Kate’s 2¢: “For Your Own Good” by Samantha Downing

“For Your Own Good” by Samantha Downing

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   I enjoyed listening to David Pittu narrate this book about a teacher who does the wrong thing possibly for the right reason. I liked the poetic justice of Zack’s decision to be come a teacher “for their own good”.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Samantha Downing is an American author of thriller novels.

Careeredit

Downing was born in California and has spent time in New Orleans. She is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Downing was a hobbyist writer until a friend sent a copy of Downing’s manuscript of My Lovely Wife, a psychological thriller, to a literary editor. Following the book’s release and success, Amazon Studios acquired its film rights, in partnership with Nicole Kidman’s production company, Blossom Films.[1]

Downing’s second book, He Started It, was released in 2020 and quickly became an international bestseller. Her third book, For Your Own Good, published in the U.S. on July 20, 2021, became an instant hit on the USA Today bestseller list.

On July 18, 2023, A Twisted Love Story, was released in the United States. According to The Nerd Daily, it is “a daring and delightful thriller about a young couple that gives a whole new meaning to the dangers of modern dating”.[2]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

For your own good DB104300

Author: Downing, Samantha

Reading Time: 10 hours, 39 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: David Pittu

Subjects: Psychological Fiction, Suspense Fiction

The prestigious Belmont Academy recently awarded Teddy Crutcher Teacher of the Year. Teddy says his wife couldn’t be more proud. But no one has seen her for quite a while. And he can’t be bothered by mysterious deaths on campus. He’s focused on pushing the students to their best. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

[New York] : Penguin Audio, 2021.

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Kate’s 2¢: “The Forever House” by Lisa Stone

“The Forever House” by Lisa Stone

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   I enjoyed listening to Zara Ramm narrate this Psychological Fiction. I agree it is also a horror story.

From the web:

Lisa Stone is a prominent Internet entrepreneur and co-founder of BlogHer, a platform aimed at empowering women bloggers and fostering a community centered around women’s interests.

Lisa Stone | Biography | Research Starters – EBSCO

EBSCO

https://www.ebsco.com › research-starters › lisa-stone

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The forever house DB131154

Author: Stone, Lisa

Reading Time: 7 hours, 38 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Zara Ramm

Subjects: Occult and Horror Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Family

“A perfect new home … When Jasmine moves into 13 Ravens Lane with her husband and two daughters, she’s excited to be finally settling into their forever home. A tingle up the spine … But very soon, it becomes clear that something is wrong with the house. Sudden drops in temperature, unexplained swarms of insects, plants that keep dying for no reason. It’s almost like someone, or something, doesn’t want them there. A terrifying nightmare … It’s not long before Jasmine is forced to question whether she and her family are really safe in their new home. Or if whatever is lurking somewhere inside is going to be the death of them all … ” — From publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

New York : HarperAudio, 2025.

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Kate’s 2¢: “On Power” by Mark Reed Levin

“On Power” by Mark Reed Levin

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Mark R. Levin narrates is own book, so we know what his voice sounds like.  I suspect more people should read and thake his advice to heart.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

marklevinshow.com

Mark Reed Levin (/ləˈvɪn/; born September 21, 1957) is an American conservative broadcast news analyst, columnist, lawyer, political commentator, radio personality, and writer. He is the host of syndicated radio show The Mark Levin Show, as well as Life, Liberty & Levin on Fox News. Previously, Levin worked in the administration of President Ronald Reagan and was chief of staff for Attorney General Edwin Meese. He is the former president of the Landmark Legal Foundation, an author of seven books, and contributor to media outlets such as National Review Online. Since 2015, Levin has been editor-in-chief of the Conservative Review.[1]

A neoconservative, he is known for his staunch support of Israel and hawkish foreign policy.[2][3] He is known for his strident criticisms of Democrats and encouragement of primary challenges to congressional Republicans he considers to be “Republican In Name Only” (RINO).[4][5][6][7] He endorsed Ted Cruz in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries and declared himself “Never Trump”, but reluctantly endorsed Donald Trump after he won the Republican nomination.[8] His commentary was supportive of Trump during his first presidency.[9] In April 2025, President Trump appointed Levin to become a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.[10]

Early life and education

Mark Reed Levin, one of three boys, was born in Philadelphia to a Jewish family,[11] and grew up in Erdenheim as well as Elkins Park. His father, Jack E. Levin (1925–2018), authored several books.[12] He graduated from Cheltenham High School after three years, in 1974.[13][14] Skipping his senior year of high school, Levin enrolled at Temple University Ambler and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Political Science in 1977 at age 19.[14][15] Later in 1977, Levin won election to the Cheltenham school board on a platform of reducing property taxes.[14] In 1980, Levin earned a J.D. from Temple University School of Law.[16]

Legal and political career

Levin worked for the Texas Instruments legal department after law school.[14][17] Beginning in 1981, Levin worked in the administration of President Ronald Reagan. Levin began at ACTION, the federal agency that oversaw VISTA and other volunteer agencies, before serving as deputy assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education at the U.S. Department of Education and deputy solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior. He ultimately became chief of staff to Attorney General Edwin Meese.[18]

After leaving the Reagan administration, Levin practiced law in the private sector. In 1991, Levin joined public interest law firm Landmark Legal Foundation.[19][20][21][22] At Landmark, Levin served as director of legal policy and the foundation’s Washington-based Center for Civil Rights before becoming president in 1997.[23][24][25] Under Levin’s presidency, Landmark Legal filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in 2000 alleging that the National Education Association, the largest teachers’ union in the U.S., did not disclose spending on political activity in Internal Revenue Service documentation.[26] Landmark Legal also filed similar complaints with the United States Department of Labor in 2002 regarding NEA and political activity; by 2006, the NEA and smaller American Federation of Teachers had filed new documents with the Labor Department revealing over $100 million combined in political action spending.[27]

Following Freedom of Information Act requests in August 2012 of documents that would show if Environmental Protection Agency officials sought to delay regulations until after the 2012 presidential election, federal judge Royce Lamberth ruled in 2015 that although Landmark Legal did not establish that the EPA acted in bad faith, the EPA either carelessly or intentionally neglected Landmark’s FOIA request.[28] Lamberth previously ruled in 2013 that the EPA might have attempted to evade Landmark’s FOIA request.[29]

In 2001, the American Conservative Union awarded Levin its Ronald Reagan Award for his work with Landmark Legal.[30][31] Politico reported in 2014 that Levin received a salary of more than $300,000 per year as president of the non-profit Landmark Legal Foundation, whose donors include the Sarah Scaife Foundation, the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation and ExxonMobil.[32] In 2018, Levin stepped down as president of Landmark Legal but remained on its board of directors.[33]

In April 2025, President Trump appointed Levin to become a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.[10]

Radio broadcasting

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

On power DB132243

Author: Levin, Mark R. (Mark Reed)

Reading Time: 4 hours, 6 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Mark R. Levin

Subjects: Bestsellers, Government and Politics

“Throughout history, from ancient civilizations to modern Western republics, power has been used to both oppress and liberate. To reward and exploit. To destroy and build. Monarchs, dictators, and elites who impose tyranny seek to consolidate power, stripping freedom from individuals to maintain control over societies. They use force and deception to ensure their rules remain unchallenged, claiming to act in the name of the common good while stripping individuals of their freedoms. In contrast, those who seek to use power for good — such as America’s Constitutional Framers — understand that strong societies are born not from force, but consent. Societies built on checks and balances, fair elections, and the preservation of individual rights not only survive, but thrive. Following in the footsteps of works by thinkers such as Alexis de Tocqueville and Frédéric Bastiat, Mark R. Levin’s On Power examines how power shapes history, offering invaluable insights into individual liberty, unalienable rights, and conservative principles from one of the leading philosophers of modern conservatism.” — From publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.

New York : Simon & Schuster Audio, 2025.

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Kate’s 2¢: “Folklorn” by Angela Mi Young Hur

“Folklorn” by Angela Mi Young Hur

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   I enjoyed listening to Kristin Allison’s narration of this fantasy fiction based on Korean folklore.

A few take aways:

–Forged in war mode, her go to was always be on high alert…double down on her fight for survival.

–Scientists are supposed to conquer, monetise, weaponize.

–How do I seize control of my life when I can’t maintain a stable genre.

–Folklorn:  a more narrowly defined culture bound  syndrom.

–My job is to de-mystify.

–We became addicted to neural chemical hormones in our childhood.

–Let their voices speak through you’s. Then you will find your true sister.

–We have full right to these stories of our ancestors; for we are of the diasma…These tales, like us, have travelled across time and space to be re-made and understood in a new light.

–Fate and future generations under lie all we do.

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Angela Mi Young Hur is an American writer based in Sweden. Her debut novel, The Queens of K-Town, was published in 2007 by MacAdam/Cage. Her second novel, Folklorn, is forthcoming from Erewhon in 2021.

Early life and educationedit

Raised in Gardena, California, Hur graduated from Phillips Academy, an Andover, Massachusetts boarding school, in 1998.[1][2] She graduated from Harvard University in 2002.[3] As a Sparks Fellow, she received her Master of Fine Arts in fiction at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.[4] Graduating in 2005, she won the Sparks Prize, a post-graduate fellowship.[4]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Folklorn DB103997

Author: Hur, Angela Mi Young

Reading Time: 12 hours, 51 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Kristin Allison

Subjects: Fantasy Fiction, General Fiction, Psychological Fiction

Elsa Park’s mentally ill mother warned her of a curse forcing the women of her family to repeat the lives of their mythic ancestors. Elsa returns home to face her family’s demons as well as the illness and trauma that runs in her immigrant family. Strong language, some violence, and some descriptions of sex. 2021.

New York : Erewhon Books, 2021.

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Folklorn DB103997

Author: Hur, Angela Mi Young

Reading Time: 12 hours, 51 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Kristin Allison

Subjects: Fantasy Fiction, General Fiction, Psychological Fiction

Elsa Park’s mentally ill mother warned her of a curse forcing the women of her family to repeat the lives of their mythic ancestors. Elsa returns home to face her family’s demons as well as the illness and trauma that runs in her immigrant family. Strong language, some violence, and some descriptions of sex. 2021.

New York : Erewhon Books, 2021.

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Kate’s 2¢: “8 class pets + 1 squirrel [divided by] 1 dog = chaos” by Vivian Vande Velde

“8 class pets + 1 squirrel [divided by] 1 dog = chaos” by Vivian Vande Velde

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Jon Pinnow did a good job of reading this fun, humorous story with a variety of pet voices.

   I was a member of the Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators  (RACWI), back in the day, when Vivian was also a member. She is a soft spoken, talented children’s writer.

    She has captured the essence of animal life in the classroom. It reminds me of “I Can’t Said The Ant” by Polly Cameron.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vivian Vande Velde (born 1951) is an American writer of fiction for children and young adults.

Biography[edit]

Vivian Vande Velde was born in Rochester, New York, United States. She began writing at age 28, the year her daughter was born,[1] and has been publishing relatively consistently since. She resides in Rochester.[when?] She is involved in multiple circles/groups of young writers in the Rochester area,[2] along with authors such as Bruce Coville and Cynthia DeFelice.

Her novels and short story collections usually contain elements of horror, fantasy, and humor. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She has said that she enjoys writing for children and young adults, stating that childhood is the shortest and most influential time of a reader’s life.[3] She does school talks for children, attends book conventions, and also gives writing classes. Her work has appeared in a number of anthologies and magazines, including Gothic! Ten Original Dark Tales, Cricket Magazine, Aboriginal Science Fiction, and Asimov’s Science Fiction.[4]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

8 class pets + 1 squirrel [divided by] 1 dog = chaos: Squirrel in the house DB88113

Vande Velde, Vivian

Reading Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Jon Pinnow

Subjects: Humor and Humorous Fiction, School Fiction

Two books written in 2012 and 2016, featuring Twitch, a mischievous schoolyard squirrel, and the principal’s dog Cuddles. In Squirrel in the House, the fuzzy rodent turns Cuddles’s human family’s get-together upside down when he climbs down the chimney to join the festivities. For grades 2-4. 2016.

Take Action On 8 class pets + 1 squirrel [divided by] 1 dog = chaos: Squirrel in the house

Kate’s 2¢: “Fling Solo” by Linda Holmes  

“Fling Solo” by Linda Holmes  

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   I enjoyed listening to Julia Whelan narrate this intriguing story. Researching a relative’s relic can be a lot of fun. I doubt the solution Nick and Laurie came up with will last the test of time.

A take away:

–nostalgia is toxic, false, an impulse based in a desire to escape the present into the imagined past

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linda Holmes is an American author, cultural critic, and podcaster. She currently writes for NPR and hosts their podcast and edits the blog both entitled Pop Culture Happy Hour. She has also written five books, the first being the self help book Why You’re Still Single (2006), followed by three romance novels.

Careeredit

While working for the Minnesota legislature, Holmes began writing about television and film in her free time for sites like Television Without Pity, Vulture.com and MSNBC.[1][2] In 2007, she left her legal job and moved to New York City to dedicate her time to writing and criticism.[3] One year later, she was hired to cover pop culture for NPR.[2]

She currently writes for NPR and hosts their podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour with Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon, and Aisha Harris.[4] Holmes also edits the Pop Culture Happy Hour blog on NPR, which was originally called Monkey See.[5]

In 2019, Holmes published her first novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over, which earned a starred Kirkus Reviews review[6] and was selected by The Today Show as a summer Read with Jenna book club pick.[7] The novel tells the story of recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake and her unexpected friendship with Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher.[8]

Personal life (edit)

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware,[2] Holmes attended Oberlin College from 1989 to 1993. While there, she took a class on constitutional law that inspired her to go to law school.[2] She enrolled at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1997 and practicing law in Minnesota until 2007.[9] Holmes is a advocate for body positivity and has written extensively about her dealings with depression and body image, specifically her experience with childhood obesity and continued issues with exercising and weight loss.[10][11]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Flying solo: a novel DB108713

Author: Holmes, Linda (Radio talk show host)

Flying solo: a novel DB108713

Author: Holmes, Linda (Radio talk show host)

Reading Time: 9 hours, 0 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Julia Whelan

Subjects: Family, Psychological Fiction

“Smarting from her recently canceled wedding and about to turn forty, Laurie Sassalyn returns to her Maine hometown of Calcasset to handle the estate of her great-aunt Dot, a spirited adventurer who lived to be ninety-three. Alongside boxes of Polaroids and pottery, a mysterious wooden duck shows up at the bottom of a cedar chest. Laurie’s curiosity is piqued, especially after she finds a love letter to the never-married Dot that ends with the line “And anyway, if you’re ever desperate, there are always ducks, darling.” Laurie is told that the duck has no financial value. But after it disappears under suspicious circumstances, she feels compelled to figure out why anyone would steal a wooden duck–and why Dot kept it hidden away in the first place. Suddenly Laurie finds herself swept up in a righteous caper that has her negotiating with antiques dealers and con artists, going on after-hours dates at the local library, and reconnecting with her oldest friend and her first love. Desperate to uncover her great-aunt’s secrets, Laurie must reckon with her own past and her future–and ultimately embrace her own vision of flying solo.” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2022.

[New York] : Random House Audio, 2022.

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Kate’s 2¢: “Barbarian’s redemption” Ice planet barbarians(12) by Ruby Dixon

“Barbarian’s redemption” Ice planet barbarians(12) by Ruby Dixon

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   This was one of seven books on a cartridge NLS sent to me.

   I suspect Hollie Jackson and Mason Lloyd had fun narrating this story together. It was refreshing to have the tall, blue alien turn out to be the hero, instead of the ogre.

From the web:

Ruby Dixon is the pen name for a bestselling American science fiction and fantasy romance author best known for her viral, alien-romance series Ice Planet Barbarians. Known for her “cinnamon-roll” heroes and fated mates tropes, she treats her writing as a full-time job, maintaining a steady and prolific output.

   Residing in the American South, Dixon has crafted a massive interconnected universe featuring outlandishly fun romance, with a heavy emphasis on alien warriors, monster heroes, and found families. While she does not have a dedicated Wikipedia biographical page, her massively popular  series does have its own .

   “Ruby Dixon” is a pen name. The true identity of the Ice Planet Barbarians author remains a closely guarded secret, though fans and publishers recognize it as the pseudonym for a best-selling romance author who intentionally maintains her privacy.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Barbarian’s redemption DB132221

Series: Ice planet barbarians

Order in Series: 12

Author: Dixon, Ruby

Reading Time: 6 hours, 14 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Hollie Jackson, Mason Lloyd

Subjects: Science Fiction, Romance

“For seasons, I have waited for her — my perfect mate. In a tribe full of happy couples, I am alone. But I am not content to remain this way. There are no eligible unmated females left, so I will do whatever it takes to bring females back to our tribe … even if it means doing something wrong. Even if it means I must purchase my mate on the intergalactic black market. I will do anything to possess her, to claim her as my own. But will my ruthless move turn my female against me before we ever meet? Can she ever forgive a male that bought her freedom?” — From publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Old Saybrook : Tantor Media, Inc, 2019.

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Kate’s 2¢: “The Forever Bridge” by Tammy Greenwood

“The Forever Bridge” by Tammy Greenwood

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   I enjoyed listening to Guy Williams perform this story about a family broken by tragedy and how the eleven-year old daughter’s interest in bridges helps span the trauma.

   The author included a list of suggested discussion questions.

