Blog Archives
The Values of Life
The Dog in the Hollow follows a reclusive man and an abused dog who form a special bond. Where did the idea for this novel come from, and how did it develop over time?
The book was largely inspired by dogs I have known in the past when working on caring for dogs from dogfighting cases. The two main characters are named after a pair of special dogs I once knew. The story of the hollow and the other dogs just came to mind based on these experiences and knowledge of dog fighting. I wanted Goose to bond with a human character as I believe showing people the power in that connection is meaningful. I thought of Clarence when thinking about the depth of people and how everyone has their own unique stories and troubles. The forest has a healing quality and I wanted to portray that through both Clarence and Goose.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
The ending of the book probably best depicts this. Clarence is given the choice to resume a comfortable life in town, accept the accolades and the comforts of Mayfield, as well as at least a potential friendship with Loretta and being embraced by his colleagues once more. In the end, Clarence chooses to live a somewhat difficult life in the forest without civilized comforts in exchange for the peace and solitude it has brought him and most importantly, because he now has Goose’s love which amounts to far more than human amenities. The message here is that sometimes the values of life are not readily apparent and may not be what most would immediately consider. Clarence discovers this through the journey with Goose.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The connection between humans and animals is important, but especially the connection between them when they are each “broken” or damaged in their own individual ways. There is healing in this bond, but especially when the two can relate to the other’s plight and circumstances. This healing can transcend any human to human connection and I wanted to make this apparent. I also wanted readers to understand the suffering that animals endure which goes unseen and the resilience of animals subjected to such cruelties.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I just started another book and am working through an outline. It is the story of the bond between a dog and a pig. Many people often lean towards issues of dogs and cats, but I want to widen the circle of compassion and shift the focus to other species who are equally deserving of kindness and attention.
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Life in the forest is lonely but simple for Clarence. But when a dog named Goose mysteriously appears at the door to his shack with a troubling story of his own, Clarence is forced to return to Mayfield and confront the past he left behind long ago. In a mountain hollow far away, the fate of many rests on the journey of this unlikely pair.
The Dog in the Hollow is an endearing story of an unbreakable bond between man and dog and the unexpected path to redemption.
Traveling Tootsie
Katie and Steven’s parents travel a lot, and they wish they could travel too. While playing pretend, their teddy bear, Tootsie, comes up with a great idea. They should hide him in their father’s suitcase so he can see Washington, DC, and then come home and tell them all about the trip. After secretly being stowed away in their father’s suitcase, Tootsie makes it to Washington, DC and sees all the amazing sights. But will Tootsie make it back in time to tell the kids about all the awesome things he saw?
Author’s Karen and Kathy Honaker have created a beautifully illustrated children’s book that showcases the magic of a child’s imagination and the wonders of traveling. Each page of this adorable children’s book is illustrated with cute artwork. I loved seeing Tootie at different landmarks across Washington, DC! The sketch artwork will be relatable to children and capture their attention. I also enjoyed how the character’s faces conveyed their emotions well and how there were many little details to pick up on in the artwork.
This is a fantastically educational book that will be perfect for any child that wishes to travel, especially to Washington, DC. It shows readers all the different landmarks around the city, along with some sights and sounds.
Traveling Tootsie is a fun and educational picture book that will inspire kids to travel. This will be an excellent book to gift to children with parents that travel a lot as it will show them a different way to cope with the separation. I also think this will make a great bedtime story as young children have plenty to look at on the page as their parent reads the story.
Pages: 38 | ASIN: B0BT1V88FL
Hidden Things That Belong To Nature
Bittersweet is an inspirational collection of poetry that looks at how love, loss, and wanderlust help people grow and appreciate the moments in life they experience. Where did the idea for this anthology come from?
Bittersweet is a collection of poems and short writings that were written towards the final years of my military enlistment. As I deployed, traveled the world, and developed relationships with people, the moments that were burned most vividly into my memory were the ones I wrote mostly about. The ideas for many of the poems came from the deep emotions I felt during moments of heartbreak, loss, and loneliness as I spent a typical Marine’s life stationed away from loved ones. However, many poems were also written from moments of absolute joy and wonder, such as when I visited Japan and Singapore or drove from coast to coast with my best friend in the United States.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I think the experience that has impacted my writing the most was the five years I served in the United States Marine Corps as an intelligence analyst. My character was transformed by my time spent in training and my orders to later serve within infantry, reconnaissance, and special operations units. The hardships I faced during that season of my life allowed me to gain a special appreciation for the little things. It let me love important moments more deeply when they came and cherish mental and physical rest more fully when I was able to sit down and relax with a pen in my hand. There is always more to things, people, and places than meets the eye. The military helped me to open my eyes and see that. As a writer, I want to do the same with readers and, through words, show them the hidden things that belong to nature, love, loss, life, and our innate desire to explore this world.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Bittersweet: Poems on Love, Loss & Wanderlust?
One thing I hope readers take away from any of my books is that what makes humans beautiful is our ability to experience so many varying emotions. Often, the sad moments in our lives are the ones we never want to repeat. However, those same moments allow us to appreciate joy and love more profoundly. Even though some emotions are more challenging to traverse, they are also the same emotions that make our lives worth living. To live a life fully, accepting the downfalls just as much as the joys and successes, is what makes a life worth sharing with others. It’s what makes a life worth writing about. Everyone suffers at some point, but sharing our stories helps others feel like they are not alone when they go through those dark times. We remind them that there is always room for hope. There is always room to dream.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My goal is to continue publishing at least one book per year. With that being said, I have several books I am currently working on, including another poetry collection and an anthology of short horror stories. Both should be completed within the next two years, but I’m particularly hoping to finish the scary story anthology just in time for next year’s spooky season in October. My latest book, Amor gitano, is a poetry collection that is similar in style to Bittersweet and is planned for release in late February 2023. However, that book is one of my Spanish works, so it is intended for my Spanish-speaking audience.
Author Links: Amazon | Website
Sit down with the raw words of this poetry book, and may each poem slowly soften your heart. May each message plant in you a profound feeling that will blossom into something grand. May you rediscover your will to love, explore, and venture fearlessly into the unknown. And finally, may you find the wisdom to understand it’s often the painful times that help us grow.
Life can be bittersweet, but it’s the changes of the seasons that help us appreciate the beautiful moments when they come.
Mythical Creatures I Created
The Lady of the Mirrored Lake follows a healer who becomes a warrior priestess and embarks on a perilous quest to defend the sacred waters of the Goddess while facing a diabolical threat to her love and kingdoms. What were some new ideas you wanted to explore in this book that was different from book one?
In The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven–book one of the trilogy– I separately developed the characters of the protagonists, Tristan and Issylte, weaving the intricate threads of the plot which brought them together as fated mates. In book two, The Lady of the Mirrored Lake, I developed their passion and purpose as they unite against the wicked Black Widow Queen who threatens them both.
What were some challenges in the story that you felt were important to developing Issylte’s character?
In book one, Issylte is a royal princess, forced to flee the wicked stepmother who seeks her death. She finds refuge with a fairy witch who teaches her the verdant healing magic of the enchanted forest. Fate leads Issylte to the otherworldly realm of Avalon, but when the evil queen traces her path, the gifted healer is forced to flee once again.
In book 2, Tristan teaches Issylte weaponry, enabling her to become a warrior priestess of the Tribe of Dana and the Lady of the Mirrored Lake. She must undertake a perilous quest to discover what priceless object lies hidden in the sacred waters she is sworn to protect. In developing Issylte’s character, I wove together many of the French legends I researched, such as the Gallizanea priestesses of the Île de Sein and the Golden Fairies– les Fées Dorées. I altered and embellished certain aspects of those legends to enhance my plot as the mythical creatures I created bestow magic abilities on Issyle.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene where Issylte, as a little white dove, flies into the castle dungeon of Tintagel to save her imprisoned mate, Tristan. In the original medieval French legend of Tristan et Yseult (which inspired my trilogy), there is a chapter called Le Cheveu d’ Or–the Golden Hair. I used that same theme, adapting it into a shapeshifting, paranormal scene that was very exciting to write. (And, I hope–to read!)
What can readers expect in book three of The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven series?
The conclusion of the trilogy– entitled The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight–will be published June 21st, on the summer solstice. Tristan and Issylte, empowered with Druidic magic, have enlisted the aid of a triad of shapeshifting allies–the Wolf Tribe, the Bear Clan, and the Mélusine Sea Dragon Warriors. Armed with a trinity of enchanted Elven weapons, the Emerald Fairy Issylte and the Dragon Knight Tristan must defend their Celtic kingdoms against the combined destructive force of the wicked Black Widow Queen, the malevolent Shadow Fairy Malfleur, and the invincible Viking Trident.
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In mystical Brocéliande, Issylte becomes a warrior priestess of the Tribe of Dana and otherworldly mate of the Blue Knight of Cornwall, discovering with Tristan a passion that transcends all bounds. When she becomes the Lady of the Mirrored Lake, sworn to defend the sacred waters of the Goddess, Issylte must undertake a perilous quest to discover what priceless object lies hidden in its murky depths.
As a nascent evil emerges in a fetid cave, Issylte and Tristan must face a diabolical trio that threatens their lives, their love, and their kingdoms.
Enchanted. Enflamed. Entwined. Can their passion and power prevail?
A Combination of Folklore
Ascension follows a teenage girl from a small town who discovers her destiny is to become a guardian with powerful magic and fight an evil demon. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story actually began with Anne-Marie. She started as a character in a video game my family plays, and with time, her role became that of the “witch in the woods”. I imagined her as an ageless guardian who watched over the generations of her family, always close by, but keeping her distance all the same. In developing the story, I wanted the secondary Main character, Angelica, to be far enough along the family tree that when Anne-Marie revealed that she was Angelica’s 10th great grandmother, the significance of the relationship would stand out stronger. Shade, the Father of Nightmares, grew out of a combination of folklore. I knew his title first, so I wanted a villain who embodied different scary things. A touch of Little Red Riding Hood, werewolves, zombies for the decay of his muzzle, and the patient confidence that his evil schemes would outlive the foolish mortals who might oppose him. He never anticipated Anne-Marie’s vow upon her own Ascension to the mantle of Guardian to grant her near immortality and tie her life force so strongly to his own.
Angelica and Anne-Marie are strong, intelligent, and powerful witches. What was your inspiration for the characters and their relationship?
The story was always going to be about love of family and the duty to protect those dearest to us. I have two children of my own, and I think a lot of Anne-Marie’s devotion came from the relationships I have with my kids. Angelica’s wit and boldness certainly comes from the day to day antics of my teenagers and their friends.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I find that I often write about the idea of an unsung hero protecting the innocent from the dangers that they may not even know exist. Anne-Marie begins her journey simply trying to take care of her own family, but finds herself thrown into a much larger fight. There are moments where she thinks of turning her back on the responsibility she has assumed, but knows that if she doesn’t make the stand, then not just her loved ones, but the entire world could fall to Shade’s threat.
When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers? Guardian, Book 2 of the series is available now. In 1671, Anne-Marie must flee from Shade’s enclosing grasp. As the demon’s power grows, and new enemies arise, lashing out not just at the young woman, but at those she holds dear. In present day, Angelica slowly recovers from her battle with Aiden Carmichael, but her impetuous actions have caused the veil between the realms to tatter, and she soon discovers her most beloved sanctuary has become the Father of Nightmare’s hunting ground.
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Anne-Marie Carmichael is a compassionate and hard working wife and mother from the late 17th century. Determined to save her family’s struggling farm from financial ruin, she enters into a hasty bargain that unwittingly turns her into a soldier in a war that has lasted for millennia. Imbued with the primordial magic that extends her life and grants earth shattering power, the fiery natured farmwife must recruit the children of her family for generations to come to stand against the demonic Shade, Father of Nightmares.
As the barriers between our world and the Realm of the Demonkin falter, Anne-Marie must awaken in Angelica the might that lies dormant in the Blood of the Firstborn and shape her into the weapon that fate has called for her to become. For only the Witches of Pioneer Vale can hope to win the battle that threatens to destroy not just the pastoral community that Angelica has known her whole life, but existence itself.
That Vampire Edge
Blood Relations follows an ageless vampire who is determined to find the Fountain of Youth to keep his love alive even if his thirst for female blood and her protective mother stand in the way. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The vampire in Blood Relations is a Prince named Eros, after the God of lust, love, and passion. I wanted to create a vampire that showed a different side – that of love for humans – a need not only for their blood but more for their embracing warmth, unlimited love, and deep compassion. Love was the inspiration for this story from the beginning in every way, especially through the eyes of a cold-blooded vampire from a world half-way across the galaxy. I also wanted to show a vampire in a more realistic light with a new human family, full of supportive friends and a story showing people having fun and an abundance of happiness. It’s not all love and happiness as you’ll see, but it is the main theme. It’s a story to take the reader away from the stresses and heartaches of the day. A lot of effort went into adding pieces of cutting-edge science and describing why Eros acts the way he does. Bite scenes for example are realistic and there’s an explanation to why they happen and where. So, the story has great depth and maintains that vampire edge.
