Blog Archives
With Mercy’s Eyes
With Mercy’s Eyes is a raw and emotionally charged novel that follows Lane Harris, a gay actor navigating grief, spiritual trauma, and identity after the sudden death of his husband, Stephen. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood and faith communities, Lane’s journey unfolds through a string of gut-wrenching losses, unsettling confrontations, and tentative spiritual rediscovery. Powell doesn’t flinch from heavy themes—suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, and faith-based rejection—and she handles them with a steady hand and an unwavering desire to show the heart of God without watering down the pain of real life.
Powell’s writing is lyrical and fierce and filled with dialogue that feels lifted straight from a real argument or heart-to-heart. There’s a deep, aching sadness in Lane’s life that never feels manipulative or preachy. His grief is suffocating, but it’s honest. The way Powell lets faith trickle in, not with neon lights or loud salvation moments, but through quiet, broken interactions, is powerful. I don’t often find Christian fiction that’s willing to sit with the tension and not rush to a clean ending, but this one does.
A few of the side characters, particularly the ones in conflict with the main cast, didn’t feel as fully developed as I hoped. And some of the redemptive turns happened a little faster than expected, especially after such heavy events. Still, maybe that’s intentional. Life has a way of offering hope at unexpected times. As for the spiritual themes, not every reader will interpret them the same way, but Powell approaches them with grace. She gives her characters room to question, to stumble, and to search, and that openness is something I appreciated.
With Mercy’s Eye is messy and brutally honest. But if you’ve ever struggled with feeling outside the reach of grace—especially within Christian circles—it’s a healing balm and a challenge. I would recommend With Mercy’s Eyes to readers who aren’t afraid to have their worldview shaken a bit. To those who’ve been hurt by the church. To those who want to believe in mercy again, even if it comes through tears.
Pages: 564 | ASIN : B0F2SQXC8M
WHISPERS IN THE VINEYARD: A NOVEL
Whispers in the Vineyard by Justin K. Kojok elegantly weaves a tale set in the idyllic village of Domeabra, a place marked by an enduring rivalry between two vineyard families. This novel masterfully portrays the intricate and heartfelt winemaking process, a craft deeply embedded in centuries of tradition. At the heart of the story is Loom, the poised heir to the Daanua vineyard. Upon her return to Domeabra, Loom embarks on a journey to discover her heritage and the time-honored traditions of viticulture. The plot thickens when she encounters Feika, the charming progeny of the rival vineyard, igniting a romance that blossoms organically, reminiscent of the grapevines surrounding them.
Kojok’s prose is richly descriptive, effectively transporting the reader to the vibrant festivities and aromatic world of winemaking. His skillful use of language, as seen in phrases like, “And seventeen minutes in Domeabra wasn’t just a period; it was an event, an atmospheric spectacle, an interval romance between the land and the heavens,” creates a vivid, almost mystical portrayal of Domeabra. This enchanting setting forms the perfect backdrop for the novel’s central romance. The relationship between Feika and Loom is crafted with a delicate touch, their initial tentative interactions gradually evolving into a deep connection. Their story is not just a personal triumph but symbolizes a harmonious blending of two historically opposed families. The couple’s mature approach to past conflicts and their shared ambition to create a united wine brand illustrates a progressive outlook, bringing prosperity and unity to Domeabra.
Kojok’s narrative is more than a love story; it’s an ode to preserving traditions and lore. Whispers in the Vineyard resonates with themes of heritage, unity, and the enduring power of love, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate fiction imbued with cultural richness and romantic intrigue.
Pages: 245 | ASIN : B0CTW8F2YX
DEAR GOSEI
John Forrester’s upbringing, marked by privilege within a well-to-do family, might suggest a life of ease and comfort. Yet, despite his affable nature and intelligence, John’s existence is marred by familial challenges: a father with rigid religious beliefs, a distant mother, and the overshadowing presence of an older brother. These complexities form the backdrop of his relatively carefree childhood until a harrowing event at 14 alters his trajectory, casting him into a world of uncertainty. The once vibrant and hopeful young man now stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the decision between forgiveness and vengeance.
Dear Gosei distinguishes itself as a nuanced exploration of the aftermath of sexual abuse, taking the reader on an emotional journey that is as unsettling as it is profound. The narrative centers around John, whose resilience and inner strength in adversity are heart-wrenching and admirable. His character is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for courage and endurance. The portrayal of John’s mother invokes a complex mix of emotions, from frustration over her apparent neglect to a reluctant empathy for her choices. Similarly, Douglas, John’s father, initially appears dismissive, yet as the story unfolds, his infuriating actions become somewhat understandable within the broader context of their fractured family dynamics. While Dear Gosei confronts the reader with the uncomfortable realities of abuse, it is ultimately a narrative imbued with hope. The characters are skillfully crafted to evoke a spectrum of responses, from anger and perplexity to empathy and tears. The book challenges readers to navigate the murky waters of moral ambiguity, understanding, and forgiveness. It serves as a beacon, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is a healing potential and a better tomorrow.
For those seeking a story that offers more than mere escapism, one that provides a raw yet inspiring examination of the human condition, Dear Gosei will resonate deeply. It is a compelling read for mature audiences, promising a glimpse into the trials and triumphs of its characters and a reflection on the resilience and complexity of the human spirit.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0C7NGKWGZ
Forever and a Night
Nathan is a vampire with a bunch of conflicts on his plate. First, the female feral vampire that turned him into a vampire, Isabella, is after him. He is getting older, and his friends are worried because he is exhibiting some of the characteristics that vampires show before turning feral. One of those characteristics involves Mia, a human woman that works as a sous chef at a downtown New Orleans restaurant. Nathan needs to sort out what he is feeling for Mia while being cautious of another return from Isabella. He offers Mia a job to be his personal chef, but she isn’t sure about his reasons for doing so. Mia is trying to resist Nathan’s flirtatious advances because she suspects that he isn’t much of a Christian man. However, she learns a lot more about him once she begins working in his home.
This novel has an interesting mix of Christian romance and fantasy. While many are probably sick of the vampire character thanks to mainstream media, this is a refreshing take. Mia and her values are an inspiration, and watching her navigate the conflicts with poise shows the strength of her beliefs.
The secondary characters, though, are a bit lacking. As an example, Julia and Dimitri are a married vampire couple that live with Nathan, but they don’t add enough depth to the text for me to be interested. They don’t play a large role in the plot, besides the fact that their son is a lookout in Nathan’s employ. Yes, they do have other minor roles, but they are mostly utilized to help give a voice to what Nathan and Mia are thinking. Even a competing love interest with a character named Christian has only a minor effect. That leaves a lot of the plot’s weight on Nathan’s and Mia’s shoulders, and they are not consistently able to bear that burden.
Isabella, the feral vampire, seems to be a manifestation of a worldly person. Someone who has turned from God and given in to their worldly desires fully. Her first meeting with Nathan involved a marriage proposal because she “only wants the lifestyle and prestige” she would get from marrying him. Her actions worsen throughout the novel when she learns of Nathan’s feelings for Mia, and her desire to get what she wants brings danger to anyone that tries to get in her way. The choices forced upon Nathan through this conflict show the same consequences that many Christians face in their lives.
Overall, the story is good. It is interesting to watch Nathan battle with his own mind, trying to do things the right way, fighting his innermost desires and looking for answers. Mia struggles with the temptation of lust, but keeps her children in the front of her mind to keep herself strong. While the story is put in the frame of vampires, the Christian principles shine through and provide a wonderful message to any of those that would care to hear it. Grammatically, the text has a few minor problems, but they do not cause so much of a distraction to take away from the messages.
Pages: 398 | ISBN: 1682070530
Grim Reaper Searches For A Soulmate
Marko Pandza Author Interview
Limbo is a story of a man who accidentally becomes the Grim Reaper and is the most highly revered killer in Limbo. What was the inspiration for this original and fascinating idea?
I wanted to write something that Clive Barker might like. Only 50% joking. The other 50% started with a simple sentence that didn’t mean much: the Grim Reaper searches for a soulmate. Everything spun out of that. The name Grim the Reaper popped into my head eventually, which made him feel like a starting point for a character and led to a bunch of meaty questions:
“Well, what if the mythical figure of Death was just one of many?”
“What if Grim used to have a life? Yes, he was John Grim. What the hell happened to him?”
“Who or What made John Grim this way, why did It create this perverse society?”
One led to the next and it all just made me really curious. I wanted to answer those questions by telling myself the story because I’d always dreamed of writing a horror novel and it seemed like the kind that wouldn’t bore me into not finishing it. I wanted to write something that to me would be strange and different, poetic at times and gruesome at others, something that felt big and conceptual. The kind of story I’d want to read. So I crammed a ton of my inspirations in there. Nerds like me that have a keen eye will pick up the overt references or subtle nods to Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Candyman, Hellraiser, Preacher, Nightbreed/Cabal, Cabin in the Woods, John Dies at the End…there’s a bunch more. Just little treats for horror fans inspired by the same stuff as I am.
The TL;DR version — There’s a lot of autobiography in this book, and this excerpt of the still-living John Grim holding his first freshly completed manuscript sums it up:
What he recalled most vividly about that simple moment was the pride, the heft of the pages in his hands, heavy with the monster that lived and breathed inside of them. The buoyancy of seeing his insides spilled in black ink on white pages, dreaming of the story being passed lip to lip.
I felt that the tone of the novel was dark and I appreciated the grim consistency. Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing or did it come out organically as you were writing?
Darkness in all its forms is just fascinating to me. It’s the same reason heavy metal pleases my ear and happy major key music grates on me. Happy, clean cut endings, perfect heroes that are morally incorruptible, all that kind of stuff bores me at best, irritates me at worst. But I still believe in a form of the lighter side of things. A big part of the overall concept of Limbo before I put pen to paper was balance. I wanted the emotional moments to matter because they were born out of darkness. So I tried to push both sides as far as I could go. I know the results aren’t for everyone, because there are some pretty messed up scenes in Limbo, but there’s also this tragic story of two people who truly loved each other and fell into this insane situation that I think has a satisfying, unconventionally beautiful ending. So, definitely intentional, but thankfully it all came together pretty organically, while eating mostly non-organic chips. Chips were a big part of writing Limbo.
Grim is not the only character in Limbo. There are also friends, strangers, and even deities. What was your favorite character to write for?
I’ll have to cheat. It’s a split between the Maker of Limbo and Dora, John Grim’s sarcastic and strong re-incarnated soulmate Dora. Spoiler alert, but Limbo’s physical landscape and the Maker of Limbo are one and the same, cobbled together with endless miles of dead flesh and filled with an insane, vast web of consciousness made up of countless distinct personalities. I pushed myself to make the different physical forms the Maker appears in surprising, sometimes shocking, sometimes funny or sad. Writing this single, incomprehensible entity/deity with this assortment of both coherent and incoherent voices was incredibly fun. Dora I loved just as much because I wanted her to be a real badass. Though Grim the Reaper is the titular character searching for her, Dora is the real hero of Limbo. Brave, unrelentingly honest and endearingly bitter, someone who does what needs to be done, no matter the consequences. It’s hard to say more about her without ruining the surprises she brings, but suffice to say I wish Dora was someone I knew in real life.
What is the next book that you are writing and when will that be published?
I’m splitting my time between two projects. One is a big collection of charcoal illustrations of monsters, demons, ghouls and oddities I wish I saw in my sleep. The other is a big collection of one sentence horror stories called Brief, Horrible Moments. Aiming for late 2016 or early 2017, but here’s three stories from the collection so far that are on the ‘lighter’ side of the spectrum:
It laid its hands on my shoulders, still staring at me from across the lake.
Pulling the long black hair out from the drain didn’t bother me until I realized it was attached to something.
My father was causing a scene as usual, slurring his words and attacking pew after pew of terrified mourners who had gathered for his funeral.
Author Links: Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads | Website
Limbo Art by Marko Pandza
This is a story of a man who accidentally becomes Grim the Reaper, the most highly revered killer in Limbo. A place beyond time and space as we know it where psychopaths compete for perverse honour and status as they carry out their deathly duties. As Grim struggles to hold onto the memories of the life he’s lost, he discovers that the insane being who shaped him (and the course of existence itself) may have sinister plans for the one thing he values most. In Limbo, the end is only the beginning.
LITERARY TITAN 