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Deal Hunter
Deal Hunter is a fast-moving sci-fi story that follows Princess Kainda, a young woman who gets blasted out of her controlled royal life and into the path of a rough salvage ship, the Deal Hunter. What begins as a simple rescue turns into a full transformation as Kainda learns the truth about the sabotage that nearly killed her, uncovers betrayal inside her own family, flees to survive, trains to fight, and gradually grows into a leader who challenges pirate clans and rigid political systems. The book winds through battles, bounty hunts, palace intrigue, and a rising sense that Kainda is meant for something far bigger than being a decorative royal figure.
I found myself rooting for Kainda almost immediately. Her frustration with being treated like a pretty tool instead of a person felt sharp and honest. When the explosion sends her spinning into space, her fear is captured with blunt simplicity, and I felt it right in my chest. The dynamic with the Deal Hunter and its robots really pulled me in. The ship becomes more than a tool. It acts almost like a guardian and a reluctant mentor. Watching Kainda stumble through her first moments onboard, half frozen and confused, reminded me how quickly our lives can flip. I liked how the writing sits in those little moments of uncertainty and lets them breathe.
As the book ramps up, the emotional stakes climb right with the action. I enjoyed the mix of tense scenes and Kainda’s stubborn spark as she pushes back against every limit others try to place on her. There were times I wanted to shake some sense into the people around her because their condescension felt so real. I also appreciated how the author keeps returning to the theme of control. Kainda wrestles with the family that smothers her, the pirates who want her dead, and even her own role as a princess. Watching her claim her power bit by bit was satisfying. Some sections move fast, and the pacing jumps, but the heart behind the scenes carries the story. The book has this gritty charm that made me lean in instead of pull back.
Deal Hunter feels like a story for readers who enjoy scrappy heroes, found family energy, political messes, and the thrill of saying to hell with expectations. If you like sci-fi that mixes action with character-driven growth, this book will be a fun ride. I would especially recommend it to anyone who loves seeing a character climb out of the box the world put them in and build something entirely new.
Pages: 245 | ASIN: B0CGHLQX36
Pause, Reflect, and Reconnect
In Weeds to Wishes, you share your own journey as an educator and the valuable lessons you learned through listening, encouraging others, and even hardships. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Weeds to Wishes was an important book for me to write because it grew out of a deep desire to help others through the lessons I’ve learned along my own journey. There were times in my life when everything felt very heavy.
I felt like I had accumulated so many “weeds” throughout life… the expectations, noise, pressure, and self-doubt, that I had lost touch with who I truly was. I wasn’t allowing myself the quiet moments I needed to pause, reflect, and reconnect with myself. Writing became therapeutic for me, allowing me to release what no longer served me. It allowed me time to shut out the noise, sit with my thoughts, and dig deep within my soul.
Through writing, I learned that I needed to release the “junk” that was weighing me down in order to make room for the treasures and a new beginning. Weeds to Wishes became a way for me to shed, heal, and trust God’s plan and purpose for my life. My hope is to share this with others who may feel the need to do the same.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you share your story. What was the most difficult thing for you to write about?
Thank you. The most difficult thing for me to write about was losing my father and how his death changed my life in so many ways I never expected. I wasn’t ready, but truthfully, I don’t think anyone ever is. He was the glue that held our family together and the strong presence in my life that I leaned on.
Writing about his loss required me to sit with grief that I had often pushed aside in order to keep moving forward, especially since I didn’t know how to deal with it for many years. It forced me to acknowledge how his absence shaped the way I lead, treat others, love, and carry responsibility. Including that part of my story felt vulnerable, but it was necessary for me to move on and become the woman my father would be so proud of. Sharing it was both painful and healing, and it reminded me that some of our greatest growth comes from our hardest moments… our weeds.
Did you learn anything about yourself while writing Weeds to Wishes?
While writing Weeds To Wishes, I learned that I can do anything I set my mind to, even during the tough times. I learned that I needed the tough times (the weeds) to help strengthen me and create the person I was always intended to be. Without the “tough stuff,” I couldn’t have written the book and, in turn, couldn’t help others along the way.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your experiences?
I hope readers take away that showing up and truly listening matter more than having all the answers. Some of the most meaningful growth in my life came from the hardest moments, the ones I never would have chosen, but that shaped me and strengthened me. I want readers to see that even in the tough times, something good can come from it (a blessing in disguise) when we stay open, present, and willing to learn. In the end, it really does come down to mindset and choosing to see challenges not as endings, but as opportunities for growth and purpose.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Have you ever felt that quiet tug — the one that whispers, “You’re meant for more” — yet doubt and fear keep you from stepping forward?
Leadership can feel exhilarating… and absolutely terrifying all at once.
Maybe you’re stepping into leadership for the first time and wondering if you’re really ready.
Maybe you’ve been leading for years but feel tired, unseen, or unsure if you can keep going.
Maybe you’re asking yourself, “Can I really make a difference?”
You’re not alone.
In Weeds to Wishes, author and educator Sheryl Brown opens her heart and her 34-year leadership journey — sharing raw, honest stories of courage, missteps, and growth. Through laughter, tears, and lessons learned, she shows you how to turn life’s weeds — the struggles, doubts, and hard seasons — into wishes that bloom into strength, confidence, and purpose.
Part memoir, part how-to guide, this book offers eight keys to becoming the leader you were meant to be, paired with reflective activities and quick reference points to guide you through your own leadership journey.
You’ll discover:
How to rise from burnout with renewed purpose
How to find your voice, even when it trembles
How to transform obstacles into opportunities
And how to lead with heart, courage, and resilience
Because your challenges become your victories.
Your lessons become your strength.
And your courage? It’s just fear with the bravery to keep going.
It’s time to take the leap — to stand tall, rooted and radiant — and finally become the leader you were always meant to be.
Buy the book now!
Believe in Exceptions
In Wooden Dolls Game, readers follow a woman through a lifetime of dysfunction and chaos as she tries to undo past traumas via a set of curious wooden dolls. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The main idea came from the extraordinary concept of rewinding time in order to fix mistakes from the past. I then combined that idea with several personal inspirations. One of them was meeting two little sisters during an acting course. I also worked at a company where I met a man who was my trainer at that time, and I was fascinated by how optimistic he was about life. The curious thing is that everything seemed to work exactly as he predicted. He became my inspiration for the character of Jhonatan. Finally, the story was also influenced by one of my favorite movies, The Butterfly Effect. During the pandemic, I had the time to work on this story daily, blending all of these elements together.
How did you navigate crafting the tumultuous relationship between Mary Jane and her sister?
When I was a girl, I had the chance to grow up with my stepsister. She was more intrepid, even though we were close in age. As a teenager, she was often getting into trouble, while I was the one who stayed at home. She was my main inspiration for the character of Antonia.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from the story?
My premise is that people do not change the behavior they are naturally born with. What people carry deep in their hearts is what it truly is. That said, I do believe in exceptions and even in miracles.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I am not sure how soon, but my next goal is to write a five-book series. The series is called Allies of the Stars. I am just starting this project, and while I already have the general ideas for all five books and their stories, I am still developing each one. As with all my stories, it will be a quotidian story with a touch of fantasy.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In a moment that shapes their lives forever, five-year-old twin sisters Mary Jane and Antonia find themselves embroiled in a rivalry over the simple act of choosing a bedroom in their new home. From that one event, their sisterly bond is broken. As MJ forges a life-long kinship with Olivia, the girl next door, Antonia’s jealousy continues to fester.
Amidst the twists and turns of fate, Mary Jane is presented with a peculiar gift from a local fair—a set of mysterious wooden dolls imbued with magical powers. But as MJ discovers the dolls’ ability to transport her through time, fear leads her to hide them away, burying the magic they hold.
As the years pass and the sisters drift further apart, Antonia’s jealously for Mary Jane deepens. And, as her hatred intensifies for her sister, it sparks a life-changing tragedy, forcing Mary Jane to confront her past and the dormant magic of the forgotten dolls.
But as she seeks to use the power held within the curious toys, can Mary Jane mend the shattered pieces of the past to reshape the future? Or are some destinies bound by forces beyond her control?
Unconditional Love
The Sound of Violet, 10th Anniversary Edition follows a young programmer with autism and a woman caught in a web of exploitation as their worlds collide in a way that offers them both hope. Where did the idea behind this novel come from?
The inspiration for The Sound of Violet came from a conversation with a friend about the challenges of dating in Los Angeles when I was single. I was often naïve and overly trusting, and I built those qualities into Shawn’s character. I was intrigued by the idea of him unknowingly starting a relationship with a woman being trafficked.
Initially, I created Violet as the typical “empowered prostitute” you see portrayed in movies. But as I researched and talked to organizations that fight trafficking, I discovered a devastating reality: women in prostitution are most often victims of trafficking. This realization dramatically changed how I portrayed Violet, altered the entire story, and ignited a passion in me to spread awareness about this critical issue. What began as a story about my awkward dating life evolved into something much deeper—a tale about unconditional love, redemption, and the courage it takes to truly see and fight for another person.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
At the heart of the story is the idea that everyone needs to be seen and cherished. I wanted to create characters who challenge us to see past surface appearances and stereotypes. Shawn’s autism and synesthesia give him a unique way of experiencing the world as he sees beauty that others miss. Violet’s story confronts the reality that trafficking victims aren’t the “empowered” figures often portrayed in media, but people trapped in exploitation who deserve dignity, rescue, and hope.
The novel explores themes of unconditional acceptance, the transformative power of love, and the courage to fight for another person. It also emphasizes that everyone, regardless of how society labels them, has inherent worth and the capacity for redemption and healing.
Where did you get the inspiration for Shawn’s traits and dialogue?
I built my own naivety and overly trusting nature into Shawn’s character. His literal interpretation of language and difficulty reading social cues comes from extensive research into autism and from personal relationships, as well as working with autistic individuals during the production of the film adaptation. On set, one of our key autistic crew members regularly consulted with our lead actor and helped fuel how he portrayed Shawn.
Shawn’s synesthesia, experiencing colors as sounds, adds a unique sensory dimension to his character. This trait allows readers to experience the world through his distinctive perspective, turning everyday moments into rich, sensory ones. His dialogue reflects his direct, factual communication style and his genuine, unguarded approach to relationships.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
As both an author and filmmaker, I’m juggling two creative projects simultaneously. On the film side, I’m developing my next motion picture, aiming to go into production this year. At the same time, I’m writing my next novel, which is a fantasy story that takes me into entirely new genre territory. It’s exciting to explore a different creative landscape while still focusing on the same core themes that drive all my work: authentic characters, meaningful relationships, and stories that make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
For readers who want to follow along with these projects and get updates on when the fantasy novel will be available, they can sign up at forms.sendpulse.com/319b8ea6a1. I send occasional updates about what I’m working on, including behind-the-scenes glimpses of both the writing and filmmaking processes.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Shawn dreams of finding a lifelong relationship, but only finds frustration-until he meets Violet, a beautiful, mysterious woman who sees past his autism to the man within. From the moment their eyes first lock, something sparks.
But behind Violet’s quiet smile lies a world of pain. Trapped in a life of exploitation, she’s learned that closeness brings danger. Yet, something about Shawn feels different. Safe. Real. Worth risking everything.
As their bond deepens, they must defy impossible odds and find the courage to fight for each other, no matter the cost. Because only love has the power to heal their deepest wounds and break them free from their past.
This inspirational contemporary romance-now a motion picture-returns as a newly revised 10th Anniversary Edition, with expanded storytelling and greater emotional depth.
A Comitragedy In Five Cantos
Theoryland: A Tragedy In Five Cantos follows an ambitious academic who dives headfirst into the world of highbrow theory only to have his arrogance grow, leading to his collapse into disillusionment. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
The date was roughly 1999. I was studying the falderal (H. L. Mencken’s word) in our public schools. I learned about flashy Academic trends such as Post Structuralism. My alumni magazine rejected an article on sophistry. A winter of discontent. I was broke. The more I read about the theories rampant at our universities, the less impressed I was. I always admired honesty and brevity as opposed to the strutting of pretenders.
I thought some of our professors ripe for mockery. You can see Theoryland start as a straight takeoff of T. S. Eliot, then you see it shift gears. Why? I was worried it would get stuck in a narrow rut so I jumped into a new car. A new ride, you might say.
In the rooms the critics come and go
sneering at the status quo.
On the dry grass, in a dry wind,
students throw a frisbee, joking.
I didn’t want to be predictable or pinned down by any particular tone. I wanted to surprise myself. The poem erupted. Abruptly, the janitor laughs, smoking. The subtext was always madness. I didn’t want to lose that at any point.
How long did it take to write?
I finished this wild thing in two or three weeks. I didn’t know what to make of it. Where do you place a very long poem? I put it on the shelf for almost 10 years! Then, one fine spring day, I took it out in the backyard and plunged in. To my surprise, I laughed and cried at all the same places. I decided this may be strange but it’s good.
Conventionally, many long poems obey traditional schemes and rules, so they are safe but also boring. Isn’t that the challenge? I took lots of chances. I had a lot of Eliot in my brain and careened from one souvenir to another. Maybe, I hoped, I could entertain people who normally don’t read poetry. This has enough story to be a play or a small arty movie. I think it would be so much fun to watch.
Were there any poets or other writers who influenced your work on this collection?
Early on my favorite poets were Walt Whitman. e e cummings. A Roman named Catullus. Ezra Pound. Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Walt Whitman coined the phrase “my barbaric yawp.” I think Theoryland is “my very own barbaric yawp.”
Eliot created the hero’s personality. J. Alfred Prufrock is a passionate but timid man. And we have all been there. Prufrock remains the same throughout his poem, but the narrator of Theoryland knows conquest and as well defeat.
What was one of the hardest parts in Theoryland for you to write?
To a great degree, it wrote itself. I worried about getting in my own way. Let it go, I kept telling myself. Take chances. What’s the most interesting thing that could happen now??? I’ve read this poem almost 50 times and every time was fun.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I have two novels out now that were inspired by AI: Frankie and The Boy Who Saves The World.
I think they’re both excellent for telling people what scary things could happen.
In 2026 I hope to release Art and Beauty, detective mystery, and Carla –Manhattan Love Story.
Hazelnuts and Homicide: A Bonne Année Mystery
The novel opens in the quiet coastal town of Hazelton, Oregon. Life there revolves around small rituals, none more beloved than the supper clubs where residents debate literature and impress one another with ambitious home cooking. At the heart of these gatherings stands Bonne Annee, a bookstore owner whose devotion to fiction is matched only by her enthusiasm for food. One convivial evening takes a sharp turn when a guest appears to have been murdered. Bonne soon finds herself at the center of the investigation and at the top of the suspect list. With the town’s first Christmas market fast approaching, she teams up with her Bernedoodle, Oscar, to uncover the truth before the holiday season is derailed.
Hazelnuts and Homicide by N.E. Carlyle fits comfortably within the cozy mystery tradition. It is also a story rooted in friendship. Bonne’s circle plays a prominent role throughout, lending warmth and texture to the unfolding mystery. The novel is a lively and confident outing, distinguished by strong character work. Carlyle populates Hazelton with an eccentric and appealing ensemble, rendered vividly through brisk, energetic prose. The holiday backdrop evokes the familiarity of seasonal television romances, yet the tone remains lighthearted rather than saccharine. The atmosphere feels inviting without tipping into excess.
Bonne Annee emerges as an effective and engaging protagonist. She is deeply loyal, socially embedded, and clearly invested in her community. Hazelton itself carries similar narrative weight. The town feels tangible and lived-in, defined by cheerful settings and a palpable sense of place. Most appealing is Bonne’s grounded nature. She is capable and persistent, but not infallible. Her missteps lend credibility and make her easier to root for than the genre’s more preternaturally gifted detectives.
Carlyle’s attention to food adds another layer of charm, enriching the story without slowing its pace. Still, the undeniable scene stealer is Oscar. Few sidekicks suit a cozy mystery better than an exuberant Bernedoodle. His presence provides both levity and heart, serving as the final flourish on a thoroughly enjoyable, holiday-themed mystery.
Pages: 350 | ASIN: B0FX517RB9
Six Stories Up- Tales of Whimsy, Imagination, and Hey, A Little Satisfying Comeuppance
Six Stories Up is a lively collection of short tales that bounce between playful fantasy, sharp humor, and a soft punch of moral comeuppance. Each story stands on its own, from the rain-soaked artistic swirl of 1920s Paris to a Vietnam vet’s barroom confession, to a smart-mouthed seagull convincing a fisherman to take a swim. The book wanders through imagination with a kind of wink that says, stay loose, anything can happen here. There is trickery at times and reflection at others, and by the end of each tale, I felt that small, satisfying click of a truth landing where it should.
I enjoyed the author’s voice. It feels relaxed and mischievous, almost like someone at the far end of a bar spinning stories just for the fun of it. The writing moves fast and never takes itself too seriously. I got pulled in by the rhythm of it. Scenes like the boisterous café in Paris or the smoky bar in Seattle feel alive because the dialogue snaps and the characters talk like people who actually exist. I was grinning at the chaos around Tinkham in Paris, and then sinking into the slower, thoughtful mood of the old veteran’s tale in The Doppelganger War. The book shifts tones with ease, and I enjoyed that unpredictability. It kept me alert, never quite sure where the next turn would land.
And the ideas, honestly, surprised me. At first, I thought I was settling in for pure entertainment. Instead, I found myself thinking about belief, about luck, about the lies we tell ourselves to get through life. That talking seagull cracked me up, but it also made a point about trusting the wrong voices. The stories play with morality in a lighthearted way, but they still sting a little when the consequences show up. I liked that combination. I could sense the author having real fun with these characters while still nudging me to look a little closer. That balance made the whole collection feel richer than I expected.
I would recommend Six Stories Up to readers who love quirky short fiction with personality. People who enjoy clever twists, fast dialogue, and a mix of humor with heart will get a kick out of this book. It is great for anyone who wants something playful yet thoughtful, something that can make them laugh and then make them pause for a second. I had a good time with it, and I think anyone who likes stories that wander off the well-worn path will too.
Pages: 251 | ASIN : B08KXSX4WP
Murder in the Mix
Murder in the Mix blends a sharp mystery with a warm character study, and the whole thing moves with an energy that kept catching me off guard. The story follows Gina Morrison, a ghostwriter who becomes entangled in the violent death of celebrity chef Marisol St. James. Their work together opens old doors, pulls forward hidden memories, and sends Gina into a dangerous world she never planned to enter. The book mixes food, friendship, and fear in a way that made the pages feel alive.
As I read, I found myself surprised by how deeply I connected to Gina. She moves through the story with this quiet strength that sneaks up on you. Her loneliness feels so real, and I felt it hit me in the gut more than once. The scenes in Marisol’s kitchen carried this soft glow. They showed a warmth that made later events land harder. Author Carolyn Eichhorn’s writing has this habit of slipping into intimate moments so smoothly that I would forget I was reading a mystery at all, then something sharp and awful would strike and pull me right back into the danger. I loved that tension.
The mystery itself unfolds in a way that felt messy in a human sense instead of messy in a structural way, which I appreciated. Clues come in sideways. Suspicions form and fall apart. People act irrationally, just like people do when they are scared or grieving. Eichhorn’s style invites chaos without ever losing control of the story. I found myself muttering at characters more than once. Sometimes laughing. Sometimes bracing. The emotional swings felt honest, and I liked that the book never tried to make grief tidy or pleasant.
It reminded me a little of The Thursday Murder Club because both books mix a warm, character-focused story with a twisty mystery that sneaks up on you and delivers more heart than you expect. I would recommend Murder in the Mix to readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries, stories about creative people, or novels that let relationships shape the danger instead of the other way around. It is especially fitting for anyone who likes culinary settings with a bite of darkness and a lot of heart.
Pages: 201 | ASIN : B0FX6SYZN2
LITERARY TITAN 