I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong brings us another supernatural tale perfect for fall. Narrated by Jennifer Pickens, listeners will travel to a haunted house. Get ready for things that go bump in the night, as Nicola tries to contact her lost love. But Nicola has secrets, and this isn’t her first encounter with the dead.

I’ll Be Waiting
by Kelley Armstrong
Narrator: Jennifer Pickens
Length: 10 hours and 3 minutes
Genres: Paranormal
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x

From New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong comes a spellbinding new tale of supernatural horror involving a haunted house, seances, lost loved ones, and a sinister spirit out for blood…

Nicola Laughton never expected to see adulthood, being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a child. Then medical advances let her live into her thirties and she met Anton, who taught her to dream of a future… together. Months after they married, Anton died in a horrible car crash, but lived long enough to utter five words to her, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

That final private moment became public when someone from the crash scene took it to the press—the terminally ill woman holding her dying husband as he promised to wait for her on the other side. Worse, that person claimed it wasn’t Anton who said the words but his ghost, hovering over his body.

Since their story went public, Nicola has been hounded by spiritualists promising closure. In the hopes of stopping her downward spiral, friends and family find a reputable medium—a professor of parapsychology. For the séance, they rent the Lake Erie beach house that Anton’s family once owned.

The medium barely has time to begin his work before things start happening. Locked doors mysteriously open. Clouds of insects engulf the house. Nicola hears footsteps and voices and the creak of an old dumbwaiter…in an empty shaft. Throughout it all she’s haunted by nightmares of her past. Because, unbeknownst to the others, this isn’t her first time contacting the dead. And Nicola isn’t her real name.

That’s when she finds the first body….

In this atmospheric, thrilling new ghost story, Kelley Armstrong’s full talents are on display to thrill, chill and leave the listener guessing how Nicola escapes with her life—if she can.

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Nicola Laughton, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a child, never expected the norms life offers like falling in love and growing old. When she turned thirty, thanks to medical advances, she met Anton, who promised to love her until the end.

A tragic accident ripped him from her, as he told her he’d be waiting. Those last moments went viral and now spiritualist are hounding her, offering closure. To thwart their efforts, she agrees to have a seance with a parapsychologist. Her friends and family rent a beach house on Lake Erie. A home Anton’s family once owned.

The tale that unfolds delivered a creeptastic haunting with strange events, eerie sounds, and dead bodies. Armstrong built the story well, grabbing me from the onset. What unfolds is an atmospheric tale with supernatural events, strange sounds, and heart-pounding suspense. Nicola has secrets, secrets that make her more sensitive to things happening in the house.

Jennifer Pickens captured Nicola and the atmospheric tension of the story with her narration. I loved listening and found it enhanced the suspenseful, spine-tingling moments.

It was nice to see representation for someone suffering from a rare genetic disease. Armstrong brought attention to the disease and its conditions, while strengthening the character and her story.

I enjoyed Hemlock Island her first foray into horror, and I’ll Be Waiting, delivered a supernatural ghost story that will have you leaving the lights on. This one is perfect for fall. Grab your flashlight and your earbuds for this ghostly tale!

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/09/ill-be-waiting-kelley-armstrong.html

Candle & Crow by Kevin Hearne is the third and final audiobook in the Ink & Sigil series. As a huge fan of Hearne and The Iron Druid Chronicles, I have loved this series set within the same world. While I own the hardcovers, I had to listen to the talented narrations of Luke Daniels. I highly recommend binge listening to the series.

Candle & Crow
by Kevin Hearne
Series: Ink & Sigil #3
Narrator: Luke Daniels
Length: 11 hours and 4 minutes
Source: Publisher, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles comes the final book in the Ink & Sigil series, as an ink-slinging wizard pursues the answer to a very personal mystery: Who cast a pair of curses on his head?

Al MacBharrais has a most unusual job: He’s a practitioner of ink-and-sigil magic, tasked with keeping order among the gods and monsters that dwell hidden in the human world. But there’s one supernatural mystery he’s never been able to solve: Years ago, someone cast twin curses on him that killed off his apprentices and drove away loved ones who heard him speak, leaving him bereft and isolated.

But he’s not quite alone: As Al works to solve this mystery, his friends draw him into their own eccentric dramas. Buck Foi the hobgoblin has been pondering his own legacy—and has a plan for a daring shenanigan that will make him the most celebrated hobgoblin of all. Nadia, goth queen and battle seer, is creating her own cult around a god who loves whisky and cheese.

And the Morrigan, a former Irish death goddess, has decided she wants not only to live as an ordinary woman but also to face the most perilous challenge of the mortal world: online dating.

Meanwhile, Al crosses paths with old friends and new—including some beloved Druids and their very good dogs—in his globe-trotting quest to solve the mystery of his curses. But he’s pulled in so many different directions by his colleagues, a suspicious detective, and the whims of destructive gods that Al begins to wonder: Will he ever find time to write his own happy ending?

