Blog Archives
White Jasmines
White Jasmines is a poetic, spiritual, and deeply introspective journey through the soul of a woman confronting love, faith, and identity. The book unfolds like a diary of divine conversation, tracing forty days of communion between a narrator and a presence she perceives as God. It drifts between prose and poetry, dream and revelation, exploring themes of solitude, womanhood, and transcendence. The story begins with heartbreak and the collapse of faith, then moves through cycles of pain and renewal. What begins as an inward cry slowly transforms into a meditation on existence itself.
Hasti Saadi’s writing doesn’t just describe emotions; it breathes them. Her words rise and fall with the rhythm of confession. The imagery of seas, skies, the Virgin Mary, rain, and jasmine feels alive, wrapping each page in tenderness and melancholy. The tone wavers between gentle surrender and fierce rebellion, as though the narrator keeps arguing with God but never stops loving Him. The sincerity behind each line hit me.
There were moments when the prose turned heavy, circling the same questions of pain and faith. Still, it’s part of what makes the book powerful. It mirrors the way grief and longing echo in real life. I admired how Saadi wove philosophy and personal reflection without sounding like she was teaching. Her honesty about doubt and divine loneliness was what struck me most. She doesn’t try to explain life; she feels it raw and lets it spill. The tenderness in her language reminded me that even despair can be beautiful if faced with courage.
I’d recommend White Jasmines to readers who crave depth and aren’t afraid of introspection. It’s for those who’ve loved fiercely, questioned their faith, or felt unseen. It’s not a book you read quickly; it’s one you sit with, letting its quiet questions linger. It’s a spiritual mirror for anyone ready to look closely at the mess and mystery of being human.
Pages: 220 | ASIN : B0FRJDTTTC
Common Sense & Other Tales of Disillusionment
Common Sense & Other Tales of Disillusionment is a haunting collection of short stories that peels back the soft skin of ordinary life to reveal the raw nerves beneath. Each story takes place in familiar settings like a home, an office, and a neighborhood, but nothing stays familiar for long. Saxsma writes about people who are breaking down, sometimes quietly, sometimes violently, under the weight of their own choices and circumstances. The opening story, “Drive You to Violence,” sets the tone: a domestic world suffocating in silence and habit, where love and resentment sit side by side at the dinner table. The prose is stripped down, careful, yet full of emotional danger. By the end, the book has become a mirror that reflects not what we wish we were, but what we fear we might be.
What struck me first was the rhythm of Saxsma’s writing. It moves in circles, looping back on itself, pressing the reader to sit in the discomfort of repetition, the same routines, the same conversations, the same small cruelties. I found myself frustrated at times, but in a good way. That frustration was part of the experience. The language is plain and unadorned, but it works like sandpaper, roughing up the smoothness of everyday life until you can feel the grain. There’s an honesty to it that’s hard to shake. I didn’t feel like I was reading stories so much as eavesdropping on private lives that were coming undone in slow motion. Saxsma’s characters don’t confess their feelings. They leak them.
As I read deeper, I started feeling uneasy, almost complicit. The book makes you question what “normal” even means, and whether common sense is really sense at all or just a way to survive disappointment. Some scenes left me angry, others hollow. There were moments I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. Saxsma has a way of making the ordinary grotesque without ever being sensational. The writing reminded me how fragile the line is between patience and despair, between love and control. It made me think of people I know, people who keep smiling while their lives quietly cave in around them.
This isn’t a feel-good read. It’s a feel-something read. I’d recommend Common Sense & Other Tales of Disillusionment to anyone who likes fiction that cuts deep, that doesn’t flinch, and that finds truth in the cracks of small, painful moments. It’s for readers who don’t mind sitting in the dark for a while, trusting that somewhere in all that disillusionment, there’s something honest, maybe even redemptive, waiting to be found.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0D5BBB2FS
Quantum Genesis
From the opening pages, Quantum Genesis pulled me into a world where science, faith, and survival clash in a brilliant storm of ideas. It’s a story about Ode Tillmook, a scientist on a distant planet called Ghia, who’s torn between duty and conscience. His creation, a powerful compound meant to protect civilization, ends up threatening to destroy it instead. What begins as a tale of technology gone wrong evolves into something much larger, touching on consciousness, rebirth, and humanity’s place in the universe. It’s science fiction, but it feels philosophical, even spiritual. The pacing is cinematic, with scenes that swing from tense corporate politics to moments of haunting stillness and cosmic introspection.
Hanley’s writing isn’t just descriptive, it’s alive. Each sentence is humming with curiosity and heart. Sometimes I had to stop and breathe after certain passages because they carried a quiet power. The story takes big swings with its science, talking about quantum coherence, photosynthetic energy, and living planets. Yet, what hit me hardest wasn’t the technology but the emotion beneath it. Ode’s guilt, his love for his family, and his desperation to undo what’s been done all feel painfully relatable. I liked that Hanley doesn’t hold your hand. He lets mystery sit in the room with you. A few sections got a bit heavy with scientific jargon, and I found myself rereading paragraphs just to keep up. But even then, the sense of wonder kept me going.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I was both wrecked and strangely uplifted. The story turns from destruction to renewal, and that shift, from man breaking the world to man helping it heal, felt beautifully earned. Hanley writes with a sincerity that’s rare. You can tell he loves both science and storytelling. There’s awe here, and anger too, and a sense that we’re all responsible for what we build. I closed the book thinking about how fragile and miraculous our world really is.
I’d recommend Quantum Genesis to readers who like their sci-fi with a heartbeat. It’s perfect for fans of The Martian or Contact, people who love the blend of intellect and emotion. It’s not light reading, but it’s rewarding. If you’re the kind of person who looks up at the stars and feels both small and infinite at the same time, this book will feel like home.
Pages: 296 | ASIN : B0FVB43R8M
Step Out of Silence
Remains of Silence recounts the turbulence of growing up in a dysfunctional and abusive family with instability and neglect, weaving together vignettes of fear, longing, and survival. Why was this an important book for you to write?
As the title reflects, it was important to me to step out of silence and say it so, as it is so. While I have stopped being silent for many years already, it was important to me to speak of what I have made of the silence since. These are the remains. My current life in which I have transformed myself from one who had no choice but to keep silent, to one who was able to heal the loss, damage and stolen youth. It was a form of therapy in which I was able to release all that was still clinging onto dark corners of my subconscious. In the end, it allowed me to truly close the door on being a victim and embrace victory.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Simply sharing the truth. It is said that the truth sets you free. I can testify that it truly does. In my youth a fear of what people may think or say was hammered into us all. But I was able to break free from that and prove that raw honesty links with surrender. And through surrender we lighten the load. And by lightening the load, we set ourselves free to be who we came to be in the first place. Free of disease and thriving at being the best versions of ourselves.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging was to write part observer and part participant. One of the major challenges I had to overcome in my adulthood is falling back onto being a victim. And writing the memoir tempted me at time to do just that. But the most rewarding part was the awareness of that and the ability to separate the wounded child from the wise adult. The former easily prone to victimhood. The former mature enough to know the difference between passive helplessness and choice. As the writing progressed, it became clear that the mature adult was in charge as the one who finally broke free. And whenever the child wanted pity from the world, I was able to listen and steer it back to my current self. Awakened and wise.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
For those who are suffering in similar situations, I hope to prove that it is indeed possible to stand your own ground, to claim yourself back from those who take it from you at an early age when you do not have the tools yet to defend yourself and protect your being from harm. For those who had troubled childhoods and still battle the demons and consequences of it, I hope to be an example of choice. In every moment we have choice and it is only when we fall back into old patterns that we suffer. When we choose differently, we rise again. And finally, to those simply reading with compassion and curiosity, I hope to inspire gratitude for what they have, their ’normal’ upbringings and the privileges they take for granted. As Thomas Anderson, Editor in Chief of Literary Titan wrote himself about the memoir “I found myself reflecting on my own assumptions about strength, silence, and what it really means to survive when survival has become second nature.” If only the reader would reflect on that, I would be more than content at the impact of my memoir.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
In spite of complete neglect from his alcoholic narcissistic mother and his equally narcissistic, absent father, he performs, runs the household, becomes the parent, and survives. He ultimately becomes a globally recognised designer, painter, and pianist. Yet, behind his outward success, he carries the hidden injuries of a boy who was never truly seen.
Written with piercing insight and raw poetic clarity, this memoir maps a journey from emotional abandonment to self-acceptance. Through vivid chapters that unfold as stand-alone essays—each one a window into a particular ache, betrayal, or epiphany—the author unpacks themes of safety, love, identity, visibility, and healing. From Champagne Breakfasts and schoolyard humiliations to international acclaim and lovers who couldn’t stay, Remains of Silence explores the emotional choreography of a life spent dancing around rejection in search of home.
With a voice that is confessional yet composed, unflinching yet touched by a pinch of humour, Stef-Albert Bothma brings readers into the private terrain of healing what was once unspeakable. The result is a powerful narrative for anyone who has ever had to grow up too soon, live with abuse in an alcoholic environment, live unseen, or learn the difference between performance and love.
And despite it all, a testimony that it is indeed possible to overcome the impossilbe. That which was broken, built, and ultimately to become self. Unapolagetically and whole.
For readers of The Glass Castle, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, and The Hours, The Liars Club, and Invisible Girl––comes this brutally honest and raw story written from a place of wisdom and acceptance.
Astral Seeds- Eternal Reign Edition
Jhani Mills’s Astral Seeds opens like a symphony of chaos, blending cosmic prophecy with the fragile humanity of its characters. The story follows Aric Draconis, a dragon rider tangled in a universe on the brink of rebirth. As celestial rifts tear open the sky and ancient Guardians stir from slumber, he becomes unwilling witness and participant in a struggle between creation and destruction. Kings crave godhood, dragons debate destiny, and stars themselves become instruments in a war of balance. Mills builds a world that feels both mythic and immediate, filled with lyrical dread and aching wonder.
The prose is lush, almost hypnotic, and sometimes it feels alive, like the words hum beneath the surface. The dialogue between Aric and Ignarion, his dragon, carries real warmth. Their bond has weight, not the kind of flat loyalty you find in typical fantasy tales. But the beauty of the writing cuts both ways. At times, the rich, layered descriptions slow the rhythm a bit, letting the poetry take center stage over the story’s momentum. The language feels deliberate, like Mills wants you to taste every syllable before moving on. But, when it hits, it hits like thunder. There’s power in the way small human acts like kneading dough, watching the sun, and listening to the river, mirror the collapse of galaxies.
What really stayed with me was the sense of longing that runs through everything. The book isn’t just about power or prophecy. It’s about connection, about what it costs to keep faith when the sky itself turns against you. Mills writes with this quiet conviction that even in ruin, there’s something worth saving. The characters aren’t perfect heroes, they’re scared, sometimes arrogant, sometimes heartbreakingly kind, and that makes them real. There were scenes that gave me chills, others that felt heavy in the chest. I could feel the loneliness in Aric’s choices, the hunger in Vaelion’s ambition, the melancholy in Zephyr’s song. The story asks questions most fantasy avoids: Can destruction be sacred? Can love survive apocalypse? It doesn’t hand out clean answers, and that uncertainty is what makes it linger.
If you like your fantasy poetic, unpredictable, and soaked in cosmic mystery, Astral Seeds is for you. It’s not a light read. It’s a storm you walk through, slow and unsteady, until you find something glowing on the other side. I’d recommend it to readers who love the mythic scope of Brandon Sanderson but crave the lyrical weight of Erin Morgenstern.
Pages: 422 | ASIN : B0FTGP8M9N
Marcus Douglas Presents Dimensions of the Soul part 1
Marcus Douglas Presents Dimensions of the Soul is a fascinating mix of spiritual philosophy and high-stakes political thriller. The book dives deep into what defines the human soul, breaking it down into the mind, emotions, and will, and then wraps those ideas into a complex narrative about psychic government agencies, prophetic dreams, and the rise of a new U.S. president burdened with destiny. The story’s structure moves between theological meditations, called “Overtures,” and cinematic chapters filled with intrigue and danger. It’s both a metaphysical exploration and a modern myth, questioning how our inner selves shape the outer world and the consequences that follow when that balance is disturbed.
I found myself pulled into the book’s rhythm, first by its ideas, then by its characters, especially Natalie Massey and President Kirklin Adams. The writing is earnest and unfiltered, sometimes poetic, sometimes raw. There’s a moral sincerity that runs through every chapter, even when the dialogue leans toward melodrama. The theological reflections are surprisingly personal. I could sense Douglas’s own wrestling with faith, destiny, and the tug-of-war between spirit and flesh.
Emotionally, this book hit me in unexpected ways. There were moments when I had to pause just to think, especially during the scenes where the characters confront their inner demons or divine purpose. Douglas’s imagery, like the soul as a mediator between body and spirit, stayed with me. Some of the political plotlines felt far-fetched, yet the underlying message about corruption, faith, and the unseen battles of conscience made them strangely believable. The fusion of faith-based allegory with science-fiction ideas like “Dream Walking” is bold, and though not every concept lands cleanly, I admired the audacity.
I’d recommend Marcus Douglas Presents Dimensions of the Soul to readers who enjoy stories that challenge both heart and mind. It’s ideal for people who like their fiction thoughtful but not pretentious, and who appreciate a spiritual twist on classic suspense. If you’re drawn to tales where faith, science, and the human psyche collide, and you don’t mind a few wild turns along the way, this book will stay with you.
Pages: 245 | ASIN : B0F336CF1J
It’s NOT Just About Money
The Leader Connection – The Foundation dives deep into the human side of leadership, covering topics like empathy, communication, adaptability, and the nuances of eight distinct leadership styles, as well as providing actionable strategies for leaders. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Observing the current discussions and insights about labor, staffing shortages, and turnover, I felt compelled to share my journey and passion with a broader audience.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about leadership and employee connection?
It’s only about the money!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
1. Understand Your Leadership Style
2. The Importance of Your Role in Building Connections and Enhancing Culture
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Leader Connection – The Foundation?
The book serves as a crucial resource for both novice and seasoned leaders, offering valuable insights to help achieve success.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
“The Line of Horror”
A Dangerous Friendship follows a woman navigating heartbreak, loneliness, and the lure of risk, who, after a failed marriage, is drawn to a magnetic yet volatile woman whose energy feels both liberating and destructive. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Any kind of loss that forces a woman to question her future and identity sends me into story-telling mode. Especially against the backdrop of New York City in the 1980s, where there was an electric vibe and the possibility that anything could happen if you were open to it. I lived in the City during that time and it was magical. Wealth, street art, theater, fantasies of changing your life in a New York minute—it was heaven.
What was the inspiration for the relationship that develops between Tina and Spike?
Every female friendship I’ve had or witnessed since high school. We know the archetypes of the popular girls, the mean girls. What about the dangerous ones? What about the women who promise to give us power. Who tell us stories that we want to believe are true because are own lives seem so meh. Also, in the 1980’s, there was a second wave of feminism with women fighting for equal rights and questioning cultural and social norms. That history fans the flames of the relationship between Tina and Spike and their confusion: wanting to be powerful in their right but also looking to be elevated to a different reality by wealthy men.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Reinvention after loss. I like to explore the ways women navigate identity and self-worth when their lives take an unexpected turn. Also, truth vs. fiction. I’m fascinated by the stories we tell ourselves and each other to survive. Finally, the thin line between attraction and danger. Tina calls this “the line of horror,” which she refuses to cross at first, then leaps over, believing that Spike, like a cult leader, will change her world.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next novel is The Enlightenment of Henry Pike. It leans even further into dark humor than A Dangerous Friendship. It follows a slightly unhinged philanthropist who’s being swindled out of his fortune by those closest to him. At its core, it’s also about loss and reinvention—and our endless obsession with wealth, power, and the lives we think we deserve. Readers can expect it in the next two years.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website
In 1980s New York City, aspiring writers Tina and Spike bond in a complex, all-consuming friendship that will change their lives forever.
Desperate to redefine herself after a failed marriage, twenty-nine-year-old Tina embarks on a thrill-seeking journey to feel alive again. When she meets thirty-five-year-old Spike, a beautiful, seductive, seemingly invulnerable woman, she becomes enthralled by the older woman’s stories of NYC power brokers, sex, wealthy men, and her past. Tina latches on to Spike as someone who can save her from mediocrity and show her how to be the kind of woman who can have power over men—both in romance and in life.
Chasing adventure and the writing life, Tina and Spike rent a cabin together for the summer in the rural backwoods. There, they go on a wild, manic, darkly humorous journey involving dive bars, drugs, men, and all-night dancing, becoming increasingly psychologically entangled in each other’s lives along the way. But eventually Tina realizes just how dangerous Spike is, and is forced to act to save herself.
Filled with New York wit and fast-paced dialogue, this is a story of loss, betrayal, survival, and blurring the line between attraction and peril.
LITERARY TITAN 