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Built On More Than Teen Romance
Forced Apart follows two teens bound by first love and fierce loyalty as they struggle to stay connected through upheaval, grief, and the painful process of growing up. What inspired the introspective, dual-perspective style that lets readers live inside Cali and Sky’s thoughts?
Cali and Sky have been the key figures in this series on two kids growing up in a suburb of a large American city. I wanted boys and girls who read the series to relate to Sky and Cali and to try to make some of their concerns (Sky’s and Cali’s) typical for American teens. So, logically it seemed fruitful to present the thoughts and emotions from the female and the male point of view.
Luckily, these two fictional teens have knowledgeable and invested parents as do many of their friends, and consequently some of the teen challenges, especially sexual developments, are addressed with insight by the parents. Those adult perspectives were more pronounced in the earlier books because young teens need more parental input. In the two books in the series when Cali and Sky are in ninth grade (Not Just Another Brick in the Wall and Facing Revenge), they are more on their own, depend more on consultation and advice from peers as, typical for teens, they break away from a desire for parental involvement.
In Forced Apart, there is the gradual growth on the part of the teens in forging a more adult-to-adult relationship with parents. Examples of this new relationship are evident in Forced Apart when Cali and Shelly Snipe form a supportive bond as they face adjusting to a new life separated from their personal relationships back in Ohio. Sky has a similar supportive and working relationship with his mom and his stepfather as he deals with living closely with Marcie Meadows.
How did you balance the emotional core of the story with the background elements of danger and past trauma, such as the kidnappings?
Sky and Cali would hope that kidnappings are a thing of the past, but what they learned from their traumatic experiences has made them resilient, crafty, and determined to help anyone else who’s path they might cross who is faced with injustice and criminal intent. Although they are now dealing with emotional despair over their separation, they continue to find ways to support and encourage each other. Their bond has been built on more than teen romance.
The friend group feels like a second family. How did you approach writing their loyalty and messy humor to keep the story from becoming too heavy?
The fact of teen suicide looms too large in today’s teen world. Kids who forego suicide as an answer to emotional isolation and humiliation are usually ones who have a network of supportive and knowledgeable friends. Sky and Cali give insight and support to their friends and in return receive the same. Humor helps grease the friendship wheels but there has been a growing unshakeable support when Sky and Cali desperately need it. Teens need to value friendship and to invest personally in building and maintaining friendships.
If you could add one more scene to further highlight the theme of “surviving change,” what moment would you explore?
I should have had a scene where Cali and Sky meet again, during their separation, and before the need to rescue Solina. Probably they would meet again at the stadium of their high school. They needed a face-to-face where they could vent their frustration over being apart but have a chance to express why they were experiencing such emotional loss. To express the ways that their friendship has been important and undeniably crucial in their successful transitioning from teen to adult. Maybe if there is one final book in the series, Sky and Cali may have that conversation when they graduate and go separate ways.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Cali’s mom must deal with a problematic relationship and one of Cali’s new classmates faces difficult choices because of her toxic and dysfunctional family. Skyler finds himself in a confusing supportive role to a troubled female classmate that puts him at odds with Cali. As in the past, Cali and Sky continue to grow and encounter adventures and dangers that they had not expected to face during their junior year in high school.
Protecting Friends
Facing Revenge follows a group of high school friends who are dealing with normal teen life till two boys decide to take revenge on classmates, leading to a kidnapping. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Cali and Sky made Clair Ransom’s acquaintance back in seventh grade when Cali saw some boys harassing Clair but she was not sure why they were doing the bullying. When she confronted Clair, she discovered that Clair had Tourette’s and was being mocked by other students who were clueless about the malady. She involved Sky with helping Clair deal with his Tourette symptoms and with his lack of confidence because of his malady. As they got to know Clair better, Sky and Cali found that he was intelligent, creative, and had a dry sense of humor that made developing a meaningful friendship with Clair worth their time. Sky and his wrestling and football buddies also developed a brotherly relationship with Clair. Sky, Cali, and their friends have been protective of Clair ever since those early days in junior high.
Now when Cali, Sky, and their ninth-grade friends enter senior high school, students who are not familiar with Clair’s Tourette symptoms, his strange tics, again initiate bullying behavior. Sky and his football friends are prepared to be protective of Clair and when an incident occurs during an early-in-the-school-year lunchroom, Clair’s friends quickly come to his aid. The incident of clueless bullying is typical of modern high school drama. In this instance, when Sky and friends intervene on Clair’s behalf, their protective act humiliates the bullies and a sequence of events then occurs where the bullies want revenge but their choice of revenge escalates to a high level.
While Skyler and Cali keep finding themselves in situations involving trouble and crime, that is not all that shapes who they are as teens. What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight the character’s development?
