Jaime is surrounded by Christians. Her friends, her former law school advisor…even the neighbor with the dog that got into a tussle with her cat. But she can't believe in God. How could a good God let her be repeatedly abused by her uncle as a child…and leave her with emotional scars twenty years later? When she decides to finally press charges against her uncle, everything comes back. The emotions, the fear, the questions. Where was God when I was hurting? Where was God when I was scared, abused, too afraid to tell my parents?

Yet she longs for hope.
For relationships that don't have this terrible secret in the background. For the chance to heal, and maybe not walk with that “pronounced limp of brokenness the rest of her life.”

Cara Putman's Delayed Justice really resonated with me. At one point Jaime is emotionally exhausted enough to want to avoid “the lions' den of friendship” even though she is desperate for community. I've so been there. I loved being a part of Jaime's journey towards trusting people by sharing her story. I love how she begins to heal when she helps a little girl with a similar experience. I love the way the author incorporates the Narnia story without it feeling overdone or fake, and the way her friends' faith has clearly rubbed off on her without her feeling smothered or pushed. Jaime's journey felt real to me in a way that is hard to pull off. And I could see in her story pieces of my own…and so many others I've known.

This was a legal suspense with the intellectual challenge to keep me engaged, but it's also a beautiful story of healing and reconciliation. I highly recommend this book. And yes, I just one-clicked the previous book in the series.

Where was God when all these things were happening? He was there, crying with you.

A bit dark, a bit cliche. I wasn't sure I wanted to finish this one, but the story wrapped up neatly in the end. The subject matter is a tough one to read about for pleasure, but the character development was good and I found that I really liked the dog, Aslan, and his role as comforter in the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story could be ripped from todays headlines. The author deals with these issues in a compassionate, caring manner all the while educating readers about how to be sensitive toward victims of sexual abuse and to Vets returning from war.

It’s taken many years for Jaime to get to this stage of life. She’s become a lawyer to understand her options and gone to counseling to be able to live in her skin and confront the man how created the nightmares that haunt her. She’s a woman who has the courage to come forward and tell about the pain her uncle inflicted on her 8-year-old soul.

Jaime has centered her life around close lawyer friends in the Washington D.C. area. These close friends stand with her as she files her lawsuit. Dreaming of this day and actually doing it is harder than she imagined. Her friends realize this. They were her strength. She hung onto their faith as she wrestled to have a faith of her own.

I really enjoyed getting to know Chandler Bolton, a Captain America look alike who had his own drama and demons to deal with. He worked at the VA office helping men adjust to a new normal after seeing unforgettable action on their military tours. He sees Jaime around his apartment building as they both have pets. Then he meets her officially when they both are trying to help a little 8-year-old girl, Tiffany prepare for a court hearing.

Chandler is there with his therapy dog and Jaime was there to help as someone who’s been in that situation. The author does a great job of showing all the ways therapy dogs help in this circumstance. It was interesting to learn about the training Chandler went through and how Tiffany was allowed to have the dog with her in the courtroom.

Tiffany’s abuse mirrors her own except Tiffany told her mother after the event took place. Jaime was silent. She was afraid of her uncle and believed him when he said that he’d hurt her mother if she said anything. He said it’d be their secret. She felt trapped and voiceless. Helping Tiffany gave her courage to stand up for herself. Jaime had found her voice and would not be deterred in speaking out against the man that stole her innocence.

Chandler liked Jaime and enjoyed the fact that they were becoming friends. He had read up on how to approach a woman who had been abused and wondered if there could be more of a relationship with her. He gave her a copy of The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. He hoped this would help Jaime in her faith journey.

After reading C.S. Lewis’ novel she had questions. Who to ask? She didn’t feel comfortable asking Chandler, a man she just met. “….How could she ask her questions without her friend Caroline going all Christian cheerleader fan-girl on her?”

I laughed out-loud over that one. I liked that the spiritual thread was natural and humorous at times. I enjoyed the fact that the Christian women Jaime surrounded herself with were helpful, and not pushy, they let Jaime come to her own conclusions. I liked Jaime’s thoughts on this matter.

Not only did I enjoy this amazing blend of a danger, action adventure story on a few different matters and a villain or two, but I liked the combination of a mystery to solve along with the tender romance, a faith journey and a new-found freedom.

This is the first novel I’ve read by this author it won’t be the last. There are eight discussion questions to help with your book club discussions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher/NetGalley.. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-issues-book-fun-mag

A wonderful, well written story of a young woman who is finally strong enough to face her past childhood abuse. While mystery is woven through the storyline and keeps you turning the pages, you can also feel the trauma that abuse causes long term. I thought each character was well developed and was anxious to see justice served at last.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley. Opinions are completely my own.

This story is phenomenal! I was drawn in from the very beginning, from the prelude. It's a page turner and I couldn't put it down!

Delayed Justice is the third book in the Hidden Justice series and it's the only one I've currently read. I will remedy that ASAP! I cannot wait to go back and read the first two books in this series.

Jaime Nichols is a Criminal Defense attorney who fights to be sure that everyone can have excellent legal defense if the need arises. She's a strong, warrior of a women who only sees herself as a child victim. She's built a wall to protect herself from anyone, men in particular, even God, that may hurt her. What will it take to tear it down? When she decides to face her demons and press charges against someone from her past, she must realize that she's no longer a child and she's stronger than she believes.

Chandler Bolton is a military veteran who's strong in all the right places. Not only is he physically strong and completely capable of protecting others, he's emotionally strong. Having been through his own devastating divorce and been through two tours in the service, he's seen and lived through his share of pain and heartache. Now his desire is to help Jaime in ways she never expected and make her see just how amazing she is.

This story will take you on a journey of pain, abuse, and mistrust along with family, friendship, forgiveness and love. Most importantly it's a reminder that although there is evil in this world, God promises He'll walk alongside His children every step of the way. This story may not be an easy read, but it is definitely a worthwhile one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An absolutely fantastic book with a very timely message about speaking out on abuse even if it takes time and strength to say the right words.

Jaime Nichols has spent her whole life trying to get the strength to move on from the abuse she faced as a child. Now she is a lawyer fighting in the courtroom to give a voice to victims like her. After decades of counseling, she has gained the voice she needs to go against her uncle, the man who molested her when she was just a small child. He is up for promotion to become a one star general and with his power he is determined not to let Jaime ruin him. While Jaime fights her own case, she is also helping a young girl who was abused and needs help healing. Chandler Bolton brings his therapy dog to help the young girl and is instantly drawn to Jaime. He sees her strength but also her pain and wants to help her heal. As Chandler and Jaime work together to help those hurt and without a voice, they are drawn to each other and find strength they didn’t know they had at just the right moments.

This is a book that can tackle a tough topic, but does it in a way readers will really be able to connect with and feel for the characters. Cara Putman has a way with legal thrillers, she brings out the drama in all scenes, inside the courtroom and out. I love the fact that the court scenes aren’t boring and slow paced; there is still tension and heart pounding moments. It was obvious there was going to be chemistry between Jaime and Chandler, their connection was apparent from the first moment they saw each other. Both Jaime and Chandler have demons they are fighting but together they are able to work through these difficult times and find a strength they didn’t know existed. Faith is a big element throughout and I loved the way Putman incorporated The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, such a timeless novel that played well with the struggles being faced here. None of the moments of faith were too forward or in your face to push readers away that might not want to read that. It is enough to make readers think and maybe instill a few seeds to keep the reader thinking and possibly nudge them towards faith of their own. It’s simple enough to show readers there is more out there if they will trust and look to God without trying to shove religion down anyone’s throat. I recommend this book to fans of Putnam and also anyone that enjoys a good romantic suspense. While this is a third in a series it can be read as a standalone without losing anything.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

4.5 stars
Whew, this one was my favorite of the series so far! Going in I got worried because of the tragedy in Jamie's past and how heavy a subject that would be (sexual abuse by someone in her childhood). First of all I was impressed of how perfectly Cara Putman got the emotions and the situation down to wring my heart, and yet stayed away from the tiny details that would have done no more than gross me out and make me take a break from the reading. Excellent balance there, that left me thinking of Jamie's situation and feeling her pain without having to get buried under sordid and sensational word pictures.

The thriller portion itself was full of twists and turns, including a case where Jamie gets to really put her heart to work to get a child protected.

Just so much to love in this one, overall!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy. No favorable review was required.

This is the third book in the series, I also read the second book of the series, each book could be read as a stand alone novel. Cara Putman, writes an intense story, that tears at the heart strings. Jamie has been gripped with fear since childhood,after suffering child molestation at the age of eight, from her uncle. The author tells a compelling story, without getting into the vivid details of the abuse. Jamie, never knew how to talk to her parents about it. When she finally decides she will live, with the fear no longer, and will seek justice, to tell what happened to her., her uncle tries to demean her. Jamie doesn't believe in a God who would allow this to happen to her. Where was God when she needed Him the most? Jamie, also fears what her parents will say and if they will support her in the justice she seeks.

We live in a world where children are abused everyday. They live in fear of their abuser because they have been threatened and terrified. This book deals with child abuse ; which for me is one of the hardest subjects to read. I am one of many who lived in a house where child abuse happened on a daily basis to me. There was no one to tell and I lived in fear for my life. I prepared myself to think I could plow through the book with little feelings. Oh how I was wrong.

The author writes with authority and gives details of abuse just enough that readers can understand how far the abuser went. She doesn't need graphic details to let us know that horror filled Jamie's life starting at the age of eight. This innocent child was at the mercy of someone who others would never suspect. That was one of the hardest things to grasp for me. A family member took the innocence from a child and no one knew. The author does an excellent job of showing us how the trauma from Jamie's childhood has affected her as an adult. It is not easy for her to let anyone get close to her. It's like having a brick wall built around you. The dynamics of her relationship with her parents is fractured at best.

The battle she takes on is nothing short of a David vs Goliath story. I held my breath as the news spread of the impending charges being filed . Jamie is a tough character who has a lot to overcome. Her self esteem is shot, she is a loner most times and I think her fear of rejection from her parents overwhelms her.

I don't want to forget to mention another key character in the story. Chandler has his own demons to face. Being a retired veteran, he has lived through horrific trauma during his service. I'm glad that we saw a glimpse of Chandler and how a service animal can be used to help victims who have been through trauma. His compassion for his work is displayed with hope and a determination to never give up.

Jamie has been silent for years and now she has strength and friends who are there to help her. Was there any time I felt she may falter? Never. I knew she was doing this to heal, protect others and give a voice to those too afraid to speak out. I liked the conversations that she had with different characters who helped guide her to God. It wasn't an in your face sort of talk, but one with a gentle push to help her seek the One who could stand beside her.

This is not a feel good kind of book. What it is though is a book about freedom from your past, justice long overdo and hope that a voice is heard to encourage others to speak out.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Delayed Justice is a great addition to the Hidden Justice series and is Jaime's story. In the previous stories, she has been aloof and quiet. We find out that she has issues going back to when she was a child-abuse from a relative. Jaime has decided to seek justice and the path is not a smooth one. The journey is made better by the support of her parents, close friends from college that we met in the other books-Caroline, Hayden, Emilie and their mentor, Savannah along with a special new friend, Chandler Bolton, a retired vet. Chandler works with veterans that need counseling and help with issues caused by war. He has a comfort dog, Aslan, named after Aslan in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, to help give comfort and whose services are used for therapy but when Savannah needs Jaime's help with a little girl who has gone through the same thing that she did as a girl, Aslan's help is much needed. Tiffany was abused at the hands of her mom's boyfriend. Jaime and Aslan help Tiffany cope with testifying before the courts about her abuse.
Jaime's story is an emotional journey of healing, strength in great distress and threats, trust and coming to faith. It is a story with suspense, danger, and romance. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine only.

Another great book by Putman. This one deals with child molestation. It also deals with the healing of the victim.   Jaime Nichols has been dealing with sexual abuse from her childhood and after counseling and becoming a lawyer to help women and children that have been abused, she now feels she is strong enough to pursue charges against her abuser, who happens to be a family member. Of course he denies that anything happened and threatens her if she pursues her claim.   Chandler Bolton is a retired vet with PTSD who uses his service dog to help others with the same problem. While helping a young girl who had been molested, he comes into close contact with Jamie and comes to know her story. Together they work to find justice for Jamie that has long been delayed.........Putman has written of this age old evil in a very intelligent manner and in such a way that this is a very good read.

Putman finished this series with the best book of all IMHO. Focusing on sexual abuse of children, Putman deals with touchy subject matter in a beautiful way leaving any details left unspoken but showing the depth of the pain left in the soul of children who are subjected to this as well as the immense guilt felt by parents who have somehow not known it was happening.

Intense from start to finish and filled with amazing characters as well as the wonderful group of women lawyers who have stood by one another through law school and life after. This novel stars Jaime as the main character. Abused by her uncle as a child, she now feels she has the strength to finally confront him through legal channels; but little does she know that as a possible next general in the Navy he will not go down without a battle. Chandler aka Captain America was definitely the perfect hero to stand behind Jaime as she deals with the battle for her job, her life, and her sanity. And the sweetest character of all was Chandler's comfort dog, Aslan, who helped Tiffany through legal testifying that no child should ever have to endure.

