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Ambling August
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OOP Retrospective
An in-depth exploration of story, characters, and themes of an OOP favorite. Limited series.
Christopher Nolan's 2026 blockbuster arrives in just over one month. Loaded with a list of top Hollywood actors and the weight of history and epic poetry, Homer's The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron to name a few.
Ancient Greece never looked so good.
While the character, Odysseus, takes the long route home (so to speak), he finally arrives. His eventual return home should give him a chance to finally rest but his home has drastically changed from the place he knew when he left. The challenge he probably did not expect after a long hard war and the treacherous journey home was the one he found when he made it back.
Lee finds a similar hero's return. Rhona's Phoenix begins with his return after a period of several years. He arranges a gracious gathering of his closest friends after his time away and they show up for him and celebrate him. But he has no idea what situation he's come back to and how his relationships have drifted.
Four teens, expecting the most of their future plans and enjoying the summer before beginning a new chapter, hit a bump in the road. Literally.
I Know What You Did Last Summer is the 90's hit that led to several more films in the series and starred beloved actresses Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jennifer Love Hewitt, along with Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr. at a special time in their careers.
The story eventually becomes a basic slasher film, but the compelling aspect of the characters and the conundrum they face revolves around the secret each of them must keep because of the actions taken on that summer road. The four character's entanglement with a major act of deception puts them in danger.
The circle of friends who live out Rhona's Phoenix also find themselves held captive by information they feel tasked to hold and the friend they feel they must protect. However, as with I Know What You Did Last Summer*, the truth can only be contained for so long.
One a dark and stormy night, cars approach a remote, fancy home before parking and entering. Strangers gather there, unsure of what to expect, or even what ends they might go to get what they want.
The movie Clue, based on a board game, among the most classic of movie classics, brought actors like Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, and Lesley Ann Warren together to make cinema gold.
The story brings the characters together for a moment of truth.
A similar party gathering brings Rhona's Phoenix into the beginning of full bloom. After months and years of the main characters stumbling around in the dark, the missing, mysterious character turns on the light.
But the revelation is not just shocking. It might be a miracle.
And if you'd like to attend the party yourself... Get it here
The movie title belies its opening couple of minutes.
While we begin with a cute youngster preparing for a cozy movie date with her boyfriend with the perfect Friday night vibe, it doesn't take long for the title to make sense.
Scream brought together an ensemble to chill and thrill: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and the list goes on.
This slasher film brings suspense, includes an element of horror also, and mystery holds it all together. Can they identify the killer before its too late?
No one could ever call Rhona's Phoenix a slasher novel but a central mystery holds it together with a twist. Rather than the mystery of who did the terrible deed, the mystery surrounds a positive change.
But why aren't they happy? Why aren't they thankful? Why are they scared?
Teens may experience fears, failures, and loss, but nothing compares to betrayal of trust, especially when a close friend does the betraying.
Drew Barrymore, previously mentioned for her role in Scream, starred in another movie that portrayed such a betrayal (among too many other things to mention here). This is an entirely different sort of terror.
You think you know her. You've known her for as much of your life as matters. You could finish one another's sentences. You know every move she'd make. She knows the same about you. Then she does something you can't predict or even understand. Then you realize you don't know her like you thought you did. Perhaps you don't know her at all. And if she isn't the person you thought she was, who is she?
The primary characters of Rhona's Phoenix must grapple with this question when the truth comes out and it fits with nothing they thought they knew. They feel betrayed. Worse yet, they feel lost.
That leaves them with no choice but to search for answers.
Summer Reading Luminaries
The summer reading list gets the royal treatment during this beauty pageant for books. Limited series for teens coming soon.
Summer Reading Luminaries, Episode 1: Fahrenheit 451
Sadie, Ada, Benji, and Allen will consider five entries in this book beauty pageant before choosing the most luminary of them all.
Ada: I rolled the dice for the first category and it looks like we'll begin with personality.
Benji: This book has a sad, like, annoyingly morose personality. You know, like, sitting in the corner facing the wall while a party is going on. On a one to ten scale, I give a one.
Sadie: Harsh...
Benji: But true?
