Just to the east of the City of London is the district called Spitalfields. It was always a place of exile. Once the habitat of Huguenot weavers fleeing the massacres in France, it later became a refuge for Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe and Russia. By the 1970s it had acquired a new population of […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/05/25/house-of-delft/
Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy, and Rebecca Zanetti are back with another anthology where the stories weave together. Suspense, murder, redemption and love await you. Grab a cup of iced coffee and see what I enjoyed about these tales….
Peril
by Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy, Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Blood Ties: The Logans #3.5, Pike Wisconsin 4.5, Redemption Wyoming Novella #2
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
From romantic thriller powerhouses Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy and Rebecca Zanetti, the trio behind the instant USA Today bestseller PIVOT, three new interwoven stories about brave heroes fighting to stop a rampage – and protect the women they love…
When a cop killer resurfaces in Denver, enlisting the help of a pair of local lowlifes, it marks the beginning of a violent crime spree that will wreak havoc and endanger lives. Law enforcement is on alert from the first sighting of the cold-blooded trio. To take down this brutal gang, only those willing to risk everything they hold dear stand a chance . . .
First, a pair of Denver police officers facing each other for the first time after one night of abandon find themselves working together to stop an ambitious bank heist. In Wyoming, a string of robberies marks the gang’s arrival, and the local sheriff springs into action when the criminals discover his estranged fiancée can identify them. Finally, in the mountains of Colorado, the gang takes shelter on a peaceful guest ranch, where a fiercely protective rancher is hellbent on roping the fugitives up for good.
Trusting their sharply honed instincts, three rugged men will fight to stop the rampage before the women they’d die for become the next victims . . .
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Peril is the second anthology from Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy, and Rebecca Zanetti, featuring intertwining tales. The first was Pivot, which I reviewed last week. In Peril, a group of bank robbers tie the stories together.
These anthologies that weave the same suspenseful thread are great reads and the perfect way to explore a new series. It isn’t necessary to have read the series mentioned to enjoy these stories.
Amazon
Alexandra Ivy graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She started her career writing traditional regencies before moving into the world of paranormal with her USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times bestselling series The Guardians of Eternity. Now she writes a wide variety of genres that include paranormal, erotica, and romantic suspense.
New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. Currently residing in Missoula, Montana with her Western-author husband, L. J. Martin, Kat has written sixty-five Historical and Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels. More than sixteen million copies of her books are in print and she has been published in twenty foreign countries. Kat is currently at work on her next Romantic Suspense.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/05/peril-by-kat-martin-alexandra-ivy-rebecca-zanetti.html
Walls: The Blood of Champions by SF Covell is the 3rd book in the gripping sci-fi Walls series. Twelve unsuspecting neighbors from Los Angeles are unexpectedly thrust into an extraordinary ordeal. As pawns in a peculiar Alien contest, they are compelled to fight for survival right here on Earth. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they are abducted by the enigmatic Blurr and transported to a distant planet. Now, these twelve individuals must confront their most formidable challenge to date as they prepare to engage in a high-stakes battle against a race of colossal giants. To make matters even more intense, their every move will be broadcasted to a wide audience.
Author SF Covell immerses readers into a world filled with tension and excitement. While this book may draw some inspiration from The Hunger Games and incorporate some familiar sci-fi elements, it manages to create a unique blend that kept me engaged. It’s like a collage of captivating scenes, each contributing to the overall experience. The plot and setting, although familiar, are skillfully executed, adding depth and excitement to the genre. The story unfolds at a steady pace, gradually building tension and capturing the interest of readers. Despite the large cast of characters, they each bring their own perspectives and contribute to the rich tapestry of the narrative. While it required some attention to follow the dialogue, it added a layer of complexity that made the story more rewarding.
Overall, Walls: The Blood of Champions breathes new life into the sci-fi genre. It combines elements from various sources into a refreshing and enjoyable read. As an avid science fiction enthusiast, I found myself thoroughly immersed in its pages. This book deserves a special place on the bookshelves of fellow sci-fi fans, as it offers a captivating journey through the cosmos.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0C2Y537LZ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/25/walls-the-blood-of-champions/
Author PD Alleva takes terror to new heights, introducing a nightmarish clown into the mix. While many individuals have a clandestine fascination with horror and depravity, few are willing to admit it openly. However, what if an author went beyond the conventional “call of duty” to deliver a genuinely spine-chilling novel?
Enter Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect by PD Alleva—a harrowing tale that delves into the darkest corners of murder, violence, sexual assault, cannibalism, and suicide. This true horror narrative is not intended for the faint of heart. However, while many books claiming to be horror merely skim the surface of the genre’s potential, Jigglyspot boldly breaks through and leaves readers trembling in its wake, as it horrifies them in disturbing ways.
The story follows a cast of characters whose lives intertwine with Jigglyspot as he commits his unspeakable acts. The book’s contents are viscerally and profoundly terrible—exemplifying the essence of true horror. At times, it can be challenging to read, given the unspeakable nature of the acts depicted. Nevertheless, PD Alleva skillfully crafts Jigglyspot as a repugnant yet intriguing character, managing to captivate readers despite the discomfort that arises from enjoying a tale rooted in such abhorrent circumstances.
The author’s remarkable ability to unearth the darkest aspects of the human psyche and enthrall readers in the process is commendable. This work transcends the boundaries of the horror genre, commanding the reader’s attention from beginning to end.
Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect is a thrilling paranormal horror novel that keeps readers in suspense with each new chapter. PD Alleva gives readers more than just a horror novel; Jigglyspot’s character, while disturbing, draws the reader in with their story making this novel more than just a shock and awe horror tale. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to avid horror enthusiasts who seek an unyielding and uncompromising experience.
Pages: 570 | ASIN : B0BWSD6C13
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/25/jigglyspot-and-the-zero-intellect/
In Struggle Bus, Josh Wood presents a captivating chronicle of his life revolving around a family bus that rose to internet fame through a viral Craigslist ad. The narrative is a rich tapestry of humorous, personal, and unforgettable tales about Wood’s large family of eleven and the myriad adventures they embark on. Some of these journeys take place aboard the iconic Struggle Bus, while others transport them beyond national borders, immersing them in diverse cultures and lifestyles.
With a lively family of nine children, the book is a treasure trove of engaging moments – from comical blunders and emergency situations to enlightening encounters with refugees and profound reflections on faith. The Struggle Bus itself is more than just a backdrop to these stories. Its physical attributes and even its flaws, such as scuff marks and a malfunctioning air conditioner, become integral narrative elements, each with a story to tell.
Yet, beneath the humor and the tangible, Wood deftly weaves profound themes of Christianity, social consciousness, travel, family, parenting, and the pursuit of happiness. He skillfully employs conversational language and inventive metaphors, crafting a narrative that is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking.
Wood’s book provides valuable insights into parenting, both directly and indirectly, making it a valuable resource for parents managing a large family. One particularly inspiring example is Wood’s commitment, along with his wife, to regularly host refugee families for dinner. This simple act of welcoming strangers into their home and educating their children about global disparities embodies their personal contribution to shaping a better world.
Struggle Bus serves as a poignant reminder that life and parenting are not about seeking perfection but about cherishing love and togetherness and finding joy in our shared experiences. It highlights the wisdom to be gained from remaining open to life’s lessons, as Wood himself learns from his children, his bus, and even his own comedic errors.
If you’re a fan of memoirs or books that delve into the intricacies of family life, Struggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend is a must-read. You’ll find yourself laughing, learning, and reminiscing about your own cherished moments with your loved ones. Dive into Josh Wood’s entertaining and introspective world; you’ll be glad you did.
Pages: 145 | ASIN : B0859KSKF8
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/25/struggle-bus-the-van-the-myth-the-legend/
Boone and Jacque: Sahon follows two friends who are separated from everyone they love and are trying to return to Earth. Where did the idea for this novel come from, and how did it develop over time?
For starters, thank you for a wonderful review that reduced me to tears of pride and joy. Secondly, this was a hard book to write, not just because it was the last one of the series, but because I wasn’t in good health. For most of the writing, which was around six months, I had chronic tension headaches and dizzy spells due to pinched and strained muscles in my back, neck, and shoulder that was putting immense pressure on my nerves. Also, I was in a car accident with a commercial freight truck and had some inner demons that festered in my head. All of which I implemented into the story. Please know no one was hurt in the accident.
To properly close Boone and Jacque’s arcs, I had to isolate them as much as possible before bringing them back together and then return to their loved ones. Furthermore, they had to be exposed to emotions they have repressed for quite sometime.
As for how the idea for the novel developed over time, it started from when I first worked on book four, Boone and Jacque: Cytrus Moonlight. I knew that book five would be the final one because any further extension of the series would tarnish the richness of the conclusive nature of their arc. To which I had much to cover in the final leg of their journey.
I thought about how we as human beings are decision makers. Some more active than others. As in we don’t all act on our emotions all the time. We have responsibilities to uphold, people to care for, a job to go to, hurdles to overcome, endure nightmares, goals to achieve, secrets to keep for the sake of loyalty or self preservation, and many other things that occupy and complicate our minds. Therefore, getting in the way of understanding who we are. What our purpose is and what we do to get the most out of it.
Sometimes, the love we have for others is so strong, we forget to love and understand ourselves. Sometimes the ones we love see how broken and depleted we are. They try to help us but it’s not always enough.
So though Boone and Jacque have been on many adventures, it was always together. In addition, because they were so focused on surviving and keeping each other alive, while also dealing with interpersonal issues and enduring the complexities of life without parental or peer guidance, they never had a true opportunity to find themselves in a more holistic way that solidified their fate as human beings. Where they go in life as adults is up to them.
That’s why the series is complete. Because even though they have much longer to live and endure other chapters in their lives, I can’t spend my entire career obsessing over them. When I will include them in other novels, their may be a few things for them to grow from, but it wouldn’t be enough for another segment of the series. Enough as secondary characters or passersby, but not primary characters.
One thing that stands out in this series is the bond the characters form with each other, not just Boone and Jacque. What was your process in writing the characters’ interactions to develop the bond they have?
One thing I always ask of myself as a writer, is to create strong bonds or chemistry between enemies, lovers, and friends. Because how others act around us or in our world, can have a strong effect on us. Especially when we meddle or have any part in their lives. Take for example Mayor Gander and Myamirah. Those two were meant to be secondary characters and antagonist that kept the interludes in the story active and engaging. So what I did was see how the ripping and tearing of their marriage, caused by a need for more power than the other, could create a continuing need for Boone and Jacque to grow. To forget about themselves once they’ve had a sense of who they are and therefore protect others before it’s too late.
I did all this by intriguing myself in dynamics outside of my own. In the real world, people in power don’t bother getting personal or violent with the public. But what if they had the gall to do so with those that could tarnish their position and ambitions? That’s the question I asked when creating that type of relationship.
As for Xantia and Shammy, I followed the natural progression of their relationship and the weight Xantia carried with her as she did her best to accomplish many things. Help take care of children even though she had no practice in being a caretaker. Unraveling the truth Myamirah kept secret then teased Xantia when she saw how close she was getting. I saw the relationship between Xantia and Shammy as a good counterbalance to Boone and Jacque’s need to find purpose and protect the ones they love as heroes, fathers, husbands, and humans desperate for sense of stability and undying love. Their wives are striving for the similar goals but because they had no idea of the when or if they’d see their husbands again, they became territorial and valiant warriors protecting their home base and children.
In a nutshell, I love characters and intersecting relationships to make a cohesive story. Because if I had Boone and Jacque come home to no conflict, I’m saying that the world stops living until they come back. Which is not realistic and would make the story fall flat. That’s why the interludes were implemented. To show the readers that while we are fighting for the life we want, the world is doing the same in different ways. We may not see it because it doesn’t affect us directly, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening all around us. More importantly, when it involves the ones we love, the ones we are interconnected with, it’s even more important to put our need to pick up our pieces by ourselves down and help them. Lastly, when we fight for freedom, peace, and love on our own, we forget that others can help us as well. More importantly, that they may be struggling as well. We must learn to drop our baggage and help someone let go of theirs.
What was one of the hardest parts in Boone and Jacque: Sahon for you to write?
The final chapter because I drew from my experience with my mother’s passing. We never had a wake, so I imagined what it would’ve been like. I knew I had to have something raw and powerful to finish the series. And I knew it was going to be hard for me. So, despite being exhausted, scared of the series ending, being overwhelmed, I wrote the last chapter in two days. Total four hours. Because if I took any longer, I would’ve watered down the emotion and dragged it out. I couldn’t do that to Boone and Jacque. Certainly not to myself as an emotional person.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
Boone will be a secondary character in a stand-alone novel called Red Widow Waltz. As for the premise, that is still up in the air. All I can tell you is there are three things. A seedy government agency, widowers, and a boogeyman. Jacque and Xantia will have an important role in a book called Tar. In which a dark entity from the depths of a desert spawn from earth’s core seeps into a grungy town called Barlocke.
As a bonus for the readers here, once Tar is complete, I will be working on another fantasy series I’ve been meaning to write. In which for now it will be called Zephutra. Which is inspired by my sister and I’s relationship as brother and sister.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Tiktok | Youtube
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/25/its-the-end-but-not-goodbye/
Catfishing Caitlyn explores the thrilling journey of a brilliant yet aimless Ph.D. graduate who, while unraveling enigmatic historical riddles, inadvertently uncovers the hidden traumas of her own past. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The simplest answer is that I’m not really sure! The story arrives, so to speak, as is the case with almost all the stories I write, and I find myself rushing to put it to paper before it leaves me.
If I were to dig a little deeper though, I would confess that the exploration of historical archives has always captivated me. As a historian by training, I spent most of my university years with my nose in dusty pages (long before there were digital archives!), and I was constantly astounded by the gems I found hidden deep in the lines that filled the library shelves. I wondered how much of ourselves we might find if we only looked closely.
Caitlyn is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I grew up around strong and powerful women. My mother, my grandmother, my two sisters, and my seven aunts were all fascinating to observe and listen to, and essentially incredibly inspiring. What I love most about them is how indifferent these women were to how they were perceived by others. I grew up at a time and in a culture when this type of indifference was predominantly a male privilege. But in my family, it was the women who were eccentric and lived life entirely on their terms. I think I am constantly recreating these women in many different manifestations in my novels.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I am possessed by the idea that something, which is at times referred to as ‘God’, though I would rather not describe it in such terms, appears to be interacting with us — pulling us and pushing us, and ultimately communicating with us. In this novel, something is communicating with Caitlyn, and is doing so through the very object of her desire, namely, her love for history and research. She is lured into what appears to be a game of academic skill only to find herself unexpectedly confronting her own childhood trauma. In a similar manner, I have often found myself pulled towards certain destinations only for them to unfold in a manner very different to that which I’d anticipated, perpetually leaving me with the question: who is playing this game?
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next novel, Erasures, is scheduled to be published in October. I actually completed this book some time ago, along with several others that will follow it. It’s a post-apocalyptic story that focuses on the life of a man who works at one of the last libraries on earth. He is shocked one day to witness the disappearance of words from texts, sacred texts it turns out, first from digital versions but eventually from paper copies as well. It’s both a thriller as well as an exploration of the complexities of humanity’s spiritual past and future.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Website Publisher | Instagram | Instagram Publisher | Medium
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/25/who-is-playing-this-game/
Summer cookbooks for everything from campground cooking to backyard cocktails
Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html%3Ftheme=light?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light
Best literature and fiction of May, chosen by Amazon editors
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What to read if you like books by Emily Henry
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