Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Tea By the Sea by by Donna HemanTea By the Sea by by Donna Heman


Thanks to Rachel Tarlow Gul of  Over The River Public Relations, I am giving away one print copy of ‘Tea By the Sea’ by by Donna Heman.

Description Tea By the Sea by by Donna Heman


From Brooklyn to the island of Jamaica, Tea by the Sea traces a mother’s circuitous route to finding the daughter taken from her at birth.

A seventeen-year-old taken from her mother at birth, an Episcopal priest with a daughter whose face he cannot bear to see, a mother weary of searching for her lost child: Tea by the Sea is their story—that of a family uniting and unraveling. To find the daughter taken from her, Plum Valentine must find the child’s father who walked out of a hospital with the day-old baby girl without explanation.

Seventeen years later, weary of her unfruitful search, Plum sees an article in a community newspaper with a photo of the man for whom she has spent half her life searching. He has become an Episcopal priest. Her plan: confront him and walk away with the daughter he took from her. From Brooklyn to the island of Jamaica, Tea by the Sea traces Plum’s circuitous route to finding her daughter and how Plum’s and the priest’s love came apart.

Praise Tea By the Sea by by Donna Heman


“Tea by the Sea is a well-written novel exploring the themes of agency, love, and loss. The reverberations of Lenworth’s decision will be fodder for a great book-group discussion.”—Booklist

“Tea By the Sea is a powder keg of a novel, where secrets and lies explode into truth and consequences, all told with spellbinding, shattering power. Hemans doesn’t just fulfill the promise of her debut—she soars past it.”—Marlon James, Man Booker Prize Winning author of Black Leopard, Red Wolf

“Tea by the Sea is an insightful and illuminating prism of a novel, deftly examining familial identity and personal transformation. Hemans turns the kaleidoscope, catching light at different angles, to show us how one person’s act of honor and responsibility can also be an act of unspeakable betrayal.” —Carolyn Parkhurst, author of The Dogs of Babel and Harmony

About Donna HemanTea By the Sea by by Donna Heman


Jamaican-born Donna Hemans is the author of the novel River Woman, winner of the 2003-4 Towson University Prize for Literature. Tea by the Sea, for which she won the Lignum Vitae Una Marson Award for Adult Literature, is her second novel.

Her short fiction has appeared in Vol. 1 Brooklyn, The Caribbean Writer, Crab Orchard Review, Witness, and the anthology Stories from Blue Latitudes: Caribbean Women Writers at Home and Abroad, among others. She received her undergraduate degree from Fordham University and an MFA from American University. She lives in Maryland, and is also the owner of DC Writers Room, a co-working studio for writers based in Washington, D.C.

Website: https://www.donnahemans.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/donna_hemans

Buy Tea By the Sea by by Donna Heman


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Giveaway Tea By the Sea by by Donna Heman


The winner of this giveaway will receive one print copy of the book and a special tea blend created in honor of the book.

This giveaway is open to the U.S. and Caribbean only and ends on July 17, 2020 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Parrot Talk by David B. SeaburnParrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


Publisher: Black Rose Writing (May 11, 2017)
Category: Literary Fiction, Humor, Family
Tour dates: Aug-Oct, 2017
ISBN: 978-1612968551
Available in Print & ebook, 193 pages
Parrot Talk

At the age of 14 and 11, brothers, Lucas and Grinder’s mother has left them and their alcoholic father. They never hear from her again.

Out of the blue a friend of their mother, Janice, contacts Lucas with the news that their mother has died. She asks them to come to Pittsburgh to take care of her effects, chief among them being Paul. Reluctantly, Lucas and Grinder head for Pittsburgh where they meet Janice and learn that Paul is their mother’s African grey parrot. Turns out that Paul has things to say that turn the brothers’ worlds upside down, especially regarding their mother.

This is a humorous look at matters of consequence—abandonment, alcoholism, grief and loss of a mother, living without clear answers, the relationship between brothers, separation and reconciliation and hope. It is also about a father who carries a piece of Jesus with him in a Ziploc baggie, a parrot who likes to get stoned, and a brother who cleans dead animals off the streets for a living.

My Thoughts Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


Brothers, Lucas and Grinder find out that their mother, Millie has passed away in Pittsburgh.   They have been estranged from her for a very long time but have to drive cross country to get there and take care of their mother’s estate and her African Grey bird, Paul.  They do not find out that Paul is a bird until they get there.

During their long drive we find out about their childhood and how they were abandoned by Millie 30 years ago.  The road trip had some great tidbits and worth the reading just for that.  It is humorous and sad throughout but the humor really cranks up one they get to Pittsburgh and find out that Paul is not the human they speculated him to be but a bird.  He’s not only a bird but a grieving bird.  It becomes evident to Grinder and Lucas that Millie cared more for Paul than she did for her sons.  They find that spending time with Paul is a lot like being with their mother due to all his snarky remarks.

I really enjoyed ‘Parrot Talk’ and all of its parts.  I laughed and cried in equal measures.  It is an excellent character study with complex and quirky characters.  With life experience, I have come to learn that all families are dysfunctional and with this one, it becomes apparent fast. It is a great examination of a family that must come to terms with the past and move on. David Seaburn’s poetic prose and the story kept me glued to the book until its conclusion.  There are so many memorable moments and I highly recommend ‘Parrot Talk’.

5/5

I received the ebook for my honest review.

 

About David B. SeaburnParrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


David B. Seaburn has been a Presbyterian pastor of a small country church, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at a leading university medical center, a pioneer in the field of Medical Family Therapy, and a prolific author.

Since 2005, Seaburn has published six novels. His newest, ‘Parrot Talk’, was released in May 2017 by Black Rose Writing. He also writes a blog for Psychology Today magazine, “Going Out Not Knowing.” Seaburn was a Finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards in fiction for his novel, ‘Charlie No Face’ (2011). He is currently an instructor at Writers and Books in Rochester NY. Seaburn is married with two married daughters and two wonderful granddaughters. A third grandchild is on the way.

Website: www.davidbseaburn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.seaburn
Twitter: twitter.com/dseaburn

Buy Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


Amazon
Barnes&Noble
IndieBound
BookDepository

Giveaway Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


This giveaway is for the ebook and is open worldwide.  It ends on October 31, 2017.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn Tour


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Aug 25 Kickoff & Giveaway

Caty Amazon Reviewer Aug 28 Review

Inspire to read Aug 29 Excerpt

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Sept 11 Review

Stephen Matlock Sept 12 Review, Interview,  & Excerpt

Jo-Anne Amazon Reviewer Sept 22 Review

Amy Amazon Reviewer Sept 29 Review

Lisa Amazon Reviewer Sept 29 Review

Successfully Published Oct 9 Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Write Review & Amazon Review Oct 12 Review, Interview, & Excerpt

JBronder Book Reviews Oct 20 Review

Kelly Amazon Reviewer Oct 31 Review

*This schedule is subject to change

Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn

Parrot Talk by David B. SeaburnParrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


Publisher: Black Rose Writing (May 11, 2017)
Category: Literary Fiction, Humor, Family
Tour dates: Aug-Oct, 2017
ISBN: 978-1612968551
Available in Print & ebook, 193 pages
Parrot Talk

At the age of 14 and 11, brothers, Lucas and Grinder’s mother has left them and their alcoholic father. They never hear from her again.

Out of the blue a friend of their mother, Janice, contacts Lucas with the news that their mother has died. She asks them to come to Pittsburgh to take care of her effects, chief among them being Paul. Reluctantly, Lucas and Grinder head for Pittsburgh where they meet Janice and learn that Paul is their mother’s African grey parrot. Turns out that Paul has things to say that turn the brothers’ worlds upside down, especially regarding their mother.

This is a humorous look at matters of consequence—abandonment, alcoholism, grief and loss of a mother, living without clear answers, the relationship between brothers, separation and reconciliation and hope. It is also about a father who carries a piece of Jesus with him in a Ziploc baggie, a parrot who likes to get stoned, and a brother who cleans dead animals off the streets for a living.

Praise for Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


“As with David Seaburn’s other novels, Parrot Talk is ultimately about reconciliation and redemption among anguished family members. But this book uses the device of a seemingly wise and prescient parrot to great comic effect. I found myself literally laughing out loud at several points. The parrot steals the show but there are several clearly drawn and compelling human characters as well. This is Seaburn’s most successful novel and, overall, a moving hoot.”- Barry Jacobs, Amazon Reviewer

“I picked up this title based on its classification as humor and satire (two of my favorite words), and had absolutely no preconceptions about what I might find. I was delighted all the way through to find characters who were human, yet comical. Animals who were comical, and somewhat human. And a family with a genuine hurt that wasn’t easy to heal. Seaburn placed average people in average cities, and gave them relatively average lives. With nothing more than a parrot as a catalyst, three men are able to face ghosts of their pasts, and attempt to right some wrongs that give them all hope for a better future.
Seaburn’s writing is light without being shallow, and he brings levity to a situation that’s taboo for many…the notion of a mother who is not present to watch her children grow up. Some authors might be tempted to vilify her, but Seaburn allowed Grinder and Lucas to grapple with real emotions and come to resolution. Seaburn also allowed the reader to love Millie, no matter what her past, and even gave us the chance to reconcile with Pop’s misdeeds.
This book is a lovely tale of family, peppered with laughable antics, squirrel-sweeping, and parrots smoking pot. It’s a great opportunity to relax the mind and feel good about life for awhile.”-Amazon Reviewer

“Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn is a hurricane in terms of language, dialogues, and situations. There is pretty admirable frenetic life and time for all the protagonists, not a second of break during the reading!
Forget a great description of characters in the common sense of the word, because you see what it’s like to live the experience of a roundabout with this book. Enjoy this group of great chatters and these funny situations!” – Buckwriter, Amazon Reviewer

About David B. SeaburnParrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


David B. Seaburn has been a Presbyterian pastor of a small country church, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at a leading university medical center, a pioneer in the field of Medical Family Therapy, and a prolific author.

Since 2005, Seaburn has published six novels. His newest, ‘Parrot Talk’, was released in May 2017 by Black Rose Writing. He also writes a blog for Psychology Today magazine, “Going Out Not Knowing.” Seaburn was a Finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards in fiction for his novel, ‘Charlie No Face’ (2011). He is currently an instructor at Writers and Books in Rochester NY. Seaburn is married with two married daughters and two wonderful granddaughters. A third grandchild is on the way.

Website: www.davidbseaburn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.seaburn/
Twitter: twitter.com/dseaburn

Buy Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


Amazon
Barnes&Noble
IndieBound
BookDepository

Giveaway Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn


This giveaway is for the ebook and is open worldwide.  It ends on October 31, 2017.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn Tour


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Aug 25 Kickoff & Giveaway

Caty Amazon Reviewer Aug 28 Review

Inspire to read Aug 29 Excerpt

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Sept 11 Review

Stephen Matlock Sept 12 Review, Interview,  & Excerpt

Jo-Anne Amazon Reviewer Sept 22 Review

Amy Amazon Reviewer Sept 29 Review

Lisa Amazon Reviewer Sept 29 Review

Successfully Published Oct 9 Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Write Review & Amazon Review Oct 12 Review, Interview, & Excerpt

JBronder Book Reviews Oct 20 Review

Kelly Amazon Reviewer Oct 31 Review

*This schedule is subject to change

Parrot Talk by David B. Seaburn