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Southpaw Sully
In Steven Carman’s gripping novel, “Southpaw Sully,” readers are introduced to the unbreakable spirit of a fourteen-year-old protagonist, Sully. Possessing an unwavering ambition, Sully dreams of leading his local baseball team, the Collingdale Warriors, to a triumphant championship win. Yet, his path is littered with countless obstacles, among which is the heartrending loss of his twin brother, Brendan.
The depiction of Sully’s struggle is immensely moving. His experiences with trauma, survivor’s guilt, and family estrangement color his internal landscape with vivid strokes of poignant emotions. Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, his bond with his best friend Christina and the solace he finds in baseball become his pillars of strength. Sully’s monumental personal challenge involves mastering the art of single-handed pitching, having lost his other hand in the tragic accident that claimed Brendan’s life.
As Sully embarks on this turbulent odyssey, he is faced with battling his innermost fears and countering relentless bullies, who deride his distinct abilities. With the support of his cousin Gus and unexpected allies, he and the Collingdale Warriors brace themselves for the most consequential showdown of their lives—a striking portrayal of resilience and tenacity.
“Southpaw Sully” is a novel impossible to put down, pulsating with a vibrant energy that keeps readers enthralled from beginning to end. Carman’s expertly crafted descriptions of on-field action are riveting, ensuring that Sully’s triumphs and trials are intensely palpable. Sully’s journey from a sorrow-laden past towards a horizon filled with hope reverberates powerfully throughout the narrative. Carman skillfully spins a tale of community solidarity and shared dreams, making this deeply touching narrative well-deserving of a five-star rating.
A must-read for sports enthusiasts and those entranced by compelling stories of gritty underdogs battling adversity, “Southpaw Sully” promises to leave an enduring impression on its readers. Even for those unfamiliar with sports, the novel’s masterful narrative technique lends a vibrant realism to the baseball scenes. The compelling saga of a young boy striving to honor his brother’s memory transcends the constraints of sports terminology. With its inclusion of themes such as vehicular accidents, mortality, and light-hearted humor, the novel is an ideal read for those aged 12 and up who cherish stories that champion courage and determination.
Pages: 184 | ASIN: B0C4C6HGDZ
The Map Colorist
“The Map Colorist”, penned by Rebecca D’Harlingue, is a remarkable historical narrative that intricately portrays the life of Anneke and her family, nestled in the heart of seventeenth-century Amsterdam. Anneke, born into a family of mapmakers and colorists, is captivated by her father’s youthful tales of African explorations and develops a yearning to map the enigmatic African continent herself. This family of map artisans, nestled in the close quarters of their Amsterdam abode, experience a shift in dynamics when Anneke’s extraordinary talent earns her a coveted position at the esteemed Baleau map printing firm. Anneke’s journey henceforth, marked by her employment under the affluent Willem de Groot, spirals into a labyrinth of deceit, with ramifications that reverberate throughout her family.
D’Harlingue masterfully captures the ambiance of the period, fostering a strong emotional connection between the reader and the naive yet ambitious Anneke, with her forbidden aspirations of joining the male-dominated profession of mapmaking. “The Map Colorist” is thus a captivating read for enthusiasts of historical fiction, as it artfully intertwines the personal with the historical.
This breathtaking novel effortlessly earns a full five-star rating. D’Harlingue’s narrative prowess shines as she evokes empathy and investment in her beautifully fleshed out characters, along with their aspirations, triumphs, and tribulations. This subdued, yet potent tale will resonate with discerning readers, particularly those with a penchant for rich historical detail. The Dutch setting may remind some of “The Miniaturist” by Jessie Burton, yet “The Map Colorist” carves out its unique narrative trajectory.
My singular critique is that I wished for a more extensive exploration of Amsterdam’s bustling city life. This would allow readers to truly immerse themselves in the vibrant streets amidst the prosperous merchants. The compelling narrative arc leaves readers on tenterhooks as they wonder whether Anneke will fulfil her dream of creating a map or have her aspirations crushed under the weight of a tumultuous world riddled with adultery, murder, and duplicity.
Pages: 312 | ASIN: 1647425476
Fraidy Hole
In Staci Andrea’s exquisite thriller, Fraidy Hole, readers are invited into an alluring realm of uncertainty that gradually unravels the core beliefs they harbored about the story. As a masterful piece of suspenseful literature, the novel seizes your attention from the onset and continually keeps you on the edge of your seat, compelling you to remain engrossed in its intricacies.
Fraidy Hole is skillfully constructed, imbued with anticipatory hints that escalate the tension, culminating in a climactic revelation that powerfully shatters any preconceived ideas. While it delves into the often grim realities of loss, grief, and adversity, the novel also explores the inspiring resilience of the human spirit, as we battle life’s most daunting trials.
The heart of the narrative beats in its characters’ multifaceted relationships and their astonishing human potential. We see the world through the eyes of Bobo, one of the novel’s two main characters, who shares a bond with his granddaughter, Arlo. Left to fend for themselves, their mutual reliance and the intricate dynamic they navigate offers a rich vein of emotional depth.
The story not only engages the reader in the present, but it also dances with the past, adding a note of poignant nostalgia. The narrative slips seamlessly from the immediate into Bobo’s cherished memories of his late wife, a victim of cancer, deepening the characters’ complexity. Fraidy Hole plays deftly with perceptions, challenging the reader to sift through the enigmatic clues to distinguish the plausible from the misleading, providing an engaging, mental challenge.
Readers should be aware that the novel does include some potentially disturbing themes, including references to suicide, rape, and murder. However, for those untroubled by such content, Fraidy Hole promises to be a riveting journey that will leave you stunned and pondering long after the final page is turned. In essence, it is an enthralling read that demands to be devoured, one startling revelation at a time.
Alexandria: Unshattered Love
Alexandria: Unshattered Love, Book 1 by L.C. Renie, is the first book in this series, which centers around a healthcare professional who is just getting comfortable with living a single life following a divorce. As she pours her energy into her work in the field of psychiatry, she’s enticed by a close friend, Samantha, to escape for a much-needed vacation to Paris. It’s just the break Alexandria needs, but as she embarks on this trip, more lies ahead than expected.
As Alexandria prepares to unwind and enjoy her new-found freedom with a close friend, she learns a lot more about herself, her past, and the people in her life. The narration flows well and grips the reader as you become acquainted with her personality and way of life. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how the characters develop into their roles, with a few twists and unexpected shifts in the plot. It’s a great read that initially captures the reader’s attention.
The pace of the book was excellent, giving me enough time to identify with Alexandria and her circle of friends and the people in her life. The more you read, the more you delve into a world of people, places, and experiences that are not as they seem, or at least as they appear on the surface. Alexandria’s journey takes on more than a surprise vacation; but is a life-changing experience full of romance, emotion, and relatable situations.
Alexandria: Unshattered Love, Book 1 by L.C. Renie, is a remarkable book with a well-structured story that’s truly a page-turner. I finished reading the story within a weekend and would highly recommend the book to anyone who enjoys romance with much relatable content and characters. It’s an excellent story, and I look forward to reading more from the author and this series.
Pages: 264 | ISBN: 1736498169
The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster
The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster by Andrea Hahnfeld encompasses the expression “expect the unexpected” in a nutshell. There aren’t many short stories that combine a dog show and a broken marriage with a second-chance grasp at a dream career, all while throwing in a side plot of mystery and suspense – not to mention, it’s got a target audience for all ages.
It’s been five years since protagonist Clement entered the Westminister Dog Show. A gentle character with a big heart and comforting energy, he never expected to be a judge again. However, one thing is clear – something’s brewing. After an unusual decision during the Best of Group event, one way too unacceptable to simply bypass, the board is upset, and it’s Clement’s job to set things straight. In a sticky scenario, the judge who has made the decision is Edith, Clement’s ex-wife. All too soon, the reasoning for Edith’s outrageous judgment comes to light in the form of Irving, who’s the size of a Shetland pony, matted and dirty, from a rare line of hero dogs. The issue: Irving’s dying. He’s also the key to saving Edith’s life from the shadow, a being that stole Edith and Clement’s child in the night and is now set to return at any moment. To accomplish this, Irving must breed with Salvatora – a notorious prize-winning show dog – who comes from a long line of survivors. The connection between Salvatora and Irving is vital, their offspring will save many lives, and Clement is destined to bring about their connection.
Many will connect with and enjoy following Clement’s character throughout the story. I loved that the story was told from Clement’s perspective because I could understand his motives and thoughts. The vivid details immerse the reader into the story, and I feel like I was alongside Clement at the dog show. This unique plot is different but captivating, and I found it hard to put it down because I wanted to know more. The author’s writing is imaginative, making this a read unlike any other.
Overall The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster is a well-written and original mystery with an unanticipated collision of themes and genres. I highly recommend this brilliant story with a well-paced plotline and strategic depth embossed into each character, to everyone, especially dog lovers.
Pages: 39 | ASIN : B091BJXMKC
Is There Any Love Down Back?
Who watches over those who’ve been left without family or support? Alexander O’Neil shares his cruel childhood experience in his memoir Is There Any Love Down Back?: The Four Boys, through which he exposes the inhumane conditions he and other children were forced to endure growing up, their lives utterly absent of true love and compassion.
Four boys have been abandoned and thus placed in multiple foster homes with the hope that they’ll be able to find their place in a loving family. Unfortunately, the foster care system has produced more horror stories than fairytales. Straight to the point and in minute detail, the author reveals what usually goes behind many of the closed doors of these foster homes. Encountering emotional and physical abuse, the children go through every new family with little hope of finding a place that will provide them with the care and nurture they so desperately need and that life has unfairly stripped away from them from the earliest of ages. To answer this, they try to find support in one another, protecting and providing for each other when needed, fighting back against the cruel treatment given by the darkest of human nature.
From the very beginning, Alexander’s story demands the reader’s attention. Through his concise accounts, he illustrates the severe and inexcusable conditions in which many children have to spend their entire childhoods as they beg for a place to belong. Heart-wrenching, the book is brutal because of the reality that carries inside its pages. Through each new chapter, the reader can reflect on the state of the foster care system that leaves children to their own luck and often even brings them closer to the utmost dangerous and abusive situations.
Is There Any Love Down Back?: The Four Boys by Alexander O’Neil is a heartbreaking memoir of the life many faces in the foster care system. Reading the stories of those who’ve had to deal with such harsh conditions is incredibly important. Through stories like the ones exposed in this book, the reader will be able to understand and empathize with the circumstances that many out there are forced to endure, guiding them to keep an eye out for those around them that are most vulnerable and therefore run the risk of being taken advantage of. Yet, the darkest of situations still hold some light in them, no matter how small, and the innocent charity displayed by such young children is an excellent example of that.
Pages: 160 | ISBN : 1648032605
The Shut Out
In The Shut Out, Ron Raye weaves a compelling tale that draws readers in and keeps them hooked until the end. The story follows the lives of Ollivierra and Big D, two characters facing unique struggles. Ollivierra finds herself pregnant with twins, unsure of who the father is, while Big D is grieving the loss of a loved one and struggling to make a name for himself as a writer. This riveting book is set mostly in Japan, where Big D is seeking feedback on his work-in-progress novel set in Nazi Germany. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and personalities, including his mother-in-law, who seems determined to sabotage his career and life.
Author Raye does an excellent job of creating a sense of tension and danger that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. One of the most interesting aspects of The Shut Out is Raye’s inclusion of a book-writing protagonist. This adds an intriguing layer to the story, as readers are able to compare the content of The Shut Out with the fictional novel that Big D is writing. The book is also unique in its structure, with a back-and-forth timeline between 1930s wartime and present-day Japan. However, despite the book’s many strengths, it can sometimes be difficult to keep up with. With over six hundred pages, the narrative flow can feel overwhelming, especially with the multitude of characters, timelines, and struggles. However, once readers get a feel for the author’s style of writing, this novel becomes an immersive experience.
The Shut Out is a complex, dynamic tale with deep emotional draws. This thrilling book is a combination of drama, crime, and speculative fiction that is sure to fascinate readers. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling read, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in Raye’s series.
Pages: 686 | ASIN : B0BRJX8VKN
Ride
Morgan wanted out. After spending her childhood with her abusive mother, alcoholic father, and successful sister, she wanted nothing more than to carve her own path in life as a film director. Likewise, Alayna wished to have a picture-perfect family, even if it meant putting her dreams of singing behind her. Separated by the trauma of their past and brought back together by the death of their mother, these two sisters want nothing more than to move on with their lives. But that’s easier said than done, especially when home means old ghosts are lurking around every corner.
Inspired by the music of Lana Del Rey, author Zachary Ryan tells the compelling story of two sisters trapped by circumstance and family ties as they try to right the wrongs of the past in his newest novel, Ride. The story itself is a beautifully written tale of trauma and healing. As the chapters flip between Alayna’s and Morgan’s perspectives, the reader is welcomed to the full scope of the story and both sides of the sister’s harsh upbringing. In this gripping book, Ryan doesn’t stray away from difficult topics such as suicide and drug abuse but accepts them as a brutal part of life. His willingness to discuss both the good and the bad brings the story to life.
Zachary Ryan tells a narrative that makes it hard not to feel genuine sympathy as you watch the sisters work their way through old ghosts and drudge up long-buried trauma. He writes the story in a way that allows you to bury yourself under the words. With the exception of a few jarring jumps between past and present, this book was a captivating and smooth read, and I found it hard not to put it down.
Ride is a compelling women’s fiction novel about the strained relationship between sisters and the struggle to work through past trauma. Readers will be taken on a journey of self-discovery and reflection as the sisters heal from their upbringing and find a way to move forward in life.
Pages: 341 | ASIN: B0BKYHV2PT
LITERARY TITAN 