Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Jun 20

23

Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on June 23, 2020
Posted in Book Tours • Books Read in 2020  | Tagged With: , , | 3 Comments

Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith HirshlandMurphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland


Publisher:  Beacon Publishing Group (May 1, 2020)
Category: Mystery, Humor
Tour Dates June and July, 2020
ISBN: 978-1949472124
Available in Print and ebook, 308 pages
Murphy Murphy

Description Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland


Murphy Murphy comes from a long line of male Murphys. All were named Murphy and all were cops. This Murphy heads the Department of Redundancy Department and his superior officer, Captain David “Dud” Hill has found him a case. The Captain’s niece is in a rock ‘n roll band called Serious Crisis, and it seems items belonging to members of the band have started to disappear.

Were these items stolen? Were they simply lost? As Murphy Murphy works the case, he must chase down the clues all the while dealing with grammatical anomalies that drive him crazy.  As Murphy gets closer to the answers he seeks, one more “thing” goes missing; the Captain’s niece. Suddenly, in an instant, the stakes in the case of Serious Crisis become a lot more dire.

Part Jasper Fforde, part Michael Connelly; Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis combines humor, mystery, and grammar goofs as the detective pursues clues and suspects from coast to coast. It’s an entertaining and educational read for all ages.

My Thoughts Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland


If you like wordplay you are going to like this book. I can’t imagine how much time the author, Keith Hirshland spends thinking up clever puns and different wordplay gags to use in this novel. Or, maybe it all just comes naturally to him, as it seems to as I read. He has done this in his other novels but not to this extent.  Either way, ‘Murphy Murphy and the Case of the Serious Crisis’ is a zany delight that reminds me of something from Jasper Fforde or Douglas Adams.

The protagonist, Murphy Murphy (named after his father and grandfather and grandfather’s father and, oh, you get the picture) is a detective who works with the Department of Redundancy Department, a Monty Python-esqe sector within the police who exclusively detect and destroy redundancies. Murphy Murphy loves his job, that is, when his Captain isn’t purposefully torturing him with redundancies in wordplay. But he is lonely and a little unsure of what his future holds.

Meanwhile, across town, the lead singer of a band named Serious Crisis wakes in his hotel room to discover that his very expensive lighter is missing. After several more things go missing over the course of the next few days, the guitarist of the band mentions the disappearances to her mother, who mentions them to her brother who happens to be Murphy Murphy’s Captain. Murphy Murphy is immediately put on the case, and things get drastically more serious as the disappearances switch from random items to people. Murphy Murphy must do his job while simultaneously deciding whether or not to court attention from one very beautiful and potentially flirty bartender named Charlie Carlucci.

This is the kind of book that I could re-read multiple times and never tire of. An instant cult classic for lovers of humor and quirky characters and universes, this is a must read! I give it 5 out of 5.

I received the ebook for my honest opinion.

Awards and Recognition for Keith Hirshland


Book Talk Radio Club Memoir of the Year (Cover Me Boys I’m Going In)

New Apple Awards Solo Medalist True Crime Category (Big Flies)

Shelf Abound Award Winner Indie Book Competition (Big Flies)

About Keith HirshlandMurphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland


Keith Hirshland is an Emmy Award–winning sports television producer with more than three decades of experience producing live and pre-recorded programs that aired on ESPN and ESPN2. Among the first forty people to be hired by the Golf Channel in 1994, Hirshland was in the middle of the action when that network debuted in 1995. He provided his talents for Golf Channel, as its live tournament producer, for two decades.

Cover Me Boys, I’m Going In: Tales of the Tube from a Broadcast Brat is a memoir about his experiences in the television industry. Published by Beacon Publishing Group, Cover Me Boys was recognized as the Book Talk Radio Club Memoir of the Year. Hirshland’s second book, and first work of fiction, Big Flies, was published in 2016 and is the recipient of the New Apple Awards “Solo Medalist” in the True Crime Category. Hirshland followed that success with his third book, The Flower Girl Murder. In 2020 Beacon Publishing Group will release Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis, Hirshland’s third mystery novel. All four books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other bookstores.

Keith Hirshland lives in Colorado with his wife and two dogs.

Website:  https://www.keithhirshland.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/khhauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithHirshlandAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khhauthor/?hl=en

Buy Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland


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Giveaway Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland


This giveaway is for 3 print copies and  is open to the U.S. only.. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends August 1, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Patricia Reviews by Room With Books June 16 Review

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Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis by Keith Hirshland

Jun 20

18

Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly: Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on June 18, 2020
Posted in Book Tours • Books Read in 2020 • Immigrant Experience  | Tagged With: , , | 2 Comments

Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. PresslyUnlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly

Publisher:  She Writes Press (May 5, 2020)
Category: Memoir
Tour Dates June and July, 2020
ISBN: 978-1631528620
Available in Print and ebook, 224 pages
Unlocking by Nancy L. Pressly

Description Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly


While recovering from a near fatal illness, Nancy Pressly discovers a treasure trove of family material stored in her attic. Haunted by images of her grandparents and her parents in their youth, she sets out to create a family narrative before it is lost forever. It takes several more years before she summons the courage to reconstitute a path back to her own past, slowly pulling back the veil of amnesia that has, until now, all but obliterated her memory of her childhood.

In this sensitive and forgiving meditation on the meaning of family, Pressly unravels family dynamics and life in a small rural town in the 1950s that so profoundly affected her―then moves forward in time, through to her adulthood. With an eye attuned to visual detail, she relates how she came into her own as a graduate student in the tumultuous sixties in New York; examines how she assumed the role of caretaker for her family as she negotiated with courage and resilience the many health setbacks, including her own battle with pancreatic-related cancer, that she and her husband encountered; and evokes her interior struggle as a mother as she slowly traverses the barriers of expectations, self-doubt, and evolving norms in the 1980s to embrace a remarkable life as a scholar, champion of contemporary art, and nationally recognized art museum strategic planning consultant. Full of candor and art-inspired insight, Unlocking leaves the reader with a deep appreciation of the power of art and empathy and the value of trying to understand one’s life journey.

My Thoughts Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly


‘Unlocking’ is a memoir not just about finding your family, but finding yourself as well. When Nancy Pressly was diagnosed with cancer in her late-60’s, she decided to spend some time organizing her home and going through the old, untouched boxes in her attic. What she found there was not only the story of her family but a rich tapestry of love and life that took place over generations. Pressly decided to write her family’s story in this memoir and I am so glad she did because reading this was an absolute treat! I haven’t had my emotions stirred by a memoir like this in quite a long time.

Pressly’s family were originally from Eastern Europe, but came to America in the early 1900’s to get away from increasing anti-Semitism and the discriminatory laws of the time. After they got to America, they faced more turbulent waters as Jewish immigrants living in the sometimes unfriendly turn of the century New York City.

This memoir made me think about my grandparents on both sides who came to America also in the early 1900’s but from Russia, to escape anti-Semitism. I only wish there were a treasure to discover, and Pressly uncovered.  My grandparents wouldn’t talk about it so I know very little.  I can only imagine from stories I have heard from others.

Pressly’s family, like any family, had both good and bad times and this memoir reflects both in beautifully written detail. But, as I said, this is not just a story about the author’s family, but a transformative tale about the author herself and how learning about her family’s past impacted her view of the future.

Having so recently gone through a battle with cancer, Pressly seemed to view the entire research process with a lot of fervor and what resulted is an incredibly in depth portrait of Jewish refugees in early 20th century America.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves memoirs and history. As a lover of both I was enraptured from start to finish. Nancy Pressly had a wonderful and interesting story to tell and she did it with the delicacy of a loving descendant. I give it 5 out 5.

About Nancy L. Pressly


Unlocking : Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly

(c)Atlanta Portrait Photography

Nancy L. Pressly, a graduate of Goucher College, received her master’s degree in Art History from Columbia University. She began her career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and subsequently held curatorial positions at the Yale Center for British Art and the San Antonio Museum of Art, where she organized several important exhibitions, most notably the acclaimed Fuseli Circle in Rome: Early Romantic Art of the 1770s.
In 1984 she became Assistant Director of the Museum Program at the National Endowment for the Arts; was a visiting Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Visual Arts during the fall of 1992; and in 1993 founded Nancy L. Pressly & Associates, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in strategic planning for art museums. She has authored numerous publications, most recently a book titled Settling the South Carolina Backcountry (2016.) She and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia, close to their son and two grandchildren.

