Hunting the Amish Witness by Dana R. Lynn is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: Miriam Troyer gently set the baby carrier she’d lugged up the stairs to her second-floor apartment onto the floor.
But first the photo and verse. I have no idea where the photo was taken…probably in my neighborhood and at least 8 or 10 years ago. I found it in an old Canva account and thought it was so pretty. And the verse just seemed to fit!
Now onto Hunting the Amish Witness by Dana R. Lynn. Here’s the cover and back copy:
A witness in hiding. An enemy with a vendetta.
After discovering her best friend’s dead body, Miriam Troyer knows two things: the killer is the same man who murdered her husband…and he wants her dead. With the culprit in pursuit, Miriam goes on the run with her baby and seeks refuge in the Amish community she left behind. However, after an attack leaves Miriam with no memory, Caleb Schultz, a man from her past, must step in to protect her and her daughter. But the criminal is determined to silence Miriam for good and will stop at nothing to get his revenge.
My Take:
Oh, my goodness! I thought I’d picked this book up and read a couple of chapters, and go to sleep. I looked at the clock at 1 a.m. and said, “Just one more chapter.” There was no way I was putting this book down until I finished it.
Lynn kept throwing twists and turns, and I kept flipping the pages. Miriam is no longer Amish, which made for a very interesting character. And she was known as a troublemaker when she was Amish. But in the years since she left the community, she’d found Jesus and was a new creature, but all Caleb could remember was the troublemaker she’d been. And someone wanted her and her baby dead. He couldn’t stand by and let that happen.
Caleb was everything Miriam wanted in a man now–trustworthy, compassionate, a man whose word meant something. Miriam fell hard for him, but didn’t think Caleb could ever get past who she used to be. Lynn did a great job creating ways for him to see that she had changed.
Readers of romantic suspense will enjoy this fast-paced story.
You can find buy links here and learn more about Dana R. Lynn, the author.
Leave a comment–tell me if you enjoy reading Love Inspired Suspense and why or why not, or leave the first line of the book you’re reading. I’ll enter you in a drawing for one of Steve Hooley’s fine pens! (value $60) Steve’s Hand-crafted pens are made from antique and historic wood dating back to the 1700s, connecting our past and our future. Check out my friend’s pens at his website. (Due to shipping costs, winner must have a US address.)
Now for Friday’s song. Alan Jackson has long been one of my favorite singers. I hope you enjoy this medley.
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Comments 55
I have enjoyed Live inspired suspense no else for years. Dana has been one of my favorite authors. You have done a great job wetting my appetite to read this particular book.
Author
Thanks, Phyllis. I’m in the Smokey Mountains and Dana is joining us tomorrow! I’ll tell her.
OH I have loved reading love inspired suspense for as long as I can remember and would love to read this book in printed copy so I could review it, looks likes a fantastic read
Author
It is a gret read, Crystal!
I enjoy reading Love Inspired Suspense because I love suspense with a message of faith.
Author
Me, too, Kelly!
October 5
Air Marshall Kristine Duncan leaned back in her seat, her eyes skimming over the sunrise outside the Airbus 319’s window.
Lynette Eason/Final Approach
And I enjoy LIS stories too!!
Author
I’m reviewing Final Approach next Friday, Anne!
Wonderful photo, and I agree the verse is a good match to it.
I have to admit that except for generally being under 200 pages, I have no idea what distinguishes LIS from Christian suspense books in general. They all seem to have a romantic component, which I enjoy. If it’s just the length of the book, then that is not a factor that plays into my decision to purchase or read a book. But, since we seem to be considering length, I will say I appreciate authors who divide their books into shorter chapters, or at least provide subchapter breaks. I don’t always have time in one sitting to just keep going, and I appreciate finding a place to take a break in those cases.
The opening line from “Scent of Fury” by Laura Scott is: “A heavy thudding sound woke Trina Warren from sleep.” This is number 5 of her Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue series. The locale is around Cody, WY. It’s a great series with plenty of suspense, action and of course, K-9s!
And I did finish Dana Mentink’s Fire Mountain, and I’m glad I gave it a second chance. Well worth it!
Author
Hi, Tim! I used to write longer chapters than I write now, but finally figured out short chapters ramp up the suspense. lol Must.Get.Laura’s.Book!
I do enjoy LIS because the books are fast paced and carry a good thread of suspense. However, It took me a while to like them because I read them too fast and I like long books. lol I can enthusiastically say I am now a confirmed believer in them and have a shelf full of read and TBR LIS.
Your clouds, on the right, almost look like a waterfall, more specifically Niagara Falls.
Author
I love clouds Barbara and that’s probably why I have so many photos of them. lol And I really enjoy LIS books, too!
Great review, Pat. Beautiful clouds and verse.
I can’t remember if I left a first line last week or not. I’m still reading the same book. It’s a dense, literary Christian Western, and long. I’ll prolly be reading it a whole ‘nother week! Anyway, the first line of The Ballad of Midnight and McRae by Jess Lederman is: My father was one of the last great lawmen of the Wild West.
Author
Oh, wow, Priscilla, I didn’t realize there was a literary Christian Western genre! I’ll have to look the book up.
I have always loved the love inspired suspense books. I have been introduced to new authors through these books.
Author
Me, too, Sharon! And they are well written.
Sounds great and nailbiting. You know I live near many Amish. Thankfully, nothing that exciting has happened around here & I don’t want it to, but sounds like a good read.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Delores.
This sounds like a great read and one that I would enjoy. I do enjoy reading LIS books.
Welcome to Big Dune Island
Home of Callie Jackson
The white paint on the sign was cracked and faded from years of the Northeast Florida sun beating down on it.
The Summer of Starting Over by Savannah Carlisle
Author
Oh, what an interesting first line, Gloria!
I Love reading LIS and Dana’s book is amazing as I have read and reviewed it Suspense keeps me reading and turning the pages to see what is going to happen next Also enjoy yourselves at The Great Smoky Mountains My daughter took me down there again in July with her family and I Love The Great Smoky Mountains we stayed in a cabin and we even got to see some Bears there a Mother and her baby cub it was such a Beautiful Scene Have a Great Weekend!
Author
Hi Sarah! Monday’s blog will have a photo of Gerald, the name we gave what looks like a 2-year-old cub. He’s been to see us twice and last night, a whole tribe of raccoons joined us.
I like Love Inspired Suspense because they are quick to read but are so good.
Author
I agree, Paula! I hope to write one someday!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
You’re welcome, Diana!
I love reading Love Inspired Suspense. They are clean reading. Thank you!
Author
That’s why I like them, too, Deborah!
Love Alan Jackson and that song! Beautiful picture and verse!!
Dana R Lynn is one of my must-read LIS authors! I was privileged to be an ARC reader for this book. I really enjoy her Amish stories.
Author
Thanks, Carolyn. I love Alan Jackson, too and I’m rooming with Dana at the retreat! She is a sweetheart!
Another lovely photo Pat! As always, the verse you choose is very fitting.
This book sounds like another great read. Years back I read a lot of LIS. I don’t really know why I stopped.
“Almost a decade as a spy for the CIA hadn’t prepared Maria Sanchez one bit for this life. Fighting wildfires in the Alaskan back country.” Burning Justice by Lisa Phillips.
Blessed weekend!
Author
Thanks, Mary G. There are so many gorgeous views around here–photos don’t do them justice. I don’t know how we get off on other tangents, either, but I do the same thing. I so want to read Lisa’s books and simply haven’t had time…must fix that!
I’m reading Noble by Mesu Andrews, which is about David’s 3rd wife.
I’m almost through with The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman. Alas not a Christian novel, 501 pages published in 2014. A child immigrant from Russia that takes her to the ages 70s-80s and a grandma.
Author
Oh, my goodness, Gail! Not sure I could read a 501-page novel anymore. 🙂 But it sounds really interesting.
I love a good Love inspired suspense mostly because I really want to see how the characters get out of the situations they somehow got into and see if we can apply the solutions in real life
Author
Great insight, Crystal. That’s why I write Christian fiction. 🙂
can be interesting
Author
I agree, BN!
I love looking at clouds and pictures of clouds. Great Bible verse! In this case, you could have chosen a verse and picked any number of pictures to go with it. Good choice.
I enjoyed the songs. Do you know if that was recorded in the Ryman Auditorium? We’ve only been there once and did not get a view from the front to the back, so it’s hard to know for sure.
I’m reading Full Tilt by Creston Mapes. Black night. Familiar backstreets. Windows down, Cold air. Cruisin’ free. Top of the world.
Author
I’ve heard a lot about Creston Mapes, Edward and plan on checking his books out as soon as I get a break. As for where Alan Jackson’s song was sung, he looked young enough for it to be at the Ryman.
My wife and I attended a Grand Ole Opry show there in November 2016. Viewing their website, it appears they have a regular schedule of show throughout the year. One that troubled me, when I think of the original use of that building, was “A Drag Queen Christmas” appearing on December 28.
Author
That bothers me, too, Edward! Prayer is the only answer I know.
I love suspense books from Love Inspired
I love to see if I can solve the mystery before the author reveals it
Author
Ditto! 😉 We like the same things, Shelia…
Author
Me, too, Shelia!
Hi Patricia! I like to read LIS books because, well, they are usually pretty good stories and I love about any type of suspense books. This one sounds like a good one, and I’ve never read anything Amish before, for some unknown reason.
I hope you enjoy your stay here in the Smokies this weekend. It’s going to be hot, and I’m sure lots of traffic, as always, but have fun and relaxation!
I’m reading The Lost Hours (book 1) by Susan Sleeman. A killer of an evening. Or so the anonymous invitation claimed. But did the claim hold up?
Author
Susan Sleeman writes the best books, Dottie! And I don’t get out in the traffic–I’m happy staying at the cabin–inside. lol
I’m reading Lethal Danger by Jerusha Agen. It’s really good, the kind of book you keep thinking about even when you’re not reading it.
Author
Love Jerusha Agen’s books, Megan!
Beautiful photo and scripture!
Enjoy your weekend!
Author
Thanks, Caryl!
I am always intrigued by the suspenseful stories authors manage to plot with an Amish theme.
Author
Me, too, Sally Jo. It takes a lot of research, for sure.
Author
Me, too, Sally Jo. But I really enjoy them.