Blog Archives
History of Disease. Escape
The Cold War era was a time of intense tension and uncertainty for both America and the Soviet Union, marked by a facade of stern diplomacy and covert efforts to outmaneuver each other. This is the setting for Serge R. Pospelov’s memoir, History of Disease. Army: Life, Service, and Escape from the Russian Army. The author, who grew up in the Soviet Union, offers a firsthand account of coming of age during this pivotal historical period. He vividly describes the experience of being indoctrinated to hate the American enemy while simultaneously grappling with painful truths about his own country. His narrative also delves into his deep desire to escape the oppressive environment and the intense scrutiny he endured before eventually achieving that goal.
Pospelov’s memoir is a gripping portrayal of the harsh realities of life in the U.S.S.R. from the perspective of an ordinary citizen. With a sharp wit, he recounts the ironies and challenges of daily life in the Soviet army. Readers are likely to see him as a heroic figure as he gradually confronts the overwhelming desire to leave his homeland in order to save his soul. As expected, the journey is fraught with challenges. Pospelov faces capture and interrogation under suspicion of espionage. Yet, his resourcefulness and determination shine through as he ultimately succeeds in escaping, embodying the irrepressible spirit of courage and ingenuity. Despite the serious nature of the story, Pospelov weaves in a surprising streak of dark humor. His ability to find the absurdity in his circumstances adds depth to his narrative, making it not only compelling but also endearing. It is this blend of humor and unwavering resolve that leaves a lasting impression, making Pospelov’s story both memorable and inspiring.
Serge R. Pospelov’s History of Disease. Army: Life, Service, and Escape from the Russian Army is a vivid and moving memoir that illuminates life in the Soviet Union. Pospelov’s memoir is a story of survival and a moving testimony of humans’ potent self-preservative drive. This book will stay with the reader long after they close its final pages.
Pages: 574 | ASIN : B0D8LVY5BW
Of Friction
In Of Friction, the first installment of S. J. Lee’s Altered Earth Series, readers are introduced to protagonist Sam “Valkyrie” Ryan right from the outset. The narrative dives into her complex world as she grapples with her brother’s abrupt departure from the military, a budding romance with Miriam, the team’s medic, and startling revelations about her own past. These personal challenges are set against her mission to safeguard a crucial reconciliation summit between the Altered and humans, threatened by human-supremacist terrorists.
The book maintains a brisk pace, managing to be engaging without overwhelming the reader. Lee effectively portrays a vivid and believable world through Sam’s perspective, ensuring that each character stands out with distinct voices and personalities. This strong sense of place and character enriches the narrative, making the high-stakes environment palpable.
The prologue of Of Friction serves as a great preliminary brief that sets the stage with valuable background details that enrich the reader’s understanding of the world within the series. While stylistically distinct from the chapters that follow, this introduction ensures that the narrative is accessible from the very beginning, offering insights that complement the unfolding story without necessity, indicating the author’s thorough world-building.
The relationship between Sam and Miriam holds the potential for deeper exploration. I think by incorporating Miriam’s perspective earlier in the story, readers could gain a fuller understanding of her motivations and emotions. I think this addition would not only enrich the romantic subplot but also contribute to a more rounded and impactful climax, smoothly integrating the story’s emotional and narrative arcs.
Of Friction is a compelling opener for the Altered Earth Series, featuring a well-crafted setting and a dynamic cast. This dystopian military thriller lays a promising groundwork for the subsequent books, leaving readers eager to see how the complexities of the characters’ relationships and the overarching conflict will evolve.
Pages: 404 | ASIN: B0CPGG44BR
Long-Term Effects of War
Foxholes follows a combat veteran now working as a paralegal who is haunted by things that happened back in Afghanistan and the man who got away with murder. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was stationed in Afghanistan during my time in the Air Force. When the U.S. started withdrawing from the country in 2021, I thought a lot about my time there. As the memories came back, the writer part of my brain realized that a military outpost in Afghanistan would make a great setting for a murder mystery, and the idea behind the story was born.
Vince struggles with his past and the ghosts he brought home from Afghanistan he tried to forget. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted Vince to have a strong personal motivation for solving the mystery, so I connected the murder to his combat experiences, which were life-changing for him. I wanted to show how those experiences continued to impact him years later. Ultimately, Vince’s inner conflict is deciding between two opposing ideals that arose from his time in Afghanistan: a desire to live a safe and quiet life and taking risks to see justice served. Navigating that internal conflict, coupled with the external conflicts he has with Nick Batson, gives him some complexity and provides an opportunity for him to grow and change during the story.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The long-term effects of war is one of the themes I explored in the book; it was challenging to do that in the context of a thriller, so I tried to keep a light touch on it and make it a factor in the story without overpowering the action. I also explore the idea of conflict and how we show what we really believe under extreme pressure. The title of the book alludes to a military saying, “There are no atheists in the foxhole.” Vince has to decide what he really values and who he’s going to be in the face of danger; his foxholes are both in combat and in civilian life as an amateur sleuth. Finally, the entire Marcotte/Collins series explores the idea of the past shaping our present.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
I enjoyed Hadley Collins’ character in Foxholes so much that the next book, Captives, will tell her story. It’s about Hadley, Vince, and Eddie investigating a missing child case and discovering some personal connections Hadley has to the case. Like Foxholes, the team makes some powerful enemies during their investigation, and the danger factor is ratcheted up a few notches this time. I’m really excited to share it with everyone; it comes out on June 6, 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Combat veteran Vince Marcotte has hung up his uniform in favor of a quiet, comfortable life. But, ghosts from his past are raised when Nick Batson announces his Senate campaign. Vince is convinced Nick got away with murder 15 years ago when they were both deployed to Afghanistan. When another person close to Nick dies under mysterious circumstances, Vince enlists the help of amateur detective Hadley Collins to prove Nick’s guilt. As they grow closer to the truth, they become Nick’s targets and soon learn that he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his political goals. As Nick barrels toward a campaign victory, Vince races to discover what really happened in Afghanistan. Will he survive long enough to bring Nick to justice?
Foxholes, the first in the Marcotte and Collins Investigative Thriller series, is a page-turning crime thriller. Smart, engaging, and suspenseful, Travis Tougaw’s debut novel will grab your attention on the first page and not let go. Buy it today and get to know your new favorite detectives!
Explore the Gray
The Relic Revolver follows a man whose hometown is attacked by demonic forces and winds up going through an interdimensional door, landing in a realm between heaven and hell. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I am in my eleventh year working on the world and storyline for this series that will span eight books. The original inspiration for the story came to me years ago. While watching and reading tons of fantastical adventures in big worlds, I realized that there was a lack of those that were hopeless, dark, and scary. There are so many worlds with bright environments, fun times, bubbly characters, and grand adventures, but I wanted to explore the gray. I wanted to create a world where even the ultimate good turned out to be corrupt. My design for Jack followed that idea. The idea that a man who has killed bounties his entire life had been given the responsibility of the future of the mortal realms was intriguing and really got me excited to explore the human condition and the true way of the world. We are all flawed, and nothing is what it seems. There are so many tiny inspirations that helped me create this epic adventure; from the relationships/conversations of The Guardians of the Galaxy (that inspired me to keep wry humor even in intense situations) to the constant action in the Witcher series that pushes Geralt through unthinkable situations. Another that I have to mention is the incredibly descriptive nature of Tolkein’s environments.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
The original idea for my settings were post-apocalyptic western towns that were unaware of the destruction and loss of technological advances because of the wars between Heaven and Hell. I designed 148 cities brimming with life that each have different types of government, cultures, and recorded histories. I will definitely never make it close to exploring all of those in my writing, but the world actually exists around where I am writing now. Cities bustle even though readers may never experience them, which gives me even more perspective to explore struggles in the world as well as the internal conflicts of the characters. As I planned, my world grew exponentially spanning across realms and even time. It took a lot of work, but I am excited for every reader to get lost in this place that has been alive to me for so long.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I felt like creating an array of different personalities that have gone through similar circumstances allowed me to explore loss, love, fear, and courage. Looking at these themes through divergent looking glasses affects readers very differently. A gentler soul may connect instantly with Shadow and experience growth with him, while a more cynical person may be inspired by Jack’s journey. I wanted to tackle those themes through different characters with different struggles that relate to a lot of what we actually go through emotionally in the world around us. Ultimately I wanted to explore the foundational idea that sometimes evil deeds end with good results and vice versa. I feel like there is definitely inspiration for the reader by connecting with my characters. I have spent years on the development and growth and I am so proud of the results so far.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The beautiful thing about this question is that I have designed a world with thousands of years of history, that is full of cities, adventure, round characters, and untapped mysteries that are sure to excite. The series is designed to run for eight books, but there is so much more to explore and tell. The second book called, The Cursed Amethyst continues right where The Relic Revolver ends and ramps up the action. I can’t say too much at this point about it, but what I will reveal is that the crew does go to Hell in this one. I am on track to release The Cursed Amethyst this November, and I could not be more excited. The immense size and scope of this universe creates endless possibilities for more adventures that even I cannot wait to explore.
Author Links: GoodReads | Tiktok | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Heaven’s Throne is a heroic tale of a selfish bounty hunter turning from a cold heartless killer to the savior of the mortal realms. In this epic tale, everything matters, everything connects, and nothing is what it seems.
The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior: A WWII Final Honor
In The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior: A WWII Final Honor, David E. Huntley offers a detailed account of a lesser-known World War II incident. The book revolves around the crash of a B-17 Flying Fortress in England in 1944, involving a crew of nine, known as the Tomahawk Warriors. Huntley, who witnessed the plane’s descent as a young boy, delves deep into the lives of these crew members, bringing to light a story that remained obscured for nearly a century.
Huntley’s narrative skillfully bridges the gap between a factual recounting and an engaging tale, making the book a compelling read. His approach gives the book a novelistic quality, often reminiscent of high-quality World War II documentaries or cinematic depictions of the era. The author’s chance witnessing of the crash and his subsequent discovery of a navigator’s diary form the backbone of this investigation, offering key insights into the fate of the B-17 and its crew.
Huntley expertly maintains suspense and emotional depth throughout the book. The narrative is engaging, pulling the reader into the story and culminating in a poignant conclusion that resonates deeply. The book is not just a recounting of historical events; it is also a tribute to the crew, crafted with a clear passion for uncovering and preserving this fragment of history.
The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior: A WWII Final Honor is more than a historical account; it is a homage to the bravery and sacrifices of the crew. Huntley’s work ensures that this story, and the memory of the Tomahawk Warriors, endures. This book is a meaningful addition to the literature on World War II, offering a unique perspective that stays with the reader well after the final page is turned.
Pages: 468 | ASIN: B0CK5BCBS8
Unspoken Love: An Orphan’s Journey
Unspoken Love: An Orphan’s Journey, by Jack McCabe, offers a heartfelt and inspiring look into the life of a man who overcame significant challenges to become a dedicated math teacher. This autobiography traces Jack’s journey from a tumultuous youth in an orphanage to his eventual success in a 55-year teaching career. Through candid storytelling, Jack reflects on the hurdles he faced, including a lack of guidance during his formative years and a challenging stint in the Air Force.
This book is a testament to the power of resilience and optimism. Jack’s transformation from a young man facing arrest to a respected educator and Air Force veteran is nothing short of remarkable. His narrative, rich in life lessons, is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that one’s past does not dictate their future.
The memoir is presented in straightforward, relatable language, adding to its authenticity. Jack’s willingness to share both the ups and downs of his journey resonates deeply, reminding us of the shared human experience.
While the narrative is engaging, I found myself longing for a more in-depth exploration of certain chapters of Jack’s life, particularly his military and teaching experiences. I believe expanding on these aspects would enrich the reader’s understanding and connection to his story. However, those interested in education, military life, and personal growth narratives will find much to appreciate in this account.
Unspoken Love: An Orphan’s Journey, by Jack McCabe, is a compelling read, offering valuable insights into perseverance and the pursuit of one’s passions. I eagerly anticipate a sequel that delves deeper into the intriguing aspects of Jack’s life, further satisfying the curiosity this memoir has ignited. This book is especially appealing to those interested in mathematics, teaching, or anyone who has navigated the complexities of growing up in an orphanage or serving in the military.
Pages: 97 | ASIN : B0975W4SC1
LITERARY TITAN 