Poetry spotlight: the poetry of Danny Wilson

‘A Fifth of Never’ is just one book in Danny Wilson’s vast collection of poetry books. Photo: Amazon

In honor of National Poetry Month:

Danny Wilson is a poet originally from Greenville, NC and currently residing in Albuquerque, NM. After years of military service, he is now retired and focusing on his poetry. He has written over 100 poetry books in the last nine years with no intention of slowing down. So if you are searching for some new poetry to speak to your heart, check out these titles. (Danny Wilson, 2023)

These are some of his poetry books:

“A Fifth of Never” – Visiting human consciousness on a daily basis. Isolated moments painting a vivid picture of quirks, eccentricities, and ideas. Bringing together a somewhat messy analysis of the psyche. Leaving the reader with a painting that challenges thought. Perhaps adding to the dynamic of what it means to be human.

“Manic Monday” – Touching emotions, the thought process, and the soul. A journey in the realm of the possible that visits another place. Winding up at a destination that is cathartic as well as enlightening. Pushing the notion of free expression while embracing things that tie all human souls together. Each day provides a learning curve and adjustments that ultimately make tomorrow exciting, desired, and worthy of pursuing.

“Fading Forward” – Existing between complex worlds…..Seeing the beauty of fellow truth-seekers…Tired eyes reaching for a brass ring….Pet sounds fade to the twilight zone…

“Quiet Room Speaking” – Ears ringing 24/7…..I try to make sense of a senseless life anew….Hanging out with the folks at Denny’s….My inner psyche grows with the complexities of human dynamics….

“Tarheel Bluedevil” – Seeing the honor in my fellow man/woman. Striving to co-exist with grace. I play a game of chance now. My heart leads the way. Forever humble…

“Librarian Art” – Reality within the confines of Denny’s…..My muse taking poetics to another level….Mom/Pop illuminating the Matrix….Finding yesterday’s child….Always!

“Nellie Wilson Speaks” – The house of pain?….I find the illusion to be complex now….Ms Pharo pointing a sympathetic finger anew….Thoughts of [more]…..

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New book release: ‘Fix Your Back Like An Architect’ by Marian Jodlowski

‘Fix Your Back Like An Architect’ by Marian Jodlowski. Photo: Amazon

Marian Jodlowski is a Master of Science in Architecture graduate from the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. He also completed postgraduate studies at the Warsaw University of Technology. At age 55, he suffered from acute spinal disc disease, which temporarily prevented him from walking; after contracting this illness, Marian became interested in the mechanics of human movement. This interest resulted, among other things, from the fact that the treatment offered by the academic health service was ineffective in his case, and he considered spinal surgery a last resort. In this situation, he started looking for specialists offering alternative treatments. In his book “Fix Your Back Like An Architect: Gravity Therapy of the Spine and Motor Organs,” the author explains how he overcame acute spinal disease and returned to everyday life. He also shares how he strengthened his body so that even many years after the onset of the disease, he no longer feels discomfort. It is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format. (Marian Jodlowski, 2023)

During his treatment, some of the specialists’ methods had some positive results, while others did not. None of them fully identified the causes of the disease or offered a comprehensive cure. Due to Marian’s profession and technical experience, he increasingly perceived the human body as a complicated spatial mechanical system affected by Earth’s gravity, similar to the static and mechanical engineering objects functioning on Earth. Such well-proportioned objects with logically juxtaposed structural elements operating by the laws of physics function very well and are less unreliable than those without such features. Recognizing the above relationships and many others related to conditions in the field of academic and alternative medicine allowed him to formulate many important indications regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system. Thanks to their use, the author not only managed to avoid spinal surgery, but many years after acute disc disease of the spine, he does not feel any related ailments. His well-being is much better than a dozen years ago.

“Fix Your Back Like An Architect: Gravity Therapy of the Spine and Motor Organs” – Most musculoskeletal dysfunctions arise from a chronic lack of gravitational tension in some muscles and over-tension in others. They usually result from habitual abuse of incorrect, often favorite body positions and because of using faulty movement patterns in everyday life. Such dysfunctions can begin gradually in childhood and become fixed for longer just as quickly. Therefore, in such cases, it is equally important to identify these problems according to the rules presented in the book and to proceed to their elimination immediately. In a healthy adult, musculoskeletal disorders usually develop much more slowly. However, if they are not eliminated in advance, they are constantly deepening, worsening a person’s well-being and even preventing them from functioning properly in everyday life.

As the leading cause of diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system, the author presented chronic muscle tension disorders caused by the action of incorrect vectors of forces caused by gravity and ground resistance. In connection with the mechanism causing bone deformities, according to the Delpech-Wolff Law, which explains the causes of even severe skeletal deformities.

The author also indicates how the poor functioning of the muscular system during everyday activities affects the occurrence of diseases of the spine and musculoskeletal system.

Acute pain is the body’s alarm signal and should not always be eliminated too often with painkillers. However, comprehensive methods leading to the fastest possible healing of inflammation should be used. Progressive natural pain relief is a signal to undertake other forms of treatment, including active therapy involving moderate corrective exercises.

The author’s knowledge and experience presented in this book can save you from making many hasty decisions about how to treat your conditions, including risky back or joint surgery. In addition to the systemic knowledge about rebuilding the body, you will receive many practical tips to reduce your daily ailments and contribute to your recovery.

Without knowing the principles in this book, it is difficult to imagine keeping the body in good shape and avoiding the destructive influence of gravity on the body, which lasts for years. On the other hand, without using the crucial tips on exercise techniques contained in it, it is difficult to rebuild the body and effectively eliminate dysfunctions and deformities of the body caused by its incorrect use.

In the book, you will read, among other things:

  • How children with a weaker mitochondrial genome can avoid severe developmental defects such as scoliosis, general physical underdevelopment, and other musculoskeletal defects. How these children can match the level of physical development of other peers by consciously using the forces of gravity.
  • How the proper use of gravitational energy in an almost imperceptible way shapes the correct body posture in people with particular genetic predispositions. How effectively it affects the development of their muscular system, vitality, and health, and what should be done not only not to waste this potential but also to effectively use it for further strengthening of the body.
  • How adults can avoid conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, disc herniation, joint degradation, and general body weakness.
  • What are the causes of the loss of motor skills in seniors and the general decline in health with age. Moreover, what are the indications of how to stop these changes to maintain fitness and health until old age.
  • Why activities such as walking, running, sitting, bending the body, doing squats, and lifting weights should, in most cases, be done differently from what is generally recommended.
  • How to maintain high physical and intellectual fitness thanks to man’s conscious acquisition of energy in the biological and gravitational cycle.
  • How, through the action of gravity, in some body positions, there is a negative shaping of muscle tension, which causes the weakening of vitality and human health, and how can we prevent it.
  • Why many of the recommended ways to exercise in a variety of sports, including bodybuilding and weightlifting, often lead to health loss rather than health improvement.

** Excerpts available ***

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New documentary release: Living With Chucky

The documentary Living With Chucky is now available on streaming and Collector’s Edition Blu-ray. Photo: Cinedigm, used with permission.

This month, Cinedigm and Bloody Disgusting premiered the horror documentary Living With Chucky on its horror streaming service SCREAMBOX and on all major digital platforms in the US and Canada. (EG-PR, 2023)

Living with Chucky takes an in depth look at the groundbreaking Child’s Play franchise from the perspective of a filmmaker who grew up within it. Featuring interviews with cast and crew such as Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent, creator Don Mancini, and much more, this personal film recounts the dedication, creativity and sacrifice that went into making the franchise and its long-lasting impact on the horror community.

Storming into pop culture in the late 1980s, the three-foot menace known as Chucky, proved that Child’s Play was anything but. The horror film went on to spawn six sequels, a television series, a reboot, comic books, a video game, and merchandise.

