John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Tales of the Bacchae: Queen of the Dead by Brian Andrew

Tales of the Bacchae by Brian Andrew A fresh reinvention of classic mythology, Tales of the Bacchae: Queen of the Dead by Brian Andrew is a thrillingly creative work of mythic fantasy.

Persephone, the mischievous daughter of Demeter, is a minor goddess with a wealth of ambition, and takes the ultimate hellish risk by accompanying Hades to the Underworld as his queen. Koalemos, a humble farm boy whose heart was captured by Persephone’s silver tongue, is taken under the pitying wing of the revelry-loving Bacchus, who promises to help the boy on his romantic quest. Tangled in the machinations and manipulations of the gods, Koalemos embarks on […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-08-22T11:32:51+02:00August 22nd, 2024|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Living Law by Sid Martin

A contemporary guide to understanding the US judiciary, the Constitution, and the forces that seek to undermine them, Living Law: or, Why Are They Killing the Constitution? by Sid Martin is a sharp and essential read for Americans seeking clarity on the state of the judicial process, rather than endless spin. From America’s founding philosophies and the evolution of Constitutional rights to the originalism, hyperliteralism, cronyism, and corruption of the modern judiciary, this is a tenacious, timely, and unapologetic critique. Importantly, the book is bipartisan in its lens, fairly laying blame on both sides of the aisle, and the author […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-08-20T13:46:21+02:00August 20th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Gemini Project by Ian Moran

The Gemini Project by Ian Moran

Author Ian Moran paints a terrifying picture of moral collapse in the guise of progress in The Gemini Project, a timely dive into the worst fears of humanity’s fate.

In a climate-ravaged future, society has solved the problem of ecological destruction and greed through a severe yet subtle program of population control. For students at The Corpo Academy for Development, this means being separated from their fathers for the first eighteen years of life, avoiding any education that might inspire critical thought, and dedicating themselves to physical development in preparation for their post-graduation purpose.

Jan Ericson is not your […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-09-10T10:19:24+02:00August 20th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Dystopian Fiction Book Reviews, Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Velvet Hammer by Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell

The Velvet Hammer by Judge Belvin Perry Jr.

Bridging the traditional boundaries of personal and professional life, Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. offers an eye-opening peek into the American justice system with The Velvet Hammer, a powerful memoir laced with revelatory insight about some of the most memorable, challenging, and heinous cases of his career, including the Casey Anthony case, which brought him intense scrutiny and notoriety.

Born in 1949 and coming of age in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, Perry developed a deep understanding of systemic fractures in America, but also recognized the life-changing leaps toward racial equality that were gained during his generation. […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-08-19T12:59:45+02:00August 19th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: Coincidence, You Say? by Patrick Hogan

Coincidence, You Say? by Patrick Hogan

The story of a determined and principled protector who consistently chose the hard road in his dynamic life, Coincidence, You Say? by Patrick Hogan is a heartfelt memoir and a revelatory snapshot of a different time.

A mischievous child growing up in a picturesque middle-class American life, Hogan offers brief vignettes and glimpses into his youth, as well as his first encounters with coincidences. In numerous instances -often when injury or even death was imminent – he explains a strange experience of time dilation, as though the world would cinematically slow down, leaving him time to react and leave miraculously […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-09-09T11:27:01+02:00August 18th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Just Underneath by Jason Palmer

Bringing horror, dystopia, and paranoia into a sinister spotlight, Just Underneath by Jason Palmer is a strikingly confident collection of short and offbeat tales. A disease that drives you to scratch – or else drives you insane, a Kafkaesque interrogation over the culpability of a not-so-common housefly, an ominous PSA about maniacally maxing out your muscle mass, and more bizarre stories make this read a weirdly chilling thrill. Psychologically twisted and linguistically mad, with a dash of caustic social critique, these previously published pieces are dark fiction with an extra helping of dark, which makes for a sometimes challenging but […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-08-16T20:54:03+02:00August 16th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Where’s Our Purple Heart by Logan Fret

Where's Our Purple Heart by James Linge

Peeling back the complex layers of grief, family, trauma, and secrets, Where’s Our Purple Heart by Logan Fret is a raw examination of the feelings we fear and the memories we bury.

After his gun-loving, hard-drinking, war hero father dies unexpectedly, Todd must navigate a surge of emotions, especially the feelings of relief and a distinct lack of sadness. He struggles to mourn an abusive father who had leveled a murderous threat against him, which forced Todd to hide his queer identity for years and prevented any resolution or authenticity in their relationship. Now, with the main obstacle to his […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-08-16T19:46:48+02:00August 16th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, LGBTQI+ Book Reviews|

Cactus Dreams by Frank C. Senia

A whimsical, heartfelt, and surreal novella from Frank C. Senia, Cactus Dreams pushes the boundaries of belief and redefines the idea of finding one’s purpose in life. Antonio, a young man who can hear secret desires and memories on the wind, embarks on an epic treasure hunt to America. Armed with the mystical wisdom of his spiritual guide, the ethereal Luna, who once led him through a saguaro cactus into a fantastical realm between reality and dreams, this is a desert quest like no other, imbued with a blend of legend and life lessons. The novella feels in part like […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-08-16T13:41:04+02:00August 15th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|