A Matter of Trust

Justice #0

by Radclyffe

Michael Lassiter hires J.T. Sloan, a security consultant, to protect her company. Sloan shares a painful past with her associate and friend Jason McBride. Sarah Martin, is a gentle practitioner of eastern medicine. Four very different people, each wounded by personal betrayal, find their lives inextricably linked.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Lesbian Fiction, Lesbian Romance, Fiction, Audiobook

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2002

About the author

Radclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.

She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”

Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice prequel to the Justice series! descriptive,sexually graphic scenes,likable characters and the chemistry was right there..good storytelling (paperback!)

[Bárbara Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. BEAUTIFUL!! Radclyffe just knows how to write a marvelous book. All the romances in all the books are simply breathtaking and deep and so enticing. It’s just a mix that makes it all perfect. I’m in awe of all the stories and I just know imma LOVE this whole series just like I love the Honor series. 100% recommend.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is everything you expect from a Radclyffe book. Great chemistry between the main characters. I particularly enjoyed the Jason/Jasmine character. I haven't read her Trust or Justice series, now I can't wait.

[MaxDisaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars
I decided to take a detour from the Justice series to check out the prequel because I've been told it shouldn't mess with the series (thanks XR) and I was curious about Sloane's and Michael's backstory.
And it was good. Can't say it was my favourite book ever, but I had fun reading it.

[Guerunche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED the printed version and decided to try the audiobook with unfamiliar narrator Betsy Zajko. I’m glad I read the book first - though it was many years ago, because the narration detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

The writing was strong enough to keep me listening, but I considered not finishing it.

Rad has said that audiobooks aren’t profitable and I would argue that they probably would be if her publishing house hired stronger narrators. Yes - this is an older title but the practice continues.

I’m giving the audiobook 3.5 stars which is primarily due to the story.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Matter of Trust is a prequel to the Justice Series. One of my favorite Radclyffe series. I’ve read it many, many times.
I love and enjoy this story of Sloan, Michael, Jasmine, Jason, and Sarah. Sloan and Jason are techno geniuses and I love reading about them delving into the system to find the viruses, hackers and bad guys intent on destroying peoples lives. My heart hurts for the betrayal both Sloan and Jason faced in the past by the woman who were suppose to love them. I love the tight friendship that developed between them and I enjoy the acceptance and loyalty Sloan gives to Jasmine. The relationship between Sarah, Jason, and Jasmine is sweet to watch. I loved the discovery of Sarah’s desire not only for Jason but for Jasmine as well and the dropping of Jason’s walls to let Sarah in to love him and Jasmine. I absolutely love Michael. She is such an innocent in many ways. It’s beautiful to watch her fall for Sloan, to discover the feelings and emotions she’s not felt before. I hate her husband, who betrayed not only their marriage, but also tried to take the company away from Michael. Michael is just the woman needed to hold Sloan’s fragile heart and Sloan is just the woman to cherish Michael. Their love is beautiful.

[A.W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Lassiter hires J.T. Sloan who is a security consultant in order to protect her company.  Sloan is attracted to Michael but is afraid of giving in to her feelings to due to her past.  

The book had slightly more diverse characters than the normal fanfare which I appreciated.

I felt that the conflict was resolved too quickly and that perhaps it would've been more exciting if we got to see the process of how Sloan discovered who was behind everything.

The romance and chemistry was there, however a bit of instalove happening.

A book I would recommend if you want to read about Sloan and Michael's story as well as Jason/Jasmine and Sarah.  

Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-Kt

[Milkiways · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left me disappointed and sad...first thing since its from Justice series I thought it will have lot of action, suspense with a touch of romance. However, it turned into primarily a romance novel.

When it comes to romance element, this book in my view failed to develop emotions between main characters, mostly filled with pity and lust there are couple of caring scenes but they weren't enough to touch my sole. Sloan and Michael meant to be madly in love with each other but I don't see enough development between them which lead how they connected and fell in love. Also, instead of showing strong friendship between Sloan and Jasmine author chose to show the chemistry between them that too in front of her date and a person she is already falling for... Sloan arouses by Jasmine's touch! how can it be possible ? Does it shows that Sloan is in love/falling hard for Michael? How can any person who is supposedly in love or deeply attracted to one person and can get aroused by another person's touch ? I get it the author wants to show Sloan accepting Jason for who he is but she could have been shown it through friendship and care! Their past history is enough why to repeat that that again in front of their dates? It sounded like Sloan loves Jasmine and can't resist her at all but due to the constraints she can't overcome she is looking for someone else and the replacement is Michael!

Also, I don't know why Sarah is so much around ? doesn't she have her own life/work at all? I get it they are friends but still....

The relationship development between Jason, Jasmine and Sarah was good. All about tolerance, acceptance and love was portrayed well enough but I have no idea how far its true in real life.

