.Facing the Enemy by DiAnn Mills is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the opening line: July 29, Risa, Twelve years ago, my brother fell into an abyss of drugs and alcohol.
But first the photo and verse that Edward Arrington sent me. His son took it from the back side of their church parking lot. What a golden moment in time he froze! Edward said the verse came to him when he saw the photo. There is so much to unpack from this verse and photo. Thank you, Edward, for sharing it!
Now for Facing the Enemy by DiAnn Mills. Here’s the cover and back copy:
For the past five years, FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs has worked in the violent crimes against children division of the Houston FBI. She’s never had reason to believe there’s a target on her back . . . until now.
When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly.
Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.
My Take:
I listened to Facing the Enemy on my recent trip to the Smoky Mountains and then on to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and then back through Chattanooga to visit my sister. I actually sat in my sister’s driveway a few minutes because I wanted to know what happened next.
This was a story that captured my attention from the beginning. I quickly fell in love with Gage Patterson–he was a swoon-worthy hero! And Risa as well–I love strong heroines and Risa fit the bill. The story has twists and turns and heart-tugging moments with couples who want to adopt a child, only to be scammed. There is a lot to unpack here, and it scares me to think there were many elements of the story happening in real time. Hopefully there are agents as diligent as Cage and Risa and their cohorts working to stop the evil DiAnn Mills writes about.
This is a story that romantic suspense readers will love!
You can find purchase links on her website.
Okay, Readers what book are you into this week? Leave the first line or leave a comment–tell me if you’ve read Facing the Enemy. Or the first line of the book you’re reading, or just say if you enjoy listening to audiobooks. I’ll enter you in a drawing for one of Steve Hooley’s fine pens! (value $60) Steve’s Hand-crafted pens are made from antique and historic wood dating back to the 1700s, connecting our past and our future. Check out my friend’s pens at his website. (Due to shipping costs, winner must have a US address.)
Now for this week’s song that Edward thought would go well with the photo an, so did I!
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Comments 45
Book sounds looks like a incredible read would like to read in print format so I can review book
Just finished up a paperback book called The Twins Bodyguard bye Veronica Forand
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So sorry to be late responding, but I’ve had out-of-town company and am just getting to my computer. It is a great book, Crystal.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
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It is a great book, Diana!
Loved the picture and verse. Thanks for sharing the song have not heard it for years. This book will definitely be on my TBR list.
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I was so happy when Edward emailed me the photo, Sharon. And I think you’ll enjoy the book!
That’s an amazing photo and the books sounds great, especially its realism and the unfortunate need for it.
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I so agree, Delores!
Great photo you son took, Edward. Good choice for the verse, too. And, we’re all looking forward to that day in the song.
This must be the week for reaching back. I read DiAnn’s book some time ago, and as with all her books, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This week, I reached back in my book list, and found I had not yet read Margaret Daley’s “Deadly Secrets” from 2017. Yes, sometimes I’m way behind. This was number 10 in her Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations series. The opening line is “Heart pounding, Sarah St. John crawled her way to alertness and sat straight up in her bed.”
Actually, I have a twofer this week. I also started “Detecting Concealed Evidence” by Dana Mentink. This book opens with “Panic crawled along Pilar Alonso’s nerve like an army of ants.”
Thanks, Tim. Regarding the song, I especially like the line that says: “I want to get so close to Him that there’s no big change on the day that Jesus calls me home.”
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Both amazing books, Tim. And I loved the photo Edward’s son took and the verse and song!
The first line of Facing the Enemy is heartbreaking. Sounds like an intriguing read! I am reading The Undercover Heiress of Brockton, a historical novel by Kelly Goshorn. Oh, it’s so good, and there are so many historic facts woven in. Anyway, the first line: Henrietta Maxwell shoved her spectacles higher on the bridge of her nose and summoned her courage as she stared at the giant silver maple towering above her.
(She climbs the tree … and it doesn’t go well!)
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I love Kelly’s books. Priscilla!
I love the photo, Edward, especially the silver outline on the clouds. The telephone pole almost looks like a cross in the background.
Pat, I read Facing the Enemy a long while ago. Your review pulls me to reread it again soon.
I also read Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink in between last weeks book and this weeks book. lol
Now I’ve started on a 4-cozy mystery series “Secrets Between the Shelves by Cynthia Hickey ,Melinda Baten Johnson, Teresa Ives Lilly and Marilyn Turk.
The first line of Murder in the Mystery Section reads as follows: “I unlocked the door to Through the Looking Glass and flipped the sign on the door to OPEN.”
Barbara, the “cross” caught my eye. The darker blue cloud outlined in silver reminded me of a portal looking into the great beyond. But the cross clearly is the way home.
It’s frame-worthy, Edward! Magnificent!
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I have Secrets Between the Shelves, Barbara and can’t wait to read them! So agree with your words on the photo!
When my son took the picture, my first thought was to share it with this group. Pat has been sharing a lot of cloud pictures, and this just seemed to fit right in with that “theme.” I had not listened to “One Day” by Wayne Watson for over 20 years. I have it on cassette but had not gotten out any cassettes since 2005 when I bought two vehicles with CD players. A conversation at my son’s house last Saturday reminded my of Wayne Watson, so I found the cassette and this song. From there, it was a simple matter of locating it on YouTube.
I am reading Davis Bunn’s latest book, Fortunate Harbor. It reminds me of some of his earlier books set on the east coast with which I have some familiarity. Here are the first two lines.
The Morehead City Hall was an awkward location for this meeting. As was how the mayor had scheduled the assembly for early afternoon.
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Thank you so much for sharing your son’s photo, Eward! And I had never heard Wayne Watson sing–thank you for that as well!
Beautiful photo by your son, Edward! Thank you – and him – for sharing this! I had not heard the song, One Day, in years and I enjoyed listening to it. Powerful words!
Like Barbara, I read Facing the Enemy shortly after release. I have not been disappointed in any of DiAnn’s books.
I’m reading Rogue Hope by Edie James
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I don’t know how I missed it when it first released, Mary G, but I did. I really enjoyed it. And I so agree about the photo!
DiAnn is a great author. This sounds like a winner.
Nobody thought Viola Thatcher would ever expire, if for no other reason than sheer stubbornness.
The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter
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Denise Hunter is a great author, Gloria! As is DiAnn!
This sounds like such an interesting Book Can’t wait to read this one! Have a Blessed Day
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It’s good, Sarah! Have a blessed Labor Day!
haven’t read it
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It’s a good one, BN!
I haven’t ever tried an audiobook. My daughter and grand-daughter have been encouraging me to try one, but I think I’d be too distracted — either so tuned into the story, or focused on whatever I am doing — that I’d miss important things.
I have not read FACING THE ENEMY, but I’d like to.
Right now, I’m reading A PECULIAR COMBINATION by Ashley Weaver.
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I haven’t read that one Donna. I thought I’d be the same way with the audio book, but it really helps when I’m driving or cleaning house!
I haven’t read the book but would like to.
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It is so good, Kelly!
Beautiful photo and verse. Thanks for sharing.
I’m reading a nonfiction by Davy Blackburn, Nothing is Wasted
“It was supposed to be a normal Tuesday. My wife Amanda and I had spent the last four years laboring tirelessly to get a church plant off the ground in the city of Indianapolis.”
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I thought the verse and great photo went so well together, Gail!
Beautiful picture!
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Edward’ son captured a great shot, Megan!
Great picture!
I will have to add this book to my TBR.
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Thanks! I think you enjoy Facing the Enemy, Brittany!
Pat, Thank you for sharing about Facing the Enemy. I enjoy DiAnn’s novels.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
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Love all of DiAnn’s books, Caryl!
Patricia, DiAnn’s book sounds really good! I haven’t read much this week due to birthday shopping for my husband, and celebrating our Anniversary yesterday.
Edward, your picture is beautiful and love the verse you chose to go with it, and I agree the telephone pole resembles a cross!
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Hi Dottie! Happy Birthday to your husband and Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful week.
DiAnn’s book is so good! And I agree about the telephone pole resembling a cross. It is a beautiful photo and verse.
Thank you! It has been a wonderful week, and great weather to boot.
I’m currently going through some of your past Reader Friday’s newsletters and making me a TBR list. It’s quite lengthy! 🙂
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Thanks, Dottie! I read a lot of books. lol
Talking about having to sit in the car to find out what happens next in an audiobook is exactly what I had to do while listening to David Baldacci’s The 6:20 Man. So that speaks well of DiAnn’s new book!
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Hi Sally Jo. Actually this was an older book I had somehow missed. I’m looking forward to reading/listening to the next one!