Blog Archives
The Conti Family: Luca (An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance)
After eleven years in prison, Don Luca Conti walks free. Harder now. More dangerous. Elena is the federal prosecutor determined to send him back. But when their eyes meet across the courtroom, the world stops…and forbidden desire ignites. She is sent to destroy him, but ends up beneath him. One unforgettable night that leaves her carrying a mobster’s baby. And when the death threats begin, and danger closes in, the only man who can protect her is the one she vowed to destroy. Some lines shouldn’t be crossed. And some desires can’t be denied. LUCA. A Conti Family Mafia Romance by Claire Kirby.
A Commentary on Society-at-large
Where’s Jackson Pollock? follows a gallery owner in Richmond, VA, who is accused of stealing two valuable modern art paintings and needs the help of her brother and his girlfriend to clear her name and find the missing art. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It was mostly about greed. So many people are self-absorbed in how they live life and never stop to see their own foibles. Everyone in the book, except the protagonists, had some sort of angle, some kind of scam going on, and they all thought it was business as usual. More or less, a commentary on society-at- large.
Sophia is a smart and engaging character who keeps the other characters and readers on their toes. What do you think makes her a valuable and worthy heroine?
Her unique abilities have allowed her to see the world as it is, not in a jaded way. She sees not just the good and the bad in people, but their endless variations. Having such a gift can be chaotic and overwhelming, but she has learned to cope with it.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Living on this planet for over sixty years. Nothing gives you a better experience than experience.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Chris and Sophia and the direction of the next book?
They are asked to use their unique skills and join a special branch of the FBI. They use their abilities to solve some of their most complicated cases. They next book has them in Boston, Montreal, Prague, and Antwerp.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Chris and his uniquely skilled girlfriend, Sophia Garcia, coax an old detective out of retirement to help solve the case and save Jackie. However, his once vaunted detective skills have deteriorated, and as the case becomes more complex, what evidence they do find incriminates her.
When the FBI becomes involved, and two people turn up dead, Chris and Sophia become desperate and must use their combined talents to find the stolen paintings and discover the identity of the real criminal and keep his sister from being convicted of the crimes.
The case is complex, the evidence convoluted, and the suspects are clever. Will anyone ever find out, “Where’s Jackson Pollock?”
Being Nefariously Inclined
Falling in Southport follows a young woman from a prominent Chicago political family who falls for a charming yet manipulative athlete she meets in college, who is hiding dangerous secrets. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I actually built the story around the coat. I myself had been living in the same Chicago neighborhood and realized that wherever I went, women were wearing my identical jacket, albeit in different colors. Being nefariously inclined, I then thought, how would one use this to commit a crime? The premise for the murder was created and I built the characters around it.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
A big part of this story is about the resilience of family and that sometimes, no matter how much you try not to rock the boat, bad things happen to good people. It’s in the most trying situations you realize who you can count on in your life, and for me, that has always been my family. I wanted Abigail to have that same solid foundation that she could turn to when her life fell apart, no matter if they had condoned or condemned her previous choices.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
I try to plan out the kind of plot twists I’d like to see and the spacing within the novel. I then build the scenes in between. I like doing it this way because I’m always surprised at the way the scenes unfold, with characters doing unexpected things to take us into the next phase of the novel.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am busy editing my new novel. The working title is The Arrow’s Reckoning. It’s about a young woman, Lizzie, who moves back home to a small resort town to take care of her dying mother. She meets a wealthy, new family who’s built a mansion nearby and gets swept up in their family dynamics, particularly the intrigue involved in holding on to their company. This book is near and dear to me. A lot of the novel is about coming to terms with her mother’s impending death and finding your place in a world that’s changing. I started writing it after my own mother’s sudden passing and it was a cathartic way for me to examine my own feelings. Hopefully, it will be out in the early half of 2027.
Author Links: Goodreads | X | Facebook | Website
Abigail Lethican’s world unravels when her husband admits to infidelity. Reeling from his betrayal, she follows him—only to become the prime suspect when he turns up dead. With her trial looming and the media circling, she finds an unexpected ally in her handsome and enigmatic neighbor. As they search for the truth, Abigail discovers her husband’s polished facade concealed a maze of dangerous secrets. Sometimes, the deadliest lies hide in plain sight.
The Depth That Horror Offers
Blood on the Trailhead follows the Chief of Police for a state park who is investigating several cases involving a mutilated body, strange glyphs, and a missing child, all leading to a supernatural cause. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Our inspiration all started around the Indigenous myth of the Tah-tah-kle’-ah. Feel free to Google it, but be warned, it will be a big spoiler. Therefore, we don’t want to elaborate here, knowing many people have not read the book yet.
We were also very inspired by the beauty and the vastness (Redwoods) surrounding Ferndale, CA, which is the town that we modeled the small city of Lost Grove after. There is still so much wilderness that holds pockets of secrets that we have yet to uncover. We found this fertile ground to explore in this story.
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
A big one for this book was nature conservation and the preservation of cultures, specifically the Wiyot tribe of Northern CA. Both of these are throughlines that run through the horror and mystery in the story. One of the other ideas we cling to in the Lost Grove series is the close-knit mentality of the small town of just under 1,500 residents, their resilience, and camaraderie. We see this among the teens and in the small police force. Lastly, and this is more so a focus for Alex, is always keeping a sense of humor in the characters that feels grounded and true to who they are.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
Well, we both absolutely love horror in any fictional medium. We watch over one hundred horror films a year and host our own year-end Horror Oscars. We also love the depth that horror offers its lead characters, placing them in life-or-death situations that reveal everything about a person. The draw to paranormal is the intrigue of the unexplained that exists and persists in our world. The paranormal also gives us a chance to explore things beyond what we experience in most of our day-to-day lives. Charlotte, in particular, has always been fond of folklore and superstition, which are ripe to explore in this sub-genre.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Regarding Lost Grove, they can expect book four next fall. The working title is The Devil’s Acre, and it will return readers to Lost Grove during one of its darkest winters. Cold Cases, isolation…it may be one of the more unsettling books in the series so far.
Charlotte is also wrapping up an epic fantasy trilogy, Trust of the Magdrid that she has been working on for some time now. She hopes to release the first in that series late next year as well.
Alex is in the midst of his own mystery trilogy. Book one, The Disappearance at Devil’s Churn, is complete. He is planning to begin work on book two at the start of 2026. He is waiting until he finishes book three before releasing any of the books, as they will be released in quick succession.
Charlotte Zang Links: GoodReads | Website
Alex J Knudsen Links: GoodReads | Website | Facebook
Just outside town, a local teen stumbles on strange, twisting glyphs scorched into the trees, eerily similar to those once studied by an Indigenous academic researcher who disappeared just years earlier. Desperate for answers, she turns to a friend with family ties to the Wiyot Nation, only to be warned off: some things are better left buried.
When a local teenager goes missing, town meetings turn ugly, campers cancel in droves, and the pressure mounts with each bloodied trail. On the eve of the county fair, Seth is faced with the burden of an old case threatening to resurface and unravel his career, along with the rising dread of a community coming apart.
Because what waits in the forest isn’t just an echo of the past. It’s hunting again.
Literary Titan 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
Childhood’s Hour: The Lost Desert
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
Filaments by KZK Zuganelis Kasling
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
LITERARY TITAN 