‘CRAFT Thinking’ is the new book by Philip Topham. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Spotlight: CRAFT Thinking: A Playbook for Clear Thinking and Better Decisions with AI
By Philip Topham
Get clearer thinking and better decisions with AI without becoming a prompt engineer.
CRAFT Thinking gives you a simple, five-step method that sharpens how you think, improves the questions you ask, and helps you get consistently better results from any artificial intelligence tool. It’s practical, repeatable, and built for everyday work, not technical experts. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
The CRAFT Chain Reaction:
When your thinking improves, your prompts improve.
When your prompts improve, your decisions improve.
Whether you lead a company, manage a team, or simply want to do better work with AI, this playbook gives you the structure to turn uncertainty into clarity and AI conversations into meaningful insight.
The Bottom Line: > AI won’t make your work smarter. Clear thinking will, and CRAFT shows you how.
Strategic AI Advisor, Speaker, & Creator of the CRAFT Thinking™ Method
Philip Topham is a strategic AI advisor, speaker, and creator of the CRAFT Thinking™ method, a framework designed to bring clarity, intentionality, and better decision-making into the AI era.
With a career spanning corporate leadership, startup ventures, and board advisory, Philip combines the rigor of an engineer with the insight of a relationship-focused strategist. He’s earned two U.S. patents, contributed to peer-reviewed research, and worked across industries from health tech to clean tech to biotech. What sets him apart is not just his technical depth, it’s his shift toward human-centered leadership.
After stepping away to be a stay-at-home dad, Philip returned with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with care and purpose. He brings that mindset into his work today, helping leaders think with AI, not just use it, so their organizations can grow wisely, inclusively, and sustainably.
Philip serves as co-chair of the National AI Special Interest Group for the Private Directors Association, and publishes regularly at SavionAI: The Shift.
“AI should serve all of humanity—not just the elite. And it’s our shared responsibility to build companies and institutions worthy of that promise.”
‘Passport to Freedom’ is a memoir of faith, exile, and survival. Photo: Meryl Moss Media, used with permission.
Book Review: Passport to Freedom: From Tehran to Triumph
By Nizam Missaghi, MD
Born an American citizen but raised under Iran’s theocracy, a teenage boy risks everything to escape religious persecution and reclaim the freedom—and responsibility—of choosing America. (Simon & Schuster, 2026)
Release Date: September 22, 2026, available for pre-order.
The Story
Nizam Missaghi was seven years old when he was expelled from school for the first time in Tehran. It wasn’t for misbehavior or poor grades, but for belonging to a faith the Islamic Republic refused to recognize. In post-revolutionary Iran, being Baha’i meant fractured futures: no university, no profession, and no way to support a family.
By 1986, he was a ten-year-old boy living in Tehran as a new middle class began to emerge. A revolution was underway—the “Constitutional Revolution”—but it would remain unfinished.
During this time, Nizam became captivated by the upcoming Halley’s Comet viewing, seeing in its glow an illuminated path to progress. He made a silent pact with the comet: by the time it returned in 75 years, his country would be a completely different Iran.
Meanwhile, hidden deep in a dresser drawer was a golden ticket: a United States passport, quietly renewed in secret every five years.
Born in New York (while his mother completed her pediatric residency) │ ▼ Taken to Iran as an infant │ ▼ Grew up free on paper, but trapped in practice
As adolescence gave way to urgency, Nizam had to decide whether hope was worth the risk of escape. With surveillance closing in and doors slamming shut, he faced an unthinkable choice: remain invisible, or gamble everything on a document that could either save or destroy him.
Structure of the Book
The memoir is elegantly split into two distinct acts:
Part I: Looking Back – Documents his childhood in Iran, capturing the harsh realities and daily hurdles of living under state-sanctioned religious discrimination.
Part II: Looking Ahead – Details his journey to and within the United States, tracking his evolution from a newly arrived college student to a proud medical graduate following in the footsteps of his mother and ancestors.
Review: A Powerful Testament to Resilience
Passport to Freedom is a gripping, deeply personal memoir that sheds light on a little-known aspect of life in post-revolutionary Iran. Missaghi blends intimate storytelling with historical reality as he struggles to preserve his faith, identity, dignity, and most importantly, his future.
Told through the eyes of a boy gradually awakening to the systemic limitations imposed upon him, the reader acutely feels the emotional toll of discrimination, uncertainty, and exclusion. The secret U.S. passport becomes a brilliant symbol of hope, possibility, and the heavy choices that accompany true freedom.
Missaghi writes with honesty, clarity, and immense gratitude. The narrative driving tension beautifully balances two opposing forces: the cosmic hope pinned on Halley’s Comet and the grounded, dangerous reality of his American passport.
“Like the comet streaking bright and brief across the darkness, that visibility illuminated a path toward progress, showing Iranians what could be.”
When Nizam finally decides to risk it all, the memoir shifts gears into a high-stakes thriller. The prose becomes urgent and evocative, reminding us that freedom is a fragile construct often sustained by the quiet bravery of allies.
Top Takeaway:“…the importance of standing up for what is right, even when fear grips you.”
Inspiring and deeply thought-provoking, Passport to Freedom exposes the devastating human cost of systemic religious persecution. In an era where authoritarian regimes continue to outlaw conscience, this timely memoir stands as a poignant reminder of why America’s promise of refuge remains so vital.
“Medicine became, for me, another passport—not out of a country, but into people’s lives. A way to honor the value of every human being, especially those whose dignity has been denied. And in that sense, the journey that began with a hidden passport had always been leading here.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
About the Author
Nizam Missaghi, M.D., is an Iranian-American physician. After being barred from higher education in the Islamic Republic due to his faith, he left Iran upon completing high school to pursue his dreams abroad.
Education: Completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia and earned his medical degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
Current Practice: Following his anesthesiology residency, he relocated to the Phoenix metro area. He is a founding member of Grand Canyon Anesthesia and serves as a clinical assistant professor of anesthesiology at both the University of Arizona School of Medicine and Midwestern University.
Advocacy & Philanthropy: Dr. Missaghi is the current chairman of the board for the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, where human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic are verified and documented. He is also the founder of The Simpatico Foundation, an Arizona-based nonprofit that promotes diversity and the arts.
**Thank you to Tracy Goldblatt/Meryl Moss Media for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Maya de Vitry offers rhythms of time, love, & self-acceptance in self-produced 5th studio album. Photo: Ethan Jodziewicz, used with permission.
Maya de Vitry Announces Fifth Studio Album ‘All My Faith’ & Summer/Fall Tour
Energized by the spontaneity of live performance and a revelatory pursuit of truth in her lyric writing, Maya de Vitry returns with her fifth full-length album, All My Faith. Prioritizing presence and grit over studio polish, she sounds joyously at home in the alt-country and indie-folk realms. (Dreamspider Publicity, 2026)
Recorded and mixed by 5-time Grammy Award-winning engineer Sean Sullivan and self-produced by de Vitry, All My Faith is a buoyant gathering of songs brought to life by a cast of her closest confidantes and collaborators.
Release Date:All My Faith will be released on de Vitry’s own Mad Maker Studio label on July 24 and it’s available for pre-order.
Capturing the Magic in Real Time
From canyons to kitchens, from cold lakes to highway truck stops, the songs form a vibrant collage of joy, sorrow, and gut-wrenching honesty. Whether spinning an inspirational tale about hungover bachelorettes at the Nashville airport or exploring the prison of our own adaptations, de Vitry brings a grounded confidence and quiet charisma rooted in her belief in the power of song to change us.
All My Faith consists of 10 original songs written by Maya over the last year. Forgoing the technology often used to “perfect” studio recordings, de Vitry chose instead to fully trust the moment-to-moment musical conversations of the players and singers gathered around her.
A Commitment to No Edits
“When the band realized that I was planning to do no edits whatsoever on these tracks, the level of commitment from everyone just soared. It was a really exciting atmosphere in the studio,” de Vitry recalls.
True to her vision, everything you hear on this record was captured in real time and recorded over three days at The Tractor Shed in Goodlettsville, TN, from November 23 to 25, 2025.
The All-Star Studio Lineup
To bring this raw energy to life, de Vitry assembled an incredible crew of musicians:
A profound connection to nature runs throughout the record, not as a passing metaphor, but as an elemental and transformative force shaping both her voice as a songwriter and her orientation as an artist. At its heart, the album reflects on the ways human beings choose to care for one another in myriad forms and on the generative healing and wisdom that emerge from our relationships with each other and with the natural world. There’s also a common thread running through this record of being willing to name the painful and difficult parts of human relationships.
First Single: “Confidence of the Sun”
With her armor fading and her fire burning from within, “Confidence of the Sun” is bold and bright. It is the album’s first single and is one of several songs on All My Faith that Maya wrote at Blue Rock Artist Ranch & Studio in Wimberley, Texas, where she had been gifted a weeklong songwriting residency in April 2025.
Catch Maya de Vitry on Tour
Maya continues to tour in North America and Europe, whether solo, with her band, as part of other projects, or supporting artists like The Wood Brothers, Aoife O’Donovan, John Craigie, and Mighty Poplar. Tour dates are available online.
More About Maya de Vitry
Originally from the green rolling hills of Lancaster, PA, Maya de Vitry is a Nashville-based fiddler-turned-songwriter whose music blurs the lines of folk, indie rock, and Americana.
Her earliest years in the music industry are represented by the 4 full-length albums and 2 EPs with the roots-Americana trio The Stray Birds, with whom she toured year-round for 7 years throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe.
After this formative chapter, she launched her solo career with her 2019 album Adaptations, earning praise from Rolling Stone Country, NPR Music, and No Depression. Since then, she has released three more full-length albums—How to Break a Fall (2020), Violet Light (2022), and The Only Moment (2024)—and an EP, Infinite (2023).
When she is not on the road, she works as a record producer for other artists within her musical circle (Joel Timmons, Shelby Means, Hannah Delynn). Maya’s songs have also been recorded by The Milk Carton Kids, Nicholas Jamerson, Lindsay Lou, Steve Poltz, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes.
The result is music that is, quite literally, the intoxicating sound of faith in action, a bandleader fully trusting in her life experiences, her craft, her collaborators, and the moment. It captures the exact presence she has been cultivating in her live shows, and hearing it magnified on record is its own revelation.
Steep traces an odyssey from a gritty Boston neighborhood to a neurosurgical practice in Middle America. It’s more about the price of success than the weight of bigotry – a story of resilience and self-discovery that will resonate with anyone who has wrestled with their past as they chased the American Dream. (PR by the Book, 2026)
The word “steep” has two meanings: the adjective that conjures a precipitous climb—or descent—but also the verb that connotes a ripening or maturing over time. Both definitions are evident in Yorke’s story, one that will resonate with anyone who’s run from their past, and anyone whose world feels too small.
“Written with the deftness of a brain surgeon and the ear of a concert violinist, Steep is the unforgettably moving story of one man’s life and times. But it is also a wise and courageous commentary on our time.”
— Cyrus Console-Soican, Ph.D., Professor of Liberal Arts, Kansas City Art Institute
About the Author
Dr. Craig Yorke was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He received a BA from Harvard College in 1970 and an MD from Harvard Medical School in 1974. His parental directive insisted he avenge centuries of bigotry with a life of infinite success.
After a neurosurgical residency at the University of California at San Francisco, he and his wife Mary found their way to an unlikely destination. He practiced in Topeka, Kansas, for 25 years, wrestling with his history and the armored identity it had imposed.
He’s a credible violinist, having played the Bruch G Minor concerto with the Boston Pops at age 17, and hits tennis balls with passion. Steep is his first book.
“She escaped the monster she knew… only to face the truth she feared.”
If you love a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last frame, mark your calendars. Coming to theaters and digital platforms this June 2, 2026, is Fathers, a gripping new dramatic mystery-thriller that proves blood isn’t always thicker than water. (One Tree Entertainment, 2026)
🎬 The Premise
After years held in captivity, Natalie finally escapes the man she believed was her father. But the nightmare doesn’t end there. As her true father steps in to bring her home, Natalie’s loyalty, fear, and confusion spiral into a web of violence. Trapped in a maze where every clue leads to another lie, she must figure out what is real before everything explodes, forcing both father and daughter to confront a devastating truth about her past.
🎭 Cast & Crew
Directed and written by Harley Wallen and distributed by One Tree Entertainment, Fathers boasts a stellar indie cast, including an award-winning lead performance.
Writer/Director: Harley Wallen
Starring:
Kaiti Wallen (Finding Nicole, Beneath Us All, Ash and Bone) – Winner of Best Actress honors at the Top Indie Film Awards for this role!
Harley Wallen (Ash and Bone, Finding Nicole)
Leslie Mechigian (Chasing Hope, Final Recovery)
Richard Tyson
Vida Ghaffari
Dennis Marin
📅 Release Date & How to Watch
Fathers hits theaters and digital platforms across the U.S. and Canada on June 2, 2026. Ready to dive into the mystery? You will be able to rent or buy the film on the following streaming platforms:
Prime Video
Fandango at Home / Vudu
Netflix
What are your thoughts? Will Natalie find peace, or is her real father hiding secrets of his own? Let me know in the comments below if you’ll be adding Fathers to your summer watchlist.
‘Volk’ by D. Werkmeister is a fresh reimagining of the werewolf mythos. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.
Book Review: Volk by D. Werkmeister
Part of Paste Creative Book Tours
Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours
The Predator Meets the Procedural
FBI Agent Terri Watson is working the biggest case of her career. As she tracks the flow of dirty money around the world to take down a powerful Russian money launderer, her investigation collides with a series of horrific murders.
Something is out there, stalking the streets of Philadelphia. When Terri comes face-to-face with the beast, she discovers an explosive secret—one that powerful men will kill to keep hidden. Her investigation reveals there is more to this predator than meets the eye. Much more. (Amazon, 2026)
The Story
The journey begins in Siberia, 1994, where a team of archaeologists led by the young genetic biologist Peter Lavroski discovers a preserved wolf carcass.
Fast forward to Philadelphia, 2017, where an unknown creature is on the prowl. After witnessing a convenience store robbery, it tracks the criminal into the shadows, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.
The Agent: Special Agent Terri Watson is buried in records, hunting for evidence against a local money launderer.
The Partner: Marc Peterson, a Philly detective and FBI task force officer, is busy investigating the string of grisly alleyway murders.
The Wildcard: Dieter Schnoll moves “dark money” for the world’s shadiest characters. But when a client puts his life in the crosshairs of the creature, he is forced into an unlikely alliance with the FBI.
Together, they must track the beast and dismantle a Russian criminal organization before the body count rises.
Review
In Volk, D. Werkmeister delivers a gripping thriller that blends crime, horror, and conspiracy into a suspenseful masterpiece. The hunt for a Russian financier quickly descends into a fight for survival against a predator that defies conventional logic.
A Fresh Perspective on the Beast
Right from the beginning, the tension builds through the creature’s first-person point of view. Surprisingly, the beast is conflicted and nuanced:
“A wave of loneliness falls over me like a shadow.”
Compelling Characters
Terri Watson is a standout protagonist—intelligent, determined, and believable under pressure. As she uncovers the connections between organized crime and the supernatural, the narrative shifts seamlessly from the clinical world of “dirty money” to the blood-slicked streets of Philadelphia.
Atmospheric Writing
Werkmeister uses vivid, poetic language to ground the horror:
“The rain makes little popping sounds as it pelts the Gore-Tex hood. I pause, listening intently: no sound other than the rain. I sniff the air deeply invigorated by the fresh, damp smell.”
The Verdict
Without spoiling the twist, this is a fresh, modern reimagining of the werewolf mythos. It strips away tired tropes in favor of a grounded, conspiratorial plot. It’s an exciting, chilling read that proves the most dangerous monsters often hide behind fur and finance.
Most Unexpected Reaction: Feeling genuine sympathy for the creature and its tragic history.
Volk by D. Werkmeister is an exciting and chilling read that successfully mixes crime fiction with supernatural terror. While some scenes are graphic, they serve the story’s dark tone effectively. Fans of supernatural werewolf thrillers with dark twists will appreciate the layered mystery and explosive revelations.
“Death is as relentless and unconquerable as the tide of the ocean. You can’t control it; you just have to learn to live with it. It is the dark shape that hides in the shadows, always present but unnoticed – until it comes for you.”
D. Werkmeister is an award-winning author and a retired FBI Agent. He brings 21 years of street experience in Philadelphia to his writing, including eight years on the FBI SWAT team. A former Marine Corps officer, his supernatural thrillers have earned a Claymore Award and a bronze medal from Readers’ Favorite. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours
** Thank you to Stephanie Caruso, Paste Creative Book Tours, and D. Werkmeister for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
‘Human Agency in a Digital World’ is the new book by Marcus Fontoura. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Spotlight: Reclaiming Your Role in the AI Era
In an age where algorithms influence everything from our morning playlists to our career paths, it’s easy to feel like a passenger in a vehicle we don’t control. A new book by industry veteran Marcus Fontoura aims to change that narrative. (Digital Agency Book, 2026)
This may be the first true AI-era self-help book—not because we need help using technology, but because we need help using it well. Understanding how algorithms work is the first step in making sure they work for us.
This book is about reclaiming our role, not as passengers, but as pilots, in the fast-moving journey of technological change.
Written by a computer scientist who is also a father and a teacher, this is a deeply personal and accessible guide to the systems shaping our lives.
Why This Book Matters Now
Digital agents are all around us. They suggest songs, answer questions, sort emails, and, often invisibly, shape what we think. But how much power do we really have to redirect their impact?
In Human Agency in a Digital World, Fontoura explores the hidden architectures of modern life, including:
Social Media & Search Engines: How they capture and direct attention.
Cloud Computing & AI: The invisible backbone of the modern economy.
Quantum Technologies: A look into the next frontier of computing.
Drawing from decades of experience building the backbone of the internet, Fontoura demystifies these core concepts, allowing readers to develop digital fluency without needing a computer science degree.
Beyond Optimization
Ultimately, this is a book about people. It explores how we can use efficiency not just for speed or cost-cutting, but to unlock creativity, opportunity, and well-being. With examples ranging from broken playlists to complex protein folding, Fontoura asks a profound question:
What do we want technology to do for us, and what will we do with it in return?
About the Author
Marcus Fontoura is a titan of the tech industry, currently serving his second tenure as Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, where he is the CTO for Azure Core.
His distinguished career includes:
Stone (2022-2025): Served as CTO, leading engineering and building efficient financial platforms. He remains an advisor to the company.
Microsoft (2013-2022): Served as Chief Architect for Azure Compute and led the Azure efficiency team.
Research & Development: Previous leadership roles at Google, Yahoo, and IBM Research.
With a career spent at the intersection of complex systems and human needs, Fontoura is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between “how it works” and “why it matters.”
Texas-based country artist adds another chart milestone to a catalog forged alongside outlaw legends. Photo: InPerpetuity Entertainment
Danny Griego’s “Angelina” Skyrockets: A New Milestone for the Outlaw Country Artist
Nashville, Tenn. — Country singer-songwriter Danny Griegois reaching new heights as his latest single, “Angelina,” climbs to No. 24 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary (AC) chart and No. 13 on the Mediabase AC chart. (Aristo PR, 2026)
The track, a captivating blend of Latin, Americana, and Griego’s signature outlaw country influences, is rapidly gaining momentum across the airwaves.
A Steady Climb to the Top
Recorded at the legendary Dark Horse Studios in Franklin, Tennessee, “Angelina” was co-written by Griego alongside Jerry Crutchfield and Mark Nessler. Since its AC chart debut on April 4, the track has seen a steady rise, fueled by heavy rotation on 28 Mediabase AC stations.
Key markets showing major support (with over 50 spins each) include:
Huntsville & Phoenix
Omaha & Tucson
Reno & Atlantic City
Nassau, Bridgeport, and Johnson City
This Top 25 placement adds to Griego’s impressive Billboard résumé, which already includes recognition as a Top 10 Billboard recording artist.
The Story Behind the Song
“Angelina” is more than just a chart-topper; it is a haunting, emotionally driven ballad that explores the ripple effects of heartbreak.
“‘Angelina’ is a song that’s always felt personal to me,” says Griego. “I’ve often wondered if Angelina would be the love of my life.”
The song tells the story of a woman shaped by the early loss of her father, a wound that leads her to build walls and move through relationships, leaving a trail of broken hearts in her wake to protect her own.
Music with a Mission: Freedom Horse Ranch
Beyond his musical achievements, Griego is deeply committed to service. He is the owner and operator of Freedom Horse Ranch, a 501(c)(3) organization in Weatherford, Texas.
The ranch is dedicated to helping:
Veterans & First Responders
Individuals with physical or cognitive challenges
Those seeking emotional recovery
Through therapeutic equine-assisted activities and outdoor experiences, the ranch provides a sanctuary for healing, confidence-building, and growth.
A Voice for Veterans
Griego’s advocacy for the military is a cornerstone of his career. He frequently performs at military bases and has released powerful tracks like “Lady Liberty” and “Twenty-Two” (a collaboration with K.P. Fitz highlighting the Veteran suicide epidemic).
About Danny Griego
Born in Arizona and based in Texas, Danny Griego’s sound is a rich tapestry of outlaw, cowboy, and Latin influences. His journey is one of incredible resilience: after surviving a lightning strike during his college years, he taught himself to fingerpick on his grandfather’s nylon-string guitar as part of his rehabilitation.
Notable Discography:
Destination (2007)
Cowboys, Outlaws & Border Town Dogs (2014)
22 (2018)
“You Never Stop Loving Somebody” (2019)
“Angelina” (2024/2026)
With a full slate of touring and new music on the horizon, Danny Griego continues to prove why he is one of the most authentic voices in modern Americana.
**Spanish Version** – The year is 2040, and the scales of justice are being recalibrated. In a world where the line between silicon and soul is blurring, Juan Manuel Sánchez Fernández delivers a gripping futuristic legal thriller that explores the fragile boundary between technology and humanity.
Synopsis: Justice Reborn
Justice has changed: lawyers are no longer only human. After the mysterious murder of a brilliant lawyer from Almeria, an unscrupulous corporation decides to create AGF 40, the first robot lawyer with a built-in human brain.
The mission seems straightforward: relive the victim’s final moments to identify the murderer. However, within the machine, something awakens that was never part of the code: conscience, ethics, and memory. In a system corrupted by power, AGF 40 faces a dangerous dilemma: obey its creators or seek the truth, even if it leads to its own destruction. With the help of Natalia Domene, a young lawyer struggling between reason and heart, AGF 40 discovers that justice does not always reside in codes, but in the difficult decisions that define us as humans. (Amazon, 2026)
The Review: A Cyborg’s Quest for Truth
The Catalyst
The story opens with a shock: Aniceto Gázquez Figueroa is assassinated in a public restaurant during a business meeting. The investigation, led by Sgt. Castillo and Lt. Rupérez, yields frustratingly few clues, only a specific gun type and a getaway car.
Aniceto’s family donates his brain to Novus Robotics, headed by the narcissistic Edward Carver. The result is AGF 40 (named after the donor’s initials and the year of creation), a cyborg intended to revolutionize the Spanish justice system.
Man vs. Machine
It begins as a corporate experiment and quickly evolves into a complex moral struggle. AGF 40 realizes that Novus Robotics intends to use him for financial gain rather than the betterment of humanity. This realization prompts a daring escape.
The narrative shines as AGF 40 reunites with his former law partner, Natalia Domene. Together, they navigate a legal landscape that forces both characters and readers to confront uncomfortable questions, including the ethical minefield of defending those they believe are guilty.
Character Dynamics
AGF 40: A groundbreaking blend of code and memory. His evolution from a calculated tool to a moral agent drives the tension of the book.
Edward Carver: While character development is lean in some areas, Carver stands out as a “Dr. Frankenstein” figure. He is a complicated, narcissistic visionary who views his creation with a mix of pride and growing dread.
Natalia Domene: She provides the emotional heartbeat of the story, representing the human struggle between logic and compassion.
Final Verdict
Sánchez Fernández’ prose is vivid and descriptive, utilizing a non-linear narrative to keep the reader off-balance. “Castillo exhale un suspiro frustrado y miró por la ventana, observando cómo las olas del mar de Cabo de Gata hacían bailar la noche oscura.”
While the setting is sci-fi, the themes are deeply rooted in contemporary concerns about AI replacing human professions, from maids and guards to, eventually, lawyers.
Robolex ultimately asks: Is justice defined by rules, or by the courage to challenge them?
For fans of: Science fiction, legal procedurals, and philosophical thrillers.
Key takeaway: A detailed look at the intersection of bio-engineering and the law.
“Por primera vez desde su reactivación, AGF 40 sintió una punzada de duda. ¿Era él, el mismo abogado que alguna vez luchó por la justicia? O era simplement una version mejorada de un hombre que ya no existía.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
About the Author
Juan Manuel Sánchez Fernández is a practicing lawyer from Almeria with over two decades of experience, including defense work in high-profile murder cases. He turned to writing as a therapeutic hobby during a personal crisis, leading to the success of his debut novel, El Abogado Adicto.
His second novel, El Abogado y La Mafia, has reached international audiences across North America, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Robolex continues his streak of blending deep legal expertise with high-stakes storytelling.
Newport, North Carolina, has a new voice in bluegrass, and he’s playing it left-handed. Asher Brinson, the young picker and songwriter who has been turning heads from MerleFest to the IBMA, has officially released his debut album, Midnight Hurricane. (Dreamspider Publicity, 2026)
Blending refreshingly honest storytelling with the salt-air influence of the Carolina coast, Brinson’s debut is a standout in modern bluegrass collaboration.
A Self-Taught Journey to the Main Stage
Asher has been around music his entire life in family jams and the legendary circles of the Galax Fiddlers Convention. His talent caught the eye of the late, legendary luthier Wayne Henderson, who became a mentor and friend, even building Asher a rare, custom left-handed guitar.
Since then, Asher’s trajectory has been exceptional:
Mentorship: Studied under Christopher Henry (Noya Mountain Music Studio), who produced the new record.
The Stage: Shared spotlights at the Wayne C. Henderson Festival and recently joined The Travelin’ McCourys Young Guns Tour.
What’s Next: Catch him live at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville (4/9), Ocrafolk Festival (6/5-7), and the Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival (10/15-17).
Inside the Tracks: Midnight Hurricane
The album features eight original songs, two traditional instrumentals, and a gritty Billy Strings cover. To bring these stories to life, Asher assembled an “all-star” studio band:
Asher Brinson: Lead Vocals & Guitar
Cory Walker: Banjo
Jason Carter: Fiddle
Christopher Henry: Bass & Mandolin
Album Highlights
“This song naturally evolved from living on the North Carolina coast, experiencing the late-night intensity of hurricanes—where you hear everything but see nothing.” — Asher Brinson on the title track.
Song
Featuring
Inspiration
“Midnight Hurricane”
Sierra Hull & Lindsay Lou
The sensory overload of coastal storms.
“Lonesome Hobo Song”
Sam Bush
Classic tales of train hopping.
“And Why Is That”
Smith Curry (Pedal Steel)
A tribute to a family friend who lived on a sailboat.
“Queen Anne’s Waltz”
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
Local maritime history and the swaying of a boat.
“Low Hanging Fruit”
Sam Bush
The very first song Asher ever wrote.
The record rounds out with the driving “I’m Going Back to Galax,” a nod to his competitive roots, and a high-energy cover of Billy Strings’ “Seven Weeks in County.”
Where to Hear Him
Asher Brinson is currently on the road, bringing his energy to stages across the Southeast. Whether it’s the underground depths of The Caverns or the salty breeze of the Outer Banks, Asher’s honest sound is one you don’t want to miss.
Stream Midnight Hurricane now and follow Asher’s journey as he carves out a new legacy in North Carolina music.
SA Examiner 