Saturday, November 3, 2018

Avery

Avery
The Case Against Steven Avery and What Making a Murderer Gets Wrong
By: Ken Kratz
Narrated by: Bradley Hayes
Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-21-17



I have to say I did watching the Netflix show Making a Murder. They start with part two and then move to part one. I am now on part one still waiting to see how that turns out. When I saw that Mr. Kratz wrote this story and so all the bad reviews it pecked my interest. Until I started this audio I had not a clue about all the issues Mr. Kratz had along with the texting he did, I have no trouble believing he thought he was all that and a bag of chips. So with an open mind I set down to listen to this audio. What I found was there was nothing I didn’t already know, there are no bombshells, no turning points to make me feel any different from I did before I started listening. If anything I am surer that Brendan should never have gone to jail and his mother should be trading places with him for letting him be question without a lawyer. It is not up to me to judge whether Steven is guilty or not but I will get into that later.

These are my thoughts I think the police were sure Steven did it and I do believe some planting of evidence did happen. Making a Murder did not say the police killed Teresa they said the law made it look like Steve did it by planting the evidence. As I watch the show Steven’s lawyer did everything she could to show that the police didn’t plant it from buying a car just like Teresa and trying to place the blood they way they found it. Her ex who is also her roommate was one who has some explaining to do from what I have seen, the author never talked about that and how things were found and leaves a lot out. My biggest issues is why wasn’t the defense allowed to put doubt in the case by saying this person or that person could have done it. The judge said they could not bring up anything about another person that maybe could have done it thus no reasonable doubt was allowed again the author does not talk about this or the reasoning behind it. I believe the law thought Steven really did it and did some planting of evidence to make sure he went to jail for the rest of his life. Does this mean he didn’t do it, I don’t know but I just don’t see why he would have.

As far as Brendan he was led over and over again until they got what they wanted as they filled in the blanks for him. When he said he didn't know they filled in some and would say if that is how it happened, they lead him giving him the information until he said what they wanted him to. Being from a lower income, and with his mental issues I am not sure he knew he could have a lawyer or that he could ask for one. They needed him to point the finger because they really had no case. Giving a plead bargain of 15 years and his grandfathers calling I saw nothing wrong with what his grandfather said. He told him to stick to his guns, no, to take the bargain because he didn’t do anything wrong.

The narrator did a wonderful job giving the facts as he was given, laying it out and showing no emotion just laying out the facts the author wrote. I thought his performance was outstanding, there was no need for character voices so none was used. He gave the details without showing he was for one side or the other. There are no background noises, no repeating of wording, and no volume changes. If any breaks were taken I could not tell. He paused when needed to and times I had to remind myself that this was not the author but a narrator. I look forward to listening to more of his work.

As for the author I am sorry but you didn’t win any support from me. I thought after what you did with the texting and such you should have lost everything. Do I feel you deserved the hate mail No! But then I am not sure you received all you said. I have a hard time believing you with seeing how you acted on camera. I do hope you got your life in order but I can’t see you being anything but the cocky man you have show to be. As far as the meds I am not buying it, I do believe you have one heck of an ego and you took off running with it thinking you could do no wrong. I believe you knew what you did was wrong and you didn't care nor did you think about it. Are you sorry about that, hum yes I believe you are but had you gotten away with it I believe you would still be doing it today. Have you got the right man, I don’t know, but I do believe you and all that was behind you do. Your book gave me a lot of thought but you didn’t sale me the goods, and I am not buying into what you have laid out. Give me something new, give me some facts that I don’t already know. I have to say your book put more doubt in my mind than I already had. I do believe evidence was planted, I do believe the law enforcement had it out for Steven from the start that they didn’t look for anyone but him and I believe they needed Brendan to give them the right to do the search they wanted. My heart goes out to him and nothing you have said has changed my mind.

That poor women you sent the text to how could you knowing what she had already been through. I try very hard in my reviews to be fair as anyone who knows how I review, but you over stepped everything to give your ego a boost. I feel heartbroken that you with your position have given more to the ME TO movement and you should be more than ashamed of yourself. I found this story to be about you and not the facts and case at hand. I feel this was another ego boost you were after. I don’t believe I ever heard you say you were sorry for what you put that woman through. I think you are just sorry you got busted. You have totally lost any credit ability with me for this and for saying that we the people are so dumb that we feel the police killed Teresa. You gave no facts or reason that can’t be twisted the other way. I was hoping for so much more and truly wanted to believe that again our law enforcement wasn’t corrupted. Yes some of them in question did have something against Steven as you well know. I try very hard not to give a low review but for you I cannot. I did start listen to this audio with an open mind, but I am sorry you closed it by the end. I still don't know if Steven did it or not but there was the money issues and how they sure didn't want to pay that out, plus more issues the law had with him.

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Summary
It's time to set the record straight about Steven Avery. The full record - including evidence never before revealed - makes his guilt clear.
The Netflix series Making a Murderer quickly became a huge hit, with over 19 million viewers in the US in the first 35 days. The series left many viewers with the opinion that Steven Avery - a man falsely imprisoned for almost 20 years on a rape charge - was railroaded into prison a second time by a corrupt police force and district attorney's office. Viewers were outraged, and hundreds of thousands demanded a pardon for Avery.
The chief villain of the series: Ken Kratz, the special prosecutor who headed the investigation and prosecution. Kratz's later misdeeds - prescription drug abuse and sexual harassment - cemented his guilt in the minds of the viewers.
This book tells what you don't know.
Making a Murderer raised convincing doubts about Avery's guilt. But now Ken Kratz puts those doubts to rest with Avery: The Case Against Steven Avery and What Making a Murderer Gets Wrong. In it, Kratz demonstrates how the Netflix series leaves out critical evidence, including bombshell facts known only to him. Avery systematically erases the uncertainties introduced by the series, confirming once and for all that Steven Avery is guilty of the murder of Teresa Halbach. What's more, Kratz even provides online access to detailed evidence so listeners can explore every aspect of the case - the largest criminal investigation in Wisconsin history.
Avery tells the full story of the investigation, filled with details and insights unknown to the public. Then Kratz candidly addresses the aftermath. He openly discusses his struggle with addiction and the disturbing behaviors he engaged in, which led him to lose everything: his job, his wife, his house, his car, and his reputation.
While our indignation at the injustice of Steven Avery's first imprisonment makes it easy to believe he was also falsely accused of Halbach's murder, Avery and the evidence it presents - examined thoroughly and dispassionately - prove that in this case, the system worked as it should.

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Grave Peril (Love Inspired Suspense)

Grave Peril (Love Inspired Suspense)
by Mary Alford



WOW just WOW grab on to your seat it is going to be a bumpy ride. This is a fast moving, thrilling, action pack read that will grab you from the first page. I totally loved the suspense, action and the adventure as the author keeps you spinning with her twists and turns. To say I loved it just doesn’t describe what I felt for this. I have to say I read this at one setting I couldn’t put it down, it is well written with wonderful characters. I guess you could call it a second change at love since the first time around was years ago when Jamie’s father was sent to jail for killing her boyfriend’s father. Talk about putting a spin on your love life. This tore them apart leaving their love broken and all the plans they has made were destroyed with one person’s actions. Her father said I didn’t do it, she believed him, he was so kind and loving to everyone. Gavin father was his best friend why would he do that? Gavin didn’t buy it not with the evident they had. Jamie’s father went to jail and died there. Jamie’s uncle knows he didn’t do it and has spent the last year trying to prove it. He said I have proof and now he is missing. Gavin still isn’t buying it but he can’t leave a woman at an accident all alone. Just when he is helping her all hell breaks loose leaving them on the run for their lives.  

This is one story you don’t want to miss, it has it all from suspense, action, love, passion and betrayal. I promise you won’t be able to put it down and it will stay with you for a long time. It will be a book I will read over and over again. Outstanding my hat off to the author for giving me a story I got lost in and wonderful characters I just loved.
Summary
Mountain Ambush

Reunions can be deadly

Jamie Hendricks always believed her late father was innocent of murder…and now her uncle claims to have proof. But when she arrives in her hometown, her uncle has vanished—and someone wants her dead. Jamie’s ex-boyfriend, CIA agent Gavin Dalton, is the only person she trusts…even if he believes her dad killed his father. But can he help her uncover a deadly conspiracy that goes deeper than anyone expected?


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A Brother's Betrayal:

A Brother's Betrayal: Mail Order Bride Tales
by Sylvia McDaniel



What a heartbreaking story one brother deceives the other and steals his bride. The bride and groom to be, have such big dreams, she wants a man like her father, he wants a woman who won’t scream and run for the hills when she looks at him. What they get is so different leaving one man broken hearted and the woman devastated. Kane is a man that I started to like but it didn’t take me long to want to but my foot where the sun doesn’t shine. Oh he has his reasons, good ones to him, for treating his family the way he does.  Emma and Abel do not know that they were ticked, it was easy for Kane to trick them from the way the letters are written. I understand why he did it but I don’t like it and even like him less. What the author brings to the reader is a story that is heartbreaking and at times very painful not only for the characters but the readers. It was such a great read I couldn’t put it down and even said a few bad words.

Emma is such a sweet woman who steals your heart, Abel just steals your heart from the first page. As they get to know each other they find they fit well together but both know that can never be, marriage is until death. I would have been willing to help them with that and most likely have done it with a smile.

The author knows how to draw you in giving a very emotional read with many twists and turns you won’t see coming. Oh it does end with a HAE and I was so relieved when it came. Well written with wonderful characters that captive me from the first page. The plot is wonderful making me wonder just how many times something like this has happen long ago. The book was wonderful, delightful, just am outstanding read. I totally loved it. 



Summary
Two brothers at odds. A stolen bride. Who wins? Who loses? Who claims her heart?
After an accident disfigures Abel Shepherd’s face, he is considered the ogre of Potter county. Lonely, he orders a mail-order bride, but she never arrives. Yet, his brother brings home a lovely bride who helps Abel see past the scars on his face.
Emma’s dying mother answers an ad in the Grooms Gazette and sends her daughter to a seemingly loving man. But mail-order bride Emma Louise Johnson is intercepted by Abel’s brother Kane and marries him thinking he’s the man her mother arranged for her to marry. 
But the marriage is far from what she dreams of and she finds herself hopelessly attracted to her husband’s brother. In a desperate game of betrayal, who will win? Kane or Abel?
“A Brother's Betrayal” is a sweet historical western romance novel of 47,000 words. No cheating and a guaranteed happily ever after.
This book is Free with Kindle Unlimited!

Buy Link
Amazon (on KU)

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Precious Embrace



Precious Embrace
Embrace, Book 2
By: Dana Mason
Narrated by: Laura Jennings
Series: Embrace (Mason), Book 2
Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-18-14



The author gives you another delightful story which is a great addition to this series. It is full of twists and turns that keeps your attention. We met Mark in the last book now we meet his ex-wife who hooked up with a no good who she divorces. Now she is on her own with her children, having a one night stand with a man who can’t forget her and follows her to where she lives. She isn’t ready for this, but he isn’t giving up. He is determined to show her just how much she can depend on him, he will never let her down. Then the unthinkable happens when her baby is kidnapped he is her rock, I doubt she would have been able to deal with all the issues if not for him.

It was hard for me to get into Alison character she had a good man, cheated on him, married a man who doesn’t want child. He didn’t mind having one that was not a baby but sure didn’t want a baby, he truly loved his stepson. He left because she got pregnant putting all the blame on her. I do have to say the character does feel realistic. She does remind me of a few women I have known over the years. I never understood them either. What is there not to like about Johnny? He has charm, style, dependable, caring, loving and very much a hunk. I fell in love with him from the start. He does have a few issues like taking on the blame for things that wasn’t his fault but that just makes him more my kind of man.


The narrator did a great job pulling the reader in showing true emotions and making it feel like you were watching a movie in your mind. Her character voices were outstanding from male to female you knew who was talking and what they were feeling. There were no repeating of words, no volume changes just a very clear audio you get lost in. I thought her performance was wonderful. She really brought the story to life for me giving me hours of enjoyment. I look forward to listening to more of her work.


I thought it had a great story line, loved the plot and the twists and turns that come with it. The story is very realistic and pulls you in giving you a very entertaining story I could not put down. The author had no trouble holding my attention giving another page turner I couldn’t put down. I thought it was well written and really keeps the reader's attention. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

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Summary
A second divorce and a new baby wasn't the vision Alison Hayes had for her future. Now a single mother with two young boys, she wants to focus on her kids and what's left of her stagnant career. When Detective Johnny Rhay Bennett breezes into her life with his charming smile and country-boy accent, she's not interested. She doesn't need another man in her life, or another reason to make people talk. Johnny Rhay doesn't believe in love at first sight, but after a one-night stand in paradise with Ali, he can't get her out of his head. With Nashville in his rear-view mirror, he's determined to make Ali his, even if it means moving to California. Ali's not easy, and she's living on just this side of bitter after her divorce, but Johnny doesn't care. He's up for the challenge. At least, he believes he's up for it until baby Micah is stolen right out from under his nose. When Ali's faced with her worst nightmare, Johnny is the only person who can pull her out of her despair, forcing her to stay strong and not give up hope of finding her missing child. Johnny has to keep it together and get that sweet little boy home safe before his dreams of having a family vanish too.