Everyone has a secret… it coming out, so he balks at her request to help find the real killer and free her brother.
But not all secrets lead to murder.
But when someone takes a dead center shot at Ainsley, Grady has no choice but to expose his past and let the consequences fall where they may. Even if he loses the job he loves and even if the woman who is capturing his heart wants nothing to do with him after she learns his secret. He won’t back down from helping Ainsley free her brother, and they find themselves in a race for their lives to solve the murder before the deadly killer strikes again.
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In this action packed fifth book, Dead Center, of the Truth Seeker series, Grady Houston, the resident gun expert, finally gets his own book! Grady has an intense attraction between Ainsley, a member of Sierra’s team, but he has never acted on that attraction. He has a big secret, and he’s pretty sure that Ainsley won’t be very accepting of it. All of those worries fade away though when he finds out that someone tried to kill Ainsley. He is now determined to help Ainsley free her brother even if it means that his secret will finally come to light.
I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting book! It starts with a very thrilling first paragraph, and the suspense never lets up through the whole book. There were so many twists and turns, but Ms. Sleeman always made sure that those twists made sense. Sometimes, they would come out of nowhere, but I could see the pattern when I looked back.
I think that something that I had some troubles with is that during the book I felt like Ainsely and Grady were attracted to each other, but they didn’t actually love each other. During the book, I didn’t see many instances where they talked about what they actually liked about each other. They were attracted to each other, but I didn’t see a lot of substance underneath that attraction. But, I liked how Ms. Sleeman added the fact that couples do not need to have common interests. It does help make the relationship easier, but they really just need to have a common bond in Christ and a love and respect for each other.
It was also fun to see so many different cameos from the Byrd brothers and Malone! Did I mention that I am so excited for the Nighthawk series because I am so excited for that series! That was probably too many exclamation points, but this series looks adorable and very action packed. I’m a sucker for anything with siblings too, so that’s right up my alley. Overall though, I really did enjoy this book, and I thought that it was a nice mix of suspense and romance. It’s also a faith based Christian romance which means that it is super clean. I would definitely recommend it, and now, I am off to read the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
For nonstop action, riveting suspense, and sweet romance, you just can’t get any better than Susan Sleeman’s books, and Dead Center is one of her best. It started out with a heart-pounding incident and continued throughout the book. The twists and turns kept coming and kept me guessing. Ainslie and Grady are endearing, realistic, and colorful main characters, and I enjoyed getting to know them better and seeing their relationship grow and develop.
One of the things I like most about this series is that many of the main characters reappear throughout the books, but they are totally standalone stories. Sleeman does a great job of continuity and slipping in a bit of backstory unobtrusively when needed. I also appreciate that they are a perfect length for a couple of nights of reading, but they are always a satisfying tale. Sleeman’s depth of research and knowledge about law enforcement and criminal investigation is obvious, and I enjoy learning more about these fields.
Faith, forgiveness of self and others, and the importance of family are woven through this story and add depth and dimension to it. If you enjoy intrigue, suspense, and romance, with a dash of inspiration thrown in for good measure, you’ll love Susan Sleeman’s books. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The forensics brain trust known as the Veritas Center in Susan Sleeman’s Truth Seekers series returns. And this time, the target is one of their own.
There were a few hints dropped about the attraction between forensic photographer Ainslie Duncan and weapons expert Grady Houston. And boy does it go up a level (or ten) in Dead Center.
As readers are taken through the twists and turns of an investigation, Sleeman leaves us guessing as to what (or who) is around the next corner. Is it any wonder I fly through these stories?
While I had an inkling of who might be behind everything, there was enough doubt cast to make me question my theory several times.
What I enjoy most about Sleeman’s books is the way she brings in characters from previous stories for her readers. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the others, you will not feel like you’re on the outside looking in with any book of her books you pick up. The technical portions of the stories are also well researched and explained by the characters giving us an insider look into forensics.
There’s now only one unhitched partner at Veritas, and I am already anticipating a great story for Maya Glass, the firm’s founding partner. And again, if you read Dead Heat, you probably have a pretty good idea of who the hero of this one is going to be.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
SPECTACULAR!
Susan Sleeman is the writer that made me realize Romantic Suspense was one of my favorite genres. Her gift for the best first lines and opening sequences keeps me (im)patiently awaiting the arrival of each new work. DEAD CENTER (Truth Seekers Book 5) certainly does not disappoint! Sleeman had me reading it straight through – as always! She takes readers on another adventure involving personnel of the Veritas Center. This time it is relative newcomer forensic photographer Ainsley Duncan that is the center of attention. Her brother has been accused of murder but she has set her mind to prove his innocence even though there seems to be no way to prove it. Grady Houston, the Veritas Center’s ballistics, firearms, and explosives expert, has taken a personal interest in Ainsley and in her brother’s case. It seems as if everyone has a secret or two. But not all secrets lead to murder! Sleeman packs this novel with more plot twists and turns than ever and seamlessly ties it all together with an inspirational message. Another thrilling novel by the author who never disappoints! I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by the author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Dead Center by Susan Sleeman
Truth Seekers Series Book Five
Grady Houston, weapons expert at Veritas Center, has held on to a secret for a long time. That secret kept him from moving forward in many ways. Especially a relationship where he’d have to tell the woman his shameful secret.
Ainslie Duncan grew up poor and hated charity. The pity and often uncharitable way people looked at them. When her brother, Ethan, gets into trouble…she finally excepts help from her employers at Veritas, while trying to keep her distance from Grady. The pull between them has been there and they have both been avoiding it.
As danger comes knocking on Ainslie’s door, Grady’s protective nature comes to the forefront. There’s no denying their attraction but helping Ethan and overcoming their past has to be dealt with first. Great series.
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Ainsley Duncan, a forensic photographer, seems to be targeted by someone. Is it because of her brother, who’s in jail, or something from her past? She and her teammates at Veritas work together to try to clear her brother. She’s not the only one with past secrets hidden. Grady Houston, Veritas’s ballistics expert, also feels trapped by a long-ago event. In spite of that and the busy crime investigation, the two seem attracted to each other. How could a relationship work out? Will Ainsley even stay alive to find out? This exciting story continues in the fine tradition Susan Sleeman has forged with her intriguing thrillers. It’s fun to hear all about modern advancements in forensics equipment. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
This book is action packed from start to finish! You hardly have time to catch your breath! From page one, you are caught in Ainsley’s story of trying to find out what her brother is involved with. He’s in jail for attempted murder but swears he didn’t do it. She is going to find out who did but now she has a target on her back. Good thing she has Grady by her side believing in her brother’s innocence too but most importantly, she works for the Veritas Center that specializes in everything forensic! Every person there is going to find a way to free Ainsley’s brother! Lots of twists and turns you don’t see coming. Grady & Ainsley have a lot of chemistry themselves but Grady has a big secret from his past and he doesn’t think he can have a relationship because of it. There are just so many facets to this story that kept me reading. I loved the characters and the story line! I definitely recommend it!
Dead Center by Susan Sleeman is the fifth book in her Truth Seekers series. Forensic Photographer Ainsley Duncan’s brother is accused of a murder he did not commit. Trying to clear his name, Ainsley enlists the help of her co-workers from the Veritas Center to help. But Grady Houston takes it personally when Ainsley becomes the next target. Grady and Ainsley both have to overcome their past in order to move on into the future. This is a story of forgiveness, not only of someone else but also of one’s self. You must always trust in the plan that God has for you. Just like Ainsley had to trust that God had placed all of her wonderful co-workers in her life to help her deal with her problems. We must trust that people in our lives are there for a reason. I love how the whole Veritas team works as one unit. Susan has crafted another winner with this book. Look out for the plot twist at the end!
I received this e-book from the author for my honest review.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books in the series, and this is by far one of the best to date.
You are literally sucked into it from the first page when men in black with all sorts of weapons invade Ainsley Duncan’s home. Terrorizing her and making her think she might be killed.
As the story progresses, we discover she had been “swatted”, and her brother is in jail being accused of attempted murder. A crime he swears he didn’t commit.
Grady Houston is one of the owners of the Veritas Center, where Ainsley has been working , and also a man very much attracted to her.
He is determined to keep her safe, even though because of her childhood, Ainsley is reluctant to accept the help of Veritas, the group, and especially Grady, work to clear her brother and find out who appears to want her dead as well.
Non-stop action , filled with whodunit, bad guys and hunky good ones , will keep you on the edge of your seats. Add some romance with a Christian theme, and you know you are in for a treat.
Definitely another winner in this engaging series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.