The book is available to buy on hardback, paperback, and Kindle.

The paperback edition of Una McCormack's New York Times bestseller novel Star Trek: Picard: Second Self beamed down to retailers yesterday from Gallery Books. It's the fourth novel based on the Paramount+ streaming series Star Trek: Picard (the third and final season ended earlier this year). 

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

* Weekly Tidbits * 

What Am I Currently Reading? 

As you can tell by the image above, I'm reading the same books from last week. Here's what happened. Instead of finishing Firestorm and moving on to Chain Saw Confidential, I read Star Trek: The Lost Years by J.M. Dillard. And that is all the reading I accomplished. Hopefully, I'll feel like reading Firestorm today (Saturday). 

 

Recent Reviews

The Exorcist Legacy ★★★★★

Route 60: The Biblical Highway ★★★★✰

What's in the Mailbox?

The only bookish-related thing in the mail were the two $4 bookmarks I ordered from Out of Print. Right now, these bookmarks are my favorites, and you can probably guess why: they're Stephen King bookmarks—or precisely—IT and Pet Semetary.

What's New on the Shelf?

To my surprise, the local Walmart had one new book in stock—literally, they only stocked one new title: 23½ Lies by James Patterson. Unlike what the cover suggests, there are three stories in this collection, and only one is a Women's Murder Club story, 23½ Lies, co-written with Maxine Paetro. The other two titles are Fallen Ranger, co-written with Andrew Bourelle, and Watch Your Back, co-written with Loren D. Estleman).

I don't remember the exact day (my days are blending)—but at some point in time, I stopped by the thrift store and picked up three hardbacks: The Winner by David Baldacci, What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen, and Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper: Cased Closed by Patricia Cornwell. The only "repeat" for me here is The Winner—I'm replacing a worn-out paperback with a hardback. I've already donated the paperback, so I'm not stuck with an extra copy.

I'm trying my best not to grab any and every book that catches my eye, but I couldn't resist picking up Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham, No One's Home by D.M. Pulley and Dark Things I Adore by Katie Lattari. The synopsis for each book looked intriguing, so I picked them up with all intentions of reading them.

Lastly, at the thrift store, I got The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly and The Listener by Taylor Caldwell.

I picked up four paperback westerns in a $2.50 bundle at an antique store (more like a flea market). The titles are Slocum and the Gun-Runners by Jake Logan, Dead Man's Hand by Jake Logan, Lone Star and the Trail of Blood by Wesley Ellis, and Wilderness: Blood Feud by David Thompson.

New titles on my Kindle are Strange Danger by Maren Stoffels, Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson, and Land of Wolves by Craig Johnson.

Only on September 18 and 19, take your families to see ROUTE 60: THE BIBLICAL HIGHWAY in cinemas. Get your tickets to ROUTE 60 today at route60.movie. 

Giveaway Details

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

Words have a powerful effect on us. They can make us feel scared, encouraged, aroused, angry, greedy, or safe. They can also be used to manipulate people and cause harm. 

Positive words can build your life and self-esteem, encouraging personal growth and better self-confidence. Negative words can have long-lasting detrimental effects on your mood and self-image.

The Ending

Courtley talks about his life as a Navy SEAL in the book and provides some valuable survival tips. He covers many topics, including active shooters, animals, car crashes, earthquakes, bombs, fires, floods, hurricanes, hostage situations, wilderness survival, and more.

He also discusses the importance of being situationally aware and how people oblivious to their surroundings are the most likely to be killed in a disaster. For example, he explains that it is important to fall flat on the ground and keep your mouth open when an explosion happens because shock waves can burst the lungs and eardrums. Cade Courtley is a former Navy SEAL, and the host of America Unplugged on the Sportsman Channel. 

The Characters

The characters in a story are what make it come alive. How they interact with one another can tell you a lot about their personalities and the plot's direction. For example, a character with controlling tendencies might rub the other characters the wrong way. This could cause a conflict that makes the pivotal scene more interesting.

Each character should have a unique personality and backstory. They should also have different points of view. This allows readers to connect with them and understand their perspective on the situation.

This is especially important when characters have a history together. They may be family members, friends, or coworkers. These relationships can provide a sense of familiarity in a strange place. However, it's also important to remember that these relationships can break down if they have different goals and ideas about how to achieve those goals. In this case, the characters may start to argue or even fight over who should be in charge.

The Setting

The setting in any book creates a picture for the reader. Whether it's the beach, a cave, or an airplane, you're immersed in the world the author creates. This is one of the reasons why books that take place in a specific location can be so powerful.

The fact that you've experienced or at least heard of a few situations in a particular setting makes it much more real.

It also gives you the heebie-jeebies when you think about how easy it would be to fall into certain situations that can be deadly. If you are situationally aware, says the author, you can avoid many dangerous situations altogether. This is why it's important to always stay on your guard and always be on the lookout for potential dangers. Those oblivious to their immediate surroundings often top the casualty list when disaster strikes.

The Author's Style

The book brims with intelligent insights and pieces of practical advice. For example, it tells readers what to do if there's an explosion in the vicinity. The answer: Fall flat to the ground, keep your legs crossed, and open your mouth. Closed mouths can cause the shock waves from the explosion to burst your lungs and eardrums. That's one of the many valuable insights gleaned from Courtley's experience as a Navy SEAL and his post-military work as a Spike TV and Discovery Channel survival show host.

*The Exorcist Legacy is available to purchase on hardback and Kindle.*

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic horror movie The Exorcist. I was eager to read The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear by Nat Segaloff, a movie publicist, film critic, TV producer, college teacher, reporter, broadcaster, and, of course, author. In terms of The Exorcist, Sagaloff is no stranger; he served as one of the film's first publicists and wrote the highly regarded biography of the late William David Friedkin, who directed the film.

The book begins with a foreword, The Exorcist and Me, by John A. Russo (co-writer of Night of the Living Dead (1968) and co-wrote the story for Return of the Living Dead (1985)), and a preface titled The Secret Screening, where Sagaloff details the original critics screening on Christmas Day 1973, the day before The Exorcist hit theaters.

The first chapter is a condensed biography of The Exorcist author and screenplay writer William Peter Blatty and the film's director, William Friedkin— they crossed paths long before Blatty's novel. The second chapter covers the original case—the exorcism of Ronald Edwin Hunkeler—that inspired Blatty to write The Exorcist. Chapter three is about William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist novel, with a "sidebar" synopsis. The following four chapters cover the making and release of the 1973 film, along with more sidebars: a film synopsis, The Curse of the Exorcist, Karra's Death, The X-oricst, and Mrs. Warren's Profession. Chapter eight covers the film's other versions: the Special Edition (1998), The Version You've Never Seen (2000), and the Extended Director's Cut (2010); there's another sidebar, "The Versions are Legion."

Whether you want it or not—there are prequels and sequels to The Exorcist, and the book covers all of them. Chapters 9, 10, and 11 detail the many production problems with Exorcist II: The Hetric, Exorcist III (Legion), and Exorcist: The Beginning/Dominion. The sidebars in these chapters discuss the different versions of each film. Chapter 12 goes over the short-lived Exorcist television series with a synopsis sidebar. The thirteenth chapter gives us a brief look into the new sequel trilogy from director David Gorden Green.

Billy Goes to Hell is the title of Chapter 14, which details the William Friedkin-directed documentary The Devil and Father Amorth and features an on-camera exorcism performed by the late Father Gabriel Amorth. Chapter 15 and 16 discusses demon possessions and religion. The book ends with an Afterward by film critic Mark Kermode and an Appendix: Colloquy with William Peter Blatty —an interview Nat Sealoff had with Blatty while researching his 1990 biography of William Friedkin. Additionally, there are acknowledgments, a bibliography, photo captions & credits, endnotes, and an index at the back of the book.

I don't remember my exact age when I first saw The Exorcist, but I know it was the edited version that aired on TBS way back in the day (late 1980s?)—still, I was probably a bit too young. Nevertheless, that was my introduction to the film, and I loved it from the get-go and watched it whenever it aired. Later, I bought the 25th Anniversary "Special Edition" on VHS—I might still have it in storage somewhere. And, of course, I own it on DVD and Blu-ray. Like most fans, I don't particularly like The Heretic—though, after a recent rewatch, I didn't necessarily outright hate it. The prequels are a mess. I skipped over the television series, though I've heard good things. The Exorcist III, or Legion, is the only decent sequel. I have my fingers crossed for The Exorcist: Believer, but the godawful trailers aren't helping matters.

The Exorcist Legacy by Nat Sealoff is a fantastic representation of the entire franchise, not just The Exorcist. Even if the behind-the-scenes anecdotes aren't new, some readers may have never heard of them. The book was a page-turner for me, but I'm a little weird—I adore understanding every detail about my favorite movies—so I automatically absorbed every word.

