Blog Archives
Humans Are Very Complicated
Posted by Literary Titan

Mind the Blinds follows a seventeen-year-old boy living in Nigeria, who struggles with alexithymia and antisocial personality disorder while navigating a life marked by family violence, peer pressure, and dangerous encounters. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I finished watching a Korean drama series called MOUSE, and was like, well, this is good. It had dived into the topic about psychopaths and the production of some kind of technology or medication that could determine if a child was going to be born a psychopath or not. Everyone explores the psychology of adult men or women, but I thought it would be interesting if I could write and explore the psychology of a young boy who had an anti-social condition, suffering from domestic violence.
What aspects of the human condition do you find particularly interesting that could make for great fiction?
I do like the aspect of human psychology – why they do things, what they are thinking, how they will survive in different situations, what they will do when given one or no option. Humans are very complicated, both in their actions and reasoning, so it’s really interesting to dive into the complexity of the human mind, even in fiction.
What themes were particularly important for you to explore in this book?
To me, I loved exploring themes of domestic violence and how it affects the minds of children, directly or indirectly. I felt it was absolutely necessary to lay it all out in an unforgivably raw form as it pertained to the main character. But I also wanted to explore the nature of love the main character had for his little brother. I believe children or young people are shaped by family and the society they live in.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
I am currently working on another psychological thriller in which a college student is arrested for the murder of another female student, and when his sister goes missing, he takes extreme measures to find her and the culprit, whilst under the accusing eye of a detective. It’s a mystery versus a psychological thriller, and it should be out in 2026.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
All Elyas wants is to ace his final exams and escape from his abusive father. Everything changes when three students Elyas fought turn up dead. The same night, in an act of self-defense, Elyas sets off a dangerous chain of events that pulls him deeper into darkness.
Meanwhile, Detective James Afizere is on the hunt for a notorious serial killer. The investigation points toward Elyas, but there’s no solid proof. Soon, the lines between victim and killer begin to blur. Can Elyas find the strength to emerge from the shadows, or will the past consume him?
A story of survival, betrayal and manipulation, Becky Anyanwu’s MIND THE BLINDS is a gripping psychological thriller.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, Becky Anyanwu, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, crime fiction, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, MIND THE BLINDS, murder mystery, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, suspense, thriller, writer, writing
Stone of Faith, Book 6 Stones of Iona Series
Posted by Literary Titan

The story is a sweeping mix of time travel, seafaring adventure, romance, and myth. At its center is Ewan MacDougall, a man torn between his life in the twentieth century and his calling across the centuries as a pirate captain with a conscience. He frees enslaved people, battles rival captains, and searches for the legendary Stone of Faith while haunted by visions of a mysterious red-haired siren who may hold both his destiny and his doom. The novel blends Scottish folklore, Fae magic, and high-stakes clashes on the sea with a deep undercurrent about love, sacrifice, and the meaning of faith.
I found myself caught up in the action. The writing has a pulsing energy, full of sword fights, cannon fire, and heated confrontations, but what grabbed me most was the way the quieter moments landed. Ewan’s doubts, his search for belonging, and his hunger for something more than adventure made him feel relatable. At times, the dialogue leaned a bit theatrical, but the ambition of the story and the emotion it carries more than made up for that.
I also really admired how the myth and family legacy were woven into the narrative. The fables within the story felt like campfire tales passed down through generations, both charming and ominous. There’s a kind of wild joy in how Izard throws together pirates, ghosts, Fae kingdoms, and love stories without apology. I sometimes shook my head at the boldness of it all, but I kept turning the pages. It made me smile that the book never lost sight of the heart, the way faith, in love or in destiny, can carry someone through storms.
Stone of Faith is a book for readers who like their romance tangled with fantasy, who enjoy folklore alongside duels at sea, and who don’t mind when the story goes big rather than subtle. It’s heartfelt, dramatic, and fun, and while it can be a bit over the top at times, I think that’s exactly what gives it charm. If you like your adventures with a mix of magic and tenderness, this book will be worth your time.
