Secret Refuge
Book Description:
HIS CHANCE AT REDEMPTION Former parole officer Mick Hudson blames himself for the death of Keeley Stevens’s sister. If he hadn’t paroled a criminal, she might still be alive. When he hears that the suspected killer has been spotted in Keeley’s hometown, he worries she might be the next victim. Keeley doesn’t want to take help from the man who could have prevented her sister’s death, but she has more than herself to worry about. She’ll do anything it takes to protect her family. And Mick will risk his life to make sure that the past does not repeat itself. Wings of Danger: The path to love is treacherous.
Author: Dana Mentink
Dana Mentink lives in California where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Her family includes two teen girls (affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo.) Papa Bear is retired from the fire department and he met Dana doing a dinner theater production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Ironically, their parts were husband and wife.
Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and a two time ACFW Carol Award winner. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired, Harlequin Heartwarming, and Harvest House Publishers. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet.
My review:
In Secret Refuge you will find an usual story line where the lead character, Keeley takes pictures of exotic birds and landscape. The hero, Mick is a retired parole officer who now works at his family’s bird sanctuary. He retired after trusting one of his parolees, Tucker and recommending that he could have his ankle bracelet removed. Shortly after, the parolee is found with his girlfriend, (Keeley’s sister) dead in the trunk of his car. Keeley is now raising her niece who has Down syndrome. It’s appears to be a very authentic look at having a special needs child. Mick was adorable with her niece/daughter. I enjoyed Mick’s relationship with his sister and his dad. The author created a very touching scene between Mick and his dad. There is also a lot of action and suspense and plenty of secondary characters to add depth to the story. Tucker is back in town claiming he is innocent and wanting to see his daughter. John, the vet who was in love with Keeley’s sister. There are several twists in the story. I think you’ll be surprised by the ending.