As you may have predicted, I enjoyed reading The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear. It's an excellent companion piece to William Peter Blatty's novel and William Friedkin's iconic picture. ╌★★★★★

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

* Weekly Tidbits * 

 

• I think I've got a nasty cold or a new "variant" that's going around. It started with intermittent sneezing and sinus congestion for three days. Then, on Friday night, the headaches, exhaustion, and vomiting started; my temperature never rose above 99. I slept through Saturday morning and most of the afternoon, wrapped in an electric blanket. I did go out later to grab some nasal spray, cough drops, and Kleenex. As of this writing, my congestion problems appear to be improving. 

• Below is a photo of my Star Trek birthday cake. 

• The Kansas City Chiefs lost their season opener. I hope this isn't a sign for the rest of the season. 

What Am I Currently Reading? 

A cold and reading don't seem to mix for me. I finished The Exorcist Legacy, have written 3/4 of my review, and hope to post it sometime tomorrow, depending on how I feel. My current read is Firestorm by Taylor Moore; I think I'm on Chapter 14. Today, I'm planning on starting Chain Saw Confidential by Gunnar Hansen. More books on my reading queue are Ricochet by Taylor Moore and After That Night by Karin Slaughter.

 

Recent Reviews

The September House ★★★★★

What's in the Mailbox?

Tuesday was a big "book day" in the mail for me. I received review copies of Tom Clancy's Weapons Grade by Don Bentley and A Life with Ghosts by Steve Gonsalves with Michael Aloisi.

Next, I got my Hamiton Books order of Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero and Susanna Sparrow and Alien: Colony War by David Barnett.

Lastly, I got my used eBay book order: Star Trek: The Lost Years by J.M. Dillard, Star Trek: A Flag Full of Stars by Brad Ferguson, Star Trek: Recovery by J.M. Dillard, Star Trek: Crucible: McCoy: Provenance of Shadows by David R. George III, Star Trek: Crucible: Kirk: The Star to Every Wandering by David R. George III, and The X-Files: Antibodies by Kevin J. Anderson, and The X-Files: Fight the Future by Elizabeth Hand. 

Did I Get Any Birthday Gifts?

I've never been a "birthday" person. If my memory serves me correctly, my last birthday party was when I was either five or six years old. Nobody in my family celebrates birthdays; they don't even send cards, not even for holidays. The only birthday card I got was from my parents; they also gave me a Star Trek cake, Star Trek: Picard: The Final Season on Blu-ray, and Holly by Stephen King.

Belated, but a day earlier than expected, was a gift (more like gifts) from a friend from North Carolina: The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos by Kami Garcia, After Death by Dean Koontz, and the "I Have No Shelf Control" bookmark. She must be following my Amazon Wishlist because I added these not too long ago.

What's New on the Shelf?

The exact day forgets me, but sometime earlier in the week, I bought Lion & Lamb by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski.

Salvation Army was surprisingly open on Labor Day— and of course I couldn't stop myself from stopping by and picking up a few titles: Superman: Last Son of Krypton by Elliot S. Maggin, A Dark Matter by Peter Straub, The Family Plot by Megan Collins, and The Defense Lawyer by James Patterson and Benjamin Wallace. 

I know what everyone is thinking. Yes, I already have a copy of IT, but it's a paperback with a tie-in cover for the television miniseries, but I've never owned it on hardcover until now. It's a like-new 1986 first-edition hardback that I only paid 20 cents for. (There was a fill-a-bag for $1 on books.)

I donated a small box of books and ceramic bookends to the local Humane Society thrift store. I purchased a few books while I was there: Valhalla Rising by Clive Cussler, Fire Ice by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos, Shadows by John Saul, The Thief of Always by Clive Barker, The Rainbow Trail by Zane Grey, Betty Zane by Zane Grey, and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. The latter three are $4 "antique" books and are all first-editions. And they need some repair work, especially on the Rainbow Trail. Eventually, I will buy some bookbinding stuff (archival tape, glue, etc.), which isn't cheap.

The only new book on my Kindle is The Night Prophets by Paul F. Olson.

Most car insurance companies run a credit-based insurance score before quoting rates. Credit history is directly linked to the likelihood of filing car insurance claims. 

These scores consider past payment history, the amount owed, items in the collection, and recent credit inquiries. The impact of these scores on premiums can vary between states. 

Getting a Good Rate

According to studies, credit ratings may affect auto insurance prices as those with solid credit are statistically less likely to file claims. It is why paying bills on time is essential, keeping credit utilization low, and checking your credit report regularly for errors.

However, it isn't the only factor that influences car insurance rates. Drivers also need to consider their driving history, age, location, vehicle type, and extent of coverage. Transforming your credit score from an abysmal state to an excellent one can significantly reduce your auto insurance premiums by $1,537 annually.

It's also worth checking insurance quotes periodically to see if the annual rate has increased significantly since you last got a quote. Consumers have the right to receive a free copy of their credit report every year, thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. To ensure you only pay a little for car insurance, comparing prices every six months before renewing your policy is wise. To find affordable premiums, visit https://www.carinsurancecheap.net.

Getting a Good Deal

In most states, credit scores are essential in determining whether or not you qualify for coverage and what rate you will pay. While the effect of a poor score may make your rates jump, a good score could save you significant money.

Some insurance providers also review your driving history, income, and other information to determine your policy premium rate. These companies use a unique calculation known as the credit-based insurance score to help them assess your risk. Making on-time payments on your obligations, refraining from creating new credit accounts, and paying off any debts are all ways to improve your credit score if you currently have poor credit.

You can also reduce your car insurance costs by taking a safe driver discount, choosing a less expensive vehicle, and purchasing liability only rather than full coverage. You can also save money by selecting a pay-per-mile or usage-based insurance policy that tracks your driving habits. It's worth shopping around and asking about discounts you may need to know.

Getting a Good Discount

Car insurance discounts account for a large portion of consumer savings. These discounts can be based on good driving habits, low mileage, and more. Increasing your credit score can make you a more attractive customer to insurers.

Your credit-based insurance score considers various factors, including your credit history, tax liens, debt collections, bankruptcies, etc. The score aims to predict your accident risk by examining your past financial behavior and assessing your potential for future problems.

You can also qualify for discounts by installing certain safety features in your vehicle, such as airbags and anti-theft devices. Some insurers will even discount drivers who agree to monitor their driving by an app or device attached to their car based on factors such as acceleration, braking, and speeding.

Most insurance companies check credit as part of their underwriting process and at renewal. Be sure to ask your insurer to re-run your credit at the time of renewal since it's an excellent opportunity to shop around for the best rates.

Getting a Good Service

Many third parties examine your credit history, including mortgage lenders, banks, creditors, landlords, and car insurance companies. A high standard credit score can signal to these parties that you are responsible and will pay what you owe.

Insurers use a scoring system similar to a credit score to decide whether or not to accept you as a customer and what rate to charge. They consider factors like the length of your credit history, revolving balances and installment debt, new credit inquiries, and types of credit in use.

Some states, such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Michigan, prohibit insurers from using credit-based insurance scores to determine rates, but most allow them. If you want to save money, knowing how your credit influences your rates and how you can improve it is essential. Shop around for the best rates and take advantage of good credit discounts to save money on car insurance.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

* Weekly Tidbits * 

What Am I Currently Reading? 

I had requested to review The Excorist Legacy at the tail end of July, and after hearing nothing from the publisher, I just figured there were no more review copies. Then, late Friday afternoon, I received —take a guess—The Exorcist Legacy by Nat Segaloff. I had just finished The September House (look for the review on Tuesday), so I eagerly began reading The Exorcist Legacy, and as of this writing, I'm on Chapter 6 (page 91).

I'm going to try multi-task reading this week. Sometime today—fingers crossed—I'll begin Chain Saw Confidential by Gunnar Hansen, the making of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. 

The third book I'll be reading has been in my possession for nearly a year. It's Firestorm by Taylor Moore. A friend sent it to me for a birthday present last year and my next birthday is this Thursday. A publisher sent me the third book in the series—more on that later in this post—so I will read book two—Firestorm—before the third.

 

Recent Reviews

The Only One Left ★★★★★

My Heart Will Find You ★★★½✰

God. Family. Football ★★★★★

What's in the Mailbox?

There were a lot of review copies in the mail this past week—four, to be precise. The first to arrive was Star Trek: Prodigy: Escape Route by Cassandra Rose Clarke. I've already finished it; look for my review on Friday, September 8th—Star Trek Day. The second was Richochet by Taylor Moore, which is why I'll be reading Firestorm. The third was The Exorcist Legacy, which I discussed earlier in this post. And last is After That Night by Karin Slaughter.

What's New on the Shelf?

I went to the city Saturday morning and stopped by Half Price Books specifically to look for some hard-to-find authors and was unlucky—I didn't find any of them. So, I naturally went to the science fiction section to search for Star Trek books—more specifically, Star Trek: The Next Generation: Genesis Force by John Vornholt. It's the sequel to the Genesis Wave trilogy. At least I had some good luck—I found one paperback copy. I also got The Janus Gate trilogy by L.A. Graf and My Brother's Keeper trilogy by Michael Jan Friedman.

FYI—please ignore the price tags in the above photo. There was a Labor Day sale, so two  were $2.39 apiece, four were $2.79 each, and one was $2.80.

I couldn't stop myself from visiting the local thrift store and getting six David Baldacci books: Long Shadows, A Gambling Man, Walk the Wire, A Minute to Midnight, The Innocent, and The Simple Truth. All of these were new to me, except for A Gambling Man. I had picked up that one earlier this year at the same thrift store, but it was a large-print version, and I dislike reading large-print books. So, I'm basically replacing it with a better copy, and I'll donate the other one.

I picked up Ghost Ship by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown at the library for "free."

I never heard of author Jennifer Dugan before running across her new book, The Last Girls Standing at a Walmart. I fell in love with the cover and the '80s slasher throwback plot. I couldn't resist buying it.

I found Hangman by Jack Heath at a Dollar Tree. I recognize the title and cover instantly. I recall seeing a YouTuber unbox this book from a subscription book box.

Every month, Simon & Schuster has a 99-cent Star Trek eBook sale, and in honor of the upcoming Star Trek Day, they put 23 titles on sale. Well, at least there's 23 at the moment. The Star Trek eBook landing page won't get updated until tomorrow, so there could be more. And you never know; maybe more titles will go on sale on Star Trek Day.

Anyhoo, I added ten Star Trek tiles to my Kindle: Starfleet: Year One by Michael Jan Friedman, The Captain's Table: Where the Sea Meets the Sky by Jerry Oltion, Black Fire by Sonni Cooper, Deep Space Nine: The Soul Keeper by Olivia Woods, Voyager: String Theory: Cohesion by Jeffrey Lang, Voyager: String Theory: Fusion by Kirsten Beyer, Voyager: String Theory: Evolution by Heather Jarman, and The Next Generation: The Genesis Wave trilogy by John Vornholt.

Also, I snagged three Tony Hillerman books for $1.99 each: People of Darkness, The Dark Wind, and The Ghostway. 

#God.Family.FootballFV

Streaming now on Amazon Freevee is the coming-to-age docuseries God. Family. Football. from executive producer and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson. Stream for free on Fire TV and Roku through the Prime Video or Amazon Freevee apps.

In God. Family. Football., Denny Duron, a former high school football player and coach, takes charge of the team he previously coached in Louisiana. After 30 years in retirement, Duron returns to Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, a former high school football powerhouse that has fallen on hard times. The team—which has won 14 state titles in the previous 20 years; is coming off its worst season ever. 

The six-part series follows Evangel Christian Academy's 2022 high school football season, which has produced more football players for the NFL and NCAA Division 1 college football programs than any other high school in the state and is attempting to rebuild.

Giveaway Details

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

The Caffeinated Book Reviewer's Kimberly hosts a weekly meme called "The Sunday Post"!

* Weekly Tidbits * 

What Am I Currently Reading? 

I had another busy week with very little time for reading. As of this writing—Saturday afternoon—I'm currently on Chapter 5 in Star Trek: Picard: Second Self by Una McCormack. Next is The September House by Carissa Orlando, for which I received a digital copy from the publisher a few days ago.

 

Recent Reviews

The Hill ★★★★★

Tom Clancy's Flash Point ★★★★★

Cross Down ★★★★✰

What's New on the Shelf?

I had forgotten to mention in last week's post that I wanted to kill some time waiting for a hardware store to open up, so I browsed through a Dollar General store and bought two $3 paperbacks, Scorpion Strike by John Gilstrap and She Was the Quiet One by Michelle Campbell. Then, this past week, I picked up The Haunted by Bentley Little at a Walmart.

Now, on to the thrifting—I picked up quite a few ten-cent paperbacks: Assassin by Ted Bell, Traling by Max Brand, Deathwalk by Matt Braun, The Warlords by Matt Bruan, Stalemate by Iris Johansen, The Blessing Way by Tony Hllerman, The Matlock Paper by Robert Ludlum, and The Chancellor Manuscript by Robert Ludlum.

New on my Kindle is Frightmares by Eva V. Gibson.

When Will We Start to See Creatives Take Responsibility for Their Toxic Fans? 

The impact of creative works on society can often extend beyond the art itself. Toxic fandoms, or communities that engage in extreme behavior around the things they love, have grown in prominence in recent years. The ability afforded by social media platforms for individuals to operate either anonymously or with impunity, has given individuals with more questionable moral compasses a voice they would normally not have in a civilized society. 

Additionally, the lack of physical interactions has removed the “human” component from the dialogue, making people forget that they are interacting with or talking about a “real” person on the other side (in most instances). This causes individuals to say reprehensible and vile things to each other that would not dare speak in real life. This sense of “security” that these individuals experience is likely a result of some type of trauma they have experienced in their real life, that makes them feel like they are asserting some type of control in this virtual world they have created in their mind.