SPR’s book reviews of new self-published books
Boys, Bears, and Bubblegum by Carolyn Madero
The challenges of being a young boy are uniquely showcased in Boys, Bears, and Bubblegum, an eclectic collection of short stories and poems for children written by Carolyn Madero and illustrated by Giovanni Munari and Jane Brusetti.
The stories showcase challenges in the form of speech impediments, the terror brought on by nightmares, or the yearning to be seen as responsible – all while teaching valuable life lessons through a mixture of humor, empathy, and graceful prose. Poems like “Would You Like to Hear My Poem?” emphasize a child’s struggle to be heard over the demands of daily life.[…]
Layers by A.G.R. Goff is a riveting thriller that keeps you on edge throughout; it’s claustrophobic, tense, and contains a mystery that is revealed slowly, while still reading at a fast pace. 
Clouds: On the Wind is another lovely book of poetry by Gary Burns, adding another naturalistic collection to his oeuvre.
The Samui Conspiracy by Michael Peart is the entertaining sequel to the breezy legal thriller, The Fanling Conspiracy, and the last installment in the series.
A fun and witty thriller, The Fanling Conspiracy is the first in the Conspiracy Series by Michael Peart, appropriately dubbed “A light-hearted legal thriller.”
Sorrow and hope are equally mixed in From Hell to Happiness: How to Heal When Your Loved One Is Terminal, an inspiring memoir about life with a cancer sufferer by Christopher Cooper.
Please Stay: A Brain Bleed, A Life In The Balance, A Love Story by Greg Payan tells the story of the random and almost fatal brain aneurysm suffered by the author’s wife, Holly, a 39-year old college professor, showing life’s fragility, but also its potential for great strength.