Harper-Collins Blog Tour for A Step Past Darkness by Vera Kurian

February 24, 2024 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I’m excited today to be part of the blog tour for Vera Kurian’s new thriller A Step Past Darkness.

This was a fast and exciting read, following 6 friends who witness something terrible and come back together twenty years later when one of them dies from a supposed accident. I could see this book being for adults or YA or new age readers. What I really could see would be it as a Netflix or Hulu limited series.

Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!

Here’s the scoop:

A Step Past Darkness : A Novel

Vera Kurian

On Sale Date: February 20, 2024

9780778310761

Hardcover

$30.00 USD

Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological

448 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK:

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER meets Stephen King in this character-driven thriller about a study group of six teenagers who witness something tragic in an abandoned mine, which comes back to haunt them 20 years later.

SIX CLASSMATES.

ONE TERRIFYING NIGHT.

A MURDER TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING…

There’s more to Wesley Falls than meets the eye, but for six high school students, it’s home.

Kelly, the new girl and rule-follower.

Maddy, the beauty and the church favorite.

Padma, the brains and all-A student.

Casey, the jock and football star.

James, the burnout and just trying to make it to graduation.

And Jia, the psychic, who can see the future.

When these six are assigned to work on a summer group project, their lives are forever changed. At an end of the year party in the abandoned mine, they witness a preventable tragedy, but no one will take them seriously. As things escalate, they realize the church, the police, and the town’s founders are all conspiring to cover up what happened. When James is targeted as the scapegoat, to avoid suspicion, they vow their silence and to never contact each other again. Their plan works – almost.

Twenty years later, Maddy is found murdered is Wesley Falls, and the remaining five are forced to confront their past and work together to finally put right what happened all those years ago. If they can survive…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vera Kurian is a writer and scientist based in Washington DC. Her debut novel, NEVER SAW ME COMING (Park Row Books, 2021 was an Edgar Award nominee and was named one of the New York Times’ Best Thrillers of 2021. Her short fiction has been published in magazines such as Glimmer Train, Day One, and The Pinch. She has a PhD in Social Psychology, where she studied intergroup relations, ideology, and quantitative methods. She blogs irregularly about writing, horror movies and pop culture/terrible TV.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: https://www.verakurian.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/verakurianauthor/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vera_kurian

BUY LINKS: Not affiliated with BBNB

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-step-past-darkness-original-vera-kurian/20155061?ean=9780778310761

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Step-Past-Darkness-Novel/dp/0778310760

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-step-past-darkness-vera-kurian/1143574161

MY 10 FAVORITE READS OF 2023

December 20, 2023December 23, 2023 / drbethnolan / 2 Comments

While I read a LOT of books, and post about those I enjoyed or are featuring, I always have some that stand out as favorites.

Here, in no particular order, are my Top Ten favorites from 2023:

Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt (HF)

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (audiobook)

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese (HF)

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell (audiobook)

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

Unsettled by Patricia Reis

Veil of Doubt by Sharon Virts (HF/mystery)

The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian

Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (audiobook)

But wait! There’s more! I was thinking that I can’t do my favorites reads without mentioning one other audiobook that I LOVED: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki.

Harper-Collins Blog Tour for Perfect Little Lives by Amber and Danielle Brown

December 9, 2023 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I’m happy to be a stop of the blog tour for Amber and Danielle’s new novel: Perfect Little Lives. I will admit that it took me a bit to get into this novel, in part because I was expecting a different type of read in the beginning (I thought it started in the past with the murder) and I was also not prepared for the level of “spiciness”, but once I got into it, I enjoyed it. For me, it felt like a “new age” genre read, which can sometimes be a challenge for an over 55 gal like myself!

Here’s the scoop:

Perfect Little Lives

Authors: Amber and Danielle Brown

ISBN: 9781525805059

Publication Date: December 5, 2023

Publisher: Graydon House/HarperCollins

Buy Links: Not affiliated with BBNB

HarperCollins.com: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/perfect-little-lives-amber-and-danielle-brown?variant=41028995514402

BookShop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/perfect-little-lives-original-amber-and-danielle-brown/19612183?ean=9781525805059

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfect-little-lives-amber-and-danielle-brown/1142864657?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1525805053/keywords=thrillers?tag=harpercollinsus-20

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781525805059

Social Links:

Author Website: https://www.amberanddanielle.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ambersharelle

Tweets by dani_nicbrown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberanddanielle/

Goodreads

Book Summary:

LibraryReads December Bonus Pick!

ON ASHER LANE, SOME SECRETS ARE WORTH KILLING FOR…

Simone’s mother was murdered when she was thirteen. When her father was convicted, everything changed. Overnight, Simone went from living in a wealthy white neighborhood to scraping by.

Ten years later, Simone has given up on her dreams and lives a quiet life, writing book reviews and getting serious with her boyfriend. But with a true crime documentarian hounding her for a scoop and a surprise encounter with her childhood next-door neighbor, Hunter, the past seems set on haunting her. And after Hunter reveals that his father and her mother had a years-long affair, Simone is determined to find out who really killed her mother.

Simone is convinced that all evidence points to Hunter’s father, a renowned judge who had everything to lose if his affair—and his nascent love child—came to light. Playing the game from all sides, Simone enlists Hunter’s help in her investigation into his family—whether he realizes it or not. But is she so desperate for closure that she’ll risk imploding her carefully rebuilt life?

Authors’ Bio:

Amber and Danielle Brown both graduated from Rider University where they studied Communications/Journalism and sat on the editorial staff for the On Fire!! literary journal. They then pursued a career in fashion and spent five years in NYC working their way up, eventually managing their own popular fashion and lifestyle blog. Amber is also a screenwriter, so they live in LA, which works out perfectly so Danielle can spoil her plant babies with copious amount of sunshine. Their debut Someone Had to Do It, was a Library Reads pick.

Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!

THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV by Elizabeth Berg

February 19, 2018February 19, 2018 / drbethnolan / 1 Comment

I think I’ve read everything that Elizabeth Berg has written and I’ve loved it all. Thus, I was excited to see that she had a new novel out and I could get it via Net Galley.

The Story of Arthur Truluv was a sweet and touching story that had me both laughing and crying. It reminded me a bit of “A Man Called Ove”, and I loved that novel as well.

Here’s the overview:

Description

“I dare you to read this novel and not fall in love with Arthur Truluv. His story will make you laugh and cry, and will show you a love that never ends, and what it means to be truly human.”—Fannie Flagg

An emotionally powerful novel about three people who each lose the one they love most, only to find second chances where they least expect them

“Fans of Meg Wolitzer, Emma Straub, or [Elizabeth] Berg’s previous novels will appreciate the richly complex characters and clear prose. Redemptive without being maudlin, this story of two misfits lucky to have found one another will tug at readers’ heartstrings.”—Booklist

For the past six months, Arthur Moses’s days have looked the same: He tends to his rose garden and to Gordon, his cat, then rides the bus to the cemetery to visit his beloved late wife for lunch. The last thing Arthur would imagine is for one unlikely encounter to utterly transform his life.

Eighteen-year-old Maddy Harris is an introspective girl who visits the cemetery to escape the other kids at school. One afternoon she joins Arthur—a gesture that begins a surprising friendship between two lonely souls. Moved by Arthur’s kindness and devotion, Maddy gives him the nickname “Truluv.” As Arthur’s neighbor Lucille moves into their orbit, the unlikely trio band together and, through heartache and hardships, help one another rediscover their own potential to start anew.

Wonderfully written and full of profound observations about life, The Story of Arthur Truluv is a beautiful and moving novel of compassion in the face of loss, of the small acts that turn friends into family, and of the possibilities to achieve happiness at any age.

I loved these characters so much, but especially Arthur. Elizabeth Berg has done it again, writing a beautiful novel with memorable characters and a resounding message.

Thank you for my review e-copy!

MERRY AND BRIGHT by Debbie Macomber

November 23, 2017 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber.jpg

It may be Thanksgiving, but if you know me, you know I love holiday stories. Bring on the happy endings! Debbie Macomber is an author you might already know, as she has several popular series of books. I follow Debbie online and she seems like not only a talented writer, but a genuinely nice person. Her stories are realistic but gentle and are the perfect choice when I feel stressed.

This story centers on a young woman who is hard-working and single – until her mother and brother set up an online dating account for her. Here’s the overview:

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Christmas is the season of the heart, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is here to warm yours with a delightful holiday novel of first impressions and second chances.

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

***************************************************

This was such a fun story and so sweet. Yes, I knew where it was heading, but I wanted it to go there. People – believe me – we need as many happy endings as we can get these days!!

I received this book from Net Galley – thank you for my copy, Penguin Random House!

For My Ears: BEST BOY by Eli Gottlieb

May 14, 2016 / drbethnolan / 1 Comment

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So — as you know if you read me regularly, I listen to audiobooks in the car on my hour plus commute each day. I get them from Audible. Audible often has sales and sends me emails of suggestions, so I chose this one rather randomly. It is the story of Todd Aaron, a middle aged man with autism who has spent most of his life in an assisted living facility for individuals with special needs.

Todd’s story centers around the events that occur that make him try to run away and get back to his former home. He has a new roommate- a brain injured young man who makes Todd uncomfortable, a new friend – a girl that is both funny and terrifying and to me seems psychotic, a beloved aide, and a new caretaker who scares Todd and reminds him of his abusive father. The story is told in Todd’s unique voice and provides a large amount of back story woven in.

I can hardly express how much I loved this book. It is so touching and sensitive, and unforgettable, it made me cry. Bronson Pinchot is the narrator and he is phenomenal — truly! His ability to “voice” Todd appropriately lends a whole new layer to the reading of the text. I rarely say this, but if you have the option, LISTEN to this book as opposed to reading it. You will NOT be disappointed. It runs in just under 7 1/2 hours.

Don’t miss this one!

BEA “Buzz Authors” for Middle Grade Fiction

June 7, 2015April 20, 2019 / drbethnolan / 2 Comments

One great thing about the Book Expo is that you can find out what the “hot” titles are that are forthcoming. This year I stumbled into this session late (couldn’t find it) and they were just finishing talking about the first title. A young man from Scholastic was giving a heartfelt entreaty for folks to read and love and support their upcoming release of GEORGE. Here are the books that were cited as the ones to watch – they all release in August or September:

George by Alex Gino – about a young boy who knows he’s really a girl and wants to play Charlotte in the school play of “Charlotte’s Web”.

Last in a Long Line of Rebels by Lisa Lewis Tyre – about a spunky young girl who seeks to save her Civil War era home.

The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon – about a young boy who goes on an adventure to save his grandparents who are stranded on an iceberg.

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB by Adam Shaughnessy – first in a series about two friends having adventures in the world of Viking gods they discover under their town.

The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin – about a young girl dealing with the death of her best friend.

When I came out of the session I found myself right in front of a table with EACH of these books on it as a free gift for us! I was able to get a copy of each and look forward to reading them.

Litfuse Blog Tour for A LOVE LIKE OURS by Becky Wade and GIVEAWAY

May 19, 2015May 8, 2015 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

Well — here I am as part of Becky Wade’s new release tour through Litfuse Publicity for A LOVE LIKE OURS.

If you know me, you know I enjoy Christian fiction, with a little bit of romance, but it’s not all I read and I have to find it relatable to me. All the summary info is below, but to give you a quick idea – this novel focuses on Lyndie James who reconnects with her childhood best friend, Jake Porter, when she comes to train horses for him. Jake is both emotionally and physically scarred from a tour of duty in Iraq. Will Lyndie break down his defenses to help him feel again?

Well, I’m not really doing it justice, because this book was a whole lot more. The other characters really made the book for me, especially Lyndie’s family, and her sister Molly with severe special needs. I loved her neighbor friend. I loved the Porter family. I loved how real these people felt. I loved how it was all about horses (and I’m not even a horse person).

Here’s the thing – I think I’m drawn to Christian fiction because it’s so redeeming. There’s often a message that no matter what mistakes you’ve made, no matter where you are in life, no matter how alone or lost you feel, that you are worth saving. Stories with this theme and the theme of self-forgiveness are often my favorite. This one was no exception.

This was my first Becky Wade book, but I just love Katie Ganshert and I know Katie loves Becky, so now I do, too! 🙂

Here’s info below on the book and a great giveaway that Becky is hosting (n.b. — sometimes with the free version of WordPress codes are stripped upon post publishing. So if something doesn’t link correctly, please look via my twitter feed @BethsBookBlog as I will cross-post).

Thank you for my review copy, via Net Galley, and having me be part of the tour!

About the book:
A Love Like Ours (Bethany House, May 2015)Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1R9Tv8p

About the author:

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction. Becky’s work has been a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.

Find Becky online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Follow the tour!

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/bwade

Blog Tour Schedule

5/12/2015
Shanae | Quirky Book Reviews
Michelle | I Hope YOu Dance
Jojo | JoJo’s Corner

5/16/2015
Marcia | Cia Says
Suzanne | Cows and Lasers and Everything in Between

5/17/2015
Jaime | The Mama Games
Leila | All Meant To Shine

5/18/2015
Angela | A Busy Mom of Two
Nicki | Tracks and Chapters, Pages and Characters:Christian or Fiction?
Kathy | Book Reviews & More by Kathy

5/20/2015
Lori | Morning Glories and Moonflowers
Faye | Labor Not in Vain
Paula | Grow Where You’re Planted
Angela | all grown up

5/21/2015
April | Dixie n Dottie
Kemi | Homemaking Organized

5/24/2015
Jenny | Book Reviews By Jenny

5/25/2015
Cheryl | cherylbbookblog
Lindsey | Lindsey Bell: Faith and Family

And here’s exciting giveaway news!!

Fall in love with Becky Wade‘s new book, A Love Like Ours, a story of healing, romance, and cowboys. A glimmer of the hope Jake thought he’d lost returns when Lyndie lands back in Texas, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

To celebrate the release of her new book, Becky is giving away a $100 cash card and a book-inspired prize pack!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A $100 cash card
A copy of A Love Like Ours
A copy of the Secretariat DVD
A scarf
A dog-tag/cross keychain
A pair of earrings
A Scarf
A Texas-shaped cutting board
A Jake Porter mug

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 26th. Winner will be announced May 27th on Becky’s site.

Giveaway!! (Oct. 1-4) A TASTE FOR INTENSITY by Dominique Perregaux

October 1, 2013October 1, 2013 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I’m excited today to be hosting another giveaway!!

Jennifer at Smith Publicity has offered a copy of A TASTE FOR INTENSITY to one lucky reader of my blog! Here’s some info on the book (thanks, Jennifer!):

A Taste for Intensity

by Dominique Perregaux

DISCOVERING RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

–International art dealer explores life, love, and the depth of our inner strength in provocative new novel based on real events

Life, it’s been said, is somewhat like a blank canvas waiting to be painted with the brushstrokes of experience, emotion, heartbreak, and love. In the end, each life is a piece of art that tells a unique story, and each has the potential to be a masterpiece. How we fill our blank canvas is entirely up to us and the choices we make.

Sometimes it takes something extraordinary to get us painting.

Such was the case with stockbroker turned international art dealer and gallery owner, Dominique Perregaux. After years of international study and travel, as well as a life-changing career switch, it took looking extreme adversity straight in the eye for Perregaux to discover one of the keys to life: resilience. In his captivating new novel based on real-life events, A Taste for Intensity, he explores this theme as he pulls us into one man’s transformational journey.

When Swiss art dealer, Hector, meets American Midwestern Elizabeth Bennett in Hong Kong, he senses there is a unique emotional bond between them. The beginning of their relationship is intense and “Romanesque.” Yet, unbeknown to each other, behind the infatuation and anticipations, they are both holding secrets. The weight of these secrets and their high expectations are the grounds for a formidable adventure to the depth of the human soul.

Readers follow Hector on a reminiscent and nostalgic trip through Europe. During this journey he opens up about his adolescence, about his passion for art, about his early professional achievements as a successful stockbroker and about opening the first international contemporary art gallery in Hong Kong. We then glimpse at Hector back in Hong Kong, three years after settling down in the city, as he shares the excitement and doubts he feels about building a relationship with Elizabeth while, at the same time, fighting the battle of his life. When havoc eventually strikes, Hector uncompromisingly immerses us into his inner-self and shares his battle for life and love.

“Telling this story,” says Perregaux, “was my ‘real life’ solution for resilience and the best way to overcome an incredibly difficult and transformational time in my life. It is brutally honest and beautifully emotional, but at it’s core, it’s a story of optimism.”

In his riveting work of autobiographical fiction, Perregaux explores such themes as:

· Resilience: when, why, and how it is discovered and its life-altering power

· How optimism can help us through life’s toughest challenges

· The difficulty and beauty of building a genuine and lasting relationship (and exploring the emotional differences between men and women)

· What it means to be “Romanesque” and how one can provoke exciting experiences in their life

· The insights and revelations that surviving near-death situations can bring

In a universal story of loss, love, and life, Perregaux takes us on a global

adventure, uncovering deep secrets and exploring the intricacies of the human soul.

Dominique Perregaux began his career as a stockbroker and was consistently ranked “best stockbroker” in the Asian Markets in Switzerland. After leaving finance, Perregaux relocated to Hong Kong and opened the first contemporary art gallery there, representing well-known international artists. Six years later, he opened another gallery branch in Tokyo.

Perregaux was inspired to write his first novel (which is largely based on events from his own life), A Taste for Intensity, after overcoming a difficult situation and having his eyes opened to some of the most important aspects of life. Studied and lived abroad for over ten years, Perregaux is currently based in Hong Kong.

Website: www.atasteforintensity.com

Sounds interesting, yes?? While I haven’t read it, I am intrigued by the idea of autobiographical fiction.

Here are the rules:

1) You MUST be a follower of my blog to enter. You can follow my blog itself, or follow me on Twitter (@BethsBookBlog), or be one of my personal friends/family members who connect through Facebook.

2) Leave a comment and say “hey!” and tell me how you follow me (honor system here, folks!).

3) ONE entry per person.

4) Open to US and INT’L!!

5) I will use random.org to generate the winning entry number. I will post who the winner is by Sunday, October 6. You can contact me with your mailing info, which I will send in to the publicist for your copy.

Giveaway!! STONEFLY by Scott Holliday

August 18, 2013August 2, 2013 / drbethnolan / 3 Comments

This week I am really excited to be hosting a giveaway!! (cue cheering and clapping)

STONEFLY by Scott Holliday is the first book in the Jacob Duke series. I am reading it now, but Amazon blurbs it as:

Jacob Duke has come back to Braketon–a sleepy, backwoods town bordering Dover, the mental institution where he spent his formative years. Jacob’s intention is to enjoy Braketon’s woods and water for the first time as a free man, but he soon discovers that Dover isn’t through with him yet. Driven by a curse that compels him to grant any wish he hears, Jacob is drawn back into his disturbing former life by a young boy’s desire to see his own father dead. Complicating things is the irresistible and erratic Lori Nelson, who continues to put new boyfriends in Jacob’s path, along with Motown, Jacob’s friend from his years at Dover, who carries a secret that rocks Jacob’s foundation and makes him question his own morality.

Here’s the rules:

1) You MUST be a follower of my blog to enter. You can follow my blog itself, or follow me on Twitter (@BethsBookBlog), or be one of my personal friends/family members who connect through Facebook.

2) Leave a comment and say “hey!” and tell me how you follow me (honor system here, folks!).

3) ONE entry per person.

4) Open to US and INT’L!!

5) I will use random.org to generate the winning entry number. I will post who the winner is by Monday, August 26. You can contact me with your mailing info, which I will send in to the publicist for your copy.