This book is definitely doesn't suit my taste.. I may sound naive but I like to see two persons who suppose to fall for each other should never get attracted to other person even for a split second.

These are purely my feelings!

[Lynnabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of all the Radclyffe books. Michael and Sloan are a great couple.

[Mirtha Siblesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Very good story. Very suspenseful story in which the two main characters were caught up in the intrigue of cyber sleuthing along with the love story developing between the two women

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book from (2002) is set up as a prequel to Shield of Justice and is considered Book #0 in the Justice series. (I’ve now read 3 of the five in the series.) Michael Lassiter is preparing to divorce her husband and hires J.T. Sloan as a security consultant. She wants to protect her company which she founded and has the main idea for but where he is CFO. Sloan is a quick at setting up better security on the computer network which as it turns out is needed when things get nasty.

This is fast paced Radclyffe. Instant attraction between Michael and Sloan, business under attack and a side story with a romance for Jason who is Sloans associate. I would have liked a little more build to the romance between the MCs. And even though the marriage is over I didn’t like that Michael didn’t wait for the divorce to be with Sloan. I enjoyed reading this but I wanted a little more nuance and depth. But if you’re going to read the Justice series you'll want this couples background story.

[Aude · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 75%

I'll just give up on the Radclyffe books I guess. My gripe with this one was the same as with the others:

Too much narration/description. I would just skim over the narration and read the dialogues.

The attraction is not relatable. I don't understand it.

The sex scenes are akwardly written.

The women (many of them) have males names. If I wanted to read a story about dudes called Michael and Sloan, I'd pick an m/m romance.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two woman in this story are very well developed. I love the characters. The story is exciting. The way the two woman has to go, till they trust the love they feel for each other is a beautful story in itself.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am three books into the Justice series, so I thought I would go back and read how Michael and JT became a couple as well as Sarah and Jason. I thought the read was enjoyable with little angst and fine character development. Definitely provides insight as I continue to read the series.

[SilveringOfRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

When you're looking for well-written lesfic romantic fluff then Radclyffe is where you go. And she didn't disappoint! I've had some free time post Christmas and so, of course, I turned to something that had the predictable formula of a fluffy romance (meet, angst, something coming between them, resolution, happily ever after).

Is the writing good?

This book is smart (as in well researched and you learn a thing or two), sensitive (as in broken people believably written), and sweet (as in two people who deserve love finding each other in a satisfyingly cute story). My only thing is that sometimes I found things got a little bit too flowery and "beautifully prose like". I appreciate beautiful words and sentences (and am guilty of the very same thing in my own writing), but sometimes they don't belong.

Were there grammar issues?

A few, nothing too awful.

 

Are the lead characters likeable?

I loved them both. JT is just this side of butch, and I sure do love me a beautiful butch lady. She's sensitive and caring and all the drool-worthy things. And Michael is... the perfect foil I suppose is the way I'd describe her. She's beautiful, incredibly smart, tough in her own way and in need of saving. The perfect damsel in other words. However I really really want to know the story behind her choice of name. Because I found my wondering about it distracting me often!!

Is the supporting cast good?

I want to know more about Jason and Jasmin because they intrigue me on every level, and I'm halfway in love with Sarah. That should answer your question.

Is there a suitably nasty villain?

There's a villain, and he is nasty but he isn't truly important except as being the reason Michael comes to JT in the first place.

Is this story believable?

It is....mostly.

Is there anything I would change?

A little less uhhh... words that are meant to move with their sweeping poeticness. Not that I didn't enjoy them, but they felt a little too much in some places.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

In every book review of this series I say that these books are too good and too short, however this one was actually too short.
Sloan and Michael's relationship could have used an extra 100 pages.
It would give them more room for slower development and growth, and would wrap things up better overall I think.

However, the book was good, just like any other book in this goddamn amazing series by Radclyffe.

I stopped at book 3 from the Justice series to read this prequel because Sloan and Michael are so damn sexy to skip and because really, I'm doing everything I can so that I don't finish reading this series. It physically hurts me that it will eventually come to an end..

Reading the series, I was very intrigued by Sloan and Michael. They give off a completely different vibe from any other couple I've come across, they're so serious about each other and their passion is off the charts, so I of course wanted to read their story.
Safe to say that I expected a bit more. The book wasn't groundbreaking where it could have been, there are some points that were lacking like the plot and the relationship's development, also the writing and the siencitific explanations at times got redundant and uninteresting, but that still doesn't mean that the book wasn't great. It was definitely an excellent lesbian read, but I couldn't help but love the couple in the Justice series more than in this book.


