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.

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

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

Review of HIGH NOON

HIGH NOON

A Brookhaven Cozy

Mystery Book 1

S.E. BIGLOW

Review by Author Roy Murry

In this paranormal mystery, a woman, Darcy, a chameleon, and a ghost acquire magical powers. Many other witchy characters live in the American town; Darcy, an Englishman, moves there to develop her skills.

A newcomer arrives and becomes friends with Darcy and her apothecary boss, Sage. Unfortunately, the new arrival is found dead in the trunk of the car Darcy is driving.

With the help of her colorful witch friends, Darcy goes sleuthing against the Shariff's wishes. The twists and turns, combined with her new-found witchcraft, bring this mystery to a near-deadly ending.

The writing is crisp, and the well-developed characters will pull the reader into book 2 of this series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4d26J5c

Review of SCHOLARSHIP GIRL

SCHOLARSHIP GIRL

Shadow Academy

KAT COTTON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Cherry has unusual powers to develop as a paranormal. She can hide in a room full of people and has unused strengths.

She and a scholarship group of vampire-killing characters (Witches, faes, werewolves, and others) are protecting an elite academy. Their amusing behaviors make for enjoyable reading, which includes a love-hate relationship between Cherry and Ren.

Overall, this first in a series of young adult novels includes everything needed to keep the reader wanting more. KAT's writing does an excellent job of bringing it together with some errors.

This story ends with a big bang, and a young adult will read more; the older adult will not. It was fun as it lasted.

 

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

Review of COSMOS

COSMOS

Carl Sagan

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

If you are intrigued by the universe beyond Earth and its human perspective, this book offers a unique exploration. If not, it may not be the right fit for you.

Mr. Sagan weaves a compelling narrative of the cosmos' birth and the potential consequences of its disruption. His storytelling is not just readable but also captivating.

I took Astronomy in college, and this book awakened memories for me. For someone who has yet to study it, this chronology of life since the Big Bang might overwhelm the reader.

However, this is a book for the Inquisitive Mind.

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

 

Death Under Wratful Skies

DEATH UNDER WRATHFUL SKIES

The Victoria Sedgewick Mysteries

Book 2

BLYTHE BAKER

Review by Author Roy Murry

In the 1820s, Ms. Victoria attempts to be a private inquirer (Detective) after solving the murder of her husband (Book 1). Her advertisement in the local Hyde Park, London paper is attached to an article that piques her attention—a third man is killed in the same manner as the previous two.

Ms. Victoria starts her business (Investigating) by combining efforts with Mr. Keats, a well-known detective hired by the police to find the killer. Included in the conversations are her butler, housekeeper, cook, and the nanny of infant Daniel.

The characters and the story are well-developed, making this mystery series worth reading. I have only read this novel.

With intelligent deduction, Ms. Victoria and Mr. Keats come to the same conclusion about who the killer is: she does it unconventionally, and he uses Ms. Victoria's informational letter delivered the same day she goes into action.

The ending is surprising and dangerous because, after all, Ms. Victoria is a novice.

Good, Quick, and Fun Read. I read in two sittings.

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

FOR NOW and FOREVER

FOR NOW and FOREVER

Inn at Sunset Harbor, Book 1

SOPHIA LOVE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Because of personal problems, Emily leaves the big city to return to Sunset Harbor, a small, quiet, close-knit town. Waiting for her is a huge house her father left that needs extreme repairs.

The land has a guest house in which Daniel, a young man of Emily's age, lives. He is the caretaker by choice.

Emily's father is nowhere in sight. After going down memory lane, she decides to investigate the house and make many repairs over six months.

After three months of confusion, feelings for Daniel, and conflicts with the town's leaders over her living in the rundown house, she must decide her fate.

The writing is professional but the story is a little too cutesy and predictable. Romance lovers will enjoy this.

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

 

Road to Eden is Overgrown

THE ROAD TO EDEN IS OVERGROWN

DAN WHEATCROFT

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This novel is a police procedural drama based in Liverpool, U.K., and its surrounding area. Dicks, the protagonist and a government agent, goes around killing undesirables. A clean-up team protects Dicks.

It is unknown what agency he works for because the local police are searching for the killer of a mobster and others. After one killing that saved a woman's life, DCI Thurstan Baddeley (Detective Chief Inspector) has Dickerson in his crosshairs because of evidence.

With this and word-of-mouth knowledge, the DCI is ready to arrest Dicks, so he thinks. This time, the failure of the clean-up team opens the door for arrest. But does it?

OVERGROWN is a well-written suspense thriller that will be a bit confusing for American English readers. However, the plot moves along and keeps the reader's attention.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4cnTzz5

DEAD before DINNER

DEAD before DINNER

A Maddie Swallows Mystery

KAT BELLEMORE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

In small towns, people gossip, and everyone knows everyone. Maddie Swallows, a psychologist, drags her children, Flash and Lilly, and her fellow therapist, Trish, back to her hometown, where they will open shop.

We all know that in small towns, there are no murders. However, not in this town - two people are killed within days of each other. Both are members of the Town Council.

Old friendships get Maddie involved after a troubled woman dies at her friend Debbie's dinner party. She goes about snooping because the sheriff has made her a prime suspect,

Her sleuthing is haphazard. Using her skills as a psychologist, she ultimately hits her target.

This novel was fun and interesting. The characters in the prologue will lead you into the second in this mystery series.

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

LOVING the LADIES' Man

LOVING the LADIES' Man

KRISTIN CANARY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

LOVING has cute and fun dialog from a woman's point of view. Evie, who is an introvert, is put in competition with Connor, a ladies' man, for the same promotion.

Despite their differences, Evie and Connor maintain a professional relationship, mingling daily as they navigate their shared workplace. When those barriers break, and they become a couple, they find feelings for each other.

Those interactions are the center points of the novel. Romance is in the air until the day one will get the promotion.

Who will become the other's boss? You will have to read the book to find out. The ending will surprise the reader.

 

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

Ignorant Witch

AN IGNORANT WITCH

E.M. GRAHAM

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Despite not being the best in the genre, Graham's novel holds a special charm that will resonate with those who adore fairy tales.

Fairies are involved in the kidnap of a Normal, and Dara, a half-witch, is asked by a friend for help freeing her brother. A male half-witch gives Dara the courage to pursue his freedom.

The calamity that follows Dara's commitment is weird. She finds her powers, which leads to an acceptable conclusion for this Witch Story.

While the prose may be a bit rough around the edges, Graham's potential as a writer is evident in this first book of the series. If you are a fan of fairy stories, consider supporting this promising author by purchasing their book.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3Yf9tYX

Black Readnecks & White Liberals

Black Rednecks & White Liberals

THOMAS SOWELL

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Sowell's Historical thesis on slavery brings to light many facets of how humans treat each other. The reader will get a learning experience from his narrative as to how the British and America's unique developments eliminated most of the world’s enslavement.

He explains human worth and non-worth in terms of how many countries used slavery for gain or as accessories. These norms were commonplace for centuries before arriving in North America/USA, which was the only country in the world to fight a war over it, killing more white people than the negros in the country.

Thomas Sowell's intelligent discourse will keep the reader turning pages thinking,  'I didn't know that.' For Liberals, this is a wake-up call, but for Conservatives, this education needs to be used in conversations against Liberals’ reparation demands.

To round out his book, Sowell's opinion of other human relations is in discourses on Germans, Jews, and the middleman.

 

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

Murder and a Tequila Sunrise

Murder and a Tequila Sunrise

Sunrise Cafe Cozy Mystery

ELIZABETH CLOVER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Clementine is a bartender, a commercial actor, a klutz, a terrible tequila sunrise maker, and in debt up to her eyeballs. With all these traits, she is the hero who solves murder.

But here is the twist. Despite her seemingly unrelated jobs and financial situation, Clementine has a unique skill that sets her apart- she knows people and what questions to ask them.

This mystery is confusing because of all the overdeveloped characters. What question will the reader have when trying to solve the murder? Who did it?

Yet, in the end, the reader will be rewarded for their efforts. This cozy mystery will entertain you and leave you with a sense of accomplishment as you get to know the characters for the second book in the series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3RXUv5U

Accidental Princess

The Accidental Princess

Melissa McClone

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Christina is the daughter of a wealthy father who coerces her to attend a royal party in the middle of the Mediterranean. Prince Richard will be the king of that country if he marries the one who can fit in the royal engagement ring, part of a crazy country's historical mystic.

Neither person likes what they believe that the other person's moral and ethical qualities meet their needs. An event brought about by his Royal Aid put Richard and Christina on a quest to find the prince, the princess with the qualities he desires.

The calamities and amusing incidents that follow make for good reading. This novel, however, is not Hallmark movie grade but fills a Royal Romance lover's imagination.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3zei3g8

Lost Bookstore

The Lost Bookshop

EVIE WOODS

Review by Author Roy Murry

This mystical drama about three people's lives will keep readers turning the pages. It is fascinating how their lives bring the world of books alive.

In the 1920s, a feminist book lover, Opaline, fleeing from danger, ended up in a Dublin bookstore. Her story keeps Martha and Henry searching for love, peace, and the bookstore.

Their stories unfold in the twenty-first century, with Henry relentlessly pursuing a hidden manuscript in a mysterious bookstore. Meanwhile, under the guidance of the enigmatic Madam Bodwin, Martha is fleeing a life she refuses to accept, all within the confines of that building.

After a series of gripping events, Martha and Henry unite to find the elusive bookstore.

The lives of all these characters are written in intriguing adventures that any book lover will enjoy. The ending is magical.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4ctJKA9

 

Murder Calls in Shadow Falls

Murder Calls at Shadow Falls

Irene Jorgensen

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Olivia Twist returns home to Shadow Falls as her Grandmother GG says for REDEMPTION. Olivia is a thief but a nice one who somewhat repays her debt to society.

GG has a plan for redemption. However, it did not include the murder of someone Olivia knew in high school.

Assuming the role of a tea-reading British psychic so natives will not uncover her identity, Ms. Twist tries to clear her ex-best friend's name in a poisoning case. 

With twists and turns highlighted by detailed character development, Jorgensen's cozy mystery comes to an interesting end.

This first episode is well-written and is part of an Olivia Twist tea-reading crime series. GOOD READ.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/45s5ERU

The End of Everything

THE END OF EVERYTHING

How Wars Descend into Annihilation

VICTOR DAVIS HANSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

VDH's book, The End of Everything, is a captivating journey through Ancient History. It brings to life the significant conflicts that led to the downfall of civilizations like Carthage, the Aztecs, and others.

Interwoven in his stories are human decisions based on their culture's norms during world development. By referring to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, he infers that the destruction of current cultures is nearing a breaking point.

Having taken Ancient History as a course in college, I find these detailed narratives somewhat overwhelming for the reader looking for entertainment. However, this extensive read is for history buffs or college students who want to learn how humans behave during war.

 

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

Her Unexpected Roomate

HER UNEXPECTED ROOMMATE

A Bulbs, Blossoms & Bouquet Romance

Book 1

LAURA  ANN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Genni and Cooper are in a difficult situation. They each own half of a mansion their grandparents willed them in an ocean tourist town in Oregon.

Cooper, driven by a yearning for a fresh start, embarks on a journey across the USA to claim his rightful half. However, Genni, steadfast in her resistance to change, remains unmoved.

She wants to run a bed and breakfast, her life’s dream; he does not. The battles begin.

So starts the hate-love romance, interrupted by another event they have no control over—a tax collector. They now become partners looking for a solution, with Milo, the puppy Coop, biker, and mechanic, brought home.

The following events lead to a plausible ending with the help of friends. However, there is too much fluff in the story's events—they are overly written.

Laura Ann's writing is cute and entertaining, but it is not a good

lead-in for a series. This novel is a stand-alone long read.

 

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

SPELLS and SPANIELS

SPELLS and SPANIELS:

A Witchy, Cozy Paranormal Mystery

Familiar Spirits Book 1

CHRISTINE POPE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Salem witch Charity, a renowned familiar whisper, is approached by a new witch client, Darla. She seeks Charity's expertise to evaluate her familiar, unique Cocker Spaniel named Milo, who mysteriously remains silent when spoken to.

While in Charity's care, Milo does not speak until Darla dies, which a Chicago detective reports to Charity via telephone. From then on, unusual events reveal the real reason for Milo's silence.

Milo is attacked and then kidnapped. Charity goes into investigative mode, leading to a crazy ending.

Ms. Pope's writing is crisp and enjoyable. She leaves the reader with a hook that kills a romance, an underlying theme a romantic may want to pursue in Book 2 of this series.

If you are a romantic and want fun, purchase Book 2 because Book 1 is free on Kindle.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4bC8YfG

Review of "god is not Great."

"god is not GREAT."

How Religion Poisons Everything

CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS

Review by Author Roy Murry

This book, penned by a renowned atheist, delves into the problematic aspects of all ORGANIZED RELIGIONS, a stance I agree with. I became a reformed Roman Catholic at the age of thirteen.

Hitchens attempts to destroy the collective illusions of monotheist organizations by describing their histories, hierarchy, and dictatorial systems. His arguments are full of realism, demonstrating that living a good life without these faiths is possible.

His narratives are long and interwoven with examples of Religions' poisonous edicts to control humans countered with logical results. Hitchens uses the books/stories of those organizations to show how ridiculous they seem.

His conclusions are worth reading if you have an Inquisitive Mind. This long, detailed read will stimulate your mind.

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

Murphy's Luck

MURPHY'S LUCK

BENJAMIN LASKIN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." Murphy's Law does not apply to Murphy's Luck. Everything around Murphy is a disaster; at age eight, he is confined to his home because of circumstances beyond his control.

In his twenty-six years of confinement, Murphy's life takes a dramatic turn. Thanks to the internet, he becomes famous, wealthy, and productive. 

But no one has seen him. Yet, his unpopularity in the community forces him to leave his hometown, embarking on a journey that leads him to a monastery.

En route, a bus catastrophe happens, and Murphy heads for the beach for comfort and separation from people. He meets a young woman, saves her life from two calamities, and becomes attached because of her persistence.

Murphy's journey is a whirlwind of confusion and excitement, involving his new friend Joy, Joy's boyfriend, Detective Brock, and many other characters. It is a cluster of crazy events that could only happen with Murphy's uncanny involvement.

The reader will be thankful for the adventure when all is said and done. The reading is one sitting, enjoyable, and fast-paced fun time.

 

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

THE VISITOR

THE VISITOR

A Post Apocalyptic Murder Mystery

TERRY TYLER

Review by Author Roy Murry

A deadly outbreak plagues the world; a mere touch from a dying person seals your fate. Before this grim reality, a visionary uncle bequeaths Sarah a residence in an English village, complete with an underground bunker stocked to the brim with provisions and modern essentials, a last bastion against an apocalypse. 

The event arrives, and Sarah and her somewhat associates begin their life in the village. People worldwide are dying in multitude, with only a few lucky ones vaccinated against the curse - the new world order.

Interwoven into this plot is a killer of the underserved—they are deleted, according to THE VISITOR. Finding who this person is overshadows the plague.

The village members are leaving; food is getting lesser and lesser, water is rationed, and people are being murdered. Tensions arise among the villagers to an explosive ending that surprises everyone, including the reader. 

Ms. Tyler's prose invites the reader into an end-of-times thriller that will entertain the mind to the end.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4djHs7T

Review of COLLECTIVE ILLUSIONS

COLLECTIVE ILLUSIONS

TODD ROSE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

"How do you know what you know?" challenged Confucius. In COLLECTIVE ILLUSIONS, Mr. Rose provides insight into some of these reasons.

He uses personal and private stories to support his sociological/psychological thesis that we all fall prey to groupthink. Because of our associations with churches, the media, organizations, and political groups, we have a human propensity to follow the majority by keeping our opinions to ourselves.

We then fall into traps that take work to leave. If we speak up, the group may change, or we may be blackballed.  

Mr. Rose's arguments, pro and con situations, are compelling and worth reading. His conclusions about human behavior will appeal to everyone.

 

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

Review of NUCLEAR WAR, a Scenario

NUCLEAR WAR

A Scenario

ANNIE JACOBSEN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

According to the author, there are seventy-two minutes until the end of the world as we know it. Many years later, the human race is back in the Stone Age—the book in a nutshell.

