Editorial Reviews

Earth’s salvation – or its final failure – lurks beneath the Antarctic ice in Polar Deception (Crystal Connections Book 1) by Barbara Hanson Clark, a near-future thriller that crackles with contemporary relevance. In 2050, the discovery of a super-crystal that could reshape global power in a post-internet future draws a cast of curious characters and sinister seekers to the bottom of the world. These crystals could revive the past and catapult humanity forward, but acquiring them could also push the collapsing planet to its breaking point. Clark masterfully blends geopolitical intrigue, social critique, and moral philosophy into a thrilling, thought-provoking […]

A carefully researched historical drama from a watershed era in America, Of Their Own Free Will: Fort Mims to New Orleans by L.E. Denton shines an uncommon light on assimilation, belonging, and the weight of patriotic betrayal. Forced by a marauding Indian army to flee the fort he calls home with his wise Uncle John, Jacob Worley wrestles with the unavoidable divide in his soul – red warrior or white ally. Embarking on a journey into the legacy of his blood and America’s untamed wilderness, the overlapping lines of his loyalty, duty, and morality begin to blur, for a deeply […]

A thought-provoking roadmap to gratitude, self-knowledge, and inner peace, Another Way of Living (Book 1): A Journey to Infinite Peace, Immense Joy and True Freedom by Dr. Snezhana Djambazova-Popordanoska MD, PhD is an inspiring collection of holistic expertise. Focusing on practices that deliver meaningful change by harmonizing the physical, mental, and spiritual elements of everyday life, this book represents an all-encompassing path to wellness, focused on specific strategies to increase self-worth, manage stress, cultivate the mind-body connection, listen effectively, communicate compassionately, embrace self-love, and manage other daily pressures. Presented in an original and memorable blend of poetry, philosophy, and science, […]

A contemporary face-off between the seedy underbelly of society and the selfless forces of good, The Misery of December by Anita Mohammed pits vile deeds against valiant defenders for a gripping small-town crime thriller, showing how gang violence can hit any size town or city. A grim, tongue-severing cartel boss named Oscar Solando is mercilessly eliminating his criminal competition across Burlington, Vermont, where an unusual truce between the city’s rival gangs had previously kept the violence in check. Tasked with eliminating this murderous conqueror, a team of seven detectives tackles the gruesome case, putting their lives on the line as […]

A masterful strike of symbolic storytelling, Death of a Cigarette: A Story of Survival, Memory, and Legacy by Timothy Webber captures the courage of service and the interconnectedness of memory. Imaginatively recounting the long journey of a sentient cigarette as it’s harvested in the tobacco fields of Virginia, assembled to life in a crowded factory, deployed overseas as a K-ration, and left miraculously unsmoked on the death-strewn beaches of Normandy, the author has cleverly crafted a silent but wise spectator to history in the making. Linguistically rich, this strange but affecting novel is a haunting testament to sacrifice, selflessness, and […]

A tongue-in-cheek but informative retelling of the Good Book, The Bible in Tweets by Willie Jones is a Twitterverse translation that leaves no Scripture untouched or parable untweaked. Balancing a healthy dose of humor with clever close reading, this contemporary conversion makes the densely packed tome more accessible and undeniably entertaining. From hilarious handles and shorthand hashtags to ungodly replies and self-aware snark, Jones faithfully recounts the sacrifices, marriages, and miracles that form the foundation of Christian faith. While the tone shift may seem a step too far to some, this sardonic restyling of the Bible pokes fun at dogma […]

An explosive third chapter of a razor-sharp series, O’Shaughnessy Investigations Inc.: Leave Murder to the Professionals by A.G. Russo takes the story full circle, for a gripping, multifaceted thriller that brings out all the old knives. Still reeling from grief and the enveloping weight of World War II, Maeve and Vic are tasked by some familiar feds to investigate potential Nazi terrorists on American soil, while simultaneously unraveling a shady robbery scheme for a distant relative. When their covert sting turns out to be a setup, bitter old enemies come to the surface, still hungry for revenge, and relentlessly obsessed […]

A blunt and detailed account of survival after catastrophic brain trauma, Cerebral Eruption in Paradise by Fran Feavel Merkel is a harrowing memoir of healing and the myriad challenges of American healthcare. Just months after retiring in Arizona, Francine Merkel experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm, plunging her into a shocking spiral of emergency treatment and an arduous journey of recovery. Merkel’s book chronicles both the how and why of her life-altering condition, as well as the nuances of her essential day-to-day care in the months and years that followed, which makes for intense but sympathetic reading. Whether you are a […]