Fiction

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...

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...

The Dyer Island Boys

Jeffrey Veatch (Volossal)

| Reviewed by Jeff Klune

Jeffrey Veatch's The Dyer Island Boys is a tale of growth, personal growth, friendship, and the innate longing for belonging through a coming-of-age narrative set against a summer camp on a remote Maine island. Two surgical residents in post-WWII New York City embark on a summer adventure that transforms into an unexpected mission. After encountering troubled teenager Harry Thompson, they welcome him to their newly purchased island off the coast of Maine, where a camp is born. Fifty years later, Harry returns not as a camper but as a mentor. As...

Hang Fire

Anthony Mora (The Royal Penny Press)

| Reviewed by Jayne Anne Rooney

Hang Fire: Inspired by a True Hollywood Story by Anthony Mora delivers a complex narrative that explores the intertwining lives of a struggling writer and a therapist against the backdrop of the cutthroat world of Hollywood. The novel opens with intriguing psychotherapeutic dialogue that sets the stage for exploring manipulation, ambition, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. Struggling novelist James Lansing falls into the seductive chaos of Hollywood through endless dinners and power lunches. His ambitious friend Jerry drives hi...

Unmasking Freedom - Block...

Michel Godet (selfpublishing.com)

| Reviewed by Louise Garten

In Unmasking Freedom, Michel Godet crafts a compelling narrative that explores the intersections of technology and social justice through the lens of blockchain innovation. This book is a vivid exploration of the human spirit's resistance in the face of oppression, crystallized in the character of Maverick and his journey toward liberation. Godet examines how blockchain technology can inspire revolutions against corrupt systems. The story is set in a dystopian society characterized by state control and systemic corruption, where Maverick, a bud...

Deep Fried

Mark Doyon (Wampus Multimedia)

| Reviewed by Yna Erdrich

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...

A Spiral of Moments

Robert Beech (PentaBeech LLC)

| Reviewed by Joanne Higbee

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...

The Ambition

Yvonne Blackwood (Friesen Press)

| Reviewed by Louise Garten

In the dynamic setting of 1990s Toronto, brothers John and Carmine Cippione strive to elevate their father's humble HVAC business by partnering with a formidable development company, chasing the dreams of wealth and success. However, when an evil industry adversary threatens their family's legacy with ruinous schemes, they find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of deceit, adultery, and murder. As their world unravels, the brothers must navigate these treacherous waters to salvage their father's name and secure their future amidst fierce a...

Discovering Treasure

Crystal Mary Lindsey (Amazon)

| Reviewed by Meg McKinnon

Discovering Treasure is the first installment in Crystal Mary Lindsey's Vision Valley series. This heartwarming and inspirational story follows the journey of a young woman named Treasure. She flees her chaotic life of fame as a successful model to find peace and purpose in the picturesque Vision Valley in Australia. In the dazzling world of 1920s Paris, Treasure Gilroy seems to have everything—except the love she truly needs. When a mysterious bond with Ella Dittmar compels her to leave it all behind, Treasure journeys to the breathtaking Aust...

Mit Out Sound

Rick Lenz (Chromodroid Press)

| Reviewed by Rachel Groover

Rick Lenz explores ambition, identity, and the shadows of Hollywood in his spectacular novel, Mit Out Sound. The story follows Emily Bennett, a young woman with prosopagnosia—a condition that impairs her ability to recognize faces. Growing up in Beverly Hills, she nurtures strong aspirations in the film industry —her identity is often conflated with those she cannot acknowledge or understand fully. The plot takes readers to the late 20th century, highlighting Emily's ambition to resurrect a lost film starring John Wayne and James Dean, titled “...

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