Haunting Beauty and Hidden Grief: A Review of ‘The Rose Window’

‘The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance’ is book 1 in the Thornecrest series by Alsen Barrett. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

📖 The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance by Alsen Barrett

🕯️ Synopsis

In the year of our Lord 1673, amid the heathered hills of northern England, there stood a castle that had not known laughter in many years. Its walls, veiled in ivy and mist, held secrets like dried flowers pressed in an old book — fragile, faded, and forgotten. (Amazon, 2025)

A carriage wound its way through the bleak moors of Northumbria. The wheels creaked over rutted roads, and the horses’ hooves struck dull thuds against the earth, muffled by the ever-rolling fog. Inside the carriage sat a girl, pale of face and quiet in manner. Her name was Elowen Gray, and she was seventeen.

She had been summoned by a distant relation — a Lord Ashenleigh — whom she had never met, whose name she had only seen on the brittle corner of a letter.

It was to this castle that young Elowen Gray was sent. Orphaned in a far-off parish and now to be taken in by a man she did not know, she arrived on a gray autumn afternoon, with only a travel-worn satchel and a heart full of uncertainty.

✍️ About the Author

Alsen Barrett is a writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She enjoys reading, history, travel and of course, dogs, which feature prominently in many of the stories .

🕯️ Book Review

The Rose Window is a haunting tale that blends gothic atmosphere, emotional depth, and slow-burning romance. After seventeen-year-old Elowen Gray, orphaned and shaped by quiet grief, is summoned to the shadowy estate of a distant relative, she steps into a world of hidden histories, stained glass, and forbidden longing.

Barrett’s prose is lyrical and immersive, perfectly suited to the fog-draped moors and shadowed corridors of the manor:

“Though beautiful, there was a sadness in its stones, as though the castle itself mourned.”

Elowen’s introspective nature and quiet strength make her a compelling heroine, while Lord Ashenleigh, aloof yet magnetic, hides secrets that echo through the manor’s creaking halls. The novel is richly atmospheric, with a romantic melancholy that fans of the Brontë sisters or Daphne du Maurier will deeply appreciate.

More than a romance, The Rose Window explores themes of grief, inheritance, memory, and the fragile hope that love offers in the darkest places. A story that lingers like a half-remembered dream, it is a poignant and captivating debut that deserves a place among modern gothic classics.

“The castle appeared not gradually but all at once, rising from the hills like something unearthed. High towers pierced the sky. Ivy clung to its stone bones like the grasp of time itself.”

🏰 The Thornecrest Series

The Rose Window is a stand-alone novel and the first in the Thornecrest Series, a collection of interconnected gothic tales exploring generations of secrets, romance, and legacy. Book 1 and Book 8 are currently free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited for a limited time.

Books in the Series:

The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance
The Rose Window: Return to Thornecrest
The Rose Window: Rosamund’s Tale
The Rose Window: The Ashen Flame
The Rose Window: The Legacy of Thornecrest
The Rose Window: Flame of the Firstborn
The Rose Window: The Healing
The Rose Window: Christmas at Thornecrest

Have you read this gothic gem? Share your thoughts in the comments — or tell me your favorite moody, romantic reads! 🌒📚

*This review was sponsored by the author. I received a complimentary copy and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Enter the Phenomenomaly: Meow Wolf’s Summer Spectacle Blends Theater, Puppetry, and Magic

Meow Wolf’s Phenomenomaly: a wild immersive performance this summer in Vegas and Denver. Photo: Paul Torres

Phenomenomaly: Meow Wolf Unleashes a New Immersive Spectacle This Summer

Santa Fe, NM — Imagine Sleep No More meets Theater of the Mind, then throw in a glowing puppet parade and a swirl of surrealist dance. That’s Phenomenomaly, Meow Wolf’s latest mind-bending experience unfolding inside their Las Vegas and Denver exhibitions from June 21 through August 9, 2025. (Meow Wolf, 2025)

A New Era of Interactive Art

Known for crafting wild, genre-defying festivals and installations, Meow Wolf is taking immersive storytelling to new heights. Phenomenomaly is part immersive theater, part art party, and part glow worm migration (yes, you read that right).

Set on a continuous loop, this interactive performance weaves live theater, dance, puppetry, and audience participation into the very fabric of Meow Wolf’s already-surreal multiverses.

