Book Review: The Lifer and the Lawyer by George Critchlow, Michael Anderson

  

 

The Lifer and the Lawyer by George Critchlow, Michael Anderson

Love this book from the start when they mentioned Leonard Cohen.  True story.

This story is about Michael and he's imprisoned. for a handful of life sentences. He remains married and even had conjugal visits where he fathered more children.

He is a strong person and is able to help alleviate tensions and fights at the prison. He gets to talk to a priest and he is sold on the religion. He is given permission to work outside the prison so he can earn money for the family for when he's gone.   Love the quotes at the beginning of every chapter.

George, now a lawyer and stayed in touch and now wants to get him out of the prison. He has to come up with why he deserves to be out. This totally reminds me of Grisham books and the Lincoln Lawyer as they both help other wrongfully accused get out of prison.

Book also speaks of then Michael was younger and didn't have much of a home life so he was able to find trouble wherever he went. Like hearing from the lifer, the lawyer and lifers' wife: Dee. Three different angles of what really happened and their reasoning for why and how.

Love the descriptive details of the scenes as they play before my eyes. Like ending and how Michael was able to leave a note for others he had harmed in his younger years as he was ordered no contact with them.

So much emotion and politics with the prison system these days. Some things need to change as you can legally purchase drugs in some states.

Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion. 

Poinsettia Girl By Jennifer Wizbowskiook

 

 

 Poinsettia Girl BY Jennifer Wizbowski

This story starts out with Agata and her grandmother is taking care of her, Guilelma.

Agate's mother has passed away and she was the one to see her lying on the floor in blood. Her dad still lives there also but as a musician in 1700's he's often on the streets so others can hear his music. He tries to teach her the music also and she gets some of it. He's often not at home, weeks at a time. Guilelma is failing in health now and relies on a friend to take Agata to the ladies orphanage and they can raise her. She has lots of money to make sure that happens. The girls are raised to be Catholic and  not much talking. They obey the rules, line up in order and say their prayers. They are given time for the music also. Agata has not shown them what she can do with her voice. They train her ove the years and she did get to glimpse her father once. She also sees the man in the red coat. one she saw at the church funeral service for her mother.

The goal of the girls is to be seen and heard that a man will buy them and the girl must give up her love and doing music any longer. They are able to be called a poinsettia girl as they wear that flower when performing.

The struggles are long and hard for her through the years. No one comes to visit with her. At the time when she's old enough to understand she is handed things from her grandmother and other family truths come to light. Loved hearing about the customs of the Venice community, especially during the funeral and what was frowned upon. Didn't think I'd enjoy this book as much as I did. Hope to read more from this author because they make you feel as if you were there. Like that she did stay in touch with the neighbor boy and his sister.

Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Mar 26 The Love Feud by Janine Amesta

  

 

The Love Feud by Janine Amesta

This story starts out with Hailey and she's helping the family business by calling others to cancel their hot air balloon ride as the pilot is now dead. Others are trying to save the company with the financial parts of it. She's hopes to persuade a man to take over for the pilot. Hailey plans for a big show they will be putting on. Ryland was dating her in years gone by but she broke up with him. Now they are doing this dating thing to gain more social media interest, it's all for show. Called fake hate and I just don't get it.

His father shows up the day of the show and his mother sees them, her daughter is crying... SO many misunderstandings. 

Like hearing how the community is behind the big event.

Received this review copy from the publisher via BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion. 

Mar 25 A Soldier's Promise by Jane Porter

  

 

A Soldier's Promise by Jane Porter

in this story we find Josie has sent Finn to help Savannah with Mick, Noahs dog.

He also takes care of Savannah at his location where he is to install some security items.

Finn didn't go to his familys Christmas reunion because of his father. Tthey just rub each other the wrong way.  Love how the whole community stands together for her. When she's ready to give birth he calls his mother and she comes to them to help because Savannah is just not sure how to be a mother.

She was all set to turn the baby over to another couple to raise her.

Very emotional times during the story that resonate  with me being a mom. Sad to hear she didn't think she'd make a good mother.

Like outings they take in the town during the holidays and what he is able to do  about the house they will be staying in.

Love ending but didn't see it going that way at all, so unpredictable.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via BookSprout and this is my honest opinion. 

Mar 10 Wildflower Season Book 4 of The Southern Isles by Laurie Beach

  

 

Wildflower Season Book 4 of The Southern Isles by Laurie Beach

In his story we find Tootie and she's recalling her elementary school days when she got married to her boyfriend under the tree. As the years go by they lose touch with one another...

Present day and we find Tootie in her own home, a gift from her uncle forcolllege graduation on her sisters land. The boathouse is on the march which she loves the nature around her.

They are preparing for her sisters wedding down the road and there are a lot of plans to make. She makes her way to smugglers cove to investigate the cove again and she sees a man up ahead. Mason is a tourist and he didn't know what to do in the area and she has plenty of ideas. They find the cave and it's dark and murky and the tide is coming in. He asks for more things to do and she tells him to meet her at full moon high tide where she will teach him about horseshoe crabs.

Love hearing about all the fun things to explore even the island with the cemetery. Like how she finds Huck and he's become her companion now...

Like the reason why the title was created, so pretty and lovely how she comes by the seeds. Like how she and others in town realize who Mason really is ...

Like this series a lot because it involves a lot of different age groups and their problems and how they are solved. Best to read in order they were published to get the full account of the lives of the family.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via BookSprout and this is my honest opinion. 

Mar 23 A Little Bit Country Book 1 of From the Outback to the Sea by Jacinta Peachey

   

 

A Little Bit Country Book 1 of From the Outback to the Sea by Jacinta Peachey

This story starts out with Jazzie and she's reinventing herself again. Every place she's moved to and gotten a job she's been accused of a crime and she's had to relocate to another area of the country and she starts all over again. Her father had embezzled money so she's got the rep of being the same.

She's just gotten a good job and a promotion because she was able to sell her idea of the eggs to another company with regular deliveries. Problem is she celebrates that night with a man she never met, Ben and she leaves in the morning. When she shows up for work they inform her she did not get that contact.

They get to spend time together and I love hearing about his love of wood as my son has that career now. SO imaginative. Super love hearing of Jazzie's work with yarn as that's right up my alley. I can picture her creations and have made many of my own design as well.

Fire sets the town into action by helping restore everything that was lost, mostly the garden plants and she can't believe how it all happened. Her parents come to a fair where she's showing her crafts along with the ladies and they tell her she will get through it. She finds out she's disqualified from something her father had done. It just never goes well with them.

Love how this all plays out and Ben and Jazzie get to really divulge their secrets to one another. Precious.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via BookSprout and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review: Scarlet Odyssey by Brian H. Roberts

  

 

Scarlet Odyssey by Brian H. Roberts

Justin and David grew up as siblings. Oldest is the bully. Years later they both own a place of business. They are now selling high end boats. David makes the deals and Justin's name is on all the sales. Justin finds out later that his name is on the sales and he questions David and they think they should go to the authorities. Justin has traced the LLC to the cartel.  At a gathering the boys and The fiancée attended but Justin has been sold into human trafficking. Ends up in the jungles and working in the mines, and he meets a priest that helps him out but it's a long road home. He has evidence. So many brutal assaults, deaths and gore in this story.

Like how Justin helps others when he can....love the retaliation. So justified for his family members.

Like how this moves into the next book: earth minerals on Mars and how Justin plans to get them for US  companies he owns...

Didn't think I'd enjoy this book as much as I did. Well thought out. Very descriptive details, felt at times I was there in the room. Would like to read more form this author.