Editorial Reviews

Carrying on the Dark Savior series by author Jim Clougherty, Seven Seals answers many of the cliff-hanging questions from Book 1 and expands this wildly unique world. Leaving the cursed mines and their Greed-driven monsters behind, this book sees the protagonists flung apart on separate quests, following interwoven plot lines and introducing creative new pockets of world-building. Boasting sharp, colloquial dialogue, a long and eccentric character list, and a widening web of suspense that leaves plenty of room for more books, Seven Seals is an original fantasy adventure with a classic edge, and one that will appeal to fans from […]

For those who love all things equestrian mixed with suspense, Catch Handle from author Alison O’Mara is an unpredictable and addictive read. Patiently crafted as a classic murder mystery, with the bold and fearless Vivian as the protagonist at its heart, this book dances between genres, from romance and pastoral narrative to heart-pounding thriller. The extended sections of internal monologue can be heavy-handed in terms of plot development, and the dialogue is often functional, rather than organic, but the storytelling is rich and the attention to detail makes the story immersive. As a whole, Catch Handle is a quick and […]

Summer Rideau’s newfound perfect life comes under fire, threatening to destroy the greatest love she’s ever known in Don’t Tear Us Apart by A Kelly, the second installment of the Summer Scipio romantic trilogy. Riveting from the start, Summer and Scipio are written as an incredible team – sexy, supportive and respectful, but also secretive in certain ways that keeps the tension humming. The author captures the complexities of human emotion remarkably well, though the narration can occasionally be too detailed. Touching on tough topics like breaches of sexual boundaries, step-child resentment, and the loss of identity within a partnership, […]

Penned with precision by William Kenneth Jones and boasting a charming narrative voice, Nancy is a striking tale of adversity, faith, deep roots, loss, and resilience. The dialogue is a rich and immersive element of the story, given the heavily accented speech, and an impressive amount of historical research was clearly required to summon this corner of the world in such a believable snapshot. Aside from the poignant writing, characters are developed deeply, with room to breathe and grow; readers are not told this story, but are instead shown through clever prose, authentic relationships, and emotional turns, painting a biographical […]

Author Jim Clougherty pulls readers through a shadowy descent into madness, greed, and the Earth itself in Gold Fever, the first installment of his Dark Savior series. A slow-burning psychological thriller featuring dark prose, gruesome action, and visceral monsters, the spiraling plot is gritty and engrossing, albeit occasionally unpolished with some tangential or repetitive chapters. Bolstered by a unique narrative voice, this lengthy novel captures authentic dialogue well and takes time to develop secondary characters. For those readers seeking an entertaining burst of literary terror, Gold Fever delivers a gripping start to this new series.

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Prepare yourself for a short and addictive dive into shadowy science and the secrets that lurk beyond our understanding in Dark Twists and Surreal Turns by M.G. Spear. Psychological horror fans will be attracted to the sharp descriptions and the ominous mood that permeate this novella, the first in the Dark Twists trilogy, but there are also interesting explorations of mood and panic disorders, and the tangled pain of mental illness. Describing a mind as it becomes unhinged, or begins to disappear entirely, is an ambitious goal, and while the prose is choppy and abrupt at times, this haunting book […]

Author Kimberley Cale splashes into her Sea Temptress series with Caught, a high-seas romance adventure full of swashbuckling, sun, and supernatural thrills for a perfect summer escape. Feeling slightly like a reboot of The Little Mermaid, there are plenty of well-penned exchanges and heartbreaking turns for grown-up readers. Though the writing is simple and straightforward, making this an easy read, the storytelling is still marked by surprising descriptions and an oceanic well of creativity, as well as plenty of steamy exchanges and multi-layered language. Cale delivers in this first installment of the series, offering classic romance writing, uniquely developed […]

A young hero from another world must find the strength within himself and the creatures of the wild to overthrow the brutal paw of tyranny in General Jack and the Battle of the Five Kingdoms by David Bush. This short adventure novel is an ideal entry point for young fantasy lovers, as it explores classic themes of rebelling against evil, overcoming personal doubt, and finding allies in unexpected places. Brimming with creativity, boasting vivid world-building, and tipping its cap to other classic fantasy authors, Miaow and young General Jack make a spectacular team in this heartfelt, well-penned tale.

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