Blog Archives
“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.
Healing by HIs Spirit
Healing by His Spirit is a raw, deeply personal journey through pain, endurance, and redemption. Author Geraldine D. Bryant lays bare her life story with fearless honesty, tracing her path from a young, innocent girl in Philadelphia to a woman who finds healing through faith after unspeakable trauma. The book begins with her tender teenage experiences, first love, heartbreak, and youthful dreams, and then plunges into harrowing territory as she recounts the violence, betrayal, and shame that shaped her womanhood. Yet, throughout the darkness, her story never loses its pulse of hope. The power of her faith, her determination to survive, and her eventual embrace of God’s grace shine through every page, transforming the memoir into a testament of spiritual renewal.
Reading Bryant’s writing stirred a complex mix of emotions in me. Her storytelling is vivid and unflinching. She writes like she’s sitting across from you, speaking straight from the soul, unpolished but powerful. I found myself holding my breath during the most painful parts, not just because of the events themselves, but because of how clearly she remembered every sound, every look, every feeling. The emotional weight is heavy, but she never sinks into self-pity. Instead, she finds meaning in her suffering. The faith that threads through her pain feels lived, not preached. What stood out most to me was her courage in revisiting wounds that would be easier to bury. That bravery makes her voice resonate even more.
Stylistically, the book feels intimate, like reading a journal that was never meant for public eyes. The language is simple and direct, without pretension. There are moments where the pacing slows, where details linger longer than expected, but even those moments feel intentional. I found myself reflecting on how trauma can break a person open in ways that also let light in. Bryant doesn’t shy away from showing both her brokenness and her faith in the same breath. That combination of vulnerability and resilience is what gives the book its power.
Healing by His Spirit left me both heartbroken and inspired. Bryant’s life story reminds me that healing isn’t about forgetting, it’s about reclaiming your story from the hands of pain. I’d recommend this book to anyone who has faced hardship and is searching for a way to turn it into strength. It’s especially meaningful for women of faith, survivors of trauma, or anyone walking through the long, winding road toward peace.
Pages: 164 | ASIN : ASIN : B083LMTPJH\
Women Owning Their Lives
The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid follows a middle-aged woman coping with complicated relationships both past and present. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Missy was first introduced to readers in my book Finding Scarlet. She radiated such energy that I wanted to explore what her full story might look like. I wanted to write a story of women owning their lives in all their imperfect ways, being unapologetic, which isn’t always easy.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
In the last several years, it’s been divorce. But intertwined within those books are stories of family, romance, friendships, and second chances. The recognition that we don’t just roll over and cease to exist as vibrant women has been a big driving force.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I loved writing Missy. She is strong, but flawed. Trying to capture her imperfections in a meaningful way was a joy. I also really loved Scarlet (obviously, she has a whole book!).Margo’s imperfections made her story heartbreaking to write at times, but also deeply rewarding. Writing Charlotte as a ghost who weaves herself into Missy’s thoughts required some creative stretching.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I have a couple of other projects I have started. They are not divorce fiction. One is women’s fiction and the other historical fiction with romance. I’ll see which one takes over in the process and go from there. I do hope readers will consider reading Finding Scarlet to get a flavor for the characters in The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid. And the ending will be so much more rewarding that way.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Missy Kinkaid has always been the light of Sullivan’s Island—bold, unapologetic, and the beating heart of her family, friends, and Scarlet’s Harlots, the renegade divorced women changing the narrative. But when the death of her estranged mother sends her spiraling into a breakdown in the cereal aisle, Missy is forced to confront the pain of past loves, fractured family ties, and the weight of expectations she’s spent a lifetime defying.
With her closest friends—and a cousin carrying secrets of her own—Missy embarks on a journey of reckoning that tests the limits of forgiveness, resilience, and self-discovery. Along the way, she learns that true empowerment isn’t about posturing but the courage to own your story, scars and all.
Witty, raw, and emotionally layered, The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid is a fiercely uplifting novel about friendship, loss, reinvention, and the strength it takes to become wholly yourself.
First introduced in Kirsten Pursell’s Finding Scarlet, Missy now steps into her own unforgettable story—one of heartbreak and humor, loss and resilience, and the enduring bonds that tether us home.
Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery
Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery by Michael Lingo is a delightful and heartwarming children’s story brimming with curiosity, courage, and gentle humor. The tale introduces readers to Bunny and Fawn, who, after a devastating event, must leave the comfort of their cozy hollow log and begin anew in a different corner of the forest, accompanied by their steadfast friend, Bear.
Life in their new woodland home seems peaceful until one night, a strange noise breaks the quiet. Fear ripples through the trio, yet Bunny’s curiosity outweighs her fright. Determined to uncover the truth, she ventures out the next day in search of the mysterious creature. Along the way, they meet Truffles, a timid pig equally frightened by Bunny, Fawn, and Bear. What begins in fear soon turns into friendship, and the four spend a joyful afternoon swimming and laughing together.
Lingo crafts a story that feels alive, almost cinematic, each scene unfolding with the charm of an animated short. The illustrations, lush and nature-centered, bring a soothing tranquility to the pages and perfectly match the tone of the narrative. Bunny’s fear of the unknown is deeply relatable; many children will recognize themselves in her cautious curiosity. Moving to a new place can feel daunting: new faces, unfamiliar sounds, strange shadows. Yet, through Bunny’s journey, young readers learn that the things that seem frightening in the dark often lose their power in the light of day.
Equally touching is the friendship between Bunny, Fawn, and Bear, a reminder that change feels easier when you’re not facing it alone. Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery is more than a bedtime story; it’s a gentle lesson in bravery, empathy, and the comfort of companionship. Lingo’s work captures the magic of childhood wonder while reassuring readers that fear can give way to friendship, and that even in unfamiliar places, warmth and kindness can be found.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B0FNQGCMPW
That Became the McGuffin
Fury of the Vampire follows two supernatural detectives who discover an ancient relic that can remake all of existence, and they must stop it from being used before the world as they know it vanishes. What was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
Thank you for the question. Well, originally the story would have focused more on the Jinn characters and their powers. In fact, the original title was The Power of the Jinn. During my research, I uncovered the story of The Ring of Solomon and that became the McGuffin of the tale and we adjusted the story accordingly and I think it improved the narrative.
Was it important for you to deliver a moral to readers, or was it circumstantial to deliver an effective novel?
I believe the best stories are the ones that have parables or thought provoking messages. The best Twilight Zones or Star Treks were the ones with thought provoking themes and I like to do that in my stories.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, especially with Tori who I think is the best protagnoist in the series. Her relationship with Malia I think really helped develop the character and her feelings toward Richardson.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
Fury of the Vampire will actually lead to a cross over with the tenth book in the Jigaw Time Travel Series: Temporal Apocalypse which should be out in May, 2026. I am currently outlining it.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
The enemy isn’t just out for blood. Now, they want the world to burn.
They’ve fought the undead. Exposed the horrors behind Utopia. Risked everything to protect those who could not protect themselves.
Now, Vampire Detective Tori Jacobsen and her Werewolf partner Abraham Mueller face a threat unlike anything they’ve seen before: An Ancient Relic that could remake existence.
With the fabric of the world unraveling, they need every ounce of cunning—and the kind of savagery only monsters can wield.
If they fail, the future will vanish before it begins. The world will collapse into a new Dark Age ruled by monsters. Humanity won’t even remember what was lost.
If they succeed… they may not survive it and lose what soul, they have left.
The explosive final chapter in the Nightfall Detective Agency trilogy. If you loved the grit, heart, and horror of The Mummy’s Vengeance and Trail of the Zombies, Fury of the Vampire bites even deeper.
Perfect for fans of supernatural noir, gritty monster-hunters, and apocalyptic thrillers where the last line of defense wears blood and teeth.
O’SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC. Leave Murder to the Professionals
A.G. Russo’s O’Shaughnessy Investigations, Inc. swept me into wartime Brooklyn in 1944, where the O’Shaughnessy Detective Agency tries to stay afloat as war, love, and corruption tighten their grip. The story follows Maeve O’Shaughnessy, a resilient woman running her family’s detective agency while her brothers fight overseas. She juggles heartbreak, danger, and loyalty as she faces mobsters, federal agents, and the heavy shadow of the Second World War. The book blends mystery, romance, and historical detail with an intimate look at ordinary people caught in extraordinary times. Author A.G. Russo paints the era vividly. The rationing, the fear, the faith that life might one day feel normal again.
Reading it felt like slipping into another time. Russo writes with a steady hand and a clear affection for her characters. Maeve is strong without being hardened, and I admired how she never loses her compassion even when the world around her turns brutal. The dialogue feels sharp and real; it’s the kind of talk you’d hear in a smoky Brooklyn diner. Some scenes hit hard, especially when Maeve faces choices that test her morals. The emotional weight sneaks up on you. One moment you’re caught in a clever bit of detective work, and the next you’re hit with the loneliness of a woman holding everything together while the world falls apart.
The number of side plots, mobsters, federal intrigue, family drama, sometimes pulls focus from Maeve’s heart, which is the story’s strongest pulse. Yet even when the plot meanders, the writing carries it. Russo’s world feels lived-in, and her affection for her cast gives the novel warmth that lingers. The prose isn’t flashy, and that’s part of its charm. It feels honest, unpretentious, like it’s being told over a cup of coffee on a gray Brooklyn morning.
When I finished, I sat for a while thinking about courage. The quiet kind that never makes headlines. Russo’s story isn’t just about solving crimes; it’s about surviving them, about staying decent when decency feels naïve. I’d recommend O’Shaughnessy Investigations, Inc. to readers who love classic mysteries, strong-willed heroines, and wartime stories grounded in everyday heroism. It’s a slow burn, but by the last page, it left me both moved and grateful for Maeve’s grit.
Pages: 342 | ASIN : B0FRHCZRG9
Things That Defied Categorization
The Meteor Symphony is a colorful mix of short stories, poems, and microfiction, stitched together with music, humor, grief, and hope. What was the inspiration for this collection of writings?
At first, this was going to be the title story developed into a full-length novel. But the story was fully baked as barely a novella. All the while, I’d been writing short stories for a jazz website called Jerry Jazz Musician as well as poetry for who-knew-what (at the time).
I’d amassed lots of material that was a reflection of my experiences and my interior life as well as some fun fiction and other things that defied categorization. It felt right to put this out under one book, encompassing prose and poetry.
How did you go about organizing the writings in the book? Was there a specific flow or structure you were aiming for?
My main goal was to present different moods and perspectives in a random order, much as what life gives us. Things come at us daily without being organized or predictable. In fact, quite the opposite.
What themes were particularly important for you to explore in this book?
Dealing with grief and disappointment; dealing with love that may not be reciprocated; and also the silly, funny moments of being a human.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Meteor Symphony?
Not to deny the feelings and moods that come over you. Allow them and when they’re overshadowing living your life, put them in a box. Find a poker game to join (see my poem “Deal ’Em”).
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
“From the first sentence, Burke brought me into the world of her words. She is a gifted writer.” – Donna Kenworthy Levy, author of A Soul Promise
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Debbie Burke is the author of twelve books (fiction and nonfiction), mostly about jazz and art. She is also a professional photographer, focusing on architecture, industrial design, and the liminal, as well as a professional editor and author coach at Queen Esther Publishing LLC. Burke’s jazz and photography blog at debbieburkecreative.com has garnered international acclaim. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in the Tidewater region of Virginia.
An Eye for Vengeance
An Eye for Vengeance follows Jedidiah McAllister, a humble rancher turned relentless avenger after his wife and daughters are brutally murdered. What begins as a Western quickly spirals into something far more haunting, a supernatural revenge saga soaked in grief, rage, and a strange kind of spiritual corruption. Through a curse known as “the Eye,” Jed is given the terrible gift of seeing into men’s souls and sending them to Hell. The story unfolds as a mix of gritty frontier realism and mythic horror, blurring the line between man and monster.
The writing style has this cinematic edge, like an old Western painted in blood and dust. Every description feels tactile: the sting of the ropes, the dry wind over the prairie, the glow of the campfire. But what really sells it is the voice. Jed narrates in a tone that’s equal parts grit and poetry, like a man talking to ghosts. There’s a moment when he visits the graves of his wife and daughters and whispers, “I’ll make it right.” I actually had to pause there. You feel his exhaustion, that single thread of purpose keeping him alive. At times, the prose gets heavy, repetitive even, but it fits the story. Vengeance isn’t clean or quick; it’s a slow, choking fire.
What surprised me most was how spiritual the story becomes. The Crow medicine man and Windsong aren’t just background characters; they’re the moral counterweight to Jed’s descent. Their words about balance and the danger of letting vengeance consume you echo through the entire book. There’s a moment when the medicine man tells Jed, “ vengeance is like fire. It burn bright, but if you not careful, it consume everything. Even you,” That line stuck with me. It’s as if the author wanted to remind us that vengeance isn’t justice, it’s rot disguised as purpose. Yet, the author never makes Jed’s rage feel unjustified. He lets us walk that knife’s edge with him.
By the end, I found myself both rooting for Jed and fearing what he’d become. The “Eye” isn’t just a power, it’s a metaphor for how trauma rewires a person, how obsession takes hold and won’t let go. The book doesn’t let you look away from that. It’s violent, yes, but also deeply human in its depiction of love turned to wrath. I finished it feeling shaken and oddly hollow, which I think is exactly what the author intended.
I’d recommend An Eye for Vengeance to readers who love dark Westerns with a supernatural twist, think The Revenant meets The Crow. It’s not an easy read; it’s harsh, bloody, and emotional. But if you like stories that make you feel something raw, something uncomfortable yet real, this one delivers in spades. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your head long after you close it, like the echo of a gunshot across an empty plain.
Pages: 227 | ASIN : B0FRJJLHD3
LITERARY TITAN 