Novel Reading

Join us for lunch/tea at Asterisk Supper Club to discuss our May book "Under the Oak Tree" by Suji Kim Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged. Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

Let's bedazzle some books while we discuss our April pick: Bloodguard by Cecy Robson! Book description: One hundred years. Tens of thousands of gladiators. And today, only one will rise… Everything in the Kingdom of Arrow is a lie. Leith of Grey thought coming to this new land and volunteering to fight in the gladiator arena—vicious, bloodthirsty tournaments where only the strongest survive—would earn him enough gold to save his dying sister. He thought there was nothing left to lose. He was wrong—and they took everything. His hope. His freedom. His very humanity. All Leith has left is his battle-scarred body, fueled by rage and hardened from years of fighting for the right to live another day. Then Leith meets Maeve, an elven royal who is everything he despises. Everything he should hate. Until the alluring princess offers him the one thing he needs most: a chance to win the coveted title of Bloodguard—and his freedom. But in a kingdom built on secrets and lies, hope doesn’t come cheap. Nor will his ultimate revenge… Event: Please bring your own book, journal, bookmarks, etc to bedazzle. If you have bedazzling supplies, please bring them as well. I will supply gems, glue, and picker tools, but if you have certain colors in mind, you may want to bring your own.

**🥰 Online Speed Dating Built for First Timers – Real Connections, Zero Pressure!** **⚠️ HEADS UP: Clicking RSVP Is NOT Enough!** You **must** register through one of the links below and complete the short personality quiz to secure your spot. Select your age range and register now – **spots are limited and go fast!** **👇 Pick Your Age Group & Secure Your Spot:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Detroit&groupurlname=kinetic-city-love-rhythm&ar=18-32&face_v=5.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Detroit&groupurlname=kinetic-city-love-rhythm&ar=30-46&face_v=5.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Detroit&groupurlname=kinetic-city-love-rhythm&ar=40-58&face_v=5.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=390.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Detroit&groupurlname=kinetic-city-love-rhythm&ar=55+&face_v=5.0) --- 😎 **Skip the awkward bar approach.** Try guided online speed dating! Whether you've never speed dated or you've never even been on a proper date, this event is for you. Our friendly format and experienced hosts make everyone feel welcome from minute one. 🎯 **Perfect for:** - People who want to meet local Detroit singles without leaving home - Anyone nervous about traditional dating scenes - People returning to dating after a break who want a gentle start - People seeking meaningful connections in a relaxed setting - Curious first-timers wanting to explore speed dating ⭐ *"I almost didn't sign up because I was scared. So glad I did – best decision ever!"* – First-time speed dater **Event Details** - **Format:** Hosted live on Zoom – guided, fun, and stress-free - **Location:** Your cozy space – meet from wherever you feel most comfortable - **Host:** Supportive facilitator experienced in helping newcomers enjoy speed dating - **Vibe:** Warm, genuine conversations with Detroit locals who are looking for real connection - **Tech:** All you need is Zoom, a webcam, and a smile - **Privacy:** Your contact info is never shared without mutual consent - **Icebreakers:** Fun prompts provided to keep conversations flowing **How It Works** 1. **Register for Your Age Group** – Choose the session that matches your age range above and complete registration. 2. **Finish the Short Personality Assessment** – This helps us optimise your matches for the evening. 3. **Hop on Zoom** – Your host will welcome you and walk you through everything. 4. **Speed Dating Rounds** – Enjoy guided, structured conversations with friendly Detroit singles. 5. **See Who Liked You Back** – Mutual matches sent to your inbox. Your next chapter begins! **Frequently Asked Questions** **Can I attend from my phone?** Yes! Zoom works on any device, though a laptop or tablet gives the best experience. **What happens after the event?** We reveal mutual matches after the event. If you both liked each other, we help you connect! **What if my internet drops?** No worries – our host will help you reconnect. Technical hiccups happen and we're prepared for them! --- ✨ Great connections start with a single conversation. Yours could start tonight! 🌹 ✨

**First meetup of the Columbus AI Engineering group.** We’ll kick things off with a practical, beginner-friendly discussion on: **How LLMs like ChatGPT actually work — and how to build real applications with them.** We’ll cover: * what’s actually happening under the hood (at a high level) * why LLMs behave the way they do (hallucinations, prompt sensitivity, etc.) * how people are building real systems with them today * where things break in practice This will be a **short, informal talk (\~15–20 min)** followed by open discussion and Q&A. Whether you’re an engineer, builder, or just curious about how modern AI systems work, you’re welcome to join. No slides, no fluff — just real conversation about real systems. We’ll hang out afterward and get to know each other.