Blog Archives
Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens: Regarding Robberies and Racehorses
Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens, by Elaine Mary Griffin, follows Chester Carter, a young apprentice banker whose quiet life is split open the moment two faux “Indians” rob Tate’s Bank and Loans. What begins as a simple theft spirals into a sprawling tangle of runaway horses, whispered scandals, shady racetrack dealings, and the slow unraveling of a small town’s pride. Chester records his part in the affair with a naive honesty that grows into something bigger than the robbery itself. The story shifts from a chase through fields and woods to a look at the fragile systems of trust and money that bind Fairmount together. Bit by bit, Chester becomes a witness not only to crime but to the way people hide their fears behind bluster, gossip, or a stiff cravat.
The writing has a playful rhythm, almost like the narrator is trying to impress me while telling me the truth. Sometimes the sentences wander, and I found myself smiling at how Chester must know he is rambling but keeps going anyway. I liked that. It made the town feel lived in and hot and dusty, and it made Chester feel real. The humor landed for me, too, especially in the early scenes at the bank where Mr. Tate blusters around while Chester tries not to sweat through his collar. I did feel the pacing slow in a few places, but the charm of the voice always pulled me back.
The ideas tucked inside the story surprised me most. On the surface, it is a tale about stolen notes and a clumsy hunt for culprits. Underneath, it pokes at bigger things. Pride. Fear. The way a community reacts when it feels threatened. I felt a quiet sadness in Chester as he tries to navigate expectations from Mr. Tate, from the Sheriff, from Alida, and even from the people he barely knows who talk big at the racetrack. The writing never lectures. Instead, it nudges, which made the moments of insight hit harder. I caught myself rooting for Chester as he stumbles toward adulthood without quite realizing that is what he is doing.
I recommend Shadows in the Pleasure Gardens to readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction, coming-of-age stories wrapped in small mysteries, and tales told with voice and warmth. It is a gentle story with a sharp eye, and it will suit anyone who likes stories that take their time and offer humor, grit, and a little heart all at once.
Pages: 261 | ISBN : 978-1685136123
The Need for a Futurist Story
The Chip follows a brilliant CEO who finds the world bends to his every whim after he secretly implants an advanced AI chip in his brain. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The need for a futurist story that would begin with one man that want to manipulate the world and with technology gets this power.
What is it that draws you to the technothriller genre?
Its exciting to picture a world that is not to far away from our ways but just around the corner yet is more interesting to see new technologies to play along the main story.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?
Í painted a fictional story but given the right circumstances Humans are able to behave in irrational ways that everyone relate or understands it that can actually bring realistic thoughts and emotions to the reader while is a techno thriller story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a story that is starting to boil in my head that is very ambitious. However, right now I am sitting on this book to see some reactions to it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Thank God For The Sinners
Thank God for the Sinners follows Rick Price through a chaotic life shaped by violence, lust, trauma, and the constant pull of self-destruction. The book opens with Rick in a seedy Chinese hotel, where a sexual encounter spirals into a death that sets the tone for everything that follows. His past and present crash into each other as he traces the roots of his darkness through childhood injuries, family dysfunction, rage, and addiction. The narrative swings between his time abroad, entangled with corrupt businessmen, and his early life on Long Island, where pain and fear molded him into someone who can’t decide if he’s cursed or simply wired wrong.
The writing hits hard without trying to be fancy. It’s blunt, messy, and weirdly charming in parts because Rick is both awful and strangely human. I felt uncomfortable many times. I also laughed a little because the voice is so honest that even the worst moments feel like confessions from a guy who knows he’s a walking disaster. The early scenes, like the baby nurse incident and the diaper accident with his brother, stuck with me. They’re told with this eerie calm that made me feel like I was sitting across from Rick while he casually unpacked a lifetime of bruises.
I also found myself reacting emotionally to how the book explores shame. The scenes in China are wild and reckless, yet the real punch comes from how Rick narrates his loneliness and fear right underneath all the bravado. The book doesn’t soften him or try to redeem him. Instead, it lets him expose his scars in his own voice. I caught myself rooting for him even though he’s digging himself deeper into chaos. The whole thing feels like reading someone’s secret diary that was never meant to be found.
I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy dark, confessional stories that don’t pull any punches. If you like memoir-style fiction that feels like a whirlwind of bad choices, trauma, humor, and raw honesty, this book is worth your time. This book reads like a harsher, more chaotic cousin to Fight Club, trading sleek rebellion for something messier and more personal. It also carries the bruised honesty of A Million Little Pieces, only with fewer apologies and a lot more bite.
Pages: 348 | ASIN : B0F9BQMF9Z
The Legacy of Prairie Winds: Third Edition
The Legacy of Prairie Winds is a sweeping historical fiction novel that follows young Johann Gehring, a German immigrant who leaves everything he knows in 1881 to build a life on the wide-open prairie of Nebraska. The book opens with vivid scenes of his family conflict, his difficult voyage across the Atlantic, and his first uncertain steps into a new world. From there, it widens into a multi-generational story about hardship, faith, love, and the slow shaping of a family’s place on the land. The tone shifts between raw struggle and quiet beauty, giving the reader a sense of how fragile and powerful hope can be in an unforgiving landscape.
I kept feeling as if the author were guiding me by the elbow, pointing out details I might miss on my own. The depictions of the Sandhills, for example, stay with me. The grasslands are described with a kind of reverence, but they’re never sentimental. They’re hard, windswept, and sometimes lonely, which makes Johann’s determination feel all the more human. I rooted for him from the start. His fight with his father, his fear on the ship, and his first shaky steps in Nebraska all felt believable because they’re grounded in everyday sensations. The book doesn’t rush. It lets moments breathe, even the uncomfortable ones.
I also appreciated how the story handles the emotional weight of immigration. The scenes of steerage life on the ship, the seasickness, the smell, the fear of disease, and the simple joy of fresh air form a collage of what leaving home really costs. Yet the author doesn’t lean on drama alone. There are tender beats too, especially Johann’s fleeting friendship with Astrid, which adds a spark of warmth in the middle of all the uncertainty. Some passages read almost like oral history, others like a quiet journal entry. The rhythm switches between short, sharp observations and longer, reflective stretches, mirroring the uneven pace of real life. It made me slow down and sit with the characters instead of just watching them move.
By the end, I felt the book was less about the events themselves and more about how people hold on to themselves while the world shifts under their feet. The prairie becomes a character. So does the wind. So does hope. If you enjoy historical fiction that feels intimate rather than sprawling, or stories about immigration, family legacy, and the grit behind ordinary lives, this book will speak to you. It’s a gentle but steady read, ideal for someone who wants to be immersed in a place and a time rather than hurried through them.
Pages: 380 | ASIN : B0FC2Z7SP8
An Incredible Experience
You May Conquer: Facing What Others Have Met takes readers on a journey into the lives of biblical figures and modern leaders who, when faced with adversity, did not crumble but rose higher and shared the lessons learned from their struggles. Your book highlights the transformative power of adversity and how it can be channeled into a positive experience. How have you experienced this in your own life, and what lessons did you learn from it?
I found that as I began to work with my mother at her job, there was a lot of pressure on me, because she is a supervisor. So I didn’t want people to think I was a nepotism hire. I worked hard, very hard. And I earned my place alongside my co-workers. I felt the initial adversity, but surprised myself with how hard I worked.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
I had always heard good things about the life and times of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., but the more I researched, the more I was truly impressed. He had to be willing to give his life for ideals. I was truly surprised at his life’s record.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from You May Conquer?
That we are in this world living an incredible experience that is greater than all of us. That when we realize how much responsibility we owe, I hope readers too see that we should never back down from adversity, we should exhibit bravery and courage, and surprise even ourselves.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In You May Conquer: Facing What Others Have Met, Devon J. Francois & Woody R. Clermont take readers on a sweeping journey through scripture, history, and modern life, uncovering how ordinary people and world-changing leaders alike found strength in struggle. From Joseph in Egypt and Job’s unwavering faith, to Harriet Tubman’s courage, Nelson Mandela’s resilience, Martin Luther King Jr.’s perseverance, Helen Keller’s vision, Malala Yousafzai’s bravery, and beyond—these stories show that trials do not define us, but how we respond to them does.
Blending timeless wisdom with contemporary insight, this book explores:
How obstacles can become teachers rather than enemies
Why authority without humility collapses under its own weight
The inner battles that often matter more than external ones
Lessons of leadership from figures as diverse as Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Robin Williams, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Oprah Winfrey, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Practical encouragement for living the lessons “out loud” in your own life
Written with clarity, conviction, and compassion, You May Conquer is not about avoiding adversity—it is about transforming it. It is a book for anyone who has been tested, knocked down, or underestimated, and who still believes that the struggle can produce something greater.
The message is clear: adversity is not the end. It is the training ground. And you, too, may conquer.
Discovering Her Courage
Flee follows a Marine Reserve and librarian-in-training, who, while on a bus journey to a family reunion, ends up in a desperate fight for survival after a nuclear catastrophe devastates Washington State. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In Escape, the first book in the Haven series, survivors make their way to Haven in waves—some travel alone, some in groups, some are injured, and some barely hold on. As I wrote the story, I realized that not everyone could reach safety at the same time. Some characters are close, while others are far away, trapped in the chaos when the world ended. This opened the door for individual stories of struggle, loss, and survival to unfold simultaneously.
While I worked through book one, Sadie’s absence lingered as a question—for me and, eventually, for readers. Flee grew out of my need to answer it. I wanted to explore the survival of someone without immediate shelter, someone caught in transit when everything collapsed, and someone forced to fight—both physically and emotionally—to make it home.
Sadie is a woman with strength and incredible intellect. What do you think makes her a valuable and worthy heroine?
In Escape, I introduced the “five musketeers.” Three of the women are entering adulthood, and Sadie has always been the instigator. While Beth is quieter and still discovering her courage, Sadie knows her own strength and intellect—and isn’t afraid to use them. She may possess the drive to take what she wants out of life, but she falters with love and vulnerability. Sadie challenges the control men in her life exert upon her, pushing her to rebel. Her journey is about finding balance—between strength and trust—and that evolution truly defines her as a heroine.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
I’m a visual person, so to write action scenes with weapon elements, I needed to first understand fighting techniques and the moves involved. Watching my son earn his junior black belt in Taekwondo taught me a lot in real time—especially about defending yourself in various positions and how hard it is to fight for your life. Understanding the difference between weight classes and genders was also crucial. You can be small and still cause damage, but at what cost? Then there’s the added layer of weapons and the types that may be involved. As Sadie says, “Knife trumps stick.” She knew there would be a cost, though.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Even though the women are my protagonists, my two secondary characters, Donovan and Hoss, stayed at the forefront of my mind during these two books. Donovan is an open book to my readers. He craves control to maintain stability in his life and demands it from his children and everyone around him. Hoss, on the other hand, is a laid-back, “you do you” kind of man. My readers know little about him—something I intentionally kept vague—but there are breadcrumbs scattered throughout if they look closely enough.
After doing their family trees, I realized I gave Donovan more daughters and Hoss more sons. I researched which gender was easier to raise, and the results were interesting, so I played on that. (Sons are easier, it appears.)
Beth isn’t blood-related, so I started with her story first in Escape. The found-family trope is strong throughout my stories. In Flee, we circle back to follow Donovan’s oldest, Sadie, as she battles to reach Haven. Donovan’s second oldest, Gina, appears in Beth’s story and continues her journey in the second book. In the third and fourth books, Hoss’s family becomes my focus, revealing more about Hoss’s background. Though he might sport funny sayings on his t-shirts and love recon, Hoss has many layers to peel back.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Facing the collapse of civilization, a feisty and independent young woman embarks on a perilous adventure that pushes her to her limits and challenges her long-held goals.
The missile marked the beginning of Sadie’s nightmare. The demands of a crumbling society, dangerous terrain, and her own weakening, feverish body will test her courage.
Sadie wants to flee to the safety of her family’s compound, where Liam waits, and the ache in her chest is a constant reminder of her feelings for him.
Despite his calm exterior, Liam anxiously awaits Sadie’s arrival. More questions than answers remain: Where is Sadie? Why hasn’t she made it to Haven like the fortunate few?
Hunter has his own plans. Escaping the taint of his family’s criminal past puts him in Sadie’s path. She struggles to trust him. Forced together, their connection deepens, placing her family and all of Haven in extraordinary danger.
Survival depends on Sadie taking control of her own life and deciding whom to trust and whom to love. Her decision could set her free…or destroy her and everyone she loves.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Haven with these memorable characters, experiencing twists and turns you look for in a fast-paced, gripping read.
A tangled web of love, shifting loyalties, and explosive conflicts drives the Haven series forward, with the same intensity and passion as Kyla Stone’s Edge of collapse saga.
Literary Titan Gold Award Winner
New Dreams and Career Possibilities
Charli’s Pawsome Park follows a curious girl who meets a landscape architect and wonders if she could design her own dog park, so with the help of her friends, she does, but not without some challenges. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I taught 2nd and 3rd Grade, and I well remember the perpetual question of “WHY do we need to learn this?” With this series, I’m showing kids the why behind STEM activities and education. I want them to see that STEM can be fun and practically applied. Hopefully, this will open their eyes to new dreams and career possibilities.
Is there anything about Charli that came from yourself or your life experiences?
Like Charli, I’ve always loved school and learning new things. But when I was a child, girls were not really encouraged to pursue STEM fields. I want to help change that narrative so that my own granddaughters and their peers know that they can choose any educational and career paths they desire.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
Chapter 3 shows Charli and Molly brainstorming ideas for the dorsal device. This scene introduces the themes that are more deeply explored in the rest of the book: leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, empathy, and female empowerment.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Charli and the direction of the next book?
Charli’s Dorsal Device: An Engineering Adventure is Book #3 in this series. In it, Charli owns her engineering company and designs a GPS tracking device for a dolphin.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Peaches and Jake Celebrate Christmas
Peaches and Jake Celebrate Christmas is a sweet little story about two rescue pups waking up on Christmas morning to discover the surprises Santa left them under the tree. They each get giant bones and then two toys, a moose for Jake and a fox for Peaches, and the rest of the day unfolds with the dogs learning what to do with their gifts. Jake destroys his moose with pure joy, Peaches figures out that Foxie makes a perfect nap buddy, and their mom watches over the whole thing with so much love. It feels like flipping through a family photo album where every picture tells its own tiny story.
There is a softness to the writing that feels like someone talking to me from their couch with their dogs at their feet. The real photos of Peaches and Jake add charm because they are so expressive. I kept giggling at Peaches trying to figure out Foxie. And the whole saga of Moosie slowly losing limbs and stuffing had me cracking up. There is something sweet about how Jake loves that toy even when it becomes a little fabric scrap. It says a lot about how dogs attach meaning to things and how we do the same sometimes without even realizing it.
I also liked how the book shows the two dogs having such different personalities. Jake barrels into Christmas like it is the best day of the year. Peaches moves carefully and watches everyone else first. It reminded me of how different pets can be, even when they grow up in the same home. The photos on almost every page make it easy to stay engaged. Honestly, it felt a little like being invited into the author’s living room to watch a memory replay itself.
I think this picture book is perfect for young kids who like animals and for grown-ups who just want something soft and happy to read. It is especially lovely for dog lovers or anyone who enjoys holiday stories that feel real and cozy. If you want a children’s book that brings a smile without trying too hard, this one is a great choice. It is playful, sweet, and full of genuine affection, and that makes it a wonderful holiday read for families.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B0DFDWN1SN
LITERARY TITAN 