2/3/25 ISSUE – NORTH ALABAMA THEATRE HAPPENINGS

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Nina Soden

Disclaimer: Theatre Happenings has never and will never sell or share your information with anyone. All information you provide via the links (Submission Form, Giveaway Entry Form, and Feedback Form) within this newsletter is used solely for the purposes of Theatre Happenings and its moderator (Nina Soden) to ensure the best experience possible.

A LITTLE ABOUT ME
GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED
PRODUCTIONS

EVENT	GROUP	LOCATION	DATE
I love you, You’re Perfect… Now Change	Bank Street Players	Banksy Event Venue	2/6-2/8
Open To Suggestions: Valentine’s Day Show	Plumb Line Events	Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre	2/13
9 To 5 The Musical	The Whole Backstage	The Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL	2/13-2/22
The Choir of Man	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/13-2/14
Brahms Violin Concerto	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/21
& Juliet	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/24-3/1
Jim Brickman & Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	3/7
Mrs. Doubtfire	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	3/27-3/29
Dreams in Flight	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	4/11
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof	The Whole Backstage	The Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL	4/17-4/26
Give Me Justice	Valley Consort	Messiah Lutheran Church, Madison & Faith Presbyterian Church, Huntsville	4/24-4/25
Video Games Live	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	4/25
Bolero	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	5/2
Water for Elephants	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	5/5-5/9
Oklahoma	The Whole Backstage	The Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL	6/19-6/28

OTHER THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS / ARTS-RELATED INFORMATION

DETAILS	GROUP/ETC	LOCATION	DATE
Awaken – Audiobook Released	Nina Soden	Amazon	NOW
Beginnings – Audiobook Just Released	Nina Soden	Amazon	NOW
Revenge – Audiobook Just Released	Nina Soden	Amazon	NOW
A Winter Affair	Independent Musical Productions	Trilogy Hotel	2/5

SUBMISSION REQUESTS
MONTHLY GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Lessons from a Flubbed Line

Once during an audition, while performing a monologue, I completely blanked. My heart stopped — but instinct kicked in, and I improvised until the words found their way back. I don’t know if the casting director knew or not. If she did, she never said anything. In the end, I got the part. I learned that sometimes improvisation is not only necessary but also welcomed.

Real estate is full of those moments, too — unexpected hiccups, sudden shifts, creative pivots. Experience has taught me how to stay calm, adapt, and guide my clients through to the final curtain call.

Nina Soden (Associate Broker/Realtor, The Soden Team at LEGEND REALTY)

📧 ninasodenbooks@gmail.com | 📞 256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY WINNER:

AND THE WINNERS ARE… Sarah Perrin & LAWRENCE FINE

Sarah, you have won two tickets to Broadway Theatre League’s performance of The Choir of Man on Friday, February 13^th. A representative of Broadway Theatre League will reach out to you shortly to schedule your seats.

Lawrence, you have won two tickets to Plumb Line Events’ Open To Suggestions: Valentine’s Day Show on February 13, 2026 at 7:00PM at Fantasy Playhouse. A representative of Plumb Line Events will reach out to you shortly to schedule your tickets.

Check out the upcoming giveaways below. The next winner will be announced on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. It could be you!

UPCOMING GIVEAWAYS:

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: & Juliet Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 10, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Mrs. Doubtfire Ticket Date/Time: Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: MARCH 17, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Water for Elephants Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: APRIL 21, 2026

Click here to be entered for your chance to win two tickets to an upcoming production.

PRODUCTIONS:

Bank Street Players

I Love You, You’re Perfect… Now Change

Dates:

February 6 & 7; Dinner Theatre at 7:00 PM- Doors Open at 6:00 PM

February 8: Dessert Theatre at 2:30 PM – Doors Open at 1:30 PM

Performed at: Levity Live (2012 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: Dinner and a Show! A witty, fast-paced musical comedy that hilariously explores love, dating, marriage, and everything in between—showing how relationships evolve as we grow, change, and learn to love each other anyway. Enjoy dinner (or dessert) catered by Bank Street Grille! Menus choices available at ticket purchase. Cash Bar at all shows.

Tickets: Dinner Theatre: $60 PP – Includes choice of Pork/Chicken Dessert Theatre: $30 PP Cheesecake/Banana Pudding & Coffee CASH BAR available at all shows.https://bankstreetplayers.ludus.com/index.php

Added 1/25/2026

Plumb Line Events

Open To Suggestions: Valentine’s Day

Date: February 13th @ 7PM

Performed at: Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (3320 SW Triana Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35805)

Synopsis: Fast, Funny, Fully Made-Up! Come give us your Suggestions for this interactive, family friendly, Huntsville original improv comedy show! The show uses audience suggestions to inspire hilarious scenes that the actors come up with on the spot. No two shows are alike, everything is made up, and it is always a good time!

Fans of TV shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway” will fall in-love with this fast, funny, fully made-up show!

Tickets: $10-$15 at the door or online at Fantasyplayhouse.org

Added 1/25/2026

The Whole Backstage

9 To 5 The Musical

Dates:

February 13^th at 7:00 PM
February 14^th at 7:00 PM
February 15^th at 2:00 PM
February 15^th at 7:00 PM
February 20^th at 7:00 PM
February 21^st at 7:00 PM
February 22^nd at 2:00 PM

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: 9 to 5, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic.

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?

This high-energy show is ideal for a large, mostly female cast, but also has opportunities for talented male dancers. With its jubilant score and easily relatable characters, 9 to 5is the perfect show for community theatres.

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

A brick house with a garage door

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Broadway Theatre League

The Choir of Man

Dates:

February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: THE CHOIR OF MAN

THE RUNAWAY INTERNATIONAL HIT IS COMING TO HUNTSVILLE! Known across the globe as “the ultimate-feel good show,” The THE CHOIR OF MAN offers up one hour of indisputable joy for all ages! It’s a party. It’s a concert. It’s the best pub “lock-in” you’ve ever been to. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway and pub tunes, The THE CHOIR OF MAN has something for everyone. A multi-talented cast of nine handsome guys combines hair-raising harmonies, foot-stomping singalongs, world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community in this riotously enjoyable homage to that gathering place we’ve all missed so much over the last year: your local pub. With a real working bar on stage, come ready to drink in the action. The first round’s on us. Cheers!

Run Time: 90 minutes No Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 6+

Tickets: $45-$80 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/the-choir-of-man/  or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Brahms Violin Concerto

Date: Saturday, February 21^st at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

& Juliet

Dates:

February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: & JULIET

Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & JULIET asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

ADVISORY: & Juliet includes flashing/strobe lighting, loud noises, confetti cannons, and pyrotechnics throughout.

Single Tickets go on sale October 14, 2025!

Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$110 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/juliet/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Jim Brickman & Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Date: Saturday, March 7^th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Mrs. Doubtfire

Dates:

March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
March 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM
March 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: MRS. DOUBTFIRE – A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.

Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Huntsville in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News) and “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers” (The Hollywood Reporter). Based on the beloved film, MRS. DOUBTFIRE tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. It’s “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now,” raves the Chicago Tribune – one that proves we’re better together.

Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, MRS. DOUBTFIRE teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. A hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, this is the musical comedy we need right now – one that proves we’re better together.

Single Tickets go on sale October 23, 2025!

Run Time: 2 Hours 35 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$95 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/mrs-doubtfire/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Dreams in Flight

Date: Saturday, April 11^th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

The Whole Backstage

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Date: April 17-26, 2026

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: In Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the dysfunctional but wealthy Pollitt family gathers to celebrate aging patriarch Big Daddy’s birthday. But there is more to this gathering than a family reunion– Big Daddy, unbeknown to him, is dying of cancer. He is still to decide which of his sons will inherit the estate. His options include favorite son Brick, who drinks himself into oblivion in order to bear the desires of his determined wife, Maggie, or his less-favored son Gooper, his fertile wife Mae, and their “no-neck monster” children. While sensuous Maggie “the cat” tries to work her wiles to secure a future for them, Brick spirals deeper into despair, crippled by both physical pain and emotional loss. Lurking under every practiced interaction between the Pollitts is an ulterior motive, under every smile, a challenge, and under every statement, the spectre of mendacity. For the Pollitts, the truth is as hazy as the late summer sun in Mississippi, and sometimes the only way to find it is to journey through the lies.

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

Valley Consort

Give Me Justice

Dates:

April 24^th & 25^th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Messiah Lutheran Church, Madison (Fri.)/Faith Presbyterian Church Huntsville (Sat.)

Synopsis: Come and hear (mostly) a cappella choral group Valley Consort in this concert of music on the theme of Mercy & Justice. Composers include Poulenc, Schutz, Bruckner, Barnwell, Byrd, and more.

Tickets: FREE – Donations Accepted

Added 1/25/2026

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Video Games Live

Date: Saturday, April 125^th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Bolero

Date: Saturday, May 2^nd at 7:30PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Water for Elephants

Date:

May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
May 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
May 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM
May 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
May 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM
May 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
May 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: Water for Elephants

The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical, Water for Elephants! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”

After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.

Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone’s “huge, heart-filling” production (The New York Times) features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co.

So, step right up to the “spellbinding entertainment” (Variety) at Water For Elephants, “the best new musical on Broadway” (Theatermania).

Single Tickets to this show will go on sale November 4, 2025

Run Time: 2 Hours 40 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$105 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/water-for-elephants/ or call 256-518-6155

Added 11/5/2025

The Whole Backstage

Oklahoma

Date: June 19-28, 2026

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: Oklahoma! is a musical set in 1906 Oklahoma Territory, centering on the romance between cowboy Curly McLain and farm girl Laurey Williams. Their love story is complicated by a rival suitor, the menacing farmhand Jud Fry. A comedic subplot follows Ado Annie’s romantic entanglements with her fiancé, Will Parker, and a traveling peddler, Ali Hakim. The musical’s story is driven by these relationships against the backdrop of a community preparing for statehood.

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

Looking to buy a new home or maybe a rental property in North Alabama? Check out these great homes:

Call me at 256-520-9640 to schedule a showing.

OTHER THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS / ARTS-RELATED INFORMATION:

New audiobooks released by yours truly, Nina Soden, YA Urban Fantasy Author!

ORDER YOUR AUDIO BOOK: https://amzn.to/4rh1gPq

ORDER YOUR AUDIO BOOK: https://amzn.to/4k2dCsn

ORDER YOUR AUDIO BOOK: https://amzn.to/4pZs99k

Independent Musical Productions (IMPHuntsville)

A Winter Affair

Date: February 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Location: Trilogy Hotel

Synopsis: Join us on February 5, 2026 for a night of exquisite food, stunning silent auction opportunities, live music and dancing! This formal, black-tie optional occasion will be unlike anything you’ve seen before.

All proceeds raised will be allocated to their new facility, a space that will allow their all-volunteer company to continue to deliver Broadway-caliber musicals to the Huntsville Community.

Parking: $10 Valet

Tickets: https://track.pstmrk.it/3s/imphuntsville.ludus.com/w8RA/3-XCAQ/AQ/0a079a8c-2a04-4060-868f-84a878c78ede/2/lBmGSgXgzs

Click here for more detailed information: A Winter Affair | IMP Site

Added 10/21/2025

SUBMISSIONS:

If you are part of an upcoming theater production or theatre-related event, I’d love to help you market it through the THEATRE HAPPENINGS weekly email newsletter. Please submit all theatre productions and theatre-related events through the new online THEATRE HAPPENINGS – SUBMISSION FORM. (Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeFZsqfwGksQPse1V2pwZjK8h_M1LT8QjYRj6Ok3TxFveYlw/viewform?usp=header)

If you know of anyone in the theater world who would be interested in receiving the ‘weekly’ THEATRE HAPPENINGS newsletter, please share this email with them and ask them to subscribe by reaching out to me directly at ninasodenbooks@gmail.com (There will be an online subscription form coming soon!)

Thank you, and I look forward to receiving your submissions.

Nina Soden

256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY:

My goal is to do a monthly giveaway… That’s right, I want you all to have a chance to win free things…

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE NEXT TICKET GIVEAWAY… If you are a part of an upcoming theater production or theatre/arts event and would like to donate 2 tickets, please give me a call at 256-520-9640 or email me the details at ninasodenbooks@gmail.com.

Looking to buy land in North Alabama? Check out this great property:

A road with houses and trees

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Call me at 256-520-9640 for more information!

A Late New Year’s Writing Resolution

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Nina Soden

I’m a little late to the New Year’s resolutions conversation—and honestly, that feels fitting.

I’ve never been great at January declarations. They tend to arrive before the year has fully revealed itself, before the dust settles, before I know what kind of energy the months ahead will actually require. February feels more honest. More awake. More intentional. More me.

So here it is—written down, on purpose, for the whole world to see. Or at least those few of you out there who are hanging on and visiting my website. I truly appreciate you more than you could ever know.

This year, I am committing to publishing two books.

Writing that goal down feels equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, which is how I know it matters. This isn’t a wish or a vague hope or a “someday.” It’s a decision. One rooted in consistency, discipline, and trust in the work I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes.

I’ve spent a long time learning how I write best, because trust me – we authors are not all the same. I’ve learned how stories take shape for me, how worlds reveal themselves slowly, and how forcing the process never leads to the kind of work I’m proud of. But I’ve also learned that creativity needs commitment just as much as it needs space. At some point, the dreaming has to meet the doing.

This is that moment.

Publishing two books this year doesn’t mean rushing the stories or cutting corners. It means showing up when it would be easier to wait. It means protecting writing time. It means choosing progress over perfection and trusting that the stories will meet me halfway if I meet them with consistency.

There are worlds I’ve been carrying for quite some time now. Characters who refuse to be quiet. Themes that keep circling back, asking to be explored fully and honestly. Those stories deserve to exist beyond my drafts folder.

So, this is me saying it out loud, in public, where I can’t quietly walk it back later.

By the end of this year, two of those stories will be released into the world.

I don’t know exactly how the year will unfold, none of us do. But what I do know is that there will be hard days, slow chapters, and moments where doubt tries to convince me to play small. But I also know this: I am capable of finishing what I start. I have done it before, and I will do it again. I will keep you updated monthly with my progress. It will come in the form of a post… likely something excited and hurried when things are going well and something short and hushed when writing is a struggle, but updates will come, good or bad.

This post isn’t for pressure. It’s for accountability. It’s a reminder to myself that the work matters—and that believing in your stories sometimes looks like choosing to stand behind them before anyone else sees them.

So here’s to a slightly late resolution, written with intention and hope.

Here’s to two books.

And here’s to a year of showing up.

— Nina

Looks That Kill by Lee Gemmill

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Nina Soden

Sometimes death is not enough.

Looks that Kill

by Lee Gemmill

Genre: Serial Killer Thriller

Sometimes death is not enough…

Laura Johnson’s life has been a mosaic of terror, each piece a fragment of her haunted past. In her world, to be unnoticed is to be safe, yet, beneath her camouflage lies a burning desire to live without the constant pulse of fear.

Enter Diablo, a serial killer who transforms his victims into chilling avatars that appear within his dark and popular computer games. With the police powerless to peel back his many masks, Diablo sets his sights on Laura.

In this heart-stopping race against time, Laura is thrust into a deadly play where facing fear isn’t a choice-it’s survival. With the killer’s shadow looming, can she stand against the darkness? Or will she become the next character in his twisted games of death?

The terror begins now….

“A wounded soul becomes the target of a brutal serial killer’s game in this dark, gripping, game of cat and mouse.” ★★★★★ – Explore Authors Magazine

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

Laura’s entire body throbbed with pain as she regained consciousness. Her wrists and ankles were tightly bound, leaving her immobilized on her back with her arms stretched overhead. The muscles of her neck and shoulders burned, likely from being restrained in the same position for a long time. She blinked, trying in vain to bring the blurry room into focus without her missing glasses. Trapped and helpless, Laura could do nothing but wait for her abductor’s next move.

A tide of claustrophobic panic engulfed her. Thrashing against the cords, she felt them dig deeper, burning as they sliced her wrists and ankles. Through a haze of tears and her own poor vision, she glimpsed redness streaking her arms. Blood. It took all the willpower she had to calm herself against the terror. At last, she settled down and sighed tragically. Escape wasn’t an option.

“Help!” she cried, the words scraping her dry throat. Traces of duct tape glue tugged at her lips when she opened her mouth. Louder, she screamed, “Help me! Somebody help!”

Laura tensed as she detected movement to her right. A blurred figure appeared and drew nearer; his murmuring voice sent a chill down her spine. The man strode up to Laura and crouched over her, bringing his face uncomfortably close to hers. His breath smelled like an ashtray. Up close, she squinted, struggling to discern his features. A jolt of fear pierced her heart — it was the pizza delivery guy without his cap. His gaze was predatory. Laura shuddered, paralyzed by the terror of understanding.

“W-who are you?” she stammered, her voice quivering with fear. The simple question caught in her throat, nearly choking her. The stranger’s presence filled her with dread. She lay on the concrete floor compelled to learn his identity despite the fear gripping her heart. She asked him again in a timid whisper, “Who are you?”

“I think you know who I am,” he replied, sounding cocky. When she didn’t seem to register, he shouted at her. “Diablo! Who did you think I was?”

Diablo set something blue and blurry on the floor by her head. Laura turned and looked but couldn’t see it well enough to know exactly what it was. A small box maybe? He took something from the box that shone brightly in the light. Her blood went cold. Was it a knife?

“I need you to scream more, but louder. There’s no ADR session after we’re done here, so I need all the vocals you can give me now.” He pointed at something, then at something else, but she could only squint and wonder what he meant.

“You can’t see, can you? I thought those glasses were awfully thick. I’ve placed microphones above and around you, and I’m recording your every sound, so I need you to be loud. And I have camcorders strategically placed to show your face, your body movement, everything about you.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. “Why are you doing this?”

“To capture your entirety, of course!” he beamed. “I need the best sound and video I can get.”

“Why me?” she asked, still not comprehending. “I’m ugly.”

Diablo was taken aback. “How can you say that? I saw your picture in the paper. You must know how truly lovely you are.”

“You’re going to kill me.” Laura became uncharacteristically calm, like an animal being led to slaughter that knows it’s going to die. She accepted her fate with sadness.

“I’m going to make you immortal.”

“You’re going to kill me. I saw it in your eyes just now. Your eyes have the looks that kill.”

At 20, Lee Gemmill set off on a hitchhiking adventure from Virginia to California, climbing Handies Peak in Colorado and losing all his food to sneaky ground squirrels in the Grand Canyon along the way. A former biology and anatomy teacher with 32 years of experience in Virginia, he’s now retired and fully dedicated to writing.
Lee’s mission is to reshape storytelling by blending fantasy, science fiction, and horror into unforgettable tales. His work pushes the boundaries of imagination, delivering thrilling experiences that stay with readers long after the last page — all while building a legacy of unique, genre-defying stories that cultivate lifelong fans.

Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads

1/27/25 ISSUE – NORTH ALABAMA THEATRE HAPPENINGS

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Nina Soden

Disclaimer: Theatre Happenings has never and will never sell or share your information with anyone. All information you provide via the links (Submission Form, Giveaway Entry Form, and Feedback Form) within this newsletter is used solely for the purposes of Theatre Happenings and its moderator (Nina Soden) to ensure the best experience possible.

FEEDBACK SURVEY ~ Please share your feedback
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED
PRODUCTIONS

EVENT	GROUP	LOCATION	DATE
Comic Science Improv	Comic Science Improv	Shenanigans Comedy Theater	1/30
Open To Suggestions: Improve Comedy Show	Plumb Line Events	Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre	1/30
The Sound of Music	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	1/27-2/1
Kountry Wayne (Stand Up Comedy)	Levity Live	Levity Live	1/30-2/1
Open To Suggestions: Valentine’s Day Show	Plumb Line Events	Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre	2/13
9 To 5 The Musical	The Whole Backstage	The Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL	2/13-2/22
The Choir of Man	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/13-2/14
Brahms Violin Concerto	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/21
& Juliet	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/24-3/1
Jim Brickman & Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	3/7
Mrs. Doubtfire	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	3/27-3/29

OTHER THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS / ART-RELATED INFORMATION

Audio Book Releases…

SUBMISSION REQUESTS
MONTHLY GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Theatre Happenings Feedback SURVEY

Hi everyone, I would like to thank those who completed the survey already. I hope you enjoy the changes I have made so far. For those who haven’t completed the survey… I’ve been hosting the weekly Theatre Happenings newsletter since March 19, 2025, and I want to ensure I’m providing you with the content you want from the newsletter. If you could take a couple of minutes to follow the link below and complete the quick 5-question feedback survey, I would greatly appreciate it.

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The Director’s Eye

When I directed my first show, many moons ago, I realized how much of directing and leadership is about vision – helping each actor see how their part fits into the bigger story – helping the crew see how their role helps create the big picture – and helping the audience fall into the story laid out before them.

That’s how I approach real estate. I help my clients see the full picture — timing, financing, location, lifestyle — so the final “production” is exactly what they’ve dreamed of. The goal is always the same: make sure everyone has their moment to shine.

Nina Soden (Associate Broker/Realtor, The Soden Team at LEGEND REALTY)

📧 ninasodenbooks@gmail.com | 📞 256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY WINNER:

AND THE WINNER IS… Joseph Spratt Hall

You’ve won two tickets to Plumb Line Events’ Open To Suggestions: Improve Comedy Show at Fantasy Playhouse on January 30^th at 7PM. A representative of Plumb Line Events will contact you shortly to schedule your seats.

Check out the upcoming giveaways below. The next winner will be announced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. It could be you!

UPCOMING GIVEAWAYS:

Sponsor: Plumb Line Events
Production: Open To Suggestions: Valentine’s Day Show!
Ticket Date/Time: Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 3, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League
Production: The Choir of Man
Ticket Date/Time: Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3
WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 3, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League
Production: & Juliet
Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3
WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 10, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League
Production: Mrs. Doubtfire
Ticket Date/Time: Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3
WINNER ANNOUNCED: MARCH 17, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League
Production: Water for Elephants
Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3
WINNER ANNOUNCED: APRIL 21, 2026

Click here to be entered for your chance to win two tickets to an upcoming production.

PRODUCTIONS:

Comic Science Improv

Comic Science Improv

Date: Friday, January 30 @ 7PM

Performed at: Shenanigans Comedy Theater (2650 Leeman Ferry Road, Unit A, Huntsville, AL 35805)

Synopsis: Join Comic Science Improv for an evening of hilarity in Huntsville! You give us the suggestions; we act them out in the funniest possible way allowed by law! Come laugh with us… or at us! Improv comedy for all audiences!

Tickets: $10 at the door or online at https://www.huntsvillelaughs.com

Added 1/25/2026

Plumb Line Events

Open To Suggestions: Improv Comedy Show

Date: Friday, January 30 @ 7PM

Performed at: Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (3320 SW Triana Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35805)

Fans of TV shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway” will fall in-love with this fast, funny, fully made-up show!

Tickets: $10-$15 at the door or online at Fantasyplayhouse.org

Added 1/25/2026

Broadway Theatre League

The Sound of Music

Dates:

January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
January 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM
January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
January 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
January 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: THE SOUND OF MUSIC

For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed – it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing.

Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music.

Featuring beloved songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss,” THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the iconic tale of a spirited nun who chooses not to live behind closed doors – and, by following her heart, learns to climb every mountain.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Oscar®-winning film, which continues to be one of the most successful movie musicals of all time.

Reason to See It

Experience THE SOUND OF MUSIC live on stage for the first time or introduce a new generation to the beloved story of Maria and the von Trapp family, with “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss” and more.

Single Tickets go on sale September 18, 2025!

Run Time: 2 Hours 45 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$105 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/the-sound-of-music/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

LEVITY LIVE

Kountry Wayne

Date: Friday – Sunday, January 30 – February 1

Performed at: Levity Live (2012 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Levity Live)

Added 12/23/2025

Bank Street Players

I Love You, You’re Perfect… Now Change

Dates:

February 6 & 7; Dinner Theatre at 7:00 PM- Doors Open at 6:00 PM

February 8: Dessert Theatre at 2:30 PM – Doors Open at 1:30 PM

Performed at: Levity Live (2012 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Added 1/25/2026

Plumb Line Events

Open To Suggestions: Valentine’s Day

Date: February 13th @ 7PM

Performed at: Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (3320 SW Triana Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35805)

Fans of TV shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway” will fall in-love with this fast, funny, fully made-up show!

Tickets: $10-$15 at the door or online at Fantasyplayhouse.org

Added 1/25/2026

The Whole Backstage

9 To 5 The Musical

Dates:

February 13^th at 7:00 PM
February 14^th at 7:00 PM
February 15^th at 2:00 PM
February 15^th at 7:00 PM
February 20^th at 7:00 PM
February 21^st at 7:00 PM
February 22^nd at 2:00 PM

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

Broadway Theatre League

The Choir of Man

Dates:

February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: THE CHOIR OF MAN

Run Time: 90 minutes No Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 6+

Tickets: $45-$80 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/the-choir-of-man/  or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Brahms Violin Concerto

Date: Saturday, February 21^st at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

& Juliet

Dates:

February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: & JULIET

ADVISORY: & Juliet includes flashing/strobe lighting, loud noises, confetti cannons, and pyrotechnics throughout.

Single Tickets go on sale October 14, 2025!

Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$110 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/juliet/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Jim Brickman & Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Date: Saturday, March 7^th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Mrs. Doubtfire

Dates:

March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
March 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM
March 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: MRS. DOUBTFIRE – A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.

Single Tickets go on sale October 23, 2025!

Run Time: 2 Hours 35 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$95 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/mrs-doubtfire/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Looking to buy a new home or maybe a rental property in North Alabama? Check out these great homes:

Call me at 256-520-9640 to schedule a showing.

OTHER THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS / ARTS-RELATED INFORMATION

New audio books released by yours truly, Nina Soden, YA Urban Fantasy Author!

ORDER YOUR AUDIO BOOK: https://amzn.to/4rh1gPq

ORDER YOUR AUDIO BOOK: https://amzn.to/4k2dCsn

ORDER YOUR AUDIO BOOK: https://amzn.to/4pZs99k

SUBMISSIONS:

Thank you, and I look forward to receiving your submissions.

Nina Soden

256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY:

My goal is to do a monthly giveaway… That’s right, I want you all to have a chance to win free things…

Looking to buy land in North Alabama? Check out this great property:

Call me at 256-520-9640 for more information!

Still Writing, Still Dreaming

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Nina Soden

If you’ve been wondering whether I’m still here—still writing, still imagining, still chasing stories late at night—I wanted to answer that question plainly and honestly.

Yes. I’m still here. And yes, I’m still writing.

The past two years have been one of those seasons that look quiet from the outside but feel anything but on the inside. The kind where words are being shaped slowly, where stories are tested and re-tested, where worlds are being built with care rather than urgency. Not every chapter is written in public, and not every creative season announces itself loudly—but that doesn’t mean the work isn’t happening.

It is.

I’ve been spending time in two very different story spaces. One is filled with wonder, light, and the kind of magic that asks readers to believe again. The other leans darker, asking harder questions about survival, memory, and what remains when everything familiar is stripped away. They couldn’t be more different on the surface, and yet they share the same heartbeat: characters searching for truth, belonging, and hope in worlds that challenge them at every turn.

I’m being intentionally careful with these stories. Not because I’m unsure of them—but because I believe some worlds deserve patience. I want them to arrive fully themselves, not rushed or diluted by timelines that don’t serve the story. If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know I care deeply about atmosphere, emotional resonance, and the slow unfolding of meaning. That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is the depth of the work.

I’ve grown as a writer over the last few years—not just in craft, but in confidence. I trust my instincts more. I’m more willing to sit with difficult scenes until they say what they need to say. I’m less interested in chasing trends and more interested in telling stories that linger after the final page.

That’s the energy behind the stories I’m working on right now.

While I’m not ready to share titles, covers, or plot details just yet, I am hopeful—and quietly excited—to have something ready to share later this year. When it’s time, you’ll be the first to know. And when these stories do step into the light, they’ll do so with intention.

If you’re a reader who has been waiting, wondering, or checking back from time to time—thank you. Your patience means more than you know. Writing can sometimes feel like a solitary act, but it’s never done in isolation. Knowing there are readers who care, who remember, who are willing to wait—that matters.

So this is simply a small note to say: I haven’t gone anywhere.

I’m still building worlds.
I’m still chasing characters who refuse to leave me alone.
I’m still writing toward something I believe is meaningful.

And I can’t wait to share it with you when the time is right.

Until then, thank you for being here.

— Nina

AUDIOBOOKS NOW AVAILABLE!

AUDIOBOOK

Loving a Winston by Stacy Eaton

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Nina Soden

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.

Deep family bonds meet the thrill of unexpected romance.
It’s finally time for the Winston siblings to surrender to passion and find their forever loves!

Cara

Loving a Winston Book 1

by Stacy Eaton

Genre: Steamy Small-Town Romance

What happens when the man you fall for is all wrong for you?

Cara Winston has always been a bit of a rebel and an adrenaline junkie. As a helicopter pilot and paramedic, she relies on that to do her job. When Cara and her team respond to a multi-vehicle accident involving motorcycles, she’s expecting the worst. What Cara doesn’t expect is to find herself intrigued by the blue eyes of a man wearing motorcycle gang colors.

Ryan Vigilante rides the road mostly on two wheels, not four. When several of the club members end up in an accident on the highway, Ryan never expects to see a future in the eyes of the intense female paramedic. The only problem is that she’s way out of his league, and he knows that getting involved with her could only jeopardize her safety.

With Cara’s family trying to keep them apart and Ryan’s club breaking the law, Cara finds herself more of a rebel than usual. Will things work out for Cara and Ryan, or will Cara’s law enforcement brother, Ethan, find a way to stop it for good?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

**On Sale – Only $1.99! for a limited time!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Evan

Loving a Winston Book 2

What happens when she’s not really who you think she is?

Evan Winston is dedicated to his job as a registered nurse in the ICU department of the local hospital. He’s one hundred percent focused on the needs of his patients and his family, or at least he usually is. That changes the day a woman visits one of his patients and turns his world upside down.

Laney Marshall wants nothing more than to help people who struggle—especially those women and children who are fighting to survive domestic violence situations. After losing someone close to her to an abusive man, she is determined to do everything in her power to help.

Unfortunately, Laney has people that don’t want her to do that. In fact, they don’t even like her in this town or even the state of Pennsylvania. They prefer her on the other side of the country, where they think she belongs, living the life planned for her.

Can Laney and Evan find a way to build a relationship while keeping others from getting involved, or will the revealed secrets be enough to end any chance of a future before it begins?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Candy

Loving a Winston Book 3

What happens when your lustful heart wins over your intellectual mind?

When Candy’s sister, Cara, was dating outlaw biker member Ryan Vigilante, Candy paid little attention to Ryan’s club buddy, Bollard. Sure, Bollard, who works behind the bar at the local tavern, was pleasing on the eyes and made a mean chocolate martini, but he was an outlaw, and that’s not the kind of person Candy associates with.

Michael Bollard is out of the club now and hopes to purchase the tavern. He had never wanted more than his bikes and the club, but now, Mike has high hopes to build a future. A future that suddenly collides with sexy and intelligent Candy Winston in ways he could have never imagined.

Just when he thinks he might have this new future figured out, a stranger enters the bar with a surprise he never saw coming. Will that surprise send Candy running for higher ground, or will it cement her future in the tavern with Mike?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Carmen

Loving a Winston Book 4

What happens when your first love returns to town—twenty years later?

Child Psychologist Carmen Winston spends a lot of time at the schools, and when she comes across a man and the name of a new student, she mentally flashes back to a time of young love and dreamy hopes of the perfect future that never happened.

Tim Kohl lived in Millerstown for six years before his parents moved him across the country. He never expected to return or to bring three kids with him when he did. The last thing Tim expected to find in town is his high school sweetheart, who is still as beautiful as ever and still single after all this time.

When sparks fly, can these two put the past behind them and plan a future, or will the years apart separate them before they can figure it out?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Coral

Loving a Winston Book 5

What happens when you overhear your family talking to the man you’ve fallen for?

Coral Winston has felt out of touch with her family since her mother passed away and threw everything she had into her coffee café. When her family forces her to vacation, they decide to come along for the fun.

Landan Lancaster is the oldest of the eight Lancaster children, and he’s still trying to deal with walking away from his cheating bride the night before their wedding many months prior. When a large family comes to stay in the Lancaster guest house on the lake, he finds himself expectedly intrigued by the woman standing at the water’s edge.

On the slopes of South Lake Tahoe, Landan realizes he has met his match in more ways than one, and Coral begins to feel as if she has finally found a place where she belongs. When she overhears a conversation between Landan and her family, Coral gets the wrong idea and flees without thinking. Unfortunately, she finds the café a mess and the cops waiting for her when she arrives home.

Can Coral overcome the issues facing her and find her way back to the beautiful mountains and water of Lake Tahoe, or will Landan lose her before he can ever call her his own?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Bestselling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016 due to a second serious concussion. Her last three years on the job were in investigations and crime scene investigation. She now writes full-time.

Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement. She has a daughter in college and a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy.

Stacy writes a variety of genres, but mostly romance. She enjoys writing real-life stories that people can relate to with real-life problems, emotions, and solutions.

Her favorites: Classic cars, photography, Disney, music, coffee, and her favorite sweatshirt that says, You are dangerously close to getting killed in my next novel.

Website* Facebook* FB Group* Instagram* Bluesky* Bookbub* Amazon* Goodreads

The Serpent Series by SZ Estavillo

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Nina Soden

Every crime tells a story…

But not every killer is the villain.

The Serpent’s Order

The Serpent Series Book 4

by S.Z. Estavillo

Genre: Thriller, Romantic Suspense

An assassin bound by obedience. A detective marked for death. A cartel war with no survivors.

Von Schlange thought she’d escaped her past. Now Black Nova owns her—an elite, off-the-books task force where obedience is survival and failure means death. As their newest assassin, she’s unleashed on targets tied to Jaxon Ryker, a drug lord buried deep in the Alaskan wilds.

Her partner, Xander Holt, a former Navy SEAL with ice in his veins, lives by the same brutal code: no attachments, no lines crossed. But as missions turn bloody, the fragile boundary between partner and lover begins to blur—and desire becomes its own kind of danger.

Across the country, Detective Anaya Nazario faces a nightmare of her own. A synthetic “zombie drug,” deadlier than fentanyl and immune to Narcan, is ripping through Los Angeles. Her investigation exposes a network of dirty cops shielding Ryker’s empire—and puts a target squarely on her back.

Two women on opposite fronts. One war against corruption and cartel power. And a single truth—every betrayal leaves a body behind.

Explosive, unrelenting, and razor-sharp, The Serpent’s Order propels the Serpent Series into its most dangerous chapter yet—where justice is a myth, and survival comes at a price paid in blood.

**NEW RELEASE on Feb 10, 2026! PreOrder Now!**

Amazon * Bookbub* Goodreads

Twilight of the Serpent

The Serpent Series Book 3

Some predators hide in plain sight. Others hunt from the shadows.

Merrick Winslow is a decorated Army officer, a man of discipline and honor—or so he claims. When he reports that his ex-wife, Cheonsa Soo-Min, has been stalking him, no one questions his story. He paints her as unstable, vengeful, and dangerous, a woman consumed by obsession. But when two officers are gunned down with her own weapon, the truth becomes harder to see. With the law closing in, Cheonsa vanishes, fleeing to Rio de Janeiro, where she is taken in by Von Schlange, the vigilante thought to have disappeared for good.

Von has retired her vengeful ways, leaving behind a life of bloodshed to run a quiet veterinary clinic. But when Cheonsa’s past collides with Winslow’s lies, the two women begin to unravel a deadly deception—one that turns predator into prey. By the time Von uncovers the truth, an innocent life has already been taken.

Now, there’s only one thing left to do: find the real monster and make him pay.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Detective Anaya Nazario and Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are adjusting to life as new parents. But after only four months of maternity leave, Nazario is pulled back into the field to investigate the murder of two officers. What should be a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far more sinister—secrets buried beneath the badge, a killer hiding behind a uniform, and a web of corruption stretching further than anyone expected.

As Nazario and Huxley chase down leads, their investigation intersects with a vigilante they once thought was dead. And this time, Von Schlange isn’t just seeking justice—she’s delivering retribution.

For fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian Flynn, and Taylor Adams, Twilight of the Serpent delivers a high-stakes vigilante thriller packed with morally gray justice, relentless suspense, and a tangled web of deception. Perfect for readers who love strong female leads, intense cat-and-mouse chases, and dark psychological twists.

Amazon* Bookbub* Goodreads

The Serpent Woman

The Serpent Series Book 2

The exciting sequel to The Serpent’s Bridge…

A serial killer is on the loose. With her insidious tattoo and venomous killer strike, they’re calling her the serpent woman.

Two of the best in their field, LAPD Detective Anaya Nazario and FBI Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are forced to work together yet again, despite their strained romantic history and a baby on the way. Together on a nationwide hunt, they must find this serpent woman before she strikes again.

But, as the cat-and-mouse chase evolves, Nazario and Huxley begin to realize that their killer is on a mission of vigilante justice and they must struggle with the question of who really deserves their justice: The killer, or her victims?

This dark thriller delves into the sensitive topics of sex trafficking, child abuse, animal death, sexual assault, graphic violence, and dead bodies. Reader discretion is advised.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

The Serpent’s Bridge

The Serpent Series Book 1

Compelling dialogue, rich, gritty prose, and characters you won’t forget — if you loved The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson, or Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger, you’ll love The Serpent’s Bridge.

Recovering alcoholic Detective Anaya Nazario remains haunted by her father’s murder. Lucas Nazario was the highest-ranking Puerto Rican LAPD detective, and his case has gone unsolved for twenty-four years since his murder. When Mexican immigrants are targeted by a serial killer, Nazario senses a connection and fights to keep the leadless case open. The homicide investigation centers on Sanctuary Baptist, a church composed of immigrants led by Pastor Stan and his wife. Nazario’s personal and professional worlds collide when she is compelled to collaborate with her former lover, Special Agent Blake Huxley. As their lives merge once more, the FBI and Detective Nazario stop at nothing to find a killer.

Is this the same monster who killed her father and left him for dead under a bridge?

Can she put a stop to the murders before more families lose loved ones?

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Get the Box set duo for Only $2.99 for a limited time!

Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

As a BIPOC thriller author, she previously parted amicably with her agent and, three months later, secured an eight-book deal with Oliver-Heber Books—now boasting 24,000 downloads in its first year and a BookRaid bestseller ranking in the thriller category. The Serpent Woman (Book 2) reached #1 on Amazon and topped all three of its categories. Her background spans literary agencies and TV studios, where she contributed to greenlit screenplays that became Lifetime movies. She holds a Master’s in Television, Radio, and Film, has taught author branding workshops (L.A. Writer’s Conference, North Texas RWA), and maintains a 100K+ social media following.

Website * Facebook* X* Instagram* Bluesky* TikTok* Bookbub* Amazon* Goodreads

1/20/25 ISSUE – NORTH ALABAMA THEATRE HAPPENINGS

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Nina Soden

FEEDBACK SURVEY ~ Please share your feedback
A LITTLE ABOUT ME ~ Opening Night Butterflies
GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED
PRODUCTIONS

EVENT	GROUP	LOCATION	DATE
Danae Hays (Stand Up Comedy)	Levity Live	Levity Live	1/23-1/24
The Sound of Music	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	1/27-2/1
Kountry Wayne (Stand Up Comedy)	Levity Live	Levity Live	1/30-2/1
9 To 5 The Musical	The Whole Backstage	The Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL	2/13-2/22
The Choir of Man	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/13-2/14
Brahms Violin Concerto	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/21
& Juliet	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	2/24-3/1
Jim Brickman & Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Huntsville Symphony Orchestra	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	3/7
Mrs. Doubtfire	Broadway Theatre League	Mark C. Smith Concert Hall	3/27-3/29

THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS

N/A

SUBMISSION REQUESTS
MONTHLY GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Theatre Happenings Feedback SURVEY

SURVEY LINK!

If the link above doesn’t work, copy and paste this link: https://forms.gle/rVdRwtq89JxAzWjQ6 into your browser and it will take you to the survey.

Opening Night Butterflies
No matter how many shows I’ve done, the butterflies never go away before opening night. They’re not nerves — they’re excitement, anticipation, hope.
I feel that same energy every time I help a client close on a home. The moment before they turn the key is like standing in the wings, ready to step into a brand-new chapter. That’s where the real story begins.

Nina Soden (Associate Broker/Realtor, The Soden Team at LEGEND REALTY)

📧 ninasodenbooks@gmail.com | 📞 256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY WINNER:

AND THE WINNER IS… Why Not You?

Check out the upcoming giveaways below. The next winner will be announced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. It could be you!

UPCOMING GIVEAWAYS:

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: The Choir of Man Ticket Date/Time: Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 3, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: & Juliet Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 10, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Mrs. Doubtfire Ticket Date/Time: Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: MARCH 17, 2026

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Water for Elephants Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: APRIL 21, 2026

Click here to be entered for your chance to win two tickets to an upcoming production.

PRODUCTIONS:

LEVITY LIVE

Danae Hays

Date: Friday – Saturday, January 23-24

Performed at: Levity Live (2012 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Levity Live)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

The Sound of Music

Dates:

January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
January 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM
January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
January 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
January 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Reason to See It

Single Tickets go on sale September 18, 2025!

Run Time: 2 Hours 45 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$105 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/the-sound-of-music/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

LEVITY LIVE

Kountry Wayne

Date: Friday – Sunday, January 30 – February 1

Performed at: Levity Live (2012 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Levity Live)

Added 12/23/2025

The Whole Backstage

9 To 5 The Musical

Dates:

February 13^th at 7:00 PM
February 14^th at 7:00 PM
February 15^th at 2:00 PM
February 15^th at 7:00 PM
February 20^th at 7:00 PM
February 21^st at 7:00 PM
February 22^nd at 2:00 PM

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

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Broadway Theatre League

The Choir of Man

Dates:

February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: THE CHOIR OF MAN

Run Time: 90 minutes No Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 6+

Tickets: $45-$80 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/the-choir-of-man/  or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Brahms Violin Concerto

Date: Saturday, February 21^st at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

& Juliet

Dates:

February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
February 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
February 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
February 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: & JULIET

ADVISORY: & Juliet includes flashing/strobe lighting, loud noises, confetti cannons, and pyrotechnics throughout.

Single Tickets go on sale October 14, 2025!

Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$110 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/juliet/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Jim Brickman & Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Date: Saturday, March 7^th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Mrs. Doubtfire

Dates:

March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
March 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
March 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM
March 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: MRS. DOUBTFIRE – A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.

Single Tickets go on sale October 23, 2025!

Run Time: 2 Hours 35 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$95 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/mrs-doubtfire/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS:

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SUBMISSIONS:

Thank you, and I look forward to receiving your submissions.

Nina Soden

256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY:

My goal is to do a monthly giveaway… That’s right, I want you all to have a chance to win free things…

Looking to buy land in North Alabama? Check out this great property:

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My Secret Life by Nina Soden

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Nina Soden

Most people think they know me.

In my everyday, real‑world life, I’m a Realtor. I lead The Soden Team of Legend Realty. I coach new real estate agents to build their dreams… their businesses. I talk about homes, contracts, inspections, negotiations, market shifts, and deadlines. I answer my phone – a lot. I send emails at odd hours. I help people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives, and I genuinely love that work.

But here’s the part most people don’t know.

I have a secret life.

When the day quiets down, when the inbox is closed and the showing schedule is finally clear, I slip into another world. One filled with characters and conflict, tension and hope, what‑ifs and maybes. I’m not unlocking doors or analyzing comps — I’m building worlds, chasing scenes, and listening to voices that don’t exist anywhere but, on the page, and in my mind.

