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Percolating
Shadows of Truth follows a retired investigative reporter and his homicide detective girlfriend as they embark on an Alaskan cruise, who wind up investigating the suspicious death of a passenger in the cabin next to them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had been considering the cruise ship scenario for a while. The thought of being trapped with a killer on board a cruise ship in an intense storm seemed like it could create some excitement. My wife and I joined family members on an Alaska cruise in 2024, and I was fortunate enough to tour the ship, including the bridge and other parts travellers don’t normally get to see. The plot for Shadows of Truth all came together at that point.
Jake and Dani are both interesting characters bringing a unique perspective to the case. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Shadows of Truth is the fourth book in the Jake Scott Mystery Series. Each book stands alone, but the characters evolve, and Jake and Dani’s relationship has progressed throughout the series. I enjoy writing about them both and developing their relationship. I especially enjoy writing about Jake as he’s a bit old school, and definitely not your typical six-pack stud hero. He’s great with Dani’s daughter, Emilie. To me, he’s about as average as someone can be, but he’s intelligent and has a curiosity honed by years as an investigative reporter. Sometimes, he’s invited into Dani’s cases, and other times, he inserts himself. Together with Dani, he slowly but steadily solves the case.
What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story, where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
For me, the hardest part is dropping clues and inserting misdirection without tripping myself up. I tried plotting my books, but I find the characters go where they want to anyway. Still, I have to plot to some extent to ensure I don’t drop a clue or plant misdirection that creates a hole in the storyline. After thirteen books, I’m still looking for the perfect combination of plotting and flying by the seat of my pants. I think I’m getting closer.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Jake Scott and the direction of the next book?
I just finished Shadows of Truth for release on September 15, so I don’t really have a solid direction for the next book yet. My wife and I always say when I finish writing one book, the next one is percolating. That’s the stage I’m at now. It’s percolating. I will say that Jake will undoubtedly find himself in trouble again, somewhere, somehow.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Retired investigative reporter Jake Scott thought he was finally leaving the dangerous world of crime behind. But when a passenger is found dead on the balcony next door during his much-needed cruise vacation with his homicide detective girlfriend, Dani Perez, and her daughter, Emilie, Jake realizes that danger is never far away. As Dani’s instincts tell her that the death was not just a case of natural causes, the couple delves into a web of secrets and deceit linked to a powerful high-tech company. But as they draw closer to the truth, a violent storm hits, throwing the ship into chaos and putting their lives in danger. With time running out, Jake and Dani must race against the odds to unravel the mystery and stay alive.
Enemies, Both Foreign and Domestic
Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement? is aimed squarely at readers curious about the movement’s nature and implications, and is loaded with political weight and moral complexity. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have taken the Oath of Office multiple times: as an enlisted soldier and officer in the US Army, and again as a federal police officer and federal agent. Everyone who works for the federal or State government swears this oath. It is a solemn promise to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
Donald Trump and every member of the government have taken this oath.
I saw firsthand, as an agent, how fellow law enforcement officers were openly violating this oath and promoting the hateful ideals of MAGA, including acts of terrorism. So, when I retired, I knew the fight to protect my fellow Americans was far from over …
MAGA presents a severe internal threat — they’re the most dangerous foes the United States has ever encountered.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
A tremendous amount of effort was needed, not only from me but also from many professionals who supported me—legal counsel, editors, an illustrator, fact-checkers, beta-readers, and others. From start to finish, working tirelessly, I finished it, my first book ever, in less than a year. Looking back, I realized it was basically a new full-time job for me.
I started this project and my writing career by gathering everything I could find about MAGA and Donald Trump supporting fascism. I copied and pasted freely, with no regard for copyrights, trademarks, or plagiarism. I aimed to create the most thorough “book” on the topic possible. It was a great catharsis, but it felt empty without taking any action.
Needless to say, that first “version” will never be published. Too bad, it was a really comprehensive book on its own.
