John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

About John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Providing exceptional writing, editing and publishing services to hundreds of international clients, ranging from nutritional copywriting and long-form ghostwriting to substantive editing, assessment/analysis of academic texts and structural/content editing for bestselling novels.

The World, Silently Spinning by M.B. Maskovas

The World, Silently Spinning by M.B. Maskovas

Ambitious and intense, The World, Silently Spinning by M.B. Maskovas is a visionary adventure in a dark American future, one that is hopefully not prophetic. Faced with the ultimate struggle of woman vs. nature, Katy is forced to reckon with a planet bereft of humans, but not a world without dangers to fear and scores to settle. Defying a single genre, this book is both a philosophical puzzle and a near-future thriller, with visceral scene-painting, whip-smart social commentary, and subtle allegorical winks. Despite a tendency to over-narrate potential dialogue, as well as some repetition of ideas and exposition, this is […]

2020-10-08T02:47:14+02:00October 8th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

On This Day by Gillian McEntyre

On This Day by Gillian McEntyre

Overflowing with heartfelt positivity and aspirational prayers, On This Day by Gillian McEntyre is a devotional guide for a modern world in desperate need of saving. The five distinct sections of this easy-to-read spiritual manual make this a versatile companion, regardless of what you’re going through. Interwoven with classic wisdom from Christianity’s parables, prayers, and stories, this is an energetic and revitalizing read. Though some of the sentiments may repeat themselves, and the formatting of the verses/prayers seems could be more uniform, the powerful words and undeniable passion behind these timely prayers make this book an uplifting gem.

 […]

2020-10-07T03:31:12+02:00October 7th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

To the Top of Greenfield Street by Ryan Standley

To the Top of Greenfield Street by Ryan Standley

Tapping into the rich and sometimes painful vein of childhood nostalgia, To the Top of Greenfield Street by Ryan Standley is a deep dive into the teenage psyche. Awkward interactions with the opposite sex, internal battles with self-image and societal norms, and the endless desire to find a sense of belonging fill these pages, making this an entertaining, relatable, and heartfelt story. The narrative voice captures the struggles of youth, but also peppers in humor and sarcasm, emotional descriptions, and meaningful moments of growth and revelation. While some of the writing does feel rough around the edges, the author’s informal […]

2020-10-12T02:02:48+02:00October 6th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Curs of Curzon County by Thea Verdak

The Curs of Curzon County by Thea Verdak

Thea Verdak unleashes a swirling storm of a story in The Curs of Curzon County, a rapid-fire tale of acute dangers and chronic pain, growing up and leaving home, and all the obstacles along the way that can derail a young life. Richly layered with an original and unforgettable narrative voice, this gritty short story will leave your heart pounding.

All the crises and conditions of Lucretia’s young life distill themselves in this well-penned crucible; the ramshackle pound at the end of the airstrip is the closest thing she has to a home, yet it is also a source […]

Five Short Stories by Steve Amoia

Five Short Stories by Steve Amoia

Steve Amoia delivers an engaging collection of heartfelt, deeply human tales in Five Short Stories. From exorcising a long-held fantasy through a disappointing slice of romance, to seeing the world from the rougher edge of the map, these stories criss-cross the country, exploring the perceptions and prejudices we experience, as well as those we quietly hold. Amoia carefully dissects the pain of unexpected loss, the unpredictable nature of cruelty, and the toxic addiction of greed and wealth, in stories with gradual momentum and a straightforward, thematically clear tone. There is strength in the simplicity here, and this is a […]

2020-10-05T03:36:21+02:00October 4th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Commander by Dan E. Hendrickson

The Commander by Dan E. Hendrickson

Author Dan E. Hendrickson unleashes a wild and exhilarating ride with The Commander, an unpredictable high seas thriller in the Gulf of Mexico. Armed with enough action to satisfy those seeking a fictional adventure, but also plenty of rich character development and well-penned relationships, this is an unexpectedly complex read.

At the helm of this novel is Commander Jacob Edwards, a tough-as-nails captain of the First Responder, who suddenly finds himself deadheading into an international crisis. Juggling loyalties, national secrecy, and the lives of his men, this Coast Guard captain has a full plate of action that never seems […]

2020-10-02T02:42:47+02:00October 1st, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Review: Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge by Everett Watson

Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge by Everett Watson

Author Everett Watson peels back the mysterious events surrounding the King of Pop’s death in Was Michael Jackson Murdered? You Be the Judge, suggesting in no uncertain terms that foul play was undeniably involved.

Despite this globe-shaking death being classified as a drug overdose, the case is complicated by the involvement of Dr. Conrad Murray, the star’s trusted at-home doctor and the administer of MJ’s treatments. The author lays out his belief, based on extensive personal research and the synthesis of court documents and trial testimony, that Murray perpetrated premeditated murder after his underhanded, self-serving manipulation of Jackson was discovered.[…]

2020-10-06T03:08:58+02:00September 30th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

What’s That Coming Over the Hill by Raido Teagan

What's That Coming Over the Hill by Raido TeaganRaido Teagan unfurls a dark, emotionally raw story of personal struggle, brutal suffering, resilience, depression, unrequited love and mental collapse in What’s That Coming Over the Hill.

Part fictional memoir, part surreal nightmare, with perspective jumps and a flexible take on reality, this novel demands a strong heart from readers. Navigating the tortured recollections of the protagonist, from a childhood of isolation and abuse to the painful mysteries of sex and the opposite sex, and the uncontrollable urge for violence, this is a chilling tale of a young man on the brink. Revenge, savior complexes, twisted relationships, and self-deception […]

2020-09-29T07:41:49+02:00September 29th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |
Go to Top