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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.
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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.
Power and Knowledge
Raq follows a loyal soldier of the Hlad race as he faces a crashed alien ship, a lone human survivor, and a truth so shattering it threatens everything he believes about his people and the universe itself. What inspired you to create the Hlad and their unique biology and culture?
Inspiration came from those stories you hear of “lost civilisations” being discovered, people who live in remote and secluded places, and their culture, customs, language, and entire lifestyle so utterly different from the “civilised” world. And vice versa. We always see the point of view from the so-called civilised, and rarely the other way around. Exploring that avenue, begged to be told. How does one communicate? Understand their ways? Those were questions I had. What would humans look like to aliens? When it came to their social structure, I decided to use animals and reptiles for behaviour and how the whole status hierarchy works. In most, the females are more dominant, and well, honestly, that was fun to exploit and expand on. Why not, right? And then developing a social structure where the females have more power and knowledge, well now, great fun to write! Creating an entirely new physiology for the Hlad required some wild imaginings. Using a replitilan base, mainly for the hardiness and adaptability to their harsh environment the story is set in, meant slapping together some wild mutations, but making sure each part of their crazy anatomy had a purpose, or not, through evolution.
Raq’s journey from certainty to doubt is so compelling. Was his arc fully mapped out from the beginning, or did it evolve as you wrote?
Yes. You get a glimpse of his uncertainty at the very beginning. I wanted him to be flexible enough so he would become more self-aware and open-minded. Accepting. And why not, right? It’s nice to have, with some effort, something hopeful happen. To know even the most extreme polar opposites of anything, can — with a little more knowledge, understanding, and acceptance — come to the middle ground to create something new and incredible. I mean, we only have to look at what’s happening in the world to draw more inspiration. I wanted Raq as if on one side of a coin he was one way, and on the other, a different way. But when you spin the coin, you get a whole picture…complete. The Raq that he becomes, so to speak. The same could also be said for the human, David.
The relationship between Raq and David develops slowly and believably. What challenges did you face in writing their communication barrier?
Tackling the language barrier was interesting, but doable. For one, I had my own experiences to draw from. My parents, being Japanese and living in an English-speaking country (in the late 1960s and onwards), encountered numerous difficulties navigating the language and customs, not to mention enduring some interesting issues by simply being different. Then, years later, as a young girl, we moved to Brazil, and the language barrier for me was overwhelming. As a 12-year-old, you pick up languages easily (maybe for me, as I was bilingual at the time, and you get an ear for it), but in the beginning, we might as well have been speaking an alien language. But in both cases, sign language was an almost universal first-choice method of communication. Using all of this, Raq took shape, with sign language as the initial way of communicating, and then the repetitive use of words until the meaning is clear, and then, the written language. The other examples I was able to draw from are actual animal behaviours. Just watching how, for example, dogs communicate with us. It’s all about observing the little things. The big and small body language and behaviours dogs make, the noises they make or don’t. Even how dogs communicate with other dogs. Of course, by the by, I also have lizards to observe — they’re regular visitors to my patio. The way they interact with their own, the fights they have, the turf wars to show their dominance, and then how they can remain so still for so long, just to catch a fly. So, yes. I simply observed all the creatures around me and went from there. I also tried to have some things that are universal, something both had in common. Even with animals and humans, emotional responses are the same: happiness, sadness, hunger, and terror. I used these core emotions so Raq and David could discover their likenesses as well as their differences.
David’s journal entries add depth to Earth’s past. What research or influences shaped the history you created?
Picturing a future Earth is exciting, with unlimited possibilities. At the rate humanity and technology are going, deep space exploration is fast approaching. For David’s history, we’re in an Earth timeline that is thousands of centuries away. Deep-space travel is the norm, and Earth, for now, has survived and endured unimaginable turmoils and mistakes, with disasters and wars, famines and diseases — the works! So in the 29th century, upon the discovery of a habitable planet, the Harbinger generation ship embarks, in search of a better place to live. Thousands of years later, Earth has become idyllic, and this is where David’s story begins, where he joins an expedition to search for the Harbinger and the lost colony on the distant planet. As for research, you only ever have to look back in history to see the great conquests and disasters, discoveries and mysteries. Then tweak it and place it in a futuristic context and let your imagination go wild!
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The Hlad are one race, the only race beneath the Great Abyss. The great Fire King deemed it so when the Great Mother birthed the Fire King’s children from the dry lake beds. All know of His power and scorn, and praise Him with each rising so He may shine down gently and with kindness.
Warrior Class Lieutenant Raq of the Imperial Guard is a proud soldier, an adoring father to his sons, brave, dutiful and honour-bound, a devout servant of the Fire King. He is a true Hlad. But his faith is shattered when an alien craft crash-lands on Hlad from the Great Abyss.
One alien, the Dayyid, survives the horrible massacre that follows the crash. Imprisoned, suffering from malnutrition, and studied by the reptilian doctors and scientists, he doesn’t forget one of the creatures from the crash site. One who hesitated to kill.
Forced to live together, Raq and the Dayyid learn to understand each other despite the language barrier. But when they learn of a threat to Earth, they discover an almost unbelievable truth that unites them against the Hlad. The rest of Hlad must learn this truth, and so, too, the rest of the universe.
Forgotten Lore
Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch’s Rebirth follows a 16th century midwife accused of witchcraft and is thought to descend from a long line of ancestors with mystical powers. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Genealogy is a passion of mine, and while tracing my family tree, I discovered several female ancestors accused of witchcraft. Intrigued, I focused on a pivotal period in history when witch persecution was escalating, particularly during the reign of James VI, who played a significant role in the deaths and persecution of accused witches. My story, Anna, is inspired by the real Ana Koldings (also known as Anna Koldings), a Danish woman who was the central figure in the Copenhagen Witch Trials and ultimately burned at the stake.
What is it that draws you to write historical fantasies?
I’m drawn to both the factual intrigue of history and the enchanting allure of fantasy, with its witches, dragons, and forgotten lore. The Merovingian period, in particular, captivates me with its air of mystery and the many influential figures who shaped its course. My desire to write The Witch’s Rebirth stems from wanting to introduce a character into this shadowy era, a figure who could act as a source of hope and resilience.
Do you have a favorite scene in Anna’s tale? One that was especially enjoyable to craft?
In The Witch’s Rebirth Series, Anna’s soul is reborn as Merona, arriving in 478 AD Septimania, Southern Gaul, without any recollection of her past lives spent in the Labyrinth of Shadows. The series follows her captivating transformation from a seemingly ordinary child into a powerful witch, a journey marked by significant personal growth. Merona is a compelling protagonist, a blend of vulnerability and strength, who bravely chooses to be a force of good against the growing darkness, despite not fully understanding the risks. At eleven years old, she confronts her antagonist, Armaeus, and defiantly declares, “Only I choose my destiny!” unleashing a surge of energy that shatters the encroaching shadows.
Can you give us a peek inside Book 2 in this series? Where will it take readers?
A sinister presence lurks in the shadows, a dark force wielding power that rivals hers. Born of the void, his otherworldly aura radiated a clear intent: to exploit the burgeoning chaos for his own destructive ends. His obsidian eyes burned with an insatiable hunger, promising only annihilation.
A cataclysmic earthquake erupted, unleashing dark clouds that surged across the Mediterranean like a wave of despair. From the shadows emerged the Four Horsemen – Famine, War, Pestilence, and Death – ready to claim their due. They would scour the land, leaving behind the desolate remnants of once-thriving civilizations, a bittersweet testament to their former glory.
Deep within this turmoil, cloaked in the labyrinth of encroaching shadows, the Witch stirred from her three-decade slumber. The world called upon her once more, a plea filled with desperate urgency. Her cauldron – the Cauldron of Dagda – offered salvation, though the path ahead was paved with unimaginable peril.
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In ancient Gaul, in the tumultuous year of 478 AD, a time of cosmic unrest and simmering power, whispers begin to stir. Whispers of a legend, a prophecy, and most importantly, whispers of the reborn Witch. The shadow of the rising Merovingian dynasty looms large, but a different power is stirring, one older and more potent than any king’s rule.
This Witch is not new to the world. This is not her first life, nor even her second. Throughout history, she has been a protector, a destroyer, a force of nature. Now, she is reborn of the ashes, emerging from the embers of past lives to face a new era. But what trials await her? Why has she been called back now? The answer lies buried in the labyrinth of shadows.
Prepare to be swept away as magic, history, and prophecy collide in a desperate battle for the very soul of humanity. Labyrinth of Shadows; The Witch’s Rebirth Part I will plunge you into a world of ancient secrets, forgotten lore, and the intoxicating allure of forbidden magic. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew, for this is just the beginning… and it will leave you wanting more.
The Meeting Place
Ruth Rosenhek’s The Meeting Place is a gripping dystopian novel that blends climate catastrophe, government overreach, and human resilience into a tense and emotional narrative. Set in a near-future Australia ravaged by environmental disasters and public health crises, the story follows Gale, Lis, and Sara—three women navigating a world where civil liberties have been stripped away under the guise of public safety. As the government enforces mass detainments in high-tech quarantine facilities, the characters are thrust into a desperate struggle for survival, autonomy, and truth. With a haunting sense of realism, the novel explores themes of resistance, friendship, and the terrifying ease with which democratic societies can descend into authoritarian control.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its unrelenting tension. From the very first pages, when Sara barely escapes a collapsing bridge during a flash flood, the story grips you and doesn’t let go. The novel’s pacing is relentless, mirroring the anxiety and helplessness of its characters. The most striking scene for me was Gale’s forced detainment, the sheer horror of being rounded up, stripped of agency, and subjected to involuntary medical procedures is chilling. Rosenhek’s writing style is vivid and immersive, making it easy to feel Gale’s panic as she is injected with a paralytic serum and implanted with a tracking chip. It’s disturbing in the best way, leaving me unsettled long after I put the book down.
The character development is another standout feature. Lis, the artist who initially shrugs off government control in favor of focusing on her creative work, undergoes one of the most compelling transformations. Her slow realization that she has been willfully ignorant adds a layer of depth to the story. The moment she chooses to save a lost toddler instead of escaping unscathed is incredibly moving, and it highlights her innate compassion and recklessness. Rosenhek does a fantastic job of making these characters feel like real people, flawed and messy but ultimately relatable. David, Lis’s son, also deserves mention, his survival instincts, shaped by generational trauma, make for some of the most harrowing and heart-wrenching moments in the book.
The novel’s social commentary is sharp and unsettlingly prescient. The depiction of a society where crises are used to justify increasing surveillance and authoritarian measures feels terrifyingly plausible. The “Public Order Department” and its blacked-out transport buses are reminiscent of historical and contemporary crackdowns on civil liberties. The eeriest part? The way ordinary people just accept it, because resisting seems futile. The slow boil of control, where citizens willingly trade freedom for perceived safety, is executed masterfully. It’s impossible not to draw parallels to real-world events, making the book feel like both a warning and a prophecy.
I highly recommend The Meeting Place to anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction with a social conscience. If you liked The Handmaid’s Tale or 1984, this book will hit hard. It’s gripping, emotional, and alarmingly relevant. Readers who enjoy character-driven stories with high stakes and moral dilemmas will find themselves hooked. Be prepared, though, it’s not an easy read. It will make you uncomfortable, it will make you think, and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished the final page. But in a world where truth is often stranger than fiction, perhaps stories like this are exactly what we need.
Pages: 235 | ASIN : B0DWRBVD41
Bloodbound: West of Nowhere
Some books pull you in slowly, letting you wade into the deep, dark waters at your own pace. Bloodbound: West of Nowhere is not one of those books. It grabs you by the collar and drags you into a world where supernatural horror, crime, and espionage twist together into a story that never slows down. We follow Hunter Reeves, a former human now turned vampire, as he juggles his work for a secretive organization called The Order, his complicated relationship with his vampire partner Kai, and the eerie realization that his own powers might be far more terrifying than he ever imagined. The novel mixes shadowy conspiracies, gruesome experiments that merge human DNA with animal traits, and a seductive yet dangerous villain who seems to know more about Hunter than he should.
This book has some of the best elements of a horror-thriller: tension, gore, and mystery. The writing is quick and sharp, never lingering too long before throwing something new at you. The horror here isn’t just in the supernatural—it’s in the manipulation, the psychological torment, and the weight of past trauma that bleeds into every character’s decisions. The way McPherson handles Hunter’s struggle with his identity and abilities is intense and gut-wrenching. Plus, there’s an undercurrent of paranoia that runs through the book. Who can be trusted? Who’s using who? It keeps you second-guessing everything. And then there’s Gibson, the seductive wildcard antagonist, who injects an eerie charm into the mix. Every interaction between him and Hunter feels like playing with fire.
With so much happening at once it’s easy to feel swept up in the chaos. Some sections are rich with detail, which, while informative, occasionally slow things down right when the tension is building. The romance elements add depth to the story, though they sometimes take the spotlight in ways that soften the horror’s edge. And while Hunter’s evolving abilities are fascinating, they develop so rapidly that it can be tricky to fully grasp their limits and impact.
If you love horror novels that blend blood-soaked action with supernatural intrigue then this is a book worth picking up. 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.
Pages: 252 | ASIN : B0DWLZ9W76
Sky Thunder
Sky Thunder is an intense military thriller that drops the reader straight into the chaos of war, espionage, and political maneuvering. The book follows an elite group of operatives navigating missions that blend battlefield tactics with high-stakes intelligence work. From the brutal streets of Iraq to the tangled webs of Washington D.C., Sky Thunder doesn’t hold back. It’s a gritty, unapologetic look at modern warfare, where danger lurks at every turn, and loyalties are tested in life-or-death situations.
One of the book’s strongest points is its sheer realism. The author’s descriptions of sniper teams setting up in war-torn Iraq feel authentic. The opening sequence, where a sniper team eliminates insurgents planting a bomb, is a perfect example. The technical details, the tension of lining up a shot, and the small but critical mistakes that can happen in combat all make this an immersive read. I found myself completely absorbed in these moments, feeling the weight of every trigger pull.
But for all its action-packed sequences, some of the dialogue, particularly in the political and intelligence briefings, can feel a bit bogged down by exposition. The high-level discussions about espionage, classified leaks, and international threats are fascinating but occasionally read more like a debriefing. That being said, these sections show the bureaucratic chaos behind military operations. The tension between intelligence agencies and boots-on-the-ground soldiers is palpable, and Stewart does a solid job illustrating the frustration that comes with politics interfering in war.
The characters are where Sky Thunder really shines. Colt Hawkins, the battle-hardened yet emotionally scarred operative, is compelling because he’s both an unstoppable force and a flawed man. His PTSD-fueled nightmares, like the flashback of an Iraqi ambulance carrying insurgents instead of babies, add layers to his character. And the relationships in the book, especially between Colt and Liberty, bring a much-needed human element to all the gunfire and strategy. While some side characters fade a bit into the background, there are standouts like Bo and Sam, who help ground the book’s non-stop action with camaraderie and humor.
Sky Thunder is for readers who crave military fiction that doesn’t sugarcoat anything. If you love military thrillers and American Sniper or Lone Survivor kept you up at night, this book is made for you. It’s intense, action-packed, and filled with the kind of insider knowledge that makes military fiction feel real.
Pages: 298 | ASIN : B0DK655KYG
Everything a Civilization Needs
Magic Compendium: Tales of Illuminaria is an intriguing fantasy work that introduces readers to the system of magic that your series is based on. What was the inspiration for this world and its magic?
I’ve always wanted to write a story set in a world where the magic system can be explained scientifically. This won’t become clear until book three, but it’s a foundational principle of the story.
The nine schools are designed to encompass everything a civilization needs to thrive.
Can you share a bit about your writing process? What was the methodology like to create and write your world and the magic system used in Illuminaria?
I start with the illustrations. Once the story’s outline becomes clear through the paintings, I begin the writing process. I’m not a big fan of long, boring descriptions, so the images take care of that. From there, I let the story flow naturally.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing or illustrating?
Probably the flight of the Telekinator-1. I’m a huge fan of steampunk, and that painting was the perfect excuse to sneak a bit of it in.
Can you tell us a little about the story’s progression in book three and when the novel will be available?
The third book will completely flip the table. It is actually a sci-fi story that will explain the zodiac legion and the magic of Illuminaria. Already available: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DX38CGNZ
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Filled with stunning illustrations, this book invites you to step into the magical world of Illuminaria and join the Zodiac Legion. Your training begins now!
The gods have chosen only the most promising individuals to master the power of magic, and the guardians of Illuminaria have deemed you worthy to stand among them.
Like every great mage before you, your journey begins as a novice. To prepare you, the Zodiac Legion has built nine schools to hone your skills and awaken your arcane potential. Within this index of ancient knowledge, you’ll uncover Illuminaria’s timeline, the nine arcane disciplines, and the secrets buried by the gods.
Dive into mysteries such as:Telekinesis—command objects with the sheer force of your will.
Nature—control the essence of life that sustains Illuminaria’s balance.
Death—peer beyond the veil separating the living from the dead.
But magic has not always existed. Long ago, in a time before magic, the Precursors—a forgotten civilization—constructed awe-inspiring cities and artifacts. Through ingenuity and discovery, they unlocked the first magic, turning frailty into unimaginable power. Then, they vanished, leaving behind only their secrets.
Now, it’s your turn to unearth those secrets, master your craft, and claim your power bracelet—the ultimate symbol of your mastery.
Your magical education begins here. Are you ready to answer the call?
Meeting Adversity Head-On
Tales of Weirderland follows royal siblings who go on magical adventures throughout their kingdom and a journey of self-discovery, learning what the future might hold. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The short and somewhat uninspired answer is my children.
The more interesting answer is their imaginations and somewhat mischievous ingenuity. These stories originated from improvisational bedtime stories. They both loved hearing stories, and we loved reading to them, so it didn’t take long before we ran out of books we hadn’t read several times over. I couldn’t say who began growing bored first, them or us. So it began with a question: “If you were in a story, about you. What kind of adventure would you have?” Make us a princess and prince. Make the king sillier. We need a pet dragon. Make the ‘squid-o-pus’ rhyme.
I had three goals: to make them laugh. To tell them stories they inhabited and could help direct. And to wear them down until they could sleep. It wasn’t until they outgrew story time and being read to that I committed some of these stories to paper, so they could revisit them on their own as they learned to read. Later, as they grew, I wanted to give them fresh stories. Reflections of themselves, how I saw them growing, learning, and confronting the challenges that come with life.
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 wrote?
Both my wife and I are fantasy nerds. It was only natural we fostered that in our children. The settings were of our home and places we loved to visit. Like a park with a playground built like a castle, the woods, and streams of the Rocky Mountain Foothills. Augmented with hints of films like Labyrinth, Spirited Away, and books by Bill Peet, or Terry Pratchett. Then, in the later stories, the settings were kinder incarnations of a hospital and hospice. Schoolyards and principals offices. Courthouses and Pride festivals.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Kindness. That meeting adversity head-on with kindness first should rarely be the wrong choice to make. Asking for help can be one of the bravest things any of us can do; too often, we are afraid or ashamed to ask. Fear of embarrassment, of appearing vulnerable or incapable, stops many of us from asking. And so, when someone asks for help, we should meet them with enthusiastic empathy.
Kids are far stronger and more resilient than we know. We should trust them to solve some problems and figure things out on their own.
Families grow, shrink, change, and should be cherished. They can get lost, but also chosen and found. Life is ridiculous and we should treat it as such. Otherwise, you risk taking life more seriously than life takes you. After all, no one escapes alive.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Perhaps. Our children are all but grown now. Their adventures look far different going forward, as does our world. While I know there are many more stories to tell, I don’t know if their stories are mine to tell now. But, I know if I decide to the stories and adventures would be darker. How might Weirderland and the Wilding family survive a plague-riddled kingdom or a new tyrannical monarch?
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In ‘The Quest for Ruben, ‘ the royal Wilding siblings must rescue a flying horse from the clutches of an evil dragon. Next, in ‘The Quest for the Mermaid’s Ruby, ‘ they heroically safeguard a mermaid kingdom from imminent destruction while on a beach holiday. Then, in ‘The Quest of the Fairy Fire, ‘ they are called upon by the King and Queen to restore the magic of the forest’s fairy guardians, safeguarding all humankind.
In their most challenging quest, ‘The Hopeless Quest, ‘ they selflessly venture into the underworld to seek aid for their ailing grandfather from the Dwarves. Finally, ‘The Luck of The Eyelash‘ and ‘The Nameless Quest‘ lead them on individual journeys of self-discovery, to learn who they truly are and what the future might hold. Experience the magic and adventure as the royal heirs navigate perilous challenges, forging their destinies in a world brimming with wonder and excitement.
LITERARY TITAN 