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Devil’s Spit follows a rum-drenched city guard with a haunted past who is investigating a brutal murder scene with six bodies, which leads him into a far-reaching conspiracy putting his own life in jeopardy. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I thought it would be great fun to have an action detective novel set inside a fantasy world. It’s not a detective novel without a detective who’s really messed up and Inspector Greaves from the Ironbay city guard plays that role. His assistant and sidekick Probationary Constable Nigel Owens provides some comic relief and some unexpected surprises.
The novel is a prequel to the Ironborn Saga and we see a whole pile of the characters that are in the series, in different roles and different stages of their lives. That’s fun for people who’ve already read the other books in the series and it also sets up those books for those who haven’t. I wrote the book so you didn’t have to read any other Ironborn Saga novels to enjoy it, but if you have there are nuggets sprinkled all through it.
What was the inspiration for the culture of your characters? Is it modeled after any particular society?
Devil’s Spit is set in Ironbay, the main city in my Ironborn Saga. It’s a prequel and this version of Ironbay is full of corrupt, murderous gangs, and people scraping to eke out a living. The city has a very vague English industrial feel to it but it’s not modeled after a specific society.
I felt that Devil’s Spit delivers the drama so well that it flirts with the grimdark genre. Was it your intention to give the story a darker tone?
In the Ironborn novels, I try to make them violent enough that you feel like the main characters are in real peril when you read the books. I also try to even that out with humour sprinkled in. And in my novels, it’s common for the main character to succeed to a certain extent. So it’s not really grimdark, just on the edges of it.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on the next book in the Ironborn Saga. We return to Ironbay and Crutch dealing with what’s left of the city after City Of Corpses. It should be released sometime in the next 3 months.
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But this is no ordinary murder. The conspiracy reaches higher than Inspector Greaves could ever have anticipated and uncovering it could lead to his death and the deaths of everyone he cares about. Can Inspector Greaves reveal the true murderer? Can he and Sergeant Zander’s royal marines survive protecting the innocent when every criminal and Ironbay’s corrupt city guard are determined to kill them?
Literary Titan Rating: 5/5
“Devil’s Spit is a gritty, booze-soaked detective noir tucked inside a fantasy world teeming with corruption, gang violence, and moral rot. The story follows Inspector Jack Greaves, a rum-drenched city guard with a haunted past, as he investigates a brutal murder scene that turns out to be more than just another night in Ironbay. With a rookie constable at his side and enemies lurking around every corner, Greaves dives headfirst into a tangled mess of bodies, secrets, and vendettas that refuse to stay buried.
This book had me hooked from the first swig of devil’s spit. The writing is razor-sharp, fast-paced, and just oozes atmosphere.”
This exciting, action packed prequel to the Ironborn Saga has surprises that set up book #9 in the series, with a wide range of characters including Sergeant Zander, Quicksilver, Longshot, Doc, Jasper, Mincer, Crutch, and Cedric.
IMPORTANT: This prequel is a stand alone novel that sets up book #9 in The Ironborn Saga. It is a stand alone novel but it is essential reading before you read book #9.
Devil’s Spit: Prequel to The Ironborn Saga
Devil’s Spit is a gritty, booze-soaked detective noir tucked inside a fantasy world teeming with corruption, gang violence, and moral rot. The story follows Inspector Jack Greaves, a rum-drenched city guard with a haunted past, as he investigates a brutal murder scene that turns out to be more than just another night in Ironbay. With a rookie constable at his side and enemies lurking around every corner, Greaves dives headfirst into a tangled mess of bodies, secrets, and vendettas that refuse to stay buried.
This book had me hooked from the first swig of devil’s spit. The writing is razor-sharp, fast-paced, and just oozes atmosphere. That opening scene? Chef’s kiss. Greaves gambling away his last coin while downing the nastiest rum in Ironbay, sitting across from Malrick “the Spider,” oozes tension and worldbuilding without ever slowing down. The rum hierarchy alone—ranging from royal honeysap to the gut-rotting devil’s spit—says more about the city’s soul than any info dump ever could. Cavanagh’s prose is tight, punchy, and unpretentious. You feel the, the weight of Greaves’ regrets, and the heavy buzz of danger around every alley corner.
What really made the story sing for me, though, was Greaves himself. He’s the perfect mess of jaded, broken, and quietly noble. I loved how he lies through his teeth, drinks like it’ll stop the ghosts in his head, but still throws himself into danger to protect a girl he doesn’t even know. That whole bit with Boulder—the sweet, gentle giant pretending to be an “angry dog” to scare off thugs was surprisingly wholesome in a book full of body parts and gangsters. Also, Greaves biting off a dude’s thumb and spitting it out mid-fight was horrifyingly satisfying. There’s violence, yeah, but it never feels gratuitous. Every drop of blood feels like it means something.