In the beginning, Eros arrives on Earth with no memory of his past. He must learn and re-discover his strengths, needs and weaknesses. In this sense, we get to know Eros by following him as he grows. We feel his pains and celebrate his discoveries together.
Eros’s early discoveries teach him about his need for humans. The warm energy they radiate, their love and of course their Oxytocin enriched blood created from the love and happiness in the donor’s brain that he craves. He sees visions of Heaven too. His weaknesses follow similar weaknesses from other vampire stories but they’re also different. For example, the crucifix doesn’t affect him, but our hot yellow sun can turn him to ashes. And being cold-blooded, he comes close to death in the cold and gains needed energy from warmth. This drives him into the arms of his closest female lovers who embrace him. I feel love is the most powerful and universal language throughout the universe. In Blood Relations, I show examples of this love.
Another discovery he makes is how during a bite the venom released into his female donor changes her DNA. From curing most diseases to giving her incredible energy, beauty, and strength. Death was the only thing he could not prevent, and it tore him apart as well as confused him. He didn’t understand why he never died and yet lived to see everyone around him die. Searching for the Fountain of Youth became his obsession. Over time, he created a research center and devoted his life to finding a cure to human aging. Like in real life, aging and dying are things I wish we could stop. Here, I wanted the story to take us down that fictional path.
Eros is an intriguing and well-defined character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
First, making Eros as realistic and as human as possible with unique strengths and weaknesses that made him vulnerable and yet strong were important. I wanted his needs for humans to be more involved and meaningful than just blood. Second, love is always a central driving force between Eros and his female partner. They must have a strong bond and deep trust. The story must show the symbiotic relationship between Eros and his human lovers that’s beneficial to both made even better because Eros is a multi-billionaire vampire capable of so much.
Then there is the ESP experience that’s shared. For example, if a love interest of Eros is ever in danger, Eros would see it through her eyes and come to her rescue if possible and his love interest might see visions of Eros’s past that he can’t remember or explain, such as being a Prince and living in a castle.
Challenges surface when some women donors become lesbian as too much Oxytocin in their brains changes them. They may still love Eros, but the relationship goes through changes. It’s not immediately known what’s going on, but Oxytocin is the power behind the love Eros needs. He must learn to accept these new challenges.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Lots of themes. Love, relationships, heroism, living forever, cures to diseases, care of one another, sharing, kindness, no money worries, free food and entertainment, free insurance, and having great fun are a few. Blood Relations is a story about an alien who is fighting to survive on a hostile planet who falls in love with humans and works to make their human dreams come true as they devote their lives to keep him alive. It really is all fantasy of the best kind full of love and a little lust. A story I hope people enjoy reading and one that will flood their own minds with Oxytocin.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Blood Relations – A New World was first written as a prequel to the original Blood Relations story because I needed to tell the story from the beginning. That prequel grew into what we see now. So, my next book is re-working the original story to include things I added in the prequel. The next book will include a return of the Scorpious, Eros discovering his spaceship and regaining his memory, ghosts, weddings, birth of twins, and an epic battle for Earth between the Scorpious and Eros in space. It will be awesome. My hope is to release this book by the end of 2024 if not sooner.
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Eros is a handsome, ageless, blood-sucking alien who finds refuge on modern-day Earth. Despite coming from an advanced civilization thousands of years ahead of Earth, he falls in love with the charm, compassion, and creativity of humanity. But after outliving his friends and lovers, Eros becomes incensed to find a way to help others live longer—especially after meeting the beautiful and powerful Camellia. And when he hears of the sacred and elusive Fountain of Youth, Eros believes he may be able to keep his love alive for good.
But with Eros’s need for female blood and Camellia’s mortality and protective mother fighting against their union, will Camellia and Eros find a way to be together today, tomorrow, and forever? This epic love story will have readers’ hearts skipping beats and filling with warmth and positivity. Despite its incredible paranormal twists, this love story feels as real and raw as it gets.
The Darkest Mysteries
In Scam at Mount Diablo, you blend elements of romance, humor, and mystery into the crime thriller genre. What inspired you to take this approach and how do you balance these different elements in your writing?
As my stories are based on true events, in my experience, in real life, romance, humour ansd mystery are not mutually exclusive nor do they occur sequentailly.
In the darkest of mysteries in one’s life, sparks of humor can appear unexpectedly and at the same time, the beginnings of a love interest can appear. Anyway, my life has been like this. I didn’t have to invent it.
Jack Rhodes is a complex character with both computer and martial arts skills. How did you develop his character, and what challenges did you face in creating such a multi-faceted protagonist?
I have met people who have exceptionall computer and martial arts skils, but in focusing to develp these skills some part of them gets lost or part of them was missing or wired differently in the first place which enable these skills to develope above and beyond the norm. An example is people with autism who exhibit savant capabilities within a narrow focus.
Scam at Mount Diablo is the third book in the series. How has your writing process changed or evolved over the course of your career, and what have you learned from your previous works?
My writing regime hasn’t changed. I rise at 5 am. walk on the beach with my wife, we have breakfast together, she goes to work and I am at my desk by 6:30 am. I then write for three hours, despite what is happening in the world. I have learned that I must ensure that there is consistency in the Jack Rhodes character as well as the secondary characters who are in all the books. Someone once described Jack Rhodes as a Jame Bond Noir, which, when I read it, I realised wasn’t a bad summation.
What advice would you give to aspiring crime and mystery writers who are looking to develop well-drawn characters while also maintaining a thrilling plot full of twists and turns?
When you are next in a coffee shop, get out your notebook, choose someone in the coffee shop (don’t stare) and describe them. Not just there physical charactistics, but what they are wearing and why are they wearing those clothes and what you think is going on in their mind. Then write the most unlikely thing you think they will do. (Maybe this person will come over and smack you because you were staring). A weel later read what you wrote. Write everyday and read every day.
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Exploring Pointillism and Optical Illusions
In “Perspective Detective,” readers join a clever bear detective on an adventure to find a lost teddy while learning valuable lessons about empathy, problem-solving, and open-mindedness. What inspired you to create this creative children’s book?
My inspiration behind Perspective Detective originated out of my belief that any given situation has more than one way of looking at it. I wanted to share this large concept and simplify it into an entertaining, rhyming mystery story for young readers. I wanted to further simplify the complexity of perspective by showing and not simply telling the story, by somehow making it interactive.
All that being said, the idea behind Perspective Detective had been slowly materializing in the back of my mind for a long time coming, even while simultaneously writing several other stories. I’d sporadically jot down ideas that popped into my mind, walk away from them for a while, then revisit the ideas later, which eventually led to the fruition of Perspective Detective.
How did you come up with the idea of incorporating optical illusions and puzzles into the story, and what do you hope young readers will gain from these elements?
As my idea continued to develop into a more solid storyline, revolving around perspective taking, the idea of utilizing optical illusions and visual puzzles to visually represent that “things can be seen from more than one angle” would complement the storyline. After a lot of brainstorming and a lot of brain-wracking, I challenged myself with new forms of illustrating; exploring pointillism and optical illusions.
What advice would you give to parents and educators who want to use your book to start conversations with children about empathy, open-mindedness, and effective communication?
I hope that my book will help expand children’s open-mindedness, empathy and effective communication skills through its uniquely interactive plot. I suggest reading the book with children in a classroom environment or in a one-on-one setting and then opening up conversation by asking them how they might feel in a peer’s situation, like Axel and Lexa’s? Or even in a hypothetical and relatable imaginary circumstance; e.g. “how would you feel if your friend, ‘Timmy’ broke your toy?”
I like to do a simple perspective activity that accompanies my readings, by taking a piece of paper with two different images on either side. Then I ask the child(ren) what they see on one side (their side), while keeping my side hidden, I explain what I see from my side. I encourage a peaceful debate, until the paper is flipped over to reveal that there is always more than one way of looking at any given situation. Rather than arguing, the more effective option is to discuss the situation and imagine how the other person might be feeling. This demonstrates the lesson of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I just released a new book called Catch Up!, which targets a younger audience. It is a progressive story, following an everyday simple object- a ketchup bottle cap, as if rolls off a family’s picnic table. Along the way, the cap becomes many different things to a variety of animals in a park. Creativity, perspective and recycling are all among the themes intertwined in this interactive story that will have your little ones guessing what’s next.
I plan to release a couple more books in the very near future, as well. In addition to my forthcoming releases, I also have several other books in various stages, on deck. One of which is a sequel to Perspective Detective, so be on the lookout!
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Perfect for fans of:Dr. Seuss
Julia Donaldson
P.D. Eastman
Great for parents who are looking to:Promote a growth mindset and problem-solving
Cultivate communication skills
Help children deal with difficult emotions and feelings
Prepare children for life’s challenges
LITERARY TITAN 