My partner and I tried for a baby before our now ten-month-old daughter was born—a situation utterly different from the accidental conception of my eighteen-year-old son, my first, when I was twenty-three. Their arrivals mark different times in my life, different moments of desire, partnership, hardship, anxiety, maturity. Pregnancies—their termination, loss, completion, or abstention—determine a […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2022/09/21/a-child-is-being-aborted/

Sophia Rose is here with a mystery for us! Grab a cup of pumpkin spice coffee and see why Sophia recommends, Back to the Garden by Laurie R. King.

Back to the Garden
by Laurie R. King
Genres: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:

A fifty-year-old cold case involving California royalty comes back to life—with potentially fatal consequences—in this gripping standalone novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series

The Gardener Estate is one of the most storied and beloved places on the West Coast: a magnificent house in vast formal grounds, home to a family that shaped California—and fought hard to conceal the turmoil and eccentricities within their walls.

And now, just as the turmoil seems buried and the Estate prepares to move into a new future, construction work unearths a grim relic of the estate’s history: a skull, hidden away some fifty years ago.

Inspector Raquel Laing of the SFPD Cold Case Unit has her work cut out for her. Back in the ’70s, the Estate was a commune, when its young heir, Rob Gardener, turned the palatial setting into a counterculture Eden of peace, love, and equality. But the ’70s were also a time when serial killers preyed on such innocents—monsters like The Highwayman, whose case has just assumed a whole new urgency.

Could these bones belong to one of his victims?

For Raquel Laing—a woman who knows all about hidden turmoil and eccentricities—the Gardener bones seem clearly linked to The Highwayman. But as she dives into the Estate’s archives for evidence of his presence, what she finds there begins to take on a dark reality of its own.

Everything brings her back to Rob Gardener himself—now a gray-haired recluse, then a troubled young Vietnam vet whose girlfriend vanished after a midsummer festival at the Estate, fifty years ago.

But a lot of people seem to have disappeared from the Gardener Estate that summer, when the commune fell apart and its residents scattered: a young woman, her child, Rob’s brother Fort…

The pressure is on, and Raquel needs to solve this case—before The Highwayman slips away, or another Gardener vanishes.

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Sophia Rose’s Review

When old bones are found under a statue on the grounds of a fabulous mansion with a colorful history, a cop on probation wonders if there is a tie to the infamous The Highwayman serial killer from the same period in history.

Laurie R. King has been a favorite author since I first devoured the then released Mary Russell series, Harris Stuyvesant, and the Kate Martinelli series books. King can set up the world of a story and do a deep dive into the personhood and background of her main characters while serving up a steadily paced march to that big suspenseful moment like few others. I was eager to read this latest, which I hope doesn’t turn out to be a standalone.

Raquel is a San Francisco police detective who is good at what she does, but stumbles on the social complexities which gets her into trouble so that when the story opens she’s home on leave.  She is put on the Highwayman serial killer case that has been unsolved for fifty years.  While working that case, a stunning and intriguing investigation turns up when a hippie festival on the grounds of an old hippie compound that was once the Gardener Estate is capped by the finding of skeletal bones under a statue.  Raquel gets pulled to work this new investigation that she privately wonders if it has ties to her serial killer.  But even she couldn’t predict the outcome once she follows the evidence to the truth of that time in the past.

Back to the Garden is a split time line mystery with Raquel’s investigation in the present and the Gardener brothers and their choice to turn their inheritance into a commune back in the 70s Robert Gardner had a bad war and came back from Vietnam different which makes him suspect when his girlfriend disappears. But others at the commune go missing when something breaks it up and slowly but surely the answers come for Raquel and the reader. I vaguely remember this period, but I felt the author nailed it and made me feel a tad nostalgic.

I am used to the author’s books sometimes starting slow and ponderous, but it’s been a while since I read one that had the introduction of a new world and characters. I found myself struggling to be interested at times. I did enjoy the cold case investigation skills going on with the police and meeting some of the huge cast of characters.  Raquel was okay. I found her imperviousness to social cues made her interesting. Sadly, I was only semi-interested in the past situation though I thought the author wrote the 70’s and the fading hippie culture well. I preferred to stick with the present day investigation mostly because it paced out more swiftly and seemed more relevant, at least in the first half.

But, before I have everyone thinking I didn’t like the book, let me say that it picked up for me as it went along. By the end, I was figuratively biting my nails and tense enough that I couldn’t put the book down until I made to the surprising finish. I got a big surprise over the statue body and somewhat of a surprise about the serial killer. This was a complete mystery though abrupt, but I could see where this could become a series and wouldn’t mind that in the least. If readers haven’t tried the author or her mysteries in the past, I recommend this one for a chance to see her stuff and already fans won’t want to miss this one.

Amazon | Audible

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/09/back-to-the-garden-by-laurie-r-king.html

Diabetes and Cancer – How to Manage it by Jeffery O. Eastman is a self-help book that provides straightforward advice on managing your health and starting the healing process from progressive diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Eastman shares his experience coming from a family with a long history of chronic illness and what it’s like to make funeral plans after his father was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 66 when he was given just a few months to live. As they prepare for the inevitable, Eastman’s father makes significant changes to his diet and lifestyle, which changes everything. As a result of modifying his food choices, he continued to live for many years following the diagnosis.

As a diabetic, Eastman details how the lesser-known “Dawn Phenomenon” can impact A1C levels, which helps reduce health-related problems associated with this illness. Providing advice and experience as someone personally affected by diabetes, the author incorporates a healthier eating regime and other changes during the pandemic, which he details in the book. He argues that while certain drugs and medical treatments may appear positive, his personal experience with nutritional changes and improvements is superior, given the lack of thorough health care available for most people. While some of Eastman’s views on conventional medicine may appear controversial, including his criticism of the standard food pyramid, he maintains a consistent and confident view that sticking with nutrients that detoxify your system, which help prevent insulin resistance, is best. Eastman strongly supports intermittent fasting as a way to improve the quality of life, even after a diagnosis.

I admire the author’s dedication to the importance of health, especially considering how widespread diabetes and other chronic conditions have become and how improving one’s diet can significantly improve your prognosis. I recommend Diabetes and Cancer – How to Manage for the author’s honest and sincere approach and how he uses an easy guide based on scientific findings to support his method for nutritional improvements to fight disease.

Pages: 76 | ASIN: B09TPL6MH7

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/21/diabetes-and-cancer-how-to-manage-it/

He Chose the Glory: The Life and Legacy of Obed-Edom by Louis McCall is a beautifully written book depicting stories told in the Bible. The book details the conditions and storylines surrounding the building of the Ark and how many townspeople were eager to look inside it or treat it as a trophy, only to receive retribution for their actions. As many kings aimed to take the Ark as evidence of their triumph, the book details the many times the Ark was protected against those attempts.

The book closely follows the Ark of the Covenant, as it is well known to many people of different religions and faiths. The golden Ark contained laws on stone tablets given to Moses by God. This story closely follows the family of Obed-Edom, and the lineage connected with the Ark, which is written in a lively and colorful way that can spark a new or renewed interest in these stories and their histories.

The author follows the descendants of Obed-Edom, and how they believed that a newer covenant would take the place of the Ark, teaching future generations about God and his laws. The story also personalizes the experience through its characters. They wonder about their fate and grapple with many realities in their world, including life, death, abundance, wealth, murder, sins, and destruction. It’s a book that discusses the birth of new beginnings, including what led to the New Testament. The author does a great job of articulating many of these stories to a broader audience, creating more intriguing developments and an opportunity to debate or discuss topics associated with faith and religion.

I recommend this book for its clear narration and the author’s ability to reignite interest in a topic that may not come alive in other discussions or books. I recommend He Chose the Glory: The Life and Legacy of Obed-Edom for its excellent ability to portray Biblical stories in a new and exciting way.

Pages: 67 | ASIN: B091G4TTNT

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/21/he-chose-the-glory/

Of All Faiths & None by Andrew Tweeddale is a historical fiction novel set during the Great War between 1910 and 1918. This compelling novel begins with Julius Drewe, who hires a famous architect, Edwin Luytens, to design a castle. Drewe’s goal is to establish and preserve his legacy with the construction of Castle Drogo, which later symbolizes the nature of the war, and how the younger generation of the Drewes and Luytens become entangled in the war, which breaks out in 1914. The plot quickly develops when the setting shifts from the families’ residence in London to the various battlefields and their connections to each other and Castle Drogo.

The author explores many essential topics during the early 1900s, including the age of enlightenment, the suffragette movement, and the impact of war. It’s an emotional rendition of the history of western society and how significant changes in the world challenge different religions and belief systems. Tweeddale does a great job developing each character and evolving them throughout the book in well-structured chapters and well-written descriptions of their individual experiences.

Throughout the book, Tweeddale explores the themes of duty, vanity, romance, and spirituality and how they evolve during the war. Readers get a glimpse into the political system of this era, and the consequences of war on all levels of society, from the ordinary people to the elites. The author brilliantly showcases the horrors of war and how it capitalizes on the arrogance and vanity of humans while humanizing war casualties so that they are not merely seen as numbers or statistics but as soldiers who are also brothers, sons, and spouses.

I profoundly enjoyed Of All Faiths & None by Andrew Tweeddale. I recommend this impassioned historical romance novel for the author’s ability to highlight the tragedies of war and how it is the ultimate equalizer, impacting everyone regardless of faith or lack of it. It is a well-told tale of love, faith, and war, and is perfect for fans of historical fiction. 

Pages: 352 | ASIN: 1739612205

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/21/of-all-faiths-none/

Wasn’t That a Time by Chip Hannay is riveting military romance novel set during the Vietnam War that touches on many aspects of life and struggles, including duty, passion, love, and camaraderie. The heart of the story focuses on Gid Bubchek, a Marine chopper pilot, and Ginger Lee, an enigmatic feminist, and the complicated emotions they experience together, in their respective positions, and within their relationship. The author candidly covers many challenging aspects of preparing for war and living in dangerous conditions while exploring diverse characters, their storylines, and their sense of humor.

Author Chip Hanny, a war veteran himself, gives the reader an authentic and unique perspective into soldiers’ lives leading up to the war and how they support each other the most during uncertain and challenging experiences. The author provides vivid details of overhead military helicopters and combat scenes amid the intense humanity throughout the story, despite the battle’s unfortunate circumstances and horrors. The book focuses heavily on character development, which carries most of the plot, and allows readers to get a close-up and raw look into their lives.

This is an excellent romantic thriller that is perfect for readers looking for a military fiction novel with a heart. I especially enjoyed this story because of its particular view of the Vietnam War and the way the story shows how it had a lasting impact on the generations of people that followed. This thought-provoking story gives readers a lot to reflect on about war and its effect on society. I recommend Wasn’t That a Time for the author’s ability to relay his experiences as a veteran into an entertaining book that contains a personal reflection on the impact of war. It’s a raw and explicit but thoughtful story that delivers a powerful message on the importance of camaraderie.

Pages: 253 | ASIN: B0B5HMFVHQ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/21/wasnt-that-a-time/

Delilah Recovered by Amelia Estelle Dellos tells the story of Delilah Smith, who lives a dull and uninteresting life as an accountant. Her world turns upside down when she meets the handsome Samuel Solomon, who introduces her to the exciting realm of fairies, witches, angels, and witch hunters. Delilah quickly learns that everything she thinks she knows about her ordinary reality is wrong. Her authentic memories reveal that she will play a pivotal role in this world. Delilah discovers that many of her memories have been sealed from her. She begins to learn about her prophesied destiny and that many aspects of life have been hidden from her. The world she uncovers is dark, extraordinary and ominous.

The world that is constructed by Amelia Estelle Dellos in this enthralling fantasy novel is imaginative and enchanting. I enjoyed how the author articulated the contrast between Delilah’s mundane existence as an accountant in an office and being thrown into a chaotic dark fantasy realm with danger and excitement. The book has a compelling story line and a fascinating protagonist. The story delves into the colorful and dynamic lives of the characters and I really enjoyed watching how their actions impacted one another; sort of like a paranormal melodrama on television. There is no shortage of action and intrigue to lure readers into this richly imagined world.

The author brilliantly integrates elements of the Samson and Delilah story into the book and shows how the past can have a profound effect on the present. Romance, mythology, magic, and an intriguing mystery all coalesce into an exciting journey. I was enthralled with the surreal theme of this book and reveled in the unique supernatural and time travel elements. I recommend Delilah Recovered to readers who are looking for an imaginative urban fantasy novel with a protagonist that goes through a massive evolution.

Pages: 276 | ISBN: 1639885145

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/21/delilah-recovered/

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