Penance (Vigilante Justice Book 5)

COMPLETELY MESMERIZING!!!
Title: Penance
Series: Vigilante Justice
Author: Kristen Harte (Ellis Leigh)
Designation: Book 5 of Series, Full-Length(Approx 265 pages), No Cliffhanger, Can Be Read As A Standalone #contemporary #romanticsuspense #smalltownsaga #vigilantejustice
My Rating: Five Sinfully Sexy Stars*****
*The Vigilante Justice Series is true romantic suspense and NOT suspense lightly sprinkled with romance. The primary focus of each story is romance with suspense as the skillfully balanced secondary component. Although the author includes ample backstory and each book features primarily one couple, there is an underlying interconnected conflict which is resolved as the series progresses. For maximum reading enjoyment and to avoid spoilers, I highly recommend reading the books sequentially. It’s one decision I’m sure you’ll never regret. Penance does include profanity, explicit sex scenes, graphic violence, and physical abuse, and is recommended for adult readers only.

Oh my! I loved, loved, loved Penance, the highly anticipated fifth release of Kristan Harte’s compelling Vigilante Justice series. And it’s official, I’m still hopelessly hooked and Finn Kennard is my new favorite brother! The Vigilante Justice series may be the launch of Harte’s career in the contemporary romantic suspense genre, but this isn’t her first rodeo. For readers who may not be aware, Kristin Harte is the alter ego of USA Today bestselling paranormal romance author Ellis Leigh and half of the contemporary romance dynamic duo known as London Hale. It’s no big secret and neither is the fact that I’m a huge fan and have followed her career for years. If you’ve read any of Harte’s previous work, you may already know that she’s is a gifted storyteller and skilled wordslinger who excels at creating sensual storylines set in vividly depicted worlds populated with larger-than-life characters, and heroes who always walk a very narrow line between right and wrong, and that certainly holds true in both her paranormal and contemporary works. But one thing you may not know is each and every story contains a piece of her heart and soul. It’s not something she claims or takes credit for, but it is something you can feel when you’ve read as many of her books as I have, and I’ve read them all – every single one. Am I biased because I’m a fan? Maybe, but I’m also honest and Penance is a heartachingly beautiful love story you won’t be able to stop reading until you reach the final page, and most certainly one that will be remembered long after the final word is read. I snickered, snorted, sniffled, snuffled, sighed, sobbed, and screamed in anger through the entire story and LOVED every single second! I was a complete basket case by the time I finished. There’s nothing I enjoy more than heart-wrenching stories about protective, honorable heroes walking a very narrow line between right and wrong, and sometimes good and evil, occasionally becoming men who find themselves having to do very bad things to protect the people they love, and Kristin Harte totally ripped my heart right out of my chest with this one! If you’ve read any of the books in the series, then you’ve already met Finn Kennard, but in Penance, we finally get the story of Finn’s former life as an addict, the events that led up to his incarceration, his current daily struggle to stay clean, and his attempt to atone for his past mistakes. But, as usual, I digress when talking about the books and authors I love, so let’s talk details!

Penance is a riveting, edgy, fast-paced, full-length standalone novel filled to the brim with pulse-pounding danger, edge-of-your-seat adventure, heart-pounding action, spine-tingling suspense, heart-wrenching angst, intense drama, explosive passion, tug-at-your-heartstrings romance, and, of course, steamy dreamy sex. After all, this is a Kristin Harte/Ellis Leigh story and anyone who has read her work in the past already knows Leigh pens some of the dirtiest talking alpha heroes and the dreamiest sex scenes ever! Penance is, by far, the darkest of the books we’ve seen to date in the series and not for the faint of heart. The narrative is beautifully written in the first person with clearly-defined dual perspectives from the two protagonists Finn Kennard and Jinx Reid. The dialogue is smart, snappy, gritty, sometimes humorous, exceptionally well executed, and flows effortlessly. Harte/Leigh’s stories move at lightning speeds yet are always comfortable and easy to follow with no unnecessary fluff or filler. But without a doubt, my favorite element of every Harte/Leigh story is the cast of intriguing characters. Don’t get me wrong; I think all the components of a book are important: world, plot, conflict, resolution, along with overall craftsmanship including title, cover, formatting, execution, and editing, but without engaging, relatable protagonists complemented by a strong cast of entertaining ensemble players, there is no story. In my humble opinion, Kristin Harte/Ellis Leigh writes the most unapologetically protective, possessive, passionate, and fearless heroes and heroines I’ve ever read. And Finn and Jinx are no exception. The premise for the Vigilante Justice Series is based upon the Kennard family, a tightknit group of four brothers, Alder, Bishop, twins Finn and Elijah, and one sister Lainie, from the fictional town of Justice, Colorado, but also includes their friends and members of their tight-knit group of protectors. In Penance, we return to Justice and the timeline picks up immediately following the end of Reparation, where Alder and Deacon have rescued a battered young woman from the Soul Suckers MC after settling a long overdue debt with Shye’s stepbrother Pistol. You know how some characters just jump out at you in a story. Well, that’s what happened when Jinx was first introduced at the end of Book 4, Reparation. Finn’s book has been probably one of the most highly anticipated of the series. I knew Finn and Jinx both had an important story to tell. I also knew it would be a hard one to read, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would connect so intimately to two characters and relate so intensely as I did with Jinx and Finn. This story just gutted me! Without a single doubt, Penance is Harte’s best work to date, and that’s saying a lot since I love everything she writes. Finn and Jinx are unforgettable characters, ones who will restore your faith in love, make you believe anything is possible, that the good guys can win against evil, and will remain in your heart long after the final page is read. I fell in love with both Finn and Jinx, but I truly related to Jinx’s character on an extremely personal level and have the physical and emotional scars to prove it. My heart literally ached for this young woman. Finn and Jinx are such complex and deeply flawed characters, and the interaction between them is nothing short of mesmerizing. In Penance, Harte captured the very essence of these two very troubled characters, brought them to life for readers, and showed the true power of love and loyalty. Well done, Kristin Harte. Well done, indeed!

