Tag: fiction

Book review: ‘Revival’ by Stephen King

‘Revival’ by Stephen King. Photo: Amazon

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes the short story collection “You Like It Darker,” “Holly,” “Fairy Tale,” “If It Bleeds,” “Sleeping Beauties” (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: “End of Watch,” “Finders Keepers,” and “Mr. Mercedes” (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. His 2015 book “Revival” is a dark and electrifying novel about addiction, fanaticism, and what might exist on the other side of life. (Amazon, 2024)

Synopsis:
“Revival” – In a small New England town, over half a century ago, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister. Charles Jacobs, along with his beautiful wife, will transform the local church. The men and boys are all a bit in love with Mrs. Jacobs; the women and girls feel the same about Reverend Jacobs—including Jamie’s mother and beloved sister, Claire. With Jamie, the Reverend shares a deeper bond based on a secret obsession. When tragedy strikes the Jacobs family, this charismatic preacher curses God, mocks all religious belief, and is banished from the shocked town.

Jamie has demons of his own. He plays guitar in bands across the country, living the nomadic lifestyle of bar-band rock and roll while fleeing from his family’s horrific loss. In his mid-thirties—addicted to heroin, stranded, desperate—Jamie meets Charles Jacobs again, with profound consequences for both men. Their bond becomes a pact beyond even the Devil’s devising, and Jamie discovers that revival has many meanings.

Review:
Like all the best novels from Stephen King, this story develops over five decades and follows Jamie Morton’s life from child to adult. His life is linked to Charles Jacobs right from the beginning and Jamie is thus destined to witness his chilling journey from minister to a madman obsessed with electricity and the afterlife. King masterfully weaves together elements of horror and psychological suspense to create a narrative that is both gripping and thought-provoking.

His vivid characterization and immersive storytelling transport readers into a world where the line between science and the supernatural blurs. True to his creative use of creature imagery, he doesn’t disappoint: “Now from the dead woman’s gaping mouth came a black leg with a flexing claw at the end of it. The claw was alive; it was a face.” The character development in both lead characters is impressive, which makes them highly relatable. Jacobs’ obsession with electricity is reminiscent of Victor Frankenstein, especially towards the end: “‘No heartbeat,’ he said. ‘Yet she lives. She lives!’”

“Revival” by Stephen King is a haunting exploration of obsession, faith, and the dark corners of human nature and is proof of his ability to entertain and unsettle his audience. With its eerie atmosphere and profound themes of family, death, and the afterlife, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who dares to venture into its pages. It is the author at his best, and this novel is recommended for longtime King fans who appreciate horror stories with flawed but fascinating characters.

“This is how we bring about our own damnation, you know – by ignoring the voice that begs us to stop. To stop while there’s still time.”

Book to series adaptation: ‘Dark Matter’ by Blake Crouch

The television adaptation of ‘Dark Matter’ will premiere on Apple TV + on May 8, 2024. Photo: Amazon

Speculative fiction is such an imaginative genre, which is why it’s one of my favorites. Blake Crouch’s “Dark Matter” resolves around the concept of the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics – that every quantum event spawns a branching universe, creating an infinite number of parallel realities. I’ve always found the concept intriguing, and luckily this book has been adapted into a television series.

Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. His novels include the New York Times bestseller “Dark Matter,” and the internationally bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy, which was adapted into a television series for FOX. Crouch also created the TNT show Good Behavior, based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. “Dark Matter” is a speculative thriller about an ordinary man who awakens in a world inexplicably different from the reality he thought he knew. It has been adapted into a television series for Apple TV + and will premiere the first two episodes on May 8 for a total of nine episodes. (Amazon, 2024)

Book synopsis:
From bestselling author Blake Crouch, “Dark Matter” is a mind-bending thriller about choices, paths not taken, and how far we’ll go to claim the lives we dream of.

“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the kidnapper knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man he’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college professor but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. Is it this life or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how will Jason make it back to the family he loves?

Series synopsis:
Jason Dessen is abducted into an alternate version of his life. To get back to his true family, he embarks on a harrowing journey to save them from the most terrifying foe imaginable: the alternate version of himself. It stars Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen, Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Dessen, and Alice Braga as Amanda.

Photo: Apple TV

Upcoming new book release: ‘Ghost Station’ by S.A. Barnes

‘Ghost Station,’ the new horror novel by S.A. Barnes will be released April 9, 2024. Photo: Amazon

S.A. Barnes works in a high school library by day, recommending reads, talking with students, and removing the occasional forgotten cheese-stick-as-bookmark. The author has published numerous novels across different genres, but “Dead Silence” is the first published as S. A. Barnes. She writes YA and romance under Stacey Kade. Barnes lives in Illinois with more dogs and books than is advisable and a very patient spouse. In her upcoming new horror novel, “Ghost Station,” a crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet. It will be released on April 9, 2024 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. (Amazon, 2024)

“Ghost Station” – An abandoned plant. A hidden past. A deadly danger.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—the most famous case of which resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. It’s personal to her, and when she’s assigned to a small exploration crew who recently suffered the tragic death of a colleague, she wants to help. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

And Ophelia’s crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizers’ hasty departure than opening up to her.

That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something even more sinister?

Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by…and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

Photo: Amazon

New educational children’s books series launch

“The Martha Stone” Series: Important Life Lessons through Engaging Stories is one of two books in a new books series for children. Photo: Amazon

Do you have a young child in your life that’s having a birthday or special occasion and need a gift idea? Books make excellent gifts because they can be entertaining as well as educational. The following are two books in an outstanding new educational series for children.

In an exciting development for young readers and their families, Boutique Digital Press is thrilled to announce the release of two groundbreaking children’s book series aimed at combining fun storytelling with educational lessons and multilingual learning. This series launch features the delightful titles “Hello, My Name is Luke: What’s Your Name?” and “The Adventures of Martha Stone: I Ate Too Much Candy,” each serving as the spearhead for their respective series. (Rita A. Saikali, 2024)

Both series stand out not only for their engaging stories and characters but also for their commitment to educational development. “The Luke Series” breaks new ground by incorporating multilingual learning into its narrative, offering a unique opportunity for linguistic development from an early age. Meanwhile, “The Martha Stone Series” tackles universal themes of self-discipline, moderation, and the value of making right choices, themes crucial for the development of young children.

In addition to their entertaining narratives, both books come with interactive elements and questions that encourage children to think critically about the stories and apply the lessons learned in their own lives. These series represent a valuable resource for parents, guardians, and educators seeking to nurture well-rounded, multilingual, and thoughtful children.

“Hello, My Name is Luke: What’s Your Name?” and “The Adventures of Martha Stone: I Ate Too Much Candy” are now available for purchase. These books are perfect gifts for the young reader in your life, providing not just entertainment but also valuable lessons and language skills that will benefit them for years to come.

“My Name is Luke” Series: A Multilingual Journey for Toddlers
“Hello, My Name is Luke: What’s Your Name?” written by Rita A. Saikali, is the first book in “The Luke Series,” specifically designed for children ages 0-3. This innovative series introduces young minds to the fundamentals of Arabic, English, and Spanish through the charming story of Luke Luis Portillo, a young boy with Lebanese and Venezuelan heritage born in America. Through Luke’s engaging adventures, children are taught numbers, colors, and basic words across the three languages, fostering early multilingual awareness and appreciation in a fun, interactive manner.

“The Martha Stone” Series: Important Life Lessons through Engaging Stories
Simultaneously, “The Adventures of Martha Stone: I Ate Too Much Candy” also penned by Rita A. Saikali, marks the beginning of “The Martha Stone Series.” This series is crafted to teach children essential life lessons in a gentle and accessible way. Through the narrative of Martha Stone, a bright and curious girl with a sweet tooth, readers learn about the importance of moderation and the consequences of indulgence. The story is filled with vibrant illustrations, engaging dialogue, and thought-provoking questions designed to spark discussions between children and their caregivers about making wise choices.

“My Name is Luke” Series: A Multilingual Journey for Toddlers. Photo: Amazon

Book to series adaptation: ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ by Amor Towles

The series adaptation of ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ will be available on Showtime/Paramount +. Photo: Amazon

Amor Towles is an American novelist who graduated from Yale College and received an M.A. from Stanford University. He is the author of New York Times bestsellers “Rules of Civility,” “A Gentleman in Moscow,” and “The Lincoln Highway,” as well as the short story collection “Table for Two.” His books have collectively sold more than six million copies and have been translated into more than thirty languages. His 2016 novel “A Gentleman in Moscow” was adapted into an 8 episode series and will be available on Showtime/Paramount + starting on March 31, 2024. It stars Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov. (Amazon, 2024)

“A Gentleman in Moscow” is a beautifully transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel.

In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.

Book to series adaptation: ‘Shōgun’ by James Clavell

‘Shōgun’ by James Clavell has been adapted into a 10 episode series for FX. Photo: Amazon

If you are a fan of historical drama, this new series is worth checking out. Shōgun is airing on FX and streaming on Hulu and is based on the novel of the same name by James Clavell.

James Clavell was a bestselling author and unparalleled master of historical fiction best known for this epic Asian Saga novels. The son of a Royal Navy family, he was educated in Portsmouth. The Japanese captured him at the Fall of Singapore when he was a young artillery officer. It was on this experience that his bestselling novel “King Rat” was based. He maintained this oriental interest in his other great works: “Tai-Pan,” “Shōgun ,” “Noble House,” and “Gai Jin.” “Shōgun ” is the best selling classic epic novel of feudal Japan that captured the heart of a culture and the imagination of the world. It was previously adapted into a 1980 limited series and has now been adapted to television. The series premiered with the first two episodes on February 27 on Hulu and FX with new episodes of the 10-episode series then releasing weekly. (Amazon, 2024)

“Shōgun ” – After Englishman John Blackthorne is lost at sea, he awakens in a place few Europeans know of and even fewer have seen–Nippon. Thrust into the closed society that is seventeenth-century Japan, a land where the line between life and death is razor-thin, Blackthorne must negotiate not only a foreign people, with unknown customs and language, but also his own definitions of morality, truth, and freedom. As internal political strife and a clash of cultures lead to seemingly inevitable conflict, Blackthorne’s loyalty and strength of character are tested by both passion and loss, and he is torn between two worlds that will each be forever changed.

Powerful and engrossing, capturing both the rich pageantry and stark realities of life in feudal Japan, “Shōgun” is a critically acclaimed powerhouse. The heart-stopping, edge-of-your-seat action combines seamlessly with intricate historical detail and raw human emotion. Endlessly compelling, this sweeping saga captivated the world to become not only one of the best-selling novels of all time but also one of the highest-rated television miniseries, as well as inspiring a nationwide surge of interest in the culture of Japan. Shakespearean in both scope and depth, “Shōgun” provocative, absorbing, and endlessly fascinating, there is only one: Shōgun.

Upcoming new book release: ‘The Bucharest Legacy’ by William Maz

‘The Bucharest Legacy: The Rise of the Oligarchs’ by William Maz will be released on June 20, 2024. Photo: Amazon

Who doesn’t love a good spy thriller? They are filled with action, suspense, mystery, and political plots, often with international locations. Coming up in June is a new thriller by William Maz. In “The Bucharest Legacy: The Rise of the Oligarchs,” CIA agent Bill Hefflin is back in Bucharest and finds himself immersed in a cauldron of spies and crooked politicians. It is book 2 in the Bill Hefflin Spy Thriller Series and the sequel to “The Bucharest Dossier,” though it is a stand alone novel. This spy thriller is perfect for fans of John le Carré and Brad Thor.

Born in Bucharest, Romania, William Maz emigrated to the U.S. as a child. He is a graduate of Harvard University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Following a residency in anesthesiology at Yale, he practiced medicine, and during that time, he developed a passion for writing fiction. He studied writing at Harvard, The New School, and The Writer’s Studio in New York City, and he is now writing full time. Maz divides his time between Pennsylvania and New York City. “The Bucharest Legacy: The Rise of the Oligarchs” is his latest novel and the sequel to “The Bucharest Dossier.” It will be released June 20, 2023 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. (Meryl Moss Media, 2024)

“The Bucharest Legacy: The Rise of the Oligarchs” – The CIA is rocked to its core when a KGB defector divulges that there is a KGB mole inside the Agency. They learn that the mole’s handler is a KGB agent known as Boris. CIA analyst Bill Hefflin recognizes that name—Boris is the code name of Hefflin’s longtime KGB asset. If the defector is correct, Hefflin realizes Boris must be a triple agent, and his supposed mole has been passing false intel to Hefflin and the CIA. What’s more, this makes Hefflin the prime suspect as the KGB mole inside the Agency.

Hefflin is given a chance to prove his innocence by returning to his city of birth, Bucharest, Romania, to find Boris and track down the identity of the mole. It’s been three years since the bloody revolution, and what he finds is a cauldron of spies, crooked politicians, and a country controlled by the underground and the new oligarchs, all of whom want to find Boris. But Hefflin has a secret that no one else knows—Boris has been dead for over a year.

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Upcoming new book release: ‘Baby X’ by Kira Peikoff

‘Baby X’ is the new medical/psychological thriller by Kira Peikoff. Photo: Amazon

Kira Peikoff has a degree in journalism from New York University and master’s in bioethics from Columbia. Her reported articles have appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics, and other outlets. She now works in biotech communications helping spread the word about transformative developments in the life sciences. Peikoff is a proud member of The Authors Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America. She is the author of “Mother Knows Best,” “Living Proof,” “No Time to Die,” and “Die Again Tomorrow.” Her new novel, “Baby X” will be released on March 5, 2024. When any biological matter can be used to create life, stolen celebrity DNA sells to the highest bidder–or the craziest stalker–in this propulsive thriller. With a vivid imagining of the future, Gattaca meets Black Mirror in Kira Peikoff’s exciting new thriller. (Amazon, 2024) It is available for pre-order. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book. It is a must read! I will share my review next month.

“Baby X” – In the near-future United States, where advanced technology can create egg or sperm from any person’s cells, celebrities face the alarming potential of meeting biological children they never conceived. Famous singer Trace Thorne is tired of being targeted by the Vault, a black market site devoted to stealing DNA. Sick of paying ransom money for his own cell matter, he hires bio-security guard Ember Ryan to ensure his biological safety.  

Ember will do anything she can to protect her clients. She knows all the Vault’s tricks–discarded tissues, used straws, lipstick tubes–and has prevented countless DNA thefts. Working for Thorne, her focus becomes split when she begins to fall for him, but she knows she hasn’t let anything slip–love or not, his DNA is safe. But then she and Thorne are confronted by a pregnant woman, Quinn, who claims that Thorne is the father of her baby, and all bets are off.   

Brilliantly plotted and terrifyingly prescient, “Baby X” is  an unpredictable and relentless speculative thriller perfect for fans of Blake Crouch and John Marrs.

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Upcoming new book release: ‘Love in Words and Music’ by J.M. Unrue

‘Love in Words and Music: a novel in dialogue’ by J.M. Unrue. It will be released on March 1, 2024. Photo: J.M. Unrue, used with permission.

February is here, so of course, that means so is Valentine’s Day and everything having to do with romance. Romance novels are some of the most popular novels for obvious reasons. Today, I would like to focus on a romantic novel by J.M. Unrue, “Love in Words and Music.” What makes this novel unique is that it is written solely in dialogue form, which makes for a quicker, easier to read experience. It is a love story with plenty of love-language, affection, and humor, making it the perfect novel to enjoy during the most romantic month of the year. Discover Brad and Patricia’s love journey. Pre-order your copy today. It will be released March 1 and is available for pre-order now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

J.M. Unrue is the author of fiction and social satire as fiction, including “God on a Budget,” “The Festival of Sin,” and “A Blunt Grace.” His new book “Love in Words and Music” is an epic love story told entirely in dialogue. At its heart, the book is a love story. Two people meet on a singles’ cruise and build a lifelong-relationship spanning fifty years. They are both bright, articulate, and completely involved with and devoted to each other. (J.M. Unrue, 2024)

“Love in Words and Music” – From the first dance to the last word, an epic love story spanning fifty years. Told entirely in dialogue, an encounter on an ocean liner leads to life and living in the heartland of the American Midwest.

Brad, a psychiatric nurse—solid, steady, and devoted, and Patricia, a college professor—beautiful, free-spirited and passionate, meet, fall in love, and settle in Minneapolis.

A lifelong affair filled with humor, affection, and abiding devotion. Through triumphs and trials, and bonds stretched to the breaking point, love endures. Through fortune and misfortune, love flourishes.
Through setbacks and victories, they remain focused on the life they have built together.

A life. A whole life. Told in words and music. Unrue’s storytelling is a beacon of understanding for the human condition.

Disclaimer: This book contains nongraphic scenes of marital sexual encounters and innuendo.

                                  EXCERPT – reprinted with author’s permission

Age 31 & 28

“Would you consider doing something else?”
“Well, I don’t want to spend my time dealing Prozac to disaffected housewives or adding ‘there there’ to my repertoire.”
“No, but it wouldn’t hurt to patch up mental boo-boos for a while, would it?”
“Probably not. What brought this on?”
“…I guess I’m concerned about how dealing with so much trauma will have a long-term effect on you.”
“I’m handling it okay, I think.”
“For now.”
“…I honestly believe I’m doing some good.”
“No doubt there.”
“Are you really worried about that?”
“Some…I guess I have ulterior motives, too.”
“Oh? You think the VA is hindering my sexual performance.”
“No.”
“Good, because there’s nothing that revs the glands like a group of damaged
men wondering how it all went so wrong.”

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Television adaptation: ‘One Day’ by David Nicholls

The television series adaptation of ‘One Day’ is now streaming on Netflix. Photo: Amazon

David Nicholls is a British novelist and screenwriter best known for “Starter for Ten,” “The Understudy,” “Us,” “Sweet Sorrow,” and “One Day.” “One Day” was published in 2009 to extraordinary critical acclaim and was translated into 40 languages. It became a global bestseller, selling millions of copies worldwide. His fourth novel, “Us,” was longlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction. He is the executive producer and a contributing screenwriter on a new Netflix series adaptation of “One Day.” The series consists of 14 episodes and the first one is available now.

“One Day” – Two people, one day. What starts as a fleeting connection between two strangers soon becomes a deep bond that spans decades. It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. They face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. Dex and Em must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself. As the years go by, the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed. (Amazon, 2024)