Tuesday, November 24, 2020

BLOG TOUR: NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT ANTHOLOGY by: Jeffery Deaver, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Kevin O'Brien, Hank Phillippi Ryan, D.P. Lyle, Joseph Badal, Shannon Kirk

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT ANTHOLOGY by Suspense Publishing Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT ANTHOLOGY

Authors: Jeffery Deaver, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Kevin O'Brien, Hank Phillippi Ryan, D.P. Lyle, Joseph Badal, Shannon Kirk

Pub. Date: November 17, 2020

Publisher: Suspense Publishing

Formats:  Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 338

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

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

The sun sets. The moon takes its place, illuminating the most evil corners of the planet. What twisted fear dwells in that blackness? What legends attach to those of sound mind and make them go crazy in the bright light of day? Only Suspense Magazine knows…

Teaming up with New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, Suspense Magazine offers up a nail-biting anthology titled: “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.” This thrilling collection consists of thirteen original short stories representing the genres of suspense/thriller, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, and more.

Readers’ favorites come together to explore the mystery of midnight. The ‘best of the best’ presenting these memorable tales, include: Joseph Badal, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Shannon Kirk, Jon Land, John Lescroart, D. P. Lyle, Kevin O’Brien, and Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Take their hands…walk into their worlds…but be prepared to leave the light on when you’re through. After all, this incredible gathering of authors, who will delight fans of all genres, not only utilized their award-winning imaginations to answer that age-old question of why “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight”—they also made sure to pen stories that will leave you…speechless.


Contents:

INTRODUCTION By Jeffery Deaver

12:01 AM By Alan Jacobson

Cell Phone Intolerant by Kevin O’Brien

All Aboard by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Gone Forever by Joseph Badal

Night Shift by Linwood Barclay

Midnight in the Garden of Death by Heather Graham

The Sixth Decoy by Paul Kemprecos

A Creative Defense By Jeffery Deaver

After Midnight By Rhys Bowen

Easy Peasey by John Lescroart

TONIC by D. P. Lyle

Tonight is the Night by Shannon Kirk

ATM By Jon Land

Praise:

“Most of the 13 all-original tales in this superlative anthology are unified by strange or unpleasant incidences occurring after the stroke of midnight. In contrast, Alan Jacobson’s thrilling ‘12:01 AM,’ about a kidnapper patterning himself after a serial killer on death row, defies the perception that nothing good happens after midnight, as does Jon Land’s ‘ATM,’ a redemption tale of a young man sent on a series of vague quests to improve people’s lives. Of special distinction are Linwood Barclay’s sublime nail-biter, ‘Night Shift,’ about a newspaperman trying to stop a late-night caller from going on a killing spree, and Kevin O’Brien’s ‘Cell Phone Intolerant,’ a darkly amusing vigilante tale of an anti–cell phone zealot whose crusade to punish inconsiderate people has shocking repercussions. Other standouts include Heather Graham’s disquieting spine-chiller, ‘Midnight in the Garden of Death,’ in which high schoolers spend the night in a cemetery, and Deaver’s supernatural gothic, ‘A Creative Defense,’ which underscores the power of music. This volume is guaranteed to keep readers burning the midnight oil well into the wee hours.”

— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

 

“Something very good happens after midnight…just pick up this brilliant book and be transported—and very afraid!”

—Peter James, UK #1 Bestselling Author of the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace Series

 

“NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT is a treat—dark, chilling, and delicious. Grab it.”

—Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award-Winning Author of The Dark Corners of the Night

 

“NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT proves that the witching hour still has the power to haunt in this suspenseful collection of stories by luminaries in the literary world. Inventive, twisted, and downright chilling, here is an anthology to be savored—well past midnight and into the dead of night.”

—James Rollins, #1 New York Times Bestseller of The Last Odyssey

 

“This anthology showcases some of the best talent in the thriller genre—or in any genre. Whether quirky or creepy, each story displays the talent and uniqueness of its author. And since all are so good, this collection is a delightful read.”

—Sandra Brown, #1 New York Times Bestseller of Thick as Thieves

 

“If you like intrigue and suspense, you’ll love this salmagundi of tense tales from some of today’s short story masters. This book is guaranteed to keep you awake until midnight and beyond.”

