A recent Guardian profile of the oil company chief who will lead this month’s United Nations climate meeting in Dubai nodded toward the stakes of those talks with a seemingly uncontroversial observation: “Global heating has been increasing in severity for years, but this summer there were impacts no one could ignore.” It was indisputably a […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/11/11/the-crash-to-come-insurance-climate/

I scooped this novella up as soon as it released. I enjoy the Below Stairs Mystery series and was excited to spend more time with our clever cook and her friends. The Price of Lemon Cake gives Lady Bobby Perry and Judith Townsend a chance in the spotlight when Kat asks them to investigate a young aristo. Come see why I am craving lemon cake and more Below Stairs mysteries.

The Price of Lemon Cake
by Jennifer Ashley
Series: A Below Stairs Mystery #6.5
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate

Rating:

When Kat Holloway approaches Lady Bobby Perry and Judith Townsend to help her discover what a young aristo is getting up to in a gentleman’s club, Bobby quickly accepts, coaxing a promise of Mrs. Holloway’s stupendous lemon cake in return.

But the investigation quickly turns into more than a simple spy mission, forcing Judith to confront a painful part her past. Both Judith and Bobby must bring their own unique skills to help Kat solve the tricky and dangerous problem.

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While we saw little of Kat, Daniel, or others, we got to spend some time with Bobby and Judith. Friends of Cynthia are concerned about a young man. It seems he is spending time at a gentleman’s club. Kat can’t visit the club and Daniel isn’t available, so Bobby and Judith agree to infiltrate the club dressed as men.

I loved the investigation as it delivered a twist regarding Judith’s past. It was fun getting to learn more about this couple as we uncovered truths. The mystery concerning the young man wasn’t complex, but it opened the door to Judith’s past.

I laughed about the method of payment the ladies extracted from Kat. The story was complete and I read it in one sitting. While I would have loved a full-length story, it gave us a look at secondary characters.

I absolutely recommend the Below Stairs Mystery series for fans of historical fiction, mystery, romance and food. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am off to hunt a slice of lemon cake.

Amazon

The Price of Lemon Cake by Jennifer Ashley delivered a Below Stairs Mystery while we learned more about Bobby and Judith. #mystery #historical #bookreview #lemoncake
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/11/the-price-of-lemon-cake-by-jennifer-ashley.html

The synopsis of The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy intrigued me, as I am often drawn to WWII fiction novels. Inspired by an actual porcelain factory in Dachau, this sweeping tale held me captive from the very first page.

The Porcelain Maker
by Sarah Freethy
Genres: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:

An epic story of love, betrayal, and art that spans decades, through the horrors of World War II to 21st century America, inspired by an actual porcelain factory in Dachau.

Two lovers caught at the crossroads of history.
A daughter’s search for the truth.

Germany, 1929. At a festive gathering of young bohemians in Weimar, two young artists, Max, a skilled Jewish architect, and Bettina, a celebrated avant-garde painter, are drawn to each other and begin a whirlwind romance. Their respective talents transport them to the dazzling lights of Berlin, but this bright beginning is quickly dimmed by the rising threat of Nazism. Max is arrested and sent to the concentration camp at Dachau where only his talent at making exquisite porcelain figures stands between him and seemingly certain death. Desperate to save her lover, Bettina risks everything to rescue him and escape Germany.

America, 1993. Clara, Bettina’s daughter, embarks on a journey to trace her roots and determine the identity of her father, a secret her mother has kept from her for reasons she’s never understood. Clara’s quest to piece together the puzzle of her origins transports us back in time to the darkness of Nazi Germany, where life is lived on a razor’s edge and deception and death lurk around every corner. Survival depends on strength, loyalty, and knowing true friend from hidden foe. And as Clara digs further, she begins to question why her mother was so determined to leave the truth of her harrowing past behind…

The Porcelain Maker is a powerful novel of enduring love and courage in the face of appalling brutality as a daughter seeks to unlock the mystery of her past.

