Author: Sandra Cruz

Blogger, book reviewer, artist, poet, avid reader and nature/animal lover.

New book release: ‘The King’s Mistress’ by Clyve Rose

‘The King’s Mistress’ is the new historical romance novel by Clyve Rose. Photo: Amazon

Clyve Rose has been writing historical romance fiction for the best part of two decades and also works in the fantasy and speculative fiction genres. She also writes literary novels under an alternative pen name. One of her novels was longlisted for a 2010 Hachette Award for Fiction while her paranormal short story, The One Below, is a Sexy Scribbles award-winning piece. Her novel “Always a Princess” is a winner in the Spring 2022 BookFest Awards. She is a sought-after expert on historical romance writing, and is a speaker on the topic. Her writing is carefully researched and delivers imaginative historical settings along with happily-ever-after endings that keep readers begging for more. The highly anticipated sequel, “The King’s Mistress,” is her latest novel; it was released January 24 and is available from Boroughs Publishing Group. (Clyve Rose, 2023)

In “The King’s Mistress,”– readers follow Lady Lydia Clifton as she flees England, disguised as the mistress to the Romany King. She is escaping a forced marriage and the brutality of her father. Will she make it to France and into the care of her oldest brother? Or will fate get in the way when she meets up with the real Romany King? King Valkin Brishen is fully aware that lies can bring harm to his people, yet when his men find a lovely English maid on the run who claims to be his mistress, he is more than curious over exactly why this English rose is fleeing with such haste.

“Fans can look forward to a twisting tale filled with subterfuge and passion. I hope they enjoy reading The King’s Mistress as much as I enjoyed writing it.”- Clyve Rose

Valentine’s Day menu at Ladino

Ladino will be offering a multi-coursed Mediterranean inspired tasting menu for Valentine’s Day. Photo: Ladino, used with permission.

Ladino will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special tasting menu available Tuesday, February 14. Treat your partner to a “Lovers Day” multi-coursed Mediterranean inspired tasting menu that will focus on seasonal Texas produce and traditional Mediterranean fare with a modern take perfectly paired with wines selected highlighting the region. (Ladino, 2023)

Tickets are $115 per person with optional wine pairing ($60 per person). Reservations can be made online.

Ladino
200 E Grayson St 100
San Antonio, TX 78215

1676385774

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Valentine’s Day

New book release: ‘701 Life Lessons’ by Honerod

‘701 Life Lessons: Timeless Lessons for Overcoming Life Challenges in a Chaotic World’ is the new book by Honerod. Photo: Amazon

In book news: here is a new release for readers interested in books about personal growth and self-development. Honerod is an up-and-coming author who focuses on personal growth, self-development, and improving one’s life. “Life is an endless journey of learning” is among many of his favorite quotes. His passion for personal development started at a young age and has since then always been looking for opportunities for growth. His latest books, “701 Life Lessons” and “701 Life Quotes,” examine the importance of legacy and showcases his unique, witty voice. Both books bring out new and modernistic perspectives to life. These are just the beginning of Honerod’s journey as an author, as he plans to release more self-help books with new perspectives to challenge the chaotic world we live in. “701 Life Lessons: Timeless Lessons for Overcoming Life Challenges in a Chaotic World” is a powerful guide that presents you with the valuable lessons that life has to offer, helping you to understand the challenges and opportunities that come with it. (Honerod, 2023)

“701 Life Lessons” – Are you feeling lost and directionless in life? Do you wish to transform your perspective and achieve your dreams? Look no further than “701 Life Lessons,” the inspiring self-help book that will change the way you view the world. Contrary to popular belief, failure is not always the result of bad luck or poor circumstances. Rather, it is often due to inadequate responses to life’s demands. This book will teach you how to handle the difficulties that life presents and to find your unique role in the world. By doing so, you will be able to prevent negative habits from forming and achieve your greatest potential.

With “701 Life Quotes,” this book will challenge your current perceptions of life and the world, helping you to gain a new perspective and to consider alternative opinions, experiences, and points of view. This increased understanding and empathy will reduce prejudice, judgment, and conflict in your life, allowing you to face life’s hardships with grace and to empower your greatest self. Do not let life’s surprises and obstacles leave you feeling lost and directionless. Embrace the valuable lessons that life has to offer and transform your perspective with “701 Life Lessons.”

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Book to movie adaptation: ‘The Cabin at the End of the World’ by Paul Tremblay

‘The Cabin at the End of the World’ is the inspiration for the new M. Night Shyamalan movie Knock at the Cabin, now in theaters. Photo: Amazon

Paul Tremblay is the author of the Bram Stoker Award and Locus Award winning “The Cabin at the End of the World,” winner of the British Fantasy Award “Disappearance at Devil’s Rock,” and Bram Stoker Award/Massachusetts Book Award winning “A Head Full of Ghosts.” He is also the author of the novels “The Little Sleep,” “No Sleep till Wonderland,” “Swallowing a Donkey’s Eye,” and “Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn’t Fly” (co-written with Stephen Graham Jones). His essays and short fiction have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and numerous “year’s best” anthologies. He is the co-editor of four anthologies including “Creatures: Thirty Years of Monster Stories” (with John Langan). “The Cabin at the End of the World” is a terrifying twist to the home invasion novel and the

inspiration for the upcoming major motion picture from Universal Pictures. Knock at the Cabin is an apocalyptic psychological horror movie written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan starring Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki-Amuka-Bird, Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn, and Rupert Grint. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Cabin at the End of the World: A Novel” – Seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are vacationing at a remote cabin on a quiet New Hampshire lake. Their closest neighbors are more than two miles in either direction along a rutted dirt road. One afternoon, as Wen catches grasshoppers in the front yard, a stranger unexpectedly appears in the driveway. Leonard is the largest man Wen has ever seen, but he is young, friendly, and he wins her over almost instantly. Leonard and Wen talk and play until Leonard abruptly apologizes and tells Wen, “None of what’s going to happen is your fault.” Three more strangers then arrive at the cabin carrying unidentifiable, menacing objects. As Wen sprints inside to warn her parents, Leonard calls out: “Your dads won’t want to let us in, Wen. But they have to. We need your help to save the world.” Thus begins an unbearably tense, gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse, and survival that escalates to a shattering conclusion, one in which the fate of a loving family and quite possibly all of humanity are entwined. “The Cabin at the End of the World” is a masterpiece of terror and suspense from the fantastically fertile imagination of Paul Tremblay.

Photo: Google

New movie release: The Last Deal

The Last Deal opens in theaters Friday February 3 and digital Tuesday February 7, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Sala Baker, known to Lord of the Rings fans as Sauron, stars in the non-stop action thrill ride The Last Deal, coming to theaters February 3 and digital February 7. (The Last Deal, 2023)

A captivating profusion of Heat and Savages, The Last Deal nabbed Best Director at the Boston Film Festival, and later, the Jury Prize for Best Performance at the San Antonio Film Festival.

Black market marijuana dealer Vince is living the high life in Los Angeles, but everything changes when new laws pass making cannabis legal. With limited dispensary licenses available, Vince may be squeezed out of the business. He is desperate to make one final score, but borrows money from the wrong people.

Directed by Jonathan Salemi, and also starring Anthony Molinari (Tenet), Mister Fitzgerald (“F.B.I.”), Jeffri Lauren (Inside & Out), Mike Ferguson (Ebola Rex), Conner Floyd (“The Young & The Restless”), and Gigi Gustin (The Retaliators), The Last Deal is a Scatena & Rosner Films release.

Rated R for some strong violence, drug content, language throughout, brief sexuality, and nudity.

Book review: ‘The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit’ by Elizabeth A. Gould

‘The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit’ by Elizabeth A. Gould. Photo: Amazon

Elizabeth Gould is a mother, teacher, art historian, and menstrual advocate and has long been fascinated with the importance of rites of passage and divine feminine archetypes for women in our modern culture. She has taught and mentored girls at puberty and is the former director of a nonprofit dedicated to positive menstrual/menopausal education. She holds a BA in Art History from Stanford University and an MA in Education from the State University of New York. “The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit” follows a female heroine through poignant moments of her adult life. (Elizabeth Gould, 2023)

“The Well of Truth” – Incorporating elements of fantasy, mysticism, and lore, Grace experiences life’s ups and downs. Through the initiations of marriage, raising children, getting divorced, going through menopause, losing loved ones, and ultimately making an independent life for herself, she gains insight and spiritual wisdom from unexpected places. These short stories are filled with reflections on feminine resilience, power, and agency. It begins with Grace deciding to spend the summer traveling in Scotland to work on her photography portfolio and research her Celtic ancestry. From there, her life’s milestones come and go, sometimes with unexpected surprises, but she always comes out on top a little wiser with the help of various deities.

Every woman’s life journey is different but we all share the same milestones and struggles. This is what makes Grace’s story so relatable. Readers bear witness to one woman’s transformation from young woman to mom and beyond, complete with victories as well as heartbreaks. The tone has a certain dreamlike quality, with the narration going back and forth between daydreaming and reality. Throughout her life, her personal values are deep rooted in nature and the different goddesses that push her along to succeed. The chapters/stories are short and easy to to read and the language is flowing and poetic. “The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit” is charming and entertaining and can easily be read in one sitting yet the themes of nature, resiliency, and personal growth resonate past the final page. It is recommended for readers who enjoy books on folklore, fantasy, spiritualism, and magical realism.

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Taco Cabana launches two new Double Crunch Pizza flavors

The new Double Crunch Pizza options launch Thursday, February 2, 2023. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Due to popular demand, Taco Cabana will add two all-new Double Crunch Pizza (DCP) flavors this February following the release of its first-ever pizza in December 2022. Launching February 2, 2023, a Chorizo and Egg Double Crunch Pizza, available all day – perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner – and a Shredded Chicken Double Crunch Pizza will be added to the TC menu. The new flavors will continue TC’s tradition of culinary innovation and will be available for just $4.99 at all Texas Taco Cabana locations. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

“Over the last 30 days, since the launch of our Ground Beef Double Crunch Pizza in mid-December, the TC guest response and engagement has been incredible. Our guests immediately began asking us for more DCP options and we listened and responded. We’re excited to launch two new, available all-day DCP line extensions, and we will continue to develop within our innovation culinary pipeline across a number of different platforms for the future as well.” – Ulyses Camacho, Chief Operating Officer, Taco Cabana

TC’s Double Crunch Pizzas are composed of two crispy tortillas blended with corn and flour, layered with the guest’s choice of seasoned ground beef, flavor-packed shredded chicken or chorizo and egg, refried beans, chipotle ranch dressing, and Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, topped with Pico de Gallo, shredded cheese and drizzled with sour cream. Guests 21 years of age or older can complement their Double Crunch Pizza selection with their choice of one of TC’s 12 refreshing margarita options available for $3 each all day, every day at TC’s Margarita Headquarters. This flavor-filled combination is not to be missed.

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

Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, here is some menu news for the big day. Meat lovers and crispy flauta fans alike will find much to enjoy at Taco Cabana this Valentine’s Day. Food is the way to the heart, and fortunately, Taco Cabana is paving the way. Foodie couples looking for some bites will have the choice of a Shredded Chicken Taco Plate, a Ground Beef Taco Plate, or a three-pack Flauta Plate for just $10.99. Each plate comes with an array of tasty rice, refried beans or black beans, shredded lettuce, guacamole, and two tortillas.

Guests 21 years of age or older can pair their special meal with one of Taco Cabana’s many frozen margarita flavors or a sweet treat such as TC’s delectable Oreo Churros.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature $3 tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, delivery and catering. As of January 19, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

 

New book release: ‘Sarcaun: The Journey’ by Simone Voltaire

‘Sarcaun: The Journey’ by Simone Voltaire. Photo: Amazon

Simone Voltaire is a first-time author who has always loved reading a variety of genres including the classics, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery books. The creativity and captivating imagination that she enjoyed reading inspired her to put her own imagination into words to share with others. Her father, Arnauld Voltaire, who himself wrote plays and stories, is the one who encouraged her to pursue her goal of writing. She first started by writing short stories that she shared with friends and family but eventually decided to set a goal of writing a book. She wrote “Sarcaun: The Journey” in a span of a few years; it is an integration of many short stories and adventures that she had written that entailed the world of Sarcaun when she first started writing. The book has been positively reviewed by Sarah Poulette from US Review of Books. She is currently working on completing book two of “Sarcaun.” (Simone Voltaire, 2023)

“Sarcaun: The Journey” – For millions of years, gifted Gens lived on earth, until they decided to leave to protect their kind from humans. Thousands of years later, Princess Norellyia is sent from Sarcaun on a trip to earth in order to change her attitude. While living with a family on earth, she discovers a secret about the daughter, Melanie. She intervenes and ends up rescuing Melanie from trouble. In the meantime, chaos ensues on the planet of Sarcaun as evil is unleashed through the portal created by her departure to earth. Norellyia finds herself on a journey that will change her life forever. Also available on Barnes & Noble.

Excerpt available.

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Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley announce new album Living In A Song

Living In A Song will be out February 10, 2023. Photo: Google

American roots music has seen its fair share of beloved duos over the years—from The Monroe Brothers and Flatt & Scruggs to modern-day pairs like Milk Carton Kids and The War and Treaty—but few leave audiences as amazed as Grammy Award nominees Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley. Built on the interplay of Ickes’s Dobro and Hensley’s six-string guitar, the only thing outshining the virtuosity of this group’s instrumental performances is their singing and songwriting prowess. On February 10, Ickes and Hensley are set to release a new full-length album via Compass Records, Living In A Song. Featuring ten original tunes plus two timeless covers, and focusing on a classic country sound as heard in contemporaries like Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson, and Jason Isbell, Living In A Song is a love letter to a bygone Nashville and an in-depth look at the wonderful interplay between two masters of their craft. (Rob Ickes/Trey Hensley, 2023)

Ickes and Hensley shared a sneak peek of “Living In A Song,” the album’s title track which grew out of their experiences as touring musicians. According to Hensley, the song practically wrote itself after a long day on the road driving through Ohio. When Hensley digs into the lyrics there is no question that he has lived the story he is telling, lifted up even further when Ickes’ tenor harmony enters the chorus. Fans can check out “Living In A Song” and pre-order or pre-save Living In A Song ahead of its February 10 release.

Their brand new album Living In A Song clearly illustrates the breadth of the musical vision of Grammy Award nominees Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley and their depth as practitioners of their craft. It is no wonder that between them they are two of the most sought-after musicians in Nashville. Ickes co-founded the highly influential bluegrass group Blue Highway and has been an A-team Nashville session player and performing musician for decades, with credits including Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, and Alison Krauss. Hensley, a three-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year nominee, has been called “Nashville’s hottest young player” by Acoustic Guitar magazine and his soulful baritone vocals have received widespread notice as well. Influenced by repertoires as diverse as The Allman Brothers Band, Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hensley has shared stages with artists such as Johnny Cash, Steve Wariner, Peter Frampton, and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Living In A Song track list:
Living In A Song
Deeper Than A Dirt Road
Backstreets Off Broadway
Way Downtown
I’ve Given All That I Can Take
Moonshine Run
Just Because
I’m Working On A Building
Is The World Still Turning
Louisiana Woman
I Thought I Saw A Carpenter
Thanks

Catch Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley on tour (more dates to be announced soon):
February 10 – Johnson City, TN – The Down Home
February 16 – Knoxville, TN – Barley’s
February 17 – Cartersville, GA – The Booth Museum’s Boots & Saddles Pre-Gala Party
February 18 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
February 22 – Washington, DC – City Winery
February 23 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
February 26 – Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall Lounge
February2 7 – New York, NY – City Winery
March 24 – Raleigh, NC – Private Event
March 31 – Phoenix, AZ – MIM: Musical Instrument Museum
April 1 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Folk Festival
May 11 – Athens, AL – Fiddlers Concert Series
October 14 – Williamsburg, KY – River Stomp Bluegrass Festival

Book of the week: ‘Ruby’s Diner’ by Tanya Hilson

‘Ruby’s Diner’ by Tanya Hilson. Photo: Amazon

***** Update *****

“Ruby’s Diner” is also available on audible. Check out some reviews for this title. 

Tanya Hilson loves the joy of storytelling and writing. Her passion for writing started at a young age and has stayed with her throughout her life. Being dyslexic, she never thought in a million years that she would be writing screenplays, stage plays, or children’s books. She likes to write because it humbles her within, it is therapeutic, and sharing her stories with others brings her joy. A passionate humanitarian, she also runs a nonprofit organization called WeLiveOn2, which supports low-income families by teaching them computer literacy and job readiness skills, as well as helping those who have been previously incarcerated obtain employment. She has written several books, including “Back Porch Neighbors,” “Back Porch Secrets,” “Ruby’s Diner,” “Human Collateral,” “Shadow Eyes,” “Shadow Eyes 2,” “Where’s My Child,” “John’s Hidden Truth,’ and “My Cousin Sue.” She received an accolade for “Human Collateral” from Coverfly.  For fans of urban fiction, there is “Ruby’s Diner,” the story of Ginger Garcia and her efforts to break free of her previous life. (Tanya Hilson, 2023)

Connect with the author: Facebook – This That Production; This That Production Book Club

“Never give up on a DREAM, for others cannot DREAM for you.” – Tanya Hilson

“Ruby’s Diner” – Desperate to break free from the shackles of sex trafficking and life on the streets, can Gigi find the willpower to leave her past behind, or will that monkey continue to ride her back?

Deceit, resentment, and revenge cast a long shadow over this Chicago diner. Homelessness and the misconceptions that come with it sit heavy on the shoulders of many, including one young lady, Ginger Garcia. Desperate to break free from life on the streets, she is embraced into the God-loving arms of Ms. Ruby and her dynamic group of diner employees. Each with their own share of misfortune, and triumphs, they come together to help lift Gigi up and provide her with a strong foundation from which she can work towards her dreams. But her strength and loyalty are tested when Gigi’s past catches up to her. Will Gigi move forward, or will Gigi slip back into life on the streets? “Ruby’s Diner” pushes its audience to look at their own perceptions of sex trafficking, homelessness, substance abuse, and the things that tie them together, life!

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