Category Archives: Interviews
Freedom
Have You Heard This One Before is a lively mix of short stories that swing between mystery, humor, horror, sentiment, and quiet reflection. What was the inspiration for this collection of short stories?
There were many stories and topics I wanted to write about, but they didn’t merit the length of a novel. I enjoy the short story format, but realize that most published collections are centered on a theme or genre. I didn’t want to write under restrictions on my work, e.g., that it should be all horror stories. On the other hand, I understood that the appeal of a book with multiple genres would be difficult to market. Hopefully, there are readers out there who are open to fun, imaginative, funny, frightening tales, all in one collection.
What is it you enjoy about writing short stories over longer novel formats?
I love the opportunity to explore various types of stories. When people comment on my work as an author, I often tell them I’m more of a storyteller than an author. It’s fun to see if you can engage readers quickly and provide a quick read that entertains and, possibly, even makes a longer impression. You won’t find me writing romance novels anytime in the future, but I have written a romantic short story for this book. Some other tales are not substantive enough for a novel, but they are still worth exploring. Summing up the short stories’ appeal in one word, I’d say freedom.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in putting together this collection of stories?
Placement. What should come first? Should “The Loop Two” come right after “The Loop?” Where do I put my description of a romantic encounter? What do I end with? I also wanted to make sure the more whimsical stories didn’t feel out of place. The final order of the chapters involved a lot of thought. And to make it even more difficult, I kept coming up with new story ideas.
Do you have a favorite story in the book, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?
I have several that could qualify as favorites: “The Loop” and “The Loop Part Two,” “Drive,” “Hippity, Hoppity, Bang” (laugh out loud funny), and “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone.” But my absolute favorite is “A Haunted Diary.” Many readers might find it too sentimental, but I believe the themes of kindness and returning home to relatives who have passed are universal. The final paragraph (spoiler alert) is one of my two favorites in the book (“Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” is the other).
Dear Diary – November 15, 2019, Friday
This will be my last entry. About three weeks of journaling, just like Mae, oddly enough. I’m heading to the hospital in an hour, and I won’t be coming home. I said goodbye to Mae. I’m sure she heard me, just as I’m sure she’s gone from the house and is saying hello to Josh right now. I’m going to hide this diary somewhere it won’t be found, until it’s needed. Then, it can reveal itself. As I reread this entry, I should make one change. I won’t be coming back to this house again, but I will be going home. And Josh will be waiting to meet me there.
All of my books include examples of the importance of kindness, even in the face of difficulty. “A Haunting Diary” is no exception.
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A lighthouse that holds a spirit and his memory. A diary and haunting that links the past and present. A drive down a road that stretches longer than an ocean of dreams. Snowflakes drifting softly over a horrified snowbird in Orlando. A love story that snares two workaholics, and a horror that brings out a laugh and tears from our protagonist.
From tender to terrifying, whimsical to wicked, these stories linger long after the last page turns. Romance, regret, mystery, laughter, fear—and at least one tragedy involving the Easter Bunny!
Every story is a surprise.
Every surprise is unforgettable.
Find your favorite twist in “Have You Heard This One Before.”
The Need for a Futurist Story
The Chip follows a brilliant CEO who finds the world bends to his every whim after he secretly implants an advanced AI chip in his brain. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The need for a futurist story that would begin with one man that want to manipulate the world and with technology gets this power.
What is it that draws you to the technothriller genre?
Its exciting to picture a world that is not to far away from our ways but just around the corner yet is more interesting to see new technologies to play along the main story.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?
Í painted a fictional story but given the right circumstances Humans are able to behave in irrational ways that everyone relate or understands it that can actually bring realistic thoughts and emotions to the reader while is a techno thriller story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a story that is starting to boil in my head that is very ambitious. However, right now I am sitting on this book to see some reactions to it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
An Incredible Experience
You May Conquer: Facing What Others Have Met takes readers on a journey into the lives of biblical figures and modern leaders who, when faced with adversity, did not crumble but rose higher and shared the lessons learned from their struggles. Your book highlights the transformative power of adversity and how it can be channeled into a positive experience. How have you experienced this in your own life, and what lessons did you learn from it?
I found that as I began to work with my mother at her job, there was a lot of pressure on me, because she is a supervisor. So I didn’t want people to think I was a nepotism hire. I worked hard, very hard. And I earned my place alongside my co-workers. I felt the initial adversity, but surprised myself with how hard I worked.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
I had always heard good things about the life and times of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., but the more I researched, the more I was truly impressed. He had to be willing to give his life for ideals. I was truly surprised at his life’s record.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from You May Conquer?
That we are in this world living an incredible experience that is greater than all of us. That when we realize how much responsibility we owe, I hope readers too see that we should never back down from adversity, we should exhibit bravery and courage, and surprise even ourselves.
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In You May Conquer: Facing What Others Have Met, Devon J. Francois & Woody R. Clermont take readers on a sweeping journey through scripture, history, and modern life, uncovering how ordinary people and world-changing leaders alike found strength in struggle. From Joseph in Egypt and Job’s unwavering faith, to Harriet Tubman’s courage, Nelson Mandela’s resilience, Martin Luther King Jr.’s perseverance, Helen Keller’s vision, Malala Yousafzai’s bravery, and beyond—these stories show that trials do not define us, but how we respond to them does.
Blending timeless wisdom with contemporary insight, this book explores:
How obstacles can become teachers rather than enemies
Why authority without humility collapses under its own weight
The inner battles that often matter more than external ones
Lessons of leadership from figures as diverse as Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Robin Williams, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Oprah Winfrey, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Practical encouragement for living the lessons “out loud” in your own life
Written with clarity, conviction, and compassion, You May Conquer is not about avoiding adversity—it is about transforming it. It is a book for anyone who has been tested, knocked down, or underestimated, and who still believes that the struggle can produce something greater.
The message is clear: adversity is not the end. It is the training ground. And you, too, may conquer.
Discovering Her Courage
Flee follows a Marine Reserve and librarian-in-training, who, while on a bus journey to a family reunion, ends up in a desperate fight for survival after a nuclear catastrophe devastates Washington State. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In Escape, the first book in the Haven series, survivors make their way to Haven in waves—some travel alone, some in groups, some are injured, and some barely hold on. As I wrote the story, I realized that not everyone could reach safety at the same time. Some characters are close, while others are far away, trapped in the chaos when the world ended. This opened the door for individual stories of struggle, loss, and survival to unfold simultaneously.
While I worked through book one, Sadie’s absence lingered as a question—for me and, eventually, for readers. Flee grew out of my need to answer it. I wanted to explore the survival of someone without immediate shelter, someone caught in transit when everything collapsed, and someone forced to fight—both physically and emotionally—to make it home.
Sadie is a woman with strength and incredible intellect. What do you think makes her a valuable and worthy heroine?
In Escape, I introduced the “five musketeers.” Three of the women are entering adulthood, and Sadie has always been the instigator. While Beth is quieter and still discovering her courage, Sadie knows her own strength and intellect—and isn’t afraid to use them. She may possess the drive to take what she wants out of life, but she falters with love and vulnerability. Sadie challenges the control men in her life exert upon her, pushing her to rebel. Her journey is about finding balance—between strength and trust—and that evolution truly defines her as a heroine.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
I’m a visual person, so to write action scenes with weapon elements, I needed to first understand fighting techniques and the moves involved. Watching my son earn his junior black belt in Taekwondo taught me a lot in real time—especially about defending yourself in various positions and how hard it is to fight for your life. Understanding the difference between weight classes and genders was also crucial. You can be small and still cause damage, but at what cost? Then there’s the added layer of weapons and the types that may be involved. As Sadie says, “Knife trumps stick.” She knew there would be a cost, though.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Even though the women are my protagonists, my two secondary characters, Donovan and Hoss, stayed at the forefront of my mind during these two books. Donovan is an open book to my readers. He craves control to maintain stability in his life and demands it from his children and everyone around him. Hoss, on the other hand, is a laid-back, “you do you” kind of man. My readers know little about him—something I intentionally kept vague—but there are breadcrumbs scattered throughout if they look closely enough.
After doing their family trees, I realized I gave Donovan more daughters and Hoss more sons. I researched which gender was easier to raise, and the results were interesting, so I played on that. (Sons are easier, it appears.)
Beth isn’t blood-related, so I started with her story first in Escape. The found-family trope is strong throughout my stories. In Flee, we circle back to follow Donovan’s oldest, Sadie, as she battles to reach Haven. Donovan’s second oldest, Gina, appears in Beth’s story and continues her journey in the second book. In the third and fourth books, Hoss’s family becomes my focus, revealing more about Hoss’s background. Though he might sport funny sayings on his t-shirts and love recon, Hoss has many layers to peel back.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Facing the collapse of civilization, a feisty and independent young woman embarks on a perilous adventure that pushes her to her limits and challenges her long-held goals.
The missile marked the beginning of Sadie’s nightmare. The demands of a crumbling society, dangerous terrain, and her own weakening, feverish body will test her courage.
Sadie wants to flee to the safety of her family’s compound, where Liam waits, and the ache in her chest is a constant reminder of her feelings for him.
Despite his calm exterior, Liam anxiously awaits Sadie’s arrival. More questions than answers remain: Where is Sadie? Why hasn’t she made it to Haven like the fortunate few?
Hunter has his own plans. Escaping the taint of his family’s criminal past puts him in Sadie’s path. She struggles to trust him. Forced together, their connection deepens, placing her family and all of Haven in extraordinary danger.
Survival depends on Sadie taking control of her own life and deciding whom to trust and whom to love. Her decision could set her free…or destroy her and everyone she loves.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Haven with these memorable characters, experiencing twists and turns you look for in a fast-paced, gripping read.
A tangled web of love, shifting loyalties, and explosive conflicts drives the Haven series forward, with the same intensity and passion as Kyla Stone’s Edge of collapse saga.
Literary Titan Gold Award Winner
New Dreams and Career Possibilities
Charli’s Pawsome Park follows a curious girl who meets a landscape architect and wonders if she could design her own dog park, so with the help of her friends, she does, but not without some challenges. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I taught 2nd and 3rd Grade, and I well remember the perpetual question of “WHY do we need to learn this?” With this series, I’m showing kids the why behind STEM activities and education. I want them to see that STEM can be fun and practically applied. Hopefully, this will open their eyes to new dreams and career possibilities.
Is there anything about Charli that came from yourself or your life experiences?
Like Charli, I’ve always loved school and learning new things. But when I was a child, girls were not really encouraged to pursue STEM fields. I want to help change that narrative so that my own granddaughters and their peers know that they can choose any educational and career paths they desire.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
Chapter 3 shows Charli and Molly brainstorming ideas for the dorsal device. This scene introduces the themes that are more deeply explored in the rest of the book: leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, empathy, and female empowerment.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Charli and the direction of the next book?
Charli’s Dorsal Device: An Engineering Adventure is Book #3 in this series. In it, Charli owns her engineering company and designs a GPS tracking device for a dolphin.
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Women Pushing Back
Bound in Flames follows a young woman whose long-buried magic rears its head during a moment of fear and fury as she copes with her particularly brutal life. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The Savage Hearts series has been taking shape in my head for nearly ten years. I wanted to explore the darker side of an oppressive kingdom, specifically what happens when a single religion is allowed to control politics and power, and how easily that leads to cruelty being justified as righteousness.
