New Releases

SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books

Girls, Crimes, and the Ruling Body by Barry R. Ziman

Girls, Crimes, and the Ruling Body by Barry R. ZimanBrimming with barely contained tension and a razor-sharp political edge, Girls, Crimes, and the Ruling Body by Barry R. Ziman is a linguistically rich ride through the halls of power.

Ryan McNeil works in the messy world of New York congressional politics, but also gets unwittingly tangled up in the disappearance of a young woman, as one of the last people to see her alive. The high-profile case could tank his career, but also threatens his freedom, leading him and his dauntless girlfriend to begin an investigation of their own, despite the mounting dangers and the target that has settled […]

2021-08-27T02:08:29+02:00August 27th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Moe Fields by Stuart Z. Goldstein

Moe Fields by Stuart Z. Goldstein

A stirring tale of resilience, loss, fatherhood, and family loyalty, Moe Fields: The Special Bond Between Fathers and Sons by Stuart Z. Goldstein is a raw biography about a different age, but one that resonates deeply in the present day.

Traversing the life of one Murray Goldman, from the desperation of the tenth round and the horrors of global war to the battlefronts of the bedroom and the pinnacles of self-made success, this biography is unfiltered, unflinching, and undeniably hard to put down. After enduring physical conflict throughout much of his life, the fight to see his wife walk again, […]

2021-08-17T02:53:02+02:00August 17th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

The Authors of This Dream by Seth Mullins

The Authors of This Dream by Seth Mullins A radical, character-driven exploration of philosophy, meaning, music, and life itself, The Authors of This Dream by Seth Mullins is a rare piece of heart-baring fiction.

Brandon is the volatile and vulnerable lead singer behind The Edge of the Known; he’s a passionate musician seeking to exorcise his demons, but often inviting more along for the ride. Bursts of violence, drug use, existential crises, and manic episodes initially seem like the price of being a rock star, but it also triggers memories of his traumatic childhood. Suffering spells of nihilism, bursts of creative genius, and a lifetime of seeing – […]

Fading by Stephen R. Clark

Fading by Stephen R. ClarkImbued with the wisdom and patience of age, Fading by Stephen R. Clark is a tender reflection on the strange wonders and sadness of life.

This collection of more than seventy poems is a sprawling narrative woven in different poetic styles and a myriad of moods. From heartfelt recollections of childhood to observational musings on landscapes, household objects, long-held beliefs, and lost love, these pieces comprise a memoir of sorts, spanning Clark’s entire life, and capturing it in humble, unassuming verse. The poet elevates even the simplest thoughts or passing moments to sacred heights through his power of observation, and […]

2021-08-09T05:45:22+02:00August 6th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

River Current by M. Lee Martin

River Current by M. Lee MartinRevealing a striking glimpse into the past, and reminding readers of time’s healing power, River Current by M. Lee Martin is a delicately penned novel about the family we choose, and the time it takes to heal old wounds.

After the death of Mrs. Viola Meeks, a beloved force in Westfall, Missouri, a group of estranged childhood friends returns home after more than a decade, unsure of what they might find, or what battles remain unfinished. The author pulls readers through both past and present in a seemingly innocent portrait of small-town life, but there’s an edge of darkness that […]

2021-07-27T05:57:10+02:00July 27th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Sardinian Days and Italian Nights by Steve Amoia

Sardinian Days and Italian Nights by Steve Amoia Digging back through a lifetime to his transformative travels as a young man, author Steve Amoia transports readers to a different age in Sardinian Days and Italian Nights, an illuminating and reflective travelogue.

In this impressively detailed look back at the history-drenched Italian landscape and the legendary realm of Sardinia, readers will be able to immerse themselves in the vivid descriptions of the sea, the aromas, the emotions, and much more. A coming-of-age story told from the wisened perspective of hindsight, this travel memoir is self-reflective, but the memories themselves don’t feel edited or embellished.

For those who have […]

2021-07-08T05:35:26+02:00July 7th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Facing the Past by Frank C. Senia

Facing the Past by Frank C. SeniaA gritty novel that shines a light on the ugly side of alcoholism and the dark legacy of abuse, Facing the Past: Reflections of an Alcoholic by Frank C. Senia is a dizzying tale of personal redemption.

After waking up in a daze in Phoenix, Tom’s life spirals out of control as he puts the troubled pieces back together. Stampeding through his own fresh shot at life, making rash decisions, and falling in lust, all while maintaining a very unhealthy buzz, Tom is a compelling and surprisingly relatable protagonist. While Tom is clearly still in crisis, with plenty of toxic […]

2021-07-07T01:42:26+02:00July 6th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Five Years Later by Sarah Kraft

Five Years Later by Sarah Kraft A woman is forced to reexamine an old heartbreak she thought she understood in Five Years Later by Sarah Kraft, a uniquely crafted, emotional thriller.

Elle Fox is a relatable and charming protagonist whose past and troubled present are slowly revealed through dual storylines set five years apart. Recounting a painful loss on one side and an unexpected reunion on the other, the execution is excellent, when it could be muddled or lose momentum. Bouncing between timelines is an ambitious choice, but it gives this story a great sense of dimension and emotional impact.

Kraft is also unafraid of dark […]

2021-07-06T08:09:37+02:00July 5th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |
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