In A Deadly Game, a mother finds herself helping search for her son’s missing friend while also fighting to clear her son’s name. Where did the idea for this novel come from?

After watching the show, Your Honor, starring Brian Cranston on Showtime, I asked myself the question, “How far would I be willing to go to protect my son?” My son was a senior in high school at the time, and I thought with him going off to college, so many things can go wrong. After all, the front cerebral cortex isn’t fully developed until they’re twenty-five. Mix in alcohol, peer pressure, and college shenanigans, and who knows what can go wrong?

What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

I think we are vulnerable at our very core, and although we have rules to follow, deep down, at times, we wish we could act against our morals in order to achieve a particular outcome. It’s almost like the angel and devil on our shoulders. We know what we should do, but we know what we want to do, and sometimes, they are not the same. And as a parent loving their child unconditionally, this fine line becomes even blurrier.

What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?

I wanted the characters to struggle with what they wanted to do and with what they knew they should do, putting them in moral quandaries. For the characters I want the reader to have empathy with, I played on this a little bit more. For the antagonists, I didn’t adhere to moral guidelines as much. This way, the reader won’t have as much empathy and sympathy for them.

What story are you currently in the middle of writing?

Ironically, I’ve switched gears and am working on the first book in a series about a teacher turned professional bridesmaid (yes, that’s a thing––a very lucrative thing if you do a good job!). While running from her problems at home, she gets her first break at a wedding in Vegas, but when she wakes up in an unfamiliar place, unable to recall what happened to her, one thing after another falls apart with the wedding plans spiraling out of control. Now, it’s up to Avery to fix everything, while keeping it from the bride and determining who is sabotoging the plans. It’s a comedy mixed with some suspense and mystery. The working title is (Un)lucky in Las Vegas––An Avery Montgomery, Bridesmaid for Hire Novel.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/26/vulnerable-at-our-very-core/

In Sir Dee-O-Gee, readers follow an elderly widow as her life is transformed by the introduction of a pit bull into her otherwise mundane life. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

To put it simply, I, myself, am a disabled senior. (Though I’ve always been disabled, my disability is not in my hands.)

How do you capture the thoughts and emotions of a character like Anna Saint Anne?

To make her truly understood, I had to “learn hands.” I would attempt to notice every day whenever I used my hands and then turn whatever I was doing backwards. In as much as asking, “What if my hands didn’t work? How would I achieve this small goal?” After a few weeks of this mental exercise, she just flowed from the pen.

I wrote the mourning parts quite raw. I was in mourning when I wrote this book. I was literally mourning our pit bull, Sir. He lived to be eighteen years old. It seems such a long life, until they’re gone.

My best advice to anyone who knows someone who is mourning a pet, it’s never JUST a dog. Any pet is cherished like one’s own flesh. To speak it fairly, nothing transforms a broken heart like a dog.

If I am to be remembered fondly, I pray let it be by a dog.

What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?

I tried to show support for the Seniors for Seniors program at the pounds. It allows seniors to adopt senior dogs with no fee. I also wanted to show how important this “unconditional love”, the company, and meaningful expansion of everyday life is. In truth, even if the only change to one’s life is walking the dog, it still serves to create a new experience and a new freedom. It is also an excellent chance to speak to neighbors and to literally, “Get out of your own head.”

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

I’m working on a comedy series for tweens and up. I’ve nearly finished the second book in the series. However, these are still in edits, so there is no way to release a publication date. The first in the series is titled, The Knight, The Pig- wizard And The Dragon. If you like clean comedy, look for it in 2024.

Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/26/its-never-just-a-dog/

Dialogues with the Wise Woman follows a lonely man in search of answers as he connects with a psychologist who guides him toward better and more philosophically-based life choices. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

George Sistern is my alter ego. I was scammed by a con artist, and like George, I also have a lot of trouble “letting go.”…which is highly destructive. Like I explain in the book, we can take every precaution to make sure we never get into a situation like this. But other than learning from it, we cannot undo what has already happened. By constantly obsessing and reliving the situation, we hurt ourselves more than our perpetrators did…and by doing so, we grant them enormous power over us.

I decided to write this book as a catharsis. I’m sure that others have experienced the same feelings of shame and guilt, and subjected themselves to massive self-flagellation…even if they were too embarrassed to admit it to anyone.

There was clearly 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?

I wanted my readers to feel George’s pain – especially if they have experienced similar situations. I also wanted to let them know that they are not alone – even if it might seem that way at the time. I invented Mildred as the ideal therapist that I would like to see – if one like this existed. She had a PhD in psychology and philosophy, so she could address raw, overpowering emotions, but at the same time, incorporate iron-clad logic and offer practical and tangible solutions. She was loving, compassionate, understanding, and someone who you could comfortably share anything with without worrying about being judged. But at the same time, she was no-nonsense and solution-based. Visiting her Mercer St. office would not only represent a physical pilgrimage, but a psychological and philosophical one.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Even in the most dire circumstances, there are some things that even our most wicked oppressors cannot take from us. Victor Frankl proved this in Man’s Search for Meaning. People like Natan Sharansky have also proved this. No matter what physical and psychological abuse an oppressor can subject us to, they can’t take away our self-esteem and our attitude. Just like the term implies, it comes from the self. I also wanted to convey that if we’ve done something wrong, are truly sorry for it, try to make restitution, and vow never to do it again, then these incidents don’t define us. The reason people who have done things which were wrong feel so bad is because they have a conscience. That is what separates us from evil people. Evil people not only enjoy inflicting pain and suffering, but they seek out opportunities to do so. Good people will make mistakes. That is the price all of us pay for being human. But good people do not violate their moral code.

George’s story has all the makings of an engaging series. Can we expect to see more from you?

I’m flattered if some people would like to read a series, but I honestly hadn’t thought about it. I do know that I definitely have more books in me. I think it is great if an author can express ideas, provide food for thought (with maybe a new way of looking at things), and make his readers think about and contemplate important issues…even if they don’t agree with everything he writes. If I can provide help and inspiration at the same time, and really “make a difference,” that would make me very happy. But right now, I’m going to take a little respite. This has been an enormous undertaking, especially for an obsessive-compulsive guy like me.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/26/a-catharsis/

Cameron Dean P. I. to the Deceased follows a man investigating the accident that almost killed him while he grapples with helping a man only he can see. Where did the idea for this book come from?

I was writing the Polish Dragon P.I. series when the idea of having a spirit from beyond needing a private detective popped into my head. Not wanting to take the Polish Dragon down a different path, I decided to create a new character and have him work with the spirits from the other side. Plus, I have always been intrigued by ghost stories and people who say they can communicate with the dead. I also wrote it simultaneously with the Polish Dragon P. I. The Missing Gambler. Both books are intertwined with the same storyline.​

Did you plan the tone and direction of Detective Dean’s story, or did it come out organically as you were writing?

It came out organically as I was writing this story. The difficult part was making sure that this story fell in line with the Polish Dragon story which I mentioned above. The Cameron Dean story is told in the first person, and the Polish Dragon is told in the third, and I had to make sure the writing style was reflected properly in each storyline. Sometimes things would pop into my head that helped me write the story, and I was wondering if I was actually getting help from beyond. I do believe that our loved ones still look down on us and help us whenever they can.

Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your characters’ lives?

I always try to put into each story some things from my own life. They might be places where I grew up, schools that I attended, or businesses or things from the old neighborhood that no longer exist. Some people have actually mentioned that when they read my books. Especially people that I grew up with and relatives. For me, adding something personal makes the story more believable.

I find a problem in well-written stories, in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?

I have been considering doing another book which is why I ended this one the way I did. It more than likely will be after the holidays, though. It would mean writing two series at the same time. That may prove to be quite a challenge. Cameron Dean P. I. to the Deceased and The Polish Dragon P. I. series, one for the spirit world and one for the day-to-day world.

Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/26/spirits-from-the-other-side/

Daniel Petronelli’s The Seed of Faith: A Christmas Miracle is a Christmas story of faith and hope. A drought has plagued the little town of Shiloh. There is no water, and there are no Christmas trees, and the villagers don’t know which one is worse. A spirited group of boys takes it upon themselves to sneak over the mountain to the town on the other side. They plan to take home a Christmas tree, but a terrible blizzard interrupts up their plan. Stuck in the blizzard, the boys find themselves panicking. A mysterious figure soon appears and gives them a helping hand. His help becomes significant for the whole village in ways they never expected.

The book is well-written with fun page borders and pleasing illustrations that add depth to the storytelling. It’s a heartwarming story–exactly the kind you’d want to read with children around the Christmas season. It speaks about God and about how faith can be found in even the most trying moments. Its wholesome content makes this a must-read for families.

The Seed of Faith: A Christmas Miracle is a high-quality children’s book with a narrative that embodies the essence of Christmas. It’s a story that reminds us of the importance of faith, hope, and kindness during the holiday season. Its combination of well-crafted storytelling, engaging illustrations, and a meaningful message makes it special. This children’s book is a delightful addition to any Christmas reading list. The Seed of Faith: A Christmas Miracle is a wonderful gift for children and adults alike, spreading the joy and magic of Christmas throughout its pages.

Pages: 74 | ISBN : 978-1737485513

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/11/26/the-seed-of-faith-a-christmas-miracle/