Blog Archives
Where’s Grandma?: A Child’s View on Loss, Grief & Bereavement
Where’s Grandma? is a heartfelt picture book that thoughtfully explores the experience of young Jordyn as she faces the difficult reality of losing her grandmother. Through her mother’s gentle guidance, Jordyn learns to navigate her grief by focusing on the joyful memories they shared like playing games or dancing and singing. These cherished moments offer her comfort, reminding her that her grandmother’s presence continues in her heart and memory.
The vibrant and meticulously crafted illustrations stand out and beautifully complement the emotional depth of the story. Jordyn’s emotions are vividly portrayed and bring her journey of loss and remembrance to life. Tackling the sensitive topic of loss can be challenging, particularly for young readers who often grapple with the concept of someone being there one day and gone the next. Author Tracey Smith addresses this challenge with compassion and skill, encouraging readers to embrace the memories of those they have lost and treasure the time spent with loved ones.
The language throughout is accessible and engaging, making it suitable for early readers whether they are reading independently or with a parent. The activities Jordyn enjoys with her grandmother are universally relatable, which will create an instant connection for readers. As a parent, I found these moments particularly resonant, having experienced many of the same activities with my own child. This story will undoubtedly strike a chord with young readers, offering them valuable insight into how they can process feelings of sadness and loss.
Where’s Grandma? is a tender and thoughtful children’s book that introduces young readers to an essential life skill of learning how to cope with grief and loss. I highly recommend this book to families who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one or to those seeking to open a meaningful dialogue with children about this important subject.
Pages: 28 | ASIN: B0CY8166M2
Unheard
From an early age, Bhavini Bhargava had a love for badminton, and her family nurtured this passion. By age 8, she was playing with her dad, and by 10, she had already competed in her first open nationals. However, after sustaining injuries from the sport, she had to seek an alternative that put less strain on her injured foot. At 16, she turned to cricket, pursuing it with determination while continuing her education and exploring writing. Eventually, she found herself playing for the Australian cricket team. This book, a collection of poems, reflects the rich tapestry of experiences she has gathered along the way.
In the poem Sunflower, she offers a compelling message of resilience, urging us to flourish like sunflowers, no matter the setbacks we face. Throughout her poems, she shares the wisdom that comes with age, illustrating how life’s lessons have shaped her path. Even when we encounter dead ends, she reminds readers that there’s always another way forward. One theme that resonates deeply is the fear of stopping or walking away from something we’ve invested in, even when it no longer serves us. The author calls on us to recapture the curiosity and courage of childhood—the ability to rise again without fear of mistakes. Through this lens, she paints a picture of how adulthood often robs us of the carefree spirit and curiosity that once defined us. The collection also delves into personal reflections, including glimpses of a past relationship. The author reflects on love, disappointment, healing, and the road that lies ahead, offering poignant insights into the emotional landscape of her journey. Her use of storytelling, coupled with a natural rhythm, keeps readers engaged throughout. The poems flow effortlessly, creating vivid imagery that draws the reader in. The addition of sketches enriches the reading experience, breathing life into the words and making the collection even more captivating.
Unheard is a collection of modern poetry that explores themes of love, life, nature, and personal growth. It provides readers with a book that will speak to their hearts. It speaks to anyone who has faced setbacks, found new paths, or simply wishes to rediscover the adventurous spirit of youth.
Pages: 111 | ASIN : B0BY2X7397
Tapestry
Tapestry is an intricate, multi-generational tale that weaves together the stories of women who have been marginalized and oppressed but are fiercely resilient. Set against the backdrop of historical periods where patriarchy, sexism, and injustice reigned supreme, the book tells the stories of women like Aida and Rosalie, whose lives were marked by pain but also by fortitude and wisdom. At its core, the book is a tribute to the strength of ancestral female wisdom and the persistence of the human spirit.
What struck me immediately was the rawness of the storytelling. There’s something visceral in how the author portrays Aida’s life in the 1700s. The imagery of her as a child left to survive in a pigpen, later abused, and sold, but ultimately rising to become a healer, was both heartbreaking and triumphant. The writing captures not just the brutality of her circumstances, but also her inner strength and resilience, particularly when she delivers babies and saves lives with her herbal knowledge.
While the stories are compelling, the pacing in some sections, like Petra’s story in the convent, was slower and more introspective, while other parts, such as the vivid descriptions of Rosalie’s journey on the convict ship, were packed with action and emotion. The lengthy descriptions and heavy use of historical context sometimes pulled me out of the emotional depth of the characters’ journeys. I would’ve loved more balance between the historical backdrop and the intimate personal moments that define these women’s lives.
Another standout element is how the book dives into themes of female solidarity. The interactions between Aida, Ursula, and the group of women they eventually join in the woods felt empowering. These women, despite being rejected by society, form their own community, sharing knowledge and supporting one another. That part of the book, to me, was a beautiful ode to the strength of women when they come together. The detailed descriptions of the forest life, the food they gather, and the herbal remedies they concocted made these scenes feel rich and alive.
Tapestry is a bold and sweeping story that showcases the harsh realities faced by women throughout history but also their incredible resilience and ability to thrive despite it all. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction with deep emotional depth and a strong focus on female empowerment.
Pages: 242
Aftermath: Into the Unknown
Aftermath: Into the Unknown, by Lena Gibson, is an enthralling continuation of Gibson’s Love and Survival series, transporting readers into a harsh, post-apocalyptic landscape where survival is fraught with peril. Three years after the catastrophic asteroid, Robin and Kory must navigate a world in ruins, battling threats both human and environmental. When a ruthless biker gang invades their town, Robin’s grandfather urges her to leave the safety of their bunker and embark on an 800-mile journey with the rest of the family. Along the way, Robin faces unimaginable challenges and embarks on a romance that defies the bleakness of her surroundings.
Gibson’s storytelling prowess truly shines in this second installment. Her ability to craft a vivid, visually charged narrative is remarkable. The stark, post-apocalyptic setting leaps off the page with detailed, graphic depictions that immerse readers in the chaos of this dystopian world. At the same time, she contrasts these harsh scenes with tender, emotionally resonant moments, using heartfelt dialogue to create a balance between the intense action and the human connections that drive the story forward.
The setting, a desolate world reshaped by disaster, is masterfully portrayed. Gibson captures the desolation and the fight for survival with precise attention to tone and atmosphere. The storyline is fresh and distinct, with this second book introducing a new chapter in the characters’ lives while seamlessly continuing the themes of love, resilience, and the will to endure that were present in the first book. The characters, both returning and new, add depth and complexity to the narrative. Robin and Kory remain at the heart of the story, but the introduction of new, dynamic personalities enriches the plot, making the relationships feel more interactive and engaging. Each character brings something unique, amplifying the tension and keeping the reader invested in their fates.
Gibson strikes a perfect balance of fast and intense yet carefully detailed, avoiding unnecessary exposition while still delivering a richly textured world. The plot is filled with unpredictable twists, suspenseful moments, and enough chaos to keep readers eagerly turning the pages. It’s a hard feat to maintain such momentum without sacrificing detail, but Gibson does it expertly.
Aftermath: Into the Unknown, by Lena Gibson, exceeded my expectations. With its vivid world-building, strong characters, and an unpredictable well-written plot, it delivers an engaging and satisfying read. Lena Gibson once again proves her talent for weaving an intricate and suspenseful narrative. This is a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction, as well as those looking for a blend of romance and survival.
Pages: 367 | ASIN : B0DFCTT7PV
Dungeonmasters Like Me
The Seal of Thomerion follows a veteran dwarf on a quest to save his friend, who is suffering from a deadly and mysterious curse. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I drew inspiration for this and other books from my experiences with Dungeons & Dragons; specifically with running campaigns for them. I created many quests and obstacles for my players to overcome, and one of them who entered the group late (as a dwarven warrior) needed a personal-investment hook, so I made it so that he was seeking the cure to a mysterious disease/curse. For those who don’t know, Dungeons & Dragons is a highly imagination-based tabletop roleplaying game with a core set of rules, which Dungeonmasters like me build around using our own ideas (homebrew.)
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, how did it change as you were writing, and how did you keep track of all the different paths readers can take?
The setting became a conglomeration of different adventure climates, terrains and scenarios, some of which I had read in other fantasy books with complicated maps and deeply-thought-out cityscapes. In comparison, I decided to keep my world a little simpler than many, which just a handful of major cities and geographical landmarks, all of which have played important roles in the stories. The paths I send my readers down changed primarily as I came up with choice junctures, and I’ve used Microsoft Word and a carefully organized linking system to keep track of the “tree” shape the pathways form.
The Seal of Thomerion begins in a traditional way but then takes a turn that defies traditional fantasy storytelling, putting readers in charge of where the story goes next. What made you decide to write your novel in this format?
I am a huge fan of board games and of creating well-rounded experiences for consumers. Interactive fiction fits that bill because, as a consumer myself of the Choose Your Own Adventure series as a child, I became deeply engaged in each decision. Memorably, I could always turn back to where I kept my thumb in place, should the ending turn out to be less than ideal. So, there’s a bit of nostalgia behind my compositions, even as I upgrade the CYOA format for a more adult audience.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
There are two more books in the series also available, entitled The Gate to Thomerion and the Wrath of Thomerion. In GtT, the cleric who serves as the primary ally in The Seal of Thomerion, Bartleby, takes a turn as the protagonist (even though in all cases, the books are written in second-person “you”-centric perspective). Bartleby struggles to keep a secret relationship from coming to light within his church, just as he is also questing to stop Thomerion, the god of destruction, from entering the human realm via a mysterious portal. In the Wrath of Thomerion, Titania Vermouth, the leader of the coastal town of Sungaze, spearheads a quest to rid Bartleby’s body of demonic possession. All sorts of new friends are met along the way, including a teetotaling orcblood, a loyal fortune-teller and Christof, Bartleby’s superior within the church of the sun.
What do you do?
As a dwarven army veteran thrown back into action, you, the reader make the decisions. Will you recruit a religious zealot to your cause, or instead a lunatic tinkerer? Do you save a damsel, or go where the money is? Might you cower in the face of danger, or instead face it head-on? It’s up to you, but be warned: The fate of a nation hangs in the balance.
Gifts of Grace
SOL—Supportive Guidance for Healing & Awakening is a self-help book divided into insightful parts that guide readers through understanding their divine nature, introduce daily practices for spiritual and personal development, and emphasize the importance of community in one’s healing journey. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was important for me to write because it speaks directly to my lived experience.
When my spiritual awakening intensified in 2018, I felt like I was losing control of my life. The physical, mental, and emotional agony was so intense at times, I didn’t think I could make it through. I found myself becoming extremely anxious, depressed, scared, and hopeless.
In my darkest moments, grace came to me. Sometimes grace came as a feeling of relief or comfort, seemingly from nowhere. Other times, grace came in the form of spiritual insights. These insights revealed deep truths about our divine nature, the importance of mindfulness, the nature of time, the roles of fear and ego, and how we heal through our hearts. Another form grace took was guidance, e.g. guidance on certain breathing methods to use, meditation styles to try, mantras to practice.
These gifts of grace helped me navigate the most grueling stretches of the awakening process. They also provided me with confidence and practical tools I could use to overcome my suffering. I began writing down these gifts of grace and incorporating them into my life through daily practice.
In 2023, I began gathering those gifts of grace into a book, and in 2024, I published that book, which I call SOL: supportive guidance for healing and awakening. Through SOL, I share the wisdom, practices, tools, and inspiring messages that have served me best on my path of healing and awakening. That way, readers can benefit from the gifts of grace I received, and they can not only endure the spiritual awakening process – they can flourish in the experience!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The first idea I wanted to share is that everyone and everything is divine. We tend to think that we and the rest of the universe are something less than the divine. Spiritual wisdom revealed to me, time and again, that God is everything, without exception, and that our physical bodies only seem less-than-divine because our minds project a sense of unworthiness or inadequacy onto the universe. I want readers to embrace their divinity and to gradually undo the mental conditioning that leads us to believe otherwise.
