Sophia Rose is here with a favorite author. The Little Italian Hotel by Phaedra Patrick delivers a delightful women’s fiction about relationships. Come check out Sophia’s review.

Little italian Hotel
by Phaedra Patrick
Genres: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:

When a relationship expert’s own marriage falls apart, she invites four strangers to Italy for a vacation of healing and second chances in this uplifting new novel from the author of The Messy Lives of Book People .

Ginny Splinter, acclaimed radio host and advice expert, prides herself on knowing what’s best for others. So she’s sure her husband, Adrian, will love the special trip to Italy she’s planned for their thirtieth wedding anniversary. But when Ginny presents the gift to Adrian, he surprises her with his own very different plan—a divorce.

Beside herself with heartache, Ginny impulsively invites four heartbroken listeners to join her in Italy instead while live on air. From hiking the hills of Bologna to riding a gondola in Venice to sharing stories around the dining table of the little Italian hotel, Ginny and her newfound company embark on a vacation of healing.

However, when Adrian starts to rethink their relationship, Ginny must decide whether to commit to her marriage or start afresh, alone. And an unexpected stranger may hold the key to a very different future… Sunny, tender and brimming with charm, The Little Italian Hotel explores marriage, identity and reclaiming the present moment—even if it means leaving the past behind.

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Sophia Rose’s Review

Phaedra Patrick has been a favorite since I read her debut book, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.  Focusing on ordinary people and their lives, her stories are engaging, heartwarming, and insightful into the human condition.  I was eager to read about a middle-aged woman who knows all the answers and has the perfect life learn what a charade that truly is before she embarks on a soul-searching trip to Italy to share a small, faded hotel with five strangers.

Ginny has always had the gift of empathy and married her high school sweetie.  But the years have brought her to a crisis point with her husband.  They are practically strangers and now he wants a separation for them both to figure out if there is anything worth saving.  Ginny is shocked and completely unsettled.  She chooses to use the trip that was meant for an anniversary gift to Italy with four struggling strangers like herself.  Forced to evaluate her entire life, Ginny is on even footing with her fellow guests and their host.

I loved seeing the magic of shared experiences and life stories get each of this odd assortment of people to open up with each other and start to heal a little.  Ginny might have gotten complacent with her life back in England, but she truly does have a gift of empathy for others and each of those others has a gift to contribute to the group, too.  It was neat discovering what lay behind the façade of each.  The hotel proprietor and his daughter are also part of the healing group.

This is all about people and their relationships, but it is not romance.  There are romantic moments, but the focus is Ginny and the others healing and able to find a measure of joy and peace with what life through at them.  The gentle pace and tone of the character-driven story set against a beautiful Italian village and tourist locales all came together to make a satisfying read.  Contemporary Fiction and Women’s Fictions fans would most appreciate The Little Italian Hotel.

Amazon | Audible

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/06/the-little-italian-hotel-by-phaedra-patrick.html

In Todd Knight’s riveting novel, The Posh Prepper, we follow the dynamic journey of protagonist Nick Ritter, an expert survivalist frequently sought after by the elite for his bespoke emergency plans. However, in an ironic twist of fate, Ritter finds himself in dire need of his own strategies as a deadly virus brings the world to the precipice of extinction. Regrettably, his meticulously crafted plans consistently falter, compelling him to navigate a world consumed by disorder. Along this tumultuous journey, he forms an unlikely alliance with a diverse group of survivors, united by the singular goal of reaching his safe haven in New Zealand, a sanctuary seemingly immune to the pervasive destruction.

Set in the ominous backdrop of the 2030s, The Posh Prepper is a spellbinding apocalyptic thriller that holds the reader hostage with its relentless pace and unpredictable plot. Knight expertly manipulates suspense and tension, cultivating a narrative landscape that ensures the reader’s anticipation never wanes. The culmination of these elements is a crescendo of high stakes that leaves the reader gasping in trepidation and tantalizing anticipation.

The Posh Prepper may be the quickest I have ever devoured a 400-page book. The narrative momentum is propulsive, dragging the reader through its electrifying plot with an exhilarating velocity that mirrors the urgency of Ritter’s quest for survival.

Knight’s vivid and graphic descriptions serve as the novel’s lifeblood, effectively transforming the written word into a cinema of the mind. His unflinching portrayal of an apocalyptic reality is both haunting and immersive, a testament to his prowess as a storyteller.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Knight’s narrative is his assembly of protagonists. These are not superhuman characters performing implausible feats; instead, they are relatable, flawed individuals relying on courage, intellect, and sheer determination to confront insurmountable odds.

Knight’s dialogue serves as a critical conduit for character development, enabling the reader to understand each character’s unique personality and emotional state through their verbal exchanges.

The Posh Prepper is a thrilling, immersive reading experience that weaves together elements of suspense, emotion, and human resilience. It’s an apocalypse tale that will linger in your consciousness long after the final page.

Pages: 474 | ASIN: B0BVNRQ4B4

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/23/the-posh-prepper/

On to Plan C by Jeremiah A Gilbert offers a captivating travelogue that chronicles the author’s and his wife’s remarkable journey, marking their first significant international excursion since the onset of the pandemic. This literary gem documents their ingenious “Plan C” after their original travel plans were disrupted by the challenges posed by Covid-19. Their adventure commences in the idyllic tropical paradise of Fiji before leading them to the vibrant tapestry of Europe. Along their path, they explore the iconic cities of London, Bergen, Copenhagen, and Berlin, culminating in an unforgettable European river cruise that meanders through the picturesque landscapes of the Netherlands and Germany, offering glimpses of charming villages, resplendent vineyards, and captivating Christmas markets. Emerging from the depths of the European winter, the author and his wife find solace in the embrace of a warmer climate during a three-week Caribbean cruise. Setting sail from Bridgetown, they embark on an enchanting voyage through the jewels of the Caribbean region, immersing themselves in its unrivaled beauty and allure.

The author enriches the narrative with stunning photographs revealing his remarkable skill behind the lens. These captivating visuals provide a profound context to the written words, allowing the reader to embark on a visual odyssey alongside the author. Immersing myself in this book, I relished the opportunity to experience the author’s perspective as they embarked on their first post-pandemic adventure. Overall, the author’s experience proved to be an engaging and enlightening read. The book’s prose consistently shines with its ability to transport readers to remarkable destinations. Gilbert’s descriptions offer valuable insights into the island’s allure. Take, for example, the author’s account of their visit to Great Stirrup Cay. In describing the island’s geographical features, the author paints a vivid picture of its northern part, which boasts sandy beaches and snorkeling havens, while the southern counterpart holds a helicopter airfield and remnants of a bygone US military installation and satellite tracking station. Elevating the memoir further with a touch of creative flair and emotional resonance adds an extra layer of enchantment to the storytelling. Furthermore, while the encounters with people along their journey were not extensively detailed, this only serves to ignite the reader’s desire for a deeper, more profound human connection within the captivating narrative.

I found On to Plan C to be an effortlessly readable and captivating account. I was particularly enthralled by the mesmerizing travel photography that accompanied the text. I highly recommend this travelogue to those who want to be taken on a thrilling adventure.

Pages: 250 | ISBN: 8196316135

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/23/on-to-plan-c-a-return-to-travel/

Transformation Summer follows a teenage boy into adulthood who reflects back on the experiences he had at a camp and how those experiences impacted his life. Where did the idea for this novel come from?

This is probably going to sound like something out of a paranormal/sci-fi TV series, but it really did happen: One winter morning, I was returning to Boston from a visit to upstate New York and driving east on the Massachusetts Turnpike through the Berkshires. There’s usually not much traffic on that part of the Pike, certainly not at that time of day, so you can kind of unlatch your brain. And I just had a flash of inspiration, of two people having an encounter of some kind in one of those wooded mountain vistas I was seeing through my windshield. 

I couldn’t even tell you what that original “flash” entailed, because I immediately started trying to pin it down, pulling the lens back to lend more context. Who are these people? Why are they there? How do they know each other? I just kept going through different possibilities and scenarios.

By the time I got to Worcester – roughly 45 minutes from my exit – I’d hammered out some basics: These were two people at an all-ages camp of some kind, not an ultra-wilderness setting or a vacation resort but a locus of activity with a purpose to it. Yet I didn’t want this camp to be affiliated with a specific organization or faith tradition or behavioral/personal-growth philosophy, either. I thought of it as being a grassroots, DIY-driven initiative that drew people from many different backgrounds.

In the weeks that followed, I decided the story would work better as a memoir, of somebody – Seth, our protagonist – remembering his time in that place (I thought “Toward Transformation” was a good 1970s kind of name for it) when he was a teenager; and that this experience was during a period of great emotional upheaval for him. Seth had not gone there willingly but at the behest of his mother, and at the outset was very skeptical about the whole business. And years later, he’s still trying to process it.

Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?

Not specifically, although I do remember the 1970s (when, like Seth, I was in my teens) as being awash in various personal growth-type programs and opportunities. You’d read or hear about them through TV, movies, magazines, or word of mouth, and it’s fair to say it wasn’t just “hippies” or people into alternative lifestyles who were involved, but middle-class Americans, too. 

That said, I did reflect on the weekend youth programs I’d participated in as a teenager that were run by the Quaker meeting my mother and I attended (just to clarify, I did not formally become a practicing Quaker). At these programs – which dealt with aspects of personal growth – you’d see a lot of the same people, develop friendships or closer relationships over time, and you’d have your shared customs, rituals, in-jokes, etc. You also cultivated a set of behaviors and expectations around these gatherings: unlike at school, you felt you could truly open up and “be yourself,” and not suffer any consequences.

So I thought of those programs as the essence of an “intentional community,” a concept we normally associate with, say, housing cooperatives, collective households, communes, and the like. But I stretched the definition to include those instances in which we withdraw, temporarily, from the larger world into a setting that is its own ecosystem: a camp, a retreat, even an annual music festival.

So that’s how I envisioned Toward Transformation, and how Seth experiences it. In fact, he sees that the kids there his age, most of whom have been attending since they were in grade school, have formed their own intentional community within the larger adult one. Even as he’s struggling with his issues, and is wary about his mother’s involvement in Transformation, he’s intrigued by what he observes around him.  

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

Certainly one theme concerns the hold that a memory can exert on us, even years after the fact. And implicit in this is the question, can a memory become an end in itself, ultimately more important than the actual people, places, or events it evokes? Can a memory keep us from moving on, moving forward, even as it enriches us?

Another salient theme in the book is how, at some point in our youth, we come to realize that adults – especially including our parents – are fallible, imperfect, even vulnerable. We may find this revelation perplexing, unsettling, and empowering, maybe all at the same time. That’s certainly true for Seth and some of the other characters in the book.

Yet another theme relates to what I said about intentional communities, specifically those that are formed around short-duration gatherings: After you’ve gained some fresh insights and ideas, or you’ve simply reveled in being in the company of like-minded others, how do you go back to the real world? Can you incorporate the qualities of that special community, that experience, into your everyday life? If you try to explain what it was like to a co-worker or classmate, will they get it? 

This theme is more in the background, but I think it’s also worth considering: the downfall of a unified vision, of consensus. Through Seth, we can see that things are starting to come apart at the seams at Toward Transformation. People are expressing dissatisfaction with the camp’s direction or questioning some of its basic tenets. There’s also the suggestion of more deep-seated differences, notably in personal beliefs and political outlooks, that may further jeopardize its future. Was all this inevitable? Is there a way ahead?

What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?

Well, I have two unfinished novels, one of which I started before Transformation Summer. That particular one is about a young man fresh out of college who goes to work at a weekly newspaper in early/mid-1980s Central Massachusetts — which, by an amazing coincidence, happens to resemble my life trajectory. It’s a coming-of-adulthood story, I suppose, exploring how we become our own, independent selves, however tentatively or shakily. I also try to depict the days and works of a small-town reporter in what now seems — sadly — like a long-ago-and-far-away era for journalism. I really want to finish that one, and I’m about two-thirds of the way through; I just have to decide how happy I want the ending to be. Wish me luck.

The other unfinished novel is a love story set in early-1980s Boston, which is where I lived while finishing up my undergraduate degree – another incredible coincidence. I already have the ending figured out, more or less, so I have to clear the path that will get me there. 

I also took a short story I’d written and expanded it into a novel; technically, it’s finished, but I think I want to go back in and make some changes, because it has some similar elements as Transformation Summer (e.g., 1970s teenage boy with divorced parents). And believe it or not, I recently started mulling over an idea for another novel; I’ve tried to chase it out of my metaphorical yard, but the idea keeps coming back to the door. 

