John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

An unexpected homecoming means facing painful shadows of the past for Gwen Murphy in Paradise Reborn by Nick Bileci, the second piece of his Paradise Collection series. Gwen relentlessly digs into a sinister new threat afflicting the town, while seeking closure and vengeance for the sins she has yet to forgive. This intense narrative does not shy away from taboo and traumatic subjects, offering a dark and unforgettable look into complex realms of pain, poverty, abuse, addiction, and obsession, as well as the incredible lengths people go for redemption. The unusual dialogue formatting can be disruptive to the reading experience, […]

A candid and unfiltered collection of poetry about the crowded and complex life of a writer, mother, wife, explorer, and keen observer of life, Thief: Poetry and Prose demonstrates Bianca Bowers’ piercing poetic insight. Drawing inspiration from all corners of her life and beyond – ghostwriting insecurities, Billie Eilish, the moons of Jupiter, ancient cities – the poet’s curation paints a dynamic portrait that is both personal and universal. The free-verse style allows for fluid and full-scale descriptions, as well as creative enjambment for greater impact. A more traditional font for poem titles would help the overall tone, as […]

A gripping tale of romance, betrayal, and forgiveness, Captured Angel by Cynthia L. Clark is a brutally honest peek into the crucible of commitment, and the undeniable power of true love. After suffering a tragic rejection in Clark’s previous novel, Dirt Road Main Street, Holly Harris rebounds into a sure-thing engagement with a man who adores her, but she can’t deny the significance of her ex-lover’s unexpected return and the fear that she is making the biggest mistake of her life. Navigating the pressures of family, friends, society, and her own pragmatic mind, this well-drawn protagonist’s conflict is painfully […]

A raw and fearless story of overcoming grief, loss, and betrayal, Canvas of Healing (Journeys of the Heart Book 1) by Suzette Welling is an empowering novel celebrating the power of second chances. After finding that her marriage had been collapsing long before her unfaithful husband died, Megan Hart returns to a place of cherished memories to overcome the shock and pain. There she must battle with new feelings of desire, balanced with the regret she cannot deny for the life she once led. Weaving evocative flashbacks into Megan’s journey of self-acceptance and personal revelation, Welling unveils a carefully crafted […]

A chilling, thought-provoking vision of a militarized and chaotic future, Ocellicon: Future Visions by A.G. Russo is a dramatic work of military sci-fi that takes on tough issues, which reflect the current world. Continuing a lifelong battle against those who underestimate her, Annalisa, a military Investigator of scarred and controversial origins, boldly dives into a murky murder case that puts her reputation back in the crosshairs. However, when a far greater enemy than injustice reveals itself, she will have yet another chance to prove her merit, both inside and outside the courtroom. At times, the declarative style of the prose […]