Sophia Rose is here with another Jane Austen inspired tale. This time she has the historical romance, The Dracy Secret by Kelly Miller. Come see her thoughts on this Pride & Prejudice sequel….

The Darcy Secret
by Kelly Miller
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Author
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Will a dire family secret lead to Fitzwilliam Darcy’s ruin?

Darcy’s heartfelt conversation with Miss Elizabeth Bennet leads to their engagement. But just when his future could not appear brighter, a dreadful revelation casts a cloud of gloom over him, threatening his hopes and plans.

And when an ominous shadow of suspicion falls upon his beloved sister, Georgiana, Darcy is compelled to determine the truth. Does her angelic countenance conceal a deviant, even dangerous, nature?

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy and Elizabeth face several grim obstacles, including the sudden death of a family member. Will these challenges drive them apart?

The Darcy Secret contains adult situations with themes of violence and a graphic description of a fox hunt.

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Sophia Rose’s Review

Though not precisely a gothic romantic suspense, there are elements of this Pride and Prejudice sequel that have that vibe.  A covered up family secret involving homicidal madness and then incidents which occur during the early days of the Darcy’s marriage dredge up suspicion, but the newlyweds are tested by more than that when Darcy’s past and Elizabeth’s wildest sister make an appearance.  These dramatic flares make this one engaging read from Kelly Miller whose writing I have come to appreciate.

The Darcy Secret begins when Fitzwilliam Darcy announces to his family that he is engaged to his lovely Elizabeth Bennet.  His uncle, as a deathbed promise to Darcy’s father, reveals the big Darcy family secret making Fitzwilliam ready to call it all off.  Elizabeth surprises him by standing by their love and wanting the marriage to take place.  Darcy’s younger sister Georgiana seems ambivalent toward it all, but quietly accepts she is to have a new sister and no longer will need a companion.

Then the incidents start including news of a disturbing situation that occurred while Georgiana was away at school.  There are incidents now and deaths among Georgiana’s acquaintance.  After recently learning about the family madness, Darcy and Lizzy (and the reader) are more than wondering about Georgie’s sanity.   Much of the book is dedicated to this situation and the pair must cling to each other and their love and get to the truth.

Darcy’s former lady friend makes a showing and its obvious she thinks her prior claim trumps Elizabeth’s marriage state with Darcy.  I’m not fond of torchy malice of this nature, but truthfully, I was more into the murder mystery surrounding Georgiana.  And, there was balance in the trouble the married pair had to face because on Elizabeth’s side, her wild younger sister arrives at Pemberley to stir the pot even more.

A very unique sequel premise cleverly worked into a romance that told the story after the I love yous were said and now had to see if the romance could go the distance under great pressure.  I like the occasions when authors do that with a continuation of a story and also keep up with the careful attention to the historical back drop and culture of the previous story so it’s a well-developed sequel.  Definitely recommend this for all those who wish P&P kept going and don’t mind something a wee bit darker than Jane Austen to their tales.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/the-darcy-secret-by-kelly-miller.html

Love Changed Everything: The Power of Love by Wallace E. Briggs is a heartfelt memoir journeying through a life filled with challenges, opportunities, and transformative love. The narrative spans from the author’s foray into the world of operatic music to unexpected roles in junior operatic productions to nerve-wracking business travels across tumultuous geopolitical landscapes. Throughout his life, the underpinning theme remains his unwavering love for his wife, Pam, and their resilience in the face of life’s tribulations.

The book’s strength lies in its honest portrayal of real-life experiences, both good and bad. Briggs seamlessly intertwines personal anecdotes, like the intense pressure of unexpectedly playing piano for a live audience, with the grander historical context, such as the tensions in Berlin before the fall of the Wall. However, at times, the narrative can seem overwhelming with the multitude of experiences, making it occasionally hard to follow. The theme of dreaming, inspired by the classic song from Pinocchio, stands out as a binding thread. It showcases the raw reality that, while wishing upon a star might be the start, determination, effort, and the power of love genuinely drive dreams to fruition.

One of the standout aspects is the memoir’s focus on embracing unexpected opportunities, which leads to personal growth and cherished memories. The vivid characters connect readers to their experiences and emotions, particularly in the face of adversities like job loss and the profound grief of losing a child. Briggs’ writing style is evocative, melding detailed descriptions of settings with his journey’s internal struggles and joys without giving away any spoilers.

Love Changed Everything: The Power of Love is an evocative memoir filled with lessons on resilience, determination, and the unparalleled power of love. For those who seek an inspiring read with an authentic human touch, this book offers an enriching journey.

Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0CCWCFBVS

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/06/love-changed-everything/

In The Saigon Guns, John Thomas Hoffman offers a riveting narrative of his time serving in the Republic of Vietnam. While many Americans who valiantly fought alongside him in the early 1970s found themselves marginalized and disregarded upon their return, Hoffman courageously shines a light on their lived experiences, juxtaposed against the backdrop of the growing influence of Russian advisors aiding the North Vietnamese.

Beyond merely chronicling war tales, this book seamlessly weaves in elements of a personal memoir. Before enlisting, John led an ordinary life, working as a part-time fireman and ardently pursuing his studies at Georgetown University. These rich anecdotes provide a layered understanding of the man before his immersion in the tumultuous world of warfare.

Hoffman’s detailed descriptions, such as the intricacies of the TH-55 helicopter or the nuanced differences between the M-14 and M-16 guns, showcase the depth of his research and commitment to authenticity. Throughout, he punctuates his account with profound reflections, signaling his lived experience and the wisdom gleaned from it.

The book explores significant socio-political events of the era, such as the racial tensions of the late 1960s and the mounting resistance against the Vietnam War – with figures like Jane Fonda playing pivotal roles.

The Saigon Guns stands as a testament to Hoffman’s courage. To share a narrative that has largely been erased from official histories and to do so with such raw honesty is genuinely commendable. It’s a sweeping journey: from the heart-wrenching sorrows of war, exhilarating adventures in the skies, and intense training sessions to introspective reflections on pivotal life moments. I wholeheartedly recommend this illuminating read to military veterans, history enthusiasts, and anyone keen on uncovering the intricate facets of the Vietnam War.

Pages: 465 | ASIN : B0BTZXZ54X

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/06/the-saigon-guns/

What were some ideas that you felt were important to highlight in You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work (and How to Show Up As One!)?

The most important idea that we wanted to highlight is that workplace relationships are the single biggest influencer of happiness, engagement, and productivity at work.

Morag Barrett’s first book, Cultivate – The Power of Winning Relationships, introduced the four relationship dynamics (Ally, Supporter, Rival, and Adversary) that make up the Relationship Ecosystem. We’ve been leading workshops on the Relationship Ecosystem ever since, and kept getting the question, “How do I get more allies?” The short answer isn’t always what people want to hear, but it’s true: To have an ally you need to be an ally.

In You, Me, We we wanted to provide a guide that helped readers understand, practically, how they could do that. After more than a decade of research, interviewing thousands of leaders about what it means to show up as an ally to our colleagues, and creating a self-assessment tool that outlines what comes more naturally to people, we created a practical guide that would help readers to make intentional choices in how they show up in workplace relationships.

Central to the book is what we call the Ally Mindset, and it is made up of five practices; Abundance and Generosity, Connection and Compassion, Courage and Vulnerability, Candor and Debate, and Action and Accountability. We created the Ally Mindset Profile (available at skyeteam.cloud/youmewe) to provide readers with a solid foundation when deciding how to make intentional investments in critical stakeholder relationships.

What is a common misconception you feel people have about work friendships?

There are many misconceptions about workplace relationships. It’s been said that workplace friendships are not professional, that they can lead to favoritism, or that they aren’t even genuine (they’re misperceived as politicking and empire building). Some also argue that they will distract from productivity, or lead to complications when one friend inevitably leaves the organization.

While human beings are messy, and no two workplace friendships are alike, most of these ideas just don’t hold up in the real world. These misconceptions come from a place of scarcity. What we argue in the book is that beginning from a position of abundance, and showing up as our true authentic selves, workplaces flourish when friendships abound. People hold each other to a higher account, they tend to be more engaged, and measurably more productive when engaged in friendships at work. Our research and experience has shown that the health of our professional relationships is the most important factor when it comes to success in business and in life.

What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?

We spend a majority of our adult lives working, and the stresses of daily life are always in the picture. Eric used to struggle with worrying about personal things while he was at work, and then fretting about work things when he wasn’t. A mentor of his helped him to understand that there’s no such thing as work/life “balance.” There’s just life. A big old garbled mess of all things work, personal, and everything in-between. When you allow yourself to show up in every frame as your true self, everyone is better off. This isn’t to say that you should wear your emotions on your sleeve and share everything with anyone who will listen. It means that you acknowledge what’s going on on the inside for you, honor that, and let it be, versus trying to fit the entirety of human experience into discrete containers or labels like “work” and “home.” The most powerful lever in this mindset is leveraging the most important relationships you have around you, to support you, and to remind you that self-care is paramount. True allies have your back, no matter the circumstances, and that is a complete game changer!

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?

We want readers to find at least one piece of practical advice that they can use to make intentional investments in their most critical workplace relationships. The book serves more as a field guide than a linear narrative. We hope that people pick it up and flip to the chapter that most fits their current circumstances. If they’re having trouble being vulnerable, jump to the chapter on Courage and Vulnerability. If they find themselves employing a scarcity mindset, open up the section on Abundance and Generosity. Each chapter ends with a set of real-world tips, called Look Up, Show Up, Step Up, that readers can use in their workplace relationships today! While the stories in the book are compelling, they don’t need to be consumed like a novel. We hope this is a book that readers come back to time and time again. We want it to be that ratty, dog-eared, marked up book on desks that people use throughout their lives to help make their lives, and the lives of those around them a little bit lighter, a little bit better.

Author Links: Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/06/theres-just-life/

Prophesy has dictated that five, not one, shall save the Archipelago; and that where swords fail, scrolls may prevail.

The people of the Archipelago of Cynnahu are used to war. Aeons ago their ancestors conquered the old continent, wresting it from the native Dragonkin whom they wiped out in a land-shattered conflict. Then, five hundred years later, new invaders arrived from the unknown south, the mireborn Naga, the snake-folk of Nag Isle who the Cynnahu folk have been ceaselessly fighting in the millennia since. But nothing prepared then for what was about to happen. A time foretold by an ancient Seer and Archmage speaks of a time when the Archipelago must fight its Last War against the Naga, a time when five heroes – Traveler, Orphan, Survivor, Student, and Lord – will set sail to rediscover the secret of the Elder Song.

Only they are not heroes. They are Myrriden, the footsore mage and single father; Sakura, an orphaned and homeless girl seeking vengeance; Volcan Darkrod, the enigmatic Fire Mage; Emrys, Myrriden’s nervous son; and Archmage Hoth, the unflappable Leader of the Cynnahu folk.

Guided by an ancient riddle recently uncovered by the famed Loremaster Aneirin, these chosen five must a run a race of swords, spells, and dusty scrolls – for while the Elder Song was crafted to summon the primeval power of the Dragonkin to save the Isles, it has, down to its very name, been forgotten. Will the courage and wits of two eleven-year-olds and three vastly different mages be enough to free purposefully hidden secrets from forces older than the Isles themselves and reunite the scattered Song while fighting a desperate war on land and sea? Only two things are certain: where swords fail scrolls may prevail, and that humanity stands at doom’s edge and time is against them.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/06/the-last-war-book-one-of-the-cynnahu-saga/

88 Life-Changing High School Hacks is not your typical how-to get through high school and into a college self-help book; rather, you teach teens the skills they will need to be successful as adults. What inspired you to write this book for young adults?

My interest in writing for young adults began with my book “Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens,” inspired by my (then) pre-teen children entering their teen years. I’d always recalled my own challenging experiences in middle and high school and wanted to create an easily digestible resource to empower others through those times. Ironically, none of my children have read either of my books yet (although they promise to), but I know they’ve been helping many other families!

One feature in your book that stands out is the tone and writing style that you use. Finding a way to reach modern teenagers in a world where the TikTok format is how they communicate is a challenge. How did you approach writing and formatting this book so that young adults would want to read it and retain the information you are giving them?

I knew going into it that it would be a challenge to get adolescents to read this type of book and that their parents or guardians would be a major part of that. That being said, I still write directly to the young person as if writing to my teenage self. Using that as a method of operation keeps my writing short, sweet, and to the point – even humorous and entertaining.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks?

I encourage young people to think for themselves. To stand strong in who they are while also maintaining respect and humility for adults and the world around them.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be published?

The third book will be a 2-in-1 of the first two, so a bundle that will ultimately reduce the cost of buying them individually. I’m thinking in 2024, I might start a new series for pre-teens, but we’ll see. As a side note, I’m currently narrating the audiobook for 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks, so that should be interesting!

Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/06/stand-strong-in-who-you-are/