Tag: Duke Family

About the Book

Book: Death Valley Hideout

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Christian fiction

Release date: April 26, 2022

Running from a murderer

with only the desert as refuge…

Placed in WITSEC while his brother testifies against a terrifying criminal, Tony Ortega must guard his young niece and nephew from the hit man hunting for them. Death Valley local Willow Duke’s hideout might just be the difference between the little family’s life or death. When bullets start flying, can they thwart a killer long enough to survive and become a family for real?

Click here to get your copy!

My Impressions

Dana Mentink once again gets the heart racing and turns up the heat in her Death Valley Hideout (#4 Desert Justice Book).

Willow Duke gets her story along with Tony Ortega. Problem is, Willow gets to know Tony and his children under false circumstances. Now they’re all in danger. Will Willow help Tony after this egregious deception, or will she walk away?

So many fun things about this book. A pairing of a quiet man with an impetuous woman. A four-year-old boy and an eighteen-month-old girl. That’ll get me every time! A down-home friend babysitting for her pal, committed first to the children. Mentink knows her desert setting, and displays a knowledge of helicopters and planes. Mentink provides rescuers who are wildcards. Ante up the suspense fast!! And last but not least, the Duke clan, all come together to help one of their own. “Well, Tony, you’re in for more help that you know what to do with. You request one Duke, you get them all.”

Not to be left out, the faith element. So important. I love the way Mentink shows the value of frequent prayer in the characters’ lives, allowing us to participate in their prayers. I got a very real sense of Tony’s and Willow’s dependence on God.

I read faster and faster, trying to outread speeding bullets, cars, and helicopters. And, of course, finger where the true danger lay. Well done, Ms. Mentink!

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:

“You messed up, Tony. You never should have let her into your life. You can’t afford to have friends. Period.”

“You were friends with a guy who knowingly made you a target without your permission. In my book that’s no kind of friend.”

“But the Maestro hadn’t counted on one thing…he’d never met the Duke family.”

“…the Bible said it was possible to do anything that God wanted done. But being a substitute parent? Him? It was a tall order for a guy who couldn’t even keep a houseplant alive.”

“Love is not dependent on behavior.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent!! More Desert, More Heat, More Dukes!!

About the Author

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 the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming, and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

Wooty woo! We’re back in Death Valley again! So excited about this fourth book in the series because Papa Bear and I have actually returned to this amazing place. (Our previous return trip was stalled for a while due to the virus that shall not be named!) People have asked me, “Why do you love Death Valley so much?” I can only respond that you just have to go there to understand. Is it the vastness of the place? The enormous topographical variety? Maybe it’s the profound quietness that permeates the national park and environs. Then again, it might be the panorama of nighttime stars. (Death Valley National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park due to its limited light pollution.) Could it be the tenacity of people who live there and survive the one hundred twenty plus degree temperatures in the summer? And how about those animals? The Death Valley pupfish is a teeny little endangered fish that lives in precisely one spot on the globe (Death Valley) and only two places within that range, Salt Creek and Cottonball Marsh. Imagine that! So why set a six book series in Death Valley? Because there’s no more hostile and incredible place I can think of. I hope you will enjoy taking a fictional trip with me there too. Enjoy the adventure, reader friends!

Blog Stops

Remembrancy, April 21

Texas Book-aholic, April 21

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 22

Bigreadersite, April 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 23

Life, Love, Writing, April 24

For Him and My Family, April 24

Betti Mace, April 25

Inklings and notions, April 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 26

EmpowerMoms, April 26

deb’s Book Review, April 27

Blogging With Carol, April 27

For the Love of Literature, April 28

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 29

Simple Harvest Reads, April 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 30

Vicarious Living, April 30

Bizwings Blog, May 1

Blossoms and Blessings, May 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 2

Paula’s Persuasion, May 2

Labor Not in Vain, May 3

Through the Fire Blogs, May 3

Pause for Tales, May 4

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, May 4

To Everything There Is A Season, May 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of the first four books in the series-Framed in Death Valley, Missing in the Desert, Death Valley Doublecross and Death Valley Hideout (Paperback for U.S. Only) and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1d0af/death-valley-hideout-celebration-tour-giveaway