Everyone loves a good mystery....

Hi there!
Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers....the place you can count on for bookish news and reviews every day of the week...even if it posts late in the day. ^_^  Before we get to far into things, just a quick reminder about the contests currently running on the site, one of which ends TONIGHT so be sure to check out the listing in the right hand side bar before you leave!  Now, on with the show...

Today we take a look at a collection of sorts from the folks at Owlkids Books. It's the first in a middle grade and older mystery series that you REALLY need to have your detective wits about you for...a point I shall elaborate on in a moment.  Shall we get to it then because really no mystery can be solved by just sitting on our laurels. Today's book of choice is....

MAX FINDER MYSTERY:
COLLECTED CASEBOOK, VOL 1
by
Liam O'Donnell and Michael Cho

Welcome to the town of Whispering Meadows, home to one Max Finder, one Alison Santos and a whole lot of mysteries just waiting to be solved; good thing these two are well versed in that area. Whether your bike has been stolen, your chocolate bars swapped, or your stereo trounced, these two have got your back....but in this book, that's not nearly enough.  You see, as much as they've got you covered, to get to the bottom of these cases....you're gonna need to have THEIR backs as well.

That's right! This is not merely a read along sort of mystery, it's a solve along one as well.  Each story in the collection is presented in two full page full color comic book spreads in which we're both introduced to the characters and given the crime details in order to solve the case. Sound easy, right? Yeah....that's what I thought at first too but boy was I proven wrong! 

These are actually pretty tricky and really require your full attention as well as sleuthing abilities because truth be told....I only guessed about two correctly. *-*  Lucky for me (and you future readers), the authors thought ahead...and included what I like to call a Scooby Doo style breakdown at books end.  It gives you the who, why, and final solution to the mysteries so you can check how well you did as well as get some closure for the cases...of course, one wouldn't want to turn to this page prematurely ...gotta use your noodle first!  (Double good idea to put it at the book's end...)  Another interactive aspect of the book is the additional activities that test and strengthen your deducing skills.  From memory match games to "what-is-this" close up pictures, you'll be kept on your toes and have a great along the way.  Speaking of great times....

Even though each mystery is said and don't after a mere four pages, you don't really feel cheated out of an actual story.  Surprisingly you get to know most of the characters pretty well in this short span...and if you're looking for more there's a convenient who's who in the back with the rest of the truly nifty.

All in all, a fun book with appeal for readers young and young at heart, both guys and gals with this sleuthing duo. I suspect many will be  reaching for their detective hats, notebooks and pens after this read....because you just never know where a real life mystery will crop up and a good detective is always ready to go.  This book is available on a bookstore shelf near you as well as volumes 2-4 so be sure to check it out! 

Review copy received courtesy of Owlkids Books. (THANKS!) For more information on this series as well as the rest of their catalog, stop by their website (http://www.owlkids.com) or follow along on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Owlkids).

Until next time...happy reading!

YA Author Beth Belmanno - Guest Post + Contest!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers….the place where even if the blogger is tired, the bookish beat goes on and on and on and ….*YAWN*…oh, sorry!  Long night.  Anywho…

Today we’re taking a look at a new-ish title to the Young Adult literary arena.  It features a young girl with an uncertain heart, a mysterious find, a potential love triangle and a good dose of Celtic lore.  Intrigued?  I thought you might be.  Here’s a bit more to capture your interest….

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Set in Stoneby
Beth Balmanno

From the author....

Fifteen year-old Valerie is used to losing things–she lost her dad to his job ages ago and her best friend moved with no warning...and hasn't been heard from since. During a weekend camping trip with her emotionally distant parents, she stumbles upon a hidden, mysterious stone and she finds herself desperate to keep it, to possess it. Two strange and beautiful boys have other plans, however. They follow her home–Leo, warm and seductive, who covets the stone and will stop at nothing to get it; and Noel, dark-haired and wise, who pledges to protect her and keep her safe.

As she delves deeper into the magic of the stone and the Celtic lore that surrounds it, Valerie realizes that she's losing. Again. But this loss might involve more than a magical stone – this time, she just might lose her heart.

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Good stuff, right?

You know it, or rather we both will once I’ve had a chance to read it fully which may be a bit (more on that later), however my lack of free time has never stood in the way of sharing my reading finds with you before and this shan’t be the first occurrence. What does that boil down to?  A guest post of course! 

I was curious to know more about the book, but also about the author.  You see, just as no two adventures in reading are the same neither are the paths to author-dom taken by writers…or the steps taken to find their “voice”.  When left to her own devices on what to share, THAT is the journey Ms. Balmanno choice to reveal…and what an interesting and fun filled read it was.  Don’t believe me?  See for yourself….

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GUEST POST:  Author Beth Belmanno

No, Really—I'm Sixteen!

When I decided I wanted to be a real, honest-to-goodness writer, I toyed with what genre to write.  I mean, I read pretty much everything on the shelves so I really thought the sky was the limit on the production side of things.  Chick lit like Bridget Jones Diary?  Perfect.  Super crime thrillers like the ones James Patterson writes?  No problemo.  Literary fiction a la The Secret Life of Bees?  I'm ON it. 

But there was one problem.

My voice.

Fact is, my writing voice never matured much beyond age sixteen.  Oh, sure, my writing skill and style have (dear God, at least I hope they have...) but that voice that propels the story, that voice that takes control of my fingers and my mind and gets the words out?  Yeah, she's sixteen.

But I didn't know that.  So when I sat down for that very first time to write, I attempted a novel for adults.  The premise was awesome—a guy holding the alchemist secrets of Count St. Germain...a secret that prevented him from being with the woman he loved.

And guess what?

It sucked.  Like douse-it-with-gasoline-and-toss-it-in-the-fire sucked. My writing group and friends tried to be as nice as possible but there honestly was nothing good to say about it.  Except maybe the premise.  I sat and stewed and sobbed—a lot—because I was convinced I'd never write anything good. 

And then I had a dream.  One of those dreams where it's you but it really isn't and you shift from 1^st person to 3^rd and it's crazy and wild and unbelievably real.  And in it, I was a teenager.  And there were two boys and one was warm and beautiful and the other was cool and gorgeous and they both wanted me.  I knew when I woke up that I wanted to write about them.  And about me—I mean, her. 

I had no idea what the story was but I knew the characters.  And for once, I didn't have to think about how to write or what to write.  Valerie's voice spoke to me loud and clear.  I was the conduit she needed to tell her story...to me and to a larger audience.  I pounded out a 100K word first draft in three months.  I woke up at 5 am so I could write before my kids got up. I got really good at multi-tasking (have you ever tried nursing a toddler while typing??) I carried a notebook with me everywhere.  Valerie would not shut up.

When I typed the last words to that story, I knew I had something special. No, I'm not saying Set in Stone is the next Harry Potter or Hunger Games.  It was something better...at least for me.

I had a book that had a voice. 

Yes, it was the voice of a teenager.  A slightly angst-ridden teenage girl dealing with all sorts of real issues and a fair amount of fantastical ones.  It didn't matter that I'd left my teen years behind almost — gulp—two decades ago.  What mattered was that I had finally found a voice for my writing.

A voice that made me a real, honest-to-goodness author.

Want a chance to win a Kindle copy of Set In Stone?  Good—'cuz I wanna give one to you!  [Read on….]

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Yup, that’s right!

After that AMAZING post….oh come on, admit it….you were hanging on every word, I know I was and after reading the magic she can work with a true share about herself, I can’t wait to see what she can do literarily speaking, but I digress.  After that AMAZING post, it pains me to say that I….I won’t be featuring this one on the site….well, at least until this Fall.  ^_^  What?  You didn’t think I’d skip this one entirely did you?  Pfft!  I think not!  HOWEVER, I’m not one to restrict you from enjoying a potentially great read in the mean time and thanks to the author, you now have a chance to win a copy of the book to call your own.  Here’s the scoop….

The prize?

(1)   Kindle edition of Set in Stone by Beth Balmanno

How to enter?

Just submit your info in the form below and PRESTO CHANGEO, you’re in to win!

Rules?

Open to residents of the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy ….hey, don’t blame the unusual assortment of countries on me, it’s the restrictions Amazon has in place.  Contest ends March 31^st at midnight CST.  Winner’s information will be sent to the author for prize send out and then discarded.

For more information about the book and the author, be sure to visit her official website or follow along on Twitter.

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So, what are you waiting for?

Get to it!

I mean really, if you’re anything like me….you can’t stand to see a good book fly under the radar.  So get your entries in and spread the word about this new YA title near and far.  Shout it from the rooftops if you must!

Until next time…good luck…happy reading!



New socks anyone?

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers….the place to be when you’re in the mood for food…for thought that is. 

Just a quick reminder of two exciting things we’ve got going right now on the site….first, your chance to win a copy of Finding Our Way Home by Charlaine Ann Baumbich ends 03/23; so don’t delay, get your entries in now!  (It’s easy peasy with plenty of extra options, promise…)  Second, Gone Reading International’s created a special deal JUST for my readers (aka YOU!) with 25% savings off your bookish purchase and when I say bookish I mean bookish.  They have shirts with fun-tastic sayings, books-I’ve-read journals, bookmarks, and even a Jane Austen trivia game!  Be sure to check out all the fun before the code expires.  Just check the “CURRENT CONTESTS” section in the right hand side bar for more details.  Now, on to the post….

Today we direct our gaze at a title from an author team you may recognize, though their TV exploits are even more well known, that’s breaking ground in a new-to-them genre….pretty successfully too.  The story type is one many reserve for the Fall months but I say…what the hay?  Who couldn’t use a good spine tingling read at other times of the year?    Shall we get right to it then?  Let’s!  Today’s book of choice is….

Ghost Trackers

By

Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson

with Tim Waggoner

From the publisher…

For fifteen years, Amber, Drew, and Trevor have barely been able to recall—let alone explain—what happened the terrifying night they decided to explore the old, abandoned Lowry House.  According to local legend, the house was cursed by a dark past and inhabited by evil.  It burst into flames on the night of their visit, leaving the friends traumatized and nearly dead with only vague memories of the frightening events they had witnessed inside.  Now, on the eve of their high school reunion, they have gathered to reopen their investigation and figure out, once and for all, what took place that fateful night…before the supernatural entity they escaped threatens to overtake them again.

Funny thing about this book….it came up in conversation yesterday.  Okay, so that’s not especially FUNNY per se, but it is ironic just the same that the review was planned for today, no?  Anywho….I had a customer asking for horror books that will really “scare the socks off of you”.  *blink*  Truth be told?  Haven’t ever actually had a book do that to me before…  *-*  …I think it’s something to do with your personality and imagination.  Mine is active (imagination that is), while the former is subdued (personality…what can I say?  I reek of bookishness…) so I suppose they balance each other out where the visuals my mind’s eye creates don’t run away with themselves.  Are they vivid?  Sure…but they don’t generally carry so much foreboding that I can’t sleep after reading a particularly spooky chapter….and I told them as much, however I could DEFINITELY recommend some fine horror/scary story authors for them to check out both from experience and recommendations I’ve received (yep…that means you!) which leads to today’s feature…

For you scaredy cats out there, there’s no need to hide under the covers….this book isn’t terrifying but it IS down right spooky/creepy and perhaps best read in the daytime, with a strong nightlight, or a great big fluffy puppy (or a tiny one that THINKS they’re the big fluffy type) close at hand.  The authors create an atmosphere of suspense and electricity that sustains itself throughout the book; you’re always on the edge of your seat wondering what or who will be next.  The vengeance carried out seems random at first with small threads of connection forming like the lingering wisps of a spider’s web, but the purpose behind them is revealed in due time with enough details in the meanwhile to keep your attention firmly locked.  Speaking of that vengeance…

Talk about creative minds and just desserts!  No really…each person affected by the darkness unleashed once again in this sleepy little hollow of a town gets to shall we say pay for their acts of indiscretion in very appropriate manners.  They all start simple and straight forward…and then twist into something a bit bigger, a bit menacing and much darker.  They were all original, especially with the way the characters were able to interact with everything, but the one that stuck with me the most was the science lab scene.  You remember labs, right?  Teachers asking you to dissect some little critter or creature for the sake of Science…when perhaps a digital or 3D version might have worked just as nicely?  Well in this scenario gone wrong, they exact their revenge for being used to make a point against a faculty member and fellow student.  ~shudders~  Yep, it’ll certainly make your skin crawl….best not to read while eating either… *-*

As the story progresses, you get a proper sense of who’s who amongst the group.  From the reunion attendees (that may or may not survive) to the main trio to the shadowy figure yet to be fully revealed, they all make their mark in the story (no matter the length of time they still have left on the page…*dun dun dunnnn*).  Of the three friends, I suppose the one’s I feel we come to know best are Drew and Amber…or perhaps it’s that they’re stories have more feeling to them than Trevor’s.  Though the first is level headed to a fault at times and the second so wound within her mind it’s hard to see where reality ends and feelings begin, they both have a much more emotional reaction to everything going on both now and back then.  Trevor….he approaches it as a believer already, so certain events only serve to confirm what’s already there.  Amber has no room for doubt, especially with her “talents” and yet pushes against its existence every chance she gets.  Drew is more practical and analyzes it all away with science but even he is forced to reconsider when things REALLY start to unravel….

There were really only two “issues” I had with the book that surface for any kind of notice.  First, the story is told from a variety of voices….determining precisely who is speaking though, at times…can be rough.  The transitions between small part characters and the “big nasty darkness” is fairly clear but I think because the trio is so close in heart and action, that their voices tend to blend at times.  A good effect to show their connection yes….but it can cause a stumble or two to keep track of whose eyes we’re seeing through now.  Second and lastly, the ending…not exactly what I was expecting; it was good, don’t get me wrong but I think I was expecting something “more”.  Surprisingly though, after reflecting on the author’s backgrounds with actual paranormal investigation (especially in how they approach it), it makes sense.  I mean, Hollywood has us expecting otherworldly activity to be all spinning heads and pea soup when in reality, its more bumps in the night and small burst of activity so perhaps the slightly lackluster ending was intentional in order to reflect an “actual” haunting. 



Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson



All in all, a spooky scary fictitious read that will have you leaving the lights on if not reaching for new socks (you know, to replace the ones that might have been blown off…).  The language is well managed, the gore kept in check, the touchy scenes kept sensual in lieu of something else….all adding up to a recommended read for teens through adults looking for a good scare with heart.  The info page on this book mentions it’s the start of a “new series” so the question begged to be asked, when will the next installment be? Though I’ve nothing official to share, there is the mention of a new book from these authors coming out October 2012 by the name of Ghost Town.  Hmm….I wonder…. *marks calendar for further investigation.

Review copy received courtesy of Melissa at Simon and Schuster.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to check out their website, 'like' them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  This book was released the later part of 2011 from Gallery Books and should be available on a bookstore shelf near you.  To discover more about the authors, be sure to check out their other works (one of which was reviewed right here earlier this year) as well as their show on the Syfy channel.

Until next time…happy reading!

Taste Testing Tuesdays

Good morning (or whatever time it is where you are), everyone!

Welcome to another installment of Taste Testing Tuesdays here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!  Taste Testing Tuesdays was inspired by 'Teaser Tuesdays', a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

 

On the menu this week...a book I'm literally just starting, so YOU get the first taste you lucky readers you.  Ready....set....READ!

 

 

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I couldn't do all the investigating myself.  The ship was too big, the time too short, officialdom too uncooperative, and it looked as is Jay wasn't going to be of much use.

-- pg 51, Shore Excursion, A Sidney Marsh Murder Mystery by Marie Moore

 

*dun dun dunnnnnn*

Curious to know more about what mystery (assumedly murder) she is investigating and who this non-useful Jay fellow is....aren't you?  Will be delving into this one more later today.  Don't forget to check out the blog tour going on now with Tribute Books....and be sure to swing by next week when it stops by right here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Grab your current read

*Open to a random page

*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

*Share the title & author, too, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Until next time....happy reading!

 

 

In My Shopping Bag

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Through her guidelines, your post does not actually have to be named the same and thus my post shall be..."In My Shopping Bag".  (just fits with the "foodie" theme a bit better in my humble opinion)

Let's take a peek inside my shopping bag this week....

 

 

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Review

 

Little Miss Bronte, Jane Eyre:  A Counting Primer

Little Master Carroll, Alice in Wonderland:  A Colors Primer

by Jennifer Adams, art by Alison Oliver

(courtesy of the author and Eric at Quirk Books)

Both titles are a part of the BABYLIT series...one that I've seen in our local store and always been captivated by not only the titles/authors featured but the artwork!  When the opportunity to share these with all of you came up, I could hardly say no.  Published by Gibbs Smith, these as well as the rest of the series are available now on a bookstore shelf near you.

Rosie Flo's Coloring Fashion Show

(courtesy of Lara at Chronicle Books)

Doesn't look like much now but just you wait until I get all the fashions colored....THEN you'll see a fashion show!  Stay tuned as this season's hottest 2D fashions take a 3D turn...and you just might score a chance to win a set all your own!

The Song Remains the Same by Allison Winn Scotch (ARC)

(via Shelf-Awareness newsletter)

Release Date:  April 12, 2012 from Putnam, an imprint of Penguin Book Group

A plane crash...memories lost but not forgotten...the journey back to the truth and what really matters.  Sounds intriguing, no?

Temp:  An Accidental Fairytale by A.E. Mayer

(courtesy of Adam at Cricket Ink)

Magical creatures on Earth....a temp staffing agency whose initials are too funny...and a lead character with secrets of her own.  As the closing line for the blurb says..."Fizzing with wit and adventure, Temp is a tale for anyone who has ever fantasized about a more magical life."  Yep...sounds good to me.  With my reading schedule though, this one will be on hold for a bit....but that doesn't mean YOU can't check things out first (hence the included link!).  ^_^

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Received

From my blogging buddy, friend, and future author-to-be Nayuleska.

A little pick-me-up that certainly helps pick me up throughout the crazy times right now....how could they not?  Oh-so-cute keychain and a little bookish girl statue that you can put a wish or special thought in the secret compartment.  (THANKS!  *hugs*)

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Bought

The Twilight Saga, Eclipse:  The Official Illustrated Movie Companion byb Mark Cotta Vaz

A totally unexpected purchase....it was just sitting there on a sale shelf and well, I couldn't pass it by.  ^-^

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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That's it for this week.

 

 So what do you think? 

What did YOU get?

Do tell!

Until next time....happy reading!

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today...even if you've no green in your blood.

Oh...and if you forgot to wear green .... *pinch*

^_^

BLOG TOUR: The Priest and the Peaches

Hi there!

Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers....the place where the arrival of the weekend can signal only one thing, more time for reading!  (Well, for most anyway...)

So, Happy Friday to one and all!

Here's hoping the week treated you right and if not, then you celebrate the heck out of the weekend.  Today, we have a special guest on the site...can you guess what it is?  Oh come on, I'll even give you a clue....it's in the title of this post.  Give up?  Okay fine, I'll let you off the hook this time....just don't expect any freebies in the near future.  It's a book tour via Tribute Books featuring a very special title indeed.  How so?  Patience...patience....keep reading....

2012 marked a big year for Tribute Books with the kick off of their Young Adult ebook division! When I heard they were making the blogosphere rounds with their first title, I knew I HAD to get a spot on the tour. I mean really, they're a great publisher as it is with a range of titles to suit many tastes and talk about accessible and friendly! I've many a conversation or twitter-sation with Nicole and it never fails to be both delightful and informative.  (Seriously, if you're not "following" them yet, be sure to check the bottom of the post for all the necessary connection information.)  Anywho...let's get to the featured title, shall we?  Today's blog tour guest and book of choice is....

The Priest and the Peaches

by

Larry Peterson

From the publisher...

Take a seven day journey with the five, newly orphaned Peach kids, as they begin their struggle to remain a family while planning their dad's funeral.

 They find an ally in the local parish priest, Father Tim Sullivan, who tries his best to guide them through the strange, unchartered and turbulent waters of "grown-up world." A story that is sad, funny, and inspiring as it shows how the power of family love and faith can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

If the author's name seems familiar, it should be. One of his previous works has actually appeared here on the site, namely Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes....an interesting read about a young boy with very slippery feet! In this venture into the world of Young Adult literature, we find a family torn apart by tragedy in ways that they've only started to understand.  Within a year, the five Peach children  have lost their mother, their grandmother and now...their father.  Where will they turn for solace and comfort?  Where will they receive the love and care they need to make it day to day let alone a lifetime?  Thank goodness for their closeness to one another, a trait that is often absent in today's world, for it is this closeness that whispers to them in their darkest hours....everything will be alright. 

