Double Click by Lisa Becker

Hi guys!

Welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

We kicked things off early with a blog tour visit  courtesy of the fabulous folks at Walden Pond Press yesterday starring THE DUNGEONEERS!  You had a chance to meet and greet the author, find out some pretty cool facts and tidbits PLUS enter to win a SIGNED HARDBACK of the book.  Hope you got in on that action...and if not, you've got until midnight this Saturday to do so.  Anywho, back to today's show already in progress...

Today, we're shining the light on book 2 of the Click trilogy by Lisa Becker.  Ringing any bells?  Ah yes, see...I KNEW you'd remember!  Just last week, book 1 graced this very site and what can I say?  I've been a busy little reader...in this case, e-reading reader, a fact that I was teased about at work as those that refuse to accept my "tree book" love still try and convert me to solely traversing the epages.  Newsflash to coworkers...ain't gonna happen.  ^-^  ...accept in rare cases such as this.  So, are you ready to check in with the fab four (plus 2 and a 1/2!) that we were just getting acquainted with?  Let's!  Word to the wise, I'll try to keep spoilers to a minimum, but no absolute promises are made.  Just break down and read book 1 already, okay?  Okay.  Now to the ebook of the day...

Double Click

Click Trilogy, Book 2

by

Lisa Becker

About the book...

Fans of the romantic hit Click: An Online Love Story will enjoy another voyeuristic dive into the lives of Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and Ethan, as Double Click picks up with their lives six months later. Are Renee and Ethan soul mates? Does Mark ever go on a date? Has Shelley run out of sexual conquests in Los Angeles? Will Ashley's judgmental nature sabotage her budding relationship? Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click answers these questions and more. Readers will continue to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.

AMAZON   |   B&N

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Okay, so the author didn't keep us in suspense long, THANK GOODNESS, and let everyone fall off the face of the e-Earth.  Nope.  If you just finished book 1, this second installment picks up a few months later.  Now, I will admit, at the start, I thought oh my goodness!  What have I missed...as they discuss wedding plans, an upcoming birth, and a few other juicy tidbits but within a few epages, we're back up to speed and realizing that we were merely being taunted.  (You got us Ms. Becker...good one!)  As the book itself is informal in its style and delivery, I thought I might take a more informal update on things as they were as well.  Sound good?  Here goes...

Renee:  You are our leading lady by far miss Supermodel Renee.  You're probably the most easy to identify with and though I hate seeing you get down on yourself from time to time, it makes you more human.  I love the support system you've built and how you try to include everyone (from the baby-is-on-the-way tree to our less than linguistic friend Cassidy).  I think you're heartbreak over Shelley's big plans was very real and I totally believe you would have moved crossed country with her in a heartbeat but respect you more for not having done so.  The grace you show in your every day life may come off as quirky to you, but to everyone else, it's a splendid affair filled with pizzazz.  Go you!

Shelley:  My goodness, how we've mellowed!  I did miss your exploits as recounted continuously in book 1, but I am SO happy for you and what you've discovered.  It takes a lot of guts to make the giant leap you are making and the distance it puts between you and your crew is just another thorn in the rose, but like a trooper, you can handle it while making sure everyone else is reassured too.  Your email convo with Renee had me tearing up...in fact, I'm gonna stop typing about it now too... *sniff*

Ashley: My, my!  It seems the hormones are upped and the gloves come off.  Nothing wrong with that mind you and hey, you get some extra slack anyway because you ARE creating a new life.  Admittedly though, withholding the sex of the little one was a bit cruel seeing how it was making Auntie Renee squirm but it was your right.  Way to go for sticking to your guns!  Sorry you missed out on some of the fun but I don't think all the progress you and Shelley made could have withstood her road trip across these United States.

Mark:  So glad you've finally come out of your shell a bit mate.  I admit, I had your number all wrong.  No, I did not in fact think you were gay (even if you were, no issues) but I did think that you and Ms. Renee were gonna be the ones hitting it off (a theory debugged in book 1).  Color me surprised but oh so happy for you.  Also, KUDOS for being your own man and standing up to your friends about the whole "us-against-Cassidy" business.  Your explanation of your love for her because of her differences was touching...though you should seriously talk to her about using Spelling & Grammar check.  ^-^

Ethan:  Though I had my doubts about you for the long haul, it appears I was mistaken.  Yay you!  However, that whole proposal business, what a fiasco...initially.  I give you major props for being intuitive enough to figure out something was wrong, seeking assistance from a "professional", and making the memory something that you'll both cherish forever.  Congrats!

Cassidy:  Welcome to the gang!  I think you made quite an impression...though your typing skills and grammar need some MAJOR work.  Sorry girl but avoiding capitalization and punctuation, let alone proper word usage (and taking into account others feelings!), does not a good email make!  Being that that's pretty much how we get your story, I'd say it's important .  Oh and lay off the cat videos...maybe once a week instead of daily?  *shakes head*

Overall, the emails got a bit wordy at times in this installment, but it did satisfy.  It successfully navigated what a lot of trilogies get caught up in...the sophomore slump.  Book 2 can make or break a three pack and here, while I wouldn't say they were flying colors, it certainly was sparkly nonetheless.  We got to know the characters a bit more, watched them grow, and are primed and ready for book 3.  I know I can't wait...how about you?

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About the author...

Lisa had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click and Right Click.  The books, about a young woman’s search for love online in Los Angeles, have been called, “a fast read that will keep you entertained,” “a fun, quick read for fans of Sex and the City,” and “hard to put down.”  The first in the series has now been optioned for a major motion picture.

She’s written bylined articles about online dating and has been featured in Cupid’s Pulse, Garmental.com, TV Grapevine, GalTime.com, Single Edition, Career 2.0, The Perfect Soulmate, Chick Lit Central and numerous other book blogs and websites.

A former public relations professional, Lisa has worked with some of the biggest consumer companies in the world including McDonald’s, Ford, Sony and Gatorade.  She’s also a former college professor, teaching public relations and communications classes at University of Southern California and Oglethorpe University.

As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “for every chair, there’s a tush.”  Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters.  So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone!

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest  | Web

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Special thanks to author Lisa Becker for the ebook copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or future installments, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or online retailer of your choosing and STAY TUNED as the third installment will be appearing RIGHT HERE very soon!

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson - Author Interview

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that aims to please readers far and wide, young and young at heart...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

 

Today, we're taking over your Sunday as we welcome the Walden Pond Press blog tour celebrating the forthcoming release of a new Children's Fiction title you won't want to miss.  With appeal for boys and girls, it promises a rip roaring adventure with thievery, silver-tongued villains, and one boy who has a choice to make that will shape his tomorrows to come.  Don't believe me?  Read on.... 

 

 

 

 

The Dungeoneers

by

John David Anderson

Walden Pond Press

 

About the book...

The Dungeoneers is an action-packed, funny, and heartbreaking middle grade fantasy-adventure from the author of the acclaimed Sidekicked and Minion, John David Anderson.

The world is not a fair place, and Colm Candorly knows it. While his parents and eight sisters seem content living on a lowly cobbler's earnings, Colm can't help but feel that everyone has the right to a more comfortable life. It's just a question of how far you're willing to go to get it.

In an effort to help make ends meet, Colm uses his natural gift for pickpocketing to pilfer a pile of gold from the richer residents of town, but his actions place him at the mercy of a mysterious man named Finn Argos, a gilded-toothed, smooth-tongued rogue who gives Colm a choice: he can be punished for his thievery, or he can become a member of Thwodin's Legions, a guild of dungeoneers who take what they want and live as they will. Colm soon finds himself part of a family of warriors, mages, and hunters, learning to work together in a quest to survive and, perhaps, to find a bit of treasure along the way.

 

 

 

 

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Sounds good, right?

I thought so too...HOWEVER, my schedule did not allow it to be read in time for this tour (stay tuned for that in the coming weeks).  Bummer...but only just.  In lieu of a review, I got the chance to interview the author!  *fist pump*  Ready to check out what he had to say about this, that, and the other?  Ready, set, READ!

 

 

 

 

 

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW:  John David Anderson

 

1) Though I'm certain you're asked this A LOT, I never tire of hearing/reading the answer. How did the idea behind THE DUNGEONEERS come to you?

I’m not sure there really was this one kernel of an idea behind The Dungeoneers. Not at first. There was just this kid wanting to help out his hamstrung family with their money problems so he resorts to less-than-legal means of doing so. At the start I knew I had Colm and Finn, and that Finn was going to introduce Colm to a whole new world, but the more Finn talked inside my head, the more I realized that he was part of a community, a family that Colm would be eager to join, a group that could put his talents to use. Then it exploded, and all the tropes and conventions of fantasy literature and games and movies sat before me like a thousand blocks, ready to be stacked and toppled and played with. Very quickly the other members of Colm’s party appeared, and their relationship (and his relationship with Finn) really drove the whole rest of the novel.

2) If hard pressed, with whom in the story do you identify with the most and why?

I identify with them all. Cop out answer, I know, but there are aspects of each of them that appeal to me and are probably derived from my own passions and insecurities. Colm’s love for his family. Lena’s need to be the best. Serene’s reticence and compassion. Quinn’s frustration and love of sweets. I think I identify most with this desire in the book to be a part of something. To feel like your actions have some kind of lasting impact and to know that you’ve put your talents—the thing that makes you unique—to good use. I think that’s something each character in the novel struggles with. I think it’s something I still struggle with as a writer. And a human being.

3) What is your favorite part about the writing process...and on the flip side, your least favorite?

Favorite part is always the beginning. The blank screen. Tabula Rosa. I know some writers find it intimidating, but the blank screen is flippin’ awesome. Think of the possibilities! It could be anything! And then it starts and you’re like, “Oh yeah. This is fantastic! This is the greatest thing I’ve ever written! Contact the Newbery committee!” The beginning is great because you are meeting your characters for the first time, and the sense of discovery pervades everything. Plus it’s as close as I ever get to feeling omnipotent. “I am Dave Anderson—creator of worlds! Watch as I fashion you in my image, oh fledgling protagonist. Ha ha! See how I heap problem after problem on top of you! Let me describe your hair and throw you in a dungeon!”

Then comes the middle, which is the worst part. Because by the time I get to the middle, I pretty much have an idea of what I want the end to look like…I just don’t have the slightest clue how I’m going to get there. “Not so omnipotent now, are you little man?” my characters tease. “Wish you’d maybe had an outline or something now, don’t ya?” Middles are tough because I am driven by character first, then theme, then plot. Plots are tricky because most readers and editors require that they make some sense.

So usually I just skip ahead and write the ending. Then I eat a whole lot of chocolate. That usually clears things up.

4) A few quick pro quo questions if you please. First answer that comes to mind..

a) favorite color: Midnight blueb) favorite flavor: Cinnamon. No, pizza. Is pizza a flavor? Go with cinnamon.c) favorite reading nook: Honestly anywhere. I can read anywhere. Car. Toilet. Hanging upside down. But sometimes in a pool of sunlight on the carpet is really great.d) name one author whose work you'd pick up without question...Vonnegut. I own everything he wrote. If we are talking current—Michael Chabon. Love that guy.e) advice to aspiring authors in our reading audience...We are at an interesting moment in culture, I think: It has never been easier to find an audience—the number of avenues for sharing your work with the world are endless. But I also think it’s still a tremendous challenge to find your audience, the ones who really dig you. Take advantage of any opportunity you have to write and to share your work with others. Expect some roadblocks, but never be discouraged to the point of quitting. If you work at it long enough, study the craft, read constantly, and believe you have something worthwhile to share, you will find someone worth sharing it with.  Also, marry someone with a good job. 

 

 

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About the author...

 

 

John David Anderson is the author of Sidekicked and Minion. A dedicated root beer connoisseur in his spare time, he lives with his wife, two kids, and perpetually whiny cat in Indianapolis.

 

 

 

SITE   |   TWITTER   |   FACEBOOK

 

 

 

 

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Special thanks to Danielle and the whole team at Walden Pond Press for making this tour possible AND to author John David Anderson for taking the time to satisfy my curiosity with the fabulous interview.  (THANKS!)  For more information on THIS TOUR, the title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  Remember, this title hits bookstore and virtual shelves JUNE 23, 2015, so be on the lookout for it or get yours pre-ordered now!

 

There is ANOTHER option though if you wish to pursue it..can you say CONTEST?

Just enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win a SIGNED finished HARDBACK of this very title!  Your welcome. ^-^

Open to US residents only, no PO Boxes please.

Ends 06/13/15.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Until next time....happy reading!

 

 

 

 

Love on the Slopes by Amy Manemann

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're closing out the first week of June (the first week already gone, whoa!) with a look inside the epages of a Contemporary Romance title you NEED TO KNOW.  No, seriously!  You know my preference for print and once I finished the read, I was immediately seeking it out in my favorite format only to find, *sniff* it's only in electronic media right now.  Cie la vie...I'll keep my fingers crossed that one day my wish will come true while you scope out my thoughts on the e-version now, deal?  Great!  Ladies and gents, but mostly all my lady friends...today's ebook of choice is...

Love on the Slopes

Hartley Series, Book 1

by

Amy Manemann

B00WH2U4AK

About the book...

Jessa Hartley is haunted by memories of the night she threw herself at her childhood crush, Dominic DeRenzi – and he turned her away. Years later, Jessa has managed to put the past behind her and climb up the ranks as head instructor of the ski lodge she one day hopes to purchase. Only her plans take a nosedive when the smooth talking Italian shows back up in town. Even worse, he’s planning on purchasing HER lodge. 

After surviving a disastrous marriage, Dominic DeRenzi returns to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, hoping to make a fresh start for him and his six year old son by purchasing the old ski lodge. Until a chance encounter with Jessa Hartley throws his well laid plans off track. The once innocent girl from his childhood has grown into the beautiful woman he always knew she would become, and he is painfully reminded of the night he over stepped his bounds and kissed her. Then broke her heart by sending her away. 

Rekindling the flames of their past isn’t part of the plan, yet Dominic and Jessa soon find they’re helpless to stop the fire that burns brightly between them. He broke her heart the first time he left, but can he make her see this time around he’s here to stay? 

AMAZON   |   B&N

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I HEART THIS BOOK!

No, really.  Get me some snow and a pair of mittens and I'll carve it out in the nearest drift for the world to see. 

Jessa is a firecracker, of course she had to be to some degree growing up in her large family with so many brothers (that whole pick or be picked on mentality), but she really makes her mark and not just on the slopes.  She had a dream, made plans to follow it, and when it seemed just within her reach, it got pulled right out from under her by a wickedly handsome blast from her past with blue eyes to boot!  Yep.  Trouble here is spelled DOM, short for Dominic, and though his intentions for the lodge are good, those creeping into his mind regarding Jessa are more on the steamy side of things. Of course, the last thing on his mind is starting a relationship especially with the one woman he unintentionally burned before leaving town the last time he was here.  Good thing that's ancient history and they can both be calm, collected adults about the whole situation, right?  Yeah....I didn't believe them nor should you, but this isn't going to be a trip down the old bunny hill.  Past, present, and possible futures collide creating a snowstorm of calamity that may cut off any happily-ever-after before it even begins.  Will these two (with the adorable Dante, his son!) ski off into the sunset?  Or will they get lost in the avalanche of emotions heading there way?  The only way to find out is gonna be you spending some quality time with your favorite ereading app or reader.  As for me...

I mentioned how great Jessa was, or rather is, but there is a SLEW of other fabulous characters to note!  Of course, there is Dominic, the old flame, new boss, and maybe more.  You can't help but fall under his spell (*sigh*) when you see where his heart really lies even after all he and his son have been through.  Speaking of his son, Dante is such a sweetie!  I mean, talk about insightful, the kid needs nothing spelled out to him....he's got it all figured out and not in an I-know-better-than-the-adults sorta way.  His ability to see through all the hubbub and get right to the heart of the matter managed to move me more than I'd have imagined.  Then there's Elaina, Lucy, Julianna, and all the other Hartley men...so many names and faces, so little time to explain them all, but from the sound of things, this is JUST THE BEGINNING!  (Can we say the other Hartley books are definitely going on my wish list?  Yes, yes we can. ^-^)

So, we've discussed the story and established I'm a fan, let's talk writing for a brief moment.  The author really knows how to keep things from stalling even without the most involved story line.  Don't get me wrong, there IS something going on here besides the potential hookup but it's not overly complicated so it could have left us hanging along the way.  Pleased to say it did not and that I was hanging on every epage.  The cast of characters is on the large side, but they are all introduced to the extent that we need to know them at this stage in the series, able to leave their mark while building their backstories for future releases.  I liken it in series building style/power to Bella Andre's series, or Susan Mallery's wonderful world of Fool's Gold.  There's plenty of stories to grow on just from this one release, and I for one will be watching for future installments.  (Yes, I said it above and I said it again...it was worth the repeat.)

In conclusion, it definitely falls into the clean romance category of things as it has all the flirtation and sparks you could want with a courteous "fade to black" occurring just after the mind blowing kisses.  It has heart and heat, snow filled adventures and business outings, all wrapped up in family and friends.  You'll laugh at the antics, smile at the sweetness, sigh at the breathtaking "meetings" and just plain fall in love as the couple that should be decides whether or not they could be the last ones standing.  I was sure rooting for them and I think you will be too.

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About the author...

Amy Manemann is an International Best Selling Author. She writes sexy and intriguing romantic suspense, young adult paranormal romance, contemporary romance (NEW), and dabbles in children's books. She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children. When she isn't plotting her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and diving into a good book. 

Amy is also a site administrator for the World Literary Café, an online literary community for authors and readers. www.worldliterarycafe.com. 

You can connect with Amy at www.amymanemann.blogspot.com.

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Special thanks to author Amy Manemann for the eARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, those forthcoming in the series, or the author, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title just hit virtual shelves April 2015, so be on the lookout for it at a virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

A Mississippi Whisper by Paul H. Yarbrough

Welcome ladies and gents to the site that aims to please the reader in you, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  Pull up a chair for a spell or grab some curb as we settle in for a slower paced trip along the Mississippi with a novel that will speak to your Southern sensibilities.  There's a little bit of mystery, some youthful tomfoolery, and a whole lot of growing up between these pages, but let's do this properly because we all know it's poor manners not to introduce oneself outright.  Without further ado, I give you today's book of choice...

A Mississippi Whisper

by

Paul H. Yarbrough

9781937178581

WiDo Publishing

About the book...

Ten-year-old Charlie McCoy and his friends are curious about the fire up at the abandoned house on the outskirts of town. Since the grown-ups aren’t saying much, and anything really interesting spoken in shushed tones, the boys may need to do a little digging on their own. Meanwhile, they avoid the specter of school looming in their immediate futures with playing ball, fishing, and discussing which business to start: junk collecting or selling rabbit tobacco.

Even more than the mysterious fire, Charlie is intrigued by Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player in the major leagues. And by the new magazine his older brother keeps talking about, and what their mother would tell that Hugh Hefner if she weren’t such a lady.

While Charlie’s hometown of Jackson is slowly changing around him, with Eisenhower’s highway coming through to transform the face of the land, Charlie and his people hold on tight to their agrarian roots.

And at the end of the day, his older sister Katy Jean is always there with a smile to listen to his ideas and opinions, even if she doesn’t say a lot and mostly speaks in whispers.  

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As much as I wanted to fall in love with this one and be swept away by the splendor of it all, it just didn't happen.  I think the problem for me was I went in expecting something other than what was delivered.  In my mind, the focus was going to be on the mystery...what exactly happened at the old plantation?  Was it REALLY a lightning strike or some kind of "trick" (hoodoo)?  The actual focus was more on the lives of the local lads and the troubles they could scare up as they continue marching toward adulthood one summer afternoon at a time.  It was interesting to see Charlie's relationship with Joe grow from one of simple awe over the success of his junk business to one garnering a little more respect as he learns about his past sacrifices and successes.  He begins to really notice the lines drawn between white and black even in his day and age when those barriers were suppose to be crumbling.  It didn't make for a bad experience, as it was rich in detail and carefully plotted like a well manicured garden, but it was unexpected and unfortunately for me, it colored my time between the pages more Mississippi mud than see-to-the-bottom-clear running water.  All was not lost though...

 An unexpected ray of sunshine peeked from behind the clouds now and again in the form of Katy Jean.  Though some may consider her a side character, I think she actually played a bigger role than most.  She really taught the boys, especially Charlie, how to listen, to feel, and understand the heart of the matter rather than just whats exposed at the surface.  She barely uttered any words and yet in her strong silence a memorable and loving character was born.  In fact, there is a particularly heartfelt moment (tissues are recommended) towards book's end that deals specifically with Katy Jean and if you are able to turn the page without a melancholy smile playing across your lips or a tear shed, you're stronger than I.

In conclusion, though the book and I never became best friends, if it were a person, it could still use its last call to ask me to bail it out.  I'd come not only to rescue a vivid soul worth saving, but for the pleasure of its company and the lilt of its story.  If you like Southern Literature with a slow build, big on family and friends, with a little mystery on the side, this one should definitely be on your "to read" list....just go in KNOWING that versus having any false impressions.  You'll be good to go.
^_^

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About the author...

Paul H. Yarbrough is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. For the past forty years, he has lived in Houston, Texas, where he has worked for two oil companies and been an independent consultant in the oil business, mostly as a landman. He is married with one son. Paul has published a handful of short stories, flash fiction and essays in a variety of forums. His first novel, Mississippi Cotton, was published by Wido Publishing in 2011.

SITE   |   BLOG   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER

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Special thanks to Rick at Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity LLC for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or those promotions forthcoming, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title was released the end of 2014 via WiDo Publishing, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

BOOK BLITZ: Taking Heart by T.J. Kline + GIVEWAY!

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

 

Today, we're joining in the blogosphere wide party for a title celebrating its BOOK BIRTHDAY!  It marks the second installment in the Healing Harts series from author T.J. Kline and promises to be sweet, sassy, and a real tearjerker.  Oooh, quite the combo there.  Let's READ ALL ABOUT IT and see for ourselves, shall we?  Ladies and gents, please direct your eyes to the book in today's spotlight...

 

 

 

Taking Heart

by

T.J. Kline

9780062396549

Avon Impulse

 

 

About the book:

T. J. Kline's Healing Harts series continues as a soldier suffering from PTSD and a therapy dog trainer find that some scars can only be healed by love

 

Julia Hart knows how much good she does training therapy dogs—it's what helped her overcome her own trials after a relationship turned unexpectedly violent. But moving beyond her mistakes meant trusting only her family with her heart.

 

Dylan, a former soldier, has run out of hope for recovery. Plagued by nightmares and flashbacks, he doubts anything will help him overcome his PTSD. When his brother convinces him to try one last time, he agrees to get a therapy dog.

 

He didn't expect to find Julia or a chance for a "normal" future again. But when Julia's attacker is released from prison, Dylan and Julia will have to face the past together.

 

 

 

AVON IMPULSE  |  HARPERCOLLINS  |  AMAZON  |  B&N

 

 

 

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Okay, you've got several of my favorite things going here...

...unexpected love matches, male and female leads trying to pull themselves out of dark places, and let's not forget dogs!  Well, you've certainly caught my attention.  Now, let's see if we can peak yours a little more.

 

Can we say excerpt?

 

 

 

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** EXCERPT **

 

 

“What are we doing at a hospital?”

Dylan gave the electric doors in front of him a wary glance as Julia slipped a vest over Roscoe and another over Tango. His stomach clenched at the thought of going inside. He’d spent more than enough time in a cold, sterile hospital bed than he cared to ever remember. Months receiving treatments for his burns and recuperating from his head wound had left him with a new appreciation for medical professionals and a newfound aversion to hospitals.

“We’re taking the dogs to the children’s ward.” She looked up at him as she connected the clasp and pushed her bangs back. “Remember you asked me once how I got started doing this? This is one of the reasons why I continue doing it.”

He took a deep breath and looked back at the doors. “You realize this is one of the last places I want to be, right?”

Julia cocked her head to one side. “Sometimes the last place we want to be is exactly where we need to be. You didn’t want to come to my place either,” she pointed out. “And you didn’t want Roscoe.”

Dylan snuck his arm out and wound it around her waist, pulling her toward him. Julia’s hand still held the dogs’ leashes but her fingers clenched against the hard wall of his chest. He felt the uncontrollable longing to be near this woman replace the dread that was trying to wind around his heart at the thought of entering a facility that he knew housed pain and fear.

“And see how well that has turned out?” She slid one hand to his neck, cupping his jaw and meeting his gaze with tenderness. “I promise we will leave if it’s too much for you but it’s good for the dogs and these guys work miracles for the kids. Please, trust me?”

Dylan bent forward, letting his mouth find hers, losing himself in the sweetness of her kiss. He didn’t want to go inside, didn’t want to face the icy fear trying to steal the breath from his lungs, but he wanted to prove himself to Julia and that was enough of a reason for him to agree. He wanted to be the man she believed he could be, the man he used to be. Sheer self-control would have to keep the anxiety at bay. It wouldn’t make it disappear, so far only the medication had been able to make him forget it completely, but his determination to earn Julia’s respect gave him a reason to focus his willpower to get through the visit.

 

 

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The excerpt I received was actually longer than what I've included above but umm...we get a little steamy in the next scene (just a smidge, all clothes are still in tact) so I thought I'd leave you wanting more....

 

 

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Special thanks to Diana at HarperCollins for the chance to bring this book blitz to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the other releases in the series, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title just released TODAY via Avon Impulse, so help spread the word and keep a lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

 

 

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FABULOUS HEALING HARTS PRIZE PACK, CLICK HERE AND FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM!

 

 

Until next time...happy reading!

 

 

 

Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

 

Today, we're welcoming the month of June (yep, it's already June...can you believe it?!) with the first of a series of book reviews highlighting the Click trilogy.  Perhaps you've heard of it?  Well, if not, prepare to be dazzled (and if so, just be glad you're already in the know ^-^) as we meet a memorable cast of characters looking for love in all the wrong places with...mixed results to say the least.  Ready to get in on this trip through the e-universe of love?  Today's ebook of choice is...

 

 

 

Click:

 An Online Love Story

by

Lisa Becker

1460922638

Createspace

 

About the book...

Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds entirely through emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with “My buddies and I were out drinking one night,” to the egotistical “B” celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee wades into the shallow end of the dating (cess)pool and endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC’s, FWD’s and inadvertent Reply to All’s, readers will cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends. And ultimately, they will root for Renee to “click” with the right man

 

 

 

 

 

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Alrighty then.  First things first...the format.

I've read a few books similar to this one with its grand plan to divulge everything one needs to know purely through electronic communications and it didn't work.  Here?  It TOTALLY did!  How come?  Well, in my humble opinion, I do believe it has to do with how the story line follows through; that is to say that neither too much nor too little is shared in each email and the timeline of events and last conversations is not interrupted to the point of confusing the reader.  Do we have a transcription of every moment of these character's lives?  No.  Who would honestly want to read ALL of that?!  Here, when a day is skipped over or hours pass, the email chain is still intact.  The characters are still responding to the last logical thing discussed or event that transpired.  The email headers merely act as an anchor to be certain who is "talking" to whom, lest you get so wrapped up in the situation unfolding that you forget.  My question is though, how COULD you forget?  On to those characters...

 

Renee, Shelley, Ashley, and Mark are our four main players, though technically the only "player" of the bunch would be Shelley and she'd GLADLY own up to it if accused.  Renee is what I'd call an every woman's type of gal.  She's a little sassy, a little sweet, and has enough gumption when the going gets tough to pull things off with as little hitch as possible.  Does that mean she's perfect?  Heck to the no!  We'll leave that job up to Ashley.  *snicker snicker*  Of the three ladies, she is the most poised and prim with a slightly holier-than-though attitude that gets knocked down a few notches by book's end (Whew!  She needed it though!). Despite all of that, she means well and really cares about her friends, even if one of them is more of a frenemy to start with.  That one would be Shelley. 

 

 

 

 

Now, Shelley is her exact opposite, probably the reason for their constant clashing.  Where she is shy, Shelley is brash.  When she might take the more conservative road, Shelley tends to make one of her own liking. When it comes to members of the opposite sex, Ashley mainly sticks to one guy (again...and again...and again...) while Shelley's little black book is probably about 3 inches thick.  So why would they even be in the same circle of friendship?  The common denominator is Renee and that's how this circle keeps on turning.  They're a crazy, fun, and fabulous group (especially when group emailing each other and then they break off to send one just to Renee and gripe about the other)...and that's not even taking into account their silent partner, Mark.  Okay, so Mark is their group guy friend, the one that drags our gal Renee into the online dating pool, but he's a sweetheart and given the right gal, he'll be a mighty fine catch (one of them can PERSONALLY vouch for him as well...). 

 

Story wise, I admit...I did see it unfolding another way and even made a mistake in one of my GoodReads updates about things happening the way I imagined them.  Oopsie.  I had mixed up my characters for a brief moment.  It happens.  Getting back to the actual story...I loved how it presented online dating in its many colors with additional "entertainment" provided by Shelley's escapades.  Though not a dabbler myself (no time!), it seemed realistic to me with all the pitfalls, heartbreak, and triumphs following suit.  The fact that the story of each potential match meet up was recollected after the fact didn't draw away from the situation in the least while still providing plenty of exasperated gasps at the stories some of the suitors sowed (and their reactions...my word!).

 

 

 

 

Overall, it was a grand adventure through the inboxes of four friends trying to find love in their own ways.  I bet given the chance, you'll find a bit of yourself in one of them, while Shelley has probably had...okay, I'm not going there. (< - seriously, that was the dark side taunting me with a ready made joke)  But seriously, or as seriously as you can get with this Romantic Comedy of a book, there are smiles to be had, tears to be dried, frustrations to be vented, and hoorahs to be yelled from the highest virtual mountains you can find...all available with the CLICK of a button... 

 

Recommended read for older teens through adults; fans of Women's Fiction, Chick Lit, and Contemporary Romance will especially be attracted.

 

 

 

 

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About the author...

 

 

Lisa had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click and Right Click.  The books, about a young woman’s search for love online in Los Angeles, have been called, “a fast read that will keep you entertained,” “a fun, quick read for fans of Sex and the City,” and “hard to put down.”  The first in the series has now been optioned for a major motion picture.

 

She’s written bylined articles about online dating and has been featured in Cupid’s Pulse, Garmental.com, TV Grapevine, GalTime.com, Single Edition, Career 2.0, The Perfect Soulmate, Chick Lit Central and numerous other book blogs and websites.

 

A former public relations professional, Lisa has worked with some of the biggest consumer companies in the world including McDonald’s, Ford, Sony and Gatorade.  She’s also a former college professor, teaching public relations and communications classes at University of Southern California and Oglethorpe University.

 

As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “for every chair, there’s a tush.”  Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters.  So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone!

 

 

 

 

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest  | Web

 

 

 

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Special thanks to author Lisa Becker for the ebook copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or future installments, please feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or online retailer of your choosing and STAY TUNED as the second and third installments will be appearing RIGHT HERE very soon!

 

Until next time...happy reading!