Lone Star Book Blog Tour: Fatal Strike by DiAnn Mills (Review)

 

DiAnn Mills delivers another smashing hit with Fatal Strike. Two FBI snipers, Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert, start the story off when they are assigned together for the first time to take down a criminal in true sniper fashion. Despite both agents’ reluctance to give up the driver’s seat in their new partnership, they get along quite well, and they are immediately plunged into another deadly case. While the physical attraction between these two is mutual, their relationship is first and foremost based on trust and respect. They are battling past mistakes and fears, making them both hesitant to even contemplate a serious relationship.

After that first heart-pounding scene, the chapters that follow slowly build into an interesting and unique story of a Galveston community besieged by illegal prescription drugs, deception, betrayal, and murder by rattlesnake venom. The spiritual/Christianity aspect is moderate as both main characters grapple with self-forgiveness and faith, adding a thought-provoking layer to their character development. The overall pace of the story picks up considerably as the two agents inch closer to the truth and closer to discovering the identities of the real culprits behind all the murder and illegal activity. DiAnn Mills does a fantastic job of stringing the reader along without revealing too much too soon.

The two main characters, Leah and Jon, are well developed and likable. Jon’s easy going personality and daily gift of a steaming cup of coffee for Leah set the bar pretty high for a leading man. Leah’s love for Steampunk decor automatically makes her a favorite in my book.

All levity aside, a few serious themes set the tone for the overall story: handling the often tumultuous relationship between parents and adult children, facing and overcoming fears and phobias, and opening the heart to forgiveness and new beginnings. The action is not always nonstop in Fatal Strike, which gives the reader time to breathe in between the high-impact activity, unexpected twists, and a scene that had me mentally cowering in a corner. The author’s ability to elicit such heart-pounding emotion makes Fatal Strike a slam dunk.

Fatal Strike is a must read for any fan of soft romance with a high dose of intriguing mystery, all presented through well-written prose and impressive characterization.

Enter the giveaway below on or before September 13, 2019, for a chance to win a personalized hardcover of Fatal Strike by DiAnn Mills plus a Starbucks gift card.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

 

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol Award contests.

 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

 

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. She’s very active online and loves to connect with readers.

 

 

(US Only)