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.

In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura

In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura

A relentless, action-packed take on mystics in the mainstream, In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura is a refreshingly original work of urban fantasy. Haunted by her brother’s death at the necromantic hand of her closest friend, Kara hides her powers from the world. However, when she is tasked by her editor to capture a femme fatale demon hunter in action, she is drawn back into the deadly realms of magic, and a powerful connection she cannot deny. Moving at a blistering pace, this is adrenaline-fueled storytelling at its best, yet it still manages to explore challenging themes of […]

2022-06-01T23:51:02+02:00June 1st, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

On Bur Oak Ridge by Jenny Knipfer

On Bur Oak Ridge by Jenny Knipfer

A touching tale of outcasts finding connection and long-sought peace, On Bur Oak Ridge by Jenny Knipfer is a beautifully written portrait of the past, and dramatic historical fiction at its best. A slow-burning pastoral romance with dual narration for a fully immersive experience, this story feels archetypal, unfolding with exquisite execution. Centered on the emotional complexity of Molly and Samuel, who bear different ghosts and scars, this is a challenging, captivating, and suspenseful read. Meticulous in her word choice and masterful in scene-crafting, Knipfer smoothly transports readers through time, while delving deep into timeless themes of love, grief, loyalty, […]

2022-06-01T07:25:16+02:00June 1st, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Truthful Misconceptions by Con Trong Bui

Truthful Misconceptions by Con Trong Bui

Author Con Trong Bui presents a comprehensive and multifaceted thesis about long-standing Christian dogma in his new book Truthful Misconceptions. Probing some of the most fundamental aspects of the faith, and applying a lens of science, logic, rhetoric, and a fine-toothed comb of theological history, Bui challenges everything from Adam and Eve’s existence on Earth and the resurrection of Christ to the prerequisites of salvation for believers.

The introduction explains the intention and approach of the book, explaining that it is not only for veteran Christians, but also for those who are new to the faith. The depth of […]

2022-07-15T04:45:53+02:00May 31st, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

Author Marc Remus sends readers on a surprising and symbolic ride through the magical land of Foodtopia in his delectable children’s book, The Chocolate Clouds.

Henry’s family rose to wealth and prominence by securing the chocolate clouds and harvesting their bounty, ensuring plenty of food for Choco-Locoville and Sugarland. However, when the clouds suddenly disappear from his family’s property, Henry’s “normal” life melts away, so this health-conscious adventurer and his beloved cat embark on a grand quest to find them.

Daring to cross the Monster Mountains in search of his family’s most prized possessions, Henry learns the proper history […]

Review: Transformations: Poetry and Art by G. Jordan Maclay Ph.D

Transformations Poetry and Art by Jordan Maclay

Transformations: Poetry and Art is an eclectic, whimsical, and deeply personal collection from the mind of G. Jordan Maclay Ph.D. From amusing vignettes about pets to cosmos-sized musings about existence and the foundation of the universe, this combination of poetry, prose, and art is like few other books on the shelf, especially from a Ph.D whose other published work is a dense text on quantum mechanics.

Turning the mind of a theoretical physicist towards the realm of poetry is inherently original, but Maclay is far more than a scientist with a flair for art. When appropriate, he effortlessly lays a […]

2022-07-13T01:24:31+02:00May 30th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

Skyworld Saga Foundation by Alan Priest

Skyworld Saga Foundation by Alan Priest

A near-future burst of visionary fiction, brilliantly supported by deep research, history-crafting, and a detailed imagination, Skyworld Saga Foundation by Alan Priest is a bold launch point for a sci-fi series. Exploring the weight of innovation in desperate times, readers bear witness to the relentless drive of human nature when pushed to the ultimate brink to save the world’s first city in the sky. A fine-toothed editorial comb would polish the occasionally stilted dialogue or rambling prose that undercut the meticulous nature of Priest’s storytelling. Overall, however, the vivid world-building and expositional artistry make Sky City an immersive new idea […]

2022-05-31T07:18:48+02:00May 29th, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Strung by Roske

Strung by Roske

The mysteriously-named Roske has summoned a magical land with their gifted pen in Strung, an ambitious and masterfully crafted story of forbidden love and the shattering of traditions.

According to Lysbeth Haywood’s ancestor, Alder, the magical and elusive Faye simply wish to be left alone, but the curiosity of humans is persistent and voracious, as is Lysbeth’s fascination with these supposedly mythical creatures. When an unwanted potential suitor, the Earl of Dorsit, brings an impossible treasure to her doorstep as an engagement gift, her heart is torn between curiosity and the fear of becoming another man’s wife.

The gift […]

2022-07-11T03:47:31+02:00May 26th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Every Awful Thing by S.E. Bourne

Every Awful Thing by Sophia Bourne S.E. Bourne unleashes her life through language in the standout collection of flash fiction and poetry, Every Awful Thing. 

This collection is an acknowledgment of struggle, a tour de force of vulnerability, and a celebration of life’s arcing flow. There is a gritty, matter-of-fact feel to Bourne’s early pieces, but the tone matures along with the writer as she moves through her own scattered memoir. From her youthful thieving antics and teenage chambermaid duties to Mexican road trips and cigars on the Mag Mile, the first half of this collection sparks with energy and potential in every direction. The flash […]

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