Sadie: I'll give a two.
Ada: The personality may be a bit emo, but I don't know. I give it a six.
Benji: Wait, what book did you read? Allen, how do you rate it?
Allen: Not my favorite but not the worst. I give it a four.
Summer Reading Luminaries, Episode 2: The Metamorphosis
Sadie, Ada, Benji, and Allen will consider five entries in this book beauty pageant before choosing the most luminary of them all.
Allen: It looks like we'll first consider appearance for this one. Luck of the roll. Is this book drop dead gorgeous?
Sadie: Benji?
Benji: Why me? You know what I'm going to say. This one should just drop dead.
Ada: Benji is the mean judge. Okay, I want to talk about the cover, which can really hurt this book. We got an okay book cover but some of the covers that come with the book... Too insect-y.
Allen: I know what Ada means but just staying with the story itself, this one isn't pretty. Using the Benji scale, I give it a four.
Benji: Four?!?
Sadie: Okay, Benji gives it a one or a zero. I give it a three because the ugliness has a purpose. Ada, what about you?
Request Summer Reading Luminaries
Electric Avenue
Unsuspecting ride-share passengers find themselves stranded by their driver-less vehicle. Limited series.
Tech start-up COO, Liz, hops into an available driver-less vehicle from little-known ride-share company KYT when her ride fails to arrive on time. In a flurry over the threat of a company meltdown, which she manages to avert during the ride, she fails to notice her surroundings when she gets out of the car. The car speeds off before she can get back into the vehicle, leaving her on a quiet street with only one house. Liz approaches the house, sits on a porch swing, and gets busy working while identifying her location and arranging a pickup from any rideshare other than KYT. An irate woman exits the house without warning and shouting threats just as Liz hears a blaring car horn.
Hot Reads Tray
Enjoy one early episode of five past limited series for older and younger readers.
Carmen's young cousin opens a suspicious package full of paper maps, camera, tech, and money. Carmen plans to take the bag to the police when another older cousin figures it out. The package invites its recipient to participate in The Great Staycation, a local adventure with big payouts. Carmen activates the tablet and must opt in or out.
MO, Melly Orange, finds an unlocked door while working in the Hiddleton house alone. The door leads to what looks like a passageway, which MO begins to explore when Cary Hiddleton shows up and nearly catches her snooping. She tries to leave, particularly when Cary begins flirting with her and disparaging his wife. Trent, handsome ex-con turned PI, arrives and provides her an excuse to escape Cary. MO thinks she may know where to find their missing person.
Ken and Larain end their budding relationship, uncertain about possible blood ties. Later Larain inquires about meeting with Nate to talk but Ava, acting as a gate-keeper, insisted that he leave for college without ever knowing anything. Denise intercepts outsiders seeking information about records tracing three missing children to their town decades earlier.
Nia's new breathwork client, Prue, goes into a version of Romeo and Juliet and shocks her with news that she is Juliet. Prue has a meeting with prison guard, Byron, and tells him a similar tale. His lack of reaction prompts Prue to tell him that a world with no Romeo and Juliet dies. After a night of searing dreams, Byron takes leave from his job and plans to travel out of the country. Prue intercepts him on the plane during the flight.
High school senior, Bay, watches her very first football game in support of her first-time player younger brother, Dan, and her crush, Russ. After the team wins, she waits to drive Dan home and witnesses other players inhaling what looks like a cloudy substance. Russ interrupts with playful banter and walks her to her car, but erratic behavior from the same sniffing guys reminds her. Dan, happy over the team's win, laughs her question off. Bay learns the next day at school that a train accident nearly killed multiple football team members.
Summer Special
Get interactive before the summer ends. Special series.
A grand structure and a grand tour but will you have fun storming the castle? Get it here
A walk on a nice day in a nice area can change in an instant. What will you do? Get it here
A trip to the woods, an event with some friends, but once it gets eerie how will it end? Get it here
The Friday night dinner party is free but the mystery will cost you... Get it here
A date night like no other with high risks and even higher consequences. Get it here
Past Series Roundtable
Enthusiastic readers react to episodes of a past series, Tough As Nails, and discussion ensues. Limited series.
Sable: Alright, we're discussing Tough As Nails, episode one. I had no idea what to expect at all. I liked it.
Vera: So did I. I thought it was clever. It was a twist on the cop show, which I hate!
Cliff: Can I guess why you two enjoyed it so much? Show me your nails and I will tell you why.
(Laughs)
Lars: This definitely skews toward the ladies, but I thought it was okay. It set things up nicely. Like Vera said, the first episode hit familiar cop show tropes, all of the standard kind of stuff, but with a fresh twist.
Cliff: Fine, fine, but did anyone else think that the nail tech turned cop thing was hilarious?
Vera: Tough As Nails, episode two. What did we think?
Sable: I think that I am looking at my manicure in a total different way now. Cliff? You look like you are going to burst.
Cliff: (giggles) I love the victim getting a manicure. This may be one of the greatest comedies ever written.
Vera: I liked it, it was amusing, but I'm not sure it's that funny. Lars? Give us your deep insights.
Lars: I like the cat-and-mouse that the second episode set up. And Hansen getting caught between her commander and a killer.
Sable: Wow, Lars. Commander and killer. Nice. Are any of you trying to figure out how the killer knows Hansen by name? Could it be her cosmetology instructor or something like that?
Cliff: Tough As Nails, episode three. NPD and FBI team up. Let's go.
Sable: (laughing) Lee PON. I could not stop laughing when I saw that.
Lars: Why is that funny? What did I miss?
Vera: I did not catch that. Oh, like--
Cliff: Did I miss the big laugh this time? I thought it was getting serious on this episode.
Sable: Ladies will know. Anyway, the setting up is great. Ruiz looks a little suspicious, no?
Lars: We're on Tough As Nails, episode four. I have to admit that I'm pulled in folks. What say you?
Vera: I was ready for this couple to get together and they took it away from me before I could blink.
Sable: How did the killer get the pictures? I'm still wondering about Ruiz in all of this.
Cliff: I don't really understand why Hansen is living with Ruiz anyway. That seems like a setup for Ruiz to be guilty. Sable's right.
Lars: Did you all like this episode and where do you think this is leading? I liked it. I'm wondering if it could actually be Mezzaluna.
Cliff: Ahh. I like that. Could Ruiz and Mezzaluna be doing this together?
Cliff: Come on, guys. Tough As Nails, episode five. What are we thinking?
Lars: I thought it was great.
Sable: It wasn't a surprise, but it was still a surprise. I love that.
Vera: Me too. When you pretty much know where it is going, or think you do, but you still feel the shock? I didn't think I could be surprised.
Cliff: I want the humor back. I think once certain characters started dying, the laughs were gone. But I did like it and I want more. What did you all think about the cliff-hanger?
Request Past Series Roundtable
Wild Weekend
Special mystery puzzle weekend.
These coworkers get snagged during their retreat to a remote cabin location. Get it here
A lucky lass finds favor with three, but now she must determine which one will he be? Get it here
They brought the burgers, they brought the buns, the brought the drinks, but that's not all... Get it here
A simple ride goes awry, but does anyone really know why? Get it here
Wrap up a wild weekend with a few puzzles. Wordle -- Jigsaw -- Word search
More Rolling Reads
School Ends
Special mystery puzzle for teens.
Fiction-Reader's Roundtable
Readers discuss the book blurbs of newly published fiction to decide what they should read next. Returning limited series.
Request Fiction-Reader's Roundtable
Five Thousand Dollar Chat
A game of conversation and big words. Bigger words earn higher points. Limited series for teens.
Request Five Thousand Dollar Chat
eContract
A young tech mastermind offers a solution for her classmates problems. Limited series for teens.
Conscripted
Forces pull Tully into a situation and environment requiring kill or be killed. Limited series.
Cover Trends
Visuals enthusiasts compare notes about fiction cover art trends in recent releases. Limited series for all ages. 
See book covers
Just Before Spring Special
Make the most of breezing into spring. Limited series for teens.
Teen Sleuths
Teens discuss micro mysteries to discover who did what, when, why, and how. Limited series.
Solve Me
Two high school seniors stumble into a gambit that will either protect their classmates or lead to catastrophe. Limited series for teens.
Re-Cast Best Picture
Ahead of the 2026 Academy Award winners announcement, movie-lovers share their preferred cast for selected Best Picture nominees. Limited series.
Re-Cast Best Picture, Episode 1: Marty Supreme
Re-Cast Best Picture, Episode 2: Bugonia
Re-Cast Best Picture, Episode 3: Sinners
Re-Cast Best Picture, Episode 4: One Battle After Another
Re-Cast Best Picture, Episode 5: F1, finale
Request full Re-Cast Best Picture
Biting Cold
The winter brings threats and danger Mel and those around her will need a silver bullet to escape. Limited series.
Past Post Roundtable
Eager participants discuss past posts of yore, their reactions and their opinions. Limited series.
Past Post Roundtable, Episode 1: Extraordinary
Past Post Roundtable, Episode 2: Let's Poem!
Past Post Roundtable, Episode 3: Who's the Champ?
Past Post Roundtable, Episode 4: Text Neck
Past Post Roundtable, Episode 5: Class Warfare, finale
Request full Past Post Roundtable
Hearts Ablaze
This one is for every heart. Come one, come all. Limited series.
Holiday Weekend Rewind
Spend this end of the year with unique, surprising, unexpected, laugh-out-loud, and more.
Holiday Weekend Rewind, Episode 1: Marriage Arrangement
Holiday Weekend Rewind, Episode 2: Master the Holiday Munchies
OOP Youth, Episode 3: First Day At School
Request Holiday Weekend Rewind
Know Your Role
A game of stealth, requiring close observation and strong conversation. Limited series for teens.
Know Your Role, Episode 1
Know Your Role, Episode 2,
Know Your Role, Episode 4
Know Your Role, Episode 5 finale
Charmed Birthday Year
Kendra receives multiple correspondence stating, "This is your charmed birthday year until it all runs out." Limited series.
Read full Charmed Birthday Year
Date Auction
Daters are on the auction block and any interested in bidding for the chance for a date must be ready to commit to a reading list. Limited series.
Big Game
Bay must stop the high school football team's suddenly dangerous behavior, including her younger brother and her crush. Limited series for teens.
OOP Retrospective
An in-depth exploration of story, characters, and themes of an OOP favorite. Limited series.
Fic Fash
Fiction and fashion combine when readers of all ages come together to pull style off of the page. Limited series.
Fic Fash, Episode 1: Starting Pretty Fall
Fic Fash, Episode 2: The Style Friend
Fic Fash, Episode 3: Coffin Nails
Fic Fash, Episode 4: Faultless and Flawless
Fic Fash, Episode 5: Perfect 10, finale
Reads Excerpts
Cash Out, preview
"You've got it, Lela. Roll 'em."
June said those words, and blew on the dice in Lela's hands. For Lela, time seemed to stop.
They'd both had their contracts come up but neither of them had earned the necessary numbers to win their freedom. They'd been dragged to wherever they'd been dragged. They thought they were going to meet their end. Well, Lela thought that. June seemed incapable of understanding what was at stake.
Even that, at the very moment, June seemed not to realize what was happening.
Big Dough, the one calling the shots, upon seeing them seemed to grow a heart. No, not really. He just like to play with people. He liked to pretend to give a chance when he knew they had no chance. Instead of handling it quickly, he gave them a chance to play for their lives.
But Lela had to roll for the both of them. Only one of them would go free. "Free." Whatever that would actually mean.
June said, "I don't know if blowing like that helps but I've seen people do that before in the movies."
Despite the noise, the jitters, the threat of death that caused her to want to pee, time seemed to stop.
Lela could barely see past June, the dealer, and the crowed around the table.
They had no way out.
Swallowing a glob of nervous spit and blinking her eyes, Lela made a decision.
Read Cash Out, a MineTime Discovery
Dinner Or Death, preview
Kwan artfully slid the bills to the other man. Smiling and nodding, he started to speak but was cut off.
"Just remember, if anything happens, I don't know you, never seen you."
Sighing, Kwan felt a brief moment on uncertainty. He couldn't do that. He almost put a grin on his face but went serious instead.
"I've got this, cousin. Always had it."
Kwan's cousin thumbed the money. When he was satisfied, he headed for the kitchen door. "Good luck."
Scoping the dining area, Kwan wondered at how he'd so soon gone from "No doubt" to "I hope so." But he kept moving. He saw the table and he saw his target. Then he moved, trying to be swift but without a care, not wanting to attract any attention.
"Helio," he said, dropping a hand on the man's shoulder.
Helio's shoulder felt stiff as stone. His head turned with the precision of a machine, at a painstakingly slow speed, and his eyes fell on Kwan with the fear of God.
"Helio," Kwan repeat, slightly shaken, "Kwan, P-Pause, haven't seen you in a while, man. I thought I'd come over..."
Helio's tension released instantly and he glanced toward every entrance.
"Right, P-Pause," said Helio. "Well, look, I'm expecting someone."
Read Dinner Or Death, a MineTime Discovery
Let's Play, preview
Arily felt sweat run down into her eyes. She flicked it away. The sauna had just become less confortable and the other two ladies had already exited, leaving her there alone.
She breathed deeply, wondering what her test results might reveal. Something unexplainable had taken over her body. She needed answers.
The sauna door opened. Arily paid no mind until she caught a male figure in her peripheral vision and saw the towel drop. Arily sighed.
"Feels great in here."
Arily recognized the voice of Doctor Robinson, Le Med's medical director. She kept her eyes on her feet. The doctor was handsome and helpful--he'd agreed to run tests for her privately. But if this was the payment he expected... She was in no mood.
"Yes. I think I'll leave soon before I over-heat."
"Before you do that, I got the results of the test. Everything looks fine. Care to tell me what you expected to find?"
Arily did not care to tell him.
"Maybe once I've showered and dressed. Thank you again."
Arily allowed herself to look over the naked doctor's body where he laid out on the platform. She shrugged, impressed. Then she stood.
"That's an excellent idea. Dinner this evening?"
Read Let's Play, a MineTime Discovery
Delwyn In Wonderground, preview
In a dark place, somewhere few people could ever identify, or find, or escape, a man's motionless body lays out like the dead. Until his arm strikes out without warning to reach for something that he does not find. Then he freezes. Then he jumps up and flies into a rage.
"Let me out!" he shouts.
"Mr. Delwyn," responds a voice immediately, "let's calm down, shall we? Anger won't get you out of here. Why don't we just discuss what will?"
Delwyn looks feverishly around himself. Where is the exit? Where is person attached to the voice? Where is the--
"Mr. Delwyn please. Can we just get down to business? You've been resourceful and creative and you've escaped all of this for many years but you are here now. You won't be released until we get what we need."
Delwyn takes a deep breath. He sits back down on the cot he sprang up from. He sees his prison, a low-lit, sparse room with a large, dark window in one wall and little else.
He says, "And what do you need?"
"The pole shift is here," says the voice. "Certain geographic locations require protection."
Delwyn's head falls to his chest. He closes his eyes. He feels the rage welling up before he slows his breathing. Delwyn lifts his head.
"Okay."
Read Delwyn In Wonderground, a MineTime Discovery
Plain Twain, preview
Because May dropped the phone, she did not hear the ranting woman on the phone and her frantic words.
"May," the voice distantly squeaked, "I want you to come in for an evaluation. You don't sound well. Your thoughts are scattered, you are drawing wild connections, and frankly I don't know what to say. You think that you may have been cloned without your knowledge and that this identical twin of yours has been out to get you? I don't want to scare you but this kind of talk can be very dangerous if clients get wind of any of this."
"Why don't I get that for you."
The woman who only recently entered the room, reached down and picked up the phone. Without a word, she disconnected the call with a smile.
She said, "Hello, May."
Shocked into silence, May stared at the very one the caller had referred to, the clone, the identical twin, the one out to get May. The same one she'd felt stalking her.
"Who are you?" May asked.
The other woman frowned. "You mean to tell me that you don't know?"
Read Plain Twain, a MineTime Discovery
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