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Adventures in Online Dating: True Stories from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool
Adventures in Online Dating is a hilarious and raw chronicle of one woman’s plunge into the unpredictable world of online dating. Through a series of short, punchy stories, S.E. Linn lays out the good, the bad, and the utterly bizarre encounters she’s had while swiping, matching, and meeting strangers. Each chapter reads like a cautionary tale, equal parts outrageous comedy and quiet confession, with lessons tacked on at the end that feel both tongue-in-cheek and hard-won. The tone is cheeky and confessional, and it never takes itself too seriously. Still, beneath all the cringe-worthy moments and wild characters, there’s a steady thread of resilience and humor that ties it together.
I found myself laughing in places, then wincing in secondhand embarrassment in others. The writing is sharp, conversational, and brutally honest. There’s no glossing over details, even when they make the storyteller look vulnerable or naïve, and that’s what makes it feel so real. Some stories had me howling, like the cat-hair-covered horror show, while others left me shaking my head at how bad people can be at basic decency. At times, it felt like swapping stories with a friend over wine, where the laughter helps mask the sting of frustration underneath. That intimacy pulled me in.
What I especially liked is how the author doesn’t play the victim. She frames these trainwrecks of dates as both ridiculous and educational, a way to laugh at what would otherwise be disheartening. That perspective made the book oddly uplifting. I’ll admit, though, there were moments where the humor veered into the absurd, and I had to pause to decide if I was amused or disturbed. That unpredictability is part of its charm. It’s messy and chaotic, just like dating itself, and it’s refreshing to see it told without the usual sugarcoating or cliché happy endings.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who has braved the trenches of online dating or is curious about what really happens when you dive into the apps. It’s perfect for readers who like their memoirs raw, funny, and a little outrageous. If you’ve ever needed reassurance that your own dating misadventures aren’t the worst ones out there, this book will make you feel seen and keep you laughing all the way through.
Pages: 105 | ASIN : B0FFNQ8NY9
Snapshots in Time
Random³ Musings is your candid collection of reflections, rants, and remembrances that blend humor, grief, and unfiltered commentary into a conversation both raw and relatable. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In some ways, it is a therapeutic effort; I look back periodically to review the reasoning and logical thinking, or in some cases, the emotional responses I had recorded. It is important, I think, to encourage readers to engage in their own thoughts and develop their own.
Which section or story was the most difficult for you to write, and why?
In Passing, as it was entirely personal, with some recently passing and the ongoing sorrow of an estranged son.
You admit your biases openly in the book. How do you hope readers with different viewpoints will respond to that honesty?
I don’t have any expectations of a warm reception to some of them, as our current culture is rather explosive and expressed in the worst ways possible. To those who read past the chapter titles and the first few paragraphs, I hope I convey genuine thought or opinion. There are a few chapters I openly poke fun at or poke the bear, as it might be received.
Looking back, do you see Random³ Musings more as a journal of personal growth or as a snapshot of your voice in a particular moment in time?
A little of both, it can be said that all three books in this series are snapshots in time. I do see movement in the three titles, and growth, more growth may come as I review again over time and compare where my thinking has led me to conclude. Thank you for the interview questions, as they most certainly cause me to ponder these things and gather my thoughts that are more current and timely.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As we continue to review, rationalize, and tackle some of what gnaws at us, it is suspect it does to some extent for each of us. It is a worthy effort to go back and revisit these mental exercises in thought when something doesn’t seem to fit or conflicts with thoughts previously resolved. It is healthy and fuel for growth to give weight to questioning such matters of importance. Sometimes these matters evolve, mold, and change. Other times it is our depth of rationalizing and understanding that has changed.
Connection vs Performance
The Influencer’s Canvas follows an elite nail artist from London who is invited to an exclusive Maldives retreat for elite creators, where, while she does their nails, she documents their hidden lives. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?
The idea came directly from my work. I’ve been doing nails for influencers and celebrities in London for years, and there’s something about the intimacy of that process: having someone’s hands in yours for an hour whilst they’re away from their cameras. That’s when people drop their guards completely. I started noticing this pattern. Their online personas were completely different from who they became during our sessions.
X, my nail artist character, first appeared in Polished Edges as someone who collects these unguarded moments. When I was developing her story arc, the Maldives retreat setting felt natural because I’d heard about these exclusive influencer events where the performance pressure is even more intense. The isolation, the competition, the need to create content even whilst supposedly relaxing: it creates the perfect pressure cooker for masks to slip.
