Deep Extraction by DiAnn Mills

Released: April 4, 2017
413 pages
Series: FBI Task Force # 2

About the Book:

 

A pacemaker should have saved oil and gas magnate Nathan Moore’s life. Instead, it provided his killer with a seemingly perfect means of execution.

 

A bombing at one of Nathan’s oil rigs days earlier indicates his death could be part of a bigger conspiracy, a web Special Agent Tori Templeton must untangle. But her first order of business is separating the personal from the professional—the victim’s wife, her best friend, is one of the FBI’s prime suspects.

 

Clearing Sally’s name may be the biggest challenge of her career, but Tori finds an unexpected ally in the newest member of the task force, recently reinstated Deputy US Marshal Cole Jeffers. As Tori and Cole dig deeper into Nathan’s personal and business affairs, they uncover more than they bargained for. And the closer they get to finding the real killer—and to each other—the more intent someone is on silencing them for good.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 (3 stars)

 

One quote from the book is: “People aren’t always who you think they are” and this definitely describes some characters in the story. As Cole and Tori investigate the crimes that have happened they learn things about the victim they did not expect. Tori & Cole are required to keep an open mind as they investigate and not shut down evidence that appears to lead to the victim’s wife and their friend, Sally. Is she guilty or did someone else orchestrate and commit the crimes? If so, what was their motivation?

 

The first chapter drew me right in, making me want to know what had happened, how the characters were connected and what Cole was running from. From this point on I had high hopes for the story, however I struggled to stay invested. The more I read the less I found myself caring about the characters and storyline; I just could not connect with caring about Cole or Tori. I did feel for Sally and the children though, they had no idea who their husband/father really was. I found the writing to be choppy when moving from one point in time to another. Each time I returned to reading the story I had to go back and remind myself of what was going on and where the main two characters were headed now. The arrest of the guilty party was surprising to me and the motivation seemed to be answered very quickly by Cole without any evidence given to the reader.

 

This is the second book in a series but definitely can be read as a standalone as no characters overlap from the first. I feel that maybe this writing style and storyline just wasn’t for me as there are many readers on Goodreads that have really enjoyed this book saying:

 

“...this is another adventure to enjoy. She has captured the rush of adrenaline along with a good romance.”

 

“Really enjoyed this book, it had the perfect blend of romance and a mystery with plot twists I did not see coming.”

 

If you are a regular fan of DiAnn Mills, you may enjoy this one more than I did.

 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills

Released: Aug. 1, 2016
401 pages
Series: FBI Task Force # 1

About the Book:

 

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 of taking down a 747.

 

Though FBI Special Agent 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 in a string of incidences 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.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:   🌟 🌟 🌟 (3 stars)

 

What begins with a discovery of a murdered man ends up leading to a plot of bioterrorism with FBI investigators trying to figure out who is involved and are various incidents connected or just moments of coincidence. There was a lot of scientific and medical talk throughout that made it hard for me to follow at times.

 

Parts of the story that I did really enjoy was Stacey’s determination to become Whitt’s mom and the remarkable intelligence of Whitt, the way he spoke and acted made it hard to remember he was only 12. The relationship between Stacey and Whitt, and the possible addition of Alex to this dynamic had me rooting for the characters. I was so touched by the change in Ace toward Whitt at the end that I cried.

 

As much as parts of the story touched me, it has not stuck with me. I know it was revealed why Stacey seemed to be in the middle of everything going on, but as I reflect back on it I can’t remember what the reason was and I just finished reading the book last night. 

 

Overall I think I would have enjoyed this story more if I understood science more than I do. I will be reading the next in the series to see where the series goes.

 

 

Beyond Justice by Cara Putman

Released: April 4, 2017
384 pages
Series: Hidden Justice # 1

About the Book:

Hayden McCarthy is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious D.C. law firm . . . if the case she's just been handed doesn't destroy her first.

Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain when justice is not served. It's why she became an attorney and why she's so driven in her career. When she's assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn't sure if it's the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there.

Further complicating matters is Andrew, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a Congressman, and Hayden's currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?

The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case—or her. Logic and self-preservation would indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?

My Rating & Thoughts:   🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 (4 stars)

A boy has been murdered while in a detention centre and his mom wants answers that no one seems to be giving her. Hayden is assigned as the mom’s lawyer to seek out answers. The boy’s brother is part of a program that Andrew runs. Andrew & Hayden begin as purely acquaintances but a slow friendship forms as their dig for answers and their duty to protect the two have them working together.

There was a lot of suspense - trying to figure out what really happened, who was all involved, and do various events tie together or not? The climax moment had me on the edge of my seat, would the villain get caught in time or would Hayden be injured?

I liked Hayden’s determination to get answers for her client; she did not let anything scare her away. Andrew also was a strong likeable character; his care for those around him felt realistic. The interactions between Hayden& Andrew were enjoyable, I could picture these two together fighting for the underdogs.

My biggest frustration was that there were times the pov suddenly changed between characters which left me having to reread the section to follow the switch.

I liked Emilie’s spunk and zest for answers. She was a support system to both Hayden & Andrew but also pushed them when needed. There was a mysterious air about her and I would be interested to know more of her story. The author’s legal experience shines throughout the book.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

Through the Mist by Liz Isaacson

Released: April 3, 2017
225 pages
Series: Gold Valley Romance # 3

About the Book:

Can Landon and Megan use prayer and faith to find their happily ever after?

Landon Edmunds has been a cowboy since birth, even winning in the rodeo for several years before an injury ended his career. He returned to his hometown of Gold Valley, where he works at Horseshoe Home Ranch as a cowhand, but now he's looking for something of his own. He's thinking of buying a horse ranch and training horses for the rodeo, but when an old high school friend returns to Gold Valley, he turns to construction instead.

The preacher's daughter, Megan Palmer needs a helping (cow)hand to get her father's church in good repair so he can retire. Megan and Landon work well together, and as sparks fly, she’s sure God brought her back to Gold Valley so she could find her happily ever after--if only Landon wasn't looking to leave town.

Through serious discussion and prayer, can Landon and Megan find their future together?

My Rating & Thoughts:   🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 (4 stars)

I had a hard time putting this one down. I was drawn to the characters immediately. Both Megan and Landon have been hurt in past relationship and are leery about beginning a new one especially when it seems that Landon is probably going to be moving away soon. But they are drawn to each other and decide to take the risk. At first everything seems to be going smoothly, Landon even says to Jace that it has been easy, but then trouble arises. Doubts and fear enter, and they become torn between what their heart is telling them and where God is leading them. Do they have enough faith to follow God’s leading? Can the relationship survive? I really enjoyed this one and enjoyed the inclusion of characters from previous books. This was a sweet romantic story and left me with a happy heart.

 

(I received an ARC of this book from the author; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

My Recent Faves (Jan-March)

 

Below are some of my favourite reads from the last three months.

I am a re-reader and would re-read all of these. 

 

  

 The Wedding Shop  //  Change of Heart  //  After the Fall

 

 

    

 Moving Target  //  Twilight at Blueberry Barrens  //  If I Run

 

 

   

If I'm Found  //  Wild Montana Skies  //  Once Upon A Prince 



What about you? What are some of your recent faves and do you re-read?