‘The Union’ by Leah Vernon is a dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society. 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 toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world. Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old Avi Jore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. But as she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world―the treatment of enslaved workers, the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation. When Saige saves Avi from an assassination attempt, 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, fraught with danger and malice. Together, their efforts could spark a revolution―and underscore the staggering power of friendship.
Publisher Note: This title was previously self-published as “Impure.” This edition of “The Union” includes substantial editorial revisions.
Twisted is available in digital and On Demand. Photo: Google
New horror movie release: Twisted – Available on digital and On Demand.
Twisted– A young woman seeks independence from her protective mother, only to be questioning her own sanity when newfound friends die, and her mother suggests Hannah is the cause of their death. (Twisted, 2023)
Written and directed by Vibeke Muasya Starring Vibeke Muasya, Vibeke Muasya, Nikolaj Scherfig
‘Communicate with Courage’ is the new book by communication coach Michelle D. Gladieux. Photo: Amazon
Michelle Gladieux is an author and President of Gladieux Consulting, a Midwest-based team known for top-notch design and presentation of seminars in communication and leadership topics around the U.S. She provides executive coaching and facilitates strategic planning for clients in diverse industries, in governments, at non-profits, and in academia. She has 18 years of collegiate teaching experience at three universities in her home state of Indiana, accepting her first adjunct faculty position at age 23. She has worked as a Human Resources and Training Director in the cold storage, robotics, and construction industries and enjoys visiting conferences as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. In her new book “Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges,” she teaches readers how to become fearless and peerless communicators by confronting the psychological blocks holding them back. (Michelle Gladieux, 2023)
“Communicate with Courage”– Being a good communicator is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world, but it takes courage to open up to others and invite others to open up to you. In the Preface, Michelle D. Gladieux explains that the purpose of the book is to help with communication skills not only in the workplace, but in daily interactions with family in friends right now and in the future. As a lifelong communication coach, she has discovered four obstacles that can keep you from becoming the best communicator you can be 1) Hiding—Fear of exposing your supposed weaknesses, 2) Defining—Putting too much stock into assumptions and being quick to judge, 3) Rationalizing—Using “being realistic” to shield yourself from taking chances, engaging in conflict, or doing other but potentially rewarding actions, and 4) Settling—Stopping at “good enough” instead of aiming for something better in your interactions. Overcoming these challenges requires taking risks—to reveal yourself, question your beliefs, take a leap of faith, or move out of your comfort zone. This book is divided into ten chapters, including one for each of these hidden challenges as well as Risks Not Worth Taking, and The Most Important Conversations to Have. Each chapter includes a real-world practice called a Pro Move and an exercise, both designed to help you overcome hang-ups and take more joy in communicating.
Being an effective communicator is an important skill yet one of the hardest to improve. It requires knowing your strengths and weaknesses, constant practice, and most of all, a genuine desire to grow. According to the author, becoming a brave communicator is “achieved by looking at potential payoffs rather than focusing on what can go wrong, and pushing past mediocre.” This is a small and easy to read book, mostly because the language is simple and down to earth. With the suggested Pro Moves and exercises, readers can practice their communication skills and put them to work in their lives. The subject matter makes this a reference guide worth circling back to re-read portions that might need refreshing over time. Highlights include Chapter 8 Risks Not Worth Taking where even though she encourages taking risks, she emphasizes that you should not risk your sanity by “engaging with manipulative or unethical people” and Chapter 7 Hidden Challenge #4: Settling for ‘Good Enough’ where she states the importance of outsmarting the urge to settle; in this case, raising your hand and letting people know what you have to say, diplomatically of course – voicing your opinion and experiences. “Communicate with Courage” is an effective guide to improving communications skills to become a braver and more effective communicator. It is recommended for readers who enjoy books on business management and personal enrichment focusing on communication and social skills.
“…there’s something waiting on the other side of courageous risk-taking for you, something good, illuminating, and life-giving. Whatever it is, it won’t come fully into view until you deviate from the safe route as a communicator.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Doug Paisley new album Say What You Like will be released March 17, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Since the release of his self-titled debut fifteen years ago, Doug Paisley has earned compliments for his self-reflective songs delivered with simplicity and beauty. Though Paisley has always collaborated with Canadian musicians including celebrities like Garth Hudson, Leslie Feist, and Mary Margaret O’Hara, his records have drawn nostalgia from moments when the listener hears Paisley as he most often hears himself: unadorned and alone with his guitar. Canadian songwriter Doug Paisley’s new album SayWhat You Like is a snapshot of an artist functioning at his best and highest level—honest, exposed, searching, and yet comforting in his ability to communicate the universal in the struggles of the individual. Due out on March 17, 2023, it is his first release since 2018’s Starter Home which landed on The New Yorker’s Ten Best Albums of the Year and a step in a brand new direction as the first release with Paisley’s new record label Outside Music, a welcoming, Canada-based home for a Canadian artist who has long been signed to U.S.-based labels. (Doug Paisley, 2023)
With the help of producer Afie Jervanen—perhaps best known as recording artist BAHAMAS—the album manages to be groovy too. One gets the sense from these songs that Paisley simply must write. “As a songwriter these days,” he reflected, “there’s very little to gain and very little to lose so I am working only from the heart, there’s no other motive” and on Say What You Like, it shows.
