Sunday, July 10, 2016

Review of Between the Vines

Between the Vines
     a memoir

E.B. Sullivan

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Being a wine drinker, I found the production of it, as a backdrop of a love story fascinating. The planting of embryo vines, taking them to fruition, and then developing a particular type of wine, is a love affair only a few can understand.

Ms. Sullivan’s main character, Lucia, has an Italian immigrant mother and father, whose love is captured in the way they live in producing the fruit of the vine into wine. Lucia tells her story, her memoir, of how their love for her, her brother Marco, and of their devotion in living Between the Vines.

Telling her story, she explains how her parent’s commitment helped develop her character and the decisions she made in route to maturity like the vines that produce on their precious Vino Baci Vineyard. Like the vines’ production, Lucia’s life has difficulties that must be overcome to produce a loving conclusion within her family.

Lucia’s trials and errors in her personal life do co-inside with her new understanding of winemaking. Devoted to the family’s vineyard, she comes close to losing her husband, whose allegiance is to her and to another profession that takes him away from the vineyard on long business trips.

Between the Vines has its highs and lows, but it's even-keeled in the story’s flow. This memoir is a well worth read on many levels, especially if you are a wine drinking romantic like me. 



Sunday, July 3, 2016

Review of Percy Crow

Percy Crow

By Danny Kemp

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

When asked to investigate the who, what, where, and why of Percy Crow’s demise, Lord Harry Paterson, Mr. Kemp’s main character, gets involved knowing that something is rotten in Denmark. In this case, it’s United Kingdom’s high society.

There is enough criminality to go around, internationally and locally. The enormity of Percy Crow’s involvement extends beyond his depravity and that of why he does what he does to pay back the center of his festered anger.

The story has its twists and turns that lead back to people close to Lord Harry, putting him in a position of a somewhat savior in the eyes of an ex-lover. Harry closes the case for all concern and leaves the reader wanting to know what comes next.

Mr. Kemp’s British tongue-in-cheek is understandable for us across the pond and doesn’t interrupt the flow of the storyline. When his writing gets to the point, there is an intriguing explanation of Percy Crow’s, English High Societies’, and Lord Harry’s involvement.

The truth comes alive – government officials can’t be allowed to overstep their power.  In this case, they are stopped by a deranged complicated man – Percy Crow.

I enjoyed the characters, the adventure, and would like to read what Lord Harry will get his head around next.




Sunday, June 26, 2016

Selena the Movie



Selena Gomez

Those who know me, know that I am partial to Latin women, having married two ladies from the Dominican Republic. So when I saw the movie Selena with a young Jennifer Lopez, I couldn’t stop watching.

Even though Jennifer was not a singer, her portrayal and that of Rebecca Lee Meza as young Selena seemed very genuine. The glue to the movie was Edward James Olmos as Selena’s father.

Whether you are a lover of Selena’s music or not, you will enjoy this story of a young American Latin singing sensation, whose star is taken away from the world. This movie gives you entertaining moments of the growth in Selena’s short career.

Adored by all, Selena is gone, but her music will live on in the Mexican and North American communities. This movie does her and her family honor.

If you don’t take the time to see and watch Selena the movie, you will be void of knowing the emotional nature of Latin music’s effect on our American culture, which has been part of my life for thirty-eight years. 

I loved it, and I love Latin women.

You’ll cry at then as I have.

Purchase movie: http://amzn.to/28WxcBv


Sunday, June 12, 2016

Review Sarah Woods Mysteries



Sarah Woods Mystery Series
Books 1- 2 and
Island of Illusions

Jennifer L. Jennings

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I started reading Book 1 & 2 of this series and couldn’t stop. I continued on and read book three - Island of Illusions. Ms. Jennings style is smooth. She effortlessly tells a story of an intriguing mystery.

Her lead character Sarah Woods, a masseuse and housewife, is at a crucial turning point in her life. Then in a flash, she is involved with a murder in book one. From there on, she stumbles into situations that the need her unique intuition.

The individual plots of each book are well constructed leading the reader to an unpredictable end. In each, I was involved to the end, leaving me with the thought – why didn’t I think of that? And, I have read many mysteries.

The main characters are evolving nicely, and I look forward to reading more.

Purchase at:  http://amzn.to/1XPJbYC


Sunday, June 5, 2016

Review of Protected by the Falcon

Protected By The Falcon
The Ancestor’s Secrets series
Book 1
Written by Erika M. Szabo

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The world we live in has an undercurrent that is visible but invisible at the same time. Ethnic mores and mysteries are abounding within diverse communities in America.

