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Canadian Spy #1
Through Love's Trials
Kenneth King, a successful Arizona attorney, finds himself facing the most difficult trial of his life—and it’s not in a courtroom. He’s asked to deliver a mysterious disk to Emma James an attorney in Utah, but as soon as Kenneth agrees to it, his life is turned upside down. His home is broken into, he’s shot at, and an attorney at his firm is murdered. Is he next?
Kenneth contacts Emma, and is drawn to her immediately, but she is a strong-willed single mother who doesn’t want anything to do with the disk—or with him. However, when Emma suffers a brutal assault that is possibly linked to the disk, Emma’s father, an agent in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service steps in to help Kenneth protect her and find out who wants them dead.
The tension builds as Kenneth and Emma find themselves in a race against time to stop an attack on North America’s defenses. Will the Canadian government be able to help them before the United States is attacked? Will Kenneth and Emma let down their defenses enough to make it through love’s trials?
Kenneth contacts Emma, and is drawn to her immediately, but she is a strong-willed single mother who doesn’t want anything to do with the disk—or with him. However, when Emma suffers a brutal assault that is possibly linked to the disk, Emma’s father, an agent in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service steps in to help Kenneth protect her and find out who wants them dead.
The tension builds as Kenneth and Emma find themselves in a race against time to stop an attack on North America’s defenses. Will the Canadian government be able to help them before the United States is attacked? Will Kenneth and Emma let down their defenses enough to make it through love’s trials?
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2004
28 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Julie Coulter Bellon
48 books591 followersAfter reading every Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Hardy Boys book her elementary school library had, Julie Coulter Bellon knew from a young age she wanted to write books and be a published author someday. That dream came true and she is now the author of thirty romantic suspense novels and two children's books. One nightmare that also came true was that she once tripped up the stairs going on stage to accept a book award and she thinks about that moment more often than she should.
Julie loves to travel and her favorite cities she's visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She is a former journalist and podcast host of Authors Off the Page. She loves to read, write, teach, watch Hawaii Five-O reruns, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.
If you'd like to be the first to hear about Julie's new projects and receive a free book, you can sign up to be part of her VIP Readers Group at juliebellon DOT com
Julie loves to travel and her favorite cities she's visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She is a former journalist and podcast host of Authors Off the Page. She loves to read, write, teach, watch Hawaii Five-O reruns, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.
If you'd like to be the first to hear about Julie's new projects and receive a free book, you can sign up to be part of her VIP Readers Group at juliebellon DOT com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 3, 2016
I don't know why I keep reading suspenseful novels, but I do, and I love every terrifying minutes of them! My mind constantly spins and I wonder what I would do in the situations and how the characters can possibly escape. Ms. Bellon is a wonderful storyteller--one who creates settings and conditions that are ripe for tension, with a glorious dash of romance.
Emma is given an ultimatum in her marriage and doesn't choose her lawyer spouse, Paul. She's a little hardened and bitter because of it and when Paul asks a new lawyer at his firm to deliver a drive to Emma, Kenneth, is happy to help--until people end up dead and he and Emma are running for their lives. Like I said before, the suspense is phenomenal and is the driving force of the story. There's not a lot of room for deep character development, but the results of the story line still allow the reader to get to know the characters to an extent. I love good secondary characters and Pepper (Kenneth's grandmother) and Julia (Emma's daughter) are great!
Content: mild-moderate violence (moments of intense peril, shootings, death, abuse, etc--not too graphic); mild romance (kissing); mild religious elements (a few brief mentions of church, not preachy).
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Emma is given an ultimatum in her marriage and doesn't choose her lawyer spouse, Paul. She's a little hardened and bitter because of it and when Paul asks a new lawyer at his firm to deliver a drive to Emma, Kenneth, is happy to help--until people end up dead and he and Emma are running for their lives. Like I said before, the suspense is phenomenal and is the driving force of the story. There's not a lot of room for deep character development, but the results of the story line still allow the reader to get to know the characters to an extent. I love good secondary characters and Pepper (Kenneth's grandmother) and Julia (Emma's daughter) are great!
Content: mild-moderate violence (moments of intense peril, shootings, death, abuse, etc--not too graphic); mild romance (kissing); mild religious elements (a few brief mentions of church, not preachy).
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
June 27, 2014
I received a free copy in return for an honest review.
The story starts off with Emma and Paul as a married couple. They have everything, and life is just about to get better with Paul’s promotion. Emma has some news for Paul as well, she is pregnant. They end up fighting over it, and breaking up. The story moves on many years later, Paul is a successful partner in the firm, but realizes he missed out on a lot. He wants to right some of the wrongs, and decides to give Emma some very valuable info on a disc. He sends a trustworthy lawyer from the firm to deliver it to her, Kenneth. Shortly after he hands over the disk he is killed, and a whole set of events are put into action.
The story is quite fast paced (which I like in this genre), but the romantic tension between Kenneth and Emma is really, really good!! I particularly enjoy the fact that Miss Bellon gives you enough romance, but it is ALL CLEAN!!!
It really is a good suspense story if you like that, but also enough of romance if that is more your thing.
I also really enjoy Emma as a character. She is strong, and mostly stands up for herself. I think she needs to work on standing up to her father, but I guess I can understand that to some extent.
All in all, this is a great, fun, romantic read!
The story starts off with Emma and Paul as a married couple. They have everything, and life is just about to get better with Paul’s promotion. Emma has some news for Paul as well, she is pregnant. They end up fighting over it, and breaking up. The story moves on many years later, Paul is a successful partner in the firm, but realizes he missed out on a lot. He wants to right some of the wrongs, and decides to give Emma some very valuable info on a disc. He sends a trustworthy lawyer from the firm to deliver it to her, Kenneth. Shortly after he hands over the disk he is killed, and a whole set of events are put into action.
The story is quite fast paced (which I like in this genre), but the romantic tension between Kenneth and Emma is really, really good!! I particularly enjoy the fact that Miss Bellon gives you enough romance, but it is ALL CLEAN!!!
It really is a good suspense story if you like that, but also enough of romance if that is more your thing.
I also really enjoy Emma as a character. She is strong, and mostly stands up for herself. I think she needs to work on standing up to her father, but I guess I can understand that to some extent.
All in all, this is a great, fun, romantic read!
February 6, 2015
I started reading Julie Coulter Bellon’s “Hostage Negotiation Series” a couple of years ago, starting with “All Fall Down”. Absolutely loved them. While I’m waiting on the next book in that series, (please tell me there will be another book!) to come out I decided to get my fix of Bellon’s talent by going back and reading her “Canadian Spy Series” books. First up is “Through Love’s Trials”.
Kenneth King is a teacher who changes his career because his wrongly charged fiancée commits suicides when her attorney drops the ball on her defense—and he becomes the lawyer that his fiancée should’ve had.
That’s all I’m going to tell you about the story. It’s sufficient to say that the suspense starts from the very first scene, and keeps building. I was amazed at all the seemingly small details that are scattered in each chapter that impact the lives of Kenneth, and of Emma, the single mother and attorney he becomes involved with. Bellon is an expert of writing suspense, giving out clues close enough together that kept me riveted to my chair.
Kenneth King is a teacher who changes his career because his wrongly charged fiancée commits suicides when her attorney drops the ball on her defense—and he becomes the lawyer that his fiancée should’ve had.
That’s all I’m going to tell you about the story. It’s sufficient to say that the suspense starts from the very first scene, and keeps building. I was amazed at all the seemingly small details that are scattered in each chapter that impact the lives of Kenneth, and of Emma, the single mother and attorney he becomes involved with. Bellon is an expert of writing suspense, giving out clues close enough together that kept me riveted to my chair.
March 10, 2015
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I continue to be impressed with Julie's style of writing! I am excited to be able to start another series since I am almost done with the Hostage Negotiation ones. The suspense in her novels is awesome! You are hooked from the start and although they have a bit of clean romance they have enough action that they are great for any reader. I know that my teenager will love her books! I love that she is able to write so much action and suspense yet keep them clean from bad words and such. Just like anything else you don't need smut to sell a great book (or movie). Julie definitely proves that in her books! If you haven't tried her books yet you should!
Note: I was gifted this book by the Author in exchange for an honest review!
Note: I was gifted this book by the Author in exchange for an honest review!
October 15, 2019
Basically, I liked this story. There were some grammatical errors and punctuation errors. I felt there were some loose ends or incongruities like having eggs at the indefinitely deserted safe house--were there chickens? Maybe there could have been bread and bacon in a freezer to round out the meal--I will allow that. There were other details that I didn't "buy" but it was, generally speaking, a good story.
