Blog Archives
Perceived Predictability
Inheriting Karma follows a man hiding in plain sight whose cover is blown, sending his life into chaos and forcing him to scramble to hold it all together with the least amount of casualties. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The question itself holds the key to my answer. I’m the type of guy who needs a challenge. Predictable outcomes send me packing from the story. I write how I feel, so having a man hiding in plain sight with a perceived predictability lets me shock the reader.
I thank you for your review; it truly nails my intention when writing stories. It’s no secret that my series is not for everyone. Characters who die in the first book are still big participants in follow-ups. For the reader, they are tasked with trying to follow the depth of karma each actor’s actions create.
What inspired your characters’ interactions and backstories?
Growing up, I didn’t have to go far for what I now call Safari Hunts. Challenging Karma was meant as a one-off, keep a last promise to my mom. So many family traits make up the characters. Mam’s boob magnet eyes, Francois’ inventing new dishes and making everyone try it, Ray’s never buying new clothes, and love of pickles.
Backstories are a blend of daydreaming, people-watching, and engagement. When my tenth draft of Challenging Karma shocked my mom into trying to talk me out of using its ending, I knew I had a formula that I couldn’t change.
By nature, I’m a puzzle solver; even playing cards, it has to be a strategic game or I get bored (any bridge players who can help educate)? Even now, I have to slow down because I write an interaction that leads to a fifth, sixth, or even seventh book storyline. For example, lawyer Charlene Reece was supposed to die in Surviving Karma then a daydream brought her story to a new level. Her Karma story really expands in Reciprocating Karma, coming out later this month.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
For me, the story takes the reader so many miles down a path only to reach a time when the puzzle hits a three-pronged crossroads. Again, your reviewer nailed it when he said he had to go back to adjust his thoughts. So far, the twists exist on these three paths: believe what you think you read, go back to change your thinking, or go forward with expected outcomes.
The twist, although meant to shock, is a kind of progression of events that fills a lot of our current news cycles. Serial Killers in #1. A wrongfully convicted prisoner seeks payback in #2. Criminal organizations use public events to further their goals in #3. And #4, where a vigilante will seek retribution for the deaths of loved ones.
The premise, “Walk in another’s shoes,” is how I try to develop the story. Hence, the need for a comedic slowdown, weird encounter, or stubborn quirk. I want unique characters that readers can relate to. Reciprocating Karma introduces Carlee. Her sports story is one such lighter moment. But even while writing it, I could picture my wife actually living that experience (before she married a sports nut, of course).
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Beta readers for #4, Reciprocating Karma compare it to a movie that has caused many a conversation about whether it’s a Christmas movie or a thriller during the holiday season. It comes out in the next few weeks, so readers will have to pick a side. Yes, there’s a shock, but its subtitle causes a self-review of one’s own life.
The future in my Karma world has at least two more shocks to provide. In fact, both #5 and #6 are ripping through pages (I handwrite every first draft). But with Karma being such a wide open source of inspiration, seven will start filling dreams soon.
Author Links: Goodreads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
Runs parallel to the soon to be released crossover book #4 ‘Reciprocating Karma!’
One oversight is all it took to turn hunters against him. Legal documents record his real name as Wilson O’Reilly instead of Forrest Clay, but his involvement with Ricky Topin going rogue brightens the already dual personality spotlight. Two criminal accomplices vie for attention over the one true love Wilson has ever experienced, a cop.
Once word spread of his link to Topin’s murderous rage, hiding in plain sight no longer became a possibility. Or just maybe? A boss to one, partner to another, and enemy to the third person, O’Reilly weaves his circumstances toward a solution. Although for him to walk the streets again, past friends may die, organizations receive new leadership, and cops become targets.
Although fluid, the first seed planted is to use his onetime lovers, position against her. A simple warning of an assassination attempt piques interest until the offspring of a former gangster ‘Inherits Karma’ from his father. One kill shot setting the stage for O’Reilly to regain the blessings of freedom.
Stuck in quicksand, law enforcement takes the case, international. Thrilling mind games culminate in a three-minute window, where survival becomes a scene of chaos.
Romantic Renderings
The Empathy of Rain is a lyrical collection of poems that uses rain, in all its moods and forms, as a mirror for human feeling. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
When I finished my first book, Turbulent Waves, which explores the human condition under conditions of emotional turbulence (think of the global pandemic and the change in American politics), I wanted to move away from turbulent conditions to one more in step with nature, so I picked the various forms of rain as a conduit for the empathy that surrounds us.
How did you decide on the themes that run throughout your poetry book?
This was actually the easy part; as I used all of the various types of rain as the overall themes, and once I had my content, I matched each poem to the specific form of rain, including “coronal rain,” which is rain that falls onto the photosphere of the sun.
Do you have a favorite poem in the book, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?
“Melancholy’s Ghost”
January’s angel touched me with an afternoon kiss
As she spied Melancholy’s ghosts dining on my mind
Like lost desert rain that never finds the ground here
She weeps as they huddle together waiting in the sky.
We met one day as a lover’s glance bid me farewell
You will learn to sleep with me as my dreams are yours
And as the days fall in love with years, I will never leave
Let me fill the rooms of your mind with my children.
Her eyes implored, why do you love everyone, darling?
Desert sand covered a blue sky as lips prayed to answer
Yet only the sun could taste my desolate reply to her
Like the rain, my words stolen away by her sweet breath.
Most of my poetry is essentially enigmatic, melancholic, and romantic renderings. If there’s a common denominator that courses through our minds, it’s our emotional dialogue regarding love: lost and found. This poem considers such musings as a ghost of our electricity, which never quite fades away.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
I began writing poetry six years ago when the global pandemic began. It would take me over an hour to write a poem that would work in a Twitter “tweet” back then. Prior to that, I had written software technical documentation for thirty-five years, so I was completely comfortable using language as a tool to express difficult conditions or situations. Since then, I have written 2500 poems, self-published my first book, published #2 & #3 via two publishing houses, and I am well into finishing #4. As I look back over the evolution of my poetry, I can easily see how my thoughts have matured and deepened regarding how to express the enigmatic melancholy that comes to mind when my muse, Calliope, shares a thought. I write listening to music via vinyl records, and it’s the vibe rather than the lyrics that creates the river for my poetic meanderings, and now the entire process takes half the time to complete compared to my initial poems.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
A Curse or a Gift
Apadora Rising follows a young prince thrust into impossible battles and choices, wrestling with magic, loss, and the burden of leadership. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration stemmed from a blend of mythology, real-world history, and the profound emotional complexities of growing up under pressure. I have always been drawn to stories where young leaders are forced to grow up too quickly. In this case, it is where the weight of the crown is more curse than a gift.
I tried to explore what would happen if a teen were suddenly responsible for many lives, a kingdom, and the fate of magic itself. The story grew out of that tension: the clash between destiny and personal choice, the cost of leadership, and the emotional toll of loss at a young age. Magic in this world became a metaphor for potential—beautiful, dangerous, and unpredictable—just like the prince’s journey
In many coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
Authors always leave pieces of themselves in their stories, and Apadora Rising is no different. For me, it was the group of friends. Barrett and his friends reflect the bond I shared with my own friends during my youth. The way they support each other, challenge one another, and stay loyal even when everything around them is falling apart—it all came from real experiences. We faced our own battles, not with swords or magic, but with life, and that kind of friendship leaves a mark. Writing their dynamic was one of the most natural and heartfelt parts of the book, because it came from something very real.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
Book #3, The King’s Ascent, takes a darker turn as the series moves toward its climax. With the stakes higher than ever, Barrett and his friends will face overwhelming odds, uncover a traitor hidden in plain sight, and fight to prevent their city from collapsing into despair under the Bureau’s tightening grip. Every lingering question will finally be answered.
As with the previous books, the friends’ lives are filled with tough choices that will test their loyalties. The journey concludes with heart, sacrifice, and an emotional farewell that will hopefully stay with readers long after the final page.
Author Links: Website | LinkedIn
Declaring all magic forbidden, the Bureau brands Barrett and his allies as enemies of the realm. As the friends prepare to flee, a ghostly vision of Alesta appears, begging for rescue. She is imprisoned by Apadora, a malevolent force long confined to the Outerworld.
Apadora, the embodiment of ancient evil, has waited centuries for her chance to return. As her release draws near, the very fabric of the western lands is threatened. Now, Barrett and his companions face rival factions as they race to find the key to either bind or unleash her.
Orphaned, homeless, and hunted, the exiled prince must choose between reclaiming his kingdom or restraining the evil tide poised to sweep across the western lands.
Adventures, Fun, and Lots of Love
Fun Farm Adventures with Cadie the Rescue Dog follows a bouncy, lovable rescue pup as she explores barns, meets baby animals, tastes honey, and even gets a ride on a big green tractor. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration is of course, Cadie. She had a horrible life before she was rescued and we adopted her. I wanted her to live out her days with adventures, fun, and lots of love! My other inspirations are my great nephews, who I originally wrote the books for!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to share the importance of farms. I try to include learning facts for the kids (and sometimes the adults) who read my books! Also, that rescuing a dog can give you so much joy- especially while taking them on adventures with you!
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Although I love all of the farm animals, I loved writing the scene with Cadie wanting to ride the green tractor! Also, I was very happy to incorporate my parents as characters in the book as they are my biggest supporters!
I find a problem in well-written stories, in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there another book planned?
Yes!!! Book #1 in the series- Awesome Adventures with Cadie the Rescue Dog is already out. This book-Fun Farm Adventures with Cadie the Rescue Dog– is book #2 in the Adventures With Cadie Kids Book series. We hope to have book #3, Zany Zoo Adventures with Cadie the Rescue Dog, out later this year!!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Follow Cadie, a rescued pup from a high kill shelter in Texas, as she embarks on her next adventure at a farm. Meet different animals and learn all about farm life as Cadie explores alongside a farmer. She also will meet a veterinarian and the farmer’s wife!
With charming illustrations and lovable characters, “Fun Farm Adventures with Cadie the Rescue Dog” is the perfect read for families who love animals and adventure. Join Cadie on her journey to live happily ever after and order your copy today!
Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power: A New Path to Love, Happiness, and Abundance Using Yoga’s Ancient Niyama Wisdom
Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power is a warm and lively dive into the often-overlooked Niyamas of Yoga philosophy, presented through a mix of ancient wisdom, storytelling, simple exercises, and meditation practices. Glenn Ballantyne and Bobby Hart set out to teach readers how self-discipline, self-study, contentment, devotion, and purification can bring authentic happiness and fulfillment. Using personal stories, beautiful illustrations, and clear, inviting language, they show how these old ideas can fit into very modern lives.
One of the first aspects that stood out to me was the book’s approachable and engaging tone. Rather than reading like a rigid yoga manual, it feels like an insightful conversation with two experienced and thoughtful guides, each drawing from decades of dedicated spiritual practice. The section where Glenn tells the story of being late for his high school dance because he got stuck spinning donuts in the snow made me laugh out loud. It perfectly sets up his larger point about how unconscious habits can steer our lives in the wrong direction. There’s a real emotional honesty here, no preaching, no pretending perfection, which makes the wisdom feel reachable rather than intimidating.
The second thing that stood out to me was the way they weave ancient and modern worlds together. The authors reference the Bhagavad Gita and ancient yogic practices but also talk about Steve Jobs, brain chemistry, and even teenage struggles with self-esteem. In “Your Vast, Unseen Storehouse of Potential,” they tell Steve Jobs’ adoption story as a way to show how hardship can lead to incredible innovation. That mix of old and new kept things fresh and alive for me. It also made the deeper message, about finding your purpose and connecting to your “hidden soul power,” feel very real and urgent, not like some distant, mystical ideal.
I really appreciated how actionable the book is. It doesn’t just inspire; it gives you things to do. Each Niyama section includes a meditation, a yoga pose, affirmations, and a self-reflection worksheet. Chapter 24, “Worksheet #3: Your Third Eye Visualization,” offers a fun, creative exercise that actually got me thinking differently about my personal goals. I’m usually skeptical of workbook sections in spiritual books, but here it felt natural and even exciting, like the authors were giving me little keys to unlock my own insight rather than handing down a list of chores.
Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power is a joyful and encouraging book. It would be perfect for anyone who’s a little burned out on “pop spirituality” and wants something deeper but still easy to understand. Beginners to yoga philosophy will find it accessible, and even seasoned practitioners might find their spirits lifted by the humor, personal stories, and fresh perspectives. Personally, it made me want to dust off my meditation cushion, and more importantly, it made me want to believe in my own hidden soul power a little more.
Pages: 304 | ASIN : B0DHT1DQ8C
Fun-Loving, Intelligent Women
The Sole Sisters follows a retired defense attorney who teams up with a quirky group of women to investigate her husband’s murder. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
For the past 10 years, I have been co-leader of The Villages True Crime Book Club. Our community is sometimes called ‘A drinking community with a golfing problem’. We have over 100 members, 70% of whom are women. Our group of women resembles Noah’s Ark; we have one of everything. I took bits and pieces of the members and developed a group of fun-loving, intelligent women, all interested in solving cold cases. Thus began The Sole Sisters.
While living in Washington, D.C., the Beltway Sniper Murders took place. Eleven died as a result. A female FBI officer was shot and killed at a location I had just left. It was an easy step to have the defense attorney husband of The Sole Sisters leader shot by a mysterious sniper. Once the local law enforcement gave up the investigation, the Sole Sisters became the force driving the investigation. The crime taking place in a fictional upscale retirement community known as ‘The Hamlets’ allowed me to tie into many of the real and imagined goings-on of my own community, The Villages, FL. The Sole Sisters, who firmly believe they do not have to follow all those ‘silly rules’ imposed upon law enforcement, begin to identify small pieces of evidence that continue to grow in size.
Which character in the novel do you feel you relate to more and why?
With this being the first of a series. I had a special relationship with each character as they entered the story. A crazy psychiatrist who did his residency at a fertility clinic (who picked up walking around money by being a sperm donor), and his knockout gorgeous fiancée-attorney, provide many opportunities for me to relate to. Of course, Kate, the group leader, is a strong, dominant character. Her husband was shot, and they are going to identify the shooter, even after local law enforcement had given up all hope.
While I can relate to all of them, I suppose my favorite is Linda, who is introduced as the dark angel of death; she ends up being a guardian angel. Who cannot love a beautiful lingerie model/designer, who owns her own very successful business, and has a side job as a professional hitwoman?
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
I’m a planner when it comes to writing; almost everything I do is thought about prior to it happening. Many of the true crime cases our book club was reading at the time involved DNA. That allowed using DNA as key evidence. This allowed me to explore how it could be used and misused. It allowed adversaries of a suspect to wrongfully accuse and prosecute that suspect. Then the surprise ending proves that DNA is not always unique.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The Sole Sisters celebrate their first case success and begin looking for another. The Sole Sisters Case #2, The Hydra begins with a local high school girl’s disappearance. Her kidnapping leads to a local sex trafficking ring. What began as a local case soon goes national and then international. As usual, the Sole Sisters’ rather unorthodox methods allow them to discover items overlooked by local, national, and international law enforcement. This book is currently available on Amazon.com.
Available on Amazon.com late summer 2025 is the third in a series, The Sole Sisters, Case #3: The Crape Myrtle Murders. When naked female and male bodies are discovered at the entrance of Pelican Country Club, law enforcement is stymied. There is no way they can be identified. Just when the community begins to calm down, another two bodies are found at the Bandstand across from City Hall. No fingerprint matches, no DNA matches, no Missing Persons Reports, it’s almost as if they never existed.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Reddit | Amazon
Can’t tell you much more without giving away clues, I know you will enjoy THE SOLE SISTERS..
A Breed of Their Own
Being Middle follows a young girl feeling overlooked and underappreciated as the middle sister in the family, who gradually learns that being in the middle is pretty special. What was the inspiration for your story?
My middle child Ellie was the inspiration for writing this book. I always joke that middle children are a breed of their own because they are so difficult to raise, but there are so many overlooked advantages and qualities that only middle children have. I wanted this book to be a nod to what Ellie puts us through and why she’s so uniquely special to our family.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I always write in rhyme because rhyming books are powerful tools for building foundational literacy skills in early readers. In addition to being engaging and fun, rhyming books help kids anticipate what’s next and aid in sound and pattern recognition.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I loved writing about the middle child getting the hand-me-down shoes because I could actually hear Ellie’s voice in the sentence. Vanessa Alexandre also captured her expression so well!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when is that book due out?
I’d love to build on the BEING ME series and I am tossing around ideas for book #3. HINT – I think for that book, I’m going to focus on how I feel different from others since the first two books were about my children feeling different.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
Being Middle is a heartwarming and playful picture book that celebrates the special role of middle children in family dynamics. With lyrical rhymes and relatable scenarios, it captures the ups and downs of being caught between a big sibling and a little one. From sharing cramped car rides to getting only hand-me-downs, the story explores challenges with humor and honesty—while ultimately revealing why being in the middle is something to treasure.
The second installment of the award-winning Being Me series, this book is perfect for middle children who sometimes feel left out and for families looking to celebrate their unique dynamics. Full of warmth, charm, and an empowering message, Being Middle is perfect for ages 4-8.
Order now to celebrate the middle child in your life—because the middle is a great place to be!
The Hollywood Unicorn
Christine Birch’s The Hollywood Unicorn is an inspiring blend of memoir and corporate survival guide, particularly tailored to women of color navigating the labyrinth of high-stakes business environments. Birch weaves her personal narrative—rooted in resilience and unapologetic ambition—with practical advice, offering readers a toolkit for thriving in spaces that often seem designed to hold them back. From mastering your “zone of genius” to wielding the “wheel of blame” with finesse, the book brims with strategies aimed at empowerment and professional triumph.
What struck me first was the candidness of Birch’s storytelling. She doesn’t sugarcoat her experiences. For instance, the chapter on “Bringing Grit on the Journey” paints a raw and vivid picture of her struggles and triumphs in Hollywood. Her description of navigating corporate America as a woman of color was not only relatable but also inspiring.
I also loved her concept of the “business alter ego” introduced in Lesson #3. Birch explains how crafting an empowered, professional persona helped her overcome bias and navigate the challenges of corporate culture. She shows us how to balance authenticity with the calculated strength required in professional settings. This section is a game-changer for anyone looking to claim their space unapologetically.
The Hollywood Unicorn is a must-read for women of color in the corporate world, but its wisdom extends far beyond its intended audience. If you’re a professional looking to navigate power dynamics with confidence or simply someone who loves stories of grit and innovation, this book will resonate. Christine Birch’s voice is equal parts relatable and formidable—like getting advice from a fiercely supportive friend who’s seen it all and still dares to dream bigger.
Pages: 80 | ASIN : B0DMXGZRJX
LITERARY TITAN 