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INFINITY: There be Pirates
Pirate hunter Sir Matthew Galahad is about to embark on a mission to find and stop the reign of terror being perpetrated by the crew of The Wraith. The Wraith is rumored to be manned by ghosts and led by a female captain whose wickedness is head and shoulders above all others. Matthew sees everything he wants lying just out of reach–a marriage to the esteemed Amelia Gray and a position in the King’s court as a duke. Matthew must find it within himself to complete the task and win the battle ahead–and the war raging within.
There Be Pirates is part of Catalina DuBois’s INFINITY series, which follows a pair of ill-fated lovers across continents and through time. This particular installment features Matthew as a young man who sees his future wavering before him as he takes on a pirate ship under the direction of Sarah Nightingale. Theirs is a history like no other.
This is not the first of DuBois’s INFINITY books I have read. I admire the creativity it requires to place Matthew and Sarah into new and challenging circumstances and settings while keeping their relationship’s integrity and relatability. This particular book is my favorite so far. The glimpse into Matthew and Sarah’s life together before their encounter on The Wraith shows Sarah’s strength and resilience in no uncertain terms. She is a stellar character and is one that can span genres. While the fiery romance and tension between Sarah and Matthew is one definite draw of Dubois’s work, Sarah’s unmatched passion and drive are undeniably appealing.
DuBois is tops when it comes to dialogue. It can be challenging to find a book of the romance genre that doesn’t veer primarily toward the vulgar side. However, DuBois knows precisely how to appeal to her readers and keep them interested in the romance between Sarah and Matthew and the ever-present tension of their strained history. Their exchanges are charged with an energy that makes the reader anxious for their next interaction.
There Be Pirates is a masterful blend of romance, adventure, and drama with the perfect amount of humor thrown in. DuBois has done it again with this Matthew and Sarah saga installment. Romance fans looking for a new author providing a fresh take on historical romance will appreciate Catalina DuBois.
Pages: 368 | ASIN : B0CCQPB4QM
Margaret Anne: Child of the West Wind
Margaret Anne by Ronan James Cassidy is a story about a child born from a forbidden love between a wealthy businessman from the Carolinas and a beautiful Haitian woman. The plot centers around how the child offers divine love and inspiration in a world surrounded by mysteries that influence people’s paths in life, including blessings and curses from powers beyond our realm.
As evil walks beside us, so does light, which sometimes shines from the most unexpected source. Through the turmoil of the Civil War and tenets of slavery comes a story of a beautiful child destined to purify the world. Who is she, what is her purpose, and will she be able to fulfill her sacred mission? What will be the cost of the divine plan to her and those she loves?
The storyline unfolds against the backdrop of the colonial south, where many people faced numerous challenges in life when one’s skin color dictated social and economic standing in society. The book is an exciting journey of one young woman searching for a way to save her world from dark forces lurking in the shadows of plain sight.
This is an incredibly intricate novel written in the classical style of the nineteenth century. The language is rich, descriptive, and perfectly conveys the people and settings of this time. It’s a great read that will delight those who enjoy mystery storylines and the writing style of James Fenimore Cooper or Jane Austin. Margaret Anne is a must-read guaranteed to leave you captivated and enchanted.
ASIN B0B57PKYGP| Pages: 683
INFINITY: A Winter Romance
It can never be said that Sarah Nightingale is a typical lady. As a seventeen-year-old, she is approaching old-maid status and does not seem to care. She is independent, outspoken, and completely willing and more than able to run her father’s farm. Tobias, her father, realizes all of this but still wants to see her married. When he arranges a meeting between his daughter and Matthew, an eligible and promising prospective son-in-law, he has no way of knowing he has set into motion a sequence of events he will soon regret. Meanwhile, Sarah has designs on a marriage of her own–one no one would ever expect.
Infinity: A Winter Romance, by Catalina DuBois, is one in a series of books that follows two star-crossed lovers through time as they continue to encounter one another and fight for the chance to be together. As they fight to reunite and regain the love that was once stolen from them, they must overcome one incredible obstacle after another in order to defeat the forces that are determined to keep them apart for eternity.
Sarah and Matthew make the perfect pair. The dynamic DuBois has created between the two in this time period is intriguing, to say the least. Sarah is headstrong and cannot be told what to do; she is a fantastic main character. Her boldness shines through everything she says and does throughout the plot. It’s clear that Matthew has been written to shine a light on Sarah’s character. He is likable but takes nothing away from Sarah.
I so enjoy the way DuBois writes. This is the second book in her Infinity that I have read, and the element of mystery she adds to her books makes each a must-read. She leaves each chapter with a line or two that will hook readers every time, urging them on to the next chapter. This is the kind of writing I prefer–I want to be made to feel that I am missing out if I don’t just keep reading. DuBois, without a doubt, is a master at producing books you won’t be able to put down until you have reached the last page.
Infinity: A Winter Romance, by Catalina DuBois, DuBois’s romance is tastefully written with just enough sensuality to attract romance fans. DuBois’s characters are relatable no matter the time period in which the book is written, and the combination of drama and humor, along with elements of romance, pushes DuBois’s works into the top spot on my list of books I highly recommend.
Pages: 154 | ASIN : B0BKYSQNZ9
Minotaur’s Lair
Minotaur’s Lair – Servant of the Gods – Book Three by Luciana Cavallaro is the final installment in the trilogy, which follows Evan, who must face Queen Antioche and stop the Dark Master from becoming a deity. If the Dark Master successfully gains this power, Evan and his alliances face an uncertain future. There are many unexpected twists throughout his journey and fate, making this book an incredible read.
The story maintains a consistent pace that conjures excitement from the start. Cavallaro creates an action-packed tale with elements of ancient mythology and mystical places, contrasting with time travel and modern technology. Evan must quickly adapt and learn how his quest shifts from one challenge to the next, whether Queen Antioch attempts to entice him with tempting gifts and promises or he becomes face-to-face with a new enemy. He must also follow his father’s legacy by locating a sacred artifact while defeating his captors.
Cavallaro’s fantastic writing style is sharp and descriptive without slowing the story’s pace. The author thoroughly researches the architecture, landscapes, and scenarios in mythology. It’s a fantastic adventure full of exciting developments and lively characters. As the story delves into the thrilling mythology of an ancient world, Evan becomes eager to find a way home to his time in the future.
I found this book, and the trilogy, an excellent story that’s engaging and enjoyable from start to finish. The author does a fantastic job of creating an intricate world with layers of fascinating developments and characters that keep the reader moving from one chapter to the next. Minotaur’s Lair – Servant of the Gods – Book Three by Luciana Cavallaro is an excellent read for science fiction and fantasy fans. I recommend the trilogy and look forward to more books from this author.
Pages: 396 | ASIN : B0BFGW1Z6S
Bugles in the Dust
Written by George Levy, Bugles in the Dust charts the astonishing story of the Chicago Fire department from 1865 to 1913. Painstakingly researched and assembled, the book maps out the men involved with detailed information on ages, nationality, and family taken from historical records. In addition, it combines many historical reports from newspapers to men’s transcripts relating to handling specific fires. This provides a fascinating illumination into the historical context of the fire department and how social issues and politics shaped individual outcomes.
Through his research, Levy makes the connection between the veterans of the civil war and the men serving in the Civil War. Around 29 civil war veterans served in the Chicago Fire Department. Many of those veterans were of Irish descent. The book begins with a detailed rundown of the veterans employed by the CFD, detailing the battles in which they fought and other notable information.
The book gives a review of the overall management of the CFD from its transformation of being served by a volunteer firefighting force that formed in 1935, which was well organized but unable to cope when faced with widespread fires. The first paid fire department came under the control of the three-men police board, who it seems were somewhat unsuited to the role as it gave many jobs away to friends and family who were not qualified for the roles they applied for.
I really enjoyed how this book pieced together the historical information to give color and a clearer picture of events around the CFD and how they faired in the four main catastrophic fires that rocked Chicago.
The men fighting these fires had an uphill battle with limited equipment and a great area of the city to protect. The book greatly illuminates the firemen’s struggles, from dangerous fires to poor equipment, hard living conditions, bureaucracy, and corruption.
My favorite part of the book was the individual transcripts of the firefighter’s testimony to the police board and the fire Marshall regarding the events at The Great Chicago Fire in 1871. This testimony really breathed life into the story and was extremely interesting and absorbing to read.
The beginning of the book is mainly facts and figures relating to civil war veterans. It is quite a dense amount of information you are not immediately connected to. However, if you persevere, you soon become engaged with the narrative.
Overall I found the book educating and interesting. The use of historical sources and pictures uncovers and displays some riveting information and facts. It is extremely well-researched, and I recommend it to history lovers and people who may not usually choose to read this sort of book, as it adds significant value to the reader’s knowledge.
Pages: 202
INFINITY: Book of Matthew II
In INFINITY: Book of Matthew II by Catalina DuBois, readers follow Sara during the Civil War era. Sara is a black woman that was a former slave at the Colburn Plantation in the states. She falls in love with a white man named Matthew who sweeps her off her feet and takes her to France. Now Sarah has become one of the few women in the world to become a medical doctor and has built a successful practice. After a terrible incident occurs in Sarah’s home and her children are almost taken away and put into slavery, Matthew and Sarah make the hard decision to fight in the war to protect their family.
Catalina DuBois takes readers on a spellbinding journey through time that forces readers to face the harsh reality of slavery, the Civil War, and the impacts it had on people. Sarah is a strong and mesmerizing character, but she is also kind even after all of the abuse she went through. Matthew’s character is one that many readers will fall in love with, especially after seeing his love for Sarah and his family.
The author immerses readers in the couples lives and we feel the love that they have for one another. The romance scenes are written tastefully, making the reader want to read more as the couple express their love and lust for one another.
This is book two of the series, but I think this novel can be read without having read book one as the author quickly recaps the first story, catching the reader up to Sarah’s current situation. The scenes of war are just as impactful as the romance scenes, and readers will be rooting for Matthew’s safe return. The author gives readers an inside look into Matthew’s thoughts as he writes in his journal. I enjoyed how this allows the reader to get a sense of what Matthew is feeling. This is a compelling book that gives just as much emotional depth to the horrors of war as it does to the romance in the book and I was enthralled with the story because of it.
INFINITY: Book of Matthew II is an engrossing story of courage, hope, and love. This is a rousing historical romance novel that I highly recommend to readers who are looking for a thrilling read with romance throughout.
Pages: 192
THOMAS JEFFERSON FAMILY SECRETS
Most people know Thomas Jefferson only as the third President of the United States of America. The name would mean nothing more to them than a fun fact heard in a tourist spot in other parts of the world. The truth is, Thomas Jefferson was a human being just as complicated and worthy of empathy as all of us. This is what author and Jefferson expert William G. Hyland Jr. sought and accomplished to convey in his book Thomas Jefferson: Family Secrets.
Written in prose that is accessible without sacrificing the scholarly gravity, this book would be ideal reading for any student of history. Not only does it shed light on this enigmatic figure’s life post-presidency, but it also inspires curiosity. This biography could be enjoyed by almost any reader who loves US history and wants to know more about their lives outside of their public deeds.
Each chapter covers a specific milestone of Jefferson’s twilight years with tidbits from personal letters, commentary from other scholars, and other references. This gives the biography an intimacy and depth no textbook can rival, giving Jefferson humanity that is easy to relate with. Because of that, the experience of reading this almost feels like reading a novel. Beyond the scandals and the history of slavery, you can’t help but empathize with him. However, before you write this off as a full-length fluff piece, it’s important to note that Hyland does not shy away from the less savory events of Jefferson’s storied life. Instead, he focuses on facts, not the modern emotions elicited from these facts.
Different readers will have varying opinions, and luckily Hyland Jr. understands that very well. As a result, the book doesn’t hammer us in the head with sugar-coated anecdotes in order to convert Jefferson’s detractors. Instead, it simply presents the facts and lets the reader decide on their own.
Thomas Jefferson: Family Secrets is a stimulating historical biography on the life of President Jefferson after he left office. History lovers that want to expand their knowledge will enjoy this unique look at his life.
Pages: 542 | ASIN : B09SD6ZD9B
Pages and Leaflets of North Oxfordshire
Pages and Leaflets of North Oxfordshire: My Lineage Pre 1700-1959 by Angela Fortnum is a book on family lineage and history. Fortnum was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire. Throughout her life, she has taken up several roles. After completing her schooling, she worked in a bank, took early retirement, and did a health and social care course. However, it wasn’t until her mother’s death that her interest in genealogy was rekindled that ultimately led her to write the book that explores her ancestry, going back to her seventh maternal great grandfather (GGF) and finally concludes with her mother and herself.
Fortnums exploration started off as a simple curiosity about her history; it was only when she started with her research that she realized that there was a story to tell and decided to publish the book as we see it today for the interest of the family historians. The book explores the gradual transition over eight generations from agricultural laborers to self-employed to smallholders and a change in religious beliefs, which stays an essential theme throughout the book. Fortnum’s ancestors have worked in various occupations, been affiliated with different churches, and passed on numerous possessions down the family line, the original account of which has been provided wherever possible in the text.
The text is supplemented by original and unabridged documents. It also provides photos of the churches and directions for those curious and who wish to dive deeper into the local history. I would have liked to have seen topics of general interest or more details about the historical events from the ancestors’ perspective and the impact on their general routine. This insightful book is a fascinating family account filled with photos and historical documents.
Pages and Leaflets of North Oxfordshire: My Lineage Pre 1700-1959 would benefit those doing an in-depth academic pursuit of genealogy. It provides readers with examples of how to put together a family genealogy history and examples of what documents to look for.
Pages: 53 | ASIN : B07HMTFL3M
LITERARY TITAN 