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DANCING ON COALS: A Memoir of an Overperformer
Cynthia Moore’s Dancing on Coals is a raw and riveting memoir chronicling her lifelong chase for approval, identity, and peace. From an uprooted childhood in the Bahamas and Swiss boarding schools to a theater-obsessed young adulthood filled with grueling performances, cult-like communes, and painful love affairs, Moore’s journey is one of constant striving. She captures the endless loop of seeking love through overachievement, shedding layers of artifice as she gropes her way toward authenticity. The book moves through decades of experiences from adolescence drenched in loneliness to womanhood edged with rage and revelation, painting a vivid portrait of a woman who’s learned to stop dancing for others and instead listen to herself.
What hit me hardest in Moore’s writing was how deeply personal it felt without veering into self-pity. Her voice is funny, whip-smart, and fierce even when recounting gutting experiences. Being shipped off to a “finishing zoo” in Switzerland, her mother’s clinical detachment, or performing theater under a sadistic Belgian director. The prose sparkles and burns, often in the same paragraph. She doesn’t pull punches, not with herself and not with the people who failed her. Still, there’s a strange grace in how she carries the pain, folding it into her voice without letting it define her. I found myself laughing in places I didn’t expect to, and aching with her in the next sentence. It’s a rare memoir that feels both deeply literary and emotionally honest.
This book left me stirred up, disoriented, and even a little angry. And that’s what makes it good. Moore doesn’t feed the reader polished wisdom; she invites you into the mess. Her reflections on womanhood, ambition, and the illusion of being “enough” hit close to the bone. She captures what it’s like to exhaust yourself trying to be wanted. And she names, in bright flashing letters, the insidious toll that takes.
If you’ve ever tried too hard, loved too much, or felt like you had to earn your spot in the room, Dancing on Coals will find you. This book is for readers who aren’t afraid to feel deeply, laugh through the tears, and question what we’ve been taught about success and self-worth. It’s especially meaningful for artists, perfectionists, and women raised to please. But really, it’s for anyone ready to quit performing and start living.
Pages: 198 | ASIN : B0D8RFNHJL
The Psychopath Next Door
In Rendezvous With Evil, a woman who has survived multiple traumas and fights for justice for those who cannot defend themselves finds herself embroiled in a mystery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This story actually came from book 1 in the series, Out of the Shadows. It began as a subplot there and grew too big for the book. So it spilled over to book 2. I have re-titled it, A Dance with the Devil because the villain is a classic psychopath masquerading as a human. Socio/psychopaths lead everyone into a macabre dance with evil and Crispin is beautiful, as every respectable devil aspires to be. I have always been intrigued by socio/psychopaths since the first one I met when I was a psychiatric nurse. He was a very young man who was attractive, charming, extremely manipulative and totally without a conscience. What more could a writer want in a villain?
Who is your favorite character to write for and why?
Clearly Hannah but I adore Gloria. I love all my characters and why not? They tell the story, not me. But I really enjoyed Crispin, the villain this time. It’s not always possible to use one of these sorts of psychopaths. Often those portrayed are too extreme and one sided to be believable. But Crispin is a respected (?) barrister working in a respected (?) profession amongst respected people. He is literally, the psychopath next door, (see Martha Stout’s book, The Sociopath Next Door.)
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My fascination with socio/psychopaths and their impact on society that is often hidden behind their manipulative charm is something I’ve had for a long time. These people, who lack the basic attributes that distinguish us from other animals, empathy and conscience, are found across all levels of society. Many are in jail, but many are not and they leave a trial of destruction, wreaking havoc in people’s lives, as Crispin does to his wife, Celia.
Dealing with them is very difficult as they have an uncanny skill of recognising people’s inner weaknesses which they ruthlessly use against them. For instance Crispin finds Hannah’s ambivalence about the violence in herself and turns it against her. The full fallout from this is explored in the next book, The Spider Waits.
Hannah’s usual hang-ups regarding Justice and intimacy are continued here as well.
Can readers look forward to more from you soon? Will they see Hannah in a second installment?
Rendezvous with Evil (A Dance with the Devil) is the second in the Hannah Tree Detective Series. Book three is already available and book four is with an editor as we speak. Notes already exist for book five.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
A DISPOSABLE WIFE
A Disposable Wife, by Deirdre Oliver, offers a compelling exploration of theater, mystery, and the intricacies of human emotion. The author adeptly crafts a narrative that immediately immerses readers, painting scenes with a clarity that almost leaps off the page. Central to the book’s appeal is the masterful character development. The protagonist, Hannah, is introduced with a depth that vividly captures her inner conflicts and emotions, drawing the reader into her complex journey.
The book’s dialogue stands out for its authenticity and dynamism, contributing significantly to character development. Conversations flow naturally, subtly revealing characters’ traits and motives and enhancing the overall narrative. The story’s pacing is a notable achievement, skillfully balancing moments of tension with introspection, maintaining momentum while allowing for character and plot development. This careful pacing is integral to the book’s engaging quality.
Intricately plotted, A Disposable Wife is a testament to the author’s narrative finesse. The story unfolds with unexpected twists, yet its complexity never overshadows its readability. This balance makes the book not only intriguing but also broadly accessible.
A Disposable Wife is particularly recommended for enthusiasts of mystery genres and those with an interest in theater and drama. Its rich setting and thematic depth will resonate with this audience. The book stands as an engrossing example of storytelling excellence, characterized by vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue. It is, indeed, a testament to the author’s ability to weave immersive tales that resonate deeply with its readers.
Timeless Pages
Timeless Pages, by Eddie Sullivan and co-authored by Nancy Sullivan, is a well-crafted narrative that intricately explores themes of love, loss, and the journey of self-discovery. The narrative centers around Diana, a character who delves into her history, navigating through a sea of memories and emotionally charged experiences. Central to her story is her relationship with Michael, a soldier, and the challenges his absence poses. Set against the backdrop of the Holiday House and infused with the theme of photography, a passion shared by Diana and her mother, Madalena, the book vividly captures various stages of Diana’s life.
Sullivan’s writing style is distinguished by its rich descriptive language, which skillfully crafts a visual experience for the reader. The adept use of similes and metaphors enhances the vivid portrayal of settings and characters, adding a profound depth to the narrative. The development of characters in Timeless Pages is notably thorough and layered. Each character is presented as a fully realized individual with distinct emotional landscapes and histories. The portrayal of Diana, for example, is particularly striking. Her emotional struggles, including loneliness and discontent, are effectively communicated through her interactions with music, offering a window into her inner world. Furthermore, Sullivan’s use of dialogue is critical in revealing the characters’ personalities and dynamics, advancing the plot, and elucidating their motivations.
Timeless Pages is a poignant and deeply human story that delves into the complexities of emotions and relationships. Through Sullivan’s lyrical prose and rich character development, the book emerges as an engaging read that resonates deeply with readers who appreciate stories of love, loss, and the intricacies of the human condition. This novel stands as a tribute to the enduring impact of storytelling in capturing and conveying the multifaceted nature of human experiences.
Pages: 345 | ASIN : B0CNYHHYHT
The Road Renounced
Packing up her father’s effects ahead of his funeral, Sam Ryan’s daughter discovers her grandmother’s diary. Her reading takes us on a twisting journey through history – WWI, the Spanish flu, prohibition, and the depression. Moving back and forth between the present and the past, from the USA to Belgium, Kaye Schmitz’s The Road Renounced straddles time and space. Finally, the worlds converge when her grandfather, an aspiring baseball player, goes to war and, once more, briefly, at her father’s funeral. By then, we know a whole lot about her grandparents’ life that the narrator wisely chooses not to tell the rest of the family.
One would expect a book that presents graphic scenes of war, alcoholism, spousal abuse, and suicide to be depressing. Not this one. The Road Renounced is a pleasure to read from start to finish. The opening “Letter to My Readers” pulls readers in immediately because Kaye Schmitz talks to them like an old friend, just like Maude writes in her diary. “Who would have thought a diary from a hundred years ago would have kept you glued like this?” (305) The narrator’s curiosity and compassion compel readers to read on. They might even do just as she did, for example, searching on Google for a song her father sang.
Weaving family history, homage, and meticulous research, Schmitz creates engaging scenes with a Forrest Gump effect – recognizable historical moments revisited with a fictional character present. Need to know where historical fact ends and fiction begins? Check out the detailed “Author’s note” at the novel’s end. The structure is masterful. Logical devices bridge the spatial gap till our Americans arrive in Europe. And then there is the trunk to link the past and present. There are concerns about women’s rights, war and patriotism, parental responsibilities, self-esteem, and mental health. Readers will be left with much to consider as they follow along on this journey with the protagonist.
The Road Renounced is a gripping drama and family saga that takes historical events and gives them a personal touch. Readers will find themselves drawn into the lives of this family as they learn about their past, good and bad, and are compelled to see the story through and learn who these people really are.
Pages: 440 | ASIN : B0BLVVVJYJ
Hot Passionate Sex
Keith is just a man looking for love in Hot Passionate Sex: A Man’s Way to Love, written by Donell McCollon. However, during his childhood, he didn’t see his parents showing affection for one another. The only romance advice he got was from older men that didn’t have successful relationships. Keith had many sexual partners, but only two pleased him and his overactive sex drive. Keith could go multiple times a row, and most women couldn’t keep up with that. The two women that could keep up ended with one being the woman of his dreams and the other his worst nightmare.
Hot Passionate Sex: A Man’s Way to Love was a quick read but enjoyable. The sex scenes were written out well enough to imagine them in my mind. It starts with a set that makes the book hard to put down! I loved that it paused for a moment, and we learned about Keith’s childhood. The whole story kind of reads like a memoir even. I liked that.
Keith was a great character. I felt like he really developed as the story went on. He was definitely selfish when he was younger but grew up quite a bit once he met the love of his life. Pamela was another great character. She seemed like someone easy to be with and be around in general. Finally, Tammy was a surprising addition and led to a dramatic end. My mind was blown as her character developed and the story progressed. The author made this a must-read just for that ending!
Overall, I really loved this book. The only part I didn’t like was when Keith was thinking about how women should hold value to themselves and not give themselves to whomever. So many women enjoy sex as just sex. If both parties are consenting adults and there is mutual respect, it shouldn’t matter.
Hot Passionate Sex: A Man’s Way to Love is a surprising and tastefully written story about a man discovering who he really is and what he actually wants and needs from a relationship. This unique romance story told from a man’s perspective is one that will entertain readers.
Pages: 134 | ASIN : B0B1TGHG9K
A Dramatic Way to Murder
Murder at Macbeth begins when a young actress unwittingly stabs herself live onstage which casts suspicion on her castmates. What was the inspiration for the setup to this thrilling novel?
I was actually inspired by a newspaper article about a London West End actor who was accidentally stabbed live on stage. That got me thinking; what if that had been intentional? What a dramatic way to murder someone and believe you could get away with it.
I’ve always been fascinated by the superstitions surrounding Macbeth about it being cursed and the fact the play itself is about corruption and deception provided an interesting parallel to the murder mystery. Plus, I found the concept of interviewing suspects who are also actors really interesting; they could so easily be playing a part to hide the truth.
I enjoyed the mystery at the heart of this story. Was the mystery planned or did it develop organically while writing?
A bit of both. I had the main story arc of who was the murderer planned out from the start, but the nuances of the story and how things were revealed throughout developed more organically. I enjoyed drip-feeding subtle clues along the way, including ones to throw people off. Ultimately, I wanted readers to be shocked by all the twists and turns, but with the benefit of hindsight would think, “yeah, that makes sense.”
The characters in your novel were intriguing and well developed. Who was your favourite character to write for?
I think one of the key elements of a great mystery is to have really compelling characters. In Murder at Macbeth, I put a lot of time into creating multidimensional characters who really drove the story as everybody had a legitimate motive that could drive them to murder. I think my favourite character to write was actually the victim, Nikki. She was initially presented as a lovable, charismatic golden girl who everyone adored, but I enjoyed writing the flashbacks to show her seemingly perfect life start to unravel as secrets are revealed to unveil a web of scandal, blackmail and deceit.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on a non-fiction book called Indie Writing Wisdom, which will come out this Winter. With the aim to inspire the next generation of writers, this book will provide an inspiring collection of practical advice on a wide range of subjects from crafting interesting characters, writing motivation and plotting to editing, cover design, book marketing and much more.
Eleven successful indie authors from all around the world will be sharing their expertise about their own self-publishing experiences and the useful approaches they took to ensure their books stood out effectively in a marketplace that has millions of books vying for attention.
Author Links: Website | Instagram | Goodreads
When a talented, young actress unwittingly stabs herself live onstage after a prop knife is tampered with, suspicion immediately falls on her eclectic band of castmates. But who had the motive to kill the show’s leading lady?
As the insightful, yet disillusioned, Detective Inspector Finley Robson and his shrewd partner, Detective Sergeant Nadia Zahra, interrogate the seven key suspects, secrets unfold to unveil a web of scandal, blackmail, and deceit. Bitter rivalries, secret trysts and troubled pasts are just the beginning of the story…
Set against the backdrop of a gritty London theatre production of Macbeth, this compelling novel explores a dark world of mystery and intrigue. All is not as it seems…
A hugely gripping police procedural full of unpredictable twists and suspense, Murder at Macbeth will captivate you from the very first page and keep you guessing right until the end.
With an intriguing plot and distinctive characters, this English murder mystery is a compelling whodunnit which is perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins, Joy Ellis, Karin Slaughter and LJ Ross.
A Dancer In Depth
A Dancer in Depth provides an in-depth look at one mans unique journey through life and the entertainment industry from Broadway to television. Readers are given a personal view into Stanley Howard Mazin’s life where he holds nothing back and treats readers to his many encounters with celebrities over the years, or just encounters with generally interesting people. Stanley Howard Mazin has lived a fascinating life, one that few people get to experience, but one that we can all now enjoy and be a part of thanks to this compelling biography.
The subtitle is ‘Paragraphs from a Theater Life’, which I think is apt as it is more of a collection of interesting anecdotes that range from heartwarming to funny. But each piece is succinct and rarely wanders, keeping focus on either Stanley or his interactions and varied relationships. I really got a feel for the hard work and dedication that Stanley put into his work. He makes it seem like anything is possible in 60’s showbiz. But contrast that with his struggle with sexuality during this time and we get a contrast of the light and dark sides of showbiz. This dichotomy is subtle in this riveting biography, but nevertheless it paints a fuller picture of that moment in history. Stanley Howard Mazin has done so many things in the entertainment industry, so numerous I stopped counting. Instead I allowed myself to be completely absorbed by his life, and the simple but alluring way in which he relays it.
This was a much more intense experience than I was expecting. The book cover is unassuming, a man dancing on the cover, but what it hides is a passionate pursuit through life, theater life, dancing, and how Stanley Howard Mazin put it all together to create a life all his own. Readers are treated to all of it with this enthralling biography.
Pages: 248 | ASIN: B07V39LX8R
LITERARY TITAN 