Today it is my pleasure to welcome Joyce T. Strand, author of The Judges Story to Celticlady's Reviews!
About The Judge’s Story
A Superior Court Judge with a passion for social justice as well as the law strives to discover the truth behind the mystery of a robbery-murder in a small California town in 1939.
When the Judge hears testimony against a 14-year-old teenager, he realizes that the boy participated in a robbery-murder. However, the accused did not actually pull the trigger. But unless the boy identifies his partner, the Judge must sentence him as a murderer, which would result in prolonged jail time. The Judge’s investigator, along with the precocious 16-year-old girl who identified the boy as one of the thieves, explore different approaches to uncover the murderer. In the backdrop of escalating war in Europe, the financial scarcities of the Great Depression, and the Judge’s caseload, their attempts to find justice for the accused boy and unmask the killer lure the Judge and his friends into sordid criminal activities.
About Joyce Strand:
Mystery author Joyce T. Strand, much like her fictional character, Jillian Hillcrest, served as head of corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she did not encounter murder. Rather, she focused on publicizing her companies and their products. She is the author of the Jillian Hillcrest mysteries ON MESSAGE, OPEN MEETINGS, and FAIR DISCLOSURE and the Brynn Bancroft mystery HILLTOP SUNSET. Strand received her Ph.D. from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and her B.A. from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA. She currently lives in Southern California with her two cats, a collection of cow statuary and art, and her muse, the roadrunner.
Social Links:
Webpage: http://joycestrand.com
Twitter: @joycetstrand
My Thoughts
"Judge Akers watched the teenage girl enter his courtroom. She had agreed to testify against a fourteen year old schoolmate for theft and murder"
Using actual cases as inspiration, author of The Judges Story, Joyce T.Strand, writes characters around real people. The judge in this story, Judge Akers, is one of those type of judges that we need now, honest, fair, and looking out for children.The story takes place in the 1930's California. Judge Akers had been a practicing lawyer before becoming a judge. He is widowed and is very involved in a boys club, loves cars and listening to music.
Clara, a teenaged schoolgirl with a passion for writing, testifies in a trial of a 14 year old boy accused of murder in the robbery of a store where the store owner, Mr.Brant was killed, even though he never pulled the trigger but is still culpable in his involvement. Mr.Brant left behind a wife and children who will now be struggling just to survive. Clara becomes Oscars advocate as she learns more about him and his circumstances.
Oscar Briarly is the boy on trial. Oscar's mother is a drunk, his older brother Tommy is in prison, the father is really a piece of work and the younger brother Frankie has diminished mental capabilities. Oscar has a thirst for knowledge that is remarkable coming from the background he does.
Judge Akers enlists the aid of Clara to try to talk to Oscar in jail to find out who the actual shooter was in the death of Mr.Brant. Once Clara finds out that Oscar would love to read, she starts teaching him while getting to know him and to see if he will tell her who did the shooting. Oscar "is no snitch" so the information that the police and judge want is not going to happen unless Clara can use her persuasive skills to get the information needed.
At the same time there is a string of robberies going on being done by young school boys. These boys are working for someone and it is up to the police to find out who is the ringleader. Judge Akers, Clara and an investigator, Jim, work together to get the culprits. So in an unusual precedence, Judge Akers delays the sentencing of Oscar as long as he can while the investigation goes on.
I was impressed with this story and the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck came to mind probably because of the era, people not able to find work or unable to take care of their families so the young boys are forced to get work where they can and it is usually illegal activities. I found the characters to be engaging, especially Clara and even Oscar. Clara, a young lady who has a passion and skill for writing and Oscar and his thirst for knowledge. In my minds eye, in a continuation of the story, I can see these two becoming great friends, of course after whatever punishment that Oscar may receive due to his part in the robbery and murder.
I enjoyed the author's style of writing, short chapters, enough information about the story and without being boring or having long drawn out characterizations. This is the first book I have read by Joyce Strand events to weave a story that should appeal to everyone.
I received a copy of the book for review and was not monetarily compensated for said review.
Where to Purchase:
My Thoughts
"Judge Akers watched the teenage girl enter his courtroom. She had agreed to testify against a fourteen year old schoolmate for theft and murder"
Using actual cases as inspiration, author of The Judges Story, Joyce T.Strand, writes characters around real people. The judge in this story, Judge Akers, is one of those type of judges that we need now, honest, fair, and looking out for children.The story takes place in the 1930's California. Judge Akers had been a practicing lawyer before becoming a judge. He is widowed and is very involved in a boys club, loves cars and listening to music.
