Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston’s airport. What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man’s motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a 747.
Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted. As a health emergency endangers Stacy’s community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
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. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
My Impressions:
I recently read Deep Extraction, book 2 in DiAnn Mills FBI Task Force series and really liked it. So when I was looking for an audiobook to accompany me on my morning walks, I was glad to choose book 1 in the series, Deadly Encounter. While I liked book 2 much more, Deadly Encounter was a good choice for the daily workout — easy to listen to, quick-paced with plenty of action, and endearing characters. I did find it stretched the limits of credibility, but I chose to suspense my disbelief and join in on the rollercoaster ride.
Stacy Broussard, a Houston veterinarian, is swept into a conspiracy of deceit, danger and murder when she discovers a body on her morning ride around Houston’s airport. Due to past betrayals, FBI agent Alex LeBlanc is suspicious of her involvement, but soon learns to trust her. Their chemistry is unmistakable, but will they live long enough to explore a future together?
Characterization is the strongest element of Deadly Encounter. I found Stacy, Alex, and 12 year old prodigy, Whit engaging and and endearing. Whit especially stole this reader’s heart. The three all struggle with relationship issues which impact how they view themselves, others, and most importantly God. The plot is full of twists and turns and slightly over-the-top threats from unknown bad guys. As I said, some of the plot threads didn’t seem plausible, but I found them interesting anyway. One thing I did have a problem with — Stacy’s veterinary practice. She had no employees (tech/receptionist/kennel worker) and relied solely on Whit’s help in the day-to-day operations. My husband is a vet, and even when he was starting out he had several employees. With the type of business she had, it seems almost impossible for Stacy to do everything in the practice — answer the phone, run lab work, treat patients, take X-rays, perform surgery , etc. — with only a 12 year old’s after school and weekend help. But again, I enjoyed the book so I chose to overlook it.
DiAnn Mills is a great storyteller, and Deadly Encounter kept me listening. I have to confess to some marathon time with this audiobook.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
To purchase, click HERE.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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