Inside the Insanity: *Book Tour & Giveaway* Cruel Summer by Bernard Jan-GUEST POST

Cruel Summer

by Bernard Jan

Genre: YA Cross-Genre, Dystopian, Sexual Abuse, Skateboarding

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.

Order your copy of this gripping, unexpected, strong, and emotional, Young Adult cross-genre novel by Bernard Jan, the author of January River, Look for Me Under the Rainbow, and A World Without Color.

Goodreads * Amazon

**Help the author with your vote for Cruel Summer in

TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Awards 2021 contest.!**

To cast your vote please use the arrows to navigate to the page 12/16 YA and Middle Grade book category.

When you are there, scroll down to Cruel Summer by Bernard Jan and click on the book. And that should be it!

https://www.tckpublishing.com/2021-readers-choice- voting-page/.

"There is no greater joy than to share what you love with those who appreciate it."--Bernard Jan

My pen name is Bernard Jan. I am an award-winning novelist and a poet from Croatia, and I have released four books in English. I am Readers' Favorite Gold Medalist 2020 and Readers' Favorite Bronze Medalist 2019.

"A World Without Color" is a true story of the last three days I spent with my cat, while "Look for Me Under the Rainbow" in a unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada. It warms the heart of all readers concerned about our planet and its treasures. "January River" is a heartwarming cross-genre novel about five friends, one dog, and one river carrying a secret. "Cruel Summer" is a gripping young adult cross-genre novel about an abused teenager from New Manhattan who only wants to skate, but they have other plans for him.

My first two books were written at the beginning of the war in Croatia in 1991 amidst air alerts and illusory attempts when I wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is all right with the world. I have published five novels, two novellas, and one book of poems in Croatian. Four of my books, including the book of poems, were translated into English.

My passion for music and entertainment resulted in my becoming a partner of Tom's Music Place, which was established in 2009 by my friend Thomas Carley Jr., whose objective was to raise the respect of music.

My desire to help others came to the fore during my years advocating environmental protection and advocacy of animal rights. I did volunteering work for the refugees, because suffering does not know any borders. When it comes within your reach in your home, you simply have to do something. As part of my animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate "Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust" by Charles Patterson into Croatian.

Website * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

GUEST POST

Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

My writing journey started amidst the air alerts that announced the outbreak of war in Croatia after Croatia proclaimed its independence. I wrote my first two books in 1991 when I still wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is all right with the world. But it wasn’t. The world had gone crazy, and this was my answer to the madness, killing, and hatred. My stories were both my weapon and my cry for peace. Through writing I wanted to document everything that was going on so we would remember it and never repeat it again.

I was in my early twenties then, but I think we all grew up very quickly faced with the new reality and the years of nightmares and national hatred that ruled our lives. I had to part with my best friends who fled to Sweden to save their lives. Many people didn’t get to save themselves. Many ended up tragically, tortured, imprisoned, killed. I dedicated my first two books to all of them. As much as it is mine, they are also their stories, their truth.

What is something unique/quirky about you?

I don’t know if this is something unique or quirky about me, but I am obsessed with water. I love water, the smell of the sea, the splashing sound of the waves against the rocks or when they crawl on the sandy beach. And I enjoy walking on the sunny side of the street in the company of my shadow because I like to be warm and sometimes there is too much darkness in me. I am also a vortex of emotions which reflects in my writing too.

What are some of your pet peeves?

As a writer, I have a couple of pet peeves: poorly edited books with lots of typos and ugly covers. My pet peeve is also a lack of time for all the things I want do to, a constant struggle and running after something under everyday pressure. Aggressive people are also a big annoyance. I have zero tolerance for aggression because no one deserves to be treated like that. And I don’t like when people talk in movie theaters, so I prefer watching movies alone.

Where were you born/grew up at?

I was born and grew up in Zagreb, Croatia. I am still here until the road takes me somewhere else. A change would be nice since I have spent all of my life here, so far. To see new places and maybe meet in person some of the amazing people I have befriended online. To inject a bit of adventure into my life and just travel the road.

If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?

Provided I could do that, I would go to the place of my dreams and enjoy every second in the company of my best friends.

Who is your hero and why?

The first person who comes to my mind is Leonardo DiCaprio. Super talented and successful actor who uses his fame and fortune for a greater cause: helping our planet and saving life on it. That speaks volumes about what kind of person he is. Leo is not the only one, though. There are plenty of others who can be qualified as my heroes, but I always admired him a lot ever since I saw his first movies.