#Review: Justice Burning by Elle James - 4.5 Wine Glasses

Title: JUSTICE BURNING
Series: Hellfire Series #2
Author: Elle James
Format: Kindle, 209 Pages
Published: June 7th 2016 by Twisted Page Inc.
ISBN: ASIN:B01EQNRCFW
Links: Goodreads| Amazon
Reviewer: Linda
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Her groom was a no-show at her wedding, and Dallas debutante Phoebe Sinclair isn’t going to face her family and the hundreds of guests with the news. Taking nothing but her wedding dress, her grandmother’s locket and her fiancé’s rented convertible, she leaves the church, determined to get away and start a new life free of her society status. Foiled by a flat tire near Hellfire, Texas, she opens the trunk for the jack, only to discover a dead groom, just as a sheriff’s deputy pulls up behind her.

When sheriff’s deputy Nash Grayson, lends a helping hand to a runaway bride, he doesn’t know half of what he’s getting himself into. Not only is she sassy and independent, she’s beautiful, sexy and wriggles her way past the protective wall he’s built around himself since he returned from the war. When she’s targeted by a shooter, he’s assigned protective duty until the culprit can be caught. Close quarters and hot Texas nights bring the unlikely pair closer to the truth about the dead fiance and their own burgeoning desires.

Linda's Thoughts:
Phoebe stared into his blue eyes. "What would you do if you ran away from a wedding in a car that didn't belong to you and discovered a body in the trunk about the time a sheriff's deputy rolled up behind you?" She flung her hand in the air, and assumed a high-pitched, sarcastic tone. "Hi, I'm a rich man's daughter with a dead man in my trunk. Could you help me get him out so I can be on my merry way?"

JUSTICE BURNING by Elle James is a highly entertaining, small-town romantic suspense featuring a quasi jilted bride. Truly, the whole tale was captivating from the setup to the action-packed ending. It's the second book in the author's Hellfire series which have each featured a Grayson brother  in Hellfire, Texas finding his HEA. If you haven't read the first book, have no fear; JUSTICE BURNING works perfectly well as a stand-alone read. However, it will make you want to go back and read the first book - so be prepared!

As the story begins, we meet our heroine, privileged heiress Phoebe Sinclair, as she prepares to marry a man that her parents hand-picked for her. She's having second thoughts about their marriage, but, despite her misgivings about not loving him, dutiful daughter that she is, she is prepared to recite her vows. When her trip down the aisle is delayed, Phoebe learns that her betrothed is nowhere to be found at the church. Not willing to face her parents and wedding guests, she steals her intended husband's car and rides off into the sunset. When her car has a flat, while looking for the spare tire, she finds her intended's body in the trunk just as our hero, sheriff's deputy Nash Grayson, pulls over to offer assistance. Wowza! You will need to pick up the book to find out what happens next!

I absolutely loved Phoebe's sass and backbone as she came into her own and ex-military, cowboy/cop Nash's persona was perfect as her knight in shining armor. Their interactions and dialogue were priceless. Their story with a plethora of unexpected twists was fast packed, funny, suspenseful and panty-melting.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from this read:

"Deputy Grayson?"
He turned to stare down into those soft green eyes, his pulse ratcheting up. "Yes, Miss Smith?"
"Thank you." She touched his arm. "And no matter what happens, I promise I'm not a bad person."
She flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek....
Warmth rushed through Nash and tingling spread from where Phoebe's lips had touched his cheek. He raised a hand to the spot and stared at the woman, a frown pulling his brows downward.
He hadn't begun the day with the intent of finding a runaway bride stranded on the side of the road. Scenarios like that were only found in those unrealistic romance novels women liked reading. No. He hadn't asked for a kiss. But now that she'd done it, she couldn't undo it, and he couldn't unfeel it.
---

He covered her hands with his. "Why the hurry?"
"Seriously?" She stared at him, her jaw dropping. "I'm on fire! If we wait one more minute, I'm certain the sheets will spontaneously combust. I won't be held responsible if your house burns down because you wanted to waste time on foreplay."
---

When he stood before her naked, he couldn't believe this beautiful woman, with the pale skin, flaming auburn hair, and eyes the color of spring hay, lay waiting for him.
Phoebe's cheeks flushed a pretty pink. "You look like you're hungry and ready to eat the proffered offering."
"I am, and I will."

This is the first book I've ever read by Elle James and it won't be the last! Loaded with "Oh My" moments, scenes that will spontaneously ignite your reader and snippets that will have you turning the pages with baited breath, this tale was solidly plotted and was utterly captivating. Now, I have to read the first book in this series, HELLFIRE, TEXAS, for Beckett Grayson's story! I already have it on my reader and will dive into it soon!!!! I highly recommend JUSTICE BURNING to anyone enjoys exciting and fun romantic mysteries - especially those featuring tall, dark and handsome heroes!


Suggested Reading Order: 
Hellfire, Texas (Book #1)
Justice Burning (Book #2)