AUDIOBOOK TOUR: The Cleanup Committee by Cordelia Rains

Welcome to the Official Audiobook Tour for author Cordelia Rains's The Cleanup Committee. Today, on our tour stop, we are going to kick off this tour with a spotlight on the author and the audiobook with an audio excerpt! So... Be sure to check it out and download your copy now! Follow the tour, HERE.

Genre:

Adult

Crime Thriller

Publish Date:

September 30, 2020

Audiobook Release Date:

April 22, 2022

Length:

10 hours 56 minutes

Publisher:

Cordelia Rains

Narrated by:

Michael Kirby

Synopsis:

It's 1978. The drug trade is booming, and law enforcement can't keep up. Enter the Cleanup Committee. They've all lost children to drugs. They're rich, they're organized, and they have resources. Will they succeed where the law failed?

            

***FREE on Kindle Unlimited***

*Audio Excerpt*

Kirby Narrator · Cleanup Committee Sample

~~~~~

**About the Author**

Cordelia Rains lives and works from home in the beautiful pacific northwest. Her debut crime novel, The Cleanup Committee, was inspired by her parents: a police dispatcher and a nurse. A children's series is also in the works. 

Cordelia enjoys coffee, movies, and rock music. She can often be found walking with her family and their Saint Bernard.

Stay connected with Cordelia Rains

    

~~~

**About the Narrator**

Michael Kirby is a classically trained actor who has performed in film, television, theatre, and voiceovers for more than twenty-five years. He has developed a style that envelopes the audience in the narrative, bringing to life the writer's work from the page.  With clarity, grace, and a deep range of vocal techniques and characters to draw from, he puts the listener right in the heart of the story.  He is a California native a lifelong skateboarder, outdoorsman and sci-fi nerd who spent a number of years living and working in New York City. Michael is a driven performer that brings mindfulness to all of his projects.  As a father of two toddlers, he also approaches all things with a patient and nurturing spirit.  Michael loves his craft and thrives on storytelling, both fiction and non-fiction.

Stay connected with Michael Kirby

     

Audiobook Tour Organized by

JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Malignant (2021)

Genre:

Horror/Crime/Mystery/Thriller

Rating:

R

Release Date:

September 10, 2021

Run Time:

1 hr 51 mins

Directed by:

James Wan

Production Co.:

Atomic Monster/Boom Entertainment/Boom! Studiow

Distribution Co.:

Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema/HBO Max

Social Media:

   

Cast:

Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young, Michole Briana White, Jake Abel

(For full cast and crew on IMDB)

Plot Summary:

“Malignant” is the latest creation from “Conjuring” universe architect James Wan (“Aquaman,” “Furious 7”). The film marks director Wan’s return to his roots with this new original horror thriller.

In the film, Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.

source

~~~~~

*My Thoughts*

Well, hmmm... It wasn't great. it wasn't bad. It has its ample amount of scares and twist. It was entertaining. I did enjoy watching it. There is such an abundant mix of movie tropes that it's not hard to miss. I guess that's what made it so different and entertaining. I did enjoy the creativity of the twist in the plot.

Not much else to say about this. Malignant was just an "meh" movie. Fans of horror/slasher movies will either enjoy it or not. Either way, I found Malignant fun to watch and creative with that twist-y plot.

My rating:

MARIAH's THOUGHTS on The Hate U Give (2018)

Genre:

Young Adult

Crime/Drama

Release Date:

October 19, 2018

DVD/Blu-Ray Release Date:

January 22, 2019

Run Time:

2 hr 13 mins

Rating:

PG-13

Directed by:

George Tillman, Jr.

Screenplay by:

Audrey Wells

Based on the novel by:

Angie Thomas

Production Co.:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Temple Hill Entertainment, State Street Pictures

Distribution Co.:

20th Century Fox

Social Media:

   

Cast:

Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, K.J. Apa, Anthony Mackie, Sabrina Carpenter, Common , Issa Rae

See Full Cast List on IMDB

Plot Summary:

Based on the best-selling novel, The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter, who lives in two worlds: the poor, black neighborhood where she resides and the mostly white prep school she attends. This uneasy balance is shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend by a policeman. Facing pressures from all sides, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.

source

~~~~~

*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains SPOILERS

The Hate U Give is an emotional and brilliant film based upon a YA novel of the same name. It presents issues that are relevant to many who struggle in poorer neighborhoods or experience racism. A young black boy, Khalil Harris, is killed by a Caucasian police officer with the only other witness being Khalil’s childhood friend, Starr Carter played by Amandla Stenberg. The film, however, does not only focus on Khalil’s death, but on Starr. As the main character, Starr is an intelligent, loving, and courageous girl who balances two lives. She lives with her family in Garden Heights, a poorer but close-knit community, but she attends Williamson Prep School with predominantly, well-endowed Caucasian students. The balance she has keeps crumbles when she decides to find her voice and speak out for Khalil’s death. Her classmates begin to see the real Starr, not the quiet and complacent black girl that she appeared to be. Her family encourages her to be herself regardless of what anyone thinks. The message, “The Hate U Give Little Infants F’s Everybody,” is executed with amazing timing when Sekani, Starr’s little brother, steals his father’s gun from his belt and becomes a representation of the violence as a result of Khalil’s death. At first, Sekani seemed to be a passive observer but proves to be an important part of the film. The Hate U Give displays amazing cinematography and storytelling.

I enjoyed The Hate U Give not only for its YA novel origins but because the actors brought the story to life. Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Lamar Johnson, and TJ Wright made a beautiful unit while playing Starr’s family. Hall plays Lisa Carter, a nurse and encouraging mother who wants to help her children succeed in life. Hornsby plays Maverick 'Mav' Carter, Starr’s father is the protective and stringent paternal figure in the house. Johnson and Wright play Seven and Sekani, Starr’s caring brothers. Starr’s family is loving and protective of each other regardless of what the threat is. After Starr witnesses Khalil’s death, they try to support and comfort her with success. They seem to be a beacon of hope for a better future for Garden Heights.

The drama of the film builds up and encourages Starr to fight for her right to speak out and protest the Grand Jury’s verdict not to bring the officer to trial. Hailey played by Sabrina Carpenter, starts the film as Starr’s friend at Williamson. She represents ingrained racism and is Starr’s opposition to Starr’s Williamson persona. Aside from Starr’s supportive family, Hailey helps Starr see that she should not hide her origins and who she is to appease others. To do this, Hailey’s character is superficial, while she uses the hashtag BlackLivesMatter and Khalil’s death to skip classes, she solely sympathizes with the police officer. With Stenberg, Wright, Carpenter, and many other’s performances, The Hate U Give offers a deep message and an emotional story. As a YA novel-based film, it is inspirational for young adults who need help expressing their own beliefs.

My Rating:

JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Bright (2017)

Genre:

Crime Drama

Action & Adventure

Thriller/Fantasy

Release Date:

December 22, 2017

Rating:

TV-MA

Run Time:

 1 hr 57 minutes

Screenplay by:

Max Landis

Directed by:

David Ayer

Distributed by:

Netflix

Social Media:

    

Cast:

Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi  Rapace, Lucy Fry, Edgar Ramirez, Happy Anderson, Alex Meraz, Veronica Ngo, Jay Hernandez

See Full Cast List at IMDB

Plot Summary:

In a Los Angeles rife with interspecies tensions, a human cop and his orc partner stumble on a powerful object and beccome embroiled in a prophesied turf war.

source

~~~~~

*My Thoughts*

So... I finally watched Bright! I found it to be entertaining. The movie blended various different genres into this. There's a little bit of drama, fantasy, action, adventure, and suspense. The characters... Well, there's enough character development to bring this story/plot together. There's a good amount of action to keep it interesting. There's a good amount of suspense that kept me at the "edge of my seat." The amount of realism of discrimination and prejudices was believable since to this day, we still have that happening all around us, not just the cities. And, the way they played it out in this movie was gritty and hard, but a lot of care was put into it to not disrespect either.

Two cops from two different "worlds" are put together in society filled with interspecies tensions... Yah, like that isn't happening now. Anyways, I loved how Will Smith and Joel Edgerton had chemistry in making it believable... their love/hate partnership... Ha! I liked the light humor that was worked into their dialogue; nevertheless, it is also obvious on how they handle the tensions all around them. Then, at the end of the day, it's all part of their job, right?!? Of course, they just happen to stumble upon some good/evil prophecy stuff.... Right?!?

Anyways, I loved the casting. They were amazing and convincing in portraying characters in a society that was supercharged with tensions that go beyond corruption, prejudices and discrimination.

Bright seems to have left a lot open, as if there's so much more to the story. There's a lot of subplots that were hinted at, and left open for more possibilities. Bright has a lot potential for more storylines/plots. Hmmm... Well, let's hope the sequel dives further into this "prophecy" and into this partnership between Ward and Jakoby.

Bright is an entertaining movie that fans of crime dramas and fantasy would enjoy. This movie gave off some Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, and Lord of the Rings kind of vibes. Yah, I would watch it again. And, I look forward to watching the sequel.

My rating: