Category Archives: Five Stars
Careers By the People: Candid Career Advice from 101 Experienced Professionals
Careers By the People is a wide-reaching look at what real work feels like for real people. Mike Wysocki gathers 101 interviews that span everything from CEOs to beekeepers to teachers, and he lets each person speak plainly about what their days look like, what they enjoy, and what grinds them down. The book moves through these stories with an easy rhythm. It shows how career paths twist and turn. It also explains how personality, luck, stubbornness, and honest self-reflection shape a life more than any job posting ever could.
I liked how direct the voices were, since many career books wrap advice in buzzwords. This one does not bother with that. The interviews feel like short but candid coffee chats. I caught myself underlining certain lines because they hit close to home. The mix of pride, regret, humor, and grit reminded me how messy most careers really are, and that made the entire book comforting. I also appreciated how Wysocki frames the stories with his own reflections. He speaks openly about his missteps. His tone feels friendly, almost like a mentor who refuses to sugarcoat anything.
At times, the honesty stings. Some stories feel heavy, and a few made me anxious in the best way because they pushed me to think harder about my own choices. When several similar roles appeared in a row, the forward momentum slowed. Still, that repetition also proved the point that every job contains highs and lows. I found myself enjoying the unpredictable flow of opinions. Some workers adore their field. Others are blunt about their frustration. I liked that mix. It made the book feel alive.
I would gladly recommend Careers By the People to high school and college students, early career professionals, and anyone who feels stuck or restless at work. The book works well as a guide, but it also works as a reality check. It gives readers permission to explore, to question their assumptions, and to admit when something does not fit. If you want straight talk, human stories, and a push to think about what you actually want from forty years of work, this book will serve you well.
Pages: 570 | ASIN : B0BPX59FT5
The Romanov Legacy: Ahead of the Storm
The Romanov Legacy II: Ahead of the Storm by Fred G. Baker is a sweeping work of historical fiction that imagines the escape of two Romanov children in the final days of Imperial Russia. The story follows Alexei and Anastasia after their flight from captivity near Yekaterinburg, guided by loyalists of the White Army as civil war erupts around them. Baker blends real events with imagined rescue efforts, focusing on danger, secrecy, and survival during the collapse of the old order. The book moves through military action, quiet hiding, and emotional aftermath as the children face loss, fear, and an uncertain future.
I enjoyed the pacing and clarity of the writing. Baker writes in a clean, steady style that keeps things moving without confusion. I never felt lost in the geography or the politics. The scenes feel grounded and physical. Cold barns. Dark rivers. Mud, hunger, and fear. I felt the tension early. Some descriptions were a bit longer than needed, but I did not mind. They helped me settle into the world. The dialogue feels natural most of the time, and the emotional beats land with honesty. I felt real dread during the execution revelations and real relief during moments of safety.
I liked the ideas behind the story even more than the action. This book is clearly about loyalty, moral duty, and the cost of history on children who never chose their fate. I felt angry reading parts of it. I also felt grief. Baker does not soften the cruelty of the era, but he does offer a sense of human decency through characters like Tupolev and Anna. I appreciated that balance. The book does not feel preachy. It feels mournful and stubborn and hopeful all at once. I liked that the Romanovs are treated as people first and symbols second.
I found this book to be emotional and thoughtful. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction with emotional weight and alternative history angles. It is a good fit for anyone interested in the Russian Revolution, lost possibilities, or stories about protecting the vulnerable during chaos. When I think about this book next to other popular Romanov novels, it feels more grounded and more urgent. Books like I Was Anastasia or The Lost Roses spend more time on mystery, romance, and shifting timelines, while this one stays locked on danger and survival. It reminds me more of a wartime escape story than a court drama. The scope is narrower, but the tension is stronger. I felt closer to the characters here than I often do in historical epics, and that made the story hit harder for me.
Pages: 292 | ASIN : B0G1JDFZ7B
Where The Winds Blow
Where The Winds Blow blends political satire, global intrigue, and adrenaline-soaked storm chasing into a single, fast-moving narrative. The book follows the rise of Path Finder, a grassroots movement born from grief and idealism, while powerful governments, criminal networks, and ordinary people collide around it. At the same time, the story weaves in a parallel thread of storm chasers barreling across Texas, where tempests both real and emotional hit with little warning. The plot swings from Irish funerals to boathouse diplomacy to desert border tensions, always nudged forward by colorful characters who often stumble into history by accident.
Reading it, I found myself laughing at moments I didn’t expect to laugh at and bracing during scenes that came out of nowhere, like the chaotic barbecue rescue early on or the tense debates inside the gilded halls of Peace Castle. The writing has a kind of cheeky confidence. The author slips from humor to sincerity in seconds, and somehow it works. I liked how the “science guides” at the castle go from bickering like rivals to forming a unified plan after being nudged by drinks, blunt truth, and a locked door. Those small human quirks make the big themes feel grounded. And the storm chasing chapters surprised me. The imagery of dirt clouds swallowing the vans and lightning cracking overhead felt alive. Moments like Simon dragging a stubborn tourist away from his dramatic self-sacrifice scene stuck with me because they were messy and relatable and oddly sweet.
The book plays with many threads. I enjoyed each storyline on its own, but sometimes the pace jumped so fast that I had to remind myself where we were and who was scheming or storm chasing or hiding from cartel lookouts. The Path Finder political satire is sharp and funny, especially scenes in Washington where we watch powerful people try to bend the movement to their will. The storm chasing plot, though, has this raw emotional pulse that could carry a book by itself. When the two worlds finally echo each other thematically, it lands.
I closed the book feeling satisfied. Where The Winds Blow is a good pick for readers who like stories with heart and humor mixed into real-world chaos, who enjoy political send-ups, or who don’t mind a chase through a thunderstorm or a bureaucratic maze. It’s lively. It’s warm. It’s playful. And it’s perfect for anyone who wants a story that reminds them that even the biggest changes in the world often start with a handful of imperfect people trying to do the right thing.
Pages: 313 | ASIN : B0G1KKJLYR
Be Recognized: The AI Authority Engine for Experts Who Want to Be Known, Be Profitable, and Be Published
Be Recognized: The AI Authority Engine for Experts Who Want to Be Known, Be Profitable, and Be Published is a fast and bold guide that lays out a clear path for experts who want to build authority, grow a business, and embrace AI instead of fearing it. The authors walk through the changing landscape of visibility, the rise of AI content systems, and the steps entrepreneurs can take to position themselves as leaders. They explain why a book becomes the defining asset of your brand and how AI tools can turn that book into the engine that powers visibility, sales, and long-term authority. The chapters move from mindset to practical frameworks to future strategy, and the message stays consistent. If you want to be seen, you must publish, position yourself, and build systems that keep working even when you’re offline.
The writing is direct and friendly, and at times it feels like the authors are sitting across from you, reminding you to stop hiding and start owning your voice. I liked how many of the ideas blend personal stories with straightforward instruction. The concept that visibility is now the real currency really resonated with me. The book makes that point over and over again. The warnings about staying invisible stung me a little because they rang true to me. The energy of the writing kept pulling me forward, with short lines and a clear push to take action, not just learn.
What surprised me most was how emotional some of it felt. The authors challenge you to look at your habits, your excuses, and your fears about being seen. I appreciated how they fold AI into the story without making it cold or mechanical. Instead of painting AI as some giant force, they describe it as a partner that reinforces the voice you already have. I laughed a few times at the casual jokes and real-life examples because they made the ideas easier to absorb. The book doesn’t pretend the world hasn’t changed. It just says, “Here’s how you keep up and stay ahead.” That honesty gave the whole thing a stronger punch.
I walked away thinking this book would be great for any entrepreneur, consultant, coach, or leader who knows they have something meaningful to say but hasn’t put their message into the world in a strong way. It’s especially good for people who feel overwhelmed by AI or by the constant pressure to create content. The tone makes the process feel doable. The steps feel practical. And the push to publish a book as a core authority move really stands out. If you want a clear path to getting noticed and building a smarter business, this book is a solid choice.
Pages: 234 | ASIN : B0FS2C5MFH
BLOATER
BLOATER delivers a dark crime thriller built around a string of shocking murders that leave victims grotesquely inflated and displayed like macabre parade balloons. The investigation falls to FBI agents Camby and Lanquist, who slowly uncover a connection between the killings and the victims’ histories of cruelty and bigotry. Alongside this, the novel follows the psychological collapse of Dr. Jeremiah Nowak, a neurosurgeon devastated by his wife’s sudden death. These narrative threads pull together into a grim exploration of vengeance, morality, and the terrifying lengths a disturbed mind might go to when fixated on the idea of consequences for unkindness.
I found the story vivid and unsettling in a way that held my attention even when the scenes made me squirm. The writing moved quickly and often felt cinematic, especially during the forensic sequences. The author had a knack for describing grotesque details with a strange mix of matter-of-fact precision and emotional punch, which made the book feel alive and twitching under my hands. Sometimes the tone veers into almost playful banter between the agents, which gave me a moment to breathe, then the next chapter plunged me back into grisly territory. I liked that rhythm. It kept me alert. It kept me guessing whether I should laugh, grimace, or look away for a second.
The victims were not random. They were people who had spent their lives spreading cruelty, and the killer seemed obsessed with correcting what he saw as a moral imbalance. That idea rattled me. The story poked at the question of whether words can wound deeply enough to trigger monstrous retaliation, and I appreciated that the author let the ugliness of that question sit there without softening it. A few moments felt a bit on the nose, but the emotional force carried the story and made those moments feel raw rather than preachy.
BLOATER left me with a mix of shock, curiosity, and an odd sympathy for characters who were messy, flawed, and sometimes unbearable. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy crime fiction that leans boldly into horror, to anyone who likes investigative banter paired with stomach-turning forensic scenes, and to those who are comfortable questioning the line between justice and obsession.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0G1BJNDM3
Comfrey, Wyoming Book 4: Black Sheep, Black Sheep
Black Sheep, Black Sheep, the fourth book in the Comfrey, Wyoming series by Daphne Birkmyer, is a layered family novel that follows intertwined lives shaped by love, secrecy, disability, and belonging. The story moves between past and present, with a strong focus on Melissa McNabb and the people orbiting her world, from siblings and parents to lovers, friends, and the quiet town that absorbs them all. It explores what family really means, how truth surfaces whether invited or not, and how difference can be both a burden and a gift.
What struck me first was the writing itself. It feels intimate and patient. The prose slows down when it needs to. It lingers on small moments. A look, a gesture, a habit. I felt close to these characters very quickly. Melissa especially stayed with me. Her inner world is rendered with care and respect, and I felt protective of her almost right away. The author never rushes her. That choice made me emotional more than once. I found myself smiling at her sharp humor and aching during her quieter struggles.
The ideas in this book landed hard for me. It takes on autism, family secrets, chosen family, and loyalty without preaching. It trusts the reader. I liked that nothing was neat. People mess up. They love fiercely and badly at the same time. I felt anger toward some choices and deep empathy for others. The theme of being the odd one out hit close to home. The black sheep idea is not just symbolic. It feels lived in.
Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, this book feels quieter and more grounded. Where Eleanor Oliphant uses sharp humor and big emotional swings, Black Sheep, Black Sheep slowly reveals its heart in smaller, steadier moments. I would recommend Black Sheep to readers who love character-driven stories and emotional realism. It is a good fit for people who enjoy family sagas, small-town settings, and emotional books that make you think. It is especially meaningful for readers interested in neurodivergent characters written with warmth and depth.
Pages: 450 | ASIN : B0FY8W9LGM
Forbidden Runes: The Caster Chronicles – Book 1
Brandi Mendenhall’s Forbidden Runes follows Anna, a girl stolen from her royal past and raised in hiding, who grows into a bold young woman using forbidden rune magic to save others while unknowingly stepping straight back into the path of the man she once loved and now fears. The story blends court intrigue, dangerous magic, childhood bonds, betrayal, and simmering romance. It begins with tragic loss, grows into a tale of resilience, and lands squarely in the middle of a kingdom at war with itself.
I found myself pulled into the writing right away. The pacing swings fast, then slows without warning, and I actually liked that. It made me feel a little off balance in the same way Anna is always off balance. The scenes are vivid and sometimes wild, full of strong emotion and desperate choices, and the style leans into the drama with gusto. The author writes with heart. Sometimes the prose gets indulgent or leans heavily on descriptive beats, but the feelings behind it are real, and that kept me turning the pages. I cared about Anna. I cared about the danger. I cared about the mess her memories kept making for her.
The way the story looks at power and who gets to hold it felt clever and surprisingly raw. I loved the tension between personal freedom and the weight of duty. I loved how the book toys with the idea that love can both steady a person and ruin them. Ben and Anna’s connection made me want to root for them. Their chemistry is thick, and their misunderstandings made me want to yell at them. The magic system is fun and spooky and sometimes a little chaotic, and I enjoyed that too. It feels dangerous. It feels alive. It feels like something that can save a life or tear one apart.
By the end, I felt satisfied and also itching for the next book. Forbidden Runes reminded me of Throne of Glass mixed with a touch of Shadow and Bone, only sharper in emotion and bolder in its magic. If you like fast emotional swings, big romantic tension, magic that bites, royalty behaving badly, and heroines who dig deep even when the world is stacked against them, this one will hit the spot.
Pages: 214 | ASIN : B0BBH2GSD1
Angel of Death
Angel of Death spins together a murder mystery, an Irish family drama, and a dark plunge into corruption that stretches from quiet boglands to a billionaire’s island fortress. The story follows Detective Trey O’Driscoll as a skeleton turns up in a Kerry bog and the death of his brother-in-law shatters his home life. One discovery leads to another. Drugs hiding inside sports supplements. A charming but monstrous tycoon who toys with lives. A journalist pulled into danger. And a trail that runs all the way to a final confrontation where everything breaks apart. The book moves with steady tension as it threads family, grief, crime, and obsession into one long tightening knot.
I found myself pulled in by the rawness of its emotion. The writing has a rough edge that hits hard. Scenes jump from tender to brutal so fast that it left me blinking, which I actually liked. The everyday details of Ireland feel lived in. The bogs, the farms, the crowded roads, the pubs, the families that love each other and fight each other. It all rang true. I kept feeling a strange mix of calm and dread because the book sits with grief in such a natural way. Trey’s inner life, shaped by past mistakes and a sense of fate, hooked me more than the plot twists did. The man hurts, and that hurt pulses through the pages.
The story goes big with its villain. Charlie Teeman is wild. Cold and flashy and cruel. His scenes shocked me, partly because he is written with such quiet confidence in his own power. I felt a jolt each time he appeared. It is outrageous and almost unbelievable, yet the book commits to him so fully that I went along for the ride. The mix of intimate Irish realism and high-voltage crime thriller sometimes felt like two different worlds stitched together. It worked for me, though. I found myself flipping pages fast, curious to see which world would take over next.
Angel of Death is full of tragedy and violence, but it also carries a stubborn hope for justice and love. I would recommend Angel of Death to readers who enjoy crime fiction with heart, people who like Irish settings, and anyone who wants a story that swings between gritty truth and dramatic flair. If you like mysteries that carry emotional weight along with danger, this one will suit you well.
Pages: 253 | ASIN: B0B9T3CQPY
LITERARY TITAN 