Friday, March 19, 2010

Book Blogger Hop for Friday, March 19, 2010

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!


Pretty please - Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Thursday Ramblings - March 18, 2010



Howl: Dark Tales of the Feral and InfernalIf you haven't heard, my adult horror story, "The Leeds Devil," is in the the anthology "Howl: Dark Tales of the Feral and Infernal" - available now on amazon.com and createspace.com. I'm currently reading "The River King's Road" by Liane Merciel. I received the book last Thursday. My review of the book will be published on March 25, 2010 as part of a Blog Tour.

I finally got caught up on writing book reviews. I had a pile of "Goosebumps Horrorland" books on my desk. I've written a review for all of them. I'll post them at a later date.

A Cousin's Challenge (Indiana Cousins, Book 3)I won the book"A Cousin's Challenge" by Wanda E. Brunstetter from a book giveway on goodreads.com. I received the book in the mail yesterday. It looks like it will be a good read.

More Mail News: I got the book "Cowgirl At Heart" by Christine Lynxwiler in the mail last Friday. Last Thursday, along with "The River King's Road," I received "Demon Possessed" by Stacia Kane and "The Birds and the Frogs" by Brian D. McClure. The review for "Demon Possessed" was posted today as part of a Blog Tour. "The Birds and the Frogs" was posted on Sunday.

The Baby-Sitter (Point Horror Series)Prom Nights from HellOn Friday, I received the books that I had ordered off of overstock.com. They were: "Prom Nights From Hell" by Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Meg Cabot, Lauren Myracle and Michelle Jaffe; "Thirteen: 13 Tales of Horror by 13 Masters of Horror" by R.L. Stine, Caroline B. Cooney, Christopher Pike, D.E. Athkins, A. Bates, Jay Bennett, Carol Ellis, Diane Hoh, Lael Littke, Sinclair Smith, J.B. Stamper, Ellen Emerson White and Patricia Windsor; "Eye Candy" by R.L. Stine; "The Baby-sitter" by R.L. Stine; "Fear Street Nights: Moonlight Secrets" by R.L. Stine; "Fear Street Nights: Midnight Games" by R.L. Stine; and "Fear Street Nights: Darkest Dawn" by R.L. Stine. As you can see I'm a R.L. Stine Fan.

My Zombie ValentineOn Saturday I bought the book "Sweep" by Cate Tiernan. Today, I bought the book "My Zombie Valentine" by Katie MacAlister, Angie Fox, Marianne Mancusi, and Lisa Cach.

I stopped by the library and picked up two books on the "free books" shelf. The books are: "Born Into Light" by Paul Samuel Jacobs and "John Chancellor Makes Me Cry" by Anne Rivers Siddons.

Today, I got the book "Imaginary Jesus" by Matt Mikalatos in the mail. I'll probably read it over the weekend, so expect my review to be up sometime next week.

The Stepfather
I plan on watching "The Stepfather" DVD tonight.

I finally got out of my so-called "writer's block." I've jotted down several new plot ideas. I started writing on a new story this week. Everything is going well.

Review - Demon Possessed by Stacia Kane

Demon Possessed (Megan Chase, Book 3)Demon Possessed
BY: Stacia Kane
PUBLISHED BY: Pocket Books
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-4391-6761-8
Pages: 321
Ages: Adults
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The psychic psychologist Megan Chase is back in “Demon Possessed,” the third and final book in the series. A FBI agent is wanting to know what her involvement with Greyson Dante is, and where the rumored demon meeting is going to be located at. Of course, Megan denies everything. The truth - Megan is attending the demon meeting with her demon lover, Greyson.

Greyson is pressuring Megan to join the “family” - to become a full-fledged demon, and he has a few dark secrets kept hidden from her.

Then, things start to go wrong at the meeting, including a minister performing “weekend exorcisms.” To make matters worse, a scary angel wants to kill Megan.

I have never read the first two books in the series, so it took me awhile to figure out what was going on. Megan Chase is a bold fantasy heroine, who doesn’t want to settle down. The book’s weakness is the lack of action, and it’s unnecessary focus on Megan’s emotions. The love scenes between Megan and Greyson are unbelievable. There was no passion, just dread. There are enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. “Demon Possessed” is fast-paced, just falling over three-hundred pages. Fan of the previous books will enjoy the final installment. If you’re new to the series, I would recommend reading the first book so you want be confused as I was.

Note: I would like to thank Pocket Books for sending me this complimentary copy to review.

For more information on the author visit her website at http://www.staciakane.net/.


Sunday, March 14, 2010

Review - The Birds and the Frogs by Brian D. McClure



Kid Konnection is a a weekend feature related
to anything about children books.


Every day it was the same conversation between the birds and frogs. The birds could fly, and in their eyes that made them superior to the frogs. The frogs believed they were smaller and not as important as the birds.

A young group of tadpoles gives the birds and frogs some advice. It doesn’t matter if the birds have wings, that doesn’t make them any different. They are the same as anything else on earth.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Review - The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle


The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle
BY: L.J. Smith
PUBLISHED BY: Harper Teen
PUBLISHED IN: 1991
ISBN: 978-1-61523-818-7
Pages: 492
Ages: Young Adult
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

I can’t believe these books came out back in 1991! I was excited to get my hands on the first volume. I remember when they first came out, but never got a chance to read them until now.

Elena Gilbert has come home to Fell’s Church, Virginia after visiting France. She begins her senior year at the Robert E. Lee High School, where she meets the mysterious new student, Stefan Salvatore.

After the homecoming dance, Elena is attacked by her classmate Tyler. Stefan comes to her rescue, and they soon fall in love. Stefan’s older brother, Damon, comes into town. Strange attacks happen in Fell’s Church. Is Damon to blame? What is Stefan’s dark secret? If you’ve been watching the television show on the CW, you can probably answer these questions.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Review - Glenn Beck's Common Sense

Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against An Out-of-Control Government
BY: Glenn Beck with Joseph Kerry
PUBLISHED BY: Threshold Editions
PUBLISHED IN: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4391-6857-8
Pages: 174
Ages: Adults
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

I know there are a lot of people who like to bash Glenn Beck. If you watched his program before he was on Fox News, you’ll know that Glenn is against the way both parties are running this great nation of ours. I recommend some of his critics to actually watch all of his shows, and not just five seconds of it. There was hardly any media-fringe-bashing when he was on CNN. Sorry for rambling - back to the review.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Thursday Ramblings



Wow! It's after two o'clock in the morning, and I'm not even tried. I can hear the rain pouring down outside, well at least it's not more snow. I just finished watching the movie "2012" an hour ago. It was better than I thought it would be. I just posted the book review for "Heat Wave" a few minutes ago. Make sure you check out my review for "Glenn Beck's Common Sense," it'll be posted tomorrow.

I received "A Century Turns" and "Tales of Wordishure" in the mail last Friday. On Saturday, I received "Never Say Never" and "Beguiled." I've read and reviewed the books.  All of the reviews have been posted on the blog.

Review - Heat Wave by Richard Castle


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.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Review - The Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand


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.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Review - Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

Never Say Never
BY: Lisa Wingate
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0492-0
Pages: 348
Ages: Adults
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

“Never Say Never” is the third book in the “Daily, Texas” series. Sixty-nine year-old Donetta Bradford and her friends are excited about going on a cruise. Their plans change when a hurricane hits Texas.

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.