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Past, Present, and Future
The Adamantine Jewel follows a university professor and former U.S. Marine who, with the help of his daughter, tries to track down a mythical healing stone to save humanity from a flesh-eating virus. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for my story came from a dream I had over fifteen years ago. I wrote the first twenty pages within a few weeks, but as life got busy, the project was put on hold. It stayed on the shelf until last year when I discovered NaNoWriMo.org, a writers’ resource. I decided to take on their 55,000-word challenge—to write 55,000 words in one month. I succeeded, and that’s how my novel was born.
David and April are intriguing characters with great emotional depth. What emotional and moral guidelines did you follow when developing them?
David believes in the inherent goodness of all people, though he acknowledges that some make poor choices in life. He is compassionate and non-judgmental, firmly believing in second chances and embodying unconditional love for all living beings. With unwavering faith and hope for a brighter future for humanity, David exemplifies the archetype of the peaceful warrior—kind and forgiving, yet resolute. He possesses the strength and skills needed to protect his family and friends when it matters most.
April, on the other hand, is on a quest for meaning and purpose, struggling to define her identity and place in the world while battling a life-threatening illness. Despite her challenges, she maintains a good sense of humor and discovers a profound spiritual connection with the universal goddess energy, or divine feminine. She faces her impending death with remarkable courage and fortitude.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One theme I explore is the interplay of the past, present, and future. The past is represented by a prophecy rooted in an 18,000-year-old religion. The present follows the journey of David and April, including an epic battle of good versus evil. The future envisions transformative initiatives for spiritually focused individuals on Earth.
Another theme I delve into is the mythic archetypal structure of the Hero’s Journey—and the Heroine’s Journey—that mythologist Joseph Campbell is renowned for. Both David and April are living their ordinary lives when they are suddenly thrust into a life-or-death quest. Through their struggles to fulfill this quest, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
April grows and matures as a woman, with a budding romance on the horizon, a deeper understanding of her role in the world, and her mission as a divine world spirit healer. Meanwhile, David collaborates with world leaders to address the issue of homelessness, assumes his role as Earth’s representative in working with advanced civilizations within the Galactic Federation Council, and expands his mystical understanding of universal truths.
New characters are introduced, enriching the narrative, while existing characters develop deeper and more meaningful relationships. The upcoming twelve metaphysical supernatural novels in The David Thoreau Adventure Series further explore the visionary themes introduced in this first installment. These visionary initiatives aim to guide humanity toward becoming a spiritually evolved, space-faring civilization.
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Their journey thrusts them into a life-or-death race to India, where their only hope lies in a rare, miraculous healing herb. As time slips away, every second counts, and failure means the end. But fate deals a cruel blow when their flight crashes in the treacherous Himalayan Mountains of Tibet.
What follows is an epic saga of survival, love, and redemption. Together, David and April confront their deepest fears and battle formidable adversaries. With each passing moment, the countdown to her demise draws closer. Guided by allies and aided by supernatural forces in the mystical “Land of the Gods,” they are destined to undertake a perilous quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy that only they can complete.
With time running out, their love and courage will be tested beyond anything they’ve ever known. In a battle where life, death, and the supernatural collide, they will discover that some destinies are forged in the crucible of the impossible—where a father’s devotion and a daughter’s courage shatter the very limits of time, space, and even death.
The Esperanza – Chasing Hope – Book 2 of The Terracolina Trilogy
In The Esperanza: Book Two of the Terracolina Trilogy, Carla Kessler weaves a compelling continuation of twelve-year-old Thomas’s journey, blending themes of fantasy, friendship, and self-discovery. Returning from three intense days in the magical world of Terracolina, Thomas grapples with the rigid expectations of his parents, leaving him yearning for purpose and autonomy in a world that often feels stifling. Though faced with the prospect of math camp instead of adventure, Thomas finds solace in his friendships with the savvy Sai and popular Jax, uncovering new ways to impact both his human world and Terracolina. Amidst personal struggles and looming ecological threats, Thomas embarks on a search for meaning, confronting both inner turmoil and external perils.
Kessler delves deeply into Thomas’s complex emotions, especially his grief and desire for acceptance. The emotional weight of the story resonates as Thomas faces rejection from his parents, who seem unyielding and cold. This dynamic brings up frustration and sympathy, and readers may question whether Thomas’s inclination to escape to Terracolina was driven by the emotional void in his family life. As Grumog’s dark influence grows, Thomas’s journey toward healing and self-acceptance continues to unfold. The friendships he fosters, particularly with Sai and Jax, inject the story with camaraderie and hope, making his path all the more touching. The book introduces a challenging continuity issue that may unsettle dedicated readers of the trilogy. In the first book, Thomas physically enters Terracolina, with real time elapsing in the human world. In The Esperanza, however, he now accesses Terracolina in a dream state, where no time passes back home. This change creates a dissonance, as book two revises details from book one, suggesting Thomas camped in the woods before dreaming his way into Terracolina—a stark departure from the original narrative. While a minor flaw, this inconsistency detracts slightly from the immersion in an otherwise well-crafted, poignant story. The Esperanza remains a rich story of healing, growth, and acceptance, embracing the challenges of grieving and finding one’s place in the world. Thomas’s struggles, his earnest journey to overcome them, and his loyal friendships make him an endearing and relatable character. The story feels deeply personal, and readers may find themselves wanting to reach out and support him as he navigates this turbulent path. With the final book yet to come, hopes and expectations build for a satisfying conclusion to this heartfelt trilogy.
For Middle-Grade readers, The Esperanza offers a magical, emotionally resonant adventure, interwoven with messages of resilience, self-confidence, and the power of small actions to effect change. This fantasy tale, with its touches of adventure and thought-provoking themes, is sure to captivate young and old alike.
Pages: 230 | ASIN : B0DHB2FWMS
Terracolina – A Place to Belong
In Terracolina: A Place to Belong, Carla Kessler crafts a heartwarming and deeply emotional middle-grade fantasy about a boy named Thomas, who, on the edge of his twelfth birthday, is weighed down by the loss of his beloved Grandpa and the rigid expectations of his family. Before Grandpa passed, Thomas’ world sparkled with stories of a mystical place, filled with lush plants and fantastical creatures. Now, those magical tales feel like a distant memory, and Thomas’ life has become a gray routine of following rules. Determined to break free and find answers, he sets off and soon stumbles into the very world he thought only existed in dreams, where he learns he has a crucial role to play in protecting both worlds.
Kessler’s portrayal of grief in this story is nothing short of powerful. Thomas feels disconnected, battling sorrow that neither his family nor his friends seem to recognize. The emptiness he carries shapes every aspect of his world, creating a weight that many readers who’ve faced loss will recognize. I found myself deeply moved; the story felt like a mirror, reflecting experiences of complex grief that I hadn’t fully processed myself. Thomas’ journey to trust, to confront his pain, and to open his heart resonated with me profoundly. It felt like walking beside him, each step toward healing a reminder of the resilience that lives in us all.
This book’s magic doesn’t stop at its emotional depth. Despite its size, Terracolina is packed with wonder and unforgettable characters. Geven, the warm-hearted gardener, quickly became one of my all-time favorite fantasy characters, while Nib and Nob, the spirited Nubbins, brought a whimsical charm reminiscent of Wonderland. Misty, with her quiet insightfulness, rounded out a quirky and lovable cast that added life and color to Thomas’ adventure. Richard Kessler’s illustrations add extra vibrancy, capturing the beauty and personality of the Terracolina realm.
Terracolina: A Place to Belong is a moving and magical story of finding hope and purpose after loss. The book gently explores tough themes, including fantasy violence and mentions of death, making it a meaningful read for middle-grade readers and anyone looking for a story about courage, healing, and finding one’s place in the world.
Pages: 204 | ASIN: B09XS1G166
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.
The Adamantine Jewel
The Adamantine Jewel by Jeffrey Scott Pears is a thrilling supernatural adventure that sweeps readers into a world balancing on the brink of catastrophe. When an unstoppable, flesh-eating virus threatens humanity with extinction, David Thoreau, a university professor and former U.S. Marine, races against time alongside his brave eighteen-year-old daughter, April. Their mission? To track down a mythical healing stone known as the Adamantine Jewel. The stakes are impossibly high, and the journey is nothing short of epic, involving dangerous conspiracies, mystical forces, and the wisdom of ancient cultures.
The writing in The Adamantine Jewel is a mixed bag. There are moments of taut, breathless action where the prose shines. It grabs you and doesn’t let go, mixing humor with suspense. Yet, there are times when the narrative feels overly descriptive, bogging down scenes that would otherwise fly by. David’s philosophical musings, while intellectually intriguing, sometimes pull away from the story’s tension, making me wish the author would just get back to the action. Nevertheless, these reflective pauses do add a layer of depth, even if they occasionally feel misplaced. Character dynamics are where Jeffrey Scott Pears really excels. David’s relationship with April is authentic, heartwarming, and bittersweet. You can feel the weight of their shared grief over the loss of April’s mother, making their banter and mutual support all the more touching. Some secondary characters, like Serenity Adler, felt underdeveloped despite the potential for complexity. I wanted more from her, especially given her sudden departure to India and the emotional stirrings she awakens in David. The book’s plot brims with intrigue and cinematic energy. From high-speed chases through West Hollywood to the mounting horror of a global pandemic, the stakes are palpable. Pears does a fantastic job weaving real-world fears with mystical elements. The sudden, brutal encounter with the CDC authorities at David’s home made my heart pound, while the philosophical lecture on death during his university class left me contemplative. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel that the pacing wavered in some areas. The narrative jumps from action-packed scenes to quieter moments without always maintaining momentum, leaving me both exhilarated and occasionally restless.
The Adamantine Jewel is a gripping ride that delivers on suspense, family drama, and metaphysical reflection. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with a spiritual twist, especially those curious about ancient cultures and myths. If you’re looking for a thoughtful adventure that keeps you thinking while keeping you on edge, this book is worth the read.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B0DHPMNXBR
Stone of Lust (Stones of Iona Book 3)
Stone of Lust, the third installment in Margaret Izard’s Stones of Iona series, combines Scottish folklore, romance, and modern intrigue into a tale that’s as much about family as it is about the supernatural. The story centers around Ainslie MacDougall, a determined young woman tied to an ancient heritage and a family curse involving mystical Fae stones. Her sibling relationships, particularly with her skeptical and protective brother Colin, are tested as she steps into a larger conflict involving dangerous Fae, her family’s legacy, and a quest to safeguard those she loves. It’s a journey of survival, love, and loyalty where modern-day Scotland feels as magical and dark as any ancient legend.
Izard’s writing has a rich and cinematic quality that is full of vivid descriptions that make the Scottish highlands come alive. The opening chapters, where young Ainslie grapples with her wooden sword, reminded me of childhood dreams of bravery. Ainslie’s fierce spirit shines through in these scenes. When her brother Colin’s skepticism threatens to discourage her, she holds her ground with grit and wit. This childhood resilience defines Ainslie, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of the book. Though I loved the book, I felt some passages lingered on descriptions of the MacDougall castles, slowing the story’s pace at times, especially when it felt like the plot was building toward something urgent.
As the story unfolds, the balance between magic and realism kept me intrigued. Colin’s reluctant involvement in the family’s Fae heritage brings a grounded contrast to Ainslie’s deep-seated faith in these mystical stones and legends. Their banter provides levity to the story, especially in the family-centric scenes. Yet, when Colin encounters threats from his wife Bree’s past and sees the stones’ mystical forces at work, his character shifts. I enjoyed watching Colin’s initial dismissal of his sister’s beliefs clash with his growing desperation to protect Bree, though I felt some scenes felt heavy-handed in illustrating his inner conflict, making him seem stubborn to a fault.
One standout aspect of Stone of Lust is how Izard builds suspense. By the time Ainslie’s nightmares start crossing into reality, each encounter with the Fae feels tangible and sinister. Izard’s pacing during these moments, coupled with the mysteries surrounding the “Stone of Lust,” pulled me into a real thrill.
Stone of Lust is an engaging read for fans of folklore, romance, and suspenseful family dramas. The novel’s combination of Scottish legends, family loyalty, and an unyielding female protagonist makes it a good pick for those who appreciate a story that is as much about character as it is about magic.
Pages: 276 | ASIN : B0DCZVVR9T
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.
LITERARY TITAN 