Blog Archives
Mysteries At School
If you like a mix of school drama, teenage sleuthing, and a bit of mystery set in the nostalgic 1960s, Mysteries at School might be your kind of book. This story follows Ryan Griffith, a middle-schooler who’s wrapping up his final year before high school. There’s something off about the school’s front office receptionist, Helen. Ryan’s curiosity gets the best of him, and he slowly starts connecting dots between her mysterious illness and the school’s science teacher, Carl. Along the way, he juggles friendships, his first real romance, and the pressure of choosing a high school. It’s got a Hardy Boys meets Stand By Me vibe, with a heavy dose of youthful anxiety about growing up.
Gilbert nails the feeling of being a kid at that weird in-between stage, excited about ruling the school but dreading the unknown future. I especially liked how he made school feel alive. The little details like the handmade crossword puzzle for the school newspaper or the secret thrill of sneaking into off-limits areas really brought back memories of being in a tight-knit class.
Ryan spends a lot of time thinking about his high school applications, which makes sense for his character, but I wanted more mystery. When things do get interesting, like when Ryan notices Carl hiding a confidential letter addressed to Helen, it’s exciting, but the suspense builds slowly.
Ryan is relatable. He’s not a perfect detective, just a curious kid who stumbles into a puzzle that might be bigger than him. His friendship with Barry feels real, and his crush on Rachel is adorable. Carl is intriguing. His mood swings make you wonder what he’s hiding. And Helen? She’s the biggest question mark in the book. Why does she get sick right after a lunch with Carl? Why does he seem so guilty? These are the questions that kept me turning pages.
I’d say this book is perfect for younger readers who love a slow-burn mystery or anyone who wants a nostalgic dive into 1960s school life. If you like the feeling of being there—biking to school, playing dodgeball, and passing secret notes in class—this book totally delivers.
Pages: 200 | ASIN: B0DYK4K7QQ
Midnight Justice
Robin H. Dobbins’ Midnight Justice is an adrenaline-pumping vigilante thriller that follows Alexandria McCord, a formidable and mysterious force of retribution. Armed with a Kevlar suit, a muscle car, and an unshakable sense of justice, she takes the law into her own hands, targeting criminals who have slipped through the cracks of the legal system. As she prowls the streets, bringing justice where the authorities fail, she becomes a legend. Feared by criminals, admired by some, and relentlessly pursued by law enforcement. But beneath the tough exterior lies a woman grappling with her past, her convictions, and the ever-present risk of exposure. The story weaves together high-octane action, moral dilemmas, and an undercurrent of personal loss, making for a gripping read.
What struck me most was the book’s unapologetic embrace of classic vigilante tropes while still managing to carve out a unique identity. Alexandria is a complex character, a history teacher by day and a fierce avenger by night. The opening chapter wastes no time in throwing us into the action. A masked figure unloading a shotgun, taking down criminals in brutal efficiency, and escaping in a roaring Dodge Challenger. The sheer energy of the scene had me hooked instantly. Dobbins writes action sequences with an old-school, cinematic flair. The pacing is relentless, giving the reader barely a moment to breathe before the next encounter. If there’s one thing this book doesn’t lack, it’s excitement.
The writing style can be a bit over-the-top at times, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It leans into its pulpy, almost comic book-like roots. But there are moments of genuine emotional depth, particularly when Alexandria reflects on her past and the trauma that set her on this path. Those moments, where her armor cracks just enough to show her vulnerability, are some of the strongest in the book.
The novel’s themes—justice versus vengeance, the failures of the legal system, and personal sacrifice—are explored with a clear passion. One of the most compelling aspects is how Alexandria’s actions are viewed differently by various characters. Some see her as a hero, others as a menace no better than the criminals she hunts. This moral ambiguity adds layers to the narrative, preventing it from being a simple black-and-white tale of good versus evil. The subplot involving Detective Kinstley and his reluctant pursuit of her adds another interesting layer. He respects her work but is bound by duty to bring her down, which creates an intriguing cat-and-mouse dynamic.
If you’re a fan of high-stakes action, tough-as-nails protagonists, and stories that question the boundaries of justice, Midnight Justice will be right up your alley. It’s not a subtle read, but it doesn’t try to be. It revels in its fast cars, brutal takedowns, and moral dilemmas, delivering a story that’s equal parts thrilling and thought-provoking. This book is perfect for those who love vigilante stories in the vein of The Punisher or Death Wish.
Pages: 280 | ASIN : B0DV4RPY69
The New Vampire Blood
Bloodbound: West of Nowhere follows a human-turned-vampire as he navigates a complicated relationship with his partner as he begins to realize his newly-acquired powers may be more than he bargained for. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In improvisation, students are taught the “Yes, and” technique. If your scene partner says you’re a racing driver with a limp, you take the character prompt and you add something extra to top it. In creating Bloodbound, I wanted my vampires to break as many tropes as possible and then add my own special twist, create my own universe and lore.
I decided to make Hunter a cambion, that is to say, have him be the offspring of a demon and a human, because I thought that might be a neat twist on your standard vampire story – what if the human wasn’t just a human when he was turned? Then I had to determine what kind of demon might be in his lineage. And from that came my own “Yes, and:” Did it necessarily have to be a single demon? What if there’s more than one in his bloodline, and all of those individual traits, when mixed with the new vampire blood, could yield interesting results?
We start exploring this at the end of Book 1, Reawakening, and develop it further into what we call “Mind’s Eye” in this book. Hunter can use a heightened telepathic ability to find a person’s deepest, darkest fears – imagined, maybe a real-life trauma. He can then alter the immediate space around him (and his target) to project a recreation of that dream or that memory. It’s like putting on a VR device without the goofy-looking equipment.
But it’s certainly not the only thing he’ll be able to do…
Do you have a favorite scene in this installment of the Bloodbound series? One that was especially fun to craft?
It’s a tie for two scenes. One is my homage to the Wayside School series of children’s books by Louis Sachar, which I could easily point to as the books that inspired me to write. In that lore, the school is a skyscraper, one classroom on each floor. There’s no 19th story, and there’s a series of chapters, each labeled Chapter 19, in which a character is stuck on the nonexistent 19th floor. I have a segment in West of Nowhere in which my characters are stuck in a time loop, and the first portion of that chapter repeats a few times with minor differences – including a different chapter title with a repeating number – before a character realizes what’s going on and breaks the loop.
The second is a trope-breaker: Vampire fans may know the old lore that one must be invited into a stranger’s residence in order to go inside. We have a scene in which it’s explained that “Welcome” mats count as implied permission by way of printed word. I got a giggle while writing it and I hope it’s met with a few by the reader!
What intrigues you about the horror and supernatural genres?
Horror is universal – we all have fears, both rational and irrational, and they can all manifest in beautiful, bizarre ways. I think the trick, the challenge, is how to craft the visual in a way that may touch different people in radically different ways. It’s the same reason why supernatural stories attract me: that genre is an extension of a creator’s aspirations, and that could cause so many different reactions from an audience who consumes that story and then thinks: ‘What would I do, how would I react, if I could do this?’
Can you give us a peek inside book 3? Where will it take readers?
Book 3 is called Alternate Tracks, and it explores the concept and tropes of alternate timelines and planes of existence. Hunter will discover a few more of his latent demonic powers, a possible ally or enemy, and we’ll have a pile of mobile goo that can drain the lifeblood and moisture from any being it touches heading toward South Padre Island during Spring Break!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
While he tries to control this new power, Hunter, his lover, Kai, and fellow agents from the Dallas bureau are summoned to San Francisco, where there is evidence a project to mutate ordinary citizens into human-animal hybrids has resumed.
What Hunter learns about his true self could help in tracking down those responsible – and could put his comrades in mortal jeopardy.
Praise for West of Nowhere:
McPherson’s style awakens old world vampire stories and entwines them with mystery/thriller overtones, making the resultant narrative decidedly unique… West of Nowhere weaves a wealth of supernatural fantasy components together, interlacing them with themes of belonging and regret into one intense, fast-moving story. —The BookLife Prize
Fans of The Dresden Files or The Southern Vampire Mysteries (but with more edge and less camp) will find a lot to enjoy here. It’s fast, it’s dark, and it leaves you with just enough unease to keep the lights on at night. (Thomas Anderson, Literary Titan)
Borealis
Borealis, by Andri E. Elia, is an engaging tale of Queen Asimia and her family’s quest for a new home amidst the devastation of war. Set in the kingdom of Yandar, the novel deftly intertwines themes of war, romance, and hope as the royal family faces defeat at the hands of the K’tuls. Key characters include Willie, Princess Hyrsa, and a young orphan named Sunny, who manage to escape the conflict. Sunny, adopted by the royal family, soon reveals extraordinary abilities that hint at a royal lineage and his potential to save the kingdom.
The novel stands out for its detailed and thorough narrative. The character development is particularly noteworthy, as each individual’s past and struggles are meticulously unveiled, allowing readers to witness their growth and transformation.
The world-building is exceptional, with vivid descriptions of planets, animals, and characters that create an immersive and fully realized universe. Elia’s attention to detail and thoughtful construction of this world is impressive. The story is enriched by various smaller narratives and side plots that seamlessly weave into the main storyline, making for a cohesive and entertaining read. The inclusion of time travel and space exploration adds layers of complexity, masterfully handled by the author. While the story may initially seem complex, especially given its place within a larger book series, it quickly becomes more engaging as the chapters progress. The narrative clarifies, and the plot’s intricacies unfold smoothly, making it easier to grasp and enjoy. The appendix at the end of the book serves as a helpful resource for understanding the broader context and specific details.
While the book contains mature themes that may not be suitable for younger readers, it offers a compelling read for young adults and beyond. The mature themes are handled with sensitivity and add depth to the narrative, making it resonate with many readers.
Borealis is a must-read for fans of science fiction and adventure stories. Its rich world-building, intricate plot and well-developed characters make it a standout in its genre. Andri E. Elia has crafted a novel that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, appealing to a broad audience of readers.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B0CWDGMBS4
Inside Their Restricted Worlds
Night Hawks follows the lives of small-town drifters, dreamers, and the disillusioned who are all looking for something more, be that a fresh start, an escape, or just some understanding. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came to me from Edward Hopper’s famous 1942 painting Nighthawks. I always admired that painting and how it reveals a late-night café frequented by lonely souls. That’s what I always saw in it, anyway. The painting sparked an idea for a first chapter titled “The Last Train to Chicago,” which as a story, won a fiction contest award from The Vincent Brothers Review.
That first chapter ended with Hank appearing to lose his longtime server, Lois, and so I decided to write another chapter exploring where Lois went and what happened and once I felt it was becoming a book, I needed a couple more good characters to drop into the fishbowl already inhabited by Hank and Lois, and I put the four of them on constant collision courses.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
I don’t think so. Both Hank and Tyler are military veterans and I’m not. I don’t believe any of the four main characters are based on anyone I know now or from the past. For each of the four characters, I first established their names, and from the names I got a starting point for building them into people. I worked, too, off their occupations: Hank as a diner owner and cook, Lois as a veteran server, Clara as a young server still living at home, and Tyler, a jittery veteran just home from Afghanistan.
So, when I started putting flesh on each one, I began with knowing their name and job and my imagination assembled them, and then with each new chapter, I learned more about them and how they would react. For me, writing is a daily process of discovery like it is for readers. I don’t do character arcs before I start writing. I want the daily surprise that comes day as I know the characters better and hear their voice and understand their desires and conflicts.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Family is perhaps the most important – and obvious – theme in Night Hawks. But not the usual concept of family. The four people in the book whose paths and lives are so intertwined, don’t really have traditional families anymore and so their journeys require them to bond and become their own little family. There are lots of people whose lives have become small and desperate, and they look to the people inside their restricted worlds to be family members.
Perhaps enduring and persevering are themes, too. Hank, Lois, Tyler, and Clara must all maintain hope for something better. They don’t have a lot to work with but must keep fighting to have satisfactory lives.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am nearly done writing the draft of a novel titled The Gatsby Lover. It has a connection to The Great Gatsby, but I’ll keep that close to the vest for now. After I let it sit a few days and then make revisions, it goes over to my longtime personal editor, Carol Burbank, for her always useful reactions. Fingers crossed it finds a good publisher!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Hank Spencer knows what goes on in his diner. He knows which days are best for business and whether the Blue Plate special is selling, and he makes note of the customers who come to drink and make small talk with his servers.
Lois is a hardworking waitress pushing fifty who hasn’t forgotten her big city dreams. When opportunity presents itself, she boards the train for Chicago, despite the risks and her boss’s attempts to warn her.
Working all the double shifts in the world won’t take care of Clara’s problem. She’s young, single, and knocked up. She feels trapped—at the diner, living with her god-fearing parents, and in the gossipy town full of watchful eyes.
Tyler is adjusting to civilian life after a stint in the army. At Hank’s Diner, he finds camaraderie and comfort, and sometimes, he can drown out visions of war over a plate of potatoes and meatloaf, and several, ice-cold beers.
These lonely souls converge under the fluorescent glow of the eatery, late at night and during long days, as the train speeds through, blaring its horn and signaling an alternate path. NIGHT HAWKS is a tender novella with a touch of noir about finding family in unlikely places, living through losses, and the connections that keep us showing up for another shift.
My Dream Lover: The Uncut Version
Some books make you feel like you’re stepping into a different world, and My Dream Lover does exactly that. It’s a love story wrapped in a coming-of-age journey with a splash of mystery, a twist of science fiction, and a whole lot of nostalgia. It follows the life of Robert Bryant, a seemingly perfect young man with an extraordinary intellect and athletic ability. But beneath his seemingly charmed existence, there’s a web of secrets, fate, and deep emotions that slowly unravel as the story unfolds. The book kicks off in 1982 before leaping back to the 1950s, taking us through Robert’s youth, his sister Emily’s struggles with anxiety, and his bond with Coral, a girl who grows to be more than just a childhood friend. A devastating event sends Robert on a whirlwind of suspense, deceit, and revenge in his quest for lost love, leading to moments of gripping tension and unexpected twists.
What I really liked about this book was how well it captured the atmosphere of small-town life in the 1950s. The nostalgia oozes from the pages. The drive-in diners, high school football games, and lazy summer afternoons make it feel like you’re flipping through an old family photo album. Navarria does a fantastic job fleshing out the setting, making the town of Rue, Ohio, feel alive. But what makes the book stand out is its blend of genres. Just when you think it’s a simple romance or coming-of-age tale, the story veers into the unexpected. There’s a strong undercurrent of mystery, and even elements of time travel and physics theories subtly weaved into the narrative. Sometimes, these elements feel almost dreamlike, as if the story itself is bending reality to make you question whether fate truly has the final say in our lives.
Robert, as a character, is both fascinating and a little too perfect at times. He’s a genius, an elite athlete, a heartthrob, and later, a renowned physicist. It’s a lot. But where the book really shines is in its relationships. His bond with Emily is heartfelt. There’s a genuine warmth in how he looks out for her and helps her navigate her anxieties. And then there’s Coral, whose transition from a little girl to a beautiful young woman is portrayed in a way that is both touching and filled with unspoken longing. The novel also doesn’t shy away from darker moments. Betrayals, loss, and shocking events that shift the tone from nostalgic sweetness to edge-of-your-seat drama.
This is the kind of book for readers who enjoy deeply developed characters, a slow-burning love story, and a mix of realism with just a hint of the fantastical. If you’re willing to settle in and let the story unfold at its own pace, My Dream Lover: The Uncut Version will pull you in and make you believe, if only for a little while, that love just might transcend time.
Pages: 313 | ASIN: B0DZPHTJTH
Memorable Nostalgia
Redeye follows a husband and wife who, after undergoing dramatic changes to their appearances, struggle with their fears and insecurities from the past while trying to hold their relationship together. It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
I used a Three-Act structure when outlining my books. This was a simpler story than what I was used to with fewer main characters. The story really came together easily with a decent pace, and I sprinkled a lot of pop-culture references to keep my readers engaged with some memorable nostalgia.
I find that authors sometimes ask themselves questions and let their characters answer them. Do you think this is true for your characters?
Hmmm, That’s the first time I’ve heard that. I wouldn’t say they answer any questions I may have, but my characters DO speak through me, and I’m glad they have an audience that will actually listen to them.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m working on two new standalone novels that I hopefully plan to release in either late 2026 or early 2027.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Seven years ago, Nate and Cynthia Durant were unrecognizable. They were in love, newly married, and hundreds of pounds overweight. Now, they turn heads wherever they go, but as their 10th anniversary looms, it becomes increasingly apparent that their paths are diverging.
Despite their newfound external allure, the insecurities of their former selves still linger within. Nate, now a modern renaissance man juggling a myriad of careers—from podcasting and photography to writing, DJing, and stand-up comedy—struggles to reconcile his past with his present. On the other hand, Cynthia, living comfortably off her wealthy parents’ support, finds herself in a state of career limbo as a former substitute teacher.
Everything takes a turn when Nate makes a chance discovery online and rekindles a connection from his past. This new relationship sets off a series of unforeseen events, from the sudden loss of their beloved pet to an unexpected confrontation with their own demons. Secrets, lies, and confessions intertwined, pushing their marriage to the brink. As past wounds are laid bare, Nate and Cynthia must confront their own vulnerabilities and redefine the boundaries of their love.
“Redeye” is an emotionally charged novel that perfectly blends romance and drama. Join Nate and Cynthia as they navigate the road to self-acceptance, chance encounters, and discover love is anything but predictable.
A Greater Story
The Legacy of the Dreamer follows a man on the brink of death who pleads for his life only to have his wish granted by someone with forbidden magic, leaving him with the unsettling realization that he can no longer die. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always enjoyed stories of immortality, but they never end in a way that realizes its definition. Even at a young age when I heard someone say they wanted to live forever, I knew there was no way for that to end well. I wanted to explore what it would be like to truly live forever.
I wrote about how I personally view immortality, as something that could not have a happy ending. With my vision of this, there can only be yearning, despair, and hopelessness in the end.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
It was important for my main character, Renealt, to be suffering. I was not kind to him. He is grieving, and unable to move on. He suffers the worst fate that I can imagine. His morality changes drastically throughout his exceptionally long life as he loses his humanity. He starts as a fairly neutral person, who becomes a pacifist and turns outright evil.
When I wrote the three short stories that are spread out through the main story, I deliberately based each main character around two of the seven deadly sins. This was a lot of fun to write. Renealt takes the seventh sin through his desire for knowledge and power and to be reunited with Renay. While these seven deadly sins come from a religion, this should not be taken as a tie between Earth and Cenadur.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Obsession, and the simple fact that things are not always what they seem. People misread situations. People make mistakes, waste time looking into the wrong place, and are flawed. There is always something more important happening in the background, and a greater story is being told somewhere else. Earth is vastly complex, and the world Renealt is in is no different. He is both a cog in the machine, and the machine itself, but at the end nothing he does matters. He cannot have what he desires.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
When I first began writing this book, I intended for it to be a single novel. As I neared completion I realized I had more to tell. I have begun working on outlines for a prequel and a sequel. They will be drastically different from the story told here, and will not even take place on Cenadur. The Legacy of the Dreamer completes Renealt’s storyline, but how it came to be and its aftermath could be fascinating.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Who was that he pleaded to in those final moments before he faded into the black?
Driven by an obsessive desire for knowledge, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. Every answer only leads to another question, but he can never give up.
On his journey he discovers that the magic that saved him was not only impossible, but permanent. He cannot die.
Is an eternal life long enough to unravel his mystery?
What mark will he leave on the world, with a life that will not end?
Only time will tell, and he certainly has enough of it.
LITERARY TITAN 