Blog Archives
Wishes in a Bottle
Wishes in a Bottle, by Allie McCormack, is a romantic fantasy that weaves together ancient magic, eternal longing, and the power of selfless love. Julian DiConti, a mage from plague-ridden Italy, becomes bound to a mystical bottle after a spell goes wrong, cursed to grant wishes until three truly selfless ones are made. In modern-day New York, his fate collides with Alessandra Taylor, a hospice worker with a compassionate soul, offering him the first glimmer of hope he’s had in centuries. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of pain, healing, and a magical bond neither of them expected.
What struck me most about the book was how real Julian felt despite the genie-in-a-bottle premise. He’s six hundred years old, yes, but his pain is fresh, raw even. The opening scene, in which a selfish woman squanders her final wish on a necklace rather than saving a dying child, was deeply unsettling and emotionally jarring. You can feel Julian’s frustration. I loved that the author didn’t sugarcoat his weariness. He endured centuries of witnessing individuals squander extraordinary opportunities, all while being powerless to intervene. The emotional depth of that experience was profoundly affecting.
Then there’s Alessandra. I adored her. She’s fierce in a quiet, grounded way. Her love for her nephew Bobby and her simmering resentment toward her emotionally absent brother-in-law felt so authentic. There’s a scene where she storms into the hospital after hearing about Bobby’s worsening condition, angry, grieving, full of fire, and yet the moment she sees her sister, she softens immediately. That complexity made her so relatable. When Alessandra meets Julian, there is an immediate sense of connection, marked not only by chemistry but also by trust, skepticism, and genuine curiosity. Their relationship develops gradually, avoiding the trope of instant infatuation, which makes the unfolding of their bond all the more compelling and rewarding.
The magic system is subtle but beautifully handled. It’s not flashy spells and fight scenes, it is ancient rules, quiet consequences, and emotional toll. I especially liked how Julian is punished by pain for bending the rules, like when he visits Bobby without a wish being made. That added meaningful weight to the magical framework, grounding it in emotional consequence. While the middle section leans heavily on dialogue and introspection, it enriches the characters and their relationships. The warmth and underlying tension between them kept the narrative engaging and made it difficult to put down.
Allie McCormack’s Wishes in a Bottle surprised me. It’s not just a love story. It’s about redemption, choice, and the agony of wanting to do good when the world keeps getting in the way. I’d recommend it to fans of character-driven romance with a supernatural twist. If you liked The Time Traveler’s Wife or works by Nora Roberts with a magical edge, you will enjoy this unique romantic adventure.
Pages: 376 | ASIN : B07KXYJM3Q
American Eugenics Movement
Trail of the Zombies follows a trio from the Nightfall Detective Agency as they unravel a sinister conspiracy tied to eugenics, Indian boarding schools, and a nefarious project called the Utopia Institute. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Great question. I had recently heard of the recent stories about the mistreatment of Indian children in boarding schools and read/mostly watched several documentaries on the subject in researching the beginning of Trail of the Zombies. I also am a fan of the works of Edwin Black and his book, War Against the Weak, told about the height of the American Eugenics Movement which coincided with the timing of the persecution of the Indian children. I also wanted to portray zombies in the way they were meant to be depicted. Recent works and movies/television series inspired by Day of the Dead and The Last Man on Earth show them as flesh-eating monsters. Those are actually ghouls, not zombies.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
This kind of supplements my response to question one. I read and watched a lot of material like many documentaries on the persecution of the Indian Children, the American Eugenics Movement, and actual Zombies. You can find all the sources I used in the Acknowledgement section of Trail of the Zombies.
The Trail of the Zombies crosses many genres. What books or authors were the biggest inspiration for you?
Good question. I mentioned Edwin Black and his book War Against the Weak. That really helped. Universal Horror and Horror movies of that era from other studios like White Zombie were inspirational as well. Mystery-Noir works also guided me as well as the writings and shows of Rod Serling like The Twilight Zone. Historical Fiction like those by James Michener also influenced me.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
The next book in the Case File Series will be Fury of the Vampire and it will come out before Halloween this year. It picks up right where Trail left off and our heroes will have to solve a political assassination, prevent widespread contamination of a local water supply, stop the antagonists from creating an alternative reality, and combat a powerful Jinn. I think readers are going to enjoy it when it comes out.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
For the first time since coming into their office, Simon struggled to lift his head, the bullet hole in his eye becoming more evident.
“To find out who killed me.”
