Hamas’s attack on Israel and Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza have already caused colossal destruction and anguish. Some 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas on October 7. In the more than six weeks since, at least 13,000 people, according to some estimates, have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli army. Fear and hatred are […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/11/23/combatants-for-peace-israel-palestine/
Cinnamon Girl follows a fifteen-year-old girl who, after her grandmother’s death, heads off on an adventure, looking for romance, only to discover a world more dangerous than she imagined. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always been fascinated by the politics of the late 1960s and the 1970s. I did live through that era but like Eli I was young and didn’t understand a lot of what was going on. The set up has a basis in my life. I did grow up in an environment of arts and music, and for one year of my life I lived in Webster Groves, Missouri, with my older brother and his wife and kids. Like Eli’s dad, my brother was against the war in Vietnam, but there the similarities stop.
Eli’s story is not your typical coming-of-age tale of a young girl; rather, she encounters a world filled with anger and strife as the country goes through a period of drastic changes and revolution. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
When Eli encounters some members of the Black Panthers she gets an inside look at racism and is exposed to her own unconscious bias. But because her step-grandmother was a free spirit and open-minded, Eli is able to understand the unfairness of the situation. I know it’s a cliché these days, but those hippie ideals of “peace, love, and brotherhood” do come to matter to her.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This is a story about family and belonging. Eli is constantly searching for and creating family wherever she goes. But none of them are permanent. It isn’t till the end that she finds the home she’s been looking for.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
We have just released a second edition of my memoir, The Hummingbird Kiss: My Life as an Addict in the 1970s. The audiobook version of that will be released in February of 2024. And in January we are re-releasing my later memoir, My Mother’s Requiem.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/22/78300/
Death or Volentus follows a vampire and necromancer who are nemesis who join forces to rescue a woman from the hands of a malevolent queen. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was always intrigued by the idea of a supernatural detective who could raise the dead to obtain the answers to various crimes, whether they be from the deceased victim or the criminal. However, the danger of such a figure turning rogue and raising the dead to enact his/her designs would always be a concern, such as we saw here with Volentus. My overarching thought was: Wouldn’t it be interesting to read a story where the villain must rescue the hero this time – and that hero being the person who put that villain in check? Each character involved would be somewhat conflicted, making for an exciting drama. Adding in the vampire who must rely on Volentus to save the heroine he loves creates that perfect formula.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
First, I needed to think of a place brimming with peril to set the stage for the crux of the plot. The only reason our forces would ever consider employing the aid of the hero’s nemesis would be to navigate a realm too dangerous for anyone else except for a villainous figure, in this case, Volentus, who had expertise in all things dead and undead. Establishing a steampunk-like city where the governing body is somewhat corrupt in its own way proved to be a jarring contrast to the dreaded Land of Wilted Roses. A gilded dystopian city parallel to a dark, forbidden land of doom. It just reads great.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I’ve always enjoyed pushing the boundaries and raising the stakes of what dark fantasy and horror could be for readers who have read and experienced so much of it already. Making these elements feel real, yet magical, pulls us into the world before we even know we’ve become invested. I want my readers to feel like they’re in the story, that they’re a part of the action. The haunting themes make for a great setting for characters who have relatable motivations. Every reader wants to escape in fiction. So, I endeavor to provide them with an escape they won’t soon forget.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
What a fortunate question. I have already begun planning the sequel and have settled on a great new setting for our characters where the previous tale left off. Be on the lookout for Death or Volentus: Macabre Masquerade before the Summer arrives! Intrigue abounds when a king invites Volentus and other powerful figures to a summit for peace disguised as a masquerade ball where everyone involved suspects a trap.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
A perfect read for fans of gothic horror, steampunk, and dark fantasy, Death or Volentus tells the story of a villainous figure who is convinced to embark on a perilous mission to rescue his nemesis from a wicked cult. Volentus is a necromancer able to raise corpses and command them to do his bidding, even leading vast undead armies. While he often plays by his own rules, Volentus finds himself partnering with a skilled vampire who would do anything to save the woman he loves, including slicing off Volentus’s head at the slightest hint of betrayal. However, as the formidable pair quickly discover, their assignment will be anything but what they expected.
Written by the award-winning author of The Angels of Resistance, The Redeem the Knight Trilogy, and Torn Asunder.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/22/pushing-the-boundaries-and-raising-the-stakes/
In 1964, the vibrant streets of Detroit echoed with the soulful rhythms of Motown and the revolutionary beats of the British Invasion. But beneath this lively veneer, a sinister force was at play. ‘Then Came Four,’ a gripping crime thriller, takes us into the heart of a city divided by color and justice. In the midst of the civil rights era, Detroit’s police department was a looming shadow over the city, especially the notorious ‘Tac Squad’ known as ‘The Big Four.’ Officers Mancini, Savage, Laughlin, and Markowitz patrolled the streets, imposing an unspoken curfew that preyed upon African Americans. Their reign of terror left a trail of injustice – from wrongful arrests to unspeakable violence. Amidst this turmoil, two unlikely friends emerge – Anthony ‘Tony’ Fiorello and Wesley Norris, law students from starkly different backgrounds. Their bond, forged in the hallways of the University of Detroit, becomes a beacon of hope. Tony, a rich kid from Grosse Pointe, and Wesley, a brilliant African-American student, vow to stand by each other against all odds. As Wesley rises to become Wayne County’s assistant prosecutor, he uncovers the horrific crimes of The Big Four. His pursuit of justice sparks a dangerous game of cat and mouse, culminating in the infamous Detroit Riots of 1967. But when Wesley is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the battle for justice takes a personal turn for Tony. ‘Then Came Four’ is not just a tale of crime and punishment. It’s a story about the power of friendship, the fight for justice, and the spirit of a city that refused to be broken. Journey through the dark alleys of Detroit, where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the quest for justice comes at a deadly cost.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/23/then-came-four/
Beauty & the Alchemist, by Elle Hartford, is an engaging cozy murder mystery set in the enchanting town of Belville, a haven for magical beings. The story centers around Red, a pragmatic Alchemist who turned her back on her family’s legacy as Seers to embrace the tangible world of science. Running Red’s Alchemy and Potions, she becomes intertwined in a web of intrigue when a jailbreak and subsequent murder disrupt the town’s peace. Alongside her, a witty dog familiar named William and a diverse cast of characters, including the pun-loving, half-orc police officer Thorn and scholarly friend Luca, add depth and humor to the narrative.
The plot unfolds with a murder outside a mysterious castle, pulling Red into a quest to exonerate her friend and unravel the secrets of an ancient curse. The inclusion of a forgotten history of tree-elves, the Drus, adds a layer of myth to the already rich tapestry of the story. Hartford skillfully blends elements of fantasy, steampunk, and modern technology, creating a world that is both familiar and wonderfully unique.
The book shines in its ability to balance playful and light-hearted moments with tension and darker themes. Its ability to maintain my interest, despite my usual focus challenges, speaks to the compelling nature of the narrative. The characters are charming, each with their distinct quirks, and the representation of diverse sexualities is a refreshing addition. The inclusion of recipes related to the story is a thoughtful touch, further immersing readers in the world of Belville.
While I enjoyed the story, I felt some characters occasionally verged on being overly irksome, which may be intentional to evoke a strong reader response. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall experience.
For those who enjoy a blend of fairy tale elements with the intrigue of a cozy murder mystery, peppered with a dash of the supernatural and a hint of spookiness, Beauty & the Alchemist is an excellent choice. Hartford has crafted a captivating fantasy world that invites readers to return to Belville time and time again.
Pages: 294 | ASIN: B0C271XLX4
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/23/beauty-the-alchemist/