Empowering Family Members
Tiger and My Eye Patch follows a young girl bullied for wearing an eye patch to correct her vision whose courage becomes evident when she sets out to save her canine companion. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve noticed many elementary school students are reluctant to wear their glasses and eye patches because they’re worried about being ridiculed by peers. I was diagnosed with amblyopia or lazy eye as a child and experienced similar angst, prompting me to write Tiger and My Eye Patch. As I began outlining the story, I considered opening with a scene of two boys taunting the main character and pointing at her glasses and eye patch as she enters the classroom. Instead, the story begins with the main character smiling as she prepares to spend the summer with her grandparents and their Great Dane Tiger in Johnson City. This setup or opening scene places the focus on empowering family members rather than unkind classmates. I think this positive emphasis is more helpful to young readers.
Is there anything that you now wish you had included in Colleen’s story?
After Tiger and My Patch was released, I reflected on two things that could have been included in the book. I think a section with tips for parents and teachers to motivate children to wear their glasses and eye patches would be helpful. Also, a list of nonprofit organizations that give unwanted Great Danes a second chance could raise awareness about these volunteer initiatives. If an updated version of my book is released, I’ll add these resources.
Do you have a favorite moment in the book? One that was especially enjoyable to write?
The entire story rekindles fond memories of spending school vacations with my grandparents and their gentle giant. One of my favorite scenes is the pivotal moment the little girl in the story realizes she can rescue Tiger when he’s stuck in the middle of a busy street. I think this scene shows children that their unique traits can help others and solve problems. I particularly enjoyed writing this part of the story because throughout my childhood my late grandmother liked retelling the story of how I assisted local police officers coax Tiger back to safety whenever he got loose during my summer visits. “When you called him with your little voice, he’d come,” she said. “Tiger listened only to you.”
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on rewriting two children’s stories featuring Baxter the Beagle that I originally wrote to read to my elementary students. In Baxter’s DelightfullyDifferent Book Club, Baxter discovers the rewards of accepting differences and bypassing stereotypes. In The Super Beagle of Kindness, Baxter uncovers the power of treating others with compassion and empathy. Both fiction narratives provide young readers with life lessons in a lighthearted and entertaining way. The stories are scheduled for release in 2026.
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Be Recognized: The AI Authority Engine for Experts Who Want to Be Known, Be Profitable, and Be Published
Be Recognized: The AI Authority Engine for Experts Who Want to Be Known, Be Profitable, and Be Published is a fast and bold guide that lays out a clear path for experts who want to build authority, grow a business, and embrace AI instead of fearing it. The authors walk through the changing landscape of visibility, the rise of AI content systems, and the steps entrepreneurs can take to position themselves as leaders. They explain why a book becomes the defining asset of your brand and how AI tools can turn that book into the engine that powers visibility, sales, and long-term authority. The chapters move from mindset to practical frameworks to future strategy, and the message stays consistent. If you want to be seen, you must publish, position yourself, and build systems that keep working even when you’re offline.
The writing is direct and friendly, and at times it feels like the authors are sitting across from you, reminding you to stop hiding and start owning your voice. I liked how many of the ideas blend personal stories with straightforward instruction. The concept that visibility is now the real currency really resonated with me. The book makes that point over and over again. The warnings about staying invisible stung me a little because they rang true to me. The energy of the writing kept pulling me forward, with short lines and a clear push to take action, not just learn.
What surprised me most was how emotional some of it felt. The authors challenge you to look at your habits, your excuses, and your fears about being seen. I appreciated how they fold AI into the story without making it cold or mechanical. Instead of painting AI as some giant force, they describe it as a partner that reinforces the voice you already have. I laughed a few times at the casual jokes and real-life examples because they made the ideas easier to absorb. The book doesn’t pretend the world hasn’t changed. It just says, “Here’s how you keep up and stay ahead.” That honesty gave the whole thing a stronger punch.
I walked away thinking this book would be great for any entrepreneur, consultant, coach, or leader who knows they have something meaningful to say but hasn’t put their message into the world in a strong way. It’s especially good for people who feel overwhelmed by AI or by the constant pressure to create content. The tone makes the process feel doable. The steps feel practical. And the push to publish a book as a core authority move really stands out. If you want a clear path to getting noticed and building a smarter business, this book is a solid choice.
Pages: 234 | ASIN : B0FS2C5MFH
Awareness of Life’s Purpose
The Diary of Vivienne tells the story of a society through the eyes of Vivienne and Richard, as they navigate strife, natural disasters, and moral decay while following the teachings of a mysterious entity called Neferatu. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The spirit world is enmeshed in our physical existence whether or not we are aware of it. Much of what we witness in the world has a spiritual basis. There is the famous dictum: “The devil made me do it.” We often speak of a good angel sitting on one shoulder while an evil one perches on the other. These are telling. What drives us has its origins in the subtle realms – the spiritual world. Having a figure like Neferatu playing such a significant role in the life of the protagonist and other characters is indicative of this reality.
This is an intriguing setup to a novel that is high in social commentary. What was your moral goal when writing this novel, and do you feel you’ve achieved it?
The goal has always been enlightenment, meaning, our awareness of life’s purpose. The novel strives to promote this through the centrality of the mythic figure, Neferatu. Amid greed, selfishness, and the violence we create out of ignorance, there are seeds of goodness that grow in us, if we but allow them. The dissolution of evil is always imminent. The ‘Diary’ never swerves from this truth.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
Suffering. We all suffer – no matter our station in life. This is indisputable. Suffering is arguably the nature of the human condition. We suffer not only physically, but morally, emotionally, and psychologically. And throughout, we strive to surmount this enduring pain using every method known. This is in itself is intriguing and the basis of every literary endeavor that captures the imagination.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Diary of Vivienne?
That we are spirits experiencing a physical existence; and that ultimately we must journey home to our origins – pure and unblemished; that our experience here is transient but significant, for without its many challenges, we cannot attain enlightenment. Without surmounting our every challenge, we cannot journey home victorious.
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The plot unfolds against a backdrop of war, suffering, and societal collapse, set in the future, where characters grapple with existential crises and moral dilemmas. The narrative explores the complexity of human nature – our ability to be both selfless and destructive – and delves deeply into spirituality, particularly through a figure called Neferatu, a mysterious entity whose teachings shape the lives of the characters.
As the world moves through strife, natural disasters, and moral decay, the characters, led by Vivienne, struggle to survive and make sense of their circumstances. The story transitions from this chaos into a utopia, where peace and enlightenment reign. However, it poses critical questions about idealism and whether humanity can truly learn from its mistakes or is doomed to repeat them.
BLOATER
BLOATER delivers a dark crime thriller built around a string of shocking murders that leave victims grotesquely inflated and displayed like macabre parade balloons. The investigation falls to FBI agents Camby and Lanquist, who slowly uncover a connection between the killings and the victims’ histories of cruelty and bigotry. Alongside this, the novel follows the psychological collapse of Dr. Jeremiah Nowak, a neurosurgeon devastated by his wife’s sudden death. These narrative threads pull together into a grim exploration of vengeance, morality, and the terrifying lengths a disturbed mind might go to when fixated on the idea of consequences for unkindness.
I found the story vivid and unsettling in a way that held my attention even when the scenes made me squirm. The writing moved quickly and often felt cinematic, especially during the forensic sequences. The author had a knack for describing grotesque details with a strange mix of matter-of-fact precision and emotional punch, which made the book feel alive and twitching under my hands. Sometimes the tone veers into almost playful banter between the agents, which gave me a moment to breathe, then the next chapter plunged me back into grisly territory. I liked that rhythm. It kept me alert. It kept me guessing whether I should laugh, grimace, or look away for a second.
The victims were not random. They were people who had spent their lives spreading cruelty, and the killer seemed obsessed with correcting what he saw as a moral imbalance. That idea rattled me. The story poked at the question of whether words can wound deeply enough to trigger monstrous retaliation, and I appreciated that the author let the ugliness of that question sit there without softening it. A few moments felt a bit on the nose, but the emotional force carried the story and made those moments feel raw rather than preachy.
BLOATER left me with a mix of shock, curiosity, and an odd sympathy for characters who were messy, flawed, and sometimes unbearable. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy crime fiction that leans boldly into horror, to anyone who likes investigative banter paired with stomach-turning forensic scenes, and to those who are comfortable questioning the line between justice and obsession.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0G1BJNDM3
Of Hunters and Magi
Of Hunters and Magi opens on a world shaped by old gods, buried truths, and people trying to live with the ruins the divine left behind. The story follows Bronwyn Amynta, a soldier carrying the weight of her homeland’s survival, and her uneasy partnership with Defurge, a once mad god now stripped back to something like a man. Their hunt for a lost artifact leads them through empty towns, strange magic, a deadly cassolisk, and the lingering shadow of a demigoddess whose marble remains hint at a frightening past. The world feels wide and lived in, and the early chapters mix danger, mystery, and emotion in a way that pulled me in right away.
I found myself hooked by the writing’s steady rhythm. The prose sits in that sweet spot between clean and vivid. It gives you enough detail to picture the scene without dragging you through it. I liked how the story takes its time letting Bronwyn think. Her doubts, her loyalties, and the fears she won’t admit come through in small moments that feel honest. The book plays with tension in clever ways. Quiet scenes hum with unease, and loud scenes carry a kind of messy panic that feels real. Sometimes the pacing slows a bit, especially when characters get lost in their own heads, but even then I never felt pushed out of the story.
The ideas running underneath the action kept surprising me. I didn’t expect the gods to feel so flawed or so tired, and I didn’t expect the world to feel so wounded by them. The theme of identity shows up again and again. Defurge is trying to understand who he is without his divine madness. Bronwyn is trying to decide who she wants to be when duty keeps shifting under her feet. Even the creatures and ruins around them feel like echoes of choices made long before they were born. I liked that. It gave the adventure weight. At the same time, I sometimes wished the book would loosen its grip on lore. There are moments when the explanations pile up and interrupt the natural flow of things. Still, the heart of the story stays clear and strong.
By the end, I felt fully invested in these characters and the deep strangeness of the world they’re walking through. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy that leans into emotion as much as action, folks who like stories about broken gods and stubborn heroes, and anyone who appreciates a world that feels old and full of secrets. If you like journeys that test trust, push people to their limits, and stir up complicated feelings along the way, this one will sit nicely on your shelf.
Pages: 370 | ASIN: B0FBJP74BP
Comfrey, Wyoming Book 4: Black Sheep, Black Sheep
Black Sheep, Black Sheep, the fourth book in the Comfrey, Wyoming series by Daphne Birkmyer, is a layered family novel that follows intertwined lives shaped by love, secrecy, disability, and belonging. The story moves between past and present, with a strong focus on Melissa McNabb and the people orbiting her world, from siblings and parents to lovers, friends, and the quiet town that absorbs them all. It explores what family really means, how truth surfaces whether invited or not, and how difference can be both a burden and a gift.
What struck me first was the writing itself. It feels intimate and patient. The prose slows down when it needs to. It lingers on small moments. A look, a gesture, a habit. I felt close to these characters very quickly. Melissa especially stayed with me. Her inner world is rendered with care and respect, and I felt protective of her almost right away. The author never rushes her. That choice made me emotional more than once. I found myself smiling at her sharp humor and aching during her quieter struggles.
The ideas in this book landed hard for me. It takes on autism, family secrets, chosen family, and loyalty without preaching. It trusts the reader. I liked that nothing was neat. People mess up. They love fiercely and badly at the same time. I felt anger toward some choices and deep empathy for others. The theme of being the odd one out hit close to home. The black sheep idea is not just symbolic. It feels lived in.
Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, this book feels quieter and more grounded. Where Eleanor Oliphant uses sharp humor and big emotional swings, Black Sheep, Black Sheep slowly reveals its heart in smaller, steadier moments. I would recommend Black Sheep to readers who love character-driven stories and emotional realism. It is a good fit for people who enjoy family sagas, small-town settings, and emotional books that make you think. It is especially meaningful for readers interested in neurodivergent characters written with warmth and depth.
