Blog Archives
Car Trouble
Car Trouble tells the story of Jim Crack, a young man staggering under the weight of personal chaos, societal dysfunction, and one disaster after another—starting with his car catching fire on the freeway. What follows is a raw, meandering, and darkly comic odyssey through the streets of Southern California. Jim’s day unfolds into a downward spiral filled with broken machines, broken relationships, and broken dreams. We see him careen from hallucinated insight to genuine despair, all laced with biting humor and brutally honest self-reflection. The book reads like a manic road trip through the psyche of a disillusioned twenty-something trying to find something—anything—that still feels real.
Reading this book was like riding shotgun in a car with no brakes, driven by a man too high, too heartbroken, and too broken to even think about stopping. The writing is jagged, electric, and fast—it spits and sparks with anger, grief, and absurdity. At times, it veers dangerously close to incoherence, but that’s part of the magic. This book doesn’t tidy up Jim’s pain. It lets him wander, rant, remember, and unravel. I loved how the narrative rhythm matched his unraveling mind: short jabs of profanity, long dreamy monologues, and moments of gut-punch honesty. It’s a voice that feels unfiltered, flawed, and alive. The prose could be exhausting, but it kept me turning pages, laughing in one breath and sighing in the next.
And yet, beneath the humor and chaos, there’s real hurt. This isn’t just about a guy and his burning Volkswagen. It’s about the collapse of purpose, the hunger for meaning in a world that keeps offering bad jobs, cheap beer, and worn-out relationships. Jim is a mess—angry, impulsive, and frequently unlikeable—but he’s also vulnerable in a way that hit me hard. His memories—of girls, parents, shame, even joy—felt painfully relatable.
Car Trouble is raw and messy, laced with profanity, sex, drugs, and depression. It doesn’t offer answers. It doesn’t offer closure. But for readers who don’t mind a wild, uncomfortable ride through one man’s frayed mind—and who appreciate stories that don’t pretend to fix broken things—it’s unforgettable. If you’ve ever felt stuck, angry, nostalgic, or lost, this book might just speak your language.
Pages: 273 | ASIN : B07CP4R132
Under Orders of Silence Inspired by the Book of Job
Under Orders of Silence is a modern and deeply emotional reimagining of the biblical Book of Job, set against the backdrop of institutional injustice, grief, and faith in a fractured world. The novel follows Malik Rosario, a former soldier turned community leader and principal, whose life crumbles under political, societal, and deeply personal weight. As his school is dismantled, his reputation smeared, and his family torn by tragedy, Malik is forced to confront not only public betrayal but also divine silence. This is a tale about endurance—not just of suffering but of love, dignity, and truth in a world that seems determined to erase them.
The writing is poetic without being overdone, tender and furious in equal measure. Author Quinton Taylor-Garcia doesn’t just describe pain, he walks you through it, sits you down with it, forces you to feel it. The pacing is slow in parts, but it’s the kind of slow that lets heartbreak settle into your bones. Malik’s voice is quiet but sharp, filled with dignity even as the world strips it from him. And Imani—his wife—feels so real, so raw. The book doesn’t chase resolution. It honors uncertainty, like Job did, and that makes it sting all the more.
The ideas in this book wrestle with the big ones—God, truth, systemic oppression, grief, legacy—but they’re delivered in such relatable and grounded ways that it never feels like a lecture. Taylor-Garcia plays with silence in stunning ways. Not just literal silence, but the silence of institutions, the silence of faith under pressure, the silence between loved ones too broken to speak. There’s so much rage simmering under the surface, but it’s channeled into something graceful. I did struggle with the density in a few sections, especially during the longer philosophical dialogues, but even then, the language remained evocative. And there’s this underlying heartbeat of hope that, somehow, never dies.
If you’ve ever lost something and didn’t know how to scream about it, this book will find you. I would recommend Under Orders of Silence to readers who love literary fiction rooted in faith, justice, and emotional truth—fans of James Baldwin, Jesmyn Ward, or even Toni Morrison will feel at home here. This is for the ones who sit in silence but still get back up. Who still believe, even when belief hurts.
