Also referred to as the Shining Smith series, Junkyard Roadhouse by Faith Hunter is the fourth book in the Junkyard Cats series narrated by Khristine Hvam. This science fiction novella with it’s dystopian setting is addictive as Shining Smith, her cats and motley crew work to survive. A little humor and a whole lota action make this series an autobuy for me.

Junkyard Roadhouse
by Faith Hunter
Series: Junkyard Cats #4
Narrator: Khristine Hvam
Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

Shining Smith stands on the brink of achieving her goals, and yet now she could lose everything.

The presidents of four motorcycle clubs are coming to claim blood sacrifice and to ink her with motorcycle club tats. Her new roadhouse and its charter have to meet their approval or the roadhouse has no future, and neither does Shining.

An injured kid shows up at Smith’s Junk and Scrap, but collapses before he can speak.

A note arrives containing a warning and a plea for help, addressed by someone who knows Shining’s most intimate secrets—her history, her plans, and the names of her friends. The sender claims his daughter has been kidnapped by Shining’s enemies. To keep her secrets, he wants Shining to get his daughter back.

In order to rescue the hostage and keep her junkyard, her roadhouse, her people, and the cats alive, Shining Smith will have to suffer, fight, and bargain her way out of danger. All without accidently transitioning anyone—creating an accidental thrall—no matter how much her nanobots want her to.

Lock and load. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

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Shining Smith is ready to open her Junkyard Roadhouse and become the leader of her own club. It involves approval from the presidents of the other motorcycle clubs and painful tattoos. I slipped right in and became caught up when an injured man arrives. Once they get him patched up, they discover his uncle sent him because his daughter has been kidnapped. The tale that unfolds was action-packed.

Hunter has created a gritty, dangerous world laid desolate after wars. Technology is both cool and scary as Shining is infected. Then we have cats that communicate with her, and motorcycle gangs vying for territory, product and power. It is not a place for weak of heart. For each tidbit we learn, I want to know more… it’s addictive.

I love Shining and the motley crew she surrounds herself with from a lover to AI. All Shining and the others want is to live life on their terms. Each novella is well developed and contains a mission or situation while advancing the overall arc and relationships. I highly recommend listening in the order of their release.

Khristine Hvam does a stellar job of giving voice and personality to Shining, the cats, other characters and AI. She enhances my overall enjoyment of the tale. I couldn’t imagine not listening.

Fans of science fiction, post-apocalyptic worlds and well-developed characters need to grab this series.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/08/junkyard-roadhouse-by-faith-hunter.html

Shattered, Inspired By True Events by Jenell M. Jones, M.ED., is a powerful memoir that delves into the author’s personal journey of accepting the unchangeable and learning to tolerate the harsh realities of life. Jones’s raw and honest account of her experiences resonates deeply with readers, making this more than just one woman’s struggle—it’s a source of inspiration for anyone facing life’s challenges. Through her story, Jones invites readers to reflect on their own paths toward peace and healing, sharing how her decision to adopt a young girl, with the hope of transforming both their lives for the better, led to an unexpected and challenging journey.

The central theme of survival and endurance is poignantly portrayed in Shattered. Jones vividly illustrates the unexpected anguish that life can bring and demonstrates remarkable strength and resilience in the face of trauma. Her journey toward healing and self-discovery is both encouraging and uplifting, leaving readers with a powerful message: if she can overcome these obstacles, so can they. The book’s emphasis on perseverance and courage makes a lasting impact, reminding us all of the importance of endurance in our own lives. Jones’s storytelling is graphic and emotionally resonant, pulling readers into her world and making them feel the weight of her struggles. She skillfully conveys the unwanted efforts and sacrifices she made in her pursuit of inner peace, creating a narrative that is both relatable and deeply moving. The systemic critique woven throughout the book is another notable element. Jones’ experiences highlight the often-ignored flaws in the child welfare system, particularly how it handles children with traumatic backgrounds. Jones’ frustration with the system is palpable, and she effectively uses her personal story to advocate for better practices and more compassionate policies. This book serves as both a memoir and a critical commentary on a system that is in desperate need of reform.

