Friday, June 23, 2017

Review of COBALT

COBALT

C.G. BLADE

Review by Author Roy Murry

In the last hundred years or so, the world has gone from a one-prop airplane to fly into space; machinery has taken over work people did; and one-day social functions may be taken over by AI, Artificial Intelligence or mostly known as Robots. These events happened because of imagination.

Mr. Blade's COBALT has that type of images embedded within his fast-moving Si-Fi novel, First in a Trinity Series. Pushing present-day politics to a plausible extreme, with its greed and globalist theme of World Order, he takes the USA into an open society run by three Presidents.

His main character, Petra, champion of the non-state of affairs, is kept alive to fight the evil of the 2080s. COBALT, an amazing formula, is what keeps her functioning at an unbelievable capacity that her opponents in battle are incapacitated and destroyed.

The adventures, strange confrontations, and side-kick antics with a mind-reading computer that helps Petra conquer situations are amusing and deadly.
The supporting characters are well developed, aiding her to meet goals.

The plot is fast-paced, dynamic, and full of caveats that the intelligent reader will understand and think about for days, as I have, since writing this review. Cobalt is full of surprises any reader will enjoy, even if you are like me who rarely buys this genre.

A great find, buy: http://amzn.to/2s3P6v1


Sunday, June 18, 2017

Review of THE LETTER

THE LETTER

Kathryn Hughes

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry



'Life is not fair' and 'You can't pick your parents,' are sayings that have been used for centuries. They are apropos for the dramatic love story that keeps the reader wondering how the human race can believe what they do.

A la somewhat Romeo and Juliet, Billy from the wrong side of tracks falls in love with Chrissie, whose father is a prominent doctor, is also smitten. The time is just before World War II and a period in Manchester, England when Father knew best and ruled the family with an iron fist. He, of course, doesn't like Billy one bit - need I say more.

Fast forward thirty years, a young woman finds THE LETTER written by Billy to Chrissie in an old suit left at a second-hand store. She is in an uncomfortable situation with her husband, and they separate. Her curiosity about the letter brings her to investigate the origin and its owners.

The contents of the love letter and the young lady's need to have closure on her heartache and that of the correspondence designated recipient leads the reader on a journey. Its twist and turns present and the past is heartbreaking, disturbing, and hopeful for the future of all that is living but for one.

If you're looking a cry and understanding of the religious mores of that era, THE LETTER is a read you will enjoy immensely.



Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Review of Bull Street

  BULL STREET
A Wall Street Novel
            by
 DAVID LENDER

Reviewed by 
Author Roy Murry

The world of Wall Street in New York City is unlike any other financial district. It is the heartbeat of America's clock on how its livelihood is functioning.

We and the world watch its fluctuations daily. In Mr. Lender's novel, he writes about people of The Street who make it work, albeit corruption of that system is the central theme.

Lender's protagonist Richard arrives in NYC for interviews, and coincidently meets one of The Street's Tycoons before an interview to work for an investment banking major player. It takes a while, but he lands the job.

From there on, the story moves at a fast pace. Richard's abilities and likeability move him into a position of intrigue after encountering a discrepancy in company trading E-mails. With a woman cohort, they investigate and document their findings.

Entanglement with the government becomes a fatal problem for the two, because of the criminal environment that surrounds them and for being honest in their endeavor to uncover the sender of the E-mails. International factors and the Tycoon's involvement brings down the house of cards, so to speak.

The story's ending is a show stopper, putting the reader on edge, anticipating murder or vindication. This novel is enjoyable to the end.

Purchase at:    http://amzn.to/2sAcGEd


Sunday, June 4, 2017

Review of Booked for Murder

Booked for Murder
Cee Cee James

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

When a murder happens in a hotel, chaos takes over via a police investigation. In this case, CeeCee's protagonist is the newbie hotel manager and part-time mystery writer Maisie Swenson.

A convention is a backdrop of the case whose principal founder is floating in the pool lifeless. Maisie, her dog, and mother become secondary investigators, the dog finding evidence, the mother with platitudes, and Maisie with a nose for putting two and two together and getting to an answer.

Sometimes the answer is not right, and you end up with the short end of the stick. Maisie finds the solution and almost ends up in a body bag.

CeeCee does an excellent job developing her characters and plot, keeping you guessing as to whodunit alone with Maisie. The novel is an enjoyable read and recommended for a rainy day which I finished reading while listening to stormy weather.

Good start for the Oceanside Mystery Series.




Monday, May 29, 2017

Review of What You Do To Me

What You Do to Me
BARBARA LONGLEY

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

A radio program's listener answers a question and Sam the handyman calls into the station to dispute an accusation. The problem is he gives his real name and the name of his company.

Now everyone wants to get some of Sam's handiwork. A controlling mother sets up her daughter to resolve her home improvement disaster and to push her in the right direction, so to speak.

From this point on, the story is cute, sassy, sexy, and lovable. There are many twists and turns between Sam and Haley, the daughter placed in a humiliating position.

She fights back to teach her mother and Sam a lesson. Sam wants to prove himself and contracts Haley into improving her home and her opinion of him. She agrees, and a friendly constructing relationship develops.

Where it goes, you'll have to read the book. This novel is a good lead-in for the series. The characters are heartland ish, strong-willed, and the backbone of America.

What You Do To Me is a delightful romance novel that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for a happy ending, which may not arrive. 

You’ll have to purchase the book to find out: http://amzn.to/2qysPF0


Sunday, May 21, 2017

Review of READY to FUMBLE

READY to FUMBLE

CHRISTY BARRIT

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I enjoyed this #1 in a Mystery Series where the main character stumbles along trying to find her missing father, which becomes the subsequent investigation of many. Joey, aka Raven in a TV Detective series suspended, for the time being, is looking for her father in his last stomping grounds and is pushed into another missing person's case.

Because of her TV persona, Joey listens to a woman's plight in finding her lover and reluctantly takes on the case, not for the money but the diversion. She jumps into the adventure which has its twists and turns, meeting two attractive eligible men in the events that lead to murder.

Joey's character is endearing and complicated, but understandably plausible. She uses her TV knowledge and experiences, i.e., she has a PI license and knows how to use a weapon, to help her move forward in reaching her goal.

Detective Joey/Raven's investigation ends in a place that the reader will want to know what comes next. When this happens, you know you have found a unique character and series.

I will come back to Joey's mysteries.



Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Review of MURDER ME, A Novel

MURDER ME
A Novel

John Meany

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry


This novel is more like a TV novella that has twists, highs, and lows that keep you wanting to turn on to the next episode the following day. As a novel, the characters complement the main character's delusions and conflicts.

A young lady's husband is killed in a freak accident and on top of that she goes through another horrific event, leading into atypical acts unbeknown to her mother who she moved in with after the demise of her true love. Her mom and a friend question her stability which is erratic, but let her find her way on her own.

Ghosts of the past invade her mental state wanting relief and companionship that she finds with mother's covert influence and drugs. Her mother's deception for her good comes to light, and our artistic protagonist flees to find herself with a few tranquilizers.

Her dormant creative abilities blooms and love for her child help her return to reality and the ones she loves. However, the ending will surprise the reader with an unconventional peak.

MURDER ME is my second read of John Meany's works. I'll be looking for his next.

Purchase:    http://amzn.to/2qRIlAg