Book Reviews | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Ungodly by Braedon Riddick

Author Braedon Riddick unleashes a sinister story of dread and doom with his debut novel Ungodly, a grim, spine-chilling horror show.

On a mysterious mountain in the wild parts of North Carolina, an unassuming town suffers the dark creep of horror as tragedy begins to strike in increasingly terrible ways, pushing the unprepared citizens to the brink of sanity and desperation. In this time-jumping, non-linear novel, readers are plunged into a puzzle of action from the very start, and must put the pieces together as they are introduced to the town’s various inhabitants, and victims.

Amanda, the central figure, […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2021-01-29T05:43:54+02:00January 12th, 2021|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Horror Book Reviews|

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 Book Reviews|

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 Book Reviews|

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|

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 Reviewer2026-07-24T11:32:13+02:00December 22nd, 2020|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Literary Fiction Book Reviews, Visionary Fiction Book Reviews|

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: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews, Young Adult Book Reviews|

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 Book Reviews|

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 Book Reviews, Religion Book Reviews, Self-Help Book Reviews|