Review of IMMORTAL KISS

IMMORTAL KISS

LAURA DALEO

Review by Roy Murry, Author

While I raided the kitchen, Philippe prowled the streets in search of human blood... Beth love has no boundaries, LOL.  A human, she is in love with a vampire.

His mist was around all her life. Or was it? His and her transfers into something they allow to happen because of an infatuation is a story of a romance that is deadly.

Of course, as a human, I laughed at the vampire and human relationship they had, but the writing was well thought out and enjoyable. Ms. Daleo characters are colorful and set up for a sequel.

The storyline has twists and turns that keep the reader wanting more. In the end, you are sucked into the next level of Beth and Philippe's relationship to be able to love each other without vampire turmoil.

Well Done. Purchase: https://amzn.to/36dbS8P

Schultz's Story

From the Ground Up

HOWARD SCHULTZ

Review by Roy Murry, Author

When I read, I like to be entertained or learn something. I didn't enjoy Mr. Schultz's history lesson about Starbucks.

I do not know what I expected, but the chronicles of a company and its CEO is what I got. The story went deep into his management style which shows he does have the ability to start a company and bring it to fruition. To run the USA is another question.

He makes his points but embellishes on each way too much to the near boredom. Other than that, the writing was easy to follow, and the story is somewhat unusual.

I admit though; I did not finish the story because of what I just stated.  I started to read 'From the Ground UP' because of Mr. Schultz's claim that he may run for President of the United States of America.

It was my error reading his book, and his mistake if he runs for President as an Independent candidate.

Purchase, if you wish to know Mr. Schultz: https://amzn.to/2QaV0Km

Review of Too Close for Comfort

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

Peggy A. Edelheit

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I read another Samantha Jamison Mystery to enjoy the characters, which I always do. Three senior women, Sam, and a man trying to understand the goings-on of two younger women who have appeared into Sam's life and a strange letter found in her car.  

The letter states a ten-year-old event in Sam's life she doesn't remember completely.  A 'burial' is in the notes which Sam's group canoes over to her old rental property to identify.  Is someone dead or is something else going on?

This mystery snowballs from this point into an unlikely conclusion. Sam's group, as usual, gets into hot water at times. Reading the turmoil is fun and exciting.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2F7ZpqX

Review of 10 DATES

10 DATES

Emily James

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Joanie, known in the novel as FOUR, has problems with her roommate Chris. He leaves to New York from London to find his future without her - the background story.

Because of the circumstances and her best friend Melinda's concerns, Joanie agrees to go on ten dates that Melinda has set up for her. These dates are when the fun begins. 

However, another person who is hot becomes a distraction - SIX.

FOUR and SIX refer to Joanie and his apartment number. The closeness and their bumping into each other become too close for comfort - love is in the air or is it just SEX.

Joanie and her friends, Melinda, and Mikey (Not Melinda's husband) are 'family.' The way SIX intermingles with the dates and the group is funny and enjoyable.

Emily James has put together a fun book - the characters are well defined, and the chatter, sarcasm, of them all, keep the story moving at a good pace. It's a one sitting read.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2S5Y39i

Review of FACTFULLNESS

FACTFULLNESS

Hans Rosling with

Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Ronnlund

Review by Roy Murry, Author

After passing away from cancer Hans' family, Ola and Anna published this exciting book, written by Hans, about why people are wrong about their conception of the world and the facts they misconstrue. Hans' gives the reader much to think about in the way he presents his FACTS.

He uses a number of the four-level scale of human groupings to give the reader a new conception of the world around us - poverty to wealth. One example is the poorest use their fingers (Level 1) to brush teeth while the wealthy use power run toothbrushes (Level 4). 

He notes that there is no room for facts when fear and prejudices occupy our people's minds - we and them ideologies.  "...the simple and beautiful idea of equality can lead to a simplistic idea that all problems are caused by inequality, which we should always oppose; and that the solution to problems is the redistribution of resources, which we should always support," is Rosling's solution to the health wealth of the world.

The resolve of how this world solution can be put into practice is the crux of Hans' 'FACTFULNESS.'   The reader may agree with him or not, but he sets forth some challenges we all can understand even if it is not in our powers to change them.

This book is an intellectual read for the none intellectual. Worth the read to know more about the world

Purchase: 

https://amzn.to/2Fb6Pdb

Review of Flavia's Secret

FLAVIA'S Secret

LINSAY TOWNSEND

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Flavia is a young Celtic slave during a time when Rome ruled the world, 204 AD. Her master is a Lady who dies of strange circumstances and a Roman male, Marcus, comes from Rome to rule the house.

Beauty and intelligent, the Roman desires her, which presents many problems. Flavia and Marcus mentally entangle, and their words conflict with their desires, but life 'moves on' in a city on the sight of hot springs in what is now England.

An intriguing subplot interferes with the relation leaving doubts in both their minds of each other's true feelings. Both have hurdles of faith to overcome to reach an amicable ending.

Flavia's confrontation with the Roman mayor of the city in the City's Bath brings everything to a head which the reader of Romantic novels will enjoy to the end of this well-written novel.

I read a few of Ms. Townsend's novels, and I can say she has never disappointed me with her writing. She brings the pass into her endeavors which I love.

Purchase: 

https://amzn.to/2Qyl4hs

Review of 1984

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          1984

GEORGE ORWELL

Review by Roy Murry, Author

English novelist Orwell's dystopian novel published as Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1984, in the year 1949. I first read the book in college as a project for my Literature course in 1973.

I decided to reread the Orwellian future to compare his account with the existing world order. Orwellian actions are used various times when uneducated talking heads on the TV refer to activities by some countries' leaders or their attempts at control outside the norm.

In many respects, Orwell was not far off the mark when one looks at the world as a whole. However, the fact is the world is getting better and not as controlling as he advised would happen - the whole surface of the earth is not conquered, and Big Brother is not watching you, at least not all the time. LOL

You'll need to read the story he tells of one who lived in a system where a country controlled his life completely. Today, some elites are trying to control humanity, but people are not stupid and are pushing back.

Read Orwell's account, and you will see what happens when there is no push back and independent-minded people. A time when a few people controlled your mind and physical being.

It's a long, dull, but fascinating discourse that will help the reader understand the current world situation.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2KTtjlG

Review of WATCHING

WATCHING

                                     
The Making of Riley Paige - Book One

BLAKE PIERCE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I have read many Book One's of a series, and I can say that Blake Pierce has produced a novel which is in my top five favorites in the genre - psychological thrillers inclusive of a mystery.  I just made that up, but you know what I mean.

Riley, a psych major at college, has a background as a child that led her to the study of psychology - wondering why things happen to good people.  This investigation turns in to an obsession when a friend is killed in her bedroom a few doors down from Riley's dorm room.

That event snowballs into an intuitive nightmare that directs her into finding the murderer, who is closer than one would think. With the help of two professors, Riley gets to the truth of the matter, she feels after reading one of their masterpieces on criminal psychology.

Somewhat directed by an FBI criminal profiler, Riley learns a lesson she will never forget after a near-deadly event. She hasn't become of age, but with a little help from the FBI, Riley Paige will grow strong in her actions through intuition.

Great Psychological Thriller: https://amzn.to/2TKbtnJ

Review of PRIME TARGET

PRIME TARGET

Disappear or Die

ELLIS VIDLER

Review by Roy Murry, Author

The WITSEC, better known as the Witness Protection Program was waiting for Madeleine to become a member after she saw her husband gunned down by a gangster. That event continued with another murderous one, targeting her.

Leaving the police and the FBI in search of her in New York City, she takes control of her life without government protection. The suspense begins - on the run from the mob and the government is nerve-racking which comes through in Ms. Vidler’s writing.

The reader feels Madeleine’s conflicts. She wants to live to put the SOB away for what he had done to her husband. However, how can she do this "on the run"?

