Blog Archives
The Interchange
The Interchange imagines a future where identity, family, and power collide in a society rebuilt from catastrophe. It follows Manx Aureole Agnor, a formidable warrior and state leader, as she wrestles with her role in a rigid social order defined by “The Interchange,” a system that categorizes people not by sex but by inherent nature. Against the backdrop of political rituals, national pride, and underground resistance movements, Aureole finds herself torn between her public duty and private doubts, especially as she confronts forbidden desires for motherhood in the “Old Ways.” The story weaves battles both physical and emotional, building a world that is at once grand in scale and deeply personal.
The writing is bold, vivid, and often unflinching, painting scenes of spectacle and violence with almost cinematic flair. Yet the real tension lives in the quieter spaces, where Aureole questions her bond with her son or feels jealousy toward her brother’s easy grace. Those moments struck me harder than the boxing matches or military intrigues. At times, the prose leaned into exposition, explaining the rules and history of New America in detail, but I found myself forgiving it because the ideas were fascinating. The balance between action and introspection kept me engaged, even when I felt the narrative tugging me in too many directions at once.
Emotionally, I went back and forth. Sometimes I admired Aureole’s strength, her drive, her pride. Other times, I felt an ache for her vulnerability, her longing for something she could never fully claim. That push and pull made the book feel alive to me. The ideas here about gender, control, science, and rebellion aren’t just intellectual exercises. They play out in flesh-and-blood relationships, in a mother’s coldness, a grandmother’s pride, a child’s distance. I’ll admit, I got frustrated with the world’s rigidity, and at times even with Aureole herself, but maybe that’s the point. The book isn’t about offering comfort. It’s about showing what happens when systems try to define the deepest parts of who we are.
I’d recommend The Interchange to readers who enjoy dystopian or speculative fiction that asks hard questions rather than giving easy answers. The Interchange reminded me of the sharp social critique in The Handmaid’s Tale and the futuristic ambition of Brave New World, though it carries its own distinctive blend of raw emotion and political spectacle. If you’re drawn to stories of power, family, and identity, and you don’t mind sitting with some discomfort, this book has plenty to offer.
Pages: 238 | ASIN : B0DTZJ3SLP
Rats in a Cage: The Black Box of Misery, Surviving Addiction and Trauma in a Brutal Social Experiment
Christopher Clark’s Rats in a Cage is a raw and unflinching novel about addiction, survival, and the brutal cycle of despair. The story weaves through the lives of Mike, Blake, Pookie, Betty, Bam, Milo, and others who are either lost on the streets of Houston or trapped in a strange underground experiment that tests the limits of choice, hope, and human weakness. This is a thriller about broken people facing impossible odds and sometimes finding a spark of clarity in the middle of chaos. The drops you right into grimy motel rooms, violent corners, and surreal “rehab” cells where the difference between life and death hangs on a decision to open a fridge or not.
Reading this book was like riding a rollercoaster with no safety bar. I admired how the author didn’t hold back on the ugly parts. The writing has a grit that matches the subject matter, and that makes it feel authentic. Some of the dialogue felt so real it was almost uncomfortable to read, like I was eavesdropping on private pain. The multiple perspectives kept the pace quick. I appreciated that it gave me a panoramic view of how addiction creeps into every kind of life. The horror of the “black fridge” experiment stuck with me. It felt both symbolic and terrifying, and it made me wonder what I would choose if I were in their shoes.
Emotionally, this book took me for a spin. I felt angry at times, frustrated at the characters’ choices, then suddenly sad when glimpses of their pasts showed how much they’d already lost. Bam’s turn toward hope gave me chills, and Betty’s struggle was heartbreaking. Milo’s spiral made me want to look away, but I couldn’t. Clark writes with a plainspoken honesty that cuts deep. It’s not polished or poetic, but that’s what makes it work. It feels like he’s lived pieces of this himself, and that made me trust the story more.
I think Rats in a Cage is for readers who aren’t afraid to look straight at the darkest corners of human behavior. If you want a hopeful, easy ride, this isn’t it. But if you want to feel shaken, challenged, and maybe a little changed, then this book delivers. I’d recommend it to people who appreciate gritty urban dramas, those who’ve brushed against addiction in their own lives, or anyone willing to face uncomfortable truths head-on.
Pages: 274 | ASIN: B0FKPKX9FJ
Beneath the Blue
Beneath the Blue follows Claudia, Charlie, Chuck, and their surprising connection to a magical compass that ties into the fate of the ocean itself. What begins with frustration over a sand sculpture competition quickly spirals into an underwater adventure with mermaids, King Triton, and the ancient prophecy of the Heart of the Ocean. The plot balances lighthearted moments with themes of jealousy, truth, and teamwork, and it uses oceanic imagery to build a whimsical yet meaningful world.
