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White Knights #1
Fatal Mistake
An FBI agent must protect the woman who can identify a terrorist bomber in bestselling author Susan Sleeman's riveting romantic suspense novel.
Each day could be her last...but not if he can help it.
Tara Parrish is the only person ever to survive an attack by the Lone Wolf bomber. Scared and emotionally scarred by her near death, she goes into hiding with only one plan--to stay alive for another day. She knows he's coming after her, and if he finds her, he will finish what he started.
Agent Cal Riggins has had only one goal for the past six months--to save lives by ending the Lone Wolf's bombing spree. To succeed, he needs the help of Tara Parrish, the one person who can lead them to the bomber. Cal puts his all into finding Tara, but once he locates her, he realizes if he can find her, the Lone Wolf can, too. He must protect Tara at all costs, and they'll both need to resist the mutual attraction growing between them to focus on hunting down the bomber, because one wrong move could be fatal.
Each day could be her last...but not if he can help it.
Tara Parrish is the only person ever to survive an attack by the Lone Wolf bomber. Scared and emotionally scarred by her near death, she goes into hiding with only one plan--to stay alive for another day. She knows he's coming after her, and if he finds her, he will finish what he started.
Agent Cal Riggins has had only one goal for the past six months--to save lives by ending the Lone Wolf's bombing spree. To succeed, he needs the help of Tara Parrish, the one person who can lead them to the bomber. Cal puts his all into finding Tara, but once he locates her, he realizes if he can find her, the Lone Wolf can, too. He must protect Tara at all costs, and they'll both need to resist the mutual attraction growing between them to focus on hunting down the bomber, because one wrong move could be fatal.
336 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2017
160 people are currently reading
806 people want to read
About the author
Susan Sleeman
130 books808 followersSUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over sixty romantic suspense and mystery novels with more than two million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real.
In addition to writing, Susan also hosts The Suspense Zone. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, two special sons-in-law, and four amazing grandsons
In addition to writing, Susan also hosts The Suspense Zone. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, two special sons-in-law, and four amazing grandsons
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June 28, 2024
Review from 2018
What a stinker! I've given this a C for narration and a D- for content at AudioGals.
I wasn’t even fifteen minutes into Susan Sleeman’s romantic suspense novel, Fatal Mistake, when I realised I’d made a catastrophic mistake in deciding to listen to it. I’m a fan of the sub-genre and am always on the look-out for authors to add to my “must read/listen” list, but instead, I’ve found one to add to my “must avoid” list. The storyline is trite, predictable and filled with stereotypical characters, info dumps, hackneyed dialogue and more introspection and internal monologuing than one can shake a stick at. The principals seem to have aced “Jumping to Unfounded Conclusions 101”; there’s way too much telling and not enough showing, which means that characters make huge leaps of logic and arrive at conclusions for no reason that is made clear to the listener, and the author completely fails to create even the vaguest sense of sexual attraction between the principals. Reviews the novel are overwhelmingly positive, and the blurb promised a “riveting” read… but all I was riveted to was my watch as I kept checking to see how far I was from the end.
When the story opens, Tara has just discovered a load of bomb-making equipment belonging to her childhood friend and neighbour, Oren Keeler. Terrified that Oren is going to return any minute, Tara calls the FBI Major Incident Hotline; there has been a spate of bombings in recent months, carried out by someone who has become known as the Lone Wolf – and Tara is certain it must be Oren. The agent who answers her call is the coolly collected Cal Riggins, whose unflappability annoys Tara for some reason I couldn’t fathom – surely it’s his job to remain calm and not freak out whichever distressed person is calling for help? Anyway. Realising Tara is in grave danger, he decides there’s not time to wait for his six-man team to assemble so he jumps into a helicopter – without backup – and heads off to the rescue. I should mention here that Cal is an ex-SEAL who carries around a ton of guilt about all the people he’s failed to save over the years. Because of course he does.
Then we fast forward to his finding a severely injured Tara somewhere in the nearby woods – she’s been shot and is in danger of bleeding to death, but the listener doesn’t hear the altercation she must have had with Oren – we’re just told it happened.
In the hospital when Tara comes to, she and Cal talk about Oren and her suspicions – and I was profoundly uncomfortable when she explains that she suspects Oren converted to Islam when they were at college because – get this – he wasn’t attractive and couldn’t get girls. At first, he became a goth because it made it seem like he was odd “on purpose”, and then he converted for the shock value. She’d already said something in the opening scene about Oren being a religious convert with links to ISIS (because of course he has – he’s a Muslim so he must be a terrorist, right?), but this is… well, I can’t even.
Somewhere around this point – I can’t remember exactly, because my mind was still reeling – Cal makes a comment about their not having a lot of time to find Oren, because it’s nearly the first of the month, and there will be another bombing. Huh? Does Cal have a crystal ball? Assuming he’s not clairvoyant, the listener is once again deprived of any knowledge of the thought process that has led him to this thought and is left to assume that perhaps that is the bomber’s pattern. But I don’t know. The crystal ball theory might be the correct one.
Shortly after another mind-numbingly dumb conversation, in which Tara tells Cal that she speaks three languages fluently (French, Spanish and Russian – which is a relief to him, as if she’d been fluent in, say, Arabic, it could have been a problem) Tara realises that Oren has managed to get past her guards in the hospital, and bolts. THREE DAYS after she had been in danger of bleeding to death, she is able to go on the run. But don’t worry – apparently her internal organs were only bruised, so no biggie.
All this happens within the first half hour of the listen. How I got through the other nine-and-a-half, I will never know.
Skip ahead three months, and Tara is still in hiding – well, as far as anyone who is being followed by a string of dead bodies can be in hiding. Oren has now taken to killing women Tara has come into contact with, and Cal is more determined than ever to find her. Fortunately, one of his team members finds Tara via Google (!), and we’re treated to a massive info-dump as she explains to Cal how she did it. Tara has just taken a job as a fire warden at the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon, so off he goes to find her. (Does speaking three languages qualify Tara to sit around all day staring at trees? Enquiring minds want to know.) Cal’s convinced she hasn’t told him all she knows and wants to get her back to DC, both for her own safety and to help with his investigation. The author tries to set up a mutual antagonism by having Tara resent Cal’s trying to order her around – because her ex was dictatorial and no man is ever going to push her around again. *sigh*. But it totally fails, as does the attempt to construct a romance between the two. We are told there is an attraction between them that they’re both aware of… but they’re the only people who are aware of it, because this listener certainly wasn’t feeling it.
It can be difficult to make an accurate assessment of a narrator’s performance when the material they’re given to work with is so spectacularly poor. I haven’t listened to Rachel Dulude before, but she delivers a decent enough performance – albeit not one that has inspired me to want to seek out any more of her work. Her tone is sometimes a little overly bright and her pacing is a bit on the fast side, but she generally differentiates well between the characters – although I did have to rely on dialogue tags sometimes in scenes in which there were more than three or four characters speaking. Her portrayal of Cal is quite good; she adds a husky note to a slight drop in pitch which is enough to make him sound sufficiently masculine, although her portrayal of the other male characters isn’t as successful. I found her characterisation of Brynn – the team’s techie person – to be extremely irritating; I’m not sure what it was about her interpretation that bugged me, I just know that it did. I also noticed several points at which Ms. Dulude failed to convey the right degree of emotion or where she didn’t accurately reflect a character’s mood as described in the text.
Fatal Mistake is an Epic Fail in pretty much every way possible. The characters are bland and barely one dimensional, the writing is amateurish, and the story is neither romantic nor suspenseful. I should also say that while the book is billed as Christian Fiction, the faith-based elements are handled clumsily and seem as though they have been tacked on as an afterthought; they mainly consist of the characters calling upon the almighty when their own efforts have failed and there is no sense that faith is a large part of either of their lives. The narration is okay, but nothing more than that.
What a stinker! I've given this a C for narration and a D- for content at AudioGals.
I wasn’t even fifteen minutes into Susan Sleeman’s romantic suspense novel, Fatal Mistake, when I realised I’d made a catastrophic mistake in deciding to listen to it. I’m a fan of the sub-genre and am always on the look-out for authors to add to my “must read/listen” list, but instead, I’ve found one to add to my “must avoid” list. The storyline is trite, predictable and filled with stereotypical characters, info dumps, hackneyed dialogue and more introspection and internal monologuing than one can shake a stick at. The principals seem to have aced “Jumping to Unfounded Conclusions 101”; there’s way too much telling and not enough showing, which means that characters make huge leaps of logic and arrive at conclusions for no reason that is made clear to the listener, and the author completely fails to create even the vaguest sense of sexual attraction between the principals. Reviews the novel are overwhelmingly positive, and the blurb promised a “riveting” read… but all I was riveted to was my watch as I kept checking to see how far I was from the end.
When the story opens, Tara has just discovered a load of bomb-making equipment belonging to her childhood friend and neighbour, Oren Keeler. Terrified that Oren is going to return any minute, Tara calls the FBI Major Incident Hotline; there has been a spate of bombings in recent months, carried out by someone who has become known as the Lone Wolf – and Tara is certain it must be Oren. The agent who answers her call is the coolly collected Cal Riggins, whose unflappability annoys Tara for some reason I couldn’t fathom – surely it’s his job to remain calm and not freak out whichever distressed person is calling for help? Anyway. Realising Tara is in grave danger, he decides there’s not time to wait for his six-man team to assemble so he jumps into a helicopter – without backup – and heads off to the rescue. I should mention here that Cal is an ex-SEAL who carries around a ton of guilt about all the people he’s failed to save over the years. Because of course he does.
Then we fast forward to his finding a severely injured Tara somewhere in the nearby woods – she’s been shot and is in danger of bleeding to death, but the listener doesn’t hear the altercation she must have had with Oren – we’re just told it happened.
In the hospital when Tara comes to, she and Cal talk about Oren and her suspicions – and I was profoundly uncomfortable when she explains that she suspects Oren converted to Islam when they were at college because – get this – he wasn’t attractive and couldn’t get girls. At first, he became a goth because it made it seem like he was odd “on purpose”, and then he converted for the shock value. She’d already said something in the opening scene about Oren being a religious convert with links to ISIS (because of course he has – he’s a Muslim so he must be a terrorist, right?), but this is… well, I can’t even.
Somewhere around this point – I can’t remember exactly, because my mind was still reeling – Cal makes a comment about their not having a lot of time to find Oren, because it’s nearly the first of the month, and there will be another bombing. Huh? Does Cal have a crystal ball? Assuming he’s not clairvoyant, the listener is once again deprived of any knowledge of the thought process that has led him to this thought and is left to assume that perhaps that is the bomber’s pattern. But I don’t know. The crystal ball theory might be the correct one.
Shortly after another mind-numbingly dumb conversation, in which Tara tells Cal that she speaks three languages fluently (French, Spanish and Russian – which is a relief to him, as if she’d been fluent in, say, Arabic, it could have been a problem) Tara realises that Oren has managed to get past her guards in the hospital, and bolts. THREE DAYS after she had been in danger of bleeding to death, she is able to go on the run. But don’t worry – apparently her internal organs were only bruised, so no biggie.
All this happens within the first half hour of the listen. How I got through the other nine-and-a-half, I will never know.
Skip ahead three months, and Tara is still in hiding – well, as far as anyone who is being followed by a string of dead bodies can be in hiding. Oren has now taken to killing women Tara has come into contact with, and Cal is more determined than ever to find her. Fortunately, one of his team members finds Tara via Google (!), and we’re treated to a massive info-dump as she explains to Cal how she did it. Tara has just taken a job as a fire warden at the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon, so off he goes to find her. (Does speaking three languages qualify Tara to sit around all day staring at trees? Enquiring minds want to know.) Cal’s convinced she hasn’t told him all she knows and wants to get her back to DC, both for her own safety and to help with his investigation. The author tries to set up a mutual antagonism by having Tara resent Cal’s trying to order her around – because her ex was dictatorial and no man is ever going to push her around again. *sigh*. But it totally fails, as does the attempt to construct a romance between the two. We are told there is an attraction between them that they’re both aware of… but they’re the only people who are aware of it, because this listener certainly wasn’t feeling it.
It can be difficult to make an accurate assessment of a narrator’s performance when the material they’re given to work with is so spectacularly poor. I haven’t listened to Rachel Dulude before, but she delivers a decent enough performance – albeit not one that has inspired me to want to seek out any more of her work. Her tone is sometimes a little overly bright and her pacing is a bit on the fast side, but she generally differentiates well between the characters – although I did have to rely on dialogue tags sometimes in scenes in which there were more than three or four characters speaking. Her portrayal of Cal is quite good; she adds a husky note to a slight drop in pitch which is enough to make him sound sufficiently masculine, although her portrayal of the other male characters isn’t as successful. I found her characterisation of Brynn – the team’s techie person – to be extremely irritating; I’m not sure what it was about her interpretation that bugged me, I just know that it did. I also noticed several points at which Ms. Dulude failed to convey the right degree of emotion or where she didn’t accurately reflect a character’s mood as described in the text.
Fatal Mistake is an Epic Fail in pretty much every way possible. The characters are bland and barely one dimensional, the writing is amateurish, and the story is neither romantic nor suspenseful. I should also say that while the book is billed as Christian Fiction, the faith-based elements are handled clumsily and seem as though they have been tacked on as an afterthought; they mainly consist of the characters calling upon the almighty when their own efforts have failed and there is no sense that faith is a large part of either of their lives. The narration is okay, but nothing more than that.
February 6, 2017
"He was coming for her, and he was close."
With that first sentence, Susan Sleeman draws the reader into this novel and the tension and thrills do not let up one bit until the very end! Ten stars, please!!! Sleeman is a veritable master at what she does! It's like being thrown on a huge roller coaster for a day or two and not being able to get off. The ride is thrilling, scary and so much fun.
FBI Agent Cal Riggins takes a call on the Lone Wolf killer hotline one night from a woman who has found a cache of explosives, supposedly belonging to this killer. Tara is certain she knows who the unsub is and is scared to death. Then things take a turn for the worst and her life is in extreme danger.
No spoilers here, folks. You'll have to read the book. Seriously, this story is as tightly wound as you can get! Your heart will stop in places. Sleeman doesn't let up on this action one bit until the ending. She is a master at this, believe me. I was holding my breath through much of the book. It's sort of like a Criminal Minds marathon, only better. I am serious. It is a fantastic book. And the fact that it's Christian fiction only makes it better. The spiritual message is tremendous. I loved every minute of it! Every single minute.
*I was provided with a preview copy of this book. My review is my own opinion and honest.
With that first sentence, Susan Sleeman draws the reader into this novel and the tension and thrills do not let up one bit until the very end! Ten stars, please!!! Sleeman is a veritable master at what she does! It's like being thrown on a huge roller coaster for a day or two and not being able to get off. The ride is thrilling, scary and so much fun.
FBI Agent Cal Riggins takes a call on the Lone Wolf killer hotline one night from a woman who has found a cache of explosives, supposedly belonging to this killer. Tara is certain she knows who the unsub is and is scared to death. Then things take a turn for the worst and her life is in extreme danger.
No spoilers here, folks. You'll have to read the book. Seriously, this story is as tightly wound as you can get! Your heart will stop in places. Sleeman doesn't let up on this action one bit until the ending. She is a master at this, believe me. I was holding my breath through much of the book. It's sort of like a Criminal Minds marathon, only better. I am serious. It is a fantastic book. And the fact that it's Christian fiction only makes it better. The spiritual message is tremendous. I loved every minute of it! Every single minute.
*I was provided with a preview copy of this book. My review is my own opinion and honest.
May 19, 2017
this one sucked me in very quickly from the early pages and did not let ago until I finished it yesterday. It's a book you could inhale in one sitting if life cooperates -- mine didn't, but I kept wanting to return to it.
The book opens with Tara realizing that her childhood friend is the worst equivalent of the Unibomber. She has to go on the run when he almost kills her, making the FBI agent in charge of the investigation furious and also wondering if she has something to do with the crimes. Reluctantly they have to work together to try to bring the Lone Wolf to justice, but it looks like they will fail at every turn. I loved how the spiritual threads were so woven into the fabric of this story. It was a seamless growth for Tara and Cal, and not a straight line to each other.
Fatal Mistake will be a satisfying read for those who love a romantic suspense with plenty of twists and turns plus tension between the hero and heroine.
The book opens with Tara realizing that her childhood friend is the worst equivalent of the Unibomber. She has to go on the run when he almost kills her, making the FBI agent in charge of the investigation furious and also wondering if she has something to do with the crimes. Reluctantly they have to work together to try to bring the Lone Wolf to justice, but it looks like they will fail at every turn. I loved how the spiritual threads were so woven into the fabric of this story. It was a seamless growth for Tara and Cal, and not a straight line to each other.
Fatal Mistake will be a satisfying read for those who love a romantic suspense with plenty of twists and turns plus tension between the hero and heroine.
May 10, 2018
Susan Sleeman is new to the Christian suspense market, but she has already made her mark. With toe tingling suspense from start to finish this book definitely packed a punch. Starring a team of FBI agents who are following a case of a serial killer, the team is the perfect crime fighting group with a collection of special agents who each has a gift in their particular area of expertise. They almost all come from a military special ops background so are physically and mentally strong as well as extremely intelligent and clever.
