Blog Archives
Becoming Sarah
The story follows Sarah, a girl born in Auschwitz, who grows up amid the ruins of war and memory. From her survival as a baby in impossible conditions to her complicated relationships with families, lovers, and the ghosts of her past, the novel stretches across decades. It is a portrait of a life shaped by trauma yet driven by the relentless pull of love, survival, and identity. The book traces how one woman carries both the horror and the humor of her history, and how those who come after her must reckon with what remains.
Reading this book was not easy, and I don’t think it was meant to be. The writing felt raw and startlingly alive. Sometimes the prose slowed me down with its density, but I kept going because every page had something sharp and true. I loved how the author wasn’t afraid to mix beauty with ugliness. She gave me moments of dark humor right after scenes that tore at me. The characters were flawed, sometimes unlikeable, yet unforgettable. Sarah, especially, lingered in my head long after I closed the book.
There were also times I felt overwhelmed. The shifts between past and present, memory and dream, tested me as a reader. But maybe that was the point. Trauma doesn’t follow neat lines. The way Botnick wrote mirrored the chaos of living with scars you can’t see. And when I let myself stop fighting the structure, I found myself swept into it. I laughed in places I didn’t expect, and I cried in places I thought I wouldn’t.
I came away from Becoming Sarah feeling both heavy and strangely hopeful. This isn’t a typical Holocaust novel. It’s about the long aftershocks, the way history worms its way into kitchens, bedrooms, and even jokes. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to feel a story as much as read it, especially those who care about how the past seeps into family, motherhood, and love.
Pages: 347 | ASIN : B0DVCX64WV
The Manifestation of Evil: Part One – The Birth of the Antichrist
The Manifestation of Evil tells the story of Asya, a young girl whose seemingly ordinary life in Ankara slowly unravels under the weight of sinister visions, haunting figures, and a destiny tied to forces beyond her understanding. Her journey is both spiritual and terrifying as she faces abuse, betrayal, and visions of the Morning Star, who claims her as the bearer of a prophecy that could reshape the world. Intertwined with her narrative is the rise of Igor Alexander, a ruthless Russian leader whose political ambitions escalate into a global confrontation, setting the stage for a sweeping clash of faith, power, and prophecy. Together, these threads create a sprawling tale of innocence and corruption, of individuals caught in the machinery of evil and destiny.
The writing is vivid, richly descriptive, and often cinematic. At times, though, the descriptions lingered long in certain places, which slowed the pace when I was eager to know what would happen next. I admired how the author captured the small details of ordinary life and then shattered them with sudden dread. That contrast made the moments of fear hit even harder. Some passages carried a touch of melodrama, and at times I felt steered toward a reaction.
The ideas in the book are bold, unsettling, and often heavy. The blending of prophecy, political intrigue, and personal trauma was thought-provoking. The narrative dares to tackle immense themes like the nature of evil, the vulnerability of children, and the dangerous ambitions of nations. At times, the larger themes took center stage, giving the characters a more symbolic presence within the story. There were moments, especially when Asya confided in Imam Ali, when her courage shone and reminded me why I cared. Those were the passages that stayed with me even after I finished the book.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy apocalyptic fiction rooted in faith, political thrillers with spiritual overtones, or stories that wrestle with the darkest corners of belief and power. It often challenged me to reflect on how fear and hope can coexist. If you are drawn to intense, layered stories that blur the line between the spiritual and the political, you’ll enjoy this book.
Pages: 193 | ASIN : B0F8VVHSW7
Almost Fourteen
When I first cracked open Almost Fourteen, I wasn’t sure what I was in for. What I found was a gritty and surprisingly tender story about young teens caught between the messy edges of childhood and the raw beginnings of adulthood. The book follows Calista Snipe and Skyler McCray, two friends-turned-something-more, as they try to make sense of junior high life while fending off dangers that are far darker than most kids their age should face. Alongside them are classmates like Mohini, who’s pulled into drug dealing, and Talia, who finds confidence through running. It’s a tale that mixes school dances and awkward crushes with kidnappings, gang threats, and brushes with predators.
I didn’t expect a coming-of-age story to dive into such dangerous territory. There were moments that left me uneasy, even angry, because of how vividly the author captures the vulnerabilities of kids. But then, in the middle of all that heaviness, you get these really sweet moments between Cali and Sky. Their awkward romance feels real, almost painfully so, and it’s a reminder that kids this age are pulled in opposite directions, wanting freedom but still being so young. I admired how the story didn’t shy away from showing both the light and dark sides of early teen years. It made me remember my own clumsy steps into adolescence, when one moment was pure fun and the next was laced with fear or uncertainty.
Some dialogue sparkles with humor and warmth, while other parts get weighed down by explanations or blunt descriptions. Sometimes I wanted the characters’ emotions to be shown more subtly. But I kept turning the pages. There’s an urgency in the way the plot moves, with danger always lurking around the corner, that made it hard to put down. And I got invested in these kids. I wanted them to win, to stay safe, to keep figuring out who they are in a world that can be cruel.
Almost Fourteen is not a light read, but it is a worthwhile one. It’s best suited for readers who appreciate stories that capture both the innocence and the peril of adolescence. If you like tales that mix young love, friendship, and school drama with real-world dangers and moral choices, this book will keep you hooked. I’d recommend it to parents, teachers, or even teens themselves who want something raw and honest.
Pages: 587 | ASIN : B07RHBR2VT
Cats of Ulthar – A Tale Reimagined
The story in this riveting graphic novel follows a family of cats on the eve of returning home, where a father recounts to his children the tale of their grandfather. What begins as a bedtime story quickly becomes a dark memory of captivity, vengeance, and rebirth. Through a mix of folklore and horror, the grandfather’s story shifts from being a tale of survival to one of transformation, wrath, and liberation, ultimately leading to the cats’ uprising and the claiming of Ulthar as their own. It’s framed as a fable meant to soothe children, but the truth hidden beneath is haunting and violent.
I felt the writing carried a sharp edge. The narration had a mythic quality, but it didn’t feel distant. It gripped me with its bluntness, its willingness to hold nothing back. I found myself unsettled, yet strangely compelled. The pacing worked in waves. Quiet moments of family warmth gave way to gut-punch images of horror and then swelled into something almost triumphant. The ideas in the story were compelling. Comfort as a prison, freedom as something bought in blood, and vengeance as both a curse and a gift. Those thoughts stuck with me long after closing the book.
The art and writing played well together; each panel really captures the scene beautifully. I appreciated the artistic way it conveyed the sense of dread. What I really enjoyed about this book was the tone. It never preached, it never softened. Instead, it whispered through shadow and silence. The ideas about rage and justice made me uneasy, though in the best way. I felt torn, both rooting for the cats and recoiling at the brutality. The line between freedom and cruelty blurred, and that tension made the story more than just a horror tale. It made it human, even though it was about cats.
Cats of Ulthar left me shaken and thoughtful. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy dark fables, horror, and fans of H.P. Lovecraft. It’s for those who want a story that claws at them a little, one that scratches the surface and digs into the tender parts beneath. If you like tales that balance beauty with terror, this graphic novel is for you.
Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0FMC1X9J1
MENtal Health: Take It “Like a Man”
MENtal Health: Take It “Like a Man,” brings together a wide range of voices, social workers, therapists, coaches, veterans, writers, and everyday men who share deeply personal accounts of their struggles with masculinity, silence, trauma, and healing. The book is less about solutions and more about testimony. Each chapter feels like a window into a different man’s life, revealing how cultural expectations, family systems, addiction, sexuality, grief, and love shape the ways men understand themselves. The foreword frames the project as a bold act of truth-telling, and the stories that follow hold nothing back. They are raw, painful, and at times surprisingly tender.
What struck me most while reading was the honesty. These stories feel unfiltered, which made me lean in closer. I found myself pausing often because the emotions resonated with me. The book reminded me of late-night conversations that don’t come easy but stick with you long after. Some chapters were almost too heavy to read, yet that heaviness was part of the point. It made me think about how much men keep hidden and how damaging that silence can be.
Contributors offered beautifully crafted narratives that flowed like memoirs. Men’s mental health isn’t neat or orderly. It’s complicated, jagged, and layered. The diversity of voices actually reinforces that truth. Chapter 6, “You Are Not Alone,” was one of my favorites because of the way it spoke directly to the reader with warmth and reassurance. I liked how the chapter cut through the stigma and reminded men that isolation is not the answer, even when shame or fear makes it feel that way.
By the time I finished, I felt moved and hopeful. MENtal Health is not an easy book, and it isn’t meant to be. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the invisible burdens men carry. It’s especially powerful for those who work with men in counseling, education, or leadership, as well as partners, siblings, or friends who want to listen better. What you’ll find is an open invitation to break the silence and begin healing.
Pages: 226 | ASIN : B0FNKMTFKF
The Art of Thinking Critically with Clarity for Optimal Health: Your Longevity is Determined By How You Think!
I found The Art of Thinking Critically with Clarity for Optimal Health: Your Longevity is Determined By How You Think! both insightful and practical. The author has crafted a guide that speaks directly to the challenges my patients and I face every day. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking in health decisions, showing how structured reasoning, awareness of bias, and emotional intelligence can lead to better choices. The framework he presents is comprehensive yet approachable, and the integration of real-world examples makes the material highly relevant.
What I appreciated most was the balance between clinical precision and accessibility. Too often, health-related texts are either oversimplified or weighed down by technical language. Here, the writing is clear without being shallow, and the concepts are explained in ways that anyone can apply. I also valued the emphasis on metacognition, encouraging readers not just to think critically, but to reflect on how they think.
From a professional standpoint, this book reinforced my own commitment to fostering critical thinking in the exam room. It reminded me that patient education is not only about transmitting information, but also about guiding individuals to ask better questions, weigh options thoughtfully, and consider both medical and personal values in their decisions.
I would recommend this book to health professionals who want a resource to share with patients, as well as to individuals eager to take a more active role in their healthcare. It’s a timely and much-needed contribution to the conversation about how we make decisions that affect our well-being.
Pages: 220
A Parody Turned Novel
The Eye of Osiris follows a Mexican American woman working at a law firm whose boss turns up dead, and her being accused of murder, while an ancient Egyptian curse is the real cause. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As regaled in my introduction to this book series, it was a way of survival while working in a toxic environment. I’m a workaholic and I need to be busy. I had run out of work while my creepy, abusive boss was out of town. So my fingers started moving vigorously typing a story about how he got murdered! Yes, it was like a parody that turned into a novel. That is definitely a happy ending to a bad job. (No, he did not die – only in my mind.) And, it still makes me giggle.
I found Moriah Maizon to be an intriguing character. What was your inspiration for this character?
This was my first book; inspired by my circumstances of that time in my life. In many ways, Moriah is a reflection of me. Although Moriah is in many ways much more serious than I ever hope to be. However, I did go through some life changing events reflected in Moriah’s story, such as losing a brother. I have a great deal of passion about life and through this character, I was able to express it.
There is one huge difference, I was born in El Paso, Texas where almost every Mexican American speaks both English and Spanish. I was very surprised at how little many Mexican Americans in Northern California didn’t speak Spanish and how little they knew about our wonderful culture. Of course, as time went by I realized how much racism there was against us and why many did not want to open that can of worms.
Speaking of worms, I am very lucky to be living in Mexico today where I can speak any language I wish without fear of unlawful detainment by the American Nazi-like Gestapo now known as Ice Agents. Why, you might ask, would I compare these armed soldiers to worms? Because they are people who oppress by means of unfair opposition (gangs) and threats of violence. In the end, they will crawl away, just like a worm, in shame.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
In the next book, Osiris the Second Coming, Moriah is married to Luis Mendoza who is now an attorney. They have a son, Thomas and their life is perfect. Then, the evil cult starts up all over again in San Francisco. The city is under siege and the Osiris cult is on a new mission to get to her and her family. Through Luis’s family who has an extensive library and knowledge of all things ancient, they search for the key. When the Heliacal rising of Sirius arrives, Moriah is ready for the trip into an unknown world and another dimension.
In Osiris 333, she returns to San Francisco along with her son and best friend Veronica; while Luis and family continue with their research. Still, the cult is in hot pursuit and on the trail of Moriah, their long, lost, reincarnated princess. They take refuge in Florida. A major clue is found by a couple in San Francisco after purchasing a home in the Sunset District. Their find is a unique Mayan Codex written in three languages. From that, they travel to Chichen Itza.
The Osiris Trilogy Mystery series is an adventure about cultural history, challenges, family, friendship, and the glue that holds it all together, love.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Instagram | Website Books | Website Author | Scrib Intel
Disturbing the dead is never a good idea. Stealing from the dead is even worse. Importing ill-gotten goods from the sands of Egypt; that is definitely the road to hell. Unsuspecting beneficiaries of a sacred Egyptian papyrus had no idea this gift was the result of an unholy theft.The curse started with donor, Jim Patton, partner at a law firm located in the Pyramid Building in San Francisco. When news of the sacred papyrus gets out, the Eye of Osiris cutl emerges on a mission.
Moriah Maizon, his legal assistant, was next. She suddenly finds herself in jail for Jim Patton’s gruesome murder. And that, was just the beginning.
The Osiris Mystery Trilogy Series is about a Mexican American family on a mission to stop an Egyptian curse.
Be Clear and Intentional
Communicate Like a Champion provides straightforward advice for enhancing professional communication, along with strategies that emphasize clarity and empathy. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was important for me to write because I’ve seen time and again that the success or failure of projects, teams, and even careers often comes down to communication. As a leader in telecommunications and during my doctoral studies, I recognized how often components of communications, such as clarity and empathy, were missing in professional exchanges. I wanted to create something concise, practical, and easy to use, something people could apply immediately in their workplace, whether they’re leading teams, collaborating across departments, or simply trying to be better understood.
What is one misconception you believe many people may have regarding effective communication in the workplace?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that communication means more words. People often think that long emails or detailed presentations equal effectiveness. In reality, effective communication is about being clear and intentional, saying the right thing, not everything. Another misconception is assuming silence means agreement. “No questions” doesn’t always mean understanding or alignment, and that’s where leaders need to confirm, follow up, and create space for feedback.
Did you learn anything that surprised you while you were researching and writing Communicate Like a Champion?
What surprised me most was how consistently small actions can create significant results. It wasn’t the grand speeches or high-stakes presentations that made the most significant difference; it was the everyday habits that mattered most. Things like summarizing a meeting in a single clear sentence, asking one good clarifying question, or pausing to reflect before responding. Those small, consistent habits are what transform someone into a “champion communicator.”
What is one thing you hope readers take away from this book?
If there’s one thing I want readers to take away, it’s that communication is a skill you can practice and improve. It’s not just for extroverts, executives, or “natural speakers.” With small, intentional steps clarifying intent, listening actively, and following up, you can become the kind of communicator who builds trust, fosters collaboration, and leads with confidence. That’s what “communicating like a champion” is all about.
Whether you’re a new professional, a seasoned leader, or someone navigating the complexities of hybrid teams, Communicate Like a Champion offers practical, proven strategies for improving your connection, leadership, and collaboration in the workplace.
This concise and actionable guide walks you through the core elements of strong communication—from clarifying your intentions to using empathy and follow-up effectively. With relatable examples, reflection prompts, and a 28-day challenge to build habits over time, this book helps you go beyond just “getting your point across.”
You’ll learn how to:
Communicate clearly across departments, hierarchies, and mediums
Recognize internal and external factors that influence every message
Use tone, clarity, and follow-up to earn trust and foster collaboration
Apply tools and tech that elevate your tone and clarity
Lead conversations with empathy, even when conflict is unavoidable
Whether you’re sending an email, running a meeting, or managing change, this book provides a reliable framework for ensuring your message lands and builds stronger relationships.
LITERARY TITAN 