3.5 stars. This was an enjoyable and quick read, but I think that is both a positive and negative in that I felt like there could have been a lot more depth and development to such a great and unique plot.

Miranda Writes by Gail Ward Olmsted gripped me from the opening pages. I read the entire book in one sitting.

I previously reviewed The Landscape of a Marriage by Ms. Olmsted. While I enjoyed that leisurely tale, Miranda Writes takes the reader on a nonstop thrill ride.

Just when disgraced attorney, Miranda Quinn, thinks she has her life turned around, a blast from the past rocks her. Her legal advice blog and podcast are taking off when New York comes calling to offer her a daytime show. Making it clear she’s not the next Jerry Springer, Miranda and her manager Brian are busy negotiating the details.

Becky, the witness in a rape case, who disappeared three years earlier, causing Miranda to lose her job with the States Attorney, turns up looking for help. That's about as far as I dare go in talking about the plot. The story takes twists I never saw coming, ultimately setting this tale apart from others I've read.

The character development is impressive for such a fast read. The main protagonist endears herself by being relatable to most readers. Each character, in turn, pulls emotion to the forefront. We meet the best friend we all wish we had, the ex is easy to despise, and Dad and his retired cop pals are so protective.

Relationships are built, destroyed, and mended, making this a book of redemption and second chances. There is a bit of romance but nothing detailed or blush-worthy.

I was excited to learn there would be a sequel, as I fell in love with the characters in this tale. They have so much more to tell us.

I highly recommend Miranda Writes to lovers of well-told tales, second chances at life, and legal thrillers.

I thank the author, NetGalley, and Black Rose Writing for offering me a chance to read such an engaging story. This review is my honest opinion.

Miranda writes is a fantastic court drama thriller about fighting for what we believe in and second chances. It's well written and worth the read. I could not stop turning the pages.

I adored this book and the legal aspect and story. A fantastic women's fiction novel with a great legal twist. Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours for my copy.

"A disgraced attorney seeking redemption. A single mother desperate to regain custody of her son. Two women willing to risk it all to put a sexual predator behind bars."

I felt like the description of this book was painted to be much more exciting than it proved to be in reality. I don't know that I would've gravitated towards it if it weren't categorized as a thriller but I didn't experience it as a thriller. It's more contemporary women's fiction with romance and a legal twist.

Initially, I thought this book was fast paced and interesting but it really slowed down and felt like a rushed ending. Thank you to NetGalley & Black Rose Writing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this. Fast paced, lots going on, and I was hooked from the start. Absolutely cannot wait for ‘Miranda nights’

A strong inspiration for feminine power. Well written, the characters and plot will keep you turning the pages.

Miranda Writes
By: Gail Ward Olmsted
Black Rose Writing
Pub Date: 9/8/2022
General Fiction (Adult), Women's Fiction

Olmsted displays her talent at both character and plot development in her sharp legal thriller, Miranda Writes. Miranda worked as an assistant district attorney until losing her job three years ago and starting a blog turned podcast turned television show. A witness, now a single mother, reappears from the case that got Miranda fired. Miranda is a young career woman who seems real, and it is easy to feel connected to her through the smart writing.

The fast paced and interesting story involves cover ups, lies, betrayals, and redemption. I enjoyed reading my first book by this author. Her website includes a discussion guide for book clubs or buddy reads for this book. It should make for good interactive chats between readers.

Thank you to Net Galley and Black Rose Writing for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

If you're a lover of legal dramas with a Law and Order-esque feel, this book is totally for you!

Miranda Quinn finally has her life on track after a star witness disappeared on the eve trial three years ago leaving her career with DA's office a thing of the past and her heart split in pieces after the eventual breakup with her long term partner. Now, Miranda's legal podcast and blog have taken off - so much so, that the Sterling Broadcast Group has offered Miranda a once in a lifetime opportunity to be the star of her own daytime television show bringing legal advice to the masses. But when Miranda's former star witness turns up out of the blue with a wild story about her disappearance and a new baby on her hip to boot, Miranda's luck may have run out... again.

I love books that have multiple facets and this one brought all the best stuff - a trial, an investigation, a strong female lead, potentially unreliable characters, and a redemption story. We had villains, we had power house lawyers, we had strong women who paved their own paths, we had old time cops that played by the rules, and we had love, romance, and family.

This book kept me on my toes. With Becky feeling unreliable at best, Miranda having way too many balls in the air, and new drama with every page, this was a fun and quick read.

As a legal professional, admittedly, I had to suspend belief and "just go with it" on several occasions, but ultimately, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel.

There was a lot to love about this book and I'm excited to see where this story goes (there's a sequel!!) and to read more by Olmsted.

Thank you NetGalley, Gail Ward Olmsted and Black Rose Writing for the book Miranda Writes. This is my personal review.
Books that I have read before with a lawyer as the main focus are usually all written in the same way, but I have to say Miranda’s character was so out of the ordinary for me that I had to just keep turning the pages as I read wondering what was going to happen next. Miranda has made me eager to read more books based on strong female lawyers.
The author did a great job of adding all the characters together and making the story one that everyone who reads it will enjoy. The twists and turns will keep you involved until the very last page.

Miranda Writes by Gail Ward Olmsted is a thrilling joy ride in the world of the law. Miranda is a disgraced assistant district attorney in a case of a rapist who gets off. The witness that Miranda never showed up as a witness in the trial. This blunder gets Miranda fired. The witness subsequently shows up three years later with a story to tell and what a story it is.

Miranda has a blog-turned podcast that gives legal advice and is being optioned for a daytime tv show. She puts her new show in jeopardy wanting to do what is right by the witness and the witness's son. She wants to do what she feels is right and defend this woman and other victims of this criminal. Does she want to put her job and live on the line? Damn straight she does.

Miranda firmly believes what she is going to do to help the victims and put away a violent criminal takes precedence over her show. She still wants that so she has to manage both in a juggle that could backfire on her.

I really liked this story, don't let the cover fool you that is a from com, it isn't. It is a twisty thriller at it's best. I highly recommend this to be on your fall reading list! Definitely worth 5 stars!

Mix romance, a little suspense, and quick wit, and you get Miranda Writes.

I was hooked on this book from the get go. Miranda is a lawyer that was somewhat disgraced when she worked for the ADA's office. She moved to writing a blog and doing a podcast to address legal scenarios, which made her happy. Now she has been signed by a broadcasting company to do a live show, and she is beyond thrilled. However, the case that threw a wrench into her life has circled back around, and Miranda is in the middle of things, but not necessarily in a good way.

I enjoyed this fast-paced novel that had me wondering who was involved in the coverup from years ago, who was terrorizing Miranda, and would she overcome everything that was being thrown at her. I was quite surprised at different turns of events as Miranda learned the truth about what happened three years ago. While I sympathized with Miranda, some of her actions didn't make much sense. Everything hinges on one witness, yet when she doesn't respond, she doesn't go find out what happened to her? And when she meets a new guy, Eric, she practically falls into bed with him the first moment they are alone. So while I enjoyed the storyline and uncovering the truth, Miranda's actions at times were puzzling, to say the least.

There are some twists that I didn't expect that just added to the depth of the story. I liked that several people got what was coming to them, and they were brought to justice. 

We give this book 4 paws up.

Former Assistant District Attorney Miranda Quinn's life is on the brink of a major turnaround. She lost her job when a witness in a rape case was a no-show. The accused got off. Her relationship with her boyfriend ended. But her legal blog turned podcast, which she started after being fired, was popular enough to secure her a shot at her own television show. Everything was looking up when Becky, the witness who bailed on her, calls and tells her that the rapist has made another attack. And she wants to testify. Miranda is drawn back into the world she left and learns more about why her original case fell apart. All while jeopardizing her exciting new career.

Miranda Writes is a sharp, intelligent legal thriller I couldn't put down. Miranda is an appealing character to root for. I particularly loved Miranda's retired cop, widowed father. Author Gail Ward Olsted has created an intriguing story with effective twists and turns, which added good suspense. This fast-paced book was a satisfying read about lies, betrayal and second chances. I'm hoping this becomes a series.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Black Rose Publishing and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.



This story pulls you in from the beginning. Clever characters, twists and turns you'll enjoy until a spectacular end.

I almost didn’t finish reading this book after the first chapter. It packed a powerful punch and I wasn’t sure if my timing was right for this book. But it was. This book was fantastic. Olmsted introduces us to Miranda, an up-and-coming law blogger and podcaster gearing up for her first daytime television show. But when a witness from a past case shows up unexpectedly, her world is turned upside down. What comes next is a series of events that has you turning the pages as fast as you can. There’s drama and suspense, there’s family and love and most importantly, there’s a whole lot of self-discovery. I’ve already shared it as a First Page Friday book inside my Get Lit(erate) community and am recommending it widely. I enjoyed every page.

What a great, can't put it down read!
The protagonist, Miranda, a "disgraced' lawyer is rebuilding her law career through podcasting, blogging and a looming TV show having seemingly moved on from her fall from disgrace when she lost a key witness some three years ago. That witness reappears and the strings to Miranda's fall start to thread together in some expected and unexpected ways. You want Miranda and the people she loves to win and get their revenge.

Miranda Writes by Gail Ward Olmsted is a story of how far we'll go to protect those we love and the power of second chances. Former Assistant District Attorney Miranda Quinn is on the brink of a career comeback when she gets a phone call. It's a witness who disappeared three years earlier, resulting in a violent criminal going free.

A very good legal story that sucks you in from the first page. The suspense is well crafted, and the author does have a flair for writing a fast-paced thriller.

I would give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The reason for the one-star drop is because the dialogue taglines became frustrating because there were times it was difficult to know who was talking, and I had to go back several times to figure out which character was talking and interacting with the other character.

#MirandaWrites #NetGalley @brwpublisher