MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
This novel is set in Houston, Texas. Risa Jacobs works for law enforcement - It has been five years since she moved to the violent crime division, specifically crimes against children. Risa and her Partner in the FBI agency, Gage Patterson, worked together to investigate kidnappings, pedophiles, pornography, online predators, human trafficking, involuntary servitude, parental kidnapping, and any other instances that fall into the violent crimes against children.
Risa hadn't seen her brother Trenton in years, who was caught in the act of drug and alcohol addiction. Then, they decide to meet up at a restaurant to express their sibling's love. Trenton during this meeting asks for forgiveness from his sister for his addictions and lets them know he has changed for many months to be a clean person. On their way, a driver speeds up his SUV and kills Risa's brother Trenton at the intersection of the road. Risa takes the blame for her brother's death, she couldn't feel anything other than guilt and shame. Risa was driven and determined to find Trenton's killer. The only person who could stand by her showing compassion and support was her friend FBI Gage. The Security cams from the restaurant had captured the crime and one of the witnesses got the license plate number - But the SUV was abandoned and stolen hours before reported. Since Risa had been involved in this incident, the FBI and the Houston police department had formed a task force to investigate the case.
Risa had an outstanding record with the FBI but she decides to resign thereafter, Risa finds a note paper demanding and threatening her to resign from her job at the FBI immediately asking her to watch out that next it will be her as Trenton died in her place, now she knows someone wanted her to be dead. She goes technically on leave. The status allowed her to view the investigation into her brother's death. She intended to find her brother's killer. Risa returns to teaching as an English professor as she hasn't found a single piece of evidence. Lots of questions started to haunt her - Who could have followed Trenton when he left to meet Risa? or hacked into his phone to learn the date and place. What if Trenton recognized the SUV.
Meanwhile, Gage had been working on the Missing Addington baby case. Gage gets a new partner to work with - Jack Bradford. Depression and grief cuffed Risa hoping that she would find Trenton's killer.
Carson Lowell - one of her students has something to do with Trenton's death. Carson's story-writing final paper submission to Risa's class paves the way to the exact scene of Trenton's death. How did Carson have a clue that his English professor had been a Federal agent? Carson is the eye witness or he is the murderer? Both the cases - Trenton's death and Addington's case to find the abducted baby take priority investigation in this novel. Risa and Gage share a romantic relationship even when their Jobs take the front seat. As partners, they work together to find the killer and the organized ring of abducting babies of parents.
The combination of high-stakes action, thrilling twists, and gripping research of the author makes this crime novel very original and genuine. This book deals with some horrific criminal issues that took me by surprise that the public society of the USA faces today such as Murder, Kidnappings and abduction, security systems, and even terror attacks that people have to watch out for. Every page has nail-biting sequences that keep readers wanting for more!!
Thanks to Partners in Crime tours, Netgalley, and Tyndale House Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.
Facing The Enemy
by DiAnn Mills
September 4 – 29, 2023 Virtual Book Tour
Synopsis:
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.
DiAnn Mills delivers romantic suspense fans a heart-pounding thriller about loss, betrayal, and finding the strength to trust again!
Praise for Facing The Enemy:
“Riveting! In her signature style, Diann Mills expertly weaves a gripping tale of ever-increasing danger. Captivating, authentic characters along with surprising twists and turns drew me deeper into this engrossing thriller and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. I still can’t stop thinking about it!”
~ Elizabeth Goddard, bestselling author of COLD LIGHT OF DAY
“I’m a longtime reader of suspense thrillers, but DiAnn Mills’ latest, FACING THE ENEMY, made me gasp with surprise. The issues involved in the story—adoption and the families who long to love children—are close to my heart, and that emotional connection held me by the heartstrings. Not to be missed! ”
~ Angela Hunt, author of WHAT A WAVE MUST BE
Book Details:
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: September 2023
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781496451941 (ISBN10: 1496451945)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | ChristianBook
Author Bio:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Jerry Jennings Writers Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers:
DiannMills.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @DiAnnMills
Instagram – @diannmillsauthor
X – @diannmills
Facebook – @diannmills
YouTube – @diannmills
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