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One True King (Audiobook)
Amy Daniels’ One True King is the third installment of the fantasy series Legends from Qiledara. This addition thrusts readers into a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos. After Aaron, the young king of Qiledara, disappears, the void he leaves behind becomes the heartbeat of the story. An absence that forces those who remain to confront their loyalties, identities, and biggest fears.
The narrative skillfully intertwines its many storylines, keeping the attention of readers as they uncover the hidden dangers in this fantastical landscape. What makes this story so captivating is Daniels’s ability to portray relatable characters who persist in the face of adversity. Each character’s internal struggle mirrors the kingdom’s external turmoil, blurring the line between personal and political conflict. Leadership is portrayed as a burden of sacrifice, responsibility, and painful growth.
I found that the descriptive world-building shines in the depiction of Penelope’s family home, allowing the readers to understand why she longs for its cozy, vibrant warmth. Daniels also vividly emphasizes the incredible power of the magical weapons used during battles, making sure the readers know that this is a force that can turn the tide of battle in an instant. The combination of her rich, detailed settings and the palpable energy of magic makes every scene immersive and thrilling.
The audiobook adaptation only adds to the magic of this fantasy. With multiple voice actors embodying the characters, the production feels like a full-scale performance rather than a simple narration. Each unique narration provides a new level of depth to the story and creates a more intimate type of storytelling that makes you feel as if you are right there alongside the characters, experiencing the thrill of every high and meeting each challenge head-on.
For fans of fantasy sagas, One True King is a fantastic addition to the genre and an already compelling series. Daniels blends intricate world-building and moral complexity into a story that feels both epic and relatable. Whether you’re drawn to personal journeys of characters shaped by love and loss or the political conspiracies of kingdoms in turmoil, Amy Daniels delivers a tale that satisfies every reader.
Listening Length: 16 hours and 44 minutes | ASIN : B0FL3HC2LY
Leave Them a Legacy
The Tralls of Nindarry follows two ordinary children who, while visiting their grandparents, discover a hidden realm of magical beings called the Tralls and wind up on an epic quest. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Fantasy is a wonderful genre that exercises our brains and encourages us to think outside the box.
Young people today are often presented with a world facing shattering crises and heroes that save it by blowing up the invaders or performing dangerous and unbelievable stunts.
I wanted to introduce my readers to the beauty of nature and the dangers it faced. I also wanted them to realize they could be the heroes who save it for future generations to enjoy – not by engaging in incredible feats of daring or strength but by making small changes that could have a great impact.
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 tralldoms were modelled on Badu Island, where we once lived and where we were very happy.
The setting of this story is my beloved Mt Ninderry. A beautiful mountain, shaped like a resting lion, and filled with an abundance of Australia’s amazing flora and fauna.
Of course, I needed to change some facets of the setting to accommodate the plot as it developed.
What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write The Tralls of Nindarry?
I was a classroom teacher for many years, and I took classes as well in Drama, Digital Storytelling, and Creative Writing.
I also enjoyed entertaining my classes with stories of the brave tralls fighting to save their ancestral lands, but I was always careful not to impinge on the myths and legends of the traditional residents.
When I retired, I became The Storyteller and entertained children with my themed stories both locally and internationally, and I realised that even in this digital age, children love to be told stories.
When I had my own grandchildren, I wanted to leave them a legacy, so I combined some of my stories into a book and based the main characters, Bella and Gemayn, on them.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
My stories are complete. There are five published books in the Trall Series:
The Tralls of Nindarry
The Tralls of Mundi
The Tralls of Maruchus
The Tralls of Colum
The Tralls of Nosa
Each one covers an environmental problem impacting our natural world.
I hope these books will make young people more aware of the beauty and importance of our precious flora and fauna, and encourage them to become real heroes by taking care of their own natural environment.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Suddenly, the tralls are forced to go to war to save their ancestral lands from the evil Mr. Handley and Gemayn and his grandmother are trapped in the tralldom. During their enforced stay, Gemayn uncovers a long-held secret that links his family to the tralls. Could it shatter the emerging friendship between Gemayn, Bella, and the tralls, or will it destroy the bonds of trust that have always existed between them and their beloved grandparents?
The Tralls of Nindarry, written by emerging author Gayle Torrens, is the first book in The Trall Series; a collection of five portal fantasies set in Australia. It explores the concepts of intergenerational relationships, trust, loyalty, self-confidence, and environmental issues.
In 2024, The Tralls of Nindarry was awarded a Golden Wizard Book Prize for a fantasy book written for eight to twelve-year-old readers.
The Adventures of Troy Home Again
Troy the Bald Eagle has soared through many adventures, but this time, he faces a new kind of journey: adulthood. With maturity comes the yearning for companionship, for someone to share the beauty of his beloved farm and the rhythm of daily life. Though Troy loves his home and friends, life feels incomplete without a partner beside him. Fortune smiles when he spots Aliana, a graceful female bald eagle. Their connection is instant. Through gentle gestures and shared moments, the two discover they are perfectly matched. Together with the farm animals who have long been Troy’s friends, they embark on a new and heartwarming chapter.
The Adventures of Troy: Home Again is a children’s book designed for readers ages 2 to 9. Hope Kelley not only penned the story but also brought it to life through her own illustrations. The tale is short and accessible, crafted with young and beginning readers in mind. There’s no peril here, no great conflict, just the comforting story of friendship, affection, and discovery. The focus rests squarely on Troy and Aliana, offering a gentle introduction to how two creatures (or people) might notice, admire, and grow fond of one another.
As in most children’s books, the artwork carries equal importance to the text, and Kelley proves herself skilled on both fronts. Her illustrations burst with color and warmth; dogs, swans, and other farm animals practically leap from the page. Each image is lively enough to hold a child’s attention, whether the story is being read aloud or enjoyed independently. Thoughtfully, Kelley has also woven in an educational component: advanced vocabulary words appear throughout the story, supported by a glossary and fun facts about bald eagles at the end of the book.
There’s much to appreciate here: the gentle narrative, the endearing characters, and the subtle encouragement for young readers to expand their vocabulary. Simple, sweet, and visually engaging, this book delivers both charm and learning in equal measure. The Adventures of Troy: Home Again is the kind of story that can easily become a bedtime favorite, offering warmth, imagination, and just the right touch of wonder.
Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0F4T7V27D
An Entertaining Duo
Candace McFly: Undercover Spy Case #1 The Botched Beauty Pageant follows a sharp, puzzle-loving third grader who enters the town’s beauty pageant despite her fears to help her friends and solve a mystery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I was a Writing Lab teacher about 4 years ago, I was beginning a fun Mystery Writing unit for my 3rd graders to start after just completing our state testing that spring. I was randomly brainstorming possible story ideas modeling what my students would soon be doing. Since I had a small background in pageants when I was in high school, I thought this would be a fun topic to write about. Originally, it was going to be a spoof on pageants, but it turned into something totally different.
As we got further into our unit, I developed a character sketch on my two main characters- Candace and Arnold- before I even began writing the story. My students loved them right off the bat, saying they felt they’d be friends with Candace and Arnold if they were real kids! As I wrote the first two chapters, modeling how to incorporate various writing strategies, the students LOVED the storyline and proposed a challenge to me; to turn these ideas into a book. Having always wanted to write a book but thinking it wouldn’t happen until retirement and readily accepting a challenge because I constantly asked them to take risks as writers, I accepted! I wrote the entire summer and into September, submitted to a few publishers, and the rest is history! I loved the characters of Candace and Arnold; their personalities work well together, making for an entertaining duo.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
That makes me so happy that you loved Candace and Arnold! I love them, too, and enjoyed writing for both equally, but in different ways. Since Candace was telling the story through her eyes, she wasn’t that difficult to write for. She helped guide me through the storyline. However, the challenge with her was to show what a strong, smart girl she is, but not come across as a know-it-all. I wanted her to be likeable and relatable, yet vulnerable and humble at the same time. As a teacher, I see a lot of personalities come through my classroom. My goal with Candace was to show what a true friend is like and make her a role model to young girls who read this book (and future books to come), and that there’s nothing wrong with being smart or having fears. Be comfortable in your own skin.
And then there’s Arnold… I knew I wanted to have a partnership where one of the characters is quirky and fun. One that people will roll their eyes at from his outlandish ideas and actions. But also, a character who rises from vulnerability and being in the shadows, to one exhibiting leadership and caring about others. Most of the time, I’d be giggling writing Arnold’s parts, or they’d bring me to tears. Arnold is a hybrid of all the quirky boys I’ve taught throughout my past 30 years and sprinkled with my imagination.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
As I mentioned earlier, this idea originally came from a lesson in my Writing Lab. While modeling the writing process for my students, I did indeed create a skeletal plan (a story map) of how I envisioned the story developing. But as I completed writing the first few chapters and introducing new characters, the story morphed in a totally different direction than I ever imagined.
I once read how Michael Connelly, one of my favorite mystery writers, has an initial idea for the big idea of his novel, but he then lets the story take him where it’s supposed to go, and he won’t know what that is until he gets there. I feel that’s how I am as a writer as well. I had an initial plan, but certain events I created caused a chain reaction or led to another event I never saw coming. In fact, even as I got toward the end of writing The Botched Beauty Pageant, I had no clue as to how it would end. I didn’t want to make it too obvious with the clues I’d been leaving thus far, so I had to get creative. My initial plan was nowhere near where I landed in this Live Oak journey.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Candace McFly and the direction of the second book?
I would be delighted to! Actually, I’ve already written the next installment in the Candace McFly, Undercover Spy series: https://a.co/d/8npwOny (Case No. 2 The Phantom of Live Oak). Candace, Arnold, and all of their Live Oak friends are back with even more adventure and crazy shenanigans, with a touch of a kid-friendly ghost story.
Currently, I am working on Case No. 3, which isn’t titled yet- I don’t create the titles until I’ve finished writing the entire book- but it is a treasure-hunt themed adventure.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
Candace is not your typical third grader–or your typical girl for that matter. She’s not into her appearance or competing in the Li’l Miss Live Oak pageant like all her friends are or the ladies in her family were. Her mama was a Li’l Miss Live Oak, her grandmother was…her great-grandmother too. But she has no interest in competing even though it’s her year to. Plus, there’s that little stage fright issue she has.
But she does love to figure out puzzles and mysteries! Her best friend, Arnold, isn’t like other boys their age either, but his quirky ways make him the perfect sidekick who always keeps things interesting.
Normally, life in a small town can be dull. But not in Live Oak. School has just ended, and Live Oak’s pageant season has just begun, along with mysterious happenings to the contestants. Candace’s friend Anna Kate swims up to Candace and Arnold at the School’s Out for Summer Soiree, requesting Candace’s help. Telling her a tale so unbelievable, Candace can’t help but be reeled in as more bizarre events keep occurring to her friends.
To truly find the culprit, Candace must make one of the toughest choices of her life–go undercover, becoming a contestant in Li’l Miss Live Oak, overcome her stage fright phobia, and catch whoever is trying to botch the beauty pageant. With Arnold by her side, anything’s possible, but will they solve it in time to crown the next Li’l Miss Live Oak?
BLOOD OF YARUMAYA
Blood of Yarumaya by Kevin D. Miller follows Isabella Delgado. She’s a wealthy botany student from Malibu who travels to the Amazon rainforest for an internship. Her mentor is Dr. Dominic Quinn. He’s a brilliant but secretive scientist who appears much younger than he is. They discover a complex biological secret to anti-aging that involves rare tree resin and special bees. A corrupt politician named Julio Ortega wants this secret for his own gain. He hires mercenaries to attack the indigenous Kawirén tribe to get it. Izzy must use her newfound survival skills to save Quinn and protect the forest from destruction.
I found the character arc of Isabella surprisingly engaging. She starts the story as a somewhat entitled gymnast. She quickly transforms into a capable survivor. Her growth felt earned rather than just given to her. The romance between her and Quinn is sweet. It also carries a unique tension due to his actual age versus his appearance. I felt genuine anxiety during the raid on the village. Miller does a wonderful job of making you care about the Kawirén people. You desperately want them to survive the encroaching threats of the modern world.
The book tackles heavy themes like deforestation and corporate greed head-on. I appreciated this direct approach because it did not feel overly preachy. The science behind the longevity serum was fascinating to me. I loved the twist with the “rapid aging” weapon used against Ortega near the end. It was a satisfying bit of poetic justice.
I enjoyed this thrilling adventure. It carries a real emotional punch that stuck with me. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy fast-paced eco-thrillers. Fans of adventure stories with a strong romantic subplot will also like it. It is a perfect read for anyone who has ever dreamed of escaping civilization to find something deeper in the wild.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B0FTMC4WGN
Dark, Cold Eyes
Kay A. Oliver’s Dark, Cold Eyes pulls you straight into a world of sharp tension, mystery, and the unnerving weight of human motives. The story follows Keri and Jade Shaw, private investigators drawn into a string of murders in the otherwise quiet, upper-crust neighborhood of Grosse Pointe. When a couple is found brutally murdered, what begins as a simple research assignment turns into a web of deceit, hidden identities, and moral gray zones. Each chapter builds on suspense while peeling back layers of both the crimes and the people entangled in them. It’s a dark, atmospheric dive into what happens when ordinary lives hide extraordinary secrets.
The writing is vivid and cinematic, almost like watching a detective drama late at night when the rest of the house is quiet. Oliver’s style has a rhythm, it’s crisp when it needs to be and haunting when it lingers. I loved how she gave space for silence, for tension to breathe, for you to feel the pulse of fear. The dialogue between Keri and Jade feels real and warm, the kind of married banter that makes you believe in their partnership even as danger closes in. But sometimes the pace moves so fast that I wished for more time to sit with the emotions of the moment. The action carries you forward, but the emotional aftermath sometimes fades quickly.
What really struck me was how the story blurs the line between justice and obsession. Keri’s drive to solve the case starts to feel personal, like she’s chasing ghosts as much as answers. The way Oliver uses setting, quiet kitchens, dark streets, cluttered evidence boards, to mirror the unraveling of her characters hit me hard. You can sense the exhaustion, the moral weight pressing on everyone. Yet despite all the darkness, there’s a heartbeat of hope running through the pages. It’s not loud, but it’s there, stubborn and relatable.
If you like thrillers that mix grit with empathy, this book’s for you. It’s perfect for readers who love crime stories with layered characters and clever plotting rather than simple chases or explosions. Dark, Cold Eyes is tense, intelligent, and full of heart. A story that keeps your mind racing long after you close the book.
Pages: 395 | ASIN : B0FGWH27M7
A Mother’s Determination
Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny follows a mother who donated her eggs to science, only to discover that they were used to conceive seven infants in space, who were raised in isolation and destined to define the next stage of our evolution. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to explore what happens when the most intimate human act–creation–becomes an instrument of science and survival. The idea came from real debates about fertility research, genetic engineering, and the ethics of creating life beyond Earth. I asked myself: what if the first humans truly born in space were not astronauts’ children, but part of a scientific project designed to save humanity? From that spark came Teagan Ward, a mother who gave something of herself to science, only to find herself blocked from contact with the babies she loved by the doctor who incubated them.
Your novel explores the morality and the cost of continuing the human race. What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I’m fascinated by the contradictions within us-our capacity for love and empathy alongside our drive for power and control. When survival is at stake, morality becomes fluid, and that’s where stories come alive. Science fiction allows us to push those questions to their limits: What does it mean to be human when birth, love, and even consciousness are engineered? I think great fiction mirrors that tension between our ideals and our instincts, between the need to preserve what makes us human and the temptation to perfect it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
At its heart, Born in Space is about motherhood, identity, and the ownership of life. I wanted to examine who controls our future-corporations, governments, or the individuals who dare to resist them. There’s also an environmental undercurrent: as Earth falters, humanity’s reach for survival shifts outward, to space, but our flaws follow us. And beneath the science and technology, there’s a deeply emotional core: a mother’s determination to reunite with her children, no matter how far apart they are.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes. Born in Space is the first in the Sci-Fi Galaxy series. The follow-up, Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse, takes place years later on the Moon, where humanity’s survival depends on a genetic seed vault built into the regolith. Teagan’s story continues through her naturally born daughter Diana, who becomes a symbol of both hope and fear, a genetically engineered child hunted by those who believe they can control evolution itself. The moral and emotional questions deepen as the struggle shifts from reproduction to survival: who decides which forms of life deserve to endure?
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Tik Tok
CAN TEAGAN WIN THE COSMIC CUSTODY BATTLE OF A LIFETIME?
When Teagan Ward donates her eggs to science, she never imagines that the consequences will ripple across the cosmos. As Earth crumbles under the weight of conflict and climate disaster, Teagan discovers that seven children, born from her donated eggs, are the centerpieces of a daring experiment to populate the stars. Determined to reunite with her children, she finds herself entangled in a web of greed, betrayal, and cosmic ambition.
In the year 2068, humanity’s hope for survival lies beyond the confines of Earth. Orbiting space habitats offer sanctuary to the privileged, while the rest fight for survival on a deteriorating planet. Teagan’s journey to reclaim her children pits her against powerful adversaries: a ruthless mining magnate obsessed with the treasures of the universe, a morally ambiguous doctor bent on creating life in space at any cost, and a disgraced general seeking redemption and control.
As Teagan navigates the treacherous shoals of interstellar politics and corporate greed, she uncovers secrets that could change the fate of worlds. Her children, each with unique abilities and destinies, hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe and possibly saving humanity from itself.
Blade Rider
Blade Rider is a wild ride through stars, steel, and heart. The story follows Raven Pierce, a young woman chasing her dream of becoming an Air Ranger in a universe where courage is as rare as the gemstones mined from distant planets. The book blends sci-fi adventure with coming-of-age grit. It starts on the luminous planet of Aurora and soars through trials, rivalries, and the fire of ambition. There’s high-speed action, moments of calm beauty, and a deep pulse of hope that runs through every page. What makes it shine is not only the futuristic flight scenes but the emotional gravity that keeps Raven’s journey grounded.
The writing moves like music, lyrical and cinematic, yet simple enough to feel real. Sevilla doesn’t just describe light or sound, he paints them, fills the air with them, makes you feel the hum of engines beneath your skin. The pacing is deliberate, but I didn’t mind. Those quiet chapters gave the story its soul. There’s a rhythm between tension and tenderness that feels intentional. I could sense the author’s musical roots in every scene. The prose often felt like verses from a song, full of rhythm, breath, and longing. I caught myself smiling, even tearing up, when Raven faced her doubts or looked up at the stars she was born to chase.
The ideas in this book resonated with me. It’s about finding purpose when the world tells you you can’t. It’s about identity, resilience, and the fire that keeps dreamers alive. The world-building is big but personal, the characters flawed yet fiercely human. I loved that it wasn’t just lasers and engines, it was belief and persistence. There’s something deeply nostalgic in its optimism, almost old-fashioned in the best way. It reminded me why stories about flying still make our hearts race.
I’d recommend Blade Rider to anyone who ever wanted more than what they were handed. If you like sci-fi that carries heart, or if you’ve ever stared at the night sky and wondered what’s out there, this book is for you. It’s for dreamers, for the stubborn ones who don’t give up, for those who still believe in the power of hope.
Pages: 344 | ASIN : B0FX8QJYYJ
LITERARY TITAN 