Blog Archives
The Self-Righteousness of Religion
The Gift follows a gay young man who is cast out of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and his mom’s home and life, who embraces the life of a cowboy while learning to accept himself. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I started writing, I had no preconceived ideas or outline for what this story would be. I began with a simple premise of a gay male character named Butch and intended to write a gay western/romance novel, but as I wrote and that character took shape, the story just traveled down the path it wanted to go.
I felt this novel’s supporting characters were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
My favorite character is Butch. He and I share many similarities in temperament and history. But I also really enjoyed writing the villain in this narrative. Dick Stinchfield had so many flaws, but I also wanted to depict him as human. That character was enjoyable to create.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I didn’t know it when I started writing, but after the characters and narrative took shape, it was clear that I was writing three themes into this novel. All three are themes of contrast: black vs white, good vs bad, beauty vs ugliness.
Intolerance, racism, genderism, sexism, and homophobia are all ugly, and I wanted to contrast them against the self-righteousness of religion.
Gay men don’t all match the stereotype. Today, that wouldn’t surprise anyone, but at the time when this story takes place, it was inconceivable that a masculine cowboy could be gay.
There is a tremendous beauty in the landscape and solitude of the rural American West, but at the time when this story takes place, it was often accompanied by a strong rejection of people who were different. My favorite line to write came from a resident who had absolute confidence in his faith and community – “the good people around here won’t put up with any of those in this town. Dick was the only one, as far as we know, and good riddance to him.” At that time, there was a tremendous level of hate coming from a place of so much beauty.
What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?
The next novel I am working on is a fictional story of a single mother who has traveled across the country in search of her father. It is still several years away from being ready for release.
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Seeking comfort in the isolation of the western landscape, young single mother Pansy Blackwell brings her son Butch to the Siskiyou Mountains. Fully engulfed in the Jehovah’ s Witnesses assurances for a soon-to-arrive end of the world, Pansy raises her son to conform to the constrictive requirements of their religion. But as Butch discovers the wonders of the world around him with an endlessly patient and kindhearted rancher, he embraces the cowboy culture and struggles to live as his authentic self.
In the late 20th Century, rural communities in America were often hostile to the rising-awareness of LGBT people, and Butch is soon cast aside by his church for homosexuality. In The Gift, Scott Terry crafts a memorable and historically-accurate tale of religious extremism and the struggle for acceptance, before the truth of those times are swept under the forgotten rug of history.
An Amalgamation of Real Life
1986 is a nostalgic and poignant journey through childhood’s highs and lows, weaving humor, heartbreak, and haunting realism into a vivid tapestry of suburban life in the titular year. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When you look back at your childhood, there is always a series of key moments that stand out. For this book, I wanted to weave together those moments in a way that felt organic and captured both the feeling of the 1980s and the dreamlike way they exist in my memory. Though the stories are all fiction, the emotions, imagery, and characters they explore come from an amalgamation of real life.
The vignettes are so vivid. How did you approach balancing nostalgia with universal relatability in your storytelling?
I have always read and noticed myself that the most effective way to achieve universality in storytelling is through specificity. Which is nice, because then all I need to do as a writer is delve into my own experiences and hold nothing back. The reason this works is because at heart I think we all value the same things.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I dedicated this book to my family and that was always front of mind when writing these stories. Family and home are what the main character keeps returning to throughout the book. The project was started at a hard time in our country, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and just after January 6th, 2021. Like many, I was feeling as if the world was coming apart at the seams. Maybe subconsciously, I wanted to revisit a time when everyone was together and celebrate the goodness of that.
Were there any moments or characters in the book that proved particularly challenging to write, and why?
Yes, the most challenging thing was figuring out how to render complex situations and emotions in a voice that felt true to the age of the main character, since the stories are written in first person. The narration does go back and forth between being a child and an adult reflecting on past memories, but I wanted to keep the events themselves subjective to the eyes of a child, to keep things immediate and therefore powerful. One of the stories stumped me for months in that regard.
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What Once Was Promised
Set in 1914, What Once Was Promised by Louis Trubiano opens with sixteen-year-old Domenic Bassini, who boards the Cretic, bound for America and a future filled with unknowns. Leaving his family behind in Italy, Domenic’s journey across the Atlantic is one of hope and uncertainty. Aboard the ship, he meets Cologero and Francesca, a young married couple brimming with dreams of a new life, and Ermino, a stowaway searching desperately for his father. Together, they envision a land of promise and opportunity, unaware that the paths they embark on will twist and bind them together for decades in ways they could never have foreseen.
What Once Was Promised is a rich, multigenerational saga that vividly portrays the Italian immigrant experience in early 20th-century Boston. Trubiano masterfully blends themes of love, loss, family, and survival with the gritty realities of politics and organized crime. The setting bursts to life with meticulous detail, drawing readers deep into the vibrant world of Boston’s North End. Every corner of the city pulses with authenticity, from its cramped tenements to its bustling markets, without ever bogging down the narrative with overwrought descriptions. Instead, the immersion feels effortless, making you experience the hardships, the joys, and the perseverance of a community bound by heritage and resilience. What keeps this novel so captivating is the powerful sense of family that courses through its pages. The characters’ struggles against racism, punishing labor conditions, and the challenges of tenement life are rendered with empathy and depth. Trubiano weaves a story where survival isn’t just about overcoming obstacles but about the bonds that sustain and uplift. In a world battered by the flu epidemic, the Great Depression, and World War II, the lesson is clear: everything starts and ends with family, a timeless truth passed down through generations. The novel’s characters are unforgettable. Domenic, Ermino, Cologero, Francesca, and the many others who populate this story feel achingly real. Trubiano’s gift for character development ensures that each person leaves an indelible mark on the reader. Their choices shape their destinies in unexpected ways, and witnessing how their lives unfold is as rewarding as it is heart-wrenching.
The narrative evokes a spectrum of emotions, moments that made me laugh out loud, passages that brought tears, and scenes that left me gasping in shock. I found myself so engrossed in their world that I often paused to look up real events and figures from history, eager to know more. What Once Was Promised is a triumph of historical fiction that offers a deeply moving glimpse into the past. It’s a story of dreams, survival, and the enduring power of family, one that lingers long after the final page. Truly, I never wanted it to end.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0D57JJRJJ
The Summer Before
The Summer Before by Dianne C. Braley is a coming-of-age novel that takes us through the emotional complexities of Madeline Plympton’s life as she navigates the fragility of family relationships, personal trauma, and the bond of sisterhood with her best friend, Summer. Set against the idyllic backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, the story delves into how deeply a single secret can fracture lives, casting a shadow over the seemingly perfect world Madeline once knew. As she uncovers the truth about her father’s dark actions, the past and present collide, forcing her to grapple with painful revelations and her own identity.
Braley’s writing style pulls you in with its vivid sense of place and atmosphere. The descriptions of the island are so alive you can almost smell the saltwater and feel the summer sun on your skin. Yet, beneath the warmth of these memories lies a growing tension. The prose seamlessly shifts from the calm to the chaotic, reflecting Madeline’s inner turmoil. One aspect that stood out is the raw exploration of trauma and its aftermath. Summer’s abuse and the ripple effect it has on Madeline’s life are handled with sensitivity, but Braley doesn’t shy away from the discomfort. The courtroom scenes, for instance, felt painfully honest. As Madeline hears the details of her father’s actions, her internal conflict leaps off the page. The way Braley captures Madeline’s struggle between loyalty to her father and her love for Summer is gripping and heartbreaking. You can feel the weight of guilt and confusion press down on Madeline as she tries to reconcile her memories of her father with the man she now knows he is. Madeline and Summer’s friendship is the heart of the story, and Braley beautifully captures the complexity of close relationships. There’s a bittersweet quality to their interactions, particularly in scenes where they reminisce about their childhoods, like when they laugh about their names, Summer Starr and Madeline Plympton, and pretend to be old ladies. Their bond feels real, the kind of friendship that can weather any storm, even the darkest secrets.
The Summer Before is a poignant and haunting novel that tackles difficult subjects with grace. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally charged narratives with strong character development. If you’re someone who loves stories about the complexities of friendship, family secrets, and personal growth, this book will resonate deeply with you. Be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions because Braley doesn’t hold back. It’s a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Pages: 262 | ASIN : B0DH9XFXZT
Death of a Blue Jay
Death of a Blue Jay is an intriguing novel that captures the essence of human resilience and spiritual introspection. Author Nicholas D’Souza weaves a narrative that invites readers into a reflective journey marked by poignant symbolism and philosophical musings. The story unfolds through a series of events that challenge Jeremy Martin to confront his past and embrace the nuances of life and faith. This is all framed by a mystical and somewhat tragic ambiance.
D’Souza’s writing style stands out with its poetic undertones and rich descriptive elements. This creates a vivid tapestry of scenes that tug at the heartstrings. The language heightens the emotional gravity of the plot, making each chapter resonate with a palpable sense of purpose and introspection. The book’s dialogue is steeped in authenticity. The dialogue furthers the thematic depth and showcases D’Souza’s ability to craft conversations that are both meaningful and moving.
While the novel’s philosophical leanings are its strength, at times I felt the philosophical asides occasionally disrupted the pacing. However, these moments also serve as the book’s most illuminating and provide readers with a chance to pause and reflect on the themes presented.
Death of a Blue Jay is a thoughtful, if not intense, exploration of life’s fragility and the human capacity for spiritual and emotional growth. This book will appeal to those who enjoy novels that challenge their way of thinking and open up avenues for personal reflection. It’s especially suited for readers who are drawn to stories that blend psychological depth with a strong moral and philosophical backbone. D’Souza offers a unique literary experience that is both challenging and rewarding.
Pages: 438 | ASIN : B0CXD277FY
There’s Always Hope
Before I Go follows a teenage girl dealing with the death of her brother who struggles to heal from this loss and seeks solace at the lake where they used to find joy and laughter. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for Before I Go came to me during the pandemic, a time when so many people were grappling with the loss of loved ones. In my city, we not only faced the pandemic but also endured a devastating typhoon that brought even more hardship to families. Grief and struggle were everywhere, yet people had to keep moving forward, often without the chance to truly process their feelings.
This got me thinking—what if someone couldn’t move on as quickly as those around them? What if they were still stuck in their grief while the world had already moved forward? That’s where the seed for the story was planted. From there, I leaned into the idea of exploring this through a teen fiction romance, which felt like the right fit to tell this kind of emotional journey.
I wanted to show that there are different ways of coping with loss. Some people have to move on quickly because life demands it, while others need more time. And that’s okay. We all handle grief in our own way, and there’s no right or wrong pace for healing.
In a lot of 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?
There’s a big piece of me in Before I Go. Rory’s likes and dreams mirror my own in many ways. Like her, I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, and I adore Taylor Swift and Harry Styles—both of whom get a nod in the book. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a librarian or at least working in a library, just like Rory. And the little things, like cheap cupcakes from the grocery store, are straight from my life—I even once celebrated a birthday with one as my cake!
On a deeper level, Rory’s emotions are very much a reflection of my own. Harper, in particular, is inspired by my father. He’s the person who makes me laugh so easily and has become a safety net in my life. When he fell into critical condition during the pandemic, I was terribly afraid. I was juggling everything—family responsibilities, work, all while battling COVID myself. It was an incredibly tough time, and looking back, I’m not sure how I managed to keep it all together. Even after everything settled down, I carried this weight in my chest—a fear of what could have happened if I hadn’t stayed strong.
It took me a long time to process those feelings because I had to keep them in, and it wasn’t easy. In writing this story, I created Walker because, in a way, I wanted someone like Walker in my life—a strong, supportive character who could have lifted me out of the darkness I was feeling. So yes, this story holds a big part of my heart.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme I wanted to express in Before I Go is hope. It’s a simple, common word, but I feel like not everyone gets to truly experience its depth. We often overlook hope, take it for granted, or even forget it entirely. Life can sometimes drown us in fear, pain, anger, and grief, making hope feel distant or unreachable. And that’s not anyone’s fault—we all go through different things and handle them in our own ways.
But even in the midst of all that, I wanted this book to send a clear message: there’s always hope, especially for those who seek it. I pray that those who are struggling can find that thread of hope somewhere, and if they do, I hope they grab onto it and hold tight. Because no matter how tough things get, hope is there, waiting to be found.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I actually just released a new book called Heart of the Moon Goddess. It’s a retelling of Philippine mythology about the Moon Goddess and the Bakunawa, a sea serpent that wants to devour the moons in the sky. It’s now available on Amazon, and it will be available for printing and distribution soon!
This book is a bit different from my first, but I’ve always been a huge fan of romance and fantasy, so I’m really excited to see what people think of it.
I’m also currently working on another fantasy romance, but I’m keeping the details under wraps for now. Here’s a little clue: there are dragons involved! Who doesn’t love them? Stay tuned!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Just as she learns to navigate life with newfound hope, a revelation tests her strength. Reality’s twists guide her toward an unexpected journey of forgiveness, teaching Rory that love, loss, and healing are intricate threads woven into the tapestry of life.
CAMELLIA SEASON: A Novel
Camellia Season, by Natasha Peterson, is a moving character-driven coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of late 1960s New Orleans. The narrative centers on young Cherie and her friends as they navigate the complexities of adolescence amidst a city in flux. Cherie, confined by the turmoil of her unhinged mother and the challenges of her environment, finds solace in her wordless diary—a silent companion filled with drawings marking time and counting down to an uncertain future. As her diary ticks toward zero, Cherie must confront and overcome the trials that come with the threshold of adulthood.
Peterson’s novel is a masterfully written exploration of growing up, offering a profound look into Cherie’s world and the people who shape it. The depth of character development is remarkable, vividly bringing to life the personalities, beliefs, and aspirations of each individual in Cherie’s life. The nuanced portrayal of these characters creates a compelling narrative where each person’s story is integral, adding rich layers to the overall tapestry of the novel. Cherie’s evolution is palpable through her actions, narration, and increasing comprehension of her world.
Peterson’s skillful use of tone effectively conveys the darker elements of the story through the eyes of a younger protagonist, adding an authentic and relatable perspective to the unfolding events. The intertwining of side characters’ stories—whether uplifting or tragic—enhances the sense of a living, breathing world where every character matters.
Camellia Season is an immersive read that I highly recommend, especially to young women seeking a resonant, heartfelt story. It captivates from the first page, drawing readers into Cherie’s tumultuous life and her yearning for escape. This is a novel that beckons you to return, eager to delve deeper into its narrative layers. Natasha Peterson has crafted a compelling tale, and I eagerly anticipate her future works.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0CYY6MMS1
Shining Lights of Our Democracy
Love and Protest follows the lives of two young women who while being from different generations are linked through the one woman’s diary from the 1960’s. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Many years ago, my friend and I found a diary tucked away in a drawer in a second-hand store. I knew one day I’d get around to using that idea in a story. But I thought I’d write about a road trip in search of the “old lady” with several adventures along the way. A Thelma and Louise sort of thing. When I finally got around to writing my diary story, it demanded a more serious tone.
In a lot of 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?
Yes, there are bits. I’ve been to marches, but I’ve never been involved in organizing one.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’ve always liked the concept of ordinary people getting involved in making a difference for the greater good. As this story says, activists are the shining lights of our democracy. They expose the dark corners of government and power.
Coming of age in a time of political unrest is complex, and I hope this book encourages the reader to think about the strength of involvement and the belief in something worth fighting for. It’s my nod to social activism.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
At the moment, I’m going back to my original love, which is short stories. A piece in my short story collection, “Like The Flies On The Patio” inspired my first novel, The Clock Of Life. Perhaps that will happen again.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Harper is certain her recently deceased mother arranged this discovery, and she gives the find special import. The diary entries help Harper cope with her loss and motivate her to become involved in something larger than herself.
After deciding her cause would be the Black Lives Matter movement, COVID-19 unexpectedly upends her plans. Her media-fueled fears and obsession with the growing death count drive her into isolation, until the George Floyd murder. Separated by generations, Harper and Liberty’s heartbreaks and missteps are intertwined as they come of age and find their individual paths toward activism.
LITERARY TITAN 