Tag: Gifted

‘It Hunts’ Review: A Neon-Soaked Psychological Thriller on Prime Video

The indie horror movie It Hunts is available now on Amazon Prime. Photo: Gabriel Black, used with permission.

New Release: Indie Horror-Thriller It Hunts Arrives on Prime Video

Rain of Fire Productions, in partnership with distributor Indie Rights, has announced the streaming release of It Hunts, a gripping new supernatural horror-thriller written and directed by Gabriel Black. The 98-minute feature is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. (Rain of Fire Productions, 2026)

Synopsis & Official Details

The film follows Casey, a lazy nightcrawler with a diet almost as bad as his dead-end job. With his life and relationship going nowhere, his mundane existence is shattered when he begins to experience hallucinations, recurring nightmares, and escalating paranoia. Casey finds himself desperately trying to unravel the mystery of a supernatural entity that is relentlessly hunting him.

  • Genre: Supernatural Thriller / Psychological Horror / Drama
  • Rating: 18+ (Violence, Substance Use, Foul Language)
  • Directors & Producers: Written and directed by Gabriel Black; produced by Gabriel Black and Stephanie Black
  • Cast: Izzy Martinez, Katlin Svadbik, J.J. Crowne, Gabriel Lopez, Red Devigne, and Joyci Lucia
  • Production Company: Rain of Fire Productions

“We wanted to create a story that merges the gritty reality of nightcrawling with an inescapable, atmospheric horror. Casey is a deeply flawed protagonist whose lack of direction is suddenly replaced by the most primal instinct of all: survival.” — Gabriel Black, Director

Film Review: A Neon-Soaked Portrait of Modern Dread

Gabriel Black’s indie psychological horror It Hunts paints a suffocating, neon-soaked portrait of modern dread.

The story follows Casey (Izzy Martinez), a sluggish night shift worker stuck in a dead-end job and a strained relationship with his girlfriend, Alex (Katlin Svadbik). Casey has stopped imagining a future, making his sudden fear of being hunted feel both like an external threat and a physical manifestation of everything he has repressed.

When he begins experiencing recurring nightmares and paralyzing paranoia, he turns to medical professionals. Every test comes back normal, and a therapist simply prescribes antipsychotic medications. Alex, a nursing student, notices that Casey seems to be missing two years from his past and suspects he may be experiencing dissociative amnesia. Together, they attempt to uncover the missing time period, raising more questions than answers.

Character Analysis

  • Casey (Izzy Martinez): Serves as a compelling avatar for urban burnout. His laziness acts as a psychological shield against past traumas, making his frantic spiral feel painfully recognizable. His quest to unravel the mystery becomes an accidental journey toward self-awareness.
  • Alex (Katlin Svadbik): Provides a vital, grounding contrast. Though initially frustrated by Casey’s inertia, she evolves into an indispensable ally as the boundary between reality and hallucination blurs.

Core Themes

Black uses classic horror tropes to explore stagnation vs. mortality and escapism. The dread haunting Casey represents the inevitable crash of ignoring one’s mental health and unresolved past. While the title suggests a literal predator, the film’s strongest tension comes from the possibility that the monster is essentially tied to Casey’s repressed memories.

While occasional dialogue-heavy scenes slow the pacing and the open-ended ending leaves Casey’s final fate to viewer interpretation, It Hunts succeeds as a moody, atmospheric thriller that turns an ordinary life into a nightmare of suspicion and dread.

About Rain of Fire Productions

Rain of Fire Productions is an independent film production company dedicated to crafting engaging, character-driven stories across the thriller, horror, and drama genres.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*Thank you to Gabriel Black for the screener link for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Izzy Martinez, Katlin Svadbik, and J.J. Crowne in It Hunts. Photo: Gabriel Black

‘A Journey of Insights’ Review: Key Leadership Lessons from Former USC Dean James G. Ellis

‘A Journey of Insights’ is the new book by James G. Ellis. Photo: Simon & Schuster

Book Review: A Journey of Insights: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

By James G. Ellis

Synopsis

A Journey of Insights draws upon the lessons James G. Ellis learned while a teacher and dean of USC’s Marshall School of Business, as well as those he absorbed during his preceding years at Harvard Business School and in executive leadership. In plotting a roadmap for a successful business life, his stories show illustratively how business schools and their students can prosper. At the core of his message is a central theme: listening to the voices around you throughout life is the key to success. In essence, ears can speak louder than voices. (Simon & Schuster, 2026)

Contents

  • Chapter 1: A Dean’s Story: The Cold Car Hood
  • Chapter 2: Finding Your Wave
  • Chapter 3: The Bill Gates Conundrum: Is Business Education Worth It?
  • Chapter 4: Relationships and Mentors: The Power of Connection
  • Chapter 5: Plotting Your Own Map: Know Thyself
  • Chapter 6: Preparation and Perseverance
  • Chapter 7: Don’t Sell Sales Short
  • Chapter 8: Risk Management and Disappointment
  • Chapter 9: The Fifth Decade: Giving Back

Review

What if one of the most important skills for success isn’t knowing what to say, but knowing when to listen? That simple idea is at the heart of this collection of lessons drawn from a lifetime in business, education, and leadership. Ellis doesn’t offer a rigid formula for success; instead, he shares stories and observations that encourage readers to think differently about their careers and lives.

He weaves in personal stories from people he met along the way and the takeaways from those encounters. For example, Matthew Guglielmo, who started out as a furniture buyer with a Philadelphia department store chain, taught him how to prepare for negotiations by knowing what you want and how to ask for it. Simply put, if you don’t ask for something, you won’t get it.

Of all the notable people he met throughout his life, the one who stands out most is Senator John F. Kennedy, whom Ellis accidentally bumped into at the San Francisco airport in 1959 when he was just 12 years old. That day, he learned the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and the power of a sincere apology. It became a guiding principle for his life: we can learn life lessons, big and small, from everyone around us.

Key topics explored in the book:

  • Leadership & Mentorship
  • Relationships & Connection
  • Preparation & Perseverance
  • Risk-taking & Overcoming Disappointment
  • The Art of Sales
  • The Importance of Giving Back

Each chapter concludes with reflection questions, allowing readers to apply these concepts directly to their own personal and professional journeys.

Ellis repeatedly returns to the value of learning from those around us. Sometimes the best advice isn’t delivered in a formal lecture or board meeting, it comes from simply paying attention. The book serves as a great reminder that success is rarely achieved alone: listening, staying curious, recognizing opportunities, and learning from both successes and failures shape a much richer journey.

Key Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 5: Focuses on the integrity of your word. Ellis learned that protecting your reputation matters throughout your entire life. He also stresses putting yourself in the shoes of those who work around you, recommending that early-career professionals learn a business from the ground up to truly understand every role.
  • Chapter 8: Highlights the necessity of risk-taking and personal accountability. Ellis urges readers to own their actions while giving full credit to others for their accomplishments.

“Sometimes you must take risks to take care of those around you. In doing so, stay humble, as you are one of many.”

Ellis also challenges readers to consider whether traditional business education truly prepares people for the realities of leadership and life. Avoiding generic corporate jargon, he uses a smooth blend of practical business wisdom and personal reflection to deliver his message.

Overall, A Journey of Insights is a thoughtful, engaging reflection on what it takes to build a successful career and a meaningful life. Recommended for students, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and anyone seeking practical wisdom. It’s never too late to learn something new—and if you’re willing to listen, this book has plenty to say.

“Preparation is what gets you ready to do a great job. Perseverance is what you need to see a job through to completion… Each time you leave an achievable goal unachieved, it becomes easier to give up the next time you’re faced with a challenge.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy of A Journey of Insights today!

About the Author

James G. Ellis served as dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California from April 2007 until June 2019, overseeing the education and well-being of over 5,700 graduate and undergraduate students. He held a full-time tenured appointment as Professor of Marketing starting in 1997, retiring in July 2021.

Holding an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BBA from the University of New Mexico, Ellis held leadership roles across the corporate world, including President/CEO of Porsche Design and CEO of Port O’Call Pasadena, along with ownership in six other companies. He began his career with Broadway Department Stores in Los Angeles.

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

Leaving Washington: Why Jen Thompson Walked Away from Political Power in ‘Wild Pivot’

‘Wild Pivot’ by Jen Thompson is an impactful memoir about choosing truth over approval. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

Book Review: Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten by Jen Thompson

Release Date: September 22, 2026 | Status: Available for Pre-Order

As a successful and prominent young Republican strategist, Jen Thompson possessed the power and prestige she had always strived for, yet it was built on an underlying current of personal disconnect. Her inner voice warned that she was living someone else’s definition of a meaningful life. It took a near-fatal car accident on a high-profile Senate campaign trail to shatter her trajectory, forcing her to question the identity she had built and the loyalty that kept her tied to it.

Told through short, engaging vignettes, this memoir traces Thompson’s journey from political ambition to profound personal transformation.

The Plot: From Capitol Hill to Down Under

The narrative opens on February 14, 2023. Jen is attending an outdoor screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia, reflecting on a tumultuous year. She has been sued and slandered on the front pages of newspapers, cheated on, lied to, and nearly killed in a car crash.

After running a successful political campaign to elect Congressman Jim Talent to the U.S. Senate representing Missouri, she put as much distance as possible between herself and Washington by escaping to Australia. There, she finally felt free. Turning down numerous high-level job offers, her Republican peers thought she was crazy. What she couldn’t tell them was that her core political views had fundamentally shifted. The people she once worked alongside were now dominating the headlines, and new acquaintances in Australia were stunned to learn about her past.

From there, Thompson shares her life story:

  • Childhood Foundations: Growing up in a Christian Scientist family and facing her father’s demand at age 11 to lay out a twenty-year career plan.
  • The DC Pressure Cooker: Recounting the brutal stress of her years as a political strategist and how those struggles opened her eyes to a world she had never envisioned.
  • A New Path: Committing to living a life of truth and personal freedom, regardless of the cost.

