Heat Wave
BY: Richard Castle
PUBLISHED BY: Hyperion
PUBLISHED IN: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4013-2382-0
Pages: 196
Ages: Adults
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Being a fan of the television show “Castle,” I was excited about reading “Heat Wave” by Richard Castle - the fictional character on the show. I think the real author was either James Patterson or Stephen J. Cannell.

The main character is Nicki Heat, a NYPD Homicide Detective. The commissioner assigns a famous magazine journalist, Jameson Rock, to follow her on the job. Jameson is a wisecracking idiot who keeps getting in her way - similar to the Richard Castle character on the show. As Nicki investigates the death of a real estate tycoon, she starts to fall for Jameson.

I was disappointed that “Heat Wave” is just under 200 pages. More of a novella than a novel. The characters, dialogue and plot all mirror the television show. There is nothing original here. If you’re a fan of the show, you may tolerate this so-so crime novel.

Beguiled
BY: Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0628-3
Pages: 332
Ages: Adults
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Rylee Monroe is a dog walker in Charleston in the “Beguiled.” Most of her clients are in the wealthiest neighborhoods. While at a client’s house, she encounters an intruder. When the police arrive the intruder has escaped, but the client’s jewelry box is missing. More break-ins continue to occur. Logan Woods, a local reporter, begins investigating the crimes. He soon learns that the break-ins are connected to Rylee.

I have mix-feelings about the “Beguiled.” Though it’s well written, it’s very predictable. The love story between the two main characters feels rushed and unbelievable. Merging a Christian romance story into a crime thriller just doesn’t work. I give the authors credit for making the story fast-paced. I can only recommend the “Beguiled” to fans of Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand.

Note: I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me this complimentary copy to review.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kai Miller, with her neighbor’s dogs, climbs into a van heads away from the incoming hurricane. The traffic is crazy and she doesn’t get very far. The hurricane strikes leaving destruction.

Donetta and friends have to cancel their trip and return to their homes in Daily, Texas. She takes in Kai Miller, who has no place to go until the floods go down. Kai has no attention in staying in this small town for long, until she meets Donetta’s nephew, Kemp Eldridge.

I’ve never read any of the other books in the series. “Never Say Never” seems to be a standalone book. I don’t read much contemporary fiction, but I was instantly hooked by the first chapter. I love that the author switches narratives with every other chapter, it kept me turning the pages. I ended up reading the book in one day. This is an irresistible, clean-cut romance novel that you’ll have to read.

Note: I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me this complimentary copy of this book to review.

“Tales of Wordishure” has seven cute stories that children and adults will enjoy reading. In the first story, “The Skipping Stone of Wordishure,” Edward goes to collect squishberries for his grandma. He puts his basket down for a few seconds so he can skip a stone across the water. His basket of squishberries disappears.

Philip’s sister is missing in “Three Princesses of Wordishure.” He gets Princess Irelynd, Princess Tara and Princess Ashtyn to help him find her.

Micah discovers a well worn book in his attic in the story “The Treasure Map of Wordishure.” He takes the book with him to the Oldwood Creek, where he runs into his best friend, Jonah. Inside the book is a map with some Xs on a hill. They follow the creek in search of treasure.

While playing the game ‘Seek the Lost’ in “Bigby The Giant of Wordishure,” Bigby must help the Humblebees find their missing hive.

In “The Tree Fort of Wordishure,” Gideon and his friends build a tree fort in the willow tree named Fordywinx. When the kids learn that today is Fordywinx’s birthday, they go in search for the prefect gift.

One day the wind blows away Melody’s music lyrics in “The Silent of Song of Wordishure.” With the help of Preston the gopher, Melody hunts down her lost pages.

All the characters from the previous stories join forces to help fix the cracked bell in “The Church Mice of Wordishure.”

I enjoyed reading the “Tales of Wordishure.” These are wonderful stories, filled with beautiful illustrations. You’ll enjoy exploring the world of Wordishure with your children.

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!

BY: Tom Weston
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.

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.