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Memoirs of a Household Demon
Memoirs of a Household Demon is the story of Yuriel, a mid-tier demon tasked with corrupting a modern-day slacker named Paul Meechum. What begins as a humorous tale of vices, laziness, and divine rivalry soon turns into something deeper. Through poker games in attic hideouts and spiritual face-offs with a pompous guardian angel named “Goldie,” Yuriel gradually becomes entangled in a neighborhood full of more meaning than he bargained for, especially when he starts spying on a neighboring family whose love and strength challenge everything he thought he knew about his place in the world.
The writing in this book is a blast. It’s quick, snappy, and sharp as a whip. The banter between Yuriel and Goldie had me laughing more than once, and the absurdity of demons playing poker with eternal punishment on the line was pure genius. But what surprised me most was how fast the tone could shift from jokes about weed brownies to scenes so tender and raw they made my chest ache. The author manages this emotional rollercoaster with a light touch, never getting preachy, never losing the humor, but letting the heart sneak up on you. It’s rare to see a story so funny yet so genuinely moving.
The real power here lies in the ideas. The book plays with spiritual themes like heaven, hell, purpose, and redemption, but it doesn’t hand you easy answers. Yuriel, who starts as a sarcastic, jaded trickster, slowly changes just by watching a family love each other well. He doesn’t suddenly become a saint, but he’s clearly haunted by the good he sees. I felt that. I’ve been there. Sometimes, witnessing real love or real faith shakes you more than any lecture ever could. And the contrast between his rowdy chaos and the quiet strength of the Torres family hit me hard.
Memoirs of a Household Demon is perfect for anyone who likes their humor laced with soul. It’s a great fit for fans of Neil Gaiman or Good Omens, or for readers who want a story that blends the ridiculous with the divine. If you’ve ever wondered whether a demon could find redemption or if you just need a good laugh with a punch of meaning, you should read this book.
Pages: 337 | ASIN : B0DNR6CN42
GRQ: Get Rich Quick
GRQ is a sharp, satirical novel that follows a morally slippery narrator who peddles dreams of fast money through dubious crypto schemes and financial manipulations. The story centers around Marlon, a hapless husband and father with a penchant for bad decisions, who spirals deeper into chaos as his lies unravel and his life crumbles. Through absurd vignettes and dark humor, Bernstein delivers a biting critique of capitalism, self-delusion, and the fragile façade of success.
Reading this book was like listening to a charming con man talk circles around the truth while you laugh and cringe in equal measure. The narrator’s voice is hypnotic. It’s funny, fast-talking, and flawed. Bernstein’s writing feels conversational and unfiltered, filled with tangents, wild lists, and jabs at everything from labradoodles to General Tso’s chicken. It’s brilliantly messy. The narrative never tries to be neat or linear. That looseness works in its favor. It mirrors the chaos of the characters’ lives and thoughts, making the humor land harder and the emotions hit sharper when they sneak in.
What I really liked was the sadness beneath the jokes. The book feels like it’s laughing through tears. Behind all the posturing and bluster, there’s a real ache about failure, about loneliness, about the longing to be seen and believed. Bernstein doesn’t offer tidy redemption arcs. Nobody learns their lesson. And that’s part of the power. It’s raw. It’s painful. It’s hilarious. It’s frustrating. And most of all, it feels true. That tension between comedy and despair gives the book its edge. It sneaks up on you, and when it does, it cuts deep.
If you enjoy books that take risks, characters who spiral gloriously, and writing that dances between clever and chaotic, this one’s for you. I’d recommend it to fans of dark comedy or people who loved Catch-22 or The Sellout.
Pages: 142 | ASIN: B0F4ZNWPCW
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
A Novel Readers Can Return To
The Unaccompanied Soul follows a reclusive older woman who opens her door to a mysterious stranger, unaware that she’s inviting darkness itself into her home. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Honestly, about 95% of my books come through divine inspiration. I was doing some house cleaning one day when the entire first chapter of this book suddenly came to me—vivid and complete. That was around 2015. Having only written one novel before (a coming-of-age story), I wasn’t sure what to do with this unexpected gift. So the chapter sat dormant for years until friends encouraged me to see where the story would lead and finish what had been started.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
As a society, we expect everyone to achieve some version of ‘success’—get educated, contribute positively to humanity, become accomplished. However, I’m always intrigued by this expectation when applied to people like Sam, who never had parents who loved her unconditionally and was brainwashed to believe violence wasn’t just acceptable but expected. She was never formally educated—so how was Sam, or anyone like her, ever supposed to achieve any semblance of normalcy? I think great fiction is made from telling the stories of greatly flawed people.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
When I write, I let my characters guide me—their voices leading me toward the lives they demand to live on paper. This being my first thriller, I’m still learning the art of shocking plot twists, but I’ve discovered that the best ones grow organically from my characters’ flaws and choices rather than being dropped in randomly for shock value.
Whenever I try to force a story in a direction my characters resist, that’s when I hit major writer’s block. But when I let character development create the surprises—when Sam’s buried trauma suddenly surfaces in an unexpected way—it becomes both character revelation and plot twist simultaneously. For me, they often are the same thing.
When the writing flows, the story plays out like a movie in my head, scene by vivid scene. Rather than planning shocking moments separately, I’ve learned to trust that authentic character growth will naturally create those jaw-dropping turns. My goal is to take readers on an extraordinary journey with people they’ll develop feelings for—even if that feeling is disdain—where every twist feels both surprising and inevitable.
I want to create a novel that readers can return to again and again, discovering new layers each time, seeing how the seeds of each revelation were planted in the character’s very foundation. If I can achieve that depth, where plot surprises emerge from the soul of the story itself, then I’ve successfully balanced both story development and shocking twists.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next book is actually a re-release of Some Price to Pay, a coming-of-age story I first published in 2004. Early 2026 will bring a follow-up novel to The Unaccompanied Soul, with Zayden taking center stage as the main antagonist. It’s another psychological thriller that delves deep into his psyche—that’s shattered, twisted or perhaps both.
Then, in fall 2026, I’m releasing something that’s currently scaring the bejesus out of me: The Other Side of Right, a psychological thriller that’s pushing me into uncharted territory as a writer.
One day I hope to write a great love story, but for now, it seems my niche has found me. There’s something about the dark corners of the human mind that keeps calling me back, demanding to be explored through psychological thrillers.
Author Website
But Sam carries secrets deeper than the Mississippi soil. Taught by a man she calls “Father” to view the world through a distorted lens of violence, she drifts from town to town, leaving a trail of sorrow in her wake. When her carefully constructed façade begins to crack, those closest to Clara race to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
The story weaves a tale of twisted devotion, fractured identities, and the terrible price of redemption. As buried truths rise to the surface like strange fruit, Clara must confront not only the monster behind her red door but also the fears that have kept her prisoner for so long.
Some souls are born of love. Others are carved from darkness. And in the fertile Mississippi earth, every secret eventually finds its season to bloom.
A Mother’s Relentless Drive
Conditional Love follows a woman suffering guilt and regret from the trauma and poor choices she made raising her children, who tries to stop them from repeating her mistakes. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The spark for Conditional Love came from a chat with my husband about what we’d do if we won the lottery. When I half-jokingly said I’d put “conditions” on giving money to one of my siblings, it kicked off a deep, juicy conversation that became the heart of the story. I started thinking about a bold, flawed mom who’s desperate to fix her family’s messy lives. It’s all about that universal question: If you had the power to push someone you love toward a better path, would you have the guts to do it? And what kind of blow-back might happen if you did? That idea fueled Conditional Love’s mix of family drama, tough love, and sardonic humor.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The human condition is a treasure trove for fiction because it’s so gloriously messy. I’m fascinated by how people often choose paths that hold them back instead of ones that could lead to a fuller, richer life—like sticking with damaging habits or relationships that no longer serve them. In Conditional Love, I explore how past experiences shape the choices we make, often without us realizing it, and how those decisions ripple through families. It’s compelling because it’s so relatable. Everyone has that one choice they wish they could go back and change. Great fiction comes from digging into those choices and struggles, showing how characters wrestle with their flaws, and finding humor and hope in the chaos.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In Conditional Love, I wanted to explore how a family can face a traumatic event together yet process it in their own unique ways, often unaware of its lasting impact on their behaviors. Another key theme is the constant tug-of-war of motherhood, with its doubts, regrets, and love that linger long after kids grow up, and a mother’s relentless drive to ensure her children are ok, no matter how old they get. These themes of awareness, healing, family dynamics, and love make Conditional Love a heartfelt, relatable journey for readers who’ve navigated their own family ups and downs.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m deep into writing Highly Leveraged, a women’s fiction romance that follows L.A. Wyatt, a fierce movie producer, as she navigates loss, empowerment, and an unexpected romance with Cole Grayson, a Clooney-esque Hollywood star. It’s a story of balancing love, motherhood, and ambition against the cutthroat world of Hollywood. It’s packed with high stakes, sharp wit, and plenty of swoon. I’m aiming to have it in your hands by late 2025. Fans can join my Inner Circle at LAarbuckle.com for exclusive sneak peeks, updates, and maybe a few behind-the-scenes tidbits about L.A. and Cole’s journey. Until then, grab Conditional Love for a wild, emotional ride!
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Sassy and unrelenting, she concocts a wild plan to coerce them into changes by issuing a deadline and dishing out the “mother” of all ultimatums.
Her children aren’t buying it. To them, her redemption scheme is a step too far, even for Neva. They push back, and a firestorm erupts that splinters their fragile truce: sparking tempers, opening wounds, and unraveling secrets long buried.
Conditional Love, L.A. Arbuckle’s debut, blends Midwest grit with witty, literary prose, earning “literary gold” praise (Women’s Insider). Likened to Big Little Lies and The Nest, this bittersweet drama explores family, trauma, and forgiveness with complex characters and a surprise ending. Conditional Love is a bold, bittersweet clash of family, love, and the conditions we place on them both. Grab your copy today!
Quest for the Austral Amulet
Quest for the Austral Amulet is a coming-of-age adventure wrapped in mystery, folklore, and a good dose of heart. The story follows thirteen-year-old Rebecca Harley, a quiet, introspective girl who inherits a mysterious diary from her late great-grandmother. The journal reveals long-buried family secrets and clues to the elusive Austral Amulet, which may be tied to a generational curse. Fueled by a yearning for purpose and belonging, Rebecca sets out on a secret journey alongside her estranged childhood friend Isaac and a curious historian, Dr. Bellamy. Their expedition becomes more than just a treasure hunt, it turns into a search for identity, courage, and healing, all while being pursued by those with darker motives.
Reading this book was like getting swept away into a dream. The writing has a quiet beauty to it. It’s soft, lyrical at times, and deeply emotional. Wilson’s portrayal of Rebecca is so intimate and raw that I found myself rooting for her from the very first page. She’s not a typical hero, and that’s what makes her story shine. Her loneliness, her yearning to matter, and her gradual blooming into someone brave enough to take on the unknown, it all felt so real and familiar. The way the story blends old family legends with modern-day adventure is clever and gripping, with just enough magic to keep you turning the pages late into the night.
But what I really liked were the relationships. The way Rebecca and Isaac slowly find their way back to each other was touching, filled with awkwardness and quiet trust. And Dr. Bellamy? She’s the adult every kid wishes they had in their corner: smart, open-minded, and willing to believe in something bigger. There’s a gentleness in how Wilson writes about belonging and loss, and a sense of wonder that pulses through every map, puzzle, and whispered secret. The threats never felt too dangerous, and the bad guy didn’t carry much weight emotionally. Still, the emotional arc more than made up for it.
This book reminded me of what it feels like to believe in something bigger than yourself. It tugged at the part of me that still wonders what secrets might be hiding in an old attic, or what stories my own family has buried in time. I’d recommend Quest for the Austral Amulet to readers young and old who love adventure stories with heart. It’s perfect for kids who’ve outgrown fairytales but still want a bit of magic, and for adults who want to feel like a kid again, even just for a while.
Page : 308 | ASIN : B0CVRMQWQ1
A Fatal Affair
A Fatal Affair is a cozy mystery with a sharp, sly, character-rich story set in the sleepy town of Nyes Landing, where drama unfolds both on stage and off. The plot kicks off with Officer Callum Nowak dealing with a belligerent actor at a local tavern, and it snowballs into a tangled mess involving poisoned meatballs, backstabbing actors, an ambitious theater production, and one very chaotic opening night. As the small-town cops try to uncover what made a dozen townsfolk sick and nearly killed Oliver Crispin, the reader is treated to a fast-paced, often hilarious, and sometimes poignant whodunit.
From the very first chapter, I was thoroughly engaged. Callum emerges as a compelling narrator, direct, introspective, and burdened with a complex personal history that adds real depth to the narrative. From the opening barroom confrontation with the volatile Crispin, a character who consistently tests the boundaries of acceptable behavior, it’s clear this is no conventional detective story. Williams’s writing is sharp and kinetic, with brisk dialogue and a narrative pace that rarely lets up. Scenes unfold with a kind of controlled chaos, where tension builds only to erupt in the most unexpected ways, such as the unforgettable moment during the theater scene, when guests begin hallucinating and turning on each other in a frenzy of accusations. It’s outrageous, unpredictable, and thoroughly compelling.
Williams also handles the emotional undercurrents of the story with remarkable sensitivity. Callum’s relationships, particularly with his boyfriend, Demetrius, and his longtime friend, Annie, are portrayed with nuance and authenticity. His emotional distance and reluctance to fully embrace intimacy add a compelling layer to the central mystery. Moments like the tense camping discussion, the uneasy dinner with Demetrius and Annie, and the confrontation at the crime scene reveal a man grappling not only with external conflict but with internal scars that refuse to fade. This is as much a story of emotional survival as it is of uncovering the truth.
Some of the dialogue occasionally veers into melodramatic territory. Characters like Daphne, the self-styled diva, and her theatrical circle often feel as though they’ve stepped out of a reality television set, with moments of exaggerated flair that strain plausibility. Lines such as “They’re witches!” or Ernest Drucker’s over-the-top reactions can be both amusing and distracting. However, this heightened drama ultimately suits the tone of the novel. Nyes Landing is a town brimming with unresolved tensions, long-standing feuds, and relentless gossip, and it’s this very turbulence that fuels the narrative’s energy. Even the local goat farm is not without its share of theatrics.
A Fatal Affair is sharp-witted, queer-friendly, and packed with snappy dialogue and messy humans. If you’re into small-town mysteries with theater kids, found families, emotional baggage, and a touch of camp, this book’s for you. Fans of Only Murders in the Building, Knives Out, or even Gilmore Girls with body bags will feel right at home in Nyes Landing.
Pages: 286 | ASIN : B0F9X8ZZR1
LITERARY TITAN 