Review + GIVEAWAY: The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma

About the Book

Book: The Pink Bonnet  
Author: Liz Tolsma  
Genre: Christian Historical, Suspense  
Release date: June, 2019  

A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child  

Step into True Colors—a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime 

Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives. 

How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child?

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

Liz Tolsma has written an impressive novel in the True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime series. I have read some, but not all, of Tolsma’s previous books because they have dealt with the Holocaust. While she is an excellent writer and handles that subject in a compelling way, I just have a hard time reading stories in that setting, so I was excited to try this one. Although still not a subject easy to read about, Tolsma has written a fascinating story that combines fiction with real-life events. I was engaged emotionally from page one of this action-packed story and could hardly put it down.

The Pink Bonnet reads like a wonderful suspense thriller, until it sinks in that it is based on historical true crime – the story of Georgia Tann, who ran a Memphis adoption agency from 1924 to 1950; then it becomes chilling and haunting. Children she perceived to be from inadequate homes or parenting situations were literally stolen and given to families who could pay well. Even those who were supposed to care – politicians and others in authoritative positions – were corrupt and easily bribed to turn a blind eye. That this could go on for 25 years is horrifying.

Into this backdrop we meet Cecile Dowd, a young widow with the odds stacked against her, struggling to care for her three- year-old daughter Millie. Cecile is a loving mother and making things work out, when suddenly she is betrayed by a “concerned” neighbor and Millie falls into the hands of Georgia Tann. Cecile and Millie are characters every reader will be drawn to, so easy to connect with. And then there’s Percy, a lawyer working with Tann, who begins to suspect that all is not right with this adoption agency. I loved the connection between Cecile and Percy, a sweet and growing relationship in an otherwise dark story. I also appreciated the spiritual overtones of God’s unrelenting seeking for us.

The Pink Bonnet is a riveting, suspense-filled story that drove me to do some online research into this crime. I look forward to much more of Liz Tolsma’s writing.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

 

About the Author

  
      Liz Tolsma is a popular speaker and an editor and the owner of the Write Direction Editing. 
      An almost-native Wisconsinite, she resides in a quiet corner of the state with her husband and is the mother of three. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. 
     When she gets a few spare minutes, she enjoys reading, relaxing on the front porch, walking, working in her large perennial garden, and camping with her family.

More from Liz

A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through 6 unique stories of historical romantic suspense in the exciting new True Colors series. 

In book two, The Pink Bonnet, Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives. 

How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child? Find out in The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma. 

The True Crime Behind the Story 

Georgia Tann was a woman who ran an adoption agency in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1924 until 1950. It is estimated that, in that time, she kidnapped over five thousand children and sold them to the highest bidder. She even advertised the children in the newspaper, especially around the holidays. Some of the nation’s biggest celebrities adopted through Miss Tann, including Joan Crawford, Dick Powell, and June Allyson. Learn more about Georgia Tann HERE and visit www.TrueColorsCrime.com for more exclusive content.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Pink Bonnet!! 

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/e331/the-pink-bonnet-celebration-tour-giveaway 

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, June 20

The Becca Files, June 20

Livin’ Lit, June 20

The Power of Words, June 21

Christian Bookaholic, June 21

Godly Book Reviews, June 21

Spoken from the Heart, June 22

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 22

For HIm and my Family, June 22

Blossoms and Blessings, June 23

Inspired by fiction, June 23

Mary Hake, June 23

Connie’s History Classroom, June 24

Moments, June 24

Simple Harvest Reads, June 24

Daysong Reflections, June 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 25

For the Love of Literature, June 25

Remembrancy, June 26

As He Leads is Joy, June 26

Emily Yager, June 26

Genesis 5020, June 27

Reader’s Cozy Corner, June 27

Carla Loves to Read, June 27

Inklings and notions, June 28

Changed by Him, June 28

Bigreadersite, June 28

Through the Fire Blogs, June 28

Inspiration Clothesline, June 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 29

Pause for Tales, June 29

Hallie Reads, June 30

Ashley’s Bookshelf, June 30

For the Love of Books, June 30

Southern Gal Loves to Read, July 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

janicesbookreviews, July 2

Older & Smarter?, July 2

By The Book, July 2

A Reader’s Brain, July 3

amandainpa, July 3

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 3

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Chosen People by Robert Whitlow

About the Book

Book: Chosen People  
Author: Robert Whitlow  
Genre: Legal Drama  
Release Date: November 6, 2018  
Publisher: HarperCollins

Bestselling author Robert Whitlow dives deep into the legal ramifications of a tragic event half a world away and how it affects two lawyers in Atlanta from vastly different backgrounds. 

When Hana Abboud walked into the conference room, she was unprepared for the images of a horrific terrorist attack near the Western Wall in Jerusalem. But after watching a courageous mother sacrifice her life to save her four-year-old daughter, Hana knew she needed to help attorney Jakob Brodsky represent the family’s pursuit of justice against those who perpetrate acts of violent jihad. As an Arab Israeli lawyer trained at Hebrew University, Hana is uniquely qualified to step into the gap. But they need a third partner, an investigator on the ground to help them unravel the snake pit of connections between the terrorists and an organization or company that can be sued in the American courts. Hana returns home to Israel and meets with investigator Hamid Hasan who quickly becomes more than a crucial part of the litigation team. 

As Jakob and Hana investigate the case in the US, he is stalked on the streets of Atlanta by affiliates of a terrorist organization. Their pursuit of truth can only be resolved where it began: the streets of Jerusalem. But who can they trust? How deep does deceit go? Can two lawyers and a shadowy investigator impact the kind of violence and terror that has become common in our broken world?

CBD   B&N   Amazon

My Thoughts

Chosen People is the first of Robert Whitlow’s books that I’ve read, and it is impressive. I obviously can’t compare it to his previous books, but I understand that with its backdrop of Islamic terrorism, the theme and pacing are different. Chosen People is well written, suspenseful and entertaining, but also relevant and compelling.

I was intrigued by Hana Abboud, a Christian Arab Israeli working in an Atlanta law firm. That combination of faith and nationality is something I had never thought about. In Hana’s words, “More and more Christian Arabs, especially in my generation, identify as Israelis even though we’re not Jewish.” Whitlow’s passion for the subject matter and knowledge of the Middle East is off the charts, and one of this book’s strengths is all that I learned. I thought I had a decent understanding of the Middle East, but Whitlow’s writing opened my mind up to a new awareness and clarity. From that standpoint alone, I’d like to read this book again, just to see what I might have missed and take in even more.

The idea of bringing a lawsuit to hold the perpetrators of terrorism accountable is also intriguing, and might also be a dangerous undertaking. The danger started on American soil, then picked up dramatically once the characters reached the Middle East. Suspense runs high and it’s not obvious who can be trusted. I recommend not even trying to figure it out, because you just might be shocked at the end. Young Sadie, daughter of a victim who sacrificed her life for Sadie, captured this reader’s heart. There’s also a romantic thread that I enjoyed.

The diversity of faith and cultures – Christian, Jewish, Muslim – made the story so realistic. Hana’s love for the Lord and her spiritual witness is truly inspiring; her way of praying often puts me to shame. And in thinking of God’s chosen people, even through complexity and grittiness, Whitlow imparts so much to reflect upon.  Even if this book isn’t in the style you usually enjoy, it is well worth reading.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Robert Whitlow is the bestselling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. 

Website: robertwhitlow.com
Twitter: @whitlowwriter
Facebook: robertwhitlowbooks

Guest Post from Robert

Inside the Story

Chosen People—a title that reflects both the Biblical designation for the Jewish nation as well as converted Christians—opens during a terrorist attack near the Western Wall in Jerusalem. A courageous mother sacrifices her life to save her young daughter, leaving behind a grieving husband and a motherless child. 

Whitlow’s many trips to Israel and his in-depth research into the culture and laws of the Holy City are evident throughout the story. Furthermore, his experience as a lawyer gives him keen insight into the mind of his main character Hanna Abboud, an Arab Christian Israeli lawyer working in Atlanta. 

“This book provides a unique perspective to this region and its peoples through the eyes of an Arab Christian who believes that the faithfulness of God and truths of the Bible are unshakable realities,” says Whitlow. “This viewpoint is rarely expressed, yet it is one that needs and deserves to be heard so that it can become part of our framework for understanding this vital part of the world and the people who live there.”

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, HarperCollins is giving away a grand prize of three finished Robert Whitlow books (to be chosen by the publisher)!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/d73a/chosen-people-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, November 8

Genesis 5020, November 8

Multifarious, November 9

Real World Bible Study, November 9

The Power of Words, November 9

The Becca Files, November 10

Bibliophile Reviews, November 10

C Jane Read, November 11

Caffeinated Christian Raves – N – Reviews, November 11

Book by Book, November 11

Margaret Kazmierczak, November 12

By The Book, November 12

All-of-a-kind Mom, November 13

Painting with Words, November 13

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, November 13

Simple Harvest Reads, November 14 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Robin is Bookish, November 14

Texas Book-aholic, November 15

Moments, November 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16

Mary Hake, November 16

Janices book reviews, November 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 17

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 18

Christian Bookaholic, November 18

Carpe Diem, November 19

Stephanie’s Life of Perseverance, November 19

A Baker’s Perspective, November 20

Inklings and notions, November 20

Bigreadersite, November 21

For The Love of Books, November 21

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Delayed Justice by Cara Putman

About the Book

Book Title: Delayed Justice  
Author: Cara Putman  
Genre: Legal Romantic Suspense  
Release date: October 15, 2018  

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard. 

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jamie, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart. 

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child. 

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

CBD │ B&N │ Amazon

My Thoughts

“Sometimes the only way we are made whole is when

we take our pain and use it to help others.”

- Savannah

Riveting, suspenseful, compelling, relevant … Delayed Justice is all that and more. There’s a lot of layers and complexity to this emotionally gripping story that could easily be pulled from today’s headlines. Cara Putman’s legal background creates a fascinating realism to this legal drama that’s filled with romance, bonds of friendship, and faith in action. Characters from the previous two novels are involved, but this story stands alone.

A story focusing on the dark subject of child abuse isn’t an easy read, yet Putman handles it extremely well, pulling you into the victims’ feelings as you grow to care deeply about them. I applauded Jaime’s decision to bring her abuser to justice, while fearing for her because of the repercussions that decision could bring. Chandler, with a job of helping military men and women transition back home, is a blessing in her life – both emotionally and spiritually – and the chemistry between them is great.

Delayed Justice is not only about justice, but healing also. Chandler’s experience was that “needs were always bigger than his capability to meet them, so he needed God in big ways.” Learning about therapy dogs like Aslan, who bring comfort to the victim, was fascinating, and the connection to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe brought a depth of meaning to the story.

How was she supposed to match her reality

to the God they talked about?

- Jaime

Delayed Justice will speak to every reader, especially those whose past experience makes it difficult for them to see God as loving and caring. I loved the contrast between the support of Christian friends vs. trying to go it alone, and Jaime’s spiritual journey is touching.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently working on book 30 and 31. 

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW, and currently serves on its Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana. 

Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, and Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com

Guest Post from Cara

Delayed Justice was a hard story to write. 

I’d known from Beyond Justice that Jaime had a hard story, but I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. She tried to hide from her past. She tried hard, but in the end it slowly spilled out. A young girl wounded deeply by someone who should protect her. And now as a professional young woman, Jaime is still fighting the shadows. 

She believes she’s okay, or as okay as she’ll ever be. 

Instead, she has to learn that there’s so much more waiting for her. Freedom from the chains of a past she didn’t choose. A love that will never end. And a God who has always loved her even when she questions His existence because of her past. 

I think we’ve all lived that. There’s a place in our hearts that seems beyond His reach. For some of us, it’s a barrier to knowing Him. To others of us, it makes us question what we thought we knew about God. And for others of us, it presses us deeply into Him. Jaime’s book, Delayed Justice, explores this space. The space where some days we scream at the heavens Where are you, God? And the days we just curl into ourselves because life is too hard. 

And in that space of shadow and light, God ultimately shines brightest. This is a truth that is slowly revealed through friends and The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize package that includes a Courage Dear Heart bracelet, a The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe print, a copy of Delayed Justice, and a box of Turkish Delight!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/d5c4/delayed-justice-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 29

Fiction Aficionado, September 29

The Avid Reader, September 29

The Power of Words, September 29

The Christian Fiction Girl, September 29

The Lit Addict, September 30

BBHfiction, September 30

Painting with Words, September 30

Real World Bible Study, September 30

Janices book reviews, September 30

cherylbbookblog, October 1

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 1

Back Porch Reads, October 1

Cafinated Reads, October 1

Faithfully Bookish, October 1

Because I said so – adventures in Parenting, October 2

Lighthouse Academy, October 2

Livin Lit, October 2

Inklings and notions, October 2

Bigreadersite, October 2

All-of-a-kind Mom, October 3

Reading Is My SuperPower, October 3

The Becca Files, October 3

Blogging With Carol, October 3

Lights in a Dark World, October 3

Genesis 5020, October 4

Cathe Swanson, October 4

Spoken from the Heart, October 4

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 4

100 Pages per Hour, October 5

Multifarious, October 5

Book by Book, October 5

Splashes of Joy, October 5

Rockin’ My Mom Jeans, October 6

Mary Hake, October 6

Godly Book Reviews, October 6

Two Points of Interest, October 6

C Jane Read, October 7

Daysong Reflections , October 7

Bibliophile Reviews, October 7

Buy, Borrow, Skip, October 7

The Mimosa Blossom, October 8

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 8

Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses, October 8

Maureen’s Musings, October 8

Just the Write Escape, October 9

Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Remebrancy, October 9

Carpe Diem, October 9

Quiet Quilter, October 10

Margaret Kazmierczak, October 10

At the Fence, October 10

By The Book, October 10

God is Love, October 11

A Baker’s Perspective, October 11

proud to be an autism mom, October 11

Texas Book-aholic, October 11

Henry Happens, October 12

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 12

Have A Wonderful Day, October 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 12

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Darkwater Secrets by Robin Caroll

Welcome to the blog tour & giveaway for Darkwater Secrets by Robin Caroll, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Darkwater Secrets
Author: Robin Caroll
Publisher: Gilead Publishing  
Release Date: July 17, 2018  
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense  

A murder investigation uncovers sordid secrets and haunting mistakes...

The Darkwater Inn stands tall and proud in the French Quarter, the hub of New Orleans. Bourbon Street is bustling, and General Manager Adelaide Fountaine has her hands full with a hotel at capacity. She, along with everyone else, is shocked when a body is found: a hotel guest stabbed with a kitchen knife.

Detective Beau Savoie, Adelaide’s childhood friend, is on the case. As Beau digs into the victim’s past, he unearths a shocking connection between Adelaide and the murdered guest. Beau is hurt that his friend—the woman he’s quietly loved for years—kept the truth from him. To make matters worse, the stress of the investigation has sent Adelaide right into the comforting arms of her coworker Dimitri. But Beau can’t press Adelaide too hard . . . he’s keeping secrets of his own.

Can Adelaide and Beau afford to hide from the truth with a killer on the loose?  

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository



My Thoughts...

Darkwater Secrets by Robin Caroll is outstanding in every way, one of my favorite reads of the year. It’s a creative blend of romantic suspense, police procedural, and the character-driven novel, extremely well written from different viewpoints. I was completely hooked from the very first page and never wanted to put it down.

From characters to setting, the color of the French Quarter is reflected. There’s a certain mystique about New Orleans that I find fascinating, and Ms. Caroll beautifully conveyed the very essence of this area – its mood, architecture, food, and even the practice of voodoo.

The story revolves around three main characters – Beau, Adelaide, and Dimitri. All are well drawn and appealing. Adelaide is general manager of the Darkwater Inn, Dimitri a talented chef, and Beau leads the murder investigation. I’m not a fan of romantic triangles, but the author handles this in a way that captured me emotionally and I look forward to seeing how this element plays out in future stories.

Faith is also a quiet, but realistic theme that is easy for readers to connect with. Adelaide believes in God, but past experience has made her a non-follower. The age-old question of why a loving God would allow pain and suffering is explored in a thoughtful way. Another theme, as the title indicates, is the personal effects of burying past secrets.

Darkwater Secrets is an impressive novel. Romantic suspense isn’t my favorite genre, but the complexity, relational depth, and multilayering raises it to another level. I also enjoyed how the focus was on the murder investigation rather than suspense; in other words, it wasn’t too scary for me. The conclusion is satisfying, with the promise of much more to come. I am so eager for the next release in this series!

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Just Read Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

_________________________

Gilead Publishing is hosting a Darkwater Secrets Mystery Party on Facebook August 14th from 7-9pm CST: https://www.facebook.com/events/220942041956118/

Co-hosts include: Colleen Coble, DiAnn Mills, Cara Putnam, Carrie Stuart Parks, and of course, Robin Caroll.

Giveaways open for 24 hours after the event, if you can't attend for all the action!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I’ve never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” ~Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others.

When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-five-plus years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else?

She serves the writing community as Executive Director/Conference Director for ACFW. Her twenty-five books have finaled/placed in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.

CONNECT WITH ROBIN: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

Enter for your chance to win:

• print copy of Darkwater Secrets
• your own key to the Darkwater Inn
• a soy-based, French Quarter candle

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight August 6, 2018 and last through 11:59pm August 13, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for the full schedule & more chances to win!

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Cowboy Bodyguard by Dana Mentink

About the Book

Title: Cowboy Bodyguard
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Western, Mystery
Release Date: July 3, 2018

In this Gold Country Cowboys novel, Jack Thorn gets a surprise call from the woman he married in secret years ago. 

Shannon Livingston needs his protection for herself and the baby she’s hiding from a biker gang targeting the mother. Now Jack must help Shannon, even if shielding her means pretending to be a true husband to the only woman he’s ever loved.

CBD │ Amazon │ B&N

My thoughts ...

How to resist such a great cover! Although a cover alone does not make the story, the reading experience is also great. Cowboy, secret marriage, and baby … now that’s a winning formula with me! Fans of romantic suspense, and especially this series, will be thrilled with Jack’s story. The suspense and action hit pretty steadily, so it’s best to have plenty of reading time before beginning.

I’ll be honest and say that it was Dana’s sweet, funny contemporary romances that first drew me to her writing, and I long for more of that style from her. The “Love Unleashed” series is one of my all-time favorites. However, that same writing quality and character depth also shines through in her suspense stories. Cowboy Bodyguard is third in the series and can stand alone, but it was great to see previous characters.

Now I’m not prone to swooning over a character, but Jack is downright appealing – protective, self-sacrificing, willing to share his faith, and in love with his baby girl. Shannon wasn’t my favorite person in the beginning, but the best stories are about change, and that is clearly seen as she learns an important lesson that speaks to all of us – that it’s only when we face the past that we can fully move on.

Cowboy Bodyguard is filled with tension, danger, and fast-moving action – so much so that I wished for a little breathing space so I could get to know the characters better. Still, a great read overall and I’m eager to read the next Thorn brother’s story.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Guest Post from Dana Mentink

I’ve spent a bit of time in emergency rooms lately. Not to complain, mind you. The asthma related treatments worked like a charm and we were blessed by good care, so I am not grateful. There’s a bonus, too. The emergency room is a great place for people watching! Hour upon hour I spent surveying patients, relatives, nurses and doctors. I came away pondering what it must be like to work in the strange bustle that is an emergency room. That’s where character Shannon Livingston was born. 

The E.R doc and nurses must be brilliant problem solvers with nerves of steel because they never know what will roll through their doors. Since they are not responsible for follow up care, they have only a short term relationship with their patients. But what would happen, my fictional mind wanted to know, if one emergency room treatment ensnared Shannon in a “run for your life” scenario? And what if her incredible life saving skills weren’t nearly enough to save her own life, or the baby she’s suddenly become responsible for? Ah me! The perfect scenario for a suspense novel, no? I hope you enjoy Cowboy Bodyguard. I can promise it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

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 thirty five 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.)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a Mentink Bundle that includes a horse tote book bag, a three book collection, and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click the image above or the link below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/ced1/cowboy-bodyguard-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 12

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 12

Lighthouse Academy, July 13

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 13

Just the Write Escape, July 14

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 14

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, July 15

Power of Words, July 15

Genesis 5020, July 16

Jen Around the World, July 16

Daysong Reflections, July 17

Remebrancy, July 17

proud to be an autism mom, July 18

Janices book reviews, July 18

Carpe Diem, July 19

Ashley’s Bookshelf, July 19

Pause for Tales, July 20

Have A Wonderful Day, July 20

Bibliophile Reviews, July 21

Book by Book, July 21

History, Mystery & Faith, July 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 22

A Baker’s Perspective, July 23

margaret kazmierczak, July 23

Bigreadersite, July 24

Texas Book-aholic, July 24

Godly Book Reviews, July 25

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, July 25