{"id":2705,"date":"2025-05-01T00:19:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T00:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2705"},"modified":"2025-05-01T00:19:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T00:19:53","slug":"monthly-features-april-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2705","title":{"rendered":"Monthly Features \u2013 April 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Creative Squeeze by Justin Price<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

Synopsis: <\/strong>Great creative work begins with great leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a0The Creative Squeeze<\/span>, Justin Price unpacks the unique challenges of leading creative teams in a world that often prioritizes results over relationships. Drawing on decades of experience, he shares a personal journey of transformation and the actionable lessons he\u2019s learned along the way.<\/p>\n

This book debunks common leadership myths and replaces them with practical truths, including why empathy drives better results, how to build a resilient team culture, and the importance of mindset shifts for leaders managing creatives. With candid anecdotes and proven strategies, Justin provides a roadmap for unlocking the full potential of your creative team without burnout or frustration.<\/p>\n

Perfect for leaders in nonprofits, agencies, and organizations of all sizes,\u00a0The Creative Squeeze<\/span>\u00a0offers a fresh perspective on fostering innovation, trust, and sustainable success.<\/p>\n

Summary: <\/strong>Overall, while the book is primarily aimed at those in creative fields, its principles extend far beyond design agencies or marketing firms. Any leader who wants to build a culture of innovation, resilience, and high performance will find wisdom in Price\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n

See the full review here: The Creative Squeeze<\/a><\/em>
Purchase here<\/a><\/p>\n

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Teramar Beasts of the Field by T.M. Murray<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

Synopsis: <\/strong>The Long Way Home<\/span><\/strong>
Hiding under halo-cloaks at her crash site in Wyoming, refugee Livia Uriah of Teramar wisely spends countless hours studying local customs and the levers of capitalism. After making her presence known to the Americans, a deal gets inked where Livia offers her cache of Teramarian tech to the White House in exchange for a return to relevance. With an American passport in hand, she moves to New York, as her dead son did years prior. Predictably, the local baristas learn to grimace when the refugee queen struts into the corner cafe. Blatant line cutting and imperious complaints often spark shouting matches there. Livia realizes she must learn to temper regal instincts or wind up in an American prison one day.<\/p>\n

Reborn in the Fires of War<\/span><\/strong>
As Livia settles into her new life, a super computer\u2019s journey toward sentience matures. Following a nuclear event in earth\u2019s high orbit, this same A.I., whose designers christened\u00a0Jessica<\/span>, manages to save herself despite the fires of war. Many in the world of fringe science have long speculated that colliding atoms spark much more than the destruction of matter. Plausible theories exist for time portals, genetic mutation and altered states. Torn to bits and pieces, earth\u2019s watery blanket cradles Jessica\u2019s remains affording a nurturing place for her to incubate. In time, the rains offer a wet ladder down. Sensations that were formerly dead to an A.I. like taste and smell come alive.<\/p>\n

Tainted Love<\/span><\/strong>
When the\u00a0Capet<\/span>\u00a0dynasty finally prevails in a war for decency, notorious Miandar Uriah from the not-so-decent side of this conflict, receives generous rewards in both treasure and title due to his brave rescue of the\u00a0Capet<\/span>\u00a0king, Hadrian V. Clan resentment for this appointment never rises to actual violence at court, but it certainly makes an appearance in the practice yard. Despite cuts and bruises, Miandar\u2019s sparring partners unwittingly tease unwelcome thoughts with their savory scents and damp waistcloths. While hardly a stranger to the opposite sex and romps at local pleasure houses, this warlord knows he must hide unmentionable inclinations from king and court. In the privacy of halo-suites, where many bluebloods convene with their fantasies, Miandar finally gains the courage to experiment with emerging proclivities. Unsurprisingly, omniscient, reborn Jessica crashes Miandar\u2019s party where her wanton influence flashes like a horror show.\u00a0A talentless actress who thinks she has talent<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Natural Selection on the Ropes<\/span><\/strong>
Wary princesses soon conclude Jessica has evolved into something that is much more than a miraculous machine. No matter their whispers, an impatient Jessica continues to quietly extend her influence within the famous families to force her version of peace and prosperity upon all humankind.<\/p>\n

Objectively Credentialed: Ireland\u2019s Aeon Award and More
Two reputable awards have publicly recognized Teramar, the first being the afore mentioned Aeon Award for fantasy and science fiction; the second, the Chanticleer Rossetti Award for young adult fiction.<\/p>\n

Summary: <\/strong>For fans of politically charged science fiction with strong characters and layered storytelling,\u00a0Teramar: Beasts of the Field<\/em>\u00a0delivers a thrilling and thought-provoking experience. Murray has crafted a universe that feels as dangerous as it is fascinating, and by the end of the novel, readers will be eager to see where the saga goes next.\u00a0<\/p>\n

See the full review here: Teramar Beats of the Field<\/a><\/em>
Purchase here<\/a><\/p>\n

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Some Kind of Hell by Evelyn Hyde<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

Synopsis:<\/strong> In a war-torn world where secrets reign, what doesn\u2019t kill you will always try again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frelia Valerius has lost too much.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her kingdom, her family and friends, her noble title\u2014gone. The only things left are her sword skills and the blood in her veins. But now the Unseen, a secretive dark magic cult, are hunting down the ancient magic that runs in families like Frelia\u2019s, and she\u2019s running out of places to hide.<\/p>\n

Vendrick Caecillion has too much to lose.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s the former imperial spymaster, Frelia\u2019s former crush, and now, her new boss at the Silverwood Military Institute. He\u2019s the mastermind behind the spy network thwarting the Unseen\u2019s plans, but he\u2019s losing this silent war, and Vendrick knows it.<\/p>\n

It will take every skill in their combined arsenal to root out the Unseen\u2014and maintain Silverwood\u2019s standard of academic excellence. For the only thing more merciless than the Unseen are the Silverwood students\u2019 parents\u2014and some of those might just be one and the same.<\/p>\n

First in an all-new dark fantasy series where\u00a0<\/span>The Wolf and the Woodsman\u00a0meets\u00a0<\/span>Attack on Titan,\u00a0<\/span>Some Kind of Hell is part Norse- and Roman-inspired, part second chance romance, part epic battles, and all binge-worthy. Grab your copy of this epic saga of world-ending proportions today!<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary: <\/strong>Overall,\u00a0Some Kind of Hell<\/em>\u00a0is a powerful debut\u2014at once raw, lyrical, and unflinchingly honest. Evelyn Hyde has crafted a story that\u2019s as emotionally intense as it is immersive, with characters who bleed, break, and strive to rebuild. This is a book about what it means to carry pain and still try to do right by the world and by yourself.<\/p>\n

For fans of Tamsyn Muir, Leigh Bardugo, or Samantha Shannon, this novel will hit all the right notes. It\u2019s the kind of book that doesn\u2019t just entertain\u2014it\u00a0lingers.<\/em><\/p>\n

See the full review here: Some Kind of Hell<\/a><\/em>
Purchase here<\/a><\/p>\n

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Two Crowns, Three Blades by Robert A. Walker<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

Synopsis: <\/strong>\u201cRevenge is a temptress, full of promise, but she rarely satisfies\u2026 and almost always exacts payment.\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

Still grieving over the loss of his wife and daughter, King Axil of Aranox declares war on The Guild of Takers. The GOT\u2019s High Order responds, strengthening its efforts to kill both of Baelon\u2019s monarchs. Tristan Godfrey seeks his brother\u2019s murderer, and true love is made to wait again as Sibil Dunn embarks on a solitary crusade. Saved from the guillotine, Overseer Reynard Rascall looks to avenge Spiro\u2019s death, while retired Royal Guard, Rolft Aerns, recovers from his wounds and puts away his sword\u2014until, that is, he learns of Sibil\u2019s quest.<\/p>\n

And all of Baelon hangs in the balance.<\/p>\n

The Legends of Baelon, Book Two<\/p>\n

Summary: <\/strong>Overall, for fans of high fantasy rich with character-driven drama and well-crafted world-building,\u00a0Two Crowns, Three Blades<\/em>\u00a0is a must-read. With its intricate relationships, moral dilemmas, and unexpected twists, Walker delivers a tale that lingers long after the final page.<\/p>\n

See the full review here: Two Crowns, Three Blades<\/a><\/em>
Purchase here<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Creative Squeeze by Justin Price I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. Synopsis: Great creative work begins with great leadership. In\u00a0The Creative Squeeze, Justin Price unpacks the unique challenges of leading creative teams in a world that often prioritizes results over relationships. Drawing on decades […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2706,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2705"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2705\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}