Blog Archives
Have You Heard This One Before
Have You Heard This One Before is a lively mix of short stories. Each tale jumps into a different mood, scene, or style, and the collection opens by proudly admitting that nothing links these stories except the author himself. You move from haunted lighthouses and eerie déjà vu to strange pumpkins with suspicious personalities and even a falling piano that changes a gambler’s life. The stories swing between mystery, humor, horror, sentiment, and quiet reflection, and they do it with a kind of carefree confidence that feels refreshing in a world obsessed with strict genres.
Reading it, I kept finding myself surprised at how quickly the tone could shift. One moment, I was following a family heading toward an old lighthouse in The Loop, and the next, I was inside a gambler’s mind as he dodged two thugs moments before a piano drops out of the sky in Surprise. The writing has a steady clarity, and the ideas land fast. Sometimes the twists feel sharp enough to make me sit back for a second. Other times, I felt a simple warmth, like the narrator in Surprise looking back on a messy young life with equal parts regret and humor.
I enjoyed the way the book leans into its own freedom. The author admits right in the foreword that he wasn’t sure who would read a genre-free collection, which almost made me root for the book before I even hit page one. That honesty softened me. Then the stories did the rest. Some ideas feel whimsical. Others dig into darker corners. A few made me laugh out loud because of how strange and blunt they were. I liked the looseness of it all. I liked that every story seemed to shrug at the idea of rules. Even when a moment made me uncomfortable or confused, I felt like the book wanted me to just ride the wave and trust it.
If you like stories that pick you up, spin you around, and drop you somewhere unexpected, this book will treat you well. Readers who crave strict genres might feel lost, yet readers who enjoy surprises, playful ideas, and quick bursts of emotion will have a good time. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys short stories that don’t mind being weird, heartfelt, eerie, or funny, sometimes all in the same breath.
Pages: 165 | ASIN : B0FXCKZB4W
A Mother’s Promise
Aidan Lucid’s novella, A Mother’s Promise, is a fast read that packs a punch that’s perfect for the holidays. The story centers on Grace, a mom who is trying her best to give her son, Dylan, a good Christmas, but her boyfriend, Greg, is a major problem. Every year, Greg drinks too much and ruins everything, and it has Dylan completely fed up. When Dylan finally runs away, we get this wild visit from a modern, tech-savvy Santa Claus, which gives Dylan the nudge he needs. Ultimately, it’s a feel-good Christmas story about a mom who finds the courage to keep her word.
I really felt invested in Grace and Dylan’s pain, and the emotional connection worked, and that’s the best part of the book. I felt so bad for Dylan, watching his hope get crushed year after year, and when he finally ran away, my heart was right there with him. I just wanted him to be safe. The scene where he meets Santa was pretty clever, and I enjoyed the spin on the whole Santa thing. The writing keeps you moving, it’s definitely a page-turner. The author uses dialogue well to show you how terrible Greg is. You don’t need long descriptions to get the point, and I was excited when Grace finally stood up for herself. Greg felt like a bit of a cartoon villain sometimes, and I wished there was just a tiny bit more shading to him, but seeing him get what he deserves was worth it.
The core idea here, that sometimes people just need a “nudge” to do the right thing, really resonated with me. It’s smart because it doesn’t solve all of life’s problems with magic, it just helps the main characters find the guts they already had. The story doesn’t shy away from how tough it is to leave a bad relationship, and that’s an important thing to show, especially in a story that’s aiming for a happy ending. I think that grounded, real-world struggle is what makes the magic bits work so well.
If you are looking for a quick, heartwarming holiday story that is about more than just finding presents, then this book is absolutely for you. This is a perfect read for a cozy afternoon or a winter evening when you need a boost of hope, and I think teenagers and adults who enjoy family drama mixed with a touch of holiday magic will totally get into this. It’s an encouraging read for anyone who needs a little reminder that it takes strength to make a change, and I highly recommend it if you want something that will leave you smiling and feeling good about life.
