When did legendary Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid crawl his way into the fabric of mainstream culture? Was it in 1882 when Pat Garrett, the man who ended his life, published The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid? (Although technically, he had a ghostwriter, Marshall Ashmun Upson.) Or was it in 1948 when Brush Bill Roberts strolled in claiming to be the infamous outlaw himself? Perhaps it was 1988, when Emilio Estevez donned a bowler hat and roamed the screen as Billy in the film Young Guns? Regardless, Billy the Kid continues to haunt our collective imagination like a restless specter.

I've long been enthralled by Billy the Kid; in fact, I had a wall plaque of his famous wanted poster proudly displayed in my childhood bedroom. Maybe it’s because my name is Billy, or maybe because as a kid, he felt like a kindred spirit; an outcast bound by fate. I even remember the nostalgia of late '80s Billy the Kid apparel; I had a shiny belt buckle and a few shirts that made me feel like a renegade at recess. Of course, my parents took me to see Young Guns in theaters when I was probably a bit too young; but hey, that was a different time.

Over the years, I’ve read a range of books about this enigmatic outlaw. Recently, I read Sing to Me Billy the Kid, written by Frances Bonney Jenner and published earlier this year by Speaking Volumes. It popped onto my radar thanks to a publicist who reached out, and naturally, I couldn’t resist the chance to jump into its pages.

Yeepee! It’s the weekend, and here I am, venturing back into the realm of Western reviews. Well, sort of. This one’s more of a horror-sci-fi cocktail set against a Western backdrop. Does that still count as a Western? I suppose it does! The book in the spotlight today is Trouble at New Barnsley, the first book in the Legends of the Alchemist Hunter series by James Collins, who also wrote A Joyful Noise. Earlier this year, the author reached out about his work, branding it a 'weird Western.' My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn’t resist the pull to review it, though I’ll admit it took me a tad longer than I planned to get my thoughts together. But here we are!

So, what’s the story about, you ask? It centers around U.S.T.S. Marshal John Fellman, a True Science Marshal and a legendary Alchemist Hunter whose name strikes fear in the hearts of deranged scientists in the West. He’s a cowboy with a mission, bringing judgment to those who tinker with the very laws of nature. When he’s contracted to investigate a string of bizarre deaths at New Barnsley ranch, our intrepid marshal gears up to confront yet another alchemical monstrosity. However, lurking in the shadows are dangers greater than he anticipated. His brainy, firebrand partner, Dell Ginsley, accompanies him as they journey to the ranch nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Just beyond the picturesque facade of the mansion lies a web of deception and sinister threats that could swallow them whole. John and his crew must race against time to uncover the New Barnsley menace before it spreads its malevolent tentacles beyond the ranch.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

What’s the fastest or slowest you’ve ever finished a book?

My Answer:

I can speedread, so I can zip through a book faster than most. However, I prefer to take my time because I find that I fully appreciate the characters and the story when I do. Honestly, I could easily finish a 300-page book in about an hour if I really pushed myself, but that's not my preferred approach. Now, does Outlander hold the record as my slowest read? I began reading it back in 2014, and my bookmark is still sitting inside! I promise to finish it…one day. Honestly, my reading pace depends on how engaged I am with the narration and characters. When I'm truly hooked on a book, I can read it in one sitting. But if my interest is lukewarm or the story drags on, it might take me several days to finish. With life's commitments, some books just end up taking me longer to complete.

〜B.J. Burgess

This Week's Linky:

How to join the Book Blogger Hop?

To prepare for next week’s post, check out the upcoming prompts. If you'd like to submit a prompt, fill out this form. Join our Facebook group to connect with other book bloggers and get updates.

Here’s what to do:

1. Share your response to this week’s prompt.
2. In the linky list, enter your name or nickname followed by your blog name and the URL to your post (e.g., Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer).
3. Visit others on the list and leave comments.

(Optional)

• Respond to the prompt in a YouTube vlog.
• Share on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings) with #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings.
• Post the prompt on Instagram, tag me (@coffeeramblings), and include the hashtags.
• Engage with other bloggers on social media.
• Enter your name @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram and provide the URL to your posts in the linky.

Update 02/20/26:

Please do not link to a random book review on your blog unless it includes the Book Blogger Hop prompt for the week along with your answer to it. Any blog link that doesn't follow this simple rule will be removed from the hop.

Hello, fellow Friday 56ers! 

For this week's Friday 56 pick, hosted by My Head is Full of Books, I am featuring the Western Sing to Me Billy the Kid by Frances Bonney Jenner. The book was published earlier this year by Speaking Volumes. 

Now, here’s a preview from page 56:

Gerald must have been busy over at the Exchange. He never made it to Mrs. Brown's and never did say goodbye.

— Jenner, Frances Bonney. Sing to Me Billy the Kid, Speaking Volumes, 2026, p. 56.

It's been a hectic week. I caught a bug that slowed me down, and I had to work on a non-blogging project that was very time-consuming. I intended to start reading Sing to Me, Billy the Kid by now, but I haven't had the chance to open it yet. I'll try to read a bit tonight and finish it tomorrow. Fingers crossed, I hope to have my review posted on Wednesday.

The fourth season of Amazon Prime’s Reacher series is just around the corner, and it hit me like a sledgehammer that I still hadn’t read the latest Reacher novel, Exit Strategy. I raced to my TBR pile, blew off the dust like I was unveiling a long-forgotten artifact, and jumped right in. As the 30th installment in the Reacher saga, this book marks the second solo venture by Andrew Child, Lee Child's younger sibling. They still print Lee’s name in bigger letters on the cover, which almost feels like sibling rivalry in print form. I should confess I had tried to read this book more times than I’d care to admit since getting my review copy from the publisher last year. But something about those initial pages kept throwing me off. Maybe it was the unmistakable feeling that Lee Child's hand wasn’t guiding this ship, a detail you can’t quite articulate but feel deeply, like an itch in your brain that you can’t scratch.

The plot kicks off in classic Reacher style: he finds himself in a random coffee shop in Baltimore, sipping black coffee like the lone wolf he is, with two refills because why not? Just as he’s about to glide out into the world, a young guy brushes past him in the doorway. In Reacher’s world, that means a quick mental check: cash, passport, all accounted for. No drama there. Next stop? A store to grab a coat because he never carries a suitcase. Just something hefty enough to fit a man built like a bank vault but simple enough to toss aside when he chases the sun. But then, as he pulls out his cash, he discovers an unexpected addition in his pocket: a handwritten note pleading for help. Intrigued, he sets off on a new mission.

The Watering Hole, Issue #4

Sunday Post, what I call The Watering Hole, is hosted weekly by Caffeinated Reviewer.

The Editorial

It's nearly noon on Sunday, and I'm just now writing my weekly or perhaps bi-weekly wrap-up since my last Watering Hole. The hours and days have flown by in a blur, but I’ve been busy every single day, so I suppose that's how time flies.

On the Reading Block

Currently, I’m listening to the latest James Patterson audiobook via NetGalley. I have a Western novel on my Kindle that I’m reading, and you can expect my review of it on Wednesday. Additionally, I’m finally getting around to the last Jack Reacher novel, and I’ll share my thoughts on that either tomorrow or Tuesday.

Fresh Off the Press

I've received a few ARCs in the mail—like I needed more! LOL! I got a copy of the Western Sing to Me Billy the Kid by Frances Bonney Jenner, which technically isn’t an ARC since it was published in January 2026 by Speaking Volumes. A publicist found my blog and reached out to me about reviewing it. I love Westerns, so I happily agreed. I’ll fit it into my schedule this week and post my review on Saturday. Maybe that will help me get back into the routine of posting Western reviews on the weekend.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

Do you read one book at a time, or juggle a few at once?

My Answer:

I can juggle three or more books at a time without any issues. I easily switch between a physical book and an eBook on my Kindle. Although I wasn't always a fan of audiobooks, I've recently become more open to them. Currently, I'm listening to an audiobook, reading a Western on my Kindle, and enjoying a Jack Reacher hardcover. I refer to this as multi-reading.

〜B.J. Burgess

This Week's Linky:

How to join the Book Blogger Hop?

To prepare for next week’s post, check out the upcoming prompts. If you'd like to submit a prompt, fill out this form. Join our Facebook group to connect with other book bloggers and get updates.

Here’s what to do:

1. Share your response to this week’s prompt.
2. In the linky list, enter your name or nickname followed by your blog name and the URL to your post (e.g., Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer).
3. Visit others on the list and leave comments.

(Optional)

• Respond to the prompt in a YouTube vlog.
• Share on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings) with #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings.
• Post the prompt on Instagram, tag me (@coffeeramblings), and include the hashtags.
• Engage with other bloggers on social media.
• Enter your name @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram and provide the URL to your posts in the linky.

Update 02/20/26:

Please do not link to a random book review on your blog unless it includes the Book Blogger Hop prompt for the week along with your answer to it. Any blog link that doesn't follow this simple rule will be removed from the hop.

Hello, fellow Friday 56ers! 

For this week's Friday 56 pick, hosted by My Head is Full of Books, I am featuring the 1984 revised edition of the massive historical fiction novel Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo. I found this book yesterday at a thrift store for just ten cents. I’m not sure when I’ll start reading it, but it will go into my TBR pile. The paperback edition is 1,408 pages long, including the notes and bibliography sections.

Choosing the perfect piano can be a foundational decision for musicians and families looking to foster a rich musical environment at home. Whether for the budding pianist or a lifelong musician, the acoustics and tradition of these instruments add vital depth to musical experiences. While modern advancements have made digital pianos convenient and increasingly popular, a Steinway dealer can introduce music lovers to the innate qualities of acoustic pianos that set them apart.

For music enthusiasts, an acoustic piano represents the gold standard in tone, touch, and expressive capability. The unparalleled qualities of these instruments create unique opportunities for learning, sharing, and appreciating music that digital alternatives strive to emulate but rarely match. Whether belonging to a grand or upright family, an acoustic piano elevates a space both in its sound and its presence.

Rich, Authentic Sound Quality

Acoustic pianos have long been celebrated for their ability to produce sound through mechanical action. Hammers strike strings, creating a resonant, authentic tone that digital keyboards can only approximate with sampled sounds. This genuine sound production brings out the nuanced dynamic range and warmth that experienced musicians and discerning listeners immediately recognize. Unlike the consistent timbre of digital pianos, every acoustic instrument develops a distinct sonic personality over time, influenced by its environment and the way it is played. This uniqueness enhances the emotional connection between the musician and the instrument, making each performance unforgettable.

One of my favorite horror novels is Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby, so it was only natural that I would gravitate toward The Captive, which was published in 2025 by Hell’s Hundred, an imprint of Soho Press. The blurb claiming it's "Rosemary's Baby for our conspiratorial 21st century" piqued my interest even more. It’s penned by Kit Burgoyne, a pseudonym for the horror author Ned Beauman, whose work I wasn’t familiar with before diving into this novel.

The premise is certainly intriguing. Luke and his underground anti-capitalist revolutionary group have plotted their most ambitious operation yet: kidnapping twenty-three-year-old Adeline Woolsaw, the heiress to a vast and shadowy conglomerate that appears to have tentacles in everything from military installations to mental hospitals, commuter trains, call centers, and prisons.

However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they snatch Adeline from her world of privilege. To their shock, she’s on the verge of giving birth, and to complicate matters, she might not mind the abduction; after all, it might just be her chance to flee from her tyrannical parents. Her family has struck a deal with an ancient malevolence of almost limitless power, and they will stop at nothing to retrieve the newborn. Their aim? To usher in a hellish new reign on Earth with their grandchild enthroned as the puppet ruler.

Today, I’m venturing into the Ambush Valley, the 17th installment of The Last Gunfighter series, which was kicked off in 2000 by the late William W. Johnstone (1938-2004). The last solo effort in the series from Johnstone was Renegades in 2005. After that, Fred Austin stepped in for Savage Country in 2006, paving the way for J.A. Johnstone, William's niece, to join the fray, starting with the fourteenth book, The Devil's Legion. However, I am unsure about his niece's involvement in the actual writing of the books. A "Publisher's Note" appeared in later installments, detailing how the Johnstone family selected authors to complete unfinished outlines and craft new tales, breathing fresh life into the series.

At the center of The Last Gunfighter saga is Frank "The Drifter" Morgan, a legendary figure renowned and feared across the Wild West. After six tumultuous months, Frank has taken a rare breather, settling into the role of town Marshal in Buckskin. It’s not his first experience donning a badge, but this stint promises to be the longest by far.

Frank’s son, Conrad Browning, is now a man unto himself, married to the spirited Rebel Callahan. Following the death of Conrad's mother, the pair inherited the Browning empire, which includes banks. However, Frank has little interest in the family's business affairs. He prefers to leave those matters in the hands of lawyers to ensure fairness prevails. Yet, the peace is shattered when a gang led by Cicero McCoy pulls a daring heist, making off with eighty thousand dollars from one of the banks. McCoy, in a sinister twist, hides the loot in Ambush Valley before turning on his own men, leaving a trail of bodies behind. Captured by bounty hunters, he’s sentenced to a long, bleak twenty-five years in Yuma Territorial Prison.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

What’s your biggest pet peeve about the book community?

My Answer:

I have a pet peeve about readers who intentionally crack the spines of paperbacks. While I understand that it can sometimes happen due to the quality of the book, I don’t see why some readers would pull the front cover and pages back, causing damage to the spine.

〜B.J. Burgess

This Week's Linky:

How to join the Book Blogger Hop?

To prepare for next week’s post, check out the upcoming prompts. If you'd like to submit a prompt, fill out this form. Join our Facebook group to connect with other book bloggers and get updates.

Here’s what to do:

1. Share your response to this week’s prompt.
2. In the linky list, enter your name or nickname followed by your blog name and the URL to your post (e.g., Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer).
3. Visit others on the list and leave comments.

(Optional)

• Respond to the prompt in a YouTube vlog.
• Share on Facebook (@coffeeaddictedwriter) and Twitter (@coffeeramblings) with #bookbloggerhop and #coffeeramblings.
• Post the prompt on Instagram, tag me (@coffeeramblings), and include the hashtags.
• Engage with other bloggers on social media.
• Enter your name @YouTube/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram and provide the URL to your posts in the linky.

Update 02/20/26:

Please do not link to a random book review on your blog unless it includes the Book Blogger Hop prompt for the week along with your answer to it. Any blog link that doesn't follow this simple rule will be removed from the hop.

Hello, fellow Friday 56ers! 

For this week's Friday 56 pick, hosted by My Head is Full of Books, I am featuring the 2025 horror novel The Captive by British author Kit Burgoyne. An ARC has been collecting dust on my desk for a bit too long.