John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: The Saga of Ol’ Rausch by Nick LaTorre

Author Nick LaTorre beckons readers into The Saga of Ol’ Rausch with a mischievous and knowing Cheshire Cat grin. This trilogy celebrates the immortal escapades of Rauschmonstrum, the greatest being in human history, capable of true miracles and magic unmatched on Earth. This aptly named saga stretches from Jerusalem to the White House and everywhere in between, delivering a fictional tongue-in-cheek history of the world as we know it.

Beginning back in the time of Jesus, Ol’ Rausch details how it was he who elevated Jesus of Nazareth to such heavenly heights, describing the Savior as nothing more than a […]

Review: Joe’s Odyssey by Nick LaTorre

Sent on a seemingly harmless client meeting for his boss, Joe Kerson has no idea that his life is about to take a wild turn in Joe’s Odyssey by Nick LaTorre. Dreaming of making a drastic change in life is something to which most readers can relate, giving this wild and unpredictable adventure broad appeal.

Joe Kerson is used to people walking all over him, but with a single shove, he finds himself the new owner of a luxury yacht, and eight suitcases overflowing with mob money. The only problem is that he has no idea what to do next, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-17T08:20:54+02:00January 24th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Into the Suffering City by Bill LeFurgy

Baltimore from a century ago gleams under a sinister spotlight in author Bill LeFurgy’s electric Into the Suffering City.

Dr. Sarah Kennecott is a gifted medical examiner, but eccentric behavior and a brilliant mind in a woman is not appreciated in such misogynistic times. Finding herself an unlikely ally in a local private detective, Jack Harden, she is determined to see that justice is done for a murdered showgirl, even if that means doing it outside the boundaries of the law. In a town where violence, corruption, brutality and ignorance still reign, Sarah is a fiercely independent light and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-01-23T08:22:26+02:00January 23rd, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

The Adventures of Rug Bug by Kay M. Bates

The Adventures of Rug Bug: The Revolution by Kay M. Bates is a lovingly penned book for young readers about friendship, morality, and standing up for what you believe in. Rug Bug is a charming little hero, and the vivid world that Bates creates is sharp and smart. Accompanied by clever footnotes and overflowing with creatively epic descriptions of this miniature world, the story is amusing and entertaining throughout. Though this fast-paced book could use the occasional grammatical polish, it boasts relatable themes and thoughtful parallels to the real world, for a highly successful work of children’s fiction.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-01-23T08:26:04+02:00January 22nd, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

House of the Shrieking Woman by Steven Ramirez

Author Steven Ramirez weaves a gripping tale of demons and dark forces in House of the Shrieking Woman. The second book in the Sarah Greene Mysteries sees the 33-year-old psychic delving back into the world of the supernatural, determined to use her ghostly gifts for the good of others.

This time around, Sarah must journey into one woman’s shadowy past to help her find peace from demons both inside and out. Pitting her nascent investigative skills against a sinister power that thrives in places of pain and suffering, the main character makes this quick thriller hard to put down. Sarah […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-01-21T07:49:34+02:00January 21st, 2020|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Horror Book Reviews, Paranormal Book Reviews|

Thrash by Jason Palmer

In the dangerously dystopian world of Thrash by author Jason Palmer, Harry is a hard-drinking anti-hero that can take a beating better than anyone in town, a science experiment begrudgingly squaring off against the city’s resident villain, Brian Thurgold. This book has the bitter edge of “Watchmen” and the darkness of “Gotham,” along with gleefully acidic humor from the protagonist that counters the more graphic and gruesome moments. Palmer’s savagely casual writing style makes this truly strange read a violent delight.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-01-20T10:16:12+02:00January 19th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Lamellia: The Wizard in the Forest by Gloria D. Gonsalves, Illustrated by Silja Schüler

A young mushroom heroine is the protagonist of Lamellia: The Wizard in the Forest, a whimsical and meaningful children’s book by Gloria D. Gonsalves. Family revelations, magical/musical defenses, and a heartwarming resolution round out this parable, which is accessible for a wide age range.

Tiara is the strong-willed protagonist of this beautifully illustrated children’s book. The princess of Lamellia, Tiara embarks on a quest to find a missing friend and discover the secret of her own past. Tiara was born a human, but was taken in by King Polipoli and Queen Nobilia after being orphaned in the forest […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-02-17T08:18:19+02:00January 14th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Trusting Wine by Rachel Lee Glass

A mystical secret and the complex nature of love swirl at the center of Trusting Wine by Rachel Lee Glass. Although a future-telling wine drives the plot of this family drama, the magical realism is balanced by powerful dialogue, vulnerable moments of personal confession, and delicate discussions of faith. The narrative style is quite declarative, which can be jarring against the romantic essence of the novel, but overall Glass delivers a confident and magical musing on life, family, and destiny in this original and entertaining novel.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-01-13T09:01:17+02:00January 13th, 2020|Categories: Editorial Reviews|