| Title | : | Seconds to Live (Homeland Heroes, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0764233955 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780764233951 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 368 |
| Publication | : | First published December 3, 2019 |
Seconds to Live (Homeland Heroes, #1) Reviews
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DNF @ 120 pages (33%)
I just can’t. Oh my, no.
Just in the third I read, there were so many physical descriptions from Sean to Taylor and vice versa.
They were basically law enforcement pen pals sharing things that nobody else knew (and as a word of advice, friends, please don’t ever do this. Doesn’t matter if you think you can trust the other person, don’t share private information online or in messages.) to being thrown together on a project and finding each other completely irresistible.
I struggled not only with this “romance” content but also the writing style. Many parts were disconnected and bouncing you around from “[Sean] found [Taylor] incredibly sexy” to explaining a ton of acronyms to Sean’s jealousy to Taylor fretting over her major secret.
Such a shame, because the cover is great.
Content:
All about mentions of murders, murderers, bodies, hackings, hackers, attacks, etc.; "duh" (side-note, I don't think I've eve heard an adult say "duh" as much as these characters did??), “heck”, “shoot”, “stupid”, and “sexy” are all said; Both Sean and Taylor think often about the other’s physical appearances (up to borderline semi-detailed // detailed); Also a mention of "Game of Thrones" in a semi-positive light; I read ahead and there are some heavy kisses and also hypnosis is (planned to be) used.
Examples of the writing style:
"Frustration had Sean shooting to his feet. These witnesses were counting on him now. Him! He couldn’t let them down."
"But man, seeing her was a kick to the gut. She had an innocence to her, mixed with a world-weary look that he found incredibly sexy, and he didn’t want to look away."
"He had to force himself to look away from the sway of her hips, and he lectured himself all the way down the hall to keep their conversation all business."
“He swallowed, and she watched his Adam’s apple bob in a tanned and muscular neck.” -
I am giving up on this one. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I found the romance to fall flat and the plot of the story that should have been edgy and exciting was unfortunately just boring for me. Maybe for someone who understands more of the technical stuff in book would enjoy it, but after 40% of the book I feel I gave it its fair chance and I just have no interest at all in continuing.
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“Most people didn’t have a clue that only five percent of the internet was available for public viewing, with many private, hidden layers making up the remaining percentage. The dark web was one of those layers where criminals set up shop and prospered by selling illegal products and services.”
A darkly compelling read of the underground world known as the dark web. Susan Sleeman gives a powerful story in the fight against illegal activities through this new Homeland Heroes Series. The story itself is worth the read just for the intricate nature of these illegal activities. It helped my understanding of the fight our justice system has in stopping cybercriminal activity on so many layers.
That being said, after reading Seconds to Live, I found this one wasn’t my favorite. Though it was a good storyline, I just didn’t connect with the characters. It was written more technical/suspenseful, which was interesting, but for my romance loving heart it was a little lacking in the romantic connection. I believe it was a real struggle trying to capture the feelings between the two main characters since they were more online friends. Though Sean and Taylor worked well together, I found they questioned their relationship/not relationship too much. However, it probably does represent how hard it would be going from an online connection to navigating it face to face.
I loved how their relationship with God is worked through. How they call each other out on their lack of trust and their need to trust God more. “God has a purpose, you know. A reason. And we need to trust that He’s in charge and has a plan here.” That even when they are failing, they can trust He’s got their backs. Sleeman does a wonderful job in moving them past their fears into a deeper Godly relationship.
I am looking forward to more of this series. I’m hopeful that the next book in the series captures my romantic heart again. I love Susan Sleeman for engaging mystery and romance, so I’ll be back!
If you love this style of read, you will also enjoy Lisa Phillips series the Northwest Counter-Terrorism Task Force starting with first book First Wave. Another great series on homeland security not to be missed.
I was provided a NetGalley copy of this book by Bethany House. All opinions in this review are my own. -
An intricately-plotted thriller featuring an FBI RED team (I don’t see enough of that in fiction) and a US Marshal. I really enjoyed this more-unique pairing of law enforcement branches and I’m always a sucker for witness protection stories. (Witness protection fascinates me.)
I was expecting a lot more from this book than I got, I think. The first 40% was plagued by multitudes of sentence fragments and unlikely, stilted, or fragmented conversations that often didn’t even make sense. However, the second half of the book was better, as though the author finally hit a groove with her characters and they started “living” better. That said, the side characters remained mostly wooden, so I’m leaving the rating at three stars (“good”) despite liking the wrap-up between the MCs more on a “very good” level. Hopefully the other characters will thaw more in the next book, which I definitely plan on reading.
I did have trouble accepting that any Christian would recommend hypnotism as a valid option, and that an FBI person would consider it as any way scientific. Hypnotism is something we shouldn’t be playing around with.
Also, I love this cover design! So classy and snappy and portraying the suspense well.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. -
Really enjoyed this book. The heroine is in the Marshalls and the hero with an elite federal team. Nice mystery and good romance. Kept me coming back!
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'Trust me, I know what I'm doing. I have more training and experience than any of them.'
When a cybercriminal hacks into the WITSEC program and begins auctioning off personal details to the highest bidder, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals must race to try and uncover the identity of the hacker before all the witnesses in the program are compromised or killed.
FBI Agent Sean Nichols must work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, and they only know each other from an online presence. They now have to work against the clock and form a bond that will help them catch this devious hacker and now murderer before more people die.
Susan Sleeman is a go-to author for me for suspense. She is good at what she does, no doubt about it. I love how she brings in the technical details of each branch of law enforcement into the mix to make it even more interesting. The story builds excitement with each chapter and races to an exciting conclusion. I highly recommend this book. I am now eagerly awaiting more in Sleeman's Homeland Heroes series.
*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own. -
"Seconds to Live" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. I've enjoyed this author's previous books, but she unfortunately hit every one of my major pet peeves in this book. Taylor's very devoted to her job of protecting witnesses, and she's willing to stand up to others to make sure they stay safe. This put her in conflict with Sean, who needed her witness to help track down a hacker that broke into the witness protection database and threatens the safety of all of the witnesses in the program.
Though they were supportive friends online, they're in constant conflict once they meet and try to work together. They want to get along, but he's under a lot of stress and their personalities clash. He's impulsive. She likes to plan. They never really became a good team as they kept hurting each other by their actions. They're also both devoted to their jobs on opposite coasts. The author did such a good job of convincing me that they could never be a couple that the quick turnaround at the end didn't work for me. They suddenly convinced themselves that their physical attraction and intense kissing meant their different personalities will complement each other instead of continue to create conflict. But I just don't see their relationship actually lasting as they still had many issues to work through.
Sean and Taylor were very distracted by each other's physical appearance and presence, but the rest of the team seemed rather dense considering they were supposed to be a top team. At 71%, they said, "we should have known that Phantom would do something like this." Well, I certainly had guessed that a long time ago. This happened several times, and the twists were not surprises me.
Any respect on my part for Taylor also took a nosedive after 91%. The author mentioned several times that she had her gun ready and loaded, but then she didn't take an opportunity to use her gun to save her witness. Instead, she irrationally, impulsively threw herself into danger so that the manly, capable hero – Sean – could save everyone. Why can't she be capable, too, not just a good babysitter for petulant witnesses?
Both Taylor and Sean had major trust issues that they had to overcome, including trusting God with the future. There was no sex or bad language.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. -
This book piqued my interest when I saw that it involved the US Marshals Service, an agency I worked for years ago. It did not disappoint. Loved the characters and camaraderie of the team that is put together to take down the Phantom, a cybercriminal who has hacked into the WITSEC database and targeting/killing protected witnesses. My only ding is that I found the constant inner thoughts/push and pull of Taylor and Sean a bit monotonous. Clearly they had a history and were drawn to each other, but I thought the author reminded me of this too many times.
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Suspense is my ultimate genre of choice. I love when a story keeps me guessing from page one. Susan Sleeman's first novel with Bethany House Publishers' Seconds to Live captured my attention from the first page. Sleeman thrusts readers into the suspense with a shove and a chase through the town. The procedure to find the Phantom is detailed and makes readers trust the hero and heroine as they work together to follow the clues. The plot was wonderfully woven together. The only issue I had with the plot is that the Phantom is introduced in the first chapter to start the action, but I wanted and needed more background on what he has done. Maybe a actual scene of when he butchered his previous partner I kept waiting for a scene where the Phantom showed his feelings. Something to give me a moment to empathize with the villain. The romance sprinkled a little as the story progressed into the predictable ending. Overall, Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is a fast pace glance into the world into the dangers of computer hacking while showing the inner workings of a hunt for a killer.
I received a complimentary copy of Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own. -
This story had an interesting premise and I enjoyed seeing how the investigation was run, watching as the RED team members used their individual skills to bring in a very dangerous hacker.
However, I struggled with a few things in this book. I don’t know exactly why, but I just didn’t emotionally connect with either of the main characters. I felt as if I was on the outside looking in, hearing from both of them about the many reasons why they could never work as a couple.
Seconds to Live was a slow read for me. I had trouble staying invested in the story until I was about three-fourths of the way through the book. I think that the author has created a good team of people for future stories, though, and I may read another book in the series to see if I connect better with those characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c... -
Wow! A friend told me I HAD to read this one now, instead of waiting to read them all at once and man, she was right!?!
First off, "Homeland Heroes" is off to as nice of a start as Sleeman's other series, "White Knights" which sadly will not have more to the series.
While at times I found some things to be over-explained, the suspense was done in a way that wasn't too rushed or too slow. I enjoyed the fact that the romance was not from the first sight with the couple not knowing each other, rather, they had "talked" online quite a bit and the romance was natural and interesting.
The faith elements were a highlight and I look forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes. -
The Witness Protection Program has been hacked and the new identities of people and families are in jeopardy. The first person on the list is Dustee and her agent Marshal Taylor Mills will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. That includes cooperating with her online confidant and friend Sean Nichols who is more handsome than she imagined.
This book is full of action and a little bit of romance Taylor, Sean and the team helping them discover the identity of the hacker, aka Phanton, work hard to ensure the safety of the people whose identities have been changed for their safety. The clock is ticking and they unravel the clues to save lives.
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of action from the first page until the last. I loved the camaraderie of the characters and their drive to do their jobs well. This book helped deepen my appreciation for the people who work behind the scenes to keep people safe.
This book is Christian fiction with non-graphic violence and kissing.
Source: I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. -
Phantom has a list of people in WSEC and now the FBI needs a cyber hacker to help bring him down before they are all in trouble.
Trouble is, shes in WSEC because she was testifying against Phantom previously and now shes in danger once again to bring him to justice. -
If you are a fan of shows like NCIS, then Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is the book equivalent that you need on your bookshelf!
Readers will be thoroughly pulled into the world of law enforcement in Seconds to Live! I liked how the author showed so many different agencies, their various roles, and even some of the science behind evidence recovery. While this did mean a slower pace at times, the in-depth investigative nature is what makes the story so intriguing. I have always enjoyed learning through a well-crafted story, and it was fun to experience the frustrating red tape, the crushing dead ends, and the triumphant breaks in the case right along with the characters!
Speaking of the characters, I really liked the "internet buddies" angle that the author used to give Sean and Taylor a firm foundation for their romance! It didn't feel rushed or forced at all because they had spent so many months getting to know each other online. I also really liked this angle because it felt so realistic! So many friendships and even romantic relationships are begun and strengthened via the internet now, and it was refreshing to see this angle play out in a safe, healthy way.
The emotional, spiritual, and relationship journey in Seconds to Live comes down to one word: trust. Sean and Taylor really, definitely, absolutely had some painfully-earned trust issues due to their respective pasts. While they weren't bookish soulmates for me, I could relate to their struggles to trust each other and God. The author realistically handled how deeply trust issues can affect an individual, and that made each step forward a victory I could share with them!
Three Stars ~ Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman was a romantic, interesting, and suspenseful read! Seconds to Live is the first book in the author's new Homeland Heroes Series from Bethany House. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and discovering more information for a particular case with the RED Team!
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own. -
I'll be back Friday with my review!
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‘They were the unsung heroes, men and women who put their lives on the line every day, like soldiers going into battle.’
I enjoyed everything about this first offering in Sleeman’s new romantic suspense series Homeland Heroes. Seconds to Live is a fast-paced, danger-infused story. I loved that Taylor and Sean were email pals for six months before meeting in person. They didn’t quite know what to do when they first laid eyes on each other and their feelings seemed realistic. They were nervous, unsure, and yet very aware of all the things they had shared through email. Sleeman did a good job of transmitting the trepidation and tension between them.
The whole dark web, cyber hacking plot line might seem too technical for some but it thoroughly captivated me. I felt like I was right in the midst of the excitement and fear in trying to figure out who hacked the WITSEC database before any witnesses were murdered. One of the best aspects of this story to me was I couldn’t possibly guess the identity of the hacker. I simply enjoyed the roller coaster emotions and thrill ride of Seconds to Live.
I can honestly say I never think much about those who have gone into witness protection and the ramifications of that choice. I feel like I should pray for these people. I’m looking forward to more stories in this series. If you enjoy contemporary mystery/suspense with moderate romance and Christian themes, then I recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. -
Susan Sleeman’s brand of romantic suspense is one of the best at putting readers right in the middle of investigations while educating them on police procedures, and Seconds to Live does not disappoint.
The first book in the Homeland Heroes series takes a technical and detailed look into cybercrimes and the people who protect citizens from them daily. This series debut gives us an introduction to the FBI team I hope to see more of in future books.
As Sean and Taylor work together to find the person who has put the names of those in witness protection up for sale, they must also navigate their friendship in a face-to-face environment. There are new challenges to work through, especially when one of them is the lead on the case.
Sleeman keeps the story moving with twists I didn’t see coming.
Disclosure statement:
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. -
Full review on Faithfully Bookish.com
Susan Sleeman has been on my radar for quite some time so I've been looking for an opportunity to work her books into my reading queue.
This book has excellent pacing that kept my heart rate up without launching my heart into frenzied palpitations. A great balance of romance, technical law enforcement, and unpredictable whodunit makes Seconds to Live an unputdownable read. The relationship between Sean and Taylor progresses from nearly awkward to sparking with attraction yet it's wonderfully witty, respectful, and heartwarming every step of the way.
Readers like me who enjoy a peek at the inner workings of various law enforcement agencies will no doubt enjoy this US Marshal/FBI match up! I will definitely continue following this series and I look forward to checking out Sleeman's backlist as well!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own. -
Title: Seconds to Live (Homeland Heroes #1)
Author: Susan Sleeman
Pages: 368
Year: 2020
Publisher: Bethany House
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Taylor Mills is a woman with a single-minded mission: to ensure the safety of her witnesses in the Witness Protection Program at all costs even if the cost is her own life. She will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Taylor is a member of the U.S. Marshals, and one of her witnesses has broken her pledge to stay off the internet. Her witness is a hacking expert and is in danger from The Phantom, a cyber criminal of great talent. The Phantom has hacked the Witness Protection database and posted the identities of everyone in the Witness Protection Program on the dark web. Anyone can obtain a file for an individual for a price, putting all witnesses in danger. Taylor’s witness has an attempt made on her life. Taylor has promised to keep her safe and she will do anything to keep that promise, including working with her online friend, FBI Agent Sean Nichols.
Sean Nichols is in charge of this hacking case and brings his own team of professionals with him to Oregon. He and Taylor have shared many personal aspects of their lives with each other via the internet but have never met in person. When they finally meet, awkward is the name of the game. Sean adds Taylor to his team due to her expertise in the Witness Protection Program and one of her witnesses being the main target of The Phantom. They chase down clues and move witnesses, but The Phantom keeps slipping through their fingers.
I would rate this 3.5 stars if I could. Taylor and Sean both have issues with trust. Their continued conflict led to verbal quarrels and hurting one another. I’m not sure if they can solve their differences for a long-term relationship. They both seemed to care about their jobs more than each other. I did like that they learned to trust God in all things. I also enjoyed the information of the procedural nature of police work as well as the different agencies/officers and how they work together to solve crimes. The next book in the series, Minutes to Die, is set to be released in August 2020, and I will be reading it so stayed tuned for my review!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. -
3.5 stars
"Help. Oh, help. . . . she'd made a huge mistake."
When one of U. S. Marshall Taylor Mills' witnesses breaks protocol and is hunted down by a vicious criminal, the tip of the proverbial iceburg breaks through the surface. Not only has Dustee's whereabouts been compromised but the notorious "Phantom" has managed to breach the entire database of the Witness Protection Program. Frantic to protect those for whom she is responsible, Taylor relunctantly agrees to join forces with an elite FBI RED team, (Rapid Emergency Deployment). However, the lead agent on the case is none other than a man she has only known in cyber-space; Sean Nichols.
Glimpsing Taylor Mills in person for the first time nearly takes F. B. I. Agent Sean Nichols' breath away. They know each other so well, and then again they don't, since their only conversations have been through various emails back and forth across the country. How interesting has this case become, when not only are the lives of dozens of innocent people at stake, but rapid fire emotions are threatening to rise to the surface as well.
As the team rushes to stay one step ahead of a deranged hacker, Taylor and Sean struggle to find a middle ground through some of the tough decisions that a high profile case demands. In the end, who may have "seconds to live"?
What an interesting story line, especially for those who have a profound understanding of technology and how dangerous criminal infiltration can be when exercised at the highest levels. The two main characters spend a lot of time in their own heads analyzing their relationship from every possible angle, which may slow the story down for some readers or it could have the opposite effect . . . . an enhanced satisfaction in the end.
I received a book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. -
Oh my where to start. Well this one was so much fun. I was hooked from chapter one!
Since I just read Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard, my brain automatically compared the two, especially since both came out the top as five star reads for me.
This one was better juuuust a little (because I read it most recently?)
The plot line was interesting. It was a good first book to a series, but the plot line in the book itself as a standalone was sturdy and firm and (as opposed to Always Look Twice) I really liked the ending of this one. All the loose ends tied up nicely, at least the ones that didn't extend to the next book.
The characters were so well done. XD I loved Sean as a character. He was pretty awesome. I didn't fall for him as a fiction boyfriend though. He was too quick and bossy for my personal preferences.
Taylor was awesome. Her complex build up and backstory and her passion and quiet strength just blended together so well! I can't even describe how well done she was.
Content: As a suspense there were two murders described, though not overly details (Still, discretion advised) There were a few intense scenes that could be stressful. Hacker was paranoid and rash and threatened lives.
The romantic tension in this book was quite a bit higher in this book than in Always Look Twice. The dynamics between Taylor and Sean were reeeeeal. Sparks were there for sure. We watched them fly. Sean noticed Taylor's body, but not in an inappropriate way. There were several hand holdings, two detailed kisses and a couple not-detailed kisses.
There was suggestion and encouragement for a character to get hypnosis treatment to retrieve memories which personally goes against my beliefs, and I just wanted to put it out there for whoever else would want to avoid that. It's not described in the book and not preformed on screen, but it was portrayed in a positive light.
Five stars from me! I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a review, positive review was not required and all opinions are my own! -
Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is a romantic thriller dealing with a crazy cybercriminal. The US Marshals’ database has been hacked the info is being auctioned off.
Taylor is a WITSEC deputy. It was interesting to see what all they did in WITSEC and realizing that sometimes it was for a criminal. Taylor was a great character but a tad over the top. Taylor is protecting a witness that has worked with the hacker; Phantom who they suspect of the current hack. Phantom is an unusual hacker as most hackers are not also murderers.
Sean is an FBI agent assigned to the case with an amazing team of skilled professionals; each with a specific skill. Looking forward to each of them getting their own stories.
When the book opens, Sean and Taylor have been communicating online and have developed a very strong friendship. This case will be the first time they meet in person which added a unique dynamic to the storyline.
Both Sean and Taylor have to deal with issues from their past before they can move forward with a relationship.
Seconds to Live contains a cast of memorable characters some you will love, some you will hate and a few that you cannot wait to learn more about. I highly recommend it.
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books. -
Seconds to Live is the first book in Susan Sleeman's new series, Homeland Heroes. It was an action-packed suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
The plot was disconcerting. Someone hacks into the WITSEC database and begins to sell off personal info - putting people at risk. The main characters were likable and the mystery was very good.
All in all, Seconds to Live was really good and I recommend it. I am looking forward to Sleeman's next book!
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* -
SECOND TO LIVE by Susan Sleeman is the first book in the Homeland Heroes series. It’s the well-crafted and the extremely exciting story of the joint efforts of FBI Agent Sean Nichols and U.S. Marshall Taylor Mills to both protect the witness protection participants and to bring down Phantom, the person responsible for the U. S. Marshall’s Witness Protection system being hacked.
What started off as discussions over the computer during past crimes, soon developed into a rather close friendship between Taylor and Sean. Both felt they could talk freely thinking of it as a long distance, nonjudgmental person that they would never actually meet face to face. However, when Taylor’s client under the witness protection is both in danger and needed for assistance in Sean’s latest case, it became apparent that wasn’t going to be the case. Sean shows up at Taylor’s office unannounced.
Taylor and Sean are both well trained and highly respected in their respective fields. Each enters the story with past baggage (trust and guilt) and determined dedication to their jobs, which leaves room for no personal relationships, which only cause heartache and disappointment. However, both felt an immediate attraction from their first meeting with sparks continuing to fly through this action packed story as well as thoughts as to how it would affect their friendship.
Taylor becomes part of the RED team as does her witness protection client Dustee. Dustee is in the protection system because she testified against the Phantom in the past. Sean is hoping she can help find and identify him. However, she’s on limited and supervised computer research due to her own addiction to hacking.
When another person is murdered by Phantom - one they had talked to in the investigation, and then Taylor is shot, Sean feels even more pressure to prove he was the right person to be in charge of this investigation and is capable to solve the case before anyone else gets hurt.
Where will the clues lead them? Is there a dirty cop within their mists? Can they find Phantom before someone else is murdered? Will working so closely affect the friendship between Taylor and Sean? Will that friendship grow or will this case destroy it? Will Dustee help them or will her careless manner cause more havoc and work for everyone else? Can they protect all the people within the witness protections system after their files have been compromised?
Susan Sleeman does a fabulous job of combining just the right about of action, excitement and romance to keep you turning the pages and rooting for the good guys. You never feel that the police case is on the back burner when the natural attraction of Taylor and Sean are woven into the story or while you are understanding how each one feels the way they do. Love the way you get to know all the characters in this story making them feel like your own friends that you understand, feel for and want to help along the way. Knowing it’s the first book in the series, makes me super excited to see how the story goes from here and what other adventures they will lead me on.
Highly recommend SECONDS TO LIVE to anyone that loves a fabulous, well-written suspense action romance that will have your heart pumping and fluttering at the same time. I give it a great big FIVE STARS! -
The author had me at the first line. “One Mistake. That was all it took to put Duster’s life on the line – death right on her heels.”
Suspense from the start as Duster runs from the Phantom because she’d broken the first rule of being in the witness protection program. Never make contact with your past life.
I enjoyed getting to know U.S. Marshall Taylor Mills who gave her all to the people she helped in the witness protection program. She was quite surprised by the F.B.I. Stepping in to help with a recent case. Even more surprised when it turned out to be F.B.I. Agent Sean Nichols. They had never met in person, but they knew each other very well on-line. They were friends, encouraged each other, could relate to their work situations. They never thought they’d meet because they lived in different states.
I liked how the author talks about on-line relationships and how that translates to getting to know someone face to face. There’s a struggle at interacting with one another face to face. There is so much to a person you don’t observe on-line. But both Taylor and Sean are pleasantly surprised at the feelings they have for one another when they do meet for the first time. Both would sweep their feelings aside and do the job at hand. They needed to locate the bad guy going by the name “Phantom” This person has managed to hack the entire Witness Protection database Program. No one in the system was safe.
Both Sean and Taylor see a serious side of their personalities as they both do their job in tracking down the hacker. I enjoyed that part of the story too. I liked the natural faith message both Sean and Taylor struggle with. The chase to find the Phantom with its action, drama and suspense as they try to protect people on the list. There were some surprising twists and turns at the end that led to a satisfying ending. This novel reminded me of a TV series I watched a while back titled In Plain Sight. I recommend this for your next book club pick there is so much to talk about.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog
www.psalm516.blogspot.com -
‘Seconds to Live’ is One Quick and Exciting New Thriller
THE STORY | Work is what’s most important to Taylor Mills. As a WITSEC deputy, she takes the protection of each of her protectee’s seriously. So much so she refuses to allow herself any time to develop a relationship, save for one…
This is why when a mysterious hacker known only as “Phantom” threatens to unveil the location of any number of WITSEC witnesses, Taylor must set aside her reservations and ensure that the woman who plans to help in bringing him down remains safe; even if this means working with Sean Nichols, the man with whom Taylor has a deep friendship. The catch is, it’s been “safe” as they haven’t met in person.
An FBI agent, Sean’s RED team becomes involved with Taylor’s witness, which sends him straight to Taylor’s offices, where he discovers he has more than just a witness to protect…
THE REVIEW | Penned by award-winning author Susan Sleeman, this is the first novel she’s written with Bethany House. Though I’ve seen many of her works with Love
Inspired over the years (and could have even read one years ago), this is really the first novel I am able to remember from her.
Seconds to Live sets the precedence for future installments in this series, and how each will play out. We meet a host of characters; most of whom I suspect will earn their own leading story in one of those future novels. For this one, the focus (without more than two POVs) is on Taylor and Sean, which I appreciate. Each time I read a novel that gives us the stories of the people the back cover copy reads about, I’m reminded how much it’s that format I like best.
This one keeps things simple with the POV switch-off, but the characters are complex with interesting emotional backstory's. The pace also keeps things clicking, and the concept of the series makes for an exciting new experience to read. Especially if you like ensemble television shows like CBS' FBI and NCIS or the oldie but goodie In Plain Sight from USA Network.
If you’re a fan of thrillers (that don’t wander into fright territory), Seconds to Live is a great way to find a few fictional reader thrills.
Sincere thanks to Bethany House for provided a complementary copy of this novel for review consideration; all opinions are my own. -
Staying one step ahead of the Phantom who has hacked into the US Marshall’s Witness Protection database has the RED team on the run. US Marshall Taylor Mills and FBI agent Sean Nichols were online friends before, but had never met each other. This investigation changes the dynamics of their friendship drastically when they are called to work together to bring down the Phantom, a notorious hacker. One of the biggest problem is that a key witness, Dustee, also a hacker extraordinaire, is not very cooperative, and finds herself in hot water.
I really enjoyed this fast-paced novel and the interaction of the various branches of law enforcement. The pace was fast, but definitely easy to follow, and I became invested in the characters. I loved all of the CSI type of information and details on the investigation itself. With more than one agency involved, the pecking order was interesting as well. The varied personalities of the key characters were always compelling, especially during the investigation which involved the US Marshalls and the FBI. I disliked they key witness, Dustee, for good reason that she often failed to cooperate with the authorities that were trying to keep her ALIVE. Taylor was probably my favorite character. She was in the center of the action as a dedicated yet stunning deputy. I admired her bravery, as she was definitely not afraid to get her hands dirty and never afraid to compromise her personal safety. I loved the intense action, lively characters, and crime fighting skills of multiple agencies which shape this story into a very enjoyable suspense novel. I will definitely be seeking more of Susan Sleeman’s work in the future.
I won this book in a blog giveaway and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
The plot involves Sean, an FBI agent from the east coast, and Taylor, a Deputy Marshal in the witness protection unit in Portland, Oregon. The two had collaborated before and via email had struck up a friendship. When Sean is in Seattle for a meeting, a potential lead in Portland causes him to go there. He and Taylor see each other for the first time and romance is heavy in the air. There is some difficulty and testiness in their relationship however, as they join forces to go after the villain attempting to kill one of Taylor's protected witnesses.
This is definitely a character driven novel in that there is much more time spent on character thoughts, relationships and interactions than there is on action or suspense. The emphasis on character feeling was a bit much for me. Here's an example. When Sean and Taylor, guns drawn, are approaching a potentially hostile location and Sean barks a command, Taylor's thoughts: she loved how sure he sounded, how strong he looked with his Kevlar vest and weapon in hand. (Loc 2595/4780) At another time, right before Sean goes into a dangerous location, he kisses Taylor. Later, still at the scene, he thinks she wants to talk about the kiss. “A crime scene's not the time or place,” she responds. (Loc 3636/4780) Exactly. Not the time or place to kiss either!
This is a book for readers who like lots of character work toward romance and very little suspense. There is a little suspense at the end but that's it.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
