Tag: Mentink Dana

Scent of Sabotage

To track down the truth,
they’ll need to unravel the clues

Detective Beth Wolfe’s reunion with investigative journalist Jack St. James is a matter of life or death—and when a masked assailant attacks them, a severe blow leaves Jack with amnesia. Beth and her K-9, Arthur, are determined to keep Jack safe while he regains his lost memories. Was he targeted due to a case he was working on…or does it have something to do with the son they placed for adoption decades ago? When their investigations lead them inside a booby-trapped amusement park, it’s a race against the clock to put all the pieces together and uncover the park owners’ nefarious plot…or die trying.

My Review:

What an unexpected conclusion to Dana Mentink’s ‘Security Hounds Investigations’ series. Unexpected because there are five siblings and after the fifth one got their happily ever after I thought the series was done. Until book six released featuring Wolfe matriarch Beth. Widowed for over a decade, this mature (56) heroine has a second chance at romance when her high school sweetheart, Jack, unexpectedly enters her world again. Their meet-cute is violently interrupted and becomes the gateway to all kinds of mayhem!

Mentink combines heart-in-throat action scenes with tender, even humorous, ones at a dizzying pace. Adrenaline rush meets emotional angst in the most compelling way! And the booby-trapped amusement park setting is diabolically brilliant! As is veteran K-9 Arthur, an 11 year old bloodhound with an amazing sniffer and even more heart.

I didn’t plan on listening to ‘Scent of Sabotage’ (brilliant title, by the way) all in one go, but Mentink’s storytelling paired with Abby Craden’s excellent narration made it impossible to stop. What a great partnership — riveting from start to finish!

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Detecting Concealed Evidence + Giveaway

Sniffing out the enemies requires a K-9’s help.

A panicked call sends detective Chase Wolfe and his search-and-rescue bloodhound, Tank, racing right into the path of his neighbor—who’s just barely escaped an abduction. But Pilar Alonso has no idea who’s after her or why. Now she must rely on Chase to keep her safe while they work together to track down the unknown assailants targeting her. Only, their investigation reveals layers of a much more sinister agenda, and danger is rapidly closing in. Drawn into a web of deceit, can they untangle the mystery…before they’re permanently silenced?

My Review:

An outstanding Romantic Suspense with Mentink’s unique blend of action and humour. Riveting all the way through. And Tank is a furry wonder of floof and drool and good intentions. His extraordinary sniffer is often all that stands between Chase and Pilar and danger. Plus, he lives up to his name in spectacular ways!

Love the enemies to more vibe going on with the romance. Nothing like upping an already tense plot with some emotional trauma! And the action scenes are spectacular. Couldn’t quite catch my breath until the very end. Big sigh of relief and bookish glee!

I still get giddy every time I see a Love Inspired Suspense book in audio format and Abby Craden did a wonderful job narrating ‘Detecting Concealed Danger.’ She brings the right amount of tension to the harrowing scenes and is great with dialogue, infusing humour and warmth in all the right places. As well as stark terror and sheer frustration. Craden manages to capture the full gamut of emotions that bring these characters to life.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Detecting Concealed Evidence,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 16 2025

Fire Mountain + Giveaway

In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she’s suddenly in possession of someone’s baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help.

As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he’s the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn’t want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he’s in this thing, like it or not.

When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby’s missing mother–all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.

Experience the explosive start to this nail-biting series from USA Today bestselling author Dana Mentink!

My Review:

Well now. I’m flabbergasted. And gobsmacked. And pretty much unable to create a cohesive sentence, let alone a whole review! But I’m gonna try!

This is Dana Mentink storytelling on steroids! All that familiar charm and humour cloaked in extreme wilderness survival and intense danger. Labeling ‘Fire Mountain‘ a page-turner doesn’t come near to doing it justice. Spellbinding. Riveting. Unique. So many gasp-out-loud moments! And every time we got some breathing space I couldn’t relax for fear of what was looming on the horizon. And all those action scenes are written in wonderful, taut detail guaranteed to raise a reader’s blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Cullen and Kit make such an ornery pair. They both have grit and determination and a whole lot of attitude. Loved their sniping and banter. Two lost souls struggling to find their way in an impossible situation. And the sarcasm and dry humour! Even in the direst situations. And the scenes with the baby — equal parts hilarious and tender (and raised Cullen clear up to the top of my swonnability meter! Thud!)

Am I making any sense? Likely not. Let’s just say that this one goes beyond unputdownable and into the realm of inescapable reader immersion. This story grabs hold and doesn’t let go so clear your calendar and be prepared for a marathon read…

Or listen. Emily Durante does a magnificent job relaying the push/pull of Kit and Cullen’s relationship and the edginess of their situation. Made for a compelling listening experience.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Fire Mountain,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 12 2025

Following the Clues + Giveaway

A search-and-rescue mission reveals a lethal secret

After K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, she’s shocked to learn his mother’s missing. And Beau, who can no longer recognize familiar faces after an earlier attack, can’t shake the feeling these terrifying incidents are somehow connected. With the tracking skills of her blind bloodhound, Kara will help Beau locate his mother—but someone will do anything to sabotage their search. With the culprit on their trail, can they uncover a sinister plot…before their rescue mission turns into a fight for survival?

My Review:

I am so enjoying the Security Hounds Investigation series by Dana Mentink because….the hounds! They are a brilliant combination of noble goofballs! This time it’s Millie, the blind bloodhound who has her very own guide dog! And I love the way Mentink writes the dogs into the story as important secondary characters. I might have fangirled more over this intrepid pair than our hero. Oops.

Mind you Beau comes a very close second. 🙂 He’s back home after a challenging time recovering from a debilitating injury that has altered his life and left him questioning his future. Unfortunately, he cut himself off from friends and family as he struggled to come to grips with his new reality.

Kara’s mourned the loss of her friendship with Beau. She’s never understood why he cut her off and she certainly doesn’t understand why he’s pretending he doesn’t know her when they finally meet up again. He has a very good reason, as it turns out, and it is fascinating and contributes to the emotional intensity of both the romance and the suspense. Such an enthralling read!

Quintessential Mentink humour lightens even the most intense scenes while thoughtful inspirational moments bring hope in the midst of trauma. A deliciously lethal combination that makes this a not-to-be-missed romantic suspense.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Following the Clues,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday June 7 2025

Hunted on the Trail + Giveaway

A killer out for vengeance…but this bloodhound has his scent.

Ambushed by sudden gunfire, former cop Stephanie Wolfe realizes the tracking competition she entered with her bloodhound is a setup. An escaped fugitive has lured her into the remote wilderness to exact his deadly revenge. And her ex-boyfriend, bounty hunter Vance Silverton, has fallen into the fatal trap, too. Now cut off from civilization with only minimal supplies and their two dogs, the pair must depend on each other to survive. But with a treacherous storm approaching, it’s not only a cold-blooded killer they’ll have to escape.

My Review:

Quintessential Mentink! Everything I love about her writing is right here in this book! I’m particularly appreciative of her ability to get into deep characterization with K-9s! Seriously, this author speaks dog and I love the way she brings these critters to life in her stories. And the way she portrays the human/dog dynamic is brilliant and funny and so relatable (if you’ve ever been owned by fur buddy, that is!)

Loved the opening scene that morphs into action pretty quickly. This is very much a wilderness survival kind of suspense where Stephanie and Vance are cut off from the rest of the world and are being hunted by a nefarious villain. The relentless pursuit, near misses and plenty of gasp-out-loud moments build up the tension as their circumstances grow more dire, making for an unputdownable read.

But, what I love best about this story is the way the author deftly brings humour to even the toughest situations. So many laugh out loud moments — usually involving a certain dog and a certain hero. Loved their interactions and the way Vance is so defensive of his K-9. Honestly, I fell in love with Vance because of the way he treats that fur ball. I have no idea how Stephanie resisted for so long! But then, they have history so – yay – for a Second Chance Romance trope which adds its own kind of tension to the plot.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Hunted on the Trail’. Narrator Abby Craden did a phenomenal job breathing life into these characters and conveying all the tension and drama through her performance. A brilliant listen!

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Hunted on the Trail,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 24 2025

Paws for Love + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

The Only Thing Sweet About Jellybean Is His Name

Jellybean the terrier is about to unleash some serious mayhem on the unsuspecting town of Albatross.

There’s no quiet on the set when over-the-hill screen star Lawrence Tucker brings his naughty terrier, Jellybean, on location to the beachside town of Albatross, California. When Jellybean develops a rapport with Tucker’s violin tutor, the painfully shy, socially awkward Misty Agnelli, her arm is twisted into minding the mischievous animal. Trailing Jellybean leads Misty into the candy store of Bill Woodson, a handsome chocolatier with a painful secret and a three-year-old niece to raise. 

Misty must deal with the unstable Tucker, a temperamental Jellybean, her budding feelings for the mysterious Bill, and the high-pressure atmosphere on the set. Though she wants nothing more than to flee, how can she tell her Grandma, Lawrence Tucker’s biggest fan, that she abandoned the star and his dog? 

It’s actors, animals, and antics galore when Jellybean gives his own heartwarming performance.

My Review:

published in 2017

Paws down the cutest cover ever!!!! Who can resist that face? Even if it belongs to a “fuzzy wrecking ball?” I don’t know if anyone will be surprised if I tell you that Jellybean might have a bigger piece of my heart than two-legged hero, Bill. Such a little scamp (dog, not man) and while I found it highly entertaining to read about his escapades, I think the thrill would soon wear off if I actually lived through them. It takes a certain personality — one that consists of an abundance of patience — to cope with that opinionated mutt. Grinning just thinking about it.

And a huge ‘hoorah’ for a klutzy heroine!!! You don’t often find them in the pages of a romance novel. At least I haven’t spied that many and as a self-proclaimed klutz I pay attention to things like that. So there was an instant connection between Misty and me. And her deer-in-the-headlights reaction to complicated social situations just warmed my heart even more. 

I think what impressed me the most about Bill was his insecurities and the fact that the author went out on a limb to write an atypical hero. He is struggling to adjust to being the sole caregiver to his orphaned niece and feelings of inadequacies keep creeping in. He’s an ‘out of the box’ kind of guy and I love the way Mentink slowly reveals a major issue. I fell in love with his vulnerability and courage.

And even though Paws for Love is slapstick funny — there’s a touching inspirational thread that binds everything together. “God made you to shine a light…You don’t get to pick what kind of candle you get.” (p 79) Has to be one of my favourite lines ever. 

A rousing comedic masterpiece that also delivers a stirring amount of tenderness and hope.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Paws for Love, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 15 2025.

Fugitive Search + Giveaway

A murderer out for revenge…who is closer than they think.

When the man who killed her father is finally arrested, Catherine Hart thinks it’s safe to come out of hiding…until he escapes and abducts her. But private investigator Garrett Wolfe and his tracking dog rescue her just in time. Now they must work together to escape the criminal on their heels, find Catherine’s kidnapped uncle and stop her sister from walking straight into the fugitive’s path. But when their search yields more questions, can Catherine and Garrett survive the terrifying truth?

My Review:

Whoa! Intense!! Still catching my breath!!!

Dana Mentink is a whiz at creating compelling suspense with sparks of humour. I often end up laugh/gasping at the same time because she’s that good. Impeccable pacing, great blending of romance and suspense…and that all important mood-lightening humour. All wrapped up in the cozy comfort of a meaningful faith thread. Spectacular!

Oh — and she speaks dog…or maybe she has a canine ghost writer? Because Pinky (officially it’s Pinkerton, but he’s more of a love ’em and lick ’em into submission kinda guy so Pinky suits him best!) anyway, Pinky makes me want to own a bloodhound…slobber and all. A warrior’s heart, a hunter’s snout and as stubborn as they come. What’s not to love?

I was thrilled to find this Love Inspired Suspense has an audible edition. It was a happy day when my preorder came through. Abby Craden does an incredible job narrating this story and I’m looking forward to more LIS books being made available in this format in future months. So excited — I have 29 on preorder already. Mind you, that’s going way into 2025, but it looks like there will be at least two a month from now on. Woohoo!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Fugitive Search, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 7 2024.

Tracking the Truth + Giveaway

To expose a suspect, he needs evidence…and a K-9’s instincts.

After Emery Duncan is abducted and dumped in a lake, private investigator Roman Wolfe and his bloodhound partner rescue her from an icy death. Someone doesn’t want Emery to find out what really happened the night her father confessed to attempted murder. To keep Emery and her baby nephew safe, they must uncover the connection between her father’s confession and the attack…or they’ll be silenced for good.

My Review:

Spectacularly brilliant!

Say what you will, but you’ll never convince me that Wally, the ‘nose with a dog attached’, isn’t the hero of this romantic suspense. Okay, maybe not in the romance department (though he is a lovable goofball) but definitely in every other way. Even if he has some unusual quirks that Roman can’t fix no matter how hard he tries. Mind you, without them Wally would just be your run-of-the-mill bloodhound. Instead he’s a one-of-a-kind rock star hound! Seriously, getting to meet Wally is worth the read.

And, yes, Roman makes a great straight man for Wally’s comedic schtick, but he’s also the perfect blend of flawed hero and knight in shining armour. And just the guy to help Emery out of a perilous situation that embroils them both in mystery and danger. Loved the way the author blends intrigue and romance while upping the suspense in tantalizing measures until — Whoooshhhh, it’s finally safe to let go of that pent-up breath!

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Tracking the Truth’ and thoroughly enjoyed Abby Craden’s narration. So thrilled that we are seeing more Love Inspired Suspense novels available in this format. I’m preordered all the way up to November and it’s such a bibliophile rush when I get the notification that a book is waiting for me!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Tracking the Truth, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 6 2024.

Trapped in Yosemite

When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake. 

When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.

Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation…

My Review:

Action and adventure and suspense, oh my! An edge of your seat, page-turning wonder of a read. Nothing like being stranded in the wilderness with a killer to ramp up the spidey senses! Oh, not to mention throwing in an earthquake to make things a wee more complicated. 🙂

Mentink knows how to engage her readers and keep them riveted and I am sure hoping that some of these secondary characters are going to have their turn to star in their own stories!

Von and Stella have to overcome a whole lot of obstacles before they can claim their happily ever after. And — woohoo — this one is a second chance romance which is a trope I love. BUT it’s paired with a secret baby trope which I’m not a fan of. The author handles it well, given the circumstances Stella found herself in, but I wasn’t entirely won over to her way of thinking. Keeping a guy in the dark about being a father is a hard sell for me. I still enjoyed the romantic elements of this suspense though and was invested in their relationship from the get go.

I listened to the audio edition of Trapped in Yosemite, expertly narrated by Abby Craden.

Snowbound Escape + Giveaway

To rescue a witness…this K-9 teams must face a killer and a storm.

After months tracking a colleague falsely accused of a double homicide, officer Tanner Ford and his K-9 partner finally locate crime tech Mara Gilmore—but the real murderer is closing in. Now they must run into a frozen wilderness to survive. Evading the killer is the only way for Mara to clear her name. But will the harsh winter conditions cover their tracks…or bury them forever?

My Review:

Finally — the resolution we’ve all (well, fans of the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series) have been waiting for!! And it’s a doozy! So, definitely don’t read ‘Snowbound Escape‘ if you are planning on reading the whole series — it has a number of spoilers since this is the grand finale. But if you want to jump in and just read this one, the story will make sense…maybe just won’t pack the same emotional wallop it will for those of us we have been with this K-9 team from the very beginning.

Dana Mentink did a fantastic job of wrapping things up with her unique blend of hair-raising and laugh-out-loud finesse. Honestly, the meet-cute — desperate tension meets Cheshire grin because Mara is one tough, tenacious, never-say-die survivor. She’s been on the run for eight months and just when she finally gets some K-9 help…well….if the killer in pursuit doesn’t do them in, Mother Nature’s fury just might.

There’s something about reading a good ‘stranded in a blizzard’ suspense that ticks all the boxes for me. I actually crave this scenario once the weather starts to grow colder so I was in reading ecstasy all the way through. Loved all the wilderness survival parts and, oy, the relentless snow! Luckily they have K-9 wonder dog Britta on their side.

An exciting conclusion to this continuity K-9 series — and I’m hoping there will be another one starting up in the New Year.

Oh — and I listened to the audible edition expertly narrated by Eva Kaminsky. Love, love, looooovvvvveeeee that this series was available in audio format. I preordered them all and got such a thrill each time I got the notification that I had a new book ready to download. (Yes, I’m nerdy like that.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Snowbound Escape, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 11, 2023