Blog Archives
Effects of Combat
P is for Pickelhaube follows a man fighting internal battles with love, hatred, addiction, and abuse who also has to deal with the physical battles of the war. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for the theme of my story came from a mixture of sources. As a lifelong student of history, I have studied countless accounts of combat ranging through the ages, and have always been keen to learn the effects of combat on the individuals directly and indirectly involved. I also was a living historian for a decade, and in my journeys met many individuals who had actually served in the military and had experienced extensive combat. Learning their personal accounts helped shape my understanding of combat in ways not available in textbooks. And finally, having experienced trauma in my childhood and knowing the ways in which these experiences have manifested in the decades that followed, I was curious to explore the combination of the different types of traumas and their effects on my set of characters.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
I believe I achieved the thematic goals that I set forth when beginning my novel, and have left some further development of the characters that I wish to use in future writings.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was important for me to explore the pain that one suffers mentally when experiencing traumatic events, especially pain and anguish that an individual has buried in their own psyche as a defensive measure.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The follow-up to my novel, P is for Pickelhaube, is titled S is for Stahlhelm, and will serve as a direct sequel to the first novel. As for a timetable, I’m afraid that I cannot comment directly on my progress, but hope to have something moving towards print in this coming calendar year.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Zulaikha
Niloufar-Lily Soltani’s Zulaikha is an exquisitely-penned novel that offers a glimpse into the life of an Iranian woman, set against the backdrop of the Iranian revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. The narrative elegantly charts Zulaikha’s life from her childhood through to marriage, childbirth, and the complexities of new love, painting a vivid portrait of a woman navigating the tumultuous waters of societal and personal change.
The novel shines a light on a region of the world that remains largely unexplored in literature, offering insights into the intricacies of Iranian culture and history. Soltani’s portrayal of Zulaikha’s strained relationship with her mother, Madineh, is crafted with sensitivity and depth, allowing readers to feel the emotional weight of their dynamic. The prose is beautifully wrought, with each sentence weaving a tapestry of Zulaikha’s dreams, heartaches, and journey toward understanding and forgiveness. Soltani’s skill in shifting between past and present narrative threads is commendable, creating a rich, layered story that keeps the reader deeply engaged. Zulaikha’s character resonates universally, transcending cultural boundaries and inviting readers from all walks of life to root for her triumphs and empathize with her struggles. The novel poignantly poses the question of whether Zulaikha will find her place in the Islamic Republic or be compelled to seek new horizons in the West, as many of her relatives have. While the novel occasionally unfolds at a more leisurely pace, this allows for a deeper appreciation of its many compelling strengths. One such strength is the incorporation of Persian poetry, which adds a layer of cultural richness and beauty to the narrative. Soltani’s depiction of Khuzestan is vivid and tangible, imbuing the novel with a strong sense of place.
Zulaikha is a book that will resonate with a diverse readership, with women, in particular, finding a special connection to its themes. Soltani adeptly addresses universal challenges faced by women, grounding her narrative in a specific time and place yet making it universally relatable. This novel is a must-read for aficionados of historical drama, romance, and literary fiction, offering a richly textured experience that is both enlightening and deeply moving.
Pages: 332 | ISBN: 978-1771339568
In the Lair of Legends
David Buzan’s In the Lair of Legends sends readers on a riveting journey that cascades from action to the shuddering trembles of mythological horror. From the first chapter, the narrative captures your attention, propelling you through a story that refuses to relent in its thrilling pace.
Lieutenant Jolon Winterhawk, our steadfast protagonist, pledges allegiance to the United States cavalry with an unwavering motive to shield his family from looming perils. Embarking on a seemingly straightforward mission – to safely shepherd a train of gold ore across Oregon – Winterhawk finds himself ensnared in a harrowing battle against a mosaic of adversaries, spanning from Mexican ambushers and US aeronauts to terrifying beings from legends.
Despite a backdrop teeming with explosive action and supernatural terror, Buzan masterfully carves moments for expositional clarity. These well-tailored bursts of information provide not merely an understanding but an immersive experience, ensuring readers are fully conscripted into the unfolding drama.
The novel introduces a sophisticated narrative technique that simultaneously offers a momentary respite from the relentless action and sets the stage for an emotional crescendo. Employing a slightly comedic, italicized voice, Buzan guides the audience through tumultuous events, culminating in a twist that is as heart-wrenching as it is unforeseen.
Winterhawk, a man sculpted from simplicity and cast into the roaring fires of adversity, emerges as a compelling embodiment of the action-hero archetype. While his initial characterization might feel familiar, Winterhawk’s interactions and evolving circumstances progressively reveal a complex tapestry of personality that is difficult to resist. Buzan expertly navigates the path of showing, not telling, allowing Winterhawk’s inherent resourcefulness, unexpected wisdom, and indomitable spirit to naturally unfurl before the reader.
The insertion of legends within the narrative does not merely amplify the stakes but injects a palpable aura of horror, resonating with an almost cosmic dread. Buzan, in a fascinating deviation, affords readers a visceral glimpse into the fear and gruesome demises experienced by the legends’ unfortunate victims. These terrifying beings, while exuding an aura of monstrous invincibility, are presented in a manner that teeters on the brink of the believable, ensuring Winterhawk’s heroics linger within the realm of the improbable, safeguarding our suspended disbelief.
In the Lair of Legends combines action, horror, and emotionally charged storytelling into a cohesive narrative that promises to entertain and trap readers in a world where every page whispers of danger, desperation, and the undying embers of hope. Buzan has woven a tale that, while harrowing, invites readers to linger, to experience, and to relentlessly journey alongside Lieutenant Winterhawk through the abyss of legends.
Pages: 276 | ASIN : B0C8BMMRV3
The Agape Journey
The Agape Journey by Eleanor Tremayne is one finely researched and executed work that can be read as a postmodern female bildungsroman. The narration by protagonist Imani creates a gripping story from the very beginning which remains till the last words.
From the very beginning readers are made aware that this is not a simple story of an American girl, rather this is going to be a roller coaster ride with a redheaded American journalist with an Arabic name. The amalgamation of Imani’s personal quest for identity along with the central mystery of the Agape carpet provides multiple layers to this engrossing and emotional historical fiction novel. This riveting thriller maintains an excellent balance between authentic representations and well-round characters with intriguing backstories.
The detailed description of places, from New York or Cairo, and the chronology with which the readers get to know about Imani’s past and introduction of every character is done with a finesse that ensures readers are invested in the character’s while taking them along on an exotic, beautiful and spiritual journey that is sprinkled with magical realism.
Each chapter begins with a beautiful quote whose significance can be traced in the chapters. Readers will root for Imani, and their heart will go out to all the brilliantly written characters in this suspenseful story, like her mother Sarah.
The Agape Journey by Eleanor Tremayne is an educational and thought-provoking experience. Tremayne seamlessly blends fact with the fiction in this spellbinding historical thriller. Readers who have never had an opportunity to visit South Africa will get to experience the rich culture through Tremayne’s extraordinary storytelling style. This book takes readers on an enthralling adventure to the brilliant wonders of the world, through thrilling mysteries, and on a spiritual journey that will have them thinking of this novel long after they have read the last page.
Pages: 371 | ASIN : B09KNRK94X
LITERARY TITAN 