Justice by Karen Robards

Book Description:
Feisty criminal attorney Jessica Ford has done her best to comply with the orders of the Secret Service’s unofficial witness protection program ever since she became the lone witness to the First Lady’s murder. Unfortunately, winning her first high-profile case for a prestigious Washington, D.C., law firm, subsequently landing her face all over the news, is not exactly “keeping a low profile.” Or so says hunky Secret Service agent Mark Ryan, whose newest assignment is keeping her safe at all costs. It just so happens he’s also her ex-boyfriend.

The trial earns Jess a permanent spot on the firm’s legal defense team, replacing an associate who eloped and never came back. But Jess’s mind has raced from the moment the prosecution’s star witness shocked the courtroom with a revelation involving the handsome son of a powerful U.S. senator. Was the pretty young mother intimidated into changing her story on the stand? Why won’t she return Jess’s calls? Did Jess’s predecessor really just abandon her successful career? Or did both women mysteriously disappear?

After Mark rescues Jess from an attack outside her apartment, she begins to consider the possibility that she is a target. Maybe it’s not so bad to have her irresistibly charming and hard-bodied former lover around for protection. The question is, which of the many inadvertent enemies Jess has made recently is he protecting her from? The investigation leads her to some startling coincidences — and to a teenage runaway who may just hold the missing link...if Jess can find her.

My Thoughts:

This was a good, twisting read! Jess is supposed to be keeping a low profile because as the only witness to a major murder, she doesn't need the media attention. The problem is with her first big win at a new firm, she is photographed along with the whole defense team. This media attention brings Mark back into her life. Mark is her ex boyfriend and also the secret service agent who has been assigned to protect her. Questions start piling up like why did the victim recant on the stand? Was she forced? Where did the attorney that Jess replaced really disappear to? And last, why is someone now targeting Jess?

I thought the first chapter was perfect! It set the stage for the entire book so well. Jess is such a strong character but she does have her vulnerabilities...such as Mark. Mark is determined to keep Jess safe from whoever is trying to kill her but the distraction she presents is amusing to 'watch'. There are plenty of plot twists and surprises to keep you turning the pages all night!

I rate this a 4/5. I really liked it but be warned it isn't a 'clean' read by any stretch of the imagination.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.