A cluster of pipe organ tones rises in the cavernous space of a church. A soprano saxophone holds a long pure note, its overtones joining the organ blur hanging in the air. Then the voices of five women cut through, bright and unconstrained, so in tune with each other, the organ, the saxophone, and the […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/08/23/wind-in-the-nave-balkan-music/
Sophia Rose is here with the second romantic suspense in the New Orleans series, Beneath Dark Waters by Karen Rose. Come see Sophia’s thoughts on this riveting tale.
Beneath Dark Waters
by Karen Rose
Series: New Orleans #2, Romantic Suspense #28
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
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Heat Level: 
Deadly secrets lie beneath the murky waters of the Louisiana bayou in this pulse-pounding new romantic suspense novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Rose.
There’s no safe place for a child to hide when danger comes from every direction.
Public prosecutor J.P. “Kaj” Cardozo has only lived in New Orleans for six months, and he’s already working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that’s made headlines all over the country. But when his son becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt as a threat to Kaj, he is desperate to keep him safe and turns to a private investigative firm famous for their protection services.
A veteran Marine, Val Sorensen is glad to have found a new career with Broussard Investigations. Her latest assignment as the bodyguard to ten-year-old Elijah Cardozo reminds her why–Val is a kick ass guardian with a tender heart. Through her duties, Val grows fond of the boy–and his handsome father.
But when the high-stakes investigation reveals an explosive network of crime through a revived drug gang, lingering deep-seated corruption in the NOPD, and a group of murderers-for-hire targeting Kaj, Elijah, and his star client, they’re all left scrambling for safety…
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Back in the sultry, dark world of Karen Rose’s New Orleans series, the Broussard Investigations is called on once again to face off in an all-out effort against evil villainous criminals. Karen Rose writes amazing loathsome antagonists, but also equally incredible teams of criminal investigators who get the job done without missing a beat in the romance department.
Beneath Dark Waters is a standalone second book in the New Orleans sub-series and the twenty-eighth entry in the overall Romantic Suspense series. There are connections to the previous book, but not in such a way that new readers couldn’t grab this one and appreciate all they were getting.
Beneath Dark Waters opens with a terrible kidnapping attempt that did not succeed, but put New Orleans Assistant District Attorney, JP “Kaj” Cardozo on the alert that one of his cases caused someone to go for his vulnerable son, Elijah. He is guilt-ridden, but doesn’t waste time skipping the dubious protection of NOPD and goes straight to Broussard’s. He’s assigned former Marine, Val Sorensen.
Val has demons of a personal nature she fights after a gang rape back in her military days that she bravely didn’t allow to be swept under the rug. She’s a good security expert and particularly with kids. This shows when she gets herself up to speed on Elijah’s diabetes issue and doesn’t let her mutual attraction with Kaj prevent her from doing her job of protecting and investigating. She also champions Jace who as a teen had a tough lot in life already even down to his part in Elijah’s kidnapping attempt.
It was stomach churning for Val to discover that the gang associated with Elijah’s kidnapping isn’t entirely disconnected from her own past. Everyone at Broussard gets on board with Kaj and Val to work on the situation when they learn what is in back of the connection both his cases share.
And, to hype up the tension, the major villain gets narration time as well. I really wanted some big-time justice there and Karen Rose delivered.
In the end, this story was a blend of dark and light which is the author’s specialty when presenting the dregs of human nature. There were a few lagging moments in the first half as it was setting the table, but it was riveting when it counted. Warnings to those who can’t read about abuse and a past rape which is all handled carefully, but is part of the narrative. There are troubles that come out of the cases and Kaj’s family, but good things from his romance with Val and the teamwork of the expanding Broussard Investigations that go after the powerful evil in New Orleans. Romantic Suspense fans who want a gritty case balanced with a solid romantic pair look no further than this series.
