It's a romance, it's a crime thriller, it's a study in faith as well as a look at some dark sides of society. All of that centers around a heroine that I loved following. The romance was enjoyable, sweet, and well-developed. It was definitely one of the highlights of my reading experience. This is a Christian romance, so while the thriller aspects are adult, the romance aspects are not overly adult. There is also no course language within this novel, despite a general abundance of it in the genre overall. The thrills weren't the most intense I've read, but they were very well-handled and overall, invigorating. DiAnn Mills knows how to craft an enjoyable heroine and thrilling, suspenseful stories. There are some difficult aspects to this story that may not be for all readers.

Lethal Standoff is a thrilling, heart stopping, slow burn mystery. Full of twists & turns, this book kept me fully engaged with endearing characters, a lovely he falls first romance, witty dialogue, & a complex whodunit. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, this is a must read.

Carrington Reed is a talented hostage negotiator who frequently finds herself convincing troubled people to surrender. She often finds handsome investigative reporter Levi Erlich there at the scene. When she’s called to a hostage situation where 15 undocumented people are being held captive at a Texas ranch, she has to draw upon all her capabilities. Once the intense situation ends, Carrington & Liam find themselves involved in a complex investigation to find out what’s really going on at the ranch & who’s responsible for the rancher’s death.

This was such a fast paced read! I loved Liam especially, he’s a recent convert to Messianic Judaism & is enduring the consequences of his choice. I loved his attitude when confronting trials & his unwillingness to give up on Carrington. Carrington is suffering from a potentially life threatening hereditary condition & is going through the diagnosis process all while investigating the mystery. The author really brings her struggles to light in a poignant, relatable way. Despite the intensity of the mystery & storyline, the author brings a touch of lightness with delightful, witty dialogue that had me smiling. She also weaves a lovely faith message throughout the story.

The ending had me completely surprised. I did not see the villain coming. It’s definitely a thrill ride that was hard to put down with a sweet romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher & Partners in Crime Tours. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

This is the first DiAnn Mills novel that I’ve read and all I can say is wow!

This is not an easy read and though this is a clean suspense, it is actually quite involved and deals with some heavier subject matter. There is an intense hostage situation as well as other topics including immigrants, abuse, and other subjects that are tougher to tackle. I feel like the author really took care when handling these situations and appreciate that while she didn’t shy away from them, she also wasn’t explicit in her depictions and handled it all with the upmost respect.

I was seriously giving everyone with a side eye from the word go, thinking each person could be the suspect, and the deeper I dove into the narrative the more twisted it became. Levi and Carrington, a journalist and negotiator respectively, complement one another so well. It hurt my heart what Levi had to go through with his family and sadly that is a sting that I know all too well. It is in these moments when prayer and your tribe are truly all you have to get you through and that was the one thing I really enjoyed about this novel. Carrington and Levi truly cared, and you could feel that.

As far as the story overall, there were parts that did drag a bit, but I truly felt like I was part of the investigation. The characters are complex, and I appreciated the faith aspect and learning more about Messianic Judaism. Though it wasn’t a shock who was behind everything when it was all revealed the why was shocking and sickening. Overall, it all ended on a happy note and for that I was grateful.

Lethal Standoff is an intense novel where things are not always what they seem, with twists and turns that shows a fight for justice, acceptance, and the power of love and community. It has complex characters, serious subject matter, and a plot that sadly is believable. If you’re a fan of suspense you will not be disappointed.

From the opening pages I found myself invested and glued to the story. Carrington is an interesting and compassionate individual. Then we have the curious and determined Levi whom I found endearing and irresistible, I just had to know how his story turned out!

From the point they begin working together I was glued to the pages in this story! Not only that, but turns out that they were not only present for another day at work, but what they both soon realize is something far bigger than either could ever imagine! This case is explosive, and far deeper and has more twists than any other they’ve ever faced. This story is filled with surprise turns and hidden motive and that just added to the amazing bond developing between the two main characters.

This one kept me guessing and had me reading it in large bites, unable to resist knowing what happened next!

DiAnn Mills’s Lethal Standoff is a gripping read that seamlessly blends suspense with powerful social commentary. From the very first page, the story ensnares the reader in its intricate plot, making it difficult to put down. Mills’s talent for weaving current and significant societal issues into her narratives is evident once again. In this novel, she tackles the harrowing realities of human trafficking of undocumented immigrants, the conflict surrounding religious conversion, and the extensive impact of domestic violence.

True to her signature style, Mills manages to address these serious themes with a deft touch, ensuring the story remains engaging and thought-provoking without becoming overly heavy or preachy. The characters are richly developed, their personal struggles and growth adding depth to the narrative. Mills’s skillful portrayal of these individuals makes them resonate as real, relatable people.

