John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

An encouraging, actionable guide for writers who want to find and develop their audience, The Hands-On Author: Taking Control of Your Book Marketing Journey by J.J. Hebert delivers real-world wisdom on the contemporary state of book marketing. From inventive strategies that engage readers and tips for remaining gracious with fans to choosing the right advertising platform and crafting an effective press release, this is an updated and easy-to-navigate handbook, regardless of your reach or notoriety as an author. Hebert’s accessible narration, intuitively structured advice, and practical experience not only make his recommendations valuable and attainable, but something that can be […]

A contemporary revelation about the dark side of success, Nulling Out: The Terrifying Cost of Success and The Path Back to Being Fully Alive by Cheryl Jack, MD is an illuminating introduction to the growing crisis of disconnection among the world’s best and brightest. Across industry and global society, a growing number of leaders may be high-functioning, but are experiencing a spiritual numbness in their lives, which is growing one “optimized professional” at a time. This book shares the critical symptoms and risks of “nulling out,” as well as a practical toolkit for reconnection and rediscovery of purpose. Timely, informative, […]

A resounding debut novel that rings with themes that are both contemporary and ageless, Intrinsic by France Pinzon is a thought-provoking exploration of morality and memory in an age of societal upheaval. After a decade away at a recovery center called the Quiet Resort, Anne Reynes returns to her eccentric “old rich” clan in the Republic of Groves, a near-future island nation where legacy is synonymous with power. As she attempts to find normalcy in the present, she is haunted by specters of her past, yet emboldened by the slippery prospect of a youth-driven future. In this dystopian world of […]

A rousing poetic ode to a steadfast sentinel, Winds of Sovereignty: The Mavulis Poems by Sen. Francis Tolentino examines and celebrates Mavulis, the northernmost island of the Philippines, and a legendary testament to vigilance. Beginning with a broad dive into the historical significance of the Vanguard Islands, followed by a compelling portrait of Mavulis itself, these poems vary widely in form and style, but all are underwritten with admiration for the island’s unique purpose and people. Bringing this isolated locale into a more relatable context, this lyrical collection is rounded out with sincerely passionate poems that highlight the island’s ongoing […]

A compelling introduction to a relentless and relatable private investigator eager to cut her teeth, Shadows of Deceit (A Cassie Maddox Mystery Book 1) by Timothy R. Baldwin unveils a shadowy city where the lines of truth, power, and justice blur at every turn. Cassie Maddox’s first stakeout is to catch a cheating spouse, which quickly spirals into a deadly tangle of financial fraud, corporate sabotage, and desperate forces willing to kill to keep their secrets safe. Relying on wits, instinct, and a trusted group of allies, she discovers the danger of digging into the darkness of the past, which […]

Holding up a wickedly blunt mirror to real-world politics, Fatal Hope by Robert Thornton pits one intrepid sleuth against the worst impulses of a world leader hungry for all-out revenge. Hope Allerd may be the American president’s “good luck charm,” but the Commander-in-Chief’s would-be assassin literally slips through her fingers, sending her to Las Vegas in pursuit. Delving into the seedy and strange world of illicit illusions, she will need to use every trick up her sleeve to catch the criminal magician and prevent a global meltdown, as the unhinged president is threatening nuclear war. Delivered with Thornton’s signature breathless […]

A rapturous, mystical dive into a clan of sacred protectors of an Irish legacy, Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist by Valerie Biel expands the sprawling lore of the Tuatha de Danann. Across the Emerald Isle, a disturbing pattern of disappearances around Mabon – the autumnal equinox – becomes a critical clue in the latest supernatural threat to the Quinn family and its magical mothers. The sinister echo of Brigit’s grandfather, Malachi, continues to haunt them, forcing them to seek out the fickle and dangerous deities in the Otherworld, which could be their salvation or cement their ultimate doom. […]