Review of The Good Teacher

The Good Teacher

Women of the Willow Wood - Book 1

Lorraine Carey

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Life is not what it seems in Daniella's world. Everything is just fine, as everyone keeps on telling her. It appears that way, but some strange things are happening around her.

She is living with the man of her dreams - he has money, owns a beautiful house, a good job, and all the right physical equipment to keep her happy. Although from a poor background, her efforts have paid off after an arduous journey to becoming a respectable teacher.  

Her problems are minimal: she has a sick mother, and she is nervous about her new life as a teacher. And, she worries about her father's demise.

All does not go well at the school she is assigned. A couple of children have family problems, which she endeavors to correct, leading to traumatic results. 

Because of these events, she breaks up with her lover, and her life goes into another direction with the help of an unlikely mystic Christian group.

What Daniella encounters changes her life forever. You will want to read Book 2 to find out.  

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/2Fr2gvc

Review - Out of a Dream

Out of a Dream

Sandy Cover Series - Book One.

Rosemary Hines

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Faith doesn't come easy. Michelle Baron from Sandy Cove, Oregon, USA is looking for "Self." You may have done that yourself. I did my searching also, but this is not about me.

Michelle's grandparents are devoted Christians; her parents are the individualist, mostly her father - a rock of a man; and she and her newlywed husband have yet to find their way.  Steve, a lawyer, is into the facts of life.

They have moved away from her family who lives in California so that Steve can fill a lucrative position. Twenty-one year old Michelle has time

on her hands, waiting for teaching college to begin.

The plot thickens: She walks into a bookstore and walks out with New Age material; an appoint to learn about herself in group sessions with a man who becomes infatuated with her; Steve discovers the Bible, and her father disappears.

Michelle's marriage, father and family wages war with the realities of their lives and who or what to put their faith. Everyones' mental battles are the centerpiece of the story.

Ms. Hine's characters are well defined, and it will be interesting to see where the family's story goes in Book Two. The novel did not overly profess the Christian faith but left you wondering if that faith is the way.

I enjoyed it with some tears for and screams at Michelle.

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

Review of It's All Coming Back To Me Now

It's All Coming Back to Me Now

Lovely Whitmore

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I found this little jewel of a young adults' book that tells the love story gone astray because of an accident that blocks out a young women's experiences. She, Latrease, cannot remember who she is or her history.

A young doctor, Randy, who has had a background with women, including Latrease, shows up at the hospital she is in. After much thought and thinking the young psychiatrist is her consultant, she agrees to live in his guest house until well.

From here, we understand her plight and his guilt in not being the lover she deserves before her accident. Latrease learns about herself through Randy and his family.

Put this together with Latrease's pregnancy; Lovely Whitmore has written an emotional rollercoaster that will enrapture you. It is a lovely and enjoyable story she has written.

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

Review of THE SECRET

Review of THE SECRET

by Danny Kemp

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

There are strange bedfellows in war. In The Secret's case, it's a prince and the ruler of Germany meeting before World War II. The results of their encounter start a private Royal event kept out of the public eye.  

Only a hand full of people knows the truth, which leads to criminal actions that fester. Influential people in the United Kingdom want the result of the need to go away into perpetuity. And this quest is put into the hands of a few.

This adventure, Mr. Kemp interwove a thrilling intergovernmental plot that leads to disaster for a few high-level intelligence and wealthy person. His prose keeps you on your toes to the end following a spy expert and a newbie muddle through events at hand.

All-in-all, the novel kept me involved and gave me a profound view understanding how the British 'Get about.' It may be the making of another James Bond, using the formable newbie.

It’s worth the read. Purchase:

US:   http://amzn.to/2cvRg3K  UK: http://amzn.to/2djxSbk

Review of Angel's Blood

Angel's Blood

Sallyann Phillips

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Angel Blood dripped into the blood of a young werewolf by the name of Tavi with incredible results that define her existence. She arrives in a small town where like kind beings live. With time she learned to trust the Pack, which is mystified by her abilities.  

The power system of the Pack brings out Tavi’s reasons why she is different from other male and female werewolves, and to them, those unusual characteristics overlooked because of her tragic family story. The Pack brings her into the fold against her doubts in their sincerity.

Tavi’s upbringing and an Alfa Male who is upsetting her and the Pack’s with outside interference become the driving force in the story. It’s developed with fascinating and thrilling escapades that are novella moving.

Ms. Phillips writing flows with enjoyable highs that overshadow the lows. Her knowledge of Werewolves and Vampires gives this adventure credibility if you believe in this mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature.

Not my genre, but entertaining none the less.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2c6b4G4

Review of Low Tide

LOW TIDE

A Forgotten Coast

Suspense Novel:

Book One

Dawn Lee McKenna

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Being a police detective is a tough job. It's exacerbated when you perform the work in a small seaside town where everyone knows each other.

Maggie is the homicide investigator in Apalachicola on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and someone she knew since childhood was found dead on the sandy beach of St. George Island. The story that follows goes into the victim’s life and that of Maggie.

Her family and his are on the opposite side of the law. The background, settings and colorful scenes are laid out nicely and enhance the story.

Some suspenseful events are thrilling and interwoven into Maggie’s police duties leading to an unexpected ending. The incidents traumatically affect her and are a precursor to Book Two.

Dawn Lee McKeena did an excellent job in setting up the novel for the reader to want to read more about Maggie’s life as a detective. There is no conclusion. You’re left with, “What’s next?” and you click and buy Book Two.

Purchase/Kindle: http://amzn.to/2c1XHbH

Review of Forget Me Not.

FORGET ME NOT

Mark Kane Mysteries, 
Book 1

JOHN HEMMINGS

Reviewed by 
Author Roy Murry

Many mysteries I can somewhat see where the plot is going. Not so with Mr. Hemmings’ story about finding out if a person is who she says she is.

As the plot thickened, I got some clues, but they led me to the wrong conclusion. Mr. Hemmings kept me on my toes with Mark Kane’s investigation which leads to questionable conclusions.

Kane’s ability to get to the meaning of the matter at hand is by understanding how people are motivated. His mental processes of perception are used to get results. The author accomplished the task exceedingly.  

The main characters were well defined especially that of Mark Kane and his Lady Friday Lucy. These two understandably meshed together and charmingly offset each other's weaknesses. It will be interesting to see where their relationship will lead in the series.

I enjoyed the pace and banter of the prose and the serious of the matter at hand – the death of a person under interesting circumstances. I’ll be looking forward to reading another of John Hemming’s novels.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2c4u2Qf  presently Kindle Price: $0.00

Review of The Fencing Master's Daughter

The Fencing Master’s Daughter

Giselle Marks

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

The 1800s, in Europe, the Napoleonic Wars dominated world attention, especially in London. History has told us that the English and the French always had problems getting together on many issues.

An interesting conspiracy highlights the "Backdrop" of Ms. Marks's interesting romance story between an Englishman and Frenchwoman. Both of these main characters have their history that complicates the situation.

Her beauty and his stature are woven into a conflict that preceded their traumatic meeting in the streets of London, which comes to the forefront later. Her history in France as a child and his present-day heritage conflicts are the dynamic forces driving this fast-paced adventure.

The colorful languages of both countries during the period are used in the appropriate places making the novel seemed plausible. The characters became flesh and blood, and you can feel their sentiments through Ms. Marks’ words.

I’ll be reading another of Giselle’s novels soon.  

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2c4r51q

Review of FLAWED GODS

FLAWED GODS

Angela B. Mortimer

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

In many religions, Gods exist that the followers believe will protect them from all kinds of atrocities. FLAWED GODS, a science fiction space opera, gives the reader different levels of deities with superhuman powers, each looking for answers to why they exist.

The main character Doella has powers that many of our well-known superheroes would love to have. However, the ability she uses most is her sexuality on earth and other worlds that she travels, manipulating situations to her advantage.

Her strengths lead her and her compatriots, some of which are her lovers, into a position of deflecting a universal conflict between odd-shaped creatures, including dragons that can shape change into humanoids. The war, with Doella’s help, can be alleviated, is directed by another God like group inspiring Doella into that position.

The ending will inspire the reader to want to read on in the series, as it has for me. A new day is arising in Doella’s life and the universe she lives in.

