Blog Archives
Hope of Survival
Blood on the Mountain centers on a young man navigating the expectations of his family and the pain of bullying while coming to terms with his own identity and sexuality. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write this book?
Having been raised in a religious family, unlike the main character’s experience in my book, I’ve faced my own share of bullies and name-calling. This led me to reach out to others who may be going through or have gone through a similar situation while growing up. Even though the story is fictional, I drew on research about other LGBTQ+ lives and their own battles. This was my inspiration for this.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
I would say it was the picnic scene. This scene took me a while to write. The message that I wanted to deliver was one of love, strength, and hope. Love between the two characters in the scene, the emotion and the strength of one character, experiencing the horror that was happening in front of him, the strength to fight and call for help, and the support and hope of survival.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing about Noah. I enjoyed writing about his challenges in his life, his survival, and finally seeing him embrace happiness with Joshua. The challenging character was Paul, his bully and tormentor. I spent hours researching the effects of someone abusing drugs and the consequences to his health.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on a story that will continue over three books. Here is a synopsis of the story:
For most of his thirty-six years, Adam Keller has lived life like a shadow—quiet, invisible, and careful not to take up too much space. A gentle, gay bookstore clerk in a city that doesn’t always love people like him, Adam has spent his life surviving: his father’s rejection, a school history laced with cruelty, and a society that punished softness in boys. He doesn’t fight back. He just endures. Until the day he almost dies.
One morning walk in the park turns savage when a group of homophobic men ambush Adam and beat him within inches of his life. Left broken and bleeding, something inside him—something long buried and ancient—wakes up.
He survives. More than that…he changes.
The first book I am aiming for in Jan 2026.
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Noah Bailey is suffocating in silence.
Trapped in an oppressive home ruled by religious dogma, he’s learned to hide who he is—and what he truly wants. But everything changes when he meets Joshua Taylor, a kind, fearless stranger who sees him for who he really is. For the first time, Noah dares to dream of freedom, love… and a future that’s finally his own.
But happiness doesn’t last.
A shocking betrayal from the past resurfaces just as Joshua is left fighting for his life. As Noah clings to hope, the ghosts of his school years begin to stir—bringing threats, secrets, and a trail of lies that refuse to stay buried.
With every revelation, Noah’s world fractures.
And the deeper he digs for the truth, the more he realizes someone is watching. Someone who wants the past to stay hidden—and who will do anything to keep it that way.
Love. Betrayal. Justice.
In this gripping story of survival and self-discovery, Noah must face his darkest fears and risk everything for the one person who gave him hope.
But when trust becomes a deadly gamble…
Can he confront the truth before it destroys them both?
Blood on the Mountain
Blood on the Mountain, by Kristian Daniels, is a deeply personal coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of family conflict, small-town traditions, and the slow unraveling of childhood innocence. The story follows Noah as he navigates a tangle of faith, family expectations, and the painful realities of growing up different. Through his eyes, we see the sting of bullying, the quiet terror of not fitting in, and the tentative steps toward self-discovery both in terms of identity and sexuality. The novel blends these intimate struggles with generational drama, love stories, and moments of hope, creating a portrait of adolescence that feels as raw as it does real.
The writing pulls you right into the emotional center of each scene. The author captures the ache of wanting to belong and the fear of being yourself, especially in a world that can be both judgmental and unkind. The depictions of bullying are tough to read but impossible to ignore. They’re sharp and often mirror the subtle cruelties that linger after the school bell rings. Against this backdrop, Noah’s quiet journey toward accepting his sexuality unfolds in small, tender moments that contrast beautifully with the hostility around him.
The ideas here resonate on multiple levels. This isn’t just a story about teenage hardship. I think it’s about the courage to live authentically in the face of fear. The book speaks to the LGBTQ experience without turning it into a cliché or a token subplot. Instead, it weaves identity and sexuality into the fabric of Noah’s growth. It also asks hard questions about family loyalty, faith, and the cost of speaking your truth in environments that demand silence. While I enjoyed the novel, I believe that some of the antagonists felt a bit too black-and-white, but the emotional honesty in Noah’s perspective more than balances that out.
I’d recommend Blood on the Mountain to readers who value heartfelt and character-driven stories. Especially those interested in LGBTQ narratives, anti-bullying themes, and the messy, beautiful process of self-discovery. It’s a moving, sometimes difficult, but ultimately hopeful read.
Pages: 393 | ASIN : B0FLVW2J1J
A Constant State of Change
A Fatal Affair follows a small town detective investigating the death of an actor that is determined to be caused by drug and alcohol toxicity, but he thinks there is something more sinister at play. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Agatha Christie has inspired me in so many ways. I wanted to write a mystery that honored her work. She was a master of poisons. My background is in theater, and many of my friends and fans are actors, directors, musicians, and playwrights so that world is very special to me. I needed a crime that involved poison and a scenario that centered around the production of a play. Many small theaters in the region feature actors from New York City alongside local talent. The rest of the story grew naturally from there.
I found all the characters to be unique and intriguing, each with a story to tell and secrets to hide. What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
We human beings are fascinating creatures. I’m intrigued by the light and dark sides to us and how we cope with those (or don’t). We all have needs and desires. Some we express, some we suppress. Some we aren’t aware of at all. And we live in a constant state of change, which is more fun in fiction than in life.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
All the elements of storytelling are interwoven for me. Once I find my characters, I figure out the crime, and the major discoveries of the investigation, and I improvise from there.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Nyes Landing and the direction of the next book?
A Scarecrow’s Secret opens during Nyes Landing’s annual harvest festival. A young migrant worker is murdered, and Detective Callum Nowak must catch her killer. Tensions between the migrant workers and the townspeople, a mayoral election, and the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays complicate matters.
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A mysterious death, a town on edge, and a relationship on the rocks—can Officer Nowak uncover the truth before he loses everything?
When an outbreak of food poisoning disrupts the opening night party for the Nyes Landing Players’ debut production, paramedics rush a drunken actor to the hospital—where he later dies. The medical examiner rules his death was due to “acute mixed drug and alcohol toxicity.” But Officer Cal Nowak has seen his share of overdoses, and something doesn’t sit right. He suspects there’s more to the incident than a bad batch of meatballs.
A cheating wife, a ruthless husband, feuding neighbors, a skittish housekeeper, and a mysterious woman with a dark secret all test Cal’s investigative skills at every turn. But his relentless pursuit of the truth comes at a personal cost. His relationship with Demetrius—a divorced father navigating his first relationship with a man—begins to fracture under the strain. As Cal’s obsession with the case deepens, Demetrius questions their future together.
Tensions rise as the mayor pressures the police chief to rein Cal in, delivering an ultimatum: drop the case or lose his badge. Undeterred, Cal risks his career—and his heart—to bring a killer to justice.
Set in 2003, A Fatal Affair is the second novel in the Nyes Landing Crime Mystery series. If you enjoy small town murder mysteries that feature a gay romance, like Joseph Hansen’s Fadeout, Michael Nava’s Lay Your Sleeping Head, or Pretty Pretty Boys by Gregory Ashe, don’t miss this absorbing mystery layered with emotion and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Special Challenge—and Pleasure
In The Cadieux Murders, an architect hired to renovate a mansion soon finds her work opens the door to a long-buried murder mystery. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I edit a real estate newsletter and found out that if you own a landmark home, you have to call in a specially certified architect to make any changes. I thought, what a great idea—to have such an architect find mysteries in the historic homes she works on! And I’ve always loved old homes: My wife and I live in an 1850 farmhouse and love its quirks.
What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story; where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
That’s the trick! You want to give readers enough information so they feel they can solve it. The ending should be a surprise but can’t be out of left field. That is, the reader must say “Aha! They were leading up to this!” Consider Murder on the Orient Express. No one combined hints with a final surprise better than Agatha Christie.
Which character in the novel do you feel you relate to more and why?
Wren Fontaine, my architect/sleuth, seems different from me in many ways: she’s a woman and I’m a man. She’s an architect and I have a weak visual sense. She is gay and I am straight. And yet, she’s the protagonist most like me. Wren and I share a difficulty relating to people. Our personalities and ways of coping are very similar. Bringing her to life was a special challenge—and pleasure.
Can we look forward to another installment in the Historic Homes Mystery series?
I’m working on one now with Wren returning to her difficult high school years—transforming a long-closed dormitory for modern use for foreign visiting students. Can she rebuild the dorm, solve a long-ago murder, and work with her former bully?
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And the home itself comes with a dark past: In 1955, it was the site of the never-solved murder of its owner, Dennis Blaine. Cadieux himself was alleged to be having an affair with Dennis’s wife, the stunningly beautiful Rebecca. It seems like yesterday’s headlines, but then someone starts killing people with a connection to the house. The home’s new owner—bestselling novelist Bronwyn Merrick—may be using the house to launch a fictionalized account of the 1955 crime. But someone may not want her to. Just how far will Bronwyn’s armed bodyguard go to protect her?
As Wren untangles the threads, she finds they all lead back to the house. Rebecca apparently inspired the strange, yet alluring residence, and both the home and its mistress may have caused uncontrolled emotions that led to tragedy. Wren uses all her architectural skills to decipher the hidden message Cadieux cunningly wove into the home’s design. She must think back 20 years to when, as a little girl, she met Cadieux. Deeply impressed with Wren, he gave her a clue about the house—and his unusual friendship with Rebecca. With her girlfriend Hadley at her side, Wren eventually solves the mysteries of the home and the people who lived there, develops a grudging respect for modernist architecture—and learns something about the difference between love and obsession.
The Cadieux Murders
The Cadieux Murders, by R.J. Koreto, offers a riveting historical mystery wrapped in family secrets and architectural intrigue. At its heart is Wren Fontaine, a meticulous architect hired to renovate the enigmatic Cadieux House. This alluring mansion, steeped in history, was built in the 19th century by Marius Cadieux as a grand gift for Rebecca Blaine. But its charm hides a shadowy past. The unsolved murder of Rebecca’s husband, Dennis, in 1955 still lingers in the air, with whispers of an affair between Cadieux and Rebecca casting further doubt. Wren’s renovation work becomes a journey into this unresolved mystery, complicated by fresh deaths that seem inextricably linked to the house’s troubled history.
The novel masterfully weaves its historical threads with the present, delivering a story as layered as the mansion itself. Wren Fontaine, a socially awkward yet fiercely dedicated architect, shines as the protagonist. Her relationship with her father, Ezra, adds tension; he disapproves of any changes she might impose on his mentor’s creation. Yet, Wren’s journey isn’t solely about uncovering the truth of the house—it’s about discovering her own capacity for connection. Her relationship with Hadley offers her the emotional grounding necessary to navigate the tangled web of human stories tied to the Cadieux House.
Koreto’s meticulous attention to detail brings the Cadieux House to life. Its grandeur and mystery pulse through every page. The deeper Wren digs, the more elusive the truth becomes, as few who once lived in the house remain alive to tell their stories. New deaths add urgency, forcing her to confront a chilling possibility: the house itself may hold the answers to a mystery buried for decades. Koreto’s storytelling balances suspense with heart, immersing the reader in a world where architecture and human emotion intersect.
For lovers of historical mysteries, R.J. Koreto’s The Cadieux Murders delivers in spades. It is a tale of suspense, intricate plot twists, and the secrets that haunt both homes and the people tied to them. With its compelling narrative and haunting atmosphere, this book is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the interplay of history, murder, and the enduring pull of forgotten stories.
Pages: 285 | ASIN : B0DGRTWSBG
Robin’s Way
Robin’s Way offers a compelling and thought-provoking narrative centered on 28-year-old Reverend Robin Topham. As a female clergy member in contemporary UK society, Robin faces a maze of challenges that push her to the limits of her faith and personal values. With courage and determination, she defies scrutiny from those who question her evolving sexuality while dedicating herself to the perilous mission of helping women trapped in human trafficking. Robin’s unwavering resolve drives her to risk her own safety time and again, fiercely protecting and rescuing those in need. At the same time, she navigates the internal struggles of maintaining celibacy and virtue, adding a deeply human layer to her complex character.
Kate Robins and Artemis Taylor have penned an eye-opening story. It sheds light on the double standards imposed on women and the unique struggles faced by queer individuals, especially when intersected with religious expectations. The authors don’t shy away from hard truths, providing a critical lens on the societal norms that still challenge gender and sexual identity today.
The writing is exceptional and gripped me from the first page. The narrative dives deep into Robin’s world, blending action with introspection. I initially anticipated the book would delve more extensively into the harrowing stories of the women Robin is dedicated to saving from human trafficking. While these themes are present, they often take a backseat to Robin’s journey of self-discovery and sexual identity. The focus on this exploration is both meaningful and essential but, at times, I think it felt overemphasized. I felt the intensity of these discussions overshadowed other aspects of the story, though that could come down to personal preference.
The characters are brilliantly crafted. Robin Topham stands out as an intelligent, perceptive, and fiercely determined protagonist. Her resilience and willingness to confront her inner turmoil make her both admirable and relatable. The supporting cast adds vibrancy to the narrative with each character uniquely contributing to Robin’s world and her ongoing struggles.
The novel ends with an excellent setup for future books, and I’m already eager to follow Robin’s continuing journey. The groundwork for further installments is laid beautifully, and I’m curious to see the challenges she will face next and the strength she will draw upon. Robin’s Way is a thought-provoking and well-crafted story that leaves readers invested in Robin’s path and eager for more.
Pages: 342 | ASIN : B0DJ1R17HM
LITERARY TITAN 