James Scott Bell Reviews

Page Two

Added April 11, 2005

Breach of Promise

Author: James Scott Bell
Publisher: Zondervan Publications
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: January 2004
Genre: Fiction: Christian/Legal/Thriller
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 0310243874
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

Breach of Promise is, perhaps, James Scott Bell at his best. As a longtime fan of the author, I expected to enjoy his latest legal thriller, never expected to be as consumed as I was. As a Christian man, my wife and I have beaten some amazing odds. We've managed to stay happily married for the last twelve years and I consider that bond sacred. My wife and I have three wonderful children and not a single day goes by that don't thank God for the blessings He's allowed us. But after reading Breach of Promise-I understand even more how fortunate my family is.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because Mark Gillen, the main character is not nearly as lucky as I have been. He is a struggling actor, married to Paula, a beautiful woman, who is also an actor, but with a steady job on a soap opera. Together they have a daughter, five-year-old Madeline. But in the snap of a finger, life changes for the Gillens. Paula's agent has landed her a role in a major motion picture, working for one of Hollywood's hottest directors. For four months, Paula must stay in Italy, where the film is being shot, while Mark remains at home taking care of Maddie.

It isn't long before the paparazzi clutter the tabloids with information about a steamy love affair between the director and Paula. Though pained and heartbroken, Mark is just anxious for Paula to return home, certain they can work things out. The last thing he expects is a request for a divorce, but the worst thing that happens is Paula wants custody of Maddie.

Behind the director's wealth, Paula retains a shark of an attorney that stops at nothing to win custody for his client. Mark feels as if his only choice is to drown in the wake of the shark's feeding frenzy. Until he discovers the one card he has left to play. The God card. But can faith in Christ overcome the anger and emptiness he feels inside? Is it by chance that he is lead to the doorstep of a Christian attorney? Or that he meets a woman involved in a Christian acting group?

These questions spin around in Mark's head, muddling his view and obscuring his focus. He wants his daughter back, and the false accusations to stop. Prayer may be the strongest alliance of all. But Mark learns, if the prayer request does not match God's will... then it may seem like your prayer is not being answered. And if your prayers go unanswered, why pray?

Breach of Promise is that kind of book that once you start reading it, you can't stop. If you do stop, then you can't stop thinking about the characters. It is a compelling novel with gut-wrenching courtroom drama like no other in its genre. It has characters that are three-dimensional, dialogue that is crisp, and a battle for custody that will leave you feeling hallow and helpless. Like Deadlock and his other novels, James Scott Bell is not afraid to tackle the controversial issues head-on using solid scriptures as his weapon.

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Added April 11, 2005

A Higher Justice

The Trials of Kit Shannon

Author: James Scott Bell
Publisher: Bethany House
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: September 2003
Genre: Fiction: Christian/Legal/Historical
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 0-7642-2646-0
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

Retired attorney, James Scott Bell is an award-winning author. He has written many thrillers, and has co-authored a handful more with Tracie Peterson. His latest novel, A Higher Justice, is the second in a series featuring female attorney Kit Shannon. The story takes place in Los Angeles in the early 1900's. Filled with history and culture from the times, this engaging novel is unsurpassable in quality and content by any legal novel being published today from more known best selling authors.

A young mother and her son are headed into town. It has been a tough year. Her husband has recently passed away. In an attempt to move forward she decides to purchase new clothing for her son. A terrible accident occurs when a young boy wanders into the street and is killed by a recklessly driven trolley car.

Kit Shannon decides to wage a legal battle against the trolley company in an attempt to force all trolleys to be retrofitted with safety features. In the years since the trolley came to be there have been several accidents. Each time the fault was placed on the victim. Shannon's stand: This has got to stop. She believes the trolley company should be held responsible to the community. It is no easy battle. The tycoons that own the railroad and trolley will stop at nothing to obtain more power and more money. Shannon's reputation is such that she poses a threat to the continued success and riches of the transit system. Those against her will stop at nothing to get her out of the way of progress.

A local drunk gets into a drinking contest in a local saloon. Things get out of hand. Without remembering what exactly happened, he is arrested for attempted murder. He apparently took a gun from the bartender and fired shots at his competitor. Though no one was killed, or injured, there is a bar full of witnesses to the crime.

When Shannon takes this case, something about it doesn't seem right. Shannon believes that her client might be innocent. Too many of the people involved are on the trolley payroll and Shannon has long ago learned to recognize there is no such thing as coincidence. In order to battle Shannon's defense, the district attorney pit's their female lawyer, Mrs. Price against the infamous Kit Shannon. What ensues is a smart courtroom drama.

A Higher Justice is entertaining, fun and intriguing. James Scott Bell writes smoothly. His dialogue sounds right for the times. The etiquette seems appropriate, as well as the way he describes the social standings between men, women and women who are trying to succeed in a man's world. Thankfully James Scott Bell has quite a backlist of books. They should keep me busy through most of the upcoming winter ...

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