Mill Creek Ent.; 1038 minutes; $14.98; Amazon

Now available on DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment is Strange Things: 11 Movie Collection, featuring eleven weird flicks from the 1980s on three discs.

As you can tell by the title, the release is taking advantage of the critically acclaimed Netflix horror series Stranger Things; though the cover art represents the film Pulse, which is on the first disc in the set.

The films in the set includes:

Pulse (1988; 91 minutes; PG-13) - A forgotten horror gem starring a young Joey Lawrence as a kid who travels to Los Angeles to spend his vacation with his father and stepmother in their suburban home, which happens to be occupied by a vengeful electric pulse.

"Pulse"

Spacehunter: Adventure In The Forbidden Zone (1983; 90 minutes; PG)  - A campy science fiction adventure that was originally released in 3D in the early 80s. The plot, dialogue, and acting is pretty horrible. However, it has some cool sets and costumes.

"Spacehunters: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone"

Krull (1983; 121 minutes; PG) - Considered a flop in 1983, the science fiction fantasy is now considered a cult classic. The plot involves the planet "Krull" being invaded by the "Beast" and it's "Slayers" in a mountain-shape spaceship called the Black Fortress.

"Krull"

My Mom's a Werewolf (1989; 88 minutes; PG) - This horror-comedy became popular when it was aired countless times on Showtime in the early 1990s. The plot involves a housewife turning into a werewolf after having a brief affair.

"My Mom's A Werewolf"

Revell; 352 pages; $15.99; Amazon

Now available in bookstores from Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) is the crime thriller Justice Delayed, book one in the Memphis Cold Case series, by author Patricia Bradley.

I have a habit of picking out new books to read just by their cover arts alone, but this isn't the case with Justice Delayed, as I don't think the cover art is very good for it. To me, it looks very bland. The only reason I signed up to review the novel is because I had read a couple other titles by the author in the past.

The novel centers around Andi Hollister, a crime reporter who's sister was murdered eighteen years ago. After a letter surface with evidences that suggests the murderer might be innocent, Andi teams up with Will Kincaide, a detective at the Memphis Cold Case Unit, to seek out the truth.

With the accused murderer's execution date looming just around the corner, Andi and Will race against time to unravel the mystery and track down the real killer.

Available today is the romance novel Unmasked Secrets, book two in the Strip Club for Women series, by author Brenna Zinn.



When did you become interested in storytelling?

I started as a child telling stories to my younger sister. I remember staying up late at night with her, weaving tales of princesses and fairies. Then, as I matured, my stories evolved to include other subjects. I worked as a training manager in a corporation for twenty years, and often created stories (situational scenarios) to include in part of my classes. In my thirties, I had a hysterectomy and was homebound for six weeks. To help pass the time, I started writing my first novel. I haven’t stopped writing since.

What was your first book/story published?

My first story published was a short story for True Romance Magazine called The Princess Dress. Turns out, the stories in the magazine aren’t exactly true. LOL. But I was so ticked seeing my story in print. I ended up writing several stories for the magazine before contracting with a publishing house.

What inspired you to write Unmasked Secrets?

Fifty Shades of Grey. I have friends who are deep into the BDSM lifestyle (I am not.) When Fifty Shades came out, I overheard many conversations about how the book wasn’t quite accurate. As someone who isn’t in the lifestyle, I wondered what it would be like for two characters who also know little about the lifestyle to dip a toe into that world. One character, my hero, would be a stripper whose stage name is The Dom. My heroine would read erotic books and trying a little BDSM might be something she really wants to do. But I also wanted to educate the readers, just a bit, on what the lifestyle is about. I had several of my friends give me guidance regarding that education. In the end, I think the lack of knowledge/experience of my hero/heroine and the education they receive, made Unmasked Secrets a fun, great read.

What character in Unmasked Secrets is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Hannah Armstrong is the most like me. She’s a high school principal (something I actually went to college and got a Master’s degree to do), and she’s a bit of a type-A personality. She’s organized, proficient, smart and determined – all traits that I identify with, though I’m not as organized as I used to be.

Pocket Star EBooks; 365 pages; $1.99; Buy Link

Now available from Pocket Star EBooks is the erotic-romantic-comedy Seeking Mr. Wrong by Natalie Charles, which is out just in time for Valentine's Day.

The novel centers on a kindergarten teacher named Lettie Osbourne, who is also the author of a series of children books featuring a character called Sweet Pea. Life hasn't been easy for her ever since her now ex-fiance called off their wedding during the summer; though the breakup wasn't at all her fault, as it turns out her ex is actually gay.

Starting a new school year should be exciting for Lettie, but thanks to a scandal from the former vice principal, the school's funds are on a tight leash by the school board; putting pressure on all the teachers.

Then out of nowhere, she receives notice from her editor that the publishing house has been purchased by another publishing company, which basically means they are dropping the Sweet Pea books. The twist is Lettie is still under contract for one more novel and she must write a novella under the publisher's only genre - erotica.

Yep, erotica! With virtually no love life, there's no possible way Lettie can write a erotic novel. Well, that is until the new vice principal, Eric Clayman, enters her life and helps Lettie to unleash her naughty side.

Now available from Books We Love Ltd. is the young adult fantasy Secret: In Wolf Lake, book one in the Secret Series, by author D K Davis.

The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule for a Q&A about her newest novel.



When did you become interested in storytelling?

I was probably in the 5th grade, but got serious about learning the craft in 2004.

What was your first book/story published?

Secret: In Wolf Lake is my first book published under this pseudonym.

What inspired you to write Secret: In Wolf Lake?

My grandchildren. I wanted to write stories for them and share the adventure.

What character in Secret: In Wolf Lake is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Samantha (a.k.a. Sam) is most like me in that she is a tom-boy and enjoys fishing because that’s what she did with her father. My father taught me the love of fishing, and me being the oldest of four daughters, got to fish with him the most. Like Sam, I also didn’t like attention from others, pretty much keeping to myself after a certain age – definitely not into trends or fashion statements – no girly-girl stuff.

What is your favorite part in Secret: In Wolf Lake?

Random House Audio; 1.5 hours; $20.00; Amazon

Wow! I had no idea that the Junie B. Jones series by the late author Barbara Park will celebrate it's 25th anniversary this year. I was a bit too old to read the book series during the 90s; though I have become a June B. Jones fan as an adult. Over the years, I have bought a few of the titles at thrift stores. The books are a delight to read.

Now available to own from Penguin Random House Publishing is the two-disc audio book Junie B. Jones: First Ever Musical Edition!, featuring the audio book First Grader (at last!) and songs from the Junie B. Jones, The Musical.

The audio version of the book "Junie B Jones, First Grader (at Last)" is on the 1st CD. The story centers on Junie B. Jone's first days of first grade, where she finds out things have changed a lot since kindergarten. To make matters worse for her, she has a difficult time reading the blackboards, which means only thing - June B. Jones needs glasses.

The 2nd disc features all the songs from the Junie B. Jones, The Musical with lyrics by Marcy Heisler. The musical is adapted from the books Junie B. Jones, First Grader; Junie B. Jones, Boss of Lunch; Junie B. Jones; One-Man Band; and Top Secret, Personal Beeswax: A Journal by Junie B. (and Me!) by Barbara Park.

Tracks/Songs on the disc are: