Editorial Reviews

A classic story of the heart coming to life, A Mountain Leads Home by Shelley Kassian is a stylish and engrossing second installment of her Places in the Heart series. Loosely based on real events, this is a charming tale of unexpectedly crossed paths on the slopes of life, the ethical dilemmas of undeniable desire, and the sacrifices that real people make to take a chance on love. Taylor is far from the cliché snowboarder, despite his hunger for sick tricks, and Sarah is a three-dimensional protagonist, not just a damsel desperate for companionship. Putting her unique spin on the […]

A world-hopping adventure, Darcy Hoover’s Cologne & Coffee is an entertaining thriller with two ribald protagonists, following renegade pilots Jaques and Ethan as they travel all over the globe for a good gig. Meanwhile, back in Canada, Ethan has challenged the authority of a violent man, risking his life every time he lands home, and all this flirting with danger must surely come to a head. Though the protagonists’ worldview can often seem more than a little macho and swashbuckling, their unapologetic nature is also part of their charm, making Ethan and Jaques’ escapades an entertaining escape.

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Suspenseful and politically charged, The First State by Tshekedi Wallace imagines England in 2079 ruled by a cruel despot, in a thoughtful combination of political thriller and dystopian science fiction. Corrupt head stateman Gregory Christopher is a hated and dangerous man whose lust for absolute power has produced equally driven factions who each plot to take down his oppressive regime. The expanding number of characters sometimes distracts from the flow of the story, as do the frequent grammatical errors, but Wallace is skilled at building tension, and the recognizable power struggle between the tyrant and his enemies makes for a […]

A gripping tale that feels ripped from today’s darkest headlines, Neil Turner’s The Secrets She Buried is a page-turning thriller with a building number of twists and surprises. Tony and Penelope are looped into a desperate woman’s case of deadly negligence in the midst of a global pandemic, but between shady hospital records and a sinister puppet master willing to kill to keep their secrets, this case is anything but open and shut. Driven by fast-paced dialogue, snap decisions, and a perpetual sense of urgency, this dark, fast-paced thriller is one of the strongest installments in the perennially entertaining Tony […]

A charming children’s holiday story, A Femich Christmas by R.J. Amezcua celebrates the power of unity, teaching a meaningful lesson to children that is applicable year-round. Something terrible has happened in the Hopy village on Christmas Eve and young Sheribelle must embark upon a magical quest to restore the heart of Christmas. Lavishly illustrated in bright, vivid colors by Rabindra Nath Barman, the story itself is somewhat familiar, but still spirited and engaging. The QR code allowing readers to listen to the accompanying music, as well as cut-out ornaments, make the book uniquely immersive, for an enchanting and inspirational addition […]

Following up on her first novel, Bonnie Traymore’s Little Loose Ends is the next fast-paced, nerve-wracking chapter in the Hudson Valley Series, and the lives of Nick and Victoria Mancuso. After the intense events of the first book, Victoria wants some peace, but when she starts receiving veiled threats from an unknown number, she decides to take the matter into her own hands. Less lurid than the previous installment, but with more emotional character development elevating the suspense, this standalone sequel ramps up the drama, for a gripping story about how the past has the power to haunt your […]

A novel based on a true story, Purity Found by Jane Catherine Rozek is a tale of spirituality, bravery, trust, and love. Fleeing her past to start over, 22-year-old Kate immigrates to the Canadian wilderness with little beyond her deep belief in God and the messages she receives from the Spirit through a communion with nature. There she is transported in time to the pioneer days, testing her limits. A story about living off the grid and the love that can blossom away from the pressures of the modern world, this spiritual-minded novel is an inspiring testament to the power […]

Kenichi K. Yabusaki presents a gently powerful collection of tanka poetry in During the Pause, an unhurried examination of nature, love, politics, and the self. As the title suggests, these poems are pulled from self-reflection during pauses of the poet’s own life, from clear-eyed observations of natural beauty to stark musings on legendary works of art. The artfully structured five-line style is ideal for these savored moments of thought, allowing more flexibility than haikus, with each word carefully chosen and meticulously placed. Offering subtle wisdom and thought-provoking mysteries, this work probes unanswerable questions, but finds peace in the inquiry.[…]