Editorial Reviews

Another perilous and entertaining adventure in The Ember Files series, Chimera and Curses is a clever and action-packed work of fantasy. Kori’s spellbinding skills have improved since her dangerous dance with the Ember Stone, but navigating the normies while keeping her growing powers in check is a challenge. When she and her Squad of Influence fly off to Costa Rica, Canada, and more in search of a rare creature of myth, their newfound status as heroes will be put to the test, particularly with shapeshifters and mind-controllers on the loose. Boasting a casual clash of real-world and magical elements, this […]

Confidently addressing the implicit flaws of humanity both past and present, Steven A. Zecola proposes radically creative solutions in Living in an Imperfect World and What To Do About It. From critiques of leadership during the Covid pandemic to fundamental failings of the Constitution and dangerous economic loopholes that need to be closed, Zecola uses anecdotal stories, personal experience, and hard data to prove his enlightening points. The myriad issues discussed here will resonate with anyone who has ever been frustrated by the US medical system, FDA regulations, taxes, our inaction on climate change, and many other societal problems. […]

A drama that explores themes such as trust, communication, and monogamy, Caught Between Two Loves by Andy Simko is at once romantic and a searing portrait of a relationship in crisis. Workaholic Mike is distracted by a seductive business partner, forcing his wife Emily to look for love elsewhere, while their son Jacob cannot pick between two girls in his grade, and even his little sister PJ must choose between babysitters. Though the dialogue could be improved to sound more natural, which is key to a story about partner-to-partner communication, the complicated nuances of love are well-explored and insightful, for […]

A well-balanced defense of a radical political proposition, The Neo-Progz: A Subset Party and Its Term Limit Amendment by Andrew Currie is a timely argument for fundamental change in American governance. Currie posits that revolutionizing congressional representation to a single 14-year term would eliminate the constant need to campaign for re-election, and ensure that representatives serve the people, not their own ambition. Third-party candidates in US politics have been notoriously unsuccessful and ineffective, but neo-progressives as a subset party could attract nationwide support. This sharp procedural shift is powerfully supported by deep constitutional analyses, historical framing, and modern examples where […]

A spiritually-driven journey through heartbreak, loss, miraculous joy, and personal salvation, Through the Looking Glass by G. Sylvester is a touching and well-penned novel. A highly successful fertility specialist, Kristen cannot bear children of her own, in a story that is fraught with drama, as Kristen’s unheard prayers are a dramatic current beneath the prose, while her outer triumphs and trials as an independent professional make for inspiring reading. Though there are some moments that are overly sentimental, the relationships and revelations that define this book are rich, authentic, and strong in expressions of faith, for an emotional and affecting […]

An intimate story of perseverance, hope, and the unexpected obstacles that can derail even the most innocent lives, When Forever Breaks by D.A. Callahan is a heartwrenching and emotionally charged read. A contested adoption and the reappearance of a nightmare from young Oliver’s past threaten to unravel the fragile peace he has finally found, in a novel that is painfully relatable, no matter one’s experience. While some of the narration tells, rather than shows, the dialogue captures the raw desperation of a family in crisis, and Callahan demonstrates her skill as an author in drawing the reader into their dramatic […]

A sharply penned drama of growing up, guilt, and the frightening legacy of one’s ancestry, Uncle Jed by Frank C. Senia is an emotionally charged look into the secrets we bury, and the sacrifices required to unearth them. Excited by the prospect of spending a summer away from the city and her unapproachable parents, young Tomi has no idea what adventures, revelations, and wisdom await with her eccentric Uncle Jed. Their regular reminiscing over old memories leads to dark family tragedies being revealed, shedding light on painful truths in Tomi’s own life, and connecting the pair in ways neither could […]

Lessons from a Late Bloomer: Vignettes of a Small-Town Girl by Jackie Ewing is a wholly engrossing collection of autobiographical stories ranging from the sweet and melancholic to the lighthearted and downright comical. Adventurous and everchanging, Jackie has worked many jobs, married twice, lived in several countries, and now has collected her most significant memories around ten life lessons, providing something of a self-help text among the entertaining anecdotes. Although the book could do with a little trimming for repetition, Ewing’s memoir is a relatable read for her willingness to lay herself bare, mixed with an inspiring passion for the […]