Blog Archives
The Keak Anthology
Dr. Katherine E.A. Korkidis’ anthology, The KEAK Anthology, presents an intriguing collection that showcases her narrative versatility alongside select works co-authored with Artemios Korkidis. The anthology is organized into three distinct sections, beginning with a compilation of sixteen short stories spanning a diverse range of genres. These narratives explore various themes, from the thrill and peril of space exploration to political intrigue, technological advancements, dystopian visions, reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic, and historical vignettes.
The second part of the collection delves into the world of flash fiction, offering succinct yet impactful stories. These brief narratives navigate the complexities of human relationships and emotions, touching on topics such as strained love, musical passion, and the nuances of parenthood. The final segment of the anthology provides readers with excerpts from five of Korkidis’ previously published novels. These selections delve into various human experiences, including overcoming challenges, rekindling romance, and the consequences of infidelity, engaging readers with their rich characters and compelling plots.
Korkidis’ short stories are notable for their creativity and genre diversity, encompassing mystery, thriller, romance, and dystopian themes. One particularly memorable tale, “Patient Zero,” addresses the unintended consequences of technological advancements, resonating with contemporary concerns about environmental issues and social isolation. In contrast, the flash fiction section stands out for its brevity and clarity, demonstrating Korkidis’ ability to convey profound ideas and emotions in a condensed format. For instance, “The Hug,” a story of just 360 words, encapsulates the complexities and possibilities of human attraction in a single, meaningful gesture. The anthology’s final excerpts leave readers yearning for more, skillfully blending sophisticated character development with absorbing storylines. The character of Daniel, for example, is a compelling figure who, despite battling alcohol addiction, strives to assist others in need. This narrative personally resonated with me due to my own experiences with a family member’s struggles with substance abuse.
The KEAK Anthology is a captivating and diverse collection that appeals to a broad spectrum of readers, particularly those who appreciate anthologies and short fiction. Each story, rich in depth and intrigue, seamlessly leads into the next, affirming Korkidis’ prowess in crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives.
Pages: 630 | ASIN : B0CHGVWFFJ
In Silence Cries the Heart
Catherine Hughes’ novel, In Silence Cries the Heart, weaves a captivating narrative through a dual-timeline structure. The protagonist, Caitlyn, embarks on a tour of the historic Undlay Castle, where she uncovers the poignant tale of Mary and Donal’s forbidden romance, revealed to her through two profound dreams. The first occurs after she faints at the castle, and the second unfolds as she peers into an adder’s stone. Set in contrasting eras, 2018 and 1665, the novel explores themes of love and autonomy in choosing a life partner. Born into nobility, Mary is pressured by her father to marry within their social class. Defying her father’s wishes, she falls for Donal, a cattle thief, and plans to elope with him, a decision that brings dire consequences.
Hughes skillfully navigates the historical backdrop of Mary and Donal’s story, set in 1665, with Caitlyn’s contemporary journey in 2018, drawing parallels between the past and present in love and choice. The novel delves into the restrictive societal norms of Mary’s time, contrasting them with Caitlyn’s modern perspective. Catherine Hughes’ narrative technique is particularly noteworthy. Rather than presenting Mary and Donal’s story as a mere tale within Caitlyn’s tour, Hughes opts for a more immersive approach, using vivid dreams to draw Caitlyn—and the reader—deeper into the historical romance. This method elevates the story’s impact, especially as the novel concludes with a nod to the tale’s veracity during the tour.
The character of Mary is intriguingly multifaceted. Hughes artfully navigates the complexities of Mary’s persona, balancing her resilience and independence with the profound impact of her love for Donal. This dynamic portrayal showcases Mary’s strength, which is evident in her passionate advocacy for Meggie and her active involvement in the Cameron brothers’ execution. Simultaneously, it explores her vulnerability, particularly in her interactions with Hilda and the decisions driven by her deep love. This nuanced depiction adds depth to Mary’s character, making her relatable and inspiring as she navigates the challenges of love and societal expectations.
In Silence Cries the Heart presents a layered and engaging narrative, offering a fresh take on the romance genre. Hughes’ use of a story within a story, combined with a blend of historical and contemporary elements, creates a rich tapestry that thoughtfully explores themes of love, choice, and societal constraints.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B0CKLXTLXQ
Because I Live This Way
The Last Rays of Ra follows an Egyptologist from the Yorkshire Moors who travels to Egypt to find a missing artifact that is believed to be linked to multiple crimes and murders in London. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
All three locations have always entranced me. Fortunately, I’ve been able to travel to each. They all have history and atmosphere, so I put them together. I know many readers will agree with me – fascinating places!
