Book review: ‘Dry Heat: A Novel’ by Len Joy

‘Dry Heat: A Novel’ is Len Joy’s latest novel. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Len Joy is the author of four books that have have received shining reviews and several awards. His first novel, “American Past Time,” published in 2014 took 1st Prize in the Top Shelf Book Awards in 2019, his second novel, “Better Days” was a finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards in 2019, and “Everyone Dies Famous,” published in 2020 won 1st Prize in the 2020 Top Shelf Book Awards. His new book “Dry Heat” is about an All-American young man, Joey Blade, whose life begins to unravel when he learns that his ex-girlfriend is pregnant, is betrayed by his new girlfriend, and is arrested for the attempted murder of two police officers.

“Dry Heat” –  The story is set in Phoenix, Arizona and begins in November 1999 as a teenage Joey Blade is at a park playing basketball with his friends. Shortly thereafter at the high school bonfire, his life takes a turn for the worse as he is at the wrong place at the wrong time. The bonfire explodes and Joey, his girlfriend Wendy and her drug dealing friend TJ flee in her truck. When the police pursue, TJ shoots at the cop’s car. It crashes and in the ensuing chaos TJ slips away undetected. Joey, the only adult in the truck, is arrested and charged with attempted murder and released on bail. TJ is nowhere to be found. In desperation, he reaches out to notorious gang leader, Chico Torres, whom he met in jail, for help locating TJ. When Joey is offered a deal–his freedom in exchange for his cooperation in nailing Chico–he faces a decision that will change the course of his life. The book is divided into two parts: Part I Joey and Part II Joseph and spans years in Joey Blade’s life, up to the year 2017 as an adult.

Some of the best novels plunge deep into the human condition by examining a character’s lifetime of experiences. Such is the case in “Dry Heat” as readers are witnesses to Joey Blade’s transformation from an idealistic teenager to a young man who, despite being falsely convicted of a crime, he is far from jaded. As with his previous novels, Len Joy excels at character development and by the end of the story, readers cannot help but be heavily invested in finding out what happens. Due to the dialogue driven action, it is an easy read and hard to put down. The characters are down to earth and relatable because anyone can easily become a victim of circumstances and have his or her life turned upside down from one minute to the next. “Dry Heat” by Len Joy has everything from family drama to courtroom action and is recommended for readers who enjoy both. It is a must read coming of age saga.

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

An excerpt is available.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Austin’s newest female-led and garden-inspired mixology program

The Mansion is debuting a new immersive cocktail menu inspired by the resort’s lush grounds. Photo: Auberge Resorts Collection, used with permission.

Austin’s glamorous Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection’s The Mansion is debuting a new, immersive cocktail menu inspired by the resort’s lush grounds that incorporates the tastes, smells, and sights in the property’s beloved rose garden. The Mansion’s Lead Mixologist, award-winning Sarah Rahl, a veteran of the industry who has held positions at Proper Hospitality and Four Seasons, inspires guests to experience the property with rose-colored glasses, embracing the unique flavors that are exclusive to the renowned hotel. (Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, 2022)

The Location: Step through the Mansion’s ornate wrought-iron doors and be transported to an era when Texan businessman Edgar “Commodore” Perry and his wife Lutie presided over lavish Jazz Age soirées. Their intangible spirit lives on in the 10,800-square-foot Mansion, reimagined by acclaimed designer Ken Fulk as a glamorous social hub.

The Inspiration: Sip on craft cocktails curated by the Mansion’s Lead Mixologist, Sarah Rahl, that run the spectrum of the rose garden’s particular pantone: pinks, fuchsias, blush, and bright reds. Each cocktail boasts vastly varying flavor profiles, including body, heat, herbaceousness, salinity, and fresh produce.

From the refreshing Desert Rose cocktail, a medley of mezcal, watermelon and lime juice, to a custom Sunken Garden (referring to the on-property garden), featuring gin and sparkling wine, cucumber and lime juice, topped off with green chartreuse – there is a hyperlocal, artisanal cocktail for everyone. Guests and members can enjoy the spectacular cocktails in the charmingly distinct Mansion, or perhaps by the European-inspired chaises for poolside dining.

With this new female-led mixology program at The Estate, the property reaffirms its dedication to exceptional dining and celebrates the story of each cocktail’s unique inspiration and methods.

 

Full Goods Diner coming to Pearl in September

Full Goods Diner, a new restaurant concept by the owners of Paperboy in Austin, will offer casual and approachable fare with a nod to San Antonio’s culinary traditions. Photo: Paperboy, used with permission.

The owners behind successful Paperboy in Austin are excited to announce Full Goods Diner, a new restaurant coming to Pearl. The new diner is the product of San Antonio native and restaurateur Ryan Harms and chef Patrick Jackson of Paperboy in partnership with Potluck Hospitality. Full Goods Diner will open in September 2022 in the Full Goods building on the property, with an official opening date to be announced soon. The restaurant will be located at 200 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215. (Potluck Hospitality, 2022)

“Having grown up in San Antonio, I am particularly excited to be back here, contributing to the city’s dining scene. We are so proud of what we’ve created with Paperboy in Austin and can’t wait to bring this fresh, yet familiar style of food and hospitality to our guests.” – owner Ryan Harms. 

Full Goods Diner will serve made from scratch, seasonally-driven food for breakfast and lunch with a menu consisting of comforting and familiar everyday food. Seasonal and local ingredients will be used to connect the restaurant to its central and south Texas roots with a blend of Mexican and American fare. Guests can expect to see menu items like handmade pastries, seasonal toasts, breakfast enchiladas, pancakes, sopes, carnitas tortas, hill country salads, and more. 

“We are excited to welcome Full Goods Diner to Pearl. Their menu is very reflective of San Antonio and we’re thrilled that they are anchoring Pearl’s new plaza and joining the excellent lineup of culinary concepts in the neighborhood.” – Pearl CEO Mesh Millsap

The design of Full Goods Diner embodies the warm and welcoming environment at Pearl with rich wooden accents, plenty of natural light, and a greenhouse-style entry. Full Goods Diner will also feature a patio that extends out into the new plaza space at Pearl that is also set to open this summer. The Full Goods team is excited to create this environment by working with Laura Brittain of Kempt Design Studio and architect Chioco Design. 

After graduating from Baylor University’s entrepreneurship program, San Antonio native Ryan Harms began working in the hospitality industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex before moving to Austin with the ultimate goal of owning his own restaurant. In 2015 he launched the successful Paperboy food truck, which ultimately transitioned into an even more successful brick-and-mortar location by the same name. 

In 2017, chef Patrick Jackson joined the Paperboy team as executive chef and was integral in helping to get the permanent location off the ground. Patrick grew up making pasta with his Italian grandfather and has been in the kitchen ever since. He was an invaluable part of the opening teams at The Lark and Lucky Penny in Santa Barbara’s funk zone, as well as Herb & Wood in San Diego’s Little Italy before his move to Texas. Patrick is joined at Full Goods Diner by chef de cuisine, Ruvin Samarasundera, who has worked under legendary chefs including Thomas Keller and Michael Chiarello and has been with the Paperboy team since 2021.

Founded in 2022, Potluck Hospitality conceives, operates, manages, and partners on culinary and experiential brands in San Antonio, TX. Potluck’s team is made up of chefs, designers, strategists in culture-crafting, brand, and finance who share a love of food and gathering. Potluck Hospitality’s name pays tribute to memorable experiences with great food, great music, and great company–where everyone has something to contribute. Being together, sharing meals, and communally experiencing music is elemental to what it means to be human.

Superhero Adventure Night at San Antonio Museum of Art

San Antonio Museum of Art’s Choose Your Destiny: A Superhero Adventure Night will be this Friday, July 29, 2022. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art, used with permission.

The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) is calling all heroes and villains to enjoy its interactive Choose Your Destiny: A Superhero Adventure Night on Friday, July 29, 2022, from 6p.m. to 8:30p.m. in the Great Hall. Those brave enough to take on the challenge will be able to create their own path through the galleries by answering riddles, but make the wrong choice and players could meet their demise. This unforgettable evening is available for all ages and is free with Museum admission, following required pre-registration (free of charge). (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2022)

At sunset, friends and foes are encouraged to grab a blanket and head to the West Lawn for a screening of the cult classic ‘90s film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Rated PG). Fuzed will be onsite serving refreshing drinks, spirits, and paletas while Stone Bro’s Pizza will be offering the Ninja Turtle’s favorite hot and delicious pizza from 6p.m. through the end of the film. After the movie, guests can grab a photo with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle van that will be positioned at the Museum’s entrance. SAMA is overjoyed to embrace art and superhero lovers alike for a one-of-a-kind evening.

 

Beat the heat this summer and save at iFLY Indoor Skydiving

iFLY Indoor Skydiving has a weekday Super Saver Special. Photo: iFLY Indoor Skydiving, used with permission.

Summer is the perfect time to experience something new, and for a limited time, save up to 30% on weekdays. iFLY Indoor Skydiving is offering an opportunity to beat the crowd with a special weekday deal including the Super Saver FTF 2 Flight Package and other select party packages. These deals are offered Monday through Thursday from 12p.m. to 5p.m. at participating iFLY tunnels. Customers can navigate directly to their preferred iFLY location on a chosen weekday, and the special will appear 1st in the booking flow (limited time offer, exclusions apply). Prices vary per iFLY location. (iFLY, 2022)

iFLY is the perfect place to spend some time with your family and friends this summer and regardless of where you are, whether you are escaping the heat or the rain, every day is the perfect day to get in the air at iFLY. In fact, iFLY’s wind tunnels have a fresh air advantage over other experiences. Advanced wind tunnel technology provides guests with fresh, cool air while flying by recirculating and refreshing the air from outside the iFLY facilities. Tested and proven, iFLY’s wind tunnels create an environment at least 10x fresher than the average store or gym when flying guests—even at slow wind speeds. 

Austin-based iFLY Holdings, LLC, is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, sales, and operations of wind tunnel systems for indoor skydiving. The company has flown more than 9,000,000 people in a dozen countries and at sea since launching the modern vertical wind tunnel industry in 1998. iFLY has over 70 facilities operating worldwide and close to 40 in the US. iFLY supports and utilizes the safety and training guidelines set out by the International Bodyflight Association (IBA) to ensure the safety and progression of the sport of indoor skydiving. iFLY Franchising enables aspiring business owners to have fun while working and empowering their community with iFLY’s products, which use advanced technologies and engineering to make the dream of flight a reality. iFLY is the world technology leader and operator of body flight experiences and provides potential franchisees with robust and vetted tools and processes ranging from retail location selection to consumer operating models. 

New book release: ‘Chrysalis: A Thriller’ by Lincoln Child

‘Chrysalis: A Thriller’ is the new book in the Jeremy Logan series by bestselling author Lincoln Child. Photo: amazon

Lincoln Child is the New York Times bestselling author of “Full Wolf Moon,” “The Forgotten Room,” “The Third Gate,” “Terminal Freeze,” “Deep Storm,” “Death Match,” and “Lethal Velocity,” as well as coauthor, with Douglas Preston, of numerous New York Times bestsellers, most recently, “Bloodless.” His new book “Chrysalis: A Thriller” centers around a dominant tech company, Chrysalis, whose groundbreaking virtual reality technology is redefining the way we live and possible introducing a catastrophic danger to the world. (amazon, 2022)

“Chrysalis: A Thriller” – Like millions of people around the world, Jeremy Logan (famed enigmalogist, or investigator of unexplained things) has grown to rely on his incredible new tech device. Made by Chrysalis, the global multibillion dollar tech company, the small optical device connects people in a stunning new way, tapping into virtual reality for the first time on a wide scale. Yet when Chrysalis summons Logan to investigate a disturbing anomaly in the massive new product rollout, Logan is shocked to see the true scope of the massive company. He also quickly realizes that something in Chrysalis’s technology is very wrong, and could be potentially devastating. The question is what, and where, is the danger coming from? In Lincoln Child’s wildly inventive new novel, high tech comes to life alongside the myriad dangers it poses, making for one of Child’s most infectious, entertaining thrillers to date. 

New book release: ‘The Secret Witness’ by Victor Methos

‘The Secret Witness’ is the first book in the new Shepard & Gray series by Victor Methos. Photo: amazon

At the age of thirteen, when his best friend was interrogated by the police for over eight hours and confessed to a crime he did not commit, Victor Methos knew he would one day become a lawyer. After graduating from law school at the University of Utah, Methos became as a prosecutor for Salt Lake City before founding what would become the most successful criminal defense firm in Utah. In ten years, Methos conducted more than one hundred trials. One particular case stuck with him, and it eventually became the basis for his first major bestseller, “The Neon Lawyer.” Since that time, Methos has focused his work on legal thrillers and mysteries, winning the Harper Lee Prize for “The Hallows” and an Edgar nomination for Best Novel for his title “A Gambler’s Jury.” His new book “The Secret Witness” is the thrilling first installment in the Shepard & Gray series, featuring a young sheriff who teams up with a former prosecutor to stop a copycat killer. (amazon, 2022)

“The Secret Witness” – This is Reaper speaking. So begins an anonymous letter published in a Utah newspaper after a young couple is viciously murdered. Tooele County sheriff Elizabeth Gray leads the investigation into the double homicide, which is eerily reminiscent of a string of brutal killings years ago. When the letter leads detectives to yet another body, Gray calls on an old friend for help. Former prosecutor Solomon Shepard is still struggling to recover from the deadly courtroom attack that ended his career. He has been keeping a safe distance from the action, teaching criminology seminars about serial murders and psychopathology―until Gray asks for his help on the Reaper case. As the body count mounts, Shepard and Gray race to unravel the deranged design of a copycat killer―and find themselves in a face-off with an enemy they never saw coming.

Book of the week: ‘The Devil Is In The Details’ by LaKeisha LaKay

‘The Devil Is In The Details’ by LaKeisha LaKay. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

LaKeisha LaKay is a social scientist who has studied in the fields of criminal justice, sociology, and law. Having spent a number of years examining human behavior, societal issues, and political policies, she enjoys writing what she knows—especially in storytelling. LaKeisha LaKay is passionate about community, women, and youth, and often spends time volunteering for causes in these realms. Her other interests include spending time with family and friends, foreign travel, and a spectrum of arts and crafts. She is the author of  “The Devil Is In The Details.” (LaKeisha LaKay, 2022)

“The Devil Is In The Details” – Saamyah Anne Cambell is a former special agent of the FBI, now a detective with local law enforcement. She flees Texas for a temporary duty assignment in Florida to better cope with familial losses. Thrust into a new environment with a cantankerous partner and a mystifying case, Saamyah soon realizes that the very agony she was running from is ultimately the same torment to which she is running. Bryan Terrell Russell has been a lone detective with local law enforcement since the resignation of his career-long partner. Accustomed to coming, going, and doing as he pleases, the assignment of a new partner is not only inconvenient for him, but also uncomfortable. Torn between the desire to be right and the obligation to do the right thing, Bryan must strategically balance personal sacrifices and professional gains. Together they must rise above their differences to halt a sadistic sex offender. In a race against time, hot-temperaments, egos, and pride, the quest to discover the devil in the details is no easy feat—particularly when one partner believes that the truth sets one free and the other never felt captive to a lie.

“The Devil Is In The Details” is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Rakuten Kobo, and Google Play.

‘The Devil is in the Details’ – An idiom that refers to a catch or mysterious element hidden in the details, meaning that something might seem simple at first glance but will take more time and effort to complete than expected. –Wikipedia

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The Ghost Lights is a suspenseful supernatural thriller

The Ghost Lights will be released on digital on August 26 followed by the Terror Films Channel September 2 and Kings of Horror on September 9, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Coming this August from Terror Films is The Ghost Lights, a spine-chilling new science-fiction thriller about a journalist on the search for truth about extra-terrestrial life. The Ghost Lights will be released on digital on August 26 followed by the Terror Films Channel September 2 and Kings of Horror on September 9, 2022. (Terror Films, 2022)

The Ghost Lights – A journalist returns home after the death of her father and discovers a mysterious cassette tape describing strange disappearances and mysterious lights appearing in the skies of West Texas. In an effort to connect with the memory of her late father, she sets out on a cross-state road trip to discover the truth. Billy Blair (Jonah Hex), Katreeva Phillips, and John Francis McCullagh uncover an X-File in this summer’s most intriguing genre jaunt.

The Ghost Lights begins as a photographer is taking pictures outdoors and exploring the area. The action then fast forwards to the present as Alexandra, a journalist, returns home to Dallas for her father’s (Arthur Steve Bennett) funeral but as it turns out, she is too late because the funeral has already taken place. When she goes to her father’s house to look around, she finds a mysterious cassette tape and it turns out to be her father’s interview with a miner from the small town of Terlingua, Texas. It is set on October 15, 1978, and he is interviewing Mario Cuevas in the Wild Cactus Saloon. Mr. Cuevas has a story to tell about the ghost lights in Terlingua. He claims that people have been seeing these lights for years and they disappear if they get too close to the lights. Intrigued by the story and hoping to learn more about her father, Alexandra sets out on a road trip to Terlingua to see for herself and continue the story he began.

It is promoted as a horror story, but The Ghost Lights is much more than that. It is a drama about loss, guilt, and coping with a loved one’s death. Halfway through it turns into a suspense thriller because a mysterious man, supposedly a ‘man in black,’ begins chasing Alexandra because she might be getting close to the truth. Without giving too much away, on top of the original interview, there is another one that takes place in the present that hints at what really happened to her dad. In the end, she manages to reconnect with her dad as she originally intended. The cinematography is stunning and the soundtrack sets the appropriate mood throughout this suspenseful and haunting story. The interview scenes are in black and white, giving them a melancholy feel. Having personally been to Marfa and West Texas in general, this movie accurately portrays the atmosphere, mood, and general spookiness of the region. Overall, The Ghost Lights is part family drama, part science fiction movie about the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the government’s attempt to stifle any and all investigations. It explores the human condition through the universal themes of family, coping with tragedy, and the ongoing search for the truth.

*Thank you to October Coast for an advance screening.*

The Ghost Lights poster. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Winner of Best Historical Film, Orders From Above now available on digital

Orders From Above is now available on digital. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Vir Srinivas’ writing and directorial debut, Orders From Above has picked up awards or nominations at four world festivals, including Cannes and Mannheim. It is available on iTunes and all major digital platforms including YouTube, Vudu, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video. The 87-minute film is based on the interrogation of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann by Israeli police. (Gravitas Ventures, 2022)

Orders From Above – Winner of Best Historical Film at Cannes World Film Festival. Fifteen years after the end of World War II, Israeli police officer Avner Less interrogates Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, one of the architects of the Final Solution. Adolf Eichmann is finally captured and brought to Israel to stand trial, but without enough evidence to prosecute him, Avner Less needs a confession from him. Directed by Vir Srinivas, with Richard Cotter, Peter J. Donnelly, Darrell Hoffman, and Emmanuel Drakakis.

Courtesy photo, used with permission.