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Bland Loafer
Bill McCoy’s Bland Loafer centers on a narrator struggling against societal norms and the crushing weight of expectations, all while grappling with a complicated love-hate relationship with his fiercely religious and illiterate mother. The narrative twists and turns through surreal and often jarring scenes, pairing biting social critique with the raw poetry of life’s tragedies. At its heart, Bland Loafer is a rebellion wrapped in art, daring to capture the dreams and defeats of marginalized voices who never quite fit into society’s neatly labeled boxes.
The writing style is undeniably unique, but it can also be a headache if you’re not ready for McCoy’s rollercoaster of thoughts. His language veers from deeply poetic to downright chaotic. Take, for example, the scene where the narrator and his mother confront the technical college director, Attila. The verbal sparring between the characters is surreal yet uncomfortably real, a collision of high-stakes desperation and absurd humor. The dialogue might leave you both laughing and seething, especially when McCoy’s satire highlights the injustices the narrator’s mother faces while trying to survive as a domestic worker. These moments make Bland Loafer feel alive and unpredictable, but the stream-of-consciousness style can occasionally leave you feeling lost.
What I appreciated most was the novel’s audacious approach to heavy themes. The narrator’s struggle against the crushing realities of systemic oppression is palpable. McCoy doesn’t shy away from showing the absurdity of bureaucratic power, especially in the gut-wrenching scenes where his mother is reduced to begging for her son’s education. There’s a rawness to the way McCoy portrays the generational trauma inflicted by poverty and racism. Yet, despite all the darkness, there’s hope woven into the story. The narrator’s defiant desire to rise above his circumstances through literature and knowledge is inspiring, even if it seems like an impossible dream. The book captures the desperate, defiant spirit of those who refuse to be swallowed by society’s indifference.
Bland Loafer is a challenging yet rewarding read, best suited for those who enjoy fiction that takes risks and refuses to fit into a tidy mold. If you appreciate stories that explore the gritty and poetic realities of marginalized communities then this book will resonate. I think it’s for dreamers, activists, and thinkers and anyone who can handle a little chaos in their quest for truth.
Pages: 414 | ASIN : B0CD58CWZ2
Does It Look Like Her?
Does It Look Like Her?, by Melanie Faith, is a striking poetry collection that dives deep into the world of art, identity, and transformation. Through Alix’s story, a middle-aged mother and artist, the book unpacks her journey to self-discovery amid life’s curveballs, from raising a child alone to trying her hand at painting after a divorce. The poems center around a painting of Alix, viewed through various lenses of loved ones and strangers, challenging her sense of self and offering a reflection on how art can both capture and distort us.
Faith’s writing is intimate and layered, bringing the reader right into Alix’s headspace and the life she’s balancing between motherhood, art, and personal growth. The author creates moments that are so honestly raw, they pull at your heartstrings and make Alix so relatable. Faith’s language is simple yet powerful, with lines that resonate long after reading, like in “Self-Portrait” where Alix’s journey to capture her essence becomes a metaphor for her broader life struggles.
Another thing I liked is the layered perspectives Faith offers. Through different viewpoints, we see how one image can evoke wildly different responses. Each perspective is painted with a sharp, emotional brush that gives a new angle on Alix’s character each time. The varying opinions on the portrait make it clear that art doesn’t just reveal it mirrors what the viewer brings to it. Alix’s uncertainties about the painting are a reminder of the complex relationship between self-perception and public persona.
For anyone who’s ever felt uncertain or started anew, Does It Look Like Her? is a touching read. It’s perfect for lovers of poetry and visual art and anyone navigating a later-in-life passion. Faith’s words resonate and make Alix’s journey a quiet triumph that lingers long after you finish the book.
Pages: 64 | ISBN : 978-1736407707
Enduring Friendship
The Blue Mask follows a lead singer and lead guitarist who grapples with addiction, loss, and the unpredictable highs and lows of stardom. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to explore another world that I have not lived in. That’s one of the things about fiction that I love – the ability to get lost in a world you would perhaps never experience. I wanted to deal with the 90s and the lack of social media, smartphones, and instant information. That time period was easier in many ways than now, when everyone can find out almost anything and so much is permanently on file, so to speak. The AIDS epidemic was also raging – at a time when having AIDS was 100% fatal. As well, I wanted to explore the rock stardom angle – where the public perception is not always the same as the private perception of people. And of course, the cost of being a rock star – the compromises that must be made, the price of fame, and the dark side of being in the spotlight.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing them all – Alix and Joel especially, as they have such an incredibly close relationship. Both were a challenge. I found Alix was more problematic as she has demons that she fights privately and does not often share. Both of them have had past traumas that have affected their current behaviour. The British characters were an absolute delight and a lot of fun. The rest of the band and Ash, Robin, and Brad were also demanding. As this book contains a lot of characters, one of the issues was maintaining their identities within the sub-stories and by-plays. There are a lot of voices in The Blue Mask.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The AIDS epidemic was important, especially the attitude towards AIDS patients at that time. There were a lot of misconceptions and many suffered from more than just the disease – the shunning, the lack of acceptance and compassion, and the ignorance surrounding the disease and those who had it. I also wanted to explore the cost of achieving your dreams. No one warned the band how high that would be, which is often the case with musicians, actors, artists, etc when they first start out. There is always the initial push, the pursuit of exposure and popularity, and the need for acceptance. Once achieved at high levels, privacy becomes a rare thing. My main theme, however, was the enduring friendship between these characters and the fact that they treated each other as family. There was never a question that they would not support each other, being there through thick and thin.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be published?
The Blue Mask is actually the third book in a trilogy. Both book 1 (The Alley View) and book 2 (The Blue Angel) have been written but I need to do more research as the trilogy begins in 1985. My intention was to start on book 1 after The Blue Mask was published. Characters, however, are wild cards and have minds of their own. The characters in The Blue Mask decided that they weren’t finished yet, so I began a new write this year with book 4 (The Beat Goes On) to complete the series. It picks up where The Blue Mask ends. I have completed the first draft and am working on rewrites. If all goes well, it should be out later in 2025. Then I will return to book 1 – The Alley View, which brings the characters together and covers the formation of the band and its first year.
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Drugs, sex and rock and roll—that was the name of the game for hard rock musicians like the Blue Mask. Founded by singer Alix Lane and lead guitarist Joel Stark in 1985, they lived the anthem. A year later both the band and their drummer were dead. 1988 saw a new Blue Mask, cleaned up, regrouped and touring. It is now 1990. AIDS is still an epidemic for both hetero- and homosexuals. Social media is not a thing. Or smartphones. Or the age of unlimited information. But it is the year of the Blue Mask. Dreams do come true, and their star ascends with international fame and success. Nothing can go wrong for Alix and Joel’s band and their close circle of friends. Until it does. But this group has only each other to rely on and they will survive tragedy. This is their story.
A Reluctant Enchantress
A Southern Enchantress follows a clairsentient enchantress who has long desisted embracing her magical heritage and meets an irresistible rogue, and as their relationship continues, she has an increase in supernatural encounters. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve lived in the Deep South for years and learned long ago to respect the deep-seated culture of the area, particularly in New Orleans, where folk magic is still practiced and contact with restless spirits, both positive and negative, is not uncommon. A heroine’s journey framed around such occurrences offered intoxicating possibilities for me as an author. Even so, a stigma remains for those who overtly embrace magic and communicate with spirits. Hence, the desire to paint Suzanne’s role as reluctant because facing personal and professional repercussions is a consequence. Suzanne’s character is multi-faceted: her reluctance is even more pronounced, partially because of her mother, Madelaine’s, tragic death.
Your characters are wonderfully emotive and relatable. Were you able to use anything from your own life to inform their character development?
My first husband and I divorced when our kids were between the ages of 8 and 16, so Suzanne’s struggle to ‘let go’ of the past and move forward in search of love, even with a man of questionable merit, is authentic and resonates with readers. And I’ve certainly dealt with a rogue or two—these men are deliciously inspiring!
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away by the magical powers of characters. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
Novels begin with an inciting incident, weave through chapters of complications, head toward a climax, and eventually reach a resolution. Magical elements are trappings or tropes designed to enhance the reader’s experience and meet their expectations. A character’s ability to create change—or craft an alternative outcome—should never override the plot, which needs to stand on its own, with or without adding magical or paranormal elements. While it’s tough to stay within the lanes, it’s essential.
