Friday, July 27, 2018

Book Spotlight - Scream All Night by Derek Milman + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon


Chapter 1: Return to Moldavia
Slightly before dinner, Keenan House, the group home where I live, gets a call that my homosexual exorcism is scheduled to take place next Thursday at four.
“But I’m not homosexual. And I’m not possessed,” I say to Len, my counselor.
“You sure?” says Len. He cracks open a PBR and takes a long, gurgling sip.
“Bet you’re both,” says my roommate, Jude, lacing up his boxing gloves.
“Actually,” says Len, belching, softly punching his gut, “I think it’s your brother calling.”
Oren. Of course.
Late-afternoon sunlight smears across the cinder-block walls through broken, yellowed blinds. I throw down my graphic novel, which I was actually half enjoying, and roll out of my sagging lower bunk with a groan. I walk down the hall and grab the phone.
“Why are you calling me?”
“’Cause I know you have lots of homo demons inside you,” says Oren, stifling one of his loud, chirpy laughs. “And I thought maybe it was time for a devil cleanse.”
“Uh-huh.” I hear projected voices in the background—like announcements on a PA or something. “Where are you?”
“Hospital.”
“What?”
“We’re burying Dad next week. Funeral is Thursday.”
“Dad died?”
“No, no.”
My dad has been slowly dying for forty years. Emphysema, hairy cell leukemia, diabetes, arthritis; it’s like he just went shopping one day for chronic diseases and never made any returns. More recently, he’s been sliding into dementia.
Thing is, this might really be it. The doctors are pretty sure. “He has two weeks max,” says Oren.
“Shit.” I bite my thumbnail—an old nervous habit instantaneously reborn. I’m suddenly terrified that my family, who I was legally emancipated from three years ago, might be planning something deeply, morbidly insane. But it’s not as bad as all that.
Just a live funeral.
“A what?” The phone slips out of my hands. I juggle it back to my ear.
“Dad’s final wish was to be buried alive,” says Oren.
 



About the Book:
Title: SCREAM ALL NIGHT
Author: Derek Milman
Pub. Date: July 24, 2018
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Pages: 400
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonAudibleB&NiBooksTBD

A darkly hilarious contemporary realistic young adult novel about growing up and finding your place in the world, perfect for fans of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and Running With Scissors.

Dario Heyward knows one thing: He’s never going back to Moldavia Studios, the iconic castle that served as the set, studio, and home to the cast and crew of dozens of cult classic B-horror movies. It’s been three years since Dario’s even seen the place, after getting legally emancipated from his father, the infamous director of Moldavia’s creature features.

But then Dario’s brother invites him home to a mysterious ceremony involving his father and a tribute to his first film—The Curse of the Mummy’s Tongue. Dario swears his homecoming will be a one-time visit. A way for him to get closure on his past—and reunite with Hayley, his first love and costar of Zombie Children of the Harvest Sun, a production fraught with real-life tragedy—and say good-bye for good. But the unthinkable happens—Dario gets sucked back into the twisted world of Moldavia and the horrors, both real and imagined, he’s left there.

With only months to rescue the sinking studio and everyone who has built their lives there, Dario must confront the demons of his past—and the uncertainties of his future. But can he escape the place that’s haunted him his whole life?



About Derek:
Derek Milman was born in New York City, but grew up in Westchester, NY, where he wrote and published a successful underground humor magazine that caught the attention of the New York Times, who wrote a profile on him at the age of 14.

Derek studied English, Creative Writing, and Theater at Northwestern University. He began his career as a playwright (his first play was staged in New York City when he was just out of college), and earned an MFA in acting at the Yale School of Drama.

Derek has performed on stages across the country, and appeared in numerous TV shows and films, working with two Academy Award winning film directors.

Scream All Night is Derek's debut YA novel. He currently lives in Brooklyn where he is hard at work on his next book.



Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a signed finished copy of SCREAM ALL NIGHT & swag, US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Schedule:
Week Two:
7/23/2018- The Clever ReaderReview
7/23/2018- Smada's Book SmackReview

7/24/2018- Lisa Loves LiteratureInterview
7/24/2018- THE BOOK NUTReview

7/25/2018- A Gingerly ReviewReview
7/25/2018- Two Chicks on BooksExcerpt

7/26/2018- Daily WaffleInterview
7/26/2018- Don't Judge, ReadInterview

7/27/2018- Two Points of Interest- Spotlight
7/27/2018- Book-KeepingReview

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Book Review - Revealed by Elaine Manders + Giveaway


Photo Credit - Amazon

Katherine Levinson put her life on hold while taking care of her sick mother after her father dies. She and her mother face eviction if they can't pay rent. After all other sources of income dry up, she has no choice but, to reach out to estrange wealthy brother, Rhyan Cason. However, her ill mother refuses to contact Rhyan.

When Katherine and her mother move to the cattle ranch, Sollano, they are met with whispers and scorn. Katherine learns of her parents' buried past and secrets are revealed. With Rhyan being busy with cattle rustlers, Katherine turns to Colt Holliman, a calm neighboring rancher, for comfort. However, Colt is promised to another woman, Charley Ryder but, he feels drawn to Katherine. Will Colt be able to follow his heart? What secrets are buried in Katherine's past?

I found the novel to be a good read. I like the parts with Charley performing stunts and portraying her as a strong female character. I enjoyed that there wasn't a lot of deny of each other's feelings. Such as, "Oh, she's not good enough" or "He's a bad boy" back and forth. I haven't read the other stories in the series but, I found this still to be an enjoyable read.

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


About the Book

Title: Revealed
Author: Elaine Manders
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: December 27, 2018

Nothing can be hidden that won’t be revealed.
When her father dies, Katherine Levinson discovers her parents have kept secrets that render her happy childhood a farce. She and her gravely ill mother face eviction, and she has no choice but to appeal to the brother she’s never seen, the famous cattle baron, Rhyan Cason. Over her gravely ill mother’s objections, they move to Nebraska and the sprawling cattle ranch, Sollano.

Instead of the warm welcome Katherine expects, she and her mother are met with whispers and scorn in the little prairie town near Sollano. Gradually, the sins of her parents’ past surface, and Katherine begins to doubt her very identify. With her brother busy with cattle rustlers and her mother too ill to be bothered, Katherine turns to Colt Holliman, a soft-spoken neighboring rancher, for comfort.

Tired of waiting for the right woman to come along, Colt has promised to wait for Charley Ryder, an acclaimed female sharp shooter and equestrian acrobat with the Wild West Show, but it’s becoming clear Charley loves the show more than him. As his attraction to Katherine grows, he finds himself spiritually conflicted. How can he break from past commitments and follow his heart?

Then unexpected danger strikes, testing Katherine’s and Colt’s faith in God—and each other.


About the Author

Elaine Manders 
Elaine Manders writes wholesome Christian romance and suspense about the bold, capable women of history and the strong, dependable men who love them. Her stories twist, turn, and surprise, told by characters who aren’t afraid to show their love for God and each other. She grew up a small town country girl and now lives in Central Georgia with her fur baby. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, crafts, and spending time with her family.


Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Elaine is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! 


Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Book Review - Tiffany Blues by M.J. Rose

Photo Credit - Amazon

Twenty-four-year-old Jenny Bell is trying to escape her past. She is trying to escape memories of her stepfather, a murder, and the two years she spent in Andrew Mercer Reformatory. Jenny is overjoyed when she is one of the twelve artists, who was invited to Louis Comfort Tiffany's prestigious artists' retreat. Determined to win the prize, Jenny tries to focus on her work but, finds herself drawn to Oliver, Tiffany's grandson.

Minx Deering is a carefree socialite, who is a dedicated friend to Jenny. She was always supportive of Jenny. However, a string of suspicious and disturbing events occur that suggests someone knows the truth about Jenny's childhood. Will Jenny be able to trust Minx and Oliver? Will she be able to get to the truth?

I found the novel to be quite an entertaining read. I like reading about the different art techniques each artist employed. I thought the portrayal of Louis and Oliver Tiffany to be marvelous. I found myself jealous that I couldn't be among the group of talented artists to learn and grow with the inspirational Louis C. Tiffany by my side. I thought the book had some plot twists but, I found it a bit slow in some of the parts. However,  it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more books by the author.

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

Monday, July 23, 2018

Book Review - How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green

Photo Credit - Amazon
 This beautifully illustrated book shows readers what to do when they meet a ghost. First and foremost, provide the ghost with their favorite snacks such as earwax truffles. When not entertaining, ghosts love ghoulish bedtime stories. The manual provides scenarios to help prevent your ghost from being accidentally caught in the dryer along with their favorite activities. The witty and quirky book illustrates in a few simple steps on how to become and stay friends with a ghost. A wonderful and delightful read for all ages!