I found myself swept along by the energy of the writing. The pacing never lags for long. Scenes shift quickly from conflict to discovery, keeping me curious about what would happen next. Claudia’s arc is one of the strongest elements. She begins bitter, selfish, and angry, and I honestly disliked her at first. But her vulnerability and eventual change gave the book its emotional weight. The dialogue leaned a little too neatly into teaching lessons, but it worked for the story’s age group.
The worldbuilding charmed me. The underwater kingdom glowed in my imagination, with coral mosaics, pearl-lit halls, and shimmering grottoes. The author clearly took joy in describing the setting, and that joy spilled over to me. Another thing I really liked was the sense of teamwork and loyalty between Charlie and Chuck. Their friendship felt genuine and steady, and it gave the story a heart that balanced Claudia’s jealousy and struggle. I loved how Chuck always looked out for Charlie, calming his nerves and giving him courage when he felt small. That bond made their victories feel earned, and it added a layer of warmth that kept the book from being just about magic and danger.
Beneath the Blue is a warm and hopeful story about friendship, honesty, and learning to let go of envy. It would be a great read for kids who like fantasy adventures, especially those who love the ocean and tales of hidden kingdoms. Parents reading alongside their children will probably enjoy the charm too. If you’re looking for a book that mixes light adventure with heartfelt lessons, this one will be a good fit.
Pages: 76 | ASIN : B0FM4M1GXX
Witness in the Dust
Witness in the Dust by Lorrie Reed tells the story of Haiti during its years of crisis, from the hurricanes that battered Gonaïves in 2008 to the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince in 2010 and beyond. It blends vivid storytelling with historical detail, following ordinary families like Celine’s, local pastors, and aid workers as they fight to survive storms, floods, political collapse, and disease. The narrative draws you in with its sensory detail, grounding sweeping tragedy in the smell of dust, the taste of spoiled water, and the sound of prayers whispered in ruined churches. It is both a chronicle of disasters and a meditation on resilience, faith, and the small acts of mercy that keep people going.
I felt pulled into the dust and heat of the markets, the pounding storms, the suffocating silence after buildings fell. The writing is rich, sometimes almost overwhelming, in its attention to the textures and smells of daily life. I found myself pausing sometimes because the intensity of the descriptions made the pain so vivid I needed to take a breath. I admired how the author never lost sight of the people at the heart of it all. Celine and Gabriel felt real, their small gestures of kindness holding more weight than the trucks of foreign aid. I could feel the push and pull between despair and determination in every scene.
I also found myself wrestling with the ideas inside the book. The story makes you question what survival really means, and whether faith is something that lifts people up or just gives shape to their suffering. I loved the way Pastor Claude’s sermons weren’t polished theology but guttural cries of grief and defiance. Sometimes the repetition of disaster after disaster left me feeling hopeless. Yet maybe that’s the point. Haiti’s reality in those years didn’t allow for neat resolutions or comforting endings. The book doesn’t try to tidy it up, and I respect that honesty.
I’d recommend Witness in the Dust to readers who want a story that feels raw, relatable, and unflinching. It weighs heavily on your heart and will leave you thinking about it for a while afterwards. But for those willing to sit with hard truths, it offers not only a window into Haiti’s suffering but also a testament to the endurance of ordinary people when the world falls apart. If you want to feel history not as statistics but as sweat, blood, and breath, this book is worth your time.
Pages: 197
The Ascent of Greed and the Audacity of Mind Stealing
The Ascent of Greed and the Audacity of Mind Stealing by Pietos Kidane follows Adam Green, a young graduate who enters the corporate world with high hopes, only to encounter greed, manipulation, and the unsettling rise of artificial intelligence. Through Adam’s eyes, we see how corporate culture feeds on deception, how AI edges toward frightening autonomy, and how society’s values collapse under the weight of unchecked ambition. It is part cautionary tale, part social critique, and part thriller. The story begins with an almost surreal outburst about AI in a New York café, then steadily escalates into explorations of job exploitation, psychological manipulation, fake news, and even mind-reading machines.
I found myself caught off guard by the rawness of the writing. At times, the prose feels unpolished, almost abrupt, yet that roughness gives the book a kind of blunt honesty. The pacing varies wildly. Some scenes linger on workplace politics while others sprint through shocking revelations about AI’s reach. It was sometimes disturbing to see how some of the characters showed no remorse in exploiting people’s fears and weaknesses. But that emotional whiplash kept me hooked. It felt like being tossed into a storm where greed is the wind and technology is the lightning.
I was fascinated by the moral questions the book raises. Do we want machines to think for us, and worse, to think about us? Can progress that tramples on dignity still be called progress? The story made me angry at the coldness of the corporations, angry at the indifference of leaders, and angry at how plausible it all felt. Yet I also admired Adam’s stubborn streak. His refusal to cave, even when threatened, gave me a spark of hope in an otherwise grim landscape. The book may not be subtle, but its ideas hit hard.
I would recommend this book to readers who want to be challenged. It is a raw and provocative story for anyone worried about where technology and greed are steering us. If you like your fiction mixed with sharp warnings about the future, and if you don’t mind rough edges in the writing, this book will make you think.
Pages: 276 | ASIN : B0DFX1F9WQ
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed
From the very first page, this imaginative story turns a classic childhood fear upside down. Instead of focusing on the terrified child who believes in monsters lurking beneath the bed, the book gives a voice to those very creatures. Fred and his trio of dust bunny companions, Brutus Bunfluff, Gunnar Puffbutz, and Dust Puff Ted, make for a quirky, lovable ensemble that children and adults alike will instantly warm to.
The brilliance of this tale lies in its inversion of perspective. Monsters are usually the source of nighttime dread, but here they are the ones unsettled by the “noisy human” above them. Billy, the new boy in the bedroom, becomes the unintentional menace with his stomping feet, bouncing mattress, and messy playtime chaos. This role reversal not only delivers humor but also provides an accessible way for children to confront their own fears. What if the things that scare us are just as frightened of us?
Each dust bunny has a distinct personality that adds charm and comic relief: Brutus, the brave leader; Gunnar, the jittery bundle of nerves; and Ted, the compulsive cleaner. Their antics make the narrative lighthearted and fun, while the underlying theme of learning to understand “the other” lends depth. One scene in particular that made me laugh was when Brutus says there are “booby traps everywhere” because he keeps tripping on Billy’s toys under the bed. Another memorable moment is when the monsters panic, convinced they are under attack by Billy’s red crayon. The illustrations are well done and bring the characters to life with so much to look at, offering young readers a chance to discover new details on every page.
At its core, the story is about more than just monsters and messy bedrooms. It’s about bridging differences, finding common ground, and recognizing that sometimes our fears are misplaced. The resolution, where Fred and his friends must decide whether to make peace or go to “war,” beautifully reinforces the values of empathy, friendship, and compromise.
The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed is a delightful, twist-filled read that offers both entertainment and gentle life lessons. With its witty premise, laugh-out-loud moments, engaging illustrations, and warm message, it’s a perfect bedtime story for children who wrestle with their own nighttime fears. It reminds readers of all ages that sometimes, monsters aren’t monsters at all, they’re just friends waiting to be found.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B0FQ7T1WHX
Teaching Respect For Wildlife
Clover follows a curious bunny as he guides children through his daily life, teaching readers how rabbits live, where they find shelter, what they like to eat, and the natural challenges they face. What was the inspiration for your story?
Wildlife in our backyard, especially squirrels and cottontail bunny rabbits. Their antics are fun to watch and baby bunnies are cute just like baby squirrels. We provide nuts for the squirrels and apple chunks and grapes for the squirrels and bunnies. My husband allows for one small clover patch to remain in place just for the bunnies. Truly inspiring.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
It’s important for children to know about wildlife that run through their own yards. Knowing what they nibble on and how they interact keeps children from trying to catch them, or chasing them. Watching them is fine. Nature is always a good thing. Children need to respect these furry animals.
How does your writing process for children’s books differ from writing your romance novels, as far as getting in the right mindset and how you work?
The wildlife in our area inspires me and I always look at my past career as a registered nurse. I choose a critter and a current topic that children need to read and learn about. I used mice in a book about bullies and how to overcome being bullied. I know the start and the end, so I create a story for the middle part of the galley.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Clover is a standalone book and I’ve released four books this year. I plan to have my next one completed in 2026.
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Look Closer
Just a Little Witch, Mostly a Mom is not only a memoir sharing your story of grief, motherhood, and the quiet magic hiding in plain sight, but a reminder to notice the small spells that you cast each day. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wrote Just a Little Witch, Mostly a Mom because I didn’t want my mother’s story — or the strange, magical details of our life together — to disappear quietly. Grief can feel isolating, but when I wrote it down, it became connective instead. The book let me braid memory, motherhood, and a little magic into something that could outlast me. And honestly, I didn’t want to wait around for someone else to write the book I needed — so I did it myself.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
That motherhood and grief can coexist with humor, wonder, and even irreverence. That it’s possible to feel devastated and enchanted in the same breath. I wanted to show how ordinary objects, pop culture, and family rituals — everything from a backyard Jaws screening to rosemary growing by the gate — carry their own magic. I wasn’t trying to hand out lessons; I wanted to say, look closer, this is what ordinary life really looks like when you let yourself see it.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The hardest part was writing about my mother’s decline with honesty while still protecting the tenderness of who she was. Grief doesn’t have a clean arc, and there were days I wanted to slam the laptop shut and pretend I’d rather be doing literally anything else. The most rewarding part was realizing, as the pages stacked up, that I wasn’t just writing loss — I was writing a legacy. And when early readers told me they felt both seen and entertained? That was the moment I thought, okay, maybe this actually works.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Permission. Permission to find the sacred in the silly, to laugh even when it hurts, and to notice the everyday magic hiding in plain sight. If nothing else, I want readers to remember that love and loss aren’t opposites — they’re the same spell, just cast differently. And if they finish the book and immediately text their sibling some inside joke from childhood, then I’ve done my job.
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