John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A whimsical, heartfelt, and surreal novella from Frank C. Senia, Cactus Dreams pushes the boundaries of belief and redefines the idea of finding one’s purpose in life. Antonio, a young man who can hear secret desires and memories on the wind, embarks on an epic treasure hunt to America. Armed with the mystical wisdom of his spiritual guide, the ethereal Luna, who once led him through a saguaro cactus into a fantastical realm between reality and dreams, this is a desert quest like no other, imbued with a blend of legend and life lessons. The novella feels in part like […]

An inspiring, faith-driven collection of powerful wisdom drawn from lived experience and hard-won healing, It’s Time to Turn Up! No More Trauma by Lady D outlines a path to peace for trauma survivors and those who love them. Both deeply personal and hugely cathartic for both author and reader, this book gives voice to the visceral pain and perennial struggles brought on by abusive behavior, while offering a path out. The clearly expressed and compassionate prose teaches readers to defend their autonomy and rebuild their sense of safety through the author’s personal strategies and vulnerable confessions. She doesn’t sugarcoat the […]

A welcome revelation for parents, guardians, teachers, and people at large, Raising Future Leaders: How to Turn Tiny Tyrants into Titans by Nam Nguyen is a wholly original and accessible compendium of leadership advice. Far more than a standard parenting manual, this book focuses on how to actively provide children with the foundations for success throughout their lives. From key concepts of adaptability, resilience, curiosity, goal-setting, and self-reliance to lessons on habit-building, sleep patterns, social skills, financial responsibility, critical thinking, and kindness, this comprehensive guide is empowering, while sensitive to the fact that children are indeed young and perhaps less […]

Logic clashes with legend in Guardians of the Ley Lines by Greg Maxfield, a thoughtful and entertaining supernatural thriller that challenges both ancient beliefs and the arrogance of modernity. A data-driven researcher is determined to disprove the existence of ley lines in the spiritual nexus of Redstone, Arizona, but the inexplicable phenomena he finds there transcend indigenous folklore or cozy local delusions. Quick-moving and relentlessly probing about the clash of science and spirit, this novel delivers a clever condemnation of contemporary society and a stern reminder for all to respect the lifeblood of the Earth.

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A charming array of colorful characters makes Easter at the Three Coins Inn by Kimberly Sullivan a captivating second installment of her richly picturesque Three Coins series. A beleaguered Midwest journalist, a couple in crisis, a mourning restauranteur and more fill the rooms of this well-kept Italian inn, leading to tension, romance, and surprising pathways of healing. Though the narrative focus shifts away from Emma and Annarita, their friendship and support underpin this pastoral getaway tale, immersing readers in sun-drenched drama and the relatable relief of an unpredictable and unforgettable holiday, which feels like taking a holiday in itself with […]