PUBLISHED BY: Ace
PUBLISHED IN: 2004
ISBN: 978-0-441-01218-3
Pages: 310
Reviewed by Billy Burgess




With Sookie’s ex, Bill, out of the country, she calls her brother Jason for assistance, but he shortly disappears later that night. Now, Sookie must worry about her brother, and fight off her feelings for Eric.

I started reading the 4th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series last June. My plans were to read it before the third season of True Blood started, but I got sidetracked and the book eventually went back on the bookshelf. After watching the first episode of the 4th season, I decided to read Dead to the World. After a slow attempt, I managed to finish the book on July 4th. The basic ‘witches plot’ is the main plot of the 4th season of the television series. The subplot of the missing Jason is currently being used too, but Crystal and the Hotshots were introduced during the third season. I was disappointed to learn that Bill had a very limited role in the book, but I was glad to see ‘Bubba’ (who is absent from True Blood) had a part. I laughed out loud when Eric was watching Sookie’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer VHSs while she slept. I thought Charlaine Harris has done marvelous work showing Eric’s human side as he fell in love with Sookie. The only downside of the novel was the so-called ‘witch war’ with vamps, weres, and witches, as I thought it could have been longer. Overall, I enjoyed getting back into Sookie’s weird world.

PUBLISHED BY: Atlantic Publishing
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1601383693
Pages: 288
Reviewed by Billy Burgess



Let’s face it; the economy is not getting any better. The food cost and household items are getting more expensive every week. People are looking for ways to save money. The Complete Guide to Creating Oils, Soaps, Creams, and Herbal Gels for Your Mind and Body contains over 101 natural body care recipes that you can make at home.

The book gives a brief history of aromatherapy, an overview of essential oils and how to handle the oils. There is a long list of common carriers and base oils, like - cranberry seed oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and many others. Then you learn about the common essential oils, like - balsam of Peru, cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree, and etc. You learn about the 30 uncommon essentials oils and what oils to avoid. From there you’ll get a brief 101 on soap making. The recipes range from household cleaners, to bathroom soaps and shampoos, beauty and wellness treatments, and other oils.

Wow! I didn’t know there were so many different kinds of oils! I like the concept of making soaps and cleaners at home, but I wonder if some of these ingredients can be found outside of big cities, like - geranium oil, apricot kernel oil, and many others. The book also includes simple home remedies, backache blend, cold and flu blend, and my favorite - cold sore blend, but I have no idea where to find tea tree oil or geranium oil. The recipes look simple if you can find the ingredients. I enjoyed reading about the different oils.

*I would like to thank Atlantic Publishing for sending me a copy to review.

PUBLISHED BY: Outskirts Press
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4327-6671-9
Pages: 192


Have you ever heard the phrase “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?” Well, you should never skip breakfast and it should always be eaten within an hour of rising from bed.

The only equipment you need for this diet plan are the following: a liquid measuring cup; a set dry measuring cups; a set of measuring spoons; a blender; a small non-stick skillet; and a little kitchen scale.

There are drinks, salads, soups, sandwiches, fish, beef, eggs, chicken, snacks, and many other meal recipes including 100 calories recipes.

Eat All Day - Drink All Day follows a simple plan of eating small nutritional meals throughout the day. In the back of the book the author has provided a three day meal plan that includes 8 small meals a day. Each day is under 770 calories total. You don’t have to be a chef to try out the meals in the book. All of the recipes look easy enough for anyone to make. There’s even a cheese sandwich recipe that is only 100 calories. Some of my favorites are Mocha Mama, Coffee Creamy, and Good for You Cocoa. I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to everyone.


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

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Nelson
PUBLISHED IN: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59554-788-1
Pages: 304
Type: eBook


Nobody believes that Judith Fischer is telling the truth about the angel. Some think she is fooling around with an English man, including her fiancée, Levi Plank. She had been dreaming of becoming Levi’s wife, but that all changes when he betrays Judith with her sister. To make matters worse, Tobias continues to visit her, and she is also having strange visions. The Bishop’s son, Andrew, may be the only person who will believe her. Is Tobias an angel or just her imagination?

This is the first Amish novel I have read that has a supernatural theme to it, which I thought was a nice twist and adds an interesting mystery to the over-published genre. Judith Fischer is a strong-willed Amish character that any reader will relate to. She questions her faith, as she tries to understand if the Tobias is a messenger from God, or could he be a false prophet, or is she losing her mind. Despite the fact she might be shunned, she tries to tell her family friends about the angel, as she prays that her brother will be healed. The Promise of an Angel is a riveting Amish mystery that will keep you turning the pages till the very end. I recommend it to everyone.

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

The Darkwoods is an interesting, fun read in the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Within reading the first chapter, you will realize that the author has a creative and unique imagination. I was hooked into the book, I instantly forgot that the characters were animals. The main character Zuryzel is a strong-willed, and every reader, young and old, can relate to her. I recommend the book to everyone.

Pages: 335

The Lady of Bolton Hill is an historical novel set in 1879 and spans England and the United States, and emerges in the booming technology era of the railroad. Unlike other Christian novels, the two main characters are already in love, and develops more on a plot than relationships. I, personally, had trouble getting interested in the novel. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, which at times they felt a little bland. I did enjoy the historical accepts of the railroad boom, and Clara’s profession. It’s not a bad debut for the author, but I, overall, have mixed feelings for the novel. I would only recommend this book to other historical romance readers/fans.

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

Sometimes adults forget that that children has emotions too, like with Ruthie. She is an angry little girl because she was ripped from the life and the friends that she has known. That is a big event for child and parents should look for signs of emotional trauma and help them get through the adjustments of moving. The author, Margot Finke, has cleverly written Ruthie & the Hippo’s Fat Behind, and has created a character, Ruthie, that every child can relate too. I recommend the book to all parents and kids.

About the Author

Margot Finke is an Aussie transplant who writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between writing. Her husband is very supportive, and their three children are now grown and doing very well.

Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes!"

Her first books, a 7x book rhyming series, "Wild and Wonderful," offers fun facts about animals from the US and Australia. Educational and fun, eBooks can be read on a computer, laptop, or various color e-Readers. They are great for classroom or home schooling moms.