John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A charming children’s book from Ana Cortes that explores the unique challenges of young people starting fresh in a new city, Marco, Pablo, and Olivia: Fútbol Tryouts is a colorful, funny, and touching read. Marco wants to make his mark and some new friends in Guayaquil by trying out for the football team, but that means dealing with Victor the Fútbol King, a bully who takes a special interest in embarrassing the new kid. Fortunately, Marco’s two siblings always have his back, and with whip-smart writing, evocative illustrations, and three very memorable characters at its heart, this book is not […]

Prolific children’s author Michael A. Brown takes readers on a new journey of self-discovery in his latest book, Ships: Where Do You Want To Go? Embarking on an allegorical quest of youth, Dave wanders amidst a port of chatty boats, trying to find the ship that will take him to Life Island. Along the way, he meets sneaky submarines and brash aircraft carriers, as well as feisty cargo ships and humble tugboats, all of which teach young readers about a variety of marine vessels, as well as the framework and fit of a good relationship. The illustrations could use a […]

Author Morgan James delivers another masterful and colorful whodunit in The Havana Story, the playful and creative third installment of The Beyond Mysteries. Paula Vega is desperate to write the romance novel of her dreams, but her waking life as the manager of a B&B in North Carolina is as good as any thriller, particularly when the coastal escape turns deadly. Despite some heavy-handedness in the exposition and narration, the scene-building is beautifully done, and James has a keen ear for sharp dialogue. Boasting evocative characters, an unpredictable plot, and the perennially pleasing premise of a writer turned […]

Blending mystical folklore with real-world terror, Quiet Fury by Morgan James is the latest genre-blending installment in her Promise McNeal Mysteries series. Sheriff Allen and Promise McNeal are once again on a psychologically twisted hunt, staying one step ahead of sinister forces, and one step behind a rash of inexplicable crimes in the North Carolina mountains they call home. This tightly penned book is a fast read, with quick-moving action scenes and intriguingly dark settings. From fiery infernos and haunted dreams to backcountry conspiracies and secrets buried in shallow graves, this macabre whodunit is another strong chapter of a continuously […]