Blog Archives
Oy Vey, It’s Always Something: A 20th-Century Jewish Memoir
Oy Vey, It’s Always Something tells the story of a Jewish immigrant family whose lives stretch across pogroms, steerage crossings, cramped Denver kitchens, and decades of love and stubborn endurance. The book opens with scenes of terror in 1904 Kiev, then moves through the long journey to America and into the lively, noisy, tender world of West Colfax. What begins as a family’s escape from brutality becomes a bright collection of memories, jokes, sorrows, and lessons. The author lets each moment breathe and speak for itself. I found myself slipping easily into the rooms she describes, and feeling the ache of hope that carried every generation forward.
This is an emotionally stirring book. The writing is simple and warm. It works almost like someone sitting across from you at the kitchen table telling stories. When the author talks about her parents’ faith and their everyday struggles, I felt my heart squeeze a little. Something about the way she writes made the small moments matter. I could picture the kids running through the alley, their mother baking bread for the week, and the father fighting for breath while keeping humor alive in the house. The pain is there, yet the voice never sinks. Instead, it lifts what hurts and turns it into something human and soft.
I kept thinking about how the book balances tragedy and joy. Some chapters were very emotional. The author does not hide the brutality of the past or the grief that shaped her family’s choices. Other chapters made me laugh. That mix felt authentic. Life rarely arrives in one mood. Her humor carries a kind of wisdom that caught me off guard. It reminded me that people can be knocked down again and again and still rise with a joke ready. The writing has this natural rhythm that swings between lightness and sorrow. It feels like a real voice, not a polished performance, and that pulled me close.
In the end, I walked away, moved, and very grateful for the ride.Oy Vey, It’s Always Something: A 20th-Century Jewish Memoir would be wonderful for readers who love family stories, immigrant histories, Jewish humor, or memoirs that feel like sitting beside a relative who has lived more life than you can imagine. It is filled with heart, grit, warmth, and a deep sense of what it means to survive and still laugh. I would gladly recommend it to anyone who wants a moving story that stays with them long after the last page.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0FY7VQBXJ
The Clometheons
In The Clometheons, a science fiction novel with a strong spiritual and emotional core, we follow Jenelle, a solitary seamstress living in a remote valley whose life has been shaped by a past lightning strike that nearly burned her world down. When a storm rolls in with lightning that sometimes has no thunder, time that seems to freeze, and a comet-like streak of light that falls into the woods, her private battle with trauma suddenly collides with a much bigger one: an interdimensional conflict between TUPO and the Deugeotvites, watched over by mysterious beings and embodied in things like a glowing orb named Dot and a living doll called Stitch. As Jenelle, her sister Linda, her niece Melissa, and their friends get pulled into this strange war, the book shifts from small, weather-beaten cottage life to questions about peace, restoration, and what it actually means to trust.
The writing leans into vivid, sometimes almost playful description: thunder sounds like trucks in tunnels, storms feel like cauldrons whipped by a cranky wizard, and anxiety is this stomping thing in your gut that will not sit still. I enjoyed that a lot. It gave the science fiction a grounded, sensory feel, like the cosmic story had mud on its boots. I never doubted that the author cared about these characters. Jenelle’s fear of lightning, her stubborn attempts to pull up her big girl pants, and Linda’s protective streak all felt human and messy in a way that suited a character-driven sci-fi story more interested in hearts than hardware.
What surprised me most was how the book handles the big ideas under all the strange terms and factions. On the surface, you have TUPO, Deugeotvites, triglets, and travelers, but underneath that, I heard very familiar questions: What do you do with trauma that never really leaves? Is peace something you fight for or something you receive? How far do you go to keep others safe, even when you are terrified yourself? There is a clear spiritual layer here, not preachy, but present, especially in the way storms, second chances, and “miraculous” timing show up in Jenelle’s life. The science fiction framework lets the author talk about good and evil, loyalty, betrayal, and restoration in a way that feels like a parable in motion. I did feel the book’s length, and sometimes the pacing wandered when I wanted the main conflict to stay sharper.
I felt like I had spent time in a very particular corner of science fiction: one that cares as much about emotional scars as it does about cosmic battles. If you enjoy character-focused, spiritually flavored science fiction that mixes small-town living with interdimensional stakes, and you are okay with some extra flourishes in the prose along the way, The Clometheons will hit that sweet spot. Readers who like their genre stories thoughtful, hopeful, and a bit talky will get the most out of it, especially if they are willing to sit with storms, both in the sky and inside a person’s chest.
Pages: 658 | ASIN : B0FNYK44LJ
Avenue for an Assassin
Avenue for an Assassin is a political thriller set in the tense years after World War II. It follows Jonas Shaw, an ex-detective and former protector of Winston Churchill, as he is pulled into a shadowy plot that begins with a mysterious shooting on a rural French road. From that moment, the story widens into a web of money couriers, Soviet operatives, Resistance veterans, and a looming operation that threatens to destabilize nations. The book blends espionage, murder, and international maneuvering, and it moves with all the confidence of a classic suspense novel.
Author Steve Haberman writes with a steady hand. His pacing is unhurried in a way that works well because the world he builds is thick with history and personal ghosts. Jonas, especially, carries that weight. I found myself liking him for his rough honesty and the way he constantly wrestles with past mistakes. Sometimes the plot dips into long explanations, but I didn’t mind because it is intriguing and immersive from the first few chapters.
What struck me most was the author’s choice to weave major historical power players into a thriller that still feels intimate. The Soviet angle, the old Resistance networks, the sense that Europe is still picking up its broken pieces, these textures give the book more depth than I first expected. Natasha, the operative driven by the shadow of her father, is unsettling and fascinating all at once. Haberman doesn’t romanticize espionage; he shows it as shabby apartments, bad meals, coded newspaper ads, and people who are just trying to survive the next move on a dangerous chessboard. Sometimes the scenes feel almost cinematic; other times they feel like the quiet hum of a city at midnight, when the wrong knock on the door can derail everything.
By the end, I felt Avenue for an Assassin more than delivered everything a good thriller should: tension, atmosphere, flawed people trying their best, and a mystery that slowly sharpens into something frighteningly believable. If you enjoy historical thrillers, Cold War setups, or stories where everyday streets hide dangerous secrets, this one will be right up your alley. It’s a great pick for readers who like their suspense grounded and their characters complicated, and who don’t mind taking the long way around as the story unfolds.
Pages: 221 | ASIN : B0GF9C3454
Lucas Cabral and the Secret of the Amazon: The Warriors of Light Series
Lucas Cabral and the Secret of the Amazon sweeps through prophecy, danger, and a race against time as ancient forces stir and evil claws its way toward freedom. The story moves from a cursed Templar temple to modern Brazil, where the birth of three extraordinary children sends shockwaves through the world. As Brotherhood guardians scramble to protect the newborn Warriors of Light, sinister servants of the Lord of Darkness hunt them across continents. The book blends myth, adventure, and heartfelt human moments in a tale about destiny, courage, and the fragile balance between good and evil.
This was an exciting story, and I felt the excitement right from the beginning. The writing has a bold, cinematic quality. At times, it feels intense, even breathless, because danger lurks behind so many corners. I loved how the book shifts between sweeping prophecy and very grounded moments, especially the scenes with Rafael navigating airports while holding onto fear and faith at the same time. The mix of mysticism and real-world tension pulled me along, and that slow but steady buildup was thrilling.
I also felt a warm connection to the characters. Rafael’s devotion struck me deeply. He’s not flashy or loud. He’s steady and scared and determined, which made him feel real to me. Tendy and Paulo brought softness and heart into the story, and the Amazon setting felt rich and alive. There were moments when I wished the pacing slowed down to give me more time with them, but even then, I admired how the author kept the story moving along. The ideas in the book made me think about legacy and responsibility and how ordinary people rise when the world seems to be falling apart.
By the time I reached the last pages, I felt both satisfied and curious about what comes next. I would recommend this book to readers who love fast-moving adventures, mythical prophecies, and stories where ordinary characters carry extraordinary burdens. It’s a great pick for anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy with a global scope and a good dose of heart.
Pages: 283 | ISBN : 978-1962185776
Through the Lens of an Ancient Yisra’elite Bible Study
Through the Lens of an Ancient Yisra’elite Bible Study is a deep dive into Scripture that invites the reader to step out of a Western mindset and into the ancient world of the Yisra’elites. The author walks through history, language, culture, and theology to peel back layers of tradition and interpretation that have built up over centuries. From the opening pages, the book frames its goal clearly. It challenges readers to see how personal background, denominational teaching, and cultural habits shape the way the Bible is understood. It also aims to restore a more original, rooted perspective by examining Hebrew concepts, early calendars, festivals, and worldviews.
The author opens the book with the story of his own struggle in academic settings where the teaching felt out of sync with the Jewish foundation of Scripture. There is a real sense of longing in his words. A longing to understand the Bible as its writers meant it, not as later cultures reframed it. I could feel his drive to challenge the status quo, and even though the material gets dense, his sincerity comes through. The book really resonated with me because I’ve wondered about the same tensions, especially when modern teachings don’t quite match what the text seems to say. The book pushed me to slow down, rethink assumptions, and notice how much I bring to the page without even realizing it.
I also had moments of overwhelm. The amount of research is enormous. The book covers linguistics, sociology, astronomy, theology, ancient practices, and more. It is clear that the author spent decades digging into sources, and that commitment shows. There were moments when I hoped for a little more guidance on certain ideas. I admired the depth of the material, but there was much to take in, and that mix made the experience feel fuller and more engaging. I appreciated the effort to take readers past surface-level teaching. The author doesn’t hide difficult topics or soften them. He wants the reader to confront hard truths and reconsider traditions that many people accept without question. That boldness gave the book a refreshing kind of confidence that made me want to keep going.
I think this book is a great fit for readers who enjoy intensive Bible study and who don’t mind digging through challenging material to uncover deeper meaning. It would be especially valuable for people who feel that something is missing from modern interpretations and who want to explore Scripture from a historical and cultural angle. If you like to question, research, and wrestle with big ideas, this book will feel like a rich and rewarding journey. For anyone hungry for a fuller picture of ancient faith and practice, though, I’d absolutely recommend it.
Pages: 893 | ASIN : B0FBRLXSTB
Karl’s Marsupium
Karl’s Marsupium tells the story of a young kangaroo born with a pouch even though he is a boy. The book follows Karl as he navigates teasing, confusion, and big feelings while his mother supports him with warmth and patience. As he grows, he learns to understand his emotions, accept his body, and eventually even finds love with his best friend, Willy. By the end, Karl becomes a parent himself and discovers that the thing he once hated about himself is actually a gift.
The writing is simple and gentle, and it speaks straight to that place inside that remembers what it felt like to be different. I loved how the story pauses for feelings instead of rushing past them. Karl’s descriptions of what emotions feel like in his body hit me harder than I expected. They felt real and honest. His relationship with his mom pulled me right in because she doesn’t fix things for him. She just listens, and somehow that feels huge. I found myself smiling at that because it reminded me of the kind of comfort everyone wishes they had as a kid.
Watching Karl move from shame to curiosity to pride felt sweet. The story keeps things light, yet it’s carrying some thoughtful ideas about understanding yourself and giving others space to be who they are. I also liked the twist that his pouch becomes something he can offer to his own child. It made the whole story feel full circle and kind of cozy. The art helps a lot with that. The illustrations in this children’s book are soft and expressive, and the little heart symbols and warm colors really add to the emotional beats.
I’d recommend this picture book to kids who feel different, parents who want to teach emotional awareness, and honestly anyone who likes sweet stories that give your chest a little squeeze. It’s gentle, comforting, and full of heart. It would be lovely for bedtime or for classroom conversations about feelings and acceptance.
Pages: 24 | ASIN : B0FLB6NHNM
A Beautiful Direction
Hug Whispers Between Worlds follows a stalled 28-year-old man who drifts between self-doubt, family pressure, and a difficult love relationship until he meets a gnome who helps him face hard truths. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Current events. I was in the business world, and I empathise with what the twentythirty-year-olds are going through. College for four years and all of a sudden they’re back to the starting gate because of AI–a difficult situation for sure, but not insurmountable.
Did you imagine this novel as magical realism from the beginning, or did the magic emerge naturally as Tim’s story took shape?
It really just happened. I remember writing the outdoor bonfire scene and thinking, “Now what?” And thoughts of Tim going near the water by the dock and finding a waist-high Gnome named Hug just seemed to make sense. It just took on a beautiful direction.
The family scenes feel uncomfortably real for many readers. How important was it to capture that quiet emotional tension?
I lived it too, so I can understand. It was one of the keys because that’s why Tim was so hyper-focused on changing his situation. This is the first of, at least, three books, so you will see how all of this plays out. Very exciting!
What do you hope readers feel when they close the final page?
Feel good. There is enough bad stuff going on now, I don’t want to contribute to it. I always want to leave the reader uplifted and hopefully provide a change in perspective about their current situation. Tim had the motivation all along; all he needed was someone, or a Gnome, help him look at his situation a little differently. That’s when the magic happens!
Challenging Themes
I Know You follows a Scottish teenager who, after an argument with her boyfriend, is knocked unconscious and wakes up in the past at an Ethiopian refugee camp and spends the next 48 hours traveling through time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When my younger (and quite feisty) daughter was a teenager, I used to take great delight in teasing her by adopting rather unPC attitudes which I knew she would be unable to resist challenging. That experience provided the kernel of an idea. I thought it might be fun to have two characters of similar age but with world views formed half a century apart, thrown together. Clearly, such a situation is fantastical, so I felt that any construction that ‘explained’ the phenomenon would be fine. I was keen to establish the protagonist, Eilidh, as a bright but fairly typical late teenager – hence the early argument with the boyfriend. I also wanted to establish her as a time traveller and also someone with quite a lot about her, as well as introducing the link to Walter (the other main character). Given that Walter was born fifty years before her, that provided the window in which any meetings would have to take place. I chose Ethiopia in 1984 as it would show how Eilidh responded to being thrown into a nightmarish scenario, and allow me to introduce Walter in a low-key manner that didn’t give the game away too early.
Eilidh is transported to various locations and times over a period of 48 hours. Were you concerned about disorienting readers, or was that emotional confusion part of the intention?
I wasn’t at all concerned about disorienting readers, which might identify me as not caring about my audience! I was aware that the sudden jumps through time and space, allied to the pace at which the narrative moved, could be disorienting, but I felt that might help readers to identify more closely with what Eilidh was experiencing.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In truth, the book is a somewhat self-indulgent exercise. I hadn’t enjoyed writing my previous novel and decided that, no matter what, I was going to enjoy producing this one. So, I chucked as many of the things that matter to me as I could think of into the pot – family, Scotland, relationships, sci-fi, love, humour, music, football (soccer), friendship. Although the story is clearly fantastical, I wanted it to still bear a few hallmarks of authenticity, so I included some of the more challenging themes that life throws at us – bereavement, illness, and the tragedy of someone close succumbing to dementia. I didn’t want those themes to overwhelm the narrative, but I did want to treat them with respect and sensitivity. I hope I managed that.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’ve written a sci-fi yarn set in a near-future world dominated by competing AIs, focused on a tiny number of humans who happen to be telepathic. Any publisher who has shown interest has expressed the desire that the book be one of a series. I don’t have the appetite to write another of those (at least not yet), so I don’t think that’s going anywhere. Subsequently, I’ve just finished a particularly dark psycho-sexual thriller with what I think is a pretty surprising twist. Now I need to summon the energy to get on the publisher/agent treadmill! Meantime, I have a half-formed idea for a new novel, which is probably more like I Know You than anything else I’ve written.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
Eilidh, bright, headstrong and feisty, gets sparkling exam results that confirm her university place. Her boyfriend reveals he has deceived her. In the ensuing argument she is knocked unconscious. She arrives in 1984, in an Ethiopian refugee camp, where she nurses a dying child, then a wounded aid worker before wakening back home in present-day Scotland. Three days later, at an isolated beauty spot trying to come to terms with her ex boyfriend’s betrayal and her experience in Ethiopia, she encounters Walter, who is in the early stages of dementia. He is there because of a tattoo on his wrist that simply states the date and location of the beauty spot. Eilidh recognises Walter’s symptoms, takes him home and contacts his niece to come and collect him.
Over the following 48-hour period Eilidh finds herself transported to various locations in Europe and North America, and time periods from the previous fifty years. Each episode draws her further into an unexpected and unconventional romance. Eventually she travels to WW2 blitzed Liverpool and meets a fellow time traveller who explains that Eilidh faces a decision with life and death consequences.
LITERARY TITAN 