Last month, the United Nations Security Council held a briefing on famine during war, pursuant to Resolution 2417, adopted in 2018, which in part addresses “the need to break the vicious cycle between armed conflict and food insecurity.” Four days earlier the Review published “The Vanishing Point of the Laws of War” by Alex de Waal, who […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2022/10/08/a-massacre-in-slow-motion-alex-de-waal/
Icarus Never Flew ‘Round Here is a literary fiction novel that follows the story of Dale Samuel, a lonely rancher who has isolated himself in Oregon’s High Desert. Dale’s only companion is his wife Janice and their farm animals. Isolation from the world has made Dale question the complexities of life as he often finds himself wondering how little he knows about existence. Dale talks to the horizon as if it contains all the answers that he seeks so desperately, the main one being as to whether he and his wife are just as cursed as the rest of mankind, or if they’re special. The mysteries of the universe, and his own curiosity, have a huge effect on Dale’s life as the story unfolds.
Icarus Never Flew ’round here by Matt Edwards is a thought-provoking novel that follows a contemplative protagonist on an intellectually invigorating journey. The novel slowly builds up the characters, giving you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the world. Before I knew it, I was engrossed and captivated by the character. Dale Samuel is a character that is relatable but still compelling. He is a lonely rancher who questions even the slightest details of existence, which I feel a lot of readers will be able to relate to. Readers will find themselves wondering the same things as readers realize how little they know of the universe and existence; and that philosophical meandering is intriguing. The author has written a novel that is bound to pique readers curiosity and leave them thinking about things long after they put the book down.
The southern accent of the characters was a nice touch and served to make the characters feel authentic and also gives readers a feel for the Oregon High Desert. Dale’s evident fascination and connection with the everlasting horizon is a beautiful aspect of the story. I really enjoyed the descriptions in this book as it painted a vivid visual of a beautiful place. Dale’s connection to nature really elevates the descriptions and makes the backdrop almost ethereal. At first, the extent of Dale’s curiosity is acceptable and seems normal for someone who is completely isolated. However, as time passes, we see that his curiosity begins to get threatening and maddening until eventually, it takes over his senses.
Icarus Never Flew ‘Round Here is a reflective coming-of-age novel that explores questions about life in an impassioned and potent way. If you’re looking for a meditative novel with a unique voice, then this is a book that will keep you thinking well after you put the book down.
Pages: 160 | ASIN: B0BG8Q9JKG
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/07/icarus-never-flew-round-here/
Hero Haters follows a man who has his dream job recognizing civilian heroes until he becomes the suspect in their disappearances. He must now risk himself to solve the mystery of what is happening. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I’m intrigued by what makes a hero. There are soldiers and first responders, of course, but I mean everyday heroes. Someone who, without a second thought, risks their lives to rescue a stranger. There are a surprising number of such people, folks who didn’t know how they would respond in such energies until they come upon a fire, a robbery, a drowning. They act putting their lives at risk, the very definition of selfless courage. But for the purposes of my novel, I asked: What if not everyone loves a hero? Worse, what if they hate heroes?
Jake battles his past demons in this novel and has to face his fears to save those he admires, creating dramatic internal conflict. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
By most definitions, Jake would have the right to define himself as a hero, having rescued a boy from a housefire, badly burning his hands. But he’s haunted by the boy’s mother who he failed to save. Still the idea of courage intrigues him when he’s recruited to be an investigator for the prestigious Sedgewick Sacrifice Medallion. Quite simply, he’d rather find heroes, than be one, until circumstances force him to act.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Love, courage selflessness. And this unanswerable question. Everyone is a hero in their imagination, but how would I react in the moment?
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Give me a break! I’ve just got Hero Haters out the door. Actually, I’m several chapters into my next Jake Ockham/Erik Demidov adventure. I prefer not to talk about a work in progress during this delicate embryonic stage. I haven’t even shared the idea with my wife, and she’s always my first reader. So, I offer my most Canadian of responses: sorry.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/08/what-makes-a-hero/
Vandella follows a young girl with cancer who exchanges her soul for her grandmother’s and takes a supernatural journey through the world of the undead. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Actually, the main inspiration for the story was a near-death experience of my grandfather. In his “dream” he traveled to the hereafter and experienced the Pilgrimage of Death I describe in the book, but a woman halted his journey alleging “his time was not due yet” but she warned him, it will, in fourteen days. And when the term fulfilled, my grandfather died. If interested, you can read the whole story in my author blog: https://yourlastdesire.com/vandella-what-the-novel-is-about/
Maia has many ups and downs in life before embarking on this adventure into the world of the undead. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
In the world of the undead, I wanted Maia to face an exponential version of her fears in real life, as a metaphor of how our subconscious perceive them. Maia’s story is not a tale of an extraordinary protagonist doing incredible things, but rather about a commoner pushing herself to overcome the extraordinary obstacles in her way. I wanted the “escapist” nature of the fantasy in Vandella to be used as a journey of introspection for Maia to find herself at the end.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Self-sacrifice as the purest form of love. Learning to find happiness despite problems, not because their absence. And the beauty found in the evanescence of life, were the main themes driving the story of the novel.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Currently I’m working in Vandella’s sequel titled “Resilience” which will hit shelves in 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
¿Cuánto estás dispuesta a sacrificar por aquellos que amas?
Dejada en orfandad en medio de circunstancias misteriosas y criada por su abuela, Maia cree que ha dejado su trágico pasado atrás. Ahora, siendo una joven soñadora de diecisiete años, Maia anhela encontrar el amor verdadero con su amor platónico de la preparatoria cuando recibe la espantosa noticia de que su Cáncer, que había estado en remisión durante mucho tiempo, ha regresado, no solo para fastidiar sus planes románticos, sino para arruinar toda su vida.
Una noche, durante su estancia en el hospital, Maia recibe la visita de un peculiar joven que le confiesa que está a punto de reclamar el alma de su amada abuela. Pero Maia le ofrece su alma a cambio y se une al atractivo heraldo de la muerte en una odisea hacia el más allá. El vertiginoso viaje lleva a Maia y su cautivador acompañante de un elaborado baile a un viaje en una locomotora de vapor que surca los cielos, a una casa de campo embrujada, al fondo de un lago y otros lugares mágicos. Ambos se enfrentan a obstáculos fuera de este mundo mientras Maia intenta salvar a su único pariente y determinar si hay alguna esperanza para su alma atormentada.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/08/the-pilgrimage-of-death/
Set in a close-knit Amish community in 1900s Ohio, award-winning author Molly Jebber’s historical romance brims with authentic detail and an emotionally complex storyline—a treat both for historical fans and those who enjoy wholesome romance by writers like Charlotte Hubbard, Rachel J. Good, Amy Lillard, and Jennifer Beckstrand.
In 1915 Ohio, anyone entering the Amish Charm Bakery is greeted by the sweet warmth and delicious fragrance of cinnamon and vanilla wafting from freshly baked cookies and pies. And newcomers to this Amish community will find friendship on the menu, too—and perhaps for a lucky few, even lasting love…
Rachael Schlabach’s first chance for a husband ended in a tragic accident that left her with a limp. Though happy to work in the beloved Amish Charm Bakery, she hasn’t abandoned her romantic dreams, but she has focused on a widower with two adorable kinner she would love to raise as her own. Then handsome, single Caleb Yutzy arrives on the scene…
Caleb is eager to court pretty, warm-hearted Rachael, and tells her so. But their frank conversations reveal a truth that dashes her hopes—Caleb very much wants kinner, the one thing Rachael can’t give him. Even when Caleb assures her it’s no matter, she can’t bring herself to be so selfish. Yet love is beyond all planning, and with faith Rachael and Caleb may discover the lifetime of love they were meant to share…
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/08/rachaels-decision-book-trailer/