Enjoyed this book but no time for a formal review. I will be reading the next one in this series by Susan Sleiman. Her writing is getting better and better.

This was a good story and very rich in giving details of the underground world and the vast internet. There was a romance, but almost too much details. It was almost like the author was uncertain of the direction of the book at the beginning and thru them at me at one time. But towards the middle of the book things started to gain a foothold and fall into place.

All in all, it was an interesting read.

**3.5/5 stars**

"One mistake. That was all it took to put Dustee's life on the line--death right on her heels." 

Well, that's one way to draw in your readers! Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman was the first book by her I've read, and also the first story of her Homeland Heroes series. The novel gripped me from beginning to end, starting with the very first line. Who was Dustee? What was her mistake? Did someone want to kill her? Why? Would he (or she) succeed? And what sort of name was "Dustee?"

The difference between secular and Christian romance novels--outside of God, of course--is that the two protagonists always seem to share a history. In Seconds to Live, Sean Nichols and Taylor Mills had worked on a case together, though from different sides of the country. All of their communications had been electronic, and even after the case went cold (something that twists Sean's insides), they maintained their contact. Grew close to the point of saying they were each other's best friend, though not admitting it. A case brought them together virtually, and another did the job physically.

While they knew each other well from their written correspondence, Sean and Taylor quickly learned they still had much to discover about each other...and they couldn't let that distract them from solving a mystery on which so many lives depended. A hacker had infiltrated the U.S. Marshals' Witness Protection database. The cybercriminal sold the information on the dark web. No questions asked as long as you paid. One click, a bitcoin exchange, and the deed was done.

Although I'm in my 20s, I'm not too cyber-savvy. Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman used terminology I didn't recognize, but she quickly explained everything in ways that didn't go over my head. She held my attention through the last page. The romance never seemed forced, though it did seem exaggerated and a little unbelievable at times. Maybe that's because I'm cynical, but I'd like to think real people would be better able to focus when a database full of people's lives had been compromised. Not distracted by the sway of a hip or a dimpled smile.

<b>Entertaining...but not Perfect</b>
The book had some clichés that made me roll my eyes. A near-death experience. Trust issues that could fill the deepest abyss known to man. Tragic pasts. Someone getting hurt. Clashing personalities. The action and unique plot helped me overlook them, for the most part. I wouldn't classify myself as a feminist, but I appreciated the strong female characters in Seconds to Live...even though in that respect, it almost reminded me of a Disney movie. The novel had more gunshots and blood than most Disney movies, though! Sleeman never explicitly described the violence. Unlike some books I've read, this one didn't make me squeamish.

I enjoyed the book, though it left something to be desired, as reflected in the rating. I tired of Sean and Taylor questioning their relationship. Sleemen kept bringing it up, and I wanted to yell at the characters to get over themselves. The writing at times seemed inexperienced, and to be frank, immature. Like the characters were younger in age. I haven't heard adults past their 20s use the phrase "I can't even," and I haven't said the word "duh" since maybe middle school. Which is another thing that bugged me about Seconds to Live; I had no idea how old the characters were. I guessed in their 30s, but Sleeman never gave an indication of that, unless I overlooked it. 

<b>Final Conclusion:</b>
Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is an exciting story, with multiple characters who I'd like to know better. I like how Sleeman set up the book to end, but also left some things hanging. Don't worry, there's no cliffhanger! Sleeman simply gives her readers a 10,000-foot view of a case that still has the RED Team scratching their heads. I'm looking forward to seeing if they're able to find the answers--and resolution--the team members all seek!

*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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.

My rating: 3.75 stars

Taylor is a US Marshall who works for the witness protection program keeping people safe in it. She is an extremely caring person who puts all her effort into protecting each of the people she is in charge of and makes sure they can live a 'normal' life as possible. 

Sean is the leader of an elite team of people who try and help protect and find killers. Sean is very serious about his job and has let it take over pretty much all of his life.

Taylor and Sean and end up coming together for a case that involves hackers and protecting a former hacker. 

Overall I liked this book. It was action-packed and kept me needing to know what happened. There friendship/relationship felt very natural and I enjoyed how realistic their communication was. All of the side-characters in the book were interesting and were used well in the story. The two ladies Taylor was helping protect were interesting and I loved learning about the hacking world. It's one that I don't know much about at all and I tend to stay away from for obvious reasons. I'm interested to see where this series goes as it seems to be one that follows different characters. 

Two things I didn't like: How religion was thrown in randomly at times. It felt just like it was put in because it had to be and didn't always flow very well with what was going on in the story. The second thing I struggled with is the need to immediately get engaged. Hey, maybe here's an idea we date for a couple of months/year and then get married. Stop with the sudden rush to get married at the end of each of these 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.*

This is a difficult review for me to write, because I struggled with this book. If I strip it back to the bare bones of the plot, there’s a good story here, but so many aspects of the execution didn’t work for me that it affected the entire read.

This writer’s style relies heavily on telling rather than showing, and not only that but she explains EVERYTHING to the reader. Not just procedural stuff and acronyms, but every action taken by the characters, every response to something someone else says or does, every motivation. That’s just not my reading jam. At all. Every facet of the characters’ personalities is explained to us through the narrative, and honestly, if those explanations were taken out, there wouldn’t be much of this story left. Certainly not enough to get to know these characters.

Then there’s the fact that the hero and heroine spend a great deal of the book looking at each other and reflecting on their feelings about every last detail of each other’s appearance and manner. Cowlicks, puckered lips, scrunched noses, eyebrows, the arch of a back, even the way one of them puts on those little booty covers they have to wear at crime scenes!—it’s all remarked upon, often at the most inappropriate times as far as their jobs were concerned. As a result, the story became unrealistic and overly sentimental. I mean, they’re getting in position for an op, and the heroine thinks: “How strong he looked with his Kevlar vest and weapon in his hand.” Aside from the fact that I wondered why he would be carrying his Kevlar vest rather than wearing it, we’re supposed to believe this woman is a US Marshal! Again, not my jam at all.

There were other smaller things that contributed to my overall struggle, but the two issues I’ve already mentioned were so pervasive that they dominated my reading experience. I think it’s safe to say this author isn’t a match for me.

Someone has hacked into the US Marshall's Witness Protection Program and is selling the names and locations of the witnesses, it's up to FBI Sean Nichols and his team to stop the person.  He enlists the aid of US Marshall Taylor Mills who is the agent in charge of the hacker who went after Phantom and was placed in the program when she got too close.  Together they must fight against time to discover who Phantom is and stop him/her before witness' are killed.

Let me first say, this book was not in any way bad. The storyline made sense. It was interesting and well laid out, especially incorporating the forensics and technical jargon. I was impressed. However, I just did not connect to the book, and could not enjoy it, but this is no fault of the authors. She sets up a great plot and fleshes it out well. The writing was superb, this book just wasn't for me.

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!

I’m making this a “no spoiler” review, so as to not give anything away in this intriguing book. This is quite the suspenseful story.  I liked how this storyline seemed to come straight from today’s news.  Great characters that kept my interest, and just the right blend of suspense and romance.  If you are a fan of the Christian suspense genre, you’ll want to read this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

This is a top-notch suspense novel! The action starts right from the beginning, and it doesn't let up the whole way through!
With hackers and cybercriminals, this is not your typical mystery. Everything is kicked up a notch when the US Marshals discover that their Witness Protection Database was hacked into, and their witnesses' very lives could be in danger!
Taylor Mills (Marshal) and Sean Nichols (FBI Agent) are the two main characters. It was fascinating to read about their chase to get this hacker, Phantom, tracked down and stopped, before he kills or causes any more deaths.
This book is classifed as romantic suspense, and there is a romantic element...I enjoyed it, but it almost seemed a bit too fast, considering all the dangerous elements that were in play during this timeline of events.
Overall, this was an excellent suspense-filled read that kept me guessing whodunit to the last page.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This was my first book by Susan Sleeman, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! This book was fast paced and kept me captivated throughout most of the story line. 

U.S. Marshal (Taylor) Mills and FBI Agent (Sean) Nichols have worked together before, but they’ve never seen or met one another. After an un-successful mission, they grew a unique and safe online friendship, but a cybercriminal and killer causes their worlds to collide. Suddenly, the things they appreciate about one another are the things causing tension as they work to find the most notorious hacker on the FBI most wanted list. Will Sean’s bulldog, don’t think twice personality bulldoze Taylor’s methodical and safety structured plan of action? Will their being at odds keep them from catching a ruthless killer?

First of all, I am sucker for witness protection/U.S. Marshal stories, so I was invested from the beginning. I found Taylor to be an intriguing character. It took me a while to really become invested in her character, but once I was, I was all in. Sean is a fairly likeable hero. There was quite a bit of tension between the hero and heroine. While some of it felt very natural, some of it felt forced, and made the pace of the story a little awkward at times. There were a few times I felt conflict was chosen over believability, and it took me a little bit to get back in the groove of the story. Overall, I really liked this book and will definitely read the following books in the series. 

I was given an early copy of this manuscript through NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

OH MY! OH MY! OH MY!! This was such a good book and right up my alley, dealing with hackers and revenge.

This story kept me guessing throughout the book. I was thought I had it figured out who the “insider” was, but I was wrong.

The story line with Taylor and Sean was well done and dealt with trust issues that ran deep as well as the importance of forgiveness.

I would recommend this book to Susan Sleeman fans. If you are new to Sleeman, but enjoy Terri Blackstock, Brandilyn Collins, Christy Barritt or Patricia Bradley, you will enjoy this story as well.

Looking forward to what is next!

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is the first book in the Homeland Heroes series.  US Marshal Taylor Mills is tasked with protecting a hacker within WITSEC. When the hacker's enemy, the Phantom, discovers the witness' location, it' is a race against time to stay ahead of the hacker and protect the witness.  The case becomes more complicated when the FBI agent Sean Nichols believes the Phantom hacked the WITSEC database. Sleeman has once again created a suspenseful, page-turning book.

Since cyber criminals have targeted the U.S. Marshals’ WITSEC program, FBI special agent Sean Nichols is tasked with working with Deputy Taylor Mills.  Taylor’s main consideration is keeping her witnesses safe in spite of having their program hacked into.  Sean wants to catch the criminal who did the hacking, an evil entity known only as the Phantom.  The Phantom not only hacks into secure programs but is also responsible for multiple murders.  The chase to find the Phantom takes Taylor, Sean and the team to some very dark corners, in the city and in their own minds.  The action is fast-paced, the romance is simmering under the surface, and the twist is unbelievably good!  Fans of romantic suspense and mystery will enjoy this new Christian fiction by Sleeman.  This is a clean read with plenty of action!

Seconds to Live is another thrilling story by Susan Sleeman.  She writes a story that keeps intense moments from the first sentence to the last page.   Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

Seconds to Live is a novel I won’t soon forget. I thoroughly enjoyed the angle of Sean and Taylor. Despite having a comfortable online friendship, they’ve never met in person. Their instant physical attraction continued to be a heavy plot point throughout the novel. I enjoyed the tug-of-war between their opposite personalities. Neither wanted to give the other a chance and both fought to overcome their attraction.
There were a lot of technical descriptions throughout the book. Most I already knew since I read romantic suspense, but I can see the value of including them for those who might be new to the genre. The in-depth descriptions of procedures and what I refer to as shop-talk showed the intense research that has gone into writing this book.
Both Sean and Taylor have trouble trusting each other, even though they know each other’s secrets. Or so they think. The pace of the book ebbed and flowed in a pattern that allowed me to absorb the information and appreciate the building romance.
I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

When the WITSEC database is hacked and the lives of federal witnesses are put in jeopardy, U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills works with FBI Agent Sean Nichols and his team to find the hacker, recover the witness information, and keep an already-exposed witness safe. Mills & Nichols have a tenuous online friendship, which is put in turmoil when they meet for the first time to work on this case together.

Right off the bat, this book introduced a character in a way that painted her in a terrible light, and it never really recovered from there for me. The police procedural-type story was all right, but the romance was strained and the characters and dialog were wooden.

I never really did like the female MC. After she ignored calls from a witness in danger because she was too put-upon, I just couldn't understand why she is touted as an amazing U.S. Marshal the rest of the book. (Honestly, if she's so overworked that she needs an hour in the tub that badly, which she got into after missing 2 calls from a witness, who she knows could be in danger...maybe it's time to find another job.) The male MC wasn't too bad. As far as side characters went, I think that if the other FBI team members had been given more time in the spotlight, it would have helped. Instead, we got the ridiculous Dustee (the federal witness) and her childish attitude.

The federal agents searching for the hacker before thousands of witnesses were compromised could have been a decent story. Unfortunately, their emotions got in the way. Every. Step. Of. The. Way. Every other thought the two MCs had was about each other and how they felt about the other, how they just wanted to stare at the other, how they didn't know how to proceed when neither of them really wanted a relationship. And how they both had such hardships in their past that they couldn't really trust anyone. It permeates so much that it drags down the action & suspense side of the book.

Besides what I already mentioned about the romance, it was far too much about the physical for my taste, especially in a Christian novel. Don't get me wrong--there is no sex, and not exactly a lot of touching. But there is a lot of gazing, staring, even (in my opinion) leering. Too much narration about watching hips and legs...and it all became so repetitive. And there was so much discussion at inappropriate times, in the middle of important parts of the investigation.

There was an interesting twist near the end, which I suspected only shortly before it was revealed. I liked the explanation for that twist and the real-life science behind it. I also did find myself wanting to know who the hacker was along the way, and what it would take to catch him. When the MCs weren't coming across as incompetent because they spent more time thinking and talking about their non-relationship than they did working on the case, I liked the way the case was presented and solved. I expected a little more in the way of twists, but it's not billed as a thriller, so that's probably my own issue.

I don't think the book was bad, exactly, I just had some irredeemable issues with it. If you're a fan of drama-filled procedural stories, you very well may enjoy this. It's clean overall--no language and light on the violence--and though the Christianity in it is a little light, it's probably worth checking out if you aren't bothered by the things I mentioned above. There are plenty of reviews in favor of it, so be sure to read some of those too.

Seconds to Live was written by Susan Sleeman, and is book one in the Homeland Heroes series.
Summary: The witness protection database has been hacked, and witness locations are being sold to the highest bidder. The main suspect is a murderous hacker by the name of Phantom.
Will the FBI and the US Marshals be able to track down Phantom before witnesses begin to die?
My Thoughts: This book had plenty of action and I enjoyed the plot. However, I was a little disappointed in that the book went back and forth between action that was really good, and the main characters constantly wondering what the other person was thinking of them. It felt like two high schoolers who like each other, and don’t know what to do. It would have been fine once or twice, but this reoccurs throughout the book, and takes away from the suspense of the story line.
I wish the book would have stayed more focused on the action and suspenseful plot, than on the characters’ insecurities towards each other.
That said, there is great suspense and action in this book, and if you can get past the other, it is pretty enjoyable.
I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. Thank you.