Blog Archives
An Even Greater Challenge
One True King follows the people in a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos after their king has disappeared on a quest, leaving his companions to wonder where he is while his enemies try to take advantage of the situation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
While The Hidden Kingdom and Shadow of the Dragon presented a number of challenging situations to navigate for Aaron and Timothy as well as their supporters, I felt that the story of One True King needed an even greater challenge that would impact every single character, whether good, bad, or on the fence, and rock the kingdom of Qiledara and the neighboring kingdoms to their core. Aaron’s disappearance created the perfect void and a very destabilizing event that would test everyone in Aaron’s close and distant circles, and his enemies. It gave me an opportunity to develop each character more in the process. I also wanted to expand on the subplot with Penelope which emerged in book 2 because when I wrote Shadow of the Dragon I had a lot more to reveal about her world, so One True King allowed me to do that and also continue to build on the Hidden Kingdom’s relationship with the rest of the world and its rulers’ ambitions.
What was the process like to create the audiobook, and what was it like working with Garan Patrick and Phillip Nathaniel Freeman?
It was so much fun for me to produce my own audiobook for One True King, to pick out all of these amazing voice actors to play specific key characters, and to work with Garan Patrick and Phillip Nathaniel Freeman who both encouraged me as an author by remarking on specific scenes they enjoyed! I was thrilled that all 20+ supporting voice actors were available to record dialogues for books 2 and 3 together so that I would have consistency across my series, and then I wove those dialogues into the main narration file for each chapter. In this chaotic new plot, there are many dramatic and intense scenes and Phil did an outstanding job bringing to life all the evil dragonkin characters as well other key players such as Theodamus, Gueric, and Otheran. After such intense scenes and dialogues, when sometimes all seems lost, Garan, as the main narrator, with his familiar, reassuring voice, brings us back to a sense of normalcy and makes us feel that, just maybe, things will turn out alright in the end. He also did a great job voicing some of the characters himself. Each voice actor contributed so much to drawing people into the story and added new layers to the story’s overall complexity. Louise Porter did an outstanding job bringing a relatively new character and strong female character, Penelope, to life and making her relatable. It was a lot of work pulling this large audiobook together but definitely worth it to hear it all together.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I have several scenes I thought about at length and then wrote down, such as my descriptions of the lower tunnels in the ice cave and its exploration, or the escape from the tower. However, I would have to admit that my favorite scenes to write, and to listen to in the audiobook, were the interactions between Damien and the sentinel, and most of all, the dramatic exchange between the two dragonkin warriors and Damien. Robert Cassyleon did an outstanding job as the evil and narcissistic prince Damien throughout One True King with his many opportunities to interact with his co-conspirators and others. In general, I enjoy trying to throw in some twists and turns that readers/listeners do not expect.
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
I hope to release book 4 in 2026 while the audiobook version of The Hidden Kingdom, Book 1, is about to be released on Audible. There are a few loose ends from One True King that remain to be resolved, such as an unsolved murder, and I also want to work on continuing to develop some of the love interests between certain couples. This fourth book in the series will serve as an opportunity to explain more about the way characters learn to wield their magic and provide some backstories that I’ve hinted at in the past but not yet explained. Book 4 will have a few major surprises in it that I do not want to spoil here. Thank you for listening to the audiobooks!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
The absence of Aaron since he left on his quest troubles his companions. With his whereabouts unknown, the heroes of Qiledara are tested in ways they never could have imagined, and they face an ever-growing threat from beyond the Amber River. Meanwhile, Aaron’s enemies seek to take advantage of his absence for their own gain. Who will remain loyal and steadfast during these dark days, and who will bring the evildoers to justice?
Eclipsed by Fate
James Lloyd Brown’s Eclipsed by Fate is an intricate legal and psychological thriller that intertwines professional ambition, personal conflict, and moral compromise. The novel follows Madelyn, a newly minted law graduate, as she joins a small but promising law firm led by Byron Dozier and Edith Devareau, two accomplished attorneys whose shared history carries quiet tension. What begins as a story of legal mentorship and ambition soon unravels into a deeper narrative involving a brutal assault, an elaborate fraud scheme, and a dangerous web of pharmaceutical corruption. At its core, the book examines how trust, loyalty, and hidden desires shape the decisions that define its characters’ lives.
Brown’s greatest strength lies in his ability to merge intimate character drama with the scale of a legal conspiracy. The professional relationship between Byron and Madelyn is depicted with care and restraint, revealing both mutual respect and the unspoken boundaries of power and influence. Likewise, the dynamic between Byron and Edith carries an emotional depth that feels authentic. Their unfulfilled affection gives the story an undercurrent of melancholy that balances the procedural and investigative elements.
The novel’s atmosphere is rendered with striking clarity. The opening chapters, set against a snowbound Minneapolis, set a cinematic tone that immediately draws the reader in. The introduction of Detective Lawrence Melville, who investigates the assault on student Diedrek Thurston, is especially memorable. Melville’s quiet grief, stemming from the loss of his brother, parallels the moral fatigue that runs through much of the book. Brown uses setting, cold streets, sterile hospital rooms, the tense quiet of law offices to reflect the internal struggles of his characters, creating a mood that feels both realistic and unsettling.
At times, the pacing slows under the weight of detailed exposition. Brown’s careful attention to the workings of law and medicine, while impressive, occasionally interrupts the narrative flow. Yet these moments are offset by scenes of real emotional resonance, particularly those exploring Madelyn’s lingering fear of relapse from LeBlanc Syndrome. Her vulnerability, and the moral choices it forces upon those around her, give the novel its emotional gravity.
Eclipsed by Fate is a thoughtful and ambitious work that rewards patient readers. It will particularly appeal to those who enjoy character-driven legal thrillers that probe ethical boundaries rather than rely solely on suspense. Brown’s writing is deliberate, intelligent, and quietly affecting, a story that lingers long after the final page.
ISBN: 9798986000350
His Amazing Stories About Rural Life
Tales of the Beechy Hollow Great Outdoors Club follows a weary journalist who returns home and stumbles into his late father’s wild band of outdoorsmen, discovering that friendship, foolishness, and the forest are entwined. Are any of the Beechy Hollow Club members based on real people from your own life or hometown?
All the main characters in the book are a composite, a blend of real people I’ve known across my life. Rufus Sneed, for example, was inspired by my great-grandfather, who was born in the 1800s and lived to be 99. He lived with my grandparents on a small farm until his death in the ’70s. I grew up listening to his amazing stories about rural life. Similarly, Rob and Rusty are fictionalized versions of my brother and me.
The foundation for the character Scoutster was a nerdy but well-intentioned Scoutmaster I once knew; I layered in traits of a bourbon-loving outdoorsman and a magistrate from other personalities. Same with Smitty, a good-natured farmer and mechanic who loves to hunt and fish. I’ve known lots of good people in Appalachia who fit that mold.
My personal favorite, Holly, is a combination of college friends and people I’ve met over the years. She will play a more significant role in the next book.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I set out to write a series of humorous outdoor stories. But over time, as I kept reworking and revising the stories and characters, I think a few underlying themes emerged. One is the innate human desire to return to our roots. All the stories spring from the main character, Rob, returning to his hometown. Other themes would be the redemptive power of wild spaces, and the Appalachian love of storytelling.
In my book, I primarily use these ideas to mine for humor. While some of the comedy definitely borders on the absurdist, I believe a heartfelt strain runs beneath the surface that speaks to a genuine love of home and the importance of found family. I’m always eager to hear what other themes readers detect in the stories. Of course, I also hope they get a chuckle or two along the way.
The setting feels so alive. What kind of research or personal experience shaped your portrayal of Appalachian life?
The stories are deeply rooted in my years of hiking, camping, and fishing across West Virginia, Kentucky, and southeastern Ohio. I’ve also spent time living in Tennessee and exploring the Great Smoky Mountains.
As for research, I began studying Appalachian dialects several years ago, starting as a newspaper project that quickly grew. This involved poring over books in the library and studying some of the linguistic research being done at West Virginia University. You can see this in the story, “The Evil Psychic Mule of Devil Ridge,” through the old-time mountaineer character, Shiloh Young.
While this type of speech was once dismissively called “hillbilly,” it’s now one of the most-studied dialects in the field. Sadly, authentic Appalachian speech is rapidly dying off. The good news is there’s less stigma affecting young people from our region. Appalachians are increasingly taking pride in their heritage. I hope some of that comes through in the book.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Bluesky | Facebook | Medium | Website
In these humorous stories set in West Virginia, small-town reporter Rob Greenwood and a cast of offbeat characters prove that the best outdoor adventures are the ones that go completely off the rails. From camping and fishing trips gone sideways to half-baked schemes that never quite pan out, these stories celebrate friendship, folly, and the untamed spirit of Appalachia.
After being fired from his big-city job, Rob returns to his hometown of Looneyton—only to be swept up in the antics of a free-spirited outdoors club. Each hilarious misadventure blends humor, heart, and a deep love for the wild. In the end, Rob discovers that what makes the journey worthwhile is the family you find along the way.
This book includes the novella, The Evil Psychic Mule of Devil Ridge, because no backwoods saga is complete without a demon mule on a rampage—but the mayhem doesn’t stop there.
Tales of the Beechy Hollow Great Outdoors Club is perfect for fans of Patrick F. McManus and for readers who loved Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods. The club’s escapades are guaranteed tokeep you laughing and leave you yearning for a seat around the campfire.
The Cursed Prince
The Cursed Prince is a steamy fantasy romance that follows Natalia Baptisia, a humble handmaiden who finds herself tangled in elven politics, dangerous magic, and forbidden love. What begins as a simple servant’s journey alongside a vain princess turns into a dark, passionate tale of curses, temptation, and destiny. The book blends sensuality, mystery, and fantasy into a story that feels alive and raw. It’s a world filled with beauty and danger, where every spell, kiss, and betrayal carries a heavy price.
From the first chapter, I was drawn to Natalia’s voice. She’s quick-witted, stubborn, and delightfully human. I liked how she wasn’t some perfect heroine chosen by fate, but instead a regular woman tossed into an extraordinary situation. Veronica Rose writes with a kind of reckless honesty. The dialogue feels natural, the emotions sharp, and the tension between Natalia and Prince Ryker hums with energy. The writing moves fast, and even when it slows for a moment of quiet or reflection, the air still feels thick with danger and longing. The way Rose describes Elwood and its haunting beauty is seductive. The book pulls you in, and you don’t really come up for air.
Some scenes are wildly intense, both emotionally and physically, and sometimes the romance teeters on chaos. I caught myself wanting Natalia to stop running toward danger for once. But maybe that’s what makes her feel so real. She makes mistakes. She feels deeply. She loves in a way that’s messy and reckless and painfully sincere. The prose itself has a rhythm to it, almost like music, one moment gentle, then suddenly wild and burning. It’s not a book that holds your hand. It drags you through its emotions and leaves you a little breathless at the end.
When I closed the book, I sat for a long time thinking about it. The Cursed Prince isn’t just about love or lust or curses. It’s about choice, and how love can break you even as it saves you. I’d recommend this to readers who love romantic fantasy that doesn’t play it safe. If you liked A Court of Thorns and Roses or From Blood and Ash, you’ll probably fall hard for this one. It’s dark, it’s passionate, and it’s not afraid to make you emotional.
Pages: 239 | ASIN: B0FTQZS2CW
Bonds of Love and Magic
Bonds of Love and Magic is a spellbinding blend of contemporary fantasy and slow-burn romance that drops an unsuspecting young woman into a world of hidden magic and dangerous power. When Mariah Dawson accidentally shatters her apartment, and half a city block, after a nightmare, she discovers that she’s a witch and is whisked away to the prestigious Blackwood University for Arcane Arts. There, she faces both the allure and peril of newfound power, mysterious professors, and magnetic classmates who blur the line between ally and threat. What begins as a story of survival becomes an exploration of self-discovery, trust, and love in a world ruled by secrets and magic.
Reading this book felt like stepping into a storm of emotion and wonder. The writing has a cinematic quality, fast-paced, visual, and loaded with vivid sensory detail. Author Veronica Rose captures that wide-eyed awe of entering a world that shouldn’t exist but somehow feels real. I loved how she didn’t rush the magic system. It unfolded naturally through Mariah’s confusion and awe, making me feel like I was discovering it too. The dialogue, snappy and often funny, keeps the tone grounded amid all the grandeur. Still, there were moments where the intensity tipped into melodrama. But somehow, that worked. It made the characters feel more relatable.
What stuck with me most was the emotional core. Mariah’s journey is messy, painful, and empowering all at once. Her relationships, with the guarded Dean Blackwood, the charming empath Elias, and the enigmatic Dante, are charged with tension and longing. Sometimes the romance scenes were full of heat and danger. Beneath the fantasy and flirtation is a story about control, learning when to hold power close and when to let others in. I found myself caring more about Mariah’s growth than the magical battles, which says a lot about Rose’s ability to build empathy through chaos.
Bonds of Love and Magic left me feeling both enchanted and wrung out. It’s for readers who crave emotion as much as adventure, who like their fantasy laced with passion and heartache. If you loved the fierce energy of A Discovery of Witches or the tangled relationships of The Atlas Six, this book will hit that sweet spot. It’s alive, vibrant, and full of heart. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a story that makes magic feel dangerous and love feel real.
Pages: 275 | ASIN: B0FTQZR2F7
Stories About Demon Hunters
Son of Asmodeus follows a former monk turned demon hunter who learns that his bloodline ties him to both Heaven and Hell. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always loved stories about demon hunters, demons and angels. I love anything supernatural but always wondered if there would ever be a story about a demon hunter who is actually the son of a demon and an archangel. Just this thought alone inspired me to create the Heaven and Hell series.
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 tend to write about the places I’ve been to and love visiting. LA was always a big interest of mine to visit and explore the depths of humanity in. It became the perfect setting to bring demons and angels alive in the human world.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I didn’t want to focus on religion but mostly the concepts of good vs evil. All of my books consist of this theme. Where there is good, there is always evil and one can’t survive without the other. I also wanted to explore the concept of humanity against a supernatural world.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Sully continues his journey to discover his true birthright and purpose. Hell Hounds is the second book in which not only Hell Hounds are released on earth, but he learns the possibility of a Second War between Heaven and Hell is inevitable.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
A lone demon hunter, his true birthright unknown, roams the streets of Los Angeles while killing demons to prevent atrocities against the world. As the son of Asmodeus, Sully is a hunter feared by both demons and angels. His world was not the same once he walked into a bar and offered to help Mick, a gothic bartender.
Mick worried about her missing friend until the day she met Sully. The minute he walked into her bar and offered his help, her world changed. Secrets of her destiny unlocked, and he was at her side everywhere she turned. Friend. Protector.
Can they live with the secrets that are revealed to them? Will they survive the chase for the truth between Heaven and Hell?
“We never knew.”
Untertauchen follows a Jewish couple living in Berlin under the rule of Hitler, who, when summoned for “resettlement,” went underground for thirteen months, living in fear of capture. Why was it important for you to share this story, which is based on a real couple and real events?
Having edited and helped the couple publish their memoir, it was obvious their story held a side of the Holocaust barely known. UNTERTAUCHEN does not dwell on the death camps (few in Germany knew precisely what was happening) but all knew, those sent east were never heard from again. The book brings to life what one couple endured under Nazi rule between 1932 and 1942, then the rigors of living underground, hiding in plain sight for 13 months while the Allies bombed Berlin round the clock. As one Jewish reader told me, “We never knew.” The story is written as fiction for intrigue and suspense, earning five-star ratings and lauded by reviewers. The original manuscript was over 30 years in the making and somewhat academic. Before publication though, it was rewritten and edited numerous times to make it “reader friendly.” Readers are now praising it wholeheartedly.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
Goals? As Herr Shacker — the real person behind the character Hans Bracher — told me more than once, he wanted the world to know his story. Now, this has become reality. Secondly, to show through thoughtful writing that good literature can be inviting without vulgarity and obscene language. The reviewers definitely agree. And maybe too, to leave a legacy that has the possibility of changing lives, one reader at a time. As one lady put it: “Your life will never be the same, once you’ve read UNTERTAUCHEN.”
What was one of the hardest parts in Untertauchen for you to write?
Not necessarily difficult, rather prolonged — doing the massive research into Nazi laws, promulgations, etc., that affected Jews under their domination, then bringing this into perspective in Hans and Anna’s daily lives, making sure the time frames were in sync. In other words, writing historical facts into understandable reality without being boring.
What is the next novel that you are working on, and when will that be available?
My preference for Historical Fiction is definitely the biographical. Up next focused on Robert Smalls, the slave who was the pilot of a Confederate gun ship, out of Charleston (S.C.). He and several other slaves who were deck hands (accompanied by their families) commandeered The Planter, sailing it past Fort Sumter (where the opening volley of the Civil War took place) and turning it over to the Union forces which were blockading the Charleston harbor. My research began a year before I learned of a bill in the S.C. General Assembly that would have a statue of Smalls placed on the State House grounds. This legislation was signed by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-South Carolina) several months ago, during which he hoped the image would be ready by 2028. I’m looking toward a similar time frame for the book –yet to be titled — to be published.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Untertauchen is an historical novel, based on the true story of a German Jewish couple who outlived Hitler’s Thousand-Year Reich. When their summons for “resettlement” arrived in November 1942, they went underground, living a heartbeat away from capture for thirteen months.
The reader will be drawn into the maelstrom of their tortuous existence, from the time of their engagement as the Nazis came to power, until their escape from war-torn Berlin with falsified papers on Christmas Day, 1943.
Principle dates and events—the historical and those in their personal lives—are as they were.
Fragments of Light
Fragments of Light is a sweeping and atmospheric dive into a fractured world where humanity rebuilds in the shimmer of auroras and forgotten machines. The story follows Keela, a young Archivist in the crystalline city of Lumik, as she unearths relics from a past civilization while strange awakenings stir beneath the ice. The novel blends science fiction and myth with elegant precision. From flooded towns to radiant cities, author Arlen Voss crafts a landscape that feels both alien and deeply human. The world pulses with mystery, every shard of glass or whisper in the frost hinting at something larger, something old and waiting.
The prose is lyrical and deliberate, yet grounded enough to keep the story alive with movement. Voss’s worldbuilding shines brightest, the mix of Arctic folklore and speculative technology is mesmerizing. But it’s the emotional undercurrent that struck me most. Keela’s curiosity feels contagious, her fears achingly real. The author paints her world with a quiet sadness, a kind of beauty that only exists in loss. At times, the pacing slows, but I didn’t mind. The stillness gives the reader space to breathe, to feel the hum of a place where even silence has memory.
I loved how Voss lets themes of memory and connection rise slowly. There’s wonder here, but also unease. The machines waking up, the whispers of the past bleeding into the present, it all feels eerily relevant. The dialogue, especially between Keela and her mentor Naaja, carries warmth and wisdom without feeling heavy. I appreciated the subtlety in the emotional moments, the quiet restraint that lets the story breathe. Rather than pushing too hard, it invites the reader to lean in and feel the emotions between the lines. That control gives the book a quiet strength, reflecting a world learning to remember with care instead of pain.
I’d recommend Fragments of Light to readers who like their science fiction poetic, patient, and full of heart. It’s for those who savor atmosphere over action and find joy in slow discovery. Fans of Le Guin, Chambers, or Ishiguro’s quiet dystopias will feel right at home.
Pages: 397 | ASIN: B0F3D7WDHG
LITERARY TITAN 