I also wanted to flip a familiar fantasy narrative. In this world, humans are the villains, while the “monsters”—the orcs—are largely peaceful, and once lived in harmony with them and their magic before the war. At its core, the series is about resistance, especially women pushing back against systems designed to control and silence them. Each book follows a different FMC who represents a different way of fighting oppression, and despite not being warriors, they continue to stand for what is right.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
The setting was actually fairly solid before I ever put pen to paper. A lot of my early thinking focused on how magic would manifest differently for humans and orcs, and how those differences shaped where and how each culture settled.
The Wild Lands became a space where I could fully embrace the raw and untamed side of the magic system, which naturally led to questions about economics, trade, and survival. From there, I sketched a map, planned trade routes, and used the geography itself as a storytelling tool. I’m a complete nerd when it comes to worldbuilding, so figuring out how everything fits together was honestly my favorite part.
From there, it was a matter of working through where I wanted to have this story start. The initial story that I saw in my head is actually 3rd in the series! I had to back it all the way up to tell the important beginnings of this world.
What was the inspiration for Cleo’s traits and dialogue?
I was getting tired of fantasy heroines who are barely out of their teens, always knew the right thing to do, and were somehow always victorious. I wanted to write a story for me, to create a character where readers sit inside Cleo’s fear and uncertainty as her magic spirals beyond her grasp. She’s 26, anxious, and carrying trauma that seeps into everything she does. Her power is unpredictable at times, and every time she reaches for it, she knows she doesn’t have any control over the consequences.
Her sass is also her armor. It’s the shield she uses to hide her anxiety and keep the world at arm’s length. But around Dex, that edge softens, her defenses dull, and she allows herself to be seen. Even terrified, even knowing her future is uncertain, Cleo chooses to stand with the orcs and protect those she loves. I wanted to remind readers that bravery isn’t the absence of fear. It’s being terrified and choosing to act anyway. Trauma is real, and it’s something I know personally. I wanted to write a character shaped by it, but not defined by it—and to give readers who relate a place to belong.
Where will Book 2 take readers? When can we expect to see it released?
Kneel in the Ashes releases June 1st, 2026, and takes readers deeper into the Wild Lands and deeper into the rot at the heart of the kingdom. When Rowan saves an orc from Ostelan Knights, she’s pulled into the middle of a brewing war, but this time on the opposite side. Trained by the Church of the Silver Hand in her youth to be a weapon, Rowan was meant to become a monster in the name of righteousness, but she ran instead. 11 years later, she’s seeking redemption for the cruelty carried out in the Church’s name, and vengeance for everything they stole from her childhood.
The book expands the world, revealing the motivations of the Ostelan Crown and the Church, and how deeply corruption has poisoned the kingdom. Each installment in the series offers a different female perspective on life under oppressive rule, and how even the smallest action can turn the tide of war.
No masters. No mercy. No surrender. Welcome to the rebellion.
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When Cleo is rescued by Dex, a ruthless orc chieftain of the Blackfoot Clan, she’s thrust into a world ruled by savage loyalty and primal power. For centuries, the humans and orcs have been locked in brutal war after the Ostelan Crown broke the ancient treaties, driving the orcs into hiding. Now, Cleo’s untamed magic is the key to saving the orcs—but it also tempts her with a darkness she may not escape. As her power grows and her bond with Dex deepens, she faces an impossible choice: choose to fulfill the prophecy, sacrificing herself, or surrender to the seductive magic and risk everything to be with the one she loves.
Dex has vowed to protect his people at any cost, even if it means using the woman fate has bound to him. But Cleo’s fire stirs something primal in him—something far more dangerous than war. As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, Dex must decide whether his duty to his clan outweighs the undeniable pull of his heart.
