Editorial Reviews

Dark animal spirits, desert warrior mages, and the enigmatic chronicle of a magical America make Bad Medicine: Rules of Magic, Volume 1 by Lance Horseman an entrancing and surreal work of visionary fiction. Upon his return to Colorado, a vigilante wizard who hunts down rogue magic-breakers is faced with a mountain of trouble – a deadly clash of brujos and dark devilry is brewing, far beyond the pay grade of local authorities. A sinister harbinger of death has set its sights on the souls in Eddie’s small town, forcing its primal defender to unleash the ancient power caged within. Expertly weaving indigenous legend, Western lore, and magical traditions, this genre-defying novel is a sharply written and striking start to Horsman’s macabre new series.

Bridging the critical knowledge gap between physical fitness and mental fortitude, The Mental Resilience Method for Young Athletes: 5 Science-Based Mindset Training Strategies to Gain Confidence, Improve Focus and Win Your Next Game by Inner Champion is essential reading for the next generation of competitors. Drawing relevant wisdom from the journeys of legendary athletes and coaches both past and present, this easy-to-read guide provides a range of training strategies to boost focus, productively channel emotions, improve performance consistency, and navigate the many pressures of being a dedicated young athlete, without ever being so positive as to deny the many challenges that athletes face. From mindfulness techniques and visualization strategies to emotional regulation tools when facing failure or disappointment, this quick but comprehensive book covers original ground, offering a mixture of philosophical, psychological, and interpersonal advice that will help younger athletes excel on and off the field.

A unique sci-fi thriller with storytelling roots in Mother Earth, Nascha: Episode One – New Worlds by Dani Cartwright is a smart and thought-provoking tale of galactic exploration and the boundaries of reality we have yet to break. When the starship Orien stumbles upon a rogue wormhole near the Kuiper Belt that could suck them through an Einstein-Rosen Bridge, the fearless and nanite-infused Captain Ron launches himself into the unknown of the Dragon’s mouth to protect his loyal crew. With a synthetic AI companion evolving beside him on the journey, the undaunted captain explores strange worlds, maps a new corner of the galaxy, dodges bounty hunters, and fights to survive as an alien very far from home. Moving at a blistering pace and spilling over with original twists of creativity that intriguingly blends original sci-fi tech with Navajo history, this first installment is a captivating foundation for a new series.

A remarkably researched peek into the life of a determined public servant, South Dakota Crusader: Francis Case’s Road to Congress by Stephen L. Wilson details the impressive journey of Francis Case, a United States Representative and Senator who served South Dakota for over two decades. Despite humble beginnings, Case perennially proved himself to be an ambitious, intelligent, and hard-working student, teacher, journalist, and civic leader, all of which made him an effectual and respected member of Congress in the latter half of his life. This portrait offers an inspiring example of resilience, decency, and purposeful living in the expanding ideological and media landscapes of the 20^th century. Exploring both personal and political nuance, this biography is a well-deserved tribute and a testament to honor in American governance.

A detailed and fascinating plunge more than 2,000 years into the past, A Brief History of France: Empires, Kings, and Revolutions by Dominic Haynes is an accessible yet academic read on a perennial epicenter of Europe. From throwing off the yoke of empires to worshipping pampered kings as gods, the role of France in geopolitics and popular culture has often been outsized, and this meticulously researched look into the nation’s evolution explains why and how it achieved such global significance. Though the first third of the book can be somewhat dense with ancient history, it lays a foundation for Haynes’ thorough storytelling around the more modern iterations of the French state. Accessible for historians, Francophiles, and casual readers alike, this is an informative and comprehensive introduction to a vitally important country and its history.

A manic sci-fi fling into truth, justice, and family loyalty, Benny Dubious: Hiding from the Feds is a wildly creative novella from Maxwell Hoffman. Suspension of disbelief is essential as Benny Dubious hides out with a suspicious group of his relatives, some of whom don’t appreciate his connections to a group of vigilantes gone bad in Los Angeles. However, if he can convince his brainiac cousin to build him a time chamber, he just might be able to outsmart the relentless Felix Fromm and the Feds, giving his crime syndicate the upper hand once again. While the unpredictable plot moves quickly, there are some serious formatting, editing, and storytelling gaps that make the reading experience challenging. A thorough edit is highly recommended for this and future installments from Hoffman, but the story’s lead character makes a solid foundation for a new series.