“The Five Senses” is a quintet of portraits made in 1650 by the Flemish painter Michaelina Wautier, who was all but unknown until the 1990s, when a Belgian curator went looking for a Van Dyck in the basement of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and found Wautier’s Triumph of Bacchus (ca. 1650) instead. Two years […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/03/12/michaelinas-boys/
The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Poor Clayton had croup early in the week, but with the help of steroids, he is feeling better. I have an appoint with my OGBYN, this week to see if my headaches are caused by hormonal changes. This week they were awful, but the weather may have affected them. We had rain, fog, snow, sleet and more snow. I am enjoying Daisy Jones and the Six on Prime and the Mandalorian on Disney. Not much else to report. It was miserable out Saturday, so I caught up on writing reviews. Stay Caffeinated.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/sunday-post-566.html
The Disciples follows two young men who build a network to break out of poverty and gain power and riches. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I went to high school, there was a street next to the school where the kids would buy and sell drugs. It was strange to go to the school during the day and no one ever talked about it. It made it seem less than illegal, an acceptable passage of time. It inspired a conflict in my mind of what we do in society and what we talk about.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
Concepts like morals took a secondary role in the quest to attain tangible goals. If the characters had more life experience, then they would have made decisions that were not so selfish. The older characters understood how the world worked, they hoped for their younger friends and family to achieve their goals while knowing that would just be the beginning of their journey. The younger characters never understood that reaching your goals is only a part of the journey. They realized after their success that achieving so much at such a young age is life altering.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme is the importance of knowing why you want your dreams to come true. Without that basic knowledge, your dreams can become hollow vessels of success and alienation. A truly selfish dream will cause as much harm as good when achieved.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
The follow-up to The Disciples is called The Revolts. That story will go deeper into the science-fiction/religious conflict that I have always found interesting. Samuel Luscious makes a move to rule the world, one that will end in utter devastation.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Instagram
Carmine Rostintoni was raised in a hostile world where the anger of his father ruled. Although raised by what he deemed a small man, Carmine had big dreams. Samuel Luscious took notice of Carmine’s dreams of wealth and power then planted an idea that turned an afterschool business into a functioning network.
Sam and Carmine were the first two disciples, the first two with the idea to make the rest of the disciples rich and powerful. Sam and Carmine were the first two disciples to see what nightmares awaited them once their dreams had been met.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/12/it-inspired-a-conflict/
Ignition 2084 follows a warrior in the insurrection who is fighting for his people and a chance at freedom and peace from the ones that want to destroy all others. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Ignition 2084 was a response to 2020. Disease ran as rampant as racial disparities, politicians failed to prove their trustworthiness and care for the public, and violence was on the rise. Between the wrongful killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor; the increase of domestic violence; the rampant deaths from COVID-19; it seemed that for many of us that year, we had a reason to fight for freedom and peace from the things (or in some cases, people) that were so determined to destroy all others.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
A lot of the characters in Ignition are based on real people from throughout my life. Some are friends, enemies, mentors, students, or family of mine, so when developing the characters I wanted them to be true to form. I wanted this to be a love letter to the people who helped me to become who I am, but I also wanted to recreate the realness of the people from whom the characters derived their base. They had to have their own views, not just the view that I present as the author. They had to present their own motivations for the good or bad that they do, and regardless of which side they fall on, there are always questionable thoughts, words and actions between them. Just like in life, I wanted to see how they would forge a path ahead, or even if they would.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The effects of war on family was one of the central themes, along with the effects of war on individuals. I wanted to explore the side of military life that I got to see as a military brat that often gets overshadowed in stories. There is an equal focus on survival and the inequality of rich and poor as it relates to the ideas of freedom and tyranny, and of course a somewhat obvious focus on racial tension.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
A sequel novel is underway, codenamed “Project ShadowStorm,” and is set to release around the holiday season this year. This one picks up where the last one leaves off, with a mixing of new and old characters that endeavor to put an end to the war that began in the first installment. There will be a lot more action, a few compelling moments, a few loose ends tied up, and a deepening of the in-world mythos as we continue to address some of the important issues in our society in the hopes of making real change over real conversations.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
The Reds are on the move again, more determined than ever to bring the other factions to heel. John Hamlin is the strongest warrior that the Insurrection has to offer, but when his home is invaded and the people he loves are threatened, captured or killed, the strength that had preserved his peace for years is called into question.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/12/we-had-a-reason-to-fight/
The Two Castles is a captivating historical novel that tells the journey of a young woman fighting for love and equality in 13th century Catalonia. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the setup of “The Two Castles” is deeply personal and rooted in my own family history. When I learned about the Cathars and their history, I felt a strong connection to them that I couldn’t explain. As I delved deeper into my genealogy, I discovered that my ancestors, the Counts of Foix, had supported and protected the Cathars in times of religious persecution. This realization, coupled with my discovery that I was related to historical figures like Ermessenda de Castellbó and Esclarmonde de Foix, gave me a profound sense of connection to this forgotten chapter of history.
As a direct descendant of Ermessenda, who was a major supporter of the Cathars and a protagonist in an incredible love story, I felt a responsibility to share her story with the world. This sense of responsibility, coupled with my own personal connection to the Cathars and the Counts of Foix, inspired me to write “The Two Castles”. My travels to Europe, where I visited the castles of Foix and many Cathar sites, deepened my connection to this history and helped me realize that I was meant to tell this story. Through this story, I hope to bring the history of the Cathars and the Foix family to life for readers and share the incredible story of my direct ancestor, Ermessenda de Castellbó.
Ermessenda is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
As a direct descendant of Ermessenda de Castellbó, I felt a responsibility to bring her character to life in a way that was as accurate and true to history as possible. Through extensive research, I gained an understanding of her beliefs, values, and experiences, which informed her character development in the novel, based on the known facts about her life.
I wanted to give voice to a female historical figure who has been largely overlooked by history. Ermessenda was a powerful and influential figure in her own right, and she used that position of power to help those who needed her the most, even when that meant risking her own life. I wanted to show her courage, intelligence, and resourcefulness through the pages of the novel.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There were several themes that were important for me to explore in “The Two Castles”.
First and foremost, I wanted to explore the theme of love and its transformative power. Ermessenda’s journey is driven by her love for a forbidden man, and her determination to fight for their love despite the challenges and obstacles they face. Their love inspires them to take risks and make sacrifices, and ultimately helps them to overcome the difficulties they encounter.
In addition to her romantic love, Ermessenda’s love for the Cathars as a spiritual community is an important aspect of her motivation for spiritual growth and character development. Her commitment to protecting the Cathars reflects her strong values and beliefs, and underscores the theme of justice and equality that is another important theme present throughout the novel.
Ermessenda is a powerful and influential figure, but she must navigate a world that is dominated by men who often seek to undermine her authority. Through her struggles, the novel highlights the challenges faced by women throughout history who have fought for equality and justice.
Another important theme in the novel is the concept of “Paratge,” which is deeply ingrained in the culture of Occitania, where the story takes place. While the term has a complex and multifaceted meaning, it is essentially a set of virtues that any person can aspire to. It encompasses the ideas of honor, nobility of spirit, and equal dignity for all human beings. Through the character of Ermessenda and others, the novel explores the importance of these virtues and how they contrast with the prevailing societal views of the time. The association of Paratge with the Cathar movement is also examined, as it represented a spiritual community of good Christians who needed protection against oppression, and whose members were often exemplars of the Paratge code.
Finally, “The Two Castles” explores the theme of legacy and transcendence, the power of memory and the importance of preserving history. By bringing back to life the forgotten history of Ermessenda and the Cathars, the novel highlights the different ways in which we can survive death, oblivion, and the passage of the centuries: through our deeds, through the little and big good things that we give to others during our lives, through what we write, through our example and inspiration and through our descendants.
Overall, these themes are interconnected and weave together to create a multi-layered story that explores the human experience in all its beauty and complexity.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m happy to include that information. As for my next book, it’s titled “The Exile of the Good Men” and it’s the second installment of the Ermessenda trilogy. In this book, Ermessenda’s happiness with her new husband is short-lived as war separates them. After the brutal sacking of Béziers, the ruthless Simon de Montfort and his troops turn their sights on the lands of the Viscount Trencavel. Ermessenda is determined not to let her friends and allies suffer the same fate as the people of Béziers. While her husband prepares for war, she risks her life to save as many Cathars as possible. If Montfort’s men intercept them, the cruelties they’ll face are unimaginable. As the northern enemy threatens to exterminate them, a personal threat looms over Ermessenda’s relationship. In the forced separation, both she and her husband will forge new alliances and be exposed to temptations that will test their love, awakening passions that could be as deadly as the war itself. The expected release date for this book is in 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
¿Podrá sobrevivir a una despiadada purga religiosa?
Cataluña, 1202.
