by admin | Dec 9, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Legal Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I have read and enjoyed a number of books by Cara Putman during her career as an author that include both historical and contemporary suspense. Although each one has been very good, I believe that this author has excelled with her latest legal suspense series entitled Hidden Justice. “Imperfect Justice” is the second installment of the series and may be the very best one yet.
“Imperfect Justice” offers the reader not one, but two mysteries to help solve (you know we all get that involved with our books). When one of attorney Emilie Wesley’s clients dies after apparently shooting and killing one daughter and injuring the other one, Emilie is not convinced that her client could do such a thing. Working with the client’s brother Reid Billings to find the truth and thus potentially save the surviving daughter, Emilie is also plagued by an unknown stalker whose escalating actions make her increasingly uncomfortable if not fearful.
With almost perfect pacing, the plot of “Imperfect Justice” features vivid characterization and detailed descriptions. Action, danger, and a few surprises blend with a touch of romance to produce a gripping story that managed to hold my attention until I reached the very end. I also enjoyed that fact that Hayden and Andrew from “Beyond Justice” are featured secondary characters. It’s always fun to meet up with characters you loved from a previous book. I look forward to the next book in the series, “Delayed Justice” but it looks like it will be a wait of several months. If you haven’t read the first two books, do yourself a favor and pick up copies to read while waiting for the final book.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Litfuse Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The police say the woman was a murderer. Emilie Wesley knows they can’t be talking about her client . . . can they?
To the world it seems obvious: Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story: Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship. Her death shakes Emilie’s belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages. Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.
Reid Billings thought he knew his sister—right up until he learned how she died. He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her. No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but Kaylene’s letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.
Thrown together in a race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter, Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—and find a future for themselves in the process?
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cara Putman is the author of more than 25 legal thrillers, historical romances, and romantic suspense novels. She has won or been a finalist for honors including the ACFW Book of the Year and the Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Cara graduated high school at 16, college at 20, completed her law degree at 27, and recently received her MBA. She is a practicing attorney, teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school, and is a homeschooling mom of four. She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.
Find out more about Cara at http://caraputman.com.
by admin | Oct 8, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Legal Thriller, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I preordered “Kill Zone” shortly after it was offered for presale (back in July I think) and have eagerly awaited its appearance on my Kindle. What could be better than a nearly 1200 page ebook filled with suspense novellas by ten different authors, many of them my favorites. At the moment, my calendar is pretty full of commitments to review other books so I haven’t had a chance to dig into it as I’d like but I did take the time to read “Malicious Intent” by Jordyn Redwood. If all the others are as good, the $0.99 I paid will be a tremendous bargain. It alone is worth what I spent.
“Malicious Intent” is the prequel to Ms. Redwood’s Bloodline series and features the first case that Brett Sawyer and Nathan Long worked together. The clever plot features a suspense author under suspicion for several murders that mimic her best-selling novels. All the evidence points to her but she is also receiving threatening notes from a stalker. The story will have its readers on edge as they attempt to maneuver through all the plot twists and surprises woven through this gripping novella. I refused to stop reading until I reached its end. I loved this faith-based suspense and would recommend the entire ebook based on this one novella. Don’t wait too long and miss the great deal on it now.
“Kill Zone” is still on sale for $0.99 but the price will soon rise so grab a copy while you can at this price – http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B073QZYY6W/
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Espionage, hacking, police procedural, international crime and intrigue, covert action, spy, secret police, revenge, snipers…and so much more! Ten brand-new, never-before published novellas of suspense, intrigue, and thrills from ten bestselling Christian thriller authors, all packed into this one anthology. KILL ZONE is available for a limited time only. Read new stories by:
- Rick Acker
- Christy Barritt
- Patricia Bradley
- Braxton DeGarmo
- Luana Ehrlich
- Heather Day Gilbert
- Heather I. James
- Robert Liparulo
- Jordyn Redwood
- Jan Thompson
SECRETS
NEW from Bestselling Author Rick Acker
Everyone has secrets. Silicon Valley billionaire Scott Sherman’s could forever change three women’s lives—and possibly much, much more.
THE WRECKING
NEW from Daphne du Maurier Award-winning, Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author Christy Barritt
A car crash on a lonely road turns into a nightmare for Andie Meadows when she’s abducted by a serial killer. When the killer begins his terror again years later, she’s the only one who can help the FBI find him before he strikes again.
REVENGE
NEW from Inspirational Readers Choice Award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author Patricia Bradley
Murder becomes a case of mistaken identity at a remote drug rehab. An old threat resurfaces, and Andi Hollister finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer.
TEN SECONDS TIL…
NEW from Critically-acclaimed Author Braxton DeGarmo
An explosion kills three well-known thugs, and Detective Seamus O’Connor and the Major Case Squad are called in to assist with the investigation. When additional bombings target criminals who have escaped justice, the hunt begins for a vigilante. But as O’Connor begins to close in, the hunter becomes the prey.
ONE STEP BACK
NEW from Award-winning Author Luana Ehrlich
When CIA intelligence officer Titus Ray attempts to recruit an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran, he puts himself in the crosshairs of the Iranian secret police and triggers a series of events leading to deadly consequences.
UNDERCUT
NEW from Grace Award-winning, Bestselling Author Heather Day Gilbert
When Marine sniper-turned-lumberjack Zane Boone finds himself in the crosshairs of vengeful terrorists, will he be able to protect Molly McClure and save his own heart in the process?
BURN TIME
New from Award-winning, Critically-acclaimed Author Heather I. James
Charlotte finds herself at the end of a prison term for committing a felony against a man who deserved it. Upon her release, she finds that he is coming after her. Not for revenge but because he believes she has something of his, something that could put him away for life and topple a criminal enterprise.
FULL DRAW
NEW from Bestselling Author Robert Liparulo
After a lifetime of obsession, a vast fortune, and countless murders, Anton Talisen is on the brink of unleashing a powerful, ancient secret against mankind. Hutch has three days to stop him.
MALICIOUS INTENT
NEW from Critically-acclaimed Author Jordyn Redwood
Bestselling thriller author Lexie Sloan’s life upends when people close to her wind up dead, mirroring the plots of her award-winning novels. Is she the killer? Or is someone out to frame her?
ZERO SUM
NEW from USA Today Bestselling Author Jan Thompson
She opens a case she cannot close.
If he helps her solve it, he will die.
FBI Special Agent Stella Evans finds the last surviving computer consultant who holds the key to destroying a terrorist organization’s global network, but Cayson Yang may not live long enough to dismantle the computer system.
Save
Save
Save
by admin | Aug 6, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Legal Thriller
MY REVIEW:
“The Confession” is another brilliantly written novel by Robert Whitlow whose legal suspense rivals those by John Grisham in my opinion. The characters are well-defined and natural. Dialogue is genuine and the plot advances at a good pace. Whitlow inserts just the right amount of legal facts so that the reader is informed without being overwhelmed by it.
The story is told primarily through two points of view, that of Holt Douglas, an assistant D.A. and Trish Carmichael, a deputy sheriff who often assists him in court. When Holt decides to investigate a cold case, a secret from Holt’s past haunts his days and often nights. What would happen if that secret came to light? Would his confession destroy his up-and-coming career?
“The Confession” is a story filled with plot twists and character conflict. Both Holt and Trish’s inner thoughts reveal much about their characters as each wrestles with their own personal demons. Whitlow is not shy about weaving a strong Christian message into his plot and primarily uses Bishop Pennington to do so in “The Confession”. I liked the obvious changes in certain characters after making a decision to accept Christ.
With plenty of drama and surprises, “The Confession” held my interest through every page. I always enjoy novels by Robert Whitlow and heartily recommend this one.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing..
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In Holt Douglas’s line of work, there’s nothing sweeter than a confession of guilt.
Assistant D.A. Holt Douglas makes his living exposing lies and sending criminals to jail in Ashley County, Georgia. His job is always easier when defendants, instead of remaining silent, blame someone else or try to excuse their actions. With a confession in his hand, Holt knows a guilty plea will soon follow.
But lurking in Holt’s past is a dark secret that could end his successful career and possibly his relationship with Angelina, his hoped for fiancé.
When Holt reopens a cold case involving the death of the town’s wealthiest businessman—allegedly killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest—Holt doesn’t believe it was suicide. Instead, he suspects murder.
As he investigates, Holt’s own guilt threatens to destroy him and the cause of justice he’s sworn to serve. While he knows his own confession could absolve him of his sin, it could cost him his future. Will he survive long enough to uncover the true crime that this small southern town has been hiding?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. Twitter: @whitlowwriter Facebook: robertwhitlowbooks
by admin | Nov 22, 2013 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Legal Thriller
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingCritical ReactionBethany House Publishers (November 19, 2013)byTodd M. JohnsonABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Todd M. Johnson has practiced as an attorney for over 30 years, specializing as a trial lawyer. Todd’s career experience blends with his passion for writing in his novels published through Bethany House.
A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he also taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law, and served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.
The Deposit Slip, Mr. Johnson’s first novel, debuted in 2012. Todd’s second novel, Critical Reaction, will be released in November 2013.
Todd lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife Cathy and children Ian and Libby.
Learn more about Todd and his books on his Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After decades of turning out plutonium for the arms race, the Hanford Nuclear Facility has long been shuttered, though its deadly legacy cannot be fully contained. The men who guard the facility from sabotage or monitor its buildings for radiation leaks are told the risks are under control. They believe it, until the worst happens: a thunderous explosion in the dead of night.
Two workers, lifer Poppy Martin and new hire Kieran Mullaney, believe themselves lucky to survive the blast. But as the debris is cleared, they discover their safety is not assured. Dead ends and closed doors halt their efforts to discover what really happened–and what radiation may have poisoned them. When stalling and threats force them into the hands of experienced trial lawyer Ryan Hart, they learn that theirs is no ordinary lawsuit. There is something still hidden in the desert of eastern Washington, and someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure it never sees the light of day.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Critical Reaction, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
It has become apparent that due to other obligations I will not finish reading Critical Reaction before the end of its blog tour. However I am approximately half through it and can share some of my thoughts. I definitely plan to finish this novel – I just don’t want to miss the review deadline.
I read Johnson’s previous novel The Deposit Slip and was impressed by his skill in relating legal details without thoroughly boring me. He includes just enough for his readers to understand what is necessary without excess legal jargon. I really appreciate that because to me the story is what’s important – don’t bog me down with unnecessary details. Critical Reaction continues with the same basic style. Johnson’s characters are well-rounded and easy to care about and although the story is told through several points of view, it is never difficult to follow.The plot is straightforward and contains some interesting twists and secrets that I hope will be revealed before the end.
I am invested in the book enough to already be a bit angry at the coverups and intimidation used by the Hanford executives. There are more than one character I am rooting for and am hoping for a satisfactory conclusion to their part in the overall story. I actually do not doubt that it will end well but I do enjoy the suspense that keeps me wondering as I read.
Based on my experience with The Deposit Slip and thus far with Critical Reaction, Todd M. Johnson has found a place on my go to authors list.
