Review of Bound

BOUND

Book One in the

Witches of Doyle

Trilogy

KIRSTEN WEISS

Review by Author Roy Murry

Fairies were even less believable than vampires...Karin, the witch narrator of this Cozy Mystery series, mused.  I guess if you believe in fairies and vampires, you believe in witches.

There is a murder in one of the sister's coffeeshop that starts a whirl-wind of a mystery, both about three sister witches and a couple of other events. Karin, the logical witch, tries to unravel the illogical to save her sister from jail.

On the road to understanding the mystery, love, and death approaches when a vital clue comes to light. A spell is a crucial solution if it doesn't backfire on Karin. 

There are highs and lows to this exciting story of how three witches overcome generations of curses. If you believe in witches, you'll enjoy this adventure into fantasy.

It was a fun read, both genres I love to read - witches and a mystery rolled into one. Have some fun; spells are included.

Purchase Bound https://amzn.to/34LYhUk

Review of UNFREEDOM OF THE PRESS

UNFREEDOM OF THE PRESS

MARK R. LEVIN

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I have paraphrased Matthew Pressman on a history of reporting, Chapter 1: Workaday reporters (Should) had to stick to the four W's and one H; who, what, when, where, and how.  The 'why' question (Should be) was beyond their purview. I put in (Should) because I, like many non-party-aligned voting Americans, feel that way.

In our world today, this is not the modus operandi of our Main Stream Media, according to what I have taken from Mr. Levin's expose of the current reporting the news. Too many progressive ideas are embedded in news content these days.

He goes into detail as to how media treats President Donald J. Trump vs. recent past presidents, giving the pros and cons of those endeavors. Also presented in the pages of his book are some ways in which other presidents used and abused the press, leaving the reader with the thought that President Trump has not abused his power against the media.

Mr. Levin's intelligent read was sometimes above my comprehension, but educating me as I followed along. His explanations are one of the reasons I recommend UNFREEDOM OF THE PRESS to you, a free-thinking human, and particularly college students of journalism for the insight into that profession.

Purchase:  Unfreedom https://amzn.to/2ShS543

Review of STUPID WARS

STUPID WARS:

A Citizen's Guide to Botched Putsches, Failed Coups, Inane

Invasions, and Ridiculous Revolutions

Ed Strosser and Michael Prince

Review by Roy Murry, Author

The title tells it all. I will add that humans do not understand history, or they would not continue to make the same mistake over and over again.  However, some humans, no, many humans, are just stupid and or vicious.

Mr. Strosser and Prince give a precise historical evaluation of wars that should not have happened, and others that leaders should have thought out before going ahead. Some conflicts are diabolically stupid.

I will not explain each nutty endeavor. I will say: I laughed and cried at the explanations the authors gave for humans murdered for ego, pride, and territory - confounding to an intelligent person.

The read is clear, to the point, and enjoyable. I will reread each chapter.

You should read it once to remind yourself that we are all human.

Purchase Stupid Wars https://amzn.to/2sRR5ZB

Review of THEN

CAROL MARRS PHIPPS

     & TOM PHIPPS

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I loved WHAM, the first book in this series. See my review of that http://bit.ly/2riA6it. In WHAM, two worlds collide, the Fairy's world versus the Elite controlling one. The contrast is brought alive in the Phipps' vivid and sometimes dark prose.

In THEN, the saga - Good vs. evil continues dramatically. Tess, a fairy, with trolls, wizards, and humans are trying to take back the ruling of the world from a despotic queen. The queen's powers have increased because of witchcraft tools.

Tess and her Underground friends proceed on their quest. And the queen goes about destroying their world and trying to find them.

It is a simple story, but the antics (Tess travels back in time), multicultural characters, and the fantasy backdrop (The world above and below) gives a whole new meaning to the word WOW.

What is real and what is not, is left to the reader's imagination.

After reading 'THEN,' your imagination will expand. That is the main reason I read books 1 and 2 of this series, which I never do - read a series. I may go on the read 3.

I recommend starting the series with WHAM. However, THEN, as a fantasy, stands on its own.

Purchase @ Amazon https://amzn.to/2MlXqDD

Review of WITH ALL DUE RESPECT

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT

Defending America with

         Grit and Grace

NIKKI R. HALEY

FORMER AMBASSADOR

Review by Roy Murry, Author

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, if you don't read this novel, you will be missing a historical look into President Donald J. Trump's foreign policy by the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Her story is compelling, controversial, and believable, putting politics aside.

Ambassador Haley, an Indian woman, who was Governor of South Carolina, with no experience in world politics shines on the world stage where men have ruled for a millennium. It is her true grit and inner abilities that helped her navigate through the world political conflicts the USA has encountered for years. 

These struggles of ideas, in everyday language, she writes with contention, grace, and dignity professing America's morals to the world is the critical theme I took from this reading. This story will have you cheering and bewildered at the same time.

World views are different, but we must come to a common ground is the backbone of her philosophy. 'I agree' is the reason for placing it here. ,

You will have to read WITH ALL DUE RESPECT to understand why President Donald J. Trump picked Kikki Haley to be Ambassador. She has John Wayne's TRUE GRIT.  Youngsters and foreigners may have to Google it.

Purchase:   

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT https://amzn.to/2Qe31gn

Review of THE WAY I HEARD IT

THE WAY I HEAR IT

MIKE ROWE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Mr. Rowe has put together short stories that will have you laughing, crying, and thinking at the same time. Interwoven are his semi-biographical anecdote of each tale that transcends your understanding into gratefulness having read them.

The pace is fast and exciting, so much so, the reader will want to stop and savor the moment after each section - remembering one's life incident that complete Mr. Rowe's narratives.

The book is chuck full of human relationships. Each distinctly enjoyable on its own.

Well done.

