Sheila: Book Reviewer,writer and great lover of books...sharing her wonderful finds of fantastic authors,their books, writing tips, and also other things of interest to her and those following the blog. Thanks for visiting! Follow today and don't miss out on news of great new books and giveaways!
Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt get her house ready to sell. Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she's desperate for respite from her community's attention and unwarranted admiration. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird watchers take her under their wing--a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.
But when Ana's adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree--one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son--what began as a quest to study Appalachian birds becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.
Immerse yourself in the lyrical prose and layered plotting of award-winning novelist Amanda Cox as she offers up an engaging story of finding belonging, reconciliation, and new beginnings in the most unexpected places.
Book Details
Publisher : Revell
Publication date : August 19, 2025
Language : English
Print length : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 0800746619
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
The Bitter End Birding Society grabbed my attention right away. The novel unfolds from two time periods at once. Stories like this, weaving family threads across years, deeply pull me in. You feel the weight of their ups and downs, and the raw hurt on their path. Amanda Cox writes with such grace. She paints the small town of Bitter End alive in the 1950s and now.My favorite quote from the novel shows how well-crafted this book is...
"Nature had a way of breaking down walls built by human hands. Gently, gradually. Not with wrecking balls but by infusing life."
I loved the characters from both time periods. My heart ached when theirs did, and I rejoiced when they found happiness. I adored the cute dog, Pippi/Piper, and the comfort she provided for Ana after the horrific thing that happened in her Kindergarten classroom. I admired Sam and his courage to face life again after his trials in life. This novel conveys the overall message that hope is possible in all our lives and that healing is attainable. This healing though, may come in surprising ways.
The Bitter End Birding Society moved me with its heartfelt messages. There are dark themes woven throughout, but forgiveness ultimately brings real light. This is a must-read novel for 2025.
****Meet Author Amanda Cox****
Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.
A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 18 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.) You can stay connected with her latest writing updates at www.amandacoxwrites.com. You can find her on social media by searching Amanda Cox Writes
The perfect match can't be far--certainly not at a Regency-themed singles retreat--or so podcaster Zoe Dufour believes. After years of creating content for her relationship podcast inspired by Regency etiquette and era-appropriate rules for romance, she knows her listeners have anticipated this retreat. But she also attends with expectations of her finding the ideal modern-day gentleman who can meet every one of the nonnegotiables on her checklist.
Harrison Lundquist, Zoe's podcast producer and best friend's brother, reluctantly agrees to attend the retreat to capture footage while seeking a career-advancing promotion. He views the retreat as ridiculous. And Zoe's methods for finding her real-life Mr. Darcy? Downright absurd! But as he films her whirlwind dates, his growing feelings for her are sidelined by suitors vying for her attention. When Zoe realizes her ideal checklist might be holding her back, she must decide if she's willing to rewrite her rules and take a chance on the person who has been there all along.
With this Regency-infused spin on a contemporary rom-com, Mollie Rushmeyer's witty characters, touch of whimsy, and sweet romance will win hearts.
Book Details
Publisher : Bethany House Publishers
Publication date : September 2, 2025
Language : English
Print length : 352 pages
ISBN-10 : 0764244426
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
Mollie Rushmeyer is a fresh face in my reading world. Her book, The Rules of Falling for You, makes a fun start in rom-com style. It feels like a fresh take on Regency tales, full of Jane Austen charm and that classic Mr. Darcy vibe. This sweet story took me back to one of my favorites, the book and film Austenland. Rushmeyer mixes in her own spin: a lovely woman hunts for love and ends up with the guy she least expected. She nails some fun tropes too—like crushing on your best friend's brother, lingering in the friend zone, and a mystery admirer.
