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The Winds of War
The Winds of War opens with a sweeping fantasy world marked by old grudges, broken continents, and horrors that crawl out of black oceans. It follows several threads at once. A historian condemned to a gruesome fate. A chieftainess defends her people as a hostile empire closes in. A dragonrider racing against time. A soldier wrestling with his worth. Their stories twist through war, myth, and rising dread, and the early passages make clear that the world is on the edge of something catastrophic. The tone is harsh, grim, sometimes tender, and always huge in scope.
As I read, I kept stopping just to feel the weight of the writing. The author paints with bold strokes. The violence is raw, and the quiet moments hit even harder because of it. I found myself getting swept up in the grit of the battles and the soft warmth of family scenes. I loved how the prose moved, sometimes sharp, sometimes lyrical, always sure of itself. The intensity kept ramping up, which actually left me excited for the next wild twist.
I loved the ideas this story explores. The way faith is twisted into cruelty. The way people cling to hope even when the ocean itself seems hungry for them. The book digs into power, sacrifice, and the awful choices leaders face. I kept thinking about how everyone tries to do right in their own way. Even when those ways collide. The ambition of the story and the world thrilled me. It felt like standing in the wind of something huge.
I would recommend The Winds of War to readers who enjoy dark fantasy with heart. Folks who like big worlds, messy heroes, and stories that don’t hold your hand. It reminded me of the sweeping grit of A Song of Ice and Fire and the wild, creature-soaked tension of The Witcher books, only this story hits with its own sharper bite and a faster heartbeat.
Pages: 526 | ASIN : B0F9SCV4CJ
The Hedgewitch’s Charm
The Hedgewitch’s Charm is a fantasy novel that follows a spreading, deadly illness sweeping through Colonodona and the people who are desperate to stop it. We meet Gwendolyn, a young hedgewitch trying and failing to save those brought to her door, and Ipsinki, a duke haunted by the suffering of his people as he races to bring news of the mysterious plague to the king. Their paths eventually converge as both realize this sickness may not be natural at all, but something crafted with intent. The story blends magic, politics, and personal grief into a quest to uncover the living force behind the dying.
I kept pausing at moments where the writing leans into the rawness of helplessness, especially in scenes where Ipsinki stays at a dying friend’s bedside or when Gwendolyn works in suffocating heat, hoping for a miracle that never comes. The author’s choice to place us so close to the emotional burden of failure brings a kind of intimacy to the narrative. It hits harder than expected for a fantasy novel, which usually leans more on adventure than emotional weight. Here, the emotion is the adventure, and I found myself sinking into that more than the worldbuilding at times.
The ideas in the book feel grounded in very human fears: disease you can’t stop, the panic of not knowing the cause, and the sudden realization that the danger might not be random at all. When Gwendolyn senses the illness’s true nature, the tension spikes. It’s the moment where the genre shifts from comforting folk-magic fantasy into something more ominous, and the book seems to say: this world is lovely, yes, but it’s not safe. Still, the writing keeps a warmth to it. There’s grief, but also friendship; fear, but also stubborn hope. The rhythm of the storytelling reflects that. Some sentences snap quick like sparks. Others roll out slowly, the way a person talks when they’re trying to make sense of something that still hurts.
I think the book sits in that space between cozy fantasy and dark fantasy. It’s magic, mystery, and emotional stakes all woven together. I’d recommend The Hedgewitch’s Charm to readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, especially those who like stories where magic comes with consequences and the heroes are driven less by glory and more by compassion. If you like fantasy that feels personal rather than epic, you’ll enjoy this one.
Pages: 221 | ASIN: B0G67H73RH
My Dad Knows a Superhero
My Dad Knows a Superhero is a sweet little story about a boy named Westin who asks his dad if superheroes are real. Dad says yes, then slowly reveals that the hero he knows is actually Westin’s mom. Page by page, the book shows Mom using all sorts of playful “powers” like super strength, X-ray vision, emotional radar, time-bending, and more. By the end, Westin realizes she really does do everything a superhero would do, and he proudly hands her his cape.
I found myself smiling a lot while reading this. The writing is simple in a warm way that made me think of bedtime stories. It moves fast and stays light, which felt nice. I loved how the powers start out sounding like things a comic book hero would do. Then they slowly shift into everyday mom stuff that feels epic when you look at it through a kid’s eyes.
