DNF @ 30%

The characters are one-dimensional and the romance is doing nothing for me. Every interaction is coming off flat and emotionless to me.

The court case comes off unrealistic and unbelievable, and I just can't get past the ridiculousness.

A copy was kindly provided by Gallery Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

NOOOOOOO!!! Why did you go there?! OMG you took me by surprise! There are a lot of things that I liked about this story. First of all I really like how it doesn't concentrate on the case that he needs to win but more so in the journey after it for both of them. He makes her feel safe, special and loved. And she helps him heal and gives him a purpose. I loved that the story doesn't jump right away to them just having a happy ending, it's a work in progress. Also I like the connections with the Wind Dragons and the twist and surprises it brings. I laughed and felt like crying too. I fell in love with some characters that I will miss, wishing that I read wrong but felt like the story was still fair. This is a well balanced book that you should read.

I enjoyed this, mostly. This is my first book by this author, and I did not read the first in the series, however this is really a standalone and you don't need to have read the 1st to follow the events in this story.

That said, the idea that she was his client was never really that prevalent for me, there was not a lot of explored attraction until after there was a resolution of the relationship and he was no longer acting as her attorney. I guess a relationship with a former attorney is a little forbidden, but it isn't what I was expecting for the book.

I also thought it was rushed in places and that made it a little difficult to follow as I thought some events were not given the time or the development that they needed in order to feel as pivotal for the story as they ended up being.

I did like it overall, and the relationship between Jaxon and Scarlett is interesting, I just felt that there needed to be more development in some areas for me to really be willing to invest in it.

Fans of Chantal Fernando's Wind Dragons MC series with love Seducing the Defendant the second book in Chantal's Conflict of Interest series.
This book is everything that I have come to love and expect from Chantal's work: captivating from beginning to end, extremely well written and fast paced so that the pages fly by and you lose track of time, compelling characters that I can easily identify and emotionally connect with and a great plot full of romance, mystery and suspense with a light touch of angst and Wind Dragons.
That's right!
The Wind Dragons MC make an appearance in this book and to be perfectly honest whilst I was reading I felt as though I could as easily have been reading a book set in the Wind Dragons MC series.
Seducing the Defendant introduces readers to criminal defense lawyer Jaxon Bentley of Bentley and Channing Law Firm and Scarlett Reyes.
The two first meet when Scarlett hires Jaxon to represent and defend her from the crime that she's been accused of committing.
The two are drawn to one another from their very first meeting but are hesitant to admit their attraction and growing connection. When the pair finally do come together it's both beautiful, sweet and sinfully sexy.
Jaxon Bentley is every bit as much of an alpha as the men of the Wind Dragons MC and Scarlett Reyes is beautful, kind and accepting.
I highly recommend this book, even with the unexpected gut punch it delivered that had me ugly crying into my pillow.

An arc of this book was generously provided to me by Gallery, Threshold Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a ride this story was! I was very intrigued by Jaxson right from the start in the first story and now reading this one, holy swoon much Batman! You can feel that chemistry between him and Scarlett right off the bat even though she seems a little cold at first. But honestly could you blame her! The things she has gone through was insane to say the least and having Jaxson by her side made it a lot better in the long run. The little twists that occurred that brought in the MC was brilliant. I loved learning more about what had happened prior!

Overall, this is a brilliant series! I am so hoping Hunter gets his own story because he made me laugh so much! There are just the right amount of twists, epic passion and amazing banter throughout and I could not put it down! If you are a Fernando fan, this book will not disappoint and if you are new to her stories, you will love every moment of it!

Seducing the Defendant by Chantel Fernando was a terrific read!

AHH!! I loved the relationship between Jaxon and Scarlett. The entire "forbidden" element to their relationship kept me hanging on to every last word shared between them. You could tell how much Jaxon actually wanted to help Scarlett, not just because he was attracted to her, but also because he believed her and her innocence. That element of trust, made me fall for the novel even more!

I have read and loved everything by this author, and this novel is no exception.

4.5/5 Stars

Gripping, emotional, sexy, and sweet, Seducing the Defendant has it all! This is a true romance, but with a bit of suspense that keeps you on your toes it will have you hooked right from the start. I burned through the pages because I could not put it down. I didn’t want to leave these characters for a second!

Jaxon is a criminal defense attorney, and the best of the best. When he’s hired to take on Scarlett’s case he goes in determined to win and prove her innocence, but he doesn’t go in prepared to fall in love. After suffering at the hands of her abusive husband Scarlett thought she was finally free when he went missing. Two years later she’s summoned back to where it all began when his body is found. Hiring Jaxon was the best decision she ever made.

I loved Jaxon. Chantal Fernando has the ability to write some of the most irresistible heroes and Jaxon is no exception. He’s smart and strong, all while still being romantic and sweet. Even before falling for her he treats Scarlett so beautifully that you can’t help but swoon over him. Scarlett was also an easy character to love. Even being through all she has she’s very well rounded and kind. She’s stronger than she was, without being bitter or cold and leaves you wanting to just give her a great big hug!

Since having read the first one in this I had to go for this one also. When I begin reading Jaxon and Scarlett's tale I also soon realized it has all my favorite ingredients along with the hot romance. Intrigue and mystery are superb when in a story. Definitely one that is more than meets the eye you go on a journey to poke out the truth. Also will see a growth in relationship but this is not the norm you will get a surprise in the end that will have you throwing a thing or two.

After reading Breaching the Contract I was SO ready for Seducing the Defendant. This series is seriously ADDICTING. I loved this book just as much as the last one!!! I honestly couldn't choose a favorite if I had to. This one had more of EVERYTHING. More emotional, more suspense, and more angst. I can't wait to find out what's in store with the rest of the series!!!

Chantal Fernando is a new author to me, and upon reading the blurb to this series, it immediately caught my interest as a must-read! I’m glad that I followed my instincts and decided to read this. The characters jumped off of the pages for me with Jaxon as a sexy alpha lawyer and Scarlett a survivor who gets a second chance through Jaxon and a cast that grabs on and comes alive.
Scarlett is accused of her cop husband’s murder when his body appears from the water 2 years after he went missing. The evidence against her makes her look as though she’s definitely guilty, but she hires Jaxon Bently, a brilliant criminal defence lawyer. Jaxon learns that Darren, her husband, was an abusive, bad man, and he goes about trying to clear Scarlett’s name as he falls for her. But Darren had bad friends as well, and Scarlett may be in danger.
Loved this book and I’m looking forward to continuing books in the series! Especially with the Wind Dragon MC group!

I know what you are going to say? Or maybe not. I just love Ms. Fernando’s writing. Keep in mind that this is only my 2nd book to read by her and yes, it’s one of the best books of 2017. There is something to be said about an author that grabs your attention and doesn’t let it go. I will admit that I read some of the reviews of this book that have come across my computer through other blogs and not a lot of them liked it as much as I did. Here’s why:
1. Insta love – I didn’t feel like Scarlett and Jaxson had the whole insta love thing going. In fact, I felt like Scarlett held back until about 3/4 of the way in the book. Sure, they had sex, a lot and went out on dates but it seemed like until Demon came around that she finally was able to truly love Jaxson for everything that he was and his past.
2. Scarlett – I really thought that she was a great heroine. She is definitely stronger than she thought and as she makes girlfriends in the book, she is finally able to do things her way and without judgment from her partner. Her group of friends is diverse and the scenes at the strip club are hilarious.
3. Jaxson – Besides being too sexy for his shirt and a brilliant attorney, he’s really a softie. I didn’t figure out a plot point in the book but it explains why Jaxson could be, at times, closed off and why he resisted Scarlett at first. There were tears in my eyes near the ending of the book for him. Ms. Fernando does a great job through the last chapters of the book showing us what he is really made of and how early events in his life shaped him to be the man that he is today.
4. The plot – I will admit that the plot is pretty simplistic but then again, this book is about the characters, not what the blurb tells you. This is a great character study on the growth of Scarlett after the death of her husband and Jaxson dealing with the death of a loved one. After all the years of isolation that Scarlett death with, it was like she had to learn to be herself again. Finding friends, who to trust and how to be free. I admit that I loved Scarlett. She’s a feisty one and watching her relationship grow with Jaxson is a delight. Jaxson’s growth is less subtle but it’s there.
5. Secondary characters – I loved every single one of them. Kat, Hunter, Tristin, Callum, Valentina, Faye, Gwen, and Dex. Oh yes, the MC club, Wind Demons is here, too. I haven’t read the books but I did buy Faye and Dex’s story because I just fell in love with Faye. Demon…man, I teared up. You just have to read it to understand. I can’t wait to read Callum’s book next.
Overall, I loved the book. I love Ms. Fernando. What draws me to her books are the characters. They are strong, flawed and relatable. This book deals with some subject matter that may be sensitive to some but Ms. Fernando deals with it beautifully. I can’t wait until February.

3.25 stars--SEDUCING THE DEFENDANT is the second instalment in Chantal Fernando’s contemporary, adult CONFLICT OF INTEREST erotic, romance legal series. This is attorney Jaxon Bentley, and heiress Scarlett Reyes’ story line. SEDUCING THE DEFENDANT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s Wind Dragon MC series.

Told from dual first person points of view (Jaxon and Scarlett) SEDUCING THE DEFENDANT follows the building relationship between high-powered defense attorney Jaxon Bentley, and heiress Scarlett Reyes, a woman wrongfully accused of killing her husband. Two years earlier Scarlett’s police officer husband Derrick Melvin disappeared without a trace but many suspected Scarlett knew something about his apparent demise. Fast forward to present day wherein Derrick’s bullet riddle body is discovered in the waterfront river, and our heroine is immediately arrested and charged with his murder. Enter defense attorney Jaxon Bentley, and the man with whom Scarlett will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between Scarlett and Jaxon, and the potential fall out when Jaxon’s past comes looking for a second chance, and Derrick’s sins come looking for revenge.

All of the circumstantial evidence points towards our story line heroine but Jaxon begins to suspect something amiss as Derrick Melvin’s past begins to unravel. Hoping to prove his client is innocent Jaxon sets into motion a series of events involving the local Wind Dragon MC that reveals a much darker and sinister background to our heroine’s one-time husband.

The relationship between Jaxon and Scarlett begins as attorney and client but will slowly escalate once the charges against Scarlett have been dropped. The sexual tension is high but Jaxon bides his time under the circumstances, and in the face of potential professional misconduct he will wait until the media circus has cleared. The $ex scenes are erotic, seductive, provocative and intense.

We are re-introduced to Jaxon’s law firm partners Katerina Dawson and Tristan Channing: office intern and law student Callum Hopkins; Jaxon’s best friend Demon; and several members of the Wind Dragon MC including Irish, Valentina Sullivan, Faye Black and MC president Arrow.

SEDUCING THE DEFENDANT is an interesting and entertaining story with little conflict or building angst. The ‘defense’ aspect of the story line is quick to resolve by 28% ; the seduction and growing romance between Jaxon and Scarlett remains the focal point of the remainder of the story but saying that the story line felt disjointed as it jumped between the dual points of view; there was more telling than showing that results in the aimless feel of the building romance; the character development is rather one-dimensional- I had a difficult time relating to, and connecting with the story line couple. The conflict and resolution almost felt anti-climactic and separate from the original story. SEDUCING THE DEFENDANT was a bit of a struggle. I love the author’s WIND DRAGON MC series, and welcomed the one-on-one banter between Jaxon and Demon, as well as Demon and Scar.

Copy supplied by the publisher

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This story was intriguing and well written. It tells the story of Jaxon Bentley and Scarlett Reyes. Jaxon is a top flight criminal lawyer, who will do whatever it takes to win. He always goes above and beyond, giving each case his all. His life is turned upside down when he takes on the case of Scarlett Reyes. She is charged with the murder of her husband and the gun used to commit the crime was found in her home. Jaxon believes her to be innocent. Her husband was abusive and married her for her money, but she didn’t kill him.

Scarlett brings out Jaxon’s protective side and he intends to make sure the truth about her husband is revealed in court. Scarlett is a romantic at heart, but she is also a loner with no friends. Jaxon is her only ally, she feels safe and comfortable around him. This heroine has been going through a lot and I felt for her.

This story was suspenseful, well-written and I enjoyed the unexpected twists in the plot. But unfortunately, I could never connect with the characters, I never felt their emotions or their chemistry. The suspense managed to overshadow any semblance of romance that developed between them. Overall, this is a book I don’t regret reading for its suspense driven plot.

This is part of a series, and I would highly recommend reading book one before diving into this, as the characters from book one are also in this book and it just makes it flow better IMO.

Justin was taking some much needed time off from work when an interesting case was presented to him. Scarlett is being charged with killing her husband two years ago, and she is maintaining that she didn't do it. After having met with Scarlett, he believes her and he also feels there is more to her story than she is telling. While working together Justin starts to feel things for his client, but that is unethical and he would never go there. The only thing he can do, is make sure that he wins her case, which will make the issue of her being a client null and void. But the bigger question than if he wins or not, is can Scarlett trust another man after what she has been through?

Chantal Fernando completely surprised me with this story. This starts out a bit slow, but by the end you are totally blown away. We get to see the Wind Dragons MC, and how nice it was to "see" them again, I was actually getting a bit ahead of myself and excited that maybe, just maybe this was working us toward a new WDMC book, but this book wraps up too nicely for that. I do have hope that Hunter will be next, but only time will tell. With lots of drama, violence, some steamy sexy times this proved to be a good story. I give this 4 stars.

When Jaxon Bentley, a sought after criminal attorney, interrupts a rare break from work to take a case, he doesn’t realize the changes coming to his life.
Scarlett Reyes has been accused of the murder of her husband, a police officer missing for the past 2 years.
They will find out about Darren’s secret life and his ties with the underworld while fighting an increasingly attraction to each other.
I have to say I was disappointed by this book. I expected something completely different and I found it rather pointless between Scarlett’s trial and the events from the last chapters. Definitely not for my taste.

Seducing the Defendant is the second book to the conflict of interest series.
The plot of the story kept me interested through out the entire book. I enjoyed Jaxon and Scarlett romance story. Just wished for more background detail on the main couple. Overall, seducing the defendant was a good read and can't wait for the next book in the series.
ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

criminal attorney jaxon bentley sees something in scarlett reyes the moment she steps into his office. he just can't put his finger on it. his gut tells him one thing, that despite appearances she is innocent of the crime she's accused of. actually make that two things, because no matter how badly it looks for her, he's going to make sure she's cleared of all the charges.

he just has to make sure he crosses no line while doing any of this, because he's never been so tempted by a client before. in seducing the defendant, the case itself is actually resolved in the first third of the novel. it all happens pretty straightforwardly, and then jaxon and scarlett give into their crazy attraction to each other.

i enjoyed this novel, but it meanders for a while. you have a nice long view of the life that jaxon and scarlett are building together and you get to really know all their friends and connections. and it's really nice, but also it's possible that you could have cut 25%-40% of it and still ended up with a satisfying story, and one that had slightly higher stakes and better pacing.

also there is an entire subplot that intertwines with a motorcycle club, a trope we all know i have issues with, and my guess is that some of these characters are part of another series, so that there is some crossover here, but not being familiar with it or a fan of motorcycle club stories generally meant that it felt shoehorned in and somewhat unbelievable.

4 Stars

I'm a huge fan of Chantal Fernando's books in particular her Wind Dragons MC series, so I was incredibly eager to read Seducing the Defendant when I discovered the link between the two series'. Seducing the Defendant is the second title in the Conflict of Interest series, and revolves around Jaxon, a criminal defense attorney and Scarlett, a woman accused of murdering her husband.

The path for this pair is not an easy one full of intrigue, mystery, suspense and an element of danger. Forbidden to act on their mutual attraction due to it being a conflict of interest, the sexual tension builds between this pair as they embark on a friendship prior to becoming lovers.

Jaxon has a reputation in the courtroom, and he loves a challenge. He's an intelligent, sexy, alpha who doesn't back down in the courtroom, but outside of it he's incredibly sweet, kind and sensitive. I found Jaxon's character to be incredibly endearing and appealing.

Scarlett is a damaged individual who has had a difficult past, and she struggles to trust men. She's quite a vulnerable character, but has an inner strength that shines the further you progress into her tale. She's a sweet, gentle, kind character, and even though I struggled to connect with her character, I did quite enjoy seeing her develop over the course of the story line.

I thoroughly enjoyed the cameo appearance of several characters who have appeared in the Wind Dragons MC series. The secondary characters were quite fun and entertaining, and I enjoyed seeing more of Tristan and Kat who appeared in the first title Breaching the Contract. I will be eagerly looking forward to Hunter's story.

I found the ending to be quite abrupt after an event that is really quite heartbreaking.

Overall Seducing the Defendant is a sweet, sexy, emotion filled romance that I enjoyed with quite a few twists and turns that I didn't anticipate. I will be looking forward to the remaining titles in this series in the new year.

Another engaging book by Chantal Fernando. Very good storyline and i love the crossover with another of Chantal's series (this is not a spoiler btw it says so in the blurb). As usual the author hits the romance level just right and balances it well with the story and a slight bit of mystery to the story. An easy but enjoyable read, liking how this series is developing

Reviewed on good reads under the name kimothy