Blog Archives
Promise of Mercy
Promise of Mercy pushes the Dreamscape Warriors saga into darker, sharper territory as the long-idle Utopian Founders wake after six centuries and move to seize power by force. Their plot spirals outward fast. Liam O’Connor is kidnapped and flung through an ancient portal into the unknown, the Temple priestesses are drugged and held hostage, and the O’Connor children are thrust into a frantic rescue operation that tears across worlds. The book mixes political upheaval, telepathic warfare, and tight family bonds in a story that never stops moving.
While reading, I found myself pulled in by the heart of the book, which is not the action, but the relationships. Springs writes family moments with a warmth that caught me off guard. A quiet conversation between Liam and Deirdre over pastries feels as gripping as any firefight. Even scenes of chaos keep circling back to loyalty, fear, duty, and love. I liked how the story makes room for softness inside a hard universe. The writing itself is straightforward, sometimes almost plain, but the plainness works. It lets the emotions land without dressing them up.
I also caught myself getting fired up during the more intense chapters. The Founders’ arrogance, their cold talk of “genetic purity,” and their plan to eliminate Liam or “correct” his children stirred real anger in me. On the flip side, the fight inside the Temple hooked me completely. Seeing Bayvin take a hit, Aisling and Deirdre charging in, Celinia steadying herself even while drugged, and the arch priestess trying to hold everything together made the stakes feel personal. The author writes these scenes with a quick rhythm that kept me flipping pages and muttering under my breath. The book might lean heavily on lore sometimes, but even then, I didn’t mind. It felt like being swept into a world that genuinely believes in its own history.
By the end, I walked away feeling surprisingly moved. This is a story where the characters’ courage matters more than their weapons, and where mercy is treated as a kind of power. The book would be a great fit for readers who enjoy sci-fi adventures with real heart, for fans of military space opera with family drama baked in, and for anyone who likes telepaths, portals, and rebellions, all mixed with warmth and humor. If that sounds like your style, Promise of Mercy delivers.
Pages: 446 | ASIN : B0DBBBNN5P
The Dreamer (The Black Stone Cycle Book 1)
The Dreamer follows Ash Bennett, a teenager drifting through space with her parents until her life is split open by terrifying visions, mysterious strangers, and an attack that shatters everything she knows. The story blends sci-fi adventure with a deep emotional undercurrent as Ash realizes she may be connected to powers and histories she never understood. The tension builds fast. The quiet opening on the family ship gives way to vivid danger on Phobos, then to loss, rescue, and a strange new path that forces her to decide who she is meant to be. It feels like the start of a much bigger saga.
When I first settled into the book, I expected a familiar space-opera vibe, but the writing surprised me. Scenes snap together in quick bursts. The images are sharp and sometimes dreamy, and they made me feel like I was walking through Ash’s memories and fears rather than just reading about them. I liked that the story never waited around. It pushed forward with a kind of breathless energy, and even the quieter moments carried this low buzz of anxiety that kept me hooked. I found myself caring about Ash morwe quickly than I expected. Her mix of sarcasm, loneliness, and curiosity felt honest. I appreciated that her voice didn’t get swallowed by the big world around her.
As the story unfolded, I felt a tug in two directions. On one hand, I loved the ideas: the fractured past between humans and other species, the mystery around her abilities, and the sense that Ash is tied to something ancient and powerful. On the other hand, the worldbuilding sometimes hit me like a sudden gust. New terms and cultures arrived fast, and I occasionally had to pause to catch up. Still, I liked the rawness of it. The author took risks with emotion, especially when Ash witnesses what happens to her parents. That whole sequence hit harder than I expected. It left me feeling unsettled in a good way. I could feel the shock in my chest as she tried to understand what she’d seen.
By the time I reached the later chapters, I realized I was rooting not just for Ash but for the strange little group forming around her. The mix of loss, found family, and growing danger pulled me in. I liked that the book didn’t wrap things up neatly. It left questions hanging in the air, teasing a bigger truth waiting on the other side. I enjoy stories that don’t talk down to me, and this one trusted me to sit with the unknown.
I walked away feeling both satisfied and eager for the next piece of the story. I’d recommend The Dreamer to readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi, especially those who love fast pacing and emotional stakes. It’s a good fit for teens and adults who want a world that feels lived-in and messy, with a heroine who is still figuring herself out. If you like stories that blend danger, heartache, and a spark of wonder, this one is worth your time.
Pages: 328 | ASIN : B0G32FG96C
Identity and Purpose
Take My Hand follows a guidance counselor grappling with her own identity and desires while navigating the dangers of a magical realm. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Initially, I wanted to write a sapphic paranormal romance involving the girl briefly introduced at the end of Take Me Now. However, as I began writing, I realized I wasn’t ready to do the character justice—I felt I needed to read more sapphic fiction to ensure the voice felt authentic and true.
So, I started from scratch and went back to my roots as a coach in my corporate career. From there, Trina took shape. As the story developed, I also felt compelled to write the novel from two points of view, which meant giving Robert a substantial and credible voice—one that could mirror and challenge Trina’s doubts, guilt, and struggles with identity and purpose.
How did you handle the magic in this story, and how did it evolve as you were writing?
For this second book, I wanted to focus on another type of magically gifted individuals I introduced, known as Cloakers. Without giving too much away, they are called this because of their ability to conceal their truest selves and adopt different personas.
Interestingly, before Trina became a guidance counselor, she was originally conceived as a female hitwoman who simply found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m glad I changed that direction. It allowed me to concentrate more deeply on expanding the world of the Dark District that I introduced in my earlier novellas, Sojourn and Take Me Now, both of which are compiled in the Silver Book Award–winning duology, Dark District Primer.
The female hitwoman may still appear in future stories. Never say never, I say.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes of self-discovery and identity became central as Trina’s backstory evolved. Initially, I was drawn to how compelling her power was, but it soon felt necessary to impose a cost for her repeated use of it. Her struggles with self-identity and self-esteem became the most logical place for that toll to manifest.
I tried to inhabit Trina’s inner world as honestly as possible, ensuring that the experiences she goes through would meaningfully change her by the end of the novel. At the same time, I wanted the story to remind readers that vulnerability—especially when we share our true selves with others—always comes with risk.
Ultimately, I hope the book encourages compassion, both toward others and ourselves. I dedicate it to those still searching for who they are, and to those brave enough to cherish the people who walk that journey with them.
Can you give readers a glimpse inside Book 3 of the Dark District series? When can we look forward to seeing it released?
While each book in the Dark District series stands on its own, I enjoy letting characters make brief appearances across the novels to reinforce the sense of a shared universe. These cameos are designed to enhance cohesion without requiring readers to have read the previous books, allowing the series to be enjoyed either as standalone stories or chronologically.
Book 3 will focus on Trina’s best friend, Andrew De Silva, who moonlights as a finder of magical objects while maintaining his day job as a history professor at the country’s oldest pontifical university. He has a loud, chatty personality, but like many in the Dark District, he carries secrets and unresolved issues of his own.
The story will also introduce Robert’s side of the family, expanding the world further with a new lineage and a new branch of magically gifted individuals. I’m currently working on the book and targeting a 2027 release.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Mostly, she has the perfect job of sowing the seeds of empathy & understanding by being a guidance counselor at the Forrester Arts College in the magically cloaked community known in Manila called the Dark District. She is beloved by students and has a killer body to die for and to covet.
She had everything figured out until she met Robert Samaniego, the new English professor joining them this term.
With a new semester, a new batch of students to mentor, a new distraction on campus, on top of maintaining a lifelong secret that can unravel at any moment if she doesn’t watch herself, can Trina hold it all together?
Or perhaps the Universe heard her prayers and sent someone to give direction and focus to the life that she thought she was living perfectly.
Someone to hold and protect her.
Someone to share and accept her secret and her past.
Someone to be there for her and take…her…hand.
The False Princess
The False Princess is a fantasy novel that blends court politics, young love, and an undercurrent of danger as Princess Sitnalta prepares for her future role as queen. The story opens with old secrets resurfacing, threats stirring in the shadows, and multiple characters navigating loyalty, family, and identity. What begins as an engagement celebration quickly fractures when Sitnalta becomes the target of a calculated assault, and the emotional fallout sends her, her loved ones, and the kingdom into far more complicated territory.
Reading it felt like slipping back into a classic fantasy world where kingdoms matter, alliances matter, and every gesture carries weight. What pulled me in most wasn’t the magic or intrigue, but the relationships. Sitnalta’s bond with Navor is warm and earnest, and the moments between Sitnalta and Aud feel tender in a way that makes the palace feel like an actual home instead of a backdrop. Gwendolyn and Ipsinki add another thread about love, choice, and the quiet pressure of tradition.
The writing itself is straightforward and emotional. Sometimes a little dramatic, sometimes soft, but always sincere. And when the darker moment arrives on the balcony, the tone drops hard and fast, which honestly worked. It’s jarring in the way those moments are supposed to be. The author gives Sitnalta space to feel shaken, ashamed, angry, and ultimately supported, and those scenes were some of the strongest in the book.
As I read, I kept noticing how much attention the author gives to interior feelings. Characters think, hesitate, second-guess, explain themselves, and comfort one another. The pacing stretches at times because of this, but in a story that centers on identity and stepping into power, I didn’t mind lingering in people’s heads. What surprised me most is how grounded the emotional beats feel inside a fairy tale–like setting. There are silk gowns and royal balls, but also conversations about consent, reputation, and the burden of leadership. Even the villain, Sparrow, isn’t painted with subtle strokes, yet his cruelty serves as a sharp contrast to the compassion in the rest of the cast. The book keeps circling back to the idea that strength isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s in telling the truth. Sometimes it’s in letting others help you.
The False Princess is a good fit for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, especially those who like royal intrigue mixed with heartfelt relationships and themes of resilience. It’s very much a fantasy novel at its core, but one that leans into emotional honesty more than magic or battles. If you appreciate stories about young women finding their voice within demanding worlds, this one will speak to you.
Pages: 184 | ISBN : 978-1945502750
An Inevitable Choice
The Romanov Legacy II: Ahead of the Storm follows two Romanov children in the final days of Imperial Russia, who, with the help of loyalists in the White Army, travel to safety in London. What was your inspiration for the wild journey you take readers on in this novel?
As the story continues from the first book in the series, the children are entrusted to the protection of Captain Tupolev and his special company of men for the secret escape from Yekaterinburg east to freedom. He leads them and his attachment along the Trans-Siberian railway as part of the retreat of the White Army toward Vladivostok on the Pacific coast. The actual historical flight of the White Army and their Czech allies is one of the great human feats of the last portion of the Russian civil war. The escape of the children as part of this historic event was an inevitable choice.
Each of the main characters in your novel faces unique challenges and brings different perspectives to the situation. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Maxim Petrov was one of my favorite characters because he had to lead the transition of the nation and family from their protected life within Imperial Russia through the revolution and beyond while maintaining his secret life as both a spymaster but as the master of the great plan to free the family from danger and deliver the Tzar’s legacy against all odds. He had to be a master of all roles.
Alexei was difficult to develop because he had to transition from a bright child into a man so quickly under duress. Keeping his role believable and yet having him become a warrior and future leader was challenging.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to define the conditions that actually existed at the time historically. There were many people struggling to survive during this period. Survival was a necessity, and that tested many people’s courage and loyalty under the worst of situations.
What readers can expect in the third book of the series, and when it will be available?
Readers can expect to see an exciting and satisfying conclusion that leaves them with hope for the future and a feeling of continuity of the story. The third book is written and will be out early to mid-next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Maxim Petrov takes on the role of the White Hand, head of a league of royalist spies, to undermine the new government and clear the way for the children to escape Russia. He also carries out his promise to preserve the tsar’s legacy by preserving the wealth of the empire. He relocates to London to lead the shadow government there.
During the many months of escape across Siberia, Alexei, the heir to the throne, and his adoring sister Anastasia, grow into young adults who can take on the challenges of this chaotic life and gain survival skills they will need for the new empire. Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Irkutsk, Vladivostok, and finally safety for a time overseas.
Will the entourage reach the safety of a new incognito life in London? Will the dreaded Cheka assassins find them again? Will the Romanov legacy be preserved for the Russian people? This is a continuation of the exciting tale of a family thrown from power and desperate to survive to fight another day.
Thank God For The Sinners
Thank God for the Sinners follows Rick Price through a chaotic life shaped by violence, lust, trauma, and the constant pull of self-destruction. The book opens with Rick in a seedy Chinese hotel, where a sexual encounter spirals into a death that sets the tone for everything that follows. His past and present crash into each other as he traces the roots of his darkness through childhood injuries, family dysfunction, rage, and addiction. The narrative swings between his time abroad, entangled with corrupt businessmen, and his early life on Long Island, where pain and fear molded him into someone who can’t decide if he’s cursed or simply wired wrong.
The writing hits hard without trying to be fancy. It’s blunt, messy, and weirdly charming in parts because Rick is both awful and strangely human. I felt uncomfortable many times. I also laughed a little because the voice is so honest that even the worst moments feel like confessions from a guy who knows he’s a walking disaster. The early scenes, like the baby nurse incident and the diaper accident with his brother, stuck with me. They’re told with this eerie calm that made me feel like I was sitting across from Rick while he casually unpacked a lifetime of bruises.
I also found myself reacting emotionally to how the book explores shame. The scenes in China are wild and reckless, yet the real punch comes from how Rick narrates his loneliness and fear right underneath all the bravado. The book doesn’t soften him or try to redeem him. Instead, it lets him expose his scars in his own voice. I caught myself rooting for him even though he’s digging himself deeper into chaos. The whole thing feels like reading someone’s secret diary that was never meant to be found.
I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy dark, confessional stories that don’t pull any punches. If you like memoir-style fiction that feels like a whirlwind of bad choices, trauma, humor, and raw honesty, this book is worth your time. This book reads like a harsher, more chaotic cousin to Fight Club, trading sleek rebellion for something messier and more personal. It also carries the bruised honesty of A Million Little Pieces, only with fewer apologies and a lot more bite.
Pages: 348 | ASIN : B0F9BQMF9Z
Discovering Her Courage
Flee follows a Marine Reserve and librarian-in-training, who, while on a bus journey to a family reunion, ends up in a desperate fight for survival after a nuclear catastrophe devastates Washington State. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In Escape, the first book in the Haven series, survivors make their way to Haven in waves—some travel alone, some in groups, some are injured, and some barely hold on. As I wrote the story, I realized that not everyone could reach safety at the same time. Some characters are close, while others are far away, trapped in the chaos when the world ended. This opened the door for individual stories of struggle, loss, and survival to unfold simultaneously.
While I worked through book one, Sadie’s absence lingered as a question—for me and, eventually, for readers. Flee grew out of my need to answer it. I wanted to explore the survival of someone without immediate shelter, someone caught in transit when everything collapsed, and someone forced to fight—both physically and emotionally—to make it home.
Sadie is a woman with strength and incredible intellect. What do you think makes her a valuable and worthy heroine?
In Escape, I introduced the “five musketeers.” Three of the women are entering adulthood, and Sadie has always been the instigator. While Beth is quieter and still discovering her courage, Sadie knows her own strength and intellect—and isn’t afraid to use them. She may possess the drive to take what she wants out of life, but she falters with love and vulnerability. Sadie challenges the control men in her life exert upon her, pushing her to rebel. Her journey is about finding balance—between strength and trust—and that evolution truly defines her as a heroine.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
I’m a visual person, so to write action scenes with weapon elements, I needed to first understand fighting techniques and the moves involved. Watching my son earn his junior black belt in Taekwondo taught me a lot in real time—especially about defending yourself in various positions and how hard it is to fight for your life. Understanding the difference between weight classes and genders was also crucial. You can be small and still cause damage, but at what cost? Then there’s the added layer of weapons and the types that may be involved. As Sadie says, “Knife trumps stick.” She knew there would be a cost, though.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Even though the women are my protagonists, my two secondary characters, Donovan and Hoss, stayed at the forefront of my mind during these two books. Donovan is an open book to my readers. He craves control to maintain stability in his life and demands it from his children and everyone around him. Hoss, on the other hand, is a laid-back, “you do you” kind of man. My readers know little about him—something I intentionally kept vague—but there are breadcrumbs scattered throughout if they look closely enough.
After doing their family trees, I realized I gave Donovan more daughters and Hoss more sons. I researched which gender was easier to raise, and the results were interesting, so I played on that. (Sons are easier, it appears.)
Beth isn’t blood-related, so I started with her story first in Escape. The found-family trope is strong throughout my stories. In Flee, we circle back to follow Donovan’s oldest, Sadie, as she battles to reach Haven. Donovan’s second oldest, Gina, appears in Beth’s story and continues her journey in the second book. In the third and fourth books, Hoss’s family becomes my focus, revealing more about Hoss’s background. Though he might sport funny sayings on his t-shirts and love recon, Hoss has many layers to peel back.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Facing the collapse of civilization, a feisty and independent young woman embarks on a perilous adventure that pushes her to her limits and challenges her long-held goals.
The missile marked the beginning of Sadie’s nightmare. The demands of a crumbling society, dangerous terrain, and her own weakening, feverish body will test her courage.
Sadie wants to flee to the safety of her family’s compound, where Liam waits, and the ache in her chest is a constant reminder of her feelings for him.
Despite his calm exterior, Liam anxiously awaits Sadie’s arrival. More questions than answers remain: Where is Sadie? Why hasn’t she made it to Haven like the fortunate few?
Hunter has his own plans. Escaping the taint of his family’s criminal past puts him in Sadie’s path. She struggles to trust him. Forced together, their connection deepens, placing her family and all of Haven in extraordinary danger.
Survival depends on Sadie taking control of her own life and deciding whom to trust and whom to love. Her decision could set her free…or destroy her and everyone she loves.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Haven with these memorable characters, experiencing twists and turns you look for in a fast-paced, gripping read.
A tangled web of love, shifting loyalties, and explosive conflicts drives the Haven series forward, with the same intensity and passion as Kyla Stone’s Edge of collapse saga.
Literary Titan Gold Award Winner
New Dreams and Career Possibilities
Charli’s Pawsome Park follows a curious girl who meets a landscape architect and wonders if she could design her own dog park, so with the help of her friends, she does, but not without some challenges. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I taught 2nd and 3rd Grade, and I well remember the perpetual question of “WHY do we need to learn this?” With this series, I’m showing kids the why behind STEM activities and education. I want them to see that STEM can be fun and practically applied. Hopefully, this will open their eyes to new dreams and career possibilities.
Is there anything about Charli that came from yourself or your life experiences?
Like Charli, I’ve always loved school and learning new things. But when I was a child, girls were not really encouraged to pursue STEM fields. I want to help change that narrative so that my own granddaughters and their peers know that they can choose any educational and career paths they desire.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
Chapter 3 shows Charli and Molly brainstorming ideas for the dorsal device. This scene introduces the themes that are more deeply explored in the rest of the book: leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, empathy, and female empowerment.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Charli and the direction of the next book?
Charli’s Dorsal Device: An Engineering Adventure is Book #3 in this series. In it, Charli owns her engineering company and designs a GPS tracking device for a dolphin.
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LITERARY TITAN 