A child she’ll do anything to keep.After Kelsey Moore’s husband dies, she wants only one thing. To adopt her husband’s son who she has come to call her own. But as she begins the process that her husband had dragged his feet on, she learns a secret so shocking she begins to question everything she knows except for the love she feels for her son. The child is not her husband’s biological child, … husband’s biological child, her former husband never had legal custody of the boy, and no one knows where he got the child. Fearing she might lose her son, Kelsey must find his birth mother and convince her to give up her parental rights.
A danger she’s never known.
But when Kelsey starts asking questions, she runs into a brick wall named DEA Agent Devon Dunbar. Devon has been investigating an adoption/human trafficking ring with drug connections for the last six months, and he’s not about to let Kelsey interfere in his investigation. But even if Devon brings out feelings she never thought she’d experience again, and he asks her to trust him, Kelsey can’t even give him the benefit of the doubt. Not with the way her husband had lied to her and not even when her own life is on the line. If she doesn’t succeed, she could lose the one thing that means everything to her – her five-year-old son.
more
As I said at the end of the review of Dead Ringer, we didn’t have to let go of the characters. Both Dead Ringer and Dead Silence are stand alone stories. The main characters and their stories are different, but the characters from the first book are secondary characters in this story. Susan does a lot of research to make her stories authentic. The revelation of the bad guy in this one came as a complete surprise. I love both of these books.
Loved it! Great characters, great story and we get to see glimpses of the Cold Harbor characters as well!!
Once again the author gives us a clean, Christian suspense story with some romance thrown in the mix. This second story in the author’s series , Truth Seekers, as with book one, revolves around a member of the Veritas Group. A well respected group of individuals seeking answers about crimes and lost family members, where others have failed.
Kelsey Moore, a widow and caretaker of her step-son wants to adopt the child. But it appears her late husband had kept secrets from her.
While going out shopping, with the boy, there is an attempted kidnapping. Who would want to take the child? Thankfully, an undercover DEA agent sees the danger and saves the boy.
From then on there is an attraction between them, but both have been hurt by love and have responsibilities that take precedence.
The story is an eye opener not only about the drug cartel but also about child trafficking.
This is a well written and engaging story with complex characters. If you have read the Cold Harbor stories, you will get a chance to “visit” with some of the members of Blackwell Security, since they have secondary parts in this one as well.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed were solely my own.
‘Could she trust God in such a painful thing?’
Susan Sleeman is riveting in her second book in the Truth Seekers series. Focusing on the members of the Veritas Group, a collection of ultra specialists in crime solving, this book zeroes in on Kelsey Moore, recent widow and stepmother to a five year old boy, who someone snatches from her one night on her way home from work. A bystander sees what happens and rescues the child. This bystander is a undercover DEA agent, Devon Dunbar, but he thinks the snatcher is a member of a drug cartel he has been working for six months to take down. In his investigation, he discovers that Kelsey’s son Jace is not only not related to her dead husband, but he was most likely purchased in a child snatching ring.
As they begin to work together, both Kelsey and Devon begin to develop feelings for one another, but both have been hurt in the past and do not want to go down that road again. But her son is still in danger. Can Devon manage to keep the boy safe without falling for the mother? Will they uncover and even deeper crime than they first thought?
Sleeman is a huge favorite of mine. She completely slays a suspense novel, and includes a wonderful spiritual theme in the bargain. She is a definite go-to author for me. I look forward to each of her books eagerly. Now I have to wait for the next.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
This was a well written interesting book that resonated well with me. I loved the characters and how the author expressed their feelings in such a real way. While this is a stand alone first book in a series, I can’t wait to read the second book and find out more about some of the characters that were introduced in the first book!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
The next book of the Truth Seeker series is about Kelsey, the forensic anthropologist on the Veritas team. Kelsey is a recently widowed woman who is trying to adopt her husband’s son, Jace. However, she finds out that her husband had been lying to her and that Jace was never her husband’s biological son, and he has no legal custody. Of course, Kelsey is naturally freaking out, and she freaks out even more when she realizes that her son may have been human trafficked. While all this happening, Devon, a DEA agent, is working to stop a human trafficking/adoption ring, and he and Kelsey start working together to find some answers and bring down the human trafficking/adoption that is going on.
This is another excellent book in the Truth Seeker series. I really liked Kelsey and her relationship with Jace. It was really sweet how she showed that she didn’t need to be related by blood to love him. Another thing that I really enjoyed with Kelsey’s character is that she dressed very feminine. I think that in a lot of books, dressing in pants and a T-shirt is celebrated. And I totally understand that it can be more comfortable and everyone has a distinct style that they enjoy. But I do love a book that shows that a strong woman can wear a dress or ruffles.
As always, Susan Sleeman did a great job of making a really sweet romance. I loved the fact that Devon got close and had a relationship with Jace too. I think that Susan Sleeman did a great job of making sure that the horrible things that were happening to the birth mothers of these children were shown. I really liked that because it is wrong, and it would have been very out of character for Kelsey and Devon to not care about Jace’s birth mother. The suspense was excellent. It definitely kept me guessing without being too scary. The romance was sweet without being inappropriate. Their sexual contact was just kissing. I would definitely recommend this book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Love this author. She really brings you in to a suspenseful story while keeping it clean. Thank you Susan Sleeman!
Dead Silence will keep you turning pages and gaining knowledge as you spend time with a forensic anthropologist! Kelsey Moore files to adopt her stepson who she dearly loves and discovers he is not her late husband’s biological child! Where did Todd get Jace? Who are his biological parents? Why does someone try to kidnap Jace? Former Seal and now DEA Agent Devon Dunbar is a wonderful male protagonist who is investigating an adoption/human trafficking ring! Renew acquaintances with some of the Blackwell Tactical team from earlier books! If you like suspense, you will want to read Dead Silence! I won my copy of Dead Silence in the author’s giveaway. This is my honest opinion.
I love Susan Sleeman’s books! Although I liked the first one of the series a little better- this one was a good read as well. Looking forward to reading more.
3.5 stars
“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Oh, but there was. Kelsey’s Moore’s worst nightmares just about came true when her young son is nearly kidnapped from a grocery store parking lot. When a bystander comes to their aid, Kelsey’s life takes yet another unexpected turn.
Undercover DEA Agent Devon Dunbar’s surveillance is abruptly interrupted when he witnesses a grab and run. Incensed that the drug ring he is tracking has resorted to kidnapping young children, he risks revealing his identity to reunite mother and child. But the dark haired beauty is no ordinary mother, she is fighting to adopt her dead husband’s son and unfortunately Devon’s investigative nature is going to uncover secrets that will upset her plans for the future once again.
“When a crisis comes along, don’t make quick judgments. Focus on God instead of the crisis. His ways are higher and wiser than our ways. . . . . we have to trust that He’s in control and that it will work out for our good.”
Will it? Can it? This fascinating story line brings previous characters back into focus and introduces new ones who will fight to the finish for those they love.
I can always trust Susan Sleeman to deliver action-packed, heart-pounding romantic suspense with lots of twists and turns, and Dead Silence is no exception. The second book in the Truth Seekers series is packed with memorable characters and unforgettable detail. Obvious research goes into Sleeman’s books, and she enlightens the readers on different occupations and crime-related details while unfolding the story layer by layer. Kelsey, a forensic pathologist, and Devon, an undercover DEA agent, both have baggage from the past, but I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and trust begin to blossom and take hold. I loved the way they were able to work together with each other and their friends to solve problems.
Tender messages of trust, forgiveness, and helping others give this story added depth and dimension. The author is talented at weaving the messages through the book without detracting from the storyline.
“When a crisis comes along, don’t make quick judgments. Focus on God instead of the crisis. His ways are higher and wiser than our ways. If we believe that, then we have to trust that He’s in control and it’ll all work out for our good.”
It was fun to see characters from the first Truth Seekers book and Sleeman’s previous Cold Harbor series pop in and make appearances in this book. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
RIVETING!
Dead Silence (Truth Seekers #2) is RIVETING! This book may be read alone but is best understood when read in order as part of the series. One of the reasons I like this series so much is how the author has skillfully woven her characters from Blackwell Tactical into integral characters in this series as well. It makes you feel as if old, trusted and capable friends have shown up to assist you in your time of need. Believe me, you’re going to read about plenty of need in Dead Silence! This novel is filled with tension from beginning to end. Kelsey Moore, Forensic Pathologist at the Veritas Center has found some oddities in her normally very organized life. The discrepancies all seem to circle back to her deceased husband. WHAT was he involved in? WHO was he involved with? How DEEP did his secrets run? What will it ultimately COST her to find out? Is there any man worthy of TRUST? As she Is seeking these answers and running for her life, the biggest of all surfaces: Is a RESCUE even possible? I was provided an ARC of this novel by the author. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and without influence.
Susan Sleeman has done it again. You guys, this is one author who consistently delivers an intense, investigation-focused romantic suspense filled with knowledge and characters you can’t help but want more of (so it’s a good thing this is only book two in the Truth Seekers series).
As a forensic anthropologist, Kelsey works with bones, soil, and more to help solve crimes. When someone tries to abduct her stepson, she finds herself in the center of DEA agent Devon Dunbar’s investigation. Running down leads and possible suspects uncovers more questions than answers, including the validity of a child’s parentage.
Sleeman is a master of bringing readers along on an investigation, educating them on procedures and more modern methods of evidence retrieval and processing with enough dangers thrown in to keep the pacing of the story ramped up. Add in the development of a growing romance, personal struggles and revelations, and friendships—new and old, and Sleeman has become an auto-buy author for me and one I highly recommend to other fans of the romantic suspense genre.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books 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.
Dead Silence by Susan Sleeman
Truth Seekers Series Book Two
DEA Agent Devon Dunbar is working undercover when a situation happens that he has to intervene in. That one night turns into more than he’d ever thought. His investigation is widened and bad things are uncovered, thanks to the help from the Veritas team.
Kelsey Moore is hoping to adopt her stepson, Jace. She’s all the family the little boy has left since her husband was murdered a year ago. The last thing she expects is a complication in the adoption. A very large complication.
Devon believes that meeting Kelsey is no coincidence. Rather a gift from God. But he needs to convince her of that. First, they need to find the answers to this case and the repercussions it’s going to cause. Loving this series and that it revisits the Blackwell Tactical characters from the Cold Harbor Series.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/09/susan-sleeman-booklist.html
Susan Sleeman is one of my favorite authors and doesn’t disappoint. Dead Silence is the second book in the Truth Seekers series and every bit as good as the first.
The opening scene grabs you from the start and has your heart pumping right along with Kelsey as her son is grabbed off the street. The action in this book ramps up from there and never lets go. This one keeps you guessing from beginning to end.
Along with great suspense you get a romance that builds tension throughout the story as Kelsey and Devon are drawn to each other but both held back by previous relationship issues and Kelsey’s fear of losing her son.
Add in the well-developed characters from the Veritas Center and visits from some old friends from Blackwell Tactical and you have a winner.
This one is well worth the read and highly recommended. You won’t be disappointed.
I have read several books by Susan Sleeman, including all her “Cold Harbor” books and “Dead Ringer” which is Truth Seekers number 1 in this series; and let me tell you…she is an AMAZING writer!! I love the characters, the engaging suspenseful story line…I read this book late into the night so I could finish it and find out what happened to Kelsey’s son and who was trying to kill Kelsey. Lots of drama, suspense, twists and turns, and even (clean) romance!
I love that this new series includes characters from the team mentioned in the Cold Harbor series, but for those who haven’t read her other books will not be confused. I love the team camaraderie, professionalism and reading into their personal lives when they aren’t busy at work.
I HIGHLY recommend this series and this book! Book number 3 is on my wish list to read when it releases the end of September.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Dead Silence by Susan Sleeman is the second book in her Truth Seekers series. All Kelsey Moore wants to do is adopt her stepson, Jace and raise him as her own. As she starts the proceedings someone tries to kidnap Jace and is only foiled by the quick action of a by-stander. That stranger turns out to be under-cover DEA Agent Devon Dunbar. Working together they uncover secrets that someone doesn’t want exposed. With danger all around Devon vows to protect Kelsey with his own life if he has to. In true Susan-Sleeman-style the story starts out with a bang and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the finish. I loved the plot twists and how all the characters were there for each other with no questions asked. I can’t wait for next installment!!!
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Once again, Susan has created characters that are fascinating, a plot line that is riveting and a book that I can’t put down! From the opening scene until the last page, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Kelsey’s world comes crashing down one night when her stepson is almost kidnapped and during the investigation she finds out some information that rocks her world. She knows her dead husband lied to her occasionally but what she finds out she could never prepare for! Enter a DEA undercover agent, Devon Dunbar, who rescued Kelsey’s stepson from the attempted kidnapping while undercover. Kelsey doesn’t know what to believe and what not to when it comes to all the information she gets from him. Trust is a hard thing for her after her dead husband’s lies. When they team up to find answers regarding an adoption and child trafficking ring, who knows what will happen! I enjoyed both these characters very much and their emotions were so real & raw. Kelsey’s stepson, Jace, is adorable. All of Kelsey’s co-workers were amazing and I really loved getting to visit Blackwell Tactical again from Susan’s previous books although you don’t have to have read them to understand this book. An A+ book for me! I loved it!