Blog Archives
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Children’s Books
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes children’s books that mesmerize audiences with incredible narratives, vibrant illustrations, charming characters, and fresh ideas. Offering well-earned accolades, we salute the imagination and exceptional skill of authors who create tales that spark curiosity and delight in young minds.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Poetry
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes poets who demonstrate exceptional artistry and proficiency and push the boundaries of language and expression. The recipients are poets who excel in their technical skills and evoke deep emotional responses, challenge thoughts, and illuminate new perspectives through their work. The award honors those who contribute to the literary landscape with their unique voices and powerful words.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
The Legend of Atlantis and the Science of Geology, Volume 1
The legend of the lost city of Atlantis has captivated imaginations for centuries, drawing interest from casual enthusiasts to dedicated scholars. Yet, despite the fascination, no one has definitively proven whether Atlantis truly existed or was merely a figment of myth. Generally accepted as fiction, the legend remains a topic of speculation—except perhaps among the more imaginative fringes of society. However, in The Legend of Atlantis and the Science of Geology, author Joseph O’Donoghue approaches this age-old mystery with the rigor and professionalism of a trained geologist, bringing a fresh, analytical perspective to the debate.
This book marks the first in a comprehensive series where O’Donoghue explores the Atlantis narrative with a scientific lens. While many dismiss the tale as pure fantasy, O’Donoghue approaches it with a healthy skepticism and a willingness to explore the possibilities. If Atlantis did exist, he argues, geology is the field most likely to uncover evidence. A cataclysmic event powerful enough to sink a city of such legendary proportions would have left traces or clues buried in the Earth’s layers that geology might be able to unearth. Even if the city itself has long vanished beneath the ocean, signs of its existence could still be hidden within the Earth’s crust, waiting to be discovered. What sets this work apart is its clarity and accessibility. O’Donoghue delivers his findings in a straightforward, engaging manner, ensuring that readers of all backgrounds can follow his arguments without feeling overwhelmed by jargon. His ability to distill complex geological concepts into simple, persuasive language makes the book not only informative but also enjoyable.
In the thought-provoking exploration of The Legend of Atlantis and the Science of Geology, Volume 1, O’Donoghue masterfully demonstrates that sometimes, truth can indeed be stranger—and more intriguing—than fiction. His conclusions are both compelling and potentially groundbreaking, offering insights that could reshape our understanding of Earth’s history. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys delving into the mysteries of the past with a critical, yet open mind.
Pages: 354 | ASIN : B0D23XGZ2L
Harmony’s Betrayal
Harmony’s Betrayal by Gavin Noble Mills takes place in a dystopian future where citizens are evaluated by their CiVal score, a measure of their societal worth. The story follows Detective Freya Blackwood, who finds herself embroiled in a minor case of fraud, only for it to spiral into something far more dangerous. Freya begins the story investigating a seemingly trivial infraction, but her life takes a chaotic turn when she is accused of murder, a crime she does not remember committing. What follows is her desperate attempt to uncover the truth, escape capture, and figure out how she became embroiled in such a dark conspiracy, all while contending with her deteriorating mental state and a relentless artificial intelligence system overseeing it all.
Mills crafts a complex, futuristic society with chilling attention to detail. The CiVal system, where citizens are graded on their value to society, adds a layer of tension and intrigue to every action Freya takes. For instance, when Freya’s CiVal score plummets after being accused of murder, it becomes clear how deeply embedded this system is in controlling people’s lives. I found this exploration of societal surveillance both fascinating and disturbing. It raised questions about autonomy, morality, and how much power an artificial intelligence should wield. Freya is a compelling protagonist. Her hardened, no-nonsense demeanor sometimes felt a little distant, but it worked well for her character, especially as someone navigating a dystopian world. However, I did wish for more vulnerability from her earlier on. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, with Freya’s paranoia and sense of being hunted palpable. The unpredictability of whether she can trust her own mind adds an extra layer of suspense that kept me turning pages. The story starts with a relatively slow build-up before everything escalates quickly. While the stakes are high, and the urgency is clear, I sometimes felt like there wasn’t enough time to absorb what was happening.
Harmony’s Betrayal is an intense and thought-provoking read that blends dystopian themes with an intriguing mystery. If you’re a fan of stories exploring the darker side of surveillance, artificial intelligence, and moral ambiguity, this book is worth your time. The mix of psychological thriller and sci-fi makes it a gripping read, especially for those who enjoy complex world-building and flawed but resilient protagonists.
Pages: 168 | ISBN : 1068865903
Water Fire Steam
Set against the backdrop of the 19th-century Westward Expansion, Water Fire Steam, by Mitzi Zilka tells the compelling story of Rolla, a young engineer eager to make his mark on the rapidly developing Wild West. With a promising contract to build Spokane, Washington’s water system, Rolla moves to the burgeoning city with his young wife, full of hope and ambition. However, his world is turned upside down when a devastating fire ravages the town, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. Injured and out of work, Rolla faces a new reality, struggling to come to terms with the life he had envisioned slipping away. As Spokane rebuilds and flourishes around him, Rolla becomes increasingly isolated, haunted by the ghosts of his past. The question remains: Can he find the strength to forgive himself, rebuild his life, and rediscover his place in the world?
Through Rolla’s poignant journey, Zilka masterfully explores the triumphs and tragedies of the human spirit. The author does an exceptional job of immersing readers in the historical context of the story, capturing the essence of the era with meticulous attention to detail. The inclusion of real events, such as The Great Spokane Fire of 1889, grounds the narrative in history, lending it an authentic feel. Zilka’s vivid descriptions transport readers to early 19th-century Spokane, from its humble, mud-covered streets to the modernized cityscape that emerges after the fire, complete with concrete buildings, sidewalks, and curbs. These descriptions vividly bring to life the setting, landscapes, and architecture, allowing readers to fully imagine what life was like during that transformative period. Zilka also skillfully weaves in the social realities of the time, addressing issues such as childhood mortality, the suffragette movement, and public health crises. These elements are handled with nuance and sensitivity, adding depth to the narrative and enriching the historical context. Through these details, Water Fire Steam becomes a beautifully crafted story that is both historically accurate and deeply human.
Water Fire Steam is an engaging novel with well-developed characters, and its focus on a pivotal moment in history adds a layer of intrigue that will captivate readers. I highly recommend this book to all readers, especially those who have a passion for drama and historical fiction.
Pages: 420 | ASIN : B0B2L4HW8R
Flying Crooked
Set in the late 1970s, Flying Crooked, by Stephen W. Borgess, delves into the troubled life of Jack Dolan, a young airline pilot whose personal demons are beginning to interfere with his professional duties. Jack is grappling with relationship problems and the lingering trauma of his experiences in Vietnam—issues that are pushing him toward a dangerous downward spiral. In the high-stakes world of commercial aviation, what’s happening inside a pilot’s mind can have catastrophic consequences, not only for the pilot but for the lives of countless passengers.
Borgess offers an intense psychological portrait of a man on the edge. Jack is likely suffering from PTSD, a condition that is slowly infiltrating every aspect of his life. Despite his passion for flying and his drive to succeed, Jack’s fragile mental state poses a serious risk. His identity is deeply intertwined with his career as a pilot, and through introspective moments in the novel, we see that Jack cannot envision himself in any other role. Yet, this same profession, combined with his unresolved trauma, is turning him into a ticking time bomb. As the story unfolds, we witness Jack’s attempts to advance in his career, but his psychological baggage constantly undermines his efforts. His relationships—with both his love interest and his colleagues—are strained by his inner turmoil. Borgess skillfully portrays Jack’s brooding nature and the impact it has on those around him, all while maintaining a steady undercurrent of tension that keeps readers on edge.
One of the novel’s most gripping elements is the tension between Jack’s inner struggles and the obliviousness of his passengers. None of the individuals boarding the planes he pilots have any inkling that their safety might be compromised. Borgess uses this tension to great effect, creating a palpable sense of unease. The novel serves as a stark reminder of the immense trust we place in airline pilots, assuming not only their technical competence but also their mental and emotional stability. Flying Crooked forces readers to confront the unsettling possibility that this trust might be misplaced.
In Flying Crooked, Stephen W. Borgess crafts a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that examines the precarious balance between professional responsibility and personal demons. Jack Dolan’s story is a powerful reminder of the unseen battles that can rage within, even as we place our lives in the hands of those who seem in control.
Pages: 444
Life is Unpredictable
Until It Was Gone follows a woman who has left her marriage of forty years and sets out to try and reconnect with their estranged daughter and her grandchild, whom she has never met. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was a marriage and family therapist for over thirty-five years, so all my novels focus on families and how they traverse life’s problems and demonstrate their resilience. In this novel, I wanted to show how contemporary problems interact with a family trying its best to solve their problems and move forward. Among these difficulties are COVID, marital separation, mass shooting, parent/child estrangement, adult survival of childhood sexual abuse, and abortion. Despite the weightiness of these problems, the story is often very humorous.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing Gretchen most. She is a tough woman with a big heart who has faced the tragic loss of her husband. She is curmudgeonly and yet tender. She also has the most important monologue in the book, a scene that took considerable time to write.
Laney was a challenge mainly because she is a lead character and is female. As a male writer, I work hard to avoid female stereotypes and, instead, emphasize strength and independence and resolve.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I am always interested in family dysfunction and how families address it. All families have some degree of dysfunction. How they draw on their basic connectedness to support one another and make it through the dilemmas they face is often what defines a family.
I am very interested in family/life transitions, periods when family members and the family, as a whole, must make adjustments and changes (often ones they don’t want to make) so that family members can grow. All transitions involve some degree of loss. Members have to let go of what was in order to discover what will be.
I find that another theme that runs through most of my novels is how we deal with the randomness of our lives, the things that cannot be predicted or prevented. A death, an illness, an unjust law, the sudden end of a relationship. How we think about and cope with the eventuality of death often defines how we will live.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next novel is entitled, Last Alive. I am almost finished with the first draft. It might appear in 2025. The phenomenon of roadside memorials (crosses and other objects by the side of the road, that are remembrances of loved ones lost in automobile accidents) drew my attention and plays a significant role in the story of yet another family.
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Laney leaves for the Oklahoma panhandle in search of Roz, their estranged daughter, who left home at sixteen, and the nineteen-year-old granddaughter, Maggie, Laney has never met.
Shortly after she leaves, Franklin contracts COVID which morphs into long COVID. His episodes of fogginess and disorientation awaken memories of abuse at the hands of his father. His sister comes to take care of him, but she needs to return home soon for the sentencing of a mass murderer who killed her husband.
If that weren’t enough, Maggie becomes pregnant and, due to medical complications, needs an abortion, but she lives in a state where it’s outlawed. What will she do? Where will she go? Will the family find the resilience to come together for everyone’s sake?
Until It Was Gone tells of a family trying to make life work while being pummeled by the exigencies of contemporary society. It celebrates the thin strands of hope that hold us together and move us forward.
LITERARY TITAN 