Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Furrow and Slice by Richard Snodgrass

Furrow and Slice by Richard Snodgrass

A remarkably gentle and probing look at seemingly simple, but deeply complex lives in Upper Appalachia, Furrow and Slice by Richard Snodgrass is a brilliantly penned collection of stories.

A fearless kaleidoscope of pastoral life, this collection is special for its unflinching honesty in the face of our collectively unspoken fears. With straightforward language and casual colloquial speech, the collection feels quite pared down at first glance, with the two- or three-page tales reading like parables. However, it quickly becomes apparent that the rich inner lives of each narrative voice are worth slowing down to enjoy every word.

“The Hill […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-12T02:35:55+02:00July 26th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|

Review: The Hunter’s Rede (Chronicles of Ealiron Book 1) by F.T. McKinstry

The Hunter's Rede (Chronicles of Ealiron Book 1) by F.T. McKinstry

A lethal warrior without banner or cause rises to heights of heroism he never sought in The Hunter’s Rede by F.T. McKinstry, a dark and thoroughly fun new fantasy saga.

Tapping into the best elements of high-genre writing, with cryptic wizards, dark powers, and jaw-dropping plot twists, this character-driven knockout is a thrilling pleasure to read. The sprawling new realm of Ealiron is ripe for storytelling, and newly hooked fans will be pleased to know this is only the first in a four-part series.

Lorth is one of the most compelling new fantasy characters in recent memory, summoning shades of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-10T06:38:05+02:00July 25th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray by O.R. Simmonds

The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray by O.R. Simmonds

A whirlwind of an adventure set in the eternally mysterious city of London, The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray by O.R. Simmonds is a bold and meticulously penned thriller. William Wells only wanted a special gift for his girlfriend Abigayle, but his thoughtfulness may be something he comes to regret, in this clever masterwork of time travel fiction.

After Will witnesses the brutal shooting of the kindly shop owner who sold him the titular watch, it doesn’t take long for him to realize that something much more dangerous is happening on the streets of London. The ornate watch […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-09T01:22:43+02:00July 20th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews, Time Travel Book Reviews|

Review: CLass by Vid Lazer Hardt

CLass by Vid Lazer Hardt

A quirky commentary on small-town life and the epic dramas that play out on Main Street, CLass by Vid Lazer Hardt is a whip-smart novel like few others. Loosely set in Acton, Vermont, where the biggest news in years is that a big film production is coming to town, this patient community drama is unassuming, but deeply entertaining.

Hollywood hotshot Loudon Golden is in town to film “Hobohemia,” and is using regular townspeople to fill in the extra gaps, giving the production a meta sense of realism. Fiona is a young woman just trying to survive, and manage a growing […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-06T09:57:08+02:00July 19th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Literary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Historical Accuracy by Steve Campbell

Historical Accuracy by Steve Campbell

Utilizing a remarkably wide range of references, author Steve Campbell has gathered a lengthy aggregation of historical facts to explore the biblical accounts of the life of Jesus in Historical Accuracy.

As Campbell makes plain, there is ample reason to question one’s ordinary assumptions about Jesus, as it is limited to biblical text and standard accepted lore. This is especially the case when examining the notion of the promised land, the afterlife, and the oft-cited apocalypse. His goal is to uncover the real fact upon which such issues are based.

Beginning with Old Testament history, the author catalogs and […]

SPR2021-08-04T03:19:23+02:00July 17th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: History Book Reviews, Religious Book Reviews|

Review: At the End of Everything by G.W. Lücke

At the End of Everything by G.W. Lucke

At the End of Everything by G.W. Lücke is a second fantastic dive into the realm of Ostamp, following on from the sprawling adventure of Book 1, When Darkness Descends.

An already epic quest takes an unexpected turn, a la Game of Thrones, and casts the core characters in different directions, where their own destinies will find space to develop on their own. The Relevation Trilogy is curiously but aptly named, as the depth of this series’ plot continues to spiral and expand in this middle chapter. Tom is forced to navigate new depths of grief, alienation from […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-03T07:55:34+02:00July 16th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Kaleidoscope of Colors II by Robert A. Cozzi

Kaleidoscope of Colors II by Robert A. Cozzi

Poet and author Robert A. Cozzi has forged another powerful and personal collection of poetry in Kaleidoscope of Colors II.

Delving through his own painful and passionate life, and laying out what he has learned and felt over the course of his life, this second dynamic installment certainly earns its name. Showing impressive poetic flexibility, Cozzi moves through themes and metric styles with ease, whether it’s a pair of hard-hitting haikus or a lyrical, exploratory wander through a memory.

There are gorgeous homages to the past, such as the poem titled “Rebecca,” a portrait of a portrait, with abstract […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-03T01:52:16+02:00July 15th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

Review: “B” is for Baylee by Kay M. Bates

B is for Baylee by Kay M. Bates

Author Kay M. Bates has crafted a hard but hopeful YA novel in “B” is for Baylee, a story that shines a light on life’s unpredictability and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.

After taking a line drive head-on during her softball game, young Baylee Harker’s life is changed forever, as there is no promise that her vision will ever return to normal. Beginning a new year at Stoutland Middle School as a legally blind student means a constant cycle of struggles to adapt and persevere, while also managing the emotional and psychological turmoil of being an “official […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-29T08:42:21+02:00July 15th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Young Adult Book Reviews|