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Creating Community
In The Break, you share with readers your experiences battling addiction and codependency and offer an intimate look into the unraveling of your marriage. Why was it important for you to write this book?
It was important for me to write The Break and share my experiences with codependency as my ex-husband and I came to terms with his alcoholism because I remember how alone I felt as I looked for community and understanding. I found more stories of people becoming sober than I found of those caring for someone going through alcoholism. The examples of alcoholism that were readily available were stories of various forms of abuse, mood swings, police interactions, empty bank accounts and houses built on fear. None of that was my story and I wanted to show others what high functioning alcoholism can look like. As I looked for my community, I realized there were more programs to assist the individual going through addiction than there were to help guide the loved ones. Alcoholism is a full life disease – it affects family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances – so I found it very odd that there was not just as much support for those around the alcoholic. I wanted to add to that community and that conversation because we, the co-dependents, need a strong support system as well.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest part for me to write about was our wedding and accepting the fact that I really didn’t want to get married at the age of 25. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to marry my now ex-husband, it’s simply that I felt like I was up against societal standards and I was behind. I felt like I needed to get married because it was the next right step. Yes, I loved my now ex-husband and I should not have gotten married. While it was the next right step based upon societal measures, it was not the next right step for me and I was too young and too scared to recognize that truth.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
There is a lot of advice that I wish my younger self had been told, however it does not mean I would have been ready to accept it. If someone had told me that I didn’t have to get married, that there is always another way and to make sure I take the time to listen to myself, I can’t say I would have fully listened to them or understood what they meant. Especially since all the women close to me modeled a very different belief system. Even the women in the news were heralded more for their looks and who they were dating, than the accomplishments they created on their own.
What is one thing you hope readers are able to take away from The Break?
The biggest take away that I hope readers carry with them after reading The Break,is to give that inner voice space. Take the time to listen to the quiet nudging and pulling that says Try this or Are you sure?. It can be scary to give that voice a chance to be heard, especially if she’s been quieted for so long, AND it will be very worth it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Websites
This quieting leads us towards a life out of alignment with our truest and most authentic selves. This leaves us feeling anger, exhaustion and constantly stuck. A life the author was too familiar with as she struggled to accept her then husband’s alcoholism and the part she played in the cycle.
The Break is a story of Brandee’s unlearning, seeking truth and finally allowing herself to trust her inner own knowing. The journey back to herself was not easy and it was completely necessary. This story is shared with the hope it will guide you back to your own inner knowing as well.
Themes in this book include:
Addiction
Separation
Learning to trust ones self
Strengthening your inner knowing
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Caregiving Chaos
In The Funny Side, you share the ups and downs of parenting in a collection of anecdotes that range from humorous and lighthearted to those that tug at readers’ heartstrings. What inspired you to share your stories with others?
I enjoy it when I share one of my parenting experiences with another caregiver, and it triggers their memory, and they share too. It feels good to laugh together.
In addition to that, being a parent is my greatest accomplishment and grandest adventure. I wanted to write a book for my boys. It ended up being a book about them and some of my favourite memories. I laughed while remembering. I laughed while writing. And I laughed while re-reading. I realized I could share my humorous view of parenting (on a larger scale) and bring smiles to others’ caregiving chaos, and let them know they aren’t alone. Hopefully, my stories can lessen the stress.
Like I say in The Funny Side, “Parenting is messy,” and that’s okay.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you share your parenting experiences. Do you have any stories that you didn’t include in this book?
I live stories every day. But, yes, some adventures didn’t get included in The Funny Side. Body parts and bathroom incidents are discussed in The Funny Side, and as I completed my final proofread, I remembered one of those “Are you kidding me?” parenting moments.
Originally, I called this story “Three words sum it up: Boys are gross!” It started with a fleeting thought about life as a queen surrounded by sunshine and rainbows and stories about love and romance. A queen whose children played games with dolls and stuffed animals, and cleaned their bedrooms, used their manners, and talked about tying bows and braiding hair . . . However, my life was not queenly. My life went like this:
A small, blurry human ran past me down the hall and slammed the door to my oldest son’s room. My subconscious mind screamed, “Oh no! He’s up to something!” Before I could process further, the child zoomed by me and out the back door.
My husband’s voice boomed with the same questions swirling in my mind. “What do you have? What are you doing?” As a response, my fast-moving son pivoted to avoid my husband, who was coming up the deck stairs. My son was now headed my way. I stepped into the doorway, trapping him between me and my husband, who was now positioned at the top of the stairs. My son froze.
“What do you have?” I asked in a low tone. I crossed my arms and narrowed my gaze as I observed my son’s eyes darting back and forth, searching for an escape path. Two looks slid across his face: a smirk of defiance and the relaxed facial expression of acceptance.
There was a brief pause before his shrill announcement. “He threw pee on me!”
I can’t stop the small intake of air or the widening of my eyes. “He what!”
The accused (my younger son) spoke up then. His voice was flat. “He threw it on me first.”
“He did not.” This was the only comment I could muster, monotone. As I looked around for my husband, who had perfected his ability to disappear into thin air, my boys scrambled past me into the house. I was alone and staring slack-jawed at a small square container with the telltale signs of urine. It was sitting on a splotchy, wet deck. I closed my eyes and massaged the bridge of my nose.
Still out of sight, the disembodied voice of my husband floated up from somewhere near the base of the deck. “Gross!”
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing about your experiences?
Valuable advice about writing about my parenting experiences came to me inadvertently. One reader told me that if they’d read my book or something similar before becoming a parent or near the beginning of caregiving, they would have purchased a notebook to write those messy moments to share and laugh at later. It was a lovely compliment and not meant to be advice, but it made me think. I have a teen and a pre-teen now. The funny stuff is rampant; why am I not writing it down? The comedy gold (sometimes still in hindsight) is happening every day. So, why not capture it in writing?
What is one thing you hope your readers take away from The Funny Side?
The parenting journey is about learning, and it’s unique. Certain things come with the parenting territory. The less talked about stuff and the unexpected events (the ones that sometimes embarrass or horrify) stand out. And they can stand out as having a strange child or as bad parenting—the toddler that strips on the playground or smears boogers on the wall during a playdate—but it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong or that we, as parents, are doing it wrong. Certain things are just part of it. And, even in those challenging moments, there’s value and a nugget of humour.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
It’s priceless, all of it.
From heartwarming to smiles and laughter, The Funny Side looks at precious—or questionable—parenting moments. It’s a compilation of relatable anecdotes that caregivers everywhere can enjoy. The Funny Side is a collection of raw and comical tales, reminding you that you aren’t alone and that laughter is sometimes the best response.
The Funny Side entertains, but it’s also meant to lessen the stress of feeling like your parenting has gone wrong or your child is stranger than average. Certain things come with the parenting territory whether we know it, and whether we like it. So, sit down and prepare to laugh because parenting is topsy-turvy, awry, and farcical. You’re going to love it—eventually.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
Why you should never EVER have children by DJ Dean
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
A Legacy of Love for Caregivers
This book is more than just a guide; it’s a heartfelt letter to every caregiver who’s ever felt overwhelmed, alone, or unsure of what to do next. Jacquie Wilkinson’s A Legacy of Love lays out a gentle but firm framework for creating a “Person-Centered Plan” (PCP), a living, breathing document that honors the uniqueness of your loved one, whether they’re a child with special needs, a teenager in crisis, or an elderly parent. Through stories, templates, poems, and deeply personal reflections, the book makes its case: caring should be intentional, compassionate, and led by love.
What struck me first and stayed with me was how Jacquie’s voice comes through like a trusted friend. She doesn’t lecture. She tells stories. In Chapter 3, when she compares parenting a child with autism to landing in Alaska instead of your dream beach resort, I laughed out loud and then immediately teared up. That metaphor? It nails the feeling of being blindsided. And instead of sugarcoating, she says: yes, this isn’t what you planned, but it can still be beautiful. That balance of honesty and hope is rare. It kept me turning the pages.
There’s something powerful about the way she blends practical advice with raw emotion. She walks readers step-by-step through how to create a PCP, but she sandwiches it between stories of real parents like Sarah, who transformed her son Jack’s school experience with a few thoughtful changes. That part hit me. I’ve sat in those meetings, watched teachers misunderstand, and felt like I had no voice. Seeing how one well-made plan gave Jack peace? That was the kind of hope I didn’t know I needed.
And then there’s the poetry. I didn’t expect to cry reading a poem called “I Am the Mother of an Addict.” Because it’s not just about caregiving, it’s about grief, guilt, and that deep, aching love you feel even when things fall apart. The poems don’t feel tacked on, they feel earned. They remind us that caregiving isn’t just a checklist. It’s emotional labor, and it deserves to be seen.
This book isn’t for someone looking for cold, clinical advice. It’s for people who lead with their heart and want to feel less alone in the chaos. If you’re a parent, sibling, or adult child trying to care for someone you love and you feel like you’re constantly swimming upstream, read this. Let it ground you. Let it guide you. Honestly, even if you’re not a caregiver right now, there’s wisdom in here about empathy, patience, and what it really means to see someone. I’d hand this to anyone who wants to love better.
Pages: 45 | ASIN : B0DWXT3MP3
The Break: Rediscovering Our Inner Knowing
The Break is a raw and soul-baring memoir about the unraveling of a marriage caught in the quiet storm of high-functioning alcoholism and the slow rebirth of a woman learning to trust her own voice. Brandee Melcher takes readers on an intimate, winding journey through love, codependency, addiction, motherhood, and self-liberation. The book is structured in short, potent chapters that trace the trajectory of her life — from a childhood shaped by domestic violence to a marriage strained by denial and rules designed to fix what couldn’t be fixed. With startling honesty, Melcher offers readers not a step-by-step how-to, but a companion in the dark. This is a book about listening to the gut, especially when the heart wants to pretend everything is fine.
I enjoyed Melcher’s writing. I liked how sharp and tender it is all at once. She doesn’t hide from the uncomfortable. She walks right into it, like in Chapter 7, “The Long Ending,” where she describes the heartbreak of discovering that her husband had lied about drinking. Her rage, disbelief, and exhaustion are palpable. And yet, she never lets herself or the reader off easy. She owns her part, too — the enabling, the rationalizing, the excuses, the countless “rules” in Chapter 4 that were made and broken. There’s no polish here. No clean endings. Just someone standing in the ruins of what she thought marriage should be, slowly sweeping up the truth. I felt her weariness. I felt her clarity when she says, “It became too much to keep up with… and I was tired of the discussions.” That kind of fatigue isn’t just emotional — it’s physical. And she writes it like it is.
And then there’s the bravery — not just in leaving, but in staying so long and still trying. In Chapter 10, “Soul Break,” Melcher recounts the moment her partner admitted he drank simply because “he wanted to.” There’s no villain here, only a man in pain and a woman who couldn’t carry both of their stories anymore. I admired how she didn’t demonize him. She held grief in one hand and compassion in the other. And in doing that, she gave readers permission to feel both at once, too. Melcher’s ability to distill big, messy truths into plainspoken sentences is one of her greatest strengths.
This isn’t a book for people looking for easy answers or perfect closure. But if you’ve ever doubted your own instincts, if you’ve stayed too long, if you’ve bargained your way through a relationship thinking “at least he doesn’t…” — then The Break will feel like a mirror and a lifeline. I’d recommend this book to anyone healing from emotional exhaustion, codependency, or the quiet heartbreak of unspoken truths. Especially women. Especially mothers. Melcher’s voice is a steady hand on the shoulder — one that says, “You’re not crazy. And you’re not alone.”
Pages: 83 | ASIN : B0CH94Q63N
The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent
Shari Marshall’s The Funny Side is a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud collection of parenting stories that shine a hilarious spotlight on the chaos, messes, and unexpected joys of raising children. From the very first page, Marshall makes it clear—this isn’t a parenting guide. Instead, it’s a warm, witty, and refreshingly honest look at the ups and downs of life as a mom. The book is structured as a series of anecdotes, touching on everything from potty training and toddler streaking to those unfiltered, mortifying things kids blurt out in public. With chapters like Are We Responsible for Our Children’s Behavior? and Penis, Vagina, and Non-Sensical Things I’ve Learned, you know you’re in for a ride.
As a parent (and a grandparent), I found myself nodding, chuckling, and, at times, outright laughing at Marshall’s stories. She captures those wild, unpredictable parenting moments with such vivid humor that I felt like I was right there with her, reliving my own experiences. Take, for example, her battle with her toddler’s fascination with nudity—one I know all too well. When her son learned the word privacy, only to immediately abandon all concept of it by streaking through the house, I had to put the book down because I was laughing so hard. Then there’s her mortifying moment at Disneyland when her young son, in what could only be described as an innocent-yet-highly-suspect act, placed his tiny hand right on Ariel’s chest during a photo op. Priceless. These are the kinds of stories every parent collects over the years but often tries to forget until someone else dares to share theirs.
Beyond the humor, Marshall also sneaks in moments of deep relatability. Her struggles with early motherhood, especially with her premature baby’s fragile start in life, tugged at my heartstrings. She doesn’t sugarcoat the exhaustion, self-doubt, or overwhelming love that comes with raising kids. And then there are those little victories, like when her son finally figures out the mechanics of peeing standing up. That balance between hilarity and heartfelt truth is what makes this book stand out.
If you’re a parent, a grandparent, or even just someone who enjoys a good laugh about the beautiful disaster that is raising children, this book is for you. The Funny Side is perfect for exhausted moms who need reassurance that they’re not alone, dads who could use a reminder that yes, this happens to everyone, and even soon-to-be parents who have no idea what they’re getting themselves into. Shari Marshall has written a book that lets us laugh at the madness, embrace the mess, and appreciate the fact that no parent has it all figured out.
Pages: 114 | ASIN : B0DZ44G97D
Why Mommy? Mommy Why?: A Children’s Book for Parents
Why Mommy? Mommy Why? by Joe A. Bass IV starts as a tender and heartwarming story about a mother and daughter’s daily routine, filled with love, curiosity, and a playful call-and-response dynamic. Shami, a bright and inquisitive little girl, constantly asks “Why, Mommy?”—a sweet and familiar habit many parents will recognize. The book takes a sudden, gut-wrenching turn when Shami’s mother, caught up in the chaos of life and personal struggles, misses critical warning signs of a devastating event that her daughter tries to share. The final revelation is a powerful and harrowing lesson about the importance of listening to our children, even when life feels overwhelming.
The writing is simple and approachable, making it feel like an easy bedtime story—until it isn’t. The early pages lull the reader into a sense of comfort, with charming exchanges like when Shami’s mother gently reminds her to brush her teeth or buckle her seatbelt. These moments feel authentic, highlighting the warmth of their bond. But the shift in tone is shocking. The car accident introduces a layer of tension, but even then, the story seems to focus on a mother’s perseverance. When Shami’s behavior subtly changes—her refusal to laugh, her reluctance to sit—the heartbreak of hindsight sets in. The story brilliantly captures the small, everyday distractions that can make parents overlook what’s right in front of them. It’s a painful but necessary reminder that children communicate in ways beyond words.
This book left me reeling. The final reveal was a gut punch. The realization that Shami had been trying to speak all along but wasn’t truly heard is devastating. The writing doesn’t rely on overly dramatic language, which makes it even more powerful. The restraint in storytelling lets the weight of the events sink in naturally. It made me feel guilty, sad, and deeply reflective—exactly what a book like this should do. The message at the end, urging parents to be present and listen, is haunting in its simplicity.
I would recommend this book to parents, caregivers, and educators—anyone responsible for a child’s well-being. It’s not an easy read, especially for those sensitive to the subject matter, but it’s an important one. It forces you to pause and reconsider how often you truly listen to the children in your life. This book is a warning, a lesson, and a plea wrapped into one.
Pages: 31 | ISBN : 1963737148
Worthy of Love and Attention
Hope for Moms: It’s Tough Out There, but So Are You is more than a self-help guide to parenting; it offers readers a mix of personal stories, practical advice, and emotional validation of the unpredictability surrounding motherhood. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have a heart for moms who are struggling or feel overwhelmed, but who are actually doing a much better job at motherhood than they give themselves credit for. I know what it is like to look around and think that everyone else knows what they are doing—that’s a lonely feeling. I started out as a blogger and I eventually found that I needed a bigger container to write about some of the tough topics that were important to me. This book is about some of the curveballs we were thrown as a family, but also about how we’ve grown as a result. We’re braver now.
What are some of the ideas that it was important to share?
Being a mom is just hard and that’s not because moms are doing something wrong. I want moms to feel empowered to figure out what will support them most during this journey of raising kids. At the end of each chapter, I have questions or quotes that help the reader apply my observations to their own lives. I also wanted to emphasize that caring for ourselves as moms isn’t ONLY so we can care for others; we need to tend to ourselves because we are lovely humans who are worthy of love and attention.
What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Probably it was most challenging to write about some of the things we needed to change once we adopted the twins, who are African-American. Talking honestly about race is always risky, but also always important. I write that I’d confused being progressive with being anti-racist. Essentially, we didn’t know how white we were until we started looking at the world through a new lens. Nonetheless, it was really important to me that I was honest and open when writing this book: not only about race but also about the ways being a parent is humbling and ultimately redemptive.
What is one thing you hope readers will take away?
I hope readers will feel less alone when they finish Hope For Moms. I hope they’ll remember that we all make mistakes, but we keep trying. I hope they’ll have some tools for not only surviving motherhood but thriving. I hope they will feel valued, encouraged, and strengthened.
Author Links: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon
Many of us did everything we could to prepare for becoming moms, but there just wasn’t any way to know what might lie ahead. Most of us have, at one point or another, looked around and wondered if we are alone in our parenting challenges.
Hope for Moms offers a heartfelt guide for mothers navigating both the joys and heartbreak of being a mom, sharing Anna McArthur’s personal journey through parenting difficulties such as learning disabilities, LGBTQ+ identities, and adoption. Structured around a triage plan that helped the author prioritize her family’s needs, it includes practical insights, quotes, and reflection questions to support moms in their journey of resilience and soul care. With gentleness and humor, McArthur provides reassurance to mothers, reminding them they have the strength to not only survive motherhood, but thrive.
If you’re a mom who feels overwhelmed by the curveballs life has thrown your way, you aren’t alone—yes, it’s tough out there, but so are you!
LITERARY TITAN 