Sometimes there really is... NO ESCAPE by Maren Stoffels - REVIEW!

Looking for your next read?  Fan of Young Adult Fiction with a Mystery/Thriller angle?  Oh...are you in for a TREAT today!  We're taking a look at a title that was just released THIS WEEK via Underlined that fits that genre/subgenre perfectly, and when I say it will keep you on the edge of your seat?  I mean it.  For reals.  As in maybe don't read it with the lights off all alone at night...just saying.  *ahem*  Ladies and gents, let's get between the pages of what might possibly be your next MUST READ...

No Escape

by

Maren Stoffels

9780593708774

Underlined

About the book...

"You have been chosen to participate in a new Escape Room. You can bring one person. The one you trust the most. Your very best friend.”

When Lexi receives an invitation to participate in a brand-new escape room, along with her best friend Tess, she’s thrilled. They could both use the distraction after a recent tragedy.

But once inside, they learn that they must compete against one another.

What do you do when your best friend suddenly becomes your biggest adversary, and every choice you make puts her in danger? How far will you go to win?

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HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN PART IN AN ESCAPE ROOM PARTY?

Better question for me would be WOULD I ever consider it...the answer being a pretty hard NO, but I digress...I'm REALLY curious how many of you HAVE or WOULD!  We actually have one fairly local to where I live, and while the concept is interesting, I'm afraid I wouldn't like the claustrophobic aspect of being "trapped" somewhere that I couldn't just leave.  I get there are clues to get through the room, or in the case of this story, rooms and floors, but I'm still hedging on the HEY to the NO.  Anywho...

In this story, the teens featured like to live on the edge, or at least get out of their own heads from time to time, and that's good all things considered.  An escape room seems like a pretty tame way to do that...though the whole cloak and dagger way they get into this one was throwing RED flags up left and right.  They have more in common than they might think, and once those similarities are found, things start to make a little more sense as to the WHY them, even if the WHO behind it doesn't come screaming through.  I was definitely holding my breath as the story progressed to see who would make it out, discover the identity of the person or persons being interviewed throughout the story, and uncover the big WHY IN THE WORLD behind it all.  The author definitely kept you guessing, but while totally in the dark along the way, by book's end clarity is found...even if it DOES leave the door open for more.

A great read for those looking for a spooky mystery with a thrilling edge, but also a wake up call for those experiencing feelings like the characters, or if you know someone who is, to seek help.  It's out there, but you have to reach for it, or be that hand that aids in pulling someone else to a safe space.

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About the author...

Maren Stoffels published her first book at age seventeen. She likes stories that are based on real experiences. Reading her books make you feel like it could all happen to you. And maybe it will...

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Special thanks to Cat at Nicole Banholzer PR for the chance to bring this title to you and to Underlined for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the series, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Underlined, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so plan a stop by your local brick and mortar, or order your copy online today!

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

RRR presents... MOLLIE MACK, PRIVATE DETECTIVE by Linda Dobinson - SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we shine the BOOK SPOTLIGHT on a new stand alone title from author Linda Dobinson. It's a Middle Grade/Young Adult crossover in the Crime subgenre, so all those future Sherlock's and Enola's out there...take note! This one's for you. Ready or not, here comes today's Rachel's Random Resources tour title in the spotlight...

Mollie Mack, Private Detective

by

Linda Dobinson

About the book...

Mollie is excited!

She has been a private detective for six months, and FINALLY a BIG case has landed on her desk. If she solves it, it will make the papers and make her agency famous. She needs to give it her full attention; but she already has three cases she is working on. And when she gets an unexpected lead in her oldest case, she HAS to run with it.

AMAZON  UK  |  US

KOBO

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About the author.. 

Linda Dobinson was born in Croydon but grew up in Barbados – endless sunshine and never to far from the beach. She has worked in fashion, the motor industry, and been a PA.

In the 90s she picked up her pen and started writing poetry. Her work has appeared in poetry magazines, and for two successive years she had poems selected for the anthologies Southern England and South-West England. Her second collection Encounter reached the top of Amazon’s poetry charts. Since then she has started writing middle grade novels and has discovered that immersing herself in a plot is a great distraction from a pandemic.

GOODREADS  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

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YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...

...a Kindle copy of Mollie Mack, Private Detective!

(Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (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. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

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

AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Audible Original creator Ashli St. Armant!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

So, I have some LATE BREAKING NEWS to share about a recent(ish) Audible Original release!  It's a Jazz infused Young Adult Mystery and from the sound of things, it'll hit the right notes for music AND book lovers alike!  Ready to discover more?  Here's a quick look at what's inside...

Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons 

by

Ashli St. Armant

Read by

Bahni Turpin

About the book...

Viva Durant, New Orleans’ youngest detective is on a quest to solve a jazzy mystery involving hidden treasure, while exploring the city’s unique culture, history and music. This family-friendly Audible Original features original jazz music from the creator, Ashli St. Armant, and enthusiastic narration from world class Audible narrator, Bahni Turpin. Plucky 14-year-old Viva Durant heads to New Orleans every summer to spend time with her loving but stern grandmother, known as Gram. After Gram reads Viva an article in the local paper about a missing treasure related to the world-famous song, “Miss Mary Mack,” Viva traverses the Crescent City on an epic adventure to solve the mystery. Along the way she meets some of the city’s most colorful characters as her journey takes her to the French Quarter, a jazz club, a creepy cemetery, and even the circus. Can Viva rise to the occasion and solve this musical mystery? Listeners will find Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons a joy to listen to!

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It's currently available as a member benefit this month on Audible.com meaning it’s free to all Audible members through December 1st...so yeah, I know, I didn't give you much notice, but HELLO...you can TOTALLY click right on over to snag your copy now!  Ah yes, the digital world has its moments of beauty too.

Now, let's get a closer look straight from the creative mind behind the work, as we welcome author Ashli St. Armant!

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW:  Ashli St. Armant

Hi there! Nice to meet you.

 

 Now, let's get you properly introduced to our reading audience.

In TEN WORDS OR LESS, describe yourself through your eyes...

I’m an entertainer, an educator, a writer, and a mom!



You have quite the varied background (admittedly, I read your bio!) and have had your hands in everything from music/theater programs to an actual jazz band! Which of your past experiences did you enjoy the most and why?

Once, I got a chance to sit in with big band of about 15-20 musicians. That was a dream of mine. With so many musicians, swing dancers, and friends in one room, the energy was outstanding!


What made you decide to branch out into Children's Literature, specifically?

I’ve been a writer since I was 10, and writing has always been a part of my art expression since then. I’ve been creating arts experiences for children since 2008. So, it was a natural for me to tap into my passion for children’s entertainment while trying my hand with long-form writing.

From the sound of things, Viva Durant is quite the little caper solver, or at least she's trying to be. Tell us, what was your favorite part of creating this adventure? Any plans on making it a series?

Because this is mystery, I wrote this story backwards, from end to beginning. I really got a kick out knowing the secrets and the plot twists that absolutely no one else knew, not even the characters in the book!

Of your characters, is there one that you find yourself reflected in most?

In a lot of ways, I am Viva. As a kid, I spent a few summers visiting family in New Orleans, but my experiences were no where near as adventurous as Viva’s! In a way, this story is a reimagining of my childhood.

If there was one message you could have readers/listeners walk away with after the final notes/syllables of Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons have played, what would that be?

Sometimes, adventures can start in the most ordinary place. You just have to be looking for them!



A little quid pro quo, if you would. I'll say FAVORITE and you fill in the blank. Ready? Set? GO! Favorite...
...color? Gray
...season? Fall
...way to relax? A nature walk.
...type of music? Jazz!!  (totally saw that one coming!)
...book/author? Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare). Close second: a children’s book called Leonardo the Terrible Monster (Mo Willems).

Last but not least, any parting words for budding writers/creators out there...

Keep a notepad and pen close by. You never know when you’ll get a great idea for a story!

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Ashli St. Armant is a vocalist, writer, and arts educator, based in Southern California, where she was born and raised. She is the founder of Leaping Lizards Music, a music and theater education program for students, TK-12. She is a professionally trained vocalist and actor who attended the Orange County High School of the Arts and holds a degree in Child Development from Saddleback College. Alongside teaching, writing, and raising her two sons, Ashli tours with her band, Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards, a jazz band for young audiences. Together they have produced four albums featured by NPR and L.A. Times, and have performed at numerous venues including Lincoln Center and Sprout Network (NBC). Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons is Ashli’s debut audio original., and sets the path for her new venture into children’s literature.

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Special thanks to Stephanie at Mayers Consulting for the heads up on this title, as well as the chance to connect with the creator for the awesome interview...and much thanks to Ashli St. Armant for those wonderful answers!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the creator, or the vocalist, feel free to click on through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so check it out on Audible today!

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

Silver Dagger Book Tours presents... TALES FROM THE FOREST by Johanna Sarah Aldridge!

Tales From the Forest

by Johanna Sarah Aldridge

Genre: YA Mystery

The Forest Realm is a magical world within our own. You cannot see it, nor can you hear it, and only very few might be able to feel it. The realm feeds the hungry, shelters the homeless, and protects the hunted... so long as their hearts are pure.

Recently orphaned, two heartbroken brothers are at risk of separation by the government...

A black Labrador leads a colony of rabbits away from danger...

A destitute family of rats seek a new life away from the pollution of the big city...

All have been rescued by the realm of magic, and their lives are truly about to change.

Come and join us in The Forest where magic thrives, adventures are rife, and friendships last forever.  

Goodreads * Amazon

Jo was born in Colchester, Essex, in 1974 and since an early age has always been accused of having a wild imagination. This didnt stop her from studying for an honours degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, training as a science teacher, then go on to train as a Biomedical Scientist. She eventually took a post in Clinical Chemistry at Jersey General Hospital in the Channel Islands.

Whilst holding down a full time job, and working 28 hour emergency on call shifts, she has managed to find the time to share that wild imagination with the world by writing online fan fiction stories about the CW series Supernatural.

She enjoyed it so much that, with a lot of encouragement from her husband, she decided to write her own stories. Not an easy task for somone dogged by anxiety and depression, and since her diagnosis in 2013 she has also been battling with Ulcerative Colitis.

In spite of her struggles, Tales from the Forest, a series of short stories set in a magical realm, began to take physical form on her laptop screen, and her black labrador Nelson is a valiant hero in some of the stories. As an avid animal lover, she has vowed that all proceeds from the sale of this book series will help to set up a forever home sanctuary for stray, elderly and abandoned dogs.

Although still working full time at the hospital, she has turned her thoughts to the future, and now holds a Diploma in Dog Training from the Centre of Excellence, and is currently studying towards a Diploma in Canine Communication in order to prepare for a life of working with rescue dogs.

Website * AllAuthor * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If You're Lucky by Yvonne Prinz

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're celebrating a Young Adult title that tackles some bigger issues all while keeping you on your toes as to who is right, who is wrong, and who is just plain imagining things.  Curious?  You should be because it's not like most YA picks out there but it's definitely one you should check out.  Ladies and gents, grab your thinking caps and proceed with caution as we introduce today's book of choice...

If You're Lucky

by

Yvonne Prinz

9781616204631

Algonquin Young Readers

About the book...

Is Georgia’s mind playing tricks on her, or is the entire town walking into the arms of a killer who has everyone but her fooled?

When seventeen-year-old Georgia’s brother drowns while surfing halfway around the world in Australia, she refuses to believe Lucky’s death was just bad luck. Lucky was smart. He wouldn’t have surfed in waters more dangerous than he could handle. Then a stranger named Fin arrives in False Bay, claiming to have been Lucky’s best friend. Soon Fin is working for Lucky’s father, charming Lucky’s mother, dating his girlfriend. Georgia begins to wonder: did Fin murder Lucky in order to take over his whole life?

Determined to clear the fog from her mind in order to uncover the truth about Lucky’s death, Georgia secretly stops taking the medication that keeps away the voices in her head. Georgia is certain she’s getting closer and closer to the truth about Fin, but as she does, her mental state becomes more and more precarious, and no one seems to trust what she’s saying.

As the chilling narrative unfolds, the reader must decide whether Georgia’s descent into madness is causing her to see things that don’t exist–or to see a deadly truth that no one else can.

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Right from the start, we are inundated with changes and a tidal wave of feelings.  From Georgia, the sister left behind by the brother she idolized, to the parents, just trying to make sense of something senseless, the girlfriend, trying to sort out her feelings in the wake of tragedy, to his friends, who seem more adrift somehow without their fearless leader...all except ONE that is.

The "one" I mentioned is Fin and truth be told as easily as he slips into the quiet-ish lifestyle of False Bay, he is pretty suspicious...as well as all the circumstances surrounding him. It's the ease yet unease that he generates that has everyone going topsy-turvy in his presence, making you guess what's real versus fantasy, and just how far some are willing to go to seemingly have it all.  I know I was thinking that uneasiness was anything but imagined but the point at which I developed that spine tingle was fairly early in the work....still so many pages left to go and roads to travel to really know how it would all turn out.  Along the way, I enjoyed getting to know Georgia as she in turn came to know herself.  She was a peach (though prickly at times) and the love she had for her brother was admirable to say the least.  The challenges she faced real or perceived were easy to relate to and so having empathy for her was no stretch of the imagination.  The friends she made and unmade, obstacles tackled and created, even the stand she takes to gain some control over her treatment and care, all made her into a character, a person worth knowing.  Was it hard to watch at times?  Sure...but who hasn't struggled with something only to come out better for having lived through the trails in the end?

In the end, I must say that it was an interesting exploration of mental illness as well as a good mystery fit for the target audience and beyond. Admittedly, I wanted to scream I KNEW IT from the top of my lungs when everything and everyone finally came clean once and for all, but that's not REALLY the point of the story.  It's important, yes, but it's not what makes this memorable or noteworthy.  It's the fact that family is who and what we make of it, there is no one version of "normal", and just because someone may have problems, it doesn't mean that they can't see what's in front of us clearer than our own two eyes can perceive.  Speaking of seeing things clearer, in case you didn't notice it at first glance (*raises hand*), take a good look at the cover image.  Notice anything unusual about it? Perhaps the angle of the view or who might be behind the glasses peering out?  *-*

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About the author...

YVONNE PRINZ is the award-winning author of The Vinyl Princess and All You Get Is Me. A Canadian living in the San Francisco Bay Area, she is the cofounder of Amoeba Music, the world's largest independent music store.

SITE

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Special thanks to Sydney at Algonquin Young Readers for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, or those titles forthcoming, please feel free to click through the links above.  This title is available now so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!