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Gods of Glenhaven
Gods of Glenhaven is a raw, darkly funny, and deeply human story about people falling apart and trying to stitch themselves back together. It follows Christian Orr, a man sliding into middle age with a broken marriage, sexual dysfunction, and a pile of humiliations that somehow keep getting worse. His wife, Sloan, is a driven attorney who mistakes dominance for control until her life unravels, too. Their teenage daughter Francesca floats between them, trying to make sense of the wreckage. Around these three, the town of Glenhaven buzzes with gossip, longing, and absurdity. It’s a small world full of big emotions, where humor and despair share the same seat.
I found Statler’s writing disarmingly sharp. Every line feels alive with awkward truth. He doesn’t flinch from embarrassment or pain, and he writes humiliation with the kind of precision that made me both laugh and squirm. The dialogue is quick and biting, but the silences hit harder. Christian’s spiraling self-awareness feels almost too real at times; I could feel the claustrophobia of his failures and the absurd hope that something, anything, might still redeem him. Sloan, on the other hand, made me furious and fascinated in equal measure. She’s brittle, proud, often terrible, but undeniably human. The novel moves like a tragic comedy that keeps threatening to tip either way.
What really struck me was how the book keeps shifting tones without losing its rhythm. One page had me laughing at Christian’s disastrous attempts at self-improvement, and the next left me staring, a little shaken, at how much loneliness the humor covered up. Statler writes like someone who has seen both the joke and the wound and refuses to pick one. The story feels like real life that’s been turned just slightly toward the absurd, so everything painful also glows with a weird kind of beauty. It’s messy, brave, and very alive.
Gods of Glenhaven is a brutal but compassionate look at failure and forgiveness. I’d recommend it to readers who love flawed people written with empathy. Fans of writers like Richard Russo or Jonathan Franzen will probably feel at home here. If you’ve ever felt lost, humiliated, or ridiculous and still had to get up the next morning, this book might hit uncomfortably close to the truth.
Pages: 378 | ASIN : B0F8KPGH67
Wrath of the Storm Lord
Wrath of the Storm Lord is a sweeping tale of rebellion, memory, and the volatile cost of power. Set in the richly drawn world of Ver’Sut, the story follows Jerith, an outcast turned warrior-myth, as he rises to challenge the empire that crushed his people. What begins as a slow-burning character study morphs into a full-blown elemental war, with storms summoned by raw emotion and loyalty forged in blood. The novel weaves together political tension, intimate relationships, and supernatural forces to deliver a dark and layered fantasy that feels both timely and timeless.
What hooked me from the jump wasn’t the lightning-slinging protagonist—it was Harrison, the scribe. That guy is terrified, skeptical, and deeply human. Through his eyes, the reader gets a front-row seat to power that feels too big, too raw, and too dangerous to be trusted. The scene early on when he’s literally watching the ink on his page move was chilling. Like, I actually paused and thought, “Okay, Herod’s playing a deeper game here.” It’s not just about recording history, it’s about how power can warp even the telling of it. Harrison’s fear is real. You feel it.
Jerith, though. That’s where the book cuts deep. He’s not your clean-cut hero. The dude is powered by grief, rage, and something ancient. The scene where he finds out about his father’s death is wild. He literally becomes a storm. Not figuratively. He is the storm. I couldn’t stop reading as lightning turned the room to chaos, windows exploded, and he claimed the title “Storm Lord” like it was his birthright. It’s intense, and you believe it because Herod builds it slowly. You feel every loss, every scar. The relationship with Valeria was painful, honest, and beautifully tragic. She’s the daughter of the tyrant he’s sworn to destroy, and yet she stands with him. That kind of emotional tug-of-war hit hard.
The writing style is bold, cinematic, and a little unhinged in the best way. Herod doesn’t play it safe. There’s a rhythm to the prose that feels like it’s vibrating with energy, especially when Jerith taps into his power. Whole pages hum with electricity, figuratively. But it’s not just flash. There’s meat here. The philosophical backbone about whether power corrupts or reveals had me underlining entire paragraphs. Like the line, “Power doesn’t corrupt. Power reveals.”
If you’re into morally complicated characters, revolution brewing beneath snowy forests, and a storm god with daddy issues—this one’s for you. It’s not light reading. It’s charged. Heavy. But damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. Wrath of the Storm Lord is perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s grit, Patrick Rothfuss’ poetic edges, and readers who want their fantasy with teeth. Highly recommend for anyone ready to get swept up in a storm.
Pages: 187 | ASIN : B0DVLGKL8F
Skull’s Vengeance (Audiobook)
Skull’s Vengeance, the fourth installment in Linnea Tanner’s Curse of Clansmen and Kings series, unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of the Roman Empire. This gripping tale follows Catrin as she embraces her destiny to become the fierce Celtic warrior queen her people desperately need, fulfilling the prophecy her father foresaw. Facing overwhelming grief and betrayal, Catrin must confront her half-brother, King Marrock, in a battle for survival. To prevail, she seeks alliances from unlikely places, including a cunning druidess who once deceived her and her Roman husband, Marcellus. Yet Marcellus is ensnared in a perilous political web, where one wrong move could doom them both. Their love stands on the brink, will they find a way to stand united, or must they part to survive?
The novel’s opening chapters moved slowly for me. While some elements intrigued me, the pace didn’t fully engage until the story hit its stride around chapter six. One contributing factor may have been the male narrator’s delivery, which progressively improved throughout the audiobook. The female narrator’s voice consistently shone.
Despite the gradual start, the plot is masterfully crafted. Action pulses through the narrative, weaving a complex tapestry of events that held my attention. Linnea Tanner skillfully navigates multiple perspectives, all while centering Catrin and Marcellus as the heart of the writing. The balance between their viewpoints enriches the depth of the tale.
Catrin herself is a powerhouse of resilience and determination. Her journey from mourning the loss of her stillborn daughter to leading her people with unwavering resolve was profoundly moving. She stands as a testament to the fact that fictional characters can inspire as deeply as real ones. Marcellus, too, captured my imagination. Trapped in a treacherous political arena, his every action demanded precision and cunning. I found myself holding my breath, fearing for him as much as for Catrin.
In Skull’s Vengeance, Tanner delivers a stirring blend of action, intrigue, and emotion. The characters feel vividly real, their struggles and triumphs resonating long after the final page. The story’s rewards make the audiobook’s journey worthwhile. I recommend this book to fans of historical fantasy who will find much to admire in this immersive and powerful tale.
Pages: 402 | ASIN : B0BC2GCFGG
History and Heritage
The Word of Y’Neshu: Heart of the Ijeya follows the journeys of J’Kana, a steadfast Kanawe, and his son Kamari as they navigate the complexities of familial bonds, spiritual trials, and ancient traditions. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?
It all began with J’Karo. I spent 2023 researching a plethora of African cultures and languages to develop the concept of Y’Neshu, and even discovered my own Mandinka, Fulani, Kpelle, and Mende heritage in the process. From there, it was about creating a language using linguistic commonalities from across the African continent and building in historical occupations and concepts from tribes in my own heritage and others. I figured that the best way to accomplish the learning of the culture and the language was through a story all about a Master and Apprentice, so I wanted to tell the story in two parts. The Past, which shows J’Kana’s training under Kanawe Y’Sawe, and the Present, where we find that J’Kana is teaching his son Kamari about the history of their family (more on that later). I wanted to write something that could be appreciated by everyone, but also bring to light the beauty of African cultures that are oftentimes ignored in the stream of 21st-century literature. I also realized along the way that there are other people like me at the start, who were Black and wanting to reconnect with their heritage in a way that they previously couldn’t have. So this is as much a gift to the Black community as it is to those who just love a good fantasy.
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?
Y’Neshu is actually a J’Karo word that means “Divine Crown,” and I pulled from a number of different geographical fixtures in the African continent. Deserts, plains, shorelines, grasslands, mountains, volcanoes, and forests that span the entirety of the continent were important so that it could truly feel as realistic as it was fantastic. As I went through the story, though, it forced me to think about the finer details and how Y’Neshu itself fits into the grander scheme of the War of the Ancients, the training of the ijeya, and the cultures that blossom all across the Four Empires.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Identity is a huge focus for this story. When J’Kana and his Father, Y’Sawe (Spoiler Alert but I guess not really) are first introduced in the Prelude, they’re nameless characters with a lot of personality. You see the love between a father and son, you feel the heartache when Shifi burns, and even though J’Kana turns into J’Foja on the streets of Memifi, something in him remains joyful and playful despite it all. The exploration of the Kanawe, the struggle over the J’Karo and Batabari languages, and the backstories of other characters like Nihani, Chishashi. and J’Chera all play into that theme of identity.
Through Mahute the Dagger and the Kanawe, there also comes a thematic focus on Education vs. Tradition that brings up the questions of 1) Should we accept tradition at the expense of heritage, 2) Is educating ourselves on our history and heritage worth it if it costs us who we have become, and finally, 3) Who can be trusted to teach the history of groups whose heritage has been denied them?
