Garrison Keillor and the Radio

Garrison Keillor and the Radio

Before the television was in every American home, before we had I-phones, laptops with Netflix, of watched a movie on our I-pads, we had what is called Live Radio Performances. Garrison Keillor’s Live Saturday night program was based on those performances that people sat around a large tubed object called THE RADIO.

To name a few of the 50s popular shows: Green Hornet (Thriller), Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (Song and Comedy), The Adventures of Superman (Crime drama), and Strike It Rich (Game Show). There were many other popular – link below.

Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion and All Things Considered were presented in 1970s. His programs incorporated live variety show with comedy and music for the radio audience of St. Paul Minnesota.

His shows ultimately reached millions in the mid-west of the USA. The show traveled and was tailored performed across America from New York City’s The Town Hall to Los Angeles’ the Greek Theater.

I got to know about him from Public Television where these performances amazed me. I was like watching the radio of the fifties.

What are you watching today?

Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrison_Keillor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1950s_American_radio_programs

Ellie Woods

Ellie Woods

Reese Witherspoon’s break through movie was Legally Blond where she plays Ellie Woods, a movie I have watched a number of times. Another of my favorites is the movie Sweet Home Alabama made in 2002.

I did not much care for Legally Blonde 2. There are just some movies that you should not make into a sequel and Legally Blonde was one.

Legally Blonde is about a young woman coming of age in college. Her boyfriend, who is going off to Law School says he needs a Jackie Kennedy not a Marilyn Monroe to get ahead in life and he breaks up with Ellie.

To get her love of her life back, she enrolls in the same Law School to his and everyone’s surprise. She is a logically smart woman with a mission. She reaches a goal of notoriety she or anyone would expect and finds a new love – the law.

I found this romantic comedy funny and well put together. For a fun Saturday afternoon or anytime movie check this out http://amzn.to/ZGXLWB

El Yunque

El Yunque, Puerto Rico

Travel by Author Roy Murry

They say the rain lies mainly on the plain in Spain, but others say that if you want to see beauty and see what much rain produces, go to El Yunque, the rain forest, in the middle of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It’s a shorter trip, you don’t need a passport, and most our Puerto Rican friends speak English.

If you go to this lovely island and stay on the beaches, you will have missed one of the many gorgeous vistas that nature has provided for us to enjoy. It’s a day trip if you are staying in a San Juan hotel. However, it’s better to stay at a close by hotel and stay for two days or more of your trip at one of these establishments: http://bit.ly/Zc8t7m

Then take your day trip to the old city of San Juan and have lunch at the famous restaurant Siglo XX http://sigloxxpr.com/ and have Seafood Paella that will tell your friends what the missed. Walk off that meal whether breakfast or lunch by seeing the sights which includes Castillo de San Cristobal built in 1783.

Controversial Walt (1819 -1892)

Controversial Walt (1819 -1892)

Walt Whitman’s poetry collection Leaves of Grass was an innovative group of poems because of its free-flowing verse. He writes about his philosophy of life and humanity.

Unlike, Emily Dickerson, who I wrote about was published a number of times in his life time. His poems conformed to the convention of the time; and he praises nature and the human action in it. He deemed the human mind as worthy of poetic praise.

He does this in his poems: "To Think of Time," "The Sleepers," "I Sing the Body Electric." He was also influenced by Ralph Waldo Emersion.

These poets were the background of American Literature and were required reading when I was in college. For me, they helped me understand the growth of America into a powerful force in World literature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Whitman

Coming To America, a #review

Coming To America (Film)

            

It’s seems everyone I knew in the foreign countries I lived in, wanted to come to America. However, not many but some, come to American to marry another person with the goal of becoming an American citizen.

In this movie there is a different plot, where Eddie Murphy’s character Akeem comes to America to find his bride. He does this not to get a VISA but to find a Queen in Queens’ New York City.