Purchase: 

https://amzn.to/36eWvMV

Review of Shit Politicians Say:

Sh*t Politicians Say:

JESSE VENTURA

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Just this last year after many years of being apolitical, I looked, studied, and journalized my thoughts. From this evaluation, I wrote my white paper ‘Sixty Days To the End of The USA As We Know IT’; and during that time I read Jesse’s book.

In my published white paper, I used a few of his book’s quotes. I did this because they were within the scope of it.

Jesse’s SHIT POLITICIANS SAY is funny and informative. If you are interested in politics, this is a book to enjoy and use when in conversations with friends and families today.

Most of the quotes are forgotten but still apply to the present day’s elections in the USA. It seems that what goes around does come around again.

Example: “In America, you have a right to be stupid…” part of a John Kerry quote as secretary of state on his first trip in 2013. Can you believe it? It’s true he said it.

You’ll have to read this fascinating collection, which includes quotes from Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and presidents back to John Adams.

And, who can forget Bill Clinton’s …it depends on how you define is, is?

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2c1rmnX

    

Review of Regenerate

Regenerate: A SGT Major Crane Thriller

Wendy Cartmell

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Police work can sometimes be very boring and tedious.  Ms. Cartmell’s story of SGT Major 

Crane’s detective police investigation comes alive and fills in the boring and tedious part with character development.

In this episode of Crane’s career, women and devotion to their man’s military existence are the centers of this novel. Also, there is a drug deal in the making.

The psychology, the hardships, and their love of two military wives’ stories are compelling and heartbreaking. Crane and the local police try to understand what is going on when one of the women leaves a bundle at the church's door.

Then other events move their primary drug deal investigation into a conundrum that slows down putting the dealers in jail. Those events are surprising and will keep the reader moving the pages.

The story is fast pace and gives the reader a good look into how the UK’s military functions on wives of soldiers. It is eye-opening and enjoyable read.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2c1lDhN

  

60 Days

Published

Sixty Days To the

End of the USA

As We Know

IT

A Psychological Warfare Interpretation

Of 2016 Primaries

                                                                                                 ©roylmurry 8/14/16

Insight

     I am going to give you a little insight as to where I am coming from, before explaining my opinions of the United States' Presidential Election of 2016, using a journal format.

     I am a novice at political endeavors, so my vocabulary will be non-political. I will try to be informative, sometimes funny, and as evenhanded as my personal bias will allow me to be.

     Having never participated in the election process nor ever supporting any candidate for president, I voted only in the general election. As an independent or non-declared party member, I could not vote in the primaries. When voting in the general election, I flipped a coin – heads Republican tails Democrat and then voted based on the result.

     The process worked for me because I believed it didn't matter since to me all politicians were liars, who spouted platitudes that in the end never came to fruition. The other reason was the Congress was packed with these same types of politicians from other States, who were so diverse, that they couldn't agree on most things important to the country. 

     This time around I am looking at the Presidential primaries in a different way.  Using my training in psychological warfare, I will evaluate the primary elections through a different magnifying glass.

     Having graduated from John F. Kennedy Psychological Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while serving in the US Army, I became one of our military's finest – a Green Beret in 1969. My MOS, Military Occupational Specialty, was 11F25VS or Infantry Operations and Intelligence Specialist.

     In Vietnam, I worked for the last nine months at 5th Special Forces Group, Headquarters, Nha Trang. What I did my first four months in the country can only be described as super psychological warfare – top secret. I dropped my dog tags and went on a mission.

    For my service to my country, I received a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in intelligence work by setting up operations that psychologically affected the enemy. I am not going into detail because we lost that endeavor, but because I don't feel comfortable telling you what we did. The enemy did worse than what we attempted or completed, and they were victorious.

     The lessons we learn when we are young and having lived through war tend to stay with us. In my case, the study of operations and intelligence about psychological warfare became part of my mental fiber. Those techniques I have used thought-out my life. I graduated from college after Nam; working for my local government of Lowell, Massachusetts for a short period; becoming involved in a major crime, and later put on the witness protection program because of my choice, and participating on many levels of international business before I retired.

     I will write in my journals what I think about the Presidential candidates' actions, using what I believe are the turning points in the primaries from a psychological warfare point of view. My opinions will not be pretty and will offend many on both sides of the aisle. However, I will try to be fair.

