"How We Rise" - by Brooke Riley: COVER REVEAL!!!

Hey, everybody!

My last post was about a cover reveal, and I am doing another one! Brooke Riley is going to publish her debut novel, How We Rise, in July! I have been following Brooke on her blog for a long time and I have loved hearing about her process on this book! Plus, she's self publishing which means that she is doing all the work by herself, and I am just awed by that.

Start scrolling to see the cover!

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I'm so excited I'm dancing!

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PRESENTING:

When the truth gets you killed... will you still Rise?

Raegan MacArthur is content with her simple life. But lately, her life hasn’t been all that simple. She can’t drown out the screams in the night coming from the military base up the road. And she can’t ignore the truth behind them.

Peter Daniels thought moving back to Texas with his mom for senior year was a good thing. A chance to reconnect with old friends and finally feel at home again. But his life now can never be the same as it was six years ago.

Signs of government overreach are everywhere, and an unknown- yet familiar- enemy lurks in the shadows, watching their every move. The government is clamping down tighter and tighter on anyone who resists their ways. Raegan and Peter have to make the hardest decision of their lives: will they go quietly to save themselves… or will they rise?

The author: Brooke Rilery:

Follow Brooke:

Blog

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

How We Rise: Releases July 15th, 2020

Preorder on Amazon

Find on Goodreads

Make sure to give Brooke some love HERE!

Well, that's my excitment for the day. I hope that you all are staying safe! What do you think of this cover?

MovieCritic

"The Crownless King" - by Kara Linaburg: COVER REVEAL!!!

Hello, everyone!

I have some exciting news!

(So exciting that I'm using a Frozen gif for the first time in my life.)

Today is the cover reveal for Kara Linaburg's new book, The Crownless King! Last year around this time she self published her book The Broken Prince, and now she is working on the sequel! Ack, I'm so excited!

I've read The Broken Prince (review HERE), and I am so pumped about this next book!

Do you all want to see the cover? Because I know that you do...

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Getting excited? You're about halfway there!

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*confetti*

She won't meet her worst enemy on the battlefield...

War is brewing and the kingdom of Sindaleer is torn as the Knights of Norcir draw the folk to their side. When Sabriel, a specially Gifted, pledges her blood to their cause, she is ready to give all to bring the peace her leader promises. She understands Tirich's deep hatred toward the king, and has prepared for this moment nearly all her life.

But when her identity as a Knight is discovered by the childhood friend who betrayed her years ago, Sabriel's plans for justice come toppling down. Now distracted by what once was, Sabriel fights to hold onto what she's believed to be true for so long.

Nick never forgot the red-headed lass of years past, but she's not the friend he remembers. As enemies connected by their past take opposing sides on the battlefield, Nick refuses to believe what she's become. 

Voices in Sabriel's head warning her she'll never succeed and loyalties torn, she begins to realize that all is not as it seems. Tirich's power is growing stronger, and she fears she was wrong about the good she once saw in him. The concluding book following The Broken Prince, reminds us of the inner wars we all face, and what it means to rise from the ashes when all hope feels lost. 

About the author:

If you combined Lucy Ricardo, Jo March, and Tonks...you would have Kara. Queen of awkward, writer before she could properly spell, and maker of imaginary humans, she is passionate about creating characters that display beauty in brokenness. 

Kara took to blogging as a teenager, words soon becoming one of her greatest passions. When she’s not being a mad scientist in the kitchen or daydreaming about her next adventure, she loves to connect with readers. She lives in West Virginia where country roads always take her home. 

You can feel free to stalk her blog www.thebeautifullybrokenblog.com where she rambles weekly.

Kara's social media:

Instagram

Pinterest

Blog

The Crownless King Releases September 2020

Add on Goodreads HERE.

Make sure to read The Broken Prince first!

Add on Goodreads HERE

Buy on Amazon HERE.

Make sure to head over to Kara's post and give her some love and encouragement for this amazing journey that she is on!

I love the cover, what about all of you? I can't wait for this book!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Sunrise at Campobello (1960)

Greetings, all!

I know that I just posted yesterday, but my schedule got a little mixed up and I'm not doing anything else at the moment. It's no secret that history really interests me, and especially all the former presidents of the U.S.. I can say them all and the years that they were in office. It was because of my fascination with them that I first watched this movie about FDR before his terms. Enjoy my review!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!


Sunrise at Campobello (1960):

Based on: The true story.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is enjoying the summer at his family's vacation home at Campobello when something happens that changes his life. A case of polio causes his legs to be paralyzed. Politics are his specialty and he feels that he can still make a difference, though relying on others is a big change. His wife Eleanor begins speaking for him and he comes to admire her even more. With her help he wonders, can he rise from this fall?

Genre: Biography, Drama.
Length: approx. 144 minutes.
Costumes: 7, nothing unusual, but nothing bad.
Script: 9, I don't recall any bad words.
'"I have this naive view that you should pursue principles without calculating the consequences."

"You're no politician."'

Crew:
Directed by: Vincent J. Donehue.
Written by: Dore Schary.
Starring:
Ralph Bellamy as Franklin Delano Roosevelt. "Caution, my friend, is the refuge of cowards."

Greer Garson as Eleanor Roosevelt.

Hume Cronyn as Louis Howe.
Jean Hagen as Missy LeHand.
Ann Shoemaker as Sara Roosevelt.
Alan Bunce as Govenor Alfred E. Smith.
Tim Considine as James Roosevelt.
Zina Bethune as Anna Roosevelt.
Frank Ferguson as Dr. Bennett.
Pat Close as Elliott Roosevelt.
Robin Warga as Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr..
Tom Carty as Johnny Roosevelt.
Lyle Talbot as Mr. Brimmer.
David White as Mr. Lassiter.
Walter Sande as Captain Skinner.
Herbert Anderson as Vincent Dailey.

Cinematography: 7, typical of the time period.
Cinematography by: Russell Harlan.
Music: 6, neutral number because I don't recall it at all.
Music by: Franz Waxman.
Quotes: 7, "I have no intention of retiring to Hyde Park and rusticating."

Content: 9, there is some smoking, but I honestly can't think of anything that would be objectionable.
Originality: 9, this is getting a high score because it was so fascinating to me!
Good For: anyone interested in the presidents, anyone in need of inspiration, anyone who struggles with a medical condition.

Age Range: As I said, there is nothing bad in this, so it is fine for all ages. Younger viewers might get bored, but I certainly wasn't!
Overall Score: 8!

I am reviewing this movie today for Phyl at Phyllis Loves Classic Movies's The Rose of MGM: The Greer Garson Blogathon!

This is the only movie that I have seen Ms. Garson in (so far), and I was quite impressed! At first I thought that it WAS Eleanor Roosevelt. The way she plays her is so appealing and relatable. I do not like taking in front of people, and I greatly admire how it was shown hard for her, but that she persevered. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, but didn't win.

Though this film is over two hours I was never bored, but always interested in what was going to happen next. I am used to seeing Jean Hagen as Lina Lamont from my favorite movie (Singin' in the Rain (1952)), and it was fun to see her play a different role, using a different voice. I loved seeing the kids, too, and they were one of my favorite parts. Overall, this is one of the most inspiring movies that I've seen and I would totally recommend all of you to watch it if you have the time.


Thanks to Phyl for hosting! Make sure the check out the other entries HERE.

Thanks to all of you for reading! Are you as interested in the presidents as I am? Do you have a favorite movie about one of them (or featuring them in Ronald Reagan's case)? Stay safe, everybody!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Young at Heart (1954)

Hello, everyone!

Can I tell you how many times I have heard Frank Sinatra sing? No, but it is a lot. How many movies of his have I seen? Well, not many, and in those few he didn't really sing! I've heard song "Young at Heart" so many times, so for a special occasion (I go into details later in this post) I decided to finally watch the film behind it.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!


Young at Heart (1954):

Based on: This is a remake of the movie Four Daughters (1938).
"Look, I know they write about it and sing it in songs but don't tell me you buy it!"
The Tuttle girls are three musical sisters who live with their father and aunt. When the son of one of their father's friends comes to board with them, all of the girls are quite taken with him. He is working on writing songs and after a few months gets a friend of his work in town. That man, Barney, who falls in love, too. The girls start to find each of themselves in a tangle of emotions, and realize that they might care for different people than they originally thought.
"You know, sometines when you're the outside looking in you see a lot others can't."

Genre: Drama.
Length: approx. 115 minutes.
Costumes: 8, everything is fine. It's neat to see vintage outfits that were Doris Day's signature style!
Script: 10, no bad words!

'"When are you going to stop eating?"

"I'm hungry!"' (<---My life.)

Crew:
Directed by: Gordon Douglas.
Written by: Julius J. Epstein, Lenore Coffee, Liam O'Brien, & Fannie Hurst.

Starring:
Doris Day as Laurie Tuttle.

Frank Sinatra as Barney Sloan.
Gig Young as Alex Burke.
Ethel Barrymore as Aunt Jessie Tuttle.
Elisabeth Fraser as Amy Tuttle.
Dorothy Malone as Fran Tuttle.

Robert Keith as Gregory Tuttle.

Lonny Chapman as Ernie Nichols.
Alan Hale Jr. as Bob Neary.
Cinematography: 7, nothing spectacular.
Cinematography by: Ted McCord.
Music: 8, there are lots of songs in here and they are all a lot of fun!

Music by: Ray Heindorf.
Quotes: 8, there were quite a few lines that made me laugh and I can see myself repeating.
''You know you're a parasite. Do you know what a parasite is?"

"What?"

"Somone who doesn't do their share of pushing revolving doors."

"I pushed."'

Content: 8, there are one or two suggestive comments, and then a lot of smoking. I know that doesn't bother a lot of people, but it bothers me.
Originality: 8, it was a cute story!
Good For: Doris Day fans, Frank Sinatra fans, siblings.
Age Range: This would be perfectly acceptable for all ages!

Overall Score: 8!

Now, you are probably wondering why I chose to watch this movie at this time (besides being stuck in my house for a few weeks now). Michaela at Love Letters to Old Hollywood is hosting her Fourth Doris Day Blogathon! It is bittersweet this year because it is the first time that Doris Day hasn't been with us as she passed away last May. Still, lots of bloggers are honoring her memory and you should check out their posts HERE.

I have only seen Doris Day in a few other things, and while I'm sure The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) will always be my favorite (James Stewart and her together are so wonderful!!), it is always a delight to watch her. The pairing of her and Frank Sinatra was fantastic! As soon as we met Barney I "shipped" them.

The other actors where great as well! Ethel Barrymore played her part perfectly. I liked the relationships between the sisters and Ernie. There were a few things I would have changed, but I am very glad that I saw this.


Thank you so much to Michaela for hosting this event! And, a huge thanks to all of you for reading! Stay safe in these crazy times!

MovieCritic