If you’re a fan of mysteries that offer more than just thrills—delving into meaningful issues while providing an engrossing storyline—Lethal Standoff comes highly recommended.

When Carrington is called to a hostage situation, she gets more than she'd bargained for - a close-up view of a tragic situation which she doesn't feel like she can walk away from, and a close tie to a man she would like to know better, if only her life permitted it. And as they try to make sense of what happened and uncover a murderer, it gradually becomes clear that Carrington and Levi may have bitten off more than they can chew. Will they be able to work out who's responsible for everything before one or both of them - or others - end up dead? And if they survive, will this case bring them together, or drive them apart permanently?

This was the first book I've read by the author, and I really wanted to love it. Unfortunately, while I finished it, I doubt I would have if I hadn't agreed to review. The story itself wasn't bad, but the writing just wasn't my cup of tea. Too many of the conversations felt fragmented and even the narrative on a sentence-to-sentence basis didn't feel like it flowed. I was also left wondering at times whether the author was a psychologist or similar, because some bits were somewhat textbook-esque. In terms of the story, it kept me guessing but came together neatly at the end, which was good. All in all, I won't be reading books by this author again because I don't think they're for me - but others may love them.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

I always love reading Diann Mills’ books and this one just might be my new favorite! Lethal Standoff’s storyline and two main characters were a bit different than your typical Christian suspense novels, which I appreciated! Carrington is a hostage negotiator and Levi is a journalist. While they have interacted before, the hostage situation the book is centered around gives them the opportunity to work closely together. I really love how honest and thoughtful they are with each other and how caring they are towards the victims of the hostage situation. It was sweet to see their relationship unfold throughout the book! Overall, I would highly recommend this book! It’s a quick read and the plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

There is so much going on in this ingeniously, plotted, tense story. What starts out as a hostage situation turns into an investigation into a murder and so much more. Private negotiator, Carrington is in the thick of a deadly standoff but when it is over, she has to make sure the victims gets the care they need. Journalist, Levi began covering a story, but like Carrington becomes personally involved, they put their heads together, totally getting that they are not qualified investigators, but circumstances put them in the middle of the confounding aftermath.
I liked the alternating viewpoints of Carrington and Levi. It was interesting to get into their heads. Carrington is battling her own demons and learns to trust God. Levi is a messianic Jew, and that aspect was very well explained. “We are a dangerous pair. Curiosity and compassion. Always in trouble.” And as they share danger, the romance blooms.
The layered twists and turns had me quickly, turning pages in the villain, was a total surprise. The romance was paste just right in the faith element brightly shown. “The future wore a mask, but the One in charge held it in his hand. I knew it. I felt it. I believed it.”
* I received a complementary copy of this book from Tyndall on behalf of the author through PICT tours and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

3.5 rounded up

The title and cover of Lethal Standoff may lead readers to assume the protagonists are in law enforcement, but the heroine is a private hostage negotiator, and the hero is an investigative journalist. Acquainted through previous cases, one situation impacts them profoundly and they are drawn into finding justice for the Kendrix family.

I expected this to be a fast-paced plot, and it was. But I was surprised by the amount of medical injuries/crises, the storyline about severed relationships due to spiritual beliefs, and the depth of the family secrets and betrayals. At times, I wasn't sure who to trust, and that ratcheted up the tension and made the pages fly by.

However, the romantic connection between the hero and heroine didn't feel realistic and was more "tell" than "show." I was worried the immigration plotline would become political, and I'm confident the author's political beliefs are completely opposed to mine, but she managed to keep the topic relatively balanced.

Thank you to Tyndale Fiction for the complimentary copy of this novel; all opinions are my own.

Lethal Standoff is a wonderful fast-paced novel full of suspense and mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat and turning pages.

We celebrate the Jewish holidays in this house. So finding a book that focuses on both Orthodox and Messianic Jews is always fun! Add in it’s a super fun suspense and mystery book and I’m hooked!

One is a hostage negotiator. And one is a journalist covering a story. But they’re tied together. You’ll love this story told from both their first-person views. And then the bad guy who will hopefully throw you for a loop!

I loved the suspense. This author is amazing for suspense and keeping you hooked on the book. I loved it. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. And I was not happy it ended so I had to say goodbye to dear friends.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills - 5 Stars

"God does hear. He cares. The one thing I feel in my bones is His love.”

Talk about a WILD ride! My first DiAnn Mills book and will NOT be my last! This had everything you want in a good romantic suspense. Great balance of romance and suspense in my opinion. Characters you connect with, faith content you love to see and it's quite the page turner. DiAnn's writing is wonderful and I highly recommend you check this book out if you love a good romantic suspense story.

In this one, we follow Carrington and Levi. Carrington is a hostage negotiator and Levi is an investigative reporter. They are both on the scene of 15 hostages being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in South Texas. The brothers are armed and dangerous and refusing to let them go. Things start off from here as we have this great story that keeps you connected, invested and needing to know all the twists and turns Carrington and Levi take along the way.

The romance depicted in this book was developed and layered - they really communicated well and didn't rush through things since there was so much going on. We have so much backstories too between the two and I loved learning about them along the way, from Levi's family issues due to his faith and Carrington's guilt and health journey - so much depth with these characters! Levi's faith was also encouraging and seeing him talk to Carrington about it was beautiful - especially how everything wrapped up for her faith journey in the end. I loved the dual POV between Levi and Carrington too, I think it really added to the story.

The pacing was perfection in this book and DiAnn really keeps you engaged! I cannot recommend it enough! I think it's safe to say, I'll be reading all of DiAnn's books I can going forward!

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a copy of the book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lethal Standoff is an intense, action filled suspense that kept me turning those pages until the very end. Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed had been called to a situation where 15 illegal immigrants had been taken hostage by two local brothers. The incident did not end well and something about the entire scenario bothered Carrington. Working closely with investigative reporter Levi Ehrlich, they attempt to discover what could actually be behind the puzzling case. The more answers they find, the more they find their own lives threatened.

Exactly the type of suspense I most enjoy, Lethal Standoff has it all. Plenty of suspense, danger, mystery, and action combine with a touch of potential romance to make the perfect read. Characters are well defined and relatable. Their faith is tested and they persevere when odds are against them. A strong sense of right and wrong prevails.

I have always enjoyed books by this author and Lethal Standoff is no exception. Highly recommend!

Lethal Standoff may be the best thriller I’ve read this year. The twists and turns made me dizzy with anticipation. What might I find around the next corner?

The main characters were perfectly written for me, interesting on many levels. I was fully invested in their lives, both in their investigation and their growing attraction to one another.

I haven’t read a book with a Messianic Jew and didn’t realize the struggles they face in Jewish culture. The combination of tradition and love for Jesus in the service was an eye opening, beautiful experience, and Levi is one of my recently read favorites.

Carrington is a fully developed character with many layers. She is empathetic, smart, determined, and yet also a bit broken. I loved seeing her layers peeled back as her relationship with Levi, and with God grew throughout the story.

This book is one I will read again, even though the suspect pool was large and I now know who the culprit was, it’s just that good. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy courtesy of Tyndale house through NetGalley and Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

This is a 10-star book! I am over-the-moon happy and satisfied with it! Carrington is a skilled crisis negotiator dealing with private health and other issues. She allows an investigative news representative, Levi, to assist in a hostile hostage situation. Levi is struggling with his own issues with his family and job. I have never read of a negotiator who does such caring follow-up with the family involved, and it was quite amazing. I even learned from her in talking to someone who mentioned suicide, besides asking if they had thought about self-harm, how they would do it, and inquiring, '" Is there anyone or anything that would keep you on this planet?... Because they would suffer the way you're suffering right now."' Both Carrington and Levi demonstrate compassion, curiosity and courage, usually ending in a bunch of trouble! They showed how they overcame uncertainty, fear and challenges. I enjoyed learning about their faith journeys and the joy of Levi's Messianic Jewish worship services. Sign me up if there is a follow up book, but I always make it a point to read anything by this excellent author!
I appreciate being able to read an advanced copy of this book from the publishers. The views expressed are my own.

Carrington Reed is a highly sought after hostage negotiator. Levi Ehrlich is an investigative reporter who has covered several of the cases that Carrington has worked on. Carrington and Levi work together on this case to solve a murder. Carrington had to first learn to trust Levi because she had dealt with reporters before and didn't trust them. How Levi was treated by his family when he became a Messianic Jew was an eye opener.

I enjoyed reading this book. As with all MS Mills books, I had trouble putting this book down.

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing via Net/Galley for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

"Lethal Standoff" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The characters were likable, complex, realistic people, if a little crazy. (Hey, you know that place we went where we both got badly injured in an unexpected attack and our law friends told us not to do that again? Yeah? Want to go back again? Count me in!) Carrington's a skilled negotiator who genuinely cares about everyone involved in the situations she's called out on. Levi's an investigative reporter who wants to present the facts to the reader, not give news a political spin. After the hostage negotiation ends, their role should have been done. But some aspects of what happened just didn't add up, plus they cared about the devastated families. They followed up with those involved to try to figure out why things happened as they did...only to uncover a bucket-load of secrets. Carrington and Levi worked well together and made an effective team.

The suspense was from physical danger to several characters, including Levi and Carrington. Levi was a Messianic Jew while Carrington struggled to believe in a good God with all the suffering she saw around her. There were no sex scenes. There was no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, suspenseful novel.

Carrington Reed steps into this story as a confident, most of the time, hostage negotiator when she’s faced with an unusual standoff near Victoria, Texas. Two brothers have taken fifteen people hostage in an old cabin belonging to their family, and the demands for release are based on finding who killed their father.

What ensues in this well-written thriller is complicated and dangerous, but Carrington is more than up to the task.

At the scene is Levi Ehrlich, an investigative reporter who’s been assigned to cover the story, and is known to Carrington from past cases. He becomes an ally in resolving the situation, as well as the romantic interest in the story.

The romance thread in the story was presented in a way that can be called sweet, and I do appreciate that there was no graphic sex scenes. Those really don’t further a love story as much as the other intimate moments of truthful sharing, as well as mutual respect. Those are two very important elements that build a solid relationship between these two characters, and I always believe they build a solid relationship in real life.

For me, the balance between “testimony” and thriller was a little off. I’ve enjoyed a number of DiAnn’s books in the past and found the balance just right, but this one leaned too heavily on the religious side of the story for me. However, I did enjoy the interesting fact that Levi was a Messianic Jew, and the information in the book about people who’ve moved from Judaism to accepting Jesus as a savior is quite fascinating.

The family dynamics of people involved with the situation: the brothers, the wives and fiancés of the brothers, as well as extended family brought a lot of drama and intrigue to the story. Secrets abounded and were slowly revealed as the story unfolded. Things weren’t always as they seemed on the surface, and Carrington, with Levi’s help, digs to find the truth before the deadline and hostages start dying.

Some of the interactions between family members surprised me, primarily because of the setting. For instance, at one point when a mother and daughter are in the hospital waiting room waiting to hear if her fiancé will survive having been shot, the mother starts a loud and demeaning conversation. That conversation was so out of place in a hospital waiting room, and couldn’t there have been another way to show that mother had a possible motive for killing the rancher?

I also wondered why Carrington didn’t step in to diffuse that tense situation between mother and daughter since they were all by the ICU, waiting for, hopefully, some good news. It would seem like that would be true to her character as a person who strives to diffuse any moment that could turn more volatile. Plus, she seemed to find the outburst as inappropriate as I did.

This is not necessarily a book for readers coming to discover a new hard-boiled romantic suspense to add to their TBR pile, although they may definitely want to give it a try, but readers who are avid fans of Christian Romantic Suspense will find this a most enjoyable thriller. The two main characters are well-drawn and pull the reader deeply into their story of romance and their search for greater truth in their faith.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Lethal Standoff does not disappoint! As always, DiAnn Mills has come up with a plot full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat and main characters you get completely invested in. Levi and Carrington have interesting, unique backstories and an established relationship of mutual respect. Their chemistry is palpable.
I was drawn to Levi's struggle to reconcile with his family following his conversion to Messianic Judaism. The peek into that faith tradition was compelling and sincere without being preachy. Carrington's wariness gave the reader that balance of analysis and appreciation.
The way Carrington faced her health concerns tugged at my heartstrings. She's a strong yet vulnerable character.
As always, the action and suspense are nail-biting. Another great read from DiAnn Mills!

The plot in this novel does not center around your typical FBI agent. Carrington has a private negotiating service and her character development revolves around the stress she experiences as a hostage negotiator. She is a very capable woman and she also struggles with admitting she needs help. Her potential romantic counterpart is a Messianic Jew who has issues with his Jewish family. Other issues in this novel include suicide, why God allows tragedy, the plight of illegal immigrants, and the long process of healing after experiencing trauma.

While there is a bit of suspense near the end, Mills focuses more on relationships and the after affects of trauma rather than on action events. This is a novel for readers who like character interaction and growth more than continuous action. It is an encouraging novel about people helping others, even risking one's life to do so. The novel is written in alternating first person. While the character is clearly identified at the beginning of each section, I do find this technique a bit confusing reading later pages. There is a strong faith message included as both Carrington and Levi face belief struggles.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This novel had so much packed into it, and I really enjoyed Carrington's character and career. It was a different kind of thriller read. A hostage negotiator, Carrington gets a call that will change everything in her career. Two brothers have taken fifteen hostages and are demanding in order for them to be released, they want their father's murder solved and the clock is ticking. Putting everything on the line, Carrington allows a reporter behind the lines with her while she works with the brothers to keep things calm while directing others to start digging into the death of their father. Things quickly escalate as they often do with someone who is erratic and Carrington and Levi find themselves in the middle of gun fire. They are running out of time and patience is wearing thin. The closer it gets to the time limit they were given, the more Carrington knows this goes way beyond just hostages and their fathers death. Many more are entangled in this web of crimes and their father had a long list of enemies. The two are now invested in this case and as they put their lives on the line to get to the bottom of everything, someone is bound to try and keep things secret. Will they be able to solve all this entails and will Levi keep his word to Carrington of what will and will not be released to the media about all that has happened and is going on? I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.