Blog Archives
Moral Imperatives
I, Robot Soldier follows a war-damaged robot soldier who wakes in the ruins of a world shattered by conflict and encounters a traumatized young girl, becoming her protector and companion. I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
This novel was based on a short story I wrote many decades ago. The premise of a robot soldier awakening to the aftermath of war never left me. When I rewrote the story as a submission to my writing platform—Medium—it received such positive reader responses and encouragement to turn it into a novel, I decided to do just that. Other than that introductory premise, which became the novel’s prologue, the book was not pre-plotted but evolved as it unfolded.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
The only “guidelines,” emotional or moral, for the characters were that they be credible and consistent. Specifically for the robot narrator, One Shot, the open question was whether he experienced feelings and had moral imperatives beyond those programmed into him. It was never my intention to answer that question definitively.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The story is a standalone novel. The Robot Series is not a set of sequels, but rather a series of separate novels told from the viewpoints of unique robots. The second book (also reviewed by Literary Titan) is about a robot alien who comes to prevent humanity from a second devolution. The third book is about a female robot of the future.
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In a world shattered by war, a lone robot soldier awakens with one mission: to protect the last surviving human – a little girl named Amy.
Together, they form an unbreakable bond in a world where hope is scarce.
But danger lurks in the form of robotic mutations known as wolfhounds.
One Shot’s prime directive is clear: protect Amy at all costs.
On a perilous journey through a devastated world, the bond between a girl and a robot might be the key to humanity’s future. If they can survive.
9 Habits of Happy Retirees: Discover the Secrets to a Fulfilling Retirement
9 Habits of Happy Retirees offers a warm, upbeat, and very accessible guide to reimagining life after work. The book walks through the emotional phases of retirement, the mindset shifts needed to stay grounded, and the habits that build a joyful and meaningful post-career life. It blends practical advice with simple explanations about mental health, purpose, relationships, physical well-being, and the importance of staying curious and socially connected. The chapters move from preparation to mindset to hobbies to health, then social ties, learning, giving back, and travel. The whole arc forms a picture of retirement as a chance to grow instead of slow down.
This book felt surprisingly personal. I went in expecting a very standard self-help outline, but the writing has a friendly tone that made the ideas easy to absorb. The author speaks plainly, almost like a coach who wants you to feel excited about what’s ahead, and that energy made me lean in. I especially appreciated the focus on emotional transitions. Retirement is usually described as a reward and nothing more, yet the book spends time acknowledging loneliness, identity loss, and boredom. That honesty felt refreshing.
I also found myself reacting strongly to the sections about meaning and purpose. The reminders to try new things, build community, and stay flexible struck a chord. The book made me think about how often people assume retirement should mirror a fantasy rather than a real life with ups and downs. I liked the push to experiment, make mistakes, and adjust. I did wish for more storytelling or real-world examples in some chapters, but the spirit of the message carried the reading experience. The tone is upbeat without feeling sugary, and the steady encouragement made me feel motivated.
9 Habits of Happy Retirees is a strong fit for readers who want a straightforward, positive, and compassionate guide to the emotional and practical sides of retirement. It’s especially helpful for people who feel unsure about what comes next or who want gentle direction rather than technical advice. If you like clear language, simple steps, and a friendly voice that nudges you toward growth, this book will feel like a welcome companion.
Page: 136 | ASIN : B0D78Q1NWD
Fang, Bang and the Midnight Mouse: The Christmas Call
The Christmas Call, the latest installment in J-J Murray’s Fang, Bang, and the Midnight Mouse series, is tailor-made for cozy holiday read-alouds shared with family. Illustrated by Katie Tayler, the story opens on a snug Christmas Eve with the Jollie family, where cat detectives Fang and Bang are reveling in their favorite season. The warmth doesn’t last long. Trouble strikes at the Hill Inn when a prized wheel of Stilton cheese disappears without a trace. Summoned to investigate, the two feline sleuths follow a tantalising trail of crumbs far from home, all the way to Cambridge, where they come face to face with Midnight Mouse and her mischievous crew. What follows is a brisk, festive mystery packed with sharp twists, seasonal mayhem, and more than a few cat-astrophes.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how naturally it weaves together humor, intrigue, and genuine warmth. The pace is swift and confident, keeping young readers absorbed as Fang and Bang pursue clues through snowy streets, bustling museums, and even a Christmas carol service. The language remains light and approachable, sprinkled generously with cat puns that will prompt giggles from children and knowing smiles from adults. At times, the narrator speaks directly to the reader, posing questions and inviting them to think alongside the detectives, which adds a playful, interactive dimension to the story.
Katie Tayler’s illustrations brim with energy and charm. Every page feels alive with movement and warmth, allowing Fang and Bang’s distinct personalities to shine. The festive settings are richly imagined, and the artwork supports the text beautifully, guiding young readers through the action while deepening the cozy Christmas atmosphere.
Beneath the mystery lies a thoughtful message about generosity and empathy, particularly fitting for the holiday season. Midnight Mouse is not portrayed as a simple villain. Her motivations are handled with surprising tenderness, offering children a nuanced understanding that mistakes do not define a character’s worth. A brief section at the end exploring the history of Stilton cheese adds an unexpected educational touch, enhancing the story without interrupting its momentum.
Overall, this is a delightful choice for families seeking a festive tale that balances entertainment with heart. The Christmas Call is witty, inventive, and warmly inclusive, an excellent pick for young readers who enjoy mysteries, animal heroes, and Christmas adventures wrapped in charm.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FXNP9YC4
Steamy Distraction
Sydney and Heather are both interesting characters trying to move past their last bad relationships. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
The Unwritten Rule’s two main characters were both a pleasure to write about. I loved discovering their slow-burn relationship and the sizzling chemistry that ignited amidst global travel, high-stakes sports events, and Formula One’s glamour.
Heather’s experience as a writer definitely made her an easier character to write. I connected with her motivation of wanting a career that her entourage could understand, but she was also keen to write about people falling in love. I wanted her to be a heroine readers could identify with, a character who, like newcomers to the Formula One romance genre, was also unfamiliar with the world of motorsport. But as I wrote more about Heather, she became much more than that—she had her own dreams and insecurities, which made her so endearing.
Sydney was more challenging because he’s more guarded—the sting of his past relationship still raw. But throughout the writing process, he revealed himself to be also sweet and considerate towards Heather and others. Everything a reader would expect and more from a modern and sexy Highlander. I loved seeing him open up to Heather during their interview questions for his biography. Writing about him falling in love again was satisfying after months of having to pull answers from Sydney—much like Heather did during the course of the story!
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
There were many scenes I had fun writing for The Unwritten Rule, from the meet-cute in the Canadian Rockies to the action on track across the racing season, so it’s hard to find just one! Especially since I wrote it with dual points of view, as I wanted to create an immersive reading experience. I enjoyed writing about Heather’s first meeting with Sydney, and how it parallels the romance book she’s writing in the story. For fans of romantic comedy, I think they’ll laugh as hard as I did when I was writing it!
I also had fun integrating motorsport elements into the storyline and getting the reader to feel like they are in the car with Sydney. To do so, I rewatched old footage of past Australian and Canadian Grands Prix—among many others—which helped me realistically assess his championship ambitions, along with the difficulties he encountered on track. As an F1 fan, adding those small details from the driver’s point of view is key to writing my Formula One romance novels.
It might not be a scene, but compiling the glossary to help new readers understand all the motorsport terms and Scottish slang peppered throughout the story was a fun exercise. Since my contemporary romance novel is set in a more niche subgenre, I don’t expect all the readers of The Unwritten Rule to be Formula One fans just yet, but maybe by the end of the book, they will be!
When will Book Two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
The Rival Hearts, the second book in The Racing Line series, is scheduled for publication in Spring 2026. It follows the story of Ethan and Maggie, two side characters from The Unwritten Rule, as they go from being rivals to lovers.
Here’s book two in a few sentences: She’s the first female F1 title contender. He’s the steamy distraction on track. The race weekend plan didn’t include waking up married to the rival rookie driver. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right?
Readers can expect to see familiar faces, discover new racetracks, as well as plenty of banter and spice. As with all the interconnected stand-alone books in The Racing Line series, they are filled with international travel, irresistible chemistry, and a swoon-worthy hero in a race suit.
