(Atlanta Justice #1)

Rachel Dylan

{GoodReads}

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower's allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer. 

Determined not to make the same mistakes, he's intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything--even murder--to keep the case from going to trial.

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WARNING: Possible Spoilers

{The Basics}

This novel is a legal thriller featuring attorney Kate Sullivan in her fight for justice.  Kate loves her job, though at times it is rather stressful and she seems to never leave the office.  But unlike most lawyers she knows, who are in Big Law for the outrageously good money, she cares for the people she represents and fights to be the voice for those who have none and who have lost much.

Landon James is a former Army Ranger with a past filled with regret.  His faith has been nearly non-existent after enduring an event in which he believes God abandoned him.  But when he meets Kate, who has problems of her own in dealing with depression and her high-stress job, he finds the hope he's been unwittingly searching for.  Her open-hearted trust in God brings him back and helps in mending his own heart and also that of relationships he's dumped in an attempt to protect himself. 

{Positives}

In the midst of Big Law and the tension that comes with it, characters strive to do the right thing - no matter the danger to themselves.  Kate tries to be patient with another fellow lawyer lady and eventually they come to an understanding.  Two men who were once great friends but had a falling out, forgive each other and go into business together.

{Negatives}

Blackmail.  Deception.  A man betrays a friend.  A lawyer under a great amount of pressure is told by his powerful client that he must be willing blur the lines a little.  In a law suit, the CEO and COO of a huge, billion-dollar company attempts to destroy/shred/hide important documents pertaining to the case.  

[SPOILER] A young, miffed attorney (one who was booted off a case due to attitude or something similar) steals another attorney's prep binder, documents, and other rather important items related to a certain case in an effort to gain attention and make the more senior lawyer look bad. (The young attorney later confesses.)

{Spiritual Content}

As mentioned before, Kate is very strong in her faith and relies heavily on God to see her through both the trials of her life and that in court.  She claims that her trust in the Lord is what has seen her through the tough battles of depression over the years.  She prays often.

Landon had strayed from the faith, but through the sweet and honest example of Kate, comes to find there is hope in Christ.  He learns to pray again and to let go of the past in order to finally find healing.

{Violence}

A woman is murdered in cold blood.  An attorney's tires are slashed in an effort to scare them off a case.  Another woman is grabbed on the front steps of her house, in an attempt to frighten her.  That same woman is chased up a flight of stairs and has her hair yanked from behind in an effort to cause injury.  Two people are chased by an SUV and rammed from behind - another scare tactic.  One man is shot point-blank in the head, another is wounded in the shoulder by a gunshot.  

{Language, Alcohol & Drugs}

None.

{Love-y Content}

There is obvious attraction between Kate and Landon.  So, it's no wonder they fall for each other.  ;D

{Conclusion}

All told, this was a really good, incredibly clean novel.  I enjoyed the legal aspects of the law (as I work now as a legal assistant), and was pleased with myself that I understood most of what some of the characters spoke of in their use of some legal terms.  But honestly, this would be an easy read for anyone - no danger of misunderstanding anything regarding terms or legal events.  And if perchance you don't recognize a word, look it up!  Dictionaries are awesome.  :]

This was an easy, entertaining read.  I never really felt fully engaged as it wasn't filled with amazing adventure or a thrilling ride into the fantastical, but it was nice to see how much Kate cared for the people she represented and not just the sweet taste of victory and the money that comes with it.  I liked Kate's character, she was humble and true.  Despite having a high-paying job, her home was modest and her personality upright.  Again, that was nice to see.

Recommended ages:  16+

My rating:

I was provided a copy of this 

novel thanks to Bethany House, 

in exchange for my honest review.