Blog Archives
Literary License
“Where’s Helen?” follows an unassuming girl’s harrowing quest for justice as she navigates family dysfunction and uncovers dark secrets, finding strength in her own resilience and an unexpected alliance with her enigmatic grandmother. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The basic theme was derived from the speeches of Russ Dizdar, who helped the police in occult crimes and was very familiar with Satanic ritual Abuse themes. The characters are mainly composites, and I have taken a lot of literary license with the ones inspired by real humans I have met or even fictional characters I like from other author’s novels.
Helen is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Helen has many of my own characteristics, but she is a better, stronger, sane, and more sensible version. I see mistakes I made during my youth and how I could have done better. However, it must not be discounted that Helen had Anna as a role model, even if she could not depend on her own mother. It would have been extremely difficult to navigate the situations Helen was in without Anna’s influence and mentorship.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to present two themes. First, can a girl who was not raised in a “good” family be a moral and virtuous girl? Absolutely, yes, but it will take more commitment to God, who will protect her, and more strength on her part. Second, I wanted to show what a narcissistic personality looks like from the viewpoint of those who have to deal with it in a family situation. Anyone who has had a narcissistic close family member and “woken up” from why the person is that way knows what I am saying.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I really enjoyed writing “Where’s Helen?”. I want to write another book, but right now, there are only vague ideas floating around in my head. I want to write something original. Many romance authors turn out novel after novel, which is basically a selection of the same themes mixed and matched over and over. Plate wrote of a Sacrates situation where Socrates met an actor called “Ion.” Ion acted in the plays of Homer and was renowned for his acting in his time. When he acted in another playwright’s play, he was only a so-so actor. The plays of Homer inspired his with a muse, Socrates said, so he could truly act the part. When a creator is inspired, they will stay up late, get obsessed with their task, and enter into another world. Ayn Rand is an author I admire, and she writes about this when Roark designs the Enright house. Ayn Rand was not an architect, but she understood what it meant to be inspired by your work. I can see her staying up writing her own novels all night and slumping over her desk in quiet exhaustion in the morning.
I have written a lot that I never tried to publish and much of which I never finished. The muse has to hit me, and as a Christian I need to make sure God approves as well.
Author Links: Facebook | Amazon
The Idea Of A Serial Killer
Marked as Queen of Hearts follows an aspiring author who seeks out the help of her ex-boyfriend to understand police procedures. What was the inspiration that created the fantastic journey these characters go on?
I don’t think I can pinpoint any one source for inspiration. The idea of a serial killer started with an alert I received regarding a body found in the county I live in. The methods the serial killer used were inspired by something I read in a book quoting a historical event. Some of the trials the characters face (not serial-killer related) are pulled from real-life experiences of my own. Even a few of the quirks, like the silliness of the heroine’s dog are based off my own crazy furball. So, the short answer? Everywhere. Being a writer means anything can spark inspiration and wind up in a story.
As a second chance romance, what was the inspiration for the relationship that develops between the characters?
This was the first, second-chance romance I’d written, but as I got into it, I knew it was something I’d love to write again. I’m a big fan of Persuasion by Jane Austen and the whole idea of two people separating but continuing to harbor feelings for each other years later inspired the way Rafe and Tori’s love story played out. With each thinking the other had moved on but secretly hoping that they hadn’t.
How did the mystery develop for this story?
Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically? I write as a pantser, so I don’t plan my stories out ahead of time. It developed organically as I wrote. In fact, when I started, I wasn’t even sure who the killer was!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on a free novella that features two side characters from my Rolling Brook Series. This will be exclusive to my newsletter subscribers. If you’d like to read it, sign up at my website: www.blyedonovan.com. I expect to have Right on Target ready for them in May. I’ve got some other projects in the works for this year, but the next book I have a publish date set for will be the start to a new series. It will be set in a small town on the east coast, feature the same suspense elements, but star former military heroes and/or heroines. That will come out in September 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Tori Graham is an author with a story to write. The problem? She needs her ex’s expertise to make it believable. And he’s about as enthusiastic to be her consultant as she is to drum up their complicated history. Can she convince this jaded cop to help her without falling into his arms—again?
Rafe Alonso hung up his detective hat months ago, moving to Rolling Brook as the new police captain. What was supposed to be an easy gig becomes anything but when the case that haunts him follows him there, and his old flame shows up in town. Now, someone’s playing a deadly game, and he’s only got half the cards. Nothing could prepare him for the hand he’s dealt because Tori might not be the only one who got away. With the stakes running high, can they bury the past for a second chance at love, or will the killer Rafe is after, destroy it once and for all?
Find out in this gripping, second chance romance!
*Can be read as a stand alone.
Interesting Human Body Questions
Nurse Florence(R): Why and How Do We Sneeze? follows three friends who learn from the nurse about sneezing using medical terminology in a way children can understand. What was the inspiration for your story?
The Nurse Florence series explores general science concepts (i.e. sneezing) and diseases so that families can understand how their body better. We’re going to explore all interesting human body questions so it was time to do one about sneezing.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted kids to understand what kinds of things may cause a sneeze in their environment so that’s why we discussed allergens. I also wanted kids to understand the complexity of a sneeze so that’s why we included things about the brain and some muscles to show the interaction that goes within the body. Our bodies are amazing and I want to share the excitement of human physiology with young readers.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
My goal for every Nurse Florence book is to make sure that the writing is understandable at an elementary level. My nine year old daughter is one of my editors and she gives me the thumbs up before publishing any of these books.
What is the next book in the Nurse Florence series that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Dow Creative Enterprises is publishing a new book almost every week. Check our website to see a picture of them all. We are about to publish Nurse Florence, What is Arthritis? which will help kids understand what their loved ones may be going through. Our goal is to publish around 500 books in the series by the end of 2026 where a family would buy the disease books that affect their family so that everyone can feel more informed about their health. Even parents are reporting learning something new in every book.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
I Was Led By The Holy Spirit
God’s Voice and How to Listen is a study guide that helps readers deepen their relationship with God and hear when He speaks to them. Where did the idea for this book come from, and how did it develop over time?
The book is a companion to the original devotional, “Whispering in His Ear.” After I wrote the first book, I thought it would be important to provide discussion questions and deeper scripture for small groups or book clubs that might want to read the book. And so “God’s Voice and How to Listen” was born.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The most important idea is to listen and hear God’s voice. We do that through understanding, through scripture, what God sounds like, and how he talks to us. One way He talks to us is through His Holy Word.
I felt this book was exceptionally well written and helpful for those wanting to build a stronger relationship with God. What’s your experience as a writer?
I have been a news writer for most of my career. I had only written objective non-fiction, but after a retreat to get closer to God, I was led by the Holy Spirit to write the devotional.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from God’s Voice and How to Listen?
I hope readers can see that anyone can seek a deeper connection with the Lord and spend time with him. The chapters and discussion questions can help people seek that connection. I thank you for your interest!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Don’t be afraid to ask for help in understanding His messages. This large-print companion to the Christian devotional “Whispering in His Ear” can help! As you explore these conversations and the associated scripture, you will find yourself closer to Him and better able to interpret His messages. With further exploration of scripture, discussion questions, and more room for journaling your thoughts and prayers, it’s the perfect book for studying alone, or in small and large groups. This study guide can be used with the original devotional or can work well on its own.
Search For Enlightenment
Struth! follows three men with different philosophical beliefs who contemplate the universe and its meaning. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?
Actually, it’s two men and a women, but that’s not important here. The idea originally developed from my own search for some understanding of life and the world around us. I have always had an interest in science, which has provided mankind with some wonderful insights into the workings of nature and still continues to do so on an almost daily basis. However, being empirical in nature, it can never hope to answer those fundamental questions as to why things happen, only the what, where and how. In many ways science is still in its infancy and has to create unknown “dark forces” to allow observations to align with theories and established physical laws. It will even tell you that death is our final destination and there is no purpose to life. That seemed irrational to me, so I then turned towards religion. Coming from a non-religious background, with only a sprinkling of religious knowledge, I knew very little of the many different and distinct faiths. However, with over 4000 individually recognised religions in the world, which one holds the truth? They can’t all be right, and you could spend your whole life searching and still end up empty handed at the end. In frustration, I turned to philosophy for answers, that academic discipline for generating conceptual ideas. But even here, few understand the logic and rationale derived, and philosophers have never agreed on a single proposition. The only option I had left was to start from scratch and develop a sort of personal religion based on truths that I had already accepted.
Authors that have previously trodden this path have chosen to base an approach either on personal insights (if they happen to be a mystic or had the misfortune to suffer a near death experience), or on religious grounds by reinterpreting scripture. For others, fantasy provides unlimited boundaries where witchcraft and magic can evoke the impossible. When you analyse all of these options in detail, however, none provides that solid foundation necessary to create a truly believable hypothesis. “Struth!” takes a different approach, with the plot centred on a model of existence at its core that has been inferred from our own history. In our past, numerous pivotal events have aided our species’ rise to dominance and shaped our lives. These are not disputed, so become fixed points within the model. Furthermore, if you believe that life does have meaning, then these events could not simply have happened by chance; they too had purpose and must be connected in some way. With the minimum number of initial assumptions, and with elements borrowed from science, religion and philosophy, common threads can be found to create the links and plug the gaps. By joining all the dots, a bigger picture is revealed that can then be used to explore the natural and supernatural worlds in a defendable framework. It provides some plausible answers and thought-provoking ideas that can be easily understood and, in many ways, unify the conflicting ideas found in science, religion and philosophy alone.
I decided to write “Struth!” in my retirement, first to give me something to keep my mind active and occupied, but primarily because I wanted to share these ideas in the hope that others would find some connection and aid their own search for enlightenment.
2. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
If you have already found a religion, no matter what that may be, then the path to enlightenment is already well trodden and is straight and well lit. If you are still searching for that “truth” then you become an explorer and the path is unclear as it meanders and branches all along its length. When you reach a fork in the path you have to decide which direction to take. To do this rationally and objectively, you need to keep an open mind and consider all ideas, no matter how unlikely and contradictory they may seem. As an engineer by profession, I approach writing in a similar way, so you will find that all the workings that went into solving a dilemma are openly out on display. The three main characters were specifically chosen to represent these opposing views, not just philosophically but also religiously, sexually and socially. It was therefore very easy for the characters to interact to express their own views, and in the end, I found a compromise solution which contains elements of truth from all viewpoints.
3. What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In many ways I gave my own mind free-range when it came to developing the story. It started by making just one assumption – Life does have meaning. If you believe that, then numerous questions are immediately raised and it starts you on a journey in search of answers. The end result is that the book has to almost develop a theory of everything in order to fully explain the how, what, where and, most importantly, – why.
If I have to pick a few highlights, then they would probably be: the nature of God, creation and the structure of the universe, how mysticism and the paranormal work, why we have such diversity in sexuality, and what role Earth and mankind play in the bigger picture.
Although initially unintended, it was also interesting that the structure of the universe proposed aligns with Douglas Adams “Answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything”, postulated in the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. It seems that many of the answers to life’s mysteries can be found in 42.
4. Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
I have only just started. “Struth!” was conceived as a trilogy, and the second book in the series is already well advanced. The first book is really an adventure story where the leading characters go in search of life’s meaning and to understand the world around them. In the second book “Struth Mate!” the journey of discovery continues from where the first ended, and we look into the future and what destiny holds for us all. We encounter Gaia, or Mother Nature if you prefer. Who or what is she? What is her connection with God? Is she really able to influence life on Earth, changing our environment, or even altering the course of evolution? We also learn that the end of the world is fast approaching. Here the Book of Revelations and the returning Messiah take on greater significance and are brought startlingly into focus. We also discover what 42 signifies.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
♥ “This is a very interesting book if one keeps an open mind. I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars.” – Official review, Online Book Club.
♥ “Struth! isn’t your traditional novel. Instead, it’s an unconventional blend of scientific propositions, theological musings, and philosophical reflections all wrapped into one highly innovative package. It will have readers pondering their beliefs, laughing out loud, and questioning the universe.” – Literary Titan.
“Struth!” is a thought provoking philosophical fiction novel aimed at those still searching for some meaning to life and existence. It follows the life and death of three friends who hold very different views on life, but who are brought together and then murdered in mysterious circumstances. Their subsequent journey of discovery takes them into an unfamiliar spiritual world, where nothing makes much sense. Only as they travel on will the nature of reality start to reveal itself and the truth behind their lives exposed.
