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New Orleans (4-8) at New York Giants (2-10) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox BetMGM NFL Odds: Saints by 5. Against the spread: Saints 5-7; Giants 3-9. Series record: Giants lead 17-15. Last meeting: Saints beat Giants 24-6 on Dec. 17, 2023, in New Orleans. Last week: Saints lost to Rams 21-14; Giants lost to Cowboys 27-20. Saints: overall (12), rush (10), pass (19), scoring (14) Saints defense: overall (30), rush (26), pass (29), scoring (19) Giants offense: overall (T26), rush (15), pass (31), scoring (32) Giants defense: overall (19), rush (29), pass (6), scoring (18) Turnover differential: Saints plus-2; Giants minus-8. Derek Carr. The quarterback completed 23 of 28 for 218 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in the previous meeting and had a 134.8 quarterback rating. Drew Lock. The veteran quarterback is going to make his second straight start with Tommy DeVito (forearm) hurt. He threw for 178 yards and ran for a career-high 57 yards in the loss to the Dallas. He scored on an 8-yard run and had a 28-yard scramble to set up another. He also made mistakes, throwing a pick-6 and losing a fumble on a scramble. Saints offense vs Giants defense. The Giants defense is banged up. DT Dexter Lawrence (elbow) was put on injured reserve Monday and fellow starter Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck) missed practice earlier in the week. Leading tackler and ILB Bobby Okereke is dealing with a back issue. Saints: Tight end Taysom Hill's knee injury last week will sideline him the rest of the season. Running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) is eligible to come off injured reserve and could return to the lineup Sunday. Guards Cesar Ruiz (concussion) and Nick Saldiveri (knee) have been held out of practice this week. Center Erik McCoy (groin) , who sat out last week's game, returned to practice early this week on a limited basis. Guard Lucas Patrick (calf) has practiced on a limited basis after sitting out the past three games. Tyrann Mathieu (forearm) has returned to full practice this week after sitting out much of the second half of last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Giants: Lawrence and rookie TE Theo Johnson (foot) were placed on injured reserve and probably are out for the season. ... DeVito (forearm) and LT Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) missed the Dallas game but they are making progress this week. DeVito will back up Lock. ... Eluemunor and RT Evan Neal (hip) may be game-time decisions. ... CB Deonte Banks (ribs), Okereke (back) and Nunez-Roches (neck) are unlikely to play. WR Malik Nabers was added to the report Thursday with a nagging groin issue. The Saints have won two of the past three meetings. The Giants are winless in all six games at MetLife Stadium this season. The Saints are 2-1 under interim coach Darren Rizzi, who was born in New Jersey and grew up a Giants fan. ... Carr ranks sixth among qualified passers with a 103.3 rating in 2024. ... WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling has had TD catches in his past three games. ... TE Juwan Johnson had five catches against the Rams. ... DT Bryan Bresee has a career-high 6 1/2 sacks and is looking for his third straight game with a sack. He had two sacks against New York last season. ... DL Chase Young has two sacks and three tackles for loss against the Giants in December. ... LB Demario Davis had 10 tackles and a sack in the previous meeting. ... CB Alontae Taylor is the only player with at least 10 passes defended and five tackles for loss in each of the past two seasons. ... Mathieu needs five tackles for his eighth straight season of at least 50 tackles. ... Giants: RB Tyrone Tracy ranks second among rookies with 619 yards rushing. He has run for four touchdowns. ... WR Malik Nabers has 75 catches for 740 yards. His reception total is the most by a rookie in his first 10 games. .... Wan'Dale Robinson has career-high 63 catches. ... OLB Brian Burns has a career-high eight passes defended and 10 tackles for loss. ... Okereke needs seven tackles for his fourth straight season of 100 or more tackles. ... S Tyler Nubin leads all rookies and ranks fourth among DBs with 93 tackles. ... The Giants have set an NFL record going 11 straight games without an interception. They have one interception this season. The NFL record for fewest in a season is two by the 2018 San Francisco 49ers. The fewest in a season by the Giants was six in 2022. Look for running back Alvin Kamara to have a big game. He has 894 yards rushing on 206 carries and he has caught 59 passes for 450 yards. He has seven touchdowns, six rushing. The 29-year-old has had eight games of at least 100 yards from scrimmage this season and he is third in the league with 1,344 yards from scrimmage. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump, making the announcement on his Truth Social account, said, “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before Biden leaves office in less than two months. The U.S. has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. Trump has criticized the billions the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is designed to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump's proposed national security adviser , U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg featured in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!NextNav CEO Mariam Sorond sells $4.15 million in stock

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Making the grade: Canada unveils world junior roster featuring plenty of youthNoneEditor's note: This story originally appeared in the March 21, 1957 edition of the Hannibal Courier-Post. This piece was pulled to celebrate moving the Molly Brown House to North Main St. Among many natives of Hannibal who have become public figures in America are the late Mrs. James J. Brown of Denver, Colorado, and her sister, Baroness Helena von Reitzenstin of Bavaria, Germany. They were born Margaret and Ellen Tobin. Of these, Mrs. Brown was the better known. Recently, the Telephone Hour, on nation-wide television, told the story of “The Unsinkable Mrs. Brown”, called the “unsinkable” after her survival of the sinking of the Titanic. The TV version didn’t exactly jive with known facts, but it was diverting to see a native of Hannibal as a subject for a big show. The TV version, like other biographies of Maggie Brown, related that she was encouraged to go west during an encounter with Mark Twain, on “one of his visits to Hannibal.” I have done only cursory research, but Twain’s biographer, Paine, and three other books with collections of letters and other lists which reveal his activities, show that Mark Twain was not in Hannibal during the period in which Maggie Tobin was a waitress at the Park Hotel. She was a babe in arms during the 1868 and 1869 lecture tours which brought him to Hannibal, and she had gone to Leadville two years before he and Cable visited Hannibal on the tour of 1885. The supposed interview with Mark Twain is evidently repeated to add luster to her story. Her story is colorful enough to stand alone, without the spurious crutches and many tales she foisted on the public in her attempt to reach the top rung of society. Essentially a likable person, in spite of her inclination to boast, she eventually achieved fame because of an inherent charity. Margaret Tobin was born in Hannibal in a small fame house on the corner of Prospect and Sixth streets, in July 1867. Her family was shanty Irish. Her father dug ditches for the gas works. His name was John Tobin; her mother, Johanna, had first been married to a man named Collins. It was a second marriage for both, so Maggie had two older half-sisters, Katie Tobin and Mary Ann Collins. Later they were Mrs. John A. Becker, of Hannibal, and Mrs. John Laundrigan of Leadville and Aspen, Colorado, and various town in Nevada. Of Margaret’s “full” brothers and sister, there was Daniel, four years older than Margaret, Ellen and William, younger. The Tobin girls had red hair, Maggie’s was auburn and Ellen’s was golden red. Ellen, born in June 1871, was a real beauty, with a galaxy of beaux. Her first marriage ended in divorce. Her second husband was the Baron von Reitzenstein of Bavaria, Germany. Mrs. Tobin could not read or write, but she sent her children to school, in season. They played around the woods and hills of Hannibal. Maggie and Daniel dreamed of going west to make a fortune. At sixteen, Daniel got a job selling newspapers on a railway car. In her early teens Maggie worked in a tobacco factory, and then graduated to a job as waitress at the Park Hotel, where she claimed to have had the supposed encounter with Mark Twain. She spent much of her spare time at the home of her half-sister, Mrs. John Becker, at 322 North St. There was a big silver strike at Leadville, Colo., and John Laundrigan, Maggie’s brother-in-law, went there to run a blacksmith shop. Daniel followed in 1883. Maggie went a few weeks later, and they stayed at a boarding house on Fifth street, near Carbonate Hill in Leadville, where millions was made in silver daily. Maggie tended the table and washed dishes in the boarding house. Leadville was noisier than Hannibal, with a business section booming with a red light district t, variety halls and saloons. Fortunes were made and lost every hour. By 1884 Maggie was 17 years old, a clerk in Daniels, Fisher and Smith’s Emporium. She was being courted by James J. Brown, 30-year-old manager of the Louisville mine. They drove around Leadville in livery stable rigs while he pleaded his suit and promised to make her a fortune. On Sept. 1, 1886, they were married in the Church of the Annunciation in