New Releases

SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books

Death Honk: Nine Tales of the Macabre by JP Mac

Death Honk: Nine Tales of the Macabre by JP MacA dark and unpredictable collection of truly strange stories, Death Honk: Nine Tales of the Macabre by JP Mac is gritty and nerve-wracking, shifting from psychological terror to classic creepiness with ease.

From brief vignettes of paranormal scenes to longer stories that hit hard with shock value, there is no clear continuity in these tales aside from their grim and horrific style. “Mark of the Bruja” is one of the strongest stories, with visceral characters, a well-formed plot, and a unique cultural perspective on the supernatural that may be new to many readers. “Devil Reef” is another memorable piece, and […]

2020-12-28T05:13:04+02:00December 26th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

The Night Sender by Christina Tsirkas

The Night Sender by Christina Tsirkas

A fantastical, erotic, and revelatory journey into self-discovery, The Night Sender by Christina Tsirkas is the story of a bold young woman who dares to challenge societal norms and cultural expectations at every turn.

A secretive coming-of-age ceremony brings together the free-spirited and open-minded Rose with the curious and daring Roosha, a mystical Night Sender whose only purpose in life is to deliver pleasure. However, their unique and surprising connection draws them both into a forbidden affair that will put their lives – both present and future – on the line.

Overflowing with blush-inducing language and perplexing emotional puzzles, this […]

2020-12-21T06:15:47+02:00December 21st, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Katie: The Daughter Of by EM Green

Katie the Daughter Of by EM Green

A clever, thought-provoking, and unpredictable story of life as the teenage daughter of a grim reaper, Katie: The Daughter Of by EM Green is an original YA adventure.

Katie Death is used to her father being Immortal, and technically dead, but after countless moves, she is ready to find some sense of normalcy and connection. This amusing high school drama is predictable in certain ways – the struggles of fitting in, developing a crush, finding a tribe – but Katie also has to deal with the cosmic battles of good and evil that are commonplace under her roof. Bolstered by […]

2020-12-17T02:54:51+02:00December 17th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

The Mob Zone by Joseph DeMatteo

The Mob Zone by Joseph DeMatteo A wise-guy wonderland of seedy deals, savage violence, and loyalty to the family, The Mob Zone by Joseph DeMatteo is a bold and entertaining collection of stories from the world of organized crime.

The three stories are unique in their own way, but fall in line with classic gangster narratives: untouchable tough guys with sharp comebacks and quick trigger fingers. These surprisingly complex, small-cast tales are driven by intense, multilayered dialogue – or other forms of communication, as in the case of the two mute assassins from “Driving in Silence,” one of the standouts in the collection. Perfectly polished for […]

2020-12-08T07:13:50+02:00December 5th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , , |

It Happened in Silence by Karla M. Jay

It Happened in Silence by Karla M. JayEmbedded firmly in the past, but echoing eerily in our present, It Happened in Silence by Karla M. Jay is a novel ripped from the American shadows, a visceral peek at the darkness.

Willow Stewart is a mesmerizing and relentless main character, though her relationship with her brother, Briar, is the unbreakable engine that drives this slow-brewing story. This interwoven tale of family, resilience, betrayal, and the moral evolution of a nation is powerful and stirring, but also subtle and humble in its storytelling. The novel is a striking meditation on America of the past and present, particularly when it […]

2020-12-04T05:50:25+02:00December 2nd, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , , |

Cloud Thoughts by Daniel Strong

Cloud Thoughts by Daniel Strong A visceral and heartfelt work of lyrical poetry, Cloud Thoughts by Daniel Strong explores the trials and tribulation of everyday love, loss and living, for an intimate, confessional collection.

Without the typical adornments of romantic poetry, these pieces, with titles ripped from the heart of the verses, are more reminiscent of song lyrics, or stream-of-consciousness recollections. From the endless longing of unrequited love to whimsical musings on drunken nights out, these poems range widely in both subject matter and seriousness. That sort of flexibility works well in these primarily narrative pieces, giving readers a multi-dimensional view of the poet’s heart […]

2020-11-20T04:52:43+02:00November 19th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

The Shade Under the Mango Tree by Evy Journey

The Shade Under the Mango Tree by Evy JourneyThe Shade Under the Mango Tree by Evy Journey is a dazzling, globe-spanning tale of two interconnected lives, bound in an unlikely way, but forever changed by the connection.

From a simple lost notebook comes an unusual storybook romance, a tale of growing up and seeing the world, of saying goodbye and remembering lost things. Luna and Lucien are the star-crossed protagonists whose lives are dissected with intimate, in-depth character studies, making their unpredictable bond a pleasure to unravel.

Lucien’s discovery of Luna’s journal, and the eventual crossing of their paths, feels like the plot of a familiar romance, but […]

2020-10-26T07:04:49+02:00October 23rd, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , , |

’53 on 35th by J. Conran Meyer

'53 on 35th by J. Conran Meyer A charming and unique reflection on childhood, ’53 on 35th: A Silent Boomer’s Recollections by J. Conran Meyer may be set nearly 70 years in the past, but its innocent wisdom is truly timeless.

This pseudo-memoir follows the exploits of a neighborhood of young boys/Knights as they discover adventure, freedom, and the mysteries that will be revealed after “kidhood.” As the author explains, this story explores the memories we cherish and those we create, the uncertainty of our rose-colored glasses, and the seminal events that shape our view of the world.

Peppered with anachronistic bits of Americana, which gives the […]

2022-10-21T16:27:48+02:00October 23rd, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |
Go to Top