Bernard Jan's Blog - Posts Tagged "murder"
Academic Curveball Book Review
Academic Curveball by James J. CudneyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
After Watching Glass Shatter (still have to read it) and Father Figure, James J. Cudney is back to deliver us his third book, Academic Curveball, the first in his Braxton Campus Mysteries. And, oh boy, I’m glad he is!
There is something neat when you set a mystery story in a cozy rural area and spice it with a dead body, a possible culprit as a member of your family, a net of intrigue, an affair connected to the college's athletic program, memorable and sarcastic residents (Nana D you rock!), and a mad cliffhanger! James (or Jay as he prefers to be called) gives us all that in a right and timely manner and his rich and capturing writing style.
I don’t like baseball (which is probably a weakness of 99% Europeans) but I like Jay’s curveball. If the real game is as half as interesting, intriguing and exciting as his book is, baseball would have many more followers outside the States. As things look from my point of view, baseball will remain a nationally popular home game while Academic Curveball and Braxton Campus Mysteries will enchant the hordes of both domestic and international fans. And that is not a bad thing at all!
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
View all my reviews
Bernard Jan
Broken Heart Attack Book Review
Broken Heart Attack by James J. CudneyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Have you already read one or both books from Braxton Campus Mysteries? If not, this is a good moment because James J. Cudney is about to release the third book from the series!
After finding a dead body on campus in Academic Curveball, the main protagonist of the series Kellan has the opportunity to solve a sudden death mystery in the second book Broken Heart Attack which happens during the King Lear play’s dress rehearsal. His grandmother’s friend succumbs to a suspicious heart attack, and Kellan and Nana D are ready to solve a possible crime.
This is a cozy mystery that will make you love it, not only because of its intrigue, strongly characterized and entertaining protagonists and another masterful cliffhanger, but also because of the genuine humour that keeps forcing the hearty laughter out of you. Nana D rocks even more than in Academic Curveball, and her relationship with her grandson Kellan is a pure fun and entertainment.
Broken Heart Attack is another book in which James J. Cudney proves himself as intelligent, skilful and humorous author ready to push boundaries. I have no doubt his third book Flower Power Trip from Braxton Campus Mysteries will be yet another success in the series.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Bernard Jan
View all my reviews
Flower Power Trip Book Review
Flower Power Trip by James J. CudneyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
While Kellan Ayrwick, a brilliant one, as his Nana D likes to call him, is trying to resolve a new Braxton murder, he is not aware of another mystery that will hit closer to his home.
Flower Power Trip is a multilayer story full of memorable characters, blooming with an irresistible charm. This is the third book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries and if you haven’t read the first two books, please do that. As the author takes us deeper into the life of Braxton, the more we love it. From book to book his characters are more alive, more realistic, more present and funnier and we want to hang out with them more!
Their creator James J. Cudney, a brilliant one, is making us addicted to his cozies and people we’ll miss and wait with expectation until the next book from the series downloads to our Kindle or lands on our bookshelves.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Bernard Jan
View all my reviews
Cruel Summer Cover and Blurb Reveal
With the beginning of the new year comes the moment to announce my new book launch! And I start it with its cover and blurb reveal.
I originally wrote Cruel Summer in Croatian over 20 years ago. By the end of February this year, I will release it in English. Cruel Summer is a Young Adult cross-genre novel with elements of social and family issues, teen and child abuse, extreme sports, conspiracy, mystery, murder and crime investigation, teen romance, sci-fi and dystopia.
I hope I won’t be distracted this time with earthquakes and other unpredictable situations and thus forced to postpone my release date again.
Indie author Dean Cole did a fantastic job and made me fall in love with his stunning eBook and paperback cover. Working with Dean was a genuine pleasure. He is the fastest designer I worked with and he will professionally meet and fulfill your requirements before you are aware it is over. It took him only three days to deliver me such a brutally good book cover, as one of my friends commented it. Do I need to say more?
Another indie author, also from the UK, saved me by helping me with the blurb for Cruel Summer when I was stuck with it. Jonathan Hill was my savior and magician also for the blurbs for my other two books, January River and Look for Me Under the Rainbow. This time again he did an amazing job, and I can never thank him enough for his professionalism, patience and kind help.
Cruel Summer Blurb
All he wants to do is skate. But they have other plans for him.
Michael Daniels is seventeen and dreams to enter professional skateboarding contests. But beneath New Manhattan, a city under the oppressive shadow of climate change, exists another world altogether—secret laboratories which threaten society as he knows it.
