Blog Archives
Embracing Your Inner Villain: Becoming Unstoppable
Embracing Your Inner Villain is a fiery manifesto about owning your light in a world that often punishes those who shine too brightly. Clermont dives into the psychology of envy, the social costs of standing out, and the resilience required to stay unapologetically authentic. He reclaims the word “villain” as a badge of independence, urging readers to reject conformity and embrace audacity, even when it triggers discomfort in others. Across chapters, he blends cultural references, sharp storytelling, and straight talk into a roadmap for becoming, in his words, “untouchable.”
Reading this book felt like being shaken by the shoulders in the best way. The writing is bold, punchy, and raw, and it carries the cadence of someone who has lived through the very shadows he describes. I loved how he pulled apart envy and projection with such clarity. It made me think about times I’ve felt people pull away when I was stepping into my own growth. His words gave me both comfort and a kind of defiance, reminding me not to shrink.
What stood out most to me was Clermont’s refusal to whitewash the reality of standing out. He talks about betrayal, gossip, and subtle sabotage with unflinching honesty. That resonated deeply with me, because those are the parts of success we rarely name out loud. I felt both affirmed and challenged. The constant rallying cries, while energizing, risked becoming predictable. Still, the passion never wavered, and that consistency left me with a lasting sense of strength.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt out of place for daring to want more. It’s for creatives, entrepreneurs, leaders, or anyone tired of dimming themselves to fit in. If you’re ready for a call to arms wrapped in sharp prose and unapologetic truth, Clermont delivers exactly that.
Pages: 156 | ASIN: B0FLWQ5GSB
Resilient: She Will Not Be Defeated
Resilient follows Charly, a young woman hardened by a brutal childhood, as she finds her footing in the gritty and dangerous world of the Iconic Sons Motorcycle Club. The book is about survival, longing, and the messy beauty of human connection. Charly’s path collides with Dominic, the imposing and magnetic leader of the club, and what unfolds is a mix of danger, desire, and a fragile hope for something better. The story swings between raw trauma and steamy intimacy, never shying away from either.
The writing pulled me in fast. The prologue set a heavy tone, and from there I couldn’t look away. The way the author builds Charly’s voice, tough yet achingly vulnerable, hit me harder than I expected. Some scenes had me clenching my jaw, especially when Charly’s past resurfaced. Others left me flushed, not just from the romance but from the sharp tension that hangs over everything. I appreciated the way the author blends grit and softness without ever letting one overpower the other. It gave the story bite, but it also gave it heart.
There were moments that made me stop and roll the words over in my mind. Sometimes it was the heat of a love scene, other times it was the sudden sting of a memory Charly couldn’t escape. I liked how the relationships, even the side ones, felt messy and real. At times, I found myself annoyed with Dominic, which I think was the point. He’s not the classic flawless hero. He’s complicated, rough-edged, and often infuriating, yet he’s magnetic all the same. That contradiction made the romance more believable for me, even when it was frustrating.
Resilient isn’t just a romance novel; it’s a story about scars and survival, and how people learn to keep going when the world keeps throwing punches. It’s raw and passionate, but it’s also about tenderness in unlikely places. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes their romance intense, their characters flawed but resilient, and their stories with enough grit to leave a mark.
Pages: 336 | ASIN : B0D1MY68J8
The Cats of Caylor Academy: The Pharoah’s Catacombs
What unfolds when a band of spirited young cats collides with supernatural adversaries in the shadowy depths of Paris’s underground funerary labyrinth? A mix of intrigue, humor, and unexpected poignancy, far richer than one might anticipate from a children’s tale.
Karen Bitzer’s The Pharaoh’s Catacombs, the second entry in The Cats of Caylor Academy series, offers a brisk yet absorbing read. Five feline protagonists, each with quirks and flaws as vivid as any group of adolescents, must rely on cleverness and the unshakable bond of friendship to survive. Their adventure carries them into danger, wonder, and the kind of magical mayhem that feels instantly captivating. Historical touches, woven seamlessly into the narrative, lend an educational edge to the book’s enchanting blend of action and charm.
Comparisons are inevitable. Some readers may catch echoes of Harry Potter in the camaraderie and peril, while others will recognize the wry tone of James and Deborah Howe’s Bunnicula novels. Yet Bitzer carves her own imaginative space. Even those who missed the first volume needn’t worry, this story stands solidly on its own, thanks to the memorable personalities of Quinn, Buckley, Tank, Sheba, and Ruby.
Bitzer wastes no time tossing her band of misfit cats into trouble, and watching them claw their way out is a consistent delight. Each character resonates in archetypal fashion: Quinn, spirited and eccentric; Buckley, the thoughtful strategist; Ruby, bold and daring; Tank, ever resourceful; and Sheba, sharp-eyed and strong-willed. Young readers will almost certainly discover a favorite, a kindred spirit among the whiskers and tails.
