About the Book

Book: Justice Delayed

Author: Sarah Hamaker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: May 15, 2024

Journalist Brogan Gilmore had been a rising star when an unethical shortcut on a story leads to his fall from grace. A chance encounter with convicted murderer Melender Harman a few months after her release from prison provides Brogan with a chance for career redemption—if he can land an interview with her.

After serving her 17-year sentence, Melender has one objective: To uncover the truth about what happened to her cousin the night the toddler disappeared. When Brogan pursues her for an exclusive story, she reluctantly agrees if he’ll help her reexamine the original investigation into Jesse’s presumed kidnapping and murder.

While re-investigating the case, Brogan struggles to keep his objectivity as he begins to believe Melender is innocent of the crime—and starts to envision a possible future together. Then a shocking discovery throws their relationship—and investigation—into turmoil.

As Brogan and Melender come closer to solving what happened to Jesse, will their budding relationship survive the truth?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

An award-winning and best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense, Sarah Hamaker loves writing books “where the hero and heroine fall in love while running for their lives.” She’s an AWSA certified writer and speaker coach, and podcaster of “The Romantic Side of Suspense.” Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four children and three cats.

More from Sarah

When Stories Teach Us Valuable Lessons

As a rather shy child, books became both my friends and teachers. While I had a few close friends, I spent hours of my childhood and teen years reading a plethora of books. I visited far away places and long ago times. I met famous people and viewed historical events. I solved my share of mysteries and wept with the characters over losses. I fell in love with heroes and rooted for heroines to save the day.

Researchers have discovered that literary fiction can improve your capacity to understand what others are thinking and feeling. Literary fiction also teaches us about social behavior, including how to view the world through other people’s eyes. In other words, reading fiction helps us develop empathy as well as allows us to experience the ups and downs of someone else’s life and thus become more able to handle similar situations in our own lives.

While I didn’t set out to write Justice Delayed with this research in mind, early reviews of the book have touched on that theme. For example, one reader said, “One of my favorite quotes is when [Melender, my heroine] defends her action of true forgiveness to [Brogan, my hero], ‘It was for my good and His eternal glory that I went to prison for a crime I didn’t commit. That didn’t mean I gave up trying to find justice in this world-it meant I didn’t despair when justice didn’t come.’ Wow! What a lesson in forgiveness and letting go of bitterness which in turn provided a peace that cannot be matched. She never allowed bitterness to take hold of her heart.”

Another reviewer said this: “Greed, politics and outright evil are a part of story, but the truth and goodness shine through it all as the walls start crumbling down, and you learn what truly happened that night. This was one of the best inspirational suspense books that I have read in quite some time. It left an impression on me, even if the message came from a fictional character.”

And another pointed this out: “Not only did Melender teach those around her how to forgive, but Melender taught me that lesson at well.”

While I had written Justice Delayed five years ago, I recently finished reading the late Tim Keller’s last book, Forgive, which touched on themes I explore in my book. Today, we so often ignore forgiveness as being too hard, too messy to offer and much too difficult to receive. Melender’s story is one example of how you can extend forgiveness even when it’s not been requested and to live a life of forgiveness in extremely arduous circumstances. Keller’s book has challenged me in many ways to forgive more without strings attached.

What have you learned from a book recently?

Interview with Sarah

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends! I tend to be a fast writer, and can churn out 1000 or more words in an hour but finding a consistent hour to write has been harder lately because my work schedule changed and of some things going on at home. But realistically, I can get a rough draft of a trade-length book (80K to 95K) in three to four months. I hope to get a lot of writing done this summer while my schedule is a bit looser.

What are your favorite books to read?

I read a wide variety of books, always have. Of course, I read a lot in my genre, Christian romantic suspense, plus other Christian fiction books. I also enjoy reading historical fiction, especially those set around World War I in England and the 1920s. I dip into cozy mysteries sometimes as well as nonfiction on a variety of topics, including historical true crime and World War II. This year, I decided I should read presidential biographies to learn more about that part of American history, and have read one on George Washington and started one on Benjamin Harrison, as I wanted to not read in chronological order. It’s been interesting to read about the men who held the Oval Office.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love spending time with my family (two college-age girls and two high school age boys) and husband of 24 years. I enjoy canning, and can homemade broth from chicken or beef bones, tomatoes, fruit and other fresh produce. I also like sitting poolside with a book in a summers and snuggling with my cats in the winter (well, summertime too, as they can be most insistent on lap time!). In the evenings, I’ll unwind with a cup of decaf tea, a cat or two, my latest blanket knitting project and a show from Acorn or BritBox. I’m a little obsessed with British crime and mystery shows (from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada). I love that they’re cleaner and less gritty overall from their American counterparts and enjoy listening to those lovely accents.

What does your family think of your writing?

Mostly in a positive light, I think, although my teenage boys think I’m a little crazy at times when I ask them to help me figure out a fight scene (their height is definitely an advantage when I picture how someone might react to a blow to the head, for example). My husband is super supportive, giving me space and time to write and not fussing about my conference and writing trips. My mom’s one my of biggest cheerleaders! She loves all of my books and is so excited when I publish a new one or win an award. All in all, they know writing makes me happy and so they’re happy to cheer me on.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I’m on most of the usual social media and book sites, plus my website (https://sarahhamakerfiction.com). The best way to keep in touch with me is through my newsletter (https://sarahhamakerfiction.ck.page). Each month, one of my romantic suspense author friends does a giveaway, and I also run my own giveaways throughout the year too. Newsletter subscribers can also sign up for my Encouragement Club, where I send a note of encouragement through the mail. It’s my way of giving back to my readers, and I often hear how God uses this little idea I had a few years ago to minister to others. If you’d like to follow me, here are my social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsarahhamaker
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hamaker-7295a01/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sarah-hamaker

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1804799.Sarah_Hamaker

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002TIARBS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.s.hamaker/

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 4

Inspired by Fiction, September 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 5

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 6

Texas Book-aholic, September 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 10

For Him and My Family, September 11

lakesidelivingsite, September 12

Holly’s Book Corner, September 13

Pause for Tales, September 14

Cover Lover Book Review, September 15

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, September 15

Lights in a Dark World, September 16

Stories By Gina, September 17 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon Gift Card, a print copy of Justice Delayed, and the following Justice Delayed-themed swag: Canvas Tote, Notebook and pen, Drink Coaster, Bookmark, and Sticker!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5431