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Cadence
Cadence, by David Loermans, is a thrilling ride through a dystopian world where crime, corruption, and a peculiar religious order intertwine. The story follows Darius, a hardened criminal with a bounty on his head, as he navigates a city rife with chaos and decay. Paired with Lisha, an enigmatic and powerful entity bound to him through a mysterious tattoo, Darius takes on dangerous missions that bring him face-to-face with religious leaders, corrupt officials, and deadly adversaries. The book mixes high-stakes action, dark humor, and philosophical musings on power, faith, and human nature.
Loermans’ writing style is gritty and immersive, perfectly capturing the grim atmosphere of Sorel. The vivid descriptions of the decaying cityscape and the brutal reality of life within it are both compelling and haunting. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with dark humor, adding depth to the characters and making their interactions authentic. The relationship between Darius and Lisha is particularly intriguing as it evolves from mere necessity to a complex partnership marked by mutual dependence and a shared thirst for mayhem.
One of the standout aspects is its exploration of the Earthdawn religion and its influence on the city and its inhabitants. The Earthdawn, with its emphasis on light and purity, stands in stark contrast to the darkness and corruption that pervades the story. This juxtaposition raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of faith, power, and morality. The scenes involving the Earthdawn leadership, particularly the tense negotiations, and violent confrontations, are some of the most gripping in the book, highlighting the lengths to which people will go to maintain control and protect their beliefs. Some chapters feel packed with action and intrigue, while others slow down significantly, delving into Darius’s internal struggles and his complex relationship with Lisha. These introspective moments add depth to his character.
Cadence is a captivating read for those who enjoy dark, dystopian thrillers with a philosophical edge. David Loermans crafts a vivid and unsettling world populated by complex characters and driven by a relentless, often brutal narrative. Fans of cyberpunk and gritty crime fiction will find much to appreciate in this book, while those interested in exploring themes of faith, power, and human nature will be drawn in by its deeper questions.
Tree Pose: Yoga Mat Mysteries Series (Audiobook)
Tasmania is the setting for the third installment of Susan Rogers and John Roosen’s Yoga Mat Mysteries. Tree Pose is the gripping follow-up to Rogers and Roosen’s Cobra Pose. Readers are reintroduced to Ric and Elaina and reminded of their budding romance and the perpetual drama threatening their union. What should be an enjoyable getaway and a chance to cement their relationship thrusts the couple into the precarious position of dodging the repercussions of Ric’s past. When Ric receives a mysterious text on a phone line known only to close associates, he quickly realizes their trip may take a deadly turn.
The audiobook version of Tree Pose, narrated by Rupert Degas, is not to be missed. Throughout the audiobook, the narration varies with a pleasing change of inflection from character to character, making each one equally memorable. Degas adds dramatic pauses and a sense of urgency to the action scenes, building apprehension and creating a fantastic feeling of fear and trepidation throughout the novel. Degas is equally adept at adding a softness to the tender moments Rogers and Roosen have created for main characters Ric and Elaina.
Rogers and Roosen have once more crafted a truly memorable cast of characters embroiled in a thrilling plot. Even though this is the third book and relates directly to events from the previous installments, readers will have no problem following the storyline as the authors have done a wonderful job of building the element of mystery for new readers and keeping fans of the series actively engaged.
I find the authors’ ability to intertwine multiple conflicts throughout the narrative especially appealing. Without leaving the primary conflict behind, they effortlessly manage to keep readers on their toes, following the threat on Elaina’s life as they blend in the desperate search to end a human trafficking conspiracy. There is no lack of action in Book 3, and the perfect assimilation of romance, humor, and mystery for fans of all three genres.
This audiobook captivates readers’ imaginations and draws them into the fascinating mystery behind Ric’s past and the anticipation of a lasting romance with Elaina. Rogers and Roosen never fail to pull readers into the plot and keep them guessing from chapter to chapter. The addition of Rupert Degas’ fantastic skills in audiobook narration makes this a highly recommended audiobook for mystery fans and those seeking a binge-worthy series.
Duration: 10hrs 19min | ASIN: B0D27B231B
Lofty Ambitions
In Elliefant’s Graveyard, a rookie police officer’s journey home to honor her family leads her directly into a mystery when she begins to suspect a tragic accident is actually murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Heather Prendergast arrived out of the blue. After writing four legal thrillers drawing on my background at the sharp end of the music industry, I wanted a new challenge and scoped out a dark psychological thriller. It was going to be one of those shiver-down-the-spine hair-on-end Scandi-noir style novels that were so much in vogue. But then the project was hijacked in the very first paragraph by what was intended as the most minor of incidental characters – a young woman police officer roped in to assist a grizzled detective investigating a suspicious death. This young, pretty, posh, ambitious PC leapt off the page and wrestled the entire darn book out of my hands – she wouldn’t, wouldn’t, wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was her book, she said. Like it or not like it. And so Heather Prendergast – Prendergast of The Yard – was born and refused to be stuffed back into the inkwell. And so inanity followed insanity. When searching for a suitable description for Baby Caspar – don’t worry, you’ll meet him – the word ‘plumpenormous’ sprang to mind. Having let the genie out of the bottle, the text demanded wordplay. More . . . more . . . more. Mind you, it took a greying of the hair to revise to the point where the wordplay melded seamlessly into the narrative.
I must admit, I was gobsmackered with the response. Jaded hacks who normally rushed off to wash their hair when I timidly asked them to cast an eye over a draft emailed me the next day wanting more. The constant refrain was, “What does Heather do next?” So I decided to find out and wrote two sequels. Goodness greatness me, what an ambitious young lady. It’s just a shame that her deductive abilities don’t measure up to her lofty ambitions.
The Prendergast of The Yard casebooks are a fun read. Almost without exception, the response is that the reader has never read anything like it. More than a few have compared Heather’s adventures to a modern-day Alice in Wonderland. Maybe. Maybe not. Because the bottom line is, Heather is Heather. Unique.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
Heather’s final standoff with a psychopathic murderer and her bungled attempt to free his hostage
What was the hardest part about writing a murder mystery story; where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
It’s all in the plotting
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
There are two Prendergast of the Yard sequels ready to go
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
The Song of Immaru: Earth’s Door by P.J. Dudek
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award July 2024
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
Gracela by Lowell Duane Pabst
Candid Idylls of a State Representative by Byrne Corbin
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
LITERARY TITAN 