Though all the children have their moments to make their mark what with their age appropriate rebellions and jumping on beds (or odd...oye!), but the most memorable to me (besides the Batman and Robin excitement) were Teddy and Joanie.  They were the eldest of the five (18 and 16, I believe, respectively) and so the duties of mother and father fell directly on their shoulders.  Many kids would have folded under the pressure and simply threw their hands in the air in surrender, but not these two.  They were determined to make things work NO MATTER WHAT so they could and would remain a family.  There were no if's an's or but's about it....they were determined to make things work and work they would...sort of.  Well, no one is perfect and it's not like they got any formal training on how to be model parents...they're just two kids trying to make the best of a horrible situation and keep everyone together.  A lot of strength in such young hearts but then considering everything they've been through before Yimey's (their dad's) passing... but still having an adult as back up even if they're only half able to assist is better than none at all.  Moving forward...

We've two outsiders to this close knit family that make their presence known time and again in totally separate ways.  Father Sullivan always seems to show up at the right time in the right place, as if guided by a higher power.  Beatrice Amon on the other hand, only seems to want to stir up trouble...and trouble in this case will cause a rift that may not be able to be bridged.  I love the direction that the author takes both of these people within the story eventually leading to a personal reveal on both counts that sheds a light on why they do what they do.  It's unexpected and a bit shady but very fitting to the circumstances and helps one of them turn over a new leaf. 

There were a few parts I must point out that rubbed me the wrong way.  (Promise, this will only take a second but for the sake of full disclosure, I must make a brief mention.)  First, the nicknames for the children.  With the number of kids in this family, it was hard enough keeping track of everyone and forming a vision of their character and personality but add to that quirky nicknames and...you almost lost me.  Almost.  Second, the conversations between the characters at times can come across a bit "run-Spot-run"-ish, disturbing the flow of the story.  You have to give your readers some credit that they'll be able to connect the dots of the story even with an intended YA audience....perhaps especially when it's this age group you're aiming for as any talking down to doesn't seem to be taken very well if you know what I mean.

Last but not least is a irritation but also a contemplation.  There were several times throughout the book that I literally felt like I was in Church.  In truth, at some times you actually WERE in Church due to the circumstances but was it really necessary to include the actual Mass or prayers being recited?  To me, though familiar it was over kill....but I can still see where the author was coming from with its inclusion.  The BIG message throughout the story is L-Y-N....Love Your Neighbor....and while its use (and abbreviation) was meaningful (and clever) and certainly something worth paying forward, don't be surprised if you want to throw on your Sunday best when reading this one.

Overall, an emotional read that tugs on the heart strings full force with its tragedies, unkind surprises, and love gone wrong but it's through these trials that the message of L-Y-N shines through like a beacon in the night showing us the world we might live in if each of us took a little more time for one another in a moment of neighborly love.  You'll laugh (as the children often do).  You'll cry (as they often do as well).  You'll see the world in a new light as characters reveal their true selves through their actions and lack thereof.  The one thing you won't do is walk away untouched by the events that you "witnessed"...feel free to carry that message of love and understanding to the world long after you turn that final e-page.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. A former Metal Lather/Reinforcing Iron-worker, he left that business after coming down with MS. He, his wife and three kids moved to Florida 30 years ago. Larry began doing freelance newspaper commentary after graduating from Tampa College in 1984.

His first children's picture book, Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes was published in 2011. In 2012, his full length novel, The Priest and the Peaches was released and he is presently working on the sequel.

He also has a blog (http://www.thepriestandthepeaches.com/) where he posts weekly commentary. He lives in Pinellas Park, Florida and his kids and six grandchildren all live within three miles of each other.

 

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This being a blog tour, there are oodles of blogs to visit and posts to read!  Don't miss the other stops on the tour (the full schedule for which can be found HERE)! Today you can also find the tour at ....

Cece Reading and Writing Safari

Jersey Girl Book Reviews

All Things Books

...and tomorrow....

 

My Two Blessings

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To pick up a copy all your own, this title is available via these outlets....

KINDLE   |    NOOK   |    iBookstore   |   Smashwords  |  PDF

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Ebook for review courtesy of Nicole at Tribute Books. (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as their extensive catalog, feel free to check them out online, read one or two of their review blogs, 'like' them or their tour site on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter. To discover more of the author's current works as well as any upcoming WIP's, check out his blog, Facebook, or Twitter feeds.

Until next time...happy reading!