The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point).
This is a collection of freebies I have read which are in the romance genre .
Kindle freebie on April 12, 2022 (currently $5.99 at Amazon and in KindleUnlimited as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.43 with 4,974 ratings and 146 reviews
Time of Justice by Robin James Series: Mara Brent Legal Thrillers #1
Published by Self-Published on January 28, 2020
Genres: Thriller
Pages: 282
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
This trial should be a slam-dunk. A faceless powerbroker has other ideas…
Small-town prosecutor Mara Brent must be tough as nails to succeed in her male-dominated profession. But she harbors a soft spot for the victims who rely on her courtroom skill, especially the wheelchair-bound rape survivor she’s known for twenty years. So when her friend’s unsolved case reopens with a DNA match and an arrest, she’s determined to finally bring a monster to justice.Though the fiend is accused of dozens of similar assaults, only Mara’s case has the iron-clad evidence to put him away. But unexpected bombshells at trial threaten to muddy her black-and-white conviction into frightening shades of gray. She suspects there’s a sinister conspiracy out to torpedo the verdict… and her career.
I liked Time of Justice. The point of view is from Mara, a female prosecutor in a small town. Her husband is a politician. Her son is probably autistic, and very smart. The other main characters are her coworkers, cops and a victim.
Mara is prosecuting a cold case from 20 years ago with a horrendous rape / beating and near death of Denise. Now DNA evidence has turned up a suspect. The case and trial are complex. Mara is determined and does well at managing the evidence. She is dealing with some personal issues.
I’d really like to read more in her series.
Kindle freebie on April 4, 2016 (currently $2.49 at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
Overall rating 3.84 with 16,343 ratings and 1,183 reviews
Blood Defense by Marcia Clark Series: Samantha Brinkman #1
Published by Thomas & Mercer on May 1, 2016
Genres: Thriller
Pages: 400
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Samantha Brinkman, an ambitious, hard-charging Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, is struggling to make a name for herself and to drag her fledgling practice into the big leagues. Sam lands a high-profile double-murder case in which one of the victims is a beloved TV star—and the defendant is a decorated veteran LAPD detective. It promises to be exactly the kind of media sensation that would establish her as a heavy hitter in the world of criminal law.
Though Sam has doubts about his innocence, she and her two associates (her closest childhood friend and a brilliant ex-con) take the case. Notorious for living by her own rules—and fearlessly breaking everyone else’s—Samantha pulls out all the stops in her quest to uncover evidence that will clear the detective. But when a shocking secret at the core of the case shatters her personal world, Sam realizes that not only has her client been playing her, he might be one of the most dangerous sociopaths she’s ever encountered.
The author is Marcia Clark of the OJ Simpson fame so she has been an attorney at a criminal trial. Blood Defense is the start of a series with a criminal defense attorney, Samantha Brinkman as the main character. Sam is smart and hard working. She cares about people and has a great but small team working with her.
I enjoyed both her personal history and character development, as well as the investigation and the court testimonies. The surprises and twist in the investigation and courtroom drama were both engaging. I loved her ability to find the truth with many disadvantages. Sam has rather flexible moral boundaries. I would like to read more in the Samantha Brinkman series to see how she progresses over time.
Kindle freebie on September 11, 2023 (currently FREE at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.24 with 2,122 ratings and 145 reviews
The Murder of Sara Barton by Lance McMillian Series: The Atlanta Murder Squad #1
on June 9, 2020
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 357
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Modern-day Atlanta. Driven by his tragic past, prosecutor Chance Meridian seeks justice for a beautiful woman brutally murdered in her own home. Except nothing comes easy in Atlanta, certainly not justice. A lot of people in town wanted Sara Barton dead, and every single one of them is lying about something.
The Murder of Sara Barton gives us the interesting investigation including a police detective who works well with the prosecutors to get to the truth. The case is complicated with lots of lawyers and the sister of the victim being a celebrity.
Chance is the main prosecutor and he tragically lost his wife and son to murder, which isn’t solved. That may be a background plot thread throughout the series. He has just worked and not much else in the past two years. His older brother is a pastor and his wife was quite religious, but he has shut off from everything. I admire his intelligence and his solid work.
However, I found the book a bit long and had trouble with the pacing with the various personal affairs and sex scandals (although some are part of the case). The religious wonderings were also a drag because they didn’t advance the plot. Editing those sections would have made this a shorter, and better paced story. The writing also had an older feel as to the view of women, for example, but this was released in 2020.
There were some interesting discoveries and a big twist to the truth at the end. Chance was a skilled prosecutor and handled the courtroom and jury well. It turns out I bought this on audio as it is Audible Only but I read my free ebook, and I’m not sure I will ever listen to the audio or not, perhaps if I go back and start reading the whole Atlanta Murder Squad series in the future.
Definition of Freebies for the challenge:
- Kindle or other platform freebies where you purchase it for $0
- Freebies through author newsletters that anyone can sign up and get for free
- Giveaways won or gifts received
These do NOT include Audible Plus, Kindle Unlimited, Prime Free Reading, Prime First Reads, or library books.
FYI – My Thrifty Thursday post with my reviews and the linkups and giveaway will normally post on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Sometimes though, due to blog tours, mood reading, and other personal problems, it will be moved around. There WILL be one each month on some Thursday. You can post your reviews any Thursday though on your own site. The linkup will be open until the next month’s post is published. You can easily find all the Thrifty Thursday posts under the Features tab on my top menu.
(Reminder – If I get more than 10 linkups in a month, I will randomly pick one to select a prize from a list I send them which may include gift cards or giveaway books I have. (Open International))
Add your review link here:
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.
Giveaway:
The prize will be an $30 Amazon Gift card or $30 gift certificate at of Better World Books or $30 (2 months at Audible). Open International. Runs January 1, 2024 to January 6, 2025.
You can sign up for the 2024 Thrifty Thursday Challenge HERE
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot @AmandaPanitch @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance #HoHoHoRAT2024 - December 5, 2024
- 🎧 Echo by Tracy Clark @tracypc6161 @ChanteMcCormick #BrillianceAudio #LoveAudiobooks #KindleUnlimited🎧 - December 3, 2024
- Read-along & #Giveaway: Edge – Innkeeper by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @reneeraudman @natalienaudus @AceBooksPub @nyliterary @TantorAudio @AudibleStudios #Read-along #GIVEAWAY #LoveAudiobooks - December 1, 2024
Love this week’s theme! Great reviews, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. I try to think of a whole variety of fun themes.
I should read more Lawyer-y books.
I enjoy the combination of the mystery / police investigation and the legal strategies / courtroom drama.
I had to laugh when I saw your theme because my freebies from this past month were not even remotely close to your theme.
Actually, these all sound like real gems. I love mysteries and thrillers where the criminal trial and leading up to it is a huge slice of the story. Sounds like all of these had decent character development, too, for the lawyer characters.
If you could delete my first Summer in Brighton entry, please. That one has the wrong link. Sorry about that.
yes I like the way we can get the investigation and the courtroom, both can be very exciting. I’ll delete that entry.
Thanks a bunch!
No problem. It’s easy.