New Releases | Self-Publishing Review

Final Chance by Van Fleisher

Final Chance by Van Fleisher A third disturbing reflection on the American mindset, Final Chance by Van Fleisher is a prophetic piece of fiction, and the climactic conclusion to the author’s dystopian near-future trilogy.

Bouncing between our real-world present and an uncertain imagined fate, Fleisher takes readers through a sci-fi envisioning of pandemic-peppered decades ahead, and the desperate decisions the world must make to ensure humanity’s survival. Society has never stood on a more fragile precipice, and while the Domed Generation of the 2050s is growing used to life inside, protected from the “alien” atmosphere, the increased susceptibility to respiratory disease makes remaining populations dangerously […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-29T07:45:09+02:00October 29th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Dystopian Fiction Book Reviews|

Northwoods Pulp Reloaded by T.K. O’Neill

Northwoods Pulp Reloaded by T.K. O'Neill Capturing the raw energy, resilience, and murky lawlessness of a bitter wilderness, Northwoods Pulp Reloaded by T.K. O’Neill is a stirring and wild collection.

Three intensely told stories capped off with a visceral crime novella, this is a seemingly easy escapist read, but the writing is smart and deeper than expected, from high-stakes morality parables to and illicit adventures that quickly get out of hand. O’Neill focuses a bit more on fast-talking dialogue and action sequences than he does on character development, but the world-building is immersive, with colloquial bits of nuance and detail that make the rugged scenes come […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-11-22T11:10:04+02:00October 28th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|

Desert Fire by John Spencer Perry

Desert Fire by John Spencer Perry Picking up a mysterious woman and her pup sends freshly lost Jeff Kain on the adventure of a lifetime in Desert Fire by John Spencer Perry. A ruggedly written homage to the West, this character-driven novel weaves through history, from outlaw legends to murderous mafiosos, with Perry’s star-crossed protagonists sitting firmly in the center.

Elyse and Jeff are the electric core of this wondrous story, which doesn’t shy away from the complications and pain that powerful connections can bring about. Delving into transient and adventure-seeking lifestyles and belief systems, the pair must navigate the unforgiving wilds of California, along with […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-25T07:10:53+02:00October 24th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews|

Who Cares? by Dr. Melita J. Murray-Carney

Who Cares? by Dr. Melita J. Murray-Carney A helpful guide of spiritual writing prompts, Dr. Melita J. Murray-Carney’s Who Cares? is a relatable devotional journal that strikes a realistic balance between optimism and practicality.

Dr. Murray-Carney, a licensed clinical psychologist, grounds her work in both individual experience and scientific consensus, discussing her own success with journaling while examining the research about the therapeutic benefits of writing. The book is divided into well-organized themed sections called “seasons” that address subjects like personal growth, success, and change, covering the gamut of self-help issues. Readers are prompted to respond to specific questions of reflection, statements of positive affirmation, or direct […]

Michelle Hogmire2021-10-14T06:12:33+02:00October 14th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Religious Book Reviews, Self-Help Book Reviews|

Giving Back: Memories, Reflections, and Lessons Learned by Edward A. Joseph

Giving Back by Edward A. Joseph Wisely worded recollections from slightly simpler times, author Edward A. Joseph bares his soul in Giving Back: Memories, Reflections, and Lessons Learned, a heartwarming, powerful, and easy-to-read collection.

With an impressive career as a published storyteller, these personal and previously published stories are healthy, honest, and unafraid to probe the deeper meaning behind the simple joys and moments of life. From cinematic childhood misadventures as a caddy to his brief but hilariously recounted time as a car salesman, Joseph peels back his losses, victories, and discoveries with a smirk and a shrug.

Summoning full-bodied characters, eras, and visceral moments, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-13T08:05:25+02:00October 13th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

The Night Sky by C.A. Cordova

The Night Sky by C. A. Cordova A delightful and heartwarming adventure into a bitter winter world of precious narwhals, evil antagonists, missing grandfathers, and sacred duties, The Night Sky by C.A. Cordova is an innovative work of YA visionary fiction.

In a dystopian future, one young girl embarks on a journey to discover her birthright as she searches for someone she loves after he mysteriously disappeared in a vicious blizzard. However, she won’t be alone in her search – not after learning that her grandmother was once a legendary protector of the narwhals, just like her missing grandfather. As Nadia’s heroic young eyes are opened to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-11T05:56:54+02:00October 11th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: YA Fantasy Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

Handing Down Hope by Nate Slaymaker

Handing Down Hope by Nate Slaymaker A refreshing and generation-spanning guide towards healthier communication and a brighter future, Handing Down Hope by Nate Slaymaker is a relatable map for the mighty task of parenting, coaching, or managing teenagers.

Through his own experiences with foster children, generations of students, and other assorted teenagers coming in and out of his life – some with significant challenges and unfair amounts of baggage – Slaymaker has constructed a succinct catalogue of lessons learned. The chapter framing is intriguing, laying out both the common errors and more effective strategies as binaries – rather than acting purely as a “how-to” book, it […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-07T06:53:17+02:00October 7th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Education, Parenting Book Reviews|

Lilly Of The Mountains by D.L. Yoder

Lilly of the Mountains by Daniel Yoder

Tragedy, greed, desire and freedom collide in Lilly of the Mountains by D.L. Yoder, a 1940s period novel of Colorado homestead life and the sweet satisfaction of self-discovery.

The fearless widow at the heart of this story is unrelenting in her quest for independence and true liberation – from money, from men, and from societal expectations. The forces that conspire to control her, woo her, or continue the patriarchal reign of her recent years, are no match for the cleverness and sheer will that this entrancing protagonist brings to every scene.

From the gossipy nature of small mountain towns to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-14T07:33:56+02:00October 5th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|