Sometimes we just need to be reminded of this.
Now onto this week’s book review. I read Seconds to Live, the first in Susan Sleeman’s new Homeland Heroes series the first of the month and am excited to tell you about this fast-paced thriller. But first the back cover copy:
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-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can 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 closest 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. . . . The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.
My take:
Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman caught my attention right away when Sean Nichols learns the WitSec program had been hacked and witnesses were in danger of being found. Talk about opposites attracting–Sean is impulsive, act first, think later type while Taylor Mills likes to plan and work out all the details before acting. It made for interesting conflict. On top of it, Taylor has an immature and selfish witness to protect as well as dirty marshal to contend with.
The Phantom hacked into the WitSec database and Sean’s Red team needs Taylor’s witness to help find the hacker, but the witness is addicted to hacking and leads the bad guy to the team. Mixed in is Taylor and Sean’s attraction to each other while both have major trust issues. Sleeman did a great job with all the characters, and I can’t wait for the next book to come out–I hope it’s Mack’s story! He is intriguing…but then all the members of the Red team are. This is a fast-paced book with plenty of twists and turns.
Except when it comes to reading, I’m having a hard time concentrating. Is this true for you as well? Leave a comment telling me how you’re coping with Covid 19 and what helps you during this stressful time. I’ll enter you in a March drawing for a book from my library. March’s winner will be announced next week.
Oh, before I go, this is the last few days you can download Justice Delivered for $1.99 (and cheaper on some sites!). Here’s the link.
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Comments 33
Sounds great! Thanks for the recommendation. It is so hard to concentrate at the moment, so I mostly do some work, then read a bit, then do more work, etc. Just keep mixing it up!
Oh, and your blog title has a typo: It says “Seconds to Die” instead of “Seconds to Live.” 😛
The second book is Minutes to Die. You can tell you are looking forward to it. I read this book and agree it was interesting and great.
I am reading as usual. It’s a little hard because hubby has all those podcasts and news conferences most of the day. Then he gets bored and wants me to watch Amazon Prime with him.
Author
Not quite sure what it is with our spouses wanting us to watch TV with them! I guess if we’re reading they don’t have our undivided attention. 🙂 Hangeth thou in there! Blessings!
Author
THANK YOU! See, that’s what’s happening here. lol
Author
I know, Monique. We’ve never experienced this before and it’s going to take time to get to the new-normal. Blessings!
I’m working from home and also catching up on some reading.
Author
Good, Diana! I’m not sure what I’m catching up on yet. 🙂 Blessings!
Susan Sleeman is one of my favorite authors in this genre. I honestly think she can’t write a bad story. I read “Seconds to Live” a few months ago. I could not put it down. One mark of a good writer is to sometimes make the characters downright infuriating. Ms Sleeman did that in this book, and it made the characters all the more real.
I have two ways of dealing with the stresses of COVID-19 news. The first is to look to God’s Word for strength and encouragement. Sounds simple, but God is simply there for us when we look for him. I have also gotten great encouragement from friends and relatives across the country. We’ve been in closer contact than before this happened. The hardest part is the social distancing. Sharing some humor along with the seriousness has helped us a lot.
Author
Tim, I felt the same way about the characters. lol. And that did make them feel real. And I think one good thing to come from Covid-19 is people coming together. I wonder how many families are eating together, maybe for the first time ever? I’m praying it will bring families closer together. Blessings!
I just finished one of Dana Mentink’s earlier books (Turbulence) and in her “Dear Reader” comments, she quoted St. Augustine. “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” That quote touched my heart. Our God personally cares as much for any of us as for all of us. In these times, that has tremendous impact.
Author
I love that quote, Tim. And I really enjoy Dana’s books!
During this Stay at Home time, I, too, have been having trouble concentrating, so I do my home activities in small segments. I’ve been able to do some exercising, some Bible study, some straightening projects, writing notes to friends/relatives, some emailing, some Facebooking, some reading, some listening to books while I get dressed/groomed, some grocery shopping, etc. I even cleaned out my refrigerator yesterday.
Author
Kudos for cleaning out your refrigerator, Suzanne! That’s still on my to-do list. lol. But I am going to clean out my pottery room TODAY! (actually as soon as I respond to the comments. lol) And then I’m going to spend time in there making vases and mugs and jewelry. And glazing pieces I made over two years ago! Blessings!
Susan Sleeman is a new author to me, but I think I have at least one of her books in my TBR pile; I’ll have to move it to the top!
Interestingly enough, I have watched less tv and played fewer games on my phone the past week. Instead, I have cooked more…and not just because everyone’s home. Cooking relaxes me, and I have rekindled my joy of cooking. The other thing that I have done more of is spend time in my crafting room. I am a card-maker, and I have challenged myself during this time to send more snail mail…hopefully the cards will brighten some days. I have friends who have parents in nursing homes, so I am trying to send them bright cards weekly, while they cannot have visitors.
Author
Sending cards! What a wonderful idea, Heather! And I’ve spent less time on TV, not that I ever spent much time there. I used to watch the news but stopped that because it only causes anxiety. Now I just watch the weather. 😉 Blessings!
My days aren’t much different as I am always home with little ones, and we don’t go out a lot anyway. I have to remind myself everyday to trust in God through all of this. My husband’s work is shut down and they aren’t getting full pay and if any more weeks are added that will more than likely be no pay. I’m struggling not to worry about finances and keep my focus on the Lord. I know He will get us all through this but it isn’t easy for me to just not worry.
Author
Nicole, I totally understand about trusting God in this. I say I do, then I find myself worrying. But I think it’s a natural reaction to what’s going on and sometimes it’s hard to be supernatural. Especially when we’re responsible for little ones like you and so many others are. But it will come to pass. And hopefully, we all will be better for the trials we are going through. Blessings!
You’ve sold me. That premise is a book I want to read! (Is it on Kindle?) I’m in comfortable isolation on our small farm, not where I expected to be or really want to be, but it is safe. I just saw a beautiful China pheasant stroll across the muddy road outside. There is snow in shady spots and more forecast for Sunday. I’m teaching online college classes so that helps me keep busy and doing some non-fiction writing, but I’ve found it hard to return to fiction writing yet. I’ll get there. I am “listening” to learn the best pace for each day and appreciating electronic connections.
Author
Yes, it’s on Kindle, Delores. And just think how it would be if we didn’t have our electronic connections! That’s something to be thankful for. Glad you’re safe. Blessings!
Susan is one of my favorite authors so I bought this recently when it was on sale on Kindle. I have found it a little harder to concentrate on reading lately but have a lot to read and review so got to get with it. Praying more.
Author
Definitely praying more, Gloria! And I’ve definitely found it hard to conentrate.
Thanks for sharing, sounds like a good book. I’m trying hard to not listen to the news too much as it just causes anxiety.
Author
I agree, Megan! One day we’ll look back on this and not laugh but realize we made it through. Blessings!
I read Seconds to Live soon after it was released. Great story! I agree with others who are looking forward to the next book in her series.
So far, there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in our city or county. The virus is probably here and just hasn’t shown it’s ugly self yet. One thing I do to help cope is to limit my intake of media, including social media. The local paper had a cartoon on the editorial page today that was so appropriate for this time. The man is looking at his computer screen and turns to tell his wife who is hovering in the doorway to another room: “It’s strange how all my friends who were Constitutional lawyers a short while back are now all infectious disease experts.” His friends apparently like some of mine. I want to tell them: JUST STOP IT! I look for the funny posts and the inspirational posts and try to skim past most of the others. I rely mostly on my faith in God as I have through every other storm I have ever faced.
Author
I saw that same cartoon somewhere, too, Edward! And I definitely limit my intake of news. I really don’t understand why I’m having trouble getting things accomplished because I know God has this. It’s like the unsettled feeling is in the air. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by with your words of encouragement.
Sounds like Susan has another winner!
Author
She does, Shelia! Thanks for stopping by!
I habe always enjoyed Susan Sleeman’s writing. Haven’t read this book yet as I have a ton of want to read books, with many waiting for second or third books,etc. I’ve had some major issues since last October due to health and employment issues, but as Good has seen me through, I trust we will get through this pandemic, too. May God bless and keep you safe.
Author
I trust we’ll get through as well, Donna! God has this. Blessings!
Good review. I just ordered your kindle version of Justice Delivered. I’m staying in and doing lots of writing and reading!
Author
Great, Sally Jo and thanks! I hope to write this week…Stay safe and Blessings!
Here I thought I’d have more time for reading, which technically I do. But it seems I’ve slowed down on it. Maybe it’s too hard to concentrate on anything but what’s going on in the world right now. I’ve tried distracting myself with binge watching Acorn TV, catching up on older movies on Hulu or Netflix, doing the crosswords from the newspaper or playing more games with the family. All these things work for a time, and then I just can’t anymore. I don’t know what it is really.
I LOVED “Seconds to Live”! Susan Sleeman knows her stuff when it comes to suspense. I’m certainly looking forward to “Minutes to Die” coming out in August.
I’ve also been distracting myself with more upbeat & light weight reading. I have a few contemporary fiction novels I’ve borrowed to keep me laughing, it’s going to keep me sane…or at least I hope so! 🙂