AI Overview

Tammy (T.) Greenwood is an acclaimed author and writing coach who has published over 16 novels, including Everything Has Happened and The Still Point. Known for her poignant explorations of motherhood and family dynamics, she has also released the poetry chapbook The Winged & the Horned.

Featured snippet from the web

T. Greenwood grew up in rural Vermont in the 1970s. She began writing stories at seven years old and wrote her first “novel” at nine on her dad’s electric typewriter. Since then, she has published sixteen novels.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The forever bridge DB81043

Author: Greenwood, T. (Tammy)

Reading Time: 10 hours, 45 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Guy Williams

Subject: Psychological Fiction

Two years after an accident claimed her son’s life and left her husband in a wheelchair, Sylvie is a shattered recluse, while her daughter and husband live with his brother. But as Hurricane Irene bears down on their small Vermont town, things change. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2015.

New York, NY : Kensington Books, [2015]

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Kate’s 2¢: “The Forgetting” by Hannah Beckerman

“The Forgetting” by Hannah Beckerman

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   Lindsey Pierce did a good job of narrating this intriguing story.

   I like the author’s list of resources to get help if someone experiences the issue featured in this story.

From the web:

Hannah Beckerman is a British author, journalist, and former television producer known for her emotionally resonant novels exploring complex family dynamics, relationships, and grief. Her notable books include The Dead Wife’s Handbook (2014) and Three Mothers (2025).

Background & Career

Before transitioning to full-time writing, Beckerman spent 12 years in television, working as a producer and commissioning editor for major networks like the BBC, Channel 4, and the Discovery Channel. She also spent two years living in Bangladesh, running a TV project for the BBC World Service Trust.

From NLS/BARD/LOC”

The forgetting DB133100

Author: Beckerman, Hannah

Reading Time: 8 hours, 22 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Lindsey Pierce

Subjects: Family, Psychological Fiction, Suspense Fiction

“When Anna Bradshaw wakes up in a hospital bed in London, she remembers nothing, not even her loving husband, Stephen. The doctors say her amnesia is to be expected, but Anna feels cut adrift from her entire life. In Bristol, Livvy Nicholson is newly married to Dominic and eager to get back to work after six months’ maternity leave. But when Dominic’s estranged mother appears, making a series of unnerving claims, Livvy is sucked into a version of herself she doesn’t recognize. A hundred miles apart, both women feel trapped and disorientated, and their stories are about to collide. Can they uncover the secret that connects them and reconstruct their fractured lives?” — Goodreads. Strong language.

Seattle : Lake Union Publishing, 2023.

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Kate’s 2¢: “Running Close To The Wind” by Alexandra Rowland

“Running Close To The Wind” by Alexandra Rowland

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ shares her thoughts about what she’s read. In her opinion…

   This was one of seven books on a cartridge the NLS sent to me.

   I enjoyed listening to Casey Jones voice as he narrated this book. I did not enjoy the story even though it was sprinkled with humor.

   While I understand languages evolve, I don’t think substituting the pronoun ‘ther’ for ‘his’ or ‘her’ is a step in the right direction.

   NLS should include in the subject line when there is lgbq material.

AI Overview

Alexandra Rowland is an American author of epic fantasy and folklore, best known for their Chantiverse series, which includes the critically acclaimed novel A Taste of Gold and Iron. They are also a Hugo Award-nominated podcaster and hold a degree in world literature, mythology, and folklore.

 From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Running close to the wind DB123535

Author: Rowland, Alexandra

Reading Time: 14 hours, 52 minutes

Production: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress

Read by: Casey Jones

Subjects: Fantasy Fiction, Humor and Humorous Fiction, Adventure

“Avra Helvaçi, former field agent of the Arasti Ministry of Intelligence, has accidentally stolen the single most expensive secret in the world–and the only place to flee with a secret that big is the open sea. To find a buyer with deep enough pockets, Avra must ask for help from his on-again, off-again ex, the pirate Captain Teveri az-Haffar. They are far from happy to see him, but together, they hatch a plan: take the information to the isolated pirate republic of the Isles of Lost Souls, fence it, profit. The only things in their way? A calculating new Arasti ambassador to the Isles of Lost Souls who’s got his eyes on Avra’s every move; Brother Julian, a beautiful, mysterious new member of the crew with secrets of his own and a frankly inconvenient vow of celibacy; the fact that they’re sailing straight into sea serpent breeding season and almost certain doom. But if they can find a way to survive and sell the secret on the black market, they’ll all be as wealthy as kings–and, more important, they’ll be legends”– Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

New York : Recorded Books, Inc., 2024.

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