Blog Archives
The Capricious Nature of Being
The Capricious Nature of Being is a collection of short stories about the unpredictable turns life takes, and how ordinary people stumble, resist, adapt, or come undone as fate nudges them down unexpected paths. The book opens by framing life as a kind of “Secret Santa,” full of surprises we never signed up for, and the stories that follow lean into that idea with characters who face moments they never planned for and can’t control. In story after story, we meet people caught between who they thought they were and who life seems determined to make them become.
As I read, I kept pausing to absorb the way author Richard Plinke writes about internal struggle. His characters are flawed in ways that feel human rather than dramatic. They think too much. Or too little. They cling to old hurts or old hopes. In “The Safe,” Hope’s entire life tilts because of a single discovered date, and the writing lets her unravel in a quiet, almost tender way. I found myself nodding along, feeling that tug between wanting the truth and wanting the comfort of not knowing. Plinke seems to enjoy letting readers sit in discomfort, not to punish us but to remind us that most turning points in real life aren’t big cinematic events. They’re small realizations that land with surprising weight.
What struck me in many of the stories is how the author uses familiar settings to explore less familiar emotional terrain. A sales manager on a bike ride. A widow cleaning out a house. Someone facing the remains of a broken relationship or a restless conscience. The ideas in the book aren’t complicated, but they’re honest, and the writing doesn’t hide behind fancy language. Sometimes the sentences hit like a quick tap on the shoulder. Other times they stretch out, winding through a character’s history the way a person might ramble when they finally feel safe enough to tell the truth.
By the time I finished the last story, I felt like I’d been listening to a friend talk through the strange business of being alive. That’s probably what I appreciated most. The book has a reflective quality that never slips into preaching. Instead, it invites you to think about your own unexpected turns and how you handled them, or didn’t. If you enjoy character-driven fiction, if you like stories that pause on the small moments where everything quietly shifts, or if you simply want a collection that feels both grounded and thoughtful, this one will likely speak to you.
Pages: 357 | ASIN : B0FFWGLNP7
180 Days
180 Days by Alfredo Botello is an insightful exploration of love, betrayal, and the journey towards redemption. The novel centers on Tomas Areata Jr. and Naomi Curran, a married couple of ten years who face the turmoil of infidelity. Tomas, an architect with aspirations, finds himself entangled in an affair with a client, leading Naomi to discover his indiscretion through incriminating messages and consequently file for divorce. The story unfolds against the backdrop of California’s mandatory 180-day waiting period for divorce finalization. This ‘cooling-off’ period ignites a spark in Tomas to salvage what remains of his marriage. In their quest for answers, Naomi and Tomas engage with a diverse array of characters – from family and friends harboring their secrets to coworkers and even an esteemed punk rock singer who, despite his fame, is not immune to human flaws.
Botello masterfully weaves the intricacies of the couple’s emotional struggles with elements of punk rock and architecture, creating a rich tapestry that illustrates the complexities of marital life. This narrative journey is not just about uncovering truths; it also delves into the imperfections of celebrated historical figures, adding layers of depth to the story. The novel stands out for its authentic portrayal of the challenges in a marriage, especially when confronted with the possibility of its end. As Tomas and Naomi navigate their 180-day journey of self-discovery and soul-searching, they confront the question of whether their bond is strong enough to withstand the trials they face.
180 Days offers readers a poignant narrative about the fragility and resilience of relationships. Botello’s storytelling is emotive and nuanced, making the novel a compelling examination of love, forgiveness, and the strength required to repair broken connections. It’s a recommended read for those who are drawn to narratives that skillfully intertwine heartfelt storytelling with the complexities of human relationships and themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Pages: 409 | ASIN : B0CLB52Q2G
Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets
Marc Kage’s Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets immerses readers in the pulsating energy of Melford, a city where recent transplants Michelle and Jabir Soni wrestle with their respective careers. Michelle, dutifully serving as both a publicist and assistant to her husband, backs Jabir in his unsung quest for recognition as a photographer. As their professional challenges mount, the optimism of their Melford sojourn threatens to fade.
A tide of hope rises when the couple each secures potentially transformative projects, albeit ones they must keep hidden from each other. This leads readers down an intriguing path of uncertainty—will their secrets imperil their ambitions? What perils lie in wait, borne of their covert actions? Can Jabir unearth Michelle’s shadowed past fraught with remorse? And how will their impending parenthood shape these cascading events?
Kage’s Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets masterfully delves into the crossroads of human resilience and the labyrinthine realm of deceit. Imbued with a discerning comprehension of human nature, Kage provides readers a captivating dissection of duplicity’s complexities.
Although the narrative initially proceeds at a measured pace, giving readers little indication of its central plot, the tale evolves, and the intricacies of the characters emerge. Kage adroitly weaves a narrative tapestry that ensnares readers in its captivating interplay of suspense and secrets.
A distinguishing feature of this novel is its examination of the psychological underpinnings and motivations behind acts of betrayal. Furthermore, Kage’s meticulous attention to the nuances of photography lends the narrative a distinct authenticity. The author’s extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject radiate from the pages. Despite this, an enigmatic atmosphere prevails, leaving readers to ponder lingering questions.
Bespoke Betrayals and Sartorial Secrets is a powerful narrative that invites readers to immerse themselves in a world full of suspense and intrigue, presented through well-constructed characters, each with their own distinct and layered motives. The author’s choice to maintain a consistent narrative voice lends an interesting uniformity to the plot progression, enhancing its coherence. Although a few plot developments might seem familiar to well-versed readers, the skillful storytelling of Kage artfully weaves these elements into an enchanting fabric of suspense and surprise. The book thus presents a rewarding literary experience, engaging the reader from beginning to end.
Pages: 415 | ASIN : B0BKNX1TB6
What’s Not True
In midst of a divorce from Mike, Kassie O’Callaghan reunites with her ex-lover Chris as they run away to Paris. But unfortunately, their plans are derailed repeatedly. First from her marketing career at Calibri marketing group, when she is offered a new position at her company’s Paris office. Second a sudden heart attack that drags her back home to Boston. While in Boston, Kassie has to deal with Mike’s fiancee, Karen, as she attempts to steal the rights to the business Kassie and Mike forged together. Things get more complicated during the legal battle between Kassie and Karen when DNA tests reveal shocking news that could change everything. What’s Not True; A Novel is a sequel to Valerie Taylor’s What’s Not Said.
When reading the novel, a reader might be caught off guard as the story picks up directly after What’s Not Said. However, after the first couple of chapters, the characters and their story become more apparent. Although not a required read, What’s Not Said offers much insight into the characters’ dynamics.
The reader is quickly sucked into a complicated love web. Author Valerie Taylor does a fantastic job with her character building. Each of her characters is endearing in their own way, despite their flaws. For example, although Mike’s character is questionable, the reader is still found rooting for him and his desires. Kassie struggles with finding her footing as a professional and in her romantic life. The situations Kassie ends up in are great catalysts for her character’s growth.
The book has a satisfying ending where many family secrets finally come to light, giving many characters clarity on their past. Readers will not feel like they are left hanging with questions and will actually find peace on many subjects that come in in the course of this entertaining novel.
What’s Not True is a heartwarming story that would make a great beach read, filled with plot twists and interesting characters. This captivating and romantic story that is anything but predictable.
Pages: 336 | ASIN : B08QZ8KR4Y
Ice Out
Francesca is a music teacher and professional flutist living the dream life in Vermont. She lives with her husband Ben, their four-year-old daughter Addie and their dog Cruz. Francesca starts from the present and goes back to the past, telling her story. Her narration takes place during a dramatic and challenging moment. Still, her flashbacks accentuate the happy and joyful moments she spent with her family, from childhood all the way to adulthood. The memories of meeting Ben, their marriage, and the birth of Addie all fade in and out in pieces. The lessons Francesca learned as a child from her parents about never breaking a promise radiating inside her. As she struggles in the ice-cold water, she finds the will to fight, believing Ben broke his promise to love and cherish her always. Her focus is finding Addie that she thinks she saw pulled from the ice by her ever-present companion Cruz.
Ice Out, by Susan Speranza, is a captivating metaphysical fiction novel. Life, death, and the question of what happens after death are insightful themes of this suspenseful and thrilling novel. Speranza writes in a detailed manner, giving the reader both moments of tension and action and moments of drama and detailed descriptions of the characters’ feelings.
This gripping novel starts with Francesca struggling to climb out of an icy lake with no information on how she ended up there. Then, the author takes readers on a winding path of flashbacks and present moments. Readers will find flashbacks build the anticipation as every one of them progresses the story and links the character’s thoughts in the present moment to critical moments in their past. A thought-provoking story of both hope and betrayal, readers will be left to consider is their life after death, what is the meaning of life, and differentiating dreams from reality.
Ice Out is an emotional rollercoaster with an intricate psychological plot. Readers who enjoy metaphysical fiction, thriller, or psychological fiction novels will be drawn into this riveting story.
I would like to end this review with an inspirational quote from the book itself: “From that moment of abandon, two souls merge. She understands then that he is her fate, her destiny. And their separate stories now become one”.
ASIN : B09CYC41C8
The Sound of Wings
Three women from different social backgrounds, united by their shared interest in the creative arts, have their fates collide at an auction. Bound by their insecurities, their encounter reveals the dark secret they have buried inside themselves. The secrets slowly come to light as their friendship solidifies. However, it is not only the bond they share that proves therapeutic to those women, but also that flutter of wings, signaling the everlasting presence of the vital forces in their lives.
The author of the book, Suzanne Simonetti, expertly depicts the anxieties and uncertainties of the human mind through the voices of women of various ages, experiences, and circumstances. From the struggling writer who fears losing his son’s legal custody to the ‘real-life Cinderella’ of Cape May Krystal Axelrod. Each character in this women fiction novel is on the hunt for their individuality. The motherly affection contributes an important part in the story, cropping up through Jocelyn, Goldie, and Pearl, the housekeeper.
In addition to focusing on its human characters, this psychological thriller also explores and depicts animal faculties. The statement “Her babies always knew where to find the love and could easily decipher whether they were in companies of allies and foes” provides the reader with an interesting glimpse into animal nature observed by the author. In titling The Sound of Wings, which begins and ends with the arrival of monarch butterflies, the author does an excellent job of conveying the sentiment behind the work’s subject matter. The concept Suzanne Simonetti has associated with butterflies and their arrival will fascinate readers.
The Sound of Wings, by Suzanne Simonetti, enumerates the practicalities of life with its mystical elements. The theme of self-belief, or lack thereof, runs throughout the book and the characters. Characters displayed courage and determination through their interactions with each other. The pace of the narrative will appeal to people who enjoy slow-paced novels that spend time really developing their characters and telling their stories. This women’s fiction novel will prove to be a page-turner if you enjoy mystery fiction, with plenty of drama and a drizzle of occult and spiritualism.
Pages: 297 | ASIN : B08F2BJP1N
LITERARY TITAN 