Karen BallCritiques

Search and Rescue

54557

55386

My morning walks always lend themselves to a riveting suspense audiobook. I often choose books I have missed or authors I haven’t read yet. A few weeks back I listened to Shattered Justice by seasoned, but new-to-me, author Karen Ball. While this book was published some years back, it still was a fresh and relevant read, due mostly to the questions that it generated about how Christians live their faith, especially in times of hard testing. Main character Dan Justice can be likened to a modern day Job — he suffers loss after loss and begins to question the goodness of God. Ball made him so very real! I liked his very realistic and relatable struggling — glad he is only fictional! The novel is suspense all the way and helped to pass the miles away. I also liked the reader very much. One of the best parts of this book? More to come from other characters introduced in this novel! Two more books in the Family Honor series are available.

A great choice for fans of suspense and for book club discussions, Shattered Justice is a recommended read.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased this book from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

The third and final book in this series, which I enjoyed very much. You could read this as a stand alone story, but it does include characters from the first two stories, which you really want to get to know by reading them in the order written.

This story is about Kyla Justice, the oldest sister in the Justice family, who heads up a successful construction company in the Pacific Northwest. Although her business is a success, she still feels there is something missing in her life. She is asked to build a center for inner-city kids and begins to realize this is what she was missing; doing something with a purpose that will help others. But there are a lot of obstacles to getting this job finished; supply problems, gang opposition and her boyfriend's desire for her to sell her business and marry him. Then there is the problem of Rafael Murphy.

Rafe Murphy was wounded in action working for the Force Recon Marine unit. He is now running a coffee shop in Kyla's territory. Together they have enough determination to make this building project work. But there is danger involved in this and violence coming from sources they are not even aware of. Can they both surrender to God and let Him have complete control? This story, as in the other two in this series, will capture your interest and make you feel like you are there. The author writes a very believable story with suspense, intrigue, romance and a little humor and all of this while the main characters seek answers when dealing with God's truth.½

This story has it all; intrigue, suspense, romance and search and rescue with one of the main characters a dog named Kodi, who could definitely come and live with me. Karen Ball does a great job of helping you understand her characters, flaws and all, and digs deep into their thoughts and makes them seem very real and believable people. She has done her research well.

This story is about Annie Justice, sister to Dan (who was the main character in book one, 'Shattered Justice') and Kyla (who will be featured in book 3, 'What Lies Within'). These stories can stand alone, but they also flow right into the next story and I encourage you to read them in order; you won't be disappointed.

Annie does two things very well. Stained glass art and working with search and rescue with her dog, Kodi. What she doesn't do well is mingling in crowds and feeling like she fits in anywhere. Jed Curry is a producer of a hit TV show, 'Everyday Heroes' and wants to feature Annie on his show. She isn't interested, so Jed sets out to get to know her without her knowing who he really is, thinking once she gets to know him, she will let him film her. Bad move on Jed's part. Deceiving someone can never build trust in the end. Also, someone seems to be out to do Annie and her dog harm and finding out who before it turns deadly gives the story some real suspense. It was a very intriguing story and kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning to finish.½

The cover of this book does such a good job of showing what this story was all about. This was a story that showed, as the author stated in her letter at the back of the book, "No matter what we face, no matter how deep the suffering: God is in control. He is with us, He sees all we face, and He will not let us go. Not now. Not ever."

Sanctuary, Oregon is the town where deputy Dan Justice moved to with his two kids (who were so precious and full of love), after his wife tragically died. A town where folks know their neighbors and care about them. But as in all towns, there is always the bad seed. Shelby Wilson loves her town of Sanctuary and works with troubled teens. She seeks Dan's help in reaching out to one, Jayce Dalton.

All I can say from here on out, is be prepared to have your heart broken, as Dan's will be. Be prepared for evil to think it has triumphed, but God can and will heal the broken heart and the 'shattered justice' will in the end be resolved. This is not just another romance novel, although there is romance in this story. It is so much more than that and I appreciated how well this author handled "the whole bad things happening to good people". Looking forward to getting to know Dan's sister Annie in this next story in this series, "Kaleidoscope Eyes".

This book is about two girls, Emma and Kate. They're best friends, Kate's the kind of girl everyone likes and there's Emma. she suffer the curse of being norma, whereas Kate is blessed with having Something Special. Emma and Kate volunteer for the school play and Emma is starring as the third donkey and Kate is the princess and then something went wrong.

p6 and up Girls
main character is a girl
this is the story of a shy girl getting over her fear of appearing in public. it is funny and thoughtfull. if anything my critasism is that it is a lead into chick lit, much of it is based on how she felt rather than what happened

This book was a really fabulous read! So much better than the first one, the first one was good, but just too much traumatic events for one book or one life for that matter for my taste. Annie, the main character is different, and through her life of loves and challenges a reader is really able to go on a great adventure. This book is about really love that makes you giggle and feel giddy. It is also about the important and serious jobs in the world that make a difference in other peoples lives. On top of that is is about the crazy people out there, who's actions just do not make sense in any mind. This book had me smiling, laughing out loud, and screaming at the characters to do or realize what I wanted them to. [author: Karen Ball] did really well with this one, every time I thought it was one way, something else jumped in to show me a different direction. It is quite the mystery that you really do not know until the end. Very glad I read this one.

If you're in the mood to read something that will pull you through the absolute worse grief by introducing you to multiple characters and then brutally killing them off one by one, then by all means read this book immediately. Once again, I have to say that the reason that I read Christian fiction is for the uplifting joy of realizing again and again that God is there. I guess I'm weak and need an escape and that is what I need fiction for, but I can not handle books like this. Shattered Justice is real life in a fictious story. Real things like this happen, life like this happens. This story does have some terrible turn of events and God does get to show his love and it does end on a wonderfully happy note. It's just not my cup of tea and make-believe. But with that said, I will be reading the other two books in the series to find out what else can happen in the lives of the Justice siblings. All of that said about the context of the book, let me tell you that Karen Ball is a great author. Her writing makes you feel the realistic-ness of the story, and truly feel a part of it. She can rip your heart out and make you cry, but also giggle and laugh with the biggest grin. Even if it is not your favorite cup of tea, give her a chance, every once in a while you need some reality and see it take grief into healing.

This book was a really fabulous read! So much better than the first one, the first one was good, but just too much traumatic events for one book or one life for that matter for my taste. Annie, the main character is different, and through her life of loves and challenges a reader is really able to go on a great adventure. This book is about really love that makes you giggle and feel giddy. It is also about the important and serious jobs in the world that make a difference in other peoples lives. On top of that is is about the crazy people out there, who's actions just do not make sense in any mind. This book had me smiling, laughing out loud, and screaming at the characters to do or realize what I wanted them to. [author: Karen Ball] did really well with this one, every time I thought it was one way, something else jumped in to show me a different direction. It is quite the mystery that you really do not know until the end. Very glad I read this one.

If you're in the mood to read something that will pull you through the absolute worse grief by introducing you to multiple characters and then brutally killing them off one by one, then by all means read this book immediately. Once again, I have to say that the reason that I read Christian fiction is for the uplifting joy of realizing again and again that God is there. I guess I'm weak and need an escape and that is what I need fiction for, but I can not handle books like this. Shattered Justice is real life in a fictious story. Real things like this happen, life like this happens. This story does have some terrible turn of events and God does get to show his love and it does end on a wonderfully happy note. It's just not my cup of tea and make-believe. But with that said, I will be reading the other two books in the series to find out what else can happen in the lives of the Justice siblings. All of that said about the context of the book, let me tell you that Karen Ball is a great author. Her writing makes you feel the realistic-ness of the story, and truly feel a part of it. She can rip your heart out and make you cry, but also giggle and laugh with the biggest grin. Even if it is not your favorite cup of tea, give her a chance, every once in a while you need some reality and see it take grief into healing.

I've always loved that name Rafe. ;-) Coming into this, I have to confess that I have not yet read the first two (this What Lies Within is book 3). I have, however, added Shattered Justice (book 1) and Kaleidoscope Eyes (book 2) to my reading list.At first, I have to admit that I was not very taken with this book. Although, every chapter starts with two quotes that are absolutely fabulous! But it is one of those books that just jumps right in and I don't know if the prequels would have helped out with that or not. The other thing is that the storyline jumps from one characters life to another and in ways that you have no idea who is connected to who or how and why and really as to what is going on.Ok, as of 2:22pm EST Thursday, I love this book! I have. But, I'm not finished yet... After getting over the humps in the beginning, which I kinda feel were necessary now to get to know the characters and their individual lives without pairing them in one lump sum, things are getting clearer and more fascinating and enticing with each turn of the page and start of a new chapter. Kyla and the kitten.. enough said.. but TOO CUTE! Rafa and his conversations with Livita... so real and amusing! The the elders of the church, old, in-love with the Lord, and full of personality. Even the members of the 22's... real, not always the tough guys like people imagine, they have hurts, and mama's too.Finding out what this book is about, I probably wouldn't have read it if I knew that it was about... a girl lost trying to find her way, a retired due to injury tough-guy Marine, an inner-city gang and their comings and goings, a couple of elders of a Church trying to make a dream that seems hopeless happen, and a greedy man trying to destroy everyone's life and dreams. But... I cannot tell you how blessed I am to have the opportunity to read this book! It is outside of my comfort zone, but it is so rewarding and true to life. I could almost say it is like watching one of those current day TV shows, with the gang activity and drama of peoples lives, but it so much better because it has the realistic aspects of the Christian life that you almost never see on TV. If this were made into a TV drama, I'd watch it in a heart beat.With that said, I'm not completely finished with the book myself, but my mind has been made up. This boy is a treasure to my reading experience and I strongly suggest it for anyone, especially those, who do not think it would fit for their common genre.

This book is such a powerful piece of writing. I know for me it hit home. I went through many years of a difficult marriage and have seen God do some amazing things so when I read this it was very meaningful. It would make a wonderful gift for struggling couples or even those newly married. The message is timely for all of us. Karen has done an excellent job in bringing the reality of us as humans and how God can take something broken and make it new. I can't say enough good about this book. It is very emotional and I recommend a box of kleenex beside you when you read it. It's a keeper.

A romance based on the OT book of Nehemiah. The gal is the owner of a construction company, the guy is a marine who now runs a coffee shop. They become involved with a church trying to build al youth center--but their is a group that doesn't want them to succeed and that keeps sabatoging the project. The gal has to learn to trust God and her heart, the guy is trying to figure out who is behind the sabatoge. This was an average read, with typical romance elements. The vocabulary of the various characters varied from Jewish to gangster to hispanic and a glossary and the back helped with some of the terms. Fans of Christian romance would enjoy this.

NCLA Review -Kyla Justice successfully took over her late father’s construction business but somehow she couldn’t get the rest of her life to fall in line as neatly. She was practically engaged to one man, though another made her heart race. Then a longtime friend, a Jewish Christian minister, asked her to take on a building project that was near deadline and loaded with trouble. She rose to the challenge—and found herself pitted against two people who would do anything to keep the youth center from being built. There’s love in this novel, there’s the inspiration of a small praying congregation who refuse to give up, there’s a full cast of realistic characters, and there’s plenty of suspense. I belatedly realized this was the third book in a trilogy, but fortunately it stands alone quite nicely. I can’t imagine it gathering dust on the library shelf. Its readers will gain lessons in faith. And you may be motivated to buy its companion volumes. (Rating 3 instead of 4 because the praying is supplemented by unavoidable violence.) Rating: 3 —DKW

Wow, what a sad book. A good one, but definitely sad. "Shattered Justice" is a well-written novel about a man trying to put his life together while trying to keep others' from falling apart. I can't go into much detail without giving away the ending, but it's about a widowed Deputy Sheriff who finds himself in a sleepy little town with some very big problems. Eventually, those problems hit close to home and he's in danger of losing everything he's ever held dear. I started reading this book around midnight and didn't get to bed until close to 5 - after I'd finished the book; I just couldn't stop reading. Karen Ball captures the human mind very well and really allows the reader to connect with the character's emotions. I recommend the book... and some tissues to go with it.