ISBN: 0984510907

While Dash still has time, he tries to help his friends, Ashley, Sarah and Tony with their own problems. He tries to save their lives, but he can’t save his own.

At times this book was difficult to read. There is no happily ever after here. This is a dark college story about hope, and it has a hidden spiritual message. “The Rest is Illusion” is an emotional haunting novel.

By: Pat Nelson Childs
PUBLISHED BY: Glynworks Publishing
PUBLISHED IN: 2007
ISBN: 097959121X
Pages: 332
Reviewed By: Billy Burgess

In this fantasy adventure quest, the orphan hero, Rokey, was raised in a monastery. After an accident occurs, Rokey leaves his home and explores Firma. He is almost robbed when a elf named Flaskamber saves him.

Rokey joins the Elf’s group of friends led by Stanford. There is also Fia the bard and Lorq the giant. Soon they are attacked by ratmen, who are after Rokey. Why would they be after this orphan?

The Orphan’s Quest is your typical fantasy with all the clichés that go with it. The only thing that stands out is that the main hero, Rokey, is gay, and there is a romance between him and Flaskamber. I’m sure that fantasy fans will like this novel, but it really didn’t interest me. Many of the questions that rises in the book are unanswered by the disappointing ending.

BY: Beth Webb Hart
PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Nelson
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59554-201-4
Pages: 312
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

"Love, Charleston" chronicles the lives of Anna Brumley, her cousin Della Limehouse and her sister Dr. Alisha Sutton, as they all deal with different life changes.

Rev. Roy Summerall, a widow, is called upon by the Lord to move to a Charleston with his daughter. Roy recalls the Charleston being superficial. Why would he move there?

Anna is getting closer to 40 and has just moved to Charleston to find a fresh start and hopefully a husband. Her sister Alisha struggles with her husband’s problems, and tries to raise her children.

And her cousin Della has lots of problems of her own. Della’s husband is unemployed. She has to go back to teaching to pay the bills and give up on her dream of being of writer.

This was a delightful read for me. All of the characters seem real. They had day-to-day problems like everyone else. Anna, Della and Alisha stay close to each other, and support one another in time of crises. My favorite character would have to be Della. No matter what setbacks she had, she continued her dream of writing a novel. I recommend this book to all readers.

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

BY: Mozelle Richardson
PUBLISHED BY: Mount West Publishers
PUBLISHED IN: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-61658-244-9
Pages: 460
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The Thyssen Affair is a cold war novel set during the year 1980. Russians steal a skull from a World War II grave in Colorado. A retired OSS operative Canyon “Cane” Eliot is called back in to help the CIA solve the mystery. The CIA isn’t the only ones interested in the skull, the Israeli Mossad wants it too.

Cane must travel around the world to Munich, Italy and Germany to try to figure out what is going on. While in Germany, he crosses paths with ex-Nazis. Everyone wants the skull. There are several twists and turns.

The author, Mozelle Richardson, is 96 years old and received her BA in Journalism at the age 90. That’s a major accomplishment.

I felt that the book had too much dialogue at times. There should have been more descriptions of the surroundings. The plot takes Cane to different countries, but I never felt he left Colorado. There are several twists in the story, and at times I found it very annoying. The plot was original and it kept me interested in it. The book is over four hundred pages, but it’s fast paced. If you enjoy spy thrillers, you might want to check this out.

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

BY: Laura Lodd
PUBLISHED BY: Dream Books LLC
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
Pages: 187
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Normally a fairy tale is in the point-of-view of the young princess or prince, but not in “My Sparkling Misfortune.” The main character is Lord Arkus, the villain. Lord Arkus, along with his sidekick Shork, captured a gormack - an evil spirit to help him destroy his enemy - Prince Kellemar. To Arkus’s surprise, he didn’t catch a gormack, but he caught a sparkling - a good spirit.

When a sparkling is caught, they are bound to their owners for 6 years. Lord Arkus was stuck with it.

Lord Arkus asks for a new castle, supplies and a army, so he could be ready to battle with Prince Kellemar and his men. Soon, he is befriending King Osmund because the king believes only a good man would have a sparkling.

The King gives Lord Arkus his own castle and men. Arkus becomes engaged to the king’s daughter. Everything is going his way - he has own castle and army. He is read to battle Prince Kellemar, but Shork thinks Arkus is becoming too nice. Will Arkus become a hero?

This is a cute fairy tale with a twist. Each chapter has a wonderful illustration. Both girls and boys will like reading about Lord Arkus and the sparkling.

* I would like to thank Dream Books LLC for sending me a copy to review.

BY: Brian T. Yates
ILLUSTRATED BY: Tielman Chaney
PUBLISHED BY: Mystic Publishers
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-934051-42-9
Pages: 55
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Yalu is a young female golden retriever. Her and her siblings are staying at a kennel, waiting to be adopted by a loving family. All the puppies go to a special place called the Puppy Room. This is where they meet the families looking for a dog.

Yalu is all excited when a family wants her to come home with them. When they pick her up, they are disappointed. They wanted a male dog instead of a female. Yalu goes back to her cage, and her brother is chosen by the family.

One by one, her siblings are adopted. Now, Yalu is the last golden retriever at the kennel.

When a young couple arrive at the kennel looking for a new puppy, Yalu is ready to pick them as her family. But will they pick her?

This is an adorable book for children. Yalu is a sweet and loveable character. The illustrations in the book are colorful. You’ll enjoy reading about Yalu and the Puppy Room.

PUBLISHED IN: 2010
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Honestly, the only thing I know about General Patton is what I saw in the movie “Patton” staring George C. Scott. After reading the introduction to this book, you learn that the way Patton was portrayed was not correct. Patton’s rival General Omar N. Bradley worked as the film’s chief consultant, so all of the facts were not correct.

George S. Patton Jr. was born on November 11, 1885 in Los Angeles, California. Most of his ancestors were military heroes. At an early age, George wanted to continue the tradition. He learned to ride a horse and shoot guns, but he didn’t learn how to read and write until he was twelve years old. This caused a bit of a challenge for him when he started school in 1897. Despite his educational setbacks, he entered VMI in 1903 and later he would attend West Point. Patton studied all of the great military books.

After graduation, Patton joined the Army. Through the years he quickly went up the ranks. First as a Tank Commander and later as a General during WWII.

I enjoyed reading the book. I never knew that Patton was obsessed with perfection. I also never knew that Patton studied and kept track of new technology being developed. Patton was a respected man, who loved his family, his fellow soldiers, his country and God. I recommend this book to historical and military buffs.

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