Book: Detecting Concealed Evidence (Security Hounds Investigations Book 5)
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Release Date: August 6, 2025
A panicked call sends detective Chase Wolfe and his search-and-rescue bloodhound, Tank, racing right into the path of his neighbor—who’s just barely escaped an abduction. But Pilar Alonso has no idea who’s after her or why. Now she must rely on Chase to keep her safe while they work together to track down the unknown assailants targeting her. Only, their investigation reveals layers of a much more sinister agenda, and danger is rapidly closing in. Drawn into a web of deceit, can they untangle the mystery…before they’re permanently silenced?
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.
More from Dana
Those bloodhounds are galloping on through this Security Hounds series, aren’t they? Here in book #5, we have Chase and the unbelievably chill Tank. They couldn’t be more opposite. Tank is the kind of dog who only leaves his sunny napping spot when there’s an urgent need to do so. Chase is an energetic, unrestrained, human who gets caught up in the life of the reserved Pilar, a cello player who is simply trying to earn a few extra dollars when her delivery van is forced off the road and she’s kidnapped. That’s only the beginning of the adventure. I hope you will enjoy Tank, who falls deeply in love with Pilar’s cello music, and Pilar and Chase, who definitely got off on the wrong foot when they first met. And what is the object the killer is desperate to get his hands on? Hope you enjoy the ride!
My Impressions
“Panic crawled along Pilar Alonso’s nerves like an army of ants.”
And so best-selling author Dana Mentink begins another taut romantic suspense novel, Detecting Concealed Evidence. Somebody help me! I feel like I may be becoming a romantic suspense fiction junkie! I swear that’s not my fave genre, but I sure am getting more and more drawn into it, and expert writers like Mentink are largely responsible!😊
How can one not like a novel that deals with a clueless courier ( Pilar) who only wants to protect her father, whose personality has drastically changed, becoming more paranoid and unreasonable. Indeed, “…each week, he seemed to be floating away from her, like a boat improperly anchored.” Score one point for Mentink. Readers who deal with a loved one with dementia will identify with Pilar’s lonely journey.
Dogs. Put dogs in romantic suspense, and I believe many readers’ ears perk up. I know I sit up and take notice. Each hound in this series, Security Houndd Investigations, is a valued member of the Wolfe family business. But Mentink infuses new life into these hounds. Each hound also has special personality quirks. Detecting Concealed Evidence presents Chase’s dog, Tank. With a heart as big as his name and a floppy body to match, just imagining Tank and his attempts at heroic rescues are enough to set me into gales of laughter.
Unfortunately, Chase, Tank’s human and Pilar’s irritating neighbor, has a great desire to help people, but he tends to be controlling. He runs roughshod over others’ abilities to think or plan. His sister Stephanie tells Chase one time he has run Pilar off, “Your heart’s always in the right place, but you have to let people make their decisions, even if they might get hurt.” Can Chase step back enough to allow God room to direct people’s paths?
Can Pilar, running from several different people, with no idea why, trust both Chase and God to take care of her and her unpredictable father? When Pilar feels beholden to Chase, he shows his best side: “…this is what people do who care about each other. There’s no price tag on that. We’re helping.”
I enjoyed this mystery, with its humor, character growth, dementia moments, mystery, faith, and twists! I am sad that there is only one more book in the series left.
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via BookFunnel. I also pre-ordered my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Seems like you’re ready to step into a real big-boy relationship. This one’s about character and being who you were meant to be, and sometimes that isn’t all roses and laughter. It’s about how you move together through this life with God, regardless of the feels.” -Garrett
“Perhaps the one thing about having memory issues that might be at all positive was you could forget the scary stuff too.”😢🙂
“being strong didn’t mean a person didn’t feel overwhelmed and sad and frustrated and the millions of daunting emotions that came along too.”
“Her emotions were a cascading bunch of dissonant notes without any rhythm or cadence.” -Pilar
“Unscarred meant you were untested. He didn’t want to go through life not giving his all. He suspected Pilar felt the same way with her music.”- Chase
Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for Rendezvous 2025, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!
You are Invited
Rendezvous: reader and writer gathering November 7-8, 2025 Holiday Inn St Louis SW – Route 66
Join fellow readers and 46 writers at the third annual Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, The Christy Award webcast watch party, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings.
Two Dogs Publishing, Baker Publishing Group fiction imprints (Bethany House and Revell), Haven Fiction, Enclave Publishing, LiteraryScape, Kregel Publications, and Apothecary Audio have joined The Christy Award Program (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) and JustRead Publicity Tours as event sponsors.
First Row: Abbey Downey, Amanda Cox, Angela Bell, Ann Elizabeth Fryer, Ashley Worrell, Bethany Turner, Cara Putman, Carol Moncado, Christy Barritt, Connilyn Cossette, Crystal Caudill, Crystal D. Grant. Second Row: Dana R. Lynn, Dani Pettrey, Danielle Grandinetti, Darlene L. Turner, E. A. Hendryx, Gabrielle Meyer, Heather Kaufman, Jaime Jo Wright, Janilise Lloyd, Jayna Breigh, Jenny Erlingsson, Jessica R. Patch. Third Row: Jill Kemerer, Joanna Davidson Politano, Karen Witemeyer, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Kimberly Duffy, Lisa E. Betz, Lisa Phillips, Lisa T. Bergren, Liz Bradford, Lynn H. Blackburn, Megan Besing, Nancy Mehl. Fourth Row: Robin W. Pearson, Sara Brunsvold, Sara Davison, Shannon Sue Dunlap, Sharee Stover, Sherry Shindelar, T. Elizabeth Renich, Tabitha Caplinger, Tara Grace Ericson, Toni Shiloh.
Keynote speakers are Jaime Jo Wright and Toni Shiloh. Lisa Phillips will lead worship. Kimberley Woodhouse, Lynette Eason, Pepper Basham, and Shelley Shepard Gray are unable to join us.
The registration fee (including a book tote, catered meals, and more) is $200 for readers. This year’s gathering is nearing full capacity. Register today!
P.S. Don’t miss The Christy Award Finalist Reveal Webcast on Friday, September 19. Free registration is required. Visit christyawards.com for more information and registration. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.
My Experience with Rendezvous
For this portion, I am uploading several pictures I took at last year’s Rendezvous where there was a chance to meet authors, listen to panels, engage with other reading friends you’d otherwise never meet, etc! It’s a blast! I will admit to dragging along my hubby, who was perfectly content to stay in the room and veg out, or explore ( in that case) the great sports shopping of the Chicagoland area!
Giveaway
(1) winner will receive $50 total winner’s choice gift cards (Rendezvous event shirt presale shop, Amazon, Baker Book House, or Christianbook)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 24, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for physical prizes. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Princess Maakah of Geshur is duty-bound to create a political alliance for her father through marriage. The cancelation by King Saul of her betrothal to his fourth-born son compels Maakah’s father to send her to the rebel David ben Jesse, a shepherd-warrior anointed years earlier as Israel’s future king, to propose a marriage between them. Taken aback by stories of David’s ferocity and lowly birth, Maakah considers the match a degrading fate but obeys her father’s wishes out of duty as her nation’s only heir.
To her relief, David rejects the offer of marriage, but circumstances make it impossible for Maakah to return home, and she must stay with David’s people until it is safe for her to travel again. Facing prejudice and suspicion from the Israelites, Maakah navigates the delicate balance between her noble heritage and her growing respect for David’s faith and leadership. In a land torn by war and divided loyalties, she must choose where her allegiance lies: with her Geshurite people, or with an extraordinary destiny alongside David that beckons her from within.
Mesu Andrews is a Christy Award-winning, bestselling author of biblical novels and devotional studies, whose deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the Bible alive for readers. Her heritage as a “spiritual mutt” has given her a strong yearning to both understand and communicate biblical truths in powerful stories that touch the heart, challenge the mind, and transform lives. Mesu lives in Indiana with her husband, Roy, where she stays connected with her readers through newsy emails, blog posts, and social media.
More from Mesu
Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Noble?
Princess Maakah, the only child of Geshur’s King Talmai, and the only heir to his throne, must shrewdly marry to strengthen her nation’s political future. When King Saul cancels the betrothal contract he and Talmai had arranged for Saul’s fourth-born son, King Talmai reacts swiftly to secure a betrothal with the legendary rebel David ben Jesse. She obeys her abba’s wishes and travels south from Geshur, where her escort is attacked by Amalekite bandits. While captive to the Amalekites, Maakah is befriended by David ben Jesse’s two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. When David rescues his family, he encounters Geshur’s arrogant pagan princess—having no idea Talmai had sent a betrothal contract with a Geshurite messenger. Though neither David nor Maakah wish to pursue a betrothal, David vows to keep Maakah safe, even though danger abounds at every turn. How did David and Maakah ever reach a truce and marry? How did they perhaps even come to love each other—so that Maakah could become the mother of David’s third-born son (2 Sam.
3:3b)?
How do you approach writing fiction about biblical characters while staying true to Scripture?
The Bible tells us that Maakah became David’s wife in Hebron and bore his third-born son, Absalom. It gives no other details about David and Maakah’s relationship; however, 2 Samuel 13– 15 does mention that Absalom killed his brother Amnon (because Amnon raped Absalom’s sister, Tamar). After Absalom committed murder, he fled to . . . Geshur, where his grandfather, King Talmai, sheltered him. These later Scriptures tell me some things about the character of King Talmai and the environment in which Maakah would have been raised as a young princess. Using the knowledge I’ve gained during my twenty years of research and writing biblical fiction, I can know that if Talmai had any other heir to Geshur’s throne, he likely wouldn’t have been so welcoming to a grandson who could have posed a threat to a Geshurite prince. Later, Absalom leaves Geshur—rather abruptly—and is suddenly willing to face death in Jerusalem (at David’s hand) than remain in Geshur (2 Sam. 14:32). These aren’t Truth explicitly stated in Scripture, but because I’ve visited Israel twice and studied the ancient culture under the guidance of wonderful Bible scholars, I hope the Truth of Scripture, historical data, and a God-directed imagination blend together in a story that pulls readers into the ancient world of David and his brides.
How do you approach writing about King David, such a well-known biblical figure, from a fresh perspective?
When most folks think of David, they remember chunks of his life: a shepherd boy whom Samuel anointed king; the youth who killed Goliath; the inexperienced warrior befriended by King Saul’s firstborn, Prince Jonathan; the victim of King Saul’s mania who was lowered from a bedroom window by his first wife, Michal (King Saul’s daughter); the warrior who escapes Saul in the desert, spares the enemy king’s life, and rescues Abigail from her lousy husband. Yet for some reason, we minimize the time David spent in that wilderness—likely, seven years or more. Then we skip right over his seven years in Hebron when six sons were born to him by six wives. SIX WIVES, y’all!
Then, most folks remember King David as the conquering king of Jerusalem. But that King David is very different than the David who roamed the wilderness and the thirty-year-old David who was learning how to reign in Hebron. Why do I say that? Look at the psalms David wrote. You can tell which were written in the wilderness and which were written after conquering Jerusalem. It proves what I’ve suspected for most of my life: When God really wants to test us, He blesses us beyond our imagination. When David ruled from his cedar palace in Jerusalem, too many times the wealth and blessings shoved God off the throne of his heart. I didn’t want to write about that David. In the KING DAVID’S BRIDES series, you’ll meet raw David—the David who says, “God is all I need because He’s all I have.”
Tell us about your research process for understanding the political climate of ancient Israel and Geshur.
I’m so grateful for the various places we’ve lived and my husband’s occupational journey since 2000. He began his doctoral work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (in Chicago), which gave me access to his scholarly library on campus. I muddled through those first few years of research—partly appalled at what I discovered about ancient cultures and partly mesmerized at how much more deeply I understood the Scripture when I grasped the ancient cultures (both Israel’s and the pagan nations around them). After seven years, he completed his PhD in Education and took a job at Multnomah University (Portland, OR), where I had even more access to their library, and I quickly made friends with the research librarian. She helped me immensely in delving even deeper into theses and dissertations that were more specific (like hair products of seventh-century BC Assyrians). After nine years, we moved to the other coast—Boone, NC—where Appalachian State University allowed me to purchase a “community card” for $10 lifetime access. Their “religious” research books were amazing, so I had access at home or on campus to lots of the pagan nations’ intricate rites as well as Jewish historical writings that I’d never seen before. We lived there for eight years before moving back to our roots in Indiana. At each stop along our way, I’ve picked up used books on Amazon or at these libraries (or from Roy’s professor friends) that have helped build my personal library at home. In 2020, Hubby and I were so blessed to take a group of readers to Israel and actually visit the ancient ruins of Geshur! When we have an open heart, God can use every circumstance to teach and bless!
How do you balance historical accuracy with creating relatable characters for modern readers?
Speaking of our 2020 journey to Israel . . . When we arrived at the Old Testament site of Geshur, I was intrigued that the New Testament city of Bethsaida had been built directly on top of it! This is common practice in archaeological sites. Sometimes as many as three or four cities are found in the different “strata” (or layers) of a hill (called tel in Hebrew). Our wonderful guide, Hedva, took us to the edge of the city, where we sat beneath a canopy as a protection from the glaring sun. Looking southeast, we watched the sparkling rays glimmer off the Sea of Galilee. It was one of the most beautiful sights I saw in the Land on that trip.
Realizing, however, that the Bible specifically describes the Geshurite villages David destroyed as “in the land extending to Shur and Egypt” (1 Sam. 27:8), I knew this city that was way north of the Galilee couldn’t be the same place David had destroyed. I asked the guide, “What about the southern villages of Geshur—in the south, closer to Ziklag, that David and his men would have destroyed along with the Amalekites and Girzites?” She looked at me as if I had two heads and said the Bible got that one wrong. There were no southern villages belonging to Geshur. Hmm. Well, that would definitely be a problem for both me and my Bible-believing readers! In order to write this story according to God’s Truth of Scripture, I created a fictional explanation for the villages “in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.” Am I contradicting historical accuracy? Nope. I’m just giving a plausible explanation until some very smart archaeologists catch up with God’s Truth and find proof of the Geshurite villages David destroyed in Philistine territory.
Your protagonist struggles with pride and duty. How does this reflect broader themes in Scripture?
With duty comes responsibility, but responsibility may or may not come with authority. Maakah thought she had both duty and authority, which bred arrogance (pride) that was doomed for destruction. In God’s economy, that’s a good thing. Since God hates pride, the best thing He can do for us is find ways—however gently we’ll allow it—to crush the pride that keeps us from turning to Him for help. The greater our call to duty, the more tempted we are to carry that duty on our own shoulders. It’s a tendency as old as the Garden. Didn’t Eve want to eat that forbidden fruit when the serpent said she would “be like God” if she ate it? Don’t we all stretch for more responsibility, more authority, because we want to do it our way? The more we get our way, the more we become proud of our successes and the more we want the authority to make more decisions—for ourselves. It’s really the theme of every story in the Bible and in life. “It’s up to me, and I’ll get it done.” But God’s way says, “Obey me, and we’ll do it together.”
Your novel deals with themes of prejudice and tribal loyalties. What parallels do you see for modern readers?
When David and Maakah focused on the ways they were different or the barriers that would come between them, their future together seemed hopeless. When they focused on the miracles God worked to bring them together and their united passion for that same God, their future together seemed inevitable.
The relationship between faith and heritage is central to your story. What inspired this theme?
I try hard not to begin the story with a designated theme. I get to know the Truth of Scripture with the historical data I discover during research and then do a lot of prayer-guided imagining of how characters would feel, think, and act. The faith and heritage theme was already there from Scripture. I couldn’t imagine that David, as a man after God’s own heart, would ever marry a pagan—no matter what the political benefit to his new reign. And from what I knew of the Aramean family of nations (Geshur was one of five), Talmai would lie, cheat, kill, or steal to find a beneficial match for his daughter. The rest of the story was just imagining all the bad stuff that could happen in a two-week time span that might break down both David’s and Maakah’s defenses and open their hearts to God’s chess game of the heart.
What message do you hope readers take away from Maakah’s story?
I want them to believe that no one is too far gone for Yahweh to reach. My husband and I weren’t believers all the way through high school. God used a lot of key people, hard experiences, and patient grace to draw us into His family. (See my personal testimony at: https://mesuandrews.com/meet-mesu/personal-testimony/.) If He can reach me, He can reach anyone.
What are you working on next?
I’ve already started Loyal: The Story of Haggith. Again, we know nothing about Haggith’s true identity from Scripture, so through supplemental Truth, historical data, and my imagination, I’ve imagined David’s fourth wife as the daughter of Hebron’s chief priest. When some of David’s home tribe of Judah discover his marriage to Princess Maakah, they imagine the worst and accuse him of marrying a Gentile pagan. Joab, David’s oldest nephew and general of his troops, convinces David he must marry quickly and marry a woman who proves his undying commitment to Yahweh and His Law. Who better than Haggith, daughter of Judah’s most revered chief priest, and the woman who is David’s most vehement critic?
My Impressions
“I will not now, nor ever, become a third wife or deny the gods of my ancestors.”
If you love Biblical fiction, Mesu Andrews is a name to follow. Meticulous research of both history and customs, faithfulness to what we know of Scripture, and a great storyteller’s imagination where we don’t, all stand out in Noble, King David’s Brides Bk. 2, by Andrews. I was amazed as I read, just how much Scripture, especially Psalms, Andrews is able to thread into the story seamlessly. There are so many truth nuggets that are shared as David and his first two wives, Nomy and Abigail, daily patiently encourage Maakah to choose the sole God of Israel over the plethora of gods of Geshur.
Kudos to Andrews for including a map and a list of characters at the front. Also for listing the Bible passages the book is based on. I have read these passages many times, but I had to re-read them with fresh eyes as I started Noble.
I found the storyline very engaging, exciting, and suspenseful. Told alternately from Maakah’s pov and David’s pov, I actually learned to care for the spoiled princess. Would she and her maid Zulat come to trust in the God of David, imperfect though he is ( six wives- anyone?) Maakah‘s father eventually promises her in a covenant marriage to David, in order to gain influence over Israel. Whose way will stubborn and regal Maakah choose? Her way and or her father’s, or David’s and that of his God, forsaking her own?
It is really neat to see how David leads his band of followers in praise, worship, and obedience to God. Though it’s easy for the idea of many wives to be a stumbling block, Scripture records that as fact. So it is very interesting how Andrews shows it could have happened, and the spiritual and emotional harmony that David may have encouraged in his home.
One point that Andrews brings out about both Maakah and David is that they were both longing for acceptance from their earthly fathers. I’d never stopped to consider this about David, but it does seem to fit in with how he is treated in Scripture. David tells a hurting Maakah, “…only Yahweh can fulfill our deepest yearnings for an abba’s affection.”
Don’t miss this exciting, fleshed out tale of David, and how Maakah may have come to be his third wife! Read Noble for the twists, the superb storytelling, and for the immense amount of Truth presented!
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher & Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought my own book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Yahweh uses these barren times and places to strengthen and shape us into what He wants us to become.”– David
“when we’re guided by Yahweh’s Light, He calls us to think differently. React differently. Even fight differently.”- David
“I’ve learned three things in the years since I fled Gibeah of Saul. The first and hardest lesson: I can never anticipate the LORD’s plan. Second, His plan is always better than I imagine; and third, His best for me always comes with a sacrifice.”– David
“Abba taught me to be regal, but I’m learning that being noble is harder- and better.”- Maakah
“There is only One whose love never dies. Only One whose love is stronger than an army and sweeter than a woman’s touch. Yahweh will never leave you or deceive you, my love.”– Abigail
“You and I have only this life to determine where our true allegiance lies. will we be enslaved by earthly masters who demand more than they give? Or will we serve an almighty God who promises more than we can imagine?”-David
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Andrews left me studying those Bible passages, amazed at her research, and pondering life in the ancient Mid-East.
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Canyon of Deceit Author: DiAnn Mills Publisher: Tyndale Fiction Release Date: September 9, 2025 Genre: Romantic Mystery & Suspense
A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Selah Award, and the Golden Scroll; and been finalists for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award and the Carol Award.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn 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 on social media or her website, diannmills.com
My Impressions
“Hope is a reason to live when the world erupts into madness.”
This quote is an absolute fave, and given the timing I read it, it applies super well in multiple ways to our country and world today! Diann Mills’s Canyon of Deceit is billeted as a romantic mystery and suspense, but I would also add the category of political thriller. Expecting romantic suspense with lots of continuous action, I felt the storyline didn’t move as fast as I expected at first. Being such a politically-based novel, there were a lot of mental gymnastics to work through in this 1st person , alternate narrator pov. Blane, a Texas Ranger and top-notch negotiator, and Therese, the best wilderness survival guide, must locate a kidnapped Russian child in Fog Canyon, a dangerous part of the Guadalupe National Park. Their former attraction rears its head, as do their painful pasts. But what set my mind spinning ( and theirs) was whose intel to trust. Trusting the wrong person will cost them time, but most likely their lives, that of 8-year-old Alina, and ultimately, possibly untold others.
Twists!! As I stuck with the story, I began to be able to sort out the multiple characters, see the need for so many, and was totally surprised more than once just as I thought I had the “bad guy head honcho” figured out!!
By this time, I was well-invested in the characters! I wanted Blane to do more than blame God for tragedy in his past. His honest thought is one that I find interesting, and I have personally heard from another non-believing friend. “A bit ironic to blame someone I didn’t believe in.” Blane knows God is after Him… but does he want to forgive God- or himself?
Interestingly enough, Therese also is dealing with her fear of failure from the past, plus fear. Can she trust God enough to forgive herself? I love that she keeps returning to her Source of strength, even in the midst of impossible odds. “God understood my doubts, and He’d help me.” Another thought she shared with Blane until he was tired of her God talk!
“You’re not afraid?” “Depends on how you define fear. For me exploring new territory and revisiting special places is a type of respect, a mix of love and fear.” I swung another look at the sky. “Like how I feel about God.” But the one that personally shores me up, I will share below.
While I was uncertain about how invested I could become in these characters, I found that the political aspect just needed more time to establish the character’s uncertainties and complexities that made for great action and twists once we had enough information in our arsenal. The inclusion of a wonderfully brave, sweet, 8-year- old certainly drew me into the story with tattered heartstrings!
I bought my own copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Every problem has a solution, and it usually involves teamwork.”– Sergio
“It’s not what we lose that defines our character—it’s what we learn.”- Therese
“We called this fence-coffee on the ranch. The only thing available when riding fence. Tastes like it was brewed over a pile of manure.”– Blane (just for laughs)
So many times I’d asked why evil and injustice exist. But if I had the answers, God wouldn’t be God.” – Therese
“I sent a silent prayer to the One who routinely out-negotiated the devil.”– Therese- (what comfort that sentence brings!)
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent!
Mills won me over with her great political intrigue and complex mystery with unexpected twists!
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Canyon of Deceit and $25 gift card to winner’s choice bookstore!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 16, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Recluse’s Vindication by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: The Recluse’s Vindication Series: Our House on Heather Wynd Author: Danielle Grandinetti Publisher: Hearth Spot Press Release Date: September 12, 2025 Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense
The Loch Ness Monster isn’t the only recluse seeking a Scottish haven.
Bieldfell. Scotland, 1933—Falsely accused of murder sixteen years ago, American cowboy Benjamin Ford has chosen to hide out in the Scottish Highlands. Reclusive and not afraid to die, he rescues children out of an increasingly dangerous Germany. When his childhood best friend appears at his door, he’s not the boy she remembers.
Eleanor Finch’s life ended sixteen years ago. In one horrible day, she lost her dreams, her reputation, and her heart. However, she never gives up the hope of finding her friend, so when she learns of Ben’s whereabouts, she leaves all that is familiar to convince him to return home.
But Eleanor isn’t the only person searching for Ben. Hunters follow her trail. The thin veil of gossip and rumor may be their only chance of a future … unless the Loch Ness Monster is real after all.
Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline.
Connect with Danielle Grandinetti by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
My Impressions
“It’s been sixteen years, Eleanor. Are you ready for who we’ll find?”– Hiram
First of all, let me say The Recluse’s Vindication has joined my short list of books I definitely plan to reread! I thought Danielle Grandinetti couldn’t come up with a hero I would like more than Gio from another of her books, but Benjamin Ford certainly gives Gio competition! Le Sigh!
I was thrilled to open the book to find a readable on kindle! color map at the front. Kudos.
I loved the tie-ins of this novella with two others of Grandinetti’s, Heart of Beauty and The Italian Musician’s Sanctuary. However, it’s not necessary to have read these books or even others in this series to enjoy this one.
As Eleanor travels from Montana to Scotland in 1933 to find a man who had once been her closest friend and bring him home, she is unprepared for who and what she discovers. What will she do with her new knowledge? Will she fight for the friendship, get involved in something that requires her facing yet another monster, or will she go home to live in fear and loneliness?
A beautiful story of learning to forgive oneself. Of wrestling with the hard questions. When does doing the wrong thing become right? Is a person obligated to help others at risk of their own life? What promises are so important that, no matter what, one refuses to break them? Does heredity determine character? “The grandson of a beast, the son of a monster, a man who had already killed with his bare hands. He would accept the mantle God laid on him and trade his soul so the innocent could live.”
Amelie totally stole my heart, just as she did Ben’s and Eleanor’s. And baby Max? The children part of the book nearly broke my heart. But I questioned myself- like Eleanor did herself- was her heart ( or is mine) broken enough to take action?
I enjoyed the inclusion of the legend of Nessie, including the real person who was rumored to have seen the Loch Ness Monster.
I received a copy of the book from the author and JustRead Tours. I also bought my own copy.
Notable Quotables:
“I think people vilify what they don’t understand. What they think is different, alien. Outside of what they consider normal.”– Ben
“There was no limit to what else he’d give up for them, including his heart, his soul, and even his life.”- Ben
“He knew clouds could not hide him from God or hide God from him, but at the moment, they felt like an iron shield. Or perhaps that was merely his conscience. Yet God felt as far away as home.” – Ben
”As soon as she asked the question, she wished to take it back. It bled with all the hope she’d packed into her luggage for the trip to Scotland.” – Eleanor
“We all must make sacrifices, or cruelty wins.”-Heda
“It wasn’t just reasonable, it was heroic. You’re a hero. You’re my hero.” ( Le Sigh!)
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! I will be hopping on over to the author’s website to pick up my paperback copy for my keeper shelf!
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive paperback copies of: The Recluse’s Vindication, The Italian Musician’s Sanctuary, & The Heart of Beauty, all by Danielle Grandinetti!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 10, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 17, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Genre: Contemporary Rom-com ( permeated with shades of Regency)
She thought she knew the rules of love. Turns out, love makes its own.
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The perfect match can’t be far–certainly not at a Regency-themed singles’ retreat–or so podcaster Zoe Dufour believes. After years of creating content for her relationship podcast inspired by Regency etiquette and era-appropriate rules for romance, she knows her listeners have anticipated this retreat. But she also attends with expectations of her own: finding the ideal modern-day gentleman who can meet every one of the nonnegotiables on her checklist.
Harrison Lundquist, Zoe’s podcast producer and best friend’s brother, reluctantly agrees to tag along on the retreat to capture footage while seeking a career-advancing promotion. He views the retreat as ridiculous. And Zoe’s methods for finding her real-life Mr. Darcy? Downright absurd! But as he films her whirlwind dates, his growing feelings for her are sidelined by suitors vying for her attention. When Zoe realizes her checklist for the man of her dreams might be holding her back, she must decide if she’s willing to rewrite her rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along.
“The writing is smart and sassy with humor and touching moments sure to please lovers of rom-coms, Regency romance, or Jane Austen period dramas.”–JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author
This clean and wholesome romance presents a Regency-infused spin on a contemporary rom-com with the grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, and best friend’s brother tropes. Readers of Melissa Ferguson, Pepper Basham, and Julie Klassen will find this read delightful.
Mollie Rushmeyer writes whimsical romance with heart and humor. She has a deep and abiding love for all things British, bookish, and filled with history and mystery. A modern girl herself—she wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air!—she’s always felt a special connection to the past and anything with a happily ever after. Her debut novel, The Bookshop of Secrets, was a finalist for a 2023 Carol Award. A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters.
Her Jane Austen-inspired contemporary rom-com, The Rules of Falling for You with Bethany House Publishers, released September 2nd, 2025. Get your copy now!!
She’d love to connect through social media! Follow her on Instagram and
Facebook: @authormollierushmeyer
My Impressions
“That’s how God so often works, isn’t it? Only the next step, the next shrub or tree, is visible when I want the whole forest. I need the whole picture so I can organize, mitigate disaster, plan for all possible outcomes, ready a list to ensure everything turns out the way it’s supposed to.”
The premise of this book reminded me of Angela Ruth Strong’s book, Husband Auditions, in which a young single influencer decides to film herself following an old-fashioned list for finding a beau. Only instead of list from the 1950s, our heroine in Molly Rushmeyer’s contemporary rom-com uses a list from Regency times. Zoe and her best friend Eden produce a popular podcast. Using wisdom from Regency authors Jane Austin and A. Nathaniel Gladwin, Zoe gives advice about finding love in the modern world. Love, the “l” word, yet elusive to the two. They decide to attend a Regency cosplay singles retreat near Minneapolis, and drag along Eden’s brother, Harrison, as their producer.
The adventures the two get into along with Harrison, his assistant Jake, and a few other friends and attendees are quite hilarious and sad. Hilarious as Zoe is not very graceful, and that is putting it mildly. Sad, because as the reader, it is so easy to see what Zoe refuses to see… where her true feelings lie, but where she, in her need for a plan, decides to move ahead.
Harrison and Zoe take turns narrating the story, so we get a look at the pitfalls and likelihood of this being a friends-to-more story. Zoe is a planner who must have everything scheduled and perfect. Harrison finally tells her, “Besides, even when we think we’re controlling things, we’re really not. Surrender is acknowledging the fact that God has it under control, has our backs, and loves us. We don’t have to carry the burden of making everything right.” Yet, Zoe desperately clings to her idea of control, sure if she lets go, disaster will ensue.
When Zoe does finally begin to let go and trust God for her future, a sudden betrayal reinforces her misguided idea that she never should have given up the reins. Will she ever be able to understand that “God never promised, ‘Take my yoke upon you, and I’ll make sure your life’s smooth sailing, no pain or heartache’”? I know people who believe if they trust God, bad things shouldn’t happen to them. Will Harrison persist in his pursuit, or will he decide Zoe and he are too different to be God’s match for each other? How will Harrison and Eden’s overbearing, absent father affect the future of the podcast and any relationship between Harrison and Zoe?
While this is a light-hearted story, the lessons about letting go and letting God and relaxing our standards, not looking for perfection in others, are invaluable.
