John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Raven (Cinzento Academy Book 1) by Sue Loh

Raven (Cinzento Academy Book 1) by Sue Loh

Breaking through a corporate firewall and getting chastised by Mom for not eating enough fruit can both happen in the span of an afternoon in Raven, the first book of Sue Loh’s Cinzento Academy series. When a ragtag team of virus-hunting geniuses is presented with a challenge that may exceed any of their individual skillsets, they will have to redefine teamwork and put their strange minds to the task.

The Cinzento Academy is an elite school for brilliant tech minds – a “Home for Wayward But Brainy Boys and Girls.” Fireball, a whip-smart 16-year-old, along with an eccentric team […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-06-08T09:25:50+02:00May 20th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Young Adult Book Reviews|

Review: Management Practices of Successful CEOs by James P. Armatas, Ph.D.

Management Practices of Successful CEOs by James P. Armatas

Author James P. Armatas invites readers into the heart of company culture and the psychological landscape of leadership in his thought-provoking memoir Management Practices of Successful CEOs.

From the unique vantage point of a trusted consultant, a fly on the wall, and in some cases, a therapist or friend, Armatas gained access to impactful leaders of major global corporations over the past 50 years. In many cases, he aided them in their rise to the top, but more importantly, he often helped them remain in dominant positions for decades.

In today’s rise-and-fall corporate culture, longevity is valuable, but the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-06-05T08:15:31+02:00May 19th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Business Book Reviews, Memoir Book Reviews|

When Life Was Like a Cucumber by Greg Wyss

When Life Was Like a Cucumber by Greg Wyss Author Greg Wyss expertly transports readers to the chaotic 70s with remarkable ease and charm in When Life Was Like a Cucumber. Following Jeffrey Hesse’s fiery split from his wife, this is a hilariously unpredictable story of his self-exploration, healing, liberation, and growth.

For those who lived through the 1960s and 70s, this book is a nostalgic plunge that practically exudes the whiff of patchouli, illicit substances, and motor oil. Couched in the tumultuous Watergate era, there is an unmistakable weight to this story as well, giving the book a relatability for modern readers who may have not lived […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-18T10:06:19+02:00May 17th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|

A Fracture Within by Peter Sellin

Author Peter Sellin fearlessly explores the seemingly taboo subjects of mental health and mental illness in his short collection of non-fiction stories, A Fracture Within. Told with brutal honesty and complete vulnerability, the book helps decrease the stigma of mental illness as a result of trauma or life’s unpredictable cruelty. From detailed descriptions of his symptoms to the labyrinthine patterns of his fractured mind, this raw confessional feels rare and powerful. The unpolished prose would benefit from moderate editing, and some key points deserve more explication, but as a whole, A Fracture Within provides first-hand insight to a topic […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-18T04:22:28+02:00May 17th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Don’t Leave Me Breathless by A Kelly

A Kelly ‘s new romantic thriller Don’t Leave Me Breathless lives up to its name, boasting a savvy blend of erotic morality with tangled family roots. There is a seamless quality to the writing, exposition is delivered in clever ways, and seemingly stock characters are given a great deal of attention and depth. Touching on popular themes and exploring the long-overdue sexual liberation of women from a relatable protagonist, Kelly delivers a steamy page-turner with a three-dimensional heart.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-15T06:26:10+02:00May 15th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Season of ’72 by Karen Tomsovic

Epic love gets a second chance at life in Season of ’72 by author Karen Tomsovic. Following a tragic accident, Robin Stewart must put the pieces of his life back together, and maybe add the piece he’s been missing for years: his old co-star Christine. Patient storytelling help this book rise above the romance genre. Tomsovic has an ear for unique imagery, a clear passion for music, and a bold focus that breaks down gender stereotypes. Insightful character development and the stirring hope of redemption carries this book forward, making it an unpredictable and heartwarming escape.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-14T04:29:49+02:00May 14th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Swordpoint by David Crane

Author David Crane has crafted a historical gem of swashbuckling heroes and sinister plots during some of the most tumultuous points in France’s history in Swordpoint. Eugene Francois Vidocq is revived from the annals of history as a charming and ambitious adventurer who must escape the sins of his past to forge a brighter future, preferably not at the point of a sword. The energy level occasionally slips in extended narration, but Crane is diligent in his descriptions, painting pastoral scenes and grisly corners of Napoleonic France with equal skill. Holding impressively to an elegant 18th century tone in […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-12T09:04:20+02:00May 12th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Stormheilm by Richard J. Blanco

Stormheilm by Richard J. Blanco

Royal intrigue, long-buried magic, and a time-traveling scheme to save the human kingdoms collide in Stormheilm, the new fantasy novel by author Richard J. Blanco.

After 13 years of peace between the ancient Concord and Fehr families, rumors of war in the East prompt the king to send his son on a quest of honor, but the king’s long-buried past threatens to explode a fragile balance. Tainted by lies and deception, Prince Nathaniel sides against his father and falls in league with a dangerous clan of witches who promise to help him secure the throne – provided he kills […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-13T10:09:51+02:00May 11th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|