Blog Archives
Who Doesn’t Dream of Escape?
Sitnalta follows a young princess trapped in a kingdom ruled by cruelty and fear, who becomes restless, yearning for freedom, and escapes her captivity to embark on a journey of self-discovery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Originally, Sitnalta began as a short story written for a school project. So, for all budding writers out there: don’t throw away old stories, and inspiration can strike in the most unlikely of places.
In grade seven, my English teacher put up a tic-tac-toe board on the chalkboard and said to make a line. In the line I chose were the words “coin, princess, escape”. From there, the story I was supposed to write should have been two pages. I handed in twelve. This short story just wouldn’t leave me alone. When I got into university, I pulled it out and reread it. Aside from the fact that I found the writing and some of the characterization a little juvenile (I was thirteen!), I felt that there was something there. I worked at it and eventually had a novel, and plans for five more.
Sitnalta was born at a time when most young people can feel trapped. I myself had issues with a bully at school, I didn’t know where I belonged. My friends and I were all figuring out who we were, who we wanted to be, and the character of Sitnalta was very much an extrapolation of that. Who doesn’t dream of escape?
In many contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
I am very much all over the story. The character of Aud is in many ways inspired by my grandmother who lived with me while I was growing up. Everyone used to say that she was a second mother to me. Aud’s nature, and her relationship with Sitnalta is very her. Sitnalta herself is an amalgamation of my childhood best friend, and characters from books I loved as a child. I used to say that she is my friend Marilyn superimposed on Anne Shirley. Sitnalta’s relationship with Najort, their time together, and how they speak with one another is something that came from every person’s desire to be seen, to be loved for who they are, and the need to be heard.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to convey the importance of choice. Sitnalta feels that she has hers taken from her continuously. She looks at the world from a place heavy with loss, however, when her back is to the wall, she finds that there is always a choice to be made. It may not always be the best one possible, but it always exists. Everyone has the ability to take their lives into their own hands and run with it. I found that to be an important theme, how even the smallest person can make a choice and better their world.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Sitnalta and the direction of the second book?
Well, I don’t want to give too much away, but that pesky coin still exists, and we see so much more of the world Sitnalta lives in, even beyond the shores of Colonodona. The next book is called The Kingdom Thief, and you can read into that title whatever you want to. It’s an adventure book, and may or may not have some hints at a burgeoning romance.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Website
But Sitnalta has other ideas. Before her father can come for her, she sneaks out of her bedroom window, scales the castle walls, and enters the magical forest that surrounds her kingdom. There she meets Najort, a kind-hearted troll, who was tasked by a wizard decades earlier to protect a valuable secret—with his life, if necessary.
But King Supmylo has vowed that nothing will stop him from returning his daughter to Colonodona, and forcing her to go through with the royal wedding. With the help of friends from both kingdoms, Sitnalta and Najort flee ahead of the rabid king. For if they are captured, Supmylo will become so invincible, no one could stand against him
Not Just Another Brick in the Wall
When I started reading Not Just Another Brick in the Wall!, I expected a typical high school drama. You know the type: sports, crushes, maybe a few fights in the hallway. But this book surprised me. It’s more layered than that. It’s about a group of teens trying to hold on to friendship while life starts showing its teeth. Cali Snipe, the main character, is just beginning ninth grade, nervous and curious and trying to stay grounded while the world around her keeps changing. There’s romance, a bit of danger, even a thread of mystery that creeps in when you least expect it. The story shifts between lighthearted teen moments and dark undercurrents that make you stop and think.
What really stood out to me was how the book captures the in-between. Those moments when you’re not quite a kid anymore but not yet an adult. The writing feels like memory. It’s full of chatter, inside jokes, awkward pauses, and those tiny details that make teenage life feel real. I could see my own high school self in the mix, nervous before the first day, wondering who to sit with at lunch, pretending not to care when I cared too much. The book nails that feeling. Sometimes it wanders, sometimes it circles back, but that’s exactly how being young feels.
I also liked that the story isn’t afraid to show adults in gray shades. The teachers and parents aren’t just background noise. Some are kind, some are creepy, and some are both. That part hit me harder than I thought it would. It reminded me that growing up means realizing not everyone who’s supposed to protect you always does. I won’t spoil the darker turns, but the tension builds quietly and sticks with you after the last page. It’s the kind of discomfort that makes you think about how fragile trust can be.
In some ways, Not Just Another Brick in the Wall! reminds me of the emotional honesty in Judy Blume’s coming-of-age novels and the raw realism of S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. It has that same heartbeat of youth and rebellion, but with a modern voice that feels closer to Laurie Halse Anderson or Sarah Dessen, writers who don’t flinch from showing how messy growing up really is. Like those authors, author Richard Read doesn’t just tell a story about teenagers; he lets them stumble, speak, and learn in their own rhythm. The book fits comfortably beside classics about adolescence and identity, yet it still stands apart with its mix of small-town grit and genuine warmth.