It would probably be easier to pursue these various projects if, you know, I didn’t have full- and part-time jobs, both of which involve writing. But then again, I never – and I mean never – expected to finish writing, let alone publish, a book. Yet here we are. I welcome any and all encouragement.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/23/pulling-the-lens-back/

The Ibiza Crone Club by Josephine O’Brien presents an ideal choice for a captivating vacation read. Following Cassandra’s return to her spiritual hometown, a place that has never disappointed her, she embarks on a quest for something more profound—a fresh and invigorating experience that might have eluded her. While Pamela cherishes her friends, family, and daughter, the ups and downs of life, coupled with the passage of time, have left her yearning for a touch of magic and excitement. In an unforeseen twist of fate, three strangers converge, and with the assistance of an ancient goddess, their encounter surpasses mere medical assistance, kindling a glimmer of hope for the manifestation of true magic in their lives.

The narrative blends moments of laughter and levity, skillfully capturing the very essence of enchantment. Readers will find themselves fully immersed in the intricacies of the plot, the vividness of the setting, and the depth of the characters. Each character, skillfully portrayed with their idiosyncrasies, particularly Cassandra with her vibrant personality, succeeds in captivating the reader from the outset. Throughout the book, recurring themes of hope and magic resonate, while the characters’ relationships evoke a delightful sense of nostalgia.

This novel is a delightful gem that warms the heart. Despite its concise length, The Ibiza Crone Club leaves an indelible impression, leaving readers longing for more. The raw emotions conveyed within its pages are not only perceptible to the eye but palpable to the soul. Among the many standout qualities of the book, the setting stands tall, accompanied by the author’s boundless creativity. The vivid depiction of Ibiza and the characters’ profound connection to the place awakens a deep longing within readers, igniting their desire to experience the sense of belonging so beautifully portrayed in the novel.

This work transcends mere humor; it seamlessly intertwines emotional depth, resulting in a truly remarkable fusion. The novel is an exquisite blend of hilarity and heart, as skillfully exemplified in its pages.

Pages: 313 | ASIN: B0B9QMJGL7

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/23/the-ibiza-crone-club/

Gather Seeds of Hope: Poems, Prose, and Stories…with a Little Hope Sprinkled In stands as a remarkable collection of poems and stories by the talented author K.A. Bloch. This captivating work builds upon the themes of self-empowerment and nurturing internal kindness introduced in her first book, Scatter Seeds of Kindness. In the face of gloomy times and the unpredictable cycles of life, this installment carries a resounding message: you are never alone.

The book is divided into two main parts, and K.A. Bloch sets the tone brilliantly with an opening poem that encapsulates the essence of hope. Delving into the realm of Mother Nature, the author employs metaphorical language to guide the reader towards a meditative state, encouraging a deep focus on the mind, body, soul, and emotions. Through this approach, the reader is grounded, finding solace and tranquility, allowing them to fully embrace the profound teachings and messages conveyed in K.A. Bloch’s exquisite work. The first chapter culminates with a Japanese proverb that resonates powerfully: “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” This targeted introduction is executed with impeccable finesse.

Each chapter begins with evocative, lengthy poems, serving as an initial invitation to the reader. However, it is the subsequent explanatory paragraphs that truly shine, infusing the narrative with a potent influence. Whether delving into discussions on Maslow’s theory of motivation, the complexities of money, political science, emotional reactivity, or the significance of social connections, K.A. Bloch masterfully weaves these diverse topics into her work, creating a rich and multifaceted tapestry of wisdom. The seamless incorporation of such breadth and depth is a testament to the author’s remarkable skill.

The book’s tone is gentle yet impactful, supplemented by real-life examples and a touch of witty humor. Such a writing style ensures a wide range of readers, from teenagers to individuals in the twilight of their lives, will find immense pleasure in its pages. From the hopeful opening lines to the poignant concluding piece, ‘The Little Bud,’ readers are reminded that with unwavering determination, trusting one’s instincts, and harnessing self-reliance, the power to shape one’s life, persona, career, or any endeavor lies within reach. This resounding message underscores the author’s remarkable ability to inspire and motivate readers to wholeheartedly pursue their dreams.

In Gather Seeds of Hope, K.A. Bloch has masterfully crafted a collection that combines beauty, introspection, and enlightenment. It is a testament to her literary prowess and a testament to the profound impact that her words can have on those who immerse themselves in her work.

Pages: 190 | ASIN: B0C2WJMPK3

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/23/gather-seeds-of-hope-poems-prose-and-storieswith-a-little-hope-sprinkled-in/