Reviews

Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman

spestories's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this and found the continuation of the Red Team characters fascinating.

ashleyfuhr's review against another edition

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4.0

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.

randikaye's review against another edition

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4.0

Minutes to Die is the second book in the Homeland Heroes series by Susan Sleeman. Each story can standalone on it's own just fine. There are of course familiar characters, and one common case that has been mentioned throughout the series, but enough background is given that you won't be lost.

In Minutes To Die, Kiley and her team learn of a planned terrorist attack that will be more catastrophic than 9/11. The problem is they have no idea who or what the plan involves. They are in a race against the clock to figure it out before the plan is played out.

While it sounds absolutely intriguing,I must admit it took me a little while to get fully invested in this story. There are many characters--- both on the team and suspects--- introduced in this story and it was certainly a lot to keep up with. I also found that I really didn't seem to connect with Kiley's character too much. This book was very procedural, which was interesting still, but perhaps this was why I didn't find myself connecting as well. The romance with Evan was there, but definitely took a backseat, which I didn't mind at all. It wasn't until about halfway through that I really found myself unable to put it down. I would still give it a solid 3.5 stars, but I do wish I could have enjoyed the characters a bit more. Still, I look forward to reading the next one, There is a case again mentioned throughout the first two books and I can't help but think it's leading to something big and great.

If you enjoy a Christian/clean suspense with a more procedural feel, this is definitely one to check out.


**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

abigailkayharris's review against another edition

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3.0

I wanted to love Susan Sleeman's "Minutes to Die" and I did like it.

But, you hear a but coming, right?

Well, yes, there is a but.

But, I struggled with connecting to Kiley after her character changed completely from what we saw in "Seconds to Live" now, I'm not saying that I didn't like her, I liked her well enough, I just didn't love her character as much as I expected to.

Evan, hmmm, he was okay, I liked how he grew from his past and it was nice to follow his story as he healed from the past.

Honestly, I liked the idea of the book but the plot lacked the action that I expected, I'm sad that this one is not my favorite book from Susan Sleeman.

I do still look forward to the next book in the series.

There was something that made me uncomfortable about the beliefs the characters had but it wasn't something bad, per se. Just a warning.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

esthery_rn's review against another edition

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2.0

When I start a trilogy, I finish a trilogy. This review is for all three books. I love the covers of these three books. Never judge a book by the cover… I kept hoping that the books would get better and match the covers. They didn’t.

While the plot lines and expert RED team could have made for amazing reads, I felt like something was missing in every single book. It was as if the author has heard the instructions “show not tell” so many times and was trying to do that by including a lot of adjectives and adverbs in the text, but still telling everything instead of inviting the reader in and showing.

The characters themselves did not resonate with me. Instead of being warriors and overcoming their problems, they were more like victims hoping to overcome their problems.

I follow the GoodReads rating system not the Amazon rating system.
1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing; I’ll read it over and over and/or it will impact my daily life.

juniveve's review against another edition

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3.0

ICE Agent Evan Bowers has found a shipping container with deadly implications. FBI Agent Kiley Dawson receives a lead from a CI on a terrorist attack of 9/11 scale and damage. Their present lives collide in this fast paced romantic suspense novel. They both must work through their past in order for their romance to survive.

The book has the full gamut:action, romance, cyber crime/hackers, a race against time, heroes working through personal angst, and mom issues. The book had me from the get go. I had never read anything by Susan Sleeman and will definitely be exploring more of her writing. I didn't realize that the book was part of a series (I will definitely be reading book 1.) however, it can stand alone. There are a couple of references to a cold case they are working on. This was worked into the book that the reader would believe that it was just a side plot, or something to be worked out in later novels.

Thanks to #netgalley for the advance copy for an honest review.

bestinsuspense's review against another edition

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5.0

Minutes to Die takes readers deep into homeland security investigations. The Red team is comprised of several different agencies responsible for tracking down terrorists and keeping Americans safe. Kiley Dawson heads up the investigation as all signs point to a massive terrorist attack to take place on the anniversary of 9/11. Her team races the clock to find the suspects and stop them.

This is the second in the Homeland Heroes series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Kiley teams up with ICE Agent Evan Bowers. He’s also an explosives expert, and naturally sparks fly between Kiley and Evan. They have a past together and Evan is the last person Kiley wanted to team up with. But they try to put aside their conflicting personal feelings to focus on their high stakes mission.

I loved the action, suspense and intensity this story brings. Millions of lives are on the line if Kiley’s team doesn’t unravel the terrorists’ plot and get one step ahead of them. This is a great book for fans of investigations – readers get an intense look at the Red Team in action. This is a must read for fans of high-adrenaline action and suspense!

Overall: 5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense: 5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

jen_newendyke's review against another edition

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4.0

The first book in this series, Seconds to Live, was my introduction to Susan Sleeman's books. It wasn't my favorite, but something changed with this book, and I absolutely loved it! The intensity and action drew me in from the beginning, and I had a hard time putting it down!

The chemistry and relationship between the main characters, Kiley and Evan, seemed much more authentic than the first book. The plot was gripping, which is to be expected in a story about terrorist plot, but I thought the balance between the action and quieter moments was really well done. I enjoyed the unique focus on the RED Team and their camaraderie, and I can’t wait for the next book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

marylinfurumasu's review

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5.0

Can you imagine knowing there’s going to be a terrorist attack, but not the players involved? The “when” you have an idea of, however, it’s the “where” it will happen that’s the hardest? So many possibilities, so little time.
The characters in this book are pulled together to figure all of this out and they only have a few days to do it. The clock is ticking and at times it feels like they are literally running to find the answers.
I love books where I learn a lot of things and this book was packed full of fascinating things regarding a world I really don’t understand. I’m not familiar with the dark web, but I do know it’s out there and a very real thing. I’m also not familiar with many of the agencies out there that keep us safe. This book is packed full of that information. I was blown away with all the many pieces it takes to stop a terrorist.
The way the author has written this book will keep you on the edge of your chair. I was captivated from the very first page until the end and I thought I knew what was going to happen, but NO, I was wrong. My heart was pounding throughout most of this book! Boy, can this author twist things around so you really must finish the story just to breathe!
I am loving reading Susan Sleeman's books! They are packed with suspense, intrigue, action, and some twists and turns along the way, plus a bit of romance. (Okay, wait . . . maybe a little more than a bit! I loved the tension between Kiley and Evan!)
The two main characters in this story learn important lessons that will change their lives. Wow! This was a great second book in the Homeland Series! This book is part of the series but can stand alone. However, if you haven’t picked up the first one, I’d say grab it for another fantastic read!
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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