The idea behind the book hit me harder than I expected. It feels like a hug for moms. It also felt like a reminder for kids that heroics happen in tiny moments. The Emotional Radar bit got me. Mom kneels down to comfort her daughter, and it feels loving and patient. I liked that the book never tries too hard. It just shows these moments and lets you feel them. I kept thinking, this is exactly how kids see their parents when they slow down long enough to notice.
The illustrations use a vibrant and polished digital style. The artist employs soft shading and a bright, saturated color palette to create a welcoming atmosphere, drawing the eye immediately to the emotional interactions. The characters are particularly expressive as well.
I’d recommend this children’s book to young kids and to parents who want a sweet, quick read that sparks some warm feelings. It seems perfect for bedtime. It would also make a cute gift for a mom who needs a little cheer. The whole thing feels cozy and honest, and it made me want to call my own mom and thank her for all the powers she never bragged about.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0FVTFLNM6
The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books
The Profitable Author lays out a huge and lively roadmap for turning a writing life into a real business. The book moves through mindset, marketing, sales, income streams, and the day-to-day actions that keep an author afloat and happy. It mixes tough love with encouragement, and it shows how an author can build a long game instead of hoping for sudden fame. It also pushes the idea that authors can be multipreneurs who stack skills, products, and creative ventures on top of each other. I found myself flipping pages and feeling the book widen the definition of what an author can become.
The writing is direct and warm. It never hides how hard this business can be, yet it never slips into cynicism. Woodhouse talks about overwhelm and disappointment in a way that feels honest. She also pushes readers to think bigger. I liked how she blends practical advice with a kind of grounded optimism. I could feel her long experience in the field. She explains ideas like daily promotional habits, diversified income, and using personal strengths in a voice that feels friendly.
What struck me most was the emotional undercurrent. The book believes in authors. Not in a cheesy way. More like a steady voice saying you can do this if you show up and keep showing up. I loved how she reframes marketing as something flexible and personal. I also liked the sections about commitment. They hit me in that spot where doubt hangs out. The mix of stories, checklists, and bite-sized reflections creates an easy rhythm. I drifted between curiosity and excitement. Still, the tone stays kind. It feels like a mentor talking at the right speed for someone who wants change but does not want to burn out.
I think this book is a strong fit for authors who want to treat their writing as a real business without losing their soul in the process. It is great for beginners who do not know where to start and for mid-career writers who feel stuck. It works for introverts, side hustlers, and people who like having a big menu of choices instead of rigid rules. I would recommend it to anyone who has a book and a dream and finally wants a plan. It left me energized and surprisingly hopeful.
Pages: 510 | ASIN : B0DJV96V29
Identity Crisis: Who Am I, Really?
Identity Crisis blends memoir and spiritual teaching to explore what it means to find your true identity in God. Kelley opens with the raw story of his childhood in foster care, marked by neglect, abandonment, and the hurtful names that shaped how he saw himself. He then walks through his journey as a police officer, a husband, a new believer, and eventually a student of theology, all while learning to trade the labels of his past for the identity Scripture offers. From the early chapters on cultural confusion about identity to later ones on adoption, community, and endurance, the book reads like both a testimony and a guide for anyone asking who they really are.
Kelley’s reflections on trauma, performance, and the old names he carried hit with an honesty that doesn’t try to dress anything up. When he describes sitting in church week after week, slowly realizing God was dismantling the identity he had built on strength and achievement, it feels both vulnerable and relatable. The mix of personal story and teaching creates a rhythm that kept me leaning in rather than feeling preached at. Even when he steps into theological territory, the tone stays grounded in real experience, which helps the ideas land with more weight.
What stood out most to me was the way he keeps circling back to the tension between the world’s noise and God’s steady voice. His chapters on misplaced significance, false labels, and the limitations of self-discovery felt especially timely. The way he writes about social media, comparison, and the cultural pressure to self-construct shows he’s paying attention to the world we actually live in, not just the one inside church walls. His explanation of spiritual adoption later in the book adds depth, giving the reader something solid to hold on to. I appreciated how he acknowledged the slow, sometimes clumsy process of renewing the mind rather than offering a quick fix.
By the end, I felt the book had given me both a mirror and a map. A mirror, because so many of the fears and questions he names are ones most of us carry quietly. And a map because he lays out what it looks like to move from old identities into a new one shaped by faith, community, and Scripture. If you’re drawn to Christian nonfiction that blends story with teaching, or if you’ve ever felt weighed down by the labels life has handed you, this book will likely speak to you.
Pages: 241 | ASIN : B0G1NK5V76
Aries I – The King of Mars
Aries I – The King of Mars tells the story of a father and son who leave behind a life marked by loss to help build humanity’s first permanent colony on Mars. The book follows young Aries Karalis from the trauma of his mother’s death through his relentless training, his complicated bond with his father, and the discovery of his own purpose as the colony faces danger and, ultimately, its fight for independence. The novel grows from a quiet, personal beginning into a full epic about identity, loyalty, survival, and the creation of a new world.
I felt pulled in by the emotional weight of the story more than the science itself. The writing is straightforward and clear, and it avoids getting bogged down in technical talk. Scenes that deal with loss felt raw. The father–son conflict felt honest in a way that caught me off guard. Even when the plot moved into bigger action, the heart of the book stayed centered on relationships and the messy way people try to do the right thing while carrying their grief. I liked that the story never pretended that bravery comes clean or easy. Instead, it showed how fear and love can sit side by side and still push someone forward.
I also enjoyed how the book handled Mars as a place. It didn’t feel cold or distant for long. As the colony grew, the planet became something alive, something worth fighting for, and I found myself rooting for these characters as if I knew them. Some moments felt almost cinematic, like the chants echoing through the colony halls or the quiet scenes of Aries watching the Martian sunset with Skye and their newborn son. Those were the chapters that I really enjoyed. They were simple scenes but full of meaning. If anything, I sometimes wished the prose loosened up a bit more because the emotional parts were strongest then.
The story ties together themes of family, leadership, sacrifice, and the strange hope that comes from starting over. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi, especially anyone who likes stories about growth and resilience more than hard mechanics. It’s a great pick for teens, educators, or adults who want a hopeful and heartfelt look at what it might take to build a new world.
Pages: 224 | ASIN : B0FVHQYS3R
She’s A Witch!
Toil and Trouble follows an eccentric witch, her daughter, and her grandchildren coping with the death of their father, who set out to visit her new home and encounter humorous adventures and a chance at healing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
First and foremost, I wanted to entertain. I didn’t have a fun, loving, or even nice grandmother. She was quite mean. In fact, my daughter pulled my wife aside one day and said to her (very seriously), “I know why dad’s grandma is the way she is … it’s because she’s a witch!” And so I had to write a story about it. I actually based the villainous Lady Bishop on my own grandmother.
I loved how charismatic and compassionate Martha is. When creating her character, did you have a plan for her development and character traits, or did it grow organically as you were writing the story?
It was a little bit of both. Martha is based on the shared quirks between my daughter and me. I imagined, as best I could, the grandmother I would have liked to have had, magic or not, and then I took her to the extreme (in the best way), because let’s face it, grandmothers should be extreme in all that they do.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Kindness! To me, it is the most important and powerful gift every person can and should give. It’s free, for one, and just a smile can change someone’s day and even their life for the better. I also explored dealing with death and the way a loss can affect everyone differently, and the power of forgiveness and love, truth and support, and the bonds of family. I lost a dear friend at a young age without a good support system at home, and sometimes, unfortunately, that’s just how it goes. But I had other family members who impacted my life greatly, and still do to this day.
I loved following Martha May McKenzie and her adventures. Do you have more stories planned for her?
Yes! As of now, Toil and Trouble is unpublished, but even so, I am currently working on book 2, Boil and Bubble, which follows the witch on an even more chaotic adventure, not through time, but through a portal to another realm—the witches’ realm—where more secrets unfold, and the stakes are even greater.
Pandora’s Box Has Been Opened
Liberator: The People’s Guard follows the Liberator as he faces off against two new super villains, one has the ability to take any form, both organic and not, and a being that absorbs the life force of others. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It was really just the natural evolution of the story. Volume 2, left off with the idea of the various nations ramping up their eugenics experiments, so it naturally led to the question of “what would happen if someone were accidentally exposed to this super soldier serum?” Like the book says, Pandora’s box has been opened and there’s no closing it now. Plus it was also a case of creating a rouges gallery for the hero. A hero is only as good as the villains they fight. The Liberator really doesn’t have a main adversary the way Superman has Lex Luthor, Batman has the Joker, or the Ninja Turtles have Shredder. I just needed some more villains for him to fight and I decided to make these two female for a more gender balanced story. Incidentally, several months ago I was in a store at a mall, talking with one of the staff about my books. When I told her about Oksana and her ability to absorb the life force of others, she loved the irony of the fact that women are the live givers, and here’s this woman who’s essentially taking that life force energy back. Something I never even thought about when writing, or at least I wasn’t consciously aware of it.
