Editorial Reviews

A string of tragic student suicides throws a small town into emotional turmoil, and forces a counselor to face her own darkness in Make Believe by Cory Wolfe. Touching on painfully relevant subjects of depression, teen suicide, drug abuse, social alienation and collective grief, this is a blunt story that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable themes. The multiple narrative voices make the story more complete, bridging the perspective gap between adults and children, broadening the narrative arc, as well as the book’s potential readership. Regardless of your age or personal experience with trauma, this hard-hitting novel is an unpredictable, heart-wrenching, […]

Author Paul Perroni pulls readers into a liquor-laden memoir that defies classification in One Way: A Novella with Bald Cocktails. Both a spontaneous road novel and a stream-of-consciousness musing on success, purpose, and finding a permanent place in the world, the narrative voice is unabashed and authentic, containing emotional nuance and a philosophical focus relating to self-discovery. Rough around the edges, but original in its form and flow, the writing is heartfelt, vulnerable and utterly human. The novella may be one man’s search for meaning, but it is an entertaining and often enlightening journey filled with unexpected insight.

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Yaakov C Lui-Hyden has dreamt up a wild body-snatching and time-jumping adventure in Diary of a Time Traveling Alien, a tale told from the perspective of an observant alien with quite an attitude. Between long speeches on the state of Earth and humanity, and simultaneous desires to be a real part of the world, this whimsical romp is both entertaining and existential. The writing is simple and straightforward, though occasionally bland (and the title needs a hyphen), but the creativity throughout is undeniable and the diary entries are anything but predictable. For young readers who love a zany caper, […]

In Earth Tones: A Journey, poet Gary W. Burns compels readers to lean in, slow down, and savor every thoughtful, delicate verse. Frequently blending the beauty of nature with a longing for connection, tinged with nostalgia, grief, and joy, these poems are powerful and short, some landing hard with the simplicity of a mantra or a haiku, yet also reminiscent of Mary Oliver’s wisdom in certain moments. Some of the ideas and images are recognizable, yes, but the use of such common figurative language aside, this is a meditative collection that bares Burns’ soul in a deeply compelling way.[…]

Self-made investment specialist Brendan Hughes shares his wisdom and jaw-dropping life experiences in The Wandering Investor. Unlike most books on economics, travel or business, this comprehensive memoir easily reads like a novel, but delivers real-world advice that can literally be taken to the bank. This makes the advice and insight not only more palatable, but also more accessible for those curious about finance, particularly younger people who may be intimidated by the field. Hughes can don a journalistic or academic voice, but also the casual, carefree attitude of an adventurer that always manages to keep a good head on […]

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, […]