Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Deadly Christmas Pretense by Dana Mentink

DEADLY CHRISTMAS PRETENSE
SERIES: Roughwater Ranch Cowboys #2
GENRE: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
PUBLISHER: Love Inspired Suspense
RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2019
PAGES: 224

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?

Other Books In This Series

Whenever I pick up a suspense novel from Dana Mentink, I know I can expect an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat story with great characters, sweet romance and plenty of humor too. Deadly Christmas Pretense fits right in!

First, can I just say how much I loved Jingles the dog? He stole my heart right off the bat and didn’t even bother to give it back. Mentink perfectly captured his absolute adoration of Liam – even when said adoration was not yet returned – and his unerring devotion to Liam as his master just hit me in all the feels. You can tell this author has been loved by dogs, and loved them back, because she write their personalities and endearing natures with such heart.

Maggie and Liam maybe aren’t quite as lovable as Jingles 😉 but they come in a very close second. Liam and his drawl are positively swoony, and his gruff cowboy exterior is really just a front for his tender heart and gentlemanly ways. His Green Beret roots and the injury that forced him to trade that career for the ranch added some unique layers to his character, and when he says things like “Stick with me, Miss Lofton. I’m locked, loaded and ready” you can’t help but swoon. Maggie is pretty much the exact opposite of Tammy – in all the best ways and, while her efforts were perhaps misguided at first (and Tammy’s certainly were), her heart was in the right place. I really liked her personality and the way she interacted with Liam, and I admired her courage in risking her life for her sister. Both Liam and Maggie – and Jingles, too – are allies you want on your side for whatever life throws at you.

Bottom Line: With Deadly Christmas Pretense, heart-pounding action meets heart-in-your-throat suspense meets heart-all-twitterpated romance meets Dana Mentink… which all totals up to one intense ride with well-time humor and sweet & swoony moments too. The plot is layered and well-developed, and the storyline more than keeps you engaged throughout. Highly recommended for fans of Mentink’s other books, Lynette Eason, and Susan Sleeman!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received via Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4.5 stars / love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

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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.

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Other Books by Dana Mentink

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!

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a  a book necklace, Amazon gift card, and a paperback copy of the book!!

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
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What about you? What interests you most about Deadly Christmas Pretense?