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Trial by Fury

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When a coed is viciously assaulted on the campus of Harwood University, performance studies professor Celia Perone learns a brutal truth—star athletes can get away with whatever they want. Threatened with her job if she goes public, Celia pays a secret visit to celebrated women’s rights attorney Theodora Constantine.

Theo’s riding high after winning a very public sexual harassment claim against a cable news network. Next up for her firm is a class action suit that will strain her small staff. She can’t afford to get sidetracked by another case, but Celia won’t take no for an answer.

The case is compelling and so is Celia—so much that Theo finds herself falling hard. But before they can win love, they have to win justice.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2016

14 people are currently reading
171 people want to read

About the author

K.G. MacGregor

39 books331 followers
A former teacher and market research consultant, KG MacGregor holds a PhD in journalism and mass communication. Infatuation with Xena: Warrior Princess fanfiction prompted her to try her own hand at storytelling in 2002. In 2005, she signed with Bella Books, which published the Goldie Award finalist Just This Once. Her sixth Bella novel, Out of Love, won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for Women's Romance, and the 2008 Goldie Award in Lesbian Romance. In 2009, she picked up Goldies for Without Warning (Contemporary Romance) and Secrets So Deep (Romantic Suspense).

Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.

KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.

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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Les Read.
39 reviews219 followers
June 24, 2016
Check out the full review! https://lesreadoutloud.com/2016/06/23...

Trial by Fury is the latest release by KG MacGregor, one of the titans in the world of lesbian literature. KG MacGregor is like Homer, and I don’t mean Homer Simpson. I’m referring to the Greek poet Homer, who wrote the classics: Iliad and Odyssey.

MacGregor, like Homer, has some pretty epic heroes in her stories doing some pretty epic things during some pretty epic times. Every novel that I’ve read by KG MacGregor has been high on drama and adventure, and Trial by Fury is one that you definitely won’t want to miss. Anna and Celia kick some major institutionalized misogynistic ass in this novel. Anna and Celia battle against the powers that try to suppress them and Harwood University discovers that they are a force to be reckoned with. They are relentless in their fight to seek justice that the victims in this story rightly deserve.These women are heroines in every sense of the word: passionate, strong, brave.

MacGregor prefaces the novel by stating that she’s not a subject matter expert in law. If you aren’t from the legal world, I think you’d be easily convinced otherwise. The author’s storyline narrative is riveting, and the writing is compelling and convincing. I can only imagine the amount of research and time it took for the author to learn about the process of law, and to meticulously craft this novel.

Trial by Fury isn’t just fiction. It’s a mirror image of the huge problem of rape and sexual assault that we’re facing at our colleges and universities today. The statistics that are shown in the novel are as alarming as they are real: 1 in 4 women have been victims of sexual assault at college campuses across the United States. Unfortunately, most of these incidents go unreported due to the victim’s own feelings of shame and fear, and their deep-seated belief that nothing will be done and that “you’re on your own” because “you did something wrong”. The resolution of the People of the State of California vs. Brock Allen Turner reinforces this type of toxic conditioning and perpetuates a destructive cycle of abuse. It’s incredibly disappointing and infuriating to see how our justice system failed Emily Doe, and ultimately, failed all of us. The judge dropped the ball on this. Big time. We have a ways to go in changing rape culture in this country.

Writers have the gift of words. Words which are expressed to their respective audience for a myriad of purposes: to comfort, direct, entertain, educate. Unfortunately, words can also be used to manipulate, lie, cheat, and inflict pain and suffering. In Trial by Fury, MacGregor utilizes her talent and gift to shine a light in a very dark place. And I hope, as a community, we continue to create light and bring change, no matter how big or small.
Profile Image for Jem.
408 reviews304 followers
June 29, 2016
This is like 90% legal strategy and maneuvering and only about 10% romance. The fight to get universities to change their rape culture is interesting and topical, but it is done at the expense of character and romantic development. Also feels occasionally preachy. It's impossible not to compare this book against the anti-big oil Anyone But You, what with the similar tilting-vs-windmills theme, but which I felt was much better all around: It had leads I could fall in love with, their chemistry sizzled, they faced tougher odds, and it had a thrilling plot. This one felt like I was just reading an in-depth magazine article--nice and informative, but not much tension, not much suspense, and not a lot of feeling.

4.2 stars
Profile Image for Lex Kent.
1,683 reviews9,856 followers
July 8, 2017
Another good book by MacGregor. This book is not about an easy subject. A lawyer takes on a University and it's star athletes, that gang rapped a girl who later committed suicide. A teacher who was a whistle-blower on this horrible crime, must navigate still working at the University and falling in love with the lawyer.
The exciting parts were the investigation and unraveling of the truth, also some of the court scenes. I thought the writing was excellent and it was interesting seeing "the good guys" try to take on a giant University. And as horrible as this story was to read about a rape culture prevalent on a campus, this kind of thing does happen. Everything seem horrifically believable to me.
The only part that was lacking a bit, was the romance. While it's not bad in anyway, I would say it was just average.
While reading this, I kind of felt like I was watching a really good episode of Law and Order SVU. If that sort of thing interests you, crime, law and a David vs. Goliath type story, don't pass this one up.
Profile Image for Anja.
179 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2016
This book was wow, I'd say a roller-coaster ride full of emotions. It was kind of like watching 'Making a murderer'. You shout at the TV set how unfair this whole thing is and that somebody has to uncover the truth. Same here, this poor girl didn't stand a chance. I don't want to spoil, but there is more than meets the eye at first ;) PS: And there is also a little romance in there ;) despite the action. PS2: Never judge a book by its cover!
Profile Image for Nolly  Frances Sepulveda.
383 reviews23 followers
May 26, 2016
This story was well told and it is such a shame to know that it doesn't stray too far from reality. Hayley's story I'm sure resonates with thousands of young women around the world who have been relegated to the back burners for the well being of University reputations and of that of their male athletes, and that thought alone brought a sense of outrage for all those nameless and faceless victims. Again, this story was well told and has some strong female characters that made it work.
Profile Image for Tiff.
385 reviews236 followers
July 1, 2016
I picked up this book a few weeks ago, not really reading the description but going off the fact that KG MacGregor always puts out quality material and it usually covers interesting or thought provoking subjects. This book could have easily been picked off of the last few weeks headlines about the travesty and cover-up at Baylor University. Sadly, the book was written before that whole nightmare was brought to the public’s attention. This book tackles the horrible problem and aftermaths of rape and sexual assaults on our college campuses. Trial by Fury is a lot of legal and a smidgen of romance. It is very good, very informative and very heavy.

For me this book was good and disappointing all wrapped together. Honestly I don’t think this book is really a romance at all. While two characters, Theo and Celia, do become a couple and fall madly in love, the book isn’t really about that. It is more the legal working of Theo and her staff figuring out a way to make the rapists and the college pay for the crimes and then the mishandling of the victims’ rights.. While the subject is so important and swift action needs to be taken by colleges across America, you do feel like characters weren’t ever really developed, and most definitely the romance was very flat. This book felt very educational, and I could have been reading an in-depth expose. Don’t go into this one expecting to be overjoyed by the love, you will come out smarter than before though.

3.75 stars. My reviews can always be found at my blog www.theromanticreaderblog.com
Profile Image for C. Mack.
Author 2 books20 followers
November 19, 2017
Trial by fury

American law is lost on me, but it did not stop me from loving this compelling read that follows a rape case. K G MacGregor has done a stupendous job at writing about difficult topics without it being overwhelming or flippant whilst also intertwining a sweet love story.
Profile Image for Heinerway.
767 reviews97 followers
June 13, 2016
I would say that 'Trial by Fury' is more thriller than romance. The story is an enjoyable emotional roller coaster with some fascinating minor characters... and of course with the wonderful main character Theo.
Profile Image for Lexxi Kitty.
2,060 reviews476 followers
August 20, 2016
This is one of the better MacGregor's I've read in a while. A good mix of legal stuff and romance stuff (though not necessarily balanced).

A woman in drag (dressed up in a suit and hat intending to look like a man, or at the very least, not like herself) shows up at a law office – specifically at the law office of a famous lawyer known for fighting for the rights of women. Fighting for women in divorces, fighting on behalf of women in unequal pay cases, etc.

Well, that woman in drag has a case of her own, though not for herself, or on her own behalf. No, it’s for a student (for you see, she is actually a professor at a local private university, a woman by the name of Dr. Celia Perone). A dead student.

On the night that Harwood University’s men’s basketball team won the national basketball championship, a young woman slashed her wrists. And died. Three or more members of that team had drugged her unconscious then raped her. Then, piling on, released a video of their actions. Well, it was released to a select group; so it was more vague taunts of others, plus outright expressions of disbelief – she was a drama student; the others claimed she was just being dramatic. The campus health clinic helped in a small way, with a rape kit. The campus police seemed vaguely interested.

Then . . . things changed for her. Her ‘friends’, as mentioned, said she was lying, being dramatic, or had been asking for ‘it’. Not all, but enough of them. The police did not proceed with an investigation. The college? Literally told her that they would suspend her, and/or sue her, and/or other vicious things if she continued being a nuisance about the issue. She was a woman with very little support, family/college (no rape crisis center on that campus)/police/’friends’. Except for one male friend who she leaned on, and one college professor – that previously mentioned Dr. Celia Perone. Watching her rapists celebrating, smiling, and giggling on national television . . . she could not go on.

Theodora Constantine, of Greek heritage (I mention for no known reason), takes the case. Very complicated case – especially as it is very difficult to find ‘footing’ or standing for a lawsuit.

While that case is proceeding, along with others, a romance between Theo (as she is actually called in the book) and Celia also progressed. A mix of slow burn and instantaneous ‘stuff’ (took a while for both agreed to date, then they
I liked both main characters. There were moments near the end when Celia was annoying me, but otherwise I liked both main characters. The story line was strong (if depressing – I’ve a desire now to say something like – ‘I’m going to boycott college sports!’ but I do not pay attention to college sports . . .).

College campuses are little fiefdoms of evilness.

August 19 2016
Profile Image for Jane Shambler.
799 reviews32 followers
June 30, 2016
Impressed!

Very very impressed. Only my second book by this author but it definitely won't be my last. KG MacGregor has an awesome style of writing which makes the book compelling and very hard to put down. Her writing just flows flawlessly, her storyline is hard hitting, her characters are realistic and enjoyable, but despite the sensitivity of the book its delivered with humour and compassion. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I'm off to find more of this author, she definitely has me hooked.
Profile Image for Bib.
312 reviews
June 26, 2016
Though the book loses steam towards the later half, I found it an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Velvet Lounger.
391 reviews72 followers
April 21, 2017
‘Trail By Fury’ takes the ‘old boy’ attitude of Universities and exposes it for the outrage it is. Picking up on the ‘locker room’ mentality of Trump, MacGregor has written a fine piece of fiction to highlight the reality.



Performance Studies Professor Celia Perone is horrified when one of her pupils is viciously raped, humiliated by social media photos and then ignored by the campus authorities. When Celia tries to take up her cause she is threatened by the University. Hoping for a chair, but infuriated by the callous response of the administration, she is determined to take it further.



Theo Constantine is a high profile women’s rights attorney regularly contacted by the rich and famous for celebrity divorces, a champion of sexual abuse cases and the heroine of class action suits for inequality. When Celia turns up with her tale of an institutionalised rape culture Theo knows this is a fight she needs to take on, but recognises that there is slim chance of creating a civil case under the current Georgia statues.



Forging ahead with what is always going to be a controversial battle, Theo and Celia are determined to not just get justice for Celia’s student, but bring down the administration that has created such a monstrous system of sweeping rape under the carpet to protect its reputation.



KG Macgregor has taken a difficult subject and made it into an extremely readable courtroom drama with a side order of romance. The stories of the women are horrible, the actions of the authorities are callous and uncaring, and yet Theo and her team care so much, and fight so hard, that we are left with a sense of fortitude and strength rather than depressed by the harsh reality.



The characters are solid, complex and passionate. The plot is full of fact and detail, well researched and unfortunately undeniably credible. The story arcs beautifully from celebration to celebration, yet keeps us on the edge of our seat with the angst of the battle, the facts of the situation, and the personal cost of taking up the fight.



The romance is definitely secondary, but adds a subtle lightness to what could be an overwhelmingly stressful story. Initially reluctant to engage for ethical reasons Theo cannot resit Celia’s passion for justice that so clearly matches her own. Yet it is ultimately that passion that will strain their relationship.



Excellent reading, highly recommended. Not an easy read in terms of the subject, but with iKG MacGregor’s first-rate writing style, fast paced action and a sweet romance this is definitely one of the books of the year.
Profile Image for Sunny.
82 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2016
I enjoyed the legal case(s) part of this book but the romance fell a little flat for me. It all happened too quickly and I just didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters. As others have said, the romance was really a secondary story anyway, so if you like legal drama you'll probably enjoy this one. As with other KGM books, it's well written and certainly timely given the Stanford case so much in the news right now.
Profile Image for Line.
137 reviews22 followers
May 23, 2016
3 1/2 stars
The story was good. More story than romance, but nicely written.
Not being from USA and not having a lot of these issues, I got a little annoyed, not so much on the book but the American system with College sports and sororities etc.
Profile Image for Alena.
872 reviews28 followers
September 19, 2016
Enjoyed the legal aspects more than the romance here. The characters felt a little flat, though their instant connection, for once, felt believable to me. I also enjoyed that there was no big conflict thrown in for the sake of conflict and that the two main characters actually communicated throughout.
Profile Image for Jenny Yates.
Author 2 books13 followers
April 15, 2018
I don’t recommend this unless you really love to read about legal procedures. The basic story is about a high-profile, well-dressed, penthouse-living, wealthy, glamorous lesbian lawyer fighting to protect women’s rights, and that sounds kind of exciting. But there’s an emphasis on the minutia of legal action, lots of hearings and motions and staff meetings and so on. And the romance is pretty predictable: beautiful people who fall madly in love. They’re trying not to, because one is a witness in the other’s case, but it can’t be helped. And actually, nobody really objects. And it’s not actually illegal.
Profile Image for Alealea.
648 reviews10 followers
October 11, 2017
Disappointing.
While the story in itself is interesting. But I couldn't get past my dislike of the main characters. I couldn't feel them as "real" beings.

And how can the lawyer keep calling the teacher by the her-tv-show-character-name when she KNOWS how the teacher suffered because of it ?
Am I the only shocked by that ?
Profile Image for Kaye.
4,339 reviews71 followers
May 24, 2021
This is a legal fiction book with a small side of romance. It reads like a good episode of Law and Order SVU with the focus on the court not police work. Celia Perone is a professor in the theater department of a elite private college in Atlanta. When one of her students commits suicide are she is raped by star basketball athletes Celia brings the case to the attention of women's rights attorney Theodora Constantine. After investigating Theo wants to bring the whole university leadership down as they have created a culture where rape is covered up not wanting bad press. MacGregor writes compellingly about the legal arguments and rebuttals that can be made to bring a civil case and how media can be used to bring attention to these situations. I like legal stories and so I enjoyed this. The romance part was very instant and predictable. But I still liked it being part of the story.
Profile Image for Megan.
294 reviews8 followers
September 17, 2017
This was not my favorite KG MacGregor book. I originally picked up the book because I thought the story line dealing with college rape sounded very interesting. Although, the book seemed to drag for me and I did not feel like there was enough character development between the two main characters. I was a little disappointed since this book had a powerful message but I had to struggle to finish it and when I did, it felt like rushed. I would actually recommend other great MacGregor books such as Anyone but You before I would recommend this one.
Profile Image for Kathleen Wills.
44 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2023
Utterly amazing! Trial by Fury takes the reader deep into the logistics of seeking justice in an arena where money, power, and gender rule. I was alternately thrilled and furious. Fantastic read!
Celia and Theo are genuine, and their budding attraction and romance are knitted seamlessly into the drama of finding justice for a young woman...for women everywhere.
This book gave a voice to the victims and women alike. READ THIS!!
Profile Image for Lira.
144 reviews3 followers
December 29, 2017
The book was well written but the storyline wasn't my cup of tea. I guess I knew that going into it but because I love the author I read it anyway. I didn't enjoy it as much because it felt like a heavy read for me.
Profile Image for Cheryl Head.
Author 9 books269 followers
December 11, 2017
Loved the plot detail and the characters. A very topical subject.
Profile Image for Jo.
498 reviews12 followers
March 17, 2020
We need more stories like this in current times: highlighting important social issues, and the hope for justice.
1,149 reviews15 followers
June 27, 2016
I loved this book.

Wow! Just an absolutely fabulous book. A very tough and timely subject. Wonderful strong women characters. I'll read it again and hope there's another one coming soon.
32 reviews
January 16, 2017
Good book to read.

This story has an equally romantic and socially-conscious plot. It's fast paced, with both strong female characters and lovable side characters too.
Profile Image for Mary.
5 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2019
Disappointing compared to her other books. Needs editing for transitions and development. Seems kind of thrown together and rushed. Pleasant enough at times, but seemed formulaic and a bit cliched with underdeveloped characters and background.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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