Those with power will get what they want. No price is too high, even if it means making someone special or robbing them of their dignity, freedom . . . or life.
The price is too high for Michael, though. He has endured his stepfather’s abuse and mind games for almost as long as he remembers. Until one day he takes matters into his own hands, ruining the lives of those he loves most. And his skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope for freedom.
When there is no hope left, friendship is what remains.
Please show some love to Dean and Jonathan by following them on their Twitter and on Goodreads where you can also find their books.
And don’t forget to look for Cruel Summer when it goes online and becomes available on my Amazon profile.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
I originally wrote Cruel Summer in Croatian over 20 years ago. By the end of February this year, I will release it in English. Cruel Summer is a Young Adult cross-genre novel with elements of social and family issues, teen and child abuse, extreme sports, conspiracy, mystery, murder and crime investigation, teen romance, sci-fi and dystopia.
I hope I won’t be distracted this time with earthquakes and other unpredictable situations and thus forced to postpone my release date again.
Indie author Dean Cole did a fantastic job and made me fall in love with his stunning eBook and paperback cover. Working with Dean was a genuine pleasure. He is the fastest designer I worked with and he will professionally meet and fulfill your requirements before you are aware it is over. It took him only three days to deliver me such a brutally good book cover, as one of my friends commented it. Do I need to say more?
Another indie author, also from the UK, saved me by helping me with the blurb for Cruel Summer when I was stuck with it. Jonathan Hill was my savior and magician also for the blurbs for my other two books, January River and Look for Me Under the Rainbow. This time again he did an amazing job, and I can never thank him enough for his professionalism, patience and kind help.
Cruel Summer Blurb
All he wants to do is skate. But they have other plans for him.
Michael Daniels is seventeen and dreams to enter professional skateboarding contests. But beneath New Manhattan, a city under the oppressive shadow of climate change, exists another world altogether—secret laboratories which threaten society as he knows it.
Those with power will get what they want. No price is too high, even if it means making someone special or robbing them of their dignity, freedom . . . or life.
The price is too high for Michael, though. He has endured his stepfather’s abuse and mind games for almost as long as he remembers. Until one day he takes matters into his own hands, ruining the lives of those he loves most. And his skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope for freedom.
When there is no hope left, friendship is what remains.
Please show some love to Dean and Jonathan by following them on their Twitter and on Goodreads where you can also find their books.
And don’t forget to look for Cruel Summer when it goes online and becomes available on my Amazon profile.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Cruel Summer eBook Launch Day on Amazon!
All I wanted to do is to publish this book. But I had other books plans before that one.
After many years of preparations, testing, trial and error, waiting and burning excitement, Cruel Summer launch day is here, and the eBook is available at Amazon marketplaces!
Cruel Summer is a gripping, unexpected, strong, and emotional YA cross-genre story about an abused teenage boy and a poet in New Manhattan, Michael Daniels, who only wants to skate and enter skateboarding contests, and the loyalty of friendship that stands as the shield between those with power and his freedom. Michael’s skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope when things go wrong and mysteries and secrets start to unfold, threatening to turn their society into an authoritarian dystopia. Because when there is no hope left, friendship is what remains.
All he wants to do is skate. By they have other plans for him.
Cruel Summer has elements of family and social issues, extreme sports, conspiracy, murder, mystery, teen romance as a subplot, and even sci-fi and dystopia as a touch of alternative history. It carries a strong message of friendship.
Although the main protagonists are three friends, skateboarders from New York City at the end of the millennium, Cruel Summer is not just a novel about extreme sports. It is a deep story of a family and sexual abuse, and the exploitation of power by those who have the means to use it over the individuals and the population in general. Having a strong human rights and environmental message, it will also appeal to those who love reading these books.
Originally published as Okrutno ljeto in Croatian in 2014, Cruel Summer is still a hot topic today.
Please click on the links below to get your copy where you can also leave your honest review. Thank you for that!
Amazon.com
Amazon Australia
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Goodreads
BookBub
Cruel Summer is enrolled in KDP Select, where you can read it for free. Through most of March, it will be at the discounted price of $0.99 before it goes up to its regular place. A perfect time to download your eBook!
Thank you all who helped me bring this book to life. There are too many of you to mention you here, but you have my eternal thanks in the Acknowledgements in the book.
