In May 1923 the German curator Gustav Friedrich Hartlaub wrote to a coterie of art dealers, collectors, and fellow curators with a concept for an exhibition to which, he hoped, they might lend some pictures. He wanted recent works that were “neither impressionistically relaxed nor expressionistically abstract” but “faithful to positive palpable reality.” A liberal […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2022/08/25/clear-but-not-cold-new-objectivity/
Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean is the second novel in the Hell’s Belles series. Adelaide Frampton moves through London and thinks no one notices her.. .but he does. Heartbreaker delivers a swoon-worthy romance as Adelaide and Henry, Duke of Clayborn, go head-to head.
Heartbreaker
by Sarah MacLean
Series: Hell’s Belles #2
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
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New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean follows her highly acclaimed Bombshell with Heartbreaker, featuring a fierce, fearless heroine on a mission to steal a duke’s secrets…and his heart.
HEARTBREAKER Hell’s Belles, Book 2
A Princess of Thieves
Raised among London’s most notorious criminals, a twist of fate landed Adelaide Frampton in the bright ballrooms of Mayfair, where she masquerades as a quiet wallflower–so plain and unassuming that no one realizes she’s the Matchbreaker…using her superior skills as a thief to help brides avoid the altar.
A King of Reputation
Henry, Duke of Clayborn, has spent a lifetime living in perfection. He has no time for the salacious gossip that arises every time the Matchbreaker ends another groom. His own reputation is impeccable–and the last thing he needs is a frustrating, fascinating woman discovering the truth of his past, or the secrets he holds close.
A Royal Match
When the two find themselves on a breakneck journey across Britain to stop a wedding, it’s impossible for Clayborn to resist this woman who both frustrates and fascinates him. But late-night carriage rides make for delicious danger…and soon Adelaide is uncovering Clayborn’s truths, throwing his well-laid plans into chaos…and threatening to steal his heavily guarded heart.
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Matchbreaker Adelaide Frampton and the Duke of Clayborn are both headed to Gretna Green. She is attempting to stop a wedding he to aid the groom in getting the girl, but there is more to the story and much to be discovered.
I had such a good time with this story. Adelaide, the daughter of London’s most notorious criminals, is a member of Hell’s Belles and London’s Matchbreaker. She uncovers the secrets of perspective husbands. When the Matchbreaker sets out to ruin his brother’s marriage, he follows her. I loved the chase and the delightfully wicked banner between them as she outfoxes him before he stuns her.
I loved the back-and-forth banter and chemistry of this couple. Adelaide’s sincere belief that no one notices her heartbreaking. She is fearless and clever. I loved seeing her outfox Clayborn. He is a swoon-worthy hero who really sees her, and I loved watching them breakdown each other’s defenses.
The Hell’s Belles network is extraordinary, and I loved seeing these characters again. They are taking London by storm and giving those who need it a set-down. We get some updates and see the progression they have made.
Danger, tender-moments, sacrifices and declarations delivered all the feels. While this may be the second novel, Clayborn and Adelaide shone brightly, with a story as interesting and addictive as Bombshell. I cannot wait for the next book!
Fans of historical romance with strong characters, swoon-worthy moments and nail-biting suspense should grab Heartbreaker. While this is book two, it holds its own as a standalone story but has spoilers regarding first couple. I however, recommend reading Bombshell first.
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Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean delivered from suspense to swoons to the second novel in the Hell's Belles series. #NewRelease #HistoricalRomance
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MacLean burst onto the romance scene with Nine Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake, the first in her best-selling and critically acclaimed three-book Love By Numbers series. In early 2012, she began her new, pre-Victorian Rules of Scoundrels series with A Rogue by Any Other Name, which received the 2013 RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America. The third book in the series, No Good Duke Goes Unpunished, won the 2014 RITA Award. When she is not writing romance, Sarah travels the country to discuss the romance genre and its place in both gender and cultural studies. She writes a monthly column celebrating the best in romance for the Washington Post, and her columns have appeared in the New York Times Book Review and Parents Magazine. She is also a vocal advocate for issues relating to education and literacy. She lives in New York City with her husband, her daughter and their dog.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/08/heartbreaker-by-sarah-maclean.html
Twelve Red Roses in Verse is a collection of poems that explore deep unconditional love along with the significance of the rose. What inspires you to write poetry?
I write what I feel at the time of writing. Sometimes those pieces are beautiful love poems, like Twelve Red Roses in Verse, and my collaboration with Julie Kusma “Amore”, other times inspired by nature like Natyre Boy which you reviewed and Poetry Mouse, or driven by darker themes such as Noir, which you also reviewed or Darker Half Volume 13, another collaboration with Julie Kusma.