Paisley shared the music video for Say What You Like’s titular opening track with fans. “Say What You Like” finds Paisley wrestling with past friends’ or lovers’ opinions of him, all backed up by a lightly funky rhythm with a slightly country tinge not seen since the early days of J.J. Cale’s lo-fi productions. “When something important disappears from your life, your imagination is sometimes called upon to fill the gaps,” Paisley says. “You could fill another universe with all the things people imagine other people are saying or thinking about them.” Featuring Jurvanen and Christine Bougie on guitars, Don Kerr on drums, Felicity Williams on harmonies, and Darcy Yates on Bass, “Say What You Like” is a welcome introduction to what the future holds for Paisley, his songs, and his sound.
Say What You Like track list: Say What You Like Sometimes It’s So Easy Wide Open Plain Rewrite History Almost If I Wanted To I Wanted It Too Much Make It A Double You Turn My Life Around Holy Roller Old Hometown
‘The Paper Tiger Syndrome’ is a guidebook on the journey of healing and self-repair. Photo: Amazon
Rebecca A. Wardis an American therapist, activist, healer, author, speaker, and coach. As a trauma survivor herself, she has triumphed over extraordinary suffering and come out on other side to her joy again. As a licensed therapist in California and ICF-Certified Professional Coach, Rebecca holds a multitude of trauma-informed certifications, including Somatic Experiencing®. She is a member of the International Coaching Federation and CA Marriage and Family Therapists Association. In her new book, “The Paper Tiger Syndrome: How to Liberate Yourself from the Illusion of Fear,” Rebecca shares her personal trauma-to-resilience story and the wisdom from her own clients to help readers transform their own trauma wounds into personal growth, presence, resilience, and joy and reconnect back to the truest version of themselves—what she calls the Original Blueprint®. (Amazon, 2022)
“The Paper Tiger Syndrome” – Paper tigers are thoughts and experiences that conjure up dread but do not present any real danger, they just create the same physiological responses in the human body that our ancestors experienced when they were stalked by predators on the plains. In the modern world, however, those responses are unwarranted. They are neurological “misfires” that harm our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, all in an effort to keep us “safe.” In the Preface section of the Introduction, the author explains that the book is “a roadmap to guide you on that journey back home.” This is followed by the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey to help readers find out where to begin since ACEs are known to be linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance abuse in adulthood. The book consists of examples from her clients’ lives, and her own, as well as journaling ideas and exercises/rituals to enhance the healing process. All together, she shares ways to overcome fear, stress, and trauma in your life to help regulate your physical body. Based largely on the principles of somatic therapy, it contains specific exercises and tools to help you walk the bridge from fear to safety to unconditional love. It is divided into ten chapters including The Anatomy of Fear, How We Survive Childhood, and It Takes a Village.
Now more than ever, people are struggling with anxiety and depression. Life’s hardships can create a sense of apprehension that is hard to shake but the truth is that most fears and anxieties are really just paper tigers. A paper tiger is defined as ‘something, or someone, that appears to be a threat, but in reality is powerless.’ The difficulties the author experienced and surpassed give this book an aura of authenticity; she knows what she is talking about and her tone is caring without being condescending. She even pauses every now and then to encourage readers to take a break if necessary. The language is easy to understand and the layout of the information includes diagrams, lists, and reflection opportunities. To get the full benefits, the author recommends having a personal journal to complete the written exercise and write down your thoughts or download the Companion Workbook. Highlights include Chapter Four: It Takes a Village where she stresses that a lack of connection ‘heightens fear reactions and diminishes virtually ever aspect of life, including longevity’ and Chapter Seven: Healing Childhood Wounds where she shares guidelines to help overcome harmful childhood conditionings like body shaming. “The Paper Tiger Syndrome” is a highly informative resource guide that is encouraging and therapeutic and includes the necessary tools to guide readers through their healing journey. It is recommended for readers interested in self help, personal transformation, and spirituality books.
“Fear is a cheap marketing tool to keep you in line. Fear is not the way any infinite Source wants us to feel. We’re here to discover love for all that is in us and around us.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Ghosts of Monday will be released January 23, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Because any day is a good day for a horror movie: Acclaimed actor Julia Sands stars in The Ghosts of Monday, an unnerving new horror experience from filmmaker Francesco Cinquemani (Eye For An Eye). It will be available on digital, blu-ray, and DVD starting January 23, 2023. (The Ghosts of Monday, 2022)
Mark Huberman (Vikings Valhalla) stars as a television director who becomes embroiled in a supernatural conspiracy after traveling to Cyprus to make a tv pilot about a haunted hotel. Julian Sands (Warlock), Marianna Rosset (Survive or Sacrifice), Elva Trill (Jurassic World: Dominion) and Anthony Skordi (Onassis) also appear in the frightening profusion of suspense and scares.
The Gibson Brothers announce upcoming album Darkest Hour, due out January 27, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Gibson Brothersare the real deal. They can pick. They can sing. And they can write a damn good country song. Country Music Hall of Famer Tom T. Hall was always an early supporter, encouraging their writing, and predicting success. They have won about every bluegrass award you can name and released albums on almost every premier Americana label you can think of including Sugar Hill and Rounder. Their songs have been recorded by bluegrass legends no less than Del McCoury. It is a resume almost anybody in country music would be proud to have. Despite all of this, The Gibson Brothers are not yet household names. Their latest album, Darkest Hour, produced by dobro master Jerry Douglas, might just change that. It is due out January 27, 2023. (The Gibson Brothers, 2022)
Kicking off with a flurry of traditional bluegrass excellence, The Gibson Brothers’ new single Dust is more than a just statement of musicianship. It is the whole package; world-class picking, clear and refined vocals, and rock-solid songwriting. An ode to leaning into down-and-out—“Left in the dust” by ex-lover— Dust puts a clever, positive spin on being left behind. “Me and dust, we do fine.” Dust is the first track The Gibson Brothers have shared from their upcoming album Darkest Hour. Produced by dobro king Jerry Douglas, Darkest Hour represents the purest form of Leigh, Eric, and the band’s stage show, with a room full of exceptional musicians.
Darkest Hour spans from trad-grass to country-soul and back again, utilizing classically bluegrass instruments as well as electric guitars and drums to craft a sound fit for the songs it surrounds. While The Gibson Brothers have achieved a level of success doing things their way, and that is not going to change, those who know—their peers that voted them to two Entertainers of the Year Awards, and their famed crop of producers—know just how talented these guys are and just how much they deserve for DarkestHour to take The Gibson Brothers to a whole new level.
Fans can purchase or stream Dust today at and pre-order or pre-saveDarkest Hour ahead of its January release.
Darkest Hour track list: 1. What A Difference A Day Makes 2. Heart’s Desire 3. So Long Mama 4. I Feel The Same Way As You 5. Shut Up and Dance 6. I Go Driving 7. My Darkest Hour 8. Who’s Gonna Want A Heart Like Mine 9. One Minute Of You (Song For Annie Gray) 10. Your Eyes Say His Name 11. Dust 12. This Good Day
itzel2thec is a freestyle music artist. His new album L C is available now. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
For fans of freestyle music and hip hop, there is itzl2thec and he has a new album out.
Itzl2thec is a freestyle music artist from Austell, Georgia who has been recording since he was 14 years old. His music library is available on several platforms including YouTube, SoundCloud, TikTok, and ArtistRack. His new album is titled L C. (itzl2thec, 2022)
L C track list: Careful (feat. Mfast) I Pace I Go Coated Knew You Would Feel Me (feat. Mfast) Silver Foxx
All Out by Kallahronh. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Killahronh is an 80s baby familiar with the Golden Era of Hip Hop, yet on the cusp of Millennialism. He started as a drummer in a few indie rock, and Hip Hop bands, to Podcasting, and ultimately becoming the CEO for the Drodian™️ brand; trademarking and defining its motto as: POSITIVITY, ENLIGHTENMENT, TALENT, ACTION & QUALITY. His style of song creation has been defined as multi-faceted, thought provoking, and smooth. He represents the collective known as the DRODIANS. A group of unique individuals who use their talents and their brands to help make the DRODIAN™️ brand a household name. (Killahronh, 2022)
All Out by Killahronh is streaming exclusively on Tidal and on iTunes.
All Out track list: All out Intro Urgency (feat. URG7) All out Bleach Survivor Somethin’ ain’t Right (feat. Pause) All out M&M Cookie Predator Hit the Ac All out Airport Predator Perspective (feat. Dios Negasi) All out Before Man Walked Honda Civic (feat. Kinewa) All out Crazy Trauma Flashback Buy the Ticket Take the Ride All Outro
Killahronh’s All Around The World is available for streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Killahronh is an 80s baby familiar with the Golden Era of Hip Hop, yet on the cusp of Millennialism. He started as a drummer in a few indie rock, and Hip Hop bands, to Podcasting, and ultimately becoming the CEO for the Drodian™️ brand; trademarking and defining its motto as: POSITIVITY, ENLIGHTENMENT, TALENT, ACTION & QUALITY. His style of song creation has been defined as multi-faceted, thought provoking, and smooth. He represents the collective known as the DRODIANS. A group of unique individuals who use their talents and their brands to help make the DRODIAN™️ brand a household name.
All Around the World by Killahronh is a body of work with catchy songs. It is available on Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iTunes, and more.
All Around the World track list: Around the World Better Than Me Never Enough (feat. Mayaya) Legendary Moves (feat. Coulter) Drodian Universe President 1 The Glow Up Earthquakes Like Tyler and Drake (feat. Jiz Jones) Blacklisted (feat. Dios Negasi) Golden Ticket Drodian Universe President 2 Oblivious (feat. Jiz Jones) Scared of Success (feat. Tony Tig) Playing My Song (feat. Emily Coy)
SA Examiner 