Narrated by James Cameron Stewart, Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose delivered a delightful historical mystery that had me scooping up all the audiobooks in the Wrexford & Sloane series. Come to Regency London and see for yourself….

Murder on Black Swan Lane
by Andrea Penrose
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #1
Narrator: James Cameron Stewart
Length: 11 hours and 50 minutes
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Audible Plus
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female artist form an unlikely alliance to expose unspeakable evil . . .

The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. He does not suffer fools gladly. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London’s most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church—his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear—and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.

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There are currently seven novels in the Wrexford & Sloane series and I intend to devour them all. Why? Aside from the well-honed murder-mystery, it’s the characters themselves. Romantic tension, banter, and strong secondary characters whom I’ve already grown attached to from the street urchins to the staff.

First up, the Earl of Wrexford, a man who enjoys explore scientific studies and can be quite the curmudgeon despite his age. I rather think he is softer on the inside. Next up is A.J. Quill, a political cartoonist who takes jabs at the upper crust and has a knack for depicting the truth. Mrs. Sloane, a young widow who is taking care of two street urchins. Then there is Wrexford’s butler/valet and lab assistant, who isn’t afraid to tell it like he sees it.

Now Wrexford has found himself the suspect in the murder of the pompous Reverend Josiah Holworthy. The two have traded barbs in the paper and Wrexford’s disdain for him is well known. In order to avoid the noose, he’ll need to find the actual killer, which leads him to the door of A.J. Quill, whose illustration of the murdered has piqued his curiosity. He is greeted by Mrs. Sloane and the tale that unfolds was positively delicious.

I loved the back-and-forth banter and the bargains that were struck as Sloane & Wrexford team up to collect clues and uncover the true murdered. The street urchins assist and I lost myself to the story with its clever twists and dangerous moments. Aside from a well-honed mystery, the characters themselves felt genuine, and I quickly wanted to spend more time with them.

James Cameron Stewart delivered a brilliant performance and brought these characters and story to life. I fully intend to continue the series on audio. He has a full range and even his female voices sounded genuine.

Fans of Regency London, murder-mysteries and sleuths will want to begin this series. Shout out to Sophia Rose, whose review of book two had me diving in.

Amazon* | Audible

*KindleUnlimited/WhisperSynced & the first two audiobooks are in the Audible Plus catalog.

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/murder-on-black-swan-lane-by-andrea-penrose.html

In Hidden Within Us Samuel J. Mann, MD, offers a groundbreaking exploration of the mind-body connection, shedding new light on the concept of repression. Far from being a disease, Dr. Mann argues that repression serves as a powerful tool for coping with traumatic experiences. Drawing from extensive research and years of experience, he presents a compelling theory on the impact of repressed emotions on physical health, suggesting that long-buried feelings can contribute to a range of medical conditions.

Dr. Mann’s revolutionary approach in the medical field opens up new avenues for treatment and discovery. He supports his claims with captivating case studies and insightful patient interviews, providing readers with a valuable understanding of this complex subject matter.

Written in an accessible and elegant style, Hidden Within Us avoids confusing medical jargon and adopts a nurturing, insightful tone that resonates with readers. Dr. Mann’s empathetic approach to his patients’ coping mechanisms enables him to delve deep into the mind-body connection.

One of the most progressive aspects of this book is Dr. Mann’s perspective on hypertension. He posits that repression can be harnessed as a gift, sharing powerful stories of patients whose uncontrolled hypertension was ultimately triggered by repressed emotions. In doing so, he challenges conventional notions of repression as a pathological condition, presenting his insights and observations without undermining existing studies.

From unraveling the enigma of paroxysmal hypertension to examining repressed emotions in other contexts, Hidden Within Us serves as an essential guide for healthcare professionals and anyone interested in the interplay between emotional and physical health. Dr. Mann has masterfully articulated his ideas in a way that is both comprehensive and accessible, making this work an enlightening read regardless of one’s medical background.

Pages: 203 | ASIN : B09YZ4CYVC

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/10/hidden-within-us-a-radical-new-understanding-of-the-mind-body-connection/

Women have faced countless challenges and obstacles throughout history, with their rights and freedoms being significantly limited. In colonial America, societal norms dictated that women were to be viewed as property and that their future was limited to marriage and children. In his book Girl With a Knife: A Story of Love and Vengeance in Colonial America, James T. Hogg introduces us to a diverse cast of characters living in the town of North Hinkapee. Among the characters are Faythe and her younger sister Chloe, whose lives are forever changed after Chloe falls victim to a brutal assault by two influential town members. The book sheds light on how the incident impacts not only Chloe but also her family and those around her, providing a stark reminder of how class and gender played a significant role in colonial America.

Told from various points of view, the author has written a comprehensive and compelling narrative of the tragedy at play. Hogg’s masterful handling of multiple perspectives allows the reader to gain insight into the perspectives of Faythe, the men who hurt her sister and their family, the pastor in town, and the natives who inhabited the area originally. The different viewpoints all work together cohesively, with Hogg delivering this almost effortlessly. Although Hogg’s writing is generally engaging, one area that could improve is the dialogue, which sometimes can distract the reader from the story. At times I felt the language sounded too modern and did not fit with the colonial period. Nonetheless, despite this drawback, this story remains a captivating and thought-provoking read.

Girl With a Knife is a gripping woman’s historical fiction novel. Hogg does a remarkable job of handling multiple POVs and tackling complex topics gracefully. Anyone interested in colonial America, gender roles, or compelling historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this novel.

Pages: 305 | ASIN : B0BRYF85JQ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/10/girl-with-a-knife-book-one/

The third installment of Michael J. Farlow’s sci-fi series, Insurrection: Records of the Argos, is a thrilling and intelligently written story that will capture the attention of any sci-fi fan. The crew of the Argos finds themselves in an unexpected predicament as they suddenly find themselves trapped in the middle of a war between the Brintal and the Furlong on the continent of Elisi. Unfortunately, the only aid is the AI Agnes, who is currently not functioning, leaving Nick and his crew to fend for themselves.

Farlow has done an exceptional job of crafting a new and exciting story while avoiding over-reliance on the previous books. The fast-paced action will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the war-torn continent with Nick and his crew. Furthermore, the political intrigue woven into the story adds a layer of realism that is often missing from sci-fi stories. It is refreshing to see that Farlow’s focus is not solely on action but rather on the well-thought-out plans and tactics that are utilized by Nick and his team. This is a welcome departure from the typical sci-fi story that is filled with endless battles. Instead, the story takes the time to develop characters and create a realistic world, which adds depth to the overall narrative.

Insurrection: Records of the Argos is a fantastic addition to the series, and it is easy to see why it has been so well received by fans. Farlow has once again crafted a story that goes beyond what is expected of the genre and is a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi, and I hope to see Nick and his crew in future installments.

Pages: 364 | ASIN : B0BTY5FGCT.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/10/insurrection/

Biblical Keys to Life is a self-help book for Christian readers to help them understand their purpose in life and help them on their journey of self-discovery. Why was this an important book for you to write?

This was an important book for me to write because given the complexity of life and the Bible and with so much misinformation in the world, millions of Christians and people still struggle to understand God and the meaning of life. As humans, we have so many questions that never seem to be answered simply and directly, with scripture to back it up. According to Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.” God blessed me with the gifts of wisdom and understanding as well as a gift to simplify complex concepts. I felt it was important to provide every person with the opportunity to acquire the understanding and answers they need in order to live happy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives and bypass many of the typical problems we face as human beings, most of which are from our own actions and lack of understanding.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Some ideas that were important for me to share in this book were: why life sucks and what we can do to fix it. Also, understanding God, His commandments, what they really mean, and the appropriate way to approach and perceive life and life’s circumstances.

What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?

One piece of advice that changed my life was a quote from Ghandi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?

One thing I hope readers take away from my book is that we have more control over the quality of our lives than we give ourselves credit for. If life sucks, we play a major factor in that. We are capable of living happy and fulfilling lives, and it isn’t as difficult as we think. We just need to know the truth and the simple keys in this book, which hold the power to uncomplicating and enriching our lives.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/10/if-life-sucks-make-changes/

Where Have I Been All My Life is a memoir about your journey of self-discovery and transformation. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

I felt compelled to explore many universal themes and ideas as I wrote this book. Through my journey of self-discovery I encountered many life lessons including learning to take responsibility, releasing the need to be liked by everyone, the power in forgiveness, how to conquer my fears and true acceptance of self. I wasted decades existing instead of living. One of the most important things I wanted to highlight in my memoir was the behaviour no-one should tolerate. I want my readers to feel empowered and able to clearly identify toxic and unhealthy relationships. I want to show others there is always a way to escape feeling stuck, without feeling guilt or shame. It felt important to provide hope for the future as well as a way forward for those experiencing trauma or anxiety as a result of life’s experiences and conditioning. Being close to fifty with no children, I also felt strongly about being a role model for a not-so-conventional life. I want to show young women an alternate path, so they don’t feel the need to live up to outdated expectations such as being married or having children by a particular age (or ever). I would love my book to be a source of comfort to empower my readers to live an authentic and purposeful life. 

I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

The hardest thing for me to write about was my greatest shame. For years I was paralysed with fear that others would learn about my secrets and judge me harshly. In my book, I openly share deeply painful, personal experiences I never intended to disclose. Perfectionists always want to portray an image of themselves they think will be accepted by others, but by being transparent and showing the beautiful and ugly parts of me, is what I believe, makes ‘Where Have I Been All My Life?’ relatable. It’s rare for a perfectionist to share her greatest shames and mistakes so publicly, which allows my readers to connect deeply with my story. I am vulnerable on purpose because it gives permission to others to own their truth and uncover their unique voice with confidence. 

What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?

I wish someone would have told me to take notice of my heart’s desires rather than others people’s expectations of me. I was brought up in an era of people pleasers. My dreams and aspirations always came second to what I felt I ’should’ do and what I thought would be more acceptable by my parents, teachers, and society. The more I learn, the more I grow. I now have the power to change my behaviour and subsequently get closer to my authentic soul. It’s taken me decades to find my voice and I am now practising speaking my truth instead of saying what I think people want to hear. 

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?

I would be beyond ecstatic if my readers took away the realisation they are not alone. I hope to highlight our humanness and how we all make mistakes, we all experience suffering and we all face obstacles. I wasted a lot of energy trying to make it appear as though I had it ‘all together,’ but I’ve learnt this energy is better served helping others rather than being competitive. My story is an ordinary one, not an extraordinary one. A universal story of self-love and connectedness with the intention of helping us all feel less alone.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/10/my-journey-of-self-discovery/