‘The Family Bones’ is the new suspense thriller from Elle Marr. Photo: Amazon
Elle Marris the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of “Strangers We Know,” “Lies We Bury,” and “The Missing Sister.” Originally from Sacramento, she graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. In her terrifying new novel “The Family Bones,” a young woman plunges into her family’s shadowy legacy. (Amazon, 2023)
“The Family Bones” – What makes a psychopath? Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture? Although she has kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.
But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river and an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation—and she is following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There is a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia does not see coming.
‘Why Did I Like You Anyway?’ by Terrie Lynn. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Terrie Lynn is the author of self help books including “On The Verge of Sex” and “Why Did I Like You Anyway?” She was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and lived there until she went on vacation to Atlanta, GA and stayed for 20 years. She is a graduate from Georgia State University with a major in Communications and a minor in Theater. Her passion for writing is not to preach or judge, but to aid in one reflecting on their own behavior. In “Why Did I Like You Anyway?” she offers women relationship advice; not about how to get or keep a man, but rather why women do what they do and like who they like. It is available on Amazon. (Terrie Lynn, 2023)
“Why Did I Like You Anyway?” – It is not a book about male bashing, but about what women like. How a woman feels about herself can explain plenty about her decision making. Too often, people do not know themselves as well as they think they do. They repeat their relationship behavior because of this lack of understanding. In many situations, the focus is on what the other person has done rather than looking inward at what they themselves are doing. Once a person realizes that they can only change themselves, they are empowered to make real changes in their lives and their relationships. The author hopes this book will help readers learn more about themselves and their role in dating and relationships.
‘Into The Fog of Charon’ is Mark Pennell’s debut historical fiction novel. Photo: Mark Pennell, used with permission.
Mark Pennell is a native of North Carolina with deep family roots that date back to the 1700s. He is an avid reader of US history, the works of Edger Allen Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Ann Rice, and a fan of the drawings from the morbid mind of Charles Addams. “Into The Fog of Charon” is his debut novel, the inspiration which came to him in a dream that he had over a period of three nights back in 1986. Since life has a way of taking you down other roads, such as marriage, kids, and life in general, the manuscript laid forgotten in a box on the top self of a closet. Fast forward to May 2020 and the COVID 19 lockdown. With extra time on his hands, he searched for something to do and remembered the manuscript from all those years ago. Once he found the old composition notebook that contained the manuscript, he began to read the mere seventy-five pages when he realized that it needed a rewrite. Keeping to the original story, he worked on it off and on for a year and a half, until he was happy with the new manuscript. With the help of a dear friend who helped him with editing, he felt it was time to give it to the public. He has already started the next book in the Charon trilogy as the adventures of Jim, Danielle, Quincy, and Kim continue. “Into The Fog of Charon” is a historical fiction novel that centers around teenagers Jimmy Black and Quincy Miller. It is available through Amazonand Barnes & Noble. (Mark Pennell, 2023)
“Into The Fog of Charon” – Eighteen-year-old Jimmy Black and his best friend Quincy Miller are the MVPs in a historic, small-town basketball game against the Lancers of Loganville in North Carolina. Their sights are set on winning the game and hanging out with friends before they head off to college in the fall. Danielle Davis and her fellow cheerleaders watch the clock tick down to the final point.
One minute they are sweating on the court, and the next, they are in a desolate world, helpless in a large-scale alien invasion. The only clues are an old CD, a newspaper article, and a mysterious letter. With the help of Kim Fox, the four friends have to think fast and work together to navigate their new reality. Will they be able to unravel the unbelievable events that took place in 1945 in time to save the world?
