Cultural relics, once lost, are generally assumed to be lost forever, which is perhaps why they are so often said to be lost “to time”—as if the objects themselves had come face-to-face with eternity and chosen to dissipate. For those of us whose ancestral totems are conspicuously missing from the public archives that are meant […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/02/13/hiding-in-plain-sight/
Dog with A Bone is the first audio in the Black Dog Universe by Hailey Edwards. Narrated by Mooreghan Martin. The author introduces us to Thierry, a half-blood living in Texas and straddling the world between Faerie and human. She is the newest member of the Conclave Marshalls.
Dog with a Bone
by Hailey Edwards
Series: Black Dog #1
Narrator: Mooreghan Martin
Length: 3 hours 44 minutes
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.5x
Half-bloods with Thierry’s skill set are given two options. They can join the conclave’s marshal program, or they can pack their bags. Turn down the job offer, and you’ve just shredded your residency pass for the mortal realm and booked yourself a one-way ticket to Faerie.
Texas is the only home Thierry has ever known, and she’s not going anywhere. Even if it means following in her notorious father’s footsteps as a peacekeeper. But pinning on the badge opens her eyes to the fact sometimes fae need protection too, and that sometimes humans are the real monsters.
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I loved Edwards The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy and Black Hat Bureau series. In fact, most of her series are on my wishlist, so when I saw Dog with A Bone the first in the Black Dog series, I jumped at the chance to listen and dove in blind.
I didn’t realize this was a novella, and we quickly jumped into the action of learning the world and characters as things unfolded. We come in as Thierry is going through an obstacle course. One she must complete if she hopes to graduate from the program. In this world, halflings either become peacekeepers or get shipped off to Faerie, leaving the human world behind.
Thierry is young and has abandonment issues. She often thinks with her heart and not her head. So naturally I liked her. Shaw, her instructor and partner, is an Incubus who dismisses Thierry’s concerns about humans being hurt. He a bit of a mystery and I am reserving judgement.
I loved the world-building and creatures we encounter. As always, Edwards delivered unique characters, lots of action, and kept the listener completely submersed in the moment.
Mooreghan Martin was new to me, but brought the characters to life in her narration. I quickly settled in and felt she enhanced the overall tale. I am looking forward to the next audiobooks in the Black Dog Universe.
Amazon | Audible
Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/dog-with-a-bone-by-hailey-edwards-mooreghan-martin.html
Neville Chamberlain’s War: How Great Britain Opposed Hitler 1939-1940 by Frederic Seager is an analytical retelling of the decisions made in the lead-up to and during World War II. Readers will become familiar with “The Phoney War” and its aftermath. Seager has thoroughly researched the events of World War II to support every facet of his argument that Chamberlain’s inactions constituted a “Phoney War” and led Great Britain and France to dig themselves into a spot they could not climb out of. Seager’s in-depth research and analysis of the day-to-day choices made by the leaders in WWII make this a masterful retelling of the events of a war that readers thought they already knew. After reading this book, they will think otherwise.
Until Germany invaded Poland in September of 1939, World War I had only been known as The Great War. With tanks rolling in, bullets piercing the air, and aircraft slicing through the skies, thus began the Second World War. Adolf Hitler was the epitome of evil and a formidable foe. He dreamed of world domination and was willing to go to great lengths to achieve his dream, while most world leaders do not wait long for war. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was no different. He took a wait-and-see approach to the advancement of the Nazis, and his inaction led to devastating consequences.
Neville Chamberlain’s War: How Great Britain Opposed Hitler 1939-1940 by Frederic Seager shows that World War II was not just a series of battles between good and evil. There were carefully-crafted tactics that were scrutinized repeatedly before being put into action. This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in a more in-depth look at the history of the second world war with a different, thought-provoking perspective.
ASIN B09BQ2D67B | Pages: 288
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/13/neville-chamberlains-war/
Not Your Mama’s Bible is a groundbreaking self-development book that breaks the mold of typical self-help books. This honest and unfiltered guide to street-smart philosophy delves into various aspects of life that can be controlled to help readers reach their full potential. The author shares his personal experiences and insights in a relatable manner, encouraging readers to focus on self-worth and eliminate toxic influences from their lives.
What sets this book apart from others in the genre is the author’s candid approach. Pasha Tay shares his many struggles and triumphs, offering practical advice and exercises readers can implement in their daily lives. By the author sharing his life experiences, he shows us that we are all human and at times are faced with obstacles that we don’t want to face, but we should not be discouraged by them. The book is written in a conversational tone, creating a companion-like relationship between the readers and the author. This makes the book feel less like a lecture and more like a pep talk from a friend.
Each chapter of Not Your Mama’s Bible can be read as a standalone piece, allowing readers to jump around and focus on what they need at the moment. The author provides a clear path to a healthier and more productive lifestyle, and the tips provided are easy to put into practice. The author encourages readers to acknowledge their thoughts and feelings, rather than dismiss them, and to take care of themselves, as no one else will.
Not Your Mama’s Bible is an unorthodox self-development book for readers looking for actionable advice from a raw and authentic perspective. I would highly recommend this illuminating book to anyone seeking to find their footing in life and work on becoming the best version of themselves.
Pages: 265 | ASIN: B0BP9Z9W5V
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/13/not-your-mamas-bible-numb/
Spiritual Warriors in the Bahamas by Dan Ford is the first book in the Quest for the Emerald Crystal spiritual intrigue novel series. I would describe it as a supernatural thriller that follows a group of spiritual seekers on their journey to explore the secrets of Atlantis, the lost continent set in the Bahamas.
While the plot of this book is complex and detailed, the characters are wonderfully complex, and the writing is exceptional. The book is primarily aimed at mature readers, as it deals with in-depth philosophical discussions on the origin and evolutionary process of individual souls. It’s a challenging but worthwhile read that involves a complicated plot and suspense, as various interrelated subplots serve as pieces of a lamore giantuzzle. The main themes of the book are reincarnation, the spiritual concepts of Zenithians, who are potent entities and guides, and the Supreme Consciousness, an all-powerful source of energy that created the Earth, its souls, and as an extension of itself.
Ford takes the reader on a journey through time, from the beginning of human evolution to the present. When Adam, the novel’s protagonist, survives an accident due to divine intervention, he embarks on a journey of spiritual discovery, finding himself in a plot bigger than life. He soon learns of more excellent plans in action and must face dangers ahead, which threaten humanity in the same way Atlantis was annihilated.
I would recommend the Quest for the Emerald Crystal series to everyone interested in knowing more about spirituality, mythology, and human evolution in the form of a thriller.
ASIN B0BB8PPHDG | Pages: 479
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/13/quest-for-the-emerald-crystal-book-1/
Self-Actualization in the Age of Crisis by R. Rivers is a book that discusses the human experience: the crises, life’s encounters, and many other developments within a lifetime. The author writes comprehensively about several major topics as they relate to humanity in a technical but well-thought-out manner that makes it easy for the reader to follow. Each of the chapters has a technical theme and tackles various concepts, including divinity, individual actualization, and the age of crisis.
Rivers delves deeply into many aspects of our existence, which makes this book an interesting, thought-provoking read. From the start, we are invited to examine the universe, its vastness, and all the elements that we can’t control but impact us differently. Using simple but observable illustrations, Rivers discusses the various ways of human growth, experience, evolution, technology, and from various perspectives: the past, present, and future. He does a great job of educating readers on how to grasp the unknown components of life and the universe.
Every topic was eye-opening and held my attention, with graphics and engaging language that kept me reading from one chapter to the next. Reading this book is a great step toward becoming more self-aware and learning about how we interact with our environment, other people, and occurrences in our life. I like the style of writing and language, which keeps the book consistent and interesting. I highly recommend Self-Actualization in the Age of Crisis by R. Rivers as a compelling, intelligent read.
ASIN B0BCXF9ZK3 | Pages: 509
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/13/self-actualization-in-the-age-of-crisis/
A Machine Divine, by Derek Paul, is a steampunk-themed, young adult novel that follows biology prodigy Asher Auden and animal trapper Callie Saint, residents of small town Vana who have been accepted into prestigious Langford University in the bustling capital of Riali City. The story initially unfolds as a coming-of-age story and quickly shifts into a thrilling tale of danger, conspiracies, and secret societies.
This novel draws its readers in slowly, introducing the characters, and their situation, until the plot quickens into an exciting world of dystopian developments. The writing style kept me intrigued, turning one page after another to learn about the next conflict. The more I read, the better the development, with exciting technologies, visual descriptions, and details about the characters that kept me engaged. I especially enjoy the steampunk imagery and how well it fits into the story.
A Machine Divine, by Derek Paul, weaves the complexities of genetics, science, and steampunk fantasy into a well-written young adult novel. It’s the first book in a series and makes a solid debut. I strongly recommend this book to fans of the young adult and fantasy genre and anyone who appreciates steampunk in literature.
ASIN B0BSJLLQYD | Pages: 380
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/13/a-machine-divine/