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Sydney
To match his legendary father’s record on the track, Sydney McKinnly needs a third world championship win. But after a dreadful year in and out of the cockpit, the only way he’s keeping his driver’s seat is by agreeing to have his bloody biography written.
It wasn’t supposed to challenge his decision of not getting distracted by love this season. Harder said than done when the biographer is none other than his Rockies holiday fling. And the sparks are still flying high.
Can he keep to their no-strings-attached deal? Or is their chemistry putting everything he’s been working for this season at risk?
Heather
Heather Everett-Fortier is a successful biographer, yet each new book brings her further away from her dream of writing romance novels.
After a bad breakup, travelling the world with the St-Pierre Racing team provides Heather with unparalleled opportunities for gathering romance story-setting inspiration. But it also brings Heather closer to her one-night stand. As strangers, they weren’t supposed to see each other again, let alone work together! And yet, when they meet again, they can’t pull away. Writing Sydney’s biography brings Heather closer to her dreams, but will their steamy attraction steer her off track?
Can Heather and Sydney keep their passion in check long enough for them to finish this biography?
The Unwritten Rule is book #1 in the Racing Line Series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but they are interconnected. This is a high-octane contemporary sports romance filled with open-door spice, swoon-worthy moments, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Mythology or Comparative Religions
Dead and Buried follows a woman learning to manage her Kitsune heritage and magic, who keeps having curveballs hurled at her from psychic attacks, supernatural creatures, and restless spirits. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
If I can quote Aerosmith, “Half my life’s in books written pages. Live and learn from fools and from sages.”
That pretty well sums up my life. Especially my younger years. I was a “surprise” baby, and my siblings were much older than I was. While I was loved, I really didn’t fit in. Then my father died when I was in grade school. By Junior High, my brothers and sister had all married and moved out of the house. So, I learned early to roll with the punches using books as my escape and humor as my armour.
Many of those books were in the Sci Fi/Fantasy realm, and I’ve always had a particular fascination with mythology or comparative religions.
I found Tai’s character to be believable and relatable; her emotions and responses felt real even when dealing with all the paranormal situations she was thrown into. Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
As I indicated, I had to learn to roll with the punches as a child. I kept Tai as human as she rolled with her punches. She also uses humor as armour, even though she has less of a filter on her mouth than I do.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It is a lesson that we all need to learn – acceptance, resiliency, and personal growth.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
There are a planned nine books in the series – literally one for each of the nine tails that a Kitsune can have.
Book three has Tai and friends in New Orleans, where she meets distant family and makes new friends. Of course, there is plenty of growth – and it is not all for her. I hope to have the book available on Amazon in February.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Join Tai, Nico, and Magoo as they navigate contractors, heartbreak, and the undead.
All I wanted was a moment to myself. Being back in High School was exhausting. I groaned, contemplating the absurdity of the situation. Having to take summer school classes was lame at the best of times. But taking a High School class when you were eight-plus years out of school was even worse. Especially when it was a class I had technically already passed. Technically. By the skin of my teeth. Which, if I am to understand correctly, is a trait of certain gnomes. Not sure which ones, though.
Fulfilling Relationships
Moving Maggie follows a sixty-year-old woman going through a divorce, losing her job, and having to move all at once, who tries to build a new life in a new town and rediscover herself. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve been doing a lot of book signings since Reinventing Rita, my first Midlife Moxie novel, came out in 2023, and I have had the most fascinating conversations with women 50 and older. They tell me about their lives—the good parts and the bad—and the challenges they have had to overcome. So I’m sure that some of the characters in Moving Maggie came out of those interactions.
As for the inciting event, well, while I have never had to move from my home, I have had relationships end unexpectedly and career choices that didn’t quite go the way I anticipated. That meant I had to discard the idea I had formed of what the next 10 or 20 years were going to look like and come up with a new vision and goal.
Being a planner and a bit of a control freak like Maggie, those early stages of transition and reinvention weren’t very much fun! But looking back, I see that it all turned out for the best and gave me an opportunity to develop new skills and strengths—just like Maggie.
Maggie is a fascinating character with a lot of depth. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
I think it was Chapter 26, when Maggie and the teenage girl, Janna, have a verbal altercation. Until that point, the two of them had a good relationship, which, given Maggie’s childless state, was unusual for her. But when Janna expressed her frustration after the hospital refused to consider her as a kidney donor for her brother, Maggie responded in “hospital administrator speak.” That generated an angry retort from the young girl that surprised and dismayed Maggie, who had prided herself on knowing how to handle problems in the work environment.
Maggie’s sense of guilt that she had failed to give the right response made her think of other times in her past when she didn’t recognize what the other person needed from her but was instead “all business.” It’s one of the times in the story when she begins to understand that she had to develop a sense of empathy if she wanted to have fulfilling relationships with other people.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Always central to the Midlife Moxie novel series is the idea that we are stronger than we think and that we can handle the changes that come unexpectedly—regardless of our age or perhaps, because of our age, and the wisdom and experience we have gained through the years. And also, that reinvention is not something to be avoided or rejected but is instead a positive activity that can open new doors.
A theme specific to this book is the willingness to be vulnerable and take risks, personally and professionally. As Maggie gradually opened her heart to those around her, she saw that her self-protectiveness had isolated her in the past and resulted in a lonely existence. By allowing herself to care about those she met, even at the risk of being hurt or rejected, she realized her life was becoming much more fulfilling.
And when she found herself taking on responsibilities at her new job (that itself came with no small learning curve), she recognized that making mistakes is part of the process and there is no shame in doing something wrong the first time, if subsequently she did it right.
A second theme is the importance of learning from past missteps and bad choices. Maggie was very driven when it came to her life, and her primary commitment was to her career and professional future. While initially it worked out to her benefit, her tendency to ignore warning signs that developed over time, both at work and at home, ultimately resulted in the end of her marriage and the loss of her job. Now she not only had to create a new future but also make time in her life for other people and experiences without repeating those same errors in judgment and negative tendencies.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Because each novel in the Midlife Moxie novel series is a standalone, I will have to leave it to the reader’s imagination to envision what happens next to Maggie and the rest of the Eden community!
However, Maggie’s boss, Sheila Jones, also appears in With Any Luck—one of the stories that’s part of my short story collection, The Language of Love, which was also released in 2025. Sheila handled the sale of a home in Eden to Amy, a newcomer to the town, and, in true Sheila fashion, provides more than just a real estate service.
I hadn’t originally planned for that to happen, but as I was writing that short story, I needed to have someone who would arrange the house sale. I liked the character of Sheila from Moving Maggie so much that I couldn’t help making her part of it!
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The year Maggie Cartwright turned 60, she is hit with a triple whammy of unpleasant and definitely unwanted events: the loss of her job, the ending of her marriage, and the need to find a new place to live. The impact of all these undesirable occurrences is that the woman once known as “Move-Ahead Maggie” has lost her moxie and can’t figure out where she can go or what she can do with the rest of her life.
Maggie’s move to a small rural community sparks a series of unexpected opportunities and new friendships, and she realizes that making a life change can bring unexpected benefits. But as she begins to reclaim her “Move-Ahead Maggie” identity, can she let go of her career-driven focus to take advantage of them?
MOVING MAGGIE is a double winner in the 2025 Firebird Book Awards Competition: Summer Beach Read and Women’s Fiction categories!
Life Lessons and Tales of Little MisFit: LIFE IS LIKE A FOUNTAIN – IT HAS UPS (Opportunities and Successes) AND DOWNS (Disappointments and Failures)
Life Is Like a Fountain, the third installment in Dr. S. K. Grunin’s Life Lessons and Tales of Little Misfit series, is a warm and lively middle-grade memoir-style story that follows Ivy Sue Klutz, better known as Little MisFit, through the ups and downs of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. The book blends personal storytelling, gentle humor, and clear life lessons as Ivy navigates new classrooms, shifting friendships, family moments on the farm, city adventures, and the kind of inner changes that come with growing up. Grunin frames the whole journey around a simple but effective idea: life is like a fountain with high arcs and sudden drops, and you learn to move with both.
Some of the moments are sweet, some are chaotic, and a few are downright painful, but the writing keeps everything light enough for young readers while still feeling honest. I liked that Grunin allowed Ivy to be imperfect. She gets jealous. She pushes boundaries. She gets hurt a lot. But she also pays attention to the world, whether she’s discovering biographies of Galileo and Madame Curie, exploring Chicago for the first time, or learning how disappointment can turn into confidence if you give it time. Those scenes from the farm mixed with the scenes of the city create a nice balance, almost like stepping between two different seasons in the same life.
I also appreciated the author’s choice to keep the lessons clear without making them heavy. The book’s genre sits somewhere between children’s fiction and inspirational coming-of-age, and it uses that space well. Ivy’s story isn’t polished into something unreal. She struggles with changing friendships, tough teachers, her own temper, and even major national events, like learning about President Kennedy’s assassination in class. There were times when the writing made me smile, especially during her mischievous moments, and other times when I felt that familiar pinch of remembering what it was like to be twelve and trying hard to seem brave.
Life Is Like a Fountain invites adults to read alongside kids, to share stories, and to talk about the things that shape us. I’d recommend this book most to young readers in upper elementary or middle school, as well as parents, grandparents, teachers, and mentors who want something heartfelt to read together. If you enjoy character-driven coming-of-age stories with gentle guidance woven in, Book 3 of the Little MisFit series is an easy and uplifting choice.
Pages: 81 : ASIN : B0DVC469KW
Trail of Buried Evidence
In The Mourning Locket, an empath confronts the owner of a unique agency comprised of sentient heirlooms capable of remembering their owners and seeks to uncover its long-buried secrets. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea started with my own family heirlooms. I grew up around old photographs, jewelry, keepsakes — things that didn’t look like much from the outside but held entire histories inside them. I always wondered what they’d “say” if they could talk.
When I started writing The Mourning Locket, it was my way of honoring those stories that get lost between generations. I wanted to capture that feeling of holding something that once meant everything to someone who isn’t here anymore. The book grew out of that love for family history and the questions we never get to ask the people we miss.
How did you go about capturing the thoughts of the heirlooms?
To write the heirlooms, I imagined them the way we imagine the stories behind things we inherit. When you hold something that belonged to someone you loved, you automatically think about what it meant to them.
That’s the energy I wrote from. Their thoughts come through impressions, not sentences — a heaviness, a chill, a warmth, a pull. The emotional tone of the object shows up long before the mystery does. It made them feel alive without ever stepping outside of realism.
Were you able to relate to your characters while writing them?
Absolutely. I related to my characters in different ways, sometimes in ways I didn’t even expect. Rowan’s determination, Piper’s anxious overthinking, Cassian’s quiet intensity — those all come from real emotions I understand. And then there’s Sable, whose sarcasm and perfectly timed humor felt like the pressure valve everyone needed.
I relate to her a lot — that instinct to lighten a tense moment, or to say the thing everyone else is only thinking. Writing her was almost like letting the honest, unfiltered side of myself onto the page.
Each character carries something human and familiar, and that connection made writing them feel less like creating fictional people and more like spending time with versions of myself and the people I love.
Can you give us a glimpse inside Book 2 of The Inheritance Bureau series? Where will it take readers?
Book 2, The Music Box from Ashford, drags the Bureau into its darkest investigation yet. What begins as a simple heirloom assessment turns into a trail of buried evidence, altered records, and a past that someone worked very hard to erase.
The music box at the center of it all isn’t just an antique — it’s a trigger. And once it resurfaces, everything the Bureau thought it understood about its own origins is shaken.
This book pulls readers deeper into the hidden corners of the Bureau: the cases that never made it into the official files, the mistakes no one was supposed to uncover, and the people who paid the price for trying. Rowan gets pulled into the heart of it, Piper and Sable uncover secrets that were never meant to see daylight, and Arden is forced to confront what leadership really costs.
The investigation reaches back more than a century, and the past refuses to stay quiet this time.
Without giving too much away — Book 2 opens a door the Bureau can’t close, and what waits on the other side changes everything heading into Book 3.
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Empathic appraiser Dr. Cassian Vale can feel a person’s final emotions through touch—an ability that makes him invaluable, and dangerous. Investigating an 1860s mourning locket, Cassian relives a woman’s death and uncovers a conspiracy linking grief, immortality, and bloodline control.
As the echoes grow louder, the team must decide whether to silence the past—or listen before it consumes them.
LITERARY TITAN 