Her child’s life is on the line A Roughwater Ranch Cowboys story After putting his serial killer brother in prison, former US marshal Mitch Whitehorse chooses a solitary country life–until his brother escapes. Now Mitch’s former sister-in-law, Jane Reyes, needs protection…for herself and the toddler she’s kept a secret. Mitch still isn’t sure of Jane’s innocence in his brother’s crimes, but … brother’s crimes, but to keep his nephew out of a killer’s grasp, trusting her is his only option.
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Hang on for a wild ride!
Fasten your seat belts and get ready for a wild ride!
I loved this book, and especially the way that author Dana Mentink knew just how much backstory was needed. And how much to reveal at which part of this excellent book.
Lightening the mood was Ben, Jane’s son. He was simply adorable with his love for “”twains””. His innocence contrasting with the evil of his father was stark. With the added suspense of what Wade would do when he discovered Jane’s secret, just … Wow!
The unknown person who helped Wade escape from prison provided plenty of mystery. With ample clues and misdirection, I was kept guessing at their identity until the end.
Mitch had difficulty believing in a God who would allow such evil to exist – Jane had to believe in God to give her hope in the face of it. Both struggled with guilt over crimes they didn’t commit but thought they should have known about and prevented.
I’m so excited about this new series! I’m guessing Liam and Chad will be getting stories next and am really looking forward to seeing what suspenseful situations Dana Mentink comes up with for them!
Read my review of Danger on the Ranch by Dana Mentink at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I really got into this book! I wasn’t prepared for a really nasty & vile man as the serial killer though! This author sure made him mean! I can’t imagine growing up with a brother like that but that’s what Mitch Whitehorse had to do with his brother, Wade. The glimpses we saw into Wade’s character as he was growing up sure made you not surprised that he became a serial killer! Mitch became a US Marshall and when he finally put away Wade in prison, he thought things would get better and he could live a quiet life but then Wade escapes and Mitch’s life is thrown into an uproar again. This time, however, he has to deal with Wade’s ex-wife and her toddler son. He has never believed that Jane was innocent in Wade’s crimes but now that there is a child involved, he will do everything to protect them. There was SO much action in this book and I couldn’t help but be on Jane’s side as she repeatedly proclaimed her innocence. Her little boy, Ben, was such a sweet child too. Trying to rebuild your life after a horrific experience & relationships is so difficult but the author told it in a realistic manner. I had a hard time putting this book down and highly recommend it! A wonderful story with great secondary characters too!
Great book
Fun read for a weekend. Good characters and action.
What an incredible way to spend a few hours! The author has done a fabulous job of creating a scene that had me sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath and even biting my nails a little! This is one story you won’t put down until you are finished. Imagine finding out you are married to a murderer and that he has perpetrated these crimes not far from your comfortable little home. I’m quite sure you would feel guilty wishing you could have protected those unfortunate souls. Jane tried to remove herself from the slurs, slander and feelings of guilt, only to have it start all over again. As the brother of this murderer, Mitch also had feelings of guilt, wishing he had realized years earlier that his brother needed help.
Plenty of action, kidnapping, lies and danger will certainly keep your attention. Is it possible that trust will finally win the day? With highest recommendations, I look forward to reading more about the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys.
I received this wonderful story through CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions are my own and were not solicited.
Danger on the Ranch
Had me hooked from the very first page. Mitch’s brother escaped from prison. Wade is out to get his ex-wife and his brother. Also Jane is trying to keep her son from Wade.
There seems to be danger everywhere they go. Wade keeps finding them. Who is working with him ?
I really enjoyed the characters. They were so real to me. I could feel their emotions. Especially Jane in protecting her son. The story was very exciting, never a dull moment.
I received an advanced copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This review is my own opinion.
I am a fan of everything Dana Mentink writes, but the first book in her new Roughwater Ranch series takes romantic suspense to a whole new level!
First, you know from the get-go who the villain is but, guess what? That doesn’t make the story any less engaging or nail-biting. I mean, a serial killer who is the brother of the hero and the ex-husband of the heroine. Oh, and let’s throw a toddler in there too. because, y’all, there is nothing sweeter than a big strong cowboy melting into a puddle of goo with a toddler in his arms!
Don’t miss Danger on the Ranch where you’ll get to meet the rest of the Roughwater Ranch crew while going on the hair-raising rollercoaster ride of danger and possible romance that Mentink excels at.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Over the past year Dana Mentink has become one of my favorite romantic suspense authors! I love her writing style, so as soon as I saw she had a new book coming out I knew I had to read it, so before I even read the description I immediately requested a review copy, and after I read the description I knew for sure that this was a book I would really enjoy! And I most definitely did!
I love books set on ranches and this one features the Roughwater Ranch which is set right alongside the California coastline. This is the first time that I know of that I have read about a ranch set next to the ocean, and I found it very unique and fascinating to read about!
I loved these characters, Mitch and Jane were both such brave and strong individuals and from the very start of the book I was cheering for them to find safety and love together! And little Ben was adorable.
I have to say I was surprised by who Wade’s helper turned out to be, I totally never guessed that person was aiding him, and I read a lot of suspense books so surprising me with something like that is very hard to do, brava Dana Mentink!
The suspense in this book was so good, it was pretty much nonstop, but there was also a great balance between suspense, romance, and character development!
There were a couple of times I got a little annoyed with Jane’s independence and felt like she was veering a little too far toward recklessness, but at the same time I understood her not wanting to drag other people into her troubles.
I loved the whole Roughwater Ranch cast of characters! Aunt Ginny and Uncle Gus were great, as were Liam, Helen, and Chad! I am super intrigued and excited to read all of their stories, but I’m hoping that Liam’s will be next!
Overall, even though this one didn’t quite become a favorite of mine I really enjoyed reading it and am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series!
(4 Stars!)
I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
What happens when “Mitch Whitehorse comes face to face with the serial killer brother he sent to prison….and his desperate ex sister in law?” Does he trust her? Can she trust him? Family drama with an adorable toddler that everyone will protect with all that is in them! It’s one of those hold onto your seat, what next, suspense filled book I had trouble putting down story! I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary.
Danger on the Ranch was an intriguing story about a woman who was not only hoping to have her husband put back behind bars–but was willing to help make it happen for the sake of her son. Initially Mitch fully believed that his sister-in-law was a willing accomplice to the evil deeds of her ex-husband. I believe their conflict was well written, but I felt that Wade’s character was too outwardly evil at all times– so that it was more difficult to see how he could have fooled Jane during their relationship. I’ve seen how serial killers are able to go without detection for so long because they have lives separate from their evil deeds that thwart suspicion. While obviously Jane and Mitch knew what he’d done before this book started, I was expecting to see more manipulative behavior than I did. Wade’s apparent history and background made Jane’s side more difficult to see as a reader. Aside from that though, the action and suspense made this novel a quick read and one that I believe suspense fans would enjoy.
*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
I’m excited about this new series titled Roughwater Ranch Cowboys! The author definitely got the series off to a unique and exciting start with Danger on the Ranch. The story was compelling, with the main characters having close ties with a serial killer.
Mitch was Wade’s brother and Jane was Wade’s ex-wife. Wade was simply terrifying in his determination to make Mitch pay for bringing him to justice. He was also determined to control Jane as his own once again. Add in the terror of knowing that Jane was hiding the fact that she bore his son and it ramped up the tense situation.
Mitch began the story with real hatred toward Jane, as he thought she must have had knowledge of Wade’s killings. It was interesting to watch as he began to understand that Jane was not aware of what Wade had been doing. Mitch had quite the faith journey to undertake in this novel, and he and Jane continually dealt with the repurcussions of their connections to Wade. This was a very unique story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Suspense, cowboys, horses, a ranch, plus more! All ingredients, in my opinion, for a great book and Author Dana Mentink delivers! Former US Marshal Mitch Whitehorse is responsible for putting his serial killer brother Wade in prison, but Mitch’s quiet, solitary life is upended when his brother escapes from prison. Convinced that his former sister-in-law, Jane Reyes, knew about her husband’s crimes, Mitch does not believe her side of the story until she convinces Mitch that Wade wants to kill him then her. Why if she is innocent? She has a secret and it’s something that Wade will want when he eventually finds out, his son. An edge-of-your-seat adventure that will keep you turning pages. Looking forward to the rest of this series!
This story had great characters, interesting plot with some action, romance, and a twist! I had a hard time imagining what it would be like to have such an evil family member and just how bad Mitch’s brother really was. The author did a great job with describing the ranch setting and the heartache that Mitch, his dad, and Jane experienced due to the bad choices of Wade. We also got a glimpse into Wade and Mitch’s childhood and the warning signs of Wade’s emotional anger that everyone around him ignored until it was too late.
I had a hard time liking this story as much as her other books due to the serial killer’s closeness to the main characters and how “real” he seemed. Definitely a more suspenseful book instead of lighthearted and fun, but I still enjoyed reading it! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
I am so excited about this book I can hardly write my review. It starts off immediately with a cringe worthy crime and my skin crawled as I read what this horrible person did. It’s not every day that you have to worry if your psycho brother gets out of prison, but for Mitch it becomes a reality. I won’t go into details about what Mitch’s brother Wade has done, but I can assure you Wade is dangerous and has a cold heart. Putting your brother away in prison was satisfying for Mitch but Wade won’t let a prison cell stop him from getting revenge.
When I first met Jane in the story I wasn’t quite sure if I trusted her. How could she not know what her husband had been doing? It was right there under her nose and yet she tells everyone she had no idea. The last person Mitch wants to see is Jane because he has always believed she was part of his brother’s crime spree. I loved the suspense when Mitch finds out that Wade has escaped and Jane has come to him for help. She says her life is in danger and she holds a secret that Wade would kill for.
The story is well written and I loved how the author has a lesson in the story about trust and forgiveness. Those two words I think are the hardest for anyone to deal with. How can you trust someone who you believe was part of a sinister crime? I’m surprised it doesn’t take Wade very long to sniff out the trail of Mitch and Jane. He is determined to get revenge and readers we are in for a ride that goes bumpy and fast as a real threat comes to Mitch and his ranch.
The ranch has some wonderful characters living on it and I adored Ginny and Gus. Ginny is a feisty woman who doesn’t back down to anyone. She has a big heart and wants to make sure that Jane is safe. I really liked the program the ranch was starting to help veterans adapt and it sure is something much needed in our country today.
I have been on the edge of my seat while reading this book. I love how Jane shares God with Mitch and explains how much God has protected her and blessed her. The action keeps coming as Wade gets closer to finding her and Mitch. I absolutely loved the twist in the story and was completely taken off guard. This is one of the best stories the author has written and is definitely a page turner. Get ready for a suspenseful ride as Danger on the Ranch explodes with faith, family, danger and second chances.
” Your past doesn’t define you, Mitch. Your God does.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit The review is my own opinion.
A great action-filled start to this new series called Roughwater Ranch Cowboys by Dana Mentink! The author always delivers fast-paced, well-written, adrenaline-filled romantic suspense and she definitely lives up to her reputation with this newest book. Dangers on the Ranch starts out with Mitch, a former US Marshall and a cowboy, squaring off against his younger brother whom he put away in prison for multiple murders. Mitch is a stoic man, loyal and hard-working but also tender. The opening scene also involves his brother’s ex-wife Jane who tries to warn Mitch of his brother’s escape but also seeks help in protecting her son. The rest of the book is a roller coaster ride of action as both are chased by the psychopath of a brother and ex-husband who seeks revenge. In the midst of running for their lives and protecting their loved ones, Mitch and Jane find common ground – in affection, family, and faith.
If you enjoy romantic suspense with page-turning action, you will love this book. I received a copy of the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I can’t wait to see what the next books in this series will be like. It was such a treat learning about Mitch and Jane and Ben. I don’t know how I would react to find out that my husband was a serial killer. You think that you know people that you are close to but one can neve know all of someone else’s secrets. This book had a lot of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I have found Dana Mentink to be a multifaceted author. It is quite amazing to me how one woman can write such hilarious romances on one hand and turn around and pen absolutely riveting suspense on the other. In my opinion, Danger on the Ranch may be her most suspenseful novel yet.
Former US Marshal Mitch Whitehorse was responsible for putting his brother in prison but unfortunately that brother has managed to escape and is determined to extract his revenge on Mitch. Jane Reyes, Mitch’s brother’s ex-wife and the child she has kept a secret need protection from the brother who is a psychopathic serial killer. Mitch has always believed that Jane was involved in the murders but in order to protect his nephew, he must trust her.
Wow! Danger on the Ranch was so suspense filled that I could not put it down and read it pretty much in one sitting. Character development was excellent, especially Mitch who struggled with judging his brother’s ex-wife while battling guilt for not recognizing (or ignoring) how dangerous his brother was. The relationship between Mitch and Jane developed at a believable pace even for a short mass market length book.
I loved this book and recommend that this is a must read for those who love suspense. Pick up a copy while you can!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Cowboy + Suspense. This should be fun! I didn’t quite realize what I was getting into when I started reading Danger on the Ranch by Dana Mentink. I don’t think I had even read the back cover copy. I had some fun with Act of Valor, so I thought this one would be worth checking out. It was. I was sucked into the story from the first chapter when I realized exactly who I was dealing with.
Truth be told, as soon as I figured out Mitch was going to have to work with his ex-sister-in-law (the one he thinks conspired with his serial killer brother), I was caught. I had to keep reading. Was she the real deal?
This story had a few of my favorite things. I always love the families that are built on loyalties, not just blood, the ones that seem to have adopted each other as Mitch’s aunt and uncle have “adopted” the folks on their ranch. These families remind me so much of God’s family, and their acceptance of a woman the world has rejected just warmed my heart. I love how fiercely protective this family is, and I want to know their stories, too!
The themes of forgiveness and re-learning trust really resonated with me. I think they would with most of us, but this author amplifies them by bringing a serial killer into the family. And this story kept me on my toes! I didn’t figure out the accomplice until the last minute, and then I actually felt pity.
Did Anything Bother Me in Danger on the Ranch?
Well…yep. There was one downside to this book; my personal pet peeve. It’s the whole romance between a believer and a not-yet-believer thing. I get how it could happen. Trust me. But there’s no check, no pause to even say “hey, we need to be on the same page in this whole God thing first.” They eventually do end up on the same page, but then, we know how I feel about dating baby Christians too. So there’s my personal pet peeve, the one that shows up through so much Christian romance. We think we need to intertwine someone’s journey to Jesus with their journey to romance.
Would I Recommend Danger on the Ranch?
Yes! Despite my personal pet peeve, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and a good story of trust, forgiveness, and fresh starts.
I received a review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.
What I think you should know:
Dana Mentink has written another wonderful book that kept me on my toes. Danger On The Ranch is truly suspense filled, for me this wasn’t a late night while you are home alone in a storm read.
What you might want to know ahead of time:
They fit perfectly in the story but would like to warn that the following are mentioned without much detail: Kidnapping, Rape, Murder, Stalking
Who I loved the most:
Mitch Whitehorse is a great character, strong and determined not to let his family and his past determine his future, however at the same time he is going to protect the world from his brother. Jane was a very close second, she is such a fierce mama that I can identify with, I would move mountains to save my baby. The supporting characters are intriguing, I would enjoy reading more about the residents of Roughwater Ranch!
Who will love this book( Just to name a few):
If you are a fan of Cowboys
If you enjoy contemporary Christian Fiction.
If you enjoy danger and mystery
This story is a fun clean fictional novel, it is not heavy on the romance even if you shy away from typical romance novels this should still be a very enjoyable read for you.
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
My Thoughts:
This book. Wow. It was amazing. I loved reading it. A former US Marshal living the reclusive secluded life because he blames himself for not letting everyone know his brother was off in the head sooner. Even though really how could he have known what his brother was capable of? But then, he’s riding his ranch and boom there is his brother! Who is supposed to be in prison! And he’s determined to kill him for locking him up!
Oh my. That’s a lot of thick plot right there. But there is more.
Enter Jane. Jane married Mitch’s brother who is the serial killer in question. She’s terrified of him. Even though she filed for and obtained a divorce since he was sent to prison she knows that he always comes back for what he wants or thinks is his. And that means her. But she will stop at nothing to protect her son from him. The son that he doesn’t even know about. For that matter neither does Mitch until the day she saves his life.
I could not quit reading this book. It was amazing. I’ve not read this author before but quickly was looking her up on Amazon. Her style grabs you and sucks you in. The characters become your best friend but you think you’re really there and can feel your heart racing.
The plot is set up so well. I’m not going to give stuff away, but I didn’t figure it all out until almost the end where she reveals it all anyway. That’s how you know this is an amazing book. Because I’m pretty good at this mystery stuff and solving them is pretty easy for me. If you enjoy mystery books you’re going to love this one.
Because it’s a short book it is one that I easily read in a day. Or less than a day. Okay, so we’re talking an hour or so while rocking the nursing/sleeping baby so she’d stay asleep and I could finish the book. It’s that good.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.