PBP presents... BREAD BAGS & BULLIES: SURVIVING THE '80s by Steven Manchester - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining Providence Book Promotions for a stop along their current tour featuring the latest work from an author I've featured many times before.  His name is Steven Manchester, and if it doesn't ring a bell, you are sorely missing out, my friend.  This time around he's ventured into something a smidge different that will steep you in 80's memories while asking you to walk that fine line between disbelief and faith.  Ready or not, here comes today's title in the spotlight and blog tour guest...

Bread Bags & Bullies:  Surviving the '80s

by

Steven Manchester

Genre: Commercial Fiction

Published by: Luna Bella Press

Publication Date: November 19, 2019

Number of Pages: 288

ISBN: 978-0-9841842-7-9 

Amazon | Goodreads

It’s the winter of 1984. Twelve-year-old Herbie and his two brothers—Wally and Cockroach—are enjoying the mayhem of winter break when a late Nor’easter blows through New England, trapping their quirky family in the house. The power goes out and playing Space Invaders to AC DC’s Back in Black album is suddenly silenced—forcing them to use their twisted imaginations in beating back the boredom. At a time when the brothers must overcome one fear after the next, they learn that courage is the one character trait that guarantees all others. This hysterical coming-of-age tale is jam-packed with enough nostalgia to satisfy anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or at least had the good fortune to travel through them.

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Okay, so here's the thing...

...the story itself was GOOD and filled with all the beautiful memories and wonderful messages that readers have come to expect from this author's work...but I need to insert a BUT.

While I enjoyed the nostalgia (hello...child of the 80's here...well, newborn at least), the characters, and the trips down memory lane, I felt like there was something missing.  You see, in his previous works, there was always a prominent HERE AND NOW storyline tethered to all the mental walks into the past, yet in this one, it seemed like the characters kept getting stuck in the past.  There was even a time or two that they were dreaming or recollecting their past experiences and in the middle of that dream, they reflected on their past...so basically a dream within a dream.  It's not that it isn't an interesting concept, it just felt to this reader like there was a bit too much of it.  Don't get me wrong, Mr. Manchester is totally above par in the skill department to write this style of story, as he's proven time and time again, I just think it was too heavily depended on in this case and it made what was happening NOW get lost in the shuffle.

So, did I enjoy the story?  Yes!  Did I love it as much as his other works?  Not really, but I didn't not love it either.  My suggestion...if it sounds good to YOU, READ IT; if it's just a consideration at this point, check out his other works first, then decide.  Sound good?  Good!  Now, get reading!

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Author Bio:

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers Twelve Months, The Rockin' Chair, Pressed Pennies and Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers, Ashes, The Changing Season and Three Shoeboxes; and the multi-award winning novels, Goodnight Brian and The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of Steven's short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival and the 2018 New York Book Festival. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.

StevenManchester.com | Goodreads | BookBub | Twitter | Facebook

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GIVEAWAY!!:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for Steven Manchester. There will be 7 winners. Two (2) winners will each receive an Amazon GC and five (5) winners will each win one (1) copy of Bread Bags & Bullies: Surviving the '80s by Steven Manchester (eBook). The giveaway begins on November 1, 2019 and runs through January 2, 2020. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Find Your Next Great Read at Providence Book Promotions!

Special thanks to author Steven Manchester for the heads up on the tour and to Providence Book Tours for the copy for review as well as the chance to bring the tour to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so click on through to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today!

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

Silver Dagger Book Tours presents... CHRISTMAS TREASURES Anthology - SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY!

Christmas Treasures Anthology

Mixed Genres Holiday Fiction

with stories by:

Angela Gray, C. Forrest Lundin, E.M. Denning, Holly Barbo,

Jess Mountifield, Maxine Murphy, Julie Elizabeth Powell,

Marc Sanderson, S.P. West, Sean Gallatin, Cherime MacFarlane, Suzy Stewart Dubot 

Through time and space, Christmas remains a time for love, laughter and family. It may be the family we make, the one we were born into, or the one we hope to find. These Christmas stories are all about Christmas, in the future, the past or now. Come with us, let’s celebrate the holiday season.

Angela Gray - An Unexpected Christmas

Award Winning Author C. Forrest Lundin - Christmas Changes

E.M. Denning - Snow Angel

Award Winning Author Holly Barbo - A Magic Yule

Jess Mountifield - Santa’s Little Space Pirate

Maxine Murphy - The Best Christmas He’ll Never Remember

Best Selling Author Julie Elizabeth Powell - Yule Spirits

Marc Sanderson - Christmas Eve

S.P. West - Kickstart My Heart

Sean Gallatin – Best Selling, Award Winning Author Cherime MacFarlane - The Perfect Present

Suzy Stewart Dubot - The Christmas Ball

**Only .99 cents!!**

Goodreads * Amazon

**scroll through the slideshow to find out more about the authors!!**

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Children's Book Review presents... Carole P. Roman's Picture Book (& MORE) GIVEAWAY!

HI guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we welcome The Children's Book Review for a stop along their latest bookish celebration featuring the Award Winning Picture Book works of author Carole P. Roman!  We've featured her titles before and we'll feature them a few times more...why?  Because we can...and because her stories always manage to tell an imaginative story while conveying a great message.  Take the two featured in today's giveaway...

Rocket-Bye

Written by Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by Mateya Arkova

About the book...

Carole P. Roman travels to the stars, orbiting the moon and rocketing past planets in this delightful journey to the far reaches of the galaxy. A beautiful bedtime poem, this verse is sure to delight any child before they go to sleep.

“Just as the text and illustrations gently curve and sweep across the pages, so do the calming and effortless rhymes in what could be Carole P. Roman’s finest book yet. “—The Children’s Book Review

Ages 3-7 | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | 2016 | 978-1530243372

Available Here: https://amzn.to/1WfDoZF

Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?

Written by Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by Mateya Arkova

About the book...

Two little girls pepper their father with questions about whether or not they can be a profession and still be a princess. Motivated by her granddaughter’s fascination with all things ‘princess,’ Carole P. Roman penned this adorable poem celebrating all the wonderful possibilities waiting ahead for them.

“Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? is an important must-read for both girls and boys.”—The Children’s Book Review

Ages 3-7 | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | 2016 | 978-1530243372

Available Here: https://amzn.to/2rcUO37

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So, now that we've got your attention, let's give it something REALLY BIG to gawk at, admire, and otherwise SPREAD THE WORD about, as you have a CHANCE TO WIN in this fabulous GIVEAWAY!

UP FOR GRABS....

...two of Carole P. Roman’s award-winning picture books, plus a $100 gift card!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

An autographed copy of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?

An autographed copy of Rocket-Bye

A $100 Amazon gift card

Three (3) winners receive:

An autographed copy of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?

Giveaway begins November 27, 2019, at 12:01 AM PST and ends December 19, 2019, at 11:59 PM PST.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are eighteen years of age or older in their state or territory of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.  Carole P. Roman is responsible for prize fulfillment.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM

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About the author...

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the nonfiction series of children’s books If You Were Me and Lived in…. The first title in the collection, If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico, won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia and If You Were Me and Lived in…France were finalists in the Indie Fab Foreword Review Book of the Year. Norway and South Korea have also been named as Book of the Year with Rebecca’s Reads and Children’s Reader’s View Book of the Year. Roman has also found success with her Captain No Beard children’s books. Her debut, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children.

SITE  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Pinterest  |  Instagram

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Special thanks to The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to author Carole P. Roman for the fabulous prize packs! (THANKS!) For more information on this author, her works, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

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

RRR presents... IT'S NOT PMS, IT'S YOU by Rich Amooi - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we welcome (SURPRISE!) Rachel's Random Resources with another fabulous tour featuring yet another fabulous title you're gonna want on your must read list this season...well, or any season for that matter.  It's a Contemporary Romance with a title that if you're a woman of a certain age or beyond, you're BOUND to have heard used as an excuse for behavior someone or another didn't like at some point...and while in the moment it's SO aggravating, here it's simply DELIGHTFUL!  Why?  Oh, you'll see...so join me as today's ebook of choice takes center stage...

It's Not PMS, It's You

by

Rich Amooi

About the book...
 Ruth “Ruthless” Harper is on the verge of becoming managing partner at her all-male consulting firm and she won’t let anything stand in her way. That includes men, relationships, and that dreaded F word, FEELINGS—distractions she eliminated long ago.

 After the worst day ever (a near-death experience and a public wedgie, for starters), Ruth realizes she doesn’t want to live and die alone. She puts together a business plan to find the perfect man and dives head first into the murky online dating pool. All she wants is a high-powered executive who understands how important her career is. If only it were that easy.

Problem is most men are intimidated by Ruth’s confidence and shocked by her bluntness. The exception being her landscape designer, Nick, whose cool demeanor and unsolicited dating advice are driving her nuts. He’s the antithesis of the business-oriented man Ruth envisions for herself, so why do all signs keep pointing back to him?

AMAZON  US  |  UK  |  AU  |  CD

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Woo hoo!

Let's hear it for the girl...and the male writer that penned her!

Honestly, I LOVED Ruth's character.  I think she epitomized a fair percentage of the female population climbing their way to the top of corporate America, while still trying to stay in the game life wise.  It's definitely a balancing act, and one that she lost sight of until her unfortunate flight (which, by the way, was TOTALLY SCARY!  I mean, I placed myself in her shoes for those pages and yeah, no thank you...~shudder~) made her reconsider the importance of her work and home/love life (or lack thereof) ratio.  I get it, she was good at what she did, no scratch that...GREAT at what she did...but when do the achievements ever become enough?  When does that last one make us feel like the top dog, winner over all, champion of the masses, etc and let us feel comfortable in our life?  It's not the number of wins or the height of our successes that make us feel at one with ourselves and our lives, but the ability to bask in their glow with the ones we love.  Whether they be blood relations, our chosen family/friends, or a significant other, those bonds allow of to share our feelings of elation and truly shine at our best.

So yes, this is a FABULOUS book that shows the world how women do in fact run things more often than not, but it's also a fun-infused Contemporary Romance that reminds us that no matter how hard we may fall, the ride was worth the effort, so picking yourself back up off the ground and trying again is an absolute must because we owe it to our selves!

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About the author...

Rich Amooi is a former radio personality and DJ who now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California. He is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  SITE
 

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$25 AMAZON GIFT CARD

(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 as well as 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 the tour for more bookish fun...

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

RRR presents... LOTTIE SPARKLES MAGICAL DISCOVERY by Petra Quelch - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host to Rachel's Random Resources as we dive between the pages of a sparkly little number from the Children's Fiction side of things.  It features a precocious, fashion forward little girl with a penchant for all things that sparkle, who is sent to probably the LEAST sparkly place possible in the name of family time.  What's a girl to do?  What indeed!  Ladies and gents, join me as we welcome today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

Lottie Sparkles Magical Discovery

by

Petra Quelch

About the book...

Who wouldn't like a magical jacket?

Lottie Sparkles is a little girl who loves everything sparkly, mainly clothes. Anything plain or dirty is a disgrace in Lottie s mind! When Lottie is sent to spend time with her lovely grandparents in the countryside, she is furious because that essentially means smelly animals, lots of puddles and hard work!  But what she certainly didn't count on was coming face to face with a magical object.

AMAZON  US  |  UK  |  AU

BOOK DEPOSITORY  |  GOODREADS

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Lottie. Lottie.  Lottie.

No, seriously...LOTTIE!

Having things that sparkle and shine is wondrous, but having family, people that love you, animals that need your love, and being part of something bigger than simply you is where the MAGIC in life truly lives. 

While I liked Lottie, she certainly has a lot of growing up to do...but I think the time on the farm helped start her in the right direction.  Now if only that cat could hurry up the lessons so she gets a dose of super sweet before she hits her teenage years!  It's a short read, aimed at the younger audience, but honestly I think it needs a little adult reinforcement to help it on its way.  I mean, I loved the accompanying artwork, the characters, and the base storyline, but the general arc, the meaning behind what's transpiring was a little on the vague side of things for me.  However, it looks like there may be more adventures in Lottie's future, so fingers crossed...we'll see what happens!

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About author Petra Quelch...

The author loves everything sparkly and glittery but hopefully,she says, she is not a diva like Lottie from her book. Aside from all the glitz and glamour,she is a collector of magical books, tea sets, movies and a huge fan of chocolate. She has two little girls also known as "The Little Book-Fairies" with a BIG imagination.

TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK

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!! GIVEAWAY !!

UP FOR GRABS...

(1) SIGNED copy of Lotties Sparkle Magical Adventure!

 (UK / Europe Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK / Europe 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 as well as 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 the tour for more bookish fun...

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

RRR presents... MY CHRISTMAS FAKE FIANCE by Linda West!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining Rachel's Random Resources for a stop along their current tour featuring the work of author Linda West.  It's a title that recently went through a few changes (like the actual title changed, the blurb, and so on), but what was lost versus gained doesn't change to magic and fun of the story.  So, if you're ready, let's get this show on the snow covered (somewhere...not here...it's HOT!) road and welcome today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

My Christmas Fake Fiancé

by

Linda West

About the book...

Snowflakes are falling on Kissing Bridge Mountain, and Devlin is going home at last. But he can't go home without a fiance, even if it has to be a fake one! When he meets smalltown girl, Allie, who has a Christmas crisis of her own -they strike up a deal. Soon, the fickle snow flurries of fate send them down a destined road they never expected...

AMAZON  US  |  UK

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It's the most wonderful time of the year...for most.

Allie is suffering from "I've-returned-home-for-the-holidays-and-nothing-is-the-same"-itis combined with "my-boyfriend-now-ex-broke-my-heart-but-I'm-a-strong-woman-who-is-going-to-focus-on-myself-despite-the-seasonal-love-all-around"-it is...and it's thrown her world into a tizzy.  I SO GOT the tantrum of sorts she has upon finding that FOR SALE sign in her childhood yard, but her dedication to solving the BIG BAD problem was admirable...even if it brought an unexpected Grinch-type into the mix.  Enter Devlin Sommerset....

He's THE GUY that women swoon for, but Allie knew him once upon a time, and while he was still drool worthy then, his attitude never did him any favors.  Her entry into his life at a time that he's in a compromised position of a sort is an unexpected meet cute if ever there was...and while they both are simply thinking in business terms and agreements to get what they want...the heart wants what it wants, and sometimes Christmas miracles DO happen.

Honestly, I enjoyed this holiday tinged Contemporary Romance from cover to cover...and I mean that quite literally!  I really liked the festive cover combined with the couple's image; it gave you a feel for what might be inside.  Once the pages began turning, I found myself wanting to share passages with others around me at random because they were just that good, or funny, or fun, or notable!  Like the time Allie is contemplating how to get the $200,000 and the idea of a mafia connection is brought up.  OMG...ridiculously funny!  All in all, a great add to your holiday reading lists this season to warm the heart, tickle the funny bone, and remind us all that sometimes THE ONE shows us when we least expect it.

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About the author...

Linda West is the best selling author of the adorable and enchanting "Christmas Kisses and Cookies." It is a delightful series of holiday romances based around the town of Kissing Bridge and the magical Landers sisters who are the reigning blue ribbon cookie queens thanks to their mothers' 'special' recipe book.

Linda was the owner of Mayberry - a celebrity-filled restaurant in Malibu where many of her recipes enchanted the regulars such as Tom Hanks and Anthony Hopkins to name a few. Her recipes are sprinkled throughout her fiction books much to the delight of her fans.

 Her newest venture is in the cozy mystery and humor genre. With - Death by Crockpot - the first in her newest series -Linda takes her favorite known characters from Kissing Bridge and throws them into some side-splitting funny adventures.

SITE  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as 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 the tour for more bookish fun...

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