Burden of Proof
book review,  Books

Burden of Proof by DiAnn Mills – Book Review

Yes, I’m back with Lone Star Book Blog Tours to share my review of DiAnn Mills’ newest release, Burden of Proof. It’s the first book in her FBI Rapid Response series, and did not disappoint.

If you read my last DiAnn Mills reviewHigh Treason, from her FBI Task Force series – you’ll know that I love her page-turning plots which cross genres between mystery, suspense, romance, and inspirational. Burden of Proof sticks to this format and brings yet another strong female lead.

Read on to learn more about Burden of Proof and be sure to enter the giveaway for one of five copies of this book!
burden of proof

BURDEN OF PROOF

FBI Rapid Response, #1

by
DiANN MILLS
Genre: Inspirational /Mystery / Suspense / Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Date of Publication: October 9, 2018
Number of Pages: 416

Scroll down for the giveaway!
Burden of Proof

Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.

 

PRAISE FOR DiANN MILLS:

“The tension level rises as layers of lies are peeled away in multiple plot twists.” —Library Journal

“DiAnn Mills is a master of fast-paced and intricately plotted romantic suspense.” —Colleen Coble, Bestselling author

“[A] fast-moving, intricately plotted thriller.” —Publishers Weekly

Burden of Proof is another fast-paced FBI thriller from author DiAnn Mills with a smart and sensitive heroine and a story line with plenty of twists and turns.

One thing I think Mills does really well is character development.  This is especially relevant with a plot line such as the one found in Burden of Proof, as you need to convince the reader that a character kidnapping your central character – and one who happens to be an FBI negotiator – is as trustworthy and honest enough to make said FBI agent take his side and help.  Her characters are believable and complex, and her dialogue flows and is believable as well.

While this was an element that I struggled with at first – not as much how readily April Ramos moved to support her kidnapper, Jason Snyder, but the attraction she felt for him – but then I realized that my disbelief was probably somewhat hampered by other storylines I’d read recently that also involved supposedly strong females just dropping their guard and becoming suddenly accepting when put into uncomfortable circumstances. I acknowledged that my recent reading was flavoring my thought process, and as a result I set aside disbelief. Even more, Jason soon convinced me of his innocence as the storyline progressed and the attraction appeared to be mutual. I was further assured that concerns weren’t mine alone  when it was acknowledged that the relationship wasn’t necessarily a good idea, as April’s boss warns:

“No relationship lasts when it begins with danger and supercharged emotions.”

April’s relationship with her own Christian beliefs take on a minor storyline of its own. While many of the main characters are comfortable in their own beliefs, April is still searching. Miss Ella, a sweet big hat wearing, church-going older woman has told her “Before this is over, you’re gonna see the power of Jesus”, a thought that is interesting when directed at a person for whom prayer makes her uncomfortable and does serve as a bit of foreshadowing.  The author works to make her journey part of the story line, and generally it works.
Above all, the plot moves along at breakneck pace. Jason knows who is behind his framing, but still doesn’t know why, and that person seems to be beyond reach at every turn of the plot. As a reader, I shared their frustration at the untouchability of the villain. As they get closer to solving the crime, more roadblocks and twists come up, and I totally didn’t see the ending coming.
WHEW. What a ride!

Check out the book trailer for Burden of Proof!

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers.

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

5 PRINT ARCs!
OCTOBER 9-18, 2018
(U.S. Only)


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