"Web of Shadows" by Susan Sleeman ... and a GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of her latest release, Susan has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book (US Only). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends March 11, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

A Word from Susan...

I love computers and electronics — like stand in line for the next iPhone love them. And since they are becoming more and more a part of our lives, I wanted to use my knowledge to share stories of how cyber crimes can impact our everyday lives. That's how the "Agents Under Fire" series was born. The series features three female FBI agent who work on an elite FBI Cyber Action Team. And, of course, I wanted the plot to have high stakes. So as I was contemplating an upcoming trip, I came up with the idea of a teen hacking into the TSA's No-Fly List, making the list vulnerable to unscrupulous people. Those stakes weren't high enough for me, so I decided to have the computer that was used for the hack placed into a geocache where anyone could find it and thus have access to the No-Fly List. And then, I wanted to make the crime personal to my FBI agent, so I made the hacker be the younger brother of the man my FBI agent was in love with, and, of course, made the man who finds the computer have a grudge against the agent so he wants to frame her for the hack. Which he tries to do using everyday technology. I hope the reader, while enjoying the book, can see the dangers in technology and also see how hard it is to protect our national security.

Q & A with Susan...

Q: Which of your books is your favorite and why?

A:  I think I am like a lot of writers who think whatever book they are working on is their favorite. I guess that's because with each book you grow as a writer. That said, I just did the first edits on Web of Lies and I really enjoyed reading the story again.

Q:  What are your thoughts about the changes taking place in the publishing industry?

A:  Publishing, like any other industry, is changing and evolving. Through the advent of self-publishing, more and more books are available for readers, which is a good thing. What I have a problem with is the devaluing of the price of books. I'm like anyone and love to get a good deal, but most authors cannot make a living from writing, and they work a full-time job, too. With book prices dropping so dramatically to $.99 and free, it becomes even more difficult. Authors spend so many hours working on a book, and I assure you that many authors don't even make minimum wage for their work, which I think needs to change.

Q:  What advice do you have for new authors?

A:  Learn to write. Writing is a craft just like playing a musical instrument. Writers have to practice and learn and practice even more. This is not something that ends when you're published but continues for as long as you are writing.

Q:  What would you be doing if you were not an author?

A:  I would go into graphic design. I love doing website and print design and would have loved to have a career in that area, too.

Q: What is the one book you wish you had written?

A:  Oh, gosh, that is such a great question, but I don't have an answer for.

Q:  Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?

A:  I currently don't have any pets but have had both dogs and cats over the years. My daughter who still lives with us has a lovely cat named Tabitha. She is seven years old, and Emma adopted her this year. I have never met a more loving and gentle cat in my life. She is truly special, and I enjoy having her as part of our family…especially the early morning snuggles as I wake up and drink my coffee.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A:  Ah, only one? I don't think I can name just one, but if I must… I love The Parent Trap. I have loved it since the original when I was a kid and still love the modern-day version.

Q:  I always loved that movie, too, particularly the original.What is your favorite writing-related book?

A:  I love anything written by Donald Maass.

Q:  What is your favorite season?

A:  Oh, gosh, there you go asking for one item again, LOL! I love spring as I love to garden and that is when the season begins. I just received all my seeds for this year and can't wait for the soil to warm a few more degrees, and I'll be out there planting peas. I always feel like it's a time of new beginnings. But here in Oregon it is still raining pretty much every day in the spring, so I also love summer when the rain stops and we have day after day of sunshine and I can putter around in the garden with the sun at my back, the birds chirping, and the lawnmowers humming in the distance. This is the time I feel closest to God as I marvel in all the amazing colors of His flowers and the growth of plants that feed and nourish us. Plus, of course, I get to harvest all the veggies and fruits I sowed in the spring :-)

Q: What can you tell me about your next project?

A:  I am super excited about a new series that I recently contracted with Hachette Book Group, FaithWords imprint. The series is called "White Knights,"  and it is about an elite FBI Critical Incident Response Team headquartered in Washington, DC. The team includes experts in crisis management, explosives, ballistics/weapons, negotiating/criminal profiling, cyber crimes, and forensics. All team members are former military, and they stand ready to deploy within four hours anytime and anywhere to mitigate the highest-priority threats facing our nation.

Book One, Fatal Mistake, releases in May 2017 and here's a description:

Each day could be her last…

Tara Parrish is the only person ever to survive an attack by the Lone Wolf bomber. Afraid and emotionally scarred by her near death, she goes into hiding with only one plan: to stay alive for another day, because she knows he's coming after her, and if he finds her, he will finish what he started.

But not if he can help it...

Agent Cal Riggins has had only one goal for the past six months — to save lives by ending the Lone Wolf's bombing spree. To succeed, he needs the help of Tara Parrish, the one person whose unforgettable memory can lead them to the bomber. Cal puts his all into finding Tara, but once he locates her, he realizes if he can find her, the Lone Wolf can, too. Now Cal's goal changes. Protect Tara at all costs and make no mistakes while hunting down the bomber, as one wrong move could be fatal.

That sounds like a great book! Thanks so much for stopping by, Susan, and answering a few questions. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you a bit better.

My Review...

Wiley has spent the last two years in prison, and he was just released. He is now bent on revenge against FBI agent Nina Brandt, who he feels ruined his life. Wiley has come into possession of a laptop and plans to sell it for parts, until he realizes he can use it for a far more sinister plan: setting up Nina.

Nina is part of a cyber action team and has a feeling she is being watched. She used to date Navy SEAL Quinn Stone. She begrudgingly agrees to help him help his brother Ty, who is accused of hacking the No-Fly List. Quinn hopes Nina’s connections can keep his brother out of jail, prove it was just a stupid prank, and confirm Ty is not working with terrorists.

When Wiley initiates “Operation Payback,” he is quite successful at casting a shadow of suspicion over Nina as he attempts to hijack her life. Will Quinn be able to save Ty and Nina, or will he lose the two people he loves?

This is another winner from Sleeman! It is the second installment in the “Agents Under Fire” series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is apparent that Sleeman put a lot of time and effort into her research, as this is full of realistic details which add to the suspense and fast pace. It’s scary to think about how easy it can be to cause such havoc in someone else’s life, such as Wiley does to Nina. I also enjoy the fact that there is more suspense than romance, as it adds to the chilling, creepy factor! Highly recommended!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon link for purchase:

http://amzn.to/1oNzxpQ

About Susan...

Susan Sleeman is a bestselling author of clean read and inspirational 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, and Web of Deceit, an INSPY finalist and Swoony award winner.

Susan grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, she channels this enthusiasm into writing novels and hosting the popular Internet website TheSuspenseZone.

Susan currently lives in Oregon, but she and her husband have had the pleasure of living in nine states. They have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson. 

Where you can find Susan…

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

Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks/

Twitter:          https://twitter.com/susansleeman

Review Site:  http://www.thesuspensezone.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway