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Deeper Truths
The Copper Scroll follows Joshua “Masa” Bennett, a young archaeologist whose quest for ancient secrets in Jordan entangles him in a dangerous struggle of faith, identity, and survival. What first drew you to the legend of the Copper Scroll, and how did it evolve into your novel?
I’ve been deeply immersed in researching Biblical history, from books to Hillsdale College classes. But I realized that my own pursuit of knowledge — while meaningful — would be rather dull to put straight on the page. I wanted to create something that could both entertain and motivate readers to seek truth for themselves. The Copper Scroll itself reads like a treasure map, hinting at hidden items and locations. That inspired me to craft a story where following those clues isn’t just an adventure for the characters, but also a way for readers to encounter deeper truths as the mystery unfolds.
Masa’s search feels both adventurous and personal. How much of his struggle with faith and belonging mirrors your own experiences?
Masa’s journey is very much a reflection of my own. His search for truth mirrors the knowledge I’ve pursued both through study and through life experiences. I spent years crossing the globe in the military, especially throughout the Middle East, and I witnessed how people everywhere chase life, death, faith, and family in unique ways. Those experiences left me with a deep respect for how culture and belief shape identity. In The Copper Scroll, I wanted to bring that perspective to life, connecting the historical events of the Bible with the very human struggles of belonging and purpose that transcend time and place.
The novel is rich with sensory detail, from food to city sounds. How did you research or immerse yourself in those environments?
In the Army, I experienced some of the most extreme environments on the planet. I once spent a night in a snow cave during cold-weather training where the temperature dropped to -59 degrees. Later, in Saudi Arabia, I stood in 125-degree heat with the wind hitting me like the blast of a hair dryer. Those physical extremes stay with you, but so do the everyday details—walking through markets and bazaars, hearing the sounds, smelling the food, seeing the colors and crowds. When I write, I draw directly from those memories. That way, the scenes in The Copper Scroll aren’t just imagined—they’re lived, and I hope readers can feel that authenticity in every setting.
The story balances history, suspense, and emotional resonance. Which of those elements came most naturally to you, and which was the hardest to craft?
The hardest part to capture was the emotion. Some of the feelings in the book come directly from my own experiences or from stories shared among veterans, and others I drew from watching how my wife responds to life’s challenges. Translating those emotions onto the page in a way that feels authentic was a real challenge.
The easiest part was the suspense and action. Writing the clashes between the Templars, ISIS, and Mossad was so much fun that I actually had to pull back at times. I also really wanted to highlight the relationship between the Rabbi and the Priest, showing how mutual respect can remain even while they challenge each other to look deeper into their own beliefs.
My biggest focus, though, was making sure the story stayed entertaining while also being clean and consistent with my values. I worked hard to deliver a thrilling story free of unnecessary profanity or messages that undermine the natural order. A few early readers pointed out places where language slipped through, and I’m grateful for that feedback, it helped me stay true to my promise of writing clean, exciting, and faith-rooted adventure.
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At the center of it all is the Copper Scroll, a cryptic Dead Sea artifact rumored to hold clues to an ancient treasure buried deep in the Judean desert. But Joshua soon learns it’s no ordinary scroll.
Hidden symbols, coded phrases, and whispers of a “shepherd’s path” point to something far more significant and far more dangerous.
As the clues mount, so do the warnings. A silent observer in the library. A cryptic priest with a knowing smile. A message slipped into Joshua’s backpack: The shepherd’s path is not for the faint-hearted.
A cryptic priest and a rabbi jump in to help understand uncovered information. As Mossad agents, Templar knights, and ISIS operatives close in, Joshua and his allies race to unravel the truth. But who seeks to unearth it, and who will kill to keep it buried?
Rich in historical intrigue and driven by sharp, character-centered suspense, The Copper Scroll is a gripping archaeological thriller where ancient secrets refuse to stay buried and the journey to find them could change everything.
Tidal Fates: Calling
Tidal Fates: Calling, the first in a new fantasy series by Thomas Usle, follows a richly imagined world where politics, prophecy, and personal legacies collide. At its core, it’s the story of Ira and his sister Esther, two outcasts journeying through a land filled with ancient secrets, divine mysteries, and brewing revolutions. Their quiet life with dwarven kin is disrupted by the rising tide of rebellion against an aging empire. From forest hunts to sea-bound voyages, and imperial courts to hidden temples, Usle weaves together high-stakes adventure and intimate struggles in a world where loyalty is tested and destinies are called.
What struck me most about this fantasy novel was its earnestness. The prose is lush, often poetic, full of rich description and a genuine reverence for its own mythology. At times, I found myself pausing to reread sentences, not for clarity, but to savor them. But it’s also wordy. Scenes that could be tight linger in their own ambience. I appreciated the care and attention to world-building—cities, rituals, languages, even fashion are all deeply thought out—but it did slow the pace early on. Still, I cared about Ira and Esther. Their pain felt real. Their bond felt lived-in. And their quiet dignity in the face of judgment made them easy to root for.
Usle isn’t afraid to tackle empire, identity, exile, and redemption all at once. He paints power with nuance—never wholly evil, never blindly good. I loved the tension between those loyal to tradition and those aching for change. The court politics were rich and layered, pulling me deep into the complexities of shifting alliances and long-standing tensions. There’s a lot to track, but it makes the world feel full and alive, like I was uncovering pieces of a larger puzzle. The villains stood out with their intense convictions, and while I had inklings of where some arcs were heading, that sense of anticipation added to the enjoyment. Watching it all unfold made the payoffs feel satisfying and earned.
Tidal Fates: Calling is a sweeping and soulful epic that blends high fantasy with an emotional core. It’s not a breezy read, but it’s a rewarding one. If you love the grand world-building of Tolkien, the political drama of Sanderson, or the emotional pull of Le Guin, there’s a good chance you’ll be drawn in here. I’d recommend it to readers who want to live inside a world, not just visit it.
Pages: 309 | ASIN : B0F36NHNVQ
Do What You Love
On Wahoo Reef follows a PR executive from Atlanta who quits his job to open a scuba diving operation in the Caribbean. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In twenty-plus years of working as a scuba instructor and boat captain in the Caribbean, I’ve met a lot of visiting divers who fantasize about doing just that, without realizing how much hard work goes into running a small business in the tropics. Something’s always breaking. Something’s always going wrong. Nothing works the way it should. Getting parts from the hardware store isn’t an option when there is no hardware store. The pretty beaches, palm trees, and hammocks are for tourists.
Many readers will be able to identify with Wally. Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
Some of Wally’s predicaments are so close to real life, I winced as I wrote them. The dread of opening the boat’s engine compartment every morning to see what broke overnight. Will we be able to cover payroll at the end of the week? It costs how much to repair that? But there are good memories, too, the reasons you stay in spite of all that. I drew on those for the scuba diving scenes, for the nightlife scenes, and for making the island itself a character in the book.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Do what you love, and keep doing it no matter what obstacles pop up to complicate things. Every job has complications and negative aspects, but if you’re doing what you love, they’re worth the trouble.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
In a Sandy Lie’s protagonist is an unqualified land surveyor sent to Blacktip Island to scout land, on the sly, for golf course construction. He discovers the island is geologically useless for golf, but sends back glowing, bogus reports while using the company expense account to have an extended stay in the tropics. It’s a small island, so the locals know he’s hiding something, and concoct all kinds of wild rumors to explain his motives and doings. More comic misadventure in the same vein as On Wahoo Reef. It will be available as soon as I can get it finished.
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Wally Breight’s a miserable-in-his-job P.R. executive who dreams of escaping to happily-ever-after in the Caribbean. When he stumbles across a run-down scuba diving operation for sale on Blacktip Island, he snaps it up and settles into paradise. But paradise has other ideas. His dive boat’s a lemon. His business partner proves the age of piracy isn’t dead. Scuba guests are scarce. And a free-spirited dive mistress might party him into an early grave. If Wally can’t get a handle on paradise, pronto, he’ll be leaving Blacktip Island faster than a coconut in a hurricane.
Shelter in a Hostile World: A Love and Peace Novella
Mack Little’s Shelter in a Hostile World is a poignant narrative that chronicles the life of Badu, a young African child from the Igbo community whose trajectory is dramatically altered due to a capital offense. The novel is structured around two distinct periods in Badu’s life: initially in 1628, as the diligent son of an Igbo farmer yearning to marry Ekemma, and later in 1651, as a father in America endeavoring to rescue his daughter from a slaveowner known as The Admiral. This dual timeline effectively portrays Badu’s transformation and the lengths one might go to protect a loved one from suffering.
Little’s novel sheds light on the myriad challenges faced by slaves in the 1650s, particularly those uprooted from Africa to America. Through Badu’s experiences, the narrative delves into themes of social isolation, chronic anxiety, and psychological trauma. The author skillfully portrays the varying responses of slaves to their circumstances: from Dinny’s rebellious desire for independence, Hermes’s pragmatic collaboration with white masters, to Badu’s initially neutral stance that shifts as personal stakes rise. The narrative is marked by its clarity and well-paced scenes, avoiding any sense of rush or superfluity. Time transitions are handled with finesse, contributing to the story’s coherence. A commendable aspect of Little’s writing is the authentic depiction of Igbo culture, presented in a manner that allows readers the freedom to interpret and form their own judgments.
Shelter in a Hostile World is a historical fiction novella that resonates with emotional depth, weaving together moments of sorrow and joy. While the book addresses mature themes and may not be suitable for younger audiences, it is recommended for those who appreciate thought-provoking storytelling.
Pages: 121 | ASIN : B0CDYKJ4NS
Godspeed, Cedar Key
Godspeed, Cedar Key by Michael Presley Bobbitt crafts a compelling narrative in a post-apocalyptic setting on Cedar Key, an island off Florida’s coast. As the remnants of civilization dwindle, the island’s inhabitants grapple with challenges such as invasions, disease, and the breakdown of communication. Yet, a strong sense of community and resilience becomes their beacon of hope in this desolate environment. The story delves deep into the lives of these residents, whose connections span generations and mirror the island’s enduring spirit amidst the Gulf’s beauty and dangers.
Bobbitt skillfully merges contemporary fiction with apocalyptic elements, creating a novel that initially piques interest with its title and sustains it with a captivating narrative. The book navigates the complexities of community life against an apocalyptic backdrop, revealing the depth and resilience of human connections. The straightforward prose is deceptively rich, drawing readers into a world where adversity is met with unwavering strength and unity. At its heart, Godspeed, Cedar Key is about enduring friendships and the power of love woven into the fabric of Cedar Key’s storied past. This theme adds a timeless quality to the plot, echoing the island’s ability to withstand the ravages of disaster. The author’s skill in storytelling is evident in each chapter, maintaining the reader’s interest as events unfold. Contrasting with its dystopian setting, the novel emanates a hopeful undertone, emphasizing resilience and human connection.
Godspeed, Cedar Key is a compelling read for those interested in a blend of contemporary and apocalyptic fiction, offering an engaging story that resonates beyond its final pages.
Pages: 333 | ASIN : B0CSQVBVDG
Loss and Change
Shanghaied follows a printer from New England in the 1800s who wakes up in a ship’s hold after being drugged and kidnapped, now forced to work aboard the Atalanta. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wrote the first chapter of Shanghaied as an exercise for a writing class in 2004. That chapter sat in a drawer for a long time. I picked it up again after my wife died; after I sold my home and bought my boat and literally sailed away. It became important to me when I realized I was writing about a man stolen from his life when my life felt stolen from me. I didn’t know how either of us was going to make it back from “out there,” from horizons of grief.
Eamon’s story starts out with a terrifying abduction and turns into a journey of acceptance and self-discovery while holding on to his determination to return home. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
We all face loss and change. And finding your way “back” can be a hero or heroine’s journey for anyone. If we are to live our journey, if we are to not-die, it is incumbent upon us to pay attention. And even if we do return, we and the place we have returned to will have (and should have) changed. Time and life go on. And we must learn to be okay with that, with change.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
That the perspective the sea teaches is humility. That we are part of something much larger than ourselves. That beauty is essential. That we can persevere. That love is a quality, not a quantity. That to be anything, living must include everything.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Shanghaied is my first book. While it is a fiction, many of its scenes come from my actual lived experiences. Hopefully, by spinning those experiences into this tale and these characters, the story is about all of us more than about me. If a reader feels “lost at sea,” I hope Eamon’s story will help him/her/them. There are a few characters who have sailed over the horizon beyond Eamon’s story, and I could explore their adventures. Or maybe my experiences could come back to my memoir. But before any of those possibilities, I need to see if I can launch Shanghaied into some success and a future of its own.
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Eamon’s bitterness nearly consumes him, until he finds the beauty of this planet undeniable and essential and joins the brotherhood of the sea. Profoundly changed by a journey filled with perseverance, discovery, and love, what will he find if he makes it home again?
Odyssey’s Child
Author John Lockton’s Odyssey’s Child is a voyage of youthful hope and potential in the face of emerging secrets. After witnessing his mother’s death, thirteen-year-old Ethan lives with his abusive father until George van Rosenthal, an influential well-wisher who makes a point of befriending and protecting young boys, invites him on a Caribbean cruise. Under the influence of George and his hired mate Johnson, a wise and well-read sailor who knows the sea and islands well, Ethan begins to emerge from his shell. Still, as George’s prejudices and repressed feelings start to rise to the surface, Johnson must maintain constant vigilance to protect Ethan.
The plot of Odyssey’s Child engages readers with some severe and disturbing topics such as racism, suicide, and pedophilia. Still, the author handles these topics well and at an excellent pace that develops alongside the characters. Lockton’s prose colorfully evokes the Caribbean to create nostalgia for life many will have never lived, but this is ultimately secondary to the excellent characters that drive the novel.
Of the three principal characters, Ethan’s development is indeed a swell of hope as he adapts to his new environment. Yet, at the same time, George is juxtaposed with this as a descent into darkness. Johnson’s character is well established and stable throughout but severely tested as he begins to see George as who he really is, and this tension becomes the key focus of the novel more than the cruise itself.
Ethan, George, and Johnson are forced to struggle with their identities in an odyssey that transcends their physical voyage. Ethan struggles to overcome his past and battles the darkness that ranges inside him from his mother’s death. With the help of Johnson, Ethan learns valuable life lessons and starts to see himself as someone that has worth and a future.
Odyssey’s Child is an emotionally charged coming-of-age novel. Readers will see some of the dark sides of humanity, but through it, they will also see the good that can be found when you look.
Pages: 355 | ASIN : B09PWWDW86
LITERARY TITAN 