To understand the attempted coup that culminated in the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, it is useful to go back to Donald Trump’s immediate response to the election he actually won, in 2016. The head of his transition team, Chris Christie, then governor of New Jersey, presented Trump with a detailed plan […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/dress-rehearsal-january-6-fintan-otoole/
In A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf imagined “what would have happened had Shakespeare had a wonderfully gifted sister.” She concluded that any woman born with a great gift in the sixteenth century would certainly have gone crazed, shot herself, or ended her days in some lonely cottage outside the village, half witch, half […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/the-encyclopedia-of-the-dance-bronislava-nijinska/
Last summer a group of scholars announced that they had cracked Linear Elamite, a Bronze Age script used in the trading cities of Elam in the highlands of southern Iran, through which Central Asian tin, a crucial ingredient in bronze, was transported north to the Mesopotamian kingdoms of Babylon and Assyria.1 First identified by archaeologists […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/alphabet-politics-the-greatest-invention-silvia-ferrara/
In 1936 Alfred Barr, director of the Museum of Modern Art, drew a flowchart of recent art developments to accompany “Cubism and Abstract Art,” one of the museum’s defining exhibitions. Printed on the catalog cover and styled with the look of empirical rigor, the diagram outlines a complex and seemingly inexorable momentum from figuration, at […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/feinting-spells-cubism-and-the-trompe-loeil-tradition/
In December 2008, as he prepared to assume the presidency, Barack Obama shared a provocative observation with Nancy Pelosi about the American system of government. The United States Senate, Obama told her, had in some ways “outlived its purpose.” In Obama’s reckoning, the Senate had altogether too much clout and too often served to diminish […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/01/19/making-the-senate-work-for-democrats-arc-of-power/
I was excited to continue the Treasure of Paragon series and dove into The Dragon of Cecil Court by Genevieve Jack. The overall story arc is heating-up and we meet Nathaniel Clarke. Suspense, siblings, magic and swoon-worthy romance await you.
The Dragon of Cecil Court
by Genevieve Jack
Series: The Treasure of Paragon #5
Narrator: Laura Horowitz
Length: 9 hours and 19 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Narration: 5 cup Speed: 1.35x
Old flames still burn hot.
He’s only ever had one weakness.
Nathaniel Clarke has a secret. Before he became the owner of an occult bookshop on Bookseller’s Row, he was a prince of the kingdom of Paragon. Now the dragon shifter is the high priest of the Order of the Dragon, a society of the most powerful supernatural beings in London. He’s only ever had one weakness, and he hasn’t seen her in a decade.She’s only ever been good at one thing.
American pop singer Clarissa Black survived by singing on street corners before Nathaniel came into her life and unlocked the latent magic inside her. Despite their passionate affair, she refused Nathaniel’s proposal to pursue her music career. Her multi-platinum albums have made her a star but one with few people she can trust.It only takes one spark to change two lives forever.
When Clarissa’s voice fails her during a show in London, it’s an excuse to reconnect with the man who remains her deepest regret. Nathaniel is reluctant to open old wounds but can’t refuse Clarissa’s plea for help or the passion her nearness awakens in him. But as he closes in on breaking the curse, Nathaniel learns the cause of what ails her is tangled with the deadly past he left behind.
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This is the fifth audiobook in the Treasure of Paragon romantic fantasy series. Each book focuses on one dragon sibling’s romance. However, the overall arc has me recommending you listen in the order of their release.
I love the world Jack has created and was so pleased she continued them in audio format. They are perfect for this, from the snark to the steamy romance. Laura Horowitz does a delightful job of capturing both Nathaniel and Clarissa’s personalities and emotional struggles. She does a brilliant villain and secondary voices as well for the siblings and other characters. All of which makes listening a must.
This story takes us to London and delivers a second chance romance as we meet Nathaniel Clarke, Paragon Prince, dragon and owner of an occult bookshop on Bookseller’s Row. I adored Nataniel from the start, from his mannerism to his style. Loved the pipe and the magic he used. This is a second chance romance, as he and his dragon once asked Clarissa to bond with them.
American pop singer & witch Clarissa Black loses her magic, that which enables her to bring forth magical notes in her concerts. She goes to the one person she trusts to help her…. Nathaniel.
I loved the witchy thread, and how Jack started us right where we left on in the last audiobook. Yikes. The suspense and overall series arc see huge strides and held me captive alongside the romance. We see other siblings, meet a new one and get hints of what is coming. I cannot wait to dive into Highland Dragon.
Amazon | Audible
The Dragon of Cecil Court by Genevieve Jack delivered from swoons to magic. #TreasureofParagon #audiobook #LauraHorowitz #audiobookreview
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USA Today bestselling author Genevieve Jack writes weird, witty, and wicked-hot paranormal romance and fantasy. Coffee and wine are her biofuel, the love lives of witches, shifters, and vampires her favorite topic of conversation. She harbors a passion for old cemeteries and ghost tours, thanks to her years attending a high school rumored to be adores the beaches of the southeast, where she spends her days with her laptop and one lazy dog.
Laura Horowitz was born in Southern California, but has lived all over the world. She finished her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Wales, Swansea, and has her Master’s Degree in Writing and Composition. She has narrated dozens of audiobooks from her home studio and specializes in fantasy, romance, science fiction, and non-fiction.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/12/the-dragon-of-cecil-court-the-treasure-of-paragon-5-by-genevieve-jack.html
Princess Hope lives on beautiful Rainbow Island alongside her beloved father, White Eagle, and the members of her tribe. When threatened by a band of bloodthirsty pirates, Princess Hope uses her abilities to ask her animal friends for aid in protecting her home. However, after clashing with the pirates, Hope’s world is suddenly turned even further upside down as she stands on the brink of losing her beloved father forever. Embarking on an epic quest alongside Snowflake, the white grizzly cub with blue eyes, Spirit the eagle, Lobo the wolf, and Thor the cougar, Princess Hope must learn the true meaning of selflessness and sacrifice as she fights for her father’s life.
Princess Hope and Snowflake: The Quest by Clark W. Colepaugh is a unique adventure that takes place in the Pacific. Hope and the people of Rainbow Island have many elements of Native American culture, with neighboring islands infused with the myths and legends of the Pacific Islands. Young Hope is a stalwart girl who is willing to risk everything to protect those she loves, and she and her animal companions learn many valuable lessons about heroism along the way. The story is fast-paced and kept my interest throughout its pages, which feature gorgeous full-color photographs. Hope’s journey spoke to my heart as the quest full of twists and turns swiftly progressed to a satisfying conclusion.
There were a few places in the story where the action slowed for explanatory purposes but remained interesting nonetheless. In addition, numerous type errors were distracting; however, the plot is so intriguing that it overcomes these minor difficulties with ease as Hope continues her quest.
One unique addition to this extraordinary novel is the inclusion of songs and poetry. These additions allow readers to feel a deeper connection with the characters and story. Music can touch people’s souls in a way that prose does not always do; thus, the inclusion of these allows readers to become fully emersed in the journey of characters.
Princess Hope and Snowflake: The Quest is a one-of-a-kind narrative about family, courage, and sacrifice. Its originality and highly compelling story make this novel stand out in children’s fiction. Recommended for ages 12 and up due to violence and blood, this unique tale is an out-of-the-box adventure that pulls the reader into a rich world of mythology and the value of friendship. An unforgettable journey to save a father’s life, the story of Princess Hope and Snowflake is a tale of courage and wisdom in the face of danger.
Pages: 109 | ASIN : B0BGMMWHFS
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/29/princess-hope-snowflake-the-quest/
Two feuding sisters are brought back together after the death of a mother they didn’t know existed. Jess is a “free spirit” stuck in a dead-end job and crappy relationship. The moment Jess gets the call, she drops everything to drag her sister, Jennifer, all the way out to Florida to inherit over a million dollars. Jennifer is a “happy” wife and mother to a successful doctor and two college kids. In Jess’ eyes, Jennifer’s life is flawless; however, Jess’ financial situation blinds her to her sister’s mid-life crisis.
Allyson Rice takes a week-long, crazy family debacle and turns it into a comedic adventure. The Key to Circus-Mom Highway is an enjoyable, odd-ball story about three newly-discovered siblings finding out about their long-lost parent. This story has lots of unexpected twists. Nothing is more satisfying than getting an unexpected surprise in a story. The author creates the most ridiculous scenarios. However, it is an over-the-top comedy that is so ridiculous you cannot help but laugh.
The author creates over-the-top clichés and stereotypical personalities throughout the book. However, the book is colorful, lively, and a delight to read, and the collection of clichés and stereotypes is what makes the story fun. For example, here are just a few clichés and stereotypes I picked out from the first 50 pages:
Jess is the bum sibling that needs professional help to get her life on track, and after dishing out so much money and support, her family has to cut her off. Jennifer is the typical suburban housewife who thinks her husband is cheating on her and does not know how to handle the situation now that her kids are going to college. The lawyer handling the sister’s inheritance is a typical sleazy lawyer who got their license from an infomercial (though the author portrays him in a more light-hearted way). Finally, the lawyer’s secretary is the 1900s, a gum-smacking, gossip gal who is always on the phone and never appears to do any work. You can even imagine hearing her talk with a New York accent.
I would highly recommend this book to people who love comedy and ridiculous antics. I enjoyed this light-heart adventure and think readers will fall in love with the sibling as they go on this unforgettable journey together.
Pages: 254 | ASIN : B0BCDL1QLB
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/29/the-key-to-circus-mom-highway/
Twelve-year-old Tyler Buckland is moving away from his old home in Oxford to the scenic little town of Lochview in Scotland. Not that he has a choice in the matter. Chafing at the thought of leaving familiar surroundings, Tyler joins his dad, who introduces Tyler to the ghost stories surrounding the tiny town. After arriving, Tyler soon discovers that the supernatural is closer than he ever dared imagine, as a centuries-old danger returns to threaten the children of modern-day Lochview. Caught in a web of mystery where the fantastic clashes with the everyday, Tyler must use his wits to survive if he has any hope of thwarting his otherworldly foe.
The Lady of the Loch by Ryan Vernel is a chilling tale of specters and supernatural horror. Placed in a small town in Scotland, every part of the background lends ambiance to this frightening adventure. The plot moves quickly, each heart-pounding moment leading to the next big revelation as Tyler struggles to learn more about the town and the legends surrounding it. A place where the magical meets the mundane. Anything and everything is possible in the town of Lochview, and this first entry in the series brought a chill to my bones.
The plot is easy to follow and ensures that readers are consistently entertained. The characters are interesting and memorable, and every detail adds to the greater picture of the mystery. This riveting ghost story was full of adventure and is one of the most incredible I have read. The author expertly balances the riveting paranormal details and the dangerous thrills in this story so that young readers are immersed in this fun story, rather than being frightened.
This journey of peril and battling the hidden forces of evil is well worth a read. Ryan Vernel’s middle-grade ghost story creates a uniquely eerie atmosphere that is spooky and consistently entertaining. The Lady of the Loch is the beginning of a promising supernatural mystery series for children, as Tyler Buckland faces deadly supernatural forces to protect the town and people of Lochview.
Pages: 149 | ASIN : B0BKJH88CQ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/29/the-lady-of-the-loch/
Mathematics helps to have critical thinking and a logical mind. But many young students doubt its application in everyday life. However, this science is all around us and helps us to solve all kinds of situations. Tom Durwood demonstrates this in the Ruby Pi Adventure Series. In this collection of two books, different girls solve cases using applied mathematics.
The series consists of The Adventures of Ruby Pi and the Geometry Girls and The Adventures of Ruby Pi and the Math Girls. Each book contains five stories with valuable lessons about the use of geometry, the Gaussian series, and more. Among the mysteries are topics including cartography, economics, architecture, and more. The details for solving the mysteries are verifiable, and each story is set in a different time and place in the narrative, providing a variety of content in a reading that is easy to follow.
The Adventures of Ruby Pi and the Geometry Girls is the first book in the series, and its first protagonist is Rupashana Lal Pyradhakrishnan, called Ruby Pi. Who also appears in the first story of The Adventures of Ruby Pi and the Math Girls. But the stories are independent and can be read in any order. I liked how Tom Durwood creatively shows science, perfect for inspiring a teenage audience to find their own way in the mathematical world. Both books have helpful illustrations and diagrams to understand the riddles and codes to solve. The information shown is from different cultures. And it shows us that knowledge is a gift earned with time, which we should not waste.
Regarding the narrative, some scene changes feel abrupt, although they don’t affect the story. But I would have liked a little more explanation to make the content feel more fluid. But that’s a minor detail, considering that all the stories, though short, convey a lot of valuable information. One of my favorite parts was Tom’s Notes which appear at the end of each adventure. There they describe actual historical data and mathematical curiosities that give a more realistic context to the adventures. It shows that there was a lot of research work for this series. Tom Durwood astutely conveys teaching about subjects not taught so thoroughly in school. That’s why I give it 5 out of 5 stars. Ruby Pi Adventure Series is perfect for young teenagers who love historical fiction with adventure, mystery, and, especially, realism.
The Adventures of Ruby Pi and the Geometry Girls Pages: 178 | ASIN : B0BFG186JR
The Adventures of Ruby Pi and the Math Girls Pages: 205 | ASIN : B0BFGBSZYZ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/29/the-adventures-of-ruby-pi-and-the-geometry-girls-the-adventures-of-ruby-pi-and-the-math-girls/