Book Review - Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head by Jeanne Walker Harvey + Giveaway

 

Edith Head grew up in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada. She had a few friends but, she spent most of her time dressing up her toys, pets, and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She wanted to spend her life surrounded by people and excitement. She had her sights set on Hollywood and managed to talk her way into getting a job sketching costumes for a movie studio. Edith didn't know how to sew or draw but, she didn't let that stop her. Edith worked hard and taught herself until it paid off and she worked with some of the biggest stars of the day.

I thought the picture book was an okay read. I wasn't familiar with Edith Head so, it was an interesting to learn more. The author and illustrator did a good job with the pictures and story. However, I felt that the book was lacking the reason why the author was so interested in Edith Heed. The author did include a line or two but, I didn't see why Edith Head warranted a book over say any other costumer designer. (I am also not saying that Edith doesn't deserve one either!) I wish that there was appendix listing some of Edith's most noteworthy books. I think young readers who enjoy fashion would like this book.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 

 

About The Book:

Title: DRESSING UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD

Author: Jeanne Walker Harvey & Diana Toledano (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: September 20, 2022

Publisher: Beach Lane Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 40

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

 Discover the true story of how a shy miner’s daughter became one of the most legendary costume designers in Hollywood in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography.

As a child in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, Edith Head had few friends and spent most of her time dressing up her toys and pets and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She always knew she wanted to move somewhere full of people and excitement. She set her sights on Hollywood and talked her way into a job sketching costumes for a movie studio.

Did she know how to draw or sew costumes? No. But that didn’t stop her!

Edith taught herself and tirelessly worked her way up until she was dressing some of the biggest stars of the day, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly to Ginger Rogers. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood movie studio costume department and went on to win eight Academy Awards for best costume design—and she defined the style of an era.

About Jeanne Walker Harvey:

JEANNE WALKER HARVEY studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn  many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school  language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of  Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book  biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with  Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Jeanne  lives in Northern California. Visit her online at JeanneHarvey.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

 

About Diana Toledano:

DIANA TOLEDANO is an illustrator, writer, and educator. She is also a Pisces who loves children’s books, patterns, and dancing her heart out. Originally from Spain, Diana (pronounced the Spanish way: dee-ah-na) grew up in Madrid where she studied art history and illustration. Now she lives in San Francisco with her husband and two fluffy cats. Her mixed media art seeks to capture the magic of the ordinary. Diana’s product designs, picture books, board books, and chapter books have been published and sold all over the world. Diana also teaches workshops for kids and adults. She enjoys doing school visits and speaking at conferences. Learn more at Diana-Toledano.com.

 

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

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of DRESSING UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD, US Only.

Ends September 24^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/31/2022	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
9/1/2022	Lisa-Queen of Random	Excerpt/IG Post
9/2/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
9/3/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt

Week Two:

9/4/2022	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
9/5/2022	booksaremagictoo	Review/IG Post
9/6/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
9/7/2022	Little Red Reads	Review/IG Post
9/8/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post
9/9/2022	Nerdophiles	Review/IG Post
9/10/2022	Do You Dog-ear?	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

9/11/2022	RavenzReviewz	Review/IG Post
9/12/2022	pickagoodbook	Review/IG Post
9/13/2022	Write. Read. Live	Review/IG Post
9/14/2022	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review/IG Post
9/16/2022	For The Love Of The Page	Review/IG Post
9/17/2022	Feed Your Fiction Addiction	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

9/18/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
9/19/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post

Book Review - Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase

 

 

Amber Alton loves spending the summers at her family's Cornish country house. The hours and days  are spent frolicking in the sun and no two clocks read the same at Black Rabbit Hall. However, one unfortunate day something terrible happens.

Thirty years later, Lorna is determined to marry at an old crumbling estate she used to visit with her mother. When Lorna arrives at Pencraw Hall/Black Rabbit Hall, she feels drawn to the estate. She finds herself drawn to the history and the family that used to live there before.

I had such high hopes for this novel. The cover is so beautifully done and the blurb was so attention grabbing but it was an utter disappointment.  I didn't care for any of the characters and I felt like the suspense was building for a lackluster and overdone plot. This slow moving book was an utter waste of time and it will make me second guess picking up another book by this author.

Book Spotlight - Delphine and the Dark Thread by Alyssa Moon + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: DELPHINE AND THE DARK THREAD (Delphine and the Silver Needle #2)

Author: Alyssa Moon

Pub. Date: August 30, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 320

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

This sequel to Delphine and the Silver Needle delivers action, adventure, and magic in the most unexpected places.

Fresh off the heels of King Midnight's rat-army invasion at the Winterberry Ball, Delphine, Alexander, and Cornichonne are on the run, making their way through the far reaches of Peltinore. Unlikely allies pop up at every turn, but so do new enemies. While evading the rats hot on their tails, the trio uncovers new clues about the legendary Threaded tailor mice, including surprising discoveries about Delphine's magical needle. And as Delphine's powers grow stronger, she realizes she may need to head straight into Midnight's lair and confront the villain herself.

Will Delphine solve the mystery of the Threaded and save the kingdom from the nefarious rat king before it's too late?

Grab book 1, DELPHINE AND THE SILVER NEEDLE Now!

 

 

About Alyssa Moon:

Alyssa Moon grew up in the Pacific Northwest, which explains her undying enthusiasm for rainy weather. She does her best writing in tea shops, independent bookstores and at home under her grapefruit tree. She lives in Southern California with her husband and her cat, Picklepop, along with three other cats who are a little grumpy at the fact they weren’t also given roles in this book. Delphine and the Silver Needle is Moon’s debut novel.

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

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of DELPHINE AND THE DARK THREAD, US Only.

Ends September 20^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/22/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt
8/23/2022	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
8/24/2022	Lisa-Queen of Random	Excerpt/IG Post
8/25/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
8/26/2022	WOTTAREAD BOOKS BLOG	Excerpt
8/27/2022	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post

 Week Two:

8/28/2022	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
8/29/2022	Celia's Reads	Review/IG Post
8/30/2022	hauntedbybooks	Review/IG Post
8/31/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/1/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
9/2/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
9/3/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post

 Week Three:

9/4/2022	@books_carry_dreams	IG Review
9/5/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
9/6/2022	@jodieangell_author	IG Review
9/7/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review/IG Post
9/8/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
9/9/2022	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Spotlight
9/10/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt

Week Four:

9/11/2022	Laurenreads._	IG Review
9/12/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
9/13/2022	Write. Read. Live	Review/IG Post
9/14/2022	PopTheButterfly Reads	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review
9/16/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
9/17/2022	Books with Brandie Shanae	Youtube Review/IG Post

Book Review - Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly

 

For most people. life is what you make of it. For Dixie Wheeler, her story was chosen for her when her father murdered her family before taking slashing a knife across his own throat. Dixie was the only one spared from the family massacre. She became infamously known as Baby Blue because of the song that was left playing during the aftermath of the murders.

Twenty-five years later, Dixie yearns for a connection with the family she can't remember. When Dixie sees that her childhood home goes on sale, Dixie feels herself drawn to the house. When Dixie moves in against her better judgment, she sees the ghosts of her family taken up residence in the house too. Dixie begins to question her sanity as strange things start happening. She wonders if her father is haunting her or if its an demon of her own making.

Dixie decides to reach out to the original detective who investigated the murders to unravel the truth. As she investigates the murders she realizes that someone else might have committed the murders. Dixie will need to find  a way to prove the truth behind her family's murder and save her loved ones before it's too late.

I thought the premise of the book was interest but, towards the middle of the book I lost interesting. I felt like the story was plodding along. I felt like the story was very unrealistic and the writing was chopping. I didn't find any of the characters and didn't really care what happened to any of them. It was an okay book but, I won't be in a rush to read anymore books by the author.

Book Review - Deception by Patricia Bradley

 

Madison Thorn had to kill an FBI agent who went rogue. He was threatening her mission and she had no choice but, to kill him. She decided she no longer wants to work in violent crimes and made a move to the fraud and cyber division instead. She likes working with numbers as they do not lie. However, when a white collar crime turns violent, Madison is forced to work with a childhood nemesis, park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.

A woman who looks like Madison is attacked the same night Madison's grandfather is shot. Madison fears that something bigger is going on and that she might be in danger.  Will Madison and Clayton be able to work together to figure out the truth?

I thought this was an okay read. I didn't really like any of the characters and had a hard time bonding with them. They felt flat and two-dimensional.  I felt like the book also had too many characters and side plots. I felt that this detracted from the original story and made it hard to lose focus and trying to remember what was going on. Perhaps, this would have been better if it was a movie as it would be easier to keep track of things in that format but, in a book format it was just too confusing and eventually, boring.

Book Review - Flesh Eating Cheerleaders from Outer Space by James Mascia + Giveaway

 

A meteor crashes near the Pullman University campus. The students at the campus didn't realize that they were begin invaded. The alien lifeforms have the ability to take over humans and devour them. A group of cheerleaders become the new hosts for these outer space visitors.

I found the comic to be very vulgar and sexual in nature. There were a lot of lewd and graphic photos. We were never introduce to any of the characters so, it was hard to differentiate between them. The comic was relatively short and had almost no story than people were having secret relationships and two people became hosts to the aliens. The few moments of actual story building were rare and most of the conversations (and there were very few) was fluffy. I also found some of the comments the characters made to be very stereotypical and boring. For example, one student's coach had died and the other student said "she must be PMSing" for her to act that way. Or perhaps, that student was dealing with grief. Or a boyfriend proclaiming that "he will protect his girlfriend because she is his woman". And then the girl did something and he calls her a "crazy bitch". It went from zero to hundred really quickly.  I feel like the target audience is males (or females) who have a zombie/alien cheerleader sexual fetish would enjoy this.  Otherwise, there were no story just a minor buildup, juvenile dialogue, and graphic images.

**Disclosure - I received a free  copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 

About The Book:

Title: FLESH EATING CHEERLEADERS FROM OUTER SPACE #1

Author: James Mascia & Felipe Obando (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: June 22, 2022

Publisher: Dren Productions After Dark

Formats: Paperback (only available on the Dren Productions site), eBook

Pages: 29

Find it: Goodreads, Dren Productions Website, Amazon

When a meteor crashes in the middle of campus, the students at Pullman University didn't realize that they were being invaded. These space creatures are able to inhabit and take over the human body. So, what happens when a group of cheerleaders are caught in the middle? They become these flesh-eating cannibals, of course.

Soon, the problem isn't going to be the creatures, it's going to be the monsters that these cheerleaders become.

About Dren Productions After Dark:

We are a publishing company, specializing in everything fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. We have books, comics and games. Something for everyone. So come on in and check all all the awesomeness!

Website | Kickstarter | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of FLESH EATING CHEERLEADERS FROM OUTER SPACE, US Only.

Ends September 6^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/22/2022	Bookhounds	Excerpt/IG Post
8/23/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
8/24/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Post
8/25/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
8/26/2022	@see_sadie_read	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

8/29/2022	Wanderingwitchreads	Tik Tok Review/IG Post
8/30/2022	The Real World According to Sam	Review/IG Post
8/31/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
9/1/2022	@thebookishfoxwitch	IG Review
9/2/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review

Book Review - Palace of the Drowned by Christine Mangan

 

In 1966, Frankie Croy decides to take a trip to Venice and stay in her friend's empty palazzo. She needed a break after her recent novel didn't garner as much as success and attention as her first novel. After a scathing review was published, and having a public breakdown, Frankie decides she needs a change of scenery.

In Venice, Frankie crosses path with Gilly. Gilly is a young admirer and is eager to become friends with Frankie. Gilly tries to insinuate herself in Frankie's exiled time in Venice. As Frankie spends more time with Gilly, she feels that Gilly is hiding something from her.

This entire novel was a complete waste of time. The author left a lot of questions unanswered but, answered a few random ones. I also don't understand why Frankie kept entertaining and spending time with Gilly when she was having her own reservations about the girl. Frankie mentioned that she felt uneasy around her but, yet she continue to spend time with her. I also didn't like how the author sprinkled Italian words without giving context to their meanings. I can't say I liked any of the characters and I am struggling to find a story/plot for this novel.