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  Love’s Verdict

  Attorneys Landon Holt and Carly Pachett want the exact same thing: the only open partnership spot at their prestigious criminal defense firm. When Landon and Carly are forced to collaborate on the defense of one of the firm’s A-list celebrity clients in a high-profile murder case, there’s no question the assignment is a test to see which one of them will get the promotion. Fierce determination to stand out fuels the already heated rivalry between them, but all those late nights working on legal strategy also fan the flames of attraction. When it comes to the verdict, will they compromise their careers for love?

  Reviewers Love the Lone Star Law Series

  Outside the Law

  “This is by far the best book of the series, and Ms. Taite has saved the best for last. Each book features a romance, and the main characters, Tanner Cohen and Sydney Braswell, are well rounded, lovable, and their chemistry is sizzling…The book found the perfect balance between romance and thriller with a surprising twist at the end. Very entertaining read. Overall, a very good end of this series. Recommended for both romance and thriller fans. 4.5 stars.”—Lez Review Books

  Letter of the Law

  “Fiery clashes and lots of chemistry, you betcha!”—The Romantic Reader Blog

  Above the Law

  “[R]eaders who enjoyed the first installment will find this a worthy second act.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Ms Taite delivered and then some, all the while adding more questions, Tease! I like the mystery and intrigue in this story. It has many ‘sit on the edge of your seat’ scenes of excitement and dread (like watch out kind of thing) and drama…well done indeed!”—Prism Book Alliance

  Lay Down the Law

  “Recognized for the pithy realism of her characters and settings drawn from a Texas legal milieu, Taite pays homage to the prime-time soap opera Dallas in pairing a cartel-busting U.S. Attorney, Peyton Davis, with a charity-minded oil heiress, Lily Gantry.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Suspenseful, intriguingly tense, and with a great developing love story, this book is delightfully solid on all fronts. This gets my A-1 recommendation!”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  “This book is AMAZING!!! The setting, the scenery, the people, the plot, wow.”—Prism Book Alliance

  Praise for the Luca Bennett Mystery Series

  Switchblade

  “I enjoyed the book and it was a fun read—mystery, action, humor, and a bit of romance. Who could ask for more? If you’ve read and enjoyed Taite’s legal novels, you’ll like this. If you’ve read and enjoyed the two other books in this series, this one will definitely satisfy your Luca fix and I highly recommend picking it up. Highly recommended.”—C-spot Reviews

  “Dallas’s intrepid female bounty hunter, Luca Bennett, is back in another adventure. Fantastic! Between her many friends and lovers, her interesting family, her fly by the seat of her pants lifestyle, and a whole host of detractors, there is rarely a dull moment.”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  Battle Axe

  “This second book is satisfying, substantial, and slick. Plus, it has heart and love coupled with Luca’s array of weapons and a badass verbal repertoire…I cannot imagine anyone not having a great time riding shotgun through all of Luca’s escapades. I recommend hopping on Luca’s bandwagon and having a blast.”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  “Taite breathes life into her characters with elemental finesse…A great read, told in the vein of a good old detective-type novel filled with criminal elements, thugs, and mobsters that will entertain and amuse.”—Lambda Literary

  Slingshot

  “The mean streets of lesbian literature finally have the hardboiled bounty hunter they deserve. It’s a slingshot of a ride, bad guys and hot women rolled into one page-turning package. I’m looking forward to Luca Bennett’s next adventure.”—J. M. Redmann, author of the Micky Knight mystery series

  Praise for Carsen Taite

  A More Perfect Union

  “Readers looking for a mix of intrigue and romance set against a political backdrop will want to pick up Taite’s latest novel.”—Romantic Times Book Review

  “This is a fabulously written tightly woven political/military intrigue with a large helping of romance. I enjoyed every minute and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. This one is a great read! Carsen Taite never disappoints!”—The Romantic Reader Blog

  Sidebar

  “Sidebar is a love story with a refreshing twist. It’s a mystery and a bit of a thriller, with an ethical dilemma and some subterfuge thrown in for good measure. The combination gives us a fast-paced read, which includes courtroom and personal drama, an appealing love story, and a more than satisfying ending.”—Lambda Literary

  “Sidebar is a sexy, fun, interesting book that’s sure to delight, whether you’re a longtime fan or this is your first time reading something by Carsen Taite. I definitely recommend it!”—The Lesbian Review

  “This book has it all: two fantastic lead characters, an interesting plot, and that sizzling chemistry that great authors can make jump off the page. While all of Taite’s books are fantastic, this one is on the next level. No critiques, no criticism, you only need to know one thing…this is a damn good book.”—The Romantic Reader Blog

  Without Justice

  “Carsen Taite tells a great story. She is consistent in giving her readers a good if not great legal drama with characters who are insightful, well thought out and have good chemistry. You know when you pick up one of her books you are getting your money’s worth time and time again. Consistency with a great legal drama is all but guaranteed.”—The Romantic Reader Blog

  “All in all a fantastic novel…Unequivocally 5 Stars…”—Les Reveur

  “This is a great read, fast-paced, interesting and takes a slightly different tack from the normal crime/courtroom drama having a lawyer in the witness protection system whose case becomes the hidden centre of another crime.”—Lesbian Reading Room

  Reasonable Doubt

  “I was drawn into the mystery plot line and quickly became enthralled with the book. It was suspenseful without being too intense but there were some great twists to keep me guessing. It’s a very good book. I cannot wait to read the next in line that Ms. Taite has to offer.”—Prism Book Alliance

  Courtship

  “The political drama is just top-notch. The emotional and sexual tensions are intertwined with great timing and flair. I truly adored this book from beginning to end. Fantabulous!”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  “Carsen Taite throws the reader head-on into the murky world of the political system where there are no rights or wrongs, just players attempting to broker the best deals regardless of who gets hurt in the process. The book is extremely well written and makes compelling reading. With twist and turns throughout, the reader doesn’t know how the story will end.”—Lesbian Reading Room

  “Taite keeps the stakes high as two beautiful and brilliant women fueled by professional ambitions face daunting emotional choices…As backroom politics, secrets, betrayals, and threats race to be resolved without political damage to the president, the cat-and-mouse relationship game between Addison and Julia has the reader rooting for them. Taite prolongs the fever-pitch tension to the final pages. This pleasant read with intelligent heroines, snappy dialogue, and political suspense will satisfy Taite’s devoted fans and new readers alike.”—Publishers Weekly

  Rush

  “A simply beautiful interplay of police procedural magic, murder, FBI presence, misguided protective cover-ups, and a superheated love affair…a Gold Star from me and major encouragement for all readers to dive right in and consume this story with gusto!”—Rainbow Book Reviews

  Beyond Innocence

  “As you would expect, sparks and legal writs fly. What I
liked about this book were the shades of grey (no, not the smutty Shades of Grey)—both in the relationship as well as the cases.”—C-spot Reviews

  “Taite keeps you guessing with delicious delay until the very last minute…Taite’s time in the courtroom lends Beyond Innocence a terrific verisimilitude someone not in the profession couldn’t impart. And damned if she doesn’t make practicing law interesting.”—Out in Print

  The Best Defense

  “Real life defense attorney Carsen Taite polishes her fifth work of lesbian fiction…with the realism she daily encounters in the office and in the courts. And that polish is something that makes The Best Defense shine as an excellent read.”—Out & About Newspaper

  Nothing but the Truth

  “Author Taite is really a Dallas defense attorney herself, and it’s obvious her viewpoint adds considerable realism to her story, making it especially riveting as a mystery. I give it four stars out of five.”—Bob Lind, Echo Magazine

  “Taite has written an excellent courtroom drama with two interesting women leading the cast of characters. Taite herself is a practicing defense attorney, and her courtroom scenes are clearly based on real knowledge. This should be another winner for Taite.”—Lambda Literary

  Do Not Disturb

  “Taite’s tale of sexual tension is entertaining in itself, but a number of secondary characters…add substantial color to romantic inevitability.”—Richard Labonte, Book Marks

  It Should Be a Crime

  “Law professor Morgan Bradley and her student Parker Casey are potential love interests, but throw in a high-profile murder trial, and you’ve got an entertaining book that can be read in one sitting. Taite also practices criminal law and she weaves her insider knowledge of the criminal justice system into the love story seamlessly and with excellent timing. I find romances lacking when the characters change completely upon falling in love, but this was not the case here. I look forward to reading more from Taite.”—Curve Magazine

  “This is just Taite’s second novel…but it’s as if she has bookshelves full of bestsellers under her belt.”—Gay List Daily

  Love’s Verdict

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  Love’s Verdict

  © 2018 By Carsen Taite. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13:978-1-63555-041-2

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: August 2018

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Cindy Cresap

  Production Design: Stacia Seaman

  Cover Design By Sheri ([email protected])

  By the Author

  Truelesbianlove.com

  It Should be a Crime

  Do Not Disturb

  Nothing but the Truth

  The Best Defense

  Beyond Innocence

  Rush

  Courtship

  Reasonable Doubt

  Without Justice

  Sidebar

  A More Perfect Union

  Love’s Verdict

  The Luca Bennett Mystery Series

  Slingshot

  Battle Axe

  Switchblade

  Bow and Arrow (novella in Girls with Guns)

  Lone Star Law Series

  Lay Down the Law

  Above the Law

  Letter of the Law

  Outside the Law

  Acknowledgments

  When it comes to the finished product, a whole bunch of people make me look good. Thanks to the entire Bold Strokes Books family and:

  Sheri for another amazing cover design.

  Cindy Cresap for fierce edits delivered with a side of humor.

  Len Barot and Sandy Lowe for making Bold Strokes Books a nurturing home where authors can thrive.

  Paula Tighe for always being available when I want to brainstorm legal strategy.

  VK Powell and Ashley Bartlett for their steadfast friendship and keen editorial eyes.

  Georgia Beers for keeping me on track with our daily check-ins.

  Love and thanks to my wife, Lainey, who brainstorms plot points and takes care of all the things while I’m holed up in my office writing or traveling to literary events around the country. None of my success would be possible without you.

  And to all of my readers—your support fuels my inspiration and daily word counts. Thanks for taking this journey with me. Let’s keep going—shall we?

  To Lainey. I love that we aim for the top together.

  Prologue

  Carly stood in the entrance to the ballroom and searched for a safe place. A place to have one token drink and bide her time until she’d done her duty by appearing at the firm’s annual ritual of no fun whatsoever.

  “Hey, Pachett, you just get here?”

  Damn. Carly managed a smile for Keith Worthington, but it was totally fake. Keith, one of the other associates at the firm, loved to give her a hard time about how little she enjoyed the firm’s social functions. Unlike her, he lived for free cocktails and apps handed out by sleek cater waiters. Tonight he had a date on his arm—a tall, size zero blonde with a little too much Botox for her age—the perfect date for Keith since she wouldn’t be fighting him for the free food.

  Carly wouldn’t mind these social events if they didn’t happen so often, but it seemed like every month there was some after-hours drain on her time that had nothing to do with billable hours and everything to do with making small talk with people she wouldn’t care to spend time with outside of the office. Keith loved the schmoozing. He’d been at the firm four years and already had his eye on a partnership spot to which Carly silently said, get in line. She was well into her fifth year at Sturges and Lloyd, and when Jane and Mark, the senior partners, decided to add a name to the partner roster, she expected to be at the top of the list. She didn’t have a lot of hands-on litigation experience, but she excelled at negotiations and her win record on appeal was unparalleled. She’d earned her spot at the top. The only less-than-stellar feedback she got at year-end bonus time was that she would do well to loosen up a little, muck it up with clients to bring in more business. She’d assured them she would do her part, even if it killed her, which was why she’d decided to put in an appearance tonight at the firm’s annual holiday gala.

  “Where’s the bar?” she asked Keith, who insisted on leading the way. She gave in, figuring it would save her being buttonholed by firm clients if she looked like she was with a group, even if the group was Keith and his flavor of the month. Her plan failed miserably as Keith stopped at every cluster of people along the way to show off his date, Mia. He’d announced she was a model so often that Carly could recite her resume of photo shoots, and by the time they made it to the bar, she needed a double. She ordered a vodka and soda and wandered over to the side of the bar to recover from way too much interaction until she could escape unnoticed.

  The party was the perfect place to people watch. Jane and Mark worked the room like pros, sometimes apart, often together, tag-teaming their way through the throngs of guests, stopping long enough to make everyone feel personally welcome. When they made their way over to her, Carly braced for a talk about mingling with the other guests.

  “Hi, Carly, are you having fun?” Jane asked while signaling to one of the tray-carrying waiters. She gra
bbed three glasses of champagne and handed one to Mark and one to her. Carly set down the now empty rocks glass and took the bubbly. She didn’t care for champagne, but people didn’t say no to Jane, and she’d learned which battles were worth fighting on her personal route to the top.

  “Let’s toast,” Jane said. “To a new year full of new possibilities for the firm and for you, Carly.”

  Carly raised her glass and clinked each of theirs, suppressing a knowing smile. It was so like Jane not to say the words, but a partnership was in her reach. It had to be. She started to make some comment about how much she was looking forward to what the new year held, but a commotion at the door to the ballroom diverted their attention. A tall blond woman smiled at the doorman, who frowned in response. The blonde just smiled harder and clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly gesture, seemingly undeterred by his attempts to keep her from crashing the party. The blonde looked around the room, her gaze settling on Carly. Her smile was intoxicating, and despite Carly’s best efforts at staying calm and cool, her body hummed as she basked in the stranger’s attention.