Dead Wrong / A Promise to Protect

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Title: DEAD WRONG

Author: Susan Sleeman

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

November 2012

ISBN: 978-0373445684

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Private Investigator Kat Justice is concerned when her best friend calls and tells her someone followed her home. Kat tells her to call 911, but she goes to her friend’s house anyway to make sure she is fine. Instead, her friend is dead and the killer is there waiting for her.

Homicide detective Mitch Elliot arrives on the scene just as the killer is attempting to jab a needle into Kat’s neck. The killer flees and Mitch pursues him, but then returns to the scene to offer his assistance when the murderer gets away. Kat is devastated and horrified at what happened, and Mitch is moved by the neediness of the woman who seemed unflappable when she worked as a police officer.

It soon becomes apparent that the murderer is after Kat as well. Will Mitch be able to keep her safe while trying to solve the crime? Or will his growing feelings for Kat cloud the investigation?

DEAD WRONG is the second book in The Justice Agency series by Susan Sleeman. It easily stands alone, but readers will want to read the first book in the series to find out more about the Justice family. Kat is a realistic heroine, strong and courageous, yet succumbing to fear and dependency when the situation changes. Mitch is strong, kind, a true hero. Even though he knows he’s good looking, he doesn’t let that go to his head, but instead tries to keep his female co-workers away when they want to date him.

I enjoyed reading DEAD WRONG and didn't quite figure out who the killer was or the motive before the end of the book. I can’t wait until the next book in this series. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. Don’t miss DEAD WRONG or the first book in this series Double Exposure. $5.75. 215 pages.

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Title:  A PROMISE TO PROTECT

Author: Liz Johnson

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

December 2012

ISBN: 978-0-373-44518-9

Genre: Romantic suspense

Ashley Sawyer manages a battered women’s shelter, and she’s used to threatening notes from the ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends, or soon-to-be exes. But she is not used to someone trying to run her over, bashing her windshield on her car in, and demanding his property be put back where she found it. The local police are no help. The threats are too vague, and it might be all coincidence.

Navy SEAL Matt Waterstone takes it more seriously. Ashley is his best friend’s sister, and he promised to check on her and keep her safe. Matt is frustrated when Ashley doesn’t seem to take the threats seriously enough, but even more frustrating is the cavalier attitude of the police chief.

When Ashley falls prey to a more sinister crime than she realizes, Matt could be the only way to survive. . .

A PROMISE TO PROTECT is the fourth suspense I’ve read by Ms. Johnson and they keep getting better. The threat is there from the beginning and it keeps being built on and built on until the tension is almost palatable.

Ashley is a realistic heroine, friendly, outgoing, and caring, the perfect characteristics for someone who works with women who’d been abused. Matt is struggling with his own war injuries, is rather closed-mouthed, and focused, true to form for the Navy SEALs I’ve known. If you are looking for a good suspense, then A PROMISE TO PROTECT will be something to consider. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.  $5.75. 224 pages.

 Liz Johnson graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations and set out to work in Christian publishing. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream—becoming an author. She is now a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Promise to Protect is her fourth novel with Love Inspired Suspense. Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her two nephews and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Keep up with Liz's adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com, or follow her on twitter @LizJohnsonBooks or Facebook.com/lizjohnsonbooks.

 Author Interview with Liz Johnson:

What’s your new book, A Promise to Protect, about?

Ashley Sawyer has been the director of a battered women’s shelter for three years, so she’s no stranger to dealing with threats. But when she helps a young woman disappear, the threats become more intense than she’s ever experienced. Navy SEAL Matt Waterstone is happy to check on his best friend’s little sister, certain he can take care of the situation. But as Matt and Ashley search for the source of the threats, they uncover a plot more sinister than they ever imagined . . . and a love they never expected.

How did you get interested in writing about Navy SEALs?

When I was in college, I picked up a novel about a SEAL, and I was hooked. Who were these men unafraid of facing down the worst in this world? Who would go through such torturous training to be called the elite? I began watching documentaries on Special Forces units and reading everything I could about the men on the teams. Lately I’ve been reading biographies of SEALs including Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell and Fearless by Eric Blehm, fascinated by the type of personality it takes to become a SEAL.

It’s been said that good writers are good readers. What do you enjoy reading?

I’ll read just about anything that I can! And I read as often as I’m able. That translates into—whenever I’m not on deadline. My favorite books cross genres and years. As a kid, I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and I loved it! Still do. As an adult, I’ve really The Princess Bride and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Mostly I just enjoy a rich story with a happily ever after.

What have you enjoyed reading recently?

I’ve written three books this year—met three deadlines—so I haven’t had as much time to read as I’d like. But I did catch new books by some of my favorite historical authors—Julie Klassen and Karen Witemeyer. On a recent road trip I finally listened to the audio version of Susan Meissner’s The Shape of Mercy. It was wonderful!

Liz, what’s up next for you?

Right now I’m working on the follow up to A Promise to Protect, which is due out next year. It’s about Ashley’s brother and Matt’s best friend, Tristan. Then I’m scheduled to write a third book in my SEAL series. I’ve loved writing about the men of SEAL Team FIFTEEN and the women they fall in love with, so I’ll be sad when the series wraps up. I’m also working on a contemporary romance and bouncing at least a hundred and three other ideas around my mind.