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Avidan ‘Dan’ Justice truly tries to live up to his name. Avidan means God is just, and then there’s the obvious last name..Justice. So: Just Justice. But, in the first three chapters of the book, it’s clear this sheriff deputy’s life is wholly unjust when his wife is senselessly killed. Dan’s life is ripped to shreds. In an effort to move on, he moves his two children to small town, Sanctuary, Oregon.
In Sanctuary there is a social worker, Shelby Wilson, who likes Dan. She enjoys his company and the way he put his children before anything else. The kids are adjusting well to the move, and Dan is comfortable (as he can be). Shelby introduces troubled teen Jayce to the family, and even his life begins to turn around. And, then, more tragedy.
Dan turns his back on God. He know longer believes there is a great God of the universe who loves him and only wants the best for him. It’s all a myth, a story, a lie, as far as he is concerned.
Shelby won’t let Dan slip away. She’s fallen for him. Jayce feels completely guilty for what has happened, and he so badly wants it undone. Jayce and Dan need each other to heal and turn back to God. But both are hurting, bitter, and shut down. Until Shelby makes some special arrangements that both men agree to.
When it comes to life, Dan has to choose sides in the battle for his soul. Will he turn to the God who truly does love him or give in to the pain eating at his soul? After so much loss, how can he ever love anyone again?
Shattered Justice is for everyone who has ever cried to God, “Why me?” It is for the person who has been disappointed with life, for the one who weeps alone at night. It’s for the parent who loses a child, for the child who loses a parent, for the one who loses the love of her life. It’s for those who would never admit to turning against God, but their heart has closed just the same. And, this book is for every person who has ever suffered an injustice. So, then, this book is for all of us.
Karen Ball writes a riveting story, from the first page to the last, we join Dan and his family, and we move through each phase with them, feeling what they feel. I read a lot of books. I’m not moved to tears that often, but twice, I cried reading this one. Ms. Ball reaches the depth of our emotions and shows us how God is even in the darkest places.
A Road To Romance Reviewers Choice Award winner.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
August 9, 2005
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