Cowtown Unplugged 2025: A Star-Studded Night of Country Music in Fort Worth

Omni Fort Worth Hotel announces 8th Annual Cowtown Unplugged: A Songwriter’s Showcase. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

🎶 Cowtown Unplugged Returns to Fort Worth This Memorial Day Weekend

The Omni Fort Worth Hotel is thrilled to announce the return of Cowtown Unplugged: A Songwriter’s Showcase, bringing a revamped and refreshed live music experience to Fort Worth. This exclusive concert event is set for Sunday, May 25, 2025, during Memorial Day Weekend, featuring a stellar lineup of country music talent. (Omni Fort Worth Hotel, 2025)

⭐ Headlining: ERNEST

Country music powerhouse and Grammy-nominated artist ERNEST will headline this year’s showcase.

  • 2X ACM Award nominee
  • Co-writer of the record-breaking hit “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
  • Eleven No. 1 hits to his name
  • New album NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE includes collaborations with Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, Jelly Roll, and HARDY
  • Praised by Billboard, Los Angeles Times, and The Tennessean
  • Known for blending influences from Eminem to George Jones, redefining country music while staying true to its roots

🌟 Featured Act: Jenna Paulette

Texas-native Jenna Paulette brings a unique blend of neo-traditional country with a modern twist.

  • Recognized by CMT, Billboard, and the Grand Ole Opry
  • Brand ambassador for Justin Boots and Ranch Water
  • Debut album The Girl I Was featured on major DSP editorial playlists
  • Celebrated for her authentic cowgirl lifestyle and dynamic sound

🎤 Opening Act: Bryce Leatherwood

Bryce Leatherwood, winner of The Voice Season 22, kicks off the night with classic country vibes.

  • Known for his smooth baritone and genuine stage presence
  • Deeply rooted in traditional country with influences like George Strait and Travis Tritt
  • A rising star committed to preserving the genre’s timeless appeal

🎟️ Exclusive Hotel Packages

Make it a full getaway experience with one of Omni Fort Worth’s three premium hotel packages, crafted to elevate your Cowtown Unplugged weekend:

🥂 Platinum Package – Starting at $529

  • All Gold & Silver Package perks
  • Exclusive VIP dinner before the show
  • Artist meet-and-greet

🌄 Gold Package – Starting at $349

  • All Silver Package perks
  • Breakfast for two the morning after the show

🛌 Silver Package – Starting at $299

  • Luxurious accommodations for two (night of the show)
  • Two concert tickets to Cowtown Unplugged
  • Pre-show cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres & cash bar

🔗 Book now.
📞 Or call 817-535-6664 for more details.

🎫 New This Year: Single Concert Tickets Available!

For the first time, single concert tickets are available for those who prefer not to book an overnight stay. Enjoy the music and pre-show cocktail reception with a limited number of tickets available for $175 each (pre-tax) on Eventbrite.

🏨 About Omni Fort Worth Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, the Omni blends Western spirit with casual elegance. The hotel is steps away from iconic Texas destinations like:

  • The historic Fort Worth Stockyards
  • Sundance Square entertainment district
  • The Fort Worth Zoo
  • World-class museums and cultural attractions

Experience genuine hospitality, refined comfort, and the rhythm of Texas—only at Omni Fort Worth Hotel.

🎸 Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable night of live country music. Whether you’re booking a full weekend escape or grabbing a single ticket, Cowtown Unplugged 2025 promises a night to remember.

Writing Through Grief: Matteo B. Bianchi’s Unforgettable Novel of Love and Loss

‘The Life of Those Left Behind’ is the new novel by Matteo B. Bianchi. Photo: Other Press.

“The Life of Those Left Behind”: Matteo B. Bianchi’s Devastating and Luminous Novel of Grief

In “The Life of Those Left Behind: A Novel,” acclaimed Italian author Matteo B. Bianchi delivers a profoundly intimate meditation on grief, love, and the transformative power of storytelling. Set to be released in English on May 27, 2025 by Other Press, this luminous novel is a raw and moving testimony born from personal tragedy. (Other Press, 2025)

A Story Born from Loss

When Bianchi published his debut novel in 1999—a fierce, coming-of-age portrait of a gay boy in 1980s Milan—his life was shadowed by unbearable loss. Just months earlier, S., the man he had loved and lived with for seven years, had taken his own life in the apartment they once shared. Matteo was the one who found him.

From that harrowing moment, Bianchi describes being trapped in a “dark labyrinth”—a psychological and emotional whirlpool of grief, confusion, guilt, and sorrow that haunts those left behind after a loved one’s suicide. He becomes the unwilling protagonist in a tragedy that feels both intimately unique and universally unfathomable.

Writing Through the Pain

In the midst of this devastation, the writer within Bianchi begins to take notes—not as a project, but as a reflex, a lifeline. At first, they are broken fragments: raw nerves on the page, splinters of memory and emotion. Over time, those fragments evolve into a heartfelt and unfiltered conversation with S.—a record of pain, love, memory, and the slow, uncertain path back toward life.

“The Life of Those Left Behind” is the result of two decades of healing and reflection. It’s a novel both radical and vulnerable, both deeply personal and resonant with universal truths. In his journey through trauma, Bianchi joins a literary lineage of authors who have wrestled with loss on the page—writers like Joan Didion (“The Year of Magical Thinking”), Ocean Vuong (“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”), and Lidia Yuknavich (“The Chronology of Water”).

A Novel That Redeems Grief

This book is not only an account of what it means to survive, but also a testament to how writing can redeem and reframe even the most unspeakable pain. It is a powerful reminder that while grief may never fully release its grip, art can help us find light inside its darkest corners.

About the Author

Matteo B. Bianchi, born in Milan in 1966, is a novelist, editor, and screenwriter. His previous works include “Generations of Love” and “Maria Accanto,” both celebrated for their emotional depth and cultural insight.

About the Translator

Michael F. Moore is an award-winning translator known for his masterful renditions of Italian literature. His recent work includes “The Betrothed” by Alessandro Manzoni, and he has translated works by Alberto Moravia, Primo Levi, and Mario Desiati. In 2024, Moore was honored with the Thornton Wilder Prize for Translation. He holds a PhD in Italian from NYU and has served as an interpreter and staff member at the United Nations.

📖 Don’t Miss This Unforgettable Story

“The Life of Those Left Behind” is a novel that will stay with you long after the final page. Pre-order your copy today and be among the first to experience this powerful journey through love, loss, and healing.

👉 Pre-order now from Other Press

Advance Praise for Matteo B. Bianchi (The Life of Those Left Behind):

***One of FRESH FICTION’s Not To Miss June 2025 Titles***

“With The Life of Those Left Behind, Matteo B. Bianchi, one of Italy’s finest writers, attains new heights of intimacy, acuity, and eloquence. A chronicle of a loved one’s suicide—what led up to it and what followed it—the novel is also a testament to human endurance and compassion, fallibility and wisdom. A necessary book.”
—David Leavitt, author of Shelter in Place

“Haunting and haunted. As beautiful as it is devastating. The Life of Those Left Behind is one of those rare books to capture the brutal nature of grief and loss while soaring as a stunning work of literature. Matteo B. Bianchi serves as both traveler and guide into a terrifying underworld we never expect to enter. It’s an indelible meditation on suicide, precision-tuned to break your heart.”
—Christopher Bollen, author of Havoc

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Clowns, Cornfields, and Carnage: A Look at Horror’s Creepiest Villains

The movie adaptation of Adam Cesare’s ‘Clown in a Cornfield’ is in movie theaters now. Photo: Barnes & Noble

The Terrifying Appeal of Clowns in Horror

Clowns have long been a staple in horror movies, tapping into a deep-rooted fear known as coulrophobia. Their exaggerated makeup, forced cheerfulness, and unpredictable behavior create a sense of unease, making them perfect villains.

From It’s Pennywise to Poltergeist’s creepy toy clown, these characters distort childhood innocence into pure terror. The contrast between their playful facade and sinister intentions fascinates audiences, offering a twisted reflection of trust gone wrong. Over the years, horror clowns have evolved from quirky jump-scare devices to complex symbols of chaos—continuing to captivate moviegoers who crave both fear and fascination in equal measure.

Book Spotlight: “Clown in a Cornfield” by Adam Cesare

Bram Stoker Award Winner for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel

In Adam Cesare‘s terrifying young adult debut, Quinn Maybrook finds herself caught in a battle between old and new, tradition and progress—a conflict that may cost her life. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

Quinn and her father move to the tiny, seemingly boring town of Kettle Springs, hoping for a fresh start. But since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, the town has split in two:

  • The adults, desperate to return to a conservative past
  • The teens, eager to move on, party, and escape

Enter Frendo, the town’s former factory mascot—now a homicidal clown in a pork-pie hat. As tensions boil over, Frendo takes it upon himself to “cull the rotten crop” of local teens in a bloody attempt to restore order.

The series also includes:

  • “Frendo Lives: Clown in a Cornfield Book 2”
  • “The Church of Frendo: Clown in a Cornfield Book 3”

The movie adaptation is now in theaters nationwide.

Movie Review: Clown in a Cornfield

Clown in a Cornfield is a slasher horror film that blends old-school gore with modern teen angst, offering a chilling—if somewhat familiar—ride through rural Americana. It follows Quinn and her father as they settle in Kettle Springs, only to encounter terror when the clown-masked Frendo begins a gruesome rampage.

The movie taps into generational tension, pitting rebellious teens against a town stuck in the past. Frendo’s clown mask is genuinely unsettling, as is his menacing giggle, and the film delivers scares in everything from cornfield chases to abandoned farmhouses.

While the story doesn’t break new ground, its brisk pace, creative kills, and intense finale make it a solid entry in the teen slasher canon. If you’re in the mood for bloody fun with a side of small-town social commentary, Clown in a Cornfield delivers just enough thrills to satisfy.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Having read the book before watching the movie, I can attest that the major plots present in the book made it into the movie and it has just a couple of major differences: Quinn’s father Glenn is given a more heroic role in the movie and Janet, the teen group’s queen bee, is not as deeply developed in the movie as she is in the book.

J. Horton’s ‘A Hard Place’ Brings Monsters, Mayhem, and a DIY Roadshow Spirit

, J. Horton’s star-studded monster opus A Hard Place comes to VOD on May 27, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

A Hard Place Hits Digital May 27: J. Horton’s Genre-Bending Thriller Comes Home

Following a successful theatrical run, J. Horton’s apocalyptic crime thriller arrives on Digital VOD just in time for summer.

After months on the road, filmmaker J. Horton is bringing his latest film, A Hard Place, to audiences across North America via Digital VOD on May 27, 2025. Viewers will be able to rent or own the film on major platforms, including Apple TV and Prime Video. Pre-order on Apple TV. (Justin Cook PR, 2025)

From Indie Roadshow to Digital Release

The A Hard Place road show began on January 12 at Englewood Cinema, just outside Dayton, Ohio. From there, the film made its way through theaters and drive-ins across the country, especially in the Midwest. With many sold-out screenings and in-person Q&As with Horton, the film built momentum as it connected directly with audiences.

Theatrical and drive-in showings will continue at independent cinemas through May, leading up to the digital release.

A Cast of Genre Icons

A Hard Place brings together an impressive ensemble of horror and cult film veterans, including:

  • Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Terrifier 2)
  • Lynn Lowry (Shivers, The Crazies)
  • Sadie Katz (Wrong Turn 6, The Beast Inside)
  • Rachel Amanda Bryant (Craving)
  • Kevin Caliber (Future Man)
  • Ashley Undercuffler (Craving, 16 Bits)
  • Bai Ling (The Crow)

Horton on the Roadshow Experience

Ahead of the film’s wider release, Horton shared his thoughts on the journey:

“A Hard Place has been by far the most ambitious project I’ve ever made. This movie would not exist if not for the talent, generosity, and just general good personalities of ALL of the cast and crew, as well as our cinema partners.

In true Roger Corman style, we hit the road with A Hard Place, traveling with the film to theaters and drive-ins across the country. It’s been a complete joy to see the movie with multiple audiences — something a lot of independent movies don’t get the opportunity to do.”

What’s A Hard Place About?

After a botched job leaves a trail of bodies behind, a gang of desperate criminals seeks refuge in a remote desert hideout. But their plans fall apart fast when they discover the area is home to something far worse than the law — an ancient war between monstrous predators of day and night.

As tensions rise and the body count climbs, the crew must decide if survival is worth trusting each other — or the creatures hunting them.

Runtime: 88 minutes
Country: USA

A Hard Place still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Step Into Joy: Inside Out Exhibit Comes to The DoSeum This Summer

The DoSeum to premiere Emotions at Play with Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ this summer. Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

🎉 Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out – Now at The DoSeum! 🎉
📅 May 24 – September 1, 2025
📍 The DoSeum, San Antonio

Step into the colorful world of Pixar’s Inside Out at The DoSeum’s newest interactive exhibit, Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out. Designed in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, this exhibit helps children and families explore the science of emotions through joyful, hands-on experiences. (The DoSeum, 2025)

👀 What to Expect:

  • Take charge at Headquarters’ Control Panel to explore emotional responses
  • Reflect on feelings with Emotion Mirrors
  • Capture powerful moments inside glowing Memory Spheres
  • Create stories at Dream Productions
  • Balance feelings on the Train of Thought and Emotion Blocks

🧠 Focused on the five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear—this playful exhibit supports emotional literacy, self-expression, and imagination, making it the perfect learning adventure for kids and caregivers alike.

About The DoSeum

The DoSeum is San Antonio’s museum for children and a cornerstone of interactive learning. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, with roots dating back to 1995 when it first opened as the San Antonio Children’s Museum, The DoSeum has grown into one of the nation’s top children’s museums. The DoSeum features interactive exhibits spanning science, math, art, and literacy, designed to spark curiosity and ignite imaginations. Committed to fostering hands-on learning and discovery, The DoSeum serves as a premier educational resource for educators, caregivers, and children in the San Antonio community.

About Inside Out 

Pixar’s hit animated feature Inside Out is the story of 11-year-old Riley, who like all of us, is guided by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco as Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive. Inside Out was released in 2015. 

🎂 You’re Invited: Hooray for 10! A Community Celebration
📅 Friday, June 6 | 10a.m. – 8p.m.
Celebrate The DoSeum’s 10th birthday with a FREE day of fun, including the Inside Out exhibit, live performances, treats, activities, and more!

🎟️ RSVP Required – Limited Tickets Available!
Reserve your free spot online during one of these RSVP windows:

  • May 16 at 8a.m.
  • May 17 at 12p.m.
  • May 18 at 3p.m.
  • May 19 at 7p.m.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow with your community!

The DoSeum
2800 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

Commoner’s ‘Change of Heart’: A Raw and Reflective Breakthrough

Commoner’s new EP is available now. Photo: Yeshua Flores, used with permission.

Commoner Announces New EP Change of Heart via New Morality Zine

Tucson-based alternative rock band Commoner has announced the release of their new EP, Change of Heart, out now via New Morality Zine. The title track “Change of Heart” delivers a hard-hitting, emotionally raw experience, digging deep into themes of fractured relationships and shifting personal dynamics. The accompanying music video reflects this narrative visually, using fragmented edits of the band’s performance to emphasize the feeling of instability and change. (Big Picture Media, 2025)

A Dynamic, Emotional Sound

Change of Heart blends elements of emo, alternative, and post-hardcore, showcasing Commoner’s ability to strike a balance between cathartic intensity and stripped-back vulnerability. The band’s sound is raw, dynamic, and highly personal—each track moving seamlessly between heavy, driving moments and quiet emotional reflections.

“The process of recording this EP was truly healing for me,” says lead singer Romin Mattison. “We had been sitting on these songs for a while and getting a little stir crazy with listening to them over and over again. It was really awesome to hear the final product and be able to listen back to the memories in real time.”

Produced in collaboration with Zach Tuch (Touche Amore, Knocked Loose, Zulu), the EP leans into what makes Commoner’s sound so compelling: emotive vocals, tight instrumentation, and a gritty, aggressive edge that commands attention. The release features five tracks, each delivering a distinct emotional and sonic punch.

Meet the Band

Commoner is made up of:

  • Romin Mattison – Vocals
  • Matthew Bryant – Bass
  • Jeremy Buck – Guitar
  • Beto Marroquin – Guitar
  • Tyler Casillo – Drums

Together, they create music that invites listeners to lose themselves in the noise, drawing inspiration from early 2000s and 2010s influences like Citizen, Movements, Incubus, and Fuel. Their high-energy performances bring their emotional songwriting to life on stage, leaving a lasting impact on their growing fanbase.

About Commoner

Formed in Tucson, Arizona, Commoner blends emo, alternative, and post-hardcore into a style that feels raw and cathartic. What started as a solo project by Romin Mattison with the track Japanese Apartments eventually evolved into a full band when Matthew Bryant joined on bass. The lineup was completed with the addition of Jeremy Buck, Beto Marroquin, and Tyler Casillo, solidifying the band’s identity and collaborative sound.

In 2023 and 2024, the band released two singles as part of their Winter Promo series—“Misery Mistaken” and “Whatever’s Left is Yours”—exploring themes of abandonment, neglect, and healing. These tracks laid the groundwork for Change of Heart, both in tone and depth.

With plans to tour and keep evolving their sound, Commoner is just getting started—and Change of Heart marks a powerful new chapter in their journey.

Change of Heart tracklist:

1.Test Your Luck

2.Change of Heart

3.Parting Gift B-Sides (Vinyl Only)

4.Misery Mistaken

5.Whatever’s Left Is Yours

A Mermaid Tale for the Whole Family: Don’t Miss This San Antonio Spectacle

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents The Little Mermaid, diving into the Majestic Theatre May 16 and 17. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Dive Into Magic: The Little Mermaid Comes to Life in San Antonio

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio invites audiences to journey under the sea with a dazzling, reimagined production of The Little Mermaid. On May 16 and 17, nearly 200 of San Antonio’s most talented young performers will transform the historic Majestic Theatre into Ariel’s underwater kingdom. This 90-minute spectacle promises a visual and emotional feast, blending stunning sets, acrobatics, and professional-level talent to enchant audiences of all ages. (The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2025)

Inspired by the beloved Disney adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tale, this dynamic production brings together the best of classical and contemporary performance. Whether you’re a fan of ballet, Broadway, or bold visual storytelling, The Little Mermaid is not to be missed.

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now

A Professional Experience for Young Performers

CBSA continues its nationally recognized mission to offer young artists a professional stage experience. This production features choreography by a powerhouse team:

  • Jennifer Hart (Ballet Austin)
  • Isabella Grosso, known for her work in music videos
  • Nurlan Kinerbayev, a visiting master from Kazakhstan and principal artist at the Dance Center of San Antonio

Kinerbayev will perform during the Friday night and Saturday matinee shows, joined by Aliaksandra Krukava, an internationally acclaimed artist formerly with the Russian National Ballet. For the Saturday evening show, Sophia Leune, a rising star from NEISD’s School of the Arts, will grace the stage.

Immersive Theater Like You’ve Never Seen

Prepare to be swept away—literally! With high-tech digital effects, a real pool onstage, and aerial acrobats flying through ocean-inspired scenes, the production immerses guests “under the sea.” The audience is encouraged to sing along with live renditions of hit songs from the animated classic.

This is not just a ballet—it’s a multi-genre extravaganza blending dance, music, and acrobatics to entertain the whole family.

A Perfect Family Outing

Looking for a belated Mother’s Day celebration or a special treat for a graduating theatre-lover? An afternoon or evening at The Little Mermaid is a magical way to make memories.

Before the show, visit the pre-show market in the Majestic Theatre’s lobby. Arrive early for:

  • Mermaid-themed merchandise
  • Face painting
  • Photo ops with the cast

Fans are encouraged to come in costume—mermaid tails, princess gowns, and sea-worthy outfits welcome!

A Show with a Mission

More than just a performance, The Little Mermaid supports the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio’s broader mission to make the arts accessible. Thanks to CBSA and the affiliated Dance Center of San Antonio:

  • Nearly 2,500 dancers have received life-changing training and opportunities
  • More than 35,000 Title I schoolchildren have attended performances
  • Over 2,000 underserved youth have been reached through outreach
  • $100,000+ in scholarships have supported students with financial or special needs

When you buy a ticket, you’re supporting the next generation of artists.

Showtimes & Location

📍 The Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78205

🗓️ Showtimes:

  • Friday, May 16 at 7p.m.
  • Saturday, May 17 at 2p.m. & 7p.m.
    Pre-show market and photo opportunities begin one hour before curtain.

About the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an award-winning, nonprofit organization offering young dancers a professional platform to shine. Through auditions and invitations, performers receive elite training and the chance to appear in full-scale productions that rival those of adult companies.

CBSA is also home to the Dance Center of San Antonio, which provides top-tier training to performers of all ages and abilities, embracing the motto: “The arts are for everyone.”

Whether you’re reliving a favorite fairy tale or witnessing it for the first time, The Little Mermaid is a magical experience you won’t forget. Dive in—the ocean awaits.

Gothic Noir in Wartime France: Franck Bouysse’s ‘Clay’

‘Clay’ is Franck Bouysse’s new novel. Photo: Other Press

New Release: Clay by Franck Bouysse

A Dark, Lyrical Tale of War, Vengeance, and Buried Passions

Critically acclaimed French author Franck Bouysse, a master of gothic noir, returns this month with his latest novel, “Clay: A Novel”—a powerful, Faulknerian story of love, masculinity, and vengeance set against the backdrop of World War I. It is available for pre-order. (Other Press, 2025)
Release Date: May 20, 2025

A Story Set in Shadows and Heat

In the summer of 1914, in the rugged heart of Cantal, France, the able-bodied men of a rural mountain community march off to war. Left behind are the women, the elderly, and the young—those who must now bear the weight of survival.

Fifteen-year-old Joseph is one of them. With his father gone, he’s left to run the family farm alongside his mother, grandmother, and their aging neighbor Leonard. Across the property line lives Valette, a bitter man excused from the war due to a malformed hand. When his brother’s wife and daughter seek refuge with him, their arrival ignites long-simmering resentments and awakens passions that had long been buried.

Gothic Noir Meets Historical Fiction

Clay is a haunting, propulsive novel that blurs the line between historical fiction and literary noir. With richly textured prose and emotionally raw characters, Bouysse crafts a deeply affecting narrative of isolation, violence, and human resilience. The novel explores themes of abuse, family bonds, suppressed desire, and the way trauma seeps through generations.

This is essential reading for fans of Bouysse’s previous work and readers who love dark, atmospheric fiction in the tradition of Tana French or William Faulkner.

About the Author

Franck Bouysse was born in France in 1965. Before becoming a full-time writer in 2007, he worked as a biology teacher. His breakout novel, “Born of No Woman,” won multiple prestigious French literary awards, including the Elle Readers’ Grand Prize, the Booksellers’ Prize, and the Prix Babelio. His follow-up, “Wind Drinkers,” received the Prix Jean Giono and further cemented his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary French literature.

About the Translator

Lara Vergnaud is a celebrated translator of French literature, known for her work across fiction, nonfiction, and scholarly texts. She has received two PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grants and a French Voices Grand Prize, and has been nominated for the National Translation Award. Her recent translations include “The Most Secret Memory of Men” by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr and “Demoiselles of Numidia” by Mohamed Leftah. She currently lives in France.

Advance Praise for Franck Bouysse (Clay):

“Franck Bouysse builds novels like an architect, writes prose like a painter, and with Clay captures both the beauty and bleakness of nature, the horrors of conflict and matters of the human heart with a poet’s precision. This is a masterwork of historical fiction—born of the Cantal region’s people as much as its mountains, rivers, and soil—that renders with staggering authenticity the volatile dramas created in the voids of the Great War. A translation to be cherished, Clay is an unforgettable story…superb, sublime, and heartbreaking.”
—Peter Farris, award-winning author of The Devil Himself

‘Ingress’: A Grief-Stricken Journey Through the Multiverse

Ingress is available on digital and on demand. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

New Movie: Ingress – Beyond Grief, Beyond Time, Beyond Reality.

Directed by Rachel Noll James

Starring: Rachel Noll James, Christopher Clark, Tim Dekay, and Johnny Ferro

Ingress is available to rent/buy at Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home.

The Story

A woman with the ability to travel between parallel realities is devastated when she loses her husband in a tragic accident. Overcome with grief, she journeys through the multiverse in search of a reality where he’s still alive. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

Movie Review: Ingress – A Haunting Journey Through the Multiverse

Ingress is a gripping sci-fi drama that combines emotional depth with mind-bending concepts. At its core is Riley (played masterfully by Rachel Noll James), a woman shattered by the sudden loss of her husband in a tragic accident. But Riley isn’t like most people—she has the rare ability to travel between parallel realities. Fueled by grief and desperation, she begins a journey across the multiverse in search of a world where her husband still lives.

Director Rachel Noll James crafts a visually stunning and emotionally charged narrative that explores not only the scientific “what-ifs” of alternate realities but also the human heart’s unwillingness to let go. Every effort at a reunion gives her glimpses of hope, heartbreak, and hard truths, challenging her understanding of love, fate, and identity. Along the way she meets Daniel Cassanders, an author who tries to help her with his specialized skillset.

The production value is good and the cinematography is striking. Rachel Noll James skillfully brings Riley’s struggles to life and given Daniel’s complicated role in her life, Christopher Clark handles his role well.

Ingress skillfully combines intimate storytelling with grand speculative ideas. It’s not just about science fiction—it’s about the emotional consequences of clinging to the past and the cost of rewriting fate.

With a haunting score and a poignant conclusion, Ingress will linger long after the credits roll. It’s a must-watch for fans of cerebral, emotionally driven science fiction.

Have you seen Ingress? Share your thoughts.

Ingress movie still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

*The author was contacted for an honest review and received a link to this movie. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Cults, Curses, and Creatures: ‘First Moon’ Revives Werewolf Horror

‘First Moon’ stars Lauren Esposito, Julian Curtis, and Shannon Ryan. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Why Werewolf Movies Still Howl at the Moon

Werewolf movies have captivated audiences for decades with their potent blend of horror, folklore, and human emotion. From classics like The Wolf Man (1941) to modern cult favorites like Ginger Snaps and An American Werewolf in London, these films explore themes of transformation, inner conflict, and the beast within.

What makes werewolf stories so enduring? The genre taps into our primal fears and fascination with the supernatural. The werewolf is often both victim and monster—a symbol of identity struggles, rage, and loss of control. This duality, paired with suspenseful storytelling and visceral special effects, keeps the genre fresh and alive in horror cinema.

New Release: First Moon: Fear The Monster Within

A new chapter in werewolf horror has arrived—First Moon is now available to rent/buy on Amazon Prime Video. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

Starring The Conjuring 2‘s Lauren Esposito and featuring creature design by Emmy Award-winning SFX artist Thomas E. Surprenant (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Halloween H20, The Grinch), First Moon offers a chilling, cult-inspired twist on werewolf lore.

Written & Directed by: Peter McLeod
Starring: Lauren Esposito, Julian Curtis, Shannon Ryan

Plot:
A young waitress is abducted by a religious cult determined to “cure” her of a werewolf virus—by any means necessary. With her first full moon fast approaching, she must escape before it’s too late.

First Moon still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.