John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Matters of Life… by Norman Weeks

Matters of Life... by Norman Weeks A thought-provoking collection of well-crafted essays exploring the dynamic and intimate philosophy of existence, Matters of Life… by Norman Weeks is a wise and gentle manifesto.

Broken into three distinct sections – “Life Thought About,” “Laughed At,” and “Suffered” – the prose feels all encompassing, from our biological origins and anthropological myths to our emotional maturation as individuals and a species. Weeks examines humanity as a naturalist, a philosopher, an investigator, and even a harsh critic, depending on the subject and tack of each essay, covering issues such as powerful personal experiences that shape our paths, unpredictable bumps in the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-03-18T05:14:19+02:00January 20th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Essay Book Reviews, Social Science Book Reviews|

Review: Hourglass by Daniel James

Hourglass by Daniel James

A genre-busting thriller from author Daniel James, Hourglass is an occult masterwork of tension and grit, layered with shadowy government agencies, demonic villains, baggage-laden ghosts, and an unlikely pair of comic book heroes.

Clyde Williams is holding it together as best he can, despite struggling to finish his comic book, wrestling with the recent murder of his roommate Kev, and then navigating Kev’s ghostly return to the apartment from beyond the grave. However, when an Hourglass agent shows up at his door, inviting them both to join a nebulous government cell dealing with “post-life entities,” it’s clear that life is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-20T07:14:31+02:00January 19th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Paranormal Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Self Help Sucks by Tony Blankenship

Self Help Sucks by Tony Blankenship

Tony Blankenship takes aim at traditional and inherently limited forms of self-improvement in Self Help Sucks: The Anti Self-Help Guide to Inner Peace and Contentment. Drawing from personal experience, spiritual traditions, and well-established multi-step programs, the author leads readers through an effective interrogation of their own beliefs, in order to help demonstrate what they actually need to get better.

While there is a massive catalogue of self-help books on the market, the premise of this book is not that the advice in those other books is wrong – instead, it is that the “self” part of the equation needs […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-02-24T11:00:28+02:00January 18th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Self-Help Book Reviews|

The Scooper and Dog Player by Craig Caudill

Author Craig Caudill weaves high-stakes horse racing, corporate conspiracies, and rugged Kentucky attitude in his latest thriller The Scooper and Dog Player. This slow-burn narrative, driven by the interplay of well-crafted characters with mysterious motives, holds more than enough intrigue to keep readers plunging towards the finish line. Idiomatic language, an excess of exposition, and overly thorough dialogue occasionally make the story feel stilted at times, but there are also powerful moments of platonic connection and personal reflection. From the dark charm of gambling habits to trustworthiness, self-esteem, and finding love in unexpected places, Caudill is a keen observer […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-18T09:09:46+02:00January 18th, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

All I Have: Celebrating Ceramic Artist Ruenell Foy Temps by Sheridan Hill

All I Have: Celebrating Ceramic Artist Ruenell Foy Temps by Sheridan Hill Author Sheridan Hill celebrates the life and work of a gifted crafter of sculptural magic in All I Have: Celebrating Ceramic Artist Ruenell Foy Temps, a heartfelt homage to an inspired soul.

While this decade-spanning biographical collection of photographs captures Temps’ body of work, as well as the artist in certain intimate creative moments, the prose itself is also meticulously crafted, poetic, and seemingly awed by the work of this talented sculptor. The book takes readers through the fascinating history and unassuming achievements of this eccentric and fearless creator, and those who are unaware of Temps’ work will be […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-17T05:29:25+02:00January 15th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Art Book Reviews, Biography Book Reviews|

So Into Her by D.L. Yoder

So Into Her by D.L. Yoder Murderous schemes, long-buried secrets and desperate rescues abound in So Into Her by D.L. Yoder, an adrenaline-filled thriller with more than enough romantic tension to go around.

Paying for sins of the past while exploring new love in dangerous places, Yakiesha finds herself on the run with the enigmatic Marty, the man who replaced her recently murdered boyfriend at the head of a shadowy research team. Working together to stay alive, and to figure out who would be willing to kill them both over “Bluetooth for the brain,” these two make a wickedly smart and magnetic duo.

Delving into near-future […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-14T07:51:06+02:00January 14th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

The Woke Iliad by George Boreas

A whip-smart revamp of Homer’s epic, The Woke Iliad by George Boreas is a carnival mirror reflection of today’s global chaos and a savage critique of political and social correctness, which doesn’t hold back. When the most disagreeable woman in America is kidnapped by the cretinous leader of Moldova, conflict is unavoidable and a nuclear holocaust is entirely on the table. While the prose is occasionally over the top, and the allegorical writing can be heavy-handed, the sardonic tone is consistent, biting, and undeniably amusing. This frightening vision of an over-woke future will have readers laughing out loud, but also […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-14T07:04:12+02:00January 14th, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Rotten Fruit in an Unkempt Garden by Michael Nanfito

A raw, unusual, and unforgettable memoir, Rotten Fruit in an Unkempt Garden by Michael Nanfito is a collection of personal essays, poetry, art, quotes, and reflections that encapsulate a remarkable life and an inspiring worldview.

Exploring outlaw living, alternative perspectives, and universal themes of lost love and opportunity, this patchwork offering of thoughts and memories is powerful and intimate. The opening section focuses heavily on religion, and Nanfito’s experience with patriarchal betrayals, both psychological and physical, and closes on a damning note: “We’ve yet to evict these faithless landlords / from the spaces that were always ours.” The writing then […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-14T06:49:16+02:00January 14th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Poetry Book Reviews|