John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

About John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Providing exceptional writing, editing and publishing services to hundreds of international clients, ranging from nutritional copywriting and long-form ghostwriting to substantive editing, assessment/analysis of academic texts and structural/content editing for bestselling novels.

Review: Alchemy of Revenge by Athan Noel

Alchemy of Revenge by Athan Noel

In Alchemy of Revenge, author Athan Noel unleashes a visceral and unpredictable homage to vengeance.

When a lustful mistake spins out of control into obsession, harassment, and even costlier consequences, it seems that Leo Vitali’s life is falling apart before his eyes. His lawyer and father figure has a heart attack and he confesses his misdeeds to his wife, but that’s nothing compared to being arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. Betrayed by those closest to him, the perfect life of this Miami shot-caller is teetering on the edge, as his beloved family is fed poisonous lies by […]

2021-10-12T03:26:50+02:00August 24th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Murder at the Mansfield by CB Laurence

Murder at the Mansfield by CB Laurence

A unique and unusual noir thriller by author CB Laurence, Murder at the Mansfield is the first moody installment of the Express Investigations series. When Hollywood’s sweetheart ends up behind bars for alleged murder, it will take a divorce attorney turned investigator with a big heart and a silver tongue to unravel the tangled case. An unlikely team of sleuths diving dangerously deep into the seedy underworld of power, lust, and money, this quick and gritty mystery is escapist fiction at its best. Sharp dialogue pulls readers into the past, while larger-than-life personalities torn from the big screen make this […]

2021-08-23T03:12:56+02:00August 23rd, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Little Squiggle’s Lake Adventure by Laura Smetana and Stirling Hebda

Little Squiggle's Lake Adventure by Laura Smetana and Stirling Hebda

A quick and breezy read for young travelers and nature lovers, Little Squiggle’s Lake Adventure by Laura Smetana and Stirling Hebda, with illustrations by Laura Smetana, is a charming tale of exploration and friendship. As Little Squiggle learns, doing something for the first time can be scary, and things don’t always go according to plan, but taking risks can also deliver exciting rewards. With vivid watercolor illustrations and easy-to-follow language, this is an ideal bedtime story for those just beginning their reading journeys. Though the plot does move quickly, and can sometimes feel abrupt, the lessons are clearly conveyed for […]

2021-08-23T02:17:41+02:00August 23rd, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Godfrey’s Crusade (The Griffin Legends) by Mark Howard

Godfrey's Crusade (The Griffin Legends) by Mark Howard

Sacred duties to kings, brothers, and the gods of war collide in Godfrey’s Crusade by Mark Howard, the dynamic first installment of The Griffin Legends series. Blending Arthurian-style questing with riveting battle sequences and a deeply developed world history, this detailed fantasy realm is overflowing with monsters and magic.

Godfrey may be the son of a Duke growing up among the royal court, but he was also raised on tales of bravery and noble sacrifice, and the proud knightly traditions of his family. After earning his sword and knighthood in heroic fashion against wights, vampires, and orcs, he embarks on […]

2021-08-23T02:47:45+02:00August 23rd, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Unknown Assailant by Joanne Doucette

Unknown Assailant by Joanne Doucette

Peeling back the psychological curtain of trauma and its devastating impacts, Unknown Assailant by Joanne Doucette is a smart, well-researched, and wildly unpredictable thriller. A keen detective and a no-nonsense psychologist, Beau and Pepper make an electrifying investigative team at the core of this third installment of the Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery series – their sleuthing savvy is only overshadowed by the undeniable tension that sparks and flashes between them. Pushing past procedural tropes of the genre and diving into thought-provoking narration, Doucette flexes both her storytelling and psychoanalytical skills. Though the narration does far more heavy lifting than the […]

2021-08-24T02:21:46+02:00August 20th, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

The Beggar Queen by Kelly Evans

The Beggar Queen by Kelly Evans

Author Kelly Evans transports readers to 7th century France in The Beggar Queen, a masterfully penned mosaic of historical fact and compelling fiction. In an era where life is cheap, but love can be costly, an unlikely young woman navigates the treacherous waters of the Merovingian court and changes the course of history, though few have ever heard her name. Steeped in cultural, religious, and societal detail, this story will appeal to academic lovers of history, as well as those seeking a dramatic escape. While the dialogue occasionally feels too modern, and there are some anachronistic idioms, the reading […]

2021-08-19T09:02:46+02:00August 19th, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Celtic Mist by C.L. Nightjar

Celtic Mist by C.L. Nightjar

An epic and erotic journey of youthful adventure, Celtic Mist by C.L. Nightjar is an immersive experience that will thrill historical fiction, romance, and fantasy lovers alike. Driven by honor and desperation, this is a deeply moving tale of loss, grief, redemption, and revenge, all set among a stunning depiction of Ireland’s rough-hewn beauty.

Declan is a charmingly naive protagonist, at least at the beginning of the novel, but readers see him mature quickly into a rugged hero. An unexpected promotion to the Captain’s Crusaders gives him the sudden pride of belonging, perhaps for the first time in his life. […]

Review: Kelly is Unbreakable by Jackson Keller

Kelly is Unbreakable by Jackson Keller

A surprisingly deep musing on trust, power, truth, and friendship, Kelly is Unbreakable by Jackson Keller is a unique and suspenseful YA thrill. Exploring personal boundaries, and perhaps even finding the edge, this super-powered debut novel takes adolescent exploration to an inventive new level.

Kelly has grown up in the shadow of what’s “wrong” with her, and while age has taught her discretion, her superhuman strength is starting to show, just as it did a decade earlier, when her only friend Chris discovered her dangerous secret. After a lifetime of hiding, Kelly may finally be forced to come into the […]

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