Blog Archives
The Pain of the Past
Caroline’s Purpose follows a once-promising athlete and equestrian who, after an accident, struggles to navigate college, broken relationships, and haunting memories, while trying to find purpose in a life that feels hollow. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration for the setup of my story was my own journey. I tried to be the best at different things, only to come out on the other side hollow and disappointed. I wanted to encourage readers that God always has the best purpose for our lives. We don’t have to rely on ourselves. We don’t have to strive to be the best at something for fulfillment or to find our identity or value. Our identity and value are found in who God made us to be. Caroline needed to discover that by losing the identities she had worked endlessly for. Her pain is relatable for anyone who has lost dreams or the identities they created for themselves. God uses our pain to bring us back to Him and the value He created us with
In many contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
There’s a whole lot of me in this story. I played softball in high school and was a pitcher. I chose not to play in college because I didn’t think I was good enough. I was offered an academic scholarship to the University of Arizona. I lived out my dreams of pitching for the U of A through Caroline. At U of A, I majored in Equine Science. A riding accident in middle school led me to playing softball. The Equine Program at the U of A was my return to the horse world, like it is for Caroline in the book. Luna, the weanling, is based on the weanling I was assigned in the weanling class. Her name is Goldee, and she is now my horse. Edison is based off of the real-life Edison I leased and then owned until he had to be put down two years ago. Edison is the horse who gave me my confidence back. He wasn’t abused, like the Edison in the novel, but he was a huge part of my healing and moving forward.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes that were important for me to explore in this book were God’s purpose for each life and healing from the pain of the past. It is easy to get stuck in the pain, especially when multiple dreams have fallen apart. It is easy to feel like God has forgotten about us or doesn’t care about us. I wanted to create a story to show readers that God always loves and always cares and always has a purpose for us. I wanted to create characters that would show that healing is possible.
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
I am currently working on the sequel.
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When she meets Connor Taylor, Caroline finds that he is able to relate to her pain more than she would have thought possible.
With the help of Edison, an abused horse, Connor seeks to help Caroline learn to use her past as a stepping stone towards the future.
As her relationship with Connor grows, Caroline must make a choice to conquer her fear or to stay where she feels safe. Their relationship and her future hang in the balance.
Beyond the Paddock
Beyond the Paddock is a coming-of-age novel that weaves together street racing, foster care, and elite equestrian sport into a powerful story of brotherhood and transformation. Set against the vibrant and chaotic backdrop of Inglewood and the tranquil horse farms of Kentucky, the book follows foster brothers Julian and Cameron Taylor, two Black teens navigating a world stacked against them. After a brush with the law, they are unexpectedly placed in the custody of their court-appointed attorney, Reign Brooks, and sent to rural Kentucky to live under the eye of her estranged father, a horse trainer embroiled in scandal. What begins as punishment slowly transforms into purpose, as the boys discover their unlikely talent in show jumping, ultimately rewriting the legacy of their upbringing.
What struck me most about Beyond the Paddock was how seamlessly Kimberly Ann Harrison blends grit and grace. Her writing is rich with texture. The dialogue pops, especially between the brothers. It’s fast, funny, and raw. The emotional tension never lets up, but it doesn’t feel heavy-handed. Harrison balances moments of fear and heartbreak with humor and hope, creating a rhythm that feels like real life. I appreciated the details of the world she built, from the foster system’s red tape to the unfamiliar traditions of equestrian sport; every element felt lived-in and personal.
What really got me, though, was the heart. This story isn’t just about fast cars and fancy horses. It’s about found family, second chances, and fighting like hell to stay together. Julian’s fierce protectiveness over his brother resonated with me. His desire to rise above and still cling to his roots is painfully relatable. And Cameron is a spark, sometimes reckless, always real. Watching him fall in love with horses, despite himself, made me feel like I was falling too. The arc they travel together is bumpy and full of bad decisions, but it’s never without love. Harrison makes you root for them, even when they’re messing up big time.
Beyond the Paddock is a story about rewriting the rules and reclaiming your place in a world that never expected much from you. It’s gripping and full of swagger, but it’s also soft where it counts. I’d recommend this to anyone who’s ever felt out of place, especially teens and young adults who crave stories where street smarts and heart collide. If you loved The Hate U Give or Friday Night Lights, this one’s for you.
