Review of Ten Days in Paradise

Ten Days in Paradise

By Linda Abbott

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

If you are looking for an intelligent novel about relationships, I recommend Ms. Abbott’s story of people meeting on the island of Sanibel. A place where the rich come together to play, off the west coast of Florida, USA, a man and woman go where they each thought they would never go – infidelity.

Each’s family dynamics are brought to light in this well-written dramatic portrayal of a love affair. All sides of that endeavor are delved in, indirectly by the family member and others, who have no idea of the events leading up to the coupling.

The man and the woman’s views are inwardly conflicted before and after their steamy night together. Each reaches out to others for the answers to their predicament. This is where the debate over what is really loving and what one should do about it.

The answer lies in the man’s mother and father’s 50 year anniversary that he and his family are celebrating, and events that surround the church the woman helps to save on her short vacation. Love is a commitment and is not a whim.

Ms. Abbott does a good job keeping the reader’s attention bringing people’s attitudes in at the right moment. The prose is non-complicate and easy to read.

A book to read on your next vacation: http://amzn.to/1O8ozAH

Kemp's Kids

The Man Who Makes the Clouds &

The Mermaid Who Makes the Seas

By Danny Kemp

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I have read and studied both together because I felt it proper since they are books one and two in a children’s short story series. But they should be read separately because they are cute and straightforward to read to children with different lessons told. 

Fantasy is the background of Teddy and Tilly’s adventures so that a child’s imagination will be peaked with questions asked while you read them to your child. You’ll laugh the whole time and will have a hard time explaining the facts, according to Mr. Kemp’s characters.

The clouds and the ocean will not be the same after reading these two fun-filled short stories. If your child reads without you, you may be asked many questions that will seem odd – go with the flow and help your child use its imagination.

Many lessons are learned in these two tales. Photos are used to guide you along. Have fun. Check them out:  http://amzn.to/1THYRrn http://amzn.to/1THZh0U

Review Lionel Goes to Camp

Lionel’s Grand Adventure, Bk #3

Lionel Goes to Camp

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Armed with his unusual magical lucky charm, Lionel is off to camp or maybe he might not get there. Only time and a frustrating event decide his exit from what is an uncomfortable home life, according to Lionel.

His adventure at camp beings with an aggravating event, but he is on a mission to achieve his dignity and impress the one he cares for. Being the kind person he is, the conflicts he is confronted with putting him on the short end of the stick, so to speak.

He goes with the flow and enjoys his quest to be a Camper. But others interfere with his goal; and he has to use his magic trinket to help him out of those situations, which do not produce the results needed.

The hurdles are overcome in an enjoyable way, where the reader will laugh and shed a tear or two.

Lionel’s Grand Adventures are fun books to read to your children. If they are old enough, their reading will produce positive results with lessons learned.

Great book for the summer: http://amzn.to/1THZCkf

  

Review of Warrior Class

Warrior Class. The Crooked Path

By P.T. Mayes

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

If I knew the Warrior Class was 784 pages long, I might not have taken the journey with Bey, following his Lord Master, on the crooked path to becoming an Asteel knight. But I did, and I am glad for it.

Yes, Bey is the main character, but in this vast array of stories. Another named Siren, a young woman, is being trained by a spymaster. In the land they are brought up in, their path cross where evil meets real, magic meets normality, and honor-ability meet greed.

Mr. Mayes has these two characters meeting in an adversary situation with the only Siren knowing the full scope of it. Both characters have the keen intuitive ability to do what is right in unusual situations they encounter.  

These young adults listen to the platitudes of their masters, are consumed by them, and question them many times. The full spectrum from good to evil is dabbled in those lessons. 

Alas, you come to what you think is the end, but you will find that the end of the Crooked Path is not reached. I hope Mr. Mayes keeps each of the next adventures Bey and Siren take are in a shorter novel form.

His writing is colorful, descriptive, and verbose at times. I recommend The Crooked Path for those who like adventures of fictional yore and who have time on their hands or speed read. It is an epic tale that is an easy to read the complete experience.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1O8p6T7

  

Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

If you haven’t been consumed by one particular ethnicity, you may have lost the opportunity to understand how a patriarchic system works. It has its benefits and its faults.

In the My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the Greek culture shows its good and bad side. That patriarchic system gets melted into the American culture of love who you want, ethnicity is damned.

WASP boy meets Greek girl spinster. She wasn’t noticed when they first met in her father’s Greek restaurant, but after her Americanization, her beauty is seen through a clearer window.

He finds the strength to walk into the Travel Agency she works in after she had freed herself from the Greek culture that was controlling her life. Both have the inner strength to love each other, damn their background.

He gives in and is christened in a Greek Orthodox church, showing his love for her and her culture which stimulates him. His family goes with the flow.

Sounds boring but the flow was upbeat with a few slow parts, because of the Greek patriarch’s interference in the romance. They live happily ever after in the house next door.

The acting of Nia Vardalos and John Corbett was above par - not Oscar-worthy, but they made the file work. The supporting case

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TI0cP0

Movie Review of Devil's Advocate

The Devil’s Advocate

Starring Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, and Charlize Theron

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

This intriguing movie about the devil being a lawyer brought all the sins of the world into play. I don’t have to name them. Do I?

Reeves, a Southern lawyer, and his wife Theron have a hectic but loving family living in a small Florida town. He is a winner; never losing a defense case in his 32 case career. She, the typical caring wife, wants a child and what is best for her husband.

After winning the 32^nd case of a guilty person is over, they get an invitation one does not refuse – a chance to move to Sin City, New York, New York, USA.  He wants the advocate's position because of his vanity and pride, while she is motivated by greed, having things she would never attain in Florida.

Pacino is the owner of a wealthy law firm who dangles the carrots. His background had crossed paths with Reeves mother before his birth, and that is the reason for his wanting Reeves in his employ to take over the firm.  

The story builds in suspense from the day the couple arrives where they cross paths with all the seven sins, as Reeves mother had experiences when she met Pacino. She became a 'Born Again' Christian because of it.

I don’t have to tell you who the devil is. His interface with all the movies characters will give it away from the second act.

The twist in the ending of this not so complicated, but visually compelling movie will keep your eyes looking at the screen. So make certain, there are no distractions when you watch The Devil’s Advocate.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GErYWV

    

Review of In Six Hours

In Six Hours

By Raymond McCullough

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

If you believe in the prophecies of the Bible, this book is for you. In a very detailed way, Mr. McCullough shows you why and how the Israelite tribes return to their roots, according to his interpretation.

He uses verses from the Bible and a war in the Middle East to bring you to that end. At times along the way, prophecies are completed in unusual ways.

The story is a roller coast ride with peaks of tension and troughs of challenging quests for ‘The Truth’ in Bible. This is done by connecting those truths to present day events.

Although slow in pace at times, the overall engaging storyline makes up for the ‘Tell not show’ prose used. Mr. McCullough style does keep you believing that you are reading an accurate account, not fictional events. He does this by using characters who are believers in their understanding of 'The Truth.'

I recommend this read for those with an inquisitive mind.

Buy @Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Khxu4x

Review of Round And Round

Round and Round

Written by Terry Tyler

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

 The choices one makes in one’s life will lead one in a direction one may not want to go. In Ms. Tyler’s novel Round and Round, her main character Sophie makes a life decision that sends her into what she considers to be a normal life.

Before making her decision, Sophie consults her best friend and her guarding angel aunt. The decision is made by her, and she moves on with what she feels is a safe one.

Waking up one morning, she feels unfulfilled and contemplates what would have happened if she made a different decision back then. Here is where her story comes alive in “What if” stories that have you believing that each is the real one and that what actually happened was false.

Ms. Tyler knowledge of human nature comes through in her writing. We have all at one time have looked back at our decisions and wondered if they were the right ones or not. She does her job in keeping your interest throughout.

It’s a fast read. Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TI1k5g

Review of Lady Star

Lady Star by

Claudy Conn

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Ah, yes, an English Era Romance novel is predictable. I need not say more to those who love them.

To those who haven’t read one, I say, “You don’t know what you are missing.” Some have the historical note; some do not, but the language used is interesting to muddle through.

In Lady Star, you get what you pay for – a love story. However, Claudy Conn gives you more than you expect from the run of the mill man meets girl tit for tat encounter.

Here, many suitors have somewhat good intentions. Lady Star has mixed emotions about the chosen one.

The mental foreplay of the main characters is unconventional for the era that the story is written in, which I found enjoyable. A bit of adventure is added to the mix, making the outcome unpredictable in this case.

I will most likely return to read another of Ms. Conn’s novels.

Kindle: http://amzn.to/1Fxv92a

Review of The African Queen

The African Queen

With Humphrey Bogart  

Katharine Hepburn

In the midst of war, sometimes strange bedfellows meet. The Africa Queen is a boat that brings two unlikely people together.

The man, Bogart, a small boat captain, and Hepburn, a Christian teacher come together in the middle of an African conflict brought on by the World War II conflict. They join to avoid the German intrusion into their life.

The two, after personality conflicts, become lovers, and the whole complexion of their survival is strengthened by their love for each other. Both have strong personalities that come across on the screen in superb acting.

Only these two actors could pull off this adventure into the African wild. Humphrey Bogart was nominated for Best Actor by the Academy and Katharine Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress. Bogart won the award; Hepburn lost to A Streetcar Named Desire’s Vivian Leigh.

 I have seen both, and I disagree with the Academy Award. Katharine Hepburn should have won the award.

Choice for yourself:  http://amzn.to/1HwGyTp  http://amzn.to/1HwGQcQ

  

Review of Wild Child

Wild Child

By Mike Wells

Reviewed by Roy Murry

When a young man is smitten with a young woman, and she knows it, she can get him to do almost anything. In Mike Wells’ Wild Child, a young man is talked into a situation he is uncomfortable with. Because of his relationship with his female friend, he gives in to her wishes.

Their adventure turns into a disaster. She is missing for a period of time and returns out of the green-blue water unhealthy. They revert to the source of her unpredictable evolution, and she is revitalized.

To stay healthy, she must return to the source. This happens a few times, where it becomes the reason for her vitality and continuation of living that is being challenged by society.

The story is unpredictable and is an easy, fast read. Mike Wells keeps you thinking what will happen next. A quick poolside afternoon read that will entice into buying the second book in the series immediately on your Kindle as I did.  

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1O8prW4

   

Review: Funny Face

Funny Face

(The Movie)

Elegance is the word that comes to mind when I think of Audrey Hepburn. In the film ‘Funny Face,’ which I watched on TCM the other day, she co-stars with another icon of the industry Fred Astaire.

Watching it, I could only think that we need more movies that entertain us. There are only a few I can think of but won’t mention them here.

Audrey’s elegant but funny face gets her into a situation she wasn’t anticipating, becoming a model. She agrees after listening to Fred’s character’s telling her she can reach her goal of going to Paris.

If you didn’t know, this is a love story with all the conflicts, or the learning one goes through in courtship. The movie ends with all musical love stories of that era – the 40s and 50s.

The music is enticing and the dancing Fred Astaire’s best. Audrey keeps up. They dance off into the moonlight.

It was a real treat for a dreary afternoon.  Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1O8qTrn

Review of Daniel Jones - Doom

Daniel Jones – Doom

By Mark King

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Mr. King’s SiFi kept me on the edge of my seat as its first in the series FRENZY did. However, Daniel Jones – Doom can be read on its own. I had the enjoyment of reading both.

What one believes in and the real facts of life are in conflict in both books. Belief in “A God” and “A Here After,” are the crux of most religions. In Doom, this philosophy is what keeps the common man in line and leads them to their Doom.

Daniel and his friends know the real facts of their lives’ existence, which is so hideous the common man in his brainwashed state denies. Daniel’s group strives to help free them from their fate called Achievement Day which is a misnomer.   

In trying to save his father’s life from an Achievement Day function, Daniel and friends go through adventures that must be overcome to meet their goal - to live their lives free of an imposed deity whose origin is alien to earth. These detours will lead you to the end which may be a beginning or not.

It is fast paced and thrilling, Mr. King does his job by keeping you involved. He leaves you wanting to know: What will happen next? I do. How about you?

Buy at http://amzn.to/1IuHRUj