Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home by Kevin M. O’Connor Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway! {Ends 3/3/23}

Feb 23, 2023

Book Details:

 Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home by Kevin M. O’Connor
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 318 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Publisher: 18th Floor Publishing
Release date: November 2022
Tour dates: Feb 6 to Feb 24, 2023
Content Rating: PG for two languages use and use of F-word.

Book Description:

As a child in the 1950s, Kevin O’Connor knew his house was different than those of his friends. A stately, three-story, nineteenth century Victorian. His bed tucked next to a stage in a former ballroom. His uncle and aunt lived with their three daughters on the floor below. A large electric organ stood stately in a corner of the first-floor mortuary business. Stacked caskets and an embalming room filled the basement.

Nobody had a house like his.

​Set from the 1920s to ‘80s, Two Floors Above Grief is full of fascinating details and anecdotes about his upbringing as a funeral home child, brought to vivid life through a compelling collection of letters written by various family members who lived and worked together at the O’Connor Funeral Home in Elgin, Illinois. Blending the twenty-four-hour business of death and its constantly ringing phone with joy experienced through music, radios, pets, backyard basketball games, co-parenting, faith, and celebrations, O’Connor offers a reflective tale affirming the love of family and embracing life.

Add to Goodreads ~ BUY THE BOOK: Amazon ~ BAM ~Indiebound ~ Bookshop.org

Review By LAWonder10:

This is the account and meanderings of a man raised in a unique multi-family dwelling that sounds wonderful!

This book is a detailed story, covering over two decades, that he researched and discovered many things he did not remember or even know.

He describes in detail things about his residences, his family and extended family, religion, self-discovery, and the ups and downs of those years.

In creating this publication, he hopes to inspire others to do the same. He feels it adds to family connection and unity, in exploring one’s past history.

He brought out many important points that are truly lacking and important to correct in these new generations raised with so much technology. Yet, technology aids in research and in making one’s life easier. There are blessings and challenges in each generation.

This was an interesting, quite well-written book but for me, there was too much detail and some unneeded repetition. 

I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating.

This book was gifted me with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest review.

Guest Post:

Where did I get my inspiration? 

My inspiration comes from lived experiences. When I was a child living in the funeral home environment, I didn’t often contemplate that my arrangement was so different. It was all I knew.
As I grew older and developed friendships and relationships throughout my life, I came to a stronger sense of appreciation for the individuality of my upbringing. I wanted to share those stories with others.
 
There are many books about funeral homes, family relationships, and the strength of parent-to-child bonds.  Two Floors Above Grief is different because most funeral home family residences are about one family.  The stories are about what it took to have two sets of parents raising children born over a span of twenty years. The daughters of the second floor and the sons of the third floor were cousins.  Yet, they were raised as sisters and brothers. The book explains how that occurred. Two autonomous families worked together in such a way to create one family from two. It took some effort.  The positive effects of the relationships continue to thrive 90 years after the oldest child’s birth

.

Meet the Author:

Kevin O’Connor enjoys chronicling the stories of families and friends through tracing genealogical histories and writing. His prior writing includes a dissertation, personal letters, articles, anthologies, and presentations delivered at conferences, seminars, and webinars. He brings people together personally and professionally. Collaborating with friends and relatives, he plans family and class reunions.

He sings and performs in theaters and is active with SMART Ride, a bicycling group that rides annually from Miami to Key West, raising funds for HIV awareness, treatment, and education. Kevin was an elementary teacher, principal, professor, and curriculum coordinator in California, Illinois, and Florida from 1973 to 2020. He authored content and provided training in areas including support for substitute teachers, LGBTQ advocacy, and Sexual Health/Family Life.

Kevin resides in Ft. Lauderdale with his husband, Leon. Their family includes five sons and seven granddaughters.

Connect with the author: websitefacebook ~ instagram ~ linkedin goodreads 

The Tour Schedule :

Feb 6 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 6 – Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 7 – Jazzy Book Reviews book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 8 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 9 – I’m Into Books – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway 
Feb 10 – Novels Alive – book review 
Feb 10  Novels Alive – book spotlight/ giveaway
Feb 13 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight  / guest post / giveaway
Feb 14 Book Corner News and Reviews book review / giveaway
Feb 15 Diana’s Book Journal book spotlight
Feb 16 Locks, Hooks and Books book review / giveaway
Feb 17 Splashes of Joy – book spotlight  / giveaway
Feb 17 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 22 Books for Books book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 22 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 23 – Books and Games – book review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 24 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight

Giveaway Details:

Win signed copy of Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home by Kevin M. O’Connor (one winner) (USA only) (ends Mar 3)

To Enter the Giveaway click on the Rafflecopter link below:

Two Floors Above Grief by Kevin M. O’Connor Book Tour Giveaway

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Please note that I only recommend authors and books that I  approve of and  I always have my readers’ best interest at heart. 

Any book or audio that is gifted me is done with no pressure to post a positive review.  The review I give is my honest opinion! 

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