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I Wanted to Challenge Them
Susan-Alia Terry Author Interview
Coming Darkness is a genre-crossing novel with elements of a fantasy, romance, and a sprinkling of religious fiction as well. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did this happen organically as you were writing?
Both. I knew Kai and Lucifer were in a relationship and so I had to build the religious and fantasy aspects into the world around them. It was an interesting challenge to create a world where they would not only interact, but fall in love as well.
The supporting characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
All of them! It may sound cliché but it’s true. They all touch places in me — I can wear so many personalities through them and I love that opportunity!
However, if I must choose, I guess Te may inch out the others because he gets to be the grown-up. While he’s perfectly willing to go along with the crazy, he’ll also step back and say “Well, maybe that’s not such a good idea. Here’s an alternative.” In a way, he’s the father figure — he loves his “kids” and has always been there (in whatever form) and even if they may not like him, they know they can trust him.
You were able to seamlessly blend characters from many different genres. All of them, I felt, were unique while still be relatable. What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
Thank you! I was thinking a lot about responsibility when I wrote both Lucifer and Kai. They’ve both been living in this kind of neutral space for so long, I wanted to challenge them, make them take an active part in their world. We tend to judge a person’s morality by how they respond to responsibility — responsibility to others as well as how well they take responsibility for their own actions — and I wanted to play with that.
I find a problem in well written stories, in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
Oh yes! I’m working on that now. The next book goes deeper into the world, and I’d like to say that 95-99% of unanswered questions from Coming Darkness will be answered!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Archangel Lucifer’s spoiled life comes to a halt as he learns that Heaven is empty, and his Father missing. Seeking answers, he’s brought face to face with a race of Creator-Gods unhappy with his Father and the world He created. Planning to wipe out this heresy and letting Darkness reclaim the earth, they imprison Lucifer in Hell.
Meanwhile, the Archangel’s lover sets out to prove his opponents wrong. But Lucifer’s influence runs deeper in Kai than he suspected, and the fear that he’s merely Lucifer’s pet becomes all too real.
The Pace of War
Isobel Mitton Author Interview
Across the Realm: When Two Tribes Go To War is the second book in the Across The Realm series that continues the overall story yet is able to stand on it’s own. What direction did you take in this novel that you felt was different from the first book?
In the first book I was introducing my story and how the war that my series is based on came to be. I was giving background information and introducing the main characters. I was also describing this Earth of the 27th century. I knew then that I would write the consequent books in the series based on each territory of the North. There is a book for each one coming.
When Two Tribes go to War is based on the war front of The Arab Territories. That gave me a chance to develop the Arab Territories, show my readers their way of life and their belief systems. I wanted that unique feel of the Middle East.
I created new characters and a new story for the North. I kept my Southern characters intact from book 1. I didn’t use all the Southern characters because I split them up. In each book in the series, four or five of my Southern characters will get center stage. The series gives me a chance to develop them so that the reader gets to know them better.
I would say that When Two tribes go to War goes straight into action and stays there. There is no need for background information because the first book, Across the Realm Life Always Finds a Way had already dealt with that. I could increase the pace of war without being encumbered with explanations. I loved that.
You have a fantastic ability to create three dimensional characters. What was your favorite character to write for and why?
I love all my characters. In fact, I am very protective of them all. But, Khadija stood out for me. She came to me very softly. (I totally believe my characters introduce themselves to me.) She was meek and didn’t have a story to tell for a while. And then she rose and shared with me her past, her present, her strengths and her weaknesses. I fell in love. She lives in a very masculine world and was a child bride whose husband raped her. But, she retained love and compassion despite her hardships and in the war she found her strength. She was a surprise to me. I had not expected her to develop that way.
What science fiction novels or writers do you feel most influenced you?
I am going to make you laugh at me and admit that I have never read a single scifi novel. Ever. I am however a trekkie to the day I die and I have all of Battlestar Galactica in every way that I could store it. I am a scifi movie or cartoon or comic junkie. Anything scifi and I am there.
My greatest influence in writing. Stephen King. He weaves a world and characters that blow my mind. I read everything he writes and I watch every Stephen King based movie. The shocker is that I don’t like horror stories. His books keep me awake at night, absolutely frightened out of my mind. And that is why I am a fan! That is amazing writing. When I grow up, I want to write like him.
Besides Stephen King, I will have to hand the baton to Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. That trilogy blew my mind. I like to think though that the authors who influenced me the most were British Author Enid Blyton of the Famous Five series and William Shakespeare.
Where does book 3 in the Across the Realm series take readers?
Book three, The Land of the Forefathers takes readers to the war front of Asia! The Asian territories get a spotlight. The themes are slavery, heredity and so much more. I must warn my readers that this is a dark story. It is very dark.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon | Website
Isobel Mitton seamlessly weaves in love, humor, betrayal, loyalty and brutality in a new fantasy novel that stands uniquely on its own. This is one of her best new science fiction books. Across the Realm 2: When Two Tribes Go to War is a reflection from the future that hits close to home as the reader comes to realize that this future world is not so different from our own. There are many fiction books on sale. However this is one of the best science fiction books because it has action, adventure, fantasy, diversity, technology, and more.
One of the most exciting parts of this tale is its subtle exploration of larger current societal issues like racism; the fuzzy lines of ethics created by scientific advancement and the unwillingness to compromise with those we view as “different” in a futuristic landscape. This Science Fiction Space Adventure will not disappoint.
Across the Realm 2: When Two Tribes Go to War is a science fiction short story about complex relationships that endure trying times and experiences. Forbidden love, illegitimate pregnancy, strong childhood attachments, betrayal, abuse, and bastard kings reminiscent of the Game of Thrones, all complicated by the rules of a rigid society makes this latest instalment of the Across the Realm franchise difficult to put down.
Girl Unseen
Pia has made a dead girl a promise. One that she is determined to keep. But is she prepared for the nightmare that’s about to be unleashed?
When Pia Williams, a gifted psychic medium, is contacted by the traumatized spirit of a young girl, her search to uncover the truth begins. The more Pia learns about the girl’s gruesome fate, the more determined she is to bring those responsible to justice. But is she prepared for the shocking truth of what she’s about to expose?
With more questions than answers, one thing becomes clear to Pia: the girl’s spirit is uniquely powerful, and she’s killing from beyond the grave. Who—or what—is the girl now? A victim, or a demon with murderous intentions? What really happened to her? And how far will Pia go to help her get revenge?
Accused of a murder the spirit commits, Pia reaches out to the only man who can help her: ex-Special Forces detective Nate Ryder. A man who is as dangerous to her heart as the situation she seeks his help with. Nate would move mountains for the woman he loves, but how can he protect her against forces he can’t even see?
As Pia and Nate are swept into an unpredictable situation brimming with dark, evil intent, they soon discover they have more to fear from the living than they ever did from the dead…
Remember to Recycle
Remember To Recycle explores a twisted state of dystopian society run rampant with political tension and censorship, as experienced through the eyes of a sordid slew of characters, each crafted to be as unique as they are controversial. Author Tantra Bensko unapologetically invites readers into the thick and gritty atmosphere of this nefarious nation on the brink of war. As seedy government organizations work through mass media to manipulate the opinions of the general public, three oddball outcasts must struggle to uncover their own personal truths, regardless of how dark and uncomfortable that truth may be.
There is an oddity and nuance to the style in which Bensko develops the story, weaving the intricate and disharmonious lives of the ragtag crew together. The characters are so individually strange, perplexing me at times to debate whose personal version of the truth I should put my stock into. What they lack in relatability, they more than make up for in personality. For instance, there is little for me to relate to in a neurotic homeless man suffering from a multiple personality disorder, but nevertheless, I found myself rushing to reach his chapters, drinking in the off-the-cuff humor and casual profanity of his perspective. Each character in the disjointed trio is unique and realized to the point of feeling authentic, boasting a well-rounded checklist of endearing qualities as well as anxieties and vices – certainly enough to make you love or hate them, respectively.
Although the modern literature lover in me appreciates the quirky and informal tone of Bensko’s writing, I do have to admit that I struggled a bit with the sporadic pace. The narrative voices are wildly different between each character, and on occasion, the sudden shift felt so abrupt that it confused me for just a moment. Bensko lovingly lingers in the details of certain interactions for quite some time, while briskly splicing other important moments into the middle of a quick paragraph. The revolving narrative among the trio is certainly a testament to Bensko’s strength in voices, but it didn’t make for the quickest read. Still a charming one though!
I felt a bit sheepish upon realizing that Remember to Recycle is actually the second installment in the Agents of the Nevermind series. Whoops! I suppose that’s always one tell of a good book though – if it can stand alone within a larger collection. Without knowing any of the events from the previous title, readers are still able to quickly grasp the tone and plot of this work, even within the steep setting of an economic fallout. Benkso poured such a generous amount of attention into the thoughts and motives of the characters, which served well to support this work standing on its own.
Overall, this was an undeniably interesting read, although the density of the political theme felt a bit heavy to me at times. I’d recommend it to readers with interests in the dystopian and psychological horror tropes, that also have an appreciation for quirky writing styles.
Pages: 285 | ASIN: B06XY4CF1S
Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances
Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances follows the lives of a vampire, fairy and mummy who are caught up in a world of chaos as they try to escape the wrath of the wraiths- a paranormal group that is bent on revenge on the unlikely trio. Air spirits, talking cats and the cursed undead will all play a part in this fantasy novel as they bounce between gaining record deals and fighting supernatural monsters. Meanwhile, another version of chaos is threatening to destroy their world and they must find a way to work together to fight an evil like no other.
Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances, written by Kevin James Breaux, is an action packed fantasy novel that collides the modern world with magical creatures and supernatural beings. Each mystical being (and human!) are trying to find their place as they revel in the aftermath of destroying evil.
The story flips between various perspectives of the characters, keeping us up to date with what is happening in the story progression. The different characters and their personalities mean that the mood of the story can change drastically, one moment you may be watching through the eyes of Sabrina as she seduces old flames and the next moment you are underground with a human and undead as she passionately tries to protect her love.
One of the most interesting characters was Cade. Cade has unique senses and an ability to bear fangs to persuade a situation. Being a vampire has its perks however Cade finds himself torn between the people of his past and present. His character was one of my favourites as the reader is treated to his heroic rescues and violent deaths. I appreciate Breaux’s ability to paint a picture with his words and I found it easy to imagine the vampire devouring humans, lured by the innocence of puppy dogs.
The modern twist made the story feel relatable. In a matter of pages, you are transported from a mass murder of winged creatures to discussing Justin Timberlake in the recording studio. It actually also provided a bit of comic relief as in the midst of a tense scene, celebrities were named dropped like it was your everyday Hollywood scenario. It wasn’t just the name dropping that caught my attention though. Some of the plot eerily replicated scenarios that could happen in real life as the plot delved into sinkholes, pollution and the threat of terrorists.
One character I found to be confusing at times is Sabrina. Sabrina is a winged creature, descent from royalty. She is quick-tempered, passionate and at times childish. At times her character was frustrating and I found myself mentally wanting to tell her what to do! Her character eventually grew on me though as she soon begins to accept and acknowledge the affects her decisions have on her friends.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fantasy novel that twists into a modern day adventure. I look forward to reading the next installment and finding out what happens to each of the characters.
Pages: 434 | ASIN: B071KLTKG7
A Lifelong Fascination
Athena Daniels Author Interview
Girl Unseen is a genre-crossing novel with elements of a romance, paranormal, and mystery as well. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did this happen organically as you were writing?
It definitely happened organically. I tend to write in the genre’s I enjoy reading the most. I love romance, paranormal and thriller’s, so it was not surprising to discover all three elements come through in my stories.
The characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well developed. What themes did you try to capture while developing your characters?
Thank you! The paranormal investigation team’s motivations and goals tend to naturally conflict with law enforcement, so putting the two together makes some very interesting sparks fly. The paranormal investigators are there to prove and document the existence of the paranormal, and the special ops team are there to solve the crime, catch the criminal, and gain enough evidence for the case to be prosecuted in a court of law. Throw in the conflict of a complicated and seemingly impossible romance, and you end up with a pretty tangled web that needs to be resolved by the end of the book!
Pia works for a television show and tries to debunk mysteries. Did you do research to maintain relevance to real life paranormal events?
Yes. I have a natural curiosity for the paranormal due to unexplained personal experiences that happened to me at a very young age. Those events triggered a lifelong fascination and study in metaphysical subjects.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be published?
Thank you for asking! I am currently working on the fourth book in the Beyond the Grave series which is scheduled for release in January, 2018. Daniel’s story is inspired by a real ‘ghostly’ shipwreck on the coast of Western Australia that is shrouded in mystery, tragedy, and of course eerie speculation of the paranormal.
I am also working on something a little different – an edgy and contemporary standalone romantic thriller with no paranormal elements which is scheduled to be released in April, 2018.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon | Newsletter Signup
Some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried…
When Pia Williams, a gifted psychic medium, is contacted by the traumatized spirit of a young girl, her search to uncover the truth begins. The more Pia learns about the girl’s gruesome fate, the more determined she is to bring those responsible to justice. But is she prepared for the shocking truth of what she’s about to expose?
With more questions than answers, one thing becomes clear to Pia: the girl’s spirit is uniquely powerful, and she’s killing from beyond the grave. Who–or what–is the girl now? A victim, or a demon with murderous intentions? What really happened to her? And how far will Pia go to help her get revenge?
Accused of a murder the spirit commits, Pia reaches out to the only man who can help her: ex-Special Forces detective Nate Ryder. A man who is as dangerous to her heart as the situation she seeks his help with. Nate would move mountains for the woman he loves, but how can he protect her against forces he can’t even see?
As Pia and Nate are swept into an unpredictable situation brimming with dark, evil intent, they soon discover they have more to fear from the living than they ever did from the dead…
Literary Titan Book Awards July 2017
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 imagination of these talented authors.
Gold Award Winners
![Breaking Magic (The Legacy of Androva Book 5) by [Vick, Alex C]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/619U3CKi%2BSL.jpg)
![Swallow by [Fischer, Heidi]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41UR3jOaIPL.jpg)
![H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath by [Wright, Natalie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518A-ecJ5NL.jpg)
![Across The Realm: Life Always Finds A Way (Across The Realm Series Book 1) by [Mitton, Isobel]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51WzTD%2BL2YL.jpg)
![Across the Realm Book 2: When two tribes go to war (The Across the Realm Series) by [Mitton, Isobel]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51BrE5f6UBL.jpg)
![A World of Wonder by [Ford, Brent A., Hazlehurst, Lucy McCullough]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iyKPisWAL.jpg)
![The Rashade' (Chronicles of the Coranydas Book 1) by [Tran, R.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41zn-nVhpdL.jpg)
![For Their Sins by [Tran, R.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41zx8QzXjaL.jpg)
![The Grumpface by [Fegan, B.C.R.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/511Kdocx%2BtL.jpg)
![The Assassin's Trail (The Sean Kruger Series Book 2) by [Fields, J.C.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tPQP1GFzL.jpg)
![Apollo's Raven by [Tanner, Linnea]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51AJJgOTCGL.jpg)
![J.O.E.: Just an Ordinary Earthling by [Szynalski, Edward, Petro, Allen]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31VATaXqDaL.jpg)
![A Higher Calling: Laura's Tale (Sam and Laura's Story Book 2) by [Griffeth, Kwen]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41PKMrJO2-L.jpg)
Silver Book Award
![Protector of Thristas: A Lisen of Solsta Novel by [St. Martin, D. Hart]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-DAeXljfL.jpg)
![Girl Unseen (Beyond The Grave, #3) by [Daniels, Athena]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zQpgpGRDL.jpg)
![Testimony of a Villain: A Raw, Dark, True Crime Thriller by [Harrell, Aaron G.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-LhhCIDOL.jpg)
![Black Inked Pearl: A Girl's Quest by [Finnegan, Ruth]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51CF3mzoBgL.jpg)
![The Seasons of a Giant by [Hartley, Pamela]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51t1h74BWfL.jpg)
![Hatching Charlie: A Psychotherapist's Tale by [McCormack, Charles]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51I98tE46hL.jpg)
![Do a Day: How to Live a Better Life Every Day by [Falchuk, Bryan]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Os0EBcmML.jpg)
![Zombie Mage by [Drake, Jonathan J.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41hFhIrTJXL.jpg)
![Charlotte's Soul by [Estes, Danny C]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51cKWWf9x-L.jpg)
![GROND: THE RAVEN HIGH: (GROND Series Book 1) by [HAMAGANOV, YURI]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51H%2Bh14jcFL.jpg)
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information and see all award winners.
Charlotte’s Soul
Magic, adventure and excitement. That’s what Danny Estes delivers with this novel, Charlotte’s Soul. Our protagonist, Charlotte, is a woman of mysterious origins who is seeking revenge on the one who locked her away. In the beginning, we’re not given a whole lot of information about Charlotte. We know she is a witch and we know she is bent on revenge. We also are aware that she is not quite from the era the book takes place in. Even the mention of her stay in a mental health unit leads the reader to believe that perhaps Charlotte is not of her right mind. However, all of this is blown away when Charlotte links up with detective Matt Huston and dazzles us with displays of her power. She is not an ill individual with delusions of grandeur, she is a powerful woman who is about to bring hell to those who have wronged her. Will Charlotte achieve her wildest dream?
Estes has crafted Charlotte to be a powerful example of femininity and sultry desires. She is a woman and she will use whatever tools she has at her disposal to get what she wants. This includes her body. While this may seem like a stereotypical example of a woman using herself, it ties in to Charlotte’s past and the events that have led up to the present in our story. Estes is no stranger to including sexual scenes in his books, however he is very adept at making these scenes flow with a sense of beauty. Unless called for, there is nothing crude about these acts in his novels.
While there could be some better editing in this novel, the overall story is articulately pieced together without fraying at the edges. There are some spelling mistakes, some blatant miswords that could have been corrected with a thorough read through by a third party. The story does not suffer for it, however, as these issues are few and far between.
Estes flexes his creativity with descriptions of magic and scenery in this colorful world. While explaining the system of magic, the reader can tell that Estes put thought into it. Research was most likely done when using examples that readers might be familiar with, like voodoo, so that it is as believable as possible. The magic scenes of action are not so overblown that it is obvious that this is a fantasy tale, rather they are realistically described in a fashion that if you met someone who claimed to be a witch after reading this story, you might just believe them.
Danny Estes is no stranger to the world of magic and adventure. His worlds expand and become more and more intricate as he hones his craft. Charlotte’s Soul is another feather in his cap of excellence. The shortened chapters make this an easy read and the pace demands that you read it in one sitting: it is almost impossible to put it down. Readers will become attached to Matt and Charlotte, wondering if either will achieve what they are looking for. Even as the tale wraps up nicely and Estes is about to put the bow on top, we’re left wondering if we’ll see more of Charlotte again. Honestly, this feisty witch could grace another novel for us any day.
Pages: 297 | ASIN: B00PZYYNKO
LITERARY TITAN 