Reviews
The Last Ghost: An Unexpected Occurrence
D.E. Ring (Grinder)
The Last Ghost: An Unexpected Occurrence by D.E. Ring is an enthralling tale that follows Joshua Stewart, a gifted and ambitious young man navigating the complexities of wealth, family, and personal identity. The story follows his childhood on the Toronto Bluffs, the tragic death of his parents in Thailand, his education at prestigious schools, and his daring ventures into business and finance, where he is passionate about technology and innovation. As Joshua matures, he carefully maneuvers through a world of inheritance, trust funds, and entre...
Guilt: Book One of the Nancy Flanagan Chronicles
Maisie Moon (Maisie Moon Books)
In the aftermath of World War II, Irish Catholic nurse Nancy Flanagan seeks a fresh start in England. A heartbreaking past, visions of demons and spirits haunt her, and she will do anything to leave that past behind, but when she meets a mysterious patient with dark secrets, she decides to work together for a new start. Imagine her life with a war veteran with a dark secret, a German with ties to the Nazi regime, and a demon-infested entity that threatens her sanity, and it’s a mess. To face their past, Nancy and his patient travel to Argentina...
A Mixed Bag
Agnes McIntyre (FriesenPress)
A Mixed Bag by Agnes McIntyre is a delightful offering for fans of short stories, featuring sixteen tales. This book presents characters who are intriguing and find themselves in resonant situations. In “The Gift,” the author explores the beauty of simple gestures and their profound emotional impact. “Double Whammy” explores the dynamics between luck and grit, and “Some Such Something” delves into the eccentricities of life and the experience of confronting reality. In other stories, a woman in her seventies visits her past and discovers the po...
Oleander Marriage
Eleanor Lerman (Mayapple Press)
Oleander Marriage by Eleanor Lerman is a profound and emotionally resonant poetry collection that deftly explores love, loss, memory, aging, and the inexorable passage of time. Through a series of richly textured poems, Lerman discusses the fragile threads that connect us to our past selves, loved ones, and the universe at large. The collection features personal reflections with mythic and cosmic imagery, creating a layered canvas that captures life's fleeting beauty and enduring scars. Poems like “A Girl on the Streets” and “Silver Rings and G...
Old Books and Faded Dreams
D. L. Norris (Outskirts Press)
Old Books and Faded Dreams by D. L. Norris is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports you to the picturesque town of Tilden, Nebraska. The story follows Maggie Davis, a strong and hardworking widow living in a grand Victorian estate with her lively nine-year-old daughter Jenna. Maggie’s life revolves around her bed-and-breakfast, a hub of community and conversation, with an eclectic cast of guests. Her business provides a venue for socializing, gossip, and at times, heated discussions. Maggie’s life is about to be upended when a...
Lessons III: Confident Conversations
Dr. LaDonna Marie (LaDonna Marie Books)
Confident Conversations Lessons III by Dr. LaDonna Marie is an uplifting collection of poetry that explores inner strength, faith, and personal growth. The poems combine heartfelt stories, biblical scriptures, and reflections to inspire readers to face life's challenges with confidence. Covering themes such as destiny, justice, healing, and divine connection, it encourages embracing one’s purpose with perseverance and faith in God's plan. The author’s poetic insights are powerful affirmations for releasing pain and embracing spiritual renewal....
Scoundrels & Cocktails
Joe Newell (Self published / Marsteles Enterprises)
Reid Franco is a rough-around-the-edges private investigator with a heart of gold. Once a baseball player and stuntman, now a reluctant hero with personal demons, Reid’s business is helping people solve their problems—though he struggles to fix his own. Reckless, stubborn, and a bit of a drinker, he dives headfirst into dangerous cases, from dismantling sex trafficking rings to confronting gangs. The narrative features intriguing episodes that are delivered with wit and humor, beginning with Reid stuck in traffic, pondering the idea of adding “...
The Torus Run
Harry Buck (Calliopezen Publishing)
In a near future where AI companions become inseparable from daily life, brilliant but introverted researcher Stash Novak creates “Twins,” personalized AI that form deep bonds with their owners. When a shadowy hacker collective steals sensitive data from his company and the NSA attempts to seize control, Stash goes on the run with Zero, his witty Twin. Teaming up with Naya Baptiste, a rogue scientist fleeing unethical experiments, they encounter Alia—Europe’s first legal AGI—and work to stabilize her. As a manipulative AI named Q threatens all...
Treacherous Hack (A Mike Stoneman Mystery)
Kevin G. Chapman (First Legacy Publishing)
Treacherous Hack by Kevin G. Chapman is the seventh book in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series, yet it remains a perfect read as a standalone mystery. This gripping crime thriller is set in the dark, dangerous underworld of New York City’s organized crime, cyber hacking, and political corruption. The story follows Detective Mike Stoneman and his partner, Jason Dickson, as they investigate the brutal murder of Lou Palazzo, a shop owner entangled in a web of data theft, Chinese espionage, and gang warfare. Meanwhile, young cyber-savvy students Rya...
American Educational Excellence: The Foundation of Our Values, Democracy, and Market Capitalism
Kenan E. Sahin (Forbes Books)
American Educational Excellence: The Foundation of Our Values, Democracy, and Market Capitalism by Kenan E. Sahin, PhD, offers a comprehensive and nuanced defense of American education, examining its core values, historical evolution, and unique institutional ecosystem. Sahin argues that American educational excellence is rooted in fundamental values such as initiative, innovation, family autonomy, community volunteerism, and a decentralized governance model. He traces the development of American educational institutions from colonial colleges...