Lead Story | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Where’s Our Purple Heart by Logan Fret

Where's Our Purple Heart by James Linge

Peeling back the complex layers of grief, family, trauma, and secrets, Where’s Our Purple Heart by Logan Fret is a raw examination of the feelings we fear and the memories we bury.

After his gun-loving, hard-drinking, war hero father dies unexpectedly, Todd must navigate a surge of emotions, especially the feelings of relief and a distinct lack of sadness. He struggles to mourn an abusive father who had leveled a murderous threat against him, which forced Todd to hide his queer identity for years and prevented any resolution or authenticity in their relationship. Now, with the main obstacle to his […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-08-16T19:46:48+02:00August 16th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, LGBTQI+ Book Reviews|

Review: The Citadel by Frank Dravis

The Citadel by Frank Dravis

Power-hungry corporations, priestly pirates, extraterrestrial warriors, benevolent guardians, and the ghosts of ancient aliens collide in The Citadel by Frank Dravis, the explosive third installment of his Dianis, A World in Turmoil series. A female-led epic that brilliantly blends classic and contemporary sci-fi themes, this adventure of cosmic protectors and priceless planetary bounty is a meticulously written marvel.

Disguised as a simple Dianis trader, Achelous has been captured and is now being shipped to the heart of the Nak Drakas Empire, where he faces a potentially gruesome fate for his supposed crimes, but one of his clever captors suspects that […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-24T13:00:29+02:00July 23rd, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Good Pastures by Sylvia Anne Pollard

Good Pastures by Sylvia Anne Pollard

Steeped in contemplation and the solace that only time can bring, Good Pastures: A Place to Feel Ones Deepest Heartaches by Sylvia Anne Pollard is a moving testament to the human spirit and the healing power of the divine. As a devoted mother and a powerful warrior of faith, this resilient poet has alchemized pain into stark and empowering verse.

The loss of a child is an unimaginable tragedy for parents, and the weight of Pollard’s loss is heavy on these pages. The poet’s stated purpose is to transmute the grief over Payton’s death into words of comfort and encouragement […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-15T11:36:23+02:00July 14th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews, Religious Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Danger Lies Within by K.M. Krenik

Danger Lies Within by K.M. Krenik

K.M. Krenik delivers a thrilling and timely warning with Danger Lies Within, a wildly imaginative first piece of the Ranfurly Mysteries series.

A vigilante billionaire in a covert group of rebels is hunting those who prey on young women and children, but moonlighting as a crimefighter would be much easier with reliable childcare. Courtney is a widowed mother of two, who lost her politically outspoken husband to the violent “Peace Alliance” regime, and needs a new job now that her own kids have left the nest. As the live-in tutor for Lord Robert’s children, Courtney is quickly drawn into […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-01T17:11:49+02:00July 1st, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: The Incompetent Hero by Douglas L. Thomas

The Incompetent Hero by Douglas L. Thomas

A parallel worlds fantasy that skillfully blends genres, The Incompetent Hero: Volume 1 by Douglas L. Thomas is a bold opening salvo for a high-octane series.

Summoned along with six other honored heroes to the Kingdom of Aschheim, Echo 1 – a living weapon of war – wakes to find himself with a jewel-encrusted shield stubbornly attached to his arm, and an epic destiny to fulfill. In the face of obliteration by a legion of demons, the First Princess of Aschheim has called on heroes of legend to lead their desperate cause, with the promise of fame and fortune should […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-06-18T12:38:17+02:00June 18th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Beyond the Vows by Alvin Dorsey Jr.

Beyond the Vows by Alvin Dorsey Jr.

Beyond the Vows: Navigating the Depths of Marriage and Divorce by Alvin Dorsey Jr. is an all-embracing guide on marriage and divorce that sheds incisive light on the most private aspects of relationships as they start, develop, and – in some unfortunate cases – come to an end.

Exploring the nuanced emotions that arise in marital relationships, Dorsey offers sympathetic and practical guidance to people of any age, at any stage in their relationship. As Dorsey outlines, marriage is so much more than exchanging vows – there are facets of settling legal paperwork, opening a joint bank account, and other […]

Marina Dora Martino2024-06-17T13:10:36+02:00June 14th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Relationships Book Reviews|

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|