Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer: books

Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

[Review] — L. Ron Hubbard Presents: "WRITERS OF THE FUTURE, VOLUME 40"

I have a concise attention span regarding anthologies and short story collections; the writing quality varies from story to story, typically resulting in a slow reading turnaround for me. Science fiction is the worst because of the vast subgenres—many I don't care for—and in a short story collection with no theme, it's a flip of a coin whether or not I'll like the stories. I fell into that situation with "WRITERS OF THE FUTURE, VOLUME 40," recently published by Galaxy Press.

[Review] — "THREE-INCH TEETH" is a Grizzly Read

Billy Burgess books ,

Have you ever been so upset that a television series got canceled that you delayed reading the newest book, which inspired the show, out of spite? Well, that's what happened to me with Joe Pickett. Paramount Plus canceled the streaming series in late 2023 after two seasons. (Side note: the first season aired on Spectrum.) It was a well-made modern-day Western series similar to Yellowstone and should have done better in ratings if marketed correctly.

[Review] — "MIDNIGHT ON BEACON STREET" is a Poorly Written Love Letter to Horror Movies

Billy Burgess books ,

"Where does the time go?" This question puzzled me as I realized I'd had a copy of MIDNIGHT ON BEACON STREET sitting on a desk collecting dust for eight or nine months. I read the novelization by Emily Ruth Verona shortly after receiving it. However, I needed time to reflect on my thoughts before sharing my opinion on the book. It wouldn't be fair to rush it. "Disappointment" is the word that comes to mind to describe what I finished reading on the very last page. I set it aside, reread it weeks later, set it aside again, and reread it, hoping my opinion would change—it did not.

[Review] — "AFTER THAT NIGHT" is a Dreaded, Misguided Thriller

Billy Burgess books ,

It came to my revelation that New York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter was soon to publish a new novel, This Is Why I Lied, and it dawned on me that I should probably write my thoughts on her previous books, AFTER THAT NIGHT—published nearly a year ago by William Morrow.

[Review] — Tom Clancy's "ACT of DEFIANCE" is a Page-Turning Submarine Thriller

Billy Burgess books ,

Earlier this summer, the newest "Jack Ryan" thriller, ACT of DEFIANCE, landed on bookstore shelves from G.P. Putnam's Sons. It's the 24th entry in the long-running series that began in 1984 with The Hunt for the Red October, written by the late bestselling author Tom Clancy. Following Clancy's death in October 2013, his estate has continued his legacy by hand-selecting other talented authors to write additional stories. Navy veterans Brian Andrews and Jeffery Wilson co-authored the bestselling Tier One, Sons of Valor, and Shepherds book series, and now they teamed up for ACT of DEFIANCE, giving us readers a modern-day sequel to The Hunt for the Red October.

[Review] — Douglas Preston's "EXTINCTION" is a Fun but Predictable De-Extinct Thriller

Billy Burgess books ,

Resurrecting the woolly mammoths may sound like fiction, but in our reality, scientists have been trying to "clone" mammoth's DNA for many years and are getting closer thanks to stem-cell research. However, that's another topic entirely. We're here to discuss Douglas Preston's newest thriller—EXTINCTION, a murder mystery novel with mayhem, conspiracies, and de-extinct prehistoric animals.

[Review] — Greg Cox Commands "STAR TREK: LOST to ENTERNITY" into "The Voyage Home" Territory

Billy Burgess books ,

New York Times bestselling author Greg Cox has returned with his latest contribution to the Star Trek franchise, Lost to Eternity. The novel features three interwoven mysteries set in three different periods (2024, 2268, and 2292)—all connected to the events of the 1984 film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

[Review] — "DENIZEN: The Complete Series" is Mysteriously Haunting

Billy Burgess books ,

Add to Goodreads and Books2Read.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the DENIZEN: The Complete Series by David “DB” Andry, Tim Daniel, & Chris Shehan Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

[Review] — UNNATURAL ORDER Vol. 1: The Prisoner

Billy Burgess books ,

Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the UNNATURAL ORDER Vol. 1: The Prisoner by Christopher Yost & Val Rodrigues Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

[Review] — "THE HOUSE THAT HORROR BUILT" Fails to Deliver the Scares

Billy Burgess books ,

The other day, I was in the library glancing at the "newer" books, and the title "The House That Horror Built" caught my attention. Everyone knows I love anything horror, so I checked the book out. Christina Henry wrote the book, an author I have heard of, but I don't believe I've read anything by her. However, my memory hasn't been 100% reliable lately, so who knows?

[Review] — R.L. Stine's "SHARK NIGHT" is a Fast-Paced Joyride

Billy Burgess books ,

Buy Shark Night on Amazon.com.

I'm a lifelong R.L. Stine fan, so naturally, I bought his newest book, Shark Night (published by Black Stone Publishing), and I had to buy it online because the department stores in my neck of the woods don't carry many new children's book releases. Now, I set my mind on reading Shark Night for "Shark Week." I could have sworn "Shark Week" was the first week in August, but it turns out that I'm wrong—this week is "Shark Week." So, I sat down on Monday morning, sipped on a cup of strong coffee, and read Shark Night from beginning to end.

[Review] — "CHASING ENDLESS SUMMER" is a Forgetful Fluff Sequel

Billy Burgess books ,

Once upon a time, when you heard the name V.C. Andrews, we all thought of gothic thrillers. Now I'm asking, does the cover art for Chasing Endless Summer cry "gothic thriller?" It doesn't; if anything, it cries out young adult romance. While the cover isn't horrible, I still miss the old stepback covers.

[Review] — Taylor Moore's "RICOCHET" is a Solid, Thrilling Read

Billy Burgess books ,

It's been about two years since I first stumbled upon Taylor Moore's Down Range on paperback. I'm always skeptical about new authors—especially when I've heard nothing about their debut novel—but I put aside my doubts, and read Down Range and enjoyed it. I must not be the only reader who liked because the third sequel, Cold Trail, is coming out in September. A review copy of RICOCHET, the third book in the series, was sent to me many months ago—last fall. Yeah, I know. I need to work on my procrastination issues. Technically, I did read the book twice, if that means anything.

[Review] — Tom Clancy's "COMMAND and CONTROL" is a By-the-Book Jack Ryan Thriller

Billy Burgess books ,

I've noticed many readers are confused about the authorship of the newest Jack Ryan thriller, COMMAND and CONTROL (Available to buy on *Amazon.com). Although novelist Tom Clancy passed away over ten years ago in 2013, his name is still prominently displayed on the book cover, which can be misleading. Marc Cameron is the book's author, and his name is located at the bottom of the cover in smaller print, right under the book's title. There's also an author bio on the back flap of the book jacket that states that Tom Clancy died in 2013, so there's no excuse for not knowing of Clancy's demise.

[Review] — James Patterson's "MISSING PERSONS" is a Paperback Rack Fluff

Billy Burgess books ,

Buy the Paperback on *Amazon.com!

I'm a bit confused about how many books are in the "Private" series by James Patterson. I have seen 22 books listed as part of the series, but the latest one published in the US is "MISSING PERSONS." This book is listed as #16 in the series, even though it was originally published as "Private Rogue" in the UK by Century in 2021. (Note: Fantastic Fiction lists nineteen books in the Private series.)

[Review] — "THE TEACHER" is a Twisted Page-Turner

Billy Burgess books ,

*Buy the paperback on Amazon.com.

I have come across the name Fredia McFadden in bookstores time and time again, and I was curious about her books. So, I decided to read her new thriller, THE TEACHER, which Poisoned Pen Press recently published. I had no idea what genre McFadden wrote in before starting the book. After reading the short prologue, I thought it was written for young adults because I believed the prologue protagonist was a teenager. Chapter one begins with an adult point of view through the eyes of Eve, then we meet troubled teenager Addie, and later in the novel, readers see through the eyes of Eve's husband, Nate. The entire novel flips back and forth between these three characters, which is something I usually detest, but this storytelling method works well here.

[Review] — "A LIFE WITH GHOSTS" is a Fun Behind-the-Scenes Look at Ghost Hunting

Billy Burgess books ,

I read A Life With Ghosts last autumn, sometime around its release date, but I don't remember the exact date. I intended to write a review right away, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it kept getting postponed until now.

[Review] — Harlan Ellison's "GREATEST HITS"

Billy Burgess books ,

Available to buy on *Paperback and *Kindle.
Find it on Goodreads and Books2Read.
(*Paid Link)

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the GREATEST HITS by Harlan Ellison Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

[Review] — Seven of Nine Returns in "STAR TREK: PICARD: FIREWALL"

Billy Burgess books ,

Star Trek has always been and will always be a "niche" genre. Though tie-in novel releases have gotten increasingly rare over the years, I always appreciate them when they are published. The first of just a handful of new Star Trek novels in 2024, STAR TREK: PICARD: FIREWALL, was penned by New York Times best-selling author David Mack and released by Gallery Books last month.

[Review] — "THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE" is an Exciting Start to a Trilogy

Billy Burgess books ,

Find the book on Goodreads and Books2Read.

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

About the Book

What is The Nightmare Machine? Think Silent Hill meets Inception and Monster Hunter International.

Five millennia of suffering. A pilgrimage steeped in terror. Will her quest bring redemption or only a false promise of salvation?

Bangor, Maine. Sara Holcomb knows what she must do. Raised within a secret order devoted to protecting humanity from a malevolent god, the dutiful seventeen-year-old prepares for a terrifying expedition through a world of nightmares. So when the time comes, she convinces three close friends to escort her on a perilous journey to an otherworldly cathedral of bone and blood.

Transported to a land of chaos and horror while they sleep, Sara wrestles with guilt at bringing people she holds dear to this hell from which they may not escape. And as vicious traps and pitiless creatures tear at their bodies and minds, the honor-bound young woman fears they won’t be strong enough to complete the mission that will preserve mankind.

Purchase the book directly from Tim! There’s also a prequel novella!

My Review

THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE is an exciting start to a new series, specifically—a trilogy. In just a few pages, Tim White, the author, captures readers' attention and transports them to a fantastical voyage. On paper, the plot of a teenager, Sara, destined to save the world sounds tired and repetitive—but rescued by the author's brilliant use of expression and vivid descriptions help to give Sara genuine emotional depth. The other characters, particularly Sara's friends, are also well-written.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE—and the nearly 600 pages flew by quickly. You will have a good time reading it. ╌★★★★★

About Tim White

Tim White is an author, editor, writing coach, and game designer in Phoenix, Arizona. He started writing fiction in 1996 and nonfiction in 2006. As of 2023, he has published more than 1,000 nonfiction articles and three nonfiction books. He has written three novels, four novellas, dozens of tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) scripts, and hundreds of short stories.

Tim is a zealous crusader for the power of storytelling to promote human flourishing. He writes fiction in several genres, particularly one that he calls “Romantic horror” (as in “Romantic-era novelists” such as Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas, not as in “romance novel”). This little-known genre is unique in that it uses fear as a backdrop against which heroism is sharply contrasted, dramatized, and elevated.

Tim’s storytelling philosophy is summed up eloquently by one of his favorite authors:

“I often hear people say that they read to escape reality, but I believe that what they’re really doing is reading to find reason for hope, to find strength. While a bad book leaves readers with a sense of hopelessness and despair, a good novel, through stories of values realized, of wrongs righted, can bring to readers a connection to the wonder of life. A good novel shows how life can and ought to be lived. It not only entertains but energizes and uplifts readers.” ― Terry Goodkind

Before transitioning to writing full time, Tim was an Army combat medic, and later, a nurse paramedic specializing in trauma and surgery. He is a lifelong shooter and has ranked moderately well in state-level 3-gun competitions. He loves board games, video games, and role-playing games; cats; Pembroke Corgis; good coffee; good books; and escape rooms. He owns an escape room venue in Arizona, where he designs and builds every prop and puzzle in-house.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details

(there are 2 giveaways)

Bargain Booksy Giveaway

One winner will be chosen at random on 4/15/2024 and notified via email that they have won the 20 eBooks and a Kindle.

Giveaway Link: https://www.bargainbooksy.com/thriller-giveaway-021524/

Rockstar Book Tours Giveaway

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.

Ends March 5th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week One:

2/19/2024	@darkfantasyreviews	IG Post
2/19/2024	Kountry Girl Bookaholic	Excerpt/IG Post
2/20/2024	jlreadstoperpetuity	IG Post
2/20/2024	Writer of Wrongs	Excerpt
2/21/2024	The Melting Plot	IG Post
2/21/2024	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
2/22/2024	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
2/22/2024	GryffindorBookishnerd	IG Review
2/23/2024	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
2/23/2024	@books.mo.reads	IG Review

Week Two:

2/26/2024	Books and Zebras	IG Review
2/26/2024	@stargirls.magical.tale	IG Review
2/27/2024	@dana.loves.books	IG Review/TikTok Post
2/27/2024	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
2/28/2024	FUONLYKNEW	Review
2/28/2024	The Momma Spot	Review
2/29/2024	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
2/29/2024	Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer	Review/IG Post
3/1/2024	Confessions of the Perfect Mom	Review/IG Post
3/1/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post