February 28, 2015
This is an amazing story. This book with keep you on your toes the whole way through. I try to imagine the book as a movie and how well the characters would play out in their roles. I was really involved in the book and so that is why it only took the 3 days to read. The author is very talented. Thank you for sharing your gift for all to enjoy. Keep writing.
February 6, 2015
If you like romance with suspense in it, this book is for you. The excitement starts on the first page and keeps you running. Julie creates believable characters that I came to love, and the villains are terrifyingly lifelike. Well written, fun read. Highly recommended.
April 7, 2015
great book! I enjoy all julie's books! I really liked the updates julie did to this book! if you haven't read any of her books, this is a great one to read!
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September 16, 2019A great book to read or listen to
I will not summarize this story because it was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give any of the plot away. The purpose of this review was to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading/listening to this book.
What engaged me in this story:
• The author caught my attention right from the beginning with the anniversary celebration of Paul and Emma that went terribly wrong.
• Emma and Kenneth were the type of characters that you wanted to discover more about as you listened to the story.
• The situation that Emma and Kenneth found themselves in pushed the plot along.
• The plot had many twists and turns.
• There was a lot of action and suspense.
• There was a romance between Kenneth and Emma that developed believably.
• The minor players in this story added depth to the storyline.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast.
• There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• This story had a satisfying ending.
• The narrator did an excellent job in differentiating the various characters' voices. He did an amazing job.
• This was a clean story.
I was given a free audiobook by the author. I also own the ebook. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I will be listening to or reading more books by this author. I will also keep a lookout for books narrated by Keith Michaelson.
I will not summarize this story because it was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give any of the plot away. The purpose of this review was to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading/listening to this book.
What engaged me in this story:
• The author caught my attention right from the beginning with the anniversary celebration of Paul and Emma that went terribly wrong.
• Emma and Kenneth were the type of characters that you wanted to discover more about as you listened to the story.
• The situation that Emma and Kenneth found themselves in pushed the plot along.
• The plot had many twists and turns.
• There was a lot of action and suspense.
• There was a romance between Kenneth and Emma that developed believably.
• The minor players in this story added depth to the storyline.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast.
• There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• This story had a satisfying ending.
• The narrator did an excellent job in differentiating the various characters' voices. He did an amazing job.
• This was a clean story.
I was given a free audiobook by the author. I also own the ebook. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I will be listening to or reading more books by this author. I will also keep a lookout for books narrated by Keith Michaelson.
November 14, 2019
(I listened to this as an audiobook)
Story 4.5 stars: This is the second book I’ve listened to my Julie Coulter Bellon and I wasn’t disappointed! She writes romantics suspense/thrillers and they seem (to the uninitiated like me) realistic. Her characters aren’t unhurt by their dangerous circumstances and that’s real. I also like that the guy shares being a hero with the female lead and with other support characters!
Family is a big factor in all her books and I like that because it’s real. In real life, hardly anyone is unconnected by family ties. The villains in her novels use this to their advantage.
Narration 4.5 stars: the voice actor has a really nice deep voice and does a good job with his female voices, as well. His accents are really good.
(The only ‘voice’ of his that didn’t really work for me was his ‘6-year-old-girl ‘ voice and that was more about inflections than -it wasn’t bad, though, by any means. Kids are hard to do. I’ve only heard 2 or 3 voice actors who could do convincing kid voices...I look forward to hearing more from Mr. Michaelson!
Story 4.5 stars: This is the second book I’ve listened to my Julie Coulter Bellon and I wasn’t disappointed! She writes romantics suspense/thrillers and they seem (to the uninitiated like me) realistic. Her characters aren’t unhurt by their dangerous circumstances and that’s real. I also like that the guy shares being a hero with the female lead and with other support characters!
Family is a big factor in all her books and I like that because it’s real. In real life, hardly anyone is unconnected by family ties. The villains in her novels use this to their advantage.
Narration 4.5 stars: the voice actor has a really nice deep voice and does a good job with his female voices, as well. His accents are really good.
(The only ‘voice’ of his that didn’t really work for me was his ‘6-year-old-girl ‘ voice and that was more about inflections than -it wasn’t bad, though, by any means. Kids are hard to do. I’ve only heard 2 or 3 voice actors who could do convincing kid voices...I look forward to hearing more from Mr. Michaelson!
July 19, 2018
Summary from Kindle description: Kenneth unknowingly puts fellow attorney and single mom Emma in danger. Now he’ll risk everything to keep her and her daughter safe, but the killers are closing in.
Through Love’s Trials was great from start to finish; the author sucked me in right from the prologue. Kenneth and Emma seemed to go through danger after danger. The mystery and plot twists had me reading with bated breath and I couldn’t wait to see what happened in each new chapter. There were many surprises, some that left me dumbfounded and others relieved. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Canadian Spies series.
Through Love’s Trials was great from start to finish; the author sucked me in right from the prologue. Kenneth and Emma seemed to go through danger after danger. The mystery and plot twists had me reading with bated breath and I couldn’t wait to see what happened in each new chapter. There were many surprises, some that left me dumbfounded and others relieved. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Canadian Spies series.
April 29, 2020
I put this book on my phone, intending to only read it if I found myself in a waiting situation and was bored. However, once I started it, I had to keep reading. It started out with action and adventure and just went on from there. Wow! Kenneth King, attorney in Mesa, AZ was given a flash drive to deliver to someone in Utah while on vacation. Shortly after, the lawyer who gave the flash drive was murdered. Apparently, there is something on it that's very important to someone... someone you wouldn't want to meet up with! Lots of drama and a fun child and grandma!
September 2, 2020
I loved this suspenseful romance! Julie Coulter Bellon adds a poignant, nuanced undercurrent, showing how fate and destiny play a hand in our lives, offering insight into grief, and reminding us to look for the magic around us, whether it's dancing in the rain or lying on your back, looking up at the stars. Keith Michaelson does a phenomenal job narrating this story, bringing them to life and humanizing them with their emotions, attitude and personality. Scoot on over to the 1-Click and start reading this fantastic story today!
October 14, 2020
I couldn’t help but be enthralled by this story. I found it thoroughly engaging - the suspense of the storyline being just right for me to not want to stop listening to it. This is a clean read/listen - although, being a spy novel, there is some violent content which some might find upsetting, however this was not done with any gory details and I didn’t find it too confronting personally. This is the first book of the series and I would happily listen to more.
I received an audiobook of this story from the author, however this in no way influenced my opinion and I am under no obligation to leave a review.
I received an audiobook of this story from the author, however this in no way influenced my opinion and I am under no obligation to leave a review.
September 14, 2020
Wow!!! This book hooked me from the beginning and kept me until the very end. I lost sleep listening to this book because I just couldn't stop. It is full of action, romance, suspense and a bit of nail biting. Definitely a fast paced adventure. An amazing mystery that kept me guessing. Love wins out in the end with a really good ending. The narrator did a good job of switching voices and had me seeing who was talking except for the little girl's IMO.
February 20, 2019
I think I've read this before but I continued anyhow, mostly because I wanted to clearly remember what's happening so I could read book #2. This isn't a complicated mystery/thriller that will leave your head hurting but it's still entertaining and fun. (If you enjoy being chased through several states by bad guys trying to kill you.) Is that a spoiler? Sorry.
September 26, 2019
A nice clean suspenseful romance. It was a good story that kept you interested. The hero was a decent and caring attorney stuck in a difficult situation. Dragged into something larger than he understood, he helped the heroine through as well. They were both strong and well written characters.
June 17, 2020
I received this audibook in exchange for a review. This is another great book by Julie Coulter Bellon. The narrator did a fantastic job with speed and the inflection of each character. Truly, enjoyed listening! A mystery with a law firm, two single lawyers, an ex husband who gets killed and a Dad who is with the Canadian CIA. Twists I didn't expect throughout the book.
January 23, 2022
Murphy's Law says what can go wrong will be wrong. So Kenneth discovers when he does what a colleague requests, delivering a flash drive to an ex-wife. He never thought that such a simple thing would have them running for their lives, being shot at, wondering who are these bad guys & what is going on. An excellent mystery that I enjoyed.
July 28, 2019
Loved it. Intrigue, danger and a sweet romance all rolled into one. Read it once before and still enjoyed it.
October 31, 2019
Life or Death
Kenneth and Emma’s story will keep you on the edge of the seat and will satisfy your intellect.
Enjoyed it :)
Kenneth and Emma’s story will keep you on the edge of the seat and will satisfy your intellect.
Enjoyed it :)
October 19, 2020
Good read
August 19, 2015
I use to be an avid reader, and then I felt I was just too busy to read. Having “Through Love’s Trials” Audible book to listen to solved that problem! If you like intense action, suspense with a little romance, “Through Life’s Trials” is the book for you. This book had some real intense action that really got my heart pounding. Before I read it, I thought I had it all figured out. Except it didn’t always happen like I thought it would. It had more action and great detail that really puts you in the story. Never knew for sure who would be hiding around the next corner, also when you don’t expect it. “Through Loves Trials” was easy to relate to and connect, by just being a parent, and having the concern when one of your children are lost or in danger. Emma really had her guard up, and wasn’t easily ready to let someone back in her heart, which is understandable after a terrible break up from her first marriage. I avoid movies and books that have violence. This book did have fighting and even people dying, yet not all the gory, gross details of it all. It still had all that intense action and suspense that I like.
March 29, 2016
Mystery, romance- clean, some violence with the chase/pursuit
This was more of a 3.5 for me with the read. I think I was hoping for 'more' characterization, 'more' details? Also, the end kind of came together very quickly for me. I was a little skeptical that 2 people would get engaged so quickly. Regardless, the story still intrigued me. I loved the connections that happened, and the way the chase turned out. The way the evidence unfolded for them with the family connections. The intrigue at the legal office was interesting to see how that unfolded, the preface to the story made me wonder how that would all fit in. There were some fun side characters. Kept me wanting to find out how it would conclude. I will read more by this author.
This was more of a 3.5 for me with the read. I think I was hoping for 'more' characterization, 'more' details? Also, the end kind of came together very quickly for me. I was a little skeptical that 2 people would get engaged so quickly. Regardless, the story still intrigued me. I loved the connections that happened, and the way the chase turned out. The way the evidence unfolded for them with the family connections. The intrigue at the legal office was interesting to see how that unfolded, the preface to the story made me wonder how that would all fit in. There were some fun side characters. Kept me wanting to find out how it would conclude. I will read more by this author.
February 16, 2014
This was the first book I read by Julie Coulter Bellon. I picked it up to read for the book club I take part in, and didn't realize it would be suspense/clean romance. I enjoyed getting to know the mason characters, Kenneth King and Emma James. The two of them meet when on one of the partners at Kenneth's gives Kenneth an encrypted disk and tells him to deliver it to the partner's ex-wife. When this partner is found dead in Kenneth's office the next day, events!are set into motion that put Emma and Kenneth together, and on the run from the bad guys. It is an LDS novel, and does discuss LDS beliefs, but could be enjoyed those not of that faith. Pretty good book overall.
March 1, 2016
This book was great. I love suspense/romance, and this book fit right in. I read about Paul James and his wife Emma, and what happened in their relationship. Then entered Kenneth. As I continued to read - I very reluctantly put it down for bed, and picked it up as soon as I awoke - I got caught in their story. Further in, I was totally caught off guard - didn't expect that to happen!
If you like suspense/romance you need to give this book a chance. Julie really did an awesome job on this story.
If you like suspense/romance you need to give this book a chance. Julie really did an awesome job on this story.
October 10, 2020
Doing a favor for your boss, on the way to a much needed vacation. Turns his life and Emma into one of trying to survive. The stakes were high but she had a child to protect. Word that Kenneth's boss was murdered, he is next on their list. What file could be jeopardizing the life's of these two attorneys. Good plot and enough tension to follow thru to the end.
New author, and will look for more by her.
New author, and will look for more by her.
October 11, 2012
It is refreshing to read a nice clean romance. I tend to be the drag-out-the-buildup type but even without that I thoroughly enjoyed discovering what Julie's characters would need to overcome next. Mr. Miera? Slightly unhinged. The beautiful thing is I inferred that without Julie needing to bang me over the head with it. Not many authors go that route these days.
March 7, 2016
The romance was too quick and the characters managed miraculously well with severe injuries (carrying a 5 year old with a broken collar bone, who cleaned up Emma's house in a day so it was se type of things made it unbelievable to me. However I loved that it is a clean adventure romance and I did like the characters. I was interested enough to quickly read the book.
September 29, 2009
I totally judged this book by it's cover and I kept sliding it back on my shelf to read next time. I was so wrong, it was a really exciting fun book to read. I loved Pepper, it made me wish I had a living grandma pepper of my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews