"Every leap of faith is a judgment call." Kelly’s leap took her far from the home she loved and hated. Freed from the tentacles of her dead mother’s life-destroying choices, she bravely takes on New York City. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the walls to close in and test her in ways she never dreamed.
Matty, on the other hand, burst from his introverted shell like a torpedo and reveled in everything the city offered an endlessly curious, four-year-old boy. He took the idea of a surprise big brother in his stride too and was over the moon with joy about the family being created right before his eyes.
Their leap of faith also impacted Liam Ashforth and his fiancée, Rhiann Baron-Wilde. In one fell swoop the starchy, uptight businessman had a grown up sister who wasn’t at all impressed with his nonsense and a little brother who thought he walked on air. And poor Rhiann—she was left in the middle juggling Liam’s reaction, Kelly’s confusion, Matty’s exuberance and Roman’s surprising behavior.
But what about Roman?
Driving at full speed off a cliff and free falling into a life-changing love wasn’t what he had in mind when Kelly Anne James tumbled into his path. But that’s what happened. And if that wasn’t enough, a critical situation from his complicated past that sat quietly simmering on a back burner was starting to boil. Soon, he’d have to bring his old life into the present and introduce the two.
Into this mix steps the enigmatic Domineau Rivera. Described by Kelly as an Amazonian warrior wearing a shoulder holster, she brings a new and surprising perspective on Roman’s past.
Team Justice has a female member? Who knew? If you thought how this story began was interesting—just wait until you see where it’s going!
USA Today Bestselling Author of military romance and contemporary fiction
I'm a lifelong reader of romance, and a busy storyteller with more than 2 million words in print. If you're looking for a new book boyfriend or a good time with laughter and sizzle, check out my catalog of books.
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Kelly was trying to adjust to her new life while Matty acted like he'd always lived in NYC. He loved having a big brother and learning news things each day. Domineau was assigned to look after Kelly and Matty. Despite not liking the changes in her life, Kelly couldn't live somewhere Roman wasn't cause she loved that man to pieces and vice versa.
Liam and Rhiann were preparing for their wedding, the latter was disappointed when Kelly backed out of being her bridesmaid even though she understood her sister-in-law's resaons. Matty was excited to be Liam's groomsman. Even Liam was having a hard time breaking through Kelly's barriers. But he got some help from their little brother in how to break down her walls.
Uh oh looks like Roman, Domineau and Team Justice's past was coming back to haunt them all. With the threat out there, Roman, Kelly and Matty had to go to Arizona. Rhiann was too happy about her friend moving out there but she knew it was something that needed to be done.
CHECK MATE is a BISHOP'S PAWN novella is was fascinating, fast-paced, emotional and sexy. Suzanne Halliday did it again, she made me fall in love all over again with the characters. Two thumbs up!
Did Bishop's Pawn leave you clamoring for more? Did you need to know what happened in Roman, Kelly and Matty's story? I certainly did. And Suzanne Halliday heard us and gave us Checkmate, a novella that follow them in New York as they get to know Liam and Rhiann. As with any Halliday story, it has Alpha men, strong and independent women with snark and in this one a cuteness factor of 4 year old Matty who knows more than the adults that family is made of people who love one another not necessarily people with the same blood. This book brings the sarcasm and the heat. Whew!!! Thanks Suzanne Halliday for this May suprise. Looking forward to the next Family Justice book and learning more about the newest Justice operative, Domineau.
O.M.G. I can not get enough of Suzanne Halliday!! From the Justice Brothers/Family Justice Series to the Wilde Women series, and now this? I'm beyond giddy! A follow-up novella to Bishop's Pawn, Checkmate continues the story of Roman, Kelly and Matty. You can't help but just fall in love with all of them!! Kelly is adjusting to city life, Matty is adjusting to his newly found extended family. And Roman? Well, he is as hot and alpha as ever. Those love scenes are just delicious. But now, his past is coming back to threaten everything and everyone he has. He will do whatever is needed to protect them all. But, what will that mean? This one leaves you in a cliffhanger that leaves you unwilling to wait one more minute for the continuation!! Can't wait!!
For everyone who wanted more Roman, Kelly and Matty! this is it. Checkmate is the perfect Novell to follow Bishops Pawn. You get to see how Kelly, Roman and Matty are growing as a family. Liam is learning a lot being a big brother, but he and Rhiann are loving it. There were so many surprises in here I didn't want it to end! Loved all the snarky banter. Some oh so hot and steamy sexy times. A must read!! You will love it!!
Checkmate was a fantastic follow up novella to Bishop's Pawn by Suzanne Halliday. This novella kept me hooked and consumed through every phenomenal word, and it had me loving every part that I got to experience with these characters. After having fallen so in love with these characters in Bishop's Pawn it was so great to be back with these characters and to see what they were up to. It was also great to see how they connected into Suzanne's other books, and that has me even more excited to catch up on her books!! Suzanne Halliday continues to be one of my favorite authors for a reason, and reading this novella showed me that again and again.
This story had it all. It had the heat and connection that was firing off like crazy between Roman and Kelly. It had that sense of friendship and family weaving its way through every page in a way that added a great level of emotion to everything I was reading. It had moments that made me smile and laugh, others that made my heart happy and skip a beat, and others that intrigued me more about these characters and what was coming their way. This was the perfect follow up to everything I loved in Bishop's Pawn, and I loved how Suzanne Halliday once again threw me into the thick of it with these characters through it all.
Checkmate gives you a follow up on Kelly, Roman, Liam, Rhiann, Matty, and introduced Domineau who I can't wait to learn more about. This story allowed me to see how these characters were wading through the waters of their complicated situation, and it allowed me to fall even more in love with them than I already was. This novella gave me more of them to love and invest in, and the way Suzanne Halliday continued to deepen what I got with these characters was phenomenal.
Roman and Kelly are two characters that I just love. I love that this novella gave me more of them, more of their push and pull and the fire burning between them. I love that this novella showed just how far they had come, and where they were headed together too. I love that this novella heightened what they shared and what they felt for one another, and I especially love that this novella exemplified the love and strength those two have. That blew me away once again and I loved getting to experience that in this story. It wowed me on every level, and it truly has me even more excited and ready for more with these characters!
If you loved Bishop's Pawn, you will love this novella and what Suzanne Halliday gives you with these characters. You will love every word of this, and it will have you beyond ready for more of the authentic and wonderful characters and worlds she continues to create in her amazing books. I loved every bit of this novella and what it gave me, and I can't say that enough!! Suzanne Halliday thoughtfully crafted a novella that made me feel, made me smile, and had me loving everything I was reading through every page! It was exactly what I needed and more, and I truly can't say enough how much I loved it!!
This delicious treat from Suzanne Halliday kept me riveted and smiling the entire way from the beginning to the end. A virtual page turner on the continuation of Roman and Kelly's relationship. The drooling from all those very lusty scenes were amazing and fun! Next time I'll need a bigger napkin. Lol! As a US Army female Veteran I'm beyond excited about the story of Domineau and possibly this Rafe guy?!!! Did I mention Matty's story continues to grow and blossom as a child's life should be? Well it does! My goodness I'm so stoked for Everlasting!!!!
I finally see where this one crosses more with Justice. I feel like there is so much we are missing with why Roman needs to hide Kelly and Matty in AZ. I hope we get the full scoop in the next book. I also want to know more about the woman body guard, Domineau. Sounds like there is a story there, one with a bad romance with a guy in the group.
I loved Matty and Liam talking, about being a groomsman, the secret Rhianna had with the candy and then about Roman being dad. I also loved it when Matty brought it up to Kelly and then the two of them brought it up to Roman. So cute and really showed how much was on the line with the bad stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
wow, i rarely rate a novella 5 stars but this was easy. great read, really whet my appetite for the next Kelly & Roman's story. loved everything about this story .. really well written, wonderful characters, beautiful romance have had the Justice & Wilde books on my tbr list for a while and now wish i had gotten to them sooner. will be getting to them this week so i am ready for the next in the Justice family.
This was another great addition to the series, and I'm looking forward to reading more. This part of the ongoing story is about Kelly's emotional distress, Liam and Rhi's upcoming wedding, a new member is included in their lives (whose life story is in the Justice Family series), and the current problems that have returned from the grave for the Original Justice team. I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
I am an avid reader with a wide range of tastes; but normally am not a huge fan of continuous stories. However, once I started the first book about Bishop, I was hooked. Found the storyline to be very intriguing; with amazing and likeable characters; and overall a fun and highly entertaining read.
Do not waste a second of your precious time attempting to read this clap trap. It is so very awful. I cannot for the life of me even imagine why it exists. Run away very fast. Save yourself!!!
I loved this book! Liam and his baby brother bonding is absolutely beautiful! Of course I love all the alpha men including young Master James. Rhiann is hilarious I Flove her! Kiki aww she's just a beautiful pixie.
When an author can surprise you no matter how many times you read her books you know that she is a keeper. And Suzanne is my go to for all my Happily ever Afters.
Every time I open up a book with her name on it I know from the first page that she has not disappointed in anyway. Her characters are always strong, sexy, snarky and honourable.
Checkmate is the followup to Bishop’s Pawn and takes up from where we found Roman back in New York with Kelly and Matty. Adjustments have been made and Matty is soaking it all up with the childlike wonder that you'd expect. He has slotted right in amongst these alpha males and has cemented his place with ease. But Kelly, she is struggling. Big time. Used to the spaces and freedom that rural Oklahoma offered. She finds herself at a loss and does not know what to do with herself.
Roman can see her struggling and is trying to lay out the future that will take them from the heart of New York and into a family home in the burbs.
But now there is a new threat looming. Roman’s past and that of the Justice Squad is catching up with him. And its not something that is going to be easily fixed. Even though that time was years ago he knows that the oath that they all made was not a one time deal. Once your in, your in for life regardless if you are no longer serving.
New faces are arriving on the scene and one in particular will have you entranced. Domineau she is the bodyguard assigned to both Matty and Kelly and she is a freakin badass, if you can picture Sarah Connor from Terminator but add another of her on top and there you have her in all her badassery glory.
All of these new faces have their own stories, ones that I am dying to know about it. Her relationship with Roman is also telling and she is part of the original Justice. I am dying here as I type with more questions brimming then answers. But we will have to wait and see what’s up with her. You get a glimpse but that’s it. Did I mention that Suzanne does that? Torture us that us with these little insights and then bam! Nothing, well until the next book. But I think thats what I love, these new people are introduced and she takes the time to develop them and make you want more.
Liam and Rhiann are busy planning their wedding. And the steaming hot sexiness they have going on is off the hook hot. Suzanne brings the on fire to their love-life and it literally burns the pages.
The only downside Liam has is his relationship with Kelly and that is still on a low simmer. But his connection with Matty is off the hook. They have bonded and Liam is over the moon at this development. If only he could get Kelly on side his world would be perfect. But these things take time and for a man like Liam he’s not handling this too well. All he wants is a family.
There are some touching moments, ones that will have you choking up as you witness several special moments. But the moment with Kelly, Matty and Roman is really one that I am still thinking about now. That scene there will cue the tissues big time. Just a heads up.
The door that Suzanne has left open here for us is one I am dying to open and lose myself in. She is a master storyteller. Her ability to create memorable characters and stories that leave you begging for more after the last page has been turned is unique and not something you find with an author. Her words just get better with each new book And Checkmate is no different. I can't give this book enough praise or her for that matter. I find myself growing right along side her with each new story.
I was very lucky to have received an Advanced Copy and all i can say is WOW We join Kelly and Roman again along with Matty, Liam and Rhiann to tie up some loose ends and start some new threads for the mother of all books a Justice/Wilde crossover eeeeekkkkkk (so excited for this) Theres also a new character for us to sink our teeth into This Novella is Fast Paced, Hot, Emotional, Full of Laughs and Tears LOVED EVERY SINGLE WORD <3
Love it when Family Justice is continued. This was not long enough though. I keep wanting more! Keep on writing Suzanne Halliday! My favourite series so far!
Absolutley loved this continuation of Checkmate. Happy family, happy couples, happy child, Alpha behavior at its best, smart and in charge women, new character, the formidable Domineau, a friend and team member from Romans past. We follow as Roman is whole heartedly enjoying his new role as fiance to Kelly and father figure to Matty. Liam and Rhiann are getting closer to their Happily Ever After wedding. Then, the past, as usual rears its ugly head throwing Roman into the protector of his loved ones. This chapter leads to the next Family Justice novel, Everlasting, and I must say that Suzanne Halliday seamlessly weaves her incredible stories that keep me coming back for more and hoping that the "Family Justice" saga goes on and on, Infinity and beyond.
Another 5 star book!!! Kelly and Bishop's story is unfolding in a way you love and want more. These two combine with Matty, Liam, and Rhi have you laughing, crying, wanting more. I love the way Suzanne intertwines her different series and can't wait to see Kelly deal with the Justice crew
Hot and extremely sexy men - Check Amazing tough as nails women - Check Intimate scenes that have the pages sizzling - Check Seriously adorable little boy - Check Intriguing new character - Check Family and Friendships that are inspiring - Check Moments that make your heart melt - Check Laugh out loud and giggle many times - Check Checkmate...readers this book has everything you want in a book! It is another spectacular work of art by Suzanne! You will be so satisfied and also be so ready for her next book coming soon! It's marvelous and you will fall in love!❤
What an amazing novella! More Roman and Kelly?! Umm yes please! This was another homerun for Suzanne and what a way to lead into the next book and build the suspense for what's to come and the dangers ahead. I can't wait until June!
This is a wonderful little teaser to the next Justice family installment, Everlasting. Kelly, Roman, and Matty make the perfect family. Can't wait to see what the next book has to offer.
I fell in love with Suzanne's stories when she first started writing! And each story keeps getting better!
The main themes are always love, honor, trust, hope and faith! To follow along as each couple finds each other and learns to love and cope with situations.
I love how everything builds, ups, downs, laughter and tears. I cannot wait to read the next story!
So if you read Bishops pawn like me, and wanted more, this is it! Love Roman and Kelly, add cutie Matty and Liam and Rhiann and you've got a great continuation to the story, in Checkmate we see the family really start to come together, and are lead into the next family justice book...now to wait until June! Gah! but totally worth the wait!