Review of IN THE COMPANY OF MEN

IN THE COMPANY OF MEN

CAROLYN FINCH

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This story is about the 1900s and women's rights. Etta, an outspoken female, is looking for a position as a teacher simultaneously as a male.

Many in the town would like a man in the position. However, she gets the job with the protest of a school board member - a male chauvinist pig, who continuously further tries to get her fired after Etta is hired.

Her family's position keeps her from fighting back until she gets support from Mr. Nash, who likes her from the beginning and dislikes the chauvinist. Problems begin when the pig asks in public to see if she has two petticoats on, which is a rule of importance.

This and being IN THE COMPANY OF MEN led to the missing of another teacher he harassed. Not courting was another rule of employment; however, the undercurrent of one between Mr. Nash and Etta is brewing.

The drama ends when an unlikely person confesses to the crime.

The writing, the characters, and the prose were excellent. The only fault was the length of this story.

Good Read. Purchase: https://amzn.to/3CRqiOR

Review of Bewitching Bedlam

BEWITCHING BEDLAM

YASMINE GALENORN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This is a fun novel from the beginning, with all the different kinds of mystic beings, including witches, vampires, shifters, satyrs, and others. Maddy, a witch, has returned to BEDLAM to open a B&B and is living with a vampire named Aegis.

Rose, a witch, is murdered; vampires are in the middle of a coup; the witches have a traitor in their coven are a few of the happenings in BEDLAM. BEDLAM is a war zone that ends with a fire that eliminates the bedlam for now.

This novel is the first in a New York Times Best-Selling Author series. The community of characters is engaging, leading the reader into the second book in the series.

 

Excellent and exciting read.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3RttC6K

 

Review of HOW WE DIE

HOW WE DIE

Reflections on Life's

Final Chapter

 

SHERWIN B. NULAND

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'The dignity we seek in dying must be found in the dignity with which we have lived our lives,' Dr. Nuland writes in the epilogue.

He describes his reflections on the process of a human's death in heart-wrenching and mind-provoking individual stories.

When reading them, everyone will think about their mortality. I did, and I am grateful for it.

Dr. Nuland outlines how the human mind and body cope with the heart's dysfunction, cancer growth, and trauma when confronted. He includes in these situations how the patient, doctors, and specialists' relationships progress to the end of a human's life.

The reading pace was, at times, slow because of Dr. Nuland's detail in explaining disease origins; however, the Inquisitive Mind will enjoy the critical information.

I highly recommend this book.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3r245H6

Review of AFTER THE NIGHT

after the night

SANDRA MARIE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

A dorky woman, Cassidy, and a shy doctor, Jon, work for the same clinic. But unfortunately, they don't approach each other because of office circumstances.

Masked at an office Halloween party, they are hot for each other. Losing her contact lenses, she is blind and drunk, but not enough to go all the way. However, enough that she has no idea who he is.

Here is where the cat and mouse games begin. Who can the man be, Steve, Jack? However, Jon knows who Cassidy and he is falling in love.

This Romance novel hits all the keys in the song and dance story. It's a quick and funny read.

 

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

Review of CORAL SEA AFFAIR

CORAL SEA AFFAIR

DREW LINDSAY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Much is going on in this first book in a series with the main character Ben Hood. He is a hardnose suspended Australian detective working for a private firm.

Hood, a man for all seasons a la James Bond, is tasked with protecting USA movie stars, one of whom he has loved from afar via movies. They will film the movie in the corals off an island where the owner of a Chinese mafia lives, unbeknown to the crew and Hood's security.

The island's owner is up to nefarious endeavors and will use deadly force to protect his enterprise. But unfortunately, his men go too far in their job execution, and Hood goes into action.

Ben Hood's abilities bring this thriller to an earth-shaking landing. In addition, Lindsay's writing is above par, with some romance interwoven into the story with the women around Ben.

 

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

Review of MYSTIC PIECES

MYSTIC PIECES

Book 1, Shady Grove Mysteries

ADA BELL

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

While looking for a job, Aly finds out at the "Missing Pieces" store that she has psychic powers after putting on a ring. A man argues with Olive in front of Aly.

Later that man is dead. From this point, Aly becomes a novice detective, trying to get her new Olive out of jail.

A newbie to Shady Grove and believes Olive is innocent, Aly upsets most people in town, including the Sheriff, with her newfound investigative/psychic ability. She doesn't always get it right, but the ending is worth the reader's wait when she does.

A well-written and enjoyable first book in a series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3qF5qn3

Review of VACUUMING IN THE NUDE

VACUUMING IN THE NUDE

Peggy Rowe

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I will not lie to my readers. This book is too hyped for its content.

