Editorial Reviews

A unique sci-fi thriller with storytelling roots in Mother Earth, Nascha: Episode One – New Worlds by Dani Cartwright is a smart and thought-provoking tale of galactic exploration and the boundaries of reality we have yet to break. When the starship Orien stumbles upon a rogue wormhole near the Kuiper Belt that could suck them through an Einstein-Rosen Bridge, the fearless and nanite-infused Captain Ron launches himself into the unknown of the Dragon’s mouth to protect his loyal crew. With a synthetic AI companion evolving beside him on the journey, the undaunted captain explores strange worlds, maps a new corner […]

A remarkably researched peek into the life of a determined public servant, South Dakota Crusader: Francis Case’s Road to Congress by Stephen L. Wilson details the impressive journey of Francis Case, a United States Representative and Senator who served South Dakota for over two decades. Despite humble beginnings, Case perennially proved himself to be an ambitious, intelligent, and hard-working student, teacher, journalist, and civic leader, all of which made him an effectual and respected member of Congress in the latter half of his life. This portrait offers an inspiring example of resilience, decency, and purposeful living in the expanding ideological […]

A detailed and fascinating plunge more than 2,000 years into the past, A Brief History of France: Empires, Kings, and Revolutions by Dominic Haynes is an accessible yet academic read on a perennial epicenter of Europe. From throwing off the yoke of empires to worshipping pampered kings as gods, the role of France in geopolitics and popular culture has often been outsized, and this meticulously researched look into the nation’s evolution explains why and how it achieved such global significance. Though the first third of the book can be somewhat dense with ancient history, it lays a foundation for Haynes’ […]

A manic sci-fi fling into truth, justice, and family loyalty, Benny Dubious: Hiding from the Feds is a wildly creative novella from Maxwell Hoffman. Suspension of disbelief is essential as Benny Dubious hides out with a suspicious group of his relatives, some of whom don’t appreciate his connections to a group of vigilantes gone bad in Los Angeles. However, if he can convince his brainiac cousin to build him a time chamber, he just might be able to outsmart the relentless Felix Fromm and the Feds, giving his crime syndicate the upper hand once again. While the unpredictable plot moves […]

An old-fashioned story with a compelling cast of characters, Nellie by Amy Walsh is a classic work of historical romance. Set in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1931, Nellie takes up a job as a cook for a well-to-do family, despite her obvious inability in the kitchen, due to a case of mistaken identity and some good intentions. An exploration of moral dilemmas, the novel traces Nellie’s growing affection for the patronizing, but well-intentioned Mr. Mason Peale, whose high moral standards are a challenge for Nellie, as she desires to catch his romantic attention. While set in a different time, some of […]

A coming-of-age thriller packed with shadowy conspiracies and unburied legacies, Jordan Frost and the Awakening by J.A. Simmons is a YA adventure of slow-burning revenge and powerful self-discovery. Jordan, an orphan, has never met his parents, but after being swept into The Desert by a mysterious woman to avoid a malicious killer, he discovers the unbelievable truth of his ancestral origins. Quickly mastering the rigorous Ways of a secret warrior society, Jordan taps into a power he didn’t know existed to find the redemption he didn’t know he deserved. While the fast-moving story is undeniably exciting, the text requires a […]

A patriotic and passionate ode to citizenship as an idea and a state of being, Citizen Can: Just a Concerned Person Who Believes We Can Attain a Higher Level of Mutual Existence by John L. Hurlbut is a timely reflection on responsibility to ourselves, each other, and the nations we call home. A memoir, political primer, and self-help manual all rolled into one, the prose is philosophical but accessible, peppered with powerful quotes from great leaders and thinkers of past and present. Exploring societal dynamics, tribalism, and the contemporary landscape of immigration, citizenship, and national loyalty, Hurlbut makes a compelling […]

Designed to help higher learning institutions and educators increase retention and graduation rates among college students, Real Outreach: A Practical Guide to Retaining and Graduating College Students by Ezella McPherson, Ph.D. proposes a proven model to more deeply engage with young people and enhance academic outcomes. Supported by her lived experience as a collegiate student of color and her many years in academic advisory positions, this book offers actionable information on how best to help students succeed, beyond helping them pick classes and balance their schedules. From mentoring programs and novel technologies to supporting student organizations and facilitating networking opportunities, […]