“When I first started I knew it was going to be bad,” said William Barak Indik, an emergency room nurse who has been working at Montefiore Medical Center in Norwood, in the northwest Bronx, since 2019. “This place has a reputation for being a really difficult place to work.” Norwood is a dense, working-class community, […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/03/01/a-wakeup-call-from-hell/
Sophia Rose will discuss her thoughts on the thriller set in a small, remote town in Alaska with a murderer. Grab some hot chocolate and check out City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita.
City Under One Roof
by Iris Yamashita
Genres: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
A stranded detective tries to solve a murder in a tiny Alaskan town where everyone lives in a single high-rise building, in this gripping debut by an Academy Award–nominated screenwriter.
When a local teenager discovers a severed hand and foot washed up on the shore of the small town of Point Mettier, Alaska, Cara Kennedy is on the case. A detective from Anchorage, she has her own motives for investigating the possible murder in this isolated place, which can be accessed only by a tunnel.
After a blizzard causes the tunnel to close indefinitely, Cara is stuck among the odd and suspicious residents of the town—all 205 of whom live in the same high-rise building and are as icy as the weather. Cara teams up with Point Mettier police officer Joe Barkowski, but before long the investigation is upended by fearsome gang members from a nearby native village.
Haunted by her past, Cara soon discovers that everyone in this town has something to hide. Will she be able to unravel their secrets before she unravels?”
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An isolated little town on the edge of Alaska has a killer in their mix. Some mystery scenarios just lend themselves to an uptick in the fear factor and the forced isolation with a murder is one of them. I took one look at the title and blurb and couldn’t help the build of anticipation that reading City Under One Roof did not diminish.
In this standalone, but also fabulous series starter read, police detective on leave Cara Kennedy stirs up a murder mystery that had been safely tucked away as just one of the many deaths that happen frequently in rural Alaska. Her investigation is personal because she suspects the dismembered body found at Point Mettier might have ties to the disappearance and deaths of her husband and son. But, she is well and truly off balance when she ends up isolated due to storms at Point Mettier and staying in the “DaveCo” with the quirky, secretive 209 residences of the ‘City Under One Roof’.
People don’t end up in Point Mettier without a thing or two in their pasts as young teen resident, Amy, can attest. She might have stumbled across the body parts and reported them, but she has her secrets and wants nothing to do with the ‘otter’ police woman and Officer JB’s investigation. Yet, she keeps ending up closeby when events happen.
Third female narrator of the story is unreliable as can be as a woman who was institutionalized after seeing her mom’s boyfriend beat her to death. Lonnie likes her routines and loves her pet moose, Benny. She doesn’t like being stared at or hearing the voices talking about her and she really doesn’t like the questions the poky police woman is asking.
A thrilling and suspenseful mystery that taps into the remote and culturally diverse Alaskan setting and the perspectives of three divergent female characters, this debut novel kept me flipping pages rapidly to get to the heart-stopping finish and denouement that has me eager for the next book. Definitely recommend to mystery fans!
Amazon | Audible
Iris is the Academy Award nominated writer for the movie LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, directed by Clint Eastwood. The film received a Golden Globe award for “Best Foreign Language Film” and was nominated for 4 Oscars®, including Best Original Screenplay. Her debut novel, CITY UNDER ONE ROOF, the first in a mystery series, will be released by Berkley Group in January, 2023.
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Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/city-under-one-roof-by-iris-yamashita.html
Pamela Carter just got her dream internship at Clifford Investments. Andrew Clifford, her new boss, is a man with a murky past. With her burning desire for retribution for atrocities committed decades before and her new job, Pamela is getting closer to her objective of destroying Andrew’s empire. Andrew has no idea that the things he did 25 years ago will follow him forever.
Nobody can stop Pamela from taking on this man who put her mother in so much pain. Elizabeth Westlake, Pamela’s mother, was a young woman with big dreams who became a victim of Andrew’s cunning tricks. Without raising an eyebrow, Pamela advances in the company, targeting Andrew’s business and reputation. For Andrew, tragedy looms; will he be able to avoid it? Also, why is Pamela so determined to destroy his life?
Alretha Thomas’s suspenseful novel The Girl in the Blue Blazer weaves together incidents from the past and the present to give readers a sense of what happened and how things are now. This moving tale depicts the struggles of women who have been subjected to sexual assault, verbal abuse, and gender discrimination by both strangers and close friends. It is a story of loyalty, love, friendship, and enduring ties. Each component is skillfully woven into the narrative. Readers get a sense of Pamela’s fierce determination and her willingness to stop at nothing to accomplish her goals from the very first pages. The few characters present were well-developed. The main character, Pamela, was outstanding, with no weaknesses in any respect. Sandy was the one I loved the most; she is a model of what a true friend should be.
The Girl in the Blue Blazer is flawlessly written, and the plot moves along smoothly. I eagerly await to read more books by Alretha Thomas. She has writing talent. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy general fiction because it is the ideal fusion of love, friendship, adventure, and crime.
Pages: 298 | ASIN : B0BSL1NG8M
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/01/the-girl-in-the-blue-blazer/
After the death of her mother as a young teen, Anne Boyd has gone through life using her mother’s three-step plan to evaluate every decision to reach her goals. By using this three-step plan, Anne has her dream career as an interior designer and recently accepted a new and prestigious position at a high-end design firm in Atlanta. Her life seems to be on her planned trajectory until she meets handsome Dr. Brad Young, Jr., a client-turned-love interest. Then, Anne must decide what she truly values as she navigates burgeoning feelings while staying true to her convictions.
Author J Boykin Baker hits the mark for the religious romance genre with her release of By Design by weaving an engaging story of southern love. From the love of a mother for a daughter to a father for a son, readers will see the impact that relationships can have on life choices. Anne values her faith and uses that as a compass to guide her relationships and career; however, her values are tested after meeting Brad. Brad is handsome and has a steady and lucrative career but seems to flounder when it comes to committed relationships. Boykin succeeds in establishing a mutual attraction between the two characters and hooks the reader into being invested in the outcome of the relationship. Boykin also excels in vivid descriptions of different settings and her interior design knowledge.
Readers will appreciate the heartfelt message of the book and the emphasis on the importance of choices and relationships. By Design checks all the boxes for a captivating religious romance novel. The wholesome and idealistic storyline was as enjoyable to read as a Hallmark romance movie, leaving me feeling satisfied and entertained.
Pages: 414 | ASIN : B0B7CLNZ5B
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/01/by-design/
Pre-teen Braven of Delta Colony looks forward to the class field trip on the planet of Jedira. Alongside his mother, chief botanist of the colony, Braven plans to explore and catalog the flora of the mysterious Towers, one of the few places on Jedira where plant life truly flourishes. But when an unexpected problem prevents Braven’s mother from accompanying him, the field trip begins to go sideways. Arriving at the Towers, Braven and his classmates are soon thrown into an epic quest, as the serenity of Jedira is shattered by an unimaginable threat. Together, Braven and his fellow companions must work together to overcome the odds if they have any hope of survival.
The Jedira Quest by Cal Davis is an exceptional tale of teamwork in the face of danger. Thrown into deadly survival situations with no guidance and few supplies, Braven and his cohorts must use every ounce of wisdom they possess in order to overcome the challenges they face. A story of travel and ingenuity, friendship and endurance, this incredible science fiction narrative contains echoes of prehistory as the preteens’ journey on Jedira continues.
This highly engaging story has perfect pacing, with the preteens facing regular challenges without the narrative becoming cluttered. The characters are each unique and lend their own abilities to the team. Stalwart Braven, wise Jauris, shy Whisper, brave Khara, steady Zhan, and roguish twins Dirk and Kirk all have a part to play as the quest develops. There are moments of laughter and serious intensity as the story weaves together, leading this remarkable quest to a satisfying conclusion.
This captivating story is a well-crafted tale that shines brightly like the two moons of Jedira. With its action-packed narrative, exceptional depth, and plot that resonates with themes of friendship and survival, The Jedira Quest is a must-read for science fiction fans. It is suitable for middle-grade readers and above who enjoy a thrilling and exciting adventure. Author Davis provides readers with excellent storytelling, perfect pacing, and compelling characters.
Pages: 168 | ASIN : B0B3V7PDZ6
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/01/the-jediran-quest/
In 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions Volume 2, Ross Brand shares his thoughts with other experts in marketing, influencing, social media, and new tech trends. The reader is treated to a wealth of knowledge that will get any entrepreneur or marketer to move to the next step. As an expert, Ross Brand extensively writes about digital media, trends, and the future. He shares his experience in various capacities and writes on how to build a digital empire using the tips in the book. As a reader, you not only grasp the topics being discussed but also feel like you are part of the significant movement that is bringing global changes. The internet has made the world a global village, and Ross Brand is here to tell you how to use that to your advantage.
How do you keep your audience engaged? How do you use live streaming and digital media to connect with your targeted market? Is social media difficult to use, or are you just uninterested? Do you put your talent to use? Finally, how do you strategize when online? The author answers these and related questions and explains why everyone must keep up with the trends. Understanding social media icons and the art of influencing authors, digital strategists, online celebrities, and many other personalities is refreshing. I loved reading the professional takes and predictions from Marisa Cali, Gord Isman, Chris Stone, Ash Borland, Will Slaise Jr., Tim Sohn, Lottie Hearn, Brad Friedman, and the rest of the experts. I like that the author took this approach, giving the reader different perspectives.
I like that the author does not generalize when discussing social media platforms. Ross Band writes about every forum individually and later concludes with how each is connected. For instance, users that love using Twitter are given tips relevant to the platform, while users are more inclined to use Instagram to get different tips. I have learned from the author that despite these online platforms appearing similar, they each need a different approach to marketing and promoting products. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was about shopping platforms like Amazon. Few people are keen on using videos or live streaming on e-commerce sites. Tips on how to be different from the author and predictions make this book a gem.
By the end of the reading, the reader completely comprehends the art of live streaming and building a brand online. The author‘s dedication to this subject is admirable and encouraging. The world is moving fast, and every ambitious person needs to adapt. With books like 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions, readers are assured of being in the know and moving with current trends without struggle.
Pages: 219 | ASIN : B09Y8C7NMX
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/01/100-livestreaming-digital-media-predictions-vol-2/
Pray To The Dead, the second book in Alyce Elmore’s Angels Have Tread Trilogy, follows the lives of several individuals and the new world they encounter 20 years after the desolation exterminated all males over the age of 20. Catherine is pleased to be the rising star of the New Order Party and looks forward to a new society with no use for males. Sofia, a council moderator in the Warragul colony, believes the government, or someone in the government, is responsible for the murders of the boys she is investigating. Finally, Patricia, a political journalist, discovers that the government is concealing some research from the public and is perplexed about what it all means. Is there a diabolical scheme being carried out by the government against males?
The gripping book features an impressive and well-developed world. The glossary of terms at the beginning of the book contains several words that reflect the changes in the new world. For example, the latter years of a young man’s life are referred to as cusp, and male sex workers are referred to as studs. Furthermore, viewing the physical features via the perspective characters’ thoughts makes envisioning the scenes a delight. The book contains profound insights, such as when Patricia characterizes an interior design as nice enough but lacking in personality. Another excellent quality of the novel is how unpredictable it is; the twists and turns have you eagerly anticipating the next chapter.
Pray To The Dead is a thought-provoking and riveting novel that will have sci-fi and fantasy readers unable to put the book down. I applaud author Alyce Elmore for writing such a brilliant story that inspired me to envisage a world where males play minimal societal roles through a riveting chain of events. Readers who appreciate dystopian and political novels with multiple intricate turns will enjoy this book.
Pages: 354 | ASIN : B0BSGQYQ4J
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/01/pray-to-the-dead/