New Releases | Self-Publishing Review

When Life Was Like a Cucumber by Greg Wyss

Author Greg Wyss expertly transports readers to the chaotic 70s with remarkable ease and charm in When Life Was Like a Cucumber. Following Jeffrey Hesse’s fiery split from his wife, this is a hilariously unpredictable story of his self-exploration, healing, liberation, and growth.

For those who lived through the 1960s and 70s, this book is a nostalgic plunge that practically exudes the whiff of patchouli, illicit substances, and motor oil. Couched in the tumultuous Watergate era, there is an unmistakable weight to this story as well, giving the book a relatability for modern readers who may have not lived […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-18T10:06:19+02:00May 17th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Historical Fiction|

The Court of Capricorn by Christopher Range

Sparkling with wit and a Shakespearean tongue-in-cheek style, The Court of Capricorn by Christopher Range is an inspired work of theatre with a backstory as grand as the cosmos.

When Capricorn summons the other twelve constellation-oriented individuals to his court, it is proposed as a time of celebration, but the reality of this cosmic convention may be something quite different. Half fairy-tale and half-allegory, there is a brilliant simplicity to the eccentric story, but the mind of the playwright perpetually shines. With clever allusions and elbow-nudging references throughout, as well as memorable personifications and precise character development, this reads like […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-11T09:29:01+02:00May 10th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy, Theatre|

Invasion of Consecrated by Paul Slutsky

The manifest destiny of humanity expands to the stars in Invasion of Consecrated, an expansive, creative, and thrilling ride.

With his visionary Life Farms scattered across the galaxy, promising an untold number of new habitable worlds, Alan Norton has helped to drive the species forward. However, in the vast expanse of space, there is plenty of room for sinister scheming, power grabs, and the unpredictable response of the universe itself. On both a grandly cosmic scale and the level of petty human minutiae, this book explores what makes us human, and what gives life meaning. Action-packed but confident in […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-05-06T04:22:44+02:00May 4th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Paul Slutsky, Science Fiction|

Micro Democracy by Aaron Ran

Author Aaron Ran pens a passionate and thoroughly considered guideline for the future in Micro Democracy: The Democracy Revolution of the Information Era.

Given the rise and rapid evolution of communications technology, and the seemingly boundless capacity of the Internet, and soon quantum computing and AI, the author believes that a fundamental shift in terms of government, authority, justice, and decision-making must occur if we are to prosper and reach our potential as a global species.

Not only does he propose a new plan, but also analyzes and deconstructs the old broken systems, so while some of his ideas […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-04-30T07:08:54+02:00April 30th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Politics, Social Science|

Arklight: Task Force Crusader by J.M. Myrick

Author J.M. Myrick delivers a conclusive masterstroke to his high-octane, eon-spanning series with Arklight: Task Force Crusader. Following on from the non-stop action of Operation Nightfall and Force Interdiction, the Spear and Alsos Teams work in tandem, but in different timeless, towards the same goal: stopping the horrific vision of the Fourth Reich and the Order of the Black Sun.

All of the loose ends and shadowy mysteries from the first two books are wrapped up in this intricate and riveting read. From Switzerland and Belgium to Okinawa and England, this book bounces between diverse landscapes, complex plot […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-04-22T03:07:26+02:00April 21st, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: J.M. Myrick, Science Fiction, Time Travel|

Combat to College by John H. Davis

Author and decorated combat veteran John H. Davis has produced a methodical and brutally honest guide for veteran students and anyone else going through a major transition in Combat to College.

While the focus of this book is on veterans re-entering society, particularly into the academic sphere, the underlying lessons about re-wiring, self-control, and personal adaptation are relevant for anyone stepping into a change. There is personal experience, empathy and authenticity on every page, from Davis’ own challenges making friends in the civilian world to his sage advice on how to write a compelling resume that properly highlights a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-04-21T07:36:46+02:00April 20th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Education|

Final Act by Van Fleisher

Author Van Fleisher continues his near-future saga with Final Act, the second installment of his Final Series. Two years after Vijay Patel invents a death-predicting sports watch, he and the FBI are still dealing with the murderous fallout from such a perspective-changing invention. With six million gun-toting VT2 wearers still roaming the country, it’s impossible to know when the next spate of violent, no-consequence retribution will break out.

Well-penned vignettes from victims and wearers alike swirl around the main core of the plot, in which the coming American election looms large, paired with the impact of thousands of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-10-29T07:15:37+02:00April 19th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Dystopian Fiction, Van Fleisher|

Whispering a Quiet Hope by Lisa Brennan

Broken hearts and beautiful backdrops collide in Whispering a Quiet Hope, a powerful new work of romance from author Lisa Brennan.

When Brooke’s life and love come apart at the seams, she flees to warmer climes, far from Dylan’s betrayal and their collapsing marriage. As one might expect, she quickly encounters a new suitor eager to sweep her off her feet, but the pull of the past, and the complex emotions of grief, make this easier said than done.

At first glance, this book feels like many other romance plots, complete with an Australian hunk arriving at the perfect […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-04-20T09:49:54+02:00April 19th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Romance|