Vladimir Nabokov was one of the few Russian émigré intellectuals who made it off the continent when the Nazis invaded France in May 1940. Soon after he relocated to the United States, his first American story, “The Assistant Producer,” appeared in The Atlantic Monthly. It begins in a darkened auditorium: “Tonight we shall go to […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2022/11/14/our-anonymous-shadows-nabokov-berlin/
Narrated by Nicole Poole, Evildoer by Dannika Dark is the twelfth and final book in the Crossbreed urban fantasy series. Suspense, heart-pounding moments, swoons, and laughter await you… grab your earbuds. You won’t be sorry.
Evildoer
by Dannika Dark
Series: Crossbreed #12
Narrator: Nicole Poole
Length: 11 hours 57 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
Betrayal. Vengeance. Loyalty. Dark forces are at work in the epic conclusion of the USA Today bestselling Crossbreed series.
Raven has come a long way since joining Keystone. She embraced her Vampire side, learned to work with others, and even fell in love. But how far is she willing to go for the greater good?
When Viktor receives an anonymous tip regarding the whereabouts of the most notorious oligarchs in the Breed world, Keystone’s courage is put to the test. The stakes are high—one wrong move could have catastrophic consequences. In a shocking turn of events, Christian’s recent disappearance reveals secrets that could ruin him. The past is finally catching up, and Raven is faced with her greatest decision yet—one that could seal her fate forever.
Will Keystone deliver the justice these men deserve, or will the cost be greater than the reward? Find out in this powerful conclusion to the Crossbreed series.
The hardest demons to conquer are often our own.
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Let me take a moment to grieve. The characters and series are among my favorites. I knew the ending was coming, and I tried like hell to savour this listen. I deliberately set it down. Allowing myself so many chapters until I couldn’t stop before losing control and devoured the rest. I am hoping Dark gives us some novellas to revisit Keystone and the characters there. In fact, I asked Santa himself to make it happen!
In their latest mission, the team is put to the test and the stakes have never been higher. Based on a tip Viktor received, the team is hunting down the most notorious oligarchs in the Breed world and must do so unseen. We also learn the secrets behind Christian’s random disappearances. Raven’s dad is injured and we learn the story behind another Keystone member.
Addictive and mixed with heart-stopping suspense, this story pulled me in. Evildoer also offered hilarious, tender, and romantic moments. No one can make me laugh like Dark’s characters or have me pulling my hair out and holding my breath as I hoped they survive whatever peril she had placed them in.
The story delivered all the elements I love about this series/world. Dark gave us answers, closure and left us hopeful for the characters’ futures. We see character growth and the lengths of the bonds they have for one another. Dark makes her characters real, flawed and peels back their layers, making me feel as if I know them personally.
Nicole Poole narrates and does wonderful things with the voices of these characters. She only has to speak, and I know exactly which character is speaking. She nailed Raven, and her voice for Christian Poe will always be my favorite. From accents to villains, she enhances the overall story.
Fans of urban fantasy, ridiculously amazing characters and stories that will pull you in, need to explore the Crossbreed, Mageri, Seven, and Black Arrowhead series. These stories are set in the same world. Perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison, and Annette Marie.
Now, to listen again….
Amazon | Audible
Evildoer by Dannika Dark Nicole Poole delivered the last installment in the Crossbreed #urbanfantasy series with plenty of action, swoons and answers. #audiobook #NicolePoole #AudiobookReview
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Dannika was born on a military base in the U.S. and spent her youth traveling abroad. She developed an interest writing poetry and song lyrics early on, eventually gravitating toward a job that involved writing procedural training documentation. In her spare time, she wrote novels before she decided to pursue a career in publishing. In addition to writing about supernatural worlds, Dannika is passionate about graphic design and creates all her own covers and series art. When not writing, she enjoys indie music, movies, reading, Tex-Mex, strawberry daiquiris, heaps of chocolate, and unleashing her dark side. All of her published books to date are written in the same universe and contain material suitable for adults only. Dannika’s books have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide.
Nicole Poole is a classically trained actor with equal passions for literature and improvisation. She has toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company, has been a member of the critically acclaimed Walter Thompson Orchestra for over fifteen years, and recently became a member of the Parisian groups SPOUMJ and Anitya. She is honored to have been recognized for her narration by an AudioFile Earphones Award, a Publisher’s Weekly Listen-Up Award, and nomination for an Audie Award.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/11/evildoer-by-dannika-dark-nicole-poole.html
Violence. That’s all C.J ever knew as a child. From the brutal bullying by boys at school to his father’s fiery fists of rage, his life was nothing short of a nightmare. When his abusive father and traumatized mother divorced, C.J shed his childhood nickname and began searching for the real Chris. It is at this time he meets Danielle, the girl next door. With an instant attraction, their worlds collided and erupted into a magnificent world of love and trust from the start. Danielle became a beacon of hope that guided Chris through the most challenging years of his life, a time when he was discovering who he was and who he wanted to be. However, Chris ended up moving to Michigan, ripping him away from Danielle just as their young love blossomed. Can Chris move past the trauma and distance to win Danielle?
Author C.J. Hudson thrusts the reader into his world of pain and belittlement by his father and bullies at school. The scenes of abuse were hard to get through, and I absolutely hated C.J.’s father for how he treated him, but that also shows the author’s writing is descriptive and moving. This impassioned story reads like a journal written by the author to his sons about his childhood life and how he met their mother. I was able to connect with the author, and I enjoyed being able to read about his thoughts. I understood his reasoning for not liking certain things like his real name or something as minute as oatmeal.
C.J.’s and Danielle’s relationship made me smile because she loved him for who he was. Reading about how Bob, C.J.’s uncle, treated him was heartwarming and, I must say, the best part of the author’s memoir. It brought a smile to my face when C.J. began to feel the real love and get the right parental guidance. I don’t know why I was surprised by the ending of the author’s memoir, maybe because a part of me was rooting for him to win Danielle back.
Destiny Lives on Fairhaven Street is an inspirational memoir of trials and triumphs. Readers will follow as the author finds the strength to survive the things that life throws at him and watch as he tries to build a better life and legacy for his own sons.
Pages: 258 | ASIN B0BHTP7FH9
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/14/destiny-lives-on-fairhaven-street-2/
Requiem For A Queen by Kaylin McFarren takes the classic tale of good vs. evil and gives it a sultry twist. As the Red War rages between heaven and hell, Lucifer is on the hunt for the prisoners that escaped him and his soulmate. Those who oppose him have scattered to various locations in order to evade capture or are injured from previous battles. But how are they going to win if they cannot help one another?
Readers of the entire Gehenna series will appreciate the way in which the author evolves her characters within each book and over the series. The conflict in the story is one dark fantasy fans will be familiar with but the characters are the reason you keep reading, their relationships are the reason you will find this book hard to put down, and your desire to just know how it all ends will keep you coming back to this book again and again. Every good fantasy novel has a good villain and Requiem For A Queen does not disappoint. I was enthralled with the Black Dragon.
This novel also takes the trope of strong female character to a new level with Samara giving birth by herself in difficult circumstances. This reminded me of the way Margaret Atwood handles the emotional turmoil that females face in her stories. When chapter one ended with ‘Lucifer’s child was coming into this world whether Samara was prepared or not,’ I had to make sure that I was prepared to read the next chapter because Kaylin McFarren holds nothing back and I was sure we were going to be in for a ride. The author is a master of scene details and situations really come to life once we’re in the thick of the action.
Requiem For A Queen is a fiery paranormal romance that will be devoured by long-time fans of the series. Excellently combining the paranormal romance genre and dark occult fantasy I was really intrigued by the lore and backstory built into this story. It always felt like this world was lived in and we are only just now discovering it. I enjoyed the way this story tested its main character and put her in desperate situations. I know it sounds awful but this is why I love fiction and Kaylin McFarren creates some compelling situations that are superbly entertaining.
