John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

An Appalachian murder mystery and a vulnerable tale of raw resilience, Blame For a Quiet Death by Morgan James is a captivating mystery with a deep emotional core. Still haunted by grief over the death of her spouse, Promise McNeal is pulled back into the gritty sleuthing game when her supportive but crotchety neighbor becomes a prime suspect in a suspicious death. The deceased has left a posthumous puzzle for an intrepid investigator to solve, but as pieces fall into place, Promise must choose to trust her gut or the logical conclusions of the clues. Rich in vivid detail that […]

An addictive overload of sci-fi tech and visceral action, Dark Lyfe by Matthew Pine is a thrillingly immersive tale of a biotech-charged future. When cutting-edge nanotechnology is twisted into a covert weapon and hidden within a cyber-enhanced human host, bounty hunter Chess Ledger’s skills will be put to the test for a massive payday. However, this fugitive is on the run for a very good reason, and the sinister company he works for will stop at nothing to get their potentially devastating property back. Aside from some awkward sentence structure, this is a meticulously plotted thriller with a cautionary message, […]

An enchanting middle grade adventure about facing your fears and holding your family close, The Mirror Drifters: The Other Magic by D.D. Snows is a witty plunge into a parallel world of witchcraft and mystery. Three curious siblings discover their family’s magical birthright, but their rare powers attract dangerous enemies who wish to recruit the young sorcerers and rule over all humans who lack magical spirits. Supported by a colorful cast of fantasy creatures and long-lost family from Earth and Aether, the heroic trio must quickly master their powers and unlock their innate gifts before dark forces seize control of […]