John Staughton, Senior Reviewer | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Fireside Reflections by Alan Dahl

A neatly woven memoir of stories, lessons, and time-tested insight, Fireside Reflections: A Papa’s Lessons for a Successful Life by Alan Dahl is a touching portrait of a life well-lived.

Through detailed recollections and well-organized advice, the author captures his own life story and weaves it together with sage wisdom for his beloved family to remember when he’s gone. From philosophical musings about what lies beneath the surface via a fishing trip to finding a healthy balance of work and play as a distracted Scouts chaperone, Dahl imbues his tales with humble self-knowledge and honest reflection.

These stories may be […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-24T11:07:38+02:00June 11th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Glitches of Gods by Jurgen “Jojo” Appelo

A near-future techno-thriller that obliterates the line between sentience and software, Glitches of Gods by Jurgen “Jojo” Appelo is a mind-bending work of visionary sci-fi.

Still haunted by a deadly technological blunder from his past, Julien doesn’t trust himself to make another near-sentient AI, but if he doesn’t do it, someone else surely will. Before he can put his genius back to work, a bizarre string of technological glitches escalates into widespread chaos, just as a fresh target appears on his back for his role in the Class 4 catastrophe that claimed the life of his own father. It seems […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-06-11T16:56:35+02:00June 11th, 2024|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Science Fiction Book Reviews|

Something About Lizzy by Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi

A clever continuation of Jane Austen’s literary legacy, Something About Lizzy: Family Secrets Post-Pride and Prejudice by Robin Elizabeth Kobayashi is an emotionally penned testament to female friendship and self-discovery. Navigating her sixteenth year in the company of her cousin Elizabeth Darcy, young Sofia-Elisabete learns that even a seemingly perfect life can be rife with secrets and regrets. Peeling back the layers of polite society and marital conflict in a fictional but familiar world that loyal readers have come to love, this novel laces surprisingly timely themes of empowerment, bullying, and open communication into a dazzling 19th-century drama with […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-06-11T17:00:48+02:00June 11th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Baumed by Chris Kassel

Whimsical, wildly creative, and laced with contemporary wisdom, Baumed by Chris Kassel is an innovative addition to Oz-inspired lore.

Dorothy awakes from her legendary time away, which her guardians suspiciously deny, saying she had been in a brief comatose state. Auntie Em and Uncle Henry insist that she never left the house, let alone Kansas, but Dorothy’s unforgettable adventure was surely more than a dream…right? Undaunted by skepticism, Dorothy employs her Emerald City lessons to expose the manipulative men and women behind the curtain in her very real world, where the consequences for her community are as dire as anything […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-06-10T15:12:53+02:00June 10th, 2024|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Feisty Deeds, Edited by Carolyn Korsmeyer, Christy Matheson, Elaine Schroller and Kimberly Sullivan

A necessary fictional plunge into the annals of history’s unsung heroes, Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women is a perfectly curated collection of fearless women making their mark on the world. From charming murderesses and devoted patriots to battlefield heroines and rebellious homemakers, these tales of extraordinary women and their dangerous deeds span centuries and nations, for a well-rounded and insightful compendium of unheard voices. The distinct and polished prose of the contributing writers brings their imagined achievements to life, resulting in a captivating, thought-provoking, and undeniably inspiring collection. Transcending the tired themes of compulsory courtship and domesticity, these […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-06-10T13:48:10+02:00June 8th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Review: Rem’s Chance by Dave J. Andrae

Capturing the quiet struggle of a resilient generation with scathing wit and emotional depth, Rem’s Chance by Dave J. Andrae is a sardonic portrait of a generation.

A washed-up musician plagued by worst-case-scenario thinking rediscovers an almost forgotten passion when he embarks on a quest to uncover the past. After serendipitously running into an old bandmate in the midst of a tragedy, Remy Bruxvoort is catapulted back into the memories of his rock ‘n’ roll youth with Gene and Dusty, the other members of The Bubbling Samovars.

Setting aside his daunting ambition of writing a novel, and the painful stress […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-05T17:58:36+02:00May 30th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Music Book Reviews|

Review: Base Oasis by Jack Dunsmoor

A compelling and lesson-laden memoir that echoes with wisdom, Base Oasis: Finding My Way Home Again! by Jack Dunsmoor is a raw and unflinching collection of essays.

From youthful confusion over his absent father and empathy for those mistreated by vicious societal systems to secret UFO sightings and casual violations of child labor laws, this is a rich and detailed memoir of a truly remarkable life. These forty essays delve into broadly relatable experiences of growing up and making mistakes, outsmarting bullies, managing mental health as an awkward teenager, lifelong struggles with self-esteem, finding a sense of belonging and purpose, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-07-01T17:03:21+02:00May 30th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir Book Reviews|

Strange New Variations on Life by James Pryor

A compelling work of sci-fi dystopian fiction that hits satirically close to home, Strange New Variations on Life: Escape from Planet Earth (The Pystead Group Book 2) by James Pryor is an expansive and thrilling continuation of this wholly original series, which sees the ambitious Pystead pilgrims leave Earth’s unsafe seas and take to the stars, but their Martian destination is far from a welcoming sanctuary. Navigating mind-bending dualities and alternate personalities, Alice, Philip, and the rest of the crew embark on a turbulent journey into a new chapter for humanity. The prose occasionally feels unpolished and inconsistent, which can […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-05-29T13:07:14+02:00May 29th, 2024|Categories: Editorial Reviews|