Author Archives: Literary Titan
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
F F F by Al X. Griz
Pixie by Nightdancer Slater
Ada, Old and New: A Brother-Sister Tale by Madeleine Van Hecke
A Child’s Guillotine by Daniel Klein
The Restoration of Man-A Journey to Healing, Identity and God-Anchored Masculinity by Eli Brackenbury
The STEWARD Blueprint: A Compass for a Purposeful Life by Andy Tseng
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Collin O’Daurc
Some books invite you into another world, while others grab you by the collar and drag you into one before you’ve figured out what’s happening. C. S. Walkingheart’s Collin O’Daurc belongs firmly in the second category. This wildly imaginative fantasy adventure follows Collin, a British hairstylist living in America whose increasingly frustrating life takes an extraordinary turn after he suffers a stroke. He awakens in a strange version of Tahiti, where history has gone delightfully sideways, familiar rules no longer apply, and an eccentric painter named Paolo Gauguin claims to be the twin brother of the famous artist Paul Gauguin. What begins as a bewildering encounter with an impossible reality grows into a sprawling adventure filled with colorful personalities, unexpected dangers, and questions about identity, friendship, and the nature of existence.
Collin is sarcastic, opinionated, occasionally self-absorbed, and wonderfully aware of how ridiculous his circumstances have become. His narration feels like listening to an entertaining friend recount the strangest experience of his life, complete with tangents, complaints, and observations that make even the most bizarre situations feel oddly relatable. Walkingheart gives Collin a distinctive personality that carries the story through its increasingly unpredictable developments. The supporting characters are equally memorable, particularly the irascible Paolo Gauguin, whose artistic temperament and outrageous behavior provide plenty of comic friction. There’s also Jaune, Paolo’s spirited daughter, and Tully, an extraordinary primate whose personality, loyalty, and unexpected charm make him especially entertaining. Their relationships give the adventure an emotional center that becomes increasingly important as the story progresses.
Readers familiar with Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will recognize a similar fondness for absurd situations, eccentric companions, and humor that emerges from the collision between ordinary expectations and impossible circumstances. Like Adams, Walkingheart enjoys taking an outrageous premise and following it wherever imagination leads. His approach, however, has a distinctly painterly quality. Landscapes shift, colors seem almost alive, and the boundaries separating dreams, history, and physical reality become wonderfully unpredictable. Walkingheart’s background as an artist is evident in his descriptive passages, which frequently resemble elaborate paintings translated into prose. The book’s illustrations reinforce that visual personality, giving the entire experience the feeling of wandering through an unusually adventurous art gallery.
Beneath the comedy and fantastical scenery, Collin O’Daurc explores some surprisingly thoughtful territory. Questions about personal freedom, faith, cultural assumptions, creativity, and human connection appear throughout the journey, often emerging during conversations that begin with something completely ridiculous. Walkingheart also displays an interest in history, especially the lives of artists and the complicated relationship between individuals and the societies around them. The storytelling is exuberant and frequently digressive, with extended conversations, elaborate descriptions, and enough imaginative detours to fill several smaller novels. At times, that abundance slows the momentum, particularly when philosophical discussions interrupt the action. Still, the leisurely passages contribute to the book’s unusual personality, allowing its characters and strange environments to develop beyond the immediate demands of the adventure.
I think what makes Collin O’Daurc particularly engaging is the affection Walkingheart develops for his characters, even when they’re behaving outrageously. For all its strange creatures, impossible landscapes, shifting realities, and irreverent jokes, this is a deeply personal story about finding direction and discovering meaningful connections in unexpected places. Its humor can be bawdy, its imagination wonderfully unruly, and its emotional moments genuinely affecting. Readers who enjoy unconventional fantasy, literary absurdity, eccentric characters, and adventurous storytelling with a philosophical streak will find plenty to appreciate. Walkingheart has created a curious, crowded, frequently hilarious fictional universe that feels unmistakably his own. Collin O’Daurc is an ambitious, heartfelt adventure that rewards readers willing to surrender to its peculiar logic and enjoy the journey.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B012YMFYJS
Some Patterns Transcend Time
The Enigma, A Triquetra Chronicle follows a woman who, after a reunion in Scotland, awakens a connection to the past, linking her life to a young woman trapped by society’s expectations in 1911 England. What first drew you to the themes of reincarnation, soul connections, and the possibility that memories or relationships can transcend time?
It’s something I’ve always been drawn to from other stories I’ve seen growing up to going through my own spiritual awakening and learning about all the possibilities.
How do Sophia and Josephine’s different circumstances reveal similarities in their struggles with love, identity, and personal freedom?
Some patterns transcend time and keep coming back as lessons until they are learned…usually the hard way.
How does the novel examine the difference between a powerful romantic attraction and a relationship that genuinely supports personal growth?
I hadn’t thought of it in those terms, but I suppose that it is part of the larger lesson of learning to love self and one’s own needs so they are the foundation for growth and not stemming from someone else.
As readers continue through The Triquetra Chronicles, what larger questions about love, identity, memory, and the connections between lifetimes do you hope they will continue exploring?
My hope is that they are open to the possibilities and if they resonate, take the time to explore what that means for themselves.
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Sophia is in Scotland, finally at peace, no longer haunted by the dream that consumed her in The Harbinger. But when her soul sisters arrive and a Friday the 13th, and Summer Solstice draw near…something stirs beneath the surface of their reunion.
In 1911 England, Josephine Findley is a guest in a house that feels more like a cage. Counting the days until her freedom, she finds an unexpected connection; one that history, propriety, and forces beyond her control are determined to sever.
Two women. Two centuries. A truth threading between them that will not stay forgotten.
The Enigma, A Triquetra Chronicle, is the second book in The Triquetra Chronicles. For readers who have already begun the journey with The Harbinger, and for those who are finding the series for the first time. Each book introduces a new past timeline while continuing the present-day journey of Sophia and her circle.
For the woman who knows the past isn’t finished with her.
For readers of The Distant Hours, A Discovery of Witches, and The Memory Painter.
The Wounds of 1947
A Mohit’s The Wounds of 1947 is an ambitious novel that brings together historical fiction, romance, family drama, and political intrigue to explore how the consequences of Partition continue to shape lives generations later. Set primarily in Bangladesh, the story moves between the upheavals of the past and the political and religious tensions of the present. At its center are Dr. Ali Khan, a compassionate physician, and Ozma Ali, a determined lawyer whose work involves exposing exploitation and defending vulnerable people. Their paths cross through an investigation into a criminal network that preys on women by manipulating religious superstition. What begins as a troubling case gradually opens into a much larger story about personal histories, unexpected connections, and the lasting effects of violence and displacement. The novel’s scope is considerable, covering decades of social change while keeping the human cost of those changes in view. Its central concern is how people carry history with them, often without realizing how deeply it has influenced their understanding of family, faith, love, and belonging.
One of the book’s most compelling qualities is its attention to the lives of women, particularly those navigating circumstances shaped by religious customs, family expectations, and unequal power. Ozma is an especially engaging character because her intelligence and independence have developed through experiences that demanded considerable courage. Her personal history gives emotional weight to her professional commitment to justice. The supporting characters are equally important to the novel’s exploration of how kindness and cruelty can coexist within families and communities. Sannah, in particular, brings warmth and complexity to the story through her quiet compassion and willingness to help another woman find opportunities beyond the expectations imposed upon her. Mohit also gives considerable attention to faith, examining the difference between personal belief and the exploitation of religion for power or control. These passages are among the book’s most thought-provoking, especially when the characters challenge inherited assumptions and consider how religious intolerance affects ordinary people.
Through family recollections, personal testimony, and accounts of communal violence, Mohit connects the Partition of 1947 with later experiences of insecurity, political upheaval, and the loss of ancestral homes. Some of the strongest passages concern ordinary acts of solidarity, especially when neighbors protect one another across religious divisions. These moments give the book an emotional richness that extends beyond its political concerns. Mohit’s storytelling is frequently conversational, with extended exchanges that allow the characters to discuss history, morality, and their personal convictions. At times, these conversations become lengthy and explanatory, slowing the narrative’s momentum. The movement between different periods and perspectives also requires attention, particularly as the novel expands beyond its initial investigative storyline. Still, the combination of intimate relationships and broader historical questions gives the book a distinctive character. The developing relationship between Ali and Ozma provides much-needed tenderness, humor, and emotional continuity amid the heavier subjects.
