Class Action by Gail Ward Olmsted Review

On November 28, 2025 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman fighting for her future becomes embroiled in scholarly conspiracies and complicated relationships in author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Class Action.”

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The Synopsis

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Third year law student Lennon Gallagher’s life turns from complicated to overwhelming when she receives a message meant for someone else. The text offers an advance copy of a final exam-a guaranteed “A”-but accepting it will violate the honors code she refuses to break. When Lennon declines, the collaborators behind the cheating scheme demand her silence or they will ensure she takes the fall if necessary.

Fighting for her future while balancing an internship, exams, studying for the bar, a boyfriend who no longer seems to understand her, and a mother who needs help rebuilding her life after prison, Lennon tries to handle everything alone. But when she discovers the lead plaintiff in her firm’s class action lawsuit might be the father she’s never known, it’s the final straw. She needs help.

With the support of her friend and mentor, attorney Miranda Quinn, Lennon must navigate betrayal, legal intrigue, and personal discovery. As one relationship unravels, another blossoms in this gripping story of resilience, secrets, and second chances.

A captivating read full of unexpected twists and emotional depth.

The Review

This was yet another enthralling legal drama and compelling legal read. The author does an incredible job of layering the narrative with dynamic storytelling and a fast-paced pace that speaks to the reader and helps connect with the characters. The story itself is a thriller, but it balances well with added elements of romance, family drama, and the complexities of academic life and the legal system.

The main draw of this narrative was its rich character development and powerful themes. The struggle of those in school, especially law students who don’t come from affluent families or legacies and must make their own place in the world, was a strong theme that played well into the story. The balance the author found in bringing Lennon’s personal struggles with finding her biological father, maintaining a relationship with a distant boyfriend, and the struggles she has with her mother, who has been in and out of her life constantly, was exceptional. Pair this with characters like Miranda Quinn from the author’s previous books, and the strong characters become part of a larger world the author has carefully cultivated.

The Verdict

Suspenseful, compelling, and engaging, author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Class Action” is a must-read legal thriller and drama. The culture the author explores within law school itself and the competitive nature of it all, as well as the personal stakes Lennon faces and the twists and turns the stories take in this novel, will keep readers enthralled until the book’s emotional ending. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on December 11th, 2025 or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a full-time basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical novel featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband’s, and his wife Mary. Miranda Fights is the third book in the Miranda Quinn Legal Twist series. Olmsted enjoys writing about quirky, wonderful women in search of a second chance at a happy ever after. When not writing, she loves being on the water, especially in a kayak. She is well known for her blonde brownies, and coffee is her love language. For more, visit her on Facebook at gailolmstedauthor.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/class-action-gail-ward-olmsted/1147827574;jsessionid=FFEFE8478714ADA692A5A583B4515038.prodny_store01-atgap15?ean=9781685136840

https://amzn.to/3XoAfN6

Miranda Fights (A Miranda Quinn Legal Twist) by Gail Ward Olmsted Review

On January 1, 2025 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

With young women disappearing and a ruthless organization behind it all, the former host turned lawyer Miranda Quinn must work to save these young women before it’s too late in the book Miranda Fights by Gail Ward Olmsted.

The Synopsis

Miranda Quinn is back in the courtroom working as a legal aid attorney when she’s asked to represent Lennon, the daughter of a high school friend currently serving time in prison. Still struggling with guilt from the role she played in her friend’s downfall, Miranda agrees to help.

The former assistant DA has given up a lucrative career as a legal talk radio host to better serve her community. In her spare time, she volunteers as a counselor for at-risk teens. It’s challenging but rewarding, at least until the young women begin to mysteriously disappear. As Miranda struggles to find out who is responsible, it becomes clear that Lennon is in danger as well. As the police piece together Miranda’s clues, they realize they’re dealing with a much larger and farther-reaching organization than they had expected.

Miranda has faced her share of adversaries, both in and out of the courtroom. To expose the sex traffickers preying on the group of girls she has sworn to protect, she’ll need to keep her eyes and ears open. But to save the one young woman who needs her most, she’ll have to open her heart.

She’s in for the fight of her life.

