New Releases | Self-Publishing Review

The Secret of Four Notch by Tracy Sabin

The Secret of Four Notch by Tracy Sabin Danny, Jen, and Tabor’s lives are upended in The Secret of Four Notch by Tracy Sabin, a whimsical tale of change and growth.

When their parents abruptly move the family out of state, the siblings’ grand summer plans are ruined. However, they soon meet a pinecone-slinging friend, Kip Yotter, who is eager to find adventure, and maybe a bit of trouble. The new friends find a tree stump that allows them to travel back in time, and the siblings’ lives are shaken up once again, despite their resistance to change. The temptation of living in the rustic past collides with […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-17T06:25:50+02:00May 17th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Middle Grade Fiction Book Reviews|

The Reign of the Occult by Lauren Louise Hazel

The Reign of the Occult by Lauren Louise Hazel An epic novel of forbidden magic, tangled loyalties between dark and light, and the fierce strength of family, The Reign of the Occult by Lauren Louise Hazel is a breakout start to a riveting new series.

With her incredible power of foresight keeping them one step ahead of anti-magic officers determined to exterminate her kind, Prue and her brother Everett have been on the run for years. Picking up powerful new allies along the way, their journey takes them back to the fiery depths of the Underworld, and into the heart of the Occult’s power, to cut off its sinister […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-05-13T03:24:27+02:00May 12th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, YA Fantasy Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Toast: Short Speeches, Big Impact by Eddie Rice

Toast: Short Speeches, Big Impact by Eddie Rice Using a simple, concise, and witty writing style, Toast: Short Speeches, Big Impact by Eddie Rice is a comprehensive guide for anyone preparing to give a speech in public, whether in a professional or recreational context.

Not only focused on giving an expert toast, the easy-to-follow steps in Toast are also aimed at giving a speech to a variety of audiences, including weddings, retirements, birthdays, awards, and promotions. Rice gives the reader a fantastic 7-day writing system that starts with brainstorming, moving on to formatting for the type of speech, rehearsal techniques, and ending with a completed speech, emphasizing that […]

SPR2022-05-11T09:51:32+02:00May 10th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Self-Help Book Reviews|

Rush by Cole Poindexter

Rush by Cole Poindexter The second in Cole Poindexter’s Parker Derrick series, Rush is a fast-moving crime thriller with a stellar female lead, which expands and improves on its predecessor.

This installment finds the Little Rock CSI protagonist called to a murder scene in a hotel where a note asks for her by name. When she realizes the murder victim is a private investigator she knew seven years back in Jasper when she was attacked, things get very strange. As Parker delves into the evidence, she finds herself being triggered, remembering details of her own experience that might just help with the current case.[…]

Cate Baum2022-05-05T08:11:08+02:00May 5th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

The Humbling and Other Poems by Robert J. Tiess

The Humbling and Other Poems by Robert J. Tiess A momentous and impressive display of carefully crafted poetry, The Humbling and Other Poems by Robert J. Tiess is a complex yet accessible collection.

Balancing experimental rhyme schemes and free verse poems with traditional patterns and melodic bursts of language, the breadth of Tiess’ technical skill is impressive. Meticulous in his meter and self-imposed structures, it is clear how much curation and editing has gone into every line of this collection. The imagery ranges from predictable and iconic to radically creative and clever, but the rhythmic flow of word choice stands out as the most exceptional element.

Broken into seven […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-06-05T12:57:00+02:00May 5th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

Abby the Crabby Tabby Discovers Gratitude by Andrea Lane, Illustrated by Heather Bousquet

Abby the Crabby Tabby Discovers Gratitude An absolutely adorable children’s book about a cranky gray kitty and her kindhearted sister, Andrea Lane’s Abby the Crabby Tabby Discovers Gratitude illuminates the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and being thankful for what you have.

Abby thinks her life is pretty tough: her toys are outdated, her bed is too tiny and bumpy, and her owner doesn’t always serve her food when she wants to eat – so why is her sister, Olivia Kathy, so carefree and cheerful? When Abby decides to leave her home for the great outdoors, she discovers that the wider world is much harsher […]

Michelle Hogmire2022-05-03T04:28:04+02:00May 2nd, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

The Orientation of Dylan Woodger by Chiuba Obele

The Orientation of Dylan Woodger by Chiuba Obele An emotional work about experiencing amnesia and uncovering harsh personal truths, Chiuba Obele’s The Orientation of Dylan Woodger is a complicated debut novel that touches on difficult subjects.

The last memory Dylan Woodger has is from 2016, when he was heading to Hamilton College to begin his freshman year of undergrad. The next time Dylan wakes up, he’s being tortured – he’s been captured by the Utica mob, and he’s being accused of an enormous crime: taking $3 million from the head of the organization. A powerful drug has erased Dylan’s memory, and the year is now 2019.

The novel […]

SPR2022-04-26T06:14:06+02:00April 26th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Awkward Stumbles and Fuzzy Memories by Kathy Ivchenko

Awkward Stumbles and Fuzzy Memories by Kathy Ivchenko A detailed recollection of the author’s formative journey in the Peace Corps, Awkward Stumbles and Fuzzy Memories: Memoir of a Peace Corps Volunteer by Kathy Ivchenko is a heartfelt and vividly told memoir of self-discovery.

Beginning with her uncertain arrival in Ukraine and months of training on the other side of the world, this intense exploration of cultural immersion will be eye-opening to readers who have never upended their lives for an international adventure. Her work as a teacher trainer is fascinating and complex, including the challenge of having students only a few years younger than herself. Between language gaps, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-04-25T06:26:59+02:00April 24th, 2022|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|