     I have been sitting here in our home/office for the last two month's working and watching the political repartees on CNN TV of those who want to rule the United States of American as President. It's not my normal behavior, but I share the office with my friend and supervisor, who love politics.

     I prefer to listen to soft music while performing my job as social media director of a non-profit. I won't name her or give her opinion because these are my words, ideas, and interpretation of the events surrounding an important part of our history.

     I am a US Citizen, living in the State of Florida. My supervisor is also;, and we conversed about the ongoings of the Republicans and Democrats. Her words and opinions will not use in this journal.

     Here we go…   Buy for $ 0.99 http://amzn.to/2b0SO2e

Review of INESCAPABLE

INESCAPABLE

By

Zee Monodee and Natalie G. Owens

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Vampires, wares, and all other combinations of same a is the backbone of this fast-paced novel that leans towards being a novella but is book one in a series. The characters are developed; and when you come to the end of this book’s story, the reader will care to know what will happen in their lives.

The power over the current world situation in the conflict between non-human factions is interesting and intriguing. The plot is well put together, leading to the validation of the unique mystic beings roaming the earth.

Vampires etc. are not my genre, but I found myself fascinated by the diversity of the paranormal character’s background, which seems unlikely but help the flow of the prose. Those who enjoy this genre will be pleased and continue reading the series.

I was just dabbling and enjoyed the diversion. Recommend for non-dabblers.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/2b5XLsu

Review of Flying Leaves Glowing Tadpoles

Flying Leaves Glowing Tadpoles

GIOK PING ANG

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

This short story collection is snippets of human relations of loves, living and dead. In her tales of life, death, and the hereafter, Ms. Giok Ping Ang explores emotions we all have in our search of why we exist - our attachments and the loss of them, whether they are human or material.

Without going into each distinct episode in her prose, I got the feeling that there is a universal presence involved in directing our being. That there is a reason for enjoying the physical structure, we have been allowed to occupy in our earthly journey.

The reader will go through all the emotions during this written pilgrimage, looking for the meaning of life. Interwoven in each trip, the author has produced a unique insight into a profound and honest way, which will have you start to self-evaluate your existence.

Any book that has me thinking is a great read. These stories, told by Author Giok Ping Ang, are well worth the purchase. They make you think and wonder if only…You still have time.

Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2aqgAWX

Review of The Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice: Enchanted

K.K. Allen

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Enchanted is the beginning of a ‘Fantasy world’ series of a young lady who is becoming of age in an unconventional way. She moves in with her estranged grandmother after the death of her mother, who kept her from any engagement with her wealthy and locally popular stepmother.

Katrina, the young lady, has much in common with her grandmother Rose. They were both born on the date of the Summer Solstice, and mysterious abilities, which are now developing in Katrina.

The Solstice is a day of change in Greek Mythology, one of Rose’s questionable linchpins; and is the day that Katrina finds distinct concerning changes in her being. Her mind and body are coming of age, which is not unusual for a sixteen-year-old, but the changes that she is having are not typical of a young woman. They are powerful and consuming.

Ms. Allen’s Young Adult novel grips you and doesn’t let you go. Once you enter the world of The Summer Solstice, your enchanted by its developing fantasy and love story. A story many young adults should follow.

Purchased: http://amzn.to/2a7FrOQ

Review of Lucy Stands on Her Principal

Lucy Stands on Her Principal

The “Lucy” Series, Book One

Bethie Gold

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I found this first book in the Lucy series an enjoyable venture into the world of teaching. The detail into how a teacher navigates through the complicated day to day routine of dealing with children and the administration was intensified by a murder.

Lucy walks into the aftermath and gets involved unintentionally. Her demeanor changes from one who is introverted to an outgoing person who takes charge of her life. This conversion comes after her association with a new teacher friend and her changing love life.

The characters are well developed and move the investigation into the murder of one of their wretched cohorts forward. The ebbs and tides of the storyline keep the reader involved to the end of that endeavor.

When the reader reaches the end, he or she will be asking for another Lucy story. I think I’ll put it on my reading list.

Purchase: http://amzn.to/29Eainb