DiAnn Mills

I admit that had I known this was Christian fiction I probably wouldn't have picked it up. That just isn't my perspective. Frankly, this was a great mystery novel and lots of fun to read. The main character, Paige, works as a small town librarian but that is a cover for her previous life. When her two worlds come together, she has to figure out how to survive (literally!) as well as make peace with her choices. Fast paced and intriguing. I only gave it 3 stars because the religious show more mini-lectures interrupted and, as I said earlier, are just not my perspective. However, if you like a fun read with well-developed characters, I wouldn't let that stop you from reading Breach of Trust. show less

I have been on a bit of a suspense reading-kick lately. I love the twists and turns and hold your breath action that the genre provides. Fatal Strike by DiAnn Mills was another fast-paced, action packed read that kept me guessing. Gang activity, shootouts, hot pursuits, and some particularly slithery characters are all part of what keeps this book’s pages turning late into the night. I could not get enough! The mystery surrounding three law enforcement-related deaths on Galveston Island show more kept me guessing — I had my doubts about so many of the suspicious characters. And I loved FBI investigators/snipers Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert. Dedicated to justice and highly competent and expert in their field, these two mains were perfect in portraying the professionals that they are. I really liked the methodical investigation that slowly, but surely uncovered clues and the many secrets surrounding the crimes and their victims. That was a great balance to the dangerous situations that seemed to come out of nowhere. I also liked that the attraction between the two was kept low-key. So often romantic suspense is all about the sparks with the plot being just a vehicle for romance. But Fatal Strike has just the right balance that kept the events believable. The faith journeys of the two characters — one a seeker and one a non-believer — was naturally developed as well. Family issues, fears, and past mistakes were overcome with the help of God.

If you like puzzling out a mystery, the breath-holding of suspense, and the beginnings of romance, then Fatal Strike is the book for you. It is definitely a recommended read!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Tyndale for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

“Hope is a reason to live when the world erupts into madness.”

This quote is an absolute fave, and given the timing I read it, it applies super well in multiple ways to our country and world today! Diann Mills’s Canyon of Deceit is billeted as a romantic mystery and suspense, but I would also add the category of political thriller. Expecting romantic suspense with lots of continuous action, I felt the storyline didn’t move as fast as I expected at first. Being such a politically-based show more novel, there were a lot of mental gymnastics to work through in this 1st person , alternate narrator pov. Blane, a Texas Ranger and top-notch negotiator, and Therese, the best wilderness survival guide, must locate a kidnapped Russian child in Fog Canyon, a dangerous part of the Guadalupe National Park. Their former attraction rears its head, as do their painful pasts. But what set my mind spinning ( and theirs) was whose intel to trust. Trusting the wrong person will cost them time, but most likely their lives, that of 8-year-old Alina, and ultimately, possibly untold others.

Twists!! As I stuck with the story, I began to be able to sort out the multiple characters, see the need for so many, and was totally surprised more than once just as I thought I had the “bad guy head honcho” figured out!!

By this time, I was well-invested in the characters! I wanted Blane to do more than blame God for tragedy in his past. His honest thought is one that I find interesting, and I have personally heard from another non-believing friend. “A bit ironic to blame someone I didn’t believe in.“ Blane knows God is after Him… but does he want to forgive God- or himself?

Interestingly enough, Therese also is dealing with her fear of failure from the past, plus fear. Can she trust God enough to forgive herself? I love that she keeps returning to her Source of strength, even in the midst of impossible odds. “God understood my doubts, and He’d help me.” Another thought she shared with Blane until he was tired of her God talk!
“You’re not afraid?” “Depends on how you define fear. For me exploring new territory and revisiting special places is a type of respect, a mix of love and fear.” I swung another look at the sky. “Like how I feel about God.” But the one that personally shores me up, I will share below.

While I was uncertain about how invested I could become in these characters, I found that the political aspect just needed more time to establish the character’s uncertainties and complexities that made for great action and twists once we had enough information in our arsenal. The inclusion of a wonderfully brave, sweet, 8-year- old certainly drew me into the story with tattered heartstrings!

I bought my own copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Every problem has a solution, and it usually involves teamwork.” -Sergio

“It’s not what we lose that defines our character—it’s what we learn.” -Therese

“We called this fence-coffee on the ranch. The only thing available when riding fence. Tastes like it was brewed over a pile of manure.” -Blane (just for laughs)

So many times I’d asked why evil and injustice exist. But if I had the answers, God wouldn’t be God.” - Therese

“I sent a silent prayer to the One who routinely out-negotiated the devil.” -Therese- (what comfort that sentence brings!) show less

Thanks to the publisher and Lone Star Lit for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.

DiAnn Mills does a wonderful job at creating compelling, complex characters and her book High Treason is no exception.. CIA operative Monica Alden is compassionate, complex, intuitive and deeply rooted in her faith - an agent with a lot of heart and smarts. Her presence is definitely challenged by FBI special agent Kord Davidson, who is loyal to his Saudi friends and dedicated to figuring out who is show more behind the assassination attempt - on his own. Of course, sparks fly, but Mills keeps the tension between them high while remaining true to the inspirational nature of her writing. (Read: she keeps it clean.)

Having a CIA operative working on a case where the primary characters involved live in a very patriarchal society could have been tricky but the author handles it deftly. Monica is frustrated but works the situation with respect for their traditions and with intelligence, not letting ego get in the way of doing her job, and in the process gains their respect (and maybe even an admirer!) She balances out the tension with sharp wit that I quite appreciated.

The story is fast paced and gripping, and the characterization felt authentic. I could feel the angst that the secrecy of keeping her CIA life undercover from family and friends caused Monica; the tension and distrust of her presence as shown by Ali and other members of the Prince's staff was palpable.

As I noted briefly above, High Treason crosses genres between mystery, suspense, romance, and inspirational. Faith definitely plays a more prominent role in this book versus other inspirational novels I've read of late. The religious differences between Prince Omar and his family and staff are handled respectfully, and Monica's faith is recognized by them and appreciated - something that is nice to see given the current environment. Monica's faith is something that drives her, while Kord is a self-declared agnostic, hoping to find something to believe in. His conversion felt a bit sudden and awkward, but didn't detract from the pace of the story.

While the third entry in her FBI Task Force series, this book works as a stand-alone - although, honestly, I would LOVE to see Monica Alden and Kord Davidson working together to solve more cases. I really adored Monica's character and hated to see her story end.

This was a book that once picked up, I couldn't put it down - I may have read it in one sitting and I have the piles of laundry and dishes to prove it. (I don't regret it, either!) If you are a fan of Sandra Brown or Heather Graham and appreciate a taut mystery (with a clean romance), you need to check out DiAnn Mills and High Treason. show less