Review of WITCH WAY TO MURDER & MAYHEM

WITCH WAY TO

MURDER & MAYHEM

 

JANE HINCHEY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Harper Jones has lost her witches' license and has to return to her hometown to live with her Gran. By circumstances, she buys The Dusty Attic Bookstore, which has a dead body on the first day.

This murder starts the mayhem that includes shifters, ghosts, and other paranormal events. A gorgeous detective investigates the crime while at the same time, Harper sleuths her way into events surrounding it. 

They collide, then come together, discovering an intriguing plot that festered years ago by one of the local shifters. The ending is a surprise to them and even the reader of this fun book.

'WITCH WAY' is book one in a series that hooks the reader with all the correct elements: good writing, well-defined characters, and a colorful open-ended backdrop.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3H9EX7v

Review of THE GENIE ACADEMY

THE GENIE ACADEMY

 

KARIN DE HAVIN

 

Review by Roy Murry

 

An interesting concept put into a novel - a genie college? Edmund's family wants him to be a lawyer.

Their big mistake was hiring a Jin as a tutor, or does the genie pick the family? Whichever, Edmund is in for a life-changing adventure.

What happens in the academy stays in the academy. Edmund learns this and much more.

This fun book keeps the reader laughing about the trials and errors of a young man going to school. He gets in trouble with the headmaster, falls in love, and is taunted by his Genie/Tudor and classmates.

The novel is well constructed for a first in a series for young adults.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3Amfp4I

 

Review of KING OF HEARTS

KING OF HEARTS

 

L. H. Cosway

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I found this story a little overwhelming depressing. Oliver King's life is the center of this romance. Alexis' story is secondary, but she is the glue that brings the relationship together.

King hires Alexis as his assistant because he finds her beautiful and intelligent. Alexis finds the financial world she has entered, where King is King, but he has his demons that are not on the surface.

Their hearts come together on all levels, except he does not explain his hatred for his father. But, when this conflict comes to a head in Part I, "Before," King lets another demon take over their lives.

In Part II, "After," Alexis is the rock that a family foundation is built. King is in a dark cycle where only Alexis's love, friends, and music can bring him back to life.

Coming out of the dark is more challenging than going into it. But, with Alexis's love for King, they will survive. The end is delightful.

L. H. Cosway's writing is crisp and deeply consuming, bringing her characters into a web of love and conflicts a reader will enjoy and may cry a bit.

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

Review of Witchy Reservations

 

WITCHY RESERVATIONS

A Mystic Inn Mystery

 

STEPHANIE DAMORE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

Angelica, who works in a big city hotel, has a witchy background. Her aunt tricks her back to her roots at Mystic Inn in a town full of witches.

When Angie arrives home, life is not what she expected. Aunt Thelma is alive; the Inn is in disarray; within a few days, her aunt kills by using a wand, or does she?

Yes, this storyline is funny but severe to the witches involved. Auntie is arrested, and Angie becomes a witchy sleuth. She turns the town upside down, upsetting many witches with a hilarious twist.

This first book, in a series, has all the ingredients - characters, location, and wide-open areas to develop new mysteries.

Therefore, I recommend buying this series if you like fun with witches.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3f1ZNJy

 

Review of Pinch of Commitment

Pinch of Commitment

 

JEAN ORAM

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This Ethan and Lily novel is a typical boy next door best friend story of them growing up. Each character has hard luck becoming an adult story to tell within the main one. Finally, they come together as adults into a contract.

To save headaches and money, they marry. Lily gets Ethan's restaurants, Ethan gets to do what he wants in high tech. Both their pasts collide and haunt them in a tangled web of love and greed.

This book stands alone if you have read the first in the series. Well-written, the story seems to make sense but is highly unlikely generally in our society today.

A little bit of romance goes a long way as a deceiver in Ms. Oram's series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3H7yDgq

Review of DEFENDING INNOCENCE

 

DEFENDING INNOCENCE

Small Town Lawyer - Book One

 

PETER KIRKLAND

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

This courtroom drama has a good storyline that kept me turning the pages. Mr. Kirkland's main characters will hold up in a series.

The pace was quick and to the point, with a thrilling ending that I did not expect. Leland Munroe is a lawyer on a shoestring budget who takes a case because of his relationship with his young client's mother.

While waiting for the trial to begin, Leland and his investigator Terri ruffle a few feathers in the small town. But, what they uncover will turn their murder case around in a deadly way.

The story is exciting and well written. Defending Innocence is an excellent book-one leading into a series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3e1yu1J

Review of The Haunting of Hattie Hasting

 

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings

 

AUDREY DAVIS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

If you believe in ghosts and life after death or don't, you will enjoy this story of Hattie and her dead husband, Gary. As friends call her, Hats gives a hilarious account of Gary popping in and out of her earth's work-a-day life.

Gary is sent to earth to resolve some problems but is unclear about what they are. Cat, 'Hats and Gary's' friend, gets the privilege of seeing and hearing the ghost of Gary, also.

You may or may not get the drift, but this is a relationship theme novel. Of course, as a reader, you will want to get to the end with all intriguing associations tied up in a pretty package. But in this tale, they are all not.

This haunting is not horrific but a pleasantly written, fun journey about a ghostly interloper. I am delighted to have found this book.

It's a good read. Purchase: https://amzn.to/3rOETVT

 

Review of A RECIPE FOR LOVE

 

NICOLA YEAGER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

DELICIOUS is a word to describe A RECIPE FOR LOVE. This novel set off endorphins in my mind when reading about the Christmas menu prepared at Carol's Bistro.

 Ms. Yeager is either a French Chef or has done excellent research in writing this fun novel. According to their accountant, Carol and her partner, Roksana, own a Bistro in London that needs an uplift.

But it's Christmas time, which for Carol is a time for a lover's depression moment. So, she cooks dinner for her mother to explain the situation and then listens to her reply - In this case, 'mother knows best.'

Carol gives into a Christmas affair with Roksana and their staff. The games begin with the Bistro, menu, and all. The transition is hilarious to read about, and if you are a foodie – DELICIOUS.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3daW6An

 

Review of Book 1 in Poppy McGuire Series

  

 

THE ELEVENTH HOUR

The Poppy McGuire Series

 

ANNA COLLINS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Poppy is a grown-up Nancy Drew, except her father owns the only bar in town. She teams up with a town outsider, Alex, a young retired detective.

A wealthy woman is strangled in her home, and the police believe it is a robbery. Poppy disagrees, believing that the person who killed her was someone the woman knew.

The case moves in Poppy's direction when a neighbor mentions that a man came to the murdered woman's door in the eleventh hour a few nights a week and the night in question.

Poppy and Alex investigate further when she thinks it's one person and Alex has his doubts. Unfortunately, the killer is closer than they think when a deadly event happens to them.

This novel is personality-driven with Poppy, the narrator. A little too detailed for me, but it works with uncomplicated writing.

Poppy will get better at investigating in the series, and I will most likely read another in it. Good Read first in a mystery series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3o1rzuU

 

Review of THE LONG CASE CLOCK

THE LONG CASE CLOCK

 KEN FRY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

A fast-paced thriller you should read if you dare to. A marriage is broken by circumstance - money, and personality.

The couple goes on a trip and rents a house. A villager tells the man, "Things are not right with that house."

He laughs inside and returns to the house to cook a great meal for his ungrateful wife, sightseeing. Then, finally, the clock comes alive and psychologically takes over the man.

The slow pace to the end is a killer.

This snippet of Ken Fry's writing will entice the reader to buy one of his novels. It has for me.

 

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/3FzNLCA

Ken Fry: https://amzn.to/2ZbRdnq

 

Review of Shadow Play

SHADOW PLAY

Book 1 The Fea Games Series

An Urban Romance

 

JILL RAMSOWER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

With a B.S in Art, Rebecca is at a dead-end job in New City, living with her best friend, Ashely. All changes when her dream job opens up at the Ulster Museum in Belfast, Ireland. They travel to Ireland to check it out.

Rebecca's life unravels into something she could not phantom from day one to end this Feary journey. A necklace around her neck, which she never takes off, is the key to her dilemmas - she is a Fea?

In this journey, characters define the happenings of a world within a world. Two Fea men are trying to screw her mind and body.

To call this an Urban Romance is a misnomer. There is no romance in this novel. However, there is an image of it from Becca.

Ms. Ramsower's writing is fun to read because of its imaginary factor. If you as a reader enjoy fantasy, I recommend the series.

However, fantasy is not my cup of tea.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3oE5kdM

 

The Dying Citizen

 

THE DYING CITIZEN

 

VICTOR DAVIS HANSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

THE DYING CITIZEN is the third book (Check the book list of Blog) that I have read by Mr. Hanson because I enjoy expanding my intellect as limited as it is. You should also if you care about the USA and by participating as a citizen.

Victor Davis' development of a historic citizen, leading to what a USA citizen presently is, brings up questions the reader will mull over in his mind. His composition flows through six chapters of detailed information many have forgotten but will recognize.

From peasant citizen to bureaucrat of Roman to the USA's present situation of government leaders wanting us to be part of a Globalist society, this book leaves the reader in a dilemma - figuratively revolute or not. Use every means possible to engage with our Washington politicians.

Mr. Hanson's explanations define clearly with observational writing as to where the present USA citizen is today. You do not have to be a Ph.D. in history or psychology to understand where he stands as a citizen.

The reader will need to decide if you are A DYING CITIZEN and want to do something about it.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3n9l9tt

 

 

Reiview of THE AURA

 

THE AURA

 

CARRIE BEDFORD

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I rate this paranormal mystery at the top half of my read ratings as far as mysteries go. The read has some good elements, mainly Kate, but falls short on the suspense side.

Kate's reading of auras is the central item driving the story based in England. However, I did not get the 'English Feel' in this story that I have felt in other novels backgrounded there.

The book is the first in a series and gives the reader a reason to move on to book two. Kate is developing her abilities in understanding her auras and could lead to interesting situations.

Lastly, the storyline was different, making it somewhat enjoyable, so that I may go on and read another in this eight-book series. You should read one of Carrie's books during a vacation.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/31eendq