Filled with suspense, romance, legal intrigue, spiritual growth, and prayer, Putman concluded this series with a mesmerizing book.

** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

4.5 stars

“What kind of God …?” This is the question Jaime Nichols has asked herself for the past two decades. What kind of God allowed the horrors she experienced happen to an innocent eight-old girl? What kind of God left her alone in that dark place?

Jaime’s story is tragic, and horrifyingly too real in today’s world of free will where evil is allowed its reign. But she is also one character who has been through the trenches which only makes her a stronger voice for those who are abused. And now that she’s ready to stand up for herself, to let her voice be heard, she is going to need more than herself standing beside and behind her.

This is most definitely Jaime’s story—one that she must finish in order to live fully—but she has a fantastic supporting cast around her with her friends who have stood with her since law school Then there’s Chandler Bolton. The two don’t have the best first meeting, but Chandler is a guy who proves there are still good ones out there. One who is patient when he needs to be but also goes after what he wants (and, of course, the Captain America references to his looks don’t hurt matters).

In Delayed Justice, Cara Putman gives readers another fast-paced legal suspense that gives readers a peek into the wheels of justice. But even more so, she handles difficult but real issues in a way to bring them the attention and justice they deserve.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

4.5 stars
This book just absolutely gutted me. If you're looking for a light, easy read, maybe put this one on the shelf for a while until you are ready for a book that speaks to real life difficult situations.
This novel seems to have literally been taken right from the headlines. These issues are at the forefront of the news just this week. It delves into the hard questions--why did she wait so long to report the abuse? How believable is she, and what proof does she have?
I had so much compassion and empathy for Jaime as she navigated difficulty from every side. Learning how to have courage when she didn't feel as if any existed. The author's use of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as a teaching tool is so meaningful and will touch every reader, regardless of background and experiences. We all need to know that we have a God who fights for us, who isn't tame.
The relationship between Chandler and Jaime is portrayed so gently and beautifully as well. The friendship that develops into something more feels right with this story, as difficult as the situations dealing with past abuse are to handle at times.
My only slight quibble with this book is that I felt the ending was a little abruptly tied up, but overall this is such a fantastic novel I can overlook that one small thing.

This contemporary story is intense. The author does a good job of tackling the difficult subject of child abuse. I felt Jamie’s hurt and confusion as she brought charges against her uncle, who was the man who abused her during her childhood. The terrible circumstances of her life made Jamie feel she can only truly trust herself. Her friends reach out to her in love and compassion and encourage her to accept the love and strength that only God can give. Jamie must make a choice to trust God and her friends or continue on alone. My heart was touched by Tiffany’s struggle, as this young girl’s struggle closely parallels Jamie’s experiences. As Jamie uses her legal expertise to help Tiffany, she finds courage to believe that although delayed, justice can also happen for her. Cara Putman has done a wonderful job in presenting these tough issues in an appropriate way and given this story such heart and hope.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Seeking justice and righting wrongs make for good motivation. But when the lawyer working for these causes also has a personal one from her past, it takes the issue to a deeper level. Jaime Nichols has been dealing with sexual abuse from her childhood and getting help, so she is finally strong enough to pursue charges against her abuser, who happens to be a family member. The man who harmed her denies it and threatens her in return. In addition, she becomes involved with a Tiffany, young girl who has faced similar abuse. Can she help Tiffany and herself so they can each recover from their trauma? Chandler Bolton, a veteran serving vets with PTSD, and his service dog, Aslan, assists them both but he also needs healing. The characters and the situations seem quite credible. Such pain is tough to read about, but the author did a good job at making it real without being overbearing. I appreciated the realistic character growth and development, and the spiritual aspect. This powerful novel can definitely stand alone, but is part of a legal thriller series featuring women attorneys who are friends. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Cara Putman has quickly become one of my "must read" authors!! Her outstanding talent in dealing with delicate subjects while developing her plot is to be applauded. I loved the previous two books in her "Hidden Justice" series but this book is the BEST yet!!

A couple of very tough subjects are addressed, that of child molestation and PTSD . These have occurred for many many years and are very present in today's society, thus tend to appeal to the interest of most of us . The effects on the victims are tragic and long lasting, as the author describes in her tale, doing so in an understanding, respectful manner.

