Blog Archives
A Toxic Friend
There’s No Cure for Impossible follows a young woman working in the news industry who finds herself increasingly entangled in a former friend’s web of dangerous lies that threaten her career. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I had heard that when a baby is abducted from a hospital setting it’s usually done by a woman who is not a career criminal at all. It’s by a gal whose motivation is needing a child to try and bind herself to a man, and to pass the baby off as “theirs,” when it isn’t. She doesn’t want her man to get away. Well, that intrigued me no end! It’s bizarre, and so extreme, and I was off and running with creating a story around the idea of a woman who would be crazy enough to try to pull off that sort of a kidnapping. This one doesn’t happen in a hospital setting, though, the baby is snatched at a store, yet it’s done for the same wacky reason. The character of Mila has recently miscarried and takes an infant because she wants to hold on to her boyfriend. He’s gotten fed up with her, as just about everyone in her life eventually does…
What was the inspiration for the relationship between Selena and Mila?
I think everybody has had a situation or two where they have a toxic friend, and are pushed to the point that, for their own sake, they have no choice but to go their own separate way. You can only take so much. Decades ago I had a friend at an entertainment industry job, one who turned out to be a pathological liar and was prone to throwing spectacular tantrums if she didn’t get her way. It was unreal and it had to be seen to be believed. After I left that job, I put a stop to any further contact with that one. Enough! So that’s where Selena is at the start of this story. She’s written Mila off because she just can’t take all the drama and craziness that Mila generates any longer. She wants out of the friendship, and she gets out, but when Mila’s latest stunt of grabbing a baby makes headlines, Selena is working for a television news station and accidentally lands in the middle of another Mila mess…
What was your favorite scene in this story?
All of it was fun to write. I think the part where Selena meets with an FBI agent and finds out a few tidbits she hadn’t known before is my absolute favorite part of this one. That throws everything in disarray and for quite a loop besides. And while I don’t want to add any spoilers here, I’ll say this. I also really like the way I ended this story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Believe it or not, this past winter and spring I worked on three books at a time! UNTIL THE STARS ALIGN, a historical novel about the Kindertransport and World War II, has already been released and it’s doing well. Then there was this one, THERE’S NO CURE FOR IMPOSSIBLE, and finally the third, THE TEETOTALER’S BAR. All of them were enjoyable to write. THE TEETOTALER’S BAR is about a young woman whose distant relative is murdered and leaves her a fortune, a puppy, a whole apartment building filled with tenants she has to contend with, and a bar and grill. But the girl is a healthy-living teetotaler. She initially isn’t thrilled with owning a bar, and she also wants to figure out the reason behind the murder. It’s going to be available soon! I’m also already hard at work on yet another one, a mystery involving exotic animal traffickers.
If I may add this, I’d like to encourage anyone out there who hasn’t already done so to go for it if they have a creative idea they’d like to put into action and pursue. It has worked so beautifully for me! Just give it a shot. And as the old adage goes, “No guts, no glory!”
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Blog | Amazon
Trust Yourself
Divorce Is Not a Destination shares with readers your experiences and extensive work as a breakup and divorce coach so that they can navigate a post-divorce life and regain their own joy. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Of the taboo subjects I write about in Divorce Is Not A Destination, if I were to pick one that was more difficult than the others to address, it was sharing about how I contracted herpes. It was important, to be honest about my anger, frustration, confusion, and diminished trust while also owning my choices. Chapter 2 is where I cover the Loss Cycle, and it was the perfect place to share that experience in hopes that my story would support someone else in dealing with the emotional aspects of their situation.
In the last chapter, I do mention other taboo subjects. Even then, while I was willing to be vulnerable and honest about challenges and decisions, it was important that I didn’t derail people’s ability to stay focused on their own issues by sensationalizing mine.
The challenge for me was how to write a book that is, in many ways, about me yet still leaves space for the reader to find themselves in it so they can do their work as well.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Key ideas for me include the framework of Accountability, Alignment, Communication, and Trust (A.A.C.T.). I truly believe using the AACT framework can put a person on their path to healing and experiencing joy. It is normal to hurt when we lose someone we love. I want people to embrace the fact that our emotions can teach us so much, and we need to learn from what we’re feeling so we can move into healing.
Another key idea is to be okay with challenging beliefs you haven’t explored or experienced yourself, especially when those beliefs leave you feeling shameful, guilty, or inadequate. There is something unhealthy about holding onto pain because it’s connected to someone we appreciate or admire.
Finally, I can’t say the phrase don’t be so hard on yourself was an idea because I think it’s okay to challenge yourself with difficult questions. It’s part of being accountable, which might not be easy at first. I think we could be more intentional about being kind and loving to ourselves. At the end of the day, I hope that the reader understands and embraces the importance of working on, loving on, and believing in oneself.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
Trust yourself! Whether you call it listening to your gut, your inner wisdom, or discernment, when we trust that voice inside of us, we learn we can face whatever life brings our way. We are perfectly designed to live our unique lives. This doesn’t mean we live anxiety-free; it means we learn to tap into a courage and curiosity that can carry us through challenges. It means we can cry, feel hurt, be disappointed, and know where and when to go for solace and support. We can sit in the emotion, knowing it’s temporary. Trusting yourself opens the door to believing that life is happening for you and not to you. That breeds confidence. And that’s joyful.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The personal reflection exercises, tools, and strategies will put you on the path to re-establishing boundaries and improving your ability to communicate, first with yourself and then with those close to you. Now is the time to rediscover what’s important, rebuild your confidence, and lead your best self forward. “Divorce Is Not A Destination” was written for you, now.
This book is for you if:
You’re divorced, on the brink of divorce, or seeking support following a breakup, and you need guidance on how to engage, ignite, and empower yourself emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
This book will help you:
* Heal from heartache and stop hurting yourself emotionally.
* Identify emotions-don’t be controlled by them.
* Set boundaries for toxic behavior.
* Create a support team.
* Unlearn debilitating beliefs about divorce.
* Stop embodying lies.
* Tap into your intuition and trust yourself again.
* Talk to your child about the breakup or dating.
* Model recovery for your child.
* Embody the confidence people think you already have.
* Celebrate because joy is your birthright.
After more than one divorce, Dr. Lisa Summerour learned how to stand on her story and not be stuck in it. As a breakup and divorce strategist, Dr. Summerour is a Master Practitioner accredited by the International Divorce Coach Centre of Excellence and The Dash Charity, a UK-regulated domestic abuse charity.
You are not damaged, defective, defeated, or done, because “Divorce Is Not A Destination.”
New Hopes and Dreams
Little Melvin… The Pig That Could Eat the World follows a young pig living on a farm whose hunger gets out of control, sending him on an out-of-this-world adventure. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Anyone (even a cute little pig) can break free from his/her confines in search of new hopes and dreams and adventure!
Also, not everyone has visited a farm, particularly younger children, and this book may give them an early view of how a farm can look.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
To successfully create an enjoyable picture book that could be enjoyed between parents and young children during reading times together.
I was also hopeful that the book could attract the interest of a traditional publisher or literary agent.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
There may be another Little Melvin coming to market. If so, I envision him returning to Earth to share his adventures from outer space where he learned important ways, on other planets, to improve our planet (instead of devouring it)!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
But Melvin’s simple, everyday world is about to change forever.
Melvin’s deep love for his farmers delicious food takes over, and his need for more food leads him to a place he could never have imagined!
You might say that Melvin’s new adventure is truly, “out of this world”!
Peace and Perspective
Jar of Tears: Moms Aren’t Supposed to Die follows a young girl struggling with the death of her mom, who questions why God would allow her mom to die as she adapts to a whole new life without her. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for my story is my own story of grief and faith. My own mother died 8 days before Christmas, quite unexpectedly and I was thrown into a new family dynamic within hours of learning the awful news. In order to keep my new stepmother happy, I was discouraged from grieving openly, picking up on messages all around me that grief should be private and very short to prevent others from being uncomfortable. It wasn’t until 30 years later that I saw a therapist who told me my grief was not complete and it was time to go back to it. She assured me that grief will leave on its own timetable, not mine. I began facing the sadness that grief brought and it ended up bringing me peace and perspective. I wanted to share that wisdom with others since we live in a grief-illiterate society in North America.
Miracle’s story is relatable. There is no magic happy ending; instead, it portrays what life is really like after a loved one dies. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
I believe that you cannot protect children from reality, but support them as they process it. I didn’t want kids to read that there is a happy ending, because that isn’t the truth. The truth is that there are little glimpses of happiness and life is very difficult, but there is value in the struggle.
There are so many dynamics within a nuclear family but it’s more complicated with a blended family, which is more often the case after the death of a parent. I wanted children to see that it’s hard for everyone to adapt to change at first, but there can be unexpected blessings, too.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I want, more than anything else, for children to know that while their heart is broken over the loss of a loved one, God is in control, He loves us, and He loves us so much that even something as insignificant as our tears are precious to Him. I want children to know that God has a place for our loved ones and us, that we get to enjoy forever if we put our trust in Him. Being honest with God about our anger, sadness, and loneliness is critical in our relationship with Him. It’s important we do not hide our emotions to protect others, but to be honest about them to our loved ones, and God.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Jar of Tears?
I hope readers will find value in the struggle to grieve and understand God’s Will. God can use anyone and anything to bring his children back to him. He can use unbelievers to be His hands and feet, loving on grieving children and providing a hopeful lantern to them while they journey in the dark valleys of grief.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Accompany Mira as she’s thrust into a world of change. She misses her mom. Her heart is broken. Her mom was her best friend, but now she must adapt to a new home, a new stepfamily, and worst of all, a new school. She still has Pastor Will, but Mira’s not so sure God is real anymore. Will Mira ever finish her paintings so she can fulfill the promise she made to her mom before she went into the hospital? How will Mira grieve and still be a kid?
Encourage, Motivate, and Empower Children
Piper’s Perfect Pick follows a young girl frustrated with trying to excel in sports who takes the advice of her cat to try out boxing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I absolutely love to box, even though I didn’t start boxing until I was 60 years old. The first time I punched a boxing bag I felt empowered. I thought, “Oh, I like this. I want to learn this sport!” So I did! Now I box 4-5 days a week.
Before I started to box, the only thing I knew about boxing was what I saw in the Rocky or Creed movies, which was pretty scary to me!
What I didn’t realize was that boxing is really about discipline, focus, and strategy, not just about throwing punches. It’s an amazing sport that is not well understood.
I wondered, “What if I had started to box when I was younger, say 8 or 9?” I probably would have been so much stronger, both mentally and physically. I would have had much more confidence in myself.
I started to think about how I wanted kids, especially little girls, to know that boxing is a great sport for them to try.
I thought, “Why don’t I tell them?”
Then…ding, ding, ding! The idea for Piper’s Perfect Pick came to me.
My rescue cat, Camelot, was the inspiration for Piper’s cat, Tater Tot. Before Cami got comfortable living with me, he would swat at my face whenever I walked by. I called him my little boxer!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Penny Weber?
I loved working with my illustrator, Penny Weber. We have a great relationship – after all, we are both a Peni/Penny! I had been looking for someone who did realistic illustrations, instead of cartoony ones. When I saw her portfolio I knew she was the one.
We are each other’s biggest fan – she loves my writing and I love her illustrations.
The only direction I gave Penny was the approximate age of my main character and the desire for her and her family to be of mixed race. Other than that, she had free rein. I had complete trust and faith that she would illustrate this book superbly – which she did!
Penny is already lined up to illustrate two more upcoming books of mine.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I write books to encourage, motivate, and empower children, so my debut picture book needed to showcase all of those themes.
It was important to show that Piper’s family encouraged and supported her.
It was important that Piper showed resilience and determination to follow her own path, even though it was an unexpected choice.