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
In the case of the villains, as stated above, it was really just a matter of creating a rouges gallery for the hero. Upon creating the villains the first question was “How did they get these powers?” Then I went from there. With Oksana, it was about a plant operator who hated her job, her life, who was under constant stress and upon getting her powers her reaction was basically, “Now’s my chance to get back at everyone who ruined my life.” As for Mistika, I’ve often read about how in the Soviet Union they would brag about how they evolved beyond “capitalist/materialist greed”. While that was the official government stance, the reality was quite different. For Mistika it was just a case of, “With these powers I can have/do whatever I want and no one can stop me!” As for Tovarich, it was really hammering home the fears and doubts in the back of his mind. The idea that maybe he’s not the hero everyone thinks he is. He’s the guy who’s staying up at night wondering “What if the state I’m supposed so serve is actually the REAL bad guy here?”
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I always put the story first. For me it’s a question of “does this scene serve the overall story?” I’m not the type of person to just put random action scenes just for the sake of having an action scene. It’s like with a movie, having gratuitous violence, sex, language, CGI, special effects for no reason other than “Hey, look what we can do,” doesn’t make for a good story. It’s like my script writing teacher in college (the late Michael Monty) often said, if your story is garbage, no amount of violence, special effects, sex and so on will save it. Basically I play the scene out in my head as if it were a movie, then I try to find the words to properly describe what I’m seeing in my mind, so I can give you as clear a picture as possible when you’re reading the book. Particularly when the Liberator was fighting Oksana. When it begins, you’ve basically got Superman fighting a normal woman only for it to end with him being the normal man fighting Supergirl. It was a case of how do I realistically make her drain his powers without him figuring it out too soon. The idea of her messing with his mind seemed like a logical way to throw him off. That and I like it when a story goes into the character’s heads; what are they thinking? Why do they think/feel this way? What do they believe in and so on. For me personally, that’s more exciting than giving them cool powers and seeing what they do with them.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Oh yes volume 4 will continue the story. (Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the “sneak peek at volume 4” part in the book!) I actually wrote both together as one story, but I was having a bit of writer’s block, so the story as a whole wasn’t finished. I was debating, “should I wait until I finish it all, or just put out what I’ve got so far and make it like a two-part episode of a TV series?” In the end I decided, since I’ve got most of the first half done, I’ll finish that part up and come back to finish the rest later. I don’t write in a linear fashion. I’ll often just jump between parts in no particular order, writing and playing connect-the-dots with the different scenes in the book. If I can’t think of something, I’ll just write down “add more later” in brackets, then come back to it. While I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, it will feature some unexpected twists and a villain team up with Mistika, Oksana and the Intellectual.
Also I naturally have to throw in a plug for my other series “Mystical Force”, as I’m currently writing volume 7 of that one. That will introduce a character I’ve been teasing for the last few volumes, the “descendant of the darkness” mentioned in the prophecy all the way back in volume 1. Hopefully that one will be out around spring of 2026.
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While trying to fight her, she ends up draining the Liberator of his powers, leaving her the super- powered being while he’s nothing more than an ordinary man. The Liberator’s super-strength and invulnerability left many criminals cowering in fear. Now it seems he’s about to find out what it’s like to be on the receiving end.
Included in this book is a special bonus story: “The Misadventures of Captain Communist,” a humorous parody of the Liberator series. Meet Vladimir Prokov, dictator of the Soviet Union and its greatest hero (by decree of the Central Committee), Captain Communist, along with his trusty sidekick (and real hero of the story), Socialist Boy. Together, they fight to protect the workers of Russia from the icy hand of that cold-hearted capitalist, Mr. Free-Enterprise, who wants to run his own business selling frozen treats. It’s camp comedy and political satire blended with superhero shenanigans for flavour. See good triumph over evil, or evil triumph over good, or one form of evil triumph over another form of evil. It really all depends on where your social/political/economic views lie . . .
LITERARY TITAN 