Lead Story | Self-Publishing Review

Review: The Wounded Turtle by Michèle Halpern, Illustrated by Martyna Nejman

The Wounded Turtle by Michèle Halpern, Illustrated by Martyna Nejman

A poignant narrative that seamlessly weaves themes of resilience, community, and the imperatives of healing and recovery, The Wounded Turtle by Michèle Halpern with illustrations by Martyna Nejman is a charming read for all ages. Told through the allegorical journey of an injured turtle, the book captures the essence of vulnerability and the power of perseverance over hardship.

At the heart of the story is a nurturing turtle who is characterized by her dedication to aiding those in distress, a testament to the book’s exploration of empathy and service. When the turtle becomes the one in need after a devastating […]

SPR2024-06-05T19:05:35+02:00June 5th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Review: A Photographic History of Snakebite Treatments by Bob Ashley, Charles F. Smith, and Gordon W. Schuett

A Photographic History of Snakebite Treatment by Bob Ashley, Charles F. Smith , and Gordon W. Schuett

An informative and passionately penned book that will leave readers better prepared and protected the next time they cross paths with the slithering species, A Photographic History of Snakebite Treatments: Bad Medicine, Snake Oil, Potions, Elixirs and Kits by Bob Ashley, Charles F. Smith, and Gordon W. Schuett is a surprisingly eye-opening and entertaining account for its niche subject. With more than two million snake bites each year, as well as roughly 100,000 deaths, understanding the dangers of snakebites is a critical issue, particularly in tropical regions, and this book offers both a historical overview and specific treatments that can […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-21T17:01:42+02:00May 21st, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science Book Reviews|

Review: The Guide by Greg Munck

The Guide by Greg Munck

A straight-shooting memoir of turmoil and triumph on the many battlefields of life, The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking by Greg Munck is an astute and unflinching look at military life through the eyes of a native son.

Carrying readers through decades of growing up too fast, straightening out in the Marine Corps, falling in love, finding a deep commitment to God, and working hard to find a more peaceful path, this is an emotional and evocative account of survival and resilience. Within the recollections of Munck’s past, particularly those from childhood and his direct experiences in warfare, there are starkly […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-13T17:40:00+02:00May 13th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Military Book Reviews|

Review: Doctor Lucifer by Anthony Lee

Doctor Lucifer by Anthony Lee

Medical malpractice takes on a whole new meaning in Doctor Lucifer by Anthony Lee, a disturbing and dark peek into the vulnerabilities of the medical system and the quiet heroes who keep it safe.

A nightmarish and deadly shift in the hospital for Dr. Mark Lin leaves his confidence shaken and his credibility in question, but the string of near-deadly patient crises feels suspicious, particularly in the midst of a malware attack that has destabilized internet protocols across the hospital. When he finds inexplicable discrepancies in the medication orders he placed, he knows that he’ll be held responsible for the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-08T16:46:57+02:00May 8th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: The Water Mage by T.J. Ripley

The Water Mage by T.J. Ripley

Whimsical and contemporary, The Water Mage by T.J. Ripley is a compelling first installment of the Lord of Chaos fantasy series.

After receiving a mysterious adventure pack on his doorstep, complete with a mind-focusing ring, Eliot Johnstone, a remarkably average high school student, finds himself plunged into a high-stakes medieval world of dwarves, imps, elves, and magic. While attempting to blend into his bizarre new surroundings – two-tailed cats and all – his previously unknown skills as a wildly powerful water mage are revealed.

Trouble is brewing in the Mage Palace of the kingdom, however, as the mighty Dominus is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-03T14:03:51+02:00May 3rd, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Great Being by Bill Harvey

The Great Being by Bill Harvey

An eon-spanning epically creative work of visionary alternate history, The Great Being by Bill Harvey is a sprawling parable about the powerful forces behind our interconnected existence.

After the Nothingness came into awareness of itself 14 billion years ago, it began to create energetic bodies and fantastical creatures, which spread out across the vast cosmos, but that didn’t mean they were easy to control. That’s where the Agents of Cosmic Intelligence come into play, helping to influence the course of time and the fate of entire worlds created by the great deity.

Melchizedek and Layla are sent to Prehistoric Earth […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-19T17:36:44+02:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Visionary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: From Utopia to the American Dream by John Czingula

From Utopia to the American Dream by John Czingula

From homemade bunkers in rural Hungary to the bright lights of Hollywood, author John Czingula takes readers through the historic highs and lows of a unique life in his memoir, From Utopia to the American Dream. Exploring the perils of living in a communist country and celebrating the freedom of opportunity in a new world, this book captures a fascinating and unlikely journey in the post-war era.

The book opens with a dramatically detailed account of wartime occupation, particularly because it’s depicted through the eyes of a young child, although the narrative voice is mature. As the specter of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-28T16:07:55+02:00March 28th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: The Buddha and the Bee by Cory Mortensen

The Buddha and the Bee by Cory Mortensen

Inviting readers on a wild ride from Minnesota to California, The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America’s Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery by Cory Mortensen is an atypical adventure for wanderers and workplace dreamers alike. Part road guide and part diary, biking lovers can follow the well-laid route on these pages, learn to sidestep critical unpleasant lessons, and gain the confidence to take their own big swings of adventure without fear.

Pedaling through the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the unforgiving Southwest desert, and the Sierra Nevadas, this is far from a casual trek, particularly given […]