Saturday, February 27, 2010

My Trusty Reading Pals


Note: Previously published in Once Upon A Time magazine.


My Trusty Reading Pals

By Billy Burgess
When you’re are busy writing short stories or novels, you’ll find yourself neglecting the important things in life. Writers should never forget to read just for pleasure. For me, this can be a definite problem. I live in a small town where the only place to buy a new book is at Walmart, which carries a limited amount. Of course, my town does have a nice library, and I make frequent visits to check out books.

Never overlook Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores, garage sales and flee markets. These are great places to get hard-to-find books. Sometimes the books are a little used, but they’re still readable. You can also find books that look brand new.

I have a particular Salvation Army that I go to frequently. Over the years I’ve found books by Eve Bunting, R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and many other wonderful authors. Just last weekend, I found two Berenstain Bears books. I’m excited to find them because they take me back to my childhood years and they spark creativity in my writing. It’s a reminder of why I love writing in the first place - to create wonderful characters and stories that will be remembered by children.

I’m a writer who likes to keep books at hand. What do I mean by this? When I’m writing a children‘s story, I like to refresh my memory by reading a book that is at the age level that I’m writing for. If I’ve read several adult books in a row, my writing style seems to change a little when I go to write a children’s story. My words can become a little too big and a little too descriptive.

This is where a book becomes handy. I currently have “Henry and Beezus” by Beverly Cleary on my desk. I loved reading this book as a child and I still love reading it today. It takes me back to a more simpler time, where there are no deadlines, bills to be paid or other issues that life throws at me.

Remember, no matter how old you are, you’re never too old to read your favorite children’s books.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Thursday Ramblings




I can't believe that it's almost midnight. Time flies when you are cleaning a bathroom. Yes, I'm cleaning at night. And, yes, I'm now sitting here drinking a cup of coffee. What can I say, I'm a night owl.

My reading has been a slow this week. I've read three-fourths of Worst Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. I'm on page 68 of Glenn Beck's Common Sense. I'm going to try to finish Worst Case by tomorrow night, as I should be receiving a book tomorrow to read and review.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Review - Resolution by Robert. B. Paker


Resolution
BY: Robert B. Parker
PUBLISHED BY: Putnam
PUBLISHED IN: 2008
ISBN: 978-0-399-15504
Pages: 292
Ages: Adult
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

“Resolution” is the second book in the trilogy and picks up exactly where “Appaloosa” left off. Everett Hitch ends up in the town of Resolution - a town with no law. He is offered and accepts a job as a lookout at Amos Wolfson’s Blackfoot Saloon. He is soon known as the protector of the ladies who work in the saloon.

Everett’s old friend, Virgil Cole, arrives in town. Eamon O’Malley, a mine owner, starts buying up some of the local businesses. This upsets the local ranchers. Everett and Virgil are caught in the middle of the war.

“Resolution” is an amazing western with wonderfully crafted dialogue. It’s a must read for any fans of the later Robert B. Parker.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Review - Riverhaven Years: Rachel's Secret by BJ Hoff

This is the first novel I have read by author BJ Hoff, and it won’t be the last. The book is set in the year 1855 in a small Amish settlement near Riverhaven, Ohio. During the night, Rachel Brenneman, a young widowed Amish woman, hears someone knocking on her door.

A black man named Asa is standing at the door carrying a wounded Irish-American riverboat captain, Jeremiah Gant. He had been shot and needed medical attention. Rachel lived alone, but her younger sister Fannie was there visiting. She sends Fannie to get her mother and brother, Gideon.

The Amish community, including Rachel’s mother, is reluctant to help this mysterious stranger. Rachel helps both Asa and Jeremiah as she still deals with the pain of her husband’s death.

I have read a lot of Amish fiction books over the years. Some are good and some are not so good. “The Riverhaven Years: Rachel’s Secret” stands out from the others, thanks to BJ Hoff’s simple storytelling. I recommend this book to fans of Amish books, historical fiction lovers or anyone who likes reading a clean romance novel.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Review - There Are No Words

There Are No Words


There Are No Words
BY: Mary Calhoun Brown
PUBLISHED BY: Lucky Press, LLC
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-09776300-2-8
Pages: 127
Ages: YA & Up
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

“There Are No Words” tells the story of a 12-year-old autistic girl named Jaxon McKenzie. She is mute, but she secretly loves to read. After her father passed away, her mother left her to be raised by her grandparents.

Late one night, Jaxon went downstairs to look at the painting her uncle had made. The painting of a path in the woods with two small figures in the background. One of the figures moves closer. The figure is of a girl. The girl whispers, “Come with us. We’ve been waiting for you.”

Jaxon reaches out for the girl and steps into the painting. She is now out of her time and somehow able to talk. She befriends Sara, Dewey and Oliver. Soon she learns that she is in the year 1918. The year of the great train wreck.

“There Are No Words,” is a fun, exciting adventure. Author Mary Calhoun Brown has created a wonderful tale surrounded by actual events. The book includes a reader’s guide for parents and teachers. Children and adults will easily connect with the main character, Jaxon. I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.

*Note: I would like to thank the author for sending me this book to read and review.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Review - The Sultan's Favorite by Anne Burnside


The Sultan’s Favorite
BY: Anne Burnside
PUBLISHED BY: iUniverse
PUBLISHED IN: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4401-1907-1
Pages: 435
Ages: Adult
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

In this sequel to Gaton Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” the phantom, Erik, is living in the Ottoman Empire. He’s working as the sultan’s personal architect. He’s still mourning the rejection of his love, Christine.

The sultan takes a third wife, Alexandria - the widow of the ruler of Constantinople, and demands Erik to make changes in the designs for the new palace. The sultan wants his new wife to have her own court.

Erik hates Ottoman Empire and the way the women and slaves are treated. He remains there to finish the palace because he believes it will be his greatest achievement. With one look at Alexandria, he knew she was unlike the sultan‘s other wives. She was smart, beautiful and independent. Erik begins spending time with her. Alexandria wants to get closer to this masked man.

Erik tries to control his ongoing feelings for her. He never thought he could ever feel this way about another woman after Christine’s rejection. Soon, he can no longer hold back his feelings. He starts a passionate affair with Alexandria.

Being a fan of the original novel, I was intrigued in reading “The Sultan’s Favorite.” After reading the first few pages, I was hooked. Author Anne Burnside has done a wonderful job in continuing Erik’s journey into this violent world of the Ottoman Empire. I was surprised to find two other characters from Gaton Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera” pop into the latter half of the book. I recommend reading this book if your fan of the original or for anyone who wants to read a good romance.

*Note: I would like to thank the author for sending me this book to read and review.