John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Catching Mozart by Benjamin Laskin

A common-man adventure of epic proportions, Catching Mozart by Benjamin Laskin is an accessible slice of unusual prose that dances between philosophy, comedy, magical realism, and more.

JC, Manny, and Larry can only see dollar signs when their landscaping company snags a recurring gig in a fancy part of town, and while the yards on the block seem cursed when it comes to greenery, they’re eager for the challenge. The ancient old man at the end of the block and ominous warnings from nosy neighborhood kids set the stage for a bizarre tale of brotherhood, unexpected romance, desert mysteries, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-29T08:24:41+02:00November 27th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Humor|

Silent Muse Poetry: Soul Food by Ariele Tee

A gentle celebration of resilience, spirituality, personal growth, and self-knowledge, Silent Muse Poetry: Soul Food by Ariele Tee is an unassuming collection of poetry and universal guidance. Varying in style from simple koans and aphorisms to longer and more intimate explorations of personal experience, Tee repackages classic advice into meditative, bite-sized bits of wisdom. Accompanied by occasional illustrations, this is a faith-based book that could be opened to any page at any time, or slowly moved through as a daily practice. The font choice feels a bit busy, and some of these sage nuggets are somewhat repetitive, but there is […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-24T07:35:34+02:00November 24th, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Crossing the Digital Faultline by Sri Manchala

A modern guru of technological and societal dynamism, author Sri Manchala delivers a powerful and cutting-edge leadership manual in Crossing the Digital Faultline: 10 Rules Of Highly Successful Leaders In Digitalization.

Laid out in four intuitively ordered sections that explain the new paradigm of leadership, outlining rules for success, defining the personality of a methodical innovator, and laying out a path for applying the book’s critical lessons, Manchala makes it easy to consume his wide breadth of knowledge. From shifting consumer preferences and new avenues of digital access to disruptive technologies, evolving supply chains, international competition, and startup culture, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-05T03:08:26+02:00November 24th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Business Book Reviews, Leadership Book Reviews|

A Gentleman for Christmas by Shelley Kassian

Scottish charmers, controlling fathers, and a holiday miracle or two make A Gentleman for Christmas by Shelley Kassian a delightful Edwardian escape. Cecily and Logan are magnetic characters from opposite worlds whose ultimate fate may feel decided early on, despite the objections and obstacles to their connection, but their coupling still unfolds with delicately crafted tension. Showcasing a wise pen and a mastery of lyrical language, this seasonal read swings between scintillating and sweet, with richly painted players who romance readers will want to eagerly curl up with for the holidays, or any other time.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-19T07:45:43+02:00November 19th, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Shooter’s Treasure by Kay A. Oliver

A seemingly pastoral tale of aging gracefully and finding long-sought peace, Shooter’s Treasure by Kay A. Oliver soon spirals into a rugged and thrilling love story with a healthy serving of wild west action.

Kristy Oaks – “Shooter” to her friends – is a divorced academic and a lifelong skeptic transitioning into retirement, but her newly purchased ranch holds dangerous secrets hidden just below the topsoil. She is quick to find indigenous allies and a local love interest, but her arrival also brings suspicion, gossip, thieves, and dirty cops who are led by little more than greed. Never one to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-18T10:55:10+02:00November 18th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Thriller Book Reviews, Western Book Reviews|

A Buzz by Jacob Lightman

An imaginative and immersive plunge into a futuristic landscape set 6500 years in the past, A Buzz by Jacob Lightman is a sci-fi rainforest adventure amidst a barely recognizable world.

Jaway, Pama, Serra, Krizzles, and a myriad cast of other future soldiers lie at the heart of this story, as they try to unite The Land and avoid the insolent incursions, and explosions, of the Rebels. This classic premise of good and evil takes place in an insect-infested world that nature has begun to violently reclaim, which ends up posing more of a threat than enemy soldiers ever could. Many […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-18T08:14:36+02:00November 18th, 2021|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: No. 7: The Date by Nandita Banerjee

Author Nandita Banerjee delivers yet another tangled knot of family drama with No. 7: The Date, the second installment of this eerie and thoughtfully crafted series.

Still reeling from her newly upended life, and the consequences of her husband’s sinister cabal activities, Priya must muddle through the aftermath of ghostly encounters, controlling relatives, natural disasters, unwanted advances, and even her son’s marriage proceedings in an endless quest to find peace. Armed with quiet perseverance, she must hold her family together on opposite sides of the world, all while juggling a dangerous and growing list of secrets – about her husband, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2022-01-04T11:45:16+02:00November 17th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Paranormal Book Reviews|

A Time for Reckoning by Neil Turner

A young Polish immigrant trapped in an abusive marriage in rural Wyoming finds the strength within herself – and her family – to fight for freedom in A Time for Reckoning by Neil Turner. Supported by Grazyna’s uncle from Chicago and his sharp-tongued partner Penelope, this is a character-driven thriller that fearlessly reveals the dark corners of human nature – misogyny, greed, violence, power, and control. Driven by strong dialogue, unpredictable twists, and more than a dash of colloquial country charm, this savagely honest novel is a stellar addition to the Toni Valenti Thriller series.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-11-12T15:41:33+02:00November 12th, 2021|Categories: Editorial Reviews|