 |
November 17 - December 12, 2025 Virtual Book Tour |
Synopsis:
One day. One city on the edge. One man gambling it all.
In a Los Angeles rattled by an earthquake and on the brink of collapse, Marlon has twenty-four hours to change his fate. Drowning in debt, reeling from personal loss, and desperate to save his family, he’s seduced by a shadowy financial guru promising salvation. But as Marlon spirals deeper into a web of risk, secrets long buried begin to surface—and his final gamble might cost him everything.
Taut, urgent, and psychologically astute, Get Rich Quick is a gripping descent into the dangers of ambition, delusion, and the American obsession with success.
Soon to be a major worldwide film release.
BUY THE BOOK:
“Usually, you shouldn’t trust a person who asks you to trust them. I mean, if they are telling you the truth, why are they worried you won’t believe them? But I am the exception.”
In
a somewhat stream-of-consciousness style, our unnamed narrator strings readers
along to the very last page. In turns, the narrator not-so-subtly pitches and
preaches to us (often breaking the fourth wall), peppers us with fact-filled
and irrelevant asides, while slowly revealing the plot. But within all the “willy-nilly”
business of GRQ, the author makes readers want to know the story of the
disaster who’s named Marlon.
“The lack of profits from the stocks he hadn’t yet invested in was why he hadn’t paid the mortgage. It was a bit of a paradox.”
Marlon.
In Texas, we’d definitely say, “Bless his heart.” IYKYK. He knows all the right
terms, BOOM, has all the right equipment, BOOM, and goes through all the right
motions, BOOM! – except he doesn’t. He’s a BS’er, and even that isn’t something
he’s really mastered other than in his own mind. And even then, he has doubts. In
these times when we are nonstop fed the same kind of BS that Marlon and the
narrator are dishing out, the social commentary and relevance of GRQ comes
in loud and clear: just believe what you’re told. It’s better that way – except
it isn’t.
Author
Steven Bernstein writes with panache, framing the literal collapse of Marlon’s
world around the figurative one. And, quelle surprise that he does it
suspensefully; we can’t stop watching this train wreck, and we can’t stop
wondering if or how it will all resolve itself. He writes so cleverly and
evocatively that readers have concerns and *GASP* feelings. In GRQ, Bernstein
doesn’t allow us to go “lurching off willy-nilly,” of course; not even the
reader gets off scot-free. Amidst the humor, he also takes us to some dark and
painful places, and he leaves us thinking. Eek.
Don’t
let the short page count and abundance of white space fool you. GRQ packs
a powerful punch delivered in unique and fascinating way. Highly recommend it
for a completely different reading experience. (NOTE: for further exploration, Bernstein
also wrote and directed GRQ the Movie, which is releasing soon and has a
run time of about an hour and a half -- only slightly shorter than how long it takes
to read the novella, which is the movie’s basis.)
Author Bio:
Steven Bernstein, ASC, DGA, WGA is an award-winning feature film director and screenwriter, shaping some of the most visually striking films of the past forty years. His work on the Academy Award-winning film Monster and on Like Water for Chocolate has earned global recognition. He is a recipient of the American Film Institute Award, the Sloan Award (for writing and directing), the Cannes Golden Lion (for commercials), and is an ASC nominee for outstanding cinematography. He has worked on over fifty feature films. He wrote and directed several groundbreaking feature films with major talent (John Malkovich, Samantha Morton, Helen Hunt and many more). His podcast Filmmakerandfans, about the creative process in film production, is listened to by millions.
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Steven Bernstein. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
GRQ by Steven Bernstein [Gift Card]Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!
------- 🕮 -------
Tour Participants:Click here to visit other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!
Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours
