Dear Prudence by Karen Janowsky is a captivating romance novel that defies genre cliches with its unique and relatable characters. The story revolves around Pru Blum, a cellist in a professional orchestra in Georgia whose life is anything but ordinary. Struggling with anxiety and haunted by a persistent stalker ex-boyfriend named Cliff, Pru’s journey takes unexpected turns when she crosses paths with Shawn Levinson, a yoga teacher and versatile handyman, in search of his true calling. Their connection is undeniable, yet both are hesitant to embark on a new relationship, haunted by the shadows of their pasts.

Janowsky breathes fresh life into the romance genre by virtue of its distinctive characters. Pru, in particular, stands out as an unconventional heroine with a rich and layered personality. Her battles with anxiety and low self-confidence, stemming from an abusive past relationship, make her journey towards self-discovery and resilience all the more relatable. Shawn complements her as a believable hero, complete with an intriguing backstory. He’s a sensitive soul who often quotes Shakespeare yet possesses the strength to support Pru in her struggles.

Janowsky’s writing strikes a balance between action, dialogue, and descriptive elements, ensuring a well-rounded reading experience. The narrative offers numerous twists and turns as we follow Pru’s personal journey, keeping readers thoroughly engaged. While the character development in Dear Prudence shines brilliantly, I couldn’t help but yearn for a more immersive exploration of Georgia as a setting. My curiosity was piqued regarding the state’s potential impact on the characters’ daily lives and how its unique attributes might enrich their experiences. The narrative tantalizingly alludes to the Southern heat’s ability to kindle passion, a notion subtly reinforced by the vividly depicted love scenes.

Dear Prudence is a must-read for romance readers who seek a contemporary love story with genuine and multifaceted characters. Karen Janowsky skillfully weaves a tale that stands out while maintaining the core elements that make romance stories appealing. This book rekindles the belief in modern love and offers readers an engaging journey through the complexities of romance, self-discovery, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Pages: 293 | ASIN : B0CC4C36RQ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/25/dear-prudence/

In A Tryst in Paris, author Anne Armistead whisks readers away on a captivating journey through time and emotion. Mirabelle Montgomery, after an enchanting visit to a carousel in Paris, suddenly finds herself transported to the Paris of 1900. Entrapped in this bygone era, she’s given a critical task: rectify the tarnished fate of an unknown man before she can return to her time.

Enter Detective Jacques Thibaut—a figure shrouded in mystery, his reputation in tatters after being accused of conspiring with anarchists against the French government. Could he be the man Mirabelle is destined to aid?

Armistead crafts a tale that is as rich in romance as it is in suspense. Readers will be drawn into the swirling dance of Mirabelle and Jacques’s relationship, oscillating between deep affection and the tantalizing question: Is Jacques truly the one Mirabelle seeks?

The narrative’s pacing is impeccable, a harmonious blend of romance, mystery, and sprinklings of fantasy that ensures readers remain riveted. The portrayal of historical Paris is evocatively detailed, transporting readers through its atmospheric streets and inviting them to lose themselves in another world. While I enjoyed the story, I would have enjoyed a deeper dive into the fantasy elements. Nonetheless, A Tryst in Paris promises an exhilarating escape, making it a must-read for readers who yearn for romance intertwined with the magic of time travel.

Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0CDR4W8F7

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/25/a-tryst-in-paris/

On the saddest day of her life, Tally discovers that the pendant which belonged to her mother is home to the Angel Jophiel. Tally knows that having her very own angel will change her life forever. Solving mysteries and having adventures with an angel in tow is awesome, right? What could go wrong? But being best friends with an angel doesn’t stop Tally from plunging into great danger when she discovers a deadly plot to destroy India with a gigantic flood. In a race against time beneath the beautiful city of Agra, Tally will need all her own courage and strength as well as Jophiel’s mythical sword to save herself and hundreds of kidnapped children.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/25/tally-and-the-angel-book-one-india/

Love Put Me In – Love Got Me Out tells the story of a man wrongly convicted of murder who asks his detective grandson to find the real killer and clear his name. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The country and western song Ol Red, originally sung by George Jones, then re-released by Blake Shelton in 2001

Trey just wants to help his grandfather out but winds up discovering more than he expected and testing his skills as a detective. What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?

The characters in the song Ol Red gave me the idea for the main characters. With over 40 years traveling to all the counties in Oklahoma as well as several in the surrounding states and Utah, Wyoming, and Alabama for oil and gas companies, I listened to hundreds of books on tape and CD, which gave me a good insight and ideas. I made notes to myself about how I would write if I ever decided to write a book. In the years of listening to the books, I realized that it is best to limit the characters in the story to make it easier for the reader to keep track of the characters and not overload the reader with numerous characters. Also, I tried to establish a character’s personality early on and maintain the personality throughout the store.

As I was drafting an outline for my main characters and how I could make them more interesting to the reader, I began to think of actors and the characters they portrayed. For my book character Billy, especially in his older years, I thought of the character Gus McCrae, played by Robert Duvall in Lonesome Dove. I tried to use his mannerisms and humorous comments to bring him to real life for the reader. For my character of Trey, the retired detective and Billy’s grandson, I thought of Tom Selleck and the character Jesse Stone, with his laid-back approach and calm demeanor. Thinking of these actors and their characters made it easier for me to develop my characters in a way that would keep the reader intrigued and looking forward to the next chapter of my book.

Some events in the book were chillingly similar to real-life events. Did you take any inspiration from real life when developing this book?

Yes, I have done a lot of fishing for various types of fish, which made it somewhat easy to relate my fishing experience with the reader. Also, with my traveling experience, I would use maps to find the shortest route to my destination; therefore, it was fairly easy for me to use this experience in my story when Billy was mapping out his trip to Idaho.

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

I am working on another story based on another old country and western song, Long Black Vail. In this story, Trey, the retired detective, is trying to solve another murder back in the 1930s. Just like the song, an innocent man is convicted and hung.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/25/inspiration-comes-from-all-over/

Summer (With Collateral Damage) follows an attorney spending the summer in her beach condo who has her plans disrupted by a hurricane that destroys the community and puts her in close quarters with a man who is off-limits. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I didn’t have an inspirational moment. The story had an ordinary theme and was boring to me, so I took a dark turn. So I took an ordinary person and put them in the middle of turmoil. I feel life is like that sometimes. 

What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?

Alyse, she is entitled and has everything. 

The hurricane and crime activity alter Alyse’s quiet and luxurious life. Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?

Yes, I do. Maybe it’s something small, maybe it’s a loss, but many things can be life-changing.

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

I am not sure where to go with my characters. I might start something completely different. My mind is sorting out small details that I imagine will make a good story.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/25/the-middle-of-turmoil/