The Tale of the Young Witch follows a teenage girl in a small village who discovers she has magical abilities that were long thought lost from the world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

When I first thought about the concept, I was watching a Game of Thrones episode and I thought to myself, What would happen to that world if it underwent an industrial revolution? Then I thought to myself, What if our alternate history of the real world turned out differently based on a magic interwined with history? Different movies and television shows, especially Japanese animation, also inspired me with making sure imagery and world building was a first.

Amelia struggles with believing she has magical abilities and how to wield them while dealing with the loss of her home and father.

What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

I tried putting myself in her shoes. I would have been struggling to believe I had amazing powers at first, just like her. She had to grow up over the course of the story to meet challenges and overcome them.

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

History, science, philosopical concepts, cinematography.

Will this novel be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?

I am actually thinking about making a follow-up book to explore some remaining concepts that were mentioned but went unanswered from this book.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/30/i-had-amazing-powers/

The libel lawsuit filed in March 2021 by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News, over the network’s coverage of claims that the company had rigged the 2020 election, was settled this spring, but the case may soon become an artifact of a vanished era. In pretrial skirmishing, the two sides agreed on this much: the […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/07/20/keeping-speech-robust-and-free-new-york-times-v-sullivan/

As the title suggests—particularly once you realize that its grandiosity is unironic—The World and All That It Holds is by some distance Aleksandar Hemon’s most ambitious work, with the main action spanning thirty-five years, two disintegrating empires, World Wars I and II, and the Russian and Chinese Revolutions. The problem is that his transparent desire […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/07/20/the-hemon-variations-the-world-and-all-that-it-holds/

In an uncanny anticipation of his subsequent reception history, Johannes Vermeer made one of his first appearances in the printed record in the guise of a phoenix, the mythical bird that regenerates itself from its own ashes. The context was a poem by the printer Arnold Bon, published in 1667 to commemorate the premature death […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/07/20/life-made-light-johannes-vermeer/

A sign flanking the Maine Turnpike near the New Hampshire border greets drivers as they file in from points south: “Maine. Welcome Home. The Way Life Should Be.” This seductive dictum, however, obscures less romantic landscapes within the borders of our state. Most of its residents live on roads where the 15.6 million tourists who […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/07/20/vacationland-night-of-the-living-rez-talty/

Nick Drnaso draws comics with a minimalism just this side of crudeness. The colors are flat, the lines uniform and thin, the pages strict grids of small panels. His characters are soft and boxy and barely differentiated, like cheap cars: their clothes are vague masses of fabric, their hair sits in rigid lumps above round, […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/07/20/this-is-not-your-grave-acting-class-nick-drnaso/

We are heading back to the quirky town of Townsend Harbor, situated on the Washington coast for another RomCom romance. Brewbies by Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin delivered a feminine empowered tale with coffee talk, shenanigans, and a sexy romance to curl your toes.

by Kerrigan Byrne, Cynthia St. Aubin
Series: Townsend Harbor #2
Genres: Contemporary Women
Source: Author
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From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling authors Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin, is the next opposites attract rom-com including plenty of shenanigans from the hilarious Townsend Harbor cast!

Darby Dunwell is not—as her name might suggest—a Bond Girl, though she’s been blessed with the body of one. An east coast, ivy-league, trust fund kid, she flees a life of expectation, elocution, and executive board rooms to follow her one true Coffee. Isn’t the Washington Coast the Mecca for all things brew related? The deeply eccentric seaside tourist hamlet of Townsend Harbor throws its doors wide open for her sex-positive, bikini-themed coffee shop named, Brewbies. Her grand opening is an unmitigated success, until the county sheriff saunters in to shut her down.

Compulsive rule-follower Sheriff Ethan Townsend is known for helping old ladies across the road, breaking up bar fights, and keeping the sleepy town safe from the flood of seasonal tourists. One-night stands, not so much. After having his heart publicly stomped on, he no longer bothers to ask the name of the woman he’s going to forget in the morning. A policy he regrets when the woman who blew his mind turns out to be his nemesis. Not only is Darby’s salacious coffee shop causing traffic incidents on the Coastal Highway, its proprietress keeps making his life-among other things-as hard as possible.

Darby finds herself embroiled in a feud she never wanted with the cop who is as tight assed as his trousers suggest. But even as their animosity sizzles and the town begins to take sides, Ethan can’t seem to keep his eyes off Darby’s double D’s.

Sheriff Ethan Townsend didn’t have a simple time of things in Nevermore Bookstore, the first standalone romance in the Townsend Harbor. In Brewbies, we get to know him better. While it isn’t necessary to read the first book, you will appreciate getting to know the characters and small town.

Darby Dunwell, a trust fund kid, abandoned her expected path for her passions. She runs Brewbies, a coffee shop out of her RV, and has set up shop on the outskirts of Townsend Harbor. Her grand opening is a hit! That is until the sheriff serves her papers. Papers that will shut her down in seven days.

I loved Darby. She is over-the-top, dresses vintage and isn’t afraid to embrace her best life. Except maybe for friendships. Her marketing was fantastic, and I was drooling and laughing over the coffee offered.

I loved the meet as it set the tone between Ethan & Darby. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot, but both are going to have to open up, trust, and heal from past issues. He follows the rules, and she likes to color outside the lines. It was magic.

The townies are up in arms about Darby’s risqué-themed coffee shop and invoke an old town law. Darby investigates why the town wants her gone. Ethan has competition for town Sheriff and is still angry at his mother for selling the property he wanted. In-between their romance develops with plenty of heat and tender moments.