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
About halfway through writing A Southern Enchantress, I decided it would be a stand-alone novel. While I fell in love with my characters and struggled to let them go, I needed another writing challenge. I’m working on a historical fantasy set in New Orleans’ Storyville in the early 1900s. (Storyville was an area dedicated to legalized prostitution that remained in place until 1917.) The MC, Zelime Vermillion, is a madam who runs the finest brothel on Basin Street and becomes entangled in all sorts of challenges. Thankfully, the spirit world is watching.
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When Suzanne—a clairsentient enchantress—meets Max—an irresistible rogue—at a Garden District soirée, destiny is at play. As their relationship sizzles, Suzanne experiences an uptick in supernatural encounters, each demanding that an evil deed from yesteryear be avenged.
As Suzanne navigates these hauntings, she must confront her past and acknowledge her heritage. Raised by a hoodoo conjurer, Suzanne had rejected her mother’s expectations to practice folk magic but eluding her role as a spellcaster no longer remains an option. Instead, Suzanne must embrace her legacy to survive. Set in New Orleans and along Mississippi’s sparkling Gulf Coast, Suzanne rediscovers the power of the tarot and learns that bonding with a beloved specter, trapped since the 1940s, will change everything.
Told in dual timelines and stretching the bounds of realism, A Southern Enchantress celebrates the generational love of women bound even beyond death.
Savage Warrior
Savage Warrior by Denna Holm delivers an intense and captivating paranormal romance where the bonds of fate and the complexities of leadership collide. At the heart of the story is Raif, a cougar shifter struggling to lead his pack while facing constant resistance from the elders. Pressured by his grandfather to find a mate, Raif’s world is thrown into further turmoil when fate intervenes in the most unexpected way. His fated mate, Haven, arrives under extraordinary circumstances that change everything.
Haven’s situation is dire. Drugged and left for dead in the mountains of Oregon, she wakes up with no memory of how she got there and, to her horror, cannot shift into her wolf form. The last thing she recalls is leaving her homeworld, Laizahli, with her vampire partner to hunt down a rogue vampire on Earth. Now, caught in this new reality, Haven finds herself saved by a cat shifter whose presence stirs conflicting emotions within her—an attraction that ignites her desire to both claim him and sink her fangs into his neck. Though her mission to find her vampire partner and stop the rogue vampire should be her main focus, Haven’s growing connection to Raif and the challenge of proving herself to his clan add another layer of tension to an already complicated situation.
Holm masterfully crafts the character arcs of both Raif and Haven. Raif’s battle to assert his leadership while being torn between tradition and instinct showcases his internal conflict, making him a compelling protagonist. On the other hand, Haven struggles with her identity and feelings of rejection from her mate while under pressure to find her missing partner. This dual conflict of self-discovery and romantic tension keeps readers emotionally engaged. Their interactions simmer with attraction and tension, adding complexity to the push and pull between them.
The balance of romance, action, and emotional depth is a standout feature of Savage Warrior. Holm weaves external threats, like the looming danger of a rogue vampire, with the simmering passion between Raif and Haven. This creates a high-stakes environment that blends supernatural intrigue with raw emotional drama. The supporting characters further enrich the story, offering a glimpse into the complexities of pack dynamics and the challenges of interspecies relationships, making the world-building immersive and multi-layered.
For fans of paranormal romance, Savage Warrior offers a richly developed world filled with shifters, vampires, and djinns. Holmes’ strong lead characters and intricate plot make this an irresistible read for anyone who enjoys being swept away by supernatural conflicts, sizzling romance, and the fight for leadership and love.
Pages: 345 | ASIN : B0DGPPBN86
A Poet and An Artist
Moses and Akhenaten: Ancient Egypt Fiction Series Book 1 explores with great detail and some imaginative storytelling the theory that the biblical Moses and the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten were the same person. Where did the idea for this novel come from and how did it develop over time?
Akhenaten amazed me as a child. He was considered the “first monotheist” and “first individual in history”.
As an adult, I wanted to write literary fiction and chose Akhenaten as a subject. This book is a response to a man who was not only a king with a unique religious vision, but also a poet and an artist.
Fiction is an art form that uses elements of the imagination as an artist uses paint. Many paintings are layered and this was my approach. It seemed appropriate because King Akhenaten was many things.
First, there is the little boy, Akhy, and his family, all of whom are based on real people instantly recognizable to those familiar with Egyptian history.
Akhenaten crossed his own time and culture to be of interest to people in many countries living in times different from his own. It is the reason he debates with modern academics in the novel and why a time machine is included.
The real King Akhenaten was an artist so far ahead that much of his work appears to be out of his time. His art, for instance, has been described as expressionistic. It is the reason this novel shows him painting both within his own time and in ours.
Likewise, his ownership of Bessie, the dinosaur is an echo of the Biblical leviathan. This creature is mentioned in Psalm 104, which is also dubbed the Song of Moses. It is this psalm that scholars have equated with Akhenaten’s own Hymn to the Aten. They both appear at the end of this novel where readers may compare the two works at their leisure.
There have been heated responses to the Moses and Akhenaten theory. Ahmed Osman had his book, which boldly stated that Akhenaten was the prophet, burned in the streets of Cairo.
My book is not an altogether serious religious discussion, which is better served in the academic realm of non-fiction. Rather, it is a celebration of the artist and the poet whose religious ideas still intrigue us.
Children appear in the novel because they, more than any of us, express the joy of life and creativity.
As for Akhenaten, Egyptologist and Director General of the Cairo Museum (2004 to 2010), Wafaa El-Saddik once said he was of huge importance, not simply as an Egyptian pharaoh but to the history of the world.
It must be remembered there is still a lot for us to discover about the Egyptian king. In the meantime, while the academics debate and archaeologists dig, this novel invites the reader to celebrate a genius who was a significant thinker and innovator in human history.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
My conclusion, which is that Akhenaten is not Moses.
Once heralded as a forerunner of Christ and the first monotheist, Akhenaten was later considered to be a fanatic who ruled in a manner not unlike that of the Nazis. (This is the reason there is a reference by Akhenaten in the novel to this latter-day interpretation.)
Many people, including the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, were captivated by both the prophet Moses and the pharaoh Akhenaten without making a connection that the two could be the same individual. Other writers made the connection, including the Egyptian author Ahmed Osman, who declared Akhenaten to be none other than Moses.
I visited Egypt several times, fuelled by the desire to discover more about both Moses and Akhenaten. I am also qualified in Egyptology with a postgraduate degree in the discipline.
The whole process was a massive undertaking and the novel was shelved for many years. Now, after further thought, I have concluded that Akhenaten was not the prophet Moses. Part of the reason is that there are new academic theories and archaeological evidence that support this conclusion.
However, Akhenaten’s revolution was important and still intrigues many historians. What is interesting is that the prince of Egypt, who caused issues in Egypt has no other historical parallel except with Pharaoh Akhenaten.
Both Moses and Akhenaten were raised in Egypt. Moses’ Ten Commandments are a brilliant abbreviation of the Negative Confessions within ancient Egyptian writings. It is no accident, either that there are echoes of Akhenaten in the holy books.
Even while scholars debate Psalm 104 and the Hymn to the Aten, and whether Akhenaten was a monotheist or not, his city is still out there. Badly in need of restoration, my view is that it is a city of global importance, not simply another local heritage site (as valuable as such sites are).
Despite the deep connections between Akhenaten and Moses, for me, Akhenaten stands on his own as a great Egyptian prophet who was light years ahead of his time. There is no need for him to be Moses to hold his place in history.
Egypt should be credited with his achievement as with other great works of their civilization such as the pyramids. The ancient Egyptian civilization was the most advanced of its time, and as Wafaa El-Siddik pointed out, Akhenaten is of immense importance to the world.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted people to think about Akhenaten. We are all aware of Moses from holy texts. Three monotheistic religions recognize him as a prophet. However, archaeological evidence shows that there once lived a king who spearheaded a religious revolution and did something so extraordinary that we are still talking about it. The site of Akhenaten’s city, Tell el-Amarna, which the ancient Greeks referred to as the City of Moses, still exists in the middle of Egypt.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Book two is available. The Tutankhamen Friendship has a British style because it is about the English discoverers of Tutankhamen’s tomb. Both English and European readers love it, perhaps due to the style and their familiarity with the story.
Book three, The Queen Who Became King is also available. It is based on the true story of an ancient Egyptian queen, and incidentally one of Akhenaten’s ancestors. Feeling that she had to protect her young nephew Tuthmosis, this extraordinary woman stepped up to rule as king. At her death, Hatshepsut left a legacy of a strong country to her nephew. Tuthmosis III, known as Tuthmosis-the-Great, inherited her throne and went on to become Egypt’s greatest conqueror. To this day, he is thought to be Egypt’s foremost military ruler.
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He could inherit the throne of Egypt …
… and change the world forever.
But does he?
This is the first novel to set Akhenaten in his childhood.
Making use of the theories surrounding a king, who has been thought to be Moses, the book entertains with a poetic tale of children and what might have been, if only it were true!
WE SHOULD NOT ALL BE FEMINISTS
We Should Not All Be Feminists by Lakshmi Raj Sharma explores the lives of several women and their complex relationships with men, their personal struggles, and the societal expectations imposed on them. The story revolves around Emelia, a thoughtful and introspective woman navigating her identity, personal losses, and ideas of feminism. The novel also introduces Rajni, Vibha, and Clarissa, among others, each representing different facets of womanhood, relationships, and the feminist movement. Through their interconnected lives, the novel delves into themes like empowerment, love, and the often contradictory expectations placed on women.
The emotional depth with which Emelia’s inner thoughts are portrayed really draws you in, especially as she contemplates her relationship with Neville and her self-worth. Her reflections, like those following her dreams or the loss of her mother, feel raw and real. Emelia’s journey as she tries to reconcile her romantic life with her growing political awareness is incredibly engaging, particularly her thoughts on Lady Jane Grey and her budding feminist outlook.
What stood out the most for me was the novel’s handling of relationships and power dynamics. Emelia’s relationship with Neville, Vibha’s marriage, and the tumultuous connection between Rajni and his wife all reveal different aspects of the struggle for balance in love and autonomy. For example, Rajni’s attempts to reconnect with his wife after arguments are portrayed with a painful realism. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and relatable. Similarly, Vibha’s struggle within her oppressive marriage and her attempts to find solace and solidarity in the Women’s Emancipation Cell poignantly reflect the real-life frustrations many women face. The contrast between Vibha’s personal challenges and Emelia’s internal battle between her past with Neville and her feminist awakening made me feel like I was exploring a mosaic of modern womanhood.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in nuanced depictions of women’s inner lives and the complexities of relationships. I think it’s especially suited for readers who enjoy exploring feminist themes without wanting a straightforward or preachy narrative. We Should Not All Be Feminists offers rich insights into the lives of women trying to find themselves in a world that often seeks to define them.
Pages: 244 | ASIN : B0DCVFVQTJ
A Southern Enchantress
Deborah Trahan’s A Southern Enchantress transports readers to the mystical streets of New Orleans, where magic, love, and fate collide. At the heart of the story is Suzanne, a clairsentient enchantress who has long resisted embracing her magical heritage. Raised by a powerful hoodoo conjurer, she turned her back on the craft, determined to live a normal life. However, when she crosses paths with Max, a charming yet morally questionable rogue at a Garden District soirée, her destiny takes an unexpected turn. As their relationship deepens, Suzanne begins to experience supernatural encounters, each demanding she avenge past evils. Confronting her family’s legacy and the shadows of history, she must quickly master the magic she once rejected if she hopes to survive.
On the surface, A Southern Enchantress is a tale of magic and enchantment, but beneath that lies a story rich in themes of family, self-acceptance, and love. Trahan weaves an enchanting narrative that explores revenge, pain, greed, and sorrow, all told through evocative and lyrical prose. Her vivid descriptions of New Orleans create a setting so immersive that the city itself feels like a character. Every scene is painted with such care that the imagery leaps off the page, bringing the haunting beauty of the French Quarter and its surroundings to life.
Suzanne, the novel’s protagonist, is a character that I absolutely loved. Trahan develops her as a deeply human character that is complex, flawed, and relatable. Her internal struggle with her powers and her past adds a layer of emotional depth that resonates throughout the book. Suzanne’s journey of self-discovery and growth is as much about accepting herself as it is about mastering her magic.
The novel’s dual timeline, while ambitious, can be challenging. Although I typically enjoy stories that alternate between time periods, I felt that the structure made the story occasionally hard to follow. It takes some time to adjust to the shifts, and this can disrupt the flow of the story. Despite this, the richness of the narrative and the depth of the characters more than compensate for the timeline’s shortcomings.
In A Southern Enchantress, Trahan blends multigenerational tragedy with magical realism, creating a story that is both enchanting and moving. The vivid imagery, compelling characters, and emotional depth make it a captivating read. It’s a novel worth reading for its beautifully crafted world and unforgettable protagonist.
Pages: 391 | ASIN : B0CLWF2S4J
LITERARY TITAN 