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in the series, and the second book is almost done! The next book continues J’Kana’s story, with more J’Karo lessons, more exploration of Y’Neshu, and a deeper connection to the ike overall! Also, it should be noted that J’Kana’s story is only one of the trilogies that I have planned in Y’Neshu! Every protagonist has already been revealed, so definitely stay tuned.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Threads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
New Worlds and Adventures
Children of the Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares follows two siblings who stumble upon a forbidden book of childhood legends, bending reality and sweeping them into a realm bursting with magic. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My children are the inspiration for this story and the coming series. Many years ago, when they were still small, I was trying my hand at a few different story ideas when they asked me to write them a story. My daughter, as my eldest, was especially fond of stories like Narnia and The Hobbit. I wanted to create a story where they went on adventures. Over time, the story grew and the names changed. More characters were added and how they arrived in the Lighted Lands changed. I am a big believer in the magic of books and how they transport us to new worlds and adventures, so I became a bit literal in this story. I wanted a story that children everywhere would love and to create a world where they could escape to whenever they needed.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I loved every one of my characters so much. Each one surprised me in ways I wasn’t expecting. I had based Tirza and Eli off of my own children, but they took on their own agency and showed me that they were much like my own children, but also unique in their own ways. I love Tirza’s boldness and adventurous spirit and her desire to be a protector. I also love Eli’s wit and piercing intuition. He also has a vulnerability that makes him so honest and dear.
Probably the most challenging character was Tirza. She had undergone a lot of change from my original drafts to who she is now. Mostly due to feedback from beta readers. I didn’t want her to be cliché or wooden. I think I was trying too hard to write her rather than let her be who she is. When I let go and simply watched, that’s when her true self shone. I cannot wait to let everyone see who she becomes as the series continues.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think that family is an especially important theme that I was surprised by as it took shape in this story (and in the stories to come). Exploring what family truly is and how it shapes us. Faith is also something that weaves its way into anything I write, intentionally or not. It was important for me to show that faith cannot simply be something we receive from our parents or grandparents, although they do play important roles, but it must be wholly experienced and chosen by us. The children needed to embrace it as their own and not something they hold to simply because that’s what they were taught.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
The next book is scheduled to come out on April 8th, 2025. I originally wrote the two books as one whole. It was a bit on the long side, so my publisher and I agreed that we would split it into 2 books. There will be more beyond this, though. The plan was on a trilogy for Tirza and Eli, with a prequel to follow. There might be more now.
The next book will see Tirza and Eli as they go on their separate quests to find the cure for Queen Penelope. They will meet new characters and face new dangers that will change them forever. This is where the heart-pumping action and emotional hurricane really hit.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Linktree | Amazon
Is it a world of their dreams… or their worst nightmares?
Local Legends
The Beast of Talbotton follows a man as he returns to the town he ran from years ago who now has to face the ramifications of his past choices while the town deals with werewolf attacks. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story opens with David leading cavalry into Talbotton during the American Civil War. I thought the Civil War would be a great metaphor for David. While the nation was tearing itself apart, David was tearing himself apart internally with constant flashbacks to his past mistakes in town.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I think what intrigues me about the horror and paranormal genres is the mystery surrounding local legends I heard growing up. The Beast of Talbotton is loosely based on a werewolf legend that took place in Talbotton, Georgia. From the first time I learned about it, I always wondered what started the legend. Did someone see a wild animal that they could not identify? Was this just an accusation to smear someone? Or was there something we truly can’t explain? Like many legends, who knows what really happened.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme I explored in this book was what happens if you don’t confront problems quickly. If David had spoken up about how he truly felt about his arranged marriage to Elizabeth, things would have never escalated to the point that they did at the conclusion of the story. Sure, his father and Elizabeth’s father would have been angry with him, but everyone would have moved on quickly and the horrible events that take place throughout the story would have never occurred.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
I’m still working on the outline for my next book in the series. I plan for it to involve ghosts and deal with subjects such as greed. It should be out by next October.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Spring | Amazon
Readers seeking chills and thrills to go along with their Southern Gothic historical novel will find just that in this intense tale of tragic star-crossed lovers and a werewolf stalking a town.
In Talbotton, Georgia, American Civil War soldier David Cantwell scorned marriage for true love-and now must confront the monstrous consequences of his choice.
Furred and fanged terror grips the night as a werewolf attacking his cavalry leads to dark secrets being revealed. By choosing love, has Cantwell doomed himself and others?
A supernatural story during the American Civil War that perfectly blends Southern Gothic and monster legends, The Beast of Talbotton makes for a one-of-a-kind pulse-pounding adventure for fans of history and horror alike.
Recipient of the Literary Titan’s Book Award in October 2024.
In the Lair of Legends
David Buzan’s In the Lair of Legends sends readers on a riveting journey that cascades from action to the shuddering trembles of mythological horror. From the first chapter, the narrative captures your attention, propelling you through a story that refuses to relent in its thrilling pace.
Lieutenant Jolon Winterhawk, our steadfast protagonist, pledges allegiance to the United States cavalry with an unwavering motive to shield his family from looming perils. Embarking on a seemingly straightforward mission – to safely shepherd a train of gold ore across Oregon – Winterhawk finds himself ensnared in a harrowing battle against a mosaic of adversaries, spanning from Mexican ambushers and US aeronauts to terrifying beings from legends.
Despite a backdrop teeming with explosive action and supernatural terror, Buzan masterfully carves moments for expositional clarity. These well-tailored bursts of information provide not merely an understanding but an immersive experience, ensuring readers are fully conscripted into the unfolding drama.
The novel introduces a sophisticated narrative technique that simultaneously offers a momentary respite from the relentless action and sets the stage for an emotional crescendo. Employing a slightly comedic, italicized voice, Buzan guides the audience through tumultuous events, culminating in a twist that is as heart-wrenching as it is unforeseen.
Winterhawk, a man sculpted from simplicity and cast into the roaring fires of adversity, emerges as a compelling embodiment of the action-hero archetype. While his initial characterization might feel familiar, Winterhawk’s interactions and evolving circumstances progressively reveal a complex tapestry of personality that is difficult to resist. Buzan expertly navigates the path of showing, not telling, allowing Winterhawk’s inherent resourcefulness, unexpected wisdom, and indomitable spirit to naturally unfurl before the reader.
The insertion of legends within the narrative does not merely amplify the stakes but injects a palpable aura of horror, resonating with an almost cosmic dread. Buzan, in a fascinating deviation, affords readers a visceral glimpse into the fear and gruesome demises experienced by the legends’ unfortunate victims. These terrifying beings, while exuding an aura of monstrous invincibility, are presented in a manner that teeters on the brink of the believable, ensuring Winterhawk’s heroics linger within the realm of the improbable, safeguarding our suspended disbelief.
In the Lair of Legends combines action, horror, and emotionally charged storytelling into a cohesive narrative that promises to entertain and trap readers in a world where every page whispers of danger, desperation, and the undying embers of hope. Buzan has woven a tale that, while harrowing, invites readers to linger, to experience, and to relentlessly journey alongside Lieutenant Winterhawk through the abyss of legends.
Pages: 276 | ASIN : B0C8BMMRV3
Sanctum
![Sanctum: Forests of Avalon (The World of Sanctum Book 2) by [C.S. Kading, Tony Fuentes, Lee Geller, Renee Ritchie]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51kXXYVkBOL.jpg)
Isolde duAvalonne, as she is formally known, is out of her element. She has found herself in a land in which she does not belong and in which she isn’t truly happy. She, however, is not fully aware of this fact. When Safar takes her aside and tells her as much, Isolde realizes that her journey is far from over. There is something she must do and, more importantly, someone she must find. Isolde will not be able to rest until she reunites with Father Tulok. There is a mission awaiting them, and their companionship may prove to be the remedy Avalon needs.
Sanctum: Forests of Avalon is the second in a series by C.S. Kading and Tony Fuentes and takes an extensive look into the adventures of Isolde duAvalonne, a wandering knight and her companion, the Radiant Priest Tulok. Having begun their journey together in book one, the pair reunites in this novel to take on the atrocities being committed in Avalon. Isolde’s dreams are an integral part of the plot of Kading and Fuentes’s novel and provide stunning visuals for readers. Fans of fantasy and science fiction will appreciate the amount of detail in the authors’ writing. As the second book in the series, the author’s take extra time and care to catch readers up on the essential parts from book one, seamlessly melding the two books.
Readers will be left speechless at the twists and turns from one chapter to the next. There is no downtime, and there are no long stretches of wordy narrative. Each of Kading and Fuentes’s characters is a fantastic stand alone entity, well-developed, and exudes his/her own captivating personality. From Isolde and Father Tulok to the Fae who inhabit Avalon, they are all memorable in their own right and truly make the novel all the more extraordinary. Readers will not want to miss the introduction, it catapults them into the story. In the six short pages preceding chapter one, the authors take readers on a journey like no other. Moving from zero to sixty in a matter of a few sentences, it will leave you breathless.
Sanctum: Forests of Avalon (The Word of Sanctum Book 2), by C.S. Kading and Tony Fuentes, is a riveting read for those that enjoy Mythology, legends, science fiction, and a fast paced action packed fantasy series.
Pages: 524 | ASIN: B09LBCTQBV
LITERARY TITAN 