John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

About John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Providing exceptional writing, editing and publishing services to hundreds of international clients, ranging from nutritional copywriting and long-form ghostwriting to substantive editing, assessment/analysis of academic texts and structural/content editing for bestselling novels.

I’ll Fly Away by Marc Sapir

I'll Fly Away by Marc SapirA compassionate combination of end-of-life storytelling and medical reporting, I’ll Fly Away: Stories About Amazing Disabled Elders by Marc Sapir is an affirming collection of stories and essays centered on the myriad experiences of disabled seniors.

The author’s firsthand relationship with these patients as a Medical Director at the Center for Elders’ Independence in Oakland, California provides an uncut glimpse into the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of caring for the elderly and infirm, as he simultaneously participated in and gathered these touching reflections from a unique population too often overlooked or hidden away. From hard-fought victories over illness and the […]

2025-05-23T15:21:49+02:00May 23rd, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

The Memory of a Name by Federico Angel

The Memory of a Name by Federico Angel

Detailing his family’s vibrant history and exploring the power of legacy in shaping our lives, The Memory of a Name by Federico Angel is a touching and unflinchingly honest memoir of a family. From his father’s early days in the Coffee Triangle and becoming a paper baron during WWII to seeking a new life in New York to escape persecution and his complex homecoming to Colombia, this dual biography/autobiography highlights the moments of luck, uncertainty, sadness, and joy that define the roots of every family tree, demonstrating how we are all guided by similar experiences. Embracing the tragic and triumphal […]

2025-05-22T15:33:54+02:00May 22nd, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Crossing the Sea of Shattered Glass by R.B. Bunn

Crossing the Sea of Shattered Glass by R.B. BunnPoignant and painful in its clarity, Crossing the Sea of Shattered Glass: A Voyage Through Grief by R.B. Bunn is a powerful collection of poetry that explores the universal experience of regret and loss.

Writing specifically about his uncle’s death and long struggle with addiction, Bunn’s poems range from deeply personal memories and anecdotal reflections to lyrical abstractions with dense metaphors about emotional processing. Pieces such as “Double-Edged Pill” and “The Price of a Bottle” are unflinching examinations of addiction and self-destruction, while “The Fishing Rod” and “Smoke” tenderly peel back the poet’s life and memory, as though longing for […]

2025-05-22T15:12:22+02:00May 22nd, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Review: The Matrix Opal by Stella Atrium

The Matrix Opal by Stella Atrium

Youthful heroes face the unforgiving burden of duty and legacy in The Matrix Opal by Stella Atrium, a hard-edged coming-of-age story in a sprawling new sci-fi/fantasy realm, setting off The Duchy Wars series in spectacular fashion.

Ariseng, a young and unassuming force of nature, embarks on a risky quest in possession of the titular talisman, along with a ragtag cadre of companions. Shouldering the weight of a legendary responsibility in a time of social unrest, Ariseng must determine friend from foe and outsmart those who would seek to control the mysterious powers of the whispering people. However, Arisent is linked […]

2025-07-01T16:58:34+02:00May 19th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Hack Rescue by Tom Kranz

Hack Rescue by Tom KranzThe third stellar novel in Tom Kranz’s Earth-Moon Rescue series, Hack Rescue: Chasing A Cyber Killer is a high-stakes hunt for a vengeful cyber-villain determined to bring a young lunar colony to its knees.

Inexplicable system failures are pushing the population of the Dome to a breaking point, and saving the day once again falls to Chairman Rick and his adorably curious android daughter, Peach. From foul waste management crises and explosive terrorist attacks to robotic suicides and hyper-modern malfunctions, time is rapidly running out for the father-daughter team to keep their moon-bound community safe.

The off-world setting is brilliantly […]

2025-05-16T10:36:38+02:00May 15th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

The Fall of Magic by Phoenix Rokni

The Fall of Magic by Phoenix Rokni

A classic piece of epic high-fantasy, The Fall of Magic (The Master’s Core Book 1) by Phoenix Rokni pits a relentless conqueror against a reluctant champion of hope. The cruel Prince Drazius has launched a brutal crusade of elven eradication in service to the dark god, while Volir, an elven warrior who longs to become a legend, must overcome his fear of leadership to unleash his full potential. Immersive bursts of battle and action sequences are matched by poignant examinations of duty, revenge, prejudice, trauma, and familial secrets, which will appeal to readers of both action-heavy and character-driven fantasy. While […]

2025-05-14T09:26:27+02:00May 14th, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: A Guide to Jazz in Japan by Michael Pronko

 A Guide to Jazz in Japan by Michael Pronko

A thorough overview for jazz fans anywhere in the world, A Guide to Jazz in Japan by Michael Pronko is a thoughtful music guide that casually swings across the line into storytelling.

Beginning with the author’s disclosure over his passion for Japan and the powerful connection he has to the jazz scene there, the book then proceeds into a recognizable guide of 40 jazz clubs, categorized by vibe and style, with detailed but succinct information on cost, expectations, location, history, and other standout features. Each is accompanied by the author’s more subjective account of his experience in each spot, offering […]

2025-06-16T15:17:03+02:00May 14th, 2025|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

The End: Omicron by Aaron Ryan

The End: Omicron by Aaron RyanA second stunning novel in an apocalyptic series from Aaron Ryan, The End: Omicron is both prophecy and incisive allegory, revealing the depths of depravity that can result from absolute power.

Picking up after the events of the preceding installment, Sage Maddox pushes forward with his plan to infiltrate the Friends of Nero and execute a risky assassination plot, while Darius, a newly wanted man, seeks acceptance and purpose in the UK after abandoning his post at Nero’s side as High Vassal. From conspiratorial basements in Washington to savagely tense face-offs in London, Ryan’s rapid-fire prose leaps across countries and […]

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