Review of TIPPING POINT

TIPPING POINT

(Project Renova Book 1)

TERRY TYLER

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

How people react to a catastrophe that pits human against human for survival brings out the best and the worst in them. Add to this a devious plot, and you have this gripping novel that Ms. Tyler has given us.

She develops her numerous characters so that you'll remember them going into a short series most will enjoy. The leading character is a mum, Vicky, who wants to protect her teenager, Lottie, from the events surrounding a pandemic.

With the help of her lover Dex, Vicky overcomes a major hurdle that keeps her and her daughter alive in a cruel world where people are fighting for the bare minimum amenities to go on. Having been separated from Dex for a time, Vicky, and Lottie go searching for him at some safe house miles from their militarily controlled hometown.

Their adventure begins, leading to trials and errors that confront them, without the use of our modern gadgets we use today: TV and Internet service, iPhones, Computers, electricity, clean water, etc. You get the point. They find little security and maybe a future.

You'll have to read this book to see if they and Dex have a future together, which I will do in my future.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2fAHdJK

  

Review of The Grey Man

THE GREY MAN

S.R. CROCKETT

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Mr. Crockett has put together an epic novel about the upbringing of a Scottish knight. The story sometimes flows in a poetic mode which I found entertaining.  The length of it became troublesome for me.

I like books that get to the point fast to a thrilling conclusion. Although the prose of The Grey Man was colorful, the story was predictable - good overcomes evil with detours into grey areas, no pun intended.

There were a few nail-biting moments, but they were hard to discern because it was written in an old Scottish language. However, when I reread many sentences, in a comical sense, the incidents became apparent to me.

All in all, the chronicles of this young man's adventure from Squire to Knight in a historical setting was an educational time well spent. Other shorter stories are included for just $.99 of an interesting read.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2wXypJl

S. R. Crockett

British writer

Samuel Rutherford Crockett, who published under the name "S. R. Crockett", was a Scottish novelist.

• Born: September 24, 1859, Duchrae
• Died: April 16, 1914, France
• Nationality: Scottish

http://bit.ly/2hAfi0J

  

Review of Daughters of the Dragon

DAUGHTERS of the DRAGON

A Comfort Woman's Story

WILLIAM ANDREWS

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Mr. Andrews' historical novel of Korea and one of the many atrocities of war inflicted on it by Japan during World War II and continued through the Korean War is an eye-popping reality, the abuse of women and children. The Japanese take Jae-hee, fourteen, and her sister, sixteen, from her mother to work as comfort women, sex conduits for their soldiers, during the World War II.

In Daughters of the Dragon, a golden comb becomes an instrument of hope in Jae-hee's horrific journey through the depravity of dominance by ill-educated men. Jae-hee tells her family's story giving her grandchild a history lesson years later. 

The close to violent events that play out in that story will have the reader thinking as to how the Japanese could inflict such crimes against Koreans, knowing how docile they are today. However, they did, and that is still a deep-seated mindset in North and South Korea's psyche, I believe.

Mr. Andrews writing style is smooth explaining this Korean experience that few know. Unfortunately, it is a story repeated and hidden throughout history about wars. Women and children of the opposite combatants become commodities in the quest to win the war or conflict.

Purchased at:  http://amzn.to/2haqJsh For background on author and Comfort Girls: http://bit.ly/2wlWjxL

Review of NO EXIT

NO EXIT

TAYLOR ADAMS

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

We don’t know what we are made of until we are confronted with a life threating event. From 7:39 p.m. until 6:22 am, Darby, a young college student on her way to visit her mother in the hospital, is stranded on a highway visitor’s stop because of a major snowstorm.

She is confronted with a predicament that we all find repulsive, a kidnapping of a child. The problem is who did it, how to face the criminal, and how she can save the child in the cage.

From the moment Darby enters the small building at the stop, the challenges begin. One after another, the confrontations get deadlier. Darby’s makes many errors when communicating with the people involved and seems to always land on her two feet each time, literally.

The twists and turns are well placed that the reader will think the end has arrived for Darby, but the criminals underestimated her resolve. Others would have given up in their quest, but not little Darby. Will she die for her cause?

Mr. Adams did an excellent job developing the characters, plot, and pace of this heart stopper. You should read this or one of his other novels.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2jjvCn1

Review of Just Stop

JUST STOP

                         

A Brief Guide to Rational Thought

For the Modern Conspiracy Theorist

Ross Elder

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

As an Ex-Green Beret in Operations and Intelligence, Vietnam Service, and Bronze Star recipient for thinking in action, I can say I found this paper, because it is not a book, to be an interesting dissertation on “How to think?” Mr. Elder makes one point I agree with immensely: If a person is first trained incorrectly to think, it 's hard to correct his mindset. Green Berets are teachers, and I have had this problem.

Mr. Elder uses a few items to show how some people conflict truth with falsehoods. Item #1: Not caring about UFOs, I will bow to Ross’ interpretation of if there is or is not a UFO conspiracy going on.

Item #2: As far as JFK’s assassination, unless there is confirmed ballistics showing the bullets came from Oswald's gun, I think more evidence is needed to prove he shot the deadly one. I don't reflect on it. If you are still worried about it, give up and don’t waste your time. And Mr. Elder gives no answer for it or will anyone else.

Item #3: 9/11 Conspiracy thoughts: I have yet to get an acceptable answer as to why Building 7 collapsed the way it did. I was concerned at the time because my son worked as an intern for Credit Suisse on the date in that building. I didn’t know he was moved to 5^th Avenue office a month earlier.

So, when it fell, literally fell, I doubted and still question the event as told in the media nor the commission. Having worked with the CIA in Nam, I know anything is possible

After I knew my son was safe and interrogating him over the phone from my Dominican Republic office, I was happy to let the implosion out of my mind. But today, a little something in my well-trained mind tells me something is wrong in Denmark, so to speak.

I’ll let it be. I have better things to do with my life. If you’re reading this review, Mr. Elder has nothing new for your mind; save a dime. This review is almost as long as his so-called book.

 

Review of Nomad

NOMAD

A Thriller

(The Earth Series, Book One)

Matthew Mather

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The end of the world as we know it is coming. Are the governments of the earth telling you the truth? Only time will tell.

Jessica's father, Ben Rollins knows the facts, and he has known for a while. She and her mother Celeste are in Europe to meet him after he attends a conference. The human race goes nuts after hearing rumors and a government press release by Ben and his scientific cohorts. 

Jess is in Italy with her mother waiting to meet dad.  Each is trying to get free from dangerous situations so they can comfort each other. Those side conflicts enhance and intertwine with the Armageddon approaching.

The forces are against each of the main characters at every turn, but Ben has the key on his laptop. Some will survive, but few will understand the impact. This thrilling set up for the series keeps you hoping all will remain alive.

As in life adventures, Mr. Mather's character's will not all make it into book two. He keeps you hoping until the end. You'll have to read this page-turner to see who does live for another day, including a few I haven't mentioned.

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

Review of Jack of Hearts

JACK OF HEARTS

A Detective Jack Stratton Novel

Christopher Greyson

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Jack, visiting his parents in a community for mature adults with his girlfriend and a large dog, is hoodwinked into solving a small crime wave. The mature adults are less than knowledgeable involvement.

Behind the petty thieves is hidden a deadly crime that comes to light because of Jack's probing and the mature adult's interference.  The large dog Lady, and Alice, Jack's soon to be, play their parts in uncovering the real crime which started when his parents and others returned from vacation cruise in the Caribbean.

The story has "It's close calls," mini adventures, and funny instances including a baby alligator confrontation. When mommy gator comes out of the water later, it's a big bite missed.

As far as a detective story goes, Hearts is a simple, straightforward case. I must have read too many mysteries because I solved the case faster than Jack.

However, the story was an enjoyable read with the introduction of Jack, Alice, and their big dog, Lady who stole the show in this book. All in All, I may read another of Mr. Greyson’s many novels.

Purchase at: http://amzn.to/2wzJIX9

Review of ON BULLSHIT

ON BULLSHIT

Harry G. Frankfurt

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Humbug, Lies, Short of Lies, Bullshit, and Pretentious Bull, are among the items that Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Princeton University Frankfurt discusses in his book/thesis on how humanity has conducted itself when covering up something it doesn't want to reveal. His work is apolitical but resonates in the multi-media world we live in today 2017.

Not mentioning names, he notes “that the contemporary proliferation of bullshit has deeper sources in various forms.” I believe he is referring to the TV news media, Facebook, Twitter, and all opinion driven outlets.

Frankfurt's definition of the above mention shades of deception is clear and easy to digest for the average reader. However, the thesis is more appropriate for an academic audience, i.e., college Philosophy majors.

Somewhat humorous, Professor Frankfurt keeps the reader's attention in this short but dangerous work. The reader may, after reading and analyzing "On Bullshit," reevaluate their rhetoric, that of the talking heads in the TV media, and fellow humans.

I read the thesis twice before this review. It’s only 81 pages.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2xfMdKV

Review of Old School

OLD SCHOOL

Life in the Sane Lane

Bill O'Reilly &

Bruce Feirstein

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

'It is not often that people learn from the past, even rarer that they draw the correct conclusions from it.' I paraphrase Henry Kissinger who, by the way, is not one of my favorite people. However, his words are related to O'Reilly and Feirstein's thesis on human conditioning.

With the loss of truthful history and discipline in our schools, Old School values of the past are in the most cases lost in American culture. The authors wove into this book their knowledge of their cultural growth intellectually, using short stories of each families' past.  

Many of those stories resonated with me. I am a Baby Boomer who lived through the same period, albeit I served in Vietnam where my core values changed somewhat. Participating in war does that to you.

Snowflakes, however, live in the now and won't look at the psychological development of the past to add value to their life, unless there are core family values already installed. It’s an endeavor losing ground, according to the authors.

Unfortunately, this declarative historic on values will be only read by Old Schoolers and maybe psych majors who want to understand human conditioning. Americans are being conditioned at a faster rate today than in the 60s, 70s, and 80s via sound bites. The authors allude to this conditioning.

Mr. O'Reilly and Feirstein have put together a fast-moving book with laughs and interesting observations. However, its fundamental theories, although somewhat factual, won't work in today's world. Few young Americans read history, Snowflakes won’t.

I enjoyed the read because I am Old School. Buy at http://amzn.to/2wFr3pL

Review of I SPY, I SAW HER DIE

I SPY, I SAW HER DIE

Book 1 & 2

IAN C.P. IRVINE

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

"Do the right thing," is a thought many of us have when confronted with an event where a decision is needed. Mr. Irvine's protagonist, a professional hacker, Ray Luck has a lover who breaks up with him. She uses that phrase trying to bring him back to reality.

Luck disregards her plea, even though he thinks about it, her, and goes ahead about using one of his cyber programs anyway. He sees something that he might or might not have been programmed to witness - murder. 

Leaving his cyber 'Safe space,' Luck goes visit a hacker bro to get some clarification of the video he downloaded. The events that follow are life changing and threatening for Ray Luck because of the misuse of government power by a few. 

He puts his life and the lives of his lover, friends, and family in the crossfire of a foe; he thinks he knows. It's the right thing to do.

Mr. Irvine has written a two-book series; you can't put down. This thriller has all the ingredients with hurdles that seem impossible to get over for Ray Luck and a nemesis that has all the power to eliminate him from existence. 

Book two is a continuation of one. I recommend that you buy them together for a promotional price on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2waQLS9

Review of Chez Stinky

Chez Stinky

An Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy

Book 1

Susan C. Daffron

Review by Author Roy Murry

Not being an animal lover; I like other people's dogs and cats. Taking care of one is a tremendous responsibility, and you have to be a big-hearted person to be able to love and care for nine.

In Chez Stinky, Ms. Daffron's protagonist Kat, not to be confused with Cat, which she has one called Murphee, receives a call that is a life changer. Because of the death of her great aunt, she inherits four dogs and five cats that live in a country house.

It is a daunting task, to say the least. Katherine takes a vacation from her dead-end city job to visit what seems to be an unpleasant situation - four dogs are everywhere, all the cats are hiding, and the house built into a hill is falling apart. To top off that, the executor of the will doesn't like her.

Kat is a cat person, but when she gets to know the dogs, she falls in love with them. When she locates the cats, life becomes bearable.

Off course a man comes into the situation via the dog walker who was taking care of the animals before Kat arrived. He helps her with minor repairs to the house and her self-esteem which turns into more than anticipated.

The supporting characters, the events that follow, and the small-town ambiance give this first in a series a well-written lead into Kat's and her lover's story. I didn't get the comedy part, but, as I said, I am not an animal lover.

If you are, this is a cute series to read.  http://amzn.to/2uVkxhi

Review of WHAM

WHAM

TIMEWALKER Book 1

CAROL MARRS PHIPPS

& TOM PHIPPS

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

WHAM is not the first Phipps' book that I have read. I follow an author because they add something interesting to my life.

In TIMEWALKER, Book 1 in a trilogy, they have presented a fantasy that will keep the reader amazed. The storyline is not complicated, but the theoretical background is intriguing.

Children and Families, a futuristic government agency, in a military action, arrives at a family's home. They abduct Tess’s parents and her sister, for the betterment of society, because they have not done a good job bringing up their children.

Tess stays in their home but will have new roommates that will help her move in the right social direction. Her parents are in jail, and her sister is in sexual servitude unbeknownst to all.

A Fairy Grandfather comes from the past to intercede. The comparison of past and present is akin to how many feel about today's living versus living before the nuclear age arrived - governments taking too much control of everyday life.

In WHAM, these two worlds collide, the Fairy's world versus the Elite controlling one. The contrast is brought alive in the Phipps' vivid and sometimes dark prose.

You have to go through the mushroom ring to find a pleasant place in WHAM. Purchase to learn how. http://amzn.to/2eFsekA

Review of Resumed Innocent

RESUMED INNOCENT

RENE FOMBY

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

In all professions, everyone needs to earn their stripes before being able to sit down at the big boy's table. Resumed Innocent's protagonist attorney Samantha is a novice practicing criminal lawyer and has her office in a Texas good ole boy system where corruption controls the law. 

Samantha muddles through that system defending clients in minor criminal cases by upsetting the cable cart - judges and prosecutors. She makes a name for herself as the defender of the unprivileged. 

Her personal life has its conflicts with her husband's family because of his death. Money and crime are the backgrounds of the mal contentments of that family's patriarch.   

Sam, her nickname, is talked into defending a man who is in jail for the murder of his wife and children. His pastor says he is innocent and could never do such a thing, but the police and District Attorney has the goods on the man. 

They are convinced the right man is in jail. Even Sam has her doubts but takes on the case because she has a feeling but no facts to defend her client.

With two weeks to prepare for the court date, Sam world goes up in smoke, literally and figuratively. The FBI is brought in to protect her and child against an unknown group trying to destroy her life.

The novel culminates with the unraveling of hidden facts. Rene Fomby brings the reader a satisfactory conclusion where he or she will want to read more of Sam's adventures.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2t8Pxou

   

Review of Anna's Courage

Anna's Courage

Kristin Noel Fischer

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The mind's psyche is a cruel place. Once the love of a person gets in it, love stays. If that lover dies, the thought of that person is hard to replace and becomes an interference in any new relationship.

In Anna's choice, Anna made a decision after her military husband was kill-in-action. She will never marry another active soldier among other resolutions she avoided like the plague.

Then came a meeting and a kiss that would send her into a spin. A tailspin that spins again when that man came back into her life because of a tragedy in both their lives.

The man, she thinks about for a few months, brother and sister-in-law die in a car accident. They are her neighbors. Anna and his joining concern are the young children of those lost.

The loving of those children brings Anna closer to him, and her fears become a psychological problem. She loves him but doesn't want to make the leap of faith and love him. He understands her fears and tries to subtlety and beguiling to help her overcome them because he wants Anna in his life.

You'll have to read this sometimes-upsetting tear jerker to see if Anna can overcome her fears.

Ms. Fischer has written an excellent love story which shows how twisted a mind can get when emotions take over logic.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2sD3P1l

Review of Murder & Spice and Everything Nice

MURDER & SPICE AND

EVERYTHING NICE

Caryn Thomas Mitchell

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Ivy Bloom moves back home to open a bookstore with her sister. That mansion is the backdrop for some strange murders that interrupt the opening of a store that has room for every genre - Kitchen, cookbook, etc. - you get the various divides.

During the final preparations, people come knocking to see Ivy. One being, what seems to be the leader of a cult, looking for one of his disciples who had visited the building earlier.

Minutes later, the whole town is put into a frenzy which includes a major property fire. It's not Ivy's best interest to investigate what is happening; warns her childhood friend, who is now the detective in charge of solving the crimes.

Ivy, being Ivy, a snoop, and a mystery writer to boot, doesn't listen to his admonishes. She, with her sister's help, digs deeper into the crimes leading to a potentially deadly event.

Does Ivy get her man or is it the straw that broke the camel’s back? On the local beach, a man with a metal detector helps her reach her fate.

Ms. Thomas Mitchell's writing is snappy, comical, and connects the dots in this fast-paced Ivy Bloom Mystery novel. I was surprised that it was over when it was with a knockout finish.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2tTnVZ8

Review of An Enlightening Quiche

An Enlightening Quiche

Eva Pasco

Reviewed by author Roy Murry

Augusta and Lindsay come from two different worlds. Augusta born and bred in Beauchemin, a small Rhode Island town, and Lindsay, a historian, who resides in Boston, Massachusetts, cross paths because of Beauchemin's French Canadian historical past.

They tell their stories in alternating chapters in somewhat of a soliloquy style with discourses and bantering monologs about past lovers, friends, family, and the people of Beauchemin's. Augusta is an administrator in the town's main factory. Lindsay changes residence hired to investigate into the historical value of it.

Their storytelling was somewhat lengthy at times but entertaining and insightful into the town's array of characters whom Augusta knew personally, a few biblically. Lindsay, in her research, finds a new home from the chaotic Boston lifestyle. Both stories converge on Augusta's childhood friend Estelle's prominent family that owns the factory and a young child's life-changing tragedy. 

The bedroom tales, a disaster in a child's life, a Quiche Contest, and Estelle and Augusta's hidden past, Ms. Pasco details with comedy, drama, and enlightenment into the past of relocated hard working Canucks. Her writing is intelligent and easy to digest after getting into the rhythm of her sometimes-elongated sentences.

This Quiche was humanizing from a woman's point of view.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2ud5vQd

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

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.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2rFBVFm

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

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.

Purchase at: http://amzn.to/2rSId4g