Blog Archives
A Trusted Source
Nurse Florence®, What is Albumin? follows three friends who are talking to the school nurse as she outlines what albumin is, its role in the bloodstream, and its significance in overall health. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The human body is amazing, and we should all learn how it operates. Human physiology should be taught from a young age all over the world so that we have societies that perform at high levels due to increased knowledge and healthy living. Nurse Florence® seeks to support that objective.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
I referenced a research document about albumin from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research to guide my writing. Nurse Florence® always uses research-based documents to guide all discussions so that the series can be a trusted source of medical information. I review these documents and then summarize the findings into a fifth-grade reading level.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to make sure the purpose of albumin was clearly stated, as well as issues that can occur if there are low levels of albumin in the blood. Hopefully, this book helps remove a little bit of the complicated mystery that the human body is.
What topic are you currently in the middle of writing a book on?
We have around 150 Nurse Florence® books in production, with a new book published every 3-7 days. We hope to not just bring knowledge to the world, but also motivation for current and future generations to live a healthy life so that we can be as productive and helpful as possible.
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Nurse Florence Project | YouTube | Website
Lifelong Learner
Nurse Florence®, What is a Mast Cell? follows three curious schoolgirls and their approachable school nurse, who discuss mast cells and their role in the immune system. What inspired you to write about this topic?
Nurse Florence® seeks to spark a global movement of health promotion and literacy. We explore how the human body works in each book, as well as discuss disease topics with our numerous disease-related books. We will be publishing around 700 books in the series, and this topic finally came up to the top of the list of books needing to be written.
How did you decide what to include and leave out in your Nurse Florence books?
Writing the Nurse Florence® books is an art since we don’t want to overload kids with too much science information, but we need to bring college-level information down to a fifth grader’s level. Every book is a little complicated to write, and I decide what to include out of inspiration from my illustrator’s drawings. Disney might say they have Disney magic to help produce their movies, while we have DCE magic to produce Nurse Florence® books to help even adults stay engaged with each page of the books.
What was the most challenging part of writing these books, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging is to decide what info to include, and the most rewarding is getting feedback that whole families are learning from each book.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
Grandparents have even said on GoodReads that they are learning. I was surprised at first since I thought I was writing just for kids. I’m happy to hear that everyone is learning. Being a lifelong learner is so important in the world that we live in.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Nurse Florence Project | Amazon
The Art of Thinking Critically with Clarity for Optimal Health: Your Longevity Is Determined by How You Think!
The Art of Thinking Critically with Clarity for Optimal Health focuses on sharpening our thinking when it comes to our health. Author Jerome Puryear takes a practical approach, breaking down complex concepts into simple lessons on weighing choices, sorting through misinformation, and making decisions with both heart and reason. He explores ways biases cloud our judgment, how logic strengthens choices, and the tools like emotional intelligence and metacognition that can shape healthier outcomes. What makes it stick is the way he ties everything back to real life, choosing a doctor, weighing treatment options, or simply trying not to drown in endless health information.
Reading it, I felt both challenged and reassured. I appreciated Puryear’s clarity, never hiding behind jargon. Some parts felt a bit heavy with lists and frameworks, almost like a textbook, but that structure also made it easy to digest.
What really stood out for me was his honesty about how messy decision-making can be. He didn’t promise that critical thinking is a magic fix. Instead, he demonstrates that this is a skill we stumble through and build over time. That gave me a sense of relief. I felt less pressure to “get it right” every time. The sections on misinformation and bias also hit close to home for me. I caught myself thinking of moments where I’d trusted a headline or gone with my gut, only to regret it later.
I’d recommend The Art of Thinking Critically with Clarity for Optimal Health to anyone who feels overwhelmed by health choices or just wants to think more clearly day to day. It’s especially useful for people who prefer having a toolkit they can actually use, not just theory. If you want a guide that balances practical advice with a thoughtful framework, this is an essential read.
Longevity for the Lazy
Longevity for the Lazy is a clever, practical, and surprisingly compassionate guide to extending your life without overhauling your entire existence. Dr. Richard Malish, a military physician turned longevity strategist, uses his deep knowledge of public health, cardiology, and human nature to offer a framework he calls the “Longevity Mental Model.” Rather than pitching another trendy diet or rigid routine, the book helps readers understand the major causes of early death, namely atherosclerosis and cancer, and how to fight them with minimal effort. It blends scientific research, history, and strategy into a mental map for living longer, even for those of us who’d rather do the bare minimum.
What I like most about this book is its voice. It’s equal parts seasoned doctor and war-hardened realist, but with an unexpected sense of humor and humility. Dr. Malish writes like someone who’s seen behind the curtain and is now giving you the straight truth without fluff. He acknowledges up front that most people are lazy, and rather than judging it, he embraces it. The book is packed with practical advice, yet it’s never preachy. The core message, kill your killers early and often, lands hard, but he delivers it with enough compassion and realism that I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I appreciated that he doesn’t idealize superhuman health habits. Instead, he arms the reader with simple strategies that don’t require daily marathons or going vegan overnight.
At times, I found myself surprised by how motivating the book was, especially considering its “lazy” theme. It made me feel less guilty for being myself. The military metaphors, enemies, campaigns, and offensive weapons worked better than I expected. They added urgency without melodrama. The science is solid but never dense, and the recurring “Take-Home Messages” made the lessons stick. That said, if you’re looking for glossy photos, flashy life hacks, or someone to tell you aging is optional, this isn’t the book. It’s grounded in reality, and that’s what makes it powerful. It respects your time and your intelligence.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by wellness advice, or if you know what you should be doing but never seem to get around to it, this book is for you. It’s also a great fit for skeptics, minimalists, and anyone who wants to understand the science of longevity without feeling shamed into perfection. Longevity for the Lazy won’t guilt you into green smoothies and CrossFit. Instead, it’ll make you think smarter, act sooner, and want to live better.
Pages: 203 | ASIN : B0DGDBFZ94
The Doc’s Christmas Miracle
S.A. Stolin’s The Doc’s Christmas Miracle is a heartfelt romance set in a snowy mountain town, centering on Dr. Mark Moore, a disgraced Alzheimer’s researcher seeking redemption, and Dr. Susan Pace, a guarded psychiatrist fiercely devoted to her holistic treatment methods. Mark brings with him a controversial memory-repair machine, hoping to prove its worth at the Sam Heard Clinic. What follows is a tender, often tense story of healing, trust, second chances, and the unspoken grief both doctors carry, all under the soft glow of Christmas lights.
What I liked most about the writing was its emotional depth. The author doesn’t rush the romance, which I appreciated. Mark and Susan’s push-pull dynamic felt believable. Their baggage isn’t treated like plot filler; it actually shapes who they are and how they relate to each other. The story touches on serious themes like Alzheimer’s, professional betrayal, and grief, yet never lets the weight of those topics overshadow the spark of hope running through it. The dialogue, while occasionally dramatic, felt natural and kept me emotionally invested. The snowy setting, the warmth of the townsfolk, and the spark between the leads all came together beautifully. I could practically hear the fire crackling in Mark’s cabin and smell the spaghetti sauce in Susan’s kitchen.
I do feel that some of the early exposition took a bit of time to settle into, especially the technical descriptions of Mark’s memory machine. While clearly important to the story, those sections felt slightly more clinical than the emotional tone elsewhere. Susan’s initial aloofness also came across a touch stronger than expected, though it made her gradual softening all the more satisfying. And Dr. King, while serving his role well, occasionally edged close to a familiar “corporate antagonist” mold. These were small moments in an otherwise well-paced, heartfelt narrative that gave its characters room to breathe and grow.
The Doc’s Christmas Miracle is a lovely and warm story with a genuine heart. If you enjoy clean, character-driven romances with medical backdrops and small-town charm, you’ll want to curl up with this one on a snowy night. It’s for readers who believe in second chances, both in love and in life.
Pages: 194
A Diagnosis Doesn’t Define
Johnny and Type 1 is a heartfelt and empowering children’s book that follows a young boy’s journey from confusion to confidence after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Johnny and Type 1 is deeply personal—it was inspired by my son Azariah, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 2 years old. Watching him navigate the early days of his diagnosis—filled with confusion, discomfort, and questions—moved me profoundly. I wanted to create something that would help him, and others like him, feel seen and empowered. I co-wrote the book with my eldest son, Isaiah, making it not just a story about our family, but a story from our family.
What message did you most hope children living with chronic conditions would take away from Johnny’s story?
The core message I want children to take away is that with the right mindset and a strong support system, they can live boldly and joyfully even with a chronic condition. A diagnosis doesn’t define them. What defines them is their courage, their resilience, and the love surrounding them. Johnny’s story is a reminder that they are not alone, and that strength comes in many forms even the quiet, everyday kind.
How did you collaborate on the storytelling and illustrations to ensure Johnny’s emotions felt authentic and relatable?
Working with Scott, our illustrator, was a great experience. He has a unique ability to bring emotion to life through art. From the beginning, he took the time to deeply understand our story and connect with the character.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
At the moment, I don’t have another book in the works. My first book, Adventures of the Negassi Brothers, was written for my boys, and Johnny and Type 1 was written about my son’s journey. I tend to write when I’m deeply inspired, when a story feels meaningful and worth sharing. My goal is always to encourage others through authentic, heartfelt storytelling. So while I can’t say exactly what’s next, I know that when the time comes, the next story will find its way to me.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
With this fun and educative rhyming story, young readers will learn all about living with type 1 diabetes. Whether it’s them, or a loved one, who is diagnosed with the condition, they will know that it’s not a burden, but a superpower.
Metabolic Reboot: From Crisis to Cure with The Power of Food
In Metabolic Reboot, James and Crystal Bass share an unflinchingly honest journey from the shock of a devastating diagnosis to a powerful transformation grounded in whole-food nutrition, faith, and intentional living. The book begins with Crystal’s painful diagnosis of Paget’s Disease—a chronic and degenerative bone condition—and blossoms into a practical and emotionally rich guide to reclaiming health through diet, low-impact exercise, fasting, and holistic supplements. With detailed explanations of bodily systems, a wealth of nutritional guidance, and heartfelt testimony, the Basses aim to educate, inspire, and offer a path forward for those battling chronic illness.
What struck me most was the raw sincerity of the storytelling. The opening chapters are heavy with emotion—there’s fear, grief, and a sense of helplessness that’s almost tangible. But woven through that vulnerability is this strong, unwavering love between James and Crystal. They don’t pretend to have all the answers, and that humility makes their advice land with more weight. When they talk about organic food, supplements, and lifestyle shifts, it doesn’t feel preachy—it feels like a hand extended to help you up.
It is worth noting that parts of the book felt a bit encyclopedic. The lists of nutrients and supplements were informative and broke up the emotional rhythm of the narrative. I appreciated the clarity and practicality. There’s no fluff. No empty promises. Just a real couple navigating pain, offering what worked for them. I found myself dog-earing pages and writing notes for my own pantry overhaul. It’s clear they’ve done their homework—and lived it.
Metabolic Reboot isn’t just a wellness book. It’s a love story. It’s a faith journey. It’s a wake-up call. If you’re someone who’s hit a wall with conventional treatments, or if you’re just looking to live with more intention, this book is worth your time. It’s especially helpful for those dealing with chronic illnesses or seeking gentle, sustainable health practices.
Pages: 96 | ISBN : 978-1963737936
Health Literacy
Nurse Florence®, What Are Platelets? follows a school nurse as she answers three students’ questions about platelets, explaining what they are, where they come from, what they do, and how we keep them healthy. How do you approach writing about medical topics to make the topic interesting for children?
I trust in my belief that kids can learn complicated things as long as we explain them thoroughly.
How did you develop the personalities for Jean, Condi, and Sonia, who are prominent characters throughout the series?
My niece, Sandra Islas, you illustrated the first book was the one who came up with the three characters. I loved the diversity of a Caucasian, Hispanic, and African American who were all friends so I just continued it with all the other books. It shows the collaboration I do with my illustrators that give them some guidelines and they create their own Nurse Florence® universe.
What do the words “literary success” mean to you? How do you picture it?
With all the great book reviews and many book awards the series has won, I do believe Nurse Florence® is already a literary success. I wish the series to become a global phenomenon so that health literacy levels around the world are drastically improved.
Tell us something about yourself that we likely don’t know? The more obscure the better.
I write the Nurse Florence® series at my kitchen table surrounded by many depictions of the Florence Nightingale Pledge. She was an amazing woman, and I truly hope my series honors her.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 