Steven Ramirez's Blog: Glass Highway, page 2

Admittedly, I know little about Chinese history and folklore. But fairy tales are universal, and The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo is infinitely magical. The story is set in the late 1800s in a British colonial town in Malaysia. Like many young women of the time, Li Lan’s only option is to get married. And usually, though the groom may not be the girl’s heartthrob, at least he’s human, right? But a ghost?

It would never occur to a Westerner to hitch themselves to a spirit, even if it meant financial security for life. Well, okay, maybe if you’re paying off a student loan… But Li Lan’s family is strapped, and the wealthy Lim family is in a position to get them out of their troubles—if only she agrees to pierce the veil in a creepy wedding ceremony.

The Ghost Bride is a heroic tale. And like other heroes’ journeys, the protagonist must change. Li Lan starts out as a relatively unassuming girl, especially when dealing with the Lim family. But there’s a feistiness in her that only manifests after she crosses into the ghost world. Her arduous journey through faux cities and houses is thrilling. And her rejection of the scheming groom, Lim Tian Ching, is vicariously satisfying—like watching a paper funeral offering burn.

Li Lan, the daughter of a genteel but bankrupt family, has few prospects. But fate intervenes when she receives an unusual proposal from the wealthy and powerful Lim family. They want her to become a ghost bride for the family’s only son, who recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, a traditional ghost marriage is used to placate a restless spirit. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at a terrible price.

After an ominous visit to the opulent Lim mansion, Li Lan finds herself haunted not only by her ghostly would-be suitor, but also by her desire for the Lim’s handsome new heir, Tian Bai. Night after night, she is drawn into the shadowy parallel world of the Chinese afterlife, with its ghost cities, paper funeral offerings, vengeful spirits and monstrous bureaucracy–including the mysterious Er Lang, a charming but unpredictable guardian spirit. Li Lan must uncover the Lim family’s darkest secrets–and the truth about her own family–before she is trapped in this ghostly world forever.

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Greetings. I hope winter wasn’t too hard on you. Usually, Southern California is a breeze compared to the rest of the country. But this time, the environment did a number on us. Lots of rain, occasional hail, and snow on the Hollywood sign—whew! Let’s hope spring is nice and calm.

For the past few months, I’ve been exploring the wonders of generative AI. I created the photo of the playful cats using DALL-E. If you’re interested, here’s the prompt:

a cat wanders into another dimension and discovers its twin;realistic;color photo

I thought it would be nice to have a story to go with the image, so I used ChatGPT and Bard to tell me one. I fed both apps this prompt:

tell me a story in 50 words about a cat who wanders into another dimension and discovers its twin

Here’s the result from ChatGPT:

A curious cat wandered into a mysterious portal and found itself in an alternate dimension. As it explored, it stumbled upon its identical twin. Amazed and bewildered, the cat learned that there were infinite possibilities in the multiverse, and happily embraced its newfound companion.

And here’s what Bard came up with:

A cat wandered into the woods and found a strange portal. It stepped through and found itself in a strange new world. There, it met its twin, who was everything it was not. The two cats became friends and explored the new world together.

So, what did we learn? The Matrix is real. Seriously, though, this is exciting stuff. Let’s hope the mad geniuses creating these systems apply some ethics.

What if you thought you were losing your mind? What if all those nightmares were real? Could you survive a demon bent on torment and death, a nightmare feeding on your fear? Shadows by Joan De La Haye.

Okay, I know a lot of you out there love podcasts, especially when they reveal something strange and tantalizing. I guess that’s the purpose of podcasts, really. So, if you’re a fan, check out Vengeance, now showing on Amazon Prime Video. It’s a wild story, and Ashton Kutcher is scary-good.

Logline. A writer from New York City attempts to solve the murder of a girl he hooked up with and travels down south to investigate the circumstances of her death and discover what happened to her.

The post April 2023 Highlights and AI Fun appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Years ago, I saw Wag the Dog, a wickedly funny movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro. Hilary Henkin and David Mamet wrote the screenplay, based on a novel by Larry Beinhart. I’d never read this author’s work until now. And boy, am I glad I did.

It’s not every day you read a crime thriller with a seventy-year-old protagonist. Often, people that age are portrayed as quirky, talkative, and harmless. But not Tony Casella. This guy is still dangerous. And he doesn’t say all that much. Though he’d like nothing better than to save his house and enjoy the Catskills vibe, the universe isn’t having it. There’s work to do, and Tony is the man.

I enjoyed the writing style immensely. It’s terse, mordant, and sometimes downright hilarious. We’re talking about contract killing here, but this story was fun. Oh, and just when you’ve had enough of the east coast, we’re off to Austria for a ski trip. I don’t ski, but reading the author’s descriptions, I could almost feel the powder on my skin.

If you’re looking for a different kind of novel with plenty of bad guys, I recommend picking up The Deal Goes Down. Then, rent Wag the Dog.

A legendary, Edgar-Award winning writer returns, and so does his legendary detective, with a gripping thriller about marital discord, contract killing, off-piste skiing and the deep state…

Ex-private eye Tony Casella lives in the Catskill mountains, a lonely old tough guy whose body can no longer do what it once did. His wife and son are dead; his daughter barely talks to him; his bank is in the process of foreclosing on his home.

But a chance encounter with a rich young woman on a train changes everything. He is hired to take care of her superrich, sexual predator husband. That job leads to others and he joins a small start-up whose mission is to save women from abusive marriages. Provided their spouses are in the top 0.01%. It’s a luxury service destined to make great profits.

Tony’s problems seem to be over, but are they? An old, angry associate is determined to get his cut of Tony’s earnings, murky government agents start to tail him, and when he is sent to the Austrian alps to kill a Russian oligarch and rescue his American wife, all hell breaks loose…

Packed with action The Deal Goes Down is an unforgettable portrait of a Lion in Winter who still has a few tricks up his sleeve, from a writer garlanded with awards and critical acclaim and whose novel American Hero was made into the classic film, Wag the Dog.

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The opioid crisis in America used to dominate the news. Everywhere, it seemed, families were destroyed when someone, usually through no fault of their own, became addicted to painkillers. And I have to believe that the children suffered the most.

In Never Less, author Geoffrey Wells uses this crisis as a backdrop for a thrilling story of two friends, Mindy and Pablo, who stumble on an illegal drug operation and decide to do something about it. Both have fathers who are in trouble. Mindy’s dad is a doctor addicted to painkillers. And Pablo’s father is an illegal alien. Then there are the criminals—a nasty bunch.

What I liked best about this story is how much these kids value their friendship. Though they are from different backgrounds, they are, in every sense of the word, simpatico. In an ideal world, young people shouldn’t have to deal with adult problems. But we know better. Sometimes, they have no choice. And in Never Less, they do not shy away from their responsibility.

The day two twelve-year-olds stumble across a secret tunnel being used to smuggle opioids is the day they start to save their dads. Pablo is a Dreamer kid whose father is always one step away from deportation. Though their octogenarian mentor warns them about the infamous Prohibition tunnel that leads to the mill, they go back with Pablo’s dad, but cannot leave after witnessing a drug gang murder. Pablo bravely escapes and decides to go missing to figure out how the drugs are being smuggled. But self-assured Mindy surprises Pablo by insisting he help her distract her dad, a doctor, from taking any pills.

He realizes she too has a father to save.

Their friendship grows as the pair sleuth with cryptic clues in their gaming code that outwit the grown-ups. The pair uncover a callous scheme to lace pills with a fatal dose of fentanyl and must act to save their school friends—and that will happen because Pablo and Mindy are on the job!

Never Less is a thriller for middle grade readers that will help them come to grips with the opioid crisis in a fun, adventurous, and relatable way that will give them agency over even the toughest grown-up problems.

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Greetings. Join me Saturday, October 15, at Barnes & Noble in Glendora from 1–4 PM. I’ll be signing copies of my supernatural thriller trilogy, Sarah Greene Mysteries. Check out what readers are saying about Book 1, The Girl in the Mirror.

“A totally believable story about ghosts and their visitations.”

“I love a good paranormal story and this one kept me guessing all the way to the end.”

“I loved this book. It kept me at the edge of my seat until the end.”

“What a powerful, touching, and well-written story!”

“I read it fast. I couldn’t put it down.”

If you like ghosts and the women detectives who hunt them, this series is for you. I hope to see you there.

The post October Book Signing at Barnes & Noble appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Sarah, a reluctant psychic, discovers a ghost in a mirror and opens a door to the demonic.

Sarah Greene is a successful realtor who sees ghosts–and sometimes wishes she didn’t. While renovating an old house with her ex-husband, she finds a mirror haunted by a teenager’s tortured spirit.

As she sets out to discover the victim’s identity, Sarah stumbles onto something chilling.

The people who built the house had a demon-worshipping son, Peter. And Sarah comes to believe he murdered the girl. But there’s more. An insidious evil is infesting the town of Dos Santos. Could this dark force be tied to Peter Moody?

For Sarah, digging into someone’s murderous past is bad enough. Awakening a demonic spirit could be deadly.

The post Supernatural September Sale—September 15-19 appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings. This has been a tough year, writing-wise. As I mentioned in previous posts, I’m in the middle of updating my horror-thriller trilogy to coincide with next year’s 10th anniversary. It turned out to be more work than I thought, and I am just now finishing up Book 1. That’s not to say I’m not having fun. Which brings me to my point.

I need a break—not from writing but from book marketing. In addition to writing books, I handle all my own social media, advertising, and book signings. I used to kick myself, always believing I could be doing more. Recently, I joined TikTok, thinking I would post funny videos about writing. Well, that lasted a couple of months. I’m aware that other authors are getting a lot of value from the platform. For me, it was a massive time-sink. So, I gave it up.

And then it came to me. If university professors can take a sabbatical to tackle that book they’ve always wanted to write, why can’t I? Spending time focusing on writing is just what the doctor ordered, I feel. Though I still plan to post content, it might not be as frequent. I ask you to bear with me.

Okay, confession time. Last December, I turned seventy. It wasn’t the big deal I thought it would be, mostly because I was already heads-down planning my year. I’ve been writing steadily since high school and, other than my family, nothing is more important. If you’ve had the opportunity to read any of my books, you know that I throw everything I have into them. All I want is to create a powerful story for others to enjoy. Sounds corny, I know, but it’s true. I don’t have an agenda.

Well, as the English like to say, that’s me done. I’m going to play with my cat now, then get back to my trilogy. Peace and love.

Can’t wait for Halloween? Check out these free horror selections. Horror Giveaway

And this is for those who enjoy science fiction and fantasy. SciFi and Fantasy MegaGiveAway

Clive and Adrien Done are eager to start their lives together when they purchase an old, dilapidated home for a steal. But as day turns to night, the couple faces unspeakable fear and a formidable sadistic ghost. The Galston House by Marc Layton.

You know me—I love Korean movies and television. Hellbound is a new show on Netflix. If you enjoy crime thrillers with elements of fantasy, this one’s for you.

Logline. People hear predictions on when they will die. When that time comes, a death angel appears in front of them and kills them.

The post September 2022 Highlights and Sabbatical appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings. Is it hot where you are? Recently, I spoke to a friend living in Las Vegas. He told me things weren’t so bad as long as the temperature didn’t rise above 107°F. And he actually said this—“Yeah, but it’s a dry heat.” Whatever. Me, I’m useless when the temperature hits 90, so. Wherever you live, I hope the climate is bearable and that you’re enjoying what’s left of summer.

My friend J.P. Choquette has just released the fifth book in her “Monsters in the Green Mountains” series. It’s called Stillwater Lake, and looks to be another winner. I’ve read J.P.’s work, and it’s a lot of fun. You can find my review of The Pact here.

Book Description

Legends aren’t always built on myths. Sometimes they’re created to hide dark secrets.

Stillwater is a sleepy, quiet place perfect for overcoming a case of writer’s block. At least, that’s what Jessica Brown hopes. The bestselling novelist’s life has recently been turned upside down. If she’s honest, she got out of New York City to heal her heart as much as to find her writing muse.

Tony Bradford is also looking for respite in the remote mountains of Vermont, though he came to Stillwater seeking adventure. Attending the town’s annual Gargun Festival, a summer celebration of the legendary creature who lives in Stillwater Lake has been on his bucket list for years.

But while many people have a lighthearted view of the folklore in the area, some know the creature—and town’s—true history. When people in the area start dying, Jessica and Tony, together with a documentary filmmaker and a group of teens, try to protect the rest of the town.

Where to Buy

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Archaeologist Dr. Eve Blakeley wants to find an eight-hundred-year-old weapon shrouded in mystery and lore. But someone will do anything to keep the secrets of Genghis Khan buried forever. The Lost Spear by N.J. Croft.

After the wake of a terrible crime in her childhood, Harper Storm is determined to put whoever did it behind bars. However, what she doesn’t know is that the mystery is only beginning… And nothing is as it seems. Hidden Memories by B.P Stevens.

John Kite goes to meet a criminal to swap a hefty cash reward for a stolen picture, but finds the man shot dead and the picture stolen again. Then he discovers a Middle Eastern conspiracy and realizes getting the picture back is a matter of life and death. The Art of Danger by Stuart Doughty.

Recently, Netflix dropped a new action thriller called The Gray Man. Wow, this thing is fun and stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans (sporting a goofy moustache), and Ana de Armas.

Logline. When the CIA’s most skilled operative—whose true identity is known to none—accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins.

Okay, that’s a wrap—stay cool. Peace and love.

The post August 2022 Highlights and Stillwater Lake appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Greetings. For those of you in the US, I hope you had a chance to enjoy time with family and friends. Maybe see some fireworks. When I was little, my dad used to make the annual run to the nearest Red Devil stand so that later his boys could enjoy shooting off Roman candles and twirling sparklers. These days, fireworks are illegal in many towns in California because of the fire danger. Yep, droughts are a bitch.

Well, I did it—I entered not one but three screenplay competitions. Last August, I mentioned I was taking a break from writing novels to return to screenwriting. As I’ve mentioned before somewhere, screenwriting is the hardest writing you’ll ever do. It’s rigid and unforgiving. In fiction, the standard advice is to kill your darlings. When writing a screenplay, you pretty much need to take out the whole family.

I went through lots of drafts and finally ended up with 100 pages of what I hope is pure thriller fun. We’ll see. I should have some news toward the end of the year, so stay tuned. Oh, and wish me luck.

I just finished reading a sci-fi thriller that’s pretty wild. Imagine you start suffering from occasional blackouts, only you haven’t been drinking. Then, you discover other women are experiencing similar symptoms. That’s the premise behind Blackout by Erin Flanagan. You can read my review here. Also, check out my other book reviews.

Book Description

In this unforgettable psychological thriller, the dark is a terrifying mystery for a woman on the edge.

Seven hard-won months into her sobriety, sociology professor Maris Heilman has her first blackout. She chalks it up to exhaustion, though she fears that her husband and daughter will suspect she’s drinking again. Whatever their cause, the glitches start becoming more frequent. Sometimes minutes, sometimes longer, but always leaving Maris with the same disorienting question: Where have I been?

Then another blackout lands Maris in the ER, where she makes an alarming discovery. A network of women is battling the same inexplicable malady. Is it a bizarre coincidence or something more sinister? What do all the women have in common besides missing time? Or is it who they have in common?

In a desperate search for answers, Maris has no idea what’s coming next—just the escalating paranoia that her memories may be beyond her control, and that everything she knows could disappear in the blink of an eye.

Where to Buy

Amazon
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Books-A-Million

Dawn is a student at the mysterious Simya Academy. Something about her starts changing, and she realizes that not all is as it seems. Simya Academy by Tanya Lisle.

As a young child, Kora failed to rid herself of the physical and haunting presence of the bad man, Mr. Red Eyes. Then, he revealed himself to be Evil personified. Stained Torment by Colin Morom.

If you’re a Netflix subscriber and looking for some big laughs—who isn’t?—you should check out the new Kevin Hart-Woody Harrelson flick, ‘The Man from Toronto.’ It’s the classic mistaken identity trope taken to the max. I can hear my wife now after I screw up again. “You Teddy’d it.” Watch the movie, and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Logline. The world’s deadliest assassin and New York’s biggest screw-up are mistaken for each other at an Airbnb rental.

Okay, that’s a wrap. See you next month when I try to figure out how to celebrate National Lighthouse Day while living on the West Coast. Peace and love.

The post July 2022 Highlights and Screenwriting appeared first on Steven Ramirez.

Sci-Fi thrillers that center on mind control or memory loss have a long and wonderful history—especially in the movies. I’m thinking of films like ‘Brainstorm’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.’ Usually, they have something sinister in common—science gone wrong. And not necessarily because of evil intent. It’s just that sometimes, well…

In Blackout, author Erin Flanagan introduces an interesting idea that seems to fit right in with how women constantly get gaslighted. In this case, Maris is an alcoholic and not unused to periodic gaps in her memory. In fact, her drinking gets so bad that she begins gaslighting herself, saying the memory loss is to be expected and is nothing to worry about. But if that were all there is to it, we wouldn’t have a story.

Something else is going on. Maris hasn’t had a drink for eight months, and still, she suffers occasional episodes where time passes, and she has no idea where her mind went. But, because she has a sharp intellect and a burning curiosity, she investigates. And she learns that she may not be the only person this is happening to.

I enjoyed this novel immensely. The characters are vivid, and the writing is scintillating. Moreover, in my opinion, this book is a movie-worthy thriller. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone hasn’t already optioned it. If you enjoy heart-pounding thrillers, this is the book for you. Reading it is like riding in a car with no brakes on a mountain road. At night.

In this unforgettable psychological thriller, the dark is a terrifying mystery for a woman on the edge.

Seven hard-won months into her sobriety, sociology professor Maris Heilman has her first blackout. She chalks it up to exhaustion, though she fears that her husband and daughter will suspect she’s drinking again. Whatever their cause, the glitches start becoming more frequent. Sometimes minutes, sometimes longer, but always leaving Maris with the same disorienting question: Where have I been?

Then another blackout lands Maris in the ER, where she makes an alarming discovery. A network of women is battling the same inexplicable malady. Is it a bizarre coincidence or something more sinister? What do all the women have in common besides missing time? Or is it who they have in common?

In a desperate search for answers, Maris has no idea what’s coming next—just the escalating paranoia that her memories may be beyond her control, and that everything she knows could disappear in the blink of an eye.

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million

Did you enjoy this review? Check out my other reviews here. And don’t forget to follow me at BookBub.

The post Book Review—Blackout appeared first on Steven Ramirez.