Review of I CLOSE MY EYES

 

I CLOSE MY EYES

Close Series; Book One

 

REGINA PUCKETT

 

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

 

Out of the 1800s, Ms. Puckett brings us two new characters, Lady Jane, the daughter of a Duke, and a young Duke Phillip. Each has a significant conflict with their fathers, which leads to discomfort.

The times dictate society's mores. In Jane and Phillip's case, their betrothal is unconventional for the level of the caste culture of royalty.

The two were found in a simple misunderstanding that Jane's stepmother stained it with a lie. A conflict began, and they were married.

The conflict is not with Jane and Phillip but with others. The devious events that follow throughout by those people bring the two closers.

Their marriage becomes an individual soul searching of the past, which brings them together to the place that Jane sees when she closes her eyes. And, the next chapter in The Duke and Duchess live to begin in Book Two.

I believe this is my fourth Romance novel by Ms. Puckett I have read.  All have been a delightful read. I assure you the series is a tear-jerking read.

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

 

 

Review of THE MADNESS OF CROWDS

 

THE MADNESS OF CROWDS

 

DOUGLAS MURRAY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

"Disagreement is not oppression. Argument is not assault. Words - even provocative or repugnant ones - are not violence. The answer to speech we do not like is more speech." is a quote Mr. Douglas Murray uses in his dissertation on Gay, Women, Race, and Trans' evolution. This rational analysis opened my eyes using historical information and events unknown to me.

Mr. Murray's insightful conservative conclusions dissect the grievances of many who are too Woke to the point that they would call this book propaganda. On the other hand, I call his A-to-Z explanations: the mores of the mob dominating our social media and affecting young minds.

The new world metaphysics and intersectionality have a battle on their hands against facts, science, logic, and the truth. Mr. Murray brings this all to light in his long and detailed debates of the issues mentioned above.

The writing is an intelligent and thought-provoking read. "The Madness of Crowds is A BOOK FOR THE INQUISITIVE MIND, ala Murry's Readers Are Leaders.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2Rnsh8v

 

 

Review of NEVER DATE YOUR BROTHER'S BEST FRIEND

 

NEVER DATE YOUR

Brother's Best Friend

 

JULES BARNARD

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Oh, the web we spine in our youth. Cali, at twenty-one, believes she is going in one direction with her life and moves with her best friend Gen to Lake Tahoe, working in a casino to make money for the future.

Jaeger, Cali's brother's friend from High School, has made a new life after a significant life-changing defeat. Since their school days, he has cared for Cali - they meet again with Cali's brother Tyler in toe.

The conversations and logic of events the characters evolve into are seeming immature for these young adults. The twist and turn of all of their relationships lead to a rocky road.

Non-commitments and bad decision-making lead to conflicts that all could avoid. Cali is the main character who leads the pack.

Luck plays a significant role in the ending results after a critical turning point without going into detail. Love wins in the end.

The author's writing style is superb, but the plot is so-so. Ms. Barnard leaves openings in this novel with gaps of what happened to... This novel is Book 1 of a five-book series but does not read that way - my only complaint.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/2R3NB2x

 

Review of BOTTLING IT

 

Bottling It

(A Wayfair Witches' Cozy Mystery #1)

A.A. ALBRIGHT

Review by Author Roy Murry

Wanda Wayfair, an unempowered witch, earns her stripes in this first novel of a fun witches' mystery. The story is a family affair.

Interwoven into the case of murders (Humans are murdering Witches?) are warlocks, vampires, werewolves and the solution is on the funny side of the paranormal. During the investigation of a weak mystery, Wanda's witchy powers develop, helping in the case of the 'Bottling it.'

The background is Dublin, Ireland. However, I did not get an Irish feeling, but the series is a long one, and maybe in those books, a bit more or the culture will arise.

The characters and background stories are progressive enough to keep the reader interested, moving on to Book 2. The writing was enjoyable, but I did not hear the Irish dialect, making the story more interesting.

If you like a fun cozy mystery series with a twist, this is for you.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/33hFXnV

 

 

Review of RUNNING UNDER SAIL

 

RUNNING UNDER SAIL

A Connie Barrera Thriller

 

CLR DOUGHERTY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Having lived and worked in the Caribbean islands for twenty-six years (List below), I look for reads about places I have been. Mr. Dougherty, with his thrilling series, fills that void. I have read a few of his novels.

Even though this read is 5th in the Connie Barrera series, this adventure story stands alone. You get the Connie and Paul's background with a twist that keeps the reader wanting more.

Sadie's agent charters Connie and Paul's yacht to cruise the Caribbean, running from a past that wants her back and under control.  Because of Sadie's popularity as a jazz singer, that bad element has made headway and bears down on their location.

That criminal element has no idea what they are up against until the last moment. Connie puts on the con to con a con man, and Paul, an ex-cop, calls in favors.

This adventure leads to a thrilling end which builds up throughout the read. RUNNING UNDER SAIL is a nautical term Sadie learns, and the reader will RUN/READ this novel in one sitting - guaranteed.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3gGblV4

 

The list of places I have worked in the Caribbean Hospitality Industry: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Curaçao, Aruba, and Margarita, Venezuela. While there, I traveled to other islands by air or sail.   

Review of HOOKED

 

HOOKED

Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants exploit our Addictions

 

MICHAEL MOSS

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

HOOKED is an explosive read that will have your brain spinning. There are no conclusions into why humans are addicted to food, alcohol, or drugs, only expert opinions.

Mr. Moss gives an excellent case that the major food producers manipulate their products' formulas to control human consumption and sales. However, the center of human addictions to food cannot ultimately indict them.

As he notes, paraphrased: Humans have been unwitting conspirators in letting them exploit all the ways that we're drawn to their food. We have a choice as to what we eat, whether it's processed food, i.e., a jar of spaghetti sauce, or cooking it from scratch, as I do.

Mr. Moss cites the use of price, ease of purchase, taste (Salt, Sugar, and Fat) are the ways major food producers control human eating habits. They spend millions to perfect that marketing program to keep humans HOOKED on their product lines.

His case is solid but does not convict those manipulators, in my opinion. HOOKED is full of opinions, as with what you put in your mouth.

HOOKED is a book for THE INQUISITIVE MIND. It is an excellent read that the reader will use and think about it for days.

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

 

Review of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book of Golf

 

'GOLF' HARVEY PENICK'S

     LITTLE RED BOOK

HARVEY PENICK & 

BUD SHRAKER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I found this little jewel of lessons and teachings from Mr. Penick's lifetime in golf by accident. I have been playing golf since I was fourteen and never heard of Harvey.

If you lived in Texas in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s and heard of Davis Love III, Tom Kite, Byron Nelson, Kathy Whitworth, and many others you may have known about Harvey, their instructor.  I had not because I was living, working, and playing golf in the Caribbean during that time with little access to the USA's TV channels.

At the beginning of this book, the above professional golf champions introduce Harvey to the reader. I was surprised that I had not heard of him, and if you're a golfer of that era, you may also have not.

Bud Shrake, an American journalist, sportswriter, and novelist helped Harvey write the rest of this book of golfing advice. I had some of Harvey's lessons in my brain because I was on my high school's golf team.

Our coach was a part-time professional in the '60s. So I knew how to approach the ball, perform my waggle, and hit the ball straight. If you do not know why a 'waggle' is needed, you need this book.

Harvey's advice is extensive; a beginner, a weekend player, or an active golfer should read the book from cover to cover. Two of my playing partners are using Harvey's nuggets of knowledge, and you should use them also.

 

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