Midway through Hernan Diaz’s wondrous new novel, Trust, a wealthy financier sits at a desk, looking out of a high-rise window at a welder, suspended on a beam, who seems to be returning his gaze: Each man appeared to be hypnotized by the other. But when the welder adjusted his cap and his coat, always […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/09/22/where-does-the-buck-stop-trust-hernan-diaz/
What will we be eating in the future? Will it be wholesome, locally grown organic produce or some Soylent Green–like nightmare food? The only certainty, George Monbiot argues in Regenesis, is that we cannot continue to eat what we eat today. Climate disruption will see to that. And even if climate impacts are less severe […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/09/22/its-not-easy-being-green-regenesis-monbiot/
Doing this and that, further shredded by ribbonsI’m your inner child from beforethe procedure of ambition I ran the neighborhood on training wheelsHeavy rubberized pastel flowed from my bike tassels Blues and greens that mean something different nowthat my ear has aged I live inside you where music fillsthe empty space of my headI mean […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/09/22/little-emperor-of-solstice-wendy-xu/
I must write. If I stop writing my life will have been an abject failure…. I will not have earned death. —Jean Rhys There isn’t an adjective more appropriate than “haunted” to describe the deeply troubled, self-lacerating, and finally (to a degree) triumphant life of the Caribbean-born Jean Rhys. As presented by Miranda Seymour in […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/09/22/disaster-was-her-element-jean-rhys/
Gavin Lambert’s The Goodby People is set during the inexhaustibly fascinating few years preceding its original publication in 1971, in the city of Los Angeles, where the earth trembles and the hedonistic sun shines no matter what. Though the fantasies it churned out for some decades had branded the psyche of the world, the rigid […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/09/22/their-glorious-facades-the-goodby-people-lambert/
Narrated by Stephanie Richardson, Black Wings, Gray Skies by Hailey Edwards is the fourth audiobook in the Black Hat Bureau urban fantasy series. The team is searching for the supernaturals hunting and killing young children. Suspense, reveals, snark and romance await you….
Black Wings, Gray Skies
by Hailey Edwards
Series: Black Hat Bureau #4
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Monsters with a taste for children are nothing new, but fairy tales never mentioned this nightmarish predator. Rue has her hands full tracking the creature hunting the streets of Charleston, but a call from home divides her attention—and her loyalties.
A stranger has come to Hollis Apothecary, asking questions that prickle the hairs on her nape, but she can’t abandon the victims based only on a bad feeling. The pit in her stomach only grows when the stranger takes a hostage and makes his demands. He wants to talk to Rue, face to face. Or else. What he has to say will change her life, and her perception of her past, forever.
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Rue, Clay, Asa and Colby are investigating the killings of young children. The murders are brutal and definitely paranormal. Edwards introduces a new boogie man from Gullah folklore. It was creepy and dark. I will leave you to discover what it is, does, and how it attacks its victims.
In case you are new to the series and curious…. Rue is trying very hard to be a white witch after years in the Black Hat Bureau run by her grandfather. Clay is a golem and was/is her partner and mentor. Asa is a fae demon and Colby is her familiar and the reason she left the bureau.
While we get suspense, danger and some overall series reveals, we also saw development between Asa and Rue. It was hilarious, distracting and ok, endearing. Clay and Colby added to the story with aid, teasing and discovery.
What makes this series are Rue and the motley crew of friends and family she has assembled. While not my favorite, I quickly devoured Black Wings, Gray Skies and look forward to the next audiobook.
Stephanie Richardson continues to narrate and has become the voice of this team. Her voices from Asa’s demon side to Clay’s personality have made listening a must. Each character and creature we encounter is giving a unique voice to match their personality. I totally recommend listening to this series.
Amazon* | Audible
*kindleunlimited
Black Wings, Gray Skies by Hailey Edwards delivers a Gullah folklore boogieman, suspense, snark and romance. #Audiobookreview #StephanieRichardson #BlackHatsBureau #UrbanFantasy
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Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.
Stephanie Richardson records audiobooks from her professional home studio near the mountains in Utah. She places a special emphasis on bringing positive and wholesome content in the world and records work in a variety of nonfiction and fiction genres, including self-development, memoir, children’s and young adult, and cozy mystery. She has trained with award-winning narrators PJ Ochlan and Sean Pratt and was awarded the ABR award for best mystery in 2020. While not enjoying a book, she can be found playing zoo-keeper to her four rambunctious children, playing nerdy board games, or talking to her plants.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/09/black-wings-gray-skies-by-hailey-edwards.html
Dear Reader, it is once again time to gather your spooky, paranormal, mysteries, thrillers and bump in the night reads or listens for Caffeinated’s 2022 Fraterfest Read-a-thon. This year’s event will be held from Friday, October 14th through Sunday, October 24th. There will be spooky challenges and prizes!
You pick your FEAR Level. If a historical murder-mystery raises the hair on the back of your neck… so be it. Yep, cozies, whodunits, and hellhounds allowed!
Fraterfest was inspired by Rhiannon Frater whose zombies, vampires and necromancers offer thrills and chills, I began #Fraterfest in 2012.
This event will be low key. I will offer a fun random participant prize. Everyone who completes challenges and takes part in the readathon by finishing at least one book will be eligible.
During the event there will be mini-challenges with prizes. This is a fun way to meet bloggers and Instagrammers. I am looking for a few Zombie Hosts to post games and offer goodies.
Challenge Ideas: Spooky Cover Scavenger Hunt, Bingo, Crossword Puzzle, Book Spine Poem or invent your own. All challenges most offer a small token (must include international participants). Examples would be gift card, bookmarks, eBook, etc. or ask a publisher/author to sponsor your challenge. You can offer a different prize to international participants.
If you want to host a challenge, please email me: Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer
It's time to sign up for the 2022 Fraterfest Readathon -October 14th through the 24th. Set your own fear level. Prizes, challenges and good times! Come meet new readers and bloggers. #SpookyReads #Readathon #FraterfestRAT2022
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Fill out the Google Form and I will email you a reminder the week before Fraterfest starts so you don’t miss out on the fun!
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/09/fraterfest-2022-readathon-sign-up.html
Tommy Turtle is a young shy land turtle. He wants to play with the other turtles at the park, but fear keeps him inside his shell, away from the others. Tommy watches from his hiding place in a hollow tree stump as the others splash in mud puddles and has a good time. Soon another turtle named Jerry walks over and introduces himself to Tommy. He convinces Tommy to give playing in the puddles a try but takes him to a less crowded area of the park. There Tommy opens up and starts to play and have fun until another turtle comes over. Once more, Tommy hides in his shell till she convinces him she won’t make fun of him. Together, the three go on to meet other turtles in the park and play.
Authors Mary and Michael Schmidt have created a heartwarming picture book for children to understand what shyness is and how to treat their peers that are shy. The storyline is well thought-out, giving kids an accurate representation of what shyness is and what the child that is shy is thinking and feeling. In addition, it explains how to approach and encourage children that are sky to make new friends and try new things in a child-appropriate way.
Tommy Turtle is a wonderful resource for schools to use in the education of emotional empathy and social skill development. Teachers, especially in kindergarten, can use this story to help children become comfortable with new situations and people as they learn to be in a classroom together for the first time. The emphasis on self-esteem and acceptance of others blends into this engaging story, and children will want to see Tommy make new friends while understanding why it is so hard for him. This children’s book is a must-have for families and schools.
Pages: 33 | ASIN : B09XNTKRDQ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/02/tommy-turtle/
James Gardiner’s memoir, All in With Love: My Journey to the Hero Within, is a story of perseverance, compassion, and the many iterations of love. The story opens in Rhode Island, where “little Jimmy” is a severe asthmatic dreaming of athletic glory. Gardiner takes us through attempts at sports, hospital stays, and even young love. This section was by far the most positive and left the reader with a sense of hope. The writing is full of wit and humor. It’s clear that Gardiner has fond memories of his youth, and I smiled reading his recollections.
He then moves into adulthood, where Jim chases dreams of acting. Gardiner does work as a professional actor but writes about achieving success in such a hollow way that it leaves the reader disappointed in him. He illustrates loss in such a poetic way it moved me to tears. These sections were written to be more emotional, and I found them harder to read. He works to become a better version of himself, which is a concept readers can relate to, as we all want to remake aspects of ourselves. Gardiner ultimately finds the “hero within” is his dream-filled youth, which feels somewhat nostalgic.
All in With Love: My Journey to the Hero Within takes the reader on a journey through the life of James Gardiner but also serves to help readers reveal who they are and who they want to become. I found his writing engaging, and the way he tells his story is full of passion, regret, and creativity, leaving me feeling that I understand him. There were parts I didn’t find quite as intriguing or well-written as others, but overall I enjoyed reading Gardiner’s story, and many unexpected twists kept me on my toes. This emotional memoir reminds readers to live an authentic life and to hold on to the things that matter most.
Pages: 482 | ASIN : B0BB8VYPH2
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/02/all-in-with-love/
When Lions Roar is an emotionally-resonant novel detailing the struggle of a woman who is torn between her child and taking the abuse of her husband. It is a common issue in today’s society for women to feel as though they have lost their voice and go down a hard road to finding it, and this novel does a fantastic job of reflecting that agony.
This story opens with a mother’s worst nightmare. Her daughter Hannah has gone missing. Maggie has always had a privileged life, so the shock of losing her daughter has overtaken her. Readers are then taken into the past, learning about her abusive husband who scares her and her daughter. On the outside Maggie has everything a woman could want: a beautiful life with a husband and beautiful child. The morning Maggie is told Hannah has gone missing, her heart-wrenching journey from victim to survivor begins. Through an emotional but ultimately uplifting journey she learns that she can stand on her own two feet and be without the weight and abuse from her husband.
When Lions Roar is a novel that many readers will be able to understand on an emotional level, whether you’ve experienced abuse or not, the feelings are universal, the emotions are palpable, and the sharp writing ensures readers can empathize if not relate. I admired Maggie’s character because of her strength but also because of how she handled situations. It all led her to finding her true self and that journey was compelling and thought-provoking. In dealing with the pain of losing her daughter she dug deep and found strength to carry on, showing just how brave she was. This instance where Maggie realizes just how strong she is is such an inspiring moment for the reader and is a testament to the authors writing prowess and the power of her characters journey.
The author also includes a close friend in the story to help Maggie through losing Hannah, which I thought was a potent and meaningful addition to the story. It helps show women that by standing together you can find the strength to get through hard times.
When Lions Roar by Karen Leigh Gruber is an engaging character driven novel that shows how one woman finds her strength during dark times.
Pages: 232 | ASIN: B08LSBXH62
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/02/when-lions-roar/