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Marcus Rivera

I’m Marcus Rivera, a travel writer and cultural explorer passionate about uncovering the world’s hidden stories. With a background in creative writing and anthropology, I blend vivid storytelling with deep cultural insight, bringing places to life through food, tradition, and human connection. Whether writing, podcasting, or sharing tales from the road, I aim to transport readers into the heart of every journey.

Marriage Portrait: A Novel Audiobook: Historical Gem – Free Download

WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION FINALIST • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • The author of award-winning Hamnet brings the world of Renaissance Italy to jewel-bright life in this unforgettable fictional portrait of the captivating young duchess Lucrezia de’ Medici as she makes her way in a troubled court.

“I could not stop reading this incredible true story.” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Pick)

‘O’Farrell pulls out little threads of historical detail to weave this story of a precocious girl sensitive to the contradictions of her station…You may know the history, and you may think you know what’s coming, but don’t be so sure.’ —The Washington Post

Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is comfortable with her obscure place in the palazzo: free to wonder at its treasures, observe its clandestine workings, and devote herself to her own artistic pursuits. But when her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to the ruler of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio, Lucrezia is thrust unwittingly into the limelight: the duke is quick to request her hand in marriage, and her father just as quick to accept on her behalf.
 
Having barely left girlhood behind, Lucrezia must now enter an unfamiliar court whose customs are opaque and where her arrival is not universally welcomed. Perhaps most mystifying of all is her new husband himself, Alfonso. Is he the playful sophisticate he appeared to be before their wedding, the aesthete happiest in the company of artists and musicians, or the ruthless politician before whom even his formidable sisters seem to tremble?
 
As Lucrezia sits in constricting finery for a painting intended to preserve her image for centuries to come, one thing becomes worryingly clear. In the court’s eyes, she has one duty: to provide the heir who will shore up the future of the Ferranese dynasty. Until then, for all of her rank and nobility, the new duchess’s future hangs entirely in the balance.
 
Full of the beauty and emotion with which she illuminated the Shakespearean canvas of Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell turns her talents to Renaissance Italy in an extraordinary portrait of a resilient young woman’s battle for her very survival.

Little Tea Book Audiobook Free: A Cultural Brew Review – Free Download

After all, tea is the drink! Domestically and socially it is the beverage of the world. There may be those who will come forward with their figures to prove that other fruits of the soil—agriculturally and commercially—are more important. Perhaps they are right when quoting statistics. But what other product can compare with tea in the high regard in which it has always been held by writers whose standing in literature, and recognized good taste in other walks, cannot be questioned? (From the Preface)

A Little Tea Book is a clever book about all things tea- Eastern and Western tea history, stories, culture, quotes, and even poetry. A good little read for tea lovers everywhere. (Summary by Mary Kay)

Snow White and Other Stories Audiobook: Fairy Tale Magic – Free Download

Collected and published by the Brothers Grimm in the early 1800s, ‘Snow White’ is a classic and timeless tale. The jealous queen’s multiple attempts to take the beautiful Snow White’s life are foiled by the sympathetic dwarfs. Eventually, Snow White gets her happily ever after with the prince, while the queen receives her comeuppance.Included in this book are twenty more tales from the Grimm Brothers’ collection and by Charles Perrault:CinderellaRumpelstiltskinThe Fisherman and His WifeThe Sleeping Beauty in the WoodHans in LuckThe Golden BirdLittle Red Riding HoodKing ThrushbeardRapunzelThe FairiesHansel and GretelThe Galant TailorSnow White and Rose RedThe RavenThe Brother and SisterRicky of the TuftThe Twelve BrothersThe Frog PrinceLittle Tom ThumbThe Golden Goose

