Do you see yourself more as an editor, a writer, or just a reader?
As a book blogger, you are already a reader. You become a writer without realizing it, and you must learn to be your own editor, even if sometimes you don’t enjoy it.
Hello, fellow Friday 56ers!
For this week's Friday 56 pick, hosted by My Head is Full of Books, I am featuring the thriller Backtrack by Marc Cameron. It's the eighth book in the Arliss Cutter series.
Now, here’s a preview from page 56:
Cutter stifled a grin. "I told you she was a monster—"
— Cameron, Marc. Backtrack, Kensington, 2026, p. 56.
This book marks the first time I've read an installment in the Arliss Cutter series, even though I believe I own a couple of books from the series that I picked up as paperbacks at a dollar store or thrift shop. I have read a few of the Tom Clancy novels that Marc Cameron has contributed to, and I've been eager to explore his solo works. So, I'm excited to read Backtrack over the weekend, with my review planned for early next week.
〜B.J. Burgess
Martial arts legend and beloved cinematic icon Jackie Chan (Rush Hour and Police Story franchises) embarks on a family-friendly adventure in the action-comedy sequel, Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe (NOT RATED; 100 minutes). It's landing on digital, Blu-ray™, and DVD on August 11 from Well Go USA Entertainment.
Picking up after the events of 2024’s Panda Plan, where Chan plays a fictionalized version of himself who takes on a horde of bad guys threatening a zoo, the sequel takes a more whimsical turn. Directed by Derek Hui (This is Not What I Expected) and written by Keyang Pan, the film introduces a primal twist when Jackie and his panda, Hu Hu, unwittingly stumble into a remote tribe. This quirky tribe, believing Hu Hu is a sacred spirit linked to their ancestral totem, imposes a series of hilariously strict customs upon him. With Hu Hu suddenly designated as the key to solving a long-standing crisis, Jackie finds himself tapping into a blend of wit and skill to navigate this wild new world.
Released in China back in February 2026, the film reeled in about $37.7 million in US dollars. While Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe isn’t without its flaws, it offers a more family-centric tone than its predecessor, leaning heavily into slapstick humor that seems engineered to tickle the funny bones of younger audiences, though adults might just roll their eyes.
I’ve partnered with Well Go USA Entertainment to bring you this exciting giveaway! Two lucky readers will win a Blu-ray copy of Jackie Chan's newest movie, Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe. Scroll down to enter and check out the full details below.
Dental implants have become a cornerstone solution for those dealing with tooth loss in Plantation, FL, providing a secure and natural-feeling alternative to dentures or bridges. If you are exploring your options with dental implants Plantation, FL, understanding the process and what to expect can help you make informed decisions about your oral health.
Living in South Florida, factors like humidity, lifestyle, and diverse diets influence oral health. For those considering dental implants in Plantation, local expertise and conditions affecting healing are key. Plantation’s healthcare community offers access to specialists and advanced technology, making it convenient to find experienced providers familiar with Florida’s climate. Understanding the implant process and what to look for in a local specialist can help you confidently restore your smile.
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed in the jawbone, acting as artificial roots. They support crowns, bridges, or dentures, replacing the issues with removable teeth. Over time, they fuse with the jawbone through osseointegration, providing a stable, long-term solution that mimics natural teeth and prevents jawbone deterioration common with dentures. Beyond aesthetics, implants improve daily comfort and confidence for active Plantation residents, ensuring functionality for activities like eating Florida citrus or at local restaurants.
Hitting the bookshelves today from Grand Central Publishing is the thriller You'll Be Sorry, written by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner. Fun fact: Gardner kicked off her career in the food service industry, but after singeing her hair a few too many times, she wisely pivoted to writing. Now a self-proclaimed research junkie, she has channeled her fascination with police procedures and the criminal psyche into a string of internationally acclaimed novels that have captivated readers in over 30 countries. Her novel The Neighbor even won the Best Hardcover Novel award from the International Thriller Writers.
You'll Be Sorry is set in the eerie charms of Shereford, New Hampshire, and follows Raquel and Theo Collins. Here we have Raquel, a renowned interior designer, and Theo, a brash financial hotshot, whose romance took a tragic turn. To escape their grief, they retreat to a remote town, hoping for a fresh start among the ghosts of the past.
Their new home? The Dixons’ family lodge, once the crown jewel of the mountains, now a shadow of its former self. Three decades ago, on a fateful August night, the entire Dixon family—two parents and their four kids—vanished, leaving only a trail of bloody footprints and a mystery shrouded in whispers and speculation. As the Collinses settle into their new digs, the long-forgotten echoes of the past resurface, mingling with the new inhabitants of the creaking old lodge.
For Amanda Grady, Shereford’s newly minted police chief and daughter of the officer who helmed the Dixon case, it's a bittersweet experience. Reviving the long-abandoned lodge might signal hope for the town, but not everyone is thrilled about the Collinses moving in. As she grapples with her father’s legacy, it becomes clear that some secrets refuse to stay buried.
It's astonishing to realize that the Adult Western series The Gunsmith has reached the ripe old age of forty-four, a year younger than I am; yes, the passage of time is a cruel companion, and I'm feeling every tick of the clock as I write this. It's the creation of J.R. Roberts, the pseudonym for the late Robert J. Randisi (1951-2024); this series stands as the last bastion of Adult Westerns from the 1980s. Following Randisi’s passing in 2024, his stepson, Marcus Pelegrimas, has stepped up to the plate, spinning new tales inspired by a query Randisi submitted before his untimely death. If the name Marcus Galloway rings a bell, it’s likely due to his work on the Snake Oil series, the Man From Boot Hill series, and several titles in the Ralph Compton books, solidifying his status among Western aficionados.
This brings us to my review of The Gunsmith: Tent City, the 496th installment, released in June 2026 by Speaking Volumes, LLC. While I could call it the latest addition, that wouldn’t exactly be truthful since the 497th title, Skinwalker, has just hit the shelves. I’ll have my thoughts on that one once I manage to snag a copy.
So, here’s the heart of the matter: our protagonist, ex-lawman Clint Adams, or as he’s known, The Gunsmith, is wrapping up a brief stint as a poker tournament enforcer in Leadville, Colorado. His journey to, well, who knows where, is abruptly thrown off course by the frantic appearance of a redhead named Mandy, a widowed damsel fresh off a narrow escape from four male kidnappers. Clint, ever the gallant knight willing to brave the wild west for a pretty face, can't turn a blind eye to her distress... but he could never predict the dangers he's about to be swept into.
If you had to stick to one genre forever, which would you choose and why?
Once upon a time, my younger self would have definitely chosen horror as his forever genre. While I still enjoy a good horror story, my interest in the genre has waned somewhat due to my dislike of many newer authors. Now, as I approach my 45th birthday, my forever genre has become Westerns. Although some Westerns, both old and new, are better than others, I generally enjoy most of them. Why? Honestly, I have no idea. It was as if I woke up one morning and simply decided to read Westerns.
〜B.J. Burgess
To prepare for next week’s post, check out the upcoming prompts. If you'd like to submit a prompt, fill out this form. Join our Facebook group to connect with other book bloggers and get updates.
Please do not link to a random book review on your blog unless it includes the Book Blogger Hop prompt for the week along with your answer to it. Any blog link that doesn't follow this simple rule will be removed from the hop.
Hello, fellow Friday 56ers!
For this week's Friday 56 pick, hosted by My Head is Full of Books, I am featuring the thriller You'll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner.
Her father had been one stubborn bastard.
— Gardner, Lisa. You'll Be Sorry, Grand Central, 2026, p. 56.
Grand Central Publishing kindly sent me an ARC of a new book, which I plan to start either tonight or early tomorrow morning. I only have a few pages left in my current read, which is a Western, and once I finish it, I'll move on to You'll Be Sorry.
When did legendary Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid crawl his way into the fabric of mainstream culture? Was it in 1882 when Pat Garrett, the man who ended his life, published The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid? (Although technically, he had a ghostwriter, Marshall Ashmun Upson.) Or was it in 1948 when Brush Bill Roberts strolled in claiming to be the infamous outlaw himself? Perhaps it was 1988, when Emilio Estevez donned a bowler hat and roamed the screen as Billy in the film Young Guns? Regardless, Billy the Kid continues to haunt our collective imagination like a restless specter.
I've long been enthralled by Billy the Kid; in fact, I had a wall plaque of his famous wanted poster proudly displayed in my childhood bedroom. Maybe it’s because my name is Billy, or maybe because as a kid, he felt like a kindred spirit; an outcast bound by fate. I even remember the nostalgia of late '80s Billy the Kid apparel; I had a shiny belt buckle and a few shirts that made me feel like a renegade at recess. Of course, my parents took me to see Young Guns in theaters when I was probably a bit too young; but hey, that was a different time.
Over the years, I’ve read a range of books about this enigmatic outlaw. Recently, I read Sing to Me Billy the Kid, written by Frances Bonney Jenner and published earlier this year by Speaking Volumes. It popped onto my radar thanks to a publicist who reached out, and naturally, I couldn’t resist the chance to jump into its pages.
Yeepee! It’s the weekend, and here I am, venturing back into the realm of Western reviews. Well, sort of. This one’s more of a horror-sci-fi cocktail set against a Western backdrop. Does that still count as a Western? I suppose it does! The book in the spotlight today is Trouble at New Barnsley, the first book in the Legends of the Alchemist Hunter series by James Collins, who also wrote A Joyful Noise. Earlier this year, the author reached out about his work, branding it a 'weird Western.' My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn’t resist the pull to review it, though I’ll admit it took me a tad longer than I planned to get my thoughts together. But here we are!
So, what’s the story about, you ask? It centers around U.S.T.S. Marshal John Fellman, a True Science Marshal and a legendary Alchemist Hunter whose name strikes fear in the hearts of deranged scientists in the West. He’s a cowboy with a mission, bringing judgment to those who tinker with the very laws of nature. When he’s contracted to investigate a string of bizarre deaths at New Barnsley ranch, our intrepid marshal gears up to confront yet another alchemical monstrosity. However, lurking in the shadows are dangers greater than he anticipated. His brainy, firebrand partner, Dell Ginsley, accompanies him as they journey to the ranch nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Just beyond the picturesque facade of the mansion lies a web of deception and sinister threats that could swallow them whole. John and his crew must race against time to uncover the New Barnsley menace before it spreads its malevolent tentacles beyond the ranch.
What’s the fastest or slowest you’ve ever finished a book?
I can speedread, so I can zip through a book faster than most. However, I prefer to take my time because I find that I fully appreciate the characters and the story when I do. Honestly, I could easily finish a 300-page book in about an hour if I really pushed myself, but that's not my preferred approach. Now, does Outlander hold the record as my slowest read? I began reading it back in 2014, and my bookmark is still sitting inside! I promise to finish it…one day. Honestly, my reading pace depends on how engaged I am with the narration and characters. When I'm truly hooked on a book, I can read it in one sitting. But if my interest is lukewarm or the story drags on, it might take me several days to finish. With life's commitments, some books just end up taking me longer to complete.
〜B.J. Burgess
To prepare for next week’s post, check out the upcoming prompts. If you'd like to submit a prompt, fill out this form. Join our Facebook group to connect with other book bloggers and get updates.
Please do not link to a random book review on your blog unless it includes the Book Blogger Hop prompt for the week along with your answer to it. Any blog link that doesn't follow this simple rule will be removed from the hop.
Hello, fellow Friday 56ers!
For this week's Friday 56 pick, hosted by My Head is Full of Books, I am featuring the Western Sing to Me Billy the Kid by Frances Bonney Jenner. The book was published earlier this year by Speaking Volumes.
Now, here’s a preview from page 56:
Gerald must have been busy over at the Exchange. He never made it to Mrs. Brown's and never did say goodbye.
— Jenner, Frances Bonney. Sing to Me Billy the Kid, Speaking Volumes, 2026, p. 56.
It's been a hectic week. I caught a bug that slowed me down, and I had to work on a non-blogging project that was very time-consuming. I intended to start reading Sing to Me, Billy the Kid by now, but I haven't had the chance to open it yet. I'll try to read a bit tonight and finish it tomorrow. Fingers crossed, I hope to have my review posted on Wednesday.
〜B.J. Burgess
