About the Book

Book: Death Valley Double Cross

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Suspense

Release date: February 22, 2022

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

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

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!

MY REVIEW 

I hope you have read the first two  books in this series because it has been an exciting adventure. The details about Death Valley  are phenomenal due to the author’s visit to the place. I love how she makes readers feel like they are  actually there at Death Valley with the characters. Now it’s time to find out what happens as we get acquainted with people who will make this story come to life. 

It is a tangled  web of deceit, mistrust, hurt and secrets in this action packed story. I couldn’t help but cheer for Austin. The poor guy was left  at the altar with no explanation. It is easy to understand why he isn’t thrilled to run into his ex fiancée. I loved that he transported senior dogs to people who were going to adopt them. Everyone loves sweet little puppies, but the older dogs always tug on my heartstrings. Bringing Chunk to his forever home unlocks a mess of trouble for Austin. Can you guess whose place he is bringing the dog to?  

Pilar is shocked when she discovers who is at her door. I can see the look on both of their eyes but they sure don’t have the same reaction. One is desperate for help while the other one is shocked and a little angry. Isn’t it funny how your past always catches up with you? I won’t give much away but I will hint at a few things. Pilar has a story to share with Austin, but really does he want to get involved with her crazy life again?  Oh the heart does what the heart wants to do and Austin is right there to protect Pilar. 

There are so many twists in the story that I had to pull out my journal to take notes. Well to be fair I always take notes when reading for a review. Now this book had me stumped a few times. I wasn’t sure that Pilar’s dad could be trusted and he went to the top of my list of suspects. But wait all you mystery fans. We now have to add a few more names to the list. Seems our clever author has given us a real whopper of a mystery to solve. Who is after Pilar? Can Austin get past his anger at Pilar to help her? 

This story has all the ingredients that make an exceptionally great suspenseful book with action, secrets, a little romance, faith and a beautiful example of second chances. 

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

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

 

About the Book

Book: The Pilgrim Legacy

Author: Derek Prince

Genre: Religion/Christianity/History

Release date: November 16, 2021

A story that must not be erased from America’s history or from the public squares of nations worldwide…

“In all the history of the world, as nations have arisen and fallen amid endless war and bloodshed, the founding of America was utterly unique,” writes Derek Prince. “Reaching the shores of an unknown wilderness, a small group of people planted seeds—not of military might, or wealth, or power, but seeds of faith and freedom. And those seeds took hold and grew.”

Such seeds affect the destinies of nations. 

A nation participates in shaping its own destiny through the process of sowing and reaping: what nations sow, they will reap. If they seek to align themselves with God’s purposes, they will experience His favor and blessing. But if they seek to align themselves with purposes that are in opposition to God’s, they will not prosper.

Who were the Pilgrims? Why did they come to America? What difference did they make in the history of our country—and what does their legacy tell us about our country’s destiny?

The seeds sown by our Pilgrim ancestors 400 years ago continue to influence our culture and government. The basic principles by which they lived—beliefs in personal liberty, freedom of religion, and living in covenant with others—laid a strong foundation for America’s religious and political freedom. Without question, what the Pilgrims sowed, America has reaped as an abundant harvest.

Yet how long will the blessing of the Pilgrims’ influence continue? The light of this nation is still shining. But something is going wrong. Like a heavy, unanticipated fog, a spiritual darkness is gradually moving in to dim that light.

In The Pilgrim Legacy, internationally recognized Bible teacher and scholar Derek Prince discloses the biblical principles and tools at work in the lives of this small group of Christians who were, in a sense, the spiritual ancestors of the United States. It was these principles that not only helped to establish the nation but enabled America to be a stepping-stone in spreading the light of the gospel of the kingdom around the world.

By discovering and implementing the principles by which the Pilgrims lived, we can continue The Pilgrim Legacy today and preserve the spiritual destiny of our nation.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Bible scholar and spiritual patriarch Derek Prince (1915–2003) was educated as a scholar of classical languages at Eton College and Cambridge University in England, and later at Hebrew University in Israel. While serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) during World War II, he began to study the Bible as a philosophical work and, as a result, experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Derek Prince taught and ministered on six continents for more than sixty years, imparting God’s revealed truth, praying for the sick, and sharing his prophetic insights. He is the author of more than eighty books, six hundred audio teachings, and one hundred video teachings, many of which have been translated and published in more than one hundred languages. Prince pioneered teaching on such groundbreaking themes as generational curses, the biblical significance of Israel, and demonology. Derek Prince Ministries, with its international headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, carries on the good work that God began in and through him.

 

More from Whitaker House

In The Pilgrim Legacy, internationally recognized Bible teacher and scholar Derek Prince discloses the biblical principles and tools at work in the lives of this small group of Christians who were, in a sense, the spiritual ancestors of the United States. It was these principles that not only helped to establish the nation but enabled America to be a stepping-stone in spreading the light of the gospel of the kingdom around the world. By discovering and implementing the principles by which the Pilgrims lived, we can continue The Pilgrim Legacy today and preserve the spiritual destiny of our nation.

MY REVIEW

I don’t think much has been written about the Pilgrims quite like this book has. It reminds us where a group of people came together in unity and planted seeds of hope. They used that foundation to build a nation that worked together and helped each other out. Today I question if we are still rooted in those principles. 

I liked how the author illustrates sowing and reaping  in regard to nations. If our nation sows seed of peace we will reap those rewards. We need to be sowing things that aligns us with God’s will. I can see that we have slipped  away from God’s will in the many issues going on in America right now. 

The book takes us back in history and explores what the Pilgrims started. They wanted everyone to be in one accord. They lived in covenant with each other and God. They had Godly principles that they followed and were an example to many. I liked how the author uses scriptures in the book and highlights how dedicated the Pilgrims were to living in harmony with each other. It was interesting to read how they fasted and prayed together. 

This is a good book for everyone to read and learn how a group of people followed God, stayed in covenant with Him and shared His Word and teaching with others by their actions. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28

Texas Book-aholic, March 29

Inklings and notions, March 30

For Him and My Family, March 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 1

deb’s Book Review, April 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 3

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 4

Artistic Nobody, April 5 (Spotlight)

Connie’s History Classroom, April 6

Cats in the Cradle Blog, April 7

Miriam Jacob, April 8

Vicky Sluiter, April 9

Simple Harvest Reads, April 10 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, April 11 (Spotlight)

Mary Hake, April 11

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Whitaker House is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks Gift Card and 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/1c10e/the-pilgrim-legacy-celebration-tour-giveaway

 SEASON OF HOPE BY SARA JANE JACOBS

I enjoyed following Tyler and Amanda as they grew up together. When circumstances find Tyler and his mother in a small mountain town, their neighbors become a god send for them. As Tyler spends most of his childhood around Amanda, they become best friends. One day feelings start to change for both of them and this behinds an adventure full of surprises, dreams and heartache.

This is a nice story of following your dreams and experiencing your first love. It is a sweet and clean read where jealousy rears it’s ugly head. Tyler has big dreams of being a Navy Seal, but Amanda’s dream of college doesn’t go as planned. When she finds herself staying with her aunt for the summer, her life seems to be filled with fancy dresses, parties and perhaps a new direction in her life. 

I’m not sure that staying with her aunt is such a great idea for Amanda because  suddenly she is changing her dream and going in a different direction. Will Tyler be able to ground her and draw her away from the lifestyle of New York? Temptation lurks near as Amanda is exposed to modeling and all its perks. She needs to remind herself to stay true to her beliefs and not let the limelight take her away from her roots. 

Get ready for a fun and emotional adventure as Tyler and Amanda go their different ways. Will they be able to stay connected? Don’t miss the antics of Amanda’s aunt as she tries to keep Amanda and Tyler apart. I am very excited that there is another book in this series. 

I received a copy of this book from The Librarything Early Reader Program.

