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Grow, Evolve, and Blossom
Garden Quartz and Paper Flowers is a collection of stories and poems centered around a girl navigating the trauma of abuse and the healing process. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important for me to write, Garden Quartz and Paper Flowers as a way to finally close a chapter of my own life. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember: poetry, music, and short stories but I lost all my original works in a very traumatic incident. That use to haunt me, endlessly.
I don’t know of many stories that tell the tale of resilience, that transcends through time with authentic but healthy coping mechanisms. In this story, the main character Calla recognizes that self-work was required to set her free. For you never have to be your childhood or adulthood circumstances. Those moments will shape you but you should not allow them to break you.
My fondness for precious gemstones and flowers with inspirational meaning were the metaphorical tools necessary to breathe life into this piece. Stones are shaped by their environment. Flowers can weather the storm. Both survive under tough pressure.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in putting together this collection?
My biggest challenge was simply starting. For years, I dwelled on it subconsciously, should I pick up my pen again and recreate what was destroyed. Eventually, I got to a place where I said this is going to be therapeutic for you and it’s time to get it done. My second challenge was struggling with remembering much of what I originally wrote, but once I started to complete the individual pieces one by one, I was able to weave them together into one fluid story. You can delay the inevitable but it’s still has to get done, even when it’s overdue. I also needed to live a little bit longer, to complete this work of art in full circle.
Have you received any feedback from readers that surprised or moved you?
I’ve received a lot of positive feedback on this piece of art. I’m honestly VERY surprised. I didn’t think it would move so many people to connect with it so deeply, especially since it’s a fiction. I know Art imitates life, and I know that some of the things I wrote could align as a lived experience rather than a collection of different occurrences. I just didn’t know it would resonate with some many people.
“Not for the faint of heart,” was the common themed remark. Which to me, shows I planted a seed and I hope it grows. Uncomfort as it relates to knowledge, has always been a sign that I’m headed in the proper direction. I remind myself every day, learn something new, try something different and feel something real.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Garden Quartz and Paper Flowers?
I want readers to know that it’s okay to feel every emotion in the moment—but it’s not okay to live in the negative ones. We have to find the strength to rise, overcome pain, and to keep pushing forward. It’s not easy, but NOTHING in life is simple. After the all hard work, aches and pains, I promise greatness is waiting on the other side, ready to greet you.
You’re not your past. You’re not even your present. And you’re not even alone. Continue to actively grow, evolve, and blossom into who you’re meant to be. It’s time to do your due diligence. It’s time to rediscover your resilience. It’s time to heal. Let’s do this!
Pain has Transformed me. . .
Step into this immersive garden of ruin and bloom— a memoir told in fragments of memory, poetry, and survival.
This is the story of a girl named Calla, rooted in silence, shaped by shadow, and determined to rise.
Because not all wounds bleed. Not all truths are spoken.
And you never have to become what tried to break you.
Garden Quartz and Paper Flowers
T.L. Garrett’s Garden Quartz & Paper Flowers is a raw and unflinching collection of stories and poems that trace the life of Calla, a girl navigating the deep scars of trauma, abuse, and healing. The book reads like a patchwork of memory. Each chapter a petal torn from her past, revealing a life marked by generational pain, silence, and survival. Garrett writes in a style that blends memoir and fiction, pulling readers into scenes that feel heartbreakingly real. The imagery of flowers, roots, and stones threads through the work, symbolizing growth from ruin and the fragile beauty that comes from endurance.
The writing is heavy with emotion, but there’s a strange softness to it too. A tenderness that lingers even in the ugliest moments. Garrett doesn’t hold back, and it shows. The prose feels like a scream written into poetry. I found myself pausing often, sometimes just to process. There’s a rhythm in her storytelling that’s both jarring and intimate. Her voice feels lived-in, like someone telling a truth they carried for too long. Some passages are uncomfortable to read, not because of how they’re written, but because of how real they are. You can feel the child’s confusion, the teenager’s anger, and the adult’s reckoning all colliding in one soul. It’s unsettling. It’s human.
What struck me most was Garrett’s way of turning pain into purpose. She doesn’t ask for pity. She asks for understanding. The book dives into spiritual themes like healing, intuition, and forgiveness, but never in a way that feels forced. Her honesty feels sacred. I loved how she wove resilience through the narrative like a vine wrapping around broken glass. It’s not a perfect book in a technical sense, but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Her writing feels like it’s bleeding onto the page, and yet, there’s beauty in every wound.
