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.

From Daylight to Madness by Jennifer Anne Gordon

From Daylight to Madness by Jennifer Anne Gordon

Jennifer Anne Gordon lures readers through a riveting psychological maze in From Daylight to Madness, a spine-shaking Gothic romance that is impossible to forget. From a bloody emotional opening to dark corners of depression and the fragile edges of sanity, this book is an intense ride through the shadows of human nature. Dripping with visceral descriptions and a disquieting mood that seems to grow with each chapter, Gordon is a gifted storyteller with a flair for the dramatic. Despite the occasional lapse in narrative sharpness, brief excesses of procedural detail, and some inconsistent grammar, this is a sinister and […]

2020-09-21T08:58:32+02:00September 21st, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Prophase: A Present Tale by M. Street

Prophase: A Present Tale by M. Street

An ever-expanding and engaging coming-of-age novel, Prophase: A Present Tale by M. Street takes readers on a wild ride past every boundary of our reality. A young girl with a mysterious lineage, and her heart firmly planted in the forest, must come to terms with an incredible destiny, while keeping her secrets safe and her family in one piece, in this magical, eye-opening story of growing up.

Piper Walker, the enigmatic protagonist of this imaginative story, may seem normal at first glance, with a solid core of friends, a steady boyfriend, and a busy schedule at school, but the circumstances […]

2020-10-13T02:59:03+02:00September 21st, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

The Second Child by Regina Toffolo

The Second Child by Regina Toffolo

Author Regina Toffolo excavates the darkest corners of her life in The Second Child, a memoir spanning decades of childhood instability, familial uncertainty, alcoholism, mental illness, and the unexpected challenges of parenting.

Told in a deeply personal yet accessible way, this book explores the warning signs and roots of addiction, as well as the repercussions of grief and loss that can only be unpacked from the distance of age or experience. The recollections are told in a matter-of-fact way, akin to journal entries, but there are also gut-punch moments that feel both voyeuristic and surprisingly relatable. Navigating wide-ranging subjects […]

2020-09-21T04:50:21+02:00September 21st, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Review: Ferdinand’s Gold by Sheldon Charles

Ferdinand's Gold by Sheldon Charles

Family history, lines of honor, political instability and good old-fashioned greed collide in Ferdinand’s Gold, a new military thriller from author Sheldon Charles. Loosely based on a true story about four American Airmen robbing one of the most dangerous men in the world, this novel is fascinating in its historical detail, but also woven together with fictional elements that make the story leap off the page.

Dex Kevan may be an unknown Air Force grunt at the end of his deployment, sitting in a remote airbase in Guam, but when fate offers him a golden chance to solve his […]

A Married Woman by Anastasiya Baydachenko

A Married Woman by Anastasiya Baydachenko

Anastasiya Baydachenko provides a window into the past with A Married Woman, a historical drama based on true events that sees Margaret of Orleans defying the expectations of her status, and embark on a bold, controversial journey of her own design. Set in the early 15th century, the author excels at painting scenes with historical and linguistic accuracy, while subtly exploring gender-linked themes that remain relevant today. Striking a good balance between fact and fiction, Baydachenko manages to imbue this story with authentic romance, suspense, political intrigue, and the uncertainty of royal power struggles. While some of the narration […]

2020-09-17T06:11:26+02:00September 16th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

John the Fearless by Anastasiya Baydachenko

John the Fearless by Anastasiya Baydachenko

Based on centuries-old history and filled in with some creative liberty, John the Fearless by Anastasiya Baydachenko is a brief but intriguing dive into the life and times of the Duke of Burgundy, who held power at the end of the 14th century. Part biography and part historical mural, the author examines the Duke’s tangled family tree, the idiosyncrasies that have made him a historical anomaly, and provides a glimpse into politics and power during the late Middle Ages. Baydachenko recounts the history impartially, but some of the more personal details feel out of place, and some patterns of speech […]

2020-09-17T06:05:26+02:00September 16th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Hit Back by Jeffrey W. Tenney

Hit Back by Jeffrey W. Tenney

A mid-60s tale with a classic wild west edge, Hit Back is an action-packed and unpredictable ride, courtesy of author Jeffrey W. Tenney. Armed with authentic language straight out of a Wyoming cowboy bar, as well as a good balance between character development and gun-slinging action, it’s easy to get lost in this caper. The first-person narration gives immediacy and intimacy to the story, and Harlan’s voice is original, unpolished, and believable. An additional polish could strip away some of the unnecessary language, but overall, Hit Back is an entertaining, mystery-fueled adventure loaded with country charm.

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2020-09-16T04:40:26+02:00September 16th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Umlac’s Legacy (Entangled Galaxy Book 2) by Jim Meeks-Johnson

Umlac's Legacy (Entangled Galaxy Book 2) by Jim Meeks-Johnson Author Jim Meeks-Johnson serves up a weird and wonderful space romp with his second book of the Entangled Galaxy series, Umlac’s Legacy: Rogues and Misfits.

After defeating Umlac, a ruler of the Immortal Ascendency, the Earthling heroine at the center of this series must deal with the deadly halls of cosmic power and the backstabbing blobs she now rules. The problem with loyalties divided across the galaxy is that conflict is inevitable, and these universally significant stakes make for epic storytelling. The author’s unique universe expands even further in this installment, yet the minute details of alien tech and […]

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