Pages: 447 | ASIN : B0FBHCXKGQ
Love’s Lifeline
Julian T. Westwood’s Love’s Lifeline tells the story of Dr. Reginald “Reggie” Fitzwilliam, a polished and buttoned-up couples therapist whose life is meticulously ordered, until it’s not. Set largely in his office and personal sanctuary, the book unfolds through therapy sessions with clients, private reflections, professional pressure, and the unexpected companionship of a perceptive British Shorthair cat named Freud. What begins as a chronicle of others’ love lives slowly peels back Reggie’s own carefully constructed walls, revealing his struggles with vulnerability, approval, and connection. The story builds through subtle moments and personal revelations, ultimately landing on a touching and honest reckoning with his past and the possibility of new beginnings.
As the story progresses, layer after layer of Reggie’s composed exterior came off, and I found myself rooting for him more with every page. Westwood’s writing is clever and filled with understated emotion and wry humor. The dynamic between Reggie and Freud is one of the book’s most endearing elements; it gives the narrative a cozy heartbeat amid the psychological introspection. The therapy scenes themselves are handled with grace and humanity. They’re believable and gentle, and they sneak up on you emotionally. There’s a patience in the pacing that lets the weight of small moments linger, which I appreciated. But what got me most was Reggie’s slow unraveling, the way his struggle to admit his own need for love mirrors the very people he helps every day. It’s painfully real, and it hit home.
There were stretches where I wanted the tension to snap a bit louder or for a character to say something messy. The conflicts, especially with Cassandra, his sharply drawn colleague, felt a bit too restrained, and I craved more sparks. Also, the prose, while elegant, occasionally felt a little too polished, like Reggie himself. Still, even with that, Westwood’s command of character and emotional insight is clear and compassionate. This is a book written by someone who understands the ache of longing and the awkward dance of self-discovery.
Love’s Lifeline is a warm, reflective, and gently transformative story. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven fiction, especially readers who are drawn to stories about personal growth, emotional complexity, and the quieter forms of bravery. Therapists, perfectionists, and anyone who’s felt boxed in by expectations will likely see themselves in Reggie. It’s not flashy or fast-paced, but it lingers in your mind and in your chest.
Pages: 278 | ASIN : B0DG5TR66Q
The Feelings of a First Love
Whisper of Fate follows a Queen struggling with her new role of leadership and lost love, who has to find a way to hold it all together and fight for her kingdom. What was your inspiration for the wild journey you take readers on in this novel?
I hope that readers will relate to the feelings of first love and the struggle between duty and desire. I had wanted to write a story where the kingdoms were based on the seven natural wonders of the world and where each location was home to a different spirit, the Sol Defenders, who are the source of the earth’s goodness and reflect attributes of God. In the story, each of our main characters interacts with these spirits differently, just like people might experience hearing God’s voice differently. Kalista senses their presence. Raine can hear them clearly. Luke has a hard time hearing them at all, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t guiding him just like they do the others. I wanted young people who might question if God speaks to them to see that it might look different for each of us, but God’s love is still strong regardless of their ability to hear his voice.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
It was important to me that each of the three main characters had their own personal struggles unrelated to the love story. Kalista is dealing with her newfound leadership and doubts about her ability. Raine struggles with forgiving his father, and Luke is stuck in a job he didn’t want and a future he didn’t expect. Throughout the story, I wanted them each to have personal victories related to their growth. It was important to me that they each have their own unique personality and voice, but I relate to each in different ways, and I hope the readers feel the same.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I plotted the entire series before I wrote the first word, so I knew the plot line for the Sol Defenders from day one. What was surprising to me was the personalities of the characters. When I first thought about the story, I had thought Raine might be more domineering, but he turned out to be sweeter than I had planned, which made me fall in love with him even more. I never expected I’d love Georgia and Sebastian as much as I do, and Raine’s friendship with August was something I didn’t know I needed until he spontaneously came up in the writing. It was fun to give the supporting characters some big moments that I hadn’t planned originally, and those will continue into the third book.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
At the end of Whisper of Fate there is a big surprise, and in Night of the Sol, we get a whole new love story. I couldn’t let one of our characters go without a happy ending, but he’s definitely going to have to work for it, because his heart is going to be shattered a few more times before it’s put back together, I’m afraid. Kalista works to fulfill her destiny’s prediction to release the Sol Defenders to the earth, and we’ll find out if she’s successful or if the earth will have to continue to strive for the goodness it’s been desperate for since the Sol Defenders were trapped behind the Gateways. There will be a lot of action, a sweet love story, and twists and turns that keep the pages turning.
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As Kalista takes on the mantle of queen, the weight of her choices grows heavier. Threats rise within her kingdom and beyond, and tales of suffering in the Krasiv Isles push her toward a daring mission that could change everything.
Guided by ancient Spirits, Kalista must face assassins, uncover secrets, and confront the looming menace of Lord Mahan. At her side are the two men tied to her in ways she cannot ignore—Raine, the assassin haunted by his past who holds her heart, and Luke, her loyal general whose destiny may be greater than anyone imagined.
As alliances falter and sacrifices grow inevitable, Kalista must decide how much she’s willing to risk for love.
Enter a world of shadows and light. Read Whisper of Fate today to discover the strength it takes to stand against the darkness.
Whisper of Fate
Whisper of Fate picks up in the aftermath of chaos—kingdoms in mourning, secrets buried with the dead, and hearts just trying to keep beating. Kalista, now queen, is navigating grief, leadership, and the not-so-tidy wreckage of her love life. Luke, still nursing a bruised ego and a broken heart, tries to wear his general’s title while avoiding the emotional landmines left behind. Meanwhile, Raine (the assassin) is off on his own quest that may or may not involve saving the realm and still being hopelessly in love with Kalista. It’s the second book in the Sol Defenders series, and wow, it does not slow down for a second.
I fell hard for this book in the first few chapters. The emotional tension between Kalista and Luke is so real, it’s like reading a slow-motion car crash—messy, painful, but you can’t look away. There’s this moment I enjoyed at the funeral of Luke’s father where Kalista wraps her arms around him and he actually cries. The layers of love, betrayal, and unresolved feelings were giving major enemies-to-lovers energy—if the “lovers” part ever gets another chance. And don’t even get me started on the scene where they stare at the map of the kingdoms together, talking shop about strategy while also sidestepping all the unresolved tension between them.
What really got me, though, was how grief and loyalty are so tightly wound into everything. Kalista visiting the mother of a fallen soldier, trying to find comfort in helping others when she can’t even hold herself together was emotional. And Raine—ugh, Raine—sneaking around enemy territory, aching for a girl he thinks he can never have while trying to track down the monster who made them all suffer? Classic tortured hero vibes. The writing isn’t trying too hard to be poetic—it just is. Emotional. Simple. And sometimes, devastating. And Crowe pulls it off while still weaving in danger, court politics, and a bit of awkward guard banter (Paulsen, you adorable disaster).
Whisper of Fate is for anyone who loves fantasy with serious heart. There’s romance, but it’s buried in grief and longing and so much quiet hope it kind of sneaks up on you. If you like Throne of Glass with less sass and more raw emotion, this is your book. Perfect for fans of character-driven stories where no one is entirely okay but everyone’s trying. I’m already counting the days until book three.
Pages: 400 | ISBN : 1960810995
A Man For All Seasons
Author Karina McRoberts brings a unique style of storytelling in her book A Man For All Seasons. This fascinating book is a beautiful work of science fiction and includes an enthralling account of Vidor’s mission to conserve nature from those who want to destroy it for their own benefit. Vidor and his two animal friends work in sync to make a meaningful contribution to saving nature and nature’s creations.
McRoberts is persuasive in her writing. She leads the book in a unique setting with extraordinary characters; for example, a raven who talks and thinks like a human and understands climate change is an interesting character. As a reader, one can appreciate the clarity she presents with her storytelling – the characters’ personalities, how they communicate, the background, and other small details that bring them to life. A Man For All Seasons is filled with relatable dialogue between characters, which adds appeal to readers, allowing them to fall in love with the plot and the setting. Parts of this captivating novel are reminiscent of other sci-fi movies and Disney animated films that are well known in pop culture.
One notable thing about this novel is the length of the chapters. McRoberts keeps the chapters short and sweet. One can move to the next chapter with a breeze and finish the book in one sitting. Overall a quick read and challenging to put down.
The friendship between Vidor and Clarissa is precious, and so are the animal characters. In Vidor’s plan to save nature from destruction at the hands of humanity, he also makes an effort to give dying people dignified death, which is so heart-touching. There are good guys and bad guys in this book, and the ending is justified. This book will appeal to readers across genres with a not-so-usual plot and a fantastic cast of characters.
Pages: 121 | ASIN : B09QVTXS77
Stand Tall, Stand Strong, and LIVE!
Serenity follows an embattled prisoner of war who is haunted by a hidden magical past. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The story has been with me since I was a young teenager. Many characters have a base from some beloved kids show characters that I developed backstories to back in the 90’s. Slowly, over the last 20 or so years, they blossomed into their own unique characters. What started as a simple story soon evolved into something more complex. Mental illness came into play, and the project took on a whole new meaning to me personally. I no longer wanted to just share my world and story but my message. That we can all rise above our mental illness. That we can all be happy no matter what. That we call all Stand tall, Stand Strong, and LIVE!
Kain Raingel is an intriguing character that I loved following. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
At its core, I wanted to show that no matter what you live through, you can always find a way to be happy and to find peace. Kain has lived through some horrific times at such a young age. All he wants is to be left alone but in the end, he finds something more to hold on to. I also wanted to share that you don’t have to be alone in your internal struggles. Having a support team can be beneficial to the healing process. Seeking help isn’t weakness but strength and we shouldn’t shame ourselves or accepting help and support.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
When mental illness became a major role I pulled from my own personal experiences to truly show what it is like to live with a mental illness. I also heavily researched what I didn’t know so I could portray it correctly. Living and battling mental illness can be a silent battle that no one would know about unless they know and understand the signs or live with it themselves. Many of those with mental illness battle in silence in fear of not being understood or looked down upon. One important theme in this book is that mental illness is real and it can be debilitating. Kain is a seasoned warrior but feels helpless at times because of his PTSD and anxiety.
What can readers expect in the next book in The Blood Moon Prince series?
The story will continue from where Serenity left off. The relationship between the main character and their love interest goes through some growing pains as everyone adjusts to what happens at the end of Serenity. Readers will begin to dive a bit deeper into the hidden magical past of Kain and of course a new foe arises. Readers can expect more magic, more suspense, and of course more action.
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Through newfound love, Kain begins to heal and learns how to live again. When his new companions are taken hostage, he must find the strength within himself to face the man who tortured him, risk losing his memory, or allow everyone to die. Serenity (The Blood Moon Prince) strives to bring light to mental illness and shows that through love and support, anyone can overcome anything. It strives to show that even though one may feel broken inside, they are worth something and deserve to find happiness. The awareness of mental illness in today’s youth has become more apparent. Today’s youth struggle with socialization, mental illness, and accepting themselves. Serenity (The Blood Moon Prince) brings relatable topics in a fantasy setting with a new world, fun characters, and magic.
Strung
Strung is a beautiful literary work by Roske. This book includes enthralling accounts of its characters in a fantasy folklore setting that is full of romance and magic. How Lady Lysbeth’s world changes with the arrival of Faye and how she maneuvers through different events in the gender discriminative Avon society is quite striking. Roske presents the storyline in stark contrasts. The book begins as some kind of musical composition in the making and flows flawlessly with vivid imagery and illustrations, taking readers on a fantastic visual journey. A patient reader would find everything they need to know within the pages of Strung. The words are selected masterfully, the characters evolve deeply as the novel progresses, and the scenes feel authentic and lively. There is never a dull moment in this novel if you get into the rhythm and tune of this book.
Roske manages to keep the dialogues crisp and flowing and does justice to the era the novel revolves around. I am delighted with Roske’s approach to showing the relationship dynamics of each character. Strung is filled with rich dialogue between characters, with some narration inserted to add additional information or set the scene. In addition, the author includes words and language of a different era that give the characters a more dynamic personality. It is easy to get lost in the plot and the setting with such well-written passages.
This captivating book is a slow-burn romance while managing to not be a typical romance novel. Roske has created an enchanting story that is unique. Lysbeth’s life in a male-dominated society, her fascination with Faye, the cultural clashes, and how society plays a role in shaping one’s identity are meticulously portrayed.
Strung is a spellbinding fantasy and romance novel. Beautiful writing, a well-developed cast of characters, and a mystical romance that defies the social norms of that era will appeal to readers across multiple genres.
Pages: 390 | ASIN: B09T3NLGT6
LITERARY TITAN 