And it was important that children feel personally empowered after reading Piper’s story. If she could do it, then they could too!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book, Heart Trouble for ZZ, is due out November 3, 2024. I have three more books coming out in 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
In this compelling tale of resilience and determination, Piper teaches us an invaluable lesson: true strength lies in the willingness to explore the unknown, to never surrender to failure, and to keep pushing the boundaries until we uncover our own unique path. Sometimes, what we love most is not what we expect, and Piper’s story serves as a powerful reminder that our passions are waiting to be discovered, only if we persevere and never stop searching.
In Piper’s Perfect Pick, witness a heartwarming transformation that will leave you cheering for Piper and inspire you to keep exploring until you, too, find the one thing that sets your soul on fire.
Better Way to Lead/Teach
From Dad to Coach: 17 Rules for Coaching Youth Sports teaches readers the seventeen essential rules you have crafted for being an effective coach that makes a lasting impression on their athletes. I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I would say the hardest aspect was when I told my story concerning the ref in Rule 15, looking back on that situation is still embarrassing to this day. I cringe remembering how I acted on the field and the arrogance I displayed.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It’s really hard for me to pick just one idea because the book is very dense with information that I found the most useful. If I had to pick one, it would be Rule 5: Avoid Excessive Yelling. I have just seen so many coaches (including myself) err in this area, and it really is detrimental to a program and can ruin a kid’s love for the sport. There’s a better way to lead/teach that is both more enjoyable and effective for the coach and player.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope this book inspires dads to coach. That is my main goal. I wish I had this resource available to me on day one. If you are a new coach looking for philosophies on how to coach or simply a coach looking to grow, then this book is for you.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Stories of My Younger Years
Tossa: The Life and Times of an Irish Cowboy is not nearly a memoir recounting your life experiences, but a reflection on the lessons you learned along the way. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I started writing a memoir as a hobby. It was never a vanity project, but something I could do after coming home at all hours of the morning, after doing night shifts at whatever Hotel I was working at, at the time. I had become an avid reader of non-fiction by this time (my mid-20s) and just thought I’d give it a crack. It took me many years to complete because at times I couldn’t wait to get home and write. And other stages, for various reasons, I didn’t touch it for months at a time. But as time and life rolled on, it became important to me to see how far I could go with it. I just wanted it in some kind of book form. I had spent a lot of time on it and wanted to see it through.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Difficult to pinpoint one thing. My bed-wetting was a major problem for me as a teenager. I never thought I would share that with anyone who wasn’t around me at the time. I made light of it a bit, but it was hard at the time. Also, writing about my sister was a bit stressful. It was written at a time when we were at our lowest, as far as getting on together goes. I was probably a bit rough on her, but what I wrote is truthful, and we still don’t talk. And as far as I know, she hasn’t even read it. But I’m sure she will come across it at some stage. It wasn’t hard to write about my parents passing away at a young age, but it was painful. Still is. I was close to both of them, and naturally still miss them so. I should add, that it was frustrating to try and describe what it is like to raise a fantastic son, who is on the Autism Spectrum. It can be a cruel and unfair world out there. But what do you do? We are on a journey and continue to battle on.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Basically, the whole idea of the book, was to share some stories of my younger years with my wife Michelle. Stories from before I met her. We didn’t meet till our early 20s, which is young I guess, but by then I had been around the block as to speak, many times. The idea was to share with her some of my adolescent humorous tales, to make her laugh. And it just grew from there. It does get a bit deep and heavy at some stages I guess. However, I just enjoyed reminiscing and writing so much.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
I just hope that whoever happens to read it, has a laugh. That was always my main intention. There is good and bad in this world, and you just have to cut through to the humour. I hope the readers pick up that I had a good upbringing and fun childhood. Even when being a bit naughty, and finding myself in situations that I probably shouldn’t be in, I was usually having a giggle.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
In Tossa: The Life and Times of an Irish Cowboy, Shaun candidly recounts some entertaining tales from his formative years. The memoir delves into growing up in Myrtletown and Zillmere, with his parents, brother Peter, and sister Sharon, his schooling at St Flannan’s Primary School and Aspley High School, his teenage passion for Rugby League, and his numerous escapades with women. Shaun vividly describes his early life experiences, including encountering Cyclone Tracy during his dad’s transfer to Darwin, working in pubs in Brisbane and a brief move to Scarborough, WA, with friends. Such pivotal moments as marriage to Michelle and the birth of their three beautiful children, Kacey, Matthew and Bethany, as well as his eventual career as a fireman are also covered in the book.
With raw honesty and humour, Tossa tells the story of an eventful life marked by laughter, joy, and challenging times, including the heartbreaking loss of his parents, Patrick (Paddy) and Patricia (Tricia) Flynn. As Shaun navigates the highs and lows of family life, friendships and the challenges of middle age, this memoir is a tribute to resilience, camaraderie and the enduring power of love.
Pure Creativity and Imagination
Curbside Curses follows a group of people, all of whom purchased one item or another from an estate sale that was unknowing to them or the sellers to be cursed. What was the inspiration for this collection of short stories?
I had been writing and submitting short stories to several anthologies when one day I was driving around my town and saw a yard sale. With my mind in potential story mode, I thought, “Hey, that would be a good story.” I then was talking to a close author friend of mine, Stuart Knott, telling him about my idea when it came to me that it could be a cool anthology collection. He thought it was a great idea and said, “Hey, you should do it”. I had only been published in other anthologies and hadn’t taken on self-publishing myself yet, so I was intimidated thinking about it. But he believed in my idea so much that he kept bringing it up and encouraging me to follow through with my idea. After making him promise to help me and answer my questions (he has self-published several books), I decided to go for it.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I didn’t even read horror until the end of 2022. I can’t even watch scary movies, they give me nightmares. But I stumbled across a few indie author horror books and I was hooked. No nightmares and I just found the genre to be so diverse. And indie books in general are so refreshing. No cookie cutter plots shopped to the masses. Just pure creativity and imagination. I have always wanted to write for a long time. I fell in love with children’s literature when I was in university and always thought I’d be a children’s author but horror just grabbed me. I wrote some flash fiction using some monthly horror prompts and found I was fairly good at packing a punch with a twisted ending into a short amount of words. So I just started writing and submitting to anthology calls and getting published. My story “The Missing Gold Ribbon” in Terrorcore Publishing’s Doors of Darkness anthology was well-received and one I’m very proud of. And Caleb, the editor and owner of Terrorcore made the whole process very hands-on and collaborative for the contributing authors. We were involved almost every step of the way. So long story short, after being a part of six or seven anthologies at that point I saw how they were run, how the authors were treated and I was able to take what I liked about the different processes and apply them to how I wanted my anthology to run. I established House of the Macabre as my own little imprint and involved my authors as much as possible. It was really important to me to do right by the authors. I wanted to produce a book they could be proud of. Something they were excited to take to conventions and signings to show off.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I knew I wanted it to be different from other anthologies. I wanted it to stand out and I knew I wanted them all connected to a single yard sale and that I would write a framing narrative around them through the prologue and epilogue that would offer some insight into how the objects were all cursed. It makes it read more like one story rather than just a regular collection of stories on a general theme. I think it came together very well.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I have another anthology call I’m preparing to drop this summer with House of the Macabre and I am working on a collection of dark poetry that I’m shooting to release next Valentine’s Day. But I currently have a short story due to be released in October with Terrorcore Publishing’s Doors of Darkness: Volume 2 and I’m writing another short story as we speak for another submission call.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | House of the Macabre | Facebook | Website | Amazon
At our sale, that may be truer than you care to find out. Here, your bargains are sure to come with a bump in the night. Collected here are 22 tales of second-hand deals that are so cheap, it’s scary… Literally!
Four siblings are cleaning out their childhood home after their parents mysteriously passed away within hours of each other. The siblings are selling off everything at an estate yardsale but unbeknownst to them a curse has affected every single item in the home. Each of the 22 stories in this anthology connects back to this one single sale. Each story tells how the curse affects their purchased object and its new owner. And all are framed by a back story told through the prologue and epilogue.
LITERARY TITAN 