About the Book
Book: Targeted in the Desert
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release date: March 28, 2023
Family secrets have Felicia Tennison, and the sister she never knew existed, on the run. Someone is after them, and Felicia will have to turn to someone she never wanted to see again for help—her ex. Sheriff Jude Duke vows to protect them as they race to uncover why the little girl is a target. But the search to find the answers could cost them their futures.
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Dana Mentink is a USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than forty mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at http://www.danamentink.com to sign up for her newsletter, or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Bookbub.
More from Dana
At last! We’ve arrived at the final book in the Desert Justice series! It seems like just yesterday I was finishing book one, about cousin Beckett Duke who was falsely imprisoned. Then we met cowboy Levi and his twin Willow, dog lover Austin, donkey rescuer Nora and FINALLY sheriff Jude Duke gets his story! I am a fan of a hero with some miles under his belt, aren’t you? Could it be because I’ve got more than a few under mine? Ending this series is bittersweet because I am thrilled that the Dukes all received their happy endings, but I’ll miss writing about their adventures in Death Valley. Hope you’ll come along on my next series. (Could be there are bloodhounds in our fictional future!)
God bless!
My Impressions
It is time for the last Duke’s story! When Sheriff Jude Duke discovers Felicia Tennison a victim in an car accident caused by a thrown rock, his boss warns him off the case. Jude and Felicia have a dating history that ended disastrously, recently.
Mentink’s characters are believable and flawed, yet still worth cheering. I enjoyed the connections to Duke family members we met in previous books. Faith is important as both Jude and Felicia grapple with uncertain situations.
What I especially loved about this romantic suspense was the precocious 6-year-old little girl, and her Great Dane protector. Both brighten the pages of the novel and make you wish you knew them, too!
Felicia has come to appreciate her scars. Instead of worrying about ruined looks, she tells Gracie, “it’s just a tiny pink line to remind me that I’m strong and I’m healed.” and, “I can still see them and touch them, but they don’t hurt anymore. It’s okay to have scars.” While Felicia understands this is also true of scars of the heart, will Jude ever comprehend this?
I did not figure out the ending. I felt as sucker-punched as Jude and Felicia, (but much happier!)Bravo!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought a copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
Her new future would be full of unexpected joys and hardships, but Jude wouldn’t be privy to any of it. His choice. His lonely choice.
He was about as welcome in her life as a bad case of poison ivy.
“Genuine apologies don’t have a but in them.”
I don’t forget, and I don’t forgive. My plans were ruined, and I will exact payment for that.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Lots of action, and I never saw this ending coming!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 29
Lily’s Book Reviews, March 29
An Author’s Take, March 30
Vicky Sluiter, March 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 31
Blogging With Carol, March 31
Texas Book-aholic, April 1
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 1
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 2
For Him and My Family, April 2
Betti Mace, April 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 3
Simple Harvest Reads, April 4 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Holly’s Book Corner, April 4
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 5
Daysong Reflections, April 5
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 5
Bigreadersite, April 6
Splashes of Joy, April 6
Blossoms and Blessings, April 7
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 7
Pause for Tales, April 8
EmpowerMoms, April 8
Labor Not in Vain, April 9
Book Looks by Lisa, April 9
For the Love of Literature, April 10
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, April 10
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 11
Through the Fire Blogs, April 11
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)
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/25254/targeted-in-the-desert-celebration-tour-giveaway
engaging story depicting timeless human struggles with faith, love, loyalty, and leadership.”
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 