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: The Policewoman by Justin W.M. Roberts

★★★★ The Policewoman by Justin Roberts

Most novels set in the future have some element of distance to them, where the technological advancement or dystopian elements are so far removed from the present that the book becomes escapist in nature. However, there are also those books, like The Policewoman by Justin Roberts, that paint a portrait of the world that may lie in our not-so-distant future. The dramatic, over-the-top elements of this novel are certainly evidence of the author trying to make an impact, but there is still a grisly realism to the tale that will leave readers haunted and jumpy long after they finish […]

2017-01-13T09:00:48+02:00December 15th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Paroxysm Effect by Ashleigh Reynolds

Paroxysm Effect by Ashleigh ReynoldsFighting to survive in a world gone mad is a bold premise for any novel, particularly a dystopian one where the author is simultaneously required to world-build and deliver high-intensity action. In Paroxysm Effect, author Ashleigh Reynolds creates a utopian world of peace and prosperity, and then quickly destroys that façade, dropping her main character into a tangled plot of behavior-control chips that have suddenly ceased to function after 5 decades of dominion. The subsequent murder and mayhem makes for fast, voracious reading, and the pacing of this novel rarely lets up.

The story is highly original and shows […]

2016-12-14T05:29:39+02:00December 14th, 2016|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Review: Born in Raindrops by Danny Callahan

★★★★ Born in Raindrops by Danny Callahan

When writing a novel, there is a clear beginning, middle and end, and most authors have a vision of what that overall arc will be. However, poetry is an entirely different world, and curating a powerful collection with an underlying message or mood can be an incredible challenge. Within the pages of Born in Raindrops, Danny Callahan reveals his variable mind, diverse poetic styles and sensitivity to the plight of human nature.

The poems in this collection range hugely in their subject matter, touching on everything from sexual assault on college campuses and nostalgic reflections on past love […]

2017-01-12T11:07:40+02:00December 13th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: Kingdom’s End by Charles D. Blanchard

★★★★ Kingdom's End by Charles Blanchard

Anthropomorphizing animals in literature is a long and proud tradition, ranging from Watership Down and Animal Farm to the Redwall novels of Brian Jacques, and many others. That being said, it is also very difficult to create an engaging novel based purely on the perspective of animals, and most attempts at this are relegated to the realm of children’s books. In Kingdom’s End, however, the second novel from Charles Blanchard, readers are given an intimate look at the complex social hierarchy, unique philosophy and variable personalities within a veritable kingdom of rats.

Using a population of animals that […]

Review: No More Magic Wands by George Finney

★★★★ No More Magic Wands by George Finney

For most professionals not directly involved in the realm of cybersecurity, reading a book on the topic might sound like a cruel and unusual form of punishment. However, the reality is that everyone who regularly uses technology, social media, wireless internet and other staples of modern life should have some modicum of understanding of the issue. In No More Magic Wands, author and cybersecurity expert, George Finney, takes an extremely unique approach to educating the masses on this critical topic, but it may just be strange enough to work.

Through an extended allegory, Finney shares his more than […]

Review: Walking Out of the Dark by Steven R. Malikowski

★★★★½ Walking Out of the Dark by Steven Malikowski

Brotherly love is a powerful motivation for many people, but for author Steven Malikowski, his brother’s inspiring life and outlook drove him to write an unforgettable memoir, Walking Out of the Dark. After Mike lost his sight, Steven saw firsthand the challenges of being disabled, even partially, in a world that is so often driven by speed, efficiency, and the quest for perfection. This book is a touching and personal account of survival and success as a blind individual, overcoming obstacles with grace and patience that most people could never muster.

There are equal parts wisdom, storytelling, humor […]

2016-12-23T10:51:35+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

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: |
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