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The Killing Kind
Posted by Literary Titan

The Killing Kind is a gritty, high-octane crime thriller that throws you headfirst into the darkest corners of humanity. Set in a bleak Australian city plagued by a string of grotesque abductions and murders, the story follows Detective Sergeant Paul Anderson, a worn-down, whiskey-soaked investigator trying to hold himself and the case together. When Catherine Elliott, a missing woman thought to be dead, reemerges traumatized but alive, a twisted network of abuse, trauma, and corruption begins to unravel. As Paul navigates his crumbling personal life and the mounting pressure from the public and media, the reader is dragged into a murky world where no one escapes clean.
The opening scene with Catherine crawling away from her captors was raw and horrifying. Hamilton doesn’t ease you in. He grabs you by the collar and throws you into it. The prose is punchy, blunt, and sometimes brutally descriptive. The prologue alone had me clenching my jaw. And while it can be over-the-top in its violence, there’s an authenticity in how the characters respond to their trauma. Paul, in particular, is a fascinating mess. His scenes with Billie—the young bar owner who offers him comfort, and then some, walk a strange line between vulnerable and morally muddy, and I couldn’t look away. The contrast between his broken-down soul and her unexpected tenderness made those scenes oddly tender and uncomfortable all at once.
Just when you’re in the thick of a serious plot twist, Hamilton slaps you with a sharp turn into explicit territory. Still, the character work redeems it. Sharon’s chapter, where she wakes up bruised, broken, and unsure of what happened the night before, was honestly one of the most harrowing depictions of domestic abuse I’ve read. And then there’s Danielle Wise, a detective digging through old social media records, who adds this whole layer of procedural nerdiness that I enjoyed. Her backstory with Bridget was refreshingly open and real, it gave me a break from all the pain without feeling like filler.
I recommend The Killing Kind. This book isn’t shy. It’s for people who can stomach the dark stuff and appreciate characters that feel real even when they’re doing ugly things. If you’re into thrillers that flirt with noir, crime procedurals with grit, and stories where the city feels like a character in itself, you’ll want this on your shelf.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B0DZPFX5D9
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Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, crime, ebook, Edward Hamilton, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, murder, mystery, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, suspense, The Killing Kind, thriller, writer, writing
All June Left Behind
Posted by Literary Titan

All June Left Behind is a tightly written, emotionally raw story about grief, justice, and secrets that won’t stay buried. It follows Ray Meadows, a weathered farmer trying to keep it together two years after his wife, June, was murdered. The man convicted of the crime is suddenly granted a new trial, cracking open old wounds and unearthing something far more explosive than Ray could’ve imagined, June’s entire past life. What starts as a tale of one man’s pain slowly peels back into a mystery that ties together mob connections, witness protection, and the terrifying thought that maybe, just maybe, everything Ray believed about his wife was a lie.
Ray’s narration is no-nonsense, full of grit, sarcasm, and painful honesty. Right from page one, you feel the weight he carries. That scene where he deletes the detective’s message and talks to his daughter while scrounging for a Pop-Tart is so ordinary, and yet you feel his dread simmering underneath. The writing doesn’t try to be fancy, which I loved. It’s plainspoken, sharp, and emotional when it needs to be. Ray’s grief isn’t pretty or poetic; it’s sweaty, stubborn, and full of denial.
What absolutely floored me, though, was the twist. I had to set the book down and just breathe. The pacing right before and after that moment was pitch-perfect. Karen Grose doesn’t overplay it. She lets Ray react in exactly the way you’d expect, confused, furious, heartbroken. There’s this moment where he’s locked in a cell, soaked in water from a busted faucet, completely unraveling. I could feel the walls closing in. That moment hit hard. And I liked that the book didn’t shy away from showing Ray’s worst sides, his temper, his stubbornness, his pride. It made him believable.
But maybe my favorite part was how Grose writes family. The scenes with Ray and his kids, especially Ryla, are full of tiny emotional jabs. The way they talk around June’s death, the worry in their voices when they think he’s spiraling again is all so layered. The characters felt lived-in, like people you’d meet in a small town diner or at the edge of a cornfield, holding a coffee and a thousand unspoken words.
All June Left Behind is a slow burn with a lot to say about love, anger, and how the past can knock you off your feet when you least expect it. It’s a story about trying to move on when you’re stuck in a loop of what-ifs. If you’re someone who likes character-driven stories with mystery baked in, this one’s for you. It’s got heart, it’s got bite, and it doesn’t let go.
Pages: 324 | ASIN : B0DYL1RYW6
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: All JuneLeft Behind, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, Karen Grose, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, psychological fiction, Psychological Thrillers, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
My Home Country
Posted by Literary-Titan

The Dream Lives On follows a man fleeing with his children and mother from Ukraine to the US to seek refuge, who falls in love with a successful woman searching for meaning in her life. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When the war began in Ukraine, it came as a tremendous shock for me. I moved to the United States from Ukraine back in 2005, but I still feel a very strong connection to my home country. I used to visit Ukraine every year. Many of my friends and relatives still live in Kyiv and I am in touch with them regularly. I was completely devastated and extremely worried about everyone when the war started. Unfortunately, the situation has not improved since the war began. Ukrainian residents still suffer from missile and drone attacks daily-just last night there was a deadly air attack that injured and killed people, as well as damaged some buildings. This is a nightmare with which we are forced to live since 2022.
Given all this background, it was only natural for me to start writing a fiction novel that takes place during the first months of the war. This is what was on my mind the whole time.
While all the characters of the novel are fictional, the events are not. As the Russian army started approaching, Ukrainians needed to make a choice of either staying or leaving Ukraine. This was not an easy choice…The characters in my novel took different routes and outcomes were quite different. Not everyone survived, unfortunately. You’ll need to read the book to know how things worked out for them.
As to the romance between the main characters, Viktor and Teresa, I wasn’t originally planning on that. But this idea came to my mind as I was progressing through the book. I thought that both Viktor and Teresa were wonderful people who faced a lot of adversity (for very different reasons). They deserved to find their happiness in the end. And happiness for me means being with a person who loves you, respects you, and truly understands you. It does not involve money, power, or other similar things.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
For me, the most interesting ones are growth and development. Throughout their lives, people have new experiences, they learn, they adapt, they evolve and hopefully become better people in the end. In my current novel, characters learn to live in completely new circumstances. Their world essentially comes crashing down, but they remain true to their values. They help each other and build a new future. It might be quite different from the one they expected originally, but they learn to live in it. The most important thing in life is staying true to your values, no matter what happens.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
There are multiple scenes in my novel which capture the essence of war and tremendous hardships faced by civilians, especially small children. I tried to watch as many documentaries as possible to give an accurate account of what happened. Some of the most critical scenes are those that depict the damp bomb shelter in which adults, children and their pets gather; the Yurchenko family’s miraculous escape from the town of Irpin under the Russian missiles, and the crowded train platform where thousands of frightened people wait for a scarce train to Warsaw.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I have two books in the works.
One of them is the sequel to The Dream Lives On, which would complete the trilogy. There are still some unanswered questions remaining. First, we still need to know why Solomon left his home country of Tanzania and moved to Ukraine. What prompted him? Did something bad happen to him back home? We also need to know what happened to Solomon’s sister, Gloria. Does she still live in Tanzania, or did she move away? What did her life turn out like? I know some answers already, but not all, so more work remains to be done.
The second book I’m writing is a novel inspired by the expat life in Uzbekistan. For the last two years, I’ve been living in Uzbekistan together with my family due to my job (I work in international development). I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be living in Central Asia, but sometimes life takes you to the most unexpected places. I must say it’s been a very interesting experience which I would very much like to reflect in a new fiction novel. I already have a few chapters written and I hope to finish the book before I leave my posting in Uzbekistan.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
All he is looking for is a refuge for his family; falling in love is the last thing he expects on the other side of the Atlantic. What’s more, he would have never guessed that his journey could help his relatives connect the dots in a decades-old family mystery.
Teresa Jameson, a top executive in an international company, has lived for sixteen years in a seemingly happy marriage. Or maybe she just closed her eyes too often and refused to face the reality?
As ample cracks start to show, she needs to dig deep into her soul. Will she look away just one more time, or give the new relationship a chance to flourish?
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, book trailer, bookblogger, books, books to read, booktube, booktuber, contemporary fiction, contemporary women's fiction, ebook, Family Life Fiction, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, The Dream Lives On, trailer, Valeriya Goffe, Women's Domestic Life Fiction, writer, writing
DON’T MESS WITH ANNA: A RECKONING IN BLOOD AND INK
Posted by Literary Titan

Celeste Prater’s Don’t Mess With Anna is a wild, genre-melting ride that throws a petty online feud into a fantastical medieval meat grinder. When relentless troll Milton Smith takes one jab too many at author Anna DeMarco, karma doesn’t just knock—it drags him kicking and screaming into a brutal otherworld where knights don’t wear shining armor and dungeons are disturbingly real. Packed with vengeful magic, dark humor, and a strange sense of justice, the book follows Milton as he pays, painfully and hilariously, for every snarky comment he’s ever typed from the comfort of his mom’s basement.
Okay, first off—this book is bonkers in the best way. Prater doesn’t tiptoe around the setup. She throws us straight into Anna’s emotional breakdown over a brutal one-star review and it just spirals gloriously from there. But it’s when Milton starts feeling “icy tendrils” in his gut and faceplants into a keyboard that I knew I was in for something completely different. Prater doesn’t hold back. Her writing swings between hilarious and visceral, and the pacing is relentless. You’re either on this ride or you’re roadkill.
The fantasy world Milton lands in is where the story really flexes its muscles. It’s rich, weirdly believable, and mean as hell. These knights are not your noble, gallant types. More like angry executioners with perfect hair and better comebacks. Godric, Damon, and Jasper have big “don’t test me” energy, and watching Milton—a troll through and through—get absolutely wrecked by their world was satisfying in a primal, slightly guilty way. Milton’s journey through humiliation, fear, and growth, is uncomfortable but compelling. He’s kind of awful, but he’s also kind of us at our worst. That’s smart writing.
Now, don’t expect a subtle tale of redemption. This is more medieval-flavored revenge fantasy with a keyboard warrior at the center, and I loved that about it. But it’s not all snark and swords. Prater weaves in some really clever commentary on internet toxicity, cancel culture, and the emotional labor of creators. The queen and king’s fury over Anna’s mistreatment feels both over-the-top and totally justified. It’s like watching an entire fantasy kingdom rage-quit the internet on her behalf.
Don’t Mess With Anna is for anyone who’s ever read a one-star review and thought, “Wow, who hurt you?” It’s for writers, for readers, for anyone who’s been on either side of online drama and lived to tell the tale. It’s messy, chaotic, wildly entertaining, and unexpectedly sharp. If you’ve got a thing for dark fantasy, poetic justice, or just want to see a professional troll get medievaled, this book is for you.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0F22X4FVD
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Celeste Prater, Contemporary Fantasy Fiction, dark fantasy, dark humor, DON'T MESS WITH ANNA: A RECKONING IN BLOOD AND INK, ebook, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, historical mix, humor, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, magic, Medieval Historical Fiction, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, revenge fantasy, story, writer, writing
A Sense of Hope
Posted by Literary-Titan

The Scavenger follows three teens fighting their demons who make a wish at a mysterious well and find their lives are flipped upside down by the supernatural when something ancient, dark, and deadly starts to stalk them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As with a vast majority of stories, it started with a ‘What if” scenario i.e. what if three teenage kids, all close friends but all with their own personal issues, make a wish at a cursed well but their wishes come true in a twisted way? This came to me in mid-2019 and stayed in my mind for a few months. I then started to become familiar with the characters, getting to know their likes, dislikes, what makes them tick, etc. Once all the characters were fleshed out, I began plotting each chapter when I was very familiar with the main protagonists.
But I also think the inspiration came from Stephen King’s IT and the movie, Stand By Me, which apparently was based on one of King’s short stories too. I wanted to capture the same element of friendship or strong bond like the characters had in those stories. I must have pulled it off because fans really resonated with Jessica, Adrian, and Jared.
Jared, Jessica and Adrian are typical high schoolers on the surface, but are each facing struggles that weigh them down. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I know this is a cliché but I really enjoyed writing all the characters, especially Jared’s spooky scenes. They were fun because I always tried to up the scare factor each time something supernatural occurred in the book. Jessica, however, was a character I found hard to write because her scenes with her mother, Bertha, are raw and edgy. There’s always a tension there. It’s like a powder keg ready to explode.
There is another reason why her character touched me. When I was a kid, I knew some friends who were in exactly the same predicament she’s in. They had abusive parents, too, so writing those scenes in a way, brought it all back to me. Now that I’m older and can understand more of what they went through, my heart goes out to them.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes that were really important for me are: accepting yourself when people around you can’t and having the strength to stand up against someone/something far stronger than yourself. It’s gratifying to know that people find a sense of hope in The Scavenger‘s, conclusion.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
When I first started writing, The Scavenger, it was only meant to be a one-off. However, the reaction by readers was so strong that I decided to write a sequel. That was in 2021; fast-forward to present day and it has now turned into a four-book series.
In the next book, Unlucky Charm (Second Edition), we’re introduced to two new characters, Reggie and Zane, who are also long-time buddies. When one of them buys an antique pocket watch for his mother, little does he know that it will set off a chain of events that will ultimately change both their lives. Jared and Aunt Maybelle are called in to help. In this book, Jared develops his abilities even more and comes into his own. Jessica also develops a strong bond with her mom. An event at the end of the book sets up a HUGE rollercoaster ride in book three – Dark Secrets, where Jessica will come face-to-face with a shocking secret from Bertha’s past that will make her question everything she knew about her mom!
The final book of the series, Lurking Beasts, will hopefully be released in November of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
Jared, Jessica, and Adrian seem like your typical high schoolers, but each harbors a secret that gnaws at their souls.
Jared is struggling for acceptance from his disapproving mother as a gay teen while enduring the relentless torment of a bully. Adrian is crushed under the weight of his father’s impossible expectations as he conceals a forbidden crush. Jessica, trapped in a nightmare with her abusive, alcoholic mother, dreams of escape but finds no solace.
Then, one frigid night, the trio stumbles upon an ancient wishing well, its ominous aura drawing them in. With eyes closed and hearts burdened, they each make a wish half-heartedly but secretly hope for something—anything—different. In a snap, their wishes seem to mysteriously materialize.
But they have no idea they’ve just awakened something far more sinister than their minds can grasp, and things are about to go horribly wrong!
The Scavenger (Second Edition) is the chilling beginning of the Hopps Town Quadrilogy, where every wish comes at a deadly price.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: Aidan Lucid, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, suspense, Teen & Young Adult Fantasy & Supernatural Mysteries & Thrillers, Teen & Young Adult Thrillers & Suspense, Teen and YA, The Scavenger, thriller, writer, writing
Beyond Blood Ties
Posted by Literary-Titan

The Shadow and the Scream follows a woman struggling with trauma who encounters a distressed teen girl, and she is drawn into a supernatural mystery to find a killer. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have a really good friend who has been diagnosed with complex PTSD as a result of long-term chronic relational family trauma. I remember having a lot of conversations with her over the years about how she struggles to find books that represent the ongoing, long-term recovery of trauma survivors. I’m also really interested in the idea of female rage, and how this manifests, especially in female survivors of trauma. I’ve also always been fascinated by the concept of monsters, what makes something a ‘monster’, and what being a ‘monster’ means. I decided I wanted to combine all these ideas to create a world where monsters were drawn to human rage and pain, providing a way for my characters to explore their feelings and learn to accept them as part of themselves. In the story, and in the series as a whole, the creatures called ‘monsters’ are often not the ones perpetrating real harm. I liked the idea of the monstrous deeds not actually being carried out by the creatures labelled as ‘monsters’, but by ordinary human beings working within the confines of a society that allowed them to behave monstrously.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
I’ll admit, I struggle to stick to a story plan! A lot of the worldbuilding for Wilderness, the world Annie and Sheb travel to, emerged organically as I was writing. I had some idea about the Dread King and who he was, but the power of the Wood, and its magic, was something that evolved over the course of the first two drafts. I am a huge advocate for ecological sustainability and respecting our living planet, so a lot of my books tend to have a nod toward that, including through using settings like the Wood as characters in their own right.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
A key one for me was the importance of found family, and building a positive, protective community for yourself. I have an extremely supportive family, whom I love dearly, but not everyone does, and I wanted to provide room in my stories for the idea of family to go beyond blood ties and genetic relations and move more toward communities of people who care for and look out for each other. Trauma recovery was also another big one for me, including the fact that it takes time, and there are often setbacks. I also really wanted to explore the idea of how we can harness our emotions to better understand ourselves. That’s the whole point in the relationship that grows between Annie and her monster, Wriggler. She believes her rage makes her wicked and evil. What Wriggler shows her is that emotions are neither good nor bad and, if we learn to harness them properly, even anger can be a force for positive change.
What will your next novel be about, and what will the whole series encompass?
I’ve actually already published book 2 of The Nowhere Chronicles! It’s called ‘Flight of the Bone Crow’ and, in it, Annie and her friends venture into Sheb’s world, where he must contend with his past. Like ‘The Shadow and the Scream’, there is a monstrous mystery to solve, a whole new world to explore, a natural setting that has its own personality, and plenty of new characters to get to know! You can grab the book from my website, or from most of the large, popular online bookstores. I’ve just finished the developmental edits for book 3, which is called ‘A Fearsome, Lonely Heart’, and, in this one, Annie will have to confront someone important from her own past. It’s due to be released later this year!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
***Feathered Quill Bronze Award 2025***In a world of hidden monsters, she must catch a killer – without becoming one herself.
Annie has spent five years hiding in the parallel universe of Nowhere, wrestling with a terrible, uncontrollable power. But her fragile peace shatters when a distressed teenage girl emerges through a mysterious portal, claiming to have witnessed a monstrous murder. Reluctantly, Annie is drawn into a supernatural mystery that will test her resolve and challenge her very nature.
As she delves deeper into this twisted tale, Annie uncovers unsettling secrets and faces off against a monstrous force she barely understands. With each step, she battles not only external threats but also her own inner demons.
Can she solve the mystery and catch the killer without becoming as monstrous as the beast she hunts?
This coming-of-age fantasy novel blends suspense, complex characters, and immersive worldbuilding with themes of love, forgiveness, and family. If you enjoy the eerie atmosphere of Stranger Things combined with the heart of How to Train Your Dragon, you’ll love this adventure that explores trauma and self-acceptance.
Don’t miss out on the dark fantasy sensation that’s mesmerizing readers. Grab your copy of The Shadow and the Scream now and lose yourself in a world where shadows whisper and screams echo with untold secrets!
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: Action & Adventure Fantasy, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, dark fantasy horror, Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, mystery, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Rebecca L. Fearnley, series, story, supernatural, The Shadow and the Scream, writer, writing
Rampant Spread of Misinformation
Posted by Literary-Titan

Toxic Minds is a high-stakes medical thriller that plunges a hospitalist into a deadly collision of grief, cultish ideology, and the seductive power of misinformation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My books in the Dr. Mark Lin Medical Thrillers series involve a new approach to the medical thriller genre, by exploring the intersection between the world of healthcare and society at large. I can imagine plenty of ways where villainous actions out in society result in unusual medical mysteries and crises, such that Dr. Mark Lin, who is disgusted with the worst of humanity, is motivated to go beyond the hospital and tackle the problem at its root. My previous novel, Doctor Lucifer, dealt with a computer hacker interfering with medicine. This time, my latest novel Toxic Minds takes on the issue of cults and disinformation disrupting healthcare.
The inspiration for Toxic Minds draws from my concern about the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the last decade or so. Whether it involves medicine, science, news, or politics, and whether it’s spread through social media, podcasts, or other routes, misinformation and disinformation have been a serious concern. We have seen tragic deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic that could be attributed to false information about how to treat that disease. Outside of medicine, false information has caused massive divisions and bitter arguments related to major topics like climate change and elections. Then there are examples in which strong belief in ideas contrary to real-world evidence has led to threats of or actual attempts at violence.
As for the issue of cults, they’ve always been around and they still are. I especially remember the Heaven’s Gate cult in the late 1990s, where members had committed mass suicide out of the belief that they can be freed from their bodies and taken away by a comet passing by Earth. That was the first time in my life where I heard about a cult doing something extremely dangerous. It stuck with me for a while.
Altogether, my strong concerns about cults and disinformation led me to create a fictional cult that spreads medical disinformation. That, in turn, led to the writing of Toxic Minds.
The bombing scene is written with restraint but hits hard. What was your approach to writing trauma without relying on graphic imagery?
I’ve always appreciated the technique of hinting at a horror without being explicit about it. A classic example of this is the movie Jaws, where you know a big shark is coming even though you don’t actually see it during its approach. For this scene in Toxic Minds, having the protagonist witness the bombing audibly via a phone call is a perfect way to inflict trauma without imagery.
How did you research the blend of medical realism and conspiracy-driven ideology?
I did plenty of reading into cults in general, along with specific examples of cults like Heaven’s Gate, the Branch Davidians, and the Children of God. The big takeaway is that it doesn’t matter how absurd the cult’s beliefs are. As long as the human mind is susceptible to psychological manipulation, it is possible to get anyone to believe pretty much anything. This made it relatively easy to create the Path to Purity, the fictional cult in my novel. I did not have to follow rules about how cults work because there is no limit to how they function and what their beliefs are. I just created whatever I felt like. Once I did that, then it was a matter of figuring out what medical ailments would result from the Path to Purity. My previous background in medicine made that part easy.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have begun working on the third novel of the Dr. Mark Lin Medical Thrillers series. I do not wish to disclose the topic at this time, but let’s just say it’s one that plenty of past medical thrillers have tackled. Still, it will be my own unique take on it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
For hospital physician Dr. Mark Lin, nothing is more gut-wrenching than saving a life only to see it taken by murder.
When one of his patients is killed by a suicide bomber blowing up a clinic, everyone points the finger at a group of anti-abortion extremists. Mark, however, knows the killer’s final words and has a different theory about the culprit: a secretive healing cult called the Path to Purity. It seems the only way to get answers and avenge his patient is to join the Path himself.
Juggling the dual roles of doctor and undercover cult follower, Mark treats patients for ill effects of the Path’s dangerous practices while also proving his worth and advancing along the Path’s ranks. He has only one goal: get close to the mysterious leader known as the Sun Priest and destroy the cult. But the deeper he goes, the deadlier things get. Mark will stop at nothing to uncover the truth, before getting trapped in a heinous plot that could spell devastation on a massive scale.
Toxic Minds is Anthony Lee’s medical thriller where healthcare collides with disinformation and a hateful mind losing touch with reality is the most dangerous of all.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: Anthony Lee, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, medical fiction, medical thriller, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, series, story, thriller, Toxic Minds, writer, writing
Our Aspirations and Our Limitations
Posted by Literary-Titan

Red Dirt Part I: The Star Bearer follows a half-synthetic woman and one of the last organic humans who get caught in the crossfire of an old war, leaving them in a battle for survival. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I grew up shaped by a lot of science fiction, both by means of video games and cinema, and I have always been drawn towards anything that is related to our relationship with technology. I wanted to create a universe where these artificial beings, created in the image of mankind, are portrayed in a very human way; we witness them struggle with emotion, we witness them trying to survive, we witness them grow, learn, go through grief, etc. So, as you go on this adventure, it puts the reader in a position where they have to question what it means to be human. With the advent of A.I., which is still in its infancy, I felt that the timing was right for me to put this book out there and also pay homage to the likes of Asimov, Mad Max, and Blade Runner.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
What fascinates me about the human condition, and what I think makes for powerful fiction, is this constant tension between our aspirations and our limitations. We are creatures of immense potential, driven by curiosity, emotion, and the desire to shape the world around us, yet we are also bound by our fear, ego, and this struggle to understand ourselves. This tension creates very fertile ground for storytelling.
As someone fascinated by AI and technology, I am especially intrigued by how we project our hopes, fears, and ethical dilemmas onto the things we create. The rise of artificial intelligence, for example, forces us to confront questions about consciousness, identity, and what it truly means to be human. I often think of Asimov’s work and how he used robots not just as speculative technology, but as mirrors to reflect our own moral and societal frameworks. That approach continues to inspire me: using futuristic elements to explore timeless human truths and obstacles.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Legacy is a big one. How we are remembered and honored is a theme not just in Part I, but also in Parts II and III. Without giving away anything, it comes full circle, but what is interesting is, again, this idea that humanity lives on through means of their creations; that in a way, the idea of what it means to be human isn’t physical but rather tied to how something thinks and feels. There is also the theme of Identity. The synthetics are carving out an identity in this new world, while humanity is struggling with their inevitable obsolescence. Maternal mentorship is also something you will notice in the book; I had several mentors growing up, incredibly smart, wonderful women, so the idea of maternal guidance is explored throughout the series.
Can you tell us what the second book will be about and when it will be available for fans to purchase?
Yes! The trilogy is complete and available, both via Kindle and paperback. Part II is a sequel that picks up where Part I left off, and Part III, the longest of the three books, picks up a couple of years later. All I will say is that Part I sets the table for a very emotional and thought-provoking journey. Part II is darker and isn’t afraid to pull punches, and Part III wraps it all up in a way I don’t think anyone will see coming. I am working on other projects at the moment, but I will undoubtedly revisit the Red Dirt universe.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
One hundred years after the Earth goes inexplicably silent and the colonies founded on the Red Planet destroy one another, the highly advanced synthetics created in the image of mankind have evolved and built their own civilization from the ashes of humanity. What peace has come to fruition, however, is suddenly put under threat.
A novelette series inspired by the works of Isaac Asimov and a love of video games, Red Dirt © is a love letter to the great science fiction franchises of our time exploring what it means to be human.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, book trailer, bookblogger, books, books to read, booktube, booktuber, collection, D.K. Kristof, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, One-Hour Literature & Fiction Short Reads, One-Hour Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Reads, Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction, read, reader, reading, Red Dirt Part I: The Star Bearer, sci fi, science fiction, series, short stories, story, trailer, writer, writing