Website:  https://nancylpressly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyLPresslyauthor/

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Giveaway Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly


This giveaway is for 3 print copies open to the U.S. only. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends August 1, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly

Jun 20

9

13 Billion To One by Randy Rush-Review

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on June 9, 2020
Posted in Book Tours • Books Read in 2020 • Memoir  | Tagged With: , , , | 1 Comment

13 Billion To One by Randy Rush13 Billion To One: A Memoir: Winning the $50 Million Lottery Has Its Price by Randy Rush


Publisher:  Rantanna Media (June 24, 2020)
Category: Memoir
Tour Dates June and July, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-9992524-0-3
Available in Print, Audiobook,  and ebook, 283 pages
13 Billion to One

Description 13 Billion To One by Randy Rush


A Riveting Story About Grit, Determination and the Refusal to Give In or Give Up — No Matter How Great the Odds.

As a welfare kid who grew up in the streets, Randy Rush had to fight for everything he got and knew what it was like to struggle. So, when he was suddenly handed $50 million in tax-free money, he vowed to use his new-found wealth to help others. But what he didn’t see coming was Jeremy Crawford.

In his gripping, adrenaline-packed memoir, Rush takes readers on his rocket-fueled journey after a trip to the corner grocer to buy food for his beloved cat, Conway Kitty, leads to the discovery that he has won Canada’s $50 million Lotto Max jackpot.

Soaring on a seemingly endless endorphin high, Rush spends the months following his win traveling, feeding his passion for rare sports cars, considering charitable causes, and splurging on friends — paying off their debts and even giving them a free place to stay in million-dollar homes. But his world comes crashing down when he discovers that Dave Crawford, a man he loved like an older brother and had generously provided for, has served him up to his con artist son, Jeremy — who scams Rush out of nearly $5 million.

Reeling from Dave’s betrayal and fueled by the discovery that the Crawfords are serial con artists who have devastated the lives of more than a hundred others, Rush embarks on a mission to take his adversaries down. But as his quest for justice drags on, his festering rage reaches a boiling point and he is faced with a choice: Let the Crawford’s cons destroy him, or re-focus his attention on doing good in the world and enjoying the enormous gift he has been given.

My Thoughts 13 Billion To One by Randy Rush


’13 Billion to One’ is not only a memoir but a cautionary tale in the most unadulterated sense. At the beginning of 2015, Randy Rush was just a normal guy. After growing up poor and surviving on welfare, Randy suffered some difficult setbacks in his 20’s and ended up having to move back in with his parents. But, after managing to get back on his feet and find work in an equipment rental agency, he cleaned up his life.

That was, until he won 50 million dollars in the Canadian lottery.
Saying that Randy’s life changed suddenly is a bit of an understatement, I think most of us would struggle to imagine the shock of suddenly winning such a large amount of money when you only left the house to pick up cat food.

Of course, money like that can bring out the criminal in people. Randy quickly found out who his real friends were and who was kissing up to him for a taste of the wealthy lifestyle. Particularly, the son of a friend who convinced Randy to invest in his tech start up, only to later turn out to be a scam.

Randy, who comes across as a very nice and personable guy, had never experienced betrayal like that. The memoir goes on to show his process through the courts trying to get his money back and the eventual beginnings of his crusade to help fight white-collar crime.

This book was a very enjoyable reading experience for me, as I absolutely love memoirs and this story was a doozy.  From the opening pages, where Randy wins the money to the eventual betrayal by his friend, I was hooked!  This guy has lead a pretty unbelievable life and has quite the story to tell from it. He also goes on to help a charity in Africa that educates children.  After visiting a charity run grade school he decides he wants to help in a big way and builds a high school. There is also some lighter laugh out loud moments, from now on Meeka’s canned cat food will be called “premium soft-serve.” That is what Randy calls his cat, Conway Kitty’s, cat food. I highly recommend this excellent book! It gets all 5 stars from me.

I received the ebook for my honest review.

About Randy Rush


13 Billion To One by Randy Rush

Randy Rush- Africa, 2017

Randy Rush is on a mission to stop white collar crime and other social injustices by exposing them to the world. He recently founded Rantanna Media, a mission-driven publishing and production company, to give victims a voice and raise widespread awareness about the devastating impact of these crimes. Randy is also committed to transforming the lives of children in Africa by providing them the education, love and hope they need to succeed.

He divides his time between Canada and Europe.

Website: http://randall-rush.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RandyRushSpeaks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandyRushSpeaks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RandyRushSpeaks/

Buy 13 Billion To One by Randy Rush


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Giveaway 13 Billion To One by Randy Rush


This giveaway is for 3 print copies open to Canada and the U.S. only. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends August 1, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow 13 Billion To One by Randy Rush


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Denise Amazon July 20 Review

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13 Billion To One by Randy Rush

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