The program is still devolved/restricted to just Amazon published titles apparently.  But, a review of one of last month's selections by Obisidan Blue reminded me I hadn't looked at May's offerings.

 

(Kindle Firsts is for Prime members and let's them get one of the selections free one month ahead of their release date.  Current month's selections will be at https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/kindlefirst )

 

Because it's labeled "Fantasy," I chose to get this first in series:

 

   The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King 

By:  Adam Mitzner 

ISBN: 9781476764283

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publication Date: 4/5/2016

Format: Hardcover

My Rating: 3 Stars  

 

A special thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adam Mitzer returns following Losing Faith, landing on myTop 50 Books of 2015 Best Legal Thriller meets psychological game of power with THE GIRL FROM HOME – a different twist, than the author's previous books; a man who loses it all, returning to his roots and the girl he fell for in high school.

Jonathan Caine has an entitled attitude— Manhattan hedge fund manager thinks he deserves nothing but the best. Very self-centered, a narcissistic personality disorder, with an inflated sense of their own importance-- a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others.

Of course, behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism. Coming from a small town, he makes his way to Wall Street, now a millionaire with a trophy wife.

However, he falls from grace, and loses it all. A scandalous securities-fraud scheme and is faced with possible jail time and danger. He still is not humbled, and returns home to New Jersey, to care from his elderly father and stays at his childhood home while his dad is in a care facility. He decides to return to his twenty-fifth high school reunion to catch a glimpse of the girl he once loved. He was a nerd back then and she dated only high school jocks. (who goes to a high school reunion when they have lost everything)?

The Homecoming beauty queen, Jacqueline (Jackie) Williams married her football jock. She is not so happy, got pregnant—he is an alcoholic, abusive, and jealous. Jackie is miserable; however, stays in the marriage, trying to protect her two kids--she has no skills or money to leave him.

Now Jackie looks at Jonathan as successful, wealthy, and he shows her attention. A way out. However, he is not honest with her about losing his wealth and is homeless, plus a criminal. Can he change? Can he save his love, or himself? What can he offer her?

His wife has found someone new, and does not care about her hubby, now that he has lost his money—she has moved on with her real estate broker. While residing in his old childhood home, he gets to know his sister Amy and his dad--hiding from an angry husband. In between, he begins spending time with the girl of his dreams. He may look at his dad a little different than he did previously.

Unfortunately, there were no likable characters here and a simple, rather boring story done many times over. The main character does not seem to learn a valuable lesson and none of the characters seemed genuine or well-developed. The depth, and suspense were missing; very disappointed, since all three of his previous books were strong legal crime thrillers (5 Stars)----this one fell flat for me. Hope the author returns to his legal thrillers, which seem to be his sweet spot.

Dan Sorenson was a high profile attorney at a big New York firm spending 12-16 hours a day working. Then the unthinkable happened. His wife and daughter were killed in a horrifying auto accident. He quits the law firm and spends 18 months wallowing in his grief. Drinking so much that he blacks out and forgets hours of time.

At a party he meets someone who can give him the opportunity of a lifetime, a way to start over, but first he has to have them explain the whole idea again as he barely remembers the meeting.

An up and coming rapper has been accused of killing his pop star 1Cgirlfriend 1D. He swears he is innocent but the press has the story on every front page so defending him will be an upward climb. He is not sure he is ready just a huge case. He also realizes this could be his last chance to get his life back on track. In a way he needs this client as much as his client needs him.

Dollycas 19s Thoughts
Oh this story is like a ride on a tilt-o-whirl. Full of twists and spins and plenty of excitement.

I love the way Mitzner creates characters readers will love even the ones we love to hate. Defending L.D. takes over Sorenson 19s life. Nina was the calming influence he needed. J. D. has a past that has to be clarified and clarified again. The prosecuting attorney was a strong woman just doing her job. The trial judge adds a little humor to the story.

Told from Sorenson 19s point of view readers have the 1Cyou are there 1D feeling. The story builds and builds at a perfect pace leading up to the trial but I can 19t tell you more you have to read it for yourself. Just know the pages will be flying.

Fans of Grisham and Turow will love Mitzner. With just two books out he is definitely an author to watch. I can 19t wait until his next book. Will Dan Sorenson pop up again? I sure hope so!!

Dan Sorenson was a high profile attorney at a big New York firm spending 12-16 hours a day working. Then the unthinkable happened. His wife and daughter were killed in a horrifying auto accident. He quits the law firm and spends 18 months wallowing in his grief. Drinking so much that he blacks out and forgets hours of time.

At a party he meets someone who can give him the opportunity of a lifetime, a way to start over, but first he has to have them explain the whole idea again as he barely remembers the meeting.

An up and coming rapper has been accused of killing his pop star 1Cgirlfriend 1D. He swears he is innocent but the press has the story on every front page so defending him will be an upward climb. He is not sure he is ready just a huge case. He also realizes this could be his last chance to get his life back on track. In a way he needs this client as much as his client needs him.

Dollycas 19s Thoughts
Oh this story is like a ride on a tilt-o-whirl. Full of twists and spins and plenty of excitement.

I love the way Mitzner creates characters readers will love even the ones we love to hate. Defending L.D. takes over Sorenson 19s life. Nina was the calming influence he needed. J. D. has a past that has to be clarified and clarified again. The prosecuting attorney was a strong woman just doing her job. The trial judge adds a little humor to the story.

Told from Sorenson 19s point of view readers have the 1Cyou are there 1D feeling. The story builds and builds at a perfect pace leading up to the trial but I can 19t tell you more you have to read it for yourself. Just know the pages will be flying.

Fans of Grisham and Turow will love Mitzner. With just two books out he is definitely an author to watch. I can 19t wait until his next book. Will Dan Sorenson pop up again? I sure hope so!!