Cali and Sky continue to deal with their difficulty, their confusion about their sexual desires. Part of their psyche knows that sexual desires are normal, but part of their decision making in this area continues to be influenced by several factors: of the influence of cultural expectations; and of their knowledge that becoming sexually involved could make their future relationship difficult and taxing. What if they break up? What if they fall in love with someone else? How will they feel when they must go separate ways after high school but have had an intense sexual relationship? These concerns will continue to influence their relationship as they approach their 12th grade-year and their eventual graduation from high school.
What is your background and experience, and how did it help you write this story?
I spent twenty years as a high school counselor in a public high school. Teen sexual dilemmas and bullying far outweighed academic concerns that kids would present to me during personal counseling sessions. Also paramount in teen life was the contrast in how parents would deal with their teen child especially in the areas of self esteem and dating complexities.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Forced Apart is now available. A typical situation in the life of a teen occurs. Parents have the opportunity to further their careers but to seize the opportunity means moving to a new city. Cali and Sky are forced to live apart and their separation presents new challenges with which the two teens must cope. How will they handle the separation? And what about that teen’s parents? Will the relocation present challenges for the parents also? Will the teen who must relocate be able to develop new and meaningful friendships? Will the teen left behind find a new romance? And what if a new danger develops to put one of them at risk? Will friends, new and old, be once again instrumental in helping Sky and Cali cope with the challenges of not attending the same high school and not in daily contact with one another? Forced Apart will fit with the preceding novels as these two modern day teens cope with challenges that often do arise in adolescent life in America.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
These situations are typical for current high school students until two boys, ruminating on a public embarrassment, decide to take revenge to a dangerous level. Maybe the remainder of their freshman year at Parkington North won’t be as manageable as Sky and Cali expected.
Aries I – The King of Mars
Aries I – The King of Mars tells the story of a father and son who leave behind a life marked by loss to help build humanity’s first permanent colony on Mars. The book follows young Aries Karalis from the trauma of his mother’s death through his relentless training, his complicated bond with his father, and the discovery of his own purpose as the colony faces danger and, ultimately, its fight for independence. The novel grows from a quiet, personal beginning into a full epic about identity, loyalty, survival, and the creation of a new world.
I felt pulled in by the emotional weight of the story more than the science itself. The writing is straightforward and clear, and it avoids getting bogged down in technical talk. Scenes that deal with loss felt raw. The father–son conflict felt honest in a way that caught me off guard. Even when the plot moved into bigger action, the heart of the book stayed centered on relationships and the messy way people try to do the right thing while carrying their grief. I liked that the story never pretended that bravery comes clean or easy. Instead, it showed how fear and love can sit side by side and still push someone forward.
I also enjoyed how the book handled Mars as a place. It didn’t feel cold or distant for long. As the colony grew, the planet became something alive, something worth fighting for, and I found myself rooting for these characters as if I knew them. Some moments felt almost cinematic, like the chants echoing through the colony halls or the quiet scenes of Aries watching the Martian sunset with Skye and their newborn son. Those were the chapters that I really enjoyed. They were simple scenes but full of meaning. If anything, I sometimes wished the prose loosened up a bit more because the emotional parts were strongest then.
The story ties together themes of family, leadership, sacrifice, and the strange hope that comes from starting over. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi, especially anyone who likes stories about growth and resilience more than hard mechanics. It’s a great pick for teens, educators, or adults who want a hopeful and heartfelt look at what it might take to build a new world.
Pages: 224 | ASIN : B0FVHQYS3R
Amongst Embers and Ashes
Amongst Embers and Ashes tells the story of Scarlet, a girl raised on an isolated farm who learns she is a pyro elemental. Her quiet life collapses as secrets spill open. She is taken from the only home she has known and thrown into a kingdom where politics, power, and fear swirl around her. The book follows her as she meets the other elementals, discovers the truth behind her past, and feels the weight of a world that both wants and fears her. The tale blends magic, trauma, and coming-of-age moments into a journey that keeps tilting between warm hope and sharp dread.
I felt swept up right away. The writing has this fast pulse to it, almost like Scarlet’s own nerves buzzing under the surface. Scenes crackle with emotion. Little moments hit hard, such as Scarlet lighting her fingertips so she can see in the dark, or the tight, bitter silence that fills the farmhouse during dinner. The dialogue feels natural and messy. People talk over each other. They misunderstand each other. I found that refreshing. The story leans into the confusion of being young and scared, and the author does not tidy it up. Sometimes Scarlet’s thoughts spiral in a way that feels raw and very emotional.
I liked the theme of being labeled dangerous before you even understand who you are. Scarlet’s guilt sits like a stone in her chest, and I could feel its weight while reading. The contrast between her rough farm life and the polished castle made me think about how power works and who gets to feel safe. I also enjoyed the mix of elemental magic with political tension. It gave the world a lot of texture, even in quiet scenes. The pacing is fast, and the energy of the story pulled me along, and I found myself caring more about the characters than the neatness of the plot. That says a lot about how well the emotional core is written.
This book would be great for readers who love character-driven fantasy, especially those who enjoy stories about teens pushed into roles they never asked for. If you like magic mixed with messy feelings, or if you want a tale that hits close to the heart, then Amongst Embers and Ashes is an easy recommendation.
Pages: 362 | ASIN : B0F2ZFDN9W
The Atlas of Elsewhere
The Atlas of Elsewhere follows Elsie Vine, a quiet librarian whose life has grown too small for her spirit, even if she has not admitted that to herself yet. When a mysterious atlas appears in her library, filled with living maps and impossible worlds, it pulls her into a journey that is as much inward as outward. Each realm she enters reflects a part of her identity. Scale, emotion, memory, choice. All of it blends into a story that feels half fantasy and half self-examination. It is a tale about possibility, courage, and the stubborn tenderness of becoming someone new.
I loved how the story plays with imagination in a practical world. The magical pieces feel warm and handmade. Nothing grand in a showy way. More like pockets of wonder stitched into the edges. I kept getting caught on the gentle humor, too. The philosophical beetle made me grin, and the Cartographer made me feel oddly comforted. I kept thinking about all the places in my own life where I have chosen the chair instead of the door.
The emotional honesty kept pulling me back to this book again and again. The fragility in Elsie’s choices felt real. The regret, the soft longing, the almost childlike ache to believe that something impossible might still be waiting. I got swept up in it. I found myself rooting for her, not in a heroic way, but in a human way. I wanted her to remember her own size. I wanted her to walk through every door, even when it scared her. The writing made me feel that, and it has been a while since a book did that so simply and directly.
The Atlas of Elsewhere reminded me a bit of The Night Circus in the way quiet magic slips into ordinary life and stirs something deep and unexpected. I would recommend The Atlas of Elsewhere to anyone who loves quiet fantasy, reflective journeys, or soft magic that grows out of everyday life. It is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven tales and for anyone who has ever felt stuck in their own routine and wondered what might happen if they finally picked the door instead of the chair.
Pages: 198 | ASIN : B0FRC44BRZ
Students on the Margins
The Elephant in the Ivy follows a theater student at an Ivy League campus whose playful interdepartmental spy game blurs into real danger, exposing how performance, power, and privilege shape identity and loss. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had a couple of influences here. First, I had some students a long time ago when I was a middle school teacher that really inspired me. I wanted to imagine what they’d be like in college, and the whole set-up is a metaphor for the kinds of challenges that students on the margins face. Second, I currently teach at a community college, working with students that are often coming back to school after a long break. This population benefits from reassurance that they are “real” college students, that this community is here for them. Alison is a scholarship student in the Ivy League. Her feeling out of place and finding her own ground to stand on– that’s something I see a lot from community college students.
How did your background or observations of academic life influence the book’s tone and details?
College can be a setting where marginalized populations don’t feel welcome. A lot of that comes from the standard dialect being enforced in classrooms. I learned to talk like my teachers and my privileged peers when I was a scholarship student, but I never felt that ownership of the space that others seemed to feel. With Alison, I wanted to show the audience what outsiders feel like in this setting. It’s only when she stumbles upon the game that she starts to see the university as her own space. I think college can be a wonderful place to find your footing, to find something you’re passionate about that makes you want to dig your heels in. For me, it was building sets for the theatre department.
The novel balances humor with real grief and danger. How did you know when to let scenes stay light and when to let them turn dark?
My default is probably light. I’m a funny person, and I make light of most everything. I think there’s even some good jokes in the scene where Alison has to mother her mother. I make the case that Hamlet could be a comedy if you played it for laughs. I actually did that. I played Hamlet and hammed up the stuff I thought was funny. The local papers didn’t like it much, but I did get laughs. The world has light moments and sobering ones, too. I guess I just tried to be Rainbow Rowell during the hard ones, and P. G. Wodehouse the rest of the time. Taking a low-stakes thing and giving it higher stakes by making characters want what they want even harder– that’s a Wodehous move, I think.
What conversations do you hope students, educators, or first-time readers have after finishing the book?
Well, I very much hope I covered the bases of the stuff that’s in literature. Something to say, and a long-form story that says it. A nice mix of passages, characters, and literary devices that serve as metaphors for the big ideas. I’m hoping that the book being free is helpful so that classrooms can take advantage and have one less hurdle to take on. I hope they read it in class and then just stop when it reminds them of something– a life experience, another story, a concept from class. And that they chat about that a bit, and then move on. I think that’s what it takes to become a stronger reader: a place and time dedicated to reading, a community to read with, and someone to talk to about the book.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Alison Ashe is a junior at Bauer. A scholarship kid, a theatre major, strapped for cash and even more strapped for time; she’s easily annoyed and something about her privileged peers really wigs her out. But unlike most of her peers, Alison has an outlet where starting on third base doesn’t do anyone any favors. Ancient and secret, Bauer is home to a spy game of sorts. A game where all that matters is that your wits are sharp and you’re willing to take big risks. And, of course, who you trust.
All proceeds for The Elephant in the Ivy are used to purchase books for classrooms. Teachers are invited to reach out to the author to participate in this program.
Praise for The Elephant in the Ivy:
“It’s a real book!” -Danyelle Khmara, Arizona Public Media
“A rollicking heist of a book. Alison Ashe will trick you, and you’ll thank her for it.” -Grace Olsen, WMHC Radio
Written with support from Pima Open Digital Press, an open educational resource initiative at Pima Community College.
The Elephant in the Ivy
The Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard is a playful campus spy story that blends secret games, academic life, and personal loss. The book follows Alison Ashe, a theater student at an Ivy League school, who plays a hidden espionage game between departments. What starts as lighthearted intrigue grows into something darker. Stakes rise. Friendships strain. Death becomes real. The story moves through classrooms, quads, dorms, and late-night walks while asking how much performance and pretense shape real life.
I enjoyed the writing style a lot. It felt loose and confident. The voice has humor and warmth. I laughed often. I also felt a pit in my stomach more than once. The dialogue snaps. The inner thoughts feel honest and messy. I liked how the book never tried to sound smart for the sake of it. It trusted the reader. The pacing worked for me. Some scenes flew by. Others lingered in a good way. I felt close to Alison.
I kept thinking about performance and identity when reading this book. Everyone in the story plays a role. Students act like spies. Professors play at authority. Institutions play at fairness. The game mirrors real power structures and privilege. That resonated with me. The book talks about gender and class without lecturing. It just shows you. I felt anger at times. I felt joy too. I liked that the book respected fun and silliness while still taking emotions seriously. That balance is hard, and the author pulled it off.
I would recommend The Elephant in the Ivy to readers who want something smart. It is great for people easing back into reading. It is also good for students and educators who enjoy stories about school life with a twist. If you like humor, secret worlds, and characters who feel real and flawed, this book is worth your time.
Pages: 167 | ASIN: B0FXS7BVPK
Forced Apart
Forced Apart follows Calista Snipe and Skyler McCray as they face the toughest challenge of their young lives. Cali’s family circumstances pull her away from Parkington, away from her friends, and away from Sky. The story blends teen romance, grief, loyalty, and the strange mix of fear and hope that comes with growing up. Most of the book lives inside Cali and Sky’s thoughts, and it shows how two smart teens try to hang on to each other while the world pulls at them. The plot stretches from the shock of unexpected separation to the daily grind of starting over in a new town, all while their old group of friends tries to keep their bond alive. Even with kidnappings in the characters’ past and danger never far away, the heart of the book is emotional rather than violent. It feels more about surviving change than surviving threats.
The writing style felt open and honest, almost like reading a long personal letter from two teenagers who speak before they filter anything. Sometimes the pages run hot with emotion. Other times, they slow down to simple moments like sitting in a car or walking up a hill. I liked that shift in pace. It pulled me in because it felt real. Life for these characters is loud one minute and quiet the next. I did wish, at times, for shorter scenes or tighter dialogue. Still, the sincerity in the writing won me over. The author clearly understands how teens overthink everything and still try to sound brave.
The ideas inside the book struck me more than the plot itself. The loneliness of being uprooted. The heavy tug of first love. The fear of losing the people who make you feel safe. Those themes sat with me long after I finished reading. I felt frustrated for Cali as she tried to be mature about the choices her parents made, even when those choices broke her heart. I felt Sky’s emptiness when he tried to fill the silence she left behind. The book reminded me how fragile teens can be and how strong they become when they figure out who they want to be in the middle of all that pressure. I also appreciated the look into friendships that feel like family. The group around Cali and Sky is full of loyalty and messy humor. Those moments softened the sadness and made the story feel fuller.
I would recommend Forced Apart to readers who enjoy emotional coming-of-age stories, especially ones that lean into romance and friendship. Teens who like character-driven books will connect with Cali and Sky. Adults who work with teens may also find value here. The book would speak most to anyone who has been forced to start over in a new place and felt the ache of leaving people behind.
Pages: 374 | ASIN: B0FRNN1R22
LITERARY TITAN 