Find a Book Friday: “Justice” by Emily Conrad

Today I have a real find for you.  It is the debut novel of an author that I personally will be putting on my favorites list.  If you read “Justice” then I bet you will, also.  Author Emily Conrad has penned a page turning, stay up late to read it, wonderful

Christian romance novel. “Justice” was the first novel I have read by this author and I devoured the 220 page book in one day. I obviously did not want to put it down, but at the same time I did not want it to end.  Do you know what I mean?  You are reading a book so good that you cannot wait to see what happens, but as you get closer to the end you realize you do not want to say good bye to the characters?  What if the next book I pick up isn’t as good?  Oh, the dilima of a book reader

The writing style of author Conrad is definitely to my taste.  In some ways she reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Liz Curtis Higgs.  When reading Christian fiction I want at least some mention of God in it, some life lessons and scripture, too. This book was God glorifying and did not shy away from mentioning faith or God. Bravo Ms. Conrad!  If you think of an abstract version, very abstract, of Mary and Joseph without baby Jesus, author Conrad’s story is patterned along those lines she says.  She has compared physical situations of being pregnant out of wedlock and how it has an effect on most everyone.  Not everyone is loving and forgiving.  Some point fingers and others want justice.

Her characters were so well defined that we had become friends. I was invested in their trials and triumphs. Each character was well rounded, including having some flaws. They were human and not perfect. I enjoyed the dialog which flowed seamlessly. It never sounded stiff or forced. The descriptions and subjects tackled took me there in the middle of the story. I cried and laughed. Like I said before, I was invested.

Jake was a Youth Minister that owned a coffee shop. Brooklyn, his longtime friend and potential love interest, is sexually assaulted and ends up pregnant. The author writes inspirationally how this effects so many people and how many are quick and free to pass judgment. We aren’t called to judge. Only God does that.

“Justice” takes on real life tough issues that we are quick to ignore but still happen. It makes you ponder “what if” this happened to my loved one or someone I knew. How strong is my faith? Do we really forgive others especially when something horrible happens? It also is a novel of God’s love, hope, faith, and trust. God can and does make something good out of something bad.

This book was FABULOUS! Page-turning, stay-up-until-you-finish-it, I-can’t-put-it-down GREAT!

I highly recommend “Justice”.  If you are a Christian fiction fan that doesn’t mind taking a ride on the emotional roller coaster, for which only a very good author can supply tickets, this book is for you. “Justice” stayed with me for days after reading it. It is a wonderful romance but so much more.  Definitely there are things to think about in this excellent book. I gladly give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Author Emily Conrad writes Christian fiction. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two large rescue dogs. Some of her favorite things (other than Jesus and writing, of course) are coffee, walks, and road trips to the mountains.