Did I like this story? No, I LOVED it! I was glued to my seat from the first page to the last, completely captivated, white-knuckling my reader with my heart fluttering wildly in my chest as the pages flew as quickly as the time, and adored every single minute! Would I recommend it? You bet, and I am but only for adult readers since it does contain explicit language, violence, and sex. And who knew Finn Kennard could be such a charmer with all his sweet and dirty talk to Jinx?! *swoon* I guess he picked up a few things from his older brothers! lol… This book does NOT end with a cliffhanger and could probably be read as a standalone but to avoid possible spoilers and enrich your reading experience, I highly recommend reading the books of the series sequentially. Each story features a different couple finding love, but there is still an underlying interconnected conflict is resolved as the series progresses. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Just as soon as she releases her next book! I can hardly wait for Book 6! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read! Well done, Kristin Harte! Well done, indeed!

Recovering drug addict Finn Kennard served 7 long, hard years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. But even five years after being released, his life still revolves around control, structure, and daily rituals. Thanks to the support from his twin brother Elijah, younger sister Lainie, and friend Deacon Manns, Finn is twelve years clean and sober, and he plans to stay that way. Most people would think working at Deacon’s bar, The Jury Room, would be hard for a recovering addict, but alcohol has never been his weakness. However, the beautiful, tatted young woman named Jinx Reid might just be the death of him. Jinx had recently been rescued from the Soul Suckers MC and her secrets run deep. Jinx’s trust in anyone is in short supply, but for some reason, she trusts Finn Kennard. She senses a kindred spirit in Finn and every time she sees him, she wants, wants things she can never have. Love doesn’t come easy to people like Finn and Jinx, but both soon realize that some things, and some people, are worth sacrificing everything for… and maybe even worth dying for.

This is the fifth book in this series by Kristen Harte. The books are gritty and intense. I really like this one about Finn and Jinx – two people who need love. The books are about a group of men and women who are trying to keep a bad bunch of bikers from taking over their town. They believe in vigilante justice and protecting the ones they love. It’s been a riveting ride, each book seems to flesh out what’s been going on and why. I requested and was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary review, if you want an intense motor cycle read, give these books a try, you’ll be hooked as well. I can’t wait for the next book!

4 Finding Forgiveness Stars

With each book in this series I fall more and more in love with these characters. This fifth book focuses on Finn a man that has a heavy conscious and because of this he lives a very ordered life. Routine for him is key to his being able to function on a day to day basis. Some of that order is thrown into flux when Jinx walks into The Jury Room.

This is a woman that has her own demons. And so begins a story that had me on the edge of my seat for a good portion of it…I was tense with anger at what this beautiful woman had to withstand, I hurt for Finn because his life can’t be normal, at least by society’s standards and when they’re together something so beautiful comes out in both of them.

It’s not an easy story, but it’s one that is beautiful written by Ms. Harte. This is also a quick moving story as it’s taking place right after Reparation. There’s a lot of action happening in Justice and everyone is bound and determined to win the battle with the Soul Suckers to keep their little town clean of all evil doings!

I loved how Finn found love with Jinx. They really are perfect for each other. So damaged but capable of loving unconditionally with the right person. Ms. Harte has done a phenomenal job with this book. I once again was carried away to this tiny town and feel a vested interest in all the residents.

I know there’s more coming and I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!!