Three years ago, the Covid-19 pandemic struck the United States, and the economy sputtered in the direction of collapse. Social distancing protocols caused businesses to shutter, and millions of Americans lost their jobs. Between February and April 2020, the unemployment rate doubled—then it doubled again. During the worst week of the Great Recession of the […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/20/the-high-cost-of-being-poor-matthew-desmond/
The problem with the likely indictment of Donald Trump is that his offense is a metafiction. It is a story about a story. None of the main plot points—which are expected to lead to Trump becoming the first former or sitting US president ever to be charged with a crime—relate to what actually happened on […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/03/28/bump-and-grind-fintan-otoole/
Jennifer Ryan takes us back to the Wyoming Wilde series with the third standalone romance, Max Wilde’s Cowboy Heart. When his ex-girlfriend is in danger, Max gets a second chance to get his girl. If he doesn’t muck it up. Suspense, swoons and family interference await you.
Max Wilde’s Cowboy Heart
by Jennifer Ryan
Series: Wyoming Wilde #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan returns to the Wyoming Wilde series as the third Wilde brother finds himself entangled with his ex-girlfriend after she’s witness to a murder and the killer’s next target. Perfect for fans of authors like Maisey Yates, Joanne Kennedy and Carolyn Brown as well as Diana Palmer, Linda Lael Miller, and BJ Daniels.
They’re tough, tenacious, and sometimes tormented; they’re the Wildes of Wyoming, three brothers whose family ties are as strong as their wills.
And when Max Wilde reunites with his lost love, he’ll do anything to keep her safe and in his arms…
Max Wilde lived up to his last name and then some. Years ago, he fell hard and fast for Kenna Baker, thinking they had a love that would last for all time. When a horrible misunderstanding drove them apart, Max thought his chance to find the kind of love his brothers have is gone forever. He changed his bad boy ways, but he never got over the one who got away.
Now, their lives have collided once again, as Kenna is the only witness to a murder and needs a place to hide while in protective custody. Max is determined to keep her safe on the ranch, and also maintain an emotional distance, but as they spend more time together, the lies and half-truths that once drove them apart are also uncovered, bringing them closer than ever.
Kenna has always laid claim to Max’s heart–and soul–but will he be able to save her…and their love…before it’s too late?
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Each of the books in the Wyoming Wilde series features a Wilde brother and their romance. While they work as a standalone, this book does contain mild spoilers regarding the other siblings.
Years ago, a terrible misunderstanding and tons of miscommunication drove Max and Kenna Baker apart. When his brother, a local law officer, informs Max that Kenna is in the hospital, he drives there to be by her side. When he learns she is in danger, he takes her home to his ranch. The story that unfolds had suspense and offered a delicious second chance romance.
Kenna, a schoolteacher, is sweet, and I felt sorry for her. She messed up and knows it and now she is in this awkward position. From the start we know she still has feelings for Max. Max wants to protect her, but feels rejected and angry about their breakup. These two had a lot of fences to mend and I found myself all in. Despite wanting to smack them both on the back of the head, Gibbs (NCIS TV SERIES) style when all was revealed.
The suspense angle was interesting from Kenna’s brother being involved to the players. In this case, that story was served as a side and the catalyst for reuniting our couple in this forced proximity romance. Family meddling and farm life added to the tale and gave it the perfect small-town charm I love.
Fans of second chance romances, grumpy/sunshine romances and small-town romances will want to scoop Max Widle’s Cowboy Heart up.
Amazon | Audible
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted Series and The McBride Series. Jennifer writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances. Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/max-wildes-cowboy-heart-by-jennifer-ryan.html
Thornton Park, set on a vast estate shrouded in mystery and hidden secrets, provides an ideal backdrop for a conference on immortality. Intended to highlight cultural similarities and differences in beliefs, the conference takes an unexpected turn even before it begins. Alexandra and her family soon find themselves entangled in a paranormal quest to uncover the secrets of eternal life. To add complications to the quest, people are being murdered. As the family’s detective, Alexandra is determined to unravel the mystery and apprehend the culprit. While uncovering clues, she finds herself discovering dark tales and myths that could place her unborn child and herself at risk. Are they unfounded, or are Alexandra and her baby in danger?
Amidst the unfolding enigma, romance blossoms as Edith falls for the enigmatic James. Author Ellen Read masterfully crafts an engaging narrative that effortlessly blends critical plot points with an immersive scene setting. Readers are transported to Thornton Park, as if joining Alexandra and the conference speakers in their pursuit of eternal life’s elusive secret. The novel boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with a unique story to share. While keeping track of each conference attendee’s origins may prove challenging, their individual theories and backgrounds enrich the overall narrative. Readers will be drawn into each character’s backstory and get to know them, seeing how they fit into the story’s overall plot. Ellen’s skillful storytelling breathes life into the world of the Thornton Mysteries, leaving readers eagerly anticipating future installments.
The Butterfly’s Cocoon is a captivating read that combines mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal. The author’s deft handling of the plot and setting creates an immersive experience that transports readers back in time. With its intriguing cast of characters and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a must-read for fans of the Thornton Mysteries series.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0BV3CNBNC
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/28/the-butterflys-cocoon/
The Silent Cries of a Barbie Doll, a poignant novel by Tamika Barr Jaskolka, draws inspiration from the author’s own personal experiences. This stirring work interweaves essays with a narrative tone and complimentary poetry to create a cohesive and compelling story. The protagonist, Barbie Desiree Smith, is a young biracial poet who invites readers into her life through essays and poetry detailing her emotional journey.
Barbie’s quest for love leads her to confront both inner and outer demons and endure numerous hardships. Through her writings, she candidly discusses growing up biracial, her religious background and beliefs, relationships, the challenges of becoming a young mother, surviving rape, and more. The poetry in the novel serves as Barbie’s means of expressing her silent cries. Jaskolka’s honest and unflinching writing style resonates deeply with readers, particularly women. She confronts uncomfortable and unpleasant topics head-on, shining a light on the often-hidden struggles many people face. One particularly powerful chapter, titled “A Monster,” explores themes of guilt, loss, and trauma, prompting readers to reflect on their own relationships and the people around them. This chapter tackles complex subject matter, including a harrowing account of sexual assault, which serves as a testament to the raw emotions conveyed throughout the novel.
The Silent Cries of a Barbie Doll by Tamika Barr Jaskolka is an exceptional work that genuinely represents the struggles many women face today, transcending their differences. It is highly recommended for anyone seeking to understand and empathize with these struggles and contribute to their prevention.
Pages: 64 | ASIN : B00L6NFS2A
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/28/the-silent-cries-of-a-barbie-doll/
My Thirty Shades: A Kinky Autobiography by Michael Host is not your usual erotica. Revolving around Holst’s wild sex life, the book offers multiple short chapters through which the reader can directly experience in detail the most exciting sexual encounters that Host has had throughout his life. From the beginning until the end, the book delivers what it promises to give: a compound of short stories illustrating passionate and intense scenes that will let your mischievous imagination fly. The recounts of the author’s sex life started when he was a timid teenager, curious yet lacking the confidence to approach girls and form an intimate relationship with them. As the book goes on, you see the author grow in confidence and skill.
Each chapter gets straight to the point and details a specific sexual encounter with one or multiple women. The scenes related in each of these chapters are lustful, and they are written in a way that will stimulate and excite the kinky side of the readers. The book explores various sex fantasies and materializes them on every new page. As the chapters go on, it can be noticed the experience gained by the author after each encounter. This experience is transformed into longer chapters with more eroticism and riskier explorations that will become more adventurous as time goes on. One thing the author leaves clear from the beginning: his number one goal is to give women as much pleasure as possible. He doesn’t hide his playful side from his lovers and shares all of his secrets with the readers, leaving nothing to the imagination.
My Thirty Shades: A Kinky Autobiography by Michael Host is a book that offers a different side of your usual erotica based on a single person’s real vivid experiences. As evidenced in this book, the author’s sex life has been far from limited, which has created a front-row experience of passionate lovers, forbidden encounters, fiery affairs, and a neverending intense sexual tension. This book is ideal for those that are fans of the genre and are eager to see the sexual experiences of another person from their own eyes.
Pages: 176 | ASIN : B0BLT5TYNR
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/28/my-thirty-shades-a-kinky-autobiography/
Drifters Realm by Annemarie Mazotti Gouveia transports readers to a fantastical world steeped in ancient prophecies and extraordinary children. Twelve-year-old twins Ori and Roe are destined to prevent a future uprising and impending war. When Ori vanishes following their parents’ sudden disappearance, Roe embarks on a quest to find her brother and fulfill their shared destiny. As she searches, Roe uncovers a vast conspiracy involving the First Council and a group of outcasts known as the Menace. Joined by her friends and siblings, Roe navigates a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred.
A thrilling adventure for young readers and middle-graders, Drifters Realm captivates with its suspenseful plot and engaging setting, featuring forests, swamps, and other elements that make for a fascinating expedition. Set in a post-civilization world, children are separated from their parents at a certain age, and an ancient prophecy foretells of an uprising that could disrupt the established order. Armed with her magic ring and intuition, the protagonist must traverse the realm and uncover the truth.
Gouveia excels at crafting a compelling narrative, populating her story with a diverse array of unique characters, each endowed with extraordinary gifts and responsibilities. From sorcerers and life-givers to knowledge bearers and storm catchers, Drifters Realm presents a world defined by order and designated roles while also exploring themes of family and friendship. This captivating novel is easy to read and features well-structured and clearly headlined chapters that lend clarity to the scenes. The plot also develops steadily, and readers do not see the plot twist coming.
Drifters Realm by Annemarie Mazotti Gouveia is an action-packed young adult fantasy novel that takes readers on an unforgettable journey. With vivid scenery and relatable characters, this is one story that will capture the interest of readers and leave them wanting to see more of this realm.
Pages: 148 | ISBN: 1639888292
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/28/drifters-realm/
In To Help Just One, author Thusitha L. Perera presents a refreshing and insightful perspective on mental health discussions that frequently permeate public discourse. Through skillful storytelling, Perera offers valuable guidance on navigating the complexities of mental health challenges.
The narrative is structured around three engaging stories centered on the lives of Jonathan, Lawrence, and Tegan. As readers journey through the characters’ formative years, Perera expertly interweaves their individual experiences, illustrating how they confront various mental health issues. The book addresses a range of weighty topics, including addiction, toxic work environments, and the significance of support groups, with thought-provoking nuance and sensitivity.
To Help Just One champions the power of individual resilience in overcoming mental health challenges while emphasizing the critical importance of seeking help from others. The author employs clear, impactful language that facilitates an effortless connection between readers and the characters, as well as their struggles. There are times when the book proceeds at a slow pace, as Perera’s writing dwell in introspective moments. This adds depth to the characters, giving readers time to reflect as well. Those who appreciate delving into the inner thoughts and emotions of characters will find the author’s writing style immensely rewarding. Perera’s vivid and immersive descriptions contribute to a rich reading experience. The prose is detailed and evocative, albeit occasionally overwhelming, and effectively conveys the lived experiences of individuals grappling with mental health challenges.
To Help Just One is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the intricacies of mental health challenges. The book leaves a lasting impact, instilling in readers a profound appreciation for individual determination and the transformative power of reaching out for help.
Pages: 232 | ASIN : B0BN5FLT73
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/28/to-help-just-one/