Veterans Day Specials from Chef Nicola Blaque and H-E-B

On Tuesday November 11, H-E-B will distribute gift bags to veterans inside their stores. Photo: H-E-B, used with permission.

Honoring Veterans Day with Chef Nicola Blaque and H-E-B

Every year on November 11, we pause to honor Veterans Day, a time to recognize the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This day reminds us that freedom comes at a cost, and it’s an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have sacrificed to protect it. From community parades to acts of service and remembrance, Veterans Day is about acknowledging courage, resilience, and dedication that continue to inspire generations.

This year, in celebration of Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, James Beard-nominated chef and U.S. Army veteran Nicola Blaque invites veterans and community members to come together over good food and shared appreciation. (The Jerk Shack/Freight Fried Chicken, 2025)

Celebrate with Chef Nicola Blaque

At her award-winning San Antonio restaurants, The Jerk Shack and Freight Fried Chicken, Chef Blaque is offering a special way to honor veterans, with a comforting fried chicken plate for just $10.

The Jerk Shack will feature its island-style fried chicken paired with bold Caribbean sides like pineapple slaw and masala fries.

Freight Fried Chicken will serve its signature boneless fried chicken plate, highlighting classic Southern flavors with sides such as mac ’n cheese, seasoned fries, and fried corn.

📍 The Jerk Shack
10234 TX-151, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78251
🕚 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025

📍 Freight Fried Chicken
312 Pearl Pkwy, Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215
🕙 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025

About Chef Nicola Blaque

Lattoia Nicola Massey, known professionally as Chef Nicola Blaque, is a proud veteran, chef, and restaurateur based in San Antonio, Texas. Her Jamaican-inspired restaurant, The Jerk Shack, quickly became a local favorite after opening in 2018, earning a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide in 2024.

In early 2024, she expanded her culinary footprint with Freight Fried Chicken, located in the Pearl district, a restaurant that pays homage to the formerly enslaved women who sold fried chicken in post-Civil War Virginia to support themselves and their families.

H-E-B’s Ongoing Commitment to Veterans

On Veterans Day and every day, H-E-B Partners across Texas honor the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans and their families through Operation Appreciation, a companywide initiative launched in 2013. (H-E-B, 2025)

This year, H-E-B stores across the state will distribute gift bags filled with H-E-B brand items and notes of gratitude to veterans both in stores and at local nonprofits such as VFW and American Legion posts.

Through Operation Appreciation, H-E-B has contributed over $17 million to military-based nonprofits in Texas, supported employment for more than 30,000 veterans and military spouses, and even provided mortgage-free homes to severely wounded veterans.

Customers can also give back by purchasing items from the Café Ole by H-E-B Commemorative Collection, with $0.35 from every purchase donated to military nonprofits across Texas.

A Shared Moment of Gratitude

Veterans Day is more than a holiday, it’s a moment to come together as a community to say thank you. Whether through a warm meal, a handwritten note, or a simple act of kindness, every gesture helps honor those who’ve served.

This Veterans Day, celebrate courage, community, and connection, one plate at a time.

Photo: Ann Compositions, used with permission.

‘Think Bigger, Lead Better’ is Rick Tollakson’s Blueprint for Transformational Leadership

In his new book, Rick Tollakson presents his eight principles for success. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success

A fresh take on leadership from Rick Tollakson

In today’s fast-changing business world, leadership can’t be about playing it safe. The most effective leaders are those who think bigger, challenge assumptions, and inspire others to reach new heights. That’s the central message behind Rick Tollakson’s new book, Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success. It’s a practical and inspiring guide to building stronger teams, smarter organizations, and more impactful leaders.

Beyond the Bottom Line

Efficient leadership isn’t about maintaining the status quo, it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change.

Drawing from his decades of experience transforming a modest real estate company into a thriving, diversified enterprise, Tollakson shares the “Eight to Great” principles that powered that journey. Through engaging stories and actionable insights, he encourages leaders to move beyond short-term wins and embrace a long-term vision that drives growth and purpose.

Readers will learn how to:

  • Cultivate passionate, high-performing teams
  • Encourage innovation and calculated risk-taking
  • Streamline operations with process-driven thinking
  • Lead with purpose while balancing profitability and impact
  • Build a legacy of leadership that outlasts any single role

Think Bigger, Lead Better is a call to action for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals who refuse to settle for mediocrity. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or growing a small startup, Tollakson’s proven framework will help you push past limitations and build something truly great.

Are you ready to think bigger?

About the Author

Rick Tollakson is a nationally recognized real estate executive, community leader, and author of Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success.

As CEO of Hubbell Realty Company, he has led the organization through transformational growth, expanding its development, construction, property management, and homebuilding operations across Iowa and beyond.

A respected voice in both business and civic circles, Tollakson’s leadership philosophy blends innovation, integrity, and community stewardship. He continues to serve on numerous boards and committees, offering insights that extend far beyond traditional business metrics to include ethical leadership, sustainable development, and meaningful community partnerships.

Why This Book Matters Now

In an era defined by disruption and uncertainty, the need for bold, ethical, and visionary leadership has never been greater. Think Bigger, Lead Better provides the clarity and tools leaders need to navigate change, inspire trust, and create organizations that make a difference.

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership and build a culture of excellence, this book is your next essential read.

📘 Learn more or order your copy of Think Bigger, Lead Better wherever books are sold.

New Movie Strangers in a Car Park Challenges What We Choose to Believe

Strangers in a Car Park will be available on digital and on demand on November 11, 2025. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.

New Movie Spotlight: Strangers in a Car Park

🎬 Strangers in a Car Park

The truth will always come to light

Available On Digital and On Demand – November 11

Written and Directed by: Stuart McBratney

Starring:
Brenton Prince (Home and Away, Underbelly),
Lawrence Ola (Upright, Wellmania, face of STEP ONE underwear), and
Arnijka Larcombe-Weate (Boy Swallows Universe)

When a cleaning lady spots a celebrated surfer being honored with a medal for heroism, her world comes crashing down. She recognizes him as the man who assaulted her years ago. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

With only a streetwise courier by her side, she sets out to expose the truth, risking everything to confront the man who’s built his life on lies.

Strangers in a Car Park is an unflinching and unorthodox drama about memory, justice, and the lies we tell ourselves and others.

Release Date: November 11
Watch: On Digital & On Demand

Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.

Celebrate Native American Heritage at the Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival

An indoor pow wow at the Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at the Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival

San Antonio, TX — The Briscoe Western Art Museum invites the community to honor Native American Heritage Month at the Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival on Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum’s beautiful campus along the San Antonio River Walk. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2025)

This annual celebration is free and open to the public, offering a full day of art, music, dance, storytelling, hands-on crafts, and cultural connections for all ages. Festival admission, museum access, and all activities are included at no cost.
👉 Free registration is available online.

A Day Full of Culture, Art, and Connection

Throughout the day, guests can:

  • Enjoy arts and crafts for all ages
  • Meet and learn from Native artists and performers
  • Experience music, storytelling, and dance rooted in Native traditions
  • Explore the Briscoe’s galleries for free

Festival Highlights

Opening Blessing and Drum Circle

  • A spiritual blessing by United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc., an organization dedicated to preserving and sharing Native American traditions.
  • A Pow Wow-style drum circle and dance demonstration by United San Antonio Pow Wow and Enemy Horse Drumming, showcasing the meaning and movement behind pow wow styles.

Storytelling and Music

  • Joyous Windrider and Rosie Torres bring Native stories to life through storytelling and movement.
  • Enjoy live music from Tim Blueflint Ramel, an award-winning flute player and member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa. Ramel has shared the stage with Grammy Award–winner Mary Youngblood and will also demonstrate flute and jewelry making throughout the day.

Traditional Arts and Demonstrations

  • George Curtis Levi shares ledger art, a Cheyenne tradition dating back to the 1840s that uses repurposed record book pages to depict daily life. Levi, a member of the Southern Cheyenne, also has ties to the Arapaho and Oglala Lakota tribes.
  • Chase Kahwinhut Earles, a Caddo Nation artist, demonstrates traditional Caddo pottery techniques, reviving a centuries-old art form celebrated for its authenticity and cultural depth.
  • Shane Hendren, a Diné/Navajo jewelry maker and turquoise expert, showcases his intricate work and commitment to the integrity of Native craftsmanship.
  • Wayne TaySha Earles, a Caddo stone carver, presents cultural stonework and jewelry inspired by ancient Caddo artifacts from the Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma.

Hands-On Crafts and Family Fun

Festival guests can create their own:

  • Ledger art and mixed media collages
  • Leather medallions
  • Basket and loom weaving projects
  • Community weaving basket
  • Parfleche cases — traditional painted pouches made from rawhide, once used by Plains Indians for both beauty and practicality

Visitors can also browse and purchase Native artwork directly from the artists, including jewelry, pottery, beadwork, and textiles.

Honoring the Yanaguana Legacy

The festival’s name, “Yanaguana,” comes from the Payaya people, who were indigenous to the San Antonio area. It was their word for what we now know as the San Antonio River.

Held annually since the Briscoe’s opening, the Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival celebrates the vital role of Native Americans in shaping the West. It’s a day to learn, connect, and appreciate the vibrant living cultures that continue to inspire the region today.

📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
🕙 Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
📍 Location: Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio River Walk
💲 Admission: Free (including museum entry and activities)
🔗 Register: [Free event registration available online]

Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Jordin Sparks Joins Toby Gad on New Holiday Album Piano Diaries – Christmas

Toby Gad ushers in the season with his first holiday album. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

🎹 Toby Gad Unveils Piano Diaries – Christmas: A New Chapter in Holiday Music

GRAMMY®-winning songwriter Toby Gad releases Piano Diaries – Christmas on November 7, a deeply personal, all-original holiday album featuring Jordin Sparks, Victoria Justice, Loren Allred, and more.

Los Angeles, CA — After decades shaping some of pop music’s most defining hits, GRAMMY®-winning and Diamond-certified songwriter Toby Gad turns inward this season with the release of his first all-original holiday album, Piano Diaries – Christmas, available on all digital platforms November 7. Pre-save here. (Miller PR, 2025)

Known for writing emotional powerhouses like John Legend’s “All Of Me,” Beyoncé’s “If I Were A Boy,” and Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” Gad now turns his songwriting lens toward the most nostalgic and heartfelt season of the year.

✨ A Modern Holiday Songbook

Each song on Piano Diaries – Christmas was born from authentic, intimate collaboration. Gad invited twelve world-class vocalists to sit at the piano and transform their most personal holiday memories into original songs. The result is a modern seasonal songbook that blends intimacy and sophistication through piano, orchestral, and vocal performances.

The twelve-track collection features performances by:

  • Jordin Sparks (American Idol)
  • Victoria Justice (TV star and pop singer)
  • Loren Allred (The Greatest Showman)
  • Megan McKenna (Celeb-X winner)
  • Michael Huntley (The Voice Season 24 winner)
  • Louisa Johnson (X-Factor winner)
  • Anthony Gargiula (TikTok sensation)
  • Sam Ryder (Eurovision star)
    …and more.

🎶 Stories Told in Song

A deeply personal project, Piano Diaries – Christmas radiates warmth and reflection. Each track unfolds like an entry in Gad’s musical journal: intimate, cinematic, and timeless.

“With Piano Diaries – Christmas, I wanted to create a timeless soundtrack that feels like a letter to the season itself. Every song carries a personal story of the artist singing it, and each performance reflects a sentimental truth about their own experience of the holidays.” – Toby Gad

The album strikes a rare balance between reverence and reinvention:

  • Jordin Sparks’ “Christmas Takes Me Back Home” and Michael Huntley’s “Mama Made Christmas” channel nostalgia and family tradition.
  • Megan McKenna’s “Feels Like Hallelujah” and Anthony Gargiula’s “Fall in Love with Christmas” radiate pure joy.
  • Victoria Justice’s “Blessed” and Dionne Bromfield’s “Christmas For One” bring emotional depth and quiet introspection.

Together, they capture the many shades of the holiday season.

🎄 Release Details

Piano Diaries – Christmas will be available November 7 on all streaming platforms via Kite Records. A limited-edition vinyl will also be sold at The London Shard, accompanied by two exclusive Christmas Live performances on December 15 and 16.

🎵 About Toby Gad

Toby Gad is a GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, celebrated for crafting timeless pop anthems across genres from pop and R&B to rock. His catalog of hits spans decades and includes collaborations with some of the biggest artists in the world.

Beyond his chart-topping success, Gad has expanded into filmmaking, directing and producing documentaries centered on environmental causes close to his heart.

With Piano Diaries – Christmas, Gad steps into the spotlight under his own name, creating an original and heartfelt collection that feels destined to join the canon of modern holiday classics.

