Synopsis:~

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.

Necee’s take:~

“Most people didn’t have a clue that only five percent of the internet was available for public viewing, with many private, hidden layers making up the remaining percentage. The dark web was one of those layers where criminals set up shop and prospered by selling illegal products and services.”

A darkly compelling read of the underground world known as the dark web. Susan Sleeman gives a powerful story in the fight against illegal activities through this new Homeland Heroes Series. The story itself is worth the read just for the intricate nature of these illegal activities. It helped my understanding of the fight our justice system has in stopping cybercriminal activity on so many layers.

That being said, after reading Seconds to Live, I found this one wasn’t my favorite. Though it was a good storyline, I just didn’t connect with the characters. It was written more technical/suspenseful, which was interesting, but for my romance loving heart it was a little lacking in the romantic connection. I believe it was a real struggle trying to capture the feelings between the two main characters since they were more online friends. Though Sean and Taylor worked well together, I found they questioned their relationship/not relationship too much. However, it probably does represent how hard it would be going from an online connection to navigating it face to face.

I loved how their relationship with God is worked through.  How they call each other out on their lack of trust and how their need to trust God more. “God has a purpose, you know. A reason. And we need to trust that He’s in charge and has a plan here.” That even when they are failing, they can trust He’s got their backs. Sleeman does a wonderful job in moving them past their fears into a deeper Godly relationship.

I am looking forward to the next in the series and I’m hopeful that the next book in the series captures my romantic heart again. I love Susan Sleeman for engaging mystery and romance, so I’ll be back!

If you have enjoyed Lisa Phillips’ Northwest Counter-Terrorism Task Force – another great series on homeland Security – starting with First Wave, you will love Seconds to Live.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher.  All opinions in this review are my own.

Relz Reviewz Extras

All Things Sleeman @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Susan’s website
Visit The Suspense Zone
Buy at Amazon: Seconds to Live or Koorong

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