Month: November 2023

The Velveteen Rabbit returns to the Magik Theatre

Cherished children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit returns for some holiday ‘magik.’ Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.

Back by popular demand this holiday season is the delightful and heartwarming retelling of the classic children’s story, The Velveteen Rabbit. Magik Theatre presents this timeless tale from November 18 through December 24, 2023 with plenty of special events to welcome families into the cozy, magical world of a little one and their beloved Christmas gift. (Magik Theatre, 2023)

Written by Margery Williams and adapted by Michelle Hoppe-Long, a young child awakens on Christmas morning to discover a stuffed velveteen rabbit under the tree. As the Child’s new favorite toy, the shy rabbit’s appearance becomes worn and shabby from play, and a wonderful change begins to happen. Through his adventures with the Child, the Velveteen Rabbit learns about love and friendship, and the true meaning of being real. Don’t miss this inspiring, uplifting fable that so perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday season.

According to Artistic Director Anthony Runfola, the biggest change to Magik’s production of their beloved holiday tradition is a brand-new cast. “This alone brings a whole new energy and sensibility to The Velveteen Rabbit that will sweep audiences off their feet,” says Runfola. Notably, this year Clarissa Cortez takes on the role of “the Child,” originally written in the book as “the Boy.” Mason Anthony Ortiz plays the beloved, titular stuffed animal, while Amy Bouquet and Grace Featherston join the cast in several roles, from Mother and Nana to rabbits to toys come to life.

Special Events and Performances:

STORY TIME with Ms. Kim and Magik Theatre at Hemisfair | Tuesday, November 14, 10a.m.
Magik Theatre and Hemisfair announce a new installation of Hemisfair’s weekly Story Time. The series takes place in Yanaguana Garden each Tuesday before the theatre’s opening weekends with beloved educator Ms. Kim reading from each production’s themed book, in this case “The Velveteen Rabbit.” To make little wishes come true, Hemisfair will give away 20 free copies of the book to its first 20 Story Time guests.

Opening Night PARTY IN THE PARK | Saturday, November 18, 4:30p.m., show at 6p.m.
Leap into The Velveteen Rabbit with a free, family-friendly fiesta at Hemisfair before opening night. Guests can transform themselves by creating bunny ear headbands and cute rabbit face paint by Sparrow Face Painting. Saxophonist Noah Peterson provides entertainment while sugar fiends young and not-so-young decorate bunny cupcakes provided by Asukar founder and pastry chef Adesuwa Elaiho.

Introducing Magik Theatre’s First Annual HOLIDAY HOP! |Saturday, December 9, 12:30p.m., show at 2p.m.
Get into the giving spirit during Magik Theatre’s first annual Holiday Hop, which will collect donations of new, warm socks for those in need. Each ticket includes access to festive pre-show activities like photos with Santa (the first photo is free, additional copies available for purchase) and cookies and cocoa. After taking in the 2p.m. show, holiday hoppers are invited to a special ‘meet and greet’ with The Velveteen Rabbit cast after the performance. Savor the season by writing letters to Santa, creating keepsake ornaments, and giving the gift of toasty toes. Early bird tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for children. General admission is $50 for adults and $40 for kids. Capacity is limited so hop on these tickets now.

Sensory-Friendly Performance | Saturday, December 2, 10a.m.
Sensory-friendly performances are designed to create a welcoming environment for people who are on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. By modifying elements of the production to accommodate individuals with sensory needs, Magik Theatre creates a welcoming space where families and friends of those with autism or other disabilities can enjoy an authentic performance experience together.

Pay What You Wish Performance | Sunday, December 3, 3p.m.
Magik’s way of giving back to the community and providing an opportunity for families to experience live theatre with a donation of any amount.

American Sign Language Interpreted Performance | Saturday, December 16, 2 p.m.
Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary sign language interpreter, will be available during this performance for patrons that require ASL as their primary form of communication.

2023-2024 TICKET OPTIONS
SEASON SUBSCRIPTION PRICING
Three Show Subscription $54 per person (Savings of 28% off single ticket prices)

FLEX PASS PRICING
Ten (10) Flex Passes $175
Twenty (20) Flex Passes $330

SINGLE TICKETS
$25 for adults
$20 for children (ages 2-17), Military, Seniors, Educators & Students

Purchase season subscriptions, flex passes and single tickets online, via phone (210) 227-2751, and in person at Magik Theatre’s Box Office (420 S Alamo, 78205). Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9a.m. – 5p.m.. If a child under 2 uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available for parties of ten or more people.

New book release: ‘The Invisible Red String’ by Peter Berlin and Ann Zachariah

‘The Invisible Red String’ is a love story by Peter Berlin and Ann Zachariah. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Topics like fate and predestination can be subjective, especially when love is concerned. Some believe that love knows no boundaries because it is written in the threads of destiny. According to an old Chinese proverb: “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break,” some people are destined to meet and their destinies have been predetermined by ‘the gods.’ This belief is the subject of a new book by Peter Berlin and Ann Zachariah. “The Invisible Red String” is a spiritual love story that examines the complex concepts of abuse, trauma, and therapy, offering a glimpse into the power of human connection and the unbreakable threads of destiny that bind us all. It is available on Amazon. 

“The Invisible Red String” is a soulful odyssey where an invisible red thread of destiny weaves a tapestry of love, growth, and transformation across continents. Join four extraordinary souls as their lives intertwine in the most unexpected of ways, transcending the barriers of race and culture to create profound and meaningful connections.

John – an advertising executive, carries the scars of a turbulent past, a product of the foster care system, now striving to provide a loving home for his son, who has Down syndrome. When his supermodel wife abandons him, he finds himself at a crossroads, searching for healing and redemption.

Anna – hailing from a conservative background in Kerala, India, knows the pain of forced arranged marriages and the depths of physical abuse. As a divorcee, she is determined to break free from her past and discover her own path to happiness.

Jake – a successful cardiologist, appears superficial on the surface, but beneath his polished exterior lies a longing for something deeper. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery, encountering a love that transcends time and space.

Lilly – a young African woman who once endured the cruelty of corporal punishment, arrives in a foreign land to pursue her education, with no family to guide her. She finds unexpected solace in the warm embrace of a gay couple who become her chosen family.

As these four souls converge at Soul Haven, a place where personal stories are shared, and meaningful bonds are forged, they embark on a remarkable journey of growth and transformation. Through profound experiences, they confront their traumas, explore unconventional therapies like past life regression and shadow work, and break down the barriers of race and culture.

Anna and John’s love story emerges as a beacon of hope, proving that love can heal even the deepest wounds. Jake and Maya’s connection transcends the physical realm, leading Jake on a quest to understand the depths of his own soul.

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Courtesy photo, used with permission.

New book release: ‘The Condor’s Shadow’ by Jim Story

‘The Condor’s Shadow’ is the newest novel by Jim Story. Photo: Amazon

Literary fiction is mostly character driven and provides deep insight into the world around us and the human condition. They tackle complex themes and are often considered excellent works of literature, such examples being “The Grapes of Wrath” and “The Great Gatsby.” This is my go to genre when I am in the mood for a novel that probes into a character’s life and chronicles his/her life experiences. Today’s new book release is “The Condor’s Shadow” by Jim Story and it examines the life of Clayton Poole throughout the years, all his struggles and lessons learned along the way. Ready to go on this journey? This contemporary literary fiction novel is available on Amazon.

Jim Story is a novelist, short-story writer, and poet. Born in Oklahoma and raised on a ranch in the San Joaquin Valley in California, Jim Story holds a PhD from Columbia University, a certificate from the Harriman Institute, and has taught at Whitman College, Long Island University, and Lehman College in New York. He has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize for a series of poems called “Notes of a Forty-Year Old Country Boy,” won a Best New Writers Award from Poets & Writers, and held a residency at the Edward Albee Center in Montauk, Long Island. He is the author of the much-acclaimed novel “Problems of Translation, or Charlie’s Comic, Terrifying, Romantic, Loopy Round-the-World Journey in Search of Linguistic Happiness.” His new novel, also much-acclaimed, is “The Condor’s Shadow.” (Jim Story, 2023)

“The Condor’s Shadow” – Thirty-four year old Clayton Poole has wandered state-to-state, changing identities for nearly two decades. Finally about to start life anew as a small-town Montana journalist, he is suddenly confronted by his darkly checkered past: the love of his life he had felt forced to surrender, and the violent act that first expelled him onto the road and changed his life forever.

Set in California, Montana, and the Pacific Northwest, “The Condor’s Shadow” tells Clayton’s story in a layered fashion, moving fluidly back and forth through time from the early 1950s to the present, as he struggles to escape, rectify, and finally reconcile the forces that have shadowed his life.

Compelling, suspenseful, poignant, and romantic, it is already getting rave reviews:

“a smartly conceived, beguiling tale that few readers will forget” – Kirkus Reviews

“Jim Story again proves to be a master storyteller” – Manuel G. Gonzales, author of Mexicanos: A History of Mexicans in the United States

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New book release: ‘Help! I’m Living With a Narcissist’ by Mel Christ

‘Help! I’m Living With a Narcissist’ is aimed at helping readers go from being with a narcissistic abuser to living a healthier life. Photo: Mel Christ, used with permission.

Narcissists are often described as cocky, manipulative, selfish, patronizing, and demanding. Most importantly, they lack empathy and consideration for other people. This might be your boss, your best friend, or even someone you share your home with. Life with a narcissist can be hell on earth and it is always best to avoid them. But what if they are already rooted in your life? Today’s new book release touches on this subject. “Help! I’m Living With a Narcissist’ by Mel Christ has amazing insights that will walk you through how to spot a narcissist and how to untangle your life from one with the least possible heartache and struggle. It is available on Amazon. (Mel Christ, 2023)

Mel Christ is a warm and optimistic Abuse Recovery Coach and Strategist with a Masters in Coaching & Mentoring Practice with Psycho Dynamics. She is the founder of Freedom to Thrive, a powerful movement empowering women to Heal & Thrive after Narcissistic Abuse. Mel is also an award winning Coach who was awarded the ‘Most Inspirational Coach Award.’

After enduring and overcoming decades of chronic pathological narcissistic abuse, Mel learned how to break free from cycles of pain, drama, and trauma. She also learned how to Heal and Thrive after narcissistic abuse. Now, armed with the wisdom of her own healing journey, Mel has a passion and drive to empower women in similar predicaments to break free, take back their power, and rediscover their identity. As a creative people-centered Coach and Strategist, Mel helps her clients to create powerful, ground breaking strategies to overcome narcissistic abuse, rise to their fullest potential and live their best life. In her new book, “Help! I’m Living with a Narcissist,” she extends a lifeline, a guide to help others navigate their own path to freedom and empowerment.

“Help! I’m Living With a Narcissist” – Are you living with a narcissist? Do you live with someone who is always the center of attention? Someone who has no empathy for others. Someone who constantly needs praise and admiration but has little interest in giving it to others? Someone who expects special treatment and consideration from everyone, yet will lash out when he or she doesn’t get it? If so, there is a good chance that your partner might be narcissistic.

You cannot change a narcissist, but you can avoid them and escape them. You are not powerless. This book offers tips, tools, and powerful information on how to keep yourself safe from and escape a narcissist before they can destroy your life, sap your happiness, and drive away everyone you love or care about.

This book will teach you:

  •  How to spot the narcissist
  • Traits all narcissists share
  • Weapons a narcissist will use against you to break you down and control your life
  • Tools to disarm and disempower the abusive narcissist
  • How to take back your power and reclaim your identity
  • How to heal and thrive after narcissistic abuse
  • And so much more!

There is still hope, no matter how much time you have wasted on a narcissist. You can decide today that enough is enough and put an end to the cycle of pain and drama. You can rise up to a new future and live life powerful and free. This book will empower you with practical steps you can easily take to help you break free from a narcissist and take charge of your life. Take that first step today toward the rest of your life. The life you have always wanted. No matter what has happened before, your new life begins now.

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Photo: Mel Christ, used with permission.

New horror comedy movie release: Project Z

Project Z is now available for streaming on Vudu and Apple TV. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In today’s movie news, for true zombie fans, it is always a good day to watch zombie movies. From distributor Dark Star Pictures comes the Norwegian (with English subtitles) comedy horror movie Project Z. It is now available to rent or buy on Vudu and Apple TV. It stars Eili Harboe, Regina Tucker, Vebjorn Enger, Jonis Jesf, Iben Akerlie, and Arthur Berning and is directed by Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken. (The Write Way, 2023)

Project Z – A group of film students bring along three out of work actors to an old motel in the Norwegian mountains to make zombie films. When a mysterious asteroid crashes nearby strange things begin to happen, blurring the line between fiction and reality. Suddenly their fiction is turned into reality, as the undead have seemingly began attacking the crew and they must fight for their lives – or is it a part of their story?

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Taco Cabana embraces cooler weather with all new menu items

Taco Cabana’s all new menu includes Pollo Asado Street Tacos, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and Pozole. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Taco Cabana welcomes fall and winter with all-new menu items, food pairing specials, and returning family favorites. Starting Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at all Texas Taco Cabana locations, guests can embrace cooler weather with the additions of Pozole, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and tasty Pollo Asado Street Tacos, along with the return of TC’s signature Fajita Meals in El Paso. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

“After a year of showcasing many successful culinary innovations, we’re closing out 2023 strong with a broad array of new product introductions and returning TC favorites. Culinary excellence and innovation remain a vital part of our TC Brand DNA, and with the arrival of cooler temperatures and the holidays, we are excited to launch so many new and varied items.” – Ulyses Camacho, President and Chief Operating Officer, Taco Cabana

The all-new Pollo Asado Street Tacos (three-pack) are made with juicy delicious grilled chicken marinated in lime and orange juices, Mexican seasonings, topped with cilantro and onion, and served on corn tortillas. Each three-pack is available for $5.99. Guests will also be able to add new Pollo Asado to any of their TC favorites like quesadillas, nachos, Cabana Bowls®, burritos or flour tortilla tacos.

Embrace any Texas weather – hot or cold – with TC’s all-new Pozole, a hearty rich soup full of tender diced pork and hominy, topped with a blend of cilantro and onions and served with two lime wedges. Or try the returning fan-favorite Chicken Tortilla Soup, featuring a savory broth made with shredded chicken and topped with crispy corn tortilla strips, a blend of jack and cheddar cheeses, and served with lime wedges and a side of rice. Both soups are available in 8 oz. and 12 oz. servings and are the perfect seasonal snack. 

The only thing better than a warm soup is a warm soup paired with other TC favorites. TC guests can enjoy a variety of Soup Pairings starting at $7.29, featuring a small Pozole or Chicken Tortilla soup and choice of a ground beef taco, a three-pack of chicken flautas, or a small Chips and Queso. 

The TC Under $5 Value Menu will also see changes this season with the addition of two Taco Deals, including two black bean tacos and two chicken ranchero and cheese tacos. Breakfast for Under $4 is perfect for TC lovers looking for a warm breakfast with pairs of country sausage and egg tacos; egg ranchero and cheese tacos; potato, egg and ranchero tacos; or egg and cheese tacos. Bean and cheese nachos, three-pack chicken flautas, and ground beef and shredded chicken Double Crunch Pizzas will also be available on the Under $5 Menu.

El Paso guests can also indulge with TC Fajita Meals. Each filling and flavorful order comes complete with a half or full order of chicken, steak or mix fajita, two 8 oz. servings of refried beans, two 8 oz. servings of rice and 12 tortillas, with prices starting at $17.99. TC Fajita Meals are perfect meal options for families, friends, groups and more.

Taco Cabana’s menu options can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly-made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of November 1, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

New book release: ‘Things My Husband Said’ by Jennifer Free

‘Things My Husband Said: The painful reality of covert verbal and emotional abuse in a marriage from the perspective of a wife who got out and the plan that empowered her to leave’ by Jennifer Free. Photo: Jennifer Free, used with permission.

The subject of abuse is all too often taboo but needs to be addressed. Aside from physical abuse, there is also emotional and verbal abuse, which consists of actions that are meant to control, isolate, and frighten you. In romantic relationships, this often includes threats, insults, manipulation, humiliation, intimidation, and other such behaviors. Today’s new book release touches on this issue and is written by a woman who experienced abuse. In “Things My Husband Said,” Jennifer Free shares her journey beginning with how she met her husband, how she got out, and what she told her daughter. If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, let her first hand account inspire you and guide you to get help and live a better life. Don’t wait, get your copy today; it is available on Amazon.

Jennifer Free is an author and advocate for awareness, prevention, and support for victims of covert verbal and emotional abuse perpetrated by spouses. She is a survivor of childhood and marital abuse and writes about her experiences to help others. (Jennifer Free, 2023)

In “Things My Husband Said,” author Jennifer Free outlines the painful reality of covert verbal and emotional abuse in a marriage and the detailed plan she developed over several years that ultimately empowered her to safely leave while maintaining primary physical custody of her daughter without a lengthy legal battle.

In this book, she shines a necessary spotlight on the type of marital abuse that does not leave physical bruises but still causes harm by sharing the ugly covert verbal abuse she endured for years, one raw line at a time. She includes the the detailed plan she developed to safely leave with her daughter. Most importantly, she speaks to and validates the pain of those victims who are still in abusive marriages as well as those who have been able to escape. It serves as necessary required reading in continuing education programs for Family Court professionals and victim advocates.

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Upcoming new album release: Bring The Kids – Hamell on Trial

Bring The Kids will be released November 27 and is the anti-folk satirist’s most accessible album ever. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Hamell on Trial is the musical alias of folk punk hero Ed Hamell. A one-man explosion, he is loud-as-war one minute, stepping off the microphone to whisper to an enthralled audience the next. Hamell’s unique and dynamic performance style is informed by politics, passion, intelligence, and an irreverent sense of humor. Armed with a battered 1937 Gibson acoustic guitar that he amplifies mightily and strums like a machine gun, a politically astute mind that cannot stop moving, and a mouth that can be profane one minute and profound the next, Hamell sets his sights on the new America. He shoots straight with his audience, whether unraveling topical issues or sharing confessional tales from his own past. Hamell has shared countless stages with fellow anti-establishment icons such as Ani DiFranco, Kimya Dawson, Aesop Rock and The Pogues, as well as winning the coveted Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. (US/THEM Group, 2023)

Hamell’s 2023 full-length record, Bring The Kids, marks the seventeenth release in a discography overflowing with four star reviews and critical acclaim, ranging from major label releases (Mercury / Polygram) to top independents such as New West and Righteous Babe Records. Bring The Kids will mark Hamell’s third record on Texas indie Saustex Records, helmed by Hickoids’ lead singer Jeff Smith. Bring The Kids will be available on LP, CD and digital on November 27, 2023 via Saustex Records. Pre-orders are available HERE.

On the new record, Hamell teams up with NY-based producer Matt Labozza to meld his punk rock hooks into the most beat-driven and expansive production approach in the history of his catalogue. “This is definitely the most musically adventurous record so far,” Hamell explains. “I recorded my last two albums on my phone. I think some of my fans have been wondering what the songs would sound like if I were to open them up to every musical idea and tool that swirls around them in my brain. Here’s your answer.”

Hamell on Trial is the modern day voice of dissent and social commentary, fighting a one-man war armed with irrepressible energy and a seeker’s soul. His show is a 75-minute journey into true and authentic connection driven by the willingness to fight for the disenfranchised and celebrate the free thinkers of the world. Don’t we need that now more than ever?

Bring The Kids track list:

01: Hail My Rage (ft. Christine Oilman)
02: Tell You Why (ft. Ruth Theodore)
03: Pray
04: Drunk Dial Me
05: Robbery
06. Jelly
07: The Way She Says
08: To Get Thru
09: NKGG
10: Um, Actually No
11: Pepper Spray
12: Hippy Shake
13: Tucker Carlson
14: Trail Mix
15: Johnny Rydell
16: Jelly (Single edit)

“Bald, bold and super bad.” — Rolling Stone

“He has a real attachment to truth that makes him continually vital.” — Henry Rollins

“Bill Hicks, Hunter S. Thompson, and Joe Strummer all rolled into one” — Philadelphia Weekly

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Bring The Kids release date

Aguasol’s additive free tequila steals the spotlight

Friends Charles Attal and Eduardo Margain made their vision for an additive free tequila a reality when they released Aguasol earlier this year. Photo: Aguasol, used with permission.

Fully mature agave, natural spring water, and the Jalisco, Mexico sunshine are the only three things inside Aguasol’s distinctive, ridged bottle. Named for its simplicity, Aguasol was born backstage at a live music festival, through a bolt of inspiration from the brains of Charles Attal (co-founder of C3 Presents) and Eduardo “Eddie” Margain (co-founder of Austin FC). (Aguasol, 2023)

The two friends were enjoying the final weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2017 when they found themselves feeling sluggish and slow after a weekend of celebrating. Between sets, Attal and Margain discussed their shared desire for a clean tequila, one without any sweeteners, glycerin, artificial flavors or colorings — only the essentials. They forged a pact to make a fine tequila made honestly, transparently, and traditionally from the best agave available.

Aguasol offers two additive free expressions — blanco and reposado. The reposado is produced using the same traditional process as the blanco, then aged in American bourbon barrels for three months. The tequila presents subtle hints of cooked agave with mild pepper and soft oak.

Aguasol is currently available throughout Texas in over 850 retail stores and 900 bars and restaurants. 

“We started selling it quietly earlier this year and the reception has been incredible. We sold over 5,500 cases in four months, and we’re on track to move 10,000 cases in eight months, all with zero marketing. – Charles Attal

Attal and Margain kicked things off by sharing their new tequila with the city they call home at Austin City Limits Festival 2023 in October, where it was served up throughout the park over the two festival weekends.

Proceeds are donated to the Careyes Foundation in Jalisco, which catalyzes innovative programs in education, environment, wellness, and the arts to improve the well-being of 12 rural communities along the South Pacific coast of Mexico.

Cocktail Recipes

Besito Collins
Recipe: Dillon Keeler Photo: Dimitri Staszewski

1.5oz Aguasol Blanco
0.5oz Lemon Juice
0.5oz Beet Juice
0.25 Simple Syrup
Pinch of Salt

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice, hard shake, strain over fresh ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Manzarita
Recipe: Dillon Keeler, Photo: Dimitri Staszewski 

1.5oz Aguasol Blanco / Repo 
0.5oz Cointreau / Triple Sec 
1oz Lemon Juice 
0.5oz Simple Syrup  Splash of spiced apple cider 

Hard shake, strain onto fresh ice. Top with a splash of spiced apple cider. Garnish with apple slice and cinnamon stick. 

Espresso Martini
Photo: Dimitri Staszewski

1oz Aguasol Reposado
1oz Coffee Liqueur 
1oz Espresso / 1.5oz Cold Brew
0.5oz Simple Syrup
(Optional 1 dash of Mole Bitters)

Hard shake, fine strain, garnish with cinnamon or coffee beans.

Book of the week: ‘Toka-Ace: #1 Tabula Rasa’ by Tahir Kashif

‘Toka-Ace: #1 Tabula Rasa’ is the first in the Toka-Ace series by Tahir Kashif. Photo: Amazon

Science fiction novels are some of my favorite books because they stretch the imagination and feature superheroes, warriors, battles, and enough action to keep you hooked until the end. This week’s book of the week is “Toka-Ace: #1 Tabula Rasa” by Tahir Kashif. The story centers around Unit Nine, a deadly living weapon whose new assignment will test him in ways he never expected. It is meant for young readers aged 13-18 but if you enjoy exciting science fiction action thrillers, put this one on your ‘to read’ list. The language is down to earth and descriptive and the action flows easily through the pages. Check it out for yourself, it is available through the author’s website in e-book and paperback edition. Chapter One is narrated in the YouTube video below.

Tahir Kashif was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Toka-Ace is his first book series, which includes “Toka-Ace: #1 Tabula Rasa” and “Toka-Ace: #2 Burial.” He has a YouTube channel by the name of The Anti-Pendulum. His videos are sometimes nerdy, and sometimes thought provoking but always interesting. (Tahir Kashif, 2023)

“Toka-Ace: #1 Tabula Rasa” – Assassinations, stealth, and infiltration. Unit Nine is a living weapon and the best at what he does. There is nobody deadlier or more dangerous. When he is assigned to recover a missing bioweapon and hundreds of millions in stolen money, he never expects the mystery to put him face to face with his past mistakes or force him to make a pivotal choice. Even the deadliest of warriors can be caught off guard.

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