SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
Giving Back: Memories, Reflections, and Lessons Learned by Edward A. Joseph
Wisely worded recollections from slightly simpler times, author Edward A. Joseph bares his soul in Giving Back: Memories, Reflections, and Lessons Learned, a heartwarming, powerful, and easy-to-read collection.
With an impressive career as a published storyteller, these personal and previously published stories are healthy, honest, and unafraid to probe the deeper meaning behind the simple joys and moments of life. From cinematic childhood misadventures as a caddy to his brief but hilariously recounted time as a car salesman, Joseph peels back his losses, victories, and discoveries with a smirk and a shrug.
Summoning full-bodied characters, eras, and visceral moments, […]


A delightful and heartwarming adventure into a bitter winter world of precious narwhals, evil antagonists, missing grandfathers, and sacred duties, The Night Sky by C.A. Cordova is an innovative work of YA visionary fiction.
A refreshing and generation-spanning guide towards healthier communication and a brighter future, Handing Down Hope by Nate Slaymaker is a relatable map for the mighty task of parenting, coaching, or managing teenagers.

An emotional allegory with flairs of Greek mythology, romance, and sci-fi, Starlight Legend by Alana Lee is a heartfelt novel about growing up, finding love, and staying true to yourself.
The Mills Kept Grinding by Martin Smallridge is a harrowing depiction of World War II that fleshes out characters in stark detail – both the good and the brutal – in which readers can eerily see themselves on every side of the conflict. By the end, it is hard to imagine such a brutal and sadistic Europe, which acts as a grim recollection of the past, and a reminder of what humans are capable of in the present and future.
An intimate and articulate confession of youthful curiosity, Denham Hall by Bridgette Campbell is a delightful coming-of-age collection that will transport readers back in time, immersing them in a richly imagined world of self-discovery.