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A Love Only They Knew
In The Typhoon’s Eye is a memoir of your young life and shows you overcame many obstacles. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Initially, I considered the idea of writing this memoir because I felt it important for me to share my beginnings with my adult children and my siblings. Then this idea snowballed once friends and colleagues added their encouragement. I found it personally satisfying to capture in writing the culture of my hometown, especially since many of these aspects are now fading. Despite the unpleasant realities of my upbringing, I also wanted to offer tribute to my parents and present what they saw as sacrifices for our own good and a future better than their own. Years later as an adult, I understood that everything they did for me was an expression of a love only they knew.
What is one piece of advice that you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
One piece of advice that I wish someone had given me when I was a young adult was to never self-doubt myself as far as my intuitive ability was concerned, and to withhold trust in people until trustworthiness is proven. It’s a big part of my nature to easily trust people, in general, when I was younger. As an older adult, I realized that that attitude may have come from seeing the world through my own vision as an optimist, or relying too much on my unrelenting faith. I know now that that trait can be a double-edged sword.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing for me to write about in my book was the scenarios when my father was drunk and violent towards my sisters and me, the worst of them was when he tied my 11 year old sister to a post while he whipped her with a leather belt until she passed out. I felt helpless because I was not there, and yet it was harrowing for me to hear it from my mother who told me how it happened. Rage and extreme sadness about that incident stayed with me for a long time. Writing In The Typhoon’s Eye has not only made me realize that I buried those emotions deep for many years but has also offered catharsis and healing.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I believe that my story will benefit anyone facing a difficult change in life. Dilemmas related to generational and cultural expectations often conflict with personal goals and create needs for adjustment. I hope to offer relatable lessons in coping with and widening one’s extremely narrowed options. I want to reach out to my fellow nurses who have silent dreams and tell them that anything is possible. To everyone who sacrifices being away from loved ones, that it is okay to do it for a greater purpose. To anyone who finds himself trapped in an endless cycle of work to survive, that there is always a better option, if you open your heart and mind and conquer your fear of the unknown.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Two Powerful Addictions
Don’t Mind Me, I’m Just Having a Bad Life is an emotional and engrossing memoir of your life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
My entire life I’ve been depressed and often referred to as a “sad sack.” I wanted to tell my story of two powerful addictions and recovering from them, but I wanted to follow the trail back to when the problems began. I didn’t expect to go back to age 4 as the first time I felt depressed and worthless. From there, the problems just snowballed through psychological abuse, self-esteem issues, broken relationships, and finally to sex and Crystal meth addiction.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to share in this memoir?
I was nervous about sharing the drug addiction as very few people knew I was going through that. As I state in the book, my employer, Disney, had no suspicions whatsoever. It was quite a feat to be a hardcore user and keep my job. I’m ashamed of myself for becoming an addict, but like the childhood abuse, I feel it was thrust upon me. And in the case with meth, it’s perhaps the most addictive drug and it truly only takes one hit to be hooked.
What do you hope is one thing that readers take away from your book?
I hope that readers will find hope in my story that recovery is possible. Yes, faith played a major role in my recovery, but as I tried to make clear, I was on a hit-or-miss basis with God my entire life. Some readers felt that my quitting meth cold turkey with God’s help made the book too “Jesus-y.” And that has been a turnoff for some LGBTQ readers. Conversely, Christian readers have been offended by the gay content. Apart from these two opposing camps, I just wanted to share hope.
What is a piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
I was given plenty of advice throughout my life like, “stop being depressed,” “just believe in yourself,” “have confidence,” “stop being so negative,” and so forth. What I wish I had been told was that none of the bad stuff in my childhood was my fault. Perhaps my story would not have included self-hatred, suicidal thoughts, and addiction.
Author Links: Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website
Lewis Kempfer nearly destroyed himself searching for something that would make him happy. His battle with self-hatred began with physical and psychological abuse from the trusted male adults in his life and continued into adulthood when the church rejected him for being gay. Traumatized and suicidal, his only salvation came from getting himself on stage.
Moving from city to city in search of fame and love, he lands in the dog-eat-dog-world of Hollywood showbiz. But a terrifying diagnosis casts a dark shadow on a promising Tinseltown career, and he falls into a downward spiral of dangerous liaisons and hardcore drug addiction. It will take a near-death overdose in his blackest hour to find strength from the last place he ever expected…
“Don’t Mind Me, I’m Just Having a Bad Life” is a raw, rapid-fire account of one man’s frightening journey to self-acceptance. From dicey sex clubs to crystal meth motels, Lewis holds nothing back in this bittersweet tell-all. His emotional tale of love, loss, and redemption will move anyone who’s ever felt alienated or outcast. It is a shockingly candid true-life story. If you like authentic narratives, stories of triumph, and surmounting the challenges of being LGBTQ, then you’ll be enthralled by Lewis Kempfer’s riveting memoir.
Literary Titan Book Awards April 2021
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and imagination of these talented authors.
Gold Award Winners
Silver Award Winners
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
In The Typhoon’s Eye: a story of childhood and leaving home
![In The Typhoon's Eye: a story of childhood and leaving home by [Bles Chavez-Bernstein]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ei9DPWt6L._SY346_.jpg)
In the Typhoon’s Eye by Bles Chavez-Bernstein is an impassioned memoir delineating the author’s difficult childhood, and how she overcame her circumstances to fulfill her dreams. Throughout the book, we find images of physical and emotional trauma and relentless struggle with poverty, portrayed from the viewpoint of an immigrant. This story is immensely powerful and unique in its own way. We see the author stick to her faith and how, with determination and perseverance, she goes on to become a mental health and addiction nursing specialist.
This is an emotional coming-of-age story tracing the journey of the author from childhood to adulthood. The passage is tainted by alcohol abusing parent, post-war trauma, impoverished conditions at home, and numerous other adverse aspects. The pages are colored with the unique vibe of the author’s early days in Ocampo. The vivid description of these locations takes us through a mini tour of this distinct place and allows us to peek into the lives of a generation tarnished by the Second World War.
The characters of the memoir are as authentic as they could get. The perspective of the author is the most predominant here, and at every stage of life, we can see her growing into a strong personality who doesn’t let her circumstances limit her goals. The story teaches readers to stay headstrong when life hits hard, and shows how to rise above these situations with sheer grit. Readers are bound to be inspired by the author’s dedication to her dreams and passions. Stories like these instill faith in the power of hard work, even when the world tries to pull us down.
The language used throughout the book is simple but graceful, ensuring readers understand every bit of this observant memoir. The flow of ideas from one stage of the author’s life to another has been portrayed in a realistic manner. The passages are full of emotions and bear the sign of all the sacrifices the author had to make for having a troubled home and something as grave as the post-war depression engulfing her life. Her selfless love for family and commitment to her passion helped her move forward in life and ultimately led her to become successful on her own terms.
The skilled handling of the setting, the characters, the storyline, and most importantly the message of inspiration communicated throughout the book makes In the Typhoon’s Eye a must-read.
Pages: 228 | ASIN: B08KQLV4Q7
My Ironman 70.3 Dream
A Turbulent Mind: My Journey to Ironman 70.3 shares your inspiring story that will encourage triathletes and motivate any reader. Why was this an important book for you to write?
When I visited India in September 2018, after finishing my first Ironman 70.3 race, I was asked numerous questions by people about open water swimming and what it takes to do a triathlon. Many expressed their fear towards water which prohibited them from even learning how to swim. There were others who were keen to participate in a triathlon someday. I could empathie with their concerns since I too had similar inhibitions. At that time, I decided to pen down my triathlon journey-how I overcame my fear of open water swimming and went on to do a grueling race like the Ironman 70.3 in a year’s time. Barring one or two, there weren’t too many books on triathlons written by Indians and that too by recreational athletes. My purpose of penning down this book was a way to reach out to other aspiring triathletes to inspire them to overcome their fears and reach their goal. Incidentally even non-runners or non-triathletes have managed to resonate with the book.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before training for a triathlon?
For a triathlon and especially Ironman 70.3 race, you end up doing two workouts in a day. At one point, I felt I had no time for anything else. I wish someone had advised me on how to balance your time between training and your personal and professional life.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What were some moments that were important for you to share in this book?
Thank you. Yes, while writing memoir, it’s important to be honest and authentic. Only then will readers be able to relate and empathize with your journey. Some of the most important moments that I wanted to share in this book was the loneliness that I experienced in the Bay Area, particularly amidst the Business School community. The feelings of depression and loneliness was what steered me towards a triathlon in the first place. Another important moment was to write about my childhood fears, my first open water swim and my decision to almost give up my Ironman 70.3 dream. These were also hard to write as there was always this fear of what reads would think of me. Would I seem too whiny? At the end of the day, I am glad I wrote them as these were some of the important moments in my journey.
What are your future triathlon plans?
I will continue doing Olympic distances and Ironman 70.3 races. My ultimate goal is to do a full Ironman which is the 140.6 distance. Maybe in a couple of years down the line. My target race is Ironman California.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
I wasn’t ready to put myself through a gruelling training regime. At the same time I had to conquer my fear of swimming in open water and lay those inner demons to rest. When I completed my first Sprint distance Triathlon, I was elated. It motivated me to pursue this sport called Triathlon for which I developed passion over time. Ultimately, I followed my dream of crossing the finish line of the Ironman 70.3, to consider myself worthy of something.
For those of you who are thinking about getting into this sport, this book
will motivate you to take that plunge. And for the rest of us triathletes, you will find a part of yourself in the chapters of this book.
Happy reading and keep ‘Tri’-ing!
Don’t Mind Me, I’m Just Having a Bad Life
![Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life: A Memoir by [Lewis Kempfer]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414Lkzp7S1L.jpg)
Trauma comes in many forms and affects more of us on a daily basis than most will ever realize. Without ever knowing it, we encounter people every day who have had more than their fair share of abuse, drug addiction, and depression. Some of those people have been dealing with that trauma from an early age–Lewis is one of them. As a very young boy, Lewis quickly learned who he could and could not trust, and he saw those around them for who they truly were. His young adult life showed exactly how much damage that abuse caused.
Don’t Mind Me, I’m Just Having a Bad Life is a poignantly written memoir by Lewis Kempfer. Nowhere else will readers find a more raw telling of one man’s life. Kempfer has revealed every wound he has ever suffered and each one of the horror-filled moments he has survived from his early days in Colorado to his nightmarish life in Nashville. He minces no words and gives readers every opportunity to learn from the mistakes he has made along the way.
I can appreciate Kempfer’s story in many ways. He lays down the ugly truth of drug addiction so there is no mistaking the impact it has on the lives of those around the addict. Never does he try to sugarcoat his experience, and he is painfully honest about the ease with which he fell further under the spell. Readers need this–all of us. There is no reader who has not been touched in some way by addiction.
Kempfer’s very real battle with finding his faith is moving to say the least. He allows readers to walk along with him as he sees all sides of religion and hold his hand as he finds his own way. To say his story is stunning is an understatement. To say that it is moving is simply not sufficient. Kempfer’s life is absolutely a miracle and one of which the author is well aware.
I highly recommend Kempfer’s memoir to anyone struggling with addiction or any parent of a child who feels like they are losing the battle to find themselves. Kempfer’s road has been long, filled with the worst kind of potholes, and has nearly killed him, but his story will save someone.
Pages: 475 | ASIN: B07V2PS82D
DESPITE MY ODDS
![DESPITE MY ODDS: A Memoir by [Denise Monique]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FUNd-Y-cL.jpg)
Layla has overcome a multitude of hardships. It is almost impossible to comprehend how much her life has changed over the years and how strong one woman can actually be when push comes to shove. From abuse endured at a tender age to failed relationships with men who repeatedly took advantage of both her and her family, Layla has seen and survived it all. As a young mother herself, Layla understands the importance of protecting her children and the impact their environment will have on their futures. It is at all costs that Layla looks onward and upward when life’s curveballs never cease coming her way.
Despite My Odds: A Memoir, by Denise Monique, is the true story of the author’s tumultuous upbringing, the difficult path that led her to true love, and her second shot at success. Monique’s life story is completely captivating. The descriptions of her childhood and her mother’s neglectful manner pulls at the reader’s heartstrings. The author’s life, unfortunately, is one with which many readers will relate. The amount of bravery it has taken for Monique to tell her story is immense, and her candor is, at times, chilling in its raw truth.
It is not often that I read a book cover-to-cover in a sitting, but Monique’s begs to be one of those books worthy of a one-and-done session. I immediately found myself lost in the tragedy that was her childhood and rooting for every one of her relationships to finally be the one that took her life in a positive direction. I was invested from the first page–completely. Her frustrations and losses became, if for a moment in time, mine. Monique has a way of making the reader feel as if they are lifelong friends. She writes in a way this open, honest, engaging, and, most of all, freeing. This is a gripping work of the author’s heart from beginning to end.
Despite My Odds: A Memoir is a must-read for anyone who has survived abuse and is looking for inspiration and the encouragement to keep looking forward. Monique’s willingness to examine her past and share it is a gift to readers everywhere. It is through stories like hers that we find purpose in our pain and real hope for healing. Though any reader stands to gain from Monique’s story, I highly recommend her book to social service workers and guidance counselors. There is a level of empathy that can be reached by absorbing Monique’s story they will find nowhere else. It is through the eyes of survivors we can find answers.
Pages: 95 | ASIN: B0854CZ6HH
One Fine Day
One fine day, is an exhilarating and inspiring autobiography of Sameer Bhide. The author chose to express his gratefulness to each and every person that has contributed in his recovery after suffering a debilitating weakness. Sameer Bhide’s life changes one fine day when he has a stroke. He was in a coma for about a month. Despite trying both eastern and western treatments, the question ‘why me?’ keeps striking him incessantly. As he progresses into recovery, he adopts a mantra, ‘it is what it is’. Surprisingly, it alters his ‘why me’ attitude to ‘try me’.
I found author Sameer Bhide to be an embodiment of optimism. He always looks at the brighter side of things. He is a loving father, affectionate husband, and a caring son. His gratefulness to life and every aspect associated with it makes him inspiring. When a bad or unpleasant event takes place people lament over it blaming everyone else except themselves. But Sameer was wise. When he and his wife got divorced he was of course sad, but he quickly recalls his mantra, it is what it is, and instead of crying over spilled milk, he cherished all the moments he spent with his dearest wife and wished her well from the bottom of his heart. This bears testimony to the universal fact that acceptance brings peace. Despite his firm belief in the aforementioned fact, he did not wish to write much about his divorce and it was clearly stated that he would not want to discuss it further. I found this a bit contradictory. Nevertheless, it’s a personal choice.
Despite a debilitating weakness, new normal, and a heart-wrenching divorce, Sameer Bhide remained happy portraying unparalled strength. Sameer’s case also bears testimony to the widely acknowledged truth that the love of family and friends is the best medicine especially to emotional trauma.
One Fine Day shows readers how everything is incumbent on your attitude toward life and that happiness is a deliberate choice. This book can prove to be a magnanimous asset to the people that need hope and strength in life. One Fine Day delivers a potent message of inspiration with riveting anecdotes, uplifting words, and thought-provoking ideas that will motivate you to embrace life.
Pages: 260 | ASIN: B08PZHJBTM
LITERARY TITAN 