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Heart Horse: Soulful Stories of Equine Healing, Grace & Companionship
Heart Horse is a moving anthology that weaves together twenty deeply personal stories about the bond between humans and horses. Each chapter opens a window into a different life, people from all walks of experience who have found meaning, recovery, or transformation through their connection with these gentle, powerful beings. From stories of illness and survival to redemption and rediscovery, the book explores the spiritual and emotional resonance that horses bring to human lives. It’s not a how-to manual about horsemanship. It’s about how horses become mirrors for our hearts, showing us what we hide, helping us heal, and calling us to live more honestly.
The writing, contributed by a mix of scholars, healers, riders, and ordinary horse lovers, is heartfelt and honest. Some stories are written with elegance and restraint, others with raw emotion that catches you off guard. The tone shifts from tender to fierce to reflective. I found myself slowing down to reread sentences that hit deep. The horses in these pages are not props or metaphors; they are partners, teachers, even saviors. The language is simple but carries weight. There’s something about the way these writers describe touch, breath, and stillness that pulls you right into the moment.
What I liked most was the humility threaded through the stories. The humans come to the horses broken, unsure, seeking something they can’t name. The horses meet them without judgment, offering lessons about patience, presence, and love that asks for nothing back. At times, I found myself tearing up, not out of sadness, but because the honesty felt so pure. There were passages that made me smile, too, small, funny details about stubborn horses or awkward first rides that reminded me how life’s lessons rarely arrive gracefully. Editor Allison Brown curates these voices with care. Her introduction adds warmth and context, explaining how this collection came to be, and why horses, with all their mystery and grace, continue to reach into our souls.
I’d recommend Heart Horse to anyone who’s ever loved an animal deeply, whether or not they’ve ever ridden one. It’s for readers who crave real stories about growth, grief, and gratitude. If you’ve ever felt lost, lonely, or uncertain of your own footing, this book will meet you there.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0FLQFB8F5
Birth, Death, and Survival
Melanie Whyte’s Birth, Death & Survival is a raw and intimate poetry collection that traces a lifetime of pain, growth, and resilience. It unfolds like a memoir in verse, starting from the innocence of childhood and winding through heartbreak, abuse, motherhood, healing, and eventual renewal. The poems feel deeply lived-in, each chapter marking a phase of her life, from the trembling echoes of a broken home to the quiet triumphs of rediscovered love and strength. There’s a narrative thread that ties every piece together: the human instinct to keep breathing, to keep going, even when the air feels too heavy to bear.
Whyte doesn’t hold back, and I admired that honesty. Her words are simple but sharp, and she lets emotion take the lead. At times, the poems read like confessions whispered in the dark. Others feel like letters written to her past self, forgiving, reflecting, reclaiming. What struck me most was the rhythm of her healing. It’s not neat or linear, and she doesn’t pretend it is. Some verses gutted me with their quiet truth, like “The Room With No Windows,” while others, like “Still I Rise From Shadows,” filled me with soft and steady hope.
As I read, I found myself pausing often, not because the writing was difficult, but because it felt too close. There’s beauty in the way Whyte turns trauma into art without glamorizing it. The collection pulses with empathy, and even in the darkest corners, there’s light breaking through. I liked how she weaves motherhood, love, and survival together; it reminded me that rebuilding isn’t just about leaving the pain behind, it’s about learning to live alongside it.
Birth, Death & Survival is for readers who crave truth, who’ve walked through something hard and come out changed. It’s a book for survivors, for mothers, for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild themselves piece by piece. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to feel seen, or to those who want to understand what resilience looks like when it’s written in poetry and inked with life itself.
Pages: 181 | ASIN : B0FPXNQFMP
American Entropy
Travis Hupp’s American Entropy is a gut-punch of a poetry collection that straddles rage, revelation, and redemption. The book unfolds across sections named for emotions, Anger, Politics, Metaphysical, Despair, Hope, and Love, each one a pulse of raw feeling. Hupp writes from the jagged edge of personal struggle and cultural collapse, his voice cracking with both fury and faith. The poems swing from political outcry to spiritual yearning, from queer love to existential doubt. It feels like watching someone fight off demons with words, sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically, until the language itself starts to shimmer like something divine.
Reading Hupp’s work shook me up in the best way. His writing doesn’t just tell you what he’s feeling, it makes you feel it too. The anger is real, the despair palpable, and the hope stubbornly alive. His author’s note alone hit me hard. It’s this mix of confession and confrontation that sets the tone for the entire collection. There’s no pretense here. He talks about hearing voices, about spiritual warfare, about the cruelty of politics, and yet there’s a strange humor threaded through it all. The poems rage against Trumpism, systemic hate, and hypocrisy, but they also reach for angels and grace. His faith isn’t clean or easy, it’s a messy, miraculous survival instinct. That duality is what makes it powerful.
What I enjoyed most was how relatable it all felt. The writing doesn’t hide behind polish or perfect meter. It’s rough and raw and full of bite. Sometimes the rhythm stumbles, but that only makes it more alive. You can hear the exhaustion in his lines, the defiance, the flashes of tenderness. His metaphysical poems, especially, have this haunting, electric pulse that made me stop and reread. It’s poetry that talks back to God and politics in the same breath. I could feel his mind running hot, reaching for meaning in a country and a body both cracking under pressure.
I’d recommend American Entropy to anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the noise of modern life and still wanted to believe in something good. It’s for readers who crave honesty over polish, for those who don’t mind poetry that bleeds on the page. Hupp’s voice is that rare mix of furious and forgiving, and by the end, I felt like I’d witnessed someone claw their way toward the light.
Pages: 231 | ASIN : B0FCD51KZG
Time to Publish
The Long Red Hair and Other Short Stories is a collection of short stories, flash fiction, essays, and some true stories, shifting seamlessly between humor, nostalgia, and reflection. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
I felt it was time to publish a collection.
How did you decide on the themes that run throughout your book?
There were no particular themes. The author notes best describe what happens in the book.
Were there any stories that were particularly difficult to write? If so, why?
Writing about both childhood and adult sexual abuse, such as in my story, “Evie’s Shadows,” was challenging.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am in the process of writing a novel. Sorry, no spoiler on the topic. It is going slowly. I hope to complete it within a year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
I am indebted to the many good folks taking part in various writing groups who have included me over many years. We shared our work, listened to others’ writing, and offered writing prompt suggestions; some of the fiction stories here originate from these suggestions.
An Indoctrinated Horror Enthusiast
Witches and Pumpkins, Fur and Fangs is a collection of twenty short stories surrounding Halloween, bringing together tales of monsters, goblins, ghosts, witches, and everything scary. What was the inspiration for creating this collection of stories?
I got the idea for this collection after I saw the movie Trick ‘r Treat. I first watched that movie in 2009, which also happened to be the year I started writing for the first time. I remember thinking how amazing it was that the movie (almost) had a little bit of everything in it, and how it all took place in the same town on the same night. I thought to myself how cool it would be if a book or movie literally had EVERYTHING in it. Something like that movie, but on a grander scale. A year later, I wrote Jack of the Lantern. After that, I kept adding stories, always making sure they stood alone on their own, but secretly including Easter eggs that connected them to the others. I took the secondary characters from previous stories and threw them into the spotlight for their own stories. I made sure each one either addressed a different type of monster, or revolved around a different Halloween tradition or legend. Almost every character in the book appears multiple times. ‘Science Make Me Mad’ and ‘Can You See Me’ feature the same mad scientist antagonist. The librarian from ‘Hob Gob’ is a main character in ‘Incorporeal Beings’. Things like that. I encourage anybody reading to try to pay attention to the characters and all the connections, because there’s a lot of them.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I became an indoctrinated horror enthusiast since I was eleven. I was a child of the 90’s and grew up on late night television specials like Joe Bob Brigg’s Monstervision every Friday and Saturday night. I would catch Sunday afternoon showings of American Werewolf in London and Children of the Corn, complete with commercial breaks, just to find out later that the only parts they really cut out when editing for television was the nudity and cursing. All the scary parts were mostly still intact. I became fascinated with all things scary, and as a teenager I began reading Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I write other stories in the realm of science fiction or fantasy, but I always end up leaning towards the darker sides of things.
Do you have a favorite story in this collection, and if so, what makes it so appealing to you?
I have a couple. ‘Jack of the Lantern’ has always held a special place in my heart. Not only was it my first to write, it was also my first short story to ever get published. When I was reading these stories again for this collection, I stopped at ‘Incorporeal Beings’. I remember telling myself, “Wow I actually wrote this. This is pretty damn good.” I like a good ghost story, especially when it becomes clear that the ghosts are a real threat and can actually kill you. That story was a lot of fun to write.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am actively working on a novel entitled I Don’t Want to be a Monster. Imagine if Dexter was the Wolfman; that’s the basic concept. It’s about a werewolf who targets serial killers, rapists, child molesters, etc. I currently have several interested parties requesting the manuscript, and I’ve been given an early December deadline to complete (it’s almost done!). Hopefully you’ll be seeing that one soon.
Author Links: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube
Understanding and Solidarity
Well, Mama, This is It (it’s Now Or Never) is part confession, part storytelling, and part letter-writing, all stitched together with raw honesty and a strong emotional pulse with reflections on love, faith, and the messy business of being human. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was important for me to write because it allowed me to explore different characters and express what I had imagined. It was a way for me to connect with readers who may be going through similar struggles and offer them a sense of understanding and solidarity. This book is a testament to the power of vulnerability and the beauty of embracing our imperfections.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
There were key ideas that I found important to share. Some of these ideas include the importance of self-love, unapologetically being yourself, and the value of perseverance in the face of challenges.
How has writing this book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
Writing this book has changed me as a writer, and it’s all thanks to amazing readers like yourself and everyone who has been a part of this journey. I have learned that I am capable of overcoming challenges and self-doubt to produce a work that I am truly proud of. This experience has not only improved my writing skills but also boosted my confidence in my abilities as a storyteller. Writing this book has shown me that with dedication and passion, I can achieve my writing goals and continue to grow as an author. Once again, thanks to everyone!
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Well, Mama, This is It (it’s Now Or Never)?
I hope that readers take away a sense of empowerment and inspiration.
Author Links: GoodReads | Snapchat
We don’t have to fight
We do not have to cry for the rest of our lives
Cause Boys
Girls
And Everyone we know
Seems to drift away just a little bit
That’s life”
Step into a world where love knows no bounds and equality reigns supreme. In this gripping tale, a group of men and women defy the odds and fight for their right to be themselves. As they navigate the twists and turns of their lives, they discover that the greatest strength comes from within.
Meanwhile, teenagers grapple with their own struggles, trying to find their place in a world that often seems to be against them. But as the characters’ stories intertwine, they learn the power of love, the importance of equality, and the beauty of being true to oneself. This is a story that will inspire young women and men in our community to embrace their uniqueness and strive for greatness. So come along on this unforgettable journey of self-discovery and empowerment, and discover the power of love and equality in a world that often seems to be lacking in both.
The Right Inspiration
Whisk of Dust is a collection of poems that weave together themes of love, faith, struggle, and beauty. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
I’m often inspired by simple things that others might take for granted. I found inspiration from different aspects of my life in writing this collection.
Were there any poems that were particularly difficult to write? If so, why?
None were difficult to write. With the right inspiration and motivation, the words were not difficult.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
I like to think of this collection as universal. They are for anyone who can relate and or just enjoys poetry.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
There has been no change, my desire has always been and still is to inspire and uplift with my writing.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | YouTube | Amazon
The Long Red Hair and Other Short Stories
Nancy J. Martin’s The Long Red Hair and Other Short Stories is a collection that leaps across time, place, and tone, stitching together memoir, fiction, and flashes of whimsy. Each story feels like a vignette pulled from a full life lived close to its edges. From swamp tours where alligators rise from the murk for marshmallows, to the neon days of San Francisco’s Carnaby Street fashions, to the aching intimacy of family decisions, Martin shifts seamlessly between humor, nostalgia, and reflection. The centerpiece tale, “The Long Red Hair,” frames the book perfectly, a personal, almost cinematic glimpse into youth, service, and the strange twists of fate.
What struck me most was the voice. It’s conversational and direct, but it carries weight. At times I laughed, like when Ruby the horse took her rider for a punishing ride, and at other points I felt a lump in my throat, especially during the stories that dealt with family, loss, or the hidden scars of memory. The writing doesn’t try too hard. It doesn’t dress itself up with flowery language. Instead, it trusts the reader to lean in, to listen as if an old friend is sharing stories. That trust worked on me. It pulled me in close.
I’ll admit, not every story hit me with equal force. Some felt lighter, more like sketches or travel diaries than deep dives into character or theme. But that unevenness became part of the charm. It was like flipping through someone’s scrapbook, some pages were breathtaking, others were small snapshots of a day in a life. What held it together was the honesty. Even when Martin fictionalized, I could feel the kernel of truth beneath the words. That authenticity, that refusal to smooth over the rough edges, gave the collection its power.
Closing the book, I felt like I’d been in conversation with someone who has lived wide and reflected deeply. It’s a book for readers who enjoy storytelling that feels personal rather than polished, relatable rather than distant. If you like memoirs, travel sketches, or short fiction that blends fact and imagination, you’ll enjoy this collection.
Pages: 108 | ASIN : B0FNS424YB
LITERARY TITAN 