The Breaker - series. Books 1 - 3:

 

The Breaker

ISBN: 9781656281517

Description:

How do you know the one you love won’t hurt you?

Or even try to kill you?
In many cases … you don’t.

How do we choose our path and purpose in life?

What makes us who we are?
When Seth Egan starts working as a private detective, he knows he’ll make enemies.
It goes with the territory.
As Seth works on a murder case and hunts down the killers, he becomes the target.
Some people have no conscience, shame, empathy, or remorse.
To get their own way, to get what they want, to take everything, they will do anything.
Even murder.
In the end, they will drag you down to hell with them.
Sometimes, our enemies are those closest to us.

Amazon link:

https://t.co/eKFZ03giKR?amp=1

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Bad Blood

ISBN: 9798682203192

Description:

No one is paying Seth Egan for his latest case.

He keeps this one unofficial.

Pro bono publico.

Off the books.

For him, this one is personal.

A matter of bad blood.

A woman with a grudge of her own leads Seth to a place where people vanish without trace.

Money is the motive.

Greed is the motivator.

Scores that can only be settled in blood.

A dark underworld of illegal gambling, prostitution, drugs, violence and murder.

Amazon link:

 

https://t.co/e0XiS8crAr?amp=1

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Mall Maze

ISBN: 9798729917235

Description:

Friday the 13th.

Unlucky for many.

What should have been a routine adultery case ends with Seth Egan fighting for his life.

Cut off from the world.

With no way to call for help.

Trapped in a place where the walls are coming down around him.

Seth is running out of places to hide.

As chaos reigns and the city burns … the hunters close in.

Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09244XVYW/

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Themes:

Abuse by proxy, Adultery, C-PTSD, crime, detective, domestic abuse, enabler, flying monkey, gaslighting, hardboiled, heist, infidelity, murder, narcissism, narcissist, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, personality disorder, psychopath, sociopath, suspense, thriller, vigilante, violence.

Books available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of my books is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

What’s On?

What’s On?

A Guide to Movies and TV Shows

Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9798342696098

Paperback

ISBN-13: 9798341177307

Kindle

ASIN: B0DJTZ8T58

Back cover description:

What’s On? … is the timeless question we have all asked ourselves almost every day of our lives, as we reach for the remote control and settle in front of the TV screen.

Jack Kost, a life-long movie buff and coffee addict, offers his choice of favorite movie and television masterpieces.

Providing possible answers to the question of What’s On? with over 1,900 titles, from golden oldies and timeless classics, to more recent releases, all meticulously logged and summarized.

An invaluable and collectable go-to source for discovering new favorites and revisiting old ones.

Perfect for film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, this guide will spark conversations, bring back memories, and help you navigate the ever-evolving world of screen entertainment.

A wealth of recommendations and insights from a passionate movie buff to enrich your viewing experience, complete with personal reminiscences and nostalgic reflections, told with a world-wise critical eye, sardonic dry wit, a healthy dose of cynicism, biting observations, and a well-founded rant here and there.

Just don’t challenge or get him started on his personal favorites, like The Shining, Point Blank, Jaws, The Exorcist, The Duellists, Romeo Is Bleeding, or The Ninth Configuration. His opinions on these and other iconic titles are as intense and unyielding as the movies themselves.

All compiled by an author who not only watched the movies, but also read the books on which they were based, did his research, drank a lot of coffee in the process, and advocates for the importance and value of reading.

A glimpse into the over-caffeinated mind of a writer with a passion for great stories.

What’s On? is a celebration of the intersection between page and screen, and a reminder that great on-screen adaptations often start with a great book and a strong cup of coffee.

Kick back, grab your coffee, and enjoy the show!

As author Jack Kost says:

“Happy viewing … and do yourself a favor … read the books.”

Slipped Masks:

Slipped Masks

ISBN: 9781719330640

Description:

I can’t call you because if he hears me talking on the phone he’ll hit me again. He scares me. I know sooner or later he’s going to kill me. I’ll text you again when I can. I love you, Casey. I’ll spend the rest of our lives proving to you how much I love you. Please come. Please save me …

With only text messages to guide him, Casey Byrne is on the hunt, racing across five states to save his ex-girlfriend, Madison.

Casey loves Madison deeply and wants desperately to save her life and rekindle their relationship.

But the closer he gets to her, the more surreal his journey becomes as the dead bodies pile up in his wake.

Clinical Lycanthropy: the delusion that a human can physically transform into a wolf.

If you were insane, would you know it?

How would you see the world if you were convinced you could transform into a wolf?

The hunter … and the hunted.

Slipped Masks is a dark neo-noir thriller about how the need for love and companionship becomes twisted into obsession, possession, jealousy, violence and murder.

A horrifying portrait of Clinical Lycanthropy.

Amazon link:

https://t.co/2Gwb135V3m

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Themes:

Sociopathy, narcissistic abuse, personality disorder, Clinical Lycanthropy, crime, murder.

Book available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of this book is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

Work in progress:

My next books are Triangulation and Stinger.

Books 4 and 5 in The Breaker series.

Set in the year 2001, the story continues from Mall Maze.

Themes:

Crime, detective, hardboiled, heist, murder, narcissism, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, psychopath, sociopath, thriller, vigilante.

 

A percentage from book sales is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

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The Breaker is an on-going series.

I’m outlining other stand-alone thriller novels.

Several coffee table books on my photography and my wife’s artwork.

A humorous book, based on the antics of our crazy pet Ragdoll cat, entitled: It’s That F****** Cat Again!

Here’s a GIF I made of our cat, settling down for another of his daily naps:

On this day in the Star Trek universe:

Star Trek: Enterprise (2002)

Star Trek: Enterprise

Season 2. Episode 12.

Episode entitled: The Catwalk.

Released December 18, 2002.

Directed by Michael/Mike Vejar.

Written by Michael/Mike Sussman, Phyllis Strong, André Bormanis.

Created by Rick Berman, Brannon Braga.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Opening theme song: Faith of the Heart, performed by Russell Watson.

Closing theme: Archer's Theme, by Dennis McCarthy.

Music by Jay Chattaway.

Cast: Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, Connor Trinneer, Scott Burkholder, Zach Grenier, Danny Goldring, Aaron Lustig, Brian Cousins, Sean Smith, Elizabeth Magness, Alexandrea Ortiz, Craig Baxley Jr., Solomon Burke Jr., Mark Correy, Daphney Damaraux, Vince Deadrick Jr., Evan English, Nikki Flux, Hilde Garcia, Peter Godoy, Bryan Heiberg, Scott Sterling Hill, Aldric A. Horton, Baron Jay, Amina Julianna, John Jurgens, Kyla Kuhner, Aouri Makhlouf, Marnie Martin, Michael McAdam, Bobby Pappas, Aric Rogokos, Lidia Sabljic, Richard Sarstedt, Mark Watson.

On this day in movie history - Barry Lyndon (1975 movie & novel):

Barry Lyndon

directed and written by Stanley Kubrick,

based on the novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray,

was released in the United States on December 18, 1975.
Music by Leonard Rosenman and Ralph Ferraro.
Main theme Sarabande by George Frideric Handel.
Women of Ireland by Peadar Ó Doirnín and Seán Ó Riada, performed by The Chieftains.

Cast:

Michael Hordern, Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Krüger, Gay Hamilton, Godfrey Quigley, Steven Berkoff, Marie Kean, Murray Melvin, Frank Middlemass, Leon Vitali, Dominic Savage, Leonard Rossiter, André Morell, Anthony Sharp, Philip Stone, David Morley, Diana Koerner, Arthur O'Sullivan, Billy Boyle, Jonathan Cecil, Peter Cellier, Geoffrey Chater, Wolf Kahler, Liam Redmond, Roger Booth, Ferdy Mayne, John Sharp, Pat Roach, Hans Meyer.

Recommended reading:

The Luck of Barry Lyndon

By William Makepeace Thackeray.

Filmed as Barry Lyndon (1975), directed and written by Stanley Kubrick.

First published 1844.

Published by East India Publishing Company.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1778940242

ISBN-13: 978-1778940248

Description:

Step into the world of 18th-century Europe with "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" by acclaimed author William Makepeace Thackeray. This captivating novel offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the life of its eponymous protagonist, Barry Lyndon, as he navigates the precarious paths of ambition, love, and fortune.

Thackeray's exquisite storytelling paints a vivid portrait of a charismatic and cunning protagonist, whose relentless pursuit of wealth and status takes him from the Irish countryside to the glittering courts of Europe. Through Barry's adventures, readers are immersed in a world of decadence, intrigue, and social climbing, where each twist of fate presents new opportunities and perilous challenges.

"The Luck of Barry Lyndon" is not merely a tale of personal ambition, but also a scathing social commentary on the moral bankruptcy and vanity of the aristocracy. Thackeray's sharp wit and incisive observations cut through the veneer of high society, exposing the hypocrisy and pitfalls that lie beneath.

With its rich historical backdrop and compelling characters, this novel stands as a testament to Thackeray's masterful storytelling. "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers, inviting them to reflect on the elusive nature of fortune and the consequences of relentless ambition.

Prepare to be enthralled by Thackeray's intricate narrative, as he weaves a tale of passion, deceit, and unexpected turns of fate. This extraordinary novel promises an unforgettable journey into a world where luck can both make and break a man.

On this day in movie history - The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972):

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

directed by John Huston,

written by John Milius,

was released in the United States on December 18, 1972.
Music by Maurice Jarre.

Song: Marmalade, Molasses and Honey by Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman, sung by Andy Williams.

Cast:

Paul Newman, Victoria Principal, Anthony Perkins, Ned Beatty, Roddy McDowall, Jacqueline Bisset, Tab Hunter, John Huston, Ava Gardner, Dick Farnsworth, Stacy Keach, Michael Sarrazin, Anthony Zerbe, Mark Headley, Frank Soto, Jim Burk, Matt Clark, Bill McKinney, Steve Kanaly, Francesca Jarvis, Karen Carr, Lee Meza, Dolores Clark, Neil Summers, June Towner, Jack Colvin, Howard Morton, Billy Pearson, Stan Barrett, Dean Casper, Don Starr, Alfred G. Bosnos, John Hudkins, Ken Freehill, Duncan Inches, Rusty Lee, Roy Jenson, Gary Combs, Fred Brookfield, Bennie E. Dobbins, Leroy Johnson, Fred Krone, Terry Leonard, Dean Smith, Margo Epper, Jeannie Epper, Stephanie Epper, Barbara J. Longo, Bruno (as Watch Bear).

On this day in movie history - For a Few Dollars More (1965):

For a Few Dollars More

directed by Sergio Leone,

written by Luciano Vincenzoni, Sergio Leone and Sergio Donati,

based on a story by Sergio Leone and Fulvio Morsella,

was released in Italy on December 18, 1965.
Music by Ennio Morricone.

Cast:

Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volonté, Mario Brega, Mara Krupp, Luigi Pistilli, Aldo Sambrell, Klaus Kinski, Benito Stefanelli, Panos Papadopoulos, Robert Camardiel, Josef Egger, Antoñito Ruiz, Tomas Blanco, Lorenzo Robledo, Dante Maggio, Werner Abrolat, Frank Braña, José Canalejas, Rosemary Dexter, Fernando Di Leo, Jesús Guzmán, Peter Lee Lawrence, Sergio Leone, Antonio Molino Rojo, Ricardo Palacios, Carlo Simi.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1959):

M Squad

Season 3. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: One of Our Armored Cars Is Missing.

Released December 18, 1959.

Directed by Herman Hoffman.

Written by Whitman Chambers.

Music by Benny Carter.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Laurie Mitchell, Richard Carlyle, Joyce Meadows, Jerry Oddo, Logan Field, William Forrest, Joe Haworth, Norman Leavitt.

Born on this day – Angie Stone:

Angie Stone

Actress

Singer

Songwriter

Producer

Director

December 18, 1961 – March 1, 2025

Credits:

Albums:

Black Diamond (1999); Conception: An Interpretation of Stevie Wonder's Songs (2003); Covered in Soul (2016); Devox Featuring Angie B. Stone (1996); Dream (2015); Everyday (20th Anniversary Edition) (2000); Full Circle (2019); Genius & Friends (2005); Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now (2005); I Wasn't Kidding (2005); Life Goes On (2007); Love Language (2023); Mahogany Soul (2001); Rich Girl (2012); Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone (2005); Stone Love (2004); The Art of Love & War (2007); Unexpected (2009); Vocal Rendezvous (2006).

Songs:

2 Bad Habits; 20 Dollars; Baby; Brotha; Brotha, Part II; Disturbia; Easier Said Than Done; Everyday; Funk You Up; Holding Back the Years; I Just Want to Love You Baby; I Wanna Thank Ya; Life Goes On; Life Story; Lovers' Ghetto; Mad Issues; Monsters Jam; More Than a Woman; No More Rain; Pissed Off; Rain Down; Seems You're Much Too Busy; Snowflakes; Somaw; Sometimes; Soul Insurance; Stay for a While; The Ingredients Of Love; These Are the Reasons; These Eyes; Time To Come Home; Wish I Didn't Miss You.

Movies and television:

14th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (2000); 16th Annual Trumpet Awards (2008); 16th Annual Trumpet Awards (2008); 19th Annual Trumpet Awards (2011); 2008 St. Lucia Jazz Festival (2009); 2009 Soul Train Awards (2009); 2012 Soul Train Awards (2012); 26th Annual Trumpet Awards (2018); 2nd Annual BET Awards (2002); 34th NAACP Image Awards (2003); 68 Square Miles (2014); 6th Annual Black Music Honors (2021); 6th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards (2000); 6th Urban One Honors 2024 (2024); A Colors Show (2020); A Cross to Bear (2012); Abused (2025); An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence (2001); An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Chaka Khan (2011); Angie Stone Feat. Alicia Keys & Eve: Brotha Part II (2002); Angie Stone: Brotha (2001); Angie Stone's: Love the Feeling (2023); Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem (2004); Apollo Live (2012); Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration (2000); As Written (2012); Baby Mama's Club (2010); Baisden After Dark (2007–2008); Bamboozled (2000); Barend en Van Dorp (2000); Behind the Movement (2018); Being (2015); BET Awards 2007 (2007); BET Her Presents: The Waiting Room (2019); BET Tonight Special: Aaliyah (2001); Blue Crush (2002); Blue Feat. Stevie Wonder & Angie Stone: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours (2003); Body Electric (2004); Boulevard West (2012); Brothers (2021); Brown Sugar (2002); Candy Dulfer: Live in Amsterdam (2001); Caught on Tape (2013); Celebrity Fit Club (2006); Celebrity Ghost Stories (2013); Celebrity Wife Swap (2014); Come Together Collaborative: Come Together Now (2005); Dishing Tea with Big Meach (2014); Don Cornelius: Visionary, Trailblazer & Cultural Icon (2012); Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001); Dreams (2013); Eden (2014); Entanglement (2021); Girlfriends (2000–2008); Great Performances (2002–2007); Head Over Heels (2018); Heaux Phase (2023); House of Flav (2021); Huff Post's BV 365 (2012); In the Cut (2016); Jamie Foxx: Unpredictable (2006); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2007); Labour (2015); Last Call with Carson Daly (2002–2004); Last Laugh '04 (2004); Late Show with David Letterman (2002); Later... With Jools Holland (2000–2007); Lincoln Heights (2008); Live with Kelly and Mark (2008); Love & Basketball (2000); Love N Success (2015); Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002); Moesha (2000); My Other Mother (2014); My Real Life (2024); Nubbin & Friends (2016); Omar Feat. Angie Stone: Be Thankful (2000); One Christmas (2013); One on One (2004); Pandemically Single (2020); Pastor Brown (2009); Pau!l (2011); R&B Divas Atlanta (2012–2015); R&B Divas Pre Party (2013); R&B Divas: Atlanta (2013–2014); R&B Divas: Atlanta Reunion (2013); Ride Along (2014); Roswell (1999); Ryan Cameron: Uncensored (2008); Saints & Sinners (2018); Scary Movie V (2013); School Gyrls (2009); Shady Sisters: The Color of Love (2025); She Speaks Live (2019); Showtime at the Apollo (2002); Sister Circle Live (2019); Soldier Girls (1981); Soul Train (1999); Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009); Stax Records 50th Anniversary Concert (2008); Steve Harvey (2016); Tavis Smiley (2009); The 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (2003); The 365Black Awards (2013); The 5th Annual Women Rock (2004); The Big Breakfast (2000); The Brian McKnight Show (2009); The Deliverance (2024); The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2004–2007); The Fighting Temptations (2003); The Hot Chick (2002); The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005); The Legend of Hip Hop (2016); The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family' (2002); The Mo'Nique Show (2009–2011); The Pact (2025); The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2014); The Rickey Smiley Show (2014); The Sequence: Simon Says (1982); The Sopranos (2001); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2000–2008); The Tony Danza Show (2004); The Waiting Room (2019); The Wendy Williams Show (2009); To Love the Soul of a Woman (2016); Top of the Pops (2000); Unsung (2015–2020); Where's the Love? (2014); Wonder Girls (2012).