Piano Diaries – Christmas Tracklist:

  1. Joelle James – “Kiss Me for Christmas”
  2. Loren Allred – “What a Wonderful Night”
  3. Huntley – “Mama Made Christmas”
  4. Sam Ryder – “Holy Night”
  5. Megan McKenna – “Feels Like Hallelujah”
  6. Gavin James – “We’ve Really Loved Someone”
  7. Louisa Johnson – “Follow the Stars”
  8. Victoria Justice – “Blessed”
  9. Jordin Sparks – “Christmas Takes Me Back Home”
  10. Dionne Bromfield – “Christmas For One”
  11. Anthony Gargiula – “Fall in Love with Christmas”
    Bonus Track:
  12. Marisha Wallace – “Little House in the Snow”
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PechaKucha San Antonio Returns to the Tobin Center

The final PechaKucha of 2025 will take place this Thursday November 6. Photo: PechaKucha San Antonio, used with permission.

PechaKucha San Antonio Closes Out 2025 with Volume 47 at the Tobin Center

SAN ANTONIO, TX — PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series known for its fast-paced storytelling format, is excited to announce Volume 47 — the final event in its 2025 series. (PechaKucha San Antonio, 2025)

📅 Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
📍 Location: Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205
🕕 Schedule:

  • 6:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception
  • 7:30 p.m. — Presentations Begin

A Night of Creativity at the Tobin Center

Nestled along the banks of the San Antonio River, the historic Tobin Center is a downtown landmark that blends its original facade with a state-of-the-art performance space. This beautifully restored venue has become a beacon of creativity, fine art, and urban revitalization and it’s the perfect setting for PechaKucha’s final 2025 event.

Meet the Volume 47 Presenters

This edition of PechaKucha San Antonio will spotlight seven inspiring local voices, each sharing their passions through the signature 20×20 format — 20 images, 20 seconds each.

🎤 Featured Speakers:

  • Debby Andersen – Healer
  • Agosto Cuellar – Fashion Designer / Fashion Activist
  • Attie Jonker – Master Craftsman
  • Juliette Montoya – Salon Owner & Operator
  • Oscar Perez – Chief Everything Officer
  • Ed Saavedra – Visual Artist
  • Tori Santos – Community Choreographer

✨ The evening’s emcee will be Naomi Shihab Nye, San Antonio–based poet, educator, editor, and former Poet Laureate.

Music, Food, and Community

The welcome reception will feature live music by Kitten Mitten, a band of animal-loving friends turning their pets’ antics into anthems, blending heart and humor to amplify both furry and human voices that too often go unheard.

Guests will enjoy complimentary bites from local favorites including:
🍽 Liberty Bar • Tio Pelon’s Salsita • Cheesy Jane’s • Bakery Lorraine • Tobin Catering

The Tobin Center will also offer drinks and cocktails for purchase throughout the night.

Tickets

🎟 Tickets: $10 per person
🔗 Purchase here: Tobin Center

About PechaKucha

PechaKucha (pronounced PEH-chuh KOO-chuh) is a global arts and culture event where presenters share their passions through 20 images x 20 seconds — a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds per talk.

The format was created by Klein Dytham Architecture in Tokyo in 2003 to encourage creative professionals to share ideas in a concise and engaging way. Since then, PechaKucha has grown to over 1,200 cities worldwide.

San Antonio hosted its first PechaKucha Night in February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees each quarter, featuring architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders, and more.

Photo: Ben Yanto, used with permission.

Senator Tamika Smith Returns in a High-Stakes Battle for Truth

‘The Blockchain Syndicate’ is the new thriller by Robbie Bach. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: The Blockchain Syndicate by Robbie Bach

Related post: Book Review: ‘The Wilkes Insurrection’ by Robbie Bach

About the Author
Robbie Bach is a bestselling author and former tech executive who helped lead Microsoft through some of its most dynamic years. As the Chief Xbox Officer, he spearheaded the creation of the iconic Xbox and Xbox 360. After retiring from Microsoft, Bach turned his focus to philanthropy, civic advocacy, and storytelling.

In his latest novel, The Blockchain Syndicate, Bach continues the gripping saga of Senator Tamika Smith as she battles a cryptic conspiracy threatening America’s financial and political foundations. With sharp insights into both technology and public life, he brings a unique perspective to some of the most urgent issues of our time.

Story Overview
It’s the first day back at Aragon High School in San Francisco after the holiday break. Phoenix Humboldt is sitting outside during study hall with her friend Vanessa, reading The Iceman Cometh, when shots ring out. Acting on instinct, she rushes to help her friends.

Meanwhile, Senator Tamika Smith receives an email threatening to expose her past, an ultimatum from someone she believed was dead. “The glow from her computer monitor illuminated the angry scowl on her face.”

At the same time, Johnny Humboldt, Tamika’s significant other, is stopped by a supposed FBI agent at the airport and whisked away to see his daughter, Phoenix, who’s been injured in the shooting. Soon after, a personal crisis spirals into a national conspiracy. Johnny’s kidnapping becomes part of a larger plot to destroy Tamika and destabilize the country she loves.

The attacks are professional and coordinated, driven by someone who sees America as broken and intends to “fix” it their way. The intent is to destabilize the country through a financial collapse.

Review
In The Blockchain Syndicate, Robbie Bach delivers a fast-paced techno-thriller that feels chillingly close to reality. Set against the backdrop of political turmoil and digital warfare, the novel plunges readers into a world of blackmail and high-stakes power struggles.

Bach’s intricate plotting and insider knowledge of political systems lend authenticity to the chaos. The short, sharp chapters and tense prose make it impossible to put down. As one line summarizes it: “Like a psychological boomerang, he’d grown to hate his father but internalized the need to win at all costs.”

Tamika Smith remains a compelling protagonist, intelligent, honorable, and deeply human. Her flaws and emotional depth make her relatable, while her courage keeps readers rooting for her.

Bach’s second installment in the Tamika Smith series (following The Wilkes Insurrection) blends political intrigue with a cautionary look at technology’s dark potential. Whether you’ve read the first book or not, this one stands strong on its own.

Final Thoughts
The Blockchain Syndicate is a gripping thriller and a sobering reflection on the fragility of truth in a hyperconnected world. Fans of Brad Thor, David Baldacci, and strong female leads will find plenty to enjoy here.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A timely and thought-provoking political thriller.

“But over time, he realized that the normal political calculus had changed in fundamental ways. One plus one no longer equaled two. In fact, there were very few pluses to be found.”

*Thank you to Fauzia Burke/FSB Associates for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Inside The Means of Prediction and Why the Future of AI Depends on Who Owns It

The Means of Prediction by Maximilian Kasy explains how power, not technology, will define life with AI. Photo: The University of Chicago Press

Book Spotlight: The Means of Prediction by Maximilian Kasy

Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Publisher: University of Chicago Press

“An eye-opening examination of how power—not technology—will define life with AI.”

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. It filters what we see online, screens us in job interviews, and even factors into decisions about justice and warfare. Its presence has become so vast that many people feel resigned to its rule, believing AI is simply our collective destiny. (The University of Chicago Press, 2025)

In The Means of Prediction: How AI Really Works (and Who Benefits), economist Maximilian Kasy challenges that narrative. He argues that AI is not an inevitable or uncontrollable force, it’s a human creation, shaped by the choices and interests of those who own and operate it.

Kasy makes a bold claim: AI isn’t especially mysterious or complex. What makes it powerful and dangerous is who gets to control it. The “means of prediction,” as he calls them, consist of the essential ingredients of AI: data, computing power, expertise, and energy. These are the levers through which ownership and influence are exercised.

Inside the Book

Some of the chapters include:

  • The Story of Humans Versus Machines
  • What is Artificial Intelligence?
  • The Means of Prediction
  • Automation
  • The Ancient Questions Behind AI

Across these chapters, Kasy offers both a primer on how AI really works and a powerful critique of how it’s governed. He cuts through the noise of technical debates to ask the fundamental question:

Who controls AI’s objectives and how is that control maintained?

A Call for Democratic Control

Rather than treating AI as an unstoppable technological wave, Kasy invites readers to see it as a political and social choice. In a world already shaped by inequality, he argues that AI will deepen existing divides unless it’s placed under public and democratic control.

His framework is analytical and visionary, a blend of economics, ethics, and practical insight into how society might reclaim agency over one of the most consequential technologies of our time.

About the Author

Maximilian Kasy is a professor of economics at the University of Oxford and previously taught at Harvard University. His research explores machine learning and the social impact of AI, focusing on how technology intersects with power, equity, and governance.

