Blog Archives
The Jack Dean Story
Gary D. Patrick’s The Jack Dean Story follows the extraordinary life of a man who endures more loss, danger, and transformation than most people could imagine. From being orphaned as a child to surviving brutal foster homes, finding real love in the care of two teachers, and later navigating the violence of war and the moral fog of life afterward, the book traces Jack’s path through heartbreak, courage, and self-reinvention. It reads like a heartfelt confession mixed with an adventure story, full of emotion and grit, told in plain language that feels genuine and unpolished in a good way.
I found myself pulled into Jack’s world almost immediately. The writing isn’t fancy or flowery, but that’s what makes it feel so real. It’s simple, honest storytelling that fits the life it’s describing. The early chapters broke my heart, especially the scenes of abandonment and cruelty. You can almost feel the coldness of those houses and the emptiness of being unwanted. Then the warmth of the McClearys comes like sunlight after years of rain. Later, in Vietnam, the story takes on a tense, vivid rhythm that captures both the horror and the brotherhood of war. Patrick doesn’t shy away from pain, but he also doesn’t wallow in it. There’s a kind of steady resilience running through Jack that makes you root for him, even when his choices later in life start to blur the lines between right and wrong.
Emotionally, the book hit me harder than I expected. It’s not just about one man’s life: it’s about what happens when fate keeps testing someone who refuses to quit. The way Patrick writes about loyalty, guilt, and redemption feels raw and human. I liked that Jack isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes, sometimes big ones, but you still feel his heart in everything he does. The story kept me turning pages because I wanted him to find peace, and even when he didn’t, I understood why.
I’d recommend The Jack Dean Story to anyone who enjoys true-to-life tales about perseverance, sacrifice, and the search for meaning. It’s a powerful read for veterans, history buffs, and anyone who’s ever wondered what it takes to keep going when life doesn’t play fair.
Pages: 124 | ASIN : B0FH1X9ZRK
The Sins We Inherit
Carlo J. Emanuele’s The Sins We Inherit is a bruising, heartfelt story about family, legacy, and the ways the past refuses to stay buried. The novel follows Costantino “Cost” Caduto II as he returns to his family’s orbit after the death of his grandfather, Tiger, a man whose shadow looms over Milwaukee’s underworld and over Cost’s own conflicted heart. The book moves through wakes, eulogies, burials, backyard feasts, and street confrontations, blending the intimacy of family drama with the sharp edges of a crime saga. It’s about fathers and daughters, fathers and sons, and the ways love can be messy, protective, and even dangerous.
Right from the opening pages, where Cost stands at Tiger’s wake, worn down and haunted, I felt pulled into the smoke-filled rooms and tight-lipped exchanges that define this world. The writing is cinematic without being overstuffed; little details like the smell of cigar smoke or the scrape of pews in a church make the world feel alive. At times, though, the heaviness of description slows things down, especially in the funeral chapters, but I didn’t mind lingering there. It felt true to the weight of grief, and it set the stage for the power struggles that follow.
I also appreciated how Emanuele balances the personal with the criminal. Cost isn’t just an heir to a mafia empire, he’s a divorced father trying to stay close to his daughter, Maddy, even as she slips through his fingers. The moment when she addresses him as “Dad” at the wake, only to retreat into the crowd, struck me with particular force. That small interaction captured more distance and heartbreak than any shouting match could. Later, when Frank Vistoso tries to assert himself at the altar during Tiger’s funeral, it’s not just a clash of egos; it’s a reminder that Cost can never fully escape this world, no matter how much he wants to. I found myself rooting for him, even when I suspected he wouldn’t get the peace he craved.
What I didn’t expect was how much heart the book carries in its quieter moments. A favorite scene of mine was the repast after the funeral, with sausage sizzling on the grill and cousins arguing over poker. The food, the noise, the laughter, it all felt warm and familiar, and it reminded me that this story isn’t only about violence and legacy, but also about belonging. I could almost smell the garlic bread and hear Sinatra crackling on the speaker. It’s those scenes, where love and menace share the same table, that give the book its punch.
The Sins We Inherit left me thoughtful and stirred. It’s not just a mob tale, it’s a story about trying to be better for the people you love, even when the past won’t let you. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy crime dramas with a human center, especially fans of The Sopranos or Dennis Lehane. But I’d also recommend it to anyone who’s ever wrestled with family expectations, or who’s wondered how much of our lives are chosen versus inherited. It’s a dark, gripping read, but underneath the gunmetal, there’s a father’s love beating strong.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0FKN76L1K
A Siren Called Truth: A Bone Wars Novel (The Bone Wars Trilogy)
At its core, A Siren Called Truth is a historical fiction that brings to life the simmering rivalry between Edward Cope and O.C. Marsh, two brilliant minds caught in the swirl of ambition, personal demons, and scientific discovery during the Gilded Age. Told through alternating perspectives, the book travels from Berlin’s underground burlesque bars to polished banquets with Charles Darwin and Sir Charles Lyell, capturing the drama not just of paleontology but of two men clashing over ideology, status, and secrets. It’s rich in period detail, intellectual ego, and unspoken desires, making for a compelling blend of science and scandal.
Wright’s writing is lush and immersive. From the very first page, she nails the tension: “The Earth tantalized me like a siren.” That poetic line sets the tone, romantic, almost sensual in its reverence for nature and truth. But the book doesn’t stop at beauty; it goes gritty and raw. One standout scene early in the book has Cope and his companion, Persifor Frazer, stumbling into a Berlin bar full of “men in love with them for the moment.” The mix of curiosity, discomfort, and realization is electric. It’s not just a moment about sexuality or social norms; it’s a glimpse into Cope’s inner turmoil and naiveté. That vulnerability keeps pulling you in.
And wow, does the rivalry between Cope and Marsh sizzle. Wright paints Marsh as arrogant, manipulative, and more than a little dangerous. His icy greeting to a feverish Cope in Wyoming, “My God,” is laced with quiet malice. Their cat-and-mouse game at a high-profile dinner in Berlin is maybe my favorite part of the book. The tension is delicious. Cope, the earnest genius without a degree, and Marsh, the snide academic backed by money and power, throw shade through polite conversation, veiled insults, and strategic pauses. “I earned my first degree in the college of the world,” Cope says, defiant. Marsh responds, “So many words for a man without letters.” You can feel the air crackle.
But it’s not all rivalry and ego. There’s a surprising amount of heart here, especially in Cope’s storyline. His love for Emily, a Catholic woman deemed unsuitable by his Quaker family, adds a bittersweet edge to his otherwise driven life. His internal conflict of duty vs. desire and family vs. love is painfully relatable. When he clutches the poetry book she gave him, still scented with jasmine, I felt a lump in my throat. That quiet longing, that ache to follow your own truth even when it leads to heartbreak, that’s what makes this book so much more than a historical drama.
A Siren Called Truth is a vivid, character-driven tale that blends history, science, and human emotion in equal measure. It’s perfect for readers who love a good intellectual rivalry, a dash of forbidden love, and scenes that simmer with unspoken tension. History buffs, science nerds, and fans of layered characters will find plenty to devour. Wright doesn’t just tell a story, she resurrects a time and two men who burned with brilliance and bitterness. Highly recommended.
Pages: 428 | ASIN : B0D7N3HJ3C
Night Hawks
Michael Loyd Gray’s Night Hawks is a gritty, heartfelt novella that weaves together the lives of small-town drifters, dreamers, and the disillusioned. Told through interlinked short stories, the book captures the quiet struggles of characters who are yearning for something more—a fresh start, an escape, or just a little understanding. From the weary cook Hank Spencer to the hopeful but battered Lois, and the haunted veteran Tyler, each chapter peels back another layer of the town’s people, their regrets, and the fragile hope that still lingers in them.
What struck me most about Gray’s writing is its stark simplicity. He doesn’t waste words. Every line feels intentional, every conversation rings with unspoken truths. Take the scene in The Last Train to Chicago, where Lois and Hundley sit in a small-town diner, the weight of their decisions hanging between them like cigarette smoke. You can almost hear the loneliness in the clink of coffee cups and the hum of a jukebox playing old country songs. The writing doesn’t spell things out, it lets the silence do the talking. And that’s the kind of storytelling that hits me hard.
The book’s emotional depth really comes through in Objects in Mirror, where Tyler, a soldier trying to leave Afghanistan behind, takes a construction job demolishing an abandoned building only to realize he’s also tearing down pieces of his own past. Gray does an incredible job of showing the slow, painful process of healing without dramatizing it. The imagery here is unforgettable: the dust rising from broken bricks, the sweat, the ache in Tyler’s arms are all mirroring his internal battle.
Lois’s story arc was the most gripping for me. She leaves town with high hopes, chasing a better life in Chicago, only to be let down in the worst way. Her return in Wrong Turn is almost too painful to watch. When she knocks on Hank’s door, ashamed and exhausted, you feel the weight of every bad decision she’s ever made. But it’s Hank’s quiet understanding that makes this scene so powerful. He doesn’t lecture her. He doesn’t judge. He just lets her in. And sometimes, that’s all someone needs. While the book’s strength lies in its subdued, character-driven storytelling, there are instances, like in The Off Ramp to Nowhere, where I think the internal monologues could be tightened to maintain narrative momentum.
Gray doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s what makes Night Hawks so compelling. It’s a book about real people making real mistakes, but it also offers moments of grace and redemption. The prose is unpretentious but deeply evocative, making it a perfect read for those who appreciate character-driven stories with a raw, honest edge. If you liked Kent Haruf’s Plainsong or Raymond Carver’s short stories, this one will stick with you.
Pages: 111 | ASIN : B0DKVGTZ21
A Story That Needed to be Told
Yankeeland follows a young woman from a stifling Irish village who escapes to the New World with her husband, seeking a life where they can realize their dreams. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always been a champion of strong, powerful women and knew that this story needed to be told. Reading Brigid’s letters forever changed my thinking on secrets. The heartache from the secrets which society forced upon the female protagonists in Yankeeland haunted me deeply. Discovering and unraveling how their lives played out filled me with a profound sense of sadness, which stayed with me. The what-ifs and the desperate attempts at explaining away the various actions and outcomes all came back to the trauma caused by secrets. The basic human experience of compassion was lost to Brigid and Kate.
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
It was important for me to understand the challenges that were faced in Yankeeland, and my writing comes from a place of lived experience. I connected at a deep level with each character and their journey. I am a storyteller at heart and a lot of storytellers carry pain in their words, my objective is to turn suffering into something that we can learn from. The greatest compliment I received was that Yankeeland was not a ‘breezy’ read—I have tried not to detract from the reality of these experiences. In recreating Brigid’s story, I was able to recreate their path as emigrants understanding the society of the various locations. I was also able to reach into stories I had heard in my own childhood, particularly of Well’s House and the Doyne family that had lived there.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In a piece I wrote for my website ‘Secrets’ I looked at how lives that are lived in pain do not allow for awareness. Existing—the sole occupation of the sufferer. These pieces explore some of the themes in Yankeeland and my greatest wish is for the reader to reflect and give consideration from their own viewpoint and experienes. ‘Tis only and aul wink’ was written following a funeral I had attended in the West of Ireland. As I sat and listened to the priest give his sermon on how life passes so quickly, ‘aul wink of the eye,’ I felt a deep sense of emotion. I was frustrated thinking how Brigid and Kate had not been afforded this luxury. I also wanted to show how historically Women were often betrayed by society at the behest of a powerful patriarchal system. This did not bode well for any woman, never mind one who was strong and powerful such as Brigid was.
What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?
I am working on a story about navigating modern day ‘Humbugs’. A girl’s journey through vulnerability, navigating the various modalities that are competing in today’s world, where spirituality meets commercialisation. It will follow a similar theme, looking at moral dilemmas. I would love for this to be with readers in 2026. The publishing journey requires adequate time to ensure quality of the output.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Brigid and her cousin Molly, who is more like a sister, dream of a new life in the seemingly unlimited land of opportunity they call Yankeeland-America. Brigid gets her chance when she emigrates with her husband Ben and her brother James, while Molly stays in Ireland.
But when Brigid’s quest to have a child leads her to seek unconventional help, her mental stability is questioned. She is soon caught up in a patriarchal medical establishment she has little power to fight.
The new life in America Brigid dreamed about takes a drastic turn. Decades later Brigid’s grandniece discovers a sack full of letters between the two cousins. She unravels the story and vows to tell the tale of what really happened to Brigid in Yankeeland.
Yankeeland
Lacy Fewer’s Yankeeland is a sweeping tale of hope, resilience, and transformation that weaves through decades and continents. Centered on Brigid Kelly’s journey from a stifling Irish village to the promise-filled shores of America, the novel explores family dynamics, societal expectations, and personal ambition. Brigid’s dreams clash with her father’s traditions and her stepmother’s rigid control, culminating in her determined escape to the New World with her husband, Ben. What unfolds is a compelling narrative of immigrants grappling with love, identity, and survival in a land where opportunities are as abundant as the challenges.
Fewer’s writing captures the texture of Irish life in the early 20th century with remarkable detail. The quiet desperation of Brigid’s early years and her longing for freedom and beauty are palpable. I loved how Fewer used vivid imagery, like Brigid poring over forbidden magazines or sneaking into the store to gaze at glamorous pictures. These small acts of rebellion made Brigid feel alive and relatable. Yet, at times, the prose overindulged in descriptions that slowed the pace. While the lush details are immersive, there were moments I wanted the story to move faster, particularly in the sections set in Ireland. The narrative shines brightest when it dives into the immigrant experience. Brigid’s arrival in New York, her awe at the Manhattan skyline, and her disdain for the haughty first-class passengers who snub her felt raw and immediate. One scene, where Brigid defiantly stands up to an arrogant British couple aboard the ship, is potent. It underscored her tenacity and pride, traits that define her character throughout the book. However, the portrayal of Ben’s struggles with inferiority in America was equally compelling and balanced with Brigid’s ambitious optimism. Fewer skillfully juxtaposes their experiences, making their relationship dynamic and layered.
I felt the weight of Brigid’s choices—her sacrifices, her hopes for a better life. The novel’s themes of familial duty versus personal aspiration struck a chord. Fewer’s portrayal of immigrant life is both harsh and hopeful, never sugarcoating the realities but always highlighting the perseverance and ingenuity of her characters. The bittersweet yet triumphant ending left me reflecting on the cost of dreams and the resilience required to achieve them.
I’d recommend Yankeeland to readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists. Fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn or Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train will find much to admire in this heartfelt tale. While it’s not a breezy read, its rich storytelling and poignant themes make it a journey worth taking.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0DQWTPGRX
A Timeless Attraction
In A Timeless Attraction, E.T. McNamara crafts a compelling narrative that follows the resilient Molly Hannon as she embarks on a life-changing journey. Molly’s early life was fraught with hardship, marked by her father’s abandonment in infancy and her mother’s death when she was just sixteen. Now, as she takes on a new role as a history teacher in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Molly hopes for a fresh, more promising chapter in her life. Despite a recent breakup, Molly, an optimistic and independent young woman, immerses herself in the study of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. As the story unfolds, Molly begins experiencing vivid dreams that inexplicably transport her back to 1863.
McNamara’s novel transforms into a fascinating time-travel adventure, providing readers with a unique perspective as Molly navigates the challenges of living in a bygone era with the mindset and sensibilities of a modern woman. The novel shines in its portrayal of Molly’s character development. Her journey of self-discovery and adaptation to an unfamiliar time period is skillfully depicted. McNamara excels in world-building, vividly contrasting the past and present and demonstrating thorough research in the language and nuances of the era.
The novel’s romanticization of the wartime period adds an intriguing layer of complexity. The familiar trope of love blossoming amidst conflict is explored with a fresh perspective, offering readers a compelling blend of romance and historical tension. While this approach adds a unique charm to the narrative, I believe there remains an exciting opportunity for an even deeper exploration of the era’s complexities, which could further enrich the story and its characters. This aspect provides a dynamic foundation for future narratives to build upon, enhancing the richness and authenticity of historical romance.
A Timeless Attraction remains an engaging read. Molly’s character is a highlight, showcasing a strength and resilience that resonate throughout the novel. McNamara’s captivating storytelling and the evocative depiction of different periods make this book a worthwhile journey for fans of historical fiction and time travel.
Pages: 331 | ASIN : B0D4F119ZS
A Place Unmade
In A Place Unmade, author Carla Seyler weaves an intricate tale of corporate intrigue and environmental consciousness. The novel centers around Valentina Sorelli, a marketing director and graduate student, who uncovers a plot of corporate espionage led by Jack Stillman, threatening her company’s research. With the help of Sam, Stillman’s son, and a diverse group, including corporate whistleblowers, the FBI, and her classmates, Valentina embarks on a mission to thwart this underhanded scheme.
Seyler’s writing is marked by a blend of descriptive storytelling and light-hearted humor, balancing the gravity of the novel’s themes with engaging dialogue and comedic elements. The narrative delves into pressing issues like biodiversity loss and the ethics of patentable genetics, encouraging readers to reflect on these significant environmental concerns. The character development is a highlight, with Valentina Sorelli portraying a determined and resourceful protagonist. Her journey is not just a thrilling adventure against corporate malfeasance but also a source of inspiration. The cast, including Sam, Leo, and Tala, enriches the story with their diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Even antagonists like Jack Stillman are given a nuanced portrayal, adding depth to the narrative.
The plot is unique and engaging, pulling the reader into a world where the realities of food supply and corporate power are questioned. Elements of suspense, action, and romance further enliven the story, ensuring that the book remains a compelling read throughout. Seyler skillfully uses this fictional narrative to highlight critical environmental issues, making A Place Unmade a thought-provoking novel that resonates with contemporary concerns.
Pages: 399 | ASIN : B0CX3YTCQ2
LITERARY TITAN 