Code of Ethics

Blue Justice #2.5

by Lynette Eason

When Detective Isaac Martinez lands in the ER with a gunshot wound, he pulls through thanks to trauma surgeon Ruthie St. John. But as the witness to a crime and possible corruption, Martinez is at risk from someone intent on silencing him—and those around him—forever. When he barely survives another attack while recovering, both he and Ruthie must flee, trying to outrun deadly killers while locating the evidence they need to end the danger.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Romance, Christian, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

105 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2019

About the author

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."

Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice

Reviews

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

1/3/19
The first book I read in 2019 landed squarely on my favorites list! I'm so happy about that I could just jump for joy. I needed to start this reading year off right, and this book definitely fit the bill.

Ruthie and Isaac were amazing and relatable. Their adventure was great and intriguing, keeping me riveted and flipping pages. While this story is short, it is tall on action and deep in heart. It's a special little tale that should be on everyone's reading list this year (but catch up on the previous books in the series first!).

I can't wait to read the next story, Code of Valor. My copy is sitting on my desk, just waiting for me. Where is yours?

7/9/20
Again, I adored the suspense vibes of this story. The characters were so amazing and felt realistic and as if they could burst into my living room at any second. Such a vivid and entertaining story deserved a second read. I’m pretty sure it’s earned several future readings too.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lynette Eason's books. I love the St. John family. I just really loved this book! It was a "short" novella that takes place in between book 2 and book 3. It was so good and just like all her other books, I wish there was more!!!!!! I loved this novella so much!!

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this book series, you seriously need to. It is the BEST!!!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as thrilling as the first read was! This one stands up well on a reread. I just wish I could have spent more time with this vibrant couple...like a full-length novel! Isaac and Ruthie are a memorable pair and their story is chock-full of danger and betrayals.

[Angie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and liked the fact that it kept up the law-enforcement theme, since Isaac is a cop even if Ruthie isn't. Also loved the little law-enforcement habits and mindsets that she's picked up from her family over the years. :D

I've enjoyed Ruthie's spunk and sass as a side character in her siblings' books, and I loved it here as well. She does a great job of being a strong woman who wants to help and protect while not running around purposely putting herself in danger. Also, I love her doctor side, particularly the way others--cops especially--have to bend to her and let themselves be taken care of sometimes. ;)

Isaac was great in the cop/protector role, and I enjoyed his uncomplicated relationship with Ruthie and getting to know her siblings. :D The whole issue of dirty cops on his tail made for interesting high stakes and never being quite sure who to trust, but it all fit nicely within the novella length. And of course Ruthie's siblings were awesome as always. I feel like Derek becomes more and more my favorite with every passing book. Why does he not get his own story?!? *pouts*

Overall, another great installment in the Blue Justice series! Also, I appreciated the fact that even though Ruthie is a doctor, the details don't get too graphic. :) Looking forward to the last book...

Content--murder and attempted murder, including gunshots and strangulation; dead bodies, wounds, and blood; kidnapping and threats; mention of a man not wanting a woman doctor to help him dress; a few kisses

[Patricia Rupell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is book 2.5 in the Blue Justice series. It was fast paced and full of suspense. I am loving the St. John family and really enjoyed getting to know Ruthie better. There was a lot packed into this small book, and it was a great addition to the series. I'm really looking forward to the next one.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was actually very surprised by how much I enjoyed Code of Ethics. Eason's books have been very good in the past, but I found myself growing tired of a theme I noticed for a while, however I was happy when this book was different and I really enjoyed it. Cool how the heroine's family was full of police officers. :)

*I received a complimentary eBook copy of The Cost of Betrayal for my honest review. This is my honest opinion.* (less)

[Malia Saldaña · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good! I think Ruthie might be my favorite sibling of the St.Johns although I really like them all. I thought this was a fun, fast-paced book. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read almost all of Lynette's books and I have to say that the Blue Justice series just may be my favorite series of hers! I absolutely adore the entire St. John family, the siblings banter is hilarious and so very real! I was so excited to read Ruthie's story and I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT! I loved how strong and smart Ruthie was, and how even though she was a doctor she thought like a cop! Isaac was such a fabulous hero, and he and Ruthie were absolutely perfect for each other. This story was just so good, I already can't wait to reread it! Seriously, it was nothing but total awesomeness from beginning to end! A phenomenal must read that you won't want to miss!

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really loving this family and almost sad that I only have two books left to read in this series. In this novella the St John family dynamic was front and center - family banter and being their for each other.

The action did not end from the first line. Not knowing who to trust and things happening almost in every chapter made for a fast paced read. There was one character I started to suspect literally one page before the reveal.

Ruthie and Isaac was cute together and I especially enjoyed the epilogue.

Looking forward to Code of Valor

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Ruthie as a character! She was strong but also sweet and kind. Did not see the twist coming!

[Abigail Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surgeon in a hardcore law enforcement family? Ruthie is the odd one out in her family even though they are still a close and strong family. The themes in this story are all too tragic and mishaps real; police corruption. Sad and dangerous is it not? But this novella was a wonderful read, the suspense was nice, I can't say I loved this one, I liked it but it was somewhat violent and descriptive for me. I skimmed some at several parts and can only give this one 3 and 1/2 stars. I did love it though, I promise!

[Abigail Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! This was my favorite story in the novella collection where I read it (Cost of Betrayal). Even though this was almost the 6th story I've read by Lynette Eason, I still didn't guess the ending! It was a surprise that kept me turning pages. Might be one of my favorite suspense stories, especially since I can connect with Ruthie more than any of Lynette Eason's other heroines (at least that I've met). Highly recommended!

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Ruthie's story in this family saga! Definitely a favourite, even if it is only a novella!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

(read as part of the 'Cost of Betrayal' anthology)

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! I finished a read 2 days before leaving on vacation and needed something short to read for those two evenings. This was perfect!

Characters:
Ruthie was great! Super sweet and just great!
Issac was so great! I loved him and his determination to do the right thing! He was one of my favorite characters.

Language:
N/A

Romance:
Very tastefully handled.

Overall:
This was a nice short addition to the series, and I enjoyed it immensely!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love The series.The whole family in law enforcement and the 1 daughter who went into medicine.

[Josie Siler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great novella! So well written, I fell in love with the characters and couldn’t stop turning pages!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last of 3 novellas. Most complete story in this length. Cops.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice quick read to get Ruthie’s story!

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynette Eason continues with her Blue Justice series in this novella, part of The Cost of Betrayal collection along with Dani Pettrey and Dee Henderson. She continues with her legacy of the St. John family here and does it well indeed. I enjoyed it very much. Recommended.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a great plot twist *chef kiss*
Love it, even more, when you don't see it coming, and it totally throws you sideways!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Novella I have ever read! Not rushed, not lacking but just perfect.

An absolute suspense roller coaster from beginning to end.

Really liked both characters. I thought Ruthie who is a doctor but yet acted like a cop hilarious. Definitely demonstrated her up bringing in a family who work in the police force.

I give 5 Stars to Susan Bennett for a fantastic audio performance.

Looking forward to Brady’s Story’s next :)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Eason writes fast and furious suspense novels and CODE OF ETHICS is no different. Even though this is a novella, it is based on the St. John family and has a police officer who works at that department. But, there are some corrupt cops and Isaac's life is in danger because he violated the cop's code of ethics and reported that someone had been stealing evidence.



I couldn't put the book down and put off my own jobs to read to the end. I enjoyed reading Ruthie's story and it was nice seeing characters from her other books making an appearance in this story.



Really, if you love romantic suspense you'll want to read CODE OF ETHICS.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Lynette Eason! I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Brittany Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella set in the St. John universe and focuses on Ruthie and a cop she performs surgery on, Isaac Martinez. When Ruthie stops a 2nd attempt on his life in the hospital she jumps into action to save her patient.
Isaac stumbled onto a group of dirty cops and reported them. They're not happy about that and try to take him out, multiple times.
It's only novella size, so not very long. But I don't think it needed to be any longer than it was. If Eason had tried to pull this into a full length book I think it would have dragged on.
There was a point of confusion for me. At one point Ruthie and Isaac find a dead body who was shot in the head. Ruthie goes to check the pulse and says something along the lines of, "He's dead, I think it was the bullet to the brain." And I'm not sure if the author was trying to be sarcastic by saying that, but I really don't think so. But that combined with the following: Ruthie lifts the dead man's shirt off of the carpet to see how much blood has pooled underneath him. And then later, when a witness to the shooting says she begged the victim to tell her where the evidence was hidden and he was gasping for breath. All of the above makes me think that the victim was either going to be shot in the chest in a previous draft of the book. Or Eason was going to change it to being shot in the chest after but didn't get all of the information switched to reflect that.
Other than that, it's a quick read. Suspense with a little bit of attraction and Christian themes.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Code of Ethics is a fast-paced thrilling romantic suspense novella (#2.5 in Lynette Eason's Blue Justice series). I typically don't like reading novellas, but Code of Ethics was incredible. The storyline had me hooked from the beginning. I was already a fan of the St. John family from the other books in the series. Trauma surgeon sibling Ruthie St. John finally gets her story in this novella. After operating on Detective Isaac Martinez's gunshot wound, his surgeon Ruthie St. John discovers that someone is trying to take Isaac's life for reporting corruption in the police department. They find themselves going on the run with help from the rest of the St. John law enforcement siblings. Time is running out for them to find evidence before it's too late. I was shocked when the final person involved in the corruption was revealed. I did not see that one coming! I just wish that I could have gotten to know a little more about Isaac and his background in the novella. I would have been overjoyed if this had been a full length novel instead of a novella!! Once again, Lynette Eason does not disappoint! I can't wait to read more books in this series!

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynette Eason concludes this three novella mystery series (each written by a different author) with fast paced suspense and wonderful characters. Set in South Carolina, Police Officer Isaac Martinez reponds to a domestic disturbance and is shot in the midst of it. Rushed to the hospital, Dr. Ruthie St. John the daughter of the local police chief is called to remove the bullet from his shoulder. When an attempt on his life occurs while Isaac is still in the hospital, Ruthie finds herself spending her upcoming vacation helping Isaac determine what is going on rather than relaxing in a cabin. Will they find out the reason for the attempts on his life and will friendship turn into something more?

There is defnitely a reason that Lynette Eason is one of my go to mystery authors. Action from start to finish makes this a very good suspense novella.

[Helen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Isaac Martinez lands in the ER with a gunshot wound, and he pulls through thanks to trauma surgeon Ruthie St. John. As he's recovering another attempt is made on his life. Once again Ruthie is the one to save him because she walks into his room and stops the attack. Because he is the witness to a crime and possible corruption he knows he's not safe in the hospital. Ruthie knows he is no shape to leave by himself. So she finds a way to get him out of the hospital. Now they both are on the run. Even though Ruthie is the only one of her siblings that did not pursue a law enforcement career, she has the cop instincts when it comes to survival. And of course she has her siblings for backup when needed. Just like her other siblings she finds love.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

St John family member Ruthie's turn to have her story and romance with Issac in this novella book by Lynette. I enjoyed the Betrayal theme in the three novellas of Dee, Dani and Lynette. Good to catch up with characters we have met before. This scenario about when doing the right thing gets coloured and goes bad. When you have people in trustworthy jobs that are corrupt and how do we respond. We all get a taste of this in our lives but its good to have a win and justice is served. The rest we leave to God and his timing which can be hard. Look forward to Brady's story?

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthie was the only member of the St. John family to break out of their clan's police force path. She decided to become a surgeon instead.

This story begins with Ruth operating on police detective, Isaac Martinez, who had just been shot in the arm. Soon she realized his life was in danger. Doing all she could to save his life also put herself in danger, all through the story!

Who were the bad guys? Who was trying to kill them and what did they want? The only ones she really trusted were her family members.

Loved seeing the St. John family from prior books. Good story.