Editorial Reviews

In the aftermath of war, a fearless mother with a powerful gift and a hunted boy trying to stay alive see their lives collide in the genre-defying novel, That Blinding Darkness by John-Mark Kruger. An unexpectedly compassionate and thought-provoking tale, filled with well-crafted symbolism and timeless themes reflected in unusual ways, this unique and compelling read is wildly original. The occasional stretch of unformed prose, including a handful of missing words, and some conveniently filled plot holes, could use more attention, but Kruger deserves high praise for this masterfully constructed mixture of western, sci-fi, and dystopian fiction.

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This bilingual collection of poems from Sonja N. Bohm conjures the exquisite peace and meditations of a Portuguese garden, the title in English meaning, “Poems From The Garden.” The poems are full of space and light, and even when Bohm enters a more despairing phase of the writing, there is still hope for spiritual healing. In short but intricate bursts of emotion, the poems capture the sense of movement through life and love, transformation through loss, as well as the experience of beauty. There is certainly a sense the poems are more sumptuous in Portuguese, but even if you cannot […]

A swirling ride through corporate espionage and the dark depths of company loyalty, The Telecom Takeover by Beverly Winter is an intriguing cross of thrills and character-driven drama, featuring two unlikely sleuths and a cast of decidedly unsubtle villains. The story moves quickly, but the prose is too simplistic at times, with overly explicit motives and descriptions, as well as some superfluous dialogue. A firm editorial pen to trim the narrative fat and add spice to the increasingly intense storyline would help elevate the novel, but as it stands, this is an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at corporate malfeasance mixed with […]

A deliciously wicked thriller about a commanding woman out for revenge, Vindictive is an enticing tale of lust, assassins, and the wealthy behaving badly. After uncovering a scandalous secret about her husband’s past, Jules Cartell plots his demise while climbing the Canadian corporate ladder, but unfortunately someone’s also scheming to take her down. It’s hard to believe Vindictive is a debut, as author Ryan Lawrence writes with the crisp confidence and witty repartee of a master novelist.

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A gentle celebration of resilience, spirituality, personal growth, and self-knowledge, Silent Muse Poetry: Soul Food by Ariele Tee is an unassuming collection of poetry and universal guidance. Varying in style from simple koans and aphorisms to longer and more intimate explorations of personal experience, Tee repackages classic advice into meditative, bite-sized bits of wisdom. Accompanied by occasional illustrations, this is a faith-based book that could be opened to any page at any time, or slowly moved through as a daily practice. The font choice feels a bit busy, and some of these sage nuggets are somewhat repetitive, but there is […]

Sandra Wolff’s Dark Cloud is a stunningly gorgeous graphic novel about a woman’s quest to save land from nuclear destruction in the post-apocalyptic American West. With the help of her monk-like father figure, a loyal robot, and her own foresight, the amnesiac Dark Cloud leads the resistance against warlord General Stone before he can further decimate the environment. Full of dynamic characters, cinematic visuals by illustrator Jared Barel, and action-packed intensity, Dark Cloud is a must read for fans dystopian fiction, even for those unfamiliar with the graphic novel format.

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A timely fantasy about castaways fleeing their dying land to seek refuge on a cryptic island, The Last Families by Carla Doria is an epic tale about first contact with brutal worlds and rivalrous clans. Four remaining families with different magical powers must put aside their bitter prejudices if they want to survive in their new hostile environment. While Doria’s plot about the cycles of perishing civilizations can be bleak, the book’s message about finding love and working together is ultimately uplifting, for a visionary and wholly original work of post-apocalyptic fantasy.

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Scottish charmers, controlling fathers, and a holiday miracle or two make A Gentleman for Christmas by Shelley Kassian a delightful Edwardian escape. Cecily and Logan are magnetic characters from opposite worlds whose ultimate fate may feel decided early on, despite the objections and obstacles to their connection, but their coupling still unfolds with delicately crafted tension. Showcasing a wise pen and a mastery of lyrical language, this seasonal read swings between scintillating and sweet, with richly painted players who romance readers will want to eagerly curl up with for the holidays, or any other time.

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