Blog Archives
Star’s New York City Adventure: Being kind to Animals
Star the cat embarks on the adventure of a lifetime in Star’s New York City Adventure. For the first time, she’s exploring the vibrant heart of New York City, a dazzling metropolis alive with soaring skyscrapers, bright lights, and endless discoveries around every corner. Yet amid the excitement and bustle, Star’s journey takes a heartfelt turn when she encounters a lost kitten named Jet. Determined to help, she sets out to guide him to safety, realizing that the city’s glittering wonders pale beside the joy of kindness and connection.
Denise Alicea’s children’s book is charming and accessible, written with warmth and care for young readers who enjoy stories filled with color and heart. The tale evokes beloved series like The Berenstain Bears, combining expressive illustrations with a gentle moral lesson. Through Star’s eyes, children learn that empathy and compassion are powerful forces, traits that shape good friends, caring communities, and better futures. If nurtured early, those values can grow into lifelong habits of understanding and generosity.
The book also serves as a delightful introduction to New York City’s famous landmarks. Star and Jet explore the sprawling greenery of Central Park, marvel at the Statue of Liberty, and visit the fascinating exhibits of the Natural History Museum. Each stop adds a layer of excitement and discovery, turning their adventure into both a heartwarming story and a miniature travel guide.
With its cheerful tone, lovable characters, and timeless message, Star’s New York City Adventure shines as a perfect read-aloud for bedtime or classroom settings. Young readers will be drawn to its playful energy and positive spirit, while adults will appreciate its meaningful lesson about caring for others. This uplifting tale may easily become a cherished favorite, one that inspires kindness long after the final page is turned.
Pages: 31 | ASIN: B0FQ9WVB8H
UNTERTAUCHEN
Untertauchen tells the harrowing and intimate story of Hans and Anna Bracher, a Jewish couple caught in the rise of Nazi Germany. Based on true events, the novel begins in the calm years before the storm, then steadily descends into the chaos and cruelty of the Third Reich. It follows their love, their faith, and their desperate need to survive in a country that has turned against them. What struck me most was how personal the story felt. It isn’t just about history. It’s about ordinary people clinging to hope while everything familiar burns away.
Arthur M. James writes with a steady hand, not sensational but deeply felt. The dialogue feels natural, like you’re overhearing real people, not reading characters on a page. His pacing is patient. He lets dread build quietly, almost tenderly, until it suffocates. The writing has a kind of restraint that makes the moments of violence hit even harder. I admired how he never forgot the human faces behind the history. These weren’t statistics. They were parents, lovers, neighbors. I found myself angry at times, then suddenly heartbroken. It’s that emotional swing that makes the book hard to put down.
The cruelty is not graphic for shock’s sake, but it’s honest. And it’s relentless. That’s what makes it powerful. The book reminds you how fear seeps into everyday life, how people adapt just to stay invisible. I loved that James didn’t make the story tidy. There’s no neat justice here. Just survival, loss, and the small flickers of kindness that somehow outlast hate. His prose feels both old-fashioned and immediate, like a letter from another century that still matters now.
When I closed the book, I sat for a while. It left me quiet, reflective, and oddly grateful. Untertauchen is a story for readers who want more than history, they want to feel what it meant to live it. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction with soul, to those who study the Holocaust, and to anyone who believes courage isn’t loud but steady.
Pages: 695 | ASIN : B0CWT2MR8M
Red Anemones
Red Anemones is a sweeping and intimate novel that traces the life of Bertha Michael and her descendants, interweaving personal discovery with historical trauma and moral awakening. The story begins with Dáil’s own genealogical journey, a quiet Sunday curiosity that unfolds into an emotional reckoning with forgotten ancestry and the Jewish identity buried in her family’s past. What follows is a rich narrative set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Germany and America, told with grace, precision, and a deep reverence for resilience. The book becomes more than historical fiction. It’s a bridge between eras, a testimony to the strength of women who dared to choose life and love amid darkness.
As I read, I found myself utterly taken by Dáil’s writing. Her prose has rhythm and patience, tight, deliberate, and quietly powerful. She writes with tenderness but never sentimentality, allowing emotion to rise naturally from her characters’ choices. I could almost feel the weight of Nathalie’s conflict between family duty and self-determination, between love and freedom. The language is lived-in, grounded, and full of quiet heat.
I was surprised by how personal this story felt, even when it stretched across continents and generations. I could sense the author’s grief and pride, her awe at discovering a lineage that had been hidden from her. At times, the story hurt to read. There were moments when I had to stop, take a breath, and just sit with the weight of it all. The brutality of history, the tenderness of memory, the stubborn hope that somehow refuses to die. Yet there’s also beauty here, a sense of redemption in the act of remembering. Dáil doesn’t flinch from hard truths, and that honesty makes the novel glow from within.
By the time I reached the final pages, I felt both heavy and lifted. Red Anemones left me thinking about identity, inheritance, and what it means to carry forward the stories of those who came before us. I’d recommend this book to readers who crave depth in their fiction, to those who love historical narratives that feel alive, human, and full of heart. It’s for anyone who’s ever looked back at their own family history and wondered what ghosts sleep in the blood.
Pages: 586 | ASIN: B0FPT7HP5H
Pesky Penguins
Pesky Penguins follows two sisters, Becky and Sonya, who get whisked away by a magical beam of light to all sorts of places after they wish for different things. It starts with them landing in Antarctica, where they meet a group of smelly penguins and end up bringing a baby penguin, Petey, back home by accident. From there, things just get wilder. They try to return Petey, but instead end up in castles, deserts, water parks, forests, and even on the moon. Through all these adventures, the sisters learn about friendship, courage, and what it means to care for someone, even if that someone is a mischievous penguin who never sits still.
I loved how imaginative this children’s book was. It felt like being a kid again, playing pretend and not worrying about anything making perfect sense. The writing has a lot of warmth, and you can tell the author really understands the way kids think, how every moment can turn from ordinary to magical in an instant. The story keeps moving, and I never got bored. There were parts where I laughed because Becky and Sonya get into such funny situations, and other times I just felt my heart melt a little, especially when they tried so hard to get Petey home. The relationship between the sisters feels real, with their teasing, teamwork, and love for each other shining through.
The story keeps a fun rhythm, with the magical “beam of light” showing up again and again to whisk the girls away. That little pattern actually makes it easy for kids to follow and gets them excited to see where the light will take Becky and Sonya next. The writing is simple and clear, perfect for younger readers who want to dive right into the adventure. It’s a story that keeps things light and full of heart, reminding you that imagination doesn’t need to be complicated to be magical.
I’d recommend Pesky Penguins to kids around 7 to 10 years old, or to parents who love reading whimsical adventure stories with their children. It’s perfect for bedtime reading because each chapter feels like a mini adventure. It’s sweet, simple, and full of lessons about kindness, family, and letting go when the time comes. Plus, who doesn’t love a story with a pesky little penguin?
Pages: 53 | ASIN : B0FRH86V82
Hell Hounds
Hell Hounds is a supernatural fantasy that dives deep into the clash between Heaven and Hell, following the fateful child of both realms. The story begins with Archangel Michael and the demon Asmodeus creating a fragile pact, one that binds their worlds through a child destined to protect both sides. As the centuries pass, the novel follows this lineage, hunters, demons, angels, and mortals all entangled in a fight that questions loyalty, destiny, and love. There’s blood, betrayal, and tenderness tucked into moments of brutal war. It’s a saga of balance, between faith and sin, light and dark, family and fate.
The pacing runs hot and cold, but when it hits, it really hits. The dialogue snaps with grit, and the characters, especially Sully, the tormented hunter, and Mick, the brave yet uncertain daughter of an archangel, carry the story with heart. There’s something raw about the way author Barb Jones blends divine mythology with modern grit. She makes angels and demons feel human, with jealousy, doubt, and love that burns like fire. The fight scenes pop off the page. But the quiet moments, the ones between Sully and his father Asmodeus, or Mick facing Lucifer, those are where the book truly breathes.
There are a lot of names to follow and many battles happening at once. I had to slow down to keep up with who was scheming against whom. Yet, there’s a certain charm in the chaos. It feels intentional, like the author wanted the reader to drown in the same storm her characters are fighting. There’s power in that confusion, it mirrors the war between Heaven and Hell itself. The prose isn’t polished, but it makes the mythic feel intimate, like you’re eavesdropping on gods and monsters having very human arguments.
I’d recommend Hell Hounds to anyone who loves dark fantasy with heart. To readers who crave a world where angels curse, demons cry, and love defies kingdoms. If you’re the type who likes your stories bloody and soulful, with just enough chaos to keep your pulse up, this one’s for you.
Pages: 162 | ASIN : B0FJ7M7S9Y
Sages of the Motherland: The Great African Philosophers
Reading Sages of the Motherland felt like walking through a living museum of African thought. Woody Clermont takes readers on a sweeping tour from Ahmed Baba’s defense of African dignity in Timbuktu to Achille Mbembe’s probing of postcolonial power. Each chapter gives a clear and respectful portrait of philosophers who shaped Africa’s intellectual legacy, people like Zera Yacob, Kwame Nkrumah, Cheikh Anta Diop, and Kwasi Wiredu. The structure is clean and rhythmic, almost like a guidebook, but it never loses sight of the human stories behind the ideas. What struck me most was how the book connects spiritual, political, and philosophical threads across centuries, making it easy to see African philosophy as a continuous, evolving tradition rather than isolated fragments.
As I read, I found myself pulled between admiration and introspection. The writing is straightforward but deeply informed, and there’s a quiet passion running through every page. Clermont doesn’t just list facts, he listens to the voices of these thinkers and lets their ideas breathe. I felt especially moved by how he handles figures like Zera Yacob and Walda Heywat, whose rationalism feels timeless, and Okot p’Bitek, whose poetic rebellion against colonial thought feels urgent even now. The prose is patient and deliberate, though at times a little dense when tracing historical connections. Still, the sincerity and clarity kept me turning pages. It’s rare to read a scholarly book that feels this personal and respectful.
I didn’t expect to feel this emotionally involved in a philosophy text. There’s something powerful in seeing Africa’s wisdom traditions presented without apology or defensiveness. The way Clermont ties the ancient Kushite sense of justice to modern debates about humanism hit me hard. His tone is calm, but his purpose burns bright: to restore balance to how we think about global philosophy. The ideas challenged me to slow down, to think about what counts as “philosophy” and who gets to decide.
Sages of the Motherland is more than a history, it’s an act of restoration. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to see philosophy as a global conversation, not a European invention. It’s perfect for readers curious about African thought, decolonization, or simply how ideas travel across time and space.
Pages: 141 | ASIN : B0FS1WRKXY
Essential Guide for Caregivers of Parents with Dementia: Proven Strategies to Support Mental Clarity, Extend Independence, Plan for What’s Ahead, and Avoid Burnout
This book is a heartfelt and deeply practical guide that walks readers through every emotional and logistical step of caring for a parent with dementia. Wesley Thomas blends personal stories with grounded advice, weaving a clear roadmap for families who suddenly find themselves in the role of caregiver. The structure, organized around his “Circle of Care™” framework, covers recognition, adjustment, connection, protection, sustenance, compassion, and restoration. Each chapter moves from understanding to action, explaining not only what to do but also how to stay steady while doing it. The tone is warm and conversational, yet it never shies away from the hard parts. Thomas offers real-world tools for everything from home safety to medical decisions, while constantly reminding readers that love and dignity should guide every choice.
Thomas’s writing is simple and kind, never clinical or distant. He tells stories that feel real, the confusion of early signs, the ache of lost connection, the quiet grace of small wins. I appreciated how he didn’t drown the reader in jargon or pretend there’s a one-size-fits-all plan. Instead, he speaks directly, like a friend pulling up a chair and saying, “Here’s what helped me, and here’s what might help you.” His emphasis on self-care resonated with me. Caregivers often forget themselves in the process, and his reminders to rest, breathe, and seek help felt both necessary and comforting. Some moments are tough to read because of their honesty, but that’s part of the book’s strength. It makes you face the pain while showing you how to survive it.
Emotionally, this book left me both drained and uplifted. Thomas captures the heartbreak of watching a loved one fade but also the unexpected beauty that can appear in small gestures of patience and humor. His compassion is contagious. I found myself slowing down, reflecting on how I treat my own family, and realizing that caregiving is as much about who we become as it is about what we do. The writing is full of short, punchy sentences that carry weight. It’s not polished in an academic way. It’s real, raw, and human. That’s what makes it powerful. I could feel his sincerity in every chapter, and it kept me reading even through the heavier sections.
I’d recommend this book to anyone caring for a parent, spouse, or relative with dementia, and honestly, to anyone preparing for that possibility. It’s perfect for readers who crave guidance but don’t want to be overwhelmed by medical language. It’s for those who want a companion more than a manual. Essential Guide for Caregivers of Parents with Dementia gives both knowledge and hope, and it leaves you feeling less alone.
Pages: 156 | ASIN : B0FPTTKBJ6
Redemption on a Cosmic Scale
Quantum Genesis follows a scientist on a distant planet whose experiment brings the planet to life, and reveals that an asteroid will destroy all life in ten months, and he must find a way to save everyone. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for Quantum Genesis came from my fascination with the intersection of science, consciousness, and the environment. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea that a planet itself could possess awareness and agency—what if the very ground beneath us could respond to our actions? That idea, combined with concerns about ecological balance and humanity’s responsibility toward nature, became the foundation for Ghia and its relationship with Ode. The story evolved into a what-if scenario about creation, consequence, and redemption on a cosmic scale.
One thing that stands out to me in your novel is the creativity embedded in this world. What was your inspiration for creating such an imaginative world?
I wanted to create a world that felt both alien and familiar—a reflection of Earth’s potential future if we continued down a path of unchecked experimentation and environmental strain. The planet Ghia is a canvas for exploring how life might adapt and evolve under extreme conditions, blending advanced technology with an almost spiritual symbiosis between humanity and nature. The visual and atmospheric elements of Ghia were inspired by a mix of astrophysics, quantum theory, and my love for cinematic world-building, similar to how films like *Avatar* or *Interstellar* immerse audiences in otherworldly yet believable settings.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Several key themes run through Quantum Genesis—sacrifice, faith versus fear, and humanity’s fragile relationship with its environment. I wanted to explore what happens when science reaches a point where it begins to blur with spirituality, and how people respond when their entire existence is threatened. Ode’s journey from scientist to reluctant savior mirrors a larger story about growth, humility, and trust in something greater than oneself. Ultimately, it’s a story about survival, connection, and the cost of both progress and redemption.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes, *Quantum Genesis* kicks off this trilogy. The second book, *Quantum Mind*, is out now (https://www.books2read.com/quantummind). The third, *Quantum Entanglement*, is in the works, and will delve further into the future. The Quantum Guild of Planets is constantly pushing the boundaries of universal mysteries, and they encounter an alien race intent on severing the bond between planets and their dominant species. The Guild thrives on mutual cooperation, growing through the exploration of differences and individuality. This all culminates in a final showdown that could forever reshape the quantum limits of mind, matter, and destiny.
Here is a pretty good description of the books that are part of the Quantum Genesis Series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZLNJZN5?binding=kindle_edition
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With the clock ticking, Ode must rally humanity and guide them into subterranean caverns where stasis chambers offer their only hope of survival. Empowered by Ghia’s gift—quantum-infused stones with the power to heal, teleport, and manipulate the quantum fabric of reality—Ode faces impossible odds as he races to save his people. But with fear and faith dividing the population, and the planet’s very survival on the line, Ode and Ghia must work together to overcome the impending cosmic destruction.
As the asteroid approaches, the only certainty is this: if you want to survive, you need to go underground.
For fans of sci-fi thrillers filled with high stakes and unexpected twists, “Quantum Genesis ” is a must-read. If you enjoyed books like “The Martian” and “Enders Game,” then you’ll love this gripping tale of survival and sacrifice.
LITERARY TITAN 