Your novel combines mystery, adventure, and horror elements. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did this happen organically as you were writing?
I usually write this way. Because I live this way. There’s always plenty happening outside the square, so to speak. It makes for interesting stories
The character of Vahlona Selket Faralay is interesting and well-developed, making her likable and relatable. Was the character’s backstory something you always had, or did it develop as you were writing?
Vahlona’s backstory relates to elements in my own life and those close to me. I wanted to make her different – not your usual protagonist.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Now that I have these lovely characters and locations, I do want to write a serial. I hope readers will contact me and let me know if they’d like to read a continuation novel. I need to deal with the limitations of Vahlona’s health (many readers might relate this to long COVID and/or post-viral Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In her day, the medical profession just laughs at her. Not too many are laughing now.
Also, Randolph’s super-sensitivity. This really happened to a doctor friend of mine during a post-mortem.
And Usire – did he really die???
There will, of course, be a new crime, and I will keep aspects of historical interest. Ashara will develop further as a character in the next book. She now has her “spirit house” and so does Vahlona, albeit they’re worlds away.
Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Empathic Scotland Yard Detective Jackson Randolph is over-burdened by a series of bizarre murders. He enlists the aid of rogue Egyptologist Vahlona Selket Faralay, pleading with her to retrieve an ancient item linked to the crimes.
Vahlona leaves her mysterious home in the Yorkshire Moors and travels to Egypt, where she braves misogynistic policemen, vicious wildlife, and manic terrorists in her quest to procure the artefact. The shadowy but alluring antiquities dealer Usire Ra Arakti provides the answer, but can Vahlona smuggle the prize out of Egypt and back to London before the madman resumes his killing spree?
Thrilling suspense, horror, romance, and adventure await you in The Last Rays of Ra.
Check out the stunning trailer on YouTube!
Literary Titan Gold Book Award – Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Frode Ridna and the Rumbling by M. Singh
Rendezvous with Evil by Deirdre Oliver
Wiser Now by Gayle G. Curtin
The Goose Waltzer by Samantha Leigh Miller
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award April 2024
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
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
War is a Character
In One Year, One Night, readers follow a woman who revisits her experiences and a romance during WWII when she returns to her hometown and happens upon her long-forgotten diary. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
About 10 years ago the college where Sarah was teaching was involved in a ceremony to lay a stone on the resting place of a little evacuee boy that died in a bombing at the beginning of WW2. Sarah’s curiosity was tickled by the fact that he had laid there unacknowledged for so many years and that nobody had attended his funeral. She discussed the event with Laura and they set out to research the history of this boy and the circumstances of his death.
Is there anything from your own experiences in the lives of your characters?
In a way War is a character in our writing. Both of us grew up hearing the stories of how it strongly affected the lives of our parents.
Sarah parents were 11 and 10 in 1939 and they were Londoners. Sarah’s father Ron remembered delivering newspapers and looking up to see a dogfight between a German bomber and a British pilot. The issue of food was a very strong memory and Sarah grew up in a household where the idea of a sell-by date was a genuine puzzle.
Regarding going down to the Anderson shelter during bombings, like Annie and Remy do on their first romantic tryst, the most obvious memory was that Sarah’s parents were doing exams at school – to be interrupted by an air raid.
Ron’s mother worked in a military factory at night – he and his sister were sometimes left on their own. They would tune into the American Forces Radio for company.
Families gathered round the radio can be seen in One Year One Night by SL Roman when the Corbett family listen to the news before their father goes off to war.
Laura’s experience was very different as she grew up in Rome, in the Italian capital. That experience enables her to see the British from a removed viewpoint (she married a Londoner and settled in Britain).
The similarities between the UK and Italy lay in rationing, bombs, destruction and civilian casualties.
Laura’s father was a key member of the Italian Resistance and he had been trained by the Scots Guards. His talents included skilful use of explosives to blow up Nazi railway lines.
He had several different aliases and Laura remembers him having a bounty on his head by the German military. He was awarded a distinction for his contribution to the war by Field Marshall Alexander who was commander-in-chief of the allied army including the Americans.
Both Sarah and Laura were brought up in families where money was treated carefully, influenced by a long period of austerity both in Britain and Italy. Laura said that a number of families were so poor in Italy that they went to live in caves when their homes were destroyed by the bombs.
What draws you to the genre of historical fiction?
The original boy in One Year One Night was a wartime evacuee so the genre of historical fiction was the obvious route. We are both avid readers and attend the same book club where we’ve read historical fiction and analysed it in the group. Laura also has a long-standing interest in History and believes well-researched historical fiction is an excellent teaching tool.
Sarah thought it could be a factual story but Laura argued for it to be fictionalised as we would have more leeway and fun creating the characters, underpinned by plenty of accurate historical research.
Can readers expect to see more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes, we’ve written 25 pages of the second novel using the same strong character of Annie who’s moved to wartime London. We’ve had lots of discussion between us about her character and how it evolves.
We don’t want to give the whole plot away but we have two ‘lively characters’ who make for compelling reading set against a brutal time-frame when London underwent 57 continuous nights of Nazi bombing through the winter of 1940.
We’re also inserting the stories of orphaned kids in London in WW2 and how they managed to survive.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Blog
When Annie returns to her home village after a long absence, she rediscovers the diary she kept the year she turned 16, the year that changed her life. We follow Annie as she navigates a blossoming love story with a handsome soldier and her growing affection for an evacuee child. With tender and amusing moments, this story―set in a small English village during World War II―explores love, resilience, and loss with a fresh new voice.
Signs on a Page
Erik D. Weiss’s historical fiction novel Signs on a Page presents a gripping tale of intrigue and suspense centered around its protagonist, Molly McMurphy. As a recent college graduate and research consultant, Molly’s curiosity leads her through a labyrinth of historical and literary mysteries. The narrative cleverly interweaves real historical figures and events, such as MacArthur’s involvement in the Pacific War and the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade, with Molly’s personal journey. Weiss skillfully blends these elements, crafting an educational and thrilling narrative.
Throughout the story, Molly finds herself unwittingly entangled in the clandestine activities of a secret society intent on shaping the course of human history. This adds a layer of complexity to her character as she balances her professional pursuits with the dangers that come from uncovering long-hidden truths. The novel excels in creating a sense of tension as Molly navigates between the society’s rival factions, each with their own agenda. I found myself deeply connected to Molly’s character, particularly her passion for research. This aspect of her personality resonates strongly with anyone who shares a similar love for unearthing hidden knowledge. Weiss’s writing is both articulate and engaging, making the novel enjoyable for those who appreciate historical fiction with a blend of mystery and adventure.
Signs on a Page comes highly recommended for readers seeking a well-crafted story that combines historical elements with suspenseful storytelling. Weiss’s thorough research and compelling narrative make for a truly immersive experience.
Pages: 299 | ASIN : B0CLQR1HSY
Power Through Dubious Means
The Sacred Passage is the story of one man’s relentless pursuit of power, the questionable tactics he uses to achieve greatness, and the destruction he leaves in his wake. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Post-colonial Africa has witnessed a trend of leaders aspiring to be among some of the longest-serving presidents hanging on to power through dubious means and some of the examples are: Bongo, Biya, Dos Santos, Nguema, Museveni, and Nguesso. The idea was born out of this trend.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
In my local language, we say, ‘Chikomo shata divi rimwe ritambire pwere.’ So I made sure that there must always be room for some goodness in an evil character. While an evil character has been developed in the book, I always moderated it by bringing in some good elements in an attempt to pacify a reader and lessen emotions.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
It is the expectation of having a hero, a villain. or a happy ending which I find as a common theme. This must be spiced up with an exciting storyline. Based on the readers’ expectations, the work of fiction is cut out for a writer and what remains is which storyline will excite a reader. Is it a love story, action-packed story, family feud. or war?
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book will be available for publication review in about three months. It is about a dispossessed people fighting against the oppressor to regain what they lost. Countless lives are sacrificed as a war is waged to achieve their goal. The oppressor relentlessly fights back to maintain his oppressive position.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website | Amazon
Friendships crumble as Runo sows seeds of discord, creating factions that tear each other apart while he remains untouchable. Those who dare challenge his authority are dealt with ruthlessly – used and discarded when their political utility expires. For those who still pose a threat, he employs the insidious honey trap to silence them forever.
In The Sacred Passage, Mwana waMusikavanhu unravels the intricate web of Runo’s sadistic reign, leaving readers in awe of the depths of his depravity. With every turn of the page, you’ll be drawn into a world of ruthless politics and relentless ambition, where no elimination trick is too foul in the pursuit of power.
LITERARY TITAN 