Thus begins the next thrilling adventure for the Nightfall Detective Agency.
Vampire Detective Tori Jacobsen and Werewolf Detective Bram Mueller are drawn into the shadowy depths of the Utopia Institute to both solve the murder of the late Ira Simon and the reports of abuse of the Native American Students and those deemed unfit to attend there.
Set in 1929, just outside Marana Arizona, the pair unearth a web of dark secrets.
The Institute is a front for a sinister plot.
Evil Forces, once thwarted in their pursuit of the Eye of Aten, are now bent on creating an army of Zombie slaves from the people held at the Institute.
The ultimate goal?
A hidden Aztec treasure that could fund their designs for world domination.
Tori and Bram must race against time to prevent the ushering in of a new Dark Age of Terror.
If they fail, the world will descend into chaos and repression.
The stakes have never been higher.
Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch’s Rebirth Part II
Michaela Riley’s Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch’s Rebirth Part II is a sweeping tale of magic, rebirth, and epic destiny, rooted in a richly imagined version of early medieval Europe. Set against the backdrop of 6th-century Francia and the Byzantine Empire, the story follows Merona, a reborn witch, who is thrust once more into a fractured world on the brink of ruin. Guided by visions, ancient gods, and her loyal companions, she must wield the legendary Cauldron of Dagda to restore balance and ward off an encroaching darkness. The novel seamlessly intertwines elements of pagan mysticism with the turbulence of political upheaval, all set within a richly mythological framework.
From the outset, the atmosphere in the story is deeply evocative. The prologue resonates with a potent blend of tension and lyrical beauty, particularly in lines such as, “In the depths of this chaos, hidden within the labyrinth of shadows, the Witch lay ensconced in her own despair.” That moment is haunting in its imagery and sets the tone for the entire narrative. Michaela Riley’s prose is often poetic, even lush, and this quality serves as a notable strength. The rich detail, especially in the vivid depictions of Samhain rituals, flickering torchlight, and whispered invocations, creates an immersive reading experience.
Character-wise, Merona really grabbed my heart. Her struggle with power and doubt felt honest and human, even when she’s literally summoning ancient gods or wielding divine relics. One standout moment comes when she reunites with Murdach in the forest, sobbing, “I have been lost in the endless shadows of the labyrinth once more.” That vulnerability made her feel grounded despite the mythic stakes. Her relationship with her mother, Mairead, was another emotional anchor. Their reunion in the sacred grove was profoundly moving, evoking a powerful emotional response. Riley demonstrates a remarkable ability to craft poignant moments with authenticity and restraint, allowing the emotional weight to resonate without ever feeling contrived.
The narrative structure is richly layered, weaving together ritual, prophecy, memory, and vision to create a story that feels both mythic and immersive. Each chapter unfolds with a dreamlike intensity, blending past and present in a way that evokes the timeless nature of the tale. This interlacing of timelines enhances the sense of destiny at work, heightening the emotional and thematic resonance of Merona’s journey. As the narrative builds toward the expedition to Constantinople, the momentum becomes increasingly gripping. The Morrigan’s haunting transformations and the looming menace of Varis inject a thrilling urgency into the plot, amplifying the sense of peril and the high stakes that define the story’s arc.
Cauldron of Dagda: The Witch’s Rebirth Part II is an evocative, mystical epic that pulses with feminine power, ancient magic, and emotional truth. It’s best suited for readers who love deeply mythic stories with a poetic writing style and a strong, complex heroine. I’d recommend it to fantasy lovers who enjoy spiritual themes, Celtic lore, and high-stakes drama wrapped in gorgeous prose.
Pages: 434 | ASIN : B0DWVRBM2F
Empowering Kids
Nurse Florence®, Why Do I Need to Have Iron in My Diet? follows a group of students who ask the school nurse about iron, and she explains its importance to the body and the dietary sources where it can be found.What made you write a story about this topic?
Kids should feel empowered with the books they read to live more fulfilling lives. Eating healthy is important and now there is a book to easily explain why a person needs to eat iron and where to get iron in their diet.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
A menstruating or pregnant woman needs a lot more iron compared to an average adult male. Males need only about 8 mg per day, a menstruating woman about 18 mg per day, and a pregnant woman around 27 mg per day.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about the importance of iron?
I don’t think it could be regarded as a misconception, but iron is needed for red blood cells to deliver oxygen to all the cells in our body and the immune system to fight infections.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Writing poetry in high school helped develop some of my creativity.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
Bloodbound: Extreme Temperatures
Extreme Temperatures is a gritty and emotionally-charged supernatural novel that dives deep into the tumultuous life of Hunter, a vampire with a demon’s blood and a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. The story kicks off in a raucous biker bar, where Hunter’s thirst for blood, for identity, for understanding sets off a chain of events that unravel his past and ignite his inner turmoil. Alongside complex allies and lovers like Gibson and Kai, Hunter battles not just external enemies, but the firestorm erupting inside him as he begins to literally burn with the onset of his demon puberty. The narrative explores themes of identity, betrayal, found family, and the painful journey toward self-acceptance, with a cast of supernatural beings navigating loyalty and loss in a world that’s as violent as it is emotionally raw.
I enjoyed the writing style. It’s brash, fast, and pulsing with tension. The prose punches through scenes with vivid violence and palpable emotion. There’s blood, there’s sex, there’s fire—sometimes all at once. And somehow, it works. The balance between raw supernatural action and aching vulnerability is impressive. The characters don’t just react to their world; they bleed through it, and the world bleeds right back. Hunter is infuriating and lovable all at once. He’s damaged goods, and you feel every splinter. Even when he lashes out, you get it. You want to scream at him, then hug him, then scream again. And that, to me, is good storytelling.
The story isn’t for the faint of heart. It hits heavy emotional beats—abandonment, identity crisis, the scars of betrayal—and it does so while vampires are biting throats and werewolves are shifting mid-fight. At times, I found myself reeling, not because the plot was confusing (it’s actually paced very well), but because the emotional intensity rarely lets up. The stakes are always high, the emotions raw, the danger close. Still, the underlying themes hit home: what does it mean to be yourself when your origins are ripped away? How do you forgive someone who shattered you without meaning to? And how do you keep from burning the world down when you’re on fire inside?
Extreme Temperatures is a wild and heartfelt ride. It’s angry, it’s tender, it’s fierce, and it’s not interested in sugarcoating the path to healing. This is a book for readers who like their vampires with more bite than brooding, who crave supernatural drama that digs into the heart as much as it tears through flesh. If you enjoy character-driven stories where the monsters are just as broken as the humans they once were, this one’s for you.
Pages: 240 | ASIN : B0DZYQX31N
D.O.L Light Running Part 1
D.O.L: Light Running, Part 1 plunges the reader into a high-octane, emotionally-charged dystopian military drama that follows Lilly Lamberton—a fiery, sharp-tongued heroine entangled in government secrets, paramilitary organizations, and her own haunted past. The narrative starts in explosive fashion and rarely lets up, blending raw action with psychological depth. From secret missions and violent ambushes to quiet reflections on loss and identity, this book is both a survival story and a deeply personal coming-of-age saga, set in a world cracking at the seams.
Jason Logan Maxwell writes like he’s trying to outpace a storm—fast, punchy, and relentless. The dialogue is witty, often hilarious, and refreshingly grounded. Characters feel alive because they’re flawed, they fight dirty, and they bleed. The pacing is intense, almost breathless at times, and while that energy keeps the story charging forward, it does leave some emotional moments a bit rushed. Still, when the book slows down, it doesn’t lose power—it hits harder. The flashbacks, the trauma, the tenderness buried under tough exteriors—they all ring painfully true. There’s something raw and human beneath the sci-fi military veneer, and it pulled me in more than I expected.
The book doesn’t shy away from the gritty or the grotesque. Some of the backstory, especially the POW sequences, are harrowing, borderline horrific. But it wasn’t gore for gore’s sake. It served a purpose. It gave weight to the trauma these characters carry. And Lilly—god, Lilly. She’s tough, smart, impulsive, and deeply broken. Watching her navigate betrayals, boot camp, and blackmail was riveting. She’s someone I rooted for fiercely, even when she messed up. She doesn’t ask for your sympathy—she earns it. The book also isn’t afraid to call out military systems, toxic leadership, and blind patriotism. It’s bold in the best way.
Light Running isn’t just an action novel, it’s a gut-punch of a character study dressed in tactical gear. It’s perfect for readers who like their stories gritty, their characters layered, and their themes heavy. If you enjoy works like The Hunger Games or Codename Villanelle but crave a sharper edge and darker truths, this book is for you. Be warned: it’s a wild ride with sharp turns. But if you can hang on, it’s worth every second.
Pages: 194 | ASIN : B0DN85DM2K
Magnanotron: The Evolution
Magnanotron: The Evolution is a high-octane military thriller that fuses emotional personal drama with futuristic warfare and global political tension. The story picks up with Commander Jason Patrick mourning the loss of his father, then launches into a series of global threats, from Houthi pirates and Venezuelan gang takeovers in the U.S., to clandestine nuclear plots in Iran. Saniscalchi weaves the development of a cutting-edge shielding tech, Magnanotron, into the narrative, as a team of elite soldiers employs it to battle terrorism, defend American ideals, and even toy with the fringes of science fiction as it hints at invisibility and teleportation. It’s part tech-thriller, part military adventure, with a strong sense of duty and brotherhood throughout.
The story opens on a somber note, Jason grappling with grief after his father’s passing, and that thread never really lets go. I appreciated this blend of heart and action. It made the stakes feel personal. Jason’s loyalty to family mirrors his commitment to his team and country. At times, the writing leaned on exposition and direct dialogue, which occasionally dulled the impact of high-tension moments. But it was clear that Saniscalchi cares deeply about his characters and the men and women in uniform they represent. There’s a sincerity in his storytelling that makes even the more predictable beats feel grounded.
From a writing standpoint, the style is straightforward, brisk, and often cinematic. That works well for the genre, especially in the battle scenes. The action sequences, particularly the rescue mission in Gallo and the Magnanotron-enhanced assaults, are sharp and vivid. But what really gave me pause was the science fiction angle: the accidental disappearance and reappearance of a test subject hinted at teleportation or cloaking technology. That twist caught me off guard, in the best way. I wish it had been explored more fully. It’s like the story flirted with going full sci-fi but held back to stay in familiar military-thriller territory. Still, it added a spark of the unexpected.
Magnanotron: The Evolution is a fast-paced and action-heavy read that doesn’t forget the human element. It’s for fans of military fiction, especially those who enjoy stories rooted in current geopolitical tensions with a dash of speculative tech. If you like your heroes tough but principled, your missions bold, and your plot with enough grit to keep the pages turning, this book is for you.
Pages: 133 | ASIN : B0DZV7Q65J
Surprising Directions
Sweet Ridge Hearts follows a New York marketing executive whose boyfriend steals her idea and promotion, leading her to move in with her cousin in a small town, where she rediscovers herself and finds a new chance at love. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to show how the big, city life isn’t always what it’s hyped up to be. I also wanted to thread a story for Katy and Christine, so Christine could have her happily-ever-after too. Christine had already fallen in love in Book One, but I needed to resolve the long-distance relationship. So, that’s when I created Katy, her cousin, who embarks on her own journey in the small town of Maple Ridge and became my protagonist.
I enjoyed the romantic relationship between Katy and Derek; it is not a whirlwind passion-filled fling, but rather a slow-building and relatable connection. How did their relationship develop while you were writing it? Did you have an idea of where you wanted to take it, or was it organic?
I knew they both had to grow and evolve in order to be open to a new relationship. I knew what their flaws were and had some ideas of how they would work together, but often things appear organically. That’s what I love about writing—the way characters can take the writer in surprising directions.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My dad was a Vet, and I wanted to show how we need to support our troops better when they return home with PTSD. I wanted to show his healing process. And for Katy, I wanted to encourage readers to follow their dreams, even when it’s scary to face our fears in doing so. I’m a big believer that dreams do come true.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is another small-town, sweet romance being published by The Wild Rose Press, called Forever Kind of Love. We are in the editing trenches now and don’t have a release date yet. I imagine it will be the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Yet even in country-quiet Maple Ridge, Katy’s skills can be useful, and she’s prepared to jump in to help Christine win a competition for her Sweet Ridge Bakery. What she’s not prepared for is handsome bakery manager Derek Higgins.
A veteran dealing with the aftermath of PTSD, Derek is a lone wolf, and he likes it that way. Being forced to work with a spirited businesswoman and her healthy ego is a challenge every step of the way. But the stakes are too high for him to give up helping his boss.
As the competition heats up, so does the chemistry with Katy—until she’s offered a new job in another city. Now she has to decide whether to take a risk and start her own company, or become the creative director of a new, successful firm, which is everything she ever wanted. At the same time, Derek must face his own issues when personal tragedy wraps him in survivor’s guilt, leaving him unable to forgive himself for past actions.
While Derek seeks to heal the wounds of a haunting past, and Katy searches for the courage to face her fears and forge a new path, what will become of their relationship?
LITERARY TITAN 