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Emotional Journeys
Serenity Farm follows a young aspiring animal rights attorney whose extraordinary connection with animals helps bring healing and hope to a sanctuary community devoted to rescuing abused and abandoned animals. What is the most rewarding aspect of writing a series?
The most rewarding part of writing the Safe Haven series has been giving animals a voice. I wanted readers to recognize that animals experience a wide range of emotions and form meaningful connections, just as we do. Showing their individuality and emotional depth has been both a joy and a privilege.
I have also loved honoring the people who devote themselves to animal welfare. Whether they care for rescued animals at sanctuaries, advocate for stronger protections, or risk difficult and often heartbreaking work to expose cruelty, their dedication inspires me. If readers finish the series with a deeper sense of compassion for animals and the people who protect them, then I feel I’ve accomplished something meaningful.
Did you always envision the series as a collection of interconnected stories centered on animal welfare?
Interestingly, Serenity Farm was actually the first book I wrote. Before publishing it, however, I found myself wanting to understand and explain how Brie developed her extraordinary gift of communicating with animals. That exploration led to Safe Haven, which ultimately became the first book in the series.
From the beginning, though, I knew the stories would be rooted in compassion, animal welfare, and the bond between humans and animals. Those themes are at the heart of everything I write.
I do envision continuing Brie’s journey with at least one more novel in the Safe Haven series. I’m also fascinated by the possibility that she may not be the only person with this gift. Are there others out there who share her connection with animals? How has it shaped their lives? What paths have they chosen? Those questions continue to spark my imagination and may lead the series in exciting new directions.
Were your characters inspired by people you have known or observed?
Some of the human characters were inspired by traits I’ve observed in different people over the years, but none of them were modeled after a single individual. I often find myself drawing from a variety of personalities, experiences, and interactions, blending those influences together to create characters who feel authentic and relatable while remaining entirely fictional.
The animals, however, are a different story. Many of them were inspired by animals I’ve met personally through sanctuaries, rescues, and my lifelong love of animals. Their quirks, personalities, habits, and even some of their emotional journeys often come from real-life encounters. Anyone who has spent time with animals knows that each one is a unique individual, and I wanted that individuality to shine through in my books.
In fact, all of the rescue stories featured in Serenity Farm are based on actual rescues. While I adapted the names and places for the novel, the situations that inspired them were very real. By weaving real rescue experiences into fiction, I hope readers come away with a greater appreciation for the lives of animals and for the compassionate people who devote themselves to giving them a second chance.
What conversations about animal welfare or compassion would you like the novel to inspire?
I would love for Serenity Farm to inspire people to think differently about farmed animals and the lives they lead. Much of their suffering remains hidden from public view, which can create a sense of disconnect. It’s often easier to overlook what we don’t see or fully understand.
One of my goals in writing the novel was to help bridge that gap by portraying farmed animals as sentient beings with distinct personalities, emotions, and the capacity to form deep bonds. They experience joy, fear, grief, affection, and companionship just as many of the animals we share our homes with do. When we begin to recognize their individuality and emotional depth, it becomes harder to view them as commodities rather than living
beings deserving of compassion and respect.
I also hope the novel encourages conversations about the important work being done by sanctuaries, animal advocates, investigators, and those working to improve animal welfare laws. Real change often begins with awareness, and awareness begins with empathy.
Ultimately, I don’t expect every reader to come away with the same opinions. My hope is simply that they pause and consider the lives of farmed animals in a new way. If the story helps someone make a deeper emotional connection and inspires even a little more kindness toward animals, then I feel the novel has achieved something meaningful.
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For fifty years, Owen and Lillian have built something rare—a farm sanctuary where the abused and abandoned find safety, grace, and second chances. But now an industrial livestock complex—the kind that chokes waterways and treats suffering as the cost of doing business—has set its sights on the land surrounding their safe haven. Everything they’ve spent a lifetime building could wither in its shadow.
For two years, Jack has thrown himself into his work as a veterinarian at the sanctuary, haunted by a past he’s desperate to outrun. Then Brie arrives, and something he’s kept buried begins to surface. She eases into the rhythms of the sanctuary as if she’s always belonged there—as though the animals know something about her that even she cannot explain. And along the way, it’s the animals who draw her and Jack together.
As the threat to the sanctuary escalates, loyalties are tested, and the line between neighbor and enemy blurs. Bound by their love for the animals, they band together—holding fast to their conviction that compassion can still win.
Elizabeth Stiles’s second novel, Serenity Farm, weaves together themes of compassion, courage, and the healing power of unconditional love—a tender reminder that the bond between humans and animals can mend what’s broken and rekindle hope long thought lost.
Serenity Farm stands on its own, though readers of Safe Haven will find a familiar face at its heart.
Serenity Farm: A Safe Haven Novel
Elizabeth Stiles’ Serenity Farm, the second novel in her Safe Haven series, is a moving story of compassion, healing, and the extraordinary connections between humans and animals. Set on a picturesque 300-acre farm sanctuary in Michigan, the novel introduces readers to a community dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. At the heart of the story is Brie Russo, a twenty-three-year-old aspiring animal rights attorney whose arrival at Serenity Farm begins to change the lives of those around her. Brie possesses an unusual ability to connect with animals, a gift that introduces an element of mystery and wonder into the narrative. Through her experiences, Stiles explores the emotional wounds carried by both animals and people, creating a story that blends contemporary fiction, romance, and subtle supernatural elements with a deeply felt commitment to animal welfare.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its cast of characters, each of whom brings a distinct emotional history to the sanctuary. Owen, the aging farmer who established Serenity Farm with his wife, Lillian, has grown weary from witnessing humanity’s cruelty. As the novel opens, “Owen couldn’t remember the last time getting out of bed felt worth the trouble.” His struggles establish an emotional foundation that makes his developing friendship with Brie particularly affecting. Lillian provides warmth, wisdom, and steady leadership, while Jack Chase, the sanctuary’s veterinarian, is a compelling figure whose troubled past influences his relationships and his sense of self-worth. Jack’s evolving connection with Brie gives the novel much of its romantic tension, developing through disagreements, shared responsibilities, and moments of vulnerability. Stiles allows these relationships to unfold alongside the daily rhythms of sanctuary life, giving the characters opportunities to reveal themselves through their actions as well as their conversations.
The sanctuary itself is an essential part of the storytelling. Stiles describes its barns, gardens, pastures, and animal residents with an attention to detail that creates a vivid sense of place. The animals have individual personalities, histories, and needs, making their experiences meaningful parts of the narrative. Veterinary procedures, rescue operations, rehabilitation efforts, and the practical demands of running a sanctuary contribute authenticity to the setting. Some of the most memorable scenes involve quiet interactions between the animals and their caregivers, demonstrating how trust can be restored through patience and kindness. Stiles also incorporates difficult realities surrounding animal exploitation and neglect, giving the novel a strong ethical dimension. Her descriptions can be emotionally challenging, but they serve the story’s compassionate perspective and reinforce the importance of the sanctuary’s work. The recurring idea that “Some wounds run deep. Love heals” captures the spirit of a novel concerned with recovery, resilience, and the courage to care.
Throughout Serenity Farm, Stiles balances tender moments, humor, romantic developments, and emotionally intense situations. The alternating character perspectives allow readers to understand the personal struggles and motivations of the people who call the sanctuary home, while Brie’s mysterious abilities add intrigue to the unfolding story. The novel’s measured attention to relationships and everyday experiences encourages readers to become invested in the community and its inhabitants. Beneath its engaging narrative lies a thoughtful examination of forgiveness, responsibility, grief, and the transformative possibilities of empathy. Stiles writes with evident affection for animals and respect for the people who devote their lives to protecting them. Serenity Farm is a heartfelt and absorbing novel that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven fiction, emotionally layered romance, animal rescue stories, and narratives in which kindness becomes a powerful catalyst for personal change.
