Review of BOTTLING IT

 

Bottling It

(A Wayfair Witches' Cozy Mystery #1)

A.A. ALBRIGHT

Review by Author Roy Murry

Wanda Wayfair, an unempowered witch, earns her stripes in this first novel of a fun witches' mystery. The story is a family affair.

Interwoven into the case of murders (Humans are murdering Witches?) are warlocks, vampires, werewolves and the solution is on the funny side of the paranormal. During the investigation of a weak mystery, Wanda's witchy powers develop, helping in the case of the 'Bottling it.'

The background is Dublin, Ireland. However, I did not get an Irish feeling, but the series is a long one, and maybe in those books, a bit more or the culture will arise.

The characters and background stories are progressive enough to keep the reader interested, moving on to Book 2. The writing was enjoyable, but I did not hear the Irish dialect, making the story more interesting.

If you like a fun cozy mystery series with a twist, this is for you.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/33hFXnV

 

 

Review of RUNNING UNDER SAIL

 

RUNNING UNDER SAIL

A Connie Barrera Thriller

 

CLR DOUGHERTY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Having lived and worked in the Caribbean islands for twenty-six years (List below), I look for reads about places I have been. Mr. Dougherty, with his thrilling series, fills that void. I have read a few of his novels.

Even though this read is 5th in the Connie Barrera series, this adventure story stands alone. You get the Connie and Paul's background with a twist that keeps the reader wanting more.

Sadie's agent charters Connie and Paul's yacht to cruise the Caribbean, running from a past that wants her back and under control.  Because of Sadie's popularity as a jazz singer, that bad element has made headway and bears down on their location.

That criminal element has no idea what they are up against until the last moment. Connie puts on the con to con a con man, and Paul, an ex-cop, calls in favors.

This adventure leads to a thrilling end which builds up throughout the read. RUNNING UNDER SAIL is a nautical term Sadie learns, and the reader will RUN/READ this novel in one sitting - guaranteed.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3gGblV4

 

The list of places I have worked in the Caribbean Hospitality Industry: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Curaçao, Aruba, and Margarita, Venezuela. While there, I traveled to other islands by air or sail.   

Review of HOOKED

 

HOOKED

Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants exploit our Addictions

 

MICHAEL MOSS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

HOOKED is an explosive read that will have your brain spinning. There are no conclusions into why humans are addicted to food, alcohol, or drugs, only expert opinions.

Mr. Moss gives an excellent case that the major food producers manipulate their products' formulas to control human consumption and sales. However, the center of human addictions to food cannot ultimately indict them.

As he notes, paraphrased: Humans have been unwitting conspirators in letting them exploit all the ways that we're drawn to their food. We have a choice as to what we eat, whether it's processed food, i.e., a jar of spaghetti sauce, or cooking it from scratch, as I do.

Mr. Moss cites the use of price, ease of purchase, taste (Salt, Sugar, and Fat) are the ways major food producers control human eating habits. They spend millions to perfect that marketing program to keep humans HOOKED on their product lines.

His case is solid but does not convict those manipulators, in my opinion. HOOKED is full of opinions, as with what you put in your mouth.

HOOKED is a book for THE INQUISITIVE MIND. It is an excellent read that the reader will use and think about it for days.

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

 

Review of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book of Golf

 

'GOLF' HARVEY PENICK'S

     LITTLE RED BOOK

HARVEY PENICK & 

BUD SHRAKER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I found this little jewel of lessons and teachings from Mr. Penick's lifetime in golf by accident. I have been playing golf since I was fourteen and never heard of Harvey.

If you lived in Texas in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s and heard of Davis Love III, Tom Kite, Byron Nelson, Kathy Whitworth, and many others you may have known about Harvey, their instructor.  I had not because I was living, working, and playing golf in the Caribbean during that time with little access to the USA's TV channels.

At the beginning of this book, the above professional golf champions introduce Harvey to the reader. I was surprised that I had not heard of him, and if you're a golfer of that era, you may also have not.

Bud Shrake, an American journalist, sportswriter, and novelist helped Harvey write the rest of this book of golfing advice. I had some of Harvey's lessons in my brain because I was on my high school's golf team.

Our coach was a part-time professional in the '60s. So I knew how to approach the ball, perform my waggle, and hit the ball straight. If you do not know why a 'waggle' is needed, you need this book.

Harvey's advice is extensive; a beginner, a weekend player, or an active golfer should read the book from cover to cover. Two of my playing partners are using Harvey's nuggets of knowledge, and you should use them also.