The local ladies rally to help Darby, but she has some ideas of her own. We will see familiar characters, attend the local book club and hang out at the carnival. Filled with humor and character growth, I had a good time and look forward to the next book.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/06/brewbies-by-kerrigan-byrne-cynthia-st-aubin.html

When a teacher is absent, school days are always a little more interesting. When Ms. Smith is out for the day, her substitute, Ms. Bryan, helps out guest speaker, Nurse Florence, with her presentation on summer safety. Like any other class of elementary students, Ms. Smith’s kiddos have lots of questions–all good ones at that. They are treated to a Powerpoint presentation that covers everything from water safety to stranger danger. With Nurse Florence help and detailed explanations, Ms. Smith’s students end their day more than well-prepared to head into summer and return safely to school in the fall.

Nurse Florence, What Are Some Summer Safety Tips?, written by Michael Dow and illustrated by JoAnn Smith, is a wonderful guide for children on how to meet the various challenges they may face on summer vacation. Written in a narrative form that serves as an easy-to-read guidebook, Dow’s book covers a wide variety of topics most children will encounter while school is out. In addition, Dow has included many tips that are relevant in day-to-day life.

Dow’s book is a fantastic tool for preparing students for summer break. I teach elementary school, and I can see myself including this book in a lesson at the end of the school year as my students prepare for their summer vacation. I was especially encouraged to see that Dow included advice on using and reapplying sunscreen, wearing hats, and wearing sunglasses with UV protection. As a skin cancer patient and a mother, I found this to be one of the most impactful aspects of Dow’s work.

Teachers and parents looking for a great way to educate children about summer safety will not be disappointed with their purchase. Dow provides a comprehensive list of tips that will make summer safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Pages: 98 | ISBN: 1387845586

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/29/nurse-florence-what-are-some-summer-safety-tips/

Two lost souls find a tether in the power of love.

Pru Blum’s life hasn’t been easy, but working as a cellist with the Lower Georgia Symphonic Orchestra is her solace. She depends on her friends and uncle for support, but she’s resolved to become stronger and more independent. However, avoiding her abusive ex, Cliff,  isn’t easy…especially since he’s a member of the orchestra too. His overbearing personality and unwanted attention stop her in her tracks each time she tries to move forward.

Shawn Levinson’s life seems disjointed, almost as though it’s someone else’s. His parents adore and expect him to marry his girlfriend, Helena, and for him to work for her father’s corporation. Deep down, he knows their relationship is a sham. Besides, sitting at a desk and wearing a tie forever isn’t his dream. Whenever he tries to follow his own path, though, everyone dismisses his hopes as foolish. He doesn’t have the strength to oppose two families, so he escapes to Georgia to work on his parents’ retirement home and look for some clarity. 

When these two lost souls literally collide, sparks fly, but neither wants the complication of a relationship. And Shawn hasn’t mentioned anything to Pru about Helena. No matter how hard they try to distance themselves, they can’t seem to keep away from each other. By the time they’re ready to admit their feelings, their pasts and secrets are poised to blow up in their faces. Falling in love may be exactly what they need…if they can each get out of their own way.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/29/dear-prudence-book-trailer/

The Cost of Living by Daisy DeMay is an engaging work of fiction that delves into the lives of survivors grappling with a new and dystopian world, brought upon by a series of devastating tornadoes and catastrophic weather events. The protagonist, Sara, endures the heart-wrenching loss of her two young children during the initial tornado, leaving her to cope with grief amidst the chaos. Compounding her suffering is her husband’s persistently abusive behavior, which only ceases when he is permanently removed from her life. To ensure her survival, Sara forms an alliance with Sam Alperstein, a high school friend she had lost touch with after marrying, and Adam, a stranger who valiantly rescues her from an escaped convict. However, in a world where moral boundaries blur, Sara faces the daunting task of determining whom she can trust.

Throughout the narrative, The Cost of Living introduces captivating plot twists that effortlessly sustain the reader’s attention and curiosity. The author adeptly weaves unforeseen elements into the story, constantly challenging our perceptions of heroism and villainy. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of these unexpected elements, as they diverge from the conventional approach employed by most dystopian works. Moreover, the novel provides a thought-provoking exploration of how individuals navigate the aftermath of societal collapse. The characters’ struggle to adapt to a life devoid of emergency services, law enforcement, and functioning governance resonated deeply as they grappled with finding missing family members, seeking assistance, and seeking solace in this new reality.

While The Cost of Living succeeds in captivating its readers, it does leave some lingering questions unanswered by its conclusion. Personally, I yearned to discover the fate of Sara, Sam, and Adam once they connected with another group of survivors. However, this open-endedness also leaves room for further contemplation and imaginative speculation, inviting readers to ponder the characters’ futures beyond the pages of the book. This book delves into dark themes. The narrative confronts distressing subjects such as the loss of children, verbal and physical abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide, and torture. So, a word of caution to those that are not comfortable with those subjects, but the novel does a good job of portraying them thoughtfully.

I encountered moments within the book where Sara’s reactions to certain situations demonstrated an intriguing unpredictability, adding a layer of complexity to her character. Additionally, her willingness to forge ahead despite clear warnings showcased a remarkable determination, enhancing the depth of her portrayal. The intentional absence of contractions in the dialogue contributed to a deliberate cadence, lending a distinct and unique quality to the overall conversation flow.

The Cost of Living by Daisy DeMay immerses readers in a compelling narrative that navigates the trials and tribulations of survivors in a dystopian world. The unexpected twists and moral ambiguities add depth to the story, ensuring a gripping reading experience.

Pages: 364 | ASIN: B0C41625WL

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/06/29/the-cost-of-living/