Editorial Reviews

A touching tale of outcasts finding connection and long-sought peace, On Bur Oak Ridge by Jenny Knipfer is a beautifully written portrait of the past, and dramatic historical fiction at its best. A slow-burning pastoral romance with dual narration for a fully immersive experience, this story feels archetypal, unfolding with exquisite execution. Centered on the emotional complexity of Molly and Samuel, who bear different ghosts and scars, this is a challenging, captivating, and suspenseful read. Meticulous in her word choice and masterful in scene-crafting, Knipfer smoothly transports readers through time, while delving deep into timeless themes of love, grief, loyalty, […]

A fantastic read for teenage self-development, How To Be An Adult For Teens: The Practical Side, the first installment of three books for teens released by Genius Rascal Press, is a comprehensive guide for any teen who is looking to improve their knowledge of vital life skills as they approach adulthood. The book covers a variety of areas, including home repairs, how to buy a car, cooking, hygiene, safety, and how to take care of your personal health – topics that may be left out of a school’s curriculum, or even within families, uniquely guiding teens on core issues […]

A near-future burst of visionary fiction, brilliantly supported by deep research, history-crafting, and a detailed imagination, Skyworld Saga Foundation by Alan Priest is a bold launch point for a sci-fi series. Exploring the weight of innovation in desperate times, readers bear witness to the relentless drive of human nature when pushed to the ultimate brink to save the world’s first city in the sky. A fine-toothed editorial comb would polish the occasionally stilted dialogue or rambling prose that undercut the meticulous nature of Priest’s storytelling. Overall, however, the vivid world-building and expositional artistry make Sky City an immersive new idea […]

A thrilling, genre-busting work of fiction, Moms Who Lie treads the line between non-stop teen drama and intriguing crime thriller. Authors Brett Monk and McKenna Langford tell the tale of friends and families in a tumultuous small town where tensions rise when a child goes missing, secrets are discovered, and we’re given to wonder who, if anyone, can be trusted. This first novel in a planned five-book series is both deeper than your average teen drama, as it sensitively explores serious issues of trauma and its aftermath, and more complex than your average crime thriller, with each surprising revelation prompting […]

Celebrating a lifetime of creation and perpetual growth, Wolf Woman and Other Poems by Jo-Ann Vega is a poetic memoir that hums with ongoing curiosity. From examinations of the writing life and youthful betrayal to sage wisdom about connection and reflections on vulnerability, Vega’s free-verse style allows her to narrate her thoughts clearly, without forcing them into a meter or rhyme, so there is more room for vivid imagery and language. The third section, “Cronehood,” is the most confident and clear, evidence of the poet’s experience-filled life, but there are powerful and deeply personal pieces throughout this well-curated collection.

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Jean Jegel’s delightfully engaging and immersive historical romance Catching Nettie Gordon is a charming and worldly tale set in Los Angeles just after the turn of the twentieth century. The story follows our titular working-class heroine as she navigates the current affairs of the day – women’s suffrage, prohibition, and more – and has no intention of being entangled in any sort of romance, while suitor Emmet takes it upon himself to win her over with his sincere and thoughtful efforts. The story will quickly have readers captivated and invested in the outcomes of its various threads, which are satisfyingly […]

The strength of the individual and the family is showcased in Salou by Morenike McFaal, an original and captivating work of romance. Salou is living in Paris and looking forward to her new promotion when she is the victim of a hit-and-run accident where she is hurt badly, drifting into a coma. Her family, living far away in Guinea, has no way to know what happened or where she is, launching a desperate search to find her, while Salou fights her own battle to recover, starting an unlikely relationship in the process. Set against a vividly drawn international backdrop, Salou […]

Dead Man’s Pose is the engrossing first installment of the Australia-based Yoga Mat Mysteries by the writing team of Susan Rogers and John Roosen. When a student dies in Elaina’s yoga class – which may not be the accident it initially appears to be – Elaina paints a target on her back with her questions, teaming up with the eccentric Ric, as they investigate Australia’s seamy underbelly. At once fun and tense, this uniquely set mystery is a page-turning read from the start. The tone remains lighthearted throughout, and could have used a shade more of noir-ish tint, but this […]