All the events after she leaves NYC and finds her way looking for an apple farm can only be described as somewhat thrilling, melodramatic, and sensational. She acquires many new loves on this journey from her mental and physical prison to knowing who she is and what she wants.

With the help of new and old friends, her journey comes to an end to the reader’s satisfaction, but not in the way one would think - more suspense. Many twists and turns keep the reader’s attention.

It did mine

Review of Fruits of Eden

FRUITS OF EDEN

HERBALISM AND THE OCCULT

TARL WARWICK

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Warwick, better known as Styxhexenhammer666 of Youtube.com fame for his commentary on a wide variety of subjects, video voice comes through clear and accurate in his writing.  His detail explanations and extensive vocabulary are humorous at times while being historically understandable when he describes an herb and its origin.

Until reading this conglomeration of plants and there is a usage, I never looked around in the green section of the supermarket - I am a male product of the baby boom generation and eat what others cooked. Now, I will indulge in some of the herbs mention in Styx's index, Chapter X, which are fully explained by category in prior chapters.

This listing is comprehensive and enjoyable to read unlike a textbook on the subject: plants used to retain health; used for working curses; use in love and lust spells; and others. Funny: I didn't know eating radishes were good at enhancing male sex drive in some cultures. I would have consumed more in my youth. LOL

That example and other antidotal information about the green world around us, Styx educates the reader.  I, for one, will go back and read my notes taken while learning and laughing as I consumed the herbal essence of this work.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2SMpMuS

Review of The Virtue of Nationalism

The Virtue of Nationalism

Yoram Hazony

Review by Author Roy Murry

The book I read before this was UNITING KINGDOMS by Oran Thaller which promotes a kind of Utopian Globalism. This book, as noted by the title, encourages Nation-States to stay individual countries opposing a kind of Kant's 'enlighten imperialism' - the European Union, an example.

Hazony: Nation-State - its internal cohesiveness, and its unique cultural inheritance - all of which must diligently be tended to if the nation is to grow strong, becoming a blessing to its own and a model and inspiration to others - neighbors. This situation cannot happen when another appointed controls the states as an empire controlling economics and the borders of those states, my interpretation of his original presentation. 

In THE VIRTUE OF NATIONALISM, Hazony makes an essential argument for Nation-States that Thaller does not in Uniting Kingdoms for Globalist controlling humanity. Attempting empires have been tried and failed - Last time it was Hitler.

Mr. Hazony's writing is to the point of using history, which many forget, to present his positions. I felt his book was a little boring at times and I had to reread some parts, but I believe he made his point -uniting Europe under one union is an error, considering what I have seen with the refugee problem put on the joined countries at the orders of the Central Imperial Government in Brussels.

I believe - The USA should not be the policemen for the EU government, NATO nor the United Nations and that Nation-States should be free to decide their future.

An essential read if you care about Humanity. 

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/39jTqNn

Review of Uniting Kingdoms

UNITING KINGDOMS

ORAN THALLER

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Uniting the Kingdoms around Israel or the entire world on a philosophical basis, mano-a-mano is a gigantic undertaking. Oran is on his journey of self-reflection, using a divinity named Arthur as his conduit to what is or is not the proper way to live.

The Kingdoms are the difference we have in the physical world. During Oran's wandering with Arthur, he reaches into the spiritual side of humanity, and how coming together on many different levels, the world will be a better place.

Overcoming common fear of another's religious prodigious or way of living is a beginning, I believe, the author is trying to say. When we do, all avenues of joining together as one world (Globalism) under G-d humanity will follow.

The story is followable but sometimes strange; there are many platitudes delved into, and moral conclusions he examines. The read is enjoyable.

A journey worth taking with an open mind.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2IhxRAZ

Review of the Pink Panther, the novel

The PINK PANTHER

Max Allan Collins' novelization of the screenplay by Len Blum and Steve Martin

Review by Roy Murry

You most likely saw the movie but reading the print version is a hoot and a half. The screen characters come alive in your mind again reading Mr. Collins' novel.

ENTER INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU is a chapter that I read twice because it was so funny. The humor continued to the end even though two people are murdered in the mystery plot.

Clouseau, played by Steve Martin in the movie, comes alive in print to another level. I love words, and the way they were used in Panther made for an enjoyable afternoon.

The plot is simple - murder is committed; the Chief Inspector picks an idiot (Clouseau) to solve a crime he intends to clear up himself; and each proceeds - the Chief with many detectives and Clouseau with a hand-picked informer by his boss.

There is no clarity in the way Clouseau unravels the crimes, and the Chief thinks he has the murders solved. To see how newly made Inspector Clouseau detects is mind-boggling and un-Sherlockian, but he has the answers in the end.

I can't say this enough, a book you must read for the humor.  Oh yes, there is a mystery, but it is fun reading the events that lead to the conclusion.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2LwRcPG

Review of One O'Clock Hustle

One O'Clock HUSTLE

JOANNE PENCE

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Not what I expected of a Mystery, and I have read many; the genre I love. 

A Criminal and the Inspector are too close for comfort. Inspector Mayfield has a murder to solve and relies on Richard, a businessman with dubious credentials for guidance.

This novel is a setup for a cheesy romance story albeit there are some clues to decipher and the two (More him than her) proceed to solve the murder of one of Richard's pickups. Rebecca Mayfield is a pushover and puts herself in legal limbo by listening to Richard's story.

Their investigative conversations in her apartment (His hideout) and his two-man gang get to the route of the matter, while Rebecca's partner and lieutenant are not involved. Some suspense and a few conflicts are thrilling but, not a series I will follow.

However, Pence's characters are entertaining if you're looking for a continuing romance to read a la Crime. I was Hustled a bit for 99 cents.

A disappointing mystery read from a USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTOR. 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2zX4foQ

Review of Storm Sail

STORM SAIL

A Connie Barrera Thriller

CLR DOUGHERTY

Review by Roy Murry, Author

The Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are the backgrounds of Captain Connie's thriller. She and her soon to be hubby Paul, pick up shipwrecked castaways on their way to the Caribbean islands.

The new guests, Gina and Dalton, are not what they seem. A psychological war to maintain control or takeover of the ship begins after one guest breaks into a box.

From there on, this thriller intensifies each day at sea, matching wits of the crew with some absurdities of their guests. The drama builds up to a surprising confrontation when Gina and Dalton find out the boat is near St. Thomas, keeping the reader on edge the whole voyage.

Dougherty's writing is always worth the "Dime" - enjoyable and all page-turners. This read was my second of the series.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2LiMtRt

Review of DRAIN THE SWAMP

DRAIN the SWAMP

How Washington Corruption

is Worse Than You Think

Congressman KEN BUCK

with Bill Blankschaen

Review by Roy Murry, Author

After reading this book twice, I will continue to post my mantra ‘TERM LIMITS’ on Social Media until the end. BUCK, a Congressman, agrees with that policy which will never be proposed by the Congress.

Those limits and a Balance Budget must come from the PEOPLE via States’ vote at a Constitutional Convention for Amendments. But I feel, and I think this congressman agrees, unfortunately, will not happen because of the 'Making Congress a life profession' in Washington. 

BUCK has upset his cohorts in Congress with his PEOPLE FIRST attitude which comes across in his writing of various contra acts by the members. He gives the reader short explanations as to the character crisis of members in general, corporate welfare through lobbies, the government in a zombie state, and other oddities of the USA stagnant government.

DRAIN THE SWAMP is published in 2017 as President takes office, and BUCK makes his recommendations. It is interesting how little the American people are fooled by the ones they voted to send to represent them. 

The writing is clear and understandable giving the reader a shock of reality. I recommend the book for anyone who is interested in helping to DRAIN THE SWAMP.

Here is the interview that helped me to decide to buy this book. Interview of Congressman Ken Buck by Sharyl Attkisson on Full Measure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIiozu2g12I

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2QEKVqa