Category Archives: Interviews
Inspired By the Void
Rise of the Phantom follows two divine feline protectors who, while visiting the mortal world, discover a supernatural force wreaking havoc on the towns and causing mass destruction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea first came from bedtime stories my dad used to tell me. I loved the idea of a world filled with magical creatures and guardians who protect it. As an avid reader, I also wanted to read books like the stories I had been told, but I couldn’t find any like them. Inspired by the void, I decided to create the world I wanted to visit. My mother was a huge part of helping me brainstorm this world and its depth over the last three years.
Rise of the Phantom features some very interesting characters who have their flaws but are still likable. How do you go about creating characters for your story?
I had general personality ideas for each character, but I quickly discovered that at some point, they begin to write their own story. They take on a life of their own, and as an author, you merely reflect how those characters react and go about their world more than creating it yourself. Some characters, such as Birch, suddenly come into the story and don’t leave like you thought they would.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Humor as armor, friendship, courage, and forgiveness were all really important to me. The story has serious moments, but I wanted to show that laughter and kindness can still exist even in dark times. The characters use humor and connection to get through pain, which I think makes them stronger and more human (even though most of them aren’t technically human). Tierra’s character really developed the humor as armor trope, and I feel it’s an aspect that isn’t always explored for its depth as much as it could be. I’ve found that there’s equal depth for characters who use this trope as an emotional safeguard as characters who are blatantly unhappy and miserable, or quiet and keep to themselves.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, this is book one in a series of six books. Book 2, titled Guardians of Felina: The Lost Lair, is set to launch in December 2026, with each new book coming out every December. The Lost Lair goes deeper into the Guardians’ world and shows how the Phantom’s influence is spreading. Readers can expect bigger adventures, new characters, and more discoveries about the Guardians’ pasts—and how they’ll have to work together to face what’s coming next. And yes – readers are finally introduced to the Phantom.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Before they can deliver their warning, the fire encircles the village, and glitching Beasts emerge, wreaking havoc. The Beasts vanish as mysteriously as they appeared, leaving behind injuries and a cryptic message: “You are now under the command of the Phantom.” Determined to act, Alada and Tierra set off to warn other villages, accompanied by Birch, an unassuming mortal unaware of their divine nature.
The journey takes them through the perilous Lost Labyrinth, where Birch becomes separated and must confront illusions and deceptive voices. With the help of an unlikely ally, and the bitter tree Gnarla, Birch learns the labyrinth’s secret: stop wishing and find strength within. Reunited with Alada and Tierra, they press on to Birch’s hometown, Stone Creek. There, Birch reveals the village’s tragic secret-its residents, including his family, are spirits in denial of their deaths. Despite the eerie setting, Birch reconnects with his father, rekindling lost bonds.
Next, the trio hurries to TierraTown, a village devoted entirely to celebrating Tierra. While Tierra revels in the attention, Alada uncovers a brewing rebellion among the villagers. Chaos erupts as traitors unleash a trap and glitching Beasts attack once more, setting the forest ablaze. Alada saves the town in her full goddess form, but the experience leaves Tierra shaken. Tierra resolves to stay and help rebuild, renaming the village to symbolize her newfound sense of responsibility.
Alada and Birch continue to the Pyrite Peaks, using Levi Lifts to traverse the mountainous terrain. In her domain’s technologically advanced Nya Network, Alada meets with the Nya council to discuss the growing threat of the Phantom. Tierra arrives to support the urgency of their warnings. After rallying the Nyas, the trio sets off again, this time toward Lotus Bay, home of Guardian Coral.
Passing over the Moto Desert, they encounter a group of fleeing Aras, Guardian Ember’s subjects, who reveal that he has abandoned them. Beasts now roam the desert unchecked. The Aras seek refuge in Coral’s domain while the trio head off to find Coral herself. Upon arrival at the bay, the trio finds it eerily deserted-until a mysterious voice calls out, “Don’t ask her, ask me!”
Birch stands out as a fervent advocate for justice, initially a mere citizen who refuses to accept divine complacency. His persistent moral outrage and readiness to act lend the story immediacy; readers will cheer as he challenges immortals to live up to their titles.
Alada’s journey is more contemplative-an immortal Guardian who realizes that omniscience is not the same as omnipresence. She grapples with the limits of her power and influence, growing humbler and more accessible as she dares to admit that she needs allies and cannot save everyone alone.
Tierra’s arc may be the most poignant: from a carefree lover of festivals to a guilt-stricken protector desperate to atone for past negligence, her transformation is a testament to how catastrophic events and honest self-reflection can stir even the most self-indulgent soul into greater purpose.
Finding Happiness
Ocean’s Creatures – Wellness Teachers follows a spirited boy whose bad day turns into a journey of discovery and lessons in mindfulness and emotional balance when his grandfather takes him for a walk by the sea. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As the mother of an anxious child, I was inspired to write this story to help children learn healthy ways to manage strong emotions and navigate life’s challenges.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to teach wellness concepts while fostering an appreciation for animals and the natural world. I hope children can take away lessons in mindfulness and finding happiness in everyday life.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I really enjoyed writing the scene showing the cooperation between the clown and sea anemone because it beautifully illustrates how two very different creatures can rely on each other for survival and support.
Do you have more books planned for the Animal Teachers series? If so, where will they take young readers next?
I am considering a picture book about the valuable lessons we can learn from insects for the third installment of this series, tentatively titled Smallest Creatures – Wellness Teachers.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Reclaiming Their Time, Sanity, and Profits
The Magnet, The Method, and The Machine provides readers with a clear roadmap for custom homebuilders who are ready to scale their company while gaining back their time, sanity, and freedom. How did you come up with the concept and then develop your system of “3 Laws and 9 Levers?”
After coaching hundreds of custom home builders, I started to see repeating patterns — not just in the problems they faced, but in the way high-performing companies overcame them. I realized that every successful builder had three things working in harmony: their marketing and positioning (The Magnet), their team and structure (The Machine), and their systems and execution (The Method). Those became the “3 Laws.” From there, I broke each law down into three actionable “Levers” — the tools a builder can actually pull to create measurable change. It evolved organically from years of real-world experience, not theory. My goal was to give builders a clear, repeatable framework to scale past $20M while reclaiming their time, sanity, and profits.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One of the most important ideas is that scaling a business isn’t just about more revenue — it’s about more freedom. Builders don’t need another spreadsheet or tactic; they need clarity, leadership, and alignment. I wanted to show that the chaos most owners experience isn’t personal failure — it’s structural. When you understand the 3 Laws, you stop reacting to problems and start engineering results. I also wanted to weave in the human side — the burnout, the family sacrifice, the loneliness of leadership — and remind readers that the real goal is to build a business that serves your life, not consumes it.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Magnet, The Method, and The Machine?
That scaling doesn’t have to cost you everything. You can build what you want, where you want, with who you want — if you’re willing to slow down long enough to build it on purpose. My hope is that every reader walks away not just with a playbook for growth, but with permission to lead differently — to lead from clarity instead of chaos.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
They hustle for leads, drown in details, and spend every day putting out fires.
They run an adult daycare instead of a business.
On paper, they look successful — trucks on the road, projects underway, revenue hitting $3M, $6M, even $10M+. But peel back the curtain, and you’ll see the reality:
They haven’t built a business. They’ve built an expensive prison with a fancy logo.
They’re the first one in, the last one out, and the bottleneck in every single decision.
Sound familiar?
It doesn’t have to stay that way.
In The Magnet, The Method, and The Machine, bestselling author and ICF Certified builder’s coach Rodric Lenhart pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale a custom homebuilding company to $20M+ while gaining back your time, sanity, and freedom.
This isn’t about hacks, spreadsheets, or another piece of software that sits unused on your team’s laptops.
It’s about building a company that works without you — by applying the 3 Laws and 9 Levers that have transformed builders from Vancouver to Miami.
Inside you’ll learn how to:
Attract premium clients on demand so you never waste time on tire-kickers again.
Build a team you trust to run projects without you so you can finally step out of the day-to-day chaos.
Install systems that drive profit and predictability so growth feels controlled, not overwhelming.
Position yourself as the authority in your market so clients chase you instead of the other way around.
Scale revenue while gaining freedom so your business supports your life – what you wanted when you started this thing in the first place…
These frameworks aren’t theory. They’re battle-tested with real builders who’ve scaled beyond what they thought possible.
Empowering Teens
Money Skills For Teens lays out a clear and practical roadmap for teenagers, beginning with the basics and then moving into lessons on budgeting, saving, and spending wisely. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was deeply personal for me because it began as something I wanted to give my son when he turned thirteen this year—a guide that would help him grow into a confident, capable young adult. I realized that so many essential life skills, like managing money, building confidence, or handling emotions, aren’t taught in school. That’s when I decided Money Skills for Teens would be just the beginning. It’s the first book in my nine-book Teen Life Skills Mastery Series, which I’m creating to help teens develop the practical, emotional, and real-world skills they need to thrive. Each book in the series builds on the same goal: empowering teens to step into adulthood with confidence, independence, and a strong sense of self.
I appreciated that your book covers topics like peer pressure and emotional spending. How did you decide which topics related to teens were essential for you to share in this book?
I wanted this book to reflect what teens are truly experiencing today. It’s not just about earning or saving—it’s about the emotions, social pressures, and digital influences that shape their choices every day. I included topics like peer pressure and emotional spending because those are the areas where many teens struggle the most but rarely talk about. They’re learning to find their own identity in a world full of social media trends and constant comparison. I wanted to create a space where teens feel understood and supported, not judged. Future books in the series will explore other life challenges—like communication, home skills, mindset, and emotional wellness—so teens can grow stronger in every area, not just financially.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger and learning how to manage money?
I wish someone had told me that money is more about confidence than calculation. Managing it wisely isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how you think and feel about your choices. I used to believe financial knowledge was something adults figured out later, but the truth is, starting young gives you power and freedom. Every small step, like saving a few dollars or setting a goal, builds the foundation for independence. That’s the message I want teens to hear early—that learning to manage money isn’t just about having cash, it’s about building courage, discipline, and control over your future.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Money Skills For Teens?
I hope every teen who finishes this book feels capable and proud of themselves. I want them to realize that money confidence is something they can build, no matter where they start. My biggest wish is that they walk away understanding that financial freedom begins with small, smart choices—and that every mistake is simply a lesson, not a failure. And beyond that, I hope this book inspires them to explore the rest of the Teen Life Skills Mastery Series—because money skills are just the first step toward mastering all the skills they’ll need to live independently, make good choices, and believe in their own potential.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Give your teen the one skill school rarely teaches—how to handle money with confidence.
Money Skills for Teensisn’t just another financial guide; it’s a heartfelt gift that prepares your teen for real-world success. With warmth, encouragement, and practical wisdom, it helps teens build independence, responsibility, and lasting confidence with money.
Money Mistakes Are Expensive—Confidence Is Free.
Does your teen run out of money too quickly?
Are they struggling to save for the things they want?
Do you wish someone could finally explain budgeting in a way that actually makes sense?
Money Skills for Teensis the go-to personal finance guide for teenagers who want to earn, save, and spend wisely. Written in a friendly, relatable voice, it turns confusing financial topics into real-world lessons that teens can actually enjoy learning.
Inside, your teen will discover how to:
✅ Budget, save, and spend without giving up the fun things they love
✅ Avoid scams and online shopping traps—protect their money in the digital world
✅ Tell the difference between wants and needs—and handle peer pressure around spending
✅ Start investing early—understand compound interest and lifelong wealth habits
✅ Find safe side hustles and jobs—even before they can drive
✅ Build healthy money habits that lead to lifelong confidence and freedom
Packed with simple lessons, real-life stories, and interactive exercises, this empowering guide helps teens practice smart habits and make informed choices—skills that will serve them for life.
Perfect for parents, teachers, homeschoolers, and mentors, Money Skills for Teensmakes the perfect graduation, holiday, or “just because” gift for any teen ready to take their first step toward independence.
Give the gift of financial confidence today—click “Buy Now” and help your teen start building a smarter, stronger future.
A Responsibility To Speak Out
Witness in the Dust tells the story of Haiti during its years of crisis, blending vivid storytelling with historical detail, as it follows ordinary families and aid workers as they fight to survive storms, floods, political collapse, and disease. Where did the idea for this novel come from, and how did it develop over time?
As an African American woman and a staunch advocate for justice, I am deeply aware of the challenges faced by people striving for a better life. I have lived through and observed the civil rights movement in the U.S. My observation of the events reveals that the pendulum of justice has swung significantly over the years. Historically, some policies have been more accepting of differences than others. Recently, however, Haiti has been specifically excluded for numerous reasons. The approach to foreign policy regarding Haiti has been harsh and inflexible. The way Haiti is treated exemplifies blatant discrimination at its highest level. I felt I had a responsibility to speak out.
The novel is set during a time when Haitians experienced the wrath of nature and the collapse of political order. Although the Haitian people are resilient, many sought better opportunities, such as those promised by the ideals of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. They were turned away at the border, thereby removing the possibility of asylum. Immigration policy fluctuated between temporary protective status and deportation under several administrations. The situation came to a head, and under the Trump administration, the promises of democracy for a nation of immigrants became null and void.
