Review of BENT

BENT: A Love's Complicated Novel

HOLLIS WYNN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Carrigan has been in a mental funk for years because of her relationship with her mother, whom she has cared for from a young age. Believing in herself was difficult until she moved from her hometown to Chicago when her mother died.

Little by little, Carrigan's self-confidence grows with the help of Whit, a man she meets on the train and a friend at her new job. Her love for Whit increases and becomes complicated because of his life's events in motion.

How the novel ends will surprise the reader. For a first novel, Ms. Wynn hits all the buttons - good characters, emotional evaluation, excellent conversations, and tear-jerking situations of a young single living alone in the big city.

This novel is well worth the dime.

 

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/43KsO4k

Review of SAILOR'S CHOICE

SAILOR'S CHOICE - A Connie Barrera Thriller

 

CLR DOUGHTERY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This novel is the twelfth in the series. I have read four of CLR's novels, starting with LOVE FOR SAIL in 2018, which you should also do.

   However, SAILOR'S CHOICE stands on its own. Connie and her husband take on a contracted couple to sail to a Caribbean Island on their sailing yacht DIAMANTISTA II. Karen and Mike, researchers, go ashore to investigate a volcano and do not return.

Connie and Paul report the people as missing to the island's police - the adventure begins. This thriller's intriguing twists and turns lead to murder, kidnapping, and corporate espionage.

With a supporting cast of characters that Connie and Paul have acquired over their careers, her sailing in the Caribbean, and he a Miami homicide Captain, the web closes in on the criminals. How they accomplish this feat is fascinating, as are all of Charles Dougherty's novels. In the end, you will be happy you read the adventure.

I will read another of his novels soon because of the adventure of reading about the Caribbean, where I lived for twenty-eight years in the Hospitality Industry - Dominican Republic to Margarita, Venezuela.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3Ncl8SA

Review of MILKSHAKES and MURDER

MILKSHAKES and MURDER

MOM and CHRISTY's Cozy Mystery's 3

CHRISTY MURPHY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

MOM is Jo, and she is the show. Christy is the daughter who is trying to find her way in the world after a divorce from a ten-year marriage.

The judge in a newspaper contest walks out of the venue after drinking MoMom'silkshake, falls, and dies. Unfortunately, the cause of death is milky - food poisoning or concussion.

The man's life is the crux of the story. Using her contacts, Mom piece-by-piece connects the dots between this disliked person who was mining illegally and his partner.

Ms. MuMurphy'sriting is fun, quick, and easy to read. It is an excellent cozy mystery series to buy.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/42jSnYr

Review of A MATCH for MAUDE

A MATCH for MAUDE

A Lilac City Romance Novella, Book 1

DONNA K, WEAVER

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

The Lancaster sisters, Maude, Doris, and Frances, are in a serious situation after the death of their father. Their uncle, who seems to be the executor of their father's will, has given them an ultimatum that will destroy their lives.

Without the uncle's knowledge, the three head on an adventure to reunite hundreds of train miles from home with the brother. Aunt Ann knows and seeks help from Charles, an ex-Pinkerton officer, to protect the women.

He agrees, and the cross-country adventure begins. The uncle, who has a nefarious quest, will do anything to get these women under his control.

With all this going on, Maude and Charles, who have similar backgrounds fall for each other. This romance begins an excellent series with characters and Western Hospitality that will encourage readers to continue.

 

A fast, enjoyable read.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/43bU0IP

Review of NEW ORLEANS MOURNING

NEW ORLEANS MOURNING

JULIE SMITH

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Why is New Orleans mourning? One of its Rexes, a king of the Mardi Gras parade, is shot dead near the end of the proceeding by A Dolly Parton look-a-like.

This police drama's lead character is an Uptown girl who returns home after a long journey to become an officer. Skip is her name, and the chief puts her together with two veteran homicide detectives to solve the crime because of her status with the in-crowd.

The old mystery cliche is "The Butler did it." But, in Mourning, the killer is closer than one would think. A historical love-hate relationship between family and friends is the key to this drama.

Ms. Smith's knowledge of NOLA's class system and the city's layout is a fascinating part of the story. Having been to New Orleans twice, I followed her tour.

Skip intermingles with the right people finding important information that will surprise the reader. "Mourning" is a long, good read.

 

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

Review of LIFE and OTHER COMPLICATIONS

Life and Other Complications

HEATHER MULLALY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Seventeen-year-old Alyson has a secret and has lied about it for ten years - the source of her HIV. Unfortunately, her friends all have different levels of deadly sicknesses.

The situation is eating at her mind and soul. Her friends, Luke and Caroline, have no idea why she is not returning Luke's love for her.

The secret is coming out because Aly must testify in a trial. As a result, her innermost feelings are destroying her relationships.

Interwoven in their friendships are feelings only teenagers can define. With well-written, revealing conversations, Ms. Heather Mullaly dabbles into Aly's predicament with concern for victims of horrendous crimes.

What Aly finds out, in the end, quoting John Lennon, "Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; Love is a flower, you've got to let it grow."

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/45fZ5Br

Review of VOODOO & VAMPIRE'S

VOODOO & VAMPIRES

A Blood Witch Saga. Book 1

 

THEOPHILUS MONROE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

I am not a believer in Witchcraft, Vampires, or Voodoo. However, I like a fun read, and this fits the bill. You may learn something new from this adventure if you are a believer.

Hailey, a teenager, learns she is a witch, becomes a vampire, and then learns a little voodoo. All this is in the first few chapters.

Reading about her character's development defines the storyline's direction - Hailey is unique. She is a Blood Witch who agrees to an implausible main story task.

The supporting characters add humor and advice to this adventure leading to hell. This first in a series is a fun Young Adult read.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/45sibVd