Blog Archives
Ida Chatfield
The book follows the life of Ida Chatfield and tells her story from childhood on the Missouri River to her disappearance in Aspen in 1886. It mixes historical records with imagined moments that fill in the spaces between the facts. It feels like a full life unfolding, even though her real life ended at only eighteen. The book also weaves in real news articles that reported her missing and later confirmed her death. The mix of truth and imagination gives the whole thing a strange and lingering weight.
While reading, I often felt pulled into Ida’s voice. The writing felt warm at times and then cold in a way that mirrors frontier life. I found myself caring for Ida as if she were someone I’d once known. Her memories of Nebraska and Colorado felt vivid and earthy. The sadness around the deaths in her family hit me harder than I expected, especially the loss of her sister Jennie. The author sits close to Ida’s emotions and lets her tell the story in a plain and honest way. That plainness worked on me. It made the mystery of her final night feel personal.
The book pushes you to think about how people in the past were misunderstood, especially women. It shows how easily a person’s life can be shaped and misshaped by the stories others tell. The newspapers tried to fit Ida into neat explanations that never felt right. Reading those old clippings frustrated me. They felt careless and quick to judge, and it hurt to see how little room she had to define herself. At the same time, the fictional pieces brought her back to life with softness and patience. I loved that contrast because it made me think about how we all want to be remembered for who we were, not for the blur of a headline.
By the end, I felt a quiet ache for Ida and for every forgotten person whose life was cut short or brushed aside. The book works for readers who enjoy historical nonfiction but want more heart in the telling. It also works for readers who crave a mystery that will never be perfectly solved yet still offers something meaningful. I would recommend it to anyone who loves frontier history, family stories, and character-driven tales filled with emotion.
Pages: 280 | ASIN : B0FHJVCV7V
Beyond the Sky: A Mountain Woman’s Journey to Personal Freedom
Beyond the Sky follows Tillie Carpenter, a character introduced earlier in Ann Heap’s Hidden Valley series. The book is split into two parts. The first part traces Tillie’s journey from her teen years through college, weaving her passion for science and her involvement in the civil rights movement into a vivid coming-of-age narrative. The second part shifts back in time, presenting the journals of her foremothers, the mountain women of Hidden Valley, stretching from Irish immigrant ancestors in the 1840s to Tillie herself. The book is about heritage, resilience, and the blend of old wisdom with modern science.
I found myself swept up in the writing. The style is warm, almost conversational, yet it carries weight when the story demands it. The descriptions of family bonds, quiet mountain life, and the turmoil of the civil rights era felt raw and real. There were moments when the writing tugged me straight into Tillie’s skin, especially during her conflicts with her stepmother and her longing to merge Granny’s folk remedies with modern research. There were times the pace slowed, especially in some of the journal sections, but just as quickly, Heap would pull me back with a sharp emotional moment.
I admired how Heap connected the private, everyday struggles of women across generations with broader historical movements. It gave the sense that change doesn’t just happen in marches or headlines, but also in kitchens, gardens, and the quiet choices families make. I loved that balance.
Beyond the Sky is a heartfelt novel that I would recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction rooted in family and community, and to those who like stories that braid social justice into personal lives. It would especially resonate with readers who appreciate strong, complex female characters and the blending of old traditions with modern challenges. It’s not a quick or light read, but if you’re willing to let the story take its time, it’s rewarding.
Pages: 352 | ASIN : B0F4RRHPQ4
Anasazi Vision
Anasazi Vision is a novel that blends personal transformation, spirituality, and adventure, all wrapped in the vast landscapes of the Four Corners desert. The protagonist, True, embarks on a journey that is both physical and deeply spiritual. Through encounters with ancient wisdom, self-discovery, and the teachings of Indigenous cultures, she is guided toward understanding her own purpose and the larger cosmic balance of life. The book is part fiction, part memoir, and part channeled storytelling, making it a unique, immersive experience.
The opening chapter, where True describes her mother’s unemotional nature compared to her own deeply sensory experience of the world, is striking. It sets the tone for a journey that is about feeling, listening, and understanding—both internally and externally. The writing is poetic at times, almost meditative, yet it remains grounded in real, tangible emotions. There’s an honesty in the way the author wrestles with personal doubts and triumphs, which makes the book resonate beyond its spiritual themes.
The spiritual elements are fascinating but also challenging. The book delves into ideas of energy, intuition, past lives, and communication with guides and ancestors. At times, it feels like a deep dive into esoteric knowledge, which might not be for everyone. However, what keeps it from becoming preachy is True’s questioning nature. She doesn’t simply accept everything at face value; she grapples with it, doubts it, and ultimately finds her own meaning. One of the most powerful moments comes when she realizes she has been chosen to hear the Earth’s message—a concept both thrilling and overwhelming.
Another highlight of the book is its setting. The Four Corners desert isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in itself. From the vision quests to the discovery of an ancient solstice site, the descriptions make the desert feel alive. The book beautifully captures the idea that nature is both teacher and guide. Even when the narrative slows, the deep connection between True and the land keeps the story engaging.
Anasazi Vision is for readers who enjoy introspective journeys, spirituality, and a touch of adventure. If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt a pull toward something bigger than yourself, or wanted to explore the wisdom of ancient traditions, this book will speak to you. It’s not a casual read; it demands reflection and openness. But if you’re willing to lean in, it just might point you toward your own True North.
Pages: 419 | ASIN : B0DLT1MH9N
Life and Love and Joy
The Phantom of Forest Lawn unravels a tale of love, legacy, and intrigue as a determined woman and a haunted man confront the dark secrets buried within a bustling cemetery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Years ago, I devised a kind of ‘mental yoga exercise’, which I believe keeps the mind flexible and able to see things from multiple points of view—and which sometimes results in a flash of inspiration. Here it is: Whenever I observe something, I try also to look at the very same thing from the diametrically opposed perspective and then come up with reasons why each can have substantially equal validity.
In the case of The Phantom of Forest Lawn, about a year ago I was walking through Forest Lawn Cemetery, and I began thinking about how cemeteries are places of grief and loss. Certainly, that’s a common and valid point of view—but then my little mental gymnastic routine began, and I stood it on its head: Could cemeteries also be considered places of joy and love?
Around that nucleus, ideas began to form. I began to imagine that grief and loss themselves are perhaps the opposite faces of joy and love. How, for example, can one know sadness without having once experienced joy? How possibly can one feel loss without ever having loved? That made sense to me, so I went deeper into each of those themes.
As to joy, I dreamed up a few scenes in which two lovelorn people at last find not only each other but also their own truest natures, in a cemetery setting. And as to love . . . well, at the most basic level, I believe every person interred in any cemetery was once, or still is, loved by someone. Now I had my story, or at least its underpinnings.
In writing the book, I came to believe that if anything can overpower and outlast death, it is love—and so I nowadays I see cemeteries not as places steeped in sadness and death, but as a kind fossil record of life and love and joy.
What drew you to make Forest Lawn Cemetery such a central and dynamic element of the novel?
As a fundamental matter, I believe that ‘setting’ (as in ‘setting, plot, and character’ being the basic elements of a novel) can be—and ought to be—a character unto itself. Otherwise ‘setting’ is merely a backdrop, and stage dressing which leaves the plot and characters to do all the work. Why not make every setting a character? That’s what I try to do in all my books.
As to Forest Lawn specifically, I suppose at first it was the incongruity of the whole thing that made me write it as a dynamic force. Cemeteries are normally considered the ultimate in ‘static’—hardly dynamic . . . why, they’re full of dead people! But before they became cemeteries, they were something else entirely—fields or forests or farms—and thus their metamorphosis into burying grounds is clearly one element of a larger dynamic process of life, death, and change itself.
Georgia Moffatt is a compelling character. Was she based on anyone from history or your imagination, and what was your process for developing her strong-willed nature?
Thank you for saying so! Georgia Moffatt is not based on anyone past or present . . . like most of my characters, she knocked on the door of my subconscious as the book was beginning to take shape, and asked to have a chat with me. She challenged me to put myself in her shoes, and to try to understand the grief, frustration, and powerlessness she feels after her father sells off the beloved family orchard lands (and her presumed inheritance) to become a cemetery, of all things. She asked me to look out over what had been lush acres of trees that are now only stark rows of headstones . . .
So at the start, Georgia Moffatt is a very frustrated heiress—angry and sad about what she saw as her father’s act of destruction. As the story goes by, though, Georgia begins to notice the aching beauty of this eternal place of peace and rest as the result of an act of creation. As her eyes open, she begins to notice someone very close that she has overlooked for a very long time. And, most important of all, for the first time she begins to understand herself.
What allows Georgia to grow in all of these dimensions is her indomitable will to challenge and reconsider her own prior perceptions, assumptions, and beliefs. That kind of humble curiosity is, to my mind, one of humanity’s best and rarest qualities. That Georgia possesses it, and in quantity, will tell you a little about how much I admire her.
The novel balances lyrical descriptions with moments of humor and grit. How did you strike that balance, and were there any particular challenges in achieving it?
I try to write stories that touch on all dimensions of the human experience, and I think we can all agree that life itself is a mix of beauty, humor, and horror.
To achieve this comprehensiveness in prose, I approach writing books the way I would imagine that composers approach writing a symphony. Symphonies have slow movements and fast ones, and the music coaxes out different emotions at different times in the piece. So it is with a novel, or at least a good one . . . which to my mind is one that stirs a variety of passions, entices the reader to reflect, and offers up some good fun along the way.
Gritty scenes stir up passionate emotions—or release them cathartically. Lyrical passages, I think, create a mood conducive to contemplation, both about the deeper themes of both the story and of one’s own experience of life. And humorous bits provide the fun . . . and in books as in life, fun is very important!
As long as I can write ‘symphonic’ books that feature a number of different musicians (the characters) playing together in a particular place (the setting), I have infinite possibilities for thematic and melodic variation (the plot) along the way. And so long as life itself remains a mix of grit, beauty, and laughter which it always will—all I have to to is hold up a mirror to it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
From acclaimed author Robert Brighton comes a sweeping saga of mystery, love, and intrigue in “an epic in miniature.” This “achingly beautiful story” with compelling clues and buried secrets will prove irresistible to uncover.
Smuggler King George Eberly faces a dilemma—his shipments of whiskey, opium, and French photographs are being intercepted somewhere near the sprawling Forest Lawn Cemetery. And neither he nor his most trusted henchmen can devise a solution.
Until, that is, young Mary Carkriff arrives from Canada, eager to seek her fortune in the big city. George is immediately drawn to Mary—and to her expertise with codes and ciphers—and the new arrival soon becomes his indispensable First Mate.
Meanwhile, heiress Georgia Moffatt and her devoted right-hand man Christian Schamber watch powerlessly as the land that was once the Moffatt Orchards is slowly eaten up, an acre at a time, by progress—and profit.
Before long, a much bigger problem confronts both couples, when a band of resurrectionists—men who disinter freshly buried corpses to sell to medical schools—sets up operations in Forest Lawn. And they will stop at nothing, including murder, to achieve their unholy aim.
Soon nothing is safe in Forest Lawn—not even its dead—and these four unlikely friends are set on a collision course with ghouls for whom nothing is sacred.
The Phantom of Forest Lawn will keep you guessing until its unforgettable ending in this eternal story with mystery, romance, and a bit of humor that is “in a league of its own.”
Get your copy today! Perfect for book clubs and gifts, too.
Imperfect
Katy Motiey’s Imperfect is a poignant historical fiction novel that transports readers to the tumultuous era of 1970s Iran through the eyes of Vida, a mother trying to hold her family together as the world around her crumbles. Set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution, the story chronicles Vida’s struggles after losing her husband and navigating a culture where women, especially widows, are marginalized. The novel delicately balances themes of loss, resilience, and love, making it an emotional journey through a period of personal and national upheaval.
I absolutely loved how Motiey intertwined the personal with the political. Vida’s challenges as a widow in a rigidly patriarchal society gave the story an emotional weight that resonated deeply with me. Early in the book, the scene where Vida is left out of a wedding ceremony because she’s considered a “bad omen” hit me hard. The sheer injustice of it is infuriating, but it’s also a subtle way the book shows how women were often dismissed or disregarded. I couldn’t help but feel Vida’s anger and frustration. How could someone so strong, who had already suffered so much, still be viewed this way?
Motiey’s writing is vivid and immersive, making it easy to connect with Vida’s emotional world. One scene that stuck with me was when Vida reflects on her children’s future, wondering how she’ll raise them without their father. Her thoughts, while sitting in the back of a car passing through Tehran, painted such a vivid picture of her anxiety and isolation. The dirt on the roads, the thorny bushes blowing in the wind, I felt like it all mirrored her inner turmoil. The imagery is simple, but it’s so effective in pulling you into her mindset.
What also makes this book so gripping is the way it tackles the weight of cultural expectations. Vida’s internal struggles with oppressive societal norms often come to the forefront. You can feel the tension when she’s trying to secure her children’s future, particularly the part where she attempts to gain guardianship. Her interactions with her father-in-law, who seems more concerned with the color of his tea than her plea for independence, highlight just how stifling her environment can be. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of how culture can simultaneously nurture and trap its people.
If you are someone who enjoys women’s historical fiction that digs deep into personal and societal struggles, Imperfect is a must-read. It’s about a mother’s love, a widow’s fight for respect, and the courage it takes to forge a new path when everything you know is falling apart. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but one that leaves you feeling inspired.
Pages: 355 | ASIN : B0CZTPFBZF
When a Stranger Knocks
When a Stranger Knocks by Peggy Ann Shumway is a compelling blend of mystery and slice-of-life storytelling, elegantly weaving together themes of love, faith, and the complexities of human experience. The novel follows Joaquina, a young woman devastated by the brutal murder of her loved ones at the hands of a stranger. Haunted by trauma, she becomes wary of letting anyone new into her life. However, when two strangers unexpectedly arrive, Joaquina is torn between the hope for healing and the fear of further heartbreak. The novel poignantly explores whether these new arrivals will bring love and solace or only deepen her sorrow.
From the very first page, I was captivated by Shumway’s writing. The atmosphere is hauntingly eerie as the story begins, immediately drawing the reader into Joaquina’s world. The author’s ability to evoke empathy for the characters and their tragedies is remarkable, making their pain and struggles feel deeply personal. Each character is thoughtfully crafted, resonating with a sense of familiarity, but it was Noah’s character that truly stood out for me. His gentle and comforting presence adds a layer of calm to the narrative, leading to a bittersweet yet peaceful conclusion. The prose is exquisite, rich with metaphors and deeper meanings that make every sentence worth savoring. I found myself more engrossed in the beauty of the writing and the intricacies of the characters than the mystery itself, though the plot is equally engaging. One of the novel’s most enchanting aspects is its exploration of miracles and the way the characters’ stories are seamlessly intertwined. The narrative offers insightful reflections on faith and doubt, which are subtly woven through the characters’ experiences. The bond between Noah and Michael is particularly touching, adding warmth and authenticity to the story. The concept of strangers entering our lives and helping us overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges is both poignant and beautiful, almost like an angelic presence that arrives when needed most. The way these characters find each other at their lowest points is heartwarming, and despite the darker themes of murder and mystery, the prose maintains a gentle, comforting tone that reassures the reader.
The setting further enhances the novel’s slightly eerie atmosphere, leaving you wondering about the origins of the strangers and what they will bring next. The symbolism and meaningful resolution provide a fitting end to a beautifully written story. When a Stranger Knocks is a remarkable read, especially for those who appreciate descriptive, lyrical prose. It’s a book that resonates on multiple levels and lingers with you long after you’ve finished. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves richly crafted narratives with a focus on character and atmosphere.
Pages: 385 | ASIN : B0D6Q29L1C
Find the Courage to Keep Going
Big Love and War Horse follows a family in North Carolina at the start of WWII who struggle to heal from the death of their wife and mother and the secrets that have been kept hidden. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
We all have family stories we hear growing up. When we share them with others we gain new understandings and form new connections. I began writing Big Love and War Horse in 2015. Life has a way of happening though, and I could not work on my manuscript consistently. This delay benefited me greatly. As time went on I found more and more inspiration from hearing new family histories, and from the historical research I did for my book. With each bit I learned, the story naturally grew.
Although Big Love and War Horse is a work of fiction, many of the characters and stories within the book are loosely based on my family’s history. I will say the original inspiration for the novel was the death of my grandmother. She sadly took her own life when I was very young. All of us have experienced loss and grief during tumultuous times. I wanted to share the emotions of a broken family surviving the same adversities many of us face today. No matter where a person is from, or who they are, there will be moments in life where they need to find the courage to keep going.
What inspired and guided your thinking in telling this family’s story through the eyes of their beloved dogs, and how did you get into the mindset to do this?
Sometimes I think no one knows you like your pets do. Anyone who has a dog can tell you about the unconditional love their furry friend has for them. For a lot of us, our dogs are with us during some of our most vulnerable moments. They witness us in private when no one else is around. I truly believe they share our joy and empathize with our pain. Although she has passed now, my Great Pyrenees, Big Love, was always a comfort to me. My Doberman, War Horse, is still always at my side. I have often wondered what my dogs are thinking as they experience life with me. I think a lot of people wonder about that. It seemed only fitting to add the dogs’ perspectives. I felt telling parts of the story through the eyes of Big Love and War Horse added a level of intimacy and understanding that we would not otherwise have.
As for getting into the mindset to write from the dogs’ perspectives, it wasn’t much different than developing my other characters. That may sound funny, but I had to imagine what it would be like if I were a dog. I live on a small farm, so I spend much of my time surrounded by animals. I actually have six dogs. All of them have very different personalities. I spent time observing each of them and learning to understand their behaviors.
Writing from Big Love and War Horse’s perspective was one of my favorite parts of writing this novel. Even during the heaviest moments in the book, I found writing from the dogs’ perspectives refreshing. A dog’s actions are based solely on survival, loyalty, and love. They have the freedom to be who they are with an unbridled spirit.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
All of us in some way have felt the impact of war, financial crisis, racial injustice, or the loss of a loved one, just as the Deacon family does in the novel. I wanted to write a story reminding us of the strength of family bonds and the unwavering friendships that lift us up in our darkest moments. There were many themes I explored and touched upon as I wrote. Jonas and Kay coming of age through tragedy, Luke questioning his self-worth and morals, Linnie weighing what is good versus evil as she tries to find her place in the world, and of course, the unconditional love and loyalty of Big Love and War Horse were just a few themes I felt were important. Most of all, I hoped my novel would be a story of love, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity, where justice and redemption give the readers hope.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I spend a lot of my time writing. I love to explore new genres, and I always let my creativity take me where it wants to. I have several children’s picture books written that I am hoping to publish. I have three novel ideas I am outlining and researching for future projects. Currently, I am working on two different manuscripts. The first is a children’s chapter book that tells the fictitious life story of a crow. However, my main focus is on a novel I am co-authoring with my husband. The genre is contemporary literary fiction. This next book will be a comedy. Be prepared to laugh as much as you probably cried while reading Big Love and War Horse. I am uncertain when my next book will be available, but be on the lookout for The Summer Beard.
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Abandoned by their father, Luke, after the sudden death of their mother, fifteen-year-old Jonas and his younger sister Kay are coming of age in a world shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty. Luke’s sister Linnie steps in to help mend the broken family, but haunted by her own hidden truths, her life is shattered by the past.
Through the intimate perspectives of the Deacon family and their dogs, this intricately woven tale of tragedy and love reminds us of the power of the human spirit to rise above seemingly impossible circumstances.
Big Love and War Horse: a novel
Big Love and War Horse, by Shallen Anne Chitwood, is a compelling novel that captivates readers with its fast-paced, thrilling plot. Uniquely narrated by the family’s two dogs—Big Love and War Horse—the story delves deeply into their thoughts and emotions, weaving together a fascinating and intricate narrative. Set in 1942 against the backdrop of the Second World War, the novel centers on the Deacon family in North Carolina. After the sudden death of their mother, Jonas and his younger sister Kay must shoulder new responsibilities as their father succumbs to alcohol to cope with his grief. Their dogs become a source of strength and unity for the family, guiding them through their adversities. As the Deacon family leans on one another for support, long-held secrets threaten to unravel their fragile peace.
Big Love and War Horse is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the gut-wrenching aftermath of grief, ultimately leading to acceptance and healing. The narrative also addresses the pervasive racism and segregation of the era, portraying a powerful message of breaking barriers and hope for a future where love knows no boundaries. The novel’s twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats, piecing together the past and anticipating the story’s resolution.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is the way Chitwood intricately weaves the dogs’ perspectives into the narrative. This unique storytelling approach not only adds depth to the narrative but also evokes a strong emotional response from the reader. The author’s ability to convey the dogs’ feelings and thoughts in such a relatable manner is truly commendable.
The depiction of the Deacon family’s struggles is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Jonas, at just fifteen, and his younger sister Kay are forced to grow up quickly in the absence of their parents. The portrayal of their bond, especially highlighted in scenes like Jonas’s harsh but ultimately loving reprimand of Kay after a hunting trip, showcases Chitwood’s talent in developing complex, realistic characters. Their journey of coping with loss and finding solace in each other and their loyal dogs is poignantly written, making it easy for readers to empathize with their plight.
Big Love and War Horse is a beautifully written novel that combines a unique narrative style with powerful themes of love, loss, and resilience. Chitwood’s ability to draw readers into the emotional world of the Deacon family through the eyes of their dogs is both innovative and deeply moving. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, animal narratives, and stories that tug at the heartstrings.
Pages: 208 | ASIN : B0D6RR9Z77
LITERARY TITAN 