Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: March 28, 2023

Family secrets have Felicia Tennison, and the sister she never knew existed, on the run. Someone is after them, and Felicia will have to turn to someone she never wanted to see again for help—her ex. Sheriff Jude Duke vows to protect them as they race to uncover why the little girl is a target. But the search to find the answers could cost them their futures.

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An Author’s Take Review

Targeted in the Desert is the final book in the Desert Justice series. I had not read the previous books, so initially, I was hesitant to start with the last book. However, I enjoy Dana Mentink’s writing and know her books can be read as standalone, so I got it. I am happy that I did. I loved it.

The story was a bit of a tear-jerker with much suspense thrown in. It opens with Felicia Tennison and the backstory of her abandonment as a baby at a local fire station. She was adopted by a great family and goes on to live a normal life until she experiences a tragic event that lands her in the hospital. She recovers but discovers her birth mother has tracked her down shortly after. Family secrets begin to unfold to include the potential of a sister Felicia never knew existed.

The story gets good when Felicia becomes the sole caregiver of her little sister. It is one thing to step in to serve in a helper role, but when things get dangerous, she needs help to protect the child and herself. Enter Felicia’s ex-boyfriend, Sheriff Jude Duke. Jude quickly discovers there is more to the case than just protecting his ex-girlfriend and her little sister. There are evil people in this world with bad intentions, and he needs to figure out why anyone would be after Felicia or the child.

To say this book is filled with suspense would be an understatement. Dana had me wondering about what the outcome of events would be. What initially appeared to be obvious was not at all what I had expected. Great writing!

This book is a good choice if you are interested in reading romantic suspense with twists and turns. Dana also doe a great job of sharing emotional God-filled moments meaningfully.

I highly recommend Targeted in the Desert. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Note: I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated for sharing my thoughts. I am disclosing this per FTC regulations.

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than forty mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at www.danamentink.com to sign up for her newsletter, or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Bookbub.

More from Dana

At last! We’ve arrived at the final book in the Desert Justice series! It seems like just yesterday I was finishing book one, about cousin Beckett Duke who was falsely imprisoned. Then we met cowboy Levi and his twin Willow, dog lover Austin, donkey rescuer Nora and FINALLY sheriff Jude Duke gets his story! I am a fan of a hero with some miles under his belt, aren’t you? Could it be because I’ve got more than a few under mine? Ending this series is bittersweet because I am thrilled that the Dukes all received their happy endings, but I’ll miss writing about their adventures in Death Valley. Hope you’ll come along on my next series. (Could be there are bloodhounds in our fictional future!)

God bless!