Editorial Reviews

Among the many self-proclaimed guides to literary excellence on the market, Creating Literary Stories stands out for its thoroughness and humility. Rather than being peppered with personal anecdotes about his own success, Coles delves into the valuable nuts and bolts of storytelling, addressing in layman’s terms some of the more complex and nuanced elements of perspective, suspense, and dialogue. This well-structured and holistic guide tells an entertaining story of its own with poignant examples torn from literature, complemented by Coles’ cogent lessons learned as a successful writer.

In Three Paperclips & a Grey Scarf, author Sheldon Charles captures the brutality of the battlefield and the true strength of brotherhood with sharp, visceral prose and a stark level of realism. At times tragic but always gripping, there are also moments of whimsical musing about life and fate that would resonate in any genre. Told from the unique perspective of a writer forced into his own story, this action-packed novel has just as much brains as brawn.

The Millennial Way Home by Jeremy Kho cogently addresses the real-world concerns of young people trying to navigate the real estate market. By avoiding stuffy or overly technical talk, Kho’s advice on mortgages, renting/leasing, and being realistic about your financial standing is valuable and easy to digest. His practical tools and unpretentious advice is genuinely refreshing, making this a useful real estate guidebook for a new generation of homeowners who may be overwhelmed by the process.

In A Guide on How to Calm Down, some of the most effective methods for self-control and emotional management are explained in clear, concise terms, interspersed with real-life examples and engaging anecdotes. While many of these strategies may come across as common sense, they are presented in digestible and memorable ways, making this book appealing and worthwhile for those readers who occasionally struggle to keep their cool, which may describe most everybody.

Rare is the book that can combine history, mystery, and philosophy in an engaging way, but The Lost Epistle by Jane Ritzenthaler manages to hit the high notes in this blend of genres. Delving beyond religious dogma into the grey space of legend, the book is a thought-provoking ride through those brackish waters of religion and fact. Ritzenthaler has no fear of challenging accepted norms, but also has a graceful pen and a penchant for strong storytelling. Regardless of your stance on religion, this book proposes timely thoughts on truth, zealotry, history, and the plasticity of shared beliefs.

Dripping with 1920s swagger and enough twists to trip up a flapper, Grace in the Wings by Kari Bovée is a romance-fueled mystery with Manhattan skylines, unfettered ambition, and plenty of murder to go around. Grace Michelle is an entrancing and magnetic dynamo of a character that carries this book on her ingenue shoulders. This roaringly good novel is a loving homage to an era, a captivating story of painful growth, and a twisted mystery that will leave you wanting an encore.