Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Gracious Nature by Robert J. Tiess

A tender and timely reflection on our beloved planet, Gracious Nature: Poems on Earth and Life by Robert J. Tiess is a poetic love song to the land we so often overlook.

With an unwavering reverence for life that loyal readers will recognize, this latest collection winds from playful and self-reflective to dramatic and dire, acknowledging the awesome power and unexpected fragility of nature. Some of the pieces offer a compelling rhythm and energy, creating a sense of urgency and the raw tension of the natural world, particularly in “The Music of the Wolves” and “Overcoming.” Later sections of the […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-25T14:34:49+02:00April 24th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Poetry, Robert Tiess|

Review: The Dinosaurs of Appalachia by Alex McLean

The Dinosaurs of Appalachia by Alex McLean is a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of prehistoric life, scientific discovery, and the enchanting world of dinosaurs on the East Coast of the US. Through the eyes of its captivating dinosaur characters, the book invites readers on an expedition back to the Mesozoic Era, offering both a wealth of knowledge and a profound appreciation for the region’s paleontological significance.

At the forefront of this journey is Monty, the Appalachiosaurus, whose orange and red plumage and formal attire embody the grandeur and mystery of the ancient creatures that once dominated the landscape […]

Jeyran Main2024-04-22T15:30:31+02:00April 22nd, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Books, Science|

Review: Her Own War by Debra Borchert

The divisive tragedy of war pulls a fearless fighter from the vineyard to the front lines in Her Own War by Debra Borchert, a gripping and lyrical work of historical fiction.

A French pastoral romance and a wartime thriller, this novel begins with slow world-building and character development, giving readers a probing look into Genevieve’s community and the indomitable strength of her spirit. As the Republicans of Napoleonic France concentrate their power and turn their eyes to wider conquest, Genevieve’s tight-knit wine-growing community in the Loire Valley grows frustrated with endless wars and the burden of unfair taxation.

When a […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-26T16:11:36+02:00April 19th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Debra Borchert, Historical Fiction|

Review: The Great Being by Bill Harvey

An eon-spanning epically creative work of visionary alternate history, The Great Being by Bill Harvey is a sprawling parable about the powerful forces behind our interconnected existence.

After the Nothingness came into awareness of itself 14 billion years ago, it began to create energetic bodies and fantastical creatures, which spread out across the vast cosmos, but that didn’t mean they were easy to control. That’s where the Agents of Cosmic Intelligence come into play, helping to influence the course of time and the fate of entire worlds created by the great deity.

Melchizedek and Layla are sent to Prehistoric Earth […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-19T17:36:44+02:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Bill Harvey, Visionary Fiction|

Review: The Day of the Space Voyager by James Parker Walker

A reluctant hero’s journey of self-discovery like no other, The Day of the Space Voyager by James Parker Walker is a gripping tale of aliens, angels, and ancient protectors of the stars.

When a solitary thinker, William Henry, encounters an interstellar traveler named Axzum one cold Colorado night, he is launched on an incredible journey into the unknown, even as he continues to explore the depths of his own consciousness and identity. Learning more about his connection to Axzum and his mysterious home planet, Will must come to terms with the truth of his eons-long mission.

Sent as a refugee […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-09T16:15:32+02:00April 8th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Science Fiction, Visionary Fiction|

Review: The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri

In a once-magical realm now ruled by an iron fist, one young woman must liberate the forces within to change the world, and save those she loves, in The Last Refuge by Christina Bacilieri. A rebellious YA fantasy thriller with an apocalyptic edge, this first installment of the Stealing Sanctuary series is a stunning foundation for what’s to come.

Over a century ago, magic was outlawed and shuttered away behind the forbidden borders of Etabon by the Founding Ruling Board, who claimed that the elimination of magic would save the planet from constant war and an age of darkness. However, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-04-02T16:49:44+02:00March 29th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: YA Fantasy, Young Adult|

Review: From Utopia to the American Dream by John Czingula

From homemade bunkers in rural Hungary to the bright lights of Hollywood, author John Czingula takes readers through the historic highs and lows of a unique life in his memoir, From Utopia to the American Dream. Exploring the perils of living in a communist country and celebrating the freedom of opportunity in a new world, this book captures a fascinating and unlikely journey in the post-war era.

The book opens with a dramatically detailed account of wartime occupation, particularly because it’s depicted through the eyes of a young child, although the narrative voice is mature. As the specter of […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-28T16:07:55+02:00March 28th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Memoir|

Review: Bargaining Chip by Jim Parker

Putting a fictional spin on a real-world conflict, Bargaining Chip by Jim Parker is a bold and nuanced reimagining of Putin’s war against Ukraine, resulting in a tense and timely thriller.

In this slightly tweaked reality, the Russian superpower has found the scrappy Ukrainian military to be a surprisingly resilient enemy, and while victories and losses have been traded by both sides, the Ukrainian president knows that NATO and American support may not last forever. In a desperate attempt to turn the tide of war and take the fight to Russia, a daring counteroffensive is planned – one that will […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-03-26T14:34:53+02:00March 25th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Latest Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller, War|