Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Perspective to Pen, Edited by Ben C. Ward, Created by Robert A. Cozzi

The work of twelve talented poets overflows the pages of Perspective to Pen: An Anthology, created by Robert A. Cozzi and edited by Ben C. Ward. This collection touches on every imaginable angle of the human experience – abstract and symbolic musings, bold political statements, heartrending commentaries on love, and vivid personal recollections of childhood and lost memory.

Lisa Bain fearlessly explores grief and perseverance with unconventional structure and commonplace imagery in her work, while Brian Fuchs hurls powerful political demands as easily as he shares vulnerable vignettes of pain and loss. Shanika Benoit’s work resembles mantras and meditations, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-26T09:47:56+02:00January 12th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Poetry, Robert A. Cozzi|

Review: The Greatest Hoax on Earth by Alan C. Logan

Upending one of America’s most fascinating modern legends, The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth, While We Can by Alan C. Logan is a revelatory historical exposé. For those who have seen the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio or read the book Catch Me If You Can, Frank Abagnale Jr. may not be a an unfamiliar figure, but as this book proves, that charming and wildly successful con man may not deserve his legacy.

It is clear that the author spent years accumulating the impressive catalogue of evidence this book presents, not to mention organizing and arranging it to deliver […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-25T04:25:36+02:00January 11th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Biography|

Review: Rock & Roll Murders by Phillip B. Chute

Author Phillip B. Chute takes readers on a winding West Coast ride through murder, jealousy, betrayal and music in Rock & Roll Murders: An Entrepreneur Finds that Murder is No Business Solution, a lurid and thrilling true crime tale.

Raymond McDade is the sleazy centerpiece of this creative nonfiction thriller, a radio station owner who will do anything to stay on top and keep his wife beside him, even if it means leaving bodies in his wake. The story traces his career and the infamous murder case in which he becomes embroiled, after his wife’s lover ends up dead […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-21T03:32:44+02:00December 23rd, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Phillip B. Chute, True Crime|

Review: The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae

Readers are welcomed into the most intimate moments of a truly strange existence in The Friends of Allan Renner by Dave J. Andrae, a masterful piece of narrative fiction. Divided into seven very different but interconnected stories, this collection exposes the fascinating inner life of Renner through vignettes of his bizarre relationships. At times a heady blend of philosophy and cultural allusions, this is a dense semi-sci-fi read that cleverly roasts human nature, while also celebrating its temerity and curiosity.

Renner initially reads as an average protagonist, but an ironically extraordinary one, with a whip-smart memory, a deft tongue, and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-20T10:46:28+02:00December 22nd, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Literary Fiction, Visionary Fiction|

Review: The Pebble Champion by Alan David Pritchard

Author Alan David Pritchard delves deep into trauma and loss, as well as identity and self-discovery in his new novel, The Pebble Champion, a stirring tale of sadness and self-discovery.

After the tragic loss of his mother, 15-year-old Chris Elliot finds his world turned upside-down, and his sense of home torn asunder. This novel traces his path forward, and details the nuances of teenage life and development with remarkably clear and agonizing accuracy. Not only is the story touching, but also widely relatable; though no reader will have experienced exactly the same struggles, the humanity on display as Chris […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-02-26T13:57:33+02:00December 18th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Alan David Pritchard, Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult|

Review: Unleash Your Inner Goddess by Christine Rizzo

A life coach who has walked the walk, Christine Rizzo speaks strongly and sincerely to women about discovering, developing, and manifesting their best qualities in Unleash Your Inner Goddess: Start Living the Life You Deserve.

After an introductory affirmative “Let’s do this!” Rizzo states that in order to achieve our goals, we have to know what they are. Each of us holds largely unexamined beliefs inculcated into our thinking by repetition on the part of people we trusted, but beliefs are really just “sentences” – remnants of childhood lodged in the subconscious mind, which can control our lives. We […]

SPR2021-01-19T04:21:27+02:00December 14th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Self-Help|

Review: Abandoned Not Broken by Rob Johnson

An adopted child finds inspiration and determination from family, friends and mentors and grows into manhood successful, well-liked and respected, in the moving memoir, Abandoned Not Broken: The Passion and Perspective to Discover Your Purpose.

Robert Dunckley was the third child of a single mother. His father disappeared not long after the seemingly happy partnership with his mother, and a caring great-grandmother stepped in with financial support. With her oversight, the little boy was taken in by his loving babysitter, Pat Johnson, who soon adopted him, giving him her surname and two older siblings.

Through trying circumstances, young Robert […]

SPR2021-01-13T10:24:38+02:00December 7th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Memoir, Religion, Self-Help|

Review: The Better Man Plans by Bobby Cudd

Author Bobby Cudd delivers a comprehensive, accessible, and entertaining guide for those looking to improve how they show up for their relationships in The Better Man Plans: What men should know and do to cultivate more harmony and love with the women and children in their lives.

From examining traditional relationship conflicts and the internal failings of masculinity, to prescribing innovative activities and new approaches for connection, communication, and ambition, this book takes varied angles on the same fundamental issues. Perhaps most notably, the author touches on aspects of relationship that are often overlooked: romantic apathy, invisibly existing in […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-13T10:13:25+02:00December 6th, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Relationships, Self-Help|