Blog Archives
The Forgotten Prophecy
In Ray LeCara Jr’s The Forgotten Prophecy, readers are treated to a captivating blend of supernatural elements and international intrigue that elevates the suspense and thriller genre to new heights. Set against the backdrop of Catholicism’s epicenter, the narrative follows protagonist Simon Free as he grapples with vivid dreams, the tragic loss of his uncle, and an unspoken foreboding about his town’s future. As Simon enlists the aid of an unlikely group of allies to unravel the truth, he discovers his crucial role in an ancient prophecy. He faces a profound choice: uphold his family’s traditions or adhere to his personal convictions, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance.
The Forgotten Prophecy challenges Simon’s faith and the reader’s, with LeCara Jr’s evocative writing style and vivid imagery exploring the intriguing concept of a conscious, living evil. The novel poses the thought-provoking question: “If evil is natural, would you still try to stop it?” Delving into this philosophical theme, LeCara Jr’s work resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impression. Religious readers will appreciate the authentic incorporation of Christian motifs and quotations throughout the text. However, this engrossing tale also appeals to a broader audience, with its gripping narrative that builds tension and anticipation with each page.
Fans of Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, James Erith’s Power and Fury, or Amber R Duell’s Dream Keeper will find much to enjoy in The Forgotten Prophecy. As readers accompany the reluctant hero on his quest for truth, they may find themselves questioning their own beliefs. Undoubtedly, this stimulating and emotionally charged novel merits a resounding endorsement.
Pages: 405 | ASIN : B0B95TTRBF
The Power They Already Possess
Who Are You, Really helps readers find their true purpose and turn their lives into meaningful ones. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Regardless of one’s coaching experiences or needs, this book is ideal for developing the best mindset for—and approach to—more meaningful life experiences. Call it a foundation. A primer. It is set up intentionally to support the reader’s journey to achieve peace and contentment, purpose and enlightenment, balance and focus through various exercises. Though it’s only the beginning, it introduces actionable steps that can be implemented immediately. If anyone then wishes to take it to the next level, they’ve done the work that clears the path to a quicker transformation. That’s why it was important to write the book. How we approach life, and its many challenges, is just as important as how we live it.
What is a common obstacle you see people facing that keeps them from finding fulfillment in their life?
We are the biggest roadblocks to our own success. Our own happiness. If we don’t believe in ourselves, who will? But how can you believe in yourself if you don’t know who you are? How can you articulate a path forward if you’re reluctant to do a deep dive? You have to be willing to face that person in the mirror. Yes, there will be things we don’t like. But until we take that step, peel back those layers, there’s no way to identify the areas that need addressing. There’s no way to assess the impact they may be having on other aspects of our lives.
Everyone has the power to bring about change in their lives. But that effort, that desire to improve, must come from within the individual. They have to want it and be willing to go there. The answers lie within. Too many are unwilling, however. They are unwilling to dig deep and be persistent in their efforts because some days it is difficult to find gratitude. Some days we are battered by our experiences and our emotions. We become overwhelmed by it all and this is why it is important to keep at it. Things will get in the way. Life will get in the way. Suddenly it’s not days or months of inaction, but years. This is why some people grow angry, bitter, and resentful.
Eckhart Tolle, a self-help author, said it best: “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” Life, as we all know, is not easy. It’s not all twinkies and rainbows. But you can choose how you wish to approach it. By knowing your triggers and being aware of what distracts you throughout the day, being aware of the negative influences in your life or the toxic effect of your surroundings, you can learn how to be more balanced and focused. Focused, that is, on you—your growth, your purpose, your success, your happiness.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It was important to share with readers HOW to discover their most authentic selves in a way that brings about transformation whether they work with a coach or not.
For example, what may be holding a leader back from being effective is that they either feel inadequate or threatened by those working around them. Often these feelings are more a reflection of how those in a new position of leadership view themselves. It might be due to a lack of confidence in fulfilling the role or feeling comfortable enough leading others. Maybe there’s a fear of being outshined by peers, especially those who have been there longer or are exceptional at what they do. An exploration of the self can help reveal where this lack of confidence or fear is originating. As a leader, surrounding yourself with talent and empowering them is a tribute to a strong and confident leadership and management style. You got the position. Identify and celebrate what you bring to the role; acknowledge and utilize those areas of strength others contribute to your team.
Let’s take someone looking for a health coach. Maybe they’ve been yo-yo dieting for many years and they’ve decided now is the time to commit to a coach. That’s great but body image goes far deeper than just calorie cutting and learning toning exercises in the gym. Peeling back the layers can help identify what might be holding the individual back.
We live in a world where we can acquire things rather quickly. A coach is going to help with achieving what is needed that much faster but if not enough is done to examine the foundation, the self, it will be that much more difficult to achieve goals, have clarity, and be all in for the long term.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
I hope readers come away appreciating the power they already possess to genuinely bring about real change in their lives. Everyone struggles in their own way. We’re human after all. That’s why mindset is so important. To achieve the proper mindset, we need to practice real gratitude to put things in perspective. To get there, however, we need to examine who we are. And it’s not so we can underscore self-perceived flaws. It is to recognize those qualities and abilities that make us special and unique from one another. One “change,” then, might be in the revelation that our self-perception is heavily influenced by external forces and that people generally don’t perceive us in the ways that we fear. Imagine learning much earlier in life that the “flaws” we were once so quick to want to correct aren’t flaws at all. That the secret to profound living, loving, and leading is understanding that it’s okay to be you. People will gravitate to you because of your authenticity. And once we’re intentional about being our most authentic selves, there’s clarity and life truly does take on new meaning.
Author LInks: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Website | YouTube
To find fulfillment in the chaos that is life, you must first peel back the layers to discover who you really are.
At your core.
Enough with struggling to be all things to all people. Enough with being stuck in unfulfilling relationships or dead-end jobs!
It’s time to be… YOU.
Truly profound transformation comes from being your most authentic self.
So order your copy, find out who you truly are, and embrace your authentic self!
Crafting Something Creepy
Dark Awakenings is a collection of haunting short stories that take readers into the darkness and show them the horrors that are hidden in the dark. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
Each was inspired by something different. Written some time ago, “The Awakening” was my take on the vampire genre. “Mabel” is a twist on a story I cover with my Creative Writing students. It is much darker in tone and turns the original plot on its head. “Keynote,” a twist on something I saw on television as a child, is a risky effort. Reminiscent of The Twilight Zone or The Night Gallery episodes, it can be difficult and even offensive to read if the point is overlooked. These three may be the most unsettling, with “Mabel” perhaps more so once the reader pieces together what happened.
“The Oracle Board” is a creepy story inspired by real events that occurred during Ouija Week when I was a college freshman. How this impacts the reader will depend on their faith and any experience they may have had with a Ouija Board.
“Hear More” was inspired by a number of things… people, events, and dreams. It didn’t come alive for me, though, until I was able to bring in Father David Tomassi and Joseph Carpenter. These are characters from The Forgotten Prophecy , my debut novel. “Hear More” continues their story within an already established world set in the early 1980s. I thought it would be interesting to explore the idea of hearing aids in a paranormal world. Imagine how torturing it would be to literally hear more than the average person, especially if it was the taunting voice—or voices—of evil at every turn. That the individual is an aged exorcist further complicates matters . Exploring faith and mental faculties in an aging state, I think, adds layers to this story even in its brief form.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I’ve always been intrigued by the genre because of intense dreams and past paranormal experiences. The challenge is putting those experiences into words, crafting something creepy enough that is haunting in its brief form no matter how it is unpacked and unique enough to hopefully be different from what already exists.
The thrilling part about writing short fiction is that the crafting of these bite-sized moments may bring about more questions than answers, leaving it to the reader to fill in the blanks. That’s the way I felt as a reader when I was a kid. Some of the collections I read as a youngster remained with me far longer than any novel because they were left open to my interpretation. Then again, it didn’t help that I dreaded the shadows even though I was certain there was no one in the room. Like when I’d have to traverse a dark basement in search of the light switch. Remember what that was like? That was the aim.
How did you decide on the title of this novel?
I released three short story collections in 2022. The original intent was to put them together in a larger collection, but I couldn’t think of a fitting title. I think it was because they were all so different. It was only after deciding to separate them by genre that the titles revealed themselves. For this specific collection, the title makes sense since each of the protagonists are literally awakened to some form of darkness surrounding them.
Do you plan to write another collection of horror stories, or will you branch out into a new genre?
The next horror story will most likely be a sequel to The Forgotten Prophecy, but knowing I could also revisit any one of these shorts to expand on their story and further build that world is inviting. The question is would it be as exciting as what readers come up with when they fill in the blanks?
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Unlike Anything I’ve Read
Of Space & Time is a collection of thought-provoking short stories about humans’ colonization of space and the challenges that come with this adventure. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
“Invasion” was one of a few early shorts I wrote that would become Future Destiny, the first book in the YA Torn Timeline series. This piece of flash fiction was initially part of a twenty-page treatment dreamed up on a drive home from a friend’s house, where the character HAMIL-E was born as an homage to my friend. A classroom teacher at the time, the character of Rustam was loosely based on me and HAMIL-E was his mentor. I was having some fun because my friend was waiting for a story where he was a main character. After the seed was planted, the story then evolved from a fun playful exercise into a full-fledged sci-fi adventure.
“Tabitha” came out of COVID. “Rogue Moon” examines innovation that could be achieved a la Gene Roddenberry’s vision. That is, when all of society is brought together for a common purpose. Instead of the aftermath of war, however, it’s a threat from space that unites everyone.
“Batarakala” and “Goliath IX” were not composed as science fiction tales originally. “Goliath IX” was based on a beginning teacher’s first day of school and “Batarakala” was based on a couple facing marital problems. Adding science fiction elements to these two stories provided depth that didn’t exist initially.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from this collection?
Rising to the occasion when the moment calls for it is one of the ideas I hope readers take away from “Invasion,” the first in the collection. But there’s also the idea that we don’t always know what we’re capable of until tested and we may not truly know people as much as we think we do.
“Rogue Moon” posits human evolution to possibly be the product of some extraterrestrial string pulling. The way the concept plays out is unlike anything I’ve read or seen before.
“Goliath IX,” though a space epic, challenges the notion of equality. Sort of a reflection of today. Can these ideals be upheld, or do they inevitably break down? What does that reveal about human nature?
“Tabitha” is meant to underscore the need to maintain hope even when it seems all hope is lost.
“Batarakala” explores multiple ideas, from spouse loyalty and support to the loss of dreams to the definition of success and failure to the question of whether our lives are defined by where we come from.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
When I was a child, I remember being obsessed with looking through a collection of short illustrated books of the planets that belonged to my father. As I grew older, my fascination with science fiction only grew. Even today, I am drawn to anything released regarding the satellites and telescopes that take images of space phenomenon. When it comes to writing science fiction, I think Star Trek, the original series, and the six movies with the original cast have had the biggest impact. The reimagined Battlestar Galactica series and the Stargate SG-1 series were also impactful. But I always return to classic trek. The common thread in all of these is the elevation of story telling thanks to the genre.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
After a busy 2022, I’ve shifted from writing to promoting two nonfiction titles that were released in November and December. One is a study skills workbook for young learners ( Essential Study Skills: A Holistic Guide to Learning). The other is a coaching book for those looking to transform their lives ( Who Are You, Really? The Search for Authenticity ).
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Collection includes:”Goliath IX” – an L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Q2 2022 Honorable Mention recipient
“Batarakala” – an L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Q4 2022 Honorable Mention recipient
“The Invasion” – flash fiction taken from Future Destiny, LeCara’s first book in The Torn Timeline series, a 2008 2nd place Spinetinglingers (UK) Book of the Year. Originally conceived before the novel as a writing exercise, it is the story that inspired–and set into motion–the larger narrative.
Who Are You, Really?
Have you been searching for your place in this world all your life? Are you feeling lost or perhaps misunderstood? Do you feel like you’ve had to hide behind a mask to be accepted and accomplish certain things? Author Ray LeCara Jr. in his new book Who Are You, Really?: The Search for Authenticity charts a path that will give readers a solution to these questions and help them to find their true purpose and turn their lives into meaningful ones.
Life is difficult and complex, and so are we. From the beginning we are surrounded by people. We are influenced by them. We share with them. But along the way many of us forget who we are, we follow other people’s paths and never get to discover our true selves and our full potential. This enlightening book serves as a genuine reminder to people that our uniqueness not only matters, but it’s of utter importance to ourselves and to those around us. Inspirational, spiritual, thoughtful and deep, the teachings in this thought-provoking book will stay in your consciousness and help you overcome the obstacles that don’t allow you to become who you are truly meant to be.
From the start author Ray LeCara Jr. makes sure to relate to the human experience. Through quotes, he makes sense of our deepest longing and motivates us to reach for authenticity, to become our authentic selves. Concisely, he explains what happens inside of us when we choose fear over vulnerability and transparency, and makes us understand that betraying ourselves is never a viable option. Deep inside, we all want to know who we really are and who we are meant to be, what our potential is and in which direction we are supposed to reach.
The journey to finding authenticity is a worthwhile one, and there is some intellectually-invigorating material in this book that will get you started in your search. With recommendations and motivation, each chapter brings readers a step closer into this needed journey, and gives them actionable guidance that can put them on the right track to discovering themselves. The book covers the most important areas of an authentic humanity: living, loving, leading and learning. The right course of action hides in plain sight in each chapter of this book.
Who Are You, Really? can be a powerful tool in the hands of many readers. This illuminating book will help readers understand their standing in this world and will inspire them to fulfill what their soul truly needs and yearns for.
Pages: 158 | ASIN: B0BDSQVPRK
Dark Awakenings
Dark Awakenings is a collection of Ray LeCara’s most haunting short stories. Throughout each one, a different character is featured with his/her unique backstory. The only thing these tales have in common is that each of these characters’ recently experienced some life-changing event. After that, the same kind of slithering darkness crept into their lives. The darkness’s desire to force them into horrors they are taught to run away from is evident in every story, heedless whether it’s a broken-hearted girl or a priest. They are awakened to the haunting dark lurking alongside them, the one everyone knows about but no one dares to speak about.
This collection of five creepy stories has been written and compiled by LeCara to bring your worst fears to life. LeCara, being a fan of Stephen King and Clive Barker’s spooky stories himself, included elements of a very similar unadulterated horror in his book Dark Awakenings. As a result, each story was better than the last and even more challenging to put down.
LeCara’s storytelling skills are so enthralling that these already scary plotted stories somehow sounded even more atrocious. I completely lost myself in his excellent writing style and felt perplexed by the story’s entrance. Nevertheless, these 5 haunting stories were as spooky and captivating as it gets. After finishing this book, I kept glancing over my shoulder and struggled to tell fiction and reality apart. The setting of each story is different yet akin, and even though each character’s fate is subsequent, it is definitely unpredictable and inconspicuous.
The mysterious and creepy plots kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. However, people sensitive to horror plots should steer clear because the name Dark Awakenings definitely rings true.
Pages: 127 | ASIN : B0BDT441Y2
Of Space & Time
Revolution, space, and a healthy amount of dystopia await you in Of Space & Time by Ray LeCara Jr. As you journey through this exciting book, readers are pulled into a SciFi world where they explore the futuristic cities that author Ray LeCara Jr creates. Throughout this novel, we will find gripping stories that leave us wanting more. It creates a world and gives us the space to create some of our endings. From dystopian futures on different planets mixed with some extremely relatable pandemic futures, these five short stories include it all.
Of Space & Time is a collection of thought-provoking short stories. In decorated worlds, LeCara brings us on a journey through space. This action-packed book was one read that kept you turning page after page. Readers will find themselves in the shoes of the protagonists facing their trials and tribulations. The beauty of these stories is that they hook you in quickly and don’t let go. LeCara makes sure readers want to keep reading with the fascinating characters and original storylines. Hop aboard a spaceship and make your way through the different universes in Of Space & Time.
Science Fiction writer Ray LeCara JR brings the literary universe to life that includes many different layers in each of his compelling short stories. With relatable subjects, world events, and history, he gives readers a great SciFi short story compilation. I would recommend this collection for any SciFi lover. They would be great for older teens to adults who are interested in reading exhilarating short stories that take readers on an adventure through space and time. When readers have finished this collection, they are left with questions of their own to ponder and consider about the future of mankind and our exploration of space.
Pages: 157 | ASIN : B0B8TGWHJB
What Draws People To Each Other?
From Where I Sit: A Collection of Short Fiction follows the lives of different characters showcasing the consequences of the choices people make in life. Where did the idea for this collection of stories come from?
During COVID I was teaching multiple online writing classes and having so much fun with short stories that I returned to my collection of over two dozen from over the years. Some of the finished ones were even contest winners from years earlier. Most were in various stages of development, but I was able to split the stories up into three collections based on genre: science fiction, horror, and general fiction. I selected the best five for each to edit or finish and was especially excited to challenge myself with the general fiction stories because they were unlike anything I ever fully fleshed out before.
What things do you find interesting about the human condition that makes for great fiction?
Most of the creative writing I’ve dabbled in has been science fiction or horror. The search to find one’s place in the world, their purpose, were at the heart of those earlier stories. In those tales, the characters deal with hyperbolized conflicts that act as metaphors for what readers struggle through in their daily lives. In this collection, however, the human condition is front and center. It’s raw. Exposed. I wanted to explore the complexities and ambiguities that make up an individual’s character. The same with relationships and their connective tissue. What draws people to each other? Why are some animals more deeply connected to certain humans than others? What part do they play in how someone approaches life and its challenges? Then there are those who grow tired of adhering to the mold society has forced on them. Is it a midlife crisis if someone finally gains clarity and wants change? Is there something to be gained by going to what some may perceive as extremes? What defines an extreme? How does one go about discovering—and trusting—their authentic self? And while conflicts are introduced and resolved, I wanted these characters to be complex and interesting enough to feel as if their story was only a snapshot—a chapter, if you will—of a much larger narrative.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Like any writer, there’s always a bit of me in everything that I write. This collection, however, was the most personal. As such, it was also the most cathartic. If one takes to heart what it means to write what one knows, the authenticity of that act makes for some very emotional content. It’s not manipulative; it’s not forced. So, yes, parts of my life are in all the characters, but three of the five stories were the most reflective of my own life experiences and emotions than anything written in the past.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Last month an independent study skills workbook for young learners in grades 6-12, Essential Study Skills: A Holistic Approach to Learning, was published. Only the Kindle version is available, but the paperback will be released in a couple of weeks. I’m currently wrapping up a coaching book titled Who Are You, Really? The Search for Authenticity, which is due to be released on the 16th of December.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
LITERARY TITAN 