Blog Archives
Balance Between Good and Evil
The Auction follows an FBI Special Agent morning at the loss of his wife, who is drawn into a web of treachery headed by supernatural beings. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The genesis of The Auction began when I conducted a summer Tae Kwon Do camp. I am a Master level TKD Instructor and a recording artist. Every Friday would be music and storytelling day. I would bring my guitar and sing for the students. Then, I would tell them a story with no forethought of what the story would be. I started this story with the line: Tick Tock, Tick Tock, I am the eternal clock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock, I am the eternal clock. I told them the story of an evil man in a massive house in North Chicago. I knew Chicago well after spending a lot of holidays there with a former girlfriend. The students were screaming as I told the story. Later, I wrote a more adult version of my tale as a short story. When a friend of mine read it, she insisted this should be a book. So, I started writing!
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
In my writing, they are the same thing. I look for a balance between good and evil. Good readers ask questions as they read, and I write with that in mind. I want them to ask what that means. It helps with plot twists. A Clinical psychologist who read my book wrote: “Your characters of good shine like beacons of light in the troubled world in which they live.”
What is the next book you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
The Auction has not been published yet. My Music Agent, Dr. Gene Foley, believes the book is too good to self-publish, and I agree. We are looking for an excellent literary agent to handle the book. I am working on the second book in the series, The Betrayal.
Author Links: David Alderman Music
The Crystal Crown
Jess McTiernan embarks on a journey in the heart of Australia’s Nullarbor desert, seeking freedom from her confining and turbulent past. However, her straightforward escape becomes entangled when she encounters Vi, a young empress from another realm, and her steadfast guardian, Aran. The pair is pursued by the relentless General Utara and her dedicated soldiers. As their stories intertwine, Jess faces a challenging decision: leave Vi to her perilous fate or stand as her unexpected guardian.
The Crystal Crown by Dan Payne blends science fiction elements with action-adventure, appealing to young adult readers. Notable inspirations from works like the Frank Herbert Dune series and The Hunger Games are evident, offering readers a rich tapestry of familiar yet fresh narrative elements.
Jess emerges as a formidable female lead, echoing the strength and resilience of characters like Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games and Arya Stark from Game of Thrones. The novel adeptly explores themes of liberation and self-discovery, which are manifested in Jess’s encounter with Vi and Aran. This meeting advances the story and prompts Jess’s introspection into her true self.
While I enjoyed the story, I think it would make it more enjoyable if some of the action sequences flowed more naturally and if the dialogue was more consistently compelling. However, the bond that grows between Jess and Vi stands as a testament to Payne’s storytelling prowess. Their relationship forms the novel’s emotional core, making Jess’s eventual choice both powerful and plausible.
The Crystal Crown is the first in this new captivating series by Dan Payne, blending action and adventure with Science Fiction. Given the strength of this narrative, it’s exciting to anticipate further installments in this series from Payne.
Pages: 425 | ASIN : B0CFG3XRGF
Tales From the P.I.T. Crew: Case of the Wayward Son
Dr. Darrell Diamondback, an intriguingly sardonic character, finds himself immersed in a chilling real-life mission akin to the plot of a spine-tingling horror novel: to rescue missing children held captive by the mysterious bogeyman. As a seasoned CSI paranormal investigator, Diamondback faces an unfamiliar challenge that runs counter to his solitary nature. He must assemble a team to aid in this perilous quest. An unenviable choice lays before him: foster collaboration or jeopardize the safety of more innocent lives.
Tales from P.I.T. Crew: Case of the Wayward Son, penned by J.M. Tilbury, is a riveting synthesis of a true-crime detective narrative interlaced with a spectral supernatural realm. From the outset, Tilbury exhibits a knack for engaging the reader, demonstrating a masterful command of descriptive prose that portrays the eerie ambiance of the novel’s setting. His consistency extends beyond mere backdrop details, encompassing the characters, their emotional ebbs and flows, and the vividly depicted scenes.
The dialogue, characterized by sharp repartee, succeeds in holding the reader’s interest, albeit occasionally succumbing to overly dramatic tendencies. Nevertheless, the characters, endowed with distinct personalities, are the beating heart of this novel. Their thrilling convergence is one of the many delights this book offers.
The book’s captivating descriptions, lifelike characters, and enthralling dialogue collectively contribute to an immersive reading experience that maintains suspense throughout. The overarching narrative quality, and indeed the engaging ensemble of characters, will have readers hooked. This page-turner is a delightful read, and I eagerly await the subsequent installment in the series.
This is one mystery that will have readers turning on the lights and checking on their families to make sure they are safe and sound. Tales from P.I.T. Crew: Case of the Wayward Son is a riveting paranormal detective novel that will have readers in suspense as they follow the thrilling adventure with Dr. Darrell Diamondback to rescue the children.
Pages: 252 | ASIN : B09V1BDKTX
A Measure of Rhyme
Rhyme Carter’s life has been turned upside down as she finds herself married to the Antichrist and watching the man she loves, Emery Merrick, fall into despair. As Rhyme struggles to navigate the dangerous world, she’s found herself in, the Antichrist’s plans to fulfill an ancient prophecy and destroy the world are well underway.
But in Lloyd Jeffries’ A Measure of Rhyme, the second book in the Ages of Malice series, Rhyme emerges as an unlikely hero, determined to take on the dark forces threatening to destroy everything she holds dear. This intense and entertaining supernatural thriller is expertly woven with themes of secret societies, biblical elements, and an impending apocalypse, making for a gripping read from start to finish.
What’s particularly impressive about Jeffries’ writing is his ability to seamlessly incorporate a range of literary themes, from the paranormal to the complexities of love, betrayal, and heartbreak. Each adds its own unique flavor to the story, creating a rich and satisfying cocktail of literary goodness. One of the most striking things about Jeffries’ writing is the strength of his characters. They’re vividly drawn and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. His writing is precise and packed with intrigue, making it impossible to look away. Despite the dark themes, Jeffries’ writing is also infused with humor, adding a refreshing light to the story. This ability to balance darkness and humor is a testament to his skill as a writer and makes for a truly enjoyable reading experience.
While it may take a little while to get into the heart of the story, the payoff is well worth the wait. A Measure of Rhyme is a must-read for fans of supernatural thrillers and anyone looking for a book that will keep them on the edge of their seat.
Pages: 327 | ASIN : B0C1CV1T1Q
Go to Hell
Feeling stagnant in his successful career as a tech startup growth marketer, Alex is ready for a change and hopes to become an author. However, after his girlfriend gives him below-average feedback on his recently completed novel, he feels adrift until his friend Ernie demonstrates his new ability to get anything he wants. Ernie reveals that he made a deal with the devil, otherwise known as Lucy, a tattoo artist, and wants to share his experience with Alex. Unintentionally, Alex enters into a contract with Lucy and must now fulfill the terms or otherwise suffer an unwanted fate.
Go To Hell by N.R. Alexander is an entertaining paranormal thriller with dry humor injected into the ideas of good versus evil and knowledge versus beliefs. The author does an impressive job of retaining the reader’s interest in the story. This thrilling book offers a refreshing and irreverent take on the concepts and exciting characters to move the plotline along. It is a compelling and enjoyable read from start to finish.
Alex finds himself in a work contract with Satan and has six months to fulfill his end of the deal. If he fails, his soul is at risk of ending up in purgatory. The stakes are high, and I wanted to know what would happen to Alex, and this is what kept me coming back to this novel again and again. Alex’s character is brilliant, and although he comes across as aloof and seemingly lacking in emotions, readers may find themselves intrigued by his complex personality. While his hubris may create obstacles in the plot, it also adds depth to his character, making his journey all the more captivating. The story itself is entertaining, and the concept is a unique one that I enjoyed.
Overall, Go to Hell is a gripping paranormal suspense novel that gives readers a unique perspective on the traditional themes of good and evil. This intriguing thriller story is worth adding to your reading list.
Pages: 223 | ASIN: B0BWSH3FZG
Death’s Pale Flag
Death’s Pale Flag by Gary Simonds is a thrilling book about the experiences of a neurosurgeon who loves his work. Ryan, the protagonist, becomes so involved with the patients that every death on his table takes a part of his heart and soul. He wants to save everyone, which leads to overworking every day and on weekends. His excessive busyness with work becomes a challenge because he starts forgetting his family.
Ryan’s work completely takes over all aspects of his life, and he begins to see ghosts or hallucinations of the people who died due to medical complications. They appear to be the patients he couldn’t save on the operating table. The doctor tries to understand the reasons within his capacity and struggles to decipher these apparitions. This further worsens his health, work, and family life. As his career becomes Ryan’s only respite and his family drifts away from him, one catastrophic event may bring him closer to taking life more seriously.
I found the writing style of this book captivating, and I enjoyed the intense details of brain surgeries in an easy-to-understand language that I could follow. It deepened my appreciation for neurosurgery and the delicate, life-saving procedure. In addition, the author did a brilliant job of expressing how remaining the life of a neurosurgeon can be and how challenging work-life balance can be to achieve, especially with a career in the medical field. Ryan’s emotional journey is captured perfectly, along with other characters in the book, and the plot development is exceptional.
The story’s progression blended well with the period, and I found the neurosurgeon’s personal and professional challenges exciting and, at times, amusing, which only made the book more enjoyable to read. This is a compelling book with a realistic plot woven into a fantasy story. Death’s Pale Flag by Gary Simonds is an excellent book, combining elements of a thriller, medical drama, comedy, and paranormal themes. It’s a worthwhile read, and I recommend it to fans of supernatural thrillers.
ASIN B003R3111E | Pages: 380
Coyote
This story begins with Jim going on his hike through the canyons. He’s excited about this trip and wants to make the most of it. As he was settling to sleep, a howling sound could be heard around him, coyotes. He examines where the noise comes from and discovers the strangest ancient ritual, the coyotes stood around a fire, their howls sounding tuneful. This wasn’t a ritual meant for human eyes; Jim begins to back away and run to his car. He can feel the coyotes all around until he meets the coyote, who wears a blazer, and a hat and smokes a pipe. Jim escapes, but not entirely – he is plagued by this coyote every single day. He feels unsafe and on edge no matter where he is.
Coyote by Charles Combee is a fascinating story about a coyote dressed smartly in a red blazer and black hat, which is powerful and not of this earth. This story depicts a coyote who has an unusual but deadly power. Jim escapes narrowly, but the same could not be said for Audrey and her family. Audrey and her family were just as unaware of what was ahead for them as Jim. The coyote tears this family apart, as well as causes the strange phenomenon of certain areas of land becoming ‘dead’ and generating a feeling of knives if you enter. Audrey attempts to escape but is caught and trapped alone in the darkness until Jim frees her. However, when Audrey is free, they discover she is still linked to the powerful coyote, and they must break the link for Audrey to get her life back.
This book is excellently written with interesting and unique characters. The world-building and the scenery are described so well that the reader can clearly imagine the surroundings and feel like they are there with the characters. Charles Combee successfully creates suspense throughout the story, and the reader can feel the uneasiness of the characters. This book is dramatic, exciting, and has a unique storyline, which is thought out and completed perfectly. I’d thoroughly recommend this book to anybody who loves suspenseful stories. Readers will be fully emersed in the world created in Coyote.
Pages: 178 | ASIN : B0BM52CT25
A Portion of Malice
Two-time Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Emery Merrick is about to end his life when he gets the offer to write the biography of well-known billionaire Thaddeus Drake in exchange for a mouth-watering payday. Merrick accepts what appears to be a lifetime opportunity and soon discovers a staggering truth: Drake is Cain from the Bible, the first murderer who God caused to roam the earth forever. Merrick’s gradual absorption into Drake’s life reveals the secret society of immortals, the billionaire heads, and his plan to fulfill a biblical prophecy concerning the end time. What is Drake’s plan for humanity, and what darkness lies at the other end of it?
A Portion of Malice by Lloyd Jeffries is a thriller that weaves a fascinating and somewhat controversial tale involving events and characters from the Bible and history. One of its biggest selling points is how different it is. It’s thought-provoking, and some might even call it startling. The book’s pace is riveting, and the alternation between present-day and historical events creates multiple layers of engagement.
Jeffries delivers his writing with a beautiful cadence that lets you slip into the story easily and follow every action or scene being described. His descriptions are vivid, giving life to the story. His detailed approach to articulating his characters’ experiences is immersive. It makes his writing robust, provocative, and soulful, like a good poem. I always admire a writer’s ability to encapsulate an entire body of art in an apparent mood without being too obvious about it. It’s the subtlety that thrills. And with Jeffries’ book, you can always sense an ominous shadow lurking at the edges of the story the entire time. All in all, I’d call this a great read. It’s fresh, bold, and entertaining.
A Portion of Malice is a captivating political and paranormal suspense thriller that will have readers on edge as the nefarious plot unravels to cause the end of humanity. The journey of a man into the apocalypse and a confrontation with God himself will leave readers stunned and waiting for book two of the series.
Pages: 379 | ASIN : B0BG8ZPY7D
LITERARY TITAN 