Would you rather have dreams or memories? This poignant question forms the crux of Looking for Legends, a captivating memoir/travelogue by Scott and Tarantino. The book recounts the extraordinary adventures of a married couple who have lived a legendary life, blending personal anecdotes with tales of their globe-trotting exploits. Determined to lead a life of exceptional experiences, they embarked on a series of adventures that mirrored some of the most celebrated journeys in history.

Looking for Legends is more than just a travel narrative; it is a love story between two individuals who share an insatiable passion for exploring the world and an equally strong affection for each other. This unintentional sentimentality adds a delightful layer to the book, making it a truly heartwarming read. The couple’s adventures span the globe, from China to Ecuador, Switzerland to Greenland, and Jordan to many other destinations. However, their travel choices were far from random. As avid history enthusiasts, they often selected their destinations based on the writings and significant works of historical figures like Pablo Neruda, Knud Rasmussen, and Zorba the Greek. This historical context enriches their narratives, offering readers a deeper understanding of the places they visited. The sheer audacity and enthusiasm of Scott and Tarantino make this book a sublime experience. Their infectious wanderlust and joy for exploration are so vividly conveyed that even the most devoted homebodies might find themselves inspired to embark on their own journeys by the book’s end.

Complementing the engaging prose are images and hand-drawn maps that beautifully illustrate their travels. These visual aids not only enhance the storytelling but also showcase the couple’s profound appreciation for the planet and its myriad wonders.

Looking for Legends invites readers to reflect on their own lives and decide whether they are content with merely reading about such adventures or whether they will choose to create their own memories. This book is a testament to the extraordinary life that awaits those who dare to dream and take the leap into the unknown.

Pages: 427 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW1FRRWH

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/09/looking-for-legends-let-us-take-you-somewhere-youve-never-been-before-and-introduce-you-to-our-friends/

The California run of “Simone Leigh,” a traveling exhibition of the artist’s work organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, is split between two locations: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the California African American Museum, separated by just over seven miles of broad city blocks. LACMA is a sprawling tourist […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2024/08/08/refusing-the-eye-simone-leigh/

Narrated by Stephanie Savannah, Drow Guardian, is the second audiobook in the Chronicles of Shadow Bourne written by Martha Carr & Michael Anderle. Ellis Burton, a half-Drow searching for her birth mother in LaLa Land finds herself busy solving a murder. This was another action-packed installment that has me excited for more.

Drow Guardian
by Martha Carr, Michael Anderle
Series: Chronicles of Shadow Bourne #2
Narrator: Stephanie Savannah
Length: 6 hours and 2 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x

Nothing is ever a coincidence in LaLa Land. When a friend’s ex-wife is murdered, the city’s guardian Drow, Ellis Burton suspects something more is going on. But what?

The clues say the police cannot be trusted in this case. The question is, who can be?

And who is covering up the truth, and why?

Someone in L.A. has been tracking Ellis and she soon finds out it’s the senior Drow, her father.

It’s not a fun family reunion. But is there really such a thing?

She doesn’t have time for his threats or shenanigans. There are more dangerous things happening in the city of make-believe.

Like the locket she’s wearing. It might be the key to figuring out if her mother is in hiding or dead. Can the half Drow figure it out?

Ellis is determined. She will get the answers she seeks while protecting the city she has grown to love, from the shadows.

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Ellis is trying to help Charlie and his friend solve a murder, but the more she digs the more things seem tied to her own mystery. Drow Guardian was another addictive tale and I love the world that Carr & Anderle have created. The Drow are hidden from humans, but apparently not all as we learn more in this second tale.

Ellis has made some friends in LaLa Land (Los Angeles) from Charlie, who worked for the police department, to a tech nerd who communicates with animals. I love this motley crew. Percy cracks me up as the two get themselves in trouble. The tale mixes humor, friendship, magic and family issues into a unique tale. I love the magic of the Drow and their medicinal mushrooms.

This second installment was more suspenseful as the danger to Ellis and the Drow increase. She is clever, but makes some serious mistakes which almost cost her.

While the case is resolved, we are still left with more questions and I am eager to dive into Drow Mystery, the next audiobook in this seven book series. I am beginning to suspect some twists, especially after she discovers she is being shadowed.

Stephanie Savannah continues to narrate and does a great job of bringing Ellis, Charlie, Percy and the others to life. She enhanced my overall enjoyment of the tale and I recommend listening to this series.

Amazon * | Audible

*kindleunlimited

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/08/drow-guardian-by-martha-carr-michael-anderle.html

This is about family, love, and friendship. Can Charles forsake his fiancée and rebel against society to love them?

Does he know how to love?

Since the family struggles to break free from the man hunting their lives.

Will Charles start a new glimmering with possibilities of love and prosperity?

Does he become the target marked by tragedy?

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/08/love-rage-and-deception-2/

Songs for the Deaf by Kenneth A. Silver is an intriguing novel that intertwines the mystery of an unsolved MIA case with the spread of the bubonic plague in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The story follows a group of individuals who strive to halt the devastating plague and unravel the connection to the missing soldiers. At the heart of this compelling narrative is Miles Curtain, a dedicated and passionate protagonist. Miles’s character is meticulously crafted, showcasing his commitment to his work, whether as an articles editor for the Columbia Law Review or a top recruit for a large Canadian conglomerate. His relentless drive to transform his work into platforms for political dissent and meaningful change is both inspiring and relatable.

As a reader, I found Miles’s strong work ethic and passion for his endeavors highly engaging. His journey and transformation throughout the story resonate deeply, reflecting themes of redemption and personal growth. This connection to Miles’s character is particularly poignant for anyone who values hard work and the beauty of personal redemption. Miles’s transformation is a highlight of the book, drawing readers into his journey and making his character unforgettable. His redemption arc is not only compelling but also deeply moving, making it easy to empathize with and root for him.

Songs for the Deaf is a captivating read that is difficult to put down. Kenneth A. Silver masterfully blends historical intrigue with personal transformation, creating a story that is both beautiful and riveting. I highly recommend this powerful book to anyone seeking a profound and engaging narrative.

Pages: 272 | ISBN-13: 978-1-961532-50-2

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/08/songs-for-the-deaf/

Set against the backdrop of 376 AD, Tears of the Aeon: The Gothic War by R.F. Pina masterfully melds historical fiction with mythological intrigue. This novel plunges readers into the epic clash between the formidable Roman Empire and the resilient Visigoths, led by the enigmatic Chieftain Fritigern. In an unexpected twist, Fritigern seeks assistance from Emperor Valens, igniting a chain of events destined to reshape history. Amidst this upheaval, a powerful Roman warrior falls for a Gothic woman from the Taifali tribe, triggering a series of events that capture the gods’ attention. As cosmic deities intervene, the ensuing drama sets the stage for a world-altering saga.

Tears of the Aeon: The Gothic War evokes the grandiosity of films like “Clash of the Titans” and the intricate mythos of “American Gods.” Pina seamlessly blends fantasy with meticulously researched historical detail, convincingly portraying the era while integrating divine intervention into human conflict. This fusion of reality and fantasy is executed so deftly that readers readily accept the gods as pivotal characters in the narrative. The novel is rich with epic battles that enthrall the reader, but it is the intricate human and celestial entanglements that truly captivate. Pina’s evocative prose brings the settings and dialogues vividly to life, with the fantasy elements standing strong alongside the works of Tolkien and George R.R. Martin. Pina’s profound knowledge of the historical period adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Tears of the Aeon: The Gothic War is a sprawling, imaginative work that intertwines historical events with the legends of the time. Pina’s skillful blend of fact and fantasy results in a mesmerizing tale that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

Pages: 637 | ASIN : B0CTFT6PLR

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/08/08/tears-of-the-aeon-the-gothic-war/