The Last Bookstore on Earth

by

Lily Braun-Arnold

YA dystopian tale with a twist!

The Last Bookstore on Earth is a new YA dystopian/speculative fiction novel from Lily Braun-Arnold, and it offers a fresh twist on the plethora of end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it tales. While Liz, the main character, has suffered the loss of her family, friends, and the life she knew (like everyone else in the story), she retreats to the only place of safety she knows left standing (the local bookstore where she had an afterschool part-time job). She creates a little beacon of “normal” for others as she continues to open the store daily, offering book recommendations and a place to leave messages. However, as a repeat of The Storm looms on the horizon, the bookstore faces a much more imminent threat. A small group of organized survivors are out for revenge against her new partner, and they’ve tracked their prey to the bookstore’s doorstep. 

Liz Flannery is the unusual protagonist of the story. She and her twin, Thea, were only a few weeks away from heading off for their first year of college when The Storm arrived, changing everything. Liz was the only one in her small family to live through it and suffered the burden of survivor’s guilt and more. When circumstances allowed, she fled to the familiar safety of her workplace and the comfort and companionship of another coworker who apparently had the same idea. 

Liz, escaping her grief and guilt, is content with the setup and begins to feel a responsibility to maintain the facsimile of normal operations for the occasional survivor who happens upon the open store. Eva, though, chafes to escape the claustrophobia of the routine and her feelings of responsibility for Liz, and she abruptly abandons her. Locals and transients alike express their gratitude and appreciation for the continued existence of the story and their ability to leave messages there for friends and loved ones and trade supplies for what they need, which keeps Liz from ever having to forage through the rubble and death of her New Jersey hometown. Their generous offerings, though, isolate her further and keep her from understanding just how much the world outside the bookstore has changed for the desperate. 

The plot just gets established when rumors that another storm is headed their way. Customers leave messages for those coming behind them and urge Liz to evacuate; the store was greatly damaged in the first storm and is unlikely to withstand another. But Liz sees a solution to leaving her safe place in the appearance of Maeve, a drifter about her age, who breaks in one night looking for shelter and salvage and claiming to be able to make the necessary repairs to the building. Maeve, having started her journey in New York City, knows how much life has devolved and has had her run-ins with some of the more organized survivors. She’s tougher and more aggressive than the passive, polite Liz, but they eventually form an attachment and help each other work through the past year of trauma and scramble to prepare for the coming storm. 

The author can certainly tell a mesmerizing tale! I read this in one enjoyable evening with no regrets after staying up way past what was prudent in order to reach the finish. The story’s pacing kept me engaged, and I needed to see what happened next. The vivid descriptions of the settings created strong visuals, placing me in the scenes firsthand. Characters are well-developed, and I felt sympathy for even those I didn’t particularly care for or agreed with their actions. I was delighted by the premise, a bookstore all to oneself, but in a Twilight Zone-style twist, staying open for business as usual as the society around it collapses, creating a little island of “normal” and a haven of familiarity, comfort, and even, safety for those left behind. Liz’s collecting the stories of the survivors willing to share them with her was an absolute bonus. 

I recommend THE LAST BOOKSTORE ON EARTH to readers of young adult post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, especially those who enjoy a positive LGBT, however low-key, representation. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

J.L. Long 6th grade Spring Soccer registration time is here!  League play is through the YMCA.  The team is co-ed and open to anyone attending JL Long or any nearby school.  Players can be of any skill level including beginners.  Registration is now through February 9^th, late registration fees will apply after this date.  The Spring teams first practice will be on February 11th and scheduled games will begin Saturday March 1st. This Past Fall, our team finished in 5^th place out of 13 teams!  Come join in the excitement of Soccer season!

 The team will consist of 14+ players and will be co-ed.  All skill levels welcome.  Everyone will have a chance to play! The team practices are at Winter Willis (Randall)  Park across from Woodrow Wilson High School from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Games are mostly played on Saturdays.  Under UIL Rules, sixth grade students cannot participate in school team sports, so this is a fantastic opportunity for children to stay active. 

This Spring, we are inviting 5th graders from our feeder pattern schools to play as well.  If we get enough players, we may have 2 teams this Spring!  

