Books with author J.J. Murray

"A Good Man earns a place at the top of the to-be-read pile." --USA TodaySonya Richardson can't resist starring on a hit reality dating show to give America a taste of what a real black woman is like. The former celebrity pro athlete is breaking all of "Hunk Or Punk's" rules, refusing to bling-up like a diva, and tackling whatever drama her suitors have in store. But one contestant is throwing Sonya off her game. He's kind, way too easy to spill her secrets to--and giving her the type of hope she hasn't felt in a long time. . .Widowed former pastor John Bond knows he's the show's "designated white guy," expected to fail every challenge and be gone in a month. He also knows he has to take risks to find love again. Now Sonya is inspiring him to do whatever it takes to stay in the running, win her heart. . .and prove their dreams can be a reality. "Readers will be cheering for all of Murray's characters to find their joy." --RT Book Reviews (A TOP PICK) "Murray's wonderful characters, caring perspective, humor, and the story's fabulous ending make this a winning read." --Booklist"Deceptively light but ocean-deep. . .readers should brace for a three-hanky finale." –Publishers Weekly

Edgar Allan Poe… haunted… dark… mysterious… time traveler?A timeless nightmare stalks both the day and night. It’s taken everything from Poe, compelling the man to traverse time itself in search of a savior.Reynolds, a man broken by tragedy, and Clara, a woman who’s lost so much in her young life are thrust together by the enigmatic Poe to aid his quest. Will the two succeed in hunting the most cunning of history’s greatest monsters? Or will they become the hunted?Meanwhile in Europe, Byron and Mary work relentlessly in creating a monster of their own, for the purpose of eradicating such an evil. But have they gone too far? And what consequences have they wrought upon this world?The Strange is a place where history meets fiction and the two dance delightfully to the calliope of the supernatural, science fiction, mystery, horror and suspense.

Giovanna Ferrari (age 42), an unmarried, svelte, savvy, and sable-haired African-Sicilian American, runs Ferrari Repair with her grandfather Franco in the colorful town of Kingstown (population 3,721) in Gray County, Virginia, a county trapped between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains and forgotten by time, interstate highways, cell phone companies, and high-speed Internet providers. While other Gray County girls were learning how to cook, smoke, drink, and gossip, Giovanna learned how to tune up engines, tear down transmissions, weld, rewire lamps, replace drive belts in dryers, and rebuild carburetors. Giovanna is also an expert markswoman and has to be because of the many critters (black bear, an elusive mountain lion, raccoons, and copperheads) that populate the mountains around her creek-side cabin home. She lives with Lovie, her Labrador-boxer wonder mutt who has ADHD (Angry Dog, Hyper Dog), and her nearest neighbor is a two-plus-ton buffalo named Big John who Giovanna speaks to in Italian to keep him calm.Lovie wakes Giovanna one night and leads her to the body of Harvin Morse, newly released thief and meth head, lying face down in Big John’s field, a half full bottle of Old Heaven Hill whiskey in his hand. Did Big John stomp Harvin to death? Or did someone leave Harvin’s body to frame Giovanna for the crime? Set during the buildup and aftermath of the Gray County Fair's annual demolition derby, Giovanna will solve a thirty-five-year-old missing child case and later arrive in jail and at the truth (in that order) as the body count rises, and accusations and a diabolical killer threaten to wreck her life forever.

Gordy Metcalfe, 16, has to grow up quickly in the sleepy town of Roanoke, Virginia.Too quickly.He and his brother and two sisters have different daddies, and his mother isn’t sure who any of the daddies are. Gordy sleeps on the kitchen floor, cooks, cleans, and takes care of his siblings when he’d rather be painting or fishing. With the help of his grandmother and Saint, a homeless black bluesman, Gordy thrives and survives junior high and high school despite the odds.Written with warmth and humor in 1986 by best-selling author J. J. Murray when he was 23, THE SAINT OF THE CITY proves that no matter how bad life gets, even a nobody from nowhere can become “the greatest man alive.”

