A fast-paced contemporary romance that sizzles from the New York Times bestselling author of Order of Protection where passion for the law isn’t the only thing heating up the courtroom.Isla Shayne knows she’s in over her head. As former all-star linebacker Trey Adams’s personal lawyer, she’s used to handling his business dealings and private financial matters, not murder charges. She needs to … murder charges. She needs to find an experienced criminal attorney who speaks her client’s language. David Cormack of Garrison, Cormack and Lawless is exactly what she needs in the courtroom–and the only man she wants in the bedroom.
For David, taking on the Adams case means diving back into a world he thought he’d left behind and colliding head on with tragic possibilities he’s in no mood to face. There’s a reason professional football is in his past and no matter how close Isla gets to the truth he intends to leave it there.
But long days working on the case together lead to hot nights in each other’s arms. As their feelings grow, the case takes a deadly twist that could change the game between the two lovers forever.
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“Over the course of one day, she’d come to view the big, gorgeous lawyer as something of a teddy bear. Could she call him an emotional support attorney and take him with her everywhere?”
The Courting Justice series was my introduction to the word wizardry of Lexi Blake and put her on auto-click status with me. She has blown my mind with her talent.
David won me over when he showed what a supportive best friend he was with Henry. He dropped everything and ran to help him when he called. That’s the type of man you want on your team if you ever get accused of murder, right? Since he’s in the process of building his newly formed legal team a high profile case is just what he needs right now. What he wasn’t expecting was Isla. She’s Trey Adams personal lawyer and hired David to represent her client. There’s no denying the sparks that fly between them. It was fun to sit back and wait for their chemistry to work itself out.
What I always anticipate with excitement in each book is the secrets and suspense. What a twisted tale the author creates every time, never failing to deliver a surprise even though I claim to be quite the mystery solver and armchair profiler. It’s so thrilling to give my mind a workout as I struggle to fit the pieces into the puzzle. And let’s not forget the excitement of the romance that plays a big part in every story. The love never comes easy, there’s usually a huge obstacle standing in the way of happily ever after.
I can’t get enough of this series or this author. She’s my new dealer and I’m seriously addicted to what she’s delivering. There are a few more lawyers that I can’t wait to spend time with. I know that they will have an exciting case to tackle and a formidable opponent to battle. But, I’m as equally excited about who they will be wrestling in the sheets. I know I can expect some heat in both areas. The line forms here…
Isla is an attorney but her main client is Trey Adams, former football player. When she gets called to their home, she finds Trey holding his dead wife, Portia. She calls McCormack, Garrison, and Lawless law firm. They are criminal lawyers and asks for their help. David is just starting out with his best friend and Noah Lawless. Trey has CTE, it affects people who take too many hits to the head. He is taken into custody and put in the hospital. While Isla and David try to figure out who killed Portia, Isla becomes a target too. They go to a secure location, trying to find a killer and fight the feelings between them. David was former football player and his father has Alzheimer’s and his afraid he’ll be a burden to Isla. But Isla is no shrinking violet and is ready to embrace everything thrown at her.
Great book with real life issues, murder, intrigue and sex. I can’t wait to read Noah’s story.
Once again I was superbly happy with the narration. The narrator brings the characters to life, adjusting tone and inflection, so you never have any doubt what character’s thoughts and actions you are hearing!
Isla is one of my favourite female characters ever! The way she feels, thinks, and acts and reacts, so human, so fallible, and so mature. It didn’t mean she was perfect, she was far from it, but she saw the good in everyone without being naive. She fought for what was right, and understood there are shades of grey in everything. And how she conducted herself when the all the things came to light, when her world could have fallen apart, well that clinched my love of her. David was no slouch either, and he was the perfect march for her, mostly because she got his number pretty early on. Lots of digging and lies to uncover. Lots of truths and realities to be seen. Lots of sexiness between the characters. And lots of heart in all the characters and commitment to family, blood and made.
*4.5 stars*
I got lost in this riveting murder mystery/romance…
Okay, I may have been just a tad disappointed this wasn’t Noah’s story but if you read Order of Protection than I’m sure I’m not alone. I recovered quickly, how could I not, as Isla and David were quickly embroiled in a murder mystery that was personal from the start…
Oh, this story was amazing! Whether it was front page news or battles they were silently waging, the connection they had weathered one huge bump after another. Isla was a firecracker who had endured a lot but came out still smiling, optimistic and, above all, open to love. David was her opposite in so many ways but the love he had for those closest to him could not be measured. Together, they could overcome anything and that theory was tested again and again…
This was romance, suspense and above all, love in its messy, multi-faceted forms. A great read! Though I still want/need Noah’s story (I’m so greedy)….
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
What You Need to Know:
-Book 2 in a standalone series, you can pick up this book and easily read it without having read the previous book in the series.
-Scorching hot sex scenes and chemistry that flows off the pages.
-Definite Page Turner
– Lexi Blake’s writing is addictive, the moment that I pick up one of her books and step into the world that she has created, all I want to do is stay there.
Evidence of Desire, the second book in Blake’s Courting Justice series, features the intelligent and charming Isla Shayne (I love her name!) and the charismatic, clever, teddy bear of a man, David Cormack.
The pair meet when Isla calls for help for her client, Trey Adams (who’s story, I kid you not, will have you crying), who’s facing murder charges and from there things take off.
This is a sexy, mystery read that’s full of heart and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Highly Recommended Read
This book surprised me and kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew going into Evidence of Desire I was going to love it and boy did I.
This book was packed full of romance and suspense. David and Isla had great chemistry. Isla is an attorney for the Adam’s family and David is a former football player turned attorney. The mystery of this story kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed this book and this series.
Evidence of Desire is the second book in Lexi Blake’s Courting Justice series, and so far this is my favorite of the series. Although, it’s too early to say since this is only the second book. I loved both the leading male and female characters though. The female character, Isla Shayne is one strong kick-butt lawyer. She’s not a criminal lawyer but is a personal lawyer to Trey Adams and his family. Trey Adams is a former linebacker of the Guardians team who is now suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Isla ends up needing a lawyer for her client because she only handles Adam’s family business dealings and financial matters. Not murder. She needs someone like David Cormack who is a criminal defense lawyer. David used to be apart of the same world her client was in up until he got injured on the football field and who could no longer play football. That’s when David decided to go back to law school to be a lawyer. Now he has a new firm with his best friend Henry Garrison and two other lawyers.
This is when both Isla and David meet for the first time, and you would think it’s instant love, but I do not consider it like that at all. Both characters are attracted to each other, but they are thrown together due to a tragedy. Poor Isla ends up in the mince of it all since she treats Trey and his family as her family. She never thought she would have to prove that her client didn’t do anything wrong, even after he has had prior issues. She also needs to prove her innocence and the kids’ innocence after everything. I don’t want to give anything away because this was a tremendous suspenseful contemporary romance book to read. I was on the edge of my seat when reading it. It was completely different from the first book. I became more connected to the characters and their feelings. David and his past with what he has gone through and why he has not let anyone in his life. Isla and her past and now present on what she has dealt with and continued to deal with in her life. Both are strong, determined characters that have similarities to them.
Lexi had some very steamy moments between the characters, but they were dialed down compared to Henry and Win in their book (which is the first book). David was what you would call someone who was resistant to having a happily ever after. Isla wants to love and have a family, and she finally believes she found it with David. Although, they have the crime that needs to be dealt with first. I figured out who was behind it all but was not expecting the big twist at the end of the book though. Lexi put me through the wringer in this book, especially after getting to know all the characters. I felt for everyone in this story.
I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend this to contemporary romance and romantic suspense readers out there. If you read any of Lexi’s previous books/series, you will enjoy this book and this series. I look forward to the next book even more after reading this one. I’m anxious to read more about Noah Lawless and who tames him. He is a wild ‘Lawless’ family member.
Evidence of Desire is a seductive, mouth-watering thrill ride with a twist around every corner. WOW!! Just had me spinning with questions and making me second guess everything. But at the same drawing me in like a sponge!
2019 published, contemporary, easy to read, M/F romance, NYC, office, plot, read, romance, sex, unforgettable.
Former all star quarterback Trey Adam’s is found holding his dead wife’s body. The problem is, he doesn’t know if he is the murderer. Trey has what is nick named, “ concussive syndrome” after being tackled so many times when he played. Isla Shayne used to work for the team Trey played on, but when he retired, she became both the family’s and Trey’s personal lawyer, After Trey is found Isla realizes that she can’t handle this case and calls David Cormack to represent Trey. David is one of the best in the city. David is hesitant at first. As a former football player himself, he wasn’t sure he wanted to be involved in that world again. David also had a secret fear, he was afraid that what had happened to Trey, could happen to him too after all of the hits he took. Soon David is working with Isla and their romance begins, but somebody wants to stop them from finding out the truth.
This is book two in the Courting Justice Series. We met David in the first book in this series. In this book, we find out more about David’s background and why he went into law. I really enjoyed this book and this series. As usual, Lexi Blake includes many twists and turns as well as suspense throughout the story. Just when you think you know “who dunnit”, you are sent in another direction. The ADA in this story is has political aspirations and is most annoying. We also get the chance to have Henry Garrison, Noah Lawless and Margarita Reyes, David’s partners and staff join the story. Noah Lawless also provides humor with his comments. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series.
The romance element in this so sweet. Isla and David’s whirlwind love affair goes up and down. What holds David back is a very serious fear. Their couple of steps forward and a few steps back are frustrating yet so realistic. Their intimacy is what I love best. The sexual tension is well done as ever Ms. Blake book is written. I did bypass the sex because it was too vanilla for me. It is their time together and the little moments of discovery which really made this romance so good. This romantic suspense is highly recommended to all romance readers.
i enjoyed the book
When I started to read this book and realized it was a sequel to Order of Protection, which features Henry Garrison, the Monster of Manhattan, I was so happy because I loved that book. And now I loved this one too!
This story is deliciously complicated and has a lovely love story between two lawyers. You’d think they were too prickly to get along, yet they had an instant attraction that led to a relation with a lot of complications.
David Cormack is an ex-NFL athlete who turned into a successful criminal lawyer. He owns a law firm with Henry Garrison, Margarita Reyes and Noah Lawless. He gets a request to represent another great athlete, a legend in football history, who is a suspect in the murder of his wife. This case has deep connotations with David, because the athlete suffers from CTE, a deteriorating condition that happens to 28% of athletes, and which makes them lose their memories and a sense of who they are.
Isla Shayne has been the Adams’ family lawyer for many years. When she started out as an intern in the Guardian’s building, she developed a deep rapport with Trey Adams and his wife. He was like a big brother to her. She saw the Adams’ children as her little brother and sister, so she was adamant in their protection after the murder of Portia Adams. She requested the help of David Cormack because he seemed the best suited to understand the nuances of what promised to be a case full of press coverage.
Isla and David face a lot of challenges, such as the lack of cooperation of Portia’s sister and Ben Adams, who is known to have fought with his father. There is also a trophy wife, wife to the Guardians’ owner and who wants to make a memorial to the dead woman, in order to get approval from the social circles. She was very annoying and insistent. There’s also the ADA, Royce Osborne, who had dated Isla, got dumped after their third date and now suffers a bad case of sour grapes. He’s also extremely ambitious and wants to be elected to the DA position. He wants to close the case soon, get famous for the incarceration of the guilty party and is grabbing at any chance to arrest Trey Adams.
It’s a bumpy road for Isla and David, they have to be extremely careful because the evidence points towards one culprit but their gut feelings reject the idea. Halfway through the book I had guessed who was it, but it was still a very entertaining book, with all the wonderful characters, the many interactions, the suspense, the intrigue, the bad guy we all loved to hate (Royce), and David’s fears.
I loved Isla, she was a fantastic character, intelligent, full of heart and passion and also direction. To David she seemed as a delicate person but she was strong and determined. Another character I loved was Noah because he was like a frisky and naughty little brother. I can’t wait for the next installment!
