Reviews

The House on Constantinople

Howard Wetsman (Idea Breeder)

| Reviewed by Sarah Harkness

Howard Wetsman’s The House on Constantinople, the first volume of the Just In Time series, invites readers into a rich world of intrigue, revenge, and philosophical contemplation against a turbulent historical period. Central to the narrative is a young man cloaked in anger and aspiration, navigating the treacherous waters of political machination in the waning years of the Roman Empire. The prologue introduces a character whose existential struggle is palpable—a man not seeking spiritual solace but biding time until retribution can be delivere...

Unci

Florence Lea Dombey (Independently Published via KDP)

| Reviewed by Jeff Klune

In Unci, the gritty streets of New York City and the enchanting Connecticut countryside come alive in a visceral tale of darkness and resilience. When homophobic skinheads brutally attack a high-society cleric’s son, he finds refuge with Unci and her granddaughter, Martha Beauvais. Together, they navigate a soul-bound journey of healing, redemption, and destiny. As Martha, a lovestruck ironworker, and the mystical Unci confront their demons, they become potent allies against a malevolent force haunting Manhattan’s innocence. Blending Native Ame...

To Keep Our Honor Clean: A 3M Detctive Agency Novel

Thomas A. Burns, Jr. (Tekrighter, LLC)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

To Keep Our Honor Clean by Thomas A. Burns, Jr. is a gripping and emotionally grounded novel that follows the lives of the United States Marine Corps, both in the heat of the Vietnam War and two decades later. In 1988, Master Gunnery Sergeant Amos Murdoch retires to start the 3M Detective Agency with fellow veterans Solly Pinkus and Jonny Edwards. Their simple investigation into workman’s comp claims spirals into a chilling murder case involving a disgraced homosexual Marine. As the trio uncovers a conspiracy rooted in their Vietnam past, they...

The Trillion Dollar Cow

Juan Zamora (Amazon.ca)

| Reviewed by Hannah Bietz

Juan Zamora's The Trillion Dollar Cow is a captivating tale with elements of a dystopian setting, a world devoid of the internet. It explores themes of loss, ambition, and the complicated espionage game. The story follows a young boy, Reymundo, who must struggle to find his place in the world after his father's disappearance during a war. He is presented as a naïve young man, but he quickly becomes embroiled in a world of espionage, and when the stakes get high, his only way of escape becomes a cow. The narrative intricately unfolds within the...

Alice in Condoland

Liz Bieler (3 Swallys Press)

| Reviewed by Krishna Blackwood

In Alice in Condoland, Liz Bieler presents a humorous and incisive exploration of life in a South Florida condominium complex. The book is narrated from the perspective of Alice, an idealistic Jewish woman from New York City, Alice Miller, who dreams of a passionate life in South Florida, complete with ocean views and luxury. She affords a condominium overlooking the ocean; however, her paradise quickly turns sour when she uncovers rampant corruption in her condominium. Teaming up with an eclectic group of residents, including the cha...

Ninth Life

Jane Teresa Anderson (Jane Teresa Anderson)

| Reviewed by Meg McKinnon

Jane Teresa Anderson’s Ninth Life presents a whimsical yet profound narrative that follows Amantha, a marmalade cat embarking on her ninth and final life. This multi-layered tale resonates with themes of purpose, morality, and connection—a feline and human journey. In the first chapter, where we meet Amantha perched on her safe stone wall, she is urged by an instinct to uncover her purpose: “What was my last move?”—an echo of her quest to navigate the innate challenges of existence. Amantha inhabits the serene yet bustling Serene Lotus Centre f...

The Angry Toolbox Adventures

MIKE J B (grosvenor house publishing)

| Reviewed by Lee Robbins

In The Angry Toolbox Adventures, author Mike J.B. crafts a whimsical and engaging narrative that explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and perseverance through the adventures of a young boy and his animated toolbox. Set within the cozy confines of Leroy's home, the story begins on a frosty winter morning, with Leroy's enthusiasm for his toolbox foreshadowing the adventure ahead. As the festive decorations are taken down, the household dynamics are beautifully illustrated, providing a backdrop for Leroy's close relationship with his family, i...

Knights Unite

Laurel Colless (Peter Blue Press)

| Reviewed by Elena Enger

Knights Unite is the fourth book in the Peter Blue Series by Laurel Colless, and it follows Riva du Lac, who is determined to uphold her promise to avoid detentions at Spiral Hall. But a sea cleanup reveals Shem, a mythical fish boy, and a surprise honor from the Spiral Knights forces her to choose between rules and friendship. Meanwhile, Peter Blue has a vision of a water-dwelling monster. Can their unlikely alliance save the knights—and the world? Laurel Colless captures the delicate balance of environmental activism and adolescent adventure...

Masque of Deceptions (Shadows Book 2)

Stella Riley (Independently published)

| Reviewed by Yna Erdrich

In Masque of Deceptions, the second installment of Stella Riley's Shadows series, readers are offered a richly textured narrative set against the backdrop of Regency England. The story follows Daniel Shelbourne, the newly titled Viscount Reculver, who inherits a dire financial situation upon his father's unexpected death. Daniel struggles to save his family's crumbling estate and mounting unexplained debts while facing ridicule as he seeks to rebuild his family's legacy and maintain personal pride. Meanwhile, the passionate heir to Hawthorne's...

The Hidden Power of Rising Dividends ; How to Produce Security, Income and Growth

Greg Donaldson (Wyndhill Publishing, LLC)

| Reviewed by Jayne Anne Rooney

In The Hidden Power of Rising Dividends, Greg Donaldson presents a compelling journey through the volatile investing world, ultimately shifting his focus to a dividend-centric approach. Through engaging anecdotes and insightful commentary, he details his transformation from a conventional growth investor to an advocate for high-dividend-yield stocks, emphasizing their stability and reliability in uncertain markets. One of the book's central messages is the inherent value of dividends to cultivate security and growth in investments. Donaldson il...