Review of The Establishment is Dead

THE ESTABLISHMENT IS DEAD

The Rise and Election of Donald Trump

BEN SHAPIRO

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Not being a political fanatic or hack, I am still interested in what politically knowledgeable people think. Leaving Mainstream Media, a long time ago, I now watch YouTube for the news of what is happening in the world.

There is where I found Ben Shapiro. After listening to him a few times, I read his biography on Wikipedia and then bought this book.

Although I do not agree with some of his discourse in The Establishment is Dead, I did enjoy Shapiro's commentary about Hillary R. Clinton and Donald J. Trump's run for President in 2016. His insights were sharp, not pulling any punches, and comical at times.

I don't think The Establishment is Dead yet, and I don't believe Ben thinks so. But it is a good title for a conservative's book that was well written.

It seems that Mr. Shapiro was writing the book as 2016 transpired diary style and added in his commentary and hyperbole to spice up the events (Pro and Con) leading to Trump's victory. I enjoyed his philosophical endings of each chapter but not all his conclusions - I am not that conservative.

All in all, I learned something from a younger man than I and will listen to more of his YouTube commentary.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2pVWGw7

Review of COME FLY with ME

COME FLY with ME

Judith Whitmore

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Come Fly with Me is a delightful story about the love of flying and a man and woman. Both have to work at it to stay in the right direction.

Whitmore's characters are strong personalities. Each is moving in the direction he or she wants his or her lives except Kate Randolph, who is married to a wealthy man much older. She is having problems being alone with her husband out making money.

Kate does have endeavors. She can fly small airplanes and managers a non-profit. The incompleteness of her marriage and the purchase of a Learjet by her husband send her in another direction - she wants to qualify to fly the jet, and her husband's pilot is recruited to teach her.

Here is where emotional directions change again for Kate, her husband, and the pilot. However, it is an event in her husband's other personal life that intensifies the situation for better or worst depending on what family member you are.

The story has some twists that will surprise the reader. However, all in all, the novel is a well-written love story.

Purchase at  http://amzn.to/2lhU9Ya

Review of Flaw Abiding Citizen

     FLAW ABIDING          
          CITIZEN

   
The Worst Detective Ever

             Mystery Series

CHRISTY BARRITT

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

A relative disappears, and your life cannot function. This is where Joey, a TV detective, is at and consumed into finding.

In her quest to find her father, clues popup, she has conflicts with a loved one, and people die. The mystery is why all these things are happening around her interfering that quest.

The rollercoaster ride comes to a rail missing on the track, and loved ones reach their limits. The ending passages will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Ms. Barritt's characters were developed in earlier books in the series, but are easily defined in this book six. Emotions, humor, and color are embedded in their real-life morality.  Joey sometimes draws off her TV personality, a detective series.

This novel is a fast-paced page changer I read in two sittings. I read book one a while ago and jumped in here to see a change. There was none. Ms. Barritt style is entertaining and easy to read.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2D5HwpH

Review of CRIMSON

Crimson

C. G. Blade

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Conspiracies have been abounding since JFK's murder. They have multiplied over the years into all realms of conjecture. When a real one exists, will we recognize it?

It is 2076, Blade's heroine of book one of his trinity series, Petra, a Cobalt semi- A.I., comes out of a four-month state of rehabilitation to find herself confronted with a Conspiracy against the USA. Who or what is behind it?

The North American Continent is being attacked by numerous disasters that scientifically is not explainable. Petra is given the task to get to the root of the problem.

With her new programming including a humor side, she and Ter, her computer counterpart, confront the evil attacking the American way of life. In that confrontation, Crimson, another semi- A.I. and a company of characters have become an enemy that is formidable.

The battle is on an international scale and me, the reader, marveled at the ingenuity of the weaponry. The exciting result appeases me for a moment until learning that it was not what it seemed to be.

The caveat is set to entice the reader to want more of the action, characters, historical notes, the humor, and the battle against a Conspiracy.

A great transition for this Trinity to keep the reader interested. Cobalt set the stage for this Sci-Fi Thriller.  My review: http://bit.ly/2t37BVC

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2kKtlj1

FUDGERY

FUDGERY

Vonda Norwood

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

If you are an author or a would-be writer or even an avid reader, FUDGERY will tickle your funny bone. What we writers go through to become semi-famous, famous, or just to have people read our books is overwhelming.

