Deadly Vendetta by Roxanne Rustand is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “Where’s Mommy?” The three-year-old stared up at him, her lower lip trembling, a faded cloth doll clutched against her thin chest.
But first the photo and verse. The beautiful photo is from my friend Cheryl Meints, taken at Waterton National Park, Canada. (Waterton NP is the Canadian side of Glacier). I don’t think they hiked to the top of the mountain… Maybe she’ll drop by and comment. The verse immediately came to mind.
Now for Deadly Vendetta by Roxanne Rustand. Here’s the cover and back copy:
HE HADN’T KNOWN ABOUT HIS ESTRANGED SISTER’S LITTLE GIRL. NOW HE’S ON THE RUN TO KEEP HER ALIVE.
DEA Agent Zach Forrester’s troubled sister refused all contact for years. Now she’s at his door, frantically claiming she and her daughter witnessed a murder. Begging him to keep Katie safe, she shoves the child into his arms and vanishes.
Was this just another fabrication? When a bomb explodes in his home two days later, the threat is clear. Zach takes Katie into hiding until he can trace the men who are after her. He knows the perfect place: a dusty little Colorado ranching town where strangers are noticed with suspicion and won’t get past the watchful eyes of the locals. He hopes.
Zack doesn’t expect to discover that the only love of his life is still there. He’d jilted Dana years ago to keep her safe but has never stopped regretting the choice he had to make. Dana remembers her heartbreak all too well.
As danger escalates and threatens everyone she loves, she must decide. Who can she trust–the local deputies or the man who betrayed her long ago?
And are second chances ever possible with a man who broke her heart?
Start reading today and stay up all night!
My Take:
That last sentence in the back copy is very true! I started Deadly Vendetta when I went to bed around 9 and I was still reading at 1:30 when I made myself put the book down and go to sleep! I kept saying just one more chapter…
Zack grabs the reader right away with his love and concern for a niece he didn’t know he had. And Katie grabs you from the get-go! The danger is nonstop, as Zack tries to protect his niece from the men who believe she’s a threat.
Dana is great as the heroine–I love stories about vets and horses! And I love her courage, whether it’s raising her two step-children or helping Zack. The story has drama, intrigue, romance, and fast-paced action. Readers of romantic suspense will love it!
You can purchase it at Amazon or read it in KU.
So, what are you reading this week? Leave me a comment with the first line of your book or on Deadly Vendetta, and I’ll enter you in a drawing for one of the books in my library.
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Comments 36
I am intrigued after reading the sample and purchased the book.
Author
It is very good, Gail!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
You’re welcome, Diana. 🙂
Grabbed a copy and will start the read early. Thanks for the review, Patricia!
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I think you’ll enjoy it, Grant!
Beautiful photo and comforting verse. Rustand’s book sounds good! I’m reading a charming Irish cozy mystery called On the Fiddle! by Geraldine Byrne. The first line introduces the 80-something protagonist: “Mrs. O’Brien looked around the tiny music shop and was satisfied.”
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Vera, I love the idea of an 80+ protagonist! May write one of those myself. 🙂
I love that area around Glacier National Park. That photo brings back some great memories. There is no better fortress than the Rock of the Lord.
“Peace Like a River” by Lief Enger begins: “From my first breath in this world, all I wanted was a good set of lungs and the air to fill them with—given circumstances, you might presume, for an American baby of the twentieth century.” I mentioned this book last week. It is a well written odyssey of a family set in the early 60s. It features strong faith in God, a family held together in search for the teenage eldest son, and the adventures they have through the North Dakota Badlands. It’s a good read.
Speaking of odysseys, a package I’m expecting from Amazon got stuck a few days ago in Congress, AZ. Yeah, I had to look that one up, too. For a couple of days, I only heard from the carrier that it was delayed. I guess I should not have been surprised. We all know how hard it is to get anything passed through Congress. 🙂
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We all know how hard it is to get anything passed through Congress–I love it, Tim! Our mail gets stuck in Memphis…One time they lost about 1000 newwsletters from our church…and I once received a check mailed November 30 in February… I will have to look up Lief Enger’s book. It sounds really good.
Indeed, the LORD is my rock and fortress! Great verse and photo.
Good review on Deadly Vendetta, Pat. After that late night of reading, you’re going to need more coffee. Lol
Loved the meme of Fatal Witness. . . and the final draft! 🙂
“The narrow stone ledge beneath her bare toes, cold and sturdy, felt like bliss after three hours of wearing shoes that pinched. Lady Marigold Fairfax might have wiggled her toes in ecstasy if that wouldn’t have meant losing her purchase and sending herself plummeting eighty feet down to the street below.” These are the first two lines of A Beautiful Disguise. Book 1 of The Imposters Series , by Roseanne M. White. It’s also my first time to read this author.
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I love Roseanne White’s books, Barbara. I think you’ll really enjoy it. And right now I’m totally standing on the Rock, believing I’ll get this book finished!
And you WILL finish this book, because of the rock on which you stand. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Stand firm, my friend, …”because you know that YOUR LABOR in the LORD IS NOT IN VAIN.”
Author
I agree, Barbara. Brainstorming tomorrow the next twist. 🙂
Waterton is one if my favorite places! The book I’m currently reading is Chasing Secrets by Heather Woodhaven, a Love Inspired Suspense from a couple years ago. Opening lines: “Karenna Pressley searched the area, ignoring her gut feeling that this was a waste of time. So far, there was no sign of Sarah.”
Author
I’ve never been, Anna, but Cheryl’s photo makes me really want to go! I love Love Inspired Suspense books…and will be starting one soon.
I am reading Deadly Vendetta now. I fall asleep trying to stay awake and continue reading.
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I know that feeling, Judy!
Perfect verse for this lovely photo!
I am reading Shadow Break, the third book in the Shadow Alliance series by Shawna Coleing. A good series!
Deadly Vendetta is already on my Kindle just waiting for me to get to it. Great review Pat!
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Thanks, Miss Mary. I’ll have to check out Shawna’s book!
I added Deadly Vendetta to my wish list. Sounds good. I am reading Amish Christmas Kinner by Lenora Worth, Rachel J Good, and Kelly Long. The first line of Christmas Eve Baby by Lenora Worth is:
Christmas Eve
Shadow Lake Inn
Pennsylvania
The winter wind howled and moaned, causing Colette King Mueller to pull her shawl closer as she stared out the front windows of Shadow Lake Inn.
Author
Gloria, Lenora Worth’s book sounds really good!
Deadly Vendetta sounds so good!
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It is, Shelia!
“Charlotte Simpson had never stalked a man before.” That’s the first line in Denise Hunter’s new book “Wildflower Falls”. Deadly Vendetta sounds really good. I will have to check it out. I have already preordered your book “Fatal Witness”. I can’t wait to read it.
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Aww! Thank you Sue!I’m having fun reading it for the final time before it goes to the printer…
Sounds very good. I love the scripture and photo. Blessings
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Thanks, Lucy. I think you would like Deadly Vendetta!
not reading anything now
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You must be really busy, BN! Hope you get to a good book soon. 🙂
I’ve never been to Glacier National Park, but my first thought when I saw the picture was of Stone Mountain, GA. I guess I had Stone Mountain on my mind as I have been reminiscing with an old friend this week about my first air flight in 1969 and a visit to Stone Mountain. I love the verse with the picture.
That sounds like an interesting book. I just finished reading an older book by Nancy Moser: John 3:16. The first few lines are:
The elevator doors opened. Maya Morano stepped out, nearly overwhelmed by a single thought: The world is mine.
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Edward, I love Stone Mountain, GA. My friends once had a cabin in Hiwassee and you could see…wait! I think it was Bald Mountain, Ga you could see from their cabin. But those mountains are so pretty!
Nancy’s book sounds intriguing.
Fabulous photo for the scripture!
Drug dealers were like weeds. Even when they were pulled out by the roots, sometimes they came back. Renegade – Mel Odom
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Mel Odom’s book sounds like one I’d like, Caryl! And I’m glad you like the photo and verse!
“How can you be late for what might be the most important meeting of your life? Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch.
That picture is so striking.
Deadly Vendetta sounds exciting!
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Thanks, Paula! Erica’s books sounds intriguing!