John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A gritty modern tale of crime, love, desperation, and survival, Trumpets of Jericho by Logan Christie is a darkly prophetic novel, in which one man finds his voice in the dwindling twilight of a broken world. Richly penned with expressive descriptions and lavish prose, Christie also boasts a critical tongue unafraid to call out hypocrisy in our modern times. The tangled relationship between Candace and Simon is chaotic and alluring, and while the narration is occasionally filled with “the cliché musings of a millennial Midwesterner,” there are also thought-provoking moments about purpose, connection, trust, alternative relationships, and everyday insecurities. With […]

Returning with a fourth installment of her Angelina Bonaparte series, Nanci Rathbun delivers with Blood Kills, a romantic, riveting, and razor-sharp mystery. The murder of a gifted artist is far more than it may first appear, and it will take all of Angie’s investigative skills to unravel this high-brow crime before more bodies are put on display. Peppered with red herrings and a colorful cast of suspects and allies, this is an unpredictable and gripping slice of pulp fiction. The frequent self-referential exposition can be jarring, which occasionally breaks the illusion of the narration, but most of the prose […]

A down-to-earth guide for empowerment of women, both young and old, The Rules of a Big Boss by Haelee Moone is a raw slice of wisdom from a relatable young voice – bold and destined for big things. From peer pressure and fashion choices to dangerous communication patterns and impossible standards of beauty, the author provides a unique and unfiltered perspective on some of the challenges that all women deal with, but few choose to discuss. The prose could benefit from a thorough edit, as there are numerous errors in phrasing and grammar, and some of the radical shifts in […]

A soothing and encouraging book of poetry, koans, prose, and stream of consciousness, Here in Progress by Adrian J. Atwater is a philosophical float down a river of deep ideas. While the brevity of so many of the pieces gives the book a universal feel, there are some clear themes that push through the lyrical musings and dense passages: self-worth and empowerment, autonomy, knowing oneself, desire, and hope for the future, among many more. At times, the vagueness of the language makes certain thought streams feel redundant, but the form and whimsy of the poetry are continually fresh. Unafraid of […]