Pages: 347 | ASIN : B0HGZJBTYL
A Worm Worth Keeping Alive
The Hedgehog and the Worm follows a struggling hedgehog who befriends a wise old worm, who teaches him to break old patterns and choose who he wants to become. Why did you choose an animal fable to explore personal growth, self-mastery, and purposeful living?
I’d already written the nonfiction version of these ideas in The Alignment Quotient. But I think that book suffered from the same problem many self-help books suffer from: too much explanation and defense of the concepts. I spent a lot of time explaining the science and the philosophy, and then gave some exercises. People told me the book was brilliant and very interesting. But it didn’t help them see how it shows up inside a real life. I always wanted to write a book that could make a difference, and the nonfiction book was doing a poor job accomplishing that goal.
Then, one day, for the first time in my life, I saw a hedgehog. He was sleeping on my front lawn. I was worried a cat might get him, so I moved him into our backyard. Over the next few weeks, I noticed the slug problem in our garden had disappeared. I put out a night camera and caught that little hedgehog scouring my garden and gobbling them up. So, I started looking into hedgehogs and became fascinated.
At that time, my son was only five years old. I saw how much influence stories had on his ideas about morals, ethics, values, and how to live. It made me think about the book The Goal, which was a fictional story written to help adults understand certain concepts about processes, basically the theory of constraints. And I thought maybe the ideas from my nonfiction book would be easier to understand through a story.
That’s when the idea came together. Why not write a story about a hedgehog, borrowing the concept from 1001 Arabian Nights, where the young woman who marries the king tells him a new story every night so he won’t kill her? But in my story, the food (a worm) would stay alive by coaching the hedgehog through his rough summer. This would allow me to present deep neuroscience, social psychology, ancient and modern philosophy, and even modern coaching concepts, all through a simple fable.
I’m not a fiction writer. I’m more a nonfiction science and philosophy writer. So this project took me four years from concept to final version. Over that 4 years, it took about 29 rewrites for me to make it accurate to the science and philosophies while also making it a story that’s hard to set down once you start reading. But it was a fun learning process, and I hope this work can bring these ideas to the world and make a positive difference in people’s lives.
There’s one more thing. The worm’s name is revealed at some point in the book. He’s named after my very good friend, who died just before I started writing this book. The conversations with my friend that spanned 20 years are some of the same conversations that are in this story. I was very fortunate that his widow was able to read the draft before she died. She said he would have gotten a kick out of being this worm. So the book also became a way to honor my friend that I couldn’t have found any other way.
How does the SPICY philosophy build on the lessons Herb learns throughout the story?
SPICY is the sexy part that people want to work on. It’s a structure that helps you answer the question “Why do I get out of bed in the morning?” It’s the thing you are going to be building in the world with, and for, others. I think this is the question people who are lost want to know first. And so I struggled about whether or not to make the story begin here rather than end with it, because it tends to be the thing that motivates people: meaning and purpose.
The problem is that it’s the “you” that makes that meaning. Two people can do the exact same job, and one finds it deeply meaningful while the other is just collecting a paycheck. And it’s also the “you” that you bring to the work you do when you get out of bed, whatever it is. If you are peace, you bring peace to it. Without answering the question “Who am I?” the “Why am I here” question can be chosen from the wrong place, like fear, guilt, or what other people expect of you. And then you can end up building someone else’s life instead of your own.
So, I decided to start with the question “Who am I?” first. Like, let’s decide who you are before we decide what you are going to be doing. I worried that if we put SPICY first, then it would be like doing Ready-Shoot-Aim. But I could be wrong, and readers may find that there would be a more interesting story to be written by introducing SPICY first, and then working on the “who am I” question.
So, SPICY answers the questions “Why am I on this planet? Why do I get out of bed every morning?” And that builds on the question “Who am I?” The whole journey through the story shows Herb, with the worm’s help, creating and living into his answers to those two questions. By the end of the story, Herb has a way to live his life where he is no longer being provoked, manipulated, or controlled by others or by his circumstances. He has the ability and courage to be who he is, and he has his purpose clear in his mind. Not some highbrow concept, just his own reason that works for him.
Can you explain the difference between the Have-Do-Be and Be-Do-Have approaches to life and why that distinction is important?
Have-Do-Be is a paradigm that we, in the modern world, have been raised to believe is the way life and the world work. It says: once I have the right job, money, relationship, or body, I can do the things that will make me be who I want to be. It sounds reasonable, but when you look around at the serious regrets that are caused by it in people’s lives, it makes you wonder if there is another way.
I watched a friend lose his career as a mechanic because he injured his back. He didn’t only lose his work. He lost who he was: his ability to be a loving father who provides. From my friend’s Have-Do-Be perspective, he felt very justified in his depression. But from the outside, we can see that he can still be a good dad; he can still be a loving partner; he can still be a hard worker taking care of his family. It’s not a mechanic’s job that gives or takes that away.
And that is why, in the story, the worm asks Herb to test out flipping the paradigm to Be-Do-Have. Choose who you’ll be first, act from that, and the having follows, or it doesn’t. Either way, you’re still you. The distinction matters because you’re always being someone to yourself and others. Either you choose it, or your habits, circumstances, or even other people will choose it for you. It matters even more today, when skills and careers can disappear overnight, and people are letting AI do more and more of their thinking and decision-making.
What advice would you offer readers who understand the importance of personal growth but struggle to put that understanding into consistent practice?
Knowing usually isn’t the problem. Doing is. In the book, the worm’s one condition for teaching Herb was that he had to test the ideas and practice them. The problem with most self-help books is they give grandiose ideas that are really hard to practice. And the science on change is clear: that’s not likely to work. You have to start small, very small.
That’s why the worm has Herb starting in the moment, focusing on his actions in the next 5 seconds. Nothing big, nothing fancy, just: are you being kind, or generous, or whatever you chose, right now? And if not, the change is to start aligning your behavior right now, in the next 5 seconds, nothing more. It’s not about tomorrow, or next week, or some distant future goal. It’s tiny decisions in the moment.
The same goes for the SPICY ways forward. We start with very small actions, like picking up a piece of trash instead of walking by. Or even just being kind to yourself when you make a mistake. Change is rarely revolutionary. It starts with things you may think are insignificant and mundane. They are very doable and cost almost nothing, and over time, they add up. Eventually, it will become easier and easier to do bigger things, or not, but either way you are making progress. And that is the goal: to become a more perfect version of who you choose to be.
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Winter is coming, and Herb the hedgehog can’t seem to get ahead — no matter how hard he works.
While ruthless, selfish Frank thrives without even trying, Herb digs up something unexpected in his search for food: a wise, unbothered old earthworm who isn’t afraid of being eaten. The worm makes Herb an offer — teach him a secret that changes everything, if Herb is willing to test it. Skeptical but desperate, Herb agrees, and their unlikely friendship sends him on a search for the answer to a question he’s never let himself ask: Who am I, and how should I live?
As Herb wrestles with loss, love, and the hidden triggers driving his own worst moments, he keeps wondering if he should be more like Frank — but it never quite feels right, and he’s about to find out why.
The Hedgehog and the Worm is a modern fable about self-mastery and purpose, built around the worm’s secret: living a SPICY life. Through Herb’s journey, you’ll discover:
- Why your search for who you are has probably been backwards from the start
- Why life’s “emptiness” is actually your greatest freedom
- How the hidden triggers in your brain keep you stuck — and how to take back control
For readers of The Alchemist and The Tao of Pooh, this is a story about trading the exhausting chase for a life you actually love.
From the author of The Alignment Quotient and Psychological SAFETY, Christopher Ancona brings decades of research on human potential into this unlikely fable.
The Hedgehog and the Worm – An Unlikely Fable about creating the quiet courage to live without regret
Christopher Ancona’s The Hedgehog and the Worm is a thoughtful blend of inspirational fiction, philosophical storytelling, and personal development. At the center of this uplifting animal fable is Herb, a hardworking hedgehog who spends his days worrying about survival, providing for his family, and dealing with a world that rarely seems to cooperate. He’s convinced that his circumstances are responsible for his unhappiness, and he has plenty of reasons to believe it. Between finding enough food, navigating family responsibilities, and contending with an especially unpleasant fellow hedgehog named Frank, Herb has little energy left to enjoy his life. Everything begins to shift when he encounters Patrick, an elderly worm with an unusual outlook and an impressive collection of wisdom. Their unlikely friendship becomes the foundation for a story about discovering what it means to live with intention.
One of the most engaging aspects of The Hedgehog and the Worm is the relationship between Herb and Patrick. Herb is stubborn, quick-tempered, and wonderfully skeptical of the idea that a worm could teach him anything worthwhile. Patrick, meanwhile, approaches Herb’s frustrations with patience, humor, and questions that challenge the hedgehog’s assumptions. Their conversations give this self-help fable much of its personality, especially when Herb struggles to understand ideas that sound simple but prove surprisingly difficult to practice. Ancona uses their exchanges to explore the difference between allowing circumstances to determine who we become and consciously choosing how we want to show up in life. The book’s Have-Do-Be and Be-Do-Have concepts provide a particularly memorable framework for examining that distinction. There’s something genuinely entertaining about watching a creature who normally considers worms a convenient lunch gradually recognize the value of listening to one.
Beyond its philosophical lessons, this motivational fiction explores recognizable struggles involving marriage, parenting, resentment, disappointment, and the desire to feel that our efforts matter. Herb’s relationships with Mara, his children, and the other forest animals give the story an emotional grounding that makes its larger ideas relatable. His experiences reveal how easily good intentions can become tangled in fear, frustration, and expectations. Ancona also introduces practical concepts involving emotional triggers, personal responsibility, and the search for purpose, eventually developing a framework called SPICY for thinking about a meaningful life. The lessons are presented through extended conversations, giving the book a deliberate, teaching-oriented rhythm. The black-and-white illustrations add charm to the woodland setting and help establish the characters as more than simple vehicles for life advice.
I think what makes The Hedgehog and the Worm especially appealing as inspirational fiction is its attention to the everyday choices that shape a person’s experience of life. Ancona connects personal growth with relationships, community, and the kind of legacy someone hopes to leave behind. The story recognizes that knowing what matters and consistently living according to those values are two different challenges. Herb’s journey gives readers opportunities to examine their own reactions, priorities, and definitions of success without requiring them to share every conclusion he reaches. There’s warmth in the book’s humor, sincerity in its treatment of emotional pain, and an inviting sense of possibility in its exploration of change. Readers who enjoy philosophical fables, personal growth fiction, and character-driven stories with practical life lessons will find plenty to reflect on here. The Hedgehog and the Worm leaves readers with a worthwhile question to carry into their own lives: What kind of person do you want to be, and what are you doing today to become that person?
Pages: 262 | ASIN : B0HK8N3P22
Life, Love, and Happiness
Stikki the Squirrel follows a young grey squirrel who tumbles his way through one adventure after another and, along the way, makes some new friends. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Some ideas for a book can come quite quickly, while at other times it can be a hard slog even to get going. But it was on this one rather memorable occasion, when I was standing beside my window gazing into our back garden, that I saw a family of squirrels climb tentatively over the wooden fence. A moment later, they were on the ground, moving slowly across our lawn, pausing to sniff and dig randomly in the grass. I watched their playful interactions quickly turn into a full-blown display of speed and agility as the youngsters abandoned the protection of their mother’s side to dart among our shrubs and trees with growing confidence, and of course, mischief. I smiled, then gasped, as a host of possibilities set my mind buzzing.
And so, Stikki the Squirrel was born – well, in my head to start with. I wanted to make the story light-hearted and entertaining for young children to read, and for them to imagine my little characters and the urban setting in which they live.
We, as a family, enjoy encouraging squirrels into our garden, filling their squirrel feeder daily with nuts and seeds for them to eat. We have witnessed several generations grow up and leave to find their way in the world. Ever since that day, we have been entertained by these intelligent, charming, furry little animals.
Although not every day, watching our squirrels is a happy, entertaining experience, because on occasion, urban foxes enter our garden on the hunt for an easy meal. Domesticated cats like to lie in wait among the shrubs, hoping to ambush a squirrel foraging on the ground. The squirrels’ acute senses warn them of danger, and they quickly climb over the fence or scale up the side wall of our house to escape. But when the three species meet, there is usually trouble. We have witnessed scuffles and near misses that have made us gasp in fear for the squirrels’ survival. But squirrels are quick and clever, usually evading these predators with ease.
We have grown very fond of our rodent visitors. Noting their athletic behaviour and individual personalities. They are adorable little animals that inspired me to write about a family of cheeky grey squirrels and the discoveries, dangers, lucky escapes, and the good friends they make along the way.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Each of my characters in Stikki the Squirrel represents a unique glimpse into the world of nature from an individual animal’s perspective. I have combined a light-hearted tale with humour, interspersed with facts about squirrels’ lives, and their interactions with predators, including the natural habitat in which they thrive.
My little characters have hopes and dreams, which is quite normal as squirrels, like all animals, are intelligent, caring, and resourceful. Squirrels are good at problem-solving; we have all seen a squirrel navigate a maze, or climb a vertical pole, or scoot across a tightrope with ease in its determination to claim the food at the end of the man-made obstacle course. Squirrels show affection and anger, too. Squirrels are territorial and will respond to family members, warning each other of any approaching danger by issuing a rasping, throaty call that carries on the air.
Stikki the Squirrel carries a message about protecting endangered species to the detriment of others. A tale of adventure, learning about life, its pleasures, and its hazards. Whilst making wonderous discoveries, and friends who help and support each other on the road through life, love, and happiness.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
This is a hard question to answer because the entire book was such an enjoyable experience to write and illustrate. Without giving away any spoilers, I think one particular scene comes to mind that had me chuckling – it was when Stikki first met Rella. He was so awkward and unsure of himself. A typical teenager.
There were many other scenes in Stikki the Squirrel that end in a hilarious, eye-watering way. Read the book yourselves and see what happens to Stikki and his woodland friends.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I am taking a break from writing at present, because I am busy finalising my new book. Title: Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits, book two, publication date, February 28th, 2026. It is a very busy, exciting time, working with my publisher to get my new book and my illustrations ready for the printing press, plus tinkering with some weird and wild ideas for another book.
Author Links: Goodreads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Readers’ Favorite – 5 Star Review.
“We must always be wary of the longlegs for they are unpredictable and puzzling.”
Join Stikki the Squirrel on his madcap adventures as he leaves his nest and sets off to explore the world around him. Mischievous and a little reckless, Stikki manages to get himself into scrapes at almost every turn.
When Stikki and his sisters, Mollie and Tia, venture out of their familiar surroundings for the first time, life changes dramatically for our little explorers.
Danger and peril lay on their chosen path – and, as with every exciting adventure, there are spills and thrills and good friends to be made along the way.
A whimsical, heartfelt story of friendship, bravery and love for each other.
The Adventure of Writing
The Beast Keepers follows a young veterinarian who takes a job in rural Ohio and discovers that his new patients include mythological creatures hiding in plain sight. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Several years ago, while my flat-coated retriever, Mr. Bingley, and I waited at the holistic vet for a chiropractic adjustment, I studied the poster showing the acupuncture points for dogs. I wondered if animals such as turtles, frogs, snakes, porcupines, etc., had acupuncture points as well.
While the vet worked on Bingley, I asked him whether he learned acupuncture for animals besides dogs, cats, horses, etc. He replied that there were classes for “other” animals. Though I think he probably meant animals such as goats or sheep, there was something about the way he said “other” that caused me to think:
“You meant Gryphons? Centaurs? Fauns?” Showing a modicum of restraint, I did not ask that aloud. I did, however, spend the remainder of the day contemplating how you would treat medical issues in mythological animals. If a Gryphon had a lung infection, would you be treating bird lungs or mammalian lungs? Can centaurs get gout, and if so, how would it manifest? Can unicorns get laminitis?
Thus was born the idea of The Beast Keepers, an adult literary novel with a twist.
I enjoyed the depth of the main character, Jonathan, who is flawed and relatable, making him likable. What was your process to bring that character to life?
The first thing that helped me to get an idea of who Jonathan would be was getting his name right. I tried a lot of different names, especially for his first name, but Jonathan seemed to have the right sound, feel and be appropriate for his age. His last name is particularly dear to me. St. Roch is the patron saint of dogs (St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals, hence Jonathan’s middle name), and a favorite of mine since visiting a church in France where his story was carved into the staircase for the lectern. Being a dog trainer for almost 20 years, it seemed a fitting way to honor the many wonderful dogs and clients I had over the years.
Next, I fleshed out his character. The book Story Genius, by Lisa Cron, was really helpful in that process. I created a backstory and wrote about critical events and people in his life up to where the book started. Knowing him as a full person (with doubts, strengths, fears, longings, etc) helped me to shape his reactions, dialogue, and ultimately how he would respond to the challenges of the people, and events that he encountered.
I had a lot more of his background story in the first draft of the book, but my developmental editor helped me to trim it back so that it was suggested and you could see how it had shaped him, but it didn’t overshadow or interfere with the story being told.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One important theme is: What is the quality of mercy that we owe our enemies? And, how do we implement that mercy? Other themes include: How do we find balance in our lives? The importance of integrity in our actions and in our relationships, and how does one manage mistakes or difficult situations?
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
I have been asked to do a sequel (or a prequel explaining how the mythological animals got there), but I don’t have plans for either at the moment. Right now, I am working on a novel I’ve tentatively titled The Boy Who Danced For The Moon. I was about 2/3 of the way through it when I decided it needed to be revamped, so I am in the process of starting over. I have some parts I can save, but the adventure of writing a book is partly the process of finding your way to the story. Once I have the story, the writing tends to flow.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
American Tiger
American Tiger follows nine-year-old Bell Tern, a sharp and wildly imaginative kid who becomes the first person in quiet Alisaw Valley to spot a tiger wandering near a Target loading dock. No one believes her, not even her father Jay, a game warden who knows there should be no tigers in Ventura County. As more strange sightings ripple across the valley, the story blends tension, family struggle, and ecological wonder. The tiger becomes a spark that exposes fear, disbelief, and a father and daughter’s effort to bridge the widening gap between their inner worlds. The opening chapters paint Bell’s devotion to drawing and documenting wildlife, her loneliness at school, and Jay’s steady but fraying attempts to raise her while holding the wild at bay.
This book pulled me in fast. I felt a kind of fond ache watching Bell try to prove what she saw. Her imagination is so alive that you can’t help rooting for her, even when it gets her labeled as a liar. The writing hits a sweet spot. It’s warm, direct, and paced in a way that made me forget I was reading. I liked how the author paints the valley around them. The details are simple but vivid. The land feels baked into the bones of the characters. I also noticed how naturally humor and sadness sit together in the scenes. One minute I was smiling at Bell’s oddball survival kit in her backpack. The next I felt a sharp little twist in my chest as the bus full of kids turns on her when she reports the tiger.
I also found myself moved by the relationship between Bell and Jay. Their dynamic is messy in a relatable way that I appreciated. Jay tries so hard to be steady and rational, but he’s worn down. The moment he gets a report of “a striped tail” under a pepper tree, something shifts in him, and I felt it. The writing lets him be flawed without judgment, and that made me care even more. The stakes get bigger as the search spreads. Experts arrive, each with their own trauma or agenda, and everything grows more tangled. I liked that the book never leans into cheap danger. Instead, it digs into fear, memory, loss, and what wildness means in a world that keeps shrinking.
The story touched that soft place where wonder and grief live side by side. I kept thinking about how a giant animal roaming the suburbs could expose so much about the humans who live there. The book surprised me. The writing has heart. It’s clear and calm on the surface, but there’s a current running underneath it that pulled me along.
I’d recommend American Tiger to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a strong sense of place. It’s great for people who love literary fiction that carries a hint of adventure and for anyone drawn to stories about family, nature, and the things we try to believe in. It would also hit home for readers who like books told through the eyes of kids who see the world in ways adults forget.
Pages: 326 | ASIN : B0FTGLN6X2
Deep, Soul-Level Understanding
Safe Haven follows a fallen Chicago news anchor who retreats to a crumbling farmhouse and finds redemption among strangers learning to live with their own brokenness. What inspired you to center Safe Haven around rebuilding after loss?
I love writing stories with broken characters—individuals struggling with grief, loss, and regret. People whose wounds run deep, whose silence often speaks louder than words. Yet within this brokenness, they somehow find a thread of hope, a quiet courage, a stubborn perseverance that keeps them moving forward. If they push through the pain, they come out on the other side changed in a way that makes them view the world in a different light. And when their eyes are open, they start to see the silent battles others are fighting. That recognition—that deep, soul-level understanding—is empathy. Empathy is not a character weakness. It is strength wrapped in softness. It is the heartbeat of humanity. To feel deeply is not to be fragile—it is to be brave. In my writing, I strive to illuminate the power of empathy, compassion, and hope for humans and animals alike.
The relationships in East Haven feel real. Were any of the characters or their struggles drawn from people you’ve known?
They didn’t come from any one person, but from a collection of individuals. People who have endured pain and carry wounds that don’t always show, but shape the way they move through the world. I’ve known people who have been through unimaginable tragedies, who have suffered physical, mental, and emotional abuse, and have found a way to heal those wounds through faith, hope, and love. Not in a religious sense—although many people find healing that way—but in a spiritual sense: in the presence of someone who cares deeply, in the quiet of nature, in the soul of an animal. Those are the kind of people I love to write about. The kind I find strength in. The kind that endures and transforms.
You write grief with so much restraint and honesty. How did you find the right emotional balance without tipping into sentimentality?
Finding that balance was incredibly difficult for me. I’ve always been someone who feels deeply, so stepping into Michael’s point of view—a man who struggles to name, express, or even acknowledge his emotions—was a struggle. His tendency to shut down or get angry felt foreign to me. But what started as a challenge became a blessing. It was a character fault that didn’t just serve the story—it shaped it. Michael’s silence, his internal battles, became a starting place for the growth he’d experience throughout the novel. Two things helped me keep the portrayal raw and honest. First, I created Mac—a character who became a mirror and a guide for Michael. Mac wasn’t just a sounding board; he’d done his own emotional work and could recognize the pain Michael was trying to hide. Through their dynamic, I could give Michael space to stumble, to resist, and eventually to speak. Mac helped him find language for the things he’d buried, and in doing so, helped me stay true to the emotional arc without forcing it.
Second, I had a writing partner who acted as an emotional compass. Doug wasn’t afraid to tell me when my own feelings were bleeding too heavily into the narrative—when Michael’s voice started sounding more like mine. That feedback was invaluable. And I learned that emotional truth doesn’t always mean emotional intensity. Sometimes, it means restraint. Sometimes, it means letting the silence speak.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on the sequel to Safe Haven and, if all the stars align, hope to have it published sometime next year. I am also looking at publishing a collection of short stories.
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On the eve of his 40th birthday, Michael Russo faces a devastating trifecta: the loss of his job, a crisis of self-doubt, and a broken engagement with the love of his life, Anna. On impulse, he buys a run-down forty-acre farm unaware the dilapidated barn, home to a one-legged turkey and a blind rooster, harbors mystery.
It isn’t long before Michael’s life is once again turned upside down and he finds himself raising his daughter, Brie, alongside Anna’s overbearing parents. While they fight about what’s best for Brie, she develops an enigmatic attachment to the barn’s residents. A bond that cannot be broken.
As Brie struggles with one mysterious illness after another, Michael discovers she was born with a unique gift. One that has the power to change the world, but also the potential to endanger her life.
In a race against time, Michael must face his greatest fear to safeguard his daughter, whose innocence and extraordinary talent have forever altered his life.
Elizabeth Stiles’ debut novel, Save Haven: Where Hope Lives, intricately weaves together themes of loss, resilience, and the unexplainable, culminating in a poignant exploration of the power of love, healing, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
