Latest Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Her Own War by Debra Borchert

The divisive tragedy of war pulls a fearless fighter from the vineyard to the front lines in Her Own War by Debra Borchert, a gripping and lyrical work of historical fiction.

A French pastoral romance and a wartime thriller, this novel begins with slow world-building and character development, giving readers a probing look into Genevieve’s community and the indomitable strength of her spirit. As the Republicans of Napoleonic France concentrate their power and turn their eyes to wider conquest, Genevieve’s tight-knit wine-growing community in the Loire Valley grows frustrated with endless wars and the burden of unfair taxation.

When a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-19T17:49:43+02:00April 19th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Debra Borchert, Historical Fiction|

Review: The Day of the Space Voyager by James Parker Walker

A reluctant hero’s journey of self-discovery like no other, The Day of the Space Voyager by James Parker Walker is a gripping tale of aliens, angels, and ancient protectors of the stars.

When a solitary thinker, William Henry, encounters an interstellar traveler named Axzum one cold Colorado night, he is launched on an incredible journey into the unknown, even as he continues to explore the depths of his own consciousness and identity. Learning more about his connection to Axzum and his mysterious home planet, Will must come to terms with the truth of his eons-long mission.

Sent as a refugee […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-09T16:15:32+02:00April 8th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction, Visionary Fiction|

Review: The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri

In a once-magical realm now ruled by an iron fist, one young woman must liberate the forces within to change the world, and save those she loves, in The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri. A rebellious YA fantasy thriller with an apocalyptic edge, this first installment of the Stealing Sanctuary series is a stunning foundation for what’s to come.

Over a century ago, magic was outlawed and shuttered away behind the forbidden borders of Etabon by the Founding Ruling Board, who claimed that the elimination of magic would save the planet from constant war and an age of darkness. However, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-02T16:49:44+02:00March 29th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Review: Bargaining Chip by Jim Parker

Putting a fictional spin on a real-world conflict, Bargaining Chip by Jim Parker is a bold and nuanced reimagining of Putin’s war against Ukraine, resulting in a tense and timely thriller.

In this slightly tweaked reality, the Russian superpower has found the scrappy Ukrainian military to be a surprisingly resilient enemy, and while victories and losses have been traded by both sides, the Ukrainian president knows that NATO and American support may not last forever. In a desperate attempt to turn the tide of war and take the fight to Russia, a daring counteroffensive is planned – one that will […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-26T14:34:53+02:00March 25th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller, War|

Review: How to Get a Job and Keep a Job by Keith Calhoun-Senghor

Dissecting the intricacies of professional success and sharing strategies to rise above organizational chaos, How to Get a Job and Keep a Job: The Fundamentals of Organizational Politics by Keith Calhoun-Senghor is a practical collection of savvy wisdom. With the first few chapters focusing on the skills one needs to get a job, and the second half of the book explaining how to keep it, the book can help you move forward no matter where you’re at in your career.

For those readers unfamiliar with the term, “Organizational Politics” are “the dynamics, processes, and techniques by which power is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-22T12:15:32+02:00March 22nd, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Business, Self-Help|

Review: Finding Isobel by Mary Behan

An absorbing and poignant novel about a woman’s search for identity and path in life, Finding Isobel by Mary Behan examines the complex and painful choices that can rip families apart, as well as the kind, loving choices that can bring families together.

Isobel has always had nagging questions about her roots, as her adoptive parents were reluctant to disclose anything about where she came from. In a quest to uncover her past, Isobel travels from Canada to New Zealand in an inspiring and emotionally charged journey, reflecting on the human need to have a sense of belonging with one’s […]

Marina Dora Martino2024-03-19T12:34:24+02:00March 19th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction, International Fiction|

Review: Whirlwinds, Waves, and Willow by Flo Dombey

Unexpected romance, deadly betrayals, and the perils of complex families swirl madly together in Whirlwinds, Waves, and Willow by Flo Dombey, the second emotional installment of The Willow Chronicle.

Willow’s life has been turned upside-down by the reappearance of a biological father she thought long dead, making every decision feel unsteady for the headstrong 17-year-old, despite having some of the best sea legs in Port Townsend, WA. The mysterious suicide of her wealthy stepfather adds another devastating blow, further distancing Billie from her mother, whom she blames for the lifetime of secrets that led to this tragic collision of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-13T15:09:40+02:00March 13th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction, Young Adult|

Review: The Spire by Shaun Goldsmith

Stark and suspenseful with a daunting tangle of a plot, The Spire by Shaun Goldsmith is a lavishly unpredictable and compelling whodunit. The story begins with a bang – a quadruple homicide in a lavish penthouse on the 75th floor of one of the most secure and surveilled buildings in Midtown Manhattan. What follows is a spiraling web of conspiracy involving a controversial billionaire, a shameless lawyer, and a legendary criminal.

Lieutenant Mike Vogel is the eccentric lead investigator in these notorious murders – he’s relentless, effective, and stylish enough for a three-piece suit at a crime scene. Within a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-01T11:33:02+02:00March 1st, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller|