Breach of Honor: A Suspenseful Police Drama Where Corruption and Courage Collide

by Janice Cantore

As a police officer in Table Rock, Oregon, Leah Radcliff puts her life on the line to help others every day. But at home, Leah’s battling her own personal nightmare: Brad, her abusive husband, a fellow officer, celebrated hero, and beloved son of a powerful prominent family. Brad’s violent outbursts and suspicious activities have left Leah physically and emotionally scarred, until one desperate action to put a stop to his abuse results in deadly consequences.

Though public opinion seems ready to convict Leah, Officer Clint Tanner is one of the few to believe she acted in self-defense. As he works with Leah’s attorney to produce the evidence they need, new truths about Brad’s dark side come to light—and reveal a deep-rooted problem in Table Rock. There are some who have breached their sworn duty to serve and protect . . . and they’ll do anything to keep their secret safe.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Suspense, Fiction, Christian, Thriller, Audiobook, Romance

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2021

About the author

A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her first series of novels is the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards in books Accused, Abducted and Avenged. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes Critical Pursuit and Visible Threat. Another three book series is the Line of Duty series, featuring Crisis Shot, Lethal Target and Cold Aim. Additionally she has also penned five stand alone novels, Breach of Honor, Code of Courage, One Final Target, Every Deadly Suspicion and Edge of Truth.
www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.

Reviews

[Kristina Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: Leah and Clint were both realistic characters, and I enjoyed reading about them.

Language: Clean.

Moral: The main moral in this book was the importance of prayer.

Plot: Action, a little romance, powerful villains, and intriguing discoveries kept the plot moving. Because of Janice's experience as a police officer, I found the look into the Oregon jail system and the police activities highly realistic.

Random comments: For readers sensitive to topics relating to abusive husbands ... Leah's husband abuses her, and she ends up having to shoot him. This doesn't go into extreme detail though.

Romance: Clean. Clint and Leah's romance never overpowered the main plot, but it added depth to the story.

Writing: I wished at some points the characters' emotions would've been shown rather than spelled out, but for the most part, the writing flowed well, and I could "see" what was happening.

Overall: Breach of Honor was an exciting read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and suspense novels.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breach of Honor was my first Janice Cantore novel. The main character, Leah, ends up killing her husband in self defense. Once Leah is convicted of murder, readers get to deep dive into her journey through the legal system and the quest to prove her innocence. I found the main characters in this book very authentic and each developed well. I appreciated the faith elements that were incorporated, as they were both relevant and true. I would also say that there was a well developed plot in this book. The climax was very well done, and does not disappoint. I will confess, however, that much of the plot prior to this was a bit slow for my taste. I think the cover and description give the reader the impression that the book will be fast paced. While the story line is a good one, this book is far more about character development and less so about suspense. Overall, a well done book that readers who love character development will enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[DiAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced. Unpredictable. Highly recommended read.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

'She hadn't prayed in years, and she found herself wondering if God would listen to anything she did pray.'

I was all in from the first page of this book. When Officer Leah Radcliff answers a domestic violence call, Leah herself is drawn into the drama more than anyone else would be, because she herself lives with an abusive husband. A husband who is a fellow police officer. But her husband also has a wealthy family, is a hero and well loved. But no one knows the side of him that only Leah sees. Then one dark night Leah's life takes a most dramatic and horrific turn. And it only gets worse.

'The minutes ticked away in a blur of agony, regret, fear, grief, all whipped together as if in a Ninja blender. They hit Leah in changing and shifting degrees, like the colors of a kaleidoscope.'

I have read a few of Janice Cantore's books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Suspense is my favorite genre and criminal justice has long fascinated me. Cantore's twenty two years as a police officer have proven to be of great worth to her writing career. And this is incredibly well written. Cantore gives us loads of knowledge of police procedure and it totally intrigued this reader. I was captivated through the entire book. Not only was I well entertained with great writing, a well formed plot and really good characters, I also learned a lot about how the police department works. I loved it! Nearing the ending, I found myself gasping many times because no matter how hard I tried to figure out what was going down, failed. Cantore totally surprised me.

'Prayer was a powerful weapon and should be the first one drawn in any fight.'

I loved how the author correlated prayer as the greatest weapon in this battle on the pages of the book. She is right. Prayer is a powerful weapon God gives us. This book builds in intensity all the way through the story and careens into an adrenaline-laced, nail biting, and thrilling conclusion. This will go on my top reads of 2021 for sure and occupy a prized place on my shelves. Well done!

My thanks to Tyndale House and the author for a copy of this book. I was not expected to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed here are expressly my own.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

"God works in ways none of us understands. If we completely understood everything that goes on in the world, then we would be God, or at least make ourselves gods. Have faith that God knows the big picture and it will all work out the way he intends it to. The right thing to ask is 'Show me how you're working and what my job is in all of this.'"

Best take away from a fiction book in a long time! I really love how the author showcases the real, flawed struggle Leah has with holding onto to faith. And, since this story spans a few years, I was really able to see God's hand in her life, and in Clint's. How He turned even the worst circumstances to good. So inspiring and a reminder that God always has a plan even when I can't see it.

This novel is divided into three parts and because of the longer timespan, provides the opportunity to really develop characters and grow the suspense. And yet the story never lags, I was on the edge of my seat the whole read through. The author was a police officer for twenty-two years and it shows in the way she develops the procedural aspects of police work. It's complicated and edgy and oh-so-emotional! I want to say so much, but won't because of spoilers, but Cantore surprised me again and again with where she took these characters. Stellar stuff.

"To prayer, the first weapon in every battle."

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly intense romantic suspense story. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the storyline.

When Leah kills her husband in self defense she finds herself wrongly accused of murder and sent to prison for 25 years. What follows is a fight for her life and also to fight for her soul and to find out that she needs to rely on the Lord to help her through the tough times.

This was a great story on faith and survival. Janice Cantore is faster becoming another author that I would love to read everything that they write.

(Trigger warning for domestic abuse)

*thank you to #netgalley for a previous copy of this book to read and honestly review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore gives readers insight into the inner workings of small-town police. Leah Radcliffe and her husband work for the department, but Brad has a bad temper and Leah hides his abuse from others. Leah is caught up in clearing her name after a self-defense shooting, with most of the town turning against her.

This story isn’t as action-packed as some of Cantore’s other novels. Lots of suspense in trying to figure out who the good guys are vs the bad guys. But a lot of the story deals with Leah’s transformation. When everyone is against her and she’s in the darkest of circumstances, she realizes who she can trust and turns to God. The message is heavy on the spiritual aspects and internal struggles of Leah to find hope in the midst of some terrifying circumstances. There’s a budding romance with fellow officer Clint, one of the few people that believes Leah’s innocence.

Definitely a good story, though the topic is a heavy one with the subject of domestic abuse. Janice Cantore’s novels are always so realistic as she puts much of her police experience into the pages. This is definitely an intense read, but one with a message of hope weaved throughout.

Overall Rating:
4 stars (I liked it a lot and would definitely recommend)

Suspense Rating:
4 stars (lots of action and suspense to keep me intrigued)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a read that kept on giving, expect the unexpected, and even when you think you know the answers be ready for a surprise!

I loved the faith of some of these characters, and they don't give up on those they care about and love. Sometimes it takes extreme measures to open their eyes.

This story has a lot of different subjects, from abuse to greed, from murder to drugs, and you keep rooting for the good guys to win.

While this is a page turner, the story does go deep, from trials to prison, from injustice to justice, and we put faces to these characters,and in the end, I really wanted to continue in the lives of those I now cared about!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Tyndale House, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good suspense novel by a new to me author.

As a police officer, Leah is involved with a number of domestic violence situations. Unfortunately, she denies that her own husband is abusive.

In addition to the topic of domestic abuse, this novel also gives insight into the life of a prisoner and police corruption.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
"I need to remember what it felt like to walk with God and not away from him."

Everything . . . . absolutely everything changed following one desperate decision. It was one that Leah Radcliff had to make, but that didn't make the consequences any easier to swallow. She had avoided, and even hidden the truth about her abusive husband, a fellow police officer whom most citizens in Table Rock, Oregon considered a hero. After stumbling onto something else that was apparently going on in Brad's life, she decided to confront him. Now she wonders if she can ever move forward, much less find the answers that her community deserves. One man has stood in her corner, alongside her father, from the very beginning . . . Clint Tanner. . . . . . everyone else? Backs were turned and lies were so effortlessly told; life as Leah once knew it had disappeared.

Honestly, this story built its way slowly, albeit confidently and methodically. Divided into three portions, the plot climaxes in all the right places, however it's the ending that readers will hold most dear. Rather than being the kind of high adrenaline producing romantic suspense that fans might expect (although those elements do appear rather forcibly in places), this narrative reads surprisingly like a legal treatise in some places and a devotional in others. Actually, one might describe this book as a primer on the power of prayer, with the sweetest of second chances woven into the fabric of justice for all.

"Life isn't easy, not for anyone. The difference is how people respond to the difficulties. You have prayer to fall back on now, and prayer works. Use it."

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore starts with a domestic abuse case and then moves into the heroine’s perspective. Leah Radcliff starts to show the abuse she receives at the hand of her husband. In a last minute effort to stop the abuse, Leah makes a decision that derails her entire future. But it was in a good way. My favorite part of this whole story was watching God’s hand on Leah’s life. To her, it appeared to be a dark place, but she finally learned, with the help of others that God has always been there and guided every choice to bring her to him. I loved this aspect. If only everyone, myself included, could believe this. As for Clint Tanner, the hero, he is a believer, a cop, and the number one cheerleader for Leah. What a great man of God! He would definitely be someone women should hope would fall in love with them. A leader who keeps both people focused on God. As for the suspense, it was not the typical suspense novel. There was an inciting incident that jump starts the novel. As the story progresses, there is threats on Leah’s life, but not as drastic as a character who is running for her life. In the end, there is a climactic moment and a show down, so it ends like one too. Overall, Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore was a good look at God’s hand on the each person’s life. I enjoyed reading this novel and cannot wait to see what else Cantore comes up with.

I received a complimentary copy of Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

[Lindsay Lemus]

3.5 stars

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forced to act in self defense, cop Leah Radcliff finds herself fighting for a fair trial in a town strongly influenced by her abusive husband's prominent family connections.

A heart pounding and compelling read that had me hanging on tight. I loved how Clint is willing to ask questions and stand with Leah, I thought it was cool that he was friends with her dad, and admired his courage and faith. Leah finds her challenged many times over the course of the story, as she fights for justice against the "Good Ole Boy's Club" of crooked cops and influential people that are determined to silence her.

A gripping story that had me emotionally invested and my sense of justice outraged for Leah. I liked that she grows while in prison, and taking time to think about her life and beliefs.

Overall, this book has it all a killer plot, fantastic characters, faith, suspense, and touches of a growing romance. I could not turn the pages fast enough! Highly recommend this thrilling and compelling novel.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough storyline that I finished to find out what happened, but wowwww the religious (Christian) undertones were HEAVY. I am Christian, so I wasn’t offended or anything, but I also wouldn’t have chosen this book had I known that. It was like every other sentence.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Breach of Honor" is a Christian detective suspense novel. The story covered several years, allowing the slow but steady changes that happened to Leah and the town. The suspense came from the physical danger to anyone standing in the way of a secret group of corrupt police officers and powerful citizens. They seemed to constantly thwart the good guys who were trying to expose their evil deeds and bring about justice. However, the major themes of this story are how God is at work bringing about justice and how prayer is a powerful weapon in the war against evil.

The main characters were engaging, honorable, determined, and reacted realistically to events. That's part of the reason why the story took so long as Leah needed time to heal from the abuse, deepen her relationship with God, and gain the confidence to stand against the evil even when discouraged. Clint learned the power of prayer from his missionary parents, but he was often tempted to try to control and solve the situation all on his own. Clint supported Leah, fully believing her innocence based on the evidence and willing to take risks to see justice brought about for her and others. The details about police work and prison immersed me in the story but didn't slow the pacing.

There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this exciting novel.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book dealt with some tough topics, one of which is domestic violence and the sad truth it can show up anywhere.

Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the realism. Not just on the topic of domestic abuse but the legal system. The author didn't sugarcoat the situation the Leah faced nor did she tie it up in a neat little bow.

Like all the books I've read by this author, we had a strong male lead who demonstrated not only integrity but his struggles with his faith and where was God in all of this. Heartwarmingly honest.

I can't say enough about Leah's character and her journey throughout this story. Again, a level of realism that I appreciate in a story.

The action was really good, the story strong. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. But don't get me wrong, at times it was a difficult read because the author dealt with a difficult topic.

Disclaimer: I did receive the book from the publisher via netgalley.com however I was under no obligation to write a review and all opinions expressed here are my own.

[Jamie (The Kansan Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: Domestic Violence on page, death off page, victim blaming,

This book was interesting. I can’t say I was a big fan of it. I did like the faith element. I loved the focus on prayer and how it should be the first thing we do as Christians.

The book is dual POV. Leah and Clint are LEOs for the Table Rock police department. Leah at the beginning is married to Brad who is the town hero. He is a golden boy to one of the top families in Table Rock. But at home, Brad is abusive. An altercation goes down between Leah and Brad that makes the town want Leah in prison to rot. But Clint doesn’t think Leah was out of line. He thinks she acted in self defense and starts looking into Brad.

I will say, I wish there was more of the court room shown. I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending. To be honest, when I went into this book, I thought it would have more court room drama but that didn’t turn out to plan. I am writing this review two days after finishing the book, nothing is standing out. I don’t remember much. I actually had to go back and review my vlog content to see what I was saying.

At times, I could not tell you when this was set. The time period is never specified but the writing gave me 1990s or early 2000s feel. But then the author would mention a piece of police technology that probably didn’t really happen until around 2010s. I’m just not sure what time this is actually set.

Got another book knocked off the TBR and a book for my 50 states challenge.

[Tristany Corgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Janice Cantore book, and I enjoyed it! The one downside was the length of the book. It’s longer than most romantic suspense novels I’ve read, which led to the plot being a little slow. The story happens over a four or five year time span, plus some spots feel repetitive. This also means that the romance was very slow burn. I felt like things could have been cut to make the plot quicker and book shorter. But overall, I did enjoy the story, the characters, and the suspense, and I loved the focus on faith and prayer.

[Dana Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book and I really enjoyed it. The narrator did a great job. I felt the story was very well written and the romance was a sweet slow burn. This is a new to me author and I will be reading more from this author.

[Eilish Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish, I didn’t love the writing style - felt very American in the way that everything is really spelled out to you and not left to nuance. Wasn’t expecting the Christian theme which wasn’t bad but combined with the writing style I just couldn’t get through it

[Brooke Derrington | A Brooke And Her Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing new take on my go-to genre! I’ve enjoyed Janice Cantore’s books in the past, but she’s gone to a whole new level with this one! It’s really, REALLY good!

Be warned though, it’s definitely not an easy read. Leah is a cop whose husband (who is also a cop) is abusive… and one day she is pushed to take drastic action… and let’s just say it doesn’t turn out well for her…

If you’ve ever wondered how or why someone can be a victim of domestic abuse and never say a word about it to anyone… Leah is a perfect case study… and the results are devastating!

Clint was also a fantastic character. His unflinching support when so many don’t believe Leah is heartwarming and I love the fact that they had history together. He wasn’t just someone new she met amidst the horrible circumstances.

Well worth the read! And I will be rereading it in the future! Highly recommend, but be aware, if domestic violence is a sensitive topic for you, this book doesn’t flinch away in its depiction, so you may wish to be cautious… I think it would still be worth reading though…

Thank you @tyndalehouse and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return.

[LadyS · Rating 3 out of 5]

This overrated story is not worth more than 3 stars.
The story survives on suspense despite the mediocre writing and band of scattered characters. (Especially at the end, where the scenes were a mess).

The story explores the heavy topic of domestic violence.

In short, Leah's husband got what he deserved.
Leah made excuses for her abusive husband and put herself in tough situations.
Victims of domestic violence also make poor choices and ignore the resources they have to rescue them. I'm glad the author did not sanitize this truth by exposing the faulty logic of Leah.

The romance was meh. It's nice that Leah got her happy ending. Clint (the love interest) was borderline covetous of his neighbors wife. He nurtured a crush on Leah while she was married. It seemed so convenient that he was waiting in the wings after Leah's husband got what he deserved.

[Linda Morrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really did not enjoy this book. Way too many characters & at different times referred to same person by first name then another mention used last name. Also felt like too many plots going on at the same time. Storyline used same type of crisis over & over again. Too busy & too much work to be entertaining.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and compelling read. I really enjoyed the mystery and the characters. The end was satisfying and perfect for the storyline. A quick and easy read. Will be looking into more of Janice's books soon!

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars
I went back and forth between four and five stars for this novel for a long while, thus I decided to settle on a happy medium: 4.5 stars. Officer Leah Radcliff confronts her husband, Brad, after she witnesses his involvement in what she thinks is a payoff. Brad’s threat to kill her—following years of abuse—forces her to shoot him. He’s a town hero, someone who can do no wrong in others’ eyes. With that single bullet, Leah’s life plummets into a tailspin at maximum velocity. She loses hope, but a fellow officer—Clint Tanner—believes in her innocence. He will stop at nothing to see her name cleared of all charges. Partnering with her lawyer, his investigations reveal there is much more happening than he ever realized.

Clint Tanner doesn’t change much throughout Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore, but Leah definitely does. She goes from a broken soul, bitter toward God, to a woman of prayer that finds her peace in the Father’s arms. That was inspiring. To see her open her heart to Cliff, as well, little by little, made me smile. Not because of the romance itself, necessarily, but Leah finding healing and learning how to forgive herself. I loved everything about her character. Cliff, on the other hand, seemed almost too good to be true. No one in this life is perfect, but I can’t think of a single negative trait for Cliff.

What I appreciate most about Breach of Honor is its accuracy. Janice Cantore portrays the daily operations of a police department with a mastery of someone who has real-life experience. I rarely read author bios. That being said, it was only after completing the book that I learned of Cantore’s career as a police officer. She knows her subject matter backward and forward, and that’s beyond evident in the novel. She pulls readers into her world. When she introduces terms, Cantore does so in a manner not demeaning or patronizing for her readers. Instead, she provides context clues. “TRO,” for example—a temporary restraining order. A judge grants the order, then the characters discuss the acronym.

I also loved how Breach of Honor built a foundation of faith. Most romantic suspense novels—even Christian ones—don’t often incorporate God beyond the occasional prayer. With Cantore’s novel, God is a silent character. Never speaking, but He offers peace, calmness, and direction in the midst of a storm. Cantore also scatters Bible verses throughout her writing. Some, I knew by heart. Others, when she just provided references, I felt compelled to look them up. A novel pushed me into God’s Word…how cool is that?

My only other negative comment (outside of the too perfect hero): At 448 pages, Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore felt a little too long. There were times the book just seemed to drag. Cantore reminded me of Dee Henderson, who while I love her, can sometimes get…distracted by the small points in the story. I wanted Breach of Honor to move along. Picture a Stormtrooper in Star Wars, dismissively waving a hand. I wanted to fast forward, yet Cantore traveled forward at a snail’s pace. And no amount of tugging on a leash was going to make the plot move faster.

Don’t let this deter you from reading Breach of Honor. It is a brilliant and suspense-filled novel that will cause cartoon question marks (and exclamation points!) to appear over your head. I didn’t identify any suspicious characters till close to the end of the novel. Even then, I only figured them out before their “great reveal” because Cantore made it pretty obvious they were shady individuals. If you like crime shows without any outlandish soap opera drama, I highly recommend picking up Breach of Honor. It reads more like true crime than fiction. You won’t regret reading it!

*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All views expressed are my own.

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic police procedural that had me hooked from page one with fantastic character connections and an adrenaline laced story!

Oregon Police officer Leah Radcliff spends every day trying to help others when she is the one that really needs help from Brad, her abusive husband. Even though she has helped countless victims of abuse, she has a hard time believing she is a victim. Brad is a fellow officer and a decorated hero; his family is a staple in town and wields a lot of influence causing Leah to keep her abuse to herself. One night though things go too far and ends up with deadly consequences. Leah has all public opinion against her and is convicted of murdering her husband. Officer Clint Tanner is one of the only ones who believes she acted in self-defense. He works with Leah’s attorney to bring to light the darker side of Brad and others in the department to save Leah.

It has been a long time since I have had a new Janice Cantore novel and I had forgotten how much I enjoy her writing. These books are so well crafted with authentic storylines and characters that are so easy to follow and connect with. Cantore’s time as an officer brings her writing to a higher level than most other authors I have read. I connected with Leah right away, something about the way she was written resonated with me, she had so many struggles, yet she refused to give up. She is a strong female protagonist with a great story. Many of the secondary characters were great too; Nora had a real impact on moving the story along, and Vicki, only in there for a little bit still brought great tension at just the right moments.

The romance aspect of the book played out perfectly for me. Sometimes in a romantic suspense novel, the romance can overshadow the suspense and take me out of the story; here though, there was so much tension I couldn’t do anything else but keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen. A lot happens throughout this book but all of it provides substance to the story and left me wanting more. I don’t know if there will be more coming from these characters, but if there is, you can bet I will be checking it out. I recommend this book to lovers of police procedurals and romantic suspense; you won’t be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Sara Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** “God works in ways none of us understands. If we completely understood everything that goes on in the world, then we would be God, or at least we’d make ourselves gods. Have faith that God knows the big picture and it will all work out the way he intends it to. The right thing to ask is ‘Show me how you’re working and what my job is in all of this.’ ” **

Janice Cantore delivers another incredible suspense thriller with “Breach of Honor,” a story highlighting domestic violence, what happens when powerful people go bad, and the power of prayer.

When Police Officer Leah Radcliff finds herself in a deadly situation after being a victim of domestic violence, her life quickly swirls out of control as she faces devastating battle after devastating battle.

With very few people supporting her, including most of the police force, she finds comfort and support when fellow cop Clint Tanner fights to find the truth behind her story. And while they fight to solve the corruption in their community and right the wrongs committed against Leah, might they just find love too?

“Breach of Honor” is a fast-paced thriller written with the expertise of a former police officer. Cantore does a great job of weaving together an intense plot while creating some wonderfully likable characters as well as some truly evil ones. She also fills the book with several great themes, like we cannot move forward if we’re always looking back; the impact of blame and self-pity; the power of hope; how to respond to life’s difficulties; and how to overcome the belief that God is vindictive, allowing evil to prosper while punishing the innocent.

Prayer is a huge theme running throughout the novel — prayer is a powerful weapon and should be the first one drawn; and God hears our prayers. (“I know now that God listens, he hears every prayer, and nothing is wasted.”)

Fans of authors like Lynette Eason, Terri Blackstock and Irene Hannon will love this standalone novel.

Five stars out of five.

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Shreya Vijay · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thanks to Tyndall House Publishers and Net Gallery for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review."

I've been reading many romance novels these past couple of days, so I decided to take a step back from them and read something fresh. So, I picked up Breach of Honor. Trust me, guys; best decision ever!

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore is a Christian Detective novel. Leah is a Detective convicted of the cold-blooded murder of her husband, whom she killed in self-defence. However, her husband was an abuser, and Leah was a victim of domestic violence. Once when things go too far, she throws in the towel and pulls the trigger. But, the story doesn't end here.

When her husband was alive, he was into some pretty shady stuff. Now, it's up to Leah and her loved ones to garner enough information to acquire justice.

I was all in from the very first page of this book. The writing was hauntingly beautiful, and the aspect of Christianity was well depicted. The storyline was intricately woven, and the climax left no threads loose. The story was fast-paced and is bound to keep the reader bouncing at the edge of their seats.

One of the best parts of Janice's novel is the realism. She doesn't sugarcoat things nor shies away from the less-than-appealing details of domestic violence or the police system. The language she employs is vivid and fluid. I could feel my heart pounding in anticipation at certain places. Reading this was akin to watching a movie.

All the characters were really fleshed out well. I empathized with Leah since the beginning, and I adored the integrity of Clint. Leah's father was a man of faith and a headstrong one at that. All the characters added to the excellence of the novel. Never once did the I feel it losing its vice grip on me.

The emotions kicked me in the feels and moved me so much. I would definitely be recommending this book to everyone who likes articulately penned Detective novels, with an engaging storyline and beautiful lessons for the masses.

[Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. I can’t change anything that has already happened.
2. Blame is irrelevant. It will change nothing.
3. I have to move forward and make better choices.
4. I need to remember what it felt like to walk with God, not away from Him.
(Chapter 22)


The Table Rock, OR, police department has a problem - only no one knows it. It occasionally raised its ugly head throughout the years, but it became more obvious when Leah Radcliff, a member of the Table Rock PD, shot and killed her husband, another Table Rock Police Officer. The jury found her guilty and the judge sentenced her to 25 years to life. That was the published version of the story.

But that version of the story did not include the clandestine meetings her husband had late at night, it did not tell the years of violence that had defined much of Leah’s marriage, and it did not include the vicious attack that occurred the night she shot him. It would take five years, a new lawyer, a new trial, and the cooperation of the Table Rock PD, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Oregon State Police, and the FBI, to follow all the leads and bring the truth into the spotlight.

The result is one of the best faith-based thrillers that this reviewer has read. Though much of the story focuses on the corruption present in the Table Rock PD, it also exposes the pain and grief associated with domestic violence. I appreciate the fact that the author has chosen to include the phone number and website for the National Domestic Violence Hotline at the beginning of the book. Much Christian fiction deals with difficult topics, but then offers no sources of help for those in need. A major plus for this book. I give the book five stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book randomly from a second-hand seller because the premise sounded good and it's highly rated on GoodReads. Little did I know that it was a Christian-based book series by this author, who's a former police officer.

First, the pros:
1) I liked the story line. The premise was intriguing. If you like stories about police, inside prison, and the corruption of small town government, then you'd love this book.
2) There was a TON of character development so you felt pretty connected to the main characters and even some of the supporting characters.
3) It was fast-paced. Even though it wasn't all that exciting, the pace kept you reading along.

Now, the cons:
1) When I say it was Christian-based, I mean it was VERY heavily laden with themes of God, the Bible, and prayer. I'm a Christian and even found it to be too much. It took away from the story and felt very much like an agenda. I found myself skimming over some of those parts because it was getting on my nerves.
2) The writing wasn't great. Especially the dialogue was incredibly awkward. I found myself cringing many times reading the dialogue between characters and thinking to myself, "No one actually speaks like this."
3) The book was about 100 pages too long. There was so much that could have been eliminated from the book. It just seemed to go on forever. While, ironically, there were other times that it sped through completely relevant aspects of the story. There was literally two paragraphs about a murder trial and sentencing!
4) For there being so much emphasis on domestic violence awareness throughout the book, there was next to no illustration of domestic violence in the book itself. The reader was left to imagine it.

In total, I'd give this book 2.5 ⭐'s but have rounded up to a 3-star review here.