Friday, February 21, 2020

Review of LIFESPAN


LIFESPAN, Why We Age - and
Why We Don't Have To

David A. Sinclair, Ph.D.,
with Matthew D. LaPlante

Review by Author Roy Murry

This book is for the inquisitive minded person who cares about their mortality.  I take one day at a time.

However, after reading the intro, I decided to read on. I found myself in the middle of a Sinclair dissertation.

Muddling, through the molecular details he explains, I started to understand his longevity research. It took time reading the first one hundred pages, but it was worth slow read.

After that, the narrative moved along smoothly, learning how to live longer and healthier, understanding the aging process. DNA, gene, genetic material, cell division, chromosome, the tumor are not things that ordinary people, like me, think about in our daily endeavors.

Needed for this reading is some knowledge of biology. Mr. Sinclair's writing confines himself to his subject; it very difficult to put the book down when he explains his theorems, assumptions, opinions, many of which I can’t entirely agree.

However, the reading was enjoyable and eye wakening that I recommend.


Sunday, February 9, 2020

Review of SPEAK NO EVIL


SPEAK NO EVIL

TANYA ANNE CROSBY

Review by Author Roy Murry


Flo, a wealthy socialite newspaper heiress, dies supposedly falling a flight of stairs. She leaves a will in which her three daughters must complete specific tasks while living together in the family mansion for one year to receive their inheritance.

The eldest daughter must manage the newspaper; the middle daughter is to renovate the house, and the youngest is to write a novel. Neither wants the jobs needed to full fill the mother's will.

However, if one fails, no one gets the money. Let the games begin. The women must work harmoniously or fail.

Interwoven into the above scenario is a love story, a serial killer, and the Charleston wetlands that have a secret to unravel.  All collide into a thrilling story, ending in a flame.

Ms. Crosby does hook the reader in because many questions are left open after an ending event that would have nullified the beginning circumstance. Well worth the read - easy flowing, good characters, and twist and turns that keep the reader engaged.




Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Review of THE SOUL OF THE WORLD


The Soul of the World

Roger Scruton

Nothingness is on the other side - death. Therefore, should we believe in a monolithic god or just faith in one?

This and other questions of personal relationships, moral intuitions, and aesthetic judgments to light in this exceptional understanding of the world in which we live.

Sir Roger has gone into his "Nothingness," on January 12, 2020, with his passing over into another realm. He died — this book published in 2016.

In this lecture driven book, he outlines the journey us humans take in this time on earth - how we commune, how we think, and our thoughts of death and a higher power's participation in it – sacred vs. atheism. You have to be a bit of a philosophy scholar to understand his dissertation fully.

At times, his writing had me at a disadvantage, but his examination of human beings and their relationship with each god made sense.  Kant and Sartre’s philosophies drove home his points of observation at the end of this long read.

Sir Roger's explanations of the human mind, using his cognitive dualism, helped complete part of my life's journey. We will meet him in Nothingness soon enough.


Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Review of The Irish Cottage


THE IRISH COTTAGE
Finding Elizabeth

JULIET GAUVIN

Review by Author Roy Murry

Elizabeth, a persuasive, successful litigator's surrogate mother, dies, and Beth, as she is known, goes to Ireland to contemplate her future. She takes seven letters from that mother to read on her journey.

She meets Connor, and with the reading of those letters and fate, their involvement goes up each level after an instructive template of life. Each person has their psychological baggage to overcome the love affair.

Connor's friends are amazed at his change; Connor is overcome at Beth's transformation from the first day they met.  Both adults mend together physically and emotionally to the edge of saying, 
'I love you.'  

The ending of this journey is uplifting and will leave the reader wanting more when Beth leaves for London to full fill a quest, and Connor goes on an extended business trip.  I believe they will meet again in The London Flat, book two. I could be wrong, but...

Book one is an excellent hook into book two. You'll love it.



Sunday, January 12, 2020

Review of A MATTER OF TRUST


A Matter of Trust
LONDON CALLING, Book 1

KAT FAITOUR

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

This romance novel was like foreplay from cover to end. Bennett of his namesake company Sterling International has hired Devon, a beautiful, intelligent woman to work for his company after Human Relations gave her a top approval rating.

One look, and he put his stamp of approval. The company is based in London – she is USA American; he is English.

Sparks in his brain or his loin attracts him to her and vice-a-versa. He, however, does not have relations with employees since one betrayed his trust in a past relationship.

He wants her; she wants him plays out for most of the novel.  She is confused, and he is not. He plays games with his intentions.

Emotions conflict between the two. Those go on until a family cohort of hers interjects himself into the business sexual relationship with a game that could prove Bennet's untrusting ways with women he cares.

The relationship arrives at a conclusion that may be resolved in Book 2 of the series. I may read that endeavor.


Monday, December 30, 2019

Review of IF SHE KNEW


IF SHE KNEW

BLAKE PIECE

Review by Author Roy Murry

I love a mystery, and this is a good one. Kate Wise solves the ones no one at the FBI can, but she is retired at fifty-five.

But she has antsy pants and wants to get back into the action when a friend is murdered. The family asks her to investigate, but her hands are tied because she has no official standing.

Then another event happens with her FBI supervisor giving her credentials to act as a temp-agent. With a new young partner, the action begins, but all roads lead to a dead-end.

Agent Wise does what she does well - think through all the events and never gives up even when she is taken off the case, and the police have their killer. Her efforts lead to an exciting ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat.


Check Kindle price $.00 and buy book 2 for $3.99

Review of BITTERSWEET MEMORIES


BITTERSWEET MEMORIES

ERIKA M SZABO

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry


Short, romantic, and emotional. A child, Elana Smith, given the name in a hospital, grows up in the social service system of foster families after being abandoned.

That unfortunate situation leads to others until she joins a boy in foster home care. More psychological pressure enters her mind at the age of thirteen.

However, loving people on her life's journey help her adjust into a beautiful, intelligent woman. Then, at a traditional memory place, another trauma takes place.

When this happens, the reader will have a hard time stopping the tears.

The story is a small ninety-minute rollercoaster ride that will keep you pinned to your Kindle.