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Literary Titan Book Awards May 2022
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Gold Award Winners
Poems for the End of the Age by Hanz Peter Zell
Silver Award Winners
Bible, God and Free Will by Vasile Ghiuta
On a Fallen Wave by Benjamin Anderson
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
There is More to Dracula Than People Think
Powers of Darkness is more than just a translation of Dracula, it includes sections originally published in the paper but not the novel, as well as historical information. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The simplest explanation is that the translator was given wide latitude to be creative, as long as the story helped sell newspapers. Although a few scenes were left out, including the zookeeper interview and the death of Renfield, this is an adaptation of Dracula with some new characters and plotlines. We know from Dracula that Harker has a hard time maintaining his composure when he’s trapped like an extremely tasty small rodent, but when the madhouse doctor’s thoughts start to race, he is less able to hold himself together.
When I saw that the Icelandic Powers of Darkness was an abbreviated version of the more elaborate Swedish original, I wanted to see how it ended. When it became clear that the story was unique and entertaining on its own, I felt like I had to publish it before the Count’s sympathizers had it suppressed at the publishing houses.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
My editors started prodding me about how the text was dripping with racism and misogyny, initially with suggestions to soften the sharp edges and occasionally with comments in the margins indicating their level of cringe. I was surprised at how it managed to come in with even more racism than Dracula.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I thought I was trying to clear up some misunderstandings about Count Draculitz. He wasn’t just some creepy, ravenous moral-panic-inspiring predator; he was greasing the palms of English politicians and founding a personality cult promoting fascism twenty years before it became popular.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I do not think I will come across a book from a past century that I have to publish again.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter
I’ve Always Felt Empathetic Toward Others
Shifter has the two main characters grappling with some big moral decisions. What was the inspiration for putting them into this position?
I like stories where characters, especially teenagers, have to grapple with more than just who to ask to prom because it’s when we’re faced with serious issues of right vs wrong that we show what we’re made of and who we are inside, and most of us will face tough choices throughout our lives. As a reader, I can ask myself the same questions I pose to my characters and consider which way I might go. My hope is that other readers will do the same. I’ve also thought about the ramifications of having such a power that I could decide who lives and who dies. As pointed out in the book, would it have been moral to kill Hitler before he got very far in his bid to take over the world? Even now, with what we know of history, some people would still argue no and others would say yes.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your characters of Alex and Andy?
I’ve always felt very empathetic toward the pain of others, even as a child and a teen, and wanted to “cure” those people of what ailed them, so I created this character of Alex to do that for me. I just don’t like seeing people unhappy or suffering, which is one reason I could never have become a doctor. Alex’s skills with his wheelchair and his innate tenacity were based on a boy I taught in high school. Despite his wheelchair, that boy could do whatever he put his mind to, sometimes with help from his friends, but mostly by himself. For Andy, I used much of the pain I absorbed from incarcerated kids I worked with who told me horrific stories of being locked in closets for years on end or about how some despicable adult slaughtered their pets in front of them. I sought to depict how hard it might be for such a child to accept love and friendship once released from such an evil upbringing, and I hope Andy comes across as believable in the minds of the readers.
What do you think were some of the defining moments in the development of Alex and Andy’s relationship?
Neither knew of the other’s existence until shortly before they met at the conclusion of Spinner (The Healer Chronicles 1), so I tried to imagine what it would feel like to meet a twin brother I never knew I had. Given the respective backgrounds of the two boys, I felt they could relate as outcasts and that might be the beginning of a friendship and even familial ties. The small moments they shared—when Andy would learn something new from Alex, or when they were washing dishes or working out in the fitness center—these moments helped cement their relationship. Learning how to combine their power and work together defined the growing connection between them, not just because their minds were linked, but because they needed to trust each other, and that must’ve been hard.
Will the next book conclude the story of Alex and Andy or is there more to tell? When will the next book be available?
The next book will conclude this particular storyline, but I have opened enough doors to tell other tales involving these characters and hope to return to them in the future. Spoiler (The Healer Chronicles 3) releases on July 12, 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Alex’s wheelchair has never stopped him from doing what he wants, but his supernatural power to heal every human ailment known to science has put him in the crosshairs of a dangerous doomsday cult that will stop at nothing to capture him and his long-lost twin, Andy, who can shift illness from one person to another. When the boys combine their “gifts,” they unleash the power to control life and death.
Now Alex, Andy, and the others have been kidnapped by the U.S. military. On a creepy Air Force base in the remote Nevada desert, they must decide who to trust and who to fear while uncovering secrets this base wants to hide from the world. Who is the young boy with unusual abilities who’s treated like a soldier? What is hidden in an ultra-secret hangar that no one can access? And what unnatural experiments are conducted in that closed-off laboratory?
As Alex unravels these mysteries, he strives to bond with his twin, but Andy is distant and detached, trusting no one. He’s also more attracted to the dangerous power they wield than Alex would like. When misplaced faith in science ignites a hidden lust for supremacy, rescue can only come from the most unlikely source, and Alex must confront a terrible truth.
The Healer Chronicles continue…
Stop Running And Accept Ourselves
Darke Realms – The In-between follows a woman with magical powers as she spends years on the run, only to find a place she belongs just when she may lose everything. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
To be honest, I never gave it conscious thought, but in some ways Rue is running away from who she can become. I believe all of us are inherently intuitive and we have the potential to be remarkable, but we also fear that part of ourselves that can create an amazing world for everyone. We can either spend a lifetime turning away from whom we can become or we can finally stop running and accept ourselves as we truly were meant to be, which is what the character eventually does in the end.
Rue starts off alone and unsure if she will ever find where she belongs, eventually finding the people that accept who she is and take her in. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
My mother, who had been my anchor my whole life, died four years ago this month. Since her death, I’ve felt anchorless – adrift. I’ve had to redefine my ideals of family and come up with new traditions that hold meaning for me without my mother here to help define them anymore. Family isn’t always about blood. Sometimes it’s the connections we establish with others to make our lives whole – it is willing to open yourself to happiness and accept it any form that it comes to you. Life is too short to wait. If you wait too long, then you might miss out on the most amazing opportunities out there to love and be loved in return.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
- Fear. You can let it rule you and make you unhappy or you can face it down and take way the power you thought it had over you.
- Courage. Bad things are going to happen. Are you going to let them break you or are you going to take action that will get you out of that dark place?
- Acceptance. To many people suffer because they cannot accept how the universe intended us to be. I’ve had my struggles with it myself, but not accepting your true nature only makes you miserable. Truth of whom we are is the light we gravitate towards to embrace true happiness.
- Self Sacrifice. My mother always put her family first. If she had doubts, I never saw it. We have to be willing to give our all towards anything we do. Half measures only give half rewards. Being all in, often gives us the ability to change ourselves and our circumstances for the better.
- Family. Family truly is the soul connections we make with each other. Whether by blood or by choice, the love is still there and uplifts us and gives us a sense of belonging and peace.
- Love. It’s the one thing no one can do without. No matter how good or bad a person’s actions are – at the deepest level, every action is a cry out for love.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
For the Darke Realm series, the follow up to this book should be done by August this year. I am currently working on a short horror story collection for teenagers that should be published at the end of May. If you haven’t guessed, I am often working on several projects at once. The variety keeps me from growing stagnate in my writing.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
I escaped with my life . . . barely. For fifteen years the Dark one has pursued me. I’ve evaded him all this time by never settling down . . . until now.
All those years on the run, I was always alone. Now I’m surrounded by the paranormal – wolves, witches, and monsters that dwell deep in the dark.
I’ve met my alpha wolf mate, Michael, and it’s hard to get close. I still live with the things the Dark one did to me.
How can I open myself up to the possibility of a never-ending love and a happily ever after when I can see the Dark coming? It’s hard to imagine finally living my life when I was born to fight a war I might not survive. The universe has a cruel sense of humor that I’ve never appreciated, especially now that I stand to lose everything I’ve ever wanted or will ever love.
Broken Revelations: Calamity of the Gods
Adrian is back! But, so is the Dominess. She has no shortage of jobs for Adrian, and this one seems like a no-brainer. Of course, nothing is as easy as it seems for Adrian and his entourage. When he pulls out a pad and pen and begins to take inventory of all the stolen items he must investigate as part of his task for the Dominess, he can’t possibly imagine where this list will take him. With one hurdle to get over–getting into the realm of the gods as a mere mortal, Adrian sets out to hold up his part of the bargain, no matter where or how far it may take him.
This is the third book of author Albert Scott’s Broken Revelations series, and I am amazed at the insanely diverse cast of characters created by the author. As classic as so many of them seem, Scott makes it feel like the most natural thing in the world for angels and demons, gods and goddesses, and dragons and werewolves to roam the streets today. The unique personalities given to each one of these characters make for a highly entertaining read, indeed. I love not knowing which one of Scott’s characters is going to come out with a quip or term used by my own teens. I found myself laughing out loud quite often while reading about Adrian’s adventures.
The pace of Scott’s writing is perfect for the genre. I like a fantasy story that moves quickly, gets to the heart of the matter, and puts characters in the forefront. Scott manages to do all this and more. Again, dialogue dominates the text. This isn’t always a welcome technique, but Scott’s ability to have his characters interact while simultaneously telling the story through their exchanges is unmatched. With quick wit, the author moves Adrian and his wives through the rising action and to the climax effortlessly all the while drawing readers in for the long haul.
With so many references to current pop culture, this extraordinary novel is a sure-fire hit. Scott is a master at the action/adventure/fantasy combo. Characters like Adrian don’t come around often–he stands out among all the other main players I have read in recent years.
Broken Revelations: Calamity of the Gods is a riveting adventure and fantasy novel with both memorable and relatable characters. Readers will experience Adrian’s quest along with him and his wives with vivid details in this installment of the trilogy.
Pages: 130 | ASIN : B09MV9T8BW
Darke Realms: The In-Between: (Arcana 1)
Darke Realms – The In-between is the first book in author Michele L. Sayre’s Arcana series, and it is a solid introduction to the world and some of its major characters. In this story, the first person we meet is Rue Mohanahan, a thirty-five-year-old woman with a secret past, deep trauma, and supernatural abilities. Serendipity brings Rue to a small town, where she meets a local witch and the nearby Nightblood werewolf pack leaders. Unfortunately, Rue’s past doesn’t stay in the past, and she is forced to confront the demons that haunt her. As it turns out, Rue is an Arcana, a human-angel hybrid. While this is the source of her fantastic abilities, it is also the reason she has been hurt so badly. Everything culminates in a battle that can only be fought with the people she met along the way and can only be won using her powers.
One theme that runs through this captivating novel is, belonging. Readers watch as the protagonist transforms from someone who has no home and no family to someone who is important and beloved in her community. As she finds love in many forms: familial, platonic, and romantic, readers will experience her joy and watch her grow into someone more confident. Despite her painful past, Rue is a loving figure to those around her, and through the love she gives, she finds a place where she belongs.
The author weaves an exquisite, well-paced tale with a good combination of world-building and plot building. It is tailor-made for readers who love contemporary fantasy stories with dark and urban fantasy elements. The novel is narrated in first-person from the perspective of three different characters. This approach allows readers to gain a more substantial understanding of the action and the thought process behind each character’s motives.
Sayre uses familiar fantasy tropes, giving readers a sense of comfort with elements that have come to be expected in the traditional fantasy genre. The characters are likable and sympathetic, providing readers with feel-good emotions as they follow their journey. The story sets the stakes high but believable while leaving enough out of the story to set up for sequels.
Darke Realms – The In-between is a riveting dark fantasy novel that gives readers solid and relatable characters in a new world. Using elements of horror and paranormal activities, the author builds excitement for this new series and sets up readers for an action-filled and exciting adventure.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B09M8BHK3M
I Create Relationships that are Multifaceted
Broken Revelations: Horsemen Rising follows four people that realize they are the prophesied four horsemen and must work together to save Earth. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
It was an episode of Supernatural where the Winchesters were fighting the four horsemen of the apocalypse when I thought to myself “ I don’t think I have heard or read anything about the origins of the horsemen.” So I began doing some research into them and the idea for the Broken Revelations universe grew.
What was the inspiration for the relationship that develops between the characters?
I was tired of reading the same flat type of relationships between characters that I have read in other fantasy books. I wanted the relationships in Broken Revelations to be a little more complicated and multifaceted especially between the Angels, Demons and Fallen who have loved, hated and perhaps pitied each other for eons.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I would say adaptation would be the most important theme since that is something Adrian needs to survive in the new world he was thrown into.
Can you tell us what the second book will be about and when it will be available for fans to purchase?
Broken Revelations: Brides of War is about Adrian uniting the Angels, Demon and Fallen factions with a marriage and it is Available now on Amazon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram
That is until his life took to a sharp turn into the extraordinary after a one night stand with a beautiful woman calling herself “The Tattoo lady” leads him to the discovery that he was anything but ordinary as he quickly discovers that he and The Tattoo Lady are Nephal: the children of Angels and Demons, and are two of the prophesied four horsemen of the Apocalypse and meets the other two horsemen Matekai and Iku just in time for all of heaven and hell to break loose and uncovering a renegade angel’s plot to free the pagan gods to cause even more havoc on earth.
Now it’s up to the four horsemen unite to save the world that they were destined to destroy… that is if there anything left to save.
Inspired By Frightening Displays Of Inhumanity
Meshkwadoon follows several characters as they experience fear, obsession, trauma, and terror while they navigate a world where things are not what they seem. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Just average, everyday human behaviour mixed with a concern about what the true Canadian identity is. If Canadian society is a ‘mosaic’ of diverse cultures, then what does that leave for those Canadians who are reliant on a Canadian national culture? There always seems to be this uncomfortable, unsaid acceptance of a Canadian identity that is connected to something that average Canadians don’t actually feel associated with (or is fundamentally superficial), not to mention the pre-existence of what was here prior to Canada’s nationalization. Natasha came to me through a desperate need to understand what exploring this identity could be… and what kind of spiritual impact the reality of Canada’s melting pot society has on a land as ancient and beautiful as any ancient cultural identity.
What intrigues you about the horror and dark fantasy genres that led you to write this book?
I honestly only identify it as horror because people told me it is horror. Most people seem to struggle to define the genre, and I am loathe to pinpoint one except for magical realism. I wanted real, and sweaty, and grimy. I wanted anxiety to be clear and uncomfortable, yet understood. And really, reality is just naturally dark and filled with minute traumas inspired by frightening displays of inhumanity. The magical, mythological (or fantasy) elements grew through the need to stay connected to the spirit of the land and my love for elements of cultural mythology.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Anxiety, fear, hyper reality, Canadian diversity, pent-up human trauma, and the commonplace misunderstandings of the actions and intent committed by other people. It was also very important to me to ensure the integrity of the spiritual world was associated with and connected to the physical.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on Meshkwadoon: Book 2. I anticipate that I could initiate the publishing process by Fall 2022, but who knows what path those edits will take and what my ‘non-writing’ life puts on me. I also have a novella in development… Something more in line with literary fiction, but that could dwindle with a potential loss of the right emotion or be publishable by January 2023; it’s a mystery even to me.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram
As a perspective driven tale, it delves into the minds of a woman, a man, and a boy, as they are dragged through an experience of fear, obsession, trauma, and terror. Where the foundational spirit of the land seeks to fulfill its obligation to an exchange of life for the life of all.
Discover the unspoken impact a melting pot society has on the folk lore and language of a land whose roots go deeper than 150 years. A world whose spirits carry on despite the hunger of the living.
LITERARY TITAN 