Life Sentence by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Description:
“If I pay with my life, you will pay with yours.”

Defense Attorney Bryan Lexan may have just taken on the case which will cost him his life. When his client, a Russian Drug Boss, is convicted of first-degree murder, he vows to make Bryan pay.

Meanwhile, Jessica Pratt has always prided herself on being a modern woman–you know, the kind who doesn’t need a man to make her feel complete. So when she finds herself torn between two, she realizes that not all decisions are based on facts. If they were, her boyfriend, Bryan, would be the logical choice. He has the family name, wealth, and a stake in a successful law firm. Only thing is, when she meets Mason Freeman, the chemistry between them is irrefutable and he won’t take no for an answer.

With both of them caught up in a struggle for survival, and a powerful enemy on their heels, they’ll need to decide where their loyalties lie.

Review:

Life Sentence by Carolyn Arnold is a romance suspense thriller, which Arnold is known for.  I have read almost all of her books, and this continues the trend of writing exciting stories that keep your attention throughout. 

Life Sentence has an appearance by Madison Knight, our heroine from Arnold’s Madison Knight series.  The appearance was long before we get to know Madison, and this is totally separate from that series.  Life Sentence is a stand alone read.

The story starts with Bryan Lexan, a wealthy and well known lawyer, who takes the murder case of a mob boss.  Once Bryan accepts, the mob boss, Dimitri, tells him if he loses this case, he will pay with his life. Bryan knows Dimitri means business, but he is confident he will win this case, and it’s good for his practice. 

Early on we meet Jessica Pratt, who is in love with Bryan, and patiently awaits him to ask her to marry him.  What follows is a suspenseful storyline, that has unexpected twists.  When Bryan loses the case, he worries about Jessica, and at that time he does ask her to marry him, and for her to live with him in his house.  When her house is ransacked, Jessica does move in with Bryan and accepts his proposal. 

Jessica, is also in the middle of winning a contract for the company she works for, and meets Mason, one of the owners.  She is immediately attracted to him, but keeps her distance, as she is betrothed to Bryan.  When Bryan’s co-partner leaves the company quickly, Jessica worries about Bryan and danger he is facing.  Then one day he never comes home. 

What follows is an exciting last third of the book, with Jessica’s life falling apart, and Mason trying to help her recover.  There were so many surprises and twists, which changed the game often.  Was Bryan killed by the mob?  Will Jessica allow herself to become involved with Mason?  Is Jessica’s life in danger?  You will have to read this book to find the answers. 

If I had to be picky, there is one thing I found a little unbelievable.  Bryan was wealthy, running an excellent law firm.  What person in there right mind would accept a case from the mob, with a threat of win or lose your life.  Aside from that, the storyline was great.

Life Sentence is a thriller all the way, which I read non-stop.  Carolyn Arnold is known for writing wonderful suspense thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, with lots of excitement, as well as many twists along the way that continually surprise you. Having read all of Arnold’s books, she never disappoints us. I wholly recommend Life Sentence for those who want an exciting thriller to read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author