Book of the Month

I had the opportunity to get a bit of background information from author Susan Sleeman regarding her latest release, and my featured Book of the Month, Silent Night Standoff. You can read my review after reading what she had to say.

A Word from Susan...

"One thing you should know about me right up front—I have the utmost respect for law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMT’s, and the brave men and women in the military. In my opinion, these are the TRUE heroes of our world. So when I finished writing the Justice Agency series, I knew I wanted to feature heroes or heroines in one of these professions in my next series.

Problem was, I respect them all so much, I couldn’t decide which one. That got me to thinking about how I could include all of the professions in one series, and my First Responder series was born. When I couldn’t come up with a logical reason for having a firefighter on a crisis response team, I decided to give a nod to that profession by having my team live in an old remodeled firehouse.

The elite six-member First Response Squad includes two hostage negotiators, a sniper, a bomb technician, an EMT, and an intelligence coordinator. I’ve written the first three books already and love the men and women of the FRS. Their strength and courage. Their willingness to rush into disasters to help victims. They don’t let emergencies fluster them. They do their job and save lives. No matter the toll it takes in their own lives. No matter the peace it steals.

The series kicks off this month with a bank robbery in Silent Night Standoff, and it’s kind of a funny story how this book came about. Sitting in our bank while waiting for a customer service rep one day, I looked out at the secluded peaceful setting amongst tall pines and a tranquil lake. As usually happens, I ignored the peaceful setting and started thinking what a wonderful setting this would be for a suspense novel. My thoughts got away from me, as they often do, and I was soon plotting to rob the bank. Then I realized that bank robberies often fell under the FBI’s jurisdiction and knew it was a perfect opportunity to add that profession to my series via this book, and that meant Skyler would be my negotiator.

Thank goodness the bank customer service rep couldn’t read my mind as I carefully studied the building noting entrances and exits, the bullet-proof glass, and other security features, or the day might have ended quite differently.

The First Responders books will release from now through December of 2016. I’m so excited that thee of the six books will come out in December and be Christmas themed, as I love, love, love to add the Christmas element to the books. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my First Responders as they work to recapture that missing peace and find love. I know you’ll agree, they are what true heroes are made of, and our lives are so much better for the real heroes in the world."

My Review...

SILENT NIGHT STANDOFF:Susan Sleeman: Hostage negotiator Skyler Brennan was at the scene of a bank robbery. Unfortunately, she was one of the hostages, and at the mercy of unpredictable “Bonnie & Clyde” duo. Her ex-, FBI agent Logan Hunter arrives at the scene. She always felt he put his job first, proving himself to his father second, and her, third. Logan has a huge promotion on the line, so the stakes are high. He is striving to reach FBI milestones at a younger age than his father. Since he broke her heart, Skyler turned inward to avoid heartache. She is not convinced that Logan has changed. Can he put his plans aside and keep her safe when she becomes a target? Will he choose love over proving himself to his father?

 Logan demonstrates that while we all want to be in control, most of the time it is out of our hands and we must learn to turn it over to God. We can not be controlled by our worries and fears, and it is impossible to live up to others’ expectations. Sleeman is off to a strong start with her latest series, complete with a thrill ride of suspense. Once you read a book by Susan Sleeman, you will be back for more!

To Connect with Susan...

SUSAN SLEEMAN is a best-selling author of inspirational and clean read romantic suspense books. Awards include Thread of Suspicion-2013 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Best Book Award, No Way Out and The Christmas Witness, Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence finalists. In addition to writing, Susan also hosts the popular website TheSuspenseZone.com. She currently lives in Oregon with her husband, but has lived in nine states. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.

Connect with Susan at:

Her Website -  http://www.susansleeman.com

Facebook -      http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks

Twitter -       http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman  

Review Site -   http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com