Day: April 10, 2023

Message in the Grave by Dawn Merriman

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Narrated by Gina Rogers & Matt Godfrey, Message in the Grave by Dawn Merriman is the third audiobook in the Messages of Murder series featuring Gabby, a young woman with the ability to hear and sense things through touch. When Lucas asks her to find out what happened to his sister, things turn deadly….

Message in the Grave by Dawn Merriman

Message in the Grave
by Dawn Merriman
Series: Messages of Murder #3
Narrator: Gina Rogers, Matt Godfrey
Length: 6 hours and 27 minutes
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Goodreads

Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x

A psychic suspense thriller

The darker the secret, the harder it is to keep buried</strong?

I’m finally accepting that my psychic talents serve a purpose, that I can use them to help people. But two mysteries plague me. What happened to my good friend Lucas’ sister after she disappeared then years ago?

And if my father was murdered when I was young, why do I keep seeing him?

When I find the long-buried remains of Lucas’ sister, her murdered body only opens more questions. There is an evil lurking in my small town. An evil so close that I can’t trust anyone. An evil so well hidden that even my special abilities can’t see it.

As more people are murdered, I must keep digging for the truth – The truth that might tear my family apart – The truth we all must face.

MURDERMYSTERY paranormal Small-town SUSPENSE

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With each book, we have witnessed a confidence in Gabby as she accepts her gifts and stands up for herself. Now that she has business, she is hoping townsfolk will accept her. Cheating spouses aren’t exactly the cases she wants, but they’ll help her build the business. She promised Lucus she would look into what happened to his sister.

When she discovers the bones of his sister, things go sideways and jeopardize her relationship with Lucus. She needs her brother to step up. The more clues she uncovers, the deadlier things become.

I am really enjoying this series and find Gabby’s gift complex and fascinating. There is a religious aspect, but it is more about how Gabby perceives her gift. I loved the small-town vibe and characters that orbit around Gabby. First, we have her surly brother, a local police detective, his wife and their young daughter. Then we have the glue that holds their broken family together, which is their grandmother. Lucus, her brother’s partner, is Gabby’s biggest defender and love interest. I struggled when the two weren’t speaking.

Questions surrounding the night Gabby received her gifts are answered in Message in the Grave and the thread surrounding her mother’s incarceration is closed. I am curious to see what mysteries Gabby solves next.

Gina Rogers & Matt Godfrey did an excellent job of giving voice to the different perspectives and I highly recommend listening.

Amazon* | Audible

*kindleunlimited

About Dawn Merriman

Dawn Merriman

Dawn Merriman lives in northeastern Indiana on a small pig farm with her husband and teenage children. She enjoys animals, auctions, reading, snorkeling and writing small town murder mystery novels. Dawn Merriman completed her first novel in Middle School and a few others in High School and college. She won 1st place in the Northeast Indiana Young Writers short story contest in 1990. After a writing hiatus to raise her children, she published her debut novel, “How Murder Saved My Life” in 2019.

About Gina Rogers

Gina Rogers

Gina Rogers was asked to narrate her first audiobook in 2014 after an author overheard her imitating her Bronx-raised mother at a dinner party. While Gina swears her background in musical theater and television acting has in no way prepared her to speak in accents and dialects, her ability to breathe life into characters has taken her a long way in her career as an audiobook narrator. Outside of narration she teaches Zumba® fitness classes and enjoys spending time with family and volunteering at local animal shelters.

About Matt Godfrey

Matt Godfrey

Matt Godfrey was raised on O’Connor, Welty, and Lee, and spent most of his teenage years in Yoknapatawpha County. But he traveled wherever the books took him, from Alabama to Tokyo, Twain to Murakami. Now he has the privilege of bringing those books to life as an audiobook narrator. He works in all genres and in a lot of accents, but specializes in his beloved Southern Gothic. He is a two-time nominee for the Society of Voice Arts & Sciences Awards and the Audiobook Reviewer Listener’s Choice Awards. He has a fully equipped home studio and works with major publishers, small presses, and indie authors alike.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • 2023 Audiobook Challenge
  • COYER 2023 Upside Down
  • COYER Upside Down Chapter 1: It's a Cold Summer

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/04/message-in-the-grave-by-dawn-merriman.html

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Journey Into Mexico

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Set in the tumultuous 1830s Mexico, Journey into Mexico by Alex Grand is a captivating historical fiction graphic novel woven around the tale of the superhero El Fuego. As political strife and dark forces threaten to undermine peace and sow the seeds of injustice, El Fuego rises to fight for justice and freedom of choice, empowered by the fire gods of life and creation.

The nonstop action in El Fuego’s battles against deadly enemies from Mexican mythology, powerfully illustrated by Sebastian Guidobono, keeps readers on the edge of their seats. As a heroic champion of the people, El Fuego fights for justice and stands tall against the unyielding hordes of evil. Taking inspiration from classic comic book heroes of World War Two, this thrilling adventure is steeped in action with an altruistic and patriotic core. The transformation of Tijax Tabares, the young boy who discovers the power of the old gods, into the hero El Fuego whenever the innocent are threatened adds a powerful quest for truth. The war between gods directly impacts the lives of people on earth, making El Fuego’s journey impactful and highly engaging.

Journey into Mexico is an immensely enjoyable superhero adventure that weaves together the history, mythology, and enchanting culture of Mexico. Cultural representation, excellence in storytelling, and incredible art make this graphic novel a must-have for readers who love superhero adventures, history, and world culture.

Containing fantasy violence, blood, and mild language, this story is suitable for readers 12 and up who cannot get enough heroic action stories. Journey into Mexico takes readers on an exciting venture into the world of heroes and mythology. As El Fuego continues to fight for justice and truth in his beloved Mexico, readers will eagerly await the next installment of his adventures.

Pages: 102 | ASIN: B08WRCBVZV

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/10/journey-into-mexico/

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Rebel Correspondent

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Arba F. Shaw was a young man of eighteen when he joined the 4th Georgia Cavalry, driven by a strong sense of duty to defend the South against Union soldiers. For many Southerners, the war was seen as a threat to their way of life, and Shaw was no exception. Growing up on a farm in Georgia, he knew little beyond his immediate surroundings, but he soon found himself thrust into the horrors of war. Assigned to a picket line and forced to take crops from local farmers to feed his unit’s horses, Shaw was torn between his sense of duty to the Confederacy and his awareness of the hardship he was causing others.

Rebel Correspondent, written by Steve Procko, presents the memoirs of Arba F. Shaw, a private in the Confederate army, as told by Shaw himself in a local Georgia newspaper thirty-six years after the end of the Civil War. Procko provides detailed historical context for each of the entries, allowing readers to better understand the events that Shaw describes. For example, Procko provides a thorough description of the standard issued uniform for Confederate soldiers, accompanied by a photograph of a uniformed Confederate soldier, when Shaw enlists in the army.

Procko’s primary aim is not to take sides in the Civil War but to draw attention to the story of Arba F. Shaw, a young Georgian who joined the Confederacy at the start of the war. Although the book’s initial structure may seem disjointed, with Procko’s voice alternating with Shaw’s, readers can soon appreciate the care and effort that Procko invested in researching the lives of the people involved. For instance, when Shaw remembers seeing the woman who would eventually become his wife, Procko provides information on her background, including the number of children she had and when she passed away. Procko’s meticulous research breathes life into people who have been gone for more than a century. While Shaw’s retelling of his time in the Confederate Army may, at times may, be uneventful, Procko’s historical context is invaluable in helping readers visualize Shaw’s experiences, whether he is freezing in a snowstorm after heavy rain or desperately searching for food in a cornfield that he calls a “drive-thru.”

Overall, Rebel Correspondent is highly recommended for anyone interested in hearing the voices of the past and appreciates an author who works tirelessly to bring history back to life.

Pages: 365 | ASIN : B0983YSK9N

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/10/rebel-correspondent/

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The Spirit of Ruchel Leah

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The Spirit of Ruchel Leah by Lester Blum is an exceptional memoir that provides a realistic and poignant account of the Holocaust from a Jewish perspective. This emotional book captures the struggles and experiences of Ruchel Leah, a courageous woman who finds herself in unfortunate circumstances during World War II. While her family attempts to escape from Poland before the Nazis invade, Ruchel Leah cannot immigrate to the United States like the rest of her family. Yet, despite the inhumanity of American immigration policies, she does not give up hope and continues to fight for her daughter’s citizenship. Lester Blum’s book is not just a tribute to Ruchel Leah, but it also sheds light on the experiences of the Jewish people during the Holocaust and the challenges they faced during the immigration process. The story spans across different regions, including Soviet Russia, New York, Cuba, Israel, and others, over several years.

This gripping book is a poignant reflection of Ruchel Leah’s bravery during the Holocaust, and her letters to her extended family reveal the depth of her pain and desperation. Most of the information in the book is taken from her original letters, providing a unique perspective on the events of the Holocaust. Blum uses Ruchel Leah as a primary exemplar to discuss several Jewish obstacles that the community faced during that time. Blum’s storytelling conveys the message that this story should never be forgotten. Blum has written an incredibly sentimental and breathtaking book that accurately reflects the realities of American immigration policy during that period. The attention to detail and meticulous writing style adds to the book’s value and make it an excellent source of historical lessons.

I would highly recommend The Spirit of Ruchel Leah as this memoir is an impressive piece of literature that provides an insightful and emotional glimpse into the experiences of Jews during the Holocaust.

Pages: 361 | ASIN : B0BC1DRD6Q

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/10/the-spirit-of-ruchel-leah/

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Nurse Florence(R), Why and How Do We Sneeze?

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Nurse Florence(R): Why and How Do We Sneeze? by Michael Dow is an engaging and informative read that is sure to captivate young readers. The story follows three girls, Jen, Condi, and Sonia, as they explore the reasons why people sneeze. Through their lunchtime conversation with Nurse Florence, the girls learn about different types of allergens that can cause sneezing. The book introduces young readers to the world of science and medicine in a fun and creative way. What’s more, the author’s use of scientific terminology encourages young readers to learn and explore new concepts.

I appreciated the author’s approach to language, where he explains the use of bigger words, often found in prestigious schools, to aid in their understanding of the human body’s mechanics. The author does an excellent job of simplifying complex concepts, making the book easy to understand for young readers. The captivating illustrations in the book add an extra layer of engagement, bringing to life the different types of allergens and making the book an enjoyable visual experience.

I highly recommend Nurse Florence(R): Why and How Do We Sneeze? to parents, teachers, and anyone interested in introducing young readers to the world of science and medicine. It is an excellent resource for teachers looking for an exciting way to introduce scientific concepts to their students, with the added benefit of sparking their curiosity to learn more about the human body.

Pages: 58 | ISBN : 1387529749

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/10/nurse-florencer-why-and-how-do-we-sneeze/

Categories: Uncategorized

Surf the Seesaw: Unconventional Essays on Balance, Beauty, and Meaning in Life

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Davis, a prominent figure in the tech industry and a passionate adventurer, shares the principles that have enabled him to build a successful career and lead a fulfilling life. His insights reveal the powerful influence our mindset has on our actions and the crucial role it plays in determining our purpose. To gain a deeper understanding of this, Davis outlines how our brains work and how we can configure them to achieve our desired outcomes.

Throughout the book, Davis delves into topics such as maintaining friendships, effective communication, understanding human nature, positive parenting, and meditation. Drawing from his personal experiences, he seamlessly weaves real-life examples to help readers grasp the concepts and apply them to their lives. Davis’s adventurous spirit shines through the book’s pages as he recounts his daring move to live aboard a boat in the Caribbean for several years. This serves as a powerful reminder of how fear and worry can be the greatest obstacles to achieving our potential.

What struck me the most about Surf the Seesaw was how concise and practical it is. With just over 200 pages, Davis offers a valuable guide to improving various areas of our lives. He encourages readers to practice and apply the teachings to their everyday lives. By using his own life as a case study, Davis simplifies complex situations and offers guidance without imposing his opinions or suggestions on readers. One of the most insightful chapters in the book explores parent-child relationships, an area that is often overlooked in self-help literature. In addition, Davis’s humorous childhood stories provide a relatable touch and add a lighthearted element to the book.

I highly recommend Surf the Seesaw by Scott A. Davis for its flawless writing, engaging storytelling, and actionable advice that is helpful to anyone seeking to find their purpose.

Pages: 222 | ASIN : B0C11W1P58

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Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/04/10/surf-the-seesaw-unconventional-essays-on-balance-beauty-and-meaning-in-life/

Categories: Uncategorized