The lives of social media content creators are intriguing, as is their die-hard followers’ obsession. What aspects of the human condition do you find particularly interesting that could make for great fiction?
The performance of authenticity fascinates me. We’re living through this moment where being ‘authentic’ has become a brand strategy, where people curate their vulnerability for maximum engagement. There’s something deeply human about our need to be seen and loved, but social media has commodified that need.
I’m drawn to characters caught between who they are and who they think they need to be to survive. The influencers in my book aren’t villains; they’re people trapped in a system that rewards them for turning their lives into content. That tension between genuine connection and strategic self-presentation feels universal now.
I found this novel to be a cutting piece of satire. What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope they start questioning the difference between connection and performance in their own lives. The book is satirical, but the real target isn’t individual influencers: it’s the systems that turn human relationships into metrics.
If readers think more critically about what they consume online and what they share themselves, that’s success. We’re all performing to some degree now. The question is whether we can still recognise ourselves underneath the performance.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can fans expect it to be released?
I’m working on Project Mirror, which takes these themes into speculative territory. It’s about a world where beauty becomes algorithmic: people subscribe to facial features and get software updates for their appearance. My protagonist is a technician who fixes glitches in people’s neural aesthetic systems.
What unsettles me is how plausible it feels when you look at where beauty technology is heading. We’re already filtering ourselves in real-time during video calls. Neural implants for aesthetic modification seem like the logical next step.
No firm publication date yet, but I’m deep into the writing process. The research keeps making my fictional dystopia look conservative.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
What you’ll find insideConfessions at the manicure table
Each chapter is a fresh set of nails and a fresh secret, from burnout hidden beneath flawless French tips to crypto fraud masked by liquid-gold chrome.
High-gloss social satire with a beating heart
Picture White Lotus colliding with The Devil Wears Prada, written in micro-cinematic detail and edged with sly wit.
A thriller of algorithms and aesthetics
Beneath the sunsets and “sustainable luxury” hashtags lurks Project Chimera, an AI experiment that scores every guest’s malleability. Recommendation: neutralize or recruit.
Sensory prose that sparks the feed
Sharp dialogue, vivid color palettes, and scroll-stopping quotes perfect for BookTok or Instagram.
Perfect for readers whoScroll Instagram before they blink and wonder what is real
Devour sharp, contemporary fiction like Crazy Rich Asians and Such a Fun Age
Love luxury-world settings, moral gray areas, and plot twists that sting like acetone on a paper cut
Will the polish crack, or will the algorithm win?
The Influencer’s Canvas peels back the gel-coat glam to expose the messy, human nailbed beneath, then asks whether authenticity can survive once the cameras stop rolling.
One retreat. Two weeks. A million followers waiting.
Swipe in if you dare.
Free People Free People
The Lie That Changed Everything is a memoir that blends sharp humour, biting honesty, and painful recollections into a story that feels both chaotic and deeply human. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book goes right back to the moment that shaped me—a childish lie I swore on my father’s life, followed by his cancer diagnosis. For years, I carried the belief that I had somehow killed him. That single moment of guilt became the thread that ran through my childhood and beyond, influencing how I saw myself, my family, and even my faith.
Writing The Lie That Changed Everything was my way of holding that memory up to the light and finally making sense of it. But it’s not just about trauma—it’s about the absurdity of family life, the strange superstitions that guided us, and the humour that helped me survive. I wanted to show that even in chaos, there’s resilience and laughter, and that being human means carrying contradictions: grief and comedy, shame and love, darkness and light.
How did you decide what to include and leave out in your memoir?
That was one of the most complex parts of the process. Some of my family were opposed to me writing memoirs—both The Hate Game and The Lie That Changed Everything—because it’s difficult to face the dysfunction that runs through our family. But after years of working as a child protection social worker with hundreds of families, I know dysfunction is universal. The difference lies in whether we discuss it or keep it buried.
I chose to write my truth, but I also left things out. Some situations were too private, too sensitive, or simply not mine to tell. Respect was a guiding principle. What’s on the page is my perspective—my memories, my emotions—rather than an exposé. My brother, who is nine years older, helped me fill in gaps from the early years, and between his input and my mother’s knack for remembering everything, I had a wealth of detail to draw from. I’ve been blessed—or cursed—with an elephant’s memory of my own, so much of it was already stored in my brain in glorious technicolour.
In the end, I included what served the story, what illuminated the themes of guilt, resilience, and humour, and what felt authentic to share. A memoir isn’t the whole truth of a life—it’s the truth of a particular journey.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part was working through the trauma—breaking the silence I’d carried for decades. I hadn’t told a soul about the grief and guilt that shaped me. Fear and shame kept my story bottled up. Sitting down to write meant opening old wounds, but it also gave me a way to release them.
The most rewarding part has been the liberation that followed. Over the years, I discovered that I could share painful stories and still make people laugh, even in the darkness. Writing allowed me to see my parents in a different light, too. I came to understand how their own trauma defined them, and that gave me compassion instead of just confusion.
Ultimately, the memoir has helped me stop being defined by the same pain. I often say: hurt people hurt people; free people free people. Writing this book was my step into freedom.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope readers come away with the sense that it’s possible to carry both laughter and pain in the same story. Life is rarely one-dimensional—grief can sit beside humour, shame beside love, darkness beside resilience. For a long time, I thought my story was only about guilt and trauma, but writing showed me it was just as much about survival, absurdity, and even joy.
I was thrilled with one review that said, “If you enjoyed Angela’s Ashes, you’ll love The Lie That Changed Everything. My late mum’s favourite book of all time was Angela’s Ashes. To be compared with Frank McCourt’s work was very humbling, and my mum would be so chuffed to hear such a compliment.
If readers realise they’re not alone in their chaos: that silence can be broken, that healing can happen through honesty, and that humour can be a lifeline—then the book has fulfilled its purpose.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The Lie That Changed Everything is the story of a boy who was made to swear a lie on his father’s life, dreamed of his death, and witnessed it happen.
Trew’s story unfolds with unfiltered honesty and laugh-out-loud British humour as he reflects on a childhood marked by chaos, confusion and unexpected moments of grace. Set in the ’60s and ’70s, across RAF bases, hilarious first kisses and a botched “Ten Pound Pom” migration to Australia, the memoir centers on a mum who could scare the devil with her “scriptures” and a war-hero dad, whose reclusiveness left a heartache that humour alone couldn’t fill.
One little rascal. One very big lie. And one funny, unforgettable ride. Perfect for fans of Sedaris, Angela’s Ashes and The Glass Castle; Trew’s tale is as heartbreaking as it is hilarious.
A Touch of Fantasy
Bugs That Bug You is a rhyming story centered around a young boy frustrated by the numerous bugs that inconvenience him at every turn. Where did the idea for this story come from?
Yes, I experienced bugs who bugged me at the time. A very annoying fly would buzz around my head every morning and wake me up. Then a cockroach flew directly towards me. This is what inspired me to write the book.
What is it that draws you to write children’s literature?
I love the fun of it all. Usually, children’s literature has a positive tone to it, and you can add a bit of fantasy to it. This is why I love childrens literature, you can almost come up with anything you like 😊
Is there anything from your own childhood included in Fred’s character or his experiences?
Yes, we had weasels in our oats when I was a child; that’s why I added the weasels to Fred’s breakfast.
Can young readers look forward to seeing more from Fred? What are you currently working on?
At the moment, there’s nothing more from Fred. But you never know I might come up with in the future. I’m currently working on “Oh Dear, There’s Gum in My Hair,” a series of “Oh No, There’s Poo on My Shoe.”
Thank you, I hope you enjoy my books. Thanks Again
Author Website
It all begins when a fly buzzes around his head first thing in the morning. Then come the weevils in his breakfast, a moth that munches a hole in his favourite jacket, and an ant that crawls up his pants!
As the day goes on, more and more bugs appear, and Fred is getting fed up. But Mum has some wise words: don’t let the bugs bug you – enjoy the rest of the day!
A fun, rhyming story full of pesky pests, giggles, and a gentle reminder to shake off the small stuff and keep smiling.
The Influencer’s Canvas
Julia Zolotova’s The Influencer’s Canvas follows the story of Miss X, a nail artist in London who moonlights as a secret observer of the influencer elite. Through her eyes, we’re pulled behind the glittering façade of social media perfection into a shadowy, often absurd retreat called Elysian Fields. The book begins with her being invited to this exclusive Maldives getaway, not as a guest but as staff, which provides the perfect cover for her ongoing project of documenting influencers’ hidden lives. As she paints nails, she extracts confessions, each one staining her metaphorical canvas. The novel is part satire, part social critique, and part psychological thriller. It starts like a sly comedy of manners and gradually spirals into something darker, with undertones of surveillance, manipulation, and existential dread lurking beneath the pastel filters and hashtags.
I found myself laughing at the sharp wit in Zolotova’s writing, especially when she skewers the hollowness of influencer culture. The exaggerations feel absurd yet somehow believable, and the sarcasm keeps the prose lively. At the same time, there’s a humanity beneath it all that surprised me. The influencers are ridiculous, but they’re also broken and vulnerable. Watching them unravel during the so-called digital detox was oddly moving. I caught myself sympathizing with characters I initially rolled my eyes at, which I didn’t expect.
There were moments when the cynicism felt relentless. Sometimes the satire veered so sharply it almost cut through the story itself, leaving me more amused than invested. But then a line of vulnerability or fear would slip in, and I’d be pulled right back. The pacing was also unusual, swinging from slow, detailed observations to sudden bursts of drama. At first, I thought it was uneven, but eventually I realized it mirrored the chaotic rhythm of online life, the lulls, the surges, the constant undercurrent of performance.
The Influencer’s Canvas is clever, biting, and unexpectedly tender. It’s a book for anyone curious about the machinery behind the glossy feeds and hashtags. I’d recommend it especially to readers who enjoy satire with teeth, people fascinated by social media’s impact, and anyone who likes their fiction served with equal parts glamour and grit.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0DFX3Q3VC
Bugs That Bug You
Fred is stuck in one of those days, the kind where nothing goes right and everything seems to crawl, buzz, or flutter in his way. From the first fly that zips past his head in the morning, the mischief snowballs. Breakfast is sabotaged by sneaky weasels, a moth takes a bite out of his jacket, and an ant boldly marches up his pants. With each new annoyance, Fred’s frustration grows, yet the chaos unfolds with such playful absurdity that young readers can’t help but laugh.
The rhyming text keeps the pace snappy and musical, making it a delight to read aloud. Rhythm transforms Fred’s exasperation into comic relief, so giggles replace groans. Children will revel in the silliness of every buggy encounter, while parents will appreciate the subtle reminder tucked into the fun: sometimes, the small irritations of life aren’t worth letting ruin the entire day.
The heart of the story beats through Fred’s mum, who gently nudges him to lighten up and find joy despite the pests. Her presence grounds the tale, offering both comfort and a lesson that lingers, resilience matters, whether you’re fending off flies or bigger frustrations.
Illustrations amplify the humor, packed with detail and plenty of creepy-crawlies to spot and discuss. They invite conversation, laughter, and the chance to share in Fred’s exasperation while enjoying the spectacle.
Bugs That Bug You balances humor with heart. It’s a picture book that entertains while quietly teaching the importance of perspective. With rhyme, rhythm, and a parade of pesky intruders, it earns its place as a storytime favorite, one children will request again and again, and parents won’t mind rereading.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0FMKPNXKM
SEVEN BLACKBIRDS
Seven Blackbirds tells the story of Kim, a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, struggling to protect herself and her infant son while trying to reconcile her past hopes with the starkness of her reality. The book moves through moments of violence, fear, and shame, but also into fragile glimpses of self-discovery and resilience. It shifts between memory and present action, weaving together family histories, friendships, and the slow, painful recognition of what love is not. At its heart, it is a book about survival and the small but vital sparks of strength that carry someone through darkness.
The writing is plainspoken, and that’s what makes it sting. There are no flourishes to soften the blows. The scenes of abuse hit hard because they’re described without sensationalism, just matter-of-fact, as if the narrator is bracing herself in silence. At times, I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. I found myself angry, then sad, then oddly relieved when Kim found small moments of clarity. What struck me most was how the book captured the inner confusion, the push and pull of wanting to believe things will get better, even when the evidence piles up that they won’t. It’s uncomfortable, but it feels real.
Sometimes the pacing slowed in places. I’d get pulled deep into a scene, then taken through passages that felt more like personal notes. But life under control and abuse isn’t tidy. It’s messy, repetitive, and often without resolution. What I admired most was how the book carried its emotional weight without preaching. It didn’t tell me how to feel; it just put me in the room and let me sit there until I had to come up with my own reaction.
By the time I finished, I felt both heavy and grateful. This isn’t an easy book, but it’s an important one. I’d recommend it to readers who want a story that isn’t afraid of discomfort, people who are drawn to voices that speak plainly about pain yet carry a thread of stubborn hope. It would resonate with those interested in women’s stories, in survival, and in the quiet bravery of telling the truth when silence might feel safer.
Pages: 268 | ASIN : B0037UY4U2
LITERARY TITAN 