John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Dark World: Genesis by A.R. Kingston

Dark World: Genesis by A.R. Kingston

Tradition, magic, fear and a sinister plot to tear a kingdom apart collide in Dark World: Genesis by author A.R. Kingston, the first book of the Dark World Saga. Blending elements of classic fantasy with recognizable themes that feel starkly poignant in today’s divided times, this is a compelling start to an expansive new series.

In a kingdom once ravaged by war, leaders now rule with iron fists, forbidding pure-blood mages from mixing with any of the “grays,” ensuring that the magical bloodlines remain untainted. Alexandra Hamilton is the defiant young princess of Manevia, sequestered in her room like a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-03-02T08:10:12+02:00February 11th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Romance Book Reviews|

Casindra Lost by Marti Ward

Casindra Lost by Marti Ward The multi-author Paradisi Chronicles kicks off in celestial style with Casindra Lost by Marti Ward, in which Commander Jerome Sideris of the SS Casindra embarks on a solo mission across the stars – a lab rat on the first manned mission to the Andromeda Galaxy.

The front end of the book is exposition-heavy, introducing readers to a future universe of new technology and jargon, from nanorobots, cryochambers, and spider-like construction robots to Lagrangian points, wormhole theory, and EmDrives. The daunting vocabulary quickly becomes natural, however, so even readers new to the genre will quickly become immersed and comfortable.

The sci-fi […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-26T11:48:06+02:00February 7th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

A Game With Cooper by Debbie Gonzalez, Illustrated by Kate Fallahee

A Game With Cooper by Debbie Gonzales

A Game With Cooper by Debbie Gonzalez is a fun and visually engaging children’s book about a clever dog named Cooper who puts on his detective cap in search of hidden treats. What starts as a simple story slips into a whimsical adventure that unfolds in this hungry pup’s imagination. Supported by beautifully vivid imagery, this book is ideal for children expanding their vocabulary – from household words and item placement to environmental themes and movement descriptions. Combining a straightforward story with a clever and educational twist, A Game With Cooper is an excellent addition to any young child’s bookshelf.[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-10T09:19:44+02:00February 7th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Where’s… Eli? by Alex S. Avitabile

Where's... Eli? by Alex Avitabile

The disappearance of a less-than-trustworthy lawyer kicks off a hectic crime-solving spree in Where’s… Eli? by author Alex S. Avitabile. This second book in the Al and Mick Forte crime series is just as authentically penned and suspenseful as the first, but can also stand alone as an entertaining piece of crime fiction.

Al and Mick are cousins who go way back, their childhoods, neighbors, lives and relatives tangled up in the complex social web of Brooklyn in the 50s and 60s. Having your bloodline brush up against organized crime is far from unusual, and despite Al now being a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-28T04:45:24+02:00February 5th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Crime Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: A Thousand Miles to Nowhere by David Curfiss

A Thousand Miles to Nowhere by David Curfiss

Matt Tanner has already seen a lifetime’s worth of death and desiccated corpses, but his horrors are only beginning in the complex apocalyptic ride, A Thousand Miles to Nowhere by David Curfiss.

15 years after a zombie virus burns through the human population, leaving only a few scattered settlements in a gutted world, a new normal has been found, but uncertainty is the only constant left. When a wounded scavenger is brought back to Tanner’s camp deep in the Laguna Mountains, the ragtag survivors there have no idea they’ve opened the door to their own destruction.

With their bastion of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-28T04:40:24+02:00February 5th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Post-Apocalyptic Book Reviews, Zombie Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Void Revealed by Stephen J. Ethier

The Void Revealed by Stephen J. Ethier

Power struggles abound in the city of Windhold, the entrancing setting for Stephen Ethier’s new science fiction and fantasy novel, The Void Revealed.

Centuries have passed since the last winds of Fury blew through the basin, scorching and burning all that lay in its path. Safely atop the Spire, the city of Windhold now braces for another period of devastation as the Void beneath their feet again turns into a violent realm of death and destruction.

However, there is far more to the Fury than meets the eye, and the tenuous balance of power between the Brotherhood of the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-05T05:34:22+02:00February 4th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Pattern Maker by Richard Snodgrass

The Pattern Maker by Richard Snodgrass

Murder and mysticism weave within the turbulent times of the 1970s Rust Belt in Richard Snodgrass’ new novel, The Pattern Maker. Subtle thematic elements of media consumption and the blending of reality and fantasy swirl around a violent spate of murders in Pittsburgh, a troubled city with a strange allure and a powerful heartbeat that permeates these pages.

Paul Slater, the honorable center point of this story, is a restless mill worker who returns to his hometown of Furnass after years of haunting military service. Perennially ready to fight for the underdog and put his life on the line […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-25T11:39:48+02:00February 2nd, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|

Among Those You Know by Joshua Valentine

The dark side of easy money steps out of the shadows in Among Those You Know by Joshua Valentine, a gripping urban thriller that tackles key issues of the LGBT community, the overcoming of childhood trauma, and the friends who become our chosen family. Penned with maturity and tact, along with plenty of attitude and authentic dialogue, Valentine captures the struggle and fortitude of communities that are often ignored under the cover of darkness. Boasting visceral language, a thoroughly unpredictable plot, and richly developed characters, Among Those You Know is a challenging and entrancing read.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-01-30T12:17:49+02:00January 30th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|