John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: The Bear & the Rose by E.K. Larson-Burnett

The Bear and the Rose by E.K. Larson-Burnett

A haunted hero risks everything to break the curse of her violent calling in The Bear & the Rose by E.K. Larson-Burnett, a lyrical masterpiece of fantasy and creativity.

In a supernaturally crafted world of animalistic tradition, magic, and the looming specter of doom from bears both living and dead, one relentless Bearslayer is determined to free her people from fear and perennial oppression. As Springtide arrives, the festivities are interrupted by the first savage attack of the year, and rather than face another season watching innocents die beside her warrior-companion Nathaire, she vows to end the beastly threat once […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-29T11:03:14+02:00April 30th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Two by Nathan Nicolau

Two by Nathan Nicolau

A pair of young strangers embark on an unconventional odyssey through Charlotte, North Carolina in Two, a quietly wise novel by Nathan Nicolau.

When Howl observes Ella reciting a passionate soliloquy to a statue in the park, he breaks out of his comfort zone to get some answers. As their day intertwines, small talk turns into big conversation, and an unlikely wander blossoms into something far more precious – an adventurous reinvention for them both. From art, philosophy, and aesthetics to books, people-watching, mental health, and overbearing mothers, the narrative weaves through myriad themes in the pair’s joint quest […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-28T12:15:35+02:00April 29th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews|

Flow by Fred Hilgenfeldt

Driven by an understanding that the only universal constant is change, Flow: A Guide to Personal Transformation in Mind, Spirit and Action by Fred Hilgenfeldt is a brilliant mix of spirituality and self-improvement. Offering relatable advice on improving our fluid relationships with the world and people around us, this reflective and interactive book touches on a number of issues, such as emotional dexterity, career movement, micro-traumas, the evolution of belief, bonding, relationships, and much more. Hilgenfeldt draws on solid research, anecdotal stories, and cutting-edge studies from the realms of psychoeducation and physiology to deliver an intellectually engaging and refreshingly accessible […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-26T16:22:59+02:00April 26th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Wild Running by Rebecca Wallick

A personal and original reflection on nature, resilience, and the indescribable bonds we form with our canine companions, Wild Running: Lessons from Dogs, Wolves, and the Natural World by Rebecca Wallick is a stunning memoir. Spinning evocative stories from deep in the Idaho forest, whether it’s trail-running beside her beloved Malamutes, facing down wolves, or defending the existential rights of long-misunderstood animals, Wallick delivers a compelling argument for sustainability, cohabitation, and healing. Peppered with jaw-dropping descriptions of ultra-running and insightful examinations of family, purpose, and the pain of limitation, this is a vulnerably expressed and deeply inspiring read.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-26T15:57:10+02:00April 26th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Gracious Nature by Robert J. Tiess

Gracious Nature by Robert J. Tiess

A tender and timely reflection on our beloved planet, Gracious Nature: Poems on Earth and Life by Robert J. Tiess is a poetic love song to the land we so often overlook.

With an unwavering reverence for life that loyal readers will recognize, this latest collection winds from playful and self-reflective to dramatic and dire, acknowledging the awesome power and unexpected fragility of nature. Some of the pieces offer a compelling rhythm and energy, creating a sense of urgency and the raw tension of the natural world, particularly in “The Music of the Wolves” and “Overcoming.” Later sections of the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-22T13:01:07+02:00April 24th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

Review: Her Own War by Debra Borchert

Her Own War by Debra Borchert

The divisive tragedy of war pulls a fearless fighter from the vineyard to the front lines in Her Own War by Debra Borchert, a gripping and lyrical work of historical fiction.

A French pastoral romance and a wartime thriller, this novel begins with slow world-building and character development, giving readers a probing look into Genevieve’s community and the indomitable strength of her spirit. As the Republicans of Napoleonic France concentrate their power and turn their eyes to wider conquest, Genevieve’s tight-knit wine-growing community in the Loire Valley grows frustrated with endless wars and the burden of unfair taxation.

When a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-13T11:35:34+02:00April 19th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Great Being by Bill Harvey

The Great Being by Bill Harvey

An eon-spanning epically creative work of visionary alternate history, The Great Being by Bill Harvey is a sprawling parable about the powerful forces behind our interconnected existence.

After the Nothingness came into awareness of itself 14 billion years ago, it began to create energetic bodies and fantastical creatures, which spread out across the vast cosmos, but that didn’t mean they were easy to control. That’s where the Agents of Cosmic Intelligence come into play, helping to influence the course of time and the fate of entire worlds created by the great deity.

Melchizedek and Layla are sent to Prehistoric Earth […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-19T17:36:44+02:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Visionary Fiction Book Reviews|

Awesome Battles for Kids: The Ancient Wars by Ryan Rhoderick

Bringing storybook history into sharp and fascinating focus, Awesome Battles for Kids: The Ancient Wars by Ryan Rhoderick is a thrilling peek into epic conflicts of the ancient past. From chariot clashes in Egypt and city-state strife in Greece to the brilliance of Alexander the Great and the legendary defeat of Xerxes, this book is a perfect blend of backstory, strategy, and classic heroics, offering a thorough introduction for kids. While some of the writing may be too advanced for younger readers, the pages are packed with compelling imagery, military analyses, and historical context, making it an engaging and eye-opening […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-18T11:42:04+02:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|