Rating: Summary: Tick Tock, no thanks Review: Although there is a story there, the author tells it in such a stilted disheveled manner, that it doesn't make the book enjoyable to read. Not bad for a debut, but not the page-turner others seem to think it is. The main character seems to have a brilliant legal mind but no moral compass when it comes to her personal life.
Rating: Summary: No Time To Waste Review: Clocks are ticking in this fast-paced, debut novel by Gail Ramsey, but will time run out?
Spiegel Cullen is an impressive lawyer at the top of her game career-wise, but struggles outside of the courtroom with trying to find the right man with whom to fall in love, marry and have a child. She thought James Jordan, son of Congressman Felix Jordan, was "the one" until they broke up. Suddenly, his fear of long-term commitment disappeared and he married someone else. Although Spiegel is now dating Craig, part of her still yearns for James. Plus, Craig simply may not be the one. Needless to say, her biological clock is blaring like an irritating alarm.
To make matters worse, James shows up at her door with news that his sister, Breanna, may have killed her boyfriend. According to Breanna, she was on vacation with Sean having a great time. The two made love on the beach. Afterward, Sean informed her that he could no longer date her and he had to make it work with his fiancée, Fay. Breanna was so upset she hopped on the moped they rode to the beach and practically ran him over as she sped off. Bermuda authorities, who found Sean's dead body, allege that Breanna killed him. Of course, the Jordan family wants Spiegel, the best attorney they know, on the case.
Spiegel has always liked Breanna and she is willing to help her. However, the evidence against her new client is stacking up and the clock is ticking as the court date nears. While trying to choose a plausible defense, James seems to show up at every turn, attempting to rekindle their old flame. Spiegel cannot afford to be distracted. Determined to win the case, she goes as far as researching the PMS defense. But will a jury in Bermuda go for "PMS made me do it?"
While Tick Tock was an engaging mystery, as the saying goes, the thrill was in the chase. The building of the plot and inclusion of romantic suspense were well done, but the final outcome was unfortunately uneventful. The author essentially summed up the mystery in a single sentence without expounding upon the motive and a few questions were left unanswered. Additionally, toward the end, the story switched gears and focused on a sudden accident that made for unnecessary drama.
All in all Tick Tock is a good debut novel. The author used her legal knowledge to present believable trial preparation and courtroom drama. Readers will feel as though they are "working the case" alongside Spiegel. You're probably wondering if she ever finds her knight in shining armor or Bermuda shorts. Well, the jury is still out. Translation: buy this book and find out for yourself.
Reviewed by Joan Burke Stanford for Loose Leaves Book Review with an actual rating of 3.5 stars
Rating: Summary: WELL WRITTEN AND ENTERTAINING! Review: For those who enjoy following the legal process of the courtroom enhanced with murder, intrigue and romance woven throughout, this book offers you more than you expect. First time novelist, Gail Ramsey makes it difficult to put this book down. With more twists and turns than Lombard St. you'd think this novel was set in San Francisco instead of the pink sandy beaches of Bermuda. As an added bonus, Ramsey also lets us experience the city of Philadelphia through the eyes of her central character Spiegel Cullen, an assistant district attorney who must represent a family friend who is also daughter of an influential politician from accusations of murder. Her client's inability to provide clarity around her involvement in the crime creates conflict for Cullen, who questions if her friendship is getting in the way of her good judgment. Cullen also represents the successful fast-track career woman who finds herself in a race against time to prove her client's innocence while trying to prevent her window of opportunity love and a family from closing. Can she be successful at both? Well-written and entertaining!
Rating: Summary: A definite...THUMBS UP! Review: From the first word to the last, this was a very engaging read, a quick page turner. This is a who-done-it that will keep you guessing to the end as young, beautiful lawyer Spiegal Cullen tries to find the answer to why her client "may have" killed her lover. What stuck me the most about the novel, is that the author allowed us to peak into very personal and vulnerable sides of real people. It felt as if I got to know each of the characters. The character development, storyline, plot and twist were very believeale and the surprise admission at the end along with a tragic accident added another element of reading pleasure. Such is life as in this novel always some unexpected drama going on when you least expect it. Definitely thumbs up to this Philly author Gail Ramsey. Keep up the excellent work and I look forward to reading your next novel.
Rating: Summary: Tick Tock Review: Oh my God! this book was the best page turner i have read yet. with a flavorful twist at the end.Ms. Cullen represents the strong and focused women in the business.she shows that you can be human with emotion and dream and even fantasize and still get the job done tastefully. i enjoyed that book. this book will give you thrills,chills, suspence and even an emotional twist that will have you placing yourself in the book. this is a must read. keep up the good work.i can't wait for part two.
Rating: Summary: Compelling Review: Recently I found myself at London's Heathrow Airport facing a 3-hour layover. Couldn't have been a better time to begin reading "Tick Tock." Hours ticked away like minutes as I became drawn into the drama, humor and suspense of the characters' lives. Gail Ramsey does an excellent job at mixing plot and sub-plot in a way that enhances the book's entertainment value, all the while keeping the reader glued to the pages. Well Done!
Rating: Summary: Bravo! Review: The story was fresh, clear and engaging. While this is a debut, it certainly rang of true legal drama that I thoroughly enjoyed all the way up to and including the very last page. The twists were many and even though I thought I'd figured out who the "killer" was, the twists along path added an enhanced element of spice, delight and intrigue. Most of all, I felt like I was right there on the island trying to figure this think out along with Spiegel Cullen, the pretty lady lawyer. I'm an islander myself and I love reading island stories and this one was done particularly well.
And true-to-life, in the middle of professional work trying to free a client accused of the serious crime of murder, personal conflict was on the horizon with various love interests of the lawyer and her client which added even more spice to this entertaining debut. The near tragic accident toward the end shows an even greater depth of the characters revealing here again true to fiction, true to life -- stuff happens.
Rating: Summary: VERY ENJOYABLE Review: THIS BOOK WAS ENJOYABLE, AN EASY READ, AND MOST OF ALL IT MADE YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU WERE THERE. BEING FORM PHILLY I FELT THAT I COULD KNOW SPIEGEL.
I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT NOVEL FROM THIS WRITER.
I READ THIS BOOK FAST.
Rating: Summary: A REAL PAGE TUNER Review: TICK TOCK is a book you can put down when you start,GAIL RAMSEY is a writer who keep the reader wanting more ,i can is TICK TOCK being turn to a movie soon...
Rating: Summary: No Time to Lose Review: Time is running out for Spiegel Cullen. Her biological clock is ticking at an alarming rate and she would love nothing better than to be married with children, but more importantly, the beautiful trial attorney is running out of time to solve the murder case involving her current client.
When the lifeless body of Breanna Jordan's boyfriend is found sprawled on a beach in the beautiful island of Bermuda, the spotlight immediately focuses on the gorgeous, spirited daughter of Pennsylvania State Congressman, Felix Jordan. Recognizing her courtroom skills, the preeminent attorney who is in charge of the case invites Spiegel to assist him in Breanna's defense and Spiegel is rightly apprehensive. After all, Wilson, the defendant's brother, was Spiegel's first love who had inexplicably "dumped" her for another woman. Spiegel accepts the challenge and they all adjourn to the romantic island for the trial.
Soon after their arrival, Spiegel starts having erotic dreams about the still married Wilson, who is making it clear that he wants to rekindle their relationship. When Spiegel's boyfriend shows up on the Island with a beautiful woman in tow, Spiegel realizes that she has some serious decisions to make.
Author Gail Ramsey writes a riveting novel which nicely captures some of the sensationalism that often accompanies high profile trials. With a colorful, skillfully crafted cast of characters and an intriguing storyline that unfolds at just the right pace, TICK TOCK is an absorbing, unpretentiously written story which will catch and hold the attention of lovers of this genre, reminding them to "step with the present and not worry about the past or future."
Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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