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!
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
"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
CHAPTER 3, PART ONE
FROM BURDEN OF PROOF
BY DiANN MILLS
April Ramos’s stomach rumbled, and her fridge at home looked like she’d hung a Vacancy sign on it. Donuts were the last thing she needed after this morning’s negotiation gone wrong—as though filling her body with sugar and grease might reduce the overwhelming guilt—but her car still swung into the busy parking lot of a popular donut shop a few blocks from her home in Houston.
How sad she also looked for something sweet to soothe the ache of loneliness. The idea of calling someone special, sharing her miserable past hours, and doing the same for him tugged on her heartstrings. Maybe her future held the possibility, but right now no one stood backstage, waving.
A slight chill blew in from the north, and she grabbed her FBI jacket from the backseat, slipping it over her blouse. Inside the shop, she took a place in line behind four other customers.
What drove a man to give up on himself and life? Benson had invited her onto the roof with him . . . so she could watch him commit suicide? For a while, she believed she’d gained his trust. Then an absent wallet destroyed his confidence and hers.
A young woman behind her scolded a crying baby. “I told you to hush. All this way, you’ve whined and screamed. I’m hungry, so deal with it. Should have left you alongside the road.”
The insensitive words irritated April, especially on the heels of the earlier incident. Loving mothers treated their children with tenderness, not like they were liabilities. They protected them from a world that was often harsh. April turned to the young woman who held the crying baby in pink pajamas. Tears stained the child’s cheeks, and mucus flowed over her lips.
“Are you a real FBI agent?” The mother looked to be in her early twenties, long ponytail, taller than average.
“Yes.”
The young woman shoved the baby into April’s arms. “Take her for a few minutes, please. I need to breathe.”
April attempted to return the baby, but the mother stepped back. “She’s making me crazy.”
“I see you’re upset. We can talk.” April patted the baby’s back, but the child only cried louder.
“I’m done with her.” The young woman rushed toward the entrance and disappeared into a mass of parked vehicles.
“Hey—” What just happened? April held the baby close to comfort her and detected a dirty diaper. She was shivering too. Shrugging off her jacket, April stepped out of line to wrap the baby—who wailed louder than before.
The mother might have gone to her car for a diaper bag.
Seven minutes ticked by. April pushed through the entrance of the shop into the cold November air, cradling the crying baby girl. At least the jacket kept her warm. April scanned the parking lot and walked to the rear. The young woman had disappeared.
“Well, little one, looks like it’s just you and me,” she whispered and walked toward the front of the shop with the intention of calling Child Protective Services. “Wish I knew how to ease your tears.”
A man jogged her way. “Stop! You have my daughter.”
What had she been hit with now? April sized him up for a potential struggle. Trim build. Wore a brown leather jacket and a cap pulled down over his forehead. And a distinct frown.
“Why did you kidnap my daughter?” Despite the cool air, sweat beaded his brow. Before April could respond, the baby whirled to him with open arms. “Isabella, Daddy’s here for you.” He attempted to take the baby, but April stepped back.
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.
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
5 PRINT ARCs!
OCTOBER 9-18, 2018
OCTOBER 9-18, 2018
(U.S. Only)
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Great spotlight.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThanks and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWow, this sounds like a thrilling read. So much going on!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nikki!
DeleteDoesn't it? Since it's a brand new series, it's a great time to get started.
DeleteUh oh, its one of those stories. I might have to read it to find out if that guy is really the father.
ReplyDeleteJenn, don't think so!
DeleteI know! She pulls you in right away and makes you wonder! Click the link and you can read the rest of the chapter!
DeleteCan't enter the giveaway as US only but this looks like one I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry - I had a great time writing it. Because I'm a seat of the pants writer, I never know what will happen until I get there!
DeleteSorry about that, Jo. I guess since Tyndale is mailing real print ARCs, it's just too expensive.
DeleteNew name for me - thanx for the intel
ReplyDeleteThis is the first in the latest series, but the FBI Task Force novels are excellent, too!
DeleteGreat post! This sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Amanda!
DeleteGreat spotlight! Sounds intriguing. I may have to add it to the tbr list.
ReplyDeleteI have -- her books seem to have all the right elements. I just need some LEISURE reading time to get to all of them!
DeleteAwesome spotlight.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin!
DeleteOhh great post and I really love the excerpt as well I am really intrigued about this book and it looks and sounds absolutely amazing and right up my alley to boot as well. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post and for putting this book on my radar.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katiria. DiAnn's a prolific writer, so you have lots of options with where to start!
DeleteThis sounds good.
ReplyDeletedoesn't it? I've added it to my TBR!
DeleteFabulous spotlight! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Caryl!
DeleteThat's a lot of drama for one small town! Sounds like a fun read though.
ReplyDeleteHa! It is Houston, TX, after all! DRAMA abounds!
DeleteGreat book!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good. Cant wait to read it
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book, one you wouldn’t be able to put down once you start reading! This is much needed right now!
ReplyDelete