John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Should’ve Been Dead by Sweta Patel with Rory Londer

A harrowing and heart-opening tale of resilience, Should’ve Been Dead: Lessons from a Crack Addict Who Broke Free by Sweta Patel with Rory Londer delves into the psychology of addiction, the unexpected triggers that overtake self-control, and the journeys of healing and reinvention that can pull us back from the brink. Rory Londer spent nearly two decades as a crack addict, but transformed himself into a successful entrepreneur and a compelling public speaker, determined to share his hardest lessons after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Reminding readers that they too can transcend the greatest challenges of their lives, this gripping memoir […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-02-07T09:43:03+02:00February 7th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Wandering Pianist by Congyu Wang

Heartwrenching, humanistic, and beautifully told, The Wandering Pianist: From the Street to the Concert Hall by Congyu Wang is a humbly penned memoir that grips the imagination and offers renewed hope to artists and lost souls alike.

Swimming smoothly through time, the narrative weaves tales of Wang’s upbringing and childhood challenges with the humbling successes of his later life and moments of desperation along the way. From the humblest of beginnings to the grandest stages of Europe, Congyu demonstrates a remarkable belief in himself and a relentless determination to persevere. Despite facing doubt and derision from his family, as well […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-02-07T14:18:39+02:00February 6th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews|

The Further Travels and Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Ross Stein

A new chapter of unbelievable escapades and impossible achievements awaits in The Further Travels and Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Ross Stein, a witty, whimsical, and poignant reimagining of the famous character.

Told as a relentless stream of clever rhetoric and effortless philosophical debate with a drinking companion, the legendary baron spins a masterful tale recounting his infamous journey across the tumultuous United States, from spontaneous speeches in Washington and the construction of ironic border walls to signing up for Twitter and undermining the medical industry’s corruption. Tiptoeing the line of absurdity and cultural commentary, the novel hilariously addresses […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-02-06T16:14:02+02:00February 6th, 2024|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Satire Book Reviews|

Review: Clans by Frederick Albert

Showing the rise and fall of beliefs in two men connected by loyalty and brotherhood, Clans by Frederick Albert is a modern-day musing on race relations and the gap of ideologies still fracturing America.

Jimmy Brett is doing all right for himself, enjoying the fruits of early internet success, including a fancy Jaguar and a sprawling house he can almost afford, but he’s still missing someone to share it with. When a blast from his romantic past reappears, it feels like the chance at happiness he’s always dreamed of, but the timing is awkward.

Jimmy has just come into possession […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-26T14:35:06+02:00February 5th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews|

10-Minute Balance Exercises for Seniors by PrimeLife Wellness

Backed by clinical experience along with the work of researchers, physiotherapists, and fitness experts, 10-Minute Balance Exercises for Seniors: Fully Illustrated Home Workout Guide with 58 Simple Exercises to Improve Stability, Core Strength, Prevent Falls & Gain Independence from PrimeLife Wellness is both a motivational manual and essential workout guide. Unlike other books on the topic, the book offers an extended focus on the necessity of regular exercise to improve balance, coordination, and overall health, while providing an exercise regime that never feels overwhelming or unattainable. The comprehensive exercise guide that makes up the second half of the book is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-01-31T14:46:59+02:00January 31st, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: A Summer of War by Lynn Mason

A breathless tale of violence and love, A Summer of War by Lynn Mason is a gripping plunge into the jungles of Vietnam, told through an evocative and refreshing lens.

When a misogynistic military bureaucrat tells reporter Chris McKenna that the Mekong Delta is no place for a woman, she smells a story, so she bounds her way into the fiery battlefield of South Vietnam. In “a war gone awry,” being a female member of the press at a forward operating base is a hard row to hoe, but she has the essential support of Paul, her photo-snapping sidekick who […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-22T12:15:40+02:00January 31st, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews, War Book Reviews|

Imagine There’s No Heaven by Frederick Von Heisenberg

Laying out a compelling argument for atheism, or at least a more intentional relationship to whatever faith you choose, Imagine There’s No Heaven: The Born Again Atheist by Frederick Von Heisenberg is a personal reflection on God’s potential existence, or lack thereof.

Beginning with a thorough review of the major global religions and traditions, Von Heisenberg moves into his personal journey towards non-belief with counterpoints to many religion’s premises and assumptions. Using scientific data and widely accepted truths, he dextrously deconstructs the beliefs and facts upon which faith is built. The final section is the most original and affecting, as […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-01-26T15:20:42+02:00January 26th, 2024|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Atheism Book Reviews, Religious Book Reviews|

Bitcoin Secrets by Dirk Dogood

Making a strong argument for the sustainability of bitcoin and doling out critical advice on this revolutionary currency, Bitcoin Secrets: 8 Critical Trends That Are Redefining the World by Dirk Dogood is an invaluable primer for curious minds and a guidebook for savvy investors. From a basic introduction to bitcoin’s fundamentals to its function as an asset protector and deep dives into its geopolitical and strategic impacts, this book is a broad and comprehensive examination of this contemporary phenomenon. Balancing an accessibly conversational tone with his authority as a financial professional and wealth manager, Dogood delivers a compelling thesis on […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-01-25T10:16:53+02:00January 25th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|