Devil’s Spit is a wild and bloody ride through a city where justice is hanging on by a thread and everyone’s got a knife hidden somewhere. If you’re into detective stories with a fantasy twist, flawed but fascinating characters, and a whole lot of creative cussing, you’re gonna love this. Fans of The Lies of Locke Lamora, grimdark fantasy, or even just gritty noir with heart—this one’s got your name written all over it.
“What Do You Want?”
Choice follows the Archbishop Gerhard and other key characters as they navigate issues of war, leadership, betrayal, and the ethical conflicts that arise when faith and power intersect. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well there really isn’t any specific inspiration. You could definitely say a song of ice and fire and the age of madness but the one comparison that surprised me the most was when one of my critique partners said it reminded him of blood meridian.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
It was partly historical, a bit of reverse African colonialism, but it never really changed—it just expanded as I was writing. I thought, if they came from a distant land, wouldn’t they bring their animals? And if they hated the locals and thought of them as simple-minded savages, why? It all just kind of built from there.
I find that, while writing, you sometimes ask questions and have the characters answer them. Do you find that to be true? What questions did you ask yourself while writing this story?
Yeah, I do that. The one big question I always ask the character is, ‘What do you want, and how far are you willing to go to get it?’ To me, that’s what makes the story.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
My goal is to have the first draft of book 2 finished by summer of 2025 and, hopefully, have my editor done with it by fall. The events of book two will take place in Brevina, north east of Ustrabela, and revolve around the order’s defense from the savage invasion in the north.
In a world where magical powers are only attained through a grim practice—child sacrifice—lies the high kingdom of Ustrabela. Amidst a decade-long interregnum, the realm teeters on the brink of chaos. Yet, a new peril looms as northern savage warlocks muster for invasion. The defense of the realm hangs in the balance, entrusted to the Order of God’s Hand. However, their mission faces a dire setback as a cunning warlock named Odo absconds with crucial contracts essential for funding the campaign against the encroaching northern menace.
Enter Gerhard, a corrupt and lascivious archbishop. He offers to reveal the location of the knights who massacred Odo’s family in exchange for the stolen contracts. Desperate to recover these documents, the Order dispatches three knights—Heinrich, Dietmar, and Gutwin—on a mission to track down Odo and retrieve the contracts before the Order’s funds are exhausted.
Failure is not an option. If Heinrich, Dietmar, and Gutwin do not succeed, Ustrabela and the southern realms will be left defenseless against the savage warlocks of the North. As the knights pursue Odo, they must navigate the treacherous political waters stirred by Archbishop Gerhard. Will they recover the contracts in time, or will they become ensnared in the archbishop’s schemes, leaving their homeland vulnerable to destruction?
Choice (Desperate Echoes book 1)
Choice by Lucius Tarquinius takes readers through a complex and morally ambiguous world set in a medieval-like era filled with power struggles, political maneuvering, and personal dilemmas. The narrative centers around the Archbishop Gerhard and other key characters as they navigate issues of war, leadership, betrayal, and the ethical conflicts that arise when faith and power intersect. With a plot that shifts between deep philosophical conversations and intense, sometimes violent, confrontations, this book dives deep into the nature of free will, authority, and the consequences of our decisions.
One thing that stands out in this book is the intricate world-building. The lore is rich and full of historical references to events like the “departure of the Gone God,” creating a unique backdrop for the characters’ actions. The author also does a great job of using dialogue to reveal the moral complexities the characters face. Archbishop Gerhard’s conversation with the order knight is both cunning and morally perplexing. You can’t help but get sucked into the twisted, almost manipulative reasoning characters use to justify their actions. It’s fascinating to watch characters like Gerhard skillfully navigate these tense moments, even if his choices often left me unsettled. Tarquinius has a tendency to jump between formal language and colloquialisms that sometimes feel out of place in this historical setting. These abrupt changes in tone distracted me from fully immersing in the world at times. However, I also found these quirks amusing, giving the characters a weird relatability in an otherwise dark and distant world. Emotionally, the book isn’t afraid to make you uncomfortable. One of the hardest scenes to read was when Lina, a young girl, is poisoned as part of a grim necessity in a power play. The chilling rationale behind the act—choosing the “least bad” option—sticks with you long after you’ve put the book down. It’s not a comfortable read, and often, the characters’ decisions are morally gray at best. This complexity makes the book stand out from more traditional fantasy novels where good and evil are clearly defined.
