In Concrete Evidence, author DiAnn Mills transports the reader to the Texas Hill Country for an intriguing Christian Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Avery Elliott helps run the family ranch and commercial construction business with her grandfather, retired Senator Avery Quinn Elliott Sr. Avery notices discrepancies in the accounting for the Lago de Cobre Dam project that their company recently completed. And if that isn't enough, she comes across her grandfather with a gun in his hand and a dead man on the ground of their family cemetery. Avery's world suddenly turns upside down when her grandfather disappears, and threats are made against their family. Avery is determined to find concerete evidence to prove that her grandfather is innocent.

FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins works in the FBI's Houston Office violent crime division along with his partner, FBI Special Agent Roden Clement. Marc's mother requests that he look into his estranged father, Colonel Abbott Wilkins' recent death from a heart attack. His mother believes that his father's death was from a threat of danger after he and two friends uncovered a federal crime which led to all three mens' deaths.

Avery Elliott requests Marc to help with her family issues, and they discover a connection after finding out that her grandfather and his father had been friends. With a killer taunting their every move, danger around every corner, and a hurricane brewing in the Gulf, Marc and Avery are determined to find and stop the person behind the sinister plot to destroy their families.

Author DiAnn Mills weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale that follows Avery Elliott and FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins when they team up to track down the person who is trying to destroy their families. Even when they engage in a dangerous cat-n-mouse game, they face a tangled web of deceit and betrayal, but are determined to put the pieces of the puzzle together and get justice.

I loved reading this action-packed story. Avery and Marc's investigation kept me intrigued as their unlikely partnership in finding the person threatening their families lives brings two people with a lot of baggage together, and how an unexpected attraction sparked between them mixed with humor and a stronger acceptance of Christian faith helped build trust between them during the investigation, and a chance at finding the truth and love along the way.

The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as family dysfunction and secrets, possible suspects and motives, deceit and betrayals are uncovered during the investigation.

Concrete Evidence has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I recived a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchnage for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/11/concrete-evidence-by-diann-mills-vbt.html

Concrete Evidence by DiAnn Mills is a Christian oriented story about a young woman, Avery Elliot who was taken in by her grandfather, Senator Elliot. One day Avery finds her father standing over a dead man with a gun. She has a hard time believing that her grandfather killed the man.

FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins thinks his estranged father's death was not a heart attack, he thinks that his father was murdered. He finds that there is a connection between his father and the Senator.

Avery begins receiving threats and she finds a discrepancy in an invoice for materials that were used to build the Lago de Cobre Dam. With a major storm coming Avery and Marc find that the dam may not hold which causes many people to be evacuated.

Marc along with his mother and newly found sister, Tessa, shelter at the ranch with Avery to keep everyone safe. A ranch hand goes missing and the worst is feared, he could be dead. Marc along with his partner Roden and Avery, they seek to find the truth or will they run out of time?

Buckle up friends, Concrete Evidence is one twisty tale that will you leave you guessing and wanting more at the same time!

This is my first book by this author and will not be my last. The writing style flows nicely, and the descriptions kept me engaged, I felt like I was experiencing this story with the characters. The subplot of Avery and Marc having abandonment issues gave the story depth and created a natural bond between them. Avery coming to terms with finding out her grandfather wasn’t who she thought he felt real to me, and I empathized with her.

The chemistry between Avery and Marc is palpable and I like them as a couple. Marc’s own struggle with forgiving his father as he learned the truth about his murder was also realistically portrayed. I loved all the red herrings, twists, and turns. The final twist will take your breath away. The author’s ability to weave together a complicated story is brilliant and will leave you wanting more.

I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good romantic suspense novel filled with family drama.

"Sometimes it takes more courage to run than fight a losing battle."

DiAnn Mills hits a grand slam with Concrete Evidence. This romance/thriller/suspense/Christian fiction is well designed, well developed, and definitely well executed, keeping readers guessing at who is responsible for so much Texas-sized chaos cutting loose all over the place.

Avery Elliott lives with her grandfather, Texas Senator Quinn Elliott, on his Brazos River Ranch, managing his construction business, helping troubled teen girls at her church, and steering clear of her parents who have not exhibited any parental care and love for her for years. FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins in Houston, Texas, has been estranged from his father for most of his life after he abandoned him and his mom, but when Colonel Abbott Wilkins dies unexpectedly, Marc quickly realizes how little he knows about his father.

Everything changes for Avery when she sees her grandfather with a gun in his hand and standing over a dead man on their ranch. Everything changes for Marc when his father dies but his mom insists it was not a heart attack and then tells him his father left behind a teen daughter, Tessa, from another relationship in Fort Worth. As Avery and Marc grapple with so many changes and uncertainties, they cross paths after Avery’s grandfather goes into hiding and tells her to contact Marc for help. What comes next is a bubbling cauldron of murder, betrayal, red herrings, bullets, an explosion, and a category-5 hurricane heading straight for Texas. Oh, and if that is not enough, love is in the air, and someone is putting peanut M&M's in his hot coffee (I may need to try that).

Concrete Evidence goes beyond a simple romance and a thrilling suspense. The plot and characterization hit the championship level, in terms of delivering superb storytelling and expertly tossing varied personalities together in difficult and dangerous situations, allowing readers to speculate and wonder how everything will play out. With that said, the pacing is rapid, and the action is unstoppable, so hang on tight. As an added bonus, Christianity and prayer play important roles in Concrete Evidence, providing glimmers of hope, courage, and redemption for the main characters.

While the romance between Marc and Avery, a fair amount of mystery and danger, and the hurricane in the gulf are all brewing, strengthening, and threatening total disruption, DiAnn Mills dispenses a few other important aspects to provide such an excellent story with even more depth. Concrete Evidence reveals that living a happy and productive life is way more than amassing wealth, conducting business deals, and wreaking political havoc. Life is about building true friendships and partnerships, staying the course amidst lies and character and physical attacks, learning to trust, never shirking responsibility, and reminding everyone what a loving family looks like. DiAnn Mills has proved over and over that she knows exactly how to deliver the complete package to her readers, prompting them to clear their schedules so they can barrel through her fabulous books, including Concrete Evidence. Don't miss out!

Mills has created a novel with an interesting premise of faulty construction in the face of an impending storm. There are suspicious deaths and a number of suspects. Characters seem to be in danger. The novel has a complex plot evidenced by the amount of revelation near the end to clear up most of the motives and events.

I had trouble liking Marc, the hero. I generally appreciate a budding romance in a suspense novel. Here it is between Marc, the FBI agent and Avery, a participant in the events being investigated. I was happy to read that Marc initially said the romance should be put on hold because the case could be jeopardized. It was not long, however, before the romance intensified so that Marc was distracted to the point that his partner says he is being stupid. Later, Marc realizes yet again he needs to keep his emotions and actions toward Avery limited. Marc came across more like a teen unable to control his emotions than a seasoned FBI agent.

With respect to the plot construction, it was no surprise who the villain turned out to be based on earlier characterization. There is suspense at the end of the novel but I was disappointed that it resulted from incompetent action by the FBI agents. They invite the person they know is the villain in for a talk. Of course, the villain gets the drop on the FBI agents when they should have known better and prepared for such action. Another plot issue was the video evidence. It was wonky from the beginning and should have been recognized as such. And Avery was pursued because she had something the villain wanted. What and why never became clear, though it did make for suspense.

There is a good faith message included as the characters must trust God in the face of adverse events. I like Mills' writing style in general but there were too many problems in this novel to give it top marks.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

"Concrete Evidence" is a riveting tale of betrayal, revenge, murder, and constant danger. The two main characters, Avery Elliott and Marc Wilkins, are determined in their search for answers and strong in their faith, though both doubt their steadfastness in their relationship with God at times. They are good and kind people, and I enjoyed their cautious but steadily growing love story.

For all the nurturing love her grandparents lavished on her, Avery still has issues with her parents abandoning her as a young child. They continue to treat her horribly as an adult; they are awful people. Coincidentally, Marc experienced a similar situation at the hands of his father. The scene describing his father leaving him as a small boy of eight had me in tears. The subplot of how these two come to terms with this part of their pasts is emotional.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so compelled to keep reading as I was with this book! The main plot, and the reason Avery’s grandfather goes on the lam, has a unique foundation and has to do with his construction business, making this book’s title a stroke of genius. There are twists as the story progresses and I was kept guessing and completely the entire time.

With its intricate storyline and engaging characters who consider their words and actions within the framework of a life of faith, I recommend CONCRETE EVIDENCE to readers who enjoy faith-based tales of mystery and suspense.

Action, adventure, danger, excitement. Romance. Faith. Concrete Evidence has them all and so much more. Like the approaching hurricane in the story, the events in this book happen fast and furious with surges of violence and the occasional calm that only portends more devastating crises to come. It wasn’t until the very end that my heartbeat settled into its normal pace.

"…truth is first believed in the heart.”

Suspicious deaths brought construction business owner Avery Elliott and FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins together in the most fraught of ways. Confused and afraid, Avery was on the run after seeing her beloved grandfather standing over a dead man’s body with a gun in his hand. Marc just buried the father who abandoned him when he was a child and was dealing with a mother who didn’t believe her former husband died of a heart attack as the autopsy declared. To top it all, he found out he has a teenage sister now under his guardianship.

Through explosions and shootings, sabotages and storms, these two somehow found themselves falling for each other. As a Romance reader, I approve and appreciate their decision to keep things slow and get to know each other better once the cases are resolved. As a Romance author, I’d have gone in a direction more in keeping with my Carpe Diem brand, but that would be a different story altogether. The choices Ms. Mills made here fit her particular subgenre of Christian fiction perfectly.

"None of us have any control of when the good Lord takes us home. What we do control is how much we love and show our love.”

One of the things I love about this book is the fact that faith is observed and practiced, not merely paid lip service. Many of the characters’ actions are driven by their belief that a higher power will reveal truths and deliver them to safety. This gave them the courage to face dangers head-on. Some of their actions could be considered reckless which could potentially frustrate readers or have them chalk it up to adding suspense. I’m in the latter camp that found the intrepidity of the main characters acceptable.

What frustrated me is the ease with which I guessed who the main villain is. Ms. Mills provided plenty of red herrings and cast suspicions on several people but I zeroed in on the mastermind as soon as they were introduced in the story. I wanted to be proved wrong but I wasn’t, hence the slight disappointment. I recognize that it’s a ‘me problem’ and not an issue shared by the majority of readers. As they say, your mileage may vary.

Another edge-of-your seat, action-packed mystery from a master mystery storyteller! When you start a story written by author DiAnn Mills, you better hold on, because it’s going to e wild ride!

This story is about a Texas politician and his granddaughter, along with a very specific FBI agent. When Texas Senator Elliott finds himself in hot water because of some murders and a sabotaged construction project, he flees to give himself time to think, but also tells his granddaughter Avery to head to Houston to speak to FBI agent Marc Wilkins. That starts a very wild adventure for all involved

In typical DiAnn Mills fashion, the characters are deeply explored, showing all their faults and quirks. This story has a very renowned—yet quirky—cast. In addition to those already mentioned, there are ranch hands, the FBI agent’s partner, as well as an “inner circle” of associates that the Senator does not want to divulge.

This author truly knows how to pace a mystery. She drops breadcrumbs here and there. Some are fresh, while others are stale. As the exciting climax nears, the ball of blames gets tossed into several courts until it finally comes to its resting place at the end. Wow—what a ride!

There is a fair amount of faith present throughout the story. Most of this author’s “good” characters either have strong faith in God or are working in that general direction. I happen to enjoy that very much. It shows a side of characters that isn’t usually present in a mystery. Maybe that’s what sets these mysteries off from the pack.

This is not the first DiAnn Mills story that I’ve read, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. As with each other story of hers I’ve read, this is highly recommended reading!

Concrete Evidence by author DiAnn Mills is an exponential story. It kept my interest piqued from the beginning to the end. I was told this story was going to be an adventure and it turned out to be an edge-of-the-seat wild, wild unstoppable ride.

This well-plotted and fast-paced story centers around the main memorable characters of Avery, her granddad Senator Elliot, and FBI Special Agent Marc. Murder after murder occurs with those deaths being tied to a water dam in Texas. In the midst of this nonstop action story is a growing romantic involvement of Avery and Marc.

Concrete Evidence moves so quickly that trying to guess who is murdering who and who is the threat to all the main characters is pointless. And I mean pointless in a good way because this book leaves your brain breathless trying to keep up. This is Mills stellar best talent at keeping readers on the edge of their seats and making it quite hard to put the book down making no room for guessing until the near end.

The religious theme and romance play a big part in this story. The religious aspect is more so in this book than in other books by Mills that I have read. Maybe, just maybe will give you pause to reflect on your own beliefs. Loved the Epilogue in pulling the pieces together and concluding the story exceptionally well.

I highly recommend Concrete Evidence. If you love a story that reacts like an almost unstoppable wildfire around murders and investigations and is sprinkled with a hint of romance then check out Concrete Evidence. You will not be disappointed.

Avery Elliott’s grandfather raised her. She has always known him to be a man of faith and a straight shooter, in his business, personal, and political dealings. So when she sees him standing over the body of a dead man with a gun in his hand, it rattles her. Add to that a billing discrepancy that she discovers in regard to their company’s construction of the Lago de Cobre Dam, and she begins to have serious questions—questions that are compounded by her grandfather’s mysterious disappearance.

This was a real barnburner of a book! Mills kicked off the action early on, and it felt like a runaway horse. All I could do was hang on and keep turning the pages. Not only is Avery trying to figure out where her grandfather is and what his involvement with the dead man she saw might be, she’s also trying to sort out how the dam their company built passed two inspections and now suddenly…doesn’t. And to keep things revved up, there’s a big hurricane headed toward Texas, and if that dam breaks, a lot of folks are going to be in a mess of trouble.

Faith is a clear theme in the book. Both Avery and Marc are Christians, but the events surrounding her grandfather’s disappearance (for Avery) and his father’s abandonment of him and his mother (for Marc) cause them to question. Avery is driven by her questioning of all the things she thought she knew to draw nearer to God through study and prayer, and we see both characters grow in their faith as a result of their struggles.

The pacing of the book is steady and compelling, and Mills throws in enough twists to keep the suspense high until the resolution. The characters were well written, and seeing Marc get to know the younger sister he didn’t know he had was a nice sideline. I hope there are more stories written with these characters. I’d love to know what happens next!

DiAnn Mills hits it out of the ballpark again! I have enjoyed this author's books for a few years now, and she can suck me into the story like no one's business.

This novel mixes politics, murder, romance, family, and forgiveness all in one not so tidy bundle. Many characters are flawed, but there is growth as obstacles are put in their path.

Avery, the protagonist, is a strong-willed woman, but she didn't get that way all on her own. Taken in by her grandfather as a child, she learns a lot from him about ethics and faith. Both of those served her well over the years but could stand in her way of moving forward with her life. It was interesting how her body reacted to stress at the beginning of the book. She is tenacious and doesn't back down, which is both good and bad, especially regarding her safety.

Marc is one of the good guys that finds himself smack dab in the middle of this situation because of his father. It is no surprise when sparks happen between him and Avery as the story progresses. I think they are good for each other, but at the same time, they are both stubborn, and someone has to give in at some point. 

The mystery has multiple layers, and just when I thought I might know who was orchestrating everything, a new piece of evidence or a suggestion changed everything I thought or believed. By the end of the book, I had narrowed down who was behind all of this, but the truth is revealed in bits and pieces for us to understand. 

The characters are well-developed, and I enjoyed getting to know all of the players. I loved Marc's partner, Roden. He has a good sense of humor and is dedicated to his job with the FBI. He could also play the "good cop" to Marc's "bad cop." But they are a good team and were able to put a lot of the pieces together. There are plenty of characters to dislike, including Avery's parents. They are lowlifes and are only after one thing, money.

Faith is a strong component of this book. Not all characters are strong believers, but many come around and realize that perhaps having faith and believing help soften the edges.

This is a top-notch book that will take you on a fast-paced ride. We give it 5 paws up.

This novel set near Brazos River Ranch in Texas finds Avery Elliott helping to run her grandfather’s construction company. One day she sees the grandfather she looks up to standing over someone holding a gun and her world is shattered. Then he disappears. She needs to find answers and turns to FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins for help. This suspense story ticks all the boxes. Recommended.

I really wanted to enjoy this one, and in a lot of ways I did, but in some ways it just fell flat somehow. I'm not even sure how to explain it. I really loved both characters; they were very realistic and I enjoyed their chemistry. I really liked Marc's relationship with his family. I think the plot confused me a lot and maybe that's why it fell slightly flat. The mystery kept me guessing but there were some parts I just skimmed through as I felt slightly bored and was too confused to take my time reading. Overall, I did enjoy this, however its not a favorite or a reread.

What a page turner.

There are deaths, attempted murder, pipe bombs and suspects at every turn!

There are lots of characters from cooks to ranch hands. To law enforcement.

And the main characters and their close friends and family.

I think a sign of a well written book is when there are this many characters and I have no problem keeping them straight.

It is easy to say Concrete Evidence is a five star read.

It was refreshing when toward the end the writer has the reader suspecting family and close friends and co-workers only to find out they are all innocent and not guilty of crimes.

The true villain is a shady character that plots an almost perfect crime and sets up a fall guy or two to take the blame.

Filled suspense and twists and turns. Romance and strong faith.

I had a hard time putting this one down I was wishing there were more hours in my day to read!

I received a complimentary ARC copy from Net Galley.

As always DiAnn Mills does not disappoint! I have always enjoyed her books and this one is quite good. There are many ins and outs with the storyline and she keeps you guessing until the big reveal. Both family stories pulled at the heart strings and kept me involved.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Tyndale House via NetGalley. Thanks for allowing me to read this advance copy! All thoughts and feelings expressed in this review are completely my own.

Concrete Evidence by DiAnn Mills is a Christian romantic suspense story that kept me reading to find out who was responsible for the murders and why. This is an well written, easy to imagine story with wonderful characters. Avery was raised by her grandfather, who was a senator and construction company owner. They have a very special bond, but when his friends are murdered, they both go into hiding.

I really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the family dynamics of FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins. After all he endured with his father leaving him at a young age, he finds himself regretting knowing him and opens his heart and home to his step-sister. I especially enjoyed the character of his younger sister. For someone so young, she has such a strong faith and shares it willingly. I also enjoyed Marc’s partners view on his family. The story is very timely, at times I felt like I was reading today’s news.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story from NetGalley, this is my honest review.

I am happy to say this is one of the best DiAnn Mills books I have read in a long time!

Avery Elliot lives on her family’s ranch in Texas and helps run her grandfather’s commercial construction company. She has a very close relationship with her grandfather and has always seen him as a man of integrity until she finds him standing over the body of a dead man. While going through the books of her grandfather’s company, she finds things aren’t adding up as they should leading her to call the FBI. Special Agent Marc Wilkins is assigned the case and tries to keep Avery safe after she receives threats, which becomes harder as a hurricane comes close to the Texas coast. Marc must work with Avery to protect her and the community from a great danger.

I have read DiAnn Mills books for several years now and they tend to be hit or miss. She is a great writer when she is on point with her stories, but the last few haven’t been up to par with what her writing can be. This one is back to what I expect from a great like DiAnn Mills. I love a great suspense novel and this one hit all the right buttons for me. I love the characters, setting, and pace of the story. Avery is a great female protagonist for this story; her relationship with her grandfather and all she is involved because of him brings so much tension to the story, which kept me engaged with the characters and what they were trying to get through. Reading a book like this can either be great or flop, this one was far from flopping, and I am so happy with the way this one played out and ended. I recommend this book to fans of DiAnn Mills writing and suspense novels in general.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I have read a few other books by DiAnn Mills in the past, and have always found them to be quite enjoyable. As such, I had high expectations for this one. Unfortunately, I found that for me this one didn't quite live up to those expectations. While the story seemed to have a unique and interesting premise, I found that I failed to really connect with the story and it's characters. Though the action did start very early on in the story, I still found myself really waiting for the story to get started.

I can't say the story was badly written, I don't think it was... It just wasn't one that I personally connected with. Having read other books by the author, I know this isn't the norm, so while this one might not have been for me, I do still look forward to reading more from her.

But don't just take my word for it... while I didn't connect to the story, many other reviewers have very much enjoyed it. If you enjoy romantic suspense, I'd suggest giving it a shot for yourself!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Once again, Mills keeps the action moving and the reader guessing!

This is another wonderful story by DiAnn Mills.

Avery Elliott III, faces the challenges of personal threats, her missing grandfather, and parents who could be behind all of the nightmares. She has to figure out who she can trust and more importantly how to stand on her own two feet and build her own relationship with God.

Marc Wilkins has to deal with the death of a father he never knew and a half-sister he had no idea existed as well as his growing feelings for Avery.

Lots of action and misdirection. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there would be a twist that pointed me in a different direction. Near the end Mills gives a critical clue on who the antagonist really is.

For Mills fans this is another winner! If you are new to DiAnn Mills this is a great book to get a feel for her wonderful storytelling style. Fans of Terri Blackstock or Brandilyn Collins will enjoy this book.

Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the publisher but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Avery Elliott has been raised by her grandfather who owns a ranch and construction company. She adores him. She can't believe what she thinks she saw. That was her grandfather standing over a dead body with the murder weapon in his hands. Then her grandfather disappears, and he tells her to trust him. He tells her to contact FBI agent Marc Wilkins for help in clearing up the mess.

There's a lot going on in this book. Not only are Avery and Marc trying to get to the bottom of who killed the man her grandfather he be blamed for, but someone is trying to kill her as well. Marc is also involved deeper than he wants to be. It appears his father, who was just murdered, is involved in the mess as well.

There are twists and turns all through the book and it kept me guessing. If you like a good mystery, then this is the book for you.

I was given this book buy Tyndale Publishing House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.