The neglected work has a number of advantages over the acknowledged masterpiece. First, it has the element of surprise: we are less likely to know how we are supposed to interpret it. But in its messiness or “wrongness” it can also be more inviting. Because it requires more generosity to appreciate, it gives the viewer […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/05/03/every-man-his-own-hipster/

In Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes, Viv, a warrior-orc, decides to retire from fighting and migrates to the medieval settlement of Thune to open a coffee café. Nevermind that no one in Thune has ever heard of this magical elixir, she is determined and the tale that unfolds is pure magic….

Legends & Lattes
by Travis Baldree
Series: Legends & Lattes #1
Narrator: Travis Baldree
Length: 7 hours and 19 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

High Fantasy with a double-shot of self-reinvention

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.

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I learned about this audiobook on Twitter, when authors and book friends were talking about the upcoming release of the second audiobook. I immediately hopped over to Audible to grab a copy. I regret nothing!

I freaking loved this story, from the building she bought to how the shop developed and the trouble that followed. Narrated by the author, the tale ended up being brilliant and I cannot wait for Bookshops & Bonedust, the prequel coming November 2023 from Macmillan Audio.

I liked Viv from the start; I mean, who doesn’t love another coffee loving gal? Her enthusiasm for it and reverence for the coffee machine that whips up lattes and espresso had me grinning. With a bit of magic buried beneath the stones, she sets out to create the shop she dreams of. Even though she is a warrior, there is a vulnerability and inquisitiveness to her that I found charming.

Viv slowly gathers friends and allies, beginning with a carpenter who helps her turn the dilapidated building into her coffee shop and home. Next comes Tandri, a succubus with business sense, and a baking ratkin named Thimble who creates cinnamon rolls and delightful confections. Soon, they have a bard and alchemist in their mix. It was delightful watching them work together.

Together they create magic, but trouble is brewing. First, a local thug comes demanding a fee and another lurks in the shadows, looking to steal Viv’s luck.

The story has a wonderful cozy vibe to it, and I easily slipped into this fantasy world. It’s a story filled with friendship, faith, hope, community and love. There is humor, danger, and cleverness as Viv works to keep her sword and bloodshed out of her new life.

A slow burning romance develops that felt natural and further enhanced my enjoyment of the tale. The story is perfectly paced, and admittedly, all the talk of coffee and cakes had me drooling a time or two.

This is a story for everyone and I highly recommend grabbing your earbuds and listening! If you love fantasy and well crafted tales, this one is a must!

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

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

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/05/legends-lattes-by-travis-baldree.html

The allure of a captivating Wild West tale is undeniable. The gunfights, horses, cowboys, outlaws, Indians, and rangers have delighted readers’ imaginations for decades. However, Captain Hondo Stone’s amazing story stands out for its raw honesty and vivid depiction of the era. From his early days as an orphaned lone survivor of his family’s homestead massacre to his rise through the ranks, Stone’s friendships, foes, and steadfast principles made him a Texas legend. Against overwhelming forces of lawlessness, corruption, and depravity, the fight for what is right is fierce.

Old San Antone: Dawn of the Legend is an epic historical fiction novel authored by The 2-Bru Krew. The authors set out to create an honest and detailed story against the rich and raw backdrop of the realities of the Reconstruction-era American South. This is not a story for those who cannot stomach some improper language or depictions of violence and lawlessness of the late 19th-century American reality. Written in a blunt and direct style, the book portrays real heroes possessing integrity, kindness, and humanity who shine brighter against the uncensored reality they had to live and operate in.

This gripping book is extensively descriptive, full of intricate details, and undoubtedly aimed at a mature audience who appreciates the art of historical fiction. The language is complex, and in some parts, writers use certain spellings to convey the language of certain social groups of the era. Each page will keep the reader intrigued and engaged as they follow complex characters navigating impossible situations and making tough choices.

Old San Antone is a must-read for those who love historical fiction and are drawn to the Wild West era. This book is a shining example of what can be achieved when authors are dedicated to creating a genuine and detailed portrayal of a historical period. In addition, anyone who loves the Wild West and is drawn to complex characters navigating impossible situations will find this book fascinating and engrossing until the end.

Pages: 738 | ASIN : B08XMG8K6M

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/03/old-san-antone/

Katherine Turner’s resilient memoir is a powerful and candid account of her journey through a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, mental illness, addiction, and poverty. Turner’s story begins with her parents’ struggles with addiction and her father’s frequent absence from her life due to work. Tragically, her childhood was plagued with sexual abuse and emotional trauma, and she did not receive the love and care that she needed. Following her parents’ separation and her mother’s rehab, Turner and her sister were placed in foster care, and at a young age, Turner had to become a parent to her little sister while navigating her own trauma. Though her new home provided a stable and caring environment, Turner continued to struggle with the traumas of her past, loneliness, and difficult choices. In her efforts to cope, she turned to self-harm and addiction, ultimately realizing she was following in her biological parents’ footsteps.

resilient is a profoundly moving and candid memoir that captivated me from beginning to end. Turner’s vivid descriptions and raw vulnerability took me through a range of emotions as I followed her story of struggle and shame. Turner’s storytelling is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, highlighting the immense strength required to overcome one’s past and build a better future. This book is not an easy read, but it is important. Turner’s experiences shed light on the need to listen to abuse victims and provide support during difficult times. Her honesty and bravery in sharing her story are commendable, and her resolve is genuinely inspiring. resilient offers an unflinching look at the effects of abuse, neglect, and addiction on a person’s life and touches on themes of trauma, healing, growth, and resilience.

The memoir, resilient, is a touching and inspirational story about survival and overcoming the obstacles that life hands you. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a poignant and thought-provoking read that showcases the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.

Pages: 525 | ASIN : B09BBPKFFZ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/03/resilient/

The Writer and the Librarian by R. L. Geer-Robbins is a captivating fiction work that masterfully blends fantasy and realism elements. This book is an intriguing mystery imbued with romance, myth, and legend, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted tale. The story follows Chloe Pairtree, an ordinary writer who finds herself drawn into a centuries-old secret society known as the Raven Society. The society’s mission is to safeguard a magical book called the Book of the Veiled, which has the power to rewrite history and shape the future. When the book is stolen, Chloe is recruited to help recover it, thrusting her into a world of danger and intrigue.

Although the novel has an extensive cast of characters, the author takes the time to introduce each of them, allowing readers to become fully immersed in their stories. This may make the initial stages of the book feel slow, but it pays off by giving readers a deeper understanding of the individuals and their motivations. Chloe is the exception to this, as the story follows her as she falls in love with the enigmatic Lucas. Despite this, we are only given hints of her troubled past, and the story arc that begins in this book remains unresolved at the end. However, Geer-Robbins sets the stage for future installments in the series, leaving readers eager for more. The characters are well-drawn, and the dialogue feels natural. The author uses the first-person point of view to give Chloe a witty and engaging voice, which readers are sure to appreciate.

The Writer and the Librarian is an entertaining work of Dark Fantasy and transports readers to an intriguing and imaginative world. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging mystery with a touch of magic.

Pages: 328 | ASIN : B0BRGHYHB7

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/03/the-writer-and-the-librarian/

The Burden of Memory follows a retired professor and aspiring author as he moves to South Carolina to write his first novel who unintentionally witnesses a murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I was walking on a rather desolate road one day and I stopped and said “What if?” to myself and began imagining a scene.  And it went on from there.  The narrative sort of blew up and the characters came along. 

Robert is a recluse who struggles to break out of his shell after witnessing a horrible crime. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

The shy, heartbroken man comes out of his shell one way or another and nothing he really does causes it to happen.  The unknown forces of his life, if you will?  And once he is forced to act, he begins the process of change.  And he has worked very hard to not change because of too much pain.  It took something this dramatic to begin the change.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Transformation is an important theme, of course.  Another theme is how the past controls the present.  Love and loss is surely an important theme, too.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

My next book will be Stories Can Save Us.  The novel has two alternating narratives, one first person, and another third person.  Timothy and Frank.  One is a Vietnam Veteran and the other is not.  And the one who is not a vet makes up stories with himself as the hero at a local VFW.  As the narratives progress, more and more issues develop.  This is the best I can do at this point because, no doubt, before I am through there will be changes.

Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/03/the-unknown-forces-of-his-life/

Reclaiming the American Democratic Impulse presents a comprehensive analysis of the political climate in the United States, past and present, and the nation’s future. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

My intent in writing this book is to provide citizens with a coherent strategy for overcoming the dysfunction in the current United States government and resolving the irreconcilable cultural differences in American society. The primary idea presented in the book is that the political and economic history of America provides examples of how more citizen participatory democracy would be a better solution than the centralized ruling class elite decision-making model currently in operation. In other words, the best solution is more citizen democracy, not less.

How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?

I began research on this book in 2018 by reading historical accounts of the events of 1775, and the ensuing revolution. Much of my time was involved in uncovering the obscure history of the Articles of Confederation, and the logic of the original founders in creating a state sovereignty framework of government. I worked on writing this book over a 15 month period.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I just published my most recent book in April 2023, titled George Mason’s America: The State Sovereignty Alternative to Madison’s Centralized Ruling Class Aristocracy. The book offers a synthesis of the radical i indvidualistic ideology of George Mason, the methodology of constitution creation of James Buchanan, of George Mason University, and the principles of entrepreneurial capitalism of Joseph Schumpeter. My intent in writing this book is to offer a strategy for forming a new nation based upon the ideology of liberty of George Mason and Thomas Jefferson.

I have been mulling over how to incorporate moral and religious principles into a new constitution. If it is true that citizens derive their natural rights from the grace of God, then it would seem important to offer some concept of God in a democratic republic. I have begun research on the Jewish Old Testament, especially the 10 commandments of Moses. Stay tuned.

Author Links: GoodReads | Reedsy Discovery | Twitter | Substack | Locals | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/03/overcoming-the-dysfunction/