Cost is $100 for Y members and $120 for non-Y members through the White Rock YMCA or you can also register with the Richardson YMCA where cost is $85 for Y members and $110 for non- members through February 9th.  The White Rock YMCA is offering uniforms with their registration, the Richardson YMCA is not.  Scholarships are available.

  To register, you can go in person to the White Rock YMCA at 7301 Gaston Ave Dallas, TX 75214  and register under JL Long Buccaneers (Coach Aves)  OR you may register online athttps://dallas.recliquecore.com/programs/82300006/soccer/#division_80101062 . For more information contact Victor Aves at 214-616-0194 or vaves@pegasusrealtyinc.com OR the White Rock YMCA at 214-328-3849 or Richardson YMCA 972-231-3424

River of Lies

Detective Emily Hunter Mystery, #2

by

James L’Etoile

Intriguing murder mystery full of surprising twists and turns!

River of Lies is the second book in James L’Etoile’s Detective Emily Hunter Mystery series, and it is a compelling story of abuse of power, fraud, and murder. Sacramento, California, like many large communities, is struggling with how best to help a growing homeless population with a limited budget and residents who are swiftly running out of patience and compassion. However, as one by one, large riverside encampments go up in flames, it appears someone may have decided to solve the problem in their own way. When the body of an unidentified murder victim is found among the ruins of one of the camps, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Detective Javier Medina, are assigned to the case. 

In this second outing for the detective team, the pair quickly realizes there’s more to the arson and murder than meets the eye. The body proves to be that of the disgraced and ousted former mayor John Stone, the mover and shaker behind ridding the city of its homeless problem and revitalizing their impromptu campsites into a high-profile and high-dollar linear riverside development of retail, residential, and exclusive commercial occupancies. There is considerable money at stake and considerable pressure from the new mayor’s office to wrap up their investigation. There is also some uncharacteristically prompt and suspicious cleanup of the homeless camp crime scenes by perpetually overburdened city departments, tasks that would normally take weeks to implement but effectively make them available for the lucrative redevelopment project. 

Emily is one sharp cookie and is deep into the investigation while worrying about her mother, who is quickly succumbing to Alzheimer’s. Consequently, she’s struggling with the accompanying guilt over having to relocate her mother to a memory care facility from her current failed assisted living situation. She’s found strong support in the form of love interest Officer Brian Conner as well as her work partner’s mother, Lucinda Medina, a former caregiver herself. The relationship between Emily and Javier is still a thing of beauty. They make an effective working team, are got-your-back friends, and their banter is a delight. 

The plot moves quickly with the detectives hot on the trail of those involved in torching the homeless camps and figuring out who murdered the former mayor. However, the closer they get to the answers they need, suspects go missing. A witness to one of the camp attacks and possibly Stone’s murder remains hospitalized and unconscious while her eight-year-old daughter, with secrets of her own, waits in a children’s group home, yearning to be reunited with her mom. There are plenty of clues and suspects, and the twists in the plot are absolutely unexpected. I was mesmerized by this increasingly complex tale all the way to its surprising resolution. 

I recommend RIVER OF LIES to readers of mysteries and thrillers, especially those who enjoy excellent police procedurals. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

An evening of fine dining awaits your Valentine at Table 13, with an inspiring menu that continues to impress patrons seeking a dining experience with exceptional service and attention to detail. Addison’s Table 13 is truly a destination worthy of the most important milestones and celebrations.

Our Valentine’s prix fixe dinner menu offered Friday, February 14 features Table 13’s magnificent favorites for $125 per person.

Your dinner begins with appetizer options of Shrimp Cocktail, Bacon Wrapped Dates, or Jumbo Lump Crab-tini followed by your choice of Lobster Bisque, Caesar Salad, or Caprese Salad.

Taking center stage, Table 13 presents your choice of four beautifully prepared entrees. Seabass – Crab Oscar Style, with white wine lemon sauce, perfected plated with mushroom risotto, lump crabmeat, and asparagus. Surf & Turf includes a center cut tenderloin and lobster tail served with seasonal vegetables and roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Lobster Frites features twin lobster tails and house-made fries. Finally, our rich 16 oz Ribeye – Lobster Oscar Style includes lobster meat with asparagus and hollandaise, seasonal vegetables, and potatoes au gratin.

Known for exceptional cocktails, Valentine’s offers a special Pink Polka Dot Bikini featuring Hendricks Gin and St. Germain for $16. Or allow our staff to suggest a wine pairing that complements your selections.

Because Valentine’s Day is the sweetest of celebrations, a dessert of Berries & Cream, Table 13 Famous Chocolate Cake, or Red Velvet Cheesecake will bring dinner to a delicious conclusion.

To further enhance your dining experience, the music of the Marc Toussaint Combo accentuates the ambiance. The smooth jazz sounds in the background from 6:00p.m. to 10:00 p.m. make for an evening of sophistication and style.

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday evening, we recommend making reservations as soon as possible. Please call 972-789-9558 to confirm your seating for this very special evening. For those choosing to celebrate another day, the Valentine’s menu offerings are available Thursday, February 13 and Saturday, February 15, in addition to our regular menu.

See complete menu details at https://table13addison.com/valentines-day-at-table-13/

Addison’s Table 13, named Best Fine Dining amongst numerous other awards, promises an exceptional experience. Located at 4812 Belt Line Road in Addison, Table 13 is perfectly situated for diners across the Dallas area. See more about Table 13 at https://table13addison.com/

Ryder Cup Grille, the polished American restaurant with postcard-worthy views at PGA Frisco, will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic prix fixe menu. The Duo entrée features grilled ribeye, seafood-stuffed lobster tail and truffle cream gnocchi served with blackberry, grilled radicchio, and a passionfruit bearnaise. Finish your feast with a chocolate raspberry bar with candied almond, cheesecake, and a brownie base.

The specialty menu is available on Friday, Feb. 14 – Sunday, Feb. 16 for $68 per person plus tax and gratuity. The standard menu will also be available.

A pair of hand-selected wines will be offered with special pricing, including Elouan Pinot Noir for $56 per bottle and Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon for $48 per bottle.

Walk-ins are always welcome, but reservations are strongly encouraged. Reservations can be made online at OpenTable or by calling the restaurant directly at (469) 888-5850. Complimentary self-parking is available in the PGA District or guests may valet at the Fields Ranch clubhouse.

Ryder Cup Grille is one of 13 restaurants and bars at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa. For additional information on the restaurant and its menus, visit pgafrisco.com/dine.

About PGA Frisco

PGA Frisco is a public/private partnership between the PGA of America, Omni Hotels & Resorts, the City of Frisco, and the Frisco Independent School District. The 660-acre campus is a unique destination that includes: two world-class 18-hole championship golf courses, collectively known as Fields Ranch, and a state-of-the-art clubhouse; the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, featuring 500 guest rooms and suites and 10 exclusive four-bedroom Ranch Houses, four pools, destination spa and 127,000 square feet of meeting and event space; the Monument Realty PGA District which features The Swing, a lighted 10-hole short course, The Dance Floor, a lighted 2-acre putting course and an expansive retail, dining and entertainment district, including an outdoor area for concerts and events, the high-tech, data-driven PGA Coaching Center; the Home of the PGA of America and the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Golf House. Follow PGA Frisco on Facebook and Instagram.

About Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa

Opening May 2, 2023, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa offers a reimagined destination resort experience for the ultimate getaway. With a wide selection of unique experiences and remarkable year-round programming and activities, the resort provides a diverse and fun-filled destination for guests of all ages. The oasis of the 660-acre PGA Frisco campus, this luxury resort will be both one of the world's leading meeting and conference destinations as well as a bucket list leisure destination featuring two championship golf courses at Fields Ranch designed by Gil Hanse and Beau Welling. With comprehensive resort amenities featuring a signature spa, 13 restaurants and bars, and retail shops - there's something designed for all. Featuring subtle nods to Texas culture, each of the resort's 500 guest rooms and suites and 10 exclusive four-bedroom modern-Texas ranch houses, offer sweeping views of lush surrounds. The resort features more than 127,000 sq. ft of indoor and outdoor space for meetings and events, including 2 ballrooms; 19 meeting rooms; 9 outdoor event venues; and Panther Creek Pavilion, the ideal venue for weddings. Visit omnipgafriscoresort.com or call 469-305-4500 for more information and room reservations. Follow Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa on Facebook and Instagram.

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.