Monica Spade Series by Alexi Venice

A legal drama, laced with a woman's personal growth, that explores visceral bias, cultural alliances, and the power of love in Apple Grove, Wisconsin.Trevor McKnight, a young white male, is charged with the murder of Abdul Seif, a Saudi Arabian foreign exchange student.Newbie Attorney Monica Spade's physician clients plan to testify at trial that Trevor's punch to Abdul's head killed him... moreA legal drama, laced with a woman's personal growth, that explores visceral bias, cultural alliances, and the power of love in Apple Grove, Wisconsin.Trevor McKnight, a young white male, is charged with the murder of Abdul Seif, a Saudi Arabian foreign exchange student.Newbie Attorney Monica Spade's physician clients plan to testify at trial that Trevor's punch to Abdul's head killed him. Monica is shocked when her bosses at her all-male law firm warn her not to cross the powerful McKnight family. Facing death threats and career-ending consequences, Monica must decide whether to expose the truth in a bigoted environment.In her personal life, Monica joins a CrossFit box to work off the unwanted weight and stress of practicing law. During class, she meets Shelby St. Claire, a high school art teacher. For the first time in her career, Monica considers coming out of the closet for Shelby. less

From Amazon Bestselling Author Alexi Venice, a full-length standalone legal thriller. Monica Spade insists she isn't a trial lawyer, much less one who represents dangerous criminals. Despite her protests, Judge O'Brien orders Monica to serve as standby counsel for a young woman accused of repeatedly stabbing her boyfriend. Setting aside her abject fear, Monica drags herself to the jail to meet her new client, Stela Reiter... moreFrom Amazon Bestselling Author Alexi Venice, a full-length standalone legal thriller. Monica Spade insists she isn't a trial lawyer, much less one who represents dangerous criminals. Despite her protests, Judge O'Brien orders Monica to serve as standby counsel for a young woman accused of repeatedly stabbing her boyfriend. Setting aside her abject fear, Monica drags herself to the jail to meet her new client, Stela Reiter. A demure Romanian, Stela looks more like a meek librarian than a person capable of overpowering and stabbing a young man to death. Unlike Monica's other clients, Stela is coy and secretive during their interview. Meanwhile, Monica's girlfriend, Shelby St. Claire, is keeping secrets of her own, forcing Monica to question the foundation of their relationship. Curiosity being Monica's trademark, she digs into the backgrounds of both women. Monica uncovers sexual innuendo and layers of international intrigue, then deadly forces come after her, including a Ukrainian thug who will stop at nothing to get what he wants and two suspicious federal agents. Stuck between an unrelenting judge and a killer in a pink cardigan, Monica pursues the truth in court while fighting to keep Shelby and herself out of harm's way. Set in in the dead of winter in surprisingly progressive Apple Grove, Wisconsin, Standby Counsel will keep readers' hearts racing. less