Choice by Lucius Tarquinius is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of power, morality, and the consequences of our decisions. The vivid world-building, complex characters, and the moral dilemmas they face create an immersive reading experience that kept me hooked from beginning to end. While the writing style can sometimes be unconventional, it adds a unique charm that makes the characters feel relatable, even in such a dark and fantastical setting. If you’re a fan of rich, morally complex stories that challenge you to think deeply about human nature, this book is a must-read. I’d highly recommend it to readers who love dark fantasy with layers of philosophical intrigue.
Pages: 413 | ASIN : B0D62GB532
Professor Hex Vs. Texas Men: Where Women’s Rights and Revenge Fantasy Meet
Professor Hex Vs. Texas Men, by Melanie S. Wolfe, offers a biting dark comedy that holds a mirror up to the stark realities facing women in states with stringent abortion laws. Through the lens of fantasy, Wolfe constructs a narrative that, while fictional, resonates deeply with the ongoing debates over women’s bodily autonomy in America. The novel creatively explores what happens when these roles are reversed, with men experiencing pregnancy and the associated challenges.
The story centers around Professor Hex, a character who, despite not being entirely human, navigates human society with poignant observations and interactions. Alongside Professor Hex, we follow Holly, a news anchor on trial for what is perceived as a botched abortion following a miscarriage, and her husband, Juan, a police officer who finds himself pregnant. The trio’s journey touches on sensitive issues such as women’s rights and male pregnancy, asking readers to maintain an open mind and remember the fictional nature of the work, even as the themes it discusses press closely to reality. Wolfe’s writing is clear and engaging, making it easy to empathize with the characters and their predicaments. The reversal of traditional roles not only highlights the importance of bodily autonomy but also offers a unique perspective that may help readers to better understand the stakes involved. Wolfe challenges us to consider the lasting implications of reproductive rights restrictions through a narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Keeping an open mind will allow the reader to fully engage with this intriguing blend of fantasy and reality.
Melanie S. Wolfe’s Professor Hex Vs. Texas Men is a compelling exploration of serious issues through a fantastical lens, effectively challenging readers to think critically about gender, autonomy, and the consequences of legislative control over personal freedoms. By infusing her narrative with dark humor and role reversals, Wolfe not only makes the subject matter more approachable but also underscores the universal importance of empathy and understanding in discussions about rights and identity. This book is a noteworthy addition to conversations about societal issues, offering a unique and engaging perspective that encourages deep reflection and dialogue.
Pages: 283 | ASIN : B0CNG4C2FB
Intersection of the Things I Love
Beauty & the Alchemist follows a pragmatic alchemist who is drawn into a web of intrigue involving a jailbreak, a mysterious murder, and an ancient curse, alongside a witty dog familiar and a diverse cast of magical beings. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I think my answer to this question changes each time someone asks! At its core, Beauty and the Alchemist is an intersection of the things I love: puzzles, fantasy, adventures in old castles, big fluffy dogs, and of course, books. I wrote it at a time when I needed someone like pragmatic Red in my life to help me find a new path. So if I’m being truthful, my inspiration was quite simply my own desire for a story to get lost in–a story that would be both magical and comfortable, where seeing characters overcome their challenges could inspire me in my own life.
Red is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character development?
First of all, thank you! Red is near and dear to my heart. She is a perennial outsider, someone who bridges the gap between dualities–science and magic, skepticism and belief, honoring a past home and making a new one. One of the big ideals that Red will come to terms with (she gets a taste of it in Beauty and the Alchemist, but she still has some growing to do in future books!) is balance. Her work as an alchemist means that she knows a lot about balance in the natural world, but she’s going to have to learn to balance her need for facts with trust in her own intuition–not to mention balancing her identity as an outsider with trusting in her friends’ love and support. In a similar vein, one of Red’s personal ideals is a strong sense of justice, which certainly fuels her investigations!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
So, Beauty and the Alchemist is a fractured retelling of Beauty and the Beast . . . and let’s be honest, fairy tales often deal with themes of abuse. Two of the characters in Beauty have faced chronic gaslighting and undermining of their personal worth, and they react in very different ways. However, with the help of their friends, both characters ultimately take steps forward. This, to me, is the promise of “cozy” literature: there will be some adversity, but together, we will make things right. Additionally, Beauty and the Beast–again, like many fairy tales–deals heavily with appearance, and how appearances can either be deceptive or reflective of an inner truth. That’s a theme that lends itself very well to mystery, where a murderer could be hiding in plain sight. I admit I had some fun with that one!
And naturally, because Beauty and the Beast is a romance, there is a theme of love in this book too–not only romantic love but the love between friends as well. But certain relationships will unfold over the course of the series, so we only take baby steps in book one!
