Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Pike’s Progress by John J Spearman

Pike's Progress by John J Spearman

Pike’s Progress by John J Spearman is an action-splashed and cathartic installment of his innovative sci-fi military saga.

The Alliance has retaken control of some planets from HUW, but their previous power is far from restored, and the remaining Hegemony breakaway systems are a perpetual thorn for the recovering Alliance. Sandy Pike’s reputation and recent heroics have earned him a new ship – a massive dreadnought named the Audacious – and another chance at command, working within the Omega battle group.

The Alliance’s plans for a new offensive bring old comrades together again, including Monty Swift, a captain itching for […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-07-01T04:24:58+02:00May 16th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Essence of Stone (Lifestone Trilogy Book 1) by Haley Rylander

Essence of Stone (Lifestone Trilogy Book 1) by Haley Rylander

The first title in the anticipated Lifestone Trilogy, Haley Rylander’s Essence of Stone is an intricately layered, grandly descriptive fantasy novel about an elf kingdom facing potential destruction.

Rylander’s novel tells the story of Gellion, a skilled metal worker and political figure who moved to the city of Daro following his father’s wartime death and the disgrace of his former mentor. Daro has flourished since the end of the Great War, an epic battle against an evil phoenix that caused much loss of life.

Gellion’s prosperity can be attributed to a substance called vierstone, which helps elves become accomplished […]

Michelle Hogmire2022-06-07T08:49:40+02:00May 14th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Cathedral by Ray Keating

Cathedral by Ray Keating

A stellar depiction of time period and tension, Cathedral by Ray Keating is the bold opening hymn of his new Alliance of Saint Michael series.

During a religious conference at Georgetown University, Pastor Eric Meyer and Father Patrick O’Riley help to avert an assassination attempt by communist agents bent on curing the world of religious devotion. Their bravery doesn’t go unnoticed by powerful observers in the room, and they are soon recruited into service by the Alliance of Saint Michael – a secretive sect operating from within the Institute for Christian Life, History and Arts. Little do they know that […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-06-02T09:24:39+02:00May 12th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Religious Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: A Hittite and a Shaman by Naveen Sridhar

A Hittite and a Shaman by Naveen Sridhar

Plunging readers into the royal heart of one of the most epic empires in history, A Hittite and a Shaman: At Queen Nefertari’s Secret Service by Naveen Sridhar is an insightful peek into the ancient world.

The empires of Kemet and Hatti are already on the brink of war when the leader of the Hittites asks for extradition of a political rival seeking asylum in the kingdom of Ramses II. However, Ramses II was not always bold and decisive, and his wife Nefertari chooses to take the fate of peace into her own hands. Upon learning that her handmaid’s daughter […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-06-01T03:07:48+02:00May 11th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Weekly Economist by Ray Keating

The Weekly Economist by Ray Keating

Author and economist Ray Keating doles out a lifetime’s worth of insight in The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, the latest non-fiction work from this prolific author.

Encouraging readers to think more like economists, regardless of experience or expertise in the field, Keating has created an accessible and comprehensive guide to concepts that regularly baffle the average person. He argues that before one can criticize or successfully navigate the world of economics, one must thoroughly understand it, and this book can certainly help that happen.

From intellectual property rights and labor unions […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-27T04:07:59+02:00May 9th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Finance Book Reviews|

Review: The Uncanny Redemption of Philip E. Loeser by Robert T. Krantz

The Uncanny Redemption of Philip E. Loeser by Robert T. Krantz

Honestly told and deep in its wisdom, The Uncanny Redemption of Philip E. Loeser by Robert T. Krantz is a clever slice of character-driven drama.

Phil Loeser has been bouncing from one fight to another since childhood, and while he self-identifies as a good guy who never starts a fight, he certainly knows how to finish them. When his temper and fists get him into deeper trouble than usual, unexpected sources of hope appear before him – genuine chances to turn things around, if he can only manage to keep his head on straight.

First, there is the angelic face […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-27T03:27:54+02:00May 6th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Heretic (The Helios Rising Trilogy Book 1) by Chris Mayne

Heretic by Chris Mayne

A dark magical adventure into the far-flung future of humanity, Heretic by Chris Mayne is a bold, creative mixture of dark fantasy and dystopian fiction.

An explosive disaster rocks the city of New Tartarus, leaving countless dead in its wake, except for one man found in the center of the blast crater with glowing runes on his body. At first glance, Arlex is nothing but a young sapien underminer, a low-level laborer, but he is also a vortex of magical phenomena, displaying more raw potential than even the most powerful priests and magick-users of the Order.

Viktor, an acolyte healer […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-04T08:58:04+02:00May 4th, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Happiness Journal by Viet Hung

The Happiness Journal by Viet Hung

An invitation to a more elevated form of living, The Happiness Journal by Viet Hung Nguyen is a thoughtful, comprehensive, and encouraging collection for those seeking change.

Composed of more than a decade of blog posts, and curated with an intuitive flow of ideas, this collection is full of uplifting and inspiring prose. As the author states in the foreword, the purpose of this book, and the entirety of their work, is “to inspire everyone to have a positive, well-rounded, peaceful, meaningful, fulfilled, energetic, and intense life.” The subsequent essays explore the tools and pathways to achieve such a life, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-03-11T18:31:05+02:00May 3rd, 2022|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Self-Help Book Reviews|