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There is No “Perfect Mother”
In Shaken, an exhausted and overwhelmed young mother gives in to the frustrations of raising a toddler and makes a regrettable decision that could change the course of her life. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea came to me about 17 years ago when I saw a poster that said, “NEVER SHAKE A BABY” at the doctor’s office. At the time, I hadn’t heard of the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SSB) and found myself wondering, “Who would shake a baby?” But then I realized there had to be people out there who did, otherwise there wouldn’t be a whole campaign about it. I couldn’t help but think how horrible that would be — to lose control and hurt your baby like that. Later that afternoon, I wrote a scene where a young mother snaps and loses control, shaking her baby without realizing what she was doing. I didn’t know what to do with that character and scene at that point in time, so I shoved it aside to work on other things. When I needed something to present to my writing group in the summer of 2019, I dug out that chapter, read it to the group, and watched as everyone at the table exploded with extreme emotions: horror, shock, disgust, confusion, sympathy, and so on. I realized that if I could evoke such a wide range of reactions, this was a novel worth bringing into the world.
What was the inspiration for Sally’s traits and dialogue?
After I had my own kids, I went to various playgroups and parent-baby classes. There, I observed the put-together moms, the hot-mess moms, and everything in between. As hard as we moms all tried to do the best we could, I soon realized there’s no such thing as the “perfect mother” — you might have it under control one minute, then be a sobbing mess the next. I wanted to take the overwhelm that my mom friends (and myself) had felt during those early years and to amplify it to the extreme, showing how everything could change in one awful moment. Although nobody in my social circle ever abused their baby, plenty of moms expressed their frustrations and how close they got to “going over the edge.”
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?
I’m intrigued by those intense, dark moments in life where one bad thing happens, someone reacts to it and makes a bad decision, then another one, and before you know it, their whole life has come undone. Like in the movies when someone finds a bag full of millions of dollars hidden in the woods and they think they can get away with just keeping it, but it’s never that easy. And yet, you can’t help but wonder, “What would I do?” Would I go to the cops? Or keep the money?
With Shaken, I wanted people to really think about what would happen if they actually snapped and lost control — because, deep down, we all have the ability to lose control. Would you try to cover it up? Come forward and share the truth? Run away? What if Sally was your wife, sister, next door neighbor? What would YOU do? Although we tell ourselves we would make better choices if we found ourselves in the same exact situation, there’s no way to know for sure until it’s really happening to you.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently revising a young adult mystery about a teen girl, Olivia, who believes her parents didn’t die in an accident but were in fact murdered. As her twin sister fights for her life in the hospital, Olivia rallies the help of two new friends to uncover the truth, but the more secrets they discover, the more Olivia begins to realize her own life might be in danger. This book has been through one round of beta reading with great feedback, so I’m working on fixing remaining plot holes and tightening things up. I hope it’ll be available sometime in 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Enter Alyssa, the teenage babysitter, who is left in charge the night after the incident. As Morgan’s condition deteriorates, Sally’s partner, Charles, grows increasingly concerned. A series of alarming doctors’ visits spiral into a nightmare when authorities are alerted and fingers start pointing at Alyssa. Will Sally come forward and risk losing everything, or will she try to maintain the illusion of being a perfect mother—even if it means someone else takes the blame?
Shaken explores the intense, often unspoken, struggles of new motherhood and the complexities of human fallibility, raising an unsettling question: Does one irreversible mistake define you forever?
Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Lisa Jewell, and Freida McFadden.
Sparent
Jyl CJ Barlow’s Sparent is a raw, heartfelt, and often hilarious dive into the messy, beautiful, and sometimes maddening world of step-parenting. Through a series of personal essays, Barlow recounts her experiences navigating blended family life, sometimes thriving and sometimes barely surviving. She shares the joys, the heartbreaks, the frustrations, and the small victories that come with being a “Sparent” (a spare parent). It’s a book full of love, vulnerability, and biting humor, making it a refreshingly honest take on modern family dynamics.
One of the things I loved most about Sparent was its unfiltered honesty. Barlow doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She talks openly about feeling like the “extra” parent, the one easily dismissed or overlooked. In the prologue, she bluntly states, “I am the Sparent. I am the extra parent that no child wants in their life.” That kind of truth hits hard, and throughout the book, she explores what it means to claim a space in a child’s life when biology isn’t on your side. There’s an emotional depth here that sneaks up on you. One moment, you’re laughing at her struggles with a moody teenager; the next, you’re tearing up as she describes the quiet heartbreak of waiting to be seen and valued.
Another standout aspect of the book is Barlow’s humor. She has this incredible way of turning even the most frustrating situations into laugh-out-loud moments. In “Summer Camp”, she perfectly captures the exhaustion of dealing with a teenage boy, lamenting how her once-snuggly sidekick has morphed into a surly, towering, hormonally-charged force of nature. “I love this boy. I will hunt you down if you hurt him. But good grief, how am I going to survive five more years of this?” That’s the magic of her writing, as she makes the chaos of parenting feel so relatable, even if you’re not a stepparent. If you’ve ever dealt with a teenager, you’ll recognize yourself in these pages.
But the book isn’t just humor, it’s also deeply introspective. In “Letting Her Fail,” Barlow recounts the agonizing decision to let her stepdaughter, Amelia, face the consequences of her own choices instead of swooping in to fix everything. She writes, “We have to let her fail,” Rich repeated. This was torture. The struggle of stepping back, of allowing a child to stumble so they can learn, is one of the most challenging parts of parenting. Barlow’s willingness to admit her doubts, fears, and occasional missteps makes her story all the more powerful.
Sparent is more than just a book about step-parenting; instead, it’s a book about love in all its complicated, imperfect glory. It’s about showing up, even when you’re not sure you’re wanted. It’s about finding joy in the chaos and laughing when you’d rather cry. It’s about realizing that love isn’t about biology; it’s about presence, patience, and persistence. If you’re a step-parent, you’ll feel seen. If you’re a parent, you’ll nod along. If you’re someone who loves a complicated, heartfelt story with plenty of humor, this one’s for you.
Pages: 128 | ASIN : B0DTVSJPLQ
Hope For Moms
Anna McArthur’s Hope for Moms is a raw, heartfelt guide for moms navigating the unpredictable joys and struggles of parenting. The book offers a mix of personal stories, practical advice, and emotional validation, making it feel less like a manual and more like a conversation with a wise and understanding friend. McArthur divides her insights into three categories: Yes, No, and Maybe. She helps moms determine what’s essential, what can be let go, and what is worth reconsidering as they move forward. She covers everything from the exhaustion of early motherhood to the deeper challenges of raising kids with learning disabilities, LGBTQ+ identities, and racial complexities within an adoptive family. The book reassures moms that they are not alone and provides a roadmap for embracing imperfection while finding strength.
McArthur doesn’t sugarcoat motherhood. In Chapter 1, she recalls an overwhelming moment when her two-year-old staged a sit-in at preschool while her infant screamed in his carrier. A stranger offered to help, but McArthur reflexively refused until the woman ignored her resistance and just stepped in. This moment perfectly illustrates the lesson of the chapter: “Remember to keep accepting help.” I found this so relatable. How many times have we moms insisted, “I’ve got it,” when in reality, we’re drowning? The book is filled with these little reminders that strength isn’t about doing it all alone; it’s about knowing when to lean on others.
Another powerful moment comes in Chapter 3 when McArthur describes her son Caleb coming out as gay in a rural Georgia high school. She admits that despite being a progressive Christian and vocal about LGBTQ+ rights, she didn’t handle it as well as she wished. Fear clouded her initial response. But instead of dwelling on guilt, she took steps to grow and support her son, from reading parenting guides to treating his relationship with the same warmth she would any of her other children’s. This chapter hit home. We all want to believe we’ll react perfectly in big parenting moments, but often, we stumble before finding our footing. McArthur’s transparency in these moments makes her advice feel accessible rather than idealistic.
One of the most eye-opening sections is Chapter 10, where McArthur realizes she has been disappearing into her children’s lives. It took her therapist bluntly asking, “How are you?” for her to recognize she had no answer outside of updates on her kids. That was a gut punch for me. As parents, it’s so easy to wrap our entire identities around our children’s needs, but this chapter gently nudges moms to reclaim space for themselves. She takes horseback riding lessons just for her, no kids involved. This kind of intentional self-care isn’t about spa days or bubble baths but about rediscovering who we are beyond motherhood.
I’d recommend Hope for Moms to any mother who has ever felt overwhelmed, inadequate, or just plain exhausted, which, let’s be real, is every mom at some point. It’s especially relevant for moms facing unexpected challenges, whether it’s special needs, adoption complexities, or simply the relentless pressure of parenting. McArthur writes with humor, warmth, and just the right amount of tough love. Reading this book felt like sitting across from a friend who has been through it all and is offering me a hand to hold. If you need a reminder that you’re not alone and that you don’t have to get it all right, this book is for you.
