Call it nostalgia or sentimentality, but I’ve been craving a trip down memory lane to revisit the original tie-in adult novels of The X-Files from the late 1990s, a hallmark of my teenage years. Despite the show's meteoric rise during its original run, only six novels were published from 1994 to 1999 (seven if you include the novelization of the feature film Fight the Future). It's worth noting I’m not counting the middle-grade or YA titles. I first picked up the first book, Goblins, during my Junior High days, and even then, I couldn’t help but notice the dissonance in tone. If you can overlook the copious f-bombs that were never uttered in the series, the writing style feels surprisingly juvenile. Perhaps back then, I was just a young reader grappling with stories meant for adults.

Written by the late horror maestro Charles L. Grant, Goblins is his first of two contributions to The X-Files, the other being Whirlwind. Admittedly, it’s not a literary masterpiece; at best, it reads as an average thriller. I felt that way in 1994, and here I am in 2026, revisiting the same worn paperback while listening to the 2015 audiobook from Blackstone Audio. Why indulge in this modest narrative again? Nostalgia is my only answer.

At its core, Goblins is a traditional monster-of-the-week tale. Considering the television series premiered in September 1993 and the book was released in January 1994, I imagine Grant didn’t have much material to work from. It’s as if he were navigating a murky landscape in which the characters of Mulder and Scully hadn’t yet crystallized into their iconic selves. Mulder occasionally rings true, but moments later, he morphs into caricature traits that feel entirely out of character. And Scully? The version presented here is a shadow of her television counterpart, an enigma wrapped in inconsistencies. It seems the characters, much like the series itself, were still in development, which is likely why Goblins feels so disjointed. For the record, this isn't fanfiction. Grant was contracted by HarperPrism, lending his voice to what is an official tie-in. Whether readers choose to accept it as canon is debatable, but it certainly doesn’t fit the mold of fan-created content.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

Imagine creating a book-themed board game. What kind of gameplay would it have?

My Answer:

Imagine a book-themed version of Monopoly. Instead of rolling dice and buying properties, players would purchase publishing companies. Landing in jail would mean ending up in a library jail for late fees. I haven't completely figured out the gameplay yet, and I'm not sure what to replace the railroads with. Does anyone have any ideas? 

All the Chance and Community Chest cards would revolve around book-related themes. For example, instead of paying a hospital fee, you would pay a Workshop Fee. Rather than winning a Beauty Contest, players would receive a Royalty Check. Instead of a School Fee, there could be a contribution to a school library fund. 

You can see the direction I'm heading with this concept! The game pieces could include a typewriter, a coffee mug, a stack of books, and similar items. Although I haven't fully developed the idea, I hope this gives you a better picture of what I'm imagining.

〜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! 

It's been a while since I last participated in the Friday 56 (hosted weekly by My Head is Full of Books). What can I say? I've been busy with a lot of things. My 70-year-old father had a knee replacement two days ago and was released from the hospital yesterday. Unfortunately, there’s no home health care available due to issues with insurance and Medicare, which do not seem to cooperate, especially in our area. I won’t go into more details now; maybe I’ll discuss it in my next Watering Hole, which is my renamed Sunday Post series.

I took the Western paperback The Last Ride of the Dirty Creek Gang by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone with me to the hospital but never opened it. Instead, I watched Blazing Saddles for the millionth time on my Kindle Fire tablet. William W. Johnstone has long since passed away, and J.A. Johnstone is his niece. I'm not sure how much involvement she had in writing this book aside from having her name on the cover. As with all new Johnstone books, the copyright page states that the Johnstone family hired an unnamed author to outline and create new stories that are published under William W. Johnstone's name. However, it doesn’t specify whether this "creator" actually ghostwrites the books or if other authors handle the newer Johnstone titles. For now, I’ll assume it’s the latter until I know more.

The faith-based documentary He Calls Me Daughter is now available for streaming on the Angel platform. Directed by Rick Altizer, this powerful film explores the concept of the "father wound," which refers to the emotional pain experienced by women impacted by abandonment, absence, or emotional abuse. Through a collection of touching stories from women of diverse backgrounds, He Calls Me Daughter examines how troubled relationships with fathers can affect various aspects of life, including identity, trust, and faith.

He Calls Me Daughter is the type of film that resonates deeply but is often overlooked by mainstream platforms. Angel is dedicated to sharing stories like this one, ensuring they reach the audience that needs them most. The platform focuses on deeply personal, healing-centered narratives rooted in faith.

By joining the Angel Guild, you can help support more stories that bring hope, healing, and truth to the screen. Angel offers three different monthly membership options: Basic with Ads (starting at $12/month), Basic (starting at $18/month), and Premium, which includes features like streaming in 4K, free movie tickets, and more (starting at $20/month).

Angel Guild members have the opportunity to vote on future movies and shows to be produced by Angel and can provide feedback to filmmakers. Join the Angel Guild today to support more stories that inspire hope, healing, and truth.

I reviewed the documentary last month (read my review here), so the following is a condensed, revised version of my thoughts on the film: He Calls Me Daughter, apart from typical faith-based documentaries, is a raw and unfiltered portrayal of women's experiences. With a runtime of approximately 80 minutes, it avoids preachy moralizing, allowing the women to share their haunting stories. The film argues that a healthy relationship with a father or father figure is essential for forming a genuine connection with God in adulthood. Conversely, damaged bonds can lead to trust issues and poor choices. As the women recount their struggles, themes of forgiveness and divine guidance emerge as vital for healing and growth.

Visually compelling, He Calls Me Daughter balances dark themes of trauma with hope and redemption. Initially, I wondered if I could relate—being a man without children—but I quickly recognized that we all carry our own childhood burdens. Despite the challenges of confronting the past, finding solace in faith and seeking support are crucial first steps.

This documentary serves as an invitation to face the complex relationships we navigate. Its authenticity resonates deeply, emphasizing the healing power of love, both divine and earthly. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an honest exploration of familial love and recovery. ╌★★★★★

〜B.J. Burgess

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

Do you have any bookish habits or quirks you catch yourself doing again and again?

My Answer:

I have a bad habit of buying books based solely on their covers, but I’m working on changing that. Now, whenever I see a book with a cover that catches my eye, I remind myself to read the blurb first. This strategy usually helps me decide not to buy the book, and I often end up putting it back on the shelf. As for bookish quirks, I can’t think of many, though I do have a strong dislike for finding dog-eared pages in used books. Is that considered a quirk?

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.

The gunslinger Clint Adams is back in The Gunsmith: Freaktown, the 495th installment of the adult western series, published by Speaking Volumes. This series began in 1982 with Macklin's Women, written by Robert J. Randisi under the pseudonym J.R. Roberts. Following Randisi's passing in 2024, his stepson, Marcus Pelegrimas, has taken over, creating new stories inspired by a query that Randisi submitted for future installments before his death. Pelegrimas is not new to the genre; he has also written other Westerns under the name Marcus Galloway. 

As with every Gunsmith installment, Freaktown promises a mix of grit and intrigue, along with the relentless pursuit of justice in a lawless land. This series stands as a testament to the resilience of storytelling, continuing even after the original author’s lifetime, and serves as a reminder that the spirit of the West lives on through these narratives.

The story opens with a jarring discovery: Harriet Sands has been gruesomely murdered, her daughter Pearl left dazed in the wake of horror. The scene is stark and chilling, setting the tone for what is to come. As Clint, our ever-reluctant hero, joins the sheriff's posse to investigate, he is greeted by a tableau of violence that threatens to haunt him. Though Clint is no stranger to brutality, the savagery of this crime pushes even his hardened sensibilities to the limit.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

If you could revisit one of your past reviews, what would you change, and why?

My Answer:

I've been blogging since 2009, and when I first started, I had no idea what I was doing. The reviews I wrote back then were just short sentences shared in a now-defunct MSN reading group. There are many reviews that I need to rewrite, as well as fix missing images and update buy links. Although I have made some progress and fixed a few posts, there's still a lot to do. I need to establish a regular schedule to work on these posts and rewrite them to reflect my current voice and tone.

〜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.

As a long-time Trekkie, I find myself scratching my head over an unusual marketing move: why release a Star Trek novel in December 2025 for the franchise’s 60th Anniversary when Star Trek: The Original Series doesn’t reach that milestone until September 8, 2026? It seems like a misstep for a niche franchise that thrives on its legacy. If Star Trek: Identity Theft ^[*], the twentieth entry by Greg Cox, had launched just a month later, it would have felt far more aligned with the commemorative spirit. In a way, it feels like a missed opportunity, a decision that might alienate the very fans who are supposed to celebrate.

The novel invites us back to the familiar world of Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise-A, eschewing the modern iterations of Star Trek. I find myself among those who view the newer series as a separate entity, like a bubble universe apart from the rich tapestry of the classic shows and films that are, indeed, better. My hope is that this particular phase of storytelling is winding down, making room for a return to the essence of what Star Trek once was.

Generating LinkedIn content at scale has never been easier than with artificial intelligence. You are able to brainstorm, write posts, and even format your messages within minutes. However, unlike AI, which can be quick and effective, it can be devoid of the subtlety, character, and authenticity that make the content genuinely interesting. 

The actual benefit lies in the integration of AI and human editing. They could be used in combination to enable you to produce both effective and persuasive content. 

Tips for Mixing AI and Human Editing for More Effective LinkedIn Content 

With AI and your own voice, insights, and emotional depth, you can make LinkedIn posts that rise to the top. Here are some benefits. 

Begin with AI to be fast and organized. 

AI can be really useful in overcoming writer's block. It can swiftly create post ideas, outlines, and first drafts on the basis of your input. You begin with something workable, rather than gazing at a blank page.

Welcome back, fellow aficionados of the Wild West. Today, we’re diving into the newly minted sequel, The Maverick Marshal ^[*], by R.J. Sloane, a follow-up to The Rustler Hunter ^[*] —if you haven’t caught that review yet, it’s worth a peek. Like its predecessor, this installment is a Christian Western, offering a clean-cut narrative reminiscent of Roy Rogers’ adventures while encapsulating that gritty, pulpy essence found in the vintage magazines of the 1930s and 1940s. 

Set in Arizona in 1899, the story revolves around Deputy U.S. Marshal Flynn Harper, who has built his reputation on one unyielding principle: bring them in dead or alive. When a federal warrant for A.C. Beaumont, a master swindler draining the railroads dry, lands on his desk, Flynn rushes to Holbrook, expecting a straightforward arrest.

However, what he encounters is a town ensnared in a web of deception. Everything appears just a bit too perfect, the witnesses seem far too rehearsed, and the frightened shopkeeper’s daughter is hell-bent on protecting a man she insists is innocent.

As Flynn delves deeper, the plot thickens, ultimately guiding him to an unexpected revelation: his own past. In a world where justice often hangs by a thread—sometimes literally—Flynn’s most formidable adversary proves to be not the outlaw he’s pursuing, but the very system he’s sworn to uphold.

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

This Week's Prompt:

Which book really showcases your favorite author’s style, and what makes it stand out?

My Answer:

One of my favorite books is Stephen King's The Shining, one of the greatest haunted house stories, though in this case, it’s a hotel. King creates a flawed protagonist that readers either love or hate due to those imperfections and vulnerabilities. Addiction is a significant theme in this novel; upon reflection, many of King's characters wrestle with their own issues. King himself battled substance abuse, which influenced the writing of several of his earlier works. The character Jack Torrance in The Shining is a recovering alcoholic, and the ghosts of the Overlook Hotel exploit this vulnerability to possess him. Jack, like many other King characters, feels more authentic as he fights his personal demons, even if the supernatural elements in the story may seem far-fetched.

〜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.

Today, we explore No Smoke Without Fire: A Harlequin Town Western Mystery, the inaugural book in a new series by Gary Diamond and D.O. Michael and published by Dusty Saddle Publishing. The cover reads, “with Special Guest Culpepper, Texas Bounty Hunter,” a nod to a character who also struts his stuff in the Culpepper: Texas Bounty Hunter series by Diamond and Paul L. Thompson.

Set against the dusty backdrop of Harlequin, Texas, the story revolves around Sheriff Matt Carson, a devoted family man navigating life in a tight-knit community. Just as the town’s annual dance kicks off, a brutal murder sends shockwaves through what was supposed to be a night of revelry. Sheriff Carson is faced with a web of suspects, each harboring secrets that could unravel the fabric of their close-knit town. As the investigation unravels, the Carson family finds themselves ensnared in the very heart of the mystery, with danger lurking at every turn. And then there’s Culpepper, the bounty hunter, who rides into Harlequin on the trail of a dangerous fugitive. Are these killings somehow intertwined, or is there a more sinister threat hiding in plain sight? Who can Sheriff Carson trust amidst this chaos?

Once upon a time, I never thought I’d find myself jumping headfirst into the world of WWII nonfiction. It’s not that I harbor any aversion to history; rather, my childhood was steeped in tales of the Civil War, with my nose buried in every book within reach. Who knew that the barrage of documentaries I was subjected to in history class would dull my appetite for anything related to WWII? Yet here I am today, contemplating Michael Benson’s Hollywood vs. Nazis: How the Movie Studios Took on Nazis Infiltrating Los Angeles, published by Citadel Press, which is set to grace bookstore shelves tomorrow, March 31, 2026. An unsolicited ARC found its way into my hands several weeks ago, and I have to admit, nestled among my growing collection of nonfiction, it sparked a flicker of excitement, even if the subject matter revolved around WWII.

The book unfolds with All Quiet on the Western Front, an Academy Award-winning classic that sent shockwaves through the Third Reich with its potent anti-war message. In their anger, the Nazis crafted a sinister plan to seize the most influential propaganda machine on Earth: Hollywood. What could be more tantalizing than to turn the land of golden dreams into a glorified mouthpiece for their vile ideology?

Hollywood vs. Nazis is a riveting account of corruption, censorship, and the hubristic ambitions of a dictatorial madman hell-bent on global domination. Michael Benson, an author with a rich background in chronicling organized crime, weaves together the intricate history of WWII with the glamour and grit of Los Angeles’s movie industry. He paints a picture of how passionate figures within Hollywood, bolstered by tenacious lawyers, legendary moguls, and unsung patriots, succeeded in unearthing and dismantling the creeping menace of organized Nazism in Los Angeles and beyond.