SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
The Authors of This Dream by Seth Mullins
A radical, character-driven exploration of philosophy, meaning, music, and life itself, The Authors of This Dream by Seth Mullins is a rare piece of heart-baring fiction.
Brandon is the volatile and vulnerable lead singer behind The Edge of the Known; he’s a passionate musician seeking to exorcise his demons, but often inviting more along for the ride. Bursts of violence, drug use, existential crises, and manic episodes initially seem like the price of being a rock star, but it also triggers memories of his traumatic childhood. Suffering spells of nihilism, bursts of creative genius, and a lifetime of seeing – […]
Imbued with the wisdom and patience of age, Fading by Stephen R. Clark is a tender reflection on the strange wonders and sadness of life.
Revealing a striking glimpse into the past, and reminding readers of time’s healing power, River Current by M. Lee Martin is a delicately penned novel about the family we choose, and the time it takes to heal old wounds.
Digging back through a lifetime to his transformative travels as a young man, author Steve Amoia transports readers to a different age in Sardinian Days and Italian Nights, an illuminating and reflective travelogue.
A gritty novel that shines a light on the ugly side of alcoholism and the dark legacy of abuse, Facing the Past: Reflections of an Alcoholic by Frank C. Senia is a dizzying tale of personal redemption.
A woman is forced to reexamine an old heartbreak she thought she understood in Five Years Later by Sarah Kraft, a uniquely crafted, emotional thriller.
A delightful collection of stories that push past the boundaries of imagination, Twilight Tales by Atticus Ryder is aptly described in its subtitle as “Magic meets Science.” There is no end to the creativity on display in these charming, and occasionally challenging stories, with important underlying themes that can be critical in the formative years – loyalty, friendship, self-esteem, confidence, and honesty, among many others.
With the heart of an activist and the mind of a scholar, author Barbara Miller delivers a powerful message in Secrets and Lies: The Shocking Truth of Recent Australian Aboriginal History, A Memoir.