I also wanted to convey the importance and beauty of our human hearts. Through our hearts, we are capable of bottomless courage and mercy, and this combination of courage and mercy is what allows us to both progress on the awakening path and to be good to ourselves on that path. This balance of striving-and-soothing has proved to be pivotal for me as I navigate the unpredictable swings of the awakening process.
In addition to being our trusty guide on the difficult awakening path, the heart is also the source of our deepest healing. The heart is a melting pot that welcomes in our karma – our unresolved feelings about the past – and reintegrates that energy into our beings, restoring us to the state of wholeness we knew before trauma. Our society puts such an emphasis on the head and the gut; we fetishize being smart and being decisive. When we lose ourselves in our heads and guts, we lose our connection with our hearts, and this keeps us stuck in vicious cycles of suffering and mistreatment that can last entire lifetimes. By reconnecting with the heart, by softening our hearts to our difficult feelings, and my remaining mindfully present as those difficult feelings resolve in time, we heal even the gnarliest unresolved feelings, and we rediscover the wholeness and fulfillment that we’d always sensed was possible, but which always seemed so far away. Alas, the path to fulfillment has been beating in our chests all along! It just takes awareness, focus, and trust to reestablish that heart connection and let the healing happen.
The third idea I wanted to share is that we’re not alone. I see so many people struggling with pain and darkness in our world. In the depths of that struggle, we can feel so lonely and isolated, it feels like we’re going it alone. I wrote this book to help folks realize that they’re not alone, that there are helpful tools and resources for navigating inner difficulties, and that there are global and local communities devoted to helping people heal and reconnect with the beauty of life.
With so much helpful information in this book, have you considered writing a companion workbook or journal that readers can use alongside this one?
I love this idea!
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from SOL – Supportive Guidance for Healing & Awakening?
I hope readers take away from SOL that they are the inspiring warmth of their own hearts. When we believe it’s our job to fix ourselves or to fix the world, we go down a hopeless, sometimes destructive path. When we try to fix ourselves or others, what we’re really doing is projecting our insecurities onto something. Our insecurities lie deep within us, in the bottomless depths of our hearts-and-souls. When we abide in mindful presence in the heart, we transform the heart into a place of healing. We are like the flame that lights the heart-candle’s wick! By sustaining this heart connection, we resolve our insecurities and the negative beliefs underlying them. We become like the shepherd calling the lost sheep home from the wilderness. This deep inner healing is what brings peace, goodness, and gladness into our world. We look upon the world and realize – oh my, there was never anything out there to fix! There was just pain deep within me that was looking for a safe place to surrender. Our hearts are that safe place of surrender, that all-welcoming sanctuary where even the deepest pain can find resolution and peace. By being gently with our hearts as our hearts feel those difficult feelings, we empower our hearts to heal the wounds of the past, which frees us to live more capably and confidently in the here-and-now!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Why do we struggle?
Why do we suffer? How do we heal?
SOL offers fresh, engaging insights on these essential questions. Through SOL, you’ll gain a richer appreciation for both why we hurt and how we heal.
SOL is a one-stop shop for healing and awakening. SOL provides spiritual wisdom, practical guidance, and inspirational messages to serve you on the journey of life.
Part 1 is a buffet of spiritual wisdom. You’ll find intriguing, liberating insights about our essential nature, our life’s purpose, our relationship with time, why we suffer, and how we heal our deepest inner wounds.
Part 2 is the SOL Flourishing Program– a series of practical, easy-to-learn methods for feeling better, thinking more clearly, making wiser decisions, and enjoying life more.
Part 3 is called “Be, and Be With, Community.” This section connects you with healing and awakening resources, both globally and locally, by providing you with helpful guidance for finding good matches.
Part 4 is called “The Gift Shop.” Many tours end in the gift shop, and SOL is no different! Here, you’ll discover loose pearls of wisdom, inspirational verses, and other powerful, quotable goodies that will serve you on the healing and awakening path.
SOL offers comfort, clarity, guidance, and inspiration for the incredible adventure of life. Open SOL and discover your path within!
INFREQUENT FREQUENCIES RARE RESONANCE
G. E. Poole’s Infrequent Frequencies, Rare Resonance delves into an expansive array of thought-provoking subjects, pushing readers to challenge conventional beliefs and explore new dimensions of understanding. This book invites an open mind, urging readers to engage in complex discussions on faith, science, history, and the future. Poole weaves together a fascinating mix of Christian and Islamic teachings, the writings of H.I. Khan, and an assortment of other religious perspectives while also offering in-depth historical narratives, a sharp analysis of the present, and thought-provoking future predictions.
The range of topics is vast, from the mysteries of quantum physics and Schumann resonances to ancient Greek myths like Pandora to a practical guide on prayer. Poole explores everything with a sense of curiosity that draws the reader into his exploration of science, spirituality, and psychology. The chapters are richly packed with ideas, offering a deep well of knowledge. For example, Poole’s discussion of the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio is insightful. Poole encourages readers to approach the material with an inquisitive mind and allow space for personal interpretation while his unique voice subtly shines through.
I think this book is best suited for readers who are open to exploring new perspectives, especially in areas that stretch beyond traditional religious frameworks. Poole offers essays on supernatural beings, explores unconventional arguments on faith, and shares eye-opening stories from the Bible, Islam, and other belief systems. Every chapter is organized into segments that brim with rich and varied content.
This is not a book to rush through. Instead, it’s a work that demands time, inviting readers to immerse themselves in its exploration of Eastern philosophy, quantum physics, religion, and psychology. Despite the abstract and sometimes complex nature of the topics, Poole’s writing is clear and fluid, making intricate ideas accessible. I found the sections on prayer particularly moving, especially the guidance on incorporating Saum and Salat into one’s personal spiritual practice.
Infrequent Frequencies, Rare Resonance is a treasure trove of insights. Its concise yet deep exploration of a wide range of subjects will spark curiosity and invite readers on a path to enlightenment. For anyone seeking an enriching experience, I recommend taking in every chapter with an open mind.
Pages: 473 | ASIN: B0D21KJP1D
The Devil’s Wrath
The Devil’s Wrath by Rico Liemanto presents a gripping dark fantasy tale where twin gods, Kota and Gurita, watch over the world with constant vigilance. However, their greatest fear is about to unfold: Setan, the God of Devils, is on the verge of returning. Two centuries ago, Setan’s brief but catastrophic appearance left millions dead and countless others corrupted. Now, with Setan’s resurgence imminent, the gods must once again rally heroes to stand against him. Panah, Ular, Maling, and Tuli—four unlikely champions—are chosen to embark on a dangerous quest to vanquish this fearsome enemy.
Liemanto’s The Devil’s Wrath channels the energy of a fast-paced video game, transforming it into a vivid literary experience. Drawing inspiration from games like Elden Ring and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, the novel echoes the dynamic storytelling of movies like Mortal Kombat or Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. It offers a refreshing twist on the classic narrative of reluctant heroes embarking on a perilous journey at the command of higher powers. The reluctant quartet—each with unique abilities and personalities—initially struggles under the weight of their divine mandate. They have little in common, and their newfound roles as the gods’ acolytes are far from voluntary. Yet, as their mission becomes clearer, they are united by the immense threat they face. The development of their characters, particularly their clashing yet complementary dynamics, adds depth and enjoyment to the story. Much like a superhero team-up, the joy lies in watching these disparate individuals come together to confront a shared enemy. Setan and his minions provide formidable antagonists for the group, setting the stage for several pulse-pounding battle sequences. But the book doesn’t rely solely on action—Liemanto masterfully weaves in an intricate mythology, slowly unraveling the mysteries of this richly imagined world. This blend of thrilling combat and deep world-building ensures that the novel strikes a satisfying balance for fans of both fast-paced action and complex, immersive storytelling.
The Devil’s Wrath is a gripping dark fantasy with a slow-burning adventure that delivers explosive battles alongside layers of mythology. With its compelling characters, high stakes, and richly crafted universe, it promises to engage readers who love both intense action and thoughtful world-building.
Pages: 245 | ASIN : B0DBFV8D5Y
LITERARY TITAN 