Fatal Judgment

Apr 09, 2012 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenge-goal, 1-lendable-kindle, military

I have to say the cover is what made me check it out to begin with, it didn't hurt that I got it for free.
I have to say the author did a good job of creating characters that I could liked. Their relationship developed over time instead of instantly which I liked.
This book didn't focus on sex, even thought there was some sexual tension, there wasn't any foul language, and the story actually centered on the characters themselves.
I was not aware that this book was a Christian romance when I got i...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Mike rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a run-of-the-mill story with no surprises. The writing flows along well enough, but not a lot is said and none of it fresh. The hero, Jake, has ‘chiseled features’ and a ‘clean-shaven jaw.’ She ‘nestled against a broad, solid chest’. This is not essentially bad but when the same kind of formulaic description and incident occurs on every page it is hard to stay the course. The discovery of the villain’s identity felt very contrived and the ending drags on far too long once the action is o...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've heard good things about Irene Hannon's romantic suspense books...and it is all TRUE!! Wow! Fatal Judgment a wild ride!!

Both Jake and Liz were great characters. Brought to life through Irene's writing voice, I really connected with them.

And the whole adventure, with the wacko killer after Liz, was intense! Especially the very detailed, and brilliant, abduction. I was on the edge of my seat, rooting for Jake and his friends to find her in time. What a close call!!

All in all, I thoroughly enj...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Sandra Lassiter rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read these out of order, but thankfully, it didn't make a huge difference. I read #2 first and liked it so much I went in search of the first book.

I really like Irene Hannon's characters. Liz is a sweet lady who has gone through and is going through some pretty rough stuff, but doesn't turn her back on God and get bitter. That doesn't mean she's perfect and doesn't occasionally question God (who among us hasn't at one time or another?!?), but she still trusts Him and leans on him. She is inst...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Maggie K rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did manage to finish this book, mostly because it had so many good reviews, I thought it must be going to do something surprising. It didn't really, at least not plot-wise. This was the book that wasnt quite sure if it was about faith, or a mystery, or a romance. Yes, something can be all 3, I just dont think this came together.

So, Jake is a work-a-holic widower cop who lost his faith after his wife's death. He is assigned to do protective duty for a judge whose pregnant sister was shot in her...more I did manage to finish this book, mostly because it had so many good reviews, I thought it must be going to do something surprising. It didn't really, at least not plot-wise. This was the book that wasnt quite sure if it was about faith, or a mystery, or a romance. Yes, something can be all 3, I just dont think this came together.

So, Jake is a work-a-holic widower cop who lost his faith after his wife's death. He is assigned to do protective duty for a judge whose pregnant sister was shot in her home. It ends up she's the widow of his buddy who committed suicide after ranting to Jake about how his wife was so unsupportive.

Liz is a work-a-holic widow judge who found her faith after he husband's suicide. When her pregnant sister is shot at her home she is not happy to see her dead husband's aloof buddy as her protector.

So right there, 2 parts of the books tie-up are already exceedingly obvious. Liz just has to show a little emotion about her pregnant sisters serious situation for him to decide to be compassionate, and the next thing you know they are all hot for each other. Seriously, in about 5 seconds. Later when the suspect goes after Liz, Jake resorts to prayer, and finds his faith. In about 20 seconds.

ok-so the mystery takes a bit longer. Mostly because the suspect is so careful about forensics. Yet despite this, he manages to leave exactly one cat hair everywhere he goes. Really? you couldnt think of anything better than that?

But my biggest gripe of all is at the hospital in the first half. Although we are told the fetal heartbeat is still good and strong, when sister loses brain function, they make a big deal about donating all her organs right away so that they are viable. Excuse me, the baby? It might be using some of the organs here! NOT ONE WORD. I mean you could take care of this in one sentence, with a doctor saying the fetus was no longer viable or something, but NO ONE ASKS! This in a book where every bite of food idescribed and a fifteen minute nap takes up three pages!

I did like the cat, and was wondering what would happen to it. But as usual in these cookie-cutter type books, no one says a word. There is a whole epilogue about how proposal takes place months later but no more kitty. lolol--it was the only thing I cared about. Hey, she sounded like a cool cat.

PS-I just looked up the author's other series-and the first book starts off with a cop falling in love with his charge on a protection detail. Seriously? You couldn't think up a new plot? dang
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Sep 18, 2012 Dolores Ayotte rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow...I very much enjoyed "Fatal Judgment" by talented Author Irene Hannon! This novel is my first exposure to this gifted author and it won't be my last. Her style of writing is suspenseful, thrilling, and enthralling. Ms. Hannon captured my attention right from the 'get go' and I was glued to the page from beginning to end.

U.S. Marshall, Jake Taylor, is great at his job and takes every step of it seriously. He is a consummate professional to the core, always managing to separate his profession...more

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May 01, 2011 Tamara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: irene-hannon, favorites

Irene Hannon has once again penned an incredible story. FATAL JUDGMENT is a great mix of suspense, intrigue, and romance.

When it is concluded that the death of federal judge Liz Michaels’ sister was an unfortunate act of mistaken identity, the FBI, along with the U.S. Marshal’s office combine forces to find out who it is who might be after the federal judge.

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has been assigned to protect federal judge Liz Michaels, a detail he wishes had been assigned to someone else. Li...more

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Apr 09, 2011 Holly (2 Kids and Tired) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like Irene Hannon. I've enjoyed everything I've read by her. Like her Heroes of Quantico series, this one is fast-paced and exciting with the right amount of suspense and the right amount of romance. The characters are well developed and likeable. The premise is one that could be taken from headlines today: disgruntled people with a grudge against the government who attack politicians and government representatives.

Liz has her faith tested when her sister is murdered and she finds herself und...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has spent a stint in Iraq, and he’d rather go back than to cover his next assignment, Federal judge Liz Michaels, the former wife of a now deceased college buddy. Jake is convinced she drove him to despair and … possible suicide. For five years he’s thought of her as a cold-hearted, workaholic woman.

Given a mistaken murder and an unknown enemy, the circumstances up the ante, leaving Liz in even more danger. The who and why are uncertain. With little to no clues, they nee...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: inspirational-novels

Fatal Judgment, of the Guardians of Justice series
By Irene Hannon

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3456-5
Available January 2011
$14.99

Romantic suspense
From the publisher: U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels, former wife of his late best friend.

Hannon's story about a US Marshal and a federal judge whose life is in danger is a well-done story. Widow and...more Fatal Judgment, of the Guardians of Justice series
By Irene Hannon

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3456-5
Available January 2011
$14.99

Romantic suspense
From the publisher: U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels, former wife of his late best friend.

Hannon's story about a US Marshal and a federal judge whose life is in danger is a well-done story. Widow and widowers with secrets always make for sympathetic characters, and when you put them together, add guns and a body count along with special touches of the dark side of reality, Fatal Judgment unfolds with the bet of the romantic thrillers. But for a bit of a slow mo before the assassin gets directly involved with the judge, I loved this story. Hannon did an excellent job with her characters whose inevitable romance unfolds with all the depth of emotion and self-examination, alibis, and patriotic dedication to making life better a reader could want.

Contemporary, up-to-date, tasteful on the technology and terms without overloading or trying to impress the reader, Fatal Judgment will satisfy both the romantic and the suspense-seeking reader. We grieve from the start when an assassination attempt on Judge Michaels goes very wrong, and are pulled into the professionalism of the US Marshal Taylor who must keep his past impressions and exhaustion in check when he is called to duty. As the marshal realizes how ill his best friend has been before his apparent suicide, he is able to see how much Liz suffered at his hands. When the judge, Liz, has no choice but to submit to round-the-clock surveillance, she works with the marshals to uncover her mysterious threat while questioning the wisdom of letting anyone close to her heart again. A real tear-jerking scene is Taylor's revelation of the day of his wife's death and how it affected him.

