John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Defiant Dominion by Athene Z. Adam

A spectacular third act to the Reign of the North Forest saga, Defiant Dominion by Athene Z. Adam is an off-world allegory in a far-flung future.

The crash landing of a starship and two aliens from Earth has sent a shockwave through the childlike population of Eiyesia. Rather than arriving as a harbinger of a third war with their ancestral planet, Dr. Alex Nymaria and his brilliant mind may be the key to solving the arrested development of the Antisenents. However, not everyone on Eiyesia sees a permanent cure for this “disease” as a good thing, including King Drimys, putting […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-02-03T13:17:16+02:00February 3rd, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Third Act by Kathleen Brehony

A smart and touching tale of taking second chances and finding your people, The Third Act by Kathleen Brehony explores the rich possibilities of great love during a painful season of loss.

Shannon O’Connell is an accomplished and gracefully aging author, but a string of personal heartbreaks has left her in serious need of support. When a long battle with breast cancer claims one of her dearest friends, Linda, the tragedy brings together their decades-old group of girlfriends for a celebration of life at the O’Connell family’s seaside cottage resort.

Elizabeth Matthews may be an award-winning filmmaker, but her ageless […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-03-25T15:08:55+02:00January 31st, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: LGBTQI+ Book Reviews, Romance Book Reviews|

Somatic Exercises For Nervous System Regulation by Julian Apple

Unraveling the mystery of the mind-body connection and outlining practices to achieve a healthy life balance, Somatic Exercises for Nervous System Regulation: Simple Illustrated Techniques with Expert Led Video Course to Release Trauma, Reduce Tension, And Alleviate Anxiety and Stress by Julian Apple is an eye-opening holistic guide.

Laying a foundation of understanding for both the nervous system and the potential of somatic exercises (connecting exercise to emotions), this book simultaneously educates and empowers readers. In straightforward and accessible terms, the author discusses chronic pain, stress, sensory issues, trauma-related conditions, and other issues, before explaining the mental, physical, and emotional […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-01-31T17:35:12+02:00January 31st, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Health Book Reviews|

Rampart by Truscott Jones

An explosive political thriller that echoes today’s front pages, Rampart by Truscott Jones is a riveting dive into the murky truth and deadly morass of Washington.

When an ex-Secret Service agent commits the ultimate betrayal, the power shakeup at the heart of American empire is felt around the world. What follows is one of the most significant murder trials in the history of the nation, but given the tangled conspiracy to unravel, and the diverse variables that impact the outcome of this high-profile death penalty case, justice may be in the eye of the beholder. Touching on the vast differences […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-01-28T12:14:41+02:00January 28th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Political Thriller Book Reviews|

At the Risk of Recovery by Finn Adair Morgan

A mind-bending thriller in an eerily familiar future, At the Risk of Recovery by Finn Adair Morgan is a raw vision of psychological distortion, pharmaceutical dependence, and the twisted roots of evil.

Aran Moreau wakes up in the 24th century in a drug-shattered fog, completely lacking memories for the past few days, but his condition appears to be more than simple amnesia. The memories he does possess have apparently been rewritten or replaced, fracturing the reality of both his past and present. As he stumbles through the haze of an existence he barely recognizes, he begins to suspect that his […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-01-27T16:06:11+02:00January 27th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Psychological Thriller Book Reviews|

Blame For a Quiet Death by Morgan James

An Appalachian murder mystery and a vulnerable tale of raw resilience, Blame For a Quiet Death by Morgan James is a captivating mystery with a deep emotional core. Still haunted by grief over the death of her spouse, Promise McNeal is pulled back into the gritty sleuthing game when her supportive but crotchety neighbor becomes a prime suspect in a suspicious death. The deceased has left a posthumous puzzle for an intrepid investigator to solve, but as pieces fall into place, Promise must choose to trust her gut or the logical conclusions of the clues. Rich in vivid detail that […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-01-27T17:45:17+02:00January 27th, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Dark Lyfe by Matthew Pine

An addictive overload of sci-fi tech and visceral action, Dark Lyfe by Matthew Pine is a thrillingly immersive tale of a biotech-charged future. When cutting-edge nanotechnology is twisted into a covert weapon and hidden within a cyber-enhanced human host, bounty hunter Chess Ledger’s skills will be put to the test for a massive payday. However, this fugitive is on the run for a very good reason, and the sinister company he works for will stop at nothing to get their potentially devastating property back. Aside from some awkward sentence structure, this is a meticulously plotted thriller with a cautionary message, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-01-23T13:19:29+02:00January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

The Mirror Drifters by D.D. Snows

An enchanting middle grade adventure about facing your fears and holding your family close, The Mirror Drifters: The Other Magic by D.D. Snows is a witty plunge into a parallel world of witchcraft and mystery. Three curious siblings discover their family’s magical birthright, but their rare powers attract dangerous enemies who wish to recruit the young sorcerers and rule over all humans who lack magical spirits. Supported by a colorful cast of fantasy creatures and long-lost family from Earth and Aether, the heroic trio must quickly master their powers and unlock their innate gifts before dark forces seize control of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2025-01-22T14:43:22+02:00January 22nd, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|