Pages: 341 | ASIN: B0BBJTR8BD
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/14/requiem-for-a-queen/
The Black Swan Killer by Daniel McKay is a thought-provoking mystery novel that follows John Consequent, a philosophical detective, on a mission to save someone. This sounds fairly standard, as far as crime novels go, but the path that winds through this novel is anything but standard. And the beauty of the story is the way in which the author flips the genre and its familiar detective archetype on its head. When John eventually teams up with Detective Maria Salazar they initially clash but eventually combine their expertise. When they’re tasked with finding a serial killer who wants to be caught and have something proven to him (a bit like Batman’s Joker), John must be willing to break the rules to solve the case. He’s determined to solve the case even as the danger increases, threatening his life and those closest to him.
The author has a creative way of building unique characters and I absolutely loved it. John Consequent was such a compelling character, and sort of reminded me of Tim Roth’s character in the TV show Lie to Me. Although The Black Swan Killer is much more cerebral and a bit mind-bending if you think about it too much, as I uncovered multiple layers to this fascinating story and I wasn’t sure if it was part of the story or just in my head. Or maybe that’s what John Consequent does? In any case, this is a stimulating novel with a unique character driving it forward.
If you’re reading another mystery novel, stop it. Pick this one up. It’s better.
Containing some philosophical musings, an intriguing mystery and an original protagonist, this is a story that long time mystery readers will find refreshing. This was a surprisingly fun story that uses sharp writing to tell a story that is entertaining from start to finish.
Pages: 193 | ASIN: B0BG6188RS
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/14/the-black-swan-killer/
Lee is a city guy who has to work in a wildlife magazine to save his journalism career. To prove his capabilities he agrees to step out of his comfort zone and go on an expedition in the Great Bear Rainforest. He is taken by surprise when he meets his tour guide, Dani Skybird, a strong, perceptive but pessimistic woman. While forming a nascent love with nature, Isaak’s city habits cause trouble for his survival. With Dani guiding him a journey of self-discovery begins, helping Isaak appreciate a new lifestyle that might not keep his nails clean, but will surely keep his heart full of joy.
Under the Aurora Sky by Elissa Daye and Karen Fuller is a romantic adventure novel that uses nature as a backdrop to tell a heartfelt love story that is punctuated by some fun and dramatic moments. The story is colored by themes of love and friendship, making this a feel-good drama that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
This is an easy novel to get through. It is barley over 200 pages I was able to finish this book quickly because of the clear writing that keeps the focus on the characters and moving the story forward, all while giving you the feels.
The conflict between city dwellers and survivalists is contrasted beautifully through the two protagonists. While there is certainly a preference towards nature in this book I liked how the gender roles were reversed in this story. Isaak’s character goes through the largest change throughout the story and I enjoyed watching how he evolved. The authors make sure readers are with him every step of his self-discovery journey. While sowing the seeds of a romantic relationship, the authors emphasize how true companionship is important. Dani changes his outlook on life while he changes her perception of love.
Under the Aurora Sky is an adventure-filled love story that will keep readers engaged right up until the very end. Fans of romance will enjoy the exotic backdrop to this sentimental story and any reader will feel the warmth of companionship this book has to offer.
Pages: 225 | ASIN: B0BD2L21LS
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/14/under-the-aurora-sky/
What happens when you wake up and look in the mirror while getting ready for school only to realize something is really not right. Unfortunately, that is what happened to Billy. He discovers something alarming that morning, and his solution is to hide in his bed and pretend it doesn’t exist. Then, one by one, his family members come in and observe what he has seen, and all of them are unsure of what to make of the situation.
Billy’s Wide Crack, written by JD Von Lafsalot and illustrator by Pietro Peres, is a humorous picture book with children and adults laughing with each page. The entertaining images and expressions on the characters’ faces will have children guessing right from the start as to what crack Billy has found. I loved that on each page, there was a little bee that seemed to add to the drama of the situation, like sitting on the dad’s tie.
At the end of the book are some quick questions teachers can use to review the story with their class. This helps children recall and identify the context of stories. Some questions require them to have keen observation skills and will allow them to go back and pick out details they may have missed at first.
Billy’s Wide Crack: A Fun Rhyming Story of Assumptions and False Thinking is a light-hearted picture book that will have readers of all ages laughing. With children’s active imaginations, the story will surely bring about many fun, exciting class discussions and laughs.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0BFDTGNH7
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/14/billys-wide-crack/