Única heredera de dos poderosas familias, Ermessenda se prepara para gobernar su vizcondado con justicia e igualdad. Sin embargo, su sueño se hace trizas cuando su padre le impone un matrimonio arreglado en una tierra lejana.
En su destierro, halla consuelo y pertenencia gracias a su floreciente amistad con la acogedora comunidad espiritual de los cátaros. Cuando finalmente encuentra el amor verdadero, la violenta oposición de la Iglesia amenaza de muerte tanto a su relación como a los miles de cátaros de la región, poniendo en riesgo todo lo que ama.
¿Hasta dónde será capaz de llegar Ermessenda en su ferviente lucha contra la opresión?
Inspirada por la extraordinaria vida de una mujer que dejó su huella en el mundo medieval, su descendiente directa, Mariana Vernieri, evoca el intenso peligro, intriga y trascendencia de una lucha que pervive hasta hoy.
Desde un romance prohibido hasta la atroz persecución de almas pacíficas que sólo buscaban la libertad religiosa, esta historia épica de amor y valentía te atrapará de principio a fin.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/12/this-forgotten-chapter-of-history/
Retired Judge Rosaline Maxwell is living the dream. She’s written a book and is just starting her book tour, when she receives a call from her best friend, Tyler. A popular law professor has been found dead at the bottom of an oft-used outdoor staircase on campus, and Tyler is the number one suspect. Rosaline jumps into the fray, abandoning the law and becoming an amateur sleuth with one goal in mind: to prove that Tyler could not have committed this brutal crime. Rosaline receives anonymous death threats, warning her to stay away from the case, but she’s determined to uncover the truth and save her friend (pause). Who killed the law professor?
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/12/the-final-steps-book-trailer/
Disciples follows four friends on a journey who are all looking for something different while trying to stop a war. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Essentially it was set up by the previous two novels, the concept for which originally came to me in a dream. However, it was certainly inspired by the different areas of life we can allow to limit us. Logan struggles with discerning who he can trust and how you decide, Carla chooses to pursue something she knows is wrong to get her greatest desire, Blessing allows herself to step out of mediocrity and to pursue something where she can be great and Junior, so long reliant on his strength and aura, has to overcome a horrendous injury. I think all of the stories pursue themes and values core to humanity.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
I certainly tap into some of my own flaws and inconsistencies and consider how they might be exacerbated in such extreme circumstances as those my characters face. However, I try to communicate the sense of experience rather than drawing on my own. Very few scenes depicted in my novels (bar two notable exceptions in one chapter) have any basis in fact. Most of what I write is research-based imagination.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Ooh, two scenes stand out. I loved writing the scene where the wise-cracking ice dragon Floyd (which stand for Flying Lizard Of Your Doom) embellishes some of his past adventures. The scene in the hospital where Junior is trying to lead sick and injured children to safety while soldiers are hunting for them was a harrowing experience to write about but I’m really proud of how it came out. I like to think showcased the many personalities and behaviours we see in children and people in general.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
The book leaves us with each character facing a very different reality. Junior is about to be offered a job that satisfies the ego he tries to hide. Carla finally gets what she most wants but at a huge cost. After great success, Blessing is forced to humble herself to ensure she remains on an upward trajectory. And Logan… well, he’s in big trouble. Sorry about the cliffhanger ending!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Enter a dystopian future where terrifying creatures of the imagination have driven humanity underground.
The trouble with choosing a side is knowing whether you’ve picked the right one.
The dynamics of The War are changing. Allegiances are shifting. And sometimes, victories behind the scenes matter more than the ones everyone can see.
As the lines between right and wrong, human and Abomination blur, Junior, Blessing, Carla and Logan will each face a choice. It’s time for them to decide where they really stand. After so many betrayals, it’s impossible to know who to trust. And yet, the choices they are compelled to make today will alter the future of the Earth.
But what are they prepared to sacrifice to shape their better world?
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/12/research-based-imagination/
Best known as the illustrator and author of the beloved children’s book series about a spry and smart young pig, Falconer was also a theatrical set and costume designer.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/08/1161803473/ian-falconer-dies-olivia
A lot can happen in 95 years. Ahead of the Academy Awards on Sunday, we take a look back at the surprises, the scandals, the slap and — yes — even the streaker.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/09/1162052588/oscars-academy-award-scandal-slap
chronicles almost two centuries of one woman’s journey while also exploring the beauty of brevity, the power of love, and the importance of art.
Original source: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/09/1161871204/jacqueline-holland-the-god-of-endings-book-review