Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Rightful Heir (The Penhalion Legacy Book 2) by Becca Ketelsleger

★★★

Becca Ketelsleger’s new female-led fantasy saga, Rightful Heir, Book Two of the Penhalion Legacy, will be welcomed by fans who enjoyed the previously released Book One Noble Warrior, serving as the sequel, with characters from the previous book making an appearance here once again.

Adventurous 16-year-old Detta Antille is a normal enough girl who lives with her “Ma” on a small farm in the village of Fraunc, somewhere far from the sumptuous royal castle where her brother resides, in Bryton. But when her mother dies, she must travel with her brother to the royal city, where he serves […]

Naka Jackson2016-11-29T10:27:35+02:00November 17th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: In the Mouth of the Lion by J. Guenther

★★★★½ In the Mouth of the Lion by J Guenther

Overflowing with rich history and a huge amount of research, In the Mouth of the Lion is a thorough and wildly entertaining piece of fiction based in real fact. Tackling a novel that requires putting yourself in the shoes – and mind – of Hitler is ambitious, to say the least, but Guenther delivers a surprising level of empathy and insight, giving readers a different view of history.

What makes the book particularly effective is its basis in real events. While the story of Carl Jung visiting and diagnosing Hitler sounds fantastical, it’s actually based in fact, as Jung […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2017-01-31T11:51:18+02:00November 15th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews, World War II Book Reviews|

Review: Evolution on Trial by Anonymous

Although many academics and scholars would argue that the debate over evolutionary theory is over, there are also those who believe that this Revolutionary “theory” should still be questioned. In the aptly named Evolution on Trial, the book’s anonymous author presents the case for both sides, and does so with strongly stated “non-bias.” However, it becomes apparent within the first few chapters that the author doesn’t believe that evolution is true, and the writing has undercurrents of this doubt from the very first page.

When it comes to books discussing the validity or falsity of evolution, a clear-cut dichotomy […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-02-11T09:47:39+02:00November 9th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Non-Fiction Book Reviews, Science Book Reviews|

Review: Aggravated Momentum by Didi Oviatt

In the aftermath of a brutal murder, Markie is struggling to find her footing in the world. Aided by her sister, Kam, the two are finally finding ways for Markie to enjoy life again. Unfortunately, life has other plans as tragedy befalls them once more. It soon becomes clear that these events are far from random occurrences, and the only freedom from a life of torment two sisters can find is finding the mastermind behind it all. Complicated and compelling, Didi Oviatt delivers a deadly and exhilarating murder mystery with her new book, Aggravated Momentum.

The mystery of the […]

James Grimsby2019-02-11T09:09:25+02:00November 8th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Mystery Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Santa’s Rescue Dog (Super Speed Sam Book 5) by Monty J. McClaine

★★★★

Books have always had the power to bring families together, allowing parents to share powerful, memorable stories with their children. In Santa’s Rescue Dog, Monty J. McClaine adds on to his popular series of children’s book about Super Speed Sam, his family’s loyal basset hound. In the first four installments of the series, readers were introduced to Sam and saw his amazing super-speed abilities in action. No one in the family knows about these powers except for the youngest of the McClaine clan, Molly the baby, but these books actually function as a portrait of the author’s family, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-02-11T08:36:27+02:00November 8th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Review: Skunks Dance by St. John Karp

★★★★

Spivey Spillane is an honest guy. He loves his grandmammy, he loves his home, and he would bring ruin to any man who would rob him of his simple happiness. It’s the American way, and it’s God’s too. Unfortunately for the Spillane family name, there is such a man, and he’s running loose across the state of California, tipping cattle and penning indecent plays under the guise of Spillane himself. Oh, and there’s the fortune that only he knows the location of, too. Just one more reason to find Alabama Sam and fill him with lead, really.

Meanwhile, several […]

James Grimsby2020-02-21T06:29:35+02:00November 7th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Humor, Western Book Reviews|

Review: Why Leadership Sucks™ Vol. 2 by Miles Anthony Smith

★★★★★

While there are countless books on the subject of smart leadership, and how to improve your abilities as the head of a company, team, community or family, many of these texts seem incomplete, lacking in the more compassionate side of being a role model for others. Perhaps author Miles Anthony Smith recognized this gap, which left room for Why Leadership Sucks™ Vol. 2: The Pain, Pitfalls and Challenges of Servant Leadership Fundamentals.

Following on his successful first installation of this series, Smith delves deeper into the subject of leadership, focusing less on the classic elements of delegation, selflessness, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-11-28T09:15:08+02:00November 7th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Business Book Reviews, Leadership Book Reviews|

Review: Blowback ’07 by Brian Meehl

★★★★½

Blowback ’07 by Brian Meehl is a stunning start to an exciting new series.

Time travel is a popular theme in fiction – YA and otherwise – and Blowback ’07 stands out immediately within the sub-genre for its original plot and charismatic heroes, Arky and Iris. The context of the story is revealed rather quickly, and we soon learn that Iris is in possession of a family heirloom – the Jongler cor anglais – a musical instrument with unknown powers that their mother left to the twins before she disappeared.

Arky and Iris don’t always get along very well, […]