Category: Books

FIGHTS WORTH FIGHTING: FINDING STRENGTH IN STRUGGLE by Dolph Lundgren!

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Dolph Lundgren has a new book, FIGHTS WORTH FIGHTING: FINDING STRENGTH IN STRUGGLE coming out on September 22nd.  Here’s the scoop…

FIGHTS WORTH FIGHTING by Dolph Lundgren is a powerful and unflinchingly honest memoir from one of the most enduring icons of action cinema.

Best known for his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, Lundgren skyrocketed to fame in the 1980s and has since built a remarkable career spanning over a hundred films — including producing, writing, and directing multiple projects. But beyond the on-screen battles lies a far more compelling story: the real-life fights Lundgren has faced behind the scenes.

In this deeply personal account, Lundgren opens up about his upbringing in Sweden, his rise from a chemical engineering student to a martial arts champion, and his eventual transformation into an international movie star. He explores the pressures of fame, the emotional and physical toll of life in a cutthroat industry, and his private struggles. Now, as he faces his most difficult challenge yet — a fight against cancer — Lundgren reflects on the cost of survival and what it truly means to keep going.

More than just a Hollywood memoir, FIGHTS WORTH FIGHTING is a guide to resilience. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s BE USEFUL, it blends life lessons with personal storytelling, offering practical insights on discipline, reinvention, and the importance of mental and emotional strength.

Lundgren’s story arrives at a time when audiences crave authenticity. This isn’t just the tale of a movie star — it’s a call to arms for anyone struggling with their own battles. Candid, inspiring, and unexpectedly vulnerable, FIGHTS WORTH FIGHTING shows us that real strength isn’t just about winning—it’s about continuing the fight when no one’s watching.

“Detective Hole”: Season 1, starring Tobias Santelmann & Joel Kinnaman / Z-View

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Detective Hole (2026)

Created by: Jo Nesbø

Director:

  • Øystein Karlsen (Eps. 1; 5; 7-9)
  • Anna Zackrisson (Eps. 3-4; 6)

Teleplay by: Jo Nesbø

Starring:  Tobias Santelmann, Ellen Helinder, Anders Baasmo, Pia Tjelta and Joel Kinnaman.

Tagline: Not every devil hides in the dark.

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Detective Harry Hole is tormented by the accidental death of his partner, killed in a high speed chase when Hole was driving.  The killer that they were after was never caught.

It’s been five years.  Hole drinks too much and his work and social life is suffering.  Harry’s investigation of a series of brutal ritualistic murders pushes Harry to the limit.  When clues indicate the killer / killers may have ties to the police, Harry doesn’t know who to trust.

Harry’s refusal to stand down puts him and everyone he loves in the killers crosshairs.

Thoughts…

This season adapts THE DEVIL’S STAR, the fifth book in the Harry Hole series.

Tobias Santelmann and Joel Kinnaman are excellent.

Detective Hole starts slow but builds to an exciting climax.  I look forward to future seasons.

AVALON STATION: A JOE LEDGER AND ROGUE INTERNTIONAL NOVEL by Jonathan Maberry

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Jonathan Maberry’s next Joe Ledger novel, AVALON STATION has been announced!  Here is the lowdown…

In the next novel in the Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International series, things get personal as the team goes up against a group of genetically and biomechanically amplified soldiers to save Joe’s kidnapped fiancée.

Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International embark on a desperate mission to rescue kidnapped American aide workers in Ukraine – one of whom is Mr. Church’s adopted son, and the other is Joe Ledger’s fiancée. When the bad guys take anyone that Joe is tasked with protecting, he will find them. But take someone he loves? Take the most important person in Ledger’s world? That’s a card that can’t be un-played. Joe goes after them with all of his skill and every ounce of his combat savagery.

However, the group responsible is a team of Paramilitary Contractors (PMCs) who are the first wave of amplified soldiers with genetic and biomechanical upgrades. These superior soldiers are faster, stronger, and more dangerous than anything Ledger and his team have ever faced. And they have a secret agenda to destroy NATO and other alliances in order to pave the way for a new era of empire building.

As Ledger goes after these PMCs, he discovers that these enhanced soldiers have also been scavenging Broken Arrows – lost nuclear weapons. Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International will have to level up in order to stop these super-soldiers and prevent a new world war! This is a level of action that even Joe hasn’t been to before. But this time the enemy has taken the woman he loves, and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.

AVALON STATION drops on March 9, 2027.

 

FAREWELL, AMETHYSTINE : AN EASY RAWLINS MYSTERY by Walter Mosley / Z-View

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FAREWELL, AMETHYSTINE : AN EASY RAWLINS MYSTERY by Walter Mosley

First sentences…

“Naw, naw, man.  They wanna kick her outta that school because she a Black woman want the Constitution to practice what it preach.  All kinda white revolutionaries and, and, and activist teachers up there at UCLA and they don’t make a peep about them.”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Monday morning.  Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins is chatting with his buddies when she comes in.  She is Amethystine Stoller, an extremely beautiful, young black woman. Amethystine wants to hire Easy to find her missing ex-husband.  Her ex, Curtis Fields is an accountant.  He’s also white.  An interracial couple, even in 1970, still raises a lot of eyebrows.

Easy feels an immediate attraction to Amethystine.  He also doesn’t trust her.  Two reasons not to take the case.

But he does.

When Easy finds Curtis’ dead body, things get complicated.  Curtis was involved with gangsters, gamblers, blackmail and corrupt politicians. Easy tries to reach his buddy on the LAPD, Detective Melvin Suggs,  but he’s surprised to find Suggs is also missing.  Suggs’ wife has been implicated in a blackmail murder.

As Easy follows the clues, he realizes that the cases may be related and the corruption runs deep.  Easy is going to need backup, so he reaches out to his friend, Fearless Jones.  Together, Easy and Fearless will follow the clues that take them deep into LA’s dangerous underbelly where murders, double-crosses and blackmail are the norm.

+++

This is Walter Mosley’s sixteenth Easy Rawlins novel.  They never disappoint.

Rating:

“Patient Zero” (2018) starring Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci / Z-View

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Patient Zero (2018)

Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky

Screenplay: Mike Le

Stars: Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer, John Bradley, Clive Standen, Agyness Deyn and Stanley Tucci.

Tagline:  Find the Disease. Find the Cure.

The Plot…

A virus has wiped out most of the population. Once infected humans quickly become enraged, unable to think or communicate.  A large group of civilians, soldiers and CDC scientists have found shelter in an underground bunker.

The scientists bring in captured infected for study to find a cure.  They’re surprised to discover that one of their test subjects, a former professor, doesn’t show the normal signs of infection.  Even more shocking is the professor’s ability to understand and communicate  with those infected.   The scientists believe the professor could be the key to a cure.  The professor believes that he (and others like him) are the next step in human evolution.

As the scientists work on a cure, the professor has a plan of his own…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Fans of Jonathan Maberry’s Joe Ledger tales will be disappointed to learn that this film has nothing to do with the first novel in his series.  Still, fans of zombie movies should enjoy this one.

Patient Zero (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Thobias Daneluz’s Art for David Morrell’s FIRST BLOOD!

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Yesterday I shared First Blood pieces by Thobias Daneluz.  They were personal pieces.  Today we get to see art Thobias created for David Morrell’s FIRST BLOOD novel released in Portugal.

Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art.

“I don’t think you understand. I didn’t come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him.” – Colonel Trautman

“Bad Blonde” (1953) starring Barbara Payton and Tony Wright / Z-View

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Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953)

Director: Reginald Le Borg

Screenplay: Guy Elmes, Richard H. Landau; based on THE FLANAGAN BOY by Max Catto

Stars: Barbara Payton, Frederick Valk, Tony Wright, Sid James.

Tagline: Sure, I accept favors from men!

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

When Johnny Flanagan beats a carnival boxing champ, he’s introduced to boxing promoter Giuseppe Vecchi.  Vecchi decides to become Flanagan’s manager.  Vecchi is impressed with with Flanagan’s skills.  Problem is, Lorna, Vecchi’s young wife, is impressed with Flanagan as well.

At first Flanagan wants nothing to do with Lorna.  But she’s relentless.

Soon enough Lorna and Flanagan want Vecchi out of the way.  And they have the perfect plan to make it happen.

Or do they?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bad Blonde is the title The Flanagan Boy was released under in the United States.

Bad Blonde comes off as a low-budget, uncredited reworking of The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars

HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso / Z-View

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HOLE by Gerry Brown with art by Eduardo Risso

First sentences…

They came for Hole while he was in the library.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Emile Hole’s size didn’t fit his demeanor.  Emile was very large, long haired man with small round glasses that looked too small for his face.  Emile’s voice didn’t help either.  It was way too light.  You wouldn’t find Emile in the weight room.  No, he’d be found in the prison library sitting alone in a small chair reading.

Even in the best conditions prison would be rough on men like Emile.  Moundsville State Prison was about as far as you could get from the best conditions.  The guards either were crooked or looked the other way.  Gangs ran Moundsville.  Davie and his Warlords were at the top of the heap.

The Warlords ran a profitable business.  One of their best money-making endeavors was to video-tape the beating of a new inmate.  They’d then send the video to the inmate’s family with a request for on-going payments to prevent further beatings.  It always worked.

So when the gang gave Emile a tune-up and sent the video to Emile’s brother Vint, they expected the money to come rolling in.

Man, were they wrong.

Vint’s going to pay the Warlords, but not in the way they’re expecting.  See Vint’s got skills.  Skills better left contained.  But now, Vint’s got reason to let loose.  And he’s going to.

+++

Eduardo Risso’s art was what got me interested in HOLE.  Then I read the sample and was hooked.  Gerry Brown has crafted a fun prison/revenge story that’s a fast, fun read.

HOLE is only available on Kindle but the price is less than a buck.  It’s worth a buck just to see Risso’s illustrations.

Rating:

“Dark Winds” Season 4 / Z-View

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Dark Winds Season 4 (2026)

Created by: Graham Roland

Director:

  • Craig Zisk (Ep. 1),
  • Zahn McClarnon (Ep. 2)
  • Chris Eyre (Eps. 3, 5, 7)
  • Jim Chory (Ep. 4)
  • Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 6)
  • Erica Trimblay (Ep. 8)

Teleplay by:

  • John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 4),
  • Max Hurwitz & Wenonah Wilms (Eps. 2, 5)
  • Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 3, 6)
  • Shaandiin Tome & Shandton Williams II (Eps. 7)
  • Max Hurwitz & Thomas Brady (Ep. 8)
    Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman

Starring:  Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez.

Tagline:  None

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Lt. Leaphorn, Sgt. Chee, and Sgt. Manuelito find themselves on the trail of a teenage runaway.  The girl left her boarding school with her boyfriend.  They’re on the run but from who?  And why?

Things become even more confusing when a mysterious female assassin shows up looking for the kids.  Leaphorn, Chee and Manulito follow the trail that leads to LA.  They’re a step behind the assassin and if they don’t catch up, the kids will die along with the reason they’re being hunted.  

Thoughts…

 Moving the action to LA was an interesting idea.   I did miss the feel of action on the reservation since that location is almost like an additional character.

Dark Winds continues to entertain and the set-up for season 5 is a winner.

THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter / Z-View

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THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter

First sentences…

“No, no,” said Basil St. Florian.  “Bren guns.  We need the Bren guns.  It is simply not feasible without Bren guns.  Surely you understand?”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

July 1944.  D-Day was a month ago and a success.  Since then Nazis snipers have killed hundreds of Allied soldiers daily.  The snipers strike with no warning and then fade away before a counter-attack can take shape.  Somehow these Nazi sharpshooters know where the American GIs are going to be and the safest locations to kill as many as possible.

Army intelligence has come up short in a solution.  General Eisenhower decides that perhaps the Army’s best marksman might have insight.  So Gunnery Sergeant Earl Swagger, a decorated war hero and our military’s best shot is brought in.  Swagger is given carte blanche to figure out a response to the Nazi snipers.

Swagger realizes that part of the problem is the military intelligence operatives working on a solution are doing it from a safe location far from the front.  They’re eating well, sleeping well and going to parties and social events.  Swagger knows as dangerous as it will be, he will need to work on a solution from the front.

Swagger is given an aide, a former Harvard student who is the son of a wealthy American.  Swagger doubts the kid will be much help until the kid tells him:  “I’ve been here long enough to know the politics of this place. I know who wants you to succeed and those who’d like to see you fail. They don’t like the idea of a NCO figuring out what they couldn’t… and I can get you anything you want or need.”

Someone is tipping off the Nazis to American troop movements.  This gives the enemy snipers the ultimate advantage.  Swagger’s a great shot and an unsurpassed hunter but he will find himself up against a squad of snipers led by Nazi with skills equal to his.

Stephen Hunter has written another winner.

Rating:

“Cape Fear” The Limited Series starring Amy Adams, Javier Bardem & Patrick Wilson – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The original is a classic.  The remake is worthy.  Now we have a Cape Fear limited television series.  Check out the poster and trailer and see what you think.

Deal me in.

Out of prison, and out for revenge.

Cape Fear premieres June 5 on Apple TV

Inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.

Hailing from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Amblin Television, “Cape Fear” is based on both the novel “The Executioners,” which inspired Gregory Peck’s Universal Pictures feature (1962) of the same name, as well as the acclaimed 1991 remake directed by Scorsese.

The series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, who produced the 1991 film, alongside Scorsese. Creator Nick Antosca showruns and produces alongside Alex Hedlund for Eat The Cat, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey produce alongside Spielberg for Amblin Television. Academy Award nominee Morten Tyldum will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. The series is developed and produced through Antosca’s overall deal at UCP, where he’s been based since 2017.

“Nuremberg” (2025) starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek / Z-View

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Nuremberg (2025)

Director:  James Vanderbilt

Screenplay:  James Vanderbilt; based on THE NAZI AND THE PSYCHIATRIST by Jack El-Hao

Stars: Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark O’Brien, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Lydia Peckham, Richard E. Grant and Michael Shannon.

Tagline: An epic World War ll thriller based on true events

The Plot…

1945.  World War II is over.  For the first time in history an international trial will be held to determine if crimes against humanity were committed.  The defendants are leaders of the Nazi party including Reichsmarshall Hermann Göring, Hitler’s former second-in-command.  Göring welcomes the opportunity to present his case to the world.

Douglas Kelley, a Lt. Colonel and U.S. Army psychiatrist, is brought in to evaluate the Nazis competency to stand trial.  Kelley determines that they are competent, but cautions the prosecutors. Hermann Göring has a genius level IQ.  He’s a sly, charismatic, confident narcissistic who believes that he will be able to prove he is not guilty of the crimes charged.

As the prosecutors prepare for trial it becomes clear that Göring is going to be a problem.  Even Lt. Colonel Kelley begins to fall under his spell.

As the world watches, the trial begins…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Much of the dialogue in the trial cross-examination exchanges of Göring came from transcripts from the trial.

Göring was found guilty and sentenced to death.  He committed suicide using cyanide before the sentence could be carried out.  It’s ironic/creepy that Lt. Colonel Kelley committed suicide twelve years later by cyanide in 1958.

Russell Crowe, Rami Malek and Michael Shannon are excellent.

Nuremberg (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

MONSTER ISLAND by David Wellington / Z-View

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MONSTER ISLAND by David Wellington

First sentences…

Osman leaned over the rail and spat into the gray sea before turning again to shout orders at his first mate Ysuf.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The zombie apocalypse came.  It was as bad as anyone could imagine.  In no time at all the zombies outnumber the living.  The humans who survive huddle in small groups in whatever safe haven they can find.  But without adequate food, water, electricity, lights, air conditioning or heat, survival is barely a step above existing.

The cities are the worst.  The bigger the city, the worse the situation.  In New York City most of the millions of people who used to live and work there are now members of the walking dead.  You’d have to be crazy or have a daughter who will die if you don’t.

Dekalb isn’t crazy.  But he’s been separated from his daughter.  Dekalb was captured by a squad of warrior women.  Their leader will die without the right medicine.  Dekalb knows where a supply can be found.  The meds are at the U.N. Building in midtown Manhattan.  Dekalb offers to retrieve the medicine if he can be reunited with his daughter.  Although a small squad of the warriors will travel with Dekalb, they’ll be outnumbered millions to one.  The only saving grace is Dekalb can think.  Zombies are just mindless eating machines.

All of them… except one.

A medical student named Gary had a plan to survive the zombie apocalypse.  And he did.

Sort of.

Now Gary is one of the walking dead, but he still has the ability to think.  Sure, like all of the other walkers, Gary has a never-ending hunger for human flesh.  But in addition to his ability to think, Gary can mentally control the other zombies.  Gary’s developed a plan that will make him king of the world.  Humans will be contained, corralled and allowed to live…  as a food source for Gary and his walking dead army.

Dekalb and Gary are on a collision course.

+++

MONSTER ISLAND is the first in Wellington’s MONSTER trilogy (MONSTER ISLAND, MONSTER NATION and MONSTER PLANET).

Wellington first published MONSTER ISLAND in installments available for free on the internet.

David Wellington takes the traditional zombie troupes and puts a spin on them.  I enjoyed the ride and look forward to the others in the trilogy.

Rating: