Review of CRIMSON

Crimson

C. G. Blade

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Conspiracies have been abounding since JFK's murder. They have multiplied over the years into all realms of conjecture. When a real one exists, will we recognize it?

It is 2076, Blade's heroine of book one of his trinity series, Petra, a Cobalt semi- A.I., comes out of a four-month state of rehabilitation to find herself confronted with a Conspiracy against the USA. Who or what is behind it?

The North American Continent is being attacked by numerous disasters that scientifically is not explainable. Petra is given the task to get to the root of the problem.

With her new programming including a humor side, she and Ter, her computer counterpart, confront the evil attacking the American way of life. In that confrontation, Crimson, another semi- A.I. and a company of characters have become an enemy that is formidable.

The battle is on an international scale and me, the reader, marveled at the ingenuity of the weaponry. The exciting result appeases me for a moment until learning that it was not what it seemed to be.

The caveat is set to entice the reader to want more of the action, characters, historical notes, the humor, and the battle against a Conspiracy.

A great transition for this Trinity to keep the reader interested. Cobalt set the stage for this Sci-Fi Thriller.  My review: http://bit.ly/2t37BVC

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FUDGERY

FUDGERY

Vonda Norwood

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

If you are an author or a would-be writer or even an avid reader, FUDGERY will tickle your funny bone. What we writers go through to become semi-famous, famous, or just to have people read our books is overwhelming.

In FUDGERY, Ms. Norwood protagonist Irma is exalted to the position of Publicist of a small publishing company because of her so-called internet popularity. She sold six books. It is what she knows is essential, according to the publisher.

Irma's first job is to take a few authors to a book convention. Here is where the funny storm begins. It begins with a not so luxury bus she drives to pick up the authors and ends at the climax of a comedy parody that, if not for its length, could be a skit on Saturday Night Live.

The authors on the journey are unique to their genre and play their roles. Irma is the conductor spouting the publisher's axioms, alone will give the reader many chuckles.

The story is fast-paced, funny, and one sitting read. I read it twice for enjoyment. I am a published author, after all.

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Review of the American Spirit

DAVID McCULLOUGH's

The AMERICAN SPIRIT

Who We Are and What We Stand For

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The American Spirit is the second book of McCullough that I have read. The first was John Adams.

History books for many of us are not what we pick up at the bookstore initially. We buy fictional novels mostly as Americans.

However, people tell stories, and that is history. I read because I like stories. Therefore, I purchase a history book or based on history novel every once in a while. You should do that too if I were so bold in noting.

Here, McCullough tells stories in the form of speeches to people including graduates at various universities in the United States. His accounts of the men who help develop what we now call our Republic will inspire the reader to care more about our country.

David chronicles history, some of which I knew being from Massachusetts and others that I was unaware of their existence. Many reading this enjoyable book  will learn history without drudgery interesting, usable facts.

I will be reading another of David McCullough's books. You should try one, starting with The American Spirit.

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Review of SILENT FEAR

SILENT FEAR

(A novel inspired by true crimes)

Lance & James MORCAN

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

A school of higher learning for the deaf is the background for this thriller that keeps the reader looking in the wrong direction for a house serial killer. When one person is murdered, an English police detective is brought in to evaluate the situation.

Before her team arrives to get the forensics, the United Kingdom, and the University she just walked into is quarantine because of a pandemic. The cold outside world, literally and figuratively, is militarily closed to the people inside and outside a six-story building that has four hundred plus people including detective Valerie Crowther.

Valerie is partially picked for the job because she knows British Sign Language and her being a no-nonsense crime solver. Moreover, this should have been a case easy to solve.

However, she is cut off from any external help needed to do proper police work confined in a building full of panicked student, faculty, and daytime workers. To top this off, another murder expires a second and then another.

The criminal is within the building. How hard can 'He or she' be found? The rollercoaster ride Valerie, her boss, the school's Chancellor and nurse go through in fighting a Monkey Flu and trying to figure out who's the killer at the same time is daunting.   

The MORCAN's writing kept me on the edge of my seat with an atypical and surprisingly gratifying ending which cleaned the slate for Valerie. Just the conclusion was worth the ride.

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Review: A Wizard of Dreams

A Wizard of Dreams

(Myrddin's Heir Book 1)

ROBIN CHAMBERS

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Gordon is a special boy, who has a gut feeling or an 'imaginary friend' Zack go on adventures that are informative, mysterious, and educational. This book is not a one storyline novel.

There are individual interesting stories that show and enhance Gordon's growth as a child towards adulthood. His friend Zack helps Gordon to reach his goals during dreams and on daily encounters.

As a grandfather, I can see myself reading these stories to my grandchildren connecting the dots between each, leading to helping them develop a character as Gordons. The only concern is when Gordon will let Zack go and move through on his own, which we may find out in other books in the series.

Book 1 is a functional lead for the future books. The characters are colorful, engaging, and detailed.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2AeHCNK

Review of BAD BLOODS

BAD BLOODS

November Rain

Shannon A Thompson

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I always loved the name Serena; and enjoyed the movie of the same name many times. In this Young Adult novel, the protagonist Serena is running away from commitment, whereas the other ran towards it.

A bit on the morbid side of life where the Bad Bloods, young adults, are outcasts because of their unique DNA. Their lives are in jeopardy unless the world accepts their being in a national election.

There are similar tribes, groups, which are in the same situation but do not meet on common ground to fight for their rights. This void is where Serena comes in accidentally.

Mysterious rendezvouses with another group's male member after running from the cops to save her life blends into an intrigue that will keep the reader interested.  However, the meetings become a little tedious but are needed to keep the story going.

Ms. Thompson's writing is simple to the point and easy to read. It is a good lead in the series, leaving the reader wanting to know what happens next in Serena's life.

In the movie Serena, there was a happy ending. This Serena's life is on shaky ground going forward.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2zP7gth

Review of Four Play

Four Play

Cindy Blackburn

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

A murder takes place outside in a High School parking lot at night. The victim is a teacher laying in an unusual position on a car.

The car belongs to Jessie, Romance Author, pool shark, and fiancé of the police chief, albeit all funnily are on shaky ground. She is ruled out as the killer, because one, she let a young friend of hers use it to go to that night's dance at the school, and two her beau is the head cop and knows her better than anyone.

From this point, Jessie and her friends go sleuthing to the chagrin of her soon to be married lover's desires. The dialog of the characters is humorist and telling, leading to some strange confrontations.

Little by little, Jessie puts the crime line into perspective taking the center of the investigation and directing towards the right reason for the murder which is sick. However, all doesn't fall into place until the exciting ending.

If you want to laugh, delve into a good mystery, and enjoy some likable characters, Ms. Blackburn has the formula you want to read. This novel is my second of hers I have read this year for the fun of it, six in total over the last four years.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2hAYW8L

Review of ONCE I WAS A SOLDIER

Once I Was A Soldier

Daniel Kemp

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The way people are brought up and the way they treat others in their growth will build their character. Melissa Iverson's silver-spoon upbringing, her little maternal influences, and her non-conforming to her father's dying wishes produce a young adult woman who is self-involved, caring little for others.

When wealthy world traveler Melissa meets Terry, an undercover British intelligence service officer, her life becomes more confusing than it was. She never met a person like Terry. His mysterious being and his secret mission collide with her endeavors, including a maniac who is communicating to her that he will torture and kill her.

International events jump between the United Kingdom, Italy, and the USA, involving spy manipulators, a Presidential hopeful, and sexual encounters of Terry and Melissa and each with others. The interwoven involvements of those characters are what dives this thrilling novel to its end that the reader will want more to read.

I think there will be more from how Mr. Kemp wrote the last chapters. I have read a few of Danny's books and the reason I go back for more - He writes exciting and enjoyable novels.

Well done; purchase at https://amzn.to/37bc1cV

Review of Shine On

Shine On

Allison Jewell

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

During the USA prohibition of alcohol, strange bedfellows came together to give the drinking public what they wanted - a stiff drink at the end of the day's work or just anytime. It also pitted law-abiding people and casual homegrown moonshiners against the law and criminals.

It sounds complicated, and it was the reason those laws didn't work. It's also why Ms. Jewell's protagonist Emmie, a young Southern innocent lady, ended up in a calamity of events she otherwise wouldn't have.

She was in the midst of a gang warfare without knowing it after her step-father was found dead; she finds a still on their property, and moonshine in a closet. Being a trusting and naive person, Emmie confides in her friends, one of which becomes her lover and, unknown to her, a purveyor of illegally distilled drinks at local joints.

The wooing process of Em and Silas turns into who trust who in the deadly game of supply and demand of liqueur in her hometown. Em's best friend, Ava from the wealthy side of town plays an integral part in both Emmie's and Silas actions until he takes charge of the game.

Allison Jewell has put together a plausible situation with historical background juxtaposed into the prose. The story keeps the reader interest in the characters whom I presume will continue in Jewell's next novel, Book #2 in the Shine On Series, another must read.

Purchase:     http://amzn.to/2zlo21N

Review of the negotiator

the negotiator

AVERY FLYNN

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

A wealthy CEO of his family's company, Sawyer, and Clover, a beautiful looking traveler of the world who doesn't make commitments meet in an unusual set up which leads to a negotiation immediately. Every meeting of the two after becomes minuets - individual dances to know each other even though their newly written contract says otherwise.

As an employee, Clover has a peculiar position where her talents endear her to Sawyer. Although Clover is waiting for the completion of the contract to be free from her responsibility, her relationship with Sawyer gets complicated in a way neither of them expected.

So, they negotiate that sexual endeavor that moves from fun to a hot, complicated emotional joining of their minds and bodies. And, this becomes another negotiating point of no return.

Although she is not happy with the union from the beginning, Sawyer's mother is pushing him to do the right thing by marrying a woman of his pedigree who will get Sawyer out of his business shell. Meeting with Clover, she is amazed at how the young lady changed her son - to her pleasure.

Of course, this leads to another negotiation in this fun twisting novel Ms. Flynn has written. Sometimes sexually hot, this fast-paced story was enjoyable to read.

Purchase:   http://amzn.to/2yznN3j

Review of THE WILL

THE WILL

Benjamin Laskin

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Where there's a WILL, there's a way, is an appropriate lead-in for this review. Also, "Old School" vs. "Snowflakes" can be applied.

Jose, a young man, who has been living off his father's wealth all his life, comes to a turning point when his father dies. At the reading of the WILL, Jose put in a position he never thought he would be - he must overcome his laziness to receive the benefits of his father's hard work in two years.

Life's lessons, Jose miss-understood when growing up, he must learn to enjoy the fruits of the WILL. At first, he complains until put into a near-death position himself.

Making the turn towards reality, Jose confronts the tasks he must complete to live the life he wants. He muddles through with the help from unlikely sources (A Mexican chief, a man in a cast, a young girl with a medical problem, a Japanese fighter, a nurse, and others) that leads him to a new reality of why we are here on earth.

This novel conveys lessons we should all learn. One I like is "Readers are Leaders."

The prose is easy to follow with some exciting twists in events that lead the reader to believe in something higher than ourselves. The story is well interwoven with faith and reality.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2zaBwdx

Review of THE LAWYER

THE LAWYER

John Ellsworth

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The twist and turns in this legal thriller will have your head spinning. Michael Gresham, the series protagonist lawyer, defends a low life in a murder case with one judge on the bench and another, the victim's husband in the courtroom.

To top this off his brother, a well-known lawyer, is a missing person with an international problem which has involved Michael in a deadly incident. And the reader, to the conclusion of the novel, is trying to figure out who is attempting to kill who.

Attorney Gresham's brother appears with a show-stopping evidence to put Mexican corporate people away, costing them money and time.  This confrontation leads to murder, kidnapping, and an uphill battle that conflates with Michael's original case.

This novel is a well-written introduction to a series. The characters are well defined, the story-line leaves the readers with items they might care to follow, and the courtroom drama is compelling and should continue.

Purchase at: http://amzn.to/2yjdSPd

Review of FEMME FATALE

FEMME FATALE

DOMINIC PIPER

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Classy good-looking bastard would be one way a woman would describe Piper's protagonist London's, PI Daniel Beckett. He is a charmer, using his wit to get the point across.

