Broken Justice, Blind Love

by Rena Koontz

He is a suspect. An accused killer. And Trish Kleerey is the law. Patrolman Kleerey stands tall, speaks assertively, and sees right and wrong as clearly as her black and white cruiser. Commit a wrong and face the consequences. But her strict moral code is challenged when her investigation into a series of murders incriminates the man she loves. Her training tells her to arrest him. Her heart screams otherwise.

Bryan DeJewel feels the line between love and the law blur when Trish questions him about the serial killings. The Trish Kleerey he knows is soft, warm, and capable of bringing him to his knees with desire, but that passion isn’t enough to build a lasting relationship. If she loves him, she must trust him.

Her suspicious nature already cost her a lifelong friendship. She couldn’t turn her back on the physical abuse she suspected her friend suffered but, once again, her questions alienated a person she loves. Believing Bryan means turning her back on hard evidence, breaking the rules, and risking her career to prove his innocence.

Meanwhile, the real killer watches and waits, hoping she’ll fall into his deadly trap. Trish’s listen to her heart and choose love, or strap on her gun and enforce the law?

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2016

About the author

I am a native of Pittsburgh, PA., and a graduate of Peabody High School and the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor's degree in English. I try to work Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh connections into my stories. I'm an avid sports fan so my characters often wear black and gold or reference the city's sports teams -- The Pittsburgh Penguins, The Pittsburgh Steelers, The Pittsburgh Pirates.
I've been a newspaper reporter all my life, from the time I graduated college and worked part-time for a now-defunct weekly, until my departure from one of the country's top twenty newspapers in Cleveland, OH.
I worked and lived in Pittsburgh until 1998 - spending more than a decade with a small daily newspaper, The Beaver County Times, before joining the city's major daily, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I was a reporter for The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette when my husband and I relocated to Cleveland, OH., where I worked first as an editor for The Medina (OH.)Gazette, then joined The Cleveland Plain Dealer as a general assignment reporter.
My writing career has taken me into the sports arena, politics, feature writing, editorial writing, and, my favorite, cops and courts. I've chased fire trucks and police cars, covered all sorts of crimes, including murders, and reported criminal, civil, high profile and ordinary trials. Many of the ideas for my books come from real cases that I am familiar with.
Plus, I'm married to a retired FBI agent whose career fuels my ideas and whose technical advice is invaluable.
We make our home in Florida and haven't missed the snow yet.

Reviews

[Becky Lower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rena Koontz delivers her best effort to date with Broken Justice, Blind Love. From the startling opening line to the very last word, she had me on the edge of my seat. Rena definitely knows police procedure, and paints Trish Kleerey as a by-the-book cop who, in the end, has to decide between doing right by her job or doing right by her man. It's full of suspense, and it keeps amping up with each chapter. I loved this book!

[Judy Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very well developed, and the romance progressed at a believable pace. It took its time, which I appreciated. Trish, the female cop, was a strong and likable character. Her love interest, Bryan, was someone any woman would be interested in. There was a good mystery about a serial killer preying on women associated with real estate listings, and a side story of a friend being brutalized by a new love interest, rang true. If you're looking for a good crime story with a love affair that is fun to read and very believable, you will enjoy this book.

[Marbea Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better story than I imagined it could be. Its got a mix of suspense ,thrills, drama and fitness finesse! Its a very important storyline and has touched on several very important issues dealing with violent people.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read , I couldn't put it down !

[Lynn Crandall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sat on the edge of my seat

Review Copy Provided By Author

While I’m a fan already of Rena Koontz novels, I was once again tense, moved, and satisfied reading her latest release. Broken Justice, Blind Love might be her best to-date, which is saying a lot.

Typical of Koontz’s writing style, action grabbed me from page one and never let up. The balance between suspense and emotional journey kept me reading, hardly taking a breath. Her writing is tight, evocative, and engaging. Her knowledge of police work gives the book refreshing authenticity. She never missed a beat in taking me, the reader, along the intense investigation of a serial killer. Her characterization grabbed my heart, as well, as I felt right there with the heroine and hero facing life and death decisions and rooting for them as they searched for truth and love.

But before any relationship can grow between Officer Trish Kleerey and Bryan DeJewel, Trish must face the fact that investigation of a series of murders is leading to Bryan as a suspect. Her suspicion of him throws Bryan for a loop, as he understands a relationship with Trish would be impossible if she can’t trust him. And Trish knows ignoring the incriminating evidence goes against what she stands for – justice.

If you love characters with depth and heart in a superb romantic suspense story, go buy this book now.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Broken Justice, Blind Love” is a phenomenal first rate read!

Read full review in the 2017 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

UncagedBooks.com

This had a lot of twists and turns to it and a good storyline. This is the first book I have read by Rena Koontz. But I wouldn’t object to reading another book of hers. As this one did indeed keep my interest. Reviewed by Jennifer


Read the full review in the December issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first experience reading a story written by Rena Koontz and it will not be my last. The story engaged me from the first paragraph and from that moment, I had difficulty putting it down. The impeccable writing, complex and character driven plot had me devouring the story at each page turn, as I was eager to discover how the events would unfold. 

As a fan of romantic suspense, I am always on the lookout for stories from the genre. What I enjoy about these stories is the author's ability to balance the romance and suspense. Rena Koontz accomplished that balance in this book. The romance and suspense did not overshadow each other; instead, they both enhanced and made the story come alive. Although the twists and turns that one would expect with this genre were not present, the suspense and drama coupled with the author's clear and concise writing more than made up for it. 

The story follows patrolman Trish Kleery and gym owner/instructor Bryan Dejwel. These two are as different as night and day, but that made them perfect for each other. Trish believes in doing everything by the book. For her it is black or white, no colouring outside the lines permitted. However, her beliefs came under testing when she became emotionally involved with Bryan. 

Bryan knows what it means to make mistakes. After spending time in jail for a crime he did not commit, he is determined not to repeat his mistakes. He turned his life around and he now owns his own business where he has staked a reputation for himself in the fitness world. In addition, his personal life heats when he and Trish became involved, however, someone is determined to destroy his reputation and his budding relationship with Trish. Now he finds himself in a fight to prove his innocence. Will Trish follow her heart and stand by her man or will she go by the book and destroy her newfound happiness? 

The romance did not run smooth between these two as expected, given the circumstances. Her tendency to see things as black and white placed a strain on their romance. Trish, despite being a good cop, struggled with self-esteem issues when it came to her personal life. She has difficulty separating her personal life from her professional life, which has tested not only her relationship with Bryan but also with her best friend Kandee. As the story progressed, she evolved and showed that she could put the woman before the cop when necessary. She came to realise she can be both without compromising one for the other. 

There were two stories taking place, which at first seem to be unconnected. However, as it progressed, the connection became clear. At first figuring out the killer's identity was not so easy, but as events unfold, I had a suspect who fit the profile well. My early identification of the villain did not affect my enjoyment of the story. I was on the edge of my seat as I tried figuring out what his next move would be. Getting a glimpse into the killer's mind was a scary experience, especially when his actions supported his thoughts. 

Verdict: 

This story had a lot going on. I am unable to go into details as it may lead to divulging the plot. As such if you love romance and suspense then I recommend you read this book. Well written with developed characters and an engaging story that will keep you entertained to the end.

Review originally posted at