To the Editors: In “A Peopled Wilderness,” Martha Nussbaum notes that humans can “support the lives of animals,” and one tool she mentions is “spraying for tsetse flies” [NYR, December 8, 2022]. The spraying does not support the lives of the flies, of course, and for me this raises a question on which I would […]
Until Reconstruction-era acts and amendments to the Constitution established national citizenship and Black male suffrage, in the eyes of the law free Black people were at best second-class, unwanted citizens in most states of the Union. At worst, they were lumped together with the rest of the Black population—around 90 percent of which remained enslaved […]
In March 2022 a team of American archaeologists was excavating a temple of the Egyptian goddess Isis at the ancient site of Berenike, on the shores of the Red Sea in modern-day Egypt, when they stumbled across a series of remarkable finds. Berenike is today a bleak and desolate spot. Under pale blue skies, the […]
If humanity were to disappear from the Earth, what would be lost? On the human scale, the answer is everything; but on a planetary scale, it’s tempting to concede that such a loss might amount to a net gain. It is probably not necessary to enumerate the various ways that humanity has been unambiguously bad […]
I write to you with news about the state of the English major at one nonelite, midsize, regional comprehensive private university in New York City. At Pace University, where I am currently chair of the English department, the major has grown by more than 40 percent in the last two years, to around 150 students. […]
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.
On Friday I pulled my back out. I do not recommend it, and if you suffer from back problems, you have my upmost sympathy. I am miserable. Of course, the grandchildren are on spring break this week. In March I read/listened to 24 books, bringing my Goodreads Challenge to 68/200, and my Audiobook Challenge to 44/125 & Library Love challenge 6/12. Stay Caffeinated.
Last Week on the Blog
VenCo By Cherie Dimaline (audio review)
Max Wilde’s Cowboy Heart By Jennifer Ryan (review)
Winning Maura’s Heart By Linda Broday (guest post, book review)
Nevermore Bookstore By Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin (book review)
Miami Ripper By Stacy M. Jones (audio review)
This Week on the Blog
Magic Tides By Ilona Andrews (book review)
Deadly Shores By Kerry Buchanan (audio review)
Brewing Crazy By Kim Richardson (audio review)
Message In The Bones & Message In The Fire By Dawn Merriman (audiobook reviews)
Hidden Dragon By Genevieve Jack (audio review)
New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe
Learn more:
The Little Flower Shop by Lori Foster
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
A special thanks to Harlequin & Brilliance Audio
Around The Blogosphere
Marlene is celebrating this week. It’s Reading Reality‘s 12th Anniversary and her birthday week. Lots of giveaways so stop by daily.
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In One of Ours, author Lynn-Steven Johanson crafts an exhilarating mystery that follows the astute Chicago detective, Joe Erickson, as he delves into a complex cold case on the verge of retirement for Captain Vincenzo. However, when the captain himself falls victim to a fatal shooting, the stakes are raised, and Joe, alongside his partner Sam, find themselves embroiled in a web of intrigue and deception that expands far beyond a single murder. With each new revelation, the line between coincidence and connection blurs, leaving the detectives—and the readers—questioning who can truly be trusted.
A must-read for aficionados of the mystery and true crime genres, One of Ours deftly keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Johanson skillfully unravels the layers of suspense and uncertainty. Just when you think you have solved the enigma of Captain Vincenzo’s murder or connected the dots, the narrative takes an unexpected twist, challenging your assumptions and inviting you to delve deeper into the investigation.
While the novel’s third-person narrative may prevent readers from fully immersing themselves in Erickson’s perspective, it does offer a comprehensive view of the unfolding events. This storytelling choice, though somewhat distancing, does not detract from the overall impact of the novel. The introduction of Joe’s life partner, Destiny, and glimpses into the personal lives of the characters add depth to the story and enrich the investigative process.
One of Ours is a compelling and engaging true crime novel that will captivate readers with its intricate plot and well-crafted suspense. Highly recommended for those seeking a thrilling literary experience that challenges their deductive skills and keeps them guessing until the very end.
Daisy Meets the Dolphins follows a loveable little dog who goes on a boating adventure and meets some bottlenose dolphins. What was the inspiration for the main character’s traits and dialogue?
Daisy Meets the Dolphins was created for our 25th wedding anniversary, on that day we all took a day trip to an near by island called Rathlin Island not far from Ballycastle, a coastal resort in Northern Ireland.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to create an adventure book with Daisy meeting her new aquatic friends from the ocean, filling it full of heartwarming hugs to bring to life the power of connecting with different cultures and the joys of friendship with others regardless of where they are from. I hoped to use this book to spark meaningful conversations and inspire kindness in children.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
To explore the world through the eyes of Daisy? When writing, staying true to yourself and letting your heart guide you is essential. After all, there are so many stories and adventures we want to share! With every paw step we take, I wanted to ensure my readers felt they were right there with us, experiencing every wag of the tail and sniff of the nose that Daisy takes. I wish for every reader to handle all the emotions and see all the pictures in their little minds as we embark on this journey together. Woof! Says Daisy…
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Each book is unique and very different as we explore the world and write another Daisy story.
The Witness Affair follows a young woman in New York who inadvertently gets caught up in a crime ring and becomes a target, along with the detective trying to protect her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Having an extensive background in law enforcement and the judicial system, I had always wanted to write a suspenseful romance novel with a criminal element. But what inspired me in this instance was to look at the crime from the viewpoint of the perpetrator instead of the police officer. It was a unique experience to plan and execute the “perfect crime” and then try to solve it. Adding the threats to Susan’s character, as well as her dependence upon Sean, the NYPD detective trying to save her, helped to round out the story.
What was the inspiration for the relationship that develops between the characters?
I wanted the plot to explore what the romantic effect would be of having your life dependent upon someone you had just met. While I wanted Susan to be a strong, independent woman, I needed her to be vulnerable and needing help in an unfamiliar and intimidating environment. Yet, on her own turf, she would need to be courageous, and a formidable force to be reckoned with by any adversary. It was also important for Susan and Sean to be from dissimilar backgrounds. I felt that her being a farmer from the Midwest would contrast well with Sean’s big-city police officer demeanor.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
In all of my novels, I always have a beginning and an end before I start writing the first chapter. In this regard, The Witness Affair was no exception. But my initial outline of the plot already had several of the main plot twists from the very beginning. Still, as I wrote each chapter and developed the characters, I found opportunities to add additional turns and twists to keep the reader off-guard and hopefully surprised.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My fifth novel, If Tomorow Could Be Today, is already underway, and I hope to have it ready for publication by this summer. Its genre will definitely fall into the suspense romance category. The story involves a young widower trying to recover from the loss of his wife. When he finally accepts that it’s time to stop grieving and move on with his life, he begins to fall in love with an attractive, yet puzzlingly young woman. But despite their mutual attraction, things are not what they seem and soon he finds himself caught up in a mystery that could have serious consequences for both of them.
What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write Dream It to Do It: The Science and the Magic?
I ‘felt called’ to write this book from my realization that humanity is now confronted by multiple looming existential threats because of working with the wrong model of reality, and yet most people are tuned-out and distracted. (The revelation about the truth of reality emerged as a flash of insight in the midst of preparing a Keynote Presentation for an annual conference of Healers back in 2018).
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
To wake-up and think, to realize our internal resourcefulness, to appreciate & care for each other, to relate more harmoniously with Nature
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I am intending it as a Global Wake-Up Call to see through the illusions of what seems like reality and those who manipulate & exploit us. I hope it will be an inspirational resource for spiritual leaders and educators to eventually enlighten all.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
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