Beckett is out on a date and hears a sound that sends him into action. The result is a non-stop whirlwind of investigative intrigue. His physical abilities and exceptional aptitude get him in and out of trouble.

A burlesque irresistibly attractive woman is the center of his investigation into a missing person case, and a Chinese Femme Fatale is the liaison between Beckett and his Soho client. Throughout the novel, there are many erotic women, but only one has him baffled to the end.

Mr. Piper has written a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. At the end of each chapter, you'll be wondering what will come next to the point of thinking - WTF.

What you think will come next, will not. The story and the prose keep you attentive, written at a good pace. I read it in two sittings and will look forward to reading another shortly.

Purchased: https://amzn.to/36eFhzz

Review of THE SMEAR

The SMEAR

How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News

CONTROL What You See, What You Think and

                     HOW YOU VOTE.

Sharyl Attkisson

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Long Nose Pete is what we called him as a kid because he told our group of friends a fib. That name still sticks today. That is a smear. He no longer lies. At least we do not think he does.

In Ms. Attkisson's THE SMEAR, name-calling and nitpicking is blown-out of proportion for political and monetary gain. It does not matter which party is doing it; the process is eating away at the USA's Republic and upsetting the world order as to what is truthful information given to the public.

Ms. Attkisson proves her points by explaining the ins and outs of what happened in the psychological warfare of the 2016 Presidential election in the USA - the generating of falsehoods (Smears) and how operatives format them confusing the public with near truths and lies. Using the present-day conventual media, responding to these conjectures, they made small items into front-page bullshit that looks like the real thing.

Take these presumptions to add into the mix applied confusion on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Blogs, the parties promoting a falsehood can be a disaster for the object of THE SMEAR. Countermeasures put in place but in most instances too late to offset THE SMEAR which continues to live.

Ms. Attkisson's, with twenty-one years of work for CBS news in numerous journalistic positions, gives us uninformed an education that may change our minds as to what is the truth behind the platitudes we read or hear on a daily basis - BEWARE.

The writing was excellent and easy to follow for any novice of THE SMEAR.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/392seST

Review of TIPPING POINT

TIPPING POINT

(Project Renova Book 1)

TERRY TYLER

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

How people react to a catastrophe that pits human against human for survival brings out the best and the worst in them. Add to this a devious plot, and you have this gripping novel that Ms. Tyler has given us.

She develops her numerous characters so that you'll remember them going into a short series most will enjoy. The leading character is a mum, Vicky, who wants to protect her teenager, Lottie, from the events surrounding a pandemic.

With the help of her lover Dex, Vicky overcomes a major hurdle that keeps her and her daughter alive in a cruel world where people are fighting for the bare minimum amenities to go on. Having been separated from Dex for a time, Vicky, and Lottie go searching for him at some safe house miles from their militarily controlled hometown.

Their adventure begins, leading to trials and errors that confront them, without the use of our modern gadgets we use today: TV and Internet service, iPhones, Computers, electricity, clean water, etc. You get the point. They find little security and maybe a future.

You'll have to read this book to see if they and Dex have a future together, which I will do in my future.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2fAHdJK

  

Review of NO EXIT

NO EXIT

TAYLOR ADAMS

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

We don’t know what we are made of until we are confronted with a life threating event. From 7:39 p.m. until 6:22 am, Darby, a young college student on her way to visit her mother in the hospital, is stranded on a highway visitor’s stop because of a major snowstorm.

She is confronted with a predicament that we all find repulsive, a kidnapping of a child. The problem is who did it, how to face the criminal, and how she can save the child in the cage.

From the moment Darby enters the small building at the stop, the challenges begin. One after another, the confrontations get deadlier. Darby’s makes many errors when communicating with the people involved and seems to always land on her two feet each time, literally.

The twists and turns are well placed that the reader will think the end has arrived for Darby, but the criminals underestimated her resolve. Others would have given up in their quest, but not little Darby. Will she die for her cause?

Mr. Adams did an excellent job developing the characters, plot, and pace of this heart stopper. You should read this or one of his other novels.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2jjvCn1