John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

The Shimmering by Michael L. Clark

The Shimmering by Michael L. Clark A mysterious phenomena tears lovers two centuries apart in Michael L. Clark’s dramatic new fantasy novel, The Shimmering.

Finding the way back home to his beautiful wife is no easy task for Daniel, after being tossed back in time to a very different Tennessee wilderness, where survival depends on quickly recognizing friend from foe. Time-traveling is a popular plot device, as well as a risky one, but the way these two storylines merge, twist, and mirror one another is impressive and a joy to read.

Readers are given a godlike overview of a rapidly unfolding mystery, which makes for exciting […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-30T04:58:25+02:00December 27th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Time Travel Book Reviews|

How My Brain Works by Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin

Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin, a neuropsychologist and skillful author, unravels the mysteries of brain health and improvement in How My Brain Works: A Guide to Understanding It Better and Keeping It Healthy. This nonfiction book offers a comprehensive look at her field of study, but also presents broader knowledge on cognitive behavior, wellness practices for the mind, and more abstract concepts of internal philosophy and the power of mindset. Along with the doctor’s clear expertise and matter-of-fact prose, there are also personal anecdotes and emotionally engaging stories that feel relatable to readers of all kinds. A deep dive into all […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-28T10:47:33+02:00December 27th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Predict Your Success by Joseph Olaoye

Drawing on a broad spectrum of fields and perspectives, Predict Your Success: Simple Strategies to Help You Discover Your Strengths, Change Your Thinking, Create Your World and Change Your Life by Joseph Olaoye is an intuitive and impactful guide for discovering your authentic path and remaining resilient through life’s storms.

Broken up into three areas – Discovery, Succeed, and Perennial Success – this book is designed for those at any point on their personal journey. Beginning with the basics of overcoming internal obstacles, recognizing self-worth, and understanding the chaotic global context within which we live, Olaoye offers seemingly simple wisdom […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-30T05:06:08+02:00December 26th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Self-Help Book Reviews|

Death Honk: Nine Tales of the Macabre by JP Mac

Death Honk: Nine Tales of the Macabre by JP Mac A dark and unpredictable collection of truly strange stories, Death Honk: Nine Tales of the Macabre by JP Mac is gritty and nerve-wracking, shifting from psychological terror to classic creepiness with ease.

From brief vignettes of paranormal scenes to longer stories that hit hard with shock value, there is no clear continuity in these tales aside from their grim and horrific style. “Mark of the Bruja” is one of the strongest stories, with visceral characters, a well-formed plot, and a unique cultural perspective on the supernatural that may be new to many readers. “Devil Reef” is another memorable piece, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-28T05:13:04+02:00December 26th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Horror Book Reviews, Short Stories Book Reviews|

Review: Rock & Roll Murders by Phillip B. Chute

Rock and Roll Murders by Philip B. Chute

Author Phillip B. Chute takes readers on a winding West Coast ride through murder, jealousy, betrayal and music in Rock & Roll Murders: An Entrepreneur Finds that Murder is No Business Solution, a lurid and thrilling true crime tale.

Raymond McDade is the sleazy centerpiece of this creative nonfiction thriller, a radio station owner who will do anything to stay on top and keep his wife beside him, even if it means leaving bodies in his wake. The story traces his career and the infamous murder case in which he becomes embroiled, after his wife’s lover ends up dead […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-21T03:32:44+02:00December 23rd, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|

I Was a VIP on 11/22/63 by Dr. Diane Holloway Cheney with Edgar Van Cott

A riveting and genre-bending presentation of historical fact, I Was A VIP on 11/22/63 by Dr. Diane Holloway Cheney is a one-of-a-kind dive into the mind of a notorious assassin. While most may know the story of that deadly day in Dallas, this in-depth peek into the origins and mindset of Lee Harvey Oswald is revelatory in a way that any amateur lover of history will appreciate. The countless hours of research, structuring, and editorial work that went into this remarkably formatted book are obvious. Cheney is a masterful storyteller that pulls readers into the past with visceral prose, an […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-23T05:22:55+02:00December 23rd, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Grief in the Van by Victoria Clayton

Author Victoria Clayton, a year after losing her parents, embarks on a painful drive-about to regain some semblance of herself in Grief in the Van: An Adult Orphan, A Cat and A Tiny Home-On-Wheels. In the spirit of Steinbeck, Clayton takes readers on a journey of self-reflection, discovery, and recovery – a love letter to the land, to adventure, and to the healing power of solitude. Throughout the narrative are raw accounts of personal grief in all its unpredictability and severity – authentically told and affecting. This deeply nostalgic and visceral memoir reveals a challenging path toward progress, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-23T05:09:45+02:00December 23rd, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae

The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae

Readers are welcomed into the most intimate moments of a truly strange existence in The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae, a masterful piece of narrative fiction. Divided into seven very different but interconnected stories, this collection exposes the fascinating inner life of Renner through vignettes of his bizarre relationships. At times a heady blend of philosophy and cultural allusions, this is a dense semi-sci-fi read that cleverly roasts human nature, while also celebrating its temerity and curiosity.

Renner initially reads as an average protagonist, but an ironically extraordinary one, with a whip-smart memory, a deft tongue, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-20T10:46:28+02:00December 22nd, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Literary Fiction Book Reviews, Visionary Fiction Book Reviews|