Keith Jardine’s Kill Me Again is a Haunting Loop of Guilt and Redemption

Keith Jardine’s Kill Me Again. Photo: Vertical

🎬 Movie Review: Kill Me Again

Writer/Director: Keith Jardine
Starring: Brendan Fehr, Majandra Delfino, Raoul Max Trujillo
Genre: Slasher Horror, Fantasy, Thriller

Related Post: Brenda Fehr Stars in ‘Kill Me Again,’ a Twisted Sci-Fi Horror from Keith Jardine

Synopsis

Charlie, a notorious serial killer known as The Midnight Mangler, finds himself trapped reliving the same violent night over and over. At first, he embraces his grisly urges but as the cycle continues, desperation sets in. Haunted by his actions and unable to escape the endless nightmare, Charlie begins to unravel both mentally and morally. It is available for streaming for free on Amazon Prime and The Roku Channel and for rent/buy on Fandango at Home, Google Play Movies, among others.

Review

Kill Me Again is a gripping psychological horror-thriller that takes the “time loop” concept and twists it into something darkly original. The film follows the Midnight Mangler, a notorious serial killer who becomes trapped reliving the same brutal night again and again and forced to face his own monstrosity with each repetition. It starts off as a regular slasher movie but evolves into a chilling study of guilt, punishment, and the possibility of redemption.

Keith Jardine’s direction is sharp and atmospheric, using shadowy cinematography to mirror the killer’s descent into madness. Even the name of the café, The Killer Café, points to how everything centers around Charlie. Though uncomfortable to watch, Charlie’s initial encounter with Ana shows the depth of his depravity. Each repeated night peels back another layer of his past, revealing brief flashes of humanity beneath the horror. The pacing is relentless yet purposeful, balancing the gore with moments of eerie introspection. Jardine has a small but significant role that comes full circle at the end.

Brendan Fehr delivers a standout performance, menacing yet heartbreakingly human, as the Midnight Mangler. As the loops continue, his torment shifts from physical violence to existential dread. He begins to question his own identity and the meaning of his endless suffering. Towards the end, you can tell he wants to overcome his evil nature, but succumbs every time. The story becomes less about murder and more about moral reckoning.

Stylish, unsettling, and surprisingly introspective, Kill Me Again is a chilling exploration of the cyclical nature of evil and the nightmare of never escaping oneself. There’s plenty of violence and gore to please fans of slasher films, yet the overall message is more of a social commentary.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

A Review of ‘Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough’ by Karin J. Lund

‘Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough’ is the new YA self help book by Karin J. Lund. Photo: Partners In Crime Tours, used with permission.

Part of the Partners in Crime Tours Virtual Book Tours

Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough by Karin J. Lund

Theme: Celebrating your life, understanding and creating your value, and building confidence and resilience. (Partners in Crime Tours, 2025)

This is the book that will always remind you: YES – I MATTER, I AM ENOUGH.

Photo: PICT, used with permission.

Review

Karin J. Lund’s Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is a heartfelt and empowering guide to self-discovery, confidence, and resilience. Written with warmth and clarity, Lund invites readers to celebrate their lives and recognize the unique value each person holds.

It’s less a traditional self-help book and more a compassionate conversation, one that encourages reflection and personal growth.

Lund’s message is simple yet profound: self-worth isn’t something we earn; it’s something we uncover and nurture. Through thoughtful exercises and gentle affirmations, she helps readers navigate life’s complexities with grace and self-trust. Her emphasis on creating one’s own value and building inner strength makes this book both inspiring and practical.

Interactive exercises include:

  • Writing down what you could change and how it might impact your situation.
  • Write a challenge you want to achieve and have an accountability partner to help you. 

Even the cover design, featuring interlocking, layered lines, beautifully mirrors the book’s message. It symbolizes life’s many intersecting paths and the freedom to change direction, reinforcing the idea that resilience is born from flexibility and self-awareness.

Ultimately, Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is a compassionate reminder that our worth is inherent and our journeys are ever-evolving. It’s an uplifting read for anyone seeking to reconnect with their inner power and embrace the full richness of who they are.

“Keep seeking truth and honesty in your life. Don’t ever be afraid to choose a new path.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Karin J. Lund, Founder of G-Power Global Enterprises, partners with corporations, universities, and non-profit organizations to create compassionate, empowered workplace cultures. Her work fosters environments where employees and management actively support shared values, inclusivity, and community impact.

Her online program, Your Journey through the Islands of Grief and Loss, encourages individuals and teams to navigate personal and professional challenges with empathy and resilience. Corporate comfort gifts, journals, and other resources support this meaningful initiative.

Photo: PICT, used with permission

To celebrate the release of Karin J. Lund’s new book Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough, Partners in Crime Tours is having a giveaway. Enter for a chance to win an Amazon.com gift card.

Photo: PICT, used with permission