Editorial Reviews

Milly: My Life As a Labradoodle … In Five Short Dog Tales by Robert Belenky is a sweet and surprisingly poignant book told from the point of view of Milly, a dark brown Labradoodle, and her unique perspective on life as she knows it. With a light and amusing tone throughout, the book is also philosophical at times, covering topics of ethics and even death, while mostly concentrating on Milly’s many comforts, which mirror our own. The book will appeal to all dog owners, but will be especially rewarding for children, as Belenky skillfully weaves in some heady topics into […]

Poet Patrice Jones blends real-life experience and imagination to craft her powerful, non-traditional verse in Gravy, a deeply personal and provocative collection. Most of these pieces are free verse and narrative, touching on classic poetic themes: the struggle for meaningful love, the loss of innocence, familial nostalgia, and childhood longing. However, Jones isn’t afraid to delve into darker issues, such as suicide and abusive relationships, boldly exploring what was once taboo. The work is quite literal, with a fair lack of poetic description, but there is great intention behind the words. Overall, Gravy is an eclectic mix of pain […]

Joey Rodriguez unravels an emotional, quirky ,and cleverly penned tale in JQR, a post-apocalyptic road novel with a bionic twist. Jojo and Pickles make a very strange pair, but this android and his dog must navigate a world ravaged by human folly in an attempt to find whatever meaning is left. The relationship between these two is crafted with grace and an original voice – one that balances dense, engaging writing with dark humor and charm. Both an off-kilter adventure and an existential exploration of what it means to love, dream, and be human, this novel is visceral and […]

A veteran FBI agent races against time to prevent a terrible tragedy in the skies, desperately trying to separate friend from foe in the fast-paced Newgate’s Knocker. Author Greg W. Peterson has crafted a high-flying read, delivering a crash-course in fiction writing that weaves a tangled nest of storylines into a riveting and unpredictable adventure. While there are a few loose ends and plot holes in the story, the pace rarely lets up. Mixing classic elements of suspense with modern existential threats, organized crime, and a cast of dynamic characters, Peterson offers a riveting, high-stakes thriller in this […]

Author Halimah Bellows offers sage wisdom, gentle encouragement, and practical strategies for those seeking a significant change in their career path in Champion Your Career: Winning in the World of Work. This easy-to-read book is filled with tools to help you identify your own strengths and determine your path forward. Peppered with anecdotal wisdom and the author’s delicate honesty, this book is valuable for anyone who is uncertain or unsatisfied about their career or prospects. Asking and answering the right questions in a thorough, academic, and accessible way, Bellows spells out the journey of changing your job (and life) […]

Author L.D. Morrow serves up a refreshing collection of vignettes and clever lessons in Think Like a Bartender: Recipes for Life. Drawing on her many insightful years in the service industry, this is a tongue-in-cheek read that balances self-help and experiential knowledge with wild anecdotes and sharp, funny writing throughout. Blending authentic language and a healthy pour of brutal honesty, this is a poignant guide to finding your strengths and knowing your value, regardless of how you make a living. While the prose is sometimes raw and unpolished, Morrow has a natural gift for storytelling as she unveils repeated moments […]

Author Miriam Cumming casts a charming and thought-provoking spell with Namesakes, the first book in her Wicce Novel series. In this clever repurposing of a classic myth, Medusa is a young girl just coming into her stone-turning powers, who must find her place among other legendary outcasts and misfits in a magical academy. Channeling a bit of Harry Potter, there is a familiarity to the plot, but also harder-hitting themes of tolerance, bullying, and using one’s powers for good. Cumming lays an entertaining and flexible foundation for an original series with a cast of immediately engaging characters.

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Prepare yourself for a rollicking, shocking, and inspiring story of life’s lowest lows and greatest heights in Get Off: The Sordid Youth and Unlikely Survival of a Queer Junkie Wonder Boy by Scott Alderman. This tell-all read is graphic and unabashed, detailing a life of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll from both extremes: the ecstatic and the tragic. Unsentimental but sincere, Alderman is able to get past the romance of his own tall tales to pry out wisdom and meaning, as well as difficult lessons that ring timeless for youth of any generation.

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