Yes, the prose is well written, and some of the stories are funny; hilarious is not the word I would use, as some wrote in reviews. In addition, Peggy's storyline is clarified with age-appropriate short stories - about her age.

In one short story, a person vacuums naked. But, of course, funny depends on one's opinion. Young people will have a hard time understanding.

All in all, it was a good read, not a great one as advertised.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3q3CggP

Review of INSIDER JUSTICE

INSIDER JUSTICE

 

DENNIS CARSTENS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Slim and corruption in Washington, D.C., what a concept? Carstens takes this and adds two insider stock trading schemes and multiple murders, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats.

He connects the dots through a maze of twists and turns, finding at the end that the investigators started with the wrong premise. The group comes together to investigate a lifetime criminal who heads the schemes protecting them by murdering interferers.

The story is fast-paced and well written. Legal jargon is clarified during and after a Marc Kadella client's trial, leading to the real killer.

The ending is an unconventional one. The reader will be content to read another Marc Kadella Legal Mystery.

 

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

 

Review of TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

A Center Stage Love Story, Act One

 

KATHRYN R. BIEL

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Gloria describes a situation, then Grayson. She is in a psychological dilemma, and he is in a family theatrical one.

For the better, Gloria's mental situation is changing by working for Grayson to complete repairs needed so his family's theater and meetings with her new therapist. Likewise, Grayson's life is changing because of Gloria's resourcefulness.

There lingers between them unmentionables even though they get along well working together and falling for each other. Finally, their situations come to a head; almost everything comes to an end.

The surprise ending of this romance will lead the reader to "Act Two."

 Purchase: https://amzn.to/3pwrTBU

                             

 

Review of TRAFFICKING

TRAFFICKING

(Powell Book 1)

BILL WARD

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Sex trafficking is a global human problem. Mr. Ward places his story of a challenge to combat it in London against a Romanian mob.

Afina is delivered to Brighton as a sex slave under false pretenses and presents a problem for her captive. Powell, who is out to get revenge, collides with Afina's world.

He goes undercovers to meet her. At this point, Powell puts his plan into action. And thrilling action the reader will get.

At any given point in TRAFFICKING, Powell's plan and Afina's actions will lead to a few calamities. 

However, they avoid total disaster in their efforts, and the ending is encouraging with a cavitate that will bring the reader back for Book 2 in this series.

The writing is high quality and fast-paced, with cliff-ending twists and turns.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3QMVy5D

 

Review of NOT MY FIRST RODEO

NOT MY FIRST RODEO

 

KRISTI NOEM

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I have written one, but I have never read an autobiography until now after seeing Kristi Noem in an interview. She piqued my interest.

The story she weaves of her and her family's life will have you crying, laughing, thinking, and reviewing your own life. The strength she acquired growing up on a farm in South Dakota is inspiring.

"Burning Daylight" is a built psychic ability she learned from her father and her faith from both parents. In other words, get things done today and put your faith in God to do the right thing.

It does not matter what political party you align with; this is not a political book of theories. Instead, I believe Kristi wrote this to inspire people to think and pray on a matter before leaping into the unknown.

I am convinced.

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

 

Review of BLUEWATER PAYBACK

 

BLUEWATER PAYBACK

CLR Dougherty

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I have read several of Mr. Dougherty's novels, which are thrilling adventures in the Caribbean. The ship Vengeance moves around the islands, and a little nautical information is interwoven into the story.

The author slowly lays the groundwork, builds on it, and gives the reader a surprising ending. The twist and turns keep the reader wondering what will happen next.

In Bluewater, he does that and more. A con is on, and no one, including Dani and Liz, owners of the Vengeance, is pulled into it.

Unraveling the plot will keep the reader involved, as I was. Slow at the beginning, this novel pace moves fast to an explosive ending for one of the bad guys.

Well, worth the read.

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

 

The Body on the Barstool

THE BODY ON THE BARSTOOL

A Top Shelf Mystery

 

LOLLI POWELL

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This cozy mystery has all the bells and whistles of a good mystery. The characters are fun and loveable, including Jasper the cat.

 Ricki returns to her hometown to take over an inherited bar, Top Shelf. A week into her management, a dead body is on a barstool.

She is suspect because of her relationship with the corpse. Here, the fun begins with twists and turns the reader will not see coming.

When the storm settles at the end, Ricki may return to New York or stay with a new Top Shelf mystery. Barstool is an excellent lead into a series.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3PLKCF5