Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms by Gloria D. Gonsalves

★★★½

Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms by Gloria D. Gonsalves is a whimsical and yet a rather unusual book following a society of mushrooms and its fungal king called Polipoli. They’re an advanced society with warring factions who are all based on actual mushroom species that grow in the world today.

One day while venturing off in the forest, a group of Lamellians discover a human baby all by herself. They decide to adopt the baby and use their mushroom abilities to care for her – such as milk from the Indigo mushroom and a soft bed for her to […]

Lysa Grant2019-12-03T07:27:21+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Children's Books, Gloria D. Gonsalves|

Review: Humanity’s Way Forward (The Edge of the Known Book 3) by Seth Mullins

★★★★½

Humanity’s Way Forward (The Edge of the Known Book 3) by Seth Mullins finds the band Edge of the Known finally getting a real foothold in the music industry, and Brandon, their leader, as conflicted as ever. The band wins a battle of the bands, gets favorable reviews and a record deal, and with it massive success. All the while, Brandon is continually tormented by his troubled past, his girlfriend, Janie, as well as deaths that find their way into his life. The book is a meditation on artistic creation, fame and fate. It’s a novel, and a series, […]

Henry Baum2019-01-22T15:27:59+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction, Men's Fiction, Music, Seth Mullins|

Review: Vector: Tradecraft: Phase Zero by Michael Shusko

★★★★½

Terrorist attacks, car chases, secret weapon research, a rugged hero and a determined doctor are just a few of the highlights in Vector, the addictive new thriller from Michael Shusko. The mysteries begin piling up early on, and the action-packed opening scenes grab readers by the throat and refuse to let go.

Lee Jansen and Emma Hess make quite a team, despite being two alpha experts who aren’t crazy about the idea of working together to crack the deadly case. The shadowy death of Jawad Khattib hints at impending doom for the entire Boston metropolitan area, but with […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2017-01-11T05:22:35+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Political Thriller, Thriller|

Review: Storm of Arranon by R.E. Sheahan

★★★★

The action in Storm of Arranon begins on the very first page, and doesn’t let up from there, and author R.E. Sheahan delivers an unforgettable and epic story. Readers are instantly plunged into the mayhem of this fantasy universe, which is filled with sinister assassins, merciless conquerors, death warriors, magical allies and more secrets than two worlds can contain.

Erynn Yager, a cadet training to fight for her world, is introduced early on, and she has all the classic signs of a fantasy heroine. As the first book of a trilogy, it is important that Sheahan makes the young […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-12-22T05:09:11+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy|

Review: The Chemist (Daniel Strong Book 1) by Alan J. Field

★★★★

The high-stakes world of global politics and espionage is packed with stories just waiting to be told, and Alan Field spins an incredible tale of this covert underbelly in The Chemist. For fans of the thriller genre, this book delivers in every way imaginable, from smart dialogue and protagonists with dark pasts to dangerous vixens and an endless array of secrets.

From the very first chapter, readers feel the tension building, and with every successive page, the plot becomes more and more complex. Field is a patient architect, however, and understands the value of making readers wait for […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2016-12-07T07:52:22+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Thriller|

Review: The Evolving Peacemaker: A Commitment to Nonviolence by Leona Evans with Matthew J. Evans

It is rare for a book to seem “perfect” for an era or moment in history, and while the concept of nonviolence is far from modern, The Evolving Peacemaker is a book desperately needed by the present generation. Author Leona Evans takes a wise and comprehensive look at every angle of nonviolence – from protests and politics to peace and personal reflection. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, which was furthered by historical figures like Martin Luther King and others, this book is essential reading.

It is an intensely personal book, and the author reflects […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-02-11T09:49:22+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Non-Fiction, Social Science|

Review: Emperor Norton’s Treasure Hunt by William Durkin and Shayne Durkin

★★★★★

In 1955, a year when the American Dream was fresh and alive, the San Francisco Chronicle had stiff competition to remain in business amidst the city’s infamous newspaper wars. Under tremendous pressure to succeed, an idea is born – like a diamond from coal: a treasure hunt. Not just any treasure hunt, but a treasure hunt of the ages. With clues to be given and real-life locations to visit, readers would fight tooth-and-nail across the city to find Emperor Norton’s lost prize… if it exists at all. With colorful characters both human and animal alike, follow along with this […]

James Grimsby2019-02-11T08:36:01+02:00November 28th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Children's Books, Middle Grade Fiction|

Review: The Black River Chronicles: Level One by David Tallerman and Michael Wills

★★★★

Finding a unique angle in a new fantasy series can be difficult, and creativity remains the most important element in the genre. In The Black River Chronicles: Level One (Black River Academy Book 1) by David Tallerman and Michael Wills, readers are fortunate to find a brand new world filled with recognizable characters – or at least classes – and a heartfelt tale of growth and friendship. It’s a keen mixture of the familiar and the innovative.

For anyone who has ever played a role-playing game, the concepts of leveling up and choosing a class are very familiar, but […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2017-02-17T05:39:57+02:00November 27th, 2016|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy|