Writing 'Shakespeare, Ohio' was my way of wrestling with the idea that human nature hasn’t changed much since the Bard’s time. I grew up in a rural area where feuds between families could last generations, and romantic scandals were the talk of the town. It mirrored the stakes of Shakespeare’s works, just with pickup trucks instead of swords.
I also drew inspiration from my theater background. Directing community plays showed me how everyday people could embody these grand, flawed characters. The book’s protagonist, for instance, is loosely based on a local farmer whose life had this quiet, tragic dignity.
Another layer came from my fascination with how small decisions ripple into huge consequences—something Shakespeare mastered. The novel’s central conflict, a land dispute, escalates like 'King Lear,' where pride destroys everything. I wanted readers to feel that same gut punch, but in a world they recognize.
the spark for 'Shakespeare, Ohio' came from a weirdly specific moment: watching a high school football game in my hometown. The rival teams had this over-the-top hatred that felt like 'Romeo and Juliet' if the Montagues and Capulets wore letterman jackets. I started wondering how Shakespeare’s themes would play out in a place where everyone knows each other’s business.
I’m also a sucker for adaptations that twist classics into something fresh, like '10 Things I Hate About You' did for 'The Taming of the Shrew.' My goal was to take that energy but ground it in the messy reality of rural America—where love and ambition collide with church potlucks and farming seasons. The book’s humor and heartbreak both grew from that contrast.
I've always been fascinated by how small towns carry these hidden layers of drama and passion, much like Shakespearean plays. 'Shakespeare, Ohio' was born from that obsession—I wanted to capture the intensity of human emotions in a setting that seems ordinary but is anything but. The idea struck me after visiting a tiny Midwest town where gossip spread like wildfire, and everyone had a secret. It felt like a modern-day 'Macbeth' or 'Othello,' with all the betrayal and love triangles. I mixed that with my love for blending classic themes into contemporary stories, and voilà—the book became a love letter to both small-town life and timeless tragedies.
2025-08-23 12:19:48
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Our Marriage, Divorce and Love
Uniquely Yours
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On their wedding day, a handsome groom and his beautiful bride said, "I Do." Their hearts were fluttering with pure joy! They had married the love of their life!
Is this what I experience? No, this is not that story. You see, love didn't become apparent until after my divorce. I can't wait to tell you how it all transpired. It's a riveting sweet romance novel. No cliffhangers, but a good read! Happy ending? You'll have to read it to find out.
"Custom demanded that Prince Urban get a love mark tattooed to the side of his left eye as an infant, just like the rest of his people, but to him, the stupid things have only brought on the scorn of his father, the misery of his siblings, and caused his entire kingdom to go broke from fighting so many wars over the irritating ink stains.
When Urban’s sister must travel to Donnelly, the kingdom within the sand, for her arranged marriage to align two realms, he goes with her. But he no sooner steps foot inside their castle than his mark starts itching like a son of a bitch, telling him his one true love is near.
It just figures, though, that the woman meant for him is completely forbidden. Now he must decide if he should ignore the persistent mark, telling him she's the one, in order to avoid a possible war between kingdoms, or if he should discover whether she's worth risking everything for so they can be together. Either way, his life gets sucked into chaos with threats of beheadings, dark magic lurking, castle traitors scheming, and sword fights eminent.
Who knew one little tattoo could cause so much trouble?
(ONE TRUE LOVE is the author’s first attempt at a fantasy romance. Please forgive her; she might’ve read an overabundance of Cassandra Gannon, Sarah J. Maas, and Eve Langlais books, then gone off to watch too many episodes of Supernatural, Game of Thrones, and Outlander, because this was the outcome.)"
My Three Loves
This is the powerful, personal account of my journey and the vital lessons learned through three pivotal loves.
My First Love, Kaden, taught me how to love openly. The relationship with Raymond, the dark Lesson, shattered my self-worth, forcing me to find the strength to survive and establish boundaries. I found my Coming Home in Noah, a steady, inevitable return who became my anchor for healing.
Together, we rebuilt our lives, culminating in the birth of our children. The story affirms that every past heartbreak and choice was necessary, proving that nothing, in the end, was wasted.
For five years, I paved the way for my wife, Samantha Cole.
After helping her resolve the company's troubles one last time, I called her and asked, "Darling, I'm so cold. Can you come home and hug me?"
On the other end of the phone, Samantha had only just pulled herself away from a moment of intimacy with her young lover, Oliver White. When she finally answered, her voice was impatient. "Joshua Davidson, will it kill you to stop being so dramatic?"
Indeed, it would. I slammed the phone down and then died on our bed.
Later, Samantha—the woman who had kept me trapped in that lonely house for five years—held my portrait in her arms and finally learned what regret felt like.
Three years ago, I destroyed us with one article.
Ethan Hayes — NHL captain, billionaire, the man I loved — looked at me like I was a stranger. Then he banished me from his world.
Now I'm back. Not by choice. A scandal is brewing, and my career demands I get close to him again. But the man I meet isn't the one I left. He's colder. Harder. And engaged to a woman who smiles like she's hiding bodies.
"You work for me now," he says. "Break a rule. See what happens."
I should hate him. I do hate him.
But at midnight, when he thinks I'm asleep, I hear him whisper my name through the wall.
Then I find the file. My hospital record. Altered. And a nurse's anonymous message: "Your baby didn't die."
Our son is alive. Someone took him. Someone hid him from both of us.
Now Ethan and I are forced to become something more dangerous than enemies.
Partners.
We'll tear down his father's empire. We'll expose the betrayal of his best friend. We'll burn through lies, fake engagements, and a custody battle that makes headlines.
But the boy doesn't know us. He calls another woman "Mom." And he flinches when I reach for him.
Puck, Passion, and Broken Promises is a 150-episode completed romance. First-person POV. 70% dialogue. Every episode ends on a cliffhanger. If you love enemies to lovers, secret baby, hockey romance, and second chances that make you cry — this is for you.
I stumbled upon 'Shakespeare Ohio' while browsing for indie novels, and it immediately caught my attention. The title is so unique, blending classic literature vibes with a modern twist. From what I gathered, it's a standalone book, not part of a series. The author crafted it as a self-contained story, focusing on small-town drama with a theatrical flair. It’s one of those hidden gems that doesn’t need sequels because it wraps up beautifully on its own. If you’re into quirky, character-driven stories with a touch of Shakespearean influence, this is worth checking out. The charm lies in its originality, not in a sprawling universe.
I stumbled upon the 'Shakespeare Ohio' series a while back and was instantly hooked by its quirky blend of small-town drama and literary references. From what I gathered, the series was published by Penguin Random House under their Berkley imprint. They’ve got a knack for picking up unique contemporary fiction, and this series fits right in with their catalog. The books have this charming mix of humor and heart, making them perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted yet smart storytelling. I remember binge-reading the first few books because the characters felt so real, and the Ohio setting added this cozy, relatable vibe.