Blog Archives
Before We Arrived
Jodie Pine’s Before We Arrived spins a beautiful tapestry of interconnected lives across time, grief, and healing. Told through alternating chapters set between 1975 and 2005, the story traces three families—each marked by loss, resilience, and quiet strength—as they find each other through fate and a shared sanctuary. A former archaeologist, a social worker, and a man recovering from injury and trauma become unlikely kin under the roof of a goat sanctuary, of all places. But it’s more than goats. It’s about second chances, and third. It’s about holding sorrow in one hand and still reaching out with the other.
As a widow, I didn’t expect this book to hit me like it did. From the very first chapter with Henry and his mangled hand, I felt my heart slide into that familiar hollow space. The line—“trying so hard to keep things light”—caught in my throat. That’s exactly what it’s like when you’re walking around with your grief zipped up under your coat. Henry’s story reminded me how healing doesn’t look like a movie montage. It’s awkward, reluctant, even a little muddy. His growth is slow but steady, like learning how to breathe again after forgetting for a while.
Then there’s Rivka. Oh, Rivka. I adored her. The way she stepped into Nina King’s quiet, grief-soaked apartment, dripping wet and uninvited, but still offering help with a kind firmness—it was deeply moving. Her voice felt familiar to me, like someone I would’ve met. Her compassion for baby David, and her refusal to flinch in the face of Nina’s silence or mistrust, showed the kind of stubborn kindness I’ve come to cherish in my own life. The moment when Nina finally lets her hold the baby? That nearly did me in.
Jayce’s chapters, especially the funeral scene and the pact he makes with his mother, stirred something in me. We can’t disappear with our dead. I loved how his archaeology background tied into the theme of digging—literally and emotionally—for what’s been buried. His arc wasn’t flashy, but it was profound. Quiet endurance. I know it well.
What Jodie Pine does so beautifully is show how people can be shattered and still be whole. There are no villains here, just folks doing their best with their pain. The prose is warm and alive, sometimes messy, just like real conversation. I chuckled more than once—especially during Henry’s first day with the goats—and found unexpected joy in the ordinary moments: Rivka eating Fig Newtons at her desk, David fixing a bike, a fox sculpture on a table. These small details made the world feel lived-in, like someone left the light on for you.
This book is for anyone who’s ever been broken open and needed help stitching themselves back together. It’s for people who are lonely but not hopeless. For readers who don’t mind stories that move like real life—with detours, overlaps, long silences, and sudden beauty.
Pages: 395 | ASIN : B0FG3L2V5Q
The Weight of Water
The Weight of Water is a haunting and heartfelt young adult novel that follows Sailor Byrd, a teen grappling with overwhelming guilt and grief after the tragic drowning of her younger sister, Beth. Set against the backdrop of a coastal town, the story unpacks themes of loss, mental illness, isolation, and the often-messy journey toward healing. As Sailor navigates a world that’s suddenly foreign and full of blame—both self-inflicted and external—her dream of freedom on the ocean collides with harsh emotional realities. The novel doesn’t shy away from trauma, instead diving deep into it, portraying the complexities of familial relationships, friendship betrayals, and internal battles with raw honesty.
Deene writes with an intensity that sometimes left me breathless. Her prose, simple but emotionally sharp, feels like reading someone’s private journal, filled with real pain and confusion. I especially appreciated the contrast between Sailor’s dream of a life at sea and the suffocating weight of her grief. Every page feels soaked in sorrow, but there are glimmers of warmth and memory that keep it from drowning in darkness. The way Beth was written, her quirks, fears, and the bright yellow she clung to, is unforgettable.
The pacing slowed at times, especially during Sailor’s more introspective moments. While those sections reflect the real heaviness of grief, they sometimes felt a bit repetitive. A couple of side characters, like Mya and Sam, weren’t as deeply developed, especially in how their distance and betrayal were portrayed. But maybe that was the point. When you’re grieving, people can feel unfamiliar, even unreal. Through it all, Sailor’s voice remained strong and steady, anchoring the story in a way that kept me turning the pages, even during its heavier moments.
The Weight of Water is a powerful read. It’s not for the faint of heart—it deals openly with death, trauma, and depression—but if you’ve ever lost someone or felt like you were drowning in emotions, it hits close to home. I’d recommend it to teens and adults who don’t mind sitting with discomfort and are looking for an honest portrayal of grief. It’s painful, yes. But it’s also quietly beautiful. And healing, in its own way.
Pages: 240 | ASIN : B0F6Q1L2VV
The Brushy Ridge Militia
Roger Chiocchi’s The Brushy Ridge Militia takes a hard look at America’s deep divisions over gun control, political power, and the consequences of unchecked violence. The story weaves together political intrigue, grassroots activism, and personal tragedy, following Speaker of the House Fred Grantham as he maneuvers through a firestorm of public outrage following a school shooting. But the heart of the novel lies with Austin McGuirk, a bullied, isolated teenager whose desperation culminates in devastating action. This book is raw, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
Chiocchi’s writing is unflinching. From the opening pages, he throws the reader straight into the chaos of a protest, the rage of the public clashing against the stubborn resolve of politicians. The way he writes Grantham is fascinating; the man is cold, calculating, and seemingly incapable of genuine empathy. His exchanges—like when he coldly ignores a grieving mother thrusting a photo of her dead daughter in his face—are chilling. The writing style is direct, with short, punchy sentences that keep the tension high. Sometimes, it almost feels like a screenplay, moving rapidly between perspectives, keeping the reader gripping the edge of their seat.
The most haunting part of the book is Austin McGuirk’s story. Chiocchi takes us deep inside the mind of a bullied, ostracized kid, showing us his slow descent from hopelessness to horrifying resolve. The locker room humiliation scene is brutal, making it impossible not to feel the depth of his pain. And when he finally snaps, it’s a moment that is both horrifying and deeply tragic. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how it forces the reader to sit in that uncomfortable gray area where you can understand why something happens, even if you can’t justify it.
Then there’s the “militia” of grieving parents who take justice into their own hands. Their motivations are understandable, their pain palpable, but their actions blur the line between righteous fury and dangerous extremism. The novel forces the reader to reckon with the consequences of political inaction, the cost of turning a blind eye, and the rage that festers when justice is never served.
The Brushy Ridge Militia is not an easy read, but it’s an important one. It’s for readers who appreciate stories that don’t shy away from tough conversations—those who like their fiction with a dose of unsettling realism. If you’re a fan of politically charged thrillers, or books that explore the human cost of policy decisions, this is a must-read.
Pages: 400 | ASIN : B0DTNX5J2P
Sweet Ridge Hearts
In Sweet Ridge Hearts, Susan Bagby crafts a warm and heartfelt tale about second chances, personal growth, and rediscovering what truly matters. The story follows Katy Flanagan, a New York marketing executive whose ambition is stymied when her idea is stolen and her promotion handed to her boyfriend, who then breaks up with her for professional reasons. Disillusioned and raw, Katy escapes to the cozy town of Maple Ridge to stay with her cousin Christine. What follows is a touching journey of healing, love, and self-discovery as Katy gets involved with Christine’s thriving bakery business, meets new friends (and a certain handsome veteran named Derek), and begins to see that life’s sweetest rewards often come from unexpected places.
I didn’t expect to get so emotionally tangled up in Katy’s story, but Bagby’s writing pulled me in from the start. The dialogue felt real, like listening to people I know. Katy’s frustrations at work, her heartbreak, even her stubbornness, all rang true. I found myself nodding when she stood up for herself, and I felt every sting of betrayal she faced in those early chapters. Bagby has a knack for painting a scene so vividly. Her style is clean, never stuffy, with plenty of down-to-earth charm that makes you forget you’re reading fiction. The plot may follow familiar beats, but the emotion behind each moment is fresh.
What really stayed with me, though, was the book’s heart. This isn’t just a romance, it’s about finding your footing when everything you thought you wanted falls apart. Katy doesn’t just swap the city for the country and magically find love. She works through her own mess. She grows. And Derek is not your typical brooding hero. He’s quiet, strong, layered with past pain, and gently healing alongside Katy. The themes of redemption, trust, and building something lasting—whether it’s a career or a relationship—really resonated with me. There’s a sense of community and purpose woven throughout that gave the story its soul.
I recommend Sweet Ridge Hearts to anyone craving a feel-good, heartfelt read with depth. If you’re tired of flashy romances and want something real, with characters who mess up, grow, and try again, this book’s for you. It’s perfect for curling up on a cold weekend, letting it tug at your heartstrings, and walking away feeling a little more hopeful.
Pages: 297 | ASIN : B0DJ9WLBD4
Emotional Free Fall
The Scald Crow follows a Canadian news anchor who loses her job and the last of her family, leading her to move to Ireland to claim an inheritance from a man she has never met. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I knew I wanted the story to be set in Ireland—it’s a place that pulses with history, myth, and an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly. But I also wanted a protagonist who had a compelling reason to go there and never look back. That’s where Calla came in. She’s a Canadian news anchor who loses not just her job, but the last of her family. That kind of emotional free fall gave her the perfect motivation to uproot her life and start fresh. The idea of her inheriting something mysterious from a stranger in Ireland just clicked—it opened the door to secrets, magic, and self-discovery. It was the setup I needed to launch her into a world where reality and myth collide.
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?
Absolutely. I spent ten days in Ireland with my family, and every location mentioned in The Scald Crow is a place I actually stood. The cliffs, the pubs, the winding roads—all of it left an imprint on me. But it wasn’t just the landscape. It was the people. Bits and pieces of the locals—their warmth, wit, and mystery—found their way into my characters and dialogue. So yes, there’s quite a bit of me in this story. It’s woven with real moments, real places, and the kind of magic you can only feel when you’re truly present somewhere that stirs your soul.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the most important themes for me was bringing to life the magic of the land, the folklore, and the people. Ireland is rich with stories that feel older than time, and I wanted that deep-rooted sense of myth and wonder to pulse through every page. I was drawn to the idea that the land itself holds memory and mystery and that the people—whether mortal or magical—are deeply connected to it. Exploring how place shapes identity, and how folklore can both haunt and heal, was at the heart of writing The Scald Crow.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
In the next book, Resurrection, Calla journeys into the otherworld and meets the magical family she never knew she had—including twin sisters who are opposites in every way and a father with a dangerous glint in his eye. As old powers awaken and a ruthless prince threatens the realm, Calla discovers abilities she never imagined—shifting into other beings in moments of fear. Meanwhile, Colm must reach back through bloodlines and legend to save her, even if it costs him everything.
The future of the series? Let’s just say the veil between worlds is growing thinner… and not everyone who crosses it will return the same.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Colm fled from Clonmara seven long years ago, but now it’s his father’s birthday, and the clan has gathered to celebrate the ould one. Each day brings back the memories that ruined him.
Saoirse dwells in the shadows of a lost love, unwilling to move on and unable to forget. The crystals say one thing, but the cold, hard truth tells another.
Ciarán walked away from the woman he loved for the fun, for the craic. He didn’t realize that one rash decision would impact the lives of so many, least of all his own.
Four broken hearts, brought together by the thread of love.
Shadows on the Heart
Shadows on the Heart is a deeply emotional and character-driven novel that traces the sudden upheaval in the life of Lita Bravo, an MMA fighter whose brother and sister-in-law are killed in a car accident, leaving her as the unexpected guardian of their three children. As Lita wrestles with grief, responsibility, and a fractured relationship with her estranged mother—who is suffering from dementia—she must confront her past and figure out what kind of future she can build for herself and the children in her care. Set in both Arizona and California, the novel unfolds across tender, painful, and even humorous moments of transition.
What really hit me was how raw and believable the characters felt. Lita is the kind of protagonist I don’t see enough—tough on the outside, absolutely flailing on the inside. She’s not a savior. She screws up. She runs away, literally, when confronted with her mom after nearly twenty years. Her brokenness isn’t glamorized, and that made her growth all the more satisfying. I’ve read plenty of stories about family estrangement, but this one nailed the messy, confusing swirl of shame, anger, guilt, and stubborn love in a way that felt too real.
The kids stole my heart. Jade especially. She’s twelve, and already carrying more emotional weight than most adults. Her quiet grief, her fierce loyalty to her siblings, and her desperate need to feel some control over her crumbling world broke me. The scene where she hides behind the curtain from the police, praying her parents will come home, is one I won’t forget. And the way Oscar, one of Lita’s friends, subtly becomes a calming presence for the kids—without stealing focus—was just sweet, in a gentle, understated way.
There were times I wanted to shake Lita. She’s impulsive. Stubborn as hell. And sometimes I got frustrated watching her retreat just when I thought she was going to show up for these kids. But that’s what makes her feel human. She’s no instant hero, and this isn’t some cozy “all’s well that ends well” journey. It’s rough. The pacing lags a little midway, and the transitions between character POVs—especially when jumping into Evie’s fragmented memories—can feel jarring. Still, those moments also gave the book texture. Life doesn’t flow smoothly, and Oldham leans into that discomfort with courage.
This book is for anyone who’s ever felt like the ground has dropped out beneath them and had to figure out how to keep going anyway. If you like layered family dramas, tough women with soft cores, and stories that don’t shy away from the ugliness of healing, Shadows on the Heart will resonate. It made me ache, made me laugh, made me remember why I read fiction in the first place.
Pages: 352 | ASIN : B0DL3KMTK7
My Home Country
The Dream Lives On follows a man fleeing with his children and mother from Ukraine to the US to seek refuge, who falls in love with a successful woman searching for meaning in her life. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When the war began in Ukraine, it came as a tremendous shock for me. I moved to the United States from Ukraine back in 2005, but I still feel a very strong connection to my home country. I used to visit Ukraine every year. Many of my friends and relatives still live in Kyiv and I am in touch with them regularly. I was completely devastated and extremely worried about everyone when the war started. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved since the war began. Ukrainian residents still suffer from missile and drone attacks daily-just last night there was a deadly air attack that injured and killed people, as well as damaged some buildings. This is a nightmare with which we are forced to live since 2022.
Given all this background, it was only natural for me to start writing a fiction novel that takes place during the first months of the war. This is what was on my mind the whole time.
While all the characters of the novel are fictional, the events are not. As the Russian army started approaching, Ukrainians needed to make a choice of either staying or leaving Ukraine. This was not an easy choice…The characters in my novel took different routes and outcomes were quite different. Not everyone survived, unfortunately. You’ll need to read the book to know how things worked out for them.
As to the romance between the main characters, Viktor and Teresa, I wasn’t originally planning on that. But this idea came to my mind as I was progressing through the book. I thought that both Viktor and Teresa were wonderful people who faced a lot of adversity (for very different reasons). They deserved to find their happiness in the end. And happiness for me means being with a person who loves you, respects you, and truly understands you. It does not involve money, power, or other similar things.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
For me, the most interesting ones are growth and development. Throughout their lives, people have new experiences, they learn, they adapt, they evolve and hopefully become better people in the end. In my current novel, characters learn to live in completely new circumstances. Their world essentially comes crashing down, but they remain true to their values. They help each other and build a new future. It might be quite different from the one they expected originally, but they learn to live in it. The most important thing in life is staying true to your values, no matter what happens.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
There are multiple scenes in my novel which capture the essence of war and tremendous hardships faced by civilians, especially small children. I tried to watch as many documentaries as possible to give an accurate account of what happened. Some of the most critical scenes are those that depict the damp bomb shelter in which adults, children and their pets gather; the Yurchenko family’s miraculous escape from the town of Irpin under the Russian missiles, and the crowded train platform where thousands of frightened people wait for a scarce train to Warsaw.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I have two books in the works.
One of them is the sequel to The Dream Lives On, which would complete the trilogy. There are still some unanswered questions remaining. First, we still need to know why Solomon left his home country of Tanzania and moved to Ukraine. What prompted him? Did something bad happen to him back home? We also need to know what happened to Solomon’s sister, Gloria. Does she still live in Tanzania, or did she move away? What did her life turn out like? I know some answers already, but not all, so more work remains to be done.
The second book I’m writing is a novel inspired by the expat life in Uzbekistan. For the last two years, I’ve been living in Uzbekistan together with my family due to my job (I work in international development). I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be living in Central Asia, but sometimes life takes you to the most unexpected places. I must say it’s been a very interesting experience which I would very much like to reflect in a new fiction novel. I already have a few chapters written and I hope to finish the book before I leave my posting in Uzbekistan.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
All he is looking for is a refuge for his family; falling in love is the last thing he expects on the other side of the Atlantic. What’s more, he would have never guessed that his journey could help his relatives connect the dots in a decades-old family mystery.
Teresa Jameson, a top executive in an international company, has lived for sixteen years in a seemingly happy marriage. Or maybe she just closed her eyes too often and refused to face the reality?
As ample cracks start to show, she needs to dig deep into her soul. Will she look away just one more time, or give the new relationship a chance to flourish?
Army of 29 Cats
Wynter St. Vaughan’s novel Army of 29 Cats is weird in the best way possible. Army of 29 Cats is a gritty, post-apocalyptic story told through the eyes of street-smart, dumpster-diving cats. The setting is Atomic City, a once-thriving metropolis now drowning in purple fog, feral vibes, and existential dread. Our main feline hero, McGrady, is basically a warrior-poet with claws, and along with his anxious but lovable sidekick Paws, they set out to find out what’s corrupting their city—and their friends. It’s like Watership Down meets Blade Runner, but covered in fur and way more sarcastic.
I was not expecting to get emotionally attached to a cat. But there I was, rooting for him as he leapt rooftops, dodged glowing-eyed mutant dogs, and tried to rescue Felina, a cat gone rogue. The writing has this flow that jumps between poetic and street-wise without missing a beat. Like when Grandma Mittens describes Felina’s haunting purple eyes. That’s some vivid storytelling. The whole world-building around Atomic City is eerie and immersive. It’s a mess of decay, forgotten neighborhoods, creepy raccoons, and weird purple goo that’s turning everyone into mindless husks. I was hooked.
The dialogue is hilarious and punchy. The banter between McGrady and Paws had me laughing. There’s also a moment where Amazing Grace—who totally lives up to her name—pulls a full-on parkour escape from a dog pack and disappears like a silver ninja. And when Professor Waffles showed up with his steampunk goggles, I almost clapped. The characters are so over-the-top but grounded in enough raw emotion that it works.
Sometimes, the book throws a lot at you. Like, every chapter ramps up the action and adds another creepy villain, new neighborhood, or dramatic cat monologue. I occasionally lost track of who was infected and who was just cranky. And the purple-eye infection subplot was super cool and ominous but gets a bit murky in explanation. I wanted a tiny bit more clarity there, especially after the introduction of Mr. Geiger, the ultra-creepy villain.
Still, I had a blast reading this. The mix of high-stakes adventure, grimy urban survival, and cat drama is unique. If you’re into dystopias, underground animal rebellions, or just want something completely unexpected, Army of 29 Cats delivers. It’s great for readers who liked Redwall but always wished the characters were sassier and the setting more cyberpunk. I’d hand this to teens, adult animation fans, or anyone who secretly thinks their cat is plotting world domination.
Pages: 226 | ASIN : B0DPTTHRXV
LITERARY TITAN 