Friday, October 29, 2010

Book Blogger Hop!

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!

Question of the week: What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"

My answer: A new house with one giant room to use as a private library.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Thursday Ramblings


Dead Silence (Unrated Widescreen Edition)I can't believe that it is less than two months until Christmas!

Daughter of DarknessI bought the paperback book Daughter of Darkness by V.C. Andrews (A.K.A. - Andrew Neiderman). It looks like this one is not part of the series. And guess what? It's about vampires.

Writing News: My short story Night of the Babysitter will be published in the Children of the Dead: A Zombie Anthology.

I bought two movies this week: Dead Silence and Hellraiser Hellworld. I saw part of Dead Silence last week on AMC and I liked it. The movies were only five dollars each.

Hellraiser - Hellworld

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Book Review - Within My Heart

Within My Heart (Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 3)Within My Heart
BY: Tamera Alexander
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0391-6
Pages: 378
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The widow Rachel Boyd is struggling to raise her two sons and keep her ranch running in the Colorado Rockies. Dr. Rand Brookston comes into town with his new modern way of medicine. Rachel does not like doctors because her father was one.

Under troubling circumstances, Rachel must trust Dr. Brookston. The doctor is having trouble of his own; adjusting to his new life. The town people are having a hard time accepting him as the new doctor.
Rachel and Dr. Brookston must aside their difference and have faith in each other.

Within My Heart is a wonderful historical novel. The author uses incredible detail and descriptions of Colorado. There have been dozens of books and movies about a new doctor in town, but the formula works very well in this novel. You instantly feel for the main character, Rachel, as she struggles to keep her ranch and raise her children by herself. This is a great read.

*I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me this copy to review.

Review - The Obama Diaries

The Obama DiariesThe Obama Diaries
BY: Laura Ingraham
PUBLISHED BY: Threshold Editions
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4391-9751-6
Pages: 373
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The Obama Diaries is part fiction, part nonfiction and part political satire. The author Laura Ingraham has also written the Power to the People, she has her own syndicated radio program and she is one of the permanent substitute host of the O’Reilly Factor.

Throughout the book, there are fake diaries entries from the President, the First Lady, the Vice-President and other staff members of the White House. I found some of these comical and other just plain annoying.

The author does use facts about the President and his administration. The book covers Obama’s family life, his ties to corrupted political officials, the dozens of mistakes he has made and the falling economy. Of course, the author gives her own opinion on each issue.

I occasionally watch the O’Reilly Factor and watched Laura Ingraham talking about her book. I reserved it at my local library and I had to wait several weeks to check it out. Overall, I am very disappointed with it. Besides from the fake diary entries, there is nothing that makes this book stand out from any of the dozens political book out there. Sure, there are many facts that are true about Obama, but I have heard these repeatedly on the news. There is nothing new here. If you have listened to the author on her radio show or seen her on the O’Reilly Factor, then, you already know her opinion on the Obama administration. I cannot recommend this book to anyone.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Book Blogger Hop

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!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Book Review - Love's First Bloom


Love's First BloomLove’s First Bloom
BY: Delia Parr
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0671-9
Pages: 316
Reviewed by Billy Burgess


Reverend Livingstone is suspected of murder, he sends his daughter, along with a young child into hiding. Ruth is now living in a small town in New Jersey under a different name.

Tragedy strikes, leaving Ruth and the young child alone in New Jersey. Ruth soon falls in love with Jake Spencer. Will her secrets tear them apart?

Love’s First Bloom is a sweet, fast-paced novel. You cannot help but feel sorry for the main character Ruth, whose life has completely changed in the blink of an eye. I enjoyed reading the book, and I think you will too.

* I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me a copy to review.

Review - The Twelfth Imam


The Twelfth Imam
BY: Joel C. Rosenberg
PUBLISHED BY: Tyndale Fiction
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4143-1163-0
Pages: 444
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Charlie Harper and his wife, Claire Harper, barely escaped Iran in November of 1979, thanks to Dr. Mohammad Shirazi and his family. Their daughter, Claire Harper, was born that very day. Charlie helps Dr. Shirazi and his family immigrate to the United States. Both families stay in contact over the years.

After the tragic disaster of September 11, 2001, both families are personal impacted by it; leading to a chain of events that will change the life of Dr. Shirazi’s son, David.

The CIA picks David to help them infiltrate the Iranian government. The Iran leaders are planning to bring the apocalypse to Israel. Soon, word spreads of a mysterious cleric who claims to the Islamic messiah known as the Twelfth Imam.

The Twelfth Imam is a fast-paced, action-packed apocalyptic religious thriller. The author has wonderful mixed in real life headlines into this fiction tale of suspense and intrigue. The plot will haunt you way after you have read the last page. It is a great read!

*I would like to thank Tyndale Fiction for sending me a copy to review.