The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Next week’s Sunday Post will go live at midnight on Saturday December 24, 2022, so that you can post when you like and enjoy the holiday weekend. We’ll go back to Sundays the following week.

It’s the last weekend to get all of my shopping done, and prepare for the Royals’ Winter Break. Starting Wednesday, they will be home from school until January 5th. I finished my meds and, aside from being overly tired, I am feeling much better. We had bitter cold temps and Clayton got enough snow to make snowballs & snow angels. We are forecast for some significant snow this week…so maybe Santa will deliver on that snowman wish. Stay Caffeinated.

Last Week on the Blog

• How The Grump Saved Christmas By Claire Kingsley (book review)
• The Choice By Nora Roberts (audio review)
• The Boy With The Bookstore By Sarah Echavarre Smith (book review, guest post)
• 2023 Audiobook Challenge Sign Up (event)
• A Total Witch Show By Dakota Cassidy (audio review)
• A Christmas Deliverance By Anne Perry (book review, guest post)

This Week on the Blog

• The Christmas Wedding Guest By Susan Mallery (book review)
• Home Sweet Christmas By Susan Mallery (book review)
• A Light In The Flame By Jennifer L. Armentrout (audiobook review)
• Ballgowns & Butterflies And Ghosts & Garlands By Kelley Armstrong (book review)
• Making Merry By Kerrigan Byrne (audio review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

Learn more:

• Almost Home by Pam Jenoff

A special thank you to Simon Audio

Around The Blogosphere

• Romance Reading Challenge 2023 hosted by Carol Rae’s Random Ramblings
• 2023 Upside Down COYER hosted by Because Reading Is More Fun
• Read-along Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne for 2023 hosted by Books of My Heart
• Romance Choice Awards 2022 hosted by Addicted to Romance

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Link Up Your Edition Of The Sunday Post

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Next week’s Sunday Post will go live at midnight on Saturday December 24, 2022, so that you can post when you like and enjoy the holiday weekend. We’ll go back to Sundays the following week.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/12/sunday-post-554-snow-and-bitter-cold-temps.html

Magician Emu follows an emu who aspires to be like a great magician but struggles and must find her own magic and path forward. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Magician Emu is book #3 in the Emu Town Stories picture book series. I’d been thinking of exploring the theme of self-acceptance in this book but didn’t quite know who the main character would be. I was volunteering at a kindergarten classroom last year, when a little girl came up to me and said, “I want to be a magician when I grow up!”, waving her imaginary wand with confidence. That was it – my character had to be an aspiring magician! Being in the classroom, I also heard a lot of kids say, “I want to be like (someone)”. I was inspired to create another character that the magician would aspire to be, which led to Spikey Spike.

The art in this book was fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anastasia Yezhela?

Anastasia is a joy to work with! She has illustrated all four of the Emu Town Stories picture book series. I was blown away when I saw the character design of Magician Emu and Spikey Spike for the first time. Her vision and vibrant style bring my stories alive. I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her on this book and hopefully more in the future!

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I write books that promote social-emotional learning in children. In Magician Emu, I explored themes of self-acceptance, celebrating who we are and daring to be different. Children will feel empowered to believe in themselves and be whoever they want to be! Also, there are very few female magicians in the world, which is why I wanted my main character to be female – with the hope that it will inspire young girls to consider being magicians, should they want to.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

My next picture book is YOGIC EMU, book #4 in the Emu Town Stories series, which goes on sale February 2023. It explores the benefits of mindfulness and yoga through a funny, rhyming tale.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Instagram

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/18/emu-town-stories/

The Billionaire’s List follows a reclusive author who is entangled in a murder mystery after the death of her uncle. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

During the 2020 pandemic lock-down, my family played a lot of MONOPOLY. And as anyone who has ever played that game knows, you can’t finish in just one sitting! When we rested between rounds, the board sat on a table in the corner of our family room. I kept looking at the board—the street names, the railroads, the jail, and Mr. Monopoly in the center—and I thought, “There’s a story here!” 

Unlike most writers, I wrote the ending first. Well, some of the ending. I knew one of the plot twists right off the bat. Since I new the ending, I worked backward (but forward on the board) to get to that fantastic ending and ensure each location was mentioned. I had a blast creatively incorporating some of the spots, such as the Chance and Community Chest cards and the railroads. 

I had no idea I had written a mystery until my first beta reader said, “I loved this mystery!”

“What?”

“Well, you have dead bodies, and we don’t know who or why, so you have a mystery!” Since my primary initial objective was moving through the board game, I went back to add the mystery components—the red herrings and more suspense and surprise. I’ve never had more fun writing!

Greta Goldman is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?

I have a lot of people in my life who live with neurodiversities, from autism to ADHD and more. Greta is a little bit of me and a lot of them. As with all good protagonists, there needs to be growth (or at least change). That was my goal. And those around her helped her along the way, even if some didn’t realize it. 

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The overarching themes are not your typical themes for mysteries. I spent a lot of my life living inside boxes. As I’ve gotten older, I realize the importance of stepping outside the lines and breaking a few rules. So the themes are goodness and redemption. We’re all given gifts—talents, wealth, time, and more—and it’s important we learn how to use them for the greater good. That’s what gives our lives purpose. But we also all make mistakes. That’s part of our humanity. It takes a good support system of family, friends, and even a little faith to right our wrongs and unleash that purpose.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I’m busy writing the PREquel to The Billionaire’s List. Most people who have read The Billionaire’s List are expecting a sequel. But I really need to dig into the past to help set the stage for the future. And, of course, I’m drumming up another jaw-dropping plot twist! I hope this next manuscript doesn’t take two-plus years.  My goal is to release it in late Winter 2024.

Author Links: Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/18/i-wrote-the-ending-first/

Ria was an award-winning actress who had everything to live for, so why would she want to give it all up? Alison, who is an award-winning composer, is grieving the loss of her daughter Ria from an ‘accidental suicide’. She’s utterly shocked and heartbroken. She’s grieving and simultaneously trying to save her marriage. She is on a hunt, trying to know more about the last few months of her daughter’s life, hung up on it so much that it is beginning to consume her.

This emotionally-resonant novel follows her grief and her effort to gain some clarity so that she can move on. It is a story that is sharp, observant and completely heart wrenching. This beautiful journey takes readers into the mind of a grieving mother. It exceptionally depicts the confusing emotions of Alison and her husband. I feel that Alison is a character that anyone can relate to, even if they have not faced the unfortunate circumstance of going through what she did. The author’s excellent writing will help anyone connect with the character, if not the situation.

While the story has much depth, the book is written in such an easy to read style that I completed the story within a couple of days. The characters felt authentic and compelling, so much so that I was irked by the lack of complete understanding from her husband’s side, and the sad part is that often for people it’s the reality.

Song for Ria explores a topic as depressing as grief but does so through a beautifully written story so that it will be approachable to many, and understood by all readers.

Pages: 354 | ASIN: B0B99N1GXL

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/18/song-for-ria/

Discoveries follows three strangers searching for answers who are all headed for the same place and must work together to survive and save humanity. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?

I woke one morning, having dreamt of an idea for a novel, and sat down that day to start writing. As the ideas came thick and fast, the scope of the story developed, such that I soon found myself planning a five-book series. Other areas of inspiration came from my home country, my extensive travel experiences, the state of the world and possible outcomes I imagined, as well as my faith.

What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?

I have always found dialogue the most challenging part of writing, so I often find myself reading it aloud in voices, drawing on my skills as a Drama teacher! The idea that we hide so much in any interaction was really important to me, so I have tried to leave the audience and even the characters doubting one another’s motives – and at times, even their own.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I was (and still am) interested in the way we play God – but when we do, we tend to make selfish and frivolous decisions, both individually and as a society. The idea of this driving humanity into a dystopian situation when we could have done so much good with the power of magicium was important. Other issues like social outrage, the complexities of parent-child relationships and ideas around charismatic personalities and self-doubt shaped the series.

What is the next book in the series that you are working on and when will it be available?

I have released five already: Discoveries, Disruptions, Disciples, Disintegration and Dissidents. Book 6 (as yet untitled) is currently being written and will most likely come out midway through 2023.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/18/the-way-we-play-god/

DREAM JUMPERS the INHERITANCE follows siblings who are ushered into the hidden world of the Dream Jumpers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The more I live, the more I believe the world would be better if everyone became whomever they were born to be.

Your characters are interesting and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

The book is based on a dream I had about nine years ago. It was clear what I had to write, a lot of research, and then I developed the characters little by little. The children seemed to be kids I knew growing up; some of me were included, and personalities had to have a voice and were familiar. Each child has their own story.

What were the themes vital for you to explore in this book?

The dreams had to be thought out so that anyone could look at their goals and strive to find their purpose. The book was written to encourage children to follow their dreams before leaving high school. Once they graduate, they begin to understand their callings and start their journey to fulfilled lives. I knew who and what I wanted to be at age five. However, my gender, and race, held me back. Freedom to follow your dreams is imperative to build a flourishing world.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

I’m working on the sequel to DJTI, my first book. I have many stories to tell and characters to introduce to my people. I’m not sure how many books will be in this series; I know I have many more to write.

Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/18/each-child-has-their-own-story/