Blog Archives
NICK and CLANCY – A Tale of Nine Lives
NICK and CLANCY – A Tale of Nine Lives tells the story of Nick, a gentle and wounded man recovering from severe heart trauma, and Clancy, the sharp, funny, deeply devoted dog who enters his life at exactly the right moment. The narrative moves through years of shared life, illness, dreams, small victories, and fear, often told from Clancy’s point of view. At its core, the book is about survival, companionship, purpose, and the strange ways love shows up when life feels fragile and uncertain.
The writing feels intimate and conversational, almost like someone sitting across from you and telling you a story late at night. I laughed more than I expected. I also felt a quiet ache settle in as the pages went on. The dog’s perspective could have felt gimmicky, but it does not. It feels earnest and oddly wise. Clancy’s humor, guilt, loyalty, and protectiveness landed hard for me. I felt protective of Nick, too, even frustrated with him at times. The writing is messy in a relatable way. It rambles. It lingers. That worked for me. Life rarely moves in neat arcs, and this book does not pretend otherwise.
The theme of borrowed time runs through everything. Illness hangs over each chapter like background noise that never fully shuts off. I felt the anxiety of waiting for the next medical crisis. I also felt the stubborn hope that keeps Nick moving forward anyway. The story made me think about purpose in small terms. Not destiny. Not grand success. Just showing up for someone else. Just staying. There is a tenderness here that caught me off guard. Some sections felt repetitive, and a tighter edit could help in places, but I did not mind lingering with these characters. I cared about them. That matters more to me than polish.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven stories and emotional honesty. It is especially well-suited for animal lovers, people who have faced serious illness, or anyone who has felt unmoored and searching for meaning. This book is reflective and heartfelt and sometimes sad. If you like books that feel personal and lived in, and you do not mind getting a little misty-eyed along the way, this one is worth your time.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0FMTS6KZK
That Kind of Girl
That Kind of Girl by Jacey Bici is a sharp, funny, and often painfully honest novel about Opal Collins, a dedicated physician whose life teeters between the chaos of her high-pressure hospital job and the fragile balance of her family life. The story follows her through frantic hospital shifts, tense moments with her husband Fox, and unexpected encounters, like meeting Fantasia, a stripper-slash-therapist whose fearless confidence rattles Opal’s view of herself. The book is about identity, ambition, and the difficult choices women face when juggling personal fulfillment with the demands of career and relationships. Bici builds Opal’s world with a mix of biting humor, messy realism, and moments of quiet vulnerability that keep the pages turning.
I loved how the writing felt alive. The humor is sly, often showing up in the middle of high-stress moments, and the dialogue snaps with authenticity. Opal’s internal commentary is razor-sharp yet tinged with self-doubt, making her both flawed and relatable. The pacing keeps you in that sweet spot between wanting to race ahead and needing to savor the detail. Still, there were times the book’s whirlwind of side characters and subplots made me feel a little like Opal herself, pulled in a dozen directions. It works thematically, but it occasionally left me craving more breathing room in the narrative.
The ideas at play here are what really stuck with me. Bici isn’t just telling the story of one woman in crisis. She’s poking at the bigger question of what it means to “have it all” without losing yourself in the process. Through Opal’s encounters, with her controlling boss, her relentlessly supportive yet sometimes misguided husband, and the magnetic Fantasia, the book explores power, compromise, and self-preservation. I appreciated that Bici never gave easy answers. Opal’s choices are messy, sometimes self-sabotaging, but they feel honest. The mix of humor and emotional weight keeps the themes from becoming heavy-handed, and the moments of intimacy, both in friendships and in marriage, felt refreshingly unvarnished.
By the end, I felt like I’d been through something alongside Opal, rooting for her even when she didn’t quite know where she was headed. That Kind of Girl would be a great pick for readers who love character-driven stories with bite, especially those who appreciate frank and slightly irreverent explorations of marriage, career, and identity. If you’ve ever felt the tug-of-war between ambition and the rest of your life, this book will make you laugh, squirm, and maybe even feel seen.
ASIN : B0FJNFV2CK
Locust Hill: A Romantic Family Saga
Locust Hill is a nostalgic, slow-burning romantic saga set in the rural landscape of West Virginia during the 1960s. Told through the voice of Cassandra “Cassie” Clark, a popular high school girl with big dreams and big-city expectations, the novel traces her unlikely love story with James Russell, a quiet, philosophical young farmer. What begins as a tutoring session in trigonometry unfolds into a deeply layered exploration of family, resilience, sacrifice, and the quiet kind of love that grows deeper with time. It’s a coming-of-age tale just as much as it is a love story—rooted in soil, memory, and legacy.
On the surface, it reads like a wholesome farm story, but Parsons writes with such clarity and charm that I was hooked by the end of chapter one. The first few pages in which Cassie describes her surprise attraction to the serious, slide-rule-toting Jim are full of heart and humor. The whole “fertility goddess” conversation made me laugh and then think way harder than I expected. Jim’s quiet wisdom stuck with me. He’s not just a farmer, he’s a philosopher with dirt under his fingernails.
One of the most touching and vivid sections is when Cassie visits Jim’s family farm. The way she describes the house, the land, the compost piles, the ducks, the guineas, it’s more than just descriptive. It’s loving. You can feel her world shifting as she walks through the barn or sees the warmth of Jim’s mother. Parsons doesn’t romanticize farm life. He honors it. He shows how the land, like love, takes patience, work, and guts. There’s a part where Jim says the garden “informs the fields,” and I had to pause and take that in. It’s a beautiful metaphor for how small efforts, like relationships, can grow into something sustaining.
Some chapters drift like a slow river, and if you’re expecting non-stop action, this might feel a little sluggish. But that’s kind of the point. The pacing mirrors the farm life it describes—seasonal, methodical, purposeful. There’s real tension beneath the calm, especially when the story veers into environmental issues in later chapters. Still, it’s the romance that held me. The way Jim proposes at the creek, under budding trees, made my heart melt. It’s tender without being sappy, and just the right amount of awkward.
I’d recommend Locust Hill to anyone who loves character-driven stories, rich settings, and quiet, meaningful drama. If you enjoy books where not much “happens” but everything matters, you’ll feel at home here. It’s especially perfect for readers who miss the days when love stories were more about soul than spark. This isn’t a whirlwind romance, it’s a slow build that feels earned. Like a good harvest after a long, hard season.
Pages: 220 | ASIN : B0DVCFPM4M
Ups and Downs of Life
Many Mansions follows twin brothers living in New York who wind up in dramatically different lives after a fight that ends their relationship. What was the inspiration for the setup for your story?
Many Mansions was inspired due to my love of luxurious real estate in magazines, on TV, on social media, and in real-time. Just like, my main characters Moses and Isaac who had an interest in affluent homes. At the same time, when I was seventeen, I almost got my real estate license, but I changed my mind because I wanted to become a writer instead. I know it might sound crazy, but that was me. The biblical quote “Many Mansions” made me think of God’s home with an abundance of homes in the sky for people who did good in the world.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The things that I find interesting about the human condition are when the characters go through ups and downs. They may have bad intentions but turn them around and do good in the end. When a character has fallen on luck and has given up on life like my character Isaac who couldn’t take the outside world looking down on him. Even his parents and then the one who was supposed to be there for him which was his brother, Moses. And any situation, a person may experience that will cause them to take drastic measures or something good.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write?
I love writing about Moses because he strived to make his real estate company a reality. I love writing about Isaac as well, even though he became homeless. I enjoyed writing about both Moses and Isaac as you know they are brothers but took different paths in life. I usually write characters who are opposites and both main characters. I had no problem writing the other characters in Many Mansions.
What is the next book that you’re working on and when can fans expect it out?
I’m working on a dark romance about an abduction. And I can’t make any promises when this dark love story will be available. I’ll keep everyone posted.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
Moses moved on, graduated from college, and started his real estate business. He networked with real investors, contractors, and realtors in the field. He became a lucrative businessman selling luxurious homes for the rich and famous. Over the next decade, Moses thought of his brother, Isaac. He was so caught up in himself that he forgot about the brother who was out in the world somewhere. He didn’t know if Isaac was dead or alive.
While shopping at the supermarket with his girlfriend, Moses stood in line waiting to purchase his items. He noticed a filthy, unkempt gentleman who couldn’t afford his purchases, and offered to help him out. Moses noticed it was Isaac. The twins reunion wasn’t heartwarming. Instead, it was filled with jealousy, envy, and hate from the past. Moses and Isaac reconciled their differences. They realized who caused their broken bond. It was their stepfather who came into their lives, turning everything upside down. Finally, Moses and Isaac got rid of this man with the help of their mother who also suffered from this man’s lies, abuse, and cheating. Now, the brothers made their dreams became a reality. They sold luxury properties and also provided homes for the homeless.
Many Mansions
In Many Mansions, Alexis Soleil presents a narrative rich in emotional depth, intricate character development, and themes that invite reflection. Her prose adeptly handles the complexities of human connections, societal challenges, and the resilience inherent in the human spirit.
Soleil’s talent shines in her character creation. Each individual in the narrative is shaped with remarkable depth and realism, fostering a strong connection between the reader and the characters’ journeys. From youthful aspirations to the burdens of adult life, Soleil captures the essence of her characters’ growth with sensitivity and subtlety. The book also tackles the issue of societal discrimination with relevance and poignancy. Soleil uses her characters’ experiences, such as Isaac’s struggle with prejudice due to his albinism and others’ encounters with neglect and domestic violence, to illuminate the often harsh realities of those marginalized by societal norms. Her approach to these challenging topics is handled with both grace and empathy, encouraging a deeper understanding in her readers.
The narrative structure of Many Mansions further distinguishes Soleil’s work. The intertwining of various perspectives and timelines creates a dynamic and engaging reading experience. The unique addition of a playlist further enriches the narrative, drawing readers deeper into the story’s world. A notable aspect of Soleil’s writing is the underlying thread of hope and redemption. Despite the obstacles and trials faced by her characters, there is an enduring sense of optimism and resilience. Moments of reconciliation and healing within the story highlight each person’s potential for growth and change.
Alexis Soleil’s Many Mansions is a compelling exploration of storytelling’s power. With her vivid prose and engaging characters, she guides readers on a journey that encompasses self-discovery, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. In today’s divided world, Soleil’s work stands out as a source of inspiration and a reminder of our shared complexities and potential for unity.
Pages: 349 | ASIN : B0CLJGB5LH
Sit Down And Have A Beer Again
Sit Down and Have A Beer Again by Greg Wyss is an unfiltered publication of poems, short stories, narratives, and dream sequences portraying the life of individuals in the 1960s and 1970s. This collection is raw, realistic, and undoctored, showing life as it was through the eyes and emotions of the narrators for each piece. This anthology portrays the life and soul of creative America and the world through descriptions, honesty, and unabridged thoughts.
Broken up into three parts, this anthology contains the original works printed in various magazines and publications. Part 1 is reprinting the works published in Sit Down and Have A Beer from 1977. Parts 2 and 3 are works that Greg Wyss collected as a means of sharing life for what it was through the eyes of individuals who wrote each poem, story, dream, and narrative. Some are sad, while some are happy. Others shed light on vulnerability, mental illness, the journey to self-discovery, and struggles people battle. Many of these pieces were written to express creativity and inspire the nation’s heart during the particular time frame in which they were orchestrated.
The works showcased in this anthology come from many small press magazines and publishers in the late 1960s and 1970s. This was a way for the average person to have an outlet to express themselves and have their voice heard. These years were a unique time in American history, and the poetry and writing presented to share with readers a snapshot of life in this era.
I found some of the poems depressing at times, and at other times they were eye-opening. This publication brings to light topics and situations that people during the era struggled with. I would recommend this book as a way of viewing life through the eyes of others and receiving some inspiration in the creative world of poetry. Due to the poetic nature and content, I found this read interesting. This anthology can be a great source of wisdom and encouragement for those in hardship. I believe this work has something for everyone because humanity’s raw nature is at its heart.
Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0B4S8657Z
A Man For All Seasons
Author Karina McRoberts brings a unique style of storytelling in her book A Man For All Seasons. This fascinating book is a beautiful work of science fiction and includes an enthralling account of Vidor’s mission to conserve nature from those who want to destroy it for their own benefit. Vidor and his two animal friends work in sync to make a meaningful contribution to saving nature and nature’s creations.
McRoberts is persuasive in her writing. She leads the book in a unique setting with extraordinary characters; for example, a raven who talks and thinks like a human and understands climate change is an interesting character. As a reader, one can appreciate the clarity she presents with her storytelling – the characters’ personalities, how they communicate, the background, and other small details that bring them to life. A Man For All Seasons is filled with relatable dialogue between characters, which adds appeal to readers, allowing them to fall in love with the plot and the setting. Parts of this captivating novel are reminiscent of other sci-fi movies and Disney animated films that are well known in pop culture.
One notable thing about this novel is the length of the chapters. McRoberts keeps the chapters short and sweet. One can move to the next chapter with a breeze and finish the book in one sitting. Overall a quick read and challenging to put down.
The friendship between Vidor and Clarissa is precious, and so are the animal characters. In Vidor’s plan to save nature from destruction at the hands of humanity, he also makes an effort to give dying people dignified death, which is so heart-touching. There are good guys and bad guys in this book, and the ending is justified. This book will appeal to readers across genres with a not-so-usual plot and a fantastic cast of characters.
Pages: 121 | ASIN : B09QVTXS77
A Winding Path to Flat Water
A Winding Path to Flat Water by Rob Soles tells the story of his great-grandpa, Henry Soles, who was taken from his parents when he was just a baby. Nishkiinzhig was Henry’s nanny and kidnapped him when she left with her tribe. Henry and Nishkiinzhig are forced to move around several times and to different places to get away from white settlers and other tribes. They stay at a home for widows and orphans where Henry, now known as Niniij, learns to hunt and help out around the home. Nishkiinzhig learns she has cancer, so she sends Henry out into the world to become a man and live his life. Soon after she passes away, Henry sets out to find the family he was taken from. He must also now reintegrate and reestablish himself in a white society.
Rob Soles has written an unpredictable, historical tale of Henry’s journey of finding a place for himself in society. The novel moves at a smooth pace and follows the different experiences that Henry goes through. Readers will love Henry as he is not angry at what happens to him, instead he still loves Nishkiinzhig and considers her his mom. His character is intelligent and capable and builds friendships with people along the way. Soles’ descriptions allow the reader to imagine what the characters in the story look like along with the surrounding areas. I enjoyed the many interesting characters in this novel; however, I would have liked to have heard more of what they were thinking and the motives behind their actions to connect more with them. The ending of this engaging novel leaves readers with much to think about, allowing them to take the story with them after they read the last page.
A Winding Path to Flat Water is a riveting story about American history, and western expansion told from a biographical fiction viewpoint. It gives readers an interesting look at Native American culture and what it could be like to live across two very different worlds.
Pages: 326 | ASIN : B09N8LH21H
LITERARY TITAN 