DELAYED JUSTICE by Cara Putman, Reviewed by Karen Klepsteen

Delayed Justice was my first read by Cara Putman, and it isn't a lighthearted story, but it covers a topic that has affected so many people's lives! The heroine, Jaime, has been through so much in her life, and yet she's come out strong, successful, and determined. In some very important and understandable ways, though, she is not living life to the fullest. After enduring sexual abuse as a child, Jaime becomes a lawyer to help protect those who are wrongly accused and to see justice dealt fairly to those who are guilty. Her compassion and willingness to help the helpless is so admirable! This story gives you a glimpse into our country's complex legal system, and after reading it, I can't imagine being a lawyer. I feel like it's probably an exhausting, thankless job for a lot of them, especially those who work in the public sector like she does. I'm grateful to those who perform this important service in our society.

Chandler, a military veteran and family counselor for the Department of Veterans Affairs, has seen his share of pain and evil. Aslan, his golden retriever, is trained to be a therapy dog. These skills come into play when Chandler and Jaime meet Tiffany, a young girl who has endured the same trauma as Jaime. This aspect of the story is so hopeful and yet so heartbraking. While Tiffany receives therapy right away, Jaime's childhood was very different, and we see how the effects of abuse have permeated every facet of her life. She's independent to a fault, and is very hesitant to let people into her life and her heart, especially men. Chandler is just the right man to help Jaime break down the walls around her heart and her spirit. He is so gentle, protective, and patient, and I can see why Jaime nicknames him Captain America! While there's a lot of drama and action in this story, a lot of it is internal as Jaime slowly lets Chandler and God into her heart. Fans of C.S. Lewis will also appreciate the way that Cara Putman weaves The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe into the story! 

*I won a copy of this book and am under no obligation to review it. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
 

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.
Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

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