Blog Archives
Two Mentalities
King of the Forgotten Darkness follows a man from a war-ravaged magical realm who returns to the nightmare from which he escaped after learning his mother may still be alive. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I love a good adventure story, and I’ve always liked the idea of portal fantasy–but I’m also a Jungian psychiatrist and scholar, and so I wanted to tell a story that had symbolic depth and resonance. Like Ursula LeGuin, I believe fantasy has the greatest possibility for showing deep, inner truths because the symbols are unfettered by any sort of rules. In King of the Forgotten Darkness, the two worlds represent two mentalities, and you can even think of them as two halves of the modern individual psyche. On one hand, you have our very understandable desire to control our lives and eliminate pain and suffering. But on the other hand there is a dark side, full of chaos and pain and “magic”, but also wonder and awe. I wanted to write a story in which our protagonist must transition between these worlds.
How did you balance magic and its use throughout the story to keep it believable?
The magic in this world actually follows quite a few “rules,” though they are not super rigid, they are difficult to predict, and spells are very costly to the caster to learn and use. Spells and magic have a kind of sentience to it, that works with the caster, and it marks you–outwardly and inwardly–and so magic wielders are very dangerous and powerful, but they also have many weaknesses. In general, though, the main way in which I balance magic is social: beings in Erentyr know that magic is real and have an idea of what spellcasters can do, and so they take precautions. Opposing sides of a conflict will employ magic and counter-magic to achieve their ends. Since magic marks the wielder, it means non-magical people can easily identify magic-users, and will act accordingly.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I explore several, but they all orbit the idea of suffering: what is our relation to it? For example, early on, Liam has the opportunity to take a pill that would eliminate the pain of his many losses. He chooses not to take it. Would you? Most people I have asked agree with Liam’s choice, even though it seems counter-intuitive. This theme is echoed in the very existence of the two worlds–one of which is tightly controlled by social programs and ubiquitous AI, while Erentyr is messy, bloody, brutal, and painful, but full of magic, beauty, awe, and wonder. As a result, most of the action is in Erentyr. On a personal level, this book deals with individual trauma and survivor guilt–something I have encountered in treating war veterans, for example. As the reviewer stated, I don’t just dabble in trauma, I stare it down with this story, and provide some real-world answers through the narrative of how to deal with this very difficult personal problem.
Can we look forward to a follow-up to this novel? What are you currently working on?
King of the Forgotten Darkness is a complete story in itself, but it is part of a larger narrative: The Raven’s Tale. The Raven’s Tale is 9 books I have been working on since the 1990s. My planning is extensive, and I can write rather quickly, so rest assured they WILL be finished (unlike some authors lol). Not only that, but books 4 and 6 are already written. I am currently writing book 2, the first draft of which is nearly done. I have a long process of drafting and alpha/beta reader rounds, and publishing in general takes time, but it is well underway.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
Their Will To Survive
The Kiss of Night follows a newspaper editor who retraces a decades-old secret, unraveling into an exploration of a shared past, violence, ethical compromise, and justice. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My novel is based on my experience as a City News Bureau reporter. It is not autobiographical, but I did see almost everything that I describe.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
Given all the adversity in the world, I am always amazed by the resourcefulness and resilience of people. How people transform, how they become themselves—or not—always intrigues me. I read newspaper stories and wonder how people got to where they are in the headlines, just as I’d look out at my students and wonder where they’d be in five 10 or 20 years.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
Story development is key; plot twists usually are cheap tricks. I care about characters on their journeys, especially their will to survive. My novel portrays a lot of people who lose their will and give up, and it’s always a tragedy.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out.
I have started a second novel, but don’t look for it anytime soon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
–Vergil, Aeneid
The death of a retired Chicago homicide detective forces Will Moore, an assistant city editor for the Chicago Tribune, to revisit life-and-death events from his first days as a police reporter for City News Bureau. As he becomes immersed in the dark river of despair coursing through the streets at night, Will comes to understand the humanity lying beneath Chicago crime statistics. Will himself becomes part of the story when his next-door neighbor, a young Latino gang member is murdered, and Will is asked to help take revenge. The Kiss of Night will keep you turning page after page before reaching its affecting conclusion.
Choice, Redemption, Love and Sacrifice
Zodak: The Last Shielder follows a teenage orphan who grows up in a cruel household where he’s treated like a curse, his life is bleak and miserable, till a water sprite calls his name and beckons him toward a greater purpose.
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?
This book is about relationships. While the dynamic between Zodak and his bully of a step-brother Ergis is drawn from childhood experience, thankfully, most of the horrible hardships, loss and abuse are not drawn from my story, but my life experience definitely fills gaps and let’s me juxtapose healthy relationships against unhealthy ones. My personal family is 100% the opposite of Zodak’s (again, thankfully), but the redemption in the story is drawn from truth I see and have experienced.
Also, since I was a boy, I was always enthralled with adventure.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Choice, redemption, love and sacrifice were all themes I wanted to explore in the book.
Choice was one theme. Life happens to us all, sometimes in unusual and unexpected ways, but we’re the sum of the thousands of choices we make every day. Zodak made choices (and failed to choose at times) that made the difference.
Redemption is another theme I wanted to explore here, both redemption of a seemingly worthless and insignificant life, but also redemption of broken relationships. Alana is one of the characters who experienced a life-changing about-face in her character arc.
Love – I hoped that the love found in the tuk family, in Ardon and in Daen would shine through the slog of trouble and trial Zodak faces.
Sacrifice – like the focus on choice, the emphasis on sacrifice was an important element in the book. The culmination of Book 1 sees lots of hard choices demanding sacrifice from characters, some intentionally and some not.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
I’m really excited about book 2. We will continue to follow Zodak’s journey, but book two weaves in the primary POV storylines of Alana and Daen. I can’t wait to share it. The expected release is in the first half of 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
In the village of Laan, Zodak endures a bleak life of misery at the hands of his hateful cousins and aunt. His steadfast uncle Ardon is his only anchor. When a water sprite arrives, speaking of destiny and an epic journey that awaits, Zodak struggles to grasp how an adventure with goblins, krikkis, and dwarves could ever be his story.
But when his uncle falls in a kidnapping plot and entrusts Zodak with a mysterious medallion, Zodak flees into a vast, unknown world. Seeking answers about his past and the medallion he carries, Zodak finds himself drawn to the magnificent city Uth Becca. In his journey, he unearths a clandestine order, a corrupt Magistrate, and a sinister plot that threatens humanity’s very existence.
A great evil awakens. Dark hordes are on the march. In a world desperate for a hero, can an outcast be enough?
Get swept away in an epic fantasy adventure with an unlikely hero on the edge of manhood, world-building reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson, and a protagonist who must decide whether to fight for truth, even if it costs him everything.
When Do the Ends Justify the Means?
The Loss of What Is Past continues the journey of a physicist and time traveler, trapped decades in the future, who is torn between a lost love from the 2050s and the new life he has built in the future. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My debut novel, The Lightning in the Collied Night, explored the power of love and forgiveness to transform a person, or perhaps a world. I thought it would be interesting in the sequel to introduce a different, darker aspect of love: what happens when love becomes obsessive, such that it clouds judgment? I also delved into what can happen when brilliant, well-intentioned people overestimate their abilities to the point of overconfidence, or even arrogance. Also, I wanted to answer questions that readers of Lightning may have had about events that were mentioned there but not covered in detail.
Your characters go on a deeply emotional and transformative journey in your novel. Is this intentional or incidental to the story you want to tell?
The transformative aspects of the characters’ journeys were intentional. As for the emotional impacts, I strove to have those flow naturally out of the situations the characters were faced with. Some of those were extremely difficult for the characters involved–and also very hard for me to write–as they dealt with acute, even heartbreaking, trauma and loss. We see how, with help and love from family and friends, the characters cope with such deep loss, carry on, and grow.
I find that, while writing, you sometimes ask questions and have the characters answer them. Do you find that to be true? What questions did you ask yourself while writing this story?
I guess that is true! I didn’t set out to do a “Q&A” with the characters; the questions (and answers) arose organically with the story. Some of the questions that were posed in the story are, are some actions unforgivable? What should be the role of AI in the future? When do the ends justify the means? At what point do we need to let go of the past and live in, and for, the present? And, as mentioned earlier, when is too much love not a good thing?
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
As I mention in the Acknowledgements in the back of the book, there won’t be a trilogy. (There wasn’t supposed to even be a sequel!) Thus, except for some additional flash fiction stories–one of which will be an alternate ending to the sequel–that I’m planning to publish on my blog in coming months, I must say goodbye to these characters from my imaginary world of the near future, and beyond. I’m going to miss them.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Fun, Faith-filled, and Relatable
Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp follows six children as they bond through silly pranks, epic camp experiences, and their budding faith. Where did the idea for this book come from?
The inspiration for Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp came from our Pastor’s daughter, Annabelle—who actually became one of the characters in the book! She approached us with a simple request: could we write a chapter book, since she loves reading so much? My wife and I were eager to create something meaningful, but we initially struggled to land on the right concept—something fun, faith-filled, and relatable for the kids in our church.
The breakthrough came when we volunteered at our church’s four-day Vacation Bible School. Immersed in the laughter, energy, and genuine faith of the children, everything clicked. By the end of the week, the characters, camp mischief, and spiritual moments had practically written themselves.
Can you share a little about your collaboration process?
As for our collaboration process, it’s truly a team effort. My wife and I bounce ideas off each other constantly—sometimes over dinner, sometimes late at night with notebooks on the couch. We each bring a different perspective: she’s great at capturing emotional depth and faith moments, and I tend to lean into humor and story pacing. We take turns drafting scenes, then review and revise together until it feels right. Working on this book as a couple has been one of our most rewarding creative journeys.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the most important themes we wanted to explore—alongside clean, lighthearted humor—was the idea that children can be guided and corrected with love, patience, and understanding, rather than harsh punishment. My wife and I are both survivors of severe child abuse, so this theme is deeply personal to us. Writing this book gave us a chance to model the kind of discipline we wish we had experienced—discipline rooted in compassion, communication, and faith, not fear.
We wanted to show that kids can make mistakes, pull pranks, and test boundaries, and still be met with grace and guidance instead of punitive responses. Through the camp leaders and adult characters, we hoped to reflect a nurturing approach that builds trust and helps children grow—not just in behavior, but in their sense of worth and belonging. It was important to us that the story demonstrate how correction can go hand in hand with love, and that forgiveness, faith, and community are powerful tools for shaping young hearts.
Can readers look forward to more books featuring the Paraclete Hills crew? What are you currently working on?
We are definitely discussing the possibility of turning Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp into a full series in the very near future! The characters have so much more to explore, and we’ve already been tossing around ideas for new adventures, deeper friendships, and meaningful lessons that continue to reflect faith and fun in equal measure.
As for our current projects, my wife has returned to working on the next installment of her Charlie and The Magic Tree book series, which has its own whimsical charm and heartwarming messages. Meanwhile, I just wrapped up writing a brand-new children’s book—but this one is a total departure from Paraclete Hills. It’s very different in tone and style, which made it an exciting creative challenge. We’re both passionate about creating stories that connect with young readers in unique and lasting ways, and we’re grateful for every opportunity to do so.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
When a pack of prank-loving pals rolls into Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp, they have one holy mission: turn every lesson into a laugh and every campfire into chaos. From Bible lessons to epic water balloon battles, these six mischief makers keep the counselors on their toes and the camp in a constant state of “Oh, no, not again!”
But when an unexpected guest shows up – sent by someone with a prank playbook straight from the pearly gates – the tables turn faster than you can say, “Hallelujah!” Suddenly, the crafty chaotic campers are the ones begging for mercy.
Will these pranksters rise to the challenge, or end up as the punchline of the summer? Grab your flashlight, marshmallows, and best battle cry for this laugh-out-loud adventure of faith, friendship, and a whole lot of fun.
The Crown’s Shadow
Geraldine Nyika’s The Crown’s Shadow is a stirring speculative political fantasy set in the richly imagined island nation of Reduarnia, a world caught in the snare of a deceptive monarchy. Told primarily through the eyes of Anansia and Princess Lumière, the novel plunges deep into themes of state surveillance, colonial legacy, resistance, and friendship. The plot unspools through a vivid split-perspective narrative—Anansia, an undercover operative raised in trauma, is tasked with manipulating Lumière, the radiant daughter of a tyrannical queen. But as the girls grow up together, their bond becomes complicated by secrets, love, and rebellion. What begins as a tale of espionage becomes a deeply emotional examination of power, identity, and sacrifice.
Nyika’s writing is deeply emotional, raw in a way that makes you pause, reread, and feel. There’s a lyrical quality to the prose that makes the dark underbelly of Reduarnia feel real. The tension was constant—Anansia’s double life, the manipulative Queen, and the slow-burning realization of how history is erased in favor of control. It didn’t feel like dystopia; it felt like a mirror. The pacing was a slow build, but never dull. Some scenes felt like a gut punch, especially Anansia’s backstory and the scenes involving The Whistle. It’s rare to find a fantasy book that blends deeply personal trauma with a critique of imperialism and government control so seamlessly.
Sometimes the exposition about Reduarnia’s history or society felt a bit like a lecture. There were moments when the pacing slowed, especially around the middle. But the character work more than made up for it. Lumière’s emotional arc, especially her disillusionment with the crown, had me rooting for her fiercely. And Anansia is one of the most complex characters I’ve read this year. Cold and calculating on the surface, but underneath, she’s just a kid trying to survive and protect the people she loves. The subtle love between the two girls broke my heart, quiet, slow, and heartbreaking in its restraint.
This is not a feel-good book. It’s a book that sits in your bones and makes you think. If you’re someone who loves fantasy with substance—something more than just swords and magic—this is for you. It’s for readers who care about politics, power, and the unseen toll of empire. It’s also for those who want queer love that’s soft and aching, not loud and cliché. I can’t recommend it enough to fans of Leigh Bardugo, N.K. Jemisin, or anyone who believes that fantasy can be both beautiful and deeply political.
Pages: 260 | ISBN : 9781998753390
Shadows and Black in the Light
Amy van Rijthoven’s Shadows and Black in the Light is a haunting and poetic journey through the lives of two deeply scarred individuals—Millie and Andy—whose stories intertwine across themes of grief, betrayal, longing, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of rural Australia, the novel moves between the perspectives of Millie, a teenager on the brink of adulthood grappling with the mysterious death of her father and the emotional absence of her mother, and Andy, a former associate of her father caught between his criminal past and an aching desire to start over. As their lives begin to overlap, the novel paints an intricate portrait of broken families, buried secrets, and the fragile, persistent hope for healing.
What I liked most was the visceral, emotional quality of the writing. Van Rijthoven doesn’t shy away from the messiness of human relationships. Her prose is vivid, lyrical, sometimes raw, evoking smells, textures, and fleeting moments with clarity. Millie’s voice is especially poignant. She’s young but not naive, strong yet vulnerable. I often found myself pausing to absorb the depth of her thoughts, quiet reflections that feel both personal and relatable. Andy’s chapters, on the other hand, are grittier and rough-edged, but they balance Millie’s internal monologue with action and a grim look at life on the other side of the law. The dual narrative worked beautifully for me—it was like watching two storms edge closer together until they finally collide.
While the emotional weight carried the story far, there were moments when the pacing felt uneven—certain scenes lingered, while others that seemed pivotal moved quickly. But even when the plot wandered, the emotional heartbeat never faltered. The mystery, the slow-burn relationships, the tension—it kept me hooked. And by the final chapters, I felt I had truly gone on a journey with these characters. Their growth felt earned.
Shadows and Black in the Light is a heartfelt and emotionally rich novel that is perfect for readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery, slow-burning suspense, and complex family drama. If you’re the kind of person who likes to sit with a story long after it ends, who appreciates prose that breathes, and who isn’t afraid of confronting the shadows we all carry, this book is for you.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B0FB3L88ZY
Finding Something to Beleive In
Struth Mate! Is This Hell? is a mad, cosmic ride through a metaphysical reality where life, death, religion, science and philosophy collide. What was the inspiration that created the fantastic journey these characters go on?
I guess as we all age, we start to wonder what life’s journey was all about and seek some reassurance that it was worthwhile and that we leave behind some lasting legacy. To put this another way, I guess to be fully content we need something to believe in, some form of religion, however that may manifest itself.
On my own journey in search of a religion, my initial approach was to delve into science and established religions, believing that answers were already established. But unable to find solace and any meaningful connection, I eventually decided to start afresh and develop a sort of personal religion based on known facts and logic. “Struth!” at its core, is really the outcome of this search, with all the workings included, but wrapped up in a novel to provide drama and intrigue. I decided to publish it in the hope that it would provide others with an alternative perspective that may help shape their own views.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Having previously revealed the core model in the first book in this series, this second book took those ideas and extrapolated them to predict the future. The fate of mankind and the Earth is revealed by applying the model to the Bible’s Book of Revelation, decoding its meaning and creating a whole new literal translation that provides some thought-provoking insights. Furthermore, it attempts to consolidate the seemingly conflicting views of religion and science.
I have always been puzzled by the strange multiple personality disorder of the Christian God, who appears to have extreme mood swings. In this book the form and existence of Gaia, or Mother Nature, is revealed. It is she who has been the prime controlling influence over Earth’s development for millions of years, even aiding the rise of mankind … although she now believes that to be a mistake!
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Without any doubt, becoming a father (x3). The miracle of birth and parenthood never failed to amaze me and brought with it a sense of awe and wonderment at nature. It certainly starts you questioning whether there truly is a God and how life began.
Turning your question around, the experience of writing has certainly impacted my life. Before embarking on this journey, I would have describe myself as an agnostic bordering on atheism. With my journey now nearing its conclusion, I would still describe myself as an agnostic as the ideas I have generated, although being logical and rational in my own mind, are still fictional and unproven. But perhaps now with a greater appreciation of the spiritual, my views have certainly shifted a little towards the religious.
When will book three be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
The third and final book in the series will focus on the very meaning of existence and provide plausible answers to those ultimate questions of life, the universe and everything. As to when it will be published, I can’t say. This is my retirement project and things move slowly these days.
Author Links: GoodReads
In this second book in the series, the search for meaning continues and we learn of mankind’s fate, how the Earth meets its end and locate the elusive “42”. On the journey we encounter Gaia, or Mother Nature if you prefer. Who or what is she? What is her connection with God and the Devil? Is she really able to influence life on Earth, change our environment, or even alter the course of evolution? Furthermore, by applying the “Struth!” model to the Bible’s Book of Revelation, reveals some thought-provoking insights and decodes its meaning to create a new literal interpretation. Here the returning Messiah takes on greater significance and is brought startlingly into focus.
WARNING: This product may challenge your existing beliefs
LITERARY TITAN 