Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: A Bell for Jimmy by Theo Wadsworth, Illustrated by Julia Naurzalijeva

A Bell for Jimmy by Theo Wadsworth

A Bell for Jimmy is a heartwarming picture book for older children written by Theo Wadsworth and illustrated by Julia Naurzalijeva.

A traveler arrives in Eden, a remote, small mountain village, to the tolling of bells. He makes his way to the village store where five village ancients sit – all of them listening reverently to the tolling bells. Once the bells stop, one of the villagers begins to tell the traveler the sobering tale behind the bells. He’s informed that today is a special day as it was twelve years and three month since their remote mountain village became […]

Marta Cheng2019-02-04T11:50:43+02:00January 5th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Book Reviews, Poetry Book Reviews|

Review: Trials and Trails by Jim Halverson

Trials and Trails by Jim Halverson

Unexpected partnerships have formed the foundation of many memorable novels and stories throughout history, and in Trials and Trails by Jim Halverson, this long tradition is carried on with pride and heart.

Johnny B and Leroy both have plenty of reasons to be bitter or angry. As a Sioux Indian and an ex-slave in the Reconstruction period, neither of them can forget the injustices faced by themselves and their people, yet the only direction they can go is forward. Wandering from place to place, as so many great adventure novels do, these two men must face the prejudices that still […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-30T10:23:52+02:00January 2nd, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Action and Adventure Book Reviews, Historical Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Childless Ones by Cam Rhys Lay

The Childless Ones by Cam Rhys Lay

The Childless Ones by Cam Rhys Lay is a remarkable debut novel that takes the concept of “story within a story” to an impressive level. This is essentially two novels in one, overlapping and interweaving thematically, reflecting and bouncing beautifully between two very different worlds.

In the real world, aspiring author Jack Ampong is dealing with a marriage that is coming unraveled, and a penchant for prostitutes. When an attack on his wife further disrupts his mental clarity and grip on morality, he turns to his writing as a respite. There, readers are introduced to an entirely new universe, a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-25T12:57:34+02:00December 19th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Literary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Butterfly Hill (A Matthys Rossouw Pursuit Book 2) by Brendan Le Grange

Butterfly Hill by Brendan LeGrange

Combining global conspiracies, powerful ancient weapons and complex, unknowable motives, Butterfly Hill is a skillfully penned piece of suspense from Brendan Le Grange. Following on from his debut book, Drachen, this second installment can stand alone, although reading the first book will provide quite a bit more character backstory for the key players, including Hiko, Matthys and Gu.

Unlike many other “good cop chases bad guy” stories, the lines of morality are far from clear in this novel, and in fact, it’s difficult not to like the bad guy, despite his psychopathic tendencies. Hiko Shimuzu may be the antagonist, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-22T10:29:03+02:00December 18th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Practicing Mindful Living by Dr. Debra Webb

Practicing Mindful Living by Dr. Debra Webb

In Practicing Mindful Living: A 365-Day Workbook for Mindfulness Practitioners, Dr. Debra Webb offers poetry, meditations and consultation to foster awareness each day of the calendar year.

A blend of self study and sage advice, Webb’s book presents a special, intentional guide to activities and concepts that can aid the thoughtful reader determining the overall tenor of his or her day. The entries begin with a short, directed poem. Here is an example, the entry for February 19th:

Wobbling down the sidewalk,
Ponytail flying behind her
Determined to master
Peddling and steering
Together
Fall after fall
She asks for

[…]

SPR2019-01-22T10:29:31+02:00December 17th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews, Self-Help Book Reviews|

Review: Israeli Settlements: Land Politics Beyond the Geneva Convention by Martin Blecher

Israeli Settlements: Land Politics Beyond the Geneva Convention by Martin Blecher

In these times of intense attention focusing on the state of Israel from all portions of the political spectrum, a Swedish political scientist examines what seems to be the most contentious issue: the country’s settlements in Palestinian territory.

In Israeli Settlements: Land Politics Beyond the Geneva Convention, author Martin Blecher calls this issue “an infected question,” while taking on himself the challenge to examine it thoroughly. Most people, influenced by common sources, are convinced that the Palestinian settlements are illegal, but Blecher would rather refer to them as “imprudent,” beginning with the assertion that what are usually considered Palestinian […]

SPR2019-01-21T12:39:51+02:00December 17th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: History Book Reviews, Non-Fiction Book Reviews, Politics Book Reviews|

Review: Daughter of the Damned by J. Boyett

Daughter of the Damned by J. Boyett

In Daughter of the Damned, author J. Boyett has created a riveting world of intrigue and magic, where mages and demons and monsters are cleverly embedded in a humanistic and believable plot.

Carol, in search of revenge and answers for a tragedy that once befell her mother, has teamed up with Snake, a brutal and talented bounty hunter. Finding Harold, the man who Carol holds responsible for her pain, it quickly becomes apparent that there is a much greater evil to handle than the dark shadows of Carol’s past. Potential enemies become allies, or at least temporary partners, in […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-16T08:18:40+02:00December 16th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Mother Teresa Canonized or Crucified by Gerard

A Catholic Christian writer asserts that the Vatican sought to prevent the canonization of Mother Teresa, the Albanian-born nun who created a community convent in the slums of Calcutta, in Mother Teresa Canonized or Crucified: Liberate Catholic Church from the Corrupted Kingdom of Vatican.

Author Gerard presents his case against the Catholic hierarchy with a combination of cold logic and heated diatribe. He believes the loving service of Mother Teresa should serve as an example for all Christians and that the Church should open the roles of priestess and bishopess, cardinal and even Pope, to women, giving Catholic men […]

SPR2019-01-11T13:38:51+02:00December 15th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Religious Book Reviews|