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Be Free and Fly
Drums of a Distant Tribe is a memoir that weaves together moments of joy, recklessness, grief, and revelation, sharing with readers your story of survival, resilience, and the search for truth about life and what may come after death. Why was this an important book for you to write?
From the Book, Drums of a Distant Tribe: A Son’s Message from the Great Beyond:
As I reflect on this amazing journey, I realize I’ve been visited by nothing less than miracles that prove the greatest gift to mankind is real. Perhaps we should not be so surprised. Those who chose to follow Jesus in antiquity reported many miracles. The Gospel of Mark 16:20 says, “And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”
When these followers experienced miracles, they felt compelled to report what they witnessed. This, I also feel compelled to do. I cannot keep this to myself. But how can I tell this story in a way that will make sense to others? I can only do my best to explain these events as accurately as possible to help others during their challenging test of life.
Perhaps a message I received on Wailea Beach after discovering the Church of New Beginnings explains this sense of responsibility better than I can. As I read old notes from a special evening under the glow of torches, protected now in a plastic bag and only being weathered slightly from hours spent on the beach and the many years that have transpired between, and looking like they had been penned yesterday, I notice the following entry: “You are beginning to see the good in what your life has come to. So, you will see the greatness in our experiences . . . Be like a freedom fighter . . . The tide on Earth is changing. Catch the wave and help to pioneer a new consciousness . . . Your pen will fly with the excitement of many souls. And like the crashing of waves on the massive rocks of the shore that slowly break them into sand, our words will reduce the rigid structure of conventional wisdom and help to create a palette that will form the foundation of life’s effervescent force.”
I ask, “Why is it important that we share these experiences with others? People are set in their ways, and most will dismiss our words.”
“There are important reasons. It is part of evolution. It is a path toward order. It is a path toward goodness. It is for relief of suffering and the pursuit of wisdom. The quest is endless, but it is the quest that is important . . . Act with love and there will be love. Quest for truth, and there will be truth. Search for beauty, and there will be beauty. To share our experiences is to spread the joy and happiness we found. This in itself is the reason. What becomes of this knowledge after we share it is like asking, ‘What happens to a beam of light?’ Nothing and everything. It is still just a beam of light. The fact that it is light is what is important . . . this light will survive into eternity, it is its own end . . . Thus, it is with our work. Even those who do not believe will be illuminated by it. They may not recognize it, but they will benefit, whether consciously or not. . . May the light we shine illuminate the darkness!”
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Life tends to be overwhelming and out of our control at times. I think it’s important to take a step back periodically and view the picture as someone who will survive all the challenges and come out the other side. Hopefully this book will help provide that perspective.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing this book was doing the subject material justice. After all, those much greater than I have already covered the important part of the message. The most rewarding part of writing the book was doing an honest job of telling the story. Whether I told it effectively is up for the reader to decide. But I am satisfied that what I have written is an accurate description of the events that occurred.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope that the readers can relate personally to the story and gain a sense of freedom from the message that we will survive; the afterlife is real. “It’ll be alright. It’ll be alright. Be free and fly.”
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Walk slowly lest you miss your turn in the forest.
Kamp Kromwell: A Novel
The novel follows Joey Carpenter, a teenage boy caught between the ordinary trials of growing up and the monstrous legacy of Kamp Kromwell, a summer camp haunted by tragedy, folklore, and something darker that won’t stay buried. It weaves Joey’s personal journey of survival, identity, and trauma with the eerie history of Jasper Mill and the cursed land it sits on. The story blends horror, coming-of-age, and queer self-discovery into a narrative that feels both chilling and raw, moving from gothic lore about the crooked oak tree to Joey’s painful memories of abuse and his attempts to reclaim his life.
Reading this book stirred up a whole mess of feelings in me. The writing is sharp and biting, like it wants to cut the reader open just to show what bleeds underneath. Other times it lingers in the shadows, letting dread seep in slowly. I was unsettled more than once, not just by the supernatural elements but by the human ones. The portrayal of Sam Barnes made my skin crawl, and the way the author shows Joey’s shame and survival felt almost too close for comfort. But that’s what hooked me. It’s horror that doesn’t rely only on monsters in the woods, but on the monsters we know too well.
The story moves from ghost stories to camp drama to deeply personal confessions, and yet that unevenness feels true to life. Memories don’t line up neatly, trauma doesn’t follow a straight path, and the narrative mirrors that jagged rhythm. Grea’s style veers between gritty and tender, and I loved the shifts. There were moments of humor that broke through the darkness, and they mattered because they reminded me that life is never just one thing. I also admired how unapologetic the book is about queerness. It doesn’t smooth over the rough parts or wrap them up in platitudes. It leaves the edges sharp, and that honesty made the story feel alive.
Kamp Kromwell reminded me of a strange marriage between Stephen King’s It and Boy Erased by Garrard Conley. Like King’s work, it builds its terror through folklore, small-town legends, and the slow creep of something monstrous hiding in the shadows, yet it also grounds itself in the personal anguish of a boy dealing with abuse and identity. Where Conley’s memoir is brutally honest about the shame and secrecy of growing up gay in a hostile environment, Grea filters that same raw vulnerability through a horror lens, giving the trauma both a literal and supernatural shape.
Pages: 294 | ASIN : B0FHC149LJ
Requiem For Arcology Prime
Requiem For Arcology Prime tells the story of Elio, a grieving man in a futuristic society where humanity lives in a single megastructure called Arcology Prime. Stricken by the death of his husband Locke, Elio turns to forbidden science, determined to bring him back through memory uploads, neural mapping, and holographic projection. What begins as a desperate attempt to restore love slowly transforms into a fraught battle with ethics, obsession, and identity. Elio finds himself torn between the shimmering ghost of Locke and his growing connection with Adam, a colleague at Cortex Industries. The book blends grief and technology in a world where progress collides with human weakness, and the result is haunting, intimate, and unsettling.
The writing drew me in right away. It has this rhythm that shifts between tender and brutal, which mirrors Elio’s emotional swings. At times, I felt like I was stuck in his cramped apartment with him, listening to the projector hum and watching Locke’s hologram flicker. Other times, the prose opened up into big, cinematic moments, like the bustling labs of Cortex or the neon alleys of Arcology Prime. The rawness of the writing style worked for me. It matched Elio’s unraveling.
The ideas hit me harder than I expected. It isn’t just a sci-fi thought experiment about AI and memory, I think it’s really a story about grief and control. The way Elio clings to Locke reminded me of how loss can twist love into something dangerous. And Locke himself, once reanimated through the network, becomes this eerie mix of devotion and surveillance. I found myself frustrated with Elio, yet I couldn’t stop caring about what happened to him. The book kept poking at questions about whether love justifies breaking boundaries, about whether digital resurrection is really love at all, or just a mirror that blinds us.
By the end, I was wrung out but also strangely hopeful. I’d recommend this book to readers who want their sci-fi messy and emotional, not sleek and clinical. If you like stories where technology digs into the heart instead of just dazzling the eyes, you’ll enjoy this sci-fi book.
Pages: 183 | ASIN : B0F7J2MXKT
Shell School
Young Jake doesn’t care much for school. Why bother slogging through lessons when the beach promises freedom and fun? That’s exactly where he intends to go, until the unexpected happens. Suddenly, he is pulled into Shell School, a place unlike anything he’s ever known. Trapped inside a shell, Jake becomes the reluctant student of Mrs. Olly, a no-nonsense octopus who refuses to let him slack off. To escape, he must outwit sea creatures in a series of unusual competitions, each challenge bringing new hilarity beneath the waves.
Lisa Peardon’s Shell School is an illustrated children’s book brimming with playful energy. Its whimsical spirit recalls the clever absurdity of Shel Silverstein and the offbeat charm of Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School. The narrative thrives on imagination rather than logic; Jake’s sudden entrapment in a shell is never explained, nor does it need to be. Children embrace the impossible with ease, and here, that leap into magical nonsense makes the story sparkle.
Jake himself is an engaging lead. Resourceful, likeable, and always one step from mischief, he anchors the tale while sparring against an assortment of quirky ocean classmates. The artwork is bright, uncomplicated, and expressive, and punctuates each encounter, adding humor without overshadowing the text. Importantly, the book never strays into menace; the tone remains buoyant, reassuring its young readers that Jake will triumph and return home.
