Real Love Moments by Dana Mentink | Guest Post

Real Love? Where are my chocolates and roses?

Ah romance novels! Don’tcha love them? I do actually, and I write them, too, but sometimes they can be a tad on the unrealistic side. Why is that exactly? In my opinion, it’s because we want our romance novels to be realistic enough to be believable, but sometimes real love isn’t all that flashy when you get right down do it.

Jen Turano, Dana Mentink, and Tamera Lynn Kraft | New Novel News

Behind the Scenes 
by Jen Turano

Published: April 18, 2017
Publisher: Bethany House
Purchase: Behind the Scenes

Miss Permilia Griswold may have been given the opportunity of a debut into New York high society, but no one warned her she wasn't guaranteed to "take." After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, she's finally putting her status on the fringes of society to good use by penning anonymous society gossip columns under the pseudonym "Miss Quill."

Mr. Asher Rutherford has managed to maintain his status as a reputable gentleman of society despite opening his own department store. While pretending it's simply a lark to fill his time, he has quite legitimate reasons for needing to make his store the most successful in the country.
When Permilia overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Rutherford, she's determined to find and warn the man. Disgruntled at a first meeting that goes quite poorly and results in Asher not believing her, she decides to take matters into her own hands, never realizing she'll end up at risk as well.

As Asher and Permilia are forced to work together and spend time away from the spotlight of society, perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes than they ever could have anticipated. . .

Get to know Jen...

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie?
Since my life isn’t nearly exciting enough to be made into a movie, I’d have to say the only actress who’d sign up to play me would have to be a very obscure actress – one who has no aspirations of making a name for herself on the big screen.

What are you reading right now?
A non-fiction book, “Silhouette in Diamonds – the Life of Mrs. Potter Palmer” by Ishebel Ross. It was written in the 1960’s and gives a fairly nice glimpse into Bertha Palmer’s life. I currently have one of my characters, Miss Temperance Flowerdew, taking an unexpected trip to Chicago, which is why I needed to read up on Bertha. I’m also thinking about doring a book with a heroine being banished to Chicago because of an unwillingness to marry a Duke, so I’m sure I’ll be reading more on that fascinating city throughout the year.

What’s one chore you hate doing?  
Making the beds – mostly because it’s something that has to be done so often, as in every morning.

Connect with Jen: http://jenturano.com/

Enter to win a copy of Behind the Scenes: 
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dangerous Testimony
by Dana Mentink

Published: April 4, 2017
Publisher: Love Inspired
Purchase: Dangerous Testimony

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 trust—longtime 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 time—the 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.

Get to know Dana...

What’s one thing you must have/do in the morning? 
I have to have quiet prayer time before my family and naughty dog wake up. If I don't have this, my whole day is thrown off!

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power? 
The Finder of Lost Things! Seriously! How it is that my teens can't find anything from socks to their car keys?

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie? 
Honestly, it would be Lucille Ball. I'm just that much of a cornball!

Connect with Dana: http://www.danamentink.com/

Enter to win a copy of Dangerous Testimony:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alice's Notions
by Tamera Lynn Kraft

Published: April 11, 2017
Publisher: Desert Breeze
Purchase: Alice's Notions

In this quaint mountain town, things aren't always what they seem.

World War 2 widow Alice Brighton returns to the safety of her home town to open a fabric shop. She decides to start a barn quilt tour to bring business to the shop and the town, but what she doesn't know is sinister forces are using the tour for their own nefarious reasons

Between her mysterious landlord, her German immigrant employee, her neighbors who are acting strange, and a dreamboat security expert who is trying to romance her, Alice doesn't know who she can trust.

Get to know Tamera...

If your book became a movie, who would you cast for your main characters?
This one is easy because Alice Brighton, the main character, always thinks of what 1940s movie star each person reminds her of. Her late husband picked the movie star she looked like – Judy Garland. Rick, the male main character would be Cary Grant. Yes, I know they’re no longer alive, but this is my fantasy. If I had to choose someone alive today, Alice would be played by Jennifer Lawrence.

If your main characters were animals, what would they be?
Alice would be a cat. She wants to be independent, but she still needs love. Rick would be a bear. He barks out orders but is still fuzzy and lovable.

Coffee or tea?
Tea. I am a tea snob. In the morning, the first thing I do is make a cup of Teavana tea. My favorites are Black Pearl and Yunnan Puree. In the afternoon, I like Joy, White Earl Gray, or Monkey Picked Oolong. In the evening, I like Sweet Dreams.

That’s all for now. I need a cup of tea.

Candace Calvert, Dana Mentink & June Foster | New Novel News

Maybe It's You
by Candace Calvert

Published: February 3, 2017
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Purchase: Maybe It's You


ER nurse Sloane Ferrell escaped her risky past—new name, zip code, job, and a fresh start. She’s finally safe, if she avoids a paper trail and doesn’t let people get too close. Like the hospital’s too-smooth marketing man with his relentless campaign to plaster one “lucky” employee’s face on freeway billboards.

Micah Prescott’s goal is to improve the Hope hospital image, but his role as a volunteer crisis responder is closer to his heart. The selfless work helps fill a void in his life left by family tragedy. So does a tentative new relationship with the compassionate, beautiful, and elusive Sloane Ferrell.

Then a string of brutal crimes makes headlines, summons responders . . . and exposes disturbing details of Sloane’s past.

Can hope spring from crisis?

Get to know Candace...

Who is your favorite secondary character?
I must confess I particularly enjoy writing “dark” secondary characters, sometimes crawling into their minds to write from their point of view: a twitchy, dangerous drug dealer, a Gulf war veteran with PTSD, a ruthless sniper, or—in Maybe It’s You—a slick, crafty chameleon of a con-man. Great fun!

What actor/actress would play you if your life was a movie? 
(And, doing a complete 180 from that last answer) While I’d love to say I’d require some edgy “warrior” of an actress (think Hunger Games) the better fit would be a perpetually perky-quirky (and admittedly vintage) type like Meg Ryan, Sally Field . . . or Doris Day. Sigh. It’s in the DNA.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? 
I’ve been blessed to travel to some amazing places and still get goose bumpy every time I see a photo of myself in Egypt among the pyramids--standing front of the Sphinx. Oddly, we have similar profiles.

Connect with Candace: www.candacecalvert.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Paws for Love
by Dana Mentink

Published: February 1, 2017
Publisher: Harvest House
Purchase: Paws for Love

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.

Get to know Dana...

Coffee or tea? 
Coffee, please. I really try to like tea, but it just doesn't taste enough like coffee.

Cats or dogs or both? 
Dogs. Junie the terrier/doxie was the inspiration for the fictional Jellybean.

Favorite dessert? 
I really never met one I didn't like except marzipan. If it's chocolate, I'm going to love it!

Connect with Dana: http://www.danamentink.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Restoration of the Heart
by June Foster

Published: January 27, 2017
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romance, a division of Winged Publications
Purchase: Restoration of the Heart


Though a Christian, Luke Chamberlain ignored his values and indulged in his beautiful fiancé's world of alcohol, parties, and nights at her apartment. After rededicating his life to the Lord, he vows never to fall into the lifestyle again. When the state of Idaho's Tourism Department offers his construction company the contract to renovate Silver Cliff, an 1890's silver mining ghost town, he accepts.

Janie Littleton studied history in college because life in the past is simpler than the uncomfortable reality of the present. With her extra pounds, eye glasses, and mousy brown hair, no man would find her attractive. When she's offered the job of project historian at the restoration of Silver Cliff, she accepts. But as Luke Chamberlain shows an interest in her, she doubts his sincerity. To make matters worse, someone claiming to be the miner who founded Silver Cliff in 1890 intimidates her with frightening midnight visits.

Can Luke convince Janie he's in love with the godly woman she is? Can Janie hold onto her faith as she's harassed by frightening appearances of old Ezra Barclay who died a hundred years ago?

Get to know June...

If your book became a movie, who would you cast for your main characters?
America Ferrera would play frightened Janie Littleton who's trying to do her job as the historian, and Nathan Fillion would portray the hunky contractor renovating the old buildings at Silver Cliff ghost town.

Who is your favorite secondary character? 
In Restoration of the Heart, Hector Dowling is the villain with bushy eyebrows, deep-set dark eyes and lanky frame. Is he the long-dead miner's impersonator or is it someone else?

Do you have a nickname? Care to share? 
Ever since I was a little girl, my mom always called me June Bug. Now my brother still does. Funny thing, I don't like bugs!

Connect with June: http://junefoster.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dana Mentink | Spread The Christmas Joy

There are so many sweet Christmas memories that come to mind for me. My husband proposed to me in front of his artificial Christmas tree way back in the year...well...let's not do the math on that, shall we? That tree followed us through more than two decades of marriage, including two children, various dogs, apartments, house remodeling and even a power outage that occurred the year I plugged in the tree top angel and blew the fuse. The tree is somewhat battered now, missing branches and there is a bit of tape holding together a few of the boughs, but for some reason, I cannot seem to discard the thing. Oh I tried one year, bravely tossing it into the trash, all set to get one of those nifty pre lit models that sets up in a jiffy. It was my daughter who said, "Mommy, you can't get rid of that tree!" and helped me rescue it from the trash.

I guess there is just too much love wrapped up in those tattered branches, and maybe some heartache, too, as I look at the ornaments from people who have drifted away, the dog collar of our beloved Nala, the tiny handprints of children who are grown now. The tree is a tangible reminder of the blessings God has given, and sometimes taken away. I am reminded each year that all that joy caught up in the branches, is just a taste of what God has in store for us in the next life if we receive the most precious gift of his son.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas, friends. I hope your tree is overflowing with joyful memories.

__________________

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner. She is the author of over thirty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and she has also been honored with a Holt Medallion Award. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can find her at www.danamentink.com.

*Giveaway* 

Dana is offering up a copy of Abducted! Enter below.

All giveaways run until January 2nd and winners will be announced shortly after. Use the image to the left to share on social media and don't forget the hashtag: #SpreadTheChristmasJoy16

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dana Mentink {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Dana...


Dana Mentink is a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner. She is the author of over thirty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and she has also been honored with a Holt Medallion Award. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet.

Connect with Dana...

Website: www.danamentink.com  
Blog: https://dmentink.wordpress.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dana.mentink
Twitter: @danamentink
You Tube Channel: https://youtu.be/GW6d8JKY_-I
Purchase: Fetching Sweetness

Get to know Dana...

You and Writing

Hey, all! Thanks for chatting with me today! Writing has always been my passion and it invades all aspects of my life, it seems. In addition to writing books, I teach third grade so I spend a good deal of time discussing the nuts and bolts of writing with my young peeps! Words have power, I tell them, so use them wisely. I love writing because it is a way to reach across miles and sometimes continents and touch other people. My aim it to inspire and encourage folks that they are deeply loved by God, no matter what their life circumstances or the wacky troubles we all seem to get into.

Your Writing

This three book dog series for Harvest House has been a complete joy for me to write. I'm naturally quirky and comic and is there any more joyful protagonist to write about than an exuberant dog of dubious ancestry? There definitely were some low points along the way, however. During the period I wrote this series, we lost our beloved elderly Nala. She was absolutely the most neurotic German Shepherd in the universe, petrified of everything from flies to brooms, and we loved her profoundly. I grieved as I wrote the first book, Sit, Stay, Love, and it took a long time for me to be ready to adopt another dog. Fetching Sweetness kind of bridged the gap for me, reminding me of the mischief, mayhem and merriment that a dog can add to our lives. That led us to adopt Junie, twelve pounds of trouble in a fur coat! Fetching Sweetness explores an issue that is on my mind often. How do I know if I'm following God, or my own desires? It's the central question the hero movie mogul Rhett Hastings asks himself as he tries to right a terrible wrong from his past. The heroine, Literary agent Stephanie Pink, embarks on her own zany mission to find an author's missing dog and in the process she will wrestle with her God-given purpose as well.

Writing

People ask me quite frequently if I have any advice for beginning writers. Since I'm all about encouragement, here are my top three tips for those looking to bust into this nutty world of fiction writing.

1. Read, read and read. You cannot write well if you do not read. Read the genres you love, and those you don't. Read for pleasure and then read to look at the author's craft. It's crucial.

2. If you want to make writing your business, treat it like one. Set a schedule and word count and keep to it. If you treat it like a hobby, it's going to remain a hobby, and that's perfectly okay, but if you want it to be your life's work, you have to start thinking of yourself as a writer and writers are working pretty much all the time on one story or another. Writing for a living is basically running your own small business.

3. Stick to it. Writing is a discouraging endeavor. The thing that keeps you going is that voice inside, that God prompting that makes you put your head down and plow on, in spite of bad reviews, rejection letters and mean Twitter comments. I've gotten plenty of all of these, believe me. Be mad for a day, rant and rave, grumble to your hubby, friends, relatives and fellow writers, drown your sorrows in a gallon of fudge ripple ice cream. Then put it behind you and keep going.

You

Of course, writing is a craft which requires constant improvement, so I attend writing conferences when I can. It's tricky with my teaching schedule, but the best thing about conferences is the networking. I love meeting other authors because it's such a solitary business and it gets me out of my cave. At conferences, all the writers emerge, blinking, from their dark caves and actually attempt to make conversation. It's hilarious and lots of fun.

What? What's that you say? August is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day???? Stop the presses. I am a sweets fanatic and pie is way at the top of my list. Really, I never met a dessert I didn't like, except maybe marzipan. If you want to know my naughty junk food writing snack, you'll have to go to my YouTube channel to find out. I refuse to put it in writing in case any of my third graders or their parents may stumble across it. If they are reading this blog...I love BROCCOLI FLORETS. There. That should be a safe answer for an adult role model!

Thank you so much for having me, Emilie! You are so sweet to include me! God bless!

Enter to win a copy of Fetching Sweetness below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Secret Rerfuge by Dana Mentink | RE:VIEW

A mysterious path wrong turns and twists will hold your attention to the end!

Secret Refuge was my first introduction to Dana's writing and I really enjoyed it! I love the quick reads of Love Inspired Suspense and enjoyed the approach Dana took to this highly mysterious tale.

Keely Steven's has a stubborn streak a mile wide and is adamant about not needing help from anyone. Mick carries around his guilt like a bag of bricks. When they find themselves caught in between danger and the possibility that things aren't as straight-forward as they seem, the question remains: will Mick find redemption? And will Keely realize that if she doesn't accept his help, she could be putting herself in more danger than even she can handle?

I always feel like, since these are smaller books (word count wise), the romance needs to be moved along at a fast pace, which can often times make it seem unbelievable. I (mostly) didn't feel that about Secret Refuge. The motivations of the characters were tangible and easy to see carried out. Their character changes were also believable and flowed well with the story.

The action was swift and constant. Dana did an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing and, just when you thought you had it figured out, there was another twist or turn. I definitely found myself surprised a few times.

If you love romantic suspense and are looking for a fun, fast read, Secret Refuge is the book for you!

My Rating: 4*
Purchase: Secret Refuge (Wings of Danger)

Book Description
(from Amazon)

His chance at redemption.