Leadville. They went to live in a two-room log cabin in stump town, a cabin and shanty town three miles from Leadville. Jim prospered, became a mine superintendent, and they bought a house in Leadville. They had two children Lawrence and Helen. Maggie moved the remnants of her family West from Hannibal. Her mother and sister, Ellen, lived with them at first. In 1894 Jim Brown struck it rich - he found gold in the Little Jonny mine. The grateful owners gave him one-eighth interest, and he eventually had between one and two million dollars - much less than other western fortunes, but adequate to feed the social ambitions of his wife. They bought a big house at 1340 Pennsylvania Avenue in Denver. It had a parapet and wall by the front steps. There were two large stone urns, as finials, and four stone lions - two sitting and two standing. (Later Mrs. Brown added two Egyptian sphinxes to the display.” Then Margaret set out to conquer Denver society, using fair means and foul, and spending Jim’s fortune in a manner termed by sociologists as “conspicuous consumption.” She gave elaborate parties, invited persons she had never met. Each time only a few came. Neighbors and relatives ate the food the next day. But Denver society was led by a close-knit group called the “Sacred Thirty-Six” They made her a laughing stock, calling her “The Impossible Mrs. Brown” and “Hand Made of the Lord.” She was acceptable only in her work in Catholic charities. Jim Brown was a philanderer; his interest in other women increased. Finally Jim and Maggie parted ways, but he continued to pay her bills. Maggie went to Europe to acquire some polish. She learned several languages and arts. She studied drama under a teacher of Sarah Bernhardt in France, learned to yodel in Switzerland, and to play the guitar in Spain. Maggie returned to New York, and through work in Catholic charities there, acquired Countess Annie Leary as a friend. Countess Leary, daughter of a New York hatter, had been given her title by the Pope, as a reward for her contributions to Catholic welfare. She insisted on being addressed by her title. She had a summer home in Newport, and introduced Maggie Brown there. Maggie was accepted in the East, by Mrs. O.H.P. Belmont, the Astors, Vanderbilts and Whitneys. But she was continually snubbed in Denver, until the tragedy of the Titanic. There are many accounts of this event, most of them mention Maggie Brown. Basic facts, beneath all the fiction, show that Maggie did man an oar in lifeboat No. 6, quiet panic-stricken men and women with songs and curses. Safely on land, she gave financial aid to many survivors, among them immigrant women and children, who spoke no English and faced starvation in a strange land when their men perished with the ship. Mrs. Brown had a new title, beefing her worth, she was now, “The Unsinkable,” acceptable even in Denver. In her previous efforts to crash society, Maggie had told many tales. She took her daughter, Helen, to England and bought lavish gowns hoping that the American ambassador would arrange their presentation at the Court of St. James. He refused. But that didn’t keep her from describing her presentation at court on many later occasions. Even after her acceptance in inner circles, she continued to weave a fictional background for herself. She once claimed to be married to “Leadville Johnny,” John F. Campion. He was much richer than Jim Brown, but he had a wife and four children of his own. In 1927, she announced her engagement to the Duke of Charles, but remained unwed. She gave dramatic readings on a fling-hung stage erected in the corner of her drawing room. Her favorite monologue was an account of her experiences as a personal friend of Mark Twain, although he was 35 years older than she and left Hannibal long before she was born. The climax of his story came when he swam out and saved her from drowning when her boat capsized in a hurricane on the Mississippi at Hannibal. Her unselfishness often outweighed her faults, in spite of herself. She saved Eugene Field’s home in Denver from destruction, making it a library and literary shrine. According to Floyd Shoemaker of the state Historical Society of Missouri, Mrs. Brown, in World War I, received all the medals the allied nations could award a civilian for the welfare work she did among the soldiers. In 1955 and 1956, the United States government used her picture and story on ads to sell Savings Bonds, published in all magazines of national importance. These ads said that her courage at the scene of the Titanic tragedy “wasn’t luck - it was pluck. And Americans have always had plenty of that smiling, hardy courage.” People who really knew her, liked her. Yet we cannot but wonder if, minus millions, she would not have been considered just plain foolish because of her pretense. She was rich and she escaped much criticism and was politely called “eccentric.” Luck, pluck, or both, she made it herself. Note from Mrs. Oliver Howard: To write this brief sketch I have used six references. For persons particularly interested in Mrs. Brown, I suggest “The Unsinkable Mrs. Brown, by Caroline Bancroft, a book which may be borrowed from the Hannibal free public library. Miss Bancroft visited Hannibal to collect material and photographs for this small book. It is the best biography of Maggie Tobin Brown. The book has 35 large photographs, with extremely amusing captions, showing Maggie’s family, homes and fabulous wardrobe.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have officially signed right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia to a two-year, US$15-million contract. The Blue Jays announced the deal Friday, two days after multiple media outlets reported the agreement. The 34-year-old Garcia was traded from Toronto to Seattle on July 26 for outfielder Jonatan Clase and catcher/outfielder Jacob Sharp. He had a 6.00 ERA in nine innings over 10 appearances for the Mariners. He was 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA and five saves overall this year in 39 games and 39 innings. Garcia is 22-29 with a 3.59 ERA and 26 saves over 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-19), Miami (2020-21), Houston (2021), Toronto (2022-24) and Seattle. He missed the 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. The Canadian Press

Ryan Clark fires back at Aaron Rodgers' criticism of ESPN: 'This dude is a fraud'The tween girl with cerebral palsy at the heart of “ Out of My Mind ” would certainly dislike being called inspiring. She makes it crystal clear she hates pity, or anything resembling empty expressions of sympathy. Yet the filmmakers behind the Disney Original, based on Sharon M. Draper’s novel, cast her as the quintessential inspirational movie heroine, there to teach the able-bodied how to treat her disability with respect and empathy. While overall this might serve as a good teaching tool to impact the way disabilities are approached by the medical and educational community, the protagonist’s construction begs for an arc that’s strangely missing from this otherwise sharp feature. Even before the opening credits, the film provides an introspective look at the frenzied chaos 12-year-old Melody Brooks ( Phoebe-Rae Taylor ) deals with on an average school day in 2002. We also hear her humorous charm by way of Jennifer Aniston, an internal narrator Melody adopted since she loves the actress on “Friends.” Her overprotective Mom (Rosemarie DeWitt) is multitasking while grousing to their insurance provider as caring dad Chuck (Luke Kirby) scrambles to get Melody’s gregarious younger sister Penny (Emily Mitchell) off to kindergarten just as nosy neighbor Mrs. V. (Judith Light) stops by for a visit. Melody is easily lost in the fray and dealt varying slights by her dad, everything from abruptly turning off the TV to mistakenly blaming her for knocking over pet goldfish Ollie’s tank, when in reality she was trying to rescue him after he escaped. Melody’s been relegated to the same special ed class for the past seven years, and desperately wants to socialize and learn alongside students in the mainstream classes. She gets her wish when Dr. Katherine Ray (Courtney Taylor) provides a pathway to attending history class with the sixth graders, in addition to approving her for a type-and-speak medi-talker unit. However, this newly unlocked world isn’t easy for Melody to negotiate as she suffers indignities from popular classmates Claire (Kate Moyer) and Jodie (Gabriela Francis), as well as being held to an impossible standard by exclusionist teacher Mr. Dimmings (Michael Chernus). Her indomitable spirit carries her through, and she makes a new friend in Rose (Maria Nash). She excels in class, looking forward to the the Whiz Kids trivia competition where she feels she can prove her worth. Though Melody faces many obstacles that are compounded by the fact she’s nonverbal and in a wheelchair, director Amber Sealey and adapting screenwriter Daniel Stiepleman shade her as capable from the jump. She meets challenges with a smile. She’s whip-smart and resourceful, especially when expressing complex words not on the laminated word tablet she uses to communicate, searching the room to point at objects. When she’s evaluated for an assistive speech device, despite her stress, she brilliantly thinks outside the box for an answer. She’s also clever enough to use other people’s pity to her advantage, cutting the line outside a popular mall boutique so she and Rose can frolic and try on clothes. Once she’s inevitably granted the opportunities for interpersonal growth that she deserves, Melody blossoms, finding power, grace and fortitude. Still, what should be valuable character assets ironically form a double-edged sword. Melody doesn’t learn anything new about herself during her battles against ignorant people while growing up in a time not conducive to her needs. The only things she needs to overcome are her external circumstances: abuses of power by doctors, insurance agents, school administrators and bullies intent on keeping her down — some of which feel contrived (like her exclusion from a trivia team activity after she’s proven herself a star player). Her fight for greater autonomy is genuinely heartrending and gives voice to the voiceless. But it’s impossible to ignore that her journey is more focused on how she affects those who choose to limit her rather than her exhibiting any internal change (since she doesn’t need it). Sealey allows ample space for Melody’s actions to resonate as loudly as her internal dialogue. It’s how the character’s perspective and personhood are brilliantly represented: Whenever she’s frustrated, squares on her word tablet flash onscreen, intercutting with her external physicality. Sealey and editor Jacob Craycroft demonstrate visual dexterity with these sequences ranging from Melody rejecting her dad’s half-hearted apology to Melody’s attempts to get a bunch of arguing adults’ attention. They’re also not afraid of levity, splicing a bored Chuck watching Penny lick salt off a giant pretzel in between Melody and Rose’s peppy, pop-colored makeover montage. Cinematographer Noah Greenberg further defines Melody’s happiness, illuminating her joy with a warm golden-hour glow. Taylor’s performance is the pulse of the picture. Her nuanced expressions shatter hearts in painful moments, in addition to making them swell with pride during everyday triumphs. The first-time leading lady, who has cerebral palsy herself, instills her character with effervescence, gumption and a winning, earnest sincerity. She finds a vulnerable tenderness in scenes with DeWitt, who this year alone has portrayed many facets of motherhood — from a cheerleading nurturer in this film to a toxic momager in “Smile 2.” Kirby builds depth and dimension into his grounded depiction of a harried father and husband. Be prepared for the tear-shedding moments he steers. Aniston’s vocal work runs completely complementary to Taylor’s, never impeding or overtaking the spotlight on her avatar’s acting. “Out of My Mind” is a worthy and unique coming-of-age tale. Despite the speedbumps encountered, the filmmakers drive home the poignant message that a person’s disability shouldn’t impede their growth and independence.

The Nigerian Navy has disclosed the arrest of a syndicate engaged in the smuggling of petroleum products and other illicit goods to Cameroon and various nations in the Gulf of Guinea region from Akwa Ibom State. Captain Uche Aneke, the Commanding Officer of the Base, confirmed this development while transferring the suspects, noting that they were apprehended by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy in the coastal waters of Ibaka within the Mbo local government area of the state. Among those apprehended were three individuals suspected of oil theft, who were found in possession of 2,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly referred to as petrol, along with 1,000 cartons of beer intended for delivery to the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon. According to Aneke, the Navy has presented the confiscated items and other valuable goods worth millions of naira to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) representatives in Akwa Ibom Command. Naija News understands that the arrests were made on Wednesday at approximately 7 pm during a routine night patrol along the Mbo River, which included a stop-and-search operation. “Navy intercepted a wooden boat laden with about 1,000 cartons of different brands of beer and other goods, upon thorough search, our gunboat discovered drums of PMS amounting to 2,000 litres carefully concealed under the cartons with the intention of smuggling into the Republic of Cameroon,” Aneke explained. Aneke consequently cautioned individuals or groups engaged in smuggling or any criminal activities within Nigeria’s waters to cease their actions immediately, or they would be subjected to the full extent of the law upon capture. He reiterated the Navy’s dedication to addressing maritime crimes in the region. He stated that criminal activities in the FOB Ibaka operational area, which falls under the Eastern Naval Command’s jurisdiction, would persistently be identified through advanced surveillance technology and intelligence gathering. “Such criminals will be apprehended and duly prosecuted. Nigeria’s waters and the Nigerian coastal areas are not for illegal activities, ” the Navy CO warned. After receiving the items, suspects, and other goods, Assistant Superintendent of the Corps, NSCDC, Willie Sunday, said the Command would further investigate the case to establish the culpability and prosecution of the suspects.

‘Enron CEO’ Connor Gaydos hit in the face with pie in New York CityPick4: A Heart-Pounding Thriller About Survival, Redemption, and the Price of Peace 12-13-2024 11:46 PM CET | Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous Press release from: ABNewswire Award-winning filmmaker Terry L. Chappell II delivers a pulse-pounding thriller in "Pick4," where a simple lottery ticket becomes a catalyst for chaos. This gripping tale combines intense action, tactical warfare, and the deep-seated need to protect what matters most, crafting a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. From Lottery Dreams to Lethal Reality What begins as a routine stop at a gas station transforms into a nightmare when retired government agent Brent Stevenson purchases a lottery ticket that wins the largest jackpot in history. But victory quickly turns to violence when the seemingly innocuous act of posting his ticket on social media puts a target on his back. Suddenly, every shadow holds a threat, and every familiar face becomes suspect as Brent finds himself thrust back into a world he thought he'd left behind. The stakes escalate rapidly as Brent discovers he's not just fighting for the money - he's fighting for his life. The local crime boss, masquerading as a simple gas station owner, sees an opportunity to claim what he believes is rightfully his. What follows is an intricate dance of survival, where Brent must utilize every skill from his past to secure his future. A Retired Agent's Worst Nightmare Brent Stevenson isn't your typical lottery winner. Years of covert operations and high-stakes missions have honed him into a lethal instrument, one that's been carefully sheathed in the quiet life of a security officer. But when threatened, this former agent proves that retirement hasn't dulled his edges - it's only made them sharper. The narrative expertly weaves Brent's tactical expertise with his desire for peace, creating a compelling character study of a man who can't escape his past. His military training becomes both a blessing and a curse as he transforms his home into a fortress, preparing for an inevitable confrontation with forces that severely underestimate their target. Master of Combat, Strategy, and Survival The heart of "Pick4" beats in its masterfully crafted action sequences. Chappell's background in film brings a cinematic quality to every confrontation, with detailed combat scenes that put readers right in the middle of the chaos. From close-quarters combat to strategic house defense, each sequence is choreographed with precision that only enhances the tension. The story showcases Brent's resourcefulness as he turns everyday objects into weapons and familiar spaces into tactical advantages. His ability to think several steps ahead of his opponents creates a chess match of lethal proportions, where every move could mean the difference between survival and defeat. Beyond the Action: A Story of Redemption While the adrenaline-fueled sequences drive the plot forward, it's the underlying themes of redemption and protecting peace that give "Pick4" its emotional depth. Brent's journey isn't just about surviving - it's about defending the quiet life he's built and proving that his past doesn't define his future. The narrative explores the cost of violence and the price of peace, showing how even the most skilled warrior seeks tranquility. Through Brent's eyes, readers experience the weight of each decision, the moral complexity of necessary violence, and the ultimate quest for redemption that lies at the heart of this thrilling tale. A Cinematic Experience in Print Drawing from his experience as a filmmaker and creator of works like "Don't Be Late" (2023) and "Crime Fighter" (2022), Chappell brings a visual storyteller's eye to every page. The action unfolds like a masterfully directed film, with precise pacing and vivid imagery that transforms written words into mental pictures that stay with readers long after they've finished the book. Fans of Jack Reacher and John Wick will find familiar territory in "Pick4," but with a fresh take that combines tactical realism with emotional resonance. Chappell's unique voice and understanding of visual storytelling elevate this thriller above standard genre fare, creating something both familiar and entirely new. The Perfect Storm of Suspense In "Pick4," Chappell masterfully crafts a perfect storm of suspense, where every moment of calm promises an impending tempest. The story's structure builds like a pressure cooker, with each new revelation adding another layer of complexity to Brent's fight for survival. From the initial discovery of his lottery win to the final confrontation, the tension never wavers but instead continues to escalate with precision timing. The narrative weaves multiple threats together - the ruthless crime boss, mysterious figures from Brent's past, and the ticking clock of the lottery claim deadline. Each element compounds the others, creating a web of danger that keeps readers guessing until the final page. Chappell's expertise in pacing ensures that even quiet moments crackle with underlying tension. A Hero for Modern Times Brent Stevenson embodies the complexity modern readers demand in their heroes. He's not just a skilled operative; he's a man seeking peace in a world that won't let him rest. His character resonates with anyone who's ever tried to leave their past behind, only to find it catching up with them. Through Brent's internal struggles and external battles, Chappell explores what it truly means to protect what matters most. The protagonist's moral compass remains steady even as the world around him descends into chaos. His tactical decisions are balanced with ethical considerations, creating a character who's both lethal and deeply human. This complexity makes Brent more than just an action hero - he becomes a mirror reflecting the challenges of finding peace in a violent world. The Art of High-Stakes Action Chappell's approach to action writing sets "Pick4" apart in the thriller genre. Each confrontation is choreographed with military precision, showcasing Brent's tactical expertise while maintaining heart-pounding intensity. The author's attention to detail in combat sequences adds authenticity without sacrificing pace, creating scenes that feel both realistic and cinematically engaging. The violence in "Pick4" never feels gratuitous; instead, it serves the story and character development. Each action sequence reveals something about Brent's character, his training, or the desperate nature of his situation. From close-quarters combat to strategic planning, every scene propels both the plot and our understanding of the protagonist. Who Should Read Pick4 This thriller will particularly resonate with readers who appreciate: * Tactical action and military precision * Complex characters with moral depth * High-stakes survival scenarios * Strategic thinking and resourcefulness * Emotional depth beneath the action Fans of authors like Lee Child and films like John Wick will find familiar elements elevated by Chappell's unique voice and filmmaking background. The book appeals to both male and female readers through its combination of intense action and emotional authenticity. Join the Fight for Survival "Pick4" is available now on Amazon and major booksellers. Experience the heart-pounding journey of a man fighting not just for survival, but for the peace he's earned. Visit enlightenedstudiosinc.com to connect with Terry L. Chappell II and join the conversation about this explosive debut thriller. Readers can follow Chappell's work through: * Social media engagement * Website updates * Upcoming project announcements * Author events and appearances Don't miss this pulse-pounding thriller that combines tactical action with emotional depth, creating an unforgettable story of survival, redemption, and the price of peace. Media Contact Company Name: Amazon Kindle Network Contact Person: Stephen Sinkler Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=pick4-a-heartpounding-thriller-about-survival-redemption-and-the-price-of-peace ] Country: United States Website: https://www.amazon.com/PICK4-LUCK-AT-DEADLY-COST/dp/B0DPF32BD3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KA8YOA0QU75K&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4Bw65n9X8dZAoavMRigvGF9xJWLUGHEbU2RdVIkamqxSnrmu-Iibw8Lt-K9gdC4SGUEqqUHBMxWFzGTzM69JFWBDK2DmeVVkbkrSy-srvDC7fRSNZsPilhjFfGo2BuTd9O0B2ozEpTlgFdepqmP6KIhdIJ1jjfV5rFx9_VTHx40WwMRJJwLoYVJT12krwQ1LXHXwCZm6-QaVaSvoZHx3SWFpssgkw8hL9b_afAJEeK4.Hu3_XKO94ZO08DXkr_wlcIUWWCp5nrmlZa8GJVWo83E&dib_tag=se&keywords=pick4&qid=1734126615&s=books&sprefix=pick%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C440&sr=1-1 This release was published on openPR.

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