Sarah Denning is a military journalist with the Army in the Middle East when her convoy is attacked and she’s taken hostage. When former Army Ranger Gavin Black is asked by his old unit commander–Sarah’s imposing father–to plan an extremely risky rescue, he reluctantly agrees and successfully executes it.
Back in the US, Sarah is livid when she’s discharged on a false psychiatric evaluation and vows to return to the Army. Until she learns of her brother’s suicide. Unable to believe her brother would do such a thing, she puts her plans on hold and enlists Gavin to help her discover the truth. What they uncover may be the biggest story of Sarah’s career–if she can survive long enough to write it.
Strap in for another breakneck nail-biter from bestselling romantic suspense author Lynette Eason that will have you up turning pages long into the night.
About Lynette Eason Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC.
My Rating: 5 Stars!
‘His brain was already in combat mode, that zone where everything he did was geared for survival and in protection of the woman sitting beside him.’
I am seriously loving this series by Lynette Eason. When military journalist Sarah Denning is taken hostage overseas, her general father asks former Army Ranger Gavin Black to head up the rescue effort, an extremely dangerous mission. But it works and Sarah is back home in the US but she faces more serious issues now, including a deadly plan. Sarah and Gavin must work together to uncover the truth– if they can manage to stay alive to do so.
Eason hits the ground running and the action and suspense just ratchet up from the first paragraph on, racing toward an exciting and exhilarating ending. Well done! Highly recommended.
*My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is completely my own.
It’s the intel every agent fears–terrorists have been smuggled into the country, intent on unleashing the most deadly attack since 9/11. With the threat imminent, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and ICE Agent Evan Bowers are charged with taking down this terrorist cell. The only problem is Kiley blames Evan for the death of her former partner, and she can barely be in a room with him. But with millions of lives on the line, she has no choice.
If it wasn’t for a bad call Evan made, Kiley’s former partner would still be alive, and Evan has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. When he starts falling for her, the agent’s death seems an impossible obstacle–but it’s also the last thing he needs to think about. As the terrorist plot targets Kiley’s family, the two are pushed to the breaking point in a race to save countless lives.
About The Author:
SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over thirty-five novels with more than one million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts TheSuspenseZone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson. To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies. http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-ne…
‘Evan grabbed a rifle as a spark of adrenalin lit in his body. He willed himself to calm down, but the fire sizzled like ignited detcord.’
The elite FBI Red Team has intel that terrorists have been smuggled into the country and are planning an event that will far surpass 9/11. Kiley Dawson heads this mission and must work with ICE Agent Evan Bowers, a man she holds responsible for the death of a fellow agent years ago. Can she set aside these feelings to work with Bowe3rs and prevent this tragedy?
Once again Susan Sleeman proves she just cannot write a bad book. Quite the contrary. From the first few sentences to the riveting climax, this book is pure high-octane suspense. Guaranteed to set your nerves and senses on high alert, Sleeman’s writing is pure adrenalin to the system of her readers.
When you read a Susan Sleeman book, you don’t just read a terrific book with great characters and and plot, you get an education. She researches police procedures and weaponry to a tee and it brings even more depth to the story. I absolutely love this aspect of her books! Sleeman is a go-to author for me without even reading the synopsis. If her name is on it, I’ll read it. Every time. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.
I am absolutely tickled to welcome Susan Sleeman to my blog today. She has agreed to an interview AND she is going to give away a signed copy of Minutes to Die! How great is that! So sit back and check out the interview. I found it so incredibly fascinating how Susan tackles her book writing. She’s just amazing. Be sure to hang tight and see how you can win a copy of this amazing book.
1. How did you get into writing? Did you always want to write suspense?
I wanted to write a book for years but never made the time for it. God gave me that time. I was diagnosed when a chronic illness and it forced me to quit working and sit around due to pain. I’m a type A personality and couldn’t just sit and do nothing so I started writing my first book. I sent it in to a contest and finaled so that motivated me to keep going. And before long, I found and agent and my writing career began.
My favorite genre to read is suspense and mystery so it was natural for me to want to write what I love to read.
(I once had an author tell me that the best genre to write was the one you liked to read. Great choice for us, your readers!)
2. What does a writing day look like to you?
None of them are the same, I can tell you that. It all depends on what commitments I might have or if I am in deadline mode. But typically, I start by reading email, and then I check my calendar and do the items that I have scheduled. Once done with that, I begin writing or editing depending on what is due next. At lunch time, I usually check social media and email again. Then it’s a long afternoon of writing and editing. In my breaks, I do household chores or garden. In the summer, I start the day gardening while it’s cooler outside. As a crazy fanatic gardener, I have to force myself to come back inside to work. I think I could stay in my garden all day if given the choice, and I pretty much do on the days I take off.
(I have seen photos of your garden on Facebook and it’s absolutely gorgeous!)
3. Your books are so full of suspense. Tell us how you get your ideas for these incredible books?
I usually get my ideas from reading or watching the news. Something will pique my curiosity and then I start asking what if questions until a plot is revealed.
4. I know that you follow police/FBI procedures for your stories. How do you do your research?
I have several ways of doing research, but a lot of it is accomplished by asking one of my friends many questions. He’s a former police officer, is a weapons expert, and now works internet security with the FBI. He has more knowledge than I could ever find online as he gives me a law enforcement officer’s mindset behind decisions and actions made in particular situations along with the facts. Then, if it’s a topic I know nothing about, I start by looking for answers on the internet and/or find books on the subject to read. I also have a few manuals I use like Practical Homicide Investigation that I can go to for answers. I have also toured the Portland Police Forensic Lab and the state forensic lab. In addition to seeing how evidence and forensics are processed, I made contacts there who I can ask questions of. And last, I have attended local police citizen’s academies and the FBI citizen academy, which gave me insight into law enforcement mindsets and what they work on and their procedures. (That sounds absolutely fascinating! I’d love to do all that myself.)
5. Tell us how it was that you came to be able to shop at the FBI store? That must have been so exciting!
It was exciting. As part of the FBI citizen academy— a six week program where we attended one night a week to meet with agents from the local office and learn what they do—I was able to shop at the store. Then I joined the alumni association, and we are allowed to occasionally come back to shop. Each time I entered the FBI offices I was reminded of how much this agents sacrifice for our good and how important their work is.
FYI, during this academy I was also able to go to the FBI’s firing range and shoot guns with the agents. We shot all manner of guns including machine guns. It was so exiting. That day we also got to detonate bombs and dress in a bomb suit. I personally got to press the plunger on one of the bombs. It was so cool. Here’s how it sounded – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMbu2sBFvPIa
(Wow! I know that would have been extremely exciting. Again, I’d love to do that. You are so fortunate.)
6. I love how you weave the spiritual themes into your books. Does prayer play a big part in each book?
I think prayer is important in each book. After all we all could pray a whole lot more than we do, and when a Christian is in crisis like they often are in my books, prayer happens more frequently. But just as important to me in crafting a Christian book is making sure the character’s spiritual walk changes in a natural way as the book advances. It’s a challenge to do this organically and not sound like you’re preaching.
(Well, as a forever fan, you do it very well indeed.)
7. When you begin each book, do you have a picture of the entire book or do you just start and let it flow?
Starting at the very beginning of a series, I create a spreadsheet of characters I want to include in the series—their back story, conflicts, physical descriptions, etc. I do this because I usually introduce the characters in the prior series and I need to know them. So for example, I just finished writing the first book in my Nighthawk Security series and I have the information for the characters in the following series called, Steele Guardians, as one of the Steele sisters appears in book two of Nighthawk Security. Once a book is published with her in it, I can’t go back and change her, so I need to get her right. Once I have done this, I then spend time thinking about the characters and what their worst nightmare might be. Then I look at plot ideas I have gathered over time and choose one to fit this worst nightmare and create the back cover copy for each book in the series. This gives me a general overview of the plot and the main characters conflict.
Once I have that in hand, I can decide the plot points for the book, and I make another spreadsheet (A throw back to my accounting days, LOL) with each plot element in order. I then research these items to be sure they work and that I have the details needed for the book. This allows me to sit down and write the rough draft in two weeks or so. However, the characters sometimes surprise me, and I go in a different direction, or as I write, I realize a plot element just doesn’t work so the book deviates from my original plan. After this rough draft is completed, comes the editing. I go through the book once and make a lot of changes and add words. Interestingly enough almost all the books I write right now come in around 80,000 words or 300 pages. I don’t plan this. It just happens. So then I let the book sit for two weeks or so and go back and do another major edit. Then the last step is to do a read through on my Kindle and make final changes and then the book is off to the editor.
( I am just in awe of all that you do to create books this way. You’ve got so much going on in your head! It’s a wonder to me, truly it is. And it’s now very clear why your books are so addicting! You’ve worked so hard to get them right. )
8. What do you hope readers take away from reading one of your books?
I sure hope they find enjoyment in the book and that it entertains them and they fall in love with the characters and want to read more about them. But I write to share God’s love and to help readers recognize spiritual issues in their own life that they might be struggling with and can change. I often find that my spiritual message in a book really speaks to me so I guess as a reader there are times you can tell what I’m going through by my character’s struggle.
(It’s certainly happened to me reading your books. It’s so amazing how God speaks to us through the reading of a novel.)
Well, Susan, I want to thank you for being my guest today. It’s been SO much fun hearing how you write and get your ideas and planning the books. This book was just amazing and now I understand a little of why your books are so great. I look forward to many more from you. Thanks again!
