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: Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell

Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell

A stark and intimate collection of four stories that explore the bonds of loyalty and the complex relationships humans have with change, Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell is an unassuming but powerful work of contemporary writing.

“Somewhere Sister” is the novella of the collection, detailing the lives of Esmeralda and Esperanza, two sisters living in Yuma with their mother and abuela, navigating the shifting sands of the border as they try to find love and keep their families safe. In a land where wives are quickly made into widows, Esperanza captures the heart of a charming Border Patrol agent, even […]

2024-03-18T12:01:17+02:00March 17th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

The Bench by Frank C. Senia

The Bench by Frank C. Senia

Delivering an emotional reflection on connection, loss, and second chances, The Bench by Frank C. Senia is an uplifting portrait of love amidst graceful aging. Tenderly detailing the sunset memoir of Willy, who experiences a rekindled passion for life after reconnecting with an old crush, this touching story provides a perspective on intimacy that contemporary readers are rarely given. As revelations continue to shake the couple’s lives, the unlikely pair lean on one another for catharsis and comfort that only trusting companionship can provide. While more attention to dialogue authenticity and descriptive scene-setting would help pull readers even deeper into […]

2024-03-14T11:40:40+02:00March 14th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Professor Hex vs. Texas Men by Melanie Sovran Wolfe

Professor Hex vs. Texas Men by Melanie Sovran Wolfe

A satire that is both empowering and surreal, Professor Hex vs. Texas Men by Melanie Sovran Wolfe is a deliciously twisted take on the gender inequalities still plaguing a supposedly modern America. When a Texas woman is put on trial for the “crime” of a miscarriage, a righteously angry Godhead in disguise delivers an ironic brand of justice for the patriarchal powers that be: pregnancy for the city’s men. Mythology and modern crises collide in this political parody, taking well-deserved shots at the perennial misogyny of contemporary society. With a searingly incisive cast of characters, a host of hot-button issues […]

2024-03-13T20:22:34+02:00March 13th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Whirlwinds, Waves, and Willow by Flo Dombey

Whirlwinds, Waves and Willow by Flo Dombey

Unexpected romance, deadly betrayals, and the perils of complex families swirl madly together in Whirlwinds, Waves, and Willow by Flo Dombey, the second emotional installment of The Willow Chronicle.

Willow’s life has been turned upside-down by the reappearance of a biological father she thought long dead, making every decision feel unsteady for the headstrong 17-year-old, despite having some of the best sea legs in Port Townsend, WA. The mysterious suicide of her wealthy stepfather adds another devastating blow, further distancing Billie from her mother, whom she blames for the lifetime of secrets that led to this tragic collision of […]

The Little Black Book of Retirement Wisdom by Mike Kowis, Esq.

The Little Black Book of Retirement Wisdom by Mike Kowis

An amusing and encouraging collection of advice from every corner of life, The Little Black Book of Retirement Wisdom by Mike Kowis, Esq. is a reassuring companion for those approaching the end of their career. Gathered into thematic sections dealing with issues of mortality, personal freedom, financial stability, regret, rejuvenation, and more, this is far more than a book of witty one-liners or boilerplate wisdom, offering profound guidance with an engaging degree of levity that helps to drive the point home. Surprisingly comprehensive in its outlook, which should help retirees whatever their personal context, this well-curated collection provides sage and […]

2024-03-12T14:18:54+02:00March 12th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Ambitious’ Secret by Dameyon Allen

Ambitious' Secret by Dameyon AllenPosing hard questions about when we need to adjust our moral compass, Ambitious’ Secret: Hope’s Story by Dameyon Allen brings readers into the heart of Houston and its pulsing throb of hustlers, heartbreakers, and aspiring legends.

Hope is a fast-talking boss lady who knows how to work any player to get exactly what she wants. With her star on the rise, there seems to be no stopping her, until ambition collides with the unavoidable realities of an unforgiving game, in this brutal story of gritty city survival.

Allen’s visceral writing style is an uncut stream of consciousness, instantly immersing readers […]

2024-03-11T12:25:03+02:00March 11th, 2024|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Wreck and Return by Tom Kranz

Wreck and Return by Tom Kranz Probing the complex emotions of a first responder and the physiological strain of getting by in America today, Wreck and Return: An EMT’s Journey Into and Out of Darkness by Tom Kranz is a powerful narrative loosely based on the author’s own dual life.

Moonlighting as a volunteer EMT while navigating the career perils of local news broadcasting, Griffin Ambrose is used to stretching himself thin, as well as calming his mind with an evening drink or three before switching career caps. Living in two separate high-stakes worlds begins to fray his nerves, and when a tragic swerve derails his […]

2024-03-08T12:37:43+02:00March 8th, 2024|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Don’t Feed the Beast by Solveig Larssen

Don't Feed the Beast by Solveig Larssen

Weaving an allegorical warning within a dystopian parable, Don’t Feed the Beast by Solveig Larssen takes a poignant jab at contemporary life and the missteps of our current social and economic progress. Eskild the Brotherhood Bear, ostracized from his community for promoting a timeless philosophy, must reunite with his siblings and find a righteous path to societal compromise, with the soul of the world hanging in the balance. The lyrical, somewhat fairy tale tone is sharply juxtaposed with the intense subject matter: xenophobia, wealth inequality, loss of faith, moral compromise, and the corrupting impact of capitalism. A philosophical fable and […]

2024-03-07T02:38:25+02:00March 7th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|
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