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Angel of Oregon
Angel of Oregon, by James Dobie, masterfully combines medical drama, personal growth, and the looming threat of a pandemic into a compelling narrative. The story follows Dr. Mia Chandler, a fourth-year resident at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, as she juggles her demanding medical career with her role as the CEO of a cat food company. Amidst her professional and personal challenges, Mia faces a mysterious resurgence of a supernatural gift that could change everything.
One of the standout elements of the book is Dobie’s skillful character development. Mia Chandler is a multifaceted protagonist, grappling with the high stakes of her medical profession while managing the legacy of her family business. Her interactions with colleagues, such as the stern Dr. Finklestein and the supportive Dr. Brinkman, are well-crafted and highlight the complex dynamics within the hospital setting. Mia’s personal life, including her relationship with her adoptive mother Kris and her loyal dog Scraps, adds depth to her character, making her relatable and engaging.
Dobie’s writing style is straightforward and accessible, which makes the intricate medical details and personal dramas easy to follow. The dialogue is natural, and the pacing keeps readers hooked from start to finish. One particularly gripping scene involves Mia’s unexpected encounter with Wendy, a mysterious figure from her past, which adds an intriguing layer of supernatural suspense to the story. The depiction of the hospital’s chaotic response to the emerging pandemic is both timely and realistic, adding a sense of urgency and relevance. I do feel that the richly detailed passages can slow the pacing somewhat, momentarily diverting focus from the main events, but they leave the reader eagerly anticipating how Mia will tackle the next twist in her journey.
Angel of Oregon is an emotionally engaging and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy realistic character portrayals, medical dramas, and a touch of the supernatural. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate a straightforward writing style and are interested in the complexities of human connections amid professional and personal challenges. Dobie’s ability to weave an intricate and relatable tale makes this book a compelling read.
Pages: 392 | ISBN : 2940180104977
Pure Creativity and Imagination
Curbside Curses follows a group of people, all of whom purchased one item or another from an estate sale that was unknowing to them or the sellers to be cursed. What was the inspiration for this collection of short stories?
I had been writing and submitting short stories to several anthologies when one day I was driving around my town and saw a yard sale. With my mind in potential story mode, I thought, “Hey, that would be a good story.” I then was talking to a close author friend of mine, Stuart Knott, telling him about my idea when it came to me that it could be a cool anthology collection. He thought it was a great idea and said, “Hey, you should do it”. I had only been published in other anthologies and hadn’t taken on self-publishing myself yet, so I was intimidated thinking about it. But he believed in my idea so much that he kept bringing it up and encouraging me to follow through with my idea. After making him promise to help me and answer my questions (he has self-published several books), I decided to go for it.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I didn’t even read horror until the end of 2022. I can’t even watch scary movies, they give me nightmares. But I stumbled across a few indie author horror books and I was hooked. No nightmares and I just found the genre to be so diverse. And indie books in general are so refreshing. No cookie cutter plots shopped to the masses. Just pure creativity and imagination. I have always wanted to write for a long time. I fell in love with children’s literature when I was in university and always thought I’d be a children’s author but horror just grabbed me. I wrote some flash fiction using some monthly horror prompts and found I was fairly good at packing a punch with a twisted ending into a short amount of words. So I just started writing and submitting to anthology calls and getting published. My story “The Missing Gold Ribbon” in Terrorcore Publishing’s Doors of Darkness anthology was well-received and one I’m very proud of. And Caleb, the editor and owner of Terrorcore made the whole process very hands-on and collaborative for the contributing authors. We were involved almost every step of the way. So long story short, after being a part of six or seven anthologies at that point I saw how they were run, how the authors were treated and I was able to take what I liked about the different processes and apply them to how I wanted my anthology to run. I established House of the Macabre as my own little imprint and involved my authors as much as possible. It was really important to me to do right by the authors. I wanted to produce a book they could be proud of. Something they were excited to take to conventions and signings to show off.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I knew I wanted it to be different from other anthologies. I wanted it to stand out and I knew I wanted them all connected to a single yard sale and that I would write a framing narrative around them through the prologue and epilogue that would offer some insight into how the objects were all cursed. It makes it read more like one story rather than just a regular collection of stories on a general theme. I think it came together very well.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I have another anthology call I’m preparing to drop this summer with House of the Macabre and I am working on a collection of dark poetry that I’m shooting to release next Valentine’s Day. But I currently have a short story due to be released in October with Terrorcore Publishing’s Doors of Darkness: Volume 2 and I’m writing another short story as we speak for another submission call.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | House of the Macabre | Facebook | Website | Amazon
At our sale, that may be truer than you care to find out. Here, your bargains are sure to come with a bump in the night. Collected here are 22 tales of second-hand deals that are so cheap, it’s scary… Literally!
Four siblings are cleaning out their childhood home after their parents mysteriously passed away within hours of each other. The siblings are selling off everything at an estate yardsale but unbeknownst to them a curse has affected every single item in the home. Each of the 22 stories in this anthology connects back to this one single sale. Each story tells how the curse affects their purchased object and its new owner. And all are framed by a back story told through the prologue and epilogue.
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
The Song of Immaru: Earth’s Door by P.J. Dudek
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award July 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
Gracela by Lowell Duane Pabst
Candid Idylls of a State Representative by Byrne Corbin
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Overmatched
In Overmatched, the second installment of the Reily Callen series, Reily faces a formidable enemy equipped with vast resources, sinister motives, and complete deniability. As the repercussions of her previous adventure with Molly come to the forefront, Reily must navigate through a web of intrigue and danger. This book stands out as an excellent standalone read, yet it would shine even brighter as part of a series or film adaptation. It brims with action, adventure, character development, and continuity with the previous volume. Despite not having read the first book, Overmatched compelled me to seek it out, a testament to Chandler’s captivating storytelling.
Reminiscent of action-packed films like John Wick, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Die Hard, Overmatched embodies the spirit of a classic Summer Action Blockbuster. The narrative is filled with thrilling gunfights, intense fistfights, and a range of villains—from the diabolical to the inept—providing ample opportunities for Reily, Molly, and other protagonists to shine. The primary antagonist serves as a brilliant foil to Reily, characterized by meticulous planning but flawed execution, contrasting sharply with Reily’s short-tempered and reactive nature. It’s rare for a second book in a series to entice readers to explore the first, but Overmatched accomplishes this effortlessly. The desire to delve deeper into Chandler’s world, spend more time with the characters, and experience the events of the first book is strong. This speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of Chandler’s writing. This book delivers on all fronts: action, flair, high-stakes moments, and sophisticated technology, much like the exhilarating scenes we enjoy in movie theaters. Chandler captures these elements beautifully, making the book an engaging read.
Overmatched is a thrilling book filled with suspense and action that evokes fond memories of watching movies with friends and enjoying the laughter and excitement of a genuinely good time. While it may not appeal to everyone, it is undoubtedly a fun read, and I eagerly anticipate more from Chandler.
Pages: 321 | ASIN : B0D2VWGWCQ
Curbside Curses: The Yardsale Anthology
Nadine Stewart’s Curbside Curses is a compelling anthology of short horror stories. Each weaves together diverse characters and plots with a common thread: the eerie and unsettling consequences of items purchased from yard sales. This recurring motif serves as a clever vehicle to explore supernatural horror, infusing ordinary objects with malevolent forces and plunging readers into a world where the mundane becomes ominous.
The anthology stands out with its engaging stories, among which “Watered Down,” “Room for Two,” and “Huber” particularly shine. In Watered Down, Elaine grapples with disturbing visions triggered by a new waterbed while simultaneously trying to repair a strained relationship in the wake of infidelity. The narrative masterfully intertwines personal turmoil with supernatural terror, keeping readers on edge.
In Room for Two, Meg stumbles upon a mysterious box her partner Erin brought home from a yard sale, which seemingly possesses supernatural powers. The suspense builds as Meg unravels the dark secrets linked to the box, making for a gripping read. In Huber, at Jimmy’s housewarming party, an ordinary yard sale find, the Huber, reveals its sinister intentions, endangering all the guests. This story adeptly combines suspense and horror, resulting in a chilling and memorable conclusion.
Stewart brings the work of multiple authors together in this supernatural horror anthology that taps into the primal fear of the unknown, challenging the boundaries of reality and the rational mind. Everyday objects, such as a seemingly innocuous game cartridge or a harmless hairbrush, are imbued with a terrifying presence, provoking readers to question the familiar and the safe. The collection excels with its original and creative horror concepts, seamlessly blending supernatural elements, psychological dread, and physical terror. The authors’ finely crafted characters and unexpected plot twists contribute to an atmosphere of tension and unease, ensuring that the stories linger in the mind long after the final page.
Curbside Curses is a sophisticated and unpredictable journey through various facets of horror, making it a must-read for enthusiasts of the genre. While the mature themes and intense scenarios may not be suitable for younger audiences, adult horror fans will find Stewart’s anthology both captivating and deeply unsettling.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B0D39QYRMV
LITERARY TITAN 