Table of Contents

Part I: Wired

  • Chapter 1: Time Bomb: Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Boom
  • Chapter 2: Becoming Wired
  • Chapter 3: The Monster Unleashed
  • Chapter 4: Truths
  • Chapter 5: Gravity
  • Chapter 6: Becoming Unwired
  • Chapter 7: After the Caribbean
  • Chapter 8: Chasing the Boar Part I
  • Chapter 9: Chasing the Boar Part II
  • Chapter 10: Healing
  • Chapter 11: Last Two Months of the Campaign
  • Chapter 12: The Election

Part II: Rewired

  • Chapter 13: Alternative Endings
  • Chapter 14: White Privilege
  • Chapter 15: Consequences
  • Chapter 16: Love

Book Review

Jen Thompson delivers a candid look at the high-stakes world of American politics and the terrifying cost of living an inauthentic life. In walking away from her career, Thompson illustrates that genuine evolution—aside from being uncomfortable—can often be isolating. Yet, her journey toward healing proves that dismantling an old life is a necessary step toward true freedom. Especially memorable is her willingness to examine her past without protecting her ego.

Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 2: Thompson recounts the happiest day of her life: her first day working for Congressman Jim Talent on Capitol Hill. She describes growing increasingly driven, working over 80 hours a week through holidays. Yet, when left alone, she became consumed by a fear of failure:

“My fears grew into a raging monster that roared with an unstoppable push to succeed.”

  • Chapter 6: The turning point arrives with a horrific car accident on her way to Springfield. Though the vehicle was left unrecognizable, she survived—and in the quiet shock of the aftermath, clarity struck:

“That very moment is suspended in time as the one when my life began to change.”

Core Themes & Final Verdict

The vignettes move with unflinching honesty and sharp wit through a non-linear format. Central to the narrative is an exploration of blind loyalty and the seductive, destructive desire to belong. Her story also examines the themes of identity, transform tion, and liberation and the uncomfortable process of confronting the beliefs that once defined us. Thompson examines how institutional validation can quiet our intuition, compelling us to trade internal truth for external applause.

Overall, Wild Pivot is a compelling memoir about what happens when success no longer feels like success. It’s a story about choosing truth over approval and discovering that sometimes the most courageous pivot is the one that leads back to yourself. It stands as a powerful testament to the courage required to rewrite your story—no matter the price. Readers who enjoy insightful, deeply human memoirs will find this one hard to put down.

“In the stillness, it occurs to me that meaning can only come by way of wholeness, and wholeness, it must be said, does not come easily.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Jen Thompson is a former high-powered Republican strategist and congressional lawyer who famously walked away from Washington at the peak of her career. She managed the nationally watched 2002 campaign that tipped the divided U.S. Senate back to Republican control, overcoming a massive deficit by orchestrating high-profile events with the President of the United States. Alongside her political work, she served as a lawyer-lobbyist at top international law firms and spent eight years as a chief political commentator for NBC and ABC news affiliates in Richmond, Virginia.

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

Post-WWI Trauma Meets Classic Detective Noir: ‘No Saints Only Killers’ Review

‘No Saints Only Killers’ by Luke Deckard is 1920s post-war nor at its finest. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Book Review: No Saints Only Killers by Luke Deckard

Part of Paste Creative Book Tours

The Story

Logan Bishop is an American war-damaged private investigator living in London in 1922. On a cold Monday morning, he returns to his modest home to find a postcard in the mail from his estranged father, Reverend Daniel Bishop of Chicago. He’s in town and needs to meet up with Logan to talk about important matters.

Logan hasn’t heard from him in over a decade, and for good reason. Daniel was abusive to Logan throughout his childhood and Logan equates contacting him with being back at war. Reluctantly, he calls the hotel room. Daniel sounds desperate and paranoid, pleading for Logan’s help with an urgent matter. But before he can explain, the line goes dead after what sounds like a violent confrontation.

Before slipping into a coma, Daniel leaves Logan with a desperate plea: find Greta Matas, a woman tied to his past, before she’s killed.

Logan heads to Edinburgh in search of answers, but from the moment he arrives, nothing adds up:

  • Greta is missing.
  • Her son is wanted for murder and on the run.
  • Logan is being watched—by the police, by gangsters, and by men who will do anything to keep the truth buried.

As Logan encounters police officers, gangsters, and dangerous secrets, his investigation becomes both a hunt for the truth and a search for personal redemption… provided he doesn’t end up dead first.

Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours

Get your copy of ‘No Saints Only Killers’ today!

Review

Set against the backdrop of 1922 London and Edinburgh, No Saints Only Killers delivers a sharp and atmospheric slice of post-World War I noir. The novel follows Logan Bishop as he is forced out of his isolated routines by the brutal attack on his estranged father, launching him into a deadly, fog-shrouded investigation to find a missing woman from his father’s past.

Character Analysis

Logan Bishop is a complex and deeply flawed protagonist who embodies classic hardboiled detective tropes while remaining grounded and human. As a former military sniper struggling with severe shell shock and a crippling morphine addiction, Logan’s willingness to pursue the mysterious Greta Matas reveals a stubborn sense of loyalty beneath his damaged exterior. His troubled relationship with his father gives the story personal stakes, driving Logan into dangerous territory despite his instincts to stay hidden.

Core Themes

  • Trauma and Disillusionment: The shadow of the Great War hangs over every chapter, illustrating the psychological scars left on a generation trying to numb their pain in the early years of the Jazz Age.
  • Systemic Corruption: The narrative explores the dark underbelly of 1920s Britain, exposing a world where institutions offer no salvation and power rests in the hands of ruthlessly corrupt forces.
  • Moral Ambiguity: True to its title, the novel demonstrates that in a broken society, absolute virtue is an illusion and everyone is navigating varying shades of grey.

“‘You want compassion?’ I wanted to laugh. ‘There are no saints in this world, only killers.’”

Style & Tone

In true noir fashion, the story is told entirely through Logan’s first-person perspective. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, and packed with plot twists around every corner. The prose balances gritty edge with vivid, poetic language:

“Two teardrops landed on the table and exploded. I crushed my eyes shut and inhaled as I pushed Tim and the hate I had for myself to the back of my mind.”

Final Verdict

Overall, No Saints Only Killers by Luke Deckard expertly combines historical mystery and postwar trauma, successfully transplanting gritty American noir into 1920s Britain. With its complex protagonist, high stakes, and dark atmosphere, readers who enjoy historical crime fiction and hard-boiled detectives will find this one hard to put down.

“Maybe I was a sucker for her pretty face. Maybe my motivation was shallow. I don’t know. I wanted to believe her. I also wanted to believe that maybe there was something between us, which possibly made me ignorant, or foolish.”

Rating: 5 out of 5.

About the Author

Luke Deckard is the author of No Saints Only Killers, which was shortlisted for the Amazon New Voices Awards and a finalist at Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect. He is the co-host of the CINEMA SLEUTHS podcast, a reviewer for Get Your Comic On, and a creative writing mentor at the University of Westminster.

Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours

**Thank you to Stephanie Caruso, Paste Creative Book Tours, and Luke Deckard for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: ‘Natural Intelligence & the Logic of Consciousness’ by Antonio Damasio

Antonio Damasio explores consciousness and interoception in his new book ‘Natural Intelligence & the Logic of Consciousness.’ Photo: Penguin Random House

Book Review: ‘Natural Intelligence & the Logic of Consciousness’

By Antonio Damasio

Synopsis

Throughout his illustrious, decades-long career, Antonio Damasio has been at the leading edge of science’s enduring quest to unravel the mysteries of the human mind. Now, drawing on a lifetime of groundbreaking research as well as the newest findings of neurobiology, Damasio seeks to move the debate about the origins of consciousness from the world of high-level cognition and abstract reasoning into the wondrous realm of interoception—the human body’s own internal monitoring system.

A probing synthesis of neurobiology, evolutionary science, and philosophy from one of the most notable leaders in his field, Natural Intelligence & the Logic of Consciousness offers readers a scientifically rigorous and profound re-examination of what it means to be alive and aware. (Penguin Random House, 2026)

It will be released on September 15 and is available for pre-order.

Book Contents

  • Beginnings
  • Part I: The Problem of Generating Consciousness and a Sketch of Possible Solutions
  • Part II: Deeper Into the Solution
  • Part III: Now That We Know
  • Part IV: Afterthought

Review

Antonio Damasio’s Natural Intelligence & the Logic of Consciousness is a fascinating exploration of one of humanity’s oldest questions: What gives rise to consciousness? Building on decades of pioneering research in neuroscience, Damasio challenges conventional theories by arguing that consciousness begins not with complex thought or language, but with the body’s internal regulation system, known as interoception.

The book’s central insight is that homeostatic feelings—such as hunger, thirst, pain, comfort, and well-being—form the biological foundation of subjective experience. Rather than treating consciousness as an abstract cognitive achievement, Damasio presents it as an evolutionary solution that helps living organisms survive and thrive. This perspective offers a compelling bridge between neurobiology, philosophy, and evolutionary science.

Beyond explaining the origins of consciousness, Damasio broadens the discussion to examine whether simpler life forms, such as plants and bacteria, exhibit primitive forms of sentience. He also explores how homeostasis influences human culture, politics, religion, and commerce, while thoughtfully considering the promises and limitations of artificial intelligence.

“…there is no guarantee that AI tools will remain as docile servants in the hands of their human owners. The possibility of their gaining independence, even if only momentarily, is certainly a reason for worry.”

His analysis raises important questions about whether machines can truly replicate conscious experience or merely imitate its outward appearance.

Key Chapter Highlights

  • Chapter 9: Examines how feelings developed before words and numbers, and how consciousness developed early to help guide evolution. Even though most homeostatic regulation occurs nonconsciously, some of it remains under our conscious control.
  • Chapter 11: Breaks down the core science behind consciousness—specifically interoception, or the ability to sense, interpret, and integrate signals from inside your body.
  • Chapter 18: Explores the science behind pain and nausea. Damasio explains how nausea serves as another vital bodily alert system designed to prevent damage from ingesting toxic molecules.
  • Chapter 22: Outlines his theories regarding artificial intelligence. Damasio posits that AI is fundamentally neutral to good because it stems from human innovation, but cautions that if the humans behind its creation have malicious intent, the technology will reflect those motives.

Final Verdict

Although the scientific concepts occasionally demand careful reading, Damasio’s arguments remain engaging, logical, and thought-provoking. Readers interested in neuroscience, cognitive science, philosophy of mind, or the future of AI will find this book both intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding.

Natural Intelligence & the Logic of Consciousness is a profound, accessible examination of the relationship between body, brain, and awareness that challenges readers to rethink the very nature of intelligence. Damasio delivers a compelling argument that feeling is the logic of consciousness. For anyone seeking to understand the deep biological origins of human experience, this is a definite must-read.

“Poets understood, long before neurobiologists ever could, that the glories of passionate love and the sufferings of love gone astray could be legitimately described in physiological terms, even though the physiological details are not exactly the same.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About The Author

Antonio Damasio is University Professor, David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Philosophy, and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Damasio is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as well as the author of Descartes’ Error, The Feeling of What Happens, Looking for Spinoza, Self Comes to Mind, The Strange Order of Things, and Feeling & Knowing, all of which have been published in translation and are taught in universities throughout the world.

** Thanks to Michael Goldsmith and Penguin Random House for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

The Real Cost of the American Dream: A Review of Craig Yorke’s ‘Steep’

‘Steep:’ is the inspiring memoir by Craig Yorke. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Related Post: Book Spotlight: ‘Steep: A Black Neurosurgeons’ Journey’ by Craig Yorke.

Book Review: Steep: A Black Neurosurgeon’s Journey by Craig Yorke

Steep: A Black Neurosurgeon’s Journey by Craig Yorke is an inspiring memoir that explores the sacrifices, resilience, and determination required to overcome adversity. Yorke chronicles his remarkable journey from a struggling Boston neighborhood to becoming a respected neurosurgeon in the American Midwest. What began as a personal letter to his sons unfolds as a candid life narrative: while Yorke has gained immense wisdom, he refrains from lecturing or preaching, and, above all, he refuses to see himself as a victim.

An Uncompromising Opening

The narrative opens with Dr. Yorke taking a middle-of-the-night emergency call for a severe motorcycle accident. Covering Topeka’s hospitals and the surrounding region every other night and weekend alongside his daytime practice, he rushes into the ER. As the nurse cuts away the patient’s t-shirt, a prominent WHITE POWER tattoo covering the man’s chest is revealed—setting the stage for a story deeply rooted in composure, duty, and professional detachment.

This intense opening flashes back to his childhood in Boston, when a young Yorke was rushed to the ER after accidentally eating poisoned bread left behind the refrigerator for rats. Known mostly through family lore, the incident left a lifelong mark, he still recoils at the mere memory of Ipecac.

As the only child of Dorothy and Craig Sr., he grew up sickly, struggling with asthma and a clubbed right foot. Throughout the book, Yorke explores how his parents’ backstories shaped their parenting style, leading into his school years, surgical career, eventual retirement, and the enduring lessons of his journey.

Table of Contents

  1. Stealth
  2. Crucible
  3. Educated
  4. The Better Angel
  5. Fledgling Pillars
  6. Peaks and Valleys
  7. Twilight of Enterprise
  8. New Eyes

Chapter Highlights

Chapter 6: Peaks and Valleys

Yorke detail the launch of his independent practice with a close friend, revisiting memorable cases, including a young neighbor who developed a life-threatening brain clot. Most insightful are his encounters with uninsured patients: while accustomed to delivering difficult medical news, he found himself unprepared for the devastating financial catastrophes his patients faced. Even when waiving his own professional fees, the external medical costs wreaked havoc on their lives.

Chapter 7: Twilight of Enterprise

Here, Yorke candidly recounts facing a legal malpractice suit after failing to diagnose a fractured larynx in a patient. Though the lawsuit ultimately failed, the emotional impact was severe. As Yorke reflects:

“The ordeal was a blow to a kid whose identity was yoked to his confidence.”

Core Themes & Takeaways

Yorke writes with exceptional honesty and humility, revealing moments of doubt and self-reflection that make his story deeply relatable. His path underscores the importance of discipline, education, and refusing to let circumstances dictate one’s future. The narrative thoughtfully balances professional achievement against personal fulfillment, demonstrating that compassion and empathy are just as vital in medicine as technical expertise.

While Yorke’s identity as a Black surgeon in a predominantly white field provides crucial context, Steep ultimately moves beyond a simple critique of systemic bias. Instead, it serves as a raw, honest exploration of the heavy cost of high achievement and the quiet sacrifice required by the American Dream.

At its core, the memoir delivers profound lessons on resilience, identity, and personal reckoning:

  • The Price of Ambition: Success often exacts a steep personal toll, demanding emotional compartmentalization, strain on relationships, and constant self-reliance.
  • Resilience Over Circumstance: Roots do not define limits; discipline and laser-focused perseverance can bridge the gap between systemic disadvantage and elite achievement.
  • Reconciling the Past: True fulfillment requires making peace with where you came from rather than attempting to outrun your origins.

Final Verdict

Overall, Steep is an engaging, introspective, and essential read for anyone navigating their own steep climb. It offers a poignant reminder that reaching the peak is only half the battle, retaining your humanity is the rest.

“We neurosurgeons are caricatured as filled with conceit, short on empathy. And there’s truth in that cartoon. But hubris is tough to maintain while completing and signing your patient’s death certificate.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

** Thank you to Wes Seely and PR by the Book for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: ‘Famous Men’ by Julie Buntin – A Compelling Tale of Ambition and Power

‘Famous Men’ is the new literary fiction novel by Julie Buntin. Photo: Penguin Random House.

Book Review: Famous Men by Julie Buntin

From the acclaimed author of Marlena comes a “magnificent” (The New York Times) novel about a young woman looking for a father and finding herself. (Penguin Random House, 2026)

“The right book at the right time can change your life.”

Quick Details

  • Title: Famous Men
  • Author: Julie Buntin
  • Genre: Literary Fiction / Coming-of-Age
  • Themes: Ambition, Identity, Power Dynamics, Mentorship

Synopsis

Will Miles is trapped in the suffocatingly tiny town of Greening, Michigan, having never known who her father is. Haunted by a toxic rumor that turned her into a social exile, the teenage Will yearns for escape. At fourteen, she discovers the poetry of literary giant Nathaniel Fellow, a man four decades her senior who shares her hometown. A passing comment from her mother only adds to Will’s fascination: Is Nathaniel the father she’s never known? She becomes convinced that he may hold the answers to her literary aspirations and her family history.

Her obsession drives her to New York City, drawing her into Nathaniel’s orbit and sparking a deeply complex, years-long entanglement that offers a seductive doorway to intellectual life, mentorship, and security, at a devastatingly ambiguous cost. When information about his past threatens not just her life with Nathaniel, but the story she tells herself about him, Will is faced with a choice that will change everything.

Review

Famous Men is an emotionally rich novel that explores identity, ambition, and the complicated power dynamics between young women and influential men.

Buntin challenges typical coming-of-age narratives, refusing easy moral clarity or simplified stories of victimhood. Will’s journey from small-town outsider to New York’s literary circles is both inspiring and unsettling, revealing how easily dreams can become entangled with manipulation and self-deception. Her relationship with Nathaniel begins as admiration, but eventually evolves into a complicated bond that forces her to question the true cost of chasing success and validation.

Through a first-person narrative, Buntin captures:

  • The desperate craving to be seen by our idols.
  • The quiet concessions women make to build a life.
  • The painful reckoning when the truth about a mentor finally surfaces.

Buntin writes with empathy and passion, making Will’s search for belonging feel authentic and deeply relatable. The beautiful, razor-precise prose draws readers directly into Will’s complicated life:

“Watery sunlight fell across the spines, landing in a warmish puddle on the floor where I sat, cross-legged, to begin at the beginning.”

Ultimately, Julie Buntin delivers a beautifully written novel filled with emotionally layered characters, sharp observations about fame and influence, and an honest exploration of how women often bear the consequences of men’s mistakes. The story balances literary depth with emotional tension, making it difficult to put down.

Final Thoughts

Famous Men is a compelling exploration of ambition and the intoxicating danger of artistic idolatry.

Recommended for:

  • Readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction and stories of self-discovery.
  • Fans of introspective fiction, literary intrigue, and emotionally complex relationships.

“New York wasn’t an island of skyscrapers, tethered by bridges, its heart the gentle hills of Central Park-it was a million  tiny rooms and the people inside, their desire mixing with the wishes of everyone who had once passed through. I could have stood there with my head outside the window forever, just watching.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy of ‘Famous Men’ today!

About the author

Julie Buntin‘s debut novel, Marlena, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize, released in ten territories worldwide, and named a best book of the year by over a dozen outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, and Kirkus Reviews. 

She is the co-editor of Notes to New Mothers, a collection of dispatches from postpartum life by sixty writers and artists. Previously, Buntin was an editor and director of writing programs at Catapult. Now, she writes and teaches in Ann Arbor, where she is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan.

**Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘I Know a Place’ by Nat Cassidy Book Review: The Best New Atmospheric Horror

‘I Know a Place’ by Nat Cassidy. Photo: Shortwave Publishing

Related Post: Stephen King to Write Introduction for Nat Cassidy’s New Horror Collection

Book Review: I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours

By: Nat Cassidy

Featuring an Introduction by: Stephen King

The first collection from author Nat Cassidy features his unique blend of gleefully terrifying short fiction, including the hit novella Rest Stop.

“These stories are f*cking great. They rule. So read them.” — Stephen King, from his introduction

Synopsis

There are locations in this world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.

These locations and more are your destination, and bestselling author Nat Cassidy will be your guide. Featuring the Bram Stoker Award-nominated, critically acclaimed novella Rest Stop (one of Esquire’s Best Horror Books of 2024), along with a number of other original short stories—some of which have never been published before—I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a travelogue down twisting side streets and through alleyways where the darkness has eyes and teeth.

Let’s hope you make it home in one piece.

The Table of Contents (Stories):

  • Rest Stop
  • Meet-Cute #1: The Unluckiest Girl
  • Generation
  • Nice
  • The Art of What You Want
  • The Lunar Eclipse
  • Laughlines
  • Run for Your Life
  • Jubilee
  • Juncture
  • Come Into the Life of Things
  • Meet-Cute #2: The Scariest Thing
  • A Fruiting Body

My Review: Creeping Dread in Everyday Places

Nat Cassidy is a Stephen King fan, and his influence absolutely shows. King has a keen gift for turning ordinary situations into absolute nightmares, and this collection proves that Cassidy has that exact same superpower.

I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a chilling collection that proves horror doesn’t need haunted castles or isolated mansions to unsettle readers. Instead, Cassidy transforms the mundane—a lonely highway rest stop, a doctor’s office, a cramped apartment, even a modern kitchen—into landscapes of creeping dread where something always feels just a little wrong.

Anchored by Rest Stop, which absolutely lives up to its award-nominated reputation, the book delivers relentless tension and a growing sense of unease. Throughout the collection, Cassidy expertly blends psychological horror, supernatural terror, and deep human emotion. His characters feel completely authentic, making their encounters with the bizarre all the more impactful.

Standout Highlights

  • Rest Stop – Abe is in a band that has a gig coming up, but for now, he’s on the road in the middle of the night to visit his grandmother in the hospital. He has a complicated relationship with her, but she’s the only grandparent he has ever known. When he sees a sign for a gas station, he takes the next exit for a much-needed break. What could possibly go wrong? Next time you stop at an isolated gas station in the middle of the night, try not to think about this story.
  • Nice – Mitchell is a six-year-old boy obsessed with Santa, much to his parents’ chagrin. When Twinklebottom the Elf visits him in the middle of the night to ask for his help in easing the elves’ workload by not being too nice, he’s unprepared for how far Mitchell will go.
  • The Lunar Eclipse – A woman waiting for an eclipse looks back at her life and the man she met when they were six years old. They eventually became romantically involved but have since moved on. He has passed away, but she can’t help but remember the promise they made 50 years ago while witnessing another eclipse: no matter what happened, they’d be together for the next one. No matter what…

The Verdict

Each story explores different shades of fear, from grief and guilt to obsession and isolation, while maintaining a distinctive voice that is equal parts unsettling and compassionate. Cassidy’s vivid prose creates immersive settings where darkness seems to seep through every crack.

“This parking lot has gotten too dark and it feels like that van, with its impenetrable windows, is swelling in size, blotting out what little light there is.”

He takes places we all instinctively distrust, like an empty midnight gas station littered with googly eyes, and injects them with a creeping, visceral malice. The atmosphere throughout the anthology is thick and heavy; no matter how well-lit these venues claim to be, the shadows always fight back with teeth.

Cassidy’s writing is remarkably adaptable. He bounces effortlessly between psychological unease and sharp, bloody terror, ensuring that each detour feels uniquely dangerous. It’s a sharp, terrifying read that reminds us exactly why we look over our shoulders in empty rooms.

For those brave enough to step off the main highway, I Know a Place is a brilliant, dark journey that’s well worth taking. Just be prepared for the nightmares that may follow. Perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and unsettling short fiction, this exceptional collection showcases Nat Cassidy’s remarkable imagination and storytelling skill.

“It was a joke, more or less. He had to have known that.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy today!

According to Deadline, Gary Dauberman’s Coin Operated has secured the rights to Rest Stop for a future feature film. Cassidy will adapt the screenplay with Dauberman and Mia Maniscalco as producers.

** Thank you to Eve Bailey and Flo Communications for my gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ Review: Rue Blackwood Steals the Show in This Dark Romantasy Sequel

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ is Book 2 in the Guardians of Death series by Aurora Ramsden. Photo: Amazon

Related Post: ‘Whispers of Mayhem’ Is a Must-Read Dark Romantasy for Fans of Fierce Female Leads

Book Review: Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden

Synopsis

Reaping of Hellfire is the scorching second installment in the Guardians of Death series, continuing the paranormal chaos through the eyes of the wildest Blackwood sister, Rue. Rather than a standalone, this novel serves as a crucial chapter in a planned four-book dark romantasy saga.

The Blackwood sisters—Nyx, Opal, and Rue—are triplet hellhounds who were abandoned as babies and adopted by a kind, loving couple.

The Backstory

The novel kicks off with a prologue set 104 years in the past. On his 12th birthday, an orphan named Xander Drakonis undergoes the ceremony where a scythe chooses its master. Desperate to escape his boys’ home, Xander is transformed into a reaper and granted twin scythes: Terra and Shade.

The Present Day

In the modern timeline, Rue, Nyx, and Opal are celebrating their 25th birthday with their adoptive parents. It’s an important day for Ryker Calix (Nyx’s mate), who is meeting the parents for the very first time.

But the cozy family time doesn’t last long. The sisters are gearing up for their second year at Death University in the Soulmere Realm. They’re hoping for an easier year—fewer near-death experiences, more advanced courses, and plenty of naps.

They are in for a rude awakening.

Welcome to the Abomination Games

Upon returning to campus, they are immediately summoned for the Bone Rite. Headmaster Calix delivers the grim news: they have been selected to compete in the deadly Abomination Games. The order comes directly from Grand Deity Zeraphina, a volatile, five-year-old, glitter-happy deity. Saying “no” to her is the fastest way to get smote into cosmic confetti.

Between grueling coursework and a lethal competition, Rue also has to manage her growing obsession with Xander, a man who is fast becoming impossible to ignore. This year is shaping up to be one hell of a ride, and Rue plans to enjoy every sinful, sparkly second of it.

Review: Hellfire, Humor, and Unapologetic Spice

Reaping of Hellfire turns up the heat, delivering a wildly entertaining blend of dark fantasy, sharp humor, romance, and nonstop chaos. The story wastes no time throwing readers directly into the deadly Abomination Games, where survival is anything but guaranteed.

Character Dynamics & Perspectives

Told through a dual first-person narrative shifting between Xander and Rue, Ramsden gives us an intimate look at two incredibly compelling leads:

  • Rue Blackwood: An irresistible heroine whose sarcastic wit, reckless decision-making, and unapologetic personality make every chapter a joy to read. Her inner monologue is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly balance the book’s darker elements. Beneath her chaotic exterior lies a deeply resilient competitor.
  • Xander: The romantic tension simmers beautifully throughout the novel. The men in Rue’s life provide an intoxicating mix of sinful temptation and explosive chemistry, driving an irresistible dynamic that expertly balances suspense with playful “smut-book” tropes.

World-Building and Prose

Ramsden brilliantly expands her imaginative world this time around, introducing dangerous new creatures and unpredictable magic. The pacing is relentless; as alliances shift and secrets unfold, you can’t help but stay hooked.

What elevates this book above standard romantasy is Ramsden’s beautifully poetic prose. She seamlessly transitions from laugh-out-loud comedy to striking, visceral imagery:

“I scream without air—a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than lungs, deeper than ribs, deeper than bone.”

Core Themes

  • Agency vs. Divine Control: The characters must constantly navigate the reality of being mere pawns for unreliable, fickle deities.
  • Found Family and Survival: The fierce bond between the sisters anchors the story, contrasting the grim, dark magic of the university with glittering humor.

The Verdict

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute must-read for dark romantasy fans!)

Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden is a thrilling, addictive ride that perfectly captures the joy of embracing the chaos. If you love morally gray characters, supernatural competitions, and high-stakes romance, you will devour this book.

This sequel leaves readers desperate for the next adventure in the series—which will feature Opal taking center stage!

“A pack is what a hellhound treasures most. Family-whether by blood or bond. Pack can be defined through love, loyalty, or friendship.”

Pick up your copy today!

Content Warning

Intended for mature readers (18+). It contains graphic and potentially triggering material such as:

  • Strong language and frequent profanity
  • Explicit sexual content and dominant/submissive dynamics
  • Graphic violence, blood, gore, and dismemberment
  • Supernatural, horror, and demonic elements
  • On-page and ritualistic killing

** Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Voyagers’ Book Review: Emotional Sci-Fi Meets Childhood Trauma

‘Voyagers’ is Meg Charlton’s debut novel. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Voyagers by Meg Charlton

The Story

Years ago, when Alex and Ana were six years old, they vanished for thirty-six hours during a sleepover while on vacation near Palm Springs. When they returned, dazed but unharmed, their account had all the traits of an alien abduction. The media frenzy that followed made them famous, and the long months of child stardom—of talk shows and sitcom cameos—created a seemingly unbreakable bond between them, until the mystery behind their disappearance began to tear them apart.

In the present, “the Signal,” a mysterious transmission pulsing from the edge of the solar system, arrives, changing the world overnight. Planes are grounded, satellites fail, and speculation abounds. While humanity holds its breath for first contact, the Signal feels deeply personal to Alex, now a thirtysomething lawyer who has spent years distancing himself from the unexplainable. It is the opening of an old wound.

With the world on edge and the Signal growing stronger, Alex is drawn back to the one person who might have answers. Ana, now a professional advocate for experiencers of extraterrestrial contact, is leading a retreat near Palm Springs, close to the site of their childhood disappearance. As the former best friends tentatively reunite, what starts as a quest to confront the reality of their original experience becomes a larger reckoning with friendship, faith, family, and truth itself.

Review

Voyagers by Meg Charlton reframes a popular sci-fi premise—a world-altering cosmic transmission—into a profoundly intimate character study. While humanity holds its breath over potential first contact, Alex is forced to confront a childhood trauma he spent decades burying.

Charlton beautifully balances global intrigue with deep character development. The mystery surrounding Alex and Ana’s disappearance keeps the pages turning, while their complicated reunion adds emotional weight to the unfolding narrative. As the tension of the global phenomenon grows, it perfectly mirrors the internal reckoning between the two protagonists. Rather than relying solely on extraterrestrial speculation, the novel uses the themes of memory, belief, and the stories people construct to make sense of their lives.

The pacing is steady, with suspense building naturally as the Signal grows stronger and long-buried questions demand answers. The writing is thoughtful and atmospheric, creating a sense of wonder without sacrificing emotional authenticity. Written in a non-linear narrative, the story unfolds beautifully through Alex’s first-person perspective:

“I saw all my younger selves stretched out like skeins of geese across the sky, crisscrossing in the air, the six-year-old Alex still flying away from California, the adult flying back toward it.”

Key Themes & Concepts

  • Most Intriguing Concept: Is Allen just Alex and Ana’s imaginary friend, or is he a real memory?
  • Core Themes: Family, Friendship, and Identity.
  • Genre: Blend of literary fiction and science fiction.

Final Thoughts

Voyagers is thought-provoking and beautifully written. A suspenseful exploration of friendship and family dynamics, it’s rich with science fiction, mystery, and emotional drama. It uses an extraterrestrial backdrop to dissect the fragility of human memory and poses the question: is discovering the truth always worth the cost? Most importantly, it explores the psychological aftermath of early stardom, public scrutiny, and shared childhood trauma.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent speculative fiction with strong, character-driven arcs.

“It is very painful to be called out for believing something that isn’t so. The instinct is not to cut one’s losses and confess to being wrong but to double down, to stay committed to your foolishness for so long that it takes on a kind of power.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Get your copy today!

About the Author

Meg Charlton was born and raised in New York City. She holds an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College, and Voyagers is her brilliant debut novel.

** Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.