Ghost Hounds unleash You’ll Never Find Me, a powerful anthem of resilience. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Ghost Hounds is excited to share their newest single, “You’ll Never Find Me”–out via Gibson Records–along with its accompanying official music video. (Big Hassle, 2024)
“‘You’ll Never Find Me’ is a warriors anthem. This song is dedicated to anyone who has lost themself in a person or to a situation. Know that you can always reclaim your power and remember to stand strong in who you are. We needed the video to show that when your down grit and perseverance are all you need to make it. The idea that you literally need to get back on the horse 8 times when you’ve been thrown off 7.” – SAVNT
Ghost Hounds are a country rock band with a heavy blues influence that proves the genre is not only alive but thriving for the next generation of rock fans. Fronted by SAVNT and backed by guitarists Tyler Chiarelli and Thomas Tull, fiddler Kristin Weber, bassist Bennett Miller, and drummer Sydney Driver, the band has made significant statements with their four studio albums.
Ghost Hounds’ debut, Roses Are Black (2019), earned widespread acclaim from Billboard, American Songwriter, and more as well as millions of streams on streaming platforms. Their follow-up, A Little Calamity (2021), impressed with its classic rock sensibilities and the hit single “Good Old Days.” You Broke Me (2022) continued their tradition of blending classic blues rock with a modern flair. Their latest album, First Last Time(2023) via Gibson Records, features hit single “Last Train To Nowhere,” which racked up millions of hits via TikTok and Instagram, and was featured in Taylor Sheridan’s new TV show Special Ops: Lioness.
Ghost Hounds have honed their sound on the road, having supported legendary acts like The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Garth Brooks, Guns N’ Roses, and Bob Seger. With their chemistry at an all-time high, the band is set to bring even more blues-rock brilliance in the future.
Taco Cabana announces the return of brisket options for breakfast tacos, street tacos, and loaded fries, along with new Margarita pitchers, fajita meals, and more. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Tex-Mex innovator, Taco Cabana (TC), is thrilled to announce several new menu items to enjoy throughout the upcoming holidays, plus the highly-anticipated return of its crowd-favorite Mesquite-Smoked Brisket as an option for breakfast tacos, street tacos, and loaded fries. The expanded menu includes a delicious new Chicken Tortilla Soup, refreshing Margarita Pitchers, customizable dressed rims for margaritas and sizzling Fajita Meals—all designed to spice up any dining experience. (Taco Cabana, 2024)
“We’re excited to introduce these new menu items and bring even more bold and flavorful options to our loyal guests. Whether you’re warming up with our Chicken Tortilla Soup or sharing a pitcher of margaritas with friends during the holidays, Taco Cabana is here to provide a fun and flavorful dining experience that’s perfect for any occasion.” – Taco Cabana President Ulyses Camacho
Brisket menu items will be available starting on Wednesday, November 20:
Mesquite Smoked Brisket – $3.99 – $8.99
Taco Cabana and Texas brisket fans rejoice. Back by overwhelming popular demand, Taco Cabana brings back Mesquite-Smoked Brisket. Slow-smoked for more than 14 hours over real mesquite, TC’s brisket is tender, juicy and flavorful with a true smoky aroma and taste. Brisket will be available as an add-on option for breakfast tacos, street tacos and loaded fries.
Below menu items are available for purchase in stores now:
Chicken Tortilla Soup – $4.99 Warm up during the holidays with Taco Cabana’s flavorful Chicken Tortilla Soup. Packed with tender chicken, savory broth and topped with melty jack and cheddar cheeses, this hearty soup also features crispy tortilla strips for the perfect crunch. Served alongside a side of Mexican rice and fresh lime wedges, it’s the ultimate comfort food to enjoy any day of the week.
Margarita Pitchers – $7.99 For those looking to share a refreshing beverage with friends, Taco Cabana has introduced 32 oz Margarita Pitchers available in both Lime and Strawberry flavors. These pitchers are the ideal choice for relaxing with loved ones while enjoying great food and good company. Items are available for dine-in only.
Margaritas with Salted or Sugared Rims* – *No Additional Cost Make your margarita experience even more special with a customizable salted or sugared rim! Each margarita is swirled in fresh lime juice and then coated in your choice of salt or sugar, creating a perfectly balanced combination of tangy and sweet. Offer is available for dine-in only.
Fajita Meals – $16.99 – $39.99 Taco Cabana’s iconic Fajita Meals are back and better than ever. Whether you’re craving sizzling Steak, Chicken or a Mixed Fajita combination, Taco Cabana offers both half and full orders to satisfy every appetite. Each meal is served with rice, refried beans, tortillas, shredded lettuce, cheese and guacamole—everything you need for a fajita feast that’s sure to please.
Additionally while supplies last, customers will receive a $5 Holiday Guest Appreciation Card with every $25 spent on Taco Cabana gift cards in a single transaction now through Tuesday, December 31. This promotion is available only at participating Texas locations. Customers can purchase the gift cards online (e-gift card) or a physical card in stores. The Holiday Guest Appreciation Card is valid starting two hours after activation and can be used until March 31, 2025
Menu items (unless otherwise noted) are available for in-restaurant dining, drive-thru, online ordering for front counter or curbside pick-up, and through the MY TC!® App or online for mobile orders.
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 September 17, 2024, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
‘A History of the Big House: A Novel’ is the new novel by Charif Majdalani. Photo: Other Press
Charif Majdalani was born in Lebanon in 1960 and is one of the most important figures in Lebanese literature today. After living in France for thirteen years, he returned to Lebanon in 1993 and now teaches French literature at the Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut. His novel “Moving the Palace” won the 2008 François Mauriac Prize from the Académie Française as well as the Prix Tropiques. His previous book “Beirut 2020: Diary of the Collapse” was published by Other Press in 2021. “A History of the Big House: A Novel,”his new novel, will be released on December 17, 2024. It is available for pre-order through Other Press. (Other Press, 2024)
From Charif Majdalani, one of the most important figures in Lebanese literature today, comes a sweeping family saga, “A History of the Big House: A Novel.”It chronicles the rise and fall of the Nassar clan, as they navigate the great events of the 20th century in Lebanon, from the Ottoman Empire to the French Mandate, following the various generations’ fight to keep and maintain their family house, and subsequent paths to exile.
At the end of the 19th century, a man is forced to flee his village after a quarrel. Starting over with nothing, the banished, audacious Wakim Nassar will create orange plantations on the outskirts of Beirut and become the head of a large clan, feared and respected. The great house he builds at their center will become a powerful symbol of the Nassars’ glory, admired from afar. The eponymous sits at the center of this grand novel, becoming its main character. Everyone and everything, from the Nassar family to the course of history, seems to evolve alongside this home. But this decadence is short-lived, battered by the First World War, illness, family tragedy, and the shifting regimes that control Lebanon. As circumstances compel Wakim’s descendants, one by one, to leave the house, it falls into ruin.
A rich saga, full of unforgettable characters and anchored in historical fact, perfect for fans of Hala Alyan’s atmospheric family stories, “A History of the Big House: A Novel” captures the unique experience of the Lebanese people through this family’s triumphs and struggles.
About the Translator: Ruth Diver holds a PhD in French and comparative literature from the University of Paris 8 and the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She won two 2018 French Voices Awards for her translations of Marx and the Doll by Maryam Madjidi, and Titus Did Not Love Berenice by Nathalie Azoulai. She also won Asymptote’s 2016 Close Approximations fiction prize for her translation of extracts of Maraudes by Sophie Pujas.
Advance Praise for ‘A History of the Big House‘:
“This is what happens when poets write history; Majdalani weaves facts and dreams, the lives of men and nations, real and imagined, the smell of orange trees, of strong, black coffee on a Levantine morning—you can almost taste it. I could see that big house; I recognized it. This book took me home.” —Yara Zgheib, author of No Land to Light On
Tammy’s Tasty Cuisine offers delicious and healthy baked goods.
Eating a healthy, gluten-free, and sugar-free diet can significantly benefit your body by reducing inflammation, boosting energy, and improving digestion. Gluten, found in wheat and some grains, can cause digestive issues for individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Eliminating refined sugars helps stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing energy crashes and reducing the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes. Focusing on whole foods—fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and gluten-free grains—supports optimal health, promotes weight management, and enhances mental clarity. This approach nourishes the body, strengthens the immune system, and supports long-term well-being.
Saturday while visiting the Brownsville Farmers Market, I came across Tammy Muñoz, a friend and former co-worker from back in my Valley Regional days. As owner of Tammy’s Tasty Cuisine, she’s a local entrepreneur who, on her spare time, makes guiltless desserts that are both delicious and good for you. Her goal is “to bake healthier desserts and change the stigma that healthy food and desserts taste bad.” Baking is her calling and she truly enjoys sharing her creations with locals. After struggling with a medical condition, she realized that choosing healthier options, including low carb, gluten-free, and low sugar, was beneficial for her body. It is difficult, but not impossible, to find healthy desserts here in the Rio Grande Valley, so I was pleasantly surprised to find another option for people looking to take care of themselves, all while satisfying their sweet tooth.
Her baked goods are primarily low carb and gluten-free and include cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, pies (apple and pumpkin), and other sinfully delicious, yet healthy items. I tasted her chocolate chip cookies and they are really good. She doesn’t have a brick and mortar, but on most Saturdays you can find her at the Brownsville Farmers Market in Linear Park. With the holiday season among us, she is now taking orders for pies. So if you’re taking care of your health but still want to indulge, especially this time of year, check out her out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also email her.
The Magic Reindeer: Saving Santa’s Sleigh is coming to UK cinemas this month. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Animated Christmas movies have become a holiday tradition, offering a magical blend of festive cheer and heartwarming storytelling. Classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer bring to life timeless characters and themes of love, kindness, and acceptance. Modern favorites such as The Polar Express and Arthur Christmas continue to enchant audiences with their imaginative animation and holiday spirit. These films often feature vibrant visuals, catchy songs, and meaningful messages that resonate with viewers of all ages. Whether nostalgic or new, animated Christmas movies have a special place in celebrating the season’s joy and wonder.
Just in time for the holiday season, here’s a new animated Christmas movie coming to UK cinemas this month: The Magic Reindeer: Saving Santa’s Sleigh. More information below:
Kaleidoscope Entertainment is thrilled to announce the release of The Magic Reindeer: Saving Santa’s Sleigh, in UK cinemas from 22nd November. (Strike Media, 2024)
From the producers of The Amazing Maurice, The Magic Reindeer: Saving Santa’s Sleigh is the third film in the Niko series from co-directors Kari Juusonen and Jørgen Lerdam.
Join Niko on a brand new adventure across the frozen arctic, teaming up with friends old and new, as he races to find Santa’s missing sleigh in time for Christmas.
The Magic Reindeer: Saving Santa’s Sleigh – Christmas is on the horizon, and it looks like it’s going to be the best one yet for Niko the Reindeer as he sets off to fulfil his biggest dream – taking his place next to his father on Santa’s Flying Forces. However, he faces unexpected competition from Stella, a mysterious new challenger.
Then one night, things go from bad to worse when Santa’s sleigh is stolen. Now it’s up to Niko, joined by friends old and new, to venture to the frozen North on a daring mission to save the holidays. The whole family is invited to join Niko, Stella and the loveable Lemmings on an unforgettable mission and save Santa’s sleigh, just in time for Christmas.
Cast: Matthew Whelan, Emma Jenkins, Dermot Magennis, Paul Tylak, Roger Gregg, Aileen Mythen, Lucy Smith, Harry Weld Moore, Justin Anene, Luke Griffin, Brendan McDonald, Garry Mountaine.
The Guatemalan-born folk singer/songwriter David Lindes is on a mission to heal with his album Peace With a Lion, produced by Grammy® winner Alex Cuba. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Los Angeles – On his forthcoming album Peace With a Lion, Guatemalan-born singer-songwriter David Lindes looks deep into the meaning of healing. In doing so, he explores two essential phases: honoring wounds and healing them through creation. (Vesper Public Relations, 2024)
With hints of Cat Stevens in his vocals and echoes of the Latin American neo-folk Trova movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Lindes collects folk elements from across the continent in this deeply personal album. In it, he delves into his efforts to heal three wounds: leaving his native Guatemala as a child, being abandoned by his father as a baby, and experiencing physical and emotional abuse. As he moves into his recovery from these wounds, he approaches themes like mental health, the healing power of nature, and forgiveness, all while singing his love and heartbreak to his homeland as if it were a long-lost love. His journey from wound to healing is intimate as well as universal, speaking to the many neglected collective wounds society carries, and the need for healing there as well.
The first two singles off the album, Te Vengo a Perdonar (I’ve Come to Forgive You) and Gold in the Ashes, deal with facing childhood trauma and finding a way to accept it and transform it into wisdom, compassion, and even beauty.
Te Vengo a Perdonar uses Caribbean elements to assemble a sort of post-storm celebration. The lyrics put a forceful end to a self-imposed sentence of pain that only ends with forgiveness.
Gold in the Ashes, poignant and introspective, looks to the Blues and Americana for its palette, to take listeners from pain to hope. In its chorus, Lindes celebrates finding gold in the ashes of his past.
The songs have been released, alongside an official video for Te Vengo a Perdonar (I’ve Come to Forgive You), featuring Lindes himself, who acts out, step by step, his own death and burial.
“Maybe that’s why I’m here,’ contemplates Lindes. ‘If I can take my past, exactly as it is, and turn it into a story and a song, maybe that will bring me a little closer to not wanting a different past. And if I like the story, and I like the song, someday, I might even embrace my past,” he states hopefully.
Grammy® Winner Alex Cuba describes his role in producing the album as “a huge responsibility to shine a light on David’s beautiful voice and message, especially in a time like today, when so many are looking for ways to heal their spirits.”
Lindes will kickoff the album launch with a concert in Mexico City on February 8, 2025, at Casa Florecer, a spiritual center in the woods surrounding the city. He describes the show as “an intimate affair that will be part concert and part healing circle. It’ll include songs, stories from my life, and even a ceremonial element.” He’ll also encourage concert goers to talk about their own pain and recovery. An official album launch event will follow in Los Angeles in the Spring of 2025.
Twang’s pickle flavored products include Twang Pickle Snack Salt. Photo: Garrett Smith/Giant Noise Partners, used with permission.
National Pickle Day, celebrated on November 14, honors one of America’s favorite tangy snacks. Pickles, typically made from cucumbers brined in vinegar or fermented in saltwater, have a rich history dating back thousands of years. Whether enjoyed on their own, as a garnish, or incorporated into dishes, they’ve become a staple in many cuisines worldwide. On this day, pickle lovers celebrate by enjoying different varieties—sweet, sour, dill, or spicy—and exploring new ways to incorporate pickles into meals. It’s a fun occasion for pickle enthusiasts to share recipes, taste new flavors, and appreciate the versatility of this iconic food.
As National Pickle Day approaches, it’s time to embrace the tangy, zesty goodness of pickles in a whole new way. Pickles are having their moment with the viral pickle sandwich as a popular trend on social media, but Twang has been enjoying and sharing its love for pickles for years. (Twang, 2024)
Twang is a San Antonio, TX-based salts and seasonings manufacturer that offers pickle flavored Snack Salts, Beer Salts, Cocktail Rimmers, and Michelada Mixes that are sure to satisfy both pickle lovers and snack enthusiasts alike. Founded in 1986, Twang has perfected its recipes for maximum flavor in each grain of salt and drop of mixer.
Pickle Margarita Cocktail Kit ($69.99): Kit makes four to eight cocktails. In this kit, the classic margarita gets a pickly makeover with the Pickle Mango Marg featuring a choice of The Original Pickle Shot’s OG or Spicy flavors, silver tequila, and mango juice, then rimmed with Twang’s Dill Pickle Beer Salt.
Twang’s Pickle Products
Twang Pickle Snack Salt ($7.00): Price includes three shakers per order. Twang Snack Salts are bold, flavorful, granular blends that can be eaten by themselves as a treat or topped on an assortment of fun food and snacks.
Pickle Beer Salt ($12.00): Price includes 12 bottles per order. Twang Beer Salts are a mouth-watering citrus-infused salt that draws inspiration from the Latino culture of adding citrus and salt to beer made of all-natural flavors and colors.
Dill Pickle Cocktail Rimming Salt ($5.00): Price includes one 4oz rimming tub. Twang Drink Rimming Salt Tubs offer delicious flavors you love, perfect for adding a burst of excitement to margaritas, micheladas, bloody marys, and more. Made of all-natural flavors and colors, each tub is packed with high-quality, all-natural ingredients that deliver a unique blend of taste and texture, elevating your drink experience to new heights.
Twang Pickle Michelada Mixer ($7.00): Price includes one 16oz bottle. Twang Michelada Mixers are made with all-natural ingredients, no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup, and made with real lime juice and Worcestershire sauce.
The Cocktail Courier kit is available for purchase online. All other products are available for purchase online with delivery available nationwide. In-store purchases for Twang can be made at select Walmart, H-E-B, Buc-ee’s, Kroger, Albertsons, Smart & Final, Bashas’, Food City, QT, Circle K, Specs, and BevMo locations.
This National Pickle Day, celebrate the vibrant flavor of pickles like never before with Twang!
Josu features unique Korean salts to boost wellness and flavor this holiday season. Photo: Josu Salt Co.
The holidays are a time when people reflect on their relationships and celebrate the joy of sharing. Whether it’s a small, thoughtful token or a grand gesture, the act of giving allows us to express care and appreciation for those we love. Beyond the material aspect, the true value of a gift lies in the thought behind it—the connection it strengthens and the memories it creates. In a world that often feels busy and disconnected, holiday gift-giving is a reminder of the importance of showing kindness and making time for one another.
Finding the perfect gift for someone who is focused on health and wellness can be thoughtful and practical. Consider items that enhance their fitness journey, like high-quality yoga mats, resistance bands, or foam rollers. A sleek water bottle with time markers can encourage hydration, while a cookbook featuring nutritious recipes might inspire healthy meals. Fitness trackers or smartwatches help monitor activity and sleep. For relaxation, essential oil diffusers, weighted blankets, or aromatherapy sets provide soothing benefits. Gifts like these not only support a health-conscious lifestyle but also show you value their well-being and commitment to a balanced life. For someone on your list who enjoys cooking with artisanal salts, consider the following from Josu Salt Co.
Josu Salt Co. guarantees No Boring Meals with its wellness-driven, artisanal salts that have been featured on Food Network and Kimchimari and transform everyday dishes into flavorful experiences. Harvested using traditional methods from the family farm on Imjado Island, South Korea, these salts are naturally rich in essential minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium and free from harmful additives. Founded by Hae-Sin Thomas, Josu Salt Co. blends tradition with mindful, health-conscious eating. (Josu Salt Co., 2024)
Their artisanal Korean salts, packed with essential minerals, are designed to enhance not only the flavor of meals but also promote overall well-being—perfect for anyone looking to cook with both taste and health in mind. They use traditional sun-drying methods to preserve their mineral-rich, earthy flavor and natural health benefits. The Solar Salt process creates a precious Korean white salt that’s both flavorful and beneficial to your health.
Why they make excellent holiday gifts:
Unique and thoughtful: Josu Salt Co.’s salts provide a distinctive gift for the health-conscious.
Health benefits: The natural minerals in the salts support wellness, from heart health to bone strength.
Flavorful and versatile: Their salts enhance any dish, making them a versatile kitchen essential.
Their top selling products include:
Just Salt – Pure, mineral-rich sea salt for everyday cooking. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Garlic Chive Salt – A nutrient-packed blend combining the benefits of garlic and chives with their sea salt. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
All-Purpose Umami Blend – A flavor-packed mix with shiitake mushrooms and gochugaru, perfect for a health-conscious diet. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Ashlee Vitz is the autor of the new YA novel ‘Amber Armitage and The Aztec Trials.’ Photo: Barnes & Noble
Ashlee Vitz is a teacher, actor, and writer from Indiana who discovered her Aztec heritage years after being adopted as an infant. She enjoys life in the Midwest with her husband and daughter, performs with Crossroads Repertory Theatre in the summers, and cherishes teaching her students at Center Grove High School. Her debut novel “Amber Armitage and The Aztec Trials” is a young adult fantasy adventure that takes readers on a fast-paced journey through ancient Aztec myths, family secrets, and self-discovery.
Interviewing an author is always an exciting experience. It offers a unique opportunity to ask about their creative process, explore the themes in their work, and uncover personal insights that often aren’t found in the books themselves. I love asking about their inspiration, challenges, and the journey that led to the creation of their latest project. This allows readers to connect deeper with the author and their work. Whether it’s debut authors or seasoned writers, each interview brings fresh perspectives, making it a rewarding experience for the author and my readers.
Last week I had the chance to ask Ashlee a few questions about her debut novel “Amber Armitage and The Aztec Trials.”
Sandra:What inspired you to write “Amber Armitage and The Aztec Trials”? Ashlee: The common advice is to write what you know. Amber is an adopted girl from Indiana, and so am I. I met my maternal biological grandmother many years ago, but it was only a few years ago that she shared that I was the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of an Aztec chief. I knew nothing about Aztec society, and I thought writing this novel would be a great way to dive into research on that culture and finally make myself write a novel. Publishing my own fantasy work has been a dream of mine since childhood.
S:Can you share a little about the main character, Amber Armitage? What makes her unique? A: Amber takes us on a journey of discovering what family really means. There isn’t a lot of work out there that has a young adult character leading us through this aspect of the coming-of-age story.
S:What challenges did Amber face during her trials, and how do they reflect her character development? A: This is a hard question to answer without giving away any of the story! In general terms, much of what Amber has to endure requires her to take an extremely honest look at her life and herself. This is one of the hardest trials we all face. Amber is doing it in the heightened world of fantasy. Yet, just as we all grow in the real world when we understand ourselves better, that’s the kind of character development she undergoes as well.
S:Were there any specific themes or messages you wanted to convey through this book? A: I want readers of this book to consider this question: What is family? I also want my readers to consider the complexities that come along with adoption for all parties involved.
S:How did your research process look when writing about the Aztec civilization? A: That was a fascinating journey. I devoured several books and tried to find films on the topic. Film was much harder to find. I even came across a movie called Quetzalcoatl, but it ended up being a B-level horror film. It made me laugh a lot, but did not help me write the book! I did find several online history experts with interesting short videos, which were extremely helpful.
*Note: Quetzalcoatl is a highly revered god of the Aztecs. He plays an extremely important part in the novel.
S:What was the most surprising lesson you learned while writing this book? A: Just like Amber, I met my biological mother during my first year of college. While writing this book and bringing each character to life, it was the first time I truly stepped into what it must’ve felt like for my mother when I met my biological mother. That was an excellent lesson in sympathy for me.
S:What role do supporting characters play in Amber’s journey and how do they influence her decisions? A: Amber’s roommate, Kess, is both comic relief and her guide through much of Aztec culture. I hope readers love her as much as I do! In addition to Kess, Amber’s mother and her biological mother present her with many choices and their own advice, leaving it up to Amber to decide whom she’s going to listen to.
S:Do you have any plans for a sequel or further adventures for Amber Armitage? A: Some of my favorite authors often say that their readers ask excellent questions that they hadn’t considered when beginning to write. So, if there are questions that I find intriguing, yes, I would love to address them in a sequel to this first story.
Thank you to Ashlee Vitz for taking the time to answer my questions. Fantasy novels centered around mythology and ancient civilizations are fascinating, especially when the protagonist is out to learn more about her family history. Such is the case in this book.
What are your thoughts on ancient civilizations such as the Aztec? Have you used any DNA testing site as a tool to finding relatives? Was it a positive or negative experience?
‘Memorials’ is the new horror novel by Richard Chizmar. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Horror novels captivate readers by tapping into deep-seated fears and the unknown, offering a thrilling escape from reality. They engage the imagination, inviting readers to confront the darker aspects of human nature, often exploring themes of mortality, isolation, and the supernatural. The suspenseful plots, eerie atmospheres, and unexpected twists keep readers on edge, fostering a sense of catharsis through the release of tension. They provide a safe space for exploring fear, allowing readers to experience adrenaline-pumping emotions without real danger. This blend of psychological intrigue and visceral excitement is what makes horror fiction so irresistibly compelling.
I love horror novels and have been reading them since elementary school. There’s a new horror novel out by Richard Chizmar, “Memorials,” that has been getting rave reviews, especially from Stephen King.
“Scary and hard to put down. You might be advised not to read it at night.” —Stephen King
Richard Chizmar is the coauthor (with Stephen King) of the New York Times bestselling novella Gwendy’s Button Box and “Gwendy’s Final Task,” and the solo novella Gwendy’s Magic Feather. Recent books include the New York Times bestsellers “Becoming the Boogeyman” and “Chasing the Boogeyman,” “The Girl on the Porch,” “The Long Way Home,” his fourth short story collection, and Widow’s Point, a chilling tale about a haunted lighthouse co-written with his son Billy Chizmar, which was recently made into a feature film. His short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustees award. Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.
“Memorials” – 1983: Three students from a small college embark on a week-long road trip to film a documentary on roadside memorials for their American Studies class. The project starts out as a fun adventure with long stretches of empty road and nightly campfires where they begin to open up with one another.
But as they venture deeper into the Appalachian backwoods, the atmosphere begins to darken. They notice more and more of the memorials feature a strange, unsettling symbol hinting at a sinister secret. Paranoia sets in when it appears they are being followed. Their vehicle is tampered with overnight and some of the locals appear to be anything but welcoming. Before long, the students can’t help but wonder if these roadside deaths were really random accidents…or is something terrifying at work here?
SA Examiner 