Blog Archives
The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors
In this charming picture book, readers meet Frilly, a determined little chameleon who calls a lush rainforest home. Surrounded by her friends Camy and Oscar, both able to shimmer through endless hues, Frilly stays the same brilliant shade of green. More than anything, she longs to turn red, her favorite color.
Fueled by curiosity and courage, Frilly embarks on a spirited adventure filled with sunshine, laughter, and one daring plunge into a puddle of red paint. For a fleeting, radiant moment, she feels transformed, until danger slithers close. Mistaken for prey by a hungry snake, Frilly quickly realizes that her true green hue isn’t a flaw at all, it’s her saving grace. Through this heart-pounding yet illuminating encounter, she learns that being herself isn’t just enough; it’s extraordinary.
Marques weaves a story rich in warmth, humor, and gentle wisdom. The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors is a luminous celebration of individuality and the joy of self-acceptance. Frilly’s emotional journey captures the universal yearning to belong while reminding readers that authenticity shines brighter than conformity.
Camy and Oscar bring texture and tenderness to the tale, standing by Frilly as steadfast friends who help her see her worth. The acrylic collage illustrations are nothing short of stunning, each page alive with color, movement, and tropical vibrancy. Young readers will find themselves pausing to admire the details, immersed in a world that feels both wild and wondrous.
Tucked at the end are fascinating chameleon facts, adding an educational twist to an already captivating story. Heartfelt, imaginative, and visually delightful, Marques’s book belongs in classrooms, libraries, and bedtime rotations alike. It’s an inspiring reminder that our uniqueness is not something to hide, it’s what makes us shine.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0FPT1NPV8
Filaments
Filaments follows Thea, a professor drawn back to her small hometown in Minnesota after her mother’s strange behavior turns alarming. What begins as a reluctant homecoming spirals into a dark exploration of generational trauma, addiction, and the eerie pull of the bog that shaped her childhood. As Thea digs into the disappearances of two local men, she unearths a supernatural thread linking her family’s past to the town’s rot. It’s a haunting story about the way memory festers, how love curdles, and how the land itself can hold grudges.
The writing is sharp and intimate, full of slow-burn dread rather than cheap scares. KZK’s prose feels like wading into dark water, you never know how deep it goes. Thea’s voice hit me hard. She’s smart and cynical but full of raw edges that made her feel real. I loved how the story blurred science and folklore. The bog wasn’t just a setting, it was alive, patient, and almost tender in its cruelty. I’ll admit, the pacing slows in places, especially in the middle chapters where Thea’s memories crowd the page, but the atmosphere never lets go.
There’s also something very relatable here. The story isn’t really about missing people or haunted places, it’s about how women are shaped by the weight of other people’s expectations. Thea’s relationship with her mother broke me a little. There’s this aching honesty in how KZK writes about mental illness and survival, like the line between madness and resilience is thinner than anyone wants to admit. At times, the dialogue feels jagged, and that roughness worked for me. It gave the story an edge.
Filaments felt like a fever dream and a confession all at once. It’s part literary thriller, part horror fable, and all heartache. I’d recommend it to readers who like their stories weird and emotional, people who loved Sharp Objects or The Fisherman but wanted something quieter, more personal. It’s not for those who need clean endings or easy answers.
Pages: 215 | ASIN : B0FS4NDBH3
Gods of Glenhaven
Gods of Glenhaven is a raw, darkly funny, and deeply human story about people falling apart and trying to stitch themselves back together. It follows Christian Orr, a man sliding into middle age with a broken marriage, sexual dysfunction, and a pile of humiliations that somehow keep getting worse. His wife, Sloan, is a driven attorney who mistakes dominance for control until her life unravels, too. Their teenage daughter Francesca floats between them, trying to make sense of the wreckage. Around these three, the town of Glenhaven buzzes with gossip, longing, and absurdity. It’s a small world full of big emotions, where humor and despair share the same seat.
I found Statler’s writing disarmingly sharp. Every line feels alive with awkward truth. He doesn’t flinch from embarrassment or pain, and he writes humiliation with the kind of precision that made me both laugh and squirm. The dialogue is quick and biting, but the silences hit harder. Christian’s spiraling self-awareness feels almost too real at times; I could feel the claustrophobia of his failures and the absurd hope that something, anything, might still redeem him. Sloan, on the other hand, made me furious and fascinated in equal measure. She’s brittle, proud, often terrible, but undeniably human. The novel moves like a tragic comedy that keeps threatening to tip either way.
What really struck me was how the book keeps shifting tones without losing its rhythm. One page had me laughing at Christian’s disastrous attempts at self-improvement, and the next left me staring, a little shaken, at how much loneliness the humor covered up. Statler writes like someone who has seen both the joke and the wound and refuses to pick one. The story feels like real life that’s been turned just slightly toward the absurd, so everything painful also glows with a weird kind of beauty. It’s messy, brave, and very alive.
Gods of Glenhaven is a brutal but compassionate look at failure and forgiveness. I’d recommend it to readers who love flawed people written with empathy. Fans of writers like Richard Russo or Jonathan Franzen will probably feel at home here. If you’ve ever felt lost, humiliated, or ridiculous and still had to get up the next morning, this book might hit uncomfortably close to the truth.
Pages: 378 | ASIN : B0F8KPGH67
Spelled in Ink
Spelled in Ink, by Lina Hansen, opens with a sharp, funny mix of magic, murder, and museum burglary. Cyn, a snarky and reluctantly gifted mage, is sneaking through Leonardo da Vinci’s old haunts when her job goes sideways. Cue spells, secret societies, and a charming thief. What starts as a supernatural heist at Château du Clos Lucé spirals into a mystery full of curses, dead bodies, and a centuries-old manuscript. It’s witty, fast, and delightfully chaotic.
Cyn’s voice hooked me from page one. From the moment she’s telepathically arguing with her boss while hiding in a bush, it’s clear she’s both capable and a total mess. She’s smart but allergic to her own magic, sarcastic to a fault, and impossible not to root for. When she mutters, “Maggots, what am I supposed to do?” over a corpse and a runaway tortoise, it’s equal parts absurd and oddly tender, a perfect snapshot of the book’s tone.
Hansen’s writing crackles with energy. Dialogue snaps, world-building slides in seamlessly, and every scene feels alive. The humor lands without derailing the tension; when explosions go off in Da Vinci’s bedroom or whispers rise from behind locked doors, the suspense feels earned. The blend of sharp wit and eerie atmosphere gives the book a rhythm that’s hard to put down.
The world itself feels fresh yet grounded. Magic here isn’t lofty; it’s messy, inconvenient, and often treated like an irritating chore. Cyn’s exasperated take on spellcasting (“Decades of toothache, more likely”) adds a human touch that makes the supernatural elements believable.
Between rival factions, magical science jargon, and Cyn’s chemistry with Dan the burglar, it can be hard to track every thread. But the chaos mostly works in its favor; it feels intentional, like watching a magician perform too fast for comfort but with total confidence. Cyn and Dan’s banter especially grounds the story; when he calls her “Cinderella in jeans,” it’s cheesy but endearing.
Spelled in Ink hits the sweet spot between mystery, fantasy, and comedy. It’s clever, brisk, and charmingly offbeat. Fans of Ben Aaronovitch or Seanan McGuire will love it. If you prefer your heroines scrappy and your magic delightfully unglamorous, this one’s a gem.
Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0FPBJHC8V
Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse
Being Broken, by Geoffrey R. Jonas, is a brutally honest memoir about trauma, addiction, and survival. It follows Jonas through a childhood steeped in neglect and narcissistic abuse, into years of substance dependence, and finally toward healing and self-understanding. He recounts the deaths of his sister, father, and mother, all in a single year, and how those losses forced him to face the damage that shaped his life. The book mixes memoir with insight–part psychology, part confession, and all heart.
Right from the start, Jonas pulls no punches. In the foreword, he admits, “I am spewing my head out onto these pages,” and that’s exactly how it reads, raw, direct, and strangely freeing. The prologue on narcissistic parental abuse hooked me. He doesn’t just define the concept; he exposes how it poisoned his family dynamic and left scars that followed him into adulthood. The mix of personal detail and clinical explanation makes it both heartbreaking and fascinating.
What I love most about this book is its honesty. Jonas never paints himself as a victim. He admits to his own part in the chaos, lying, manipulating, and self-destructing. There’s something refreshing about how he refuses to hide the ugly parts. When he writes about his sister’s overdose or his parents’ emotional absence, he doesn’t look for pity. He looks for truth. The section “Fault vs. Responsibility and Blame” really stuck with me. His idea that “it’s not their fault, but they are responsible” reframes forgiveness in a way that feels mature and real.
Jonas’ writing hits hard because it’s unfiltered but thoughtful. The poem “Broken,” written for his sister, might be the emotional heart of the book. It’s tender and painful, a mix of love, guilt, and memory. And by the end, when he says, “Here I am. A survivor,” it doesn’t sound like a line from a movie. It feels earned.
Being Broken isn’t a light read, but it’s a powerful one. It’s for people who’ve faced trauma, addiction, or toxic family systems, and for anyone curious about how self-awareness can lead to recovery. Jonas writes like a man who’s been through hell and decided to document the landscape. It’s dark, hopeful, and deeply human.
Pages: 274 | ASIN : B0DZPGY1BZ
Explore Life’s Adventures
Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery follows three friends living in a new part of the woods who hear a strange sound in the dark, leading them to embark on a quest to discover its source. What was the inspiration for your story?
Bunny and Fawn are based on my two rescue dogs, Lulu and Pixie. I’ve drawn from their quirks, personalities, and even some of their funny habits to shape the characters and their adventures.
This second book picks up where the first one left off. After being separated during a storm, Bunny and Fawn find each other again with the help of their new friend, Bear. They decide to stay near Bear’s home by a pond, a perfect spot since swimming is one of their favorite activities.
As for the mysterious creature they meet later in the story, I won’t spoil the surprise, but the character was inspired by Pixie’s love of burrowing into blankets and making playful noises. This new addition will return in future books as part of the continuing story.
Much like my first book, I’ve woven in themes that children can relate to, but that also resonate with readers of all ages. Diversity is a central idea, shown through different species of animals sharing the forest and learning from each other as they explore life’s adventures.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
For all my books, I intentionally include themes that are applicable to children. In Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery, several main themes include friendship, resilience, and discovery. All three themes are truly universal. Our lives are shaped by those around us. We seek guidance from those who have the experience, like Bunny in my first book, when Fawn taught her ways to be safe in the forest. Life is unpredictable, and we need to be ready for various opportunities and obstacles that come into our lives. I want readers to understand that it’s important to learn from experiences, be it good or bad, and that taking away those experiences makes us stronger. Also, specifically related to discovery, there’s so much to our world, and to simply ignore opportunities to meet someone new or experience a new adventure will only serve as a disservice.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Damien Hall?
I’ve worked with Damien on both books, and the process has been wonderful. I shared my manuscript along with a short description of what I pictured for each illustration, but I encouraged him to bring his own creativity to the art. The process usually went from sketches to final renderings, with my feedback at each stage. Many times, he suggested changes that ended up making the illustrations even better than I imagined. Collaborating with him was smooth and inspiring.
Will this story be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature is the second book in the Bunny and Fawn series. I’m currently writing the third book in the series, which will be revealed in January of next year, marking the start of the illustrations phase of the process. I have no plans to stop writing books in the Bunny and Fawn series.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Awe and Tenderness
Who Are We, Really? follows three inseparable tadpole friends who go on an adventure to figure out who they are meant to be and learn an important lesson in the process. What was the inspiration for your story?
As a mother, watching my little one grow, explore, and dream inspired me to write this story. One moment in particular sparked the idea for this book. I was walking with my son along a trail here in New England when we came upon a small pond filled with tadpoles. My son immediately scooped up a few into his hands. His eyes opened wide with wonder. It was the first time he had ever held tadpoles, and watching him study them so carefully, with such awe and tenderness, was pure magic. I knew then that I wanted to capture a part of that beautiful moment — to preserve the innocence, curiosity, and joy that childhood brings.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
One important educational aspect I wanted to explore in this story is self-discovery. While we all grow and change, who we are goes far beyond our appearance. It is our actions, choices, and character that truly define us. Another educational aspect that I also wanted to explore is creative thinking. Children learn through play, exploration, and imagination. Imaginative play is a vital part of childhood, helping them grow, make sense of the world around them, and discover more about themselves. In Who Are We, Really, the tadpoles imagine themselves as sharks, turtles, and dragonflies. This encourages children to play with different possibilities and outcomes and explore different perspectives.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene where the three friends discover they have become frogs. Joey, the most stubborn and spirited of the trio, continues to believe they are dragonflies, even though his reflection in the water reveals the truth. In that moment, I wanted to capture a simple yet powerful idea — that who we are comes from within. It isn’t our appearance that defines us, but our feelings, our choices, actions, and the kindness we carry inside.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I am currently illustrating my fourth book, and I started writing my fifth. It tells the story of a bear cub trying to make friends in a forest where all the animals fear him. At its heart, it is a gentle reminder about kindness, acceptance, and seeing beyond appearances.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Who Are We, Really? is a heartwarming adventure with three tiny tadpoles―Polly, Molly, and Joey―on a BIG quest to figure out what (or who) they’re meant to be. Sharks? Turtles? Dragonflies? The sky’s the limit when you’ve got imagination!
Along the way, they meet wise creatures, swap wild ideas, and stumble onto a truth bigger than any dream: the best thing you can be….is yourself.
With vibrant, handmade watercolor collages and a story packed with heart, humor, and the power of believing in yourself, Who Are We, Really? is perfect for little dreamers ages 0–7—and anyone who’s ever dared to wonder who they might become.
Quiet Doubts
The Infinity Within tells the story of Gabe, a man haunted by strange, otherworldly experiences from childhood through early adulthood. This seems like a very personal story for you. How hard was it to put this story out in the world for people to read?
In many ways, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—and also one of the most necessary. The Infinity Within may be written as Gabe’s journey, but much of what he experiences mirrors my own. To put those truths—those quiet doubts, soul-piercing questions, and hard-earned awakenings—onto the page was like pulling threads from the deepest parts of myself. It’s vulnerable. But I believe vulnerability is sacred, and if there’s even one person out there who finds themselves in these pages and feels less alone, more seen, or more empowered… then it’s worth every moment of discomfort. Sharing this story was never about telling people what to believe—it was about offering a mirror. One I wish I’d had during my own darkest nights.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
At the heart of The Infinity Within is the idea that fear, doubt, and emotional heaviness aren’t signs that we’re broken—they’re sacred signals inviting us to remember who we truly are. I wanted to challenge the mainstream narrative that healing is about fixing yourself. What if nothing is broken? What if the pain is part of the awakening?
It was also important for me to explore the concept that life isn’t random—it’s a soul-designed journey. One of remembering, not achieving. Through Gabe’s dialogue with Elias, I wanted readers to feel invited into their own inner conversation, where their intuition could guide them more than any external doctrine ever could.
Lastly, I wanted to help dissolve the illusion of separation. Between self and Source. Between what we’ve been told is real and what we quietly feel to be true. If I could offer even a moment where someone says, “I’ve felt this too,” then I’ve done what I came to do.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
“Stop trying to win the game—remember you designed it.”
That one sentence stopped me in my tracks. It reframed my entire perspective. I had spent years pushing, striving, fixing… believing life was something to conquer. But those words helped me realize that the obstacles, the fears, even the breakdowns—they weren’t punishments. They were invitations. Designed by me, for my own awakening.
That advice didn’t just shift how I lived—it became the foundation of The Infinity Within. It’s not about controlling life. It’s about remembering the deeper intelligence that’s always been guiding it.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Infinity Within?
That they are not broken—they are remembering.
We live in a world that constantly tells us we need fixing, healing, or improving before we can be whole. The Infinity Within offers a different message: what if everything you’re going through is not a detour, but part of a sacred design calling you back to your true self?
If readers walk away with just one thing, I hope it’s this:
You already have the power. You already hold the map. And the moment you stop running from your fear and instead listen to it, you’ll find it was never the enemy. It was the doorway.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Break Through Fear, Trust Your Inner Power, and Create a Life That Reflects Who You Truly Are
Have you ever felt the faint pull of something larger than day-to-day routines—like an invisible current stirring in your gut, urging you to see beyond the grind? What if that pull wasn’t a dream, but a call to remember you’re far more than you’ve been told?
In The Infinity Within, you’ll join Gabe on a journey that shatters the illusion of limitation. From an eerie childhood moment when a toy train appeared weightless in his hands, to a near-fatal car crash where time bent and fate reversed, Gabe keeps stumbling into events that defy logic. Again and again, these flashes whisper: Reality is malleable—fear and doubt alone keep it fixed.
Desperate for clarity, Gabe tests the boundary between “impossible” and “everyday,” venturing at dawn into a quiet orchard. Under a hush that silences his busy mind, he attempts small but audacious acts—summoning a cardinal by sheer intention, almost teleporting across the grass—and glimpses cosmic teachers, from ancient spiritual icons to modern disruptors like Elon Musk. Each one demonstrates how unwavering faith outsmarts “that can’t be done,” hinting that a single moment of pure trust can shift the universe to meet us.
Yet The Infinity Within isn’t a catalog of miracles; it’s a map for releasing illusions. Gabe’s leaps of faith peel away layers of doubt, revealing the quiet truth that we all harbor a spark of the divine. This isn’t about gaining power to show off, but reclaiming the essence we lost behind fear and social conditioning.
You’ll see:
Near-Death Expansions where crisis ignites improbable survival
Orchard Illusions tested in a tranquil field at sunrise, proving how quickly the “impossible” crumbles
Real-World Parallels in teachers like Jesus, the Buddha, Eckhart Tolle, and even Musk—each boldly brushing aside limits in different domains
Practical Steps to cultivate your own orchard hush, dissolving doubt and empowering you to co-create the life you truly want
By the final pages, Gabe’s story intersects with yours: the illusions that once caged him are the same illusions blocking your next transformation. As you read, you’ll discover how to break through fear, trust your inner power, and craft a reality that aligns with who you really are—in your work, relationships, and personal calling.
Ready to taste life free of self-imposed walls? With each chapter, illusions recede, revealing an infinite spark inside you that’s always waited to shine. Gabe’s journey will nudge you to question every “I can’t,” forging a fresh perspective where possibility opens at every turn. The Infinity Within calls you to see past the illusions you’ve carried too long, urging you to step forward, awakened and alive, into a future of your own making.
Open these pages if you’re ready to challenge your limits, tap the hush of dawn in your own heart, and claim the boundless capacity that’s always been yours. Your leap begins now. Let the orchard hush guide you and watch your world transform as illusions unravel and your infinite self stands revealed.
LITERARY TITAN 