Clara, a teenaged schoolgirl with a passion for writing, testifies in a trial of a 14 year old boy accused of murder in the robbery of a store where the store owner, Mr.Brant was killed, even though he never pulled the trigger but is still culpable in his involvement. Mr.Brant left behind a wife and children who will now be struggling just to survive. Clara becomes Oscars advocate as she learns more about him and his circumstances.
Oscar Briarly is the boy on trial. Oscar's mother is a drunk, his older brother Tommy is in prison, the father is really a piece of work and the younger brother Frankie has diminished mental capabilities. Oscar has a thirst for knowledge that is remarkable coming from the background he does.
Judge Akers enlists the aid of Clara to try to talk to Oscar in jail to find out who the actual shooter was in the death of Mr.Brant. Once Clara finds out that Oscar would love to read, she starts teaching him while getting to know him and to see if he will tell her who did the shooting. Oscar "is no snitch" so the information that the police and judge want is not going to happen unless Clara can use her persuasive skills to get the information needed.
At the same time there is a string of robberies going on being done by young school boys. These boys are working for someone and it is up to the police to find out who is the ringleader. Judge Akers, Clara and an investigator, Jim, work together to get the culprits. So in an unusual precedence, Judge Akers delays the sentencing of Oscar as long as he can while the investigation goes on.
I was impressed with this story and the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck came to mind probably because of the era, people not able to find work or unable to take care of their families so the young boys are forced to get work where they can and it is usually illegal activities. I found the characters to be engaging, especially Clara and even Oscar. Clara, a young lady who has a passion and skill for writing and Oscar and his thirst for knowledge. In my minds eye, in a continuation of the story, I can see these two becoming great friends, of course after whatever punishment that Oscar may receive due to his part in the robbery and murder.
I enjoyed the author's style of writing, short chapters, enough information about the story and without being boring or having long drawn out characterizations. This is the first book I have read by Joyce Strand events to weave a story that should appeal to everyone.
I received a copy of the book for review and was not monetarily compensated for said review.
Where to Purchase:
The Judge’s Story Paperback and Kindle Editions – June 23, 2015
Amazon
Giveaway:
1st Prize: Kindle Fire HD 7 or Kindle Paperwhite
2nd Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card and ebook or paperback copy of The Judge’s Story
3rd Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and ebook or paperback copy of The Judge’s Story
Hello Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Joyce Strand and Book Marketing Services, I would like to thank you for hosting Joyce today on Celtic Lady Reviews. She is honored to be in the author spotlight. If anyone has any questions and/or comments they would like to share, please leave them in the comment box. Joyce will be by later in the day to respond.
Joyce is having a giveaway during her tour. 1st prize: Kindle Fire HD 7 or Kindle Paperwhite; 2nd Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card and ebook or paperback copy of The Judge’s Story; 3rd Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and ebook or paperback copy of The Judge’s Story. Click here to enter: http://gvwy.io/gx4k112
Please join Joyce tomorrow at A Year of Jubilee Reviews http://melanieski.blogspot.com and read her review of The Judge’s Story.
Check where Joyce is each day on her tour by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/JoyceTStrandAuthor?fref=ts
Please note that THE JUDGE’S STORY is now available for Nook on Barnes and Noble at:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-judges-story-joyce-strand/1056097316?ean=2940151109734
And is live on Amazon for both paperback and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Judges-Story-Joyce-T-Strand/dp/0996145400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435073622&sr=8-1&keywords=joyce+t+strand
And autographed copies of paperback are available at Unicorn Bookstore in Ramona, CA http://www.unicornbooksandgifts.com/events.html=
It is my pleasure to host The Judges Story! I sat yesterday and breezed through 100 pages in one sitting. I will add the review at a later date when I have the book finished! So far it is a pageturner!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathleen. I really appreciate the opportunity to be featured on your blog along with my newest book, THE JUDGE'S STORY, and I look forward to your review. I realize how much time and effort is required to do a review and recognize the value you bring connecting authors to readers. And keep those pages turning!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comprehensive review of THE JUDGE'S STORY. I noticed that you reviewed two other books about the same time. You must be very busy! On behalf of authors everywhere, I thank you for taking the time and effort to read and review our books You are an important part of the process of presenting our work to our readers. I certainly enjoyed researching and writing this book. And perhaps Clara and Oscar might get together--ah, the benefit of fiction. And I'm sorry that I'm not Irish!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joyce, you are too kind! I enjoy doing reviews especially for indie/self published authors, as a matter of fact those are generally the only books I review. I always have about three books going at a time...good thing I no longer work. I would not be able to do it then. I would still read but...lol. It is ok you are not Irish...I don't discriminate..lol.
ReplyDeleteTake Care Joyce!