PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0850-8
Pages: 318
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

In this contemporary fiction novel, Amy Gallagher has always wanted to be a writer. She is almost 30 years old and has just finished her first novel, but is still unpublished. In addition, she is unmarried, which bothers her mother.

Amy spends her days teaching and in her off time, she writes and dreams. She soon meets Eli and of course, falls in love with him. Amy decides to take a close look at her life and her aspirations.

I found it easy to like the main character Amy. I am also 29 and I am an aspiring writer. I found Amy’s life to be comical and real. I recommend reading Amy Inspired.

*I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me a copy to review.

At the end of WWII, Esther Lange, a single mother, wonders if her fiancé, Linus, is still alive. Esther had only met Linus briefly before becoming pregnant with his daughter. Before leaving for the war, Linus sent Ester to live with his family.

Jennifer from Crazy for Books has created this meme.

If you'd like to participate, here's Jennifer's instructions:


Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blog Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!


So, if you'd like to participate, just repost this on your blog, sign MckLinky and check out other blogs in MckLinky! Let's connect and make new book bloggy friends!! So, if you consider yourself a book blogger, come join the fun!

Question of the week: If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?

My answer: I would like to start with the first book, but there have been times where I start with book two or three.

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Nelson
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59554-339-4
Pages: 309
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Joy Ballard is an author and host of a syndicated cooking show, Dining with Joy. She is excited with her show is picked up by a major network. Dining with Joy will now be in a prime time slot. However, Joy has one problem, she cannot cook.

The producers of the show hire a creative cook, Luke Redmond, to co-host the show. Joy thinks this is the perfect idea. Now she has time to write her books and spend time with her friends. Soon she starts having feelings for Redmond.

Joy and her rival Wenda Devine have a cooking competition on live television and Joy’s secret comes out.

Dining with Joy was a fun delight to read. After reading the book, I wondered how many other cooking show hosts cannot cook. LoL! The characters are believably written. Any romance fan will enjoy reading this book.

*I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for sending me a copy to review.

Jennifer from Crazy for Books has created this meme.

If you'd like to participate, here's Jennifer's instructions:


Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blog Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!


So, if you'd like to participate, just repost this on your blog, sign MckLinky and check out other blogs in MckLinky! Let's connect and make new book bloggy friends!! So, if you consider yourself a book blogger, come join the fun!

Question of the week: What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?

My answer: I don't take it personally when I lose a follower, but it is nice to get new followers. I have never stopped following a blog.

Jennifer from Crazy for Books has created this meme.

If you'd like to participate, here's Jennifer's instructions:


Every day I seem to find another book blog that I start following. In the spirit of the Friday Follow, I thought it would be cool to do a Book Blog Hop to give us all bookies a chance to connect and find new blogs that we may be missing out on! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!


So, if you'd like to participate, just repost this on your blog, sign MckLinky and check out other blogs in MckLinky! Let's connect and make new book bloggy friends!! So, if you consider yourself a book blogger, come join the fun!

Question of the week: What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"

My answer: A new house with one giant room to use as a private library.

PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0391-6
Pages: 378
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The widow Rachel Boyd is struggling to raise her two sons and keep her ranch running in the Colorado Rockies. Dr. Rand Brookston comes into town with his new modern way of medicine. Rachel does not like doctors because her father was one.

Under troubling circumstances, Rachel must trust Dr. Brookston. The doctor is having trouble of his own; adjusting to his new life. The town people are having a hard time accepting him as the new doctor.
Rachel and Dr. Brookston must aside their difference and have faith in each other.

Within My Heart is a wonderful historical novel. The author uses incredible detail and descriptions of Colorado. There have been dozens of books and movies about a new doctor in town, but the formula works very well in this novel. You instantly feel for the main character, Rachel, as she struggles to keep her ranch and raise her children by herself. This is a great read.

*I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me this copy to review.

BY: Laura Ingraham
PUBLISHED BY: Threshold Editions
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4391-9751-6
Pages: 373
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The Obama Diaries is part fiction, part nonfiction and part political satire. The author Laura Ingraham has also written the Power to the People, she has her own syndicated radio program and she is one of the permanent substitute host of the O’Reilly Factor.

Throughout the book, there are fake diaries entries from the President, the First Lady, the Vice-President and other staff members of the White House. I found some of these comical and other just plain annoying.

The author does use facts about the President and his administration. The book covers Obama’s family life, his ties to corrupted political officials, the dozens of mistakes he has made and the falling economy. Of course, the author gives her own opinion on each issue.

I occasionally watch the O’Reilly Factor and watched Laura Ingraham talking about her book. I reserved it at my local library and I had to wait several weeks to check it out. Overall, I am very disappointed with it. Besides from the fake diary entries, there is nothing that makes this book stand out from any of the dozens political book out there. Sure, there are many facts that are true about Obama, but I have heard these repeatedly on the news. There is nothing new here. If you have listened to the author on her radio show or seen her on the O’Reilly Factor, then, you already know her opinion on the Obama administration. I cannot recommend this book to anyone.