Books & Spoons Review for I AM JUSTICE by Diana Munoz Stewart

This bad-ass band of sisters plays for keeps.

She's ready to start a war
Justice Parish takes down bad guys. Rescued from the streets by the world-renowned Parish family, she joined their covert sisterhood of vigilante assassins. Her next target: a sex-trafficking ring in the war-torn Middle East. She just needs to get close enough to take them down...

He just wants peace
Sandesh Ross left Special Forces to found a humanitarian group to aid war-torn countries. But saving the world isn't cheap. Enter Parish Industries and limitless funding, with one catch— their hot, prickly PR specialist', Justice Parish. Their chemistry is instant and off-the-charts. But when Justice is injured and her cover blown, Sandesh has to figure out if he can reconcile their missions. With danger dogging their every move, their white-hot passion can change the world— if it doesn't destroy them first.

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A dark and gritty, fast-paced romantic action thriller that keeps the reader on their toes. 
Romantic suspense is my favorite genre and I read a lot of it, yet this story managed to bring something different, something unique to the table. The multi-cultural aspect is fascinating and intriguing, the 28 adopted siblings of a mega-rich family, Justice being one of them, who really is not the PR person for the school but a female assailant, who is ready and able to kick some serious ass. Setting up the new series takes some time within the story, especially with so many characters, and it did feel a bit overwhelming at times. 
She is as contradictory in person as she sounds, she is aggressive, assertive, straight-talking-prefers-action type of person who changes her mind about Sandesh Ross in a heartbeat depending on her mood. The instant attraction was there, the lust was tangible in the air surrounding Justice. First, she goes after him boldly and openly, then she backs off, then she is forward again until life happens and it is off again. The sexy times are steamy, descriptive, and oddly competitive. They are not a central part of the tale, yet they show the developing relationship between Justice and Sandesh. There is a lot of tension between the two, for a good reason there is lack of trust and some anger, yet they never get into it to clear the air and talk about the issues between them. 
The writing style is unique with its poignant and direct yet short sentences that tell what is happening. There are over 70 short chapters and third person point of view changes between the characters, from the good guys to the culprits. 
The themes are dark and serious, from human trafficking, sex slavery, to violence against women and young girls, including rape. The scenes change from the States to the international locales, from war zone to the luxury hotels. 
Justice's story is a gritty, dirty, dark, and a bit clumsy at times. It has lots of action and suspense, twists and turns, some predictable, some rather impulsive, telling a lot of the person she is. I wished the life and dead serious topics that were introduced in the tale would have gotten a bit more depth in them, and not have been just the background to the adventure Justice was having. 
While a fun and entertaining read, with deep, grim and gloomy situations, the story left me a bit dazed and baffled, since I can't decide if I loved it or not even liked it. I go back and forth, loving some parts of it, like the strong heroine, and lovable complex hero, or not being a fan of the way Justice handles herself in some situations or wanting more depth and intensity from the issues, and less intensity from the flimsiness of the main characters... 
Yes, it did entertain, it made me think, it made me form an opinion and wanting to stand up to some very timely world issues we are currently facing while being a messy and murky, loud and filthy, rapid spaced story filled with conflicts, battles, and fighting for the human rights. 
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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Diana Muñoz Stewart is the award-winning, romantic suspense author of the Band of Sisters series, which includes I Am Justice and I Am Grace and I Am Honor (Sourcebooks Publishing). She lives in eastern Pennsylvania in an often chaotic and always welcoming home that—depending on the day—can include husband, kids, extended family, friends, and a canine or two.

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When not writing, Diana can be found kayaking, doing sprints up her long driveway—harder than it sound—practicing yoga on her deck, or hiking with the man who’s had her heart since they were teens.

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