Blog Archives
Lady of Lincoln: A Novel of Nicola de la Haye, the Medieval Heroine History Tried to Forget (The Nicola de la Haye Series Book 1)
Lady of Lincoln follows Nicola de la Haye across the turbulent decades of the late 12th and early 13th centuries. She grows from a spirited girl in a world designed to restrain her into a formidable woman who defends Lincoln Castle through riots, betrayals, and war. The story blends intimate personal struggles with sweeping political upheaval. It paints a vivid picture of a society built to ignore women and yet, wonderfully, shows how Nicola breaks through those limits with sheer will. The book traces her early life, the danger around her family’s lands, the rising violence against Jewish residents, and the complicated loyalties that define her fate. It ends by revealing her as a leader who stands firm when England itself seems ready to fall.
I was swept up by the writing. It carries a cinematic quality that shifts easily between tense action and quiet emotional moments. I loved how the scenes inside Lincoln Castle felt alive. The author’s choices made the world vivid without drowning the story in heavy historical detail. The conflicts felt real, especially the fear and confusion inside Aaron the Jew’s house during the riot, which is handled with a sense of urgency and sorrow drawn straight from the text. I was rooting for Nicola not only because she faces danger, but because she thinks and feels her way through it. Her frustration with the role forced on her, her longing for freedom, and her unshaken loyalty to the people under her protection gave the novel a beating heart.
Even more than the action, the emotional through line stayed with me. Nicola’s struggle against the constraints of her gender, her grief, and her desire to shape her own future felt honest and raw. The writing invites empathy without begging for it, and the characters around her carry their own weight. The novel does not hide the cruelty of the age. It does not soften the violence, the discrimination, or the smallness of the choices available to women. At the same time, it shows joy. Friendship. Humor. The warmth inside Bella’s home. Those bright moments made the darker ones hit harder. I appreciated the balance. It felt real.
Lady of Lincoln is emotional without turning sentimental, rich without turning dense, and dramatic without losing grip on the people at its center. I’d recommend Lady of Lincoln to readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction, especially those who like stories that highlight overlooked women. It will appeal to anyone who wants a tale of resilience and grit told with warmth, energy, and heart. A vivid, emotionally charged tale that turns a forgotten heroine into an unforgettable force.
Pages: 493 | ASIN : B0G1ZCJ4ZX
The Clometheons
In The Clometheons, a science fiction novel with a strong spiritual and emotional core, we follow Jenelle, a solitary seamstress living in a remote valley whose life has been shaped by a past lightning strike that nearly burned her world down. When a storm rolls in with lightning that sometimes has no thunder, time that seems to freeze, and a comet-like streak of light that falls into the woods, her private battle with trauma suddenly collides with a much bigger one: an interdimensional conflict between TUPO and the Deugeotvites, watched over by mysterious beings and embodied in things like a glowing orb named Dot and a living doll called Stitch. As Jenelle, her sister Linda, her niece Melissa, and their friends get pulled into this strange war, the book shifts from small, weather-beaten cottage life to questions about peace, restoration, and what it actually means to trust.
The writing leans into vivid, sometimes almost playful description: thunder sounds like trucks in tunnels, storms feel like cauldrons whipped by a cranky wizard, and anxiety is this stomping thing in your gut that will not sit still. I enjoyed that a lot. It gave the science fiction a grounded, sensory feel, like the cosmic story had mud on its boots. I never doubted that the author cared about these characters. Jenelle’s fear of lightning, her stubborn attempts to pull up her big girl pants, and Linda’s protective streak all felt human and messy in a way that suited a character-driven sci-fi story more interested in hearts than hardware.
What surprised me most was how the book handles the big ideas under all the strange terms and factions. On the surface, you have TUPO, Deugeotvites, triglets, and travelers, but underneath that, I heard very familiar questions: What do you do with trauma that never really leaves? Is peace something you fight for or something you receive? How far do you go to keep others safe, even when you are terrified yourself? There is a clear spiritual layer here, not preachy, but present, especially in the way storms, second chances, and “miraculous” timing show up in Jenelle’s life. The science fiction framework lets the author talk about good and evil, loyalty, betrayal, and restoration in a way that feels like a parable in motion. I did feel the book’s length, and sometimes the pacing wandered when I wanted the main conflict to stay sharper.
I felt like I had spent time in a very particular corner of science fiction: one that cares as much about emotional scars as it does about cosmic battles. If you enjoy character-focused, spiritually flavored science fiction that mixes small-town living with interdimensional stakes, and you are okay with some extra flourishes in the prose along the way, The Clometheons will hit that sweet spot. Readers who like their genre stories thoughtful, hopeful, and a bit talky will get the most out of it, especially if they are willing to sit with storms, both in the sky and inside a person’s chest.
Pages: 658 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNYK44LJ
Lucas Cabral and the Secret of the Amazon: The Warriors of Light Series
Lucas Cabral and the Secret of the Amazon sweeps through prophecy, danger, and a race against time as ancient forces stir and evil claws its way toward freedom. The story moves from a cursed Templar temple to modern Brazil, where the birth of three extraordinary children sends shockwaves through the world. As Brotherhood guardians scramble to protect the newborn Warriors of Light, sinister servants of the Lord of Darkness hunt them across continents. The book blends myth, adventure, and heartfelt human moments in a tale about destiny, courage, and the fragile balance between good and evil.
This was an exciting story, and I felt the excitement right from the beginning. The writing has a bold, cinematic quality. At times, it feels intense, even breathless, because danger lurks behind so many corners. I loved how the book shifts between sweeping prophecy and very grounded moments, especially the scenes with Rafael navigating airports while holding onto fear and faith at the same time. The mix of mysticism and real-world tension pulled me along, and that slow but steady buildup was thrilling.
I also felt a warm connection to the characters. Rafael’s devotion struck me deeply. He’s not flashy or loud. He’s steady and scared and determined, which made him feel real to me. Tendy and Paulo brought softness and heart into the story, and the Amazon setting felt rich and alive. There were moments when I wished the pacing slowed down to give me more time with them, but even then, I admired how the author kept the story moving along. The ideas in the book made me think about legacy and responsibility and how ordinary people rise when the world seems to be falling apart.
By the time I reached the last pages, I felt both satisfied and curious about what comes next. I would recommend this book to readers who love fast-moving adventures, mythical prophecies, and stories where ordinary characters carry extraordinary burdens. It’s a great pick for anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy with a global scope and a good dose of heart.
Pages: 283 | ISBN : 978-1962185776
Angel of Ashes
Angel of Ashes tells the story of Audie, a rare Phoenix Angel who is born from the ashes of her dying mother and raised by her human father on a Kentucky distillery farm. Her quiet life cracks open when strange forces break through the barrier meant to protect her. From that moment on, she is pushed into a hidden world of angels, demons, and breathtaking celestial places. The book traces her journey from a sheltered child to a young angel discovering her destiny. It does this with a mix of heartfelt family moments, wild mythical adventures, and a whimsical cosmic logic that shapes everything around her.
I felt completely swept up by the emotional core of the story. The opening chapter, where Evangeline dies and Audie hatches from the ashes, was very emotional for me. It felt tender and cinematic. The writing has this earnest charm that kept tugging at me. Even simple scenes shine with feeling, like August trying to raise a winged toddler who burps fire and floats out of bathtubs. The book often feels like a fairy tale that comes straight from their heart. The pacing shifts from soft emotional beats to frantic supernatural chaos, yet I found that unpredictability engaging. I never knew what corner the story would turn next, and that sense of surprise kept me turning pages.
I also found myself grinning at the creativity of the worldbuilding. The Tunnel of Delulu made me laugh. A pastel sewer full of scarecrows, glass spiders, cauliflower brains, and a giant furry mouth waiting to be fed. It is ridiculous in the best way. The Windmill Farm acting as a doorway into Heaven felt inventive and strangely beautiful. The angel culture is whimsical and full of personality, like the Cloudwalkers greeting each other with Haloha. The sheer amount of quirky ideas kept the story moving with an exciting energy. I loved how the author constantly surprised me, shifting from emotional moments to bold new landscapes that made the world feel vibrant and alive.
This book is a great pick for readers who enjoy heartfelt fantasy with a strong emotional center, younger teens who want adventure mixed with coming-of-age stories, and adults who love stories that feel like bedtime tales grown into something grander. If you want a read that mixes sweetness, chaos, magic, and genuine heart, Angel of Ashes will absolutely be your thing.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0FTYDTTLD
Trapped
Trapped follows Ava, an inventive eleven-year-old who gets lured into a creepy metal facility after accidentally wandering off her route home. Inside, she runs into a mad scientist with spiky blue hair, weird clues scribbled on the walls, disappearing doors, sharks, collapsing rooms, and two other trapped girls who’ve been missing for years. The whole place feels like a massive puzzle box that keeps shifting every time she thinks she’s figured it out. The story jumps from trap to trap with wild energy, humor, and a ton of heart, and Ava has to rely on her wits, her inventions, and her stubborn bravery to escape.
Reading this book felt like riding a roller coaster. I kept thinking things couldn’t get any stranger, and then boom. A shrinking room. Boom. Sharks. Boom. A magic chicken firing cereal. The writing is playful, and I found myself smiling even when Ava was in real danger because her inner voice is so funny and chaotic in the best way. The way she talks to herself cracked me up. And the way she uses random stuff in her backpack as tools was so interesting, because it’s so kid-like and creative in a way adults forget to be.
What surprised me most was how sweet the story felt underneath all the madness. Ava’s fear of dark spaces, her loyalty to her best friend, and the way she misses her family during the scariest moments all gave the book a really warm center. Even the weird clues and puzzles felt like they were nudging her to believe in herself. I didn’t expect to feel proud of a fictional kid, but I did. And I’ll admit it. I got a little emotional when her beat up stuffed bunny basically became her tiny furry sidekick.
I’d totally recommend Trapped to kids who love fast-paced adventures, wild imagination, and stories where the main character thinks their way out of chaos instead of waiting for an adult to save them. It’s also perfect for readers who enjoy jokes mixed with danger and don’t mind things getting a little weird. Honestly, I think lots of grown-ups would have fun with it, too, because it brings back that feeling of being a kid who turns everyday stuff into adventures.
Pages: 208 | ASIN : B0D8547F6W
The Original Human Beings (Audiobook)
Listening to The Original Human Beings on audiobook, with Yareli Arizmendi as the narrator, felt less like consuming a novel and more like being personally invited to that Wallowa Lake campfire where Never Morales Santos Sundown tells her story. Her voice is soothing but firm, and that combination brought real weight to the ideas in the book. I felt like I was in the hands of someone who absolutely understood the gravity of what she was saying. The clarity of her delivery gave the whole narrative an air of authority.
The early chapters in the city dump were honestly hard for me to get through. The children live and scavenge in a toxic landfill, dodging soldiers, cops, and cartel thugs who treat them as expendable. Never’s mother is trapped in a horrifying relationship with General Mendosa and his bodyguard Gómez, and the violence they bring into the dump is unflinching. But the book refuses to collapse into misery. It keeps interrupting the horror with wild, irreverent humor: Mama staging mock-death dramas, kids playing pranks on authorities, and Loco Lucy, the aristocrat turned “vampiro” in a torn ball gown, reigning over the garbage like some broken fairy-tale queen. That mix of grief and laughter gave me whiplash, yet it felt emotionally true to how people actually survive trauma.
As Never’s world widens, the book shifts gears into something more reflective and overtly philosophical. We follow her escape from Honduras into the orbit of the Nez Percé, whose stories of being “The Walking-Out People” and “Original Human Beings” give her a new lens for understanding both her own life and the wider human story. The anthropology and Indigenous-knowledge sections could have turned into lectures, but because they’re filtered through Never’s battered, stubbornly curious voice, they feel more like late-night conversations with an elder than like theory. I loved how the narrative insists that humans, animals, and land form one kinship network, and how that idea quietly expands what “neighbor” means.
The final third, with Never as an aging anthropologist and cellist, took the book to a place I didn’t expect. Her Carnegie Hall performance could have read as a neat inspirational payoff, but it’s written more like a communal exorcism than a triumphalist finale. When she begins to dance with her cello, channeling the children of the dump, the migrants on the trains, and the songs of the Nimiipuu, the scene slips into a kind of musical magical realism. By the end I felt that click you get when a long, winding narrative suddenly makes sense of itself.
This is not a gentle read: it’s full of abuse, cartel violence, and spiritual harm. But having Yareli Arizmendi as the narrator made a big difference in how I could receive it. Her voice softened some of the edges without ever diluting the message; it held the space so the story’s mix of grief, joy, and defiant love could land fully. For me, the intensity was worth it. The story never lets go of joy as resistance, or of love as a kind of evolutionary leap humanity still has to make.
Listening Length: 13 hours and 43 minutes
Navigating Expectations
Broken Alliance follows the Venture’s crew as they uncover a conspiracy tied to black-market thetic technology, corporate power grabs, and the lingering ghost of Sovereign. How did your goals for this book differ from the first installment?
While Tracer was about introducing the crew and establishing the stakes of their world, Broken Alliance shifts the focus to the ‘aftermath.’ I wanted to explore the consequences of their initial decisions—not just for the Venture crew, but for the Settled Systems at large. In many ways, this second book was easier to write because the characters’ voices were already established; however, the challenge lay in ensuring their growth felt organic. My goal was to navigate the expectations set in Book 1, sometimes fulfilling them and other times intentionally subverting them.
Characters are often forced to make imperfect choices. Are you more interested in right answers or honest ones?
Most of us go into heroic stories expecting the characters to make the ‘right’ choice. It’s an expectation built by the books and movies we’ve grown up with. To me, that’s why literature is so vital—it teaches us what it means to be human on this tiny planet. Even when authors ‘flip the script,’ we still have that core desire to see good triumph over evil. I try to lean into honest answers wherever possible, but leading my heroes toward a morally right conclusion is ultimately how I share my own values through my work.
What makes chosen family such a powerful counterweight to failing institutions?
We’ve all been told that you can’t choose your family—that ‘blood is thicker than water.’ Personally, I believe that’s a falsehood. There is no greater bond than one forged in a close-knit circle of friends who have proven, time and again, that they have your best interests at heart. These are not always the people who share our blood, but they are often the ones who have bled with us. We can no more choose our relatives than we can choose the systemic world we were born into, but we can choose who to accept as our true family—just as we can choose to speak up against tyranny and corruption.
The ending offers a pause rather than closure. What threads from Broken Alliance are you most excited to explore next?
My goal was to provide a sense of closure for this specific arc while hinting at the larger story still to come. Each character has changed so much, but for me, the most exciting part is knowing they have much further to go. We’ve only scratched the surface of the Tracer universe in these first two books. I’m looking forward to expanding the scope of the series and perhaps even stepping outside the current saga to explore these characters from new perspectives. Â
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The crew of The Venture—Andre, Bex, Bishop, and Caleb—are now Alliance Tracers, tasked with hunting down those who seek to capitalize in the wake of Sovereign’s defeat. But loyalty is a fragile thing in a universe still reeling from the brink of destruction. Meanwhile, General Katherine Mallory navigates a treacherous new battlefield, facing enemies as formidable in the Council Chambers as any on the front lines. And deep within Trelin Base, Commander Bryton guards the galaxy’s most dangerous secret: Sovereign, whose unnatural power remains an ominous threat.
Old wounds fester and new forces rise, all vying to unlock Sovereign’s power. As the fragile peace threatens to unravel, these heroes must choose where their allegiances lie. Will the Alliance endure this new era, or is it doomed to collapse and shatter into a Broken Alliance?
LITERARY TITAN 