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