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Sage of the Mountains
Sage of the Mountains is a modern inspirational fable, really a self-help story dressed in the shape of a quest. Dr. George Cluen frames it around Folly, a blacksmith whose life has been wrecked by betrayal, heartbreak, and the slow grind of pain, then sends him into the mountains in search of a sage who might help him let go and start again. The book makes its purpose plain from the start. It’s about healing, self-discovery, reframing suffering, and learning how to move forward when your mind keeps dragging you back. That mix of allegory and personal growth sits at the heart of the book, and Cluen underlines it again in the reflective material at the end, where he ties Folly’s journey to his own search for peace.
This book doesn’t hide what it wants to say, and I think that honesty gives it some real warmth. Folly’s setbacks are heavy, but they are presented in simple, readable language that keeps the story moving, and Arabello’s guidance gives the novel its emotional backbone. At times, the dialogue feels less like natural conversation and more like the delivery system for a lesson, but in this genre, that is partly the point. This isn’t a literary puzzle box. It’s a book that wants to meet a reader in pain, sit them down, and say, keep going.
I was also struck by the author’s choice to build the story as a series of encounters, trials, and reminders, almost like stations on a climb. That structure gives the book a steady rhythm and makes Folly’s growth feel incremental instead of magical. The strongest idea running through it, for me, is that change isn’t something that arrives from outside. It has to be practiced, sometimes awkwardly, through attention, gratitude, restraint, and small wins. That is familiar territory in inspirational fiction and self-help, but Cluen gives it a personal pulse by linking the fable to his own period of loss and searching. You can feel that lived experience underneath the message. Even when the symbolism is broad, it doesn’t feel empty. It feels meant.
Sage of the Mountains will work best for readers who like uplifting, faith-leaning or spiritually open personal-growth books, especially ones that use story instead of straight advice. If you’re looking for a reflective, accessible book about hurt, resilience, and finding your footing again, I think it has something genuine to offer. I would most readily recommend it to readers of inspirational fiction, allegorical healing narratives, and anyone going through a rough patch who wants a gentle nudge toward hope.
Pages: 102 | ASIN : B0FFVSPZT3
Honest Interactions
The Undulating Shadows follows the lives of three orphans who are connected by a paranormal phenomenon that could threaten the entire planet. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wouldn’t want to spoil the twist at the end, but I started from there and worked my way back. The motivation for some of the characters to turn out the way they did, made sense to start out from a challenging childhood, and what could be more traumatic and challenging than growing up in a dilapidated orphanage?
This novel provides readers with some astonishing twists. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
I had one twist in mind from the beginning, but I wanted to leave easter eggs along the way that will give attentive readers that ‘ah-ha’ moment in the end. I believe (or for me, it’s like that at least) that when a reader discovers these in the end, or close to the end, it is an additional reward for their patience and time dedicated to finishing the book.
What was your process in writing the characters’ interactions to develop the bond they have?
To be honest, I was very skeptical about how they would be received given that they swear and there is physical abuse, etc. But I wanted to keep the characters authentic, although this is quite difficult in today’s social climate. So far, I’ve not been canceled due to their honest interactions, and I hope it stays that way lol.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book is called Lucid, and it’s about a young boy who discovers his dad’s old psychiatric journals that give instructions as to how to utilize lucid dreaming to battle PTSD. This leads to serious complications as the boy’s boundaries between the conscious and subconscious–the dream world and the real world–begin to blur. I hope to publish in early 2024.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
A paralysis-inducing shadow has caused a chain reaction of traumatic events that lands the youngest boy, Justin, in a dilapidated orphanage in South Carolina. There, Justin’s friendship with two equally traumatized children provides temporary solace from his pain—until the shadows stir once more and leave everyone lucky enough to survive the onslaught with a shattered psyche.
33 years later, Justin stumbles upon an incident involving a similar paranormal phenomenon. His investigation reveals an unsettling truth dating back to 8,212 BC that has slowly been growing into an imminent threat to the entire planet.
Can Justin connect with his past to find the answers in time, or will he, along with every other soul on the planet, succumb to the shadow’s insidious power?
Protectors of the Light
Protectors of the Light, by Ivy Gilbert, introduces us to Hannah and Nick Hanley. Hannah is involved in a car accident and has an out of body experience. Years later, Hannah returns home after her parents deaths and runs into Nick, her twin brother. Over the years, the two had grown distant from one another and they both…have secrets. Nick, too, had an experience similar to Hannah’s. With time, Hannah and Nick realize coming clean and working together would save countless lives. But will their secrets be exposed in time, or will darkness prevail?
Protectors of the Light is a story readers of many genres will enjoy. The bond between the two siblings is explored at length in the story and is an enjoyable relationship to follow. The fact that they each have flaws but are still open to giving each other a chance is what makes the plot interesting. The supernatural element in the story is fascinating and well-crafted. Gilbert’s descriptions immerse the reader in the story and give a real sense of the characters’ surroundings and what they are feeling.
Hannah is going through the empty-nest phase of life and now wonders how best to fill her time. Nick has been searching for something that has been missing in his life for years. Their struggles are highly relatable. The author manages to weave a tale of the supernatual seamlessly with the search for a higher purpose. As the story progresses, the author expertly builds the mystery, tension, and action as the plot unfolds making this a book that is difficult to put down.
I highly recommend Protectors of the Light, by Ivy Gilbert. This thrilling supernatural read is perfect for those who are looking for a fascinating plot with well-developed characters who will help them get in touch with their spiritual side.
Pages: 229 | ASIN: B0B1JBRDBR
