Friday, May 13, 2011

Thursday Ramblings



Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice / Children of the Corn III: Urban HarvestYes, I know I am posting this Tursday Ramblings on a Friday, thanks to the blogger outage last night. I'm once again behind on my writing, hopefully I'll have time to work on a new short story. I have three book reviews to write this weekend, and several ebooks to start reading, so I will busy. 

I bought Children of the Corn 2 and 3 that were on the same DVD for $5 a few days ago. I'm not a big fan of the series, but two movies for $5 is a good deal. I watched the second movie last night, which I have never seen before, and of it was okay. Low budget, bad acting, and not scary. I recommend the first movie or remake over this one.

10th Anniversary (Women's Murder Club)Books in the mail the last two weeks: The Magic of Finkleton  by KC Hilton; Amy Plays the Violin by Julie Labossiere; The Brothers Foot by Steve Cormey; Goosebumps Hall of Horrors: Night of the Giant Everything by R.L. Stine; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadful Ever After by SteveHockensmith; and Bite Club by Rachel Caine; Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris;10th Anniversary by James Patterson.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Review - Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman


Another DawnAnother Dawn
BY: Kathryn Cushman
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0825-6
Pages: 316
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Grace Graham, along with her son, Dylan, returns home to Shoal Creek, Tennessee to confront her past, and help her outspoken father after his knee replacement surgery. Grace had somewhat of a falling out with her sister, Jana, after her mother’s death years before. Both want to reconcile. Dylan takes an instant liking to his cousins, especially little Hannah Rose. Grace is planning on returning to California, but Dylan gets a rash and a fever. When he doesn’t get well, she takes him to the doctor, who says he will be fine in a few days. A few days go by, and Dylan is worse. The doctor doesn’t know what exactly is wrong with him, but, suddenly, Grace has an idea what it could be. Dylan has never had his measles shots, and he has exposed the virus to others, including his baby cousin, Hannah Rose.

I’ve read several contemporary Christian novels, and normally the books are romance, so that is what I was thinking when I started reading Another Dawn. I soon realized that this isn’t a romance novel, but a story about redemption and the love between a mother and her son. The book felt intense at times, due to the realization of the plot. It’s scary to think of young parents neglecting to get their children the vaccination shots, but it happens everyday. This is great read and I couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. I recommend this book to everyone.

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

Book Review - Courting Miss Amsel


Courting Miss AmselCourting Miss Amsel
BY: Kim Vogel Sawyer
PUBLISHED BY: Bethany House
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0784-6
Pages: 346
Reviewed by Billy Burgess


After her mother’s death, Edyth Amsel took care of the household chores and raised her siblings. With just her younger sister, Missy, still at home, she decides that it is time for her to live on her own. She takes a job as a schoolteacher in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Since she is single, the town thought it would be best if she didn’t live by herself, so she rents a room from Mrs. Kinsley.

The students were nervous for their first day of school, but Miss Amsel was more nervous than them. The previous teacher had whipped the students when they were out of line or didn’t understand their school work. Miss Amsel would have none of this. She wanted her students to love learning, and the students become fond of her. Miss Amsel informs the students that she would be making a visit to each family, so she could introduce herself to the parents. There are several single father’s in the area that are eying her, including Joel Townsend, who is raising his two nephews, who are students of Miss Amsel, on his own.

Miss Amsel’s teaching methods aren’t liked by some of the parents, who feel that the children only need to learn basic schooling. A student named William starts acting up during class, and is disturbing the students. She goes to his parents about his behavior, but they tell her that William is her problem during school hours. To make matter’s worse; she receives word from her father that Missy has runaway.

I’m a fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer and Courting Miss Amsel was not a disappointment. It’s fast paced and is cleverly plotted. I easily felt for the teacher as she struggled with the parents and the misbehaved Will. Being classified as historical romance, the book could have fallen into a cliché, but the author avoided this by using witty dialogue. I recommend Courting Miss Amsel to all readers.

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

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Review - Garden of Heaven


Garden of Heaven: an OdysseyGarden of Heaven: An Odyssey
BY: Malcolm R. Campbell
PUBLISHED BY: Vanilla Heart Publishing
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1453601990
Pages: 708
Reviewed by Billy Burgess
In Malcolm Campbell’s fourth novel, you are introduced to David on his tenth birthday, when his grandmother, Katoya, passes on her wisdom and magic as a gift. She, along with a black raven named Maisto, teaches him the secret of magic, and guides him as he grows into adulthood. David believes in common sense and respects his parents and grandparents, but after the Vietnam War, he finds himself lost and confused, especially after a failed romance. Not knowing what his future holds, he travels across the world, where he meets strange and interesting characters, letting fate guide him to his destiny.

Honestly, it took me several hundred pages to get interested into this epic-size novel, from then on; I was hooked until the very end. As the title suggests, this is an odyssey, but it is also a character study, of the young man named David. Readers can easily connect with David’s questions and journeys of life. Garden of Heaven is a long read, but it is a pleasure to read. I recommend the book to everyone.

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

Review - Fairer Than Morning


Fairer Than Morning
BY: Rosslyn Elliott
PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Nelson
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59554-785-9
Pages: 393
Reviewed by Billy Burgess


Set during Ohio in the 19th - century. Ann Miller was proposed to at the age fifteen by Eli Bowen, who comes from a prominent family. Ann’s father said she was too young to be married and must wait until she turned eighteen years of age. Three years go by; Ann catches Eli eying another girl. She wonders if his heart has found someone else. She accompanies her father on a business trip to Pittsburgh, but her mind is on Eli.

To her surprise, she meets a young man who will change her life. His name is Will Hanby, a saddle-maker’s apprentice. His parents died when he was ten years old, and at six-teen his signed away his freedom for five years as a worker (more like a slave) to Master Good, who is cruel to the boy. By the time Will meets Ann Miller, his faith/spirit is broken. Ann feels a connection to Will and so does he. But Ann and her father are soon to leave for home and will is determined to follow her.

Most of the historical fiction that I read is just ‘fiction” set during the past. The main characters in Fairer than Morning are based on real people. The real William and Ann lived in Westerville, Ohio in the mid-nineteenth century and had eight children. The author has done a remarkable job telling the true tale of the couple, of course the author used her imagination to fill-in the gaps in the history. This is the first in a new series and I can’t wait to read the sequel. I recommend this book to romance readers.

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

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Thursday Ramblings


Another DawnI've been feeling ill for the last few days, and, no surprise, I now have a cold sore. I'm behind in my wirting, reading, and reviews. I'm planning on catching up and writing some reviews tomorrow afternoon. I'm ready to start Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman, I hope to finish it quickly.

Despite feeling ill, I have managed to do Tae Bo everyday, and have lost 3 pounds. I joined http://www.myfitnesspal.com/, which is a great site to track your daily exercises and keep a food journal.

The Art of Romance (The Matchmakers)Wanted (Single-Disc Widescreen Edition)I saw part of the movie Wanted on FX several weeks ago. I had never heard of the movie before, and liked the parts that I saw. I bought the DVD and have watched the movie twice. I also watched the Tourist and Salt, which all star Angelina Jolie. I enjoyed Salt. I thought the Tourist was a little boring, but I liked the ending.

In the mail this week: The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus. It looks like a good read.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Thursday Ramblings - April 21, 2011



MissingI can't believe the cold weather this week. I thought this was spring! I had to bundle up just to mow the yard. I stopped making up excuses this week and decided to get back into shape. Today was my second day of the Tae Bo DVDs, and I'm a little sore, but motivated.

To writers/publishers: If you have a review request, I will get to it when I can. I'm a little behind on my reading/reviewing, but I'm trying to catch up as fast as I can.


A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book OneIn the mail this week: Colby Agency: The New Equalizers: Missing by Debra Webb; and Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott.

I bought the book Games of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, which is now a new series on HBO. I enjoyed the first episode, and I'm looking foward to the new show on Sunday night.