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Assassin Royale
Posted by Literary Titan

Assassin Royale sweeps readers into a world of intrigue, blood, and shadowed loyalty. The book follows Killian Lord, an assassin bound to King Ember, as he navigates political schemes, supernatural weapons, and his own sense of duty. It blends classic fantasy tropes like warring kingdoms, orcs, and noble houses, with the sharper edges of espionage and assassination. The opening threads with Tom, a boy orphaned by cruelty and thrust into a violent fate, layer the tale with tragedy and innocence lost. As plots twist around Maximilian Durandal’s obsession with power and the mysterious Moonlight Shard, the narrative grows into a tale of personal vendetta, war, and the unshakable ties between assassin and king.
I found the writing both sharp and indulgent. Sometimes it lingers over food, scars, or clothing in a way that paints the world richly, almost cinematically, though it sometimes slows the pace. What really pulled me in was the texture of Killian Lord himself. He’s scarred, bitter, but strangely noble. I enjoyed the banter, the gallows humor, and the way his cynicism bumps up against moments of raw loyalty or unexpected tenderness. Durandal, in contrast, is the kind of villain I love to hate. He’s flamboyant, predatory, a man whose charm makes his cruelty sting all the more. There’s an energy to these characters that kept me turning pages even when the plot meandered. I’ll admit, sometimes the political intrigue felt familiar, but the smaller character moments gave it fresh life.
What surprised me most was the emotional punch. Tom’s chapters nearly broke me. His fear, his resilience, his desperate need for safety, those parts had me tense and aching. And then there’s the king. Ember is drawn with such warmth and dignity that I felt Lord’s loyalty as my own. The book thrives on drama, spectacle, and old-fashioned stakes.
I’d recommend Assassin Royale to readers who like their fantasy with grit but also a strong sense of heart. If you enjoy assassins who brood yet bleed with conviction, kings who inspire, and villains who make your skin crawl, this will hit the mark. It’s entertaining, vivid, and full of moments that you’ll remember. Fans of political fantasy like Game of Thrones or assassin-driven sagas like The Night Angel Trilogy will devour this book.
Pages: 298 | ASIN : B0FHTMGWVN
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Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: action, adventure, assassin, Assassin Royale, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, classic fantasy, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Richard Davis, spy, story, writer, writing
Stone of Faith, Book 6 Stones of Iona Series
Posted by Literary Titan

The story is a sweeping mix of time travel, seafaring adventure, romance, and myth. At its center is Ewan MacDougall, a man torn between his life in the twentieth century and his calling across the centuries as a pirate captain with a conscience. He frees enslaved people, battles rival captains, and searches for the legendary Stone of Faith while haunted by visions of a mysterious red-haired siren who may hold both his destiny and his doom. The novel blends Scottish folklore, Fae magic, and high-stakes clashes on the sea with a deep undercurrent about love, sacrifice, and the meaning of faith.
I found myself caught up in the action. The writing has a pulsing energy, full of sword fights, cannon fire, and heated confrontations, but what grabbed me most was the way the quieter moments landed. Ewan’s doubts, his search for belonging, and his hunger for something more than adventure made him feel relatable. At times, the dialogue leaned a bit theatrical, but the ambition of the story and the emotion it carries more than made up for that.
I also really admired how the myth and family legacy were woven into the narrative. The fables within the story felt like campfire tales passed down through generations, both charming and ominous. There’s a kind of wild joy in how Izard throws together pirates, ghosts, Fae kingdoms, and love stories without apology. I sometimes shook my head at the boldness of it all, but I kept turning the pages. It made me smile that the book never lost sight of the heart, the way faith, in love or in destiny, can carry someone through storms.
Stone of Faith is a book for readers who like their romance tangled with fantasy, who enjoy folklore alongside duels at sea, and who don’t mind when the story goes big rather than subtle. It’s heartfelt, dramatic, and fun, and while it can be a bit over the top at times, I think that’s exactly what gives it charm. If you like your adventures with a mix of magic and tenderness, this book will be worth your time.
Pages: 246 | ISBN : 150926275X
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Margaret Izard, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, romance, romantasy, Stone of Faith, story, writer, writing
Myth-inspired Fantasy
Posted by Literary Titan

Resurrection follows a woman caught between two identities, the adopted daughter of mortals and the blood-born child of the King of the Faeries, who has to decide what she is willing to risk, and what path her future will hold. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came from Irish folklore and the land itself. The Scald Crow introduces Calla Sweet and sets her on the path that carries her straight into the faerie realm in Resurrection. My worldbuilding is rooted in the Tuatha Dé Danann of Irish mythology, and the setting is drawn from Donegal County in Ireland, a place I had the privilege of visiting. Walking that landscape—its bogs, cliffs, and souterrains—helped me plot the story directly onto the land, blending the myth-soaked history of the region with my characters’ journeys. Rather than magical realism, I would call it myth-inspired fantasy: the legends of Ireland reimagined in a way that asks Calla, and the reader, what risks are worth taking and what future is worth choosing. Readers who enjoy romantasy grounded in rich folklore—think ACOTAR with a darker, more mythic edge—will feel right at home.
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?
The setting began with Donegal—the wild Atlantic coast, the ruins, the hidden valleys. That landscape gave me my foundation, but as I wrote Resurrection, the world kept expanding. The faerie realm began to layer itself over the geography of Ireland, drawing on souterrains, standing stones, and cairns, reimagined as portals, prisons, or thresholds of power. What started as a place grounded in Ireland’s physical beauty grew into something more myth-drenched and shifting, shaped as much by the Tuatha Dé Danann as by Calla’s choices. In many ways, the setting became a character in its own right, evolving in step with her journey. For readers who crave immersive, atmospheric worlds where myth and magic are woven into every shadow, this is that kind of story.
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away with the magical powers characters have. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
Each character in Resurrection has a specialty, a gift that feels innate to them, yet the Tuatha Dé Danann as a whole share the same mystical capabilities. What creates balance is not the sheer presence of power, but its limits. The abilities come with costs, consequences, and vulnerabilities, and those aspects are as important as the magic itself. I was careful to keep the focus on the characters—their decisions, struggles, and relationships—so that the powers serve the story rather than overwhelm it. In that way, the supernatural becomes a natural extension of who they are, rather than the entire definition of them.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Beyond the Faerie Rath is, at its heart, the story of three sisters—Calla, Nemain, and Macha—whose destinies are bound to the faerie realm in dangerous and surprising ways. Book Three, Tides of Treachery, follows Macha into the House of Faces, a place of illusion and betrayal where every mask hides a threat. If Resurrection was about identity and belonging, Macha’s journey delves into deception, ambition, and the peril of choosing the wrong allegiance.
As the series continues, each sister’s path will unravel different facets of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the shadows working against them. Their stories are meant to build layer by layer, until the moment their journeys converge again—when the fate of the realm will rest on the choices of all three.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Colm, weighed down by more than just his name, embodies the voice of an ancient power that risks consuming him, even as he strives to protect his loved ones. When a threat jeopardizes everything dear to him, he ventures into the Faerie realm—pursued, haunted, and determined to find Calla before it’s too late.
Ciarán returns, but the burden of freedom weighs heavily on him. Can he let go of past wrongs and live in the light?
Saoirse shines brightly. The land feels it. The old gods stir.
Their journey continues in Resurrection, a darkly romantic fantasy where love is dangerous, power is awakening, and the dead whisper.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, Hanna Park, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Resurrection: A Beyond the Faerie Rath Novel, story, writer, writing
Lord of the Crimson Dawn
Posted by Literary Titan

Lord of the Crimson Dawn follows Jack Salez, a hitman who lives by a strict code until one assignment in Mexico pushes him into a strange world of shadows, vampires, and dangerous truths. What begins as a straightforward job quickly turns into something far darker and more personal as he becomes tangled with Maria, a woman who is more than she appears. The book mixes crime thriller grit with supernatural horror, taking readers on a ride that feels both raw and eerie.
I found myself pulled in by the pacing right from the start. The writing doesn’t waste time. It drops you into Jack’s world with sharp edges, hard choices, and a rhythm that keeps you turning pages. At times, it felt over the top, but that’s part of the fun. The action scenes have a bloody, cinematic style, and I liked how they were cut with quieter moments that gave me a glimpse into Jack’s mind. The flashbacks to his past gave the violence some weight, and while the language is blunt, it fits the character.
The supernatural angle caught me off guard in the best way. I thought I was settling in for a hitman thriller, and then suddenly I was thrown into Mayan mythology, vampires, and curses. It was strange, sometimes even messy, but it kept me curious. I liked that the book didn’t make it easy to figure out what was real and what wasn’t, especially when Jack himself started questioning his grip on reality. The mix of horror and crime gave it an unusual flavor, and I appreciated the risk the author took in blending genres this way.
I’d recommend Lord of The Crimson Dawn to readers who enjoy fast, dark thrillers with a supernatural twist. If you like stories that move quickly, characters who blur the line between good and bad, and a touch of the uncanny creeping in at the edges, this book will hit the spot. It’s for someone ready to dive into grit, blood, and mystery with a hitman who finds himself in over his head.
Pages: 183 | ASIN : B0FL17C8SK
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, dark fantasy, ebook, fiction, goodreads, Henry Regnault, horror, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Lord of the Crimson Dawn, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, supernatural, vampire mystery, writer, writing
Stormveil (Stormborn Chronicles Book 2)
Posted by Literary Titan

Stormveil is the second book in the Stormborn Chronicles, and it plunges the reader back into a world of betrayal, prophecy, and storm-fueled destiny. The novel follows Aslyn Kiernan, caught in the iron grip of the Bloodstone family and the watchful eyes of the emperor’s Black Guards, while Aethan Starkling forges ahead on his own perilous path. The story blends courtly intrigue, forbidden love, and violent confrontations with a dark and oppressive empire. It is about loyalty tested, power corrupted, and a storm rising that could break the world or save it. Author Starr Davies sets the stage with gods and monsters, but at its heart, the book is about flawed people trying to survive in a realm where every choice has a cost.
I was swept away by the sheer intensity of the writing. The battles felt sharp and brutal, the court politics carried an edge of dread, and the characters bled with raw emotion. Davies doesn’t shy from ugliness. Betrayal cuts deep, and moments of violence sting. I found myself bristling at Marek’s cruelty, aching for Aslyn’s fragile defiance, and rooting for Aethan even as he stumbled under the weight of destiny. The world is grim, but it pulses with energy. I kept turning the pages because I couldn’t look away.
The writing is vivid, but also relentless, and I caught myself craving a flicker of light that lingered longer than a page or two. That said, the intensity felt true to the world Davies has built. These characters don’t get easy outs, and that rawness makes their small victories feel earned. I also appreciated how the prose sometimes softened into something tender, a fleeting glance, a remembered touch, a line that hinted at hope. Those moments landed harder because of the shadows around them.
Stormveil left me both shaken and satisfied. It is a gripping read. If you enjoy fantasy with teeth, stories where the villains are terrifying, the heroes are flawed, and the stakes keep climbing, this book is for you. I’d recommend it to readers who want their epic fantasy to come with grit and heartbreak, but also with characters who cling to love and courage even when the odds are stacked against them. This storm is worth weathering.
ASIN : B0FD39NYSK
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, epic fantasy, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, Starr Z Davies, Stormveil (Stormborn Chronicles Book 2), story, writer, writing
Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll
Posted by Literary Titan

The story follows Joshua “Masa” Bennett, a young archaeologist whose fascination with the Copper Scroll pulls him from Arkansas to the deserts of Jordan. What begins as a student’s passion quickly grows into a dangerous pursuit of ancient secrets, tangled with questions of faith, identity, and survival. Masa navigates professors, classmates, shadowy figures, and his own family’s doubts as he chases symbols, caves, and clues hidden in the scroll. The book blends historical intrigue with modern tension, pulling the reader into a world where ancient mysteries refuse to stay buried.
At times, the writing is richly descriptive, pulling me into dusty lecture halls and chaotic Amman streets with almost cinematic detail. The little touches, like the smell of falafel frying or the creak of an old backpack, made me feel present in the moment. The prose sometimes lingers, piling description where momentum might have served better. Still, I found myself swept along by Masa’s obsession, and the pacing often mirrored his state of mind, slow when he was bogged down in doubt and quick when discovery sparked. It felt intentional, and even when it stretched, I didn’t want to look away.
I really enjoyed the emotional undercurrent. Masa isn’t just chasing treasure; he’s chasing belonging, purpose, and a connection to the past that shaped him. The scenes with his family resonated with me personally, that mix of worry and support that felt so real to me. I also enjoyed the banter with Noa. It was sharp and layered, the kind of back-and-forth that reveals character without needing heavy explanation. I felt genuine tension, especially when reading the passages about shadows in the library or figures at the museum. It isn’t just an adventure tale; it’s a meditation on how far obsession and faith can push a person.
I’d recommend The Copper Scroll to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries wrapped in modern storytelling. If you like a blend of Indiana Jones energy with a more thoughtful, personal core, this book will hit the right notes. It would appeal to readers curious about archaeology, faith, or just a good chase story where the stakes feel both grand and intimate. It left me thoughtful, a little breathless, and eager to see where Masa’s journey goes next.
Pages: 234 | ASIN: B0FL8VQSNM
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Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll, Nicholas Teeguarden, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, suspense, thriller, writer, writing
Driven: The Founder’s Seed Book 3
Posted by Literary Titan

Driven is the third installment in The Founder’s Seed series, continuing the riveting saga with even higher stakes and deeper revelations. The book pulls you straight into a galaxy alive with politics, betrayal, and fragile alliances. Admirals, traders, and hidden survivors of a nearly lost people clash in a world where loyalty is currency and compassion is weakness. At the heart of it all are Alira, still wrestling with her fractured self, Botha with his quiet wisdom, and Thrace carrying the burden of leadership under constant threat. The novel moves between brutal experimentation on the mysterious Iridosians, tense negotiations among rival factions, and deeply personal struggles for survival. It is a story of ambition, cruelty, resilience, and the thin thread of hope that refuses to snap.
Reading this book stirred a mix of awe and discomfort in me. The clinical coldness of Knøfa’s experiments made my stomach twist, yet I couldn’t look away. The writing is vivid, even when it’s painful, and that’s part of its power. I found myself admiring the author’s willingness to go dark, to show how curiosity can turn into obsession, and how power can warp good intentions. At the same time, the quieter moments between Alira and Botha gave me room to breathe, to feel the warmth of trust slowly taking root in frozen soil. Their scenes lingered with me, like a candlelight after the storm.
There are a lot of moving parts here. Political factions, shifting alliances, plots within plots, and it took me a while to sort through them all. But once I settled in, I found myself hooked. The author doesn’t coddle the reader. She trusts us to keep up, and I respect that. What I loved most was the emotional honesty tucked between the battles and schemes. Fear, hope, guilt, tenderness, it all feels raw and real, even in the middle of starships and alien physiology.
Driven left me both unsettled and uplifted. It’s a rewarding read. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy science fiction with grit and heart, to those who don’t shy away from moral grayness, and to anyone who loves stories that ask what survival truly costs. If you like your space operas full of high stakes but also deeply human at the core, this book will leave a mark.
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Colonization Science Fiction, Drema Deòraich, Driven: The Founder's Seed Book 3, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, sci fi, science fiction, series, space opera, Space Opera Science Fiction, story, writer, writing
Beyond the Sky: A Mountain Woman’s Journey to Personal Freedom
Posted by Literary Titan

Beyond the Sky follows Tillie Carpenter, a character introduced earlier in Ann Heap’s Hidden Valley series. The book is split into two parts. The first part traces Tillie’s journey from her teen years through college, weaving her passion for science and her involvement in the civil rights movement into a vivid coming-of-age narrative. The second part shifts back in time, presenting the journals of her foremothers, the mountain women of Hidden Valley, stretching from Irish immigrant ancestors in the 1840s to Tillie herself. The book is about heritage, resilience, and the blend of old wisdom with modern science.
I found myself swept up in the writing. The style is warm, almost conversational, yet it carries weight when the story demands it. The descriptions of family bonds, quiet mountain life, and the turmoil of the civil rights era felt raw and real. There were moments when the writing tugged me straight into Tillie’s skin, especially during her conflicts with her stepmother and her longing to merge Granny’s folk remedies with modern research. There were times the pace slowed, especially in some of the journal sections, but just as quickly, Heap would pull me back with a sharp emotional moment.
I admired how Heap connected the private, everyday struggles of women across generations with broader historical movements. It gave the sense that change doesn’t just happen in marches or headlines, but also in kitchens, gardens, and the quiet choices families make. I loved that balance.
Beyond the Sky is a heartfelt novel that I would recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction rooted in family and community, and to those who like stories that braid social justice into personal lives. It would especially resonate with readers who appreciate strong, complex female characters and the blending of old traditions with modern challenges. It’s not a quick or light read, but if you’re willing to let the story take its time, it’s rewarding.
Pages: 352 | ASIN : B0F4RRHPQ4
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: American Historical Romance, Ann Heap, author, Beyond the Sky: A Mountain Woman's Journey to Personal Freedom, Black & African American Women's Fiction, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, historical fiction, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, series, story, Women's Historical Fiction, writer, writing











