Blog Archives
Saint Frank and the Dragon
Simon Carr, celebrated for his razor-sharp wit, delivers another masterclass in humor with Saint Frank and the Dragon. This uproarious satire chronicles the chaotic exploits of Sir Frank, an utterly inept knight hailing from the unremarkable kingdom of Little Hampton Upon Sea. Tasked with slaying a fearsome dragon tormenting local villages, Frank’s only allies are his laughably inept “army” — the hapless trio of Russell, Owen, and Tiny. Together, they embark on a quest riddled with absurd perils, peculiar allies, and an abundance of killer potatoes.
Carr leans heavily on irreverent satire, weaving sharp humor into every aspect of the story. His deftly written prose lampoons the brutalities of the medieval era while cleverly skewering the quirks of modern life. The narrative dances between fantasy and farce, with clever wordplay and relentless hilarity keeping the pages turning. Carr’s fourth-wall-breaking asides add an extra layer of comedic brilliance, whether he’s delivering Frank’s musings on the impracticality of metal footwear or indulging in a pseudo-scientific debate about whether dragons blow or breathe fire. In one particularly memorable twist, the author humorously scolds the reader for their perceived lack of attention.
Beneath the humor lies Carr’s biting commentary on societal issues. A cult venerating Eric, the divine rainbow trout, offers a sharp parody of religious fanaticism, highlighting the absurd lengths people go to defend their beliefs. Themes like social inequality and prejudice thread through the tale, with the dragon disproportionately targeting the poor and vulnerable, while the inept King Greek Tony satirizes the failings of contemporary leadership. Sir Frank, an unwilling hero grappling with challenges far beyond his abilities, becomes a relatable symbol of the average person navigating an overwhelming world.
While the book embraces its comedic identity, its characters are more than mere caricatures. Emotional depth may be rare, but the quirky cast radiates charm. Frank’s companions, despite their incompetence, deliver impeccable comedic timing and a surprising dose of heart. Villains, such as a scheming goblin named Rayflex and a giant spider, are more absurdly entertaining than genuinely threatening. The humor is relentless yet remarkably consistent, whether Frank is lamenting that his steed is a cow with delusions of horsehood or undertaking a side quest to retrieve a legendary mace with disappointingly mundane powers.
Saint Frank and the Dragon is a treasure for fans of satirical fantasy. With its witty prose, imaginative world-building, outlandish plot, and incisive critiques of both medieval and modern absurdities, this novel is a laugh-out-loud adventure from start to finish. Carr’s humor shines brilliantly, and one can only hope this is the first of many bizarre escapades featuring Sir Frank.
Pages: 347 | ASIN : B0DQ16ZXPD
Sorcery & Sin in the Second World: A Tale of Two
R.S. d’Arcy’s Sorcery & Sin in the Second World: A Tale of Two continues the captivating saga of Pal and Rena, a married couple navigating a magical realm far removed from their everyday life. Picking up where the first installment left off, the story plunges readers back into the Second World—a place Pal and Rena entered through a mysterious portal in their backyard. This sequel begins with Pal imprisoned in the inescapable tower, while Rena is bound to the sinister sorcerer Sego, forced into a role as his wife and queen. Though separated, their shared goal of reunion drives their individual quests, which are fraught with peril, tests of loyalty, and personal transformation.
Adventure, humor, and intrigue fill every chapter, making this story an absolute page-turner. The Second World’s unique blend of medieval and modern elements is brilliantly realized, with d’Arcy’s masterful world-building serving as a standout feature. From enchanted kingdoms ruled by powerful sorcerers to rich magical lore, every detail feels intentional and immersive. Readers are transported effortlessly into this vibrant and dangerous realm, where magic and human ambition collide.
The novel doesn’t just shine through its fantasy elements; it also explores profound themes. The treatment of women, for example, is a recurring motif that adds depth and resonance. Rena and Kana, another prisoner within the tower, exemplify the unyielding strength of women. Despite physical and emotional trials, their resilience remains a central force, particularly in harrowing encounters with the dwarves and Sego. Their perseverance and dedication to those they care for offer a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of women, even in the darkest moments.
Emotional themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal pulse through the narrative. Pal’s unwavering devotion to Rena propels much of the story, whether he’s battling to escape the tower or grappling with his own evolving powers. Similarly, Rena faces agonizing choices that test her endurance and commitment. Both characters are forced to weigh their survival against their love for one another, creating a gripping tension that asks the timeless question: can true love conquer all?
For fantasy lovers, Sorcery & Sin in the Second World: A Tale of Two is a must-read. It blends intricate world-building and serious emotional themes with doses of humor and fiery romantic tension. Fans of Lord of the Rings and Throne of Glass will find much to savor in this series’ unique take on fantasy. Step through the portal and embark on an unforgettable journey filled with magic, danger, and heart.
Pages: 399 | ASIN : B0DPJC8KHG
Skull’s Vengeance (Audiobook)
Skull’s Vengeance, the fourth installment in Linnea Tanner’s Curse of Clansmen and Kings series, unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of the Roman Empire. This gripping tale follows Catrin as she embraces her destiny to become the fierce Celtic warrior queen her people desperately need, fulfilling the prophecy her father foresaw. Facing overwhelming grief and betrayal, Catrin must confront her half-brother, King Marrock, in a battle for survival. To prevail, she seeks alliances from unlikely places, including a cunning druidess who once deceived her and her Roman husband, Marcellus. Yet Marcellus is ensnared in a perilous political web, where one wrong move could doom them both. Their love stands on the brink, will they find a way to stand united, or must they part to survive?
The novel’s opening chapters moved slowly for me. While some elements intrigued me, the pace didn’t fully engage until the story hit its stride around chapter six. One contributing factor may have been the male narrator’s delivery, which progressively improved throughout the audiobook. The female narrator’s voice consistently shone.
Despite the gradual start, the plot is masterfully crafted. Action pulses through the narrative, weaving a complex tapestry of events that held my attention. Linnea Tanner skillfully navigates multiple perspectives, all while centering Catrin and Marcellus as the heart of the writing. The balance between their viewpoints enriches the depth of the tale.
Catrin herself is a powerhouse of resilience and determination. Her journey from mourning the loss of her stillborn daughter to leading her people with unwavering resolve was profoundly moving. She stands as a testament to the fact that fictional characters can inspire as deeply as real ones. Marcellus, too, captured my imagination. Trapped in a treacherous political arena, his every action demanded precision and cunning. I found myself holding my breath, fearing for him as much as for Catrin.
In Skull’s Vengeance, Tanner delivers a stirring blend of action, intrigue, and emotion. The characters feel vividly real, their struggles and triumphs resonating long after the final page. The story’s rewards make the audiobook’s journey worthwhile. I recommend this book to fans of historical fantasy who will find much to admire in this immersive and powerful tale.
Pages: 402 | ASIN : B0BC2GCFGG
Imperialistic Expansion
Ore Wars thrusts humanity into a high-stakes battle for survival and diplomacy in a solar system where aliens and political ambitions challenge our place among the stars. What inspired the political and social parallels between the story and historical colonial struggles?
Firstly, I wanted to point out that we like to believe we may be alone in our solar system, but there may be seemingly unlikely places where intelligent alien creatures may be living in stealth, even though they might not have originated there. Secondly, aggressive imperialistic expansion driven by greed for wealth and power has not ended on Earth and is expanding into near space. When the means is developed to exploit the unfathomable wealth in metallic asteroids like Psyche, I think all hell will break loose between the superpowers on Earth.
How did you develop the unique voice of Blacky, and what does his character represent in the narrative?
Blacky is an intelligent alien spy who knows as much about his own people as Earth’s people. He has observed that the same proportion of good to bad people exists in both species. Blacky and his partner Jade are good people, and they believe that a lasting peace treaty can be negotiated between the good subsets of both species. They prove to be naive, and ultimately blackmail must be used to bring the two sides to the negotiating table. In that sense, the book may be a bit cynical. But the many wars on Earth I think support the notion that many of our human leaders are corrupt and driven by selfish greed. God help us all if we encounter an alien species with the same weakness.
What challenges did you face in balancing action with the novel’s rich political and cultural world-building?
I wanted to hold the reader’s interest without overloading them with the technical and political aspects, which are considerable. I attempted to develop characters that most people could relate to, based on their own life experiences. And the action scenes hopefully provide a bit of fun along the way.
When and where will the book be available?
The book is about to be published by Pegasus (UK), and will soon be available on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
The Intra-Earth Chronicles; Book II: The Aswan Device
Deep within the Earth’s core lies a world of astonishing beauty and relentless strife, where two sisters, Adrianne and Sasha, bear the burden of a fractured kingdom and a legacy marred by betrayal. Their father, Tartarus, deposed yet dangerous, shatters their fragile peace by stealing a device designed to heal their fractured world. Forced into a perilous quest, Adrianne and Sasha confront not only external threats but also the unspoken tensions that threaten to divide them. Adrianne, impulsive and eager to prove herself, wrestles with her fiery temper and desire to escape Sasha’s shadow. Meanwhile, Sasha, steady and wise, strives to hold their tenuous alliance together. As they traverse dangerous landscapes and a parallel Earth where Tartarus has claimed dominion, their resilience shines. Yet the question looms: can their bond withstand the trials ahead, or will their differences tear them apart at the moment they need each other most?
The Aswan Device by Kara Jacobson is an extraordinary fusion of mythology, science fiction, and family drama, weaving a story that is both thrilling and deeply emotional. Set in an intricately crafted subterranean world, the novel follows royal sisters Adrianne and Sasha as they grapple with their father’s dark legacy while navigating the crumbling societies above and below ground. Their mission to recover the stolen nuclear device, a symbol of hope and survival, tests their love, rivalry, and endurance.
Jacobson balances adventure with emotional depth, creating a narrative that resonates with readers. The reimagining of Tartarus, blending ancient mythology with futuristic elements, immediately captivates, and the seamless integration of these themes into a high-stakes narrative is nothing short of brilliant. The juxtaposition of mythological resonance with cutting-edge technology crafts a storyscape that is both unique and compelling.
The protagonists, Adrianne and Sasha, stand out as vivid, multidimensional characters. Adrianne’s fiery determination and Sasha’s empathetic wisdom create a sibling dynamic that is as relatable as it is engaging. Their interactions capture the essence of siblinghood, brimming with frustration, humor, and unwavering loyalty. Tartarus, as the antagonist, is a commanding presence—a complex figure whose ambition and moral decay echo timeless themes of power and corruption. The supporting cast further enriches the narrative, offering moments of levity and depth, while the interplay among characters ensures readers are emotionally invested in their journeys. Jacobson’s technical expertise shines through her lush world-building and evocative prose.
For fans of Rick Riordan and the Percy Jackson series, The Aswan Device is an absolute must-read. With its fast-paced adventure, rich character development, and thematic complexity, it stands as a standout entry in the genre. Perfect for young adult and middle-grade readers, this book’s blend of science fiction, fantasy, and mythology ensures an unforgettable experience. Whether drawn to epic quests, futuristic worlds, or the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships, readers will find The Aswan Device to be an engaging and deeply satisfying journey.
Pages: 185 | ASIN : B0DK26ZY5S
I Hope to Wake People Up
Omega III: The Head of the Snake follows a special operations team attempting to take down a child sex trafficking ring, whose mission gets complicated when a team member and a relative go missing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was noticing weekly on the news, there were several missing children in the Metro Atlanta area where I live. This got my curiosity up, so I looked into it. I discovered that there was a whole world of child sex trafficking that I wasn’t aware of. I looked for books and information on the topic, but there was little to no information out there. I found some national sights on how to report missing persons. But I wanted more, I wanted to bring to light the dark and secret world of child and human trafficking. Even though my books are fiction, they do use real life examples of sexual abuse and trafficking. My research took me deep into the dark and secret world of human trafficking. Many times, the traffickers get away with a slap on the wrist or able to buy their way out of any serious prison time. That’s when I came up with the Omega book series. So far there are three books with a fourth one that I’m currently working on.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
The character I enjoyed the most was Shay Lynn. I model Shay’s personality after my late wife Sharons personality. The character I had trouble developing was Robert Green. I just couldn’t find the right place for him in the book series. I even devoted one chapter in book two, Omega ꞮꞮ A Cry for Help, to see if I could bring his character more to life. I didn’t want the Omega team to be some kind of super humans, ex-Navy SEALs, former CIA or the like. I wanted them to be just like you and me, with all their flaws and baggage. I wanted my readers to be able to maybe relate to them on a personal level. To say to themselves, I can be like Shay, Jack or one of the others in Omega. There’s too many books out there where the characters are the John Wicks, Jack Reacher, James Bond or some super tough guy/gal former Special Forces type.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I used the character’s personality to drive the scenes. Each time I wrote something about one of the characters, I put myself in their bodies and mind. I asked myself, how would they react to this situation? When I first started the first book of the series, Omega Ɪ The Creation, I spent weeks developing each character and their personality. I even found pictures of people off the internet that I thought would look like my character. That way when I was writing a scene with that character, I was able to visualize them in my mind. Sometimes, they took me down a rabbit hole that I wasn’t planning to go down. But that was their character and how they would have treated the situation.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes, I am currently working on book four, Omega ꞮV Inside the Belly of the Snake. Within this book, I’ll dive into the Dark Web and how it’s role in the sex and human trafficking is used. Also, how organ harvesting is connected to the secret world of human trafficking. The Omega team will continue their fight against sex and human trafficking. They will continue their work, trying to bring down these evil organizations. My hopes are that even though the Omega book series is a work of Fiction. That it will wake people up and bring into the light, the dark world of human trafficking.
Author Links: Website | Book Review
Punishing a person who is truly guilty is justified. Forgiving that person is merciful, but not punishing him is a cruelty to the innocent and society as a whole. — Adam Smith
Join Jack and Shay as they go International to take down a worldwide sex trafficking ring. During this challenging and dangerous mission, they will also be trying to recover a valued member of their team and the younger sister of one of the team members. During their mission, the team will suffer a tragic loss. Will this loss be the end of the Omega group? Follow the team as they discover how all three missions are closely tied together.
Hidden
Olivia Gold’s Hidden kicks off as a middle-school romp but quickly spirals into an action-packed rollercoaster involving secret identities, quirky characters, and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments. The protagonist, Xander Hall, is thrust into a witness protection program, moving from his bustling Washington, D.C. life to the peculiar Gizmo, Utah. The juxtaposition of his spy-like parents’ high-stakes paranoia with his own struggles to navigate Soda Club meetings and middle school drama creates a surprisingly heartwarming and comedic tale.
One thing I loved about this book was how the author made the mundane hilariously exaggerated. The Soda Club, for instance, is absurd in the best way possible. Hayleigh, the overzealous club president, treats soda crafting like an Olympic sport, barking orders about “the essence of a quality soda.” And then there’s the Jell-O obsession at Morrison Middle School that’s so strange it had me laughing. Xander’s disbelief and discomfort were palpable, making it easy to root for him even as he stumbled through this bizarre culture shock. The scene where Xander fakes enthusiasm for a soda recipe he doesn’t have? Hilariously awkward.
Gold’s writing shines in its humor but also captures family dynamics beautifully. Xander’s parents are hilarious in their hyper-vigilance, from his mom’s insistence on banning internet access to their utter suspicion of seemingly harmless dog groomers. The chaos in their house during the infamous grooming scene had me laughing out loud—who knew dog groomers could be so suspicious and inept? The blend of humor and tension is handled well, keeping the plot lighthearted yet engaging.
The plot isn’t without its depth, either. Beneath all the soda club madness and misadventures, there’s a genuine story about adaptation and finding a sense of belonging. Xander’s growth—his gradual acceptance of his new life and his understanding of his parents’ choices—feels authentic. His clever idea of creating Jell-O soda to fit in illustrates his desire to connect without losing himself. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show how much he evolves.
Hidden will be great for anyone looking for a fun, quirky read with heartfelt moments. Middle schoolers will enjoy the relatable humor, while adults might find themselves nostalgic for their own awkward teenage years. It’s lighthearted, yet it surprises you with its emotional beats. If you’ve ever felt like a fish out of water, Xander’s story is bound to resonate—and make you laugh along the way.
Pages: 156 | ASIN : B0DP26WT2V
Sometimes a Story Writes Itself
Superconscious Dave and the Collective Soup takes readers on an intergalactic adventure with Dave as he discovers a magical realm of connection, wisdom, and playful oddities, guided by a quirky green ape. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In Superconscious Dave and the Collective Soup, the third installment of the wondrous Superconscious Dave series, the story takes an unexpected turn, leading readers on a journey far beyond the initial scope of a simple origin story.
Originally this book was to be Superconscious Dave’s origin story. But sometimes a story writes itself and creates something completely different to what you originally had imagined. So I went with it.
Guided by curiosity and an insatiable desire to uncover the mysteries of existence, Dave delves into the wonders beyond our world, exploring concepts that connect us all through time and space.
Dave’s past adventures have seen him traveling to Australia in his star car and venturing back to ancient Egypt.
In Superconscious Dave and the Collective Soup this time, Dave embarks on a multi-dimensional exploration that transcends our understanding of the universe.
This story navigates the vast and interconnected expanse of the cosmos, uncovering truths that challenge our perception of reality.
What inspired the creation of the “Sea of Ying and Yang” and its fantastical elements?
As a medium, I know we are eternal beings, but no one really knows what existence is like beyond death other than the fact that we can continue to have a mind to mind connection with our loved ones.
As we are all energy, we simply change forms because as we know energy can never be destroyed but can change forms.
The Sea of Ying and Yang represents a multiple perspective of things.
The higher, the lower, the opposites of things. We have all heard of the saying ‘as below and so above. As above, so below’ and this is what I wanted the illustrations to reflect. It’s an adult concept portrayed in fun and playful illustrations.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Magic, mysticism, wonder, exploration, curiosity, and specifically interconnectedness – a collective consciousness that we are all a part of.
Understanding that we are all connected brings a different perspective of how we live in life. How we interact with each other and the flow on effect of our decisions not only to ourselves but to others and ultimately, everything.
What was your collaboration process like with the illustrator to bring your vision to life?
Fun, challenging, and imaginative.
If I showed you my first attempt of what Dave would look like, you would laugh and wonder how a gifted illustrator could create something so magical from a rough drawing and a few descriptive details about Superconscious Dave. But Sue (Susan) did. She is a creative genius.
It helped that Sue and I have been friends for many years, so we already knew how each other worked.
Sue was very patient with me and asked all the right questions and was super keen to create amazing illustrations that I saw in my head but couldn’t visually show her. It was a trial-and-error process.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
on his magical quests,
where imagination thrives,
and dreams are blessed.
For Superconscious Dave.
the enigmatic star.
offers a journey like no other.
from near to far.
LITERARY TITAN 