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Happy Book Birthday & #ARC Review of Approaching the Bench (a Conflict of Interest novel #3) by Chantal Fernando! @chantal.fernando.author @ChantalFernando

 

Title: Approaching the Bench
Series: The Conflict of Interest Series #3
Author: Chantal Fernando
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 19, 2018
Blurb
A tenacious, resilient female judge must find a way to work with her carefree clerk as they find themselves in danger when a fugitive sets his sights on revenge in the third book in New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando’s sexy and thrilling Conflict of Interest Series.Trinity Williams, known as “Medusa” for her stony expressions and unyielding reputation, constantly has her guard up—how else is the youngest female judge in the country supposed to survive in such a male-dominated profession? She made the decision long ago that laughter and a carefree attitude have no business in a courtroom and achieving her professional goals is the only thing
she has left. It’s just her luck that her new law clerk, Callum Hopkins, believes the exact opposite.Callum Hopkins thinks that nothing should ever be too serious in life—why can’t he mix business with pleasure? When he first starts working for his hot new boss, they clash at every turn. He makes it his mission to get Judge Williams to see things his way for once.But when Callum finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time as an escaped convict comes after Trinity, he realizes it’s not all fun and games anymore. Now in witness protection together until the authorities can catch the fugitive, this unlikely pair must learn to trust one another and work together to stay alive. Far away from the courtroom, Trinity and Callum are suddenly free to stop butting heads, and stop fighting the growing attraction between them.

With suspense and plenty of chemistry, Approaching the Bench proves once again that “Chantal Fernando knows how to draw you in and keep you hooked” (Booklist).

I know.  Isn’t the cover awesome?  The blurb intriguing?  Or maybe just because I read the other two books in the series that I couldn’t resist?  The latter would be the answer.  Plus, I just love Ms. Fernando’s writing style.  Plus, her lawyers couldn’t be sexier.  What really drew me to this one is Trinny.  I just had to read her story and understand why she was the way she is.   Plus, I knew that Callum would be a fun hero.  I wasn’t wrong in my assessment of Callum but he had a surprising depth to him.  Trinny.  I just loved her and I got her.
Let me explain.  I worked for years in a very male-dominated world and had to prove myself over and over again the powers to be that I was good at my job and worthy.  I worked my tail off and when it was all said and done, I was lonely.  Just like Trinny.  No boyfriend, no real relationships except my family.  That’s when my now husband walked into my life and I realized that my work shouldn’t define who I was but my relationship with him would.  I was in my 30’s when it happened, just like Trinny.  Why yes, there is an age difference, with Trinny being the elder.  I loved that aspect of their relationship.  Callum opened her up and Trinny reminded him of the seriousness of what will happen in the aftermath.
The mystery/suspense element is good.  Not heavyhanded even though I figured it out fairly early but I was stunned at the end with the accomplice.  I didn’t expect that and it had just another layer to Trinny and who she was and what she has become as a person.  Bravo, Ms. Fernando.  Bravo.  While the book is a bit shorter than Seducing the Defendant, Ms. Bravo fleshed out a marvelous story about two people that were drawn to each other and put in an awful situation and found love in the end.
Callum’s brother Justin, father and his friend Eddie were excellent secondary characters.  If I had one thing to complain about is that I missed the other characters from the other two books.  Hunter’s book is next and I can.not.wait.!  Do yourself a favor and pick up this series.  You will not regret it.

 

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Coming Soon

Releasing April 17, 2018

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Author Bio

New York Times, Amazon & USA Today Bestselling Author Chantal Fernando is thirty years old and lives in Western Australia.Lover of all things romance, Chantal is the author of the best selling books Dragon’s Lair, Maybe This Time and many more.

When not reading, writing or daydreaming she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family.

Chantal loves to hear from readers.

 

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