John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A thought-provoking guide for people seeking to examine their own spiritual progress, Who Cares? by Dr. Melita J. Murray-Carney is a self-help book proposing timeless questions and subtle wisdom from a devoutly Christian perspective. As a devotional journal, this book requires direct engagement, encouraging readers to learn their own lessons and discover their own revelations through personal reflection and writing, which should help inspire and renew faith. Unlike so many other anecdotal self-help guides with vague proclamations, the devotional focus of this journal gives the reader a more far-reaching focus for self-improvement, and in a wholly welcoming way. Though the […]

Athens Ophelia: Night of the Festival by Zachary Aneiress is the second star-crossed installment of this entertaining, otherworldly series, pitting the high stakes of high-school drama against the sinister schemes of power-hungry gods. Between learning how to fly, getting lost in virtual reality, digging into his divine origins, navigating the jeers of schoolyard bullies, and outmaneuvering Lucifer himself, Aneiress barely has time to keep his hair looking great, but he remains a unique and fascinating protagonist at the center of this original series. That said, the snappy dialogue and the magical mysteries of this spiraling adventure are interrupted by sloppy […]

Author Zachary Aneiress introduces the world to a modern-day mythological superhero in Athens Ophelia: The Misadventures of Growing Up Extraordinary. Featuring stream-of-consciousness, deeply colloquial narration that immerses readers in the mind of this one-of-a-kind protagonist, the story explores societal stigmas and marginalized groups in a timely way, while also flinging madly into the mystical realm of YA fiction. However, the writing needs a serious editorial overhaul, with misspelled words, missing apostrophes, incorrect homonym use, and other issues, making it difficult not to be pulled out of this tale, imaginative as it may be. While the potential for this series is […]

Cryptocurrency has hit the mainstream in recent years, and authors Jon Law and Alan John attempt to unravel some of the public’s most common questions with their aptly-titled book, Bitcoin Answered: A Beginner’s Guide to Everything Bitcoin. Offering a patient, conversational, and intuitively ordered explanation of this complex subject, the authors will appeal to those who want methodical details, as well as those who prefer plain speech and big picture concepts. For investors, this book will clear up what shadowy uncertainties remain, while those brand new to cryptocurrency are in for a comprehensive introduction. Neatly edited, with attention-grabbing visuals […]

Penned partially in response to the dramatic changes that churchgoing populations and religious gatherings have experienced through the global pandemic, Church After: Finding transformation in unexpected change by Anna Mitchell Hall is a bold new testament to faith in modern times. Embracing change and dynamism that are inherent parts of Christian thought, this well-structured book presents a path forward for church leaders and the faithful alike, with recommendations for guiding and supporting congregations in this new era. Peppered with personal anecdotes that give the narrative voice both authenticity and authority, this is a timely read from an author who is […]

A CEO with a blanked-out memory and a grieving cowboy with a soft spot for damsels in distress make for an explosive pair in Fighting for You by Alessa Kelly, the second book in her Fearless Lovers series. Despite the familiar amnesiac premise, the characters are vivid and endearing, though the narration is bluntly expositional and mechanical, at times, and not quite as rich as the first installment. Fortunately, the dynamic between Jesse and Camille offers a perfect odd-couple vibe – smart, uncertain, sharp-tongued, and dripping with rustic desire. The added complexity of this layered plot, namely a corporate power […]

The inferno of shifting allegiance and smoldering gazes in Burning For You make for a hot first installment of Alessa Kelly’s Fearless Lovers series. With a plot model that is becoming a trend, a big-city CEO and a country boy at heart who loves to work with his hands fall into an unlikely connection in the wilds of Montana. The flashback jumps lend themselves to excellent character development, whereas the quality of writing itself is intricate for a work of romance, particularly in its descriptive clarity and creativity. Exploring relationships from every angle – as strangers and enemies, within families, […]