Wednesday, November 13, 2019

About the Book

Book: Deadly Christmas Pretense

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Christian Suspense, Mystery, Romance

Release Date: November 4, 2019

A cowboy to her rescue…but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in?

Book #2 in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series

Click here to get your copy.

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 national 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 Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. 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 just love Christmas, don’t you? In our area we have a lovely holiday train. It’s an old steam type train which is decked out in lights for festive holiday tours. I was so thrilled that this cover features just such a train. Of course, in the novel the train is the scene of hair raising danger! Maggie, our heroine in this novel, is a cook. She serves up some mouth watering dishes (when she’s not dodging a killer.) I thought perhaps you might enjoy a Mentink holiday family recipe! God bless you as we enter this holiday season!

It's a high stakes adventure in this fast paced story filled with intrigue. I have always been fascinated by twins whether they be fraternal or identical. They sense what the other is feeling or thinking. In this story we meet Maggie and Tammy who are fraternal twins. Maggie finds herself in a dangerous cat and mouse game as she tries to help her sister out. Will pretending to be Tammy cause Maggie's life to be in danger? Maggie is a very smart character who is a bit leery of her ex- boyfriend. Why is Liam so insistent in helping Maggie?

The chemistry between Maggie and Liam was interesting to read. I wasn't sure if I trusted Liam and wanted him to prove what his true motives were. Liam's relationship with his dad was written with a peek into his soul. You can feel the pain of abandonment and the need for his dad's love. It helped me to understand Liam more and see how much he wanted to be accepted by Maggie. He has this desire to save the world and keep people safe. The more I read about him, the more vulnerable he became. Even the strongest person can have feelings of rejection. Liam has been good about hiding those feelings but how long can he keep it hidden?

I love how the author takes characters and exposes them so we can understand their thoughts and emotions. Maggie's need to protect her sister stems from something that happened when they were seventeen. I almost think Maggie feels guilty for surviving back then and it has haunted her all these years. The story is intense at times and filled with unexpected twists.

The quest to find the jewelry that someone is willing to kill for is a race that have characters scrambling for their lives. I enjoyed Jingles the dog and thought he was a great addition to the story. Jingles becomes part of a heart pounding rescue when Maggie's life is hanging by a thread. Get ready for an ending that will have you on the edge of your seat.

"Sometimes you have to take risks to protect what's important."

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.