Deadly Encounter Book Review

FBI Task Force Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  Is it mere coincidence, or part of a carefully orchestrated plan?

     Airport ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston's airport.  What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery.  Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man's motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable to taking down a 747.

     Though FBI Specialist Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses.  Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy.  But when her gruesome discovery is only the first thing in a string of incidents that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted.  As a health emergency endangers Stacy's community and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.

REVIEW:  This story kept me on my toes.  Trying to figure out how all the parts fit together to form an answer to the many problems was thought provoking and stimulating.  There were a few times I had to reread sections to remember what had happened, who was involved and why.  It was fascinating reading all the different ways the antagonist(s) plotted and schemed to get the results they wanted.
     Stacy's love for Whitt, her neglected and abused neighbor, was admirable.  She did what she could to show him not all adults were horrible people. I also like how she pursued trying to become his foster mom, and hopefully mom, and encouraged him to not let the past dictate his future.
     This was a marvelous story that kept me turning pages right to the end.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without compensation.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author whose novels have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, and Carol Award contests.  When she's not writing, DiAnn is buy teaching and doing research through the FBI Citizens Academy.  She and her husband live in Houston, Texas.  Visit her online at www.diannmills.com. 

Double Cross Book Review

An FBI:Houston Novel

Book Two

SUMMARY:  She put him in prison.  Now he's their only lead in a deadly new case.

     FBI Agent Laurel Evertson's investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to a felon she arrested on her last undercover assignment.  That case has haunted her since, and though she's vowed to forget Morton Wilmington - and what she sacrificed to put him away - he is now her best lead.

     Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammers' next targets, , and he'll do anything to protect his family, including force inter-agency cooperation.  But he's quickly drawn to Laurel's zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon.

REVIEW:  DiAnn Mills' second FBI: Houston novel is a page turner.  Trying to figure out who the scammers' are before they con someone else or kill their target kept my head spinning.  Having the time and day stamp on each chapter to help when the storylines overlapped was very beneficial in seeing how everything worked together. While I thought I had some of the characters pegged and the ending already figured out, I was totally wrong.  The ending caught me by surprise but tied everything up neatly.
     Probably my all-time favorite character was Abby, Daniel's grandmother.  A tragedy from her teenage years, along with the encouragement of her husband and his family, helped Abby become a strong, adventurous woman who had no regrets in life.  Her reliance on God, and her S&W :-), make her very admirable.
     While this book is the second in the series, it is a completely stand alone novel.  This is one I would gladly recommend to anyone who likes a book that keeps them guessing.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without compensation.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author whose novels have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, and Carol Awards contests.  When she's not writing, DiAnn is busy teaching and doing research through the FBI Citizens Academy.  She and her husband live in Houston, Texas.  Visit her online at www.diannmills.com.

Firewall Book Review

FBI: Houston

SUMMARY:  In a matter of minutes, Taryn Young's happily ever after turns into her waking nightmare.

     After a whirlwind romance, software developer Taryn Young is en route to a dream honeymoon when a bomb decimates the airport terminal, killing dozens.  Injured, she awakens in the hospital to discover her husband is missing, and they're both considered prime suspects in the attack.  Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn't who he appears to be.

     Agent Grayson Hall's first priority is to catch those responsible for the bombing.  Despite the evidence pointing to Taryn's guilt, Grayson's gut tells him she's innocent ... and in danger.  With a possible mole in the FBI office, Grayson and Taryn fight to stay ahead of her pursuers, especially when they learn what the bombers are really after:  Taryn's latest high-security software project.  In the wrong hands, it could leave the US vulnerable to massive attacks.

     With national security on the line, Taryn and Grayson must unravel the plot and find the architect before their firewall is breached.

SUMMARY:  This book was a sit on the edge of you seat, not able to put it down, reading until it is the middle of the night kind of book.  The book moves at a fast pace, happening within the space of five days.  Sometimes it is a little difficult to keep up with all different characters involved and their role in the story along with the aspects of the software project and what hackers are trying to accomplish but that wasn't a big problem.  Probably one of my favorite things about this book was the relationship (or lack of) between Taryn and Grayson.  I found it refreshing to see how Grayson did not try to pursue a relationship with Taryn even though he was attracted to her.  He gave her time to heal from her ordeal. 

     I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without compensation.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author whose novels have won Christy Awards and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, and Carol Award contests.  When she's not writing, DiAnn is busy teaching and doing research through the FBI Citizens Academy.  She and her husband live in Houston, Texas.  Visit her online at www.diannmills.com.