John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

The Ring of Azurmus by Andrew Chiniche

Andrew Chiniche shows himself to be a poet in a class all his own, displaying his storytelling whimsy, dark descriptive powers, and deep understanding of ethereal connection in his new collection, The Ring of Azurmus.

Inspired by cards of the tarot deck, and brought to life through stories that surge and fade like smoke, this poetic saga is unique, like a handwritten spell book for romance. The language is not only carefully chosen, but also playful and unpredictable: Alice is the Chalice / and the lynchpin in my search / for the Talisman. These moments of poetic grace are refreshing […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-08-03T05:31:11+02:00August 3rd, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

Gaze the Moon by Andrew Chiniche

Using mystical imagery and plaintive language, poet Andrew Chiniche weaves a powerful experience of magick poetry in Gaze the Moon.

Centered largely on deep soul love that transcends common ideas of connection and romance, the poems vary wildly, from heartfelt and straightforward to abstract puzzles of symbolism. At times, the pieces resemble adages or mantras, such as the simple “You are the light that makes the darkness worthwhile,” but their brevity doesn’t undercut their weight. They offer the chance to take a breath, process the wisdom being shared, and ready oneself for the next impactful page.

Much of the poetry […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-08-03T05:38:59+02:00August 3rd, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Poetry Book Reviews|

Review: Tryst by Aaron Eldritch

Youthful ghost stories become all too real in Tryst, the dark and well-penned new novel by Aaron Eldritch.

While the premise of a haunted house and dark spirits that follow intrepid explorers home is hardly new, there is something sinister and refreshing about this story of lost innocence and fragile fraternity. Heavy with symbolism and marked by an authentic narrative voice reflecting the protagonists’ youth, this is a spooky coming of age tale that is authentically scary.

Greg, Zeb, Aaron, and Derik are normal young boys, getting into trouble, scaring each other with stories, and navigating the difficult waters […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-08-18T02:12:12+02:00July 31st, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Horror Book Reviews, Paranormal Book Reviews|

Caught (Sea Temptress Series Book 1) by Kimberley Cale

Author Kimberley Cale splashes into her Sea Temptress series with Caught, a high-seas romance adventure full of swashbuckling, sun, and supernatural thrills for a perfect summer escape. Feeling slightly like a reboot of The Little Mermaid, there are plenty of well-penned exchanges and heartbreaking turns for grown-up readers. Though the writing is simple and straightforward, making this an easy read, the storytelling is still marked by surprising descriptions and an oceanic well of creativity, as well as plenty of steamy exchanges and multi-layered language. Cale delivers in this first installment of the series, offering classic romance writing, uniquely developed […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-07-31T04:20:17+02:00July 31st, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Between Justice and Time by Victor P. Unda

Author Victor P. Unda masterfully blends genres in the tumultuous, Nazi-hunting thriller in Between Justice and Time. What begins as a young man’s childhood reflections on family and the uncertainty of growing up in the 1930s becomes a spiraling drama of survival and purpose in a war-torn world.

From a childhood in California and Chicago to young adulthood in Spain, readers watch the narrator grow up in awe of his father, the legendary Rick, and the mystique around his secretive work grows as the narrative shifts. Focusing more on Rick’s work, the novel bounces from Paris and Spain to […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-07-30T05:44:58+02:00July 30th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

The Fat Girls Club: Hawaii Five No by Lila Johnson

Author Lila Johnson and her trio of wild and openhearted women are back in The Fat Girls Club: Hawaii Five-No, another hilarious and globe-tripping installment of this one-of-a-kind series.

Sissy, Nicki and Angela find themselves in the strange webs of love, as always, despite being on different sides of the globe, yet they can always rely on one another when the tears start to flow and the stress starts to build. From impossible choices between very different lovers to the complications of gender politics and romance in the professional world, these women navigate their troubles together with grace, humor, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-07-30T02:25:30+02:00July 30th, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Chick Lit Book Reviews, Women's Fiction Book Reviews|

General Jack and the Battle of the Five Kingdoms by David Bush

A young hero from another world must find the strength within himself and the creatures of the wild to overthrow the brutal paw of tyranny in General Jack and the Battle of the Five Kingdoms by David Bush. This short adventure novel is an ideal entry point for young fantasy lovers, as it explores classic themes of rebelling against evil, overcoming personal doubt, and finding allies in unexpected places. Brimming with creativity, boasting vivid world-building, and tipping its cap to other classic fantasy authors, Miaow and young General Jack make a spectacular team in this heartfelt, well-penned tale.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-07-30T03:56:21+02:00July 29th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: The Art of Love (& Loathing) by Stephen Daniel Ruiz

Author Stephen Daniel Ruiz dives deep into the mind of a struggling writer desperate for the puzzle pieces of life to fit in The Art of Love (& Loathing). A thoughtful, emotional, and at times hilarious novel, this book is a magnifying glass on modern life with all its unfair pitfalls and daily existential crises, reminding readers of what unifies, rather than divides.

Arthur Kimble is a man whose heart is in the right place, but his mind doesn’t always follow, nor does his luck or behavior. Struggling to keep a floundering literary journal afloat, while also attempting some […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-10-01T06:54:36+02:00July 28th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Literary Fiction Book Reviews|