For every retiree in France, there are 1.7 people in the workforce. In 1970 the ratio was one to four. By 2100, the number is projected to be one to one. Ostensibly in response to this looming crunch, on March 16 President Emmanuel Macron used a constitutional lever to push through a pension reform plan […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/03/26/macrons-bad-math-schwartz/
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.
Another week closer to Summer. Our temps were above 40 and even hit the 60s this week before nature sent us rain & snow. We are at the stage where you bundle up in the morning and lose layers as the day goes by. I even had to turn the heat off and open windows. Huzzah! Stay Caffeinated.
Learn more:
A special thanks to Gary Bennett
I have several open book tours. Stop by and join the fun. All social media platforms are welcome. ARCs are available.
Before you link up: Please be sure your weekly post includes a link back to Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Post
Never miss a post by adding Caffeinated to your Inbox
Source
Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/sunday-post-568-signs-of-spring-snow.html
Pedaling West follows a recently unemployed and single woman who decides to ride her bike across the country in the middle of a pandemic. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
For my previous two published books, I backdated the stories to avoid the issues associated with COVID-19-mandated protocol during the era. Finally, for Pedaling West, I decided to take the pandemic on. I hoped the book would resonate with readers because of the interesting characters and exciting story, but also because of our common challenges with COVID-19.
Carrie suffers several blows to her self-confidence and through this ride rediscovers her own inner strength. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
My goal was to create a character with whom many could identify, who had a full basket of recognizable qualities and familiar flaws. Metaphorically, Carrie represents each of us who uses our unique talents and skills to stumble forward positively, overcoming our fears and challenges, to create successful lives. Like Carrie, we usually find we don’t have to do everything ourselves. Others will help us if we take the initiative to ask.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The imperative for determination and resilience.
The critical nature of our human connection to each other and the common bonds we share.
The power, beauty, and majesty of nature versus the fragility of its environment.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
At my publisher’s urging, I plan to follow up Pedaling West, with another crime fiction novel featuring the partnership of agents Marina Butnari and Doug Hill. After the escapades of Pedaling West, they are back to addressing the most heinous criminal activity in our world: human trafficking. Crime unfortunately creates staggering wealth and power which makes the battle between good and evil much closer than it should be. The working title for the novel is “All In.”
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/26/overcoming-our-fears-and-challenges/
Out of Wedlock by Larry Lockridge masterfully weaves the intricate tale of Jess Freeman and his interactions with a diverse cast of characters over the span of two decades. This compelling narrative delves into the complex relationships among six individuals as they grapple with their pasts and strive for acceptance or liberation from their habits. Jess, a plastic surgeon, finds himself on an unintended voyage of self-discovery, attempting to reconcile the fragments of his childhood and comprehend the origins of his dissociative visions.
Lockridge expertly guides readers through a labyrinthine journey punctuated by moments of raw humor and unforeseen twists, all while inciting contemplation on life and the intricacies of human behavior. The plot is consistently captivating, as Out of Wedlock artfully balances the peculiar, the passionate, the enigmatic, and the emotional, all while maintaining an accessible and engaging tone. Readers will undoubtedly be enthralled by the novel’s unpredictable turns and thought-provoking scenarios.
Out of Wedlock not only raises profound questions about human identity and the interplay between nature and nurture, but it also serves as a cultural excursion. Set against the backdrops of Santa Fe and Greenwich Village, the novel is peppered with fascinating tidbits about the region’s culture, history, and notable figures. Although some references may prompt readers to pause for research, this educational aspect ultimately enriches the reading experience.
A particularly endearing feature of the novel is the inclusion of an illustration at the conclusion of each chapter. These artistic embellishments lend a nostalgic air to the narrative and enhance the overall storytelling. Out of Wedlock culminates in a satisfying denouement, resolving the individual arcs of each character and emphasizing the significance of authenticity amidst a world of reinvention.
Out of Wedlock comes highly recommended for readers who seek a narrative that is at once witty, startling, and provocative. Embrace the unexpected and prepare to be thoroughly entertained by this exceptional literary work.
Pages: 215 | ASIN: B0B6NTSHSW
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/26/out-of-wedlock/
The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster follows a dog show judge who needs to connect two dogs with mystical abilities that can save lives. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wondered what would happen if one would not breed dogs for looks but for their souls. Every dog owner knows: Dogs have beautiful souls and unique souls. Out of that idea grew The Marvelous Misfits… and what better place for them to first appear than in the World’s most famous dog show?
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Most important to me is the theme of the shadow. I’m fascinated so many of us are haunted by shadows – invisible to anyone but us, but real and dangerous nonetheless. Edith is inspired by my grandmother who took her life and whom I imagine being haunted by shadows. To me, the story has a very painful, personal layer.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this short story?
Actually, The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster is my debut, and I’m quite proud of it for various reasons. One reason is, that it was the first time I resolved to alter and tweak the story until it worked. It took me a lot of feedback from fellow writers and readers and even more revisions to get it to the final version. Now it is that mystical story that contains a deeper truth – and reflects exactly what I wanted to write. It’s just so satisfying getting a story to the page close to what you imagined it to be in your head.
What is the next story that you’re writing, and when will it be published?
Currently, I’m working on another Misfits story. This time, Harvey and Irving are saving a guitar player who has lost his hand and his will to live. The story is in its early stages, but I strive for publication in 2024. Nevertheless, a new book is being published this year: The Gift of Love. It’s a charming picture book for grown-ups about a couple of weird monsters who get a strange present at their wedding, and by caring for their present, learn what love really means. It features wonderful illustrations by the talented Ukrainian artist Anastasia Khmelevska and makes the perfect wedding gift.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/26/dogs-have-beautiful-souls/
Titanium Warrior follows a man and woman whose lives are intertwined by fate and their destiny that could destroy the world. What was the initial idea behind this story and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
I’ve been a lover of Greek mythology all my life. The concept of the Titanian universe sprouted from the Greek Titans and what could happen to the world if Kronos’s magic was misused. The Titanian race, descendants of the Titans, was created to protect humans and creatures with god-like powers, but that ability carries a high price. Hagen the main character in Titanian Warrior appeared in an earlier book. At that point in the Chronicles, he was impulsive and too anxious to demonstrate his powers. He’s matured in Titanian Warrior. The weight of his rash actions weigh heavily on him and if he doesn’t atone and find his eternal mate, he’s bound for termination.
What was your process in writing the characters interactions to develop the bond they have?
I’m an instinctual writer. In the business that’s called being a pantser. I allow my muse to invite the characters in and speak their story. Faiza came to me naturally. Her loyalty to her family was an inspiration for Hagen and a source of frustration at times. Their bond is best explained in the pages of the book.
What were some of your inspirations as a writer?
Dame Dorothy Dunnett, J.R.R. Tolkien, Laura Esquivel, Jody Hill, and Isabel Allende, to name a few have been a source of inspiration. Whenever I hit the doldrums, I read a few passages from a favorite book and that sets the writing muse on fire.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next book is a contemporary romance, with dark themes in the Central Florida Stories. The manuscript is with the editor and I hope to release it in May. Meanwhile, I’m working on another Central Florida Story. I’m planning on an end-of-the-year release.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Hagen drags himself to the gates of Hell, body and soul shredded by the bloodlust that consumes all the unmated of his kind. Awaiting the painful atonement that will buy him ten more years to find his eternal mate—or face oblivion. But Hades himself kicks him out with the bloodlust still prowling, unsatisfied, in his veins.
Bargained away by her parents to Master O, a mysterious and cruel wizard, Faiza serves in his household, keeping her small magic a secret, plagued by wild, confusing visions of a strange suffering male. Then her master brings home a wounded Titanian warrior whose touch sends ice, fire, and desire through her body.
When she learns Master O plans to use Hagen as a weapon to conquer all races, she devises a desperate plan to free him—a plan that opens a portal to a world she’s never known. And a destiny entwined with danger that could destroy them all.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/26/hes-bound-for-termination/
Growing Down follows two drunk men who spend the day running around town trying to make up for what they feel is lost time in life. What was the inspiration for your story?
I don’t remember exactly the inspiration from it other than initially I wanted to write a story about a character who could not find their way home. I also remember sitting in a movie theater and seeing Federico Fellini’s I Vitelloni. I thought the movie was wonderful.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I would say organically. At this point in time I am so busy that hardly any planning goes into anything anymore. I have my notes, but I rarely use them and much of the finished product is often the initial idea reworked over and over.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
Yes and No. I don’t think I know anyone who left a wedding early and got drunk with a buddy, usually that happens after the wedding is over. I do know that I am thirty and a lot of people around me are as well. I think when friend’s or acquaintances start having children, getting married, talking about their retirement, etc. it does make one reflect because nobody tells ya, ‘you are this age, this is this time…,’ so much as one person does it and the rest follow suit. I think that is kinda funny.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I’m working on a story called Louis, which is about this happy go luck guy that likes to ride the subway train. I would really like to do something that involves animals. I work at Unity Farm Sanctuary in Sherborn, Massachusetts and among many of the animals there I love being with the pigs. I have some stuff on paper involving pigs, but it would hard to be Babe or Charlotte’s Web.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/26/i-think-that-is-kinda-funny/