A cowboy to her rescue… but she’s not who he thinks she is. Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help–even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be … tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in?
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Deadly Christmas Pretense was a high-impact, full of danger, wild ride of a novel! I kept wondering how the bad guy was able to be so sneaky and contintually get away with terrorizing poor Maggie without getting caught.
This is book two in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series, but is definitely written so that it can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel, too. I enjoyed the attraction that formed between Maggie and Liam, as well as watching Liam learn to work through his fears and the difficutlies that he dealt with on a personal level. These things added a lot of good tension to the novel. Additionally, the romance and suspense kept me turning the pages to see how things turned out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this clean, Suspenseful Romance. I bought this at a goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. This pulled me in at the beginning and had all the twists and turns to keep me reading. Just had to find out what happened next. There were tear jerker moments and moments of joy. There are more than one bad guy in this story. The first is easy to figure out, but can you figure out the second one. I’ve given this a 5* rating.
The Cowboy and the Cook, in danger, and in love…
Wow, another exciting Roughwater Ranch Cowboys book! I probably say this every time but I think this is probably my favorite series from author Dana Mentink. Book two in the series, Deadly Christmas Pretense, was great! It had thrills, chills, and even a few spills!
If you are into flawed heroes this is the book for you. If there were a dictionary definition I would think Liam’s name would be somewhere in the examples. But I liked him, he’s also protective, loyal, and a decent guy. Maggie has spunk, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to save her sister, and she’s exactly what Liam needs.
Deadly Christmas Pretense is a prime example of why Dana Mentink is one of my top favorite Love Inspired Suspense authors, her romantic comedy is good, too, by the way. Anyway, this was an enjoyable read, perfect for reading during the holiday season, like I did. If you love tense romantic suspense, and cowboys, set during Christmastime, this is the book you need to read…
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
After reading the blurb on the back “A cowboy to her rescue”, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to start! Suspense and romance abound and keeps you turning pages. The story was everything I imagined and more. Cowboy Liam Pike, a former Green Beret is handsome, strong, and courageous. When Maggie Lofton is mistaken for her twin sister, Tammy, Liam’s ex-girlfriend, she is suspected of stealing jewelry and needs help. Is working with Liam more dangerous than running from the real thief? An adorable rescue dog named Jingles makes an appearance in the story and your heart melts. An inspirational storyline that does not disappoint!
What a page turner Deadly Christmas Pretense is. I seriously had a hard time putting this book down because I didn’t want to miss out on one single detail in this suspenseful novel. I knew the action would still be there if I stopped reading but I just kept getting pulled into the storyline. Ms. Mentink has a way of doing that in every book that I read of hers.
Liam Pike is the perfect hero for Maggie Lofton, even if she doesn’t realize it at first but you cant really blame her for keeping her distance from him as she pretends to be her twin sister, sinceis he is her twins ex-boyfriend. I absolutely loved this storyline and the wonderful characters.
There’s enough action and suspense to hold your interest throughout this fast paced, and wonderfully written book. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
In typical Dana Mentink style, this book is action-packed from page one. Maggie is posing as her twin sister in an effort to figure out who is after her sister. It quickly becomes apparent that the people after her sister will stop at nothing to get the jewelry they believe Maggie’s sister has in her possession. Maggie ends up getting help from an unlikely source, her sister’s ex-boyfriend Liam. Readers will definitely enjoy the page-turning suspense as well as watching an unexpected romance develop.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Deadly Christmas Pretense ( Roughwater Ranch Cowboys #2 )
By: Dana Mentink
This is a Love Inspired Suspense Inspirational Romance You do not want to put down. I was drawn in at the start and did not want to put it down. I was not disappointed. The story and the characters, both were well written. Twins, ex-boyfriend, Christmas, and plenty of riveting suspense will keep you reading to see what is going to happen next. The author will keep you guessing till the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expressed opinions are my own.
Edge of your seat danger from the get go. Very tingly throughout. Difficult to put down. I was in a hurry to find out who done it and then was I in for a real surprise. Very well done. Highly recommend. I received an advance reader copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
‘Stick with me, Miss Lofton. I’m locked, loaded and ready.’
Dana Mentink proves once again she knows how to do suspense and create wonderfully swoon worthy heroes. Liam Pike is a dream cowboy–polite, respectful and has a heart of gold, not to mentnion honorable and trustworthy. I loved this guy. Maybe because he’s a southerner like me. Hmmm.
Maggie Lofton decides to pretend to be her twin sister when she is nearly killed by a driver intent on running her off the road. She has no idea what caused this, but soon finds out. She is rescued by the handsome cowboy Liam and he is determined to help her discover the culprit.
Mentink is good here, as always. Her suspense is top notch and I never tire of digging into one of her books. Recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Another fantastic addition to this series! This time we get to experience Liam’s story and it involves twins! One of them being his ex-girlfriend! I love stories that happen during the holidays but it’s extra fun when they involve a little suspense and mayhem! Everyone’s senses are heightened at the holidays and the author does that well in this story. Liam can’t believe his eyes when he “thinks” he sees his ex-girlfriend’s Corvette headed right towards an oncoming train! Doesn’t she remember that train and the train tracks??? I loved the scene that follows! From there he gets pulled into a situation that tests all of his physical and mental capacities! He also finds out his ex-girlfriend had a twin sister, Maggie. In true Dana Mentink fashion, this story has lots of suspense and keeps you guessing as to what will happen next. Just when you think you know what’s going on, she throws you a curve ball! Oh, and she keeps the Christmas season front and center all during the story which is fantastic! You really need to read Liam and Maggie’s story – the “other” twin! It’s wonderful!
Awesome book
Liam needed someone to hold the broken pieces of his life together. Maggie had only done that for her sister and family. Then through series of life changing events with her life and her sister’s in danger she met Liam who was on a mission to take care of everyone and fixing everything. Together they learnt to let go of the past, fight together, be honest about how they feel and do life together. They learnt God had placed each of them in each other’s life to help them and ease the weight.
One sage lesson from this book is we were never meant to do life alone. We have God to help us and he has planted people along our path to help us to through life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are mine
My Thoughts on Deadly Christmas Pretense:
I was so happy to ride back out to the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys Series! The first book was amazing and I could not wait to read this one just like I can’t wait to read the next one. I really wish authors wouldn’t leave us in suspense for so long for each new book to come out!
This book brings us new characters but also brings back some of our favorites from book one. We get to take a deeper look at Lima in this bok. He’s an ex-Green Beret with some issues he has to work through.
Who better to help him work through those issues than the twin sister of his ex-girlfriend Tammy? Of course, he didn’t know Tammy had a twin named Maggie. And he definitely didn’t know he’d be so attracted to her!
Tammy got herself into a whole lot of trouble and can’t remember some key details. Meanwhile, Maggie is in some serious danger when the bad guys think she is Tammy. It’s her lucky day when Liam finds her and saves her.
Can they work together to clear Tammy and save all their lives before time runs out? There’s a deadline but someone forgot to tell them how to beat it.
I loved the book and highly recommend it. The author writes great characters who you fall in love with. And of course because you’re in love with them you can’t stop reading and the book reads really fast.
The worst part is the ending because then it’s over. Oh, and they give you a sneak peek into the next book, which you can’t read all of yet. Man. I love and hate when they do that because now I have to know what happens but I have to wait! Torture!
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.
Deadly Christmas Pretense
Liam thinks Maggie is his ex but she is actually the twin. There is a mystery involving Liam ex Tammy. Is the bad guy really the only one? I had my suspicions and you just never know who it could be.
A lot of suspense, action in the book. Never knew what would happen next.
One of my favorite characters in the book is the dog Jingles. He loved Liam so much and didn’t like being separated from him. Having a dog in the story just makes it so much more enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
It’s a high stakes adventure in this fast paced story filled with intrigue. I have always been fascinated by twins whether they be fraternal or identical. They sense what the other is feeling or thinking. In this story we meet Maggie and Tammy who are fraternal twins. Maggie finds herself in a dangerous cat and mouse game as she tries to help her sister out. Will pretending to be Tammy cause Maggie’s life to be in danger? Maggie is a very smart character who is a bit leery of her ex- boyfriend. Why is Liam so insistent in helping Maggie?
The chemistry between Maggie and Liam was interesting to read. I wasn’t sure if I trusted Liam and wanted him to prove what his true motives were. Liam’s relationship with his dad was written with a peek into his soul. You can feel the pain of abandonment and the need for his dad’s love. It helped me to understand Liam more and see how much he wanted to be accepted by Maggie. He has this desire to save the world and keep people safe. The more I read about him, the more vulnerable he became. Even the strongest person can have feelings of rejection. Liam has been good about hiding those feelings but how long can he keep it hidden?
I love how the author takes characters and exposes them so we can understand their thoughts and emotions. Maggie’s need to protect her sister stems from something that happened when they were seventeen. I almost think Maggie feels guilty for surviving back then and it has haunted her all these years. The story is intense at times and filled with unexpected twists.
The quest to find the jewelry that someone is willing to kill for is a race that have characters scrambling for their lives. I enjoyed Jingles the dog and thought he was a great addition to the story. Jingles becomes part of a heart pounding rescue when Maggie’s life is hanging by a thread. Get ready for an ending that will have you on the edge of your seat.
“Sometimes you have to take risks to protect what’s important.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Liam Pike is the star in this new novel in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series from author Dana Mentink. The former Green Beret who has sacrificed for his country is now battling permanent hearing loss. He fears that he can’t be what a woman would need or want for her future.
Maggie Lofton is searching for her sister who happens to be Liam’s ex-girlfriend- sort of. Maggie also just happens to be her sister’s twin. They aren’t quite identical but enough to launch Maggie into danger because Tammy has gotten herself into another mess.
I really like Liam’s character. His background and tough guy cowboy gentleman persona tells his story. He is the guy a single Christian girl would hope to meet. There is goodness in the family as Helen, Liam’s sister, is a kind and caring character too.
Maggie and her sister may resemble one another but they are different characters as any set of twins can be. Tammy wasn’t a strong character for me but she added drama to the story. Maggie has a big heart, faith and a strong will to rescue her sister.
Anyone who regularly reads Dana Mentink’s books knows at least one furry character will show up. Jingles is a laugh-out-loud addition in this one.
I was given this book in return for my honest opinion. I liked the story, in fact I didn’t put this book down very often when reading it. I enjoy Christmas themed novels during the season and this one had a good touch of the holiday in conjunction with the suspense and danger of the plot. (I would love to see the Christmas train from the story.)
Deadly Christmas Pretense is another suspense filled romance from talented author Dana Mentink. I enjoyed catching up with characters from the previous book in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series and loved meeting new ones in this latest installment. Once again the author takes her readers on a sometimes hair-raising adventure as her characters race against time to find evidence against a desperate man before he manages to kill one or more of them. As is often the case, an adorable but pesky dog takes center stage as he proves his worth.
Twin Maggie Lofton is pulled into the dangerous situation when she is mistaken for her sister Tammy whose good intentions to help her employer have gone terribly wrong. Then the cowboy who rides to Maggie’s rescue & refuses to go away just happens to be her sister’s ex-boyfriend. The riveting plot moves from one threat to another as Liam and Maggie grow closer with each encounter. Will Liam be able to overcome his fear about a physical handicap and begin to trust Maggie with his future or is their relationship doomed? I’ll never tell but you can find out more if you pick up your own copy of this excellent Christmas romantic suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Deadly Christmas Pretense by Dana Mentink is the second book in her Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series. How far would you be willing to go to protect a family member? That’s what Maggie Lofton must decide when she finds out her twin’s life is in danger. Working with her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike, Maggie will put her life on the line to save Tammy and solve the mystery of the missing jewelry. Returning to Roughwater Ranch was like returning home. Although the storyline centered around Maggie and Liam we got to see some old friends from the previous book. I love Aunt Ginny and Uncle Gus. Their love for each other is so sweet. Although Liam has a few problems he finally learns to move past them and find true love and freedom. This was a great story, full of romance, danger, mystery, and cowboys!
I received this book from the author for my honest review.
What I think you should know:
Deadly Christmas Pretense is the second book in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series. This book does include some of the same characters from the first book , however it can be read as a standalone novel. (I personally recommend reading the first book, it too was a great action packed read.) Liam Pike a former Green Beret is lives with his family on the Roughwater Ranch, when he rescues his ex girlfriend from just before she is hit by a train the trouble is just starting. When Maggie’s twin sister asks her to pick up her car she doesn’t know a case of mistaken identity could cost her her life.
What I enjoyed about this book:
Liam Pike is such a wonderful character, he is strong and determined, but struggling to grasp what his life would be like if he completely loses his hearing. I enjoyed his character so very much. Maggie is used to helping her sister out of jams, but she did not think she would die for her, while I enjoyed her character I did not feel that she had a much depth as Liam. However there overall story was very action packed and entertaining! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and learn more about the wonderful family that lives at Roughwater Ranch
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
From the mistaken twin to the goofy dog to the wounded cowboy hero, Deadly Christmas Pretense is bursting with action, romance, and even some humor (mostly courtesy of Jingles).
Maggie knows her sister is wrapped up in something dangerous so when she’s mistaken for her fraternal twin, she doesn’t clarify the situation. Who should come to her rescue but her sister’s ex-boyfriend?
I appreciated that Liam recognized the differences in both the appearance and personalities of the sisters. Despite his own struggles and fears, his mission is to protect Maggie. And, oh boy, does she need some serious protection.
Jingles, the dog Liam’s sister gave him, adds some wonderful light-hearted moments and often made me smile when he appeared on the page.
Dana Mentink once again delivers an intense suspense with plenty of danger, chemistry between the hero and heroine, and the familial welcome of those at the Rough Water Ranch.
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.