When cybercriminals hack into the U.S. Marshal's Witness Protection database and auction off personal details to the highest bidder, FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. Trouble is, he has to work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, who knows the secrets of his past, and the seconds are ticking down before someone dies.
Paperback: 368 pages
Published: December 3rd 2019
Published: Bethany House Publishers
ISBN-13: 9780764233951
Published: December 3rd 2019
Published: Bethany House Publishers
ISBN-13: 9780764233951
Book Interview with Susan Sleeman about
her new release Seconds To Live
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
I’ve written over forty books, however, Seconds to Live was a bit different from my usual method as my editor suggested the plot for this book. He asked, what if a hacker had compromised the WITSEC (Witness Security Program) database and is selling or auctioning off the data, putting witnesses’ lives in danger? I knew a good idea when I saw one, so I began researching which agency would investigate such a breach. I discovered that when the clock is ticking down on criminal activity conducted on or facilitated by the internet there is no team to call other than HSI—Homeland Security’s Investigation Unit.
This unit boasts members of the ICE, FBI, DHS and USMS, (US Marshal's Service). With a group so talented and interesting, I knew I could create a romantic suspense series featuring men and women working behind the scenes to keep our country safe from internet threats—men and women who don’t make the news, but who I consider heroes. And from that, the Homeland Heroes series was born.
Sean, Kiley, and Mack form the RED team along with their analyst, Cam. A powerhouse of a team who don’t let anything, not even a clock ticking down to assured destruction, stop them from bringing the worse of cyber-criminals to justice. The RED team investigates the internet crime in each book, and each book features one of the team members.
I’ve written over forty books, however, Seconds to Live was a bit different from my usual method as my editor suggested the plot for this book. He asked, what if a hacker had compromised the WITSEC (Witness Security Program) database and is selling or auctioning off the data, putting witnesses’ lives in danger? I knew a good idea when I saw one, so I began researching which agency would investigate such a breach. I discovered that when the clock is ticking down on criminal activity conducted on or facilitated by the internet there is no team to call other than HSI—Homeland Security’s Investigation Unit.
This unit boasts members of the ICE, FBI, DHS and USMS, (US Marshal's Service). With a group so talented and interesting, I knew I could create a romantic suspense series featuring men and women working behind the scenes to keep our country safe from internet threats—men and women who don’t make the news, but who I consider heroes. And from that, the Homeland Heroes series was born.
Sean, Kiley, and Mack form the RED team along with their analyst, Cam. A powerhouse of a team who don’t let anything, not even a clock ticking down to assured destruction, stop them from bringing the worse of cyber-criminals to justice. The RED team investigates the internet crime in each book, and each book features one of the team members.
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#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
This book took me four months to write because of all the research needed for the WITSEC plot.
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Choosing a favorite character is like choosing a favorite child. It’s just impossible for me to do because they are all unique individuals and I care for them all. |
#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I write to share God’s word in such a way that when readers see the characters struggle in their faith walk, that the reader will stop and look at their own struggles. Then discovering how the character overcomes their issue will resonate with the reader.
I often share what I am going through at the time. Not intentionally, but it works its way into the plot. I’ve been faced with some difficult health issues of late and wondering where God is in all of the pain and difficulties. And I have learned that trusting God, even when all seems lost, is the only way I can survive. And not only survive, but thrive. Sean and Taylor have to learn the same thing in Seconds to Live.
I write to share God’s word in such a way that when readers see the characters struggle in their faith walk, that the reader will stop and look at their own struggles. Then discovering how the character overcomes their issue will resonate with the reader.
I often share what I am going through at the time. Not intentionally, but it works its way into the plot. I’ve been faced with some difficult health issues of late and wondering where God is in all of the pain and difficulties. And I have learned that trusting God, even when all seems lost, is the only way I can survive. And not only survive, but thrive. Sean and Taylor have to learn the same thing in Seconds to Live.
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#5. What made you choose some of the specific locations in this book?
Well the team is based out of Washington D.C. so that was a given, but I chose Portland because I live here and know the area. With all the research I had to do for the book, it helped to not have to research the setting, plus I love to set my books in the amazing Pacific Northwest. |
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#6. How did you name your characters?
I wanted a strong name for the heroine as she is a US Marshal and I thought Taylor fit that criteria. And I chose Sean for a similar reason, though he’s an FBI agent.
I wanted a strong name for the heroine as she is a US Marshal and I thought Taylor fit that criteria. And I chose Sean for a similar reason, though he’s an FBI agent.
#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
When I finished writing the manuscript and emailed it to my agent, I put Seconds to Live in the email subject. My agent immediately wrote back and pointed out that I should have put more than that in the subject as it looked like I only had seconds to live. Gave him a fright until he saw the attached manuscript. I am now more careful when emailing about this book and the next two books in the series, Minutes to Die and Hours to Kill.
When I finished writing the manuscript and emailed it to my agent, I put Seconds to Live in the email subject. My agent immediately wrote back and pointed out that I should have put more than that in the subject as it looked like I only had seconds to live. Gave him a fright until he saw the attached manuscript. I am now more careful when emailing about this book and the next two books in the series, Minutes to Die and Hours to Kill.
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I have been reminded lately of the saying, grow through what you go though, and I realized how hard I make it for my characters in a book by putting obstacles in their way so they do indeed grow and their growth pays off in wonderful ways. I hope that readers can use the characters’ struggles in this book, all my books really, to see you can learn and overcome in your own life and the reward at the end is well worth the effort.
I have been reminded lately of the saying, grow through what you go though, and I realized how hard I make it for my characters in a book by putting obstacles in their way so they do indeed grow and their growth pays off in wonderful ways. I hope that readers can use the characters’ struggles in this book, all my books really, to see you can learn and overcome in your own life and the reward at the end is well worth the effort.
Susan Sleeman
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Susan is the bestselling author of over thirty-five Christian/inspirational and clean reads romantic suspense and mysteries and has sold over a million books. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, Susan channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com.
Much to her husband’s dismay, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turn them into murder and mayhem scenarios for future novels. If you’ve met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it. Don’t worry, she’d never follow through on it. |
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Susan currently lives in Oregon, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. She and her amazing husband have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying her grandson, reading, gardening or working on TheSuspenseZone.com.
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It's Time For A Giveaway!
Susan Sleeman is generously giving away
a Print copy of Seconds To Live.
a Print copy of Seconds To Live.
(USA ONLY)
