Seconds to Live

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman, a well written read. A well known violent hacker has accessed the Witness Protection Database and started selling off locations and names to the highest bidders as well as seeking vengeance for himself, will the U.S. Marshalls, and RED team be able to find him and stop him in time?

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is a romantic thriller dealing with a crazy cybercriminal. The US Marshals’ database has been hacked the info is being auctioned off.

Taylor is a WITSEC deputy. It was interesting to see what all they did in WITSEC and realizing that sometimes it was for a criminal. Taylor was a great character but a tad over the top. Taylor is protecting a witness that has worked with the hacker; Phantom who they suspect of the current hack. Phantom is an unusual hacker as most hackers are not also murderers.

Sean is an FBI agent assigned to the case with an amazing team of skilled professionals; each with a specific skill. Looking forward to each of them getting their own stories.

When the book opens, Sean and Taylor have been communicating online and have developed a very strong friendship. This case will be the first time they meet in person which added a unique dynamic to the storyline.

Both Sean and Taylor have to deal with issues from their past before they can move forward with a relationship.

Seconds to Live contains a cast of memorable characters some you will love, some you will hate and a few that you cannot wait to learn more about. I highly recommend it.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

Dramatic start to the story. You feel the intensity of it pretty quickly. There's a clever, cruel villain out there that won't be easy to find let alone stop.
I liked that the two main characters have only known each other for six months. Well, they have communicated online for six months but haven't met yet. But this case is something that changes that. They have shared some pretty private challenges in the anonymity of being online. But now, it's going to be a bit awkward as they meet face to face. It leads to some frictions while they are on the job. It also has a low key romance which they are fighting.
Some of the people that Taylor is responsible to protect those who follow the rules in WITSEC. Dustee just didn't happen to be one of those. It is putting her twin sister and herself in even more danger. Taylor will still go to the mat when it comes to protecting them and that also puts her in the line of fire.
This was an intense, emotional, action story with twists and surprises. It even has touches here and there of faith in God being shown.
Some of the most dramatic surprises awaited me towards the end of the story. The identity of Phantom had to be one of the biggest.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As usual, Susan Sleeman draws readers in with the very first sentence. Sleeman’s writing in Seconds to Live, like her other works, is concise, taut, and suspenseful in a beyond-terrifying way. Yet Sleeman uses her remarkable knowledge of the cyber crimes world to craft a novel that is both thoughtful and uplifting. When I finished this book, my thought was, if Taylor and Sean can learn to trust God in their over-the-top FBI dangerous jobs, surely I can trust Him with my own life. Besides, even though both Taylor and Sean have jobs most of us can only imagine, their feelings, actions, and conversations make them very relatable.
While I didn't much like Dustee, I almost felt sorry for her. Not many in our techie world today would be able to go long periods without some connection to technology. Yet, Dustee had to stay completely away from the internet. Oy, vey!
All of Sleeman’s characters on the Red Team are introduced with enough character that my reading mind is tantalized with the idea of wanting to know them more.
Quotes:
" 'And all this pacing and frustration out here in the hall means you’re trusting Him?’ It was just like her to call him on his struggle.”

"But if Sean had learned anything on the Montgomery Three investigation, he’d learned God was in control. Not him. God. That was true now, too, and was worth remembering.”

"We all live in hiding to some degree...people in hiding want someone to care enough to look for them...”

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. I also received a copy direct from the author. This does not affect my opinions, which are solely my own.

This is book one in the Homeland Heroes series, so what a great place to start. I love the writing style of Susan Sleeman. Her books are always full of action, mystery, suspense, police/FBI and of course some romance. This one would make a great movie, just saying.
FBI agent Sean Nichols and US Marshal Taylor Mills must work together to find a very talented hacker before more lives are lost.
I loved the sparks between Sean and Taylor and I also loved the entire RED team and look forward to reading more about this team.

As I turned the first page, I was hooked, and with my heart in my throat I wondered if the victim would survive. Not knowing the story behind the chase, I was quickly pulled in.
There is a bit of sweet romance here, between two hurting individuals, but most of this story is about catching a murderer and computer hacker.
When they say “Big Brother is watching”, it may not be who we think it is, and why? We are dealing with elite government agencies, and they seem to work miracles, but as the facts begin to unfold, wow! Surprises abound, and some I really didn’t see coming, and you wonder how this is all going to end!
Be ready for a page-turner, you won’t be able to put this one down until you have answers!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Seconds to Live is the beginning of a new series by this talented author. A Christian suspense romance that promises to keep us on the edge of our seats .
The premise of this story is that hackers infiltrated the WITSEC files and are selling them to the highest bidder. Meaning, now those who thought they were safe are now unprotected and likely will be harmed and possibly killed.
The one that has made the discovery is FBI agent Sean Nichols. A man determined to find the hackers and the evil person behind the operation.
The U.S. Marshall assigned to the case is Taylor Mills. Their methods are on opposites end of the spectrum but their goal is the same. Stop the hackers and keep the witnesses safe.
This action filled story was thought provoking. How far does the Dark Web and cyber crime reach? A scary thought in this day and age.
It’s also a story about trust, and faith.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Bethany House Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is my first Sleeman book and it was a great one. It provided a glimpse into the WITSEC (witness security) program and what it would be like to be the one constant in a witness’ life. It was fascinating.

When the witness protection database is hacked, the FBI Red Team thinks one of the witnesses is the best chance they have to find out who the mysterious Phantom is. There are twists and intense danger with a real sense of urgency as the hacker is selling off information that is putting lives at risk.

Added to this drama, Sean of the FBI and Taylor of the Marshalls have been online friends and are now meeting for the first time. It is not an easy transition. Things that felt safe to say in the anonymity of an online friendship now feel too personal and intimate. They both have a history of betrayal and loss and that makes trust hard. They have to decide if the potential for hurt is worth the risk of deepening their friendship.

I really enjoyed this book and will look forward to the next in the Homeland Heroes series. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

#Netgalley #SecondsToLive

“One Mistake. That was all it took to put Dustee’s life on the line—death right on her heels.”

And that right there is the explosive start of another stellar suspense written by Susan Sleeman! Someone hacked the Witness Protection database or WITSEC and now lives are at stake. FBI Sean Nicols and US Marshal Taylor Mills must put their skills to the test protecting Dustee while trying to bring down a criminal name Phantom, who has eluded law enforcement every step of the way.

One thing I can say for Sleeman, she never lets go of the reader once she hooks you with that first page! The pace rarely lets up and just when you think everyone is safe—bam!—she writes another twist into the plot. I also love the team effort of everyone involved—fellow FBI agent Kiley Dawson, Deputy U.S. Marshal Mack Jordan, and FBI Analyst Cameron Linn. I truly admire this team’s skills, personalities, and how much of themselves they put in to catch a criminal & protect a witness. Sleeman is one of the best at pulling differing characters together seamlessly! The push pull romance between Sean and Taylor adds an angsty layer of tension upping the suspense. Both were burnt in love, had rough childhoods and are wary of trusting another person, thus putting a wall up between them. Something God loves to tear down in lives!

“We have the same problem, you and I. We can’t trust ourselves, because we can’t trust others or God. We spout the words. Go through the motions. But actually trusting? Naw, we don’t succeed.”

I love seeing how everything culminates at the end as they bring down the Phantom, work out trust issues and once again rely on the Lord to get through every day. I can’t wait to read the next books where I hope we get each of the team members’ stories. Especially Mack, he fascinates me with his big personality to go with his big Texas drawl…getting him to open up will test Sleeman’s writing skills I think!

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House on behalf of the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions stated are my own. *

Witness protection, murder, cyber crimes and romance... Seconds to Live had a LOT going on. While sometimes that can make a book hard to keep up with or overwhelming at points, I felt like in this one is was a perfect blend of all of the above, keeping me captivated from page one right through until the end.

In Seconds to Live we meet Taylor, a US Marshal tasked with keeping those in witness protection safe. When their database is hacked and the security of the program threatened, this brings her online friend and FBI agent Sean into her real life. Their easy online relationship turns out to be a little more difficult to navigate when they are working side by side. As someone who met their spouse online, I really found that part of the story to be rather interesting. While my own experience was quite different from that of our romantic leads, I certainly did know a little something about the adjustment that they faced. Theirs however was certainly more to the extreme, both having built up walls after past events in their lives that made it hard to trust. Trust was a huge theme in this book, both in their relationship with each other, on the job and with God. I really enjoyed seeing them work through some of that throughout the story, though I must admit both characters could be a little frustrating at various points throughout the story... but then, aren't we all?

Though this was the first book in the series, I found myself wondering if perhaps I had missed a previous book as it referenced a previous crime that the team had worked on several times throughout--- an unsolved crime that is. As best as I could tell, this WAS in fact the first story, but it seemed to me that perhaps this was setting the series up for another side mystery that I hope we will see more of throughout the series. This didn't take away at all from the primary story at hand, but really kept me intrigued even further to want to pick up the next book.

I believe this is the first book that I had read from this author, but it most certainly will not be the last. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us in the next book!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Dustee and her twin sister are in the Witness Protection program. Dustee is a hacker who has worked with the person known as Phantom. The last known partner of Phantom was brutally murdered so it is imperative that Phantom is caught. Taylor is a WITSEC deputy in charge of keeping Dustee and Dianne safe. Now someone has hacked into the WITSEC computers and may be selling the names and locations of witnesses. FBI Agent Sean Nichols and his team are sent to work with the marshals to find Phantom and secure the leak. Sean and Taylor have had an online friendship for awhile now, but this is the first time they will be meeting and they
are both nervous about what it will mean to their relationship. With Phantom desperate to find Dustee and seek revenge all of their lives are in danger, will they find who they are dealing with before anyone else is murdered?

From the opening paragraphs to the very last paragraph, SECONDS TO LIVE was a roller coaster ride of excitement! There is so much suspense and danger, just like I like! We don't know who Phantom is until the end so that adds to the suspense of the story. Sean and Taylor's relationship is sweet, I like that they had an online relationship so that they at least sort of knew each other when they finally met in person. Both Sean and Taylor had trust issues from circumstances in their pasts and that added another dimension to what I like about author Susan Sleeman's books, there are always spiritual lessons to be learned from her characters. As they learn to trust and put their faith in God, the reader too can relate and hopefully do the same.

A FAVORITE QUOTE:

"One thing he'd forgotten, an important thing: God didn't betray. Didn't turn His back. He was always the same loving God. Always wanting the best for His children."

A great reminder both for the characters and for the reader.

This is book 1 in the Homeland Heroes series. I'm excited to read more!

Wow this book is fast paced and hooks you right away. I had a really difficult time putting this down and couldn't wait to pick it back up.

I felt like I was right in the story for every heart racing event. I loved these characters and was able to relate to them.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian suspense.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned above in the hope that I would review it on my blog. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own. 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.*

For readers who enjoy FBI stories, this novel will be a hit. FBI agent Sean Nichols is trying to find an unknown computer hacker who has become a murderer. WITSEC Marshall Taylor Mills just wants to keep her witness, Dustee safe. This story takes readers into the world of computer hacking and the dark web as both teams join together to find the Phantom. Lots of computer technology to sort through but an interesting story. Looking forward to the next book in this new series but I do hope Dustee is not included.

Dustee Carr is running for her life from an attacker as she exits the bus near her home. She narrowly escapes down an alley and hides out until she can contact her WITSEC Deputy Taylor Mills. Dustee and her sister were relocated to Portland, Oregon in a deal to keep herself out of prison for hacking. She gave up information on Phantom, a notorious expert hacker who is top priority for the FBI.

FBI Agent Sean Nichols, who lives in Washington, DC, receives a call that the WITSEC database has been breached, and he needs to take his RED team to Portland to investigate. The hacker is believed to be Phantom, and he is selling WITSEC data for ten thousand dollars per person. Four people have already been attacked. Sean and Taylor worked together on another case about six months ago, but all their correspondence was online. They’ve continued their friendship since then, both only online and over the phone, divulging emotions and building a relationship. Both are stopped in their tracks when they see each other for the first time. It’s an instant attraction that might have happened even if they didn’t already have an online relationship.

Together, Sean, Taylor, and three members of Sean’s Rapid Emergency Deployment (RED) team, work at a frantic pace to find the database breach and the person who is responsible. Their own stubbornness and emotions keep getting in the way of doing their job. Can they work together to find Phantom before the potential murders of many vulnerable witnesses? Or will Phantom outsmart them again and escape their grasp once again?

SECONDS TO LIVE opens with a dramatic escape scene and escalates from there. The story line runs at break-neck speed with many supporting characters lending their expertise to help bring Phantom down. Sean and Taylor are strong-willed, passionate leading characters who know their jobs and do them well. They experience many awkward moments, as they have shared their hurts, disappointments and faith with each other for the past six months. Will they let their baggage from the past keep them from committing to a future together? Award-winning author Susan Sleeman brings us a new inspirational series entitled Homeland Heroes. . . Filled with cyber technology and talented characters on both sides of the law. SECONDS TO LIVE is a story about trust, both trusting in ourselves and trusting God. If inspirational thrillers are your genre, do not miss this book!

This is an incredible romantic suspense!

I love the strength and dedication to their jobs that both Sean and Taylor exhibit. They are very well developed and easy to connect with. They each have issues from their past that make it hard to trust.

Trusting and forgiving are the two areas that are discussed throughout the book. These are great areas for all of us to mature in and I love it when characters in books are going on emotional journeys that are so relatable.

The plot is intricately woven and kept me on my toes trying to figure it out. There was an amazing twist near the end of the book that totally floored me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book 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. 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.*

SECONDS TO LIVE is seriously Ms. Sleeman's best book to date. I fell in love with Taylor. Both she and Sean are strong-willed take-charge individuals which caused automatic clashing even though they were cyber friends living on opposite sides of the USA before they met.

Both Taylor and Sean have serious issues to work through but they both profess a faith in Jesus. Learning to trust Him to handle all our problems is a issue I struggle with too.

There were some major plot twists I never saw coming, a relationship black moment that was pretty obvious, and I never guess who the informant might be.

Great book. Fantastic author.

I was given copy free. All opinions are my own.



SECONDS TO LIVE is seriously Ms. Sleeman's best book to date. I fell in love with Taylor. Both she and Sean are strong-willed take-charge individuals which caused automatic clashing even though they were cyber friends living on opposite sides of the USA before they met.

Both Taylor and Sean have serious issues to work through but they both profess a faith in Jesus. Learning to trust Him to handle all our problems is a issue I struggle with too.

There were some major plot twists I never saw coming, a relationship black moment that was pretty obvious, and I never guess who the informant might be.

Great book. Fantastic author.

I was given copy free. All opinions are my own.

Suspense. I'm not sure how you feel about it, but I usually try to avoid books that are mainly suspense. I don't mind a little suspense here and there to keep a book interesting, but a book that is actually considered suspense? Not really my kind of book. However, I decided to try something new and actually read a suspense book. So I chose Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman. Was I pleasantly surprised? Might I decide to read more suspense occasionally? Or did I find it too stressful for me and decide to never read another suspense book? Keep reading to see to my opinions. 
First, I liked the romance between Taylor and Sean. I like how they were really good friends before they ever met and found out there was something more between them. The romance was really sweet even amidst the drama and suspense of the actual story.
Second, I liked the fact that while it was a suspense book, it never got too overwhelmingly scary for me. Most of the time when I try to read a suspense book, I get too scared and can't finish. But I actually read this book from beginning to end. So, even, though there were scary parts it never got too intense I couldn't keep going. Although, I did probably read this book in what felt like seconds to see what happened.
Third, I liked the interesting twists that kept getting thrown in. It really made the story interesting and more suspenseful in a good way.
I didn't really care for the fact that I learned there is actually an illegal part of the internet. I actually thought it was a fictional thing made up for the book, but when I told my husband, he said it was actually a real thing! I really did not need to know that because that is rather scary to think about. 
So, I actually was pleasantly surprised to find that I could read a suspense book. Does that mean, I'm going to go read all suspense books? Not really. Maybe an occasional one, but I still think I prefer historical fiction/ comedy/ romance to suspense. But I may try to read a little more suspense occasionally. 
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense. It had a good amount of suspense without being too suspenseful, even for someone as sensitive to suspense as me. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Witness Protection Program has been hacked and the new identities of people and families are in jeopardy. The first person on the list is Dustee and her agent Marshal Taylor Mills will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. That includes cooperating with her online confidant and friend Sean Nichols who is more handsome than she imagined.

This book is full of action and a little bit of romance Taylor, Sean and the team helping them discover the identity of the hacker, aka Phanton, work hard to ensure the safety of the people whose identities have been changed for their safety. The clock is ticking and they unravel the clues to save lives.

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of action from the first page until the last. I loved the camaraderie of the characters and their drive to do their jobs well. This book helped deepen my appreciation for the people who work behind the scenes to keep people safe.

This book is Christian fiction with non-graphic violence and kissing.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, assigned to the WITSEC detail in Portland, OR, must work with FBI Agent Sean Nichols, assigned to the RED (“Rapid Emergency Deployment”) team from Seattle, WA, to identify and apprehend a hacker using the alias of Phantom. Phantom’s crime - hacking the WITSEC database containing the names of thousands of individuals being offered protection by the U.S. Marshals Service. Phantom’s first target appeared to be Dustee and Dianne, twin sisters. Dustee had a nasty habit of not following the WITSEC rules designed to protect their charges, and now the twin’s lives were in danger.

Solving the clues would take the technical IT and forensic skills of both the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI’s RED team. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep most readers of faith-based romantic thrillers happy and engaged. The romantic component was a bit more than what this reader usually likes, but the book still is easily a 5-star read.

This book could easily find a home in many reader’s personal libraries, a local public library, or the church library.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed “Seconds to Live” by Susan Sleeman. In fact, I think this was my favorite novel by Susan Sleeman. I pretty much was hooked from the first couple pages and couldn’t wait to see who the criminal was. There was a slight twist and a little romance thrown in.

