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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 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
byChautona Havig

Debut Author, Sara Brunsvold, is bursting on the Christian Women’s fiction scene with an amazing book, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. With characters who have captivated my heart from page one (and enough quirkiness to keep my attention to the last), Sara Brunsvold is sure to become a favorite author, and this book is already on my top five of the year before it’s even released!

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

This Novel Isn’t Even Available Yet, and It’s in My Top 5!

If you’d told me that I’d fall so in love with two chapters of a book that it would push that book into my top five of the year so far, well… I’d have laughed.

The joke’s on me because it happened with Sara Brunsvold’s The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. This debut women’s fiction novel has a bit of a split-time element and is set in Kansas City. Trust me when I say that meeting Clara was one of the most fun introductions to a character I’ve ever had. I just love this woman, and I’m drumming my fingers to get to read more about her.  Not surprising considering it won the ACFW Genesis’s award a couple of years back. 😀

Sara says her passion is intergenerational stories, and you definitely get this with Aidyn and her “assignment,” Mrs. Kipp.  But you also get inter-cultural and ideological influences in this book as well.

And then there’s that next book she has coming out.  You know, the one about a gal cooking her way through her grandma’s German cookbook?  Yeah.  The one we have to wait until early 2024 for?  Yeah. That one.  Sigh.

When Sara told us about her favorite authors, a lot of things made sense.  Just sayin’. Find out which of Katherine Reay’s books are her favorites and how she fangirled over Reay’s response to an email (and why you should email your favorite author!).

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care.

But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her–but she’s going to have to work for it.

Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You’ll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!

This book is 40% off with free shipping from Baker Book House. That’s less than the Kindle version if you like paper!

You can learn more about Sara at her WEBSITE (and sign up for that newsletter so you can get Mrs.Kip’s 8 Rules to Live By). Oh, and if she does those videos of her cooking through that book, you’ll want to know when/where to find them.

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Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
May 20, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 144: Chatting about Restored Grace with Kathleen J. Robison
May 17, 2022
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Episode 143: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Mary Alford
May 13, 2022
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Episode 142: A Chat about A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma
May 10, 2022
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Episode 141: A Chat with Elizabeth Goddard about Critical Alliance
May 3, 2022
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Episode 140: A Chat about When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart
April 29, 2022
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Episode 139: A Chat with Middle-Grade Author, RM Ruiz
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Episode 138: A Gush about a Good (more like GREAT) Read & GoodReads
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Episode 137: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Mandi Blake
April 19, 2022
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Episode 136: A Chat with Middle-Grade Historical Author, Marie Sontag
April 15, 2022
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Reposted from @beckylewis345 Life can be hard. Ent Reposted from @beckylewis345 Life can be hard. Enter cozies like A Sprinkle in Time by Dana Mentink. Clean, with a sweet romance, whose amateur sleuth runs a delectable shake shop. A dog, a child, precocious twins who work for the shake shop, and lovable Papa Luis. Plus, of course, plenty of suspects. “Murder, mayhem, and milkshakes. Who’d a thunk it?”

Trinidad Jones becomes someone I truly care about in this book. I am amazed at how she and Gabe’s two other former wives forgive each other and actually become friends. Not just friends, but family, as thick as blood. Now there is a small cluster of characters to follow and enjoy in this town of Upper Sprocket. Fun!

I enjoy the inclusion of dogs, children, and special-needs people, and Dana Mentink brings them all to our Shimmy and Shake Shop story. Noodles is old, but what a loyal companion, and, wow, does he have an amazing ability or two! Little  Felice adds warmth and vulnerability to the tale. Doug, the special-needs brother of Trinity’s love interest, Quinn, adds reality and complexity to the novel. 

Mentink has a good sense of humor and I laughed out loud several times. Just what I want out of a cozy. Mystery, romance, great characters, laughter. A fun occupation that the sleuth actually works at. I am happy to report I made it through the book without indulging in ice cream! But, can you?

I am looking forward to more murder and mayhem in Upper Sprocket! Plus more Freakshakes! 

———————————————————————
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. (I also bought my own copy.) No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
———————————————————————
Notable Quotables:
“He was merely a friend the way a Ming vase was just an old pot.”

“There’s your plan and God’s plan, and your plan…” “Doesn’t count,”

“Maybe it’s one of those weird small-town happenings.” “A body in your trunk isn’t a happening, it’s a horror movie,”

“It wasn’t an easy thing to command the heart to feel what the brain ordered.”

“Rumors carry so much more weight than the truth, sometimes.”
Giveaway on blog in bio.
#celebratelit
#danamentink
#frozendesserts
#justdeserts 
#justiceforsprockett
#amreadingcozies
Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know that When Reposted from @celebratelit Did you know that When the Pilot Falls by April Hayman from the Ever After Mystery series is 25% off with the Celebrate Lit Summer Sale? 

More about the book: 
In 1923, there aren’t many pilots, but Willie Labeau didn’t let that stop… her.

A bear of a man, Hugh Taylor, needs a stunt plane pilot, and despite their rocky introduction, Willie sets off for golden California and a new life as his pilot. There’s just one little thing she has to do in addition to flying.

Leave his past alone. Period.

When the flame of her own curiosity becomes fanned by encouragement from Willie’s sister, the feisty pilot can’t help but do just a little investigating.

And Hugh vanishes.

Friends rally around her, and with all the information she can find in hand, Willie sets off to rescue Hugh and battle the evil family holding him hostage.

A fierce air race, a sincere act of humility—are they enough to free Hugh and give Willie a chance to be with him… forever?

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. When the Pilot Falls offers a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch hearts soar and daring dos.

Link in bio! 

#aprilhayman #whenthepilotfalls #everaftermysteries #celebratelit #christianfiction #historicalfiction #bookstagram #bookloversofinstagram #readersofinstagram
Dial W for Wrangler: Vi's just trying to sell used Dial W for Wrangler: Vi's just trying to sell used recliners and old, broken wagon wheels.  She can't help it if folks keep asking for help with their love lives... can she?
See the lengths Wade goes to in his quest to behave like a rational guy.
Releases Tuesday, May 24. Available on 
#Kindle
#KindleUnlimited
#PaperbackBooks

#ChristFic
#YouAreOnTheAir
#ContemporaryChristianSweetRomance

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Ready for giveaways and fun? I sure hope so, beca Ready for giveaways and fun?  I sure hope so, because I'm planning on loads!
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And tomorrow the GoodReads Giveaway begins!
How does this author celebrate a finished book? By How does this author celebrate a finished book? By reading someone else's finished book. 😀 
#amending
#needicecream 
#onthemenu
#freakshakes
"Murder, mayhem, and milkshakes. Who'd a thunk "Murder,  mayhem,  and milkshakes.  Who'd a thunk it?"
@dana_mentink 
#shimmyandshakeshop
#cozymystery 
#needicecream
Love it when publishers use plays on words. #amend Love it when publishers use plays on words.
#amending
#cozymysterybooks 
@dana_mentink
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