Blog Archives
Before We Move On
In 1998, fourteen-year-old Jesse Newsome finds his world turned upside down after his parents’ tragic death in a car crash two years earlier. Now living with a guardian in upstate New York, Jesse begins to adjust to his new life. However, a fateful prank ends in disaster, claiming the life of Kiki Lewis, the girl who brought a smile to his face. While life seemingly returns to normal for everyone else, Jesse is haunted by the memory of Kiki. Unaware of her own death until her funeral, Kiki’s spirit struggles to communicate as she searches for the key to cross over.
Before We Move On by Sally Reiser Simon masterfully explores how a single day can irrevocably change lives. The novel delves into Jesse’s journey of facing his mistakes and accepting his destiny, capturing readers’ attention from the very first page. Simon excels in character development, presenting Jesse as a boy shaped by loss and pain. We accompany him on his path to acceptance while also witnessing Kiki’s struggle to come to terms with her own death. The portrayal of Ralphie, the quintessential high school bully, as the villain is particularly commendable. Simon’s writing style is poetic yet accessible, making the book both profound and easy to read. The exploration of Jesse’s past is so intriguing that it leaves readers eager for more depth and detail in that area. The emotional depth she brings to Jesse’s struggles and Kiki’s ethereal journey ensures that readers are invested in their stories from beginning to end. The author’s ability to intertwine the lives of her characters creates a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.
Simon’s writing is a testament to her skill in balancing poetic prose with accessibility, making this novel a compelling read for a wide audience. The nuanced depiction of grief, loss, and the quest for closure resonates on multiple levels, prompting readers to reflect on their own experiences and the fleeting nature of life. The authenticity of the characters, the intensity of the plot, and the emotional journey make Before We Move On a memorable and impactful read.
Pages: 281 | ASIN : B0D4JRVLZX
Infinity Tales
Infinity Tales, by M.C. Ryder, offers a captivating and unique narrative, presenting the world through the eyes of Leo, a seemingly ordinary cat. Leo spends his days in leisurely pursuits, primarily focused on food and his human companion. However, his tranquil life is upended by a series of mysterious events, thrusting him into a journey filled with love, loss, and adventure. Leo must transcend his ordinary existence to protect those he cares about, becoming far more than just a regular cat.
M.C. Ryder skillfully portrays human experiences and struggles from Leo’s feline perspective, creating a constantly evolving story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Leo’s viewpoint is a bold and intriguing choice for narration, providing a fresh angle on The Dark Series. His limited understanding of human complexities enrich the narrative with a distinctive and engaging charm. The thematic exploration of love, loss, and family is beautifully woven throughout the tale, making it a heartwarming and thought-provoking read. Ryder’s ability to breathe new life into a familiar story through an unconventional narrator is commendable. Leo’s feline perspective and his perception of the world add a fascinating layer to the storytelling.
Infinity Tales is a delightful read for fans of The Dark Series, fantasy enthusiasts, and cat lovers alike. M.C. Ryder’s innovative approach and willingness to think outside the box result in a truly memorable story. This novel not only captivates but also challenges readers to see the world from a different angle. I eagerly anticipate more works from authors like Ryder, who dare to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
Pages: 198 | ASIN : B0D1J2BVMT
The Real King of Miami
Eric Sande’s The Real King of Miami offers a gripping dive into the world of crime through the eyes of Ray “Li’l Ray” Thompson, who recounts his story from Death Row at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution in Pasco County, Florida. This true crime novel stands out for its unique perspective, as it is largely based on interviews between the author and Thompson. Instead of an analytical recounting of facts, Sande delivers a narrative that reads like an intense thriller akin to Scarface or Narcos.
The prologue hooks readers immediately with the climactic murder of Jimmy Savoy, one of Ray’s employees who had betrayed him by stealing a substantial amount of money. From there, the narrative rewinds to delve into the author’s fascination with Li’l Ray, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of Ray’s operations in the marijuana smuggling world. The story, though dense with characters, ultimately centers on the critical event aboard the boat where Jimmy was killed. This book is not for the faint of heart. Its pages are laden with expletives, adding a raw and authentic feel to the storytelling. For readers who can overlook the language, these elements contribute significantly to the book’s realism and immersive quality. The narrative is so compelling that many readers might find themselves finishing the book in one sitting.
The Real King of Miami is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts looking to break away from dry, report-like accounts. Sande’s book offers a shorter yet equally hard-hitting experience, making it a standout addition to any true crime fan’s reading list.
Pages: 164 | ASIN : B0BMPDC4DH
Demon’s Choice
In a world where the supernatural and mortal realms intertwine, the line between love and danger is perilously thin. In Demon’s Choice, by Jasmine Wallace, Ambrose, a demon in human form, catches sight of Lena, a small-town waitress, and feels an unshakeable and intense attraction that’s entirely new to him. As Ambrose grapples with his dual nature, a critical question looms: Can he control the darkness within, or will it lead them both to ruin?
Welcome to a tale of fantasy romance where the forbidden becomes irresistible, and the rules of the natural order are bent. Despite centuries of wisdom and caution from his immortal existence, Ambrose cannot suppress the feelings Lena awakens within him. Their union defies the natural order, and his demonic essence threatens the very fabric of their bond. Yet, the allure of Lena’s warmth and grace proves too powerful to resist, stirring emotions he had long believed dormant. Ambrose and Lena’s journey will test the limits of love, trust, and the fragile balance between two worlds destined to collide. Wallace masterfully weaves vivid, intricate details that transport readers into the tense atmosphere surrounding the main characters. She brilliantly captures intense moments, inviting readers to dive in and explore the emotional complexities of romantic relationships.
From the moment I picked up Jasmine Wallace’s story, I found myself instantly immersed in the captivating narrative and empathetic characters. For fans of the supernatural genre, Demon’s Choice is a perfect blend of supernatural romance with themes of tension, conflict, and more. You’ll be hooked from the first page, eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Pages: 434 | ASIN : B0CFR7KWQ9
Piper’s Perfect Pick
Piper’s Perfect Pick, by Peni Clark, is a charming tale of perseverance and discovery. Piper is eager to find a sport she excels in, but her journey is fraught with mishaps. From running the wrong way on the basketball court to tripping on the soccer field and missing every tennis ball, Piper tries every sport imaginable, yet success eludes her. Feeling disheartened, Piper confides in her cat, Tater Tot, who playfully swats at her. At first perplexed, Piper soon realizes that Tater Tot might be suggesting boxing. Intrigued, Piper gives boxing a try and discovers it might just be the perfect sport for her. The story leaves readers wondering if boxing will be Piper’s ultimate pick.
I thoroughly enjoyed Piper’s journey, as it resonates with many children who struggle to find their niche. Piper’s determination and resilience are inspiring, teaching young readers the importance of persistence and the value of not giving up, no matter how challenging the quest. The story also beautifully highlights the supportive role of Piper’s family, reinforcing the message of familial love and encouragement. Piper’s family’s unwavering support is a heartwarming aspect that underscores the importance of having a nurturing environment.
An additional delight is the “Boxing Basics” sheet included at the end of the book. This educational feature introduces readers to various boxing terms and their definitions, enhancing their understanding of the sport. Peni Clark, a retired kindergarten teacher, brings her passion for storytelling to life, aiming to encourage, motivate, and empower readers of all ages. Her fondness for boxing is evident, making it a fitting central theme for this children’s book. The illustrations, by Penny Weber, are vibrant and engaging, complementing the story perfectly. Each page is detailed and colorful, creating a vivid visual experience that feels like watching a movie unfold.
Piper’s Perfect Pick is an enjoyable and relatable read for children. Piper’s determination and her journey of self-discovery are both inspiring and heartwarming. This book is highly recommended for young readers and their families, offering valuable lessons in perseverance and the joy of finding one’s passion.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0D913V2DB
The Darkened Enchantment
Lily Epler leads a thrilling double life, seamlessly balancing her heroic duties as a firefighter with the unique challenges of her home life, where vampires and weredogs roam the family farm. Her loyalty to her family is unwavering, compelling her to keep these worlds distinctly separate. In stark contrast, Cleo Hedera navigates high school with quiet determination, finding peace among plants at her part-time job. Their contrasting lives collide unexpectedly in the face of adversity, pushing them to draw strength from each other amidst the chaos. Will their newfound connection endure the turbulent forces threatening to unravel their worlds?
In The Darkened Enchantment, M.C. Ryder weaves a tapestry of enchanting imagery and profound emotions. Ryder’s literary mastery vividly brings to life a fictional world filled with beauty and mystery. Through intricate physical descriptions and sensory experiences, readers are not mere spectators but active participants in the characters’ journeys. The narrative skillfully intertwines family dynamics, loyalty, and secrets with the fantastical, blurring the lines between reality and myth. The characters transcend the pages, becoming living, breathing entities with depths as profound as the ocean. Their interactions, particularly within the family realm, offer readers intimate glimpses into their souls—their fears, desires, and the intricate tapestry of relationships that bind them.
Authentic dialogue adds a personal touch to the narrative, enhancing its fantastical elements. The book’s pacing and structure are crafted with precision, blending introspection and action in a harmonious symphony. Quiet moments of contemplation seamlessly merge with lively interactions, keeping readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. Themes of love, loss, identity, and kinship weave through the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of emotions that resonate long after the final page is turned.
The story hints at a larger, intricately woven tapestry of mythology and intrigue, with vampires, werewolves, and a sanctuary farm suggesting a world teeming with possibilities. Ryder’s deft foreshadowing adds layers of mystery and anticipation, inviting readers to unravel the secrets hidden within the story’s depths.
The Darkened Enchantment expertly blends elements of fantasy, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling, crafting an immersive experience that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter. Ryder’s ability to create a richly imagined world populated by multifaceted characters makes this book a standout. Fans of immersive fantasy worlds intertwined with supernatural elements will find this book a must-read, eagerly anticipating future journeys into the enchanting realms Ryder has so skillfully crafted.
Pages: 361| ASIN : B0D4WRHRXS
Reaching For Joy and Happiness
Following Sunshine shares your story of personal growth and dealing with life’s challenges through the lens of your travels and how they helped you on your journey. Why was this an important book for you to write?
While the individual chapters of my life are unique to me — leaving home at age seventeen to study French language and literature in Paris, France, volunteering on remote islands in Belize, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Palau, and reinventing myself professionally across five different industries: TV, scuba diving, hospitality, finance & insurance, and ultimately as an author, my journey is universal.
Many of us suffer loss, heartache, and to varying degrees trauma. We reach for joy and happiness, mental and physical well-being. But the one desire we share absolutely is to love and be loved. That we are enough. My purpose in laying bare my soul in this memoir is to light a path for anyone fighting the dark, to show that anything is possible, that you just need to keep breathing and take the next step. My travels across the world, often as a volunteer, serve as a backdrop to the butterfly effect: we are one human race and how we behave in one area of the world can affect another many oceans away. Our lives become the sum of our thoughts and our experiences the result of our choices.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Quite a few:
Anything is possible, never give up.
Setbacks don’t need to define us; they provide opportunities for growth.
Material possessions are not an indication of success.
Embracing minimalism enables you to travel lightly in the world and life.
Listen to your instincts, trust your intuition.
We are all here to serve each other.
Staying open-minded helps reveal our commonalities rather than what separates us.
Living in the “now” repels anxiety and fear of the unknown.
Practicing gratitude is the only way to soar.
In addition, I wanted to share a subject very dear to me: our oceans.
I’m passionate about marine conservation, protecting our coral reefs and in particular, dolphins. In Chapter 13 you’ll read: “The single most determined activist, who has made it his life’s mission to free dolphins in captivity, has got to be the man who believes he created the problem in the first place: Ric O’Barry. As the trainer on the TV show, he was not only responsible for capturing the five dolphins that played Flipper, but for teaching them to jump, twirl and tail-walk on cue. In the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove, Ric explains how he spent ten years contributing to the building of this industry and the rest of his life trying to tear it down. Most of the dolphins you see in what O Barry calls the “Abusement Parks” are “are captured during an annual hunt in Taiji, Japan. Those not chosen to be shipped to seaquariums are slaughtered, out of sight. Once you watch the movie, the blood red water of the scenic cove is a sight you can never un-see.”
My dad had a favorite life quote that resonated with me: When you know something, you can’t not know it anymore. As much as I love dolphins, I have never been near a dolphinarium since. Instead, I chose to volunteer with the Watamu Marine Association in Kenya, working with them on their project to educate boat captains and the community in the safe practices of bringing tourists out to observe dolphins in the wild.
You traveled to so many beautiful places along the way. What location did you find the most healing and why?
Water soothes my soul. If it’s warm and azure, set against green mountains and a deep blue sky the combination makes my spirit soar. So, naturally, finding a way to do Bora Bora on a budget as a single woman, and overcoming the loneliness of dining alone in the honeymoon capital of the world, brought me incredible joy. While it would have been wonderful to share this exotic and romantic destination with a lover I was at peace knowing I am my own best friend, and I am enough.
But the greatest healing was yet to come. Fulfilling a dream to work at sea I volunteered to crew for a solo sailor. From Florida to the Bahamas. It was only supposed to last a month. But when you live 24/7 in a 40ft space, with no wi-fi or cell service, and have to rely on your fellow mariner for your safety you get to know each other from the inside out. Gary and I talked; nothing was off limits. Drawing from his master’s degree in spiritual psychology he coached me in processing some issues from my past and showed me the art of self-forgiveness and self-love. While neither of us set out on the voyage looking for love, love found us. A month turned into four, a year into six, sailing the turquoise waters of the Bahamas and Caribbean islands. With toes in the sand in Antigua captain and crew became husband and wife. We are forever grateful for the universe conspiring in our favor and for the profound love we have for each other. Together, we have become greater than the sum of our two selves.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Living a fulfilled, meaningful life is a choice. It starts with seeking clarity, not continuing in the role your parents, siblings or colleagues think is best for you. Past traumas do not define you. Believe anything is possible. Once you discard the noise, the life you really want to live becomes clear and it is never too late to take steps to create that existence. Be the driver, not the passenger. Visualize that life, take the necessary action to achieve it, be open to the all the possibilities it offers, and then live in quiet expectation and gratitude. It will come.
And remember you only have today, and it could be your last. Whatever you have been dreaming of, or putting off, do it now.
Enjoy this gift called life!
Author links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website
In her honest and heart-warming memoir, writer and adventurer Niamh McAnally shares the story of her liberating journey from being unemployed, homeless, and divorced in her fifties, to embarking on a global quest to find purpose through volunteering and ultimately finding a profound love that changed her life.
From volunteering for marine conservation projects on remote islands in Belize, Vanuatu, and Tonga, to exploring exotic destinations like Bora Bora, Palau, Fiji, and St Barths, Niamh takes readers on a captivating journey where each destination unveils a layer of her self-discovery. An encouraging read for the dreamer in each of us, you’ll learn about unique cultures, dolphin research, turtle conservation, and coral reef protection. And be prepared for the most unexpected love story when she is selected as crew for a solo sailor in the Bahamas—a project that was only supposed to last a month but will now last a lifetime.
While telling the story of one woman’s quest for meaning, Following Sunshine also serves as a roadmap for the rest of us, inspiring us to awaken to the potential that lies within and choose a path truest to our being. Perfect for fans of adventure travel, romance, and anyone seeking meaning and fulfillment through giving back.
Be In Love With Your Own Life
The Things I Love follows a little boy and his mother who are looking through a cherished memory book at bedtime. What was the inspiration for your story?
I said “no” to my daughter when she was two or so, and it hurt her feelings. My mom said to me, “You’re her first love,” to which I responded in my head, “I loved her first.” I wrote the story about my daughter but happened to be pregnant with my son, so I decided to change the story to imagine what things he would love to do.
The book’s art is fantastic and really brings the memories to life. Can you tell me more about the collaboration process with illustrator Jenny Slife?
I had such a fun and fulfilling experience working with Jenny and continue to be grateful that she took a chance on me (and this book) when I reached out through Instagram. We would meet over zoom where she could show me sketches live and we could collaborate real-time on what we envisioned. I told Jenny I wanted it to be like the Adventure Book from the movie “Up,” and she delivered. The most exciting part of our collaboration was when we decided to have certain photos jump off the page as though the reader were experiencing it live.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share with children and their families in this book?
I realized after I wrote the book that “it’s really for the moms” (said with a chuckle), particularly that last page. Besides the depth of a mother’s love, what’s important is being in love with your own life – experiencing different activities, holding onto the memories, and growing along the way.
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?
Actually, I hadn’t considered a series until this question – and I’m so glad you posed it! I’m happy to report that I have the girl edition already underway, and, of course, she has her own varied interests. I’m aiming for a 2025 publication date. I’m also working on the Spanish translation of The Things I Love, along with a separate book that discusses how love can be quite messy.
Author links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram
A short book with fewer than 200 words, The Things I Love engages readers in the process of getting older, exploring interests, and feeling the depth of the mother-child relationship.
It’s bedtime! A boy and his mother snuggle up with his memory book to relive all the many things he loves. But what does he love most of all? Part “what boys are made of” / part mama one-upping her son, this story will stir up nostalgia, give ideas for a kid bucket list, and pull on the heartstrings.
This bedtime countdown story is intended for children ages 2+ and is an award-winning and five star industry-reviewed book. The hardcover book is printed on bamboo paper with soy-based ink and includes an embossed dust jacket for a tactile experience.
LITERARY TITAN 