If you are a representative of the media, please click here for the press release.
Cruel Summer and I are available for reviews, book tours, interviews.
Cover design by Dean Cole.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
After many years of preparations, testing, trial and error, waiting and burning excitement, Cruel Summer launch day is here, and the eBook is available at Amazon marketplaces!
Cruel Summer is a gripping, unexpected, strong, and emotional YA cross-genre story about an abused teenage boy and a poet in New Manhattan, Michael Daniels, who only wants to skate and enter skateboarding contests, and the loyalty of friendship that stands as the shield between those with power and his freedom. Michael’s skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope when things go wrong and mysteries and secrets start to unfold, threatening to turn their society into an authoritarian dystopia. Because when there is no hope left, friendship is what remains.
All he wants to do is skate. By they have other plans for him.
Cruel Summer has elements of family and social issues, extreme sports, conspiracy, murder, mystery, teen romance as a subplot, and even sci-fi and dystopia as a touch of alternative history. It carries a strong message of friendship.
Although the main protagonists are three friends, skateboarders from New York City at the end of the millennium, Cruel Summer is not just a novel about extreme sports. It is a deep story of a family and sexual abuse, and the exploitation of power by those who have the means to use it over the individuals and the population in general. Having a strong human rights and environmental message, it will also appeal to those who love reading these books.
Originally published as Okrutno ljeto in Croatian in 2014, Cruel Summer is still a hot topic today.
Please click on the links below to get your copy where you can also leave your honest review. Thank you for that!
Amazon.com
Amazon Australia
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Goodreads
BookBub
Cruel Summer is enrolled in KDP Select, where you can read it for free. Through most of March, it will be at the discounted price of $0.99 before it goes up to its regular place. A perfect time to download your eBook!
Thank you all who helped me bring this book to life. There are too many of you to mention you here, but you have my eternal thanks in the Acknowledgements in the book.
If you are a representative of the media, please click here for the press release.
Cruel Summer and I are available for reviews, book tours, interviews.
Cover design by Dean Cole.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
Cruel Summer Paperback
It took a small conspiracy to publish the paperback edition of my novel Cruel Summer! Since Amazon has restricted international delivery of print books to Croatia, I couldn’t order my proof copy to approve it before publishing it. I’ve been waiting for a month for this restriction to be removed, but no one could tell me when that would happen.
Out of pure desperation, I asked my US based friend Thomas if he could help me with checking out my proof copy. He said yes; I sent him my book from Amazon; he took photos of it and emailed them to me. When I was certain that the book was ready to be released, I hit the publish button and published my paperback.
This is a story on how the story of an abused teenage skateboarder, Michael Daniels, came to life on March 8, 2021 on Amazon. Its paperback price is $17.99 and you can order it here.
Michael Daniels is seventeen and dreams to enter professional skateboarding contests. But beneath New Manhattan, a city under the oppressive shadow of climate change, exists another world altogether—secret laboratories which threaten society as he knows it.
Those with power will get what they want. No price is too high, even if it means making someone special or robbing them of their dignity, freedom . . . or life.
The price is too high for Michael, though. He has endured his stepfather’s abuse and mind games for almost as long as he remembers. Until one day he takes matters into his own hands, ruining the lives of those he loves most. And his skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope for freedom.
I hope this blurb is catchy enough for you to get your copy or buy it as a gift for someone else.
The book cover is beautifully designed by Dean Cole and I guarantee you, you will love it. Dean’s design is mind-blowing. He perfectly portrayed the spirit and the theme of the novel. I don't doubt that holding this book in your hands will give you a special reading experience.
Please don’t forget to leave an honest review on the platforms below and recommend it by word of mouth.
Amazon.com
paperback and eBook
Amazon Australia
eBook
Amazon Canada
paperback and eBook
Amazon UK
paperback and eBook
Goodreads
paperback and eBook
If you are a representative of the media, please click here for the press release.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
Out of pure desperation, I asked my US based friend Thomas if he could help me with checking out my proof copy. He said yes; I sent him my book from Amazon; he took photos of it and emailed them to me. When I was certain that the book was ready to be released, I hit the publish button and published my paperback.
This is a story on how the story of an abused teenage skateboarder, Michael Daniels, came to life on March 8, 2021 on Amazon. Its paperback price is $17.99 and you can order it here.
Michael Daniels is seventeen and dreams to enter professional skateboarding contests. But beneath New Manhattan, a city under the oppressive shadow of climate change, exists another world altogether—secret laboratories which threaten society as he knows it.
