Blog Archives
What Does Normal Look Like?
The Art Collector’s Wife follows a grandmother and survivor of Auschwitz raising her seventeen-year-old granddaughter, who is desperate to know the truth about her parents, while her grandmother struggles to deal with her grief from the past.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the main themes I explored in my book was the idea of what it’s like for a family to survive a world-wide tragedy and somehow come out intact on the other side. What does that new normal look like and how does a young survivor find the old nearly-erased story of her family while writing a new story for herself at the same time? The theme of feeling “othered” as a minority living in a dominant culture was also an intrinsic theme and informed the main characters’ point of view throughout. This is the idea that as a minority you don’t quite fit into the dominant culture but you must strive to assimilate nonetheless, even as you feel the pull of your own culture and identity calling and often coming into conflict with the majority’s influence.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I wanted to construct the sound structure of a thriller, but one with a literary voice and a historical context in which the characters were lively and three dimensional, flawed but mostly lovable. I wanted the story to have high stakes and the tension to be palpable and taut with nothing extraneous to the central tension.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am working on writing a reincarnation crime thriller with aspects of magical realism in four sections, each one of the four elements. It’s in the early rough draft stage and will take at least up to 12 months to finish.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Sorcerer Seed
From the very first dusty, confused breath in a strange crater, Sorcerer of Almora Sorcerer Seed dives headfirst into a fantasy tale rooted in mystery, survival, and identity. We follow Maylore, Jendrin, and Airalee—three strangers who wake up in an alien world with no memory of who they are or how they got there. Their journey begins with danger, then spirals into deeper questions about who erased their pasts, why, and what purpose they now serve in the vivid world of Almora. As they traverse lava tubes, confront creepy glowing-eyed creatures, and navigate tense social structures in a mysterious village, they must rely on each other to survive and find their place.
This book hooked me hard from Chapter 1. Maylore blinking away dust while trying to figure out if he’d murdered someone is compelling character work. The tension is real and tight from the beginning. Then it just layers mystery on top of amnesia on top of survival horror. I appreciated how author Curt Sylvester didn’t throw everything at us all at once but slowly unwrapped the world through dialogue and small, believable discoveries. I mean, who doesn’t love a cave escape, shadowy politics, and wolves the size of a small car?
Sylvester keeps the writing tight and conversational. It feels natural, especially in the banter between Maylore and Jendrin. They’ve got this reluctant buddy energy—one’s calm and analytical, the other all “I-don’t-trust-nobody”—that just works. Airalee brings a refreshing edge. Her mistrust, her inner monologue, her rock-clutching paranoia—it made her relatable. And she’s fierce. But the real gem was the pacing. From wolves chasing them to navigating dark tunnels with burning fur and finding human bones in an abandoned camp, the story moves in waves. It builds, breathes, and then slams the door shut with tension again.
Some of the dialogue veers into on-the-nose territory, especially when characters recap things for each other that we just saw. And while the amnesia trope is cool at first, by the middle of the book, I was itching for more forward movement. But the mystery of why these people were wiped clean and dumped in this world is fascinating, and Sylvester doesn’t drag it out without payoff.
Sorcerer of Almora is a solid and immersive fantasy read with a great blend of mystery, survival drama, and slow-burn worldbuilding. If you’re into books that drop you in the middle of nowhere with no map and make you claw your way toward meaning—this is your book. It’s perfect for fans of classic fantasy with a modern vibe, especially if you enjoy character-driven stories with a hint of danger and a lot of heart.
Pages: 787 | ASIN : B0DR67TS4P
Whisper of Fate
Whisper of Fate picks up in the aftermath of chaos—kingdoms in mourning, secrets buried with the dead, and hearts just trying to keep beating. Kalista, now queen, is navigating grief, leadership, and the not-so-tidy wreckage of her love life. Luke, still nursing a bruised ego and a broken heart, tries to wear his general’s title while avoiding the emotional landmines left behind. Meanwhile, Raine (the assassin) is off on his own quest that may or may not involve saving the realm and still being hopelessly in love with Kalista. It’s the second book in the Sol Defenders series, and wow, it does not slow down for a second.
I fell hard for this book in the first few chapters. The emotional tension between Kalista and Luke is so real, it’s like reading a slow-motion car crash—messy, painful, but you can’t look away. There’s this moment I enjoyed at the funeral of Luke’s father where Kalista wraps her arms around him and he actually cries. The layers of love, betrayal, and unresolved feelings were giving major enemies-to-lovers energy—if the “lovers” part ever gets another chance. And don’t even get me started on the scene where they stare at the map of the kingdoms together, talking shop about strategy while also sidestepping all the unresolved tension between them.
What really got me, though, was how grief and loyalty are so tightly wound into everything. Kalista visiting the mother of a fallen soldier, trying to find comfort in helping others when she can’t even hold herself together was emotional. And Raine—ugh, Raine—sneaking around enemy territory, aching for a girl he thinks he can never have while trying to track down the monster who made them all suffer? Classic tortured hero vibes. The writing isn’t trying too hard to be poetic—it just is. Emotional. Simple. And sometimes, devastating. And Crowe pulls it off while still weaving in danger, court politics, and a bit of awkward guard banter (Paulsen, you adorable disaster).
Whisper of Fate is for anyone who loves fantasy with serious heart. There’s romance, but it’s buried in grief and longing and so much quiet hope it kind of sneaks up on you. If you like Throne of Glass with less sass and more raw emotion, this is your book. Perfect for fans of character-driven stories where no one is entirely okay but everyone’s trying. I’m already counting the days until book three.
Pages: 400 | ISBN : 1960810995
Echo
Jessica Ashley’s Echo sweeps readers into a story about trauma, redemption, and the raw vulnerability of healing through faith and love. At its center is Elliot “Echo” Hunt, a former soldier turned search-and-rescue hero, and a woman with no name, no past, and a gunshot wound she barely survives. As Elliot finds her unconscious on his land, tangled in creek debris, their paths collide in ways that neither expects. With themes of grace, second chances, and slow-burn romance, this Christian romantic suspense novel doesn’t hold back on emotion or intensity.
Ashley does a brilliant job of building suspense without losing the thread of heart in the story. The scene where Jane prays through Psalm 23 while escaping through the woods had me breathless. It was both terrifying and strangely beautiful. I appreciated how Ashley wove scripture organically into the story. It didn’t feel forced or preachy. Instead, it felt like a lifeline, like the characters were clinging to it as fiercely as I was turning the pages.
Elliot’s character is written with a lot of emotional depth. He’s gruff and guarded but not cold, which is a hard balance to get right. His scenes with his dog Echo and the quiet moments on the ranch gave his trauma space to breathe. What really got me was how shaken he is by her resemblance to someone he lost. That subtle heartbreak bleeds into the entire book. You can feel him holding back, afraid of letting himself hope again. I loved how the story didn’t rush his healing, or Jane’s. Their connection builds slowly, which makes it feel earned.
I also have to give a shoutout to the dialogue, which felt real and often funny, especially when Elliot is bantering with his siblings. The Hunt family dynamic is warm and chaotic in the best way, especially with Ruth (Elliot’s mom) and Lani (his sister and a doctor). You can sense how much love is in this family. That said, the book does dip heavily into past trauma and grief, and at times I felt those moments were almost too neatly resolved, but it didn’t take away from the emotional payoff.
Echo is a heartfelt story about faith, brokenness, and the quiet bravery it takes to let someone in again. It’s raw in places, gentle in others, and always anchored in hope. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense with a soul, especially readers who enjoy Christian fiction that isn’t afraid to wrestle with pain. Fans of strong family dynamics, redemption arcs, and rugged heroes with tender hearts will find a lot to love here.
Pages: 456 | ASIN : B0DN7SW26B
Creating Something Entirely Mine
Bloodbound: Alternate Tracks follows a once-human vampire and his maker as they face off with a rival faction and battle their own inner turmoil. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I was toying with ways to extend the Bloodbound universe, to bend or even snap the genres of existing vampire fantasy and create something entirely mine. One day I had a random thought: What if twins (or multiples for that matter) weren’t meant to be born in the same world – what if they were each allotted their own universe to exist in, and what if we could see what other paths those alternate versions might take? I decided to explore that concept in the Bloodbound saga.
Do you have a favorite character in this novel? One that was especially enjoyable to write?
Exploring a different version of your own main character is especially delicious if they don’t abide by the same constrictions or even morals. I didn’t want Hunter II to be a polar opposite – I didn’t want him to be the proverbial ‘evil twin’ … but instead I wanted him to be more morally ambiguous, at least starting off. This Hunter lives a rockstar lifestyle and can also be unapologetically violent. We’ll learn there’s a purpose for that as we go along.
What draws you to the horror genre?
A genre that encourages you – dares you – to push boundaries and go beyond the limits of tastefulness? What’s not to love? Add in a fantasy world where the laws of physics may not strictly apply, and you’ve got the makings for some really entertaining (read: gross) things to write about.
Can fans of the Bloodbound series look forward to another installment soon? What are you currently working on?
Bloodbound 4 (Extreme Temperatures – https://books2read.com/Bloodbound4/ ) is already out. Coincidentally, the very night I was given this interview, I had just finished the first draft of Bloodbound 5: Reverberations – which lets us see even more of Hunter II and reveals his true allegiances. I’ll be releasing ‘Reverberations’ later this year.
In the meantime, May 6 will see the release of my first collection of short stories – called “Body Parts.” It’s 13 body horror tales of varying tones – some are seriously disturbing, some take a more humorous tack, but in all of them I tried pushing some of those boundaries I spoke of earlier! https://books2read.com/BodyPartsBook
And July 1 will see the reboot of another old series of mine. The first volume of “Abel X,” Echoes of Demons, combines two original novellas I first wrote in the mid 2010s based off a role-playing game character I created. https://books2read.com/AbelXEchoes
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
When a demon with the ability to traverse dimensions and kill on contact breaks into our realm, Kai and The Order are tasked with finding and stopping the ever-growing threat, which involves asking the alternate-world Hunter and his bandmates for help. However, the other realm’s version of Hunter appears to have an agenda of his own and won’t think twice about opting for brutality to achieve his goals.
A Fistful of Feathers
This book hooked me fast. A Fistful of Feathers is a gripping YA fantasy that blends suspense, mystery, and a slow-burning sci-fi twist. It follows Jo Ranson, a kid in a care system that’s more sinister than supportive. Jo is stuck in a brutal cycle of neglect, pain, and confusion, all while dealing with a weird swelling on his neck and he’s not the only one. As the story unfolds, Jo discovers he’s part of something much bigger, and definitely more dangerous, than he ever imagined. With an unrelenting pace and a heavy dose of heart, this first installment of the Fraser Chronicles throws you into a world that feels just a little too close to reality.
The writing is sharp and gutsy without being flashy. The dialogue feels natural, especially between Jo and Dan, his best friend and ride-or-die. There’s a solid rhythm to how the scenes build, each chapter ending just edgy enough to keep you turning pages. I loved the way Jones captures Jo’s voice—sarcastic, wary, and raw. In Chapter One, the way Jo describes the Clinic’s tiles (“eight-hundred-and-twenty-three dingy grey tiles… Seven of them were broken”) instantly shows you he’s observant, stuck, and a little obsessive. It’s those little details that make him feel real. Also, the first interaction with Amy, where they bond over their shared condition, is subtle, sad, and full of the kind of resilience that sneaks up on you.
Without spoiling too much, there’s something growing inside Jo. Something literally. And the scenes where his back shifts and the pain surges, it’s not just body horror, it’s metaphor. You feel the panic. One of the standout moments for me was when Jo, after fleeing the Clinic and hiding in a cave, wakes up to find something fluttering under his skin. It’s terrifying and kind of beautiful, which is a weird combo that Jones pulls off well. And then there’s Dan, the friend we all wish we had. Funny, smart, and fiercely loyal. His plan to disguise Jo as an old woman to escape was ridiculous but genius.
If you like fast-paced reads with a gritty edge and a beating heart, this one’s for you. It’s perfect for teens who love stories that flirt with dystopia but stay grounded in human connection. Think Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children meets The Maze Runner with a pinch of British grit. Adults who like YA with real stakes and emotional depth will enjoy it too. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0DCSFQXVP
Raven’s Legacy (A Jonah St. Clair Mystery)
Raven’s Legacy is an atmospheric mystery set in the remote Alaskan village of Koloshan in 1980. At the center is Jonah St. Clair, a war veteran and former LAPD officer turned village cop, who’s suddenly tasked with investigating the shocking theft of sacred Tlingit artifacts from the local Native Arts Center. The heart of the mystery is the missing Raven House screen—a symbol of cultural pride and community history—setting off a tense clash between tradition, greed, and the ghosts of the past. As Jonah digs deeper, he uncovers more than just clues; he finds tangled loyalties, unresolved grief, and a reckoning with cultural identity that makes this story far more than your average whodunit.
The opening prologue, where a young Jonah first lays eyes on the Raven House screen, is quietly haunting. That scene stayed with me, not because of flashy writing but because of the reverence and weight Stuart gives to culture and memory. There’s this moment where elders stand around naming each missing artifact in Tlingit—“Káa yooka.όot’ x’όow,” “Naaxein,”—like they’re reading names off a memorial. It’s a grief not just for stolen objects, but for a fading culture being ripped away in broad daylight.
Stuart’s writing is sharp but not showy. It flows easy, like a local telling a story over coffee—personal, thoughtful, no wasted words. I loved how she grounded everything in real place and texture. Koloshan doesn’t feel like a backdrop—it’s a character. The muddy roads, the rusting buildings, the church steeples clashing with old totems. It all feels lived-in and complicated. Stuart also gets small-town politics and family dynamics just right—the way gossip travels faster than police radios, and how history never stays buried. Especially when we get to the elder characters like Harold and Ray, each with their own ideas about what the artifacts “should” mean. It’s not just mystery—it’s a debate about identity, and who gets to decide what legacy survives.
The pacing drags a bit midway through Jonah’s hunt for leads, especially during the logistics-heavy stretch in Juneau. But even then, there’s always an emotional undercurrent. She writes with empathy. There’s tension, yeah, but also a real sense of stakes for these quiet, ordinary people caught in something bigger than them. Jonah himself is a standout. He’s tough, sure, but there’s a vulnerability there—he feels things deeply, and that gives the story its soul.
Raven’s Legacy is a thoughtful, rich, and emotional mystery with a lot of heart. If you’re looking for a mystery with real depth, layered characters, and a powerful sense of place, you’ll get a lot out of this one. I’d especially recommend it to fans of Dana Stabenow or those who love stories that blend culture, community, and quiet suspense.
Pages: 305 | ASIN : B0F3M8VPPP
The Tydareus Kingdom, Alliance of Nations
J.E. London’s The Tydareus Kingdom is an ambitious epic that plunges the reader into a richly woven tapestry of royal intrigue, betrayal, and political ambition across a sprawling, multi-regional empire. The story traces the legacy of the Tydareus lineage, beginning with the wreckage and rise of Quintus Tydareus and evolving into the tangled fates of his descendants—particularly the twin princes Stavros and Kratos. The narrative winds through a maze of kingdoms, love affairs, family secrets, and brutal power struggles, culminating in a saga that is both grand in scale and intimate in its emotional complexity.
I enjoyed the intensity of the prose. London doesn’t ease you in; she drops you into a storm of evocative language and raw human drama. The writing is rich, even poetic at times, and while that style can be beautiful, it occasionally teeters on excess. Still, there’s no denying its power. There’s a sense of fatalism baked into the world, and London’s vivid imagery makes you feel every betrayal, every oath, every secret.
What I truly enjoyed was the relationship between the twin princes. Stavros and Kratos are magnetic in their contrast. Stavros is a tyrant-in-the-making, all ego and rage, while Kratos is introspective and torn by duty. Their first scene together in the vineyard set the tone—raw, physical, tense with unspoken history. I found myself siding with Kratos often, especially as Stavros descended further into cruelty. The tension between them is Shakespearean, and that dynamic carries much of the novel’s emotional weight. There were moments when the dialogue veered into melodrama, and the frequent physical and verbal brutality was almost too much. But maybe that’s the point—this kingdom is built on blood and silence.
Then there’s the character of Avana, the queen. Her story gutted me. She’s caught between the title of royalty and the reality of being stripped of agency in a patriarchal, violent court. Her scenes with King Arius are some of the most difficult to read, especially when he asserts dominance not just politically but physically. The abuse and the gaslighting is brutal. I felt genuine anger, and sadness, and helplessness for her. London doesn’t shy away from depicting the consequences of power in the hands of those who abuse it, and while it’s hard to stomach, it’s also honest. She’s trying to survive in a world that constantly tells her she’s expendable.
The Tydareus Kingdom is a harrowing and layered portrait of human ambition and moral collapse. It’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for a fairy tale, this isn’t it. But if you’re drawn to political drama, moral gray zones, and character-driven epics where no one is safe and every choice has weight, then this book delivers. I’d recommend it to fans of Game of Thrones or The Witcher—people who don’t mind getting dirty in the trenches of family legacy, loyalty, and betrayal.
Pages: 825 | ASIN : B0DXWKC4JQ
LITERARY TITAN 