Blog Archives
Locked-Room Mysteries
Pioneering Secrets follows a high school teacher, a reporter, and a detective from a small town who are trying to find the person responsible for killing a teen girl. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I was a kid, I loved locked-room mysteries. The murder method in this story is based on a reverse version of my favourite locked room story. I can’t give any more details than that, as it would give it away.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
All the characters in the book are based on real people in my life. I’ve tried to give them character and personality traits similar to each of those people.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
It began with a vision of the opening murder scene, then grew from there. I planned out each murder scene ahead of time, as well as the characters and suspects. Other than the opening chapter, I didn’t write any parts of the book until I had the pivotal scenes fleshed out ahead of time.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in the Rolling Brook Falls series. I have a few new stories already planned, with the next two fleshed out. I hope to have the 2nd book published by the end of December 2025. The next story will delve deeper into Andie’s past, as well as continue to develop the budding romance between her and Detective Sayers. Readers can expect the same sass from Andie and C.J. that was showcased in the first book.
Author Links: GoodReads | BlueSky | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Rolling Brook Falls is a sleepy little town where summer tourism is high, everyone knows their neighbour, and no one locks their doors. That all changes when a teen is murdered leaving everyone baffled as to why.
When Andie, a local high school teacher, decides to investigate the death of her favourite student, she clashes with the town’s new no-nonsense police detective. Determined to find out how her peaceful community could become stained with murder, she sets out on her own to search for answers. But after the killer strikes again, the mystery deepens, and Andie wonders if she’s in over her head.
Ignoring the detective’s warnings to stay out of the investigation, Andie and her reporter friend C.J. soon discover more is going on in their quiet little town than they ever could have imagined. As the bodies pile up, the two women race to solve the mystery before another of their friends is murdered, and before the killer sets their sights on them.
Nurse Dorothea® presents Managing Anger Instead of Letting Anger Manage You
Michael Dow’s Managing Anger Instead of Letting Anger Manage You is a conversational, interactive guide on understanding and handling anger in everyday life. Framed through the warm and encouraging voice of a fictional nurse named Dorothea, the book reads like a group therapy session, complete with peer discussions, personal reflections, and science-backed insights. It blends storytelling, practical advice, and educational content with a focus on building emotional intelligence and community support. Across three parts, Dow takes readers on a journey through the biology of anger, its triggers, consequences, and most importantly, dozens of actionable ways to respond to it in healthier ways.
I found the book to be surprisingly heartfelt and easy to connect with. The writing is simple, perfect for children, and it also makes it feel accessible. It doesn’t get bogged down in academic jargon or heavy theory, which makes it approachable for people of all ages, especially teens or those who feel overwhelmed by dense self-help literature. The use of a classroom-style narrative, with Nurse Dorothea guiding a group of diverse students, makes the lessons stick. Their stories felt real. The emotional resonance is where the book shines most. It invites you to not just read, but to pause and reflect.
The book sometimes revisits the same ideas, especially when emphasizing similar coping strategies or restating the importance of managing anger. But maybe that’s the point. Anger doesn’t go away with one good insight, it takes practice, and a lot of the same reminders, over and over. What I appreciated most was the variety of techniques offered, from journaling and exercise to breathing, forgiveness, and goal-setting. It’s a toolbox, not a rulebook. The encouragement to try what works for you felt empowering rather than prescriptive.
This children’s book is a warm and practical guide for anyone who struggles with anger, whether that means explosive rage or the quiet, festering kind. It’s especially helpful for young adults, teachers, counselors, or parents trying to model emotional regulation. If you want something that feels like a caring voice walking beside you, offering kind, practical nudges in the right direction, this picture book fits the bill.
Pages: 281 | ASIN : B0FB1X2H7N
The Desire to Be Forgiven
Memoirs of a Household Demon follows a mid-tier demon tasked with corrupting a modern-day slacker who discovers an emptiness in his soul, causing him to do the unthinkable in an effort to earn his way back into Heaven. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always been fascinated with the concept of ghosts and the afterlife. In many cultures, it’s believed that the spirits of the dead (including our ancestors) hold some amount of influence over the living. Sort of like the scenario with the tiny angel and devil on your shoulder, tempting you to do good or evil. With this in mind, I decided to expand on the idea and use the spirits as a personification of human thought and behavior. Imagine finding out that your intrusive thoughts are actually a quirky demon and a snooty angel arguing right beside you? It gives a vivid (and often comedic) illustration of the moral conflict that exists within us all. Couple that with some Christian theology and my love for cinematic action scenes, and the rest is history.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The most interesting thing to me is the concept of free will. How much of it is decided by external factors? Are we truly and fully responsible for our own actions? If we are born with a propensity to act a certain way, can we or should we change? I feel that all of the best fiction explores these questions in one way or another. It allows the reader to look harder at themselves and find a definitive answer.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
First and foremost, we have redemption. All of us are flawed. All of us make mistakes. Some are more costly than others, but the desire to be forgiven, valued, and even loved in spite of them is universal. For this reason, I wanted the main character, Yuriel, to act as the ultimate failure, so to speak. A person so incredibly mired by his mistakes that he doesn’t believe redemption is possible. Through his journey, I try to illustrate how all of us are capable of overcoming our weaknesses through genuine effort and perseverance.
The second theme is hope. All of us will die. No one can escape this tragic fact. However, the concept of the human spirit is a powerful thing. It gives our mortal lives deeper meaning, regardless of how much or how little we accomplished. It offers a second chance to see our deceased loved ones and adds weight to the moral decisions we make. Whether my readers are spiritual or not, my goal was to inspire greater hope regardless of life’s hardships and give them a more optimistic outlook towards what comes after.
Can you tell us what the second book will be about, and when it will be available for fans to purchase?
The second book will be titled Vengeance of a Fallen Angel, and the story will take place between the end of Memoirs of a Household Demon and its epilogue. The protagonist, Yuriel, is now on the run from the forces of Inferno and takes shelter inside a Los Angeles hospital. Its resident angels are able to shield the building and offer protection from any attacking demons, but things take an interesting turn when a young mortal girl is brought to the emergency room with her soul missing. Trapped between life and death, Yuriel must venture into the big city, find the girl’s soul, and reunite it with her body before time runs out.
This book will feature much more action than the first, along with a deeper look into the angelic and demonic societies lurking behind our own. Also, if you’re a fan of the Deadpool x Wolverine/Grumpy x Sunshine buddy dynamic, you’re going to love what this story has up its sleeve. The manuscript is about 70% drafted, and I hope to get it released by the end of this year or sometime early in 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
But when Yuriel’s obsessions bring tragedy to the family, he begins to discover an emptiness in his soul he never knew was there, yearning for a shot to make amends. Enlisting the help of Sarai and his angelic counterpart, Goldie, he embarks on a mission to heal the grieving and earn his way back into Heaven by doing the unthinkable—tempting Paul to do good. As old comrades and a hellish past come back to haunt him, Yuriel must fight to unravel the question:
If angels can fall, why can’t demons rise?
Set in modern-day Southern California, Memoirs of a Household Demon is a tale about redemption, overcoming weakness and loss, and finding the courage to do what’s right. Its blend of action, humor and heart offers an insightful look into human behavior and spirituality through the lens of an immortal being.
Memoirs of a Household Demon is both a standalone story and the first full-length novel in the Gray Spirits series. You do not need to have read other works to enjoy this story, though the prequel novella, Prelude of a Guardian Angel, is available now on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
Protective, Passionate, and Grounding
Liora: Lost In Heaven’s Touch follows a young woman who awakens with no memories in a strange garden, where she must embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was at a point in my life where I had fallen back in love with reading, especially paranormal and shifter romance. I was devouring stories about angels and mortals, but I kept noticing a pattern: the immortal hero and the mortal heroine. I wanted to flip that dynamic. I wanted the heroine to be the gifted one. Liora was born from that desire. She represents a love so powerful it overrides divinity, proof that being human and in love is something even heaven is worth giving up for.
Liora develops different relationships with Yasim, Locran, and Kairos, each helping her discover various parts of herself. What was the inspiration for the relationship that develops between the characters?
Honestly, I didn’t plan their personalities. They revealed themselves to me as I wrote. I just knew I wanted three distinct dynamics: one man who would become like a brother, one who could’ve been a love interest in another life, and one who would be her ultimate love. Their roles were shaped not only by the needs of the story but also by my own lived experiences with the different types of male energy we encounter in life: protective, passionate, and grounding.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Self-exploration and self-acceptance were huge for me. So many of us are on a journey of finding ourselves. Some through hardship, others through relationships or reflection. Liora’s story is an extreme example, but I wanted to mirror real life, where certain people cross our paths to either awaken something within us or guide us to our truth. It was also really important for me to show that she’s not just some damsel in distress. She’s powerful. She’s in control of her fate even when she doesn’t realise it yet.
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
While the characters reappear throughout the trilogy, Liora and Kai’s journey mostly wraps up in this first book. They’ll still show up, especially in moments where their guidance or presence matters, but the spotlight shifts to other characters. It was always meant to be a shared universe, and now it’s time to let the rest of the cast step forward and have their stories told.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As she pieces together who she is, Liora finds herself drawn to Kai, a man whose sharp edges hide more than he lets on. He challenges her, infuriates her, and makes her feel something she has never felt before.
This is a story of love, self-discovery, and second chances… because sometimes, starting over is the only way to find where you truly belong.
Propulsive Stories
Stolen follows a brilliant, tough, and resourceful private investigator with a powerful AI who helps a woman being stalked for her new EV battery, when it snowballs out of control into blackmail, espionage, and an underground crime ring aided by a rival AI. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This question goes to the heart of how I write. Sometimes I start a chapter with only a vague idea of what I want to accomplish. When it’s done, more than I expected ends up on the page. For example, in Stolen, a deadly international assassin targets the protagonist and her client. Until the moment I started writing that chapter, there was no assassin, not even the concept of one. My creative process is fluid and more creative as I go. I never outline my stories or rely on pages of story notes. I start with a loose story framework, define the characters, and then let them loose. I’m sometimes surprised when a twist I hadn’t intended to write suddenly appears. If I like the twist and think it enhances the story, I leave it in and make whatever adjustments are necessary to accommodate it. For my book, Stolen, I didn’t have a distinct element of inspiration; I just had a general idea. However, as this is the third book in the series, the characters were already well-known to me. This familiarity made it easier to tell the story.
The supporting characters in this novel, I thought, were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
Molly, with her massive AI brain, is always fun to write for. In this book, I explore why Molly is motivated to work with humans, rather than trying to wipe out humanity, as some people fear the technology may one day do.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I intentionally write all of my books with pace in mind. My favorite line in a review is this: “…I couldn’t put the book down,” or “It kept me up late into the night.” As a reader myself, I enjoy propulsive stories. I want my readers to experience that sensation.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Riley Callen and the direction of the next book?
I’m taking a break from this series, but I’ll definitely return to it in the future. These great characters have many more stories to tell. When I do return to the series, the next book already has a title: Quantum. If you think AI’s potential is scary, wait until you see an AI installed on a quantum computer. It’s not hyperbole to say the tech could break the world.
Author Links: Amazon
However, when a Chinese conglomerate purchases the company, Lena learns there will be no payday. The new owner is not liable for the contract she’d negotiated with the old management. Frustrated but determined to change her luck, she revises her original design and substantially extends the battery’s range. She intends to sell the new design to a competing company, which will render her old design obsolete. But it soon becomes clear that the Chinese company that acquired her battery design has become aware of her plan and is surveilling her wherever she goes. Fearful for her safety, Lena contacts Riley Callen and asks for help. Riley and her AI associate Molly quickly intercede, diffuse the situation, and get Lena the money she’s owed.
Thinking the case is resolved, Riley returns to assisting the FBI with capturing a highly organized crew of kidnappers. The Feds had made no progress on the case until Riley and Molly started working on it. Molly quickly discovers the kidnappers have an AI of their own coordinating the logistics of the kidnappings. This allows those in charge to get rich while simultaneously distancing themselves from their crimes and the criminals they employ to do the dirty work.
While embroiled in her work with the FBI, Molly reports that the man running the corrupt Chinese company, Mr. Shi, has contracted an international assassin named The Black Dragon to kill Riley and her client, Lena Alton. Not wanting to stop chasing the kidnappers, who are promising violence against future hostages if the FBI continues to interfere with their crimes, Riley brings in her Special Ops friends, Carnivore and Vegas, to help her dispatch the assassin before he can do any harm.
The clock is ticking on both cases, and Riley will have to work faster than ever to stop these bad guys.
Striking the Right Balance
Flush Royale follows a Greek-Norwegian marine investigator who is pulled into a quest to investigate the Hirondelle, where he uncovers a secret that could change history. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea for the story hit me during my first trip to Switzerland in 2022, while I was writing my debut novel. I was hanging out in a terraced vineyard in Lavaux, watching those Belle Époque steamships cruise across Lac Léman. Right then and there, I knew I wanted to set my next book in Switzerland. After that, I started exploring the lake’s maritime history and how I could connect it to Greece, which felt like a cool premise to build the plot around.
Nick Diamantis is a fascinating character. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
It’s hard to single out just one scene, but I find myself really drawn to writing the quieter and more introspective moments with Nick. That’s where his personality comes alive on the page, not always through action or dialogue but through subtle observations and reactions. Those moments reveal who he is beneath the surface, and I think that’s when readers are most likely to connect with him on a personal level.
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 think I’ve taken a lot from my own experience reading adventure novels, and I’ve always tried to keep that in mind when writing my own scenes. For me, it’s about striking the right balance. I want the scenes to be engaging and enjoyable to read, while still being clear enough for the reader to visualize without confusion.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I’m working on is the third novel in the Nick Diamantis series. It will feature all the classic elements people came to love in the first two. I can’t say too much about the plot or a release date, but this time, Nick’s next assignment will take him to Panama and South America.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Based on True Events
Scam at Higgins Canyon follows a computer forensic data analyst who agrees to manage a group of construction contractors; however, he had not counted on finding a hidden room full of literal skeletons and unanswered questions. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My stories are based on true events. I have worked in the construction industry in South Africa and Dubai. When tearing down old buildings or doing renovations, it is not uncommon to find things hidden in the wall and under the floor.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
The antagonist is based on someone I knew. As I wrote, the antagonist took on his own persona. All I was doing was writing the words.
Authors sometimes ask themselves questions and let their characters answer them. Do you think this is true for your characters?
Absolutely. This is especially true for the antagonist as he morphed as I wrote more and more.
What do you have in store for Jack Rhodes next, and when can your fans expect his next thrilling adventure to be out?
The draft for Book 5 in the Scam series is with beta readers. It should be published in the next two months. Here is what will be on the back cover: “In the aftermath of police officer Ted Clark’s heroic death, his wife Marie grapples with grief and guilt. As she becomes a target for an insurance scam, Ted’s colleague Jack Rhodes steps in to protect her. The investigation into Ted’s death and the murder of Danny Carlton uncovers a web of familial and criminal entanglements. Freya Ragnall, who runs a chop shop, restores Ted’s Mustang, symbolizing his legacy and revealing more about her criminal activities. Meanwhile, the Lund brothers face their estranged father, Frank, amidst betrayal and ambition. Jack’s lover, Stella West, supports him as he uncovers suspicious financial activities linked to Victor Thornfield’s advanced technology. This culminates in a violent showdown at Vortex. This gripping narrative explores the ethical dilemmas posed by technological advancements and the fragile nature of human connections. A story of loss, justice, and the pursuit of closure.”
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Personal Growth
Aerie is a continuation of the Dragon Guild saga, where Gabri and her dragon Makani seek peace in a mountaintop refuge, only to be swept into a cross-realm rescue mission that tests the bonds of love, loyalty, and identity. What were some new ideas you wanted to explore in book two?
Thank you for your interest in Arie and in me.
At the end of SANCTUM, Gabri was a 16-year-old who had lost all her enhanced abilities when she’d been abducted. Her family on Terra was doing all they could to find her and bring her home. She had bonded with her dragon, Makani, and her Aracai, Ting.
After chapter 1 of AERIE, Gabri’s story continues at age 18. While people flee to Sanctum in droves to escape the evil ruler of Umbra, Gabri and Elio join with other dragons and riders to protect their home and everyone on the planet. This book explores Gabri’s relationships with Elio, who is in love with her, and with Donny, the one she was sure she would build a life with. Donny is still searching for her. New challenges, far more complex than before, test her and the ones she loves. Will Gabri survive and overcome them? Who will she choose to be her life partner?
Gabri’s emotional journey is so raw and personal. Was there a specific experience or inspiration that shaped her arc in Aerie?
Personally, I grew up as an Army brat, moving from one environment to another, sometimes with little warning. Leaving friends behind, or seeing them leave, broke my heart. Changing schools was daunting, especially when we moved during the school year, which often happened. More so, moving from one country to another, from a familiar culture and language to one completely different, left me feeling temporarily powerless. Personal growth occurred as I learned to overcome every obstacle (such as learning another language) and as my broken heart mended after each move. In many ways, I identify with Gabri.
As for Gabri’s character arc, two experiences come to mind. One happens when Gabri is captured by Ozul and discovers he is not the one who abducted her from Terra. She encounters Katzir, the being behind her abduction and the one controlling the planet. She shows great courage, despite being separated from her bondmates and Elio. Before she can reunite with Makani and Elio, Ozul wipes her memory.
The second occurs as she slowly recovers her memories. Donny re-enters her life, and she must make a decision. Elio or Donny? Aerie or Terra?
The dragons feel uniquely alive and soulful. How did you develop Makani’s personality and her bond with Gabri?
Although intertwined with Gabri’s thoughts and emotions through their bond, Makani is very much herself, a being with reason and opinions all her own. She’s highly intelligent, strongly emotive, and, in some ways, a bit clingy. She loves to play during flight but can be serious and intuitive when necessary. Her relationship with Gabri developed as I wrote. It became organic, and I knew how she would interact in any given circumstance. Makani is the dragon I wish I had.
Time shifts and interdimensional travel play a big role. How did you keep the pacing balanced between high action and emotional depth?
It wasn’t easy. As I wrote, I used a spreadsheet, with Terran time in one column and the corresponding Aerie time in another. The spreadsheet kept me sane. After the first draft, I separated the chapters into Terra and Aerie, then wove them together in a way that made sense according to the parallel timelines. The pacing balance seemed natural to me. The story needed to breathe. Picture the high action as an inhale and emotional depth as the exhale. One wouldn’t work without the other. As life ebbs and flows through our seasons, a story should do the same.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
A young warrior in the Dragon Guild, Gabri and her beloved dragon, Makani, fly patrol through the inner world of Sanctum with Elio and his golden dragon, Kealohi. While investigating an abandoned enemy outpost, Gabri is captured and isolated from Makani and everyone she loves. Imprisoned and implanted with a mind control device, can Gabri break free, unite with Makani, and reclaim her lost memories?
Together with Elio and his dragon, Gabri and Makani embark on a quest to reclaim their world from a sinister enemy. As they face formidable foes and uncover hidden truths, their bonds of friendship and courage will be tested like never before. Will they succeed in their mission?
With themes of courage, friendship, and the power of love, Aerie invites readers into an enchanting adventure filled with danger, hope, and the unbreakable bonds between humans and dragons.
LITERARY TITAN 