Master Self-Publishing 2011 Edition
BY: Owen O. Daniels
PUBLISHED BY: the Small Business Zone, Inc.
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-9829036-3-6
Pages: 110
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



Thanks to the internet, more writers are using the self-publishing route instead of going with the traditional publishing houses. It should not take a degree to self-publish your book, but there are some 'how to' books that are extremely detailed, therefore may scare off potential authors. Master Self-Publishing is ‘The Little Red Book’, which is just over 100 pages. The author lays out the simple rules that you should follow by, from determining what size book to go with, to where to get your novel edited. There is a reasonable publishing timeline, giving an estimate from when you start writing the book until the publication. You will learn about obtaining an ISBN Code, obtaining a copyright, obtaining a Library of Congress Control Number, and obtaining a cataloging publication program. There are three print on demand companies listed, Createspace, Lula, and Lighting Source.

I have reviewed several books on self-publishing and Master Self-Publishing is the shortest, but the simplest of them. Each chapter has been carefully written for any reader to understand. My favorite chapter is Chapter 8: Get The Book Reviewed, where there are several review sites listed. I recommend the book to any writer who is interested in non-traditional publishing.

*I would like to thank the author for sending me a review copy.

How to Raise Your New Puppy in a Cat Family
BY: Jackie Sonnenberg
PUBLISHED BY: Atlantic Publishing
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60138-401-0
Pages: 288
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



If you are excited about bringing your new puppy home, your cat probably has a different opinion. How to Raise Your New Puppy in a Cat Family: The Complete Guide to a Happy, Pet-Filled Home is aimed for families who want to bring a puppy into a cat’s environment. Do you remember those old cartoons where the dogs and cats do not get along? Well, that was just a myth. Cats and dogs can get a long in a household. If your cat is already set in its ways, then it will take some time for the cat to adjust to having a dog in the home.

The author list different dog breeds, and which ones are more suitable for a family. The early chapters give guidelines to make sure you get the right dog for your family. You might have to take things slow at first. Let the animals meet and see how they react, then, slowly move the puppy into the home. Keep a close eye on your cat’s behavior. They are very emotional and may not understand why another animal is in their home.

I am a cat lover, so I was eager to review the book, and I was surprised to find many cat tips through out it finishing the book, I would have to say I would never keep a puppy and a cat in the same household. It would be too much stress on the animals, and especially on me.

*I would like to thank Atlantic Publishing for sending me a review copy.

Pages: 310
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Now for a twist, Sam asks Sookie for a favor - for her to ask the vampire Eric if Sam could borrow one of his vampire bartenders. Eric can never say no to Sookie, therefore the vampire pirate Charles joins Merlotte’s in Sam’s absence. Meanwhile, Tara is now in the control of the dangerous vampire Mickey.

Dead as a Doornail focuses more on the weres and shape-shifters than it does vampires. If you are watching the current season, you’ll realize that some of the plot elements in Dead as a Doornail are in it, mainly with Jason. Vampire favorites Bill, Eric and Pam have very little to do with the novel, and involves more of the Hotshots and werewolf clans. The death of Debbie Pelt is coming back to bite Sookie in the you-know-what, as private investigators are looking into her disappearance. I liked that the author laid out more of the werewolf mythology into the modern world. Sookie’s fairy-godmother, Claudine, is a riot and fun character unlike the fairy plot from True Blood. The fifth book in the series is great read.

PUBLISHED IN: 2011
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

After reading the back cover, I was a little skeptical about starting this book because it sounded like a reused plot from other Goosebumps books - where a kid is at home, the kid somehow changes, and races across town to find his friends for help. But there is a new twist by the name of Mr. Pinker, a piano teacher, with a hobby of collecting miniature houses, and, of course, Mr. Pinker is not who he seems to be. This is where the story reminds me of the Goosebumps television episodes, "Chillogy,” which wasn’t based on a Goosebumps book. Night of the Giant Everything isn’t scary, but it has enough twists and turns to keep the average young reader interested.

PUBLISHED IN: 2011


Adam had left the Amish community years ago and moved to the big city where he took odd job. After buying a car, a television, DVDs, and ending his on and off again relationship with Ashley, he realized that his life was missing something. Then one day, he retrieved his mail and found a letter sent by an Amish friend, who informed him of Mrs. Shelter’s death. He packs a bag and heads home. Despite Adam’s shunning, his mother welcomes him home with loving arms, but his father gives him a cold shoulder.

Peter’s cousin, Mark, also returns to the community and he is interested in one thing - stealing Clara away from Peter. Meanwhile, Emma and Adam reunite and their old feelings return, but will Adam’s new life interfere with their future.

Treasuring Emma is heartwarming story about second chances. I have read a few other books by Kathleen Fuller and this one doesn’t disappoint. I was instantly hooked from the first chapter where Emma is dealing with her mother’s death and ponders her future. Adam would have to be my favorite character from the novel, a young man who is lost in the world, but desires a family of his own. With all the economic problems in the world, I thought the character Peter was a nice touch, along with his wife, Clara, who loves and supports her husband despite the fact he cannot hold a job. I pleased to able to review this delightful novel that put a smile on my face.

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

PUBLISHED BY: Ace
PUBLISHED IN: 2004
ISBN: 978-0-441-01218-3
Pages: 310
Reviewed by Billy Burgess




With Sookie’s ex, Bill, out of the country, she calls her brother Jason for assistance, but he shortly disappears later that night. Now, Sookie must worry about her brother, and fight off her feelings for Eric.

I started reading the 4th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series last June. My plans were to read it before the third season of True Blood started, but I got sidetracked and the book eventually went back on the bookshelf. After watching the first episode of the 4th season, I decided to read Dead to the World. After a slow attempt, I managed to finish the book on July 4th. The basic ‘witches plot’ is the main plot of the 4th season of the television series. The subplot of the missing Jason is currently being used too, but Crystal and the Hotshots were introduced during the third season. I was disappointed to learn that Bill had a very limited role in the book, but I was glad to see ‘Bubba’ (who is absent from True Blood) had a part. I laughed out loud when Eric was watching Sookie’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer VHSs while she slept. I thought Charlaine Harris has done marvelous work showing Eric’s human side as he fell in love with Sookie. The only downside of the novel was the so-called ‘witch war’ with vamps, weres, and witches, as I thought it could have been longer. Overall, I enjoyed getting back into Sookie’s weird world.