Court of Silver Flames Audiobook: A Romantasy Epic – Free Download

‘Sarah J. Maas’s sexy, richly imagined audio experience continues with the journey of Feyre’s fiery sister, Nesta.
Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she’s struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can’t seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.
The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta’s orbit. But her temper isn’t the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.
Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.
Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other’s arms.
Performed by Colleen Delany, Natalie Van Sistine, Jon Vertullo, Aure Nash, Renee Dorian, Anthony Palmini, Melody Muze, Nora Achrati, Matthew Bassett, Shawn K. Jain, Wyn Delano, Danny Gavigan, Karenna Foley, Lucy Symons, David Jourdan, Amanda Forstrom, Gabriel Michael, Patrick Boylan, Michael John Casey, Laura C. Harris, Julienne Irons, Henry W. Kramer, Dan Delgado, Andrew James Spooner, and Carolyn Kashner.’

Dead as a Doornail Audiobook: A Fantasy Gem Review – Free Download

Small-town cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has had more than her share of experience with the supernatural-but now it’s really hitting close to home. When Sookie sees her brother Jason’s eyes start to change, she knows he’s about to turn into a were-panther for the first time-a transformation he embraces more readily than most shapeshifters she knows. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population, and Jason’s new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who’s behind the attacks-unless the killer decides to find her first

Theodore Roosevelt Audiobook Free: A Historical Radio Gem – Free Download

One of the first shows was on the life of Winston Churchill that featured sound clips of his friends and enemies produced by Joseph O. Meyers. It was such a success that Meyers was requested to produce more shows on other famous people that included, W.C. Fields, Babe Ruth, Red Allen and more.

Each Biography In Sound show introduces the life story of a well-known historical figure. It includes a fine mixture of anecdotes, interviews, critical reviews, and sound clips of the subject’s voice.

Teachings of Don Juan Audiobook: A Mystic Classic – Free Download

For over 40 years, Carlos Castaneda’s The Teachings of Don Juan has inspired audiences to expand their world view beyond traditional Western forms. Originally published as Castaneda’s master’s thesis in anthropology, Teachings documents Castaneda’s supposed apprenticeship with a Yaqui Indian sorcerer, don Juan Matus. Dividing the work into two sections, Castaneda begins by describing don Juan’s philosophies, then continues with his own reflections.

Two for the Dough Audiobook: A Suspenseful Mystery Ride – Free Download

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dirty Thirty and “most popular mystery writer alive” (The New York Times), Janet Evanovich’s Two for the Dough is irresistibly fun and powerful suspense entertainment featuring beloved bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

It’s the return of Stephanie Plum, New Jersey’s “fugitive apprehension” agent (a.k.a. bounty hunter), introduced to us in the award-winning and bestselling novel One for the Money.

Now Stephanie’s back, armed with attitude—not to mention stun guns, defense sprays, killer flashlights, and her trusty .38, Stephanie is after a new bail jumper, Kenny Mancuso, a boy from Trenton’s burg. He’s fresh out of the army, suspiciously wealthy, and he’s just shot his best friend.

With her bounty hunter pal Ranger stepping in occasionally to advise her, Stephanie staggers knee-deep in corpses and caskets as she traipses through back streets, dark alleys, and funeral parlors.

And nobody knows funeral parlors better than Stephanie’s irrepressible Grandma Mazur, a lady whose favorite pastime is grabbing a front-row seat at a neighborhood wake. So, Stephanie uses Grandma as a cover to follow leads, but loses control when Grandma warms to the action, packing a cool pistol. Much to the family’s chagrin, Stephanie and Granny may soon have the elusive Kenny in their sights.

Fast-talking, slow-handed vice cop Joe Morelli joins in the case, since the prey happens to be his young cousin. And if the assignment calls for an automobile stakeout for two with the woman who puts his libido in overdrive, Morelli’s not one to object.

Low on expertise but learning fast, high on resilience, and despite the help she gets from friends and relatives, Stephanie eventually must face the danger alone when embalmed body parts begin to arrive on her doorstep and she’s targeted for a nasty death by the most loathsome adversary she’s ever encountered. Another case like this and she’ll be a real pro.