Editorial Reviews

Author JoDee Neathery dissects the bonds and wounds of the unforgettable Mackie family in A Kind of Hush. While a tragic accident at Zoar Valley Gorge nearly tears the Mackie family apart, the investigation into what happened on that fateful day may reveal even more dark and divisive truths. Exploring the long road of pain, anger, and forgiveness after grief, this intimate peek at familial healing is striking in its level of detail. Though this intense family drama tells a riveting story, the quality of the prose doesn’t always hold up; an overabundance of metaphors and similes, along with […]

A deep dive into the seminal experiences that shaped her life, Whispers from the Universe by Georgina Morello is an inspiring collection of personal essays marking touchstones of her spiritual journey. Fearlessly leading readers through emotional volatility, depression, trauma, and her spiritual awakening, the author details the unusual path of growth and learning the universe unfurled before her. The prose is rich with meaning, but accessible, and while an editor could help with organization, Morello’s writing is informative and engaging throughout. Whether she is communing with her inner voice, dissecting the painful past, or opening herself to new experiences, this […]

A spiraling thriller that pulls readers back through war-torn centuries of global struggle, The Dragon’s Threat by Peter King is a stunning adventure through the halls of power. A bookish specialist is brought in to resolve a hot-button land dispute in the South China Sea, but soon finds himself in a dangerous cocktail of rewritten history, international power grabs, kidnapping attempts, deadly negotiations, and the double-edged sword of any contentious border. Dripping with well-researched detail, entrancing narration, and a tangled knot of hardly trustworthy characters, this whip-smart read is deliciously complex, and a true pleasure to read.

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Obsession dies hard and grief heals slow in Boulder Girl: Bad Moon Rising by Cynthia L. Clark, a gripping sequel in the Boulder Girl series. Random chance and bad luck puts Leon Alvarez back on the streets, and back on the hunt for Lana Ross – the object of his maniacal infatuation. Once again, Clark explores the twisted depths of delusion, and the endless resilience of her lead character, even as she tries to protect the innocent legacy of the man she loved and lost. Though the high-stakes plot is fast-paced and easy to read, the narration can be heavy-handed, […]

A classic, emotional romance that unfolds over many years, Adriana Gisselle’s Wildfire tells the story of two young students who develop a caring relationship despite their differences, and initial dislike of each other. Catherine Sanchez is a rich girl with a life plan, while Rubio Salinas is a poor boy from the wrong side of the tracks. When Catherine’s life takes a turn for the worse, Rubio is there to help, showing how bonds can take a long time to form, which can make them even stronger. While the set-up is familiar, and Gisselle doesn’t take many chances with the […]

A sensually playful artbook that combines prose and poetry with literature and pictures, Beatriz M. Robles’ Artwords is a wonderfully imaginative, hybrid creative project. The text is composed of smartly alternating photographs (words written directly on an object), calligrams (words forming images), and redactive poetry (found pieces created from pre-existing books). Robles’ sly turns of phrase, whimsical imagery, and sharp sense of humor make it impossible to read this collection without cracking a smile, while also offering a profound display of creative imagination.

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Thelma and Ezra are an established couple searching for the perfect home, but they get way more than they bargained for in Thorn Osgood’s entertaining paranormal thriller 1500 Emily Circle. This succinct haunted house novella follows the two main characters as their house literally comes between their relationship: Thelma is in love with the place, but Ezra is getting physically attacked. Creating a surprisingly relatable and heartfelt premise for a work of paranormal fiction, Osgood’s book nails the kinds of tensions that break apart romantic couples, as well as the care that can bring them back together.

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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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