This book centered around a cyber-hack in the Witness Protection program. And one of the witnesses in the program is being threatened. I was impressed with how in-depth the author went into the world of “cyber-hacking”. She must have done a lot of research for this novel!

I definitely recommend this book if you like good, clean, romantic suspense.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Susan Sleeman’s brand of romantic suspense is one of the best at putting readers right in the middle of investigations while educating them on police procedures, and Seconds to Live does not disappoint.

The first book in the Homeland Heroes series takes a technical and detailed look into cybercrimes and the people who protect citizens from them daily. This series debut gives us an introduction to the FBI team I hope to see more of in future books.

As Sean and Taylor work together to find the person who has put the names of those in witness protection up for sale, they must also navigate their friendship in a face-to-face environment. There are new challenges to work through, especially when one of them is the lead on the case.
Sleeman keeps the story moving with twists I didn’t see coming.

Disclosure statement:
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When a cyber criminal hacks into the Witness Protection Database an auctions off the information the highest bidder, FBI agent Sean Nichols and US Marshal Taylor Mills must work together to protect the witnesses and catch the hacker responsible for releasing the sensitive information.



Taylor and Sean had previously met while working together online, but have never met face to face. Online they find a friend to confide in, who understands the stress of a high pressure job. When they meet in person, things are understandably awkward at first, and it takes time for them to truly trust one another as they learn to work together and track down the hacker who is on the loose and ruining lives.



Fast paced and filled with action, I liked the high stakes original plot and how it brings Taylor and Sean together. Sean is a Christian and tries to live his faith in his life everyday. Taylor has a troubled past and blames herself for a family tragedy.



Overall, I really enjoyed this high stakes suspense, great characters and a fast paced plot that kept the pages turning. Great start to a new series, with adventure, action, suspense, faith and romance.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An exciting, top notch read that kept me up late turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Romantic suspense fans will not want to miss this one.

After the US Marshals’ Witness Protection database is compromised and personal information of the witnesses is set to be auctioned off, FBI Agent Sean Nichols and his RED team are called in to investigate and find the hacker. One of the witnesses is already a target and barely makes it out alive before the RED team gets involved. Sean believes a hacker named Phantom is involved, but this is no ordinary hacker as he has outwitted many before and to crack this case Sean is going to need the help of the attacked witness.

Taylor Mills, the US Marshal in charge of protecting this witness, and Sean have a history. They have never met in person but have been talking online and gotten to know each other very well. Sean and Taylor must work with each other to stop Phantom before he takes out their witness and many others.

Sean and Taylor are both strong characters that are devoted to their jobs, which leaves little room for anything else. Even though they have gotten to know each other chatting online, working together is an entirely different ball game. I read through this incredibly fast and enjoyed it so much, especially the ending. The action and suspense gripped me so tightly I couldn’t put the book down. I loved all the bad and good guys throughout this book, each one had all the right qualities to make them believable and help carry the story along. The end does have a great twist to keep readers guessing and involved with the characters. Having a character in the US Marshals office was a nice change of pace, it’s not as common as seeing an FBI Agent or someone in another branch of law enforcement. Sean and Taylor are both experts in their fields and want to do their very best for the people they are trying to protect and help making them characters that are easy to root for and want to succeed. It may be one of the last books I’ve read this year, but it is going to make its way to my best of the year list. This is the first in a new series and I for one can’t wait to see what comes next. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy a great romantic suspense books with wonderful twists and intriguing characters.

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

HIGH ANXIETY!!

If you’re looking for a great Romantic Suspense author, Susan Sleeman never disappoints! Her latest release, SECONDS TO LIVE, is is a prime example of that statement. One look at the bold cover design let’s you know this new series is going to be dynamic! My first thought was: BOND, Jane Bond.

Individuals who are brave enough to testify against some of the worst criminals are often put into the US Marshal’s Witness Protection Program. This program has worked well for years until someone hacked into the database and started auctioning off personal details about the witnesses. Can you imagine the chaos that will ensue because of this major hack? Think of how many lives are immediately put in danger! FBI Agent Sean Nichols is put in charge of the case and needs the help of one of the WITSEC’s under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills. Mills is extremely dedicated to taking care of the witnesses under her care so will she give in and even allow such a collaboration to take place knowing that it could draw the “phantom” straight to them? Nichols isn’t the easiest person to work with either. Will it be possible for the two law enforcement officers to find a way to work together to protect not only this one witness but all of the others included in the stolen database? Sleeman provides readers with another action packed book filled from cover to cover with much trepidation. Bottom Line: I highly recommend this book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Seconds to Live is an interesting suspense that focuses on cyber crime. When hackers access the files of the Witness Protection program and auction them off, several law enforcement groups must work together to quickly solve the case and prevent the possible deaths of many vulnerable witnesses.

Although I think of myself as fairly proficient with computers, I was fascinated by the details of the case and the methods the experts used to discover the person behind the attack. I loved how the different agencies were able to work together for a common cause, even allowing non-agency and sometimes questionable people to help. The plot moves along at a steady pace with plenty of surprises in store along the way. A reasonable amount of action takes place although much of the investigating takes place at headquarters. Of course there is a romantic thread that is woven through the story and it has some interesting developments of its own.

I personally enjoyed Seconds to Live very much. If not intimidated by a few details relating to solving computer based crime, please take a chance on this book. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman gave me an excellent first glimpse into the non-stop action, suspense, and real issues faced by characters in Ms. Sleeman's intricate plots. In Seconds to Live US Marshal Taylor Mills faces danger in her daily routine as she protects the many witnesses under her care. Yet, Taylor experiences a new level of danger with the nearly deadly attack on one of her witnesses by the infamous Phantom, an intelligent hacker with a strong violent streak. What Taylor and the cyber specialists at the FBI soon discover is that the US Marshals' Witness Protection database has been hacked by the Phantom and now the witnesses' personal information is being sold on the dark web to the highest bidders. Not sure of exactly which witnesses under the protection of the US Marshals have been compromised, the US Marshals call in the help of the FBI's RED Team. Sean Nichols is the leader of the FBI's RED Team, basically a governmental group of brilliant experts in the cyber field, law enforcement, as well as in criminal investigation, giving them an edge on taking down this famed and violent hacker. 
With the stakes exceptionally high, Sean and Taylor must work together despite their differing areas of expertise along with their opposite pace and methods of attack.  Although there is some discord between the two agencies at first, Sean and Taylor each push through the difficulties in order to take down the criminal. As Sean and Taylor investigate the massive compromise to the Witness Protection database, they interview some people associated with the Phantom. To their horror, Sean and Taylor see the violent paranoia of the Phantom, as the hacker-turned-murderer attacks mere spectators to the crimes.  Both Sean and Taylor struggle to believe that any of their trusted co-workers could be in on the hacks, but the evidence points.  Can they catch this person before more innocent lives are taken? Can they even trust their own teammates? Will Taylor be able to protect those under her care? 
Overall, the depth and various twists of the plot impressed me and definitely gave an added interest to keep the reader turning the page. I appreciated each of the characters, the depth that Ms. Sleeman gave them, allowing the reader to relate to them and learn from their struggles and triumphs.  I thought that another interesting and well-written aspect of the book was the topic of cyber crime, which is not as common in the Christian fiction world. It was refreshing to have a new perspective on both the US Marshals and the cyber crime fighting agencies.  I definitely enjoyed this book and would enjoy reading more of Ms. Sleeman's excellent writings. I hope that you have the chance to pick up this book and read it. If you are looking for a fast-paced, adventure with a real sense of the fight for justice as well as sweet story of romance, then this book is for you! 
Disclaimer: Bethany House Publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

“One mistake. That was all it took to put Dustee’s life on the line—death right on her heels.” - Opening lines from “Seconds to Live” by Susan Sleeman

“Seconds to Live”, by Susan Sleeman, opens with a witness in danger, Dustee, and US Marshall Taylor Mills trying to save her. The action doesn’t stop from the opening page and this suspense thriller has it all. FBI agent and RED team leader, Sean Nichols, arrives on the scene with news that the Witness Protection database has been hacked explaining how Dustee was discovered and now thousands of lives are at stake as they work to discover who is behind the breach whilst simultaneously protecting Dustee from a dangerous killer.

Taylor and Sean both battle with trust issues and wrestle with what it means to trust God and walk in His will. Susan does a phenomenal job of putting into words this complex topic and the characters’ growth through the book is my favourite aspect. She has rooted their development in Biblical truths which are applicable outside of the novel.

Catching the hacker is no easy feat and the story unfolds in interesting and unexpected ways, I flew through it in one sitting. Taylor and Sean are supported by the RED team which is full of more interesting characters and I’m glad this is a start of a series, I’m looking forward to the next one and getting to know each member better!

If you enjoy a good crime thriller, this is one to get! It’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and highly recommended.

This is my first book by this author and what an interesting book it is. I am sure I will be reading more books by Sleeman….. The story is about Cyber Crime which the average computer user knows very little about. Sleeman opens our eyes as to how crimes are committed by Cyber Hackers that can Hack into even the most sophisticated and protected files that the FBI and other branches of our government uses. The book deals with the Witness Protection Program and how they are moved from safe house to safe house so they can be protected, but somehow the Hacker can trace their where about and is not above murdering the innocent who gets in his way. This book is well written, action packed, and full of intrigue. It’s full of twists and turns and of course we have romance thrown in. I know you’re going to love it as much as I did. What a book, I loved all the technology and the strong characters that cause you to be right along with them in their situations…….
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

I loved the testimony about Taylor from one of the people in her custody. "She’s never come out and said she’s a Christian, but I can tell she is.”
God was using her to draw people to Him.

If you've watched CSI Cyber, you'd love this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Filled with neckbreaking action, suspense, faith in God, forgiveness, learning to trust again after being hurt and lied to, second chances...

The story was well written and presented. So believable.

The RED team was after a hacker that took them to work again with the outstanding Taylor. She was a force to be reckoned with. Her love and loyalty to her job and people entrusted into her care was so admirable. But also fueled by a tragedy that happened in her childhood.

Sean! The fearless leader! I admired his zest for the victims under his care, his leadership skills. The chemistry between him and Taylor was electrifying and I was happy they were able to walk through their difference and be together.
They were both two opposites but despite their troublous childhood they had to learn to let go and trust God no matter how much they wanted to control everything.

I loved how the author gave each character their individual and unique personalities.

You'd enjoy this book of you love action, suspense, crime stories, computers and a good love story.

I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is book 1 in the Homeland Heroes series. This book is all about the FBI and the US Marshalls' Witness Protection Unit. Agents are trying to solve a case of cyber crime. The Phantom is out of control and the list of suspects keeps increasing. The suspense in this novel never ends. It is an exciting read from start to finish and it will keep you up late at night! I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

______________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Susan Sleeman’s newest series begins with a major attack on the US Marshals and will require several agencies to work together to find the person responsible – even if it means it’s one of their own.

Susan Sleeman’s newest series is off to a great start with this story that is non-stop from the first page. FBI Agent Sean Nichols is the lead of the RED team that tackles crimes that target federal law enforcement. The latest attack is against the US Marshals and their witness list – someone has hacked their database and is offering up witness locations for a fee. Sean has an ongoing online friendship with US Marshal Taylor Mills, comparing cases and swapping stories. They have kept things low-key, preferring not to meet so things don’t get complicated but all that is about to change. Sean’s lead on the culprit leads him to a witness who knows her way around the cyber world and who also happens to be in the care of Taylor. His sudden arrival throws up walls between him and Taylor as they try to walk the oft-blurred line of following the rules and keeping everyone safe. While they both have the same goal, neither is firstly willing to give on their way of doing things. But this cyber criminal is prepared for all their usual tricks and has a few of his own to show before they catch on to his real intent. Both Sean and Taylor will have to use all their teams’ combined skills and knowledge to catch the culprit and keep all the witnesses safe. They will also have to set aside past hurts and experiences if they are to move beyond the quiet friendship they have built thus far into a deeper relationship together. This story had so much good detective work and excellent dialogue between all the characters. While the focus was mainly on Sean and Taylor, the other characters were not left to the background. I really enjoyed getting to know Sean’s team and watching their dynamics. I’m pretty sure there will be future stories that may make each of them the main focus and I’m excited to read them. And even though the witness in danger, Dustee, acted like a brat the whole time and had no appreciation for the protection everyone offered her, I did like that she gave depth to the story and the other characters. She might even grow up a little throughout the next books. A secondary case seems to be weaving itself through the series and I’ll be curious to see how it plays out. I love when authors bring a tie like this in so that it’s just under the surface of the current situations and inspires deeper conversations. The ending of this story was well done as well with the perfect solution of the main case and several important discoveries for the underlying case. I’m very much looking forward to the next in this series to see who will be the next character of focus. I will certainly be recommending this intriguing story in the hope that others will find it as thought provoking as I did.

I received this temporary and complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publisher’s via NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Hold on tight because you are in for a ride with this book! Susan Sleeman has done it again! She has written a book you just won't want to put down. I know I didn't!
Cybercriminals, U.S. Marshal's, FBI Agent's... hackers, secrets and more... throw in a little romance!
If you have never read a book by Susan Sleeman you are in for a treat!


I received a complimentary copy of this book on behalf of the Author and Publisher Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I loved this book! From the first page, the introduction was action packed and drew me into the storyline.
As a whole, the witness protection agency is not a subject that gets a lot of attention so I enjoyed learning about the actual agency.
The writer did a good job balancing the romance part with action and mystery. The ending was unpredictable; fantastic! I love reading stories that I can’t predict.

A fun read! I didn't know what to expect when I started this one, but I liked the cover, and the blurb sounded fun. I really enjoyed it, though, and am glad I got the chance to read it! I enjoyed the characters, and the story was well written! I loved the action and danger level in this one, and the suspense was spot on!

It's a race against the clock to find a killer hacker...

I've been a fan of Susan Sleeman's for awhile now, from her smaller Love Inspired Suspense books to her longer indie-published novels. So, I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was to hear that she had a series coming out with what can arguably be called my favorite publisher, Bethany House. Seconds To Live is the first book in the Homeland Heroes series featuring an elite team with a variety of different skills who take down the biggest of the bad guys.

To say that I enjoyed Seconds To Live would be a big understatement. From the dramatic minimalist cover through some very tense and fast-paced reading to the very last page. I really liked the tech thread throughout the story, it's not every novel that has it to the same degree. You can definitely tell that Susan Sleeman had a lot of research into this book.

The characters were good, not shallow, and I liked how they were realistically portrayed. Yeah, these characters aren't always perfect, they are sometimes short-tempered, can get irritated by one particularly obnoxious person, don't always realize when they are being controlling and high-handed, and they do let their fears control their decisions. But, you knew there would be one, those things only made them more real and more likable. Plus they had some really redeeming qualities as well.

Whether you love romantic suspense or techy novels Susan Sleeman expertly delivers both in her new page-turner, Seconds To Live. What are YOU waiting for.....?

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

The author had me at the first line. “One Mistake. That was all it took to put Duster’s life on the line – death right on her heels.”

Suspense from the start as Duster runs from the Phantom because she’d broken the first rule of being in the witness protection program. Never make contact with your past life.

I enjoyed getting to know U.S. Marshall Taylor Mills who gave her all to the people she helped in the witness protection program. She was quite surprised by the F.B.I. stepping in to help with a recent case. Even more surprised when it turned out to be F.B.I. Agent Sean Nichols. They had never met in person, but they knew each other very well on-line. They were friends, encouraged each other, could relate to their work situations. They never thought they’d meet because they lived in different states.

I liked how the author talks about on-line relationships and how that translates to getting to know someone face to face. There’s a struggle at interacting with one another face to face. There is so much to a person you don’t observe on-line. But both Taylor and Sean are pleasantly surprised at the feelings they have for one another when they do meet for the first time. Both would sweep their feelings aside and do the job at hand. They needed to locate the bad guy going by the name “Phantom” This person has managed to hack the entire Witness Protection database Program. No one in the system was safe.

Both Sean and Taylor see a serious side of their personalities as they both do their job in tracking down the hacker. I enjoyed that part of the story too. I liked the natural faith message both Sean and Taylor struggle with. The chase to find the Phantom with its action, drama and suspense as they try to protect people on the list. There were some surprising twists and turns at the end that led to a satisfying ending. This novel reminded me of a TV series I watched a while back titled In Plain Sight. I recommend this for your next book club pick there is so much to talk about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Let's not waste any time - Seconds to Live is a page turner that is so worth the read! The FBI RED team is on the hunt for a cybercriminal who has hacked the US Marshal's Witness Protection database. Phantom is the hacker who has evaded law enforcement in the past and isn't afraid to commit murder to keep others from talking. Dustee, a witness in WITSEC, is the FBI's chance at finally tracking Phantom down. But the US Marshall (Taylor) protecting her will do anything including risking her own life to keep Dustee safe from potential harm. When the FBI Agent (Sean) is put in charge of the investigation, he is willing to go to great lengths to put Phantom away for good. But will Sean and Taylor be able to trust each other enough to work through their differences and focus on tracking Phantom down before another death occurs? Can't add any more details without potential spoilers!

What I found most intriguing was the storyline was believable down to the most intricate details. On top of that, the villain is not revealed until the very end and it will keep you guessing. Several plot twists, believable characters, Oregon setting, all made this read one that was unforgettable. The details regarding the hacking were excellent and informative, not glossed over or unrealistic. In order to make a cyber crime work, the reader needs to understand what the crime entails - Susan Sleeman did this so well!

The Homeland Heroes series is going to be one not to miss! I'm already anticipating the next book in the series. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves cyber crime with a bit of faith and romance mixed in. It won't disappoint.

This book piqued my interest when I saw that it involved the US Marshals Service, an agency I worked for years ago. It did not disappoint. Loved the characters and camaraderie of the team that is put together to take down the Phantom, a cybercriminal who has hacked into the WITSEC database and targeting/killing protected witnesses. My only ding is that I found the constant inner thoughts/push and pull of Taylor and Sean a bit monotonous. Clearly they had a history and were drawn to each other, but I thought the author reminded me of this too many times.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

**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.