Editorial Reviews

An enchanting peek into the music that enlivens every Christmas season, I Played My Best For Him!: The Inspiring Stories Behind the Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites by Olapeju Simoyan is a treat for music, holiday, and history lovers alike. From the mystery of who combined the lyrics and music for “Greensleeves” to the controversial hymns that led to “Joy to the World” and the missing verses of “Silent Night,” this illuminating collection of essays reveals the fascinating, and quite often untold stories behind more than a dozen favorite holiday songs. An enlightening collection that is well-designed to […]

A harrowing yet hopeful story of love after endless heartbreak, The Little Garage Girl’s Puzzle by Katherine Memoli follows the troubled path of Rina, a woman determined to transcend a lifetime of betrayal. Following the passing of her wickedly cruel mother, Rina re-enters a changed world, and must juggle the weight of emotional baggage and the desire to be truly and deeply loved. Despite the tendency of the author to add too much information to a sentence or paragraph, this is an affecting and emotionally charged romance, juxtaposing a gritty and unflinching tale of trauma and buried emotions with an […]

A concise and thought-provoking guide to personal improvement through spirituality and self-motivation, Inner Wealth: Success is Closer Than You Think by Ivo Ngassa reminds readers that everything they need for a successful life is already within their grasp. Drawing from critical aspects of science, religion, philosophy, language, and human cognition, Ngassa’s tome offers new perspectives on how to think, how to react to those thoughts, and then channel subsequent experiences into positive results. Despite its short length, the book contains a wide number of prescriptions, whether its changing key habits, committing to spiritual practice, embracing gratitude, or applying knowledge in […]

A raw account of a teenage boy battling the relentless weight of anxiety, The Clock in My Head Never Stops by Daniel Rush is a relatable and detailed portrait of silent struggle. Readers follow Billy’s steps through a typical day of high school, where his unwanted and obsessive focus on time, expectations, potential disappointments, failures, or embarrassment goes beyond the typical worries of most teenagers, crossing into the realm of debilitating anxiety, despite how “normal” he might appear at first glance. An encouraging read for young people and adults who struggle with mental health and wellness, this book also provides […]

A radical surge of secularism in New York City threatens a critical foundation of American freedoms in An Advent for Religious Liberty by Ray Keating. Fresh off his landslide victory, the liberal mayor of NYC takes aim at removing religion from the public square, fueling the massive political and cultural divide of the city. Channeling contemporary fears and crises into a compelling story, Keating raises the political stakes for Pastor Grant in this installment, with the pastor righteously battling for his beliefs, his community, and the freedoms he holds dear. This headline-inspired novel is more politically focused than other installments […]

Undying loyalty and a desperate desire for revenge make Edda Green by Peter Sarda a riveting dive into radical German politics and one woman’s battle to reclaim her past. A haunted veteran, a fierce lover, and a savagely effective spy, the titular character of this intense novel is a gritty warrior like few others, as she reels from the death of her closest comrade and investigates violent racists terrorizing Hamburg. Her relentless search for justice exposes the heart of a horrific international plot, but in the shadowy realm of espionage, even the sharpest hunters can become the prey, resulting in […]

A swashbuckling tale about the bonds of family and the true measure of wealth, Dream Quest by Frank C. Senia is a charming and imaginative escape. Michael and Tara are eager to explore the world, so when their grandfather shares the family’s treasure-filled legacy, the intrepid siblings can’t resist the call of adventure. However, word of their ambitions has gotten out, and where there are gold and jewels, menacing pirates are rarely far behind. From witches and curses to ancient ruins and mysterious castaways, this absorbing adventure story tracks the pair of daring navigators who will need every scrap of […]

A chilling novella born from the backstory of a tabletop game character, The Evil in the Swamp by Elizabeth Decker-Benjamin is a quick plunge into adventure horror and fantasy folklore. A young Steam Visala named Stüm Dümplin, the child of a djinn, recounts his story of the manipulative vampires and shadowy fiends that attacked his hamlet. In a world of mythical terrors and magical dangers on every side, this is one young boy’s heroic tale of hard-won lessons and bittersweet survival. Told evocatively through Decker-Benjamin’s moody first-person narration, this vampire-infected world feels acutely ominous, as if potential danger lurks with […]