Book Spotlight - Shipwreckers: The Curse of the Cursed Temple of Curses by Scott Peterson and Joshua Pruett + Giveaway

Title: SHIPWRECKERS

Author: Scott D. Peterson & Joshua Pruett

Pub. Date: May 21, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 336

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

When Dani and her big brother Mike find themselves aboard the ill-fated river expedition of careless adventurer, Captain Kevin, they must work together to save themselves and the captain from all manner of deadly trials and traps.

Complete with treacherous temples, ancient idols, and plenty of explosions, Shipwreckers is a big adventure that brings humor along for a dangerous and thrilling ride up the Amazon. In a place where laughter meets non-stop action, you'll find Shipwreckers and its cast of soon-to-be fan-favorite characters.

About Scott:

Scott Peterson (aka Scott David Peterson) is currently the Executive Producer and Showrunner of the upcoming Netflix animated series, "The Last Kids on Earth."

Scott was nominated for a primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program for writing Nickelodeon’s “Escape from Cluster Prime” and for an episode of Disney's "Phineas and Ferb."

He has worked as a writer for Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, among others, for the last decade. Most recently, Scott has been a story editor for Disney TV Animation on "Milo Murphy's Law," “Phineas and Ferb,” “Kick Buttowski,” “The Replacements,” and “Emperor’s New School.” He has also written for such series as “Brandy and Mr. Whiskers,” “Danny Phantom,” “The X’s,” “Robotboy,” “Tutenstein,” and “Pet Aliens.” Oh, and “The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries.” Remember that one?

Scott is also the author of many top-selling children’s books including “Phineas and Ferb's Guide to Life," "Agent P's Guide to Fighting Evil," and "The Book of Doof." He recently co-authored his first novelization of the recently released Disney live-action feature of "The Jungle Book" and signed with Disney Hyperion to write his original middle-grade novel "Shipwreckers" with writing partner Joshua Pruett. He also pens multi-page comics for Nickelodeon and Disney.

He has written for every genre and media imaginable including video games, live action features, IMAX 3D films, interactive internet projects, amusement park venues, instructional DVD’s, hotel comedy wake-up calls, and perhaps most importantly, for the Weekly World News.

He lives in South Pasadena with his beautiful wife and two occasionally adorable children.

Website | Twitter | IMDB | Goodreads

About Joshua:

Joshua Pruett is a Primetime Emmy Nominated writer and human-author-person who splits his time unevenly between Gallifrey and Los Angeles with his incredible Wife/High School Sweetheart/Knitter/Singer Amanda and their boy and girl-shaped children. He is currently living out a dream come true, writing dialogue for Weird Al Yankovic's mouth on Disney XD's MILO MURPHY'S LAW (2016).

As a Writer/Artist, Joshua has over a decade of experience inflicting laughter on others, with credits on the history making Kickstarter relaunch of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (coming to Netflix in early 2017), PHINEAS AND FERB, and the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON franchise. He has worked as a storyboard artist, writer and creative consultant for Disney TV, DreamWorks Feature Animation, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks TV, Awesomeness TV, Sprout/NBC Universal, Disney China/Beijing, Zombie Bake Shop, Netflix and Paramount Feature Animation. Most recently, he developed THE HAUNTED MANSION for Disney TV with his friend and writing partner, Scott Peterson.

His first novel, THE JUNGLE BOOK: THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS THE PACK, with Scott Peterson, adapts the 2016 live action feature film into a fun for all ages novel for young readers.

Joshua is also internet famous for getting a WIN on failblog (just type "EPIC WIN DAD" into Google Image search -- he and his daughter's award-winning Halloween costume is the first photo to come up).

Website | Twitter | Facebook | IMDB | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 Winners will receive a finished copy of SHIPWRECKERS, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2934/

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/13/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

5/14/2019- Wonder Struck- Review

5/15/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review

5/16/2019- Lone Tree Reviews- Review

5/17/2019- 4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼- Excerpt

Week Two:

5/20/2019- BookHoundsya- Review

5/21/2019- Two points of interest- Review

5/22/2019- bookish bibliophile- Review

5/23/2019- Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers- Review

5/24/2019- AURELIA LEO- Interview

Book Review - Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

Photo Credit - Amazon

Christine wakes up every morning confused because she cannot remember who she is. She cannot remember how old she is, where she is or what happened to her the day before. She is unable to make new memories and relies on her husband, Ben to help fill in the blanks. Ben explains their life together on a daily basis. Ben tells Christine she lost her ability to form due to a traumatic accident.

Christine has a doctor she meets up with that is helping her regain her lost memories. She is keeping her visits with the doctor a secret from her husband. With the encouragement of her doctor, Christine decides to keep a journal to jot her thoughts and memories. However, one day she opens the journal to see "Don't trust Ben" on the front page. Her entire world is thrown into disarray. Who can Christine trust? Is Ben telling her the complete truth?