Tara becomes involved when she stumbles across explosives in an old shed on her aunt's property and suspects they have been left there by the neighbor, Oren. Cal is the ultimate hero - smart, alert, capable, and caring; but flawed in that he has anger issues from a previous case that went bad. When Tara reports the explosives to the FBI and Cal takes the call, a connection begins. Tara begins running scared but maintains her strength and bravery throughout. Both Cal and Tara realize through all the events that the only way they could survive was to depend on God because evil makes no sense.
Suspense is not a genre I read a lot of, and I had one thought running through my mind as I read this book: This would sure give terrorists lots of evil ideas if they read this book. But if you like suspense, this is definitely a great series.
Tara becomes involved when she stumbles across explosives in an old shed on her aunt's property and suspects they have been left there by the neighbor, Oren. Cal is the ultimate hero - smart, alert, capable, and caring; but flawed in that he has anger issues from a previous case that went bad. When Tara reports the explosives to the FBI and Cal takes the call, a connection begins. Tara begins running scared but maintains her strength and bravery throughout. Both Cal and Tara realize through all the events that the only way they could survive was to depend on God because evil makes no sense.
Suspense is not a genre I read a lot of, and I had one thought running through my mind as I read this book: This would sure give terrorists lots of evil ideas if they read this book. But if you like suspense, this is definitely a great series.
February 22, 2017
I'm always on the lookout for new books within the Christian suspense genre and Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman looked very promising. It didn't disappoint. Fatal Mistake carries echoes of DiAnn Mills, Irene Hannon and Dani Pettrey's knack for excellent suspense and authentic crime investigation.
Fatal Mistake has plenty of suspense, fantastic characters - including a team of specialist FBI agents many of whom are ex spec-op - and a deadly killer. Faith is also seamlessly woven into the story and the romance brings welcome relief from the action (though it creates a few heart-pounding moments of its own).
Tara knows her life is in danger when she discovers that her old childhood friend must be the Lone Wolf bomber who has already killed many women. The bricks of explosives and detailed plans left in her aunt's pump house attest to that. Scared, she rings the FBI hotline but not before Oren returns home to find she has discovered his secret. Now in serious danger, Tara must decide if she will work with the special FBI team who is tasked with the arrest of the Lone Wolf or if she must go out alone to ensure her safety. Cal Riggings knows he needs Tara's insight into the Lone Wolf if he is to prevent any more killings, but assuring Tara of her safety is hard when her life has already been put in serious danger. And then there is the attraction he feels towards her that risks getting in the way of his focus.
The suspense in Fatal Mistake begins from the very first page and continues throughout the book. There is no shortage of tense situations, races against the clock, deadly mistakes and lives in danger.
The characters are all well-thought out and realistic, both in their strength and their flaws. Tara is running scared but still shows tremendous strength and bravery. Though it seemed a little crazy to leave the protection of the FBI, she does what she thinks is best. Cal is the ultimate hero - physically and mentally strong, clever, and slightly traumatised from his time serving his country. The whole White Knight team is the perfect crime-fighting group and they are hugely impressive. It will be fun to follow them through this series as they bring dangerous criminals to justice, find peace within their lives, and fall in love.
I enjoyed Fatal Mistake and look forward to reading the next book in the series, Kill Shot.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
Fatal Mistake has plenty of suspense, fantastic characters - including a team of specialist FBI agents many of whom are ex spec-op - and a deadly killer. Faith is also seamlessly woven into the story and the romance brings welcome relief from the action (though it creates a few heart-pounding moments of its own).
Tara knows her life is in danger when she discovers that her old childhood friend must be the Lone Wolf bomber who has already killed many women. The bricks of explosives and detailed plans left in her aunt's pump house attest to that. Scared, she rings the FBI hotline but not before Oren returns home to find she has discovered his secret. Now in serious danger, Tara must decide if she will work with the special FBI team who is tasked with the arrest of the Lone Wolf or if she must go out alone to ensure her safety. Cal Riggings knows he needs Tara's insight into the Lone Wolf if he is to prevent any more killings, but assuring Tara of her safety is hard when her life has already been put in serious danger. And then there is the attraction he feels towards her that risks getting in the way of his focus.
The suspense in Fatal Mistake begins from the very first page and continues throughout the book. There is no shortage of tense situations, races against the clock, deadly mistakes and lives in danger.
The characters are all well-thought out and realistic, both in their strength and their flaws. Tara is running scared but still shows tremendous strength and bravery. Though it seemed a little crazy to leave the protection of the FBI, she does what she thinks is best. Cal is the ultimate hero - physically and mentally strong, clever, and slightly traumatised from his time serving his country. The whole White Knight team is the perfect crime-fighting group and they are hugely impressive. It will be fun to follow them through this series as they bring dangerous criminals to justice, find peace within their lives, and fall in love.
I enjoyed Fatal Mistake and look forward to reading the next book in the series, Kill Shot.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
May 30, 2017
This is a great suspense that you don't want to start unless you have some time to spend reading. It grabbed me from the first page and could be a story out of today's headlines. Tara Parrish goes to her Aunt June's pump house when there is a problem with the pump only to find bomb making materials. She soon decides that the only one that could be using the building is her childhood friend, Oren Keeler, who is living on her aunt's farm. She and Oren are not as close as they used to be but she can't understand why he would have the material there especially upon investigating further, it appears from papers there to be the work of the Lone Wolf, who is killing young women using necklace bombs. Before he comes back and discovers her, she dials the FBI Bomb Hotline and soon is talking to Special Agent Cal Riggins. He quickly lines up a helicopter to get to her. Cal is on the task force trying to locate and arrest the Lone Wolf. He is able to calm Tara down some, enough to get her to find something to hit Oren with while she can try to escape. She is able to stun Oren long enough to run but by the time that Cal arrives, Oren has shot Tara and run away when he sees the helicopter. Later while Tara is in the hospital guarded by an agent, Oren appears outside of her room and threatens her. Not understanding how he can reach her, Tara takes off running as soon as she can leave the hospital.
Cal is determined to find the Lone Wolf but needs Tara's help. Unfortunately, no one knows where she is. Eventually, his team locates her and with her help, the team searches for Oren. He seems to be one step behind them or ahead of them but still evades them continuing his bombing spree.
This is an edge of the seat, nail biter. Ms. Sleeman has a good writing style and does a great job with plot and character development, and scenery description. Both Tara and Cal need to work on their relationship to God and as things heat up, both lean more on their faith. I highly recommend this book for a suspenseful read with some romance and lots of adventure thrown in.
Thanks to NetGalley and Faith Works for the copy to read and review. I did buy the book before I heard from them because I was anxious to read it.
Cal is determined to find the Lone Wolf but needs Tara's help. Unfortunately, no one knows where she is. Eventually, his team locates her and with her help, the team searches for Oren. He seems to be one step behind them or ahead of them but still evades them continuing his bombing spree.
This is an edge of the seat, nail biter. Ms. Sleeman has a good writing style and does a great job with plot and character development, and scenery description. Both Tara and Cal need to work on their relationship to God and as things heat up, both lean more on their faith. I highly recommend this book for a suspenseful read with some romance and lots of adventure thrown in.
Thanks to NetGalley and Faith Works for the copy to read and review. I did buy the book before I heard from them because I was anxious to read it.
January 31, 2018
This book promises suspense from the very first line. And it delivers by way of a tense game of cat-and-mouse as Agent Riggins and his FBI team seek to stop the Lone Wolf from killing any more women with his ‘necklace’ bombs—in particular, Tara Parrish, who discovers the Lone Wolf’s identity in the very first pages.
That being the case, if suspense is what you’re after, this could be a good pick for you. For me, though, other aspects of the writing got in the way of my total engagement. The biggest issue was the fact that the main characters were very introspective, spending a lot of time speculating on the other main character’s motives or analysing their own motivations and emotions—which meant it often felt like we were being told rather than shown. But the romance also felt unrealistic under the circumstances (they ‘fell in love’ in just under a week, during said cat-and-mouse chase), and aside from turning to God when all of their own efforts had failed, the characters’ growth happened off-page, between the last chapter and the epilogue. A bit of a dampener for me, but I’m sure there will be many suspense lovers who will eat this one up.
That being the case, if suspense is what you’re after, this could be a good pick for you. For me, though, other aspects of the writing got in the way of my total engagement. The biggest issue was the fact that the main characters were very introspective, spending a lot of time speculating on the other main character’s motives or analysing their own motivations and emotions—which meant it often felt like we were being told rather than shown. But the romance also felt unrealistic under the circumstances (they ‘fell in love’ in just under a week, during said cat-and-mouse chase), and aside from turning to God when all of their own efforts had failed, the characters’ growth happened off-page, between the last chapter and the epilogue. A bit of a dampener for me, but I’m sure there will be many suspense lovers who will eat this one up.
April 24, 2017
Fatal Mistake was so good. I opened the book up and got hooked right away from that opening scene. It was intense, suspenseful, and gripping. I think one of the reasons this book was so intense was because it felt like it could be a true story and that made me care for the characters even more. The villain was insane and creepy. His fascination with Tara was scary and I really can't believe all the stuff he was able to do.
I really liked the FBI agent and how, even though he had a job to do which did pull him away from personally protecting Tara at times, he still was very invested in her protection. I also liked Tara, but I did think some of the things she did were a bit foolish, but understandable considering the circumstances.
All in all, Fatal Mistake was a great opening to Susan Sleeman's new series, White Knights, and I am eager to read the next book! I definitely recommend Fatal Mistake.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
I really liked the FBI agent and how, even though he had a job to do which did pull him away from personally protecting Tara at times, he still was very invested in her protection. I also liked Tara, but I did think some of the things she did were a bit foolish, but understandable considering the circumstances.
All in all, Fatal Mistake was a great opening to Susan Sleeman's new series, White Knights, and I am eager to read the next book! I definitely recommend Fatal Mistake.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
July 15, 2017
We interrupt our regularly scheduled Saturday Retro Read for a stellar new release because...well, just because.
I love the way Susan Sleeman spins a romantic suspense! I think I fell truly, deeply in love with her writing style after reading her First Responders series (Love Inspired Suspense) so I was thrilled to discover this new series which has a similar set up. Over the moon giddy, actually. And with good reason.
Two words. Romantic tension. Oh la la -- you can cut it with a knife. Taut and toe curling all the way through the read. So many reasons why Tara and Cal shouldn't acknowledge that attraction -- and they do make a valiant effort -- which just builds up the tension even more. Delicious.
And the stalkerish suspense is compelling. A truly sinister bad guy -- brilliantly fleshed out -- not quite to the point where a reader can sympathize with him, but enough that she can understand his insanely flawed logic. The Lone Wolf is a force to be reckoned with which really ups the suspense to a nail-biting thrill.
And one of the things that Sleeman does best is create a memorable team with lots of camaraderie and purpose. She introduces all the White Knights, an FBI Critical Incident Response Team, in this first book -- and takes enough time to give us a good sense of their personalities and relationships. I'm excited to continue getting to know them all in future books as they each (hopefully) get a chance to star in their own riveting suspense story.
Fatal Mistake has it all -- intriguing suspense, hair-raising danger and the lure of forbidden love. The only thing keeping me from falling into the woe-is-me-it's-all-over-boohoo blues is the sweet anticipation that comes from knowing Book Two, Kill Shot will be releasing in February.
I love the way Susan Sleeman spins a romantic suspense! I think I fell truly, deeply in love with her writing style after reading her First Responders series (Love Inspired Suspense) so I was thrilled to discover this new series which has a similar set up. Over the moon giddy, actually. And with good reason.
Two words. Romantic tension. Oh la la -- you can cut it with a knife. Taut and toe curling all the way through the read. So many reasons why Tara and Cal shouldn't acknowledge that attraction -- and they do make a valiant effort -- which just builds up the tension even more. Delicious.
And the stalkerish suspense is compelling. A truly sinister bad guy -- brilliantly fleshed out -- not quite to the point where a reader can sympathize with him, but enough that she can understand his insanely flawed logic. The Lone Wolf is a force to be reckoned with which really ups the suspense to a nail-biting thrill.
And one of the things that Sleeman does best is create a memorable team with lots of camaraderie and purpose. She introduces all the White Knights, an FBI Critical Incident Response Team, in this first book -- and takes enough time to give us a good sense of their personalities and relationships. I'm excited to continue getting to know them all in future books as they each (hopefully) get a chance to star in their own riveting suspense story.
Fatal Mistake has it all -- intriguing suspense, hair-raising danger and the lure of forbidden love. The only thing keeping me from falling into the woe-is-me-it's-all-over-boohoo blues is the sweet anticipation that comes from knowing Book Two, Kill Shot will be releasing in February.
August 8, 2018
This book grabbed me from the first sentence: He was coming for her and he was close. Wow! I only get to read just before I go to sleep and this book kept me up way late. Susan Sleeman created a strong heroine in Tara Parrish and an equally strong hero in Cal Riggins. Together they were dynamite. Maybe that wasn't the best choice of words since a serial killer was putting necklace bombs around his victims' necks and detonating the bombs.
I enjoyed watching both characters learn to trust God in their situations. Susan did a great job of making me care about all the characters in the book. She has a good working knowledge of what goes on inside an FBI investigation. I think readers will find this book with its many twists and turns hard to put down.
I enjoyed watching both characters learn to trust God in their situations. Susan did a great job of making me care about all the characters in the book. She has a good working knowledge of what goes on inside an FBI investigation. I think readers will find this book with its many twists and turns hard to put down.
January 17, 2017
Fatal Mistake is the first book in Susan Sleeman’s new White Knights series. The White Knights is a nickname for a team that is part of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group. The name was earned because they often rush in to save the day, and the leader of their team is Max White.
This book starts with Special Agent Cal Riggins receiving a phone call on the FBI hotline from a frightened woman named Tara Parrish. She had just uncovered information that a man that she had known and had been friends with since childhood was likely involved in the recent serial bombings. She was scared for her life because he was about to find out that she now knew his deadly secret. Cal flew to her location and was able to get there in time to save her life, but not in time to catch the Lone Wolf bomber or keep Tara from being injured by him. After recovering from surgery, Tara, unsure who she could trust, went on the run.
Cal and the White Knights race against the clock both to find information on the bomber and to find Tara – both to keep her safe and to see if she has any information which might help them catch the Lone Wolf. As the case brings them closer to the bomber, they both learn to trust each other and that no matter what, God is in control – even in events that seem out of control.
As soon as I read a brief description of Fatal Mistake and that it was coming soon, I couldn’t wait to read it. Once I started it, I could barely put it down. My two favorite things about this book (and all of the other Susan Sleeman books that I’ve read) is the story that kept me hooked from the first page and the characters who used their flaws and shortcomings as a way to learn valuable life lessons than often are things that I can personally relate to. After reading Fatal Mistake, I can’t wait for the next book in the White Knight series!
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review which I have provided.
This book starts with Special Agent Cal Riggins receiving a phone call on the FBI hotline from a frightened woman named Tara Parrish. She had just uncovered information that a man that she had known and had been friends with since childhood was likely involved in the recent serial bombings. She was scared for her life because he was about to find out that she now knew his deadly secret. Cal flew to her location and was able to get there in time to save her life, but not in time to catch the Lone Wolf bomber or keep Tara from being injured by him. After recovering from surgery, Tara, unsure who she could trust, went on the run.
Cal and the White Knights race against the clock both to find information on the bomber and to find Tara – both to keep her safe and to see if she has any information which might help them catch the Lone Wolf. As the case brings them closer to the bomber, they both learn to trust each other and that no matter what, God is in control – even in events that seem out of control.
As soon as I read a brief description of Fatal Mistake and that it was coming soon, I couldn’t wait to read it. Once I started it, I could barely put it down. My two favorite things about this book (and all of the other Susan Sleeman books that I’ve read) is the story that kept me hooked from the first page and the characters who used their flaws and shortcomings as a way to learn valuable life lessons than often are things that I can personally relate to. After reading Fatal Mistake, I can’t wait for the next book in the White Knight series!
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review which I have provided.
March 31, 2017
Filled with an intensity from the first sentence that never releases its grip on the reader, Fatal Mistake is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense.
Author Susan Sleeman weaves high octane action, anticipation, and palpable attraction throughout this book. And the longer word count (from her fantastic category suspense stories) allows her to delve more deeply into the motivations and emotions of her characters.
The detail in this book of weapons, investigative procedures, and military specialties is excellent, giving the readers the feeling of being in the middle of a police procedural show. Sleeman knows her stuff!
I loved the strength of both Tara Parrish and former-SEAL-turned FBI explosives expert Cal Riggins. There isn’t a cowering, simpering heroine in this book. Nope, Tara can hold her own against the intense FBI Critical Incident Response team.
And what a team it is, each member willing to do whatever it takes to protect innocent lives. I can’t wait to read the others’ stories!!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Author Susan Sleeman weaves high octane action, anticipation, and palpable attraction throughout this book. And the longer word count (from her fantastic category suspense stories) allows her to delve more deeply into the motivations and emotions of her characters.
The detail in this book of weapons, investigative procedures, and military specialties is excellent, giving the readers the feeling of being in the middle of a police procedural show. Sleeman knows her stuff!
I loved the strength of both Tara Parrish and former-SEAL-turned FBI explosives expert Cal Riggins. There isn’t a cowering, simpering heroine in this book. Nope, Tara can hold her own against the intense FBI Critical Incident Response team.
And what a team it is, each member willing to do whatever it takes to protect innocent lives. I can’t wait to read the others’ stories!!
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
December 21, 2017
Tara is the only person who saw the Lone Wolf bomber and knows who he is. But she's terrified that he'll come after her and the police won't be able to protect her. So she runs. But the Lone Wolf is tracking her and killing anyone associated with her. Cal, an FBI agent, is intend on finding Tara and flushing out the bomber. But he can't do it without Tara's help. Both of them must work together to find the bomber before he claims another victim. But what will happen if they both give in to the attraction between them?
I loved this story. The characters were flawed, yet likable. The secondary characters were a great addition and supported the main characters. The plot was original and full of suspense. The author did a great job of creating drama and tension to keep the story moving, while incorporating great elements of faith, family, and romance so the plot wasn't all about the bomber. She intricately wove the whole story together to create an edge of your seat suspense that I couldn't put down. I've enjoyed every story by this author, but this one is now my favorite. Definitely grab a copy if you enjoy suspense and romance.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
I loved this story. The characters were flawed, yet likable. The secondary characters were a great addition and supported the main characters. The plot was original and full of suspense. The author did a great job of creating drama and tension to keep the story moving, while incorporating great elements of faith, family, and romance so the plot wasn't all about the bomber. She intricately wove the whole story together to create an edge of your seat suspense that I couldn't put down. I've enjoyed every story by this author, but this one is now my favorite. Definitely grab a copy if you enjoy suspense and romance.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
September 16, 2018
After seeing some of the review ratings for this novel I was unsure if I would like it. However I surprisingly enjoyed this Christian terrorist romance suspense.
I liked both of the main characters. Although Tara was a little annoying at times.
I loved the white knight team and
look forward to reading more about them in the near future.
This is the first book I have read by Susan Sleeman and I will be reading more in the future.
I recommend for Christian suspense fans!
I liked both of the main characters. Although Tara was a little annoying at times.
I loved the white knight team and
look forward to reading more about them in the near future.
This is the first book I have read by Susan Sleeman and I will be reading more in the future.
I recommend for Christian suspense fans!
May 13, 2017
" . . . .Tara, any mistake you make could be fatal."
Not the kind of words that a girl wants to hear, especially from an alpha-male F. B. I. explosives expert, determined to escort her back into civilization; convinced that he can keep her safe while probing her knowledge of a dangerous psychopathic killer, whose bombing rampage has put countless law enforcement officials on notice. Can Tara Parrish depend on the man who saved her life just a few weeks ago, using his calm voice and trained actions to react swiftly and confidently, with genuine compassion? Tara knows that Cal Riggins is one-of -a-kind, and he is asking her to trust him.
Join Tara and Cal as they criss-cross the country trying to stay one step ahead of the Lone Wolfe bomber, knowing that a dangerous man has Tara in his cross hairs and is just as determined to destroy her and those she holds dear, as Cal is to keep her safe. A somewhat lengthy, fast-paced suspense with just the right splash of romance.
Not the kind of words that a girl wants to hear, especially from an alpha-male F. B. I. explosives expert, determined to escort her back into civilization; convinced that he can keep her safe while probing her knowledge of a dangerous psychopathic killer, whose bombing rampage has put countless law enforcement officials on notice. Can Tara Parrish depend on the man who saved her life just a few weeks ago, using his calm voice and trained actions to react swiftly and confidently, with genuine compassion? Tara knows that Cal Riggins is one-of -a-kind, and he is asking her to trust him.
Join Tara and Cal as they criss-cross the country trying to stay one step ahead of the Lone Wolfe bomber, knowing that a dangerous man has Tara in his cross hairs and is just as determined to destroy her and those she holds dear, as Cal is to keep her safe. A somewhat lengthy, fast-paced suspense with just the right splash of romance.
May 29, 2017
FATAL MISTAKE is the newest action-packed romantic suspense by Susan Sleeman. She is one of my top ten favorite romantic suspense authors and this story didn't disappoint. Like her Love Inspired Suspenses, FATAL MISTAKE started off with a bang, and both the heroine and the hero were kept running, struggling to stay one step ahead of the killer for the entire book.
For a while I wondered if this book would break tradition and not have a HEA as the tension rose and the heroine's life is threatened and the hero is unaware of where she is. . . and... well, you'll have to read the book! Suffice it to say that when I reached the black moment between church services (I read this on a Sunday) that I didn't want to put it down long enough to go to church! (But my husband is the pastor, so I did.)
If you love romantic suspense you will definitely want to read FATAL MISTAKE. I heard many rave reviews about this book and was anxious to read it myself. And you'll want to read it too! I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
For a while I wondered if this book would break tradition and not have a HEA as the tension rose and the heroine's life is threatened and the hero is unaware of where she is. . . and... well, you'll have to read the book! Suffice it to say that when I reached the black moment between church services (I read this on a Sunday) that I didn't want to put it down long enough to go to church! (But my husband is the pastor, so I did.)
If you love romantic suspense you will definitely want to read FATAL MISTAKE. I heard many rave reviews about this book and was anxious to read it myself. And you'll want to read it too! I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
July 16, 2022
A fun 4 star thriller!!
Tara is shot after discovering a bomb and her childhood friend is responsible for the terrible bombing that's happening to woman across the country. She runs to protect herself but now the FBI agent in charge finds her and begins to help her even facing the bomber himself. Sparks fly between them but can they resist and discover the man responsible for the killings. Fun Christ filled thriller that will have you guessing to the end. If you enjoy a good thriller than this one is for you!!!
Tara is shot after discovering a bomb and her childhood friend is responsible for the terrible bombing that's happening to woman across the country. She runs to protect herself but now the FBI agent in charge finds her and begins to help her even facing the bomber himself. Sparks fly between them but can they resist and discover the man responsible for the killings. Fun Christ filled thriller that will have you guessing to the end. If you enjoy a good thriller than this one is for you!!!
June 7, 2018
My first book by this author. I have read other Christian Fiction authors and enjoyed their books. I did enjoy reading this one as well. My only complaint, and reason for 3 stars, is the main villain in this story. I just cannot picture him in my mind as evil. He came across kinda oafy and cheesy to me. I liked the H & h as well as the other characters. The storyline itself was good. I do intend to read the 2nd book in this series.
December 31, 2020
Susan grabbed my attention from the beginning of this book. Tara unknowingly finds bomb evidence in her aunts pump house. She is totally floored could this be the serial bomber that the FBI has been looking for? Tara is now fighting for her life. She makes the 911 call and is connected to Agent Cal Riggins. The story has plots, events, and is just a great story! I will read more of Susan’s books!
February 28, 2020
Wow! This novel is beyond suspenseful. Lots of action and intensity literally made me lose sleep as I couldn’t put this book down.
October 2, 2017
Meh, disappointing actually.
Good idea, decent story but the main characters seemed a little flat. I had a hard time caring for either of them. No chemistry, no real character development. Apparently there were backstories, we never fully heard, that made them interesting people, but we didn't get a good look at them so .....
The faith bit was super light and fluffy. Not based on much. Could have been left out of the story and nothing would have changed. Was almost like a little nod now and then, just because. Pointless.
I feel bad as I normally love this kind of book, christian romantic suspense, but this one really fell flat for me.
Probably will try the next in the series as the main character in it seems more interesting. My favourite parts of the book were the scenes either he or Aunt June were in.
Good idea, decent story but the main characters seemed a little flat. I had a hard time caring for either of them. No chemistry, no real character development. Apparently there were backstories, we never fully heard, that made them interesting people, but we didn't get a good look at them so .....
The faith bit was super light and fluffy. Not based on much. Could have been left out of the story and nothing would have changed. Was almost like a little nod now and then, just because. Pointless.
I feel bad as I normally love this kind of book, christian romantic suspense, but this one really fell flat for me.
Probably will try the next in the series as the main character in it seems more interesting. My favourite parts of the book were the scenes either he or Aunt June were in.
January 24, 2018
Susan Sleeman is a new to me author. I could not put my finger on it, but this book felt heavy. It just wasn't something that kept me reading. The story is good. It is a typical Christian suspense novel. I think it was just that I didn't really get the motivation of either of the main characters. Not a bad novel and I might have loved it if I read it another time. Readers of Christian FBI suspense novels will like this book.
January 13, 2017
I received an advanced copy of Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman and started reading it immediately. It was so good that I finished it in just two days—I couldn’t put it down! I’m SO glad this is the first book in a series, because I am eager to read more about the White Knights, specifically each character who has become a “real” person to me.
What was so compelling to me is the perfect balance in the book. All of the main characters were believable, especially Tara, who could be me or any other female. She is at times weak and vulnerable, at times strong and determined. She also has a hard time trusting others, yet other times cannot let go of trusting someone she shouldn't. Cal, the other main character, seems at first glance to be a typical tough former military machine, but we quickly learn his weaknesses and vulnerabilities. He cares too much and cannot forgive himself for anyone who lost their lives if he was in the picture. He is relentlessly determined to save the world, even though it’s impossible. He truly is doing an incredible job in every rescue, but the only thing he can see is his failure.
Also, both of these characters struggle with trusting God, which are key motivations that affect the way they handle dangerous situations, relate to others, and how they see themselves. Tara has given up on God because she believes He always abandons her, so she has to protect herself—even when it’s impossible. Cal, as a former SEAL, went through years of dangerous missions where too many people died, and he can never forgive himself or God for many innocent people’s deaths. Both of them question where is God in times of trouble and their instincts to call out to God—then back off with fear or guilt—are so genuine. They go through that deep soul agony that everyone goes through in times of trouble, in addition to the physical, mental, and emotional stress they are dealing with.
The supporting characters are also endearing and have vividly unique personalities of their own. I especially loved June, but the rest of the team were all people I want to get to know (and hope that I do in upcoming books!) One of my pet peeves are characters written as caricatures, but I felt each person was “real” in this story. Even the villain had depth and layers of mysterious motivations. Every time I thought I had him figured out (along with the team), another puzzle piece was revealed about him that didn’t make sense. The drastic measures he goes through to prove some point—which we can’t figure out—by killing many people is so suspenseful that it’s almost impossible to put the book down!
I was especially intrigued by the details in the story: how crisis situations are handled by all the various people involved (they weren’t cut-and-dried, simplistic scenes), as well the immense amount of knowledge and expertise required to process everything in a crime scene (not only details like the intricacies about bombs and how to figure out where a sniper was based on the smallest clues, but also the emotional and psychological process that plays a significant part of tracking a serial killer). I appreciated the complexity and realism because if a story is too simple and everything just falls in place, I feel cheated. In this story, I had to work hard with the team through all the ups and downs and struggles and victories and failures and frustrations… to get to the payoff at the end. Speaking of the end, it didn’t stop with answers and loose ends tied up quickly. The very end was delightful—a relaxed and enjoyable time after the intense drama which included all of the people I grew to love. This is an excellent book!!
What was so compelling to me is the perfect balance in the book. All of the main characters were believable, especially Tara, who could be me or any other female. She is at times weak and vulnerable, at times strong and determined. She also has a hard time trusting others, yet other times cannot let go of trusting someone she shouldn't. Cal, the other main character, seems at first glance to be a typical tough former military machine, but we quickly learn his weaknesses and vulnerabilities. He cares too much and cannot forgive himself for anyone who lost their lives if he was in the picture. He is relentlessly determined to save the world, even though it’s impossible. He truly is doing an incredible job in every rescue, but the only thing he can see is his failure.
Also, both of these characters struggle with trusting God, which are key motivations that affect the way they handle dangerous situations, relate to others, and how they see themselves. Tara has given up on God because she believes He always abandons her, so she has to protect herself—even when it’s impossible. Cal, as a former SEAL, went through years of dangerous missions where too many people died, and he can never forgive himself or God for many innocent people’s deaths. Both of them question where is God in times of trouble and their instincts to call out to God—then back off with fear or guilt—are so genuine. They go through that deep soul agony that everyone goes through in times of trouble, in addition to the physical, mental, and emotional stress they are dealing with.
The supporting characters are also endearing and have vividly unique personalities of their own. I especially loved June, but the rest of the team were all people I want to get to know (and hope that I do in upcoming books!) One of my pet peeves are characters written as caricatures, but I felt each person was “real” in this story. Even the villain had depth and layers of mysterious motivations. Every time I thought I had him figured out (along with the team), another puzzle piece was revealed about him that didn’t make sense. The drastic measures he goes through to prove some point—which we can’t figure out—by killing many people is so suspenseful that it’s almost impossible to put the book down!
I was especially intrigued by the details in the story: how crisis situations are handled by all the various people involved (they weren’t cut-and-dried, simplistic scenes), as well the immense amount of knowledge and expertise required to process everything in a crime scene (not only details like the intricacies about bombs and how to figure out where a sniper was based on the smallest clues, but also the emotional and psychological process that plays a significant part of tracking a serial killer). I appreciated the complexity and realism because if a story is too simple and everything just falls in place, I feel cheated. In this story, I had to work hard with the team through all the ups and downs and struggles and victories and failures and frustrations… to get to the payoff at the end. Speaking of the end, it didn’t stop with answers and loose ends tied up quickly. The very end was delightful—a relaxed and enjoyable time after the intense drama which included all of the people I grew to love. This is an excellent book!!
June 24, 2017
He was coming for her, and he was close.
Great opening line. Tara Parrish is visiting her aunt, and checks the outbuilding Aunt June rents to Oren Keeler, Tara’s childhood friend. Only the building is full of bomb-making materials and plans. Oren is the Lone Wolf Bomber the FBI are chasing. And she’s just heard his car pull up …
The front of the book had glowing endorsements from several of my favourite authors. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it as much as they did. The first chapter promised non-stop thrills from Tara, a translator with the State Department, and Cal Riggins, an FBI agent on the team tracking the Lone Wolf bomber. Her occupation interested me, but it was barely mentioned.
The opening chapter also promised Tara was a Christian—and she was, but her faith seemed to be more of a foxhole faith—she called out to God when trapped and said she trusted Him, but spent most of the novel trying to survive on her own strength. It was as though the spiritual thread was more of an afterthought. Based on the opening chapter, I’d expected it to be woven in more organically.
Once the opening sequence ended, the plot jumped three months into the future. That took something away from the suspense. What followed was a cat-and-mouse chase of Cal trying to protect Tara from Oren. It was solid. It just didn’t live up to the level of suspense promised in the opening chapter. I also found the writing a little simplistic. There were no ‘wow’ lines—my only highlights are things that came across as plot glitches (can an FBI agent really afford tailormade business shirts? It’s more common to read novels where money is a problem for the characters.)
Oren was a great character—driven and talented, the evildoer who is the hero in his own eyes. His character was revealed layer by layer as the novel progressed, and we were able to unpeel his particular brand of mental instability. I liked that the author didn’t try and manipulate my emotions to paint Oren as some kind of victim (other than as a victim of his own misguided thinking). He was evil, pure and simple, but didn’t see that himself.
Overall, Fatal Mistake was a miss for me because it didn’t deliver on the outstanding opening. Thanks to Faithwords and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Great opening line. Tara Parrish is visiting her aunt, and checks the outbuilding Aunt June rents to Oren Keeler, Tara’s childhood friend. Only the building is full of bomb-making materials and plans. Oren is the Lone Wolf Bomber the FBI are chasing. And she’s just heard his car pull up …
The front of the book had glowing endorsements from several of my favourite authors. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it as much as they did. The first chapter promised non-stop thrills from Tara, a translator with the State Department, and Cal Riggins, an FBI agent on the team tracking the Lone Wolf bomber. Her occupation interested me, but it was barely mentioned.
The opening chapter also promised Tara was a Christian—and she was, but her faith seemed to be more of a foxhole faith—she called out to God when trapped and said she trusted Him, but spent most of the novel trying to survive on her own strength. It was as though the spiritual thread was more of an afterthought. Based on the opening chapter, I’d expected it to be woven in more organically.
Once the opening sequence ended, the plot jumped three months into the future. That took something away from the suspense. What followed was a cat-and-mouse chase of Cal trying to protect Tara from Oren. It was solid. It just didn’t live up to the level of suspense promised in the opening chapter. I also found the writing a little simplistic. There were no ‘wow’ lines—my only highlights are things that came across as plot glitches (can an FBI agent really afford tailormade business shirts? It’s more common to read novels where money is a problem for the characters.)
Oren was a great character—driven and talented, the evildoer who is the hero in his own eyes. His character was revealed layer by layer as the novel progressed, and we were able to unpeel his particular brand of mental instability. I liked that the author didn’t try and manipulate my emotions to paint Oren as some kind of victim (other than as a victim of his own misguided thinking). He was evil, pure and simple, but didn’t see that himself.
Overall, Fatal Mistake was a miss for me because it didn’t deliver on the outstanding opening. Thanks to Faithwords and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
February 2, 2017
This book is extraordinary! From the moment I read the first sentence until I read the last chapter, I was so caught up in the story that I didn't even know what was going on around me - I had to apologize to my husband! All the characters were very realistic, so much so that they could be your neighbor, your best friend or your Aunt Sarah! You could relate to each one of them....that is the mark of a great writer and that's why I love this author! She makes the story come alive and you can't stop thinking about her books (and stories) for days after you finish them.
In this book, Tara Parrish stumbles upon bomb-making ingredients just by going out to the pump house of her aunt's house to check on something at her aunt's request! She is suddenly sickened at the thought that her childhood friend whom she's known for years is the LONE WOLF BOMBER - a serial killer who has been terrorizing the country. She can't wrap her mind around it but she at least calls the FBI hotline to report what she is seeing inside the pump house! However, she sees the bomber (Oren) coming and has to think fast because there's no way of getting out of that small shed so the FBI agent on the phone (Cal Riggins) helps her with a plans to escape. At least she is able to blindside Oren and run, although Oren chases her. Cal, on the other hand is racing against time in a helicopter to try to find Tara and save her! That's just the first couple pages!
It's an amazing story and you can tell that SO much research went into it because the FBI technical parts are fantastic and show you how hard it is to catch a criminal. I was literally on the edge of my seat most of the time and turning those pages as fast as I could!!! All the people on Cal's team were great too. I hope they all get their own stories! I enjoyed Cal's interaction with Tara because he's trying very hard to be professional through this whole experience but she is changing him. His upbringing wasn't the best and she is breaking down his barriers. I can't recommend this book enough. It has something for everyone and will make you very glad that you read it!
In this book, Tara Parrish stumbles upon bomb-making ingredients just by going out to the pump house of her aunt's house to check on something at her aunt's request! She is suddenly sickened at the thought that her childhood friend whom she's known for years is the LONE WOLF BOMBER - a serial killer who has been terrorizing the country. She can't wrap her mind around it but she at least calls the FBI hotline to report what she is seeing inside the pump house! However, she sees the bomber (Oren) coming and has to think fast because there's no way of getting out of that small shed so the FBI agent on the phone (Cal Riggins) helps her with a plans to escape. At least she is able to blindside Oren and run, although Oren chases her. Cal, on the other hand is racing against time in a helicopter to try to find Tara and save her! That's just the first couple pages!
It's an amazing story and you can tell that SO much research went into it because the FBI technical parts are fantastic and show you how hard it is to catch a criminal. I was literally on the edge of my seat most of the time and turning those pages as fast as I could!!! All the people on Cal's team were great too. I hope they all get their own stories! I enjoyed Cal's interaction with Tara because he's trying very hard to be professional through this whole experience but she is changing him. His upbringing wasn't the best and she is breaking down his barriers. I can't recommend this book enough. It has something for everyone and will make you very glad that you read it!
February 7, 2017
From the very first page FATAL MISTAKE had me in it's grip! From the moment Tara finds out that her life-long friend and neighbor is the Lone Wolf Bomber she is on the run from him. After all, she found all of his bomb-making equipment and he shot her AND threatened her while she was in the hospital. Tara had no choice but to run.
Special Agent Cal Riggins was the person who answered Tara's desperate 911 call and he has promised to protect her from Oren. But how can he protect her when Oren was able to get to her in the hospital? If Cal and his team can find Tara so easily then of course Oren will be able to. Once Tara realizes that Oren is targeting people she has come in contact with she agrees to help the FBI track him down before it is too late for another person.
Both Cal and Tara are attracted to each other but both are struggling with issues in their life and neither is in a right place with God to pursue a relationship. But the more danger that each of them is in the more they realize there is no fighting what the heart wants.
You know you are in for a great read when from the very first page you can't seem to put the book down. FATAL MISTAKE was just such a book! The author takes the reader on a roller coast ride that keeps the heart pounding and the fingers swiping or turning pages(whichever way you prefer to read your books nowadays). Not only was there suspense, but there was also romance. Two of my favorite things! While the suspense kept my on the edge of my seat the romance melted my heart. I loved Cal and Tara's characters. I also loved the spiritual aspect of the book. There isn't a lot of preaching in the story, but it shows both characters having natural struggles with their faith in God, and how those struggles formed their character and their relationship. This is the first book in the White Knights Series and I have to say that I am hooked and cannot wait for book two! Which by the way, there is a sneak peak of at the end of book one!
Special Agent Cal Riggins was the person who answered Tara's desperate 911 call and he has promised to protect her from Oren. But how can he protect her when Oren was able to get to her in the hospital? If Cal and his team can find Tara so easily then of course Oren will be able to. Once Tara realizes that Oren is targeting people she has come in contact with she agrees to help the FBI track him down before it is too late for another person.
Both Cal and Tara are attracted to each other but both are struggling with issues in their life and neither is in a right place with God to pursue a relationship. But the more danger that each of them is in the more they realize there is no fighting what the heart wants.
You know you are in for a great read when from the very first page you can't seem to put the book down. FATAL MISTAKE was just such a book! The author takes the reader on a roller coast ride that keeps the heart pounding and the fingers swiping or turning pages(whichever way you prefer to read your books nowadays). Not only was there suspense, but there was also romance. Two of my favorite things! While the suspense kept my on the edge of my seat the romance melted my heart. I loved Cal and Tara's characters. I also loved the spiritual aspect of the book. There isn't a lot of preaching in the story, but it shows both characters having natural struggles with their faith in God, and how those struggles formed their character and their relationship. This is the first book in the White Knights Series and I have to say that I am hooked and cannot wait for book two! Which by the way, there is a sneak peak of at the end of book one!
May 7, 2017
"An FBI agent must protect the woman who can identify a terrorist bomber “ ; It's with that premise my heart started pounding in anticipation of a story that would leave me breathless the whole way through!
What would it feel like to know that a childhood friend turned out to be an alleged terrorist with links to ISIS? And knowing he's coming after you? Beyond scary! Tara flees for her life, always having to watch her back, and be hyper-aware of her surroundings. Even with the protection of the FBI agent Cal Riggins and his team, she's terrified and afraid. Can they stop his reign of terror when he dogs their every move?
This story could be ripped out of today's newspaper! The modern elements in this story made it feel very real. It had me gripped in it's clutches from the very first sentence & held captive until the end when I could finally catch my breath! The danger kept ramping up, the surprise attacks coming from unexpected places. A truly gripping suspense! I thought Tara and Cal were the perfect hero & heroine characters. I could connect with them as they both struggled with past issues, and as they began to get to know one another. Elements of attraction took the back seat, while the suspense took front & center. I loved seeing these two fall in love in spite of their reluctance to. I also loved the faith-theme woven throughout, God was a natural part of the story. Getting to know the rest of Cal's team—the White Knights—was an added bonus. I'm sure we'll meet them in the next installments of what sounds like another fantastic suspense series by an author who knows how to write them! Gripping terror, danger lurking around every corner, hints of romance and faith mesh in this highly recommended novel!
* I was provided a digital copy of this by the author. No favorable review was required and all opinions here are strictly my own. *
What would it feel like to know that a childhood friend turned out to be an alleged terrorist with links to ISIS? And knowing he's coming after you? Beyond scary! Tara flees for her life, always having to watch her back, and be hyper-aware of her surroundings. Even with the protection of the FBI agent Cal Riggins and his team, she's terrified and afraid. Can they stop his reign of terror when he dogs their every move?
This story could be ripped out of today's newspaper! The modern elements in this story made it feel very real. It had me gripped in it's clutches from the very first sentence & held captive until the end when I could finally catch my breath! The danger kept ramping up, the surprise attacks coming from unexpected places. A truly gripping suspense! I thought Tara and Cal were the perfect hero & heroine characters. I could connect with them as they both struggled with past issues, and as they began to get to know one another. Elements of attraction took the back seat, while the suspense took front & center. I loved seeing these two fall in love in spite of their reluctance to. I also loved the faith-theme woven throughout, God was a natural part of the story. Getting to know the rest of Cal's team—the White Knights—was an added bonus. I'm sure we'll meet them in the next installments of what sounds like another fantastic suspense series by an author who knows how to write them! Gripping terror, danger lurking around every corner, hints of romance and faith mesh in this highly recommended novel!
* I was provided a digital copy of this by the author. No favorable review was required and all opinions here are strictly my own. *
November 12, 2017
I reviewed this for RT Bookreviews Magazine: https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...
Once again, Sleeman quickly engages the reader with her latest fast-paced novel. The author has mastered creating a tale that is realistic and well-researched, containing just the right blend of romance and suspense. The reader will likely be left eagerly anticipating the next White Knights installment.
Tara Parrish is the only person to survive an attack by a serial killer dubbed the Lone Wolf Bomber. Agent Cal Riggins is investigating and wants to put an end to the killing spree, but he needs Tara’s help. But first, Cal will have to find her. In hopes of keeping herself and those around her alive, Tara has gone into hiding. She is not sure that she can trust Cal, and it is hard for her to believe that her former childhood friend is the same person who has killed others and now wants her dead. Can Cal and his team track down Tara before the Lone Wolf strikes again? (FAITHWORDS, May, 400 pp., $14.99)
Once again, Sleeman quickly engages the reader with her latest fast-paced novel. The author has mastered creating a tale that is realistic and well-researched, containing just the right blend of romance and suspense. The reader will likely be left eagerly anticipating the next White Knights installment.
Tara Parrish is the only person to survive an attack by a serial killer dubbed the Lone Wolf Bomber. Agent Cal Riggins is investigating and wants to put an end to the killing spree, but he needs Tara’s help. But first, Cal will have to find her. In hopes of keeping herself and those around her alive, Tara has gone into hiding. She is not sure that she can trust Cal, and it is hard for her to believe that her former childhood friend is the same person who has killed others and now wants her dead. Can Cal and his team track down Tara before the Lone Wolf strikes again? (FAITHWORDS, May, 400 pp., $14.99)
May 1, 2024
Excellent book. A real page turner
August 9, 2017
Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes
Susan Sleeman’s most recent suspense novel is one that will keep you up at night……because you must know when or if the killer will be caught.
I love to read books that are so realistic that you can almost taste the fear and danger that the characters are experiencing. Ms. Sleeman’s latest story most certainly answers that desire and delivers a chilling race against time to catch a killer who is determined to destroy not only those he believes are traitors to their faith but the one woman who “should have loved him”. Tara Parrish’s life literally explodes when she accidentally stumbles on the workshop of the Lone Wolf Bomber, never dreaming her childhood friend Oren could have become a murderer. Barely escaping with her life, she goes into hiding, praying she can stay one step ahead of the man who has vowed to kill her. Tara’s only problem is that Oren is not the only one looking for her. FBI Special Agent Cal Riggins saved Tara’s life and hopes that she will help him capture the Lone Wolf Bomber before he kills anyone else.But Tara doesn’t want to be found, by Oren or Cal, and it will take another attempt on her life to help her realize that people are dying because of Oren’s fixation on Tara’s “betrayal” of him. Agent Cal Riggins is frustrated – not only has the Lone Wolf Bomber eluded him for months, but the one person who could help Cal track him down has been hiding from him (very well, mind you) as well. But Cal’s team isn’t touted as the best in the country for no reason. When he finds Tara, he won’t have found the scared, naive woman he rescued months before. Tara has become hardened, both physically and emotionally, and she is not going to come with Cal without a fight. But after Oren tries to kill not only her but Cal and his team, Tara decides she is tired of running and wants this fight finished – whatever that will take. I so enjoyed reading every page of this story! I had it with me on a day that I was running errands that gave me lots of waiting time and I got annoyed each time I had to put it down to go to the next place – it was that good. Ms. Sleeman presents a story that is very relevant to the time in which we live and yet she was able to make it timeless as well with the theme of unrequited love driving someone to cause destruction. The tension that she creates is so palpable I found myself holding my breath on several occasions as I waited to see if Oren would succeed in his terrible tasks. And her main characters were very well developed to give me a sense of walking beside them through the case and actually pondering questions or ideas of possible targets they should consider at times when I wasn’t able to read the book. I further liked the spiritual journey that both Tara and Cal make throughout the story. Given the horror Cal has seen on this case, he’s having a hard time reconciling how God can allow the numerous murders of innocent people. It will take Cal truly trusting in God to help him walk through this case without seeking vengeance rather than justice. Tara knows God cares about her, she’s just not sure she can trust Him, or anyone,to keep her safe from Oren. And her guilt over those who have died during Oren’s search for her make her even less willing to reach out for the help and comfort she isn’t sure she deserves. One of the main reasons I like to read Ms. Sleeman’s books is her honesty when she describes attraction between two people. While she keeps the content clean, she shows the real emotions and feelings of the characters involved – making it very easy for her readers to connect with them. It is always good when an author shows that professional protectors or agents are human too, not just case focused machines that never feel anything. Not that Cal became consumed by the attraction he felt for Tara but Ms. Sleeman did show his journey to falling in love with Tara, rather than just being physically attracted to her. Tara as well was shown to journey from a place where she had hardened herself against relationships to finding that trusting and loving others is how God designed us to live. And to see that they were both willing to give their lives to save the other just made these characters some of my all-time favorites. The other characters that were featured in the book were also well done. I have a good idea that Ms. Sleeman will continue the story of this team and their cases, but will most likely have each be shown through the individual eyes of the team members. I love reading military or crime series such as this and am looking forward to what Ms. Sleeman will be offering next. I will most certainly be passing this story along to others and hope they will enjoy this fast-paced nail bitter as much as I did.
I received this E-book free of charge from Faithwords/CenterStreet Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either of these companies for this review.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
____________________________________________________________
Story Notes
Susan Sleeman’s most recent suspense novel is one that will keep you up at night……because you must know when or if the killer will be caught.
I love to read books that are so realistic that you can almost taste the fear and danger that the characters are experiencing. Ms. Sleeman’s latest story most certainly answers that desire and delivers a chilling race against time to catch a killer who is determined to destroy not only those he believes are traitors to their faith but the one woman who “should have loved him”. Tara Parrish’s life literally explodes when she accidentally stumbles on the workshop of the Lone Wolf Bomber, never dreaming her childhood friend Oren could have become a murderer. Barely escaping with her life, she goes into hiding, praying she can stay one step ahead of the man who has vowed to kill her. Tara’s only problem is that Oren is not the only one looking for her. FBI Special Agent Cal Riggins saved Tara’s life and hopes that she will help him capture the Lone Wolf Bomber before he kills anyone else.But Tara doesn’t want to be found, by Oren or Cal, and it will take another attempt on her life to help her realize that people are dying because of Oren’s fixation on Tara’s “betrayal” of him. Agent Cal Riggins is frustrated – not only has the Lone Wolf Bomber eluded him for months, but the one person who could help Cal track him down has been hiding from him (very well, mind you) as well. But Cal’s team isn’t touted as the best in the country for no reason. When he finds Tara, he won’t have found the scared, naive woman he rescued months before. Tara has become hardened, both physically and emotionally, and she is not going to come with Cal without a fight. But after Oren tries to kill not only her but Cal and his team, Tara decides she is tired of running and wants this fight finished – whatever that will take. I so enjoyed reading every page of this story! I had it with me on a day that I was running errands that gave me lots of waiting time and I got annoyed each time I had to put it down to go to the next place – it was that good. Ms. Sleeman presents a story that is very relevant to the time in which we live and yet she was able to make it timeless as well with the theme of unrequited love driving someone to cause destruction. The tension that she creates is so palpable I found myself holding my breath on several occasions as I waited to see if Oren would succeed in his terrible tasks. And her main characters were very well developed to give me a sense of walking beside them through the case and actually pondering questions or ideas of possible targets they should consider at times when I wasn’t able to read the book. I further liked the spiritual journey that both Tara and Cal make throughout the story. Given the horror Cal has seen on this case, he’s having a hard time reconciling how God can allow the numerous murders of innocent people. It will take Cal truly trusting in God to help him walk through this case without seeking vengeance rather than justice. Tara knows God cares about her, she’s just not sure she can trust Him, or anyone,to keep her safe from Oren. And her guilt over those who have died during Oren’s search for her make her even less willing to reach out for the help and comfort she isn’t sure she deserves. One of the main reasons I like to read Ms. Sleeman’s books is her honesty when she describes attraction between two people. While she keeps the content clean, she shows the real emotions and feelings of the characters involved – making it very easy for her readers to connect with them. It is always good when an author shows that professional protectors or agents are human too, not just case focused machines that never feel anything. Not that Cal became consumed by the attraction he felt for Tara but Ms. Sleeman did show his journey to falling in love with Tara, rather than just being physically attracted to her. Tara as well was shown to journey from a place where she had hardened herself against relationships to finding that trusting and loving others is how God designed us to live. And to see that they were both willing to give their lives to save the other just made these characters some of my all-time favorites. The other characters that were featured in the book were also well done. I have a good idea that Ms. Sleeman will continue the story of this team and their cases, but will most likely have each be shown through the individual eyes of the team members. I love reading military or crime series such as this and am looking forward to what Ms. Sleeman will be offering next. I will most certainly be passing this story along to others and hope they will enjoy this fast-paced nail bitter as much as I did.
I received this E-book free of charge from Faithwords/CenterStreet Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either of these companies for this review.
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