Review of THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE

THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE

Brain, Mind, and Body

in the Healing of Trauma

BESSEL VAN DER KOLK, M. D.

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This review is one of 61,471 on Amazon, some of which read like term papers. So, my review will be short; I am not one of Bessel’s colleagues. LOL.

However, I agree that it is a good read for psychiatrists and people caring for trauma patients. In addition, the general public with an Inquisitive Mind, like myself and my followers, will enjoy the education about trauma.

Although Bessel uses the word I too much, he and his cohorts have made significant accomplishments in treating trauma: PTSD in veterans and children, rape victims, and criminals. He does admit that human nature, as it is, will not change; therefore, trauma cases will always manifest.

Treating them is the problem—the questions: how, who, what, when, and why come into question.

If you have time to read five hundred pages of a dissertation, I recommend this book for its readable content that will surprise you.

 

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

Review of WITCH INDEED

WITCH INDEED

A Mackenzie Coven Mystery

 

SONIA PARIN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Yes, this novel has a murder, but it's about CATS. Witches have cats. I know women who talk to their cats.

In WITCH INDEED, Lexie, a witch in training, has a cat named Luna that talks back and is this mystery's star. But, lucky for her, the man who died wanted to stuff her, and the murderer almost captured her.

Losing your cat is a no, no. The second time Lexie losses Luna the world comes to an end.

I am just kidding. But the cat convention does with an unexpected ending.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3I1QCad

Review of MIND YOUR OWN MURDER

MIND YOUR OWN MURDER

PATTI LARSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Persephone Pringle, a psychologist, travels to escape her ex-husband and doting daughter. She looks forward to a quiet vacation but walks into a whirlwind of discontent.

Her next-door neighbor is murdered on her doorstep. Because of prior events and some evidence, the sheriff believes Ms. Pringle is a suspect.

However, there are many suspects, which leads to a calamity. When the smoke settles, Ms. Pringle helps solve the crime.

This short cozy mystery was simple and fun to read. The story was well-written. I surmised the killer at the moment I met the person.

 

Purchase

Review of CALAMITY JENA

CALAMITY JENA

 

JANET ELIZABETH

HENDERSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Moving to a different country is what Jena did. She ran away from a corrupt ex-boyfriend USA to a small town in Scotland.

Gorgeous Jena gets a reputation for being a walking disaster when dating the locals. But, because her so-called gangster-type boyfriend arrives in the town to drag her home, the local hunk of a cop engages himself as her protector.

A whirlwind of calamity erupts in the quiet town surrounding Jena, who townspeople have already dubbed a dizzy adorable American young lady. The event's end is explosive and a display of emotions.

CLAMITY JENA is a funny and enjoyable romantic comedy that keeps you laughing. Some twists and turns are optional; however, the story comes together.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3laK6Gs

 

 

Review of LITERATURE and the CULTURE WARS

LITERATURE and the NEW CULTURE WARS

DEBORAH APPLEMAN

Review by Roy Murry, Author

I do not have a Ph.D., nor am I a teacher of Literature. However, I did have the opportunity in college to take two courses in American Literature which I excelled, and I have read thousands of books, novels, and papers.

In reviewing Ms. Appleman's dissertation on teaching American and English Literature, one does not need to have Critical Race Theory as part of the syllabist. However, she believes the professor must not cater to the whims of the students, faculty, and an uncultured society.

CTR is not Literature. It's seventy-five percent history and twenty-five percent propaganda - not a text to evaluate icons like Mark Twain, Hemingway, Shakespeare, or Toni Morrison. I agree with L.P. Hartley: "The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there."

If you have an Inquisitive Mind, as I do, you will purchase this book. Beforehand, this is written for the literature teacher and is detailed in jargon. 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3Hia2XP

 

Review of THE BINDING

 

THE BINDING

 BRIDGET COLLINS

 

 Review by Author Roy Murry

 

In the nineteenth century, Emmett is to be a binder - a person who takes an individual's memories and hides them in the pages of a book for safekeeping. His sexual memory is in question.

Reading THE BINDING will put the reader through a gamut of emotions that will self-analyze one's life. Would I like to have some of my life removed from my thought process?

I say no. How about you? However, the concept is written intriguingly by Ms. Collins in novel form.

When Emmett comes of age as a binder, he realizes the enormity of the falseness in the binding process, which includes the book of his male lover. Then, in an explosive and disturbing escapade, Emmett and his lover are free to think for themselves.

But are they? Worth the read for a person with an INQUISITIVE MIND.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3XC2R3P

 

Review ot TWISTED JUSTICE

TWISTED JUSTICE

DENNIS CARSTENS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

TWISTED JUSTICE is my third Carstens novel read and the twelfth in his Marc Kadella legal series. In his writing, he brings out the worst and best of humanity.

Marc, a defense lawyer, and his lover Maddy, a PI, round out a group of characters that propel the series forward by getting to the truth of a crime. In this novel, a friend of Marc's is charged with the horrendous murder of his wife.

The wife's secret life, the group of her friends, and her well-connected clients play a role in this twisted case. Marc and his cohorts develop a plausible defense.

In his deductive evaluation, however, Marc knows the truth and keeps it to himself, which leads to a thrilling closure. The twists and turns of this well-written novel will keep you reading to the end.

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

 

Review of A LEGACY WITCH

A LEGACY WITCH

Spellcasters Spy Academy

 

ASHLEY McLEO

 

Review by Roy Murry

 

Merlin, a warlock of the King Arthur fable, is rolling in his tomb laughing - an academy for witches to become spies. However, Ms. Ashley Mcleo pulls off the legacy in a fun way for young adults to enjoy.

Odette Dane is an academy legacy enrollee at Spellcasters, which she gets flack for by young witches who took the test to get into the college-like school. But, during this first in a series book, she passes necessary tests with magical help to the surprise of all.

These adventures involve vampires and monsters taught in school classes. The descriptions are funny and horrific simultaneously - enjoyable, even for an older adult like me.

Ms. McLeo's writing is crisp and flows easily with exciting characters, including Odette's soulmate. In this novel, she leaves the reader wondering what happened in four deadly events for solving in books 2 and 3.

 

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/3XwYUNg

 

Review of PLAYING with FIRE

PLAYING with FIRE

Island Fire Series

AMY KNUPP

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

When you love someone, and that person dies in a tragic event, it seems like the world has ended. In PLAYING with FIRE, Derek, an ex-firefighter, withdraws into another existence after his love dies in a fire.

Since childhood, Macey, Derek's friend, is sent by their mothers on a quest to an island in the Gulf of Mexico. Her journey is to help him come out of his self-imposed prison.

Her love for him since she was five, her friendship, and her personal development led to conflicts with him. Their tit-for-tat and underlining feelings come to a head.

Their true feelings explode into an unexpected ending in this well-written friend's romance first book in a series about firefighters and their lovers.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3QC3ms9

Review of MURDER at the MARINA

MURDER AT THE MARINA

A Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing

Mystery - Book 1

ELLEN JACOBSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

There is a reason Ms. Jacobson is a USA Bestselling Author. Her writing is top-notch, with a laugh every moment.

Her husband, Scooter, gifts Mollie a sailboat. She was waiting for diamonds on her anniversary, but she got the boat and a cat called Mrs. Moto.

Their boat mooring is at a local cove where shenanigans are going on, which leads to two murders. Mollie investigating aliens as a sideline, finds the first dead man and then two days later another.

Just being ‘Quirky Mollie,’ she works her way to find the murderer accidentally. But unfortunately, she gets her second bump on her head during the not-so-accident.

Murder at the Marina is a short cozy mystery you will enjoy.

 

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

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DAVID MAMET’S #Essays RECESSIONAL (The Death of #FreeSpeech and the Cost of a Free Lunch) #BookReview https://youtu.be/13_de9LQ1GM #written https://bit.ly/3BrzhFg #purchase https://amzn.to/3hd9KbQ

Dr. WILFRED REILLY’S #Racism #Social #AllLivesMatter TABOO, 10 FACTS (You Can’t Talk About) #BookReview https://youtu.be/l0TUU08ECaM #Written https://bit.ly/3NB8n2m #purchase https://amzn.to/3E3gLET

Dr. SHERWIN NULAND’S #Philosophy #Pyscology #EndofLife HOW WE DIE #BookReview  https://youtu.be/7uZzWIQ3OPY #Written https://bit.ly/3f8w453 #purchase:  https://amzn.to/3UMb3O2

Douglas Murray’s #Political #Wokeness THE WAR ON THE WEST #BookReview https://youtu.be/wTaQrsmM6f0 #Written: https://bit.ly/3O5UJDG  #purchase: https://amzn.to/3zsA9sM

Michael Shellenberger’s #Homeless #Politics #California SAN FRAN-SICKO #BookReview https://youtu.be/0NNAN_hVOjI #written: https://bit.ly/3k18S7R #Purchase: https://amzn.to/3MiWhsM

Victor Davis Hanson’s THE DYING CITIZEN: How #Progressive #Elites, #Tribalism, and #Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of #America #BookReview https://youtu.be/jBwF-lsL0nw #written:  https://bit.ly/3FaWdrF #purchase https://amzn.to/3Dc8n32

Victor Davis Hanson’s THE FATHER OF US ALL: #War and #History Ancient and Modern #mustread #bookreview #written  http://bit.ly/2HdE0yo https://youtu.be/fg8yaPBJedw #purchase: https://amzn.to/2T7hDBf

Douglas Murray’s 5 Star Book: #Immigration #Identiy #Islam #Globalism THE STRANGE DEATH OF EUROPE #BookReview  https://youtu.be/BhXtw-aa5YY     #written: https://bit.ly/2YKFlIx #purchase: https://amzn.to/38Ql06n

Douglas Murray’s 5 Star Book: #Political Issue THE MADNESS OF CROWDS #BookReview for #readers https://youtu.be/1dOKyodO2OQ #written https://bit.ly/3hA0HiO #purchase: https://amzn.to/3htqABc

Richard K. Borden’s SAGE ADVICE #BookReview https://youtu.be/FygCuvPUrUY #written: https://bit.ly/3AmfWCa #purchase: https://amzn.to/3ClUteJ

Joseph Murphy’s The POWER of Your Subconscious Mind #BookReview  https://youtu.be/uz9LqUWGAKo #written  https://bit.ly/3hOP1sc #purchase: https://amzn.to/3zb2BfG

UK’S Hodgkinson’s HOW TO BE IDLE #bookreview https://youtu.be/ghBWqj3h5iw #written: https://bit.ly/2UVt81K #purchase: https://amzn.to/3B6Z7MI

NAIL FERGURSON’S #Disaster #History DOOM, The #Politics of #Catastophe #BookReview https://youtu.be/Z4iAcnF7TXw #written https://bit.ly/3hzeMLQ #purchase: https://amzn.to/3ym77aO

Sharyl Attkisson’s #Journalism SLANTED #BookReview https://youtu.be/5RMq8mE9JWo #written http://bit.ly/38jk5un #purchase: https://amzn.to/2J9QZVS

Michael Shellenberger’s APOCALYPSE NEVER #environment #BookReview #youtubevideo https://youtu.be/b93Rh0WnJ_A written https://bit.ly/2GymRC7 #purchase https://amzn.to/36WNRpV

Ken Buck’s DRAIN THE SWAMP #USA #Politics #Government #bookreview #video https://youtu.be/uGffrW6ycPE Written: http://bit.ly/2EbgTne #purchase  https://amzn.to/3bPvzXD

Thomas Sowell’s INTELLECTUALS and SOCIETY #bookreview #video https://youtu.be/sNqbAbYcHHQ #written  https://bit.ly/3ecRqcq #purchase: https://amzn.to/2V1lKz6 #socialmeda #society #history

Jennifer Michael Hecht #Theology #History #Religious DOUBT https://youtu.be/Vg9Y1sSBcoE #Written #bookreview http://bit.ly/2ODD10a #purchase: https://amzn.to/2wN78Ko

Tucker Carlson ’s SHIP of FOOLS #Political #History #MustWatch #Video https://youtu.be/4irc3eAqqxk written #bookreview http://bit.ly/2OAWs8T #purchase https://amzn.to/3avWt54

Yoram Hazony’s THE VIRTUE OF NATIONALISM #bookreview https://youtu.be/C5kN-yv5WLw #Philosophy #Political http://bit.ly/2EX8Zig #purchase https://amzn.to/39jTqNn

Ed Strasser and Michael Prince’s STUPID WARS written #bookreview http://bit.ly/2sArT9V #subscribe: https://youtu.be/o8Nlx3teQZU Purchase: https://amzn.to/2sRR5ZB

Peter Schweizer’s SECRET EMPIRES #mustread #Bookreview http://bit.ly/2P7gJ5E If you didn't know who makes money from Washington power, then read this… #purchase: https://amzn.to/2ShNKO1

 

 

Review of THE DELTA

THE DELTA

Sonja Kurtz series Book One

TONY PARK

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

THE DELTA is the second novel I have read by Mr. Park. The first is SAFARI. Both give a vivid background of Africa's wildlife, countries' topographies, and their people.

Sonja, a well-trained mercenary, is manipulated into a predicament by her boss and ex-lover. She has to do the unpredictable for millions, which will start a war. Will this event save the environment or make the rich richer plays a significant role in her decision?

The characters play an intriguing role that leads to compelling subplots that are the background of Sonja's main event. Unfortunately, these stories slowed down getting to the main event.

THE DELTA is a long read but worth the wait for the explosive and unconventional ending. The story is well written as are all of Mr. Park’s novels

 

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

Review of AN AFFAIR TO DISMEMBER

AN AFFAIR TO DISMEMBER

book one of the matchmaker mystery series

 

ELISA SAX

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Glady's grandmother is the town's matchmaker aficionado, Zelda. She says Glady has the gift, but Glady doesn't see it, nor does anyone else.

Throughout the mystery of trying to figure out who killed a neighbor, Glady can't make a match. Finally, two men are trying to comingle with her, one being the lover boy Sheriff involved with the crime. The other is a wealthy hunk who moved in next door.

Ms. Sax has put together humorous circumstances that sometimes need to be clarified. But they are, and the real criminal is right under their noses.

The storyline is well put together for an easy and fun read. Elisa Sax's prose will bring you back to reading book two in this strange series.

What will Glady match next? Read on.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3BKtxq9

 

Review of RECESSIONAL

RECESSIONAL

DAVID MAMET

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

David Mamet is an award-winning playwright and filmmaker who distinguishes himself as an essayist. Recessional is a collection of his essays in which he discusses and analyzes the arts, politics, religion, education, and constitutional issues.

I am politically neutral. I don't love any political party; I love good books. I review books based on their content, not the author's affiliations.

Mr. Mamet writes from the perspective of a man who tries to make sense of a nation knocked off its rails by the politically correct. Even though many of the essays are "Right" leaning, he does an excellent job.

A leftist will say Mamet is out of his Jewish mind. Yet, his cognitive perceptions are better than many in our U.S. Government today.

His prose is funny, insightful, in-depth, critical, and intellectual. "Recessional" is a must-read for a person with an Inquisitive Mind.

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

Review of DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS

A J.J. Graves Mystery

LILIANNA HART

Review by Author Roy Murry

There are few books I read as quickly as DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS. Hart brings the reader into the story and keeps you there.

Jaye, Doctor Graves, has a double career going nowhere in a small town except into a string of murders. A co-lead character Jack is the Sheriff and Jaye's best friend, 

They combined their intellect to find the killer. But, unfortunately, Jaye and Jack's relationship is interrupted by Jaye's lover and finding the murderer.  

This novel ends in an unpredictable one where Jaye finds herself in a deadly compromising position. However, it leads to a new beginning - book 2.

Hart's writing is exciting.

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

Review of SWEET DEAL SEALED

SWEET DEAL SEALED

Donut Lady Cozy Mystery - Book 1

JUDITH A. BARRET

Review by Author Roy Murry

Although this story did not rock by boat, it was a fair read. The mystery starts when the main character, Karen or Teach, is in prison for killing her husband. An inmate is killed. 

The rest of the novel is about Karen relocating to her hometown to open a Donut Shop and meeting people who will propel the series forward. The sheriff who comes by each morning for coffee and donuts, hyperactive Shirley, and Woody round out the odd characters.

The mystery woven into Karen's new life is the who, what, and why some women are killed. This novel is not a real thriller, but somewhat fun to read.

 Purchase: https://amzn.to/3U9u23l