Beneath the laughs lies a clear moral: skipping school carries consequences. Yet the message is never heavy-handed. Instead, it arrives wrapped in fun, leaving children entertained while quietly nudging them toward responsibility. Shell School feels destined to become a favorite for young readers who relish imagination-driven adventures. If your child loves playful storytelling with a dash of mischief, this book is one to place at the top of the reading list.
Pages: 64 | ISBN : 0648278115
Remains of Silence : A Memoir of Breaking, Building, and Becoming
The memoir Remains of Silence is a raw and unflinching journey through a fractured childhood in South Africa and the long road toward healing and self-discovery. Stef-Albert Bothma recounts the turbulence of growing up with instability, neglect, and silence as constant companions, weaving together vignettes of fear, longing, and survival. The story traces his movement across landscapes both external and internal. From moments of danger on the road with an intoxicated mother, to nights of hunger and loneliness, to the later blossoming of a voice strong enough to speak truth, this book is both a testament to endurance and an offering of hope.
Reading this, I was struck by the stark honesty of the writing. It doesn’t hide behind fancy phrasing or soften the blow of hard truths. Instead, the words come at you plainly, almost like sitting across from someone who’s finally ready to say what they’ve never dared to. I felt anger rising at the injustices he endured as a child, and then a quiet admiration at his strength. The mix of sorrow and resilience pulled me in. There were moments when I had to set the book down just to breathe, but each time I picked it back up I was drawn deeper, eager to see how he pieced himself back together.
At times, the prose almost felt sharp, but that suited the story. Life in these pages isn’t polished, and the writing reflects that. What I appreciated most was the way Bothma balanced the heaviness with glimpses of beauty and grace. Small moments, like finding comfort in the kindness of strangers or the simple act of filling a tank of gas all the way full, took on the weight of triumph. The ideas in the book stirred something in me. I found myself reflecting on my own assumptions about strength, silence, and what it really means to survive when survival has become second nature.
I’d recommend this memoir to readers who value truth told without varnish, especially those who have lived through difficult beginnings or who seek stories of perseverance. It would also resonate with people drawn to reflections on family, memory, and the messy art of becoming whole. This book isn’t always easy to sit with, but that’s part of its power. It leaves you unsettled, moved, and somehow lighter for having walked alongside the author through the remains of his silence.
Pages: 357 | ASIN : B0FR2FLX4S
BALANCE, WALKING, and FALL PREVENTION: A Fitness Trainer’s Guide for Seniors and Pre-Seniors
Maintaining independence and mobility is one of the greatest concerns as we age, and Tracy Markley’s Balance, Walking, and Fall Prevention arrives as an essential guide for anyone looking to strengthen their body, sharpen their awareness, and reduce the risk of falls. With clarity, compassion, and practical expertise, Tracy provides both the “why” and the “how” behind improving balance and walking confidence.
The book stands out for its straightforward explanations and colorful illustrations, which make complex concepts easy to grasp. Tracy demystifies muscles, posture, and movement, translating them into actionable steps. Topics such as gait, spatial awareness, hip and leg stability, and even the connection between hearing loss and balance are covered in detail, yet never feel overwhelming. Readers can follow along with simple exercises and tips that integrate seamlessly into daily routines.
What sets this book apart is its practicality. Tracy doesn’t just explain balance and fall prevention in theory; she provides tangible exercises and strategies to apply right away. From improving posture to boosting reaction time, the guidance is designed to empower readers with confidence and control. For seniors, pre-seniors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike, the book offers a toolkit that’s relevant, actionable, and genuinely life-enhancing.
Tracy’s approachable writing style makes the material feel personal and encouraging rather than clinical. She blends her professional knowledge with real-world insight, including her success in helping individuals recover from strokes and regain mobility. This authenticity shines through, giving the book a sense of credibility and warmth that inspires trust and motivation.
Balance, Walking, and Fall Prevention is a lifeline for those who want to remain steady, safe, and strong as they age. It’s also a valuable resource for practitioners who support seniors in healthcare or fitness settings. With its blend of science, practical advice, and heart, this book deserves a place on every bookshelf where mobility and wellness matter.
Pages: 252 | ASIN : B0FN89THL1
Furniture Sliders – A Max Calder Mystery
Furniture Sliders is a post-war spy-fi romp that kicks off The Bureau Archives Trilogy with a smoky, rain-slicked bang. Set in 1947, it follows Max Calder, a former intelligence officer with holes in his memory, who is pulled back into the shadows by a mysterious woman named Artemis. A cryptic file, a vanished scientist, and a strange device known only as “the Mirror” set the stage for a chase that spans seedy New York bars, crowded transatlantic ships, and the broken glamour of Vienna. The novel threads together espionage, noir atmosphere, and science-fiction intrigue, with time manipulation simmering under its cloak-and-dagger surface.
I loved how this book felt. The writing drips with mood. Fog curling down city streets, cigarette smoke blurring the edges of a room, the distant hum of jazz over clinking glasses. The pacing dances between languid observation and sudden bursts of violence. Bentley’s style pulls you into Max’s fractured mind. We’re not just following a spy, we’re feeling the tug of his half-buried memories and the unease of not knowing which shadows to trust. Sometimes the dialogue leans into pulp, almost like a wink to the genre’s roots, and it works. It kept me grinning even when the stakes turned deadly.
The ideas themselves are a bold mix. The “Mirror” concept, which is a device that remembers rather than reflects, opens the door for paranoia, philosophical tangents, and deliciously weird possibilities. Bentley resists over-explaining it, letting the mystery breathe. The interplay between Artemis and Max is sharp, edged with mutual suspicion and unspoken history. There’s a lot of world-building baked into their exchanges, which I appreciated, though now and then I wanted the plot to lunge forward faster. Still, I was hooked. Even the side characters, like the poison-bead-wielding Bishop, feel like they’ve stepped out of their own fully formed novellas.
Furniture Sliders is a strong start to what promises to be a stylish, time-twisting spy trilogy. It’s a book for readers who love their thrillers with a noir heartbeat, for fans of John le Carré who won’t mind a dash of science fiction, and for anyone who likes peeling back the layers of a protagonist who isn’t even sure of himself. It’s atmospheric, it’s clever, and it leaves you wanting the next mission right away.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0FF6RD921
The Arch Mage
The Arch Mage throws readers headfirst into a world where alliances between light and dark are fragile, the stakes are cosmic, and the characters carry both swords and scars. This third installment of The Ebon Knight Chronicles follows Kelso, the Ebon Knight, as he navigates political tension, ancient vendettas, and his personal mission to rescue Ava, the Dark Witch, from the clutches of her own twisted sister. The book moves between tense councils, brutal fights, and moments of raw emotion, all under the looming threat of “the Other,” a force bent on total annihilation. Author James Wood layers the story with intrigue, moral compromise, and supernatural spectacle, making it an intense continuation for fans of the series.
I found myself pulled in by the emotional core of Kelso’s quest. His determination to save Ava isn’t dressed up in noble sacrifice; it’s gritty, stubborn, and rooted in a deep bond that feels real. The interplay between factions, Furies, Ghouls, Knights, and Sorcerers crackles with personality and danger. Wood writes action in a way that feels immediate but never hollow, and his dialogue gives the characters teeth. The politics sometimes tangle so thickly that I had to slow down to keep track. The number of factions, titles, and power plays might be overwhelming for a casual reader, but for someone invested in the world, it’s a feast.
What impressed me most was how unflinching the book is about its darker moments. The villains aren’t cartoonishly evil, they’re intelligent, cunning, and terrifying in ways that feel disturbingly plausible. Jesslyn, in particular, is written with a level of menace that made me genuinely uneasy. At the same time, there’s room for humor and warmth, especially in Kelso’s interactions with his dog and his begrudging banter with his cursed sword, Argenta. Those moments keep the story from drowning in grimness and make the characters feel lived-in.
If you’ve followed The Ebon Knight Chronicles this far, The Arch Mage is a worthy and rewarding next step. It’s best suited for readers who like their fantasy sharp-edged, with layered characters and high-stakes conflicts that don’t pull punches. You’ll need to bring your full attention to keep pace, but if you do, you’ll find a story that is absolutely gripping. This isn’t a casual wander through a magic-filled land, it’s a march into war, and it’s well worth the journey.
Pages: 476 | ASIN : B0D32QKL7Z
LITERARY TITAN 