—Steven James, Bestselling Author of The Bowers Files

 

“Nothing Good Happens After Midnight is loads of fun. The stories from this lineup of all-star authors are a blast to read, with plenty of neck-snapping twists and heart-stopping thrills that will keep you turning pages way past the title’s witching hour.”

—Boyd Morrison, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

 

“Readers rarely get a gift such as this—a superb collection from the giants of mystery and suspense.”

—Robert Dugoni, Bestselling Author of the Tracy Crosswhite Series

 

“Midnight is the magic switch. Safe becomes dangerous, good becomes evil, quiet turns raucous. When the clock strikes twelve in NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT, a talented crew of writers unleashes a maelstrom of thrills so intense, you will never sleep again. Unputdownable!” 

—K.J. Howe, International Bestselling Author of SKYJACK

 

“NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT is a treasure chest of novelties, curiosities and gems. From Kevin O’Brien’s ‘Cell Phone Intolerant’ to Shannon Kirk’s ‘Tonight is the Night’ and Jon Land’s surprisingly heartfelt ‘ATM,’ you’ll never step outside at night in quite the same way.”

—Joseph Finder, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Nick Heller Series


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

 

JOSEPH BADAL grew up in a family where storytelling had been passed down from generation to generation. 

Prior to a long business career, Joe served for six years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army in critical, highly classified positions in the U.S. and overseas, including tours of duty in Greece and Vietnam, and earned numerous military decorations. 

Joe is an Amazon #1 bestselling author, with 16 published suspense novels. He has been recognized as “One of The 50 Best Writers You Should Be Reading.” His books have received two Tony Hillerman Awards for Best Fiction Book of the Year, been top prize winners on multiple occasions in the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards competition, received gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America, the Eric Hoffer Award, and Finalist honors in the International Book Awards. 

He writes a regular column titled “Inspired by Actual Events” in Suspense Magazine. 

To learn more, visit his website at http://www.josephbadalbooks.com/. 

 

LINWOOD BARCLAY, a New York Times bestselling author and with nearly twenty novels to his
credit, spent three decades in newspapers before turning full time to writing thrillers. His books have been translated into more than two dozen language, sold millions of copies, and he counts Stephen King among his fans. Many of his books have been optioned for film and TV, a series has been made in France, and he wrote the screenplay for the film based on his novel NEVER SAW IT COMING. Born in the US, his parents moved to Canada just as he was turning four, and he’s lived there ever since. He lives near Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children.
http://www.linwoodbarclay.com/

 

RHYS BOWEN is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of two historical mystery series, as well as three internationally bestselling standalone novels. Her books have won multiple awards and been translated into over twenty languages. A transplanted Brit, Rhys now divides her time between California and Arizona, where she escapes from those harsh California winters. http://www.rhysbowen.com/

 





New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, HEATHER GRAHAM, majored in theater arts at
the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over two hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas family fare.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty-five languages. She has written over 200 novels and has 60 million books in print. She has been honored with awards from booksellers and writers’ organizations for excellence in her work, and she is also proud to be a recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers and was also awarded the prestigious Thriller Master in 2016. She is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from RWA. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight and local television.

Heather loves travel and anything that has to do with the water, and is a certified scuba diver. She also loves ballroom dancing. Each year she hosts the Vampire Ball and Dinner theater at the RT convention, raising money for the Pediatric Aids Society, and in 2006 she hosted the first Writers for New Orleans Workshop to benefit the stricken Gulf Region. She is also the founder of “The Slush Pile Players,” presenting something that’s “almost like entertainment” for various conferences and benefits. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living. http://www.theoriginalheathergraham.com/

 

ALAN JACOBSON is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of fourteen thrillers, including the FBI profiler Karen Vail series and the OPSIG Team Black novels. His books have been translated internationally and several have been optioned by Hollywood. Jacobson’s debut novel, FALSE ACCUSATIONS, was adapted to film by acclaimed Czech screenwriter JirĂ­ Hubac.

Jacobson has spent over twenty-five years working with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, the DEA, the US Marshals Service, SWAT, the NYPD, Scotland Yard, local law enforcement, and the US military. This research and the breadth of his contacts help bring depth and realism to his characters and stories.

For video interviews and a free personal safety eBook co-authored by Alan Jacobson and FBI Profiler Mark Safarik, please visit http://www.alanjacobson.com/. You can also connect with Jacobson on Facebook (Facebook.com/AlanJacobsonFans), Instagram (alan.jacobson), Twitter (@JacobsonAlan), and Goodreads (alan-jacobson).

 

PAUL KEMPRECOS is the author of eight novels in the Aristotle “Soc” Socarides private detective
series, including COOL BLUE TOMB, winner of a Shamus award from the Private Eye Writers of America for Best Paperback, and SHARK BAIT, nominated for a Shamus in the same category. Grandmaster of Adventure writer Clive Cussler blurbed: “There can be no better mystery writer in America than Paul Kemprecos.” Paul became the first fiction co-author to work with Cussler when they created and wrote the New York Times bestselling NUMA Files series. After collaborating with Cussler on the first eight books in the NUMA Files, Paul wrote two adventure novels including THE MINOAN CIPHER, nominated for a Thriller award by the International Thriller Writers. Paul lives on Cape Cod with his wife Christi, a financial advisor.

To learn more about Paul Kemprecos, check out his website at http://www.paulkemprecos.com/.

 

SHANNON KIRK is the international bestselling and award-winning author of METHOD 15/33, THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF VIVIENNE MARSHALL, IN THE VINES, GRETCHEN, VIEBURY GROVE, and short stories in four anthologies: THE NIGHT OF THE FLOOD, NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT, and BORDER NOIR. Shannon is also a contributor to the International Thriller Writers’ Murderers’ Row. Growing up in New Hampshire, Shannon and her brothers were encouraged by their parents to pursue the arts, which instilled in her a love for writing at a young age. A graduate of Suffolk Law School in Massachusetts, Shannon is a practicing litigation attorney and former adjunct law professor, specializing in electronic-evidence law. When she isn’t writing or practicing law, Shannon spends time with her husband, son, and two cats. To learn more about her, visit http://www.shannonkirkbooks.com/.

 

JON LAND is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 books, including the award-winning,
critically acclaimed Caitlin Strong series, the most recent of which is STRONG FROM THE HEART. He has also penned six novels in the MURDER, SHE WROTE series and has recently taken over Margaret Truman’s CAPITAL CRIMES series as well. He’s a 1979 graduate of Brown University, lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and can be reached at
jonlandbooks.com or on Twitter @jondland.

 





JOHN LESCROART is the author of twenty-nine novels, nineteen of which have been New York Times bestsellers. Libraries Unlimited places him among “The 100 Most Popular Thriller and Suspense Authors.” With sales of over twelve million copies, his books have been translated into twenty-two languages in more than seventy-five countries, and his short stories appear in many anthologies.

John’s first book, SUNBURN, won the Joseph Henry Jackson Award for Best Novel by a California author. DEAD IRISH, THE 13TH JUROR, and THE KEEPER were nominees for the Shamus, Anthony, and Silver Falchion Best Mystery Novel, respectively; additionally THE 13TH JUROR is included in the International Thriller Writers publication “100 Must-Read Thrillers of All Time.” HARD EVIDENCE made “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Ultimate Reading List.” THE SUSPECT was the American Author’s Association 2007 Book of the Year. THE MOTIVE was an Audie Finalist of the Audio Publishers Association. THE MERCY RULE, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, THE SUSPECT, THE FALL, and THE RULE OF LAW have been major market Book Club selections. John’s books have been Main Selections of one or more of the Literary Guild, Mystery Guild, and Book of the Month Club.  http://www.johnlescroart.com/

“John Lescroart’s writing skills are a national treasure.”

—The Huffington Post

 

D. P. LYLE is the Amazon #1 Bestselling; Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Award-winning; and
Edgar(2), Agatha, Anthony, Shamus, Scribe, and USA Today Best Book(2) Award-nominated author of 22 books, both non-fiction and fiction, including the Samantha Cody, Dub Walker, Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series and the Royal Pains media tie-in novels. His essay on Jules Verne’s THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND appears in THRILLERS: 100 MUST READS, his short story “Even Steven” in ITW’s anthology THRILLER 3: LOVE IS MURDER, and his short story “Bottom Line” in FOR THE SAKE OF THE GAME. He served as editor for and contributed the short story “Splash” to SCWA’s anthology IT’S ALL IN THE STORY.

He hosts the Crime Fiction Writer’s Blog and the Criminal Mischief: The Art and Science of Crime Fiction podcast series. He has worked with many novelists and with the writers of popular television shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, Judging Amy, Peacemakers, Cold Case, House, Medium, Women’s Murder Club, 1-800-Missing, The Glades, and Pretty Little Liars.

Learn more at http://www.dplylemd.com.

 

Before his thrillers landed him on the New York Times bestseller list, KEVIN O’BRIEN was a railroad inspector. The author of 21 internationally-published thrillers, he won the Spotted Owl Award for Best Pacific Northwest Mystery, and is a core member of Seattle 7 Writers. Press & Guide said: “If Alfred Hitchcock were alive today and writing novels, his name would be Kevin O’Brien.” Kevin’s latest nail-biter is THE BAD SISTER. http://kevinobrienbooks.com/

 


HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN
is on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, winning 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. A USA Today bestselling author of 12 thrillers, Ryan’s also an award-winner in her second profession—with five Agathas, three Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. Critics call her “a master of suspense.” Her highly-acclaimed TRUST ME was an Agatha nominee and chosen for numerous prestigious “Best of 2018” lists. Hank’s book THE MURDER LIST is an Agatha, Anthony and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee.  Her newest standalone is THE FIRST TO LIE (Forge Books August 2020). The Publishers Weekly starred review calls it “Stellar.” http://www.hankphillippiryan.com/

 

JEFFERY DEAVER is an international number-one bestselling author. His novels have appeared on
bestseller lists around the world. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into twenty-five languages. He has served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America.

The author of forty-three novels, three collections of short stories and a nonfiction law book, and a lyricist of a country-western album, he’s received or been shortlisted for dozens of awards. His THE BODIES LEFT BEHIND was named Novel of the Year by the International Thriller Writers association, and his Lincoln Rhyme thriller THE BROKEN WINDOW and a stand-alone, EDGE, were also nominated for that prize. THE GARDEN OF BEASTS won the Steel Dagger from the Crime Writers Association in England. He’s been nominated for eight Edgar Awards.

Deaver has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, the Strand Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Raymond Chandler Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy.

His book A MAIDEN’S GRAVE was made into an HBO movie starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin, and his novel THE BONE COLLECTOR was a feature release from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Lifetime aired an adaptation of his THE DEVIL’S TEARDROP. NBC television is airing the popular prime time series, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector.

His latest novel is THE GOODBYE MAN, a Colter Shaw thriller. http://www.jefferydeaver.com/

 

SUSPENSE MAGAZINE was founded in 2007 on the premise that every author in the genre needed a platform to have a voice. From that original concept, Suspense Publishing was born in 2010 to publish high quality books in the suspense/mystery/horror/thriller genre. Suspense Publishing’s goal is to be a leader in  producing the highest quality books in the genre.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/9/2020

Two Chicks on Books

Spotlight

11/10/2020

JaimeRockstarBookTours

Instagram Stop

11/11/2020

Living in a Bookworld

Spotlight

11/12/2020

Jazzy Book Reviews

Spotlight

11/13/2020

BookHounds

Spotlight


Week Two:

11/16/2020

The Phantom Paragrapher

Review

11/17/2020

The Reading Wordsmith

Review

11/18/2020

Cuzinlogic

Review

11/19/2020

A Dream Within A Dream

Spotlight

11/20/2020

ig reads

Spotlight


Week Three:

11/23/2020

Allie_reads95

Review

11/24/2020

Lifestyle of Me

Review

11/25/2020

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

11/26/2020

The Momma Spot

Review

11/27/2020

Savings in Seconds

Review

 

Week Four:

11/30/2020

Fyrekatz Blog

Review

12/1/2020

Gimme The Scoop Reviews

Review

12/2/2020

Here's to Happy Endings

Review

12/3/2020

callmekaare

Review

12/4/2020

Books A-Brewin'

Spotlight


Week Five:

12/7/2020

Books and Zebras

Review

12/8/2020

Rockstar Book Tours

Spotlight

12/9/2020

Jaime's World

Spotlight

12/10/2020

Momfluenster

Review

12/11/2020

two points of interest

Review


Monday, November 23, 2020

BLOG TOUR: Frozen 2: Dangerous Secrets by Mari Mancusi


I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FROZEN 2:DANGEROUS SECRETS: THE STORY OF IDUNA AND AGNARR by Mari Mancusi Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: FROZEN 2:DANGEROUS SECRETS: THE STORY OF IDUNA AND AGNARR

Author: Mari Mancusi, Grace Lee (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: November 3, 2020

Publisher: Disney Press

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 352

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org, Order A Signed Copy!

Sixteen-year-old Iduna harbors a dark secret. On the surface, she is an Arendellian village girl, an aspiring inventor, and the best friend of Prince Agnarr, but she is also secretly Northuldra.

Ever since the day the forest fell, Arendellians have despised and distrusted Northuldra with a vengeance. No matter that the Northuldra-along with some of Arendelle's own-have been trapped in the Enchanted Forest behind an impenetrable wall of mist since the day of the battle.

Iduna doesn't know why the mist refuses to part, or why it descended to begin with. The only clear thing is that she must keep her identity from everyone, even Agnarr. Her life depends on it.

Fortunately for her, Agnarr doesn't know that Iduna is the Northuldra girl he saw seemingly flying on a gust of wind all those years ago, the day of the celebration turned disaster. The day Agnarr lost his father, the king. The day Agnarr himself almost died.

What Agnarr does know is that Iduna is a true ally in the face of his royal responsibilities and the expectations of an overbearing council and a well-meaning regent who will rule in Agnarr's place until he turns twenty-one and assumes the Arendellian throne.

As Iduna and Agnarr grow ever closer, however, friendship is no longer enough. If only falling for each other didn't mean risking their futures: Iduna's as a hidden-in-plain-sight citizen of Arendelle, and Agnarr's as imminent king.

But for a chance at true love, the risk might be worth taking.

"Frozen fans and romance lovers will fall for this endearing tale." -- Kirkus Reviews 

"An...enthralling read; one that left me feeling like there is no other way Iduna and Agnarr’s story could be told." -- LaughingPlace.com


Review: If you have not seen Frozen 2, then you should DEFINITELY read this book first. It goes more into detail about Anna and Elsa's parents and how they met and eventually fell in love. I absolutely enjoyed it and I can't wait for my youngest who may be the biggest Frozen fan in the world to read this. 


About Mari:

Mari Mancusi is a former Emmy award-winning TV news producer, as well as an award winning YA author. She has published more than two dozen sci-fi/fantasy novels for kids, teens, and adults including The Camelot Code, Scorched, and Dragon Ops. Her series have been chosen as featured selections in the Scholastic Book Fairs and clubs and have been selected by the American Library Association as “Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers” and “Popular Paperbacks.” In addition to writing, Mari is an avid cosplayer, traveller, and gamer. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and their young daughter. She can be found online at www.marimancusi.com. 
 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads




About Grace Lee:

Website

Learn about Grace Lee, Disney Storybook Artist!

Follow Grace Lee on Instagram!

 




Giveaway Details:

3 Winners will receive a finished copy of FROZEN 2:DANGEROUS SECRETS: THE STORY OF IDUNA AND AGNARR, US Only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/2/2020

YA Books Central

Excerpt

11/3/2020

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt

11/4/2020

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

11/5/2020

Allie_reads95

Review

11/6/2020

The Momma Spot

Review

 Week Two:

11/9/2020

Do You Dog-ear?

Review

11/10/2020

Thindbooks Blog

Review

11/11/2020

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

11/12/2020

The Bookwyrm's Den

Review

11/13/2020

Fire and Ice

Review

 Week Three:

11/16/2020

Nerdophiles

Review

11/17/2020

fictitious.fox

Review

11/18/2020

booksaremagictoo

Review

11/19/2020

A Dream Within A Dream

Review

11/20/2020

PopTheButterfly Reads

Review

 Week Four:

11/23/2020

Lifestyle of Me

Review

11/24/2020

Momfluenster

Review

11/25/2020

ChristenKrumm

Review

11/26/2020

onemused

Review

11/27/2020

Jenguerdy

Review


Week Five:

11/30/2020

Emelie's Books

Review


Sunday, November 15, 2020

Review: The Clancys of Queens by Tara Clancy

 


A new favorite nonfiction has been added to my list. From the very beginning, I was laughing so hard. At first I had no idea what to expect and by the time I was done with the first chapter, I just wanted to put everything aside and just read and not stop. When I finished this book today I wanted to immediately re-read it. I just loved the humor, the sass, the big Italian family. The author's grandmother reminded me so  much of my grandma Dooley. 

Tara Clancy takes us on a journey through her life from living in a boat shed with her father every other weekend, to chilling with the old folks of 251st street and staying with her mom and her mom's rich boyfriend in the Hamptons on weekends. She goes on to tell us her routines as a child. How her dad was a NYPD cop. How she was a tomboy and defied every rule and was basically a problem child at school. 

The parts with her grandmother was my absolute favorite and I could not stop laughing. She also regales us with the time her mother took her to West Hollywood to meet her lesbian friend who worked at a sex toy shop and how Tara got stuck in a sex mask and she thought she was dying. 

I highly recommend this.

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Review: Hero of Hacksaw Ridge by Booton Herndon

 


I am having a really difficult time trying to gather all of my opinions and to be able to type them out without going into a complete rage. I absolutely despise this story and the person who is Doss. This is about a soldier named Desmond T. Doss who is sent to Okinawa during World War 2 to battle the Japanese.

I had no idea before I started this book is how religious it was. I am not religious at all and whenever I read or hear about it, I get very uncomfortable. Desmond T. Doss is an Adventist. He lives by the Ten Commandments and takes the Bible literally. He enters the army as a conscientious objector. He refuses to bear arms while in the army and overseas. When his fellow soldiers learn his views, they pick on him and torment him, while the whole time he is praying to God to help him through it.

In my opinion, I see conscientious objectors as dead weight. Even though Desmond T. Doss was a medic and saved many men, I just had plenty of issues with him overall. He was so disrespectful to his superior officers and to the military chain of command in general. 

He kept requesting passes for a Saturday to go to church to keep to the Sabbath, and his superiors specifically told him no more. He then went crying to his minister who called higher ups in Washington and they chewed the superiors out. 

He blatantly shoved his disobedience into everyone's face and got his way. He was like a little kid who throws a tantrum because things didn't go his way and the parents just say fuck it, here you go, now shut up. 

If you are a conscientious objector and refuse to bear arms, then you have no reason to be in the military. If you refuse the right to bear arms, then why would you surround yourself with thousands of people who are killing each other with weapons that you refuse to touch. Does that not go against your moral compass?

Friday, November 13, 2020

BLOG TOUR: Living Dead Girl by Kelly Gunderman *UPDATED*

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the A LIVING DEAD GIRL by Kelly Gunderman Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

Title: LIVING DEAD GIRL

Author: Kelly Gunderman

Pub. Date: November 1, 2020

Publisher: Kelly Gunderman

Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 251

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, TBD, Bookshop.org

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Subscription!

In this young adult thriller perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars, Thirteen Reasons Why, and Sadie, a teenage girl is about to find out how far would she will go to get revenge on those who have taken everything from her.

When seventeen year old high school senior Kaitlyn Davis is almost raped and then brutally murdered at a party by three boys she goes to school with, she uses her dying breath to swear that they will pay for what they’ve done. When she wakes up the next morning, she is a bit blurry on the night before and gets a big surprise - she’s alive? How?

Soon, things start getting weird - it seems as though no one can see her or hear her, and no matter what she does, she can’t seem to feel anything, such as temperature. She can still move things around and touch others, and the room suddenly drops about suddenly drops about thirty degrees wherever she is, but why?

That’s when she is forced to accept it - she’s dead. At first Kaitlyn grieves the loss of her short life - there are so many things that she is going to miss out on, so many things that she will never get to do. But then she gets angry, and she remembers her promise to get revenge on those who had taken her life.

Setting out to give them what they deserve, Kaitlyn has no plans to stop until she gets the revenge she desires.

 REVIEW: A decent young adult paranormal that delivered what it promised. I just wish that it had more attention on the revenge and fleshed it out more instead of our MC Kaitlyn worrying about the conscience and feelings of Josh. She kept feeling sorry for what she would have to do to him since he didn't stick up for her, but then she has a thought and gets angry. I also feel that the ending was rushed with the hurried confession. 

About Kelly:

Kelly Gunderman was born a child of the late eighties in small-town Pennsylvania. A bibliophile in her own right, she is hoping to one day surpass the number of pages she has turned with those she has written of her own accord.

Having recently completed her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development, Kelly suddenly found herself with a bit more free time than usual, and began her immediately successful foray into blogging and Freelance Writing, which subsequently led to her renewed desire to finally put her ideas and imaginings “on paper.”

Focusing primarily on the Young Adult genre, Kelly’s first novel, Finding Me, was published by Swoon Romance, and she is currently working on putting even more stories on paper.

She currently resides in her original home town with her husband, their two daughters, and a few cats that constantly challenge the sanity of all with their ill-advised attempts at what can only be assumed to be world domination.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

1 signed paperback copy of Living Dead Girl (U.S.)

1 Kindle copy of Living Dead Girl (International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/9/2020

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt

11/9/2020

JaimeRockstarBookTours

Instagram Post

11/10/2020

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

11/10/2020

BookHounds YA

Instagram Post

11/11/2020

Why I Cant Stop Reading

Excerpt

11/11/2020

Zainey Laney

Review

11/12/2020

@fictional_booktique

Review/Instagram Post

11/12/2020

jypsylynn

Review/Instagram Post

11/13/2020

simplydanielradcliffe

Review

11/13/2020

Lifestyle of Me

Review


Week Two:

11/16/2020

The Momma Spot

Review

11/16/2020

The Momma Spot

Instagram Post

11/17/2020

The Eclectic Review

Review

11/17/2020

allie_reads95

Review/Instagram Post

11/18/2020

Books Beans & Botany

Review

11/18/2020

The Phantom Paragrapher

Review

11/18/2020

hauntedbybooks

Review

11/19/2020

Momfluenster

Review

11/19/2020

Momfluenster

Instagram Post

11/20/2020

BiancaBuysBooks

Review

11/20/2020

Fyrekatz Blog

Review


Thursday, November 12, 2020

Review: Maus: Volume 1 & 2 by Art Spiegelman

 


VOLUME 1: My Father Bleeds History

I have finally picked up this graphic novel duology after hearing so many great things about it. Since it is my Nonfiction November, I had to include it and I have been really into graphic novels lately. This is a true story about a Polish Jew who was taken to Auschwitz and how he and his wife had to hide in barns and cellars. This is no ordinary visualization. The illustrator decided to use animals to tell the story. The Germans- Nazis, are represented by cats. The Poles are represented by pigs, and the Jews are represented by Mice. 

The story starts off with a little boy playing with his friends and who ever is last is the rotten egg. The little boy falls and is ultimately the rotten egg. He goes home crying and his father reprimands him for crying about friends. You can immediately tell that the son and father relationship is going to be hard. 

The son is a comic book artist and wants to tell his father's story because it needs to be told. He tells of his time owning a business in Poland. Having a girlfriend and then falling for another woman and the said girlfriend being clingy and delusional. The father gets drafted and gets sent to a POW camp. A lot more happens in the first that I will not spoil.

My opinions on the art style is that it is way to cluttered and it is very difficult to keep straight. The font is hard because I can't figure out the town names and the story is being told by a person who's language is definitely not English and it is written to be read like someone who mixes up there English speaking.


VOLUME 2: And Here My Troubles Began

The second volume starts off with the author Art Spiegelman wearing a mouse mask. He is doing all these interviews for the book and he is feeling burnt out and it just over the whole thing. He also learns more about his father's time in Auschwitz and how he worked in the tin shop and shoe shop and the march from Auschwitz when the Russians were closing in. 

We also get a more closer look of how Vladek is a tight wad and how he is a racist towards black people. Art confronts him about it when they pick up a black hitch hiker and Vladek is fuming. he says his racism does not compare to Hitler and his hatred and crimes against the Jews. Which made me infuriated. Vladek was just a hard pill to swallow and I can feel bad for him but how he acted towards another race, it is unforgiveable. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

WISHLIST WEDNESDAY: Board Games

 My family loves board games. We try to have a board game night every weekend and we have a big collection of Monopoly. When we see a version we like, we immediately grab it. My husband loves the game and my kids enjoy it. Next week's Wishlist Wednesday topic will be Video Games. 

The games listed below are what my kids have asked for, for Christmas, and also ones that I have been wanting for a long while. I may make a part 2 sometime in the future. 


1. Blokus



2. Ticket To Ride



3. Clue The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror



4. UNO: Roboto Game



5. Monopoly Millionaire



6. TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas



Review: Alice in Borderland volume 1 by Haro Aso *spoilers* PART 2

  I decided to split my blogpost for volume 1 into 2 because it would be hella long and I wasn't about that. Plus having the first part ...