Ms. Szabo brings to light in her novel the beliefs of the natives of Hungary, known as the Huns, who live in America today. Ingrained in their ethnic background for centuries are mysteries her main character Ilona tries to unravel.

As a doctor, Ilona has a special gift she and her community believe is birth given that only the chosen attain. This gift leads her and her closest friends and family into a whirlwind, initiated by a mystic with a strange power that desires her ill will.

The story leads you into an incredible world of control and conflict over rules that may or may not be applicable in today’s lifestyle. It is a fun, interesting comparison that woven into the past and present.

Ms. Szabo’s writing style is easy to read and flows smoothly. She keeps you mesmerized with colorful words, paragraphs, and characters.

Purchased at:  http://amzn.to/1Y9isVw


Saturday, May 21, 2016

Review of White Jade

WHITE JADE (The Project, Book 1)

By Alex Lukeman

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

International intrigue with a little bit of Chinese mystic background is one way in describing this thriller. I did find the premise an unlikely event.

However, the writer did keep me interested with his crisp prose. The characters were well defined and would be enjoyable to follow through this series encountering other evil doers.

The main character is a super spy a la Indiana Jones who teams up with his strong arm sidekick and a brilliant, beautiful, karate kicking Chinese women. Their mission is to save the world from WW III.

How they go about it, keeps you thinking that failure is right around the corner up until the final act. The action will have the reader turning the page and not watching the clock.

Well done.

Purchase at  http://amzn.to/1U6iA1S

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

First Chapter of Homeless



Winter 2002, South Florida

The day was cool with a cold breeze blowing off the Atlantic westward up Calle Ocho, as I walked hastily in the same direction. They evicted me from my cheap room at the San Juan Motel on Southwest 22nd Avenue; and I was going back to retrieve my two bags, one with wheels.
       A conversation I just completed with a stranger put me in panic mode. My mind was in overdrive.
      “What do you mean?” I asked the homeless man, sitting on his cardboard concrete comforter in front of Camillus House, a homeless shelter on Northwest 2nd Avenue, not far from the Freedom Tower.
      “What, are you deaf or stupid? He said, ‘You won’t get a bed in there tonight.’ They’re already taken! Only five of us in line will get one of the remaining beds. I’m number twenty-five waiting in line for a bed and dinner. Not all qualify.”
      My body was shaking; I was in shock. I asked, “Where can I get someplace to sleep tonight?”
“Don’t you have a friend that can take you in?”
I was distraught at what was happening to me.  My nerves were taking over my body. “No, I’m on my own.”
“If you can wait until later tonight, after ten o’clock, flag down a police car. Tell him you became homeless today and he’ll have to take you to Chapman’s shelter over on North Miami Avenue for the night. You look clean cut, so that won’t be a problem for a night.
Inside the shelter, they have their rules, and you’ll have to meet their requirements. Don’t you have any warmer clothes, a blanket, or anything?”
“Yes. Why?”
“It’s going to be cold and rainy on the streets tonight.” He looked up from the sidewalk, wearing what seemed to be two or three layers of dirty clothing with a ripped gray jacket over them.
“Why won’t you get one of the beds in Camillus House?”
His saddened brown eyes looked at me, shaking his head. “Not tonight; I was in there the night before last. I think.”  I thought: Strange, he didn’t know what day it was. Maybe you lose all concept of time living on the streets. A chill went up to my spine.
A stroke of fear overcame me. “Why couldn’t you stay in there?”
“You get only a bed and a shower once or twice a week in there…too many people waiting in line.” He pointed to the men in front of him. They were standing or sitting on the hard surface.
He pointed to the people across the street in front of a boarded-up-run-down building. It had some covering from the light rain that just began.  Obviously, he knew his way around. “Those guys are waiting in line also.  We are aware who’s who down here.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” I stretched out my arm. He took my hand and shook it. I introduced myself, “My name is Don Quixote Smith. What’s yours?”
“Derik…Don’t use your full name around here. Only give it to Camillus staff. Use a nickname.”
“Thanks, Derik. Call me Q, then.”
“Okay, Q. Where’s your stuff?”
“My stuff is back at the motel on Calle Oche.”
“Well, go get your bags and get in line. Those here and across the street are in line. Get your luggage and put that coat behind me. I’ll keep your place. They serve dinner inside to all comers. Only a few get a bed for the night.”
I hesitated. Give a homeless man my only coat. What is he nuts? This leather jacket cost me a hundred and fifty bucks. I looked at him and said, “I don’t know if I’m coming back.”
“Suit yourself. I can’t hold a place for you without something covering the space behind me.”
I replied, “That’s okay Derik. I’ll take my chances. I might not be right back. I have to call a friend first. Will you be here if I return?”
“I’m not going anywhere. Can’t you see that? They serve hot food in an hour.” He looked at me as if I was a foreigner, and I was.
“Take it easy. I just hope this won’t be my situation after I make my next call. I must go back and get my bags. I hope I don’t see you later…bye.” I left Camillus House for what I thought was for good.
So here I was, with little chance of getting a bed for the night, rushing up Calle Ocho to retrieve my only possessions that they locked up in the motel I had lived in for the last three weeks. My stomach was aching. I drank a lot of water today and hadn’t eaten for the last twenty-four hours.
My mind was not in harmony with my body. I walked into the Calle Ocho Cafe and the Bakery, looking for some free samples they put out for patrons. “May I have a glass of water?” I asked the young woman across the counter in Spanish.
She answered back in Spanish, “Yes, sir,” and poured me a full cup. I noticed some sweet cakes laid out for buying patrons. I took more than an average person would have. I was famished. I got a dirty look from what looked to be someone in charge. I exited in haste with my dinner.
What happened next was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. The abundance of water and the small amount of food in my stomach started to exit my body. It must have been my nerves. My body took control, and I literally shit my pants a block away from the motel.
I had no room to run to clean up. I released - I was homeless with a brown watery substance filling my underwear and flowing down my legs when I walked into the small empty motel lobby. I stood rigidly and let nature take its course.
Things weren’t looking up. I tried to smile.
“Mr. Smith, is there anything wrong?” The clerk behind the counter asked. He couldn’t see the little puddle next to my right shoe but noticed my worried face.
“Yes, I just need to use the bathroom. Do you have a towel?”
“Wait a minute.” He left and came back, handing me a small thin white towel, which you only find in hotels that rent by the hour.
“Where are my bags?” I asked.
“Right here,” he replied, placing them at the end of the counter. Hearing a ringing telephone, he went into the office to answer it.
I bent over, took out a new pair of underpants from my carry-on, and entered the bathroom at the end of the lobby before he could see what I was doing. Completing my due diligence, I looked in the mirror. Putting a smile on my face, I said with determination, “Showtime.”
Arriving back at the front desk, I happily didn’t see the clerk, so I left without saying goodbye in a hurry. I walked out the door with my shoulders straight and my eyes looking forward into the unknown, leaving the towel in the puddle on the floor.
I dialed the pay phone, next to the bus stop at the side of the motel’s building. It was collected by a friend.
My friend’s wife answered, “Hello.”
The operator said, “This is a collect call from Don Smith. Will you accept the charges?”
“Yes; why not?” I could hear the irritation in her voice – why is this man always calling collect. It’s my telephone, not Fred’s.
“Hi, is Fred in?”
“Yes, wait a minute.” 
I heard her yell, “Fred, it’s your friend Q… again.” She seemed a little pissed off at my interrupting something and calling collect, again.
He answered, “Hi-Q. Did you find out about Camillus House?”
“Yes, but I won’t be staying there tonight.”
“Why?”
“Long story, I’ll tell you when I see you tomorrow. Has Joan changed her mind? Can I stay with you for a while?” I knew the answer but made another attempt.
“Sorry. She has her sick brother here to take care of, and you know all the rest. I’ll help you out with a little money tomorrow.”
I understood. Fred was walking on thin ice, living with his ex-wife and having his current calling his cell all the time. He might have bought the house, but she wouldn’t let go. He had no rights.
She got the house in the divorce settlement. He was also married to a woman in the Dominican Republic, which his Joan had no idea of it. Joan was in charge.
“No problem, I understand. So it’s off into the night I go, and where I land, nobody knows.”
Fred laughed, saying, “Q, you are crazy and the most active person I know.”
“See you tomorrow. Don’t let me down.”
“Eleven O’clock…in front of Camillus House…we’ll go for lunch…my treat.”
“It’s the least you can do.”
“I know. Bye.”
“Talk tomorrow. I gotta find me a cop.”
“What?”
“It’s a long story. See you.” I hung up the phone, knowing I would see Fred tomorrow at eleven.
******

Purchase: http://amzn.to/1T5QX9E