DEADLY ENCOUNTER (FBI: Task Force)
by DiAnn Mills
Genre: Romance / Suspense / Christian
Publisher: Tyndale House
Date of Publication: August 1, 2016
Number of Pages: 376
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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.
Praise for the FBI: Houston novels
Deadlock: “This is a fast moving crime story with several interesting twists and turns. [Deadlock] is a page turner.” — Online Reviewer
Double-Cross:
“Mills does a superb job of character and plot development in this faith-filled series.” — Christian Library Journal
“Mills’ writing is transparently crisp, backed up with solid research, filled with believable characters and sparks of romantic chemistry.” — Novel Crossing
Firewall:
“Christy Award–winning Mills skillfully builds a menacing overall tone, and the tension level rises as layers of lies are peeled away in multiple plot twists. This novel, which takes off at a breakneck pace with a narrative arc that could have been ripped from today’s headlines, will greatly appeal to fans of James Patterson’s “Alex Cross” series and readers who enjoy psychological thrillers.” — Library Journal starred review
“Mills takes readers on an explosive ride. The terror is all the more chilling because it could easily be a headline story on the nightly news, and Mills’ characters spring to life through their fears, strengths, and quirks. A story as romantic as it is exciting, Firewall will appeal to fans of Dee Henderson’s romantic suspense stories.” — Booklist
Today we welcome author DiAnn Mills to StoreyBook Reviews. We had a chance to sit down and talk about her writing and here are the results of our Q&A!
How has being a Texan influenced your writing?
I see characters and plot everywhere I look and listen. My state is filled with courageous people who have dynamic stories. The problem is choosing which one to write!
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
We live in a dangerous and scary world. Tragedies occur on a daily basis. I write romantic suspense in which at least one character solves his/her problems from a Christian worldview. The crimes are real, and the heroes and heroines are committed to keeping others safe. I write with hope and reality.
Where did your love of storytelling and writing come from?
I must have been born with the gene! My normal response is I used to get spanked for lying (it was okay then) and now I get paid for it.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first book in the second grade on a Big Chief notebook pad with a #2 pencil. But I didn’t pursue writing seriously until 1996 when my husband challenged me: “Stop telling me you’re going to one day write a book. Do it now. Quit your job. I’ll give you one year to get anything published.” I accepted the challenge and my first book was released in 1998. Never went back to my old job. 🙂
What kind(s) of writing do you do?
This made me think. I write romantic suspense novels; blogs on the craft and social media; devotions; suspense short stories; a how-to write a novel (nonfiction) and tons of social media posts.
What cultural value do you see in writing/reading/storytelling/etc.?
Since the beginning of time, people have crowded around camp fires to hear stories. Fiction writers are able to show culture and history in story form. Many people refuse to read nonfiction: it’s frightening and real. They want an escape. A novel entertains, inspires, and encourages the reader to be a better person while learning how a hero or heroine solves a problem.
If you could speak with any accent from anywhere in the world, what would you choose?
French
If you were an animal in a zoo, what would you be?
A lion.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
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. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. 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.
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August 10 – August 24, 2016
CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR
| 8/10 | Review | It’s a Jenn World |
| 8/11 | Author Interview | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 8/12 | Review | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 8/13 | Promo | A Novel Reality |
| 8/14 | Author Interview | The Page Unbound |
| 8/15 | Excerpt #1 | Margie’s Must Reads |
| 8/16 | Review | Byers Editing Reviews & Blog |
| 8/17 | Guest Post | Country Girl Bookaholic |
| 8/18 | Review | Kara The Redhead |
| 8/19 | Author Interview | My Book Fix Blog |
| 8/20 | Excerpt #2 | Forgotten Winds |
| 8/21 | Review | Reading By Moonlight |
| 8/22 | Promo | The Crazy Booksellers |
| 8/23 | Author Interview | Missus Gonzo |
| 8/24 | Review | The Librarian Talks |
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Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, S.K. Derban moved to London within the first three months, and remained in England until the age of five. Her father, an American citizen, was a decorated veteran of the second world war. Derban’s mother, born and raised in the United Kingdom, was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company, and a great fan of the arts. Even after returning to the United States, Derban’s life was filled with a love of the theatre and a passion for British murder mysteries. S.K. Derban has always remained passionate about writing, and is thrilled to finally share her work with others.
Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over forty books and has written more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont.
Kate Dolan began her writing career as a legal editor and then newspaper columnist before she decided she was finally ready to tackle fiction. As the author of more than a dozen novels and novellas, she writes historical fiction and romance under her own name and contemporary mysteries and children’s books under the name K.D. Hays. When not writing, she enjoys volunteering as a living history interpreter and riding roller coasters with her daughter.
