Blog Archives
Gone To Ground
Gone to Ground, by Morgan Hatch, is an intricate tale of life on the edge, weaving together the lives of a high school student navigating familial and community pressures, a political operative balancing ambition and scandal, and shadowy figures pulling strings behind the scenes. Set against the gritty backdrop of East San Fernando Valley, the story unfolds through sharp prose and a cast of characters as diverse as the urban sprawl they inhabit. From Javier’s fraught attempts to keep his younger brother Alex from the clutches of gang life, to the machinations of power players like Jones, the novel paints a vivid and unflinching portrait of contemporary struggles.
Hatch’s writing is a highlight of this novel. The dialogue feels so real you can almost hear it echoing through a high school hallway. The humor is dry but frequent, as seen in moments like Javier’s sardonic observations about his economics teacher, Mr. Patel, who “recaps markers more than he teaches.” Jones, the principal antagonist, is a chillingly effective character. His calculated ruthlessness feels simultaneously inhuman and disturbingly relatable, making him a formidable force. Despite the overwhelming odds, Javier and Gio—an especially standout character—refuse to back down. Their determination and grit resonate deeply, keeping readers invested and rooting for their success.
Family loyalty versus personal ambition is a recurring theme, as Javier sacrifices his own future to protect Alex, whose flirtation with gang life is portrayed with chilling realism. The journey is harrowing, and the struggle often feels insurmountable, yet the emotional stakes are what drive the story forward. Readers are drawn into the desperate hope that the characters will prevail. Gone To Ground is a story that lingers long after the final page.
Gone to Ground is an engrossing read for anyone who appreciates layered storytelling with heart and edge. It’s a gritty, honest look at life in Los Angeles that doesn’t flinch from the darker realities but also finds moments of hope and resilience.
Toxic and Polarized Political Fishbowl
Enemies Domestic follows a woman on her first day as the White House Press Secretary who is confronted by a reporter with an agenda about whether or not she is planning to have an abortion, placing her career and life in danger. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I got the idea for Enemies Domestic when Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s decision leaked overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing a woman’s right to have an abortion. My protagonist, Lark Chadwick, was pregnant, but ambivalent about becoming a single parent. I wanted to show what it might be like to have an unwanted pregnancy in a post-Roe era.
Lark Chadwick is a woman with strength. What do you think makes her a valuable and worthy heroine?
Like all of us, Lark is an imperfect person. She has shortcomings and weaknesses. Her struggle to overcome her anger issues and impulsiveness is put to the supreme test in Enemies Domestic. What makes Lark a valuable and worthy heroine is her willingness to face and fight her personal demons.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I feel that choice is the ultimate theme in Enemies Domestic. Lark is forced to make the excruciatingly personal choice of abort-or-not-to-abort in a highly toxic and polarized political fishbowl–much like what we, as a country, are currently experiencing. Lark’s decision is complicated and nuanced. And it’s happening at a time when a dictator becomes president. That theme of choice is being played out in real time as this country is about to choose between Democracy and Authoritarianism.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’ve begun making preliminary notes on the next book in the Lark Chadwick series, but it’s too soon to get into specifics other than to say the story will pick up where Enemies Domestic left off. I’m also working on a memoir (Working Title: Pivot Points: Plot Twists on the Path to Personal Integrity.) I’m hoping the memoir will be published in 2025, but the next novel might take a while longer.
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Enemies Domestic, Book Six in the Lark Chadwick Mystery series: On her first day as White House Press Secretary, Lark Chadwick is confronted on live television by a reporter with an agenda: “Are you, or are you not, planning to abort your unborn child?” His question puts Lark in the crosshairs of extremists on both sides of the highly fraught abortion issue. Ambivalent about becoming a single mother in the post-Roe era, and grieving the death of her boyfriend, Lark is now forced to make her abort-or-not-to-abort decision in a highly toxic, politicized, and polarized fishbowl. At stake: her sanity—and her life. In the political thriller Enemies Domestic, his most important and controversial book to date, former CNN editor John DeDakis dramatically and thoughtfully tackles the hot topics of abortion, QAnon, White Christian Nationalism, and mental illness at a time when America itself is teetering between democracy and authoritarianism.
Magnanotron, A Bond of Brothers Thriller
In Magnanotron, part of Robert Saniscalchi’s Bond of Brothers series, readers are thrust into a world of Delta Force operations, where tackling cartels and Russian operatives is the order of the day. This installment spotlights Jason Patrick, a seasoned soldier transitioning to an administrative role. Saniscalchi skillfully navigates Patrick’s adjustment to this new phase of his career while entangling him and his team in a high-stakes scenario involving protecting American scientists and groundbreaking discoveries.
Saniscalchi’s narrative style echoes the essence of an action-packed film reminiscent of “G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra” or the “Mission Impossible” series. The use of cutting-edge technology and vivid action sequences gives the book a cinematic quality, making it feel like a leap from a Hollywood script. The characters are crafted with depth and dynamism, and their interactions, enriched by a history of shared experiences, add authenticity to their relationships. Inside jokes and varying levels of camaraderie are portrayed effectively, contributing to a sense of real-world immersion. The book presents a unique approach to dialogue and character development. The characters often converse in a distinctively formal manner, setting them apart from typical conversational styles and adding a unique flavor to their interactions. While occasionally diverging from everyday speech patterns, this stylistic choice in dialogue adds a layer of intrigue and can be seen as a creative deviation from the norm. Additionally, the portrayal of the Russian President character is notably stylized, offering a departure from conventional characterizations and enriching the narrative with a bold, larger-than-life figure. These elements, while distinct, contribute to the novel’s overall tapestry, providing readers with an experience that is both unique and memorable.
Magnanotron largely succeeds in its homage to classic action cinema. The book’s overall energy and the appeal of its main character are likely to resonate with readers seeking an adrenaline-fueled adventure. This book offers a journey that, much like the action movies it resembles, is both familiar and thrilling, inviting readers to indulge in its spectacle once and potentially many times more.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B0CW1B3Z3P
Justice Be Done
In Justice Be Done, Carla Damron delves into the turbulent dynamics of a community caught in the throes of racial conflict as seen through the eyes of social worker Caleb Knowles. Set against the backdrop of Columbia, South Carolina, the narrative unfolds following a volatile incident involving Laquan, a black teenager, and a racist elderly white man. This event sets off a chain reaction, igniting riots and protests in the city.
Caleb, balancing his responsibilities as a social worker and his commitment to his family’s safety, finds himself at the heart of this turmoil. He is torn between fostering justice and peace in an increasingly chaotic environment. As the story progresses, it lays bare the extremes to which individuals will go to maintain control, underscoring how hatred and fear can fuel shocking behaviors.
Damron’s novel, which marks the fourth installment in her Caleb Knowles series, is notable for its nuanced portrayal of complex characters and themes. The protagonist, Caleb, is introduced with depth and clarity, and this attention to character development extends to the secondary characters as well, all without overshadowing the book’s anti-racism message. The author addresses delicate social and racial issues with a thoughtful approach, maintaining reader engagement through a swift narrative pace, diverse perspectives, and an exploration of the broader impacts of these societal problems.
The multi-faceted viewpoints enhance the story’s build-up to its climax, allowing readers to experience the growing tension firsthand. Damron’s exploration of unchecked hatred and generational trauma offers a poignant look at the repercussions for a community grappling with these deep-seated issues. Justice Be Done is a compelling and thoughtful addition to the Caleb Knowles series, offering a resonant reflection on contemporary social challenges.
Pages: 302 | ISBN : 978-1622681815
LITERARY TITAN 