John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

With the grace of a born storyteller, Jeffrey Pacitto delivers his first collection of stories entitled And the Wars Went On Without Him, inspired by the experiences of his own indomitable immigrant grandparents. From the difficulties of growing up too fast to the visceral horrors of frontline life during World War II, Pacitto paints a vivid picture of the past through vividly crafted characters. Offering unique and revelatory perspectives on sacrifice, duty, and national loyalty, this five-story collection is tightly edited and powerfully penned.

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Capturing the pastoral air of a classic murder mystery, The Concrete Vineyard by Cam Lang is a well-crafted whodunit with a colorful cast of suspects, and just as many red herrings. Boasting colloquial charm and an outlandish plot, this urban planning thriller carves out its own genre niche. The storytelling style is unexpected and engaging, placing a possibly untrustworthy narrator into a buddy cop framework, with Lang weaving the layers exceptionally well, given the story’s complexity. The murderous stakes feel high at times, but this detective story is a rare vintage – cleverly crafted to keep readers guessing, without taking […]

Author Stephen M.A. unleashes a shockingly creative sci-fi future in Tiny Planet Filled With Liars, roping readers into a savage space dystopia where military contractors rule over a crumbling empire of secrets. Brought to life with linguistic gymnastics and an impeccably sharp ear for dialogue, this is tech-heavy futurism for those who want to give their minds a workout, but the commitment is well worth the effort. Layering vivid history and mind-bending exposition between splashes of gritty action, acerbic wit, and experimental style choices, this nontraditional adventure is both challenging and thrilling.

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A poignantly penned and memorable tale of paternal love and struggle, Like No Other Boy by Larry Center is a heartfelt novel that honestly explores a complex and poorly understood condition. Showing the symptoms, scope, and unpredictability of autism through a father’s occasionally overwhelmed eyes helps this story hit home. This story also demonstrates the incredible power of animal interactions, and the unspoken peace they can bring to children, adults, and everyone in between. The prose is both authentic and educational, particularly for those readers without direct experience of developmental delays. With carefully chosen descriptive language, a clear foundation of […]