Amid the blaring, pulsating hype of American culture, every election is routinely proclaimed the most important in our lifetime. Now the flood of heart-stopping news this summer—the Uvalde school massacre, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the January 6 revelations—has brought us face to face with an exceptional problem: What if this one really is? […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/08/18/were-in-an-emergency-act-like-it-mark-danner/
Each day my phone greets me with images—from two years ago, two weeks ago, eight years ago; my toddler, my ex-husband; my toddler as a baby, my mother, a friend I miss, a friend I don’t speak to, my grandmother at her wedding in 1951; my current husband, our wedding. I encounter myself as well: […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2022/07/26/in-the-flickering-light/
When Shirley Gorelick was in high school in the late 1930s, she took art classes on weekends and in the summers from the sculptor Chaim Gross and painters Moses and Raphael Soyer at the Education Alliance in New York City. Still early in the search for her own visual style, she was already quietly rebellious. […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2022/07/27/both-sides-now-shirley-gorelick/
In 1973, soon after the US Supreme Court established a right to abortion in Roe v. Wade, Charles E. Rice concluded that “the essential remedy to the abortion problem is a constitutional amendment.” Rice is an important figure in the intellectual history of the antiabortion movement that is now, with the recent overturning of Roe, […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/08/18/the-irish-lesson-fintan-otoole/
On June 30, 2022, the Israeli Knesset voted to dissolve itself, setting the country on the path to a fifth parliamentary election in just three years. Since the first of those elections in April 2019, Israeli politics have bifurcated into pro- and anti-Netanyahu blocs, with public debate centering almost exclusively on Benjamin Netanyahu’s fitness for […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2022/08/22/uneasy-alliance-in-jerusalem/
Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews is the sixth book in the Hidden Legacy series and the third book featuring Prime magic user Catalina Baylor. Suspense, danger and swoon-worthy moments await you as the fate of Houston rests in Catalina’s hands.
Ruby Fever
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #6
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews is back with the newest book in the exciting Hidden Legacy series—the thrilling conclusion to her trilogy featuring fierce and beautiful Prime magic user Catalina Baylor.
An escaped spider, the unexpected arrival of an Imperial Russian Prince, the senseless assassination of a powerful figure, a shocking attack on the supposedly invincible Warden of Texas, Catalina’s boss… And it’s only Monday.
Within hours, the fate of Houston—not to mention the House of Baylor—now rests on Catalina, who will have to harness her powers as never before. But even with her fellow Prime and fiancé Alessandro Sagredo by her side, she may not be able to expose who’s responsible before all hell really breaks loose.
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I love this fictional family and the world that the Andrews’ have created. The house of Baylor purchased a new compound, and it was fun seeing them all together and claiming rooms before chaos reigned.
This is the third book in the Catalina and Alessandro part of the Hidden Legacy urban fantasy series. This book has it all as we address their overall story arc, deal with spiders, monsters, and threats not only to Houston, but to the House of Baylor itself. Ilona Andrews delivered non-stop action as our kick-ass heroine is tested.
For those enjoying the series, we are rewarded with answers, reveals and humor in the moments between epic battle scenes and confrontations. Secondary storylines involving family and the world gave the story depth and revealed secrets.
I adore Catalina and Alessandro. Their romance has not been easy but their chemistry, the snark, and oh-so sweet moments held me captive. Andrews writes characters you root for and want to visit again and again. The romance was served on the side and strengthened as we face Alessandro’s past and deal with Catalina’s present.
Even though the author has broken from traditional publishing; I hope she continues this series and gives us Arabella’s story. All the side stories within this series have me excite for more. I’ve read or listened to everything this writing duo has written and cannot wait for more!
Fans of urban fantasy, romantic fantasy and paranormal romance will want to grab all the books or audios in the Hidden Legacy series. You’ll love the Baylor family and the primes who love them.
Amazon | Audible
Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews delivered action, suspense, humor and swoons. #HiddenLegacy #UrbanFantasy #NewRelease #AutoBuy #bookreview
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Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. author2sm“Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/08/ruby-fever-by-ilona-andrews.html
Unconscionable tells the story of one family’s long quest for justice after their loved one was brutally murdered in a racially motivated attack. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This story was important for me to write because I know the actual family. I’m married to a cousin of the real victim. We’ve been together since 1990 and they’ve always talked about getting justice.
The story is based on true events. What aspects of the story were fictionalized and what aspects stuck close to the truth?
In the real story, there were only two perpetrators, not three. Location and setting are different. Some of the witnesses didn’t actually exist. Carl Castor was fictional. The marches were fictional as well. The woman portrayed by Francine Stoner Grant actually passed away in 2010. Truths are the victim’s brutal murder, his brother’s suspicious death in jail, the parent’s passing. Evidence tampering, terrorizing and threatening the family was true too. As well as the convictions and sentences.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The important theme was to accurately and adequately paint a true picture of the long history of racism in the deep south. Another theme was the love, faith and strength of the family and how frequently violent crime occurred with impunity.
When and where will your book be available?
The book is available at http://www.urbanedgepublishing.com,http://www.charlesrbuttsjr.com and GrdyBby@yahoo.com
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/22/getting-justice/
The Wizard of Grimmers Wharf by GJ Scherzinger is a fantasy about Padison, who was once Pacolorius, a bright upcoming wizard in a mystical order known as the Greycloaks when a rival fearing his power had him kidnapped and locked away. A fortuitous event frees him from his prison and onto the sea. Since that time, he’s made a quiet life for himself in Grimmers Wharf, until one night, he finds a mysterious woman on the water clinging to life. Padison now not only has to help the woman regain her memories but keep her away from those who would cause her harm. As her secrets come to life, he may find the key to exacting revenge on his old foe.
Scherzinger paints an alluring picture of this world and beyond. He captures this seaside town in whimsical descriptions. Even the realms of mind and spirit are beautifully written, giving readers a vivid image in their minds. In addition, there are some colorful characters that readers will be instantly drawn to that provide the storyline an enjoyable twist, such as Sallen. She is a forceful but loving woman who runs the local eatery that Padison lives above and who aids in keeping the girl’s pursuers at bay.
This engaging book presented a thrilling mystery from the opening pages. There is no slow build-up before our main character is thrown headfirst into the action. Instead, it was expertly communicated and hooked readers to the end. I also like that we get into the heads of not only one of the villains but a lackey as well; these multiple points of view give readers the full story from all sides. Unfortunately, the woman’s attempted killer is kept in the shadows, and readers are left waiting for the reveal till the end.
There were a couple instances where the speaker would say there’s a character coming this way, only to have the fact reiterated in the description of the scene. I felt this made for a repetitive read at times. Nevertheless, this original book is a fun escapade into the fantastic world of Terranova. It has an intriguing mystery with themes of betrayal, politics, and reclaiming your life after darkness. I would recommend this to anybody who wants to be absorbed in an engrossing fantasy adventure.
Pages: 286 | ASIN : B0B672XY87
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/22/the-wizard-of-grimmers-wharf/
Children’s author Valerie D. Johnson has written an engaging counting book titled 1 2 3 Count with Me on Granddad’s Farm. This heartwarming story about a family visiting the family farm is told through counting different things on the farm, starting with one farmhouse sitting on a hill. Then, as the family counts to ten, readers follow along and learn about life on a farm.
This excellent picture book has a lot to offer young readers. The first thing that stood out to me is the different levels of text, giving children of different ages the ability to read and grasp what is going on in the story. Each number is displayed in numerical form as well as spelled out. Next is a simple sentence that beginning readers can follow. After that is a longer explanation of what is happening in the story. This fantastic book can be read at all levels and still make sense. It is easy to follow the numbers and the illustrations done by Cee Biscoe read along without having to read each of the descriptive paragraphs. One example is on the page for number 6. “Six horses work on the farm. Can you find all six? count with me!” This is enough for children to understand the number and count along, but there is more information about horses, what they like to eat, and how to care for them. This layout allows the book to have greater educational use and keeps it interesting for a broader range of children.
1 2 3 Count with Me on Granddad’s Farm will encourage children to read and learn to count while learning about life on a farm creatively and actively. Counting along with the storyteller makes this an active reading children’s book rather than one they would just sit and listen to. At the end of this book, there are notes and discussion starters, as well as a dice counting page. These extra resources are invaluable to teachers and home educators to help turn this into a complete learning unit. This would make an excellent addition to a home or classroom library.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0B498WYW2
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/22/1-2-3-count-with-me-on-granddads-farm/
A man who is a bit rough around the edges and is reaching the peak of his life, for better or for worse, is found in the pages of Waiting ‘Round to Die by Chris Grant. Our protagonist is a man who has reached the peak of his life and is found wanting. Throughout the chapters readers are treated to his history as well as his present situation. He combs through the events of his life in an effort to find out where he had gone wrong, what he had done right, and where he was going in the end. The book takes readers on a thought-provoking character exploration of a man and the demons he faces as he tries to give meaning to his life. A so-called ‘mid-life crisis’ has reared its ugly head and our protagonist must find a way to soldier on.
Author Chris Grant is an observant and sharp writer. You can feel the misery of the protagonist and you can feel his dissatisfaction with where he has ended up and his unhappiness with the life he has made for himself. The wife, the child, the house, the job. These are supposed to be the quintessential “American Dream” milestones. But there is something nagging at our protagonist, so he leaves it all behind with nary a word to anyone and takes to the open road. I really enjoyed how well the emotional weight of these moments were captured and carried throughout the narrative.
This is an emotionally resonant novel that will appeal to adults that are struggling to find meaning in contemporary life. This book will also appeal to readers looking for a heartfelt and introspective story that’s propelled forward by a compelling protagonist that asks questions that we have all asked at one time or another. Those who find themselves trapped in a seemingly perfect life and yet are left wanting. Those who want the freedom that the open road offers.
The novel explores a variety of topics though a man that is, like everyone else, imperfect and his thoughts and actions color this novel. The authors exceptional writing makes the self-pity throughout this novel bearable as well as the moments of selfishness.
If you, like our nameless protagonist, find yourself wondering what else is out there, then you should pick up Waiting ‘Round to Die by Chris Grant. This is a charismatic true-to-life coming-of-middle-age story. While the protagonist searches for the meaning in his life, perhaps you will find the meaning in yours.
Pages: 281 | ASIN: B0B9YN2TQT
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/22/waiting-round-to-die/