Blog Archives
A Bit of a Fluke
The Boy Who Saw In Colours chronicles the life of a boy who’s family collapses and he’s sent to Hitler’s elite school. What was the inspiration for the setup to this emotional novel?
Many of the ideas for The Boy Who Saw In Colours came to me as a bit of a fluke. The first piece of inspiration came to me in the form of a photograph that was taken of a young, German boy, crying when he was captured by the Americans. The photograph spoke to me on a very personal level and I found myself doing research into Hitler Youth, where I came across the elite schools. When I watched interviews with some of these boys as men, I was inspired by the acts of kindness I heard about that took place during those very dark times in Europe, when people were finding beauty in the ugliest of circumstances.
Josef is an interesting and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
I knew from the beginning that I wanted to write a real child. Often times in media, children are either portrayed as extremely annoying or very bland. I didn’t set out to write a complex character, even though that is the goal for many writers. I just wanted to write a real one. The main thing that stood out the most to me about Josef was his passion for art and the beautiful way n which he views the world. When I was sick and tired of the entire thing, that one story within the others made me think the book was worth publishing. After all, it is the little stories that define us.
I enjoyed the unique perspective you presented of Nazi Germany during WWII.
What were some themes you felt were important to capture?
That is always a difficult question to answer in regards to The Boy Who Saw In Colours because there are many themes, and I could write a ten-page essay on it. One of the main themes is about the dangers of fascist ideologies and hatred, and how they can be accepted by otherwise good people. Josef does not agree with Nazim but feels that he has no choice but to comply.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
For my next novel, I’ll be staying closer to home. It’s a story that centres around ‘The Troubles’ of Northern Ireland during the ’70s. I don’t yet have a release date set.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The Boy Who Saw In Colours: A raw novel, set amid Nazi uprising, chronicles the life of a boy who dared to dream…
As his family collapses and he and his brother are sent to one of Hitler’s elite schools, Josef learns to express his grief and feelings of growing up in the only way he knows how – painting.
The Farm – Trailer
The Westons loved their farm, where they raised their children, and now grandchildren , and they loved their life. Nothing could prepare them for the sudden loss of Jack, the families rock, and the immense grief they all felt until he made his appearance from the other side.
It was twenty days after Jack’s passing when he first came through to his daughter, Lauren, and made contact with her. His wife Ellie, had seen him a few days later in the family room T.V. silently staring back at her, he had been trying to make contact with her, but found that to be more challenging. Lauren was epileptic and took anti-seizure medication that slowed her brain down and Ellie thought that’s how Jack was able to contact her so easily.
The next few months would bring many surprises and heartache communicating with Jack, he befriends another spirit he meets on their beloved farm that was murdered a hundred and seventy years ago by his parents who ran an unsavory business. Once Jack has Mathews trust, then all the other spirits come forward and want to tell the Westons about all the terrible events that happened out at the farm, and the brutality of the previous owners so long ago.
Most of the victims were young children and as many as five thousand perished there at the hands of the “runners” of the child sex trafficking operation that started around 1813 and operated for almost forty years. They had been waiting so long to tell their stories to the living so they could move on and they were entrusting Jack and his family with their kept dark secrets to set them free.
Nothing that Addresses the Aftermath
When Life Was like a Cucumber follows the odyssey of Jeffrey Hesse’s life through the 70’s. What served as your inspiration for this story?
My inspiration was personal. Having come of age during the 60s, I have always felt that an important part of my generation’s story has been overlooked in both literature and film. There is no shortage of books or movies covering those tumultuous times but virtually nothing that addresses the aftermath of the decade and its effect on those who lived through it. If the reader is transported back to the era and inside the confused minds of those who were there, then I achieved my goal.
Jeff is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
Jeff is a flawed individual and a product of small-town America in the 50s and 60s. It was important to portray him honestly, warts and all. He is insecure, experiments with drugs and is consumed by his sexual appetite. His story is not unique but is meant to be an accurate representation of the thousands, perhaps millions, of those his age who were trying to make sense of their lives at the time.
The novel was able to capture the human experience of living in a tumultuous time. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the story?
Authors write what they know but “When Life Was Like a Cucumber” is a work of fiction, not an autobiography. Jeff’s story mirrors some of my personal experiences and many of the characters in the novel are fictional and composite depictions of people that I crossed paths with during those years.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am in the early stages of developing a story that revolves around the wild, unregulated lifestyle of the early 80s in Houston and Texas. At the moment, I cannot project when the book will be completed and available. I will keep you posted.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
When the house they are renting outside of Oneonta, New York, burns to the ground, twenty-four-year old Jeffrey Hesse and his wife, Jane, split up, launching Jeff on a wild journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening. Inspired by an angel calling herself Isadora Duncan, Jeff sets out to see the world and find his place in post Sixties America. His odyssey carries him to the Gulf Coast of Florida, the streets of Boston, the hash clubs in Amsterdam, and his ancestral home of Switzerland. He finds himself seated next to Jesus on an airplane and spends an idyllic summer on the island of Crete where he is befriended by a Greek Renaissance man. A delicious stew of Jack Kerouac and Cheech and Chong with a pinch of Forrest Gump added to the mix, When Life Was Like a Cucumber is both funny and sad. Set against the backdrop of the Watergate years, it examines the alienation and hope of a generation weaned on the drug culture, the sexual revolution, and the Vietnam War.
Hang on and enjoy the ride. When it’s over, you’ll have to agree that life is indeed like a cucumber.
The Dark Age Chronicles: Eve of Destruction
The Dark Age Chronicles, written by T.L Bailey, begins a story placed in Rome 63 A.D., with the whole city on fire, surrounded by chaos and smoke. A beautiful city was now tarnished with violence and robbery. Hundreds of thousands of slaves were wrecking the city and fighting for their freedom. Meanwhile, amongst the screams and smoke in a tiny wooden house nearby, Albina was giving her husband, Pinerius his first son to join their family of three. Now Natta had a baby brother named Argustos to carry on her grandfather’s name. As fate would have it, Argustos was more of a miracle than the family could fathom at the time. The legacy would continue on despite the pandemonium surrounding them.
T.L Bailey thoughtfully pens The Dark Age Chronicles, which I found to be a chilling and dark read. The book takes place in multiple towns and places. The characters are on a ship, in Virginia, in the woods, and in a small village as well as a small log cabin. There are also other realms, so you have to pay attention to detail and picture each scene in your head as you read and get a feel for the scene. It begins in the past providing a back story and progresses into the tale of a group of friends on a mission to save the world, but it is so much more than that. You feel as if you are there with the characters and fighting these brutal battles with them. There are losses and wins and you feel empathy for the characters you’ve come to love as the story progresses. There are a lot of characters you come to know, which is confusing at first, but as you become immersed in the story, you begin to understand each character and their importance. You come to know about Eve, Black, Rowan, Roman, Argo, Matt, and Lyacon. At first the book seems confusing as it switches scenes and characters, however, the more you read this book, the more you become engrossed in the story and it all comes together nicely. It becomes darker and it gets difficult to put down. By the end of the book, you’re left hanging on the edge of your seat. I was disappointed when the ending left off on a cliffhanger, however, that only means the story line was addicting and well written. If you can’t handle gore, death, and violence then this book isn’t for you. It has love, death, adventure, friendship, and darkness all rolled into a well thought out book. It was long, however it seems necessary for all of the details needed to paint the picture in your head as you read. The characters are strong and detailed, each one having their own distinct personalities. At no point do you get bored because it jumps around from scene to scene and realm to realm. It really grabs your attention and is unpredictable. I would definitely buy this book and recommend it to my friends who love dark fiction stories.
Pages: 233 | ASIN: B07D568M9B
The Aqua Human
![The Aqua Human by [J. Elizaga]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41uSZqNTTwL._SY346_.jpg)
The Aqua Human by J. Elizaga is a beautiful short story about a young teenager in the Pacific during World War II. The protagonist, young Amaya, is thrust into a dangerous situation and must escape when she goes through a mysterious and unknown transformation. From here she discoveries fantastical new physical abilities underwater and must find her own way to survive.
There are many aspects of this short story that I loved from the very first page. The Aqua Human starts strong with an intense scene that immediately catches the reader’s attention. Even the very first paragraph hooks you as you are thrown into a confronting scene amid World War II. These first few pages introduce you to the protagonist’s father, Bayani, and the actions he takes here gives you a strong image of who he is and what he values above everything and everyone, which added a lot of urgency to this opening scene.
Even though this is an engaging read right up to the very end, I felt that the last quarter felt a bit desultory. Perhaps this was due to the nature of the short story format, if The Aqua Human had ten more pages the ending would be much more satisfying to me, otherwise I did enjoy the ending as it is.
The emotional intensity of this short story doesn’t decline from here but the pace does slow down and gives you time with the protagonist, Amaya, as she undergoes a mysterious and fantastical transformation. Personally, my favorite part of the story is right before the halfway point when Elizaga describes an absolutely beautiful setting of what seems like an entirely new and different world. It was during these parts of The Aqua Human that left me in awe and with an ongoing admiration for the author.
Pages: 60 | ASIN: B07W3DX48L
When Life Was like a Cucumber
![When Life Was like a Cucumber by [Greg Wyss]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ABODU8J4L.jpg)
At a young age, Jeffrey Hese was coming off a divorce and could not wait to explore his true self. At a time when the human race was getting introduced to the 70s after the tumultuous 60s, Jeffrey was in for a ride. He found himself thrust in different cultures and cities from Amsterdam to Boston. He goes through the paces of experiencing the underbelly of life with the help of Isadora. And how different it was from his apartment in Oneonta. So much to see. So much to do. So much to experience. His journey will be one of enlightenment and perhaps a second meeting with God.
Greg Wyss has crafted an engrossing tale of one man’s journey through life in the wake of the wild 60s. He has written a story so intriguing and appropriately sculpted that a reader of any age will relate and enjoy the book. The scenes are described in vivid detail leaving the reader thrust deep into the vortex of Jeffrey’s life at that time as well as the general lifestyle back then. The story teeters on the edge of humorous and poignant. It is a brilliant mix of serious and casual. With alternating moments of sympathy and loud belly laughs.
The characters in this book are well developed. Although the dimensions of character development may seem a bit foggy at times. This does not get in the way of recognition of common qualities. Jeffrey is doing something that many people would want to do before they are too old or too busy to do it. He is as new to this journey as most of us are. This may therefore either inspire you to go on your own journey of self-discovery. Or it may allow you to live vicariously through him. There is so much depth to this book. It will take the utmost attention and focus to peel through all the layers and get to the bottom of the true meaning of the story. Laden with thematic consistency and careful handling of the reader, this book is exactly what you need when you find yourself angling for an enjoyable escape. What better place to escape than a different time you may not have lived in? Those who did live in this era will enjoy the various references to music and popular behaviors of that time.
You will enjoy the plot. You will enjoy the characters. You will enjoy the flurry of activity. It may not be crass but this book will have you red-faced on occasion. Nothing like a good trip back in time.
Pages: 557 | ASIN: B07QN1VK36
Spenser: On The River of Time
Carl Hare brings fresh purpose to epic poetry in the book Spenser (On the River of Time). Just like book 1, the author is exceptional with narration, description of events, and the direction the characters are taking. Everything from the arrangement of the cantos, the breaking down of the story, the construction of sentences, and the simplicity of lines is ideal. Carl Hare makes the reading experience fun and even more enjoyable for readers that are new to this genre. The length of the cantos is inviting for readers that appreciate short verses. The introduction of characters and how the narrative unfolds encourage one to read more.
In this book, the main story is focused on the life of poet Edmund Spenser. The poet worked for Queen Elizabeth I of England. The book touches on different aspects of Spenser’s life, his convictions, the journeys he took, and the many challenges he had to face. Through this man, we also see how service to authority and how respecting the powers that be affect one’s life. One notable element in this book is the use of a real historical figure in a work of fiction. The author blends every part of the book to elevate a real character in a fictitious work and in doing so creates an engaging story that is hard to put down.
The characters are emotive and easy to empathize with. Each Canto has a unique feeling. The author’s words are clear and I was able to understands the content in the lines without having to repeat the reading, a struggle for me with other works, but Carl Hare’s story is easy to approach. Spenser (On the River of Time) is everything historical fiction fans could want in an adventure story from a gilded age. I enjoyed the style of narration, and loved the edifying effect the book has on literature enthusiasts.
Pages: 435 | ASIN: B0852QN65G
Some Kind of Grotesque Thriller/Parody
Victoria Ray Author Interview
Sophia von X follows Sabina, who goes on vacation when things quickly go awry, and she’s caught in the middle of an archaeological conspiracy. What was the inspiration for the setup of this thrilling story?
The icon of Christ Pantocrator inspired me. I remember, I bought a history journal, and there it was – an article about Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, describing in detail a famous mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. I thought it would be fun to write a story about this place. I have never been to Istanbul, but other members of my family have visited it, so it was beneficial. I sketched the plot in one day.
Also, I rarely work on big pieces of fiction, but decided to try it, and write a full-length novel, some kind of grotesque thriller/parody on different books and movies. I wanted it to be ‘fast’ like a John Wick movie, but also packed with a lot of female heroes like in Charlie’s Angels, and with a sprinkle of religious conspiracy like in Dan Brown’s books. A taste of everything in one story.
Sabina is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some ideas that drove her character development?
At first, I tried to write a story about the robbery, but I changed my mind. I created a Sicilian woman who takes a paid leave from her job at university and goes on a vacation with the purpose of visiting a newly discovered tomb of Christianity. The idea was to make the reader wonder, all the time, who she really is. We should remember that life is a mystery, and absolutely anything can happen to us along the road, at any moment… Maybe now?
Of course, Sabina changes because of unusual circumstances, but she is also the one who makes decisions. She is (both) a good guy and a villain. She is broken and the one who breaks. She is the woman and the boss. She is the lover and the hater. She is strong and weak. She is a complex character, but I’m not focusing on her feelings or problems. This is not a psychological thriller; this book is about action and fun.
The word that describes my writing the best is the word random. I do not explain much; I prefer readers to make the necessary connections by themselves, and most important – to think and imagine. I believe this is the primary purpose of reading. If I tell you everything, then what is the point?
I enjoyed the mysteries embedded in the story. Did you plan these, or did they develop organically while writing?
I planned the birthmark story, the twelfth page, and Sabina’s stop at the dig. I needed Thomas von Essen as the ‘slide-character,’ who is involving her in the illegal criminal activity.
I changed the ending a week before publishing, by killing more people. I saved the protagonist’s life, though.
I planted a couple of hooks because I have a ‘hidden’ villain in the team of four. The identity of this person will be revealed at the end of the story.
What is the next novel that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m usually writing short stories; that’s why my next book is a collection of surreal humor, mystery, and satirical stories. It will be available in June 2020: as ebook and paperback.
At the end of this year, I’ll focus on Book 2 in my young adult absurdist fantasy series Child of Illusion.
My next big novel is a psychological thriller, Almost Faithful. Hopefully, it will be published in 2021. Here’s the blurb of the story:
- Perth, Australia.
- Two ordinary families.
- Three different women.
- One obsessive man.
Margo and Barry are living the perfect life. They’re happily married (or so it seems), working great jobs, and traveling the world. Ellen and David have it all – the looks, the big house by the beach, a successful business, a grown-up daughter, Marie. But underneath, each couple is in crisis, and there is only one cause. His name is Charlie…
Charlie is a widower with an autistic son. A man with exceptional acting skills, struggling to forget his painful past. A man who is not ready to let go, who is breaking two families and destroying their trust.
Out of options and with their backs against the wall, Margo, Ellen and Marie discover that murder isn’t a tool reserved only for criminals.
Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
![Sophia von X by [Victoria Ray, H. M. Belsve]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41erd-J4lxL.jpg)
It was supposed to be a vacation, the trip to a newly discovered tomb of Jesus…
When Sabina Ferrara was driving to Bingerbruck, Germany, she was hoping to put a painful marriage behind her. Certain unforeseen events turned against her and during a visit to Christ’s tomb, she is meeting Thomas von Essen – a dangerous thief, who is hiding behind the name of a decent family, pretending that he is a famous archaeologist. Against her will, Sabina is dragged into the middle of the stealing of biblical artifacts, killings, and shootings. She ended up attracting the attention of an unknown enemy from Jerusalem, a wicked man called Papa Zen. A powerful mogul who knows too much about Sabina and her mysterious birthmark. She is the one he was looking for so long…
12 lost pages from the Bible
Car chasing, guns, and fights
Yakuza and Ndrangheta families
Palermo, Istanbul, Jerusalem
Deaths, tears, broken hearts
Sophia von X is a story of violence and obsession, secrets and tragedy, lies, hate, and love.
LITERARY TITAN 