In FUDGERY, Ms. Norwood protagonist Irma is exalted to the position of Publicist of a small publishing company because of her so-called internet popularity. She sold six books. It is what she knows is essential, according to the publisher.

Irma's first job is to take a few authors to a book convention. Here is where the funny storm begins. It begins with a not so luxury bus she drives to pick up the authors and ends at the climax of a comedy parody that, if not for its length, could be a skit on Saturday Night Live.

The authors on the journey are unique to their genre and play their roles. Irma is the conductor spouting the publisher's axioms, alone will give the reader many chuckles.

The story is fast-paced, funny, and one sitting read. I read it twice for enjoyment. I am a published author, after all.

Purchase at   https://amzn.to/2vLjeTu

Review of the American Spirit

DAVID McCULLOUGH's

The AMERICAN SPIRIT

Who We Are and What We Stand For

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The American Spirit is the second book of McCullough that I have read. The first was John Adams.

History books for many of us are not what we pick up at the bookstore initially. We buy fictional novels mostly as Americans.

However, people tell stories, and that is history. I read because I like stories. Therefore, I purchase a history book or based on history novel every once in a while. You should do that too if I were so bold in noting.

Here, McCullough tells stories in the form of speeches to people including graduates at various universities in the United States. His accounts of the men who help develop what we now call our Republic will inspire the reader to care more about our country.

David chronicles history, some of which I knew being from Massachusetts and others that I was unaware of their existence. Many reading this enjoyable book  will learn history without drudgery interesting, usable facts.

I will be reading another of David McCullough's books. You should try one, starting with The American Spirit.

Purchase http://amzn.to/2AqwfDM

Review of SILENT FEAR

SILENT FEAR

(A novel inspired by true crimes)

Lance & James MORCAN

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

A school of higher learning for the deaf is the background for this thriller that keeps the reader looking in the wrong direction for a house serial killer. When one person is murdered, an English police detective is brought in to evaluate the situation.

Before her team arrives to get the forensics, the United Kingdom, and the University she just walked into is quarantine because of a pandemic. The cold outside world, literally and figuratively, is militarily closed to the people inside and outside a six-story building that has four hundred plus people including detective Valerie Crowther.

Valerie is partially picked for the job because she knows British Sign Language and her being a no-nonsense crime solver. Moreover, this should have been a case easy to solve.

However, she is cut off from any external help needed to do proper police work confined in a building full of panicked student, faculty, and daytime workers. To top this off, another murder expires a second and then another.

The criminal is within the building. How hard can 'He or she' be found? The rollercoaster ride Valerie, her boss, the school's Chancellor and nurse go through in fighting a Monkey Flu and trying to figure out who's the killer at the same time is daunting.   

The MORCAN's writing kept me on the edge of my seat with an atypical and surprisingly gratifying ending which cleaned the slate for Valerie. Just the conclusion was worth the ride.

Purchase http://amzn.to/2kMpYLF

Review: A Wizard of Dreams

A Wizard of Dreams

(Myrddin's Heir Book 1)

ROBIN CHAMBERS

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Gordon is a special boy, who has a gut feeling or an 'imaginary friend' Zack go on adventures that are informative, mysterious, and educational. This book is not a one storyline novel.

There are individual interesting stories that show and enhance Gordon's growth as a child towards adulthood. His friend Zack helps Gordon to reach his goals during dreams and on daily encounters.

As a grandfather, I can see myself reading these stories to my grandchildren connecting the dots between each, leading to helping them develop a character as Gordons. The only concern is when Gordon will let Zack go and move through on his own, which we may find out in other books in the series.

Book 1 is a functional lead for the future books. The characters are colorful, engaging, and detailed.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2AeHCNK

Review of BAD BLOODS

BAD BLOODS

November Rain

Shannon A Thompson

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I always loved the name Serena; and enjoyed the movie of the same name many times. In this Young Adult novel, the protagonist Serena is running away from commitment, whereas the other ran towards it.

A bit on the morbid side of life where the Bad Bloods, young adults, are outcasts because of their unique DNA. Their lives are in jeopardy unless the world accepts their being in a national election.

There are similar tribes, groups, which are in the same situation but do not meet on common ground to fight for their rights. This void is where Serena comes in accidentally.

Mysterious rendezvouses with another group's male member after running from the cops to save her life blends into an intrigue that will keep the reader interested.  However, the meetings become a little tedious but are needed to keep the story going.

Ms. Thompson's writing is simple to the point and easy to read. It is a good lead in the series, leaving the reader wanting to know what happens next in Serena's life.

In the movie Serena, there was a happy ending. This Serena's life is on shaky ground going forward.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2zP7gth

Review of Four Play

Four Play

Cindy Blackburn

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

A murder takes place outside in a High School parking lot at night. The victim is a teacher laying in an unusual position on a car.

The car belongs to Jessie, Romance Author, pool shark, and fiancé of the police chief, albeit all funnily are on shaky ground. She is ruled out as the killer, because one, she let a young friend of hers use it to go to that night's dance at the school, and two her beau is the head cop and knows her better than anyone.

From this point, Jessie and her friends go sleuthing to the chagrin of her soon to be married lover's desires. The dialog of the characters is humorist and telling, leading to some strange confrontations.

Little by little, Jessie puts the crime line into perspective taking the center of the investigation and directing towards the right reason for the murder which is sick. However, all doesn't fall into place until the exciting ending.

If you want to laugh, delve into a good mystery, and enjoy some likable characters, Ms. Blackburn has the formula you want to read. This novel is my second of hers I have read this year for the fun of it, six in total over the last four years.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2hAYW8L

Review of ONCE I WAS A SOLDIER

Once I Was A Soldier

Daniel Kemp

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The way people are brought up and the way they treat others in their growth will build their character. Melissa Iverson's silver-spoon upbringing, her little maternal influences, and her non-conforming to her father's dying wishes produce a young adult woman who is self-involved, caring little for others.

When wealthy world traveler Melissa meets Terry, an undercover British intelligence service officer, her life becomes more confusing than it was. She never met a person like Terry. His mysterious being and his secret mission collide with her endeavors, including a maniac who is communicating to her that he will torture and kill her.

International events jump between the United Kingdom, Italy, and the USA, involving spy manipulators, a Presidential hopeful, and sexual encounters of Terry and Melissa and each with others. The interwoven involvements of those characters are what dives this thrilling novel to its end that the reader will want more to read.

I think there will be more from how Mr. Kemp wrote the last chapters. I have read a few of Danny's books and the reason I go back for more - He writes exciting and enjoyable novels.

Well done; purchase at https://amzn.to/37bc1cV

Review of SNAPPED

SNAPPED

C.M. Sutter

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Jade, a newbie in the FBI, is on a learning curve and put in a position she should not have been. Her character well developed in investigating a crime but moves forward alone against a serial killer, which is not FBI's MO.

Jordan is on a quest to the right a wrong done to her family, which comes together with little by little as she kills her victims. Although Jade Monroe is the lead in this thriller, I feel Jordan's psyche moves the story along not Jade's education, and she gets one in confronting Jordan.

Both characters moved this predictable story forward. However, why Jordan SNAPPED is not and doesn't come to light until the shocking end. The highs are in Jordan's endeavors, and the lows are in the FBI's.

All in all, it's a good read.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2AlOXsj

Review of Shine On

Shine On

Allison Jewell

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

During the USA prohibition of alcohol, strange bedfellows came together to give the drinking public what they wanted - a stiff drink at the end of the day's work or just anytime. It also pitted law-abiding people and casual homegrown moonshiners against the law and criminals.

It sounds complicated, and it was the reason those laws didn't work. It's also why Ms. Jewell's protagonist Emmie, a young Southern innocent lady, ended up in a calamity of events she otherwise wouldn't have.

She was in the midst of a gang warfare without knowing it after her step-father was found dead; she finds a still on their property, and moonshine in a closet. Being a trusting and naive person, Emmie confides in her friends, one of which becomes her lover and, unknown to her, a purveyor of illegally distilled drinks at local joints.

The wooing process of Em and Silas turns into who trust who in the deadly game of supply and demand of liqueur in her hometown. Em's best friend, Ava from the wealthy side of town plays an integral part in both Emmie's and Silas actions until he takes charge of the game.

Allison Jewell has put together a plausible situation with historical background juxtaposed into the prose. The story keeps the reader interest in the characters whom I presume will continue in Jewell's next novel, Book #2 in the Shine On Series, another must read.

Purchase:     http://amzn.to/2zlo21N