The Wound of 1947 will appeal most to readers who enjoy historically grounded fiction that places relationships and moral questions at the heart of its storytelling. Anyone interested in the Partition of India, the history of Bangladesh, religious coexistence, or the experiences of women confronting restrictive social traditions will find plenty to consider. Readers who appreciate character-driven romances with substantial social and historical context should also connect with Ali and Ozma’s story. The novel asks its audience to spend time with difficult questions about justice, identity, prejudice, and the meaning of home, and its reflective passages are an important part of that experience. What stayed with me most was its recognition that the effects of historical violence can reach far beyond the people who first experienced it, while compassion can travel across generations too. Mohit has written a deeply earnest novel, one that treats love as both a personal commitment and a powerful expression of humanity. It’s a worthwhile choice for readers who like emotionally invested storytelling and books that encourage conversations long after the final page.
Pages: 324
A True, Monstrous Werewolf
The Dancing Wolfeman follows a high school music teacher and DJ whose transformation into a werewolf forces him to navigate dangerous instincts, unexpected romance, and supernatural threats while fighting for his humanity. What inspired the setup of your story?
From a memory way back in 1998 – driving at night on a country road that looked eerie and ominous. Perfect setting for a werewolf ambush. This memory stayed with me, and in December of 2024 it came back to me very vividly, and it stayed with me. I decided to do something about it, so hence my book.
How did you develop the connection between his musical instincts and supernatural transformation?
My son was learning to play the Trombone when I was outlining the book, and I saw his trombone case everyday, and walla – I decided to make my story completely different and make music the anchor that prevents Titus from becoming a true, monstrous werewolf.
Titus struggles with loneliness and emotional disconnection before his transformation. How does becoming a werewolf reshape his understanding of identity and belonging?
It’s all about music, and how it’s shaped his life. If it was wasn’t for the music, it would be just another werewolf tale.
As The Dancing Wolfeman launches a supernatural fiction series, which aspects of Titus’s transformation and relationships offer the greatest opportunities for future exploration?
The relationships with both Nicole and Everett, as all three are interconnected with whatever outcomes I write.
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Titus Wolfe never expected his life to change in the blink of an eye. By day, he’s a respected teacher. By night, a DJ who spins vinyl to escape the monotony of his reality, but one fateful night in the foggy woods of Sonoma County, everything shifts. When a terrifying creature attacks, Titus is left with more than just a wound. He’s bitten, and the curse of transformation into a werewolf now looms over him.
As the full moon rises, Titus’s world crumbles. No longer just a man, he feels the primal urges of the werewolf fiction coming to life within him. The transformation is agonizing, leaving him questioning who he really is. The terrifying call of the wild pulls at his very soul, and with every passing night, he grows stronger, faster, and more dangerous.
In this paranormal romance, Titus struggles to hold onto his humanity as he navigates the brutal reality of his new existence. He’s caught in a shapeshifter story where every moment is a battle against the beast inside. His life becomes a journey of survival. As his transformation deepens, he discovers his own strength and a dark side he’s terrified of unleashing.
It’s not just the supernatural thriller he has to face. The people around him notice the change. His relationship with the world and the woman he loves teeters on the brink. Will love save him, or will the monster take over? The lines between human and dark fantasy werewolf blur as he tries to keep his terrifying secret from consuming him.
As a coming-of-age supernatural tale, The Dancing Wolfeman is more than just a werewolf story. It’s about mystery thriller with werewolves, the fantasy horror werewolf lurking in the shadows of our hearts, and the fight to reconcile the person we want to be with the monster we fear we might become. In this urban fantasy werewolf romance and coming-of-age supernatural, the stakes are high, and fighting for control might just mean losing everything.
Valor Tale: Renascence, Volume III
In Renascence, David Earl Williams III delivers an ambitious conclusion to his fantasy adventure trilogy, bringing together an expansive cast of characters, intricate mythology, and themes of sacrifice, redemption, and perseverance. Set in the richly imagined world of Mesovilla, the story follows Dew Wilder and his companions as they confront a growing threat involving a dangerous virus, an ancient power, and a mysterious organization determined to reshape the world. As the final installment in the trilogy, the novel builds upon established relationships and conflicts while exploring the personal burdens carried by its central characters. Williams combines fantasy, science fiction, military action, and comedy to create an energetic adventure that places considerable emphasis on friendship, loyalty, and the choices that define a person’s character.
I liked the book’s attention to character development, particularly the emotional struggles experienced by Dew, Rena, Elvir, and Cooper. Each character faces circumstances that test their convictions and challenge their understanding of themselves. Rena’s determination to confront the consequences of her past is especially compelling, as is Elvir’s complicated relationship with her family and cultural heritage. Cooper’s journey also provides some of the book’s most thoughtful moments, particularly when he declares, “I did the best I could… and I forgive myself for what I couldn’t do.” This moment captures an important theme running throughout the narrative: genuine courage involves acknowledging personal failures and finding the strength to move forward. These individual journeys give the larger conflict emotional significance and provide readers with reasons to invest in the characters beyond their immediate survival.
Williams demonstrates considerable imagination in constructing the world of Mesovilla. From the troubled streets of Demmin to the distinctive communities of Anahit and the mysterious environments surrounding Aether’s Keep, each location contributes to the adventure’s sense of scale. The narrative incorporates ancient civilizations, supernatural abilities, advanced technology, and political intrigue into an elaborate fictional history. Its screenplay-like presentation, featuring narrator descriptions and character dialogue, gives the book a distinctly cinematic quality. The accompanying illustrations reinforce this visual approach, helping readers picture important characters, settings, and encounters. Action sequences are frequently detailed and energetic, although their extended descriptions occasionally slow the narrative’s momentum. The extensive dialogue also creates opportunities for humor, particularly through Elvir’s irreverent personality, providing moments of levity amid increasingly serious circumstances.
The novel’s emotional foundation rests on its examination of responsibility, forgiveness, and the lasting consequences of personal decisions. Williams repeatedly returns to the idea that individuals can seek redemption through meaningful action, even when their histories are marked by suffering or regret. Early in the story, Rena expresses her determination with the words, “I will make this right… I’ll handle the rest…” This sentiment reflects the moral conflicts shaping many of the characters’ decisions. The relationships among Dew and his companions are equally important, emphasizing how trust develops through shared hardship. Although the story occasionally relies on lengthy explanations and repeated expressions of determination, its sincerity remains evident. The blend of serious emotional material, eccentric comedy, and elaborate confrontations gives the narrative a distinctive personality.
Valor Tale: Renascence, Volume III offers a substantial reading experience that rewards familiarity with the preceding installments. Its numerous characters, interconnected histories, and extensive mythology create a demanding but engaging continuation of the trilogy. Williams’s storytelling is especially effective when the spectacle of the adventure intersects with intimate moments of vulnerability, reconciliation, and mutual support. The book’s concluding sections also demonstrate his commitment to giving the characters’ personal journeys meaningful attention. Readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy adventures, science fiction elements, elaborate battles, and stories centered on enduring friendships will find much to appreciate here. Renascence is an imaginative and emotionally earnest work that celebrates perseverance, compassion, and the courage required to confront both extraordinary dangers and deeply personal challenges.
ASIN : B0HL1NT6T6
In A Twisted Sense
Ragnar is a provocative psychological novella about a privileged Swedish businessman whose obsession with power, status, and control masks deep childhood wounds, exposing the masculinity and insecurities beneath his image of success. What sources informed this novel’s development?
Ragnar is an integral side-character in my novels In Every Mirror She’s Black and Everything Is Not Enough, who epitomises unchecked white privilege. Having lived in Sweden for over 15 years, the character is informed by bits and pieces of people I’ve met, recognize, or interacted with in various settings.
Ragnar vows never to become like his father, yet reproduces destructive patterns. How did you approach exploring this painful contradiction?
I wanted to show the real impact and damage that generational trauma can cause. Not only for the person themselves but for those around them, for example, Ragnar’s wife and child. Without therapy and tools to guide healing, people are bound to repeat the same patterns they’d observed before them because it is familiar and in a twisted sense, comfortable. Children don’t do what we say, but what we do.
How does Ragnar’s position within wealthy Swedish society shape his attitudes toward race, gender, and entitlement, particularly in his relationships with independent women?
For a man whose self esteem has been built based on proximity to power as a sense of worth, it was inevitable that Ragnar was going to bring to distorted lens into any relationship, especially when going head-to-head with the opposite sex who society already frames as weaker. So to meet strong independent women to him means (in Ragnar’s world) to break them down and put them back in their place.
By telling Ragnar’s story from his own perspective, you invite readers to understand him without excusing his behavior. How did you navigate that tension?
Every character I create is messy, nuanced, complex, and deeply human. So through my fiction, I always want to highlight the source of a character’s personality or delusion, instead of simply focusing on the symptoms and simplifying my readers’ interaction with them on the page. I want to challenge readers to understand how a person might be navigating the world from a completely foreign lens and holding space for that without reneging on their own values or not holding them accountable.
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At sixteen, Ragnar Pettersen promised himself that he’ll never become a “weak” man after witnessing years of domestic turmoil.
From a teenager battling self-worth in a world that judges upon sight, to the quintessential hedonist as an adult building his own modern Roman empire brick by brick, Ragnar is wild, abrasive, and confident.
Albeit, thinly.
Is Ragnar so steeped in privilege and meritocracy that he’s become entitled to everything and everyone he desires regardless of consequences?
Or, is he a man finally facing himself in the mirror and what he’s let himself become? An emperor with no clothes?
Spanning three decades, this coming-of-age story dives into the ego-driven dark mind of one of the most despised characters in Lola’s gripping book series – Ragnar Pettersen.
The Suitcase Summers: The Lost Crown of the Isle
What if an ordinary family vacation turned into an adventure you’d remember forever? That’s the delightful premise behind The Lost Crown of the Isle by Laura Doyal, a children’s fantasy adventure that combines family traditions, magical discoveries, and the excitement of exploring somewhere new. Eight-year-old cousins Stephen and Ty Wilde look forward to their annual summer reunion, especially since this year’s destination is Hawai’i. Surrounded by siblings, cousins, grandparents, and plenty of vacation chaos, the boys are ready for a memorable trip. But when a mysterious old suitcase appears in their hotel room, their summer takes an unexpected turn. The suitcase holds a secret that transports them to the enchanting Isle of Noniluna, where an extraordinary adventure awaits. With its inviting premise and blend of real-world travel and imaginative fantasy, Doyal creates a story that captures the feeling of childhood summers when even the smallest discovery can seem magical.
Stephen, affectionately nicknamed Pie, is thoughtful, organized, and happiest when he has a plan. Ty is energetic, spontaneous, and almost constantly thinking about his next snack. Their contrasting personalities create some genuinely funny exchanges, and their playful banter feels like the kind of teasing you’d expect from cousins who’ve grown up together. Doyal gives both boys distinct personalities, allowing readers to recognize their individual strengths as they navigate unfamiliar territory. Their relationship is also the emotional center of this middle grade fantasy adventure. As they encounter challenges, their different approaches to solving problems become increasingly important. Young readers will likely see a little of themselves in one or both cousins, whether they prefer thinking things through or jumping into something exciting.
Noniluna is a mysterious island filled with towering trees, shimmering butterflies, ancient ruins, and a landscape that seems to have a personality of its own. There’s an intriguing sense that something important has been forgotten, and the boys soon discover that the island’s future is connected to a lost crown. A mysterious Keeper introduces them to the island’s history and the challenges ahead, setting the stage for a quest filled with discovery, suspense, and opportunities for personal growth. Doyal’s descriptions bring the tropical surroundings to life, from the humid rainforest to the sounds of rushing water. The black-and-white illustrations complement the storytelling and give younger readers another way to connect with the characters and their surroundings. The book also includes a helpful vocabulary section and an explanation distinguishing its fictional magical world from real Hawaiian culture, adding an educational touch to this children’s magical adventure.
The Lost Crown of the Isle is a story about family, friendship, courage, and learning to appreciate the strengths of the people closest to us. Doyal weaves these themes into the adventure through the cousins’ experiences, allowing their relationship to grow alongside the excitement of their journey. I especially enjoyed how the annual family vacation provides a meaningful foundation for the fantasy elements. The Wilde family’s summer traditions give the story warmth, while the magical suitcase opens up possibilities that will appeal to children who love imagining what might happen beyond the everyday world. With eight approachable chapters, engaging illustrations, and a balance of humor and adventure, this children’s fantasy book is a welcoming choice for elementary-age readers who enjoy magical quests, family-centered stories, and imaginative travel adventures. It also makes an appealing read-aloud for families looking to share a little magic together.
Pages: 73 | ASIN : B0HK7X2SNL
