Review of STORM COUNTRY

Storm Country

Book 1

JOYCE DEBACCO

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Dallas lookout; here comes STORM COUNTRY. Ms. Debacco's novel has all the ingredients that the famous American TV program drama Dallas had in the 80s and 90s.

There are characters you will love and others you will hate - white hat and black hats, cowboys of Montana. In this case, a matriarch Bonnie rules the Storm family of two men and a young lady with a soft but firm hand.

The men run the operations which include a large ranch and a hotel. The young lady is finding her way, and it is she that invites a stranger home to join the workforce.

He is overqualified which raises some suspicions with Bonnie, but she lets them go after his interview.  There is something familiar about him. The family adventure begins with love-hate relations brewing leading to a climax that entices you to read book two.

The well-developed characters bring this book one alive for the reader wanting to know what will happen to their future. The Storm family have a lot going on leading to suspense and a hook, by the writer, at the end that reader will want to continue to book two.

I enjoyed the prose and may purchase book two in the future which is not normal for me.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2kysu4M

Review of RUSH

Three Seconds to RUSH

Piper Anderson Legacy Mystery

DANIELLE STEWART

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Tara is near death with a needle in her arm, and her child, a distance away from her, nearing pneumonia, when the police find her.  When she wakes up in the hospital, the detective is reading her 'Her Rights.'

Using her only call, she calls a friend who she hadn't seen in ten years when she was fourteen and he sixteen.  Luckily, he is an excellent defense, but he doesn't believe her.

Their childhood plays an integral part in how they move in the right direction as to solving Tara's legal problems. However, Reid has a problem acquainting himself with what they meant to each other and for each other. 

They both have issues in dealing with society. Reid is a workaholic and lives like a hermit. Tara tries to do everything on her without a support system. 

With conflicts and reevaluations of their selves, they meet in the right place, leading to a conclusion the may not see coming. With support, the story ends in their favor.

The characters are thoroughly developed; the plot is interesting; there are twists, and the prose is thrilling until the end.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2Gskb2U

Review of Pancakes and Corpses

Pancakes and Corpses

A Peridale Cafe Mystery

AGATHA FROST

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Julia South is an exceptional baker, and everyone in a small town goes to her coffee shop to enjoy her delectable pastries and cakes.  Then one day a reporter tells her about a negative review of her store that the local newspaper is printing tomorrow.

She goes to confront the possible author of the article when the unexpected happens - Julia is in the middle of a murder. She dogs her way around town following leads.

In the process, she meets a man, the detective assigned to the murder case. They clash, and then they dance.

Julia's abilities have her ahead of her new friend in solving the case. He is new to the English town, so she has the advantage.

When the two come together, the case, in an unusual way, comes to a conclusion the reader will enjoy. 

The story is straightforward, but the reader is in the dark unless they understand Julia's explanation of the town people. The main characters are complete for a second novel in the series. They are likable.

Purchase:    https://amzn.to/2KCjK8L

Review of An Unexpected Nanny

An Unexpected Nanny

Constance Masters

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Twist of faith brings Curtis and Vi together. He needs a nanny, and she has the feeling to be a mother. They connect on many levels.

Curtis and Vi clash, coming from different backgrounds. However, there is something about her that draws him to her.

Vi connects right away with his child Rose. The two love each other at first sight which endears Curtis.

There are some twist and turns to the story, but the conclusion is simple to understand from a reader's close understanding of soap operas - love is in the air.

The characters are well defined while the prose leads you on to an ending which the reader probably knew from the middle of the book. The story is a bit of a tear-jerker.

Enjoyed. Purchase at  https://amzn.to/2rR1TUA

Review of Travess Blood

Travess Blood

Quinn Larson

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

'How the west was won?' is an intraocular part of USA history. Development continued because good concorded over evil.

In Travess Blood, the younger is wild and wants to live life to the fullest without abiding by the law. His elder brother is a lawman.

Their conflicts started in their youth but come to a turning point for the worst when Clint, the older of the two arrests his brother and friends robbing a Stagecoach and Troy goes to prison for his part. Every day in jail Troy's revenge grows to uncontrollable evil.

A Stagecoach robbery and murders happen weeks after Troy's and friends are released from their long terms in a strict discipline house of correction, which didn't seem to rehabilitate the criminal. Clint investigates this crime to find out, according to Troy's boss at the Circle-G where Clint's ex-lover lives married; Troy had not left the property.

Circumstance leads to other full investigations that produce an ending that Westerns are known for on the Big Screen. Throughout this sager, the tensions built to where good should overcome evil.

But does it? Not always. You'll have to read this raw human western story to find out.

Purchase:     https://amzn.to/2Ihdjva

Review of Rejection

REJECTION

A Lou Drake Mystery

Thomas K. Matthews

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

What would you do get published by a major house? Murder to become famous?

Lou Drake, at one time, was a detective. He got demoted to paroling the city with a partner, screwed up and was sent to The Cage for the few months he had left on the job.

How he got demoted is a significant part of his story and the background to this novel. He was a meticulous sleuth before he messed up a murder case. Why, is the unknown?

While working in the holding cage, a serial killer is on the loose who is murdering literary agents in unusual ways. Drake, a writer who can't publish his novel but keeps on going, starts to use the crimes as the basis of his new endeavor.

The events that transpire after he starts writing and investigating this string of killings upset the city police department where he works. The FBI joins the fray leading an investigation of the department.

How that end is an exciting and rejuvenating for the reader and Lou Drake's future. Not all ends well, but you, the reader will want to read more of his mysteries.

This is a book one of a series, but I don't see what characters will be carried over to two. 

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2KqNLZP

     

Review of Mirror, Mirror

MIRROR, MIRROR

A Legal Thriller

DEBORAH HAWKINS

Review by Roy Murry, Author

Jeff, a big-time lawyer, past brings him down to earth. He loses everything because of it even though he claims the charges are false.

It seems that the legal world is one hundred percent against him. Jeff's life is turning upside down but being the fighter, he is, he muddles through and gets a plum case on his own against the people who brought him down.

The case and the people change him for good, leading to many conflicting emotions. He is a different man after a rollercoaster ride psychologically.

This change brings the reader to a surprising conclusion in a thrilling court case that one did not see coming. He finds out who genuinely cares for him.

Some of the main characters are prime for a sequel. The twist and turns of Jeff's existence in this novel will keep you awake all night as it did to me.

I enjoyed the writing much. Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2KmjH1n