The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

I spent all of my free time resting and finished all twelve seasons of Call The Midwife. It’s a wonderful series. Trying a new round of antibiotics. It has been raining all weekend and I’ve been trying to catch up on the blog. Stay Caffeinated.

Last Week on the Blog

• Holly By Stephen King (audio review)
• Bazaar Girls By Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin (book review)
• Fatal Fudge Swirl By Meri Allen (book review, guest reviewer)
• Door To Door By T.L. Brown (audio review)
• Gray Court By Hailey Edwards (audio review)

This Week on the Blog

• Murder At The Merton Library By Andrea Penrose (audio review)
• The Duke Gets Desperate By Diana Quincy (book review)
• Guardian Of Torment By Michelle Manus (audio review)
• Dark Horse Dive Bar #1 Wilde Love By Jennifer Ryan (book review)
• 2023 Ho-Ho Ho Readathon Sign Up (event)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

Learn more:

• The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz
• Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher
• Stop Ghosting Me by Tara Sivec
• More Than A Little Warped by Annette Marie & Rob Jacobsen
• Midnight Is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead

A special thanks to Berkley Romance, Penguin Audio, Tantor Audio

Around The Blogosphere

• Sign Up for the 2023 Fraterfest Readathon October 12th through 16th. Hosts needed.
• Save the Date! 2023 HoHoHo Readathon November 16th through 27th. Hosts needed. Sign up will post on September 29, 2023.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/sunday-post-594-welcome-fall.html

The Emu Family follows a family of emu who decide to spend the day at the beach and encounter unexpected situations and adventures. What was the inspiration for your story?

I live in Australia and I love animals. I write stories that are easy to connect to and that children will love. As a therapist who knows the importance of nurturing kids with positive outlooks, I write stories that inspire children to live their best lives and live confidently. I want them to know what is truly important in life; friendship, fun, and connection.

Life can be negative sometimes, unlike when I was young. Kids were allowed to be kids and explore in the trees, get dirty, and use their imagination, nowadays kids have a completely different way of living. I want to help children see the world in a fun light. To know there is positivity, and they can always find a good positive outcome from most situations, especially with the right support around them.

As a therapist, I have seen many adults in my therapy room not knowing or understanding the basic values of connection. This could have been taught in childhood so those kids grow into healthy adults. My wish is that my books do this for children.

What made you decide to write this children’s book series around emu? What is about them that makes them perfect for children’s stories?

It starts off with emus but they quickly introduce their friends. Snap the crocodile, Kiki the koala, Kanga Blue, and Rooby Red the kangaroos, and Kira the kookaburra. These animals are not typical animals, they are fun, colourful, wear clothes and hats, and sing and dance. These animals love to express themselves in a fun way. Together they make up a group of (unlikely) friends who support each other through so many of life’s ups and downs. Kids love animals and love to learn, so I thought I would write a fun series while planting some seeds of positivity into their lives too.

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

Together with their friends, The Emu Family teaches children wonderful concepts like the power of friendship, the importance of community, meditation, self-love, growing food, healthy living, dental hygiene, and so much more. It is important that each book gives a child a good takeaway message so that they can use it in life to make their experience a more positive one.

When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of what adventures readers will go on with the Emu family?

Book 2 will be available in November 2023. This book is about Kira the kookaburra; the story is about her hat collection, but the underlying story is a journey to her finding self-love. Her friends join her and encourage her on her journey. I have written several of the books in the series, and they are all stories to inspire kids to live a healthier, happier life. I have started on the artwork for the second series with more animal characters from London! It’s very exciting!

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/24/the-power-of-friendship/

30 Years Behind Bars: Trials of a Prison Doctor shares your experiences working in the prison system in Nevada, the challenges you faced, and the changes you want to help make happen. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I decided to write my memoir because I wanted the outside world to see the prison system through the eyes of someone oriented and trained to diagnose and heal versus the perspective of a captive or a captor. When I retired from the prison after 30 years, it was because the leadership had swung to what I considered the dark side. The side that was oriented toward punishment vs. programs, harm vs. healing, and disrupting what was working vs. deciding and supporting what worked. When I left, I knew I had to look at my journals plus the writings of the inmates and put together the story of how, what, and why I stayed 30 years in the prison and what I would do next.

I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

The hardest thing for me to write about was when I was taken hostage in the prison, assaulted, raped, and got out when the SWAT team threw in the concussion grenade and killed the inmate a few feet from me. It was hard because when I asked my husband when I was writing my book how he felt when that hostage event happened he looked at me and said, ’That’s the first time you’ve asked me how I felt.’ It was like getting hit in the gut. That event occurred in 1989, and it was 2017 when I asked him. It made me realize that in 1989 when it happened on October Friday the 13th, I was just focused on going back to work on Monday. I was thinking about my own psyche, not his.

Your experiences are unique and give you a first-hand perspective on the issues involving the correctional institution in the United States. How do you hope your story will help advocate for change within the prison system?

I think that I am that type of unique voice that can tell true powerful stories that affect how the public looks at the prison system. I was naive like a lot of people in the US who don’t have an experience with prison, but I ended up straddling two diametrically different forces in the prison, that of inmates and custody, and survived. People like stories where the underdog succeeds and being a young, blonde female married to a black man and thrown into prison to be a doctor by the National Health Service Corps fits that type of story.

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

To be curious about the criminal justice system and any system that makes money out of punishment and harming others vs. investing in prevention and other tactics to keep society safer.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/24/true-powerful-stories/

Eira’s Book of Magic follows a young girl who discovers magic is real, and that she has magic inside her that she must learn to control. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

At some point, I was at a loss as to what bedtime story to read to my young daughter. Like many other parents, I looked back at the fairy tales I used to read in childhood, and it sent chills down my spine. Dead parents, wicked stepmothers, flesh-eating evil witches…ugh! And what do they teach our young? To passively accept any mistreatment in the hope a Fairy Godmother or a Prince Charming will show up and save you one day? To trick your way into wealth by stealing from the rightful owner? There had to be another way. Unable to find a fairytale that would pass my quality test, I decided to create one. That’s how the tale of Aella and The Weather Sisters, the bedtime story at the heart of Eira’s Book of Magic, came to be. And then the whole adventure of a girl for whom the fairy tale comes to life just popped into my head while cooking. It took me sixteen days to write it down. I felt as though my head were going to explode if I didn’t get it out onto (virtual) paper quickly enough.

As the future generation gains control over their magic, they must learn how to use it wisely and with care. What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?

My goal was to create a story that would inspire readers to be the best versions of themselves. It was to be magical without being dark, deep without being depressing, educational without being preachy. In Eira’s Book of Magic, you see characters learn from their mistakes and make difficult decisions for the greater good.

In a lot of contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?

There are indeed. In fact, most, if not all, of the characters are at least partially based on real people. I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that the memoir-fiction ratio in Eira’s Book of Magic is somewhere around seventy-thirty respectively. I might write a book about this book one day.

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

The sequel is almost completed. When my sister read Eira’s Book of Magic, she said to me, “I take it as a promise!”

“Which part?” I asked her.

“The ending, of course!”

So, I had to write again, for my sister. She also suggested a male protagonist for a change. This is how The Vice Versa Island began to take shape. Ironically, the idea came to me five years ago, but only now Eira gave me the right setting to turn it into a captivating story.

Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/24/characters-learn-from-their-mistakes/

Following the cinematic triumph of Casablanca, whispers of a potential sequel titled Brazzaville buzzed through Hollywood, yet it never graced the silver screen. In a masterstroke of imagination, authors Pablo Omar Zaragoza and Susan Giffin unveil their vision of this elusive sequel in a riveting novel. Picking up immediately after Casablanca’s poignant finale, we are thrust into a world with Rick, Louis, and Ilsa, battling the encroaching shadows of Nazi terror. As Ilsa and Lazslo make their desperate escape to Lisbon, they find themselves not out of danger, but rather delving deeper into its grip. Concurrently, Rick and Louis ally with the resistance, embarking on daring missions to free innocent souls from Nazi clutches.

One of the book’s most captivating elements is its expansion on the theme of “found family.” The narrative showcases the resilience of relationships forged in adversity, emanating warmth even in the darkest of times. The unwavering affection Fletcher harbors for Amalia serves as a bittersweet backdrop amidst the tumultuous events. Rick’s assertion, “Besides, my greatest asset isn’t money; it’s family and friends, and of those, I have plenty,” captures this sentiment beautifully.

Zaragoza and Giffin’s writing style deserves commendation for its incredible realism. The palpable tension as characters hang onto every word from the radio and the meticulously detailed battle scenes make the reader feel ensconced within the narrative. Brazzaville: A Casablanca Sequel interweaves adrenaline-pumping action with heart-tugging emotion, a balance that is all too rare. The introduction of fresh faces to the narrative feels organic, enriching the plot without overshadowing established characters. For fans of the classic film, as well as enthusiasts of action tales, this novel promises an exhilarating journey.

Pages: 498 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07Z45XX7Y

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/24/brazzaville-a-sequel-to-casablanca/

Bones is a loving kitten who enjoys cuddling and playing with both humans and fellow fur buddies. Despite being a special needs cat with hydrocephalus, he doesn’t let it slow him down. Bones shares his journey with readers, explaining how his condition can sometimes make him feel sleepy and affect his ability to walk. However, a special visit to the vet helps him recover fully. His fur friend Beau, who is blind, can chase a ball across the room independently, while Bender, with three legs, can still run incredibly fast. Their disabilities do not hinder these cats from living life to the fullest and experiencing joy, fun, and love.

Purrrfect As I Am is an enchanting and inspirational read that conveys an important lesson to young readers: Treat everyone with kindness, regardless of their appearance or special needs. Author Lisa Jacovsky has crafted a story that encourages love and compassion for all. The beautiful illustrations accompanying the narrative portray the kittens’ physical disabilities in a way that neither frightens nor worries young readers. It’s heartening to see the author depict these kittens as typical feline companions who enjoy the usual activities like playing, eating, and snuggling. I loved that Bones is the narrator of the story, providing valuable insight into the world of special needs animals and teaching us that they are truly extraordinary. This perspective offers a unique and engaging way to connect with the story’s message.

Purrrfect As I Am is a delightful tale that celebrates diversity, friendship, and the indomitable spirit of special needs animals. It serves as a reminder that love knows no bounds, and every creature, regardless of their unique challenges, can lead a life brimming with joy and adventure. This book encourages readers to cherish and embrace the differences that make each of us special, echoing the resilience and spirit of these three remarkable kittens.

Pages: 28 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C6BQTYXP

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/24/purrrfect-as-i-am/