Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Cry of the Firebird by Amy Kuivalainen ★★★★

Cry of the Firebird is the first book of The Firebird Fairytales by Amy Kuivalainen, a series that promises a fresh twist on the world’s mythologies and folklore.

Anya has always been unusual – an outcast ostracized from the people of her village and raised by her isolated grandfather, Eikki. Burdened with strange visions, Anya’s favorite pastime is drowning her unwanted sight in a bottle of vodka. Her downward spiral into drink and apathy soon come to a jarring halt, however, when Tuoni, the incarnate aspect of death, pays her a visit shortly after Eikki’s murder. Her life is abruptly […]

Dakota Kemp2015-08-05T04:43:32+02:00July 6th, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Giuliana’s Way by Albert M. Parillo ★★★★

Giuliana’s Way, by Albert M. Parillo, is a delightful and moving historical fiction novel about an intelligent and gifted Italian girl.

In 1941, when Giuliana Landini was only eleven, she emigrated from Italy to the United States to live with her aunt and uncle in New Haven, Connecticut. Her grandmother and teacher in Italy thought the child was too bright to settle for a normal life in Amalfi and wanted her to have the opportunity to advance her education and opportunities.

Italy left a permanent mark on Giuliana, especially when it comes to cooking. At a young age it’s […]

T B Markinson2015-08-04T04:08:32+02:00July 2nd, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: The Modern Mughal Mentality by Dr. Afshan Naheed Hashmi ★★★★

In this slim volume, India-born business advisor and entrepreneur, Dr. Afshan Naheed Hashmi presents examples and case studies detailing how Indian businesses have confronted challenges and created successful enterprises, both within India and internationally, using the principles of jugaad.

We are told in the preface that the Indian word jugaad means many things and can be interpreted in many different ways, however Hashmi defines jugaad as “obtaining your objectives by maximizing resources through thinking outside the box.” Not exactly a mind-blowing business concept. While each example in the book illustrates one aspect of jugaad, there is nothing new or […]

Cate Baum2020-02-21T05:46:52+02:00July 1st, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Business Book Reviews|

Review: Queensboro by Thomas Drago

★★★★½

Content warning for child abduction and abuse of a sexual nature, as well as the use of racist and offensive language.

When model fourth grade student Ashley Smith breaks her zero-absence record at Crow Creek Elementary, everyone is immediately on edge. When Sheriff Brad Gleason calls a search, something far worse than anyone could have imagined is found, and once more the town of Crow Creek must handle loss at the hands of the simply unexplainable.

Meanwhile, an ex-employee of Carolina EnTech turns up worse than dead in a local diner, spurring the only witness curious enough to drive […]

James Grimsby2018-11-08T13:14:22+02:00July 1st, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Horror Book Reviews|

Review: Travel Your Way by Robert W. Bauer

Travel Your Way, by Robert Bauer, strips away the glamor and glitz of travel brochures and gets down to the nitty-gritty of what it takes to plan a wonderful and memorable trip.

In today’s Internet world, travel opportunities seem endless. But how does one sift through all the online travel companies, service providers, travel agents, and tour operators to find the most reliable and best deals? Vacations can be expensive and not everyone is an experienced traveler. Not knowing the options and process can discourage many from going on a trip they’ve always dreamed about. Bauer’s book outlines the […]

T B Markinson2019-03-08T11:18:00+02:00June 30th, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Non-Fiction Book Reviews, Travel Book Reviews|

Review: Face of Our Father by G. Egore Pitir

★★★★½

Face of Our Father by G. Egore Pitir is an exciting new entry into the burgeoning terrorist thriller genre. There’s a growing list of novels centered around the Middle East, so it’s tough to stand out. Face of Our Father is a unique and compelling addition to the genre, a thriller in which character development is a core part of the story, making it a multi-layered and satisfying read.

Captain Stu Pierce is an aging fighter pilot who’s past his prime though headstrong and principled. His wife, Angie, is still in the thick of it – a lawyer and […]

Henry Baum2016-07-15T11:19:51+02:00June 26th, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: International Thriller Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: Off Balance (Ballet Theatre Chronicles Book 1) by Terez Mertes Rose ★★★★★

Off Balance, by Terez Mertes Rose, is a refreshing and gritty story about friendships, dreams, and life.

Alice walked away from her ballet career after an injury forced her off the stage years ago. Lana is a young and naïve dancer who has recently moved to California in pursuit of her dream. Alice’s boss asks her to look out for Lana not knowing that Lana symbolizes everything that Alice has lost. The pain that she’s buried bubbles to the surface as does Lana’s insecurities and family troubles. Can the two women forge a relationship to help the other heal?[…]

T B Markinson2017-03-24T10:28:51+02:00June 25th, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Women's Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Paralysis Paradox (Paradox Consecution Book 1) by Stewart Sanders

★★★★½

Through a lens, and in remiss of time and space, four lives are lived in parallel. Four lives come together, and regardless of sense and argument, come to acknowledge their paradox: they live together, separately.

One lives as brother to the Count of Anjou, the next as a poor working boy, a third as a girl trapped by the unsaid, and the last, a machine. As an otherworldy device ticks long cycles on a distant bookend of humanity, a lost comrade contemplates, and these immiscible consciousnesses coalesce, with abstracted struggles converging on an immense level of conspiracy. Convoluted co-existence […]

James Grimsby2017-03-24T10:28:41+02:00June 25th, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews, Science Fiction Book Reviews|