John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Rise by Henry Lee Thomas

Broken up into distinct thematic sections – “Love & Family,” “Spiritual & Inspirational,” “Nature,” and “Philosophical & Social” – followed by a short fiction section, Rise: Poetry for Lovers and Thinkers by Henry Lee Thomas covers an impressively wide sprawl of topics and poetic forms.

Some of the pieces follow traditional rhyme schemes in this varied collection, while others are more narrative and free in their flow. The romance-inspired poetry reveals an intense, hot-hearted passion that the poet doesn’t always know how to control. Desperation and deep desire conspire in these poems, along with a see-saw of joy and struggle […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-03T07:43:06+02:00March 28th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

Review: The Living Legend by Dan E. Hendrickson

The Living Legend by Dan E. Hendrickson

Author Dan E. Hendrickson weaves a complex story of history, honor, and righteous justice in his new novel The Living Legend, a harrowing journey of vengeance.

Following the horrific death of his father, Tommy Williams redirects his life for the long game of revenge, joining the Navy SEALs to acquire the skills he’ll need for retribution. Determined to punish the assassin responsible for his father’s murder, but hiding that true intent from his superiors, he overcomes years of grueling training that molds him into a relentless and deadly weapon.

Makena Aalee is fighting a very different battle, determined to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-03-28T03:42:11+02:00March 28th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: International Thriller Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Medieval Mashup by Charlene McIver, Illustrated by Caroline Keys

Imagination, friendship, and compassion join forces in Medieval Mashup by Charlene McIver, an entertaining book for children with vitally important messages. While preparing for a medieval costume contest, Leigh and his two friends run headlong into ideas of identity, personal limitations, courage, and creativity in their joint effort to win first place. Relying on vivid pictures by Caroline Keys to fill the narrative gaps, this is a charming story of perseverance and emotional management that is relevant for children of all ages. Featuring a child with a disability as a protagonist, this series increases representation among children’s books, and allows […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-03-28T06:37:58+02:00March 25th, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Satisfied Introvert by Benjamin Plumb

The Satisfied Introvert by Benjamin Plumb

Author Benjamin Plumb presents his own remarkable life as a case study in finding happiness and purpose in The Satisfied Introvert: A Life-Changing Story About Finding Safety in an Extroverted World.

Recognizing his introversion from a young age, and actively choosing a strategy to manage it, this book is a wildly honest and detailed recounting of the author’s lifelong journey towards self-acceptance and ultimate success. By looking back at his own experiences through a keenly analytical lens, Plumb examines common themes of friendship, family, morality, and relationships, as well as more nuanced dissections of power dynamics, educational systems, geopolitics, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-04-22T07:38:07+02:00March 25th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Self-Help Book Reviews|

Review: The Southern Character by Mario Fabbri

The Southern Character by Mario Fabbri

A fascinating dive into anthropology, history, genetics, philosophy, and culture, The Southern Character by Mario Fabbri presents a strong argument and compelling explanations behind a fundamental “divide” – both geographic and genetic – of our species. In short, Fabbri proposes that those people residing near the equator are distinct from their northern counterparts in terms of personality, behavior, traditions, and ambitions. Importantly, he doesn’t argue that this results from any inferiority of culture or intelligence, but rather informed our collective genetic and migrational history.

In an effort to avoid criticism as being reductionist, prejudicial, or lacking in nuance, Fabbri begins […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-04-21T05:28:59+02:00March 25th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Social Science Book Reviews|

The Pystead Group by James Pryor

The Pystead Group by James Pryor A twisting, near-future novel about freedom, destruction, and the existential struggle for survival, The Pystead Group by James Pryor is both a chilling and thought-provoking dystopian read.

Philip’s life takes a drastic turn when he accepts a job offer to join the Pystead Group, cloistered on the secretive isle of Nevis. Resembling a contemporary cross between a cult, a corporation, a country, and a next-gen army, this shadowy colossus promises a brighter future, and the resources to build one, but there are plenty who seek to tear down this elite colony – both from within and without.

Bearing watermarks of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-03-24T09:15:35+02:00March 23rd, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews, Speculative Fiction Book Reviews|

Secondhand Emotions by Will Entrekin

Secondhand Emotions by Will Entrekin A romantic sojourn of an eager-to-please lover finding his way in the world, Secondhand Emotions by Will Entrekin is a steamy but unusual tale of sex and psychology.

Donovan Malone pulls readers through the personal experience of desire, depression, and “extreme empathy” of his collegiate years, but his hormonal throes of passion are anything but average. After discovering that he can sense the feelings and thoughts of his sexual partners, Donovan is driven to explore where this invasive power comes from, and how it can be controlled before it ruins his honest chance at happiness forever.

While many erotic-leaning reads […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-03-23T07:18:48+02:00March 23rd, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Romance Book Reviews|

The Partitioner by Zachary Aneiress

Author Zachary Aneiress delivers another attitude-laced adventure of mythology, magic, and self-discovery in The Partitioner, the eighth installment of his Athens Ophelia series. Taking their ever-expanding powers to a strange new world, meeting long-lost relatives, and learning more about their reincarnation as a timeless hero, Athens Ophelia faces more identity challenges and existential crises than ever before in this new chapter of the saga. Celebrating gender fluidity, modern ideas of heroism, unexpected brotherhood, and compassionate acceptance of those we don’t yet understand, this novel may be somewhat meandering, but it offers touching wisdom in bursts and sparks. The prose […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-03-22T05:12:17+02:00March 22nd, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|