Missing in the Desert by Dana Mentink delves into Levi Duke’s story (those who read Mentink’s previous book have already met Levi).

The setting of this series brings home the challenges of living and surviving in Death Valley along with the ruthless people out to harm the heroine (in this case). I always appreciate Mentink’s ability to come up with original scenarios to put her characters in peril and the high stakes that go along with it.

If you haven’t read anything by Mentink but love action-packed suspense with a believable romance, then you need to pick up one of her books. Why not start with this one?

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Missing in the Desert is thrilling and intriguing and easy read, it's a great summer book.

Mara Castillo is headed to Rocking Horse Ranch, an investment her brother has thrown his money into. She hopes by going with him so can change his mind. Or that is her cover story—she has received a text from her long-missing and presumed dead sister from the same city the ranch is in, the city they grew up in. But an attempt on their lives leaves her brother in a coma and her brother's best friend as her only help in her mission. Hopefully, she can knock two birds with one stone.

This is one of the better (if not the best) books I've read from Harlequin and, specifically, Love Inspired Suspense. While it's written in a structure that is light and airy, it doesn't read like an elementary school book. The author uses some wonderful words I would never have imagined with a novel of this kind.

Another positive is that this book isn't instant stranger love and that was a huge win. It's another typical setup, lost chances when younger.. This has always been my favorite of the romantic setups because it seemed more realistic. I felt Dana Mentink balanced the romance with the intrigue in the mystery.

Some people may not like the religious aspects, but it's well done. I have read Christian books that mention God a few times, a big prayer, and then moves along. The religious moments are realistic and echo times that I would have been on my knees as well. I don't feel like it's in your face though as a Christian I am biased.

Though second in the Desert Justice series, Missing in the Dessert stands on its own and a reader won't be left out by not reading this book. This is a thrilling story that's perfect for the beach or a day by the pool.

This romantic suspense starts off with a bang, literally, as shots ring out. The suspense is frequent as someone appears to want Mara dead. The suspense is well balanced with character back story and thoughts. The characters are developed well. Mara is a strong woman while Levi seems to be less forceful. I was disappointed at the change in his attitude about the desert ranch. I'd rather have a hero willing to fight for his dreams.

I appreciate the desert setting and Mentink convincing me people actually like living in such parched land. The resolution to the plot, the missing woman, seemed a bit beyond belief to me. It took lots of explaining to make it fit.

All in all, a good romantic suspense in an interesting setting with a maybe believable resolution to the mystery of the plot.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This is a Romantic Suspense book, and this is the second book in the Desert Justice series. This book starts off with a ton of action and suspense, and the suspense stays up though out this book. The romance was something that built through out this book. I found the two main characters fit together really well. I have to say I love all the animals in this book. The animals take over the book at times, but who does not love when misfit animals take over the story. I did not see all the twists coming. The ending was so good. If you are looking for a book fill of action and a light building romance then this is the book for you. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Love Inspired Suspense) or author (Dana Mentink) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

After he brother is injured Mara comes out to protect her brother's investment, working on the ranch alongside Seth's best friend and business partner, Levi Duke. But when a text message arrives that brings the past blaring back into the present with full force, Mara is determined to get answers. with Levi by her side will she finally find out what happened 5 years ago?

This is a fast paced read with a lot going on, Mara is a likable and outgoing heroine, with a get-er-done attitude. Levi is more silent and solid, he is supportive of Mara every step of the way, and I loved how their relationship grew over the course of the book.

Overall, this was a suspenseful read with a lot of great characters and a twisting plot that kept me guessing. My heart went to the people who were dealing with immensely difficult things, and the aftermath of it all. I really enjoyed Levi and Mara together, and hope to read more about some of the other characters in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the second book in the Desert Justice Series and I think it continued with bang just like the first one in the series! The suspense is fantastic and meeting both Mara and Levi is a treat! They are very likeable character and the slow burn romance is fantastic. I love how the author always weaves the message of God throughout which is always great in a story in my mind. If you like suspense and who done it type books then this is the book you should pick up! Overall I thought this was a good little story. Its a quick read so perfect for lunch time reading or right before bed (if you can handle suspense before bedtime!).

I received this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Missing in the Desert by Dana Mentick brings action-packed drama, suspense and danger to a desert setting. Mara Castillo and her brother are attacked when visiting the ranch Levi Duke bought. With Seth in the hospital, Mara decides to help Levi keep the ranch afloat. But someone doesn’t want her in town, and she starts to connect the attacks to her sister that went missing and was presumed dead.

Lots of action in this story made me a fan. I’ve never read anything by Dana Mentick, but I’m sure I’ll read more. From a fantastic setting to the mystery of Mara’s sister, the book kept me totally entertained from start to finish. I think this is probably one of the only cowboy books I’ve read, but I loved Levi Duke. His quiet yet steady mannerism was the perfect match for Dana’s feistiness. Great characters and an intriguing plot line made this an enjoyable story.

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Missing in the Desert is the second book in Dana Mentink's Desert Justice series, but speaking as someone who hasn't read the first book, this one works well as a standalone. The story is a good mix of slow-burn romance and suspense, and it starts with some action to pull you in and get things started. Mara and Levi are likable characters and it's easy to root for them both separately and together. The story is a pretty quick read, easily finished in an afternoon, but if you're planning to only read a chapter or two before bed, I'd advise planning to spend a little longer with this one. It's a great combination of mystery, romance, danger, family, and faith.

I love series! In Missing in the Desert, the second book in a six-book series by Dana Mentink, I really loved the first book in this series, Framed in Death Valley, and went right on to read this book.

Mara Castillo's sister Corinne disappeared five years ago, and due to a specific piece of evidence, is assumed dead. When Mara receives a strange one-word text - Marbles - which is her childhood nickname, Mara finds that her hopes are raised. Who but Corinne knew that Mara's nickname was Marbles? Mara gets together with her brother's best friend Levi Duke in order to track down that mysterious text - and hopefully her sister. Levi proves to be a good protector for Mara as someone is not too keen on her looking for answers when it comes to Corinne's disappearance.

What a thrilling story - answers regarding Corinne, the danger that faces Mara at every turn, the brewing romance between Mara and Levi, and hope. Yes, hope that Mara is determined to hold onto. Factor in cute pets, such as Banjo the dog and Tiny the kitten, and of course a Rabbit, and this story proved absolutely wonderful. I also enjoyed the emotional edge in this story, especially after Mara's brother Seth was injured. Levi's sensitivity and concern for Seth's future was really nice. This extended to the fact that Levi and Seth had recently purchased a ranch together, and this has an impact on Levi's future. This is where Levi's selflessness shined.

As things turned out, the text Mara recived was only the first clue, and again, this kept Mara hopeful. This story also had an emotional edge that captured my attention from beginning to end. Factor in faith as a basis for not giving up and this book definitely proved a winner for me. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Love Inspired Suspense and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This book has made me want to read everything that this writer has written. She write with such vivid words that make you feel as if you were there with the characters. What not to like when a book is filled with mystery and romance. Can’t wait for her next story.

Death Valley had always been a place of security, acceptance, peace.

This story starts out with a bang and never lets up. Expect to hold your breath at times, and maybe even bite your nails. The author has put little Furnace Falls on the map! Arrival at the Rocking Horse Ranch was certainly worth writing about, as far as Mara and Seth were concerned! The action never lets up. Someone is trying to kill Mara — but why?

Shots fired, a text out of nowhere, a postcard that makes no sense and more. You will spend all your time trying to figure out what on earth is going on. For a place of peace and quiet, there is a whole lot of action!

An ARC of this second book in the Desert Justice series was received through Love Inspired Suspense and CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

Let me preface this by saying that historically I have not enjoyed the Harlequin Inspired line. I find myself groaning every time I open one and find myself reading only to realize that it is from this line of books. The reason being is that all of the other books from this line have not just been Christian but go into great detail to tear down anyone who isn't Christian. They tend to not only proselytize but go to great lengths to villainize anyone who doesn't believe the same. So, my first instinct when I realized this was a Love Inspired book was to set it down. I decided to give the book a chance, and I am glad I did.

Dana Mentink's Missing in the Desert is what a Christian book should be. The characters may send up a quick prayer, but they don't wax on regarding the evils of non-Christians.

As for the story line, it has a nice slow suspenseful build-up. The events in the book are believable, and you find yourself liking the characters, minus the ones you shouldn't. It's a small town mystery out in the desert, with murder attempts throughout to cover up a crime. Certain animal characters, especially Banjo the dog, found a special place in my heart.

Slow build romantic suspense with wonderful characters and a good plot filled with intrigue, action and a lot of mystery.
I love when suspense books start with action. It sets the pace of the book for me. And the author did just that here.

If you love crime books that are not too fast paced but captivating enough then this is for you.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

I really enjoy a good romantic suspense book and when it’s a Love Inspired book, that is even better because faith becomes a focus of the characters as they work to resolve their problems. This is the second book in a series, but it is the first one that I have read by this author so I can attest to the fact that it can be read as a standalone. The main characters are Mara Castillo and Levi Duke. Levi has partnered with Mara’s brother Seth to purchase a failing ranch in the desert outside of Las Vegas. Furnace Falls is not a paradise by any means but Levi and Seth hope to turn the ranch around and raise horses. Unfortunately, before Seth can even arrive, he is seriously injured and in a coma, leaving Mara to fill in the gaps on the ranch. I really enjoyed how responsible Levi was, to Seth and to Mara and to his own obligations. I read intently as Mara’s character developed from one who was bitter about what she has had to give up into one who accepts things the way they are. The plot is complicated by the fact that Mara’s sister Corinne disappeared about five years earlier and now it seems that Mara has received a text from her. So, in addition to finding out what happened to Corinne, visiting her seriously injured brother in the hospital, dealing with her feelings for Levi and working on the ranch, Mara is trying to discover the secrets that seem to be threatening her life. There were surprising twists along the way to the end of the story and a lot of back-and-forth romance between Levi and Mara. The suspense never let up and the romance was a light one, in the background but always there. The animals were my absolute favorites of the story! There was Banjo the intuitive dog, a kitten named Tiny whom Banjo seems to adopt as his own and a Rabbit living under the porch. Plus, of course, there were lots of horses on the ranch. I enjoyed the story, the characters, the themes of family and persevering and the intrigue of a good mystery.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

"Missing in the Desert" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the second in a series, but it works as a standalone. The suspense came from repeated attacks on Mara, some more deadly than others. The people around her also got injured, increasing the suspense. Since Mara refused to stop investigating what happened to her missing sister, she agreed to allow her friends to provide protection. She says, "I'm stubborn, not stupid." Even though she did everything right, her attacker was so desperate that they kept trying anyway.

I loved the characters. Mara and Levi followed up on the clues while also trying to save Levi's ranch. Mara initially misjudged Levi's motives but changed her opinion when she saw examples of his good, caring character. Even before she admired him, she did her best to make his ranch prosper. They were a good team, especially when it came to running the ranch. She had good ideas and was willing to sacrifice her time and effort to help others. However, I found a few parts possible but not very probable, like what really happened to her sister. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romantic suspense.

I very much enjoy Dana Mentink’s inspirational suspense books. This in the second book in her new series and is populated with good characters and an especially good plot. Totally surprised me. Great job! And I saw people in this book that I Hope Mentink gives their own story.

My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. I am also part of the Celebrate Lit tour for this book. The review here is my own.

Good book!! What a crazy story! But if you read the news stuff like that does happen! terrible! But this book was a very interesting read! It had intrigue, suspense, action, and had a very Christian vibe to it. I definitely recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This was my first foray into the love inspired suspense category and I have to say that I am a big fan. Mentink did a great job of balancing the high suspense of the story with the character’s faith. This story starts out with intensity and it keeps up that high pace all the way through. I was so wrapped up in the mystery of what happened to Mara’s sister Corrine and all the extreme situations Mara and Levi find themselves in that I quickly devoured this book. Levi and Mara have a long history together and it was satisfying to see them connect in a romantic way while they waded through all the drama going on. The town of Furnace Falls and Levi’s Rocking Horse Ranch were huge parts of this story and Mentink did a fabulous job of transporting us to the Death Valley. The side characters were all enjoyable but the animals on the Ranch were so heartwarming and added some much needed levity to the book. Missing in the Desert is the second book in the Death Valley Justice series and from what was referenced in this book I really want to go back and read the first book in this series, Framed in Death Valley. I do think that the ending wrapped up a little too neatly for me and I would have preferred to see glimpses of what is going on with these characters in future books. Overall, this is a fantastic wild ride of a book with a clean and sweet romance.