Unbeknown to the lady from Queens, Lisa McDowell (Actress Sheri Headley,) whose father owns McDowell’s, a hamburger joint, that Akeem is a prince who works for her father. She falls in love with him for who he is and he for who she is her. This love affair is cut short.

Akeem’s servant, Semmi played by Arsenio Hall, sends a Western Union message to the King of Zamunda that they are out of money. The king arrives to bring his son back home and finds out about the affair.

The comical ups and downs of this movie will keep your attention. You will hope all will be alright for the love birds. The king wants a break up.

The next to last scene goes like this: King Jaffe remarks that Akeem can't marry Lisa anyway because of "tradition," and tries defending himself by saying "Who am I to change it?" with Queen Aeoleon curtly responding, "I thought you were the King."

You can guess the ending. Murphy and Hall also play the parts of a barber shop three all. 

Funny: http://amzn.to/1uEb6rS

Can You Buy Love?

Can You Buy Love?

From personal experience, I have tried and it does not work. It did not work because the woman was a gold digger, a person who goes out with someone for their money and I was naively in love. Do not get caught in that situation.

In the young adult romance/comedy movie ‘Can’t Buy Me Love,’ a young man (Played by Patrick Dempsey) looks from outside into a world he thinks wants to be. He is in love with a young woman (Played by Amanda Peterson) who is in that click which is popular. He wants to be popular.

She has a monetary problem and he resolves it, asking in return her help in making him popular with that click. She does with reservations and gets to know the real young man by dating him, falling for him.

A break up, a fight, and a misunderstanding follow what would be called a good relation. This propels the movie forward to an ending that young people love.

I enjoyed the fun, conflict, and make up. Can’t Buy Me Love is a nice film to watch.

Get at Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1ne7yaC

CALCULUS of OPINION

CALCULUS of OPINION

Firstly, here is a personal note. I am apolitical and do not watch news programs other than watching PBS’ Mark Shields and David Brook’s commentary part of Friday’s programming.  

This profound statement ‘Calculus of Opinion’ caught my ear when David Brooks on PBS’ segment Shields and Brooks, used it. These political commentators discuss world affairs. He used this statement referring to the popular conception of the Middle East’s predicament.

They were talking about what people worldwide were thinking about the continued conflict there. Presently, the television media is putting the plus side on that of what they see as the aggressor by watching dead bodies accumulate.

The underlining concept of complete destruction of another society is put on the minus side and even forgotten.  Opinions will be calculated and will make difference in the conclusion, because they have been killing each other for thousands of years.

Bing Cherries

Bing Cherries

This is a fruit that I like. Where my earlier post went – only Bubblews.com knows?  I was eating the cherries when I lost the post. I think; and I didn’t save.

Back to Bing Cherries: I eat the Bing Cherries fruit and roll the pit in my mouth while drinking water – over and over. I enjoy this very much. When I consume this fruit, I do it very sparingly because they are expensive.

We get most of our cherries here in Florida from the other fruit state California. Florida grows oranges, which I don’t like much because of the acid content.

When cherries are put in pies or tarts, they use the can processed kind. This is why I don’t like cherry pies or tarts. I have tried many. I love the natural fruit unprocessed with whatever. They are more expensive, but more enjoyable.

However, Bing Cherries Jubilee over vanilla ice cream is my favorite desert.

What is yours?   

Bali Rain

Bali Thanh Lot Temple

In April 2011, I went to visit my son in Singapore where he worked with Credit Swiss learning the Asian trade. We took a side trip for his and my birthday. I wrote this on my return to the USA.

Bali Rain 

Bali rain hits with such clean force on high temples that protects their Gods.

Rain comes down everywhere without discrimination cleaning the nectar of their life.

Streets of motorbikes hide under cover.

Rice paddies refresh in all the private property squares.

Plumerias open drinking water.

Many dogs play in the puddles.

I sit and drink my Arrack with ice, garden poolside, thinking, what a beautiful place Bali Rain made.


If you liked this poem, more are published in 'In the Clouds.'

USA: http://amzn.to/2qY11On UK: http://amzn.to/2rBnrW8

Are there Occult's in American?

According to Mitch Horowitz’s book OCCULT AMERICA, the answer is yes. I found his book fascinating and very informative. I can actually say of some of his revelations, “I didn’t know that…”

The beliefs in the Bible (Faith religion,) Ouija (A concept in receiving an answer using a board,) Spiritualism (Belief in spirits,) Theosophia (Divine wisdom,) to the Holy Koran another faith based religion are a number of philosophies Horowitz enlightens us on.

The origin, people, and the development of those beliefs and many others, or as he calls them Occults, are covered in a historical manner. Those groups are not all American based, but flourished here, because of our freedom of speech and religion democratic thinking. Where as in the country of origin, many would have been killed for thinking what they professed in America.

It would be foolish for me to go over every group he outlines in this chuck full of information book. I’ll just mention here what a member of Science of Right Thinking Occult, Ella Wheeler Wilcox is famous for saying, “Laugh and the world laughs with you; Weep and you weep alone.”

You can purchase OCCULT AMERICA at http://amzn.to/1khvUyO as I did.

Ameirican Hustle

American Hustle

Christian Bale, former Batman and American Psycho star, gave a realistic portrayal of a con artist in a thrilling story about the refunding of Atlantic City’s Casinos in New Jersey, USA. Politics and the mob come together reminiscing of a FBI 1970s sting called ABSCAM.  (See Link)

His side-kick barely clothed Amy Adams plays an alluring woman, who sugar coats situations, bringing in a mark. They are forced to team up with Bradley Cooper’s character, an FBI agent to sting politicians and the mobsters after being compromised.

Personal relationships explode to the point you think all the characters are going crazy over the stressful situations their put in. Bale and Adam’s characters overcome their predicament in the end.

Jennifer Lawrence, as Bales crazed love wife, and Jeremy Renner, as the popular people’s mayor of Camden New Jersey, are the supporting cast. Also, Robert De Niro does a cameo as a Mafia Don.

You can purchase Amazon

ABC Islands

ABC Islands visited

In my travels to many parts of the world, I had the pleasure of living and working in Curacao, Netherland Antilles for a few years, giving me the opportunity to enjoy all the ABC Islands. Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are located just north west of Caracas, Venezuela.

Each island has its individual attractions; however, all have pleasant hot weather and long white sand beaches to play and rest on. Aruba is known for its night life and casinos; Bonaire for its diving; and Curacao for its shopping.

To enjoy the pleasure of all of the islands, I recommend taking a Windjammer tour and cruise around visiting each over a one week.

If visiting one island is your desire, fly direct to the island of your choice.  

The Quiet Man

The Quiet Man

I’m going to talk to you about True Love and what we do when we think we have it, using the 1952 movie The Quiet Man as my backdrop. Most of you have no knowledge of this movie, because you most likely were not alive when it was made. I was four years old.

If you love romance movies, you will love this John Ford directed Irish classic staring John Wayne (Husband,) Maureen O’Hare (Wife,) Barry Fitzgerald (Town Crier,) and Ward Bond (Wife’s brother.) I know these names are all foreign to you?

A love affair turns into a marriage; and of course, there always is a glitch that gets into the relationship that brings about a conflict. It’s a simple movie. The problem here melts down into one thing a dowry due the husband.

In a small Irish town with customs going back centuries, the dowry must be paid to the husband. In this case, the husband doesn’t want it. The wife wants it, not for the money, but for principle.

The comic events that lead to if or when the dowry is paid makes a fine Romance Comedy. I assure you will laugh and cry. A fist fight between the husband and the wife’s brother over the dowry is a town funny event.

Irish culture is embedded into this fine film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quiet_Man

Sweet Molly

Sweet Molly Ringwald, the Jazz Singer

We all know Sweet Molly as the lovable girl in the movies Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. She was what part of what they called the Brat Pack, which was a group of young actors that were in films together in the 80’s.

They included Emilio Estevez, AlleySheedy, Anthony Micheal Hall, and Judd Nelson, who starred with Molly in the movie Breakfast Club, another staple of the TV screen over the last few years.

What you may not know is that she is a Jazz Singer. Released April 9, 2013, was her album Except for Something: http://amzn.to/1AiDUYV. I have, and it is enjoyable with Sweet Molly’s voice.

She also has a part in the upcoming Jem: The Movie. Check Molly out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Ringwald for more info.

Review of How Not to Murder Your Grumpy

How Not To Murder Your Grumpy

Written by Carol E. Wyer

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

According Carol, I’m doing one of the activities her retired grumpy husband should be doing - I’m writing a review of her book. That book is an A to Z catalog of activities.

An activity should keep your elderly husband busy so he won’t be sitting around the house watching you doing household work or drinking your fourth cupa while reading the Mirror or Female First magazines. For non-Englishmen, cupa is a cup of tea.

I don’t have a wife, at the ripe old age of sixty-six, so I don’t think I fall under her definition as a grumpy. If you have read one of my blogs or books, you know that I’m a very active man. This is what she wants her grumpy to be – active and preferably out of the house early.

Ms. Wyer jokingly defines all the activities a person could do under the sun. Her definitions are clearly documented with who is the expert in many of those endeavors. Example: Ex-American National Football League player Roosevelt 'Rosey’ Grier renowned for his (N) needle point acumen. Would your man do this?

I believe that if a man is not active in his early years of marriage, Carol’s grump old man will have a difficulty in changing his ways. In her situations, I am assuming that grumpy man’s wife is a strong woman who can direct her hubby in the right direction to change his ways. If not, he won’t.

The book reads smoothly. It’s a fun almanac of activities with facts and dates to back up her reason for sending grumpy in the direction of each particular endeavor – well done.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/ZbxTCk

Review of The Highlander

The Highlander, The Rise of the Aztecs 

Series Book 1

Author Zoe Saadia

Reviewed by R. Murry

The Highlander is a well thought out historical novel that portrays real people doing what their nation-tribes have done for years.  The main characters are young leaders breaking out into their own predetermined   adventures.

The elders are determined to control their situations in the world.  The young people (Coyotl, Kuini, and Izrac) rebel that world in their own way to change it for others and themselves.

Ms. Saadia brings this out in detailed conversations and confrontations that propels this intriguing developed story forward, keeping the reader’s attention.  The reader will not be bored with historical data. 

The young people are the future and the only names that are important: Coyotle, the emperor’s first born son, wants to change the way things are done – social reform.  Kuini, the great warlord’s son, wants to change breakdown bearers between peoples.  Iztac, the princess, wants to liberate herself and others from their bondage to the way men think.

     
Zoe Saadia makes their points clear, using well developed conversations.  Although these young people are not Aztecs, they see common ground in others, where the elders don’t.  Especially Kuini, The Highlander, in his confrontations and communal exchanges with the only Aztec – The Aztec Warlord.  To a point, the Aztec influences Kuini’s decisions. Against the Aztec and his father’s wishes, Kuini becomes a warrior in Coyotl’s father’s army – their enemy.

     
In this end is a new beginning for Coyotl and Kuini, which may include princess Iztac. Fate will determine that end.

     

Saadia’s novel is an excellent lead in to the next chapter of the lives of these three young leaders.  I for one will continue to read the series, because of the enjoyable read of book #1.  Will you?   

Purchase at:  http://amzn.to/1mFgI6t

Review of The Affect of Red

The Affect of Red                                         
By Phil Davis

Reviewed by R. Murry

Love at first sight is a minor theme of this gripping novel.  Yes, the adventure starts with the encounter of two attractive professionals, Camille in a sexy red dress, but there the story takes a turn for the worst.  Robert and Camille meet again and are put in a whirlwind.

Camille is involved in an international project that endeavors to save young women from what they most fear - slavery to man’s deranged sexual needs.  This entanglement produces negative results.

Mr. Davis’ characters are well developed.  He has them intelligently move through highs and lows of a detailed adventure – they are pitted against an evil group of highly motivated gangsters, who care little for human begins, enslaving and killing them for their pleasure and monetary gain.

All doesn’t go well in Robert and Camille Jordan’s journey as lovers, which is told with a tear jerking love – hate fest.  Having a Kleenex box nearby, is a must.  The government is on their side as protectors with lapses in security that leads to some heart breaking blows to all involved.

Phil Davis’ novel will keep you on your toes and have you moving forward with anticipation, leading toward a conclusion that will have you asking – why?

In the end, its Robert and Camille’s daughter, Sophia, who will carry the torch against the same evil that they had fought for twenty years.    To what end, only fate can change the outcome, which I feel is fruitless – evil always prevails in some area of humanity.

Mr. Davis book is one a Romantic will enjoy, waiting for good to win over evil.  He does an excellent job of telling this story, where one may believe that the faithful will be victorious.

It’s a good read that I recommend. 

There are links below Phil Davis:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B006N97VPE

Both ebooks and paperbacks are available at this site.

My blog: http://padaarch.blogspot.com/ (there are samples here)

A Novel Obsession

A Novel Obsession

Written by Jeff Joseph

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

We have all been obsessed with something in our lives, but I hope not with a person. In Jeff Joseph’s A Novel Obsession, you will be surprised with who is obsessed with whom.

Abby, the main character, has a crush on Daniel, who is a world renowned romance writer. She sends a fan letter to him inviting him to speak at her school.

The letter was so overwhelming to Daniel that he had to meet her. It conveyed to him the woman, who wrote it, was so insightful into why he wrote what he wrote. He wanted to know her.

As in all good books and movies, romances aren’t always peaches and cream. Mr. Joseph puts compelling and thrilling events in to action that you wonder if the two will ever meet.

This read will keep your attention. The ending will leave you hanging wanting more. When you do reach the climax, you will be surprised.

A must read for Romantics: http://amzn.to/1qzMbYF

Review of First Date.

FIRST DATE

Love & Regrets
Written by Vanessa Wester

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry


I remember my first date with the most beautiful redhead I have ever met and dated up to and including our High School Prom. Later in college, she found her soul mate and married him, while I was fighting a war in Vietnam.

Vanessa’s FIRST DATE brought back memories of my first time, and it will work for you.  The book is two romantic short stories in one. It is free on Amazon.com today.

Ms. Wester does an excellent job of setting you up for what you would think would happen on a first date. The tension is there between the two participants: the holding of the hands for the first time, the opening of the door by the male, and the inquisitive conversation – He cares for me?

Then Vanessa throws in a factor that changes the dynamic of the first date – another man. Only by reading this quick moving love story will you get the answer.

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m2hgUM
  

How Bridge McCoy Learned How to Say I Love You

How Bridge Mccoy

Learned to Say I Love You

Written by Robert K. Swisher Jr.

Reviewed by Roy Murry, author

If you walked two steps forward and one step backwards, as you strolled through life, would you feel complete? Bridge McCoy did until events changed his perspective of life.

                              

An author living in a small town and his life embedded in a small art district, Bridge finds himself in an uncomfortable position. He has fallen in love with the 185 pound hippie coffee shop owner, Vivian.  She and all who have befriended Bridge know him as an author who drinks his coffee BLACK and his beer in a cold glass with lime.

This is how he lives his life without additives, complications, or popular entertainment. He is a straight forward sarcastic and friendly drinker who writes for his pleasure, but is published and sells his books and other’s art in his shop where he feels complete.

When falling in love with his angel Vivian, he has one minor problem. Even though he is a writer of words: verbs, adverbs, nouns, etc., he can’t say the important ones to Vivian:  I I I I Lo Lo…, which is the center of this off center novel.

Make certain your funny bone is in shape, because if it isn't you’ll be hurting after many lines, chapters, and verses. I am still thinking about a line. I’ll let you find your personal best line and not give you mine.

I relate to Bridge’s predicaments and diversions, because I am an author of like kind. However, any reader with an inquiring mind will enjoy this read and laugh on and on, while reading the Dark Love Story.

          

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1rFXzmS

  

Review of Pigeon River Blues

Pigeon River Blues

Written by Wayne Zurl

Reviewed by Roy Murry, author

A small country town in Tennessee, USA, has a celebrity C.J. Profitt who sings the Blues to her hometown friend the mayor. She is being harassed by some people that don’t like her life style; and she has asked the mayor for protection.

The mayor volunteers a non-Volunteer, ex New York City detective now Chief of Police, Sam Jenkins to be her security while she is in town and doing a gig up the road at Dollywood for charity.  Sam is unlike a Robert Downey, Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes.

He is sociable and charming.  Using deductive thinking, compiling information from his contacts in the FBI, military, and media, he pieces together the - who, what, when, why, and how an event will literally blow up the charity at Dollywood.   

C.J. Profitt’s history as a Country Western Singer is the center of why this event was nurtured, festered, and put into motion. Sometimes it’s the people you hurt that comes back to haunt you, as it is in this novel.

Sam Jenkins police work is the propelling motion of this fast pace read. Sometimes comical and witty, his style works on the written page.

If you like police TV dramas, this book will be as intense but more enjoyable because of Wayne Zurl’s spiffy character Sam.  

Notes:

Tennessee is called The Volunteer State because they were the first volunteer in the War of 1812, another story.

Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and is the home to Dolly Parton’s Country & Western theme park.

Purchase at:  http://amzn.to/1sDSGHS

Breathless - Review

BREATHLESS (Blue Fire Saga)
Written by Scott Prussing

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

The world of the Vampire was opened up to the public with the novel written by an Englishman in the 1800s. See my +Bubblews article: Vampires are real? http://bit.ly/1u9vWj8

Breathless is one of those novels that if you are a believer in Vampires, you may learn something new. If you are not, you will have an enjoyable time reading about a world that has become a popular diversion from reality.

Leesa is a normal teenage girl going off to Weston College for her freshmen year. The only difference between her and others is her relationship with Vampires – ones with two fangs and ones with one fang. See notes below.

She has two suitors after a few weeks at college. One is a Vampire and the other is Volkaane. She falls for Rave the Volkanne. However, Stefan, the Vampire, has other desires for Leesa to full fill and has a trump card – Leesa’s brother Bradley is a feeder for another Vampire.

You know there is a predictable clash coming between Rave and Stefan to end the story. It is not what you or I would predict though. It’s something off the wall. I’ll just say it is Stefan who has the final say.

This novel is well written and does keep the reader’s attention – Believer or Not. Some twist and turns, but straight forward reading.

Notes:

Volkaane: a being that is full of Blue Fire. He is a Vampire hunter.
Grafhym: a one fang Vampire who is much weaker than a two fang one. His blood is tainted.

Feeder: a human who is used as a blood provider for a Vampire.

Funniest line in novel for me was: Leesa comes clean with her best friend Cali at college and says, “Stefan is beautiful but a little strange.” Cali replies, “Of course he is a bit strange – he’s a freaking Vampire!”

Review of Beyond Death

Beyond Death

Written by Deb McEwan

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

Many people believe in the hereafter where you have angles and spirits in limbo, waiting for directions to their final resting place. Ms. McEwan has written a family orientated story around that theme, which has a number of plots.

Three people die. One is malcontent (Ken); another makes a mistake in judgment (Ron); and a young women dies on the night of her engagement (Claire.) However, Claire was not supposed to die. She did because of Ron’s selfishness.

The crux of the story-line is that they are in a place waiting for a decision to where they will rest in peace. In their waiting, they are allowed to visit family, friends, and enemies on earth to sort things out.

Those are the subplots that are sometimes romantic, funny, weird, and helpful to the people they left behind to go to a place BEYOND DEATH.  The spirits interface with the living will please the reader to the END.

Ms. Deb McEwan has written an enjoyable read that is slow at times but does keep you reading on. It gently brings you into a happy place. It’s a good read.

Purchase at amazon $.99: http://amzn.to/WYsc9k

Review of The Trees Have Hearts

The Trees Have Hearts

Written by Mrs. D

Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

The wind blows through the trees, and the sound is music to a young girl who had moved into a new home with her mother.  She has a language bearer with the community, but not with nature.

Her imagination brings her close to nature – the three trees in the garden yard of the house she lives in. An endearing relationship amongst them is enjoyed, and the little girl is helped through her daily troubles by the comfort of the trees. She overcomes to her fears with their help.

Mrs. D. has produced an exceptional children’s book to be read to your young ones. She, as I do, recommends that you read to your kids on a daily basis. I believe readers are leaders because they know different ways to complete an endeavor.

This is not a complicated read but should be read to a child up to the age of seven or let them read it at that age. It is quite mystical in nature and has some life lessons in it that we all could learn.

 Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m2mYWF

Review of Time to Let Go

Time to Let Go

Written by Christopher Fischer

Reviewed by Roy Murry, author


The way we think and function on a daily basis is who we are. When those abilities decline, changes in our character lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This alteration will affect the dynamics of the environment that is lived in.

Mr. Fischer’s ‘Time to Let Go’ deals with that dynamic within a small family where the husband becomes the primary care giver of a once caring and giving wife Biddy, who has the disease and is declining into her own shell. Walter, Biddy’s husband knows what is best for her.

This is where the ‘What’s best for Biddy?’ comes into play. Their daughter visits because she has a major problem that she feels guilty about - an event at work that could change her life. Conflicts arise over what is best for Biddy.

Walter has his solution and is living it. Hanna and her brother Henrik have each theirs which includes putting Biddy in a home. Only Biddy is left out of the decision making. Each has their merits, but Walter wants Biddy at home in her/his routine. His way trumps all others because it’s his wife for better or worst.

This story goes into the debt of the disease. It’s what one family went through to find the right decision for the better health of the family, which is the health of their loved one Biddy who has her ups and downs. Based on a real family the story, it is written as character driven fiction.

Christopher Fischer wrench gripping story will keep your attention. You’ll be wondering, ‘What would I do in that situation?’ I pray that you’ll never have to be in Walter’s shoes.  

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1m2mO1B

Review Good Sister, Bad sister

 Good Sister, Bad Sister

The Heart of the Staff, Book 1

 Carol Marrs Phipps and Tom Phipps

 Reviewed by Roy Murry, Author

This delightful tale of yore, if there ever was a place, is presented in a colorful setting. Relatives, families, siblings, and royalty are the same throughout history, even if some of them are wizards, witches, dragons, or birds, as it is in this novel.

In the Phipps’ fictitious land, there is a clear-cut divide between good and evil. One sister is the child any mother or father would love, where the other sister is the one you would like to take out in the woods a hit with the strap. But this is not what you do with a witch that can travel at will through thin air.

The story is about disagreements going back before time began. This family dynamic pits brother against brother, a daughter against mother, and sister against sister. The way they resolve their differences make this fun read.

Now, who do you know can turn his brother into a dragon because he has been a bad boy? Or, when was the last time you heard a sister be jailed in her own kingdom by using wards, whatever they are.

The language HITS on a new but easy to follow vocabulary that won’t hinder your train of thought. You’ll have a few chuckles out of hearing a crow’s wife talk to him about his business and how he’ll get the next meal.

This first book in a series was well thought out, and I recommend it to the fun-loving reader. I enjoyed it much.

Series only Paperback: https://amzn.to/35VrPjb