On Michael's Name:
I was hoping we would get an explanation behind Michael's name, I was hoping that she was some kind of androgynous person, because in this book and the other ones in the Justice series there is an emphasis on how her name makes you think she's a boy, so I thought maybe there's a story behind it, however there is none, her name is just Michael.. which is underwhelming.
Because it would be such an opportunity for more queerness exploration since the books already dives into that, hence Jasmine and Mitch.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sloan Security origin story

“There are a lot of reasons to stay in love, but why we fall in love remains a mystery to me. The best we can hope for, I guess, is that we fall in love with someone we can continue to love.”
“And sometimes there’s nothing we can do except fall and wait for the crash.”

“Had it been only simple desire—that she would have understood. Michael Lassiter was a beautiful, vital woman—and wanting her was natural. But the ache of need was an emotion long forgotten, and something better left buried.”

“It went beyond the perfect features and flawless skin and her breathtakingly beautiful blue eyes; there was a tenderness in her gaze and a gentleness in her voice that soothed Sloan’s wounded places.”
+ • + • + • +

The back story about how Sloan + Michael & Sarah + Jason & Jasmine found themselves & came together to build the extended family of Sloan Security, the impressive, invaluable & irreplaceable civilian partners from the Justice Seriesʼ independent task force.

[Ari Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

opps

Spicy: 3/5

I accidentally read this book after reading book 1 in this series. I didn't read the synopsis and went in blind and was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting another detective novel.

Michael (F) is divorcing her husband and business partner. Having a gut feeling that he would turn ugly, she decides to hire network security to keep her business and life’s work safe from her maleficent husband.

Sloan (F) is the co-owner of a network security business, has closed her life off to love, and is strict about one-night stands. Sloan walks into a meeting thinking she is meeting with a man named Michael, but she is face-to-face with a beautiful woman who is leaving her husband. While working to save Michael’s work, she starts to develop feelings for the straight woman. Will she make it through this business transaction without losing the last bit of her heart?

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

JT Sloan, lesbian computer geek with secrets is hired by straight, socially isolated CEO Michael to safeguard her intellectual property as she begins to unravel her husband and business partner in a divorce that is bound to get ugly. Great premise that lives up to its beginning pages and is carried straight through to the end. Gender bending, come to sexual awakening later in life, and sexual tension and love are the highlights of this book. Radclyffe does her usual fantastic rendering of characterizations and deep dives into people that make you want to keep reading about them even after the book is done. This is really a 4.5 stars in my book. I'm off to read more of her Justice series.

[Brooklyn Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. When I read the Justice Series, two of my favorite characters were Sloan and Michael. With this book, so much that remained unexplained has been revealed. There had been hints of their past throughout the series, but it was never fully told. It was also wonderful to explore Jasmine (Jason) and Sarah’s beginnings. Now I almost feel obligated to revisit the Justice Series, and I just may, but not right away. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Radclyffe’s writing, but especially to those that enjoyed the series. The book would stand alone, but knowing what’s to come may be too much of a temptation.

[Tristan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably the second book I read by Radclyffe and it left such an impression on me. Sloan is probably one of the more unique characters by Rad. She's not like any of the other characters Rad has brought to life, even now. From her background and personality to her career. I still can't figure out if Rad has experience with cyber security or just did a lot of awesome research but everything about Sloan's abilities felt so authentic to me. Also, I feel like Sloan and Michael have the least in common when it comes to their individual histories and personalities and they still seem like such a perfect match.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, not great. Read it in less than a day.

Haven't read any of the other Justice novels - tend to read Rad's medical dramas instead of the cop ones. But this made me interested in checking out the Justice series more.

[Pat Racicot · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her best!

Radclyfee's prequel to her Justice series is one of her best, a most satisfying intro to an excellent series, and I highly recommend it!! And if you've already read the series this will just make you crave a repeat reading extravaganza experience!!!

[Wynne Hœ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and digestible afternoon read. I love the vanilla-ness of this novel. I however wish that more tension can be present. I.e the conflict between Jeremy, Michael and Sloane. I expected more of a stand off and a sweeping declaration by Sloane . It was just way too easy .

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this series

I really enjoyed this book the characters are well developed and very likable and interesting. Perfect beginning for this series. Highly recommend this series. Thanks for another winner.

[CK529 · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the elements of a good HEA; additional interesting parts of the story line include cyber security and Jason/Jasmine. A better start to a series than I normally think happens with a first book introducing characters, setting, etc.

[Coop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Keeps you guessing. Spends a lot of time on the strangeness of some LGBTQ lifestyles, but it helps makes the story interesting. Some might find that part a bit confusing.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rápido, ágil, atrapante; cuando te das cuenta el libro terminó.
Podría haberse desarrollado un poco más la historia entre ellos.

[Lindie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great backstory to the justice series but I miss all the crime dramaaaaa

[Pia Pfeifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first Books by this author I've read. I reread it several times and still impressed by the characters, the storyline and the outcome. One of the reasons I'm a fan of Radclyffe.