Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

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|

Review: Koa Kai: The Story of Zachary Bower and the Conquest of the Hawaiian Islands by D.R. Pollock

Adventures and misadventures on land and sea are at the heart of Koa Kai: The Story of Zachary Bower and the Conquest of the Hawaiian Islands, a fascinating work of historical fiction by D.R. Pollock.

Zachary “Zach” Bower is the youngest of three sons born to Martha and Matthew Bower. Despite his intelligence and affinity for learning, Zach’s future working on the family farm seems a foregone conclusion until fate intervenes, resulting in the untimely death of Zach’s beloved mother. His grieving father decides to honor his dead wife’s last wish to ensure that their youngest son continues his […]

Marta Cheng2019-03-11T12:55:44+02:00March 6th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: D.R. Pollock, Historical Fiction|

Review: Status: Missing by D.W. Maroney

In this day and age, military thrillers often seem ripped right off the front page, and as technology and terrorism rapidly evolve in a global arms race, stories like Status: Missing become all too believable. Author D.W. Maroney launches readers into a fast-paced, multi-faceted novel of heroism, desperation, loyalty and sacrifice that is both timely and terrifically entertaining.

In response to more and more commercial airplanes beginning to mysteriously disappear, a secret task force is gathered to assess Drone Theory, which relates to the ability to hijack planes mid-flight, redirecting them anywhere in the world, or to the bottom of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-04-02T06:10:23+02:00March 6th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller|

Review: Beautiful Nightmare by L.C. Son

The fine line between reality and hauntingly sensual dreams become blurred in Beautiful Nightmare, an intriguing and creative paranormal romance by L.C. Son.

It’s the day before art buyer Damina Nicaud’s wedding to Jackson Nash, a fiancé any woman would be proud to call her own. Hunky, refined and with a good head on his shoulders, Jackson is the perfect catch, and yet Damina can’t help being affected by these hauntingly sensual dreams she’s been having lately involving golden oaks, a white wolf and a mystery man who smells spicy and sweet. She’s sure the elusive man of her […]

Marta Cheng2019-03-28T12:56:35+02:00March 5th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Paranormal Romance|

Review: The Last Lead Holder by Richard Deatherage

Every life holds pain in some form, but the means by which we find joy and connection can give existence purpose. In The Last Lead Holder, author Richard Deatherage invites readers into his mind and memories, the trials and tribulations of his past, as well as his remarkable rise and fall. It is a memoir of family, of brutal perseverance, and of coming back from the edge only to find that life will always be worth living.

In some ways, the author experienced the epitome of American life. Being raised on different military bases as a brat since birth, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-12-20T05:01:09+02:00March 5th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir, Richard Deatherage|

Review: Empty Quarter: The Heredity of the Sands by Baltasar

Attempting to achieve something profound through a graphic novel is a major challenge for many artists and writers, namely because so much has to be expressed in such a short and condensed amount of space. In Empty Quarter: The Heredity of the Sand, a new graphic short by Baltasar, there are plenty of ideas on display, but the book struggles at times to keep the flow of meaning clear.

Based on the Empty Quarter area of the Arabic Peninsula, this is a simply illustrated book, primarily visualized with stock-posed characters over photographic backgrounds and speech bubbles. The premise is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-21T06:31:50+02:00March 4th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Comics & Graphic Novels|

Review: Routine Patrol by Bart Ringer

In today’s troubled times, the idea of the police has changed dramatically, and the old image of small-town cops has all but disappeared. However, as author Bart Ringer is happy to remind readers in Routine Patrol: Memoirs of a Small-Town Cop, the Wild West is still alive and well, particularly in the small towns of Wyoming. In this collection of stories taken from his more than 35 years on the tiny but mighty force of the Riverton Police Department, the tales swing from tragic and moving to downright hilarious, told with gentle skill and undeniable honesty.

What strikes a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-03-11T12:45:24+02:00March 4th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir|