“The scream is louder than the fire and pierces his flesh and bone like a sharp knife. The scream belongs to his mother,” Vincent Zandri wrote in the introduction of “Everything Burns,” his latest novel, to be released Feb. 1. The chilling psychological thriller begins with a detailed and realistic house fire that the main character, Reece, and his family are trapped in. Immediately, the reader is placed in the position of 10-year-old Reece, listening to the sheer horror of his mother being engulfed by flames. Although his father saves him from the fire, he is unable to reach Reece’s other two brothers. They stand together on the front lawn watching the house with their family inside burn to the ground. The heart-breaking and gut-wrenching novel reveals that Reece’s mother caused the fire by smoking in bed. “She didn’t mean to start it … but now she’s killed them all,” Reece’s father cries out as the two watch the flames lick up the remnants of the house. The tone of the novel is set in the first six pages: despair, heartbreak and the obsession to fight fire with fire.

The novel begins its first chapter with Reece in the present day. The fire he witnessed as a child has scorched him in more ways than one. The story focuses on the relationship of Reece and his ex-wife, but current lover, Lisa, and their eight-year-old daughter, Anna. While the story is told in the first person, the narrator recalls moments from his past that haunt him in his everyday life. The tragic fire took away Reece’s loved ones and replaced it with an obsession to start fires. Flickering in the back of his mind at all times is a flame that Reece cannot put out. He desires to watch things burn and feel the satisfaction and power of the flames. After two nearly fatal arson attempts, Reece finds himself in the mental ward twice, trying to overcome his tremendous obsession with fire. The story flashes to different moments in which Reece’s obsession consumed him, such as when he tries to light his ex-wife’s house on fire out of jealousy and rage that she found a new lover.

The most interesting part of this novel is how the author portrays Reece’s character and digs deep into his mind to show how the fire changed him. Zandri’s writing is realistic, thought-provoking and dynamic. The struggle of Reece to be a successful novelist, father and husband is the most gripping feature of the story. Although I wanted Reece to heal his wounds and move on, his obsession with pyromania is described so eloquently that it felt as if the fires were happening right before my eyes, making me want to experience them more. Zandri’s detailed focus on Reece’s insane obsessions and anxieties are so life-like that the reader is put inside his skin, wondering what his next move is going to be. To find out what happens to Reece, his family and his addiction to fire, pick up a copy of “Everything Burns” by Zandri. You’ll find yourself engulfed not only in flames but also in the thrilling mind of a man who craves to watch everything in sight burn.

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Rachael Freese, junior design and merchandising student, emptied out the contents of her purse for us to take a look inside at her daily essentials. Freese said that she wears a small, studded H&M bag because it fits more than just her wallet and “it’s over the shoulder, so it feels safe walking around the city.”

• Icebreaker sours that she keeps with her as a pick-me-up after a long day; when she is feeling tired she pops one in and the sour wakes her up.
• DKNY wallet, which she bought to match a separate larger purse, but uses with various bags. She loves it because it matches everything and has a lot of functions.
• Emergency go bag: The little silver zip-up is filled with nail polish remover, hairspray, Advil, deodorant, breath mint drops, tampons, a nail file, clear nail polish and chapstick. “The bag has everything you could ever need on the go or in an emergency!”
• Ahava Hand Lotion: it is unscented and made out of Dead Sea minerals, so does not burn her eczema.
• In her purse she makes sure to have her trendy Ralph Lauren glasses, a back-up contact case and contact solution with her at all times, in case something happens to the contacts she is wearing.
• She loves Marc Jacob’s Daisy perfume and carries the roller around with her. “It is light and it smells fresh, clean and floral. It is feminine and if you put on the right amount can be intriguing, not overbearing!”
• Bad Gal Lash mini mascara in black, which she started using recently as a free gift with a purchase. “It works pretty well and it’s not too clumpy.”
• A pot concealer by Time Balm in Light for daytime, nighttime and bedtime. She keeps it with her because it is thick but not tacky and easy to apply on the go.
• Smith’s Rose Bud South chapstick is with her at all times. It used to be sold as Neosporin. It contains Vaseline, petroleum jelly and rose oil in it. “I like it because it smells good with a light rose scent and keeps the moisture in my lips.”
• Along with her other lip products, she always keeps Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Petal with her. It is a tinted moisturizer but it is good for adding a bit of color quickly. “If you need to dress up really quick or look nice, it’s enough color to not be overpowering.”

“It was as if she held innumerable secrets, and she held them like a temptation and a challenge — discover what I know, and I can show you the world. I could not imagine anyone walking away from her,” author Megan Chance wrote regarding Odile Leon, one of the main characters in her latest novel, “Inamorata,” released Aug. 1.

“Inamorata”is an enchanting tale of how people’s desires have the ability to take over their entire life. Chance uses the main characters — Sophie, Nicholas and Odile — to tell the story of Odile in 19th-century Venice, Italy, and creates an exciting page-turner for her readers.

Odile is a young girl who wants more than anything for her name to be remembered. Her story begins when she is offered the opportunity to fall in love with an artist and become his muse. However, in order to do so, she first has to find him. Odile quickly realizes that her enchanting and breathtaking beauty is only going to hurt the artists that she falls in love with. When one of Odile’s first lovers, Nicholas, does not live up to becoming a famous artist by using her as his muse, he sets out to stop her from ruining the lives of other artists in the city.

Nicholas meets twins, Sophie and Joseph Hannigan, who come to Venice in search of recognition and support for Joseph’s magnificent art. They quickly become friendly with one another, and the talent and beauty of the twins captivates Nicholas, but Odile finds her way to them as well.

The most interesting aspect of this novel is that the genre cannot be pinpointed to one category. While the novel could primarily be categorized as historical fiction, it is much more than that. Chance successfully creates a dark and gloomy atmosphere in Venice, providing clear and accurate descriptions of how the city was in that time period. However, the novel is also filled with romance, horror, fantasy and dreamlike events.

If you decide to pick up the novel, two things will happen. First, you are going to want to put it down because the narration of the beginning chapters does not tell you the whole story, and it is unclear as to what is going on. Second, you are going to want to keep reading to find out the whole story, an urge that Chance instills in her readers by weaving together bits and pieces from the past and present.

Personally, I have never been a fan of historical fiction novels because they are dry and tend to reiterate facts rather than blending them into the story, but Chance strikes a fascinating balance between fantasy and reality.

While this novel has an attention-grabbing premise, it might not be for every reader out there. There are some very graphic descriptions of events that can be hard to swallow. If I were to rank this novel, I would give it four out of five stars. The story was engaging and filled with immense detail that kept me wanting more, but at times Chance’s language was too modern for the time period in which the story is set. If you’re looking for a novel filled with suspense and allure, then the magic of “Inamorata” is the perfect summer read.

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Jane Raese, a pre-junior photography student, showed that she is prepared for anything when she emptied out her trendy and unfailing Kate Spade New York bag and revealed what’s inside.

“People always complain about how heavy their purses are, yet I would rather carry a heavy purse because more than once I have been caught in a situation where I needed certain essentials, and I did not have them,” Raese said. “It’s better to be prepared than not.”

From left to right:

1. Her GoPro Hero3 to capture images of the world around her at any moment.
2. A floral pillbox that she always keeps with her.
3. A Bic lighter, which she thinks is handy to have with her at all times because “you never know.”
4. Her favorite pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses.
5. A koozie from West Virginia University that her boyfriend gave her because she “always complained of holding cold beers during football season, and he wanted [her] to represent his school at Drexel.”
6. A black card with the phrase “Love and Fear,” which is the name of her friend’s exhibition at the Goldilocks Gallery (opening Aug. 15) that she has been promoting.
7. Two different pens, just in case she loses one and has to take notes in class.
8. Her favorite wallet, with a stylish and elegant Michael Kors tan snakeskin print.
9. Her Lollia hand creme, which she likes to always have with her to freshen up.
10. She always has a Carmex lip balm and her favorite shade of Revlon lipstick, Blushed, in her bag.
11. The red toy gun is a pepper spray gun that her dad gave her for protection when she is walking on her own in the city.
12. The empty Lacto bottle (a pill used for lactose intolerance), which has been sitting in her bag to remind her to go pick up more at the store.

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“Always remember when one is confronted with a random act of kindness that is neither expected nor ordinary, one is obligated to meet that kindness and exceed it if possible,” Heather Burch writes in her latest novel, “One Lavender Ribbon,” released July 1. The book tells the story of a woman named Adrienne who finds a box of letters dating back to World War II in the attic of her new home. A lavender ribbon is wrapped around the box, and when she pulls it open, she finds herself immersed in letters from a soldier named William to his love, Gracie.

Adrienne cannot stop herself from reading through all of the letters, but she finds that many questions arise about the couple’s whereabouts and what happened to their relationship after the war. Adrienne sets out to find her answers by asking the local townspeople. Finally, she is given the location of William’s home. . When Adrienne decides to visit him, she finds William, also known as Pops, is a gentle old man filled with wise words from his experience in the war. She stumbles upon not just the answers to her questions, but also William’s grandson, Will.

While the story has a romantic base, I feel the novel could be enjoyed by anyone. Burch creates characters with background stories that help tie the overall novel together. The characters are all wise and stand firm in their beliefs, which creates trouble between them.

The most interesting thing about Burch’s storytelling is that it feels realistic. Her intention to create a story about a couple that fell in love during the war is obvious, but the outcome is much more than that. The different dynamics between Adrienne and Will, William and his previous loves, and all of the side characters in the novel create an ever-changing storyline that one would not expect from the cliched idea of a wartime love story.

While I enjoyed reading the novel, I do have a few qualms with it. Burch takes her sweet time to detail what is happening, but at points in the novel I wished she had made it more interesting and exciting for the reader. While she worked hard to incorporate the theme of WWII into the novel, it felt incredibly repetitive and forced. She had William relay how hard it was to be at war, but she did not have many historical facts or events to back up the statements. One of the main reasons I kept reading was the wise words of advice that William had to offer. William’s character is truly the saving grace, and without him Adrienne’s pushy, know-it-all attitude would have made me shut the book after the very beginning.

That said, I think the novel is still worth reading. It is a quick summer read that wraps you up in the characters and their personal dramas. Whether you’re into love stories or not, the themes of family, friendship and life lessons are easy to take away. The novel proclaims, “People should live the very best life possible. Too many had died so that others could.” Check out Burch’s latest release to see what the buzz surrounding this novel is all about!

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by Ajon Brodie

The CEO of Macy’s Terry Lundgren visited Drexel¬ May 28 l as the 2014 Design & Merchandising Distinguished Speaker.

Lundgren was awarded with the third annual Westphal Award from Drexel’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. The award is given to a distinguished, successful and philanthropic individual in the retail industry. Lundgren came to share his insight with students and faculty about his success as CEO, president, chairman of the board and director of Macy’s.

The CEO addressed a full audience at the URBN Center Annex at 3401 Filbert St. After the introductions, he began his presentation with several jokes because the video presentation he prepared did not work. Lundgren first provided insight into the history of Macy’s and how he rose to the position of CEO of the company. He explained how he worked in the retail industry as a buyer and manager, starting in 1975. He worked his way up from department stores owned by Federated to joining Neiman Marcus in 1988. Lundgren’s presentation focused on how he believes Macy’s is successful because they care about their customers and they want their customers to have the best experience at their stores.

While Lundgren did not have a set presentation, he tried to enforce the idea that the success he has received is from his hard work and dedication to make Macy’s an important and dominant brand in the retail industry. Lundgren detailed how specific designers can only be found at Macy’s, aside from their own stores, such as Ralph Lauren. He explained that the company does its best to provide for the consumer in each of the 45 states that Macy’s occupies. With over 850 stores, Lundgren explained that they have an overall merchandising plan but it’s tailored to the specific needs of different areas, such as maintaining a year-round bathing suit section in Florida. He described how he believes Macy’s has some of the most talented design and business teams, which allow for these unique aspects of each store to happen.

While the major focus was on the in-store aspect of Macy’s, Lundgren detailed how Macy’s is becoming “omnipotent” by way of building an online retail empire. Lundgren revealed that Macys.com is ranked third just below Netflix for generating the most online revenue. He explained that the company is working hard on their site to provide products to consumers that they may not be able to find in the physical stores.

According to Lundgren, Macy’s is also pushing to provide for the new millennial population. He believes that the company has something for everybody, but it is most important to grab customers at a younger age. He explained that students right out of college need nice clothes and they will come to Macy’s, but they will also stay at Macy’s because as they mature in their professional and personal lives, they will find something they need at every stage of life.

Lundgren explained that even if an associate at Macy’s cannot make a sale, he believes that he will make up for that sale in the future because his product is at the best price. According to Lundgren, Macy’s believes that the customer is the most important and if the associates can provide a great experience for that customer, they will want to come back and buy from the company in the future.

While his presentation was filled with information on the success of Macy’s, Lundgren did not provide many tips for students regarding how he became so successful in the industry on his own. The distinguished speaker did not include much insight into the fashion aspect of Macy’s or why they are promoting certain styles and designs, aside from trying to appeal to a younger generation. Lundgren also did not mention any of the stores that are in competition with Macy’s. While the presentation was insightful into the world of department stores, it is clear that Lundgren is a firm believer in keeping his secret to success a true secret.

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Reading is a form of relaxation and escape. We can travel many different paths and stand in the shoes of characters that are in unique and exciting situations we may never find ourselves in. While it is easy to imagine ourselves as the heroes of fantasy stories or laughing alongside the comedian in a humor novel, it is never simple to put ourselves in the shoes of someone experiencing a harsh reality.

“She Can Fly,” by Michael G. Gabel, is the true story of a woman who faced suffering and violence from domestic abuse. While the novel’s topic is hard to swallow, the intent is not for the reader to feel uncomfortable, but rather to shed light on how people who are suffering from domestic abuse situations can find a way out.

The novel, available at shecanfly.org, and the organization — also named She Can Fly — intend to bring to light how domestic violence is impacting people of all ages, in an attempt to end the victims’ suffering.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence recently released a statistic from the U.S. Office on Violence Against Women that a woman is beaten or assaulted every nine seconds in the United States. Domestic violence is the use of emotional or physical abuse, or a combination of both to control a partner, and “She Can Fly”details Kerry Keyes’ story of abuse, survival and escape.

While I found it hard to imagine being in Keyes’ situation, I was rooting for her the entire way nonetheless.  Her story is both an intriguing page-turner and one to contemplate. Normally, I try to stay away from sad stories, but following Keyes on her journey through and out of domestic violence was one that I found hard to ignore.

While the message of the novel is clear, I believe it is important for students in college to read and reflect upon Keyes’ story. Trying to hide her identity and making her way through multiple cities, Keyes ends up both in jail and on the run, but she ultimately has to face and overcome who and what is controlling her.

The purpose of the novel is to help explain what happens in domestic violence relationships and how to break out of them. At times, the novel is graphic and heartbreaking because, as a reader, you cannot help the character; you can only suffer along with her.

At the very beginning of the novel, Keyes explains, “After all those years of abuse, my body ached constantly. But it wasn’t like I could stop going to work and lie in bed all day. I had to make a living, so I learned to just ‘shelf’ the pain, as my mom used to say. The worst part of being with Wayman was having no idea what to expect from day to day. Is he going to beat me today?”

This heartbreaking novel is a story of resilience, willpower and the fight to overcome what could have taken Keyes’ life. It sheds light on a topic that is rarely discussed, though it happens every single day. Pick up a copy of the novel, tell your friends, and spread the word to help end domestic violence and foster healthier relationships in college and in the future.

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The middle of the term means exams and projects that make you want to have a shot of espresso every hour, but what if what you were reading was an escape from reality? What if you picked up a book that took you on an adventure? You are looking for peacefulness and clarity in your free time. Rather than filling hours with mindless television shows, reading compelling and thrilling stories will allow your mind to think in new ways.

