John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Tetrastatum by Tim Smith and Dr. Richard

For those who think sci-fi is little more than futuristic space operas and allegorical cautionary tales, Terastatum, the new novel from Tim Smith and Dr. Richard, will certainly broaden your horizons. Inspired by the likes of other famous Richards – Feynman and Dawkins – this book is a wild and wise journey through time, space and some of the most complex fields of modern science.

The novel is founded on a truly boggling premise that there is another universe, just as massive and incalculable as the physical one, consisting of non-matter, known as a thotonic universe. Not only can […]

Review: The Scream Behind Her Smile by Athena Daniels

In The Scream Behind Her Smile, author Athena Daniels takes readers into the dark heart of emotional turmoil, and into the devastating picture of a toxic marriage, but also offers a slice of hope.

The novel centers around Claire, a woman who suffered too much at too young an age, and found herself locked in a loveless marriage following the loss of a child – a marriage where psychological manipulation and dangerous games were the norm. As Claire feels control in her life spinning away, she chooses to make a change, leaving Derek and his mistress behind. However, this […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-08-22T06:11:41+02:00July 17th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Romance Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

The Way of Glory by Patricia J. Boomsma

The Way of Glory is a riveting exploration of a long-past era few authors would dare to tackle with such confidence. Cate is a richly developed heroine wrestling within a narrow scope of 12^th century morality, seeking her own salvation, but also keenly aware of the societal and cultural evil being done around her. Bringing England to life in all its primeval humility, author Patricia J. Boomsma has created a stunningly good story that should strike a timely chord for history and high fiction lovers alike.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-16T08:23:02+02:00July 16th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Kimberling Bridge by Jeffrey W. Tenney

In Kimberling Bridge by Jeffrey W. Tenney, the savagery of life rears its ugly head once the fragility of America’s dominance is revealed and exploited. Unlike so many other post-apocalyptic thrillers, this character-driven story tugs at the heartstrings, but isn’t afraid to delve deeper into philosophy, delivering readers a rich and rewarding experience.

After an EMP attack destroyed America’s infrastructure, the rest of the world was soon to follow, leaving only those alive who knew how to hide – or fight. William is definitely classified as the former, only managing to eke out survival by staying well out of harm’s […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-08-19T10:54:07+02:00July 15th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Post-Apocalyptic Book Reviews|

Review: Chasing a Flawed Sun by Daniel McGhee

In Chasing a Flawed Sun, author Daniel McGhee courageously exposes his experiences with addiction from his younger years in raw detail. Anyone who has ever felt addiction touch their lives, either directly or indirectly, will find comfort and understanding in this addiction memoir, which is in turns beautiful and brutal.

Daniel McGhee was what most would consider an average kid, from a suburban background on the East Coast, where most of his immediate needs were taken care of, at least those that are most easily measurable. However, as his story unfolds, and he begins to lose his footing on […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-11T05:58:43+02:00July 11th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Addiction Book Reviews, Memoir Book Reviews|

Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles

Among the many self-proclaimed guides to literary excellence on the market, Creating Literary Stories stands out for its thoroughness and humility. Rather than being peppered with personal anecdotes about his own success, Coles delves into the valuable nuts and bolts of storytelling, addressing in layman’s terms some of the more complex and nuanced elements of perspective, suspense, and dialogue. This well-structured and holistic guide tells an entertaining story of its own with poignant examples torn from literature, complemented by Coles’ cogent lessons learned as a successful writer.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-10T08:04:39+02:00July 10th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Three Paperclips & a Grey Scarf by Sheldon Charles

In Three Paperclips & a Grey Scarf, author Sheldon Charles captures the brutality of the battlefield and the true strength of brotherhood with sharp, visceral prose and a stark level of realism. At times tragic but always gripping, there are also moments of whimsical musing about life and fate that would resonate in any genre. Told from the unique perspective of a writer forced into his own story, this action-packed novel has just as much brains as brawn.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-09T11:44:54+02:00July 8th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

The Millennial Way Home by Jeremy Kho

The Millennial Way Home by Jeremy Kho cogently addresses the real-world concerns of young people trying to navigate the real estate market. By avoiding stuffy or overly technical talk, Kho’s advice on mortgages, renting/leasing, and being realistic about your financial standing is valuable and easy to digest. His practical tools and unpretentious advice is genuinely refreshing, making this a useful real estate guidebook for a new generation of homeowners who may be overwhelmed by the process.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-09T05:19:20+02:00July 3rd, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|