The Kit Aston Mystery Series are fast-paced, 'Golden Age-style crime fiction stories with a twist of Wodehouse and Carl Hiaasen. The first three full-length books in this bestselling series are brought together for the first time in this great value set.The Affair of the Christmas Card Killer It's Christmas 1919, Kit Aston investigates a murder in a snowed-in country house. Past and present collide for Kit Aston as he attempts to uncover the truth about the murder, his experiences in the Great War and win the heart of the girl he loves.The Chess Board MurdersA series of grisly murders rock Britain in early 1920. When the finger points to Russian agents. Kit Aston is called in to investigate.The French Diplomat Affair Prequel to the first two books: A murderer strikes at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 - can Kit Aston stop a new enemy intent on dragging Europe back into the carnage from which it has just escaped?A great crime series sparkling with wit, mystery and romance - A murderously fun version of Downton Abbey...

At nine and a half, Arabella Parker is a quite extraordinary girl. For one thing she can fly, an ability that she seems to have inherited from her Great Aunt Agatha. Her parents, being terrible snobs, are more concerned with what the neighbours might think. Ghastly Lady Gilbert-Thomas, Chairperson of the School Governors, and her equally untrustworthy husband, Sir Sidney Gilbert-Thomas, Chairman of the County Council, want to sell the school so that a megastore can be built.But they haven’t taken into account Arabella who calls on the children of Primrose Primary to fight back and save it. Her mother is appalled; her father is devastated: What on earth will his bank chairman think?“We’re revolting,” Arabella tells Mrs Brown, who supports the revolt.“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” says Mrs Brown with a huge grin.“We are,” insists Arabella. “My Aunt Agatha told me how to do it.”And do it she certainly does.

She's had celebrity, isn't hurting for money, and is living peacefully single in Charlotte, North Carolina. Still, Sonya Richardson can't resist starring on a hit reality dating show to give America a taste of what a real black woman is like. And this former pro athlete is breaking all of "Hunk Or Punk's" rules, refusing to bling-up like a diva, and tackling whatever high-octane drama her suitors have in store. But one contestant is throwing Sonya off her game. He's surprisingly kind, way too easy to spill her secrets to--and giving her the kind of hope she hasn't felt in a long, long time. . .Widowed former pastor John Bond knows he's the show's "designated white guy," expected to fail every challenge and be gone in a month. He also knows he has to take risks to change his lonely life and find love again. The odds may be against him, but Sonya's honesty and resourcefulness are inspiring him to do whatever it takes to stay in the running, win her heart. . .and prove their dreams can be a reality.

Pip’s desperate to escape his life—he’s been skipping classes, drinking, getting high. Anything and everything to avoid his smug teachers, his sweet but needy little brother, his difficult home life. Now he’s been busted by Principal Giraldi and given an ultimatum: either he shows up for all his classes and sees a counselor after school, or he’s expelled. Pip’s freaked out; not because he might get kicked out of school, but by the thought that Giraldi might call his father. Because Pip will do anything to avoid his father.

Pip’s desperate to escape his life—he’s been skipping classes, drinking, getting high. Anything and everything to avoid his smug teachers, his sweet but needy little brother, his difficult home life. Now he’s been busted by Principal Giraldi and given an ultimatum: either he shows up for all his classes and sees a counselor after school, or he’s expelled. Pip’s freaked out; not because he might get kicked out of school, but by the thought that Giraldi might call his father. Because Pip will do anything to avoid his father.

'As the two players walked on to the court, they were greeted by an ear-splitting roar. The crowd rose to their feet.'As a boy, Andy found the courage to give up football and leave behind his family, moving abroad to join a tennis camp in Spain. Nervous about his new life, he had no idea of the rewards for his bravery. Wimbledon titles, Olympic gold medals and the pride of being Britain's greatest ever tennis player all awaited.