If you are looking for such exploration and fantasy in your everyday life, then the time has come to pull out your iPad, e-reader or tablet and download “Dion: His Life and Mine” by Sarah Cate Anstey. This self-published novel, released Oct. 18 on Amazon Kindle, is not one to overlook. This fantasy story has a base in Greek mythology, which creates an interesting contrast of a fictitious story with genuine historical information. The novel tells the story through the steady voice of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos. Ariadne and her three siblings — Andro, Phaedra and Aster — live on the island of Crete and suffer under the oppression of their father until Prince Theseus of Athens tries to save them from their misery. With the Prince of Athens, Ariadne ultimately crosses paths with Dion, a troubled rock-god. The scenario creates a modern take on the foundation of classical mythology: tragedy.

What I found most interesting about this novel is how the author includes interactive links within the story. These links lead the reader to her website, www.mynovelideas.co.uk, which provides extra information about the celebrity characters, press releases that were written about them in the story and photographs of the different musical aspects, such as the cover artwork of Dion’s album. Anstey said that she likes “the idea that readers can have a different experience or perception whether they choose to read these supplementary texts before, during or after reading the novel.” While the story is enticing and the characters have believable personalities and motivations, the supplementary texts allow the reader to get a better idea of what is happening. The first two chapters of this novel are available to preview on Amazon.

Calling all hopeless romantics and people who love a good love story: Nicholas Sparks is at it again. Hitting the shelves of bookstores everywhere, Sparks has released a new novel called “The Longest Ride.” From the author of so many well-known love stories, this one attempts to do something a bit different. Sparks writes of two separate love stories that eventually intertwine. He tells the story of a 91-year-old man, Ira, who gets into a serious car accident, and the only things keeping him from dying are the memories of his late wife, Ruth, and the lifetime of love they shared together. In the same town, Sophia meets a man named Luke at Wake Forest College in her senior year. His demeanor is different and unique compared to other guys she has dated in the past, but Sparks poses the question: Will they be able to make it work, or is there a secret that will keep them from being together? Although I personally enjoyed the love story and wanted to see how these two stories unfolded, I am beginning to find Sparks’ stories a bit repetitive and overdramatic. In particular, “The Longest Ride” is a slower read than the rest of his novels because it bounced back and forth between the two different love stories. Check it out and see for yourself!

Combining supernatural and romantic aspects, a must-read book in the month of November is by Mitch Albom, the author of “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” and “Tuesdays with Morrie.” Albom is releasing “The First Phone Call from Heaven,” which tells the story of the small town of Coldwater, Mich., that is captivated by calls saying they are being placed from people in heaven. One man in the town, Sully, tries his best to disprove the theory, but could it be true? Check it out Nov. 12. “Dion: His Life and Mine,” “The Longest Ride” and “The First Phone Call from Heaven” are three stories that will capture your attention and pull you from the monotony of everyday life — don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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Classes are officially in full swing, which means practically peeling your eyelids open every night to get through the pages of a dense textbook. If you feel like you are reading an entire page and going back to read it again because you absorbed none of it, you may need to refresh your eyes with some lighter material.

“Dad Is Fat” by Jim Gaffigan, otherwise known as the Hot Pocket comedian, is quickly making its way to the front display in bookstores everywhere. From the first page of this novel to the very end, you will be laughing out loud at his sarcastic explanation of daily life with his wife and kids. Gaffigan tells hilarious stories about Disney World, the horrors of McDonalds, staying at hotels, and negotiating with children as if they are terrorists. If you are familiar with Gaffigan’s “Mr. Universe” stand-up, then you will love this book. Even if you have never heard of Jim Gaffigan, you will still love this book.

Although Gaffigan is making fun of his children and sometimes even his wife, he makes it clear that without them he would not be the man he is and that he probably would just be hanging around his house all day in his underwear. This is a top-notch novel and a simple read if you are in need of a relaxing, enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

If you are interested in finding a less mainstream but very alluring story, then “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern should be at the top of your reading list. Although published in 2011, this novel has recently been gaining recognition for taking readers into a world of enticing magic and is truly a rare gem. “The Night Circus” tells the story of two magicians who are destined to battle against each other from a young age, but they do not know that they are opponents or that the night circus is their venue for dueling. Their magic keeps the enthralling world they have created and everyone interacting in it alive.

This novel uses captivating descriptions and builds the characters up to moments where the reader feels right in the middle of the drama that occurs at the circus. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series but are looking for an adult twist on the world of magic, then this book is for you. Follow Celia and Marco through their magical training, their first encounters, and the love that grows between them.

The best aspect of this novel is how Morgenstern pays attention and gives careful detail to all of her characters, not just the two magicians. This story is one that is well crafted and cleverly designed to portray the lives of multiple characters who all interact within the venue. “The Night Circus” is a chilling read, perfect for the month of October.

Coming out Oct. 22 is “Allegiant,” the third novel of the “Divergent” series by Veronica Roth. With a similar premise to “The Hunger Games,” the trilogy is one that wraps you up in a world that is divided into factions of opposing interests and skills. The series consists so far of “Divergent” and “Insurgent.” Readers will be engrossed in the faction each character has entered and how their choice is going to affect not only their lives but also the lives of their family and friends. If you have not read any of the series yet, now is the time to start because the first movie is set to premiere in March 2014.

Keep your eyes peeled for copies of “Dad is Fat,” “The Night Circus” and “Allegiant” this month. There’s no better feeling than enjoying what you read, so grab a copy of these popular stories to occupy some of your free time between classes or
at night.

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Photo by Courtney Denton

Summer is quickly changing to fall, which means it is time to change up your shoe selections. Christian Louboutin once said, “Shoes transform your body, language and attitude. They lift you physically and emotionally.” Keeping his words in mind, it is time to kiss the flip-flops and strappy sandals goodbye until next summer. This fall, fresh new boot styles are adding a bold flavor that is more enticing than the return of the pumpkin spice latte. While a pair of sneakers may be comfortable and heels cause most people to wince in pain, boots are a chic and trendy way to show your personal style.

Hitting the runway and shoe stores all over the country are leather boots. While leather boots may sound like something straight out of the ‘80s, the classic cut has been revamped to make a bold new statement. Designers such as Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Tory Burch have come out with modern midlength and knee-high leather boots that can be dressed up or down. The first place to stop with your shoe shopping list should be Rittenhouse Square. A subway ride away from Drexel’s campus holds a world of shoe stores and boutiques — including prominent designers such as Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole and Polo Ralph Lauren — where the runway styles are abundant.

While a pirate may be on a quest for the “booty,” searching for a pair of booties this fall is a must. Walking the city streets may cause feet to feel worn out quickly in a pair of flats or boat shoes. Booties are ankle-high boots that are typically flat on the bottom but occasionally have a small wedge for extra support. Paired with leggings or jeans, booties are perfect for busy days spent running around campus. Aldo in The Shops at Liberty Place is a top seller of boots of all kinds, and this month they are having a sale on booties. Details range from simple buckles to beading, gems and fringe. Pop in and find a pair of booties that will boost both your savings and your confidence while wearing them!

Feeling ambitious or looking to show off your style throughout the city? A pair of high-heeled boots is the perfect choice. The trendiest high-heeled boots this fall have elaborate zippers, multiple buckles and animal print. Bare Feet Shoes in Center City is ranked No. 2 on Philly’s hot list (check out the full list at phl17.com) for the city’s best shoe stores. Shop the trendiest boots at barefeetshoes.com and have a pair shipped directly to campus.

Be prepared for the elements with a pair of trendy rain boots that won’t ruin your great outfit. A fashionable type of rain boot that is still comfortable and looks great is Hunter’s. These boots have bright, cheerful and sunny patterns to keep you and your feet feeling positive on a dreary day.

Another boot style that is essential for this fall is a pair of combat boots. While they have the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker, they are still incredibly trendy. Combat boots can be jazzed up with buckles and beading, too.

Finding a pair of boots that fits your personality may be the hardest challenge. There are many boutiques that carry versatile shoe styles in Rittenhouse Square such as Ubiq Life and Blue Sole shoes. Leather boots, booties, high-heeled boots, rain boots and combat boots are all in style, so slip on a pair and feel ready to tackle the day ahead of you.

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