Since the election of a far-right government in Italy in September, Europe’s debate over migration has flared up again. Although it has no legal basis for doing so, the new administration in Rome has been trying to impose a naval blockade against NGO vessels rescuing migrants, who continue to board overcrowded boats for the sake […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/02/06/the-river/
Sweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews is the fifth audiobook in the Innkeepers Chronicles featuring Gertrude Hunt, an inn on Earth for intergalactic species to visit and hold meetings. The inn is run by Dina Demille and Sean Evans. They are hosting a spouse selection streamed live from the inn….I devoured this one and cannot recommend the series enough.
Sweep of the Heart
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #5
Narrator: Nora Sofyan
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
Welcome to Gertrude Hunt!
We are so happy to see you once again. Your innkeepers, Dina Demille and Sean Evans, will see to your every need. No matter what accommodations you require, the inn will oblige. Physics are not an issue for us. Our Red Cleaver Chef is delighted to impress you with his culinary mastery. Rest assured that your safety is our first priority.
Enjoy yourselves, relax, and above all, remember the one rule all visitors must abide by: the humans must never know.
Sweep of the Heart is a serial novella set in the Innkeeper Chronicles featuring Sean Evans and Dina Demille.
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The Andrews’ release this series weekly on their blog, but I wait for the audio release and it’s been a long two years. I planned to savour the audio but once I dove in it was all over. It was well worth the loss of sleep.
I love Gertrude Hunt, the magical intergalactic inn that is bigger on the inside! If I could choose a dream job… this would be it. Of course it doesn’t come without problems and this bride contest puts those reality tv versions to shame. From hosting different species and handling their dietary and environment needs to keeping the emperor alive.
The bridal selection ceremony & trials brings three hundred and some guests spanning fourteen species. Whoa baby. So why are Sean and Dina hosting? Sean’s werewolf mentor, Wilmos has been captured and they need a boon from the emperor.
In this episode we finally learn about Caldenia, the inn’s permanent guest. The Andrews never cease to amaze me with their storytelling and I found myself completely caught up in the events, rooms, views and political drama that unfolded.
The relationship between Dina & Sean has strengthened since we last visited in the inn. I love the ease, trust and love between them. They’ll need it for the last part of the story when they travel to aid Wilmos. The story is packed with information and twists that had my mind exploding and wishing for the next audiobook.
Narrated by Nora Sofyan I loved listening. From the voices of the different species, to the banter between Dina & Sean. It was epic. Nora does a wonderful job and enhanced the story bringing these characters and events to life for me. The series is wonderful in audio format.
Amazon | Audible
Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. author2sm“Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
Nora Sofyan isactor, director, audiobook narrator and consultant (editing, performing, media). She is also a mother, wife, daughter, friend, collaborator, comedy fan, mushroom enthusiast, comedy fan, dialect collector. When not working she is at home reading stories out loud — to her children, family and you. She has been reading aloud professionally since 2015, and mimicking the voices and sounds around her since long, long before that.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/sweep-of-the-heart-by-ilona-andrews.html
Calico, a kitten, has been abandoned with his siblings in the desert. Calico knows there is a better life out there. Afraid of the unknown, he embarks on a journey through the desert with the help of a white coyote. Is the coyote really there to help Calico or does he have other motives?
Desert Bliss is a beautifully illustrated story that teaches young readers to listen to their inner voice. Calico doesn’t let his fear of the unknown stop him from finding his happiness. This is the perfect lesson for young readers to show them that it is okay to explore the unknown and to not let fear stop them from trying something new.
The exquisite images are colorful and look like pieces that can be in an art collection. They are captivating and there is much to look at. Each illustration matches the soothing tone of the book. I felt comforted by the authors calming writing style and images as I was reading. I loved this story and I really wanted to know what happened to Calico’s siblings and if they found happiness. Bliss, the white coyote is a beautiful and mysterious character, and I enjoyed reading about him as I felt he offered and alluring quality to the book.
Desert Bliss by Rachel Bate is a reassuring picture book that is a perfect nighttime story for children. This wonderful children’s book is filled with lessons that will inspire kids to trust their instincts, try something new, and know that there are good people out there who will help them.
Pages: 38 | ISBN: 1631779583
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/06/desert-bliss/
Topanga Canyon by Barbara Bryan follows the story of Matt, a fourteen-year-old boy who is forced to live with his grandfather at his horse ranch. He is assigned the job of mucking the horse stalls and helping Esmeralda with her horse. Unfamiliar with ranch life, he eventually falls in love with Esmeralda’s cooking and bonds with Ariel. Silas, whose ranch is failing to keep up with the expenses, rents his barn to Sinclair. Matt has a way with horses and calms them down, which leads to Sinclair employing him as his ranch assistant. It is there that Matt discovers the horrible method Sinclair uses to train horses. Finally adjusting to his new life, Matt must decide between his ranch’s future and doing something for the horses.
This coming-of-age story starts with an air of mystery and intrigue as to the whereabouts of Matt and slowly unfolds the story, building the same aura of surprise towards the end. I liked the suspense right from the start and where the story was leading. I know nothing about horses, so the element of surprise was prevalent throughout the book.
The descriptive writing style is simple and enjoyable. Barbara is a horse enthusiast, so the entire horse-related read was extra special. It made me fall in love with horses again and provided information about their breeds and behavior. The characters are diverse in their differences, and I enjoyed reading about Matt. What I love most is the fusion of native American culture in this book, which made the whole reading experience fabulous. Whether it is calming down Black Water or having his first sweat, Matt is a typical protagonist but a great deal more realistic with his awkwardness, silliness, and occasional blush.
Topanga Canyon: Fire Season by Barbara Bryan is a gripping coming-of-age novel that teens and young adults will be able to relate to. The story of finding where you belong and struggling to do what is right are themes that this age group often encounters. I recommend this book to young adults, horse lovers, or anyone looking to enjoy a good read about horses.
Pages: 338 | ISBN: 1639887288
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/06/topanga-canyon/
Long Enough to Love You by Kirsten Pursell is the story of Jenn, an empty nester who realizes she’s not happy in her marriage to her husband, Mark. Constantly racked with wanting to cut loose or stay safe, the pair begin marriage counseling with marginal results. However, Jenn still feels unappreciated by her husband and wants to break free. She eventually reconnects with her first love, a man called Tripp, and he makes her feel desired again. The two begin an affair that starts with flirty texts and ends in a passionate weekend, but they both know it could never be more. Will Jenn find what makes her feel whole again, or will she stay safe?
Author Kirsten Pursell brings to life the emotions of what a woman feels when she becomes an empty nester and soon realizes that she is in a loveless marriage. Making this read all too relatable for many women. It shows that moment when you have to adjust to a new life stage and think about what really makes you happy. Pursell highlights the journey one takes to rediscover themselves without kids or a husband to define who they are.
This gripping book delivered a good message: beauty is in every age, not just youth, and you can find love at any age. I felt a lot of bombshells were dropped on the reader at the beginning making this one read that I couldn’t put down. I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster alongside Jenn and her journey to self-discovery. I connected with Jenn because she shared with readers what she feels and misses, and I felt her loneliness. I feel many readers will be able to relate to Jenn, and you will begin to care for her and want to know if she finds her happiness or not.
Long Enough to Love, You is a captivating romance and self-discovery story. If you are looking for a contemporary romance that is for older lovers, I recommend this heartfelt book. It redefines beauty and love for all ages so that youth doesn’t have all the fun.
Pages: 248 | ASIN : B0BSRFTWF1
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/06/long-enough-to-love-you/
Joe Giampaolo shares with us a series of short poems, which, although focused on love, also exalt nature and hope. Affection can be represented in different ways, so Joe talks about passions as well as romance. He motivates us to find true love and achieve inspiration. Hence, sometimes the poems talk about running down cobblestone streets and feeling nostalgic, and other times there are moments of peace while contemplating the moonlight. The settings he describes are beautiful, but his perspective remains realistic.
I liked Joe Giampaolo’s poetic style because he is not afraid to open his heart. His words are sincere and simple; for this reason, in Deep Craving, it is easy to see the beauty of poetry. The allegories and representations of nature are clear and attached to the feelings of life. The author’s words are reminiscent of some of the classic poets, but his style is still his own and individual, thus maintaining his poetic purity. His ideas are expressed in sweet concepts, so he can speak of snow or the vibrant sound of children’s laughter without losing the sense of the theme of love.
I enjoyed reading Deep Craving; it serves to lift your spirits and continue the day with a positive attitude because it allows you to see the world in a favorable light. That’s why I think Joe Giampaolo succeeds. I only wish there had been more poems to read because the ideas always convey the right feeling. This is a case of quality, where in a few words, great ideas are conveyed. This poetry will make you feel nostalgic and longing. But it will also motivate you to seek to live in a new world, a more prosperous one.
Deep Craving: A Collection of Poems is a thought-provoking book filled with visions of love and romance from a unique perspective. This is a wonderful collection to read or share with someone you love if you are looking for something different but deeply meaningful. I recommend this read for any lover of poetry who wishes to express their feelings with affection.
Pages: 57 | ASIN : B0B5T34KJR
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/06/deep-craving/
In Surviving Freshman Year by Gregory Jones, a group of students forge new connections and make important decisions during their first year of college. The chapters in the book include Bible excerpts, discussion questions, and thought-provoking concepts. The book begins with Brandon having to determine which student clubs to join. In another part of the novel, Daniel, who is stuck in his residence hall due to a snowstorm on Thanksgiving weekend, mulls over his future steps after graduating. Finally, Lauren must decide how she wants to serve in the coming academic year. Surviving Freshman Year offers a variety of circumstances that one can encounter throughout their first year of college.
This engaging book has the feel of a compilation of short stories featuring the same setting and cast of characters. Each chapter takes a new turn and focuses on a different character, providing just enough about their backgrounds and goals to allow the reader to identify with and understand them. For example, Austin, one of the book’s protagonists, is said to go to church on Christmas and Easter but not regularly. He reminds me of a college acquaintance of mine. The cast of characters shows diversity in their engagement with organized religion, but they are still believers. This makes the book accessible to even those that may feel that just because they do not attend services each week, this is not for them, but in reality, this book is for all people.
These captivating stories are well-complimented by the thought-provoking questions that follow them. Together, they provide an imaginative and practical method of comprehending incredibly valuable and beneficial Bible lessons. I particularly liked the chapter on spiritual talents, which offers introspective questions about discovering one’s gifts. The author gently leads the reader to reach their own conclusions by posing probing questions that help them understand various concepts, including generosity, hospitality, stereotypes of Christians, temptations, volunteering, modest clothing, and others.
Surviving Freshman Year will be both enjoyable and educational for young adults and readers entering college. Its lessons are skillfully structured to assist the reader in making informed decisions based on the teachings of the Bible.
Pages: 160 | ISBN : 195735416X
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/06/surviving-freshman-year/