Written and directed by Kyra Elise Gardner, daughter of legendary special effects artist Tony Gardner, Living With Chucky looks back at the groundbreaking horror franchise by those there from the beginning. The documentary details the history of the Child’s Play films by the cast and crew, in addition to Gardner’s own relationship with the series and the impact it had on her family. Gardner, who grew up alongside Chucky the killer doll, seeks out other families involved with the Child’s Play films as they recount their experiences working on the franchise and what it means to be a part of the “Chucky” family.

Cast: Abigail Breslin, Adam Hurtig, Alex Vincent, Billy Boyd, Brad Dourif, Christine Elise McCarthy, Dan Povenmire, David Kirschner, Don Mancini, Elle Lorraine, Fiona Dourif, James A. Janisse, Jennifer Tilly, John Waters, Kyra Gardner, Lin Shaye, Marlon Wayans, Tony Gardner, Tony Timpone, and many more.

Official Selection: Popcorn Frights Film Festival 2022, Fantastic Fest 2022, and Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2022.

US VOD PLATFORMS
Amazon, Apple, Google Play, VUDU, Hoopla, Xbox, SCREAMBOX, and more.
(SCREAMBOX is available to stream on iOS, Android, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Comcast, Cox, and screambox.com)

CANADA VOD PLATFORMS
Apple, Google Play, Xbox, and more.

The Living With Chucky Collector’s Edition Blu-ray is also available in the US & Canada. Special features include: Exclusive artwork by Creepy Duck, Candid Conversations, Favorite Death Scenes, Strange Families and Director’s Commentary.

Memoir: ‘Syrup Sandwiches’ by Anthony Owens

‘Syrup Sandwiches’ by Anthony Owens. Photo: Amazon

Anthony Owens is a native of Dawson, Georgia, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York since the age of two. He considers himself a Brooklynite, having grown up there from 1965 to 1981. He proudly served 20 years of active-duty service in the United States Navy fighting in two wars and providing humanitarian aid to foreign countries. With an MBA from Saint Leo University, he is now a federal information technology specialist in Virginia. His memoir, “Syrup Sandwiches,” is a powerful story about a young black boy who defeats the odds. (Anthony Owens, 2023)

“Syrup Sandwiches” – Anthony Owens shares how he became a successful man as he had to rise above the expected outcome for a child raised in poverty. Even though he was subjected to neglectful, abusive men, Anthony understood the importance of breaking the cycle to become the caring and responsible father he never had. He is one of the underrepresented voices in America – a black man raised by a single mother struggling to make ends meet; he speaks for the voices that so often go unheard. Faced with the odds of poverty, an absentee father, trauma, violence, bullying, and gang brutality, Anthony gives us a raw look at how he was determined not to be defined by his circumstances and makes a way out of no way.

“Syrup Sandwiches” is an inspiring story that gives hope to all children, especially poor children of color, providing a message of hope and success. In a time when society is looking at stories that speak to the black American experience, this is a story that is unapologetically authentic. This memoir provides hope; a reminder that there is a way out. Those who work with children can gain insight into what it takes for children to overcome the odds, what it is exactly that promotes success for all children. His goal for “Syrup Sandwiches” is for readers to see that even when life is unpredictable and challenging, giving up is not an option. Anthony also wants readers to know that our traumas, challenges and difficulties should not define or dictate who we are or shall be, and that we should all choose not to give up.

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Texas Wine Auction announces auction items and new chefs

The annual events is aimed at raising awareness for Texas wines and funds for hospitality workers. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Texas Wine Auction, an event aimed at bringing together Texas wineries and winemakers to raise money for wellness programs and research to enhance the Texas wine industry, is excited to announce their auction items and the addition of two new chefs to the event, taking place on Saturday, April 29 from 6p.m. to 11:30p.m. Chef Luis Villalva of El Come Taco in Dallas, TX and Chef Austin Simmons of TRIS in Houston, TX will join the ranks of the eight incredible chefs participating in this year’s auction. (Texas Wine Auction, 2023)

Both of the recently announced chefs will participate in a competition to present the best dish of the night, voted on by event goers. They will join the previously announced Chef Angie Ragan, Chef Mike Hall, Chef Krystyna Cibelli-Pettus, Chef Roshni Gurnani, and Chef Matt Church.

In addition to enjoying incredible food and wine, attendees will also be able to bid on incredible auction items throughout the night. This year’s featured auction items include:

Tasting the Stars of Texas: Co-sponsored by FlavoryTX and Feast & Merriment, the auction item will be a memorable experience enjoying Texas wines paired with ranch-to-table dinner, followed by a guided star party with sparkling Texas wines.
Texas staycation: A luxurious three day, two night stay in Fort Davis, Texas with a wine tasting by Chateau Wright.
VIP Napa Trip: A VIP trip to Napa in California for four. The trip includes a three day, two night stay at Auberge Du Soleil with private transportation to six wineries.
Hill Country Tour: An exclusive tour of Hill Country wineries via helicopter with Aero Vino.
VIP Wine Weekend: Feature winery, William Chris Vineyards, will host a Barrel Tasting for eight, and private dinner at their vineyard. They will also host tastings at all three of their properties and a two night stay at Carter Creek Winery & Resort.
Wine Cases: Feature winery Inwood Estates will offer two cases of their ultra premium wine and dinner at a location to be revealed at a later date.

Tickets are available online. For those interested in donating to the cause, please visit Texas Wine Revolution. 

Vista Oaks Event Center
8192 E. Highway 290
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Texas Wine Revolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating consumer education and awareness of Texas-grown wines as well as giving back to the industry and communities we operate within. In 2022 Texas Wine Revolution announced its inaugural Texas Wine Auction, an event supporting community and industry through a showcase of Texas wine and world-class cuisine presented by top culinary talents from around the country.

Romance novel of the week: ‘Loving You Is Destiny’ by Sarah Akkoyun

‘Loving You Is Destiny’ by Sarah Akkoyun. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

If you love reading romance novels, here is one for you: “Loving You Is Destiny,” the latest novel by Sarah Akkoyun. It is available on Amazon. (Sarah Akkoyun, 2023)

“Loving You Is Destiny” – Vanessa Lawrence had always thought she would end up marrying the love of her life, David Dawson, one day. – Yet here she is one year later, still unable to move on. Her family and best friend try their best to support her, but they just cannot understand what she is going through. Vanessa did not want to move on, at least, not until she met Lucas Graham.

He brought joy and happiness back into her life, but she should not get any closer to him than she already was. She could not forget David, she still wanted him to be a part of her life. It was not fair to Lucas, Vanessa knew that, but they could be friends, right? Nothing more, nothing less. Just good friends. No matter what Taylor, her best friend, said. Even though Taylor just wanted Vanessa to be happy again. Vanessa never expected to discover a secret about what happened a year ago, considering she thought there was nothing left to find out. Now she has to decide if love can truly overcome anything.

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Rodney Rice’s new self titled album out next month

Rodney Rice’s self titled album will be released May 19, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Rodney Rice was surrounded by music growing up, whether on radio, kitchen tape deck, or television. When he was about 12, he started playing the guitar. Rice worked for a while on oil and gas rigs in Texas. One night he talked to Jason McKenzie, (longtime drummer for Billy Joe Shaver), and McKenzie pointed him to the Congress house studio in Austin, where Rice made his first two albums, Empty Pockets and a Troubled Mind and Same Shirt, Different Day. His first album found success on the Freeform Americana Radio chart, while his second album reached number 30 on the Americana Music Association albums chart, after debuting at number 9 on the European Americana Chart. For his eponymous third album, Rodney Rice, Rice found a studio, through album notes, the Bomb Shelter, in Nashville, and finally reached out to them amid the pandemic. (IVPR, 2023)

Rice recently released a new song from his upcoming self-titled album; a rambunctious country shuffle called Rabbit Ears Motel. Echoing classics from the likes of Pure Prairie League, the Supersuckers, Jason & the Scorchers, and Jimmy Buffett’s first couple of albums, Rabbit Ears Motel is about so much more than a place to stay in Colorado. Telecaster licks jump around pedal steel fills between Rice’s refrain of “Checking out when I check in to the Rabbit Ears Motel.” Rabbit Ears Motel is part of Rice’s third full-length album, the upcoming Rodney Rice. Out on May 19, Rodney Rice finds Rice traveling over a wide terrain of emotion; from the death of beloved grandparents and the loss of a cherished pet to the grueling monotony of the road and the joyful celebration of marriage. Rice’s warm, gritty vocals, his ingenious and canny lyricism, and his ability to lay down a melody move listeners emotionally and physically, encouraging them to get up and dance even as they let the lyrics settle into their hearts.

Rice knows just how to capture the fleeting glimmers of an emotional moment in life and turn them into songs that evoke our own feelings of despair and hope; loss and love. He delivers those lyrics with a knowing nod and wink, creating memorable characters in his songs whose imperfections remind us of folks we know. As he says, “Music is a common language that reaches all and brings people from worlds apart together.” Rice cannily matches music with lyrics, pairing a glimpse of a world turned upside down with a jaunty New Orleans jazz swing melody or an ode to young love with a lively country shuffle.

Fans can stream or purchase Rabbit Ears Motel and pre-order or pre-save Rodney Rice ahead of its May 19. Rabbit Ears Motel also has an accompanying music video by director Joshua Shoemaker which follows Rice on a time-warped, neon-soaked journey through the lyrics, and characters, of his brand-new tune.

Rodney Rice track list:
How You Told Me So
Get To Where I’m Going
Nothing To Lose
Rabbit Ears Motel
Roll River Roll
Little Pieces
Set Em Up
Wonder Where I Came From
Every Passing Day

Catch Rodney Rice on tour:
April 30 – Santa’s Pub – Nashville, TN *
May 19 – Broadway Roxy – Denver, CO
May 20 – Trinidad Lounge – Trinidad, CO
May 26 – Swing Station – Laporte, CO
June 16 – Reed’s Package Liquors – Laramie, WY
June 17 – the press. – Steamboat Springs, CO
June 23 – Soulcraft Brewing – Salida, CO
June 24 – Benson’s Tavern and Beer Garden – Salida, CO
July 7 – The Bull Pin Bowling Alley & Sports Bar – Estes Park, CO
July 8 – The Speakeasy – Longmont, CO
July 14 – Stagecoach Saloon – Franktown, CO
August 5 – Stagecoach Saloon – Franktown, CO
Sept 1 – Stagecoach Saloon – Franktown, CO
Sept 9 – The Speakeasy – Longmont, CO

*With the Ice Cold Pickers

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Rodney Rice release date

Book of the week: ‘The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom: Volume 1’ by J.P. Martin

‘The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom’ is a collection of ancient proverbs and wisdom from the continent of Africa. Photo: Amazon

The African Empire Research Project provides books on African history and culture. The first book in the series is African Empires. African Empires presents a comprehensive and in depth analysis of the major empires of the African continent over thousands of years. This book penetrates into the various kingdoms and rich cultures of Africa including East Africa, West Africa, North Africa, South Africa, and Central Africa. African Empires brings to life a colorful cast of historical characters including African kings, queens, scholars, religious leaders, artists, warriors, and merchants who helped to shape the direction of these great African civilizations. It captures the epic landmark events of Africa and explains them in detail to provide a full understanding of this dynamic continent and its contribution to world history. (J.P. Martin, 2023)

“The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom Volume 1” is a compilation of over 100 ancient proverbs and words of wisdom from the continent of Africa. Africa is the birthplace of human civilization and home to some of the most ancient wisdom on the planet. The continent of Africa is an extremely culturally rich region and home to over 2,000 languages, 3,000 ethnic groups, and numerous belief systems. “The Book of African Proverbs and Wisdom Volume 1” provides a diverse and expansive collection of timeless wise sayings and knowledge which have been collected from every region of Africa including west Africa, central Africa, east Africa, south Africa, and north Africa. This valuable collection of inspirational sayings seeks to share Africa’s wisdom which has been passed down from one generation to the next for thousands of years.

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Disney Animation: Immersive experience extends residency in San Antonio

Critically acclaimed Immersive Disney Animation announces extensions in eight cities, including San Antonio. Photo: Lighthouse Immersive Studios.

Following celebrated premieres in 10 cities and rave reviews from critics and audiences across North America, Lighthouse Immersive Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios have announced that Immersive Disney Animation is being extended by popular demand to August 13, 2023 in Boston, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, Nashville, and San Antonio, with Las Vegas, Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto continuing through September 4, 2023. The production will also open in Tokyo on April 29 at Mori Arts Center Gallery (52nd floor, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower), with additional international presentations soon to be announced. (Immersive Disney Animation, 2023)

Immersive Disney Animation was called “Jaw-dropping” by Axios, “a peek behind the curtain that you would just never otherwise get” by the Boston Globe, with Elite Daily remarking, “you really feel like you’ve stepped inside your fave film.” Tickets are on sale now.

Creating iconic animated stories for all ages for nearly a century, Walt Disney Animation Studios has joined forces with North America’s top creator of experiential projection exhibitions (including The Original Immersive Van Gogh, which never traveled to Atlanta, but opened in over 20 cities across North America) to present the music and artistry within Disney Animation’s canon of films—from hits of today like Encanto, Zootopia and Frozen, to all of the classics including The Lion King, Peter Pan and Pinocchio. Audiences will feel like they have entered the incredible worlds of beloved Disney characters and become one with them.

The status for each city is as follows:

TORONTO (1 Yonge St.) | NOW OPEN through September 4
CLEVELAND (850 E. 72nd St.) | NOW OPEN through August 13
NASHVILLE (4416 Ridgefield Way) | NOW OPEN through August 13
DETROIT (267 E. Grand River Ave.) | NOW OPEN through August 13
DENVER (3900 Elati St.) | NOW OPEN through August 13
BOSTON (130 Columbus Ave.) | NOW OPEN through August 13
SAN ANTONIO (221 Burleson St.) | NOW OPEN through August 13
MINNEAPOLIS (1515 Central Ave. NE) | NOW OPEN through August 13
LAS VEGAS (3720 S. Las Vegas Blvd.) | NOW OPEN through September 4
COLUMBUS (940 Polaris Pkwy.) | NOW OPEN through August 13
DALLAS (507 S. Harwood St.) | April 20 – September 4, 2023
TOKYO (52nd floor, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower) | April 29 – August 31, 2023
ATLANTA (159 Armour Dr.) | May 1 – September 4, 2023

“We have opened Immersive Disney Animation in ten cities so far, with our Dallas opening right around the corner. And while we expected a positive reception, we have really been blown away by just how incredibly excited audiences are with this experience, a testament to the timeless legacy of Disney Animation’s worlds, stories and characters.” – Corey Ross, producer and founder, Lighthouse Immersive Studios

The creative team for Immersive Disney Animation is led by Oscar®-winning producer J. Miles Dale (Best Picture 2018 -The Shape of Water). Mexico City-based Cocolab worked with Dale and the Creative Legacy team at Walt Disney Animation Studios to develop the program for Lighthouse Immersive Studios. Special Projects Producer Dorothy McKim (Oscar-nominated, Get A Horse!) is spearheading the project for Disney Animation.

Book adaptation: ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ by Laura Dave

‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ has been adapted into a limited time series available on Apple TV+. Photo: Google

Laura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Last Thing He Told Me,” “Eight Hundred Grapes,” and other novels. Her work has been published in thirty-eight countries. “The Last Thing He Told Me” has been adapted into a limited series starring Jennifer Garner. It is available for streaming on Apple TV+. “The Last Thing He Told Me” is about a woman who thinks she has found the love of her life—until he disappears. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Last Thing He Told Me” – Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother. As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband is not who he said he was and that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared. Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth but as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they are also building a new future—one neither of them could have anticipated.