Under Annie Jacobsen's gripping and fast-paced nuclear scenario, the world hurtles toward oblivion from the first volley. However, this probability is flawed: the combatants—North Korea, the United States, and Russia—lack communication.

Communication is the biggest flaw in her fascinating term paper. Russia would have seen on its radar that the first volley came from North Korea, and cell phones with red lights would have lit up.

The first half of this factoid fiction is a heart-pounding drama that will make the reader think the human race is approaching extinction. It may be if deterrence continues at a lower level.

Fifty percent of the e-book is Index, Bibliography, and about the author. If your heart needs exercise, this NUCLEAR WAR scenario between the United States and Russia will get it going.

Read this novel like a well-written fiction-think after.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4cU6KZU

Pride and Prejudice

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Book or Movie?

JANE AUSTEN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

If you want emotional entertainment, watch the excellent movie adaptation starring Keira Knightley. It differs from the novel in several ways, including the ending.

On the other hand, Jane Austen's writing in the novel offers a rich learning experience. It delves into the cultural nuances and individual characters' pride and prejudices of the 1800s. It is a literary journey that may be unfamiliar to most twenty-first-century readers but truly enlightening.

An Oxford dictionary can be a valuable companion on this journey. Kindle uses one.

The novel is simple: a wealthy man meets a woman of a lower class. She is prejudiced against him after hearing his proud comment at a ball. She refuses to dance with him, and his pride is hurt.

The situation infuriates both, and the romance begins. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy intermingle because of her sister's love affair with his friend. Their tit-for-tat communications lead to confusion and then to reality—they need each other.

The read is long but not tedious.

 

Purchase:  Book https://amzn.to/3JmuXdH

                         Movie https://amzn.to/3Ug80iW

 

DANNA

DANNA

JAN ROMES' 

Coffee & Dessert in

Key West Series Book 2

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Riley and Meg own the Coffee & Dessert Cafe in Key West, Florida, USA (Book 1), where they met and married. The cafe is a front for a matchmaking enterprise.

Meg is DANNA's friend. DANNA is a blond, outspoken dynamo who wants to get married and does not connect with Meg's matches.

It is comical how DANNA finds her match, who is not what he seems to be. The highs and lows of their commingling and their friends' participation and comments, especially Erin's and Jorge's, make up the romantic adventure.

Ms. Rome's prose and characters' conversations are fun to read, making readers want to turn those pages. It is not the first nor last of Ms. Romes's works I have read.

You should also. Have fun; read all three in the series.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4cH2rRI

SINS of the ANGELS

SINS of the ANGELS

The Grigori Legacy Book One

LYDIA M. HAWKE

Review by Author Roy Murry

This supernatural thriller is a spin on the Bible's Cain and Abel story. Caim and Aramel, brothers and angels, have a conflict that could end in a war between Heaven and Hell.

With demonic intervention, Caim escapes the limbo imposed by Aramel, embarks on a mission to find a woman, and begins a murderous rampage among mortals. Standing in his way is Detective Alexandra Jarvis, a formidable mortal he must eliminate to exact his revenge on Aramel.

A dysfunctional godly hierarchy controls this whole demonic story. The ONE is being deceived by an underling who put the coupe into action.

SINS has its sins. This thriller is fast-paced and has moments, but as the first book in a series, the characters' narratives are overly descriptive, making the book longer than needed.

A standout feature of SINS is its prose, which will undoubtedly engage and captivate readers of paranormal thrillers.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/49gcs5x

TWO A DAY

TWO A DAY

LAUREN BLAKELY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

After meeting Drew on a beach under strange circumstances, Brooke takes him home for sex. These events continue into an erotic affair.

He is an American football team quarterback, and she is a corporate sports lawyer. Their work lives collide, and co-workers do not have sex without telling the Human Relations Department first.

Until their big boss wants them to 'Fake Date' because the team they work for needs good publicity - Brooke and Drew look cute together. Their passions lead to a problem of emotions.

Love wins. What do you want? It is a romance novel.

It's not one of the best I've read - too many detailed sex scenes.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3IIhQU7