I’m an author.

If you found your way to this website, that probably isn’t a secret to you. You might already know about the books, the stories, the interviews, the projects that live here. But what might surprise you is that for many people in my real, day‑to‑day life… this part of me is still hidden in plain sight.

And here’s the twist: for some of the people reading this, my real‑world job might be the surprise.

“Wait,” you might be thinking, “you’re a Realtor?”

Yes. And also… a writer.

For a long time, I thought those two things lived in separate boxes. One was practical, grounded, responsible. The other was creative, private, a little bit wild. I worried that sharing both would confuse people — or that one would somehow cancel out the other.

But the truth is, they inform each other in ways I didn’t expect.

Real estate taught me how to listen. Writing taught me how to notice. Real life gives me endless inspiration for stories, and storytelling helps me connect more deeply with the people I serve every day.

Still, calling writing my secret life feels right.

Because it’s the part of me that shows up early in the morning or late at night. The part that exists quietly alongside everything else. The part that isn’t always visible, but is always there — waiting.

And I know I’m not alone in that.

So many people carry secret lives with them.

Maybe yours is a hobby you don’t talk about much. A creative dream you haven’t shared yet. A business idea scribbled in a notebook. A passion you explore in stolen moments between responsibilities. A version of yourself that feels very real — even if not many people see it.

I’d love to hear about it.

If you’re comfortable, tell me about your secret life. The thing you love. The thing you dream about. The part of you that lives just beneath the surface.

Because sometimes, sharing the secret is how it starts to feel real.

And who knows — maybe it was never meant to stay a secret at all.

All The Shadows We Become by Dustin Blackwall

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Nina Soden

When the shadows come alive,

Ava and Caleb discover the only safe place is in each other’s arms.

But the closer they get, the darker the truth becomes.

All the Shadows We Become

by Dustin Blackwall

Genre: YA Romantasy Thriller

Caleb Ward is trying to forget the night he almost died.
Ava Lin is trying to understand why he survived.

But Hollow Creek isn’t letting either of them move on.

What starts as a strange blackout spirals into a trail of eerie clues, shifting shadows, and a connection between Ava and Caleb that grows hotter and more undeniable with every new secret uncovered.

Something happened that night.
Something dangerous.
And it’s waking up.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

standing ebook teaser for All The Shadows We Become by Dustin Blackwall

The lights exploded into darkness so fast it felt like the whole world had been switched off. One second, the fairgrounds pulsed with noise; the next, a hush dropped over everything – thick, heavy, wrong. Ava’s breath caught in her throat as the shadows around the tents stretched, bending in directions that didn’t match the lanterns flickering overhead.

“Caleb…”
She didn’t even finish his name. Her hand shot out on instinct, finding his fingers in the dark. His grip closed around hers immediately – warm, tight, desperate – anchoring her like a lifeline.

Static rolled through the air, not sound but pressure, brushing across her skin like cold fingertips. The wind picked up and carried the faint smell of scorched leaves and metal. Somewhere behind them, a ride creaked slowly, even though nothing was moving it.

Caleb stepped close enough that she felt the heat of his chest at her shoulder.
“I’m here,” he whispered, voice low and unsteady.

Something moved at the corner of her vision – a ripple of shadow that stole her breath. But Caleb was already there, guiding her back against him, solid and unwavering.
The world still trembled, but she didn’t. Not with his strength at her back. In that moment, she felt it with aching clarity: as long as he held her, she could face anything.

All around them, people shouted – fragmented cries swallowed by the dark. A string of carnival lights fizzled overhead, sputtering blue sparks that made the shadows jump like living ink.

Ava squeezed his hand harder.
“We have to move,” she said, though she wasn’t sure which direction was safe anymore.

Caleb turned, pulling her with him, and in that split-second flash of dying light, she saw his face – terrified, determined, and somehow still looking at her like she was the one thing in this chaos he trusted.

The ground trembled.

The shadows bent again.

And together, hand in hand, they ran toward whatever waited in the dark.

laying ebook teaser for All The Shadows We Become by Dustin Blackwall

Light Years to Midnight

by Dustin Blackwall

Genre: SciFi Thriller

When data itself begins to speak, who decides what it’s trying to say?

Light Years To Midnight — a globe-spanning thriller where science, faith, and code collide in a race against a countdown written into the fabric of reality.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

standing ebook teaser for Light Years To Midnight by Dustin Blackwall

The wind whipped dust across the plateau as Jonas crested the ridge, breath burning in his throat. Below him, the satellite dishes of the abandoned relay station stretched into the dark like a field of frozen giants. Their metal frames groaned under the rising storm, each bent toward the same invisible point on the horizon.

He wasn’t alone.

A faint beam of light—too controlled to be an accident—flickered between the dishes. Jonas crouched, heart thudding, watching as a woman stepped into view, her silhouette sharp against the skeletal machinery. She moved with the alertness of someone who had been running for far too long.

Elena.

He had seen her face in files, in encrypted packets, in the warnings that had chased him across continents. But seeing her here, in the flesh, felt unreal—like walking into a photograph he wasn’t meant to understand.

Before he could speak, a second figure emerged from the opposite end of the array. Maya paused only when she spotted Elena, recognition flaring across her face. They had never met, not really, but the anomaly had braided their paths tightly enough that the moment felt inevitable.

Jonas stood and lifted a hand, but movement in the distance froze him mid-step.

Engines.

Low, tactical, deliberate.

A convoy approached from the north, its headlights dark, its tires crunching through gravel like muffled gunfire. Special operations—unmarked, unhurried, confident. Not hunters, but collectors.

Elena’s eyes locked on his.
“Are they here for you,” she whispered, “or for all of us?”

Maya stepped closer, her breath sharp in the cold air. “Does it matter?”

Something pulsed beneath the earth—three beats, a pause, three more—vibrating up through the metal frames of the dishes. The sky above them shimmered, faint but unmistakable, as if answering the rhythm.

Jonas swallowed hard.

“No,” he said. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s already found us.”

laying ebook teaser for Light Years To Midnight by Dustin Blackwall

Dustin is a lifelong fan of science and speculative fiction, blending his fascination with astronomy, technology, and the unknown into stories that explore the edge between logic and wonder. When he’s not writing, he’s reading, stargazing, or chasing trails on his dirt bike — always searching for what lies just beyond understanding.

Facebook *Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I come from very humble beginnings in a small town in British Columbia. I worked the usual jobs you find in places like that — the kind that teach you patience, grit, and a deep appreciation for people. Eventually I made my way to Vancouver, where I built a career in Architectural Drafting. It was steady work, and for a long time it felt like the right path.

But somewhere along the way, something stopped resonating. I realized I was getting older, and that the little voice that had always whispered “follow your passion” wasn’t going to quiet down on its own. So I made a choice — a hopeful, slightly terrifying, wonderfully exciting choice — to finally listen.

And that’s how I found my way back to storytelling.

Writing lets me share the worlds I’ve carried with me for years… and invite readers into places where shadows glitch, secrets breathe beneath small towns, and ordinary people discover extraordinary courage. I’m grateful every day for anyone who chooses to walk into those stories with me.

What is something unique/quirky about you?

I’m a tad nerdy.

Where were you born/grew up at?

I grew up in a little town a few hours from Vancouver, B.C. — and when I say little, I mean little. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and where the biggest claim to fame is being the crossroads of four major highways.

I didn’t stay long, though. Even as a kid, I felt this tug toward something bigger, something just beyond the tree line. It is beautiful, but the opportunities I was looking for weren’t there. So I carried those early memories with me — the quiet streets, the mountains close enough to touch, that sense of being on the edge of something unknown — and they found their way into my stories later.

Those small-town roots are still a part of me, and they shape the worlds I write. There’s something special about places where secrets linger just beneath the surface… and shadows sometimes feel alive.

If you knew you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?

Laying the back of my truck on a clear night with a blanket watching the universe move across the sky.

Who is your hero and why?

One of my greatest inspirations has always been Carl Sagan. There was something extraordinary about the way he looked at the universe — not with cold detachment, but with wonder, curiosity, and a deep sense of humanity. His work opened doors in my mind, inviting me to think bigger, dream wider, and explore ideas I might never have considered otherwise.

I still miss his voice, his gentle wisdom, and the way he made the cosmos feel both vast and intimate. His influence hasn’t faded for me; it’s woven into the way I see the world and into the stories I try to tell. He reminded all of us that imagination and science, wonder and truth, can live side by side — and that there’s beauty in asking the next question.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I love getting outside whenever I can. Camping, being out in the fresh air, just letting the world slow down a little — it does something good for the soul. And when I really want to let loose, I’ll take my dirt bike out and ride until I’m completely worn out. There’s something freeing about it, like shaking off all the stress at once and coming back to myself.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!

So far out of the box I can’t even see it anymore

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Honestly… I’m not sure I ever had a single moment where it clicked. Writing has been a gradual transition for me — a quiet shift rather than a dramatic one. I’m still getting used to the idea, and maybe that’s okay.

What I do know is that somewhere along the way, the stories I carried inside me started asking for space. They wanted to be written, shaped, shared. And every time I sit down to put those worlds onto the page, I feel a little more like the person I’m becoming — someone who tells stories because they matter to me, and hopefully to readers too.

So whether I call myself a “writer” or not, I’m grateful to be on this path, learning as I go, and inviting others into the worlds I create.

Do you have a favorite movie?

My favorite movie? I think I’d have to choose 2010. There’s something about it that still feels awe-inspiring to me — that sense of scale, of mystery, of looking out into the universe and realizing how small and extraordinary we really are.

It’s epic in the quietest, most meaningful way, and every time I watch it I’m reminded why stories about the unknown resonate so deeply. They make us curious. They make us dream. They invite us to imagine what else might be out there… and what might already be waiting for us.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

LOL. Not there yet. I’m still surprised I got published!

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always loved Halloween — it’s my second favorite holiday after Christmas — and there’s something magical about that time of year that never really left me. I wanted to tap into that feeling again, the sense of wonder and mystery I had when life was simpler and the world felt a little bigger.

So I started writing a story that let me step back into that space. A world I would have loved to wander through myself… eerie, playful, full of possibility. Creating it felt like revisiting an old memory and discovering something new inside it. And sharing that world with readers is one of the most joyful parts of the journey.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’ve got a few more ideas rattling around in my head — stories that feel a bit more adult, a little grittier, with edges I’m curious to explore. And who knows… one of them seems to be whispering about becoming a trilogy.

It’s still early, but that’s part of the joy. Writing has opened doors I didn’t expect, and I’m excited to follow these new threads wherever they lead. If readers are willing to come along, I’d love to keep building worlds we can step into together.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

What I enjoyed most was how writing this story carried me back to my childhood — a time when everything felt a little simpler and the world didn’t weigh quite so heavily. It reminded me of those early days of curiosity and imagination… and even of my first crush, with all the awkwardness and wonder that comes with those early infatuations.

There was something sweet about reconnecting with those memories, like rediscovering a part of myself I hadn’t visited in years. Bringing that feeling onto the page made the writing process feel less like work and more like a return to something familiar and deeply human.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Caleb: Jacob Elordi

Ava: Anna Cathcart

Liam: Timothée Chalamet

Dr. Vale: Lee Pace

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

I think this story is a must-read because of the way it unfolds — slowly at first, like a candle burning down in a dark room, and then suddenly you realize the shadows are moving in ways you didn’t expect. There’s a careful blend of suspense and a soft, growing romance, all wrapped in a tension that keeps tugging you forward.

What I love most is how the moments of quiet connection sit right beside the unsettling ones. It’s a story meant to pull you in gently, hold you close, and keep you wondering what might be waiting just beyond the edge of the light.

If readers enjoy that mix of heart, atmosphere, and mystery, then I think they’ll find something special here.

What did you edit out of this book?

There were moments when I felt the story tugging toward something a little steamier, especially as the characters grew closer and their emotions deepened. But I also wanted to honour the heart of the book — that youthful space where tension, longing, and connection can feel electric without crossing too far.

So I chose to keep the romance within a safe YA zone, focusing more on the emotion, the build-up, and those breath-catching moments that say so much without needing to go further. In many ways, holding back made the story stronger… it let the characters speak through their feelings rather than the physical details.

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?

Carl Sagan, Arthur C Clarke, Issac Assimov, Dean Koontz, Alan Steele, Dan Browne, R.A. Salvatore

How long have you been writing?

Well for years, just got serious about it recently.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

I google everything to get my facts straight and try to write what I know.

Do you see writing as a career?

LOL ask me again in a year.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

I’ve always been a reader — it’s one of the constants in my life. I tend to wander between genres depending on my mood, but I’m especially drawn to science fiction, fantasy, military thrillers, and good old-fashioned espionage.

There’s something about those worlds — the sense of scale, the strategy, the imagination — that has always lit up my curiosity. They shaped the way I think about storytelling and probably planted the seeds for the kinds of mysteries and atmospheres I love exploring in my own work.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

I tend to have quite a few ideas drifting around in my head at any given time. Sometimes I’ll jump from one project to another just to follow where the energy is that day — it’s part of how my creativity works.

But when a story really starts calling to me, I can focus in and give it the attention it deserves. There’s something wonderful about letting ideas breathe while still being able to commit fully when a project reaches that moment where it feels ready to come to life.

Pen or type writer or computer?

COMPUTER

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?

It’s a bucket list thing. It was time.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

I think I’d tell them to just go for it. People will always have their own ideas about how your life should look, what path you should follow, what’s “practical.” But only you can feel the pull of the things that matter to you.

I’d remind my younger self that it’s okay to choose a different direction, even if no one else understands it yet. Your path is yours to walk — and the stories you carry are worth listening to.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It really depends on what real life is doing at the time. The bills don’t stop, the responsibilities don’t pause, and sometimes finding the space to write feels like trying to carve out a quiet moment inside a storm. But little by little, you find ways to make it work.

Some days it’s easy, and other days you just have to put your head down and keep going. The important part is showing up for the story, even in small moments. That’s how the books eventually come together – one determined page at a time.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I think it’s a chronic condition for me.

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	408 Arcanum Lane New Market, AL 35761	Welcome to this gorgeous 5 bed, 5 bath home with over 3,800 sq ft of modern living. The open layout features a gourmet kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, gas cooktop, and a large island. The spacious living room includes a cozy fireplace, perfect for entertaining. The master suite offers a sitting area, fireplace, soaking tub, separate shower, and walk-in closet. The large, fully sodded backyard includes a covered patio and outdoor fireplace for year-round enjoyment. Convenient to top-rated schools, parks, and shopping. This one is a must-see!

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When the shadows come alive,

Ava and Caleb discover the only safe place is in each other’s arms.

But the closer they get, the darker the truth becomes.

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