John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A swirling ride through corporate espionage and the dark depths of company loyalty, The Telecom Takeover by Beverly Winter is an intriguing cross of thrills and character-driven drama, featuring two unlikely sleuths and a cast of decidedly unsubtle villains. The story moves quickly, but the prose is too simplistic at times, with overly explicit motives and descriptions, as well as some superfluous dialogue. A firm editorial pen to trim the narrative fat and add spice to the increasingly intense storyline would help elevate the novel, but as it stands, this is an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at corporate malfeasance mixed with […]

A gentle celebration of resilience, spirituality, personal growth, and self-knowledge, Silent Muse Poetry: Soul Food by Ariele Tee is an unassuming collection of poetry and universal guidance. Varying in style from simple koans and aphorisms to longer and more intimate explorations of personal experience, Tee repackages classic advice into meditative, bite-sized bits of wisdom. Accompanied by occasional illustrations, this is a faith-based book that could be opened to any page at any time, or slowly moved through as a daily practice. The font choice feels a bit busy, and some of these sage nuggets are somewhat repetitive, but there is […]

Scottish charmers, controlling fathers, and a holiday miracle or two make A Gentleman for Christmas by Shelley Kassian a delightful Edwardian escape. Cecily and Logan are magnetic characters from opposite worlds whose ultimate fate may feel decided early on, despite the objections and obstacles to their connection, but their coupling still unfolds with delicately crafted tension. Showcasing a wise pen and a mastery of lyrical language, this seasonal read swings between scintillating and sweet, with richly painted players who romance readers will want to eagerly curl up with for the holidays, or any other time.

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