What are some literary devices that you find yourself using often?
Most often I use literary devices without realizing it, as I think most folks do. I like my poetry to be little narratives or vignettes of feelings or scenes. In writing those narratives, I love using enjambment, introducing line breaks to force the read in the manner the rhythm of the piece is written, almost like a performance delivery style to some extent. Sometimes I repeat words or phrases for effect, and I do love alliteration to create soft flowing or tension depending on the piece I’m writing.
My favorite poem from this collection is ‘Energy Flow’. Is there one poem that stands out to you from this collection?
There are many that stand out for me, each associated with a specific memory, moment in time. A favourite of mine is “Your Sweet Song.” I love its simplicity, yet conveys deep emotion and contentment to me.
Do you have plans to write and publish more works of poetry?
Yes, I have a couple of upcoming solo project releases. The final part of my trilogy, beginning with Noir, followed by Natyre Boy, is scheduled for release 7th October, that volumes is titled the Elegy and is available for pre-order now. Later this year, I will be releasing Urban, a collection of gritty cityscape poetry. And due to popular demand, there will be a second volume of love poetry, a companion to Twelve Red Roses in Verse, in January of next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon | Twitter | Website
From the first poem to the last, you will learn the meaning behind each rose and bouquet of roses given to the love of your life. Then, as you travel along with the love affair of the rose and its lovers, you’ll learn what it’s like to yearn, to need, to want; and finally to become entwined with your one true soulmate.
The roses in this book symbolize the growth that people endure while seeking companionship throughout their lives. While one rose means one thing, ten roses mean another. In the end, what matters is how we show our love and the significance of the rose in the banquet of emotions as we become entwined, unconditionally, Forevermore.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/25/i-write-what-i-feel/
Juliet was Wrong is a young adult coming-of-age novel written by Lindsey Carver. The story revolves around a high school graduate, Katie, who is searching to find herself before college. She’s been counting the days to leave for college since she was a child, but in the last summer before college, she meets Joshua Parker and instantly finds herself falling for him. The intended English major student who had her whole future planned and the path paved realizes how much she missed in her teenage years simply because she was stuck in her books. Josh unintentionally turns Katie’s entire life upside down as the girl starts to doubt her goals and ambitions after spending an incredibly adventurous summer with him. However, in an unexpected turn of events, she is faced with the question of whether her favorite poet Shakespeare was wrong in the play Romeo and Juliet about risking everything for love.
Lindsey Carver’s debut novel is a nostalgic and emotional one. Set in the town of New Jersey, the author has written a beautiful and dreamy story about young love. This book perfectly portrays the simplicity and intensity of first love. However, the story also contains an essential lesson: just because you fall in love at a young age doesn’t mean you can’t grow and find yourself alongside it.
Carver has created unforgettable characters, especially Katie, who is strong-headed, ambitious, and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. The ending was heartbreaking and unpredictable, yet extremely realistic. The use of Shakespeare’s references throughout the book did justice to the title. Young readers will relate to this book as the question of the future rises in their minds. Carver has beautifully shown that growing up doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to achieve your dreams; it can also mean that you need to chase new ones.
The bittersweet mix of love, family, friendship, and self-awareness made it impossible to put this book down. Juliet was Wrong is a glorious and touching read and the kind of book that I can read over and over again.
Pages: 233 | ASIN : B097SR2PXG
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/25/juliet-was-wrong/
In this memoir, the author narrates her life journey as an immigrant, a mother, a grandmother, and an independent woman from Ukraine to the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan (then a part of the Soviet Union), through Austria and Italy, all the way to the United States. Standing as a testament to her indomitable spirit and sheer willpower, the book tells us an inspiring tale of grit and endurance in the face of unforgettable hardships. Using a simple and engaging tone, Lara speaks about her own diverse experiences and leaves the readers spellbound with her quest for a better life.
Written during the pandemic year, this memoir is a genuinely heartwarming account of the various challenges the author faced and overcame during her life. Although one can argue about the linearity of the plot structure, a rough chronology is followed throughout the story, most of which flows uninterrupted in the form of flashbacks. This particular characteristic of the narrative makes it seem almost like a diary, recording the various emotional upheavals of the author’s journey rather than the individual events themselves.
Lara describes her personal ordeals with surprising candor. Starting with her process of immigration, her struggle to re-establish herself in a foreign country, and her effort to learn the new language. Readers then learn of her constant fight to bring her daughter from the Soviet Union to join her and the painful break from her family. She was left feeling betrayed and filled with grief. To finally accept reality and reach towards other sources of fulfillment, we accompany her on her travels and witness each phase of her life as they shape the person she has become today.
But unlike memoirs of great people, who always seem to be placed on a pedestal and therefore seem detached from our lives, Lara’s story touches us deeply because we can empathize with her. This is the story of an ordinary person like us. A woman who got uprooted from her birthplace and was forced to leave behind everything she knew as her own to try and build her future in a strange land surrounded by unknown people. Yet, ultimately, what makes it inspiring is that it is a story about never giving up.
Pages: 191 | ASIN : B09Y7GTZQS
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/25/camel-from-kyzylkum/
Bitter Draughts by Yves Fey is book two of the trilogy, The Paris Trilogy, a historical fiction that is quite promising. Paris, France 1898, amidst the Dreyfus affair. Detective Michel Devaux is set to investigate a series of violent crimes occurring all around Paris, seemingly connected to the explosion of hatred and bigotry devouring the city. Of course, Michel has to consider the most probable cause behind these mysterious crimes: the political one, but his expertise will lead him to consider many other possibilities. With diverse characters and an intricate storyline, this book delves into the political climate of France between 1894 and 1906, giving an enjoyable history lesson with many turns and twists.
From the beginning, I was pleasantly surprised by the book. The plot, the characters, the ambiance, the many details… I was simply amazed at how masterfully crafted everything was. On many occasions, while reading, I couldn’t help but be immediately reminded of Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevski. It was that good. The writing style, the story’s pacing, and the various perspectives from different characters presented a carefully and meticulously thought narrative. Because of this, the author created a story based on reality that was tense, mysterious, and compelling.
Each new chapter was as interesting as the previous one. Every unique point of view allowed the reader to see so many unexpected story details from a completely different angle. The plot, including mystery, history, art, and romance, was incredibly well balanced. While reading, one immediately feels immersed in the story, and the epoch described, aided by how the characters speak and conduct themselves, their interests, and their lifestyles. As the story develops, the attachment to the characters inevitably grows, and one gets to see how complex and unexpected they can turn out to be. Like in real life, severe political themes are explored, and the various characters react to them in entirely different ways, making up for a well-rounded description of the period in which the book takes place. By the end, one gets the sense of having read an excellent story that will be worth a few re-reads in the future.
Bitter Draughts by Yves Fey is a hard book to put down. This was a fantastic read that I highly recommend to readers of historical fiction and classic literature. Well thought out and with unexpected beauty and charm, this book made for a gratifying read.
Pages: 407 | ASIN : B09WG99X71
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/25/bitter-draughts/
It’s About Time is a gripping true story that takes readers on a roller coaster of emotions from the turn of the first page. Mickey Bridges has written a riveting memoir detailing the life of a young boy that lived in Compton, California. We live through his experiences growing up as his family struggled to make ends meet. Mickey’s father was in and out of his life and when he was around he was not a good influence. Mickey’s mother did her best to work and take care of her children but she was always sick. With little parental guidance, and living in a rough neighborhood, Mickey is left to explore the streets on his own.
Readers follow Mickey as he grows up and starts experimenting with drugs, which then evolves into drug dealing. He falls in love and becomes a young father but he himself is in and out of jail. After his mother passes away while he is in prison he makes the life changing decision to be a better person.
This is a compelling coming-of-age story of sorts, following a young man who is provided little guidance and set loose on dangerous streets with few resources. This thought-provoking memoir sheds light on the realities of growing up in an unstable environment, surrounded by drugs and violence.
One of the things that I loved about this memoir is the amount of detail each encounter has, and the ability Mickey has to transport readers to that period in time. Mickey describes his emotions so vividly that you feel as if you are teleported to his past. Some examples include the desperation he felt to see his daughter during his incarceration to the extent that he ran away. That was heartbreaking, but I feel like I understood the situation so well that I felt as if I would have done the same thing if I was in his situation. Another vivid encounter is his setup in Gary by Nora, Tut’s girlfriend. I could visualize how terrified he was and yet, he managed to escape.
While I enjoyed this book I felt that the time jumps in the writing can be a bit confusing. Reading through his story, you sometimes forget that he was under twenty-five years old. The story takes leaps through time; one moment he’s sixteen and the next he’s nineteen years old and so much has changed. As a bonus, I was able to look him up and the album he mentioned in the book and I enjoyed every note from that saxophone!
It’s About Time is an illuminating and fascinating memoir. I highly recommend this book to readers who are looking for a raw but inspirational read, especially since the author was able to turn his life around for the better.
Pages: 196 | ASIN: B09ZK4YMRV
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/25/its-about-time/