I didn’t plan on becoming an author when I retired. However, after writing this “book,” I realized that I truly enjoyed writing and being an author. I showed what I had created to friends and family, and overwhelmingly, they thought it would be great if I wrote a book about the dangers of the MAGA movement to our democracy and freedoms.
So, I decided to write my first actual book on that same topic.
Starting fresh, I followed all the rules—and then some. As I previously mentioned, that is when I spent a small fortune to ensure everything was legal, followed all copyright laws, avoided plagiarism, and had everything checked for accuracy. I knew my book would be scrutinized by my enemies in MAGA. So, I had assembled a small team of editors, legal counsel, fact-checkers, an illustrator, and others. When I finished, I had a book I believed could help defend the Constitution and our democracy from the fascist movement called MAGA.
So far, the negative reviewers of my book have not only shown their pro-MAGA bias, but they also haven’t proven any fact-checked detail to be wrong. Those reviews are worth reading in the review section of my book on Amazon©, alongside the more thoughtful reviews.
That’s when I realized something else: simply publishing it wasn’t enough. I had to go out and talk about the book and the anti-fascism movement. That’s when my activism as a full civilian truly began. This is far more than just selling my books as an author; it’s a duty and a calling to defend our freedoms from MAGA. I will stand against all enemies, including MAGA, to protect our Constitution and my people.
What are some important ideas you wanted to share in this book?
The two main points are that MAGA is actively working to continue taking over our government—for the most part, they already have—and that they will have complete control unless we, as a nation of free citizens, actively work and vote to stop them.
Unfortunately, the MAGA movement has persuaded enough Americans to support them, leading to their takeover of the US and many state governments. That’s why I’ve written my sequel, Defeating MAGA, which will be published in September 2025.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement_?_
I hope it provides them with insight into how I was right to predict MAGA would rise to power unless we stopped them. It was intended to motivate action, including encouraging people to vote to protect their democracy and stop a fascist movement and a man who seeks to be a dictator.
Unfortunately, these efforts failed, and now we have institutionalized fascism in our country.
My hope now is that both this book and my sequel, Defeating MAGA, will help readers recognize the alarming rise of MAGA fascism that currently dominates our federal government.
In my new sequel, I will discuss more about how we got here, how they (MAGA) are indisputably fascists, how they are breaking the Constitution and our laws, their threat to our freedoms, and, most importantly, things we all must do—in any way we can—to stop the fascists in power. We need to restore liberal democracy and remove fascists from our country—wherever they are.
Otherwise, our democracy will collapse soon.
Author Links: BlueSky | Website
American democracy is being attacked by the extremist right. It isn’t hypothetical—it is happening right now!
Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement? explains the danger of the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement and why it should be considered a terrorist organization, using indisputable facts. Author Russell K. Jack—a former US Federal Air Marshal who spent years inside the government, working alongside MAGA supporters—has decades of experience in detecting, deterring, and defeating terrorism and criminal activity.
You will learn, through factual evidence and Russell’s vast experience in the Department of Homeland Security:
Who, and what, is MAGA?
What do they really want?
How are they achieving what they want?
How do you defend yourself, and your rights, from their fanatical followers?
What is the plan, that you can help with, to keep MAGA from taking away American freedoms?
Documentation of MAGA’s actions, a guide to refuting their arguments, and a plan to stop them.
All in one book.
Just Play Like You Do in the Basement: Coming of Age as The Drummer for The Greatest Entertainer in the World
This memoir tells the story of Rick Porrello’s journey from a basement in Cleveland Heights to the bright lights of stages around the world. He begins as a boy with sticks in his hands, pushed forward by the weight of family expectation, the shadow of his brother’s rising star, and the complicated legacy of both music and crime. His story weaves through smoky clubs, shimmering showrooms, and a world tour alongside Sammy Davis, Jr., the greatest entertainer of his time. Beneath the sparkle is a quieter story: a young man trying to find his place, pulled between loyalty to family and a growing pull toward another life, one rooted in service and self-discovery.
Reading this memoir stirred something deep in me. The writing has an unpolished honesty that made me feel like I was sitting across from Porrello while he told his story. Sometimes the sentences clipped along fast, like drumbeats rattling off the snare. Other times, they slowed, stretching out like a cymbal crash that hangs in the air. What hit me hardest was how vulnerable he was about his family, especially his father’s expectations and his brother’s spotlight. That tension made the glamorous parts shine brighter because you could feel the cost of them. I caught myself grinning during his first rehearsal jitters, then sinking back when the family’s past with organized crime crept in. It’s raw and messy in places, but that mess feels authentic.
What I liked most was how he balanced the glitter of the stage with the grit of ordinary life. He doesn’t hide the chaos. The burn scars, mob ties, and bad choices. That makes the triumphs hit harder. His memories of Sammy Davis, Jr. felt electric, full of awe but never blind hero worship. The writing has its loose, wandering moments, like a story shared late at night, but I found it charming. I was moved by how much of it is about family love and the ache of carving your own identity.
I’d recommend this memoir to anyone who loves music, but also to people who enjoy personal stories of struggle, ambition, and growth. You don’t have to be a drummer to feel the pulse of this memoir. It’s for readers who like to be pulled behind the curtain, to see the sweat along with the spotlight. If you’ve ever felt torn between who your family wanted you to be and who you felt you were meant to become, you’ll find yourself nodding along with Porrello’s journey.
ISBN : 9798987831243
Ultimum Judicium The Last Judgment
David Navarria’s novel, Ultimum Judicium: The Last Judgment, is a gripping narrative that reimagines the end times as a brutal reality. The book stands apart from typical sci-fi or doomsday stories by grounding it in a world spiraling toward Armageddon. The author meticulously builds this world over a span of more than two centuries, detailing how society collapsed due to humanity’s moral transgressions fueled by media, corruption, and the worship of evil.
The story begins over two hundred years after civilization has fallen, with no remnants left behind. In this lawless and chaotic world, a prophet chosen by God, Mochè, rises as the leader or “Manhig”. His mission is to guide God’s remaining followers on an odyssey to a place of redemption. The journey is a constant struggle against a world now dominated by savage, nonhuman beings and evil humans.
Mochè is the heart of the story. He’s portrayed as a formidable warrior and a priest who leads his people with a deep sense of love and devotion. The book delves into his inner turmoil, particularly the temptation he faces in his love for Zipporah, an intelligent and captivating woman he rescues from a life of slavery. Zipporah is depicted as a strong and influential partner to Mochè, helping to build their new society.
The novel is rich with a diverse cast of well-developed characters. The story shines in its depiction of the subtle and not-so-subtle romances that develop, with the love stories of Zipporah and Mochè, Eliza and Matthew, and Gabriela and Benjamin forming a strong emotional core. These relationships provide moments of tenderness and hope amid the pervasive brutality of their world. The book also introduces other key figures, such as Goliath, a kind-hearted giant who serves God, and Nikanyiso, a formidable Zulu warrior.
The author excels at creating a constantly changing and suspenseful storyline. The narrative features intense and exciting battles that showcase Mochè’s strategic brilliance. The writing style is both clear and eloquent, effectively conveying the horrors of this fallen world while also capturing moments of profound beauty and spiritual reflection. The subtle yet powerful ways in which characters are introduced, alongside the detailed and vivid battle descriptions, contribute to a truly immersive reading experience.
Ultimum Judicium is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that subverts typical genre expectations. It is a story of love, faith, and resilience that navigates the complex and often brutal realities of a world on the brink of its final judgment.
Pages: 348 | ASIN : B0FL4K6K6M
Lily Starling and the Storm Riders
The book drops us straight into a storm of action and emotion. Lily and her crew are thrust back into danger when a rescue mission spirals into chaos, colliding with an ancient cosmic storm and a fanatical enemy who wields it like a weapon. At its heart, this is a story about survival, love, and the weight of choices when the universe itself feels like it’s stacked against you. The pace moves between quiet, intimate moments like conversations, stolen touches, inner doubts, and scenes of sheer calamity, where ships burn and loyalties fracture. The writing is vivid, cinematic, almost like watching a film unfold one cut at a time, and it never lets you forget that every storm has both destruction and renewal at its core.
I found myself swept up not just by the big set pieces, but by the little moments of humanity tucked inside them. The way Lily clings to fleeting closeness with Xynn, even when she can’t say the words that matter. The way Calan feels the burden of leadership pressing on his back, even in the rare seconds of rest. These characters feel authentic. They make mistakes, lash out, and then turn right around to hold each other up. Sometimes the dialogue felt a little on the nose, but I forgave it because the raw feeling underneath was honest. The ideas the book wrestles with, like faith twisted into violence, what it means to belong, whether love can anchor you through chaos, stick in your head long after the action cools.
What I enjoyed most was the storm itself. It isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a character. It moves like a god, ancient and impartial, swallowing whole colonies without malice, carrying both ruin and rebirth in its wake. That idea sat heavy with me. It made me think about how much in life is out of our control, and how we cling to each other anyway, even if we know the tide is going to take us eventually. There were moments where I had to stop, take a breath, and remind myself these are fictional people because the grief and yearning bled off the page like it was mine. That’s not easy to do, and I admire the author for leaning into the messy vulnerability of it all.
I’d say this book is for readers who love their space operas messy and full of heart. If you want battles alongside bruised relationships, if you like a science fiction story that can swing from humor to heartbreak in a single chapter, if you want characters who feel like friends you’re worried about, this book is for you.
Pages: 412 | ASIN : B0FHG94GBQ
Death and His Brother
Death and His Brother opens with a striking mix of glamour, grit, and unease. A group of musicians, headed to Cape Breton for a new hotel opening, meet fellow travelers on a sleek new train. The stage is set with vivid detail, from the bustling station in Truro to the eccentricities of Connie Del Barba, the formidable hotelier behind The Gramercy’s revival. The plot quickly tightens when the train barrels out of control, its crew incapacitated, and a runaway crisis collides with the lives of the passengers. Parallel storylines weave between Musetta Burrell, a young singer returning home, and Inspector Jimmy Urquhart and Sandy, his sharp-witted reporter wife, who are drawn into the chaos. The novel fuses historical setting, mystery, and human drama into a fast-moving and layered tale.
I really enjoyed how alive the writing feels. The dialogue is quick, sharp, and often funny. The banter between musicians felt natural, like eavesdropping on old friends, while Connie Del Barba’s wit nearly jumps off the page. At the same time, the looming dread of the runaway train gave me goosebumps. Author D.E. Ring has a knack for balancing humor and terror in the same breath, and I found myself alternately grinning and gripping the edges of the book. I’ll admit, a few stretches of description slowed me down, but even then, the sense of place and period kept me invested. The atmosphere, postwar Nova Scotia buzzing with ambition, music, and social change, stayed with me.
I also felt a deep affection for the way the book handles community and identity. The portrayal of Black musicians navigating a predominantly white world, and Connie’s insistence on giving them dignity and top billing, resonated with me on an emotional level. The book doesn’t whitewash prejudice, yet it shows resilience and solidarity. Musetta’s mix of ambition and insecurity felt painfully real, and Jimmy and Sandy’s domestic moments gave the story a grounding warmth. At times, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters and moving parts, but once I relaxed into the rhythm, it became part of the book’s charm, like stepping into a crowded room where everyone has a story.
Death and His Brother is a ride worth taking. It’s a mystery, yes, but also a lively portrait of people chasing music, purpose, and survival. I’d recommend it to readers who love classic detective fiction with a heartbeat, to those who enjoy historical settings rich with detail, and to anyone who wants a story that makes you laugh even while it makes your pulse race. It’s a book for late nights when you don’t mind losing sleep, because the train is moving and you don’t want to get off.
Pages: 242 | ASIN : B0FDX58QMG
The Adventures of Arya and Krishna Betta Fish: Zero Gravity
The third installment of The Adventures of Arya and Krishna Betta Fish: Zero Gravity takes the story to a whole new level, literally out of this world. Arya, Krishna, and their colorful band of fishy friends get launched into space by accident, joining astronauts at the Kennedy Space Center before being swept away into an intergalactic adventure. Along the way, they meet Ishaan, a shape-shifting alien longing to return home, battle micrometeorites, travel through wormholes, and encounter entire alien civilizations, from giant octopuses to crab tribes on the edge of survival. It’s a cosmic leap in the series that blends science fiction, family, and playfulness in a way only this series can.
The depictions of zero gravity within the spacecraft, such as Arya and Krishna gliding through floating spheres of water while Shivam played his small guitar, were both imaginative and delightful. These moments carried a whimsical quality without diminishing the awe that space exploration inherently evokes. I also appreciated the way the narrative integrated real scientific concepts, such as micrometeorites and the distinctions between solar systems and galaxies, while remaining accessible and engaging. It is evident that the author intended for readers, particularly younger audiences, to come away not only entertained but also enriched with knowledge.
At times, the book relied heavily on its quirky humor, which I found surprisingly effective. The crab king declaring, “Tonight we dine on fish!” only to be interrupted by a giant octopus mom swooping in was pure chaotic fun. I found myself laughing out loud at how seriously absurd the situations could get. And yet, behind the silliness, there was heart, like when Arya and her friends risked swimming through scalding waters to save the crab princess Kristin from boiling lava. Those moments balanced playfulness with courage, which gave the book more weight than just an endless string of zany encounters.
The character of Ishaan, the alien blob-turned-octopus-turned-who-knows-what-next, added an emotional thread that surprised me. His longing to return to his family while forming bonds with the betta fish gave the story a bittersweet undercurrent. I especially liked the scenes where he tried to help his new friends, whether by updating NASA’s star charts or communicating telepathically with his mother. It grounded the story in a sense of belonging and homecoming, which I think both kids and adults can connect with.
I recommend The Adventures of Arya and Krishna Betta Fish: Zero Gravity to young readers with a taste for adventure, to parents seeking engaging and imaginative bedtime stories, and to anyone who has ever gazed at the night sky with a sense of wonder. The narrative is both whimsical and heartfelt, with an educational undercurrent that enriches the reading experience.
Pages: 119 | ASIN : B0FHKP2DP4
An Inconvenient Witness: The Weight of Ordinary Things
An Inconvenient Witness is a winding journey through memory, trauma, and survival. Casebier recounts his life with vivid detail, moving between childhood scenes, brushes with death, family dysfunction, and encounters with cultural and historical moments. It reads less like a straight memoir and more like a series of lived fragments stitched together by reflection. The wrecks, the violence at home, the near misses with fate, all collide with observations about memory, history, and the strange ways the past and future leak into the present. At its core, the book wrestles with what it means to endure, to notice, and to carry stories that don’t always fit neatly inside the lines of ordinary living.
I found the writing raw and gripping, sometimes messy in the best way. It doesn’t settle into a safe rhythm but instead jolts you awake, like being pulled into someone else’s storm. Casebier’s voice feels unfiltered and honest, even when the truth is hard to look at. I liked how he tied his personal history to larger events, how a boy’s pain could echo against civil rights marches or global revolutions. That could feel scattered in another book, but here it felt appropriate, because memory is scattered too. The style is not polished smooth; it’s jagged, urgent, alive. That’s what pulled me in.
Some passages dig deep into scenes I wanted to linger on, but then they veer into cosmic speculation or philosophical tangents. It can feel like listening to someone tell you about their life at a bar at midnight, where the stories blur with dream logic. It’s unpredictable. You don’t always know where he’s going. It felt like a conversation more than a lecture, a voice remembering in real time rather than serving you something carefully rehearsed.
By the end, I came away with a sense of the weight of what it costs to carry the ordinary things that don’t seem extraordinary until you look back at them. I’d recommend this book to readers who like memoirs that don’t whitewash, who can handle detours, and want to sit inside someone else’s head for a while without demanding order. If you want to feel memory in its messy, beautiful, inconvenient fullness, then this book is worth your time.
LITERARY TITAN 