Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


While Beauty SleptThanks to Kayleigh Clark of  Berkley/NAL, I am giving away one print copy of  ‘Well Beauty Slept’.

Book Description:

I am not the sort of person about whom stories are told. Those of humble birth suffer their heartbreaks and celebrate their triumphs unnoticed by the bards, leaving no trace in the fables of their time….

And so begins Elise Dalriss’s story

When she hears her great-granddaughter recount a tale about a beautiful princess awakened by a handsome prince, it pushes open a door to the past, a door Elise has long kept locked. For Elise was the companion to the real princess who slumbered – and she is the only one left who knows the truth of what happened so many years ago.

As the memories start to unfold, Elise is plunged back in to the magnificent world behind the opulent palace walls. Fleeing a hardscrabble existence and personal tragedy, she builds a new life for herself as a servant to the royal family and quickly rises within the castle hierarchy. As Elise proves herself a loyal confidante, she is drawn into the lives of an extraordinary cast of women: a beautiful queen who wakes each morning with tears on her pillow, an elderly spinster who in heartache shuts herself away, a princess who yearns to be free, and the ambitious and frightening sister who cannot accept the fact that she will never rule. Elise has guarded their secrets – and her own – for a lifetime. ‘While Beauty Sleeps’ is her story.

In this rich and compelling novel of love and terror, friendship and fate, we are introduced to a heroine of extraordinary determination – the true heart of a legend – who reveals what it really takes to reach happily ever after.

Praise for Well Beauty Slept:

“Elizabeth Blackwell is a story-telling genius. Her mesmerizing writing weaves a spell that will enchant you. ‘While Beauty Slept’ breathes new life into the fairytale genre with a historical twist that will take your breath away.” —Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of ‘The Princess Diaries’ and ‘Heather Wells’ mystery series

“Elizabeth Blackwell’s writing is magical in this complex, dark, and sensual retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Imaginative, evocative, full of surprises, this is a captivating debut. And like all great fairy tales, this one has the kind of happy ending that requires tissues to wipe way the tears.”—M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of ‘Seduction’

“…’While Beauty Slept’ is like no version of the Sleeping Beauty story that you’ve read before…a rich and immensely satisfying reimagining of the classic fairy tale, one that looks at the ageless struggle between love and duty, and asks whether it’s possible to be true to both.” —Alma Katsu, author of ‘The Taker trilogy’

About Elizabeth Blackwell:

Photo Credit:  Heidi Jo BradyHJB

Photo Credit: Heidi Jo BradyHJB

Elizabeth Blackwell holds a B.A. in History from Northwestern University and a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parenting, Chicago magazine, and the Chicago Tribune, and she is also the author of ‘Frommer’s Chicago’ guidebook.

She spent four years as an editor at North Shore, a lifestyle magazine for the Chicago suburbs, and wrote a weekly small-business column for www.TheStreet.com. In 2006, she won Harlequin’s “Everlasting Love” writing competition, and her first novel, ‘The Letter’, was published by Harlequin in 2007, followed by ‘The House of Secrets’ (Harlequin, 2009).

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on November 26, 2014.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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girlwhocamebacktolife_cover_highresBook Description:

Publisher: Create Space  (April 16, 2014)
ISBN: 978-1497532731
Category: Fantasy, Magic, Fairytale
Tour Date: October, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 180 Pages

“When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says “Goodbye,” and Sends you to the next world.

After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father’s spirits back home with her.

Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother—by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans—Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons—what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.”

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read many fairytales in my adult life however, when I read the description of this book, something told me I should give it a try.  I am so glad I did!

Sophie is a 12 year old girl whose parents died and is now living with her grandmother.   Her grandmother is quite cold towards her and does little for her.  She knows that she needs to somehow make her way to the “City of the Dead”.  However, instead of  saying “Goodbye” to send her parents to the next world, she plans to bring them back to life.

Sophie’s grandmother also need to make her trip to the “City of the Dead” to say goodbye to her husband.  However, she told Sophie that she could come with only if she could pay her own way.  So Sophie finds a job at the same bakery her Grandmother works at.

Sophie and her grandmother finally start on the long, dangerous journey and face many challenges along the way.  Do they make it to the ‘City of the Dead” and does Sophie bring her parents back to life?  You will have to read the book to find out.

‘The Girl That Came Back to Life’ has an early 1900’s feel to me, though the time is not know.  However, there were motor vehicles in it, buses and trucks.  I loved how Staufenberg describes the vast landscape from the small village to the City of the Dead. 

At times the story takes a dark tone but I loved following Sophie through her journey and seeing her grow as a human being.   You could also call this book a come of age story.

I found the plot to be unique and the characters fresh and well fleshed out.  This is a book aimed at middle grade to young adult but I think it is great for adults as well.  I highly recommend ‘The Girl Who Comes Back to Life’!

5/5

I received the ebook for my honest review.

About Craig Staufenberg:

Craig Staufenberg is a writer and filmmaker living in NYC.