“So, let us not be blind to our differences—but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” – John F. Kennedy
Author Mark Pennell. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The new thriller Rebroken is available now on digital. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In today’s movie news: ReBroken premiered earlier this month on digital platforms from Gravitas Ventures. Tobin Bell, star of the Saw franchise joins Scott Hamm Duenas (Evil at the Door, “General Hospital”) and Kipp Tribble, Alison Haislip, Nija Okoro, Kenny Yates, Richard Siegelman, Blake Koren, and Billy Walker. ReBroken is written by Kipp Tribble and Scott Hamm Duenas. In this new thriller directed by Kenny Yates, a devastated father receives recordings from a mysterious stranger. These recordings allow him to communicate with his recently deceased daughter. ReBroken is available to rent/buy on Vudu, Amazon Video, AppleTV, Google Play, and YouTube. (October Coast, 2023)
ReBroken – Will is a devastated father who spends his time between court-ordered grief counseling drinking himself into oblivion. He repeats the cycle of despair every day with no plans to stop, until he meets a mysterious stranger who gives him some old vinyl recordings. After Will listens to the records, he suddenly starts receiving messages from his recently deceased daughter. As the communications from his daughter grow more and more frequent, Will becomes convinced that these recordings hold the answer to bringing his daughter back from the dead. But just as he is closing in on the truth, he starts to suspect that his counseling group has ulterior motives. After the stranger disappears, Will races against time to find him so he can get the last recording, or his chance to bring his daughter back might be gone forever.
‘The Purpose Of Life: To Love And To Create’ is Dave Dale’s new book about the search for the meaning of life. Photo: Amazon
Dave Dale was born the son of a minister in Dawson Creek B.C (northern Canada) and was exposed to religion, hockey, and cold weather at an early age. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he received a business degree. He worked as an airport manager and business consultant and was the founder of a tech company, a member of the board of governors of a university, and a policy advisor to government cabinet members for science, technology, and transportation. Those experiences included successes and failures and provided him with insight into how many elements in our society actually work, including business, education, religion, government, transportation, technology, and marketing. He is grateful for his life and some of the hard lessons he has learned along the way, which have made him a better person. Those lessons are a catalyst for his desire to help people. He is a skeptical optimist who values the micro-moments of connections with others. His new book “The Purpose Of Life: To Love And To Create: The Meaning of Life Is Found By Expressing Love Through Creativity” is an exploration into the purpose and meaning of life. (Dave Dale, 2023)
“The Purpose of Life: To Love and To Create”– the author includes various quotes from religious leaders, physicists, astronomers, philosophers, artists, and everyday people who opened his eyes to possibilities and answers. This book is an attempt to connect the dots on many of the big questions of life itself with insights from accomplished thinkers. Everyone can acknowledge that love and creativity are important, but for the most part, we just skim the surface of their power and potential. This is why he challenges readers to explore love and creativity.
Throughout his life, he wanted answers to the big questions. Why are we here? What are we supposed to do here? How do we make life more meaningful? He searched for years and did not find answers that were remotely satisfying. He refused to accept the statement that life is ‘absurd’ or ‘meaningless’ and set out to get answers. Like many of us, he would wake up in the middle of the night and these questions weighed on him and made him restless. He lost sleep. He was frustrated and scared as death came closer every day.
His humble goal was to get answers regarding the purpose and meaning of life. What he found exceeded his wildest hopes and expectations. The beauty of the Universe is staggering and each of our roles can be especially important. Every time he got stuck on an issue while writing the book, synchronicity came to his rescue. He would stumble upon a quote, a YouTube video, a book, or a lecture that would unlock it. This book is the chronicle of what he found.
It is simple and even a little cliché to say life is about love. Even though most of us say ‘I love you’ to people in our daily lives, we do not fully appreciate its magnificence, its subtleties, its nuances or really how powerful it is. In one of the chapters, ‘Love Is Not An Emotion,’ he explores and explains why defining love as an emotion is wrong because it minimizes love. It is so much more than that. Looking at love in new ways is the cornerstone of the book and if you are open doing so, it will have a profound impact on your life. Love is and can be so much more than how we usually think about it.
This book is an exploration of the two most important activities we can undertake with our lives: Love and Creativity. What the world needs to solve its problems is what we need to give meaning to our lives: Love and Creativity.
Happy Birthday 2U is the new song by Pink Man Shout and Pios Phantom. Photo: Balarama, used with permission.
Balarama is a musical searcher. The German born lyricist has explored both the physical world and a seemingly endless sea of musical genres, emerging with tracks that are hypnotic, uplifting, and full of revelations. Having spent years honing his craft, he is now emerging with some of the most meaningful tracks of his career. This week he released a new song, a collaboration between Pink Man Shout (electronic dance music) and Pios Phantom (indie rock pop punk) titled Happy Birthday 2U. It is available for streaming on Spotify. (Balarama, 2023)
The heartbreaking Happy Birthday 2U brilliantly blends rock and EDM. Written in the wake of a personal tragedy, the song is a meaningful meditation on loss and survival, yet its massive hooks and hypnotic beats keep things uplifting and cathartic. The artists have come together to create a work of beauty, likely to appeal to anyone who has experienced difficult times. Perfect for any electronic, rock based playlists
The many experiences that have made Balarama’s story so unique are also the key elements of his lyricism. He carries on the traditions of love and peace that were born at Woodstock. He has written a divine rock opera inspired by the heavenly mantra entrusted to him by his guru. The story begins in 1969 and takes listeners on a celestial journey from his village in the past to the era of love he has created in the present. If you look closely at the artwork, you may even find hints as to where you can find the artist if you choose to follow this heavenly path.
He is a yoga master, a modern day philosopher, and a pilgrim. Along the way on his extensive travels, he has encountered several kindred spirits, many of which have become trusted collaborators. Together, they have made genuinely beautiful music.
On his latest tracks, Balarama has been experimenting with innovative electronic sounds. The songs take inspiration from vintage pop, rock, and soul, while using modern recording techniques to brilliantly capture the energy of the performers. These songs come from humble origins, but they are beginning to capture the imagination of listeners around the world.
Above all, the artist’s goal is to bring people together through music. His home in Siegbach, Germany is a holy place where people can come to find the essence of their divine spirit. To find peace and harmony in a world where those qualities are increasingly rare and he may very well succeed. With a steady stream of new releases expected this year and beyond, he is poised to make an indelible impact on the international music world.
The world’s largest Spanish freestyle rap competition takes over Paper Tiger with Red Bull Batalla Exhibición on April 20. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Red Bull Batalla – the world’s largest Spanish-language freestyle rap competition series – announces details for a special music concert and pop-up experience scheduled to take place during the opening night ceremonies of Fiesta San Antonio 2023 on Thursday, April 20. (Painting Pictures, 2023)
Leading up to the 2023 Batalla Regional Qualifier in Houston this summer, as well as the U.S. National Finals scheduled to take place later this year in November, this Red Bull Batalla Exhibición event will kick off from 10p.m. to 2a.m. at Paper Tiger (2410 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212) on the St. Mary’s Strip. Doors open at 9p.m.
The Thursday event is free to attend for music fans of all ages, although limited space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to RSVP to reserve their spot in advance.
Thursday night’s showcase will feature eight of the most dynamic Spanish-language lyricists that the USA has to offer, each of whom has held a championship title and was personally invited to participate in this special bracket-style tournament.
Participants representing Texas and beyond will travel to San Antonio to flex their lyrical skills and compete for the crown as they battle bar-for-bar. The initial list of participating MCs for the San Antonio Exhibición is listed below (in A-Z order):
Cuban (Texas) Jordi (Texas) Oner (Florida) Reverse (Florida) Yartzi (Puerto Rico) Plus additional surprise guest MCs from Mexico and one to-be-announced competitor based on results from the TX Cup Championship in early April.
Omar Cadena, better known as Fluffy The Host will be hosting this San Antonio competition. DJ Lobo of the Texas-based Spanish-speaking rap battle league, Urban Rapstars, will serve as the official DJ for this event, with DJ Vinny set to perform as an opener.
Once the freestyle rap battling concludes, Texas’ very own Latin DJ collective and perpetual party-starters Peligrosa will close out the event with a special collaborative performance.
Throughout the evening event, patrons will be treated to several tasty cocktail concoctions curated by Red Bull, as well as free haircuts and beard trims courtesy of some of San Antonio’s premier barbers and hair stylists. Local barbers offering complimentary, cost-free cuts onsite as part of this barber shop pop-up experience include Sergio Barron, Adrian Barron, Faded Culture, Kurly Kutz, Koo Kutz Barber Shop, and more. This experience will be available first come, first serve starting at 9p.m. and running through the duration of the show while supplies last.
Following this event, there will be two more opportunities for aspiring MCs to compete in a series of regional cups and qualifier events across the country leading up to the USA National Final this fall and ultimately the 2023 World Final. Throughout these exciting proceedings, aspiring MCs will compete in one-on-one knockout battles to show off their best rhymes, wordplay, stage presence, and more as they battle amongst the best and most prestigious Spanish-speaking freestylers across the globe.
Since 2005, Red Bull Batalla has provided a platform for the best hip-hop improvisers in the Spanish-speaking world to connect, develop, and compete. Last December the historic Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City hosted the 2022 International Final where Mexico’s national champion Aczino took the title, making history as the competition’s first-ever triple World Champion.
Lauren Morrow’s long awaited full length solo debut album People Talk will be release March 31, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In the short few years since Lauren Morrow branched out from her more-than-a-decade-long role as the frontwoman of The Whiskey Gentry, her solo career has taken her above and beyond what was ever imagined—from being listed “Best of” in the pages of Rolling Stone and Garden & Gun to performing on television sets nationwide on PBS. Surprisingly, Morrow has done it all without ever putting out a full-length album. That is, until now; her new album will be released March 31, 2023. People Talk is a collection of ten songs that Morrow says, “truly reflect who I am as a person and the sounds I’ve been waiting to explore for my entire career.” Produced by Parker Cason and mixed by Vance Powell and Jacquire King, People Talk finds Morrow exploring her beyond-country influences like 90s Alternative, Britpop, and 80s New Wave bands with moody, brutally honest lyrical content and rock n roll attitudes; all with Morrow’s signature soprano and vulnerable vibrato and a host of atypically-Americana vibes and tones. The end result is a patiently cultivated and refined sound, a pure expression of everything Morrow is made of—not just what we have seen so far. (IVPR, 2023)
Recently Morrow shared the first single from People Talk, “Only Nice When I’m High,” and its accompanying music video which features Morrow and her on-screen pal, a living, breathing, three-foot-tall joint. Fans can watch the “Only Nice When I’m High” video, stream the single, and pre-order or pre-saveahead of People Talk’s March 31 release on Big Kitty Records—Morrow’s own record label, along with her husband and business/creative partner, Jason Morrow.
People Talk track list: 1. I’m Sorry 2. Only Nice When I’m High 3. People Talk 4. It’s You 5. Looking For Trouble 6. Nobody But Me 7. Hustle 8. Family Tree 9. Leona 10. Birthday
Catch Lauren Morrow on tour: March 31 – Nashville, TN – The Basement (Get Happier Fridays) April 18 – Uppsala, Sweden – Katalin April 19 – Mariefred, Sweden – Gripsholms Vardshus April 20 – Tranas, Sweden – Plan B April 21 – Falkenberg, Sweden – Tryckhallen April 22 – Kristianstad, Sweden – Kulturkvarteret April 23 – Hyltebruk, Sweden – Forum April 25 – Hultsfred, Sweden – Hotel Hulingen April 26 – Oslo, Norway – Krosset April 27 – Trodheim, Norway – Moskus April 28 – Ringbu, Norway – Amemoen Gard April 29 – Ljusdal, Sweden – Roda Kvam April 30 – Stockholm, Sweden – Twang May 3 – Norrtajle, Sweden – Imperial May 4 – Ostersund, Sweden – Captain Cook May 5 – Pitea, Sweden – Studio Acusticum May 6 – Sundsvall, Sweden – Q-Bar
The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual exhibition and sale proves once again the strength of the genre. Opening weekend events take place March 24 – 25. Photo: Google
If you imagine Western art as dusty, historic relics of the past, you need to set your sights for San Antonio and the Biscoe Western Art Museum’s 2023 Night of Artists Exhibition and Sale, March 24-25. With the opportunity to view and purchase nearly 300 new works of painting, sculpture, and mixed media by 80 of the country’s leading contemporary Western artists, Night of Artists draws artists, collectors and art enthusiasts to the banks of the San Antonio River Walk for two days of unforgettable festivities kicking off one of the premier Western art exhibitions and sales in the world. Beyond the opening celebration, Night of Artists is a public exhibition and sale that spans six weeks at the Briscoe, March 26 – May 7, and is included with general admission to the museum. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2023)
The wide range of artwork reflect the vastness of the great American West. From scenic landscapes and inspired Native Americans, classic cowboys, and dazzling vaqueros, to stunning wildlife and detailed portraiture, Night of Artists features something for every art enthusiast. Some of the featured artists include Billy Schenck, Don Oelze, Z.S. Liang, C. Michael Dudash, George Hallmark, Kim Wiggins, Bonnie Marris, Michael Ome Untiedt, Teresa Elliot, and Jan Mapes.
