Gray Tidings by Hailey Edwards is the sixth audiobook in the Black Hat Bureau. With a new position comes new responsibilities and Rue has her hands full. Missing dead, sea monsters and family issues made for a suspenseful and sometimes humorous tale. Narrated by Stephanie Richardson, you’ll want to devour this.

Gray Tidings
by Hailey Edwards
Series: Black Hat Bureau #6
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Length: 8 hours and 42 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

Corpses are vanishing from New Orleans morgues, there’s talk of a sea monster in Lake Pontchartrain, and Hiram Nádasdy is turning the French Quarter upside down in search of a witch with the power to bring the dead back to life.

When the director assigns Rue the case, she suspects he’s sending her hunting all right. For her father, not the creature. Too bad she’s got her hands full with dueling covens, drunk revelers, and a whole lot of pool noodles. Oh. And it’s Mardi Gras. Of course it is. But as the locals say, laissez les bons temps rouler.

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Thanks to the deal Rue made with her grandfather, she finds herself in an office away from the town and the home she loves. Lots of changes for Rue and her motley crew. When the director gives her an assignment, she and her team travel to New Orleans.

It seems bodies are missing from the morgue, the lake has a sea monster, and her father’s search for a witch has Rue conflicted. Poor Rue has her handsful. I really like Rue and the decisions she makes, nothing is taken lightly and never is the decision based on her wants. If only all the supernatural creatures she deals with worked like that.

We get plenty of suspense, battles,and twists. Of course, all of her fam is there. Each is an asset to the case, including Rue and Clay. Clay makes me laugh out loud from his snark to love of food. Along the way, Rue collected allies and unleashes some new skills.

The ending brought joy and sadness. The story was very much a turning point in the series with growth and pain. Edwards has hooked me, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Stephanie Richardson narrates and has become the voice of these characters. She captures the snark, suspense and sense of family they have for one another. I highly recommend the Black Hat Bureau in audio format.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Audiobook Challenge
• COYER 2023 Upside Down
• COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/gray-tidings-by-hailey-edwards.html

Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner by Steven Barron is a captivating novel that offers readers a unique and unorthodox reading experience. The story is engaging and entertaining from start to finish. The author’s outstanding grasp of literature is evident throughout the book, as is his ability to develop complex and relatable characters.

Barron’s writing style is unlike anything I have read before. This fascinating book reads like a real-life story as we embark on a journey alongside the main character, Raymond Dover. Upon arriving in Bucksnort to offer his piano tuning services to a veteran’s retirement home, Raymond Dover finds himself in the midst of a baffling situation. Suddenly afflicted with an inexplicable bout of amnesia, he is forced to spend time at Dixxmont, a county institution where he can receive treatment and be observed. Eventually released from the facility, he chooses to extend his stay in the area for a while longer.

The descriptions of some scenes may take a little time to develop, but they are worth it as they add depth and richness to the story. Readers become fully invested in Raymond’s life as they experience things with him. As someone who enjoys many genres of fiction, I found Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner to be a refreshing change of pace. The novel has many twists and turns that keep the reader engrossed, and Steve’s journey as a piano tuner that has been struck with amnesia is a wild ride that will take readers on an unforgettable adventure. Blended into this unique storyline are humor and pieces of historical information, giving this novel a distinct and unforgettable feel.

In conclusion, after reading this book, I felt that it has the potential to become a classic down the road, much like a Stanley Kubrick film. Therefore, I highly recommend Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner to readers who are looking for a unique and memorable reading experience.

Pages: 830 | ISBN : 1639887121

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/27/madame-curies-piano-tuner/

Embrace is the second book in Sonee Singh’s poetry collection. It is based largely on the mantra of the eastern part of the world’s take on spirituality – exploring the values of gratitude throughout its entirety, urging the reader to stop, reflect and embrace all that is around them. Singh has divided the book into 12 sections. It has been done so intentionally, for she believes it to be Twelve, a master number that deals with self-expression, representing cycles of life. It coincides with the opening poem ‘Cycles,’ a reflective interpretation of the role of the celestial forces and how they manifest on earth.

The illustrations are woven throughout, adding to the quality of the author’s writing. This is done by creating a medium of inspiration through splashes of watercolor and delicate line drawings – a backdrop of vividness adding to the flavor of Singh’s influential words, whether about exploring self-identity, transformation, or connectivity with the six senses. A particular focus on the decision to use certain colors for specific sections should not be overlooked; it is a strategic and well-executed play on the reader’s mind that associates color psychology with the messages delicately seeded throughout Singh’s work.

Embrace by Sonee Singh is an outstandingly powerful piece of writing. From its inception, a narrative is generated, oozing a unique sense of inclusivity that there is little-to-no chance of anyone picking up this book and not being able to relate it to their own life. The concluding poem ‘All There Is’ will leave you inspired and feeling like you are in control of your own life. Be kind to yourself and trust that the path you are on is exactly where you are meant to be. I Highly recommend this book to readers needing a gentle reminder to embrace their authentic selves and love themselves.

Pages: 236 | ASIN : B09WCZ73TT

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/27/embrace/

Triskele by B. D’Amato is a captivating novel that delves deep into the human psyche and the complexity of relationships. Readers follow the story of two siblings separated at a young age. Paul, the oldest child, is forced to take on the responsibility of his younger sister Bethany, while his single mom works nights to support the family and drinks during the day to cope with her life.  When one of Paulie’s closest friends pushes the boundaries of acceptable behavior with Bethany, Paulie punches him as payback which leads to some unexpected consequences for all. Paulie escapes to their absent father’s family orchard, leaving Bethany with her troubled mother. Two decades later, the siblings find themselves settled separately in New York City, both struggling to form meaningful connections while carrying deep-seated emotional scars.

D’Amato’s writing is incredibly rich and evocative, creating a vivid and symbolic backdrop for Paul and Bethany’s struggles. The story is told through the eyes of a gifted psychoanalyst named Lillian, who develops independent relationships with both siblings as they try to navigate their internal struggles. Of the three of them, Bethany suffers the most as a result of not only losing her brother but also her mother. She is plunged into the foster care system leading her into a turbulent life of pain. The book explores irrational behaviors and seemingly opposing motives that drive individuals’ actions, delving into the human desire for emotional wholeness. I liked that the silver lining in what Paul experienced is what turned his life around in a positive direction. D’Amato expertly immerses the reader into the character’s world, from an idyllic upstate farm to the gritty crime-ridden streets of New York City.

I highly recommend Triskele by B. D’Amato to anyone looking for an enthralling read that will challenge and inspire them. This psychological fiction novel will have you pondering the intricacies of the human psyche and the power of the human spirit to heal and persevere.

Pages: 295 | ASIN : B0BW46TSRP

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/27/triskele/

Oliver the Oyster and the Cheerless Clam is an enchanting children’s book in the coastal town of Wellfleet, MA. The story introduces readers to Clara the Clam, a newcomer to the harbor who has faced difficult times and feels down. But, with the help of her new friends, including Oliver the Oyster, Cathy the Crab, and Miriah the Mermaid, Clara discovers the key to a happy life.

J.B. Auchter provides readers with a heartwarming story of friendship, kindness, listening to others, and not letting the fear of the unknown stop you from being happy. The vivid illustrations and descriptions of the harbor, the living creatures, and the surrounding environment transport young readers to the seaside world and spark their imagination.

Each page is filled with exciting information about the sea, enticing young readers and leaving them yearning for more. Through the characters in the story, Clara learns that everyone sometimes feels sad, but they don’t let that stop them from being happy. I appreciated that Clara’s friends supported her and worked together to cheer her up. This is a great message for readers: the right friends will nurture and value your opinions and emotions. The message in this book is solidified with every chapter with relatable content and allows the reader to come to the basic conclusion that life is hard and we all go through tough times, but friends who listen and give their time can make a sad time a fun time.

The book’s beautiful illustrations, charming characters, and engaging storyline make it an excellent addition to any children’s library. Oliver the Oyster and the Cheerless Clam is a must-read childrens book for young readers who love adventure, friendship and learning about the wonders of the natural world.

Pages: 127 | ASIN : B0BHKZFS34

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/27/oliver-the-oyster-and-the-cheerless-clam/

Ramiro Espinoza has a promising future in his Heavy Metal band Irate. However, his past haunts him and prevents him from enjoying his achievements. Since he was a young boy, he felt a connection with music and strived to become a great vocalist and bassist. His early life was complicated because he comes from a dysfunctional family where Jorge, his father, inflicted physical and emotional harm on his family, justifying his abuse with bible passages. Fortunately, his mother and sister supported Ramiro’s dreams, and he used his music to cope with the emotions caused by the conflicts with his father. Eventually, he met Noelle, a House/Techno singer who gave up her career to travel on Irate’s tour around the world. Now Ramiro must learn to open his heart and face the problems with his father to achieve true success in life and develop a healthy relationship with Noelle.

Author Alexis Soleil has a detailed narration style. She introduces readers to Ramiro through the significant moments of his life. Readers first meet him in his youth, when he is a teenager and in a rebellious period. There are good moments, for example, when he gets a tattoo of a 3D tarantula, and bad situations as when his father kicks him out of the house on Christmas. Eventually, we see Ramiro maturing with his career, developing a relationship with Noelle, and coming to terms with his family’s issues.

Alexis Soleil doesn’t just focus on Roamiro; Noelle is an essential part of this story and has strong character development and her own personal conflicts to resolve. This diversity in the character’s personalities and ethnic backgrounds enriches the narrative because it shows that everyone has conflicts to resolve.

IRATE: A Rocker’s Raging Romance has a dark plot with intense scenes and mature language. This novel is focused on the world of Heavy Metal and shows a realistic perspective with touring, problems in the band, and even with Noelle seeing the reactions from fans. I recommend this contemporary romance for those that enjoy the lifestyle of Heavy Metal music, complicated romantic relationships, and self-discovery.

Pages: 354 | ASIN : B09F62BDRV

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/27/irate/