Review of REDUCE RANSOM

 

REDUCED RANSOM

Hotshot Series #1

 

MIKE FARICY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Micky and Dell agree to kidnap women. It's is Micky's idea, and he convinces Dell, his friend since childhood.

New at being criminals, a la Mutt and Jeff, and not the sharpish pencils in the box, proceed to kidnap their first woman, Janice. She is the step-daughter of a man who tormented Micky and Dell, when they were young, He is a wealthy criminal type with hidden cash.

The events leading to and after this original kidnapping is not Micky and Dell's control. It leads to them receiving the ransom and Micky finding himself in a romantic situation.

So, the morons, as Janice calls them, commit two more crimes that have near disaster and funny developments. That last kidnap victim's payee is a bonified mafioso and arrives at the payment site with guns blazing.

The explosive ending will have the reader surprised and laughing at the same time. The story does not end there.

To find out why you need to read this well-written comical relief. Mr. Faricy keeps your funny bone alive.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2NpJ34H

Review of ONCE UPON A RHYME

 

ONCE UPON A RHYME: One Week, Three Lives, Three Deaths a Lifetime in Limericks

 

ANTONY L. SARAGAS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'Short, Sweet, and to the Point' is how I describe this novel. It is chock full of phrases you will want to read repeatedly, ala Og Mandino: The Greatest Success in the World and many others. INSPIRATIONAL.

Oskie and Bella's father died and left their home to them. Oskie, with son in toe, investigates the building, finding a book of limericks.

At this point in Oskie's life is in a rut, dilemmas he has not confronted, freeing himself to fully live his life.  With the help of friends, family, and his father's pasted down wisdom, he rewrites his future.

Hollis, a coach, states in one of his limericks to his son Oskie, 'We can never attain perfection in our lives, but we shall catch excellence along the way.' Will Oskie curtail with this type of inspiration?

The prose of Mr. Antony was smooth and easy to follow. If you need an uplift in your life, this read is you, as it was for me.

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

 

Review of BLACK ROSES

 

BLACK ROSES

 

SAMANTHA CHRISTY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Love is not in the air. Piper does not like men, and Mason is smitten, which is not new for him being a professional jock. 

 Piper returns home from Europe, where she has lived with her girlfriend for years, to help with her sister's wedding. Mason and his daughter are adopted Mitchell family members.

Their meeting leads to an emotional rollercoaster: Piper has a dark secret that sent her into a psychological tailspin; Mason has a ball and chain he has not fully disconnected. That relationship includes a stalking girlfriend.

Mason, after a few meetings with Piper, is in love. She does not want anything to do with a man, but he is a good man, family, and friends sell that fact.

The romance is a battleground of trust, which leads to an explosive emotional ending. Will they be joined in bliss? You'll need to read this unpredictable journey.

Ms. Christy's writing brings tears to your eyes. But if you have a weak stomach, her descriptive prose and adult language may shock you, beware.

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

 

Review of MURDER REVISITED

 

MURDER REVISITED

 A Jack Mallory Mystery, Bk 1

 

WILLIAM COLEMAN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Columbo, step aside for Detective Mallory. Peter Falk played Columbo, a homicide detective in the famous TV series by the same name.

Jack Mallory has the same position in a small urban city. His chief gives him a twenty-year-old case to solve.

This case mushrooms into three without the chief or any other police's knowledge, even to the end. Jack finds the threads that connect all by interviewing, infuriating, and disobeying orders.

I did not pick up on the connections until the final scene, which I usually do in most mysteries I read. Jack knew most of the people he interviewed, so he had inside knowledge. LOL

Not. Jack did excellent police work, and the author was smart enough to hide the evidence in his writing from the average reader. 

If you want a mystery challenge, this book is for you. The narrative kept me turning the pages, and Jack Mallory is prime time TV or excellent series reading.

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

Review of SUBVERSIVE

 

SUBVERSIVE

Clandestine Magic Trilogy, Bk 1

 

COLLEEN COWLEY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'He has magical powers. She does not. Only men can have that power.' is the central theme of this novel. Women could never become wizards; that is the law.

Blackwell, a wizard, picks Beatrix to be his assistant. Her sister is a women's rights advocate. Let the games begin.

Because of the above relationships, conflicts arise that upset both the magical and ordinary worlds. These events include attempted murder, a love story, and a magic upheaval.

Beatrix's sister is a marked woman because of her group's' activism; Bea and Blackwell have a thing going on in their dreams; the high powers are investigating everyone. All the events come to an explosive ending.

The prose was fun to read because of the unpredictable characters and the magical episodes. It was an interesting setup for this trilogy. I may read on.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3psT4vJ

Review of WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

 

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME

A Pleasant Gap Romance

 

PEPPER BASHAM

 

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

 

I had no idea what a Pleasant Gap Romance novel was until now. It is a story of a Family Faith-based couples falling in love.

In this novel, the second in a series, Julia, who physically and mentally is not inclined to fall in love. And, Henry is visiting from England on an assignment to write music for his friend's movie.

Their love of music uniquely grounding and brings them together. On many levels, that media bring each out of their introverted existence.  Hers is a seven-month pregnancy from rape, and he is writing music and a dysfunctional family in England.

There is a joint ground meeting of the minds, and sparks fly. When this happens halfway through the book, the reader can surmise the ending.

The two lovers also solve a mystery of who or what Julia's benefactress dead aunt is, which brings an ending to this second book. The mystery started in London and brought both back there.

Other than the obvious, this read is a pure delight to read. A book an authentic Christian will enjoy.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3qkfe3o

 

 

 

 

Review of 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

 

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

 

Yuval Noah Harari

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'Democrat politics, human rights, and free-market seem destined to conquer the entire world.' is one of lesson one's core points. I beg to differ. China actions, he does not consider.

In 21 chapters, Mr. Harari opines on almost everything under the sun: Technology, Politics, Humanity, and His Truths. The philosophy and psychology of each he delves into with zeal and commitment.

Whether you agree with him or not, his arguments and thesis are worth reading. I had to stop and read over several passages to understand his points fully.

If you are a thinking person, I recommend this book to go along with others: Intellectuals and Society by Thomas Sowell and Jennifer Michael Hecht's DOUBT, a History.  They will open your eyes to what is happening in the 21st Century.

One thing I loved about this book is that Mr. Harari's writing is clear and thought-provoking. Nihilist will be surprised.

Both books mentioned above I have reviewed - search above.

Purchased this: https://amzn.to/2Lfi8Yp