Staff & Reader Submitted

Texas Womens Foundation Awards $900,000 to Support Women and Families Across North Texas

Juliette DC — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:26:06 Z

Through its 2026 Community Grant Cycle, Texas Womens Foundation (TXWF) has awarded $900,000 to 25 nonprofit organizations working to remove the barriers to economic security, stability and success for Texas women, their families and their futures.

As part of the annual grant cycle, two special groups of supporters selected nonprofits to champion through their annual giving and engagement. Texas Womens Foundations Board Alumnae awarded $40,000 to Shared Housing Center for housing and wraparound services from the Virginia B. Whitehill endowed fund. TXWFs Nineteen network, named in honor of the organizations 19 diverse and determined founders, awarded $40,000 to The Family Place for its Childrens Educational Service program.

All 25 grant recipients were recognized and celebrated at a special reception on September 25.

Karen Hughes White, Texas Womens Foundation president and CEO, said, Forty-one years ago, 19 dynamic women came together to empower womens philanthropy and to invest in organizations doing critical work in their communities. Now, four decades later, that commitment has grown to more than $115 million invested in Texas women, their families and their futures. These incredible nonprofit organizations are removing barriers for Texas women and their families and creating opportunities in the areas of healthcare, childcare, education, workforce development and more. Were proud to support them as we work together to build Strong Women and a Better Texas for all.

The grantee recipients:

Collin County:

The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center (Plano)

Dallas County:

AVANCE North Texas

The Concilio

Community Does It (Cuenta Conmigo): Family Mental Health Clinic

Dallas Innovation Alliance

The Family Place

Frazier Revitalization, Inc.

Hope Clinic of Garland

Hope Cottage

Home Point

Juliette Fowler Communities

Literacy Achieves

Owenwood Neighbor Space

Prism Health North Texas

Resource Center Health

Shared Housing Center Inc.

Sharing Life Community Outreach

Trinity Restoration Ministries - The Well

Denton County:

Cumberland Youth and Family Services

Hearts for Homes

Tarrant County:

Methodist Justice Ministry

DFW:

ChildCareGroup

Hopes Door New Beginning Center

Mosaic Family Services

St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy

To learn more about Texas Womens Foundations grants and the process for application, visit txwf.org/grants.

About Texas Womens Foundation:

Texas Womens Foundation (TXWF) raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support nearly $5 million in investments each year to help eliminate the barriers to womens economic security, stability and success through targeted research and advocacy, intentional grantmaking and leadership programs. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested more than $90 million in grantmaking in support of Texas women, their families and their futures, and another $25 million-plus in research, advocacy and educational programs for a total impact of more than $115 million over the last 41 years. TXWFs vision for a strong and vibrant Texas for all remains at the forefront of its work.

TXWFs targeted research into the issues impacting the economic security of Texas women and families will continue to guide its work. The biannual report on the economic issues that face Texas women and their families provides corporate and community leaders, and state and local lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. In addition, Texas Womens Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the mission-aligned investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds in a values-based portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits that align with its mission. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now.

BOOK REVIEW: ALL THAT WAS LEFT UNSAID by Danielle Dragona

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:16:37 Z

All That Was Left Unsaid

Danielle Dragona

Long-held secrets come to light after the death of a woman's spouse.

All That Was Left Unsaid is a new women's fiction novel by Danielle Dragona that explores how a new widow is forced to face her new future, and I was glued to every page, so immersed in the story that I read it in one evening. After the death of her husband from cancer, Katrina Johnson must come to terms with the secrets he had been keeping throughout their long marriage. While working through her grief, she comes face to face with betrayal, disillusionment, and, eventually, her own mortality.

Katrina, the main character, met and married Sam Johnson during the Vietnam War, and theirs was what people called "a traditional marriage": he was the breadwinner, and she was the stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Never holding a job outside the home, except for an exceptional level of volunteerism for their small community, and not the one paying the bills, she is shocked when she uncovers some of Sam's secret financial activities. Katrina is also forced to confront the evidence of Sam's infidelity, the pain of which still lingers in her and their two grown children. Each has handled their father's long-ago betrayal in different ways, the damaging effects of which have long impacted their relationships with each other and potential partners as well.

The story is riveting. Just as you think Katrina's situation has hit rock bottom, a new twist comes along to dig the hole a little deeper. However, I wasn't surprised when one of the hits she takes involves her health, as I've seen this happen time and time again in real life. The descriptions of the medical treatments she undergoes are vivid and realistic. I was worried she would face additional complications as more details about Sam's infidelity were revealed.

The best part of the story for me was the evolving relationships between Katrina, her friends old and new, her adult children, and herself. Katrina experiences such growth, which felt especially amazing considering her age. She starts out so lost, hurt, and angry, and through her experiences becomes the woman she always wanted to become. It is all that she goes through to get to her destination, her journey, that makes this book such a satisfying page-turner. You may need tissues.

I recommend ALL THAT WAS LEFT UNSAID to readers of women's fiction.

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

Howdy, Big Tex: Stay and Play at the State Fair of Texas

Culver Public Relations — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:38:31 Z

Its time to grab your tickets, round up your crew, and get ready to hear those famous words: Howdy, Folks! The State Fair of Texas is now open, bringing Big Tex, classic fair food, midway rides, live entertainment, creative exhibits, and plenty of Texas-sized fun to Fair Park. Make your fair experience even easier with Stay and Play at the State Fair of Texas at Sheraton Dallas, giving fairgoers a convenient place to stay before or after a full day at the fairgrounds.

Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, Sheraton Dallas puts guests within easy reach of Fair Park and the rest of the city through the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). After sampling your way through the fair, take a break from the crowds and return to the hotel to relax, grab a drink, or continue the fun at Draft Sports Bar & Lounge. The package makes it easy to turn a trip to the State Fair into a complete Dallas experience.

Book your stay at www.SheratonDallas.com and make your State Fair visit one to remember.

Sheraton Dallas Hotel is located at 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

10 Years, Countless Lives: Medical City North Hills Marks Milestone During Sepsis Awareness Month

Morgan Roundy — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:52:27 Z

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS In recognition of Sepsis Awareness Month, Medical City North Hills is marking 10 years of Code Sepsis, a pioneering partnership with the North Richland Hills Fire Department that helped transform how patients with suspected sepsis are treated before arriving at the hospital.

Developed in 2016, Code Sepsis enables specially trained paramedics to identify suspected sepsis, obtain blood cultures and begin antibiotics in the field.

North Richland Hills became the first fire department in the nation to carry and administer antibiotics for suspected sepsis patients. Early results showed significant promise, with sepsis deaths declining from approximately 50% to below 20%. The protocol has become a model for prehospital sepsis care in North Texas, demonstrating the impact hospitals and first responders can have when they work together to bring lifesaving care to patients sooner.

Ten years ago, this was a new concept that challenged the traditional way sepsis care was delivered, says Curtis H. Johnson, MD, medical director of emergency services at Medical City North Hills. Our hospital and EMS partners believed that recognizing sepsis and beginning treatment before a patient arrived at the hospital could give them a better chance at recovery. Today, we're proud to celebrate a decade of that partnership.

Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection and is a life-threatening medical emergency that can progress to a critical stage quickly. At least 1.7 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with sepsis each year, and at least 350,000 die or are discharged to hospice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Globally, sepsis is associated with an estimated 48.9 million cases and 11 million deaths annually.

Sepsis Awareness Month serves as an important reminder to recognize the signs and symptoms of sepsis and seek medical care immediately. Symptoms can include:

Fever
Shivering or feeling very cold
Confusion or disorientation
Shortness of breath
Extreme pain or discomfort
Clammy or sweaty skin
High heart rate or weak pulse

As part of the HCA Healthcare system of care, Medical City North Hills also uses a Sepsis Prediction and Optimization of Therapy (SPOT) tool for hospitalized patients. SPOT uses rules-based algorithms focused on patient vital signs, labs, nursing reports and other data to help identify sepsis approximately six hours earlier than traditional screening methods. The adoption of SPOT has significantly reduced the time from alert to clinical action for inpatients, which has been associated with improved sepsis outcomes and earlier interventions.

Learn more about emergency services at Medical City North Hills here.

ABOUT MEDICAL CITY NORTH HILLS

Medical City North Hills is a 164-bed, acute care hospital located in North Richland Hills, Texas. With a medical team of more than 500 physicians, Medical City North Hills offers a broad range of services including a Level III Trauma Center, a full range of cardiovascular services, comprehensive orthopedic and spine programs, neurology, graduate medical education and an internal medicine residency clinic.

Medical City North Hills is part of Medical City Healthcare.

Texas A&M University College of Dentistry shares why lattes with pumpkin spices harm teeth

Stephanie Patrick — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:23:00 Z

Temperatures in Dallas-Fort Worth and other places are in the 90s, but many Texans are cozying up to their annual cold-weather treat lattes with pumpkin spices. Especially as National Coffee Day is celebrated tomorrow.

Hold up before you take that next sip, said Briana Breezy Bonney, clinical assistant professor in the dental hygiene program at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas. Your favorite seasonal drink damages your teeth and gums.

Lattes with pumpkin spices are like candy, and they are loaded with sugar about 25 to 30 grams of sugar in an eight-ounce cup with syrup and whipped cream, Bonney said. Most lattes served in restaurants and coffee shops are served in amounts much more than eight ounces.

Some seasonal concoctions contain a whopping 82 grams of sugar, she said.

Women shouldnt consume more than 25 grams of added sugar each day six teaspoons, according to the American Heart Association. Its recommended that men consume no more than 36 grams of added sugar nine teaspoons.

Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth, said Bonney, who also has a masters in nutrition. That produces acids, which eat away at teeths enamel. The longer sugar stays on teeth, the more likely cavities will form.

Lattes are a mixture of brewed coffee or espresso, pumps of vanilla, cinnamon or a nutty syrup and a frothy milk or milk alternative all loaded with sugar. The beverage is sprinkled with a mixture of sugar and fall spices.

Most fall beverages range between 140 (and) 750 calories. Bonney said. That is a significant amount of calories for the morning and a significant bit of acid and sugar. The beverages coffee base is naturally acidic too. Not only does it stain teeth, but coffee also wears away at enamel and increases the risk of cavities.

A latte is an occasional treat, not a brew for every day. Bonney suggested having a glass of water near and alternate between sips. Drinking the latte with a straw also helps lessen damage to teeth.

Order smaller sizes, ask for fewer pumps of syrups and opt for sugar-free syrups when available.

Dont be tricked by a fall beverage; they are actually dangerously sweet treats in disguise, Bonney said.

KelticDead Music Latest Posts: Rolling Down to Old Maui

Shaun That KelticDead Guy — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:43:08 Z

KelticDead Music
Rolling Down to Old Maui

The KelticDead Music initiative and the volunteer musician friends find, arrange and play KDM original (made public) and other tunes and songs found in the traditions of Celtic, Folk, Americana, Country, Indie, and Seafaring sources which are now found throughout the world. All productions are made from live, acoustic instruments and voices to encourage folk to play or sing along (no AI or synthetic sounds). The KelticDead Music music-entertainment initiative also provides free, PDF Audio-Visual "Broadside" stories (that include the KDM sheet music arrangements) as a free, fun education resource at https://KelticMeadMusic.org/story-broadsides/ .

Also visit the KelticDead Music on SoundCloud

https://on.soundcloud.com/2F6dcoEpyxZli6yTLJ

BOOK REVIEW: THE LAST RIFT DRAGON (KNIGHTS OF THE SILVER FOG, #1) by Shami Stovall

KAREN SIDDALL — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 02:12:21 Z

The Last Rift Dragon

Knights of the Silver Fog, #1

Shami Stovall

Good vs. evil, with magic and dragons!

The Last Rift Dragon by author Shami Stovall is the wonderful debut novel in her new magical young adult fantasy series, Knights of the Silver Fog, and it is chockful of twists and turns, acts of bravery, loyalty, and honor, treachery and betrayal, and young knights just out of training desperately fighting to save their homeland and the last of their dragons. The story follows the exploits of young Master Richter Whitlock, on the eve of becoming a full-fledged protector of Bridgehaven, his island home, when they are attacked by their nemesis, the neighboring land of Whettin, whose warriors ride on the backs of nightmarishly giant black centipedes.

The main character, the orphaned Richter Whitlock, is the only child of two knights who were killed while defending their homeland. He has always dreamed of becoming a knight himself in honor of his lost parents. He is an earnest, loyal young man who has dedicated his life to training for his future, bringing his best friend and former servant, Valex Lex Thorn, along with him. Their relationship is close and heartwarming.

The author creates a vivid, magic-filled setting for the story to unfold. Her world-building is mesmerizing, creating a vibrant, immersive backdrop for the action and adventure to come. I was particularly taken by the magic element of the land of Bridgehaven and the gyfts that manifested in the people as a result of breathing the silver fog, the breath of the dragons, and how the loss of the dragons threatened the continued development of their special powers.

The plot hits the ground running, with Richter and Lex struggling to reach their final training assessment, and it continues with full-blown, bloody battles against skilled Whettin warriors. The storyline is full of twists and turns, and I was constantly kept off-balance as the characters were forced to pivot to meet the challenges presented. The good guys face treachery and betrayal from unexpected sources when they least expect it, and they dont always come out on top or unscathed, keeping the suspense palpable and decision-making critical throughout. And then there are the dragons -wild and wonderful, with a surprise tale all their own.

I recommend THE LAST RIFT DRAGON to readers of young adult fantasy, action, and adventure stories.

For this and other book reviews, visit my blog, Boys' Mom Reads!

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW: SISTERS ALONE by Shifa Saltagi Safeadi

KAREN SIDDALL — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 19:20:57 Z

Sisters Alone

Shifa Saltagi Safadi

A family secretly struggles with their grief after the sudden death of their wife and mother.

Sisters Alone by Shifa Saltagi Safadi is an emotional middle-grade novel written in verse about two sisters coping with grief after the unexpected loss of their mother six months earlier. Eighth-grader Rama and sixth-grader Leena secretly struggle mentally and emotionally in the aftermath of their mother's sudden death, neither one knowing what the other is going through because each claims to be doing okay. The truth couldn't be further from the truth. While Rama feels left behind and abandoned, she is slowly being consumed by rage and the burden of keeping the family together all on her own. Leena feels responsible for her mother's death because it occurred while her mother was running an errand on her behalf. Even their widowed father is finding it difficult to keep it together as he adjusts to life without the woman he loved and takes up the reins of being a single working parent.

On the surface, life has moved on. The sisters bicker as siblings are wont to do; the eldest striving for and demanding perfection, the younger girl careless and inattentive, with a penchant for getting her older sister to pick up the slack. But Rama has her own worries. Her best friend, Madiha, has begun including a new friend in all their activities, and seems to prefer her company over Rama's. Leena, trying to keep her mother's memory alive, is devoting all her time to creating a scrapbook rather than studying and completing her schoolwork and chores. This inattention becomes critical when the sisters are scheduled for a school-sponsored winter break ski trip, and only students who have met all academic requirements and submitted the proper paperwork can attend. Their father is counting on them to go so he can take a mandatory business trip to Japan, leaving the same day the girls will. So when Leena is denied a place on the bus at the last minute, the girls suddenly find themselves home alone with a massive blizzard headed their way. As their relationship troubles and individual emotional isolation come to a head, the storm hits, and the girls must work together under the worst conditions just to survive.

The author's writing is sublime, and her use of verse to tell the story is stylish, precise, and evocative. Told from the alternating points of view of the two sisters, readers are privy to what's really going on inside each girl's head. Both sisters are eminently relatable and engaging. The narratives shift frequently, creating natural stopping points for young readers to pause; however, readers with more time may enjoy the entire family drama in one riveting reading session.

I recommend SISTERS ALONE to middle-grade readers, especially those who enjoy stories about a family in crisis.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.

BOOK REVIEW: DARKNESS FALLS (DETECTIVE NATHAN PARKER, #5) by James L'Etoile

KAREN SIDDALL — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:35:19 Z

Darkness Falls

Detective Nathan Parker, #5

James LEtoile

Parker is thrust into a riveting personal battle to save his family.

Darkness Falls is the fifth book in author James LEtoiles riveting Detective Nathan Parker series, and its main character is locked in the ultimate battle to save his loved ones. Called to a remote drug lab and the scene of a double homicide in an unsavory corner of Maricopa County known to law enforcement as Tweaker Heights, Nathan and his partner, Barry Johns, discover one of the bodies is that of The Birdman, a mysterious and, until now, elusive drug supplier, whose product has been all the rage among the more affluent college students and clubgoers in the greater Phoenix area. But smack in the middle of the crime scene, Nathan finds a familiar blue backpack, filled with the college textbooks and cellphone of his foster son, Miguel.

The underlying political goals driving the action make for a shocking motive. A county outsider with ties to an out-of-control private militia, the Night Watch, wants to win the coming election for sheriff, and drugs, migrants, and illegal immigrants are hot topics, both locally and nationally. The story is an absolute page-turner as Nathan and Barry try to get in front of the plans of the manipulative candidate and his cronies, who have infiltrated not only their own department but also the local offices of critical federal agencies. From the start, the partners cant be sure who to trust or who is leaking vital information to the bad guys. The plot has shocking twists and turns, and I was quickly and deeply drawn in by both the suspense and the relatable concerns of a parent with grown sons.

While all the series books have been cases with deadly personal ties for Parker, this one manages to up the ante, involving both Miguel and Linda, Nathans pregnant love interest. This story hits on so many parents nightmares with Miguel becoming the target of powerful but hidden forces, his sons complicity in the danger, and the senseless deaths of several young students barely into their teen years. Nathan doesnt want to believe Miguel is involved, but the clues are not adding up in his favor. It is up to Barry Johns to be the more detached, uninvolved investigator, leaving Nathan to do what he can to find who and what are really behind the murders and the influx of deadly contaminated drugs into their community. Nathan has been a target before, but with his son in the crosshairs and a new baby on the way, the stakes are so much higher than ever before.

I recommend DARKNESS FALLS to readers of thrillers, mystery, suspense, and especially fans of the previous novels in the series.

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

BOOK REVIEW: DEVIL WITHIN (DETECTIVE NATHAN PARKER, #2) by James L'Etoile

KAREN SIDDALL — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:31:55 Z

Devil Within

Detective Nathan Parker, #2

James LEtoile

I couldnt put this one down!

Devil Within is the second novel in author James LEtoiles Detective Nathan Parker series and is a tense, riveting follow-up to last years debut, Dead Drop. In this new story, time has passed since the events of the previous book. Nathan has fostered the young Miguel, who is fast approaching his 18^th birthday and attending community college. But when an old enemy comes back on the scene, the years fall away for Nathan, and hes ready to finally reap justice on behalf of his murdered work partner.

Detective Nathan Parker, the head of his unit, is a professional through and through. Hes a kind and thoughtful man and, like all parents, is conflicted about how to properly relate to the almost-adult Miguel, especially when he gets involved with Immigrant Coalition, an activist group gaining a reputation for some shady activities. Nathans past experiences and relationship with Miguel have also made him see immigrant issues through new eyes.

The story hits the ground running, and theres no stopping. Panic is near the breaking point in Phoenix as the Sun Valley Sniper kills one seemingly random victim after another. Many characters from the previous book return, including odd duck Billie Carson. Numerous new faces appear, too, many of whom are recent immigrants or help newcomers settle in or find friends and family. The events of the book offer a window into the unimaginable hardships and traumas those seeking asylum, or a better life for themselves and their families, endure to find safety and peace. I couldnt put this book down and read for long hours, needing to know what would happen next.

Phoenix and the surrounding areas are the perfect setting, vividly described with mentions of specific places and streets as Parker heads out to chase down leads and suspects. Check out the intriguing book cover photo. As for the plot, just when I thought the investigation would go one way, a surprise twist or a ruled-out suspect sent things in another direction. I did not guess the truth until it was revealed.

I recommend DEVIL WITHIN to mystery readers who enjoy tense, race-against-the-clock thrill rides.

For this and other book reviews and the occasional giveaway, visit my BLOG!

Pilates With a Purpose: Fairmont Dallas Hosts Move for Wishes Benefiting Make-A-Wish

Culver Public Relations — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:29:51 Z

On Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., Fairmont Dallas invites Dallasites to move with purpose at Move for Wishes, a special Pilates experience benefiting Make-A-Wish® in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Led by instructor Lisa Torres, the evening will bring together movement, wellness, and community in support of granting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

For a $35 donation, guests will enjoy an invigorating, beginner-friendly guided Pilates class in the historic Venetian Room, along with refreshing mocktails and wellness drinks, cold towels, and a welcoming atmosphere to unwind and connect. Yoga mats will be provided, and guests are welcome to bring their own.

Proof of the $35 donation will be required to participate. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish America. To donate, visit the website here.

Fairmont Dallas is located at 1717 N Akard St.

Madisonville Christmas Company Celebrates Plano Grand Opening Sat. Sept. 26 from 10-6

Dana Cobb — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:20:57 Z

North Texans looking to get an early start on the holiday season will have a new reason to head to Plano this weekend.

Madisonville Christmas Company is celebrating the grand opening of its new Plano pop-up shop on Saturday, September 26, bringing a full day of Christmas shopping, family activities and seasonal fun to 5801 Preston Road.

The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Santa stopping by from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for photos. The first 100 shoppers will also receive a free gift with purchase, and guests can enjoy complimentary samples of new treats and fresh popcorn throughout the day.

For shoppers who like to make holiday decorating an experience rather than just another errand, the store offers plenty to browse, from Christmas décor and gifts to inspiration for creating a more personalized holiday look at home. Madisonville Christmas Company also offers custom design services, giving customers the chance to get help pulling together everything from a tree to a full seasonal display.

The Plano pop-up is the family-owned retailers first physical location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and will remain open through Christmas.

With Santa, shopping and plenty of holiday atmosphere, Saturdays grand opening offers an easy excuse to start celebrating Christmas a little early.

BOOK REVIEW: INVISIBLE JUSTICE (KYLE MCMANN & GRAHAM KURLAND MEDICAL THRILLERS, #1) by Gary Brown MD

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:38:10 Z

Invisible Justice

Kyle McMann & Graham Kurland Medical Thrillers, #1

Gary Brown, MD

A riveting tale of dedicated doctors and vigilante justice.

Invisible Justice is the first book in author Dr. Gary Brown's electric new Kyle McMann & Graham Kurland Medical Thrillers series, and readers will be glued to their seats as this exciting story unfolds. The story is so well done and polished that I was surprised and delighted to learn this is the author's fiction debut!

After losing her younger brother in an unsolved crime of violence, Dr. Kyle McMann struggles with guilt that she failed to save his life when he showed up in the ER where she was working. Other medical professionals who have also suffered similarly tragic losses join together to form the secret group called The Tribunal, where the members agree to enact retribution for victims whose perpetrators have escaped justice. Made up of medical doctors and two former Navy SEALs, The Tribunal's methods of punishment are ingenious, undetectable, and strive to fit the crime they are avenging. But a new doctor at the hospital where Kyle works has brought his own brand of brilliance to his job and is often only steps behind Kyle in figuring out what is wrong with the patients who were The Tribunal's targets. Relying on The Godfather's adage, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Kyle sets out to get close to Dr. Graham Kurland, only to discover a real connection forming between them.

After her devastating loss, Kyle McMann suffers her own medical emergency and is lucky to have survived. But as soon as she's able, she makes up any lost time, thriving while researching, writing, and advancing her career until she's one of the youngest department heads at her teaching hospital in Philadelphia. Graham Kurland, a decorated veteran, enters the medical profession after successfully preserving his family's business and serving in the military. He gives his new career his all, and it shows. I loved that these two middle-aged go-getters are both in a position to pursue their mutual attraction freely. They make a great couple, and their scenes together are fun and flirty, but with an underlying tension as Kyle tries to keep Graham from discovering her secret agenda and the true nature of The Tribunal's targets' afflictions.

The story is told through multiple points of view, and not just those of the two main characters. Good guys and bad guys alike have a part of the narrative, so readers know, without a doubt, who's who. The good guys have moments where they struggle with their actions but are convinced they are doing the right thing. The bad guys are overtly evil people, and the deeds attributed to them are heinous and shocking at times. The ingenious methods of retribution that the doctors on The Tribunal develop will take your breath away. The author writes with authority but explains medical details so clearly that even untrained readers can follow the plot: gripping and graphic, without delving too deeply into the science or relying on jargon that might go over the layperson reader's head.

With its compelling plot and engaging, complex characters, I recommend INVISIBLE JUSTICE to readers of medical thrillers.

For this, other reviews, and giveaways, visit by blog!

BOOK REVIEW: HALVYN DAWN (BLOOD BECOMING, #1) by Gail Waterhouse

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:34:02 Z

Halvyn Dawn

Blood Becoming, #1

Gail Waterhouse

Edgy, futuristic paranormal murder mystery!

Blood Becoming: Halvyn Dawn is the first book in author Gail Waterhouses new futuristic paranormal crime thriller series, Blood Becoming, and it nails you to your seat from the very beginning, eager to discover the truth behind the murders. Detective Chief Inspector Eleanor Moore investigates a series of unusual murders in which the victims are eerily and methodically drained of blood. The first two deaths, a sister and brother, occur aboard the Mar Despierta, a ship carrying the desperate fleeing survivors of an environmental disaster in Puerto de Málaga, Spain, including Eleanors own son. Jamie Moore is the only individual who has been seen interacting with the deceased pair and naturally puts him at the top of the suspect list. But as the deaths continue, Eleanor discovers there may be a connection to a widely distributed vaccine with some surprisingly far-reaching and hastily covered-up side effects.

DCI Eleanor Moore is renowned as a no-nonsense investigator but has recently suffered some personal setbacks. She is a very engaging and relatable main character. Although a clear conflict of interest exists, she must investigate the deaths of the Adebayo siblings even though her own son is among the passengers and suspects. She manages a large team, but her right-hand man is Detective Sergeant Zain Malik, also very likable, and they handle her sons involvement like everyone else. They have their work cut out for them, as anyone on board the ship is a suspect, and there are few guaranteed criteria to rule anyone out.

The story provides a first-person narrative from the shadowy, anonymous killer, who describes the hunger and need they feel and the details of their first kill: an accidental kill they never meant to happen, but one that initiated an unprecedented desire for blood. The author enhances the killers vampire-like addiction with a twist as they also receive the memories of the victim, vibrant, vivid, and as seductive as the hunger-assuaging blood.

The 2046 near-future English setting includes expected changes and advancements, but the world remains quite familiar. Its close link to present reality makes the revelations Eleanor uncovers all the more frightening and believable.

I recommend BLOOD BECOMING: HALVYN DAWN to readers of paranormal crime thrillers.

For this and other reviews and giveaways, visit my blog!

Hook Em or Boomer Sooner: Rivalry Weekend Takes Over Dallas

Culver Public Relations — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:06:47 Z

Make the most of the Texas-OU showdown with Rivalry Weekend, Elevated at Sheraton Dallas. Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel is the perfect home base for fans looking to turn game day into a full weekend of football, food, drinks, and friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition. With a special weekend rate that includes a 2 p.m. late checkout, fans can sleep off the game-day excitement and enjoy a little extra time in Dallas before heading home.

Before the big matchup, get in the competitive spirit at Draft Sports Bar & Lounge, where flatscreens keep you close to the action, local ice-cold brews are on tap, and chef-curated bar bites are piping hot and fresh. When youre ready to venture beyond the hotel, explore downtown Dallas, Deep Ellum, the Arts District, and the citys many restaurants and attractions, all easily accessible from Sheraton Dallas.

Grab your burnt orange or crimson, round up your fellow fans, and get ready for a rivalry weekend filled with big plays, bigger bragging rights, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Sheraton Dallas Hotel is located at 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. For more information or to book a stay, visit www.SheratonDallas.com. To learn more about private events, contact the sales team at DALDHOutletmanagers@marriott.com or call 469-371-1486.

BOOK REVIEW: MAYBE YOU LIED by Jennifer Sadera

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:08:49 Z

Maybe You Lied

Jennifer Sadera

Mounting tension and long-held secrets kept me riveted to my seat!

Maybe You Lied, a new psychological thriller by Jennifer Sadera, blends an engaging, vulnerable main character with a mysterious setting and suspenseful plot to deliver a tale that kept me glued to the page and reading long into the night. After the death of his mother, young Will Lockhart falls on hard times, earning a dreaded and inevitable eviction notice. But as he gathers important documents in preparation for the coming changes, he discovers a deed, in his deceased father's name, for a house he knew nothing about.

At the urging of his family's attorney, he drives two hours away to see if it's a viable option for his new home. Vacant and little more than a cabin, Will is just about to explore further when an angry older man approaches him, demanding to know his business. But when he gets a good look at Will's face, this stranger seems to recognize him and turns fearful, his agitation precipitating a sudden medical emergency for which Will summons an ambulance, perhaps saving the man's life.

Feeling guilty for triggering the man's condition, Will doesn't correct the man's housekeeper, who soon arrives on the scene. Instead, he takes her to the hospital behind the ambulance and waits with her for the update from the doctors. Neither does he come clean when he meets the man's only daughter, Penelope, who believes the story that he just came across him, unconscious, in the wooded area around the vacant cabin. Will settles into his new home, and he and Penelope get closer. Her father's condition remains critical, and he continues to be unable to offer an alternative scenario. Will is living on borrowed time as he tries to uncover the story behind the house and the man's extreme reaction to his arrival.

The author drew me in from the very start with the shocking hints of what the very young Will may have seen of his older sister, Ange, and kept me rooted in place with her depiction of him at 21, suffering through survivor's guilt over the death of his mother in a car accident which occurred while he was driving. With his older sister's loss followed by his father's departure from the family when Will was only five, it had always been just him and his mother. The tension gradually builds as he is evicted from the apartment they shared after his long recovery from the injuries he himself sustained in the accident. Each twist in the plot heightens the suspense and shifts the story's trajectory, keeping me guessing and riveted for what's to come. I really felt for this character and was immediately invested in what he was experiencing, needing to know the answers to all the secrets he encountered as much as he did. I was absolutely not disappointed.

Sadera's writing style is clean, easy to read, and immersive, painting a vivid picture of what's unfolding around this vulnerable, sympathetic main character. Once I picked up the story, I was in for the duration and glued to the book well past any reasonable bedtime.

I recommend MAYBE YOU LIED to readers of psychological and domestic thrillers.

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

BOOK REVIEW: FLIMFLAM FAIRY (MAGICAL COZY MYSTERY BOOKSTORE, #1) by Elizabeth Pantley

KAREN SIDDALL — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 Z

Flimflam Fairy

Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore, #1

Elizabeth Pantley

Fun beginning for this new paranormal cozy mystery spin-off!

Flimflam Fairy is the first book in veteran author Elizabeth Pantley's new Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore series featuring new business owners Willa Treadwell and Lucy Young, longtime friends who have retired but surprisingly find themselves at loose ends until they discover the most perfect resolution. In this series opener, readers learn about the store's magical functions and watch as Willa and Lucy jump in with both feet on their first journey literally inside a book and race against time to save a young fairy's life.

Willa and Lucy are personality opposites: Lucy is a spontaneous, colorful extrovert, while Willa is more reserved and cautious. But in the effort to get them in possession of their new-to-them bookstore and off on their first adventure, we really don't learn too much background about these two main characters; in fact, we are halfway through the book before we even see their surnames. Still, a comfortable familiarity grows, and they are a likable pair, each with quirks and strengths they play to throughout the story.

The series is a spin-off of the author's previous Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club but works well as a standalone. However, the earlier series is a 'must-read' for paranormal mystery fans who enjoy a literary-themed tale. This book focuses on the front-end process of supplying reading material to the magical libraries and book clubs across the series' world.

Willa and Lucy get the first look at new publications and are to vet their suitability for inclusion in the libraries. Yet behind-the-scenes secrets remain to unfold. As in the previous series, there is a talking cat and a crossover pink lizard character, an olm named Bob, who makes an early appearance to explain the functions and rules of bookstore ownership to the two women.

As before, there is plenty of good camaraderie and the sharing of delectable meals as the gals, along with their experienced cat companion, Banjo, go about their mission to save a life or solve the murder of a much-loved fairy in the magical setting of Whisperglow Village. While Banjo is attuned to the ways of the book journeys, the two women must quickly adjust to becoming characters in a novel they are experiencing from the inside out.

A new twist in this book journey is a time-travel element that gives the main characters the chance to change the story's outcome altogether. This surprising left turn jolts the new investigators into action, adding another layer of suspense and a race against time. Will Lucy, Willa, and Banjo be able to track down the Flimflam Fairy and avert a murder in time?

I recommend FLIMFLAM FAIRY to readers who enjoy literary-themed paranormal cozy mysteries, especially fans of the author's previous series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

Grant Halliburton Foundation Welcomes Community to Journey Exhibition Following Opening Reception

Juliette DC — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:42:08 Z

Grant Halliburton Foundation welcomed 175 guests Sept. 10 to the opening reception for Journey: The Art and Legacy of Grant Halliburton at Center for BrainHealth, part of The University of Texas at Dallas.

The exhibition is now open to the public at no cost through Sept. 25. It is presented in partnership with Center for BrainHealth and curated in collaboration with Business Council for the Arts (BCA).

Held on World Suicide Prevention Day and during National Suicide Prevention Month, the reception brought together Foundation supporters, community leaders, mental health advocates and partners to experience Grants creative work and reflect on the mission that grew from his life.

Laura Bloom Gordon, chief marketing officer of Center for BrainHealth, welcomed guests and spoke about the organizations longstanding partnership.

Our partnership with Grant Halliburton Foundation reflects a shared commitment to helping people build stronger, healthier minds and lives, Gordon said.

During the program, Council Member Laura Cadena presented a Special Recognition from the City of Dallas, signed by Mayor Eric Johnson, honoring the Foundations 20th anniversary and its commitment to helping the community recognize and respond proactively to mental health challenges.

Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation, thanked the city and reflected on the Foundations work during the past two decades. He also spoke about Grants drawing Friends, which depicts one young man reaching toward another lying in a quiet neighborhood street.

For 20 years, weve brought mental health education into schools and communities, equipped adults to recognize warning signs and respond with care, and helped families find support, Hall said. At its heart, our work is about helping people who are struggling feel noticed and heard and find the help they need.

Amy McCloskey, a Foundation co-founder and Grants sister, collaborated closely with BCA throughout the curation process, contributing a personal understanding of Grant and his work.

Grants life was far too short, but his legacy has extended far beyond his 19 years. Twenty years later, his art is still giving us a way to tell his storyand the Foundation built in his name is still giving people hope.

Journey features more than 50 of Grants original paintings, charcoal works, drawings, and sketches, along with selections from his personal writings and poetry. A Listening Lounge features music Grant wrote and recorded with his high school bandmates.

The exhibition spans three floors of Center for BrainHealths Brain Performance Institute building. A first-floor preview introduces visitors to Grant and the Foundation. Most of the artwork and accompanying elements are displayed on the second and third floors.

The exhibition begins with Grant as a young artist, continues through the Foundations history and impact, and concludes by asking visitors to consider how they can help carry the work forward.

Since 2006, Grant Halliburton Foundation has reached more than 375,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals through mental health education, suicide prevention training and community resources.

For personalized guidance finding mental health and substance-use providers and resources, call the Foundations free Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line at 972-525-8181, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Navigation Line is not a crisis service.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Text Line volunteer. Both services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Visit Journey: The Art and Legacy of Grant Halliburton

Sept. 8-25
Center for BrainHealth
2200 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas

The exhibition is open Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. Appointments are available on other weekdays by calling Center for BrainHealth at 972-883-3400. The exhibition is closed Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free. Learn more at granthalliburton.org/journey.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

September 24 | 69 p.m.

The Art of Connection: Creativity, Mental Wellness and Brain Health
A Young Professionals Event presented by GHF YP and Think Tank

Center for BrainHealth, 2200 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas

Grant Halliburton Foundation Young Professionals and Think Tank, Center for BrainHealths young professionals group, are partnering to present an evening for guests in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The event will feature networking, a private viewing of the Journey exhibition and a panel including artists and mental health and brain health experts exploring the connections among creativity, mental wellness and brain health.
Register at centerforbrainhealth.org/events.

September 127 | Galleria Dallas
Galleria Dallas Mural: The Art of Hope: Celebrating 20 Years of Grant Halliburton Foundation

Created for Grant Halliburton Foundations 20th anniversary and National Suicide Prevention Month, this public mural explores how hope grows when a community shows up. Featuring a preview of Grants artwork, suicide prevention steps, mental health resources and September events, the installation invites visitors to learn more about the Foundation, discover how to support someone in crisis, find help and explore Journey. The mural is located on Level 1 at the south end of Galleria Dallas near Sephora.

About Grant Halliburton Foundation

Grant Halliburton Foundation is a Dallas-based nonprofit established in 2006 in memory of Grant Halliburton, who lived with depression and bipolar disorder and died by suicide at age 19. The Foundation works to strengthen the network of mental health resources for children, teens and young adults; promote better mental health; and prevent suicide. Through education, resources and support, it equips students, educators, parents and professionals to recognize signs of distress, respond appropriately and connect young people with help. Since its founding, the Foundation has reached more than 375,000 people across North Texas. Its Here For Texas program offers two free resources: HereForTexas.com, a searchable database of mental health providers and resources, and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line, which provides personalized assistance finding care. Learn more at GrantHalliburton.org.

About Center for BrainHealth

Center for BrainHealth®, part of The University of Texas at Dallas, is a nonprofit translational research institute committed to enhancing, preserving, and restoring brain health across the lifespan. Major research areas include the use of functional and structural neuroimaging techniques to better understand the neurobiology supporting the continual growth of cognition, well-being and social connections in health and disease. This leading-edge scientific exploration is translated quickly into practical innovations to improve how people think, work and live, empowering people of all ages to thrive and unlock their brain potential. Translational innovations leverage 1) the BrainHealth Index, a proprietary measure that uniquely charts one's upward (or downward) brain health trajectory whatever their starting level; and 2) Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART) brain health training, a strategy-based toolkit developed and tested by BrainHealth researchers and other teams over three decades. The center's landmark longitudinal study, The BrainHealth Project, launched in 2020 with the goal of identifying actionable strategies for optimizing brain health throughout life, uncovering the dynamic relationship between lifestyle factors, biological markers, brain training and cognitive performance. It is co-led by Dr. Sandi Chapman, Dr. Mark D'Esposito, Dr. Geoff Ling, Dr. Ian Robertson, Dr. Vince Calhoun and Tom Leppert, with Georgeann and Adm. William McRaven (ret.) serving as national spokespersons.

About Business Council for the Arts

Since its founding in 1988 by Raymond Nasher as a Dallas Citizens Council initiative, the Business Council for the Arts (BCA) has championed the integration of arts and business across North Texas. Today, under the leadership of Founders Chair Nancy Nasher, Board Chair Joel Austin, and CEO Stacie Adams, BCA serves a network of more than 150 organizations committed to strengthening workplaces, classrooms, and communities through the arts. BCAs programming spans creative workforce development, community engagement, and leadership cultivation. Signature initiatives include On My Own Time, Art at Work, and the Leadership Arts Institute, alongside committee-driven efforts focused on Arts & Health, Arts & Real Estate, and Arts & Technology. To learn more, visit www.ntbca.org.

Grant Halliburton Foundation Welcomes Community to Journey Exhibition Following Opening Reception

Juliette DC — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:42:08 Z

Laura Bloom Gordon, chief marketing officer of Center for BrainHealth, welcomed guests and spoke about the organizations longstanding partnership.

Our partnership with Grant Halliburton Foundation reflects a shared commitment to helping people build stronger, healthier minds and lives, Gordon said.

Amy McCloskey, a Foundation co-founder and Grants sister, collaborated closely with BCA throughout the curation process, contributing a personal understanding of Grant and his work.

The exhibition begins with Grant as a young artist, continues through the Foundations history and impact, and concludes by asking visitors to consider how they can help carry the work forward.

Visit Journey: The Art and Legacy of Grant Halliburton

Sept. 8-25
Center for BrainHealth
2200 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

September 24 | 69 p.m.

The Art of Connection: Creativity, Mental Wellness and Brain Health
A Young Professionals Event presented by GHF YP and Think Tank

Center for BrainHealth, 2200 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas

About Grant Halliburton Foundation

About Center for BrainHealth

About Business Council for the Arts

BOOK REVIEW: AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN by W.M. Gunn

KAREN SIDDALL — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:05:32 Z

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down

W.M. Gunn

Ingenious, exciting, and convincing alternate history!

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down is the first novel in a new alternate history trilogy by W.M. Gunn, offering a mesmerizing vision of the world and WWII if reality hadnt unfolded the way it did. With an original mix of fictional characters and historical figures, plus fantastical imagery and accounts of early World War One battle experiences, I was hooked the whole time and never disappointed by the resulting tale.

The story unfolds through some seemingly unrelated storylines; the book opens in 1914 on the frontlines of Belgium, skips to the rise of Hitler and the birth of a child near the aviation training fields of Fort Worth, and then whips the reader back to the time of Moses, the end of his wanderings in the desert and his imminent death, and back again. Each encapsulated thread was immersive and made for compelling reading, but disparate; the authors plan for them remained a mystery until he magically made them converge into a riveting whole.

The action sequences are well choreographed and easy to follow, and the vivid descriptions of places and historical details woven into the narrative add so much color, putting the reader in every scene. Best yet, though, are the characters themselves, because they truly came alive. Naturally, theyre not all pleasant people, and my skin still crawls just thinking about one character in particular, who wasnt physically in the story that long!

The plot juxtaposes the stories of a German family: Jürgen Kretz, a WWI flying ace and war hero, and his motherless twin boys, Manfred and Wolfgang, with the American Maxwell family, the father, Connor, also a WWI flyer, and his son, Allen, whose mother died during his birth. The sons follow in their fathers footsteps and fight their own battles in WWII. Jürgen, a bitter, angry survivor of his war, passes along his opinions to his sons, whose mother was a Jew. She passed away during the 1918 Influenza epidemic while Jürgen was away fighting, and he blames her wealthy Jewish parents for not doing enough to save her. This belief tips him over the edge to extremism, and he eventually becomes a willing pawn (and unwitting sacrifice) in Hitlers early schemes to attain power. Interestingly, one twin absorbs and champions his fathers vitriolic ideals while the other avoids his fanaticism and sides with his heritage. But the transfer of beliefs, based in fact or not, from one generation to the next is on full display.

If youre not a WWII historian, keep in mind this is an ingenious tale of alternate history, and the author deftly mixes factual events and historical figures with fictional events and characters. His convincing and immersive writing style makes it impossible to tell (unless you already know) which is which in some cases. Of course, I sincerely hope everyone knows how D-Day actually turned out.

I recommend AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN to readers of alternate history, historical fiction, and family sagas.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

Staff & Reader Submitted

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Grant Halliburton Foundation Welcomes Community to Journey Exhibition Following Opening Reception

Visit Journey: The Art and Legacy of Grant Halliburton

Grant Halliburton Foundation Welcomes Community to Journey Exhibition Following Opening Reception

Visit Journey: The Art and Legacy of Grant Halliburton

BOOK REVIEW: AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN by W.M. Gunn

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