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.