Notable new artists participating this year include Jeremy Lipking, Eric Bowman, Glenn Dean, Dustin Van Wechel, Bob Guelich, Kevin Red Star and Tony Pro.
The Briscoe’s signature event and a must for any collector, Night of Artists, serves as the primary fundraiser for the museum, benefiting the Briscoe’s full array of exhibitions and programs throughout the year. The event’s two-day opening weekend kicks off with the annual Briscoe Bison Society Collectors Summit, where artists, collectors and gallery owners gather to share their insights during panel discussions and conversations exploring the Western art market and trends. Intended for everyone from the novice to the seasoned art collector, the panels feature nationally recognized Western artists, experts and gallery owners. The two-part summit takes place March 24 and March 25 at The Westin Riverwalk.
The Exhibition Preview, Dinner and Live Auction taking place in the Briscoe’s Jack Guenther Pavilion on the banks of the San Antonio River Walk unfolds on March 24 with an evening of cocktails in the Night of Artists exhibition, an elegant, seated dinner, and a spirited live auction. Conducted by Troy Black, the live auction features 35 separate works.
The Night of Artists Awards Luncheon takes place March 25, honoring the artists in this year’s exhibition and recognizing the annual award winners.
Night of Artists’ signature event, the Exhibition Opening, Art Sale and Reception, takes place March 25. This memorable evening includes the “Luck of the Draw” Art Sale, where works of art are available for purchase at a fixed price established by the artist. Attendees receive a ballot book and place an intent to purchase slip in the box next to a work of art they would like to purchase. When time expires, two slips are randomly drawn, allowing the first drawee the opportunity to purchase the piece or pass it along to the second drawee. All the excitement happens to the tune of live music under the stars in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden.
Tickets for all Night of Artists events are available online or by calling 210.299.4499. The Night of Artists public exhibition will be on display during regular museum hours March 26 – May 7 and is included in museum admission. Unsold works during opening weekend will be available for purchase both in-person and online.
Kelly Anne Manuel offers a book for each day of the month with messages about permission and encouragement. The books are designed to help children see the world in entertaining and inspiring ways. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Kelly Anne Manuelis a children’s book author who released an astonishing 31 books – one for each day of the month – to give kids an array of positive messages. An eternal optimist who has been called “the good kind of contagious,” Manuel has a unique voice that children respond to because of her own actively vibrant inner child. Her books are available in four series: The Essentials Series, The Rainbow’s End Series, The Classics, and My Name Is Series. In addition to being a self-described “uncommon author,” since she did not set out to write children’s books but happily took the path life intended for her, she is also a mother and an artist. Kelly Anne Manuel grew up on New York’s Long Island and earned a BA Degree in Telecommunications with a major in Marketing and minor in Spanish from Indiana University. (Black Château, 2023)
There is a different book for each day of the month and the books are categorized in four series, each with a theme for young readers. The books are published by Balboa Press, a division of Hay House, Inc. and are available from Amazonand other retailers. “The Catcher Dream” and “My Name Is Light” are coming soon.
The Essentials Series – Positive self-talk books that kids can pick up anytime. Daily affirmations filled with positivity that encourage independence so children can face their fears and explore their world with the help of animals and the natural world.
The Rainbow’s End Series – Destination stories that aid in imaginary and play discourse. The gap between reality and pretend is bridged. Each book begins with “The other day I went to visit a friend…” and transports readers to a different place where anything is possible.
The Classics – Timeless books where all generations can find meaning. These many-layered stories have broad themes but focus on specific events and reality-based resilience topics. These books help kids navigate difficult situations.
My Name Is Series – Self and identity themed books that help children explore the duality of their internal and external nature. The importance of self-esteem and clear communication of the self are explored. These books give the child the opportunity to say: “This is who I am.”
“I want the world to know that these books are important for children everywhere to have access to. The books are an extension of my mission and purpose on the planet to support children of all ages and stages as they navigate through unprecedented times.” – Kelly Anne Manuel
SA Examiner 