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.

To the North by Bruce W. Perry

To the North by Bruce W. Perry The literary fascination with apocalyptic novels shows no sign of slowing, and Bruce W. Perry offers another darkly rich angle with To the North, a heart-wrenching story of loss and hopelessness following a devastating super volcano eruption.

Brad Garner is the unfortunate focal point of this tale, a man who finds his path leading across a barren, broken American West in search of family, refuge, and something resembling a future. While this novel initially seems like a solitary, existential journey, reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy at his best, Perry incorporates touching and sensitive scenes of social interaction, offering his own […]

Pandemonium by Sean Farley

Pandemonium by Sean Farley

When you unexpectedly land in a twisted version of the afterlife, one finds strange bedfellows, and that surreal premise is taken to extremes in Pandemonium, the new supernatural fantasy by Sean Farley.

Jackson Armstrong is far from perfect, but the love he holds for his son launches him on an epic quest through a fiery realm of torture, evil and extremely unlikely allies. This wild and unpredictable ride through the depths of Pandemonium, a personal and uniquely creative take on Hell, is perpetually surreal and brilliantly penned. With constant tongue-in-cheek symbolism and cracking allegorical moments, this gripping novel will leave […]

2018-09-10T09:40:40+02:00September 9th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Review: Cold Solar by Anthony C. Robinson

Cold Solar by Anthony C. Robinson

There is always an envelope to be pushed in the realm of sci-fi, and in Cold Solar, author Anthony C. Robinson smashes together unlikely companions in an incredibly creative setting, delivering a memorable and violent romp through a terrifying future. The complex premise and deeply interwoven characters, combined with Robinson’s unpredictable plot lines, makes for a genre-defying novel that reads fast and feverish.

In this visionary future, the dominant corporation that essentially rules Earth is rapidly flying towards a conflict with their oppressed colonies on Mars. While a Mars-Earth battle plot is not unique in the genre, this story […]

2019-08-14T12:29:40+02:00September 7th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: Ribbons of Death (Peacetaker Series Book 1) by Edita A. Petrick

Ribbons of Death (Peacetaker Series Book 1) by Edita A. Petrick

Unlikely companions embarking on an adventure to save the world is a popular and perennially successful angle for thrillers, but Ribbons of Death by Edita A. Petrick takes this common form to the next level. Combining elements of mythology, philosophy, psychology and spirituality with good old-fashioned suspense and action, this novel is a fast-paced ride that you won’t want to end.

When an ancient power – long believed to be a myth – rises again and begins to spread madness throughout the world, it is up to Agent Carter and Dr. Hunter to find the puppet masters controlling the Peacetaker. […]

The Moving Blade by Michael Pronko

The Moving Blade by Michael Pronko Couching a noir detective storyline in an Eastern setting, The Moving Blade by Michael Pronko is the second installment of the Detective Hiroshi series, and delivers another thrilling ride for this clever curmudgeon.

When a top diplomat is murdered, his daughter, Jamie, takes it upon herself to dig into the dangerous underworld of Tokyo. After partnering up with Detective Hiroshi Shimizu, they both put themselves between the crosshairs of a sinister killer who will stop at nothing to achieve his dastardly aims. The plot is fast-paced and thrilling, but the author also takes time to paint a visceral portrait of […]

2018-09-06T04:45:30+02:00September 5th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Review: Arklight: Force Interdiction by J.M. Myrick

Arklight: Force Interdiction by J.M. Myrick

Novels that could easily fit into 5 or 6 different sections of a bookstore don’t come around very often. Arklight: Force Interdiction by J.M. Myrick is one such creation, a sweeping and creative ride that transcends time, heroic ideals and the traditions of genre.

The plot and premise that Myrick began with Operation: Nightfall is sharpened and expanded in this sophomore offering, with the ancient weapons of the Knights Templar once again being fought over, and the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. Many of the same compelling characters from the first book reappear on Spear Team, the special […]

Review: Voidstalker by John Graham

Voidstalker by John Graham

Envisioning the spread of mankind throughout the stars has been a rather recent development, but these dreams of expansion have sparked countless books, movies, television shows and even space program initiatives. John Graham taps into this common passion to deliver a powerful and frightening vision of humanity’s future in Voidstalker, which more than delivers with its dark, prophetic undertones.

Now that human beings have expanded into new corners of the galaxy, new threats appear, but the old failings of greed and deception still linger, given humans’ darker impulses. Gabriel Thorn is one of the elite operatives who is trained to […]

2018-12-07T07:43:54+02:00August 28th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: The Rebellious Earthling: Tale of The Turquoise Mirror by Andi Hayes

The Rebellious Earthling: Tale of The Turquoise Mirror

For those readers who are looking for both a depraved and darkly amusing novel, The Rebellious Earthling: The Tale of the Turquoise Mirror is a story that should not be missed. Coming across as a long-form allegory for the weakness of mankind and the rise of evil in modern society, this whip-smart book may seem outlandish, but the underlying messages are deeply rooted in reality.

When one of the Fallen Angels insidiously ruins an entire village of peace-loving, animal-honoring goblins, a new horrifying species is created, full of cruelty, selfishness, violence and an (almost) complete lack of morality. In Tartarus, […]

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