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.

The Scooper and Dog Player by Craig Caudill

The Scooper and the 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 […]

2022-01-18T09:09:46+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 HillAuthor 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 […]

2022-01-17T05:29:25+02:00January 15th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

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 […]

2022-01-14T07:51:06+02:00January 14th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

The Woke Iliad by George Boreas

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 […]

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

Rotten Fruit in an Unkempt Garden by Michael Nanfito

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 […]

2022-01-14T06:49:16+02:00January 14th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Oh No…Hacked Again! by Zinet Kemal

Oh No... Hacked Again! by Zinet Kemal

A charming, relatable, and colorful introduction to cybersecurity and general online safety, Oh No…Hacked Again!: A Story About Online Safety by Zinet Kemal is an important read for children in today’s gadget-filled, tech-driven world. The story of Elham, Imran, and their clever mom touches on potentially risky situations online that kids face all the time, even if they don’t realize it, and offers advice on how to stay safe and protect your privacy. Quick, simple, inclusive, and educational, this vibrantly illustrated book will leave readers with plenty to think about next time they jump online, regardless of their age. While […]

2022-01-12T03:27:39+02:00January 12th, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Miss. A and Johnny’s European Escapade LONDON by Silver Vixen

Miss. A and Johnny's European Escapade LONDON

Saved by a mysterious woman one day and bought by her the next, Johnny finds himself tangled up and fumbling through the enigmatic worlds of art and event planning in Miss. A and Johnny’s European Escapade LONDON by Silver Vixen. However, books aren’t the only thing bound in leather in this exotic, newly-revealed realm of decadence and desire. Boasting prose that blushes, titillates, and teases, this pulse-pounding novella from the Femme Fatale Rescue Diaries is smart, steamy, and charming – the kind of high-end romance that will leave readers satisfied in all the best ways.

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2022-01-11T03:45:34+02:00January 10th, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Post-Bliss by Jay Honeycomb

Post-Bliss by Jay Honeycomb

A raw and savagely contemporary novella, Post-Bliss by Jay Honeycomb taps into the fears and existential angst of today through tangential, subtle, and compelling storytelling. An actor with nothing to lose slips into the confounding worlds of alternative medicine – new-age, natural, psychological, and artificial – while another plotline leaps around Australia on an abstract, reality-adjacent adventure. Mingling storytelling forms, playing with time, exploring dreams, and injecting the prose with powerful personal philosophy, this visionary read is dense with intention, allegory, and thoughtful commentary on the increasingly strange times of the present day.

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2022-01-10T09:31:46+02:00January 10th, 2022|Categories: Editorial Reviews|
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