John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

The Adventures of Rug Bug: The State of Emergency by Kay M. Bates

Rug Bug and the Dixies are back with more heroics after a housequake devastates Mousetopia in Kay M. Bates’ The Adventures of Rug Bug Vol. II: The State of Emergency. Rug Bug and his friends must negotiate a new alliance for aid and protection between the residents of the House in order to ensure their mutual survival, for a work of middle grade fiction that deftly and sensitively mirrors real-world events. Just as the first volume subtly touched on the need for representative government and clear-eyed ideals of leadership, this second installment focuses on the aftermath of a natural […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-04-01T05:31:08+02:00April 1st, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Obituary Page by David Ackley

The Obituary Page by David Ackley

Author David Ackley returns to the tale of his curmudgeonly hero, Galen Young, in The Obituary Page, a gritty and gripping thriller.

With the feel of being torn from today’s headlines, this standalone sequel builds on Ackley’s previous novel, The Opinion Page, but takes readers on a whole new hunt. A nearly cold kidnapping case still weighing heavily on Galen’s mind suddenly heats back up when a new ransom note arrives, deepening the mystery of Robert Armlin’s disappearance after his attempted heroics.

At the same time, an almost closed case takes a bizarre twist as the previously “missing […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-10T07:27:20+02:00March 31st, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Song of a Lotus Leaf by Renhui

Song of a Lotus Leaf by Renhui

With a reverent pen and an enlightened mind, Renhui delivers a restorative collection of poetry with Song of a Lotus Leaf. As the title implies, this is classic meditative poetry about the inherent and simplistic beauty of the world, but there is a strong base of self-examination beneath the surface of these observational pieces.

Acknowledging the clear divide in her years, between lifetimes in China and the United States, she also blurs the lines of experience and memory, making this polished collection both a memoir and a guidebook – a tome of appreciation, presence, and peace. While some of the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-06T06:01:49+02:00March 29th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

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|