free to follow the path set forth for you and those that try to stand in your way will merely seem like another opportunity for growth instead of obstacles.  So, what's in your heart?  Are you secure in your relationships with others, your beliefs, and your life path?  If so, I APPLAUD YOU...if not, it's never too late.

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About the author...

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and best-selling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple best-seller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats. 

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Review copy received courtesy of Liane at Zonderkidz.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher's complete catalog, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title was released April 2015 via Zondervan, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Do you believe?: Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Why hello there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're celebrating the PRE-PUB release of a unique Young Adult title set to hit stores shelves this June via Roaring Brook Press.  (Note it....I'll wait....)  It's a contemporary story that deals with the subjects of faith, beliefs, family, and finding your own way, with a cast that could have easily come from a few of the reality TV shows currently on air.  What brought about my review?  Ahh, now that is an interesting story...

Well, first off, my utter enjoyment of the title, which I shall share more of just a moment (okay, so that wasn't that unexpected).  Second, the revelation from a coworker that has recently "settled her soul".  There's more to that story too (that I won't divulge) but the gist of it is them finding themselves again and being eye to eye with the big G upstairs.  It was her sudden outpouring of faith filled words that reminded me of this little gem sitting on my "read-but-need-to-review" shelf.  It very much brought our leading lady's family to mind.  Will my review upset some readers?  Perhaps, but again...it's my own point of view; your buy in is not required but your thoughts are appreciated.  Anywho, ladies and gents, make way for today's book of choice...

Devoted

by

Jennifer Mathieu

9781596439115

Roaring Brook Press

About the book....

Rachel Walker is devoted to God. She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy. But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can't shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.

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Ring any bells?
Perhaps a certain high-number-and-counting show that's mega popular and even has the "modest" family starring in pop culture magazine articles?  Yeah...it's pretty close in general nature and beliefs but offers readers a way to peer into the culture on a somewhat fictitious level.

I readily admit, the family's strength in their beliefs is certainly to be respected, to each their own on that matter, however some of the requirements or rules set for each sex are downright hard to swallow.  Young girls learning (pretty much solely) to be helpmeets to their future partners, obeying their every command and helping them to fruitfully multiply, all while keeping their every thought and action pointed to One above.  Umm, yeah...sorry.  Can't do it.  While I think having perfect faith in something, anything would be wonderful, I simply question too much to submit to their belief system, not to mention that a time or two I really wanted to smack the parents, the siblings, heck EVERYONE who kept going on about the littlest of things.  *ahem*  Moving on...

I really admired Rachel for going against the grain.  It wasn't easy and it certainly wasn't the popular choice, but she did it.  She struck out, discovered her own relationship with the Almighty and with the world in general, doing it with the grace and dignity her family couldn't afford her.  Okay, that was unfair of me...one of her sisters does seem to accept her choices and may even perhaps have her own odyssey of sorts in the future, but still, the term cold shoulder would have been a gentle response compared to the utter disdain her so called loved ones show her.  Thankfully, her landing is softened by those that came before her, namely one Lauren Sullivan.  Her influence weighs in greatly on Rachel's decisions but only at first.  Once she begins to get her balance in the "new world", she discovers that although she may not have all the answers, she needs to be in control of her own destiny to find her way...and a little helping hand from above is always there when needed most.

Overall, a book I'd highly recommend for Young Adult fans of all ages.  Whether you're curious about what goes on behind the beliefs in the "Quiverfull" culture, or simply looking for a contemporary read to pass a few hours with characters that will really move you, this is a book that should be on your radar.

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About the author...

Jennifer Mathieu started writing stories when she was in kindergarten and now teaches English to middle and high schoolers. She lives in Texas with her husband, her son, her dog, and two cats. Nothing bad has ever been written on the bathroom stall about Jennifer. At least she doesn't think so. The Truth About Alice is Jennifer's debut novel.

SITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Special thanks to Mary at MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or your chance to pre-order the title now, feel free to click through the links provided above.  REMEMBER...this title is set to celebrate its book birthday THIS JUNE!  Don't miss out!

Until next time...happy reading!