There are few things that you can count on these days, but one of them is that you will enjoy reading a Carsen Taite book. This holds true for her latest Trial by Fire. If you enjoy smart, sexy, and accomplished women at odds (and in love) you will enjoy this first of the “Courting Danger” series.

Wren Bishop is an attorney at a top Dallas firm on loan to the Public Defender’s Office. She finds herself having to hit the ground running and is immediately handling cases and going before Judges without much preparation. Add to that, the courthouse is full of cliques and mean girls who have seen their share of short-timers, doing their good deeds and leaving as soon as they can. Wren doesn’t seem to be any different. She even starts by interrupting the closing arguments of a murder and hate crime trial. The prosecutor stares her down mid-closing and Wren quickly finds a seat already knowing the defendant doesn’t stand a chance. Just her luck, that her first major case is against that fierce, provocative ADA.

Roy Lennox is out there fighting the good fight, putting criminals in jail. She doesn’t have time for bleeding-heart temporary Public Defenders- no matter how smart and attractive. Although they seem to travel in similar circles and enjoy each other’s company, Roy has learned a hard lesson – you don’t date where you work. That mistake has cost her dearly in the past, and she won’t make that mistake again.

When these two women clash over an arson case, they start to see each other more clearly and they both like what they see. Besides, Wren is only working for the PD’s office for a couple of months. They can wait that long to see if there is a chance for them to be more than friends. But as more information is revealed in their arson case, can their tenuous relationship survive their being zealous advocates for opposing sides? Or can they find a way to work together and maybe be together?

This book is classic Carsen Taite. We even get cameos from her other works. Don’t worry -- you don’t have to read those to enjoy this one. And I do believe you will enjoy this one! I look forward to the rest of the series -- I hope a certain judge gets her HEA.

Wren Bishop starts a new job as a public defender as part of a lawyer on loan program with a fancy downtown law firm and immediately encounters no nonsense Lennox Roy from the district attorney’s office. Sparks fly as they get to know each other better and work on opposite sides of the same case. This was a good book from Carson Taite, I love that she is a lawyer and brings so much authenticity to the workings of a trial. This book had a lot of sub plots going on and while well written there just felt like there was too much going on in too short a book. Also wish that Wren’s last conversation with Diane had happened a lot sooner, I was not a fan of any of their encounters. Overall it was a good read though and I’m trying to find the others in the series but they aren’t listed anywhere I can find.

I really enjoy Carsen Taite’s novels and particularly those featuring criminal defence lawyers. I like that she always portrays strong, smart women who have a high level of integrity. This, for me, is particularly alluring.

I enjoyed reading about Wren and Lennox, as well as the trial that brings them together. I will admit that I thought the relationship development part of the novel was slightly weak. I didn’t really feel their chemistry or their connection - it felt very constructed and quick to form. I don’t think it helped that there was some serious insta-love here, with “I love you” happening very quickly. I also thought the novel’s conclusion was a bit too fast and I would’ve liked to have more of a cohesive conclusion to the issue of Lennox’s brother. I also thought it was a bit of a stretch in regard to Lennox’s reason for not wanting to date Wren, as well as the conflict near the end of the novel.

Overall, I enjoyed the read and I’m hopeful that we’ll see Nina’s story next, or one of the mean girls from Wren’s office.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

The courtroom is the backdrop for a slow burn relationship between a prosecutor and a temporary public defender. Wren Bishop is a silver spoon child, determined to rise to partner at an affluent law firm when she decides to do a stint as a public defender on loan. Lennox Ray is a star prosecutor with a past that leaves her distrustful of the office relationships. Will they be able to overcome their differences to find love?

Carsen Taite brings the passion and courtroom drama once again in Trial By Fire. Taite’s books are an automatic purchase as she never disappoint. She has a knowledge of courtroom law that serves her well in writing very interesting and believable law enforcement and courthouse stories. Her descriptive writing. Not only keeps my interest but the depth of the character development makes it a very believable and relatable read. You can’t help but read quickly desperate to find out the conclusion.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This is the start of a promising new series from Carsen Taite! Her courtroom dramas are among the best, and maybe because her books are on the shorter side, I can't seem to put them down once I start. I enjoyed getting to know Lennox and Wren (who doesn't love a rich girl/poor girl story?) and it was nice to catch up with Skye, Morgan, and Parker as well. A perfect way to spend a weekend.

Carsen Taite is a whiz when it comes to procedural fiction, year's of experience as a lawyer will do that to a person. This is the first book in a new series, Taite fans will discover some characters they know from her Crime and Defense series. I must admit, I haven't read those so I was a bit lost when these characters showed up. They aren't a big part of the story at all but I did feel like I was missing out, so there are some books for me to add tot the TBR pile.

Our two mains in this book are very likable, one a bit more so than the other. The more likable character, Wren, might also be a bit too good to be true. Lennox might be a bit too stubborn and set in her ways, also thinking there is no grey area is weird, everything is black or white. For about half of the book I was afraid we would see one of our mains starting an affair. If there is something I don't do well with in romance it's affairs, granted her “relationship” wasn't a very healthy or fulfilling one, but cheating is a big no.
Wren and Lennox are opposites, and I'm not sure if they work as a couple for me, I feel like the balance is off. Only one of them seems to be making the grand gestures and communicating. Because they are adversaries in court as well there is plenty of chemistry and the book reads like an episode of a nice procedural drama or something along those lines.

The book is very readable, the characters are likable, where the book is at its best is in the court. When the DA’s and PD’s offices have a face-off, this is where Taite’s work shines the brightest. I'd be happy to read more books in this series and see a bit more of these characters. Their I love yous were a bit hasty for me and over the top. As is the talk of forever between these two, of course you'll stay together forever when you barely know each other... I hope we see them in the other books and they balance between them is better and they aren't as over the top. Still this was enjoyable ;) 3.5 stars

I'm always happy when I can pick up a new Carsen Taite book so I was excited to start this one, expecially because of it's setting in criminal defense. And once again she really doesn't disappoint when it comes to the law aspect of the book, still Trial by Fire will not be going in my favourite pile. Usually Taite has a nice balance between the romance and the law stuff, but in this book it seemed like that aspect was a bit rushed. I missed chemistry, I missed background and most of all the balance between Wrenn and Lennox was wrong. When one has such a superiority complex that she doesn't think she maybe did something wrong and the other is so nice that she just keeps on trying to get in their good grace... Ugh.
I am going with 3 stars on this one...it was okay, but not great.

***Thank you Netgalley and BoldStrokeBooks for giving me an ARC to review***

3.5* - My favourite Carsen Taite’s books are the ones in which her background as a criminal defense lawyer shows. This one falls into that category. Everything about the MCs’ jobs was exciting, the inner workings of the courthouse, the atmosphere, the differences between the PD office and Wren’s high profile law firm but also the differences between the PD office and the DA office. The way the philosophies clash yet both offices need the other, two sides of the Justice coin. Taite’s insider knowledge shows in tiny details, and I would happily have read more about cases and untangling facts and lies to reach as much of the truth as possible.

Wren Bishop is a young lawyer on loan to the Public Defender office. Lennox Roy is a very determined and driven prosecutor, set on never falling for the enemy ever again. Wren is kinda irresistible though, and when both women get assigned to the same arson case, albeit on opposite sides, it gives them the perfect excuse to get to know each other better, both at work and outside of the courthouse.

The attraction is instantaneous and very plausible on Wren’s side. I never had reason to doubt that Lennox got her attention or why. It’s more complicated with Lennox. I believed in her attraction to Wren because I wanted to, but until an event occurred that I won’t get into because I don’t want to spoil it for you, I didn’t feel it. After that event, however, it became a lot more credible and I loved it.

I like both MCs. I’m not sure I understand them but I like them. At least I like Wren and Lennox intrigued me at first, then won me over, albeit in a frustrating way. I don’t understand how she goes from acting bitchy to Wren one day to almost kissing her the next. The change of scenery (inside the courthouse vs outside) doesn’t explain it entirely.

Besides a few editing glitches, this novel feels a bit rushed both on the romance side and on the case. As I wrote above, Lennox’s behaviour towards Wren doesn’t entirely make sense and while I’m very willing to believe they belong together, I wish the progression from guarded to in love was more detailed and that the characters had more on-page time together. As to the case, maybe I’m just greedy but the outcome, while satisfying, comes from findings the reader doesn’t get to witness, which made me feel like it happened on the side of the story rather than within.

Trial by Fire is the first book in a new series set in the same universe as the author’s Crime and Defense series, which means there are cameos by beloved characters such as Morgan and Parker, and more than a cameo from Skye. And while this novel isn’t my favourite by Carsen Taite, I had a good time reading it and am looking forward to the next book in the series, in which I hope Nina, Lennox’s best friend and a judge, gets her own book, I want more than the glimpses we got here.

ARC provided to Rainbow Literary Society for an honest review.

With her newest novel, Trial by Fire, Carsen Taite has begun a wonderful new series. The series, which is titled “Courting Danger” is about the lives, loves, and stories of those who work in the different courthouses in Northern Texas, and specifically for this first story, in the Dallas County criminal courthouse. In this first book we have two women (Wren Bishop and Lennox Roy) who are on opposite sides of a high profile arson and possible murder case. Wren is a defense lawyer on loan to the county and Lennox is a prosecutor who puts her all into every case. You would think this scenario would keep them from forming any kind of friendship. It definitely doesn’t stop the chemistry forming between them.

This tale is exactly what I expect from a Carsen Taite courtroom drama. We have strong, realistic characters, a true to life courthouse setting, and an intriguing mystery that our characters must solve if there’s to be justice. Add a simmering romance between the two main characters, and you have everything you need for a great mystery/intrigue and romance novel. For those of you familiar with Taite’s “Crime & Defense” series, you will find some familiar faces as secondary characters since this book is set in the same universe as that series. I love it when authors add these Easter eggs to their stories.

I totally enjoyed reading this first book in the “Courting Danger” series. I look forward to the next novel.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Rainbow Reflections: https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

As with most books written by Carsen Taite, this one is set in the legal arena. The two main characters are lawyers. One is for the defendant and the other is for the prosecutor.

Wren Bishop is an attorney who is participating in a program whereby a legal firm lends out an attorney to work with the public defenders’ office. Wren is pretty, smart, and comes from a very wealthy family. She is accustomed to a large, cushy firm. Wren is looking forward to working in this “loaner” program and understands that there will be some difficulty adjusting to the work setting where she is not known, has no work friends, and has no experience in cases in this particular field. However, she is ready, willing, and able to take on all the bumps that come with this assignment.

Lennox Ray is the lead prosecutor who Wren will have to face in court when a murder case lands on her desk. Lennox is aggressive, successful, and very beautiful. She does not believe in leniency when trying a case as she has seen much too often that the recidivism rate is high and the defendant winds up back in court.

Sparks fly between Lennox and Wren and not only in the bedroom. Motives are sought for the crime in question and the two lawyers fight for what they believe is right.

I found this story interesting and feel Ms. Taite has created a good book. The characters are well developed. Readers will find that Ms. Taite writes a portion of a chapter or section whereby we are placed into either Lennox’s or Wren’s head and their side of what is transpiring. Normally I find this jumping back and forth a little disjointed, but Ms. Taite transcends from one person to the other very smoothly.

I felt as though the ending of the book was rushed. Ms. Taite does a good job with the introduction of the case and character development. She builds the momentum of the story, but it seems to end too quickly.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

You know what you are going to get when you pick up a book by Ms Taite. We get good storytelling, interesting well developed characters and enough angst to keep us reading. I enjoyed this book because of the changes in Wren, one of the lead characters (why do all the lesfic characters have such amazing names? Where are all the Jane’s and Mary's?). Wren is part of a programme where her posh, wealthy law practice “lends” lawyers to the understaffed public defender’s office for a few months as a development opportunity. But Wren is also a committed lawyer. The problem is that she isn’t sure what she is committed TO.

