About the Book

Book:  Missing in the Desert

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspy suspense

Release date: July 27, 2021

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.

 

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 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.

MY REVIEW

This is one book that I couldn’t put down. Oh I know people say that about a lot of books, but this one is different. It has elements of intrigue, secrets, surprises and yes a bit of romance. You put all those qualities together and you have a story that accelerates with each page. Get ready for a book that will have you bitting your nails, sitting on the edge of your seat or whatever you do when something you are reading gets your adrenaline going.

 Imagine driving on the road with a family member and suddenly a shot shatters the windshield. You feel yourself losing control of the vehicle and then everything is dark. Mara is in for a shock as she tries to piece together what just happened. Is her brother okay? Does it have something to do with her missing sister? She remembers seeing someone just before she lost consciousness but her memory is clouded. The author illustrates with depth the sheer panic Mara feels as she awakens in a hospital bed. 

Let’s talk about Mara and her past for a moment. She has not given up hope that her sister is still alive even though she has been missing for quite awhile. I think coming back to the town where her sister disappeared will once again give Mara a push to look for clues that the police might have overlooked. I loved this part of the story because I wanted Mara to get closure so she could at least find peace.

Levi was a great character but he sure has no business sense. Well maybe he just bit off more than he could chew. Trying to help his buddy out who just happens to be Mara’s brother does complicate things. Has he let his friend down? Can he save the ranch while helping  Mara uncover a secret that has been hidden for years? 

 Their interaction was refreshing because it shows real emotions that anyone could have when unresolved issues stare them in the face. Oh yes these two could either walk away from each other once again, or they could find a way to forgive. I couldn’t wait to see how the author untangles the past as Mara and Levi work together to not  only try to save the ranch, but expose someone who has caused a family to grieve.

I loved that the  setting of the story is set in Death  Valley with  unforgiving terrain that is hard to adjust to. The author has definitely done her research by the description of the trails that horses travel and the feel of emptiness across the area. I think I would like to visit the place and learn more about its history. 

Before I end the review I must give special recognition to three very special characters. Banjo, Rabbit and Tiny you have captured my heart and I loved every moment of your appearances in the story. Thank you for reminding me that animals are a gift. 

Well my time is up and I hope I have enticed you enough to pick  up a copy of this book. It will deliver excitement, danger, secrets and an ending that I was not prepared for.

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

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

 

About the Book

Book:  The Last Gasp

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale retelling

Release date: July 6, 2021

At the pinnacle of his Hollywood career, Garrison Prince’s reign ends tonight.

As plain old Gary Prinz, he can pursue his Bible education, buy a bungalow in Pasadena, acquire a few chickens, and marry the girl of his dreams. He just never imagined trading the silver screen for a pulpit would wreak such havoc.

A cigarillo girl, Lucinda Ashton spends her days with her boyfriend, Gary, and her evenings selling candy and “gaspers” to the Hollywood elite at the Taj Mahal Theater.

However, when gunshots ring out just as intermission begins, Lucinda finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a brouhaha that leaves three dead, and no one has a clue why.

All the police know is that the evidence points to Lucinda as the killer and Gary as the intended target.

Four new friends, one young orphan, and a potluck of clues that don’t seem to fit anywhere leave the police baffled, Lucinda in fear for her freedom, and Gary ready to trade in his acting shoes for gumshoes if it’ll save his “Cinda.”

The first book in the Ever After Mysteries combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries, The Last Gasp. This Cinderella retelling blends a murder with enough crime and story clues to keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Author of the bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

 

More from Chautona

What Beautiful, Unexpected Parallel Did I Find Writing this Mystery?

I bought it at Pic-n-Save when I was eleven—an 8.5×11 paperback book of traditional fairy tales. I learned another side of the age-old stories that you don’t see from Disney. Rapunzel? Yeah. That was the story about the queen who was craving rampion (a salad vegetable) so much that she promised to give up her child for it. Rampion—Rapunzel. It’s a thing.

It’s also where I learned Cinderella’s name as “Aschenputtel.” Look, those Brothers Grimm were… well, they were German and that should explain everything. “Puttel” just sings of German, doesn’t it? That tale was also a bit gruesome. The one sister cut off her big toe to make the shoe fit because her mother said, “You won’t have to walk anywhere if you’re a queen. Who needs it!” So the idiotic girl did. Same for the other sister and her heel. Seriously, didn’t she learn from her older sister?

Oh, and it’s the one where mother and stepsisters get their eyes picked out by birds. It reminded me of Proverbs 30:17. “The eye that mocks a father and scorns a mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it.”

Talk about bringing Scripture to life for kids there. *Gulp*

True confession, our kids used to sing that verse to the tune of “All Hail the Pow’r of Jesus’ Name.” You should have heard the lusty voices of our children in our Grand Marquis station wagon (may the wonderful beast rest in peace) singing, “The ravens shall pick out his eyes and eeee-agles eeee-eeaat the saaaammmme!”

I digress.

Cinderella—I mean, Aschenputtel—really wasn’t my favorite story, though. I liked other stories from other books. Like the Ten Brothers—a Chinese folk tale. You know. Fairy tale.

Know which fairy tale I liked even less than Cinderella?

The Little Mermaid. Seriously, I didn’t like the original (Sorry Mr. Andersen… I just didn’t), and I can’t stand Disney’s. But when we first began planning the Ever After Mysteries, I knew which one I wanted to do. The Little Mermaid had everything going for it. Houdini and a water tank. Can’t you just see it? It would have been great. But a friend asked who was writing about the “cigarillo girl” (as I mention in THIS post), and well… the rest is history. Or at least, it’s set back in history.

But there’s one truth I discovered as I wrote this mystery.

Mystery… that’s a good word for this truth, actually. Cinderella is a beautiful picture of Jesus as our prince. We can be His bride and put on the shoe He has fashioned only to fit us, or we can try to snatch it up and make it suit our wills and hold our overgrown egos (work with me here). He takes us out of our ragged, dirty lives and brings us home… to Him. To His Father.

Is there anything more beautiful? I don’t think so.

In The Last Gasp, Gary knows Cinda long before she knows him—truly knows him. He loves her just as she is. Is it a perfect retelling of the beauty of Christ’s love for his church? Not hardly. It wasn’t intended to demonstrate that relationship at all. But there are tiny nuances that do. And that’s pretty cool.

MY REVIEW

Let’s journey back to the 1920’s as the author pens a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales. I could see the movie theater as actors were greeted with smiles and adorations. The cigarillo girls parading up and down the aisles with candy and cigarettes were fun to read about. It is hard to think about a time where someone would bring you refreshments as you sat in your seat ready for the picture to begin.

I began to wonder with the mystery taking center stage how the story of Cinderella would tie in. Oh but I needed not to wait long as the author crafts a web of twists that feature a shoe and a young woman who learns to believe in herself. Cinda finds herself behind bars and trapped as she tries to prove her innocence. Here is where I started piecing together fairy tale and story as I remembered Cinda’s landlord. Oh what an evil woman she was trying to get favors for the other girls by having Cinda do something that would get her in trouble.

I loved how the author made the story historically accurate with her intensive research and details. It is easy to place yourself there as the murders were committed and the chaos that followed. I really tried to figure who the guilty person was and why they did it but was unable too. The author gives us a twist on a fairy tale in a very clever way with mystery, danger and characters that come to life. As I finished the book I thought about what the story meant to me. I witnessed people idolizing others and belittling those who seemed not as important. However the best lesson I received was how faith can give us hope. He sees past our imperfections and lovingly gives us grace.

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

Blog Stops

Rebecca Tews, August 2

For Him and My Family, August 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 3

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

Lots of Helpers, August 4

Inklings and notions, August 4

deb’s Book Review, August 5

CarpeDiem, August 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 6

Connect in Fiction, August 6

Texas Book-aholic, August 7

Blogging With Carol, August 7

She Lives To Read, August 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 8

Connie’s History Classroom, August 9

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

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 10

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 11

The Meanderings of a Bookworm , August 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 12

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, August 12

Splashes of Joy, August 13

Mary Hake, August 13

For the Love of Literature, August 14

Back Porch Reads, August 14

Through the Fire Blogs, August 15

Mamma loves books, August 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of copy of the book 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/11420/the-last-gasp-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

About the Book

Book:  Dual Power of Convenience

Author: Chautona Havig

Narrator: Christa DelSorbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 4, 2021

All they wanted was a happily-never-after.

When Richard Danforth inherits the family estate on Merriweather Island, he doesn’t have time to deal with it – especially not from halfway across the globe. He’s too busy working to become the world’s newest billionaire and avoiding the women who would detract him from his goals.

Enter Lyla Santana. Fresh out of Oxford University with a degree in antiques and a relationship that nearly killed her to leave, she’s eager for the isolation and treasure trove that is Danforth Hall. Lyla also is determined to avoid men at all costs. Forever.

It was supposed to be a match made on paper. With him halfway across the globe, they’d never have to see each other again.

So, what’s Richard doing on Merriweather just weeks after the wedding? And how will his arrival test Lyla’s faith, not to mention stretch their so-called relationship?

In a twist on billionaire romance and marriage of convenience, this Merriweather book kicks off a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: Beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

MY REVIEW

I reviewed this book last year which is included below. For  this post I want to comment on the audio  version . There is nothing better than having a book come to life. With the expressive voice of Christa, I began to enjoy the story with excitement. I haven’t listened to many audio books, but I can say that Christa has a gift for making the characters believable. I love how she can make the words so impactful and I can’t wait til I can grab another audio that she has done. If you like to listen to books then I suggest you pick this one up . 

Let me take a few minutes to just swoon over this book. I know the author has said that she doesn’t really like to write romance books. Well I will have to disagree with her thought process. This story is one of the best written romance books I have read. It oozes with emotions and clearly is a perfect read for those who like clean books. The storyline is believable and would make a great movie on dare I say The Hallmark Channel. Oh it’s not sugary sweet but just the right touch of Godly attraction between a man a woman. 

Lyla is so down to earth and like able that I could picture her as my friend. I loved her enthusiasm as she sets out on a new adventure. The place she is going to work at is an historical mansion. I can see all the art work, furniture and unexpected treasures she will find by the vivid pictures the author uses with words. The author does a great job of describing the house and its historical background. It would be easy to explore the place and never get tired of the hidden gems that Lyla discovers. 

Richard is a very wealthy man who needs someone to take care of a place he has inherited. Enter stage right we have the connection between Lyla and Richard. I loved reading how they communicated by text or phone while continuing a business arrangement. Lyla is very detail oriented so the match was perfect for both. 

Now I could go on and tell you more but that would spoil the joy you will find as you read this wonderful example of God working in mysterious ways. Oh he knows what Lyla and Richard both desire for their lives. God has a way of getting our attention in subtle ways at times. Lyla’s past is something I knew was holding her back from trusting. The author examines that in a way where you can feel her pain and want to tell her that God has a plan. Richard is a man who anyone would fall for. He is Godly, honest and respectful. The journey that Lyla and Richard take is one that is full of hope, faith and an ending that I cried at. Yes I cried because I fell in love with these characters who became real to me. Well done Chautona. You have captured the true meaning of love and trust in a story that I will not forget. 

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

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author & Narrator

Chautona Havig

Author of the bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

 

 

 

Christa DelSorbo

“The voice of a friend.”

Christa has a great sense of humor and extensive experience with accents, particularly those of the Southern United States and Great Britain. Her most recent credits include: local live musical theatre actress and choreographer, regional radio commercial voice actress, and speaker for national business

 

 

More from Christa

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 5

Blogging With Carol, August 5

Remembrancy, August 6

Inklings and notions, August 7

For Him and My Family, August 8

Batya’s Bits, August 8

deb’s Book Review, August 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 10

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 11

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 12

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 13

Pick a good book, August 13

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, August 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 15

Splashes of Joy, August 16

Britt Reads Fiction, August 17

Mary Hake, August 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christa is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book in reader’s choice of format!!

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/111ae/dual-power-of-convenience-audiobook-celebration-tour-giveaway