Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Sophia’s Storm by Cara Skinner

The past meets the present in Sophia’s Storm, a gripping historical novel written for young adults by Cara Skinner.

It’s fourth of July week during the summer of 79. Sixteen-year-old Sophie Reiter and her extended family have assembled at her grandparents’ Galveston beach house for their annual week-long get together, but this year’s gathering is bittersweet, due to the passing of Sophie’s beloved Great Aunt Sophia last November at the age of eighty-nine. Her great aunt had died before she could tell Sophie about the most terrible time in their family’s history: a time when Galveston was nearly destroyed […]

Marta Cheng2019-04-18T12:27:55+02:00March 22nd, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction, Young Adult|

Review: Leverage the Field for Success by John Jay McKey

A data analytics expert has created a new way to look at success in business, both in microcosm and from a universal perspective, in Leverage the Field for Success: Using Quantum Reality to Succeed in the Corporate World.

John Jay McKey invites the reader to examine work life, and indeed the whole of life, from the viewpoint of “the Field,” referencing scientific principles that have established that all matter is essentially not cells, but waves of energy. Many experiments have shown that phenomena such as shared and instant communication – as seen, for example, in the group behavior of […]

SPR2019-03-22T10:37:24+02:00March 22nd, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Business, John Jay McKey, Self-Help|

Review: Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson

As old age sets in, many people dream of having one more adventure, launching themselves back into youthful vigor for a final exciting run. In Son of Saigon, a new novel by David Myles Robinson, this last-ditch fantasy becomes a reality for Hank Reagan, an old CIA spook that served in Vietnam. When a cherished part of his younger life comes calling, Hank has no choice but to shed the weight of age and do whatever he needs to protect those he loves.

There are many novels about soldiers and veterans reuniting with their one-time love from Korea or […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-21T06:17:39+02:00March 20th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction, David Myles Robinson, Military|

Review: The Irreducible Primary by Rob Taylor

Rob Taylor’s perspective on existence and how to make it meaningful mixes prose and poetry with philosophy, style, and logic in The Irreducible Primary: A Dialogue on Nature, Spirituality, and the Human Condition.

In this varied collection, Taylor wishes to show how anyone can find a kind of peace that transcends politics, national boundaries, and even the boundaries we construct for our individual personalities. The titular “irreducible primary” is the human species. In this age of political division and malaise, “primary” then takes on dual meanings, with a focus on what is more essential than the policy debates in […]

SPR2019-03-20T07:30:10+02:00March 19th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Poetry, Spirituality|

Review: Make It Rain: Increase Your Wealth & Financial Security by Vercie Lark

A successful investor offers personal and professional tips for others to follow in the practical and encouraging financial planning guide, Make It Rain: Increase Your Wealth & Financial Security.

Basing his advice on his own investment strategies, Lark’s book begins by asserting that amassing wealth is part of the American dream. To fulfill that dream, start with education: it’s a proven fact that those with better education earn more money. It’s also true that to amass wealth, one has to have discipline. Set an educational goal and follow through with it by completing high school, college or a trade […]

SPR2019-03-20T07:29:02+02:00March 18th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Business, Finance, Vercie Lark|

Review: The Indivisible and the Void (Age of Axion Book 1) by D.M. Wozniak

Being able to wield powerful magic isn’t always enough to protect your heart, a lesson the protagonist of The Indivisible and the Void learns the hard way. Penned by author D.M. Wozniak, this novel presents a dark new fantasy world where the lines between good and evil are harder to discern, and the use of magic comes with inherent danger.

Democryos, the heartbroken Master Voider, decides to leave his proverbial ivory tower and go out into the land to find his lost love. Voidstone in hand, and a motley crew of companions joining him along the way, what begins as […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-04-05T09:23:57+02:00March 17th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: D.M. Wozniak, Fantasy|

Review: Dakota Son by Mary Ramsey

Unshakable faith and determination are sometimes more powerful than any drug – such is the message in Dakota Son, an inspiring work of young adult fiction by Mary Ramsey.

Fifteen-year-old Sean Foster’s gymnastic career is sidelined by a severe infection induced by his cystic fibrosis, which lands him in the hospital. At his side are his mother and devoted sister, Sara, a brilliant science nerd and his best friend. Sara shows up at the hospital one day with a surprise visitor, the lovely Jen Quinto. She and Sean have something in common: Sean is constantly fighting for his life […]

Marta Cheng2019-04-05T09:20:49+02:00March 11th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult|

Review: Truth Unearthed: Book One of A False Dawn (The Tales of Lugon) by Eric Sparks

The first book in the A False Dawn (The Tales of Lugon) saga, Truth Unearthed touches on plenty of classic themes from some of the most beloved high fantasy series of the past, but also offers new angles and fresh characters that will entice fans of the genre.

When an unlikely young hero, Arun, has his life catapulted from serfdom into the world of the elites in Dawn – the fantasy land where this saga unfolds – he has no idea where his destiny will lead. Vera, the elf who sets the events of this story in motion, believes that […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-03-08T10:43:36+02:00March 8th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy|