I Am Germany by Michael Witt

This book details the travels of Heinrich Schultheiss in search of relief from the surfeit of pain over the loss of his wife, and to reunite with his first love.  It occurs in 1989 at the time of the fall of the Berlin wall.

This is an exploration of a man’s feelings and dealing with grief.  In addition, it delves into the horrific program of Nazi Germany’s euthanizing “defective” German children.  Heinrich’s first love, Anna, details her life during the rise of Hitler and the demise of her life which had been focused on her family’s production of violins.

The book reads historic although it is fiction.  It is an exploration of two broken people trying to find their way to some semblance of normality.

 

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An Interview with Rose D. Patruno, Author of the Hidden Heir

Debut author releases New Adult fantasy series with a 

mysterious aristocrat and forgotten family secrets

Perfect for fans of the Off-Campus series, and those 

who are over the Alpha Male trope

 

PARIS – Debut author Rosanna Patruno is releasing the first book in her thrilling New Adult fantasy series, “The Hidden Heir” (March 14, 2023), which follows magical Inga through her supernatural lessons with the handsome yet mystifying Biagio, and on an otherworldly journey to protect her family from the sorcerer hunting them.

An Interview with Rosanna Patruno

You mention that you were a big fan of fanfiction. How has fanfiction inspired your writing of this series in particular?

When you come from a country with ancient and rich literature, where you are acquainted since childhood with outstanding authors, one has the impression a girl simply cannot compete with the likes of Dante, Manzoni, and Umberto Eco. Fanfictions provide aspiring writers with a space where they can find fun in storytelling without being compared to Literature tutelary figures. It is a nice and pleasant training ground where they can “sharpen their quills” and gain confidence in this craft thanks to their readers’ emotional support and recognition.

 

What was it like growing up in a patriarchal society, and how did you draw on that for your writing process?

One does not realize how polluted their city is until one discovers the purer air of the wild sea. Likewise, a girl in a patriarchal family could hardly breathe until her will, a casual encounter, or both, show her a different reality. It takes time and effort to unleash her long unused wings in this new environment, but with the right support, she can build her confidence. In this book, my character is only at the beginning of this journey, which I went through in the years it took me to write her story.

 

How do you think this story can show teenagers how to stand up for themselves, especially when up against unsupportive family members or friends?

A reader (or someone watching movies) identifies with a character. When surrounded by a fictional “loving and perfect” family, with parents willing to do their best for their kids, she will twist it to fit her own (dysfunctional) family. This could lead her to renounce her dreams to follow her family's will, sometimes for the parents' or siblings’ interest. Giving her the means to recognize the red flags is just as important as showing her how she could find the strength to lead her way.

 What do you think of the “Alpha male” idea seen in many fiction novels, and how do you feel Biagio is different from that standard?

It is reassuring to fall for the stereotypical alpha male (protective, strong, competent, rich…) because it is the patriarchal mother’s expectation for her: an over-controlling figure who “will take care of her” by keeping her in a state of child-like dependency. The romanticization of such a figure will lead the daughter into the same trap her mother fell in, reproducing the expected social format of a shadow woman. Offering a different yet positive alternative shows how a more balanced and respectful relationship can help the girl become herself in a less direct, and less directed, but more interesting long-term path.

 There seems to be an underlying importance of music in your book. How would you describe your relationship with music?

If music always attracted me, I only discovered its world in Paris, where people can go to concerts (jazz and classical mainly) almost for free. One of my favorite experiences was a night rehearsal of Renaissance music at Notre Dame. It was a magical moment; we were nearly alone with the musicians in the cathedral, offering us the impression of stepping back a few centuries ago. We also had the chance to “welcome” a Bosendorfer at home for some time (a cumbersome guest, I must admit), and its sound and resonances accompanied the writing of the encounter between Biagio and Inga.

This is your debut series! Can you tell us about what else we can expect from the series, and from you as an author?

Inga’s journey to discover herself and her potential is only at the beginning, and it will take time and effort to become and to get where she is meant to be. The universe where Inga and Biagio’s story takes place is larger than shown in this story, and the Distant Worlds mentioned here will soon offer unexpected plot twists!

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

An Era Ending, The Demise of the Newspaper

In some ways, I'm a creature of habit, particularly with my newspaper.  For decades we have gotten a morning newspaper delivered.  Prior to retirement I seldom got to read it until evening.  Since retirement, I enjoy sitting down with the newspaper and a cup of coffee and getting depressed at the news.   I’m well aware of the contradiction of enjoyment and depression but all too frequently the news is depressing.  At my age, I tally the obituaries into those older than me and those younger than me. 

The comics are a highlight of my reading with Pickles often being at the top.  Sports can lighten the weight of the news, even when my teams have lost.  If you search you can generally find a feel-good story.  

I spend entirely too much time in front of computers, tablets, and phones.  I like my newsprint!  As a boy, I delivered newspapers, in rain, sleet, snow, and heat. That newspaper route provided me with my first college savings. It was arduous and relentless as in those days, there was a paper every single day.  I understand why the newspapers are having difficulty finding labor to deliver the papers.   It doesn’t change my feelings though, I enjoy my newspapers.

Things have changed though.

First, the Philadelphia Inquirer notified us the daily paper would now be delivered through the mail.   I don’t know about your experience but for the last few years, the mail hasn’t been overly reliable.  In my community, the mail comes to centralized mailboxes far beyond my comfort range for venturing out in my jammies. Of course, it is online but I like my newsprint!

Next, the Daily Intelligencer announced the same scheme.  My reaction is the same, I don’t want to hoof it for five minutes in whatever Mother Nature is subjecting us to that day, to get my paper which is no doubt two days late.

April 4^th is the last day for house delivery for my paper. I’m aware I can get all the news on my computers, tablets, or phones in a far more timely manner.  It just won’t be the same. 
 

Cultured by D. P. Lyle

Jake Longly and super-hot Nicole are back with a new mystery.  Jake’s enormous sidekick, Pancake, continues to stretch the bottom line of Jake’s restaurant with his apparent insatiability for food. A self-help financial whiz guru who seems to be too good to be true is the main protagonist. One of his acolytes, a comely young woman, has disappeared and Jake’s dad is hired to find her.   Although Jake does not work for his dad, Nicole, and Pancake do and where they go he goes.

I enjoyed the book but not as much as the previous books.  Nicole is a fast driver and Pancake is an insatiable eater, which has been established in previous books.   Those two facts seemed to be overdone in this book.   Over and over again it was mentioned how much Pancake eats and how fast Nicole drives.  Perhaps a first-time reader would miss the redundancy but as a consistent reader. I just got tired of it.

I still think it is worth reading and it is entertaining.  The trafficking part is certainly frightening.   

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Night Candy by Max Tomlinson

Colleen Hayes is a modern Spencer For Hire or really a mix of Spencer and Hawk.  She is an unlicensed PI who has a hard sleuth exterior and a soft, gruff interior.   It’s the ‘70s and a serial killer is stalking women of the night in San Franciso.  Her only friend in the police department falls into disfavor with his peers and she is the only one who stands by him.   Adding to the tension of a friend in trouble, a runaway daughter, and targeted sex workers she is an ex-con.

Hayes is a likable, flawed character.  She skirts legality but only in the course of justice.   I liked the story and characters, and I recommend it.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned