Blog Archives
Gratitude, Resilience, and Perseverance
Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey follows an aging tree who can no longer transport nutrients from his roots due to damage from oak beetles and learns that just because he is growing older, doesn’t mean he has no purpose. What made you write a story about this topic? Anything pulled from your life experiences?
I have great respect for those who have gone before me. As some of my dearest family and friends approached death, they continued to inspire and encourage. I hope to be like them!
What were the driving ideals behind the character’s development throughout the story and the series?
Growth through all stages of life is a commonality throughout the “Rooted” series. By focusing on aspects such as gratitude, resilience, and perseverance, I aimed to encourage readers to reflect on their own life experiences.
What was the most challenging part of writing this part of your Rooted series, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey was ending my protagonist’s life, and bringing the series to a conclusion. However, it was rewarding to show how much wildlife (elderly tree) contributes to the lives of others.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I want readers to realize the impact they have on others. I want them to understand that people in all stages of life matter and have much to offer.
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Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey
Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey tells the story of Dendro, an aging tree who can no longer transport nutrients from his roots due to damage from oak beetles. As the seasons pass, he loses his leaves, his bark, and even the strength of his roots. But he gains something greater: wisdom, perspective, and a deep sense of purpose. Though no longer flourishing in the traditional sense, Dendro finds new ways to serve and support the forest around him, from feeding insects and birds to offering shelter and comfort to animals. His quiet, unwavering friendship with a younger tree named Vince grounds the story in warmth and gentle reflection.
The writing is tender, honest, and beautifully simple, and it carries a quiet depth that snuck up on me. I found myself caring deeply about Dendro and Vince, not just as characters, but as metaphors for aging, loss, and self-worth. There’s something powerful about how Dendro never complains. He just keeps giving, even as pieces of him fall away. That kind of silent strength, the way he stays rooted in love and purpose, is something I’m still thinking about. The humor, too, dry and a little bittersweet, adds a charming layer to the story that makes it feel real and human, even though it’s all told through trees.
The ideas in this children’s book are sneaky in the best way. It’s not preachy or pushy, but it makes you sit up and think about aging, sacrifice, usefulness, and legacy. It made me wonder how we define value and why it’s so easy to overlook quiet contributions. The dynamic between Dendro and Vince mirrors the way the older generation passes down strength to the younger, without resentment, with grace. That last page especially gave me a lump in my throat. It’s rare for a children’s book to move me like that.
I’d recommend Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey to kids who are just learning about the natural world, adults who are caring for their aging parents, and honestly, anyone who needs a reminder that giving matters, even when it looks different than it used to. It’s a beautiful and thoughtful read that plants a seed and stays with you long after the last page.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0DSLJQW6Y
Life is Fragile
The Blank Journal is a heartfelt travel memoir that follows your journey together riding a tandem bike in all 50 states, and sharing your experiences of healing from deep grief, rediscovering joy, and making the most of the time you have left in life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Because we understand life’s fragility, our goal in writing this book is to inspire and encourage others, especially those starting over after having experienced setbacks or loss.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
By being vulnerable, we shared emotions, hope, and the importance of resilience. We also shared the raw ups and downs of our lives while achieving this goal.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir and what was the most rewarding?
It was challenging to decide which stories to include in various chapters in an effort to keep the book inspirational and motivational, as opposed to being a purely historical record. The most rewarding aspect was being authentic while reminiscing and focusing on lessons learned about life, ourselves, and each other.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Life is fragile and unpredictable. For readers who have gone through difficult circumstances, we hope the book will encourage them to stay engaged in life. For readers longing to pursue dreams and goals, we hope the book will ignite passion and persistence.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The Blank Journal: Biking in All 50 States and So Much More
The Blank Journal is a heartfelt travel memoir that follows Bob and Tammy Cranston, a remarried couple in their fifties, as they bike together through all 50 U.S. states—on a tandem bike, no less. But this book isn’t just about biking. It’s about healing from deep grief, rediscovering joy, and making the most of the time we have left. With each chapter, they unfold stories of adventure, misadventure, love, laughter, and the unexpected moments that stitched their lives back together after both lost their first spouses to cancer.
I really connected with the raw honesty in the opening chapter, “CHANGE,” where they describe their grief journey and how dance lessons became a surprising first step toward healing. I didn’t expect a memoir that starts with ballroom dancing to make me tear up, but there I was, feeling it all. There’s something deeply human about their story—two people learning to laugh again, stumbling through box steps, dealing with doubt and guilt, and ultimately choosing joy. It’s not written like a polished memoir with literary pretensions. It’s more like sitting across from two kind, chatty friends over coffee while they tell you their life story—complete with a few photos and some goofy mishaps.
That down-to-earth vibe continues throughout. I laughed out loud at their “Murphy’s Law” chapter, especially the part where they get locked out of their RV with their dog Zoey while being swarmed by mosquitoes in Arkansas. And don’t even get me started on the moose encounter in Alaska or the unexpected act of kindness from a stranger who helped guide them down a dangerous trail in Hawaii with just a flashlight and a whole lot of grace. The writing is simple but warm. Even their faith—woven throughout—is shared in a gentle, conversational way. No preaching, just quiet reflections on how their belief in God carried them through the valleys.
This isn’t just a book for cycling lovers, though fellow bikers will definitely enjoy the tales of scenic trails and the occasional tire mishap. This is for anyone who’s ever had to start over. Anyone navigating grief, or retirement, or just itching to pursue a dream later in life. It’s for the hopeful, the sentimental, and the road trip romantics. If you like stories that make you laugh, tear up a little, and want to hug your person tighter—or maybe get back on a bike again—this book’s for you.
Pages: 97 | ASIN : B0DC4PF97R
New Life Provides Hope
Rooted: An Old Tree’s Journey is a picture book that follows an old oak tree named Dendro as he mentors a young sapling through the joys and heartbreaks of life in the forest. What inspired you to tell a story from the perspective of an old tree?
It’s important to show that Dendro prospers despite going through profound losses and challenges. Dendro models perseverance and the passing down of wisdom as a lifelong process.
How did you approach writing about trauma, like the fire, in a way that’s honest but still comforting for young readers?
Trauma can come unexpectedly (like the forest fire), or it can be a long process. Regardless, it is frightening and stressful. Any child who has gone through it can relate to Vince’s comment that weeks later, he could not get the crackling sound of the fire out of his mind. But when Vince notices green sprouts on the ground, it’s healing. New life provides hope for Vince and young readers.
Dendro feels so real and wise. Did you model him after someone in your life?
Those who know me well say that they see me in Dendro. It is true. I am my character. Through painful experiences, I have persevered and have found purpose in encouraging others.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey is the fifth and final book in the “Rooted” series. It is currently available. It is an emotional account of a tree’s life that has come full circle.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Rooted: An Old Tree’s Journey
Rooted is a gentle and heartwarming children’s book told from the perspective of an old oak tree named Dendro, who reflects on life, growth, loss, and love as he mentors a younger tree, Vince. Through seasons of change and challenges like storms, fires, and even bark beetles, Dendro shares wisdom gained over the years. Each chapter feels like a life lesson wrapped in leafy metaphors, and the whole story reads like a cozy fireside chat with your grandpa.
What I loved most about this picture book is how simple yet deep it is. I loved the scene where Dendro helps Vince welcome baby birds into his branches. Vince is hesitant at first. He’s not sure he wants the chaos of chirping chicks. But Dendro gently nudges him to see the joy in giving shelter. It’s such a sweet metaphor for parenthood, or mentorship, or just being there for someone even when it’s inconvenient. And later, when the birds leave, Vince feels that familiar pang of loss.
Another part that really stayed with me was the fire. The way Cranston writes about it, quick, scary, no warning, felt like how real-life tragedies hit. The tension builds fast, and Dendro’s panic for Vince is real. And when Vince says he still hears the crackling weeks later? That felt like a nod to trauma, how it lingers even after the danger’s passed. But there’s hope too. Green sprouts return. Forest friends come back. The illustrations in Rooted are absolutely charming. They’re soft, warm, and full of heart. They do such a lovely job of bringing the trees to life, especially Dendro. You can really see his emotions.
Rooted feels like a gentle hug in book form. It’s for anyone who’s been through something hard and needs a quiet reminder that scars mean survival. I’d recommend it to middle-grade readers, teachers, or honestly, any adult who loves a good metaphor and needs a slow, thoughtful read to remind them of life’s cycles.
Pages: 27 | ASIN: B0DFR2H644
Choosing To Be Friendly
Rooted: A Young Tree’s Journey follows a young tree as he embraces the cycles of life in the forest and gains an understanding of his role as a provider of shelter and protection. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?
Loyalty of a mother bird and the theme of relationships prompted the thought of “Nurtured,” a title for a new book. But I realized I could use this idea to create a sequel to Rooted: A Seedling’s Journey. The mother bird could make her nest on Dendro’s branches, the first nest he would host. The tree’s hesitation in welcoming noisy chicks would add dimension to the story. And this is how the “Rooted” series was born!
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Key themes of Rooted: A Young Tree’s Journey are:
– Making choices: Reliance on generational wisdom and being true to oneself
– Being welcoming: Choosing to be friendly opens doors for new relationships and opportunities
– Dedication: Persistence and focus are endearing character traits
– Learning from others: We are significantly influenced by the actions of others
– Choosing friends: Look for good qualities such as dependability and good character
– Managing feelings: Identifying and regulating emotions can positively shift perspectives
– Value relationships: Contentment and satisfaction are benefits of investing in others
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
In the last scene, through self-regulation, Dendro models a growth mindset that reflects resilience. Dendro’s mood shifts when he dismisses negative thoughts and instead focuses on gratitude and valued relationships. Children also deal with difficult emotions, but connections are built when they can identify with characters in a story.
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
In Rooted: A Mature Tree’s Journey, the third book in the series, Dendro’s character growth continues. Dendro experiences physical changes and becomes more of an extrovert. He develops a special relationship with siblings who visit him often in the forest. When Dendro faces a dangerous threat, the siblings heroically intervene to save their beloved tree. The story highlights the bond between humans and nature and the importance of leadership as Dendro continues to mentor the young seedling.
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LITERARY TITAN 