Blog Archives
Bonds of Love and Magic
Bonds of Love and Magic is a spellbinding blend of contemporary fantasy and slow-burn romance that drops an unsuspecting young woman into a world of hidden magic and dangerous power. When Mariah Dawson accidentally shatters her apartment, and half a city block, after a nightmare, she discovers that she’s a witch and is whisked away to the prestigious Blackwood University for Arcane Arts. There, she faces both the allure and peril of newfound power, mysterious professors, and magnetic classmates who blur the line between ally and threat. What begins as a story of survival becomes an exploration of self-discovery, trust, and love in a world ruled by secrets and magic.
Reading this book felt like stepping into a storm of emotion and wonder. The writing has a cinematic quality, fast-paced, visual, and loaded with vivid sensory detail. Author Veronica Rose captures that wide-eyed awe of entering a world that shouldn’t exist but somehow feels real. I loved how she didn’t rush the magic system. It unfolded naturally through Mariah’s confusion and awe, making me feel like I was discovering it too. The dialogue, snappy and often funny, keeps the tone grounded amid all the grandeur. Still, there were moments where the intensity tipped into melodrama. But somehow, that worked. It made the characters feel more relatable.
What stuck with me most was the emotional core. Mariah’s journey is messy, painful, and empowering all at once. Her relationships, with the guarded Dean Blackwood, the charming empath Elias, and the enigmatic Dante, are charged with tension and longing. Sometimes the romance scenes were full of heat and danger. Beneath the fantasy and flirtation is a story about control, learning when to hold power close and when to let others in. I found myself caring more about Mariah’s growth than the magical battles, which says a lot about Rose’s ability to build empathy through chaos.
Bonds of Love and Magic left me feeling both enchanted and wrung out. It’s for readers who crave emotion as much as adventure, who like their fantasy laced with passion and heartache. If you loved the fierce energy of A Discovery of Witches or the tangled relationships of The Atlas Six, this book will hit that sweet spot. It’s alive, vibrant, and full of heart. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a story that makes magic feel dangerous and love feel real.
Pages: 275 | ASIN: B0FTQZR2F7
Stories About Demon Hunters
Son of Asmodeus follows a former monk turned demon hunter who learns that his bloodline ties him to both Heaven and Hell. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always loved stories about demon hunters, demons and angels. I love anything supernatural but always wondered if there would ever be a story about a demon hunter who is actually the son of a demon and an archangel. Just this thought alone inspired me to create the Heaven and Hell series.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I tend to write about the places I’ve been to and love visiting. LA was always a big interest of mine to visit and explore the depths of humanity in. It became the perfect setting to bring demons and angels alive in the human world.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I didn’t want to focus on religion but mostly the concepts of good vs evil. All of my books consist of this theme. Where there is good, there is always evil and one can’t survive without the other. I also wanted to explore the concept of humanity against a supernatural world.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Sully continues his journey to discover his true birthright and purpose. Hell Hounds is the second book in which not only Hell Hounds are released on earth, but he learns the possibility of a Second War between Heaven and Hell is inevitable.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
A lone demon hunter, his true birthright unknown, roams the streets of Los Angeles while killing demons to prevent atrocities against the world. As the son of Asmodeus, Sully is a hunter feared by both demons and angels. His world was not the same once he walked into a bar and offered to help Mick, a gothic bartender.
Mick worried about her missing friend until the day she met Sully. The minute he walked into her bar and offered his help, her world changed. Secrets of her destiny unlocked, and he was at her side everywhere she turned. Friend. Protector.
Can they live with the secrets that are revealed to them? Will they survive the chase for the truth between Heaven and Hell?
“We never knew.”
Untertauchen follows a Jewish couple living in Berlin under the rule of Hitler, who, when summoned for “resettlement,” went underground for thirteen months, living in fear of capture. Why was it important for you to share this story, which is based on a real couple and real events?
Having edited and helped the couple publish their memoir, it was obvious their story held a side of the Holocaust barely known. UNTERTAUCHEN does not dwell on the death camps (few in Germany knew precisely what was happening) but all knew, those sent east were never heard from again. The book brings to life what one couple endured under Nazi rule between 1932 and 1942, then the rigors of living underground, hiding in plain sight for 13 months while the Allies bombed Berlin round the clock. As one Jewish reader told me, “We never knew.” The story is written as fiction for intrigue and suspense, earning five-star ratings and lauded by reviewers. The original manuscript was over 30 years in the making and somewhat academic. Before publication though, it was rewritten and edited numerous times to make it “reader friendly.” Readers are now praising it wholeheartedly.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
Goals? As Herr Shacker — the real person behind the character Hans Bracher — told me more than once, he wanted the world to know his story. Now, this has become reality. Secondly, to show through thoughtful writing that good literature can be inviting without vulgarity and obscene language. The reviewers definitely agree. And maybe too, to leave a legacy that has the possibility of changing lives, one reader at a time. As one lady put it: “Your life will never be the same, once you’ve read UNTERTAUCHEN.”
What was one of the hardest parts in Untertauchen for you to write?
Not necessarily difficult, rather prolonged — doing the massive research into Nazi laws, promulgations, etc., that affected Jews under their domination, then bringing this into perspective in Hans and Anna’s daily lives, making sure the time frames were in sync. In other words, writing historical facts into understandable reality without being boring.
What is the next novel that you are working on, and when will that be available?
My preference for Historical Fiction is definitely the biographical. Up next focused on Robert Smalls, the slave who was the pilot of a Confederate gun ship, out of Charleston (S.C.). He and several other slaves who were deck hands (accompanied by their families) commandeered The Planter, sailing it past Fort Sumter (where the opening volley of the Civil War took place) and turning it over to the Union forces which were blockading the Charleston harbor. My research began a year before I learned of a bill in the S.C. General Assembly that would have a statue of Smalls placed on the State House grounds. This legislation was signed by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-South Carolina) several months ago, during which he hoped the image would be ready by 2028. I’m looking toward a similar time frame for the book –yet to be titled — to be published.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Untertauchen is an historical novel, based on the true story of a German Jewish couple who outlived Hitler’s Thousand-Year Reich. When their summons for “resettlement” arrived in November 1942, they went underground, living a heartbeat away from capture for thirteen months.
The reader will be drawn into the maelstrom of their tortuous existence, from the time of their engagement as the Nazis came to power, until their escape from war-torn Berlin with falsified papers on Christmas Day, 1943.
Principle dates and events—the historical and those in their personal lives—are as they were.
Fragments of Light
Fragments of Light is a sweeping and atmospheric dive into a fractured world where humanity rebuilds in the shimmer of auroras and forgotten machines. The story follows Keela, a young Archivist in the crystalline city of Lumik, as she unearths relics from a past civilization while strange awakenings stir beneath the ice. The novel blends science fiction and myth with elegant precision. From flooded towns to radiant cities, author Arlen Voss crafts a landscape that feels both alien and deeply human. The world pulses with mystery, every shard of glass or whisper in the frost hinting at something larger, something old and waiting.
The prose is lyrical and deliberate, yet grounded enough to keep the story alive with movement. Voss’s worldbuilding shines brightest, the mix of Arctic folklore and speculative technology is mesmerizing. But it’s the emotional undercurrent that struck me most. Keela’s curiosity feels contagious, her fears achingly real. The author paints her world with a quiet sadness, a kind of beauty that only exists in loss. At times, the pacing slows, but I didn’t mind. The stillness gives the reader space to breathe, to feel the hum of a place where even silence has memory.
I loved how Voss lets themes of memory and connection rise slowly. There’s wonder here, but also unease. The machines waking up, the whispers of the past bleeding into the present, it all feels eerily relevant. The dialogue, especially between Keela and her mentor Naaja, carries warmth and wisdom without feeling heavy. I appreciated the subtlety in the emotional moments, the quiet restraint that lets the story breathe. Rather than pushing too hard, it invites the reader to lean in and feel the emotions between the lines. That control gives the book a quiet strength, reflecting a world learning to remember with care instead of pain.
I’d recommend Fragments of Light to readers who like their science fiction poetic, patient, and full of heart. It’s for those who savor atmosphere over action and find joy in slow discovery. Fans of Le Guin, Chambers, or Ishiguro’s quiet dystopias will feel right at home.
Pages: 397 | ASIN: B0F3D7WDHG
The Outer Game of Leadership: How to Unite and Inspire Teams in Times of Challenge & Crisis
Paul O’Neill’s The Outer Game of Leadership is an insightful exploration of how leaders can create safety, unity, and resilience within teams under pressure. The book dives into neuroscience, psychology, and the art of human connection to show that true leadership is less about control and more about atmosphere. Through concepts like “safety-embedded structures” and “safety priming,” O’Neill teaches readers how to build trust not just through policy but through presence. He breaks leadership down into something tangible yet relatable, blending science and empathy to reveal how group dynamics shape performance far more than strategy ever could.
Reading this book felt like being coached in real time. O’Neill’s writing is calm but firm, rich with moments that make you stop and reflect on how you show up in a room. I found myself nodding often, especially when he described how leaders unknowingly drain energy from a team just by tightening their tone or missing a cue. His examples, stories of tense meetings, defensive managers, and silent teams, hit close to home. There’s a raw honesty in how he writes about leadership failure, and that vulnerability gives the book its strength. He doesn’t just explain what great leaders do; he exposes the tiny missteps that make teams shut down. It’s practical without being mechanical, reflective without drifting into cliché.
