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A PAINFUL PAST
Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her memories.
A RACIALLY-MOTIVATED KILLER
As a Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. Difficult cases and broken relationships have plagued his entire year. But when the system fails and a white supremacist is set free, Michael’s drive for retribution eclipses all else.
A LIFE-ALTERING CHOICE
A racist’s well-planned assault forces Hanna and Michael to decide between executing vengeance and pursuing justice. The dividing line between the two is the choice to heal. But when the attack turns personal, is justice enough?
The wall she’d built with years of secrecy started to crack.
Hanna Kessler wrapped trembling arms around her waist and stared through the glass door into her parents’ backyard. A place she’d avoided her whole stay. Sunlight danced in the still water of her mother’s koi pond and highlighted all the landscaping changes Dad had made since Mom’s death.
Hanna closed her eyes against warring memories of past and present. As a child, she’d loved feeding the beautiful orange fish and hearing Mom laugh as the koi swarmed to the food. Now the little pond area was the only bit of her mother remaining. Maybe that was why she’d glanced outside and then stood transfixed. She needed her mom now more than ever.
Swallowing hard, she opened her eyes and focused on Mom’s teakwood dolphin statue and the white rocks around the water, glinting in the late afternoon sun. She reached out to touch the warm glass but couldn’t force herself to open the door. Goose bumps trailed her arms and she shivered.
She couldn’t go outside.
But she had to do something. Had to get away. So she stumbled into the rustic living room, her favorite place in the house. The surrounding family snapshots reminded her of simpler times. Boating on Kentucky Lake. Thunder over Louisville. Playing at Iroquois Park. Times when Mom and Dad and her brother, Steven, had wrapped her in their protection and love.
The front door rattled, then creaked open. “Anyone home?” A man’s deep voice carried through the safe place she’d escaped to months ago. It wasn’t safe anymore.
But her frozen feet refused to move.Where could she hide? Footsteps thundered through the front hall, drawing closer. She had to get out.
Choking down the lump of panic in her throat, she ran back to the sliding glass doors and forced her feet tomove outside, onto the concrete patio. She could get to her car from there. The keys! Turning back to the house, she focused on the tall form stepping out of the house and walking toward her.
“Hanna-girl, what’s gotten into you?”
Her brain snapped to attention. The man in front of her was no threat.
“Daddy!” She ran into his outstretched arms.
Andrew Kessler kissed the top of her head and chuckled. “You looked like you’d seen a ghost. Didn’t you get the message I left this morning?”
Heartbeat still pounding out of her rib cage, she inhaled a few deep breaths before answering. She hadn’t checked messages today. And no way could she admit she’d listened to most of the messages her family had left, never intending to return the calls. “I…I must have missed it. Sorry, Daddy.”
Try as she might to hide it, calling her father Daddy only happened when she was terrified. Or hiding. And she’d done a lot of hiding.
Dad stepped back and tilted his head, still holding her in his arms. “Well, I’m in Louisville for the weekend and had to see my girl. I miss you. So does everyone back in Alexandria.”
Even Michael? She wouldn’t ask. She had no right. Not after ignoring all the calls and letters he’d sent. The ones declaring his love even though she’d run away from everyone after her brother’s wedding. She couldn’t meet Dad’s eyes.
“Hanna, look at me.” He tilted her chin up. She fought to not pull away. “Steven asks about you every day. I’m surprised your brother and Clint and the rest of their FBI friends haven’t hightailed it up here to drag you home.”
“They wouldn’t.” Especially not Michael. Not after almost two months of her frosty silence.
Dad laughed again. He had no idea the pain his questions, his presence here, caused. “Steven’s planned it. So has Michael. But they’re waiting for you to come back, on your terms.” As if that would happen. “Susannah’s birthday party is a week from Saturday. Clint and the rest of us are praying you’ll come. Take pictures. Let us show you how much we love having you in Alexandria.”
A week from Saturday. The twenty-fifth of August. She wouldn’t be there. Couldn’t face Clint Rollins. Not after her negligence had nearly cost Clint’s son his life.
Tears slipped past her clenched eyes.
“Oh, honey.” Dad gathered her back into his arms. “No one blames you, Hanna. No one. You need to let the past go. Everyone is safe now. All the Rollins clan. Even Conor.”
So Sara’s baby was still alive. Just like Steven’s and Clint’s messages had said. Relief rushed through her, causing her knees to wobble. But other guilt arrows pierced her heart. All the lies she’d told Steven and Michael. Dad too. Clint’s son wasn’t the only reason she’d fled Alexandria.
“You’ll be there for Susannah’s party, right?” His hopeful blue eyes begged.
She pulled out of his arms and walked back into the house.Dad followed. “I…I need a Kleenex.” Searching through the oak cabinets in the kitchen didn’t produce any tissues. So she grabbed a paper towel from the counter. “What brings you in town? During our phone calls last week, you never mentioned coming home.”
“If I had, would you have been here?”
Ouch. “Yes, Daddy.” Another lie. “So are you here to check on the Mall St. Matthews coffee shop? I’ve been working there every day, just like you arranged. It’s going well.” And she was babbling.
“I’m here to meet with some old friends on Friday and talk about upcoming business opportunities.”
Old friends. The memories rushing in unbidden surfaced more tears. And more cracks in the wall of secrecy. She needed to get out of the house, out of the neighborhood.Now.Maybe then she could exhibit some self-control.
“Why don’t we grab a late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory? After your long drive you’re bound to be hungry, right?” She forced a smile.
“Okay,Hanna-girl.”He wiped away one of her stray tears. “On one condition.”
Please don’t ask about the party, Daddy. Please.
He lifted his bushy graying eyebrows. “Promise you’ll come back to us and take pictures at Susannah’s birthday party next week.”
The very thing she couldn’t do.How would she get out of this without telling more lies or spilling everything? She had to avoid that.Maybe one last fib would get her though the weekend with Dad.
Then she could find somewhere else to run.
SusanWSnellville
Posted June 17, 2009
I Also Recommend:
While you don't have to read the first two books in the Defenders of Hope series, this third book adds closure to the characters from Wallace's other books. Finally we get to see inside Hannah's past, while maintaining contact with all the characters as they interact with and support one another. Enduring Justice is an intense read with a heartbreaking story of childhood abuse that impacts Hannah even as she tries to live her adult life. It's a must read for all lovers of Christian fiction and criminal drama/suspense.
Amy Walllace has become one of my favorite Christian authors! I hope she continues to write for years to come as I look forward to many more hours with her well-developed characters! Also, follow her work, life, and reviews of fellow authors on her blog: http://www.peek-a-booicu.blogspot.com/. Amy is a "real" person who shares her heart and love for her Lord clearly in all she does. Thanks Amy!
JackeeJG
Posted May 29, 2009
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Enduring Justice by Amy Wallace is the third book in her Defenders of Hope Series and it doesn't disappoint! We learn more about Hanna, Stephen Kessler's sister, and the deep secret she harbors. We watch as FBI agent Michael Parker faces his own personal issues even while he works to discover the identities of the people perpetrating terrible hate crimes. How Hanna and Michael grow in both their faith and trust in God and in each other amid the inhumanity that surrounds them, makes this book a very powerful read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This story deals with some difficult issues, sexual abuse, kidnapping, murder, and racism. Amy Wallace does a great job not only in presenting the issues, but also the characters deal with these issues in mature and responsible ways (mostly). Even though it was a bit tough to read, as I kept getting disgusted at what these people were doing, I'm glad I finished it. This book is well worth it!
Wallace does a great job in developing her characters. I could almost feel what Hanna was going through, and I felt the rage that her brother and boyfriend experienced throughout. Even the small characters were believable. The only characters I didn't connect with were the bad guys, I don't share their beliefs and so I didn't quite understand where they were coming from with the hate. Kudos for Wallace for being able to write those characters without loosing herself. In the acknowledgment she hints at how emotionally difficult it was to write this book, and after reading it I can see why.
The dialogue was a little hard to follow at times but other than that it was very well written. Wallace tells the story and leaves out the mundane details (no overly explained settings or descriptions). The writing is clear and to the point, I think for this story to be as good as it was the extra details would have been too much!
I would recommend this book to anyone. I would have to warn that the subject matter can be a little hard to digest, but don't let it deter you from picking this one up.
Great book and I will be getting more from Mrs. Wallace in the future!
ChristysBookBlog
Posted April 28, 2009
Enduring Justice by Amy Wallace is the third book in the Defenders of Hope series about agents in the FBI. It picks up shortly after Healing Promises; Michael Parker is working a missing child case that may have connections to a white supremacist militia group. Hanna Kessler , his girlfriend, has been battling demons for over twenty years since she was molested as a child. Michael's case and the events of the previous book make her emotions boil over separating her emotionally from the people she needs to lean on most in the mistaken belief that it's all her fault. Wallace does a wonderful job of ratcheting up the tension and describing the difficult job faced by federal agents in tracking down pedophiles. Hanna's shattered heart influences every part of her life, even her friendships and make it hard for her to trust other people or herself; Wallace depicts that aspect of an abuse survivor with compassion and honesty. I felt that there were too many plotlines in the book between the militia, missing child, Hanna's abuse, and all of the various agents' personal lives. It was hard to keep track of who was doing or felt what. It also drew some of the power away from the militia story, because it was told in a very detached, rapid-fire manner. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had the previous two in this series. Wallace may have added too many characters to handle them all. I do hope that she continues the series with Lee and Rashida and that she pares down the non-essentials.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.christian fiction, series, suspense, washington dc, racism, photography, fbi, white supremacist, pedophile, child abuse
"Hatred is one of the themes in this novel. Because of her past, Hanna Kessler hates herself; she wrongly blames herself for all of the bad things that happen to those around her. Michael Parker hates his father for his abusive childhood. Sean Haines, a white supremacist, hates so thoroughly that those parts of the novel make for especially tough reading. Child abuse and racism are difficult topics. This is edgy fiction.
I found the pace slow from time to time. The characters are one-dimensional and not believable. Still, the book will be a good one to read, especially for those who read the first two in the series. All loose ends are neatly tied up. Some mild profanity. Discussion questions are included."
ReviewYourBook.com
Posted April 11, 2009
For years Hannah, has kept the bad memories buried, but now they have surfaced to haunt her. The time has come when she must face the dark shadows of her past. Federal Agent Michael Parker is hot on the trail of a white supremacist. With a child's life at stake, Michael and Hannah must choose between revenge and justice.
Enduring Justice is the third and last installment in the Defenders of Hope series by Amy Wallace. After the first few chapters, I became very involved in Enduring Justice. Wallace courageous tackles a difficult topic, prejudice. The subject matter is dark, making this book an uncomfortable read. The Christian theme is to trust God.
Txmimi
Posted March 28, 2009
I Also Recommend:
All of the books in the Defenders of Hope series are well written and worth the time to read. They are filled with suspense and intrigue without profane or offensive language and Amy shows in each book how God can work in our lives even in the most difficult situations. The characters flow easily from book one through book three and by the time you finish Enduring Justice, you will feel like you know each one of them. I highly recommend this series to everyone. If you have read Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises don't miss Enduring Justice. Or if you have not read any of them hurry out and get all three you will not regret the purchase. Linda Presley Midland, TX
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 25, 2009
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Hannah Kessler has a secret from childhood that she intends to keep hidden until she sees part of that secret on America's Most Wanted. If she reports the man she knows is guilty it will open up a part of her that has remained closed for 20 years. But what will happen if she doesn't? Her instinct has always been to run. Will her love for Michael and concern for her friends and family keep her grounded? She is trying to understand faith and prayer but with all she's been through it seems God has forgotten her.
Michael Parker is working on a difficult case in Crimes Against Children Unit at the FBI. They are after a white supremacist leader who is trying to "purify" the nation with ruthless killings of women and children of other nationalities. Michael struggles with faith as he sees one of the groups members released on a technicality. He struggles with prayer when it seems like God isn't answering and when his precious Hannah ends up in the middle of trouble he struggles with the issue of justice vs. revenge. How can he be what Hannah needs when he struggles with his own past issues.
How can Michael and Hannah's love survive when both have been so hurt? Can God truly heal those inner places enough to knit these two hearts together?
Book 3 in the Defender's of Hope Series keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Although not an easy subject matter, Amy does a excellent job in handling it. You also get to catch up with all the characters from Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises. That's one thing I love about Amy's books is the way she keeps all the characters in all the books. That makes for a very fulfilling story. It's almost like one big story except the focus of each story is on one main character. I appreciate that style because you really come to know these fictional characters almost like real people.
I highly recommend this book. You could read this as a stand alone but recommend you read Randsomed Dreams and Healing Promises to give the complete story. Great work Amy!
Brenda_Anderson
Posted March 19, 2009
Hanna Kessler thought she'd buried her past years ago, but when it claws its way to the surface, she tries to run from its ugliness and the support of family and friends. That includes handsome FBI Crimes Against Children Agent, Michael Parker, who's struggling to cope with his own wounded past.
With Enduring Justice, and the first two books in the Defenders of Hope series, author Amy Wallace has raised the bar for Christian fiction writers. Not only has she drawn a riveting and thoroughly-researched suspense story, but she melds it with complex, true-to-life characters you truly care about, and wraps it all in redemptive hope. Most writers shine in one facet of storytelling, but few excel at both plot and characterization. I look forward to reading Amy Wallace fiction for many years to come.
Twenty years ago, the ugly incident that still haunts Hanna Kessler occurred. She somewhat walled it way, but recent events have made her realize what a lie she conveniently made for herself.
Crimes Against Children FBI agent Michael Parker struggled emotionally with the cases he has worked; even the trauma specialist offers him little help though he religiously attends their appointments. His current case involves a white supremacist who escaped the justice system. With an Asian child snatched he realizes his beloved Hanna's past has caught up with them as she is in the crosshairs.
This is not an easy read as the third Defenders of Hope inspirational thriller (see RANSOMED DREAMS and HEALING PROMISES) is extremely dark and gritty as pedophile and racial hate crimes take center stage. The story line grips the audience as time is running out to save a child. At the same time, Michael wants to execute justice so the perp cannot fall through the cracks. He and a hurting Hanna may be in love, but their future together looks grim unless they can heal; only God can help them achieve this, but neither seems ready to embrace the Lord as each feels deserted instead.
Harriet Klausner
Anonymous
Posted May 14, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 14, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
A PAINFUL PAST
Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her memories.
A RACIALLY-MOTIVATED KILLER
As a Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. Difficult cases and broken ...