#TheGatekeeper – Rosepoint Publishing

Rosepoint Reviews - August Recap

The CE was seen at the VA Medical Hospital in August by a device technician to check out how well his pacemaker is functioning. He was seen in the ER at a non-profit hospital locally (although the bills don’t reflect that), so now is trying to get his care transferred back to the VA. His local ER doc was excellent and his VA doc commented on his good stats. He can go back to the YMCA with me now and resume (to the extent that he can) our exercise classes. I tried the chair yoga class and thought that might be good for him and believe he’ll want to continue with our Tai Chi class. However, they will be starting a new medication for him shortly and that will necessitate close monitoring for awhile and multiple trips to Chicago.

Also, during August, our area and proximity to Illinois was hit with a major storm that caused flooding and widespread power outages, some for as long as two weeks. We weren’t without power for more than a few days but taught us we’d need to be better prepared if this is going to be the new norm as weather patterns will continue to evolve. Without investing in an expensive generator, we found a compact, almost budget friendly power bank. At least it will charge the cell phones and power the TV and coffee maker. (Been a while since I’ve made “cowboy coffee” but it wasn’t too bad.)

We did manage to read and listen to our library and NetGalleybooks—fifteen of them (many from July). Ive gotten so far behind with reviews and blogging buddies it’s shameful, but still trying to play catch up while accompanying the CE on medical visits and taking care of everything else. There is never enough time. As always, the purchase info is included with my reviews.

#RosepoinReviews #AugustRecap

EBooks

The Gatekeeper by James Byrne (CE review)
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (bookclub selection)
Deserters by Jerry Gabriel (CE review)
Fighting Edge by Margaret Mizushima

Audiobooks

The Final Target, The Keeper, Yesteryear, Buckeye (mini-reviews)
Broken Country, Whistler, Nothing Ventured, Surviving Savannah (mini-reviews)
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica
Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

The favorite book for August:

I always enjoy the books by Margaret Mizushima and the CE had a favorite as well, but that unique plot and engaging writing style of Alison Espach in The Wedding People won me over. A hard and emotional, serious topic handled well in an entertaining and heart-warming novel.

Favorite for August –The Wedding People by Alison Espach

My Reading Challenges page…I’ve been lucky to turn on the computer. My Goodreads opening page now shows 94 books (five behind schedule). I edited the goal to 150. Also, I still have several audiobooks finished but not posted.

To my readers and fellow bloggers, I appreciate every view and like and appreciate so much your taking the time to check out my posts and leave your comments.

Rosepoint Recap

Dez Limerick Book 1

Editors’ pick Best Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense

Book Blurb:

James Byrne’s The Gatekeeper introduces Dez Limerick in the most anticipated new thriller in years.

A highly trained team of mercenaries launches a well-planned, coordinated attack on a well-guarded military contractor – but they didn’t count on one thing, the right man being in the wrong place at the right time.

Desmond Aloysius Limerick (“Dez” to all) is a retired mercenary, and enthusiastic amateur musician, currently in Southern California, enjoying the sun and sitting in on the occasional gig, when the hotel he’s at falls under attack. A skilled team attempts to kidnap the Chief legal counsel of Triton Expeditors, a major military contractor – in fact, Petra Alexandris is the daughter of the CEO – but their meticulously-planned, seamlessly executed scheme runs into the figurative ‘spanner-in-the-works,’ Dez himself.

After foiling the attack, and with nothing better to do, Dez agrees to help Alexandris with another problem she’s having – someone has embezzled more than a billion dollars from her company and left very few tracks behind. But Dez is a gatekeeper – one who opens doors and keeps them open – and this is just a door of another kind. And the door he opens leads to a dangerous conspiracy involving media manipulation, militias, an armed coup, and an attempt to fracture the United States themselves. There’s only one obstacle between the conspirators and success – and that is Dez, The Gatekeeper.

His Review:

The Gatekeeper by James Byrne — The Gatekeeper – UK cover

Dez Limerick is not your poster hero. The fact is that this 5’ 5” man who can be described as a barrel is anything but the standard hero. However, Dez has experience and talents that most men can only dream of. He has a quick wit that measures situations and response needs like an orchestra conductor.

A splinter group has decided to stage a coup and change a section of the California coast into a separate country; and a state that will declare itself a separate country and request membership in the United Nations. This is being accomplished during a heat wave and by a very large group of itinerant hippies. Dez is not willing to see a group of dissidents change the shape of the country and our freedoms.

Dez is a likeable character with a guitar in one hand and a questionable demeanor that seems to attract a certain kind of woman. Can he prevent a kidnapping and the plans of the separatist group? His demeanor is a serious addition to the believability of the story. I found it very enjoyable and a quick read. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to our local library for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Assassination Thrillers, Vigilante Justice Thrillers
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: June 7, 2022
Source: Local Library

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: James Byrne lives and writes in one of the coolest cities on Earth: Portland, Oregon. Under various names, he has published nine other novels in the realm of thrillers and mysteries. Find out more about James and “The Gatekeeper” at jamesbyrnemystery.com