I'm rating this one with a wishy-washy 3.5 to 4 stars because I'm sitting on a fence that I can't seem to get down from. I'll start by saying that this is one of the most action-filled, fast-paced books I've read in a long time, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. The hero, Gage, and heroine, Amber, are both very strong individuals, and I enjoyed their never-a-dull-moment story as they raced to stay one step ahead of the people after Amber. So why am I on the fence? Because of the character connections, or more accurately, the lack thereof. This book was so focused on the action that it failed to create real connections between the reader and the characters, or even between the characters themselves, in my opinion. I came away feeling empty in that sense, which was made more disappointing by the fact that I really liked the characters themselves and wanted to know much more about what they were feeling and thinking. Normally, I'm all about characterization, so that deficiency here would cause me to lean more toward the 3.5 stars, BUT I'm stuck on that fence because right after I read this book, I immediately started on another romantic suspense that went the opposite route; it got so hung up in the characters' heads that the action waned, and I grew incredibly tired of the woe-is-me track stuck in the heroine's mind in that one. And that made me rethink my stance on this book, knocking it up a notch. So, bottom line is that although I would have liked to connect more with the characters and see their romance build a little more, I would recommend this book on the story alone, which again, was quite engaging. So much so that I look forward to more books in this series.

Like a few of the others reviewers commented I struggled with the main characters in this book. While the scenes were HOT, it seemed they only connected on a physical level. I struggled to feel a connection beyond that especially because of how closed off Gage was about his own life. Don't get me wrong...I liked Gage, a lot. He was completely selfless in his effort to protect Amber and find out who was really after her and how deep it went. Amber was...tough. She protected herself when others would have deferred to Gage. She loves her sister and will do anything for her even risk her own life.

The characters themselves were well developed as was the plot. The disconnect I felt was between the two characters. It was a relationship built on sex but out of no where they're professing their love for one another.

The ending...okay this just pissed me off. It's not necessarily a cliff hanger but there's really no closure. Nothing in the description of this book or on the author's page indicates that this is the first book in a series (although I think we need one about Bear), yet key parts of this book are left unfinished.

Overall, this book is just okay. It had so much potential but ultimately fell short.

3.5 Stars Dark Justice is the first book in the series by the same name and my first read by author Jenna Ryan. I liked this story but did find some lapses in judgement questionable. Amber was a strong female which was great and Gage was a solid character as well. I look forward to seeing what comes next and would recommend this to readers.

3 1/2 Star Review.....

This was my first read by Jenna Ryan, and while the story had some really good aspects, it didn’t wow me like I hoped.

A strong, intelligent heroine is always a winner for me, and there was action to the wazoo! But while unusual circumstances can make for an instant attraction, I would have liked to see more develop between Amber and Gage than insta-love. Lust is one thing; love is an entirely different concept.

Overall, Dark Justice was a good read; but the villains were predictable, the road trip and lack of security a little far-fetched, and why would someone like Gage (did I mention I love that name) put his trust in people when he couldn’t be sure they were reliable?

I will read Ms Ryan’s next story as I do believe she can build a story.

It was a nice read but one that didn't thrill me.
The good points ?
The heroin has guts, she can defend herself and isn't just standing there while somebody else fights for her.
The action (because there was *a lot* of action !) took place in places and with people I'm not much used to read about, like communes for instance. Seeing that an ex-cop had been raised in one was surprising in a good way, even if the treatment of this fact was not uncommon.
The bad points ?
The villains were the usual villains.
Both characters fell in love pretty quickly without any real reason, they just thought the other was hot.
For people who wanted to be discreet, they relied on plenty people they couldn't trust entirely.
But mostly, I couldn't believe that the FBI or cops or whatever would send an important witness on the road with just one man to protect her while there was a whole organization hunting her, holding her sister and ready to give huge amounts of money for her capture.
Anyway, like I said, it was a pleasant read and I read it entirely without forcing myself. I just wasn't hooked, that's all.

Dark Justice, is full of suspense. It made the book a fast read because I couldn't put it down. I don't know how Amber was able to not slap her sister. She's a whining selfish person. It's because of her that they were both in the predicament that they were in. But Amber is a caring person and will stop at nothing to save her sister. Gabe on the other hand, questions whether he should help. I think Amber shocked him so much, that he agreed to help before he knew it.
Dark Justice, is more of a suspense novel with a little romance on the side.

I was not a fan at all. There's insta-love between these two characters and I didn't get their attraction to each other other than the fact that they thought the other was hot. The story felt a bit disjointed at times too. Also, witness protection falls under the US Marshall's not the FBI, so Amber's handler would not have been with the FBI. In fact, after entering the program she would have had little to no contact with them at all. And I just couldn't suspend belief enough to fall for the FBI sending some has been cop to help her.

Wow! I loved this book - it's fast paced romantic suspense at its best. Amber is smart and self sufficient, but ends up in trouble after she provides damming information to the FBI on her employer. Unfortunately, the FBI has moles in it that promptly returns the data to the criminals. The criminals then set out to find Amber and her sister (who are in witness protection) to torture and kill them.

Gabe is sent to find and protect Amber and Rachel (her sister) and brings his well developed skills and his eclectic group of friends to help him. He's the perfect hero - with a dark and vague past and a strong moral compass, in that killing is ok, as long as its the bad guys. I loved watching how the relationship between Amber and Gage developed.

This is a must read novel for fans of the genre. Its the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last as I've added her to my must read authors' list.