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. I also purchased my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“That’s the thing I’ve come to see. I’ll never be perfect, I’ll never do everything right. But then He never asked me to. Instead, He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”- Harrison
“while people, even people I love deeply, can disappoint and betray me, God never will.”- Zoe
“when we keep secrets from others, we’re telling ourselves it’s for their good. To protect them. To protect our own hearts. But it’s a lie we tell ourselves to avoid doing what’s right.”– Zoe
“Maybe He [God]reveals one step at a time so I have to take His hand for the next one, the one I can’t quite see beyond. That way He can help me when I inevitably stumble or fall.”-Zoe
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Perfection vs. What God Calls You to Be
Title: A Lady Divided Series: House of Fire #1 Author: Sandra Ardoin Publisher: Corner Room Books Release Date: August 28, 2025 Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Just when she thinks she’s defeated the past, it returns with a vengeance.
Fighting to keep her late husband’s dream alive and her land-grabbing neighbors at bay, Laurel Tillman longs for a peace she knew before the war. But when her skill with a rifle saves a stranger from a mountain lion attack—a man whose life she once wouldn’t have hesitated to take—wartime memories rush back.
While raising her daughter and taking responsibility for the stray women who work on her sheep ranch, Laurel can’t wait to get the injured Yankee out of her house. Getting him out of her heart is an entirely different matter.
Quinn Spencer, a former Union cavalry officer, owes Laurel a debt, but his career as a new lawyer in town comes with a warning to stay away from the unconventional women of La Casa del Fuego. Then, with the discovery of a dead man on Laurel’s ranch, Quinn must choose between his career and justice for a woman who can’t bear the sight of him.
As they battle an unknown adversary who sets out to destroy Laurel, will she join forces with her former enemy? Or will she allow the past to overcome any chance of a truce between them . . . and, possibly, something more?
Meet the women of La Casa del Fuego—House of Fire—as they are forced by circumstances to live their lives outside the bounds of accepted femininity.
As the author of reader-described heartwarming historical and contemporary romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith.
She is the married mother of a young adult and co-sitter for a granddog. As well as being a team member in her church’s library, she reads Christian fiction, binges TV shows with her husband, and seldom says no to eating out.
Visit her at sandraardoin.com. Connect with her on BookBub, Facebook, X, and Goodreads. Subscribe to the newsletter and keep up with what’s new, discover what’s upcoming, and learn of specials.
My Impressions
“The past was an evil devil to fight.”
Who doesn’t remember “The Island of Misfit Toys”? Sandra Ardoin’s A Lady Divided ( House of Fire, Bk#1) brings that concept to mind in human form. We are transported back in time to a few years (1877) after the Civil War in Texas. Our nation has started to rebuild, but some find it hard to forget the atrocities of the war and even harder to forgive those who hail from the other side of the Mason-Dixon Line. Instead of an island of misfit toys, we have a ranch of “misfit women.” Women who have been wounded by life, and rejecthe acceptable society norms of femininity at that time. At their helm is widow Mrs. Laurel Tillman, who lives on a ranch with her widowed mother and young daughter. The few ranch hands she has, like her, dress like men and do ranch jobs that make them the fodder for malicious gossip in a world concerned with conformity.
When Laurel saves the life of former Union Major Quinn Spencer who happens on her land, an enemies-to-possibly more relationship is established. But, oh, Laurel has guilt from the past that she is sure God could never forgive, and she carries the burden of the safety of all the ranch women like a heavy yoke.
“Oh, if only she could feel the rest that Jesus promised. The peace. But her sinful actions were too great.” As Laurel deals with the mountain of unrest in her heart, her bitterness threatens to eat her alive, and often those around her. Yet, those closest to her can see her actions come from her conflicted heart, reflecting the conflict of the divided States. Yet, she refuses to lay her burden down. Her mother tries to reach her, only to have Laurel turn a deaf ear. “I hate to see you suffer like this. He’s waiting, Laurel. All you have to do is walk toward Him. ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’”
I loved this story for its unwrapping of the human emotions that are buried ( or not) just under the surface in a nation yet divided. I loved the understanding of the women that they could do hard work and it was respectable, even if it wasn’t acceptable in society. I yearned for the secrets that both Laurel and Quinn keep close to their vests. The constant mystery and danger from the the world outside Laurel’s ranch bubble make for an exciting read, as does the faith journey that so many of the characters are required to make. Will they progress towards what is right, or will they choose the comfortable answers to appease those around them? Convicting as I tried to put myself in their shoes!
Oh, yes! Did I mention humor and twists?! Be prepared! They are the cream cheese icing on a great carrot cake!
I had a three-way tie for fave secondary characters. Ernie, Becky, and the Marshall. And I love that we are well-set up for sequels!
I received a copy of the book from JustRead Tours through BookFunnel. I also bought my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“…no one’s past is as it should be.” …“The only person in this world who never sinned was Jesus. His sacrifice gave imperfect human beings like you and me the way to become perfect in God’s sight.” – Quinn
“God still loves me. He never turned His back on me. Even though I turned mine on Him, He waited for me to return.”- Laurel
“How could she live in peace with others when she found it so hard to live peacefully with herself?”– Laurel
“Did she dare to think God loved her so much that He allowed the death of His own Son for someone like her? No. There must be an exception, a limit to His grace and mercy.”- Laurel
“‘I don’t hate you. Momma always said I shouldn’t hate.’ When had that stopped her? ‘But I see nothing wrong with comparing you to a long-tailed rodent.’”– Laurel- taste of novel’s humor!
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! 5 big Texas stars!!
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card and two (2) ebooks of their choice from Sandra Ardoin’s Published Books!
(1) winner will receive three (3) ebooks of their choice from Sandra Ardoin’s Published Books
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 25, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 1, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction
Release Date: August 1, 2025
A Socialite in Disguise Seeks Truth and Justice
Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers.
Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area.
When an unnamed source reveals Etta’s secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she’s ever loved.
Kelly J. Goshornweaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love, faith, and family set in nineteenth century America. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, won the Director’s Choice Award for Adult/YA fiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference in 2019, and earned recognition as both a Selah Award finalist in the Historical Romance category and as a Maggie Award Finalist for Inspirational Fiction. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys spending time with her young adult children, binge-watching BBC period dramas, board gaming with her husband, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi.
More from Kelly
A Little Swedish Flavor
Beginning in 1844, Swedish immigrants began arriving in Brockton, Massachusetts. By 1920, Swedes accounted for approximately 30% of the city’s population. Their long-lasting impact on Brockton’s character remains evident today with annual cultural celebrations and religious festivals.
The Undercover Heiress of Brockton is set in the Swedish neighborhood of Campello. My hero Leo Eriksson’s favorite meal is Kalops, a savory beef stew that is traditionally served with boiled potatoes and pickled beets. For Leo, a bachelor who takes most of his meals at The Drake Tavern, the dish recalls happy childhood memories of his mother’s cooking.
Kalops contains typical stew ingredients like carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, but what makes this dish unique is the addition of allspice. Allspice adds a warm spicey flavor to the recipe that makes it perfect for a chilly winter day.
I had the opportunity to taste test this recipe, and while I would never brag about my own cooking skills, I have to say that it turned out quite well. I’d love to hear from you if you decide to give this traditional Swedish dish a try.
2.4 lbs chuck roast (or other beef cut suited for stews)
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
3 large carrots
1 stalk celery
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp ground allspice (or more to taste!)
2-3 bay leaves
3 cups beef stock (can also use water and bouillon)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
SERVED WITH: 7 large potatoes
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep the beef by cutting into 1 inch cubes. Season well with salt.
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil when preheated and add beef in one layer, searing on all sides. If you need to sear the meat in batches, you can remove one batch before adding the next to ensure that it browns well.
Dice your onion and celery while the beef is cooking (or prep ahead of time). Finely mince the garlic cloves.
Once the meat is browned on all sides, add in the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until just softened.
Chop your carrots into bite sized pieces. You can either add the carrots now if you like them super soft or add them with about 45 minutes left of cooking if you prefer them to have more of a bite.
Add one tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Once melted, add in three tablespoons of flour and stir until everything is coated. Add in ground allspice.
Pour in beef stock, stirring while adding to dissolve the flour coating. Once all of it has mixed in, add in 2-3 bay leaves. Now is a good time to taste for initial seasoning – add in salt and pepper to taste.
Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cover. Let the stew simmer for about an hour and 15 minutes; add more water or stock if needed! Now is also the time to add the carrots if you want them to be less soft.
Simmer for an additional 45 minutes or until the beef is very tender – in the meantime, prepare the potatoes for serving.
Prep potatoes by peeling and cutting in half. Place in a pot with cold water and add salt. Heat over medium-high heat with the lid on until it boils. Remove the lid and boil for about 15 minutes or until a knife poked into the center of a potato releases easily (you can also just taste for doneness!). Drain and set aside until ready to serve.
Remove bay leaves. Check for final seasoning (add more salt if needed). Add stew to bowls and serve with boiled potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley if you would like. Enjoy!
My Impressions
“God gave you a heart to fight injustice and an amazing ability to persuade others with your pen to stand up for what is right. Don’t hide your talent. Embrace who He has made you to be so your gifts can glorify the Giver.”
I just finished The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn. A historical romance, it is the second in the Barbour series, Enduring Hope. The series features brave, unconventional women who face a tragedy, whether natural or human- caused, and work to give hope to those affected by it. Along the way, they find hope for their own happily-ever-after romances, but with as many glitches in the romance department as in their fight for human or female equality.
I loved the conflicted (and very flawed!)characters of both Leo, a hunky firefighter and Etta, an heiress who poses as a man to keep her coveted job of top writer for one of Brockton’s newspapers!
Etta, handed anything she could desire on a silver platter, wants desperately to earn something in her own right, under her own name. While “Henry Mason” is the best-respected newspaper reporter in Brockton, Etta wants to his byline under her own name. (“It’s very hard to pretend to be someone else most of the time when all you want to be is yourself.” ) When arson and insurance company irregularities crop up in the city, she starts investigating. Then she is drawn into a shoe factory explosion that happens before her eyes. How far will Etta go, ethically and as one who professes to care for others in Christ’s name, to get her own byline?
Leo can’t help but be attracted to the independent, unconventional, intelligent Etta. But, as things progress in the romance department, he has a problem: “the only thing stopping him from taking her in his arms and kissing her soundly was that bushy mustache.” So hilarious!! Leo has agreed to help Etta in her undercover investigation, but discovers Etta not only in disguise half the time, but how can he reconcile the two separate personalities that emerge, not always lining up with what he expects out of a faith perspective? “How could a woman as compassionate as Etta Maxwell write articles devoid of any feeling about a tragedy on the scale of the Grover Shoe Factory?”
I had never heard of the Brockton shoe factory fire. What an education I got! And to see the persistence of a woman who wants to break through what had been considered a man’s world, and the lengths one might go to, in order to obtain that! Wowzers!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also purchased my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Loving someone means embracing the person God has made them to be. If we hold on to them too tightly, we risk suffocating them and crushing their spirit. I think it best to love fully, with our entire being for a short time, rather than safely, and bear the pain of regret for our entire lives.”
“He’d promised himself not to pursue her, but somehow, spending time with her shattered that pledge into a hundred little pieces, each sharp enough to pierce his heart.”
“There was no creed, no color line, no hostility of capital and labor; the common strifes of men were forgotten, and all were brought closer together in the beautiful harmony of the universal brotherhood. Sorrow, the great leveler, the great arbiter, had done its work.”
“She needed to learn to quit striving, quit trying to make her life turn out just as she hoped, and put more trust in God’s plan for her life.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Great relatable, flawed characters who are dynamic, and the story is very engaging, educational, and satisfying!
Park warden Dekker Hoyt’s father-son camping trip turns into a nightmare when a serial killer abducts his father. With just seventy-two hours to find him, Dekker turns to criminal investigative analyst Blaire Tremblay to identify the Park Campfire Killer. As they follow his taunting clues and face increasingly violent threats, Dekker and Blaire know that one wrong step could be fatal. With the ruthless criminal following their every move, can they stop a killer in hiding…waiting to complete his deadly plan?
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at http://www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.
My Impressions
“I hope the rest of our trip together is more peaceful. I’d like to see the Frank that Jayla and Hazel see. Not the one I’m used to.”
Wow, I really loved this constant action, very tense romantic suspense story from Darlene L. Turner!! So many reasons to love Danger in the Wilderness! First, while enough backstory is given it could be a standalone, I loved the ties to other Turner books. We have met all three key players before, and some of their family members.
Frank Hoyt is a big name in the national parks world, and has trained all of his children well in the wilderness, but has also been a tyrant and unprofessional in the way he treats his own adult children who are subordinates. We also have met Dekker, his sister Jayla, and Hazel, if I remember right. Dekker finally explodes at his father on a camping trip when Frank, supposedly present to make amends for his beyond-overbearing ways, offers way too much “helpful” advice. And then, the Park Campfire Killer abducts Frank, with no way for Dekker to make his own apologies.
We also see Blaire Tremblay, a serial killer profiler for police, whose own backstory we have read in another book. So between Blaire, Dekker, and Frank, I felt like I was among old friends.
Turner weaves a tight tale in this novel, with nature being an adverse force in many ways. Weather, terrain, and wild animals, all conspire to aid the PCK along with time, also Blaire and Dekker’s enemy.
Turner has just enough side characters to provide a good selection of possible culprits. Can Blaire and Dekker separate the true friends from those with ulterior motives, and possibly the worst motive of all?
The faith element is very well woven throughout the story in short snippets, and placed exactly where needed. Blaire often can be found encouraging Dekker to choose to fan his faith back into flame. “‘I know trusting in God’s provisions can be hard, but it’s true. And I think deep down you know it too. It just has to go from here…’ she touched his heart ‘…to here.’ She tapped his right temple.” Faith is the reason I choose Erica Hoyt as my fave secondary character. With every reason to be afraid and be a hot mess, Erica declares, “‘God will direct your paths.’ Her voice hitched. ’I have to believe that. No, I will believe that.’” I want to exhibit that kind of faith!
I believe this is one of Darlene L. Turner’s best yet! If you read romantic suspense, you will want to add Danger in the Wilderness to your must-read pile!
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via BookFunnel. I also pre-ordered my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Use the gifts God gave you.”– Dekker
“Hope…It was all she could offer Dekker right now. Hope, and her profiling skills.”
-Blaire
“‘I’ve failed God many times throughout my life.’ ‘Haven’t we all?’ ‘Absolutely. It’s knowing when to acknowledge that and vow to give God your all that counts. He understands.’”– Frank, Blaire
“God’s timing is always perfect, son. Even when you think He’s wrong. He’s not.”- Erica Hoyt
“…it’s hard sometimes trusting in someone you can’t see or touch. But that’s what faith is all about. Believing without seeing.”– Blaire
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of Darlene L. Turner’s best yet! I can’t wait for the rest of this series!!
When opera singer Riley Williams agrees to sub as a musical-theater performer on a luxury Rhine/Moselle riverboat cruise, she gets more than she bargained for. Not only must she come up with 250 Broadway songs, she is required to dance with the male passengers. Dance—the subject she nearly failed in her Conservatory courses, and the cause of her recent flop in a European Opera House. To make matters worse, she overhears two terrorists at a café in Antwerp, Belgium, discussing the transfer of deadly agent X to the highest bioterrorist bidders.
Interpol agent Jacob Coulter, an anti-terrorism desk analyst in Brussels, Belgium, insists on serving as an undercover agent after his best friend Noel is murdered by terrorists from the Brussels cell he infiltrates. Shortly before Noel dies, he manages to tell Jacob snippets of the terrorists’ plans. Plans that seem to involve the same riverboat cruise Riley is on. When Interpol learns of Riley’s encounter with terrorists, Jacob’s supervisor insists he work with her to identify the terrorists and retrieve agent X. But their relationship is fraught with distrust because of Riley’s suspicious past and a romantic attraction neither of them wants.
Sara L. Jameson won Scrivenings Press’s grand prize publishing contract in January 2021. They released her debut romantic suspense novel, Cruise to Death, in June 2021. Death in High Places, (Book 2 in the Troubled Waters series), released February 2023, followed by Vengeance in Vienna, July 2024.
In real life, Sara is a multi-published, former university professor who writes non-fiction under her real name and edits book manuscripts for other authors. She also pens WWII historical novels. When not at her computer, she enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, dog-sitting, and spending time with friends.
More from Sara
For someone who loves to swim and enjoys cruising on a ship as long as land is in sight, a European riverboat cruise solved my anxiety. Cruise to Death was conceived during a Uniworld cruise that originated in Antwerp, Belgium, where my family had lived twenty-fives years prior and fallen in love with the country.
But the lack of security on the cruise concerned me. Especially when our ship docked parallel to another cruise line, and all passengers passed through the other boat to disembark and re-embark without staff scrutiny. Perfect place for someone not on your cruise to hide, right?
Perfect fodder for a romantic suspense novel. Add in a pickpocket who craftily robbed a family member, and a budding novelist determined the crime wouldn’t go unremembered. You know those writers’ T-shirts warning you whatever you say and do might end up in a novel—sometimes it’s true.
Part of the fun writing this story was a chance to retrace the stops along the Rhine and Moselle rivers and stay in settings that appear in the novel. If you have a chance to take a riverboat cruise, I highly recommend it!
My Impressions
“Yes, she’d lied. Something she’d been brought up not to do, something she knew was wrong. A sin she’d have to bring before the Lord. But she’d do anything to protect Jacob.”
I enjoyed this light, romantic suspense novel by Sarah L. Jameson. Cruise to Death explores the betrayal of an Interpol agent and his best friend, Jacob’s, vow to find the leaked link. It also explores the experience of an opera singer, Riley, who subsequently for her sick friend on a European river cruise. Unfortunately, Riley overheard a terrorist plot and spends the cruise trying to help Jacob and Interpol uncover the terrorists. Terrorists suspects are great at disguise, and tensions are high as nearly all passengers on the cruise are closely monitored. Evidence suggests that Riley may be part of the plot. If safety precautions are in short supply, so is the trust factor. Will Riley and Jacob figure out who can be trusted? Better yet, will they put trust in God above their promises to themselves?
I was happy to see Jacob working in his cover professional as waiter. Jameson convincingly has him on job often, as well as portraying Riley onstage singing or (ouch!) dancing. So often in cozies, the main characters forget their jobs in favor of sleuthing.
I enjoyed the many pop culture references to TV shows and stars. One such involved a true quote we can all learn from: “Lone Rangers didn’t win the war, teamwork did. Teamwork between the military and civilians. Female civilians.” This is Riley’s response when Jacob tries to leave her out of sleuthing. We can all learn to accept help, rather than trying to go it alone.
Full of non-stop action, suspects, suspicions, danger, twists, and some truth revelations, Cruise to Death is an enjoyable read.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“One thing you learn as a singer—never play the what if game.”– Riley
“Relationships are built on trust.” “And forgiveness.” -Riley, Jacob
“All her life she’d done what she wanted to do, what others wanted her to do. Not once had she asked God what He wanted for her.”
“Everyone needed a rescuer.” – Riley
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Excellent! I’m happy to recommend this suspense novel.
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 