This is the first book by Young that I have read, but I was disappointed, especially given its high ratings. The topic of viatical settlements is a good one, with its obvious conflict of interest among those promoting such arrangements. Having read a brief biography of her, I have great admiration for Young's personal achievements. R.C. Bray's narration is very good.

I can accept that the characters all have seriously flawed personalities, but they seemed to be extreme versions of themselves. The following may sound like spoilers, but it is all revealed within the first several chapters. It is very hard to believe that a strong, highly educated senior federal prosecutor like Angela would tolerate subjugation to a control freak like her fiance, Judge Waters. Then there is Waverly, an attorney with ethical issues and a selfish, demanding wife. There is Lawrence Erickson, the head of a distinguished legal firm with his own serious ethical issues and psychopathic personality disorders, as well as his loyal law partner, Becker, apparently willing to do anything to advance his own career. Finally, Dre's sudden turnaround from a drug dealer and felon to Angela's love-struck, noble suitor was matched only by her apparent naivte. Not surprisingly, the actual plot involving such characters is full of loopholes and incredible events, with a resolution involving obstruction of justice.

Wait a minute--I take it all back. Come to think of it, these sound like people in the daily headlines emanating from the Trump administration, if not The Donald himself! ( )

Buying Time is absolutely one of the best legal thriller books I have ever read! This was my first book by Pamela Samuels Young and for sure will not be my last. Buying Time took hold of me from page one and with each chapter only held me tighter and tighter wanting more. This book has a little bit of everything, murders, dirty lawyers, corruption, romance, outstanding characters that you love or not love or want to kick in the pants. I have to say my favorite characters was by far Dre. I always hold the underdog very close to my heart and Dre is a good guy. Maybe he didn't start out that way but he saw the error of his ways and changed. Gotta love him for that.Angela was a character who was very easy to identify with. A strong woman, a lawyer, the Assistant US Attorney who is caught in a relationship that she knows is bad but shows us that even a smart, strong woman can get mind screwed as easily as anyone. Waverly Sloan? I really didnt fall in love with him. Yeah, he was basically a good guy but there is just something about him that makes me say Hmmmmmmmmmm.Overall one hell of a good book. A book that will keep you up all night. A book that promises another twist in each chapter. Move over John Grisham, Pamela Samuels Young is here to stay! ( )

Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young
Published by Goldman House Publishing
ISBN 9780981562711
At the request of Pump Up Your Book, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (back of book): Every life has a price. Waverly Sloan is a down-on-his-luck lawyer. But just when he's about to hit rock bottom, he stumbles upon a business with the potential too solve all his problems.
In Waverly's new line of work, he comes to the aid of people in desperate need of cash. But there's a catch, His clients must be terminally ill and willing to sign over rights to their life insurance policies before they can collect a dime. Waverly then finds investors eager to advance them thousands of dollars-including a hefty broker's fee for himself-in exchange for a significant return on their investment once the clients take their last breath.
The stakes get higher when Waverly brokers the policy of the cancer-stricken wife of Lawrence Erickson, a high-powered lawyer who's bucking to become the next U.S. Attorney General, When Waveerly's clients start dying sooner than they should, both Waverly's clients start dying sooner than they should, both Waverly and Erickson-who has some skeletons of his own to hide-are unwittingly drawn into a perilous web of greed, blackmail and murder.
My Thoughts and Opinion: There is so much to say about this book and all positive. When I read a book for a review, I have a little checklist in the back of my mind that I use to critique a book. First, the description, Buying Time is a legal thriller, however, it was not bogged down with a lot of legal terminology where the reader needs to have a prerequisite of being a 4th year law student to understand. The legal jargon was worked into the story line so that it was easily understandable. Now to my check list. Did I get pulled into the plot and when? Check, on page 1 of the Prologue. Were the characters brought to life and relatable? Check. Was it, as I call it, "a one more chapter" read? Check. The chapters were short with chapters alternating with the different characters and ending with a mini cliff hanger that this reader had to read on until I got to the next chapter of this character. Was it a page turner? Check, all 414 pages. Was I able to conjure up vivid imagery due to the author's writing style for characters and scenes? Check. Was I so engrossed into the story that I didn't realize what was going on around me? Check. Did I enjoy it? Can I honestly recommend this book? Check and Check. A nonstop fast paced legal thriller that must be read!!
My Rating: 5 ( )

It is an understatement to say that I enjoyed Buying Time. Loved the straight forward and direct style in Buying Time and I could not find any flaws to tempt me to lay the book down. I felt that I would really like to sit down with my favorite character in this book and have a long talk! Angela, a black woman Assistant United States Attorney working in Los Angeles in what I presume was the Criminal Division. It was easy for me relate to the Los Angeles setting (I had worked in the same federal building there) and also worked in connections with AUSAs. But I think it doesn’t matter, anyone not familiar with the area and AUSA would still be able to imagine it for themselves.
All of the characters well developed and there were no lengthy descriptive sections to slow the book down. Issues like whether viatical settlements could tempt and encourage immoral acts and violence against women were expertly covered. In viatials life insurance policies are sold to investors for a set sum of money before a person dies by a viatial broker. The insured no longer has to pay the premiums and has the use of part of the insurance money for medical bills and whatever is needed or desired. The buyer will upon the death of the previously insured will be able to cash in the insurance policy. This of course leaves no insurance money for the heirs but rather to a stranger.
The author did a tremendous amount of research on the viatical industry. I won’t go more in to this because I want you to read this book! After finishing the book, I had all sorts of questions about the morality, the safeness and the fairness of selling viaticals whirling around in my head. The author, Pamela Samuels Young had created a supreme vehicle for showing the ethical issues involved. Not only would I recommend this book highly to everyone but I am now a big fan of hers. ( )

This was a great thriller suspense story. I am upset I was so busy that I couldn't read this as often as I wanted. One night it was 1am but the ending of a chapter was so good I couldn't get it out of my head, I got back up and read a few more, this is how good it is. For those that read fast you will enjoy reading this is one or two sittings.

Every character was interesting and it was the perfect amount, sometime authors introduce to many characters. Every one had an important piece to the puzzle. At first Erickson was my favourite and slowly throughout the book he lost my respect and I despised him, very similar to his protege's feelings who plays a major part. There were numerous storylines that completely came together in the end. The chapters were short, glimpses into each characters life, their piece of the puzzle. We had work ethics, morals, murder, the legal world, politics, romance, family drama, all with a ton of suspense, making bad choices, disturbing choices and sometimes bad things happening to good people scenarios. Pamela SY did a great job with character building, so for those that love characters you will totally appreciate.

What really caught my interest is that this is a book men would enjoy also, the male testosterone fast paced action in this thriller gets your attention. There are also Angela and Dre, I really enjoyed their storyline also, Dre was a favourite character for me. A man's man, a little rough around the edges but had a business mind and knew how to treat a woman with respect.

I look forward to sharing this book with friends with similar styles and the best part is I loved everything about her writing so I found a new author and look forward to reading her other books. ( )