Here’s how you can win a copy of this super suspenseful book. What I need from you is:
Your full name Your email address in a non spammy formula (ex: susan (at) yahoo (DOT) com Giveaway is open for one week and ends August 11th. Winner will be notified via email and if winner doesn’t respond within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen. Good luck!
Publisher: Bethany House Publication Date: August 4, 2020 Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
From the bestselling author of Lulu’s Café Sophia Prescott is still mending from the embarrassment of a highly publicized divorce from a pro football player, and the now-single mother is back in Sunset Cove, surrounded by the supporting love of her family and the Sand Queens. Sophia doesn’t think there’s any hope for starting over until an unexpected trip to the pediatrician’s office gives her a second chance after all.
Dr. Weston Sawyer knows all about lives shattering into millions of pieces. His own all but ended when a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and barreled head-on into his pregnant wife’s sedan, killing her instantly and leaving Wes with a soul so wounded that it has refused to heal. He packed up and left swampy southern Alabama for South Carolina with the hope of fading into the sleepy coastal town of Sunset Cove. Instead, feisty brunette Sophia Prescott will have him braving something different and entirely unexpected. If Sophia and Wes can take the leap to give love another try, they just might find that hope has a way of coming back around and weaving into one’s heart.
About T.I. Lowe
Bestselling author T.I. Lowe sees herself as an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories. She knows she’s just getting started and has many more stories to tell. A wife and mother and active in her church community, she resides in coastal South Carolina with her family.
My Rating: 5 Stars
‘I know I’d do stupid like a boss if it made my woman happy.”
This was just the most precious book! I discovered T.I. Lowe a few months ago and have now read the three books in this series. I love discovering a new-to-me author with a back list of books. I am so excited to read the rest of her books. She is now a favorite. This book is the proverbial icing on the cake of the series. Lowe just blows it away with this one.
Sophia Prescott, one of the Sand Queens of Sunset Cove has just not been herself since her divorce from a popular pro football player. In more ways than one. She is back in Sunset Cove with her family and the two other Sand Queens, Opal and Josie, both of whom got their own book in this series. Seriously, you need to read these books. Sophia has never even thought about a second chance till she meets Dr. Weston Sawyer when she takes her 3 year old son in to see the new pediatrician in town. And things did most assuredly did not go well in that encounter!
Weston Sawyer is most definitely not impressed with Sophia Prescott. And he is NOT looking for love, either. He has moved to Sunset Cove and is still reeling from the death of his wife and baby three years earlier. He is simply existing through the pain.
‘Isolation could become its own form of cancer. It invaded any healthy cell of hope and killed off any faith that life could get better.’
Lowe takes us completely into this place and into the lives of these folks again as she weaves seamlessly a story of new beginnings and second chances. God’s grace in the lives of these two wonderful people is such a wonder to behold. He brings light into the darkest of pain and disappointment and the light shines even brighter. I was so touched by her handling of these hurts and heartaches of Weston’s and Sophia’s.
I cried more than once reading this and laughed out loud in a good many more. I love those Sand Queens and also the Knitting Club, who know more than a thing or two about life, and I think the three guys need a club name, too! I loved their part of the story. Such a wonderful read. It just made me feel so good inside. I highly recommend this one, folks. Don’t miss it.
*My thanks to Tyndale House Publishing for a copy of this novel. The opinion stated here is entirely my own.
Publisher: Tyndale House Publication Date August 4, 2020
Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah’s premier historic venues–until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.
Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot–and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.
To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job–and falling helplessly in love.
About Liz Johnson By day Liz Johnson works in marketing. She finds time to write late at night and is a Christy Award finalist and a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona where she enjoys theater, exploring local history, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Find out more about Liz at http://www.LizJohnsonBooks.com.
My Rating: 5 Stars!
‘Love isn’t about it always being easy but about trying to help the other person become the best version of themselves.’
This book is the best in Liz Johnson’s Georgia Coast Romance series! Hands down. Every ingredient is here: a hidden treasure, a great hero, quirky, cute heroine, wonderful plot, a super swoony romance to curl your toes, and a lot of just plan fun, that all cooks up together into a delightful book you do not want to miss.
‘This was a stupid idea. He was a grown man who did not play dress up.’
Penelope Hunter and Tucker Westbrook have been best buds for twenty five years. Until they really begin noticing each other. Circumstances happen and they decide they need to pretend dating and realize they not only love each other as friends, but just maybe more! Liz Johnson is at her very best here! I have always enjoyed her books, but this one just grabbed me and wouldn’t let go and carried me along, sparking joy in my heart. I cried, I laughed, I gasped, cried and laughed some more and was completely filled up and satisfied when I closed the book. This is definitely one for the keeper shelf. I hated to see it end. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to Revell Publishing and the author for a copy of this book. The opinions in this review are expressly my own.
Simply Susan 