We rejoice when Taylor overcomes his prejudice against Liz and when Michaels forgives those who wrong her.
Hannon shows the soft side of professionals who realize that faith is the ultimate motivation for any action, be it for selfishness or for good. Her touches of prayer and reasons to return to faith never preach and are a subtle presence throughout this story.

Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Jan 25, 2011 Nora St Laurent rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fatal Judgment is a chilling story that can be taken from today’s headlines. Irene Hannon pens a realistic, intriguing, gripping story I couldn’t put down. In light of a recent shooting that took place in Tucson, Arizona a month ago, of a female politician and a man in Florida who held a school board at gun point earlier this year, the situation in this book is very real. I was thankful to receive a review copy of a book where a federal judge’s life is in danger. The FBI procedures Irene Hannon...more Fatal Judgment is a chilling story that can be taken from today’s headlines. Irene Hannon pens a realistic, intriguing, gripping story I couldn’t put down. In light of a recent shooting that took place in Tucson, Arizona a month ago, of a female politician and a man in Florida who held a school board at gun point earlier this year, the situation in this book is very real. I was thankful to receive a review copy of a book where a federal judge’s life is in danger. The FBI procedures Irene Hannon describes, add to the drama and realism of the story.

This book felt like a combination of the television shows CSI and Law and Order, without all the graphic photos, explicit violence and foul language. This author did extensive research on how U.S. Marshall’s operate and the FBI agencies work together to protect the innocent. It was fascinating to see things from their point of view.

There was a believable spiritual thread throughout the book that I enjoyed. I also liked the authors’ balance of violence and faith, too. The judge says, “Faith is a funny thing. It’s easy to believe while life is rolling merrily along. But in times of trial, it’s tempting to turn away from God. Yet, that’s when we need him the most.”

Judge Michaels had to think about her situation-there was no time to freak out.

“She had to keep her wits about her. Think clear. Her life depended on it. Who would try to kill her? She forced herself to examine the facts, just as she did in the courtroom, doing her best to take emotion out of the equation. The facts were straight forward…her stalker was committed in finishing the job he set out to do three weeks before.” She realized she needed supernatural help.

The judge's life is turned upside-down and not in a good way-she craved her routine. Anything normal-she liked her organized, predictable life. She prays as she looks through case after case to see who could possibly want to kill her.

U. S. Marshal, Jake, had met Liz Michael’s five years ago at her husband’s funeral. Liz’s husband was his close friend. Funny his friend didn’t have nice things to say about his wife over the years. He had a good idea what this Liz was like and wanted nothing to do with a woman like her.. He’d do his job and be civil. The more interactions Jake with Liz the more he was surprised at what he discovered. He found a sensitive, broken woman in the middle of a crime scene, worried more about others than herself. She wasn’t anything like his friend described. How could that be? Jake was uncomfortable with the feelings he felt in her presence and when he smelled her perfume, oh my—he had to stop this line of thinking? He was a professional and would separate his emotions from his work. He couldn’t get distracted...the Judge’s life depended him being focused on finding the killer.

I liked how this author took her time in having the reader get to know Federal Judge Liz and the U.S. Marshall Jake. Both parties had their own personal baggage to deal with, which affected how they operated in current time. Fatal Judgment is a captivating, romantic, suspense story that I was drawn into quickly and stayed up late reading. This is the first book in the Guardian of Justice series. I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read the next installment.

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Finding Hope Through Fiction www.psalmt516.blogspot.com
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Jan 24, 2011 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As I began reading Fatal Judgment I was hooked by the immediate suspense and tension and my wheels started spinning with the possible scenarios and outcomes of this story.

I REALLY like that this book moves at a fast pace and there’s no working up to the plot. It's exciting and keeps the reader's attention from start to finish.

The story begins with U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor being summoned to protect a federal judge. When he’s told her name he immediately recognizes her as the wife of his best fri...more As I began reading Fatal Judgment I was hooked by the immediate suspense and tension and my wheels started spinning with the possible scenarios and outcomes of this story.

I REALLY like that this book moves at a fast pace and there’s no working up to the plot. It's exciting and keeps the reader's attention from start to finish.

The story begins with U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor being summoned to protect a federal judge. When he’s told her name he immediately recognizes her as the wife of his best friend who committed suicide.

His knee-jerk response to her name invokes the reader’s anticipation of what is going to unfold when he shows up at her door, as there’s no love lost on his part. He believes that Liz drove her husband to suicide and has a jaded opinion of her before they even meet up again.

Elizabeth Michaels, a no-nonsense lioness of a judge, is at her lowest and most vulnerable state when Jake Taylor arrives on the scene. She’s the possible target of a murder suspect and has to be protected by federal marshals until the killer is found. When Jake shows up for duty, Liz recognizes him as well although they’ve never really had a chance to get to know each other. Sensing his low opinion of her, Elizabeth is at her breaking point emotionally and doesn’t need his judgmental attitude.

Though she doesn’t plan to get close to Jake or spend too much time with him, it’s hard to ignore his raw masculine presence at over 6 feet tall, strapped with a weapon. Elizabeth finds herself drawn to Jake for many reasons, though it goes against what her head is telling her.

I enjoyed the romantic suspense in this book and the way Jake and Liz constantly dance around their feelings for each other. They are obviously drawn to one another, yet fight it, trying to keep their interactions on a strictly professional plane. I think this is going to be an excellent series with a lot of potential.

Fatal Judgment is Book #1 in Irene Hannon's new Guardians of Justice series.

Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

This book was provided free for review by Revell.
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Jan 22, 2011 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Guardians of Justice

Irene Hannon

2011

Revell

Fiction/Romantic Suspense

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

When U.S. Marshall Jake Taylor finds himself assigned to a new case, he is shocked to find out that the federal judge he is assigned to is the widow of his best friend from college. A shooting in Judge Liz Matthews' home has left her sister dead, and the U.S. Marshalls and the FBI wondering if the shooting was a sad case of mistaken identity. Was the real target the Judge?

Dealing with the feelings that he h...more

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Jan 22, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Title: FATAL JUDGMENT
Author: Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
January 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3456-5
Genre: Inspirational/romantic suspense

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has just relocated to his hometown of St. Louis. But he’s no sooner arrived than a shooting occurs at the home of a federal judge. The judge is no stranger to him, she was married to Jake’s best friend. And the case seems cut and dried. The judge’s sister had left her abusive husband. Jake is only involved due to the location of the crime.

Li...more

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Jan 20, 2011 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian, romance, suspense

"Fatal Judgment" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. Since the main characters were more concerned about each other than the threat for most of the story, I'd call this more romance than suspense. The physical-danger suspense was low during the first two-thirds of the book because the "good guys" weren't sure Liz was actually in any danger until then. However, the suspense did spike at the climax.

The characters were complex and dealt with some realistic relationship issues. The details about...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Kame rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller-romance, christian-fiction

Wow - this book starts you off immediately no slow build up here.

Jake is a Deputy Marshall who has immersed himself into work since his wife's death four years earlier. He has just returned from a mission in Denver to be immediately pulled into duty to protect a judge whose sister has just been shot in the judge's home.

The judge is Elizabeth Michaels - someone who he has not seen in 5 years, his best friend from college's widow. He does not have a high regard for Liz, but he is a professional an...more

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Mar 26, 2011 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-fiction, romantic-suspense

I absolutely adore Irene Hannon! Since reading her Heroes of Quantico series, I've been looking forward to this new one. This first book of series was everything I expected and more. As with her others, this book immediately sucks you into the suspenseful plot and keeps you on your toes, all the while, capturing your heart with a touch of romance.

Besides the engrossing plot line of Hannon's books, one thing I enjoy the most is how her heroines are always strong and admirable. Federal Judge Liz M...more

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Jan 21, 2011 Carly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It pains me to say this, but I really had a hard time enjoying this book. My lack of enjoyment, however, has nothing to do with the writing or the author. It has more to do with the recent shootings in Tucson and some of the similarities. Understand me, I know this not a reflection of the author or the publisher in any way, this book was probably written a year ago or more. Neither the author nor the publisher could have possibly known this would happen. This is just me talking and these are ver...more

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Jan 29, 2011 Ruth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The last thing U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor wants is a high-profile protection case that places him anywhere in the vicinity of the widow of his best friend from college – federal judge Elizabeth Michaels. Convinced that the woman’s single-minded drive to advance her career destroyed his friend, Jake determines to maintain a strict professional distance. But his resolve is tested when it becomes apparent that Liz’s sister was murdered in a tragic case of mistaken identity, and the judge herself was...more The last thing U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor wants is a high-profile protection case that places him anywhere in the vicinity of the widow of his best friend from college – federal judge Elizabeth Michaels. Convinced that the woman’s single-minded drive to advance her career destroyed his friend, Jake determines to maintain a strict professional distance. But his resolve is tested when it becomes apparent that Liz’s sister was murdered in a tragic case of mistaken identity, and the judge herself was the intended victim. Grief-stricken and vulnerable, the woman Jake gets to know is nothing like the prejudiced mental image he’d carried with him for years. Intensely private and dedicated to her work, Liz had never understood the animosity Jake had projected during their few brief encounters years before. Struggling to cope with the guilt of a failed marriage and the brutal loss of her last surviving family member, Liz struggles to cling to her faith while her world spirals out of control. When the murderer gets a second chance to eliminate Liz, Jake finds himself in a race against time to save the life of the last woman he ever expected to invade his heart.

The first book in Hannon’s newest series focuses on a new branch of high-stakes law enforcement – the U.S. Marshal Service. I was thrilled to see brief appearances from Matt and Nick, FBI agents who previously “starred” in her superb debut Heroes of Quantico series. From the opening pages, it’s clear that Hannon has once again done her homework into the protocols and the logistics involved in a high-profile protection case. She excels at immersing the reader in the high-stakes, fast-paced world of the investigation, from evidence retrieval to inter-agency cooperation. Hannon’s stories have a ripped-from-the-headlines relevancy that will keep you breathlessly turning the pages until the novel’s conclusion. Especially given the recent tragic events in Arizona, Fatal Judgment’s focus on a deranged individual’s determination to make a misguided statement by taking down a public official lends the novel a jolting sense of realism – a legitimacy that can often be lacking in romantic suspense. This is just one of the many reasons I love Hannon’s suspense novels – the stories she crafts are compulsively readable because they are so incredibly well-researched and chillingly possible.

Irene Hannon has officially become my go-to author for quality romantic suspense. I love her heroes – she writes the male point-of-view extremely well, and U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor, member of the service’s elite Special Operations Group, is no exception. I was thrilled to see his relationships with his siblings and dedication to work and family play out on the page adding heart-warming depth to his character. And Hannon's heroines are no shy wallflowers either, who wilt in the face of danger. Despite the heartbreak of a failed marriage and the horror of her sister’s murder, Liz is a fighter. Passionate about her work and dedicated to her faith, Liz’s determination and occupation add a unique and relevant element to the storyline. I loved the fact that Jake and Liz had a complicated history to work through. Despite the accelerated pace of their relationship, the mere fact that they have shared “baggage” to work through is a refreshing change from stories where couples who’ve just met fall in love. While the novel opens with a bang, the middle section setting up the final showdown lags a bit. But when the pace picks up I absolutely could not put this novel down. With a subtly woven faith element that felt completely organic to the storyline and characters, Jake and Liz’s journey to overcome past scars in the face of life-threatening danger results in a compelling, un-put-downable read. Hannon has once again delivered a tautly plotted thriller with a swoon-worthy hero, sizzling moments of romantic tension, and a realistic threat – all elements that have made her a star author of romantic suspense. I absolutely cannot wait for the thrill ride she’ll take readers on next!(less)

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Sep 14, 2012 Ganise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bestbooksread-in-2012, read-in-2012

Dangerously good. Impossible to put down...Words are failing me right now!

Oh my gosh. Now this is why I like reading Christian Fiction! It's been a long, long while since I've read a phenomenal, outstanding story and let me tell you that I was pretty desperate for one. There's no other way to put it, this was my first read by Hannon and it exceeded my expectations. WOW! And I don't even frequently read Romantic Suspense, here.
Excellent Cover! Excellent story that is amazingly told! Nail-biting...more

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Jan 23, 2011 Trinity Rose rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In Fatal Judgment Jake Taylor, a U.S. Marshal, has a new assignment, to protect federal judge Liz Michaels. She is the widow of his college best friend. When Liz's sister is murdered at Liz's house, the police think Liz may have been the one the killer was after. Jake hates the thought of having to protect Liz because of his friend's description of her cold heartlessness and putting her career higher than all else. Liz amazes Jake by being friendly and considerate, the total reverse of what he e...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Molly by: Revell

Shelves: book-review

Warning! This book is fatally hazardous to ones sleep! True to the description on the back of the book, the book keeps the reader turning the pages long, long, long into the night. Each turn of the page brings fast paced suspenseful crime blended with tender romance. It lasts through out the book (starting immediately from the first sentence!) until the very last page. Thus, the fatal hazard to the readers sleep. You will NOT be able to, or even want to, put it down. And, the good thing is, this...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Meagan Myhren-bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, christian-living, drama, family, friendship, kidnapping, mercy, murder, romance

Fatal Judgement
Guardians of Justice #1
by Irene Hannon

When Federal Judge Liz Michael's sister is murdered, she is placed in protective custody. Jake Taylor is less than thrilled to be put on Liz's protective detail. Liz was the wife of his late best friend Doug, the woman that his friend had described as cold and career-driven.

Liz is soon pouring over her past 5 years of cases looking for any possible motive for the attack. As Jake handles Liz's security, he begins to wonder if Doug's representa...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, read-jan-2011

I will admit I am a fan of Irene Hannon since I first read Against All Odds last year, but I have to say that Fatal Judgment just blew me away. Tight suspense, great romance and strong characters made this book shine and made it hard to put down. I'm not even sure I can do this book justice, it was really amazing.

First I'll start with the plot. Diving right into the action, the book starts with Liz's sister being shot in Liz's home. What looks like a domestic dispute gone wrong turns into someth...more

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Jan 27, 2011 Giovanni Gelati rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fatal Judgment is a new series starting for Irene Hannon and it is a winner. I thoroughly enjoyed her Heroes of Quantico series (please feel free to check our archives), and had the release date of this novel in my Google calendar. I have to keep things straight so I do that sort of thing, plan the work, and work the plan as my Dad always said. I am not sure if she was talking about this particular novel, but it applies in almost all circumstances. Feel free to use this to your advantage and spr...more Fatal Judgment is a new series starting for Irene Hannon and it is a winner. I thoroughly enjoyed her Heroes of Quantico series (please feel free to check our archives), and had the release date of this novel in my Google calendar. I have to keep things straight so I do that sort of thing, plan the work, and work the plan as my Dad always said. I am not sure if she was talking about this particular novel, but it applies in almost all circumstances. Feel free to use this to your advantage and spread the word. Now back to the action: new series, new characters, it is all good stuff. Check out what Irene Hannon has going on between the covers of Fatal Judgment:
“U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he'd rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward Liz haven't warmed in the five years since she lost her husband--and Jake's best friend--to possible suicide. How can Jake be expected to care for the coldhearted workaholic who drove his friend to despair?
As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, his feelings slowly start to change. When it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life--and his heart--are in mortal danger.
Full of the suspense and romance Irene Hannon's fans have come to love, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep readers turning the pages late into the night.”
I didn’t lose any sleep over the novel, but the pages keep turning at a pretty good clip. Jake Taylor is a keeper of a character and I am looking forward to the next installment in series. One of the things I truly appreciate and love about reading an Irene Hannon vehicle is her ability to keep a fine and delicate balance between the action, romance, and religion. They each have equal parts, they each have their place, they each add key elements to the storyline, and they each blend together and form one heck of a good read. Do yourself a favor and get in on the ground floor of this new series, don’t miss it and make a Fatal Judgment.
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Mar 16, 2013 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian, murder-mystery

'Fatal Judgement' is the first of Irene Hannon's Guardians of Justice series; a suspense - filled romantic thriller. When the story opens U.S. Marshall Jake Taylor and his team are assigned to protect a federal judge, Liz Michaels after her sister is killed. Jake's plagued by strong feelings towards the cold-hearted, workaholic woman but as the plot unfolds and the danger increases he begins a journey of discovery as his impression of her begins to change. Interwoven into the case the U.S. Marsh...more

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Jan 28, 2011 Valerie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, for-book-reviews

Fatal Judgment is my second book to read by Irene Hannon. She is a masterful storyteller, great at weaving romance, suspense and drama.

Jake Taylor is a US Marshall assigned to protect Federal Judge Liz Michaels after her sister is murdered when she was the intended target. Jake met Liz on two occasions prior to this assignment as she was married to his best friend who died, possibly by suicide. Jake feels no warmth toward Liz as he sees her as a cold, insensitive workaholic.

As he gets acquainte...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Trisha Turner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Trisha by: Revell Publishing

Read the Back:
U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he’d rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven’t warmed in the five years since she drove her husband – and Jake’s best friend – to despair…and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he’s forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes c...more Read the Back:
U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he’d rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven’t warmed in the five years since she drove her husband – and Jake’s best friend – to despair…and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he’s forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life – and his heart – are in danger.

Full of suspense and romance, Fatal Judgment is a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

My Thoughts:
This book took me a little while to get into. It’s the first time I’ve read a book with the premise of a U.S. Marshal so being a little unfamiliar with the background of a U.S. Marshal’s job could’ve played into that a bit. Initially the plot felt highly predictable, but as I got further into the story I became more directly involved in the story. The way the author describes the characters via another character’s eyes really helps the reader to feel the emotions that the describing character is feeling. I was quite surprised to find out about a character ½ way through that I thought I’d spend the whole book guessing about, but it really helped his character develop more and fit the story well.

When I finally hit the ½ way point of the book I found it harder and harder to put down. There was a lot more action and suspense and I was becoming so engrossed in the book that it was as though I was watching a movie. There were several times I had to remind myself to breathe because I had been holding my breath in anticipation of what was going to happen next.

I really loved the way the characters interacted with each other from the jeering and the way the author describes each character’s facial expression throughout. It really helped the vividness of the story. My suggestion to anyone wanting to read this book is to pick it up for sure, but be sure to give it time to work its magic. Stick with it and you WON’T be disappointed!

This review was made possible because I was provided a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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May 20, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Federal judge Liz Michaels sister is shot, in Liz Michaels living room, and in critical condition. U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor is assigned to protect Liz, who was the wife of his dead best friend. Now the question is - who did the shooter want dead - Liz or her sister? As the danger rises, can Jake keep Liz safe while trying to catch the shooter or will the unthinkable happen?

After having read 'Fatal Judgment' I realized that I should have read the 'Heroes of Quantico' Series first, because Mark Sa...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Gail Welborn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Fatal Judgment, (Guardians of Justice, Book 1),by Irene Hannon, Revell, January 2011, 330 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-0800734565, $14.99

Judge Liz Michaels, newly appointed to the Federal bench, massaged her temples with trembling fingers. She waited outside the emergency room for news of her sister. It has to be Stephanie's husband, she thought.

Her sister had left him when Stephanie found she was pregnant for fear he might hurt their unborn baby in an angry rage. She had learned his promises were empty...more

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9996376-fatal-judgment?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1302128133l/9996376.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9996376-fatal-judgment?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon[/url]

Fatal Judgment (Guardians of Justice #1)

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