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
By a happy coincidence, today (December 8th, as I write to you) is the release day for book six in the Alchemical Tales series! Beauty and the Alchemist is book one, of course, and from there each new book in the series sees Red and her friends tackle a new–and murderous–fairy tale. The newest book, out now, finds Pinocchio mixed up in politics–and even a suspicious cult. (A bit on the nose, perhaps, as Officer Thorn might say!) It is titled Death Pulls the Strings. But again, that’s book six in the series; if you want the immediate follow-up to Beauty and the Alchemist, book two is called Cold as Snow. I truly enjoyed and learned from writing each book in The Alchemical Tales, and we still have more stories to go!
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In this magical mix-up of fairy tales and murder, Little Red Riding Hood solves the mystery at the heart of Beauty and the Beast . . .
What does it take to overcome a curse?
Traveling alchemist Red settles into life as a shopkeeper in rural Belville and expects to focus on her potions. But crime stops for no woman. Neither does Red’s friend, police officer Thorn! When a beastly criminal escapes to a nearby abandoned castle and is found murdered, Thorn immediately suspects Luca, a meek-mannered bookseller–not to mention Red’s best friend.
Red knows that there’s more to the castle–and the murder–than meets the eye. But as she rushes to prove Luca’s innocence, she’s beset by a not-dead-yet ghost, a beautiful and ill-tempered suspect, and a horde of mysterious mist creatures that terrify the town. Oh, and then there’s the series of lost books that hold the key to the castle’s curse! If Red and her friends can’t find the books and solve the mystery, Luca might not be the only one in trouble. But in idyllic Belville, appearances can be deceiving. Red will need all of her alchemical prowess and all the help she can get in order to uncover the truth behind this twisted tale.
Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect
Author PD Alleva takes terror to new heights, introducing a nightmarish clown into the mix. While many individuals have a clandestine fascination with horror and depravity, few are willing to admit it openly. However, what if an author went beyond the conventional “call of duty” to deliver a genuinely spine-chilling novel?
Enter Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect by PD Alleva—a harrowing tale that delves into the darkest corners of murder, violence, sexual assault, cannibalism, and suicide. This true horror narrative is not intended for the faint of heart. However, while many books claiming to be horror merely skim the surface of the genre’s potential, Jigglyspot boldly breaks through and leaves readers trembling in its wake, as it horrifies them in disturbing ways.
The story follows a cast of characters whose lives intertwine with Jigglyspot as he commits his unspeakable acts. The book’s contents are viscerally and profoundly terrible—exemplifying the essence of true horror. At times, it can be challenging to read, given the unspeakable nature of the acts depicted. Nevertheless, PD Alleva skillfully crafts Jigglyspot as a repugnant yet intriguing character, managing to captivate readers despite the discomfort that arises from enjoying a tale rooted in such abhorrent circumstances.
The author’s remarkable ability to unearth the darkest aspects of the human psyche and enthrall readers in the process is commendable. This work transcends the boundaries of the horror genre, commanding the reader’s attention from beginning to end.
Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect is a thrilling paranormal horror novel that keeps readers in suspense with each new chapter. PD Alleva gives readers more than just a horror novel; Jigglyspot’s character, while disturbing, draws the reader in with their story making this novel more than just a shock and awe horror tale. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to avid horror enthusiasts who seek an unyielding and uncompromising experience.
Pages: 570 | ASIN : B0BWSD6C13
The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen
The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen by Cameron A. Straughan is a collection of twenty-three chronological short stories about the day-to-day life of Anthony Zen. As illogical as this book may seem, the character is not fazed by the absurd adventures he has to face on a daily basis. Anthony is a man who runs to work without pants, owns a cat named Monty that rings, and finds this wacky behavior normal. This humorous tale of a man who lives his life to the fullest is wildly creative and entertaining. This eccentric story is full of shenanigans and outrageous creatures. It is a creative tale with backward logic that makes you laugh.
The book is brimming with wildly imaginative shenanigans and outrageous creatures that are sure to keep readers entertained. The writing is sophisticated and free of grammatical errors, making it a joy to read. Although I think the book would benefit from illustrations, the quality of the writing and the depth of the characters is enough to engage readers and take them on a journey through Anthony’s surreal world.
While most books with eccentric worlds have a set of rules that guide the reader, The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen does not. The author adds details seemingly at random, leaving readers in a state of anticipation, never knowing what to expect next. This unpredictability adds to the entertainment value and keeps readers in suspense.
The book’s structure is broken up in a way where each chapter functions as its own individual story, but the book consistently follows Anthony’s overall narrative. This non-traditional approach to storytelling is refreshing and makes the book stand out.
The Surreal Adventures of Anthony Zen is a well-written and creative book that offers a unique take on storytelling. It is certainly an enjoyable one that will leave readers both amused and engaged.
Pages: 191 | ASIN : B088LQF344
LITERARY TITAN 