Reviews
Commissar: A Novel of Civil War Russia
D.V. Chernov (Heathen Press)
COMMISSAR: A Novel of Civil War Russia by D.V. Chernov delivers a taut thread of espionage, personal sacrifice, and the moral dilemmas faced during the turbulent Russian Civil War. Set against a backdrop of political chaos in 1918, the novel unfolds the dual narratives of Anna Sokolova, a passionate Cheka agent, and Boris Savinkov, a notorious figure pursuing contrarian ambitions in a volatile Russia—an acclaimed historical spy thriller inspired by actual events. After an assassin attempts to kill Soviet leader Lenin, agent Anna Sokolova is tas...
We Beat Back The Fascists
Spencer Kroll ()
We Beat Back The Fascists, a gripping historical novel by Spencer Kroll, unveils the echoes of America's past as it draws parallels between the divisive events of the late 1940s and the contemporary political climate. Set against the backdrop of the Peekskill riots of 1949, the narrative centers on the controversial concert of African American singer Paul Robeson—a figure synonymous with civil rights and anti-fascism. The novel is skillfully interspersed with themes of socialism, race, and the disillusionment felt by those who fought in World W...
Deep Fried
Mark Doyon (Wampus Multimedia)
In Mark Doyon's novel Deep Fried, Arjun Chatterjee, an Americanized millennial food-truck chef crafting multiethnic recipes in a parking lot outside the nation’s capital, pursues a young woman working in a Kafkaesque office nearby while navigating a world of oversized dreams and shaky prospects. He faces the ups and downs of creativity, love, and entrepreneurship in this tale of resilience and the quest for fulfillment, brimming with humor. Readers are treated to a richly layered exploration of human relationships, ambition, and cultural inters...
The Metal Sisters
Dawn LeFevre (Dawn LeFevre)
In 1985, aspiring rockstar Sapphire’s dreams clash with her college plans until she meets wild child Destiny—a guitar-shredding rebel with a knack for chaos. United by their love of heavy metal, they dive into the whirlwind of the Sunset Strip, hoping for fame. But as disillusionment takes hold and challenges arise, their friendship is pushed to its limits. The Metal Sisters is a heartfelt tale of dreams, music, and the bonds that define us. Dawn LeFevre delivers an enthralling story set in the late 1980s that follows the intertwined lives of t...
A Spiral of Moments
Robert Beech (PentaBeech LLC)
A Spiral of Moments by Robert Beech is set primarily against the backdrop of the small, idyllic Marcosta Island, Florida, weaving through the lives of its inhabitants as they contend with the repercussions of the past and the looming impact of present decisions. In early 1997, Marcosta Island faces an existential threat from billionaire developer Derek Nielsen. The narrative opens with a Hollywood press conference announcing Anna Nyholm’s debut as a film director for a project based on the story of Lieutenant Simon Bronson, a World War II hero...
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The Birthday of Eternity
A.D. Price (Amy Dunkleberger/Glore House Books)
The Birthday of Eternity, the second volume of A.D. Price's Comfort & Company series, explores the delicate interplay of life, death, and rebirth through the lens of its multifaceted characters. The narrative begins with Daivika, who introspectively recounts her life's tragic and transformative moments, starting with her grandmother's death. This event delivers a catalyst for her emotional and spiritual journey. In post-WWII L.A., private investigators Kit and Henry dive into the booming occult scene to find Lillian, the estranged wife of a...
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Treasure: Gifts Received from Challenges, Struggles, and Trauma
Pamela Starusta (Wildpalm Corp.)
Treasure: Gifts Received from Challenges, Struggles, and Trauma by Pamela Starusta is a memoir-cum-guidebook blending profoundly personal narrative with universal lessons on healing and self-discovery. Capturing the agony and aftermath of trauma, the book reveals how life’s darkest moments can transform into powerful sources of strength and enlightenment. The core message revolves around the transformative potential of trauma. Starusta asserts that challenges and struggles can break us and fortify us. Instead of succumbing to despair, she encou...
10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure
Teri M Brown (10 Little Rules)
10 Little Rules for a Double-Butted Adventure by Teri M Brown is a wonderful exploration of personal growth, transformation, and the quest for adventure. The book is an inspiring guide wrapped around the author’s journey of cycling across the United States on a tandem bike with her husband, Bruce. Through this adventure, Brown discovers new geographical locations and insights about herself, her relationships, and life at large. She shares those insights in this life-transforming book! The book's central message is about embracing life’s challen...
Knocktopia
Hunter Malone (Aslon Press)
Knocktopia: Secret of the Mother Lobe by Hunter Malone starts with Ben Coolahan, a young boy whose life takes an unexpected turn after his father's death. The narrative begins with Ben at the National Bank of Boston, where he receives two items from his father's will—a mysterious copper medallion and a letter that sets him on a journey fraught with danger and enigmas. Despite his stable life in Boston, Ben is thrust into an unfamiliar world when he is sent to live with Delilah, his step-grandmother, in a lawless area associated with his family'...
The Mystic Vial
Stephanie Dean (Page Publishing)
In The Mystic Vial by Stephanie Dean, Julia Graham, a wealthy retired artist, gifts her granddaughter Chloe a mysterious vial before passing. When Chloe’s cat, Goliath, shatters it, a red haze drapes their home and transports them to a bizarre world of fairies and flying unicorns. Transformed in appearance but not in mind, they must navigate their new forms—from Chloe's newfound age to Goliath’s human guise—and seek a way back to normalcy. The plot spins around the chaos caused by this transformation and the quest for a counter vial, “Ealim Mth...