Lead Story

Lead stories from SPR’s ever-growing independent book portal

Review: The Folly of Sweeney by Brian J. O’Sullivan

The Folly of Sweeney by Brian J. O'Sullivan

The machinations of a fractured mind can make for great literature, and in The Folly of Sweeney by Brian J. O’Sullivan, readers get a raw glimpse into a truly unusual brain. Touching on elements of the immigrant experience, mental health, alcoholism, family and self-preservation, this book may be erratic and unpredictable, but there are powerful messages lying beneath the surface of this drunken New York fairytale from a true seanchaí.

The central character of the novel, Liam, is an Irishman who now calls New York home, but he hasn’t lost the stereotypical penchant for alcohol. He is a difficult character […]

2019-01-22T10:33:47+02:00October 16th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Review: McDowell by William H. Coles

In McDowell, tragedy and consequence lead an arrogant and narcissistic Dr. Hiram McDowell to examine his life and search for life’s meaning beyond winning and possessions.

Hiram is first glimpsed leaving his Mt. Everest climbing partner to die. If that’s not enough to establish his unreliability, he goes on to belittle his wife, trick a colleague and ignore his children. Hiram’s the quintessential egoist surgeon: busy, belligerent, brilliant, and self-absorbed.

Author William H. Coles paints a damning picture of the selfish Dr. McDowell. Married for the third time to Carole, he barely acknowledges her and openly cheats on her, […]

Review: Selling to China by Stanley Chao

Selling to China by Stanley Chao

A Chinese American business expert presents his latest wisdom regarding how small trading companies can establish economic links with counterparts in China in Selling to China: A Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses.

The primary tenet for an SMB (small to medium-sized business) to bear in mind, Chao states, is that Chinese and American entrepreneurs have the same goal – to make money. This is especially true since the older “Mao” generation is phasing out, being replaced with what the author calls the “Me Generation” (age 20-30), which is less traditional, and more prepared to make deals.

When Chao […]

2018-10-27T12:22:57+02:00September 27th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |

Review: A Nanny for Harry by Sylvia Mulholland

A Nanny for Harry by Sylvia Mulholland

Pregnancy, motherhood and the demands of a career prove to be a tough juggling act in A Nanny for Harry, a touching and often funny work of women’s fiction by Sylvia Mulholland.

Thirty-five-year-old attorney, Kali Miller, is potentially jeopardizing her already slow track to partnership by taking a three-month maternity leave to have a baby. As soon as her pregnancy had been confirmed, she and her handsome husband, Matt, a general surgery resident, purchased a pokey little house in trendy Belmont Shore that they set about fixing before the arrival of their baby boy, who they’ve already named Harry.[…]

2018-10-27T12:24:38+02:00September 18th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |

Review: The Good Fight by Dan E. Hendrickson

The Good Fight by Dan E. Hendrickson

The Good Fight by Dan E. Hendrickson is an action-packed, deeply researched novel that keeps readers guessing until the end and will have them on the edge of their seats from the start. The ambitious scope of the story, particularly the detailed procedures of numerous government agencies and a broad cast of relatable characters, makes for an addictive read that will pull you into this bizarre and sinister mystery.

Danielle Edwards may be the female protagonist of the novel, but much of the plot is driven by the rest of her family, who control a major automotive company and run […]

2018-10-27T12:36:05+02:00September 17th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Review: The Rebellious Earthling: Tale of The Turquoise Mirror by Andi Hayes

The Rebellious Earthling: Tale of The Turquoise Mirror

For those readers who are looking for both a depraved and darkly amusing novel, The Rebellious Earthling: The Tale of the Turquoise Mirror is a story that should not be missed. Coming across as a long-form allegory for the weakness of mankind and the rise of evil in modern society, this whip-smart book may seem outlandish, but the underlying messages are deeply rooted in reality.

When one of the Fallen Angels insidiously ruins an entire village of peace-loving, animal-honoring goblins, a new horrifying species is created, full of cruelty, selfishness, violence and an (almost) complete lack of morality. In Tartarus, […]

Review: 2018 Tax Reforms: And What It Really Means for You by C D Leonard

2018 Tax Reforms – And What It Really Means for You?

2018 Tax Reforms: And What It Really Means for You, C D Leonard’s examination of the new tax laws of 2018, is a well-organized, accessible analysis of a generally complex subject.

In this comprehensive overview, Leonard aims to clarify both the facts and the myths regarding the new US legislation known as the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted this year by the Trump administration. Because the details of the TCJA can be daunting to a layperson, Leonard endeavors here to try to explain the basics of the new legislation to those who will be affected by it.[…]

2019-01-22T15:29:49+02:00August 28th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , , |

Review: The Transitioners: The Purple Blues by Indigo Cox

The Transitioners: The Purple Blues

The Transitioners by Indigo Cox, the first book in the Purple Blood Lineage series, is a beautiful coming of age story that just happens to have one of the most refreshing superhero journeys at its core.

Misty is the first African-America student to make it into Girard, a high-profile music school. While an exceptional student and musician, she is still looked down upon due to the color of her skin. A fact that normal students can’t change, but Misty can. She is a Transitioner. A half-human, half-god being who can change her appearance with the assistance of music and meditation. […]

2019-01-11T14:50:50+02:00August 27th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |
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