Saturday, October 6, 2018

Review of SHIP OF FOOLS

SHIP of FOOLS

How a Selfish Ruling Class is
Bringing America to the Brink
          of Revolution

TUCKER CARLSON

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

The Ship of State is Sinking, according to Mr. Carlson, and I agree with his analysis and historical deciphering. He makes his case, names-names, and backs it up with facts that many have forgotten or never knew existed.

At 70 years old, he confirmed to me some of the USA's political background, that I had misinterpreted when said events transpired, because of MSM. Now, using Social Media, I get some of the facts that I would not have received had I continued with MSM only.

I use YouTube snippets to get the news, similar to Tucker's narrative, dabbling into how what is happening with America's division on central social and economic changes.  I concur we are heading in the wrong direction.

Revolution is a strong word he uses to convey crossroads that must be confronted to save our Republic. I agree with him that Americans must wake up to that facts and rectify this discontent with real solutions, or our Republic's continuation is in jeopardy.

Read in one sitting, Mr. Carlson's enjoyable discourse kept me thinking and laughing at the reality of it all, sadly. I'll keep SHIP OF FOOLS in my Kindle Library for a reread.

With all the books coming out during President Trump's first term, I am glad I bought this one. Personal Note: About 15 years ago, I did not care for Tucker's Commentary.




Sunday, September 30, 2018

Review of COP OF THE YEAR

COP OF THE YEAR

KATHRYN SHAY

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Set in a High School environment and a community without a gang, Ms. Shay places a police captain in Cassie's classroom as an unlikely experiment in the real world. Out of that, she presents a moving stream of real-world events and relationships that will fare well in a series alone.

The characters are interesting, with the current era development, and plausible situations. The plot rings true with today's youth experiences.

The story flows well in the plot and has a few surprises. There is a love relationship in the making that may influence the outcome of the underlying background of a gang from the city infiltrating Bayview Heights High School.

I am confident that in book two the lovers will join together to stop other crimes. The novel is exciting and emotional but obvious. For a FREE read, it was good enough that I may buy another book of Ms. Shay.



Review of A PENNY for HER HEART

A PENNY for HER HEART

ALRETHA THOMAS

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

A friend of a victim of murder, Vanessa, and one of the lead detectives, Rachel, tells the story of Penny's life and the events surrounding her demise. 

Vanessa communicates to the reader, her history of who Penny was, while Rachel delves into the circumstances of finding the killer.

Vanessa and Rachel's path cross at many junctures of this enjoyable drama. Ms. Thomas, in her writing, crosses all the T's and dots all the I's in this convincing character evaluation of a crime and the people close to it.

When the reader reaches the end, the connection between the victim and the killer will be clarified, but who he is and why he did it will amaze you. It is a well-written mystery stand-on-its-own book in a series.

I’ll be back because I love this genre and enjoy the suspense the writer puts into her prose.



Review of WINGS

WINGS of a
FLYING TIGER

Iris Yang

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

This story is a compelling drama that shows the brutality of the human race and culture clashes of three: the Chinese, Japanese, and USA Americans. 

Unfortunately, war by Imperialist brings them together in China before the entrance of the USA into World War II.

A Flying Tiger, American volunteer pilots who flew for the Chinese Nationals, has to survive from a battle. He does but with wounds that need time and mending, landing near a remote Chinese village.  

In the horrific events that follow, Ms. Yang weaves a love story of a country, survival, and the people surrounding the protection of the Flying Tiger. The names are not famous, what they do is immortal, where evil loses again.

Jasmine and Jack's adventures, the main characters, may have ended dramatically, but you'll have to read the book to find out. I can say, you will be shocked and distraught after the read, as I was.

WINGS is a swift and emotional read that you will not be able to put down. Take a day off and get ready for a tear-jerking ride.



Sunday, September 16, 2018

Review of Sam' Song

SAM'S SONG
A Sam Smith Mystery

HANNAH HOWE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Sam's Song is a character-driven mystery novel giving the reader a crime to solve, but more importantly a new crime investigator - Sam.  The reader gets a character with whom they can empathize. 

She is a young woman in a male-dominated world out there putting her arse on the line (Story is in England.) Her psychological makeup keeps her from reaching its potential.

However, Sam makes due with hard nose intuitive and cognitive abilities that head her in the right direction. She gets help from a police officer that leads to the possible killers' place.

When reaching that place, what happens next is a cliffhanger. The event culminates with the loss of an ex-husband her current nightmare, the freedom of her client, and a future she believes is unattainable.

Great writing, fast-paced, intriguing characters, and an enjoyable first book in a series that made me buy book two in the series right away. Moreover, I usually don't do that.



Friday, September 14, 2018

Review of The Pixie and the Prince


THE PIXIE 
and the PRINCE

CHARITY PARKERSON

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author






If you love consensual sex, this gem you will enjoy. This short story will keep you in suspense and then laughing with joy - no dirt here, just fun.

Fantasy is a significant part of this minuet of love. People of one world are fantasizing about lovers in another. When it reaches the climax, all are happy.

The lead up to encounters is teasing to the reader, which I enjoyed. Ms. Parkerson has a way with words that excite a PIXIE into action and will stimulate the reader. 

Purchase:    https://amzn.to/2p9ogm9


Review of Princess of Zenina

PRINCESS of ZENINA
Book One of the Zeninan Saga

GISELLE MARKS

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Marina is the Princess, and in the first chapter, she meets Major Bromarsh and a group of misfits in an exciting event that highlights her abilities. From here, the saga begins.

All the elements of a strongly informative book one is brought to light. You'll meet the queen, the villain, and all those in-between ranging from skin color Blue to Gold - Marina's natural color. Some on Zenina can change colors.

The Major and his group is transported to the planet in a galaxy that Earth is not. It's a world dominated and controlled by women. Many men are slaves.

Bromarsh comes from another planet, With Marina's help and protection, he and the group become a part of the community while waiting for transport to their own. Strange happenings change his mind and body.

With minuets of adventure throughout this novel, Ms. Marks lays the groundwork for more excitement to come, leaving the reader wanting more on the final page. This saga is chock full of information the reader may wish to check the book's glossary when moving on to book two.

Well written, many interesting communities of characters, and an imaginary plot highlight this basis for a good Sci-Fi futuristic fantasy. Geeks of this genre will love that adventure.



Monday, September 10, 2018

Review of A Gift of Ghosts

A Gift of Ghosts
A TASSAMARA NOVEL

SARAH WYNDE

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author





If you believe in ghosts, this is the book of spirits for you. Akira understands the spirit world, she thinks.

As a scientist, she takes her dream job offered to her by people who have ghost problems. What she brings to the table changes the way the Latimer family learns about their family which Akira facilitates - she can somewhat communicate with that world.

Interwoven into an interesting written story of spirits finding their way, Akira and Zane Latimer become close. These tales of many will lead the reader to think that maybe there is a world before silence.

Ms. Wynde keeps the reader's attention with easy to follow fun filled prose - ghosts have feelings and cannot wait to move on from their present situation. You want Akira to help them. But, can she?

I enjoyed the characters and the way Ms. Wynde presented them. Good Read.


Sunday, August 26, 2018

Bleak Prospect Reviewed

A BLEAK PROSPECT
A Sam Jenkins Mystery

WAYNE ZURL

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Wayne Zurl has done a fantastic job of bringing the police crimes stories of Prospect, a small town in Tennessee, USA, to the printed page. This mystery is the eight in his series. I have read many.

Each stand on its own with characters who are enjoyable. Sam, a spiffy sheriff who arrived from NYC police work to a lady Sargent that runs the day to day business of the office. Spontaneous, trenchant, and intelligent conversations enhance the legitimate police work they do daily.

In this story, a prostitute is found dead inside town limits. However, the County has a serial killer roaming, and the case becomes a County matter. Sam following his instincts moves in the right directions apart from a Task Force.

The twist and turns lead him to an unlikely source for the County murders. Also, there is a riff in the Town's Council over the crime and other matters. The mayor gives Sam and his team terrible news.

Those events come to a head with an exciting conclusion the reader does not expect. This novel is another excellent, fast-paced mystery by an ex-cop. We will see what happens next hopefully.   


Monday, August 20, 2018

Review of THINK LIKE SHERLOCK

Think Like Sherlock
Peter Hollins

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

"Education never ends, Watson. It is a series of lessons, with the greatest for the last."
― Arthur Conan Doyle, His Last Bow

Hollins' book of how to think correctly is full of Educational information a young person should read and delve in. I was lucky enough to be trained by the best (Special Forces) at JFK Psychological Warfare Center in 1968 as my first Education after High School, so some of the principles he writes about, I knew.

However, as Sherlock might say, we learn something every day. How we use that lesson is crucial.  Hollins gives the reader much to mull over in a short space of time. You may want to re-read some ideas and put them to work.

Some are: how to critically think; working concepts of Pablo Picasso, Einstein, Henry Ford, and Holms, of course; Observations and Deductive Reasoning; Thinking Outside the Box; and much more.

Peter Hollins's writing is clear and concise. You will read, stop, and think about how you can use the principle in your world.  It is not a technical read, but one you will enjoy learning as you read.

I'll keep Think Like Sherlock in my Kindle as I have Conan Doyle's Holms shorts and novels, as you should too.


Sunday, August 19, 2018

Review of Witch's Moonstone Locket

WITCH'S MOONSTONE LOCKET

MARSHA A. MOORE

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

I did not know what to think when I started to read this witch's tale, a fantasy? Well, I purchased it, read it, and enjoyed the storyline with strange happenings around the characters.

Owls and furniture spirits talked; winds controlled out of the north and the south; and a locket that helped a bereaved person speak to a dead parent. These are just a few of this chuck full of fun happenstances of a well-written journey into the life of witches.

Janice wants to talk to her mother who died before she could converse with her passing - to the spirit world. So, she goes to the witches' carnival to get answers.

Janice receives more than bargained.  She meets Rowe; the short love story brought on by the powers of the Moonstone Locket. 

This locket does more than bring them together. It is a cornerstone of a witches' coven and sets the tone for the mystical tale that follows, a war of a witch and the complications therein.

You'll have to read this fun adventure. I didn't know there were witches, did you?



Sunday, August 12, 2018

Review of Trouble and Strife

Trouble and Strife
Ian Dodge Mystery, Book 2

Judy Nichols

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Cool, calm, and collective is Ian with his English accent is at the sight of an accident in the making, as it seems. A wealthy customer of a friend’s suntan spa is found toasted in Room #3 and 911 is called. The mystery begins.

Relatives of the customer sue the friend's spa and Ian Dodge, a detective, is asked to find out the facts. With his new assistant Ruth, he goes about his business wooing everyone around him including the instigator of the events.

Complicated family ties are the motivator of the mystery which unravels smoothly as Ian investigates. There is death, and the reasoning is understandable but tragic.

This mystery keeps your attention because of the well-written character's dialog and their personas. It has a few exciting events that help too.


I'll go back for another of Ian's adventures in the future. 



Review of More Than Friends

More Than Friends & Forever: A Friends Novel

MONICA MURPHY

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Intelligent tit for tat of two senior High School students who find themselves as a couple. Even though they are in school, I did not read one 'Like' this or that, which I like.

What I didn't like is it is a series with never an ending even in the third book Forever: A Friends Novel. At the end of the Forever, the reader will get the impression that the couple might break up because of the sound of their words.

Jordan has been infatuated with Amanda since eighth grade. Because of a breakup, Amanda turns to the American football star, and they become an on/off again couple. He cannot communicate his feelings resulting in Amanda uncertainty in where the relationship will end.  

All the background stories enhance the main one, but I feel it is overwritten. The main dialog between Amanda and Jordan seems too intelligent even for honor students, as portrayed, but kept me wanting for more after reading More Than Friends.

I would have liked to have read one condensed book for this dramatic love story. More Than Friends is a tease and Forever: A Friends Novel is a bigger one.

If you are going to read this story, go for it, and read all the books in concession.