Marta Cheng | Self-Publishing Review

Over the Mountain by Katherine P. Stillerman

Over the Mountain is an engrossing work of YA historical fiction by Katherine P. Stillerman, set in the volatile early sixties.

It’s 1961 and sophomore, Harriet Oechsner, has just learned that her minister father had been forced to resign amid parishioner complaints over his liberal views. He’s accepted a new position in Mountain Brook, an affluent suburb of Birmingham, Alabama – where being white and wealthy insulate against the struggle for civil rights taking place on the other side of the mountain. Knowing her father’s outspoken views on racial equality, Harriet secretly wonders how long it’ll be before her family […]

Marta Cheng2024-09-24T10:31:02+02:00April 6th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

A Firm Tree Does Not Fear the Storm by Jennifer Morris

Life is a series of chapters in A Firm Tree Does Not Fear the Storm, a poignant and entertaining work of women’s fiction by debut author, Jennifer Morris.

On the heels of her beloved Grammy’s death, Beth feels as though her life has lost its purpose, with her daughters both away at college and her husband constantly traveling for work. However, thanks to the unexpected gift of her Grammy’s house and after going to Florida to see her childhood friend, Amber, the seed for a potential new chapter to her life quickly takes root…

Evocatively titled, A Firm Tree […]

Marta Cheng2018-04-06T10:35:23+02:00April 5th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Women's Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Who Can Fix It? by Leslie Ann MacKeen

Who Can Fix It? is a delightful problem-solving picture book for young readers, written and illustrated by Leslie Ann MacKeen.

On his way to his mother’s house for Sunday dinner, Jeremiah T. Fitz’s car comes to a complete stop and then quits running altogether. Jeremiah wonders aloud who can fix his car and despite visits by the likes of Kara Kangaroo, Elmo Elephant, Gloria Gorilla, Petunia Peacock, Barnabus Bear and several others, all of whom offer Jeremiah encouragement and unique ideas to fix his car, no one is able to find a solution.

It’s not until the last animal comes […]

Marta Cheng2018-06-04T13:30:19+02:00April 2nd, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

Review: Stolen Obsession by Marlene M. Bell

A centuries-old curse, romance and multiple murders abound in Stolen Obsession, an irresistible page turner by Marlene M. Bell.

Country-loving antiquities appraiser, Annalisse (Anna) Drury, is horrified to discover a gold bib necklace, identical to a bracelet owned by her recently murdered best friend, in a showcase during the launch of an art gallery opening by her favorite client, Generosa Zavos. The necklace is part of a centuries-old collection of jewellery created explicitly for the Persian royal family that carries with it a deadly curse.

Anna enlists the help of Generosa’s son, Alec, who’s also at the gallery opening, […]

Marta Cheng2020-01-03T06:39:24+02:00March 26th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Romance Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: In Times of Silence by Merwyn Spears

In Times of Silence by Merwyn Spears is a comforting and poignant work of literary fiction about looking back on times gone by when the present seems to be fading away.

The narrator of this short novel is the last survivor of a group of childhood friends with the recent death of Megan, the leader of their childhood group, and someone who has held a special place in his heart. As he ponders her funeral and carefully puts her obituary clipping into the folder where all the others are kept, he’s filled with a deep sense of regret over Megan’s […]

Marta Cheng2018-04-17T07:33:27+02:00March 26th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Literary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Welcome, Reluctant Stranger (Between Two Worlds Book 3) by Evy Journey

A foiled assassination attempt, a corrupt government and an almost two decades’ long mystery are the surprising and intriguing elements in Welcome, Reluctant Stranger, the standalone third installment in Evy Journey’s excellent Between Two Worlds romance series.

At age nine, little Leilani Torres’ seemingly perfect life was uprooted when her mother suddenly arrived at her school and took her out of class before whisking her to the airport. There, she and her two siblings, along with her mother, boarded a plane and left behind her island home on Costa Mora – and her physician father.

Eighteen years have now […]

Marta Cheng2019-01-22T11:09:48+02:00March 23rd, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Romance Book Reviews|

Review: Lamellia: The Wicked Queen by Gloria D. Gonsalves, Illustrated by Katerina Brunot

Lamellia: The Wicked Queen is a charming story by Gloria D. Gonsalves, with the talented brushstrokes of Katerina Brunot bringing color and depth into this imaginative book for children.

Lamellia, the kingdom of mushrooms, is a magical place that would be perfect were it not for the fact that its rulers, King Polipoli and Queen Nobilia, have remained childless. This has left the queen constantly singing sad songs, making those around her sad as well.

One day, one of the king’s Lantern guards finds a human baby while walking in the forest. The baby is brought back to the kingdom […]

Marta Cheng2019-02-04T11:51:02+02:00March 6th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Book Reviews|

What Happened to Flynn by Pat Muir

Writer Pat Muir shows us that missing person cases are rarely what they seem in the compelling police procedural, What Happened to Flynn.

A divorced real estate agent and avid fisherman, Art had been reported missing by his broker ten days earlier. His missing person case lands on Detective Shanisa (Shane) Notfarg’s desk in October, 2008. A seasoned ten-year veteran with San Diego’s homicide division, Shane’s investigation is ordinary – until Art’s vehicle turns up trashed and she subsequently discovers that he was a whistleblower in a money laundering scheme. Shane becomes determined to get to the bottom of […]

Marta Cheng2018-03-05T09:12:23+02:00March 5th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Mystery Book Reviews|