What to Expect Inside Phenomenomaly

As guests explore the exhibition, they’ll encounter:

Otherworldly characters
Strange rituals
Moments of intimate magic
A crescendo that erupts into a luminescent parade—featuring massive puppets, strange instruments, and shimmering creatures known as Flickerwermz

These glowing, migrating beings are part of a multiversal mythos whose fate depends on the playful engagement of the audience. Each 90-minute loop is layered seamlessly into Meow Wolf’s fantastical environments, making for a performance that feels both spontaneous and deeply woven into the space.

Unique Every Time

Each location—Denver and Las Vegas—hosts over 15 performers per show: dancers, puppeteers, clowns, and more. New guest artists are introduced every week, ensuring that no two shows are ever the same.

Phenomenomaly is the result of collaboration with an incredible team of national and local creatives, including:

Basqo Bim, Iggy & Andy, Kate Major, and Monsters of the Underworld (Costume Designers)
Sam Johnson of Colossal Collective (Puppet Project Manager, Designer, Fabricator)

🎟️Each city also showcases a rotating roster of local artists, spotlighted weekly—check the Denver and Las Vegas event pages for full schedules, lineups, and ticket information.

📍 Event Details

Dates: June 21 – August 9, 2025
Times:
- Denver: 3–7 p.m. (select dates)
- Las Vegas: 2–6 p.m. (select dates)
Cost: Included with standard admission

About Meow Wolf

More than an arts and entertainment company, Meow Wolf creates extraordinary experiences that blur the line between reality and imagination. With millions of visitors across its locations, Meow Wolf collaborates with hundreds of visionary artists to build stunning, interactive worlds. As a certified B-Corporation, they’re committed to innovation, community, and play.

Step inside Phenomenomaly this summer and become part of a story that shifts with every step, every glance, and every imagination brave enough to follow.

Grief, Grace, and the Signs We’re Given: Kathryn Henry’s Powerful Memoir

‘A Dime to Say I Love You’ will be released July 15, 2025. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚Book Spotlight: A Dime to Say I Love You by Kathryn Henry
For Readers Navigating Grief, Love, and the Spiritual Unknown

For readers navigating grief, spiritual seekers questioning the nature of love and the afterlife, or anyone who’s ever whispered I miss you into the void―today’s book spotlight is especially for you. (Advantage Media, 2025)

A Dime to Say I Love You: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Spiritual Awakening by Kathryn Henry is a profoundly moving memoir that charts a path through unimaginable heartbreak and into unexpected transformation. It will be released on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

When Henry lost her wife Lisa to a rare and aggressive cancer, she plunged into a deep well of grief that threatened to consume her. But what followed was more than mourning—it was a spiritual reckoning. This memoir chronicles not only their final days together, but also Kathryn’s unfolding inner journey, marked by raw honesty, resilience, and a search for meaning beyond death.

This is not your typical grief memoir. Grounded in the brutal reality of terminal illness and lifted by transcendent moments of love, humor, and insight, Henry’s voice emerges—shaped by trauma, tempered by devotion, and illuminated by spiritual inquiry. Their life together—renovating homes, hiking in Japan—comes alive on the page, where even the smallest details carry sacred weight. And then, there are the dimes: tiny silver tokens that begin appearing as signs, metaphysical breadcrumbs that hint at Lisa’s enduring presence.

Each chapter blends storytelling with meditative reflection, offering readers space to pause, breathe, and explore their own emotional landscapes. This is a book for anyone who has loved deeply and lost deeply—and is looking for light in the darkness.

For fans of Cheryl Strayed, Joan Didion, and Thich Nhat Hanh, A Dime to Say I Love You doesn’t offer easy answers. What it does offer is resonance: a reminder that pain is not the opposite of love, but its echo.

Kathryn Henry’s journey—from a turbulent youth and high-level corporate career (at lululemon, Gap, Levi’s), to a spiritual awakening forged in the fire of personal loss—is as extraordinary as it is relatable. Her story is a testament to love’s lasting imprint, and the quiet ways the universe may still speak, if we are listening.

Blood, Grit, and Glory: Bloodstorm Featuring Viking Samurai

Survival/martial arts action movie Bloodstorm starring David Kurzhal. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Grit and Glory of Survival Martial Arts Movies

Survival martial arts movies captivate audiences with their high-stakes action, physical prowess, and raw human determination. These films blend intense combat with themes of endurance, resilience, and the will to overcome impossible odds.

Whether set in post-apocalyptic worlds, remote jungles, or brutal underground arenas, survival martial arts stories highlight the hero’s journey through both physical and emotional trials. The appeal lies in watching characters adapt, fight, and grow stronger with each challenge.

For many moviegoers, these films offer both escapist thrill and inspiration, celebrating the primal fight for life and the strength found in discipline, courage, and self-reliance.

Now Available: Bloodstorm

Bloodstorm — a gripping new survival martial arts movie — is now available on digital, on demand, and DVD in the US and Canada. Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime Video. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

Surrounded by killers, mercy is not an option.

Film Credits:

Written by: Rene Perez & Barry Massoni
Directed by: Rene Perez
Starring:
- David Kurzhal (a.k.a. Viking Samurai)
- Michael Nesto
- Michael Paré (The Virgin Suicides, The Lincoln Lawyer)
- Richard Tyson (Kindergarten Cop, There’s Something About Mary)

Plot Synopsis:

During a transfer to a remote prison island, a determined young policewoman and a deadly inmate are caught in the middle of a violent prison break. Forced to rely on each other, they must fight through chaos to survive.

Fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme will love this fast-paced, adrenaline-charged action flick.

*Bloodstorm* still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Coming Soon: David Kurzhal vs. Sugar Shane Mosley

David Kurzhal, also known as Viking Samurai and star of The Last Kumite, is stepping into the ring in a high-profile showdown.

Fight Date: July 25, 2025
Location: O2 Arena, London
Opponent: Boxing icon Sugar Shane Mosley
Streaming Audience: Expected to exceed 6 million viewers

🥊 [Click here for event info]

Senses Awakened: Experience the Art of Botello, Menchelli & Willome

Nadia Botello, *What the River Says.* Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Experience Three Immersive Solo Exhibitions at Contemporary at Blue Star

📍 San Antonio, TX – Contemporary at Blue Star invites the community to experience three new solo exhibitions opening on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 6–9 p.m. Featuring artists Nadia Botello, Fabiola Menchelli, and Jason Willome, each exhibition offers a unique, sensory-driven experience where the audience is invited to interact with the art through touch, movement, and presence. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2025)

🎉 Opening Events

Taco Talk with the Curator
🗓 Friday, July 11 | ⏰ 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Register Here
Public Opening Reception
🗓 Friday, July 11 | ⏰ 6:00–9:00 p.m.

🖼 On View: July 11 – October 5, 2025

✨ Featured Exhibitions

Nadia Botello

Theophany

Sound artist and composer Nadia Botello explores the San Antonio River as a living entity—a shaping force with a voice of its own. A native Texan and fourth-generation San Antonian, Botello presents multimedia works in sound, sculpture, and film that ask: What might the river be saying for itself?

Her 16mm film series What the River Says reveals images formed solely by submerging film into the river—no human intervention, only the language of water.

Fabiola Menchelli

ombré

Blending photography with painterly process, Fabiola Menchelli introduces a new body of work from her Parallelograms series. Created in total darkness, her photograms are both intentional and accidental—revealing the mystery of creation when sight is removed.

In a fast-paced world of constant imagery, Menchelli’s slow, sensory process challenges viewers to pause and reflect.

Jason Willome

When a Mind Wanders

Jason Willome delves into memory, transformation, and the unknown through his deeply personal drawings. Sparked by the final moments leaving his father’s home and witnessing his father’s decline from Parkinson’s disease, Willome uses gouache, charcoal, and cattle markers to render consciousness in flux.

These abstract, layered drawings mirror the haze of memory and perception—reflecting both confusion and care.

This body of work was developed during Willome’s residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin through the Contemporary’s international residency program.

🏛 About Contemporary at Blue Star

Contemporary at Blue Star showcases artists from San Antonio and across the globe, presenting innovative exhibitions that spark empathy, action, and understanding. As a non-collecting contemporary art space, the Contemporary fosters fresh perspectives and cultural dialogue.

🎟 Admission is always free.
📍 116 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204
📞 (210) 227-6960
🌐 Contemporary at Blue Star

🕒 Public Hours

Day	Hours
Mon–Tues	Closed
Wed	12 pm – 5 pm
Thu–Fri	12 pm – 8 pm
Sat–Sun	10 am – 6 pm

Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star, used with permission.

Slow Crush Announces Thirst: A Haunting New Chapter in Shoegaze

Slow Crush reveals ‘While You Dream Vividly’ from their new album Thirst. Photo: Stefaan Temmerman, used with permission.

🎤Slow Crush Announce New Album Thirst, Out August 29 via Pure Noise Records

Slow Crush is back—and more immersive than ever. The Belgian four-piece has announced their upcoming album, Thirst, due out August 29 via their new label, Pure Noise Records. Known for their powerful fusion of rock and shoegaze, Slow Crush further solidifies their place at the forefront of the genre with this emotionally rich and sonically textured release. (another side, 2025)

A Dreamscape of Sound: New Single “While You Dream Vividly”

Last month, the band gave listeners a taste of what’s to come with their latest single, “While You Dream Vividly.” Ethereal and haunting, the track unfolds as a layered journey through longing and surrender.

“We wanted to capture the sensation of being tethered to someone yet drifting weightlessly, lost in the surreal beauty of the moment,” the band shares.

Set to a hypnotic rhythm and draped in melancholic tones, the song draws you into a hazy dreamscape where time fades and only connection remains. Frontwoman Isa Holliday’s evocative lyrics—what she calls “true blue”—echo like a timeless promise, leaving you floating, falling, and forever yearning.

A Gritty Evolution

On Thirst, Slow Crush’s signature gauzy riffs and propulsive rhythms return with even more grit and depth. The band used the downtime between tours to dive deep into their creative process following the success of their acclaimed albums Aurora (2018) and Hush (2021), which collectively sold tens of thousands of physical copies worldwide.

This time, they decamped to The Ranch in Southampton, U.K., teaming up with producer Lewis Johns. With no expectations except transformation, vocalist/bassist Isa Holliday, drummer Frederik Meeuwis, and guitarists Jelle Ronsmans and Nic Placlé pushed their sound into new territory.

Emotional Depth and Vulnerability

Across Thirst’s ten tracks, Slow Crush explores themes of renewal, connection, and emotional intensity. The album is heavier and more vulnerable than ever. Isa reached new emotional depths in the recording booth—some tracks brought her to tears, marking the band’s rawest and most personal work yet. Pre-Order / Pre-Save Thirst.

At its heart, Thirst revolves around what Isa calls:

“The romance of being with a loved one.”

Whether navigating the ache of distance or savoring the fleeting perfection of reunion, Thirst captures that delicate tension—of being tethered to someone while drifting together through something dreamlike and beautiful.

Upcoming Fall Tour

To celebrate the release of Thirst, Slow Crush will embark on a headlining Fall tour beginning in early September. The run kicks off on the East Coast and includes stops across both coasts, the Midwest, and more.

🎟️Tickets are on sale now.

Thirst tracklist:

1 – Thirst
2 – Covet
3 – Cherry
4 – Leap
5 – Hollow
6 – Haven
7 – While You Dream Vividly
8 – Bloodmoon
9 – Ógilt
10 – Hlýtt

Stay tuned for more from Slow Crush as Thirst approaches. This one promises to be their most transcendent chapter yet.

Nuclear Threats and Espionage: A Review of ‘The Moldavian Gambit’

‘The Moldavian Gambit’ is Brad M. Meslin’s debut geopolitical thriller. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚Book Review: The Moldavian Gambit by Brad M. Meslin

A Suspenseful Dive into Nuclear Blackmail and Geopolitical Intrigue

Brad M. Meslin’s The Moldavian Gambit is a pulse-pounding geopolitical thriller that catapults readers into a shadowy world of nuclear threats, political deception, and high-stakes espionage. Set during the unraveling days of the Soviet Union, the novel blends intense action with chilling realism.

A Story Rooted in Global Tension

The story opens in Israel, where Maj. Gen. (ret.) Dov Ma’alat reflects on his years of diplomatic service as he gazes out over a field behind his Tel Aviv home—recently settled by Soviet Jewish immigrants. His quiet moment of reflection contrasts sharply with the instability unfolding in Tiraspol, Moldavian SSR.

There, armed clashes between Moldavian nationalists and Russian-backed militias erupt into chaos. Amid the violence, nationalist forces steal a portable nuclear weapon from a secure Soviet armory. Their chilling demand: declare Moldavian sovereignty and withdraw Soviet troops—or they will detonate the weapon in Paris.

Racing Against Time

A classified U.S. Nuclear Emergency Search Team, led by Peter Grantham, is dispatched to locate the weapon. Dov Ma’alat (now working with Mossad) and Lt. Col. Sergei Rostov, a seasoned KGB investigator, are also investigating the matter. With the clock ticking, these operatives uncover a sinister conspiracy that could trigger a global catastrophe.

A High-Stakes Espionage Thriller

Meslin masterfully blends espionage and political strategy, creating a web of intrigue filled with intelligence agents, military leaders, and treacherous politicians. The pacing is sharp and the stakes are high, delivering nonstop tension from the first page to the last.

With a background in political consulting and international affairs, Meslin brings unnerving plausibility to the novel’s complex scenarios. Action sequences, especially in the climactic final scenes, are vivid and cinematic. The prose is accessible yet descriptive, as in:

“At more than 65,000 feet, Peter could clearly make out the curvature of the distant horizon superimposed against the deep blue tones of the thinning atmosphere.”

Room for Character Depth

While the large cast adds richness to the plot, some characters—particularly Maria Colline, a Soviet sleeper agent central to the conspiracy—could benefit from deeper development. Still, their interactions and roles add layers to an already gripping narrative.

Final Verdict

Overall, The Moldavian Gambit delivers a suspenseful, smartly written tale of international intrigue and nuclear brinkmanship. Fans of Tom Clancy, Daniel Silva, and political thrillers alike will be hooked.

“Gripped by an increasing sense of urgency but not wanting to appear alarmed, he forced himself to remain calm and polite. Alert Stefan and get Mihai and Paul out of there; that was what mattered at the moment.”

Highly recommended for thriller enthusiasts who crave realism, complexity, and edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

*Thank you to Mosaic PR for the gifted copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Film, Family, and Frida: What’s New at the 46th CineFestival San Antonio

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center announces the 46th CineFestival San Antonio. Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.

🎬 46th CineFestival San Antonio: A Celebration of Latinx Film, Music & Culture

July 9–13, 2025 | Multiple Venues Across San Antonio

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is thrilled to unveil the full program for the 46th annual CineFestival San Antonio, taking place July 9–13, 2025. As the city’s original and longest-running Latinx film festival, CineFestival promises a vibrant showcase of stories that reflect the diverse cultural tapestry of San Antonio, Texas, and the Latinx experience in the U.S. and beyond. (CineFestival San Antonio, 2025)

👉 Full schedule, festival passes, and tickets available online.

⚠️ Please Note: Due to mature content and unrated films, parental discretion is advised. All non-English films include English subtitles. Programming and times subject to change.

📍 Screening Venues

Hosted by the Carver Community Cultural Center, the festival will span four iconic locations across the city:

Little Carver Civic Center, 226 N Hackberry St
Jo Long Theatre, 226 N Hackberry St
Santikos Mayan Palace, 1918 SW Military Dr
SAY Sí, 1310 S. Brazos St

🎥 Festival Highlights

With 95 films on the lineup—including 12 features and over 25 screenings of short films—this year’s festival is an expansive tribute to Latinx voices in cinema.

33 films by San Antonio-based artists
38 films produced in or connected to Texas
16 films nominated for the Mesquite Award for Best Texas Short Film

🌟 Headlining Documentaries

Two highly anticipated documentaries will lead this year’s program:

Selena y Los Dinos, directed by CineFestival alumna Isabel Castro, tells the story of the Queen of Tejano Music through never-before-seen footage. Produced in collaboration with Selena’s siblings, the film will premiere with Castro and some cast members in attendance.
Take It Away, by Adrian Alejandro Arredondo and Myrna Perez, follows the life and legacy of beloved Tejano music host Johnny Canales, whose show introduced legends like Selena and Ramon Ayala to mainstream audiences.

“At CineFestival, we share the pride that Selena y Los Dinos brought to Mexican American communities of Texas and beyond.” – Eugenio del Bosque, Festival Director

🎬 Featured Films

Here are some of the standout features included in the 2025 program:

Carnalismo (dir. José Luis Cano) – A vibrant film exploring cumbias, lowriders, and brotherhood in Durango, Mexico.
Hola Frida (dir. André Kadi & Karine Vézina) – An animated journey into the whimsical early life of Frida Kahlo.
Prodigal Daughter (dir. Mabel Valdiviezo) – A deeply personal documentary on family, immigration, and healing.
Spring of the Vanishing (dir. Andrew Glazer) – A chilling look into the crisis of disappearances along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Ladder (dir. Emilio Miguel Torres) – A poetic sci-fi tale exploring age, ethics, and reinvention.
The Place In Between (dir. Laura Perez) – A San Antonio-shot road trip dramedy about grief, reconnection, and unexpected bonds.
Uvalde Mom (dir. Anayansi Prado) – A gripping portrayal of a mother’s courageous act during a tragedy that shocked the nation.
Valentina or the Serenity (dir. Ángeles Cruz) – A poignant story of Indigenous resilience and childhood love.

🏆 Texas and San Antonio Showcases

Mesquite Award Nominees: 16 Texas short films (13 narratives, 3 documentaries) showcasing local talent.
Vistas de San Antonio: Featuring My Rocking Chair by Alejandro Aldana and 17 shorts made by students and local creatives from Northwest Vista College, St. Mary’s University, UIW, and UTSA.
Texas Showcase: 15 short films from across the state, reflecting the bold and fresh perspectives of emerging filmmakers.

🎞️ Shorts & Youth Films

The festival also proudly presents:

U.S. Latinx Shorts Program – A diverse slate of award-winning and thematically rich short films by Latinx creators nationwide.
Youth Films – Projects by filmmakers aged 18 and under, representing schools and media programs in San Antonio, Texas, and neighboring states.

🤝 Supported By

The 46th CineFestival San Antonio is made possible with generous support from:

City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture,
San Antonio Film Commission,
Texas Commission on the Arts,
National Endowment for the Arts,
The Ford Foundation,
San Antonio Area Foundation,
H-E-B, and AARP.

🎟️ Don’t miss this landmark celebration of Latinx stories on screen!
Get your passes and explore the full lineup today:
👉 CineFestival San Antonio

Photo: CineFestival San Antonio, used with permission.

Thirty Cats, One Memoir, and the Power of Showing Up

‘Poets Square’ is the new memoir by Courtney Gustafson. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats

How One Woman, Thirty Feral Cats, and a Bit of Dumb Hope Sparked a Movement of Care

What happens when you move into a new house—and discover that it comes with thirty feral cats?

In “Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats,” Courtney Gustafson shares the deeply personal and unexpectedly viral story of how a scrappy colony of stray cats transformed her life, her neighborhood, and the way she thinks about care, resilience, and community. (Penguin Random House, 2025)

A Pandemic, a New Relationship—and Then, the Cats

When Courtney moved into a rental in Tucson’s Poets Square neighborhood, she was already in survival mode. She was navigating a new relationship, working a job that didn’t pay enough, and dealing with mental health challenges—all during the chaos of a global pandemic.

So, when she realized her new home came with thirty unclaimed, unfixed, and hungry feral cats, her initial response was: not my problem.

But the cats had other ideas.

With their pleading eyes, visible ribs, and litters of kittens born in the gravel driveway, they became impossible to ignore.

From Reluctant Rescuer to Accidental Influencer

Courtney hadn’t planned on becoming an animal rescuer. She certainly didn’t anticipate the grief, exhaustion, or heartbreak that comes with trying to help creatures in need—especially within a system that fails both animals and people every day.

But in feeding, fixing, naming, and loving this colony—Monkey, Goldie, Francois, Sad Boy, and so many others—Courtney found something she didn’t expect: a way forward through her own personal darkness.

As she began documenting the daily lives of the cats on TikTok and Instagram, she quickly amassed a devoted following. Poets Square Cats became a viral phenomenon—and the support from her online community ended up saving her home.

A Story About Cats—and So Much More

This memoir is more than a chronicle of rescue work. It’s a meditation on what it means to show up—for others, for yourself, and for the broken spaces in between. Courtney takes readers from dark alleyways to trashed living rooms to her own front yard, revealing a raw, powerful journey that’s as much about humanity as it is about cats.

