Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C

Synopsis:

Three strangers, A Hitman – Haider Pasha, A Gangster – Amajad Daniya, and a Sidekick – Abeer Gul get trapped in a Carnivorous environment. Things are not what they seem. Outcast, betrayed all three suspecting each other are fighting for their life. Trust is the name of the game.

Teaser

REVIEW

Think of anything by Quentin Tarantino mixed in with Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City, and you will get an idea of what the cinematic Triple Cross is like. Written and directed by Indie India native Mirza Malik or better known as mirzamlk. Mirzamlk is well known for his high-octane, action-packed features, and his use of stylized slow motion does not disappoint with Triple Cross.

We open with Hitman Haider Pasha (Ansh Beg Mirza), whose target seems to have gotten the upper hand on him, but Pasha quickly gains the upper hand again as we flashback to a mysterious character (mirzamlk himself doing a cameo.) hiring him to take out a gangster name Amjad Daniyal (Mohib Beg Mirza). We then return to Pasha and Daniyal, who is now tied up and offers a counteroffer of more money to spare him and to give him the name of the person who hired him to kill him. Pasha agrees to the double cross, but he does not give his client’s name. When Pasha gets triple-crossed, a surprising new player gets revealed, leaving all three having to trust each other in a cliffhanger that left me curious for chapter 2.

Visually, Triple Cross is pristine, polished, and professional. Filmed using only a secondhand Canon 5d Mark II camera, and all VFX done on a second-hand i5 computer with 8 GB RAM without GPU, mirzamlk breaks the myth that films must be shot with special high-end cameras and equipment. With a cast of only four actors and shot in one location using three cheap DYI lights with colored gel wrapped around them, mirzamlk and crew make it work, offering an entertaining piece to watch.

While filmed in Hindi, it features subtitles to follow along, but Triple Cross is a more visual piece than for dialogue, and the dialogue spoken is a proverbial dialogue that some might find off-putting, but I actually loved it. “A washerman’s dog is neither of the hour nor the laundry,” Saniya says. Which is taken from the Indian proverb poem of Dhobi Ghat.

As for the cast, Ansh Beg Mirza (Haider Pasha) is my breakout star with his sweet boyish looks playing Haider Pasha, a well-known cold-blooded hitman by looks, it’s hard to think, but his performance was smooth, solid, and believable (He also contributes as Sounder editor and Composer.). I was kind of rooting for him to win. I also enjoyed Mirza Rakshanda Khan (Abeer Gul) and, of course, the handsome Mohib Beg Mirza (Amijad Daniyak), who won my heart with his sexy hair.

Overall, Triple Cross is fun to watch, and it is quite impressive considering the shoe-string budget they had. I liked Mirzamlk’s use of slow motion, yet at times, it got to be a bit too much, especially during the shoot-out chase battle at Tehkhana, in which the stylized slow-motion fell flat and just seemed to drag out the 117 minutes long film with the same shots playing over and over again while tossing in the cool gun explosion graphic again and again. It almost lost me, but Mirzamlk does a dynamite save, though, with a plot twist at the end that gives Triple Cross hope, and I’d love to see Triple Cross Chapter 2.

My rating 8/10

Triple Cross is available to watch on YouTube TUBI and AmazonUS/UK

Today’s Book Spotlight we are welcomed back to the world of the Veil with the release of A Fae is Done (Birth of Fae Book 5) by Danielle M. Orsino. Read on for details!

A Fae is Done (Birth of the Fae #5)
Publication Date: March 30th, 2023
Genre: Epic Fantasy/ Fae

Prophecies, broken hearts, secrets, and scars. Bodies delivered on the wings of butterflies.
After Queen Aurora’s execution, the Court of Light falls into political unrest. The riots continue as new Queen Sekhmet takes her place on the throne and puts her long-planned agenda into action. Meanwhile, King Jarvok attempts to remedy his heartache but ends up divulging suspicions he has held close for centuries instead.

Alliances shift as dark mysteries bubble to the surface, but a prophecy reading brings a ray of hope. Unfortunately for others, it foretells certain doom. The Oracles speak of a future child who will unite the Fae courts and bring karmic retribution. Unlikely heroes will be forced together by fate, while unexpected enemies are revealed. There are Fae in both courts who have plenty to hide. Some would kill to keep their secrets. Some are willing to die for them.

AVAILABLE on Amazon

ADD TO GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danielle M. Orsino is a fantasy novelist whose lifelong vision to create whimsical realms that her readers can escape to. Her compelling word-weaving pays homage to a multitude of personal muses, from Chris Claremont and George Pérez (both famous comic book writers), to Anne Rice and Wonder Woman.

The creative spark of storytelling has been with Danielle ever since she was a child, but martial arts and her nursing career took center stage into adulthood. Then, on a day like any other, it was reignited during the most unexpected of moments: while treating one of her patients. Seeing that they longed for a distraction during their arduous treatments, the floodgates of inspiration soon burst forth. So, Danielle took it upon herself to tell them a story; a fantastical narrative that would leave the confines of that IV room’s walls and land upon a page. Before she knew it, what started as an imaginative tale to pass the time, turned into book, followed by an entire series: The Birth of Fae. This awe-inspiring series includes Locked out of Heaven (Book One), Thine Eyes of Mercy (Book Two), and From The Ashes (Book Three), all of which are published by 4 Horsemen Publications, Inc. And with an unwavering passion for cosplay and comics, it was a unanimous decision to place her on the cover of each book in all her Fae cosplay glory. The Birth of Fae also features Los, an affable chameleon dragon inspired by her fun-loving Yorkie named Carlos.

When writing wasn’t at the forefront of her mind, Danielle was a successful Martial Artist. Some of her achievements include “1999 World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee”, “Female Martial Artist of the Year”, “WKA World Champion Silver Medalist 2008”, and numerous more. She has also garnered hundreds of martial art tournament wins, various other national and world titles, and features on big-name channels like TLC and CBS. She even had the rare opportunity to perform for former U.S. President Bill Clinton and collaborate alongside Vincent Lyn and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. From there, she pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and she is now a Licensed Practical Nurse who focuses on Lyme disease research.

This “New Queen of the Fae’s” unmatched world-building and masterful Fae-origin retellings have led to an ever-growing queendom of “Fae-natics”. To begin embarking upon a quest in an epic world unlike any other, visit Danielle M. Orsino’s official website at http://www.BirthOfTheFae.com.

The Birth of the Fae | Instagram | Twitter

Synopsis: Bobby Russo was born into a life of organized crime. A life of secrets and lies. As he gets older Bobby realizes that the most dangerous secrets of all are his own.

VIEW TRAILER

Review

Beautiful and brilliant Dress Code written by Peter Panagos and directed by Joseph Pupello. follows Bobby Russo. Groomed from a young age to join the “family business” Only Bobby has a secret.

 In a flashback, we meet young Bobby (Nicholas Giordano), the son of a violent dad (Freddie Mass) and a verbally abused mother (Alex Di Trolio). Coming home to what seems to be a familiar situation of his parents arguing once again. Bobby finally frustrated, grabs his mother’s purse going into the bathroom. Instead of money, Bobby pulls out his mom’s lipstick soothed by its shape and smell he applies it. Caught by his dad who goes into a violent outburst Bobby is saved by his mother who is worried and wondering why her son is stealing her makeup and clothes. Taking him to a psychologist who offers a place to help “cure” Bobby of his affliction. Horrified at the thought they storm out, she promises she will be there for him always and gives him a secret bag with a lock on it filled with makeup and some of her clothes telling Bobby to be him but be discreet.

Transition to present-day adult Bobby( Gerard Garill) at his mother’s funeral. Bobby has a girlfriend now and they are expecting their first child. and Bobby has become a prominent member of the “Family business” thanks to his Uncle Rocco (Frank Osso) who has been more of a father figure to him in his life. When the head mobster dies and Rocco is promoted to head of the business Rocco gives Bobby control of an important location that ruffles feathers among the ranks especially with Allie Boy (played superbly by Edward John Scienski) and Bobby too. Is he cut out of this? When Bobby finally decides to embrace who he is by going to a transgender party we see Bobby at his happiest, and the music that plays is killer. It almost brings a tear to your eye. It also all comes crashing down on Bobby after.

Winner of Best Screenplay (Peter Panagos), Best 1st-time director (Joseph Pupello), and Best Actor (Gerard Garlli)  at the Oniros Film Festival in New York Dress Code blow mainstream mobster films out of the water with something that is refreshing and absolutely amazing. Just like getting drawn into a good book, Dress Code draws you in at the first screenshot. Completely engrossed in the storytelling the film flows smoothly keeping your attention the whole film through. 

Performance wise everyone’s performances were realistic and spot on. Frank Osso (Even the Score, Equal Standard) is charming, reminding me a bit of the late great Ray Liotta. Freddie Mass (Better Safe Than Sonny, Big Weekend) powerhouses to perfection as the perfect Italian American mob dad nightmare, and Gerard Garlli (Hard Laughter, Fratello) of course rises shining in his performance. More awards should be coming Dress Codes‘ way. 

My Rating is 10 out of 10

This cover is insanely delicious and made me instantly curious. So I am happy this Thursday to spotlight CURSED MEMORY by River Ash. This beautiful novella is part one of a duet. Let’s take a bite inside shall we?

Cursed Memory (Cursed Bloodlines #1)

Publication Date: January 17th, 2023

Genre: PNR/ Vampire Romance

Length: 65 pages

I remember the club. The pounding of the beat pulsing in my veins, the way my body moved with the music.

Then — nothing.

My memories are locked away in the dark corners of my mind, replaced by an insatiable hunger nothing can fill.

Until I found him.

I felt his presence before I saw him. My blood calls for this mysterious man whose darkness matches my own. Being near him sets my body on fire, making me ache for every touch… every taste.
It’s as if my soul recognizes him, loosening my trapped memories. Each time a new one breaks free, I wonder if he holds the key to what I’ve lost, what I can’t remember. But everything comes with a price. I’m beginning to fear the cost of remembering all that I’ve done might be more than I can bear. What if the monster of this story… is me?

Available on NOW Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

River Ash is a writer of paranormal romance novels. Her stories are filled with passion and fantasy and all have HEAs. Her latest book in the Cursed Bloodline world, “Cursed Memory” is out.

Her love for reading began when she was a young girl sneaking into the school library and grow into adulthood.

When River’s not reading, she is writing passionate fantasy with a romantic twist. Or else, she can be found solving sudoku puzzles. River loves traveling, is obsessed with energy drinks, and has several relationships with fictional characters.

Follow River and all things Cursed Memory at River Ash

It is publication week for author Rick Lenz. Teaming with R&R Book Tours I have joined the book tour for his release of A Town Called Why. Read on!

A Town Called Why

Publication Date: February 21, 2023

Genre: Mystery/ Suspense/ Private Detective

Simple justice or an eye for an eye? Half-Apache cop confronts pure evil.

Colleagues of Frank Gaines, a half-Apache, Arizona desert town police detective, know him as a courageous man. Gaines doubts that. He suspects he’s afraid of not behaving courageously. He goes into therapy. This creates a new problem: he is falling in love with his therapist, a striking, full-blooded Apache woman, Sunny Kacheenay, granddaughter of a great shaman, who has mystical gifts of her own.

A distant maternal relative of Gaines dies in a shotgun blast. Against her own best professional instincts, Sunny is forced to tell Gaines that by ancient, ancestral law, his sacred duty is to find, torture, and kill the murderer.

Jokingly, Gaines tells her it’s not the 1800s anymore.

Sunny doesn’t laugh.

In the process of trying to hunt down the most malignant villain Gaines has ever heard of, he begins to test his courage for real and to recognize his true feelings about life, love, and courage.

Purchase Now

Add to Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When Rick Lenz retired as a stage and film actor (playing opposite Ingrid Bergman, John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Walter Matthau, Peter Sellers, etc.), his passion for drama refused to retire with him. Although he was an actor most of his life, he is also a seasoned writer. His plays have been produced Off-Broadway, on PBS television, and in regional theatres across the country. Rick’s memoir North of Hollywood was called “masterful” by Writer’s Digest. His first novel, The Alexandrite was named “one of the best books of the year” by Kirkus Reviews. Bret Easton Ellis called it “almost impossible to put down.” Rick’s books have won several awards, including, Readers Views (first place), the Chanticleer Somerset Grand Prize for Literary, Contemporary, and Mainstream Fiction, an IPPY Award, and a Foreword Book of the Year. Most recently, his time-travel love story Hello, Rest of My Life was a 2022 Silver Nautilus Book Award winner (fiction), and Eric Hoffer Award finalist (fiction). He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Linda and an ever-shifting array of animals.

Follow Rick @ Rick Lenz | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Winter of the Wicked is the HIGHLY ANTICIPATED second novel in J.L. Vampa’s The Sisters Solstice Series. Congratulations to J.L. Vampa read on for more and get yourself a copy of this beauty!

Winter of the Wicked (Sisters Solstice #2)

Publication Date: February 21st, 2023
Publisher: Phantom House Press
Genre: Adult Fantasy/ Gothic Fantasy/ Dark Romantic Fantasy

Some witches cast spells. Others sacrifice everything.
A Sister forced to do the unthinkable. A kingdom on the brink. A quartet of witches intent on altering History. 
For centuries, Sister Winter’s life has been dictated by a Grimoire—the Book her Sister Autumn just destroyed. Despite the necessity of its destruction to end a vile shadow organization and the Sisters’ three hundred years of separation, Wendolyn is left adrift without its guidance.
As secrets from long ago begin to rise up around her, Sister Winter must face what haunts her, while the Prince of Mereville uses his abilities as Marchand de Mort to infiltrate The Order—the shadow regime that wants him dead.
Will the ghosts of the past keep Wendolyn from her Sisters? Will their differences spell the end for Midlerea? Or can they put aside what’s been to save the dark prince and the future of the realm?

Available on Amazon and Add to Goodreads

Don’t forget Autumn of the Grimoire (Sisters Solstice Series #1)

Publication Date: September 22, 2022

Genre: Gothic Fantasy/ Dark Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Phantom House Press

Some witches cast spells. Others slay kings.

A mysterious Grimoire. A marriage full of dark secrets. A History sculpted by a quartet of ancient Sister witches.

For three hundred years, Sister Autumn has incited wars, burnt villages, killed kings, and released plagues at the bidding of the Grimoire. Meanwhile, her Sister Winter, Sister Spring, and Sister Summer have brought forth only peace.

When an Order from the Grimoire sends Agatha to the Kingdom of Merveille, she already anticipates the worst. Unless she wants to face the wrath of the Goddess, Agatha must keep her head down and do as she’s commanded.

But when the Grimoire Orders her to marry a pompous prince and play the role of a peasant “accepted” by vicious aristocrats, she finds herself at the center of a war between the classes and an age-old prophecy.

Within the court, many players harbor dark secrets—including her new husband. With her newfound influence, Agatha joins forces with the city’s Blacklisted in order to blur the lines between the common man and the elite, unravel the mysteries in her marriage, and decide once and for all if she will defy the Grimoire and face the brutal consequences.

As secrets unfold, will Agatha continue to slay on behalf of the Grimoire, or forge an uncharted History with her unlikely allies?

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Lenore (J.L.) Vampa is a published author of Dark Fantasy and Victorian Gothic fiction. J.L. also owns a macabre-style bookish shop, Wicked Whimsy Boutique. She lives in Texas with her musician husband and their two littles who are just as peculiar as they are.

Find J.L. via JL Vampa |  Instagram | Twitter | Wicked Whimsy Boutique

Joining the book tour hosted by R&R Book Tours today I am happy to spotlight The Broken Darkness by Theresa Braun! Read on for more info about this gorgeous collection.

The Broken Darkness
Publication Date: January 26th, 2023
Genre: Dark Fiction/ Spec Fiction/ Short Story Collection
Publisher:  Gorgon Blood Press

In her debut collection, Theresa Braun explores the inner workings of the human heart and what it is we most desire—forgiveness, acceptance, love, fame, or merely to escape who we really are. Whether we are battling ghosts, demons, mythical monsters, the past, or other dimensions, we are really facing the deepest parts of ourselves. These thirteen tales of horror and dark fantasy may appear to be a matter of good versus evil, but they are all a reflection of the hidden corners of the soul that are often shades of broken darkness. The characters in these stories must face their inner and outer terrors, or else suffer the consequences.

Available on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Theresa Braun has a Master’s degree in English literature and lives in South Florida where she has taught literature and writing for over 20 years. Traveling, ghost hunting and all things dark are her passions. In 2018 Unnerving released her horror novel Fountain Dead, a coming-of-age ghost story. Her short works have appeared in The Horror Zine, Sirens Call, Hardened Hearts, and Best Indie Speculative Fiction: November 2018, Double Barrel Horror (Volume 3) and Emporium of Superstition.

Follow Braun via Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

Pucker up your lips as this Thursday I am spotlighting along with Bursting Bookshelf Blog to spotlight Let Your Lips Twitch by R.A. Clarke!

Let Your Lips Twitch

Book Release: February 4, 2023

Synopsis

Comedy is everywhere if you allow yourself to see it—to feel it. It can be subtle or overt, dark or joyous, adorable or cheeky. Such ageless versatility is beyond compare. Curated with that in mind, author R.A. Clarke proudly presents sixteen humorous stories to the world.

Between these covers, you’ll find short fiction in several genres. Each tale is infused with unique characters and comical situations, some rooted in reality, others certainly not. Flip the page and join a jewel heist executed by bumbling thieves at a gastronomy party, meet a lowly soul gifted the fantastical chance to redo an all-consuming moment of regret, or sweat alongside a father as he realizes his daughter is growing up too fast. Turn another page, and you’ll enjoy clowning around while meeting Mr. Right, then zoom in on a perfectly focused meet cute, or feel Mother Nature’s wrath as a rebellious fishing excursion goes all kinds of wrong. There is something in this collection for everyone to enjoy, including eight never-before-seen stories.

Allow yourself to be entertained and whisked away. Let humour in all its glorious forms tempt your lips to move. Don’t fight the urge. Embrace it. Go ahead and let your lips twitch.

Buy Now on BookSirens and AMAZON

Listen to R.A. Clarke read an excerpt from Let Your Lips Twitch

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author and illustrator Rachael Clarke grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, but always felt like a country girl at heart. A lover of nature and animals, and all things creative, she grew up writing poetry and drawing everything she admired in the world around her. In her youth, she published a few poems and short stories and often created custom drawings for family and friends. Her favorite subject in school was art… no shock there.

Rachael’s multi-genre short fiction – written under the pseudonym, R.A. Clarke

Rachael Clarke is currently working on her first YA fantasy novel, an adult science fiction novel, a sequel to her children’s chapter book, The Big Ol’ Bike, and several picture books. Plans for future novels are constantly sloshing around in her brain, wreaking havoc. There’s simply too many ideas and not enough time!

Follow R.A. Clarke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raclarkeauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachaelclarkewrites?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Twitter: @raclarkewrites

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19916621.Rachael_Clarke

Website: https://www.rachaelclarkewrites.com/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rachaelclarke9631

Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/ih-3XH

​

A jovial Thursday to you all as I have joined the book tour hosted by R&R Book Tours for Shades of Night (Book one of The Night Order Series) Let’s dive in!

Shades of Night (The Night Order Series #1)
Publication Date: December 4th, 2022
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Publisher: Eerie River Publishing

Fated for greatness; Destined for pain.
A prophecy of beauty, untold power and the strength to save them all.
They said I was destined to save every witch, my entire race, but life is never that cut-and-dried. I am Aramay Shenade, or Shade for short. After a demon attack left me scarred, the Night Order elders declared the prophecy was broken, discarded and my destiny along with it.
No longer tied to fate, my sister Dellena and I, chose our own path, cutting down every demon that crossed it. That was until the fateful day I pulled the demon-cursed Nora from the mud and the world around us began to unravel.
War is upon us and the demons are gathering. Now I must walk the path of a destiny I thought had abandoned me.
Will I be able to correct the tides of war before the demons destroy us all?
I can only hope those I hold dearest will not be sacrificed in the struggle.

Add it to GOODREADS AVAILABLE NOW ON Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachael Boucker doesn’t know how she got on this planet, but she sure doesn’t know how to get off it. She’s settled in the Forest of Dean UK, a hub for peculiar beings, with her human Richard (enslaved in a long-term relationship) and three hybrid semi-sentient miniatures. With a tentative connection to the hive mind, Rachael listens in on strange stories spanning multiple dimensions and passes these eavesdroppings off as fiction, mostly horror and fantasy. Sci-fi can be triggering, dredging up memories of the space-bound life she left behind, but she does occasionally indulge in this genre. Look out for her Night Order dark fantasy series published by Eerie River Publishing.

Visit Rachael Boucker at Rachael Boucker.

The Quiescence Trilogy is complete, but we are starting the trilogy back at book one with The Relics of Illayan!

The Relics of Illayan

Publication Date: November 2021

Genre: Fantasy/ Epic Fantasy

Publisher: Mad Endeavor

In the stillness, a power wakes

Caerlon is a kingdom where the power of Resonance has long been bound to a single bloodline, a single all-powerful ruler. Now, for the first time in centuries, the magic has been divided.

On the night of the new king’s coronation, something causes his magic to fracture, and Catanya, a young woman living on the outskirts of Caerlon discovers the long-kept secret of her connection to the throne.

Driven mad by his lust for power, King Cadyan sends his soldiers to hunt her down. He is determined to reclaim his birthright and uncover the truth about the legendary Relics of Illayan, which could hold the key to eternal power and immortality.

On the run, terrified and alone, Catanya must decide how—or even if—she can wield the magic of Caerlon to protect herself and save everyone she loves.

Add to Goodreads

Complete trilogy is available now

The Quiescence Trilogy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Knowles is a composer, cellist, conductor, and writer currently based in Toronto, Ontario. She splits her time between writing, teaching, conducting, composing, and running Mad Endeavour.

In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys taking on new creative projects (i.e. filling up that “spare” time), spending time with friends and family, tending her ever-growing plant collection (obsession), and looking at pictures of puppies and dreaming of the day she can have one of her own.

Learn more about Kathryn Knowles below:

Kathryn Knowles | Mad EndeavorInstagram | Mad Endeavor IG | Goodreads | BookBub