What I loved most was O’Neill’s respect for the emotional side of work. He brings warmth into the science of leadership, reminding us that trust lives “in the space between people.” I felt his compassion on every page. At times the depth of theory, especially around neuroception and behavioural systems, can feel heavy. I had to slow down and reread sections to absorb the meaning. But those pauses were worth it. His voice is steady and thoughtful, like someone who has lived through what he teaches. The book feels less like a manual and more like a mirror for anyone willing to look honestly at their impact on others.
I’d recommend The Outer Game of Leadership to anyone who leads people, managers, teachers, coaches, or even parents. It’s not a quick-fix kind of book. It’s for those who care about depth, who want to understand why connection matters more than control. If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt something “off” without knowing why, this book will teach you to see it, name it, and gently set it right.
Pages: 274 | ASIN: 1764063937
The Joy Molecule
Larry Kesslin’s The Joy Molecule is part memoir, part guide, and part heartfelt meditation on what it means to live a connected, meaningful life. The book takes readers through Kesslin’s own journey, from a young, success-driven engineer at GE to a man transformed by his encounters with people who taught him that joy has nothing to do with circumstance. Through chapters like “Circumstance Does Not Define You” and “Redirecting Capital,” Kesslin shares stories of real people who changed the way he sees purpose, self-worth, and happiness. His central idea is simple but powerful: joy isn’t found in chasing achievements, but in knowing what you are, who you are, and why you are here.
Reading this book felt like sitting down with a friend who’s done a lot of soul-searching and just wants to tell you what he’s learned. The writing is straightforward and conversational, which makes the ideas easy to grasp, even when they’re deep. Sometimes I found myself smiling, other times tearing up a little. Kesslin doesn’t try to impress you with big words or fancy theories. He tells stories, some messy, some beautiful, and he’s honest about his mistakes. The story of Armstrong, the young Ugandan man chasing his dream to be a pilot, hit me hardest. It’s told with warmth and humility, and it makes you see how giving can ripple across lives in unexpected ways.
The lessons about joy, ego, and self-awareness circle back on themselves, but the sincerity of the writing keeps it from dragging. I could tell Kesslin really means every word. His tone feels genuine, even vulnerable. There’s something refreshing about an author who doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. The book’s rhythm, switching between reflection, story, and takeaway, made it easy to read in bursts but also meaningful if you sit with it for a while. It’s not a manual. It’s a lived experience, told with a big heart.
I’d recommend The Joy Molecule to anyone feeling restless or stuck, especially people who’ve done well on paper but still feel like something’s missing. It’s perfect for readers who crave inspiration but can’t stand clichés. Kesslin’s message is hopeful without being cheesy: joy isn’t out there waiting for you. It’s already in you, and it grows when you share it.
Pages: 116 | ASIN: B0FMY2B7FM
Intuitive and Non-Logical
Love’s Cauldron traces your path from childhood wounds and self-doubt toward awakening her “witch self,” a reclamation of intuition, creativity, and the divine feminine. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing Love’s Cauldron made me much more aware of how the feminine aspects of myself have been shaped and impacted by my family, our culture, and the world. It was only in writing the book and talking about what I had written that I fully realized that part of my identity (and sensitivity) was that of a Healing Witch. I had not fully understood the value of my feminine sides previously.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In a world dominated by logic, it was vital for me to look at how specific feminine qualities have been demonized. The intuitive, those who channel, and the non-logical have been made suspect and sometimes punished by mainstream culture. I also wanted to share what an emotional healing journey looks and feels like.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir and what was the most rewarding?
I had wanted to write this book for years. But I had not been able to sense how to weave together the ideas that were percolating. It was challenging to write a non-linear book without losing the reader. It was satisfying to have the book come together and to see that, despite its unorthodox form, it worked. It was also rewarding to have readers let me know that it had a positive impact on them.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope that the readers will affirm aspects of themselves that they have not fully claimed. I wish for them to understand more about themselves and about the necessity of these undervalued aspects of each of us.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Facebook Page | Website | Book Page
Jennifer J. Lehr, LMFT, shares her journey from emotional pain and disconnection to deep self-awareness and spiritual awakening. Weaving together memories, mystical understanding, and guidance from the unseen realms, she offers a path to reconnect with our intuition, compassion, and inner voice—qualities often lost in a world that favors logic over feeling.
Through powerful narratives and sacred incantations, Love’s Cauldron redefines the meaning of “witch” as someone who embraces all aspects of themselves and holds the power to transform not only their own life, but the world around them. This is a book for anyone who has ever felt marginalized, silenced, or spiritually disconnected—and who longs to come home to their wild, wise self.
Whether you’re healing from trauma, seeking spiritual connection, or curious about reclaiming your feminine power, this book will stir something ancient and true within you. The feminine is rising—and Love’s Cauldron is a call to remember, rejoice, and rise with it.
LITERARY TITAN 