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A Goblin’s Mind the bizarre, the enchanted, and the profoundly unwell—with tea, therapy, and an ironclad refusal to get emotionally involved. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Long short story short, I entered a 3 day novel writing contest, and being a psychology major and fantasy lover, I began to string together some ideas. It was truly my love for the “didn’t see it coming” books and movies that seeded the arc for this one.
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?
I have a world where all my fantasy stories exist: The Corwyn Chronicles. It’s been my secret hideaway since I was a teenager. With many short stories, novelettes, and the upcoming first book of a four book series coming out this year, the world (and my writing) has grown exponentially.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
Everything about the human condition makes for great fiction. Ideas can come from anything. The well I tapped for this book runs deep: human flaws and our need to label them. Dr. Harlow can, at times, represent the judge, forgetting that even therapists have their flaws. No one is “better” than the next person; we all just have floating opinions we treat as fact.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
A Prologue of Deception is book 1 of 4 in the Talisman Series, set in the same universe as A Goblin’s Mind. It’s scheduled for release by Golden Storyline Books before the end of 2025.
Two stand-alone books are in submissions: a YA paranormal story set in the real world and a hybrid poetry/fantasy collection containing many of my award-winning and published works. Another full-length Corwyn Chronicles novel is being written, expanding the world even further.
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Doctor Harlow is methodical. Composed. A trusted mind in a kingdom full of unstable ones. On a remote island far from the crown, Harlow treats the bizarre, the enchanted, and the profoundly unwell—with tea, therapy, and an ironclad refusal to get emotionally involved.
But when a quiet goblin arrives—haunted by invisible friends and stories that don’t quite add up—something begins to crack.
At first, the sessions seem harmless. Eccentric, even amusing. Then people begin to vanish. Details shift. Memories blur. And the threads that hold reality together begin to fray like cheap spell work.
As the island slips further out of sync, Harlow must confront a terrifying possibility: the patients aren’t the ones unravelling.
A Goblin’s Mind
A Goblin’s Mind follows Doctor Harlow, a sharp-witted therapist living in a secluded forest who treats the most peculiar of clients. Through his sessions with a compulsive half-unicorn hoarder, an arrogant wizard, a lonely young goblin, and even royalty, Harlow navigates strange personalities, tangled problems, and his own isolation. Each chapter plays out like a self-contained therapy vignette, yet threads of mystery and personal reflection run underneath, hinting at Harlow’s own unfinished business and the curious island he inhabits. The tone swings between deadpan humor, gentle empathy, and surreal fantasy, making the reader feel both entertained and unsettled.
I enjoyed the way the writing marries dry wit with moments of quiet melancholy. Dresner has a gift for making absurd scenarios feel grounded. A unicorn discussing her belt-buckle attachment issues becomes, in his hands, both hilarious and strangely poignant. The banter between characters is crisp and revealing, with dialogue that often says as much in what is left unsaid as in what is spoken. At times, I laughed at Harlow’s sardonic observations. Other moments caught me off guard with their tenderness. There’s a rhythm to the prose that makes the conversations feel alive, and yet the pacing never lingers too long in one mood before shifting to another.
I also found myself appreciating the undercurrent of loneliness that runs through the book. Harlow may be the one guiding others, but Dresner never lets us forget he is just as mortal as his patients, grappling with uncertainty and longing. The island itself feels like a character, its stillness and strange boundaries adding to the sense that everyone here is a little trapped, including the good doctor. Some of the surreal touches, like the recurring dream imagery and the letter that keeps reappearing, worked beautifully to keep me curious, though a few left me wishing for more payoff. The blend of slice-of-life pacing with the quirks of high fantasy felt fresh.
I’d recommend A Goblin’s Mind to readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with a strong conversational voice. If you like your worlds a bit odd, your humor a bit dry, and your moments of heart snuck in between the jokes, this is worth picking up. For anyone who enjoys the idea of a therapist’s couch deep in an enchanted forest, Dresner delivers something charming, sly, and quietly moving.
Pages: 176 | ISBN : 1989482082
The Eye of Ebon
The Eye of Ebon is a dark and sweeping fantasy tale that pulls you into a world of bitter winters, brutal enemies, and an undercurrent of ancient legend. At its heart is the harrowing survival of Samiare, a young girl torn from her family and brutalized by the monstrous Groll, only to be delivered a mysterious, almost divine sword that grants her both vengeance and solace. Parallel to her journey is Ruegette, a seasoned warrior from Tierinor, whose sense of duty and stubborn compassion push her to uncover the deeper plot behind the Groll’s presence in the frozen wastes of Norvaine. As the story winds through raids, rescues, and ruin-haunted mountain passes, the narrative threads begin to knot around an ancient key, the Eye of Ebon, and the shadowy forces moving to claim it.
The writing balances vivid brutality with strange beauty, and I felt the weight of every snow-laden step and every wound described. The prose has a rhythm that shifts between crisp action and almost lyrical inner monologue. There are moments of raw violence that left me tense, and others of quiet humanity that kept me thinking about them throughout the day. I found myself caring for Samiare in a way that made me want to step into the page and shield her from the world. Ruegette’s arc resonated differently, more as an exploration of loyalty and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes doing the right thing means walking straight into danger.
There are sections where the descriptions stretch on and slow the urgency, and times when dialogue feels formal. But then the story delivers these sudden jolts, like discoveries in ruined halls, treacherous turns in battle, confessions under the shadow of firelight, that pull you right back in. The mix of political intrigue, mythic history, and personal survival works because it keeps the stakes layered. It’s never just about the fight in front of you, it’s about the web it’s tangled in.
The Eye of Ebon left me with that rare mix of satisfaction and unease. It closes enough loops to feel whole, yet you can sense the larger saga looming beyond the final page. I’d recommend this to readers who like their fantasy sharp-edged and emotionally charged, and for readers who want not just the clash of swords, but the ache of the people wielding them.
Pages: 247 | ASIN : B0DB1F14HD
Tavern
Tavern follows Xelnath, or Xel, an orc priest who also happens to be a tavern owner, a healer, and the mastermind behind a covert mercenary guild called the Blackwind Company. Tavern is a character-driven fantasy adventure wrapped in rich worldbuilding and filled with witty dialogue, deep friendships, and a good bit of magical ass-kicking. From shady alleys to political schemes, the story flows through layers of intrigue, touching on themes like found family, trauma, identity, and self-worth.
I didn’t expect to fall so hard for the characters, especially Xel. He isn’t your typical fantasy protagonist. He’s overweight, scarred, introspective, and surprisingly gentle for a guy who can summon magical tree roots and crush bones with a staff. I loved the emotional layers the author gave him. His self-doubt, his craving to protect his found family, and the way he hides his pain behind sarcasm and kindness. Munden’s writing feels warm and lived-in, especially when characters are just talking. There’s a weight to their pasts that makes the small moments between them hit harder than the action scenes. The action is no slouch either. It’s visceral, fast, and packed with tension. Some chapters, especially the early fight scenes and Xel’s quiet, vulnerable monologues, really stuck with me.
The story doesn’t follow a typical structure, which I actually liked, but it might throw off readers who want a clear-cut hero’s journey. The book feels more like a slice-of-life with high stakes than a straight fantasy epic. I found that refreshing, especially with all the time spent on tavern life and casual conversations. Those slower parts often carried the emotional weight. The prose itself has a unique rhythm. Sometimes poetic, sometimes conversational, sometimes just plain weird in a good way.
Tavern is perfect for readers who care more about character depth and emotional payoff than nonstop action. It’s for folks who love a messy, flawed hero, and for those who don’t mind their fantasy with more heart than fireballs. If you’re into found-family stories, secret guilds, or cozy settings with dark undertones, you’ll find a lot to love here. I walked away from this book feeling like I knew these characters. And honestly? I miss them already.
Pages: 435 | ASIN : B07PWTR89Q
The Ruinous Curse: The Hunt for Alesta
The Hunt for Alesta kicks off Mark K. McClain’s “The Ruinous Curse” series with the story of Barrett, a prince caught between duty, prophecy, and personal longing. As his kingdom teeters on the edge of war, Barrett discovers not only that magic might live inside him, but also that he’s at the heart of a much larger destiny. Alongside loyal friends Zanora, Gaia, and Unger, he battles dark forces, navigates hidden tunnels and magic festivals, and must decide whether to wield ancient power or follow a simpler path. The book weaves friendship, fear, and growing up into a quest full of danger and mythic weight.
What stood out most to me was how deeply human Barrett felt. He’s not some perfect hero. He hesitates, he doubts, and he fumbles through his feelings for Zanora like any teenager would. That made his story so much more relatable. The magic and world-building had a classic fantasy feel, but the dialogue kept it fresh. There’s a bit of whimsy here, like talking doors, cheeky magical creatures, and floating gossip orbs, but it’s grounded by the looming threat of war and the emotional weight of loss. McClain isn’t afraid to slow down for a tender moment or dive into darker territory.
The setup took a while, and while I enjoyed the time with the characters, I found myself itching for the real stakes to kick in. Still, once the action started, especially with the chase through Ashton and the reveal of Barrett’s power, I was hooked. There’s also a lot of prophecy talk, which can get a little heavy-handed, but it didn’t stop me from caring about the choices Barrett had to make. McClain manages to keep the story from veering into cliché by injecting heart into every turn, even when the tropes feel familiar.
The Hunt for Alesta is a heartfelt and imaginative coming-of-age story wrapped in the trappings of high fantasy. I’d recommend it to younger readers who loved the early Percy Jackson books or fans of coming-of-age tales in magical worlds like Eragon or the Earthsea Cycle. It’s for those who want magic with emotion, action with meaning, and friendships that feel real. It spins a tale worth following, and I’m excited to see where Barrett’s story goes next.
Pages: 301 | ASIN : B0B4V5BMLG
Imogen and The Silent Depths; The Sea Ghost Comes Book 1 of the Accursed Carnival Series
Angel Dunworth’s Imogen and the Silent Depths: The Sea Ghost Comes is the first book in The Accursed Carnival Series. It’s a whimsical and eerie tale that begins in a mysterious seaside town where a traveling carnival sets up camp against local warnings. The story spirals into a magical clash between mortal joy and ancient curses, led by a wicked sea witch named Omenthia. At the heart of the novel is Imogen, a carousel horse brought to life by accident, and perhaps fate, who must discover her true self to break the curse and restore the carnival. Alongside vibrant characters and a dash of folklore, the book charts a journey of identity, courage, and the deep magic hiding in forgotten places.
Dunworth’s prose has a sing-song lilt to it, often reminding me of a classic fairy tale, but with a sharp, modern twist. I liked the mood she created. It’s wistful one moment and spine-chilling the next. Imogen’s journey is emotionally honest, especially for a character who isn’t human. I found myself rooting for her in a way that surprised me. The dialogue could sometimes be overly expository, but the rhythm and tone carried it. I appreciated how the story never talked down to younger readers. It assumed they’d rise to the language, the mystery, and the moral weight of the tale.
There were moments where the pacing slowed, especially when side characters were introduced and quickly dropped. The narrative sometimes bounces between Maggie, Jove, the sea witch, and various side plots. Still, I never felt bored. If anything, the book seemed to burst with too many ideas rather than too few. Dunworth’s imagination is big, maybe even a little wild. And while not every idea landed for me, I admired her commitment to telling a big-hearted and deeply magical story.
Imogen and the Silent Depths is a story I’d recommend for readers young and old who still believe in hidden magic, talking horses, and the fight between good and evil. It’s ideal for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline or Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant. This book is a reminder that even overlooked things can become heroes.
Pages: 182 | ASIN: B0F8KVZWC4
The Monster Hunter: Book One of the Hunter Archive
Monster Hunter follows sixteen-year-old Ollie Baxter, a sharp-tongued village kid with big dreams and a knack for landing himself in trouble. What begins as a seemingly ordinary fishing contest spirals into a fantastical journey full of monsters, mayhem, and mystery. When Ollie encounters a shape-shifting bear-man named Bjorn and learns of his late parents’ ties to a secretive monster-hunting school called Dragonspire, his world cracks open. With danger lurking in every dark tunnel and the secrets of his past bubbling to the surface, Ollie must choose whether to stick with the safety of the known or charge headfirst into a life full of wild creatures, ancient powers, and truths he isn’t ready for, but might just be meant for.
I had a blast reading this. The writing is bold, unafraid to get messy, and that worked in its favor. It felt like sitting around a campfire while someone with a big imagination spun a yarn that got more thrilling with each twist. The pacing was lively, the voice was invigorating, and the monsters were equal parts scary and cool. What stood out most to me was Ollie himself. He’s stubborn and impulsive, but not in that annoying YA protagonist way. He’s got bite, but he’s also got heart. I found myself rooting for him. The dialogue had real spark, especially between Ollie and the older, gruff Bjorn. Their back-and-forth gave the story a warm thread of humor that grounded the action.
But what really resonated with me was the heart behind the chaos. There’s a surprising amount of emotion tucked between the monster fights and school invitations. The story touches on grief, identity, and found family. It got to me, especially the parts about Ollie’s parents and the weight of not knowing the whole story. The worldbuilding was solid, too. Familiar enough not to confuse, fresh enough to feel exciting.
Monster Hunter is a total joyride. It’s for anyone who grew up loving monster encyclopedias or who imagined secret schools hiding behind waterfalls. It’s for teens craving adventure and grown-ups who miss the magic of being sixteen and sure they were meant for something more. It’s loud, fast, funny, and a little rough around the edges, in the best way. I’d happily follow Ollie into the dark again.
Pages: 332 | ASIN: B0F7Q2BH3N
LITERARY TITAN 