Former parole officer Mick Hudson blames himself for the death of Keeley Stevens's sister. If he hadn't paroled a criminal, she might still be alive. When he hears that the suspected killer has been spotted in Keeley's hometown, he worries she might be the next victim. Keeley doesn't want to take help from the man who could have prevented her sister's death, but she has more than herself to worry about. She'll do anything it takes to protect her family. And Mick will risk his life to make sure that the past does not repeat itself.

Wings of Danger: The path to love is treacherous 

_______________

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Dana R. Lynn, Jennifer Uhlarik, Dana Mentink | New Novel News

Presumed Guilty
by Dana R. Lynn

Published April 1, 2015
Love Inspired Suspense
Purchase: Presumed Guilty

“I’m innocent!” After four years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit, Melanie Swanson’s finally free. Yet starting over brings a heavy load of challenges. Nearly everyone believes she’s guilty- including police lieutenant Jace Tucker. Jace’s certainty cracks only when Melanie is repeatedly attacked, and when the people around her are picked off one by one. Melanie’s clearly innocent- and terrified. Someone wants her dead to keep her shattered memories from recalling the crime she witnessed rather than caused. She lost her friends, her fiancé and her freedom when she was found guilty- but proving her innocence could cost Melanie her life.

Get to know Dana...

What’s your favorite book? 
My favorite book ever is Pride and Prejudice. I have read it countless times, along with all the variation and spin off stories I could get my hands on. I have watched all the movies, too.

Cats or dogs? 
Cats. Definitely. They have so much personality. Plus, there’s something comforting about holding a purring cat in your arms.  

Would you rather go to the future or past? 
I would prefer the past. I will admit, however, that the idea of going without indoor plumbing terrifies me. And the lack of electricity…yeah, don’t much care for that idea either.

The Oregon Trail Romance Collection
with Jennifer Uhlarik

Published April 1, 2015
Barbour
Purchase: The Oregon Trail Romance Collection

Dreams Are Challenged and Romance Is Born on the Journey West. Risking all their hopes and dreams on promises of fertile land in the Northwest, thousands set off on the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s. Despite the majestic landscape and daily opportunities for fireside chats, the trail was hardly the place these migrants expected to find romance. In these nine novellas, travelers on the wagon trains experience all the challenges and dangers of the trail. Travel along on romantic adventures in which faith is honed. Some will lose much, settled down along the trail, and even turn back home, while others endure to the end with a love by their side.

Get to know Jennifer...

What are the names of your pets? 
Gracie, Jake, Paisley, and Pippa. (The first two are dogs, the last two are cats).

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? 
Hawaii. My husband and I cruised around the islands for our honeymoon.

Favorite dessert? 
Cheesecake. Preferably one of the crazy flavors they serve at The Cheesecake Factory. (Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my chin…)

Secret Refuge
by Dana Mentink

Published April, 2015
Love Inspired Suspense
Purchase: Secret Refuge

Former parole officer Mick Hudson blames himself for the death of Keeley Stevens's sister. If he hadn't paroled a criminal, she might still be alive. When he hears that the suspected killer has been spotted in Keeley's hometown, he worries she might be the next victim. Keeley doesn't want to take help from the man who could have prevented her sister's death, but she has more than herself to worry about. She'll do anything it takes to protect her family. And Mick will risk his life to make sure that the past does not repeat itself.

Get to know Dana...

What are the names of your pets?
We've got a quirky German Shepard mix who answers to the name of Nala, and a geriatric box turtle named Boyd. My teen daughter also owns Indiana, a lovely yellow parakeet who resists my efforts to teach her to talk.

If you could live in a fantasy world, who’s would it be? 
I think I'd like to hang out in Narnia, or possibly Oz but only for a short time because there's no place like home, as they say!

What’s one thing you must have/do in the morning? 
I have to have my quiet time with a Bible reading and devotional. It just reminds me about what's important before I dive into the day.
Thanks for having me and God bless!

Leave your comments below to enter to win!