The Swan Maiden

THE SWAN MAIDEN

G. Lawrence

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

In 1540, Anna of Cleves was to become the Queen of England, marrying the Tudor King Henry VIII, who had three wives. Anna's evaluation of her situation in becoming Queen mentions what happened surrounding them.

Anna tells her story in the first person. She describes her new world by interjecting the pros and cons of her family's and England's politics, new friendships, and the king's physical and mental abilities.

Anna's story is compelling, shocking, heartwarming, and a testament to her strength and resilience. She is a survivor with a strong mind, leading to her fate under the power of an erratic king.

G. Lawrence's writing about this historical English event will keep the readers turning the page even though they may have read the Wikipedia version. This version is an eloquent and entertaining one.

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SEED MONEY

SEED MONEY

B. E. BAKER

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Serendipity lost her whole family and lives in the rundown guest house of her famous dead grandmother’s estate in Scarsdale, New York. Nicknamed Garbage Guy, Dave has money his father gave him and wants to invest it in a B&B project.

Seren is woken from sleep by Dave and his friend, who walk into her bedroom. Dave is smitten. In an unusual move, he proposes they become partners in operating a B&B.

After some negotiations, they agreed to go into business. However, the contract has one caveat: Dave cannot date Seren.

The game of love begins with twists and turns initiated by their friends. In the end, the romance lover/reader will be content.

This story is an excellent Book 1 of a series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4hKSxkt

More Than Once Upon a Time

MORE THAN Once Upon a Time

KRISTY DIXON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

If you like FAIRY TALES, this novel has three in it. Each tale has the same three main characters: Olivia, a woman in denial; Jerron, a man wanting to return home; and Nancy, a controlling fairy godmother.

Olivia and Jerron are in a realm of confusion because of individual accidents. The two meet in one tale, and according to Nancy, they must learn more about love to go home and be released from her control.

Olivia and Jerron learn their lessons gradually, but she learns faster. She returns home, and the tales are over, but there is no Jerron on her return.

This return leads to a heartwarming ending that will be enjoyed by those who love fairy tales and romance novels. It is a well-written and exciting novel leading into a series.

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FIRESIDE INN

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DEATH AT THE FIRESIDE INN

Veronica Vale Investigates

KITTY KILDARE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

Veronica, a well-to-do obituary writer, collaborates with her best friend, Ruby, to investigate crimes. Working differs from what young ladies were not usually allowed to do in London in the 1920s.

Veronica's family owns the newspaper, the Fireside Inn, and other businesses, which allows them to do what they do. A famous actress who has a room at the Fireside Inn is killed at the theater, leaving two Pug dogs that Veronica and Ruby rescue.

The adventure begins with the distaste of Inspector Templeton - a side hate/love relationship with Miss Vale. The group collides, finding clues that go in the right direction for the police.

However, Veronica's tenacity saves the day. Even if the Pugs get a new home, a romance may start.

Ms. Kildare's prose is fast-paced and quirky, highlighting the abuse of women's rights in that era.

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PURRFECT CURE

PURRFECT CURE

NIC SAINT

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

PURRFECT is not Perfect; it is silly. Cats and Dogs talk to each other, and talking to THEIR HUMANS is too much.

MAX and his gang are trying to solve the mystery of a young lady named Angel. Unbeknown to them, she has been abducted—PROLOGUE.

It is ridiculous how this group of animals convinces humans to do things. The side two shows add nothing to the mystery—the doctor losing his___?

If you like cats and dogs doing curious things, this read is for you. If not, find a better read.

This novel is #38 in a series. People like cats and dogs. We have two cats, and we laugh at their antics.

However, PURRFECT CURE is over the top.

 

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Mother Tongue: English

THE MOTHER TONGUE

English and How It Got That Way

BILL BRYSON

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Are you a linguist, or do you care to know where the words in the UK and American English came from? Then, this book gives you the history you are looking for.

Swearing, Spelling, and Names are three chapters that piqued my interest. Mr. Bryson delves into all areas of the language - some boring and others interesting.

There are boring parts, such as when he over-explains an item after making a point. His understanding of word origins and how he explains them is fascinating.

Reading THE MOTHER TONGUE will take time. Unlike the dictionaries he describes, Bill Bryson packs a lot into a 274-page book. It could have been a shorter narrative with an index.

THE MOTHER TONGUE is a good non-fiction book to read—however, not Mr. Bryson's best.

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KILLING the WITCHES

KILLING the WITCHES

The Horror of Salem

Massachusetts

BILL O'REILLY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, one of my high school's excursions was to visit Salem as part of our history class. Reading KILLING THE WITCHES brought alive that trip and the memories embedded in my brain.

The Puritan witch hunts stained the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the original colonialists. This story-telling book details how they started and ended, naming the culprits and victims.

Also, at the time, many cities in the rest of the world had the same problem. They hung or burned people to death for what they considered witchcraft.

In KILLING, it is noted how those witch trials and killings produced part of the Bill of Rights attached to The US Constitution. This process included debates about church and state function in government by people whose names you should know.

This discourse and the effect on the development of the United States would not have happened if it were not for the KILLING of WITCHES. Well-written book for the Inquisitive Mind.

 

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4f4FwjC