John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Baturi by Matthew Stephen

Baturi by Matthew Stephen

In Baturi, author Matthew Stephen has created a remarkable work of fiction that draws directly on his own experiences in certain dark corners of the world in the 1980s. The level of authenticity and brutal honesty achieved by this author makes this book stand out, despite its potentially niche appeal.

Matthew Ferguson is stationed in northern Nigeria with the Volunteer Services as a teacher, having chosen to leave his life behind and disconnect from everything he has known. However, becoming entranced and then embroiled with another foreigner, and a strikingly beautiful one at that, sends him spiraling into an […]

BirdDog Boogie by Cliff Yeargin

If you’re hungry for a good old-fashioned goofy undercover PI mystery, with a healthy dose of baseball, bad jokes and southern charm, BirdDog Boogie: A Jake Eliam ChickenBone Mystery by Cliff Yeargin is a surefire home run. Beside a deranged and delightful cast of side characters, Jake Eliam is an unexpectedly amusing hero, with a quick wit that keeps him one step ahead of trouble. Cliff Yeargin blends the ridiculous with the addictive, making this a wild little story that’s perfect for an afternoon escape.

[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-09-05T08:58:17+02:00September 4th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: We Fly Away by J.V. Whittenburg

We Fly Away by J.V. Whittenburg

In We Fly Away, the striking new memoir by J.V. Whittenburg, the author recounts his own incredible story and family history with savagely honest clarity. The third son to a mother of nine, a woman whose sweat and blood and love for her children sits upon every page, the book is told from the unique perspective of a child raised among sharecroppers, a child who was forced to grow up too fast.

Whittenburg writes in the first person, detailing a streaming narrative of his life captured in stunning detail. From his youngest years, dealing with the terror of nearly […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-10-01T10:12:15+02:00September 4th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Holy C.O.W. Anthology Volume One, Edited by D. Avraham

Speculative fiction heavyweights and newcomers alike are gathered in Holy C.O.W. Anthology Volume One: SF Stories from the Center Of the World, a unique and mind-bending collection of new stories. Packed with near-future and pseudo-fiction tales that tackle hot-button issues of today, many centering on the Middle East and its future, this is a fearless and eclectic read, one that will certainly inspire some deeper research and stoke the hearts of sci-fi fans. The value of speculative fiction is on clear display here: the chance to tell marvelous and unforgettable stories, while still grounding the narrative in enough reality […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-09-04T08:41:05+02:00September 4th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

The Tao of the Viper by Linda Watkins

For those who love supernatural conspiracies and wickedly clever suspense, The Tao of the Viper by Linda Watkins is an excellent second installment of the Kate Pomeroy mystery series. The novel has something serious to say about the machinations of power, while patiently unveiling a captivating mystery and building on Watkins’ engaging heroine. Fluidly moving between romance and suspense, The Tao of the Viper is a supernatural thriller with teeth, heart, and a visionary mind at the creative helm.

[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-09-03T09:15:01+02:00September 3rd, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Myth Agent by L.A. MacFadden

Myth Agent by L.A. MacFadden is a thrilling new novel about the truth of time travel, and the desperate lengths some will go to keep that truth hidden. Bouncing around the 20th century with eccentric characters like Rosenbaugh and Shatto make this a delightfully intriguing and well-researched read, as well as one that skillfully balances science and fiction. With a great story and a deft pen, MacFadden delivers enough action and suspense for those seeking a quick escape, but also a moderate dose of head-scratching philosophy and scientific theories to give the writing authenticity and depth.

[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-08-30T07:47:53+02:00August 30th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

The Journey to Oclesedor (The Legacy of King Jasteroth Volume 2) by S. L. Wyllie

The second installment of S.L. Wyllie’s Legacy of King Jasteroth series, The Journey to Oclesedor is a high-fantasy feast for the senses and a thrilling adventure to boot. Following on strong from Volume 1, Princess Ariella and other familiar faces are back with an epic quest before them, a desperate bid to outrun the insidious evil of King Jasteroth and live to fight another day. Overflowing with descriptive passages, vivid battle scenes, mythical monsters and innovative magic, this sophomore release from Wyllie delivers a classic, but visceral thrill.

[…]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-08-29T07:39:32+02:00August 29th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Deep Rough by Ray Keating

Deep Rough by Ray Keating Whether it’s dodging bullets, doling out wisdom or dragging a bag of clubs around the links, Pastor Grant continues to be one of the most entertaining heroes in the political thrillers and suspense genre.

In Deep Rough, author Ray Keating drops his Swiss Army Knife in human form, Pastor Grant, into another nearly unbelievable mission. He is tasked with protecting the son of a controversial pastor in China; the only problem is that the son is an international golf star whose career is on the rise. With Chinese secret police and a whole cast of unsavory characters gunning for […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-08-29T05:13:17+02:00August 29th, 2019|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|