 

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

Review of FUREY'S WAR

 

FUREY'S WAR

 

T.W. LAWLESS & KAY BELL

Review by Author Roy Murry

My first thought was that this was a memoir of an old soldier: ex-military hero, ex-police Sergeant Furey. After the first chapter where he, at 100, is lying in bed waiting for death, I felt like I was in for a whirlwind of a story, which I got.

The time was World War II. The Yankees were coming to Furey's Catholic-run town in Australia. Where close by, the American's were building a military air-base.

Furey's War is the conflicts in ideologies and norms of the nineteen forties, fifties, and the sixties. As a retired Catholic Baby Boomer, born in 1948, I understand what John Furey lived through as a policeman.

Furey investigates a murder, rape of a young girl, abortion rights, the town's gossip mill, military (Aussie vs. the USA), and a Catholic priest raft with these conflicts daily. Interwoven is the human problem of racism.

That is a mouth full, but T.W. and Kay make the story work where even the Archbishop agrees (Read the story to find out why). Their prose keeps the reader wondering, 'What next could happen?'

I recommend this story to the intelligent reader. There is more to it than the story.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3s5k317

 

Review of KINGS & DAEMONS

 

KINGS & DAEMONS

The Gifted and The Cursed

Book 1

 

MARCUS LEE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Good virus Evil is a tale that is told in many genres. This one happens to be a Fantasy with some unusual twists that gives the Good the upper hand over Evil.

Both sides of the spectrum are gifted in one way or the other.  Maya, a young woman, is the lead character who meets Taran, another gifted person on her way to be prisoned by the evil Witch-King Daleth, who has a different kind of gift.

Maya is the key to the adventure where Taran and his lord Rakan are her protectors, keeping her from getting into Daleth's hands. This journey to freedom has many roadblocks leading to many blood and guts conflicts with daemons, giants, and Daleth's elite Rangers.

Mr. Lee's novel meets all the Fantasy requirements with illusions, magic, faith healing, and flying in one's dreams to another land. It is a good lead-in Book 1 with character development and excellent writing technic that leaves the reader wanting more.

If you like Fantasies, this is for you.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/39DCx2o 416 pages for $.99 on Kindle

 

Review of SUNNY SIDE UP

 

Sunny SIDE UP

A Deadline Cozy Mystery

Book 1

SONIA PARIN

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

 

Between jobs and running away from events, Eve decides to visit her romance author, aunt Mira. Arriving in her aunt's small town, she meets people familiar who welcome her back since she hasn't visited for a while.

Eve spends a couple of nights in her aunt's house alone because her aunt Mira is nowhere to be found. This does not bother Eve nor their town friends since Author Mira goes about her research and writing business away from town.

What does upset the apple cart is Eve finds a dead body in her aunt's kitchen returning from buying groceries. She knows the victim because it's her ex-husband.

Detective Jack begins his investigation after interviewing Eve, telling her not to go anywhere nor butt in. However, Eve and her new friend Jill go about sleuthing.

When they do, the twists and turns are few because the killer is closer than expected. And still, opened is where is her aunt Mira - dead?

Fast, well-written read with fun conversations between the lead characters. This novel is a good lead-in for a series if you like reading them.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3lOCc1s

Review of QUEEN OF KLUTZ

 

QUEEN OF KLUTZ

 

SAMANTHA GARMAN

Sibby Series Book 1

 

Review by 

Author Roy Murry

 

Sibby is her name, and boy is she different. This tongue-in-cheek story focuses on the hilarious misadventures of a young lady trying to find her groove.

This comical relief's dialogue is quick wit with little profanity. She is a klutz, but things happen to her that many people do not experience in a lifetime.

The novel starts with a few scenes that few could handle. It puts her life into a tailspin, and she finds a home as a waitress.

Even though Sibby's propensity for spilling, dropping, tripping, her ability to laugh at herself and make light of each situation leads her to a man.  This develops into a foregone conclusion for romance readers.

That trip has its ups and downs but lands in a comfortable place, leading to an enjoyable ending, unlike most romance novels. Peaches and cream lead into book two of this klutzy series.

The writing was fast-paced, funny, and sometimes ridiculous—a quick, enjoyable read.

Book is Free for Kindle Readers: https://amzn.to/2Q3ZQeB

Review of BLATANT LIES

 

BLATANT LIES

 

PAUL KNOX

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This 110-page thriller went so fast; I could not help myself; I finished it in one sitting.  Mr. Knox keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Newbie Deputy Reece Cannon strangely earns her stripes. She meets a crazy woman by stopping her for a speeding violation.

Jessie, that woman is talking about spies, the CIA, and a conspiracy. One thing leads to another, and Reece contacts her friend, a Lieutenant who speaks one of the spy's languages.

Could it be? There are spies among them. Yes.

Reece's world goes into a fast-paced spin with Jessie in the middle of a trap. How the deadly events that follow explode go so fast the reader will have to slow down and read over the events.

Mr. Knox makes it into my top thriller category for excellence. I will read another of his novels soon. You should too.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3tfjrH6

Review of JUST ONE CHANCE

 

JUST ONE CHANCE

 

BRENNA JACOBS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Young and good-looking Chicagoan Doctor David moves in next door to Avery on affluent Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. She has eyes for Dr. Dave after a few meetings, but she has an on-again, off-again lover, Matt.

Avery is trying to close the deal with Matt. However, he seems to be different from their first go around, and in the relation's voids, she finds Dave refreshing in his lack of social graces. Dave is smitten with Avery.

Dr. Dave inadvertently finds out Matt is not the man he seems to be. A conflict between the two leads to the close destruction of all three's relationships.

This collision course explodes, and all three end up where logic and love prevail. To find out whom romance triumphs, one must read this small tangled web of a story.

A quick and enjoyable read for Romance lovers.

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

 

 

 

Review of LOST CONNECTIONS

 

LOST CONNECTIONS

Why You're Depressed

and How to Find Hope

 

JOHANN HARI

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Having had PTSD since Vietnam, I decided to read this book. My VA psychiatrists thought I was unreasonable because I believe Big Pharma and the Government concerning antidepressants are out to confuse us. Needless to say, I never took any of their pills - long story.

Mr. Hari, in the first half of his dissertation tells how there is no chemical brain imbalance to warrant taking a pill, confirming my knowledge. He explains the biological, psychological, and sociological reasons and solutions for depressions and how people and groups overcame them.

Then, in his cures, he goes rogue by describing a group saving process, which I know is liberal in his devotion and explanation: universal basic income. I have lived on the Seminole Reservation in Hollywood, Florida, for four years with friends. I can honestly say Mr. Hari is delusional with his socialistic justifications for UBI.

I will say, though, Mr. Hari's writing and research through most of the book were well written and to the point. Although to alleviate your depression, I recommend reading any good book with a drink or two and or a dog to pet as part of your cure.

Add meeting with good friends to the equation, and you are on your way to somewhat of a happy life. 

It was my solution.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/30wpomy

 

 

Review of HIDDEN JUSTICE

 

HIDDEN JUSTICE

 

KING & WRIGHT

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

From the beginning of this novel to the end, the reader will believe Mel and Frank, the two main characters, are nuts. Mel is a lady active detective, while Frank is a retired one from the same sheriff's department.

Frank's story is horrendous, and he is searching for closure in his neighbor's homes literally.  Mel believes Frank is the main actor in his crime story, the rest of the department knows Frank, and he could never do what Mel, in her gut, believes.

Both characters know they will prove they are right. Frank, in this delving, comes across events that Mel is certain Frank has committed. She is out to get him for HIS crimes.

Those events come to a deadly conclusion where Frank pulls the trigger. Mel gives him a pass because she realizes his nature is contrary to what she believed.

The writing is fast-paced with thrilling twists and turns at the right moments, keeping the reader engaged.

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

 

Review of REDUCE RANSOM

 

REDUCED RANSOM

Hotshot Series #1

 

MIKE FARICY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Micky and Dell agree to kidnap women. It's is Micky's idea, and he convinces Dell, his friend since childhood.

New at being criminals, a la Mutt and Jeff, and not the sharpish pencils in the box, proceed to kidnap their first woman, Janice. She is the step-daughter of a man who tormented Micky and Dell, when they were young, He is a wealthy criminal type with hidden cash.

The events leading to and after this original kidnapping is not Micky and Dell's control. It leads to them receiving the ransom and Micky finding himself in a romantic situation.

So, the morons, as Janice calls them, commit two more crimes that have near disaster and funny developments. That last kidnap victim's payee is a bonified mafioso and arrives at the payment site with guns blazing.

The explosive ending will have the reader surprised and laughing at the same time. The story does not end there.

To find out why you need to read this well-written comical relief. Mr. Faricy keeps your funny bone alive.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2NpJ34H