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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why Lies Only Make Bad Things Worse

by Chautona Havig · 7 Comments

What made me read Secrets Resurfaced? Well, a friend recommended it, the synopsis "got" me, and then I just wanted to try the author again. via @chautonahavig

When I heard my friend say that Dana Mentink was one of her favorite authors, I took note. After all, we tend to agree on most books. There was just one problem.

The one book of Dana Mentink’s that I’d read before I’d only “liked” at best. I could see why she was a popular author, and I was so relieved that she hadn’t written a city-slicker in cowboy clothes that I had actually reviewed the book higher than I might have if I’d waited a week or two.

I remembered repetitions—ones that were written to make sure we didn’t forget this or that important part. Not proud to admit it, but I remember huffing a few times and reminding myself of the good so I could ignore the not-so-good.

And I hadn’t requested a review copy of any of the other books that came through for her.

But when my friend said she loved Mentink’s writing, I had to check it out again. Maybe, just maybe I’d been in a persnickety mood. Or perhaps I just got a “dud.” And let me be clear. If I did… may all my “dud” books be so good. Okay? I didn’t like the writing much, but she’d written an amazing character and an interesting story.

Plus lots of cowboy cliches. Those really rankled.

With a bit of fear, and a whole lot of trepidation, I requested another review copy—for Secrets Resurfaced.

It promised secrets, an unsolved case, a secret child, and a second chance for a couple who were old enough now to get past their previous problems. If they would.

Why Lies Only Make Bad Things Worse- secrets resurfaced review

Note: May contain affiliate links. That means if you click something, I might get a small commission, but no worries!  It won’t cost you anything extra!  I also requested a review copy of this book from Celebrate Lit.  Opinions didn’t come with it.  They’re all mine.

Why Lies Only Make Bad Things Worse

A heart-rending story of faith, forgiveness, and renewed friendship, Secrets Resurfaced packs a suspenseful punch alongside an emotional one.

When Chad decides he’s done with the woman who ruined his father’s life, Dory goes into self-preservation mode.  Over time, that turns into one lie into several–mostly of omission but still. It’s hard enough being a single mom without knowing that there’s a guy out there who would be an awesome father to his little girl.

But without forgiveness, lies compound and make bad things much, much worse, as we see in Dana Mentink’s latest book

Secrets Resurfaced has three things going for it.

A gripping story.

Look, I won’t pretend that I didn’t figure out “who done what” almost from the opening of the book, but how and why weren’t nearly as obvious, and there was one element that caught me off guard about two-thirds of the way in. That’s pretty impressive. Not many books do that. In that story you have believable characters with strengths and weaknesses that make their actions make sense even when they don’t. Honestly, the weakest part of the whole story for me was Dory’s daughter. Interactions with her were a smidge convenient and on the nose.

Still, it’s fast-paced, intense, and fun without being over the top. One scene had my gut-clenching and I have to give Mentink major kudos for pulling off the cistern thing. Wow. Just wow.

A quick read.

Seriously, I read it in just about two hours. And yet, while fast-paced, the story itself doesn’t feel rushed. This is a race to stop someone from doing something, and a race to get this couple back together before Dory takes her daughter away… for good?

Normally, that sort of rushed relationship doesn’t work. Who likes “insta-love,” you know? But this is a second-chance romance, so their history starts off a relationship that just needs a bit of shoring at the foundation to work out well. As previously mentioned, the relationship with Dory’s daughter is the only thing that felt rushed.

A realistic and meaningful faith element.

There’s a reason Harlequin’s faith imprint is called “Love Inspired” instead of “Jesus infused,” okay? A lot of the Love Inspired books I’ve read could work without that faith element, and “faith” is mentioned without much reference to Christ at all. It’s often “inspirational” rather than Christian fiction.

Not this one. There’s a strong thread of forgiveness in this book but not a preachy one. If I recall correctly, I loved that element in the other Mentink book I read. Seriously, I’m tempted to read every Mentink Love Inspired book out there simply to ensure that Harlequin learns that Christian Fiction readers like a strong faith element rather than a token reference to prayer or whatever. (Note: I know other LI authors have this element, too. I just love to mention it when I find it because of the huge numbers of ones that don’t.)

Recommended for readers who love a quick, suspenseful read and a reminder that God’s forgiveness is why we get a second chance with Him.

Secrets ResurfacedAbout the Book

Book:  Secrets Resurfaced

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 2, 2020

When new evidence surfaces about a tragic boating accident that put her ex-boyfriend’s father in prison, private investigator Dory Winslow’s determined to look into it. But now someone’s dead set on silencing her. And working with Chad Jaggert—the father of her secret child—may be the only way to survive the treacherous truth about the tragedy that once tore them apart.
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Comments

  1. Cindi Knowles says

    June 19, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    The cover is very nice, congrats on your new release!

    Reply
  2. Emma says

    June 18, 2020 at 10:28 pm

    I’ve been looking forward to reading what you have to say about this book! It sounds pretty good. I’m very curious about the “secret child”.

    Reply
  3. Debbie P says

    June 18, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    This sounds like a fantastic read. Great cover!

    Reply
  4. Marisela Zuniga says

    June 18, 2020 at 10:57 am

    This sounds really good

    Reply
  5. Trixi says

    June 18, 2020 at 10:53 am

    I love Dana’s writing! This is the one book that I need to complete my Roughwater Cowboy ‘s series set.
    Love your review, seriously probably the best one I’ve read while following the blog tour! She’s amazing as an author, isn’t she?

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and participating in the tour!

    Reply
  6. Amelia says

    June 18, 2020 at 9:44 am

    Thank you for the review! Your reviews are always very helpful. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Rita Wray says

    June 18, 2020 at 8:12 am

    Sounds like a great read.

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d’Entremont
byChautona Havig

When Lara d’Entremont began describing her YA portal fantasy, The Painted Fairytale, I knew this would be right up my alley. Listen in and see how art becomes the portal to other worlds!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Portal fantasy is my favorite, so I was crazy excited to learn about this one–especially the art tie-in. I can’t wait to dive in myself.

We chatted about her characters, the world, and the faith that connects them.

The Painted Fairytale by Lara d’Entremont

Seventeen-year-old Wren Devine refuses to share her art with anyone-other than her parents and her sister (who died three years prior). But when her mother submits her artwork to a mentorship program, and she gets accepted, Wren is forced to display her artwork for the eccentric Professor Hayes. Despite her fears, Wren hopes this mentorship will finally make her as worthy as her sister.

But this mentorship is about more than painting.

Wren soon learns that she has a magical ability to turn her paintings into portals to travel not only to other places but also to another world entirely. An eerie children’s book in the professor’s classroom reveals a wicked pirate with a vengeance who has her eye on Stefan Branson, a former student of Professor Hayes.

As all four of these lives intersect, it becomes apparent that everyone has a secret–some more deadly than others. The longer these secrets brew, the more deadly and heavy they become, and possibly lead to never seeing her former, earthly realm again. Wren must not only learn to release the shadow of her beloved sister but step boldly into her own world.

Learn more about Lara on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.or on Subtack.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 482: A Chat with Lara d’Entremont
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