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.

Review: Vector: Tradecraft: Phase Zero by Michael Shusko

★★★★½ Vector: Tradecraft: Phase Zero by Michael Shusko

Terrorist attacks, car chases, secret weapon research, a rugged hero and a determined doctor are just a few of the highlights in Vector, the addictive new thriller from Michael Shusko. The mysteries begin piling up early on, and the action-packed opening scenes grab readers by the throat and refuse to let go.

Lee Jansen and Emma Hess make quite a team, despite being two alpha experts who aren’t crazy about the idea of working together to crack the deadly case. The shadowy death of Jawad Khattib hints at impending doom for the entire Boston metropolitan area, but with […]

Review: Storm of Arranon by R.E. Sheahan

★★★★ Storm of Arranon by R.E. Sheahan

The action in Storm of Arranon begins on the very first page, and doesn’t let up from there, and author R.E. Sheahan delivers an unforgettable and epic story. Readers are instantly plunged into the mayhem of this fantasy universe, which is filled with sinister assassins, merciless conquerors, death warriors, magical allies and more secrets than two worlds can contain.

Erynn Yager, a cadet training to fight for her world, is introduced early on, and she has all the classic signs of a fantasy heroine. As the first book of a trilogy, it is important that Sheahan makes the young […]

2016-12-22T05:09:11+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: The Chemist (Daniel Strong Book 1) by Alan J. Field

★★★★ The Chemist (Daniel Strong Book 1) by Alan Field

The high-stakes world of global politics and espionage is packed with stories just waiting to be told, and Alan Field spins an incredible tale of this covert underbelly in The Chemist. For fans of the thriller genre, this book delivers in every way imaginable, from smart dialogue and protagonists with dark pasts to dangerous vixens and an endless array of secrets.

From the very first chapter, readers feel the tension building, and with every successive page, the plot becomes more and more complex. Field is a patient architect, however, and understands the value of making readers wait for […]

2016-12-07T07:52:22+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: The Evolving Peacemaker: A Commitment to Nonviolence by Leona Evans with Matthew J. Evans

The Evolving Peacemaker by Leona Evans

It is rare for a book to seem “perfect” for an era or moment in history, and while the concept of nonviolence is far from modern, The Evolving Peacemaker is a book desperately needed by the present generation. Author Leona Evans takes a wise and comprehensive look at every angle of nonviolence – from protests and politics to peace and personal reflection. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, which was furthered by historical figures like Martin Luther King and others, this book is essential reading.

It is an intensely personal book, and the author reflects […]

Review: The Black River Chronicles: Level One by David Tallerman and Michael Wills

★★★★ The Black River Chronicles: Level One

Finding a unique angle in a new fantasy series can be difficult, and creativity remains the most important element in the genre. In The Black River Chronicles: Level One (Black River Academy Book 1) by David Tallerman and Michael Wills, readers are fortunate to find a brand new world filled with recognizable characters – or at least classes – and a heartfelt tale of growth and friendship. It’s a keen mixture of the familiar and the innovative.

For anyone who has ever played a role-playing game, the concepts of leveling up and choosing a class are very familiar, but […]

2017-02-17T05:39:57+02:00November 27th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

The Tale of Miss Berta London by Jihan Latimer

Miss Berta LondonIn The Tale of Miss Berta London: “Recollections of Accomplishments,” readers experience the turmoils of the eponymous character as she overcomes adversity with shocking resolve, and demonstrates an ability to roll expertly with life’s many punches in her role as a fashion editor for the international E-Fashion Magazine and then onto becoming a nanny for the Williamson children.

As a character, Berta is compelling and interesting to read, but she is theatrically so , and the book is written in a journalistic style. The writing is also highly declarative, as Berta reminisces on her working life in a diary […]

2016-11-28T04:18:12+02:00November 19th, 2016|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Review: In the Mouth of the Lion by J. Guenther

★★★★½ In the Mouth of the Lion by J Guenther

Overflowing with rich history and a huge amount of research, In the Mouth of the Lion is a thorough and wildly entertaining piece of fiction based in real fact. Tackling a novel that requires putting yourself in the shoes – and mind – of Hitler is ambitious, to say the least, but Guenther delivers a surprising level of empathy and insight, giving readers a different view of history.

What makes the book particularly effective is its basis in real events. While the story of Carl Jung visiting and diagnosing Hitler sounds fantastical, it’s actually based in fact, as Jung […]

Review: Evolution on Trial by Anonymous

Evolution on Trial by Anonymous

Although many academics and scholars would argue that the debate over evolutionary theory is over, there are also those who believe that this Revolutionary “theory” should still be questioned. In the aptly named Evolution on Trial, the book’s anonymous author presents the case for both sides, and does so with strongly stated “non-bias.” However, it becomes apparent within the first few chapters that the author doesn’t believe that evolution is true, and the writing has undercurrents of this doubt from the very first page.

When it comes to books discussing the validity or falsity of evolution, a clear-cut dichotomy […]

2019-02-11T09:47:39+02:00November 9th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |
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