THE GIRL WHO COULD BREATHE UNDERWATER BY ERIN BARTELS

I just finished this book and am not sure how I want to write the review. Do I talk about the different characters, or do I mention the many emotions that spilled across the pages? The story is very intricate in details with layers that have been hidden for years. To do justice to this story I have to go with my feelings and just write what I have on my heart. 

The book deals with subjects that may trigger some so be cautious if you have trouble reading about suicide, sexual assault, drug abuse or child prostitution. Yes all these are in the book and I did have a hard time reading it. But I continued because I so desperately wanted to see how Kendra would deal with her own personal journey. 

For victims of abuse there are many ways to hide the truth. You can forget about it and hope you never have to think about it again. For some they find talking about it helps. Kendra writes a book to try to heal from her abuse. Did it help her? I’m not sure that she found everything she hoped for but she did unravel so much more than she realized. Her emotions are raw and exposes the pain of losing her innocence while feeling ashamed for what happened. 

I have zero sympathy for Tyler. Yes I know what happened to him as a child, but that should make him not want to do it to others.  I have always disliked when someone says, “if you have been abused, you will probably abuse someone yourself.” That is such a horrible statement and I resent when people use that as a defense. We are not defined by our past. 

The person who really grabbed my attention was Cami. She was Kendra’s best friend, yet she felt like she was invisible. Cami needed a friend who she could count on and share her secrets with. Kendra was so wrapped up in being the victim, she never realized that Cami was hurting as well. I wonder how many of us have made everything about ourselves yet forget that our story affects others? To all the Cami’s of the world, I hope you find peace, forgiveness and love. 

I received a copy of this book from The Librarything Early Reader Program. The review is my own opinion.

 

About the Book

Book: Love’s Fortress

Author: Jennifer Uhlarik

Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical fiction / Romance

Release date: March, 2022

A Love Story from the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family

Walk through Doors to the Past via a series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. Among his effects is a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek the help of museum curator Brad Osgood to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it just another forgery?

Brad Osgood’s four-year-old niece, Brynn, needs a safe home, and Brad longs to provide it. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, Castillo de San Marcos, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving God on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians arrive in St. Augustine, God changes their plans. Then when friendship develops between Sally Jo and Broken Bow and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives.

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a preteen, when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a BA in writing, she has won five writing competitions and was a finalist in two others. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and is a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenage son, and four fur children.

 

More from Jennifer

Florida has been my home since I was ten, and I’ve visited the city of St. Augustine several times in my many years here. There, I stumbled across the fact that the Castillo de San Marcos, the town’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, was home to several groups of Native Americans in the 1800s. Ever since learning this fact, I’ve considered writing a story about the three-year period from 1875-1878 when seventy-three Plains Indians from various tribes called the fort (known then as Fort Marion) their home. However, since I’m mainly a western and western romance author, all of my story settings to date have been west of the Mississippi—not in Florida. So this interesting historical factoid remained dormant in my imagination for years, waiting for the right opportunity.

 

That opportunity came last year when I was asked to submit an idea for Barbour’s dual-timeline Doors to the Past series. These stories must be set in or around a major landmark, the plot must focus on a newsworthy event, and there must be a bit of a mystery that connects the historical timeline to the contemporary plot. Obviously, as the oldest masonry fort in the United States, Castillo de San Marcos is an important and interesting landmark. Originally built by the Spanish, it later became a British possession, reverted again to the Spanish, and eventually became part of the United States’ holdings. With such a long and varied history, I’m sure you can see why this unique structure would make an interesting landmark around which to base a story.

 

The newsworthy event the plot focuses on is the incarceration of those seventy-three Plains Indians, deemed some of the “worst of the worst” offenders in the Indians Wars of the West. Can you imagine the buzz such an event would create? Once the Indians fell into their routine inside the fort, they were given quite a bit of freedom to interact with the locals and tourists. People came from far and wide to see these men and their historic surroundings along the banks of the Matanzas River. With a simple day pass from the fort’s commander, outsiders could enter, walk among and talk with the prisoners, see the historic fort, and even watch cultural events like dances, powwows, mock buffalo hunts, and archery displays. The Native men could also leave the fort and venture into town to shop or sell handmade goods, from bows and arrows to hand-crafted items made from locally-sourced seashells and plants, to their original “ledger art.”

 

It’s the ledger art that comprises the mysterious puzzle piece connecting the historical timeline of Love’s Fortress to the present day. When Dani Sango learns her long-estranged father has died, she inherits his rundown St. Augustine house. Inside, she discovers a book of Native American art depicting events from one Indian’s daily life. But because her father was a convicted art forger, Dani questions why he would have the strange and rudimentary artwork. She suspects it was his latest scam, so she enlists the help of Brad Osgood, curator of a western art museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, to help her discover where the art originated and how her father came to possess it. In the process, the pair digs deep into the history of the St. Augustine fort and its former residents.

 

I found it fascinating to research this brief period in the Castillo’s long history, and I hope you’ll enjoy the story that came from my efforts.

MY REVIEW

I really like this series so much with dual time periods. It is always exciting to see how the author will tie the two  together. The author in this story has done an excellent job of not only giving us a look at what the Native Americans went through but how paintings bring the past to life. 

I’ll begin with a look at the past in the story. It really hurts to read how Native Americans were treated. They were forced to give up their land, cut their hair, learn English and wear white man’s clothes.  Broken Bow is  a special character to me. He didn’t want to give up his heritage and forget about his ancestors.  His life was hard and at times unbearable. He also felt the unfair treatment that  soldiers delivered to his people. Broken Bow is someone I wanted to sit beside and tell him that not everyone was against him. When Broken Bow talks about what happened when he was younger it is at times more than I could handle . His people getting slaughtered by soldiers is unthinkable. Now he is suppose to trust these white people who say they want to help? 

I loved Sally Jo and Luke because they wanted to help others and knew that God had called them to be missionaries. Her father was a mean spirited man who held secrets that could harm Sally Jo. He was so overprotective of her that it causes a fracture in their relationship. I loved how the author weaved a friendship between Sally Jo, Luke and Broken Bow. There are some very emotional moments with the three which shows how faithful Sally Jo and Luke were. I have to say that I loved this part of the  book so much that  I wanted to stay with them and not  go to the present. 

Dani has come to her father’s home to find answers. She has always been told that her father was a criminal and went to prison. They never had a relationship so she has no idea why he would put her in his will.  Matty is a wonderful character who not only is a pastor but rides motorcycles and  goes on goose chases. Now I won’t  say what goose chases are because that is part of a wonderful faith filled experience that you must read for yourselves. 

The present day is filled with a mystery that  is surrounded by artwork  dating back to a time when Native Americans were forced to live in a place where soldiers guarded them. Brad is gifted in the field of art and helps Dani on her quest to find answers about art that is at  her father’s house. I loved how well they worked together to help each other out. There are moments that Dani isn’t sure why she is there but God has a purpose for her. She is not there by accident and will uncover some information that may help her see her father in a different way. 

The author does a great job of bringing these two stories together in a way that shares history of a brave Native American but also of a man who loved his daughter unconditionally. The faith message in the story is good but not overdone. The characters find God in their own way which leads to forgiveness and hope. It is a beautifully written story that will stay with me for a very long time. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 26

Remembrancy, March 26

The Christian Fiction Girl, March 27

Texas Book-aholic, March 27

Inklings and notions, March 28

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 28

Bigreadersite, March 29

For Him and My Family, March 29

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 30

Betti Mace, March 30

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 31

deb’s Book Review, April 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 1

Older & Smarter?, April 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 3

Life of Literature, April 3

Genesis 5020, April 4

For the Love of Literature, April 4

Connie’s History Classroom, April 5

Blossoms and Blessings, April 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 6 (Spotlight)

Splashes of Joy, April 6

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, April 7

Through the Fire Blogs, April 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 8

Pause for Tales, April 9

Labor Not in Vain, April 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and paperback 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/1c10d/love-s-fortress-celebration-tour-giveaway