‘Datura Serpentis’ is the new gripping supernatural thriller by Trevor Carter. Photo: Amazon
When it comes to books, thrillers can include psychological thrillers, crime thrillers, and even outer space thrillers. Today’s new book release highlight is “Datura Serpentis” by Trevor Carter. By combining botany and the supernatural, readers will witness the dark side of nature, as Mother Nature has plans to rid itself of humanity by creating a new species. It is a well written suspense thriller that centers around nature and dark forces bent on disrupting the natural order. Are you ready for your next exciting read? Get your hands on “Datura Serpentis” today and find out if humanity will prevail. It is available on Amazon.
Trevor Carter is an author of the fantastical, the imaginal, and the supernatural. He has a passion for writing stories that entangle the human mind with the natural world and the not-so-natural world (the hidden realms unseen by the eyes). His stories are intermingled with elements of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, suspense, and sometimes horror. His novels are engaging and illuminating; he enjoys skirting on the edge of what is real and what is possible, to create a unique story that is thrilling and thought-provoking. He is the author of “Cosmic Communion” and “Lost in the Abyss.” “Datura Serpentis,” his new novel, is a gripping supernatural thriller that will leave you terrified and illuminated. (Amazon, 2023)
“Datura Serpentis”– Born with the ability to communicate with nature, Alaina Landry finds herself entangled in a conflict between a dark force of nature that has created a plant-born insect that poses an existential threat to humanity and another force that has chosen her to carry the seed for a new species, one that could replace humans.
In this enchanted thriller, the town of Cherokee, North Carolina is about to face a cataclysmic threat—one that sprouts from the earth itself. When a peculiar circle of plants emerge, unleashing a virulent insect that spells doom for humanity, Alaina Landry, a botanist, and her colleagues must race against time to halt its deadly proliferation. As Alaina, whose has a profound connection with Nature, delves into the mysteries of the botanical menace, she uncovers a startling revelation: Mother Nature, with her ruthless hand, is not only orchestrating humanity’s demise but is sculpting a new species from the ashes.
In this gripping tale that marries ecological peril with spiritual awakening, “Datura Serpentis” takes readers on a thrilling journey into the mind of Nature, where salvation and evolution intertwine in a dance of life and death. Will Alaina and her friends succeed in thwarting Nature’s sinister plan, or will a new species emerge that will usurp humanity’s throne?
The legendary Tex-Mex restaurant will be celebrating all month long in October with food and drink specials and commemorative mugs at 20 locations throughout Texas and Georgia. Photo: Pappasito’s, used with permission.
Pappasito’s Cantina is excited to announce that its 40th anniversary celebration is taking place throughout October. The month-long celebration will feature food and drink specials, including $40 for 40 Fajitas on Wednesdays starting at 4p.m., a commemorative 40th anniversary mug with Fiesta Fizz or Pappasito’s Signature Reserva Margarita, and a special Fiesta Fudge Brownie. Guests will also have the opportunity to win one of ten $400 gift cards by entering online. E-Club members will receive additional perks throughout the month. (Pappasito’s Cantina, 2023)
Pappasito’s is driven by the same principles that family patriarch H.D. Pappas brought with him to the New World in 1897: a passion for quality food and service, careful attention to detail, and a determination to treat every person who walks through the door as a welcomed guest.
Decades after opening, Pappasito’s continues to provide superior flavor, freshness and presentation that guests will not find anywhere else. Using only the highest quality produce, meat and fish, each location ensures only the best dishes arrive at the table. This includes roasting their salsa in their kitchens daily, using fresh-squeezed lime juice for their famous margaritas and hand-making tortillas in-house.
Just as important as the quality of the food and drinks is the service they provide guests. Team members are carefully selected, receive world-class training and are encouraged to grow within the company, which is one of the many reasons their team is consistently known as the best in the business. Many Pappasito’s team members have been with the organization for decades, passing along their passion and institutional knowledge to the next generation of servers, cooks, bartenders, managers, and more.
“The Pappas family feels so honored that diners continue to return to Pappasito’s, and we are proud to carry on the tradition of serving outstanding food and providing exceptional service in an atmosphere where people go to be treated like family, to be entertained, and to enjoy great food, knowing that they can expect that Pappas trademark of quality. We look forward to celebrating 40 years with our valued guests all month long and beyond!” – Chris Pappas, CEO of Pappas Restaurants, Inc.
Pappasito’s Cantina is the second largest concept in one of the largest family-owned and operated restaurant companies in the United States. The Pappas family of restaurants offers many different cuisines and traditions, but common to all is an obsession with quality food and superior service that is reflected in every aspect of the Guest experience. Pappas is a respected leader in the competitive restaurant industry. The Pappas philosophy has not changed much over the years. The drive still comes from a passion for excellence, a focus on innovation and attention to detail and quality in everything they do.
‘Chronicles of a Lost Tomorrow: A True Account of a Journey Through Time’ is the new time travel science fiction novel by Wayker Arenas. Photo: Amazon
Besides thrillers, science fiction novels are my go-to for escapist novels. They are entertaining because they stretch the imagination and when you add time travel and a dystopian setting, it becomes an epic. Such is the case in today’s new book release by Wayker Arenas, “Chronicles of a Lost Tomorrow: A True Account of a Journey Through Time.” It is the story of a man from the present timeline who gets an unexpected journal of a time traveler that details his and his wife’s tragic life spent locked in a totalitarian cult-controlled timeline. This well written odyssey of a time traveler reads like a modern work of literature and is sure to please fans of the genre. Get your copy today and find out what happens to this weary traveler – it is available on Amazon.
Wayker Arenas is an author, engineer, and devoted father of two. He finds solace in reading, relishes writing, and engaging in discussions about ideas. His life is a harmonious blend of technical expertise and literary passion, shaping his unique perspective on the world. In his new book “Chronicles of a Lost Tomorrow: A True Account of a Journey Through Time,” readers are immersed in an exciting and thought-provoking story that spans the present and a dystopian future. (Amazon, 2023)
“Chronicles of a Lost Tomorrow: A True Account of a Journey Through Time” – The book begins with the time traveler journal, and as you read through the chapters, you get immersed in the time traveler couple’s fight for existence in his time machine as their only means of escape. The time traveler unravels the complexities of this repressive dictatorship with each entry, learning the cult’s dark secrets and experiencing the deadly effects of their control. It immerses readers in extensive journal entries, providing a first-hand account of the time traveler An’s voyage through time. He faces various hurdles and roadblocks along the way that put his perseverance and resourcefulness to the test, pushing him to confront his own fears and limits.
The novel addresses themes of history, power, capabilities, and the human propensity for destruction through dangerous ideologies via the time-traveler’s findings and experiences. The journal serves as a window into the past, present, and future, emphasizing the repercussions of unrestrained tyranny in the disguise of kindness, as well as the indestructible tenacity of the human will. The story mixes suspense, mystery, and philosophical musings, engrossing readers until the very last page. It is an immersing and thought-provoking story that blends science fiction, our current society, dystopia, and philosophical examination. It challenges readers to consider the nature of the human mind, men and women in natural balance, the value of accountability, the value of freedom, and the possibility of the implications of a society that breaks down due to lack of balance.
Karen Lam’s highly anticipated horror movie is out now on digital platforms. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Karen Lam‘s highly-anticipated The Curse of Willow Song, starring Jennifer Body’s Valerie Tian, has been picked up by Uncork’d Entertainment. The horror picture, receiving great early buzz thanks to its strong special effects, is now available on digital formats including iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Google, YouTube movies, and more. (October Coast, 2023)
The Curse of Willow Song – Willow Song, a recovering addict, is released on probation after serving her prison term for arson. Struggling to start over, she faces systemic racism and eviction. Willow finds herself in a concrete wasteland. Facing isolation and displacement, shadows creep into Willow’s mind and her nightmares become too real. Against the backdrop of a city seen in vacant properties and people left behind. Willow can’t escape the nightmares, as the shadows come to life.
“The Curse of Willow Song has so much to offer. It will appeal for the genre audience but also the Asian community – as represented in front of and behind camera”, said Keith Leopard, President Uncork’d Entertainment. “Karen Lam is truly one of the most exceptional filmmakers out there, and The Curse of Willow Song reiterates that.”
‘R/N/A: Deadly Sequence’ is the new fast-paced medical thriller by Mikael Lundt. Photo: Mikael Lundt, used with permission.
When it comes to thrillers, my all time favorite are medical thrillers and it is no wonder: they often explore the deadly consequences of medical science when it falls into the wrong hands, all in the name of greed or in the quest for ultimate power and control. One of the first authors I read in this genre was Robin Cook, then I discovered Michael Palmer, Tess Gerritsen, Patricia Cornwell, and most recently, Dr. Cristina LePort. After reading a sample, this new book release reminds me so much of the best of Robin Cook, whose antagonists are often pharmaceutical companies. If like me, you love getting lost in a gripping medical thriller, check out Mikael Lundt’s “R/N/A: Deadly Sequence” and find out what happens when a Pandora’s Box of chaos is unleashed. It is available on Amazon.
Mikael Lundt is an author who stands for gripping thrillers, dark science fiction, and thought-provoking fantasy. In his books, technology, philosophy, the supernatural, and the extraterrestrial often blend into a stirring combination. Unveil the terrifying underbelly of modern medicine in “R/N/A: Deadly Sequence,” his riveting new pharmaceutical thriller. (Mikael Lundt, 2023)
“R/N/A: Deadly Sequence” – A dramatic increase in unexplained side effects calls WHO expert Dr. Laura Delille to the scene. Infertility, miscarriages and deaths are on the rise. Initial evidence points to a new mRNA-based vaccine. As the symptoms worsen and people who have never received the vaccine begin to fall ill, it becomes clear that there is more at stake than just the obvious side effects.
As Laura investigates the mysterious causes on the African continent, reporter Hugh Stevens follows her lead. His research shows: this is neither a tragic coincidence nor a natural phenomenon, but the ruthless plan of a pharmaceutical company. Most puzzling of all, there is no trace of a clear pathogen. Laura’s superiors at the WHO, on the other hand, seem to keep putting obstacles in her way.
Soon, Laura and Hugh find themselves in the middle of a sinister conspiracy – and in grave danger. With time running out for them, the phenomenon spreads worldwide, soon threatening millions. Is the world at the beginning of a planned pandemic that could threaten the very existence of the human species?
‘A Glow in the Forest’ and ‘The Beast’ by Jude Perera. Photo: Jude Perera
Today’s author highlight is Jude Perera. He is a blogger, author, and dedicated family man who loves to write and uses words as an escape and whose writings are filled with adventure, mystery, romance, history, and of course escapism. His blog is centered mostly around short fiction, lifestyle writings, and travel narratives but it is his full length books that have garnered the most attention. Written with young adults in mind, they are filled with adventure and romance and perfect for readers aged 13 -30 but true book lovers are not bound by set demographics. Stories are meant to entertain and inspire and if you are looking for action, romance, and adventure fiction, consider “The Beast” and “A Glow in the Forest.” Both of these titles are available through the author’s website. Let your imagination soar!
Jude Perera is a CPA living in Melbourne with his wife and two sons. He has gained some literary presence as a short fiction, lifestyle and travel blogger with some International online magazines – Hackwriters, Fiction 365, The Fringe Magazine, Southlit & Eastlit Magazines and Travelmag. His first book, a teenaged/YA tale – titled “The Beast” was released in Melbourne. It has received positive reviews in international and local literary circles and press. Key Melbourne based libraries including the – National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature – University of Canberra, State Library of South Australia and The National Library of Australia carry copies of the book. It is also available in the National Library of Sri Lanka. His second novel, a medieval adventure – “A Glow in the Forest,” was released in Kindle, B&N and Kobo in April 2020. (Amazon, 2023)
“The Beast”
Four close friends begin a search for the mysterious ‘Beast’ in a dark and spooky wilderness, but little do they know that they will discover much more about themselves in this stirring young adult adventure. Love, danger, and the depths of the soul – it is all here, and all part of this tale of wonder, mystery, and togetherness. Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, friendship rules supreme and shatters any and all divisions.
“A Glow in the Forest” The times are medieval. A work house high up in the mountains cringes next to a dark forest without boundaries. Meet a pair of sadists who harass and torment three teenagers and a small child forced to live there. Two siblings, orphans from a noble family, keep their origins a secret to the rest of its inhabitants. A poor farm girl and a young boy with his heart on the altar decide that enough is enough. They escape to the dark bowels of an unknown world with hopes of happiness and freedom. They are helped and led by a handsome young hunter with an unknown past and a feisty girl, who seek escape for reasons of their own. Feel the pangs and joys of their first loves, and encounter painful social and religious hypocrisies and superstitions that threaten to tear them apart. Bandits, murderers, predators, soldiers, even a faceless beast of terrifying dimensions crowd along their perimeter. But they fight to keep and preserve their one true possession: freedom.
‘Gone With The Wig’ is the new novel by Lily M. Lipstick. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Halloween season is officially here along with everything Halloween themed including parties, stories, and novels of all types. If you like fun Halloween stories that revolve around LGBTQ+ characters, consider “Gone With the Wig” by Lily M. Lipstick. In this new novel, Drú Dylan and her cousin Sam are preparing for her Uncle Hunter’s annual Hot Buns Halloween party. It is always the biggest and most over the top party in town and draws all types of party goers. But alas, trouble is brewing as her Uncle Hunter’s nemesis is planning to crash the party. If this sounds like your kind of read, check it out and find out what happens in this humorous adventure novel. It is available on Amazon.
“Gone With The Wig” – Eighteen-year-old Drú Dylan can see the future. Tonight is her Uncle Hunter’s annual Hot Buns Halloween party, a tribute to his Dancing Queen Decade, aka the “Big Hair I Don’t Care” ‘90s. As always, he swears it will be G-rated; it won’t be. And it does not take psychic powers to predict that any party held at a gay bakery built on land that happens to be the home of a thousand confederate soldiers is bound to cause chaos in this Virginia beach town. It does every year. (Amazon, 2023)
That is why Drú and her cousin Sam have their own annual competition: gazing into their crystal ball and predicting exactly what kind of chaos will be unleased at this year’s bash. Drú has a record to defend—but even she can not predict what will happen when Uncle Hunter’s trigger-happy nemesis Rich McCarthy and his sons try to crash the party before its even started.
It is a race against the clock to make sure Uncle Hunter’s big night goes off without a hitch. Old skeletons are dragged out of the closet as Drú and her family prepare for the greatest and gayest Hot Buns Halloween party yet.
Based on the best-selling book ‘Carmela Full of Wishes,’ the acclaimed production celebrates family, dreamers, and the unexpected ‘magik’ of hope. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.
Magik Theatre starts its new season by celebrating imagination and big dreams with a production sure to thrill anyone who has ever sent wishes into the wind by blowing on a dandelion. Based on the celebrated book of the same title by Newbery Medal and Caldecott Honor-winning author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Christian Robinson, Carmela Full of Wishes runs from October 14-22. In the spirit of wishing and dreaming big this season, Magik announces a delightful new collaboration with Hemisfair to include a new series of exciting events and special performances designed to charm young audiences at every turn. Ticket information is available online. (Magik Theatre, 2023)
THE MAGIK OF WISHES On her seventh birthday, Carmela wakes up thrilled to finally be old enough to join her big brother on their family errands. As they visit the local lavanderia, bodega, and various neighbors, Carmela stumbles upon a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. Before she can blow away its white fluff, her brother reminds her to make a wish. Full of hopes and dreams, Carmela wishes for a candy machine and a fancy bed for Mamí like the ones at the hotel where she works. But her dandelion is crushed before she can make her biggest wish, for Papí to come back home soon. Can her brother help her to believe in her dreams once again?
“Matt de la Peña’s book tells a beautiful story of a girl who discovers the magic and wonder of her wishes in the real world: in her community, in nature, and in her family. Our production keeps the heart of this story alive while also reflecting the culture of the South Texas community in a show that is sure to entertain and inspire.” – Director Claudia de Vasco.
BEHIND THE MAGIK Adapted by Alvaro Saar Rios and directed by Claudia de Vasco, the cast includes several debut performances to include Clarissa Ramos in the title role, with Ernesto Dominguez playing Carmela’s brother and Alberto Ramirez Jr. as Papí, Senor Lopez, and Flower Boy. Crystal M. Bratton returns as Carmela’s mother. Lucian Hernandez and Stormie Brennan bring Christian Robinson’s iconic illustrations to life via set design and costumes. Back by popular demand, aspiring actors and family fans can attend a post-performance meet and greet after every show.
Magik Theatre offers amazing resources for educators via field trips to the full live performance as well as educator workshops. This season, “Magik on the Road” will bring Carmela Full of Wishes directly to schools and other interested groups. Each production is accompanied by a TEKS-based interactive classroom resource guide filled with enjoyable, accessible activities related to the performance, creating an unforgettable learning experience without ever having to leave the school.
Magik Story Time at Hemisfair | Tuesday, October 10, 10a.m. Magik Theatre and Hemisfair announce a new installation of Hemisfair’s weekly Story Time with special guests from Magik Theatre reading from each production’s themed book. The series takes place in Yanaguana Garden each Tuesday before the theatre’s opening weekends with Magik’s Education Manager, Lissette Belmontes kicking off the series as she reads from “Carmela Full of Wishes” on Tuesday, October 10. To make little wishes come true, Hemisfair will gift 20 free copies of the book to its first 20 Story Time guests.
Magik Theatre Opening Day Party in the Park| Saturday, October 14, 12:30p.m., show at 2p.m. Ideally situated in San Antonio’s iconic Hemisfair, this season Magik Theatre celebrates each opening performance with free themed art activities, festive food and drinks, and complimentary live music just outside the theatre to create the perfect family outing. Patrons will not want to miss this special event series, kicking off with Carmela Full of Wishes when Hemisfair and Magik host artist Aminah Dece will provide an interactive dandelion craft, tunes by DJ Mayhem, Panderia Jimenez’s SA-famous conchas and hojarascas, and aguas frescas courtesy of Paleteria San Antonio.
Muertos Fest Free Performance of Carmela Full of Wishes| Saturday, October 28, 10a.m. During the 11th annual Día de los Muertos Fest at Hemisfair, festival attendees will have the opportunity to attend a free performance of Carmela Full of Wishes at Magik Theatre on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservation is required. Muertos Fest tip: Fest attendees are also welcome to visit the theatre’s fully stocked concession stand to purchase affordable refreshments, no admission ticket required. While there, guests can visit Magik’s ofrenda celebrating the deceased loved ones of the Magik Theatre staff.
Sensory-Friendly Performance | Saturday, October 21, 10a.m. Designed with both children and adults on the autism spectrum, and those with sensory sensitivities in mind. Our goal is a relaxed and judgment-free theatre experience where audiences can sing, laugh, and dance.
American Sign Language Interpreted Performance | Saturday, October 21, 2p.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.
A professional theatre for young audiences established in 1994, Magik Theatre’s mission is to use the power of theatre to create Magikal storytelling for children that Activates imagination, Grows young minds, and Inspires creativity and a love of learning that is the Key to a more literate future for our community.
‘Finding the Words’ is the powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief.
Colin Campbell is a writer and director for theater and film. He and his wife wrote and directed the short film Seraglio, which won Deauville’s Grand Prix and was nominated for an Academy Award. His play Golden Prospects was nominated for five LA Weekly Theater Awards and was a Critics’ Pick in Time Out New York and The Los Angeles Times. Campbell teaches screenwriting at Chapman University and theater at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from Columbia University. His book “Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose” is a powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief and offers readers a new vision for how to more actively and fully mourn profound loss. (Amazon, 2023)
“Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose” – When Colin Campbell’s two teenage children were killed by a drunk driver, Campbell was thrown headlong into a grief so deep he felt he might lose his mind. He found much of the common wisdom about coping with loss—including the ideas that grieving is a private and mysterious process and that the pain is so intense that “there are no words”—to be unhelpful. Drawing on what he learned from his own journey, Campbell offers an alternative path for processing pain that is active and vocal and truly honors loved ones lost. It is divided into ten chapters including Community and Meaning and Purpose and includes resource information, like Grief Resources that has a list of organizations that can help. He shares what worked for him and his wife and teaches readers how to actively reach out to their community, perform mourning rituals, and find ways to express their grief, so they can live more fully while also holding their loved ones close.
No one can deny that there are many levels of grief and that grief itself can be subjective. In the author’s experience, because his identity was so entangled with his children, he calls it ‘profound grief.’ He does not pretend to have all the answers: “this book will not take away your pain,” but his ultimate hope is that we can at least have open and honest conversations about the universal experience we call grief. His compassion and empathy are evident through the pages and his writing style is easy to follow and understand without coming off as preachy or condescending. In a perfect world, everyone would have the same resources to cope but knowing what works for others is an excellent start. At the very least readers can feel that they are not alone in their journey. This book is just as helpful for those grieving as well as for those who know someone who is grieving, so they can learn how to help instead of just saying “there are no words.” One of the highlights is the message of the power of community support; in his case, the overwhelming support of the Jewish community and the importance of mourning rituals. With practical advice on how to survive in the aftermath of loss, Campbell shines a light on a path forward through the darkness of grief. “Finding the Words” is a poignant and valuable guide for coping with grief and is recommended for readers who appreciate self help books on grief and loss.
“The act of verbalizing our grief, and having it be witnessed by our community, was key to us moving toward acceptance of reality.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Cosmico is Cruz Contreras’ debut album. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Cruz Contreras has impacted Americana music worldwide with projects Robinella and the CCstringband (1998-2007) and The Black Lillies (2009-2019). While in college, Contreras co-founded Robinella and the CCstringband, lending his initials to the string band that featured vocalist and guitarist Robinella, Billy Contreras on fiddle, Taylor Coker on upright bass, Steve Kovalcheck on electric guitar, and Contreras as bandleader on mandolin. A split from his work and life with Robinella in 2007 led to new beginnings for Contreras, who founded The Black Lillies in 2009. The Black Lillies cemented his reputation as an insightful songwriter and a powerhouse vocalist. With the release of his debut album Cosmico, Cruz Contreras is born again, able to express himself with pure artistic integrity and proud to put out this release using his own name; his family’s name. (IV-PR, 2023)
Following a too-long period of self-doubt, both personally and in his songwriting—“It was so confusing because it seems to be what I’ve always been best at and has brought me so much joy,” he reflects—Contreras used the writing and recording process of Cosmico to center himself, push out his musical demons, and open the door for a fresh chapter. The resulting album feels pure; a cosmic amalgamation of influences and personal styles from Contreras’s entire career. Introspective lyrics, inventive musicianship, and a notable psychedelic edge on the production of the album define Cosmico, almost as much as a confident-as-ever Cruz, whose voice has matured into a rich instrument for his elevated lyrics. “These songs are fresh, timely, and especially relatable during these strange times,” Contreras says. “I made Cosmico because the world needs music that brings people together, from all walks of life, more than ever.” Engineered by Craig Alvin, Cosmico is a sonic journey that features Contreras on keyboards in his most intimate vocal and lyrical setting while taking his traditional musical stylings to epic astral regions.
Fans can stream or purchase Cosmico in its entirety by following this link.
Cosmico track list: Flashing Light Doin’ Time Stop Giving Your Heart Away Call Me Crazy Separate Minds Let Somebody Love You Time Stand Still Breaking A Habit Road That Has No End
Catch Cruz Contreras on tour: October 4-6 – Sevierville, TN – Dollywood’s Harvest Festival October 26 – Troy, VA – Yarnival 2023 November 3 – Thomas, WV – The Purple Fiddle December 15 – Roanoke, VA – 5 Points Music Sanctuary
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