Pages: 246 | ISBN : 150926275X
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Margaret Izard, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, romance, romantasy, Stone of Faith, story, writer, writing
Myth-inspired Fantasy
Posted by Literary Titan

Resurrection follows a woman caught between two identities, the adopted daughter of mortals and the blood-born child of the King of the Faeries, who has to decide what she is willing to risk, and what path her future will hold. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came from Irish folklore and the land itself. The Scald Crow introduces Calla Sweet and sets her on the path that carries her straight into the faerie realm in Resurrection. My worldbuilding is rooted in the Tuatha Dé Danann of Irish mythology, and the setting is drawn from Donegal County in Ireland, a place I had the privilege of visiting. Walking that landscape—its bogs, cliffs, and souterrains—helped me plot the story directly onto the land, blending the myth-soaked history of the region with my characters’ journeys. Rather than magical realism, I would call it myth-inspired fantasy: the legends of Ireland reimagined in a way that asks Calla, and the reader, what risks are worth taking and what future is worth choosing. Readers who enjoy romantasy grounded in rich folklore—think ACOTAR with a darker, more mythic edge—will feel right at home.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
The setting began with Donegal—the wild Atlantic coast, the ruins, the hidden valleys. That landscape gave me my foundation, but as I wrote Resurrection, the world kept expanding. The faerie realm began to layer itself over the geography of Ireland, drawing on souterrains, standing stones, and cairns, reimagined as portals, prisons, or thresholds of power. What started as a place grounded in Ireland’s physical beauty grew into something more myth-drenched and shifting, shaped as much by the Tuatha Dé Danann as by Calla’s choices. In many ways, the setting became a character in its own right, evolving in step with her journey. For readers who crave immersive, atmospheric worlds where myth and magic are woven into every shadow, this is that kind of story.
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away with the magical powers characters have. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
Each character in Resurrection has a specialty, a gift that feels innate to them, yet the Tuatha Dé Danann as a whole share the same mystical capabilities. What creates balance is not the sheer presence of power, but its limits. The abilities come with costs, consequences, and vulnerabilities, and those aspects are as important as the magic itself. I was careful to keep the focus on the characters—their decisions, struggles, and relationships—so that the powers serve the story rather than overwhelm it. In that way, the supernatural becomes a natural extension of who they are, rather than the entire definition of them.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Beyond the Faerie Rath is, at its heart, the story of three sisters—Calla, Nemain, and Macha—whose destinies are bound to the faerie realm in dangerous and surprising ways. Book Three, Tides of Treachery, follows Macha into the House of Faces, a place of illusion and betrayal where every mask hides a threat. If Resurrection was about identity and belonging, Macha’s journey delves into deception, ambition, and the peril of choosing the wrong allegiance.
As the series continues, each sister’s path will unravel different facets of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the shadows working against them. Their stories are meant to build layer by layer, until the moment their journeys converge again—when the fate of the realm will rest on the choices of all three.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Colm, weighed down by more than just his name, embodies the voice of an ancient power that risks consuming him, even as he strives to protect his loved ones. When a threat jeopardizes everything dear to him, he ventures into the Faerie realm—pursued, haunted, and determined to find Calla before it’s too late.
Ciarán returns, but the burden of freedom weighs heavily on him. Can he let go of past wrongs and live in the light?
Saoirse shines brightly. The land feels it. The old gods stir.
Their journey continues in Resurrection, a darkly romantic fantasy where love is dangerous, power is awakening, and the dead whisper.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, Hanna Park, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Resurrection: A Beyond the Faerie Rath Novel, story, writer, writing
Lord of the Crimson Dawn
Posted by Literary Titan

Lord of the Crimson Dawn follows Jack Salez, a hitman who lives by a strict code until one assignment in Mexico pushes him into a strange world of shadows, vampires, and dangerous truths. What begins as a straightforward job quickly turns into something far darker and more personal as he becomes tangled with Maria, a woman who is more than she appears. The book mixes crime thriller grit with supernatural horror, taking readers on a ride that feels both raw and eerie.
I found myself pulled in by the pacing right from the start. The writing doesn’t waste time. It drops you into Jack’s world with sharp edges, hard choices, and a rhythm that keeps you turning pages. At times, it felt over the top, but that’s part of the fun. The action scenes have a bloody, cinematic style, and I liked how they were cut with quieter moments that gave me a glimpse into Jack’s mind. The flashbacks to his past gave the violence some weight, and while the language is blunt, it fits the character.
The supernatural angle caught me off guard in the best way. I thought I was settling in for a hitman thriller, and then suddenly I was thrown into Mayan mythology, vampires, and curses. It was strange, sometimes even messy, but it kept me curious. I liked that the book didn’t make it easy to figure out what was real and what wasn’t, especially when Jack himself started questioning his grip on reality. The mix of horror and crime gave it an unusual flavor, and I appreciated the risk the author took in blending genres this way.
I’d recommend Lord of The Crimson Dawn to readers who enjoy fast, dark thrillers with a supernatural twist. If you like stories that move quickly, characters who blur the line between good and bad, and a touch of the uncanny creeping in at the edges, this book will hit the spot. It’s for someone ready to dive into grit, blood, and mystery with a hitman who finds himself in over his head.
Pages: 183 | ASIN : B0FL17C8SK
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, dark fantasy, ebook, fiction, goodreads, Henry Regnault, horror, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Lord of the Crimson Dawn, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, supernatural, vampire mystery, writer, writing
Someone Needs to Explain This Stuff
Posted by Literary Titan
Humans Are Awesome! is a lively and colorful children’s book that sets out to explain the difference between human abilities and artificial intelligence in a way that feels both playful and empowering. What was the inspiration for your story?
You know that moment when your kid asks Alexa if she has feelings, and you realize you have NO idea how to explain AI to a six-year-old? That was us. We were watching our kids interact with technology like it was magic – or worse, like it was human – and we thought, ‘Someone needs to explain this stuff before an entire generation grows up thinking Siri is their best friend.’ Cal knows AI inside and out, and I know how kids’ brains work. It was like peanut butter meeting chocolate – we HAD to make this book happen.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The biggest thing? We wanted kids to know that THEY’RE the boss, not the iPad. You know how kids can get totally zombified by screens? We’ve all seen it – that glazed look when they’ve been watching YouTube for three hours straight. We wanted to snap them out of it and remind them that technology is supposed to work FOR them, not the other way around. Plus, we needed to tackle the scary stuff – like not telling ChatGPT where you live – without making kids paranoid about every piece of technology. It’s like teaching them about fire safety without making them afraid of birthday candles.
I loved the activities that were incorporated into this story, giving the lesson an interactive quality that can last beyond the time it takes to read the story. How did you come up with the activities? Also, I would love to see printable resources for teachers and parents that they could use to help reinforce these lessons. Is this something you have considered?
Honestly? We tested everything on our youngest daughter. She was our guinea pig – poor kid! We’d come up with an activity and she’d either be totally into it or give us that look that says ‘this is lame, Mom.’ Kids are brutal critics, which is exactly what we needed. The activities that made it into the book are the ones that got her excited enough to drag her siblings into trying them too.
And YES on the printable resources! Teachers have been asking for them since day one. We kept this first edition short because, let’s face it, kids’ attention spans aren’t getting any longer. But we’re already working on downloadable worksheets, discussion guides, and even some games that parents and teachers can use. Should be ready by the holidays!
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?
“The Try Again Kid” is coming out in late November, and honestly? This one’s personal. We watched so many kids during the pandemic just… give up when things got hard. They’d try something once, fail, and decide they’re ‘just not good at it.’ Meanwhile, they’ll die 50 times in a video game and keep going! So we thought – how do we transfer that video game resilience to real life?
This next book is all about failing spectacularly and getting back up. Think of it as the antidote to participation trophy culture. We’re teaching kids that messing up isn’t just okay – it’s NECESSARY. And yeah, we might have snuck in some lessons about growth mindset and perseverance, but mostly it’s about making failure fun instead of terrifying.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
“Humans are Awesome! A Kid’s Guide to Staying Smarter Than AI” empowers children ages 5-11 with crucial digital literacy skills through an exciting superhero journey.
What Makes This Book Special:
Transforms AI safety into a fun superhero adventure
Teaches 5 “superpowers” that make kids uniquely human
Includes practical safety rules kids will actually remember
Features vibrant, engaging illustrations throughout
Perfect for independent reading or family discussion
Your Child Will Learn:
Why their creativity beats any computer
How to protect their personal information online
When to trust their “gut feelings” about digital content
The difference between AI suggestions and real thinking
How to maintain healthy screen-time boundaries
Created by Experts Who Understand:
Cal Lopez: Technologist and acclaimed sci-fi author
Natalia Ulloa: Educator with 25+ years experience
Abdel Hassam: Talented illustrator bringing concepts to life
Don’t let technology intimidate your family. Give your child the confidence to navigate our digital world while staying wonderfully, powerfully human.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, Humans are awesome!, indie author, kids books, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
The Eye of Osiris
Posted by Literary Titan

The story begins with Moriah Maizon, a Mexican American woman working at a San Francisco law firm, and quickly spirals into a tale that blends murder, ancient mysteries, and cultural connections across time and continents. What starts as the death of her corrupt, overbearing boss turns into a ritualistic investigation tied to Egyptian mythology, Mayan history, and the underbelly of city life. The book weaves personal struggles, family legacies, and even cosmic links between Egypt and Mesoamerica. It has a strong sense of place, drawing San Francisco in vivid strokes while hinting at broader, universal mysteries.
I found myself caught up in the drama of Moriah’s world and the strange forces circling her life. The characters are sharp, almost cinematic, and I could clearly see them moving through their offices, their apartments, and the foggy streets of San Francisco. I especially liked how the author made the setting itself feel alive, almost like another character in the story.
What really stayed with me, though, was the blend of myth and reality. The way the narrative ties Egyptian scarabs and pyramids to Mayan codices and Mexican ancestry felt both imaginative and believable. At times I found myself smiling at the boldness of the connections, and other times I felt a shiver at how real they seemed. It made me think about heritage, about how much of our personal story is tied to ancient ones. And the emotional pull of Moriah’s relationship with her family, especially her late parents and her younger brother, grounded the wilder elements in something tender and human.
I’d recommend The Eye of Osiris to readers who enjoy mysteries with a twist of history and myth. It’s not just for fans of thrillers but also for anyone who likes stories that mix culture, identity, and a touch of the supernatural. It’s the kind of book that rewards patience and curiosity, the kind you read with a cup of coffee and a willingness to be swept somewhere unexpected.
Pages: 234 | ASIN : B0D6P73NKT
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Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, crime, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, mystery, nook, novel, Raquel Zepeda Fitzgerald, read, reader, reading, story, The Eye of Osiris, thriller, writer, writing
Street Brotherhood-Rise of the Underground
Posted by Literary Titan

Street Brotherhood follows Johnny Álvarez, a teenage boy scraping by in 1970s New York City, navigating a dangerous life built on loyalty, survival, and the blurred lines between family and gang. What begins with high school hallways and subway tunnels quickly grows into a tale of ambition and brotherhood. Johnny’s hunger for stability and belonging pushes him into riskier choices, often with consequences that ripple through his crew, the Dogs of War. The book plunges deep into the grit of underground culture, giving us a fast-moving and often unsettling look at what it means to dream of more when the deck is stacked against you.
The writing is raw, sharp, and unapologetic. The dialogue snapped with energy, and the banter between the boys felt real in a way that made me smile even when the situation was grim. At times, the violence was harsh, but it didn’t feel gratuitous. It felt necessary, a reflection of the world these characters had no choice but to inhabit. The author’s pacing kept me on edge, and I often caught myself reading longer than I meant to because I wanted to see what Johnny would do next. There’s also a tenderness in how the author explores Johnny’s hidden vulnerabilities, and that contrast hit me harder than I expected.
I admired Johnny, but he frustrated me, too. His choices were reckless, even selfish, yet I couldn’t help rooting for him. That’s what made the story powerful. It didn’t paint him as a hero, and it didn’t excuse him either. The book forced me to sit with the messy reality of survival, where the lines between right and wrong blur. The scenes with family trauma and manipulation especially got under my skin. They left me angry, unsettled, but also deeply invested. This is the kind of storytelling that sticks with you, because it pokes at uncomfortable truths.
Street Brotherhood is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves gritty coming-of-age tales, stories about loyalty, or New York narratives that don’t romanticize but reveal. It’s tough, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at once.
Pages: 343 | ASIN: B0FKKNR19R
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: A. D. Metcalfe, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, crime fiction, crime thriller, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, Street Brotherhood-Rise of the Underground, suspense, thriller, writer, writing
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed
Posted by Literary Titan
What’s scarier than a monster under your bed? For Fred and his dust bunny friends, it’s the NOISY HUMAN who just moved in above them.
Fred has lived peacefully under the bed for years with Brutus Bunfluff (the brave one), Gunnar Puffbutz (the scaredy-cat), and Dust Puff Ted (the neat freak). But when a boy named Billy takes over the bedroom, their cozy world is turned upside down with thunderous footsteps, bouncing bedsprings, and falling puzzle pieces.
In this delightfully twisted tale, discover what REALLY happens beneath the bed when monsters must face their greatest fear—children. Can Fred and his dusty crew make peace with the beast above, or will Billy’s messy habits drive them to declare war?
A heartwarming story about friendship, understanding, and the discovery that sometimes… monsters aren’t always monsters after all.
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Posted in Book Trailers
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, book trailer, bookblogger, books, books to read, booktube, booktuber, childrens books, ebook, goodreads, indie author, J. W. Zarek, kids books, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, picture books, read, reader, reading, story, The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed, trailer, writer, writing








