John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Digging back through a lifetime to his transformative travels as a young man, author Steve Amoia transports readers to a different age in Sardinian Days and Italian Nights. An impressively detailed look back at the history-drenched Italian landscape and the legendary realm of Sardinia, readers will be able to immerse themselves in the vivid descriptions of the sea, the aromas, the emotions, and much more. A coming-of-age story told from the wisened perspective of hindsight, this travel memoir is self-reflective, but the memories themselves don’t feel edited or embellished. Far more than just a travelogue, Amoia subtly philosophizes on […]

A spiraling thrill from start to finish, The Return of Dragons by R.R. Harper is an imaginative YA adventure that will be a hit with high-fantasy fans. After more than eight centuries, dragons have returned to Narow, sparking chaos and power struggles across the land, as one young man with a magical bond to these legendary beasts begins the search for his destiny. Despite the classic premise, this coming-of-age story is wildly unique, with a creative magical history, richly developed protagonists (and villains), an unpredictable storyline, and a patient storytelling voice. All told, this world-building debut has laid impressive groundwork […]

A touching reflection on family, motherhood, identity, and forgiveness, A Sea for Summer by Shelley Kassian is a tenderly penned exploration of love, and a superb first installment of her Places in the Heart series. Peter and Claire are two stubborn and deeply tangled partners, but the author sets the perfect beachside scene for redemption, recognizable conflict, and thought-provoking conversations that may encourage readers to do more work on their own close relationships. The prose is stylishly straightforward, rarely relying on complex turns of phrase, which not only makes the book a quick and easy read, but also lends the […]