Rockstar Book Tours presents... SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS by Jenna Evans Welch - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

For our second post of the day, I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS by Jenna Evans Welch BLOG TOUR hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review post, make sure to enter the giveaway, and then click on over to the other sites participating for more bookish fun!

 

Title: SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS

Author: Jenna Evans Welch

Pub. Date: September 27, 2022

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 368

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

From the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato comes a poignant and romantic novel about two teens trying to find their place in the world after being unceremoniously dragged to Salem, Massachusetts, for the summer.

Willow has never felt like she belonged anywhere and is convinced that the only way to find a true home is to travel the world. But her plans to act on her dream are put on hold when her aloof and often absent mother drags Willow to Salem, Massachusetts, to wrap up the affairs of an aunt Willow didn’t even know she had. An aunt who may or may not have been a witch.

There, she meets Mason, a loner who’s always felt out of place and has been in and out of foster homes his entire life. He’s been classified as one of the runaways, constantly searching for ways to make it back to his mom; even if she can’t take care of him, it’s his job to try and take care of her. Isn’t it?

Naturally pulled to one another, Willow and Mason set out across Salem to discover the secret past of Willow’s mother, her aunt, and the ambiguous history of her family. During all of this, the two can’t help but act on their natural connection. But with the amount of baggage between them—and Willow’s growing conviction her family might be cursed—can they manage to hold onto each other?

 

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This was a magic infused story about family, acceptance, forgiveness, and moving forward.  It was a reminder that we can't forget the past because it affects us even in the present, but if we LEARN from it, it was never in vain.  Willow has A LOT to learn about her mother, her family heritage, and the true desires of her heart.  Mason has A LOT to learn as well about his path in life, accepting the things he cannot change, and being open to the possibilities of tomorrow.  Signs may not always come in threes, nor direct us on the straight and narrow, but they are all around us to take as we wish, decipher how we need, and contemplate as we turn another page.  

I loved the magical aspect built into Willow's family history, and the setting chose couldn't have been any more perfect.  The sense of being lost that she's kept close to her heart unsettles when she arrives at the "estate", and it was heartwarming to see her open to the new experiences around her, while being unable to resist uncovering the secrets of the past.  I felt for Mason and his heartfelt desire to be with his mom again.  He never wanted to give up on her, always knew that she was working on getting better, and couldn't wait to see the day that she and he would be back together to stay.  Sometimes though, what looks like giving up is actually someone else's way of ensuring we are cared for.  

In the end, it had its ups and downs, but what family doesn't?  Leaning into their past allowed them to brighten their futures, and find the solution to an age old curse that was something much more than what it seemed on the surface.  

 

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About the author...

Jenna Evans Welch was the kind of insatiable child reader who had no choice but to grow up to become a writer. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Gelato, Love & Luck, and Love & Olives. When she isn’t writing girl abroad stories, Jenna can be found chasing her children or making elaborate messes in the kitchen. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and two young children. Visit her online at JennaEvansWelch.com. 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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~~~   GIVEAWAY  ~~~ 

1 winner will receive a physical copy of SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS, US Only.

Ends October 15^th, Midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to the Rockstar Book Tours team for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for 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 is available now, wherever books are sold. Catch the rest of the tour for more!

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/12/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
9/13/2022	Kayl's Krazy Obsession	Review
9/14/2022	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	Stacialovestoread	Review/IG Post
9/16/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Review/IG Post
9/17/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

9/18/2022	booksaremagictoo	Review/IG Post
9/19/2022	Mom with a Reading Problem	Review/IG Post
9/20/2022	wiltedpages	Review/TikTok Post
9/21/2022	Lisa Loves Literature	Review/IG Post
9/22/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
9/23/2022	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
9/24/2022	My.Bookish.Mind	IG Review/TikTok Post

Week Three:

9/25/2022	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post
9/26/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
9/27/2022	onemused	IG Review
9/28/2022	pluvioreads	Review/TikTok Post
9/29/2022	@booksrn_rashi	IG Review
9/30/2022	Novel Novice	IG Spotlight
10/1/2022	Star-Crossed Book Blog	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

10/2/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
10/3/2022	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review
10/4/2022	Book-Keeping	Review/IG Post
10/5/2022	Momfluenster	IG Review/FB Post
10/6/2022	Celia's Reads	Review/IG Post
10/7/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
10/8/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review

Week Five:

10/9/2022

The Moon Phoenix

Review/IG Post

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

RRR presents... THE WITCH'S TREE by Elena Collins - REVIEW!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're bringing the books to you double time. That's right! Another day, another...TWO book tours ready and raring to go! As with my reading tastes, they are in completely different genres, and mostly different categories, but hey...that's what keeps it interesting! It's like Forrest Gump said...you never know what you're gonna get. Anywho, enough with the chocolate and more with the book!

First up, a Rachel's Random Resources tour featuring an AMAZING newly published (as of yesterday!) Historical Fiction novel you won't want to miss. There's dual timelines, eerieness, beauty, loss, hope, and so many more feels...you'll be connected to the page from start to finish. Don 't believe me? Well then, take a gander at this...

The Witch's Tree

by

Elena Collins

Boldwood Books

About the book...

A tale as old as time. A spirit that has never rested.

Present day

As a love affair comes to an end, and with it her dreams for her future, artist Selena needs a retreat. The picture-postcard Sloe Cottage in the Somerset village of Ashcombe promises to be the perfect place to forget her problems, and Selena settles into her new home as spring arrives. But it isn’t long before Selena hears the past whispering to her. Sloe Cottage is keeping secrets which refuse to stay hidden.

1682

Grace Cotter longs for nothing more than a husband and family of her own. Content enough with her work on the farm, looking after her father, and learning the secrets of her grandmother Bett’s healing hands, nevertheless Grace still hopes for love. But these are dangerous times for dreamers, and rumours and gossip can be deadly. One mis-move and Grace’s fate looks set…

Separated by three hundred years, two women are drawn together by a home bathed in blood and magic. Grace Cotter’s spirit needs to rest, and only Selena can help her now.

AMAZON

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I love a dual timeline when it's done right, and this one is another great example of just that...and maybe even a step further. You see, once upon a time, Grace Cotter lived a simple life. She held some sway over herbs and wildlife thanks to the teachings of her gran, and a gentle heart, but those weren't enough to spare her from the tragedies of life...including the end of her own. Meanwhile, in present day life, Cassie is struggling along after having her heart broken twice, for very different reasons, and is having a difficult time moving forward. Her friends mean well, but her heart's not in it. She needs time to heal, time to let her soul repair itself, time to get back to herself...and yet in seeking that resuscitation of her own life, like recognizes like in the sadness of her soul, bringing her that much closer to uncovering a mystery CENTURIES in the making. Is the presence at Sloe Cottage malevolent or is it simply something, or someone, that can't let go?

Oh, I'm telling you friends, THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. It had just enough eeriness to keep you on your toes, just enough heartache to make you wish it away, just enough beauty to keep you looking for more, and so much intrigue as things unfolded that there was no way you could be forced to step away. There was sadness and joy, hope found in hopeless times, and tragedy turned right once again. Your heart was tangled in the story from the start, whether you wanted it to be or not, and the only way to truly satisfy the connection was to see it to the mesmerizing end.

A great read for Historical Fiction fans that like a little mystery with their days gone by, and a surprisingly emotional read that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

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About the author...

Elena Collins is the pen name of Judy Leigh. Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens, A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |   INSTAGRAM

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you and to Boldwood Books for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of tour for more bookish fun!

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

End of August Roundup: THE WITCH HAVEN by Sasha Peyton Smith - REVIEW!

Hi guys and gals!

I'll be posting a few reviews on the go today, so we're doing it short, sweet, and roundup style, but that doesn't mean they deserve any less love! It simply means I've a plethora to share and a job that demands too much of my time (*grumble grumble*), but the sharing must go on!  Up first, a Young Adult title with a magical vein running strong throughout, and many surprises  😮  you'll want to read to believe! 

The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith

This is a story of more than just magic, although that would be quite enough as is. This is a story about family, friends, belonging, and all the challenges the heart can present when we allow it to actually FEEL.

Frances is a memorable leading lady, despite feeling anything but, and more lost than anything else. She's been dealt a bad hand, yet is determined not to let it take her down. She'll fight for what's right. She'll see those who caused pain put to justice. She'll discover so much about herself, her heritage, and just what friendship, true sisterhood REALLY means... all while giving readers a read to remember!

A great read for YA lit fans that should not be missed!

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC for review. If you don't have this on your radar yet, it's available now so you know what to do!

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

Rockstar Book Tours presents... VAN HELSING ACADEMY by Stacey O'Neale - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, I'm thrilled to be hosting a spot on the VAN HELSING ACADEMY by Stacey O'Neale Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. It features a NEW RELEASE to the Young Adult Paranormal Romance genre and it SERIOUSLY keeps you in the moment!  Check out my review and before you go, make sure to enter the giveaway!  First things first, the official introduction...

VAN HELSING ACADEMY

(Supernatural Rehab #1)

by

Stacey O'Neale

Pub. Date: April 28, 2020

Publisher: Phoenix Reign Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 264

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

About the book...

Welcome to the Van Helsing Academy: a rehabilitation center for vampires, shifters, and witches who don't like to follow the rules.

Mina can't remember anything about the night she was attacked. All she knows is what she's been told: she got separated from her team during a mission and turned up two months later covered in cuts and bruises alongside two dead vampires.

After being blamed for their deaths, she is sentenced to three years at the supernatural rehabilitation center, the Van Helsing Academy.

As Mina searches for answers, lies are slowly unraveled and alliances forged. Soon she will uncover a secret plot that threatens to destroy her family legacy and ignite a war between the supernatural factions.

Van Helsing Academy is the first book in a new YA paranormal romance series. No harem. Perfect for fans of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, and Mythos Academy by Jennifer Estep.

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Ever get the feeling when you start a new book, especially a series starter, that you just KNOW it's gonna keep you turning pages?  You know, that little tingle that for some reason you don't question the story you're about to start, you just know it's gonna be good.  Yeah, that's how I started this one and boy was I....RIGHT!

With a name like Van Helsing, you automatically start looking for things that seem familiar...like her name (Mina), her parents (Lucy and Jonathan), and the ties to the supernatural (self explanatory).  What you don't know to look for are the uniquely original characters (Kiera...I ADORE her!), the hunky shouldn't-be-heartthrobs (umm...take your pick...shifter or vampire?), and the bit...I mean, witches with a chip on their shoulders...not to mention the story that goes beyond simply another supernaturally laced romance.  There is trouble brewing among the factions, and while someone obviously wanted the Van Helsings fingered in the wrong doing, you simply can't ignore that the underlying someones and their plans are SO MUCH BIGGER than that.  With tension spreading like lightning through a stormy sky, Mina will need all her wits, all her talent, all her learned skills, and all her newly forged connections (even if she was attempting to suffer her three years lone ranger style) if she even hopes to clear her name, let alone save their worlds as they know them, and perhaps improve them.

If you're a Young Adult fan who loves a healthy dose of "paranormal activity" (watch out for that Wiccan festival!), and a plot that twists and turns every time you think you've got it all figured out, this is totally the book for you!  Can't wait to see what the author has in store for the next installment!

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About Stacey:

Award-winning author, Stacey O'Neale, lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for Entangled Publishing. Stacey writes young adult fantasy and adult paranormal romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr. You can also visit her blog at staceyoneale.com/.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Book Bub

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, INTERNATIONAL.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/27/2020	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
4/28/2020	Mythical Books	Excerpt
4/29/2020	She Just Loves Books	Review
4/30/2020	momfluenster	Excerpt
5/1/2020	popthebutterfly reads	Review

Week Two:

5/4/2020	Smada's Book Smack	Review
5/5/2020	Abellafairytale blog	Review
5/6/2020	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
5/7/2020	Hurn Publications	Review
5/8/2020	Moonlight Rendezvous	Review

Week Three:

5/11/2020	Journey in Bookland	Review
5/12/2020	The Phantom Paragrapher	Review
5/13/2020	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
5/14/2020	Reese's Reviews	Review
5/15/2020	Down The Rabbit Hole	Review

Week Four:

5/18/2020	Lisa Loves Literature	Excerpt
5/19/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
5/20/2020	Gizmos's Reviews	Review
5/21/2020	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
5/22/2020	A Dream Within A Dream	Review

Week Five:

5/25/2020	DJREADSBOOKS	Excerpt
5/26/2020	A Gingerly Review	Excerpt
5/27/2020	The Book Junkie Reads . . .	Excerpt
5/28/2020	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt
5/29/2020	TMBA Corbett Tries to Write	Review