Editorial Reviews

A sweet, clever middle grade adventure about a group of rocks who end up on a treacherous journey in a vast wilderness, Topher Allen’s Geo is an absorbing book about the importance of asking questions and not letting fear define you. This novel will appeal to a wide age range of readers, as its inspirational themes of taking chances and venturing outside of your comfort zone are good advice for everyone. Allen’s rocks are adorable and Geo’s lively dialogue and lush descriptions are a pleasure to read, as well as providing an inspiring and necessary message.

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An important work of historical fiction that unearths a woman unfortunately forgotten over time, Kelly Evans’ Unfinished tells the story of Elisabetta Sirani, a prolific visual artist in 1600s Bologna whose work was often claimed by men. The novel tracks Sirani as she takes over her father’s studio at a young age, later establishing a major art school in Europe for women, courted by royals, while being a highly productive artist in many mediums. Sirani’s life obviously begs to be told, and Evans does her remarkable life justice, creating a vivid portrait of an extraordinary woman with great artistry and […]

Capturing the raw energy, resilience, and murky lawlessness of a bitter wilderness, Northwoods Pulp Reloaded by T.K. O’Neill is a stirring and wild collection. Told with a reverence for the culture, traditions, and demands of a part of the country that most will never experience, this homage to cold-weather rebels makes for a thrilling read. For any reader who has ever pointed their fortunes north and let their moral compass waver, or loves reading about well-crafted antiheroes, O’Neill’s collection is an intense but entertaining dive into another world.

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Author Craig Caudill weaves high-stakes horse racing, corporate conspiracies, and rugged Kentucky attitude in his latest thriller The Scooper and Dog Player. This slow-burn narrative, driven by the interplay of well-crafted characters with mysterious motives, holds more than enough intrigue to keep readers plunging towards the finish line. Idiomatic language, an excess of exposition, and overly thorough dialogue occasionally make the story feel stilted at times, but there are also powerful moments of platonic connection and personal reflection. From the dark charm of gambling habits to trustworthiness, self-esteem, and finding love in unexpected places, Caudill is a keen observer […]

A romance novel set in Rome about three women who are down on their luck, Kimberly Sullivan’s Three Coins is an impeccable combination of approachable characters and sublime descriptions of Italy. Emma, Tiffany, and Annarita develop a close bond after all staying at the same hotel on vacation, and a 1950s film inspires them to make changes in their personal lives. Seeing these women wrestle through strenuous self-discovery and come out on top is remarkably cathartic, while offering the vicarious thrill of being immersed in Italian ex-pat life.

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An affecting Proustian realist novel about childhood emotional development, Mary Taylor’s Dorian’s Quarterback is an accomplished rumination on the impact of sense memories and the nature of time. Following a young girl named Beth growing up in a privileged New England family in the 1970s, the novel tackles subjects like mental illness, teen suicide, and homophobia with genuine nuance and confident, intimate prose. The cover doesn’t nearly reflect the artistry inside, as author Taylor paints an arresting portrait of a girl coming of age in the midst of family crisis.

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A whip-smart revamp of Homer’s epic, The Woke Iliad by George Boreas is a carnival mirror reflection of today’s global chaos and a savage critique of political and social correctness, which doesn’t hold back. When the most disagreeable woman in America is kidnapped by the cretinous leader of Moldova, conflict is unavoidable and a nuclear holocaust is entirely on the table. While the prose is occasionally over the top, and the allegorical writing can be heavy-handed, the sardonic tone is consistent, biting, and undeniably amusing. This frightening vision of an over-woke future will have readers laughing out loud, but also […]

A quick-read self-help guide about achieving enlightenment in a complex world, L. Owen Paxton’s Your Little Big You Adventure: The Secret to Discovering Your Enlightened Life offers readers useful advice about self-discovery and not letting others define you. By effectively using the concept of a birthday suit as a metaphor for stripping away external pressures and revealing your true self, Paxton explains how to live a genuine life free from insecurity and fear, to be a more intuitive, creative self. Based on personal epiphany, Paxton’s writing is at once highly encouraging and informative. The text is sometimes repetitive, especially given […]