The novel was an interesting read once, it started picking up towards the end. The writing was very fluid and easy to read. However, it did take a bit of patience as the book was very repetitive in the beginning until Christine starts remembering more about her past life. There were a few aspects of the novel that made me wonder why didn't anyone follow up on anything. For example, her friend keeping in touch when Christine needed her the most. Even when Christine saw "Don't trust Ben", she never questioned or wondered why she wrote it. The ending had a few twists but, it felt rushed. Like everything was rushed to become to tie up perfectly in the end with one cliffhanger. Overall, it was suspenseful read but, it fell flat a few pages in.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Alice in Tumblr-land by Tim Manley

Photo Credit - Amazon

The Ugly Duckling doesn't feel like she fits in with everyone else. Until she started using Instagram and found the filter that made her look awesome. Jasmine and Aladdin are having marital issues. Mulan is cross-dressing. Cinderella wears Crocs. Peter Pan has to get a job and grow up. Red Riding Hood is discovering the perils of online dating.

The author re-imagined a few of the most beloved fairytales for today's modern audience. The book geared towards adults with situations that might face on a daily basis such as responsibility, depression, online dating, and relationships. Each of the short blurbs for each character is beautifully illustrated. However, I found some of the jokes to be repetitive and boring.  Overall, a fun quick read when you have some time to kill.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Theodore Boone: The Accomplice by John Grisham

Photo Credit - Amazon

Woody Lambert is one of Theo's good friends. Theo has noticed Woody been acting differently lately. Woody has been making poor choices and is failing in school. However, when Woody and his brother is arrested for being an accomplice in armed robbery, Theo knows that Woody is innocent. With Woody sitting in jail surrounded by malice, Theo needs to race against the clock to help his friend. Will Theo be able to help his friend before it is too late?

I have not read a book by John Grisham recently but, I know he is a famed storyteller. I was very excited to read one of his books that is targetted to a younger audience (let's be honest, who has time to read a 500+ page novel some days). I thought that this book would have all the elements that John Grisham is known for such as intrigue, suspense, and thrills. However, I was quite disappointed as I didn't find this novel to be interesting and rather boring. The novel had a very basic premise of an impoverished person being chewed out by the justice system while the rich are given privileges. I felt that this book is geared towards parents who want to "teach the kids" about staying on the right side of the law than providing entertainment for young minds. I felt like some of the dialogue felt far fetched like the author was trying to talk like someone younger or a judge being "afraid" of a lawyer so he bends to the lawyer's wishes. Overall, it was a good read for teaching kids the value of going to school and working hard.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Paper Wasp by Lauren Acampora

Photo Credit - Amazon

Abby Graven lives a secluded life in a small town in Michigan. She was once a bright student with a promising art career. Now, she works lives at home with her parents and works at the local supermarket as a cashier. Her former best friend, Elise is a rising starlet in Hollywood. Abby is haunted by Elise's success and Abby obsessively collects photos and articles of Elise. Abby's one escape is watching movies from her favorite director, Auguste Perren. Perren is the famous founder of the creative institute called the Rhizome. Abby has a secret gift that she keeps hidden from others. She has often had premonitory dreams that help inspire her art.

During their high school reunion, Elise and Abby reunite and plan to meet up. Abby is overjoyed that Elise still considers Abby a friend and a brilliant artist. When Elise offhandedly tells Abby to visit her if she's even in LA, Abby arrives on Elise's doorstep unexpectedly.  After spending time with Elise, Abby realizes that Elise has a few flaws that she keeps hidden from the public. Being a supportive friend, Abby tries to help Elise while protecting her own secret and trying to achieve professional success. As Elise and Abby become closer, Abby realizes she only has one way of getting what she wants.

The novel was a seductive read that was very entertaining even when I was confused about certain details. However, random and insignificant behaviors came together in the end. I thought that was a creative way to infuse small details to add more layers to make a chilling and complex story. After I finished reading the book, I was still thinking about the ending. There was a lot of details left open for interpretation.  Overall, the novel did a great job showing the lengths someone will go to fulfill their dreams.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Last Day by Domenica Ruta

Photo Credit - Amazon

Once a year on May 28, all of humanity gather to celebrate the day of the planet's demise. People party and act as it is the last day they are alive. Sarah is a bookish wunderkind who is looking for love. She felt that she has always been asexual but, she finds herself attracted to an older man, Kurt. Sarah and Kurt met last year during her parents' Last Day BBQ. Kurt is a tattoo artist who is trying to make amends to a family he destroyed years ago.

Karen consistently gets in trouble. She was abused at a young age and suffers from an eating disorder. After getting into trouble again, she decides to abandon her current life and search for her long lost adoptive brother. Her friend, Rosette left the Jehovah's Witness and follows a new pastor who has different opinions about the Last Day. Rosette tries to help Karen as she believes it will her atone for her past sins. When Karen calls Rosette for help, she takes Karen to the church in hopes that it will help her.

Three astronauts on the International Space Station are witnessing the Last Day spectacle in Space. Bear, an American astronaut along with Russian astronaut, Svec, and a Japanese space tourist, Yui contemplate their lives during the Last Day festivities.  Together they band together and share stories of their native customs for the Last Day.

At first, I thought this was going to be an interesting read. Then, I was quite confused by some of the behaviors of the characters especially when they tried changing their behaviors. After I read more about each character I understood their motives. The book depicts how one person's actions have an effect on other people lives. I found that to be an interesting concept that something trivial to you can mean the world to someone else. Overall, the book was thought-provoking but, I am not sure if it was my cup of tea.

*Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - A Killer's Alibi by William L. Myers Jr. + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Jimmy Nunzio is tough wisecracking crime lord who has always evaded police. However, when the police were doing an inspection of a broken gate, they found Jimmy Nunzio caught with a knife in his hand over a dead body. The dead body belonging to her daughter's boyfriend who is also his archenemy.  Jimmy turns to master manipulator Mick McFarland to defend him in court.  Mick is struggling to find a not-guilty verdict for Jimmy who is a well-known killer. Jimmy is also refusing to shed light on the night of the incident.

Piper, Mick'swife, is working on a nonprofit case to prove Darlene Dowd didn't kill her father. Darlene was sentenced to life in prison after murdering her sexually abusive father. A new witness has come forward shedding light on the case and might be the key to Darlene's freedom.

This was my first legal thriller but, I do love watching legal shows on TV. I found the novel to be interesting but, a bit slow in the middle.  I was disappointed that some of the plot twists were very predictable. However, I still found the book to be an entertaining and enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the other two books in the series.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Print Length: 426 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (February 19, 2019)
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B078H6PXD5

Praise for A KILLER'S ALIBI

"William Myers' riveting new novel is not just a crackerjack legal thriller, it is also a wrenching portrayal of a whole range of father-daughter relationships,showing how they can damage, how they nourish, how they go dangerously offtrack. A story not to be missed." ―NewYork Times bestselling author, William Lashner

I was blown away...A Killer's Alibi in three words: Sharp, Shocking and Intricate. ―Novel Gossip Book Review

For attorney Mick McFarland, the evidence is damning. And so are the family secrets in this twisty legal thriller from the Amazon Charts bestselling author of A Criminal Defense.

When crime lord Jimmy Nunzio is caught, knife in hand, over the body of his daughter's lover and his own archenemy, he turns to Mick McFarland to take up his defense. Usually the courtroom puppeteer, McFarland quickly finds himself at the end of Nunzio's strings. Struggling to find grounds for a not-guilty verdict on behalf of a well-known killer, Mick is hamstrung by Nunzio's refusal to tell him what really happened.

On the other side of the law, Mick's wife, Piper, is working to free Darlene Dowd, a young woman sentenced to life in prison for her sexually abusive father's violent death. But the jury that convicted Darlene heard only part of the truth, and Piper will do anything to reveal the rest and prove Darlene's innocence.

As Mick finds himself in the middle of a mob war, Piper delves deeper into Darlene's past. Both will discover dark secrets that link these fathers and daughters--some that protect, some that destroy, and some that can't stay hidden forever. No matter the risk.

You can purchase A Killer's Alibi at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from William L. Myers Jr.

William L. Myers, Jr. is the No. 6 best-selling author for Amazon Kindle in 2017 for his debut novel, A Criminal Defense. That was the first in what has become the Philadelphia Legal Series. The third book in that series, A Killers Alibi debuts February 19, 2019.
A Killer’s Alibi has had rave early reviews including New York Times Bestselling author, Bill Lasher—

“William Myers’ riveting new novel is not just a crackerjack legal thriller, it is a wrenching portrayal of a whole range of farther-daughter relations, showing how they can damage, how they can nourish, how they go dangerously off track. A story not to be missed.”

Born in 1958 into a blue-collar family, Mr. Myers inherited a work-ethic that propelled him through college and into the Ivy League at The University of Pennsylvania School of Law. From there, Mr. Myers started his legal career in a Philadelphia-based mega defense firm. After ten years defending corporate America, he realized his heart wasn’t in it. So, with his career on the fast track to success--he gave it all up and started his own firm. It was time to start fighting for the common guy.

That was twenty-five years ago and since then, he has focused on representing railroad employees and other honest, hard-working people who have been injured by others. He has represented thousands of clients in his tenure and has become a highly-regarded litigation attorney up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

        

PART ONE

APRIL 29th MONDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT

APRIL 30th TUESDAY Sabrina's Paranormal Palace REVIEW 

APRIL 30th TUESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

MAY 1st WEDNESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW

MAY 2nd THURSDAY Tyto Forest EXCERPT
MAY 2nd THURSDAY Stephanie's Life of Determination FILL IN THE BLANKS

MAY 3rd FRIDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW

PART TWO

MAY 4th SATURDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

MAY 5th SUNDAY Random Bookish Banter REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

MAY 5th SUNDAY TTC Books and More REVIEW 

MAY 6th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

MAY 7th TUESDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

MAY 8th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

MAY 8th WEDNESDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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