Review of ONCE UPON A RHYME

 

ONCE UPON A RHYME: One Week, Three Lives, Three Deaths a Lifetime in Limericks

 

ANTONY L. SARAGAS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'Short, Sweet, and to the Point' is how I describe this novel. It is chock full of phrases you will want to read repeatedly, ala Og Mandino: The Greatest Success in the World and many others. INSPIRATIONAL.

Oskie and Bella's father died and left their home to them. Oskie, with son in toe, investigates the building, finding a book of limericks.

At this point in Oskie's life is in a rut, dilemmas he has not confronted, freeing himself to fully live his life.  With the help of friends, family, and his father's pasted down wisdom, he rewrites his future.

Hollis, a coach, states in one of his limericks to his son Oskie, 'We can never attain perfection in our lives, but we shall catch excellence along the way.' Will Oskie curtail with this type of inspiration?

The prose of Mr. Antony was smooth and easy to follow. If you need an uplift in your life, this read is you, as it was for me.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3aVbakh

 

Review of BLACK ROSES

 

BLACK ROSES

 

SAMANTHA CHRISTY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Love is not in the air. Piper does not like men, and Mason is smitten, which is not new for him being a professional jock. 

 Piper returns home from Europe, where she has lived with her girlfriend for years, to help with her sister's wedding. Mason and his daughter are adopted Mitchell family members.

Their meeting leads to an emotional rollercoaster: Piper has a dark secret that sent her into a psychological tailspin; Mason has a ball and chain he has not fully disconnected. That relationship includes a stalking girlfriend.

Mason, after a few meetings with Piper, is in love. She does not want anything to do with a man, but he is a good man, family, and friends sell that fact.

The romance is a battleground of trust, which leads to an explosive emotional ending. Will they be joined in bliss? You'll need to read this unpredictable journey.

Ms. Christy's writing brings tears to your eyes. But if you have a weak stomach, her descriptive prose and adult language may shock you, beware.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3joackc

 

Review of MURDER REVISITED

 

MURDER REVISITED

 A Jack Mallory Mystery, Bk 1

 

WILLIAM COLEMAN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Columbo, step aside for Detective Mallory. Peter Falk played Columbo, a homicide detective in the famous TV series by the same name.

Jack Mallory has the same position in a small urban city. His chief gives him a twenty-year-old case to solve.

This case mushrooms into three without the chief or any other police's knowledge, even to the end. Jack finds the threads that connect all by interviewing, infuriating, and disobeying orders.

I did not pick up on the connections until the final scene, which I usually do in most mysteries I read. Jack knew most of the people he interviewed, so he had inside knowledge. LOL

Not. Jack did excellent police work, and the author was smart enough to hide the evidence in his writing from the average reader. 

If you want a mystery challenge, this book is for you. The narrative kept me turning the pages, and Jack Mallory is prime time TV or excellent series reading.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3cnnWtX

Review of SUBVERSIVE

 

SUBVERSIVE

Clandestine Magic Trilogy, Bk 1

 

COLLEEN COWLEY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'He has magical powers. She does not. Only men can have that power.' is the central theme of this novel. Women could never become wizards; that is the law.

Blackwell, a wizard, picks Beatrix to be his assistant. Her sister is a women's rights advocate. Let the games begin.

Because of the above relationships, conflicts arise that upset both the magical and ordinary worlds. These events include attempted murder, a love story, and a magic upheaval.

Beatrix's sister is a marked woman because of her group's' activism; Bea and Blackwell have a thing going on in their dreams; the high powers are investigating everyone. All the events come to an explosive ending.

The prose was fun to read because of the unpredictable characters and the magical episodes. It was an interesting setup for this trilogy. I may read on.

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Review of WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

 

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

A Pleasant Gap Romance

 

PEPPER BASHAM

 

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

 

I had no idea what a Pleasant Gap Romance novel was until now. It is a story of a Family Faith-based couples falling in love.

In this novel, the second in a series, Julia, who physically and mentally is not inclined to fall in love. And, Henry is visiting from England on an assignment to write music for his friend's movie.

Their love of music uniquely grounding and brings them together. On many levels, that media bring each out of their introverted existence.  Hers is a seven-month pregnancy from rape, and he is writing music and a dysfunctional family in England.

There is a joint ground meeting of the minds, and sparks fly. When this happens halfway through the book, the reader can surmise the ending.

The two lovers also solve a mystery of who or what Julia's benefactress dead aunt is, which brings an ending to this second book. The mystery started in London and brought both back there.

Other than the obvious, this read is a pure delight to read. A book an authentic Christian will enjoy.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3qkfe3o

 

 

 

 

Review of 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

 

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

 

Yuval Noah Harari

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'Democrat politics, human rights, and free-market seem destined to conquer the entire world.' is one of lesson one's core points. I beg to differ. China actions, he does not consider.

In 21 chapters, Mr. Harari opines on almost everything under the sun: Technology, Politics, Humanity, and His Truths. The philosophy and psychology of each he delves into with zeal and commitment.

Whether you agree with him or not, his arguments and thesis are worth reading. I had to stop and read over several passages to understand his points fully.

If you are a thinking person, I recommend this book to go along with others: Intellectuals and Society by Thomas Sowell and Jennifer Michael Hecht's DOUBT, a History.  They will open your eyes to what is happening in the 21st Century.

One thing I loved about this book is that Mr. Harari's writing is clear and thought-provoking. Nihilist will be surprised.

Both books mentioned above I have reviewed - search above.

Purchased this: https://amzn.to/2Lfi8Yp

Review of MAGIC DESTINY

 

MAGIC DESTINY

The Irish Rogue Series, 

Book One

 KATE GELLAR

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Looking at the Amazon reviews, I seem to be the only guy to read about Abby's adventure in Ireland. I picked out the book to read because of the "Irish Rogue Series." I am part Irish.

Then I started to read and thought I was getting into an erotic novel with the talk of bonding. Surprise, the novel is about witches and the keeping "A Seal" closed, locking in evil spirits into the underworld.

Four men, guardians, evaluate ten women who have witches’ linage to find a queen. All four men are to bond with the queen to save the Irish world.

Abby has no idea what is happening. The world has changed for her in an adventure that turns her life upside down.

This beginning may or may not save the day until the bonding is complete. Maybe in book two of the series - an excellent writing hook by the author.

I would have liked a little more background story. However, I enjoyed Abby's play with the guardians.

The prose was first-rate and the main characters are well-defined, leading into book two, which I will not read because one bonding is enough for me.

However, this read is a good one standing on its own.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/37TZXAc

Review of HIT THE ROAD JACK

 

HIT the ROAD, JACK

A JACK RYDER NOVEL

WILLOW ROSE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I enjoyed this novel. However, Jack Ryder is not the sharpest Police Detective I have met in print.

I am a television LAW and ORDER freak and have read many books in this genre for ninety-nine cents. This thriller had its moments but did not meet my high standards of police dramas/thrillers.

Hit the Road, Jack, the first book in a series, is based around a serial killer who kills women who cheat on their husbands. Clues are abounding, and for a small island, a number stand out like a sore thumb for amateur sleuths but is entirely unnoticed by Jack.

I liked the characters, but I wished Ms. Willow Rose developed them more in this novel. However, with Florida's motel/hotel background, I got a kick out of, because I lived and worked in more than one, beaches and all.

The prose was clear and understandable, with no mystery to solve. All in all, the novel was a fair read.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/38pIONE

 

Review of SLANTED

 

SLANTED

 

SHARYL ATTKKISSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

In October of 2017, I read Ms. Attkisson's THE SMEAR. Her detailed insights I confirmed through research. She writes clear and concisely, so I decide to read SLANTED.

This thesis compares what we face today with the dystopian world foretold by Orwell in 1984, which most of us have read in college. Journalism, print, and television news are SLANTED towards their corporate Narrative.

The Narrative is promoted and SLANTED using it, not giving the consumer the complete facts or leaving out information that would change the Narrative. I noticed this in 2016 watching CNN every day through President Trump's inauguration, and have not watched the channel since.

Ms. Attkisson begins with her journey in the 1990s, from CNN to CBS, and brings us many personal experiences to illustrate her thesis. However, she started her career in 1982 at PBS, where she learned, at the time, that journalists should stick to the reporting standards they've developed, rather than abandon them.

Unfortunately, most journalists have abandoned the core standards by putting the truth first and upfront in a story reported. They SLANT towards THE NARRATIVE.  I see it all the time after reading her two books.

Ms. Attkisson's abilities shine through THE NARRATIVES and get to the truth of the matter. The media have been pulling the wool over our eyes for years, but more so during the Trump years.

 

Thank you, Sherly, for The insight.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2J9QZVS

 

Review of THE AXE & GRINDSTONE

 

THE AXE & GRINDSTONE

Paul Phipps-Williams

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I usually don't purchase horror novels; not my cup of tea. It's the same with movies. I find them silly. I picked up this novel because I think I got it free.

The only enjoyment I got from this novel was it centering around a pub. In small towns worldwide, the pub is where the people meet to discuss local and national news.

Mark Adams takes a position of honor running a pub in a land of horror by a lady he adores. At first, he is oblivious to the situation, he catches on, and then falls into a drunken dream or reality.

The elements he meets, human and non-human, define his life's introspection. How Adams lives through the adventure will be chilling to some readers, but it was not for me.

I had to be careful not to lose my place in reading this somewhat dull novel. However, I will say at times, the Scratching, a plague in the novel bothered me.

Mr. Phipps-Williams writes well, but as I said, horror is not a genre I like to read or watch in a movie. If you do enjoy horror, I recommend it to you.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/39VBuM0

 

Review of CASTELMEZZANO

 

CASTELMEZZANO,

THE WITCH IS DEAD

An Italian Cozy Mystery

ADRIANA LICIO

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Two Italian women, both retired teachers, meet on a path that leads from one village to another. The popular route presents the women with a conundrum - a dead naked woman's body they believe to be a witch.

This comical whodunit begins with tales of how witches die, particularly this one whom they know. When the ladies put their heads together, results happen.

All Etta and Dora’s and the local police investigations lead to a quick and exciting ending. It seems these ladies will join together for future sleuthing.

The writing is polished, funny, and fast-paced—a quick read for afternoon enjoyment.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3o28B4H

 

Review of ABDUCTED AT THE ALTAR

 

ABDUCTED AT THE ALTAR

 

CYNTHIA WRIGHT

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

When France and Scotland joined by marriage, a regal mandate, in the 1500s, one of the main characters, Christophe, Chevalier de St. Briac, must journey to Scotland to refurbish that King's castle. In his endeavor, he meets Fiona, a cultured lass of a robust and wealthy family.

From that moment on, a whirlwind of events commences based on the Scottish culture's moors clashing with the French. However, Fiona and Christophe's engagements and conversations are above the fray, putting them in harmony with each other.

Each must overcome an evil put upon them by another to be together. This situation leads to an unexpected ending, hooking the reader into the next chapter in the 'Crowns & Kilts' series.

The story is a bit of a captivating experience, bringing history and cultural differences into the forefront. A romance novel with adventure is always an excellent read when written by a person with the style of a Cynthia Wright.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/3fKdkVH

Review of THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

 

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

 

TERRY TYLER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

The people living in your circle, family, and friends, do you know them?  Are they what they seem, or are you delusional?

A thirty-five to a fifty-year-old serial killer is roaming Lyndford, England. The police publish his facial sketch in the newspaper. The young women are his target.

Who is he, Tom, Dick, Harry or someone you know? Ms. Tyler gives the reader a few stories that may define the killer.

Each scenario is a dramatic, wrenching event that guides the reader to believe this person is the man. The lead plot character is sure they know the killer and determine to get him.

Only one man did the crimes, or did he? The reader may know at THE END or not.

Drama and thriller put into a good read. You'll have to be a Sherlock to read between the lines and decide whodunit.

This novel is my third read of Terry's endeavors. Well written and enjoyable as always.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/393c5zA