Teamwork can be Testy by DiAnn Mills

If you’ve ever had to work with a difficult person, you’ve experienced your patience stretched to the breaking point. Actually, difficult people can cause us to question our resolve to be successful.

Who can you trust?

Double Cross tests the value of teamwork among individuals who are Type A personalities, and some of them can’t be trusted. The concept is supposed to make actions efficient and effective, but textbook definitions don’t always work with strong personalities.



FBI Special Agent Laurel Evertson was caught in the crosshairs of maintaining her status with the FBI and working alongside a felon, whom she didn’t trust. Saddle her with a police officer who’s entirely too good looking, and she’s ready to end the case.


Houston police officer Daniel Hilton discovered the best way to protect his elderly grandparents from fraud was to join forces with the FBI. Working undercover with a type A female special agent and a male convicted felon often shook his determination.

Laurel and Daniel are likened to Batman and Batgirl - who require a little motivation to get along.



Abby Hilton, Daniel’s grandmother, watched her beloved husband spiral under the effects of Alzheimer’s. For over seventy years, they’d been together through the mountains and valley experiences. He’d always taken good care of her, and now it was time to fight those who threatened him. Abby refused to let age hold her back from investigating a crime, and she didn’t care who she upset.

Teamwork functions on the basis of a mission, a goal, and a plan to complete a project with a desired result. Look around you. Everyone seems to be on a mission, have a goal, and want to be successful. This happens in the workforce, among friends, and certainly in families. Although those involved may be in agreement, interpersonal conflicts can make getting along a bit of a strain. That means the members must swallow their pride and react to the betterment of the team. Those on the team are chosen for their skill and knowledge, and are motivated by agenda that has the potential to get . . . messy. The benefits outweigh the compromises.

The methods Laurel, Daniel, and Abby used to help solve a terrible crime are ones we all can use when forced to deal with abrasive people.

• Brainstorming solutions to problems means more than one mind is able to offer solutions.
• Competition channeled in a positive direction—the end goal—keeps every member of the team working their best.
• Friendships forged are often a byproduct of teamwork. In the case of Laurel and Daniel, they learned to trust each other and found lasting love.
• Superheroes are wonderful storybook characters, but only God works alone. Humans have some much to give to others—together.

Where do you fit in the world of teamwork?


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 Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.