Pages: 450 | ASIN : B0FY8W9LGM
Forbidden Runes: The Caster Chronicles – Book 1
Brandi Mendenhall’s Forbidden Runes follows Anna, 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 while unknowingly stepping straight back into the path of the man she once loved and now fears. The story blends court intrigue, dangerous magic, childhood bonds, betrayal, and simmering romance. It begins with tragic loss, grows into a tale of resilience, and lands squarely in the middle of a kingdom at war with itself.
I found myself pulled into the writing right away. The pacing swings fast, then slows without warning, and I actually liked that. It made me feel a little off balance in the same way Anna is always off balance. The scenes are vivid and sometimes wild, full of strong emotion and desperate choices, and the style leans into the drama with gusto. The author writes with heart. Sometimes the prose gets indulgent or leans heavily on descriptive beats, but the feelings behind it are real, and that kept me turning the pages. I cared about Anna. I cared about the danger. I cared about the mess her memories kept making for her.
The way the story looks at power and who gets to hold it felt clever and surprisingly raw. I loved the tension between personal freedom and the weight of duty. I loved how the book toys with the idea that love can both steady a person and ruin them. Ben and Anna’s connection made me want to root for them. Their chemistry is thick, and their misunderstandings made me want to yell at them. The magic system is fun and spooky and sometimes a little chaotic, and I enjoyed that too. It feels dangerous. It feels alive. It feels like something that can save a life or tear one apart.
By the end, I felt satisfied and also itching for the next book. Forbidden Runes reminded me of Throne of Glass mixed with a touch of Shadow and Bone, only sharper in emotion and bolder in its magic. If you like fast emotional swings, big romantic tension, magic that bites, royalty behaving badly, and heroines who dig deep even when the world is stacked against them, this one will hit the spot.
Pages: 214 | ASIN : B0BBH2GSD1
Angel of Death
Angel of Death spins together a murder mystery, an Irish family drama, and a dark plunge into corruption that stretches from quiet boglands to a billionaire’s island fortress. The story follows Detective Trey O’Driscoll as a skeleton turns up in a Kerry bog and the death of his brother-in-law shatters his home life. One discovery leads to another. Drugs hiding inside sports supplements. A charming but monstrous tycoon who toys with lives. A journalist pulled into danger. And a trail that runs all the way to a final confrontation where everything breaks apart. The book moves with steady tension as it threads family, grief, crime, and obsession into one long tightening knot.
I found myself pulled in by the rawness of its emotion. The writing has a rough edge that hits hard. Scenes jump from tender to brutal so fast that it left me blinking, which I actually liked. The everyday details of Ireland feel lived in. The bogs, the farms, the crowded roads, the pubs, the families that love each other and fight each other. It all rang true. I kept feeling a strange mix of calm and dread because the book sits with grief in such a natural way. Trey’s inner life, shaped by past mistakes and a sense of fate, hooked me more than the plot twists did. The man hurts, and that hurt pulses through the pages.
The story goes big with its villain. Charlie Teeman is wild. Cold and flashy and cruel. His scenes shocked me, partly because he is written with such quiet confidence in his own power. I felt a jolt each time he appeared. It is outrageous and almost unbelievable, yet the book commits to him so fully that I went along for the ride. The mix of intimate Irish realism and high-voltage crime thriller sometimes felt like two different worlds stitched together. It worked for me, though. I found myself flipping pages fast, curious to see which world would take over next.
Angel of Death is full of tragedy and violence, but it also carries a stubborn hope for justice and love. I would recommend Angel of Death to readers who enjoy crime fiction with heart, people who like Irish settings, and anyone who wants a story that swings between gritty truth and dramatic flair. If you like mysteries that carry emotional weight along with danger, this one will suit you well.
Pages: 253 | ASIN: B0B9T3CQPY
LITERARY TITAN 