Lead Story | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell

Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell

A stark and intimate collection of four stories that explore the bonds of loyalty and the complex relationships humans have with change, Deferred Redemptions by G.E. Russell is an unassuming but powerful work of contemporary writing.

“Somewhere Sister” is the novella of the collection, detailing the lives of Esmeralda and Esperanza, two sisters living in Yuma with their mother and abuela, navigating the shifting sands of the border as they try to find love and keep their families safe. In a land where wives are quickly made into widows, Esperanza captures the heart of a charming Border Patrol agent, even […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-18T12:01:17+02:00March 17th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|

Review: Wrath of the Fallen by Kristopher Jerome

Wrath of the Fallen by Kristopher Jerome

The demonic forces of Darkness clash with radiant warriors of Light in Wrath of the Fallen by Kristopher Jerome, a sprawling and enrapturing new fantasy saga. Epic clashes of magic, impossible romantic longings, larger-than-life heroes, and a world-shattering threat from an Accursed chasm make this novel a thrillingly high-stakes work of fantasy.

After witnessing the death of his brother at the hands of a rampaging demon, Trent dedicates his life to achieving their shared dream – becoming a paladin and battling the legions of evil in service to the Gods of Light. With his newest training class ushered into divine […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-05T22:38:27+02:00March 4th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Fog & Fireflies by T.H. Lehnen

Fog and Fireflies by Tim Lehnen

Children with the hearts of seasoned warriors must save their world from being swallowed by sinister magic in Fog & Fireflies by T.H. Lehnen, a mesmerizing and thought-provoking fantasy.

In this remarkably imagined fantasy world, isolated villages drift like lost ships in a fiendish fog, which forever threatens to invade these islands of humanity, but is chased off by noise, children, and the light of fireflies. The sentient, phantom-filled fog is deadly once you reach a certain age, which leaves the duty of protecting the towns to the youngest denizens of the realm. To survive, one must learn to trust […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-02-08T16:17:01+02:00February 7th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: The Wandering Pianist by Congyu Wang

The Wandering Pianist by Congyu Wang

Heartwrenching, humanistic, and beautifully told, The Wandering Pianist: From the Street to the Concert Hall by Congyu Wang is a humbly penned memoir that grips the imagination and offers renewed hope to artists and lost souls alike.

Swimming smoothly through time, the narrative weaves tales of Wang’s upbringing and childhood challenges with the humbling successes of his later life and moments of desperation along the way. From the humblest of beginnings to the grandest stages of Europe, Congyu demonstrates a remarkable belief in himself and a relentless determination to persevere. Despite facing doubt and derision from his family, as well […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-02-07T14:18:39+02:00February 6th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews|

Review: The End of the World: Rise of the After Lord by H.S. Gilchrist

The End of the World: Rise of the After Lord by H.S. Gilchrist

Bitter enemies become unlikely allies and chart a new course for the shattered remnants of humanity in The End of the World: Rise of the After Lord by H.S. Gilchrist, a stunning work of genre-bending sci-fi.

Cut off from the mind-controlling force that has dominated her existence, a mechanized killing machine wanders the wasteland, reckoning with mortality and nearly forgotten sentience. A brother and sister, horrifically traumatized by their own dark secrets, encounter this enemy on the edge of death, and an unexpected peace is struck. When their mutual enemy comes to collect, however, their uncertain alliance is sealed in […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-01-26T15:24:53+02:00January 21st, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Little Boy, I Know Your Name by Mitchell Raff

Little Boy, I Know Your Name by Mitchell Raff

Gripping autobiographical reflections from a child of Holocaust survivors, Little Boy, I Know Your Name by Mitchell Raff is a visceral, heartrending, and timely work of history and memoir.

Growing up in a non-traditional Jewish family permanently scarred by concentration camps and gulags, young Mitchell also had to navigate split custody with his unpredictably violent mother, acting as guardian to his half-sister while having to endure familial abuse. When he is uprooted and moved to Israel, he doesn’t escape his mistreatment, which is compounded by a life of isolation and uncertainty about the future, without his beloved family members there […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-01-08T19:10:17+02:00January 8th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: History Book Reviews, Memoir Book Reviews|

Review: An Eighth Grade Gay Straight Alliance by Daniel Micko

An Eighth Grade Gay Straight Alliance by Daniel Micko

Hard-hitting in its honesty and authentic narrative voice, An Eighth Grade Gay Straight Alliance by Daniel Micko shines a light on the societal forces and peer pressures that shape growing up today.

When the enigmatic Brooklyn Jennings starts her own Gay-Straight Alliance at her middle school in Modesto, California, she makes her intentions clear: no adults, no teachers, and a vision to “shake things up.” Sydney Troller may be smitten by Brooklyn’s devil-may-care vibes, but she also doesn’t want to get involved in anything that could land her in trouble – or even jail. Testing the lines of privilege, purpose, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-12-15T15:11:56+02:00December 3rd, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: LGBTQI+ Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Review: Adi’s Animal Adventures by Julie Schanke Lyford, Illustrated by Mariia Luzina

Adi's Animal Adventures by Julie Schanke Lyford

Adi’s Animal Adventures by Julie Schanke Lyford is a fun and informative illustrated book that shows the great importance of inspiring younger generations to respect nature. Through vibrant illustrations, easy-to-follow text, and fascinating info, this book offers a colorful and accessible guide to many animal species and the environments in which they thrive.

Adi’s public school is truly unique – it’s the home to over a thousand animals, and Adi and her team take care of many different specimens in an entertaining and wild day at school, revealing fascinating facts about the animal kingdom along the way. Did you know […]

SPR2023-12-01T15:24:53+02:00November 30th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|