Evaluating trace evidence is her job… conceived in an affair her mother had the summer before her parents’ wedding. The man she’d come to know as father is named on her birth certificate, but he truly isn’t her father.
But the job just turned personal.
Shocked and hurt, Sierra goes in search of her biological father in the small coastal town where he owns a property management business. But when she arrives in town to find her father has recently disappeared, and she starts asking questions, FBI Agent Reed Rice delivers her second shock in as many days. Her father is wanted for embezzling money from the properties he manages. Despite the evidence staring her in the face, Sierra holds out hope that her father isn’t the criminal that Reed believes him to be. But as Sierra’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and she runs into dead end after dead end, she ignites a killer’s fury, and suddenly her own life is on the line.
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Okay, confession time I actually read this book before the second one. I was instantly intrigued by Sierra and her five brothers, and I really wanted to read her book. I started the book, and I could not put it down. The suspense was killing me, so I had to finish it. I especially loved all the different characters new and old that were in this story.
Dead End is about the Veritas’ team trace evidence and fingerprint analysis, Sierra and Agent Reed Rice. Sierra has just found out that the man who raised her is not actually her biological father. Her real father is a man named Eddie who was not at all ready to be a father. Sierra leaves to go meet her father, but she finds Reed in his home. Reed thinks that Eddie has stolen some money and ran, but Sierra believes that he was kidnapped. After a while they agree to work together to find and rescue Eddie, but they will have to learn how to work together as a team if they have any hope of a future together.
I really enjoyed this wonderful, romantic, suspenseful book. Sierra was a very interesting character, and I have to say it took me a little a while to warm up to her. She fiercely loved her independence to the extent that she was hurting her relationships around her. Her brothers were so overprotective that it caused her to push them away, so she could be independant. She was also very loyal though, and she had a big heart underneath all of her bluster.
I really liked Reed’s character. He wanted a relationship with Sierra, but he wanted to make sure that she wanted that relationship too. Plus with some old characters who came into the book as well. The only thing that I was really sad about is that Sierra’s brother and Reed’s sister are not really in the book which is why I am so excited for the Nighthawk series which is all about these characters. This is a clean romance, but the violence is a bit more graphic. I would definitely recommend this Dead End!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
When I’m in the mood for romantic suspense, one of my favorite go-to authors is Susan Sleeman. I can always count on a riveting, action-packed read when I pick up one of her books. She knows how to create a story that keeps me guessing to the end, and her characters are always well-crafted, realistic, and engaging. Dead End is another great book in the Truth Seekers series, and I loved reading about Sierra and Reed’s story.
Sleeman always astounds me with her knowledge about criminal investigation. Her research is thorough and detailed, and her characters all have different jobs in this field, so I’m learning so much while reading her stories. With lots of suspense and intrigue, a bit of romance, and a dash of inspiration and faith, this book should appeal to those who enjoy a great suspense novel. Although it’s part of a series, it can be read alone. There are characters from previous books who make appearances in this one, and it was fun to catch up on their activities. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Dead End by Susan Sleeman
Truth Seekers Series Book Three
Sierra Byrd works at Veritas Center as the trace evidence expert. As the man she’s known as her father lay sick in a hospital bed…Sierra’s world shifts and turns from under her with the news her mom gives her. Sierra feels betrayed that she’d been lied to all her life and sets out to understand the truth. One blow after another hit her on her journey.
FBI Special Agent Reed Rice hasn’t gotten anywhere on the case he’s been working on for a month. So, when he finds someone in the office of the man he’s been hunting for…he thinks he has a break. Only…she’s a feisty woman who isn’t afraid of him. They don’t agree on what the suspect might have done…but at least she agrees to work with him.
The brilliant crew at Veritas Center all have their specialties. With each of them working on the case using their special skills…they can find the answers. Hopefully this time they can find them before any more people die. Especially the one man that Sierra and Reed are looking for. Great series and characters.
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Who would have thought that a family secret, a disappearance and murder could lead to love? This book takes you on a wild ride full of suspense, and discovery.
When your first meeting is slapping handcuffs on the woman who could be Mrs. Right, where do you go from here?
Reed is the perfect balance of tender and tough, with hotness blended right in. He’s ready to find the right girl and settle down with a family.
Sierra is independent, spunky and a bit quirky. With five overbearing brothers, she isn’t looking for a guy, and doesn’t date. She’s much more comfortable in her lab.
As Sierra and Reed are forced to work together, can they solve the case, and find the answers they seek? Or is the real danger their attraction to each other?
I loved this book and recommend all of the “Truth Seekers” romantic suspense novels.
Exactly what I’ve come to expect from Susan Sleeman! Great characters with a mystery to solve! I loved the dynamic of the new characters and the old ones…from both this series and Cold Harbor. It’s like a big, close family that just keeps growing! Awesome, as always.
One of the things I love about Susan Sleeman’s books is the education I get about police investigations. In Dead End, it’s Veritas’s forensic evidence technician.
Sierra is extremely independent, not allowing anyone to push her into anything but when her personal life comes up again an FBI investigation, Sierra and the rest of the team at Veritas offer their unique and top tier expertise. Through the investigation, Sierra learns that maybe, just maybe, God intends for her to let go of some of that independence and lean on Him as well as some of the people around her.
With Sleeman’s trademark mix of investigation, romance, and intense suspense, readers are kept guessing until the crime is solved.
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 End by Susan Sleeman is the third book in her Truth Seekers series. What do you do when you find out the man that you’ve called father all your life isn’t your real father and that your biological father is a criminal? If you’re Sierra Byrd, a trace evidence expert, you do what you’re trained to do; you go looking for evidence! Sierra teams up with FBI agent, Reed Rice. Together they discover that things may not be as they appear! This is top-notch suspense. Ms. Sleeman keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. I found the character of Sierra to be very relate-able. She had to learn to let others help her instead of always doing everything. I’m still trying to learn that lesson. I would highly recommend this story.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Wow, just wow! Once again this talented author gives us a story that is not only engaging from the start, but also filled with characters that are perfect and real in their imperfections, and relationships that are not sugar coated.
The story belongs to Sierra Byrd. She is a member of Veritas and their trace evidence professional. When she discovers, by accident, that the man she’s called Dad all her life, is not really her father, she seekers her biological father. She needs answers, even though her emotions are in a turmoil and her “dad” is in need of a kidney or he’ll die.
Only to find out that her bio dad is missing and is being investigated by FBI agent Reed Rice for embezzlement.
Top that off with the fact that Reed handcuffs her, Sierra’s day has gone from bad to worse.
As the suspense grows, so does the attraction. But while Reed hopes to get married someday, Sierra has no desired to be “managed” by a man. She values her independence and sees marriage at a hinderance.
This story, addition to being a clean suspense romance, it’s a story about family dynamics, relationships, taking chances, hope and giving love a chance.
We end up with another superb story in this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Imagine your father needing a kidney transplant and you want to get tested to see if you are a match only to find out from your parents that you can’t because your father isn’t your biological father! That is what happens to Sierra Byrd and it completely shakes up the foundation of her world. She does what I, however, would not do! She leaves her dad in the hospital and goes to where her biological father lives. I would have stayed with my father in his time of need but that’s just me! However, we have a story to tell so Sierra goes to find her father and he’s missing & accused of embezzlement and what happens to her? She’s arrested by an FBI agent, Reed Rice, at first! Sierra just isn’t having a good day! I love Susan Sleeman’s books. They are always fantastic inspirational suspense stories that keep me up at night until I finish them! This book follows the cutting edge technology that we’ve come to know in all of Susan’s books because her research is amazing and her characters work at the Veritas center where they have the best technology in solving crimes or getting knowledge no one else can. I also loved Sierra and Reed’s relationship development. Sierra is dead set on never getting involved with anyone and Reed just wants a family. I wonder who will win??? Definitely you need to read this book. It’s awesome!
SUSPENSE IN THE 1st DEGREE!
DEAD END (Truth Seekers Book 3) by Susan Sleeman is Suspense in the 1st Degree! Sleeman can always be counted on for writing a terrific romantic suspense book, but she is on the top of her suspense game with this book! You will want to shut out the rest of the world to read it from start to finish!
Sierra Byrd is in charge of trace evidence for Veritas, the private investigative unit who are able to reunite missing families through DNA matches, help forensic pathologists identify deceased bodies and do intricate studies involving crime scenes as well as many other things. Her father desperately needs a kidney transplant but her parents plead with her not to even be tested to see if she’s a match. Sierra is fiercely independent because she’s grown up being the oldest & has five younger brothers. Each of them is in one of the Law Enforcement branches & so is her father. Sierra decides to take the DNA Test anyway because she truly wants to help her father. What that one simple test reveals will change things for the rest of her life!
As Sierra sets out to the mysterious find Eddie Barnes and find the answers to so many questions, she discovers him missing and that’s only the tip of the deep, black hole of suspense. What follows? 1) Sierra’s arrest(??) 2) being hounded by an overly aggressive (as well as drop dead good-looking), by the book, his way or the highway FBI Agent Reed Rice, 3) joint investigation into a complex case of a missing person & missing money, 4) what are Sierra and Reed going to do about all this electricity between the two of them since they are like fire and ice? Sleeman continues building the suspense throughout her plot and as always, will have you reading as fast as you can to see what kind of believable perilous situations she has thought up for her heroine (in this case), who will solve the case and how the case will be solved.
I was provided an ARC of this book by the author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
The story begins with Sierra, who is a partner at Veritas Center, learning that her father is not her biological father, a secret that has been kept from her for over thirty years. After driving to the home of Eddie, her biological father, she learns he is missing and the FBI keeps running into dead ends. The agent assigned to the case thinks he has suddenly struck gold when he finds Sierra in her father’s office by herself. Maybe he has, but not in the way he might think since she knows absolutely nothing about Eddie, except what she has just learned about him from her mother. But Reed Rice, the FBI agent, has never worked with Veritas and is extremely skeptical about them getting involved in his case, especially since Sierra has a different take on what may have happened to Eddie than what Reed believes. I found it rather interesting that she did not believe that Eddie, whom she has never met, could be guilty of the things that Reed believes he has done. Can they put their differences aside in order to work together to determine what has happened to Eddie? Sparks fly at times as they proceed, but not all of the sparks are caused by their clashes. I appreciate that they frequently seek God’s guidance as they encounter so many obstacles along the way. With so much happening, one questions at times if one or both of them may encounter the ultimate dead end. Or maybe Eddie has already met his end. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Had God put Reed in her life to show her His love and support in human form?’
Sierra Byrd discovers she is not her father’s daughter when she is tested as a possible kidney transplant donor. She discovers her parents’ decades long secret and heads off to find her true biological daughter, only to learn he lives nearby but has been missing the last 4 weeks and is suspected in an embezzlement scheme. Sierra works for the elite Veritas team as their trace evidence expert and begins to process the scene immediately, only to find herself in handcuffs as FBI agent Reed Rice thinks she is part of the criminal set.
Susan Sleeman is my go-to for romantic inspirational suspense. She knows her business and it’s like watching a top of the line crime show on tv. Her research into the criminal and forensic world is impeccable and I love learning all about it! She also weaves a wonderful spiritual them through her books. I have been a huge fan for years! She takes her readers on a fast ride and the suspense continues to ratchet up until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. I now look forward to the next in the series.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.