The Review

The balance the author found in persona development for her star protagonist and the chilling realities of the crime she investigates is very on point here, a Gail Ward Olmsted staple that has drawn readers throughout this series. The exploration of Mirandas’ friendship with her high school friend Charlene and the consequences of their friendship’s end on Charlene’s daughter years later make the narrative entirely compelling and easy to get lost in.

While the overarching story of the protagonist and her exploits are part of this growing legal thriller series, what always impresses me is that the author makes each novel stand out on its own, allowing each narrative its opportunity to shine. The horrors of human trafficking and the brutal fight against it are thoroughly explored here, and the descriptive nature of the settings allows the story to pop off the page.

The Verdict

Harrowing, thoughtful, and entertaining, author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Miranda Fights” is a must-read legal thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative, the exploration of more domestic relationships, and the bonds that Miranda makes with Lennon will stay with readers as the story progresses. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Guarding Innocence (Verdicts & Vindication Book 4) by James Rosenberg Review

On September 25, 2023 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

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A man must work with his law school friends to help defend him and his younger siblings as Child Welfare threatens to remove the children from his care in author James Rosenberg’s “Guarding Innocence”, the fourth book in the Verdicts & Vindication series.

The Synopsis

Passionate Family Drama. Intense Courtroom Dynamics

Cam Crewell can barely keep his head above water in his first year of law school. His struggles intensify when his younger brother and sister are suddenly left with no place to live. Without other options, they move in with Cam and his five eclectic roommates into their overcrowded and barely code-compliant house.

Although the new home offers a sense of belonging and support, their world is thrown into turmoil when Child Welfare discovers the kids are living without a true legal guardian. Cam must figure out how to defend their lifestyle and protect his family against an overzealous attempt to relocate his brother and sister.

Cam’s law school friends represent and defend him in an intense courtroom battle that will determine the fate of his family. In this heart pounding legal battle, Cam must convince the court that he can provide the most stable living environment for his siblings.

Combining an exploration of family dynamics like found in Defending Jacob, with a breakdown of legal and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals responsible for protecting children similar to The Children Act, Guarding Innocence is a captivating and fast-paced thriller.

Justifying how to raise your kids is almost impossible when you’re on the witness stand.

The Review

This was a gripping and tense legal thriller. The author did a remarkable job of diving head first into a detailed, law-driven narrative, allowing the reader to find themselves lost in the family dynamics of this brother and his younger siblings, with the camaraderie of the law school friends coming together to fight for their friend and his family, and the harsh realities of the law and family dynamics. The expertise and knowledge the author pours into the narrative make the story feel alive and vibrant on the page.

To me, the heart of the narrative was in the character growth and emotional impact of the narrative overall. Not all aspects of the law come with such an emotionally invested story, and the fight to keep a family together despite unusual living situations is something many families have had to fight and live through. The dynamics between Cam and his siblings and the closer they got in the face of these tragic circumstances made this story feel so important and heartfelt in the overall development of this narrative.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, passionate, and engaging, author James Rosenberg’s “Guarding Innocence” is a must-read legal thriller meets family and sibling fiction narrative. The twists and turns in the case along the way, and the attention to detail regarding the law in this book made the emotional moments between the siblings feel all that much more heartfelt. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

James Rosenberg is a 3rd generation trial attorney with plenty of stories to tell. Inspired not only by the courtroom stories his father and grandfather used to tell him when he was a child, but also by the wild adventures he’s encountered through his own experience as a lawyer. James is fascinated by the intricate, interpersonal dynamics of every trial he’s endured. Whether it’s the raw emotion on display in court, the tension in the air that builds until someone wins, or the impact that a case’s decision has on the parties involved, James is always paying attention and keeping tabs on what’s happening.

In his debut novel, Legal Reserves, James flexes his creative muscle outside of the courtroom to share his stories, with a fictional twist, through the eyes of archetypes he knows well. He continues weaving stories of the tribulations of litigation with larger issues of friendship and ambition in his latest novels, The Jersey and Unclean Hands.

A native of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, James has been a trial attorney in Pittsburgh for almost 30 years. He started writing legal thrillers as a stress reducer and finds this creative outlet to be a fun and meaningful diversion from his day job.

When he’s not trying cases, he’s either dreaming up his next book idea, spending time with his wife and three kids, or both.

https://jamesrosenbergauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosenbergWrites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosenbergwrites/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesrosenbergauthor

Miranda Nights (A Miranda Quinn Legal Twist) by Gail Ward Olmsted Review

On May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A former television host turned radio talk show host must help a friend’s son in legal trouble while also dealing with personal family medical drama and a troubled fanatic who escalates their attempts to get her to see the error of her ways in author Gail Ward Olmsted “Miranda Nights”, the latest in the Miranda Quinn Legal Twist series!

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The Synopsis

She has a loving husband and a successful career-who says you can’t have it all? Miranda Quinn is living her very best life… until she’s not.

It’s been two years since her legal advice TV show was canceled, but the former Assistant District Attorney has rebounded with a late-night radio show, Miranda Nights. When her closest friend’s teenage son gets arrested, Miranda tries to help but the evidence against him is overwhelming. Following a family member’s medical diagnosis, Miranda begins to wonder if her ‘happily ever after’ has been canceled as well.

But the real trouble arrives when a persistent caller, desperate for Miranda’s attention, embarks on an all-out effort to get her to see the error of her ways. Threatening messages and slanderous social media posts escalate to break-ins and arson when a fanatical fan claims to be her only path to salvation.

Miranda Nights is a fast-paced, witty story full of hidden dangers, with a strong and resilient woman at its core.

The Review

This was an incredibly well-written and captivating read. The author does a beautiful job of continuing to build upon the cast of characters introduced in the first book while elevating their stories with these fresh problems and issues to work through. The thread of storylines helps illustrate the difficulties many face in our world today, from the shocking realities of “sexting” between teenagers in high school and the social and moral problems that it presents, let alone the legal troubles. The stalking and moral superiority that breeds violence in our country is also apparent in the main plot of this narrative and kept the adrenaline and tension alive throughout the novel.

For me, the truly great things that stick out in this book are the author’s character development and the wonderful world-building that goes on. Seeing these characters interacting on such a personal and intimate level and seeing their camaraderie throughout the book, both in everyday life and in the struggles that this narrative provides, made the story feel real and relatable. All of the characters felt fresh and unique, and yet Miranda as a protagonist shined, as she showed true strength and courage in the face of the adversity of this novel while also showing vulnerability and true emotion to those she loves, a distinct growth from the first book.

Bookbaby.com helping independents – whether authors, publishers, musicians, filmmakers, or small businesses – bring their creative efforts to the marketplace.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thoughtful, author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Miranda Nights” is a must-read women’s fiction meets legal thriller that you won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative, the mystery surrounding Miranda’s stalker, and the unique psychosis that goes into his motives, made this a compelling read, as did the personal moments in Miranda’s life with her friends and loved ones. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on July 6th, 2023, or preorder your copy now!!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a full-time basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before she began Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical work of fiction featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband’s, and his wife Mary. Her latest is a pair of contemporary novels featuring a disgraced attorney seeking a career comeback: Miranda Writes and Miranda Nights (7/6/23)

For more information, please visit her on Facebook and at gwolmstedauthor.carrd.co

https://www.twitter.com/gwolmsted

Facebook www.facebook.com/gailolmstedauthor

Amazon www.amazon.com/author/gailolmsted

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gwolmsted

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8158738.Gail_Ward_Olmsted

Miranda Writes by Gail Ward Olmsted Review

On May 31, 2022October 14, 2024 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A former attorney turned blogger finds the past coming back in unexpected ways when the witness who disappeared in her last case returns to implicate her and her now-ex in a shocking coverup in author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Miranda Writes”.

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The Synopsis

A disgraced attorney seeking redemption. A single mother desperate to regain custody of her son. Two women willing to risk it all to put a sexual predator behind bars.

Former Assistant District Attorney Miranda Quinn is on the brink of a career comeback when she gets a phone call. It’s a witness who disappeared three years earlier, resulting in a violent criminal going free. Miranda got fired as a result, but the witness has re-surfaced with a shocking story to tell; one that implicates Miranda and her ex, defense attorney Adam Baxter. And now, there’s a new victim.

Miranda’s legal advice blog-turned-podcast Miranda Writes is about to become a daytime TV show, but the negative press could destroy her credibility. Will the network stand behind her?

When it comes to the law, Miranda has all the answers, but the questions are getting harder and the stakes are getting higher. The dangerous web of lies and cover-ups she exposes leaves her questioning just how much she is willing to risk. She has the right to remain silent, but needs to speak up… doesn’t she?

Miranda Writes is a story of how far we’ll go to protect those we love and the power of second chances.

The Review

The author did such a marvelous job of balancing out the mystery and suspense of the narrative with the language and details of the legal aspect of the story. The twists and turns this story takes as the protagonist takes on corruption and a violent criminal will have readers hanging off of the author’s every word, while the fusion of light-hearted character interactions and shocking mystery moments that unravel and show layer after layer of haunting revelations left me as a reader eagerly taking in this story.

Character development was the driving force behind the narrative itself. Miranda is a perfect protagonist, showcasing the morality and passion for which she fights for justice and uses the law to take down the corruption surrounding her. The relationship with her father is beautiful to read, and the way she fights for Becky as the revelations and actions against her begin to pile up is inspiring and engaging to read.

The Verdict

Powerful, entertaining, and captivating, author Gail Ward Olmsted’s “Miranda Writes” is a must-read women’s fiction meets thriller novel and one of my top picks for reads of 2022. The twists and turns of the narrative are truly engaging, and the empowering narrative showcasing a strong female protagonist facing off against corrupt and negative male figures surrounding her made this story such a delight to read. Be sure to preorder your copy today or grab your copy on September 8th, 2022!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

https://www.gailolmsted.com/

Tweets by gwolmsted

Assassin: A Roberto Duran Novel by Ramon del Villar Review

On April 27, 2022October 14, 2024 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Houston-based lawyer going about his life helping his clients when he discovers his life is in danger from a cold-blooded killer as a result of his last big case in author Ramon del Villar’s “Assassin: A Roberto Duran Novel”.

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The Synopsis

Roberto’s life is in danger. His role in the acquittal of Manolo has earned him the wrath of the mysterious Cesar. As the intrepid attorney goes about his mundane life, helping his clients and reconnecting with old friends, he must guard against attack. Will Roberto survive this cold blooded killer’s vendetta? Join Roberto in this second installment of the Roberto Duran series. Discover his earlier exploits in Payback.

The Review

The author continues to inject life and a thriller genre feel into a high-octane drama. The exploration of the legal system in such brilliant detail added such depth and realism to the character evolution and the mystery narrative. The way the author was able to show the main character’s work as a lawyer in court for cases while also alluding to a larger narrative working in the shadows that was much more personal to the main character struck just the right amount of balance in this novel.

The other balance came from the main character himself. The ability to give both Roberto’s professional life and personality their own time to shine in this narrative as well as his personal life was amazing to watch unfold on the page, and the passion for which the character fought for both his family and his clients was what made him such a fun character to invest in.

The Verdict

Gripping, entertaining, and fast-paced, author Ramon del Villar’s “Assassin” is a must-read legal and global thriller! The changing settings and the look into how the legal system works in different countries (and how each country’s system works as borders are crossed), made this such a fascinating read, and the mystery finale will have readers eager for more amazing thrillers from this author. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ramón del Villar is a lawyer, a black belt in karate, a teacher, a private pilot and an author. He recently retired from his day job as Senior Interpreter in Houston for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. His nonfiction text, An Interpreters Anatomy of a Civil Lawsuit, is available as a bilingual resource and he is working on the next adventure of Roberto Duran, intrepid attorney.

Payback by Ramon del Villar Review

On March 28, 2022 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

The world of narco-trafficking takes center stage as a man is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the pursuit of justice takes a drastic turn in author Ramon del Villar’s “Payback”.

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The Synopsis

Ramon del Villar is well known and highly respected English-Spanish translator in Texas’s Southern District U.S. Courts. He is now residing in Houston after he migrated (legally) from his h homeland, Mexico. In this his first published novel, he skillfully brings up to us his expertise, both in the judiciary proceedings and his knowledge of people involved in narco-traffic with very witty remarks about behavior and reactions by Hispanics and Anglos: “You have the right to remain silent. If you speak, anything you say may and will be used against you in court. You have the right to have an attorney…” so starts this thriller in which Mr. del Villar guides us through the inner and awesome steps of a criminal trial, so readers become familiar with terms such as arrest, detention, hearing, cross-examination, rebuttal, and verdict, so well narrated that it is very difficult to stop reading this novel once you started…

The Review

This was an eventful and captivating thriller. The author found just the right balance between legal suspense and adrenaline-fueled action-thriller storytelling. The exploration of the law in such detail and how it impacts everyone, from those pursuing the law to those caught in its wake to the family affected by the trial and more, was both impressive and engaging to read about.

I truly appreciated the rich character development of this novel, especially the focus on the cultural aspect of the narrative. As someone who comes from a Hispanic background himself, I was grateful to see such attention to detail shown in the story, even from minor yet important details like how Mexican people will utilize both the father and the mother’s last names in their culture. The study of how narcos and the narcotic trade as a whole have impacted everyone, on both sides of the border, was critical to this novel’s success, as was the study of how those with money and power influence the events that determine other people’s fate, whether they be deserving or not.

The Verdict

Hauntingly suspenseful, entertaining, and culturally impactful, author Ramon del Villar’s “Payback” is a must-read thriller. From the shootouts to the dramatic legal twists and the important character developments, this was a meaningful and thoughtful approach to the genre and deserves to be checked out. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Unclean Hands by James Rosenberg Review

On May 27, 2021October 14, 2024 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A struggling attorney finds himself in a contentious legal battle as the widow of a man accused of shoplifting is killed while being arrested, and as witnesses begin falling apart on the stand, the lawyer and the widow must fight to bring the truth to light in author James Rosenberg’s “Unclean Hands”.

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The Synopsis

A contentious trial is imminent:

Rick Waterston’s legal practice is suffering. Although he’s stopped drinking, he can’t turn his life around. The ex is hounding him for past child support. His biggest client makes passes at him and there’s not a lot of money to spread around.

Emily Hawkins’ husband was killed while shopping at the local B & D warehouse store, accused of shoplifting and suffocated while being detained waiting for the police to arrive. To figure out the true story of what happened to her husband she hires Rick to sue the store.

Without any settlement offer, they are forced to take the case to trial where Rick has to handle the overbearing lawyers representing the store—the same people who fired him from his first job and sent him on his downward spiral.

No trial is predictable, but Rick must question his tactics when witnesses fall apart on the stand and crumble under intense cross-examination. The only hope of convincing the jury that shoplifters have rights is Emily who must stand her ground when confronted with her husbands’ dirty secrets.

The Review

A truly stellar and enthralling legal thriller, author James Rosenberg once again finds the perfect balance between his background as an attorney and the intricate depth he finds within his characters. The blend of each character’s integral role in the trial and the case overall with their own personal struggles, especially protagonist Rick and his haunted past, really helped the narrative flow smoothly.

In this day and age, the concept of lawful versus unlawful arrests and the demand for more accountability towards those accused of crimes versus actual criminals has never been higher. The narrative really does a great job of capturing this important societal theme, while also giving an original and unique spin on the story overall that will have readers hanging on the author’s every word. The pacing of this fits perfectly in the legal thriller genre, really setting up the case and making the reader eager to read as each clue is unraveled slowly but surely.

The Verdict

A brilliant, engaging, and jaw-dropping legal thriller, author James Rosenberg’s “Unclean Hands” is a must-read novel. The shocking final moments of the book’s legal battle will leave readers reeling as the truth is revealed, and the more personal and intimate moments with characters like Rick will keep the reader feeling more connected to the narrative overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

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Interview with Author James Rosenberg

Legal reserves Review

The Jersey Review

About the Author

James Rosenberg is a 3rd generation trial attorney with plenty of stories to tell. Inspired not only by the courtroom stories his father and grandfather used to tell

him when he was a child, but also by the wild adventures he’s encountered through his own experience as a lawyer.

James is fascinated by the intricate, interpersonal

dynamics of every trial he’s endured. Whether it’s the raw emotion on display in court, the tension in the air that builds until someone wins, or the impact that a

case’s decision has on the parties involved, James is always paying attention and keeping tabs on what’s happening.

In his debut novel, “Legal Reserves”, James flexes his creative muscle outside of the courtroom to share his stories, with a fictional twist, through the eyes of archetypes he knows well.

When he’s not trying cases, he’s either dreaming up his next book idea, spending time with his wife and three kids, or both.

To contact James email Rosenberg@marcus-shapira.com or follow him on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/RosenbergWrites/

https://www.bookbub.com/books/unclean-hands-by-james-rosenberg

Check out his website: www.JamesRosenbergAuthor.com

Tweets by RosenbergWrites

A Good Mother by Lara Bazelon Review

On May 14, 2021May 14, 2021 By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Two young mothers find themselves in a gripping murder trial as one must defend the other and prove her innocence in the face of growing evidence to the contrary in author Lara Bazelon’s “A Good Mother”.

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The Synopsis

A gripping page turner about two young mothers, one grisly murder, and the lengths both women will go in the name of their children.

When young decorated combat veteran Travis Hollis is found stabbed through the heart at a U.S. Army base in Germany, there is no doubt that his wife, Luz, is to blame. But was it an act of self defense? A frenzied attempt to save her infant daughter from domestic abuse? Or the cold blood murder of an innocent man?

As the case heads to trial in Los Angeles, hard-charging attorney Abby Rosenberg is eager to return from maternity leave—and her quickly fracturing home life—to take the case and defend Luz. Abby, a new mother herself, is committed to ensuring Luz avoids prison and retains custody of her daughter. But as the evidence stacks up against Luz, Abby realizes the task proves far more difficult than she suspected – especially when she has to battle for control over the case with her co-counsel, whose dark absorption with Luz only complicates matters further.

As the trial careens toward an outcome no one expects, readers will find themselves in the seat of the jurors, forced to answer the question – what does it mean to be a good mother? A good lawyer? And who is the real monster?

The Review

A gripping legal thriller, the author has used her expertise in the field of legal aid to really dive into the laborious work that goes into being a lawyer at trial. The balance found of legal work and suspense as the evidence and discoveries made in the case keep the reader guessing made this such an entertaining read.

The character development was fantastic to see here. From protagonist, Abby, and her challenging battles both at home and in the case kept the reader invested in the narrative, while the back and forth on Luz as a suspect in the case and whether or not she could be trusted made for some interesting and gripping storytelling. Then pacing is what really sets the tone for the novel, as the story begins wildly with the 911 call on the night of the crime, and then steps back and begins to set up the trial itself as the mystery begins to slowly be peeled layer by layer.

The Verdict

A mesmerizing, heart-pounding, and evenly-paced read, author Lara Bazelon’s “A Good Mother” is a fantastic thriller and a must-read novel. Great character growth and a pulse-racing mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat make this story shine brightly and make for the perfect summer read for fans of the genre. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lara Bazelon is an attorney, journalist, MacDowell Fellow, former public defender, and professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she holds the Phillip and Muriel C. Barnett Chair in Trial Advocacy. She is also the author of Rectify: The Power of Restorative Justice After Wrongful Conviction, as well as the upcoming nonfiction book, Ambitious Like a Mother: Women, Ambition, and Motherhood, and her writing has been published widely in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, The Washington Post, and many others.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: https://larabazelon.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/larabazelon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larabazelon

Twitter: https://twitter.com/larabazelon

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/a-good-mother/9781335916099

Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335916099

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-good-mother-lara-bazelon/1137392597?ean=9781335916099

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335916091?tag=hqnweb-20

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-good-mother/id1525079297?uo=4&at=10l9MF&ct=hqnweb

Books A Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781335916099?AID=10747236&PID=7651142&cjevent=2e657d74919611eb8308010a0a82b820