Celine, the main character of Witness in the Dust, decides to defy the odds and legally enter the U.S. Over time, she becomes eligible for U.S. citizenship, satisfying nearly all the requirements. Through her community groups and her church, she receives support from and contributes to the well-being of other immigrant communities along her journey. By the end of the novel, however, she becomes sharply aware of several contradictions in how people are treated. At one point, she struggles with whether to apply for naturalization. She begins a critical examination of the principles on which the nation was founded. That’s when Celine takes a step back to evaluate the democracy she has considered pledging allegiance to.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I find that, although people are made in the spiritual image of God (Imago Dei), their human nature and actions lean toward greed, pride, lust, and other sins of the flesh.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The book explores themes of equality, justice, democracy, citizenship, and the unkept promises of sanctuary for people yearning to breathe free.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Witness in the Dust?
I want readers to open their eyes and witness, under harsh lighting, the injustices of a lopsided immigration policy. I encourage readers to examine critically the premise on which America was built. I want them to understand that sometimes in America, “we the people” does not give consideration to- the “least of these.”
A Journey of Discovery
On a Sundown Sea follows a woman with the gifts of being a medium and clairvoyant who meets the leader of the American Theosophical Society, who guides her on a spiritual path that could make her mystical dreams a reality. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I grew up in Point Loma, near Madame Katherine Tingley’s Lomaland. Though she’s been gone nearly a century, stories of her remarkable life—and the extraordinary happenings on that hilltop—still echo throughout the region. I’ve long been fascinated by the mysteries surrounding her. Was she truly a medium and clairvoyant? How did she transform barren land into a flourishing Theosophical community with gardens, a school, and an arts colony? And did she really believe her husband had been reincarnated as a turtle?
Determined to uncover the truth, I spent five years researching and writing this biographical historical novel. While no full biography of Tingley exists, I immersed myself in her speeches, personal writings, and countless archival materials—newspaper articles, letters, photographs, court testimonies, ship logs, and passports. The Theosophists were prolific writers and publishers; Lomaland even had its own press that produced pamphlets and magazines. My greatest challenge was reconciling the many conflicting dates and facts I encountered.
To follow her journey, I traveled to her birthplace in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and to New York City, where her story first unfolds. And to better understand her esoteric world, I attended mediumship readings and worked with a shaman.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
A novelist’s job is to place obstacles between the protagonist and their deepest desire—and Katherine’s childhood vision of building a white city had no shortage of them. Every compelling story thrives on conflict, and characters become truly memorable when they reveal their touchstones, quirks, humor, and emotions. I also believe love, in one form or another, should always be present—it adds depth, humanity, and hope to even the most challenging journeys.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
After a twenty-year career as a public-school educator, I found myself drawn to writing. I began attending a weekly drop-in group, where the facilitator gave prompts and set a timer to get us started. Writing in community helped me keep my pen moving, even on days when I wanted to stop. Initially, I thought I’d write children’s books or a memoir about my time in the classroom—but that wasn’t what unfolded at all.
Instead, characters began appearing on the page seemingly out of nowhere, and I just kept following them. I’m an intuitive writer, composing all my first drafts by hand in a journal. When I started, I never imagined I would create the Anne McFarland Series, let alone On a Sundown Sea: A Novel of Madame Tingley and the Origins of Lomaland. It’s been a journey of discovery, both of the stories themselves and of who I am as a writer.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’d love to publish a collection of my nature poetry, as well as a personal development book inspired by my philosophy and blog, Crealivity. At the same time, I’m resisting the pull of a first chapter that has jumped onto the page for a fourth novel in the Anne McFarland Series. Over the past ten years, I’ve sent four novels and hundreds of poems out into the world, but right now my focus is on promoting On a Sundown Sea. I’ve many local events planned here in San Diego first, and then I’m taking the book on tour to other parts of the country.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website
In 1888, Katherine Tingley, a medium and clairvoyant, continues to have a childhood vision of a white city on a sundown sea. While serving the poor at her Do-Good Mission on Manhattan’s East Side, she encounters William Q. Judge, a mesmerist and leader of the American Theosophical Society. He recognizes her potential, convinces her to become his student, and guides her on a spiritual path that could make her mystical dream become a reality.
After Judge’s passing, Katherine assumes leadership of the Society and embarks on a world crusade to spread brotherhood, learn from ancient cultures, and search for a Himalayan Mahatma. In 1900, she moves the Theosophical headquarters to San Diego. Here, she sets out to establish Lomaland—a sacred space of learning, artistry, and divine harmony, built on a barren peninsula yet brimming with hidden potential. As people from around the world converge to share in her vision, they form a community united in purpose to spread enlightenment. However, betrayals, lies, and libels accumulate until a monumental court case ultimately decides her future and the fate of the white city on a sundown sea.
The Illusion of Freedom
Day Drinkers follows a woman on a Caribbean island desperate to escape her dead-end job who takes a risk captaining a small sailing vessel for a corrupt music artist, sending her into a life-or-death situation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for Day Drinkers came from the decade I spent living and working in the Caribbean as a travel writer, performer, and liveaboard sailor. I was fascinated by how easily escape and suffering coexist in so-called paradise. The novel is a meditation on the consequences of rejecting society’s rules in pursuit of the illusion of freedom, and on how we choose to either make sense of our past or run from it.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Absolutely. My books always emerge from lived experience. My debut, Zone Trip, was inspired by the fifteen years I spent with a secret artist society in San Francisco. For Day Drinkers, I drew from a decade of sailing, performing, and working as a travel writer in the Caribbean. I want my stories to feel authentic, so I live them. Most of the characters in Day Drinkers are composites of people I met in the islands, viewed through the lens of absurdism and satire.
Some events in the book were chillingly similar to real-life events. Did you take any inspiration from real life when developing this book?
Yes. Easter Cay, the island at the center of Day Drinkers, was loosely inspired by exclusive enclaves owned by billionaires and celebrities, most notably the infamous Little Saint James, formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein. As a traveling circus artist, I was hired to perform at private parties for powerful people. This book reflects what happens when wealth and secrecy collide with poverty and desperation—something I witnessed firsthand. While Day Drinkers is a work of fiction, it asks very real questions about complicity, exploitation, and how paradise can become a prison for those who serve it.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
My next literary thriller is titled Bufo. It explores the use of spirit medicine and its strange aftermath. In this story, DMT entities begin to manifest as characters. Commercially, it’s in the same vein as Nine Perfect Strangers—but more positive and surreal. From a literary perspective, a major influence is William Burroughs’s Queer, with its raw, unsettling exploration of altered consciousness and outsider desire. Bufo is expected in 2027.
Author Links: Goodreads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | YouTube | Medium | Instagram | Spotify | Amazon
🏝️ Invited to a party on a forbidden pleasure island
🍹 Swept into the corrupt world of a country music legend
☠️ Flees to Cuba, hunted by drug and human traffickers
🥥 Inspired by the dark reality of Jeffrey Epstein’s world
🌊 Day Drinkers: Where the American Dream washes ashore
From her office window on St. Columba, Gemma gazes out at the mysterious pleasure island just beyond the reef. Owned by country music legend Cowboi Rivers, the exclusive retreat lures the world’s wealthy and powerful with promises of secrecy and illicit pleasures. Meanwhile, the locals keep their distance, wary of the wild parties and whispered rumors of drugs and disappearing girls.
Desperate to escape her dead-end job, Gemma seizes a risky opportunity to captain the sailing vessel Mariposa for Cowboi’s shadowy empire. She finds herself swept into a world of corrupt elites. When a cocaine pickup in the Dominican Republic spirals into a deadly double-cross, Gemma and her crew enlist the aid of a Vodou priestess, a hard-drinking mariner, and a rumba-loving boat boy to escape. With her enemies closing in, Gemma sails toward Cuba, facing a storm that threatens to sweep her away.
Day Drinkers is a tantalizing medley of Saint X and Don’t Stop the Carnival, seasoned with a dash of The Rum Diary. Drawing from her ten years as a liveaboard sailor and Caribbean travel writer, Kitty Turner, an American Absurdism revivalist, delivers a gripping tale of identity and redemption through her unique talent for rollicking storytelling and deep philosophical inquiry.
Sense of Unease
Friday at Four follows a researcher who happens upon an unexpected method for communicating with his dog and discovers what it means to truly be understood. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I don’t know where the inspiration for this book came from. Somewhere on vacation in France, at some point, I was overcome by a great sense of unease. I had to go and buy a notebook and a pen, and I started writing. I just followed the flow of my thoughts.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I never felt that I had any influence on this story. It was literally dictated to me. But I don’t know by whom or how. It was like a compulsion that had me in its grip for two years.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
The slow death of a loved one.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m going to publish a very funny book about a failed art forger – before Christmas, I hope.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
Few novels capture with such honesty the way love can be eroded by silence and then, in the face of death, renewed in its most fragile and essential form. This is not just a story about a man caught between two women, but about how we confront loss, and how even in the darkest moments tenderness and clarity can emerge. It lingers in the mind as a stark yet luminous meditation on what it means to live, to love, and to let go.
Friday at four is a powerful novel about love, betrayal, and the courage to face loss — written with clarity, honesty, and unforgettable emotional force.
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LITERARY TITAN 