Blog Archives
Ashes
Alice Reaper’s past clings to her like a shadow. Ever since the haunting night at the funeral home, her life has been consumed by nightmares and the oppressive weight of unseen terrors. Isolated from those she once loved, Alice resigns herself to a life devoid of joy or peace. But when Viviana enters her world, a glimmer of hope cuts through the darkness. For a moment, everything feels possible—until it doesn’t. Can Viviana pull Alice from the depths of despair, or will the shadows swallow her whole?
Ashes, by David Edgar Grinnell, is an evocative exploration of grief, despair, and the journey toward healing. Told in the raw, intimate perspective of first-person narration, readers experience Alice’s turmoil as if it were their own. Her father, Oscar, and other supporting characters add layers to the narrative, showing the different ways people live with—and sometimes succumb to—trauma. Grinnell doesn’t just present pain; he holds a mirror to it, reflecting its complexity and its power to shape lives.
While Ashes dives deeply into themes of sorrow and loss, it offers solace to readers who see their struggles mirrored in the characters. Tarot card readings and philosophical exchanges between Alice and Viviana provide moments of introspection and guidance, carving a path toward hope. The story is as much about finding light in the dark as it is about acknowledging the darkness itself.
Grinnell deftly weaves elements of Gothic tradition, paganism, and tender romance into the narrative, adding depth and dimension to the story. Viviana, with her Gothic charm and fascination with the dark arts, brings an air of mystery and intrigue. Though the spark between Alice and Viviana feels sudden, their unfolding relationship is both poignant and deeply satisfying. The romance balances the novel’s weightier themes, offering warmth and connection amid the bleakness.
One of the novel’s standout features is its cast of characters. Despite their youth, they carry a profound sense of wisdom. Their voices resonate with thought-provoking reflections, often quoting classic literature in ways that feel both meaningful and natural. These moments of insight elevate the story, offering readers not just entertainment, but inspiration.
At its core, Ashes, by David Edgar Grinnell, is more than a tale of grief—it’s a story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of love. Readers drawn to Gothic themes, explorations of mental health, or heartfelt LGBTQ+ romances will find much to cherish in this beautifully crafted novel. It’s a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, there’s a chance to heal and move forward.
Pages: 368 | ISBN : 978-1736867587
A Perfect Trifecta
In Killing Buddhas, a local pastor finds himself in the middle of a mystery when the man who inspired his ministry is found dead. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
One part of the inspiration was my own experience with idolizing someone and then learning about their faults. Another was noticing how often in the media we idolize or demonize people without any idea of who they are as a human being.
A good plot device is to have the worst possible misfortune fall on a character, especially the protagonist. Alan Wright is gaining some success and notoriety with his ministry, his second career, and the most important thing in his life. A high point for him is to host his hero, Branden Frank, at his spiritual center and befriend the man he has idolized from afar for many years. Then the worst thing happens to him, his hero dies while a guest in his home. It’s a blow to his confidence and emotions and makes him deeply invested in finding out how the man died, thus kicking off the investigation that is the backbone of any murder mystery story.
This set up perfectly a way to examine a theme that is as old as human beings — the danger in idolizing people and being disappointed when they turn out to be mere mortals. Branden Frank had several unsavory secrets, and learning of them leaves Alan saddened and struggling with his adoration for the man. It’s a common trope in murder mystery stories to make the victim someone who many people disliked, to increase the number of potential suspects. As the skeletons come marching out of Branden Frank’s closet, lots of people condemn him, and three face suspicion. The stakes get extremely high as Alan seeks the truth while struggling to protect the man’s name and his own reputation.
It seemed a perfect trifecta that gave my protagonist powerful motivation while examining the harm we cause by either idolizing or demonizing people. We strip them of their humanity, and in doing so become either useful fools or dangerous zealots.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically?
Like the first Eden Ridge Story, Where You Will Die, most of the story developed organically. I began with a very high-level idea of the plot, a light sketch of the characters and their actions. Then I set out writing and let the story unfold as I progressed. For example, I knew that Branden Frank was to be the victim, and I knew that Alan Wright had admired him as a writer and lecturer for many years. But I didn’t know how it would end, and I didn’t know how the relationship between the two men would develop. I also didn’t have all the details about Mr. Frank’s past, or how it would become known over the course of the story. I didn’t even have all the characters identified when I started writing — a few people introduced themselves along the way and joined the party. In this way, I was able to play the role of an investigator, a sort of uber-detective, finding out the details as I went along.
This made the writing itself exciting and enjoyable. The story was revealed to me over time, and new people and situations and facts kept cropping up, some that were very surprising. This process of discovery continued throughout all the drafts over the five years that passed from the first spark to the published book. There are elements in the book that I only discovered in the final draft. It made the work more difficult in some ways, and it certainly took longer than if I had outlined everything from the beginning. But I came out of it with a better story, and I certainly had a lot more fun along the way.
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?
My main challenge writing a mystery is keeping the tension up while balancing the storytelling I want to deliver. I try to raise the stakes with every chapter in such a way that leads to that big reveal, without burning out early or dragging on and losing the reader’s attention. It’s a delicate balance. I call the Eden Ridge Stories “philosophical mysteries” because I always develop a central thread of a theme, weaving it through the action. That can easily become boring and make the reader impatient, which is a death sentence for a mystery. At the same time, if every chapter is a breathtaking cliffhanger, the reader can get overwhelmed, and the ending can be a disappointing anticlimax.
I write the books in very short chapters, usually two thousand words or less, and this helps me to strike that balance. Each chapter follows the actions of one or a few people for a brief period, sometimes just a few minutes. The next chapter then veers off somewhere else with other people, so that we build our understanding of the overall plot in small pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s not an easy approach, but it results in an interesting, intriguing journey with a satisfying ending.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m just getting started on the third book, working title, Reason Not the Need. I’m shooting for a fall 2026 release. I set up a situation in Killing Buddhas that will come to a head in this book. The town of Eden Ridge and a local Indian tribe will be engaged in a land deal that is opposed by as many people and groups as those who support it. Caught in the middle are some homeless people who will be displaced if the deal goes through. Alan Wright has ministered to these people for some time and steps into the fray to defend them. He demands that the town and the tribe ensure that the homeless are provided for, not just shoved out of the way. This makes him very unpopular with both camps and exposes him to false accusations as to his motives and methods.
When some of the homeless end up dead, people are quick to point fingers at Alan. This raises the stakes as he advocates for the displaced people while searching to find the truth and to redeem his reputation.
The title comes from my favorite of Shakespeare’s tragedies, King Lear.
O, reason not the need! Our basest beggars
Are in the poorest thing superfluous.
Allow not nature more than nature needs,
Man’s life is cheap as beasts.
The theme will examine the nature of charity, in the older sense of that word — the love of our fellow humans beyond immediate kith and kin.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
When the guru who inspired Alan Wright’s ministry comes to Eden Ridge then turns up dead, the legend of a great man begins to unravel. Branden Frank helped millions find happiness, but his private life holds secrets that shake Alan’s admiration and confuse the search for truth.
Did his aging and troubled heart give out, or was he killed? One man threatens to kill him in front of a hundred witnesses. Another confesses to his murder, but police can’t make sense of his claim. A local woman is suspected, but her story throws the investigation into a tailspin.
Alan and The Little Red Hens race to untangle the many knotted threads and find the truth. Meanwhile, Alan is in the crosshairs of a conspiracy cult called NotAGod, who accuse Alan of killing his mentor in a Satanic ritual. With Eden Ridge already in turmoil, a teenage boy and girl go missing in a dangerous storm, and the race to find them turns into a life-or-death confrontation that solves the mystery but leaves as many questions as it answers.
The Fall (Book 2 in The Wall Trilogy)
The Fall, by Brian Penn, is a philosophical and introspective novel that explores themes of identity, morality, and the human condition. The story follows Asher, a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist, as he grapples with his past and the weight of his choices. Set in a world tinged with moral ambiguity, the narrative weaves between past and present, revealing Asher’s internal conflicts and relationships. Through poetic prose and thought-provoking dilemmas, the book delves into the struggle for redemption, the complexities of human connection, and the inescapable consequences of one’s actions. It’s a story as much about self-discovery as it is about the universal questions of purpose and forgiveness.
One thing I immediately appreciated about this book was its intricate prose. Penn writes with a lyrical intensity that often feels like reading a piece of music. In the opening chapter, Asher’s internal struggles are painted with evocative and raw detail, pulling the reader into his fractured psyche. I found myself re-reading certain passages just to savor their rhythm and depth. These moments feel like hidden treasures within the text, but I must admit, the density of the language can occasionally slow the pace. It’s not a casual read; you have to commit to it.
The narrative structure also deserves praise. I enjoyed how Penn interwove timelines and perspectives to create a mosaic of experiences. However, the fragmented nature of the storytelling might feel disorienting at first. One chapter, where Asher reflects on his memories, is particularly poignant and resonant, but I feel the transitions between past and present occasionally lacked clarity, leaving me briefly untethered. That said, the emotional payoff is well worth the temporary confusion.
Perhaps my favorite part is how it challenges the reader’s own moral compass. Asher and the supporting characters are deeply flawed, and Penn doesn’t spoon-feed redemption arcs or easy answers. For instance, the decision Asher faces near the climax is a dilemma that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s thought-provoking without being preachy.
The Fall is a richly textured, introspective novel that rewards patient readers who appreciate layered storytelling and philosophical musings. I’d recommend it to fans of literary fiction who enjoy works by authors like Kazuo Ishiguro or Donna Tartt. It’s not a light read, but it’s an unforgettable one that stays with you, much like the bittersweet memories the characters grapple with. If you’re looking for a book that challenges both the mind and the heart, this one is worth picking up.
Roads Less Traveled
Road Less Traveled is a vibrant collection of stories that intertwine adventure, life lessons, and the joy of discovery. The author takes readers on a journey across the globe, exploring natural wonders, historical landmarks, and cultural treasures. From traversing the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway through Mexico’s Copper Canyon and bonding with Poncho, a bright-green parrot, to uncovering the history of Afghan camel drivers in the heart of central Australia, each story brims with color and curiosity. The book invites readers to reflect on the beauty of wildlife, the richness of culture, and the enduring spirit of adventure.
The vivid descriptions in Road Less Traveled make each journey come alive. I could almost feel the vertigo of navigating the narrow dirt roads around Copper Canyon and imagine the tiled overlook in India’s serene landscapes. The sightings of leopards and rhinos brought palpable tension and wonder to the pages. The narrative is a masterclass in immersive storytelling, effortlessly transporting readers to new terrains while keeping the thrill and awe intact. Two recurring themes—history and culture—anchor the book, enriching the reader’s understanding of the world. The historical anecdotes, such as the origins of Australia’s camel routes, add layers of depth. Cultural insights, like the Ganges River’s spiritual significance as a symbol of purification, provide meaningful context to the author’s observations. The balance is remarkable; the stories educate without ever becoming tedious. Personal tales, like childhood adventures of milking cows or splitting wood for Vermont winters, add warmth and relatability to the grander narrative.
This book is a passport to adventure, offering detailed, captivating glimpses of the world’s wonders. It’s perfect for travelers who crave inspiration or armchair explorers looking to experience new places without leaving home. The blend of breathtaking imagery, educational insights, and heartwarming anecdotes ensures an unforgettable reading experience. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone yet to catch the wanderlust bug, Road Less Traveled is a must-read that promises to awaken your sense of wonder and exploration.
Pages: 212 | ASIN : B0D8TDFL4K
Trusting the Movement of the Spirit
In Home for the Bewildered, a female psychologist opens old wounds when she recognizes her pain in that of her patients. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My work as a therapist was the inspiration for Home for the Bewildered. Over the years, I have been amazed how my clients and I can be dealing with the same issues. I could have a bout of anxiety then hear about anxiety all day. I would have a dream that led to reflection of an issue and then someone would show up and talk about the same thing. I’d go for a swim and a person’s name would float to the service and sure enough I’d hear from them, so I believe in paying attention and trusting the movement of the spirit (or intuition) in my life. The inspiration for the setup of the story was to convey that all people are interesting even those in the most hidden or unknown places. We have such an unhealthy fascination with celebrity in our culture—only some are considered important or of value. I wanted to give voice to the unheard, uncounted, “unimportant,” people. We all have a story to tell. I like to say that every story is unique, every theme is universal.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Home for the Bewildered would not have happened but for the suffering in my own iife. I picked 1974 before I researched it’s significance politically and socially because that was the year my brother died in a plane crash the night before Thanksgiving e.g, Thomas gets beat up multiple times on the night before Thanksgiving. Every character has a little piece of me in them. When I work with people I always try to find common ground and I did the same with Dorothy and her characters. And by the way, my mother’s name is Dorothy. She was a smart woman who was denied education but never lost her love of learning.
What is one pivotal moment in the story that you think best defines Dr. Dorothy Morrissey?
One pivotal moment that best defines Dorothy is when she says to George, “if your life can be ruined suddenly, why can’t it also be saved suddenly?” Dorothy was a purveyor of hope even when she felt hopeless.
What were some themes you felt important to address in Home for the Bewildered?
I believe, Home for the Bewildered is an antidote to the times we are living in right now. We need a lot more empathy in our culture. Every person has value. Every person has a unique story to tell that is worth hearing. Everyone wants to be heard. I was raised as a social justice Catholic. I’m dismayed social justice has been lost in the cultural narrative. This week in 1974 was the first time women could get a credit card or sign a mortgage without a man. And here we are again fighting the same fight. Home for the Bewildered is needed now more than ever. If every person especially those in power would reflect on their own suffering, take responsibility to get help when needed, and transform their pain into helping others, we’d be living in a much kinder world.
Author Links: Website | Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Facebook | Book Review
Dorothy’s patients mirror her emotional issues as they draw her into their often-chaotic lives. Thomas Perfect’s impulsiveness and attention-seeking behavior-both symptoms of his bipolar disorder-often prove dangerous as a gay man in 1970s Lansing, Michigan. His flair for drama makes Dorothy laugh as much as his trauma makes her want to cry. Dorothy wrestles with an inexplicable aversion to George who had been remanded to St. Lawrence after pleading Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. Ruth’s post-partum psychiatric break threatens to draw Dorothy in with her, and Marcella, labeled as borderline frustrates Dorothy’s efforts to keep her from self-harm.
As good as Dorothy is at holding and interpreting her patients’ past traumas, she resists looking at her own, causing a strain on her relationship with Kenneth. It seems Dorothy has no problem saving her patients… but can she save herself?
Path of Discovery
Does It Look Like Her? is a collection of poems centered around a painting of a middle-aged mother and artist, each evoking a unique perspective and reflection on the accuracy of art. Why was this an important collection for you to share?
Great question! I am a writer and teacher who also loves visual arts. I’m at an exciting point in my writing, too—I’m far from a beginning author, and yet I also have many more exciting ideas and characters I want to explore and share in my poetry, prose, photography, and drawing. I want to share this motivation and excitement with readers.
I also want to encourage fellow writers that it’s both never too late to begin, continue, or finish/share a literary project and also that all writers at all ages and stages of developing as creative artists have something meaningful, unique, and connective to share with readers and fellow authors.
I am intrigued by your writing style in Does It Look Like Her? What inspired you to write each selection from a different point of view?
Thank you! I started as a fiction writer (which I still also write), and I often still see elements of fiction such as character development—as inspiring to my poetry process. Narrative poetry such as in this collection offers a chance to blend two of my artistic loves—storytelling and poetry writing. My protagonist’s voice and that of her young son were some of the first poems I wrote in the collection, and it became very exciting to follow their voices on the page. I also love exploring how various other characters, such as Alix’s supportive coworker friend and her son’s dad, have very different viewpoints about Alix’s art and her personality based on their own experiences in life.
I love tuning into each character’s frustrations and goals; it’s almost like tuning into a new podcast or a different radio station. Each character is a new world, and there’s a wealth of imagery, dialogue, character development, line and stanza breaks, and so much more when exploring more than one POV in poetry. I’m endlessly fascinated and entertained by characters as they show up when I write a series or collection of poems.
What is one thing you hope your readers take away from your work?
I’d love for Alix’s story to offer readers encouragement and enthusiasm for their own writing and/or art making and for teachers or soon-to-be educators to find some of their own story in Alix’s journey as a new educator which, much like being a writer and artist, is an ever-winding life path of discovery, setbacks, challenges, and joys.
Can we look forward to more releases from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes, I love a good project, so I’m always working on a few that I look forward to sharing. Two of my latest projects include: writing another narrative poetry collection about a librarian protagonist which is set in the late 1940s/early 1950s during polio epidemics as well as completing a year of drawing doodles every day in a sketchbook in 2024, which has taught me so much about my drawing abilities and also shown me where I need to improve (and which I plan to blog about soon at my website).
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
This collection of narrative poetry spans years and POVs—including Alix; her son, Sam; her ex; and her colleague, Meghan—and explores what it means to pursue artistic passion, the personal meanings we overlay onto art and artists in a society not conducive to art-making, ambition at midlife, the indirect route to so-called overnight success, and more.
Includes Questions for Discussion, Reflection, or Journaling as well as Additional Reading Suggestions.
Home for the Bewildered
Home for the Bewildered, by Michelle Tobin, masterfully captures a haunting, tender world set against the backdrop of 1974 Lansing, Michigan. We follow Dr. Dorothy Morrissey, the first female psychologist at St. Lawrence Asylum, as she steps into the lives of her fragile patients—and, unknowingly, deeper into the wounds she’s spent years hiding from herself. Each of her patients reflects a piece of her pain: Thomas, whose reckless charm is both alluring and terrifying; Ruth, drowning in a sea of trauma; and George, whose mere presence brings up a discomfort she can’t quite explain. As Dorothy’s empathy tangles her fate with theirs, it becomes clear that she, too, is desperately in need of healing.
The storytelling here strikes a perfect, almost poetic balance between sorrow and hope. Tobin writes Dorothy’s journey with a raw intimacy that resonates deeply. We witness Dorothy peeling back the layers of her patients’ suffering, only to have those same layers stripped from her own guarded heart. It’s both heavy and heartbreakingly beautiful. I couldn’t help but think of A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, as Tobin offers an unflinching portrayal of trauma and the yearning for connection.
The prose feels like open wounds—painful, vivid, and so delicately human. Reading this book isn’t just an experience; it’s a quiet, aching immersion into the need for acceptance and the long, messy road to healing. The narrative unfolds with depth and care evident in every well-researched plot detail and character arc. Each character is beautifully constructed, with stories that deserve to be felt, not just read.
Despite dealing with heavy, sensitive topics, mental illness, grief, and the stigmas of the past, including homosexuality, Tobin handles it all with a gentle, respectful touch. The result is a kind of immersive tenderness, making you ache for characters who often struggle to even root for themselves. Every chapter feels like peeling back layers to reveal what’s hidden, dismissed, or lost, and the effect is spellbinding.
The historical setting is a triumph. Tobin captures the period with such authenticity that I felt transported, as if I were sitting in the cold halls of the asylum or witnessing every tear and triumph alongside the characters. It reads like genuine historical fiction but is alive with emotional depth. There’s a dual-pull here: you want to savor each exquisite line, but the narrative grips you so intensely that you devour it without meaning to. The portrayal of Dorothy, who finds herself in the fractured reflections of her patients, is astonishingly resonant. It beautifully illustrates the reality that even those who dedicate their lives to healing others often find themselves on the brink of breaking. The characters feel alive, layered, and achingly real.
This book is an unforgettable exploration of what it means to live with an open heart and how the concept of family can emerge in the most unlikely places. If you’re drawn to stories that linger with you long after you’ve finished, that mix historical insight with raw, emotional honesty, Home for the Bewildered is a must-read. It will break your heart and, in its own way, try to mend it too.
Pages: 328 | ISBN : 978-3988320773
Women Trying to Find Solutions
We Should Not All Be Feminists follows two women traveling to India with feminist aspirations who learn the real meaning of feminism from the people they meet there. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
First let me thank you for giving me the privilege of addressing the readers of Literary Titan through this interview.
Even though no Western feminists, to my knowledge, came to India with feminist aspirations, my interest in the lives of literary theorists like Kate Millett, Rebecca Walker, and others was probably a reason why I constructed such a story. I had read that under the influence of Western feminism, groups such as the Women’s India Association (WIA) and National Council of Women in India (NCWI), West-educated Indians thought in terms of helping Indian women after World War I. This could have been an additional reason for the initial idea of the story.
I have not said that the women who travel to India learn the real meaning of feminism here, but perhaps the reader sees a distinction between fake and genuine feminism because of their visit to India.
Your characters go on a journey of self-discovery in this novel. Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
The two women find what they want in India. Emelia finds Neville, who had deserted her in America. When she comes to India, she also learns a great deal about rebirth, something she was always interested in. Clarissa finds a woman who she takes to England to help her in more ways than one, both professionally and personally.
A London literary agent once said that my novel was the reverse of A Passage to India. In that novel, the two women who came to India go back without finding what they had come here for. But in my novel, the two women do get what they have longed for.
I tried my best to create characters who would be both types and individuals in different parts of the novel. I wanted them to provide humor, seriousness, wit, and satire. I think I achieved those aspects for my novel.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I have always loved to write about women. All my earlier books are intimately connected with women’s experiences. I have felt that knowing what a man would feel in a given situation is not enough. It is more important to know what a woman would feel when faced with problems. Similarly, women must know the same regarding men. It is only then that society will be a positive institution.
The novel reveals the emotional side of two entirely different women, one Brit and the other American. A third woman, an Indian, places herself between these antipodal positions. She escapes from an unpleasant home and finds a kind of freedom that most women would not want. But then that is her fate, the best option she has. A central theme is women trying to find solutions to their problems.
Another theme results from the magical realism supporting the novel. It relates to lives beyond this present birth in which we are placed.
[This novel will be an audiobook too by the end of this year.]
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next book is From a Writer’s Blog: Facets of the Novel Today. I hope to publish it by the end of 2024, if not earlier. I have compiled my blog posts on fiction or related topics for the decade.
Writers and students of fiction, which could number millions, are still trying to discover the finer points that cannot be ignored when writing or studying fiction. There are so many books on the theory of the novel and novelists for professors. However, there is quite a void when you think of novelist professors explaining the art and craft of fiction. It is like saying what is shown cannot be stated. Here is a novelist-professor showing what goes on in his mind. This book contains theory, criticism, and the creative process concerning the novel. It also focuses on reading, writing, and publishing the novel today.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Book Review
In this novel, humor and high seriousness take you through the literary tourism of India.
LITERARY TITAN 