Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Artefactum by J.E. Tobal

Author J.E. Tobal combines sci-fi with some heavy inter-dimensional soul-searching in Artefactum, a cerebral and kaleidoscopic new thriller.

After coming into unlikely possession of Mictlantecuhtl, a powerful artifact that grants him the power to leap between realities, Sam’s semi-stable life spins into an epic quest for a timeless goal that spans the multiverse, and beyond. From mile-high death deities, living inside porn movies, and cross-dimensional betrayals to nightmare realms, rips in time, and existential quandaries, this book goes mind-bendingly hard into the endless possibilities presented by multiverse theory.

A bartender who defies the usual tropes, Sam may overindulge in […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-04-11T13:04:14+02:00March 22nd, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: J.E. Tobal, Science Fiction|

Review: Stumble and Fall by Amy Rivers

Dealing with the effects of trauma both at a personal and community level, Stumble and Fall by Amy Rivers is a cuttingly honest and raw novel. Through the story of Kate and Tilly, Rivers dissects the emotions and fears that many abused people go through, exacerbated by finding themselves caught in events much bigger than themselves.

Kate and Tilly are sisters who deal with trauma both in their professional and personal lives. While Kate has been assaulted in her own house, Tilly has been the victim of sexual abuse all through her teens, opening a ridge between her and the […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-03-21T13:42:37+02:00March 21st, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Contemporary Fiction|

Review: Delaware Before the Railroads by Dave Tabler

A brief yet beautifully detailed journey through Delaware’s past, and the colonial history of America itself, Delaware Before the Railroads by Dave Tabler is a revelatory peek into an oft-overlooked state, reading like a love letter to one of America’s first and most forgotten colonies. Topping out at just under 100 pages, this is an easy afternoon read for residents of Delaware, those interested in colonial lore, or fans of historical photography.

Despite having moved to Delaware only a dozen years ago, Tabler writes with the familiarity and affection of a lifelong native; his state-spanning explorations and historical tracking certainly […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-03-21T13:03:00+02:00March 20th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Dave Tabler, History, Photography|

Review: Sojourner to Stoner by Gordon Schwerzmann

Sojourner to Stoner: The Journal by Gordon Schwerzmann is the second exhilarating installment of the author’s travel adventures, a mix between a memoir, guidebook, and travelogue. This memorable piece of non-fiction feels like a visit to a far-off place, as the best travel memoirs do, full of enchanting and exotic anecdotes, and people who seem like fictional characters.

After Soldier to Sojourner, this book recalls the second phase of Gordon Schwerzmann’s longstanding relationship with traveling the world. Journeying through Southeast Asia in the ’70s, the author breaks down his journeys in snappy episodes, while also allowing himself to linger […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-04-07T11:28:15+02:00March 17th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Gordon Schwerzmann, Memoir, Travel|

Review: What Happened to Annabell? A Monday Night Anthology

Ten talented writers contribute a creative storm of stories in response to a single question in the macabre and compelling collection, What Happened to Annabell? With a fascinating hook for these tales – an original writing prompt that is both straightforward and inherently intriguing – it is easy to be pulled into this entertaining and expertly curated collection.

After seeing a headstone from more than a century ago, bearing a female name that lacked a death date, a curious writing prompt was composed, imagining the fate of such a woman. The variety of clever and dark takes on the concept […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-04-06T16:37:49+02:00March 14th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Short Stories|

Review: The 14 Concrete (But Not So Hard!) Steps to Private Practice by Bonnie McKeegan

For both veteran practitioners and new providers embarking on starting their own practice, author and practitioner Bonnie McKeegan delivers a wealth of valuable advice in The 14 Concrete (But Not So Hard!) Steps to Private Practice: A Guide for Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Marriage Family Therapists.

As McKeegan lays out, without the guidance and established procedures of a larger medical organization, launching into your own safe and effective practice can be a daunting and overwhelming prospect. Whether you are deciding on charting methods or choosing an insurance carrier, there are countless missteps that should be avoided, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-04-06T07:51:17+02:00March 14th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Psychology|

Review: Coming Into Power by Tamara Smith

A fast-paced, engaging erotic fantasy, Coming Into Power by Tamara Smith is bursting with imagination and sensuality as well as consideration of issues such as trust, family, and the meaning of belonging. With its original take on the genre, thriller-like plotting, and sharply-drawn characters, the novel is a boundary-pushing, category-crossing story as sensitive as it is steamy.

As the title declares, the book is fundamentally a discussion of power, and how it grows as we become mature adults and fully ourselves. Of course, in a fantasy, this centers around the characters’ fantastical powers, whose superhuman abilities are frequently associated with […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-05-02T10:23:58+02:00March 13th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Paranormal Romance, Tamara Smith|

Review: African Graffiti by Lokhilesh Takoor

Following the author’s wandering career and adventurous spirit, African Graffiti by Lokhilesh Takoor offers a thoughtful story of self-reliance, courage, and the ageless search for belonging.

Takoor’s journey begins in Madagascar, where his work as a field engineer opened doors for advancement, while his affable personality gained him strong connections. However, the uncertain nature of politics and quick twists of societal opinion forced him to leave, once again seeking new open spaces and safer shores to explore.

The author’s professional skills took him across various African nations, giving him a broad-spectrum introduction to a variety of cultures, work practices, cuisines, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-04-05T15:45:45+02:00March 2nd, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir|