Editorial Reviews

An immersive and emotional work of historical fiction about the immigrant experience in early 20th-century America, What Once Was Promised by Louis Trubiano is a brilliant multigenerational saga told over four decades. From his tiny village in Abruzzo, Italy, Domenic Bassini lands in Boston, a city heaving with both opportunity and unrest. Dominic, Joseph, and Ermino take very different paths as they try to succeed in the country, and Dominic must navigate his friendships amongst the political and social dangers of the city. Well-researched and beautifully written, Trubiano brings both character and setting to vivid life, unveiling both the promise […]

An immersive historical reflection on seeking your purpose and finding your courage, Crossing the Blue Ridge: A Tale of King’s Mountain by L.E. Denton is a coming-of-age novel that celebrates brotherhood and patriotism, set against the growing sparks of the American Revolution. Caleb leaves a painful childhood behind to make his fortune in the unknown wilderness, but unlikely companions and the drumbeat of war pull him into a seminal moment of overlooked history. Consistent in its colloquial and authentic tone, this deeply researched narrative is engaging from page one, with compelling characters who are each believable in their emotions, moral […]

An inspiring YA novel about mental health, family, and friendship, Bridges of Resilience: A Teenage Journey of Friendship, Courage, and Discovery by Suanne Lewis is a message-laden novel written with delicate and sensitive prose. Nina is about to start her first year in high school when she receives the sudden news of her parents’ separation, making her the target of bullies, compounding her angst and despondency. By joining the peer support group at school, however, she finds a way to overcome her troubles and learn to help herself and others. Authored by a psychologist, the novel has the feel of […]

A brooding crimefighter and a teenage vigilante find their purposes entwined after a suspicious death in From Legend by Ian Lewis, a gritty urban mystery in a reimagined fantasy world. The method of the murder suggests a more sinister enemy than suicide – a merciless force of evil long thought vanquished, but perhaps instead has been waiting, scheming, and rebuilding its vicious power. Richly dripping in lyrical language and the ominous aura of a gothic horror, this first book in The Reeve series is a masterclass in world-building and mood-setting, elevated further by a thrilling but deeply haunted hero, and […]

An amusing and astute companion for anyone walking down the aisle, The Little Black Book of Marriage Wisdom: Quotes on Weddings, Divorce, & Happily Ever After by Mike Kowis, Esq. is a neatly curated collection of quotable advice. Offering classic takes on maintaining wedded bliss, clever quips for celebratory toasts, and sage one-liners for grooms and brides alike, this book draws on the wisdom of everyone from Groucho Marx and Mae West to Maya Angelou and Bruce Lee. Certain to alleviate the stress and spark a smile about the big day, this trove of clever witticisms reminds readers of the […]

Rebellious heroes in exile seek unlikely allies and a legendary weapon in Utcan’s Talisman by Stella Atrium, the epic fifth installment of the Tribal Wars series. In a world where magic and native gifts clash and blur with advanced technology and geopolitical scheming, loyalty is at a premium, but the power to see the future is priceless, and must be protected. Despite the far-flung premise of the series, and its unique kaleidoscope of cultures, philosophies, and supernatural abilities, Atrium weaves relatable tensions of war, resource scarcity, corrupt leadership, and indigenous wisdom across every thread of this tangled plot, for a […]

A tale of impossible love that unfolds over centuries, The Reincarnation of Marie: A Love Reborn in Paris from the Pages of History by Jim Woodman is a fantastically original mix of historical and supernatural romance. Set in 1950s Paris, Yann – a lonely history student – finds an astonishing diary in a Parisian market written by a young artist who lived and died in the 1800s. His obsession with the diary leads to him falling deeply in love with Marya, a young art student, who he believes to be the reincarnation of the diary’s subject, but how can one […]

An investigator hunting down a shadowy murder syndicate and a mystery writer pulled into one of her own stories make Criminal Intent by Joanne Swain a compelling, multilayered thriller. This female-driven tale is a frantic spiral of brash characters, surprising plot twists, and tragic revelations, laced with eroticism and character-rich drama. With a consistent lack of formatting for dialogue changes and long paragraphs that cover too much ground, the clarity and pacing suffers, so an aggressive edit is recommended. However, the bones of this story are worth exploring, as are the two lead characters, so if more attention was given […]