Las Vegas, NV, September 28, 2022 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– Histria Books is pleased to announce the release of the award-winning book Olympia: The Birth of the Games by John A. Martino and Michael P. O’Kane in paperback. The book is published by Addison & Highsmith Publishers, an imprint of Histria Books dedicated to outstanding original works of fiction. It was recently honored with a first-prize Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction in the Chanticleer International Book Awards
In ancient Greece and across the Mediterranean, kingdoms strive for dominance. The great powers of Carthage and Egypt look on with avarice as the might of the Greeks is spent warring between themselves, oblivious to external dangers. Year in and year out, the people suffer at the hands of their rulers and the famine and pestilence that comes with conflict. Yet often hope springs from the most unlikely sources. There is one amongst the Greeks who sees light where others only perceive darkness. One who sees that there is another way to settle conflict – with honor and courage. One who will set aflame a torch that will burn for thousands of years, down through the ages. In an epoch of chaos and strife, a new force for peace is born with the first Olympic Games.
Olympia: The Birth of the Games is the brainchild of two distinguished authors: Dr. Michael O’Kane is a published academic author who has worked extensively with Australian Aboriginal communities. Michael lives with his partner Erin, their two children Felix and Patrick and their curly retriever Molly. Dr. John A. Martino is a disabled veteran, honorably discharged from the Australian Defense Force. He wrote his PhD in Classical History through Monash University and the University of Melbourne on martial violence in the Old World and the New. The book is enriched with a foreword by Professor Alexis Lyras, founder and president of the “Olympism For Humanity Alliance.”
Olympia: The Birth of the Games, 228 pp., ISBN 978-1-59211-154-1, is available at HistriaBooks.com and from all major book retailers. The book is also available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook formats. Titles published under the various imprints of Histria Books are distributed worldwide by the Independent Publishers Group. For information on publishing with Histria Books, please visit HistriaBooks.com or contact us at info@histriabooks.com
Las Vegas, NV, October 21, 2025 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– Oscar nominated actor Mickey Rourke is still a challenge to work with on a movie set. 17 years after his Golden Globe winning performance in The Wrestler, the actor is still doing things his way.
Speaking to CYInterview, Mickey Rourke’s costar in the upcoming film, Devil’s Play, Gary Stretch, who is also one of the film’s producers and has a history with Mickey, said the actor completely changed the character he was supposed to play in the movie:
“The role was a great role and Mickey changed it a lot. And it was based on a true guy and there were some brilliant scenes in the movie that Mickey just erased and did his own thing, which in some ways I was mad about because it was so brilliantly written, the role. And then in other ways, I’m happy that Mickey did Mickey because he did a great job. But he completely changed it and, but it worked.”
Gary Stretch, a former boxing champion/actor/filmmaker, is among other things, known for the 2019 documentary film he directed on former UFC superstar Ronda Rousey, Through My Father’s Eyes. Mr. Stretch said Rourke’s role in Devil’s Play is his best work recently, but also noted that the actor had a couple of meltdowns while filming Devil’s Play:
“I think it’s the best I’ve seen Mickey in a while because he’s very real in the film. You know, he had a bit of a meltdown on the set a few times and he was a challenge, but, he, what I will say, is you know, Mickey has a lot of, a bad reputation. He worked really hard. He did his job really well and the only thing, it, was not 100 percent was that he completely changed the role, and so, but we trusted that he’s a great actor and we went with it and we made it work, so, it was great to work with him.”
Mr. Stretch, a powerhouse actor in his own right, is known for brilliant performances in Oliver Stone’s Alexander and the Shane Meadows film Deadman Shoes. He was joined for this CYInterview with his Devil’s Play co-star, Bulgarian acting superstar Dessy Tenekedjieva. You can watch him commenting on Mickey Rourke, starting at minute 17 of the video below:
The director Ben Charles Edwards, also stated that Mickey Rourke described his role in the Devil’s Play as “One of my most meaningful performances in the past two decades.”
Devil’s Play is slated for worldwide distribution by Buffalo 8 on December 19, via Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Verizon Fios/Vubiquity. It will be available via a pre-sales launch on Apple on December 5th.
Produced by Dessy Tenekedjieva of Black Sea Film and Nova Film the movie was shot across Bulgaria, Los Angeles, and London. It featured cinematography from Dennis Madden (Savage Flowers) who delivers masterful visual storytelling.
Learn more about the film here: www.devilsplaymovie.com
Bishop Jephthah Sotabinda’s Newly Released “Divine Verses Volume 2” is a Compelling Collection of Spiritual Messages Offering Divine Insight and Guidance
New York, NY, October 20, 2025 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom”: a spiritually rich continuation of divine teachings. “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom” is the creation of published author, Bishop Jephthah Sotabinda, a poet, songwriter, and naturopath, dedicated foremost to serving as a messenger of Jesus Christ. From his adolescent years, he explored literary arts through children’s books, poems, and songs, but following his divine calling, he has focused on recording messages from God in his writings, known as Divine Verses.
Bishop Jephthah shares, “The verse-styled publication of the messages of the Lord Jesus Christ continues with volume 2 of the Divine Verses. This volume 2 is a sequel to the first and previous publication of the Divine Verses. As the holy spirit of God continues to impart the messenger of the Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop Jephthah, with the needed godly knowledge, another publication of the Divine Verses has to be born. Like the first and previous publication, this volume is also a thorough portrayal of pure divine truths and wisdom, as it brings absolute clarity on all kinds of truths, be it truths about life, love, or God. But the ultimate truth, which is the truth about God and his Son, Lord Jesus Christ, is the main foundation of the book because it is the highest truth in existence. For the reason that the Lord Jesus is desirous to see that everyone attains salvation, he continues to pass on his messages of truth to his messenger so that those who pay heed to them can be saved.”
Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Bishop Jephthah Sotabinda’s new book inspires readers to deepen their understanding of God’s truth.
Consumers can purchase “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or inquiries about “Divine Verses Volume 2: Verses of Truth and Wisdom”, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
