Caroline
Seconds to Live (Homeland Heroes #1) | Book Review

Back Cover
The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.
When cybercriminals hack into the U.S. Marshal's 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 closet to discovering Phantom's identity.
Trouble is, she's under the care of U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating Marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom seems to be one step ahead at every turn and will stop at nothing to kill the witness. To stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must learn to trust each other as danger draws ever closer.
My Thoughts
I really liked this book, and I can't quite pin down why! I kept thinking about Sean and Taylor when I wasn't reading, and loved both of them as characters. It was unusual that they already had a relationship online before being thrown together as co-workers, (as opposed to the usual "thrown-together-and-sparks-fly kind of stories) and they had to work through some rather unique challenges because of it! Their chemistry and genuine friendship-turned-something-else was enjoyable to read. (Although some of the things that irritated them and created relationship hurdles made me roll my eyes...)
The mystery element kept adding plot twists that kept me guessing until the end, WHICH WAS NICE. I always enjoy stories (and shows) with hacker/computer/technology elements, so the combination of that and good old U.S. Marshal Witness Security was a big win!
Susan Sleeman is a bestselling author for a reason. She writes quality romantic suspense, with a Christian element. I look forward to the next books in the Homeland Heroes series!
4 stars
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and happily provided my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.*