MOVIE REVIEW: Spider-Man Brand New Day delivers everything you want and more

 Spider-Man: Brand New Day gives fans of the superhero everything they want at this point in his journey: we see the heart that comes for his love of others, the maturity and challenges that come with the responsibility he feels as well as his willing to be alone so others can be safe. 

Love how the message of stronger together comes out in this---and how we're able to better understand why some make the choices they do, and how we can co-exist with those choices when faced with reality and the truth. 

Peter Parker is better than ever. The other characters shine for sure, but this was Peter's story---and it could not have been better executed. 

[BOOK REVIEW] Bone Dry by Janet Taylor-Perry is an engaging, layered read that will keep you turning the page

Author Janet Taylor-Perry knows how to tell a compelling story. 

I was first introduced to her through her book LUCKY THIRTEEN, and since then I have come to expect the unexpected with her work. BONE DRY is definitely another example of that. 

We see the return of Laura Beth Copeland, navigating not just a mystery but her own personal life as well. When the two collide we see her entering a world where things are not as they seem---and people are drawn into situations that can not just threaten their sanity but their lives as well. 

This book also includes a lot about identity and how people are perceived and treated. I love the way Janet talks about this real-world threat that some face, and how she is able to navigate that world and help others do the same. 

BONE DRY is so much more than a murder mystery. It's a book of doing your part to help others, make a difference and compact wickedness with justice. 

If you're looking for a layered book that gives you relatable characters and a strong storyline, this book is for you. 

Get BONE DRY on Amazon . 

[BOOK REVIEW] Think It by Sarah Centrella

 Ready for real change? It begins with how you see yourself.

I was first introduced to Sarah Centrella through HUSTLE BELIEVE RECEIVE, however, this book takes the principles from there and expands on it in a meaningful way. THINK IT gives you the tools necessary to go from just wanting something to actually getting it.  

Based on Sarah's own strategies and lived experiences, this is the book that equips you in turning dreams into a reality.    

Get your copy on Amazon.  

[MUSIC REVIEW] Craig Harris' BREAK THINGS shows how hurt people can end up hurting people

 

BREAK THINGS by Craig Harris is the kind of song that people in relationships and just in life can relate to.

It tells the story initially of someone who doesn't reciprocate the love they are shown and the impact it can have on the one that cares for them. Craig shows through the lyrics how he knows he deserves better, but his love is paralyzing, keeping him from doing what is best for him. 

The end result? What we know can happen: Hurt people end up hurting people. Craig shows that he finds himself becoming just what he has been experiencing, taking his own wound and allowing it to bleed on others.

Love the message of the song and the storytelling that reminds us that love for others is not enough. We can't make someone be who they are not. Ignoring that fact only leads to our own disappointments and regret. 

Get BREAK THINGS on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] The Bulls of Bashan by Jodi Lea Stewart

 It's been a lot of fun to see how author Jodi Lea Stewart takes her love of storytelling, history and adventure and wrap them into each book. That is definitely the case with her latest offering called THE BULLS OF BASHAN. 

In typical Jodi Lea fashion, we get characters that are dealing with the consequences of their choices and the decisions about life and what matters---along with doing something that can make a difference in the world. I love how the character Savannah and others come together not just to do what they believe is right, but get to understand each other even with their many differences. 

There is also the meatier part of the book that really mirrors much of what we see in the world today. In the face of uncertainty, fear and chaos, who will be willing to stand up for others---knowing what it can cost? That is a question the characters have to grapple with as do we, the reader, as we think of the strength and courage needed to stand up for what you know is right. 

A book that showcases the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of strength in numbers, THE BULLS OF BASHAN reminds us of the strength we all have to tackle whatever may come our way. 

Get your copy of THE BULLS OF BASHAN on Amazon. 

[MUSIC REVIEW] Jamal Roberts' MISSISSIPPI reflects the love he has for the state and people where he began

 

Since winning AMERICAN IDOL in 2025, Mississippi native Jamal Roberts has been showing the world not just the talent that Mississippi has but his love for the state and the people in it. With his new single MISSISSIPPI that love is put to music and giving a message to the world about his changed circumstances and how no matter where he goes, Mississippi is with him. 

The song begins reflecting on his frenzied life since the American Idol win: the places he has gone and the people he has met. Regardless of the spotlight and the attention he shares "I'm missing you in Mississippi; and it don't feel the same without you with me."

This is Jamal Roberts not just showing the world his talent. It shows his homestate that no matter where we goes, he is taking them with him. He doesn't want that love to be one-sided, though. "Whatever it takes, promise me that you will keep holding on." 

The kind of song that speaks to the loved ones who he is having to leave for a time and the state that he loves and loves him back, MISSISSIPPI delivers musically and with a message that speaks loud and clear to the listener.  

Get MISSISSIPPI on Amazon Music. 

Cyrus Webb, www.cyruswebbreviews.com 

[BOOK REVIEW] I Pledge Allegiance: A Journey Through the Words that Shaped A Nation by LaWanna Bradford

 I have to be honest and say that this is not a book I probably would have picked up on my own, but it's one that I'm so glad that I took the time to read. 

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that we are living in divisive times. There is a even more distinct recognition of the "haves" versus "the have nots", and people don't feel seen or even appreciated. This was the backdrop I had in my mind when my long-time friend LaWanna Bradford told me that she was writing a book about the Pledge of Allegiance. I was supportive of her writing endeavor, however, I wasn't sure how I would feel about it and quite honestly how others would view it. Now that I've read it, I can tell you: this is one of the most thoughtful books I've read in some time. 

 I Pledge Allegiance: A Journey Through the Words that Shaped A Nation isn't just about the WORDS of the Pledge of Allegiance. LaWanna takes it and breaks down not just the history but the conflicts that certain groups have had to deal with because of the country it represents. I love that her love of country comes through along with her love and appreciation for people. She gives examples of when the WORDS of the pledge and the ideals it speaks us don't align with the ACTIONS of the country's citizens. 

She also allows us to see that all is not lost and that change can be made. In order for the words to matter, people have to demonstrate that they matter. That all people matter. 

I think those who read I Pledge Allegiance: A Journey Through the Words that Shaped A Nation with an open mind and an open heart will not just think more about the words so many say without much thought. They might think about how they can do better themselves in living up to the promise the words embody. If that happens, then the idea of WE, THE PEOPLE can truly be realized in a meaningful way. 

It all begins with us. 

Get I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] POST OAK: Quanah Parker, The Comanche, and the Mission by Tina Siemens

With books like SEMINOLE and THE LITTLE SANDALS THAT COULD, author and historian Tina Siemens has shared not just her love of history but her family's example of perseverance, even in difficult times. 

With her latest book POST OAK: Quanah Parker, The Comanche, and the Mission we're able to go back in time to a period of war, mistrust and the actions of individuals that would reverberate for decades to come. 

POST OAK is the story of how tragedy came to the Parker family, and in the midst of that the journey of vengeance, survival and understanding. I love how Tina is able to make us think of life for the Indians and the settlers, and the decisions they made that would affect not just their lives but those to come. 

Tina also shows that the price of war and retribution is not just to human life. It has to do with the land and all that live on it, man and beast. 

A story that can be difficult at times to understand but is important to read, POST OAK stands out as a book about not giving up hope and fighting for what you believe is right, no matter the costs.

Get your copy on Amazon. 

[MUSIC REVIEW] I Forgive You by Cynthia Erivo

 

by Cyrus Webb

For those looking to move on from past hurts, either from others or ourselves, Cynthia Erivo's I FORGIVE YOU will definitely resonate with you. 

The album is a collection of mantras and reminders of not just what we should expect from others. It speaks to what we should recognize and demand from ourselves FOR ourselves. With songs like REPLAY and I CHOOSE LOVE, we're able to understand exactly what we want and deserve. Other songs like BRICK BY BRICK and PUSH AND PULL gives us words to speak when it comes to demanding our own respect and boundaries with others. 

Laced with Erivo's ability to make every song almost its own genre and centerpiece, I FORGIVE YOU is one of those projects you can put on and just enjoy from beginning to end. The melodic tones of each song gives you not just hope but embolden you to search for that which serves you well. Knowing that is exactly what you are deserving of everyday. 

Get I FORGIVE YOU on Amazon. 

[MUSIC REVIEW] Wait For Forever by Jamie Fine

by Cyrus Webb

Jamie Fine is one of those artist that is able to breathe life into every word she sings, making you feel each emotion and take the ride with her from verse to verse. WAIT FOR FOREVER is no different.

The song captures what it's like when you separate from those you love and the feelings you're left with not knowing what the future might hold. WAIT FOR FOREVER shows that no matter how far you go, no matter how much time passes we're forever connected through our bond. 

What is genius about this song is that it apply in so many different ways. If the one we care about is looking for themselves in "a thousand places", they can know that we're forever there, waiting on them to find themselves back to you and what you had. 

WAIT FOR FOREVER gives the promise that "I will wait".  The bond is just that strong that whenever the connection is made again, our lives together will continue. 

Get WAIT FOR FOREVER on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] POWER OF THE ZIP by Jill Kamp Aaronson is less about what you SAY and more about who you ARE

 We've all heard the saying ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS---and in the newest addition to Jill Kamp Aaronson's POWER OF THE ZIP books, I found that to be the central theme.

POWER OF THE ZIP: Stop Talking- Start Listening shows the reader not just the importance of what we say. It dives into the power of sometimes not saying anything and just allowing how we respond be the answer to the situation. I love that the book reminds us that there is no blueprint to EVERY scenario we face, but there are things we can do to make sure that we not only let people feel heard but SEEN, too. 

Though Jill is known for what she has been able to share in the workplace, this book really is a guide for all aspects of life, showcasing the importance of making POWER OF THE ZIP a lifestyle choice rather than something we attempt to turn on and off. Whether we're talking about dealing with friends, family or those we work with, the important thing is to treat each individual as the unique person they are so they know you are not just listening but hearing them. 

Filled with great examples from her own life and even some Biblical references that will hit home for some readers, POWER OF THE ZIP: Stop Talking-Start Listening gives you guidelines to not just make what you say more impactful. It will make your LIFE more impactful as well. 

Get your copy on Amazon.  

[BOOK REVIEW] Hold Your Head Up, Princess by Dr. Velma Bagby

There is nothing like recognizing and acknowledging your own value and worth. 

We live in a world where not everyone will see the gift and treasure that we are, but that doesn't mean we should ever dim our light so others can't see the light we carry. 

In HOLD YOUR HEAD UP, PRINCESS Dr. Velma Bagby shows how at different points in her life there were those who didn't see her worth or value. She was then presented with a choice: Would she be the person her parents had told her that she was or would she dim that light so others would not be offended?

We're able to see how Dr. Velma embraced her gifts and her talents and the doors that opened for her in the process. The book also reminds us that regardless of our age, we all need the reminder to hold our heads up, walking confidently in our calling. 

In the back of the book we are able to get activities that the reader can do alone or with others, but we also get the assurance that if we walk in our worthiness and embrace who we are great things can come our way. HOLD YOUR HEAD UP, PRINCESS is a testament that who you are matters. You just have to walk in your own authenticity and know that everything will work out.

Get HOLD YOUR HEAD UP, PRINCESS on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] Dr. Velma TALKS: A Decade of Wisdom From Then, Till Now by Dr. Velma Bagby

 

When it comes to taking advice or listening to counsel from someone about dating, relationships and marriage, you want to make sure the person is walking the walk and not just talking the talk. That is why I think both men and women who are serious about finding their mate will appreciate Dr. Velma TALKS: A Decade of Wisdom From Then, Till Now by Dr. Velma Bagby.

Known for her popular Catch Series, Dr. Velma is taking her over decade of teaching and sharing what she's learned and used to have a successful marriage to help others. 

I love the way the book addresses topics like making sure you're the mate someone should want, being aware and setting your realistic expectations when it comes to your mate. For women she reminds them of an important fact that even men could appreciate. It's not about your man or woman being LATE. They might be focused on their designed assignment until it is TIME. 

Granted, I am not the primary audience for this particular book by Dr. Velma, but I found principles that can be used in all areas of life. The big thing about this book for me is that it allows the reader to take stock of themselves, being honest with oneself and then making sure they are doing the work necessary to be the kind of mate that their spouse will appreciate and cherish. 

If you can do that, then there is no way you won't be able to find that special someone that is meant for you. 

Get your copy of DR. VELMA TALKS on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] Beauty Beyond the Tears : Finding Strength After Loss by Kate Thurman

 Having known Kate Thurman for a while now, I was so proud of her sharing a deeply personal part of her journey with the world in this book---and I think we are all better because of it. 

Beauty Beyond the Tears: Finding Strength After Loss is not just about trying to find understanding and hope when tragedy strikes. It's about being honest about where you are, what you feel and knowing that through it all God is there. Even when it doesn't feel like it.

Kate and her husband Chris' experience is theirs, but it is also that of so many. That is why I am glad the world can read it and see themselves and find the peace they have been looking for. It's not an easy road. It's not something that will change overnight, but BEAUTY BEYOND THE TEARS shows there IS HOPE. There IS HEALING. And through everything that we go through in life this book reminds us not to lose faith. You can find not only strength after loss. You can rediscover yourself and your purpose, too.

Get your copy on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] Seth's Cross by Jeff Randall

I've read a lot of historical fiction before, but nothing like this. 

SETH'S CROSS by Jeff Randall takes us into the life of an individual in the bible and imagines what his journey was like before his painful death alongside Jesus Christ. 

The character Seth represents so much when it comes to understanding your own value and how you don't have to let the sins of the father become the sins of the son (or daughter). We're able to see him wrestle with not just his own value and worth, but the miracles and impact Jesus is having---and a message of hope that seems so far from what Seth can expect for himself.

I love the way Jeff weaves through the thoughts of Seth as he tries to make sense of what he is seeing and hearing, while at the same time trying to drown out the programming of his father.

Whether you're a reader of scripture or not, I think you'll read SETH'S CROSS with not just a love of the story but a realization that we have all been Seth at some point: feeling lost, misunderstood and unworthy. The question comes, though, will we remember who we were created to be before it is too late?

Beautifully delivered and a book that lingers with the reader after you finish turning the pages, SETH'S CROSS is one of the best books I've read in 2025. 

Get your copy of SETH'S CROSS on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] Using life lessons as a guide, Ally Dalsimer reminds us IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE FABULOUS EVERY DAY!

by Cyrus Webb

There is so much pressure on us at times to get everything "right". In IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE FABULOUS EVERY DAY! author Ally Dalsimer is giving us permission to re-evaluate what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what we really want as a result.

I love this book because it is full of messages that we can just pick up, digest, think about and then try to take action on. Ally uses some of her own experiences as a guide, but there is also the reminder that everyone has a different path. In fact, sometimes the reason why things aren't working out for us is because we have stopped listening to that inner voice and exchanged it for that of someone else.

When we're able to be honest about what we want and make a concerted effort to do it, we can be a lot more fulfilled and less judgmental when it comes to ourselves. That means we have to give ourselves some grace and remember that as the title of the book alludes to not every day is going to be a slam dunk.

Authentic, bold and presented in love, Ally Dalsimer was the perfect author for this book---and you will do well to pick it up for yourself. 

Get your copy on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] Chasing Different by Colette R. Harrell

 

When it comes to writing fiction that brings you in and makes you feel a part of the story, few can do it like Colette R. Harrell. As she begins her new series LOVING DIFFERENT she kicks it off with characters that are flawed, relatable and in many ways everything you HOPE you would be in trying circumstances. 

CHASING DIFFERENT brings us into the worlds of Deacon Everette and Nia Lewis: two individuals who don's seem as though they would be "right" together but the circumstances they are thrust into show that they couldn't be more compatible. In the middle of literally racing against time and running for their lives, the two main characters must learn to trust each other and themselves if they want to survive. 

Along the way they are guided by the words and actions of other trusted individuals that help to steer them as they not just try to expose The Council---but let others see the dangers of power when it is used against those it's meant to protect. 

As I have come to expect for Colette, this book takes many twists and turns. For some it will be seen as a romance. To others it will be a thriller. Still others will see it as an indictment of the world we find ourselves currently living in. For me it's a Colette R. Harrell book, and that means to expect the unexpected and then some. 

CHASING DIFFERENT is not just about embracing all that you are. It's about uniting together so that our differences and strengths can work together for good. 

Get your copy of CHASING DIFFERENT on Amazon. 

BOOK REVIEW: Let It Go (The Journal) by Lakeasha Williams

All of us know what it's like to be weighed down by the challenges and trauma of life. We also know that in order to become who we were meant to be, we have to CHOOSE to move forward. That is what the 30 day journal LET IT GO by Lakeasha Williams helps you achieve. 

Giving you prompts that allow you to see where you are, what actions need to be taken and gives you steps leading you in that direction, the book is sure to help you not just reach your goals but remind you that you are worthy of doing so.

With questions like 'What do you want your life to feel like?', 'When was the last time you gave yourself permission to be still?' and 'How does holding on to the past block your growth?' we're able to be honest with ourselves and take the necessary steps to not just rise but THRIVE.

Ready to excel in your life and reclaim your power? LET IT GO gives you the tools to do it. 

Get your copy of LET IT GO (The Journal) on Amazon. 

[BOOK REVIEW] With THE GOLD ROSE author Jodi Lea Stewart shows that doing what is right can be hard but needed

 When it comes to right and wrong there can be no limit put on choosing wisely. In author Jodi Lea Stewart's newest book THE GOLD ROSE we are able to see that people over the years have had to make the difficult choices---and deal with the consequences. 

Once again we are able to see Stewart's abilities to transport us to a time that may seem different than the world we know, but it includes people that are relatable and real. THE GOLD ROSE is about conscience and power, and what happens when they are not used properly. With Charlotte we get a look at what made her who she is and where are desire to do what is right and make amends where she can comes from. Will it be a enough to save her and others? That is part of what we see as the book unfolds with action, challenges and revelations.

Taking readers back in time and around the world, Jodi Lea Stewart's THE GOLD ROSE delivers another page-turner full of her signature heart, soul, and adventure. Get ready to be drawn in and carried away as the characters deal with love, loss, and the search for something more. A truly satisfying read.

[BOOK REVIEW] Randy Richardson's HAVANNA HANGOVER is the kind of book you can enjoy any time of year

 

Whether you're looking for a great summer read or something that will keep you engaged and guessing, then HAVANNA HANGOVER is the kind of book you want to add to your reading list. 

Author Randy Richardson is someone I have gotten to enjoy over the years, and this latest book shows his range of writing a mystery and love story mixed with intrigue. Through Tanner and Jackson we see how friendships can change and when put under test the things that can be exposed---sometimes with deadly consequences. 

The way the book unfolds allows us to better understand Tanner and though we might not always agree with his choices, we can see how he learns to fight for what matters to him. Will he get a happy ending? What does that even mean? Those are just a couple of the questions you'll find yourself asking. 

HAVANA HANGOVER is a book you'll enjoy and want to talk about. You can't ask for more than that.