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Beneath the Palisade #3
Justice
A Beneath the Palisade Book
Despite a spirited inner debate pitting right against wrong, Owen Grady is lured off a forest trail by a handsome stranger. Just as he is about to surrender to an urgent desire, Owen realizes he is making a mistake and attempts to leave, but the rejected man wrestles Owen to the ground and discloses he is a cop. Wrongly accused of sexual misconduct, Owen seeks legal help.
Ambitious young lawyer Brent Burns is a junior partner at Burns & Callahan, a law firm located within the Men's Center in Two Harbors, Minnesota. He takes on Owen’s case, determined to prove him innocent. But Brent can't possibly predict the obstacles on the bumpy road to an acquittal—not the least of which is an ethical taboo involving his heart, which threatens to defeat him before he ever sets foot in the courtroom.
Despite a spirited inner debate pitting right against wrong, Owen Grady is lured off a forest trail by a handsome stranger. Just as he is about to surrender to an urgent desire, Owen realizes he is making a mistake and attempts to leave, but the rejected man wrestles Owen to the ground and discloses he is a cop. Wrongly accused of sexual misconduct, Owen seeks legal help.
Ambitious young lawyer Brent Burns is a junior partner at Burns & Callahan, a law firm located within the Men's Center in Two Harbors, Minnesota. He takes on Owen’s case, determined to prove him innocent. But Brent can't possibly predict the obstacles on the bumpy road to an acquittal—not the least of which is an ethical taboo involving his heart, which threatens to defeat him before he ever sets foot in the courtroom.
- GenresFictionM M Romance
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2015
1 person is currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Joel Skelton
15 books14 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 28, 2015
I loved this book, its a solid 4 1/2 stars. I'm off to read the other books in this series, I think I just found a new fave author.
Full review at http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/
Full review at http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/
May 19, 2015
A 4.5. The third book in Joel Skelton’s Beneath the Palisade series deftly blends serious situations with humor, heart and sizzle. After high school music teacher Owen Grady turns down a handsome stranger, who turns out to be a police officer, his life spins out of control. The brutal treatment he received prompts Owen to seek out legal help which is how he meets lawyer Brent Burns.
I loved how Beneath the Palisade: Justice handled real life issues. Both Brent and Owen are secure in their sexuality. Instead, they grapple with the ethics of the attorney/client relationship. Other characters reveal how much discrimination persists even in progressive states like Minnesota, where the book is set. Owen’s humiliation at the hands of the police helped me understand why some individuals mistrust the justice system, but Brent Burns and his law partner, Harper Callahan, gave me hope that justice will prevail. It’s hard to reveal much more without giving away the plot, which I refuse to do.
This is a terrific book. Having not read the first two, I wasn’t familiar with the other couples, so the first scene with all of them plus Brent was like being at a cocktail party where everyone else knew each other and I sat in the corner, completely sober. Skelton’s skill as an author shines in these scenes as each character’s personality comes through. Before I knew it, I had a margarita in hand and found myself wanting to know more about the remarkable men that made up this found family.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved how Beneath the Palisade: Justice handled real life issues. Both Brent and Owen are secure in their sexuality. Instead, they grapple with the ethics of the attorney/client relationship. Other characters reveal how much discrimination persists even in progressive states like Minnesota, where the book is set. Owen’s humiliation at the hands of the police helped me understand why some individuals mistrust the justice system, but Brent Burns and his law partner, Harper Callahan, gave me hope that justice will prevail. It’s hard to reveal much more without giving away the plot, which I refuse to do.
This is a terrific book. Having not read the first two, I wasn’t familiar with the other couples, so the first scene with all of them plus Brent was like being at a cocktail party where everyone else knew each other and I sat in the corner, completely sober. Skelton’s skill as an author shines in these scenes as each character’s personality comes through. Before I knew it, I had a margarita in hand and found myself wanting to know more about the remarkable men that made up this found family.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2015
3.5 STARS
When this book first appeared on Dreamspinner’s “coming soon” list, I was a bit up in the air about whether or not I wanted to read it. Joel Skelton is by no means a new author but I had yet to read any of his books. And to start with the third book in a series seemed a bit risky. But then a request came through for a review, and I figured it was a sign, I was meant to read the book. So I did, and I liked it. However…(and this isn’t a complaint but maybe something for potential readers to consider)
I was told the book could be read as a standalone, and that’s true, it absolutely can be, but I think not having read the first two books in the series impacted on my enjoyment of this one. The storyline covered in the blurb (with Brent and Owen as the MCs) is completely told in this one book. There’s no missing backstories, the men haven’t met in other books, it’s all here. The reason I question calling it a standalone is because the main characters from the two previous stories also have a lot of page time in this book. And not necessarily with Brent or Owen. I’d be right into Owen’s drama and then suddenly a previous MC would become the main focus and, unfortunately, I just didn’t care about them. Switching to one of these people I had no clue about made me lose interest in what was going on and I had to force myself not to skip through to get back to Owen. Having said that, had I read the first two books then popping in on the previous MCs would have been great. In fact I love it when series do that. So some people may see this as a pro rather than a con.
As for the plot, I really enjoyed it. Poor Owen! What he went through was horrible but I must admit I kind of liked the character of the nutjob cop. Owen, though was my definite favourite. He was very well written. At first I thought he was stupidly naïve and I was surprised that he would actually have the guts to protest his innocence and accuse the cop of attacking him. But as more of his character was revealed it became apparent that he was a much stronger person than I first thought.
Brent, well truthfully, he confused me at first. I think because he was a lawyer I expected a certain maturity and confidence. I actually had to stop and remind myself that he was only young and that he was in fact written in a perfectly realistic way. Brent is learning that attending law school and actually practicing law are two totally different things and being madly attracted to his first client doesn’t help matters.
I did have one complaint though. Owen was arrested for intending to have sex in public. I can’t exactly remember now, but I guess the charge would have been indecent exposure, or maybe lewd conduct? Brent is the lawyer who is fighting to prove that his client would never do something like that. So why on earth did both men think it was a good idea to have sex on the roof of Brent’s house? On the fourth of July, which isn’t exactly the quietest night of the year. In the end I liked the way that scene played out, but seriously!
So, I’m giving this 3.5 stars – which means I liked it. I do intend to read the first two books at some point because those other characters appeared to have interesting stories of their own, but I definitely wished I’d read them in order. I have a feeling that if I had, then my rating would be higher.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
When this book first appeared on Dreamspinner’s “coming soon” list, I was a bit up in the air about whether or not I wanted to read it. Joel Skelton is by no means a new author but I had yet to read any of his books. And to start with the third book in a series seemed a bit risky. But then a request came through for a review, and I figured it was a sign, I was meant to read the book. So I did, and I liked it. However…(and this isn’t a complaint but maybe something for potential readers to consider)
I was told the book could be read as a standalone, and that’s true, it absolutely can be, but I think not having read the first two books in the series impacted on my enjoyment of this one. The storyline covered in the blurb (with Brent and Owen as the MCs) is completely told in this one book. There’s no missing backstories, the men haven’t met in other books, it’s all here. The reason I question calling it a standalone is because the main characters from the two previous stories also have a lot of page time in this book. And not necessarily with Brent or Owen. I’d be right into Owen’s drama and then suddenly a previous MC would become the main focus and, unfortunately, I just didn’t care about them. Switching to one of these people I had no clue about made me lose interest in what was going on and I had to force myself not to skip through to get back to Owen. Having said that, had I read the first two books then popping in on the previous MCs would have been great. In fact I love it when series do that. So some people may see this as a pro rather than a con.
As for the plot, I really enjoyed it. Poor Owen! What he went through was horrible but I must admit I kind of liked the character of the nutjob cop. Owen, though was my definite favourite. He was very well written. At first I thought he was stupidly naïve and I was surprised that he would actually have the guts to protest his innocence and accuse the cop of attacking him. But as more of his character was revealed it became apparent that he was a much stronger person than I first thought.
Brent, well truthfully, he confused me at first. I think because he was a lawyer I expected a certain maturity and confidence. I actually had to stop and remind myself that he was only young and that he was in fact written in a perfectly realistic way. Brent is learning that attending law school and actually practicing law are two totally different things and being madly attracted to his first client doesn’t help matters.
I did have one complaint though. Owen was arrested for intending to have sex in public. I can’t exactly remember now, but I guess the charge would have been indecent exposure, or maybe lewd conduct? Brent is the lawyer who is fighting to prove that his client would never do something like that. So why on earth did both men think it was a good idea to have sex on the roof of Brent’s house? On the fourth of July, which isn’t exactly the quietest night of the year. In the end I liked the way that scene played out, but seriously!
So, I’m giving this 3.5 stars – which means I liked it. I do intend to read the first two books at some point because those other characters appeared to have interesting stories of their own, but I definitely wished I’d read them in order. I have a feeling that if I had, then my rating would be higher.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
June 13, 2015
While “justice” is the desired end state in the charge of sexual misconduct against Owen Grady, you know that the odds are severely stacked against you if the accuser happens to be a cop – and a very dirty one at that. But, justice is exactly what Brent hopes to achieve for Owen after he meets the man and agrees to take on his very challenging case.
I was a little surprised by Brent’s character overall. For someone who’s a lawyer by profession, I guess I tend to expect strength and confidence – someone who can tend to be very assertive and perhaps even a bit arrogant at times. Instead, Brent came across as someone very unsure of himself. He seemed to require almost constant direction and assurances (from his friend and legal partner) that his decisions were appropriate with respect to his day to day work. He also made the obvious mistake of getting involved with a client on an active case. His relative youth probably accounts for some of this, but his personality seemed a bit at odds with his profession.
Owen was such a sweet man who got such a bum deal. The various emotions he went through were portrayed very well in this story, particularly the feelings of hopelessness and depression as the weight of what he was facing settled in around him. At first he seemed so passive and naïve that I was worried he wouldn’t fight for himself, but he surprised me a number of times and I couldn’t help rooting for him.
I knew Owen’s case would prove difficult to defend and that he was in for an uphill climb, so I was a little concerned about reaching a happy place for the ending of the story. However, there were some very interesting twists and turns I didn’t see coming that gave me the satisfaction I was looking for.
I was under the impression that this story could be read as a standalone, and technically, it can. However, I think readers will be much happier if they follow this series in sequence. The characters from the prior two books occasionally take center stage in this book, so for those who have followed along, you’ll love getting to revisit Harper and Ian as well as Theo and Alex. I’m intending to backtrack and get the beginning of the relationships for these guys because I became invested in them here. Very enjoyable!
Reviewed for
Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4 hearts
I was a little surprised by Brent’s character overall. For someone who’s a lawyer by profession, I guess I tend to expect strength and confidence – someone who can tend to be very assertive and perhaps even a bit arrogant at times. Instead, Brent came across as someone very unsure of himself. He seemed to require almost constant direction and assurances (from his friend and legal partner) that his decisions were appropriate with respect to his day to day work. He also made the obvious mistake of getting involved with a client on an active case. His relative youth probably accounts for some of this, but his personality seemed a bit at odds with his profession.
Owen was such a sweet man who got such a bum deal. The various emotions he went through were portrayed very well in this story, particularly the feelings of hopelessness and depression as the weight of what he was facing settled in around him. At first he seemed so passive and naïve that I was worried he wouldn’t fight for himself, but he surprised me a number of times and I couldn’t help rooting for him.
I knew Owen’s case would prove difficult to defend and that he was in for an uphill climb, so I was a little concerned about reaching a happy place for the ending of the story. However, there were some very interesting twists and turns I didn’t see coming that gave me the satisfaction I was looking for.
I was under the impression that this story could be read as a standalone, and technically, it can. However, I think readers will be much happier if they follow this series in sequence. The characters from the prior two books occasionally take center stage in this book, so for those who have followed along, you’ll love getting to revisit Harper and Ian as well as Theo and Alex. I’m intending to backtrack and get the beginning of the relationships for these guys because I became invested in them here. Very enjoyable!
Reviewed for
Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4 hearts
May 27, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is the third book in the Beneath the Palisade series, yet can be read as a standalone novel without readers feeling as if they are missing part of the story line. While the characters from the first two books make appearances in this novel, the author provides readers with enough background information that you don’t feel as if you had to have read the previous two beforehand…though I warn you, you may end up wanting to read the other two afterwards, like I did.
I loved this book! It was so well written that I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and found myself not wanting to put the book down. Owen is somewhat of a loner. As a relatively new teacher, he is still settling in to his new community, away from friends and family. Spending his free time bird watching, he never expected following a stranger in the forest would result in him being handcuffed and facing serious charges that could ruin his career.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is the third book in the Beneath the Palisade series, yet can be read as a standalone novel without readers feeling as if they are missing part of the story line. While the characters from the first two books make appearances in this novel, the author provides readers with enough background information that you don’t feel as if you had to have read the previous two beforehand…though I warn you, you may end up wanting to read the other two afterwards, like I did.
I loved this book! It was so well written that I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and found myself not wanting to put the book down. Owen is somewhat of a loner. As a relatively new teacher, he is still settling in to his new community, away from friends and family. Spending his free time bird watching, he never expected following a stranger in the forest would result in him being handcuffed and facing serious charges that could ruin his career.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
March 20, 2016
Justice continues the story of Harper and Ian started in Reliance and Courage. Harper has returned to legal practice with his former assistant Brent and they are asked to take on an entrapment case by Owen. Owen is a well liked music teacher, bird watcher, and generally very reclusive. While pursuing his favourite pastime he is enticed into a public encounter by Luke Daniels. When he refuses to go through with the encounter he soon finds himself in jail and charged with a public sex act by officer Daniels. With only limited information to work with Brent looks for a way to prove Owen's claim of innocence while trying to not compromise his integrity and his job while falling madly for his client. With Harper and the gang's help will they be able to pull the rabbit out of the hat in time. This is yet another great page turner from Joel Skelton.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews