FACING THE ENEMY
by
DiAnn Mills
Christian Fiction / Suspense / Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Date of Publication: September 5, 2023
Number of Pages: 352 pages
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When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother's murder, with details never revealed publicly.
Alarmed by Carson's inside knowledge of Trenton's death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson's background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson's stepfather and children have gone missing. There's a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.
My Review:
Facing the Enemy is a Suspenseful Christian Romance, which is a really good time. I've read quite a bit of detective fiction. I've read a decent bit of Christian Romance. However, my Christian suspense romances are usually limited to the Love Inspired line of books. This book was a fun alternative, as it still had a romantic plot line, but really brought the suspense and intrigue. I was enjoying seeing each character address the main mystery from different sides and positions, since Risa is out of her usual FBI position.
The romance element was one that was a major highlight for me. I kept wondering "will they finally SAY something? Get those feelings out in the open!" I was cheering for the main couple, but it wasn't distracting at all from the main suspense portion either. The murder and mystery elements are very well done and I loved the multilayering this story had with its balance of suspense and romance. Often I've read books that are too one way or the other and this had a good blend of both.
I also found the Christian elements to be very authentic and believable. I thought this portion was well-handled as well. It wasn't very heavy-handed or "preachy". It was just right. Had enough to keep me believing that Risa was a woman of faith, but not enough to make me groan or feel like it was being overdone or oversaid (it DOES happen, and it makes me sad when it does. I come in as a reader of faith & characters actions are more important than words and proverb dropping most of the time!)
I liked Risa and Gage a lot. Jack was also very interesting. I would love to see more of this FBI office and see how they solve some of their other cases. This one was absolutely fascinating and I'm glad I read it. I love the dual POV, I'm a sucker for it.
The only thing that threw me off towards the beginning was the passage of time. There were a lot of markers involving time and then they just seemed to drop off entirely as the action ramped up.When I have those extra notes, I just pay more attention to them and have look back at them. When they disappear, I'm like "wait, did I miss one?" I think some little thoughts of just "it'd been x months since the accident..." would've been smoother for me personally - but that's a very minor detail relative to the story as a whole. I give Facing the Enemy a Lone Star rating of ✯✯✯✯ stars.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. 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, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
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Terrific review, and thank you for mentioning that the romance isn't primary or distracting in the story. I don't mind books with romantic elements, but that's not ever why I will read a book. I look forward to listening to this one when it comes out on audio this fall!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reviewing my book and featuring the giveaway! I appreciate you.
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