What do you think?
Rate this book
Justified
Sarah Hayden thought she deserved her life. In prison. After all, she was a killer. A monster. A cold-blooded abomination to human kind.
At one point in time, she had been happy being a mother and a wife. She liked to write short stories and read books. She loved her son with all her heart.
But then, everything changed.
Jonathan Wellington was shocked at the woman he had been hired to represent. He did all he could to persuade her to beg the court's mercy, but Sarah would have none of it. She honestly believed that she deserved her fate.
In cohorts with her family, Jon has to convince Sarah that life is worth living again, that all is not lost. But can he do it? Or will the woman that once was so vibrant and happy be gone forever? And would Jon ever be able to get her out of his heart?
At one point in time, she had been happy being a mother and a wife. She liked to write short stories and read books. She loved her son with all her heart.
But then, everything changed.
Jonathan Wellington was shocked at the woman he had been hired to represent. He did all he could to persuade her to beg the court's mercy, but Sarah would have none of it. She honestly believed that she deserved her fate.
In cohorts with her family, Jon has to convince Sarah that life is worth living again, that all is not lost. But can he do it? Or will the woman that once was so vibrant and happy be gone forever? And would Jon ever be able to get her out of his heart?
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2012
3 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Danielle James
82 books224 followersI live in KY with my family. While I hold a "real job" my first love will always be writing.
I enjoy lots of different kinds of books, and many different authors. Some of my favorites are, but not limited to, Sandra Hill, Lori Foster, Kelly Armstrong, Stephen King, James Patterson, J.R. Ward and Emma Holly. But I think I would read just about anything with a good plot.
I enjoy lots of different kinds of books, and many different authors. Some of my favorites are, but not limited to, Sandra Hill, Lori Foster, Kelly Armstrong, Stephen King, James Patterson, J.R. Ward and Emma Holly. But I think I would read just about anything with a good plot.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 8, 2013
Sarah is in prison for killing her husband. She refuses to do anything to help herself get parole because she thinks she is the worst kind of monster. Her attorney Jon, never gives up on her and tries his hardest to get her to see that what she did was Justified. It is a very well written story that addresses domestic violence without being too graphic, but gives you enough to make you root for the heroine. I loved it!! I had to stop reading at one point to do some home related things, but had it not been for that, would have finished it it one sitting. It was gripping, heartbreaking, and frightening, but with a very satisfying ending. Love the author and recommend all of her work!! 5 Stars!!
September 6, 2018
Headtwrenching
This story is a little confronting in parts. It's a sad story and one that many women face unfortunately. I found myself hoping for a happy ending for evryone
This story is a little confronting in parts. It's a sad story and one that many women face unfortunately. I found myself hoping for a happy ending for evryone
September 1, 2014
A wonderful (but very short) read about a woman serving a lengthy prison sentence for killing her husband. It isn't flowery or overly emotional, just a really well written of a woman slowly driven to do something horrible by a drunken, abusive husband and now just wants to live with the consequences. But, she has a family and an attorney who know they don't know the whole story and desperately want her to fight for herself. It takes time and love but she slowly sees herself (and the others she's hurting around her) as the victim, not the monster.
The only regret with the book is that I wish we had more of an ending. I would have loved to see the relationship that developed more fully explored in both its early stages and followed for at least a little longer. But this was a great read.
The only regret with the book is that I wish we had more of an ending. I would have loved to see the relationship that developed more fully explored in both its early stages and followed for at least a little longer. But this was a great read.
March 8, 2018
Heart wrenching. It could happen to you...
Sarah, imprisoned for murdering her husband, has become of a shell the woman she'd once been. After enduring years of abuse by a drunken husband who did the unspeakable, she snapped.
Pleading guilty, she felt she deserved her punishment. Her only solace came in the form of her writing and attorney, Jon, who never gave up on her.
Sarah couldn't see beyond her pain that what she'd done was what many women would've done in her situation. She felt she was a monster. But she wasn't. She is you, me and any other woman who might suffer by the abuse of another.
In this amazing story, you learn the intimate details of "the why" and what happened after. Not all things end in misery... You don't have to punish yourself forever.
It's emotional, heartbreaking, and a must-read.
As women, we should never allow abuse to control us, our thoughts or behavior. We are strong, in spite of our circumstances. Never allow anyone to make you feel unworthy or "less than." This is Sarah's story...
I urge you to read it. Grab a few tissues.
Sarah, imprisoned for murdering her husband, has become of a shell the woman she'd once been. After enduring years of abuse by a drunken husband who did the unspeakable, she snapped.
Pleading guilty, she felt she deserved her punishment. Her only solace came in the form of her writing and attorney, Jon, who never gave up on her.
Sarah couldn't see beyond her pain that what she'd done was what many women would've done in her situation. She felt she was a monster. But she wasn't. She is you, me and any other woman who might suffer by the abuse of another.
In this amazing story, you learn the intimate details of "the why" and what happened after. Not all things end in misery... You don't have to punish yourself forever.
It's emotional, heartbreaking, and a must-read.
As women, we should never allow abuse to control us, our thoughts or behavior. We are strong, in spite of our circumstances. Never allow anyone to make you feel unworthy or "less than." This is Sarah's story...
I urge you to read it. Grab a few tissues.
June 17, 2013
My goodness.
Sarah lost everything refusing to follow her lawyer's advice at her sentencing or to say the right words to the parole board to get herself released. John has been visiting his client beyond the call of duty, frustrated at Sarah’s stubborn insistence that she deserves whatever the law has to throw at her.
This novel deals with domestic violence. It’s dark but it doesn’t give the reader the detailed nitty gritty of say a movie like Once Were Warriors but it still serves to highlight the devastating effects of domestic abuse and the bittersweet benefit of hindsight.
Through her journals Sarah’s story unfolds leading up to her prosecution and incarceration.
The romance was bland in my view but fitted in with the location and the theme. Sarah I understood she’d been through some serious crap and I couldn’t help but like John, he had a few manipulative tendencies but he didn’t have to hang round but he did. For two years. I’d like to have seen a whole lot more ‘shiver’ moments between the characters, tough given the circumstances but not impossible.
The writing is simplistic with an almost lulling quality to it, some might say boring so when the author suddenly reveals a truth no mother should ever have to face, the sudden spike in feeling was one of shared horror. I would have killed the rotten jerk myself.
Sarah lost everything refusing to follow her lawyer's advice at her sentencing or to say the right words to the parole board to get herself released. John has been visiting his client beyond the call of duty, frustrated at Sarah’s stubborn insistence that she deserves whatever the law has to throw at her.
This novel deals with domestic violence. It’s dark but it doesn’t give the reader the detailed nitty gritty of say a movie like Once Were Warriors but it still serves to highlight the devastating effects of domestic abuse and the bittersweet benefit of hindsight.
Through her journals Sarah’s story unfolds leading up to her prosecution and incarceration.
The romance was bland in my view but fitted in with the location and the theme. Sarah I understood she’d been through some serious crap and I couldn’t help but like John, he had a few manipulative tendencies but he didn’t have to hang round but he did. For two years. I’d like to have seen a whole lot more ‘shiver’ moments between the characters, tough given the circumstances but not impossible.
The writing is simplistic with an almost lulling quality to it, some might say boring so when the author suddenly reveals a truth no mother should ever have to face, the sudden spike in feeling was one of shared horror. I would have killed the rotten jerk myself.
July 1, 2014
Sarah Hayden has plead guilty to premeditated murder and is two years into a fifteen year prison sentence when the story opens. Jon, her loyal and devoted lawyer and friend, has his work cut out for him when Sarah truly believes she deserves the maximum sentence the law can give her.
This book deals with some dark themes. Domestic violence, revenge, and the difference between doing what is "right" and doing what is socially acceptable. This story definitely makes you think about what you would do if you were in Sarah's shoes. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say I think most readers could easily understand where Sarah was coming from when she commits her crime.
I loved the style in which this story was told. As it starts two years into her sentence, the back story is given in small increments over time, often as entries from the journals Sarah has kept during her imprisonment. The story was engaging, and more than a couple times, I found myself sniffling through passages. I devoured this story in practically one sitting, and look forward to reading more works by Ms. James.
This book deals with some dark themes. Domestic violence, revenge, and the difference between doing what is "right" and doing what is socially acceptable. This story definitely makes you think about what you would do if you were in Sarah's shoes. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say I think most readers could easily understand where Sarah was coming from when she commits her crime.
I loved the style in which this story was told. As it starts two years into her sentence, the back story is given in small increments over time, often as entries from the journals Sarah has kept during her imprisonment. The story was engaging, and more than a couple times, I found myself sniffling through passages. I devoured this story in practically one sitting, and look forward to reading more works by Ms. James.
July 5, 2014
Justified grabbed me with the first sentence and held me spellbound throughout. A carefully written story of a woman navigating a minefield of past mistakes, heartache, and post traumatic stress.
Sarah calls herself a monster for the crime she committed, but she seems to be the only one to see her that way. Jon, her attorney, has done everything he can think of to help her see herself the way everyone else does and to fight for her freedom but she just doesn't see anything worthy in herself to try. With Jon's quiet, loving help, Sarah finally starts to see some hard truths.
I can't say anymore about the plot without giving the story away, but I can say the manner in which Ms. James deals with the psychology of abuse and PTSD is honest, respectful, and hopeful without going into too many of the harsh descriptions found in these types of books. This is Sarah's journey to find herself in the aftermath of cruelty, loss, and a crime she committed. I couldn't put this book down and I cannot wait for the next contemporary title from Danielle James. Bravo. Well done. 5 stars.
Sarah calls herself a monster for the crime she committed, but she seems to be the only one to see her that way. Jon, her attorney, has done everything he can think of to help her see herself the way everyone else does and to fight for her freedom but she just doesn't see anything worthy in herself to try. With Jon's quiet, loving help, Sarah finally starts to see some hard truths.
I can't say anymore about the plot without giving the story away, but I can say the manner in which Ms. James deals with the psychology of abuse and PTSD is honest, respectful, and hopeful without going into too many of the harsh descriptions found in these types of books. This is Sarah's journey to find herself in the aftermath of cruelty, loss, and a crime she committed. I couldn't put this book down and I cannot wait for the next contemporary title from Danielle James. Bravo. Well done. 5 stars.
November 10, 2013
I was given a free copy of this book by the author.
This was a different kind of book for me and in all honesty the subject matter didn't really appeal to me I only continued because the two previous books I've read by this author were very good, having said this once I started I couldn't put it down I was completely absorbed which says a lot about how this book was written, the two main characters are strong especially Sarah, while reading I literally had my fingers crossed that she would get her happy ending
This was a different kind of book for me and in all honesty the subject matter didn't really appeal to me I only continued because the two previous books I've read by this author were very good, having said this once I started I couldn't put it down I was completely absorbed which says a lot about how this book was written, the two main characters are strong especially Sarah, while reading I literally had my fingers crossed that she would get her happy ending
March 26, 2015
Sarah Hayden is in prison for a crime she freely admits she did. The question is...was she justified for doing what she committed? And what would you do in the same situation? I do feel the author could have written a different ending. The book is only 174 pages so it's a quick read.
A favorite quote from the book that every Bookie can relate to:
"It was at that moment, when he realized how much he wanted to continue to read even though he couldn't see straight, how good Sarah really was at writing. She captivated his mind, drawing him into her story."
A favorite quote from the book that every Bookie can relate to:
"It was at that moment, when he realized how much he wanted to continue to read even though he couldn't see straight, how good Sarah really was at writing. She captivated his mind, drawing him into her story."
October 17, 2014
Very moving. A thought provoking read.
December 27, 2014
Gritty and Great
A love story born out of tragedy. A must read to have in your kindle library, it will make you believe in second chances.
A love story born out of tragedy. A must read to have in your kindle library, it will make you believe in second chances.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews