Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Danger on the Ranch by Dana Mentink

SERIES: Roughwater Ranch #1
GENRE: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
PUBLISHER: Love Inspired Suspense
RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2019
PAGES: 224

Her child’s life is on the line

A Roughwater Ranch Cowboys story

After putting his serial killer brother in prison, former US marshal Mitch Whitehorse chooses a solitary country life—until his brother escapes. Now Mitch’s former sister-in-law, Jane Reyes, needs protection…for herself and the toddler she’s kept a secret. Mitch still isn’t sure of Jane’s innocence in his brother’s crimes, but to keep his nephew out of a killer’s grasp, trusting her is his only option.

“Your past doesn’t define you, Mitch. Your God does.”

Wow! What an intense ride!

You’re not two pages in before Mitch is getting shot at … by his recently-escaped, truly evil, serial killer brother Wade … and courageously rescued by his serial killer brother’s ex-wife Jane, whom Mitch loathes based on his suspicions that she was his brother’s accomplice in the serial killing. Whew! That’s all in the first few pages – and it only gets more intense from there!

The tension that Mentink has meted out to perfection builds not only from the immediate threat to their lives, but also from all the emotions behind that threat. Guilt, desperation, fear, distrust, doubt, anger… and yes attraction to the last person on earth you think you should fall for –  it’s all bundled into an adrenaline fueled thriller that will keep you on the edge of your favorite reading chair. Add in an adorable toddler who kicks up the tension even further with the urgent need to keep him safe (and the swoony way tough cowboy Mitch turns into a besotted puddle as Uncle Moo Moo) …. yeah, don’t plan to relax at all while you’re reading this book. By the time the story races to the finish line, you’ll have accumulated a handful of people whose ability to be trusted is seriously suspect. Y’all. It’s so good!

And of course, there’s the romance… Mitch and Jane both have their hearts as locked down as Fort Knox when it comes to the other person, and watching those same hearts begin to soften into affection with a cowboy-induced sizzle is truly swoonilicious. Their characters are layered in their backstories as well as their present situations, and you’ll find yourself nearly breathless at times as they dance around both their simmering mutual attraction and deeply ingrained distrust of each other. Once this kind of romance really takes off, be prepared for some keep-that-fan-handy fireworks!

Bottom Line: This. Book. Is. Amazing. Action-packed and intense, the story also eases at just the right moments for a sweet or humorous scene – just long enough for you to catch your breath before you’re dodging creepiest-Mentink-villain-ever guy with our protagonists all over again! Along the way you also get to meet a variety of secondary characters that promise great stories of their own as the series continues, and you’re reminded that, no matter your past or your family tree, God can never be taken from you; He is personal to each of us, and He is able to redeem what we think is lost. A must-read for thriller fans who love a good romance thrown in, too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 5 stars / AMAZING

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

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 thirty five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming, Harvest House and Woman’s World Magazine. 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.)

Other Books by Dana Mentink

We’re kicking off a new cowboy series, but this one is going to take you for a wild ride! Set on a ranch that’s sandwiched between the sea and the hills required me to do some on site research of course! I spent quite a while in this gorgeous area of California, looking for cattle. (You can see the zany results in my video.) I found the cattle, and also the perfect setting for this first book. It’s a creepy one, I’ll warn you, as hero Mitch Whitehorse comes face to face with the serial killer brother he sent to prison….and his desperate ex sister in law. Saddle up and enjoy the story! God bless!

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize package that includes a gorgeous insulated lunch bag, a copy of Danger on the Ranch (winner’s choice of format), and a $15 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter.

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This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour for more chances to win!