Editorial Reviews

Steamy, smart, and packed with drama, Taming the Legal Luvvie by Amerine Graham, the third installment of her Taming the Bad Boys series, is a delicious bit of pulp fiction. Romance has trouble staying buried for the globe-trotting elites at the center of the story, and this captivating novel has plenty of torrid tangles and double entendres for readers to savor. The characters are complex and well-developed, rather than sexy stereotypes or caricatures, and the emotional puzzles feel authentic and engaging. The writing is intensely descriptive, but there are many instances of awkward phrasing and unclear syntax, much of which […]

A wild and creative fantasy, Tindle: Rise of the Liger by Monique McMorgan weaves a unique plot of shapeshifters, CEOs, and mysterious enemies at the gates, for an action-packed and unexpectedly philosophical ride. With a keen eye towards world-building and in-depth character development, this novel has a bit of everything: old flames, family values, existential quandaries, brotherly bonds, self-reflection, conceptions of masculinity, and what unites humans together across the world. While some of the narration is a bit too simple for the subject, the twisting plot is easy to follow, and the pace doesn’t let up. All told, this original […]

A fast-paced, post-apocalyptic prophecy, Nuclear Midnight by Robert Cole is a gripping thriller, but also an accurate imagining of life if the world’s nuclear superpowers ever choose to unleash their might. A worst-case scenario tale of survival in a freshly devastated world, this novel also boasts a charming protagonist who evolves into a dauntless hero before the reader’s eyes. While the plot has a strong heart and good supporting characters, there are some details that need work, such as inconsistent colloquial speech, large drops of exposition, and inorganic dialogue. Those imperfections aside, this gritty, relentlessly unpredictable story works both as […]

Author Johnathan Goldsoul reveals the essential nature of expanding your own knowledge and skillset to excel in a post-pandemic world in Self Investment 101: How to Bank on Yourself to Become a Valuable Asset and Profit Generating Machine. Approaching this critical concept from both experiential, academic, and anecdotal angles, the author details the benefits of investing wisely in your own future potential, and seeing yourself as an asset. From offering tools for honest self-analysis and measuring your personal ROI, to redefining your concept of profit and reimagining your personal inventory, this book is original and comprehensive in its strategic […]

Readers are lured into a gallery of gore and an exhibition of evil in The Morbid Museum by James Pack, a collection of stories that circles themes of death, loss, and darkness like a vulture. Whether exploring the psychotic logic of a serial killer or the inherent violence of humans towards those deemed lesser, these sinister stories are often disturbing, but always thought-provoking. Bouncing between genres and storytelling formats, there is a broad range in the writing, yet every story maintains an ominous edge. Some of the prose feels rushed, or inconsistently edited, particularly when it comes to syntax variation […]

Three young meta-humans are plunged into the adventure of a lifetime in The Chosen: Breaking Bonds by Michael Williams. The petty pressures of high school life are hard enough without discovering that you have powers that are only getting stronger, not to mention a new job protecting the world, but that’s precisely the case for these young heroes. Capturing the cadence and personality of YA speech, as well as the uncertainty and insecurities so common during adolescence, Williams is an undeniably authentic storyteller. A more careful edit could eliminate the grammatical errors and tangential moments of prose, as well as […]

Robert Cole begins a wildly creative and inter-dimensional new YA saga with The Last Portal: Book 1 of the Mytar Series. With a classic premise of young outsiders finding their way in a strange realm, and gradually embracing incredible powers that just might save the world, the foundation of the story isn’t entirely unique, but Cole’s execution is fantastically original, and the core characters leap off the page with energy, attitude, and personality. Exploring themes of otherness, confidence, finding your tribe, and self-acceptance, this is an easy-to-read adventure with strong messaging, quick wit, and complex protagonists who will carry […]

Readers return to the mysterious mountains of North Carolina in Beyond Mercy, the second installment of Morgan James’ thrilling Beyond Mysteries series. As this saga’s fearless protagonist makes the sleepy and superstitious town of Beyond her permanent home, it becomes clear that not every resident is happy with her arrival, nor her curiosity about the town’s tangled secrets. There is a sinister edge to this story from the start, and James masterfully maintains an eerie, threatening mood that makes it hard to put this novel down. There are some plot gaps and loose ends, as well as occasionally awkward […]