Category: Entertainment News

Book review: ‘The Union’ by Leah Vernon

‘The Union’ by Leah Vernon is a coming of age novel set in a dystopian future. Photo: Amazon

Leah Vernon is an author, body-positive activist, and the first international plus-size Hijabi model. During her double master’s program, she started a blog about being a fat Black Muslim in Detroit experiencing everything from eating disorders to anti-Blackness. She has been featured in ads from Target to Old Navy and even made it to the New York Times and HuffPost. She currently resides in New York City. Her new book “The Union” is a daring dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society built on violence and division. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Union” – A thousand years in the future, a black elite class reigns. The lower classes, made up of whites, toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world. The story begins with Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation. Among the Lower Residents, there are three classes: Domestic, Chattel, and Impure. Because she is mixed, she is simply labeled as Impure. In this dystopian world, color determines everything: “the paler you were, the worse you got it.” Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old Avi Jore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. As she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world―the treatment of enslaved workers and the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige, who saves her from an assassination attempt, and their paths become intertwined in ways they never imagined. As Saige plots her path to freedom, Avi tries to enact change from the inside but it is a complicated endeavor, filled with danger and malice. Together, their efforts could spark a revolution and underscore the staggering power of friendship.

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” this is the quote from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” that comes to mind while reading “The Union.” Regardless of who is in charge, there is a risk of them eventually going power hungry and those who are not end up under their heels. Such is the case in this totally engaging speculative novel that dares to imagine a world where whites are not the ruling class. Add in elements of a coming of age novel and friendships that are tested by life’s complications and you have a thought provoking story. Judging by the ending, this is likely to be a series and it would be interesting to read where the author takes these characters. They are well developed, relatable, and strong willed. The narration is in the first person point of view and switches back and forth between Avi and Saige, giving readers a glimpse into their thought processes. With descriptive language that is simple and down to earth, the story flows through the pages, making it a fast read. “The Union” is a coming of age fiction set in a dystopian future similar to the Hunger Games. It may appeal to fans of the genre who appreciate strong characters in tales of revolution and class struggles all mixed in with politics.

“The environment was nothing that I’d ever experienced. It was as if an acidic mist lingered over the entire block, turning everything into the same dull color. The buildings were tall, connected, and intimidating, like they had trapped any soul that had tried to escape. It was like being in a parallel universe, eons away from home.”

*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.

Book of the week: ‘Stop & Smell the Roses’ by Jolene Stephens

‘Stop & Smell the Roses’ is the new self help book by Jolene Stephens. Photo: Jolene Stephens, used with permission.

For anyone looking for a self help book dealing with mindfulness and ideas and recommendations about how to slow down and take time to enjoy life, here is a good one. From just simply taking time to appreciate your surroundings to actually listening during conversations with others, Jolene Stephens’ “Stop & Smell the Roses” is a reminder to take time to enjoy the good things in life. It might just change your outlook in life.

Jolene Stephens has always been interested in self-help information and the desire to write about it. Life has provided her with many growing experiences and learning opportunities. She and her family have been through nearly every scenario a family can experience. They did not do everything right, not even close, but over the years their constant conflicts have been replaced with love and respect for one another’s beliefs and the path each person is on. Her personal experiences have given her a treasure trove of sound, practical ideas on how to handle almost any situation. More importantly, she has come through many trials with a strong, positive attitude and a sincere desire to help others. Jolene is a retired graphic designer and is currently a certified Emotion Code/Body Code Practitioner. Her new book “Stop & Smell the Roses: Let the Past Go, Stop Worrying About the Future, and Be Mindfully Present in Your Life!” is a quick and easy read about how to stay focused and be present in your life. (Jolene Stephens, 2023)

“Stop & Smell the Roses”–  Throughout the book, Jolene Stephens shares some of her own experiences to show the power of changing just one thing, as she highlights the aspects of our lives that provide opportunities for growth. She lists twenty-two simple ideas, any of which will help you be present in your own life. The journey is where life happens and what happens there is more important than the destination. We will all get to our destination, but what we do along the way is what counts.

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New horror movie release: The Long Dark Trail

The Long Dark Trail is available now. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In today’s movie news, a new horror film premiered this week: The Long Dark Trail. It is available to rent or buy through Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, and more.

An official selection for numerous prestige film festivals around the globe, including Weekend of Fear and The Festival De Cannes Blood Windoal Selection, The Long Dark Trail premiered this week on Digital, DVD, and Blu-ray from Cleopatra Entertainment. Starring Trina Campbell and Brady O’Donnell, it released in the UK, US, and Canada. (The Long Dark Trail, 2023)

The Long Dark Trail – Stand By Me meets Midsommar in an unnerving new folk horror tale from writer-directors Kevin Ignatius and Nick Psinakis. After two impoverished teenage brothers manage to escape their abusive father, they embark on a treacherous and haunted journey in the hope of finding their estranged mother who has joined a sadistic cult, deep in the woods of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

New album release: Perfectly Imperfect: The Acoustic Sessions – Signal Omega

Perfectly Imperfect: The Acoustic Sessions is the new album by Signal Omega. Photo: Signal Omega, used with permission.

Signal Omega is an up and coming artist from New Port Richey, FL. For Signal, music is more than just a sonic combination of sound, it is a way to express the deepest stories through creativity and emotional individuality. Unlike many contemporary artists, Signal Omega takes immense pride and reassurance in his own style and musical expression, embracing his uniqueness and impressive qualities. Signal Omega is currently focused on expanding his music and brand this year with an acoustic rendition of his current and newer songs. His latest release is Perfectly Imperfect: The Acoustic Sessions. (Signal Omega, 2023)

Perfectly Imperfect: The Acoustic Sessions is now available for streaming.

Follow the artist: Facebook  Instagram  YouTube 

Steadily growing his listeners and fans with each and every release, things look to be even bigger and better in 2023 for this exciting and talented artist. In addition, Signal looks to start playing live shows and showcasing his live performance skills to a new set of audiences.

“This album is a recreation of my full production tracks I’ve released over the years. I like to be diverse in my writing style and felt an acoustic version of each would bring them all to a common sonic level.” – Signal Omega

A varied and versatile artist, Signal utilizes a number of genres including rap, metal, and alternative. His motivation is to create an abundance of genre offerings in his musical works. Impressively, the artist has a natural ability to take the listener on an emotional rollercoaster. From upbeat house infused drops to more reflective and intimate numbers, his vast and ever expanding catalogue of music offers listeners an array of styles and tones that is rare to see in todays musical landscape.

Signal Omega. Photo: Signal Omega, used with permission.

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Book review: ‘Harvesting Evil’ by CJ Wheeler

A serial killer is on the loose in CJ Wheeler’s crime thriller ‘Harvesting Evil.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

CJ Wheeler is a new author of crime thrillers for adults, starting with her first release “Harvesting Evil.” She was born in West Michigan and has lived most of her life along the Lake Michigan shoreline. She lives with her wife, her gorgeous English Crème retriever Hemingway, and her three naughty kitties, Indianajoan, Rizzoli, and Taylor. When not writing you will probably find her reading. She is an avid fan of JD Robb, Tess Gerritsen, Alex Kava, and Val McDermid. In her debut novel “Harvesting Evil,” the idyllic shores of Lake Michigan, in the quiet resort town of Port Orion, Michigan, have become prime hunting ground for a serial killer. (CJ Wheeler, 2023)

“Harvesting Evil: Murder on the Lakeshore” – One by one, young, beautiful women’s corpses continue to surface, while the timeline between each victim is shrinking. The story begins with a Prologue set in 1990 as a seven year old boy is about to have the worst birthday ever. Next, in the present, Sheriff Parker Anderson gets a phone call in the middle of the night about another young woman found dead. She must now pull her inexperienced team together to find the madman terrorizing her community. With the Port Orion Sheriff’s department’s resources stretched to the limit and with pressure mounting, Parker reaches out to the FBI for assistance. Enter Special Agent Oliver Locke, who has seen more than his fair share of serial homicide cases, though even he has not encountered a psychopath with this level of violence. Working a serial case against a cunning criminal mind who leaves no evidence will test his expertise and determination. As the window of opportunity to prevent another victim closes, Sheriff Anderson and Agent Locke will need to set aside their personal differences to catch this maniac.

Since the days of Jack the Ripper, stories about serial killers have fascinated readers. While the motivations behind this killer’s rampage may not be an original concept, “Harvesting Evil” is a strong debut crime novel by CJ Wheeler. Narrated in the third person point of view, it switches back and forth between the police and the serial killer, giving the reader a glimpse into the killer’s unstable and cold psyche and the police’s investigation, which includes giving a profile of the ‘unsub.’ The author’s detailed description of morgues and autopsies is impressive but it might put off more sensitive readers. Due to extensive character development and descriptions: “Mike’s 6’ 2” lanky frame rose from the chair, black straight hair hanging over one of his deep blue eyes,” they come alive within the pages and become relatable. The language is down to earth and easy to understand, in spite of the medical jargon, so it is technically an easy read. With its superb attention to detail, applications of criminal psychology, and just enough romance to make it well rounded, “Harvesting Evil” makes for a fascinating and suspenseful crime thriller. It should appeal to fans of Kathy Reichs and James Patterson as well as crime shows like Criminal Minds and CSI. Hopefully this will become a series with more crime solving adventures by Sheriff Parker Anderson, a strong female lead, and Special Agent Oliver Locke.

“He hoped the Sheriff would be pleased with the gift he had left her. It had taken cunning and exquisite timing to set it up exactly as he wanted. He knew this would show her he could do what he wanted, whenever he wanted. At the very least, he would impress her. At most he hoped it would frighten her to her core.”

* 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.

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Book highlight: ‘No More Relation$#!t’ by Jonathan Carnley

‘No More Relation$#!t’ is a dating and relationship guide by Jonathan Carnley. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Jonathan Carnley is an author whose difficult childhood included bullying at school and an abusive home life. Even though he survived and thrived, some of his adult relationships were not any better. Admittedly, he has made his share of mistakes and has done his best to make amends and one of his goals is never repeating those mistakes. He has been where many of us have been and can fully relate. In his book “No More Relation$#!t: A Woman’s Guide to Avoiding the Pieces of $#!t While Dating” he shares insight into the male psyche to help women navigate the challenging world of dating. (Jonathan Carnley, 2023)

“No More Relation$#!t” – This is a guide that helps women avoid men who are not worth their time or do not have their best interest in mind. It goes into detail about the various types of men, their motives, and all the signs to look for. It is not about what mistakes you make, have made, or will make. It is about what things to look for or recognize. It is a serious look at the dating world for women with a little comedy thrown in to keep you entertained and laughing at times. Here are a couple of quotes to pique your interest.

“Remember, red flags are for traveling carnivals, and if you ignore them, you will be trapped into paying for something that was supposed to be ‘free,’ be stuck watching a crappy show, wind up with a clown who is performing for others, be left with kids you didn’t bring, and be left behind when they leave town.”

“While many things look like a green flag, I will be honest and tell you right now that there is no such thing. Well…I mean if an angel came down from heaven and gives you a note directly from God you might consider that a green flag….Or…It could be an alien that is trying to get you to mate with their species to take over the world. I’m just saying that you have a better chance of being struck by lightning while riding a unicorn on the way to cash in your winning lottery ticket.”

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Horror Writers Association announces 5th annual Summer Scares reading list

The Horror Writers Association announced this year’s Summer Scares reading list. Photo: RA for All: Horror

The Horror Writers Association (HWA), in partnership with United for Libraries, Book Riot, and Booklist, is announcing the fifth annual Summer Scares reading list, which includes titles selected by a panel of authors and librarians and is designed to promote Horror as a great reading option for all ages, and for during any time of the year. (Horror Writers Association, 2023)

This year, Summer Scares welcomes New York Times Bestselling author Daniel Kraus as their 2023 spokesperson. “My love of reading began at a public library — but I had to hunt for the horror,” said Kraus. “I would have been giddy to have a slate like our 2023 choices presented to me when I walked in. In fact, I’m giddy about it right now. It’s a tremendously far-reaching group of titles that epitomizes the breadth of creativity going on in the genre.”

The goal of Summer Scares is to introduce Horror titles to school and public library workers in order to help them start conversations with readers that will extend beyond the books from each list and promote reading for years to come. In addition to the annual list of recommended titles, the Summer Scares committee will release themed lists of even more “read-alike” titles libraries can suggest to readers. In order to help libraries forge stronger connections between books and readers, the Summer Scares committee will be working with both the recommended list authors and Horror authors from all over the country to provide free programming to libraries.

Every year, three titles are selected in each of three categories: Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade.

For 2023, those selected titles are:

Adult Selections:

  • “Ring Shout” by Djèlí Clark (Tordotcom, 2020)
  • “Catherine House” by Elisabeth Thomas (Custom House, 2020)
  • “The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror” by Daniel M. Lavery (Holt Paperbacks, 2018)

Young Adult Selections:

  • “In The Shadow of Blackbirds” by Cat Winters (Amulet Books, 2013)
  • “Squad” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle (illustrator) (Greenwillow Books, 2021)
  • “Mooncakes” by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu (illustrator) (Oni Press, 2019)

Middle Grade Selections:

  • “Small Spaces” by Katharine Arden (P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2018)
  • “Living Ghosts and Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian Stories” by Dan SaSuWeh Jones, Weshoyot Alvitre (Illustrator) (Scholastic Nonfiction, 2021)
  • “A Small Zombie Problem” by K.G. Campbell (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2019)

The Summer Scares Programming Guide, created each year by the Springfield-Greene County (MO) Library and free for libraries anywhere to access, is back with the tools libraries need to connect with their communities. It will be available beginning March 15, 2023 on the Summer Scares Resource page.

Book review: ‘The four lives of Robinson Appleson’ by Véronique Iswery Pasquet

‘The four lives of Robinson Appleson’ is the debut novel by Véronique Iswery Pasquet. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Véronique Iswery Pasquet is a French author of Indian descent. A voracious reader, she prefers horror, thriller, romance, and biographies of actors and writers. Her fascination for plot twists in scary books and movies are her go-to entertainment choices. Twisted plots and bizarre endings pique her curiosity. That is exactly what she offers her readers in her new book “The four lives of Robinson Appleson.” It plunges into cannibalism and weaves a love story around it. She has taken the challenge of making the readers fall in love with the cruel protagonist. (Amazon, 2023)

“The four lives of Robinson Appleson” – Can a killer turn a new leaf? Robinson Appleson is one lucky bastard. We get only one life. He has had four so far and it is not like he deserved them, either. The story begins in the Prologue where the protagonist, Norman Appleson, a self described “suave and charming millionaire,” addresses readers and encourages them to read his life story and guarantees an unforgettable one. Each of his lives has been different from the last, except that it looks as if he is doomed to make the same mistakes. Gwendolyn, the woman he loves, dies in his arms in all of his lives because of a curse placed on his family. Having been selfish and cruel in his previous lives, he attempts to change this forever. Using a range of tricks learned from Oscar, his mentor, he hopes to suppress and destroy the evil lurking inside him. 

The story is divided into four parts:

I Norman Appleson, The First Reincarnation
Reborn as a rich kid in Beverly Hills, California, he has no recollection of his past life and thinks of himself as a blessing to mankind. He holds no respect or feelings for women and treats them like objects. It leads to everyone avoiding him like the plague.

II Robinson Appleson, The First Life
In his first life, he was a Porcian prince who was known to devour humans. His obsession with eternal youth and beauty has made him addicted to the taste of human flesh, much to the dismay and terror of his kingdom’s subjects.

III Inson, The Second Reincarnation
His third life is different, as he is born as a jaguar in the African savannah. Filled with new wisdom, he fights against his instinct to hunt while the smell of prey drives him mad with hunger.

IV Deeva, The Third Reincarnation
His last life lands him in the body of a beautiful but poverty-stricken Black woman who was also unfaithful.

Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul in a new body. Though it is a familiar concept, how often have we wondered what it would be like to be reborn several times. Add a romantic theme of ill fated lovers who meet in each life but are doomed to never be happy together and you have a brilliant debut novel by Véronique Iswery Pasquet. She not only combines these themes but the narrative includes highly descriptive fantasy worlds like The Village of Sweet People where everything and everyone is sweet and scented. It is told in the first person point of view and the protagonist is an extremely smart and good looking antihero. In the beginning you are disgusted by the fact that he is a cannibal but you slowly come to sympathize with him because of everything he has been through and keep reading to find out what happens to him, whether good or bad. The language is down to earth and expressive: “There were warts filled with hair around her eyes, curved nose, and big mouth.” Since the story takes place during several lifetimes, the characters are well developed.

Even though he becomes a better person towards the end, he still has attitude “I hope you have had a great time reading the story of someone who does not give a damn about yours.” Though uncomfortable to read, the cannibal scenes are short and not overly graphic. Instead, they serve a purpose because when he is reborn as an animal, a jaguar, he is starting to change and refuses to eat Gwendolyn, who is now a zebra, and would rather starve to death. “The Four Lives of Robinson Appleson” is a must read unconventional and redemptive love story that spans several lifetimes and explores the many facets of the human experience. My take: love is love, even if you are human, animal, or same gender; a love story that transcends genders, vices, and physical forms. It is recommended for readers who enjoy romance novels, ghost stories, paranormal novels, and urban fantasy novels and appreciate original, though eccentric story lines.

“Do you want a piece of friendly advice? Disconnect yourself from reality to discover and enjoy my surreal but fabulous world. I can assure you it’s worth it.”

*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.

New horror movie: Ghost Town

Ghost Town will be available on digital, DVD, and On Demand on March 7, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In movie news: here is a new horror western that will be releasing this March from Uncork’d Entertainment. In the tradition of From Dusk Till Dawn and The Dark Tower, Ghost Town is directed by and stars Owen Conway. It will be available on digital, DVD, and On Demand on March 7, 2023.

Ghost Town also stars Eva Hamilton (Death Kiss), Becky Jo Harris (Spiked) and Amelia Haberman (The Covenant). The story is set in 1877 Arizona, where a drifter takes a job as a barman. After a series of bizarre and horrifying deaths, he finds himself the target of suspicion. Desperate to escape the noose, he is soon at the center of a supernatural mystery that plagues this town.

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New book release: ‘Her Greek Adonis’ by TJ Buchanan

TJ Buchanan’s new romance novel ‘Her Greek Adonis’ will be out March 15 and is available for pre-order now through Amazon. Photo: TJ Buchanan, used with permission.

Book news!! If you love romance novels, I have exciting news for you. Here is a new novel that will be released next month and best of all, it is available for pre-order.

TJ Buchanan, an author and lover of books and action movies, currently resides in Virginia with her daughter. When not reading or writing she enjoys spending time with her daughter, friends and family, cooking and baking. She loves the outdoors even though it does not love her (allergies!) and traveling. Her new book in the The Life You Want series, “Her Greek Adonis” will be out March 15, 2023 and is available for pre-order on Amazon Kindle. It is a romance novel featuring Sophia, a strong black woman. (Amazon, 2023)

“Her Greek Adonis” – Sophia finally feels like her life is on track. She is mastering being a single parent and her vivacious daughter is thriving. Her career is on point and she has amazing friends beside her. Now she is ready to tackle being a surrogate. A dream she has carried for years, now is the time to move forward. Just when she thinks all is perfect, enter Kristos Kostas, a Greek businessman with a penchant for to getting what he wants. His attraction to the curvaceous black woman is instantaneous. Never believing a man would be interested in a pregnant single mother, Kristos Kostas surprises her. A Greek billionaire running the family business, he is sincere and dedicated, going after what he wants. Can these two navigate pregnancy as a surrogate, parenthood, the walls of Sophia’s past, and all the other twists life throws their way. A BBW BWWM romance between a full-figured single mother and the Greek man who loves her.

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