Blog Archives
A Friend for Hope
Zoe Meadows hasn’t been herself lately. In A Friend for Hope by Amie White, her distracted behavior worries her parents enough to take action. They devise a plan, a heartfelt attempt to help Zoe regain focus and find a meaningful outlet for her restless energy. What exactly do they come up with? And more importantly, does it work?
This charming children’s story explores a truth that resonates with all ages: everyone drifts off course sometimes. What matters most is how we find our way back. Zoe’s struggle to stay connected and her parents’ determination to guide her make for a tender, relatable tale. I found myself rooting for Zoe and admiring her parents’ creativity and care in finding a solution that might spark her joy again. Their quick thinking and willingness to try something new highlight just how powerful love and persistence can be.
I especially appreciated how the story captures both a child’s inner world and the quiet heroism of parents who refuse to give up. The narrative gently reminds readers, parents, grandparents, and caregivers alike that helping a child often means thinking beyond the ordinary. And beyond its message for kids, the story carries a lesson for adults too: when life feels scattered, sometimes doing something kind or special, whether for someone else or yourself, can bring back focus and happiness.
The illustrations by Olena Oprich are a delight. Each full-page image bursts with color and energy, instantly engaging both young and mature readers. The artwork feels like a completed coloring book come to life, simple, vibrant, and perfectly aligned with the story’s heartwarming tone.
A Friend for Hope is an uplifting read filled with warmth, understanding, and joy. It’s a gentle reminder that small acts of care can make a world of difference. This is a beautiful book that will enchant readers of all ages; I highly recommend it.
Pages: 47 | ISBN : 1068220007
Spiritually Homeless: Finding our way beyond religion
Spiritually Homeless is Kris Girrell’s heartfelt guide for anyone who’s ever felt unmoored from organized religion yet still deeply drawn to the sacred. Girrell explores what it means to be “spiritual but not religious,” weaving his own journey through reflection, loss, and rediscovery. The book moves from intimate personal stories to broader discussions about mysticism, spiritual development, and the hunger for community. It’s both a memoir and a map, a compassionate invitation to those wandering between faith and freedom to find meaning in their own way.
Girrell’s voice is calm, wise, and refreshingly unpretentious. He doesn’t preach, and that’s what makes his message land so well. I could feel his years of wrestling with religion, that ache of trying to make sense of old beliefs that no longer fit. There’s warmth in the way he writes about people who feel left out of traditional faith, as if he’s offering them a seat by the fire. The stories about his hikes, his tears in cathedrals, his moments of awe, they ring true. The writing is honest, the tone gentle, and the ideas, though deep, are never heavy-handed.
I felt the pacing lingered a bit, especially when the author unpacked historical or theological context. But I didn’t mind much. Those parts gave me room to catch my breath and think about my own path. What I loved most was how Girrell connects everyday moments, like walking through grass or looking at the stars, to something holy. He makes spirituality feel approachable, like it’s always been right there, waiting for us to notice. His belief that being “spiritually homeless” is actually a stage of growth struck me hard. It turned what I’d always seen as loss into possibility.
I’d recommend Spiritually Homeless to anyone feeling adrift after leaving religion, or to anyone curious about what spirituality looks like beyond dogma. It’s a great companion for those who want to rebuild their connection to the divine without returning to church walls. This isn’t a manual, it’s a conversation, and a kind one at that.
Pages: 235 | ASIN : B0FR3T9KBF
CRIMSON BLOODLINES The Rise of King Musa Africa’s First Vampire
Crimson Bloodlines tells the story of Emma Woodford, a passionate genealogist whose quest to uncover her family roots leads her to a shocking discovery, she is descended from King Musa I of Mali, the famed ruler of the 14th century. Her curiosity takes her from the quiet hum of city life to the scorching heart of Africa, where history, myth, and horror collide. The story starts like a historical mystery and slowly turns into a supernatural thriller, blending the grandeur of West African history with the dark myth of vampirism. The book pulls readers from scholarly research tables to ancient ruins and secret cities hidden beneath the desert sands, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and wonder.
I didn’t expect a vampire story to weave so neatly into African history, but author Aubin Jack makes it work. His writing has a cinematic feel. You can almost hear the hiss of the desert wind or see the gleam of a gold-encrusted citadel rising from the dunes. At times, the prose is lush and descriptive, even indulgent, which slows the pace but also deepens the mood. I found myself swept up in the worldbuilding, the Tuareg warriors, the sacred baobab trees, the mystery of Old Mali, though I occasionally wished for a tighter focus. Still, the book’s heart beats with genuine curiosity about ancestry, identity, and power. I felt Emma’s excitement, her fear, her awe at discovering she might be part of something ancient and monstrous.
Underneath the fantasy and bloodshed is a sharp commentary on legacy and climate change, a surprising but fitting connection, given the author’s background in public safety and activism. Some passages veer into lecture territory, but they come from a sincere place. What stood out to me most was how human this story feels despite its supernatural premise. The vampire lore isn’t just for thrills; it’s used to explore how power, greed, and immortality twist even noble intentions. By the time King Musa’s transformation unfolds, the horror feels earned. It’s not just about monsters feeding on blood, it’s about humanity feeding on the planet and on each other.
Crimson Bloodlines is part adventure, part history, part warning. I’d recommend it to readers who like their historical fiction with a bite of the supernatural, especially those drawn to African mythology, lost civilizations, or climate-driven allegory.
Pages: 150 | ASIN : B0DTRL2D52
Navigate Family Technology: A technology roadmap for families with ideas to navigate uncharted waters
Navigate Family Technology is a clear-eyed, heartfelt guide to raising kids in a world ruled by screens. Author Nora Duncan O’Brien lays out the modern family’s digital dilemma: how to help children thrive without letting technology consume them. Through chapters that blend research, personal stories, and practical advice, she explores everything from communication struggles and social media traps to empathy loss, anxiety, and sleep disruption. The book reads like a roadmap for parents who feel lost in the constant hum of notifications and the tug-of-war between connection and control. It’s as much about reclaiming calm as it is about setting boundaries.
I found myself nodding along at every mention of the “magnetic pull” of devices. O’Brien doesn’t wag her finger or preach, she levels with you like a friend who’s been there. I appreciated how she backed her advice with science but kept her tone real and warm. Her writing has rhythm and heart, and you can feel her genuine concern for kids and families in every line. Some chapters, especially those about online predators and the permanence of digital mistakes, made me pause and feel a lump in my throat. She’s not just talking about technology, she’s talking about childhood, safety, and the kind of presence that screens quietly steal from us if we’re not careful.
There’s something brave about the way O’Brien admits she’s learning right alongside us. She owns her mistakes and turns them into lessons without ego. I loved how she weaves humor into serious topics, it makes the heavy stuff easier to sit with. Her practical ideas for setting boundaries, encouraging empathy, and helping kids “embrace boredom” actually feel doable. The mirror she holds up to our tech habits is unflinching.
I’d recommend Navigate Family Technology to any parent, teacher, or even older teen who’s trying to understand why screens feel so irresistible. It’s a wake-up call for families trying to find balance in a hyperconnected world. If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through your phone while your child talks to you, this book will make you want to put it down and really listen. It’s wise, gentle, and full of heart, a rare mix in a world that’s usually shouting advice at us from every glowing screen.
Pages: 222 | ASIN : B0DZF9VL27
The Destiny of Our Stars
Greta McNeill-Moretti’s The Destiny of Our Stars is a heartfelt memoir about love, loss, and renewal. At its core, it’s the story of a woman navigating widowhood after losing her soulmate, Lawrence, to brain cancer. The book moves from raw grief to spiritual awakening, with reflections on fate, synchronicity, and the mysterious ways the universe brings meaning to suffering. It’s not just a chronicle of mourning; it’s a roadmap through the darkest corners of heartbreak toward the quiet light of acceptance and hope.
The author writes with such sincerity that I often felt like I was sitting across from her, listening to her unpack her life. Her words are simple, but they cut deep. I admired how she didn’t shy away from the messy parts, depression, guilt, the confusion of still wanting to live when your reason for living is gone. She uses humor in surprising places, and it works. It keeps the story grounded and human. Sometimes her honesty stings, but that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s a book that feels lived, not written from a distance.
What really stayed with me was her belief in synchronicity and destiny. I was moved by her conviction. It’s impossible not to root for her as she rebuilds her world, piece by piece. Her reflections on love extend beyond romance. She writes about compassion, family, and friendship in ways that make you think about your own life. At times, the detail is overwhelming. But I think that’s part of the magic. She doesn’t let you skim through her pain. She makes you sit with it, the way grief makes you sit still until you learn to move again.
I’d recommend The Destiny of Our Stars to anyone who has lost someone they love or who simply wants to understand what real resilience looks like. It’s for people who appreciate writing that’s emotional but never self-pitying, and who don’t mind tears mixed with laughter. This book is raw, deeply personal, and surprisingly comforting. It reminds you that even when life shatters, the pieces can still reflect light.
Pages: 303 | ISBN : 979-8-9995413-1-4
Tokyo Juku
Tokyo Juku begins with a bang, literally and emotionally. A young student named Mana discovers her teacher dead in a cram school classroom, his body crumpled under the sterile glow of fluorescent lights. Detective Hiroshi Shimizu and his team step into a Tokyo dense with pressure, ambition, and secrets. What follows is a layered mystery that weaves together the cutthroat world of education, the hidden costs of success, and the loneliness tucked behind the city’s polished exterior. Author Michael Pronko takes what might seem like a simple murder case and turns it into a study of human drive, shame, and survival.
The writing pulled me in right away. Pronko’s style is sharp and cinematic. The scenes snap from one point of view to another like the cuts in a film, yet nothing feels rushed. The descriptions of Tokyo at night, its cram schools glowing like lanterns, its streets humming with ambition, feel both beautiful and sad. There’s something almost tender about how he writes the city, even when it’s cruel. What I liked most was how the story balanced the crime with emotion. The mystery kept me guessing, but it was the characters’ quiet struggles, the overworked teachers, the anxious students, the tired detectives, that stuck with me. They all felt painfully real, like people you might pass on a crowded train and never think twice about.
Pronko dives deep into conversations and inner thoughts, and sometimes I wanted the story to move faster. But even then, I couldn’t stop reading. I liked how he made me feel the weight of every decision, every word unsaid. The book doesn’t just show a crime; it shows what happens to people who live inside constant expectation. It’s not only about murder, it’s about burnout, ambition, and how easily a person can crack under the strain. The writing feels clean but heavy with meaning, and that balance hit me hard.
Tokyo Juku isn’t just a detective story; it’s a mirror held up to modern Tokyo and anyone chasing success at any cost. I’d recommend it to readers who love smart mysteries with heart, and to anyone who enjoys books that make you sit back and think after you close them. It’s perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense, city stories, and those who don’t mind a little soul-searching between the clues.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0FLW78XTZ
Echoes of Fortune: Shadows Over Cozumel
Echoes of Fortune: Shadows Over Cozumel dives straight into a sunlit mystery wrapped in salt, sweat, and history. Author David R. Leng sets his story off the coast of Mexico, where old Confederate ghosts meet modern intrigue. Former Navy SEAL Jack Sullivan, Smithsonian curator Emma Wilson, and their friend Steve Johnson uncover the wreck of a ship believed lost to legend, and with it, a secret that powerful people would kill to keep buried. What starts as an archaeological dive quickly turns into a survival game against unseen watchers and old evils hiding beneath Caribbean calm. It’s a fast, cinematic tale that mixes history, conspiracy, and suspense with surprising tenderness between the chaos.
Leng’s writing is tight but vivid, the kind that keeps your pulse up and your coffee cold. His pacing is unrelenting. The story doesn’t just move, it races, then stops just long enough to let the tension breathe before diving back in. I loved how he balanced action with quiet moments of connection between Jack and Emma. Their relationship never slips into cliché. It feels lived-in, tested by the same salt and fear that hangs over the sea. The dialogue feels natural, especially between Jack and Steve, their banter carries the weight of shared trauma and unspoken loyalty.
But it’s the ideas beneath the adventure that stuck with me. Leng plays with the notion that history never dies, it just waits for someone foolish or brave enough to dig it up. The Confederate artifacts aren’t just relics; they’re symbols of how greed and ideology outlive their wars. I caught myself thinking about how the past haunts the present, how people chase fortunes or legacies without realizing what they awaken. At times, the prose leans cinematic, almost like a screenplay, which works for the story’s rhythm but occasionally sacrifices deeper introspection. Still, when it hits, it hits hard. The quiet dread before a dive, the stillness of the man in the white Panama hat, those moments land like punches.
I’d recommend Echoes of Fortune to anyone who loves a smart thriller with history’s fingerprints all over it. If you enjoy Clive Cussler’s maritime adventures or the artifact hunts of National Treasure, this book will grab you by the collar. It’s not just about what’s found under the sea, it’s about what’s waiting when you surface. A great weekend read.
Pages: 90 | ASIN : B0FSMTD53S
A Chance For Redemption
Whispering Shadows follows a man with a terminal illness who keeps this information from his wife, only to die in a tragic accident and awaken in a world between life and death, with a need to find redemption. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Many years ago I was told of a man who had been diagnosed with Terminal Cancer, and that he would be fortunate to see the year out. Unfortunately, not the most uncommon of revelations, except that he not only refused any form of treatment but also decided in his ‘wisdom’ to withhold the diagnosis from his wife, at least until he felt the time was right! One Winter’s night a few months later he died in a high speed car crash, quite alone, with no other persons or vehicles involved. The effect on his partner was naturally immense, but equally, the discovery of his diagnosis, along with the projected time left to live, and something she could not forgive. Was it suicide or an accident? The fact that he could not bring himself to confide in the one person who should have been at the head of the list was something that has stay with me. Perhaps something he would have attempted to rectify should there be an afterlife, a chance for redemption.
Ethan’s journey in the afterlife takes readers on a complex journey of love and loss as he tries to find forgiveness. What do you think were some of the defining moments in Ethan’s development?
Ethan’s discovery that an afterlife exists, his wife believing he committed suicide, and subsequent determination to prove that it really was an unfortunate accident, along with an overpowering need to explain what took place on that snow-laden day and obtain her forgiveness for his deception. The rare permission granted to revisit earth and seek out the person now imbued with Gen’s life force and the people and places it would lead him to.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think the paths that different people take throughout their lives, and the realisation that so much is destiny or at least outside of our control, the idiom ‘what will be will be’ comes to mind. Also the good that resides in everyone, the need to love and be loved, however deep it might be hidden. It never fails to amaze at how couples first meet, often by the slender of chances, only to spend a lifetime together accepting the other as their predetermined soulmate.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
The story of an RAF pilot in the Second World War who inadvertently saves the life of another, a German pilot, albeit seriously injured, and the bizarre happenings that follow their lives from that moment forward. Inspired by a true story, one that results in a friendship that survives the terrible events of the war and is rekindled by a chance magazine article followed by a phone call that would reunite both the men and their families in their later years. A book that will hopefully be completed early 2026.
What if death wasn’t the end of your story, but the beginning of a greater search – for truth, for forgiveness, and for the soul you lost?
Ethan Turing wakes to a world forever changed. A routine medical appointment delivers a devastating diagnosis: he has only months to live. Reeling from the news, Ethan keeps it from his beloved wife, Gen, intending to shield her from the pain. But fate intervenes when a tragic accident on a snow-covered London street leads to his untimely death.
Presumed a suicide, Ethan’s demise leaves Gen in anguish, unaware of his terminal illness. As she grapples with grief, she discovers she is carrying their child – a son she names after Ethan. Tragically, complications during childbirth claim her life, leaving their newborn orphaned.
Yet, Ethan’s journey doesn’t end with death. His soul is intercepted by enigmatic beings who recognize his potent life force. Offered a chance to transcend his fate, Ethan embarks on a quest to find Gen’s reincarnated soul. Granted the opportunity to return to Earth, he must identify her among six individuals scattered across the globe. Only by looking into their eyes can he discern her true identity and seek the forgiveness he so desperately craves.
Whispering Shadows is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring bonds that transcend time and space. Paul Flintham weaves a tale that challenges the boundaries of life and death, asking: can love truly conquer all?
LITERARY TITAN 