Shattered, Inspired By True Events is a gripping and authentic memoir that will resonate with anyone who has faced life’s unexpected challenges. Jones’s courage in sharing her regrets and her raw emotions is a testament to the human experience, reminding us of our shared vulnerabilities. I highly recommend this book to everyone, as we all, at some point, must navigate the unforeseen changes life throws our way.

Pages: 210 | ASIN : B0C5CPY345

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/19/shattered-3/

Readers seeking chills and thrills to go along with their Southern Gothic historical novel will find just that in this intense tale of tragic star-crossed lovers and a werewolf stalking a town.

In Talbotton, Georgia, American Civil War soldier David Cantwell scorned marriage for true love-and now must confront the monstrous consequences of his choice.

Furred and fanged terror grips the night as a werewolf attacking his cavalry leads to dark secrets being revealed. By choosing love, has Cantwell doomed himself and others?

A supernatural story during the American Civil War that perfectly blends Southern Gothic and monster legends, The Beast of Talbotton makes for a one-of-a-kind pulse-pounding adventure for fans of history and horror alike.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/19/the-beast-of-talbotton-an-all-hallows-eve-tale/

The Coffee Traveler follows a young boy from an Amazon rainforest’s Tupi Guarani tribe who embarks on a journey of personal growth and the quest for purpose. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The Coffee Traveler was influenced by my own childhood memories, which are a lot like Kauê’s life. Like him, I had to figure out who I was and what I was here to do while dealing with the weight of my cultural background (always being an outsider) and how nature shaped my growth. 

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

The characters fight to find themselves, where they came from, and where they fit in. Moral standards in different cultures make right and wrong unclear. This allows the creation of characters by showing how conditions, feelings, and connections affect choices. It deepens stories and makes readers consider their ideals. 

Stories of people who face their concerns, overcome obstacles, and develop from them are inspiring and relevant. Relationships also shape our lives. This is why love, friendship, betrayal, and conflict are excellent topics for studying human interaction. 

Cultural and environmental variables provide dimension to stories because our histories and settings impact our identities and perspectives. Finally, finding purpose through love, employment, adventure, or self-discovery is a universal topic. Fiction that teaches characters and readers about living a meaningful life can be very educational. These human traits help readers think about their lives and keep them interested in the story. Great fiction comes from the range of human experience, with its ups and downs.

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

The Coffee Traveler explores many deep themes that shape the story’s look at the human experience. Symbolizing the search for identity and change, Kauê’s trip shows how personal trauma and growth can change a person’s sense of who they are. Through Kauê’s tattoos and Caíque’s teachings, cultural heritage is also stressed, showing how important it is to understand and respect one’s roots as a key part of personal growth. Morality and its effects are at the heart of Kauê’s story, as his actions make you think about how complicated right and wrong, guilt, and why you make the choices you do are. 

Kauê’s change into a hunter shows the theme of survival, both physically and emotionally. It’s a symbol of resilience and the inner power needed to get through a new world. The story’s relationships show how delicate the balance is between connection and isolation, as the characters fight with their needs for closeness and self-discovery. The way power works, especially in Nick’s case, shows how ego affects people and what real strength and leadership are. Another important theme is how nature and human relationships are linked. Caíque’s lessons stress the strong links between the natural world and community ties. 

Along with these issues, the idea of male identity in modern society is very important. There is more and more talk about masculinity, often in terms of societal expectations and cultural changes. Men today often feel stuck between traditional roles and new social norms, which can cause an identity problem. This battle is a lot like Kauê’s journey as he tries to figure out who he is in a world where ideas of what it means to be a man are becoming more fluid and up for debate. Also, the novel makes a point of commenting on the larger talk about what it means to be a man in today’s society while telling a story of personal and cultural change. 

What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?

People kept telling me the story was dramatic and emotional. Readers relate to Kauê’s inner struggles and changes. Many didn’t expect the Amazon jungle and Tupi Guarani society story to have relatable identity and growth elements.

The adventure and rich culture hook readers in, but Kauê’s voyage frequently appeals to them personally by reminding them of their struggles. I’m thrilled that my writing about universal issues like meaning and human complexity resonates with people from all backgrounds. This gives me hope that stories may unite people and help them understand others, proving that we are all human despite our differences.

Author Links: Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/19/we-are-all-human/

Horror that happens in the past is not finished wreaking havoc on the present in this chilling read where fears come to be real danger for one South Carolina community’s highest members.

At the start of the nineteenth century, a girl approaches the town’s constable, William, and accuses the powerful O’Neill family of witchcraft. She is quickly dismissed, but Bridget, a bright nurse and William’s love interest, soon convinces him that the girl is telling the truth. An investigation commences, and William and Bridget join forces to unravel the mystery.

As they navigate the increasingly sinister facts, the duo finds out what evil is. They are soon forced to keep secrets to stay safe…only to learn that others will pay the price. Confronting their own terrors, William and Bridget discover that not everything is what it seems-sometimes, it’s darker.

This haunting story revels in our fears and the strange things we can’t explain.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/19/facing-demons-an-all-hallows-eve-tale/

Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan follows an autistic teen on a journey to challenge the oppressive regime and find her tribe and love. What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

In Asayi – An    Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topple a Shogun in Medieval Japan, the main character, Asayi, presents as mute. She understands what is spoken to her and can copy text, i.e., ink Japanese characters, but in book one, she is illiterate.

So Asayi has a rare skill, but is hampered by her lack of literacy.  Not being able to speak is a severe disability in a culture that is with obsessed with perfection.  That is why Nabui constantly repeats that the Shogun “had given him a defective gift” when Yoshinori Ashikaga arranged for Nabui to marry Asayi after her father’s death.  The Shogun felt that the daughter of the late Chief Scribe needed to be placed in Nabui’s household since he was the next Chief Scribe.  Asayi’s “defectiveness” led to beatings, rape and other cruelities in Nabui’s household.  It was not until Yoshinori’s successor, Yoshimasa, came to power that the obsession with perfection came to be a bit dispelled.  Yoshimasa introduced the art of “kintsugi” in the 15^th century wherein broken porcelain was repaired with gold welding to restore its wholeness and utility. 

While life has many struggles, the disabled in Medieval Japan suffered through more struggles than the average person. Had Asayi not been connected through her Chief Scribe father to the power circles, she would have no doubt been killed as a child or used as a household slave. As it was her father kept her condition a secret from the court during his lifetime. Asayi’s humanity is affirmed as she learns to communicate with others by drawing. Thus Asayi adapts to her limitation and uses her prowess with the brush to have a voice.

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

Certainly, I wanted to touch upon the norm of perfection held by the aristocratic class and present its impact on an autistic young girl. I also wanted to touch upon the severe restrictions on the lives of women in this period as they were ruthlessly governed by fathers, brothers, and husbands.  When I asked a friend of mine who I worked with to teach me Japanese, he told me that I needed to learn the language from a woman. I then discovered the Japanese language spoken by women was like a different language, filled with many honorific words for males that the women were to use in conversation with men!

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

In my next book I will be covering the theft of the Imperial Regalia from the Northern Court. Controlled by the Ashikaga family for generations by the Southern Court, which was the province of the emperor.  The regalia consisted of a sovereign sword, a many-sided mirror, and some gems.  Whoever possessed these objects had the mandate to reign, and they were coveted by each Court. Asayi goes underground to recover these objects, so another adventure lies ahead.  

Author Links: Website | YouTube | GoodReads | Librarything

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/19/kintsugi/