Purchase: THE WAY I HEARD IT https://amzn.to/372uqIG

Review of The Case of the Questionable Quadruplet

The Case of the Questionable Quadruplet

A Safe Harbor Medical Mystery

JACQUELINE DIAMOND

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I enjoy mysteries as this where the finger of guilt points to many characters. The reader's mind spins, trying to solve the murders.

I usually have a good idea by mid-book who did it. In Ms. Diamond's mystery, the reader will be surprised at the end.

The suspense was killing me. Was it one of the daughters, or their mates, or another character implied? Who did the deeds?

Dr. Darcy's family members are involved on the legal side of the equation, while he fills in the gaps of how things are moving in the crimes and why the quadruplet maybe the center of his inquiry.  His father's old files are critical to the events that follow the birth of triplets. Or where there four?

You will need to read this thrilling, well-written mystery to find out.

Purchase: QUARTRIPLETS https://amzn.to/2MlYeIF

Review of HOW TO MAKE A LIVING WITH YOUR WRITING

HOW TO MAKE A LIVING

WITH YOUR WRITING

Joanna Penn

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Ms. Penn has penned an interesting, somewhat informative book on how to make money writing books, blogging, and more.

As the writer of three novels and a poetry chapbook, I found some of Ms. Penn’s ideas worth trying, others not much so. She does not go into detail. 

In this short ‘How to’ book, she gives the novice writer hope and useful advice. If you are a first book writer, it is worth the read.

If not a beginner, save the $4.99 Kindle price to read it.

Purchase: WRITING https://amzn.to/373xzbA

Review of EXQUISITE JUSTICE

EXQUISITE JUSTICE

A Marc Kadella Legal Mystery

Dennis Carstens

Review by Roy Murry, Author

'EXQUISITE' is a multi-facet a novel that keeps the reader’s attention. The plot and characters were impressive; however, it would have been wiser of me to read the first book in the Marc Kadella series. I would have known the main characters better.

The plot kept me wanting to get to the end, knowing by the fifth chapter, Marc was going to get his man and solve his legal case. The twist and turns were evident to a mystery buff like me, but the ending surprised me.

I think I will read the first book in the series to get a better idea of the characters, especially Marc Kadella.

Purchase: JUSTICE https://amzn.to/2PNypmQ

Review of SECRET EMPIRES

SECRET EMPIRES

PETER SCHWEIZER

Review by Roy Murry, Author

SECRET EMPIRES are not secrets. They are highlighting the general public does not get to see on the front pages of newsprint or are mention on the mainstream media.

They are secrets insiders of Washington; D.C. has known for years. Mr. Schweizer gives the reader a snippet of generous backdoor handouts to powerful politicians’ friends and family members receive because of their connection to power. 

The influential people Mr. Schweizer names will open the reader's eyes to why there should be TERM LIMITS for members in the U.S. Congress. Closeness to the decision making of the President or a member of Congress over the years in office is the key to family members becoming multi-millionaires.

I will not name names here, but I assure you, you will know the people involved within Mr. Schweizer's investigative narratives. He doesn't play political bias games - He tells it like it is.

If you didn't know who makes money from Washington power, then read this book. This book confirmed my limited knowledge.

SECRET EMPIRES is a well-written read. 

Purchase: SECRET EMPIRES https://amzn.to/2ShNKO1

Review of LORA LEE

LORA LEE

CLIFF HOUSE SERIES, BOOK ONE

PJ WEBB

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I am not interested in ghosts per se, but this novel caught my eye and am glad I opened the book. Not believing in ghosts, the hairs on my arms spiked when reading this story about spirits haunting a house.

PJ WEBB's tale keeps the reading engaged weirdly.  I kept turning the page, waiting for the next encounter between LORA LEE and the house's mysterious ghostly inhabitants with two romance story backdrops.

The author has you believing the world of spirits are left on earth until a mission is complete or some event releases them to the other side - where ever that is? A believer of ghosts will be thrilled; a non-believer will laugh out loud. I laughed out loud.

The prose kept me wanting more of her ghostly adventures. I may just come back for more.

This novel is a good read for this Halloween season. Also, PJ WEBB's writing is enjoyable to the end hooking you into book two. If you are into ghosts, you will buy it with a click at the end of LORA LEE.

PURCHASE 

LORA LEE https://amzn.to/2ZgR7Xi

Review of His BANANA

His BANANA

PENELOPE BLOOM

Review by Roy Murry, Author

This novel is a cute and sexy entanglement between a clutz of a reporter and a perfectionist billionaire. The woman and man are put together because of an investigation - she on him.

At times, there are erotic scenes that wake up the reader from the unusual conflict of their dancing around the subject of attraction. When the truth comes out about her secret, the shit hits the fan to an unexpected culmination.

Some twists and turns, with a not so complicated conclusion, are predictable. Good writing helps the pages turn quickly - a quick and enjoyable romantic read leading into a series.

Purchase: HIS BANANA https://amzn.to/2Mlwhk1

Review of The Great Smoky Mountain Bank Job

THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN BANK JOB

& other Sam Jenkins Mysteries

WAYE ZURL

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Mr. Zurl is one author I go to for police action and the entanglements of a crime. He keeps me on my toes.

His novels and short stories are not part of a series per-say, but Sam and his team are the same. He is the only outsider transplanted from New York City to the South, giving some comic relief to the crime at hand.

What changes: are the crimes and those characters who convict them. Each offense that Sam Jenkins unravels baffles everyone around him and the reader - almost Sherlock Holmes.

If you haven't read one of Sam Jenkin's mysteries, this book is an excellent place to start. Then you will be hooked as I am and read a five-star novel by Wayne Zurl. I have read four.

Purchase:  GREAT SMOKY https://amzn.to/36Xp7uf