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 Eye of Farem by Ron Blacksmith

The Eye of Farem by Ron Blacksmith

An epic adventure beyond the known cosmos, The Eye of Farem by Ron Blacksmith is a bold first piece in his Rangers of the Realm series.

Thousands of years in the future, humanity has spread amongst the stars, along with Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and a kaleidoscope of otherworldly beings and bots. Guided and protected by the noble and legendary Wardens, the Realm of Planets is a thriving and diverse ecosystem born from the wise and daring population of Earth.

When Captain Mik Rogan and his crew of Rangers aboard the Rockne receive orders to retrieve an ancient artifact with galactic […]

2025-02-18T11:04:23+02:00February 18th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Review: First Elite by Emmanuel M Arriaga

First Elite by Emmanuel M. Arriaga

A vengeance-fueled revelation that will shake the Huzien Empire and its exalted heroes to the core, First Elite by Emmanuel M Arriaga is a stellar third and final installment of the Foundra series.

As Neven Kenk wrestles with the gut-wrenching loss of his wife and unborn child, their murderer continues to ravage the Twin Galaxies and twist the knife in the side of the Founder’s Elites. Despite his unstable state, Neven is determined to find and kill Entradis, the merciless butcher responsible for his mourning, no matter the cost. He launches himself into the hunt with Ellipse and Tashanira, a […]

2025-02-14T15:19:47+02:00February 13th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon by Medha Bhaskar

Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon by Medha BhaskarA charming children’s book about overcoming hard moments, making new friends, and learning to trust yourself, Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon by Medha Bhaskar is a fantastic parable of self-discovery.

When young Ava goes for a wander in the forest, her curiosity and the beauty of nature lead to her getting lost. Fortunately, she encounters a magical creature in the woods – a fairy dragon with powerful spells and an eagerness to have a new friend. After returning Maya safely to her parents, the dragon disappears, only to return that night and explain that her existence must remain hidden. […]

2025-02-12T14:53:53+02:00February 12th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Review: Failure to Thrive by Katharine M. Sweet

Failure to Thrive by Katharine Sweet

A tender and emotionally charged second-chance romance, Failure to Thrive by Katharine M. Sweet is a cozy reminder that a new life of love can be found in unlikely places.

Following his release from prison after accidentally assaulting a cop, Russ wants nothing more than to keep his head down and get back on track, beginning with his job in the hospital cafeteria. When his first day is delayed by the sight of Aster Reign and her son Liam in obvious distress, his instinct to help them entangles him in their lives. It isn’t long before his generous nature leads […]

2025-03-28T20:40:56+02:00February 12th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

Review: Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean by Dan E. Hendrickson

randy, Dame of the Caribbean by Dan Hendrickson

A high-seas drama packed with pirate power struggles and bloody betrayals, Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean by Dan E. Hendrickson is the second swashbuckling chapter of his Pirate Princess Saga.

Brandy and Captain John Edwards have carved out their piece of the azure Caribbean in recent years, battling the slave trade aboard The Morning Star and raising their children in paradise, but their idyll can’t last forever. Zhang Yong, Brandy’s dear friend and ally, abruptly leaves his chosen family in Jamaica to track down his niece – a notorious pirate queen of the South China Sea named the Jaded […]

2025-02-12T14:26:31+02:00February 11th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Qozy Queerotica by Rori Thornton

Qozy Queerotica by Rori Thornton

A witty fling into some fantastically bizarre bedrooms, Qozy Queerotica by Rori Thornton is a boundary-pushing tour de force with a touch of snark and whimsy. Tapping into the contemporary fascination with classic monsters as misunderstood lovers, and exploring the diverse spectrums of gender and romance, this collection of stories is a playful, eye-opening, and hilarious plunge into queer fantasy romance. From kinky ice giants and lascivious dragons to sex-starved merfolk and deviant demons, these hot and heavy tales draw on every corner of the erotic imagination. Beyond the vivid descriptions and raunchy bits of narrative, however, these stories reframe […]

2025-02-07T15:16:12+02:00February 7th, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Stumbling Towards the Buddha by Dawn Downey

Stumbling Towards the Buddha by Dawn Downey

Raw, honest, and enlightening, Stumbling Towards the Buddha: Stories about Tripping over My Principles by Dawn Downey is an emotionally charged memoir that transmutes childhood trauma and loss into teachable moments and enduring self-acceptance. From bullying, abuse, and the loss of innocence to intrusive thoughts, bodily autonomy, and the questionable paths of faith, Downey’s journey is recounted in all of its painful and profound detail. This tenth anniversary edition also offers contemporary reflections from the author on each account, adding more context and impact to these powerful messages. Rich in life lessons for people of every stripe, this intimate collection […]

2025-02-06T10:27:39+02:00February 6th, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Downfall by Frank C. Senia

Downfall by Frank C. Senia

An emotional rollercoaster of guilt, greed, and desperation, Downfall by Frank C. Senia offers a chilling peek into the consequences of lost innocence. Stumbling through life in a haze of hangovers and unresolved childhood trauma, Everett is on a downward spiral, but his unlimited company access as head of the IT department presents an unexpected opportunity to turn everything around. This deeply flawed protagonist must navigate a high-risk scheme and salvage his floundering relationships, while struggling to shake the sins of his father and avoid the lure of a ravenous addiction. While the story covers some familiar ground about addiction […]

2025-02-05T15:45:55+02:00February 5th, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|
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