Pages: 236 | ASIN : B0DNXYKZKX
Secretos De Familia
Secretos de familia by Diego Uribe is a dark and atmospheric thriller that begins with the brutal murder of Emilia Blume, a young woman found dead in her bed with a knife in her heart. The novel unfolds through the investigation led by Inspectora Benatar, who digs into the twisted secrets of the Blume family and the eerie village of Fénix, where superstition, religion, and silence suffocate the truth. What starts as a crime story turns into a psychological puzzle, exploring guilt, repression, and the thin line between love and cruelty. Every chapter drags you deeper into a web of lies and trauma that sticks to your skin.
I have to say, the writing pulled me in right away. The opening scene hit me hard. The author knows how to play with tension, silence, and imagery. The prose feels cinematic, almost like you’re standing in the cold hallways of that cursed house. Sometimes it gets dense with description, but it works. The pacing shifts a lot, slow burns followed by quick bursts of violence, but that uneven rhythm fits the story. It mirrors the confusion of the characters. I found myself anxious, even a little angry, at how the family hid behind politeness and religion while something monstrous was rotting inside their home.
What really got to me were the ideas under the surface. This isn’t just about a murder. It’s about control, silence, and what people will do to keep appearances intact. The women in the story, Emilia, her mother, her sister, and even Benatar, carry a kind of pain that feels too real. There’s also this heavy sense of destiny, as if everyone in that village is trapped by something bigger than them. At times it made me uncomfortable, but that’s a good sign. The author doesn’t let you rest easy. You end up questioning morality, religion, and the price of loyalty.
Secretos de familia is a grim, emotional ride that’s not afraid to stare into the dark corners of the human soul. It’s the kind of book you finish and then sit in silence for a while. I’d recommend it to readers who love crime fiction with real psychological depth, people who like stories that mess with your comfort zone and make you think about the things families hide behind closed doors.
Pages: 343
Tragedy Into A Source of Strength
The Destiny of Our Stars is a heartfelt memoir about love, loss, and renewal, sharing your grief and spiritual awakening alongside reflections on fate, synchronicity, and the mysterious ways the universe brings meaning to suffering. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Turning my personal tragedy into a source of strength led to a profound commitment to help others find their own path through sorrow. I found it to be a vital step in my own healing.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
That grief is a natural response to losing someone dear, but it’s how we navigate that pain, and adjust to a changed life, is what determines our path forward. Loss is an unavoidable part of the human experience, but our ability to adapt and build resilience is what truly allows us to continue living fully with dignity and purpose. Our focus should be on healthy coping, and finding ways to integrate the loss into our lives, rather than being consumed by it.
Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone; take risks, face new experiences, and push beyond your routine. Have the courage to grow and the integrity to be yourself. Rebuild your life parallel with grief, rather than trying to conquer it, and keep a strong support system around you as you seek out social interactions that promote joy and connection as you move ahead.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
Well, reliving the moments was a brutal challenge; it was an agonizing ordeal, like a descent into a dark and emotionally devastating place. But, I knew I had to face it head-on, as my goal was to heal and reclaim my life. I acknowledged I needed to confront the past as a necessary step toward facilitating acceptance and inner peace. Ultimately, my greatest reward was a fundamental shift in perspective, reminding me that the life I shared with my beloved, though fractured by illness and loss, held an enduring value and beauty worth cherishing for the rest of my life.
What advice do you have for women navigating widowhood who are just starting this phase of their lives and trying to find themselves?
Following a loss, you should allow yourself to be vulnerable and recognize that it’s okay not to be okay. Realize that acceptance, healing, peace, even closure, do not happen overnight. Grief is a nonlinear process that is beyond your control. You must permit yourself to feel the full spectrum of emotions, and concede that struggling is a natural part of the healing process. You’re about to experience what I call a “necessary pause” in your life, a type of sabbatical, so take it all in and process it at your own pace. Most importantly, take the time to focus on yourself, and cultivate your self compassion. Healing from loss is a process of transformation. By honoring the grief, validating the pain of loss, and allowing yourself to feel and express your emotions without judgment, eventually nurtures the strength needed to redefine your path forward while carrying the loss with you.
From the Back of a Donkey, Journey of a Lifetime – Second Edition
Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor’s From the Back of a Donkey: Journey of a Lifetime reimagines one of the most familiar stories in the Christian tradition, the birth of Jesus, through the eyes of Mary. The book blends biblical retelling, creative storytelling, and devotional reflection into a narrative that feels both ancient and deeply personal. Each chapter combines Mary’s imagined thoughts and prayers with scriptural passages and reflection questions for the reader, making it part story, part meditation, and part journal. The style is warm, vivid, and grounded in faith, giving life to moments that the Gospel of Luke only hints at.
Reading this book, I found myself unexpectedly moved. Minor doesn’t just recount events; she breathes humanity into them. Her Mary isn’t distant or saintly in the untouchable sense; she’s tender, curious, even a little scared, and wholly devoted to God. The writing feels like sitting down with someone who loves to tell stories by firelight, earnest and filled with wonder. There’s something beautiful in the author’s refusal to make Mary flawless. Instead, she lets her faith shimmer through her doubts and daily tasks, through her conversations with Joseph and her cousin Elizabeth. I loved that. It made the sacred story feel reachable, even intimate.
Stylistically, the book reads with a kind of musical rhythm, almost like a prayer. At times, I caught myself pausing just to let a sentence sink in. The writing is rich with sensory detail like the smell of baked bread, the roughness of wood, the brightness of stars, and yet it never drifts into heavy language. The author’s tone feels humble and heartfelt. Occasionally, the abundance of biblical references slows the pace, but it never feels forced; rather, it roots the story in the faith that inspires it. I could tell this book was written not only with literary care but also with devotion.
From the Back of a Donkey draws the reader into reflection, not just about Mary’s journey, but about their own. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to experience the Christmas story in a fresh, contemplative way. It’s perfect for believers who enjoy devotional reading, book clubs that center on faith, or anyone who wants to feel a deeper connection to the humanity behind the divine story.
Pages: 99 | ASIN : B0CP8WMQS4
A Commentary on Society-at-large
Where’s Jackson Pollock? follows a gallery owner in Richmond, VA, who is accused of stealing two valuable modern art paintings and needs the help of her brother and his girlfriend to clear her name and find the missing art. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It was mostly about greed. So many people are self-absorbed in how they live life and never stop to see their own foibles. Everyone in the book, except the protagonists, had some sort of angle, some kind of scam going on, and they all thought it was business as usual. More or less, a commentary on society-at- large.
Sophia is a smart and engaging character who keeps the other characters and readers on their toes. What do you think makes her a valuable and worthy heroine?
Her unique abilities have allowed her to see the world as it is, not in a jaded way. She sees not just the good and the bad in people, but their endless variations. Having such a gift can be chaotic and overwhelming, but she has learned to cope with it.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Living on this planet for over sixty years. Nothing gives you a better experience than experience.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Chris and Sophia and the direction of the next book?
They are asked to use their unique skills and join a special branch of the FBI. They use their abilities to solve some of their most complicated cases. They next book has them in Boston, Montreal, Prague, and Antwerp.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Chris and his uniquely skilled girlfriend, Sophia Garcia, coax an old detective out of retirement to help solve the case and save Jackie. However, his once vaunted detective skills have deteriorated, and as the case becomes more complex, what evidence they do find incriminates her.
When the FBI becomes involved, and two people turn up dead, Chris and Sophia become desperate and must use their combined talents to find the stolen paintings and discover the identity of the real criminal and keep his sister from being convicted of the crimes.
The case is complex, the evidence convoluted, and the suspects are clever. Will anyone ever find out, “Where’s Jackson Pollock?”
Between Worlds: Between Worlds, A Life of Abduction, Addiction, and Awakening
Brian Martin’s Between Worlds is an unflinching memoir wrapped in the surreal. It’s part trauma confession, part spiritual reckoning, and part cosmic fever dream. Martin tells of a life marked by abuse, addiction, strange visitations, and an aching search for meaning. The book opens in darkness, both literal and emotional, moving through scenes of childhood pain, hallucination, and haunting encounters that blend the psychological and the supernatural. As the story unfolds, it shifts from terror to transcendence, revealing a man grappling with his own mind and his memories, questioning what’s real and what’s revelation.
Reading this felt like wading through someone’s nightmares while clutching a flickering flashlight. Martin’s writing hits hard, raw and poetic in turns, and sometimes so vivid that it left me uneasy. His prose can feel chaotic, but that chaos feels intentional, like the inside of a fractured mind trying to make sense of itself. I found myself fascinated. The honesty is brutal. There are no neat answers, no tidy lessons, just waves of memory and madness that force you to sit with discomfort. I respected that. It made the book feel alive, even when it hurt to read.
At the same time, there’s a strange beauty threaded through all that pain. Martin writes about horror with the eye of a poet, and about faith with the heart of a skeptic. I could feel the ache of someone who wants to believe in something, God, magic, UFOs, salvation, but can’t ever quite grasp it. That struggle hit close. The spiritual parts don’t feel preachy. They feel desperate and human. There were moments when I had to pause just to take in how he could write about trauma with such raw tenderness.
Between Worlds is for readers who can handle truth that’s ugly and luminous at once, who don’t mind getting lost in someone else’s storm if it means finding a little light of their own. If you like memoirs that bleed honesty, or stories that blur the line between real and unreal, you’ll remember this one.
Pages: 307 | ASIN : B0FWN2PGHM
LITERARY TITAN 