SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
A bit too often, Nossaman relies on prose being reformatted into verse, rather than a poetic cadence of its own, but the images he conveys still remain expressive. The most powerful element of these poems is finding poetry in small moments (drinking a cup of coffee, smoking a cigarette), which makes the book’s subheading – Poetic Images – all the more […]
A Million Different Ways by P. Dangelico is a steamy, character-driven romance novel with an international flair. Albanian Immigrant, Vera Sava is desperately traveling through Europe looking for work. Though eminently qualified as a medical student, she takes a job as a housekeeper working for the gruff Sebastian Horne, heir to a banking dynasty, who regards Vera with indifference. Vera comes to learn that Sebastian’s gruff demeanor has a reason: he has secrets of his own, and someone wants him dead. A romance blooms and their collective secrets have the potential to upend both their lives, as well as Sebastian’s […]
The letters are the strongest component of Ingber’s […]
Stumbling Toward the Buddha by Dawn Downey is a collection of interconnected essays about finding “enlightenment” in the modern world. Refreshingly honest, and filled with self-deprecating humor, Downey is not afraid to admit her faults, as well as delve into her painful past, to fully understand herself and the world around her.
Though the book is touted as more of a memoir than self-help book, it could be said to be even more effective than the usual self-help tome because of the Downey’s humor and insight. Downey is expert at pointing out human foibles, especially as it relates to spiritual […]
Rescuing America’s Democracy From Its Collapsing Morality by Savannah Jordan is a polemic about how America has gotten off the path of helping all of its citizens. In a culture that is seeped in celebrity worship, drug abuse, homelessness, and a litany of other problems that are not being adequately addressed, something is seriously amiss. Jordon covers everything from evolutionary biology to religion to specific policies that can help the country get back on track.
With a title like “Collapsing Morality,” one could be led to believe that the book focuses specifically on religion, but this is not the case. […]
Joseph Van Pearce and the Prophecy of the Dragon’s Head Medallion by C.C. Brampton follows Joseph Van Pearce, a moody teenager who’s lost his father, tearing his family apart, and he can’t focus on much of anything. His luck’s about to change when he finds a mysterious photograph, which leads him to discover that he’s the guardian of a mysterious medallion. Meanwhile, he’s being followed by an evil crow-like creature that wants the powerful Dragon’s Head Medallion for itself, and now Joseph has to save his family in more ways than one.
The novel is a great mixture of modern-day […]
There’s a danger in a policy wonk writing a work of fiction […]
The great hero Orfeo faces one of the most deadly threats of his heroic career.
At the height of Greece’s heroic age, the ruthless Getae advance on new territory in their relentless expansion. Terrifying in their savage conquests, heralded by unflinching group assaults and hails of missiles, renowned for wiping out their foes and capturing their defenseless to fuel the war machine with minimal losses on their own side; it seems nothing will stand in their army’s wake. Will the great warrior Orfeo and his group be able to buck the trend and face down the Getae menace? The answers […]