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Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn’t concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.” Her debut suspense novel, DON’T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016. Karen’s books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London’s Sunday Times, and Germany’s der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia! Her novels, I’M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America’s RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages. A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
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Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/08/beneath-dark-waters-by-karen-rose.html
The Unfurling Frond, a memoir by Rebecca Beardsall, presents an engrossing and invigorating chronicle of her life that masterfully intertwines the elements of childhood, education, and travel experiences. Growing up in an intimate family in America during the late 20th century, Rebecca’s narrative diverges from the commonplace. Instead of embarking on the traditionally anticipated path of marriage, she boldly ventured into the unexplored terrains of New Zealand. This adventurous streak continued to define her journey, guiding her through a tapestry of global cities, kindling an online romance with her partner, Geoffrey, and fostering enduring friendships.
Rebecca’s professional life weaves a parallel narrative. Despite carving a successful career as a teacher, her innate passion for writing prevailed. She pursued this creative calling, proving not just her proficiency but her exceptional talent.
The Unfurling Frond stands out as a distinctive memoir, primarily due to the deep resonance it generates within the reader. It is not just Rebecca’s tale but a reflection of a universal struggle – the tug-of-war between the identities we adopt and our true selves. Furthermore, Rebecca’s spirit of wanderlust breathes life into the book, making readers yearn for similar adventures. Until that becomes a reality, one can traverse the globe through Rebecca’s vivid and immersive descriptions, notably her affectionate portrayal of New Zealand.
The memoir also casts Rebecca as an unapologetic feminist, unafraid to challenge societal norms. Her personality showcases the rare combination of fierce independence, self-awareness, and humility, the ability to acknowledge her missteps. Her narrative is also tinged with poignancy as she recounts the irreplaceable loss of her brother, an event that underscores the enduring pain of losing a sibling.
The Unfurling Frond is not merely a memoir; it is a heartfelt expression emanating from the deepest chambers of Rebecca’s heart. The book skillfully weaves together themes of history, particularly the Civil War, with elements of friendship, love, family, and adventure. For enthusiasts of memoirs, this book is more than just a fantastic read; it’s an extraordinary journey through a life lived with courage, self-discovery, and unrelenting love for exploration.
Pages: 254 | ISBN : 1639889558
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/23/the-unfurling-frond-a-memoir-of-belonging-and-becoming/
Middle-schooler Jean’s daily routine is split between enjoying the company of friends and embarking on a unique and heartfelt mission: unraveling the mystery of her cousin’s medical condition, Polymicrogyria, under the guidance of the wise and engaging Nurse Florence. Through their shared fact-finding journey, they explore the intricacies of Polymicrogyria, unearthing tips for self-care and well-being that can enrich the lives of Jean, her cousin, and readers alike.
Nurse Florence, What is Polymicrogyria? by Michael Dow emerges as a remarkable introduction to a lesser-known medical condition. Not only did it unveil a term previously unfamiliar to me, but Nurse Florence’s insightful approach to finding accurate medical information online is skillfully presented. Particularly admirable is the character’s encouragement to approach knowledge with an open mind and to never be deterred by what we don’t yet know. Nurse Florence’s ethos of seeking answers from credible sources with courage and curiosity resonates deeply.
As my second engagement with Nurse Florence’s adventures, I find the series’ extraordinary introduction to illnesses and ailments to be an invaluable resource for readers across all age groups. While the book may benefit from a slight editorial revision, it stands as an otherwise exemplary read. The series’ gentle yet comprehensive explanations, devoid of any condescension, make it a must-read for anyone interested in medical science or in need of insights into a specific health condition. Complementing the rich content is the lively, photorealistic artwork by Kelsey Tone, infused with just the right touch of whimsy, making the Nurse Florence adventures a compelling educational tool.
Nurse Florence, What is Polymicrogyria is not merely a book; it is an accessible and enjoyable learning experience suitable for readers of all ages. Whether utilized in classrooms, group reading sessions, or individual exploration, this latest installment in a truly outstanding series makes an invaluable addition to any health and wellness collection. It encapsulates a commitment to education, a respect for the reader’s intelligence, and a sincere dedication to enhancing the understanding of health and life in the contemporary world.
Pages: 58 | ISBN : 1387524755
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/23/nurse-florence-what-is-polymicrogyria/
In Assassins Are Us, author Kimberly Van Sickle unveils a riveting narrative set against the backdrop of the Hinterschott family, a lineage steeped in 500 years of professional assassination.