At the core of the novel is a model of existence derived from a fusion of history, science, religion and philosophy. This unified theory is used to provide plausible answers to many of those previously unanswered questions that have long eluded mankind: What is the meaning of life, the universe and everything? How was life created? Who is God? What killed the dinosaurs? Are there really aliens out there? … Why do the Germans consider themselves the master race?
“Struth!” is not irreligious or hostile to individual established religions, but draws upon all sources of knowledge, keeping an open and logical mind to arrive at compelling explanations that can be understood by everyone.
WARNING: This product may challenge your existing beliefs.
Appreciate All Life Has To Offer
“I Like Mud” is a collection of poetry written by Margaret Grote about the simple joys of everyday life to remind readers to appreciate each day and enjoy the small moments. What inspired you to publish your mother’s work 17 years later?
It had been in the back of my mind for quite a while. Several years ago I had the idea that it would be cool to have 1st and 2nd graders illustrate the poems with their artwork. I had an entire class of 2nd graders do illustrations for two of the poems with the idea that I would pick the best ones to use. It was a nice idea but the illustrations were not what I had hoped. Then a couple years ago my cousin visited and I showed her the poems. She was excited about the idea of doing some illustrations. And you can see the results. I think she did an amazing job of capturing the sentiments in the poems.
What was the collaboration process with your cousin and illustrator Marcia Wheelan Coles like to bring this collection of poetry to life?
It was great. She showed me her work in progress and I gave my comments. But the book is Marcia’s accomplishment much more than mine. I contributed my mother’s poetry and she took off with it. We originally had 27 poems, each with its own page. Because of the awesomeness of the illustrations, I suggested we do a full spread for each poem and do two books. So the next book will be out shortly with the other half of the poems.
What is one of your favorite memories that come to mind when reading the poems your mom left for you to publish?
Nothing too specific, but my mom passed along her love of dogs to me. So the “My Dog” poem is especially emotional to me, thinking back on a couple of the dogs I grew up with and loved with all my heart.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from “I Like Mud”?
To take the time to appreciate all life has to offer. It is easy to take so much for granted. Children are better at living in the moment and getting joy from things like the ice cream truck, or the beach, or playing in the mud. That ability disappears for most adults, although I think many grandparent-age adults are able to regain that. I know it is a children’s book but I believe I Like Mud has as much to offer adults as it does to children.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
I Write To Share Something True
Surf the Seesaw: Unconventional Essays on Balance, Beauty, and Meaning in Life shares with readers your insights on how to build a purposeful life with less drama and achieve a life balance. Why was this an important book for you to write?
All writers, whether fiction or non-fiction, write because they have seen something important about reality and they want others to see what they have seen. That is certainly true of me; I write to share something true.
I think fiction attracts us especially with its elegant use of narrative and its indirect approach to revelation. Often times in comparison, non-fiction is terribly boring and intolerably preachy. So, though Surf the Seesaw is clearly a non-fiction work, I’ve tried to incorporate the features of fiction literature that I love: the narrative scene-setting and the indirect approach to revelation that allows the material to morph uniquely in each reader’s mind.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Well, that is a question worthy of roughly 220 pages! In a nutshell, I would say that I wrote the book with my children and grandchildren in mind, with the idea of sharing a few handfuls of key concepts that when properly understood can transform a human lifetime into something spectacular – something with so many positive consequences that the universe’s norm of entropy will have a hard time erasing the evidence of the person’s existence.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
You can do hard things. In fact, most of the worthwhile things on which you can choose to spend your time are hard things.
In western culture, we glorify the natural gift and the extraordinary imagination, which programs many young people that life is supposed to be easy. Human beings evolved to tackle immense challenges and reshape our world to our vision – through the hardest of efforts. But, the culture’s present obsession with imagination and natural skill can turn a young human of near limitless potential into something more akin to water: lazily flowing to the lowest point.
I wish I had been exposed to the power of tenacity and discipline earlier in life. But, the good news is life taught me those lessons anyway – albeit in a more painful way.
What is one thing readers take away from your book?
The magic is in the middle. Extremes are almost always destructive, but for various reasons human beings are blindly attracted to extremes. Surf the Seesaw is full of stories on a wide variety of topics, but most of them share the common thread is active balance: the most productive and harmonious solution to important challenges is to operate in a zone in which we constantly, actively balance two ideas in tension with one another. To maintain active balance is to turn tension in to power, like in a dynamo.
That is actually the source of the book’s title. Surfing the seesaw is standing on top of the seesaw with each foot on opposite sides of the fulcrum, and actively working to keep both seats in the air. It’s one of my favorite memories from childhood, and it captures visually the core idea of the book.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Profiled in Forbes at age 30, Davis stunned the business world when he walked away from the executive suite to spend years exploring the world.
And, in Surf the Seesaw, Davis shares his unique life experiences through which he observes key concepts that drive the world in which we live—the common theme being active balance.
Inspired by his life and adventures, this collection of 30 thoughtful essays provides profound insight on a wide variety of topics including:
Human nature and in particular some common misconceptions about how our brains work
Relationships and how to cultivate healthy ones without losing ourselves in the process
Decision-making and a few bad assumptions at the root of many regrettable choices
Positive parenting to raise kids that will amaze you
The meaning of life and specifically how we can create meaning in a universe dominated by chaos
Each entertaining essay concludes with an invitation to put core concepts into action, so that you can work toward more effective behaviors. For anyone searching for lasting satisfaction and meaning in their life, Surf the Seesaw offers the essential toolkit needed to create balance, accountability, and greater happiness.
Our Inheritance And Legacy
The Spirit of Ruchel Leah tells the story of a woman living during the Holocaust and her struggles not just to survive but see her family escape to America away from the Nazis. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The Spirit of Ruchel Leah revolves around the letters that Ruchel Leah, my aunt, sent to my grandparents and father from 1938-1941 and subsequent letters from extended family members after the war. These letters, as the only remaining connection with Ruchel Leah and her family, were saved and passed on to my father, Abraham. After several years, he took on the task of translating the letters from the original Yiddish, Polish, Russian, and French so that his sister, brother, brother-in-law and nieces would not be forgotten by future generations.
Upon reading the translations, my sister Elaine and I told our father that the story is not just for our family, but needs to be exposed to a wider audience. When we inherited the letters and preliminary work from our late father, we embarked on an extraordinary research mission to bring the village, the family, and the era accurately to life. This was our inheritance and legacy.
We must learn from the past in order to engage in the present and have an impact on the future.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It was important to share the strength, courage, hope, and resiliency of one woman as she struggled for mere survival against unimaginable obstacles. To me, Ruchel Leah represented the essence of our people. It is also important to be aware that social and political implications direct decisions, such as the restrictive 1924 immigration laws, which impacted many individuals in the past and can affect the future. This generation needs to be proactive to change those implications for the good.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
Everyday of research produced surprises. We had to identify the individuals and events written about in Ruchel Leah’s letters and place them into the appropriate historical context. Being able to trace information about Ruchel Leah’s brother-in-law in Paris and sister-in-law who ultimately immigrated to Israel was perhaps the most surprising research. Tracking down the disposition of the visa application was also amazing and telling.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
The biggest challenge in writing The Spirit of Ruchel Leah was presenting a Holocaust story capturing the emotions and feelings of the individuals in the book in a manner that transcended being just the story of our family but also offered the reader a microcosm of the entire Holocaust experience.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Stymied by the bureaucracy of the United States immigration policies, Ruchel Leah pursued obtaining the proper documentation so her daughter, Elka could immigrate to “The Golden Land”. As the murderous wings of the Nazi hordes enveloped Poland, the family fled east into Soviet Russia. Until her final letter, Ruchel Leah continued to express her resolution to save at least one child from the Holocaust.
Then, silence. Ruchel Leah, her husband, Anschel Taus, daughters, Elka and Surcha, and her brother, Moshe Blum were lost in the milieu of the Holocaust.
In writing The Spirit of Ruchel Leah, parallel yet divergent sagas of survival emerged, each unique and with different conclusions. Consistent throughout was the unimaginable determination, courage, and persistence for survival exhibited to protect and save their families, particularly their children.
The Spirit of Ruchel Leah is a wide ranging Holocaust book which takes the reader on a complete educational journey. The book is international in scope ranging from Poland and New York to Belarus, Soviet Russia, Cuba, Cyprus, Israel, Brazil, and Paris.
Our legacy is The Spirit of Ruchel Leah.
“For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” Eli Wiesel, Holocaust survivor
We will never forget!
LITERARY TITAN 