Blog Archives
New Ways of Learning
Musical Soul Mates follows a nervous little girl who loves music and learns how to share this passion with her classmates and overcome her fears. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for my story was our daughter, Eleanor, who has ADHD and anxiety and learned better through music. She loves music so much and had difficulty speaking in front of others, and I wanted to find a way for young children to know that they can connect to reading and lead by opening their hearts to new ways of learning.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Estelle Corke?
Estelle was wonderful. I wanted someone who used watercolor and she was able to bring my book to life. I described the characters, and Estelle drew them exactly how I saw them. She draws great expression in her illustrations. Estelle starts with pencil drawings and then moves to color once the drawings are approved. It was a wonderful collaboration.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I believe that using onomatopoeia words in children’s picture books is important because it draws the reader into the book, thus causing them to want to read more and then increase their reading ability in the future.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on another children’s book about a young boy who chooses the perfect pet, and I hope to have it out August 2023.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
But when it’s Eleanora’s turn to speak in front of her kindergarten class and share her Show and Tell, the fun disappears. The only way Eleanora will ever be able to conquer her fears and show her talent is with the help of a close, yet mysterious, friend.
Add Your Voice To The Fight
American Gaslighting explains the threats facing our nation, the tools used to divide us, and what we can do to stop it. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Because I see a coordinated attack on our American identity that is intended to divide our citizens and pull the country toward leftist ideology. Leftism leads to socialism and eventually totalitarian government. These types of governments never end well for its citizens. Now is the time to stop self-censoring and speak against leftist ideology before it’s too late.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about the American Constitution?
Without question the most common misconception about the Constitution is that it can be reinterpreted with the times. This is the concept that the Constitution is a living document, which originated as a progressive idea during the Wilson era. This idea is very dangerous as it can create an erosion of our rights and legislation from the judiciary or legislating from the bench as it is commonly called.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Accurate interpretation of history. Slavery was not an American invention. It existed for thousands of years prior to America’s founding. It’s no surprise that this evil found its way to the shores of the New World. No race has clean hands in the perpetuation of slavery. It’s not just an American legacy.
Secondly, because of our bedrock values enshrined in our founding documents, America was able to self-correct and reverse the evil of slavery. America had to first win its independence before it could even entertain abolishing slavery. Along the way a series of compromises with slavery proponents had to be made in order to preserve the Union until no further compromise was possible.
Lastly, America is not systemically racist, but systemic racism is still practiced with fervor by the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party history is one of complete resistance to abolishing slavery, to oppression of black people in the post-bellum South, and then institutionalizing government dependence as a means of exerting permanent control over large swaths of our black citizens. The Democrat Party has fully embraced woke and leftists ideology.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
Truth and justice exist independent of the source. Simply because our Founders were flawed does not invalidate the gift of liberty they gave to all Americans. Treasure America, strengthen our Republic and add your voice to the fight before it’s too late.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
Pervasive propaganda paints America as systemically and irredeemably racist. Americans are being purposefully deceived into believing that our American Constitution is a relic of the past and must be reinterpreted with the times. They are being conditioned to “burn it down.” What will replace it? The answer should concern every freedom-loving American. The book explains the threats facing our nation, the tools used to divide us, a retracing of how we arrived at our current situation, an assessment of who is most culpable for our present state, and what to do to stop it. American Gaslighting exposes the psychological techniques that are particularly effective against people who don’t routinely exercise critical thinking skills. American Gaslighting sets the historical record straight. It is a vital read for informing every American that receives only a steady diet of America-hating propaganda.
A Tangible Legacy
Midpoint: A Memoir tells the story of your life and shares the struggles and successes you’ve had in building a legacy. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Midpoint: A Memoir is my passion project, and my intention is two-fold. First, I wanted to pause and assess my learnings so far and then apply whatever those were to improve (or at least try to!) the second half of my life. Second, and more importantly, I wanted to leave a tangible legacy to my daughters and show them a side of me that they have not been privy to, since they only see and know me as Mom.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It was difficult to write about my failures and the wrong choices I’ve made and there were times when I got cold feet and backed out from publication. People sometimes are quick to judge and it took a great deal of courage and guts for me to come to terms with the fact that I can’t always please everyone and that I am not here to.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
When I was starting out in my career, my mentor once told me this: “Do not wait for tomorrow to do the things you can do today.” This advice has not only shaped my work ethic allowing me to maximize productivity at the workplace, it also eventually evolved into a personal mantra that has enriched my life in more ways than one.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
As mentioned earlier, this book was written with my daughters in mind the whole time. If it ends up in other people’s hands, the one takeaway I hope they leave with is the importance and power of stories, because what are we but an accumulation of our experiences? When we bequeath these to our children, they become stories; all together, it becomes our legacy.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Patricia Angeles is at the midpoint of the average human lifespan. Decades of experience, mistakes, love, and loss have led her to contemplate what anyone might when they’ve lived half their life. “What kind of legacy am I leaving behind? What do I want my friends and family to remember after I’m gone? What are the biggest life lessons I can impart while I’m still here?”
Through this collection of personal stories, Patricia attempts to assess her answers to these questions, and perhaps encourage others to do the same. Spanning from her childhood in Manila to her immigration and life in Los Angeles, these stories touch on her youth, her acclimation to American culture, her remarkable career in the world of banking, her thoughts on motherhood, the important people who made her who she is today, and major events that forever changed the trajectory of her life.
A raw, honest, poignant, and at times funny read, Patricia aims to inspire her readers to pursue happiness against all odds and to not settle for a life of mediocrity. Through the power of story, this book ultimately asks: What are we but the accumulation of our experiences?
Back Into A Life Of Crime
The Shadowmaker follows a renowned thief and FBI informant whose new assignment could be the biggest score of his life, but he must to keep his worlds from colliding. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to write a character that was highly complex, someone who danced between the lines of good and bad. He’s a thief and a mobster, but somewhere deep within him is this sliver of goodness and chivalry and honor. Henry isn’t in it to hurt people, but I think him being an FBI informant is sort of his way of finding a bit of humanity within himself. His character was somewhat inspired by Michael Corleone from Mario Puzo’s The Godfather—this kid who tried desperately to live a straight life but continues to get pulled back into a life of crime. It was a really fun theme to play with.
Henry Sirola is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Like any hero, I wanted Henry to be tough, methodical and smooth. But he’s not perfect—he’s not infallible. He makes mistakes, he gets caught, he gets scared. I developed him in a way that made him every bit as human as the rest of us and it was important that readers had a chance to not only appreciate what he’s going through, but to relate to him as well.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think the idea of “good guy gone bad” is something I’ve always been drawn to. I also wanted to include a storyline that keeps the reader guessing, and eventually there’s this big scene at the end where the veil gets lifted and the reader realizes that there’s been something happening in the background the whole time—something the reader never saw coming.
What can readers expect in book two in the Shadowmaker Series?
Book 2 of The Shadowmaker is going to be really exciting. There is a ton of action in this one, and the story is completely set in Europe with a series of amazing locations. Readers will quickly discover how Henry escaped from the U.S., but ultimately, the driving plot is what happened to Isabell—that’s going to be the real hook to book #2.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
World-renowned thief, Henry Sirola, has a secret. He’s also an FBI informant.
When he’s given a new assignment by the Croatian mob to retrieve a priceless artifact, he knows it could be the biggest score of his life, but he needs to keep his two worlds from colliding. Henry and his associates embark on a mission that takes them to Brazil and home again where an assassin strikes at the heart of their crew.
Now, hunting down a cold-blooded killer, Henry embarks on an international quest for the truth through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to the cafes and castles of Italy to the back alleys of Zürich. His battle for survival uncovers his troubled past and takes him through the dark underworld of organized crime into a pursuit of self-discovery as the battle between good and evil turns personal.
The Freedom To Follow Your Dreams
DREAM JUMPERS the INHERITANCE follows siblings who are ushered into the hidden world of the Dream Jumpers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Nine years ago, I dreamt, unparallel to any dream state I remember to date. The vision was clear I had to write a book. The idea, I believe, came from God because I wasn’t thinking about writing a book. More likely, I only would want to illustrate a book, not write it. Two weeks later, I had written fifty-two thousand words. Later, I realized it was more of an outline than a book.
Your characters are interesting and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I knew who and what I wanted to be at age five. However, my gender, and race, were societally marginalized, which held me back. For many years I fought for the courage to be who I am today. The longer I live, I see a better world if the youth strives to find their true young selves to succeed. No worries, that will include older folks too. My literary focus is to persuade ALL to find their life’s purpose. I developed each character reasonably quickly because I knew and recognized each personality’s voice. I had conversations with them at some point in my life and knew their backstories. Eventually, I embarked on an unlimited research trek to learn how to write, and the learning curve was very high. I persevered.
What were the themes vital for you to explore in this book?
The various themes were presented so teens who read the book might be inspired to find their particular purpose. The book’s message is to encourage children to follow their dreams. Once they graduate, dedicating their youth and begin to understand their journey to fulfilled lives. The freedom to follow your dreams is imperative to build a flourishing world. The dual-gender twin theme was a perfect way to get girls and boys to understand their gender importance. The Academy was vital to socialize and teaching the children how to accept their inheritance. They will learn how to help others and themselves. I included fun and humor throughout the book to lighten some heavy themes.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m working on the sequel to DJTI. I have many stories to tell and characters to introduce to my people. I’m not sure how many books will be in this series; I know I have more to write, and neither am I sure when it will be finished.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
The Way We Play God
Discoveries follows three strangers searching for answers who are all headed for the same place and must work together to survive and save humanity. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I woke one morning, having dreamt of an idea for a novel, and sat down that day to start writing. As the ideas came thick and fast, the scope of the story developed, such that I soon found myself planning a five-book series. Other areas of inspiration came from my home country, my extensive travel experiences, the state of the world and possible outcomes I imagined, as well as my faith.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
I have always found dialogue the most challenging part of writing, so I often find myself reading it aloud in voices, drawing on my skills as a Drama teacher! The idea that we hide so much in any interaction was really important to me, so I have tried to leave the audience and even the characters doubting one another’s motives – and at times, even their own.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I was (and still am) interested in the way we play God – but when we do, we tend to make selfish and frivolous decisions, both individually and as a society. The idea of this driving humanity into a dystopian situation when we could have done so much good with the power of magicium was important. Other issues like social outrage, the complexities of parent-child relationships and ideas around charismatic personalities and self-doubt shaped the series.
What is the next book in the series that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have released five already: Discoveries, Disruptions, Disciples, Disintegration and Dissidents. Book 6 (as yet untitled) is currently being written and will most likely come out midway through 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
In a post-apocalyptic future, humanity has been forced underground by Abominations, fantasy creatures created through the power of magicium. And when the Abominations rebelled, the secrets of manipulating magicium were lost.
Carla is smothered in secrets. Logan obeys without thinking. Junior regrets every choice he makes. They all want one thing.
All three are in a race to the broken city of Shanghai to recover a prized canister of the magical substance. Determined to brave the Open, each will discover about the lost science of magic on their quest – and will risk being torn apart by their mistakes, past and present.
If you don’t know you’re in a race, how do you know when you’ve won?
I Wrote The Ending First
The Billionaire’s List follows a reclusive author who is entangled in a murder mystery after the death of her uncle. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
During the 2020 pandemic lock-down, my family played a lot of MONOPOLY. And as anyone who has ever played that game knows, you can’t finish in just one sitting! When we rested between rounds, the board sat on a table in the corner of our family room. I kept looking at the board—the street names, the railroads, the jail, and Mr. Monopoly in the center—and I thought, “There’s a story here!”
Unlike most writers, I wrote the ending first. Well, some of the ending. I knew one of the plot twists right off the bat. Since I new the ending, I worked backward (but forward on the board) to get to that fantastic ending and ensure each location was mentioned. I had a blast creatively incorporating some of the spots, such as the Chance and Community Chest cards and the railroads.
I had no idea I had written a mystery until my first beta reader said, “I loved this mystery!”
“What?”
“Well, you have dead bodies, and we don’t know who or why, so you have a mystery!” Since my primary initial objective was moving through the board game, I went back to add the mystery components—the red herrings and more suspense and surprise. I’ve never had more fun writing!
Greta Goldman is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
I have a lot of people in my life who live with neurodiversities, from autism to ADHD and more. Greta is a little bit of me and a lot of them. As with all good protagonists, there needs to be growth (or at least change). That was my goal. And those around her helped her along the way, even if some didn’t realize it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The overarching themes are not your typical themes for mysteries. I spent a lot of my life living inside boxes. As I’ve gotten older, I realize the importance of stepping outside the lines and breaking a few rules. So the themes are goodness and redemption. We’re all given gifts—talents, wealth, time, and more—and it’s important we learn how to use them for the greater good. That’s what gives our lives purpose. But we also all make mistakes. That’s part of our humanity. It takes a good support system of family, friends, and even a little faith to right our wrongs and unleash that purpose.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m busy writing the PREquel to The Billionaire’s List. Most people who have read The Billionaire’s List are expecting a sequel. But I really need to dig into the past to help set the stage for the future. And, of course, I’m drumming up another jaw-dropping plot twist! I hope this next manuscript doesn’t take two-plus years. My goal is to release it in late Winter 2024.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
Private and quirky, twenty-nine-year-old Greta Goldman is traveling to Atlantic City (the AC) to close out her great-uncle’s vast empire after his murder. As the named heir to the wealthiest and most well-known philanthropist in New Jersey, Greta—who hasn’t seen Great-Uncle Richard in eight years—must follow the billionaire’s list to settle his estate before she can return to her reclusive lifestyle.
Teaming up with attorney Brian Gogh, a perfect gentleman, Greta treks through the city, even as authorities reveal Great-Uncle Richard’s murder was perpetrated by a serial killer, one who continues to strike ultra-wealthy individuals. As the spree continues, Greta is determined to finish the list before fleeing to the safety of her home in North Carolina and forgetting the AC forever.
As she and Brian cross off each location, Greta’s heart transforms, especially after meeting her great-uncle’s best friend, Dawn Marshall. But will a friendship with Dawn and her budding relationship with Brian be enough to change Greta’s path? And who killed Great-Uncle Richard? Should Greta be worried for herself?
Complete with a twist, several turns, and intriguing characters, The Billionaire’s List is a creative and surprising mystery that will keep you asking . . . What will happen next?
Emu Town Stories
Magician Emu follows an emu who aspires to be like a great magician but struggles and must find her own magic and path forward. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Magician Emu is book #3 in the Emu Town Stories picture book series. I’d been thinking of exploring the theme of self-acceptance in this book but didn’t quite know who the main character would be. I was volunteering at a kindergarten classroom last year, when a little girl came up to me and said, “I want to be a magician when I grow up!”, waving her imaginary wand with confidence. That was it – my character had to be an aspiring magician! Being in the classroom, I also heard a lot of kids say, “I want to be like (someone)”. I was inspired to create another character that the magician would aspire to be, which led to Spikey Spike.
The art in this book was fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anastasia Yezhela?
Anastasia is a joy to work with! She has illustrated all four of the Emu Town Stories picture book series. I was blown away when I saw the character design of Magician Emu and Spikey Spike for the first time. Her vision and vibrant style bring my stories alive. I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her on this book and hopefully more in the future!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I write books that promote social-emotional learning in children. In Magician Emu, I explored themes of self-acceptance, celebrating who we are and daring to be different. Children will feel empowered to believe in themselves and be whoever they want to be! Also, there are very few female magicians in the world, which is why I wanted my main character to be female – with the hope that it will inspire young girls to consider being magicians, should they want to.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next picture book is YOGIC EMU, book #4 in the Emu Town Stories series, which goes on sale February 2023. It explores the benefits of mindfulness and yoga through a funny, rhyming tale.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Instagram
In old and charming Emu Town…an emu aspires to be like the great magician, Spikey Spike. But her magic goes all wrong and nothing like Spikey’s! Will the emu find her magic and dare to be different?
With award-winning author, R.C. Chizhov’s playful rhymes and Anastasia Yezhela’s colorful illustrations, Magician Emu is a funny and heartwarming tale of embracing who you are!
Perfect for holiday gifting, read-aloud, classroom discussion and bedtime!
LITERARY TITAN 