Quick Review for Quick Read – Vigorous Defense by Audrey Walker #AudreyWalker

Posted on September 20, 2023 by fundinmental

MY REVIEW

“Every citizen deserv es a Vigorous Defense in a court of law.”

Vigorous Defense by Audrey Walker introduces us to Giselle Norwood, a forensic pathologist. Her husband has passed away from an illness and she was reluctant to take the job offered her in Washington DC. This had been their home and she wasn’t sure she wanted to leave it. Until…

She is approached by Bobby Kaminski, a personal injury lawyer who is representing an alleged murderer. She has a need to blend her work with her desire for justice.

A prequel, or short story that can be devoured (as I did) in a half hour or so, has to be pretty darn good and fast paced for me to give it a high rating. Audrey Walker also added an intriguing and unusual cause of death, which I found fascinating. I am eager to read more about Giselle Norwood and to dive into her future cases.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

When the courtroom becomes a battlefield, a young forensic pathologist is determined to shine a light on the truth.

In the gripping prequel to the Giselle Norwood Mysteries, Dr. Giselle Norwood’s peaceful life takes an unexpected turn when a quirky lawyer ropes her into a murder trial.
What appears to be an open-and-shut poisoning case reveals layers of deception and a battle between truth and motive, pitting Giselle in a race against time to unearth the facts before an innocent man is wrongly convicted.
“Vigorous Defense” is a thrilling tale of suspense that shines the light of truth on the shadows of deceit, exposing a corrupt system of justice.

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
33 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2023
Series: Giselle Norwood

ABOUT AUDREY WALKER

Audrey Walker is a young and rising international best-selling Author in the Mystery & Suspense niche.

Walker’s books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won’t see coming.

Walker lives currently in south Germany with her husband and a newly born daughter. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her climbing up the Alps in Switzerland and walking aroung the Black Forest in south of Germany.

Website / Facebook / Instagram

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Giveaway – Echoes Of The Past by Ashley Packard @XpressoTours

Posted on September 20, 2023 by fundinmental

Echoes of the Past
Ashley Packard
Publication date: September 20th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction

Anna Wilson is faced with the prospect of starting her first job out of university. She worked hard for this coveted position not for the prestige, but because it paid well, would make her parents proud, and most importantly, the location was close to her grandmother, her only remaining family.

Accepting this job was a seal of fate according to Anna’s grandmother, who grappled with the guilt that Anna planned her life around her.

After graduating from university, Anna’s world gets turned upside down when she receives the devastating news her grandmother passed away, leaving behind an unexpected inheritance, a chest full of old postcards, and tickets for a trip her grandmother planned leaving in a few weeks.

Anna battles the difficult decision – to stay with the job she accepted, or embark on a journey that could uncover truths about herself and the untold stories of her grandmother’s past.

Goodreads / Purchase

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EXCERPT:

“I didn’t have a choice then, but I do now,” I said, with a mixture of nostalgia and sorrow filling my chest as I sat on the bench across from an old bouquet of crinkled, dried flowers. The soft breeze rustled the autumn leaves, leaving a crisp scent lingering in the wind. The sun dipped over the horizon, casting a warm glow against my face as I sat in this place of quietude.

“Mom, Dad,” I whispered, taking a deep breath, “I miss you so much. I need your help now more than ever before.” I knew that coming here today was necessary – I needed their guidance, I was so confused.

I sat there and looked around the well-tended lawn and the sun’s reflection against the pond nearby. I kneeled down to replace the old bouquet with the new, trying to avert my eyes, but they were anchored on rereading the etched inscription for the millionth time:

“Emily & Liam Wilson, Beloved Parents, May they always rest in peace, Forever in our hearts.”

I could almost hear my father’s voice saying, “There’s no ‘cannot’ in our dictionary at home. I crossed it out, it doesn’t exist!”

Is that really true, Dad? Right then, it felt impossible. I already had a plan in place, a prestigious job lined up, and now this. A completely unexpected option. I felt a tear run down my cheek and brushed it away with my sleeve.

Life hasn’t been the same since you dropped me off at Grandma’s. None of us could have predicted what happened next.

“I think I know what I want to do, but I’m so scared.”

Memories came flooding back, each one flipping through my mind like snippets of a film.

***

“Anna, my dear,” Charlotte said gently, but heavy with melancholy as she opened the screen door from the back side of her house. Anna was hula-hooping and stopped, sensing that something was off by the sound of her grandmother’s tone, and came over to her.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it, Grandma? What’s wrong?”

Anna watched as Charlotte fell to her knees, took her hands in her own, tears streaming down her cheeks, and said, “I just got a phone call. There’s been an accident and your parents…I’m so sorry, they’ve passed away.”

Anna froze. Shock washed over her, as she attempted to grasp her grandmother’s words. Her eyes started to feel puffy and swollen with tears. A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions raced through her mind. How could this happen? It was a vacation.

Charlotte pulled her in closely as they wrapped their arms around each other. Both acknowledged that neither of their lives would ever be the same again.

Author Bio:

Ashley Packard was born and raised in the suburbs outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She currently resides in Berlin, Germany with her husband Zac and their two cats Emmy and Zelda. They moved to Germany in 2022 as newlyweds after getting married in Iceland. “Echoes of the Past” is her debut novel. She has a passion for traveling, telling stories, and taking photographs. You can find her latest work and updates on www.ashleypackard.com.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / TikTok

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You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
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Giveaway – Futility Of Defense by Bryan Cole @GoddessFish

Posted on September 20, 2023 by fundinmental

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bryan Cole will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Paladins are nothing but trouble. When Krell, an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea, hears the call from ReckNor, the capricious god of the seas and skies, the attention of the rich and powerful turn their gaze toward him. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don’t worship their deity.

When Krell stands against the might of the sea devils and emerges victorious, concern and interest turn to fear—fear of their secrets and plans being revealed and exposed, of the ruin that often follows in a paladin’s wake. Now he stands in defense of a pitiful town at the edge of nowhere, even as the sea devil menace grows more dire for each day that passes.

For as deadly as the sea devils are to Krell, his past choices and the consequences of his actions may be deadlier still . . .

Read an Excerpt

“Petimus told us that you were unlike any paladin we have met before, but I must say, I am surprised nonetheless. Greetings, Krell of ReckNor. My name is Naerdra Smithforge, stonesinger of Talcon. Here to build a fortress to protect your small town from the sahuagin, I understand.”

Krell smiled, looking at her. She wore woolen leggings and a linen shirt, with a mantle of fine cloth embroidered with gold sigils. A red sash with a gold pin was her only other adornment.

“I am most pleased you are here, Naerdra. The town sorely needs your aid.”

“Hmm. Perhaps I will see one of these sea devils for myself.”

Krell’s expression darkened. “If you remain in Watford for any length of time, you certainly will.”

He gestured. “My trusted allies and companions, Verbena and Dahlia, who have stood with me against the sea devils and saved my life more than once.”

Naerdra nodded at them, and they both inclined their heads while bowing slightly. Krell stared at them for a moment. Their bows had been identical in both timing and depth.

“You’re certain you are uninjured, Krell? You have blood on your face,” said Petimus, his voice concerned.

Krell turned toward him and grinned. “As Olgar will tell you, some lessons can only be learned a single way, at least for me. I am ReckNor’s blade, and he wants it sharp. That means that I will be pressed against the grindstone at times. Unpleasant, but necessary. Still, his gifts are many, and the grace of ReckNor has healed my wounds already.” Krell stood and stretched.

Naerdra looked at Krell, then at the tree in front of the temple, then upward to the sky. “I have heard also that you are dragon friend, Krell of ReckNor. Is this so? May I meet your mighty companion?”

Krell nodded, smiling. “Of course, Naerdra. Fortis is currently hunting, though I think he does it because it amuses him more than because he requires food. He dislikes it when I… uh…” Krell glanced at Verbena.

“Query, Krell. When you query him.”

Krell nodded. “He dislikes it when I query him while hunting. He will return when he is satisfied with himself.”

About the Author: