Lethal Standoff is DiAnn Mills at her best. This novel is told from the POVs of both the leading characters. Carrington Reed is a hostage negotiator, Levi Ehrlich, an investigative reporter.

Carrington is called to a scene where fifteen hostages, undocumented migrants, are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. Levi is there covering the story. The brothers want the truth regarding who murdered their father. Carrington and Levi work together to investigate. They find truth, lies and complex family dynamics. Is this really about the Kendrix brothers' father, or is this about something else?

Carrington and Levi are well developed characters. Readers will enjoy their journey to find the truth and to them finding each other. The romance is sweet. This is an excellent well plotted romantic suspense novel that will keep you wanting to see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, for an ARC. The review is my own.

While I always enjoy a romantic suspense by DiAnn Mills, I have to say that her latest novel, Lethal Standoff, hit it out of the park! The uniqueness of the two protagonists — Carrington is a hostage negotiator who goes above and beyond with those affected by the cases she works and Levi is a journalist who puts truth first in his stories — gave the book an interesting perspective. The POV switches back and forth between the first person accounts by Carrington and Levi giving the reader insight into both characters’ personalities and past experiences. Both come from backgrounds in which trust is hard to give another person. They are also on different faith journeys which made their relationship very true to life. The plot revolves around a very difficult hostage situation and its aftermath. There are lots of questions that demand answers, and the main characters work together to uncover the truth and bring closure to the victims. And what a twisting investigation it becomes. I honestly had no idea who the bad guy(s) were — the suprises continue until the end! They face lots of obstacles and find themselves in very dangerous situations. They, and this reader, were kept on our toes!

Lethal Standoff is a perfect choice for fans of romantic suspense. Twists and turns galore, endearing characters, and definite romantic sparks. You are going to love it!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Another great suspense novel from author DiAnn Mills. This is the 4th book I've read from her and she doesn't disappoint. I really enjoyed the setting and the MC who is a hostage negotiator. The author's book always have an overarching Christian theme. Great story and a sweet romance.

From the blurb - Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington’s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him.

I am not a fan of first-person books, but persevered through. I found the beginning interesting, but have to say that I lost interest once the hostage situation was resolved. This has never been the case with this author's books previously. It could just be because the ARC was so badly edited; I had difficulty with who was the narrator and who was doing the dialog, when each person's sentences were on the same line. I may request it from the library and try again.
I did find the information about the Messianic church very interesting. I had just assumed that when a Jewish person converted that he or she would then attend a Christian church. I did know about shunning.
Learning who the villain was came as quite a surprise.
I received a complimentary copy from Net Galley of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Lethal Standoff is a gripping story from the unusual perspective of a hostage negotiator. Told in wonderful detail from the mind of spiritual and renowned author DiAnn Mills, this story will make the reader creep toward the edge of a seat before reaching its compelling conclusion.

Armed with value and skill sets quite different from law enforcement, hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene of a standoff between an armed man and Border Patrol, with the lives of a group of undocumented immigrants hanging in the balance. When reporter Levi Ehrlich arrives on the scene, whom Carrington had developed a friendship with over the years, she allows him to remain next to her during the negotiation process.

After Levi inserts himself in the standoff to help save a life, the two of them start down a path seeking the truth of why the negotiation ended badly, with a woman and her two children remaining to pick up the pieces. As the duo seeks the truth, they find themselves embattled in a number of dangerous situations, and they have the injuries to prove it.

Before going further, I feel compelled to say that even before reading this book, I was a DiAnn Mills fan. I’ve read a number of her books, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each one.

Told completely in the first person narrative, alternating between the perspectives of Carrington and Levi, Mills provides the reader with the thoughts and emotions of the two main characters as they traverse a number of obstacles in search of the truth. What seems to set this story apart from the other books I’ve read (of hers) is that the two main characters are not law enforcement. Actually, I don’t even think they qualify as first responders. I don’t mean that as a bad thing—just different.

Mills digs pretty deep into the effects an event like this can have on the families of both the perpetrators and the victims. This is where DiAnn Mills really shines, in my opinion. I think this also adds to the realism of all her stories. Her mantra is, “Expect An Adventure,” and she really delivers.

All her stories involve some concept of faith and religion, but I think this particular story goes further in that regard than the others I’ve read. Also, since Levi is a Messianic Jew, I learned a number of things that I never knew about that faith. Further, the Jewish sayings that appear in the story really tickled me. I think my favorite was, “Rejoice not at thine enemy’s fall— but don’t rush to pick him up either.”

The main characters develop a deep relationship with one another throughout the telling of this story. In fact, I’d call their character arcs quite beautiful, particularly Carrington’s. Although both of them are broken in some way, Carrington is the most broken; she blames herself for the deaths of two people that occurred years earlier, and she inwardly wears that blame like a ball and chain.

I must confess, as I was reading the story, I was a bit surprised with the pacing. It seemed slower than what I’ve come to expect from Mills. However, an event occurs in the latter part of the story that catapults the story forward and begins the race to the climax. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite that sudden and unexpected. (You won’t see it coming!)

I’d have a hard time deciding which storyline I liked the most, the search for truth after the main event or the developing relationship between Carrington and Levi. Thankfully, I absolutely don’t have to decide. I loved them both!

My biggest gripe about this story—just like the other books I’ve read by DiAnn Mills—is that the story had to come to an end.

If you have a love of stories, I implore you to read this one.

"Pain can be a beautiful thing if we allow it to work miracles in our lives."

Every time I read a DiAnn Mills book, I am completely blown away. It's been a little while since I've read one and this book hit the spot. I loved Carrington and Levi's first person voices that allowed me to really get into their hearts and minds and, of course, I absolutely loved the intense psychological suspense that's the backbone of the story. Carrington's profession as a private hostage negotiator was a fascinating one to learn about, and Levi's struggle with his family after converting to Messianic Judaism was heart-breaking. Carrington and Levi's straight-forward relationship that went from work to friendship to more was quite delightful. Their shared commitment to justice and truth was incredible and their faith journey, individually and together, was remarkable. Plenty of plot twists will have you gripping the edge of your favorite reading chair. The author does address a volatile topic of border crossing but does it with sensitivity and a focus on humanity.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, this book is a must read with its intricate plot, complex characters, and compelling faith thread. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via JustRead Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

It took me a little while to get into this book. I know it's a rough copy but some of the formatting was driving me bonkers and made it hard to focus on the story. It was especially difficult when they were texting back and forth, trying to decipher which person was saying what. Other than that I enjoyed the book and the mystery even though I figured out who the bad guy was a few chapters before the end. I'm curious now about Messianic Jews and will be doing some research on them so I appreciated learning something new!

Something I have always enjoyed about this author's books is how they address real-life issues in the news and intertwine them with caring, compassionate characters.

This story is told from two perspectives: Carrington Reed, a hostage negotiator, and Levi Ehrlich, a local reporter. Each brings strengths, weaknesses, and even some emotional baggage to the story. Their interplay has an undertone of something more than friendship, at least from Levi's perspective and perhaps Carrington's, too.

The crux of this story is a fast-paced journey to uncover the truth about a murder, hostage situation, and family issues. In addition, with Carrington's health issues, the reader will not experience many lulls in this novel. While Levi and Carrington have personal problems to work through, their joint determination to uncover the truth forges a relationship that is hard to break.

I appreciate the scenarios in this novel that relate to what we experience in our own lives, such as unethical journalism, trauma, grief, and family drama. There is even a religious struggle for Levi. I can't imagine parents declaring their child "dead" just because they chose to believe a different way. Carrington also struggles with faith, believing that her prayers are never answered. For anyone who has dealt with faith issues, we know that prayers are not always answered how we want. We must have faith, and this is hard for Carrington.

This novel is engaging, and I, along with Carrington and Levi, looked for clues to uncover the truth of the situation. Many rushed to judgment, but the truth won out in the end. 

If you are seeking an engaging romantic suspense novel, I recommend this book (or any by this author), and we give it five paws up!

If you enjoy action-packed suspense novels with a serious mystery, you will so gobble up this book, Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills. There was a heap load of crimes from drug-running, human-trafficking, extortion and murder. And you will only think you know who all is involved and then…surprise. Grab your copy, quick.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

I enjoyed this fast pace plot thru the eyes of a negotiator and a journalist.
It had suspense,, a bit of romance. Highly recommend this book to readers.

An intricately woven melding of crime thriller, faith examination, and romance, Lethal Standoff is an exciting and thought-provoking read.

Action-packed from beginning to end, this book takes its leads, hostage negotiator Carrington Reed and investigative reporter Levi Ehrlich, through multiple life-threatening and heartbreaking twists and turns in their shared quest to find answers after a tragic end to one of Carrington’s volatile cases. Traveling back and forth between Houston and Victoria, Carrington and Levi find themselves dealing with a traumatized bereaved family, a territorial local police, unknown murderous villains, and weighty personal problems while also navigating their growing emotional attraction with each other.

DiAnn Mills always includes current and significant societal themes in her stories and in this book, she incorporates the horror of human trafficking of undocumented immigrants, the conflict of religious conversion, and the far-reaching devastation caused by domestic violence. As I’ve come to expect from her, Ms. Mills expertly threaded all these topics into a cohesive work that compels the reader to think and feel for the characters. And she did it in a way that highlights the seriousness of the topics without getting too heavy or preachy.

This book is an engaging read that fans of well-written and well-researched stories will surely enjoy. I learned some new information (Messianic Judaism, eye melanoma, negotiation tactics, etc.) and I vibed with the unfolding sweet and wholesome romance.

There are so many things I could say about this fascinating story. Truth is a big part of this story. "....truth and love go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. Because Jesus is both truth and love." This quote came from a wizened woman who shared her faith with the main character.

Truth is elusive in the Kendrix family. Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is gifted in the art of negotiations. She is called to the scene of a hostage situation where 15 people are being held hostage by two brothers from the Kendrix family who want justice for their father.

Levi Ehrlich is an investigative reporter. Carrington ordinarily avoids the press, but she finds herself trusting and needing Levi's assistance. He has a conscience for truth in reporting, and someone who truly cares more about people than getting a scoop, which is how he ends up behind the police lines at this hostage negotiation. Things do not go as well as Carrington hoped. She and Levi realize there is much more to this story than appears. It is much more complex than what is seen on the surface. So they continue to work together to solve this puzzle and end up with more questions than answers.

This plotline could have been pulled from the pages of the news today, which makes it even more emotional and realistic. It was an incredible story with so many facets and interesting characters. I loved how the author built her characters up slowly by sharing their background and their pasts. This made them more real. The mystery was dynamite and shocking as more clues were revealed. Do not start this one at night because you will not be able to put it down until you have finished it completely. It is truly addictive.

Thank you Tyndale House Publishers through Interviews and Reviews for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Once again this author did a superb job with action, suspense, mystery, a little bit of romance and keeping my attention from start to finish. Amazing characters, couldn't figure out "who dun it" and loved the ending.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and did not have to write a review. All opinions are solely mine.

** “We all do what seems impossible for those we love.” **

DiAnn Mills delivers an incredible thriller with “Lethal Standoff.”

When hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called into a case involving two brothers holding undocumented immigrants captive, her skills are put to the test. Reuniting with her journalist acquaintance Levi Ehrlich, the two work closely together to look into the hostage situation and the many tragedies that follow.

But as their lives both seem to come more and more into danger, can they find the truth … as well as deny or give into their budding feelings for each other?

Mills does an incredible job of creating a heart-thumping, action-packed plot filled with twists and turns, leaving the reader guessing until the very end. She creates very flawed and relatable characters, as both Carrington and Levi must overcome horrible disappointments in their lives.

She also fills “Lethal Standoff” with several great themes, like God’s ways are vast and real (“All I know with certainty is God is real, and His ways are beyond our understanding”); developing a faith takes time; standing up for what’s right; the power of regret; truth and love go hand in hand; and “many tragedies are impossible to understand.”

Fans of authors like Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon and Janice Cantore will love “Lethal Standoff,” which is due out Sept. 3.

Five stars out of five.

Tyndale Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Lethal Standoff is another extremely clever and taut romantic suspense from DiAnn Mills. I particularly enjoyed the main characters being a little different. Neither are law enforcement. Carrington is a self-employed negotiator and Levi a journalist. However, their careers soon find them in a world of trouble and risking their lives to free a number of undocumented migrants held at gunpoint.

After that, they race again the clock and a calculating killer to uncover why the migrants were taken in the first place. But finding the answer might just get them killed.

So much to applaud here. First of all the gentler nature of these characters to a typical romantic suspense provided a breath of fresh air. Carrington is all about resolution and Levi about truth. The two together make an intriguing team, one that avid readers of this genre will enjoy very much.

I can’t imagine the research this book took either, and I applaud the author for the details invited in making the story leap from the pages. While I don’t always love stories written in first person, but in this instance, the writing style pulled me closer to the main characters and I felt like I walked into situations with them, and almost, almost caught myself dodging a bullet.

This story is definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys cleverly plotted and well written romantic suspense stories. I received a copy of Lethal Standoff via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

A hostage negotiator battling her own demons partners with a reporter with a strong code of ethics delve into the background details after a hostage situation goes sideways. Told from two different perspectives the author created an unexpected story line with some very unexpected twists. The story kept me reading to the end - but the characters seemed very flat and it was difficult for me to relate to them in a way that pulled me in. It was also confusing at times to keep the two voices straight as I was reading - partly because there didn't seem a great deal of difference between the characters. it was helpful that the negotiator had a side story - but that side story could have been more fully developed. I am a big fan of this author - but this particular book wasn't in my opinion up to her usual standards.

Readers who like suspense novels will enjoy this fast paced story. Set through the eyes of a negotiator and journalist, readers will learn about the skills required for their jobs. Family drama, secrets and evil desires throughout the story. Interesting to learn about the Messianic Jewish faith. Highly recommended!

This was a fun book. And I enjoyed reading it for the most part. I liked the negotiator aspect (although this plays a larger part of the story in the beginning of the book and seems to drop off at the end) and journalist. There are many twists and turns and it was hard to force who the villain was.

SPOILER
I do not enjoy when Christian books have a villain who is a respected, strong Christian. I find this undercuts what faith says about the transformative aspect of God. I do understand that the author is trying to keep up the suspense and not have us (the reader) predict the ending. But it just feels a little icky.
END of SPOILER

I do enjoy the writing style of this book. I really enjoyed the viewpoint of the Messianic Jews. I enjoy how clean the romance is.

Wow! DiAnn Mills has once again surprised me with an amazing story full of twists and turns. I finished this story quickly because I could not wait to find out the true story behind the mystery.

Lethal Standoff is a story that explores what it means to truly find justice. At what points family secrets become harmful to those around us and how much they damage a community. It's the story of two individuals who must learn to trust each other in order to get to the bottom of things. And they must learn to lean on God to provide for them both to solve the aches deepest in their hearts.

Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to a scene with a man holding 15 illegal immigrants hostage with his brother. Reporter Levi Ehrlich is sent to cover the story. Because Carrington has seen Levi provide fair reporting on her negotiotions in the past, she allows him access on her side of the barricade. Together they seek answers to why Will Kendrix has taken so many hostage and what his true motives are. Together they seek answers and justice. And their journey will take you through twists and turns to an ending that you likely won't see coming.

I really enjoy DiAnn Mills books and this one wasn’t any different. This book seemed a little different than her other books but I enjoyed that. I kept guessing the whole way through wondering what was really happening. I did figure it out but it was near the end of the book. I highly recommend this book.

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.