Friday, November 29, 2024

{Book Blogger Hop} — Reading Slumps

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

How do you deal with reading slumps or moments when you can't get into a book?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

[Review] —THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT is a Tumultuous Blend Cloaked in a Haunted House Yarn

B.J. Burgess books , horror fiction

In my possession for far too long is a copy of Christopher Golden's THE HOUSE OF LAST RESORT, which was published earlier this year by St. Martin's Press. The delay in getting this review out has nothing to do with forgetfulness; I devoured the book right after receiving an advanced reading copy (ARC). However, life threw me a curveball, and my procrastination spiraled out of control. So, I am penning this review on Thanksgiving night, hoping to articulate my thoughts on this intriguing novel.

[Review] — Brad Thor's SHADOW OF DOUBT is a Riveting Thriller

B.J. Burgess books , political thriller

A while ago, fueled by my passion for military thrillers, a reader recommended the works of author Brad Thor. Although I was familiar with Thor's name—having seen his books displayed in various bookstores—I had never taken the plunge to read any of them. However, after that recommendation, a curious phenomenon began to occur; I started discovering Brad Thor's novels in thrift stores and even encountered several titles available for free at my local library. Naturally, I couldn't resist adding these finds to my ever-growing home library, which now boasts byzantine of his works. Nevertheless, despite having amassed a collection of his novels, I had yet to delve into them until I finally picked up his latest release, SHADOW OF DOUBT, which was published earlier this year by Emily Bestler Books / Atria, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, LLC.

[Review] — THE BOYFRIEND is an Underdeveloped Psychological Thriller

B.J. Burgess books , psychological

Take a close look at the recent releases in bookstores, and you'll notice an overwhelming abundance of psychological thrillers. Many of these books feature simplistic titles, paired with strikingly similar cover art designs. Among the new authors making waves is Freida McFadden, a talented physician specializing in brain injury. She made her literary debut by self-publishing her first novel in 2013, but it was her gripping thriller, The Housemaid, published in 2022, that propelled her to international stardom. Her latest offering, titled THE BOYFRIEND, hit the shelves on October 1st, released by Poisoned Pen Press.

[Review] — Tom Clancy's SHADOW STATE is Technical-Less Jack Ryan, Jr. Outing

B.J. Burgess adventure , books

What is it about the striking image of a military boat on a book cover that instantly sends a rush of adrenaline through me? There's something inherently thrilling about the connotations of power, strategy, and high-stakes conflict that draws me in.

{Sunday Post} — Beyond the Great Snow Mountain, Dandelion Wine, and Night of the Comanche Moon

B.J. Burgess Sunday Post ,

What Am I Reading?

I placed a Wednesday bookmark inside Richard Chizmar's Chasing the Boogeyman and will begin reading it tonight. Then, I'll move on to one of the other TBR books.

{Book Blogger Hop} — Thanksgiving Time

B.J. Burgess book blogger hop ,

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Are there any novels set on or near Thanksgiving that you love rereading or recommend as a heartwarming November read?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

[Review] — The Gray Man is back in the Pulse-Pounding Thriller, THE CHAOS AGENT

B.J. Burgess adventure fiction , books

Mark Greaney's highly anticipated 13th installment in the Gray Man series, titled THE CHAOS AGENT, is set to grace bookstore shelves in paperback on November 26th, courtesy of the Berkley Publishing Group. This announcement sparked a memory of the hardback sitting on a shelf; lingering there, waiting for a review. In the spirit of honesty, I must admit that I read the book several months back; however, to refresh my thoughts and dive deep into the narrative, I decided to reread it.

Fans Clamor for Fourth Season of "The Baxters"

B.J. Burgess television ,

Whether you know Taylour Paige from art films or live-action superhero flicks, she’s everywhere this year. The 32-year-old actress appeared in four feature films in 2024 and had a recurring role on television. If you think, “Gosh, I just saw her in...,” you’re right. After years of appearing in TV commercials, Paige made the transition every thespian dreams of making.

[Review] — James Patterson's LIES HE TOLD ME is an Intriguing, Mindless Fluff

B.J. Burgess books , mystery

James Patterson novels are plentiful—trust me, my visits to thrift stores have confirmed this. You can easily find at least one new title every month, and for dedicated fans, it is often a challenge to keep up with the latest releases. His most recent thriller, LIES HE TOLD ME, was co-authored with David Ellis and published by Little, Brown and Company.

[Review] — STAR TREK: STRANGE WORDS: ASYLUM is a Boring, Cluttered Space Adventure

B.J. Burgess books , science fiction

Let's cut straight to the chase: I thought the latest Star Trek tie-in novel, STAR TREK: STRANGE WORDS: ASYLUM, released on November 5th by Gallery Books and penned by Una McCormack, to be deeply disappointing. McCormack, who has an impressive track record with eleven previous Star Trek novels—including titles like The Fall: The Crimson Shadow and Picard: The Last Best Hope—should have been well-equipped to craft a compelling story within the Strange New Worlds framework. However, the portrayal of the beloved characters, particularly Una Chin-Riley (more commonly known as Number One), falls drastically short. Instead of the strong, nuanced character fans have come to appreciate, she comes across as a watered-down, almost satirical version of herself. The rest of the Enterprise crew, including Captain Christopher Pike, feels similarly out of touch; his dialogue often strikes a tone that veers too far into modernity, pulling viewers away from the essence of Star Trek.

{Sunday Post} — The Long Winter, Time Enough for Love, and Tomorrow!

B.J. Burgess Sunday Post ,

What Am I Reading?

I'll begin reading James Patterson's Lies He Told Me tonight. Then, I'll move on to one of the many books in my TBR pile.

{Book Blogger Hop} — Annotate or Untouched?

B.J. Burgess book blogger hop ,

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Do you like to annotate your books or leave them untouched?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

{Giveaway] — $10 Amazon Gift Card (Ends November 17th)

B.J. Burgess giveaway ,

Currently, in theaters, it is the family-friendly holiday comedy, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER.

Directed by Dallas Jenkins (known for The Chosen) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER tells the story of six siblings who sneak into a church in search of snacks, only to end up in the lead roles in the town's Christmas pageant. Grace (played by Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the first time, and she, along with her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes), is far from pleased. However, the naughty children may inadvertently teach the community the true meaning of Christmas. The film also features Lauren Graham, with the screenplay written by Ryan Swanson and Platte F. Clark & Darin McDaniel.

[Review] — THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER is a Charming Family Holiday Comedy

B.J. Burgess Christmas , comedy

Does anyone remember reading THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, written by the late author Barbara Robinson, in elementary school?

If I recall correctly, I read THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER twice during my childhood: once on my own and once for an elementary class assignment. I also remember a teacher reading the book to my classmates and me around the holidays, though I can't remember the exact year—either the late 1980s or early 1990s. I also believe we watched the 1983 television movie adaptation on VHS, which starred a young Fairuza Balk (known for Return to Oz, The Craft, and The Waterboy).

{Sunday Post} — Dead Mountain, Memorials, and Raised by Wolves

B.J. Burgess Sunday Post ,

* Weekly Tidbits *

At least the election is over. We're still waiting for the final House numbers, but everyone knows what direction it's going in. I'm just sick and tired of the political ads, naming-calling, and the cringy, out-of-touch cable news analyzers.

The plumber finally showed up. Everyone thing seems to be in working order now.

Thanksgiving is a few weeks away. I'm already stressed out, and my anxiety levels have skyrocketed. FYI: I don't like Thanksgiving; it's my least favorite holiday.

[Review] — THE HERD is a Unique Take on the Vampire Genre

B.J. Burgess books , horror

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE HERD by Russell Bell Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Find "THE HERD" on Goodreads and Books2Read.
Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

About the Book

Sixteen-year-old Susan kneels before the Temple steps whispering the sacred prayer…

We are the Herd, human servants to the immortal Akharu, Lords of the Night. The Akharu are our Kings. The Akharu are our Gods. We honor them with our hands. We worship them with our hearts. We nourish them with our blood.

She is preparing for the Branding, the sacred ceremony where the Akharu choose which humans will be allowed to stay in the Closure, and which will be taken away forever. As she enters the Temple, Susan is confident that she’ll receive her brand. She’s devoted her life to the Akharu.

But so did her older brother, Trevor. And he was taken.

Ryan, Susan’s fifteen-year-old brother, kneels behind her. He only mouths the prayers. The Akharu have already taken his older brother and now they may take his sister as well. He doesn't want his brand.

He wants revenge.

Will Susan receive her brand or will she find out what happens to the Unworthy?

As he seeks his revenge, Ryan discovers powers he doesn't understand. Will they help him against the Akharu? Or is he becoming one of them?

THE HERD is a fascinating new take on the vampire genre. It is an action-packed adventure that takes place in the feudal Kingdom of Larkspur, where horses and swords rule the day and the bloodthirsty Akharu reigns at night.

READ THE REVIEWS!

"A SPELLBINDING STORYTELLER WITH FULLY DEVELOPED CHARACTERS!"

"THE HERD DREW ME IN IMMEDIATELY WITH ITS WORLD-BUILDING AND CHARACTERS I WANTED TO ROOT FOR!"

"I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!"

"ADDICTIVE!"

Billy's Review

THE HERD is a fast-paced and cleverly written young adult vampire story that defies the typical vampire narrative. It combines elements of dystopian fiction, fantasy, non-gory horror, and drama, creating a blend that almost works if it wasn't for a few cliched moments that seasoned readers might notice, though they aren't particularly bothersome.

The writing is quite decent for a debut author. The characters are interesting, the dialogue is lively, and the descriptions are well-suited for a young adult book.

Overall, THE HERD offers a unique take on the vampire genre. Despite minor criticisms (or nitpicks), I enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it to others. ╌★★★★✰

About Russell Bell

Russell was an international drama teacher for many years, teaching in Mumbai India and in Dubai, UAE. Living in these different countries sparked in me a passion for religion and culture, eventually inspiring this dystopian world of the Akharu. And, of course, many years of teaching theater to young adults has taught him that nothing beats an exciting story. He now lives in San Jose, Costa Rica with his wife, two children, and two dogs.

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE HERD.

US Only.

Ends November 12^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week One:

10/28/2024	Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
10/29/2024	TX Girl Reads	Excerpt/IG Post
10/30/2024	thefashoionistfiles	Excerpt/IG Post
10/31/2024	Deal sharing aunt	Interview/IG Post
11/1/2024	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

11/4/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
11/5/2024	@alexandriavwilliams_	IG Review/TikTok Post
11/6/2024	The Real World According to Sam	Review/IG Post
11/7/2024	Books With a Chance	Review/IG Post
11/8/2024	Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer	Review/IG Post

{Book Blogger Hop} — Appreciation, Thanksgiving, and Personal Growth

B.J. Burgess book blogger hop ,

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Being thankful and reflecting are common themes throughout November. Can you suggest a book that you've found inspiring and that tackles themes of appreciation, thanksgiving, or personal growth?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

{Giveaway} — $10 Amazon Gift Card (Ends 11/10/2024)

B.J. Burgess giveaway ,

The film “THE CARPENTER” is now in select theaters nationwide. It's the story of a champion fighter whose life is impacted when he is befriended by a benevolent Carpenter from Nazareth.

Buy your tickets now to THE CARPENTER. Learn about showings at www.carpentermovie.com/tickets/.

This blog has teamed with Three Coins Productions and Momentum Influencer Network to bring you a $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway.

[Review] — WILLIAM is a Horrifying AI Tale

B.J. Burgess books , horror

Thanks to recent technological advancements, the idea of artificial intelligence going awry is no longer a far-fetched concept. The new thriller WILLIAM—spelled W1LL1AM on the cover—by Mason Coile, a pseudonym for the award-winning author Andrew Pyper (known for The Demonologist and Lost Girls), adds his own horrifying twists to this theme.

[Review] — THE CARPENTER is a Slightly Entertaining Biblical Action Flick

B.J. Burgess movies ,

The biblical action drama THE CARPENTER (PG-13 for violence; 113 minutes), produced, co-written, and directed by Garrett Batty, is currently in theaters from Three Coin Productions and Boomtown Films.

THE CARPENTER is a powerful story of transformation and redemption. The film, set in biblical times, follows the life-changing journey of an adopted Viking orphan who becomes a carpenter's apprentice to none other than Jesus Christ. Through the timeless craft of carpentry, he finds a path to compassion and redemption.

[Review] — Clive Cussler's GHOST SOLDIER is an Entertaining Thriller Despite Many Flaws

B.J. Burgess adventure , books

Clive Cussler, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, had his adventure and sea thrillers continue to hit bookshelves long after he died in 2020. While this isn't a ghostwriting situation, other writers were hired to continue Cussler's series, with their names appearing on the covers to credit their work. The latest addition is GHOST SOLDIER, the newest installment in the OREGON FILES series, written by Mike Maden. Maden is known for his DRONE series, four of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Jr. thrillers, as well as Clive Cussler's Hellburner and Fire Strike.

{Sunday Post} — Apocalypse Watch, The Monster of Florence, and The X-Files: Perihelion

B.J. Burgess Sunday Post ,

What Am I Reading?

I know this sounds like a broken record, but I will play catch-up on reading and writing this month. I have a medium-sized chalkboard calendar and will use it to plan future review posts.

I'm still reading The Boyfriend and hope to finish it this morning. Next, I'll move on to The Herd because my review for a book blog tour is due on the 8th. Then, I'll read Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Asylum, Lies He Told Me, and Hiding Mengele.

{Book Blogger Hop} — NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)

B.J. Burgess book blogger hop ,

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

To plan the post for next week in advance, go here for upcoming prompts. You must complete this form to submit a prompt.

There is now a Facebook group for the Book Blogger Hop! Please join the community to connect with other book bloggers and receive the most recent Book Blogger Hop information.

What To Do

1. Post your response to the question.

Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November, and do you have any favorite books that were born from this writing challenge?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

2. In the linky list widget, enter your name or nickname @ Blog Name and the direct URL to your post answering this week's question. Here's an example: Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer

3. Please go to the other blogs on the list and comment on their BBH post.

Friday, November 29, 2024

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

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Thursday, November 28, 2024

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Monday, November 25, 2024

Sunday, November 24, 2024

What Am I Reading?

Friday, November 22, 2024

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

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Thursday, November 21, 2024

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Monday, November 18, 2024

Sunday, November 17, 2024

What Am I Reading?

Friday, November 15, 2024

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

What To Do

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Sunday, November 10, 2024

* Weekly Tidbits *

Friday, November 8, 2024

About the Book

READ THE REVIEWS!

Billy's Review

About Russell Bell

Giveaway Details

Tour Schedule

Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop!

What To Do

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Monday, November 4, 2024

Sunday, November 3, 2024

What Am I Reading?

Friday, November 1, 2024

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This Week's Book Blogger Hop

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