June 2024 – Page 2 – Rosepoint Publishing

The Wild Road Home: A Novel by Melissa Payne #BookReview #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

A beautiful and enriching novel about unforgettable love and the power of friends and family by Melissa Payne, the bestselling author of The Night of Many Endings and A Light in the Forest.

Mack Anders will do anything for his wife, Daisy. Even die. With the woman he loves fading away from Alzheimer’s, Mack fakes his own passing. The insurance makes certain that Daisy will be taken care of with dignity and comfort until the end. In a lonesome cabin in the Wyoming wilderness, he lives off the grid with nothing but thoughts of the past to keep him company and the belief that Daisy is better off without him.

Strong-willed eighteen-year-old Brandi has just been released from juvie. Willing to risk everything to save her young brother, Sy, from their unstable mother, Brandi takes him on the run. Her destination is their aunt’s house in Casper. Maybe there she can finally find a stable home for Sy. After a busted tire strands them in the remote wildlands of Wyoming, they cross paths with Mack. Brandi quickly realizes this quiet stranger might be their only hope of reaching safety.

On an unpredictable road ahead, escape brings these three kindred souls together. But the real world is closing in, and to help Brandi and Sy, Mack will have to come back to life in ways he never imagined.

My Review:

This is one of those beautiful stories of what can happen despite the plans so carefully laid out and then how wonderfully it all turns out anyway.

Mack is the loving husband of Daisy, terminal with cancer and Alzheimers. He has planned his (fake) death to provide insurance funds for her cancer treatment and will then head off to a remote cabin in Wyoming to live out his days anonymously.

Brandi, 18, was just released from juvie. She is determined to get her brother away from their druggie mother. He is only five, but Brandi was once told that her aunt would care for him if something happened to their mother. She just has to get him to Casper.

And there are a few problems with that. No money. An old car. Sure enough, it breaks down.

That’s where Mack meets her and her little brother. Really, he wants no part of it. He has problems of his own. For one, he is missing an arm. She is wary, but he’s plagued by “what would Daisy do” and that’s help!

These characters reach right in and grab your heart. They are so well developed, you can see the snark in the eyes of Brandi—she’s not had it easy—but she is determined to make a better life for Sy. Mack struggles with despair for his wife and the need to hide in his cabin—he took insurance money for his wife, after all. She kidnapped her baby brother. Broken, they are extremely relatable and the Wyoming wilderness comes alive around you.

Themes of love, loss, flawed characters desperate and accidentally finding love outside of family, respect, as well as drug addiction and the savage ravages of disease. The story pounds the feelings, prying senses you don’t wish disturbed. The writing style is disturbingly emotional—but it’s the good kind. A thoroughly unique storyline.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Alzheimer’s Disease, Sibling Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
ISBN: ‎ 166251574X
ASIN: B0CFCXF5LQ
Print Length: 294 pages
Publication Date: June 18, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble

The Author: Melissa Payne is the bestselling author of four novels, including A Light in the Forest and The Night of Many Endings. After an early career raising money for nonprofit organizations, Melissa began dreaming about becoming a published author and wrote her first novel. Her stories feature small mountain towns with characters searching for redemption, love, and second chances. They have been three-time Colorado Book Award finalists and Colorado Authors League 2020 and 2023 winners for mainstream fiction. She enjoys speaking about her writing journey at book clubs, literary festivals and in interviews. She believes that everyone has a story to share. Her upcoming novel, The Wild Road Home, will be released in 2024. Melissa lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children, a friendly mutt, a very loud cat, and the occasional bear. For more information, visit http://www.melissapayneauthor.com or find her on Instagram @melissapayne_writes.

Have a good week!

The Cyanide Canary: A True Story of Injustice by Robert Dugoni and Joseph Hilldorfer #AudiobookReview

Book Blurb:

From Robert Dugoni, the #1 Kindle -bestselling author of MY SISTER’S GRAVE, and Environmental Protection Agency Special Agent Joseph Hilldorfer comes a true story of good and evil, greed and its consequences, and an elusive quest for justice…

Early in the morning on August 27, 1996, twenty year old Scott Dominguez showed up for an ordinary day at the fertilizing plant where he worked. By 11:00am, he was clinging to life, unconscious and suffocating from toxic exposure to cyanide in a tank that was supposed to contain only mud and water.

EPA Special Agent Joseph Hilldorfer was tasked with finding out what really happened on that horrific day in Soda Springs, Idaho, but the answers would not be easily uncovered. For more than four years Hilldorfer, his partner Bob Wojnicz, and a force of top-ranking U.S. attorneys struggled to expose the disturbing truths behind the tragedy, but would their efforts be enough to put the man responsible, Allan Elias, behind bars?

Dugoni, a New York Times bestselling author known for his heart-pounding legal thrillers, and Hilldorfer, the agent who lived and breathed the Dominguez case, pen a compulsively readable work that is every bit as enthralling as fiction, yet is alarmingly true.

My Review:

My dip into a non-fiction book this year co-authored by Robert Dugoni and Joe Hilldorfer, the latter an EPA special agent in charge of the investigation in Soda Springs, Idaho. Of course, my ears perked up when I started hearing several of these little rural towns, out in the middle of nowhere, small bedroom communities for a major local industry.

Idaho is riddled with heavy mineral and mining sites as well as hot springs and mineral waters, such as this town’s namesake, Soda Springs. The first time we discovered the little town with the soda water, we couldn’t believe it until we tasted it.

The opening of the book reads like a Dugoni suspense thriller with the two young men being told to clean out the sludge in the tank, unaware it contained deadly cyanide gases, sans any protection.

Then the narrative morphs into textbook presentation and switches POV to Hilldorfer. Hilldorfer is still testing the EPA waters with violations of environmental laws lacking the serious level of meted justice it deserves.

The presentation veered into technical terms, detailed presentations, environmental laws, and examples of violations successfully tried with disappointing lightweight sentences.

Lots of characters, of course, contributed to the storyline, often preceded by personal background, education, and experience of the contributions of their successful (or failed) prosecutions and the reasons. The pacing slowed as the years advanced with little advancement and the necessity of returning to the courts yet again.

The case against Allan Elias, the owner responsible for the deadly and willful assignment, proved a slippery slope as his attorneys were perceived to find one loophole after another and Elias a bottomless pit of money to fight all allegations. Meanwhile, the survivor of the cyanide suffered permanent and life-changing losses and was racking up thousands of dollars in medical bills.

An interesting look into the evolving EPA coming into power and the progress made in protecting our environment while acknowledging the extent of work still to be done.

Did they ever send Elias to prison? Did Dominguez survive?

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Biographies of Lawyers & Judges, Lawyer & Judge Biographies, True Crime Biographies
Publisher: Tantor Audio
ASIN: B06XGYM4JG
Listening Length: 12 hrs 48 mins
Narrator: Tom Perkins
Publication Date: March 21, 2017
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)
Title Link: The Cyanide Canary [Amazon]

The Authors:

Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 10 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, the Keera Duggan legal thriller series, and several stand-alone novels including The 7th Canon, Damage Control, the literary novels, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell – Suspense Magazine’s Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award and the critically acclaimed, The World Played Chess; historical novels based on true events: A Killing on the Hill about Seattle during the great depression and Hold Strong, a WWII novel; as well as the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. Several of his novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and multiple awards for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.

Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.

Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni

Joseph Hilldorfer is a Special Agent for the Environmental Protection Agency and a member of the National Counter-Terrorism Evidence Response Team. He has been involved in high-profile environmental investigations in the Pacific Northwest since 1992. Prior to joining EPA, Hilldorfer was a distinguished Special Agent with the FBI in Seattle and New York City, working high-profile cases such as the Green River Killer and going undercover for the Counter-Espionage Squad. With an M.A. in Criminal Justice Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, he is admitted to the Pennsylvania bar. He lives in Seattle, Washington. [Google]

#ThrowbackThursday

Lockdown (NYPD Negotiators Book 3) by Sara Driscoll – #BookReview – #TuesdayBookBlog

Book Blurb:

When a horrific school shooting turns into a hostage situation, only Gemma Capello, the NYPD’s most skilled negotiator, has a chance to save innocent lives and end the crisis . . .
Talking a suspect into sending his hostages out alive is NYPD Detective Gemma Capello’s specialty. Alerted to a school shooting at her nephew’s Brooklyn high school, she is one of the first officers on-scene. Detective Sean Logan and the Apprehension Tactical Team arrive next and immediately enter the school to apprehend the two shooters, while Gemma remains outside to help students evacuate. But as time stretches on, and there is no word of her nephew, her fear builds that he is one of the lost.

One of the two shooters has holed up with a group of students and their teacher as hostages. Gemma steps in to negotiate for their survival. Floors away and armed with only her wits and the sound of her voice to convince him, Gemma fights for control of the situation even as tactical leadership pressures her for a more aggressive strategy. But for Gemma, it’s not about a quick solution. It’s about moving heaven and earth to bring everyone in that classroom home. And she’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

My Review:

I’m a solid fan of the FBI K-9 series and have read most of them but the NYPD Negotiators series was new to me. Of course, I read the K-9 series because…dogs.

This is a whole nother kind of Driscoll experience. The author brings to this series her sharp-eyed focus on minute details that might fly over the heads of those not in this kind of life or death role.

Gemma Capello, however, is as solid and effective in her skill set of negotiator as Meg and Cody is of the canine disaster recovery team.

In Book 3 of this series, Gemma is on her way to her dad’s house when she gets a call regarding a school shooting at the school her nephew attends. She’s not that far and immediately becomes one of the first officers on the scene, albeit off-duty and out of uniform.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like, the chaos, the terror, the sights, sounds, and smells, then you’ll get your answers here—in graphic detail. Two shooters have mowed down fellow students (and teachers) when one realizes he has come to the end of the road. He had expected to go out “in a blaze of glory” and he did so, leaving the other shooter to hole up in a classroom with a group of hostages.

Gemma’s goal is to safely lockdown the school and take control of the tactical team whose leadership pushes for aggressive take-down. She is most keen on getting those hostages, and possibly the perp as well, out alive.

Securing an interesting and thorough psychological profile of the surviving perpetrator, Gemma manages to use her position of authority to provide personnel safety, quickly setting up triage stations, medical staff, and coordinating with law enforcement, including Detective Sean Logan who will have a crucial part in extraction.

The negotiations require large coordinating teams each doing their part and all Gemma’s training, education, and psychological experience to see a successful end to the tension and terror-filled scene.

The one point repeated more than once that I didn’t understand was the mantra, “Run, Hide, Fight.” How would an unarmed student without even a cell phone fight a perp with an automatic weapon bent on leaving no one alive?

Definitely a heart-pounding exposé of those real life situations we’ve seen repeated too often lately. What would you do?

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author and publisher through @NetGalley that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedurals, Women Sleuths
Publisher: Kensington Books
ASIN: B0CM85MQ1V
Print Length: 303 pages
Publication Date: May 21, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Sara Driscoll is the pen name of Jen J. Danna, coauthor of the Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries and author of the FBI K-9s and the NYPD Negotiators. After over thirty years in infectious diseases research, Jen hung up her lab coat to concentrate on her real love—writing “exceptional” thrillers (Publishers Weekly). She is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and lives with her husband and four rescued cats outside of Toronto, Ontario. You can follow the latest news on her books, including the FBI K-9s, at http://www.saradriscollauthor.com.

#TuesdayBookBlog

The Curse of King Midas by Colleen M Story – #BookReview – #Mythology

Book Blurb:

The curse of King Midas is real.

In the ancient kingdom of Phrygia, tribal boy Karem Savas thirsts for revenge against King Sargon II, the man who killed his mother and kidnapped his sister. A deal with the dark goddess of the underworld propels him to a powerful position of leadership with a mighty army and thousands of loyal subjects. Crowned as King Midas, he rules from the prosperous capital city of Gordium, where the future shines bright for his two royal children, Prince Anchurus and Princess Zoe.

But Midas is unable to shake his traumatic past. As his deal with the dark goddess turns sour, he seeks help from another, never realizing it will be his undoing. Burdened with a cursed power and floundering against the savvy King Sargon II, Midas must right his wrongs and save his children before it is too late.

Packed with myth, magic, and vengeance, this captivating tale of King Midas begins the new mythological fantasy series from Colleen M. Story.

His Review:

Ah, everything you touch turns to gold! I remember this as a cherished childhood dream. Imagine, gold at every turn. I could have golden books and every coin gold instead of silver or clad coinage; what a dream.

Ms. Story paints a picture of an aging king trying to keep his kingdom from a jealous adversary. Mix in a couple of witches and the problem becomes compounded. To get the results of your dreams, you must give up your eternal soul! Money, however, is not the most important thing in most people’s lives. What about wives and children and other essentials such as food?

Greedy King Midas quickly discovers the problem with everything he touches turning to gold. How about a cool glass of water on a hot day? It becomes a heavy glass of gold with nothing to quench a thirst. Thank goodness for the sorceress who can alleviate some of the suffering by converting the gold back into food for humans.

Ms. Story has written a very interesting and thought-provoking story covering greed and all of its elements. I recommend you read and enjoy this fantasy. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Greco-Roman Myth & Legend Fantasy eBooks, Greco-Roman Myth & Legend, Mythology
Publisher: Midchannel Press
ISBN-10: ‎ 0999099175
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0999099179
ASIN: B0D4DC9DQR
Print Length: 438 pages pages
Publication Date: June 10, 2024
Source: Author

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Colleen M. Story is a novelist, freelance writer, and speaker with over 25 years in the creative writing industry. “The Curse of King Midas,” her newest novel, was recognized as a top-ten finalist for the Claymore Award prior to publication. Her previous novels include “The Beached Ones” and “Loreena’s Gift,” which was a Foreword Reviews’ INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner.

Colleen’s series of popular success guides for writers—”Your Writing Matters,” “Writer Get Noticed!” and “Overwhelmed Writer Rescue”—have all been recognized for their distinction. She frequently serves as a motivational speaker, where she helps attendees remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers.

A lifelong musician, Colleen plays the French horn in her local symphony and pit orchestras. When not writing, she’s exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest and making up more challenging games for her smart German Shepherd to play. Find more at colleenmstory dot com and writingandwellness dot com.

Enjoy Your Sunday

Rosepoint Reviews – May Recap – Welcome June and Summer!

Apparently, the upper Midwest will follow the pattern of cold, winter-like weather with summer temps and warm weather and no chance to acclimate. Not sure the plants like that either, not knowing whether to slow or grow. The cool weather crops are loving it, of course. The flower bed is actually looking pretty good with weeds as high as flowers, and the fairy garden yielded enough tender sprouts that the rabbits and deer came out and mowed everything down. Both animals are cute—from afar—until you realize they are munching on freshly transplanted annuals. The ferns gave it up a long time ago.

Skip the next paragraph if you are following Punkin the Pom odyssey becoming a real dog. Apparently, she is beginning to sense there are things out there she might have been missing out on—walks being one of them. She’s doing pretty well with the CE. Not so sure about me walking her and tries more often than not to dart away from me, hitting the end of the line on her harness. Otherwise, still few treats, no toys, and no offers of companionship.

First, the CE and our daughter headed to California for a family reunion. I took the opportunity to do some heavy cleaning and projects easier done while the house was quiet (note all the audiobooks!) Then, the household turned upside down with the unexpected return of a family member and his puppy, a mini-Aussie/Jack Russell mix, who has way too much energy, appetite, and interest in all things food, treats, toys, and walks. She can’t get enough of any of those things…and Punkin is noticing.

May was a struggle, though we did read and review seventeen books, again leaning heavily on audiobooks and this time filling in where the CE missed a deadline or two.

As always, links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase or source information.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano (audiobook)
Down to the Wire by David Rosenfelt (audiobook)
Dark Dive by Andrew Mayne (audiobook)
Dying of the Light by Joe Regenbogen
After Dusk by Lynda McDaniel
The Missing Piece by John Lescroart (CE review)
Triptych by Karin Slaughter (audiobook)
Murder Road by Simone St James (audiobook)
Desert Heat by J A Jance (audiobook)
Your Forgotten Sons by Anne Montgomery (CE and me)
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Two of a Kind by Gail Meath
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman (audiobook)
City of Secrets by P J Tracy (CE review)
Can’t We Be Friends by Denny S Bryce and Eliza Knight (audiobook)
Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea (audiobook)

Favorite Book of the Month

The CE and I both read Your Forgotten Sons and loved it, touched us deeply, and will remain in memory.

Book of the Month for May—Your Forgotten Sons

My Reading Challenges page still is behind. I know it. Once again a vow to get to it when the chaos settles down. Right now, the Goodreads Challenge is four books behind schedule at 58 of 150.

Welcome to my new subscribers and I hope to get back to a schedule of visiting all of my followers soon!