The novel introduces us to Hedala Hinterschott, a young member of this intriguing family, who skillfully takes over her history class to discuss the after-story of Adolf Hitler. By seamlessly weaving her family’s history into the discussion, she captivates her classmates without betraying her secret lineage.
The Hinterschott family consists of immediate members, including Hedala’s twin brother Gerard, mother Adelinda, father Herald, and grandmother Gertrude. Each is proficiently trained in the art of assassination, accepting contracts while maintaining an unassuming façade. The novel poignantly explores the family’s historical tradition of dealing with twins, a dark secret that evokes both intrigue and conflict within the family.
Hedala’s life is complicated further by a prohibition against romantic relationships, a necessary measure to ensure her focus and readiness. Nevertheless, youthful longing finds its way into her life through her classmate Dave Corso. The author paints the relationship between Hedy and Dave with delicate strokes, allowing it to blossom innocently. Dave’s successful navigation of the family’s interrogation endears him to the Hinterschotts and becomes a symbol of trust and acceptance.
Van Sickle skillfully introduces unexpected twists, like the sudden appearance of Dr. Markensen, a seemingly ordinary history teacher whose true identity will be revealed. This mystery adds challenges to the character’s lives and brings about even more questions.
Assassins Are Us is a whirlwind of action and emotion from the opening page. Readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats, eager to follow the twists and turns of this thrilling story. The author’s adept character development and narrative craft provide a deep connection to each character, making the book an engaging read. Highly recommended for those seeking a blend of suspense, intrigue, and human connection, Assassins Are Us is a standout novel that leaves a lasting impression.
Pages: 164 | ISBN : 9781639889433
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/23/assassins-are-us/
Harvest is a collection of six short stories that take readers on a journey of growing up and survival. What was the inspiration for the setup of this collection of stories?
Harvest takes its name from the first story in the collection and also was the most difficult of the stories to write. It is set in 1947 during the first grain harvest I worked on as a boy and was originally intended to be the first story in The Past We Step Into, my 2021 book for Atmosphere Press. However, it was 75 years ago, and (1) I couldn’t remember all the technical requirements, plus (2) there were relatives of people whom I had used as character models who I was afraid of offending. In The Past We Step Into, all twelve of the stories were connected in some way to my family history, and I wanted to have more options in Harvest. I was helped by having already written “The Peacemaker” and “Change of Pace.” Despite the difference in locale and storyline—the making of a television series in Oregon—“The Peacemaker” was still about a boy growing up, and “Change of Pace” was about a professional baseball player facing the need to change his profession as he approached thirty. “The Bulbeaters” was family history again (not mine)—pioneers finding ways to survive in frontier Utah. “Submitted for Your Consideration”(as the title might suggest) began as a tribute to Rod Serling and then developed along the lines of Franz Kafka’s The Trial, set this time in modern-day Utah. We watch a man being persecuted in the present for reasons that are never given any explanation until the last line of the story. “VICKI…and the whispering children” is my story again, but derived from hallucinations I had after being hospitalized for cancer in 2020.
Each character in these stories is unique and gives readers a thought-provoking experience to reflect upon. What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
No character in any of the stories is presented as the personification of good or evil. For example, the Hired Man in “Harvest” was convicted of statutory rape, deserted from the Army during wartime, and has a long history of sexual relations with married women. And yet, more than any other, he is the person with whom we identify right up to the time that he is driven out of the community. In the same story, two young farmers are brothers in every meaning of the word except blood relationship. In “The Peacemaker,” the man who makes (and stars) in the television series has a questionable record from World War II and a weekend drinking problem yet drives himself to create an idealized art form right up to the moment when he drops dead. The baseball pitcher and the actress in “Change of Pace” are truly in love but are separated by the art forms to which they have devoted their lives. The seemingly ordinary neighborhood depicted in “Submitted for Your Consideration” persecutes a seemingly ordinary man endlessly until he volunteers to be incarcerated in a prison long ago disgraced. In two different stories of “The Bulbeaters,” women do the heroic thing, and both die. We may question the morality of the universe in which these characters live, but if my writing achieves its purpose, we will not question the morality of their actions.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I am a farm boy (with some experience in the military) for whom an education and travel was unlikely. Yet I taught college for fifty years, was a Fulbright Senior Lecturer in Poland, and a guest lecturer for more than ten years in the University of Utah London Study Abroad Program, as well as at the University of Utrecht, the University of Aarhus (Denmark), and the Korean National University of the Arts. I also acted in seven foreign countries, wrote four books (two scholarly, two fiction), and published 25 essays. I was lucky to be raised in a farmhouse where there were always books and magazines around. My father, who had to leave school in the sixth grade when planting time came, told me that if I wanted to go to college, he would pay for it. I had a teacher who suggested I go to graduate school, even though I didn’t know what it was. I married a girl who not only deserved much better than me, but also went to graduate school with me, taught college, was a political organizer, a radio hostess, a key figure in the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, and created a home for me where I only had to think about the academic interests I listed at the beginning of the paragraph.
I would like to make one more addition to the influences my family, my teachers, and my wife had on my writing. I began writing fiction after my wife died in 2002, but I had mostly continued to focus on my teaching and my theatre work until I was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. I got home at the end of April, physically unable to go out in the midst of a pandemic, during which it was unhealthy to go out. What could I do? I sat down in front of my laptop, reasoning that even if my writing was no good, I probably wouldn’t live long enough for anyone to read it.
I would not recommend these circumstances as a reason to write.
What is the next collection of short stories that you are working on, and when will it be available?
As I see it now, my next collection will be named after the opening story, “The Woman in the Third Floor Front,” and will have as its inspiration two events from my life: the semi-crippling of my legs; and the collapse of Southwest Airlines, which left me stranded for ten days last Christmas. I suffered from cancer in 2020 and my central character had a motorcycle accident. (I rode a motorcycle for 35 years before the coming of the cancer.) The injury cost my protagonist his job as a writer for an adventure magazine, e.g., his most recent assignment was a trip to the Himalayas to interview a mountain climber. He takes a plane to the city where his magazine is headquartered, only to be stranded in a relatively small-town in-between. He is directed to a hotel run by a widow with a young son. Her husband also had a motorcycle accident, but his was fatal. The woman and the boy continue to occupy the third-floor family apartment, and as the days pass the writer becomes more and more interested in her story. It is impossible for me to determine when this story or any of the following will be available, although my goal is 2025.
The second story is based upon the lives of Kathy and Elliot Lewis, two stars of the last days of Network Radio. They acted, directed, produced, and wrote some of the finest radio theatre right up to its end in October 1954. (Maybe because of my age, I am fascinated by artists who lose not their skill, but the place of their art in society.) We will see in passing William Conrad—Matt Dillon on radio, Hans Conreid—who once acted in seven different programs in a week, and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis—who made the leap from supporting radio comedians to movie stars. Incidentally, the Kathy and Elliot partnership did not long outlast Network Radio. They divorced after 14 years of marriage in 1958 (unable to adapt to one another in changed roles?).
If I am to bring about the third story, I will need the help of my publisher. You may or may not know Johnny Mercer, but you are likely to know songs like “Moon River” and “Days of Wine and Roses.” Johnny was a leading movie lyricist and writer of popular songs, as well as a successful radio and night club singer. Have you ever seen Clint Eastwood’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil? Every song in it was written by Johnny Mercer, beginning and ending with “Skylark,” and including “Fools Rush In” and “That Old Black Magic.” As a Savannah-born singer, Johnny is best measured by his 1943 radio show, during which a segregated high school voted Johnny “the best black singer in radio.” He ended his career in the sixties and seventies singing his own songs in nightclubs, and that is where my story would be set. Two things should be remembered: (1) Johnny had brain cancer late in his life; and (2) he had a love affair with Judy Garland that only ended with her death. It wasn’t long after The Wizard of Oz that the 19-year-old Garland and the already-married Mercer fell in love. MGM and her agent convinced Garland that it would ruin her career if she was seen as a marriage breaker, and she soon embarked upon the first of her five marriages. They got together again in the late sixties just about the same time as Mercer’s wife came down with cancer. She made them promise not to marry until she died, then outlived them both. Mercer said his song, “I Remember You,” is the best expression of his feelings for Garland and that is the title of the story. Johnny sings his own songs in a full nightclub, with Hoagy Carmichael—who wrote the music for some of them—at the piano, but sometimes forgets where he is and who is there with him. Sometimes he sings to Garland, sometimes she sings to him, and sometimes they sing together. The problem is copyrights. Johnny rarely wrote his own music, and the question is whether the songs (whose music will not be in the story) will have to be cleared by the estate of each individual composer.
These three stories are probably book-length. If they are not, or if one or more can’t be included, I have two earlier stories I would like to re-write. In “When I go, I leave no trace,” a political reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune finds himself unwillingly doubling as an environmental reporter when the newspaper makes a sharp cutback in staff. His first assignment is to cover the standoff in Oregon between the Bundy family refusing to pay grazing fees on federal land, and governmental agents. That night on the wall of the cabin where he is staying, the reporter sees the block print of a wilderness photo. When he awakes later, he sees through the window a campfire tended by a young man with two donkeys with back packs. The boy gives every impression of being Everett Ruess, the poet/ artist/environmentalist who disappeared in 1934. Ruess convinces the reporter that the land itself is more important than the human beings who rape it, and he returns to The Tribune to accept the position of reporting on the environment.
The last option is “Chinaman’s Chance,” set at the Centennial Celebration of the Intercontinental Railroad in 1969, marked by giant photographs of the officials given credit for the massive achievement. A young woman who is the descendant of one of these officials is exposed for the first time to the truth of the day-to-day construction of the railroad track and the lives of those who built it. She has the opportunity to compare the prejudice the Chinese workers shared with the feelings expressed by her fiancée, a PTSD-suffering Vietnam veteran, and comes away with a new understanding of both historical incidents.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
From the Wisconsin farms of Scharine’s youth to the vivid hallucinations of his own cancer experience, each story is set in a locale that the author knows intimately. Three stories are set in the picturesque landscape of Utah where diverse characters meet unique challenges: a Mormon matron deals with a series of memories, a failing Triple A baseball player faces a questionable future, and a present-day outcast contemplates his fate in front of Topaz, the World War II Japanese internment camp.
These thought-provoking stories carry a stark warning – growing up doesn’t always lead to survival. Be prepared for moments of tension and heart-stopping suspense as you join Richard Scharine on his captivating exploration of what it means to grow up in America.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/23/farm-boy-professor-actor-and-writer/
Even Flowers Know That Water Is Useless Without Roots is a very personal collection of stories and memories for you. How hard was it to put this collection out in the world for people to read?
I enjoyed putting this book together; consequently, it wasn’t hard. However, writing all the fitting pieces in the final manuscript took many years. Patience was essential because not everything included happened during my growing up. Some of the writing is from knowledge and events as latest as this year, i.e., 2023.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
When writing this book, I was reliving and sharing our culture, our food, the diversity in our people, our natural resources and invoking meaning in the mundane. As a descendant of Tanzania, I was keen to avoid cliché and stereotypical perceptions of my motherland and its continent. Ultimately, how I chose to convey my endearment of Tanzania and Africa was deliberately subjective and important.
What do you hope readers take away from the experience of reading your collection?
I hope readers will learn to be proud of their roots and get curious to know more about who they are. Above all, learning about other cultures is important as a collective human race, and my book offers an opportunity to gain exciting and unforgettable knowledge about Tanzania and Africa.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
This year is about very personal projects, and the next book is about a vulnerable subject as a woman.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Meanwhile, children skipped their favourite kamba game, and others raced on a wooden tricycle to catch a grasshopper. Our neighbour wafted soil scent as she wetted the mud floor before sweeping it. My body adorned in a pair of kanga, the breeze knew well of the nostalgia I carry.
It was not a dream. I was homesick, and only writing would remedy my longings.
Moving away from the land you were born in alters you into a migrant and a wanderer, seeking what is not fully known until experienced and missed.
This collection brings together various memories, experiences, and observations of my homeland, Tanzania. The subjects range from natural resources, love, food, and culture to self-pride. You will learn about the wealth and diversity of Tanzania’s people, culture, and natural resources. This book is an ode to Tanzania and a subtle memoir by its descendant.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/08/23/be-proud-of-your-roots/