John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

The breakneck origin story of a cyber-charged vigilante, Neo-Spartans: New Year’s Resolution by Rory Simpson delivers a dark and electrified vision of the future in this first book of the Neo-Spartans series. At the end of the 23rd century, Nick Adams witnesses the brutal murder of his parents at the hands of the Black Death, a globally reviled terrorist regime, led by the enigmatic Thanatos. Embarking on the transformative path of a dark avenger, Nick must become more than human to protect the fragile fate of humanity. While there are familiar echoes of other vigilante superhero characters, and there are […]

A historical thriller laced with Shakespearean twists, Castaway on the Isle of Devils by Elisabeth Carson-Williams is an exceptional tale of murder and madness at the unknown edge of the New World. After embarking on a life-changing journey to the Jamestowne colony, Alice and her parents find themselves storm-tossed onto a mysterious island with the surly and superstitious crew of the Sea Venture, the ship that inspired Shakespeare’s The Tempest. As rations dwindle and tempers flare, the vicious side of survival is revealed, and Alice must find courage and companionship within her hellish new reality. Meticulous storytelling, immersive historical […]

Outlining techniques and extolling the virtues of mindfulness for mental wellness, Brain Enhancement (BE) Mindful Therapy: Live Life with Great Possibilities by Oscar J. Harp III, Ph.D., M.S. is an essential personal intervention for navigating our troubled times. Along with a thorough presentation of common and lesser-known psychological disorders, this guide focuses on ways to reduce stress and bolster mental resilience through non-pharmaceutical methods. The author is responsible in his presentation of options, acknowledging the unique nature of every patient, and the need for a holistic approach to both mental and physical health, which varies per person. Authoritative and accessible, […]

A roughneck crew of battle-tested grease monkeys is drawn into a conspiracy way above their pay grade in The Wrecking Squad by Nick Snape, an explosive first installment of the Wrecking Squad series. Receiving a distress call from a damaged mining ship sounds like a potential payday for the nearly desperate crew of the Sunstar, but the high-tech attack that scuttled the invaluable vessel is highly suspicious. One mystery leads to another in this brilliantly creative mash-up, playing on a wide range of themes from both sci-fi and contemporary thrillers to deliver a gripping interstellar adventure. Though some of the […]

An almost-famous guitarist cuts a devilish deal that lands him at the center of a supernatural standoff in The Fret Master by James Dobie, an intense fourth chapter in the Wallowa Lake Thrillers series. Nearing rock bottom as a burnt-out musician, Mason Rivers is desperate enough to sell his actual soul for the perfect hands of a rock god. However, when the price of fame climbs too high, he flees cross country with his begrudging partner-in-damnation, April Flowers. A gritty Faustian reboot coupled with an existential battle of good and evil in Wallowa Lake, this is a dark but still […]