Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: No More Magic Wands by George Finney

★★★★

For most professionals not directly involved in the realm of cybersecurity, reading a book on the topic might sound like a cruel and unusual form of punishment. However, the reality is that everyone who regularly uses technology, social media, wireless internet and other staples of modern life should have some modicum of understanding of the issue. In No More Magic Wands, author and cybersecurity expert, George Finney, takes an extremely unique approach to educating the masses on this critical topic, but it may just be strange enough to work.

Through an extended allegory, Finney shares his more than […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-01-22T15:25:55+02:00December 9th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Business, Non-Fiction|

Review: What The River Knows by Andrea Freeman

★★★★½

What The River Knows by Andrea Freeman is a meditative and relaxing book of poems subtitled, Conversations with the Natural World.

Not often do we stop to think about our natural surroundings in our busy, often urban, lives. In this collection, Freeman ponders the future of the natural world as a force that will not wait for humanity to wake up and take note. She is inspired by both sounds and visions around her, as well as the feelings those invoke, and has here taken time to explore what the Earth has to offer when one takes a moment […]

Naka Jackson2017-01-11T06:02:26+02:00December 7th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Poetry|

Review: Puppy Drama by Andra Gillum, Illustrated by Andy Case

★★★★★

In Doggy Drama, the earlier book in this series, it followed a dog named Riley, who has to deal with the pitfalls of a new baby in the house. It’s an endearing, and instructive look at how to adapt to a new member of the family. Now the tables have turned in Puppy Drama and Riley’s the older sibling, while a new puppy, Lucy, is introduced, who has to contend with Riley’s antics.

Just as in Doggy Drama, we get a not-so-subtle message about adapting to a growing family in amusing and effective ways. Here Lucy is […]

Lysa Grant2017-01-11T06:08:13+02:00December 7th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Books, Pets|

Review: Sisters of Moirai by Jill M. Lehman

★★★★

Three girls, Meg, Baby, and Carrie, are Sisters of Moirai. Trapped in a mysterious institution where writing is banned, they write their story at their own peril with a buried pen, blood, dirt. The Suits, those in charge, have a Code of Conduct, and those who do not follow the rules face severe punishment.

Moirai is a strange and dark place, and “Rooms” keep appearing in the building where the girls will face their demons, sometimes almost literally. As they work through their troubles from their pasts, the places they are forced into become psychological battlegrounds – and seeming […]

Naka Jackson2017-02-17T05:40:07+02:00December 6th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Horror|

Review: Finding Moana by James Halemanu

★★★★

Moana is a 13-year-old Hawai’ian orphan from Kau’i. He is an outcast, with his wild hair and ways, but now must survive an attack on his village by cannibal snake zombies and their evil queen! If that doesn’t sound amazing, maybe a rescue party of cave-dwelling beings who teach Moana magical skills, or a time-traveling island and a couple of rather bizarre animal companions might just intrigue readers looking for something completely different.

Will Moana find out what really happened to his parents? What dark and mysterious feelings will he have to overcome to find out the truth about […]

Cate Baum2017-02-10T03:11:09+02:00December 6th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Young Adult|

Review: Angles (Part 1) by Erin Lockwood

★★★★

Cara Miller is at an impasse – laid off from her interior decorating firm, she works a job at a bank that she has no passion for, and wishes for marriage and a family, while dating a commitment phobic fitness buff. When she meets a handsome stranger at her best friend Teddy’s wedding, things only get more complicated as she finds herself in a love triangle, or perhaps a square.

Sam King, the handsome stranger, seems perfect. He’s a wealthy advertising executive, a total gentleman, and he looks like a Hugo Boss model, but Teddy warns Cara to steer […]

Lisa Butts2016-12-15T09:01:16+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Romance|

Review: Walking Out of the Dark by Steven R. Malikowski

★★★★½

Brotherly love is a powerful motivation for many people, but for author Steven Malikowski, his brother’s inspiring life and outlook drove him to write an unforgettable memoir, Walking Out of the Dark. After Mike lost his sight, Steven saw firsthand the challenges of being disabled, even partially, in a world that is so often driven by speed, efficiency, and the quest for perfection. This book is a touching and personal account of survival and success as a blind individual, overcoming obstacles with grace and patience that most people could never muster.

There are equal parts wisdom, storytelling, humor […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-12-23T10:51:35+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir|

Review: Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms by Gloria D. Gonsalves

★★★½

Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms by Gloria D. Gonsalves is a whimsical and yet a rather unusual book following a society of mushrooms and its fungal king called Polipoli. They’re an advanced society with warring factions who are all based on actual mushroom species that grow in the world today.

One day while venturing off in the forest, a group of Lamellians discover a human baby all by herself. They decide to adopt the baby and use their mushroom abilities to care for her – such as milk from the Indigo mushroom and a soft bed for her to […]

Lysa Grant2019-12-03T07:27:21+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Books, Gloria D. Gonsalves|