Top 25 Authors of 2018

 

 

 

 

This was a VERY difficult list to create… first, I began gathering the names of all my favorite authors. After re-checking my bookcases and bookshelf blog, I found that I have well over 100 names! Now, this might not sound like a lot to some of you, but I was astounded that I had that many favorite authors – those whom I refuse to part with their books!

I began paring down… whew, that was rough! What I really wanted to do was to name them all — but that seemed to defeat the purpose of listing the TOP chosen few.

I tried — I really did — and I still didn’t get everyone on the list that I hoped to!

So… without further adieu.

Here’s my personal list of the TOP TWENTY-FIVE AUTHORS for 2019:

   Jennifer Beckstrand    Vannetta Chapman    Valerie Comer    Rachel L. Miller

   Dana Mentink    JC Morrows    Macy Morrows    Tricia Goyer    Ruth Logan Herne

   Jean C. Gordon    Barbara Cameron    Suzanne Woods Fisher    Charlotte Hubbard 

   Ruth Reid    Shelley Shepard Gray    Molly Jebber    Kathy Fuller    Kelly Irvin

   Lilian Jackson Braun    Emma Miller   Amos Wyse    Laura J. Marshall    

   Grace Livingston Hill    Philip Gulley    Jan Karon

 

God bless you!

 

Blogpost © Donna J. Mynatt 2018

 

Lost Christmas Memories | Dana Mentink

 

 

Today I am reviewing Lost Christmas Memories, the fourth — and final — novel in the Gold Country Cowboys series by Dana Mentink.

Here is a brief synopsis:

A witness with amnesia…

Can she trust this Gold Country Cowboy with her life?

Tracy Wilson witnessed a murder—but after a head injury, she can’t remember what she saw.

Now someone plans to silence her for good, and only cowboy Keegan Thorn believes her.

With a killer after her at Christmas, Tracy is running out of time to remember… and falling dangerously hard for the cowboy who could break her heart.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

I love reading suspense stories by Dana Mentink… and she doesn’t disappoint with her newest release, Lost Christmas Memories.

The fact that I began reading it tonight and didn’t stop until I reached the end — at 12:58 AM — should tell you that this story is an amazing one… and one you won’t want to put down until the end, either.

You won’t believe everything that happens to Tracy Wilson!  First, she witnesses a murder, then she’s involved in a car accident and can’t remember anything about the murder, then no one really believes her story — except for Keegan Thorn. But Keegan has his own set of problems, and Tracy’s grandpa almost convinces her that Keegan is the one who’s endangering her life. And that Keegan isn’t the nice guy she thinks he is!

Oh mercy!  This is such a great story! And as soon as I have time, I’m going to go back and read all four stories in order… Cowboy Christmas Guardian, Treacherous Trails, Cowboy Bodyguard, and Lost Christmas Memories (again). This is an awesome series!

Happy Reading!

 

God Bless You!

Review © 2018 DJ Mynatt

 

Cowboy Bodyguard | Dana Mentink

 

 

Today I am reviewing Cowboy Bodyguard, the third novel in the Gold Country Cowboys series by Dana Mentink.

 

Here is a brief synopsis:

She must protect a baby…

With her secret husband’s help!

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..

 

MY THOUGHTS:

WOW!  This is one scary situation!

I’m glad I don’t work in a place where the bad guys show up!

Gold Country Cowboys!

This series has been totally awesome!

In the last book we read Owen Thorn’s story… now it’s his brother’s turn. Jack Thorn is every bit the cowboy — and here — that you would expect.

When his wife, whom he married in secret years ago, contacts him that she’s heading his way, he’s more than a little surprised, but he goes to meet her. And when she shows up with a baby, well, he doesn’t let her down.

Now he’s determined to protect her and the baby she’s protecting, from the biker gang who’s after them.  I don’t want to spoil the story for you, so pick up your own copy and dig in!  But you’ll want to read Cowboy Christmas Guardian and Treacherous Trails first to get stories from other secondary characters in this book.

Happy Reading!

 

God Bless You!

Review © 2018 DJ Mynatt

 

Treacherous Trails | Dana Mentink

 

 

Today I am reviewing Treacherous Trails, the second novel in the Gold Country Cowboys series by Dana Mentink.

 

Here is a brief synopsis:

Falsely accused…

Can she escape the real killer?

In this Gold Country Cowboys story, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name.

Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her.

But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

 

MY THOUGHTS:

WOW!  That is one nasty killer!

I’m glad I didn’t choose to read this at bedtime. . . this is definitely a great story, but one that scared the heebee jeebee’s out of me!

This new series is really suspenseful. . . and awesome!

Gold Country Cowboys!

The code of the West rules the land for these men!

And thank goodness it does! Owen Thorn certainly lives by the code. Ella has known Owen practically her whole life; the kid sister who, of course, had a crush on big, brooding brother figure. Now he’s determined to protect her from the big, bad guys. And that’s a good thing — because the big, bad guy is determined to get her! And that’s all I’m telling. . .

I don’t want to spoil the story for you, so pick up your own copy and dig in!

Happy Reading!

 

God Bless You!

Review © 2018 DJ Mynatt

 

Love at First Bark | Dana Mentink

 

Today I am reviewing Love at First Bark… a novella for Dog Lovers by Dana Mentink.

Here is a brief synopsis:

There’s Just Something About Jackson

When Marcy Deveraux’s romance series catapults to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, no one is more surprised than Marcy herself.

After all, she barely passed high school, flunked the driving test four times, and fell into a pool at her sister’s wedding.

Marcy is keen to continue her literary success, but she cannot think of a single idea for her next book.

Hounded by her agent, family, and friends, she decides to sequester herself in a rustic cabin in the mountains. There, she finds herself face-to-snout with a surprise visitor—a rascally black dog who must have escaped from his owner at a nearby campground.

Enter hunky cowboy Jackson Parker, who runs the stables for the campground and helps Marcy survive the antics of the ill-behaved, zany dog. There’s something tender and gentle about this man, who could easily grace the cover of any romance novel. Soon Jackson has Marcy rethinking her own beliefs about what heroes are really made of…and what God intends for her life.

It’s cowboys, canines, and capers galore in this charming novella for animal lovers.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh my! Love at First Bark is the cutest dog story I’ve read all year!

Adorable dog…Adorable story…

I love this story! It’s not often that we read about a man who’s shy. . . and a gentleman!

Dana Mentink creates complex, interesting characters – and that’s just what she does in this cute, cuddly series. if you haven’t read the other stories in this series, let me encourage you to do so…

Happy Reading!

 

God bless you!

Review © 2018 DJ Mynatt

 

Dangerous Testimony | Dana Mentink

 

Today I am reviewing  Dangerous Testimony, the fourth book in the Pacific Coast Private Eyes series by Dana Mentink.

Here is a brief synopsis:

LAST WITNESS STANDING

Four weeks before she’s set to testify at a gang murder trial, someone is determined to make sure that Candace Gallagher Andrews never takes the stand.

When nowhere is safe for the private investigator or her little girl, Candace turns to the only person she can trustlongtime friend and former navy SEAL Marco Quidel.

For Marco, protecting Candace is not just another duty. As the trial date nears and the killer stalks ever closer, Marco knows fear for the first timethe fear of losing Candace and her daughter.

But while Marco begins seeing Candace as more than just a friend, her late husband’s memory is never far from her mind.

So he must keep Candace alive—and not get emotionally involved—long enough to put away a killer.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Candace Gallagher Andrews is shocked when she witnesses a murder…

Whew… exciting stories!

In this fourth book of the series, tension mounts as Jay Rico convinces Candace that her entire family is in danger unless she does exactly as he says. . .  and she’s determined to protect her family. I’d love to say more, but I’m afraid if I do, I’ll give too much away! Get this book! Read it! Today!

Dana Mentink creates complex, interesting characters – and if you haven’t read the other stories in this series, let me encourage you to do so… you can read just one – or all four in sequence – but just do it!

Happy Reading!

 

God bless you!

Review © 2018 DJ Mynatt

PS… Dana, I didn’t give away Marco’s nickname — but I love it!

Cowboy Christmas Guardian | Dana Mentink

 

Today I am reviewing Cowboy Christmas Guardian, the first novel in the Gold Country Cowboys series by Dana Mentink.

Here is a brief synopsis:

UNDER THE RANCHER’S PROTECTION

Someone is dead set on stopping Shelby Arroyo from doing her job: assessing mineral rights in a mine in gold country.

But after rancher Barrett Thorn rescues her from an attack, the handsome widowed cowboy seems to feel responsible for her.

That is, until he discovers she’s from the family that he’ll never forgive for his wife’s death.

As the threats against Shelby escalate, cowboy honor and an unexpected attraction keep Barrett by her side, even at his own risk.

And since Shelby won’t back down, Barrett must protect the brave, loyal woman he has no business falling for…a woman someone wants to kill by Christmas.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a huge fan of Dana Mentink!

I’ve enjoyed reading her books for years — and now I have a new favorite series:

Gold Country Cowboys!

The code of the West rules the land for these men!

And Barrett Thorn certainly lives by this code. When Shelby Arroyo finds herself in trouble, Barrett rides in on his horse to rescue her! And when she’s determined to finish her job, Barrett continues to protect her from those who are trying to harm her.

Oh my goodness! I love this story! I’m already looking forward to the next story in the series..

Happy Reading!

 

God Bless You!

Review © 2017 DJ Mynatt

 

Paws For Love | Dana Mentink

 

Today I am reviewing Paws For Love… the third book in the Love Unleashed series by Dana Mentink.

Here is a brief synopsis:

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 THOUGHTS:

Oh my! Paws For Love was the perfect ending to the Love Unleashed series!

Misty Agnelli is having a very rough day. . . she agreed to tutor an actor who needs to appear as if he is a violinist, Then Jelly Bean, his dog, causes havoc on the set! Even worse, the actor and director insist on Misty being the dog’s companion.

Misty doesn’t want to be there anyway. . . but I won’t spoil anything by telling you more than that. Bill Woodson meets Misty when Jelly Bean runs into his chocolate shop. . . and the action doesn’t stop until the very end!

This is such a colorful story, with delightful characters and a sweet, little stinker of a dog that just won’t quit! Get a copy today and read it for yourself.

And if you enjoy entertaining stories about feisty dogs, read the whole series! It’s great!

 

Dana Mentink lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine.

Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and an award winner in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third and fourth grade.

Mostly, she loves to be home with her husband, two daughters, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle, and a feisty parakeet.

Find out more about Dana at http://www.danamentink.com.

 

God bless you!

Review © 2017 DJ Mynatt

 

Abducted | Dana Mentink

 

Today I am reviewing  Abducted, the third book in the Pacific Coast Private Eyes series by Dana Mentink.

Here is a brief synopsis:

ON THE RUN

When the high school sweetheart she never expected to see again bursts through the door of her medical mission clinic, nurse Sarah Gallagher can’t hold back her shock.

But Dominic Jett isn’t there to catch up. He’s trying to save a life, and the thugs on his tail will stop at nothing to catch him.

Now abducted and imprisoned on a remote island, Sarah and Jett become pawns in a tug-of-war between a powerful drug lord and a devious madman.

And their only chance for survival is working together to find the valuable painting the dangerous men are searching for.

But with someone trying to kill them at every turn, can they locate it in time to keep their reunion from turning fatal?

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Sarah Gallagher is shocked when Dominic Jett shows up at her clinic…

Whew… exciting stories!

In this third book of the series, the tension mounts as Sarah and Dominic are kidnapped. What will happen to them? If you want to know, you’ll have to read this action-packed story for yourself. I’m not giving anything away!

Dana Mentink creates complex, interesting characters – and if you haven’t read the other stories in this series, let me encourage you to do so… you can read just one – or all three in sequence – but just do it!

Happy Reading!

 

God bless you!

Review © 2016 DJ Mynatt

 

Fetching Sweetness | Dana Mentink

 

Today I am reviewing Fetching Sweetness… the second book in the Love Unleashed series by Dana Mentink.

Here is a brief synopsis:

Standing Between Stephanie and Her Dream Is One Hundred Pounds of Lovable Trouble

It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink: Meet up with Agnes Wharton in a small town in California, retrieve the reclusive author’s valuable new manuscript, and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent.

But Agnes’s canine companion, Sweetness, decides to make a break for it before Stephanie can claim her prize. Until Agnes has Sweetness safely back at home in Eagle Cliff, Washington, Stephanie will never set eyes on the manuscript she needs to make her dreams come true.

When Stephanie tracks the runaway mutt to a campground, she meets Rhett Hastings—a man also on the run from a different life and a costly mistake. Rhett agrees to help Stephanie search for the missing dog…thus launching a surprising string of adventures and misadventures.

Once Sweetness gets added to the mix, it’s a recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest.

Fetching Sweetness by Dana Mentink. Discover the charming story of Sweetness… – Tweet this!

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh my! Fetching Sweetness was just as engaging as Sit, Stay, Love!

Stephanie Pink (who loves that name as much as I do?) is hilarious as she chases after an author’s dog, in order to return it and collect the oh-so-coveted manuscript that everyone — EVERYONE — has been waiting to read!

Stephanie is determined to get that manuscript — no matter what she has to do . . . including getting involved with a man who drives a dilapidated, run-down travel trailer to reunite with his sister, plus chasing a huge dog, who chews up spatulas and eats paper plates. and rescues small pets.

Hop aboard Rhett’s travel trailer and hang on for a wild ride to Eagle Cliff, Washington — it’s guaranteed to be a bumpy ride, with laughter, tears, and lots of surprises…

Don’t miss this sweet, funny story!

And don’t miss the giveaway from Litfuse!

A recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest can only be found in Fetching Sweetness by Dana Mentink. It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink: Retrieve a reclusive author’s valuable new manuscript and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent. But when the author’s canine companion, Sweetness, makes a break for it and Stephanie has to track Sweetness down, she meets Rhett Hastings. They’re in for a surprising string of adventures and misadventures.

Celebrate the release of Fetching Sweetness with Dana by entering to win the Sweetness Unleashed Prize Pack!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Fetching Sweetness
• A $75 Visa cash card
• A library book necklace
• A dog-inspired insulated shopping tote

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 24. The winner will be announced August 25 onDana’s blog.

 

{MORE ABOUT DANA MENTINK}

Dana Mentink lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and an award winner in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third and fourth grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with her husband, two daughters, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle, and a feisty parakeet.

Find out more about Dana at http://www.danamentink.com.

 

God bless you!

Review © 2016 DJ Mynatt

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.