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This last installment was an absolute treasure. We get to see a curse unbound, witness the birth of a god and spend time within the court of the gods. For fans of the Iron Druid, we also see Atticus and some very good dogs. There may even be sausages!

Al MacBharrais is a twice cursed practitioner of ink-and-sigil magic. His job entails keeping order between the gods and monsters who dwell in the human realm. Buck Foi the hobgoblin is making plans for himself after the events of the last book, and Nadia is creating a cult around a god who loves whiskey and cheese.

In the meantime, Morrigan, a former Irish death goddess, is living amongst the humans and trying dating apps. She has asked for help in securing a dwelling fit for her status. A large heist brings a pesky officer sniffing for clues to pin the whole thing on Al and company.

Hearne delivered an addictive tale that delivered not only laughs, but answers and conclusions to story arcs that had me grinning. I loved the suspense, shenanigans, and time spent with these characters.

Luke Daniels once again brings voice to these unique characters, and his performance was outstanding. I don’t know how he keeps track of all the voices in his head, but he delivers.

While I am sad to see this series end, I am happy to learn we will get novellas and more Meaty Mysteries. I am however excited to see what Kevin Hearne brings us next.

Whether you prefer audio or reading, I highly recommend you check out the Ink & Sigil series, as well as the Iron Druid Chronicles and, frankly, all of Hearne’s work. His imagination and gift of storytelling make him an autobuy for me.

Amazon | Audible

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/10/candle-crow-by-kevin-hearne.html

Pennies from Heaven for Kevin by Kevin Hyde is an emotionally raw memoir that chronicles the author’s decades-long battle with addiction, the personal losses that shaped his life, and his spiritual journey toward redemption. From growing up in a turbulent environment to grappling with the death of his son Kyle, Hyde lays bare his experiences with alcoholism, drug addiction, incarceration, and his ultimate attempts to rebuild his life.

Hyde’s writing is incredibly candid. The pain and chaos of his experiences come through in his vivid storytelling, particularly in moments such as his recollection of his son’s death. The weight of this loss permeates the book, and Hyde’s raw depiction of his emotional unraveling afterward is heart-wrenching. This vulnerability is what makes the memoir so compelling. He isn’t just telling us about his hardships; he’s pulling us into them, sharing both the mistakes and the growth that followed. The author’s writing feels methodical and factual, but this style adds clarity to his story. Hyde spends a lot of time detailing his misdeeds and struggles, and at times, it feels like the story gets bogged down in those moments. The recounting of his criminal activities starts to blend together, leaving little room to explore the internal transformation happening beneath the surface. However, these sections also reflect the exhausting nature of addiction—the relentless cycle of self-destruction and attempts at redemption. It’s chaotic, just like the life he describes, which gives the reader a sense of the toll it took on him. His belief in signs from heaven, like the pennies that appear at key moments, brings an element of hope and faith to the narrative. It’s a beautiful reminder that even in the darkest times, there can be a connection to something greater, whether it’s God, loved ones, or a sense of purpose.

This memoir will resonate with readers who are interested in stories of personal transformation and recovery. It’s not an easy read, the content is heavy, and Hyde’s honesty about his failures can be overwhelming. However, for anyone who has struggled with addiction, loss, or finding faith amidst hardship, Pennies from Heaven for Kevin offers a brutally honest look at what it means to rebuild your life one penny at a time. I would recommend it to readers who are open to exploring the messy, complicated reality of addiction and recovery with a hopeful, spiritual twist.

Pages: 70 | ASIN : B0DC4RKRMJ

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/10/01/pennies-from-heaven-for-kevin/

Ken Darvall’s book offers a comprehensive and insightful guide to enhancing school culture, leadership, and educational standards. With a clear philosophical foundation and practical examples, Darvall lays out the core components necessary to create a transformative environment in schools and organizations alike. His deep expertise and authority in both leadership and education are evident throughout the book, as he shares real-life experiences that lend authenticity to his recommendations. Particularly, his use of Tema International School (TIS) as a case study enriches the content, showcasing his hands-on knowledge and illustrating the effectiveness of his ideas.

Darvall underscores the significance of a growth mindset and the pursuit of high standards, bringing his points to life with anecdotes from TIS that demonstrate these principles in action. By blending personal experiences with broader educational theories, he effectively bridges the gap between concept and practice. This approach not only affirms his abilities as an educator but also enables readers to grasp how theoretical ideas can manifest as impactful, practical strategies. His material is meticulously organized, with each chapter building logically on the last, making a strong case for the importance of a values-driven, mission-aligned school culture. The author’s writing style is both professional and approachable, maintaining clarity without sacrificing depth. He skillfully balances theoretical discussion with real-world application, ensuring complex concepts are presented in a straightforward manner. This makes the book accessible to a broad audience, allowing readers to stay focused on the key insights. Darvall’s reliance on practical examples further strengthens his arguments, such as his illustration of TIS’s rapid transition to online learning during COVID-19. This example highlights the power of preparedness and adaptability, reinforcing the practical relevance of the strategies outlined in the book. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of The Teaching Guarantee lies in its practicality. Darvall provides clear, actionable steps for school leaders to implement. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a standards-driven culture, offering concrete examples like TIS’s Annual Play and Founders’ Week, where the entire school community works toward surpassing previous achievements. This focus on continuous improvement and empowerment resonates throughout the book, making it a compelling resource for modern educators striving to elevate their institutions. Darvall also emphasizes the importance of collaboration, stressing that no one can achieve success in isolation. Working together and empowering others are essential components of effective leadership.

The Teaching Guarantee is a thoroughly well-crafted book. The thoughtfulness in its organization, the depth of its content, and the clarity of its writing all reflect the author’s intention to make a meaningful impact on education. It is an inspiring and practical guide for school leaders and educators seeking to cultivate a culture of excellence, responsibility, and ongoing improvement. Darvall equips readers with a clear understanding of the vital role that mindset, standards, and values play in achieving long-term success, and how to effectively implement these elements to drive meaningful change.

Pages: 226 | ISBN : 1923250108

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/10/01/the-teaching-guarantee-making-a-difference/

Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Vrenios’ A Concerto for an Empty Frame is a mesmerizing collection of poetry that explores loss, grief, and survival through an intricately structured lyrical journey. The haunting title alone beckons readers into a world where language and emotion intertwine, offering both aesthetic pleasure and deep introspection. Comprising 34 poems, the collection is artfully organized in the form of a concerto, divided into three movements and a cadenza. The first movement begins with the blooming of love and the tentative steps of a new relationship. It delicately portrays the adjustments and joys of coming together, only to shift dramatically into the dissonance of loss, most notably with the strikingly evocative ‘Out of Tune,’ where a “field laid bare to scavenging crows” paints a vivid image of grief and devastation. This tragic arc escalates with the heart-wrenching loss of a beloved life in a sudden, tragic accident.

Kirkpatrick-Vrenios deftly manipulates language, structure, and form, creating a symphony of words that both captivates and resonates long after reading. Poems such as ‘Yesterday’s Sand’ and ‘The Rag Lady Casts a Spell (Cadenza)’ stand out for their inventive forms, each one crafted with care to engage both the visual and auditory senses. The inclusion of Italian musical notations throughout the collection enhances its auditory richness, as if the poems themselves were notes on a score, meant to be heard as well as read. One of the most striking elements is the way silence and absence are rendered palpable through subtle details, such as the grey font in pieces like ‘Unbuttoned Blues,’ ‘I Moved Out,’ and ‘Blue Tarp.’ These unspoken moments deepen the emotional impact, allowing the unsaid to linger in the mind. Moreover, the use of dictionary definitions for musical terms like concerto and recapitulation lends a delicate, intellectual layer to the collection, intertwining poetic musings with technical precision. The title itself, A Concerto for an Empty Frame, alongside its subtitle Music for Survival, encapsulates the dual themes of loss and the possibility of renewal. The “empty frame” suggests both a life shattered by tragedy and a space waiting to be filled once more, while the music serves as a vehicle for endurance, echoing the human capacity to heal and continue.

This is a collection to be savored. Its emotional depth and linguistic craftsmanship invite readers to immerse themselves fully in a single sitting, then return to explore its nuanced layers of meaning and form. A Concerto for an Empty Frame is a moving and skillfully composed work that will linger in both the heart and mind.

Pages: 90 | ISBN : 1639804315

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/10/01/a-concerto-for-an-empty-frame/

A Touch of Light is a spiritually enriching autobiography by Ann Naimark, chronicling her journey from atheism to a profound connection with the spiritual realm she identifies as “Source.” This is a tale of personal evolution and an invitation to readers to explore their own spiritual pathways and connections.

Naimark’s book is deeply personal and emotionally resonant. She deftly uses her life’s story as a canvas to explore broader themes of love, spirituality, and personal growth. Her writing style is engaging and is filled with vivid anecdotes that bring her experiences to life. For instance, she describes her epiphanies and challenges with such clarity that I often felt like I was walking alongside her and experiencing her shifts in understanding firsthand.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is how Naimark intertwines everyday occurrences with spiritual insights. Her descriptions of meditative experiences are particularly striking. They offer a glimpse into a transcendent world that is both awe-inspiring and accessible. She makes spirituality relatable by grounding it in familiar experiences, from family relationships to encounters with nature, making the sublime feel within reach.

The book weaves between timelines and thoughts, mirroring the non-linear path of spiritual growth. The stream-of-consciousness style, while unique and reflective of her spiritual journey, might be challenging for readers who prefer a more structured narrative.

A Touch of Light is a heartfelt invitation to explore one’s spiritual dimensions. I recommend it to anyone on or curious about spiritual paths, particularly those interested in how spirituality can intersect with everyday life. Naimark’s story is a testament to the transformative power of opening oneself up to the spiritual, the mystical, and the often inexplicable threads that connect us all. Whether you’re a seeker, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, there’s something in Naimark’s journey that might just inspire a little more light in your own path.

Pages: 262 | ASIN : B0BL12Q4VD

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/10/01/a-touch-of-light-opening-to-the-love-that-is-you-and-all-creation/

The Legend of Atlantis and the Science of Geology explores with readers this age-old mystery with the rigor and professionalism of a trained geologist, bringing a fresh, analytical perspective to the debate. 

Volume 1 is the first in a series of eight books comprising a scientific, and open-minded, analysis of the Atlantis Legend and a critical review of the science of geology. The question I seek to answer in this series is a simple either/or one. If the science of geology has everything right, then there is no possibility that the island continent of Atlantis ever existed in the North Atlantic or anywhere else. On the other hand, if it can be shown that the Atlantis Legend has a basis in reality, then the science of geology must be flawed in at least some respects. The first two volumes deal specifically with the legend itself, from both a mythological (volume 1) and scientific (volume 2) point of view. Volume 3 deals with Noah’s Flood, and Great Floods in general, while volume 4 examines ancient archaeology and the puzzles of megalithic construction at very early times. Volume 5 is devoted to the North Atlantic and the possibility, or otherwise, of a sunken landmass somewhere near its center. In this volume, I propose that, based on the evidence, there is every possibility that a landmass existed in the North Atlantic in the recent past. The remaining 3 volumes of the series are devoted to examining the science of geology and its many theories, and it is in the final volume that I present the evidence that ties everything together and offers a solution to the mystery of Atlantis, the Ice Age, and a few others besides. While I acknowledge this may seem a rather bold claim, considering what the science of geology maintains vis-a-vis Atlantis or any other legend, but, as a geologist myself, and very familiar with the theories of orthodox science (and their flaws) the claim I will make here is that these first two volumes of the series demonstrate that, at the very least, I have a valid case to make.      

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

This series was a multi-year effort, which began as a private study shortly after leaving a position as a professional geologist. As for this first volume, it began as a few introductory chapters to a geological study of the Atlantis question. However, due to nature and mass of material relevant to the mythological aspects of the subject, this book grew into a separate volume, as did volume 2, which is the original geological investigation. I would estimate that volume 1 required two to three years in total, involving research, writing, editing, rewriting, etc., and bearing in mind that other research and writing were ongoing at the same time.   

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

By far the most important idea, and indeed, the core concept of this book, is that the Atlantis Legend might very well be based on fact, and not fantasy, as most consider it to be. With regard to the mention of “most” in the foregoing, there is still a small number of academics, of various kinds, that hesitate to dismiss the legend as simply fiction, and hold that there may be some truth behind it. As pointed out by many writers, Atlantis (and the Great Flood) are by no means the only legends we have of great destructions and floods and so forth, and such legends are essentially global in scope and extent. Further, many such myths include a geological component, and have, relatively recently, given rise to a new sub-field in geology, called geomythology, which is covered in the last few chapters of the book,and shows, via geological evidence, that many “geomyths” may very well be based in reality, and this goes for Atlantis as much as any other.

When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of what mysteries that book will uncover for readers?

Book 2 is already available, published at the same time as book 1, both books comprising the two-part introduction to the series. Volume 2 is devoted entirely to Greece and the Aegean Sea area. The book begins with what the Atlantis Legend says about events on Greece at the same time as the destruction of Atlantis in the Atlantic. The old Egyptian priest, who first related the legend, describes the catastrophic effects suffered by Greece, and this volume is an examination of those effects and their extent. As everyone knows, Academic Geology does not entertain the idea of catastrophes such as that described for Atlantis. However, in this book, we will analyze the evidence on the ground in Greece and compare that evidence to orthodox geology’s uniformitarian explanation for it, to see if academia’s interpretations are sufficient. We will find that academia’s explanations are often seriously wanting and that a catastrophic origin is the only explanation for much of that evidence. This second book is, therefore, primarily geological, but every effort has been made to minimize jargon and make it easy to read and understand. After all, we’re dealing with the real world here, and most people are quite familiar with the topics covered.    

I am currently working on book 3, which deals with the Great Flood of Noah, and others in Mesopotamia, as well as other floods of legend, science, and history. The book is about 80% complete and should be published within the next six months or so.

Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Book Review

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/10/01/atlantis-real-or-a-myth/