Pages: 168 | ISBN : 1643435604
Shaken
Jill Amber Chafin’s Shaken is an unsettling yet deeply human exploration of parental burnout, guilt, and the irreversible consequences of a single moment of lost control. The novel follows Sally, a young mother grappling with exhaustion and the relentless demands of raising a toddler, Morgan. Her mounting frustration culminates in a moment of violence—shaking her child in desperation—leading to a spiral of paranoia, self-recrimination, and a desperate attempt to hide the truth. Meanwhile, Charles, her husband, oblivious to the full extent of what has transpired, struggles with his own frustrations as a provider, balancing work and family life with increasing detachment. As Sally’s secret festers, the novel digs deep into the emotional and psychological turmoil of parenthood, revealing just how fragile the line is between loving care and overwhelming despair.
Chafin’s writing is unflinching and raw. She masterfully captures Sally’s descent into fear and guilt with a sharp, visceral intensity. The opening chapter is particularly haunting—Sally’s panic and the creeping realization of what she’s done is stomach-churning. The way Chafin builds tension is remarkable; every moment that follows is laced with dread, making it impossible to put the book down. The portrayal of a struggling mother losing her grip is uncomfortably real, and that’s what makes the book so powerful. It doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of exhaustion, the loneliness of motherhood, and the terrible things people are capable of when they are pushed to their breaking point.
Charles’s chapters provide a necessary contrast offering a glimpse of the “normal” world outside of Sally’s unraveling mind but at times, his storyline feels flat compared to the emotional hurricane Sally is experiencing. His dissatisfaction with his job, the flirtation with a co-worker, and his general cluelessness about Sally’s struggles feel almost too mundane next to the life-or-death stakes of her narrative. That said, his role as the unwitting husband makes the moments when he begins to sense something is deeply wrong all the more gripping. The way he questions Sally, the small details he notices but brushes off, add to the tension beautifully.
One of the novel’s most gut-wrenching strengths is how it forces the reader to empathize with someone who has done the unthinkable. It would be easy to condemn Sally, but Chafin doesn’t allow for simple judgments. Instead, she forces us to sit with her fear, her regret, and her suffocating love for Morgan. The scenes where she desperately tries to convince herself that everything is fine googling symptoms, forcing normalcy, and clinging to the hope that no permanent damage was done are some of the most emotionally brutal moments in the book. And then there’s Morgan himself, quiet and listless after the incident, a heartbreaking contrast to the wild, screaming child he was before. It’s devastating to watch Sally try to interact with him, begging for any sign of his usual energy, realizing in horror that something is profoundly different.
Shaken is not an easy read, but it’s an important one. It’s a book that will resonate deeply with parents, especially those who have ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or teetering on the edge of control. It’s also a gripping psychological drama that will appeal to fans of dark, emotionally intense fiction. While it doesn’t offer easy answers or redemption, it does offer something more vital an unfiltered look at the messy, terrifying, and sometimes dangerous reality of being responsible for another life. If you’re looking for a book that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page, Shaken is a must-read.
Pages: 365 | ASIN : B0DPN2JJWP
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
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Strong and Loving Connection
The Gift of Parenthood is a heartfelt and personal memoir that takes readers on an emotional journey from infertility struggles to the joys and challenges of open adoption. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important to share my parenthood journey. There is a stigma surrounding infertility and adoption, and society tends to shy away from these topics. By shedding light with a very personal experience, I hope to enlighten and inspire others.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Infertility is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever gone through. Being unable to have a child of your own can be devastating, but with time husband and I were able to heal and consider adoption.
Adoption has granted us the gift of parenthood and a bonus family. It’s been an unbelievable blessing for both sides.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about open adoptions?
That open adoption is unhealthy… our experience has been far from that. We put in the work to build a strong and loving connection with my son’s birth family and are respectful of each other’s needs.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
At first, I couldn’t figure out how to get the word out while respecting my teenage son’s wishes for privacy. But, he was comfortable with me writing under a pen name and even suggested using my phone’s memoji as my picture.
The actual writing part came naturally. Hearing how our story has touched others has been the most rewarding part.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Emaline Ashe’s memoir shares an intimate look into her emotional journey to become a mom. A few years into their marriage, she and her husband Liam were young, healthy, and ready to have several kids.
Life had different plans in store for them when unexplained infertility hit like a ton of bricks. After many years of medical treatments, Emaline and Liam embarked on an alternate path to become parents. This new path led to an unexpected open adoption and a bonus family.
Emaline’s true story is one of hope, loss, and resilience. It captures the devastation of infertility and shows just how life-changing adoption can be for all involved.
Just Love Them & Support Them
Parenting with Pride is a lifeline for parents navigating the journey of raising LGBTQ+ teens and is structured around four pillars: Embrace, Educate, Empower, and Love, with each chapter guiding readers through emotions, challenges, and growth. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing and journaling have always been a big part of who I am and how I express myself. I kept copious notes on all of the meetings with the dozens of professionals we worked with in those first 18 months, and having the escape of just pouring all of my thoughts and feelings onto a page was quite literally a life saver for me. As we landed on more solid ground I realized that I needed to share our story with all of its vulnerability and space for evolution so that others would realize they are not alone. I knew I could write something that was engaging and real in a way that could help so many people without shaming or isolating anyone. It was also important that there was space for reflection and prompts to help the reader really connect with where they are now and where they wish to be.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I knew that in order to convey our experiences, to really honor what each of us went through and learned, I would need to put myself back in time. I would meditate and get really quiet so I could access all of the feelings and thoughts and then record them. It was particularly difficult writing about almost losing Connor to suicide, although the editing process zoomed out quite a bit from the gritty emotion of the first draft. If you read anything and thought “wow, that’s intense” or “that must have been so difficult, ” know that I felt it over and over again as I wrote and edited the book.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Oh my goodness, so many! The four pillars really helped me organize everything I wanted to share with readers in a way that I hope will help them remember. I think there are essentially four main ideas: 1. Embrace the messiness and the unknown. Embrace that there is no such thing as a perfect parent and that some of the best moments are found in owning our mistakes and modeling being human. 2. We ALL have biases, that is not a judgement call, and we are ALL capable of unlearning and evolving. 3. Learning to trust yourself and set healthly boundaries is so empowering, which then allows you the knowledge, space, and ability to empower your kids. 4. More than anything else in the world, our kids just need us to see them, hear them, and love them without conditions or spirit of transactionality.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
Your child, friend, or colleague sharing their sexuality or gender identity with you is a gift. It takes courage and vulnerability. Trust that they know who they are and just love them and support them.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Your kid just came out to you, and amid the flurry of emotion or worry you might feel, you know you would do anything to protect their health and happiness. And you are not alone! Heather Hester, coach, advocate, and host of the #1 rated podcast, Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen, combines an honest retelling of her own son’s coming-out experience with wide-ranging research, conversations with dozens of professionals, and the unique experiences of other families to provide the ultimate guidebook for parents embarking on this journey.
In Parenting with Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower, and Love Your LGBTQ+ Teen, Hester provides parents and caregivers with four transformations that gently, but purposefully, walk them through the four pillars toward fully supporting and loving your LGBTQ+ child: Embrace, Educate (or Unlearn), Empower, Love.
With trustworthy information and an accessible, straightforward plan, Parenting with Pride provides actionable yet profound tools and mental shifts to help parents support their teens and themselves and to be a catalyst for change in their communities.
Their Dreams of Parenthood
Baby Number Three is a poignant story that chronicles one mother’s unyielding determination to overcome heartbreaking obstacles and complete her family through the challenging journey of surrogacy. Were there any specific moments or chapters that were particularly hard for you to write about?
The hardest part of writing the second part of Tabitha’s journey was the knowledge that I may never actually be able to live out this part of the story myself.
The surrogacy laws in Australia play a significant role in your story. What changes would you advocate for to make the process easier for parents like you?
I wholeheartedly believe that the surrogacy laws in Australia need to change to allow commercial surrogacy. There are so many wonderful families who deserve the chance to realise their dreams of parenthood, many of whom I have interacted with personally throughout my own fertility journey. The current laws in Australia are so prohibitive, especially with the lack of conversation or air-time that surrogacy currently gets here.
What advice would you give to other women navigating similar challenges with infertility or surrogacy?
Find your village! Of course family and friends are always those we go to for support and advice at first but the fertility journey can be so lonely and I know that families searching for a surrogate can go through the same things. We are lucky to live in an age where there are all sorts of online support groups full of other people going through the same challenges.
If there’s one message you hope readers take away from Baby Number Three, what would it be?
The love and determination that a parent, whether actual or intended feels towards their, truly knows no bounds, regardless of how their child, or indeed children, entered the world.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram
That was until traumatic injuries sustained during her labour left Tabitha facing the fact that she would no longer carry another baby.
In the sequel to the novel But Baby, You’re Worth It, Tabitha must navigate the complicated laws of surrogacy in Australia. And she is forced to evaluate her relationships with the women closest to her, testing some to their limits and building stronger bonds with others.
Will Tabitha feel the joy of her baby growing inside of her once more or will she be given the ultimate, selfless gift from someone she holds dear?
How will she cope with the heartbreak of rejection? Somehow, she is determined to meet baby number three.
LITERARY TITAN 