Pages: 64 | ASIN : B0FMKG2QNK
East Texas Flavor
What Is Unseen is a tender, character-driven story set in East Texas, where three lives intertwined by loss and moral struggle seek redemption and meaning amid faith, pain, and unseen grace. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I live in East Texas. I have seen these stories manifested in the lives of people I know. The culture, in its own unique way, has common threads with other human joys and struggles throughout time. I wanted people to hear these stories in a compelling and literary fashion with a uniquely East Texas flavor. I also want to share these stories with my grandchildren and generations to come.
What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Hope, faith, love, fortitude, courage, justice, and kindness.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I was primarily interested in showing how the East Texas heroes in this story used the driving ideals mentioned above to combat the following evils:
Envy
Greed
Racism
Corruption
Pride
Laziness
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
An anthology of short stories, Tales from the Texas Timberlands, Volume 2.
It should be available by May 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Living with his family in Connecticut had been his life. Without her, he has no hope. His mother invites him and the children to live with her in Three Oaks, Texas, his hometown. In Three Oaks, he finds renewed friendships, spiritual awakening and love. But he, his friends and his newfound love are also battered by the unseen evils of self-centeredness, envy, jealousy, greed, racism, power-grabbing and political corruption.
Kyle discovers an unseen hope and with his friends leads the battle to overcome the evil pervading their community.
Make Something New
Prickly Pears is a collection of short stories that walks the line between brutality and beauty and exposes the tenderness inside pain and the violence hidden in love with fearless, poetic precision. What inspired you to write this collection?
I have had such a rigid past, that Prickly Pears allowed me to delve into experience and observation and write about it in a non-linear manner: Break chronological moments, break patterns in time and place and make something new. On top of all that came the culture in which I grew up in, that I rejected somewhat but writing has become the mediator between past and present, two countries, two cultures. Funnily, I could only write about all this here in France away from the other two places. The journey has been both instructive and healing.
There’s a dreamlike rhythm to your language. Which writers or art forms influence that musicality?
There have been many like Winslow Homer in the visual arts. In literature, you mentioned Clarice Lispector in the review and I said Wow. Yes. She’s a tough read but well worth it, Rosario Ferré, Oriana Fallaci’s Letter to a Child Never Born, prose poets like Francis Ponge and Giovanni Verga’s tales. All blending truth, history and magical realism.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore universal themes, love, violence to self, to others to animals but show that acceptance, hope, resilience and determination can co-exist and move us to a different, healthier and happier path.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Prickly Pears was a collection of pieces that were first published in literary magazines or anthologies. With my next collection, which I’ve just completed, the short pieces haven’t been submitted or published anywhere yet. I hope they will be accepted by a traditional publisher. In these stories, I experiment more with structure and format.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
I Have to Laugh So I Don’t Cry
Adventures in Online Dating is a humorous chronicle of your plunge into the unpredictable world of online dating, sharing the good, the bad, and the utterly bizarre encounters you have had while swiping. What inspired you to share your journey into the shallow end of the pool?
Honestly? I needed to laugh about it or I’d cry! After diving into online dating, I quickly realized I wasn’t alone in experiencing the absurd, awkward, and occasionally wonderful moments that come with swiping through profiles. Every bizarre encounter felt like a story that needed to be told — not just for entertainment, but to help other women feel less alone in the chaos.
I wanted to create something that said, “Hey, this is messy, it’s weird, and sometimes it’s downright ridiculous — but you’re not crazy for trying.” If my misadventures could make someone laugh while they’re navigating their own dating journey, then every awkward coffee date was worth it.
How did you decide what stories to include and leave out in your book?
Great question! I focused on stories that highlighted the full spectrum of online dating — the hilariously bad, the surprisingly good, and everything in between. I wanted readers to see themselves in these experiences, so I chose encounters that illustrated common themes: catfishing, ghosting, first-date disasters, unexpected connections, and those moments where you question your life choices.
I left out anything that felt mean-spirited or too personal to the other person involved. The goal was to share my perspective and lessons learned, not to embarrass anyone (except maybe myself! Okay, and Steve – F*ck that guy!). If a story made me laugh out loud while writing it or taught me something valuable about dating or myself, it made the cut.
What advice do you have for women who are looking to jump into the dating pool?
Keep your sense of humor and your standards high. Online dating can be overwhelming, but remember — you’re not shopping for a discount couch; you’re looking for a genuine connection. Don’t settle just because you’re tired of swiping.
Here’s my practical advice:
● Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
● Meet in public places. Always. Safety first.
● Don’t take rejection personally. It’s not about your worth; it’s about compatibility.
● Take breaks when you need them. Dating fatigue is real.
● Laugh at the absurdity. You’ll have stories to tell, I promise.
● Know your dealbreakers. And stick to them.
Most importantly, remember that you’re already whole. You’re not looking for someone to complete you — you’re looking for someone to complement the amazing life you’re already building.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
That you can laugh your way through life’s messiest moments — and come out stronger on the other side. Online dating is just one chapter in the bigger story of figuring out what you want and who you are. Whether you find love, find yourself, or just find some hilarious stories to share with friends, the journey is worth it.
I hope readers close the book feeling less alone, more empowered, and ready to embrace whatever comes next — whether that’s another swipe, another date, or the decision to take a break and focus on themselves. Life’s too short not to laugh at the chaos.
Author Links: Website | Facbook | GoodReads | X | Instagram | New York Blog | Tik Tok | SELINN FINE ART STUDIO
By S.E.Linn
Forget saving the world—she’s just trying to survive dating apps.
Join author S.E. Linn on a wild and hilarious journey through the chaotic world of online dating in her new memoir, “Adventures in Online Dating.” From the cringe-worthy encounters with a man and his cat-hair-covered adult toy, to the emotionally unavailable “Viking” with a wife and spa plans, this book is a rollercoaster ride of modern love. But amidst the laughter and relatable moments, lies a cautionary tale of the dangers of swiping right.
Meet the fearless and unapologetic main character as she navigates the treacherous waters of online dating, armed with biting wit and brutal honesty. If you’ve ever said, “there are no normal men left,” or Googled “how to exit a date without faking your death,” this book will make you feel grateful for never going on that second date.
And for those who have survived the trials of dating apps, you will feel less alone and less likely to respond to that guy holding a fish.
My Sister’s Quilt
My Sister’s Quilt is a tender and heartfelt collection of short stories woven together by the enduring art of quilting and the threads of family, love, and legacy. Across its pages, the book travels through time, from the age of sailing ships and noble estates to the shadowed years of the Underground Railroad, linking each story with a common motif of fabric and memory. Each story, though distinct in setting and character, feels stitched from the same cloth of compassion, strength, and the quiet resilience of women who endure, create, and remember.
The writing has an old-fashioned gentleness to it, like something you’d hear on a front porch swing in late afternoon. Shawgo writes simply but with feeling. Her characters are vivid without being forced, and her dialogue carries a kind of natural rhythm that makes even the smallest moments, like sewing a stitch or sharing a meal, feel important. Sometimes the pacing slowed a bit more than I’d like, but that slowness felt right for the kind of storytelling she’s doing. It invites you to linger, to feel the texture of the scenes instead of rushing through them.
What I loved most was how deeply emotional this book became without ever turning sentimental. The relationships between sisters, mothers, and daughters are tender, sometimes strained, but always human. There’s a sense that the quilts are more than fabric. They’re witnesses, binding generations together through hardship and joy. I felt both comforted and stirred, like the stories were asking me to think about what we pass on and how we remember those who came before us. The writing has a warmth that sneaks up on you.
I’d recommend My Sister’s Quilt to readers who love quiet, heartfelt storytelling, especially those drawn to historical fiction, women’s lives, and family sagas. It’s for anyone who has ever held something handmade and felt the history in it. This book would speak beautifully to quilters, to daughters, and to anyone who believes stories, like stitches, can hold us together when everything else falls apart.
Pages: 146 | ASIN: B0FSW2L1MC
Hell Hounds
Hell Hounds is a supernatural fantasy that dives deep into the clash between Heaven and Hell, following the fateful child of both realms. The story begins with Archangel Michael and the demon Asmodeus creating a fragile pact, one that binds their worlds through a child destined to protect both sides. As the centuries pass, the novel follows this lineage, hunters, demons, angels, and mortals all entangled in a fight that questions loyalty, destiny, and love. There’s blood, betrayal, and tenderness tucked into moments of brutal war. It’s a saga of balance, between faith and sin, light and dark, family and fate.
The pacing runs hot and cold, but when it hits, it really hits. The dialogue snaps with grit, and the characters, especially Sully, the tormented hunter, and Mick, the brave yet uncertain daughter of an archangel, carry the story with heart. There’s something raw about the way author Barb Jones blends divine mythology with modern grit. She makes angels and demons feel human, with jealousy, doubt, and love that burns like fire. The fight scenes pop off the page. But the quiet moments, the ones between Sully and his father Asmodeus, or Mick facing Lucifer, those are where the book truly breathes.
There are a lot of names to follow and many battles happening at once. I had to slow down to keep up with who was scheming against whom. Yet, there’s a certain charm in the chaos. It feels intentional, like the author wanted the reader to drown in the same storm her characters are fighting. There’s power in that confusion, it mirrors the war between Heaven and Hell itself. The prose isn’t polished, but it makes the mythic feel intimate, like you’re eavesdropping on gods and monsters having very human arguments.
I’d recommend Hell Hounds to anyone who loves dark fantasy with heart. To readers who crave a world where angels curse, demons cry, and love defies kingdoms. If you’re the type who likes your stories bloody and soulful, with just enough chaos to keep your pulse up, this one’s for you.
Pages: 162 | ASIN : B0FJ7M7S9Y
A Dark Night In Oregon: A Short Story
This short story grips you from the first flash of lightning. It begins in a lonely Oregon diner, rain pounding outside, and ends with the revelation that the frightened waitress, Linda, isn’t who she seems. She’s Jo Jordan, a wanted criminal tangled in a past of violence, betrayal, and survival. The tension builds fast. What starts as a quiet night at a retro café turns into a deadly standoff, where trust collapses and hidden truths crawl into the light. It’s short, sharp, and intense. Every page hums with unease.
Reading this, I felt caught in Jo’s turmoil. She’s dangerous but relatable. The writing doesn’t beg for sympathy, but it gives her enough raw honesty that I couldn’t help but feel torn. I liked how Ana Cortes layered Jo’s history through quick flashes of memory rather than long explanations. It kept the story moving and my nerves tight. The dialogue felt real, too. Short, clipped, sometimes almost choking on itself, just like real fear does. The violence hit hard but wasn’t overdone. The only thing that tripped me up was how fast it all happened.
What stuck with me most was the quiet sadness under the action. This isn’t just a story about crime. It’s about running, from others, from guilt, from yourself. I felt the rain, the loneliness, the weight of being hunted. The author writes with a movie-like rhythm, but she sneaks in emotion between the bullets. It made me think about how far someone might go just to start over, and how the past has a way of finding you, no matter where you hide.
I’d recommend A Dark Night in Oregon to readers who love fast-paced thrillers with a human edge. It’s perfect for anyone who likes stories that twist crime and emotion together. It’s dark but not hopeless. If you want something that makes your pulse race and your chest ache a little too, this one’s worth your time.
Pages: 10 | ASIN : B0FBW4292Y
LITERARY TITAN 