John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

Review: When We Were Brave by Karla M. Jay

The stories of World War II often focus on battlefield heroics and the history-shaping decisions made by famous leaders. However, scaling this global conflict down to a more intimate level can also be immensely valuable, which is precisely what author Karla M. Jay has done in her new work of historical fiction, When We Were Brave.

Three very different storylines grow and artfully wind together in this sometimes harrowing read: a recently emigrated family sent back to Germany, an SS officer wrestling with a crippling crisis of faith, and a young Jewish boy just beginning to understand the cruelty […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2020-12-02T04:21:48+02:00July 22nd, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews, World War II Book Reviews|

Fragile Body and the World Around Me by D. Green

An astonishing poetry collection by D. Green, Fragile Body and the World Around Me articulates the trauma and struggle of life. Processing his own chronic condition through verse and marrow-deep reflection, Green’s emotional outpouring is soul-baring and deeply moving. With visceral moments of revelation and intimacy, carefully veiled in silken words, this collection exemplifies how poetry can turn despair into beauty. Both inspiring and heart-wrenching, this slow, at times clinical examination of love, death, wholeness and purpose will resonate long after Green’s final line.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-19T08:42:51+02:00July 19th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

50 Dinosaur Tales by Sabrina Ricci with Garret Kruger

50 Dinosaur Tales: And 108 More Discoveries From the Golden Age of Dinos is the perfect blend of education and entertainment, as both young and old readers are invited to see the world through a very different set of eyes. Authors Sabrina Ricci and Garret Kruger bring to life some lesser-known dinosaurs from Earth’s prehistory, weaving unique facts into simple stories. At times, this book reads like Aesop’s Fables, if they had been set in the Mesozoic Era, while the post-story bullet points and reference materials give the book significant authority and impact.

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John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-07-19T05:42:45+02:00July 19th, 2019|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

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 […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-09-06T06:42:41+02:00July 18th, 2019|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews, Time Travel Book Reviews, Visionary Fiction Book Reviews|

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|