Website: http://craigstaufenberg.com/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com
/YouMakeArtDumb
Google+: https://plus.google.com
/108490376831859338288/posts

Buy ‘The Girl Who Came Back to Life’:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository

Would you like to try to win a print or ebook copy of the book?  I still have a giveaway open here: https://theteddyrosebookreviewsplusmore.com/2014/09/giveaway-the-girl-who-came-back-to-life-by-craig-staufenberg.html

Hurry, this giveaway ends at 12 midnight on November 22, 2014.

Today, it is my pleasure to kick off the tour for ‘The Girl Who Came Back To Life by Craig Staufenberg!

girlwhocamebacktolife_cover_highresPublisher: Create Space  (April 16, 2014)
ISBN: 978-1497532731
Category: Fantasy, Magic, Fairytale
Tour Date: October, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 180 Pages

“When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says “Goodbye,” and Sends you to the next world.

After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father’s spirits back home with her.

Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother—by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans—Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons—what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.”

Praise for ‘The Girl Who Came Back To Life:

“Once I started it, I had to finish it in one sitting to see what happened to Sophie.”-Lisa R.

“I am an avid reader and an experienced editor, and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The story is unique and interesting. I have not read one like this one before. It is appealing in a very human and also a very transcendent way – calling on our desires to have strength, to make amends, to feel, and to forget.”-Dara S.

“Sophie’s coming-of-age story is harrowing, but also incredibly unassuming and honest. There is a simplicity and a clarity to your writing that makes this epic journey seem relatable.”-Isaac S.

“A very good read!”-Frank B.

Praise for Craig Staufenberg’s ‘9/11 heartbreaker’:

“Author Craig Staufenberg has created an amazing little graphic novel that is touching and compelling and not at all what I expected.”-Nolan B. Canova, Crazed Fanboy 

“What could have been exploitative or overtly cheesy and sentimental instead comes off as personal. This are memories and views that aren’t forced upon the reader. The rough art ads to that personal touch. This really feels like an illustrated journal entry. The writer has something to say, and needed to get it off his chest.”Bret Schenker, Graphic Policy 

“Staufenberg, who began the book as a means of exploring our generation’s memories and feelings about September 11, has created one of the most poignant and thought-provoking reactions to the events of that day that I’ve had the pleasure of encountering in any form of media.”-Marc, With Great Power 

“By the end, the philosophical introspection and haunting feel of the 911 heartbreaker give this tale a very unique feel. I’m really glad I spent some time with this heartbreaker.”-Jason Sacks, Comics Bulletin

About Craig Staufenberg:CraigStaufenberg_AuthorImage

Craig Staufenberg is a writer and filmmaker living in NYC.

Website: http://craigstaufenberg.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
/YouMakeArtDumb
Google+: https://plus.google.com
/108490376831859338288/posts

Buy ‘The Girl Who Came Back To Life’:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository

Book Giveaway:

This giveaway is open internationally however, the print book is only available to the U.S. and Canada. An international winner will receive the ebook.  This giveaway ends on November 22, 2014.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour:

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Sept 30 Giveaway
The News in Books Oct. 1 Review & Guest Post
Pinky’s Favorite Reads Oct. 2 Excerpt
Cassandra M’s Place Oct. 3 Review & Giveaway
Mom With A Kindle Oct. 3 Interview & Excerpt
100 Pages A Day Oct  5 Review & Excerpt
Christy’s Cozy Corners Oct 6 Review & Giveaway
Wall-to-wall books Oct. 7 Review
I’m A Voracious Reader Oct. 8 Review
The Rest Is Still Unwritten Oct. 10 Guest Post & Excerpt
Sweet Southern Home Oct 13 Review
Becky’s Barmy Book Blog  Oct  14 Guest Post & Excerpt
Geeks in High School Oct 15 Review
I Feel So Unnecessary Oct 16 Review
Rockin’ Book Reviews Oct. 17 Review, Interview, & Excerpt
The YA Lit Chick Oct. 20 Review
Lady in Read Oct. 21 Review
LetsTalkAboutBooks Oct. 22 Review
Falling Books Oct 24 Interview & Giveaway
Deal Sharing Aunt Oct. 27 Review, Interview, & Excerpt
What U Talking Bout Willis? Oct 29 Review & Excerpt
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Oct 31 Review
The Librarian Fatale Nov. 3 Review
Giveaways & Glitter Nov. 4 Review & Giveaway
A Dream Within A Dream Nov 5 Review & Giveaway
JBronder Book Reviews Nov 6 Review
Manic Mama of 3 Nov. 7 Review & Excerpt
Cici’s Theories Nov 10 Review, Guest Post, & Giveaway
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Nov 11 Review
I Can Has Books? Nov 12 Review
Two Children and a Migraine Nov 13 Review
Indie Re Behind the Scenes Nov 20 11 am CST Live Interview (Google+ Hangout)
The Book Lovers’ Lounge Nov 21 Review