If the ninety-eight-page indictment by Fani T. Willis, district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia, of Donald Trump, Rudolph Giuliani, and seventeen other people is ever made into a movie, it should be called The Framing of Ruby Freeman. Willis gives names to, and levels charges at, some of the people who appear anonymously in Jack […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/08/17/frame-up-in-georgia-trump-indictment/
In the early autumn of 1950 Vladimir Nabokov received a letter from his editor’s husband, who was writing from their home in Brooklin, Maine. Dear Vladimir: There is a large grey spider that commonly inhabits out-buildings and sheds, and I turn to you on the chance that you know her and can enlighten me as […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/08/17/webs-of-style/
Narrated by Lauren Fortgang, James Fouhey, and Max Roll, Only Good Enemies by Jennifer Estep continues the sci-fi romantic fantasy series, Galactic Bonds. Grab an iced mocha and see why I enjoyed this audio.
Only Good Enemies
by Jennifer Estep
Series: Galactic Bonds #2
Narrator: Lauren Fortgang, James Fouhey, Max Roll
Length: 14 hours and 12 minutes
Genres: Space Opera
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
A WOMAN ON A MISSION . . .
My name is Vesper Quill. I used to be a lowly lab rat, toiling away in obscurity developing brewmakers and other household appliances. But thanks to my seer magic and my own ingenuity, I’m now a Regal lady and the head of a successful corporation.
My mission? To destroy the Techwave, the dangerous group that has stolen my designs and plans to weaponize them against the Imperium. But when my mission takes an unexpected turn, I’m once again surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.
Further complicating matters is Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord whose fate is bound to mine. Kyrion doesn’t realize the two of us still have an unwanted connection that puts us both in grave danger . . . or does he?
A MAN SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES . . .
My name is Kyrion Caldaren. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’ve been tasked with tracking down and destroying the Techwave before they seize control of the Archipelago Galaxy.
My other mission? Find a way to assassinate Lord Callus Holloway, the Imperium ruler who wants to take my psion power for his own. Holloway is also a threat to Vesper Quill, who haunts my thoughts, despite the broken bond and distance between us.
When I realize Vesper is in danger, my priorities change, and I vow to use all my telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities to help her. I will save Vesper from her enemies and mine—even if I have to burn down the whole bloody galaxy.
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While the author does a lovely job of recapping events from Only Bad Options, I recommend listening in the order of release.
Vesper Quill is now head of the company whose leader sent her off-planet to be killed. She is still hiding her bond with Kyrion Caldaren, the leader of the Arrows. She is hiding the bond for several reasons. 1. She doesn’t think Kyrion wants it. 2. Lord Callus Holloway, the Imperium ruler, will hold them captive and drain them of their power, like he did Kyrion’s parents.
The world is interesting with royalty and a hierarchy similar to those in historical fiction… only off planet with magic and cool tech. When Vesper is kidnapped by Techwave, Holloway sends Kyrion along with bonded twins to destroy Techwave and kill Vesper. The tale that unfolds kept me listening way past my bedtime.
I adore Vesper, even if she is sometimes too stubborn for her own good. Granted, it has taken Kyrion a beat to realize his feelings for Vesper. I love their interactions and heat and the non-stop action.
While the world is revealed as we go further into the series, I love the set up, from the popstar treatment of Royals to the magic and technology.
Only Good Enemies offered an engaging tale that built, advanced the plot and provided an ending that left me eager for the next audio release. Fans of space opera and science fiction with strong romantic elements will want to grab this series.
The audio was well done and narrated by Lauren Fortgang, James Fouhey, and Max Roll. I felt they captured the voices of these characters and the tone of Estep’s story. I highly recommend listening.
Amazon | Audible
Only Good Enemies by Jennifer Estep was another addictive installment in the Galactic Bond series. Narrated by Lauren Fortgang, James Fouhey and Max Roll. You'll want to grab your headphones!
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Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.
Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin adult urban fantasy series for Pocket. Books in the series are SPIDER’S BITE, WEB OF LIES, VENOM, TANGLED THREADS, SPIDER’S REVENGE, BY A THREAD, WIDOW’S WEB and DEADLY STING. THREAD OF DEATH, an e-novella, is also available. HAINTS AND HOBWEBS: AN ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN SHORT STORY can be found in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF GHOST ROMANCE. Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington.
James Fouhey is an actor and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator living in New York City. He received classical training at Boston University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He has recorded more than 150 audiobooks across a variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thriller, YA/teen, and biography and other nonfiction. James has even voiced a rapping kid dinosaur, much to the delight of his mom.
Lauren Fortgang is a New York City–based actor whose voice-over work includes video games, commercials, and live announcing. She has narrated roughly 160 unabridged audiobooks and has received recognition from AudioFile magazine, the Audio Publishers Association, the American Library Association, the Young Adult Library Services Association, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly.
Max Roll is a UK born actor with an MFA from Yale School of Drama. I have experience with multiple audio books for Audible, podcasts, trailers as well as commercial VO work for PBS and ADR Looping work for HBO. I have a home booth and work with a Rode NT1-A condenser mic, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 preamp and I’m linked with Source Connect.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/08/only-good-enemies-by-jennifer-estep.html
“Lesbian Vampire College Girls” plunges readers into a journey of fame, self-discovery, and unexpected advocacy, woven within a tantalizing tale that blurs the lines between the erotic and a discourse on gender inequality. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was looking for a topical subject that I could inject into an absurd situation. I wasn’t trying to take a side, I was only hoping to cast a humorous perspective on how we often stampede to judgements without really thinking.
How did you navigate the balance between the erotic elements and the deeper themes that emerged in the novel, especially the unintended feminist championing?
That was relatively easy. I simply took a real subject, introduced it into a ridiculous situation and gave it unwaranted attention and credibility. Then I threw fame and money into the mix. We see this all the time today in our discussions and disagreements on politics, religion, sexual orientation, professional relationships and media. I think today’s generation think that the day of the hard-sell ended in the1950s-60s with Mad Men. Sorry, but I’m afraid that the day of the hard-sell is just beginning.
Jack Knowles is depicted as an enigmatic protagonist with eccentric and whimsical behavior. How much of his character is drawn from your own experiences or people you know?
Let’s just say that I KNOW Jack Knowles, and that I see him everywhere I look in social media, movies and newspapers today. He’s not hard to find. He’s a good and decent guy that just got lost along the way and wants to find his way back. It’s a Faustian Tale in the 21st Century.
The comedic undertones in the novel, particularly with Knowles’ neighbors, add levity to the story. How important was humor in conveying the broader themes of fame, friendship, and self-discovery?
Humor is the glue that holds people together around the world. Humans are the only animal that shares this common bond. It crosses all cultural, religious, political and racial lines. Without looking at each other’s shared absurdities and laughing, this story would serve no purpose.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
We see this first hand through the eyes of Jack Knowles,
a writer of critically acclaimed books, but lacking rock
star fame or money he feels cheated. Dissatisfied with his
life he embarks on a Faustian contract seeking celebrity
and fortune without consideration for the personal
consequences. This leads him to the doorstep of Cyn
Poloski, a celebrated book publicist who knows the sort
of books that sell, and the kind of author Jack Knowles
has to become to become a celebrity. So, with the
seductive lure of unimagined success cast before him
Jack Knowles writes, Lesbian Vampire College Girls. But
rather than it simply becoming a pulp fiction best seller,
it miraculously becomes a critically acclaimed
cornerstone for the women’s movement. Jack Knowles is
seen as the champion for women’s equality. This bizarre
and totally absurd turn of events leaves him in a moral
dilemma; risk losing his newfound fame and fortune by
confronting this case of misplaced adulation, or go along
with it and sacrifice his artistic soul.
Lesbian Vampire College Girls, takes us on an absurd
comic ride making us look squarely at our obsession with
celebrity at any cost.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/17/hes-not-hard-to-find/
A shy Yorkshire Terrier puppy is ready to be adopted. She is a little afraid to leave her brothers and sisters, until a sweet mommy with a happy voice cuddles her and takes her home. The puppy learns that she has a big new family with four human sisters! As she begins her new adventure, she longs to be loved and to be given a very special name.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/17/my-fur-ever-family/
Embark on an exhilarating journey with Casper and Fletch, two resilient souls who find themselves marooned on a captivating island. This unexpected twist of fate unfolds after a gripping showdown on the high seas against a formidable crew of pirate hunters. As the dust settles, Casper and Fletch realize they stand as the sole survivors from their crew, setting the stage for a tale of survival, adaptation, and an unexpected opportunity for retribution.
In the heart of this 18th-century narrative, author Alexander Ellis weaves an enchanting tapestry of historical fiction centered around the world of piracy and its intriguing demise. Ellis channels the perspective of our protagonist, Casper, immersing readers in a vivid and enthralling experience.
The success of this book lies in Ellis’s ability to paint scenes so vibrant; you can almost feel the salty breeze and taste the adventure in the air. He effortlessly guides us through a spectrum of emotions, from poignant moments that tug at the heartstrings to pulse-pounding battles that gleam with a touch of visceral excitement.
Ellis’s storytelling technique caters to each narration to the precise essence of the scene. Whether it’s a pause for introspection or a captivating clash, Ellis ensures every narrative beat resonates with readers. He achieves this while maintaining a graceful simplicity that keeps readers engaged and absorbed, avoiding unnecessary distractions.
While I enjoyed the novel, I feel that the dialogue could benefit from some refinement. Nevertheless, Ellis’s innate knack for storytelling carries the day, inviting readers to explore a world where revenge roars as fiercely as the ocean waves. Dive into Till I Bleed No More for an exhilarating expedition into history, survival, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Pages: 352 | ISBN: 0645764108
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/17/till-i-bleed-no-more/
In the world of entrepreneurship, it’s a known fact that a significant percentage of startups fail within their first year. The Startup Checklist for Success, authored by Hynes and Savage, serves as an invaluable guidebook for budding entrepreneurs seeking to navigate these challenging initial phases and beyond. The authors have artfully distilled the essence of entrepreneurship into digestible components, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation and detailing each step, from personal development and idea-pitching to financial management and operational nuances.
The strength of this book lies in its blend of fundamental business principles, practical insights, and often overlooked information critical for long-term success. Hynes and Savage masterfully render intricate business concepts into accessible language, providing clear and concise illustrations for understanding the company’s accounts. It’s akin to a comprehensive textbook for entrepreneurship, offering an assortment of strategic advice and nuggets of wisdom.
The Startup Checklist for Success endeavors to be an entrepreneur’s trusted companion throughout their business journey. It is a compendium of diverse yet essential information, encapsulating hard skills such as bookkeeping and calculating break-even points, along with softer elements like managing one’s ego and understanding the necessity of reevaluation in the face of failure. It has the unique ability to decode complex financial concepts into simpler terms, thereby enabling entrepreneurs to grasp the pivotal aspects of their venture.
The authors’ strategy of condensing complex subjects makes the content more accessible to readers. They offer a helpful overview of potential accounting hurdles an entrepreneur might encounter without intending to deliver exhaustive instruction on creating accounting books.
This book is a great tool for anyone involved in a business venture, whether in the idea stage, recently established, or long-standing. It is a practical guide to the entrepreneurial world, presenting the author’s first-hand experiences and implicitly conveying their tacit knowledge. Although it doesn’t promise to instantly metamorphose the reader into a business expert, it certainly addresses critical questions pertaining to the establishment and operation of companies. In a landscape where not everyone has access to mentorship from a successful businessperson, The Startup Checklist for Success provides the necessary guidance and wisdom that every entrepreneur can benefit from.
Pages: 355 | ASIN: B0BYZYHHPC
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/17/start-up-checklist-for-success-the-essentials-you-need-to-know/
The gripping tale of The Executioner of Yrecep Forest begins with two young brothers, Anicen and Capar. Forced by circumstances and their parents’ desperate wish for their safety, they venture into the ominously renowned Yrecep Forest, known to swallow its entrants whole, never to return them. They are soon taken under the wing of a mysterious woman, who is revealed to be part of an enigmatic coven that reveres the four Gods of Elements.
The narrative further unfolds with the introduction of Pesdari, a coven member who yearns for freedom, and her friend Thade, who harbors a dark ambition of immortality. The paths of the two diverge radically, leading us to anticipate: will Pesdari succeed in her quest for liberation?
This captivating saga had me riveted from its compelling start, where Anicen and Capar muster their courage to penetrate the treacherous Yrecep Forest, to its enthralling climax, where Pesdari emerges victorious, claiming her freedom and finding a new, accepting family after vanquishing Thade.
The author’s meticulous attention to detail, interweaving every scene with intricate narrative threads, engendered an immersive reading experience. I found it particularly intriguing when Pesdari uncovered Thade’s sinister experiments for immortality, a discovery that prompted her to extend her help to the two brothers, despite their unfamiliarity.
The poignant connection between Pesdari and Dowhas, the complex relationship between Pesdari and Thade, the fraternal bond shared by the two brothers, and the rapport Pesdari builds with them, all contribute to a rich tapestry of emotional narratives. This emotional spectrum is deftly navigated by the author, ensuring nothing is overly dramatized or underrepresented.
The novel achieves an impressive depth, with each character meticulously crafted, exhibiting their unique flair. From the mystique of the Yrecep Forest to the clandestine affairs of the coven, from the struggle for freedom to the thirst for immortality, The Executioner of Yrecep Forest is a literary feast for readers who appreciate intricacy, depth, and emotional resonance in their choice of literature.
Pages: 164 | ISBN: 1644566192
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/17/the-executioner-of-yrecep-forest/