Garden Quartz & Paper Flowers isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for readers who have lived through darkness and clawed their way toward light, or for those who want to understand what that fight looks like. It’s for anyone who believes survival itself is an art form. If you want something real, something that cracks you open and reminds you what it means to be alive, this book is worth every page.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0FJ4XM2JL
Birth, Death, and Survival
Melanie Whyte’s Birth, Death & Survival is a raw and intimate poetry collection that traces a lifetime of pain, growth, and resilience. It unfolds like a memoir in verse, starting from the innocence of childhood and winding through heartbreak, abuse, motherhood, healing, and eventual renewal. The poems feel deeply lived-in, each chapter marking a phase of her life, from the trembling echoes of a broken home to the quiet triumphs of rediscovered love and strength. There’s a narrative thread that ties every piece together: the human instinct to keep breathing, to keep going, even when the air feels too heavy to bear.
Whyte doesn’t hold back, and I admired that honesty. Her words are simple but sharp, and she lets emotion take the lead. At times, the poems read like confessions whispered in the dark. Others feel like letters written to her past self, forgiving, reflecting, reclaiming. What struck me most was the rhythm of her healing. It’s not neat or linear, and she doesn’t pretend it is. Some verses gutted me with their quiet truth, like “The Room With No Windows,” while others, like “Still I Rise From Shadows,” filled me with soft and steady hope.
As I read, I found myself pausing often, not because the writing was difficult, but because it felt too close. There’s beauty in the way Whyte turns trauma into art without glamorizing it. The collection pulses with empathy, and even in the darkest corners, there’s light breaking through. I liked how she weaves motherhood, love, and survival together; it reminded me that rebuilding isn’t just about leaving the pain behind, it’s about learning to live alongside it.
Birth, Death & Survival is for readers who crave truth, who’ve walked through something hard and come out changed. It’s a book for survivors, for mothers, for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild themselves piece by piece. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to feel seen, or to those who want to understand what resilience looks like when it’s written in poetry and inked with life itself.
Pages: 181 | ASIN : B0FPXNQFMP
MENtal Health: Take It “Like a Man”
MENtal Health: Take It “Like a Man,” brings together a wide range of voices, social workers, therapists, coaches, veterans, writers, and everyday men who share deeply personal accounts of their struggles with masculinity, silence, trauma, and healing. The book is less about solutions and more about testimony. Each chapter feels like a window into a different man’s life, revealing how cultural expectations, family systems, addiction, sexuality, grief, and love shape the ways men understand themselves. The foreword frames the project as a bold act of truth-telling, and the stories that follow hold nothing back. They are raw, painful, and at times surprisingly tender.
What struck me most while reading was the honesty. These stories feel unfiltered, which made me lean in closer. I found myself pausing often because the emotions resonated with me. The book reminded me of late-night conversations that don’t come easy but stick with you long after. Some chapters were almost too heavy to read, yet that heaviness was part of the point. It made me think about how much men keep hidden and how damaging that silence can be.
Contributors offered beautifully crafted narratives that flowed like memoirs. Men’s mental health isn’t neat or orderly. It’s complicated, jagged, and layered. The diversity of voices actually reinforces that truth. Chapter 6, “You Are Not Alone,” was one of my favorites because of the way it spoke directly to the reader with warmth and reassurance. I liked how the chapter cut through the stigma and reminded men that isolation is not the answer, even when shame or fear makes it feel that way.
By the time I finished, I felt moved and hopeful. MENtal Health is not an easy book, and it isn’t meant to be. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the invisible burdens men carry. It’s especially powerful for those who work with men in counseling, education, or leadership, as well as partners, siblings, or friends who want to listen better. What you’ll find is an open invitation to break the silence and begin healing.
Pages: 226 | ASIN : B0FNKMTFKF
Emotional Timing
Resonance of the Soul – Flowers and Harmonics is a heartfelt and unfiltered collection of poems that dives into the human condition, exploring themes of love, identity, culture, struggle, healing, and faith. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
I was inspired by a love story—one that stirred memories of what truly matters in life. That experience, along with moments spent with patients nearing the end of their lives in hospice, reminded me how fragile and sacred our time is. A mentor also nudged me to complete my writing, reminding me that unfinished words can become unfinished healing. This collection became a way to honor those stories, those lives, and the emotional truths that often go unspoken.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
I wrote for those without a voice—those caught in the throes of indecision, those marginalized by circumstance, and even those who seem entitled or indifferent but are quietly searching for meaning. While the journey began as personal, it quickly became communal. I wanted these poems to reach anyone who’s ever felt unseen, unheard, or underestimated. It’s a companion for the lonely, the faithful, and the quietly resilient.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in putting together this poetry collection?
Time. Not just the literal hours needed to write and revise, but the emotional timing—knowing when I was ready to revisit certain memories, and when the world might be ready to receive them. Balancing my clinical responsibilities with the vulnerability required to write was also a challenge. But I learned that when something truly matters, you make time for it.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
I’ve come to appreciate the effort and emotional discipline it takes to create something meaningful. Writing this book taught me that poetry isn’t just about language—it’s about listening, about honoring silence, and about crafting space for others to feel seen. I learned that my voice carries weight not because it’s loud, but because it’s rooted in truth. And I discovered that healing—whether clinical or poetic—requires presence, patience, and grace.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Each poem reflects the delicate interplay of life’s harmonics—the highs and lows, struggles and triumphs—capturing its essence with thought-provoking depth and emotional resonance. With a voice that is both evocative and intimate, the anthology invites readers to embark on a transformative journey through the intricate beauty and complexity of existence.
“Resonance of the Soul – Flowers and Harmonics” showcases Dr. Edwards’ ability to infuse profound truths into his work, creating moments of reflection and celebration that resonate universally. It is a collection that bridges the personal and the universal, making it an unforgettable literary experience.
Health on Fire
Health on Fire is a fiery manifesto about reclaiming health through radical changes in diet and lifestyle. Michael Zara lays out his philosophy of “Ultimate Health,” arguing that many of our modern health issues come not from aging, genetics, or bad luck, but from what and how we eat, especially our reliance on cooked and processed foods. Through personal stories, analogies, and a strong critique of mainstream medicine and food culture, Zara builds his case for a raw vegan lifestyle, one stripped of salt, oil, cooking, and even many widely accepted beliefs about nutrition. At its core, the book aims to help readers wake up from passive conformity and take ownership of their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Zara’s passion is infectious. He clearly cares deeply about helping people feel better, and his personal transformation adds credibility to his message. I appreciated his effort to explain complicated concepts like oxidation, immune function, and enzyme loss in plain language. Some of the metaphors, like the frog in boiling water or the apple turning brown, landed powerfully. They made me think differently about what I eat and what I consider “normal.” Zara’s strong stance against cooked food and his deep passion for raw eating at times felt more rooted in personal philosophy. While some critiques of mainstream health systems may feel bold or unconventional, they are clearly rooted in deep conviction and lived experience.
One of the strongest aspects is the book’s clear and logical structure. Each chapter builds smoothly on the last, guiding the reader from foundational ideas into more complex topics. Zara takes care to ground his advice in basic biological principles, such as metabolism, oxidation, and enzyme function, and explains them in simple, straightforward language. The book is written in a way that’s approachable and engaging, with plenty of relatable examples. Best of all, it gives real, actionable steps. Whether it’s shifting toward raw foods or rethinking hydration and sleep, there’s always something practical to try.
The book stirred something in me. It’s rare that a health book pushes me this hard to question my habits and look closely at what I put in my body every day. I’ve already started paying more attention to raw foods and how I feel after different meals. Zara’s diet recommendations are quite focused and may be challenging. While his approach is clearly shaped by personal transformation and deep conviction, the book leans more on lived experience. This gives his message a sincere and passionate tone.
Health on Fire is for readers who are ready to challenge the status quo. If you’re tired of feeling tired, open to radical change, and don’t mind a blunt voice with strong opinions, you’ll probably come away from this book fired up. This book will stick with you. Zara doesn’t just want you to read it, he wants you to wake up.
Pages: 290 | ASIN : B0DNK3JW87
Everything is Energy
The Power of Shamanism and Energy Medicine is a heartfelt exploration of healing and connection through shamanic practice, told through personal stories that honor both the mystery and humanity of spiritual work. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Having worked with shamanic healing and energy medicine for 15 years and seeing the benefits to my clients, I wanted to make shamanic healing practices and the benefits of energy medicine available to a larger audience, to let people know what is possible.
How do you see energy medicine integrating with mainstream clinical mental health practices?
With the increasing evidence emerging from the study of quantum physics that everything is energy, including both the physical plane of matter and the more abstract plane of the mind, vibrating with information that we can engage and interact with, Shamanic healing and energy medicine is a natural evolution and addition to traditional mental health practices as it allows us to access and work with the energetic aspects of our mental health symptoms. I have had medical doctors and nurses in my classes and as clients who have made use of shamanic healing and energy medicine in their personal lives.
What practices or experiences in your own journey have most surprised you or challenged your beliefs?
I have had the spirits of deceased persons show up while working with a client who had information for them regarding their healing. For example, while working with a person who had received a complete lung transplant who was having difficulty with new feelings and changes in preferences, saying the hadn’t felt like herself since the transplant and feeling somewhat guilty that she was able to live when someone else had to die, the person whose lungs she had received appeared in the office. I was able to facilitate a conversation between them that helped her let go of the guilt and understand the changes she was experiencing, setting her free to embrace her new life. I’ve also had parts of a person’s soul show up once we did healing work around a trauma that made space for that particular part of the soul to return.
If someone is feeling spiritually disconnected but skeptical of shamanism, what would you say to help them approach the work with openness?
I teach them that everything is energy and that we are connected to everything. I then introduce them to heart-focused breathing that connects them to their heart and to the quantum field. I then guide them to connect with experiences that give them direct experiences with energy fields that contain the information both from the past and from the future.
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The reader is invited to discover their inner shaman, learn the ancient rituals designed to deepen their spiritual practice, and reconnect with nature and the natural world. You will meet real-life people who have practiced Shamanism to restore themselves to a greater sense of wholeness, to feel self-love, and to better themselves overall. Meet those who, through the practice of cord-cutting, were able to release energetic connections to people, traumatic events, and places in their past that were continuing to influence them in negative, destructive ways. “The Power of Shamanism and Energy Medicine” is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to transform their life through the ancient wisdom of Shamanism and connect to the sacred.
“The Power of Shamanism and Energy Medicine” is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to transform their life through the ancient wisdom of shamanism and a connection to the sacred.
The Willingness to Redefine Ourselves
Buried Treasure follows two women navigating pivotal crossroads in their lives who attend a mystical retreat, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and healing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I felt inspired to write a story embracing Practical Spirituality in a way that encouraged waking up. But pondered how to share this in a wise, loving, and non-judgmental way. Finally, the idea took root to bring an older and younger woman together and then what better place to have them meet than at an Angelic Retreat. Bringing the characters together in this way allowed me to use the tools of conversation and reflection to weave the story. Interestingly the book didn’t follow the format I had originally envisaged. Yes, meeting at the retreat was always going to be the beginning. But then Buried Treasure evolved and took me along on the journey as well. And a memory of my own surfaced and was fulfilled. I had always wanted to write a story where the character ends up in another dimension. Couldn’t perceive how that would happen. But it did happen with ease, great delight, and joy.
Both Cassie and Stella undergo transformative journeys, each in their own way, in your book. What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
Both women are seeking to live lives in alignment with their own truth and clarity about their individual life paths. To be able to step out of confusion and the need to please others without voicing their own needs. They both find that doing so requires them to draw on their inner strengths to stand firm in order to discover what is best for themselves. While also understanding and without standing in judgment of another, that what may be true for each of them may not be true for another. They also both come to understand that they need to trust themselves and that they do have the ability to recognise and overcome the challenges that can hinder their journeys of transformation.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Firstly, something important for me is to get the message across that when we make choices that don’t work. We haven’t done anything wrong, and rather than stand in wrongness, use what you have learned to choose again.
Secondly, journeys of self-discovery take courage, then the willingness to redefine ourselves, and of course then trust the path we are taking on this journey.
Thirdly, the theme of remembering is very important for me. To remember that even though our minds and experiences might wish to prove otherwise. We are love and light beings. The saying we are here on earth as ‘spiritual beings having a human experience‘ is well worth remembering. And to move from focusing so much on past mistakes and regrets and begin to focus more on love.
And finally to remember that our core, or our essence, or our Soul–whatever name one gives to it, is our true self. Again, Stella says it often throughout the book. Because that is true for me it doesn’t mean it needs to be true for you.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
At present, I am working on a couple of projects, while slow will come together. One is developing wisdom cards. Especially focused on my love of acronyms. A wee bit quirky. And weaving story and poetry together. Unsure when this will be accomplished.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 