Ann Arbor, Michigan - Local author Roy Sexton's first book Reel Roy Reviews, Vol. 1: Keepin' It Real was released last month and quickly found itself among Amazon's "hot releases," even hitting number one on the site's list of top-selling "Guides and Reviews."

To celebrate the book's launch, two local booksellers are holding author events in April. Common Language in Ann Arbor (317 Braun Ct.) will host a mixer on Thursday, April 10 at 7 pm. Sexton will be signing books, and theatre colleagues from The Penny Seats (including Lyn Weber, Rebecca Biber, Nick Oliverio, Rebecca Winder, and Barbara Bruno among others) will offer interpretive readings of some of his wilder essays. Light refreshments will be provided.

Then, Bookbound, also in Ann Arbor (1729 Plymouth Road), will hold a book-signing/Q&A on Saturday, April 26 at 3 pm. Accompanied by local musician and teacher Rebecca Biber, Sexton, who has appeared in many theatrical productions in the region, will sing a few of his favorite movie themes.

Reel Roy Reviews, Vol. 1: Keepin' It Real is a compilation of essays composed in tribute to (and sometimes frustration with) the art-form known as "cinema" - with a few theatre, music, and concert analyses thrown in for good measure. A populist at heart, Sexton's sensibility is grounded in a desire to see good stories, well told.

Michigan entrepreneur and fellow Leadership Detroit alum Michael Lesich writes, "I've been a fan of Roy's movie reviews for some time. Armed with a sharp tongue, a quick wit, and an absolute love of movies and theater, Roy brings a passionate and independent voice to movie reviews. Whether you love-em-or-hate-em, Roy's reviews are never dull. I'm just an average guy, but when I see a new movie, I often check out Roy's review to get a sense of whether they are worth spending my hard-earned money and scarce time to see them. Grab the popcorn, a giant soda, and a pair of 3D glasses, and get ready to enjoy this book!"

In addition to online ordering at Amazon or from the publisher Open Books, the book currently is being carried by Bookbound, Common Language Bookstore, and Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room in Ann Arbor, Michigan; by Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Michigan; and by Memory Lane Gift Shop in Columbia City, Indiana. Bookbound and Memory Lane both also have copies of Susie Duncan Sexton's Secrets of an Old Typewriter series.

About the author...

A self-described small town boy who never quite fit in but learned how to survive playground games with a sense of humor, a bit of style, and a love of movies, Sexton, son of Don and Susie Sexton, grew up in Columbia City, Indiana. His mother (www.susieduncansexton.com) is also a published author, whose two essay collections Secrets of an Old Typewriter and More Secrets of an Old Typewriter, are published by Open Books (www.open-bks.com).

Roy earned his Bachelor's degree from Wabash College in 1995 and is a 1997 graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned his Master's degree in Theatre. In 2007, Roy graduated with his MBA from the University of Michigan. He is a graduate of Leadership Detroit, is a governor-appointed member of the Michigan Council of Labor and Economic Growth and was appointed to the Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association Board of Governors in 2012.

Roy has been involved on the following nonprofit boards and committees: First Step, Michigan Quality Council, National MS Society, ASPCA, Wabash College Southeast Michigan Alumni Association, Penny Seats Theatre Company and the Spotlight Players. Sexton is Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Trott & Trott, P.C., a Farmington Hills, Mich.-based real estate law firm.

Prior to joining Trott, Roy spent 10 years in various planning and communications roles at Oakwood Healthcare System, serving as the Corporate Director of Strategic Communications and Planning. In this role he led a staff of 20 marketing professionals and developed the strategic direction for the $1 billion health care system.

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