Blog Archives
Spelled in Ink
Spelled in Ink, by Lina Hansen, opens with a sharp, funny mix of magic, murder, and museum burglary. Cyn, a snarky and reluctantly gifted mage, is sneaking through Leonardo da Vinci’s old haunts when her job goes sideways. Cue spells, secret societies, and a charming thief. What starts as a supernatural heist at Château du Clos Lucé spirals into a mystery full of curses, dead bodies, and a centuries-old manuscript. It’s witty, fast, and delightfully chaotic.
Cyn’s voice hooked me from page one. From the moment she’s telepathically arguing with her boss while hiding in a bush, it’s clear she’s both capable and a total mess. She’s smart but allergic to her own magic, sarcastic to a fault, and impossible not to root for. When she mutters, “Maggots, what am I supposed to do?” over a corpse and a runaway tortoise, it’s equal parts absurd and oddly tender, a perfect snapshot of the book’s tone.
Hansen’s writing crackles with energy. Dialogue snaps, world-building slides in seamlessly, and every scene feels alive. The humor lands without derailing the tension; when explosions go off in Da Vinci’s bedroom or whispers rise from behind locked doors, the suspense feels earned. The blend of sharp wit and eerie atmosphere gives the book a rhythm that’s hard to put down.
The world itself feels fresh yet grounded. Magic here isn’t lofty; it’s messy, inconvenient, and often treated like an irritating chore. Cyn’s exasperated take on spellcasting (“Decades of toothache, more likely”) adds a human touch that makes the supernatural elements believable.
Between rival factions, magical science jargon, and Cyn’s chemistry with Dan the burglar, it can be hard to track every thread. But the chaos mostly works in its favor; it feels intentional, like watching a magician perform too fast for comfort but with total confidence. Cyn and Dan’s banter especially grounds the story; when he calls her “Cinderella in jeans,” it’s cheesy but endearing.
Spelled in Ink hits the sweet spot between mystery, fantasy, and comedy. It’s clever, brisk, and charmingly offbeat. Fans of Ben Aaronovitch or Seanan McGuire will love it. If you prefer your heroines scrappy and your magic delightfully unglamorous, this one’s a gem.
Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0FPBJHC8V
Give the World a Consciousness
Wasp Oil follows a haunted cop as she navigates a web of corruption and faces off with an otherworldly presence that feeds on fury. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I’m a big Stephen King fan. In which some of his early novels had a messy direction and at times absurd riffing on certain subject matter. In the best way possible, of course. During the process of writing the first draft, I listened to the audiobook of his novel, Tommyknockers. It was strange, gripping, zig-zagged in theme and direction, basically, you had no idea where the story was gonna go, and there were so many moments where I paused and audibly said: WHAT? WHY STEPHEN, WHY?
Knowing he wrote the story while under the influence of drugs for the most part, I asked myself: What would a sober version of this story look like? Would it be tamer or in your face in such a stomach- clenching and suffocating way that the reader becomes swallowed by the atmosphere of the world and the character’s blood-curdling anger and anxiety?
In addition, when I was watching TV one day, totally spaced out from the program, becoming background noise while I was staring at my TV, I remembered the grossest injury I had. I was working at a zoo. Repurposing old shipping containers with lead-based paint and thinning rusty steel. I was cutting sections of a metal wall my co-worker and I had fabricated as a divider for the three black bears that were going to use these containers as a hibernating den. I had all my safety gear on and started cutting one of the center pieces with a grinder. Silly me forgot the blade spun in my direction and locked it on. Thinking I was safe. Well, a bur I couldn’t see snagged the disk, the grinder locked on it, then flew at my face. In a fraction of a second, I could’ve had my brain severed or my skull cracked. I swung out of the way as this red-hot tool flew at me, then bam!
The disk cut through my arm. Deep into my skin, fatty, and muscle tissue. I screamed my head off until I got paper towel to put pressure on my wound, then called for help while I was in shock. First aid came, giving me the courage to look at my gaping wound, which was surprisingly not bleeding, and then the rest was history. That moment of my life was so eye-opening and biologically invigorating, etched into my brain, that it inspired the brutality and ick factor in Wasp Oil.
What is it that draws you to the fantasy genre?
Fantasy allows me to embrace the level of imminent danger for mortal characters. While also creating questions of what the right circumstances are, I can impart on my characters and give the world a consciousness that could dictate what level of power and effectiveness it has on who or what drives the story forward. Fantasy also increases the reader’s interest, especially if I create characters with mortal limits. Furthermore, any characters with fantastical capabilities could either be seen as all-powerful or blind by the reasoning behind their otherworldly and even mortal agenda.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Anger was the most important theme. I spent so many years hating myself due to my belief that I had to behave a certain way to keep those closest to me happy. Give them a sense of trust in the version of me that makes them feel good in terms of what role I play in their life. Once I saw that my truer self didn’t bother anyone, and especially myself, I recognized how much toxic anger and energy I was wasting on destroying and even hiding from who I truly am. Even questioning if I ever was my true self. In my 20s I was actively dating and had friends come and go in my life. But none of those relationships were ever genuine because I was never kind to myself. I gave everyone I loved what I believed made them happy and feel safe. Hoping I’d get the same in return. Which I did in most cases, but the love and trust never felt real or steady.
Goods and evils of anger are what truly summarized all my thoughts as I was writing this book. I knew anger as the main theme, especially as an umbrella term for other themes such as anxiety, regret, and maddening drive, would rub people either the wrong way or be overwhelmed by the rawness of the extremes I put my characters through. Nevertheless, I fought my nerves that wanted me to stop writing and do it anyway. Even if some readers might be put off by how intense the story is.
Can readers look forward to seeing more releases from you soon?
I will be writing one more book taking place in Halburton. Making it third to Black Rose Cocoon and Wasp Oil. The book will be called: Dead Mirrors Follow. The theme being: How do we deal with the ghosts of our past? Be they people, our mistakes, and the moments in which we wished we reacted differently. As for the storyline, all I’ll say is that it won’t be as wonderfully messy as Wasp Oil, but it will surprise you, scare, and hold you in ways you might not know how to feel. Storytelling is not about making you feel, then move on with your life. It’s about giving you pause in the rhythm and pattern you created to reorient yourself and appreciate the good in your life.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Amazon
Funhouse Mirror
DimWitts: The Big Stupid is a genre-crossing novel with elements of fantasy, dystopian, and satire as well. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did this happen organically as you were writing?
I wanted to write something funny in the speculative fiction category without committing entirely to one genre. Admittedly, a few subplots emerged organically along the way, but the core story and the character arc of the protagonist remained largely consistent with my original outline.
Some events in the book were chillingly similar to real-life events. Did you take any inspiration from real life when developing this book?
My inspiration came directly from the last American election. It occurred at the same time the Canadian Parliament was being prorogued, and the rest fell into place around it.
I found this novel to be a cutting piece of satire. What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your novel?
Fulfillment. Enlightenment. The best satire is a funhouse mirror; it exaggerates flaws to ridiculous proportions, allowing an audience to see what could happen if a bad idea is given too much credence. I hope to scratch that surface, at least a little, and maybe get some laughs along the way.
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
This is book one of three. I am currently working on the “dark middle child” of the series and hope to have it finished by the spring of 2026. Book three is stewing nicely on the back burner and will likely be in print shortly thereafter.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Lancaster Dirk, the newly elected American president, is on a race to destroy his enemies and restore the glory of the republic. But to do it, he needs something extremely important. Something Canadian.
A dirty old smelter in a dirty old B.C. mountain town — with an even dirtier old secret.
Balanced between worlds, the past and future collide in a tale that spans the globe — and the very edges of reality itself.
Wrath and Reckoning
When I picked up Wrath and Reckoning, I expected a tight political thriller, and that’s exactly what I got. The story follows Max Kenworth and his team as they chase after the elusive mercenary Bart Madison and a missing nuclear weapon. Layered into that chase are power-hungry politicians, corrupt deals, shadowy agencies, and a relentless undertone of betrayal. From Arlington Cemetery to Central America to secret meetings in hotel rooms, the book moves quickly. Every chapter pushes the stakes higher. It’s less about quiet deduction and more about the terrifying weight of what-ifs: a nuclear device in the wrong hands, politicians who gamble lives for power, and operatives caught between duty and survival.
I really enjoyed the book’s pace. Parker doesn’t give you room to breathe. Scenes cut fast, and dialogue snaps like a whip. Sometimes it felt like a military briefing, other times like eavesdropping on a whispered conspiracy. That intensity pulled me in. The writing style is direct, sharp, and often blunt. I liked that honesty. You don’t get purple prose here. You get grit, strategy, and straight talk. The moments between Max and Danya, or Gail’s uneasy alliances, offered glimpses of vulnerability that I craved more of. Those human flashes made the gunfire and secret deals hit harder.
Madison is a ruthless figure, and Parker paints him as cunning, resourceful, and frighteningly pragmatic. He’s the kind of character who makes your skin crawl because he feels believable. Meanwhile, the politicians strutted like clowns, reeking of smugness and deceit. Part of me enjoyed that exaggeration. It made the story’s critique of corruption unmistakable. The line between good and bad sometimes felt too sharp. Still, the moral weight of the book, how power twists people, how ambition corrodes, landed with me.
Wrath and Reckoning is the kind of book I’d recommend to readers who like high-stakes thrillers with a military and political edge. If you want a story that keeps the throttle down and doesn’t let go, this will scratch that itch. It’s not for someone looking for subtle literary flourishes or deep psychological portraits. But if you want a fast, tense, and conspiratorial ride, Parker delivers. I closed the book feeling unsettled, a little wired, and already wondering what Max Kenworth will be up against next.
Pages: 249 | ASIN : B0FKRYGQD9
The Coolest Warrior Ever
The Call of Thunder centers around a young woman struggling with identity and duty, living a hidden existence in a mountain village where she must resist the urge to reveal her own extraordinary powers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I give a lot of credit to The Legend of Zelda video games, also Marvel (costume was inspired by Black Widow), and movies like The Avengers, Black Panther being my favorite. Being able to create your own world and literally do whatever you want with it got me really excited about this. I spent years trying to create the storyline and figuring out what powers she would have. I truly wanted her to be the coolest warrior ever!
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
There were times in my life that I wanted to stop being so reserved, stop caring what other people thought of every single thing I said and did. I recall in my younger years how frustrating yet amazing it can be to first experience romantic feelings. I wanted to bring that to light in Havanna as somewhat of a reflection of myself.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
Probably when Havanna arrives in Sabbia and fights the Backers trap that was set up for her there. I loved writing about Queen Calista and their relationship, and how freaking awesome she is. It was a way to give Havanna some hope after so much loss.
Can you give us a glimpse inside Book 2 of the Hidden Heroes series? Where will it take readers?
It picks up right where book 1 leaves off, with Quill and Havanna going to find the next Descendant. There are tests along the way to find the other Descendants, such as fighting enormous monsters and one particularly cold, brutal personality. Slow-burn romance is for certain as the characters get to know each other and learn to work together for the same purpose. The ending, in particular, will leave readers shocked, just the way I like it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In the kingdom of Petros, twenty-year-old Havanna wants nothing more than to be free, to find herself, and to use her powers without reserve. But using her lightning abilities could expose her to the Backers—who do the Dormant King’s dirty work in hunting down her kind—and the bloodthirsty, fatal Dormants.
Besides, not even Havanna’s best friend knows her secret.
When her own impatience, isolation, and a bully create the perfect storm, Havanna’s desperation snaps her self-control. But she triggers the wrath of the Dormant King and a deadly raid that leaves her more alone than ever.
Determined to make things right, Havanna breaks out of hiding to take revenge. While searching for the Dormant King, testing her powers, and exploring the kingdom she begged to see her whole life, she finds that this quest is more difficult than expected.
Maybe that’s because this quest was never Havanna’s alone…
The Call of Thunder is a YA fantasy with an epic quest, adrenaline-spiking action, and a heroine learning the full scope of her power.
The Whistle of Revenge
K.D. Sherrinford’s The Whistle of Revenge is a fast-paced, emotionally rich continuation of the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler mysteries. Set in early 20th-century Milan, the book blends crime, romance, and vengeance with theatrical flair. Holmes and Irene, now married and living under assumed identities, find their world shattered when their son Nicco is kidnapped by an old nemesis from The Hound of the Baskervilles. From that point, the story spirals into a game of deceit and endurance as love, loyalty, and intellect collide.
The first few chapters hooked me right away. The prologue, where Irene describes her marriage to Sherlock, is both tender and revealing, not the cold, calculating Holmes we usually see, but a man capable of deep affection. The Venice scenes in Chapter One are lush and cinematic; I could almost feel the sun bouncing off the Adriatic as Irene and Sherlock share champagne and Beethoven under the stars. However, just as I began to settle into the tenderness of their romance, the narrative abruptly shifts, Nicco’s kidnapping strikes with the force of a sudden, devastating blow. The abrupt shift from idyllic calm to dread mirrors real life’s unpredictability, and I loved that Sherrinford didn’t rush that emotional whiplash.
What stands out most is that the book is told from five points of view: Sherlock, Irene, Nicco, Inspector Romano, and Jack Stapleton. Irene’s chapters pulse with maternal anguish and strength, while Nicco’s chapters, especially his terrifying imprisonment in the “church prison,” showcase an eerie intelligence beyond his years. One scene that stuck with me is when Nicco deciphers a way to slip clues into a ransom letter using his father’s methods. That mix of fear and logic, hope and despair, feels so authentic. The writing isn’t just descriptive; it’s visceral. I could practically hear the echo of his footsteps in that cold, stone chamber. Sherrinford really leans into sensory detail, the smell of damp walls, the flicker of candlelight, giving even the darkest moments a strange beauty.
At times, the prose tends toward the ornate, with Irene’s introspective passages occasionally drifting, particularly during the evocative flashbacks to La Scala and Venice. Yet this quality contributes to the novel’s distinctive allure; the work does not aspire to be a restrained detective tale but rather a lush, romantic thriller with operatic grandeur, where even the antagonists possess a certain dramatic elegance. One particularly striking scene occurs when Irene recalls the abductor’s mask, likening it to “the devil himself,” a moment rendered with such vivid intensity that it sent a genuine chill through me. The melodrama works because it fits the story’s world: a place of music, love, and betrayal, where every feeling is turned up to eleven.
By the end, when Holmes and Irene close in on their son’s captors, I was genuinely tense. There’s a mix of detective intrigue and raw emotion that reminded me why this pairing, Holmes and Adler, works so well under Sherrinford’s pen. It’s less about deduction and more about devotion, about two fiercely intelligent people grappling with love and revenge.
The Whistle of Revenge is a rich, passionate ride. It’s not just for fans of Sherlock Holmes, it’s for anyone who loves mysteries with heart, romance with bite, and storytelling that sweeps you away. If you like historical thrillers wrapped in lush description and emotional depth, this one’s for you.
Pages: 335 | ISBN : 978-1487442514
Amazing Archer and Warrior
The Secret Rise follows a woman, her family, and allies as they face betrayal, curses, prophecy, and the unrelenting pressure of survival, all while a mysterious guiding presence known as the Lady shadows her path. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Our inspiration has been ongoing … often starting with a “What if …” as the two of us starting a writing session together. The original story that began in The Secret Journey (published in 2023 was the seeding. Did we know that Nichol would become a Lady Baron or have three children, and become the amazing archer and warrior? No. It all germinated as we worked forward.
How has character development for the main characters changed for you through the series?
Nichol’s kindness and caring for others were always there. Once she escaped the ruthlessness of her mother in book 1, The Secret Journey, all our “what ifs …” were all over the place. We always remained open for something else to drop in—but with the promise that her wisdom would be shared; the justice was important; and that protecting her family and friends would be upfront.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically while writing?
Great question. We know some of the twists and turns … but also know as we write, variables will drop in. Now, we are working on book 4 The Secret Awakening. We storyboarded the major conflicts we saw coming … a huge variable is that the kids become young adults and take the lead. We knew how we would end the series … and we are marching forward to it.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Nichol and the direction of The Secret Awakening?
Ahhh …A huge twist is coming for Lucette and Aiden. As well as the quest for knowledge that Athena seeks with words. Lucette is truly her mother Nichol in many ways … the other two … oh my!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Will Others Seek to Destroy Her?
Nichol’s story was introduced in Book 1, The Secret Journey when her beloved papa is murdered by her mother in the year 1000 AD. The darkening cloud spiraling around her made her the next target.
Fleeing Marseilles, she develops new powers, a vision of the future, and trusts the Lady’s voice. For those around her, a new world unfolds and carries them forward.
Overflowing with scandal, tragedy, and triumph, Book 3, The Secret Rise carries Nichol’s strengths to a higher level. Again, she must outsmart and out maneuver those connected with the church. Now the mother of three, her children begin to display powers she doesn’t possess and Shadow brings wolf pups to the mix.Will Nichol continue to be hunted by Fredrik, her evil half-brother?
Does Duke Richard have hidden motives in seeking Nichol’s advice?
Can the village of Harmonie become the model for hamlets within the Kingdom of Normandy?
Do Nichol’s children have the skills that she has, or do they have new ones?
Will the Kingdom of Normandy accept her family and their rising status?
Authors Judith Briles and Brian Barnes weave book series for readers to open and fall into. It’s historical fiction that unravels the 11th century. Out of the darkness comes the empowerment of Nichol, creating a sanctuary and a revelation of what women with vision can achieve with their knowledge and skills.
The Secret Rise is Book 3 of the Harmonie Books series. Get Book 1, The Secret Journey and Book 2 The Secret Hamlet. Book 4, The Secret Awakening will be published in 2026.
Indigenous Resilience
From Taino Suns to Phoenix Flames: A Story of Haiti narrates the expansive history of Haiti, beginning with its Indigenous roots, through its revolutionary victories, and into its contemporary challenges, showcasing the resilient spirit of the Taíno people of the Caribbean. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Haiti’s story is often reduced to struggle or crisis in the public imagination, but that does a disservice to its depth. For me, this book was about restoring balance — showing Haiti’s roots in Indigenous resilience, its revolutionary brilliance, and its ongoing fight for dignity. I wanted people to truly see the amazing story that Haiti is, and has always been. The historic achievements are often overlooked.
Haiti is a country rich in history, traditions, and its own unique identity, which it has fought to bring back to the modern world. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to highlight three things: first, that Haiti has always been a place of innovation — political, cultural, and spiritual. Second, that its revolution wasn’t only about freedom from slavery, but about redefining what freedom means for the world. And third, that Haitian culture, from its music and art to its rituals and storytelling, continues to be a source of strength and creativity. Haiti has never been passive; it has always been shaping its destiny.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from From Taino Suns to Phoenix Flames: A Story of Haiti?
That Haiti is not only a story of survival but of leadership. The Haitian Revolution redefined human rights and liberty in a way that still resonates today. I hope readers leave with a sense of respect for Haiti’s place in world history — and with the awareness that its challenges today must be understood against that backdrop of extraordinary resilience.
What is the next book that you are writing, and when will that be published?
My next project is The Golden Mansaic Age: The Legendary Malian Empire. It’s a sweeping look at Mansa Musa, Sundiata, Timbuktu, and the rise and legacy of Mali. I’m aiming for publication within the next year. Like From Taino Suns to Phoenix Flames, it’s part of a larger effort to spotlight histories too often pushed to the margins, but which deserve the center stage.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames traces the history, culture, and enduring spirit of the indigenous Taíno people of the Caribbean and the birth of a nation compared once to the fictional Wakanda. This is Black nationalism and autonomy at its finest. Weaving together Taíno history, Haitian indigenous heritage, and personal journeys of cultural rediscovery, this book explores how a people once thought lost have reclaimed their identity, traditions, and pride in the modern world.
Inside, you’ll discover:
The history of the Taíno people before and after European contact.
Caribbean indigenous culture — from language to spirituality.
Stories of indigenous resilience and revival across Haiti, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The impact of colonization on Caribbean heritage and identity.
How the Taíno legacy inspires cultural pride and modern indigenous movements.
Rich with history, storytelling, and cultural insight, Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames is both a historical journey and a call to remember, reclaim, and rise.
From Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames: A Story of Haiti is a sweeping and powerful chronicle of Haiti’s soul-stirring journey—from its Indigenous Taíno origins to its revolutionary blaze of independence, through the shadows of exploitation, and toward the radiant hope of rebirth. Author Woody R. Clermont masterfully blends history, culture, revolt, and vision in this richly illustrated, deeply researched, and passionately written tribute to the Haitian spirit.
This book traces the sacred threads that run through Haiti’s past: the wisdom of the Taíno people, the courage of enslaved Africans who defied colonial empires, and the brilliance of revolutionaries who dared to birth the first Black republic. It confronts the devastations of foreign interventions, economic sabotage, and interference with unflinching clarity, while also lifting up the resilience, artistry, and ingenuity that define the Haitian people.
But From Taíno Suns to Phoenix Flames is more than a recounting—it is a resurrection. Clermont envisions a Haitian renaissance where the nation rises like the mythical phoenix from the ashes of betrayal and despair. Through economic reform, education, diaspora engagement, agriculture, innovation, and spiritual renewal, he lays out a roadmap for turning Haiti into the “Caribbean Wall Street”—a vibrant hub of commerce, culture, and sovereign strength.
A rallying cry and a visionary blueprint, this book calls Haitians and the world to witness a nation not broken but becoming. It is a story of fire, but also of flight—soaring toward destiny with faith, memory, and the unyielding light of the Haitian sun.
LITERARY TITAN 