When the vampire Wulfe goes missing after harmlessly stalking Mercy, the Tri-Cities Pack is blamed. The more Mercy and the others investigate, the more dangerous things become in Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs.

Soul Taken
by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #13
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

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Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, must face her greatest fears in this chilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

The vampire Wulfe is missing. Since he’s deadly, possibly insane, and his current idea of “fun” is stalking me, some may see it as no great loss. But, warned that his disappearance might bring down the carefully constructed alliances that keep our pack safe, my mate and I must find Wulfe—and hope he’s still alive. As alive as a vampire can be, anyway.

But Wulfe isn’t the only one who has disappeared. And now there are bodies, too. Has the Harvester returned to the Tri-Cities, reaping souls with his cursed sickle? Or is he just a character from a B horror movie and our enemy is someone else?

The farther I follow Wulfe’s trail, the more twisted—and darker—the path becomes. I need to figure out what’s going on before the next body on the ground is mine.

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First, mad cover love for the thirteenth novel in the Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. Our little coyote has her hands full in this non-stopped, action-packed installment.

Wulfe is such a unique character and one of my favorites. He is a vampire, so an enemy of the pack, but he’s also something more …. When he and other vampires go missing and the pack is blamed, they must work together to uncover and stop the danger.

I loved the different threads and how the author tied a movie and an ancient artifact to the mystery. We get more answers regarding Wulfe and Sherwood. There is some advancement on the overall series arc. They get help from others. Secondary characters added to the storyline from humorous to giving aid and advice.

We get some epic battles scenes and freaky moments, particularly in the vampire houses. The Harvester was creeptastic. This series just gets better with each installment and I am curious to see what develops next.

The characters are a huge draw for me from Mercy and Adams’ bond to the unique dynamics of the Tri-Cities Pack. That, combined with the allies and enemies they have formed, makes this one of my most anticipated releases each year. We continually see growth from these characters and fresh problems to hunt down.

Briggs mixes in some humor and quieter moments that balanced out the action and mystery. Fans of urban fantasy and shifters should have this book & series on their bookshelves. If you haven’t read Briggs’ Alpha & Omega series set in the same world, I encourage you to do so.

We are left with an open ending and a few questions that have me already pining for the next book in the series.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/08/soul-taken-by-patricia-briggs.html

Climate change, renewable energy and low carbon transition are arguably the most debated topics of the twenty-first century. Climate and Energy Decoded provides a rare, unbiased overview of these critical topics. The book also methodically debunks the related myths.

The daily glut of biased information is leading to ill-informed discussions. In this book, Dr. Tushar Choudhary, a highly awarded industry expert, focuses on both science and practical matters for his clarifying analysis. Such an analysis, which uses the most reliable data available, is essential for informed debates on energy policies. The book has over 700 references and notes.

This concise book addresses all crucial aspects about climate and energy. Climate discussions include the history of climate change, the science behind climate change and myths about climate change. Energy discussions include the history of energy, technology basics, advantages & challenges of the different low carbon technologies, and myths about fossil fuels, renewable energy and energy transition. The final big picture discussion provides a framework for efficiently addressing climate change. This section also enables the reader to distinguish between efficient and wasteful energy policies.

Apart from providing a crash course (refresher) on climate change, renewable energy, fossil fuels and low-carbon transition, the book also provides answers to the critical questions that have been widely misunderstood.

Some examples of the type of questions addressed are:
Climate change: Should we ignore the climate warnings because of the past exaggerations by media and certain scientists? Can we ignore climate impacts since death rates from climate disasters have decreased drastically? Is climate mitigation the most important issue for humans currently? What is the estimated long-term economic impact of climate change?

Renewable energy & electrification: Is electricity from solar and wind cheaper than that from fossil fuels? Can energy costs of renewables become cheaper than fossil fuels? Why are most countries lagging when some countries already generate most of their electricity from renewable sources? Why is there so much controversy about green hydrogen? Are battery electric vehicles a very effective solution? What are the key challenges related to electrification?

Fossil fuels: Do fugitive emissions negate the advantage of natural gas over coal power? Do fossil fuels receive several trillion dollars in subsidies each year? What is the impact of fossil fuels on air pollution?

Energy transition: What are the key learnings from the previous energy transitions? How much will the low-carbon energy transition cost? What are the key challenges for the low-carbon energy transition? Why is there so much unrealistic optimism about the energy transition? Is there consensus amongst energy experts about the path forward?

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/23/climate-and-energy-decoded-book-trailer/

I Am Woman by author Mrs. Anthony is a powerful memoir that will take readers on an emotional journey. Readers follow Mrs. Anthony from her childhood to her coming of age years when she meets her husband, Tony. Falling in love, they vow to start a life and family together. Tony begins his career while Mrs. Anthony is still trying to start hers. In the early years of their marriage, she spent time taking care of the household while letting her own dreams and career fall to the wayside. She slowly puts off more things that make her who she is to support her husband and his career. She thought she had the perfect love with beautiful children until Tony’s battle with alcohol slowly ruined their marriage. Despite all of the disappointments Mrs. Anthony and her family endured to his disease, they continue to support and love Tony.

I Am Woman: Book One: My Journey, My Tony is an eye-opening read that I found hard to put down. I didn’t expect this book to impact me, but this is a true testament to the author’s ability to infuse emotion into her writing. I felt as though I was reading Mrs. Anthony’s private journal. I was able to experience a true sense of what she was feeling. The disappointment in her husband for not being present in their marriage due to alcohol abuse came through her writing clearly. Mrs. Anthony’s sense of loss for herself because she was focused on her husband and ignored her own dreams was heartbreaking at times.

The author’s life story is one that many women will be able to relate to. The constant need to put family and spouse ahead of themselves makes this memoir especially poignant. As women strive to support their husbands and their careers, like Mrs. Anothony, their own careers and dreams get put on hold. I felt sorry for the author because she felt bad for being angry at her husband for getting sick, and she had to be both a mother and father and take care of their household. The guilt women feel is real, and the author shows how deeply that guilt can run and control how they live their lives. The guilt often turns to anger when in situations like this, the woman is left with no partner and the additional task of caring for the one she vowed to share life with. It seemed her husband did not appreciate the sacrifices she made, and it consumed her in frustration and pain, all while trying to make it appear like things were okay for the outside world and her children.

The author’s writing immersed me into her world, and I could clearly imagine each scene, making this an impactful read. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy memoirs from women who share the personal journey of self-discovery and balancing an ever-complicated life.

Pages: 328 | ASIN : B09LHBQPWW

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/23/i-am-woman/

As the water level rises in Doggerland, the survival of several tribes is being threatened, forcing them to roam the area for a place to rebuild their homes. When Oane and the small Taifali tribe settle in a clearing, they begin the arduous task of building a village they can call home. Unfortunately for them, the piratical Bollebarg tribe led by the violent Viggo is nearby and prepared to plunder any migrant tribes that might infringe upon their territory. Despite their technological superiority, the Taifali are overwhelmed by Bollebarg numbers. After being taken captive, Oane must adjust to her new life among the Bollebarg or find the courage to flee.

Based on archaeological history, author Mike Meier’s The Final Days of Doggerland has written an excellently composed and thoroughly entertaining novel. Complete with pictures and songs, the world contained within the pages feels just as real as it would have all those years ago. Doggerland, the space connecting England with Northern Europe, and sank beneath the sea, is the setting for this engaging story. The novel is narrated by the raven Tänka who, along with his brother Sinne, reflects on the mythical ravens of Odin. Together the two infuse humor into the text through their observation of the often illogical behavior of humans. This is a welcome counterbalance to the severe struggle for survival taking place in an increasingly hostile environment.

The Final Days of Doggerland has a slow burn start as readers learn about this unique landform. However, as the storyline progresses, it ultimately proceeds at an excellent pace without needing to escalate to unrealistic proportions.

Mike Meier’s novel presents insight into a tribal society and political intrigue as Oane struggles to come to terms with her new life. Viggo’s behavior presents an increasingly problematic scenario that will have readers on edge, waiting to see how things are worked out.

Pages: 443 | ASIN : B0B5MCFTZR

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/23/the-final-days-of-doggerland/

Mark Victor Hansen – Relentless by Mitzi Perdue is a captivating biography about the life, successes and failures of the founder and co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Mark Victor Hansen. Perdue’s careful study of the life of Mark Victor Hansen will help readers understand how they can also attain success at any stage of their life.

Though the book’s written about a famous inspirational and motivational speaker, Perdue spoke with Hansen himself and sixty-six individuals who have had personal encounters with Hansen at some point. Through the interviews with the sixty-six individuals, readers will understand Hansen’s personal principles and how they can also apply them to attain success in whatever they want to do.

This is an enlightening biography that provides readers with the truth of Hansen’s life. The book includes his ups and downs, making this a candid and interesting read. The author shares his intimate moments with readers and I enjoyed these moments because it brought a humanity to Mark Victor Hansen’s story and made him more relatable. Hansen also shows readers how one wrong choice can affect your dream in the long run.

Purdue takes a deep dive into Hansen’s life and by the end of the book I felt like I was well informed. There is a wealth of knowledge shared in this biography and I felt inspired after finishing the book. The author includes quotes from Hansen on different pages of the book and chapter summaries titled ‘Learn From Mark’ at the end of each chapter.

Mark Victor Hansen – Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul by Mitzi Perdue is a motivational and fascinating biography that educates readers about an interesting man that has affected so many people in life.

Pages: 237 | ASIN: B0B52MHYQH

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/23/relentless/

The Divine Travel Agency by A Frank Corso Mystery is an exceptional supernatural fiction novel and the first book in the Frank Corso mystery series. The story revolves around a middle-aged bachelor named Frank Corso, who works on Wall Street and lives an extravagant bachelor life. He is comfortable with his life until he visits New Orleans on a business trip, and life takes an unexpected turn. In the weeks leading to Christmas, his ex-girlfriend asks him to find her young supernatural friend, who has disappeared. Corso dives deep into the rich culture of New Orleans and, in doing so, discovers some of the city’s darkest secrets and the mystery of “The divine travel agency.”

The author has written a gripping mystery story that is a page-turner. Frank Corso is a likable and intelligent character, and readers will enjoy getting to know him as the plot unfolds. The story is set in the heart of New Orleans, and the author’s research shows. Readers will be able to picture themselves in New Orleans as he vividly describes all the fantastic tourist spots and travel-worthy places. I found this book hard to put down once I started reading, and it was thanks to the author’s descriptive writing style I was transported into the culture of New Orleans.

Readers will take a deep dive into New Orleans’s rich history with a sprinkle of mystique throughout. The supernatural aspect of the story adds to the drama making this a mysterious read. Readers will feel as if they are part of the investigation, searching along with Frank as he tries to solve the mystery. The story moves at a smooth pace, and some unexpected twists in the story keep readers guessing till the end reveal.

The Divine Travel Agency is a must-read for those who enjoy New Orleans’s magic and a great mystery to solve. The supernatural elements are a great addition giving the traditional detective troupes a fresh take and readers a new experience.

Pages: 388 | ASIN : B09LHJXR67

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/23/the-divine-travel-agency/