I selected this from NetGalley, so it had some places where the print went from one chapter or section into anothe without a break to let the reader know there was a change. That being said, this was a good story by Susan Sleeman. I did not guess who the culprit was before the revelation at the end. The romance was a bit wishy washy for me, but I liked Sean and Taylor's characters and their interaction with the rest of the team, even Dustee the brat! The pacing is good and plenty to keep the reader guessing. I think there could be a series written about the WitSec Marshalls if Ms. Sleeman wanted to go in that direction. The cover is not as good as the covers for the Cold Harbor series, but I do think it lends itself to looking more like a mainstream action/suspense novel.

“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.

FBI Agent Sean Nichols is appointed to head a team investigating a hacker who goes by the name of Phantom, who has hacked into US Marshals' Witness Protection database. He needs to go to where a witness has already been pursued by the hacker with the intention to kill her. That witness is being protected by US Marshal Taylor Mills, who happens to be a friend of Agent Nichols even though their friendship has always been online and not in person.

As they chase the Phantom the stakes keep getting higher and the danger keeps getting more frightening. It takes everyone on the team to crack the case. This one is a nail biter and it didn’t take me long to read because I traded sleep time for reading time. Highly recommend!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this books which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Susan Sleeman's novel Seconds to Live follows the story of Dustee, a young woman who finds herself in the Witness Protection Program, except that one wrong move puts her in harm's way. Her protector, Deput U.S. Marshall Taylor Mills, works hard to keep Dustee and her twin sister safe while trying to unravel the mystery of who wants Dustee and why. Taylor reluctantly ends up working with FBI agents part of a special cyber crimes task force. There's lots of action, and there are some plot twists, some things thrown in to keep you guessing. Overall, Seconds to Live is a good read -- not so heavy with violence, but with enough action to keep you interested--especially if you're a fan of FBI/CIA type novels. I appreciated the fact that it's a clean read and you don't have to worry about bad language or steamy scenes. You know you've found a good author when their vocabulary is big enough to express all the human emotions without using bad language--and keep you interested at the same time. I'm definitely planning to read more from Susan Sleeman.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The newest suspense novel from Susan Sleeman will keep you breathless from page one. Dustee, hacker extraordinaire, discovers too late what happens when she breaks her agreement with the U. S. Marshal’s Service’s Witness Protection Program. The mysterious Phantom discovers her whereabouts and Dustee has to run for her life.

Deputy U.S. Marshall Taylor Mills does all in her power to extend grace and hope to those she protects in the Witness Security Program (WITSEC), but Dustee tries her patience. The Taylor receives a call from an unknown number, she ignores it in exchange for a much-needed hour of self-care.

When Taylor realizes the call came from Dustee, she jumps into action, hoping that her selfishness hasn’t cost the life of another person.

When FBI Agent Sean Nichols, member of the Cyber Crime Center RED team unit, discovers that someone has hacked the WITSEC database and has put witness information up for auction on the dark web, he hopes he’ll get to lead the team’s investigation. After their failure with the Montgomery Three case, everyone needs an investigation that goes right.

When Sean gets lead in the new case, he hopes to prove his leadership skills. After he discovers who protects one of the the most vulnerable witnesses, he hopes to get to know Taylor Mills in real life. For six months, they’ve chatted regularly on the Internet, now they’ll meet in person as they combine skills to keep witnesses safe.

The Phantom always seems one step ahead, though, and Sean’s team starts to despair of solving the case before every single witness gets compromised. Even worse, it looks as if someone on the inside has joined the Phantom.

Who’ll Love this Book

Suspense and thriller fans will love this new book that has just the right blend of interpersonal relationships, thrills, and character depth. When you finish, you’ll wonder how long you’ll have to wait for the next installment in the Homeland Heroes series. Characters have depth and face many of the same problems average readers face—reconciling faith, family, and friendships in a busy world.

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.

Seconds to Live
by Susan Sleeman

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 03 Dec 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Seconds to Live through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

After Cybercriminals hack into the US Marshalls Witness Protection database and often off its details to the highest bidder, Sean Nichols the lead FBI agents with the red team begins a chase to find the hacker. But before he can even begin the first victim becomes a target and ends barely escaping with her life. Sean believes Phantom an obsessed hackers who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is responsible for these attacks as well. And Sean needs with witnesses help, as she’s the person who has come closest to Phantom’s identity.

There is trouble though because she is under the care of US Marshall Taylor Mills and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. The problem is Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and tells them he will kill her. In order to stop the hacker Sean and Taylor must work through their person pain to help one another, before more minutes tick
by and another victim dies at the hands of a madman.

I found Seconds to Live to be a powerfully written suspense novel.

I give Seconds to Live five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Seconds to Live kicks off with the most dangerous scenario a US Marshal could face – someone’s hacked the database containing information on witness locations. US Marshal Taylor Mills teams up with an elite cybercrimes investigative team to stop a hacker known as Phantom. Of course, sparks fly when FBI Agent Sean Nichols heads up the team, and Taylor meets him for the first time after only having chatted with him online.

This story brings action, drama and danger right into the reader’s lap. Taylor makes a great heroine, as she struggles with being too invested in protecting her witnesses. She and Sean make a dynamic pair as the two chase the Phantom while trying to protect the identities of thousands of witnesses. The stakes are high, and the heart-pounding action is higher. Lots of twists and turns will keep the readers in suspense until the very end. A must read for suspense fans.

I received a complementary ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Do you know what I love? I love to pick up a book and from the very first page be so captivated that I don't want to put it down. That is exactly what happened with Seconds to Live. From page one I was hooked. It begins at a fast pace and keeps up to the very last page. I'm also excited that this is a "new to me" author. It was the first book I have read by Susan Sleeman and I will definitely be checking into her other books. In fact, Seconds To Live is the first of a series called Homeland Heroes and I cant wait for the next book!


When Cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals' Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses' personal details to the highest bidders the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stake chase to find the hacker, but before he cn even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness's help, as she's the person who has come closes to discovering Phantom's identity.

Trouble is, she's a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other....but the seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

If you are a fan of Christian Suspense books I would highly recommend this one. It has well developed characters, fast paced suspense and a little romance. Trust me, you won't want to put it down!

SECONDS TO LIVE is another exciting romantic thriller by SUSAN SLEEMAN, with a well developed plot and believable characters. There is more than one twist in the story and the suspense will definitely keep you reading late into the night!
The author deals with the importance of forgiveness and trust, as well as having a good relationship with the Lord, relying on Him rather than on one's own strength.
Both Taylor and Sean have trust issues, as they have been let down and lied to over the past by people who were important to them. They also need to forgive themselves and let go of the past.
Taylor Mills is a WITSEC deputy who feels very responsible for her protectees. Sean Nichols is an F.B.I. agent who is working with his team in the cyber crimes division. When the WITSEC database is hacked, the two of them meet for the first time, after a six month friendship on line.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.