Lead Story | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Thalondor: Kingdom of Legends by Shane Lege

A hero from a strange land arrives to fulfill an ancient prophecy and save a magical realm from annihilation in Thalondor: Kingdom of Legends by Shane Lege, a classic clash of good and ultimate evil.

Awakening in a bewildered state, with only scraps of his memory intact, Valaric is mysteriously dropped into an unknown realm, where shadowy danger and confusion haunt his every step. However, after finding a treasure chest of supplies, weapons, and gold, this destiny-bound hero plunges eagerly into the throes of any adventure that may come.

Gathering companions in the forest along the way, such as Whisperwind […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-10-20T15:27:28+02:00October 16th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Involuntary Flashback by Dave Garrett

Tapping into a classic noir vibe with a good dose of contemporary flair, Involuntary Flashback by Dave Garrett is a fast-talking, razor-sharp Big Apple mystery.

An old-school private investigator “on the top of the endangered list,” Rod Weyhengrubber is a reckless and charming protagonist with a soft spot for the vulnerable and easily manipulated. A town full of promise and desperation keeps him plenty busy, particularly the recent rash of disappearances of hopeful starlets and young dreamers. When a young ingenue named Lilly seeks sanctuary with Rod and his partner, Ida, it becomes a race to crack the case before […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2024-01-25T10:45:55+02:00October 3rd, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Detective Fiction Book Reviews, Thriller Book Reviews|

Review: In the Shadow of the Sun by Poli Flores Jr.

A touching tale of brotherly devotion and the life-altering consequences of war, In the Shadow of the Sun by Poli Flores Jr. is an outback California drama that echoes across small-town American life.

In the shifting cultural landscape of the Vietnam era, a young man named Curt leaves for war as a musclebound titan, but returns as a troubled and broken soul, unprepared for the very different battles that still lay ahead. When a respected member of the community is bludgeoned to death shortly after his return, the clues and suspicions all seem to point toward Curt.

With corrupt law […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-09-29T12:18:09+02:00September 29th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Beginning of Arrogance by Bryan Cole

Author Bryan Cole debuts his A Paladin’s Journey series in stunning style with Beginning of Arrogance, a page-turning sword and sorcery adventure that will thrill devoted fantasy fans. The freshly imagined realm of Baltorc and Watford’s dramatic denizens set a coastal stage for the rise of a sinister new evil in this creative and compelling origin story.

An aspiring hero taking the first steps of his warrior’s journey, Krell is an ambitious and readily likable protagonist at the core of this novel. Bearing a heavy secret – the voice of the sea god ReckNor in his mind – Krell […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-09-25T17:26:00+02:00September 25th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Fantasy Book Reviews|

Review: Delaware From Railways to Freeways by Dave Tabler

A photographic and curiosity-inspiring tour through the “First State” during the bustling 19^th century, Delaware From Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler is the second installment of his eye-opening series about an oft-overlooked state.

Like Tabler’s first book in this deep-dive state trilogy, each turn of the page reveals stunning images and well-penned anecdotes lined with historical intrigue, surprising revelations, and carefully chosen details that many tourist guides would lack. The 19^th century was marked across much of America by massive developments in industry, social progress, and bitter conflicts, and the history of Delaware […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-08-22T13:54:14+02:00August 21st, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: History Book Reviews, Photography Book Reviews|

Review: Wonders in the Waves by Jennifer Collins

Heartwrenching, honestly written, and challenging, Wonders in the Waves by Jennifer Collins is a novel about family, love, grief, and courage, and a compelling sequel to Comfort in the Wings. Striking a delicate balance between the intimacy of first-person narration, and the excitement of a rich plot full of relatable characters and twists, this multilayered book is at once intimate and page-turning.

Larissa is a 51-year-old mother that is at risk of getting lost in grief. Her sweet daughter Emma, 21, passed away less than a year prior, leaving a gaping hole in her life, and that of Emma’s […]

Marina Dora Martino2023-08-16T13:07:24+02:00August 15th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Contemporary Fiction Book Reviews|

Review: Remember Us by E.T. Gunnarsson

A post-apocalyptic road novel with a strong pair of protagonists in a richly described dystopia, Remember Us by E.T. Gunnarsson adds a fascinating new layer to his Odemark series.

Two years into his time on new-world Earth, Simon is ready to brave the wasteland, leap into frontier life, and see what beauty the recovering planet still holds. However, when a starship falls out of the sky, just as Simon dreamed that it would, he convinces Anna to join him on a quest to find the craft, and their relationship is entertaining from the start; Anna’s vague annoyance at his naïveté […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-08-08T17:26:16+02:00August 7th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Post-Apocalyptic Book Reviews|

Review: Karl Myers by Jeff Lee

An instantly immersive story of innocence lost and justice miscarried, Karl Myers by Jeff Lee is a patiently profound piece of 1950s fiction – a visceral, dark, and poignant drama, which offers a snapshot of a sinister time that America has yet to fully escape.

Karl Myers is a melancholic ex-Marine police chief with a stack of regrets, an unwavering hunger for justice, and a raised eyebrow at the backwards beliefs that still flourish in the town he calls home. Jerry Peterman is a scarred veteran with a quick temper and no tolerance for weakness, let alone disobedience, from either […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2023-07-18T15:42:58+02:00July 12th, 2023|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Historical Fiction Book Reviews|