With tenderness, humor, and hard-won wisdom, “Poets Square” is a story about finding hope where it seems least likely, and building community—even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.

About the Author

Courtney Gustafson is a cat rescuer, community organizer, and creator of Poets Square Cats. She lives in Tucson, Arizona, and shares stories (and cat updates) with thousands on TikTok and Instagram.

Praise for “Poets Square”

“Truly moving; a heartfelt exploration of the humanity at the heart of animal welfare. Courtney masterfully weaves together stories of cats with stories of her own life and the lives of her community members—raw, flawed, and striving for goodness in a complex world. Her journey from cat observer to dedicated caregiver and community builder is profoundly inspiring.”—Hannah Shaw, New York Times bestselling author of Cats of the World

“Courtney Gustafson writes with uncommon grace about the castoff, the abandoned, the invisible. This book should be read and treasured for its ability to make the reader more human and humane.”—Lauren Slater, author of Blue Dreams and Lying

“Poets Square is charming and tender, funny-sad, quirky in the best possible way. It’s a story about care and compassion and acts of kindness big and small. I flew through it— and I’m not even a cat person.”—Chloë Ashby, author of Wet Paint

📚 Want more stories like this? Subscribe to my blog for book reviews, memoir spotlights, and reflections on resilience and community.

‘The Sound’ Review: Horror Meets High Altitude in This Survival Thriller

The Sound is available on Video On Demand. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Movie Review: The Sound (2025)

Survival, Supernatural Terror, and the Forbidden Wall

Release Date: June 27, 2025
Available in Theaters & On Demand
Distributor: Blue Harbor Entertainment
Rating: R (Language and Some Violence)
Running Time: 104 mins
Genres: Thriller / Horror / Action

Synopsis

Survival horror thriller The Sound opened nationwide in theaters and on Video on Demand on June 27, 2025. Distributed by Blue Harbor Entertainment, the film plunges audiences into an adrenaline-charged nightmare on one of the most dangerous climbs ever attempted. (EG-PR, 2025)

A world-class team of climbers is granted access to the Forbidden Wall, a mysterious rock face sealed off for decades. Among them is Sean (Marc Hills), whose grandfather’s doomed attempt 63 years ago has become legend. But as the climbers ascend, they are confronted by a malevolent force that transforms their expedition into a terrifying battle for survival—hundreds of feet above ground and completely isolated from help.

Cast & Crew

Produced, Directed & Written by: Brendan Devane (The Canyonlands)
Executive Producer: James Devane (Sadieland Productions)
Director of Photography: Ryan Galvan
Editing: Alex Russek (Reel Rock)
Score by: James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins)

Starring:
Marc Hills (Elephant Department), Rachel Finninger (American Horror Story), Nicholas Baroudi (The Hating Game), Jocelyn Hudon (The Strain), William Fichtner (Crash, Armageddon), Christina Kirkman (Trigger Happy), Jolene Kay (Star Trek), David Clennon (The Thing), Hazel Findlay (Reel Rock), Brette Harrington (The Alpinist), Adrian Ballinger (Edge Of The Earth), Alex Honnold (Free Solo)

Review

The Sound is a chilling and suspenseful horror thriller that combines the physical danger of a mountaineering expedition with the creeping dread of supernatural terror. Set against the dizzying heights of the Forbidden Wall, the film begins as a survival story and spirals into a psychological nightmare.

Marc Hills gives a standout performance as Sean, a climber burdened by his family’s haunted legacy. The eerie backstory involving his grandfather’s failed expedition adds depth and mystery, enhancing the film’s foreboding tone.

While the film excels in atmosphere and breathtaking cinematography, particularly during the sweeping climbing sequences, it stumbles slightly in character development and pacing. Some of the supporting roles fall into familiar tropes, and not all supernatural elements are fully fleshed out. However, the originality of combining climbing with horror, along with a memorable plot twist at the end, helps The Sound stand out.

Fans of vertical thrillers like The Descent or The Ritual will find much to enjoy here. The Sound leaves viewers gripping their seats—and maybe thinking twice about what lurks on forgotten mountainsides.

*Thank you to EG-PR for the screener link for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Have you seen The Sound? Share your thoughts in the comments!

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Author: Sandra Cruz