Blog Archives
Life-Altering Event
Jesus Take My Wheels follows a teen aspiring NBA player who is shot in the back and paralyzed from the waist down who spirals into despair, feeling like his future has been taken from him. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In 2024, I faced one of the most challenging periods of my life. My best man and one of the kindest people I know was terminally ill, my father’s health was rapidly declining, and I was grappling with serious health issues of my own that deeply unsettled me.
While recovering from surgery and confined to a hospital bed, I came across a documentary on wheelchair basketball. Watching these incredible athletes, I was struck by how skilled they were—many of them playing better than I ever could, even though I could walk. This realization sparked my curiosity, and I began researching the sport further.
In my search, I discovered the story of an athlete hailed as the best wheelchair basketball player in the world—a Canadian whose journey captivated me. Learning how he came to use a wheelchair made me wonder: how would someone with great talent cope if faced with such a life-altering event?
That thought planted the seed for a story. I started writing, and to my surprise, I couldn’t stop.
The characters in this novel draw readers into their story with strong emotions. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Writing for Efrem was a deeply personal experience for me. Having grown up without a father and in poverty, I found myself relating to his struggles on a profound level. In contrast, writing for Veronica presented a unique challenge, particularly when it came to seamlessly integrating her into the story.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m currently working on three projects simultaneously. While I’m not certain which will be released first, I anticipate it might be Last Kiss, a poignant and tragic love story that should be out this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
With his dreams shattered, Efrem spirals into despair, feeling like his future has been taken from him. But with the support of his church community and a newfound love, Veronica, who shares his passion for basketball and understands his struggles, Efrem finds the strength to keep fighting. Together, they inspire each other to pursue new dreams, and Efrem sets his sights on becoming the next wheelchair basketball star, proving that no matter how hard life hits, it can’t stop him from reaching his goals.
Jesus Take My Wheels: The Rise of a Wheelchair Basketball Superstar
Jesus Take My Wheels takes you on a journey that’s heart-wrenching, hopeful, and at times, downright gut-punching. It’s the story of Efrem Williams, a kid from the rough streets of Philly who dreams big but is constantly thrown into situations that test his spirit. From the basketball court to facing unimaginable challenges, this book hits hard. But it’s not just about Efrem; it’s about his indomitable mom, Sandra, who might just be one of the most resilient characters I’ve ever come across.
D.T. Scarola has this way of pulling you right into Efrem’s world. The early chapters are vivid. Chapter 1 hooked me immediately with Sandra’s sheer determination to protect her son despite the chaos in her life. She’s cleaning houses, dodging gang violence, and raising a kid who she hopes won’t get sucked into the same darkness. Scarola writes her struggles and triumphs with raw honesty, and by the end of that first chapter, I was fully invested.
There’s this one scene where Efrem confronts his mom about her decision to make him stay away from Malcolm, his best friend who’s joined a gang. You can feel the pain in both of them, Efrem torn between loyalty to his friend and his mother’s fear for his safety. And then Malcolm’s tragic fate? My heart shattered. The scene in the liquor store, with Malcolm’s final, bittersweet joke before he passes, stays with you. It’s moments like these where Scarola does a great job of showing human connection in the midst of despair.
Efrem’s resilience and the way he rebuilds his life after the shooting is inspiring. When his mother discovered wheelchair basketball, I couldn’t help but cheer her on. She’s always Efrem’s biggest advocate, even when he’s stuck in his anger and grief. The basketball tryout is the spark of hope I desperately needed at that point in the story. Can we talk about how much we all need a Pastor Jones in our lives? His quiet wisdom and unwavering belief in Efrem give the story its soul.
Scarola doesn’t tie everything up in a neat bow, and I loved that. Life is messy, and Jesus Take My Wheels embraces that messiness. If you love stories about perseverance, the power of community, and finding light in the darkest of times, this book is for you. Basketball fans will appreciate the sports moments, but the emotional depth makes it so much more than a sports story.
Pages: 74 | ASIN : B0DL6ZFRXP
Married to the Devil – Book 1
H.H. Fowler’s Married to the Devil delves into a complex and unsettling narrative that intertwines corruption in the church, the exploitation of faith, and personal vice. The book scrutinizes the damaging consequences when religious authority and financial greed converge within individuals, mainly focusing on a pastor’s wife and their struggles with their own demons of greed and desire. Fowler’s exploration suggests that even lesser evils are not devoid of sin, posing moral quandaries for the reader.
The novel’s writing style is characterized by a raw and tumultuous energy, effectively conveying the intense emotions and instances of domestic abuse within its pages. Fowler’s use of vivid imagery and sharp character portrayals brings the story’s darker aspects to life, particularly highlighting the destructive nature of lust and anger. The narrative of this book embarks on an ambitious journey, particularly in its bold transition between the two parts of the book. This transition showcases a dynamic evolution in the relationship between the First Lady of the Church and Dean Ripley, offering a surprising shift that diverges from their earlier character development and backstory. While this approach introduces a unique twist in plot development, it adds an element of unpredictability and complexity to the reading experience.
The novel’s use of suspense and the strategic introduction of characters are commendable. Each character is pivotal in advancing the plot, reminiscent of Chekhov’s gun principle. This meticulous character integration lends a sense of purpose and inevitability to the unfolding events. The intriguing plot structure of Married to the Devil sets a high bar. While the prose occasionally grapples to fully match the depth and nuance of the plot, it still carries the story with a compelling momentum. Readers need to note that the book thoughtfully addresses challenging themes, including explicit depictions of domestic abuse, contributing to its powerful narrative impact.
Married to the Devil offers a thought-provoking and intense journey for those intrigued by morally complex narratives set against a backdrop of religious and personal turmoil. While the writing style may not resonate with everyone, the plot’s dark twists and meticulously crafted character dynamics are compelling for those interested in exploring the darker side of human nature and faith.
Pages: 311 | ASIN : B07KWS86W4
LITERARY TITAN 