Review of A Perfect Setup

Review of Douglas Wickard's
A PERFECT SETUP 

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The world revolves around Sami Saxton, as it seems in this complex character driven novel. The author delves into the background of the main women characters to the point of telling us their intimate sexual preferences and choices of men. Sami’s ex is the only male character that women migrate towards. That is the reason for their parting ways – other women.

A young woman is murdered and the story begins. Sami’s ex, Jerry, is the prime suspect, but he wasn’t there at the time of the crime. Sami living her somewhat psychogenic existence believes that Jerry could never kill anyone. Or, could he?  

The development of Mr. Wickard’s attractive Sami Saxton character has her in a delightful existence in New York City with her lovable dog. In her journeys around town, the reader gets a taste of the big apple. She drives taxi cab drivers crazy with her back seat driver’s attitude. But in all other parts of her life, she has little clue as to where she is going or what is happening around her.

This mystery is thrilling at points, because of Sami’s mental aliments which are minor and controllable with legal prescriptions. However, mixed with wine she gets the feeling that someone is out to get her. They are, but it’s not who she thinks it is.

Mr. Wickard keeps the reader’s attention using the character’s explanations as to why they are doing what they’re doing. Some of the explanations are intriguing and entertaining.

The novel is a quick read that a reader of suspense novels will find captivating. I can’t wait to see what will happen to Sami in her next adventure. Or, should you?

Purchase: http://
amzn.to/SPl3WK

Interview of Dionne Lister

Interview of Dionne Lister

Author of Shadows of the Realm

(The Circle of Talia)

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself? I was born in Australia to immigrant parents. My mum’s Italian, and my dad’s Greek. I live in Sydney with my husband and two children and enjoy playing competitive team sports.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? The first one I remember writing was a small book when I was about ten — The Silver Waters of Brumby Land. Brumbies are the wild horses in Australia. I still have it, and I illustrated it too. It’s funny to look back on because I always thought I got my horror streak from reading too much Stephen King as a teenager but in my first book, one of the horse characters slipped and fell and smashed his head on a rock. He died. Seems like it’s just my brain and I have no one else to blame lol.

Were you inspired by someone or something? No. I just wanted to be a writer because I loved writing and I enjoy the process so much.

What do you like about writing a story? Many things. I love the process of creating the story — putting the words on the page is incredibly fulfilling, and then I love reading it back and thinking “Where did that come from?” And of course, there is the joy of a stranger (or friend) reading your work and loving it.

Can you tell us about your book? I’ve written three books. The first one is Shadows of the Realm and the sequel A Time of Darkness, both in The Circle of Talia series. They’re young adult high fantasy and center around a group of realists — they draw and use power from the Second Realm. The two main characters, Bronwyn and Blayke, are learning as they go, having been forced to leave home. They’re eighteen and untried. Their daunting task is to learn as much about their Second Realm powers. As they can without getting killed and then band with the dragons, so they have a chance of defeating the gormons who are invading from the Third Realm (akin to hell) where they were banished from Talia (their world) over a thousand years ago. The gormons are angry and want blood; lots of blood.

The other book I have out is Dark Spaces, a book of suspenseful short stories set in the modern-day world.

What genre best fits for the book? Young adult epic or high fantasy is The Circle of Talia series, and Dark Spaces is thriller/suspense.

Are you working on something new at the moment? I’m working on a lot of things. I’m working on the final book in The Circle of Talia series, a standalone epic fantasy which is tentatively called Little Dove, a crime thriller. One which is comedy/women’s fiction which will be released under a pen name as it deals with things I’d rather not have associated with my young adult image.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Write as much as you can, and if you can study writing, you will learn a few things a lot quicker than if you try to do it yourself (unless you are a freaky genius). Learn to take criticism — it can hurt to start with, but you get used to it, and if you listen to the people who are giving you good feedback, you will improve. No one’s work is perfect so be open to the fact that you need to keep working to get better.

Where can people go to read your work? I have a few short stories and the opening to Shadows of the Realm on my website www.dionnelisterwriter.com. You can also buy my books from all the usual places (where you can also read samples).

Do you have anything to add? If of your Australian readers are interested, I’m talking about self-publishing at The Sutherland Shire Writers Festival and the NSW Writers Centre in November and the Hunter Writers Centre at the end of October. For the US readers, I’m appearing at a book signing morning on 12^th October in Dallas (Texas). Twelve authors are getting together. We write in a wide range of genres, and we’ll be selling and signing paperbacks, so come down and see us at Half Price Books Dallas flagship store. And if you’re into speculative fiction, I co-host Club Fantasci — you can find us on Facebook and Goodreads or our website www.clubfantasci.wordpress.com. You can find me on Twitter @DionneLister if you’d like to say ‘Hi.'

Roy: Thanks so much for the interview! I’ve really enjoyed myself. Cheers, everyone J.

Review of Valentine's Surprise

Review of Valentine’s Surprise,

a short story, by Lawrence Wray

Reviewed by Roy Murry

As some of you may know, I subscribe to http://www.one-story.com/  and receive a short story a month, which I read religiously. I have been doing this for a couple of years. I’m telling you this to give you an idea of where I got my knowledge in reviewing short stories – I have read many, including most of Mark Twain’s and other popular authors.

Now to the present and Mr. Wray’s Valentine’s Surprise. I was thankfully surprised and read it twice. It was well constructed prose that kept me interested and made me laugh even though I had to think twice about some of the English converted into American English, which pleasantly slowed down my reading – rethinking what just happened.

The story line was believable and timely. A man buying his wife a present for Valentine’s Day should be an easy thing to do. But when friends get involved a la Lucy and Desi Arnaz of TV comic fame, the results can be hilarious. The laugh meter needle went past the middle on this one.

Lawrence brings the story’s predicament across smoothly. There were no frills, just right to the point story telling. It’s worth the buck or pound for the laugh.

And, we should all laugh each day.

My Lawrence Wray’s links: 

Amazon Author Page  http://viewauthor.at/lawrencewray

Valentine’s Surprise    http://amzn.to/1m2nbJm

Twitter                           @lawrence_wray

Facebook                     www.facebook.com/lawrence.wray.33

Review of Turnabout Is Fatal Play

Review of

Turnabout Is Fatal Play

Written by Glenn Harris

Reviewed by R. Murry

Rick said at the end of Casablanca to the chief detective, “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” is an appropriate quote to describe the relationship between the main characters in Mr. Harris’ novel, McCall, and Malone, private detectives.  It is also true for the reader who loves detective stories because this series beginner endears you to its characters.

Clint McCall and Devon Malone combine to unravel some situations that range from funny to gruesome.  Even though their styles are clearly different, they mull over events, concluding where the circumstances may end.  Like any partnership, all doesn’t always end the way one may want.

Glenn Harris has put in place the start of a series that flows with some sparks flowing between the main protagonists up to and including the last scene where all seems well in their little part of skillfully defined Portland, Oregon.

Their relationships, future mishaps, and Portland’s landscape will be the base of upcoming episodes, which Mr. Harris has skillfully put in place.

With this background, the gamut of characters come alive, propelling events into action that our detectives fence against. Their duels are sometimes physical, mental, and cute. Whatever the situation, McCall and Malone find a way to deal with it, which is why I feel you’ll admire their accomplishments.

If you’re looking for a series that will keep you attentive, I recommend that you look into this one.

Glenn's books are currently available only in electronic form. There are links on my website, www.glennharris.us, to Amazon (for Kindle owners) and Barnes and Noble (for Nook owners). 

Review Passion, Power & Sin

Review of Mike Wells’

Passion, Power & Sin

Books 1 & 2 of

A Series

Reviewed by R. Murry

A simple act of receiving an E-mail, which most people would consider spam, is the catalyst of these thrilling introductions into this five book series written by Mr. Wells.  His main character, Heather, is a resourceful intelligent red head, who has a stressful money problem. 

Because of her family’s financial turmoil, she opens a second E-mail because the first message came true to her amazement and made her angry she didn’t take advantage of its fruition.  This is when her adventure into the world of international monetary affairs turns into nerve raking events for her and the reader.  However, there are some pleasant moments she encounters.

Mike pulls his readers in and keeps them glued to the page hoping Heather will reach her goals.  Each endeavor seems strange at first glance.  Heather overcomes obstacles by wit, fate and luck.  Mr. Wells writes each event in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering if Heather’s world wind will come to an end, solving her problems. 

There is a love affair in the background of this nail biting suspense story.  It’s kept there, because Heather is doing her thing globe hopping to resolve her problem first, keeping her lover in the dark of its existence. The affair culminated to her satisfaction.

We all want an underdog story to come to a happy ending.  This one may because of the lead character’s ability to go with the flow of events and not get bogged down in self-pity. She moves on, knowing she has the strength inside her to handle what is thrown at her even to the doubts of her friends.

Mike Wells has me hooked into finishing this series.  If you are not prone to heart attacks, this series should be on your “Series to read list.”

Check him out: http://
amzn.to/1hjPrhk

Review of Something Great

Review of Something Great

Written by M. Clarke

Reviewed by R. Murry

Romantic stories are now geared to the young, because they are the only ones who fall in love?!  The one difference I see in Contemporary Romance vs. any other Romance novel is gadgets used to upscale the plot.  In Mary’s novel Something Great, that gadget is a Smart Phone, with people using texts to convey information.  I’m old school and don’t text. 

Mary has done an excellent job using this communication media to enhance the story of her two lover’s journey.  Using this new way to snappily deliver one’s thoughts brings different emotions into play which a face to face directness diffuses.  The author uses wisely the differences of those exchanges to develop the storytelling.

In M. Clarke’s version of a love story, there is playfulness, teasing, giggling, winking, and the old standby of kissing one’s lover in the place that drives them crazy.  Effortlessly she leads the reader on through a story made in heaven and we all know that when that happens, there is always the pit falls.

The main character armed with a family of three friends, who have a group text site to speed up communications between them, falls heads over heals for the perfect man, albeit some say he is a women magnet and has slept with many of them.  He, on the other hand, has emotions that he never had before, which impedes his directness.

Their affair is sometimes torrid but mostly cute and moves along smoothly.  He uses his position to show his affection and she uses her friends for advice to understand it.  M. Clarke does a fine job of writing an uncomplicated story that becomes complicated because of her intended character’s communication skill and style.

This novel is for the young and old romantics.  It resonates on all levels.  An enjoyable summer afternoon read

Review of Soul Destruction: Unforgivable

Review of

Soul Destruction:

         Unforgivable

Written by Ruth Jacobs

Reviewed by R. Murry

Forgiveness is a hard concept for many to grasp. There are many quotes on forgiving oneself and others that could fill a book.  I won’t give you one.  All I’ll say is that the world would be better off if people would forgive and forget, including one’s own stupid actions.

Ruth Jacobs’ novel is a crime against forgiveness.  There isn’t a character in this tale of sex, drugs, and crime that has the capacity to forgive, because each of the main characters is wrapped up in their own self-pity.  This,

Ms. Jacobs has well developed.  The three prostitutes, Shelly (Main Character,) Nicole, and Tara, have all not forgiven or forgotten their pasts and have used their individual pasts as a reasons for being where they are in the present.

This character driven story delves into the minds of intelligent individuals whose minds are altered by drugs and the life style they have chosen. Their decision making has been so impaired that they go over the edge, committing an unforgivable crime stemmed from the fact that no one in the group of three can forgive, forget, and move on, which might have stopped the crime.

Ruth’s writing moves the reader to peaks of disbelief that can only be described as horrific.  You feel the compassion in what she has portrayed as the life of a prostitute in the UK and feel the distress in how her characters come to their conclusions.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your reading chair, this is a crime novel that will keep your attention.

Ms. Jacobs’s links are There’s the Soul Destruction website at www.soul-destruction.com and my author website www.ruthjacobs.co.uk.