Blog Archives
They are Forbidden, Hidden, and Secret
Temptation centers around a Jesuit priest tasked with evaluating clergy who must confront corruption in the Church, secrecy, and his unexpected romantic feelings. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My editor/wife, a non-Catholic, asked a question about celibacy in the priesthood. “Isn’t it a terrible struggle to not only be celibate but to remain so?” Many early priests and apostles were married; even St. Peter was married. Her second question: “Might celibacy be the cause of child molestation by Roman Catholic priests?” Recently, many revelations about child abuse have plagued the Church, and so I began to dig into some of the scandals. In Temptation, we deal with them in an informative and entertaining manner.
Alex is a priest, psychologist, and lawyer. Why did you choose to give him such a unique combination of roles?
Many Jesuits are lawyers and scholars. Their credo is: “Whoever desires to serve as a soldier of God…” To be this soldier, they are one of the most educated male orders of the Church with blind obedience to the Pope. Also, by giving my central figure – Alex – multiple roles, it moved the storyline more smoothly than if several priests were involved.
Why do you think stories about forbidden love continue to resonate with readers?
Because they are forbidden, hidden, and secret, these stories, if exposed, carry the stigmata of shame. Those in positions of respect are not invulnerable to temptation, especially if told that they are special sanctified individuals who should be above normal human frailties. Unfortunately, we are all human. Denying our humanity and cloistering ourselves into self-imposed exile from the human race provides a place where those with deviant behavior tend to concentrate. It is not to say that all priests are homosexuals, pedophiles, drugs addicts, or others of questionable character, but there is evidence that many such individuals seek the celibate life to fit into a behavioral category that isn’t the norm.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m working on A Cry For Help, a supernatural drama set in the psychiatric ward of a New York City hospital. It deals with a physician’s struggle to accept that there are behaviors outside the nice, neatly organized categories of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, where you take one from Column A and two from Column B to form a diagnosis. We hope to publish this book within the next few weeks. There are several other books which my editor is working on. I give her very little rest.
Author Links: Website | Facebook
Temptation is a gripping story of faith under pressure, where belief is tested by desire, doubt, and forces that refuse to stay buried.
Called to serve God, a young priest struggles with relentless inner battles and the weight of expectations that come with a life of devotion. As temptation intensifies—blurring the line between spiritual trial and psychological torment—he is forced to confront questions he can no longer ignore.
But the struggle doesn’t end at the church doors.
As his life expands into the real world—through law, crime, and unsettling truths—he encounters a darker side of humanity that challenges everything he thought he understood about morality, justice, and the Church itself.
Raw and thought-provoking, Temptation explores:
The battle between faith and human desire
The psychological toll of spiritual conflict
Corruption, secrecy, and moral gray areas
The search for truth in a world that resists it
This is more than a story about right and wrong. It’s about what happens when belief is pushed to its limits—and whether it can survive the test.
Who do those recidivists’ crimes hurt more?
Would Jesus Do Time? is a satirical drama that reimagines Jesus in present-day America, discovering the faults with the modern-day justice system. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration comes from firsthand experience. I’m currently incarcerated, been locked up 22 years. But what inspired me most was how a lot of people don’t know what goes on in here. Like, how slavery has NOT been completely abolished. It’s thick in the penal system. In the 13th Amendment, it says slavery’s been abolished “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.”
Some people may say, “Good. Teach prisoners the value of a hard day’s work.” There’s a bit of sophistry at play with that line. We’re literally “paid” pennies for an entire eight-hour day of labor that our blood, sweat, and (sometimes) tears provide. People who’ve never held a legitimate job in their lives will never understand the value of an honest dollar.
Being forced to work against your will when you’d rather educate yourself demonstrates the lack of value they place on our lives. Do you think this makes us respect authority? Slavery dramatically decreases our self-worth and has far-reaching effects. 85% of prisoners will be released one day, and the recidivism rate is currently at 75%. Who do those recidivists’ crimes hurt more? You. They hurt you, the average everyday citizen.
These are merely some of the thoughts that went into Would Jesus Do Time? I also knew the visceral reactions that’d bubble to the surface for people upon seeing Jesus behind bars. When you wear prison scrubs, you feel you’re no longer perceived as human, but. . . “expendable,” “judged,” “condemned.” They’re not a factor in polite society, the rational-minded say to themselves. People forget how Jesus was tried, found guilty, and sentenced just like every other prisoner. So, not much has changed with the biblical version of events. I simply wrapped Jesus in a story that happens every single day in America.
Writing Jesus as a dramatic character is a bold undertaking. What were the biggest challenges in approaching that task?
The biggest challenge was trying to be as respectful as possible of this religious figure while also giving Jesus a sense of humor. As you can see from my answer to your first question, we’re dealing with heavy subject matter here. You can’t have purchasers wanting to freaking kill themselves while reading your work. My job is to entertain. I’m an award-winning writer, and I better act like it by giving readers their money’s worth. If I don’t, I’ll stop selling books.
I want people to laugh, feel their adrenaline pump, and experience a rollercoaster ride through my writing. That’s what a professional word entertainer is supposed to do in my humble opinion, and if they take something deeper with them after they set my book down in this process? Even better. = )
What do you think satire can accomplish that a more straightforward drama cannot?
Comedy and drama go hand in hand. The best comedies are draped in dramatic clothing. Satire merely allows a writer to cut deep into a reader’s soul, because you let down your guard when you’re laughing, right? So, as those walls are lowered, the exceptional author can get surgical without the reader being aware that they’re being implanted with a knowledge they’ll carry with them throughout the rest of their lives.
What spiritual question do you hope readers and audiences continue wrestling with after the curtain falls?
The spiritual question I want people to grapple with is, Now that I’ve brought you into a world that’s deliberately hidden away from prying eyes, what are you going to do with this newfound insight? Do you enjoy giving back to your community? Do you realize the smallest of loving gestures can make a great impact on the world, similar to the butterfly effect? Does doing something positive for someone even appeal to you? If so, there is tremendous beauty in you. Show the world what you’re capable of.
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Invisible Scars That Peacekeepers Carry
A Soldier’s Burden centers around a Georgian peacekeeper in Afghanistan who forms an unexpected bond with a woman with her own history of violence. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea for the novel arose from a desire to explore the invisible scars that peacekeepers carry with them. Living in a country like Georgia, which has seen its share of conflicts, I wanted to create a story that would transcend the borders of the battlefield and show us how profoundly difficult it is to return to oneself after the experience of war. I wanted to move beyond the battlefield and into the quiet, often painful struggle of returning to normal life.
What interested you about exploring John’s inner conflict?
John represents the quiet soldier—the one who is disciplined on the outside but crumbling on the inside. I was drawn to the contrast between his outward duty and his internal chaos. I wanted to explore how resilience can sometimes feel like a burden. As John would say: ‘Be so free that love may never be restricted for you. Freedom is to be in God’s right, which shakes off everything superfluous from you and leaves you with true love.’ This captures the essence of his journey toward finding his true self amidst the remnants of war.
How did you balance romance with the realities of war and trauma?
I believe trauma creates a unique kind of vulnerability. John and Sharon aren’t looking for a fairytale; they are looking for recognition. Their romance isn’t about escaping reality, but about finding someone who understands their darkness. It is a connection built on shared understanding, where Sharon’s perspective is central: ‘Faithfulness is pure gold, which carves the treasure of love. Before you die—love!’ This shows that their bond is a refuge, not a distraction from their trauma.
If John and Sharon could each offer readers one lesson from their journeys, what do you think they would say?
John would likely say: ‘It is not a weakness to admit that you are not the same person you were before.’ Sharon would add: ‘You don’t have to carry your past alone; sometimes, the strongest act of courage is letting someone else hold part of your burden.’ Their journey teaches us that love and compassion are the only true forces capable of defeating the hatred and resentment that war leaves behind.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Natia Khaduri’s novel “A Soldier’s Burden” has won the 2024 International Impact Book Awards in Contemporary Fiction.
It is also a nominee for several awards at the 2025 International Book Awards.
In this novel, author Natia Khaduri explains the need and importance of sincere relationships: love, betrayal, loyalty, disappointment, forgiveness, and faith form the knot, which interacts to create the “big feeling.”
In Natia Khaduri’s novels, the importance of God’s presence in human life is always clearly presented. The writer and poet recently moved to America and is ready to write a new “adventure”. Her homeland is “beautiful SAKARTVELO-Georgia”.
“Right of freedom is being under the right of God, who purifies you from all excess, and what is left is pure love”.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
The Corridor by William Klenk
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
No Free Will, No Choice
Judas, Otherwise follows a deeply human Judas Iscariot as Roman violence, family loyalty, spiritual longing, and political unrest shape him into a man whose misdirected love leads him toward history’s most infamous betrayal. What drew you to reimagining Judas as a man wrestling with fear, love, and choice?
Ever since I was a child, I have struggled with the idea that Judas was chosen by Jesus to follow Him, favored among the disciples, and tasked with a responsibility to deliver Jesus as was needed for Him to complete his path and provide salvation to all… and in all of this, Judas was the only one who had no free will, no choice, and then gets vilified for eternity. The Bible tells the necessary tale, but we have no idea who Judas was, or how he became the man who could fulfill what was needed.
The novel asks whether Judas was truly free to choose differently. How did you approach that question without making the story feel irreverent or overly revisionist?
This was of the utmost importance to me. I had no desire to challenge God, Jesus, or the Bible. I didn’t want to challenge anyone’s faith or beliefs. My goal was to give backstory, to explain that Judas was a man, was chosen by Jesus, and completed a task nobody else could be counted on to do. I wasn’t apologizing for Judas, or making him seem like a hero. I just felt that Judas deserved to be understood and then let people decide for themselves if his legacy was fair.
The conversations between Judas, Shimon, Ezran, Matthew, Peter, and Jesus carry much of the book’s moral tension. How did you develop such distinct voices for each of them?
I did my research through the Bible and available texts and tried to keep the spirit of each man, and Mary of Bethany alive and distinct. It was important to me that the interactions between them all had weight and merit and not just added fluff. It was especially important where Jesus was concerned because adding dialogue to Jesus had to be consistent and fair to his spirit as much as it can be known. I didn’t want to attempt to change anyone or give them characteristics that didn’t appear anywhere else. I didn’t want cartoons of those sacred to the story.
What do you hope readers take away from Judas’s tragedy, especially in the way the novel frames his downfall as misdirected love rather than simple evil?
I would like for people to have an open mind about Judas. He was human like the rest of us and given the most hateful task in history, even though it had to be done for Jesus to be able to offer the world salvation through His blood and sacrifice. Jesus died for everyone, and I find it hard to believe that He didn’t immediately forgive Judas – and perhaps no forgiveness was needed since Judas did what had to be done. I guess someday we may all know the truth, but since Jesus tasked everyone with being forgiving it would seem that Judas was just as deserving or at least worth a deeper thought.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
Everyone knows what he did.
But what if no one has truly understood why?
Judas, Otherwise reimagines the most infamous betrayal in history through the eyes of the disciple who committed it.
Set in first-century Judea under Roman occupation and rising unrest, this haunting historical novel follows Judas as he is drawn into a storm of loyalty, fear, ambition, love, guilt, and faith. As the world around Jesus grows more volatile, Judas is forced toward choices that will wound not only the people he loves, but the course of history itself.
This is not the story of a monster.
It is the story of a man.
A man who longed to matter.
A man who believed he understood what had to be done.
A man caught between devotion and ruin, between free will and destiny, between the kingdom he hoped for and the tragedy he helped unleash.
Emotionally rich, morally searching, and deeply human, Judas, Otherwise explores betrayal, sorrow, consequence, and the terrible cost of trying to force God’s hand.
Judas, Otherwise
Judas, Otherwise by Steven Marks is a thoughtful historical novel built around one unsettling question: what if Judas had truly been free to choose, and what if he chose differently? The author frames the book as “a spirit of imagination, not irreverence,” and that feels like the right doorway into it. This is a faith-adjacent reimagining that treats its sacred material with seriousness, but it’s also very much a character study about pressure, fear, love, and the cost of trying to control what can’t be controlled.
The strongest part of the book is how patiently it builds Judas before he becomes “Judas.” We meet him as a boy in Kerioth, shaped by Roman violence, family loyalty, his father Shimon’s hard-won restraint, and his cousin Ezran’s sharper, more dangerous certainty. The early chapters give the story its moral vocabulary. Judas isn’t drawn as a simple villain or a misunderstood saint. He’s a serious, wounded, perceptive man who keeps trying to make sense of suffering, and that makes his later choices feel painfully human.
Marks is especially good at writing moral tension as conversation. Shimon, Ezran, Matthew, Peter, Jesus, and Judas all speak from distinct places, and the best scenes don’t feel like debates so much as people pressing on each other’s hidden bruises. One line from Judas, “I believe men become what they practice,” works almost like a hinge for the whole novel. The book keeps returning to that idea, asking what happens when fear, caution, anger, responsibility, and love become habits before a person realizes they’ve hardened into character.
The novel’s Jesus is gentle, and the disciples are allowed to be earthy, funny, tired, and confused. That helps the middle of the book breathe. The scenes around the purse, the crowds, Bethany, Jerusalem, and the growing danger around Passover give the story a lived-in texture. The political pressure is also handled well. Rome, the Temple authorities, zealotry, poverty, and public unrest all become part of the trap Judas walks into, but the book keeps the focus on his inward logic rather than turning the plot into a history lecture.
Judas, Otherwise is a tragedy about misdirected love. Judas doesn’t fall because he feels nothing. He falls because he feels too much and decides feeling must become management. The final chapters are heavy, intimate, and sorrowful, especially in the way they show aftermath as ordinary life continuing after catastrophe. It’s a moving, reflective novel, best read by someone who wants a slow, character-driven reimagining that sits with consequence.
Pages: 392 | ASIN: B0GTBN4HMH
