Friday, March 5, 2010

Review - Brimstone by Robert B. Parker

Brimstone
BY: Robert B. Parker
PUBLISHED BY: Putnam
PUBLISHED IN: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-15571-0
Pages: 293
Ages: Adult
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The gunslingers Everett Hitch and Virgil Cole are back in the third and final novel in the series. A year has passed since they were in the town of Resolution. They go out looking for Allie French - the woman who stole & crushed Virgil’s heart in Appaloosa.

Virgil and Everett find her in a small-town brothel. The lifestyle had crushed Allie’s spirit. The three of them head into Brimstone, Texas to start over. The relationship between Virgil and Allie is not the same as it was in Appaloosa. Allie wants to change her ways, and joins a local church lead by Brother Percival.

Meanwhile, Everett and Virgil become the town’s deputies. Brother Percival stirs up trouble in the town which escalates into murder. Virgil struggles to keep the peace of the town and keep Allie from getting hurt.

“Brimstone” is the best written book out of the trilogy. The previous books contained mostly dialogue. The third outing not only has great dialogue, but it has a better plot. The relationship between Virgil and Allie is beautifully written. I won’t give away the ending of the book, but it’s excellent!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Thursday Ramblings - More Books!



I can't believe it's already Thursday. The days fly by when you have a cold.


In My Mailbox

Last Friday, I received the book The Elf of Luxembourg from the author Tom Weston. I posted the review for it a few days ago.

I got the books Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison and Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton that I ordered from a book club. I need to start catching up on both these series.
I finished reading Worst Case by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge and Glenn Beck's Common Sense last weekend. I'll have the reviews posted for them soon.

Yesterday I checked out the book Heat Wave by Richard Castle (the actually author is probably James Patterson) from the local library. I started reading it today. I'm also 100 pages into Birthright by Nora Roberts.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Review - The Elf of Luxembourg


The Elf of Luxembourg
BY: Tom Weston
PUBLISHED BY: tom weston media
PUBLISHED IN: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-981-94134-9
Pages: 290
Ages: Young Adult
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The teenage California sisters from “First Night” are back. Once again, Alex and Jackie are traveling with their aunt and uncle, but this time they are in Luxembourg. The girls are enjoying their vacation, and are especially excited about seeing the old Dracula movie at the Capucins Theater. Of course the girls know that vampires aren’t real? Or are there vampires in Luxembourg looking for Alex and Jackie?

After Jackie receives a mysterious looking coin, an elf comes into their lives and turns their vacation into an journey they will soon never forget.

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.