Ahhh Romantic Suspense at its finest. I can’t repeat it often enough: Lexi Blake is one of the best if you’re in the mood for this genre and want a unique plot.
Isla loves contracts, business agreements and negotiations. When former football superstar and close friend and client Trey Adams is under investigation for killing his wife Portia, former NFL player now criminal defense attorney David Cormack is her best bet. He knows the dangers and sorrows of somebody living with chronic traumatic encephalopathy better than anyone – he may be facing this disease in the future, too.
See? Totally unique. I love this storyline so much. CTE is an actual disease and the author did extensive research on the issue professional athletes may have to deal with.
When David meets Isla he makes one major mistake. He totally underestimates the woman, who seems to only see the good in people. It almost seems like he thought her to be a bit of a pushover. But if she sets her mind to something she believes in she becomes a single-minded warrior princess who won’t take no for an answer.
“See, this is where you’ve underestimated your opponent, Counselor. You see my kindness and kind of gooey middle and think it’s weakness.”
David and Isla fall for each other very fast but I totally bought it. He struggles for most of the book with the decision whether to make a go of a serious relationship – what if he has CTE? I had to remind myself a couple of times that fear isn’t rational and that he will understand ultimately that there are no guarantees in life but he did try my patience a little bit.
“You want some guarantee that life is going to turn out like you want it, but that’s not the way it goes. Do you intend to spend the rest of your life without love?”
Other than that he was a sweet and sexy man.
Isla’s kindness and gentleness and her steely spine make her one of my favorite heroines of all the books by Lexi Blake I’ve read so far. When her strong will makes an appearance the sass comes out to play as well and I had so much fun with her giving it straight to her man and telling him to get his head out of his ass.
“Taking care of each other through the good and the bad and the desperate is what family does. And if you don’t see that, then maybe you aren’t the man for me. I don’t know. I’m going to sleep on it.”
I loved the suspense which isn’t really a surprise to me. There are some twists and turns in typical Lexi Blake fashion, which had me reconsider my theories a couple of times.
Evidence of Desire is a worthy and excellent addition to the Courting Justice series. I was thoroughly entertained and immersed in the story and loved every word of it. I think it was even better than the first book. Now, it seems like we’ve met Noah Lawless’s love match and I think she’ll give him a run for his money if I’m right. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Lexi Blake, like no other, can weave a tale of murder, mystery and intrigue. She hooked me in the very first pages of this book. She drops subtle clues along the way that cause you to speculate and think you might know the answer before making a sharp right turn that leaves you thinking…what the heck just happened? This makes the story utterly enthralling. And the characters? Compelling, strong, intelligent, caring, complex and sexy. Putting the spotlight on CTE problems that professional football players may encounter because of too many hits/concussions gives an interesting twist to the plot.
Isla Shayne and David Cormack are brought together by a headline grabbing murder. The attraction between the two of them is instantaneous and electric. As they work their way throught the maze of evidence and dealing with an arrogant, publicity seeking ADA, who is quick to jump to conclusions and arrests, Isla and Shayne grow closer. They do have a serious issue facing them that could impact any possible future they have together if they let it.
Outstanding! I thought I had this one figured out early on, but then a few plot twists made me revise everything I’d read! Proceeded to then come up with a few dozen new theories lol! Terrific plot, fantastic characters and wonderful to continue to include MT too. Can definitely be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading EVERYTHING Lexi Blake has written!
5 Adrenaline Filled Stars!!!
I finished this book and it literally took me a couple of days for me to be able to write my review. This has now become my favorite book by Ms. Blake who is an automatic one-click author for me. This book has all the elements that I love in her books, romance, suspense and a storyline that took some massive twists and turns.
Being a huge football fan for many years, when this book opens and we get the gist of what’s going on with the H/h and how they come together to work on a legal case that could have precedent setting judgements, I was consumed hook, line and sinker!! David Cormack is a man that’s not looking for love and has some demons that he’s continuing to fight, but he can’t not help Isla Shayne for so many reasons.
Their love story starts very slowly but there’s an immediate attraction and while I was interested in getting their love story, what really drew me in was the main focal point of this book. I’m not going to reveal too much because I think this book truly needs to be experienced. There’s highs, lows and some heartbreaking scenes that literally had me in tears. Then I turn the page and I’m wanting to slap someone upside the head…his name is Royce and he’s a true scumbag!!
While this is book two in this series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone and I urge you to read this book. It’s filled with so much story, feelings and breath gasping moments that I was stunned at times. When I turned the last page I did have a smile on my face which is a tribute to Ms. Blake for her ability to write a story that concentrates on the complexities of the sports world and yet makes us feel like we’ve read a love story at the same time!
Lexi Blake writes amazing Romantic suspense and this book knocks that out of the park! This is a story of a strong woman who wont let the world underestimate her and a man who is facing his past and present. Though out this love story is the suspense of a murder investigation intertwined with a steamy love story. I loved this book from the first to the last page and cant wait for book 3 in the series!
Evidence of Desire is the second book in the Courting Justice series and I have to say that I think this series is just getting better and better. I throughly enjoyed book one but this one was just such an emotional roller coaster on so many levels and the suspense was spot on. I had a niggiling suspicion I knew the villain in this story, but I wasn’t positive till we got toward the end and that makes for a great murder mystery.
I loved that this story revolves not just around the romance, (and it is a total two for one romance even if the ending of one of them isn’t sunshine and roses) the mystery, or the very real health concern for athletes out there. Each aspect flowed seamlessly together to make a story that not only leaves you content in having read a great book but also will leave you to think about how much athletes are affected by their chosen sport, in this instance football. I will say if you are not sympathetic to the beating that athletes, particularly football players, bodies take this could be either an eye opening book or a frustrating one for you. The basis of everything revolves around head injuries suffered by football players and the outcome to their future lives. Like I said though, this book isn’t just about that. It is also about love and it is also about the mystery that turns the characters worlds upside down.
I loved meeting all the characters again, especially the new ones and though I want to strangle ‘Lawless’ on the regular for just being a bit of a man-whore I am so excited to see what happens with his book and you can’t help but love his rambunctious character. Isla and David were a perfect match, they play off each other so well. David is this conglomeration of your favorite type of hero, the sports jock, the businessman, the teddy bear hidden behind an Alpha mask. Isla is just straight up bad to the bone. She is so incredibly caring but isn’t going to take any crap from anyone and will fight for those she know are worthy of her time, her love, of justice!
There is really just so much to love about this book that I could gush on it for ages. If you are a fan of Lexi this is a must, if you like contemporary romance, a must, if you are a fan of murder mysteries…you got it, a must! Get this one on your TBR
~ HAPPY READING ~
Evidence of Desire is the second book in the Courting Justice Series, each book can be read as a standalone but you will find characters from each book run through the others this is because the series follows the men and women that work at a law firm. This is David’s story.
David is a retired pro football player turned criminal defense attorney so when former linebacker Trey Adams’ is in a bit of hot water his personal attorney, Isla Shane, calls David Cormack for help. Personally I really enjoyed Trey and Portia’s story and I really, really wish we could have gotten more of it. Ms Blake if you’re reading this, would you consider blessing us with a novella of their love story I think everyone who reads this book would really enjoy that. I know I would!!! 😉
Someone has killed the beautiful, loving, and devoted Portia. Trey suffers from CTE, Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, so it must be him right!?!?! Isla isn’t convinced Trey did it because she is not only his personal attorney she is a close, trusted family friend. Well that is where David comes in, he needs to defend Trey and prove that it’s possible someone else did it.
I liked the way Isla and David worked together but for me I just didn’t feel the chemistry and I don’t know why. The sexy times were plentiful and hot but I felt a disconnect, again I don’t know why. I really enjoyed the story line and I liked both Isla and David so yes I would recommend this book. If you’re looking for a Romantic Suspense that will keep you hooked until the very end I would recommend this book. Happy Reading!!!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**