Welcome to Friday Reads!
You can enter to win a print copy of Amish Country Threats by Dana R. Lynn, courtesy of the author. (US ONLY). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends July 23, 2021.) Click To TweetIf you’re the chosen winner, I’ll contact you for your information.
About the book…
Her brother was murdered.
Will she be next?
While searching for proof that her brother’s death was no accident, Lilah Schwartz is almost killed by a sniper in her Amish community. Hiding in Levi Burkholder’s barn is all that keeps her alive. The former soldier will do everything in his power to protect Lilah, but can he and Lilah uncover the evidence her brother hid before she’s the next to die?
The story behind the story…
I tend to be an organic writer. While I have a loose idea of the plot of a story, I tend to let the characters and plot develop as I write. I love it when something in a story surprises me. This happened when I was writing Plain Refuge. I hadn’t planned on the character of Levi Burkholder, the heroes ex-Amish turned military buddy. Levi grabbed my heart immediately. He was solid, quirky and had lived through some very traumatic events.
He wouldn’t leave my mind. I knew I wanted him to have his own story. I knew he had to have a heroine who’d be sensitive to his past and accept him as he was. As I was pondering his story, I saw in my mind a young woman trying to escape a fire. That became my first scene. Lilah understood trauma and devastation. She was also stubborn enough not to give up on Levi or those she loved.
Amish Country Threats was an emotional journey for me. It will always remain one of my favorite stories to write.
Excerpt…
He hadn’t been nicked by a bullet.
He’d taken a direct shot. She knew about hunting. The bullet was probably still in his side. He needed help, fast.
“Levi, a couple of inches, and he might have hit your heart.”
“Nah—” he waved her concerns away “—I’m gut. You don’t need to worry about me.”
She was worried. His skin was pale, with a fine sheen of perspiration at his brow. He needed medical attention immediately. Unfortunately, they were stuck where they were while there was a man hunting them down.”
Levi’s eyes drifted shut.
My review…
I’ve read all of Lynn’s books, and they just keep getting better each time!
This book is technically part of the author’s “Amish Country Justice” series. However, it can easily be read as a standalone novel. It’s a quick read and grabs the reader from the first chapter. Vivid descriptions and an active pace have the reader turning the pages as the tension unfolds. The mystery is solid and keeps the reader guessing as the characters sleuth things out. Memorable characters, well-utilized secondary characters, and action-packed scenes combine to create a suspenseful gem.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
About Dana…
Dana R. Lynn is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly Bestselling author who believes in the power of God to touch people through stories. She met her husband at a wedding and married him nineteen months later. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three teenaged children and enough pets to open a petting zoo. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes stories of romance and danger at night. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinks chocolate should be a food group. She is a Selah Award winner, a Holt Medallion Finalist, and a New England Reader’s Choice Award winner. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.
Where you can find her online…
www.facebook.com/WriterDanaLynn
Rules for giveaway can be found here.
I love the not knowing what is going to happen and the suspense it leaves you.
I agree! I love sleuthing things out with the characters. Good luck, Beth!
I really enjoyed this story!
I did, too! Feel free to still enter the giveaway. If you win, you could always share the book with a friend.
I love the danger and unknown of what is going to happen. Thanks for the chance.
I agree! You’re very welcome, Lynn. Good luck!