Blog Archives
Coming Free
Ashley Abaie’s Coming Free is one of those rare memoirs that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go, not because it promises fame or glamour, but because it offers something far more compelling—raw truth. It’s a journey through a life shaped by neglect, perseverance, and a relentless hunger to be seen. Ashley walks us through her childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood with stunning honesty, sharing stories of abuse, abandonment, cultural displacement, eating disorders, spiritual awakening, and ultimately, healing. It’s not neat. It’s not pretty. But it’s real. And that’s what makes it powerful.
I liked how Ashley captures the complicated, often contradictory emotions of growing up in a family that looked normal from the outside but was anything but. There’s a passage early on where she describes being forgotten in the snow for hours, wearing flip-flops, only to brush it off as a regular part of life. The way she recounts it—plainspoken, even a bit humorous—is heartbreaking. She doesn’t need to dramatize her pain. It’s just there, quietly devastating. And it’s in these small moments—dragging a bassoon case home alone in the snow, wearing fifth-grade underwear in high school, watching her brother spiral while trying to stay invisible—that I felt her loneliness, deep and aching.
The writing itself is conversational, poetic at times, but never pretentious. Ashley’s voice feels like a friend who’s finally decided to spill everything over a long coffee date. Her humor is dry, her observations sharp, and her emotions raw. When she writes about collapsing from malnutrition and basking in the rare moment of attention from her dad at a Mediterranean restaurant, it broke me. “I basked in my dad’s care,” she says. It’s such a simple line, but loaded with years of hunger—for food, yes, but more for love. I found myself rooting for her not just to survive, but to thrive. And when she finally begins to find that spark of purpose during a service trip in Mexico, it felt like breathing fresh air after being underwater.
What surprised me most was how she finds redemption not in the usual places, but in unexpected acts of service and spirituality. Her accidental dive into Christianity—after unknowingly signing up for a missionary trip—is both hilarious and oddly moving. She’s skeptical, awkward, and completely unprepared, yet open in a way that makes the experience feel authentic. Her reflections on mixing concrete, building homes, and connecting with strangers in a colonia in Reynosa are among the most touching parts of the book. She writes about laying cinderblocks like she’s laying the foundation for her own rebirth. And in those dusty streets, surrounded by poverty and purpose, she starts to heal in ways therapy hadn’t yet managed.
Coming Free isn’t tied up with a bow. Ashley doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out, and that’s what makes her voice so trustworthy. It’s a book for anyone who has felt invisible, who’s been through the fire and come out the other side unsure of what’s next. It’s especially powerful for those navigating childhood trauma, identity struggles, and the long road to self-worth.
Pages: 272 | ASIN : B0DRH75YLC
A Tribute and Legacy
Rainbow of Promise follows the budding romance between a confident and vivacious young woman and a soft-spoken Southern gentleman in the middle of WWII. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My parents, Sadina and W.E., had wonderful chemistry. I wrote the story as a tribute to them as well as a legacy for my family. It’s more of a memoir than historical fiction; it’s as true and factual as I could write it.
There is so much to be said about love in this book. What do you hope your readers take away from your story?
These two had a lot in common and a lot that wasn’t. They became a great team out of loyalty, dedication, romance, desire, and understood unconditional love. I consider them my greatest role models in all that they portrayed.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
W.E. was such a romantic; Sadina was exuberantly fun as well as practical and frugal. When W.E. surprised her with yellow roses and gifts of all sorts, her life lit up like a child at Christmas. My favorite surprise was when he gave her the beautiful soft silky pink robe. Chapter 14. I still have her robe hanging in my closet.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m writing the story of my Volga German grandparents who emigrated from Kutter, Russia, in 1913. My grandmother faced many tragedies, including WWI and II, each sadness garnering strength. I plan to publish the book in 2026 during March–The Month of Strong Women.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 with Faith, Family, and the FDNY
Pieces Falling is a deeply personal and faith-filled memoir that traces the journey of Ann Van Hine following the tragic loss of her husband, Bruce, a New York City firefighter who perished in the September 11 attacks. The book isn’t just a recounting of that infamous day, it’s a layered narrative that stitches together memories of love, family life, and an unshakeable faith in God. From the first chapter, “Blessed,” where Bruce speaks those words just two days before his death, to the final reflections in “The Story Continues,” Van Hine invites readers into her home, her heartbreak, and ultimately, her healing.
Reading Pieces Falling was like sitting across from a friend at a kitchen table, sipping tea, hearing her speak with unwavering honesty. Van Hine’s writing doesn’t hide behind polished prose. It breathes. She doesn’t dramatize the trauma of 9/11, yet somehow, she makes it more human than any headline ever could. The chapter “My Free Day” captures the eerie calm of a normal morning unraveling into history. Her voice, clear and vulnerable, recounts everything from feeding the dog to hearing the second tower fall, all while praying Bruce would somehow come home. It’s raw and achingly intimate.
Ann doesn’t write as a victim. She writes as a mother trying to keep dinner on the table, as a widow asking God hard questions, as a woman trying to explain to her daughters why their dad isn’t coming back. Her scene describing the family gathered in her bed on the night of the attack, making tea, trying to sleep, left me with tears in my eyes. But she never stays in sadness for too long. There’s humor. There’s humility. There’s joy in the ordinary. And I appreciated that balance more than I can say.
Faith pulses through this book. Not in a preachy way, but as a lifeline. Verses scribbled in the margins of her Bible. Dreams that felt like whispers from God. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that handled faith and grief with such a real-world tenderness. It made me reflect on my own ideas of control, surrender, and what it means to hope when there’s no guarantee.
Pieces Falling isn’t just for people who lived through 9/11 or who know what it’s like to lose someone in uniform. This book is for anyone who’s ever had their life turned upside down and wondered how to stand again. It’s for the faithful and the questioning, the broken and the rebuilding. I would recommend it without hesitation to readers of memoir, especially those interested in stories of resilience, grief, motherhood, and quiet strength. Ann’s story is heartbreaking, yes. But it’s also comforting. Because in all the brokenness, she reminds us that light still finds its way through the cracks.
Pages: 238 | ASIN : B09B7VVYKX
Fahrenheit 2600
Fahrenheit 2600 is a raw, funny, and emotionally jagged memoir that plunges us into the smoky foundries and chaotic adolescence of 1970s Adelaide. It’s a follow-up to Wog in a Fish Shop, picking up with Ross—now a teenager—ditching school, diving into grueling night shifts at a steel factory, and navigating the messy business of identity, friendship, drugs, and growing up Greek-Australian in a time and place where racism was casual and relentless. Told in vivid scenes and bold honesty, the book captures both the despair and hilarity of youth with a punch to the gut and a smirk on the face.
One of the things I loved most about this book is how unfiltered it is. Ross doesn’t sugarcoat anything, not the work, not the people, not even himself. The opening chapter, where he describes sitting in his freezing car before a night shift, feeling broken and staring at a road-killed cat, just hits. The metaphor is subtle but powerful: he’s roadkill too, flattened by the hopeless routine of factory life. “I live in myself like a mouse lives inside a cage,” he writes. That line was lodged in my head for days. He paints the factory not just as a place but as a spiritual void, a black hole that sucks away your dreams. Yet even in that bleakness, there’s humor. There’s grit. There’s Roberta Flack on the radio and the absurd comfort of a half-smoked cigarette. You feel it all.
But Ross isn’t just bitter—he’s observant, reflective, and surprisingly tender. Especially when he talks about Stag, his wild, fearless best friend who kind of becomes a stand-in for freedom. Their friendship is beautiful and unhinged. There’s a sweetness to it that makes you nostalgic for a kind of reckless, deep-in-your-bones teenage bond. I was moved by how openly Ross recalls their connection. It made me think about my own teenage years, the weird mix of invincibility and vulnerability.
Ross Leondiou has a voice like no one else—rough around the edges but poetic in all the right places. Sometimes, it’s downright brutal, like when he gets arrested for punching a cop and ends up in solitary confinement. Those chapters don’t ask for sympathy, they just lay it out: the fear, the shame, the weird mix of institutional coldness and sudden kindness.
If you like memoirs that aren’t trying to impress you but instead invite you into someone’s honest-to-God life, this is it. If you’ve ever felt stuck, angry, out of place, or just a little broken—this is your book. Fans of gritty coming-of-age stories, readers who dig working-class perspectives, or anyone who grew up straddling cultures will find something to love. It’s definitely not a “light read,” but it’s the kind that stays with you.
Pages: 398 | ASIN : B0DLFZXCG2
Rainbow of Promise: A World War II Romance
Rainbow of Promise is a heartfelt, old-fashioned love story set in the midst of World War II, following the budding romance between Sadina “Sadie” Wagner, a confident and vivacious young woman, and W.E. “Bill” Walraven, a soft-spoken Southern gentleman stationed in Enid, Oklahoma. The story unfolds slowly but sweetly, capturing all the nervous first encounters, jitterbug dances, longing glances, and yes, plenty of sizzling chemistry. It’s nostalgic in all the best ways—like slipping into a vintage movie where the world is complicated, but love is pure.
What stood out to me first was the writing style. It’s simple but rich with period detail and genuine emotion. The dialogue pops without trying too hard, and there’s this easy rhythm to the prose that makes the whole book feel like you’re listening to someone tell a story.
Now, Sadie. She’s a force. Flirty but grounded, fun but not flaky. She’s bold enough to joke about being picked up on a street corner and sweet enough to bring a man to his knees with just a smile. Her scenes with W.E. practically crackle with energy, especially their first dance. I appreciated that the author gave her complexity—she’s not just waiting around for a man; she’s got her own hobbies and she’s protective of her independence. There’s a particularly lovely scene where Sadie turns down an impromptu dinner date with W.E. because of a club meeting—and you can just feel the tension. Her wanting to say yes. His quiet heartbreak. That push-pull dynamic is so well done.
And then there’s W.E.—Bill. This man is a walking romance novel. Polite, a little shy, smells like Old Spice, and dances like a dream. But he’s not just charming. The author gives us these lovely inner monologues where he questions whether he’s “good enough” for Sadie, whether it’s right to fall in love with war looming overhead. That kind of vulnerability made him real for me. And when he takes her to dinner at the Skirvin Hotel and orders champagne and lobster I swooned a little. But my favorite part was the way he watched her dance. That kind of longing—that ache—you can’t fake that in writing.
This book is for readers who love slow-burn, tender romance with real emotional stakes. It’s for anyone who’s ever believed in fate or had their heart flip over a well-timed glance. It might be a little idealistic at times but that’s kind of the point. Life is hard. War is brutal. But falling in love—falling madly in love—makes all of it worth it. I’d recommend Rainbow of Promise to fans of historical romance, lovers of the 1940s vibe, or anyone just needing a little hope and heart right now.
Pages: 369 | ASIN : B08BRBZMKY
You Are NOT Alone
Wilderness Woman: A Triumphant Spirit is a raw and deeply personal memoir that traces your journey from a childhood filled with abuse and neglect to a life of resilience, healing, and faith. Why was this an important book for you to write?
My life’s true story has been an amazing journey to reflect on my past and see how far I have come through it all. I had been sitting on this manuscript for 30 years – I’ve seen and heard other people’s struggles of their lives SO I was inspired to get started to complete my book and get it published.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir and what was the most rewarding?
In the early days of working to find a publisher, I ran into con artists who took my money but I reported them to the fraud department at my bank. I got my money back. I checked out the next publisher with the Better Business Bureau.
Working with my new honest publisher was a hard task on my part. Going back into time and revisiting the old wounds of abuse was NOT good BUT I was determined to press on to complete my book and publish it!
One of the most rewarding results was to have a dear friend who read my book…She mentioned she too had abuses in her young life. She underlined the areas in yellow-highlight and shared the book with her new husband, who then would be able to relate to her wounded life.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in my book?
“As I grew older, an att teacher, a piano teacher, a large loving family in the country and others who loved, and supported me helped me realize that I deserved happiness. My relationship with my horses – the chapter on “Healing with Horses” Equine Therapy it’s called nowadays! They saved my life!!! I encourage others to look back and see how others helped in their lives!
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
They are NOT ALONE!! It takes courage in ourselves to reach out for help! Get in a support group, go to meetings, just listen to others share and you will have the courage to share your heartfelt memories. It’s hard to trust BUT take your time and YOU’LL be able to relate to others!
Author Website
The summer of 1945…the Kansas City Star newspaper would have read like this: “The Division of Family Services reports…A young female child whose identity remains anonymous. She was rescued from her grandparent’s house. The mother and father are also being investigated by the authorities. The grandparents volunteered to watch the new baby girl. Her mother was a beauty operator down the street.”
“Diane” knew the daily drill. Each morning, her grandparents greeted her eagerly with evil warm smiles. The trap was set–the lower cabinet file drawer, which was at her eye level. She pulled the drawer out slowly and struggled to lift the heavy box out onto the floor. She sat cross-legged, enticed by the shiny eye-catching trinkets. She had not eaten breakfast. Her thoughts of the yummy chocolate-covered cherries would be good for her tummy.
The best of all was a warm wiggly reddish-brown puppy. This experience lasted day after day, week after week, and year after year. We ask ourselves how could this happen? Why? It’s called insanity, which can’t be explained.
The Lord brought a loving family into her young life. God’s creation along with her love for horses healed her childhood wounds and continues to heal her adult scars.
Pulling Back the Curtain
Secrets of a Social Butterfly is part memoir, part business guide that shares your transformation from a struggling student to a confident global business strategist. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wrote Secrets of a Social Butterfly because I know what it feels like to doubt yourself, to feel like you don’t quite belong, and to struggle with confidence in professional settings. This book was my way of pulling back the curtain and sharing the lessons I wish I had known earlier. I wanted to show that confidence isn’t something you’re simply born with—it’s a skill you can develop, and it can change the course of your career or business.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to show that personal growth isn’t a straight line. I’ve had setbacks, doubts, and moments of imposter syndrome. But every challenge brought lessons that helped me grow, and I wanted readers to see that their struggles don’t define them—the way they navigate them does.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
I wish someone had told me: You don’t need to have all the answers to move forward. Just take the next step.
I spent so much time in my early years overthinking, second-guessing myself, and waiting until I felt “ready”—but the truth is, clarity comes from action. Every small step, every new experience, every conversation builds confidence. If I had understood that sooner, I would have trusted myself more and embraced opportunities without so much hesitation. This is also why I launched my popular weekly newsletter Ready Already!
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
If you feel like you don’t quite belong, or you’re unsure of your next step, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. But when you focus on building relationships, staying curious, and showing up as your authentic self, doors start to open. You don’t have to change who you are to succeed—you just need to lean into your strengths and learn how to navigate the world in a way that works for you.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
All of us have experienced those moments of imposter syndrome, struggled to fit in, and have even been bullied for being different. Lynn’s inspiring story takes us on an incredible journey of overcoming setbacks that led to Lynn’s inspiring journey around the world.
Sometimes funny, often poignant, “Secrets of a Social Butterfly” uses storytelling to teach business leaders, founders and anyone really, those ‘unteachable’ skills that we desperately need in this ever changing landscape in which we find ourselves.
This unique narrative nonfiction work blends business insights with learning moments from Lynn’s memoir, offering lessons on going from self-doubt to success.
Treat Caregivers with Respect
Being a Caregiver, Is It a Profession? explores the responsibilities, challenges, and societal perceptions of caregivers and serves as both a heartfelt tribute to caregivers as well as a call for change in how their contributions are acknowledged. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Caregiving is a vocation I am passionate about and seeing all the shortcomings I feel something need to be done which prompted me to write this book.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Being a Caregiver we do it out of love or just a job. The difference means a lot to the patient.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about caregiving?
Caregivers are treated as domestic helpers which is very sad as they are expected to do house chores which family members can do.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Caregivers treat them with respect
Author Link: Facebook
We need to remind ourselves caregiving is Unconditional for the well-being of the sick or elderly.
Caregiver as a Profession for those embarking as a Career, we as individuals or organisation need to ask ourselves is it for the unconditional love in giving or the renumeration
LITERARY TITAN 