Moral Defense (Samantha Brinkman Book 2) --by Marcia Clark

Fiction / Legal Thriller

428 pages / 3548 KB

5 Stars

This was a two-sit read. I would have been a one-sit read, but I started it too late in the day. I read fiction for enjoyment and escape. Period. If I'm thrown out of a story too often (for any reason) I don't finish it. Ms. Clark has never thrown me out of her stories. Some of her characters/plots are a bit close, but nothing serious.

It might help to read them both in order and if possible relatively close together so one doesn't get confused with characters of an earlier book re-appear in the current one. 

If you enjoyed the early The Closer tv show with Kyra Sedgwick, I think you will really enjoy Samantha Brinkman. Both women have that same attitude that tells them rules are to be followed at all times unless they get in the way of justice.

An adopted teenager, Cassie, is accused of killing her brother and parents. Come to find out, she was sexually abused first by her brother who was a bully, then by her father, and when she told her mother, her mother didn't believe her. Her mother kept telling her how lucky she was to have a family like theirs. Really?

Samantha is trying to save the girl's life, and then discovers there was an adult there the night of the murders. Cassie doesn't want to admit it, but she's pretty messed up. And Sam needs to get information to the cops without breaking confidentiality. And being the armchair sleuth I'm not, I was pretty sure I had it figured out--until I didn't.

Books (and one story) by Marcia Clark I've read and reviewed:

Guilt by Degrees, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2013/03/guilty-pleasure-by-degrees.html

Guilt by Association, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2013/04/guilt-by-association.html

If I'm Dead, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2013/04/if-im-dead.html

Blood Defense, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2020/03/blood-defense-samantha-brinkman-book-1.html 

Blood Defense (Samantha Brinkman Book 1) --by Marcia Clark

Fiction / Legal Mystery/Thriller

400 pages /3140 KB

5 Stars

I have read some of Ms. Clark's earlier books, and found them quite enjoyable, but I do think this is the best I've read so far. This book introduces us to Samantha Brinkman, a smart, fearless, defense attorney who is barely making it. Her office manager and BFF since school days convinces her to take on a high profile case where a cop is accused of killing his girl friend, a famous and well-liked actress just coming back from addiction, and her roommate.

While preparing for trial, the cop drops a bombshell into Sam's lap—he knows her biological dad, a person she's never met, and her mother can't remember his name as it was (allegedly) a one-night stand. And someone leaks information to the press that the cop in question was also investigated a year or so earlier for raping a hooker.

Sam is convinced the cop is innocent, that the roommate was the primary target. And even if he is a jerk, he is her jerk, and she will defend him to the utmost because she believes in the law and that innocence must be defended. Ms. Clark takes us through some of the seamier aspects of LA, and brings us out at the end, a bit singed perhaps, but oh-so-much wiser. And very eager to read the next in the series, which I have already ordered.

Books (and one story) by Marcia Clark I've read and reviewed:

Guilt by Degrees, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2013/03/guilty-pleasure-by-degrees.html

Guilt by Association, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2013/04/guilt-by-association.html

If I'm Dead, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2013/04/if-im-dead.html

The Queen's Bargain (Black Jewels Book #10) --by Anne Bishop

Fiction / Fantasy (Adult/Dark)

427 pages / 2251 KB

5 Stars

I picked up the first Black Jewels Trilogy back in 2016 and became hooked on both Ms. Bishop's writing, and her universe. I have since read several of the Black Jewels books, though not in order (If this is a new series to you, I strongly advise you to read the first three books to get a feel for the style and the characters and the underlying stories, and then read them as you get them).  I have read all of her Other books, and loved them, too.

Lord Dillon made a youthful mistake, from what he thought was undying love, and his reputation has been besmirched. He needs to get it repaired, but is hounded by his past.

Daemon Sadi and his wife, Surreal are in the throes of marital discord, though neither truly knows why.

Jillian is still works in Lucivar's household, and has met her first true love, the Lord Dillon. 

Lucivar knows something is wrong with his brother, Sadi; something is wrong with Lord Dillon; something is wrong with...well, you get the picture. 

Oh, and the Scelties are having their problems, too. Especially with Janelle Satien who broke trust with one of them.

I tried reading a couple chapters a night. That lasted  maybe three nights, then I read the rest of the book the next day. I have little won't power where this world and these characters are involved.  Or any of Anne Bishop's novels.

Other books I've read and reviewed, by Ms. Bishop

Etched in Bone (A Novel of the Others ) http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/12/etched-in-bone-novel-of-others-by-anne.html

Vision in Silver, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/vision-in-silver-by-anne-bishop.html

Marked in Flesh http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/03/marked-in-flesh-by-anne-bishop.html

Murder of Crows, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/murder-of-crows-by-anne-bishop.html

Written in Red, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2015/07/written-in-red-anne-bishop.html

Wild Country, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2019/03/wild-country-world-of-others-2-by-anne.html

Lake Silence, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2017/10/lake-silence-by-anne-bishop.html

The Black Jewels Trilogy http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-black-jewels-trilogy-by-anne-bishop.html

Twilight's Dawn (Black Jewels #9) http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2020/01/twilights-dawn-black-jewels-trilogy.html

The Invisible Ring (Black Jewels #4), http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-invisible-ring-black-jewels-book-4.html   

The Killing Fog (The Grave Kingdom Book 1) --by Jeff Wheeler

Fiction /  Fantasy

404 pages / 5607 KB

5 Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love the world Mr. Wheeler built. My biggest complaint is the fact this is book one of three, and books two and three are not yet available. Many of the reviews give clues to what awaits, I'll merely add that this was a page burner and I eagerly await the next two books.

Addendum for this blog:

Mr. Wheeler's world for this series, is a different medieval China (you knew that would hook me, didn't you?). The heroine is Bingmei, a young girl orphaned at the beginning and taken in and raised by an honorable house to become a warrior. She, of course, must make decisions all through the book about what is honorable, what is easy, what is right. Those do not always align. And sometimes she makes the wrong choice when given wrong or conflicting information. And then she must correct it. Easier said than done.

Fortunately, Books 2 & 3 are available for pre-order, and I have ordered. Of course, by the time they are available, I will have totally forgotten I've ordered them, and will think it's a Winter Gift of whatever month it arrives.

No Way Out --by Tower Lowe

Fiction / mystery

227 pages / 389 KB

4 stars

I enjoy Ms Lowe's characters, and this new book, with new characters, is no exception. Her protagonist, Molly Donovan, has just returned to Santa Fe after breaking up with her fiancé who claimed he loved her, but just couldn't up with put her "crippled" arm. She would not be a trophy wife for him.

An insurance company fraud investigator, she left her job, moved in with her parents, and went to work as the receptionist for a real estate office, where she witnessed the murder of one of the agents, and meets Miguel. Physically, he's perfect, but he is a recovering addict. 

The killer came into the office, masked, and yelling political slogans. Everyone assumes he's a political nutjob, and goes after the unknown assailant, with no real leads. But Molly received an email from Gloria, the newly deceased, which she didn't read until too late, and it was a warning not to come to work, and if anything happens... Well, it happened, and Molly and Miguel team up to figure it out. And what a fun ride they take us on while they do.

Other Tower Lowe books I've read and reviewed:

Gone on Sunday, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/search?q=tower+lowe 

Premonition, http://lenoragood.blogspot.com/2019/03/premonition-2-of-cotton-lee-penn-books.html