‘Let’s Kidnap Me’ is the debut suspense novel by Kyle Guillou. Photo: Amazon
If you love suspense/thriller novels, this debut novel by Kyle Guillou may be right up your alley.
Kyle Guillou is a debut suspense author based out of New Jersey where he was born and raised– but he asks that you do not hold that against him. His first novel, “Let’s Kidnap Me” was released in print in December 2022 with a second to follow by Fall of 2023. When Kyle is not putting pen to paper he works as a tax accountant by day and by night suits up and hits the gritty Jersey streets to rid them of crime and corruption (or so he says, we have yet to confirm the latter part). In the suspense novel “Let’s Kidnap Me,” Claire and Corey get mixed up in sex, lies, and the perfect get rich scheme. (Amazon/Kyle Guillou, 2023)
“Let’s Kidnap Me” – Meet CLAIRE. Your average broke mid-twenty millennial who is sick of the way her life is going. She is sick of living at home with her insufferable mother and rich, snooty stepfather. Sick of hopping from one waitressing job to the next. Most of all, she is sick of having no future in sight. All she has keeping her afloat is her longtime boyfriend, Corey. She wants nothing more than for the two of them to escape this frustrating New Jersey life together. So Claire comes up with an idea: fake her own kidnapping with Corey. Together, they will extort Claire’s parents out of two million dollars in ransom money, which they will use to run away and start a new life together. Perfect, right?
Now, meet COREY. Your average broke mid-twenty millennial who is sick of the way his life is going and especially sick of his girlfriend, Claire. Just when Corey is finally ready to break up with her, she comes to him with this crazy idea to get rich. An idea just crazy enough to work in his favor…
‘Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor’ is the new paranormal horror novel by Robert Sounvonnakasy. Photo: Robert Sounvonnakasy, used with permission.
In today’s book news, here is a new one I want to put on your radar if you like paranormal horror, urban fantasy, and horror suspense – “Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor” by Robert Sounvonnakasy.
Robert Sounvonnakasy is known for his captivating works in the realms of paranormal horror and urban fantasy. With two acclaimed titles under his belt, namely “The Prescott Legacy: A Medical Urban Fantasy Novel” and “Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor,” Robert has established himself as a master of crafting unique and innovative storytelling experiences. Robert’s passion for video games has been a lifelong inspiration for his writing. Games such as Final Fantasy, The Last of Us, and Street Fighter have fueled his creative fire and influenced his storytelling style. In his new book “Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor (The Prescott Legacy Spinoff Volume One): A New Adult Paranormal Horror Novel,” prepare yourself for a ghostly tale that will send shivers down your spine, featuring a one-of-a-kind fusion of The Karate Kid and American Horror Story. (Robert Sounvonnakasy, 2023)
“Melissa Weller and The Curse of Branford Manor” – In Russelfield, Alabama, the youth have long shared a bone-chilling legend of Branford Manor—a haunted house that seals the fate of anyone who dares to enter. Melissa Weller, an unsuspecting taekwondo student seeking personal growth, becomes the latest victim of the manor’s horrifying curse, unleashing ghastly apparitions that will torment her very soul. Despite the overwhelming odds against her, Melissa is determined to break the curse that has claimed numerous lives before hers. However, the supernatural manifestations are fearsome, and will relentlessly pursue her until her demise reaches a grisly conclusion. Can Melissa triumph over the malicious phantoms, or will she be lost forever in the infamous cycle of tragedy and horror?
“Overall, this is a brilliant first installment of a paranormal saga that lovers of the genre will relish.” – Readersfavorite.com
“If Stephen King, Colleen Hoover and Jackie Chan were to join forces and write a novel, this book would be a byproduct of their combined imagination.” – Amazon customer review
‘Empire of Blood and Darkness’ is book one in the epic fantasy series by Travis Yardley. Photo: Travis Yardley, used with permission.
If you like epic fantasy books with vivid worlds and complex characters, “Empire of Blood and Darkness” by Travis Yardley is worth checking out. It is book one in the series and from now untilJuly 11, it is available for free for Amazon Kindle Unlimited members.
Travis Yardley is an author who at the age of fifteen, already knew he wanted to write books. He spent his early life both in Texas and Oklahoma and started the earliest draft of his first book before finishing high school. He has been at multiple book signings at Oklahoma’s largest independent book store, Full Circle Bookstore. His e-book, “Empire of Blood and Darkness,” is currently free until July 11 for all Amazon Kindle Unlimited members. He sells signed copies for US mailing on Etsy at yardleybooks. In “Empire of Blood and Darkness,” Alexander Kai and his friends are dragged into a war when their neighboring Kingdom of Xythuu invades their home country. This story is the first book in a series that details their struggles as they fight back for their country. It is also available through Best of Books. (Travis Yardley, 2023)
“Empire of Blood and Darkness” – Alexander Kai and his close-knit group of friends begin their Eltheneaen apprenticeships with a thirst to learn the skills needed for the life of a soldier, such as wielding magic, Essence, and their weapons of choice. However, a surprise attack from the neighboring Kingdom of Xythuu steals the futures they had hoped for—as well as the hometown and family they all hold dear. This group of inexperienced apprentices must trek across their country to seek aid, learning to rely on each other’s skills and companionship as tragedy after tragedy befalls them. As the perilous journey unfolds along with the horrors of war, Alexander begins to wonder if he will ever see his home of Jylinae again. Is there any hope left of resisting Xythuu?
‘The Family Bones’ is the new psychological thriller by Elle Marr. Photo: Amazon
Elle Marr is the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of “Strangers We Know,” “Lies We Bury,” and “The Missing Sister.” Originally from Sacramento, Elle graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She now writes and lives in Oregon with her family. In her new book “The Family Bones,” a young woman digs into her family’s shadowy legacy. (Amazon, 2023)
“The Family Bones” – 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? The story begins with a brief news article about the chaotic events that took place at her family reunion. From there, it goes back two weeks with Olivia going through the 1945 trial recordings of her great uncle Calder Saffron Eriksen, who was charged with patricide, for her psychology dissertation. When she gets home she discovers the invitation to the Eriksen Family Reunion. 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. First, 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. No one, not even Olivia, will see the inevitable deadly twist coming.
Nature vs nurture is a frequent topic in stories that deal with psychology and in this case, Olivia is obsessed with her family history because she is nearing the age when most of her family members were diagnosed as “psychopaths” and she fears she may be next. It is fascinating to uncover the family secrets along with her. Halfway through, one begins to wonder if Olivia is the one responsible for the mayhem taking place at the reunion (she is not) and she just does not remember because she is experiencing disassociation from reality. When a book begins with a crowded family tree, you know the character list will be extensive and this one is no exception; it comes in handy as the story develops. It is narrated alternatively though the eyes of Olivia and the true crime podcaster Birdie Tan with newspaper articles filling in the details of the disturbing Eriksen family history. The references to the instances of animal cruelty perpetrated by family members in the past, though only hinted at, are rather cliché and add little substance to the story. Regardless, the language is easy to understand and beautifully descriptive: “moonlight washes the meadow in a white glow.” With relatable characters and a thrilling dialogue driven story that keeps readers guessing until the shocking ending, “The Family Bones” is a must read and recommended for fans of psychological thrillers with smart and multi layered female leads.
“A scream builds in my throat. It scratches at my shoulders, picking my collar. I should be wrestling with some deep-belly grief – the kind worthy of losing a loved one – but I stare at the wool material of the blanket until the urge to fall apart recedes. The precursors of hysteria slink back into the darkness.”
* The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Sebastian is now available for digital streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Sebastian is now streaming on Tubi, Plex, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube. The crime-driven horror film in which a serial killer ravages a city stars horror icon Jamie Bernadette, Darius McCrary, Torrei Hart, and Luca Della Valle. The supporting cast includes Clifton Powell, Cocoa Brown, Jermaine Hopkins, Jayson Warner Smith, Tracey Graves, Michael Emery, and Jermel Howard. The film is written and directed by Mann Robinson. (The Write Way, 2023)
Synopsis: Sebastian (Luca Della Valle), a reincarnated Christian martyr who is reborn every 60 years, goes on a pursuit to win the love of Irene (Jamie Bernadette), eliminating anyone who gets in his way.
Sebastian (ac. AD 288) was an early Christian saint and martyr. He was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, initially being tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows, though this did not kill him. Irene of Rome came to his rescue and nurtured him back to health. Although he survived, Sebastian was later killed by his enemies. For centuries after this event, there has been a mass number of young women named Irene murdered and missing around the globe. Legend has it that Sebastian has been living among us disguised as a regular civilian named Augustus and is the murderous, revenging spirit that is reborn every 60 years because of the blood of Irene. The present day Irene is first charmed by his gentleman aurora and his world sophistication but then becomes put off from his aggression. Sebastian will not stop until he gets her blood. Or her love. (IMDb, 2023)
Sebastian is already climbing Tubi’s most-watched lists, having gone viral on social media the day of its release with opinion leaders in film openly praising the movie. Noted film producer Jan O’Connell compared the film to the popular 1995 film “Se7en” and praised the entire cast and Director Mann Robinson in a tweet. Darius McCrary, who is also a producer on the film, says, “I am honored to have had the pleasure of working with my partner Torrei Hart and the brilliant cast she and Mann assembled. Sebastian is one small step for a brilliant independent filmmaker named Mann and one giant step for all his Mankind.”
Director Mann Robinson stated, “It was an honor to work with true legends on this project. Felt like I was working with 7 acting instructors!” Jamie Bernadette commented about joining the cast, saying, “It was a no-brainer to accept the lead protagonist role of ‘Irene’ after I read the brilliant script by Mann Robinson and watched his excellent past directing work. Add to that a really strong cast of seasoned actors and an awesome producing team, and we have gold. They all made my job easy.”
The new horror movie Aged is now available on digital streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In today’s movie news, if you love horror movies as much as I do, here is a new release. I am so watching it this weekend.
Aged, a new thriller starring Morgan Boss-Maltais, Carla Kidd, and Dave McClain, and directed by Anubys Lopez is now available on digital platforms. Viewing options include Tubi, where you can watch for free with ads, and Amazon Video, where you can rent or purchase. (October Coast, 2023)
Synopsis: After taking a temporary job as a caregiver, a young woman realizes her employer and the house have a dangerous, dark past.
Filmed in Houston, Texas, the unnerving character-driven dramatic thriller is the latest film from writer/director Anubys Lopez and his Harrowhouse Films, whose previous film the horror film Those That Call was released in 2022. Lopez works are usually horrors or thrillers based on true events or small town’s folklore. He is known for having abrupt, shocking, or unexpected endings to his films.
Public opening for the Summer 2023 exhibitions will be on First Friday, July 7 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star, used with permission.
Contemporary at Blue Star, San Antonio’s first and longest running exhibition space for contemporary art, proudly announces the opening of three solo exhibitions on July 7, 2023. These exhibitions feature new work by Brittany Ham, Adam Schreiber, and Michael Velliquette, three artists with strong ties to the San Antonio community. Ham and Schreiber are alumni of the Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program and Velliquette is a former San Antonio resident, now based in Madison, WI. This year marks the 20-year anniversary since his first solo exhibition at the Contemporary. These exhibitions offer unique perspectives on self-portraiture, urban landscapes, and intricate paper sculptures, captivating audiences with their distinct artistic visions. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2023)
Brittany Ham: Unmooringreaches into the exploration of interior and exterior spaces, both architecturally and psychologically. Through oil paintings, Ham chronicles her personal experiences with lockdown, social distancing, and the challenges of early motherhood. The seemingly longing subjects in her artworks often escape claustrophobia through imagined landscapes. Her works draw inspiration from sculptures, woodcuts, and paintings of exhausted women, including the Virgin Mary which she researched during her time at Künstlerhaus Bethanien International Studio Program as a grantee of Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program. Ham’s works employ line and value to create molded planes that provide multidimensional perspectives. The curious contortions and collapsing of space in her pieces evoke a melancholic humor, inviting viewers to reflect on challenging times and the unknown horizons ahead.
Adam Schreiber: Stadtwald showcases photographs created during and since his residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien as part of Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program. Employing large format film cameras, he adopts the role of a photographic surveyor to document the city’s quiet and suspended scenes devoid of action. Schreiber’s images of isolated and decontextualized objects ignite viewers’ curiosity. Some of Schreiber’s photographs are visually dense with textural descriptions of the subject, yet they leave the viewer to decipher what exactly the subject is and what its significance might be. Grids, recurring in his work, hint at the artist’s camera lens and reflect the meticulous process of inspection. By presenting his subjects as unknown and encouraging active observation, Schreiber’s work engages viewers in a delightful game of curiosity and concentration.
Michael Velliquette: The Direct Path features an extraordinary display of intricate paper sculptures, making it the most comprehensive exhibition of these works to date. Velliquette’s installations create intimate spaces that invite viewers into these structural collages. Through layering, complexity, and vibrant colors, his works communicate a sense of ornate preciousness. However, their material and meditative creation process—meticulously measuring, cutting, composing, and gluing paper—reveal a delicate yet ordinary quality. This convergence of methods symbolizes transformation, showcasing unexpected metamorphoses of materials and offering moments of reflection to viewers as they visually enter these temple-like constructions.
As an artist-centric organization, the Contemporary is delighted to showcase the work of these talented artists and to nurture their creative practices. This commitment to supporting artists highlights the vital role that accessible spaces play in fostering a vibrant and dynamic art scene, encouraging artistic growth, and amplifying the diverse voices and perspectives that contribute to the richness of our cultural landscape.
‘Me & You’ looks into the dynamics of parents, children, and partnerships. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Father Božidar Grilc, a well-known Slovenian hypnotherapist with more than 20 years of practice, and his daughter Lara Grilc, until recently a teenager, co-wrote the book “Me & You.”Throughout his years of work, Božidar devoted most of his time to people who go beyond the limits of hypnosis into so-called altered states of consciousness. He is best known to people as Akasha. Lara Grilc, today a 20-year-old, realized at the age of 10 that she has a natural talent for hypnosis and that she can easily enter even the deepest states. Spontaneously, she switched to a different state of consciousness, and from there she draws information that she decided to start sharing on her blog. “Me & You” is available on Kindle through Amazon.(Božidar Grilc, 2023)
“Me & You” – A hypnotherapist father noticed that his 14-year-old daughter was entering states of altered consciousness. In these states, she gets answers to complex questions about the world, relationships, health, and the like. This little book is the result of their study of human relations: how to understand yourself, your partner, and your parents. Why does one child change drastically during puberty, but not another? Until now, an unheard-of explanation of two worlds often incompatible in partner relations. An excellent guide to self-discovery and others.
This booklet was created during the work of a hypnotherapist father and his daughter, through her in-depth hypnotic meditation. The father found himself at a crossroads in life. He was no longer sure which way to go. While working with her, she began to give him answers to his questions. Little by little, they began to discover a whole new world, unknown to them until now. They received the most answers, given their current situation regarding partnerships. From these answers, this tiny booklet emerged. It changed their lives. Let it change yours too.
Lara and Božidar Grilc. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
William Matheny’s new album That Grand, Old Feeling will be out August 4, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
William Matheny is a West Virginia-based singer-songwriter whose brand of Americana music is firmly steeped in the Appalachian storytelling tradition. Written and recorded before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Matheny’s latest record That Grand, Old Feeling is his most expansive work yet, taking narrative inspiration from the eclectic characters who inhabit dive motels and roadside haunts and sonic cues from the work of artists like Magnolia Electric Co. and Drive-By Truckers. Highlights include the slick, brooding “Every Way to Lose,” which Matheny wrote after discovering Alabama’s Wall of Jericho trailhead, and “Down at the Hotel Canfield,” the latter inspired by a visit to a real hotel in Dubuque, IA, that infamously boasts a ghastly history. (IV-PR, 2023)
“Grand Old Feeling” is the first single from Matheny’s new album That Grand, Old Feeling—out August 4 via Hickman Holler / Thirty Tigers. That Grand, Old Feeling follows Matheny’s 2017 album Strange Constellations, which drew critical acclaim from outlets like NPR and PopMatters. Matheny recorded the LP with producer Bud Carroll at Trackside Studio in Point Pleasant, WV. Carroll joins the proceedings on guitar, with Adam L. Meisterhans (guitar), Clint Sutton (drums), Jeremy Batten (piano, organ), John R. Miller (bass, vocals), and J. Tom Hnatow (pedal steel) rounding out the band, and recent Grammy-winner Justin Francis mixed the final product. All of these fantastic players are fellow West Virginians and Matheny’s longtime friends.
Fans can hear “Grand Old Feeling” at this link and pre-saveThat Grand, Old Feeling; fans can pre-order the album straight from Matheny ahead of its August 4 release right here.
Matheny’s style is that of a keen-eyed observer whose stories exist in a beautifully between-the-lines style narrative; equal parts curious and compassionate. Lines in “Grand Old Feeling” like “My mother once said ‘son, you’re a good man,’ like she was trying to convince herself” let the listeners in on more of the story than pages of simple narrative could, granting Matheny more real estate within a four-minute song to bring to life his “grand old feeling” of what it all means. While his personal examples come from years of touring, Matheny admits that the “grand old feeling” isn’t just about his gigging musician life. “For the non-road dogs out there, I imagine you’ve been looking too, maybe in some different places than me, but I’m sure you’ve been searching all the same,” he says. “Speaking to you pilgrim to pilgrim, I hope you find it.”
‘Band on The Run’ is one of Danny Wilson’s many poetry books. Photo: Amazon
Continuing the journey into Danny Wilson’spoetry, here is volume 5 and a look into some of his other poetry books. Danny Wilsonis a poet originally from Greenville, NC and currently residing in Albuquerque, NM. After years of military service, he is now retired and focusing on his poetry. He has written over 100 poetry books in the last nine years with no intention of slowing down. (Danny Wilson, 2023)
Band on The Run Looking outside of my human form….Flowing consciousness flows/grows into external bliss…..Chasing Mad Maxx?……Trying to survive the matrix/I surrender anew….
Silent Bells Taking my mind to another part of the matrix….I seek the eternal analysis of the human condition…I push the realm of a higher consciousness/I try…
Finding Nemo First Tired eyes at 6a.m….Walking a surreal line anew….I cry tears of joy?….Sensitive hearts trying to make a difference….Poetic muses ponder!
In The Moment Thoughts of a surreal world take me to a different place now. Friday becomes another reason to check.
SA Examiner 