Tag: comedy

Book review: ‘Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold’ by T.K. Ambers

‘Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold’ is the new murder mystery novel by T.K. Ambers. Photo: Amazon

T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of “Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair.” Her novel has been recognized in four different award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women’s Fiction category. Her eighth-grade English teacher loved her work and pushed her to publish. Though writing has always been her passion, it took nearly eighteen years before she decided to follow her teacher’s guidance. T.K. has a love for nature, travel, photography, concerts, off-roading, and hiking and aside from her novels, she runs a website on travel and life.  She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin with her husband and two cats: Bellatrix and Kit. In her new novel “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold,” everywhere Bell Price goes, death is stalking and toying with her. (Amazon, 2023)

“Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” – The story begins with a Prologue that takes place overseas as a young lady is taken away to a new life. This is book two in the Runway Dreams series, so the events take place a few days after. Bell Price wants nothing more than peace, quiet, and a drama-free life for her family. With Martin now in custody, she thinks the worst is behind her but life has a few surprises for her. The last thing she suspects when she goes to the local police precinct is that the prior week’s horrors are only the start of what is headed her way. Gunshots ring out in the early hours of the morning and a scream pierces the air. It is now clear that an unknown assailant is stalking her with revenge in mind. Family, friends, and even innocent bystanders get caught in the middle as she is in danger no matter where she goes. She grows increasingly suspicious of everyone around her and finds it hard to trust anyone. Will Bell and her siblings be able to catch the stalker before one of them becomes the next victim? With their parents now gone, they must work together in spite of the increasing danger to finally have the much needed peace they all deserve.

The drama continues in the next installment of the Runway Dreams saga as the family of models is still in danger. Even though Martin is already in jail, someone out there is bound and determined to get revenge in his name. Danger and violence seems to follow the siblings wherever they go and just goes to prove that being rich and privileged does not protect anyone from the dangers of the real world, even with bodyguards and safe houses. The author brilliantly combines the action and suspense of a murder mystery with the glamour of the fashion industry, including fashion shows, parties, and traveling. Her writing style is beautifully descriptive: “A blood-curdling scream ripped through the early morning stillness” and brings the action to life. Thanks in part to it being highly dialogue driven, the story flows easily through the pages and makes this an easy read. Even though the characters can be considered privileged, they are still relatable due to the extensive character development, showing that everyone has drama in their lives and toxic relationships affect everyone, regardless of socioeconomic levels. As far as the murder mystery part is concerned, everyone is a suspect and there are plenty of plot twists to keep readers guessing. The young lady in the Prologue becomes relevant towards the end and perfectly wraps up it all up. Overall, “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” is a must read mystery novel and is recommended for readers who appreciate mystery, comedy, and psychological suspense fiction.

“The storm may have been outside, but it was raining inside the limo as a waterfall of silent emotion washed away their pain.”

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

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Theater review: ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ at The Classic Theatre

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‘You Can’t Take It With You’ is now playing at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is the comedic play ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart. It is directed by Mark Stringham and stars Andy Thornton, Catherine Babbitt, Jim Mammarella, Christi Eanes, Byrd Bonner, Allan S. Ross, Randee Lutterloh and Megan VanDyke. This is the final weekend to catch this hilarious production as it runs until Sunday October 1 with show times on Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $32 for general admission and $28 for senior, military, educator and SATCO and $17 for student. They are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450.

‘You Can’t Take It With You’ is set in New York City in the large house of the Sycamore family and the story unfolds in three acts. The family consists of the patriarch, Grandpa Vanderhof, an eccentric old man who keeps snakes as pets and has never paid his income tax. His daughter Penny spends most of her day writing a series of unfinished plays. She is married to Paul who makes fireworks in the basement with the help of Mr. De Pinna, a delivery man who showed up one day and never left. Essie is one of Penny and Paul’s daughter. She is a candy maker who has always dreamed of being a ballerina and spends most of her days pirouetting and pliéing around the house. Her husband Ed is an amateur printer and plays the xylophone. Alice is the other daughter and the only ‘normal’ member of the family. She loves her family but is sometimes embarrassed by their eccentricities.

Alice comes home from work one day and announces that she is dating Tony, a young man she met at work. She plans to invite them over for dinner and the family promises to be in their best behavior. This would not be the crazy play it is if things went as expected and it does not. The madness includes a tax collector, a Russian ballet instructor, a Russian grand duchess and an accident with the beforementioned fireworks. Rheba, the housekeeper and her boyfriend Donald try to keep things from getting out of control but get caught in the middle.

Some of the best plays have universal themes that become timeless and resonate with any audience. Such is the case with ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ No matter how hard the Sycamores try to act ‘normal,’ Tony’s wealthy and uppity parents meet them with resistance. The cast is big but they all work together to make the action flow seamlessly and there is always someone coming or going. Because the venue is small and intimate, some of the scenes can be overwhelming when there is too much going on onstage. Andrew Thornton is perfect as Paul Sycamore and John O’Neill’s portrayal of Mr. De Pinna is spot on. Overall, it is a must see show filled with humor and a few life lessons mixed in.