Blog Archives
Literary Titan Silver Book Award
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
The Moments Between Choices by Harris Kamal
Secretos De Familia by Diego Uribe
Once Upon A Time In The Big Easy: Down On The Bayou by Wilson Jackson
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
In Black & White & Color
Shamrock McShane’s novel In Black & White & Color serves as a vivid time capsule. It transports the reader directly to the American mid-century. The story follows Daniel “Danny” Finnegan. He grows up in Oak Park, Illinois. This is a suburb of Chicago. The narrative spans his childhood in the 1950s through his adolescence in the turbulent 1960s. We watch Danny navigate the strict rules of his Irish-Catholic upbringing. He deals with family dynamics. His older brother goes to Vietnam. His younger brother battles epilepsy. The plot is not a straight line. It is a collection of memories. These memories mix personal struggles with massive historical shifts. We see the Kennedy assassination. We witness the Civil Rights movement. The book illustrates a boy’s loss of innocence and mirrors the nation’s loss of innocence.
I found the writing style to be incredibly distinct. It feels disjointed, which mimics the chaotic nature of memory itself. McShane uses a stream-of-consciousness approach, which keeps the pace fast. I felt swept up in the rush of names and places. The author lists sports figures and movie stars and mentions local landmarks. This creates a dense atmosphere that feels authentic. Sometimes the lack of structure was challenging for me. However, I think this serves the story well as it puts you right inside Danny’s confused mind. The transition from the black-and-white morality of the 50s to the complex technicolor of the 60s is handled well. I enjoyed the specific pop culture references. They made the setting feel alive.
The emotional core of the book struck a chord with me. It is heavy with guilt. Danny carries a profound weight on his shoulders. He worries about sin. He feels responsible for things out of his control. I appreciated the raw honesty regarding prejudice. The characters are not perfect. They use offensive language. They hold racist views. This was uncomfortable to read, but it felt necessary for the time period. It exposes the hypocrisy of the suburban “good life.” I felt sad for Danny as his heroes failed him. The sports stars fade away. The realization that adults do not have all the answers is painful. I connected with that sense of disillusionment.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy character studies. It is perfect for history buffs. If you are interested in the 1960s, you should pick this up. It captures the specific mood of that era perfectly. It is not a traditional novel. It is more like a collage. Fans of coming-of-age stories will find a lot to like here.
Pages: 284 | ASIN: B0G1LQQTX9
Servant
Servant is a supernatural fantasy novel that blends family drama, ancient mystery, and time-crossed storytelling. The book follows two threads that eventually begin to echo one another: Zach, a middle-school kid from the Keane family who vanishes from his house under eerie circumstances, and Akolo, a boy living centuries earlier whose life is marked by war, trauma, and the demands of kings. As Zach’s family searches for him in the present day, he finds himself wandering through stone hallways, oil-lit corridors, and a world that feels pulled straight from his dad’s archaeology stories. Meanwhile, Akolo faces his own captivity in a foreign palace controlled by a ruler who insists he will “need” him. Both boys are caught in places where power, fear, and destiny collide. By the time the book reaches its epilogue, the story has cracked wide open into something larger, hinting at deep magic, interwoven timelines, and a house that is far more alive than anyone wants to admit.
I found myself pulled in by the writing style. It’s simple on the surface but has this steady emotional current running underneath. The authors don’t rush. They let each moment breathe. Even the small scenes, a father making coffee, a daughter complaining about pizza for breakfast, or the house creaking in the early morning, carry a sense of “something is happening here,” even if you can’t name it yet. I liked that. It made me feel like I was sitting inside the Keanes’ home, overhearing bits of life while the bigger mystery brewed just out of sight. And then we cut to Akolo’s story, which feels raw and grounded and ancient. Those chapters landed hardest for me. His fear. His confusion. The way he clutches the jeweled stone in his pocket just to feel connected to something familiar.
I also appreciated the author’s choices around pacing and perspective. Switching between timelines can easily feel gimmicky, but here it feels purposeful. Zach’s modern confusion mirrors Akolo’s ancient disorientation, and that parallel makes the supernatural elements feel earned. I liked how the book doesn’t give its secrets away too quickly. We get hints, symbols carved into doors, fog in places fog shouldn’t be, Marshall knowing more than he says, but the authors trust the reader to sit in the unknown for a while. That kind of patience is rare, and honestly, refreshing. The emotional beats hit hardest because they’re framed by that tension: the Keane parents’ terror when Zach goes missing, Ariel’s mix of resentment and fear, Akolo’s grief for his family, Marshall’s haunted loyalty to forces he doesn’t entirely understand. All of it builds toward that late-book shake of the earth, where the house itself moves as though waking up.
Servant doesn’t wrap everything up, but it feels like a middle chapter that knows exactly what it is. I’d recommend this book to readers who love supernatural fantasy with a human heart, people who enjoy stories about families surviving strange things, or anyone who likes time-slip mysteries tied to ancient cultures. If you want something atmospheric, character-driven, and a little eerie without tipping into horror, this one will hit the spot.
Pages: 262 | ASIN : B0FQ5ZGH1R
Dream Me Dead: A Story of Betrayal, Infidelity, and Love
Dream Me Dead is a psychological thriller with a strong emotional core, and its premise grabs you from page one. The story follows Peggy Prescott, who opens the book by telling us she is dead and determined to reveal the truth about her husband Rob, a respected surgeon now on trial for her murder. What unfolds is a layered mix of courtroom drama, trauma, suspicion, and blurred realities, all threaded through Peggy’s unsettling perspective as she watches events play out from beyond the living world. As the story progresses, her memories fracture and re-form, her sense of the living and the dead becomes porous, and the real history of her marriage to Rob surfaces piece by piece.
Peggy’s voice is striking because it’s calm even when what she describes is horrific, and that contrast creates a tension that stays with you. Author Laurie Elizabeth Murphy makes deliberate choices here, especially in letting Peggy narrate from a place suspended between worlds. It lets her speak plainly about betrayal, longing, and fear, but with an eerie restraint. I found myself reacting not only to the events but to how Peggy processed them, especially when her certainty about what happened collides with the medical team’s insistence that her memories are confused.
Murphy also isn’t shy about leaning into the messy parts of human behavior. The trial sequences give the book a legal-thriller pulse, but underneath the questioning and objections you feel the emotional wreckage of this family. Rob’s arrogance, Peggy’s desperation to be believed, the daughters’ anger, even the way secondary characters like Dr. Steinbrenner or Mrs. Stoner color the narrative with their own biases and wounds. It becomes clear that this story isn’t just about a crime. It’s about the stories people tell about themselves to survive. And because the book blends psychological fiction with elements of suspense and the supernatural, it has room to explore those ideas without having to explain every mystery. Sometimes it’s the uncertainty that keeps you reading.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I felt the book had shown me both the exterior plot and the interior landscapes of these characters, which is where it’s strongest. It’s a thriller, yes, but one with emotional weight and a haunting, almost dreamlike undertow. I’d recommend Dream Me Dead to readers who enjoy psychological suspense that leans into character and memory as much as plot. If you like courtroom tension, unreliable narration, and stories that sit somewhere between mystery and emotional reckoning, you’ll enjoy this book.
Pages: 355 | ASIN : B0F1WG5JHK
Opportunities in Brittany
Opportunities in Brittany is a contemporary romance novel that follows a wide cast of characters whose lives intersect across Brussels, London, and, most vividly, Brittany. It begins with Félix Lemestre helping a mysterious young woman on a Eurostar platform, and from there the story branches into intertwined arcs: Eleanor escaping her controlling family, Yasmin fleeing an arranged marriage, and the many members of the Lemestre and Cavendish families whose histories, choices, and secrets gradually come together. The novel moves through travel, family intrigue, marriage negotiations, career shifts, and cultural crossings, eventually landing its characters in Brittany, where futures open, relationships deepen, and long-awaited opportunities finally take shape.
The writing is patient, almost procedural at times, as if the author trusts the reader to follow each careful step. It made the characters’ decisions feel grounded rather than dramatic for the sake of drama. When Félix helps Yasmin cross the border, the scene unfolds with a surprising amount of detail, but I found that detail comforting because it showed how much thought the characters give to each other’s safety and dignity. The same tone carries into the later chapters set in Brittany, where homes, rooms, and meals are described with a kind of affectionate precision.
What struck me most was how intentional the author is about choices. Eleanor’s backstory, for example, is not rushed. Her decision to escape her family carries weight because we’ve watched her strategize for years. Yasmin’s storyline works the same way: her flight from her father’s plans is not impulsive but careful, painful, and hopeful at once. Even secondary characters, like Agnès and Mathieu in Corseul, are given enough texture that I understood their influence on everyone around them. I also enjoyed the quieter cultural notes woven into the book, especially the sense of community in Brittany and the way the region feels both inviting and rooted in its own identity. By the time weddings, job offers, and new beginnings unfold near the end, the emotional payoff feels earned.
This is a romance novel, but one built more on steady interpersonal changes than on sweeping melodrama. If you like stories where relationships develop through trust, competence, and small acts of loyalty, this will likely speak to you. It’s also a good fit if you enjoy ensemble narratives, slow-burn connections, or settings that feel lived-in. Readers looking for fast conflict or high-tension twists might find it too gentle, but for anyone who enjoys thoughtful characters finding their place in the world, Opportunities in Brittany is a warm and satisfying read.
Pages: 390 | ASIN : B0DJF9JQ82
Twinkling Wings and Toothy Things
Twinkling Wings and Toothy Things tells the story of Nutter Nate and his crew of tiny tooth-builders who live in the Tooth Fairy Realm. They plant lost baby teeth in the ground, grow them into strong adult teeth, and then team up with a tooth fairy named Maribel to deliver them to kids like Sam and Sadie. A mix-up, a pup, and a lot of teamwork turn their mission into a late-night adventure. By the end, they learn about cooperation, courage, and that mistakes don’t mean failure.
I got a real kick out of the whole idea of teeth growing like crops in neat little rows. It made me smile right away. The writing feels playful and warm, and it moves fast. I liked how each character had a goofy name that matched their job. It made the world feel silly in the best way. I enjoyed the teamwork in this children’s book as well. I kept thinking about how sweet it was that they all supported each other when things went sideways.
As I kept reading, I felt this surprising wave of nostalgia. It reminded me of being a kid and believing that tiny magical creatures zipped around at night. The pup made me laugh. I loved how the story didn’t pretend everything has to go perfectly. Mistakes happen. The fix matters more. That part actually felt kind of touching.
The illustrations in this book are bright, playful, and full of tiny details that make each scene feel alive. The soft colors and warm lighting create a cozy mood while still keeping everything fun and energetic. The little fairies are bursting with personality. Every image has something charming for kids to spot. The style feels gentle and expressive and fits the story’s sweet, whimsical tone perfectly.
I really enjoyed this picture book. I think it’s perfect for young kids who like magical stories and bright, cartoonish art, and any child who finds the whole tooth fairy thing exciting or a little mysterious. It would be especially great for kids just starting to lose teeth. It might even calm a few nerves. I’d happily recommend it to parents, teachers, and anyone who wants a bedtime story that feels gentle, silly, and full of heart.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 1966786239
The Universe’s Playground
Talisman: Subterfuge follows a shattered war hero who becomes a secret superpowered vigilante after a cosmic force offers to resurrect his wife, if he can save one thousand lives before his darker self destroys him. What inspired the moral dilemma at the heart of Liam’s deal with the Aeterium Axis?
My first thought was that there’s something or someone that just won’t leave Planet Earth alone. Either we’re the universe’s playground, or we just haven’t learned from previous lessons, and now we must do so again. Liam “Foxy” Mayfield happens to get caught up in this conundrum, just as Jet and others were in the “Dissonance” saga. I thought, wouldn’t it be interesting if there were someone sentient out there, far more galactically nefarious than the gorgons, who come with a seemingly innocent demand of restoring the balance?
The Zorander is terrifying. How did you approach crafting a villain who is essentially the hero’s twisted reflection?
There’s always a backstory. It’s a bit of “been there, done that.” The Zorander used to be, for all intents and purposes, the Iskander / Talisman. But he was betrayed, and you’re beginning to learn that the Aeterium Axis might not in fact be all that they claim to be; they certainly didn’t do the Zorander any favors, and that’s why he has become bitter and hardened.
Liam’s grief feels incredibly real on the page. Did you draw from any personal experiences or research when writing his emotional arc?
Anyone who has been bereaved can relate to Liam. However, beyond that there is the earnest hope that he can essentially become UN-bereaved, and, taxing though his charge may be, he follows through on it and delivers the goods, pursuing that hope to its end. I’ve been there…kind of a sunk-cost fallacy mindset: he’s too far in now to reverse course. He’s too committed and has come too far now to abandon hope, even though on paper it seems that this pursuit is nothing more than a vain one. Hope always pushes us on. The question now is, is this hope tangible? Trustworthy? Or…even likely?
Are there hints about the larger universe or future installments hidden in the reporter’s storyline or the nature of the Aeterium Axis?
Perhaps? 😊 That’s all I’ll say for now. I will say that Liam Mayfield is a direct pull from the ‘Dissonanceverse,’ as Rosie Campion is – she has appeared in several of my other novels. Liam seemed a natural fit for this spinoff series, but I’m not convinced there is another storyline for him or Onyx beyond this. I’m a pantser, an organic writer, so I have to write it and see how it all plays out before I commit to anything additional beyond the end of this trilogy.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Fail, and another soul he cherishes will be lost forever.
Armed with supernatural abilities and a relentless drive, The Talisman operates in the shadows, leaving only golden talismans as proof of his existence. But as a determined journalist closes in on his secrets and a vengeful former talisman hunts him across worlds, The Talisman’s quest for redemption becomes a desperate race against time—and fate.
Talisman: Subterfuge is a pulse-pounding blend of sci-fi intrigue and raw human emotion, where every rescue comes at a devastating cost and every choice could tip the balance between hope and oblivion. Will The Talisman’s sacrifice be enough to save those he loves, or will the darkness claim him first? For fans of high-stakes thrillers and cosmic mysteries, Talisman: Subterfuge is an unforgettable journey into the heart of loss, loyalty, and the price of second chances.
In Spectacular and Memorable Fashion
In the Wrath of Legends follows a Nez Perce woman torn between two worlds, as she confronts military secrets, supernatural horrors, and her own haunted past in a battle where myth and history collide. What inspired you to blend indigenous spirituality and supernatural elements in a historical setting?
This similar genre mishmash was previously utilized in my first novel (“In the Lair of Legends”) in spectacular and memorable fashion, but for the sequel I wanted to delve deeper into those unique facets of the story by exploring even more of the culture and history pertaining to the Nez Perce and the historical context in which these exciting stories take place. For me, the supernatural elements have allowed me to highlight some very difficult and challenging (and hugely important) political and racial themes by allowing the reader to experience them through the lens of spirituality, legends, and incredible action. I tend to think of these stories as character-driven adventure tales anchored by a foundation of history and faith.
Chenoa Winterhawk is such a layered, resilient protagonist. Was she inspired by a specific person or story?
Chenoa is absolutely my favorite character that I’ve ever written! (And I actually felt that way about her in the previous book when we meet her as a 6 year-old girl who becomes Chief Jolon Winterhawk’s motivation to not only survive, but to completely alter his perception of what duty and fatherhood truly means.) In this book, Chenoa is dealing with the loss of hope, struggling with the concept of fading honor, and feeling betrayed by the very ideals that her father fought for. In these types of action/adventure stories, it’s customary to launch the story with physical threats. But here, I wanted to introduce Chenoa to gigantic emotional obstacles before having her face those monsters of legends and monsters of men. She’s very different from her father, so I wanted to approach her character atypically for the genre. She’s a warrior, certainly, but her motivations and actions are driven by something much more deeply-rooted than what uniform she wears, or what enemy she’s facing. She sees everything from the inside-out, which is a unique perspective for an action hero. Her resiliency stems from faith which allowed me to richly layer and explore her character in fascinating and unforgettable ways.
I felt that some scenes explore the cost of survival and the moral weight of violence. What truths were you hoping readers would wrestle with?
Violence casts a shadow in our lives and in our world; sometimes, it follows behind us for the rest of our lives. In this particular story, characters use violence as both a means of survival and of opportunity; selfish as well as selfless. The human antagonist in the book experienced a great violent injustice, so his retribution was to inflict that same pain and suffering tenfold. He took everything bad he’d experienced and made it worse because he felt that blood (innocent or otherwise) was the only way through his own suffering. Chenoa Winterhawk is a warrior and her own father was a decorated Civil War soldier. Her dichotomy is that she recognized violence as being the answer but wrestled with it as the only solution. Our actions have consequences, and the book deals with how they impact us through generations and into eternity.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next novel is called “Suspension.” It’s a standalone adventure/thriller set in 1990 that’s a literary homage to some of my favorite action movies like “Die Hard 2” and “Sudden Death.” It will be published by Black Rose Writing on November 19, 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Chenoa Winterhawk is a battle-hardened member of Oregon’s elite U.S. Army Indian Scouts, sworn to protect travelers across treacherous mountain terrain and dark forests whispering of ancient terrors. As the daughter of legendary Civil War hero Chief Jolon Winterhawk, Chenoa is also a warrior bound by duty, struggling with injustices brought upon the Nez Perce amidst the broken promises that have forced another relocation of her tribe.
While escorting a military leader carrying a mining map of an underground river hidden deep inside the Blue Mountains, Chenoa is ambushed by a rogue Army unit in a deadly dirigible assault. Their sadistic leader is a traitor from her past, driven by revenge to destroy her family’s legacy. The diabolical plan-destroy the mine and unleash the underground river, bringing a destructive flood onto sacred tribal lands to avenge personal betrayals.
Engaging ruthless military forces throughout unforgiving mountain wilderness and abandoned mines, Winterhawk wages the fiercest battle of her life. But she soon discovers that a much darker terror is also stalking her. Monstrous legends, roused from their ancient lair. These enormous creatures of myth were once faced by her father in an epic battle to the death. And now, it’s her turn…
LITERARY TITAN 