Those with power will get what they want. No price is too high, even if it means making someone special or robbing them of their dignity, freedom . . . or life.
The price is too high for Michael, though. He has endured his stepfather’s abuse and mind games for almost as long as he remembers. Until one day he takes matters into his own hands, ruining the lives of those he loves most. And his skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope for freedom.
I hope this blurb is catchy enough for you to get your copy or buy it as a gift for someone else.
The book cover is beautifully designed by Dean Cole and I guarantee you, you will love it. Dean’s design is mind-blowing. He perfectly portrayed the spirit and the theme of the novel. I don't doubt that holding this book in your hands will give you a special reading experience.
Please don’t forget to leave an honest review on the platforms below and recommend it by word of mouth.
Amazon.com
paperback and eBook
Amazon Australia
eBook
Amazon Canada
paperback and eBook
Amazon UK
paperback and eBook
Goodreads
paperback and eBook
If you are a representative of the media, please click here for the press release.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
Cruel Summer in TCK Publishing Contest
I have submitted my YA cross-genre novel, Cruel Summer, to TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Awards 2021 contest.
TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Awards 2021 is a contest for best books in 16 categories. To get to my YA and Middle Grade book category, use the arrows on the left and right side of the voting form to navigate between categories. Once you are on the page 12/16, scroll down to Cruel Summer by Bernard Jan and click on the book title to cast your vote.
Please share the link below with others too, so they can also show their love and support to Cruel Summer.
Vote here
for Cruel Summer in TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Awards 2021 (page 12/16 YA and Middle Grade).
Thank you!
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Awards 2021 is a contest for best books in 16 categories. To get to my YA and Middle Grade book category, use the arrows on the left and right side of the voting form to navigate between categories. Once you are on the page 12/16, scroll down to Cruel Summer by Bernard Jan and click on the book title to cast your vote.
Please share the link below with others too, so they can also show their love and support to Cruel Summer.
Vote here
for Cruel Summer in TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Awards 2021 (page 12/16 YA and Middle Grade).
Thank you!
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
From Skateboarding to Dystopia for Only $0.99!
“Mother, I know you can’t hear me, but I must talk to you.
“I need to talk to someone. Anyone. About things I would never say if you were alive. About things I didn’t want you to know because they would hurt you. This way I will say them, and you won’t hear them. This way it will be much easier for me to pour my heart out to you . . .”
My cross-genre YA novel Cruel Summer is for the first time in a Kindle discount promo week!
Sunday, May 9, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT through Sunday, May 16, 2021, 12:00 AM PDT
This gripping, unexpected, strong, and emotional story about an abused teenage boy who only wants to skate and the loyalty of friendship that stands as the shield between those who have other plans for him and his freedom will be only $0.99 for a whole week on Amazon or free with Kindle Unlimited.
Do you like books that cross genres and mix them in a surprising read you cannot put down? Cruel Summer has all that and more for you: family and social issues, extreme sports, conspiracy, murder, mystery, teen romance as a subplot, and sci-fi and dystopia as a touch of alternative history with a powerful message of friendship.
Sounds impossible? But it’s not!
“Crossing genres is always difficult, and thankfully, this one works well. It offers many angles for every type of reader. Even for those who aren’t fans of dystopia / sci-fi or who’ve never been on a skateboard in their lives . . . you’ll be pulled in for all the other reasons.”
—James J. Cudney, author of Watching Glass Shatter, Hiding Cracked Glass, Father Figure, Braxton Campus Mysteries series and Weathering Old Souls
Don’t wait any longer!
Please spread the word and download your eBook at a 67% discounted price. Thank you!
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Cover design by Dean Cole.
Bernard Jan
“I need to talk to someone. Anyone. About things I would never say if you were alive. About things I didn’t want you to know because they would hurt you. This way I will say them, and you won’t hear them. This way it will be much easier for me to pour my heart out to you . . .”
My cross-genre YA novel Cruel Summer is for the first time in a Kindle discount promo week!
Sunday, May 9, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT through Sunday, May 16, 2021, 12:00 AM PDT
This gripping, unexpected, strong, and emotional story about an abused teenage boy who only wants to skate and the loyalty of friendship that stands as the shield between those who have other plans for him and his freedom will be only $0.99 for a whole week on Amazon or free with Kindle Unlimited.