Pages: 150 | ASIN : B0F775SQ3C
It Was a Wild Time
Ethan Tucker’s Job follows an ex-soldier turned reluctant lawman who is tasked with tracking down a dangerous outlaw and his mission is complicated by old friends, new enemies, and his own inner demons. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I grew up in central and south Florida and I often heard stories from long ago about lawless towns like Pine Level or wild cattle towns. When I decided to write a western style story, I thought 1850s Florida would be a great setting. It may not be as romanticized as the Old West, but I liked it and it helped serve the main theme of the story. It was a wild time and I couldn’t think of a better place for Ethan to get into trouble while fighting his past.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
It depends. Ethan Tucker’s Job explores temptation and whether people can really change. I used the wild south Florida frontier as a test for Ethan. It was his opportunity to prove to himself and others that he could change, if he desired. It’s that inner struggle that the character deals with that makes for great fiction.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think one of the biggest themes explored in this story is the fact that everyone can change if they are willing to do so. Take Ethan Tucker for example. He spent a good portion of his younger years in the wilds of south Florida. He enjoyed his lifestyle where he was fighting Indians, gambling and drinking in cattle towns where there was little to no law, and he often proved how tough he was through duels. Sometime after the Second Seminole War, Ethan returned to Tallahassee and tried to settle down, but his past continued to catch up with him in the years leading up to the Third Seminole War. When he again returns to south Florida to pursue Alaster Conley, Ethan has the opportunity to prove to himself, and others, that he has changed when he is tempted to revert to his old ways throughout the story.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I venture far out of 1850s Florida in my next book, A Struggle Between Two Worlds. It takes place in the near future and it has been a lot of fun planning. I would like to have it out some time in July or August. I will keep everyone updated on my socials.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Website
The Loss of What Is Past
The Loss of What Is Past is a sweeping science fiction epic that picks up where The Lightning in the Collied Night left off, continuing the journey of physicist and time traveler Kapono Ailana. Set largely in the 22nd century, the story blends time travel, futuristic science, and human emotion into a tale of exploration, both personal and cosmic. Kapono, torn between a lost love from the 2050s and the new life he’s built decades into the future, collaborates with brilliant scientist Aroha Whakatane on antimatter research that unexpectedly leads to a way to send matter—and potentially people—back in time. What begins as a scientific endeavor quickly becomes a deeply emotional struggle about love, loss, ethics, and what it means to let go.
Reading this book felt like watching an aurora borealis—beautiful, mysterious, and just a little haunting. Backman’s writing is richly detailed and deeply empathetic. He has a knack for writing smart characters who talk like real people, with warmth, curiosity, and humor. The pacing takes its time in places, but I didn’t mind. I appreciated the way he slowed down for emotional beats and gave space for characters to breathe. The best parts weren’t the high-tech experiments or the theoretical breakthroughs, they were the tender moments. Kapono’s conversations with his daughter, with Aroha, and the memories of Lai, those were the heartbeat of the story. And while the time travel mechanics were rooted in scientific language, they never drowned the narrative in jargon. Backman managed to make theoretical physics feel surprisingly personal.
The book explores the risks of altering the past with thoughtful care, which I appreciated. At the same time, it sometimes leans toward the idea that grief is best resolved by simply letting go. I found myself wanting a bit more complexity, some gray areas, I think, could’ve added extra depth. A few of the plot developments, while emotionally satisfying, tied up a bit more neatly than I expected. I also would’ve loved to see more of Aroha’s world outside of her work and her connection to Kapono. She’s a compelling character, and there were glimpses of something richer beneath the surface.
The Loss of What Is Past is not just a sci-fi novel; it’s a meditation on time, memory, and the fragile hope of second chances. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves character-driven science fiction with a beating heart. If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do if you could go back, or if you’ve ever struggled to move on from a love that shaped you, this story will speak to you.
Pages: 315 | ASIN : B0F6VTYMD9
THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH: A Romance Novel
Caroline O’Connell’s The Champagne Crush is a sparkling romance that blends high-stakes business drama with personal reinvention, set against the lush backdrop of Napa Valley and the glitz of Manhattan. The story follows Catherine Reynolds, a poised yet uncertain PR consultant with a tattered romantic past and high-society roots, who gets swept into the whirlwind launch of a prestige sparkling wine. Thrust into the world of billion-dollar wine deals, boardroom egos, and a brewing corporate showdown, Catherine must navigate her way through professional upheaval—and an unexpected, slow-burn attraction to the company’s enigmatic president, Chris McDermott.
From the get-go, I found myself charmed by O’Connell’s easygoing prose. There’s something magnetic about her style—it doesn’t try too hard, and it never talks down to you. I genuinely enjoyed how she layered Catherine’s vulnerability with determination. The pacing is solid, with just the right balance between dialogue and description. The emotional beats felt authentic, and the banter (especially between Chris and Catherine) often had me grinning. It’s not just romance. It’s about personal grit, professional ambition, and finding steadiness in chaos. I also appreciated the behind-the-scenes peek into the wine world, it added sophistication without veering into snobbery.
I had mixed feelings about the romantic arc. There’s a definite chemistry between the leads, but at times, the push-pull dynamic dragged on a bit. Catherine’s back-and-forth decisions could be frustrating, though believable, given her circumstances. And Chris? He grew on me. What first felt like a stiff CEO trope slowly morphed into a more relatable and grounded man trying to juggle ambition with integrity. The book also isn’t afraid to explore class dynamics, financial stress, and emotional trauma with subtlety, which gave the setting some welcome emotional weight.
The Champagne Crush is an effervescent and satisfying read. Equal parts heart and hustle. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves smart, emotionally resonant romance with a touch of glamor and grit. If you’ve ever daydreamed about walking through vineyards in Louboutins or pitching a startup under chandeliers while nursing a broken heart, this one’s for you. It’s a modern fairy tale with just enough fizz to leave you smiling.
Why Don’t Spinning Tops Fall: Conversations With Curious Caroline
Charles DeLisi’s Why Don’t Spinning Tops Fall? is an imaginative and intellectually vibrant book that merges science, storytelling, and familial warmth. It follows a curious teenager, Caroline, as she bombards her scientifically inclined parents with questions about the world. Each chapter unfolds as a conversation exploring topics from the physics of pressure and timbre in music to climate change, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and even linguistics. Through playful dialogue and rigorous thought, DeLisi cleverly weaves deep scientific explanations into everyday moments, using Caroline’s relentless curiosity as the narrative engine.
DeLisi’s writing glows with personality—witty, warm, and sometimes deliciously nerdy. I genuinely loved the way the characters banter. Caroline isn’t just a mouthpiece for questions—she’s real. She interrupts, challenges, jokes, and even rolls her eyes. And her parents are patient, brilliant, and just exasperated enough to feel authentic. The narrative style is light but not shallow. DeLisi somehow balances humor with serious science. He doesn’t dumb things down, but he doesn’t drown you in jargon either. I found myself grinning at Shakespeare references one moment and grappling with electromagnetic theory the next.
The level of depth can swing wildly—one second you’re discussing basic pressure, the next you’re knee-deep in thermodynamics or AI theory. It’s not a breezy read, despite the conversational tone. Still, it rewards persistence. I came away smarter, and not in a dry, textbook way. It sparked a kind of wonder I hadn’t felt since high school science class. The book doesn’t just inform—it rekindles awe. DeLisi’s passion for learning and teaching is contagious, and I often paused just to marvel at how elegantly he connects science, art, and life.
I’d recommend this book to thoughtful teens, curious adults, and anyone who finds themselves staring at a rainbow or a microwave and wondering, “How does that work?” It’s for readers who want to learn—not through lectures or charts, but through stories, laughter, and a little back-and-forth with a very inquisitive young woman. If you’ve ever missed the feeling of childlike curiosity, Caroline—and this delightful book—will bring it right back.
The Lost Princess
The Lost Princess is a romantasy novel that blends high-stakes political intrigue with personal discovery. It follows Elena, a young woman raised in an orphanage, who discovers she is the last surviving heir to the throne of a secretive realm called Zurdonia. Thrust into a life she never asked for, she must face assassins, unravel hidden truths, and confront a destiny tied to her mysterious lineage. Alongside her fiercely loyal best friend Hannah and her enigmatic protector Alexei, Elena navigates a world of danger, romance, and ancient secrets.
This book pulled me in right from the start. Kutney’s writing style is punchy and vivid. There are lots of quick dialogue, emotional sparks, and fast-moving scenes. There’s something deeply satisfying about how Elena’s voice carries the story. She’s grounded and relatable, but also sharp, stubborn, and wonderfully defiant. I loved how the book didn’t waste time. It throws you into danger within the first few pages and keeps that tension simmering the whole way through. Alexei, the stoic protector with his secrets and steel, is exactly the kind of brooding mystery you want in a romantasy. Their chemistry crackles, and even though some of the tropes are familiar, Kutney injects enough personal warmth and emotional stakes to make it feel fresh.
The book’s ideas about duty, destiny, and identity hit harder than I expected. There’s a rawness to Elena’s internal conflict—choosing between freedom and responsibility—that made me pause more than once. I felt her hesitation in my gut. The exploration of found family versus birthright tugged at me emotionally, and I liked that the book didn’t tie everything up in a neat bow. Not everything was clear-cut. Some of the pacing toward the end could’ve been tighter, and a few side characters blurred together, but it didn’t take away from the emotional core. What stuck with me most was the dreamlike intensity of Elena’s journey—both the external battles and the personal ones.
I’d recommend The Lost Princess to anyone who loves fantasy with a romantic edge and emotional grit. If you enjoy books where secrets unravel, relationships deepen under pressure, and ordinary girls discover they were anything but—this one’s for you. It’s a story about strength, sacrifice, and the power of knowing who you really are when everything else is taken away.
Pages: 254 | ASIN : B0F5KJVQQV
The Dreamtidings of a Disgruntled Starbeing: Life with a psychopathic brother
Embark upon a bewitching journey with The Dreamtidings of a Disgruntled Starbeing: Life with a psychopathic brother as it entices you into the rich, imaginative world of Klara Tippins, a spirited 13-year-old whose boundless imagination provides a gateway to ethereal adventures intertwined mysteriously with reality. Nestled in the quaint town of Pennington, New York, Klara navigates through life alongside her parents and brother, Drake, while often grappling with the sensation of being the peculiar member of her family. Her celestial daydreams, which seamlessly blend with the enigmatic realms, offer her not just solace but an unexpected tether to new dimensions.
Klara’s existence is a tapestry of enchanting dreams and intricate family dynamics that spirals into a newfound adventure with the arrival of an enigmatic neighbor, Rani. This mystical lady not only becomes Klara’s cherished confidante but also lights a spark, instigating a transformative journey that reshapes Klara’s perspectives and beliefs.
Author Linn Aspen weaves a lustrous fabric of engaging dialogues, strikingly endearing interactions with Klara’s beloved pet, and multifaceted relationships, particularly spotlighting the complex yet deeply affectionate bond with her brother. Amidst a milieu of vividly crafted characters, Rani emerges as an effulgent beacon, echoing through the pages with her nurturing aura, sensible wisdom, and daring spirit. As conduits to Klara’s evolution from an occasionally abrasive teenager to a being radiating kindness and compassion, Rani’s insights and friendship prove pivotal, reflecting a metamorphosis shaped by deep lessons of personal development.
This book gracefully intertwines young adult fiction with alluring elements of fantasy, spirituality, and celestial beings, concocting a riveting narrative that appeals significantly to those intrigued by these thematic dimensions. While Aspen’s occasional dalliance with esoteric language and the multifaceted plotline may pose a challenge to some readers, it undeniably proffers a singular, contemplative reading experience that lingers, prompting reflections and considerations well beyond its pages.
Intricate, evocative, and laced with a gentle mystery, The Dreamtidings of a Disgruntled Starbeing invites you on a thought-provoking expedition of imagination and profound growth, constituting an immersive read that is undeniably worthy of delving into. Join Klara on a path that transcends mere fiction, interweaving heart, spirit, and an echo of the cosmos within a delicately spun tale of self-discovery and friendship.
Pages: 346 | ASIN : B0BV16FMFT
LITERARY TITAN 