Working through NetGalley backlist. I’m stopping this one at 60%. It’s just not for me. I wish some of the topics had been handled with more sensitivity, and I think the author needed to explore the Muslim faith/culture more. Also tired of the terrorist trope only featuring those from western Asian countries.

Sleeman delivers an action-packed suspense novel that will engage readers from the first chapter. Be sure to read the entire series!

Loved it! This book is perfect for those looking for a dive into the world of tracking down terrorists! Can't wait to read the last book in the series.

My Rating: 3.75 stars almost 4 stars

Minutes to Die is the second book in the Homeland Heroes trilogy. For me, this was far more enjoyable than the first one was. I liked the characters more and how the mystery unfolded. There was none of that insta-lovey stuff happening and random religious things weren't thrown in everywhere. This one was just a better book as a whole in my opinion and I'm glad I decided to continue with the series.

Kiley is an FBI Agent who is working on two different cases and one of her informants in a case suddenly gets killed right in front of her which leads her to not only find out who killed this informant but also why. This causes the entire team to now work together on this case and it turns out to be part of a far big plot than originally thought. Throughout this case we also see Kiley struggle with this being the first time she is fully in charge of a case on this level and she has to call all the shots and we see her struggle with some of those calls at times. I enjoyed seeing that part because in the first book of this series we never really saw any of that and the main person was super confident in themselves and all the choices they were making. This way just seemed more realistic because of how many people were involved and how many lives could/would be affected by the choices they were all making.

The mystery portion of this book was absolutely fascinating and I couldn't read it fast enough. I stayed up far too late to finish the book because the last entire half of it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Overall I really liked and enjoyed this book. The main characters were fun and well thought out and had backstories that all connected which helped this story for me. Kiley and Evan while they had some differences still put them aside and got the work done that needed to be done and even worked through the struggles they had with each other.
I also enjoyed all of the different side character interactions we had and seeing how everyone's jobs worked more.

While these books are just companion books with each other you can see some building off of them through all the side characters and how the team works together as a whole.

I'm looking forward to reading the next and final book in the trilogy and seeing who we get to follow next.

**2.5/5 Stars**
Terrorists targeting the United States?
Millions of lives potentially endangered?
One week to stop the attack?
A sprinkling of romance?
Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman seemed right up my alley.

Unfortunately, this book didn't exceed my expectations. It did not even meet them. I had a lot of issues with Minutes to Die, the second installment of Susan Sleeman's Homeland Heroes series. The premise was good: We must save the country before it's too late! I've enjoyed what I call "America is the best; go kill the terrorists" novels since I first picked up Vince Flynn and Brad Thor in high school. Susan Sleeman's not anywhere near their skill level.

I could tell she had thoroughly researched before writing Minutes to Die. But when Sleeman dropped FBI acronyms, I almost felt like I was listening to a patronizing professor. It was as if she were trying to impress her readers with her knowledge, and thus she referenced different operating groups. Sleeman could have said the characters sent something to an FBI forensics team. Instead, the author gave the proper title and acronym. I find it unlikely that the characters--all experienced professionals within their respective agencies--would use the proper names. It wouldn't be necessary. I know Sleeman did it for her readers, but she didn't need to specify them at all.

<b>National Security > Romance?</b>
Secondly, the two main characters--Evan and Kiley--have a complicated past. Kiley blames Evan for the death of a colleague, because Evan was in charge of the raid in which the individual died. I didn't find either character relatable, and Evan's insistence on talking to Kiley about the botched raid rubbed me the wrong way. You're facing a terrorist threat. In the real world, I'd like to think an FBI and ICE agent could put their emotions--and attractions aside--for a week to focus on what was important. Minutes to Die is a romantic suspense novel, but I found the romance distracting from the ultimate goal: the safety of U.S. citizens.

Compartmentalization is very important in counterterrorism work. If I'm remembering right, as an example, many individuals working on the mission to kill Osama bin Laden did not know their target's identity. But I don't know if in a situation where millions of American lives are on the line, only one team would be leading the charge in an operation as Sleeman portrays in Minutes to Die. The book mentions that the RED Team has an arsenal of analysts behind them. Fantastic. But the president might have wanted to know about a terrorist threat that big? He wasn't mentioned once.

<b>Exciting but Flawed</b>
I read Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman in one day. It kept me on my toes, and I did not want to put it down. So in the categories of "action" and "suspense," it receives four stars from me. I tired of Sleeman's writing style in this novel. Multiple characters said or thought "Oh, man," and it annoyed me. Also, I know this is a Christian novel, but I found it unlikely that there'd be no swearing involved...anywhere. You can hint at swearing without actually doing it; Sleeman avoided any mention of foul language. Not even "He wanted to swear but held his tongue."

Something else that bothered me: Sleeman had too many terrorists with similar names. Most of their names ended with an I. As I read the novel, I mixed up characters, and couldn't remember who they were. What they had done. Was X the one who got shot, or was it Y? Was A the one who owned the business, or did A own the P.O. box? I needed a character glossary to which I could refer, because Sleeman lost me.

Without spoiling anything, something else happened in the novel that absolutely would not have happened in real life. Carelessness with something so important would be acceptable. This knowledge, though, comes from my experience in homeland security, threat assessment, and emergency management. So maybe the general public wouldn't question it. I, on the other hand, said "Absolutely no way."

<b>Final Conclusion: "Needs Improvement"</b>
In conclusion, Minutes to Die was a high-stakes novel, one that kept me turning the pages until I reached the end. Would I recommend it? I'm not sure. Maybe with some fine print, and telling my friends to have a notepad handy to write down the names and actions of the bad guys. Seconds to Live was better.

*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman is an amazing novel of suspense. With both FBI and ICE officers on a mission to prevent another large scale terrorist attack, the action in this book starts on page 1 and never stops. It is a quick read as a result. I highly recommend this novel to readers of romantic suspense. You won’t be disappointed! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I enjoyed the first book from Susan Sleeman's Homeland Heroes series and Minutes to Die does not disappoint. I thought it was a great read. I am giving it four stars.

It’s hard to write a review about a book like this in which you don’t give away any part of the storyline. I don’t want to give away a single detail of this story—-I want the full impact to be enjoyed while reading.

If you are looking for a book that will keep you reading as quickly as you can, and then read much longer than you should, this is that book. The storyline is a scenario that seemed as if it could be the headline in tomorrow’s newscast. I thought this storyline was riveting and will make you hold your breathe a time or two. The characters are perfect for this type of suspenseful story, and they draw you immediately into the story. It made me have (again) a renewed sense of appreciation for those in law enforcement who work diligently to keep us safe. I highly recommend this author and this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Be prepared to stay up all night reading...

Breathe. In. Out. Repeat. I just finished Minutes To Die and I have to say that it has one of the most tense and intense climactic scenes between the heroes and villains that I've probably ever read. I thought the first book in the Homeland Heroes book was intense but Susan Sleeman definitely topped it with this book!

I liked Kiley and Evan pretty much from the start. They both have a lot of baggage but they manage to slowly work through much of it even as they are saving the world from some pretty evil terrorists. Talk about multi-tasking. Susan Sleeman has done a great job blending those moments with the action scenes in Minutes To Die.

Susan Sleeman sure had me on a search for knowledge with this book and I found myself Googling some odd stuff, from sound wave tattoos to a specific dam in the Colorado River drainage. And no, I won't tell you any more about why, you'll just have to read Minutes To Die for yourself.

Through the Homeland Heroes series there has been an overarching mystery with new clues being revealed in each book and I can't wait to find out where those clues lead in the next book. Definitely something that I'm looking forward to reading when it comes out in the spring!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Minutes to Die is second in the series, and equally as good as the first. It’s exciting from the very beginning, and somehow the excitement builds. The plot is rock solid. The characters seemed a bit of an odd fit for a while, but Wow, that oddness passed and had me rooting for them.

MINUTES TO DIE is the second book in this series, but it easily stands alone. The Red Team is exploring the USA while trying to unravel clues that seem so random that nothing fits! But a girl is dead for carrying this huge secret.

Cases merge, time is running out and they are no closer.... will they solve the puzzle before its too late?

MINUTES TO DIE was a page-turner. Who-dun-it seems obvious--but is it?

Grab a copy Todau!!! I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

“Lives depend on you thinking with your head, not your heart.”

In this second book of the Homeland Heroes series, Sleeman delves into the fight against terrorism on U.S. soil. As an FBI agent on the elite RED team, Kiley is used to being more involved in cyber crime. However, the death of her CI brings her into the position of team leader in a race against an imminent terrorist threat. Sleeman did an amazing procedural into the dynamics of agencies working together to stop a catastrophic event. As Evan ends up working with the team from his position as an ICE agent, I found he really made the story come to life. I loved his heart for justice, Kiley and how he tried to help the team. Kiley was very hard on him and the team as she struggled with her position as team leader. However, stepping into that position in a high stress investigation, as well as grieving her CI loss, would definitely impact how she handled everything. While I enjoyed the race against time and the romantic element between Kiley and Evan, I struggled with liking Kiley’s character. Her bossiness was a little over the top and her unforgiveness took awhile to grasp with Evan. Overall, the story was a good read on how a team has to work together in the behind the scenes world of antiterrorism. The romance was a slow build, but really dealt with how much unforgiveness and bitterness can impact relationships, personal and as a team. Though I struggled with the slow buildup of the story, I was absolutely riveted by the ending and found the resolution of the story exceeded my expectations.

“They climbed the exterior stairway. Step by step. Silent. Efficient. Lethal.”

If your looking for a truly behind the scenes look into an imminent threat and how agencies work together, I think you’d love this book. The romance is light, but had a wonderful thread of forgiveness. Sleeman really helped my understanding of the psychology behind why people become terrorists. There were some really interesting areas of FBI, counterterrorism, and ICE work that caught my attention.

“Behavioral analysts have learned that terrorists always have a grievance, and it’s often based on actual pain or injustice.”

I’m looking forward to the underlying thread that impacts the whole team being resolved in the next book of this series. If you love this style of read, you may enjoy Lisa Phillips series the Northwest Counter-Terrorism Task Force. Both highlight the effectiveness of teamwork in protecting our nation.

I received an advanced reader copy through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Minutes to Die
Homeland Heroes #2
By Susan Sleeman

FBI Agent Kiley Dawson's CI has been killed just moments after revealing that a terrorist attack is imminent. With only a few words to go on, stopping the coming devastation seems nearly impossible, but the RED Team doesn't know the meaning of impossible.

ICE Agent Evan Bowers has tracked down evidence of smuggled terrorists. Terrorists that came prepared to carry out an attack. But with no way to identify the suspects, the chance of stopping them has dramatically dropped. Calling in what he's found brings the RED Team into his investigation - an investigation he is determined to be a part of. Now he just needs to convince the lead agent to keep him on - not an easy sell given the history he and Kiley share. One in which her former partner was killed under his leadership, and she lays the blame squarely on his shoulders.

But time is short, and to accomplish what they need to will require working through their discomfort. Can the two work together long enough to stop the coming attack that is rumored to be bigger than 9/11? Or will the lack of online or dark web chatter work to their detriment? And what about the growing attraction between Kiley and Evan? Will the mistakes of the past prevent them from having a future?

The clock is ticking down...

Minutes to Die is an excellent sequel to Seconds to Live that readers who are fans of Romantic Suspense will enjoy diving into this draw you in action from page one. Minutes are slipping away as the few clues that are known are too vague to pinpoint an exact location or mode of attack. If you want keep you up all night suspense this is the book you want to move to the top of your tbr pile. And when you add in Kiley's childhood issues that take on a new meaning as the threat draws nearer you have an intense read in your future.

Tick, tick, tick...

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations - all thoughts expressed are my own.

Oh my, this one is full of suspense!
It was a real page turner. Could not put it down.

Susan Sleeman is one of my favorite authors. Her characters are always well developed. The plots are always amazing, so many twists I didn't see coming. The book is no exception.

This is the second book in the Homeland Heroes series. It is a stand alone book, you do not need to read the first book to get background for this book. This story has soooo many possible suspects. It is interesting to watch the core group, The Red Team + Evan, unravel the clues one by one. The Red Team is comprised of 4 members Kiley, Mack, Sean and Cam, they are the FBI cyber hotshots. For this story they are joined by Evan, an ICE agent who was an explosives expert in the Seals.

The jist of the story is....Kiley's CI is killed by a sniper before she tells Kiley some important information about an imminent threat that will kill millions on US soil. Kiley and her team must find clues and pursue leads until they know what they are dealing with. They think this horrific event will take place on 9/11 so the clock is ticking.

There is some personal tension as well. Kiley blames Evan for the death of a colleague, Olin. Evan was lead agent on an op that went bad and Olin was killed. They both try to put the past behind them and concentrate on the current situation. Of course that is easier said than done.

If you enjoy suspenseful books, this one will fit the bill perfectly. I highly recommend this book.

An act of terror scheduled to happen on 9/11 sends FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and her team scrambling for clues to bring down the terrorists, while the case brings her face to face with a man that she still hasn't forgiven.

A suspense that reads more like a mystery, as the RED Team uncover clues pieces by piece to save countless lives before time runs out. I loved the close knit team, their friendship and how they push each other to be their best. There is great tension between the characters, and I like how Mack encourages her to give Evan a chance.

Evan is a strong Christian man, he wants to do everything he can to be valuable to the mission. I like how he is patient and is willing to step into a potentially awkward situation in order to do his job.

High stakes read, plot driven, with well crafted characters. I loved how this book shows a different side to things than just dodging bullets, but the analytical leg work behind bringing down threats. Hard to put down, laced with suspense. One of my favorite things was the camaraderie between the team members, and I can't wait to revisit them again soon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Love this type of book - filled with action and suspense. The plot is fast-paced and the characters are solid. Can’t wait to pick it up again!

Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

______________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Susan Sleeman continues her excellent Homeland Heroes series with a complex new story that is a fast-paced race against a faster ticking clock.

I’ll be perfectly honest here and say I was slightly lost at the beginning of this story. I thought it was attached to another series and it wasn’t and I couldn’t figure out why it didn’t make sense. Oh my! After I got my brain unscrambled, I was able to really get into this wonderful book and it’s non-stop tension. Ms. Sleeman begins her story with Red Team FBI Agent Kiley Dawson who is meeting a young woman willing to pass information about a possible terrorist cell. But before the information can change hands, the informant is killed, setting off an investigation that will span the entire US. At the same time, ICE agent Evan Bowers is investigating a suspicions container at the Port of Tacoma. His JTTF team is in charge of ferreting out leads of terrorists coming into the US by unusual means. When their investigations become connected by suspects, both Evan and Kiley will have to work together for the first time in six years. Kiley still blames Evan for her partner Olin’s death while on an op where Evan was lead investigator. But they will have to let go of the past and work together to figure out this puzzle before more people are killed. The threat has listed millions of lives at stake so it will take all that their teams can bring together to find the place of the attack and stop it from happening. As they work the case together, each of them will see that there is more to the other than they first understood. And it will take a situation similar to the past to help Kiley let go of the past and forgive Evan. But Evan has his own demons to chase besides getting Kiley’s forgiveness. If they are going to have a chance at moving forward, both on the case and with each other, they will have to accept the offer of love and forgiveness. They will also have to risk everything they’ve found to stop those responsible for the attack before it’s too late. I read this book almost straight though in one afternoon/evening. It was very engaging with all the dialogue and technical police jargon being used. You really felt like you were in the cars, at the scenes and in the conference rooms working the case alongside the agents. I loved that there was plenty of humanity going on in the story but that it added to the story instead of taking your attention away. Clearly things that happened helped things be seen and evidence be found and it was very realistically written. The supporting characters added a good layer of depth to the story with their comments and conversations. I am really looking forward to finding out Mack’s story whenever that comes to be. The ending of the story was really great and tied up almost all the loose ends perfectly. Some things will probably be answered in the next book but that didn’t make this story seem incomplete. I will certainly be recommending this book and the series to others in the hope that they will love this tension-filled story as I did. Looking forward to the next in the series!

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

FBI Agent Kiley Dawson blames him for the death of a fellow agent, and friend, in an op gone wrong. ICE Agent Evan Bowers is still in love with her. When their investigations collide, they must put aside their differences in order to save millions of lives and stop a cell of terrorists.

I just love the RED team! These characters are so dynamic that I wish we got more from them. The stakes of the story are so high that I feel like we don’t get much time to just sit and enjoy these characters we grow to love. That begin said, WOW what a wild ride. The team only has 7 days to untangle a terrorist plot that has threatened to affect millions of people. Racing all across the country as new leads and new disasters arise, the team barely takes a breath before it’s all said and done. If you like high stakes and fast paced, this is the story for you.

While I didn’t find it difficult to listen to on audio, I do dislike that they changed the narrator mid series. Once you start with a narrator, you have given your characters a “voice”. It was hard for me to jump back in where I left off because of this. I did get used to the new narrator, but I did like the previous narrator better. It takes A LOT for me, personally, to not be able to get passed a narrator, but I can definitely see how some may not like the change.

Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman is the second book in the Homeland Heroes series and can be read as stand-alone novel. FBI Agent Kiley Dawson despises ICE Agent Evan Bowers and blames him for the death of her partner. When a terrorist threat that is supposed to take place on the anniversary of 9/11 forces them to work together, it creates a tense situation, but will their past hinder hunting down the terrorists? Sleeman has once again created an action-packed novel that will have the reader turning the pages frantically as they race against time to catch the criminals and diffuse multiple bombs.

Never Give Up!

An informant whispers that an attack is going to happen on 9/11, and it will be worse than the original. Shortly afterward, the tipster is murdered in front of FBI Agent Kylee Dawson. She jumps into action with her elite RED team to determine the details of the threat. After learning terrorists have snuck into the country in a cargo container, ICE Agent Evan Bowers is asked to join the team.

But Kylee and Evan have a history, one that didn’t end well. Kylee works to put aside her negative feelings towards him, for the good of the nation, as the team races across the country searching for clues. The pace is frantic, and lots of top-notch equipment along with amazing technology is put into play to solve it.

This tale will keep your pulse high as action and excitement fill every page--while millions of lives hang in the balance. At the same time, a romance develops. It is almost as exciting as the chase itself. This is a clean story told from a Christian viewpoint. I recommend this 5-star book to those who enjoy fast action thrillers teamed with a love story.

Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Minutes to Die, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.