Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Johnny Boy by John Califano

A compelling work of fiction bearing the authentic voice of a memoir, Johnny Boy by John Califano is a visceral slice of life from a skilled, but subtle pen.

Raised in a claustrophobic home in Brooklyn, young John Caruso must navigate the sullen anger of his father, the quiet struggles of his mother, and the occasional invisibility of being the youngest in the house. His older brother and sister, Frank and Connie, are his protectors and guides, helping him see past the narrow-mindedness and violent tendencies of his father, and explore his own potential as he grows up fast.

Over […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-08-16T09:44:12+02:00July 28th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|

Review: Enigma Rose by S.E. Reynolds

Romance, tragedy, and redemption are served up alongside small-town charm in Enigma Rose by S.E. Reynolds. A slow-burning romantic thriller, this is not a standard heartbreak-to-healing love story, and leads readers through an emotional maze before reaching its dramatic end.

Tragedy strikes the mayor of Fairview, sending his seemingly perfect life into a spiral of sorrow and solitary fatherhood. His late wife, Melissa, had been his unwavering rock for years, the woman who had pulled him out of young heartbreak and whose trust fund allowed him to leap from police officer to political powerhouse.

Melissa taught him how to be […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-01-17T13:47:36+02:00July 28th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Romance Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Hælend’s Ballad by Ian V. Conrey

A book that feels both timeless and timely, Hælend’s Ballad by Ian V. Conrey is a sprawling, character-driven fantasy novel with an unforgettable new world for readers to explore.

Old feuds are rekindled as the Kingdoms of Daecland and Sunder wrestle with a common enemy. Mysterious, inexplicable attacks that leave behind the smell of rot and death signal to some that the end is near – an ancient prophecy is coming true, and the world will soon be consumed. A spiraling story of bloody histories, boundary-breaking magic, and powerful bonds, high-fantasy fans will not be disappointed with this masterfully imagined […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-30T02:47:14+02:00July 28th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Grimdark: Tales of Exile by Kyle Fox

A dauntless fallen knight cuts a bloody trail through a blackened world of demonic horror in Grimdark by Kyle Fox, a hellish, sword-swinging work of dark fantasy. Reading like a vivid transcript of an epic RPG dungeon raid, Fox establishes his Tales of Exile series with a savage tone – visceral descriptions that writhe to life in the imagination, coupled with relentless struggle of both the body and mind.

With the progress of each chapter, Jacobus draws closer to the evil that has conquered and ravished his realm, a desperate attempt to eviscerate the plague of demons that has burned […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-27T06:14:51+02:00July 26th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Starmap: An Introductory Pictorial Tour of the Universe by Edward A Ridgill, M.D.

A vibrant and mind-boggling adventure through the cosmos, Starmap: An Introductory Pictorial Tour of the Universe by Edward A Ridgill, M.D. is overflowing with accessible information and unforgettable images. For anyone with even a basic interest in astronomy or the workings of the universe, this coffee table book will provide endless moments of reflection.

The designation as a coffee table book is not meant to slight the very real and fascinating chapters of well-penned information in this astronomical offering. Beginning with a generalized big picture – the universe and our place within it – and scaling all the way up […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-07-27T06:16:47+02:00July 26th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science Book Reviews|

Review: 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

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

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|