Books with author Jim Murray

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.

Age Level: 9 - 12 | Grade Level: 4th and upEverybody loves Christmas—but did you know Pokemon love the day too? in fact, it’s one little Pikachu’s favorite time of year. She loves the decorations, the carols, the treats and the presents but best of all is spending time with her best friends Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Nothing could ruin a perfect Christmas time celebration except…Team Rocket! Once Pikachu and friends find out Team Rocket stole the world’s Christmas presents, they jump into action and travel to the North Pole! They meet Santa and try and figure out a way to save Christmas for Pokemon around the world! This year, spend Christmas with the Pokemon in Diary of a Christmas Pikachu: Let’s Save Christmas!

"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

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.”

A family's journey through ALS/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig's Disease, taking the reader from shock and devastation to acceptance, hope and LIFE despite the terminal illness. "How ALS Changed Everything" follows the Murray family through everyday, real, raw experiences with ALS, its effects on them as individuals, their children, their marriage, and faith. The story immediately draws the reader into the Murray's lives and is a poignant tale of facing a monster of an illness, with little to no hope, with bravery, yet fear, and still coming out on top in happiness. Eleven other touching stories from ALS families from around the country are also included in the book. Inspiring. Heart wrenching. Compelling.

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.

Reduxxia has had some awesome centuries. And some really crummy ones. By the time Max and Max! Steward arrive, the place is literally crumbling. The first stop on the Maxes' tour of their underground homeland is the Tether, a tower of rock connecting the Earth's core to its crust. It's where their grandmother grew up and where their grandfather set off a bomb and got himself branded a terrorist. At least, that's how the history books tell it, but the Maxes aren't buying it. They want to know the truth, and they make the dangerous choice to stay in Reduxxia long enough to find it. Good thing they brought along their own curiosity. Like sunshine, fresh air, and freedom, inquiring minds are a rare commodity in the Tether.The truth the Maxes uncover is a murky one, and messy. In Reduxxia, there are at least two sides to everything, including every story. It's both magical and murderous, full of promise and despair, with a new threat, and a new secret, around every corner. But some of those secrets hold incredible promise, and if the Maxes can get them to the Crust and into the right hands, the results could be, well, earth shaking. But hanging out too long underground could be a mistake as dangerous as making friends with the natives (which the Maxes find it impossible to do), or tangling with the Camo police (which they find it impossible to avoid), because time is running out. Reduxxia is being battered by earthquakes and floods and the Maxes must decide if finding answers is worth risking their lives.

A family's journey through ALS/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig's Disease, taking the reader from shock and devastation to acceptance, hope and LIFE despite the terminal illness. "How ALS Changed Everything" follows the Murray family through everyday, real, raw experiences with ALS, its effects on them as individuals, their children, their marriage, and faith. The story immediately draws the reader into the Murray's lives and is a poignant tale of facing a monster of an illness, with little to no hope, with bravery, yet fear, and still coming out on top in happiness. Eleven other touching stories from ALS families from around the country are also included in the book. Inspiring. Heart wrenching. Compelling.