My First, My Last, My Only

MY FIRST, MY LAST, MY ONLY

A Granite Cove Novel

DENISE CARBO

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This love story starts with a teenage kiss and ends with a new beginning. It is a Hallmark movie theme with a twist.

Fanny, her nickname, meets Mitch during a summer at the Granit Cove beach when they are teens. He only comes there in the summer for a few years and never returns.

Mitch becomes a star in Hollywood. Fanny finds her passion in cooking and owns a bakery/coffee shop in Granite Cove. Mitch arrives, and his agent purchases the two-story building where her shop is. She had a bid for the property because the second story is an apartment.

He moves into the apartment, and the affair begins: Love, hate, jealousy, mother problems, and other impediments arise to keep Fanny and Mitch apart. Until...

Extremely well-written. The reader may have tears at the end.

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

House Party Murder Rap

HOUSE PARTY MURDER RAP

SONIA PARIN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

If you like English historical cozy mysteries, you will be delighted to read this Evie Parker conundrum. A wealthy American, Evie, as a debutant, marries a Duke.

A few years later, after the death of her husband, Duchess Evie goes on a weekend stay at the estate of an old friend. En route to the mansion, her car is shot at, and later, her host, Duke Bicky, is hit in the arm with a bullet. Evie was standing next to him.

The who-did-it and why are started. All 1920s English royal etiquette is followed except between Evie and her grandmother's planted bodyguard, Tom.

Evie and Tom team up to understand what is happening - who is the target? With Evie's knowledge of her classes' endeavors and Tom's investigative abilities, this story leads to a classic, cozy mystery ending.

This book, one in a series, hits all the right buttons. Enjoy.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4gaM0OZ

Lawfully Witnessed

LAWFULLY WITNESSED

Brides of Cedar Falls

JOVIE GRACE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This Christian Historical Romance is a fast-read story about the US Civil War, during which the North met the South. On a train from Atlanta to Texas, Anna Kate, a southern bell from Atlanta, meets Gregory, a Union officer on a secret mission.

She is a member of a famous railroad-hub family, and he has orders to investigate her family. On their long journey, Anna Kate and her two younger brothers become extremely friendly with the spy.

Coming to terms with Captain Gregory's mission, he falls in love with Anna Kate after learning about her family staying in Cedar Falls, and she is smitten. Gregory learns conflicting information and decides on Anna Kate's family's fate.

After all the information is unraveled and Gregory's mission is complete, their love story comes to a romantic end on Christmas day.

Jovie Grace's storytelling is enjoyable and an excellent book, one of a series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4faMSBL

Mystery of Mistletoe Hall

THE MYSTERY OF MISTLETOE HALL

A Standalone 1920s Christmas Mystery

BENEDICT BROWN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

When the ex-superintendent of the London police invites you to his mansion, Mistletoe Hall, for a Christmas event, you go. Lord Edgington receives the letter invite, collects family and staff, and proceeds to the weekend festivities.

When they arrive at the mansion, no one is in the building. Edgington, an ex-detective, and his grandson Christopher reconnoiter the large property looking for life. They find the master of Mistletoe Hall frozen, hung, shot, and dead.

While the Lord and Christopher are investigating, others arrive with invites in hand. The two investigators stay hush-hush about what they find, and a party member goes to fetch the police in heavy snow.

Their skills, mainly the Lord's, are used to look for the killer among the guests, which will be interesting for the reader to untangle as the story progresses. The twists and turns, including other murders, will keep the reader turning the page.

Lord Edgington and Christopher are the main characters that propel the story forward and are the series' fun tit-for-tat linchpin.

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War on Warriors

THE WAR ON WARRIORS:

Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free

PETE HEGSETH

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

As an ex-Army Special Forces Vietnam Veteran, from Mr. Hegseth's biography and this book, Pete has earned his STRIPS, as we say in the Army, to become the Secretary of the DoD. During his confirmation, the Senators will use 'War on Warriors' for and against him. I am for confirmation.

Pete Hegseth's book addresses pressing issues such as the erosion of the military's mission by 'wokeness' and leftist ideas. His discussion on the current state of war engagement versus the ideal approach is particularly urgent. Afghanistan?

He explains his military experiences, concluding that the forty-four United States generals must change their direction philosophically and return to the reality of war engagement, or they should retire. He may soon be able to force some of them into retirement, which I agree to.

Pete Hegseth's writing in 'The War on Warriors' is clear, understandable, and deeply convincing. If you are concerned about the future direction of the United States, this book is an essential read that will undoubtedly influence your perspective.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4eLT2bm

 

The Swan Maiden

THE SWAN MAIDEN

G. Lawrence

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

In 1540, Anna of Cleves was to become the Queen of England, marrying the Tudor King Henry VIII, who had three wives. Anna's evaluation of her situation in becoming Queen mentions what happened surrounding them.

Anna tells her story in the first person. She describes her new world by interjecting the pros and cons of her family's and England's politics, new friendships, and the king's physical and mental abilities.

Anna's story is compelling, shocking, heartwarming, and a testament to her strength and resilience. She is a survivor with a strong mind, leading to her fate under the power of an erratic king.

G. Lawrence's writing about this historical English event will keep the readers turning the page even though they may have read the Wikipedia version. This version is an eloquent and entertaining one.

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SEED MONEY

SEED MONEY

B. E. BAKER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Serendipity lost her whole family and lives in the rundown guest house of her famous dead grandmother’s estate in Scarsdale, New York. Nicknamed Garbage Guy, Dave has money his father gave him and wants to invest it in a B&B project.

Seren is woken from sleep by Dave and his friend, who walk into her bedroom. Dave is smitten. In an unusual move, he proposes they become partners in operating a B&B.

After some negotiations, they agreed to go into business. However, the contract has one caveat: Dave cannot date Seren.

The game of love begins with twists and turns initiated by their friends. In the end, the romance lover/reader will be content.

This story is an excellent Book 1 of a series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4hKSxkt

More Than Once Upon a Time

MORE THAN Once Upon a Time

KRISTY DIXON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

If you like FAIRY TALES, this novel has three in it. Each tale has the same three main characters: Olivia, a woman in denial; Jerron, a man wanting to return home; and Nancy, a controlling fairy godmother.

Olivia and Jerron are in a realm of confusion because of individual accidents. The two meet in one tale, and according to Nancy, they must learn more about love to go home and be released from her control.

Olivia and Jerron learn their lessons gradually, but she learns faster. She returns home, and the tales are over, but there is no Jerron on her return.

This return leads to a heartwarming ending that will be enjoyed by those who love fairy tales and romance novels. It is a well-written and exciting novel leading into a series.

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FIRESIDE INN

.

DEATH AT THE FIRESIDE INN

Veronica Vale Investigates

KITTY KILDARE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

Veronica, a well-to-do obituary writer, collaborates with her best friend, Ruby, to investigate crimes. Working differs from what young ladies were not usually allowed to do in London in the 1920s.

Veronica's family owns the newspaper, the Fireside Inn, and other businesses, which allows them to do what they do. A famous actress who has a room at the Fireside Inn is killed at the theater, leaving two Pug dogs that Veronica and Ruby rescue.

The adventure begins with the distaste of Inspector Templeton - a side hate/love relationship with Miss Vale. The group collides, finding clues that go in the right direction for the police.

However, Veronica's tenacity saves the day. Even if the Pugs get a new home, a romance may start.

Ms. Kildare's prose is fast-paced and quirky, highlighting the abuse of women's rights in that era.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/40q65vm

PURRFECT CURE

PURRFECT CURE

NIC SAINT

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

PURRFECT is not Perfect; it is silly. Cats and Dogs talk to each other, and talking to THEIR HUMANS is too much.

MAX and his gang are trying to solve the mystery of a young lady named Angel. Unbeknown to them, she has been abducted—PROLOGUE.

It is ridiculous how this group of animals convinces humans to do things. The side two shows add nothing to the mystery—the doctor losing his___?

If you like cats and dogs doing curious things, this read is for you. If not, find a better read.

This novel is #38 in a series. People like cats and dogs. We have two cats, and we laugh at their antics.

However, PURRFECT CURE is over the top.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3YJ2vLW

Mother Tongue: English

THE MOTHER TONGUE

English and How It Got That Way

BILL BRYSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Are you a linguist, or do you care to know where the words in the UK and American English came from? Then, this book gives you the history you are looking for.

Swearing, Spelling, and Names are three chapters that piqued my interest. Mr. Bryson delves into all areas of the language - some boring and others interesting.

There are boring parts, such as when he over-explains an item after making a point. His understanding of word origins and how he explains them is fascinating.

Reading THE MOTHER TONGUE will take time. Unlike the dictionaries he describes, Bill Bryson packs a lot into a 274-page book. It could have been a shorter narrative with an index.

THE MOTHER TONGUE is a good non-fiction book to read—however, not Mr. Bryson's best.

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KILLING the WITCHES

KILLING the WITCHES

The Horror of Salem

Massachusetts

BILL O'REILLY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, one of my high school's excursions was to visit Salem as part of our history class. Reading KILLING THE WITCHES brought alive that trip and the memories embedded in my brain.

The Puritan witch hunts stained the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the original colonialists. This story-telling book details how they started and ended, naming the culprits and victims.

Also, at the time, many cities in the rest of the world had the same problem. They hung or burned people to death for what they considered witchcraft.

In KILLING, it is noted how those witch trials and killings produced part of the Bill of Rights attached to The US Constitution. This process included debates about church and state function in government by people whose names you should know.

This discourse and the effect on the development of the United States would not have happened if it were not for the KILLING of WITCHES. Well-written book for the Inquisitive Mind.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4f4FwjC

HOLA ALIBI

ALOHA ALIBI

Charlotte Gibson Mysteries

JASMINE WEBB

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Charlotte, known as Charlie to her friends, leaves the mainland because of a life-saving event—hers. She returns to Maui, Hawaii, USA, to hide from the mob.

Desperate for money, Charlie embarks on a quest to find a killer with the help of unlikely new friends—two elderly women with unique talents. The women are competing with Charlie for a significant award. 

During some crazy events that land Charlie in the hospital, she meets Jake, a young, good-looking detective. She has the knack and the tenacity to investigate and does not listen to his pleas to stay out of police business.

As in many of these cozy mysteries, Charlie and her friends do not comply with the police and find what they are looking for, with another hospital ending.

A Good read for a series, Book 1.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4dFhMl1

The Body: A Guide for Occupants

THE BODY

A Guide for Occupants

Bill Bryson

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

"Exercise regularly, Eat sensibly, Die anyway." ---Anonymous writes Mr. Bryson at the beginning of the last chapter. Each chapter has a poignant lead-in before he tells the reader a witty, informative explanation of the body in layperson's terms.

You name a part of the body inside and it's external affects, from head to toe, and Bryson mentions it. Sometimes, he uses humor to explain serious problems the body goes through but gives the straight poop on the function and what the results could be.

The research he put into this endeavor will keep the reader wanting to know more about a disease, an organ, or how the medical profession evolved to deal with an abnormality. The book is a must-read, honest guide for the body's occupants.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4dCk1FE

 

Review of MEG

MEG

Coffee & Dessert

in Key West Series

Book 1

JAN ROMES

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Romance is in the air, but not for Meg Matheson, who is thirty-five and works as a professional in a law office. Her boss directs her toward a matchmaker at a coffee shop owner named Riley.

Meg finds a new life because of circumstances at the office. She goes with the flow, which leads her to evaluate her current state—finding love in the wrong places.

The conversations between Meg and her girlfriend Kris are the fun part of Jan Romes's Hallmark-story-type romance, which ends with a kiss. The reader will laugh throughout and be satisfied, having purchased this novel.

 

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

Review of CHARMING CHAPTER

CHARMING CHAPTER:

A Later-in-Life Just Kisses Romance

LORI HAAS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I read so few books as quickly as this lovely romance, which is what they call in the trade "A Chic Book." It is a fast-moving love story about a sixty-year-old named Laura, who retakes a chance on life after joining Babes Book Club.

Club members pressure her to enjoy life after the death of her husband, which kept her in a rut for several years. She travels to England to inquire about her family ancestry.

While pet sitting, yes, pet sitting, she meets a man. And everyone who reads a romance novel knows what is coming.

However, the obvious is not in Laura's cards. That adventure is worth reading this well-put-together short novel.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3XFSb6H