She clashes with Lennox, who works in the prosecutors office. Lennox sees Wren as yet another posh lawyer “popping in” among the poor folk and who will soon be gone. Lennox also feels the spark between them but she will not date at work as she was burned in the past. Wren admires the feisty prosecutor and tries to get close to her. The case they are working on reflects the problems of a justice system with too many clients and not enough time or inclination to actually find “justice”.

I also enjoyed a few old friends dropping by from other books by Ms Taite and I would hope we might meet these characters again as there is another story waiting to be told - no spoilers here.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review

4.5 stars
Oh this was a good one!
I love good trial stories with mystery and romance. And this one had it all. Very interesting legal maneuvers from both the prosecution and defense. The subject of the trial was interesting but somewhat obvious. And the enemies to lovers romance was very good. The blend created a warm and interesting page turner
I highly recommend it.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Taite is knocking these legal romances out of the park. I loved the pace of the story and I absolutely love how the romance is written in between all of the legal action. I spent my Saturday reading this in one go and I have no regrets.
Wren is rich and successful before volunteering to come and work at the Public Defence office. She’s designer dressed, eats at high end restaurants, lives in a penthouse, drives a fancy car and brews her own coffee in her office so she’s not very popular in the Public Defence office - on the contrary.
Lennox is a go getter, no nonsense prosecutor who believes in the police claim that all defenders are guilty and doesn’t believe in second chances. She eats from the round the corner sandwich shop, drinks her coffee in the cafeteria and rents a tiny house. Plus she has a past with defending attorneys.
This is an opposite attracts story that is sewn in between the arson/murder case the two are working on opposite sides.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

“Trial by fire” by Carsten Taite follows lawyers Lennox and Wren as they dive deeper into the case of a man who supposedly killed his ex wife. Lennox is playing the prosecutor for the victims family and Wren the defender for the alleged murderer. Lennox has a very “I’m always on the right side” mentality and Wren doesn’t think so black and white so pursues matters deeper in the case.

I have to say, this book was not what I expected. It was not hot or exciting. Just a very flat short read.

When it came to character of course Lennox’s superiority complex annoyed me but I really really think if this book was longer and we had more scenes of her she could’ve been one of my favorites.

Wren is a bit of a bland character, again could be due to the length of the book. She’s this privileged lawyer who gets loaned to work at the Public Defender office. I felt as though Taite didn’t explore this character as much as she could.

I want to say the plot had potential but as it stands I don’t see how that’s true. Classic cliche of two lawyers on the opposing sides with small backstory thrown in. Combined with a lack luster love story, this definitely isn’t Carsen Taite’s best. There just isn’t anything special. The chemistry is barely there between her two mains and that’s a first for me on the Taite horizon. It’s supposed to be the first in a series so we’ll see where that goes but even then Lennox and Wren’s love story was so rushed than I almost can’t see the following books fixing my disdain for that.

Overall the story was so unfulfilling for me. Not the romance, the case or the writing.

Just a very okay read. Nothing exciting or grasping interest.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the Arc in return for the honest review.

Another solid read from Carsen Taite. The chemistry between Lennox and Wren was immediate, and I loved how Lennox started out a massive ice queen and yet couldn't help but be drawn to Wren even if she tried to walk away. The dynamic between them was very well written. Wren was an interesting character and it was great to see her slowly break down Lennox's walls. A very enjoyable read.

3.50 Stars. This was an entertaining read. It’s very readable and fun, but it won’t go into my favorite Taite pile. This is the first book in her new Courting Danger series. I must admit I was confused about that since this book actually takes place in the world of her Crime and Defense series. I instantly recognized characters including Skye, who was a favorite of mine from The Best Defense. Her Crime and Defense series is one of her classic series, and a favorite to many, so I think fans of that series will be excited with the feel and characters in this book.

I found I was a little bit torn on the main characters. One character is super easy to like to the point that she is almost too good to be true, where the other was a bit of a mess. I was really rooting for one character to find happiness, but I had to wonder if she was perusing the right person. I found it really noticeable that only one character did most of the reaching out, apologizing, or grand gestures, where the other character never did even though most of the issues were hers.

While I don’t know if they made the best pairing, I was pretty happy with the level of chemistry in the book. It’s not in your face, but for a book about court, legalize, and even a baby mystery, I thought it had a decent amount of chemistry. However, I was not happy about the “I love yous”. These two barely even dated and those words still comes out. I honestly found myself laughing since it seemed so over-the-top. I wish characters would not force say it and just decided to be together in a relationship.

The book really shined during all of the legal scenes, especially when the DA’s office and PD’s office would go toe to toe with each other. I almost felt like I was watching an episode of All Rise, since the court and lawyer scenes were so fun to read. I also was interested in some of the secondary characters, that we have yet to really meet, and it makes me excited for what other books could come in this series.

In the end, I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. There are some good characters here and it was great seeing old favorites like Skye. While the chemistry was decent, I really wish Taite would have put more time into the romance. It was too rushed for me, which made the ending feel unrealistic. A good start to the series and I’m excited for the next book.

This story has been quite funny with the immersion of a high-profile lawyer in a public defense environment that is hostile to her from the beginning, without giving her a single opportunity. This has caused some really hilarious scenes. In addition, the two leads have enormous chemistry, although they interact much less than I would have liked. However, that does not detract from the final result.

Wren is an attorney who comes from a well established real estate family. She also works in a large prestigious law firm and in an agreement for the temporary assignment of lawyers to the public defense of the state, she must spend a few months as a public defender, very opposite to her usual job. Not even her tastes when it comes to morning coffee are understood by her new colleagues, not to mention the designer suits she wears.

Lennox is also in the public department, but she is a prosecutor, so she will also face Wren for being on opposite banks. In addition, Lennox has many prejudices almost all according to Wren's profile: she does not like haughty and snobbish people and less if their intention is only to prosper without caring what they leave behind. And Wren fills in all the checkpoints But appearances are deceiving, or so it is said.

So, conflicts and clashes are assured between the two. And they are passionate, both of them, in everything they do.  Professional and personal too. And this is what makes this story so engagging.

Legal romanaces are one of my guilty pleasures and I happily read this latest by Carsen Taite. Attorney Wren Bishop volunteers to go from her corporate law firm to spend months on loan to the public defenders office in Dallas. Knowing she's temporary the other PD's are not overly welcoming. She is assigned an arson/murder case going up against Lennox Roy. Lennox is a fierce, prepared prosecutor who doesn't go for leniency.

I love Wren's character she is fun and flirty while still being professional. Lennox is more standoffish. She has a rule about not dating anyone in the courthouse and doesn't want to brake it. She also has some chips on her shoulder from past experiences with defense attorney's. Taite is a lawyer and her knowledge of courtrooms and procedures serves her well in her writing. I've enjoyed every book of hers that I've read. I do wish this wasn't such a slow burn. I would have enjoyed more than one "close encounter" with the couple as that is when Lennox relaxes and seems approachable. The rest of the time her character is hard to imagine being in a relationship. For anyone who enjoys sapphic romances in a legal setting. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I thought that this book was really entertaining. I loved the backstory and was as interested in the outcome of the trial as I was the love story, could be because I’m a lawyer, but I found the story to be a page turner. Wren and Lennox were cute together. I wish that it wouldn’t take so long for the one character, who has reservations, to make up her mind. But that’s just my opinion. I enjoyed the characters and would enjoy a follow up story.

This was another great legal drama with romance.

I love how this author really dives into how the law works while having a romance how both plots didn’t overlap the story. Wren and Lennox are on opposite sides of a arson case. Wren believes the detective who work the case didn’t look anywhere else where as Lennox believes the detective got the right suspect. As they battle it out for the truth they learn that assumption about the truth and themselves isn’t always what it seem.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.