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The story begins in America, 1993 where Clara, Bettina’s daughter, searches for clues about her father. She follows the sales of unique pieces of porcelain. From the very first pages, I was transported and whisked away to Germany, 1929.

In Germany, we meet Bettina, a painter, and Max, a skilled Jewish architect. Theirs is a whirlwind romance, and I enjoyed the art scene, romance and their young marriage. It’s a dangerous time and soon Max is arrested. He is taken to the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau.

As Clara learns more about her parents, we spend time with both Max and Bettina. Max creates exquisite porcelain figures for the Germans and Bettina risks everything to save him. Bettina’s story tugged at my heartstrings even as I admired how brave she was.

The tale that unfolds was beautiful, sad, heartbreaking, and enlightening. I am always amazed how, during the darkest of times, light emerges. The blending of fiction and history was exquisitely done. I researched off page as the author piqued my curiosity.

If you, like me, enjoy historical fiction/romance steeped in history, particularly WWII, you won’t want to miss The Porcelain Maker. It’s one of my favorite historical reads this year.

Amazon | Audible

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/11/the-porcelain-maker-by-sarah-freethy.html

Sophia Rose is sharing the first audiobook in the Cork O’Connor mystery series. Written by William Kent Krueger and narrated by David Chandler, come see why Sophia gave this story five coffee cups.

Iron Lake
by William Kent Krueger
Series: Cork O’Connor #1
Narrator: David Chandler
Length: 11 hours and 57 minutes
Genres: Mystery
Source: Library
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.2x

Part Irish, part Anishinaabe Indian, Corcoran “Cork” O’Connor is the former sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota – population 3,752. Embittered by his “former” status, and the marital meltdown that has separated him from his children, Cork gets by on heavy doses of caffeine, nicotine, and guilt. Once a cop on Chicago’s South Side, he’s found that there’s not much left in life that can shock him. But when the town’s judge, Robert Parrant, is brutally murdered, and Eagle Scout Paul LeBeau is reported missing, Cork takes on a mind-jolting case of conspiracy, corruption and scandal.

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Sophia Rose’s Review

Having been introduced to this book via a fan of the series, it was a matter of when, not if I would dive into the Cork O’Connor series.  And, it wasn’t long before I was having the age old feeling of ‘why did I wait so long…’ Iron Lake hit the emotions, senses, and intellect so that I was immersed in the story as told by new to me narrator, David Chandler.

Iron Lake starts out with a prequel of a young Cork O’Connor on a bear hunting trip with a family friend.  Then the book jumps forward to the present and starts from the perspective of a teenage boy who’s out in a northern Minnesota snow storm just before Christmas delivering newspapers. He comes to the last house on his route, crusty old Judge Parrant, when he hears the explosion of a rifle shot. He disappears not long after that and his desperate mother goes to ex-sheriff Cork O’Connor, who may have a tarnished rep, a disconnect with his ancestry and family, and a poor sense of self, but she trusts him to find her son.

Cork’s about as down and out as he’s ever been, and I do relish an underdog for a protagonist. He’s got cop skills and instincts, he knows this rural county which includes the local Anishinaabe reservation, forests, and lakes not far from Great Lake Superior.  He is estranged from his wife, Jo, an attorney on the rise working with a senator whose star is on the rise not just in local and state politics, but nationally.  She gets small amounts of the narration as do a few other supportive characters throughout, to add good perspective to the story. 

There are scenes Cork gets with his kids and with a special lady he has fallen for since his wife told him to leave.  There is blame to both sides and I appreciated the author went for realistic with the nuances of the intertwined relationships. 

There are some scenes when Cork is confronted by Anishinaabe prickly about how he’s lived his life in the white world and whites who think he’s standing against them.  He’s still looking for peace from the racial tension raging inside himself let alone in the outside world.

Cork is going through more than the emotional stress.  Some toughs beat him up to get him off the investigation, and he’s got so many pieces and few answers.  He gets to the point that he suspects even his few friends and people he thought he trusted.  He’s long since become a cynic of about anything a person can believe in because of life kicking him hard.  I’m not even touching so much in plot, but there is a wealth of layers and background to the story and the characters, especially Cork.

I liked seeing the rural locality and culture of the area play a major role, the biting Minnesota winter was a part of the suspense, the legend of the Windigo add an interesting, chilling mystical element, and there were some really exciting, breath-stealing action scenes and twists to the case. 

I put my finger on the who and why, but then saw that evidence was pointing elsewhere.  More dead bodies come after and made me doubt my guess and go with another and yet another.  It was obviously a wonderfully complex murder mystery.

David Chandler had several characters to voice and a tone to set for the book.  He did a superb job and I hope he voices the rest of the series because, yes, I am not stopping at Iron Lake.  And, now I’m recommending Iron Lake to other mystery and thriller fans who like a down and out hero and a rural setting.

Amazon | Audible

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/11/iron-lake-by-william-kent-krueger.html

I was so excited to see a new series from Benedict Jacka and couldn’t wait to listen. An Inheritance of Magic is the first audiobook in the Stephen Oakwood urban fantasy series. Come learn about the magic of Drucraft and meet our untrained protagonist Stephen Oakwood. I cannot wait for more…..

An Inheritance of Magic
by Benedict Jacka
Series: Stephen Oakwood #1
Narrator: Will Watt
Length: 10 hours and 42 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

ANYONE CAN USE MAGIC – IF THEY CAN AFFORD THE PRICE . . .

In a world where everything magical is bought up and controlled by the super rich – Stephen Oakwood has inherited a natural talent for magic. Plunged by his father’s disappearance into a glittering world of scheming dynasties, warring patriarchs and vicious scions, Stephen must navigate magical high society and learn to control his gifts.

Dangerous enemies await the Oakwood heir, and even more dangerous allies: if Stephen cannot master his magic quickly and learn to distinguish friend from foe, his name may end up on the missing persons list, just like his father.

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I devoured the Alex Verus series on audio and highly recommend them. For fans who have already listened to the series, the world of Stephen Oakwood and Drucraft is very different. There are Drucraft Houses, magic wells, sigils are more. If you are from a house, someone trained you in Drucraft. Unlike our protagonists, who learned some basics from his father before he went missing.

When we meet Stephen, he is checking the street for odd cars. He believes something nefarious happened to his father. Stephen tries to practice his craft when time allows. His job, which he needs to pay for the flat he and Hobbes (his cat) live in, leaves him very little time to hone his skills. However, despite little training, he is better at it than he thinks. The problem is, he knows very little about Drucraft, the wells, etc.

Stephen learns that he is related to one of the powerful houses when an attempt is made on his life. An invitation to a party presents more questions about his mother, father, and heritage. One thing is for certain, though, Stephen will need to strengthen his magic and harness more skills if he is going to survive.

The House he belongs to might be powerful, but the power plays and politics in-house make them dangerous. Stephen & Hobbes find that out for themselves.

I loved the tale that unfolded as Stephen navigated family history and magic. Not only does he need to improve his skills, he also has to figure out who exactly to trust. The story was well paced, as we learned along with Stephen. I was hooked and listened in just a few sittings.

Benedict Jacka is a wonderful storyteller. I love how he develops his worlds and grows his characters. His stories lend themselves wonderfully to the audio format, and Will Watt excelled at bringing these characters and the story to life.

Inheritance of Magic is a coming into power story and an exciting start to the Stephen Oakwood series. I cannot wait to see what adventure the next book brings.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/11/an-inheritance-of-magic-by-benedict-jacka.html

I was looking for something historical when I stumbled upon Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji, narrated by Gabra Zackman. I was intrigued by the 1875 Philadelphia setting and the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. The tale that unfolds offers a murder-mystery with plenty of twists.

Murder by Degrees
by Ritu Mukerji
Narrator: Gabra Zackman
Length: 8 hours and 7 minutes
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.5x

Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery set in 19th century Philadelphia, following a pioneering woman doctor as she investigates the disappearance of a young patient who is presumed dead.

Philadelphia, 1875: It is the start of term at Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lydia Weston, professor and anatomist, is immersed in teaching her students in the lecture hall and hospital. When the body of a patient, Anna Ward, is dredged out of the Schuylkill River, the young chambermaid’s death is deemed a suicide. But Lydia is suspicious and she is soon brought into the police investigation.

Aided by a diary filled with cryptic passages of poetry, Lydia discovers more about the young woman she thought she knew. Through her skill at the autopsy table and her clinical acumen, Lydia draws nearer the truth. Soon a terrible secret, long hidden, will be revealed. But Lydia must act quickly, before she becomes the next target of those who wished to silence Anna.

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In 1875, Dr. Lydia Weston, a professor and anatomist at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, becomes distressed when her patient, Anna Ward is found in the Schuylkill River. It seems to be a suicide, but Dr. Weston is suspicious and soon aids in the police investigation.

The story that unfolds was fascinating. The book discussed medical advancements, particularly about women. I enjoyed the author’s extensive research and intriguing facts. As Dr. Watson looks into the life of chambermaid Anna Ward, she makes some startling discoveries about her patient and the victim.

The book is a mix of scientific innovations, social disparity, infidelity, and gender bias rolled into a police procedural. While I loved all the aspects addressed, it slowed the pacing of the mystery. For me, it was ok because as I stated I loved all the historical details and tidbits.

The mystery led to some secrets, lies and danger. Soon, Dr. Watson is racing against time to solve the mystery before they find another victim. I listened and enjoyed the voices Gabra Zackman gave to the characters, particularly that of Dr. Weston.

Fans of historical mysteries like the Lady Sherlock series will enjoy Murder by Degrees.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/11/murder-by-degrees-by-ritu-mukerji.html

In the enchanting town of Salem, Massachusetts, where magic and mystery intertwine, lives Carnella, a peculiar witch with a penchant for peaceful coexistence. However, when a chaotic bank robbery erupts in the heart of the town on a spooky All Hallows Eve, Carnella finds herself caught in a whirlwind of events she never anticipated.

As the murderous robbers start to leave, Carnella remains composed, willing to let them depart unscathed. That is until one of the thieves attempts to snatch her cherished amulet, an ancient artifact that is the source of her unparalleled power. Unleashing her cunning and centuries-old wisdom, Carnella bestows upon the robbers a mischievous trick and an unexpected treat that will forever linger in their memories for an eternity.

“WITCH” is a thrilling tale of magic, mischief, and unexpected camaraderie in the face of chaos. Author Jerrimiah Stonecastle intricately weaves together a narrative that explores the boundaries of morality, the allure of power, and the resilience of the human spirit. With a cast of compelling characters, including the enigmatic Carnella, readers will be drawn into a world where the line between good and evil blurs, leaving them to ponder the true nature of justice, and the enduring impact of choices made on one fateful night. Prepare to be bewitched and bewildered as you uncover the secrets of Salem alongside Carnella and the unsuspecting robbers in this bewitching tale of Halloween intrigue.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/11/witch/

The Actor’s Book of Quotes is a compilation of knowledge, wisdom, and a bit of humor covering a wide variety of topics surrounding a career in the performing arts. Why was this an important book for you to write?

Performing artists (and artists in general) tend to be a little more sensitive and emotional than most people you’ll meet out there in the world. The qualities that make us good actors also make us more vulnerable than those working in more traditional careers. The uncertainty that actors must deal with daily can become an emotional roller coaster ride without a strong support system and effective coping skills. I wanted to create a book that would help actors at all levels in their careers––beginner, intermediate, and advanced––find encouragement and inspiration to help them keep moving forward when challenges arise.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The main idea I wanted to share is that we are never alone. Though show biz is a solitary––and often unforgiving––profession, we can take comfort in the knowledge that thousands of actors before us have faced and overcome similar challenges to those we face today. I always encourage actors to research the lives and careers of star-name actors from a by-gone era who are of a similar physical type. We can also research actors who share a similar background, hometown, or alma mater. The idea is to find capable, competent actors we can relate to––and who will help us find a sense of perspective when navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. I hope this book will help actors find words of wisdom to help them keep going––from notable people in the arts (and many other fields) who have already been where we’re trying to go.

How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?

I’ve been collecting inspirational quotes for over twenty years and started working on this book for actors about seven years ago. When I was a young actor in New York, I used to type up quotes I found that would be helpful in keeping me encouraged and on track. I would carry several pages of these quotes in a folder along with my headshots and resumes. I liked to run through them in the waiting room at auditions right before the casting directors would call me in to read. This was a nice trick that always gave me a little energy boost and helped me think bigger when I was auditioning for roles I wanted to book. After a while, I realized that many other actors could benefit from these inspirational messages too––if they were available in book or ebook form.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Actor’s Book of Quotes?

I hope this book will be a useful tool that actors will rely upon to help overcome challenges and work their way through to the next level of their careers. I’ve known so many talented actors through the years, unfortunately, who quit the business because they couldn’t handle the daily grind and constant rejection. I hope this book will help actors find the inspiration to keep going when they feel like giving up. I want this book to be an effective toolbox and a thought-provoking resource guide. We’re remembered in life for the problems we solve or the problems we create. I hope this book will solve problems for working actors and talented newcomers whenever they need it most.

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

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/11/encouragement-and-inspiration/

Goodbye, Dry Eye! offers readers a comprehensive guide to dry eye disease including causes, symptoms, treatments, and methods of prevention. Why was this an important book for you to write?

As a dry eye specialist, I see so many people with basic questions and errors which can cause their eyes to get worse. I hope my book provides some relief to those who are struggling and not getting the answers they need from their doctors or tips to allow their treatments to work more effectively. It was important to write this book to try to increase the number of people I can help through a widely accessible book rather than only my patients who I see in clinic.

Readers will connect with the personal accounts in your book. Can you tell us a little about that aspect of your research and writing process?

This was my first book so the writing process was probably more scattered than it could be in the future. I would write chapters and then think of new things to add and move paragraphs around to help it flow better. Researching the updated research to put in my book was also fun. It helped me organize my thoughts to read research papers and different perspectives on the causes and treatments of dry eye disease. It took about 5 months total to research and write the book before I submitted it for professional editing and formatting. Learning about the publishing process was also fun and enlightening.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from Goodbye, Dry Eye! ?

I want readers suffering with dry eye to realize there is hope and a way to get them back to living a normal life with proper treatment.

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

My next book is called How Healers Heal, and it was published in August of 2023. It is a collection of stories from 33 physicians about our own health struggles and how we used tools from the six pillars of health in Lifestyle Medicine to transform our lives and our health.

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | EyeDoctorMD | HowHealersHeal | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/11/there-is-hope/

Baja Silver follows a detective on vacation in Mexico who winds up helping an old friend rescue women from a sex trafficking cartel. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?

I had a 35 year career as a clinical social worker and manager of mental health and homeless programs in Sacramento. For 7 years, I was the Director of Loaves & Fishes in Sacramento. And my series of novels is based on my time there 1999-2006. My main character, Sam White, is a semi auto-biographical character, and I have a number of homeless characters that are composites of folks I’ve known, and many homeless situations are based on true experiences.

Part 2 of Baja Silver was inspired by my interest in California history and the 12 years my wife and I had a vacation home in Loreto, Baja California, after our retirement. Sam White’s reunion with his childhood friend, Jesus (Juice) Fierro was based on a childhood friend that I parted ways with in 1975 and have never seen again, nor been able to locate.

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

Themes I highlight in the book are sexual preferences and the discrimination, abuse, and homelessness LGBTQ young and older people suffer from. The humanity of homeless people and their resilience and the political/social causes of homelessness are also important themes.

Where can readers find more of Sam White and his mysteries?

Lastly, Baja Silver is my 2nd book in the series, and Squatter’s Gold, was my first book.

Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/11/humanity-of-homeless-people/