Category: new releases

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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New book release: ‘Unnatural History’ by Jonathan Kellerman

‘Unnatural History’ is the new novel in the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman. Photo: Amazon

In the Alex Delaware novels, Alex Delaware is a child psychologist who consults with the Los Angeles Police Department. He works alongside Detective Milo Sturgis to solve crimes. I have read most of Jonathan Kellerman’s novels in this series and I am so excited a new one is out. 

Jonathan Kellerman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than forty crime novels, including the Alex Delaware series, “The Butcher’s Theater,” “Billy Straight,” “The Conspiracy Club,” “Twisted,” “True Detectives,” and “The Murderer’s Daughter.” With his wife, bestselling novelist Faye Kellerman, he co-authored “Double Homicide” and “Capital Crimes.” With his son, bestselling novelist Jesse Kellerman, he co-authored “The Burning,” “Half Moon Bay,” “A Measure of Darkness,” “Crime Scene,” “The Golem of Hollywood,” and “The Golem of Paris.” He is the author of two children’s books and numerous nonfiction works, including “Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children” and “With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars.” In his new book “Unnatural History: An Alex Delaware Novel,” the most enduring detectives in American crime fiction are back in an electrifying thriller of art and brutality. (Amazon, 2023)

“Unnatural History” – Los Angeles is a city of stark contrast, the palaces of the affluent coexisting uneasily with the hellholes of the mad and the needy. That shadow world and the violence it breeds draw brilliant psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis into an unsettling case of altruism gone wrong.

On a superficially lovely morning, a woman shows up for work with her usual enthusiasm. She is the newly hired personal assistant to a handsome, wealthy photographer and is ready to greet her boss with coffee and good cheer. Instead, she finds him slumped in bed, shot to death. The victim had recently received rave media attention for his latest project: images of homeless people in their personal “dream” situations, elaborately costumed and enacting unfulfilled fantasies. There are some, however, who view the whole thing as nothing more than crass exploitation, citing token payments and the victim’s avoidance of any long-term relationships with his subjects. Has disgruntlement blossomed into homicidal rage? Or do the roots of violence reach down to the victim’s family—a clan, sired by an elusive billionaire, that is bizarre in its own right? Then new murders arise, and Alex and Milo begin peeling back layer after layer of intrigue and complexity, culminating in one of the deadliest threats they have ever faced.

Excerpt available.

New horror movie release: Vampus Horror Tales

Vampus Horror Tales will be out February 17, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Horror movie fans: If you love horror anthologies in the tradition of Tales from the Crypt, understand Spanish, or do not mind reading subtitles, here is a new movie release. Spanish horror anthology Vampus Horror Tales releases February 17 on digital and On Demand from Uncork’d Entertainment. It is available to buy or rent through Vudu. (Vampus Horror Tales, 2023)

The films, featuring segments from Victor Matellano, Isaac Berrocal, Manuel Martínez Velasco, Piter Moreira and Erika Elizalde, are set on Halloween night. Vampus, a gravedigger and body snatcher, is the guardian of the cemetery, a sinister being who has many secrets. He loves to read horror comics and introduces us to four twisted tales of love, murder, and assorted horrific acts.

Saturnino García, Nacho Guerreros, Félix Gómez, Elena Furiase, Erika Sanz, Montse Plá, Diego Arjona, Dunia Rodríguez, Federico Repetto, and Vicky Jorge star in frightening, high-concept tales with high production values.

Uncork’d Entertainment was founded in July 2012 by Keith Leopard, a Home Entertainment industry veteran with more than 23 years of experience in purchasing, acquisitions, merchandising, marketing and analysis of major studio and independent supplier to the home entertainment market. The Company focuses on distribution in six areas: Digital Media, Physical Home Entertainment, Aggregation, Theatrical and Television, Foreign Sales, and has secured relationships across all platforms to ensure your film reaches the widest audience possible.

New album release: Daniel Kruglov – The Talking Piano

The Talking Piano by Daniel Kruglov is available now for streaming. Photo: Google

In music news today: If you love classical piano music as much as I do, here is some information on a new album release from Daniel Kruglov – The Talking Piano.

Daniel Kruglov is a talented pianist and composer known for his unique style that seamlessly blends classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Based in Israel, he has made a name for himself as one of the most original and innovative musicians of his generation. The celebrated pianist and composer announces the release of his latest album “The Talking Piano.” This latest project showcases Kruglov’s musical versatility and virtuosity, delivering a mix of emotional piano tracks and comic virtuoso pieces that are sure to captivate audiences. In “The Talking Piano,” Kruglov seamlessly blends his classical training with his unique comedic flair, resulting in an album that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. From beautiful ballads to hilarious parodies, the album showcases the full range of Kruglov’s musical talent and is a must-listen for fans of classical and contemporary music alike. (Daniel Kruglov, 2023)

Kruglov began his musical journey at a young age, studying classical piano and composition at some of the most prestigious music schools in Russia. He went on to earn critical acclaim for his performances and soon gained recognition as a virtuoso pianist and composer. In addition to his classical training, Kruglov has a passion for jazz and contemporary music, which he incorporates into his compositions and performances. This musical fusion has resulted in a unique and captivating sound that sets him apart from other musicians. His concerts are always a feast for the senses, as he blends his virtuosity with his wit and humor to create an unforgettable musical experience. He has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and has been praised by audiences and critics alike for his exceptional talent and musical mastery.

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New book release: ‘The four lives of Robinson Appleson’ by Véronique Iswery Pasquet

‘The four lives of Robinson Appleson’ is the new paranormal and fantasy novel by Véronique Iswery Pasquet. Photo: Amazon

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 and she has taken the challenge of making readers fall in love with the cruel protagonist. “The four lives of Robinson Appleson” sounds like an interesting read for readers who enjoy paranormal and dark themes; it is available on Amazon and Rakuten. (Véronique Iswery Pasquet, 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.

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

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.

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.

His last life lands him in the body of a beautiful but poverty-stricken Black woman who was also unfaithful.

Each of his lives has been different from the last, except that it looked as if he was doomed to make the same mistakes. 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. Would he manage to escape from his fate?

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New album release: Something From Nothing – Chris Williams and Kid Reverie

Something From Nothing is the new album from Chris Williams and Kid Reverie. It will be out March 3, 2023. Photo: Google

Chris Williams’ ability to weave different sounds into a seamless whole comes naturally. He grew up near Greensboro, North Carolina, and his father, Allen Calhoun, was a bluegrass musician who played a little bit of everything. Williams was playing banjo by the time he was ten, and he and his father traveled constantly to bluegrass festivals where his father played. In his 20s and 30s, he played with rock bands and heavy metal bands, honing his instrumental chops and even taking the drums. He moved into jazz under the influence of Steely Dan’s Aja. Though he got away from music for a few years, he started buying recording equipment and eventually set out to make an album. Williams combines lyrical ingenuity with a gift for finding the just-right melodic vibes in which to wrap his words. He and Kid Reverie recently announced their upcoming album Something From Nothing, due out March 3, 2023. (Chris Williams/Kid Reverie, 2023)

Kid Reverie is out of Boulder, CO, featuring the voice and writing of Steve Varney, guitarist/banjoist for Gregory Alan Isakov and former leader of the band, Glowing House. In September 2018, Varney officially introduced Kid Reverie with a rock record both tender and furious. As and artist with several aesthetic interests, Kid Reverie has ebbed and flowed throughout time with a full length self-titled LP, Kid Reverie and many singles releases that cover a broad spectrum of genres. Steve’s body of work speaks for itself; honest, brilliant songwriting and an ever-reaching thirst for all things musical.

Born from their initial collaboration, the pair eventually co-wrote the twelve songs that became Something From Nothing. Co-produced by Williams and Varney and mastered by Varney, the two played every instrument on the album—with the exception of Michael McKee who joins in on drums for five songs and Ayda Varney who plays cat toy sounds on a tune.

Chris Williams and Kid Reverie shared the first listen from Something From Nothing, the ebbing and flowing “Half a Mile.” Written a few tunes into Williams’ and Varney’s time writing songs together, “Half a Mile” was a marked point of exploration for the pair, entering a mix of time signatures and tempo changes. “Every writing session we had, I was blown away by Steve’s in-depth knowledge of theory, song structure and catalog of hundreds of songs and examples within each at his fingertips,” remembers Williams. “Very useful when reaching for ideas and inspiration.”

Fans can stream or purchase “Half a Mile” now and pre-order or pre-save Something From Nothing ahead of its March 3 release.

Chris Williams and Kid Reverie hope the songs on Something From Nothing inspire others in their art: “not to be afraid to take chances musically.” Their music illuminates the struggles of the human soul, lighting a path between the shadows and light that leads from despair, fear, and loss to hope, courage, and love.

Something From Nothing track list:
Morning
Fog
Half A Mile
Himalayan Hills
Warning Bell (feat. Kid Reverie)
Asleep
Pretenders
Gambit
Dappled Grey

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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