Let the Story Unfold
Forbidden Runes follows a girl stolen from her royal past and raised in hiding, who grows into a bold young woman using forbidden rune magic to save others, till she is faced with the man she both fears and loves. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration for this novel was a combination of a couple of TV shows that I was watching at the time, along with a few novels that I was reading or had read. Your review seemed to pick up a couple of those inspirational items, which surprised me. I did not believe that I was successful in adding those elements into the story, but I am happy to see that I did.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I don’t want to give too much away, but the setting came from the thought of what happens to magical places when the magic starts dying out. I set this on a ‘small island’ in this world. The magic is dying, although the characters don’t know it. The thing I love about science fiction and fantasy is that I can make anything happen. I hope the changes that take place in the next book will surprise the readers.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I don’t write like other authors. Most authors begin with an outline, with themes, etc. When I write, I base my story on a character and how that character shows me events unfolding. In this book, I didn’t start with a main theme. I knew I wanted it to be on the love story for Anna and Ben, and I knew I wanted the Rune powers to be prevalent. After that, I let the story unfold as I wrote.
When will Book Two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
I am working on book two now and hope to have it ready by September 2026 (if my day job doesn’t get too busy). Book Two will bring to light that the magic was slowly dying off and how they can bring it back to life. It will also expand the setting greatly. More information on the Rune powers will be brought to light along with a few new characters.
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Ben has been hoping that one day he will find his missing childhood love. He never dreamed that they would find her smuggling a caster child out of his kingdom. Now his struggle is to get her to remember her past, avoid a marriage to the new princess of the bordering kingdom, solve the blight issue with his crops, and reunite the two kingdoms. Can his love for Anna be enough to solve all these problems?
Trade-Offs
Crossfire follows a high-powered executive who is struggling to juggle corporate pressure, family expectations, and the uneasy beginnings of an environmental partnership that pushes her boundaries. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I am fascinated by the impact of each choice we make in life, and each benefit requires a sacrifice, no matter how small. I wanted to use the green energy debate to show how small decisions really add up over time. For the series inspiration, I think we have so many books focused on coming-of-age stories, decisions that define the original trajectory of a life in early adulthood, but few dealing with middle age, which is where I wanted to focus. This first book series looks at a woman in the middle of her life, reflecting back on all those trade-offs she’s made—like choosing career over family, or balancing what she believes about the environment with what’s actually practical. I was most inspired by the idea that all these choices we think are separate actually connect and end up shaping where we land in life, but one or two different decisions can change everything at any point.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
It was important that Moirin, the main character, remained deeply committed to her convictions while being unyieldingly tough and independent in the workplace, yet vulnerable and yearning in her personal life.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This series explores the experiences of women in midlife, and a common theme is the impact of life choices, such as prioritizing work over having a family or vice versa. I wanted to explore this with the extra layer of the moral, ethical, and financial choices made on behalf of a corporation. Every choice each of us makes impacts not only what we expect, but often has implications we could have never imagined. The results end up being our legacy in life, and the ultimate choices Moirin made.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
The next book in the series follows Jo Sanderson, Moirin’s best friend, who is dealing with the midlife financial challenges of a widow who loses her job, but a deeper struggle is at play with overcoming decades of loss and grief. As a result of her history, she developed a people-pleasing personality, constantly seeking to support the dreams of others, even those deceased, at the sacrifice of her own. It’s another story of growth that has a lot of cowboy and Wyoming outdoor influences. It will be available by mid-year 2026.
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Everyone around her marked the passage of time through celebrations of weddings, anniversaries and graduations, measuring life success through joy in family portraits. Everyone else had a life with husbands and wives, children, grandchildren. Moirin has a cat named Orson.
After decades spent building her grandfather’s Denver-based energy company into an international corporation, she’s poised to be the next CEO, when the Board of Directors announced a rigorous vetting process, ostensibly to avoid nepotism. It should have been a formality, but the challenges of an environmental impact study, resolving a string of increasingly suspicious management issues, and a vindictive business associate aren’t helping her pass their scrutiny.
When she meets a state brand inspector and team roping cowboy, his pragmatic outlook and life philosophy challenge her ideas about environment, life, and legacy. On the verge of achieving everything she’d worked for, Moirin Garrett wonders – had she made the right choices in life? At this stage, was it too late to change her legacy?
LITERARY TITAN 