The main characters are so vividly and realistically described that one becomes immediately involved in their lives. As I read, I felt every hurt, fear and the extreme feeling of the presence of evil in their lives, something that all had to deal with. The desire to deal with the past and move on to a positive future came through loud and clear. The strength that one has to possess to come forth with hidden facts is unbelievable.

The plot kept me on the edge of my seat! There were unexpected twists and turns from beginning to end of this book. I simply could not put it down once I had started to read. Danger, action and suspense were all present, with a romance thrown in to add to appeal to the reader.

This book will appeal to a wide variety of readers, those who are interested in society's evils, the justice system, the rights of a victim and to those who just enjoy a great book!!

Five stars awarded to this deserving novel!!

This book was received as a gift. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Delayed Justice by Cara Putman was an interesting book to read. Jamie Nichols was hurt by someone who was supposed to protect her when she was a child and she has been carrying this hurt ever since. As an attorney, she is determined to protect girls and women in the path of harm and to provide them with a voice, a voice she never felt she had as a child.

We also meet Chandler Bolton who is a retired veteran. He became tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court. Chandler had a therapy dog named Aslan who helps the victim. When Jamie and Chandler first meet they don't do so on great terms, but their relationship develops as the story progresses.

This was an interesting story in which Putman did a nice job developing the characters and storyline. Jamie had honest conversations about her faith and her pain was felt through the pages.

While this is the third book in Ms. Putman’s Hidden Justice series it can easily be read as a standalone. There are some recurring characters but the storyline is specific to this book. There are multiple storylines at play throughout but it was easy to follow each one and they interweaved in ways that felt realistic. The characters are dealing with some horrible and heartbreaking trauma but Ms. Putman delivers it in a way that you know what happened without giving too much detail. There are no slow moments.

Jamie is dealing with a lot; she is pursuing her charges against her uncle for past events, fighting for her job, trying to help a little girl dealing with abuse all while feeling like she is being watched. Chandler is trying to help this same girl with his therapy dog while receiving threatening calls. As these two work together a friendship develops into much more and allows healing to begin.

The characters of Chandler and Jamie tugged at my heart. I loved Chandler, even though he is dealing with his own PTSD and some threats he is determined to be there not only for the little girl but for Jamie. He tries not to push her, but rather show her by his actions that he cares and will not allow the past to define her. I hurt for Jamie, the pain she has gone through was heartbreaking and the fact that she felt she had to keep it inside for some many years made me sad. I was proud of her for finally having the courage to speak up and being willing to help the little girl even though it hit so close to home for her. I longed for her to find the peace that God can provide and being willing to allow Chandler in. The friendship between the girls was inspiring. I am especially intrigued by Caroline’s story and am hoping that we will get to know it.

While the main subject matter was tough I am glad that I read this story. It grabbed my attention right from the beginning and includes a strong mix of legal drama, suspense, faith lessons, friendship and romance. Also now I want to re-read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

My Personal Rating:  4.75          Star Rating: 5/5
It's not very often that a book keeps me so engaged that I read it almost in one sitting.  Delayed Justice, the third book in The Hidden Justice series,  by Cara Putman is one of those books. I think it was because our current headlines recently focused on a similar situation. A man is accused of sexual abuse years after the incident may or may not have taken place.  It became public and we followed the testimony of his accuser as well as heard his defense.  Reading Delayed Justice gave me a better understanding of this legal process.
The book begins with eight year old Jaime telling her mom she doesn't want to go to her uncle's house.  The story then skips to Jaime's present day.  She is a criminal defense attorney facing the most emotional battle of her career. Her own. Without telling anyone, she makes a decision to press charges against her uncle.  Although she feels alone and abandoned by the God who should have protected her, she goes full force to find the voice she didn't have as a child.
When her cat is cornered, Jaimie meets the beautiful instigator, a dog named Aslan and his owner, Chandler Bolton. Chandler is a veteran helping other veterans who have emotional issues, but Chandler himself isn't exempt from the pain of his past.
I loved this book because both Jaimie and Chandler struggle with  internal battles while fighting external sources. They both look for normal in their abnormal world.  Cara Putman, because of her knowledge of law, creates a balanced dance of suspense and romance. Her knowledge of the law takes this book to a higher level.
There was on question unrelated to Jaimie and Chandler's story that went unanswered, but it wasn't a deal breaker in how much I liked this book.  Perhaps Mrs. Putman will answer it in a fourth book? I'll wait and see.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.   Opinions expressed are my own.
Title: Delayed Justice
Author: Cara Putman
Series: The Hidden Justice series book #3
Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Oct 16, 2018