Audible Book Review: Justice Redeemed by Scott Pratt

It's hard to trust the legal system when corrupt people are in charge.
Justice Redeemed
By: Scott Pratt
Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Series: Darren Street, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-17-15
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Legal Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Two years ago, Darren Street made a name for himself as the man who rooted out corruption in the district attorney's office. Now the hotheaded young lawyer is in the public eye yet again - this time, accused of murder.
Jalen Jordan retained Street for what seemed to be a minor traffic violation, but when evidence turned up linking Jordan to the death of two boys, Street wanted out of the case. To ensure his lawyer's cooperation and silence, Jordan threatened to make Street's son the next victim. Shortly after, Jordan's own body turned up with a bullet hole in his chest.
Now Street is on trial for his life, and the enemy he made in the DA's office is clearly out for blood. It's one lawyer out to frame another. Can a desperate father escape punishment for a crime he didn't commit?
©2015 Scott Pratt (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Review:
Darren Street is a criminal defense attorney who exposed corruption in the district attorney’s office and headed a movement to defeat the DA at the polls. Darren had hoped that the corrupt attorney would be out of the system, but he moved into a different prosecutor’s office.

Now Darren has been asked to represent Jalen Jorden who claims he was wrongly stopped for a minor traffic violation. Darren becomes aware that more is involved when the pushy man presents $50,000.00 as retainer. Darren learns that the simple vehicle stop may have produced evidence of a heinous murder of two boys. Darren wants to decline the representation, but Jordan threatens to harm Darren’s own young son. Darren is livid and panicked. He is caught in a dilemma as he is restricted by ethical codes from telling anyone what the man has disclosed in privileged communications, but he is terrified for the safety of his child. Darren rants and raves to his secretary before calling an old attorney friend seeking advice but also threatening to stop Jordan. He reaches out to an old client with a horrible request which sets up major problems.

A few days later Jordan is found dead and Darren is the prime suspect in the murder. His old enemy is thrilled to prosecute the case where all the evidence points to Darren. Darren ends up in jail where he begins to learn rules of the prison yard. He faces beatings in the yard as well as beatings in the courtroom as betrayals bring damaging testimony.

I have to say that this wasn’t an easy listen for me. I had trouble relating to Darren’s temper and irrational rants. His experiences behind bars are brutal, distressing and I shudder to think they are a realistic depiction. It is horrifying. I liked the shifting character alignments that are revealed as the story proceeds, even though some of the situations are on the edge of believability. The story moves at a good pace and the full package makes for an engaging story which I recommend to readers who enjoy legal thrillers.

Audio Notes: I have enjoyed Nick Podehl’s narration in other works and he does a good job on this one too. He portrays the panic and anguish of Darren and the malevolence of Jordan and the corrupt prosecutor. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source May 2019 Sale Audible Sale $5.24. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal and “J” in Alphabet goal.

Sunday Post June 30, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 1, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress).

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I still had a good week although staff continued to be out, one not feeling well and two others due to death of friends.
I had a good meeting with the architect and engineer. We are hoping for plans within (optimistically) 4 weeks, realistically 6, maybe.
I spent a good part of the last two weeks listening to CLE audios to finish my current requirements.
This week will be a short week not only due to the holiday but because I will be in trial half day on Monday.

Our yard desperately needs a visit from the lawn crew. In the meantime we have a touch of color left over from flower seeds dropped a few years back.

Hubby was diagnosed with an infection so he is taking an antibiotic. He is feeling better but glassy-eyed drugged. :-(
We hope to celebrate the 4th with our daughter and grandchildren in Panama City Beach. We will also be celebrating hubby's BD as he is a "firecraker" baby.
Our weather here continues to be hot, and expected to be mid-90s this week.

I enjoyed my reading/listening and finished four books: 3 audiobooks and 1 ebook. I posted four reviews on the blog and posted my usual memes.

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Metaphors and Moonlight. Kristen has been sharing reviews for several years on Fantasy/Paranormal & Sci-Fi and more.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post June 23, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 24, 2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo; Genre: Children's Fairytales & Folklore, Kids Ages 8-10; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: Changeling: A Novel of Sorcery and Society by Molly Harper; Genre: Action & Adventure, Children, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 28, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/4/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Harden, Lee Harden, Book 1 by D.J. Molles; Genre: Sci Fi, Post Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• NG2019- ##NetGalley Book Review: The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd; Genre: Christian, Historical Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

• Sharing Beyond Books #372 Comment Giveaway June 29, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 7/13/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 30, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)

Justice Redeemed
By: Scott Pratt
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 11-17-15
It's hard to trust the legal system when corrupt people are in charge.
May 2019 Sale Audible Sale $5.24.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

The Governess of Penwythe Hall
by Sarah E. Ladd
The Governess of Penwythe Hall (Cornwall #1)
I enjoyed this; my review is linked above.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (CAB2019

Liturgy of the Ordinary
Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
Author Tish Harrison Warren
Narrator Sarah Zimmerman
Runtime 4.63 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher christianaudio
I found this Wonderful!
Source: 6/3/19 Christianaudio.com June free download.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Star Nomad
Fallen Empire, Book 1
By: Lindsay Buroker
Narrated by: Kate Reading
Series: Fallen Empire, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
This is a fun, fast military sci fi.
Source: November 2016 Audible Sale.
Publisher's Summary
The Alliance has toppled the tyrannical empire. It should be a time for celebration, but not for fighter pilot Captain Alisa Marchenko. After barely surviving a crash in the final battle for freedom, she's stranded on a dustball of a planet, billions of miles from her young daughter. She has no money or resources, and there are no transports heading to Perun, her former home and the last imperial stronghold.
But she has a plan.
Steal a dilapidated and malfunctioning freighter from a junkyard full of lawless savages. Slightly suicidal, but she believes she can do it. Her plan, however, does not account for the elite cyborg soldier squatting in the freighter, intending to use it for his own purposes. As an imperial soldier, he has no love for Alliance pilots. In fact he's quite fond of killing them.
Alisa has more problems than she can count, but she can't let cyborgs, savages, or ancient malfunctioning ships stand in her way. If she does she'll never see her daughter again.
Fans of Firefly and Star Wars should enjoy this fun, fast-paced new series from USA Today best-selling author Lindsay Buroker.
©2016 Lindsay Buroker (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Every Last Breath
by Juno Rushdan
(I had a slow start as I thought my Kindle died.)
I like how it has started; intense characters.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
48 hours, 2 covert operatives, 1 chance to get it right
Maddox Kinkade is an expert at managing the impossible. Tasked with neutralizing a lethal bioweapon, she turns to the one person capable of helping her stop the threat of pandemic in time: the love of her life, back from the dead and mad as hell at her supposed betrayal. Recruiting Cole to save millions of lives may be harder than resisting the attraction still burning between them, but Maddox will do whatever it takes...even if it destroys her.
When Maddox crashes back into Cole Matthews' life, he wants to fight back. He wants to hate her. But the crisis is too strong to ignore, and soon the two former lovers find themselves working side-by-side in a breakneck race to stop a world-class killer with a secret that could end everything.
The clock is ticking.
A race-against-time romantic thriller, perfect for fans of JD Robb and Mary Burton!

2. Audible/Smartphone (A2019)

The Highwayman
A Longmire Story
By: Craig Johnson
Narrated by: George Guidall
Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins
I wasn't sure what to listen to, so I selected this shorter title till I figured it out.
I am loving the narrator accents.
Source: January 2019 Audible Sale $.99.
Publisher's Summary
Sheriff Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear embark on their latest adventure in this novella set in the world of Craig Johnson's New York Times best-selling Longmire series - the basis for the hit drama Longmire, now on Netflix.
When Wyoming highway patrolman Rosey Wayman is transferred to the beautiful and imposing landscape of the Wind River Canyon, an area the troopers refer to as no-man's-land because of the lack of radio communication, she starts receiving "officer needs assistance" calls. The problem? They're coming from Bobby Womack, a legendary Arapaho patrolman who met a fiery death in the canyon almost a half century ago.
With an investigation that spans this world and the next, Sheriff Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear take on a case that pits them against a legend: The Highwayman.
©2016 Craig Johnson (P)2016 Recorded Books

3. eBook/Computer (NG2019)

Princess Arebeena and the Crystal Fairies
by Fiona Boyd
I will have to read the NG children's titles 
within 30-40 days as they expire.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Welcome to the magical Kingdom of Treenesta, governed by King David and Queen Trixie!
This is the first book in the Crystal Fairy series, which features seven feisty sisters with a touch of attitude. This story is set around the day of Princess Arebeena’s birthday where Princess Arebeena is tasked with a treasure hunt. Accompanied by her best friend Isabella, Princess Arebeena sets out on an exciting adventure looking for her missing tiara… but what else will she find along the way? As you travel through the land of Treenesta, you will meet some interesting animal characters, including Fern the frog, Saffi the barn owl and Dreeva the dragon. Find out how Princess Arebeena makes friends with the seven crystal fairies: Ruby, Amber, Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst and Rose.
Will the Princess find her tiara? And after such a tiring quest, how will she get back to the Royal Palace in time for her birthday celebrations? The storyline encourages a positive attitude, bravery and emphasises the power of friendship, and is beautifully illustrated at each step with detailed, full-colour paintings. It will be enjoyed by children aged 5-7 years.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Monster Hunter Memoirs: Sinners
By: Larry Correia, John Ringo
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
Series: Monster Hunter, Monster Hunter Memoirs, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
I am going to be pulling TBR audios and ebooks as I am behind on my TBR goals.
This is one that should be a fun listen.
Source: July 2017 Audible Sale $4.95.
Publisher's Summary
A new novel in the Monster Hunter Memoirs series. Two authors, who combined have over four million books in print and 10 New York Times best sellers, team up to expand Larry Correia's Monster Hunter universe!
Nightmare in the Big Easy
With New Orleans out of control, Chad Oliver Gardenier, one of Monster Hunter International's premier hunters, has been dispatched from Seattle to reinforce the beleaguered members of MHI'S Hoodoo Squad in their fight against the darkness.
Chad had once taken a werewolf while wearing only jogging gear. With half a dozen or more loup garou appearing every full moon, mysterious shadow demons, houdoun necromancers, 50-foot bipedal crocodiles showing up every couple of months, and more vampires than a Goth concert, New Orleans in the '80s gives a whole new perspective to the term hell on earth. In fact more monsters are popping up than crawfish at a fais do do! Chad may be able to collect enormous bounties for the monsters he kills. But there's one catch: He has to stay alive to do it!
©2016 Larry Correia and John Ringo (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

June 30, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I enjoyed the six day devotional titled AIM. I will be picking another study this week.[You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed four books and posted four reviews. That keeps me current on reviews to post.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. (Eventually I will add older reviews.)
My NetGalley shelf is at 113 unread. The April titles are down to 2 not counting the current reads. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I still have four author ebook titles in queue.
Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I didn't pick up any new review titles this week although I put in requests at NetGalley.
I resisted the daily deals until today.
I downloaded week 10 titles from SYNC.
Two free kindle titles this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.) Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

6/30/19 Two for One Credit at Audible
I really had a hard time picking two. I listened to many samples before deciding on these:
Foundations of Economic Prosperity
By: Daniel W. Drezner, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Daniel W. Drezner
Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 07-08-13


The Conservative Tradition
By: Patrick N. Allitt, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt
Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 07-08-13


6/30/19 Audible Daily Deal $4.95
Keep Her Safe
A Novel
By: K. A. Tucker
Narrated by: Robin Eller, Will Damron, Wendy Tremont King, Roger Casey
Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 01-23-18

Free

6/30/19 2nd June free Audible Original
Jukebox Joyride
By: Jacob Stein, Jason Rabinowitz, The Pop Ups
Narrated by: Jason Rabinowitz, Jacob Stein, Cara Samantha, Susan Bennett, Noel MacNeal, Carly Ciarrocchi
Length: 3 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 06-06-19

6/24/19 Free at Audible- I have also downloaded the full report. I have looked at summaries (and news ad nauseam of course) but someday hope to read/listen to the full report.
The Mueller Report
The Findings of the Special Counsel Investigation
By: Robert S. Mueller III, Special Counsel's Office U.S. Department of Justice
Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Mark Boyett, Victor Bevine
Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-22-19


SYNC Audio 2019
Week 10: June 27 – July 4
YAQUI DELGADO WANTS TO KICK YOUR ASS by Meg Medina, narrated by Roxanne Hernandez (Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
HERETICS ANONYMOUS by Katie Henry, narrated by Michael Crouch (HarperAudio)

I added two titles this week to my Kindle library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 30, 2019

We watched a condensed prophecy video in SS this morning. The end times vision was from 1982 but included visions of personal computers, large screen TVs, street camera monitoring, tvs that watch everyone, marks (chips) in the skin and Humvees, among other things that didn’t exist in 1982.

Our youth led praise and worship this morning and our youth pastor shared the message. The sermon, Resolution, continued in Hebrews 10.

The author was writing to believers who were experiencing persecution. The letter/book is to encourage their faith and trust and remind them how God moved (acted) in past as comparison to current troubles.
The author had two goals:
1. To elevate Jesus as superior to anyone or anything else, worthy of all worship and devotion.
2. To challenge people to recognize God's movement in our lives.

What do you do when life doesn't work as you are used to or as you expect?
Often common sense kicks in and tells us to go back to how things used to be; to try what worked before.
What we need to do is move forward. We have to trust God's plan. He wants a future for each of us. Faith kicks in during uncertain times. He might work in new ways or through new people but we can always trust Him.
We need to have a “What could be” mindset. We need to have a relationship that allows us to hear and recognize His voice.
And we need to persevere.

Hebrews 10:20 tells us that Jesus opened a new way. We must be careful that we don't box God in. Be reminded that ‘The Lord is in this place’. That place where you don't see Him. He is in the middle of what you are going through.

God is still moving. Hebrews 10:23. Don't doubt God now; look for a new thing.

Stop looking for God to move the way He did in the past. Trust God the way He is moving today.

This is the song that our youth pastor referred to.

Verses for today:
Hebrews 10:19-23
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

I thank God that He is always faithful to be where I am.

Sharing Beyond Books #372 Comment Giveaway June 29, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Six of us have had some problems posting reviews at Amazon, Goodreads or TBD. The other eight haven't had trouble but sometimes a delay (at Amazon).


The Winner from SBB #371 comments is: #6 LINDA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #372

(One Question.)

Natalija asks: Does your family support your reading habits??

I get mixed support from my family for my reading. My hubby fusses that I read too much and he threatens to burn the books in the house. After 34 years of marriage he has finally, sort of, resolved himself to it. Our daughter likes to read but, with children at home, her time is limited. Same with our son who likes to listen. I don't know why I can't convince them to gift me book (Amazon) GCs though. Fortunately my office staff honored that wish last Christmas. :-)

Image found at Scholastic.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.
Comments for June provided by: Ashfa, Miki and Natalija who each get $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Natalija asks: Does your family support your reading habits??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday July 13, 2019 at 5 PM central.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

This is gently lovely, with romance, mystery and danger.

The Governess of Penwythe Hall
by Sarah E. Ladd
The Governess of Penwythe Hall (Cornwall #1)

File Size: 8202 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 16, 2019)
ASIN: B07DT6LW27
Genre: Christian, Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.
Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request for her to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she’s tried desperately to forget.
Jac Twethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced, he battles both grief at his brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.
Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

Review:
Cordelia has been the governess for her five charges for five years. She obtained the position after her husband died and she determined it was safest for her to be away from her husband’s remaining family in Cornwall. Now the father of the children has died and they, their tutor and Cordelia are being delivered to the children’s uncle Jac in Cornwall.

Jac has inherited the estate of Penwythe Hall from his uncle. His older brother had expected to receive the inheritance which caused estrangement between the brothers. Jac is determined to revive the estate which came with no funds. Jac is working with his workmen in the orchards doing whatever it takes to make the apples grow. He is also having an apple press built as another means to make monies to restore the estate.

Jac is as surprised as anyone when his nieces and nephews arrive. Jac has to struggle learning of his brother’s death and adjusting to the idea that he will raise the children. At least there are trust funds to continue to pay for the tutor and governess. Soon rumors start to spread regarding Cordelia’s family, the Greythornes. They have a dangerous reputation up the coast. Jac becomes worried about Cordelia’s secrecy and then her fear when her brother-in-law shows up at a community party.

Problems arise as the children settle in and other relatives arrive to challenge the guardianship. Danger increases when betrayals and threats, both to the orchards and Cordelia, ratchet up.

I thoroughly liked the primary characters and the children. Expected and unexpected villains added interest. The family element, respect and romance take a few bumps but manage nicely through the conflicts. The reading moved along well as I enjoyed the setting, romance, mystery and suspense. There is a light faith element which I liked also. I recommend this to readers who enjoy clean, historical romance with mystery and suspense.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.