There’s an old joke about a turtle being mugged by a gang of snails. When asked to describe the attackers, the turtle says he’s not sure, it all happened so fast. Blockades warp time in a similar way: the pain they inflict is both immediate and protracted. Today is the seventy-third day of the blockade […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/02/22/the-road-to-artsakh/
I was drawn to the cover of Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah and pulled in by the synopsis. Welcome to the town of Bishop known for endless fields of sunflowers, recurring wind storms and missing women. You’ll want to get cozy for this dark tale as sisters not of blood but shared loss fight for their lives and others.
Where Darkness Blooms
by Andrea Hannah
Genres: Horror
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Andrea Hannah’s Where Darkness Blooms is a supernatural thriller about an eerie town where the sunflowers whisper secrets and the land hungers for blood.
The town of Bishop is known for exactly two things: recurring windstorms and an endless field of sunflowers that stretches farther than the eye can see. And women—missing women. So when three more women disappear one stormy night, no one in Bishop is surprised. The case is closed and their daughters are left in their dusty shared house with the shattered pieces of their lives. Until the wind kicks up a terrible secret at their mothers’ much-delayed memorial.
With secrets come the lies each of the girls is forced to confront. After caring for the other girls, Delilah would like to move on with her boyfriend, Bennett, but she can’t bear his touch. Whitney has already lost both her mother and her girlfriend, Eleanor, and now her only solace is an old weathervane that seems to whisper to her. Jude, Whitney’s twin sister, would rather ignore it all, but the wind kicks up her secret too: the summer fling she had with Delilah’s boyfriend. And more than anything, Bo wants answers and she wants them now. Something happened to their mothers and the townsfolk know what it was. She’s sure of it.
Bishop has always been a strange town. But what the girls don’t know is that Bishop was founded on blood—and now it craves theirs.
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The story opens with a prologue, and we learn how the town was founded. Fast forward and we are in the dilapidated farmhouse where Delilah, Jude, Whitney and Bo live. They’ve been alone since their mothers disappeared two years ago. Delilah is mourning not just the loss of her mother, but Eleanor, the girl that made her stomach flip-flop. Elenor dropped dead in her front yard, just another unexplained female death in this town’s history. Bo is angry, so furious. Jude likes to pretend all is well and Whitney is dating the boy Delilah shared an evening with… the very night their mothers went missing.
Strange, unexplained wind storms, voices carried on the wind, and sunflowers that are always watching, waiting, and listening.
When the town builds a memorial to the girls’ mothers, things come to a head. Eleanor is speaking to Delilah, Whitney is looking for answers, and Bo has found a knife. The tale that unfolds pulled me in as we received perspectives of the girls and the wind kicked up. This town holds a dark secret, one that affects the woman and it’s hungry. Starving.
I thought Hannah did a good job of laying down the history and building the suspense. I’ve always been creeped out by tall fields of vegetation thanks to King and Hill. The tale was dark and atmospheric, with supernatural elements. The ending left me satisfied, but I won’t be visiting any rural towns called Bishop.
Amazon | Audible
Andrea Hannah is an award-winning author, essayist, and workshop leader. She teaches on living a healthy creative life at her Wild Heart retreats and writes about making art.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/where-darkness-blooms-by-andrea-hannah.html
Stella is excited about getting to start school this year. She has spent all summer getting ready and making plans with her friends. Nothing can deter her excitement, that is, until her parents give her some heartbreaking news. Stella’s family is moving to Berry Bay. As a result, she will not get to start school with her preschool friends and will have to move to a new house. She is devastated and worried about what will happen when they move.
Stella and the Berry Bay by Tuula Pere is a beautifully written childrens book about moving and change. This story reminded me of what I felt when I moved right before starting school. A book like this would have been wonderful to help ease my fears about going to a strange new place and having to make new friends. Tuula has captured the complex emotions that children can feel when moving and explained in a way that young children can understand and help them understand what they are feeling is normal.
I loved how Stella’s new teacher tried to help her; she validated her feelings and concerns and helped her when struggling. She did not just give in and give Stella what she wanted; instead, she worked with her to find a solution that would work for everyone. This is a beautiful example of problem-solving and teaching these skills to young readers.
Stella and the Berry Bay is a captivating childrens book that kindergarten and young elementary students can relate to and feel seen with. Parents and teachers can use this story to help children struggling with new situations, particularly moving, and help them realize that while they may be afraid, it is normal and ok to feel that way. It also is a story that offers hope that things will turn out alright, even when it doesn’t feel like it will at first. This is a beautiful book to share with all children.
Pages: 48 | ISBN : 9527107970
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/22/stella-and-the-berry-bay/
In A Cat Who Became American, Marie Ueda offers a unique and humorous take on the classic immigrant story. Through the eyes of Kinoko, a cat born in Portugal, readers get a first-hand account of adjusting to life in a new country. Kinoko is eventually adopted by Marie and Chris, who spend the first few years of their life in Portugal. However, they all soon relocate to San Francisco, California, and it’s there that Kinoko lives the remainder of his life. Kinoko’s perspective provides a relatable lens for readers of all backgrounds to understand and sympathize with the struggles of immigration.
The author creatively tackles the subject of immigration and adjusting to life in a new country in a humorous and tongue-in-cheek manner, and I found myself chuckling throughout. In addition, I appreciated that the author gave us some of Kinoko’s background story, which allowed me to get to know his character better and to understand how much his owners love him.
Kinoko deals with many significant milestones in life, making this a relatable read. By letting us see life through the lens of a cat it makes it easier for people to understand and be sympathetic. My favorite image in the book is when Marie is chopping onions, and there is an image of Marie and Konoko crying. The author also helps readers to not take life too seriously and to try to find the positive in a challenging situation. The illustrations, done by the author herself, bring Kinoko’s journey to life and further enhance the story’s relatability. The images allow the reader to visualize Kinoko’s journey making this a relatable read.
A Cat Who Became American by Marie Ueda is a unique and amusing biography, and portrayal of a difficult situation told from the perspective of a cat. This creative book will captivate readers from the start of Kinoko’s journey till the end.
Pages: 156 | ASIN : B09KC56GQ1
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/22/a-cat-who-became-american/
I Am A Survivor by Janice E Holliman is a powerful memoir that details the author’s struggles with chronic Crohn’s disease and multiple other health concerns. In her pursuit of adequate healthcare despite various complex medical issues, she encounters many setbacks and learns how to identify the changes in her own body. Learning to identify the changes in herself and explain them to medical personnel was a key part of her story. Holliman shares her deeply personal poems throughout her journey, which serve as a window into her emotional experiences. In addition, her faith is a strong presence throughout the book, providing a source of strength and inspiration as she battles her illness.
The book’s central theme of survival highlights the indomitable human spirit’s ability to persevere in the face of adversity. Holliman’s writing beautifully captures the powerful connection between the mind and body, showcasing the importance of self-awareness and self-care in managing chronic illness. In addition, the author’s poetry featured in the book adds a layer of depth to the writing. This inspirational book is a moving testament to the resilience, strength, and unwavering determination of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Readers will be encouraged by Holliman’s incredible resilience and willingness to help others. This insightful book offers a unique perspective on the unexpected gifts that sickness and misfortune can bestow upon a person. I Am A Survivor is an essential read that captures a unique voice and lived experience that will undoubtedly benefit others facing similar challenges. Those who enjoy biographies and survival stories will find Holliman’s book memorable and inspirational.
Pages: 306 | ISBN : 1648583830
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/22/i-am-a-survivor/
In To See God, Bruce J. Berger enlightens the reader on the journey of spirituality, understanding God, and following religion. The author uses tales that believers can relate to sharing the message of a loving God, living righteously, and following the same steps as Christ did when he was on earth.
The tales in the book, the characters that the author uses as a reference, and the lessons at the end of every discussion are some of the notable elements in this book. Bruce J. Berger writes in an easy to comprehend manner. Reading this book gives one a sense of belonging. As a reader, you feel good about being a child of God and even feel better knowing that higher powers are looking over you.
The author tells the story of Jewish siblings and family who, despite being disconnected by distance, time, and religious beliefs, have a way of bonding at some point. The story reads like a surreal novel, with mystery and complex elements. The mixed mystery and suspense in the pages make for an exciting read. Bruce J. Berger’s manner of combining the different storylines into a larger overall plot was expertly done.
In the main story, a lady by the name of Theodora gets a vision that her grand-nephew, who is in the United States of America, is likely the second coming of Jesus. Now, Theodora is a staunch Greek Orthodox nun who has gone through interesting experiences herself. However, one of the most notable moments in her life was when she was saved from the holocaust by the Virgin Mary. Theodora is in a country miles away from her grand-nephew, and following her journey was enchanting.
Bruce J. Berger writes to help readers build their faith. Amazingly, such a sacred and educational book was written not just for believers but also for readers that are questioning their spirituality. The author has a talent for conveying love, sanctity, and religion. As a reader, you are able to engage with the author through his words.
I like that as you read the book, you are able to ask multiple theological questions and get answers from the book. This is a thought-provoking book that will leave readers reflecting on family, and religious paths, balancing life’s experiences, dealing with personal challenges, and learning about God and spiritual life. To See God is a captivating addition to the Forgiveness and Faith Novel series.
Pages: 302 | ASIN : B0BNVQ7XQW
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/22/to-see-god/
Crossed Stars by Rose Parker Johnson is an impassioned historical romance novel reminiscent of a Jane Austen tale. The novel follows Anna Adamos and Phillip Wesley, who fall in love, despite their adversaries and challenges. They come from successful families from neighboring countries with very different ideologies. Phillip’s homeland, Astiri Island, located in the country of Stardade, was devastated by civil war, while Anna’s country, Valtross, is heavily invested in Stardade due to the country’s natural resources.
Despite the couple’s opposite views on the world and politics, they work together to save Phillip’s family land while revealing the corruption within the Stardade government. The author provides readers with a compelling story filled with romance, mystery, and suspense that makes for a satisfying read. Starting from the first chapter, I found the pace exciting and enjoyable without a dull moment. It’s a great love story that’s classic and unique, presenting several obstacles for the couple, their families, and the complex political situation between their countries.
I found the characters authentic and interesting, facing many common struggles while looking for the best in each other and their world. I enjoyed the imagery of the story’s setting and the picturesque beauty of Astiri Island and Stardade. Author Parker Johnson clearly shows a love of nature and expertly immerses the reader in its beauty. Crossed Stars by Rose Parker Johnson is the perfect read for those who want to escape the moment and get lost in a passionate love story.
ASIN B0BSDTR4BC | Pages 179
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/22/crossed-stars/
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