Love Inspired | Daysong Reflections

Death Valley Double Cross by Dana Mentink

by admin | Mar 29, 2022 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

My first introduction to the books of Dana Mentink was through her Love Unleashed contemporary romance series. I enjoyed her writing as well as her humor in those books and was a bit surprised when asked to review one of her Love Inspired Suspense novels. What a versatile author! She is an expert when it comes to suspense. I think I have managed to read a copy of every one of her LIS books since and have never been disappointed.

Death Valley Double Cross takes readers back to Furnace Falls for yet another exciting, nonstop. action-packed, suspense filled tale. An unexpected encounter with the man she left at the alter is just the beginning of a life threatening experience for Pilar Jefferson. One surprise after another and more twists than one can imagine follow Pilar and Austin as they attempt to stay one step ahead of the person who will do anything to find the hidden money from an old robbery. Working together is awkward but there is no other choice.

A story of second chances, forgiveness, and faith, Death Valley Double Cross offers a chance to catch up with old friends from the previous books of the series and make a few new ones. Easily a standalone, this book is even better after reading the others.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Death Valley Double Cross

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Suspense

Release date: February 22, 2022

Click here to get your copy!

A killer seeking revenge will stop at nothing to get it…

Pilar Jefferson is shocked to learn that her supposedly deceased father is alive and has been in prison—and now his ruthless former partner is after her. Fleeing on her wedding day was the best way to protect her loved ones. But now with her mother held for ransom and her ex-fiancé, Austin Duke, stumbling back into her life, can she keep everyone safe—and escape an assassin?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Desert Justice

Book 1: Framed in Death Valley
Book 2: Missing in the Desert
Book 3: Death Valley Double Cross
Book 4: Death Valley Hideout

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 a Holt Medallion winner. She is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance 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:

I remember standing on the edge of the lookout and gazing into the wonder that is Artist’s Palette in Death Valley. Artist’s Drive, which takes you to this breathtaking view, rises above Badwater Basin (the lowest spot in North America) and then meanders along twisting canyons and hills until it brings you to this popular tourist stop. The premier view is a place called Artist’s palette. It’s a sprawling pocket of color, hues of rose, ochre, green and gold tucked in the rippling landscape and teased to life by the desert sun. Isn’t that just like God? To lead us to surprises and wonders that await us in a sometimes hostile world? Every day we spent in Death Valley held a surprise, from the rocks that move mysteriously across the sands to the towering twists and turns of 20 Mule Team Canyon. There are only two things to do with a wonderous place like that…enjoy the divine bounty, and write a novel set there so others can come along!

I hope you will enjoy this third installment in the Desert Justice series. The first is Beckett’s story and then we had quiet cowboy Levi’s adventure. Now it’s brash pilot Austin’s turn. Will he get his happy ending after being dumped at the altar and wrecking his shoulder in an accident? Turn those pages and come with me to Death Valley to find out!

BLOG STOPS:

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 29

Daysong Reflections, March 30

Texas Book-aholic, March 30

Lighthouse academy, March 31

Inklings and notions, March 31

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 1

Betti Mace, April 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2

Pause for Tales, April 2

For Him and My Family, April 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 3 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, April 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 6

Life, Love, Writing, April 6

Bigreadersite, April 7

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 7

Bizwings Blog, April 8

For the Love of Literature, April 8

Blogging With Carol, April 9

HookMeInABook, April 9

Simple Harvest Reads, April 10 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Paula’s Persuasion, April 10

Blossoms and Blessings, April 11

Sodbuster Living, April 11

Labor Not in Vain, April 12

Through the fire blogs, April 12

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of the first three books in the series (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/1c112/death-valley-double-cross-celebration-tour-giveaway

Texas Christmas Revenge by Connie Queen

by admin | Nov 22, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Texas Christmas Revenge by Connie Queen hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

MY REVIEW:

Texas Christmas Revenge is an action packed mystery suspense with a strong romantic element added for good measure. Another second chance romance novel, emergency dispatcher Brandi Callahan must turn to her ex-fiance Texas Ranger Rhett Kincaid for help after receiving a cryptic message from a person who seems to be her missing and assumed dead sister.

The fast paced plot moves from one dangerous scene to another from the very start as Brandi and Rhett do everything they can to protect the toddler Brandi believes to be her nephew, even as the threat to their own lives continues to escalate.

Another suspense filled offering from Love Inspired Suspense, Texas Christmas Revenge kept me turning the pages on my tablet as quickly as I could read them. I enjoyed the many twists and turns as well as surprises along the way and was quite satisfied with the resolution to the mystery.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by JustReads Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An abandoned little boy is the only clue to a killer’s dangerous holiday plot…

Certain a desperate 911 caller is her presumed-dead sister, emergency dispatcher Brandi Callahan follows the cryptic message to a terrified toddler…and an armed assailant. Now Brandi will do anything to protect the boy—even if it means asking her ex-fiancé, Texas Ranger Rhett Kincaid, for help. But can Brandi and Rhett stop this killer before he exacts his terrible Christmas vengeance?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Connie Queen spent her life in Texas where she met and married her high-school sweetheart. Together they’ve raised eight children and are enjoying their grandchildren. As a child, Connie remembers her mom and sisters reading, but she preferred to be outside. It wasn’t until later, she found the joy of being whisked away into another world. Today she resides in Texas with her husband, and Nash, her Great Dane, where she’s working on her next suspense.

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Cold Case Double Cross By Jessica Patch

by admin | Aug 24, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Cold Case Double Cross is another page-turner from Jessica L. Patch. Its pages are filled with enough action and suspense to hold the attention of most readers until the very end.

Cash Ryland has convinced cold case investigator Mae Vogel to help him prove his brother’s innocence in a murder case. He believes his brother was wrongly convicted and hopes Mae can overlook their own past long enough to find the real killer. It doesn’t take very long for them to discover that someone does not want them to find the answers and their very lives are in danger.

As always, I enjoyed this latest offering from Patch that included a second chance romance blended into a riveting suspense along with a strong message of faith and forgiveness. I don’t remember ever reading a book that featured a character with dyslexia and I found his struggles with self-esteem due to his handicap to be enlightening. I love how this author manages to cram so much content into a limited number of pages.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

They’re on a cold trail
and running out of time.

Convinced his brother was wrongly convicted of murder years ago, detective Cash Ryland’s determined to find the real killer—even if it puts him in the crosshairs. But he needs help from cold case investigator Mae Vogel, whom he mistreated in high school. Can they put their past aside to solve the murder…before the killer succeeds in silencing them for good?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Cold Case Investigators

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Jessica R. Patch is known for her dry wit and signature twists. When she’s not hunched over her laptop, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by her favorite authors, watching movies with her family, and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. Sign up for her newsletter “Patched In” at www.jessicarpatch.com.

Lethal Cover Up by Darlene L. Turner

by admin | Aug 22, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

I read so very many books that I am uncertain whether I have read any by Darlene Turner in the past. After reading Lethal Cover-Up, this author is now on my radar and I will be keeping my eyes open for more of her books in the future.

Lethal Cover-Up was a wild ride from cover to cover with its pages filled with lots of action, danger, and suspense plus a few good and bad surprises along the way. How Madison and Tucker managed to work in a bit of romance is a mystery in itself.

In this highly charged suspense there are suspects aplenty and I confess to being only partially correct about the guilty parties. In my opinion, that is a mark of a great author because I have read so many suspense/mystery novels, that it is common for me to guess correctly early in the narrative.

Lethal Cover-Up is a great book with the perfect blend of suspense, romance, and faith. I highly recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Lethal Cover-Up

Author: Darlene L. Turner

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: July 27, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

Some secrets are dangerous…

But uncovering the truth could be deadly.

Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows her sister Leah’s fatal car crash was no accident. Someone’s willing to kill to cover up a pharmaceutical company’s deadly crime of distributing tainted drugs. Now they are after Madison to tie off loose ends. But with her high school sweetheart, Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, at her side, can Madison expose the company’s deadly plan before she becomes the next victim?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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 www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

MORE FROM DARLENE:

The Hidden Staircase, The Secret of the Old Clock, The Sign of the Twisted Candles—these were just some of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I couldn’t get enough of them growing up! My family often saw me with my nose stuck in one of Nancy’s many tales. When I was finished with those, I’d sneak my brother’s Hardy Boy books and devour them too. This is where my love of writing and of a good mystery/suspense began.

Creating stories in the romantic suspense genre was a natural journey for me. I had always wanted to be a policewoman after watching Charlie’s Angels (they even kicked butt while wearing high heels…what could be better than that?!), Cagney and Lacey, Police woman, Murder She Wrote, etc. My love for all-things-mystery carried into my adult life. Who doesn’t love Sydney Bristow and Kate Beckett?

I enjoy creating strong female characters in a law enforcement role. Madison Steele fits the bill head on as she works to bring down a ruthless pharmaceutical company. While she has nerves of steel, I also wanted to make her vulnerable. In the beginning Madison loses her long-lost sister in a heart-wrenching crash. One she knows was not an accident. This thrusts her into a deadly pursuit of the perpetrators with her estranged high school sweetheart, Tucker Reed, by her side.

I wrote this book during the tough year our world faced living in the unknown. Madison and Tucker are stuck in their own fears but eventually find hope. Hope in the unknown and hope in knowing God is in control and with us—no matter the circumstances. We just need to know where to look.

I hope you enjoy reading Madison and Tucker’s story as much as I loved crafting it. I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me through my website www.darlenelturner.com and also sign up for Darlene’s Diary newsletter to receive exclusive subscriber giveaways.

BLOG STOPS:

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 18

Lighthouse-Academy, August 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 19

Genesis 5020, August 19

Simply Susan, August 19

Texas Book-aholic, August 20

Bizwings Blog, August 20

She Lives To Read, August 21

HookMeInABook, August 21

Inklings and notions, August 22

Reviewingbooksplusmore, August 22

Mary Hake, August 22

Betti Mace, August 23

Daysong Reflections, August 23

For the Love of Literature, August 24

deb’s Book Review, August 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 26

Pause for Tales, August 26

Blogging With Carol, August 26

For Him and My Family, August 27

Simple Harvest Reads, August 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 28

Batya’s Bits, August 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 29

Kayem Reads, August 29

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , August 30

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 30

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, August 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31

Labor Not in Vain, August 31

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Darlene is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of Lethal Cover-Up!!

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/1141b/lethal-cover-up-celebration-tour-giveaway

Missing in the Desert by Dana Mentink

by admin | Aug 10, 2021 | Books, California, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense

MY REVIEW:

From the very first chapter, Missing in the Desert grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go until I reached the final page. Of course that it exactly what I’ve come to expect when I pick up a new book by Dana Mentink. Vivid scenery, a compelling mystery, loads of action, true-to-life characters, a believable romance, a subtle dose of faith, and often a unique dog work together to place this author’s books on my must read list.

A missing and presumed dead sister plus a strange text and postcard bring Mara back to Death Valley where her family once lived. It becomes obvious that someone wants her dead and she suspects it is connected with her sister’s disappearance. Her brother’s best friend Levi soon becomes her protector and she begins to remember why she was attracted to him during their high school days.

Danger and secrets abound in this exciting tale but the antics of Levi’s dog Banjo offer a bit of comic relief. Missing in the Desert is another great novel from Mentink and is not to be missed.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Missing in the Desert

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspy suspense

Release date: July 27, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

Five years ago, her sister disappeared…
Now someone is coming for her.

Who would believe that Mara Castillo’s sister—missing and presumed dead—suddenly sent a one-word text? Now Mara wants answers, even if it means stepping into a killer’s sights with her brother’s best friend, rancher Levi Duke, as her only protection. But with someone who has everything to lose after her, uncovering a long-buried secret could save her life…or claim it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a nationa and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of over forty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance 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:

Hello, readers! Boy am I excited! Since the virus-that-not-shall-be-named is being brought under control, I am cautiously venturing out again and our first vacation spot will be a return to Death Valley. Papa Bear and I love the amazing diversity of Death Valley, from the salt flats, to the sand dunes, mountains, and everything in between. Writing this book allowed me to relive the incredible topography, as well as let my mind run loose imagining a cold case that warms up to fiery levels in this ferocious climate. Part of this story revolves around “Camp Town Days” which was inspired by the Encampment Days, an event held in November by a volunteer group called the Death Valley 49ers that aims to capture the pioneer spirit with their wagon rides, parade, poetry readings, a vendor show, and historical talks. I hope you can feel the desert wind in your face and hear the distant howl of the coyote as you dive into the second book in the Death Valley Justice series.

BLOG STOPS:

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 28

Simply Susan, July 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 28

Remembrancy, July 29

Inklings and notions, July 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 30

For the Love of Literature, July 30

deb’s Book Review, July 31

Through the Fire Blogs, July 31

She Lives To Read, August 1

Batya’s Bits, August 1

For Him and My Family, August 1

Pause for Tales, August 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 2

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 3

Genesis 5020, August 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 4

Bigreadersite, August 4

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 5

Blossoms and Blessings, August 5

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 6

Reviewingbooksplusmore, August 6

Older & Smarter?, August 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 7

Labor Not in Vain , August 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, August 8 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 8

Life, Love, Writing, August 8

Simple Harvest Reads, August 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Betti Mace, August 9

Daysong Reflections, August 10

Splashes of Joy , August 10

Blogging With Carol, August 10

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

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/110df/missing-in-the-desert-celebration-tour-giveaway

At Lighthouse Point by Suzanne Woods Fisher

by admin | May 17, 2021 | Books, Colonial America, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Romance

MY REVIEW:

What a blessing to be able to return to Three Sisters Island in Maine for another visit! Suzanne Woods Fisher’s latest series almost makes me want to pack up and move to Maine. Unfortunately I am not a fan of winter weather so that would be a deal breaker. Our winters here in southwest Tennessee are more than enough for me.

It was a delight to visit with old friends from the previous novels and to make a new friend or two in At Lighthouse Point. All three Grayson sisters are back with Blaine as the predominate character. After time away studying at a French culinary school, Blaine returns to Camp Kicking Moose with big dreams and plans to serve gourmet food to their guests. Her well-meaning family who know absolutely nothing about commercial kitchens have already remodeled the kitchen as a surprise. Poor Blaine struggles to keep her disappointment to herself to avoid hurting their feelings.

The family is also not so happy that Blaine brought an unexpected companion with her for the summer – one who is so completely accident prone that he spends the entire summer on the couch recuperating from one mishap after another. Surprisingly it is his wisdom that brings the family members together as he encourages each one to follow God’s plan for their lives. And through it all, he might just discover God’s plan for his own life.

There is so much going on in At Lighthouse Point that I would be hard pressed to touch on even a fraction of it. Surprises abound, hearts are healed, relationships are mended, and above all the members of the Grayson family and their friends discover that the Lord’s plan is even greater than their own dreams.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: At Lighthouse Point

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 4, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

Blaine Grayson returns to Three Sisters Island with a grand plan–to take Camp Kicking Moose to the next level. Her dream starts to unravel when she discovers Moose Manor’s kitchen has been badly remodeled by her sister, Cam, who doesn’t know how to cook. Added to that blow is the cold shoulder given by her best friend, Artie Lotosky, now a doctor to the unbridged Maine islands.

As old wounds are opened, Blaine starts to wonder if she made a mistake by coming home. Little by little, she must let go of one dream to discover a new one, opening her heart to a purpose and a future she had never imagined.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected. With more than one million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the bestselling author of more than 30 works, ranging from novels to non-fiction books to children’s books. Currently, she lives with her very big family in the East Bay.

MORE FROM SUZANNE:

10 Curious Facts about Lighthouses

People love lighthouses. There’s just something special about those sturdy sentinels with their beacons of light, patiently sweeping the water, their mournful and haunting wail of a foghorn. Longfollow’s poem, The Lighthouse, written in 1850, captured the allure so well:

And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright,
Through the deep purple of the twilight air,
Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light,
With strange, unearthly splendor in the glare!

“Unearthly splendor.” Wow, doesn’t that hit the nail on the head? A lighthouse, to me, represents a spiritual truth: Someone’s watching out for us, looking out for the dangers ahead, and always glad to welcome us home.

Here are 10 facts about lighthouses that you might not know:

THE FIRST KNOWN LIGHTHOUSE was Egypt’s Pharos of Alexandria, Egypt, built in the third century B.C. The lighthouse was made from a fire on a platform to warn sailors of the port’s entrance. This lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
THE OLDEST EXISTING LIGHTHOUSE IN THE WORLD is considered to be La Coruna in Spain that dates from ca. 20 B.C. A Roman lighthouse is located on the Cliffs of Dover in the UK that was constructed in 40 A.D.
THE UNITED STATES IS HOME to more lighthouses than any other country.
THE FIRST LIGHTHOUSE IN AMERICA was at Boston on Little Brewster Island (1716). The first keeper was George Worthylake who, sadly, was drowned, along with his wife and daughter, when returning to the island in 1718.
THE TALLEST LIGHTHOUSE is on Cape Hatteras, NC. Built in 1872, it reached 196 feet tall.
THE FIRST WEST COAST LIGHTHOUSE was built on Alcatraz Island in 1854.
DAYMARKS are the painted colors and patterns (diamonds, spirals and stripes) on lighthouse towers to distinguish them from each other.
LIGHTHOUSE KEEPING was one of the first U.S. government jobs available to women, as far back as the 19th century. Most obtained their position when their husband died or became incapacitated.
THE RANGE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE LIGHT produces a light seen 25 miles at sea.
ABOUT 700 LIGHTHOUSES are still in active use in the United States.

As I wrote the third book in the ‘Three Sisters island’ series, I just had to give that little charred lighthouse its day in the sun. It had patiently played a role in the first two books, waiting for its turn on center stage. Not only did its setting provide a very unexpected “WHAT? How did that happen?” conclusion to the series, it even stole the headline! The undisputed title: At Lighthouse Point.

Do you have a favorite lighthouse? If so, please add your picture in the comments below. Don’t forget to include its location.

Thanks for reading! Stay well, stay home, and read.

Suzanne