Do you like books that cross genres and mix them in a surprising read you cannot put down? Cruel Summer has all that and more for you: family and social issues, extreme sports, conspiracy, murder, mystery, teen romance as a subplot, and sci-fi and dystopia as a touch of alternative history with a powerful message of friendship.
Sounds impossible? But it’s not!
“Crossing genres is always difficult, and thankfully, this one works well. It offers many angles for every type of reader. Even for those who aren’t fans of dystopia / sci-fi or who’ve never been on a skateboard in their lives . . . you’ll be pulled in for all the other reasons.”
—James J. Cudney, author of Watching Glass Shatter, Hiding Cracked Glass, Father Figure, Braxton Campus Mysteries series and Weathering Old Souls
Don’t wait any longer!
Please spread the word and download your eBook at a 67% discounted price. Thank you!
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Cover design by Dean Cole.
Bernard Jan
Cruel Summer: Silver Dagger Book Tour & Giveaway May through June 2021
I am thrilled and grateful to Maia for accepting my YA cross-genre novel Cruel Summer for the Silver Dagger book tour and giveaway! Cruel Summer starts the tour today, on May 28, and will tour until June 28 on 40 stops.
Please check and follow all the stops on the tour and share them with your friends and followers. Let's have some fun time together. Thanks, and let the tour begins!
Click here to continue reading,
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
Please check and follow all the stops on the tour and share them with your friends and followers. Let's have some fun time together. Thanks, and let the tour begins!
Click here to continue reading,
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
Cruel Summer Discount!
Three days after the Cruel Summer Book Tour & Giveaway has ended, there is a new opportunity for everyone who didn’t get my book. Cruel Summer, a gripping story of an abused teenage skateboarder who only wants to follow his dreams in dystopian New York City, is available at a 67% discounted price for an entire week!
Thursday, July 1, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT through Thursday, July 8, 2021, 12:00 AM PDT
First read an excerpt:
His father was defeated; he was on his knees facing death. Yet, there was a brief flash of triumph in his eyes Michael glimpsed before running from the mess he made without touching anything.
How is that possible? Was he not afraid of him? Wasn’t he afraid of what Michael had done? Isn’t he afraid of what Michael might do?!
Either way, Michael isn’t thinking if going home until Hank thinks about everything. And when he gets home, things will be different. Everything will be different. Hank will no longer have a monopoly on him. Hank will no longer blackmail him or tell him what to do and what not to do. HE WILL NEVER TOUCH HIM AGAIN!
Then download your Cruel Summer eBook here. If you prefer a paperback, you can get it here.
“Bernard Jan’s Cruel Summer is an emotionally gripping story, full of love, friendship, loyalty, family drama, and skateboarding. Bernard did a wonderful job of creating a beautifully written and compelling story that is very descriptive so that the reader feels immersed in the story.”
—Rolanda Lyles for Readers’ Favorite
Don’t forget to check out and read my other books: January River, Look for Me Under the Rainbow and A World Without Color.
Happy reading and thank you!
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Subscribe to my mailing list.
Follow me on Twitter.
Cover design by Dean Cole.
Bernard Jan
Thursday, July 1, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT through Thursday, July 8, 2021, 12:00 AM PDT
First read an excerpt:
His father was defeated; he was on his knees facing death. Yet, there was a brief flash of triumph in his eyes Michael glimpsed before running from the mess he made without touching anything.
How is that possible? Was he not afraid of him? Wasn’t he afraid of what Michael had done? Isn’t he afraid of what Michael might do?!
Either way, Michael isn’t thinking if going home until Hank thinks about everything. And when he gets home, things will be different. Everything will be different. Hank will no longer have a monopoly on him. Hank will no longer blackmail him or tell him what to do and what not to do. HE WILL NEVER TOUCH HIM AGAIN!
Then download your Cruel Summer eBook here. If you prefer a paperback, you can get it here.
“Bernard Jan’s Cruel Summer is an emotionally gripping story, full of love, friendship, loyalty, family drama, and skateboarding. Bernard did a wonderful job of creating a beautifully written and compelling story that is very descriptive so that the reader feels immersed in the story.”
—Rolanda Lyles for Readers’ Favorite
Don’t forget to check out and read my other books: January River, Look for Me Under the Rainbow and A World Without Color.
Happy reading and thank you!
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Subscribe to my mailing list.
Follow me on Twitter.
Cover design by Dean Cole.
Bernard Jan
