Lethal Intent by Cara Putman (VBT: Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Lethal Intent by author Cara Putman!

Book Review

Lethal Intent by Cara Putman

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publishing Date: January 12, 2021

Format: Paperback - 336 pages

               Audiobook - 10 Hours 16 Minutes

               Kindle - 1994 KB

               Nook - 2 MB

ISBN: 978-0785233312
ASIN (Audiobook): B08669DNVY

ASIN (Kindle): B085XNFDT9

BNID: 978-0785233244

Genre: Legal - Medical Thriller / Christian Romantic Suspense 

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest book review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Book Description:

If they expected silence, they hired the wrong woman.

Caroline Bragg’s life has never been better. She and Brandon Lancaster are taking their relationship to the next level, and she has a new dream job as legal counsel for Praecursoria—a research lab that is making waves with its cutting-edge genetic therapies. The company’s leukemia treatments even promise to save desperately sick kids—kids like eleven-year-old Bethany, a critically ill foster child at Brandon’s foster home.

When Caroline’s enthusiastic boss wants to enroll Bethany in experimental trials prematurely, Caroline objects, putting her at odds with her colleagues. They claim the only goal at Praecursoria is to save lives. But does someone have another agenda?

Brandon faces his own crisis. As laws governing foster homes shift, he’s on the brink of losing the group home he’s worked so hard to build. When Caroline learns he’s a Praecursoria investor, it becomes legally impossible to confide in him. Will the secrets she keeps become a wedge that separates them forever? And can she save Bethany from the very treatments designed to heal her?

This latest romantic legal thriller by bestseller Cara Putman shines a light on the shadowy world of scientific secrets and corporate vendettas—and the ethical dilemmas that plague the place where science and commerce meet.

Book Excerpt:

Caroline shifted in the high-backed chair. The massive conference room table made her feel more petite than usual. Quentin Jackson, the man propelling Praecursoria through its rapid growth, vibrated with energy as he studied her.

“We are on the cusp of amazing developments and a transition from the lab to trials. We have a few CAR T-cell therapies in early stages now with more in our pipeline.”

She racked her mind for the importance of T cells, and he gave a hearty laugh.

“Don’t worry if the science overwhelms you. We’ll have you up to speed in no time. All you need to know right now is that T cells are one of the two cells that make up white blood cells. The treatments we’re working on could be the difference between life and death for young cancer patients. We need your legal expertise and quick mind to synthesize the science with the map to market.”

“I’ve overseen several court trials related to patents, which should help with that process.” It had been an unforeseen aspect of her days clerking for Judge Loren. She swallowed against the lump in her throat that still welled up when she thought about his untimely death from pneumonia. A month ago she couldn’t imagine interviewing for a job somewhere else, even if a part of her knew that she should stretch her wings.

“When can you start? Today?”

She felt rooted to the chair. Everything was moving so fast. Could she really transition her experience managing clerks for a judge into managing patents and contracts for a start-up? While Praecursoria had been around for a decade as a cancer research lab, about eighteen months ago Quentin sold off its lucrative genetic testing branch to focus exclusively on the development of cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapies. Starting over that way was a bold if risky move.

She lifted her chin and forced a smile that didn’t waver. “If that’s what you need. First we have a few details to work out.”

He laughed. “I like the way you tackle issues head-on. That will be key in this role. I know how to steer the ship, and my chief scientist can navigate the research, but you’ll keep us on the legal straight and narrow.” He tapped his pen against the legal pad in front of him. Then he picked up her résumé and named a salary that pressed her against the chair. “There will be performance bonuses tied to the successful conclusion of trials. We want to look into stock options as well. That will be one of your assignments in conjunction with HR.” He slapped his hands on the table and she jumped. “My enthusiasm gets away from me sometimes.” He shrugged but never wavered as he examined her. “Let’s start with a field trip. The best way for you to understand why we’re doing this work and research is to show you.”

***

Excerpt from Lethal Intent by Cara Putman. Copyright 2021 by Cara Putman. Reproduced with permission from Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

My Book Review:

In Lethal Intent, author Cara Putman transports the reader to the suburbs of Northern Virgina for an intriguing Legal-Medical Thriller / Christian Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Caroline Bragg has accepted the position of corporate in-house counsel for Praecursoria, a start-up research lab that is working on cutting-edge T-cell genetic treatment therapies for cancer (Leukemia) patients. 

Brandon Lancaster is a retired NFL Defensive Linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts, who has founded Almost Home, a group foster home for at-risk, hard-to-place siblings, that keeps them together until permanent placement. 

Caroline met Brandon while in her first year of law school and in his rookie season in the NFL. Their friendship has grown each year, and now Brandon wants to take their friendship to the the next level. But their relationship has some issues, especially when Brandon reveals that he is an investor in Praecursoria, and one of his foster kids, eleven year old Bethany Anderson, is a T-cell treatment trial participant being conducted by Praecursoria. Caroline has to distance herself and not discuss her job with Brandon because it could be considered insider trading, while Brandon has his own issues dealing with the new Federal Family First Law that could affect the existence of his foster group home. And if that isn't enough to put a strain on their budding relationship, Caroline is butting heads with her corporate colleagues when they want to proceed with their genetic therapies within the ethical grey area of the FDA laws, and a colleague within the corporation has their own agenda which includes a personal vendetta with a lethal intent. 

Can Caroline and Brandon's relationship endure through the issues connected to the research lab? Can Caroline ensure that the research lab stays within the ethical and legal process? Or will the lab colleague's vendetta destroy everyone and everything that gets in their way?

Author Cara Putman weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful medical/legal thriller written in the third person narrative that follows Caroline and Brandon's relationship, as Caroline deals with ethical and legal issues at Praecursoria, while Brandon deals with the federal law changes that affects his foster group home. Add in the comprehensive and intriguing medical and legal plot, and you have a jaw-dropping tale that takes the reader behind the scenes of the cut-throat and competitive scientific research world. 

I loved reading this action-packed story. The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, betrayals, deceit, motives, revenge, and clues are uncovered, while unexpected twists and turns, and a surprising conclusion will leave the reader simply stunned. 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed reading how Caroline and Brandon were able to maintain their friendship as their budding romantic relationship dealt with the issues surrounding the research lab and the foster group home. Their level of commitment to each other comes shining through as they learned to work together to build on their relationship, even when daunting issues threatened to destroy it. 

Lethal Intent has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.


RATING: 5 STARS  

About The Author

Author Cara Putman is the author of more than twenty-five legal thrillers, historical romances, and romantic suspense novels. She has won or been a finalist for honors including the ACFW Book of the Year and the Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Cara graduated high school at sixteen, college at twenty, completed her law degree at twenty-seven, and recently received her MBA. She is a practicing attorney, teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school, and is a homeschooling mom of four. She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.


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Contest Giveaway

Win A Paperback Copy Of Lethal Intent

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Cara Putman. There will be three (3) winners of one (1) physical copy of Lethal Intent by Cara Putman (US ONLY). The giveaway begins on January 11, 2021 and runs through February 7, 2021. Void where prohibited.

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Virtual Book Tour

Lethal Intent by Cara Putman ~ VBT Event Page Link

Tour Participants:

01/11 Review @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

01/12 Interview @ Sara In Bookland

01/12 Review @ @ delightfullybooked

01/13 Review @ Novels Alive

01/14 Guest post @ The Book Divas Reads

01/14 Review @ Jane Pettit Reviews

01/15 Guest post @ Nesies Place

01/15 Showcase @ Quiet Fury Books

01/17 Review @ Books and Zebras @ jypsylynn

01/18 Interview @ BooksChatter

01/19 showcase @ Reading A Page Turner

01/19 Showcase @ sunny island breezes

01/20 Interview @ A Blue Million Books

01/20 Review @ Novels N Latte Review

01/21 Showcase @ Im Into Books

01/21 Showcase @ Inkwell Inspirations

01/21 Showcase @ nanasbookreviews

01/22 Guest post @ Novels Alive

01/22 Review @ The Obsessed Reader

01/25 Showcase @ Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

01/26 Showcase @ The Pulp and Mystery Shelf

01/27 Review/showcase @ Avonna Loves Genres

01/27 Showcase @ Splashes of Joy

01/28 Showcase @ Cassidys Bookshelves

01/29 Showcase @ CMash Reads

01/30 Review @ Books of My Heart

01/31 Review @ Read Review Rejoice

02/01 Review @ @ lovemybooks2020

02/01 Review @ Lynchburg Reads

02/02 Review @ Quirky Cats Fat Stacks

02/02 Review @ The World As I See It

02/03 Review @ A Room Without Books is Empty

02/03 Showcase @ Celticladys Reviews

02/04 Review @ Spookys Maze Of Books

02/05 Review @ Jersey Girl Book Reviews