John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A historical drama set two millennia in the past, Vinoda’s Vengeance by Naveen Sridhar is a captivating Indo-Greek novel led by a fearless and unpredictable protagonist. When a humble but clever actress named Vinoda catches the interest of the kingdom’s royal family and the eye of the crown prince, her life is soon consumed by palace intrigue and the opportunity to take her theatrical aspirations to a whole new level. Moving smoothly in new circles of influence, Vinoda’s bold personality and philosophical wisdom make her a popular addition to the court, but closeness to kings and crowns can make anyone […]

A sumptuous international romance that tantalizes both the senses and the heartstrings, A Lotus to Love: Perfume, Passion and Discovery in Egypt by Shelley Kassian is an adventurous second-chance love story with a distinctly romantic backdrop. A savant of high-end scents, Portia is sent to Egypt to research a new perfume inspired by Cleopatra’s legendary recipe. Though she is still reeling from the shocking loss of her husband, she finds companionship in unexpected places, rekindling purpose and passion in her life, but some exotic elements may be too good to be true. Written with visceral and sensorial prose that brings […]

A holistic collection of advice on cultivating a nourishing existence, One Woman’s Guide to Life: How to Live a Kinder, Easier and More Authentic Life by Estelle Taylor is a detailed, entertaining, and authoritative dive into self-improvement. From efficient home storage techniques and proven remedies for relaxation to astute counsel on communication, relationship check-ins, and workplace hacks, Taylor seems to touch on every conceivable subject in this comprehensive guide, which covers issues not usually found in other works of self-help. Kindness, patience, forgiveness, and harmony are central tenets in these concise anecdotes, all of which are delivered in Taylor’s conversational […]