Beyond its magic and mischief, the book respects its audience. It challenges as much as it entertains, delivering both excitement and substance. The Pharaoh’s Catacombs proves itself a children’s story of uncommon depth, one that educates, enchants, and refuses to underestimate the intelligence of its readers.
Pages: 177 | ASIN: B0FLH1R587
The Boy Who Wanted to Fly
In The Boy Who Wanted to Fly, Farial English introduces us to Max, a young boy in a wheelchair who dreams of soaring among the clouds. Day after day, he gazes from his bedroom window, captivated by birds darting gracefully between the buildings. One afternoon, while Max is lost in thought, his sister Maya bursts in with thrilling news: the family will spend spring break at the beach. Excitement fills the house. For Max, however, the trip is more than a getaway; it is a chance to bring his dream to life. He quickly begins planning, determined to construct something that might carry him skyward. The question lingers: will Max find a way to fly?
This story shines for many reasons. At its heart lies a celebration of inclusivity. Max’s wheelchair never sets him apart from his sister; the two share the same joy, mischief, and determination. English resists the temptation to dwell on limitations, instead allowing Max’s ingenuity and creativity to take center stage. Children reading the story learn not to fixate on disability but to focus on the imagination and resilience that define Max’s character.
Equally compelling is the portrayal of family. The anticipation of a simple beach trip brims with warmth, highlighting that what truly matters is time together rather than the destination. English weaves this theme seamlessly, reminding readers that life’s simplest pleasures often create the richest memories.
A delightful surprise awaits readers as well: ten colorful kites are cleverly hidden throughout the book. This treasure-hunt element adds an interactive twist, turning storytime into an engaging game for children and parents alike. The illustrations by Max Rambaldi deserve special mention. Each full-page artwork is meticulously detailed, with muted tones that perfectly echo the gentle, heartfelt narrative.
The Boy Who Wanted to Fly is more than a children’s story; it is a celebration of imagination, inclusivity, and family. With its heartfelt message, engaging storytelling, and stunning illustrations, it is a book that resonates with readers of all ages. Highly recommended.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FLF3H3MY
Assassin Royale
Assassin Royale sweeps readers into a world of intrigue, blood, and shadowed loyalty. The book follows Killian Lord, an assassin bound to King Ember, as he navigates political schemes, supernatural weapons, and his own sense of duty. It blends classic fantasy tropes like warring kingdoms, orcs, and noble houses, with the sharper edges of espionage and assassination. The opening threads with Tom, a boy orphaned by cruelty and thrust into a violent fate, layer the tale with tragedy and innocence lost. As plots twist around Maximilian Durandal’s obsession with power and the mysterious Moonlight Shard, the narrative grows into a tale of personal vendetta, war, and the unshakable ties between assassin and king.
I found the writing both sharp and indulgent. Sometimes it lingers over food, scars, or clothing in a way that paints the world richly, almost cinematically, though it sometimes slows the pace. What really pulled me in was the texture of Killian Lord himself. He’s scarred, bitter, but strangely noble. I enjoyed the banter, the gallows humor, and the way his cynicism bumps up against moments of raw loyalty or unexpected tenderness. Durandal, in contrast, is the kind of villain I love to hate. He’s flamboyant, predatory, a man whose charm makes his cruelty sting all the more. There’s an energy to these characters that kept me turning pages even when the plot meandered. I’ll admit, sometimes the political intrigue felt familiar, but the smaller character moments gave it fresh life.
What surprised me most was the emotional punch. Tom’s chapters nearly broke me. His fear, his resilience, his desperate need for safety, those parts had me tense and aching. And then there’s the king. Ember is drawn with such warmth and dignity that I felt Lord’s loyalty as my own. The book thrives on drama, spectacle, and old-fashioned stakes.
I’d recommend Assassin Royale to readers who like their fantasy with grit but also a strong sense of heart. If you enjoy assassins who brood yet bleed with conviction, kings who inspire, and villains who make your skin crawl, this will hit the mark. It’s entertaining, vivid, and full of moments that you’ll remember. Fans of political fantasy like Game of Thrones or assassin-driven sagas like The Night Angel Trilogy will devour this book.
Pages: 298 | ASIN : B0FHTMGWVN
River Talk
River Talk is a sprawling and dreamlike journey through myth, memory, and human frailty. It drifts between fables, folklore, and deeply personal reckonings with place and time. At its heart is Marchon Baptiste, a man both haunted and blessed by a heightened sense of connection to the world around him. His story, interwoven with echoes of gods distracted by their own games, high-stakes gamblers rising from the dead, and tribes living outside the reach of modernity, circles endlessly around the question of what it means to belong, or not belong, within the noise of humanity.
I enjoyed how the writing feels unpinned. Sentences sprawl and snap. They carry the same restless energy as the rivers and forests that pulse through the story. Sometimes I felt lost, like I was dropped into someone’s fever dream without a guide, and other times I felt stunned at how vividly the world cracked open. The language is raw, but that’s what gave it its weight for me. I loved how the prose could be coarse one moment, then suddenly dissolve into passages that felt more like prayers than storytelling.
The book kept circling back to this deep divide between human-made noise and natural rhythm. I felt admiration because it made me think about how little we listen, how much we dismiss in our rush to build walls of words and explanations. I can’t shake certain images: Marchon in the swamp hearing the river sing, the gods playing careless games with human lives, the silent communication of tribes who never needed words. These moments felt alive in a way I rarely get from fiction.
I’d recommend River Talk to readers who like stories that don’t walk straight lines. If you enjoy Faulkner’s twisting voices or the mythic strangeness of Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, you might find something here to savor. It isn’t a book for quick reading. It’s for anyone who’s willing to wrestle with the unsettling question of what it means to really be connected.
Pages: 222 | ASIN : B0FJR45LQK
Humans Are Very Complicated
Mind the Blinds follows a seventeen-year-old boy living in Nigeria, who struggles with alexithymia and antisocial personality disorder while navigating a life marked by family violence, peer pressure, and dangerous encounters. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I finished watching a Korean drama series called MOUSE, and was like, well, this is good. It had dived into the topic about psychopaths and the production of some kind of technology or medication that could determine if a child was going to be born a psychopath or not. Everyone explores the psychology of adult men or women, but I thought it would be interesting if I could write and explore the psychology of a young boy who had an anti-social condition, suffering from domestic violence.
What aspects of the human condition do you find particularly interesting that could make for great fiction?
I do like the aspect of human psychology – why they do things, what they are thinking, how they will survive in different situations, what they will do when given one or no option. Humans are very complicated, both in their actions and reasoning, so it’s really interesting to dive into the complexity of the human mind, even in fiction.
What themes were particularly important for you to explore in this book?
To me, I loved exploring themes of domestic violence and how it affects the minds of children, directly or indirectly. I felt it was absolutely necessary to lay it all out in an unforgivably raw form as it pertained to the main character. But I also wanted to explore the nature of love the main character had for his little brother. I believe children or young people are shaped by family and the society they live in.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
I am currently working on another psychological thriller in which a college student is arrested for the murder of another female student, and when his sister goes missing, he takes extreme measures to find her and the culprit, whilst under the accusing eye of a detective. It’s a mystery versus a psychological thriller, and it should be out in 2026.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
All Elyas wants is to ace his final exams and escape from his abusive father. Everything changes when three students Elyas fought turn up dead. The same night, in an act of self-defense, Elyas sets off a dangerous chain of events that pulls him deeper into darkness.
Meanwhile, Detective James Afizere is on the hunt for a notorious serial killer. The investigation points toward Elyas, but there’s no solid proof. Soon, the lines between victim and killer begin to blur. Can Elyas find the strength to emerge from the shadows, or will the past consume him?
A story of survival, betrayal and manipulation, Becky Anyanwu’s MIND THE BLINDS is a gripping psychological thriller.
Stone of Faith, Book 6 Stones of Iona Series
The story is a sweeping mix of time travel, seafaring adventure, romance, and myth. At its center is Ewan MacDougall, a man torn between his life in the twentieth century and his calling across the centuries as a pirate captain with a conscience. He frees enslaved people, battles rival captains, and searches for the legendary Stone of Faith while haunted by visions of a mysterious red-haired siren who may hold both his destiny and his doom. The novel blends Scottish folklore, Fae magic, and high-stakes clashes on the sea with a deep undercurrent about love, sacrifice, and the meaning of faith.
I found myself caught up in the action. The writing has a pulsing energy, full of sword fights, cannon fire, and heated confrontations, but what grabbed me most was the way the quieter moments landed. Ewan’s doubts, his search for belonging, and his hunger for something more than adventure made him feel relatable. At times, the dialogue leaned a bit theatrical, but the ambition of the story and the emotion it carries more than made up for that.
I also really admired how the myth and family legacy were woven into the narrative. The fables within the story felt like campfire tales passed down through generations, both charming and ominous. There’s a kind of wild joy in how Izard throws together pirates, ghosts, Fae kingdoms, and love stories without apology. I sometimes shook my head at the boldness of it all, but I kept turning the pages. It made me smile that the book never lost sight of the heart, the way faith, in love or in destiny, can carry someone through storms.
Stone of Faith is a book for readers who like their romance tangled with fantasy, who enjoy folklore alongside duels at sea, and who don’t mind when the story goes big rather than subtle. It’s heartfelt, dramatic, and fun, and while it can be a bit over the top at times, I think that’s exactly what gives it charm. If you like your adventures with a mix of magic and tenderness, this book will be worth your time.
Pages: 246 | ISBN : 150926275X
LITERARY TITAN 