I enjoyed this warm romance, but Harrison stole the show for me. Sweet Zoe misses all the signs that Harrison has liked her for ages. The bad part? Zoe's got a checklist that Harrison doesn't match. Will she spot her Mr. Darcy at the singles getaway? Or will she finally see the guy right there in front of her? Grab this playful dating story, with its Christian touches, to learn that God might have surprises up his sleeve. The Rules of Falling for You delivers a funny, heartfelt modern Regency.
****Meet Author Mollie Rushmeyer ****
Mollie Rushmeyer writes whimsical romance with heart and humor. She has a deep and abiding love for all things British, bookish, and filled with history and mystery. A modern girl herself—she wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air!—she’s always felt a special connection to the past and anything with a happily ever after. Her debut novel, The Bookshop of Secrets, was a finalist for a 2023 Carol Award. A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters.
Her Jane Austen-inspired contemporary rom-com, The Rules of Falling for You with Bethany House Publishers, releases September 2nd, 2025. Pre-order now to reserve your copy!
Don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for vintage recipe reboots, tea and book pairings, behind-the-scenes info, exclusive content and giveaways, and a FREE short story rom-com, Love or Dare.
She’d love to connect through social media! Follow her on Instagram and
Facebook: @authormollierushmeyer
~*~*~*~*Purchase The Rules of Falling for You ~*~*~*~*
Will her life philosophy, “Do right, fear no man,” get her killed?
A string of bad luck has left former Army helicopter pilot Dot Ybarra with a serious case of wrecked nerves and a need for peace and solace at her family’s Idaho ranch. Instead, she encounters a desperate mother who stumbles onto their land, begging Dot to rescue her kidnapped daughter.
There’s a bounty on the kidnapper’s head, and fugitive recovery agent T.J. Roman is not about to let that paycheck slip through his fingers. Together, he and Dot rescue the child.
But their actions set off an explosion of secrets in Euskadi. The sheriff is slinking around with a new shady sidekick, Dot’s friends are stabbed, and armed mercenaries attack her ranch, forcing her to use her hunting and archery skills to defend her family. Cornered by the unknown enemy’s three-pronged attack, Dot and her charges retreat deep into the Payette National Forest. Isolated in the mountainous forest, separated from T.J. and any help, Dot must make a hard choice: fight or walk away?
Will her first recovery job be her last?
My Review
Ride a Dark Trail kicks off the "A Bounty of Shadows" Series. It jumps right into the action and keeps the pace hot and heavy. Winter Austin excels at building tension and excitement all the way through. Shocking twists and thrills pop up often, especially toward the end.
Dot Ybarra once flew helicopters in the Army. Now she's back in Idaho on her family's ranch to help her mom. She took a job with the forest service since their land touches Payette National Forest. Dot stands tall, shows courage, and pushes forward, even with nightmares from the past haunting her day and night. One person in the story calls her a female Rambo. She grabs the reins in every clash with the bad guys.
Dot and her mother, Angela, face chaos when a beaten young woman arrives at the ranch. This woman's little girl was taken by her cruel, drug-using husband. Dot steps in to track down the child. Yet darker schemes lurk nearby from every direction with heart-stopping action. Her old Army buddy, TJ Roman, a private investigator now, arrives chasing the same man. They join forces to rescue Bethany and catch her dad. The book weaves many plot threads, but they all tie up neatly at the end. You will have to read this novel to find what other forces are in motion to cause mayhem, dealing with a cult.
A spark of romance brews between Dot and TJ, tied to their shared history. Their teamwork is amazing, and I enjoyed their back-and-forth. Things might heat up more in the next book.
Ride a Dark Trail makes a top-notch mystery. It packs the suspense, steady action, hidden family secrets, and a story that pulls you in. I hated to set it down, but it made me excited for the next book in the series.
Praise for Ride a Dark Trail:
"With sharp characters you'll want to stand up and root for, Winter Austin creates an eye-popping Idaho setting for us to enjoy with Ride a Dark Trail."
"Echoes of Yellowstone meets Magnum P.I. come together in a chilling Idaho plot you'll want to get to the bottom of."
"After reading Ride a Dark Trail, you're going to hope there's a real-life Dorothy Ybarra out there in today's world."
Book Details:
Genre: Modern Western Thriller Published by: Tule Mystery Publication Date: August 18, 2025 Number of Pages: 310 ISBN: 9781967678082 (ISBN10: 1967678081) Series: Bounty of Shadows, Book 1 Book Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Apple | Goodreads | BookBub | Tule Publishing
Read an excerpt:
Chapter 1
His ghost always joined her for the final drag on an Ave Maria Dark Knight cigar.
He started appearing two months into her newly formed habit. Always in his sweat-stained, gray Open Road Stetson and wool-lined coat with a few less wrinkles in his face. Here, in the goats’ lean-to, where she’d taken to hiding out to have her smoke so as to not offend her mother’s senses.
At his first appearance, she swore it was a hallucination. The second time, she flipped out. With each appearance since she became more belligerent, while he grew more persistent.
“Biloba, why do you keep doing this thing?”
She blew out the smoke. “Go away, Aitonatxo.”
Her grandfather shook his head. One of the goats meandered through his transparent legs, disrupting his stern reproach. Aitona turned his withering look to the red-brown doe munching on hay.
“Goats. She just had to get goats.”
A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth as she drew on the cigar for the last time. One year after her grandfather passed, her mother had sold the last of the sheep, turned the ranch into an outfitter and hunting business, bought horses and mules for it, then goats just for the hell of it. The small herd had come in real handy in keeping the overgrowth of underbrush and weeds under control, saving the ranch a time or two from wildfires. The milking goats also made convenient pack animals when there was need for nourishment up in the mountains.
Aitona didn’t roll over in his grave. No, he came back to fucking haunt her and complain about the goats.
“Dorothy Ybarra, where are you?”
His specter vanished with her last puff of smoke. Before her mother could barge into the goats’ lean-to and give her hell for smoking in the building, Dorothy ground the butt into the bottom of her boot. One disapproving familia was enough, even if Aitonatxo was an apparition of her mind.
Angela Ybarra rounded the edge of the lean-to’s weathered support post, her pack of mutts in tow. The goats scattered, except for a leggy dark brown female who’d taken a liking to Dot and exuded copious amounts of stubborn. That doe would not be deterred by no dog.
Exactly twenty years older and just as whipcord lean as her daughter, Angela Ybarra was the polar opposite when it came to Dot’s tornado in a trailer park personality. But that didn’t stop Angela from pulling the matriarch card every chance she got.
Angela wrinkled her nose and gave Dot a pointed look but held her tongue. Dot hadn’t burned down any buildings. Yet.
Her mother reached out and scratched the doe’s withers. “I’ve got a new elk hunting party coming in later today. We’re taking them out to that nice valley for their hunt. I need to grab a few supplies for the trip. In the meantime, would you round up your gear and check it over?”
“You sure you want me up there with you?”
“I need you, Dot. This is a new group to me.”
In other words, Ama wasn’t comfortable being on her own with this bunch. Most of the hunters Angela outfitted were longtime customers she had built a strong rapport with and trusted. She took on new clients only if there was a long lull between her regulars and funds were tight.
Since Dot’s return to the ranch, she’d been her mother’s backup when one of the local sheep herders wasn’t available to ride out with Angela. Dot’s presence on hunts was a good deterrent for wannabe suitors or general dickheads. Not that Angela Ybarra couldn’t hold her own—she was Samo Ybarra’s daughter after all and had sent many a man intending ill-intent back to civilization with a limp and severe damage to his manhood. Dot, on the other hand, was less accommodating. The pervs usually woke up in the hospital, cuffed to the bedrail.
“Ama, you don’t need to earn the extra cash. I can spot you.”
“No.” Angela sliced the air with a disapproving finger. “Your army and pilot funds are yours. Don’t waste them on my business.”
“Come on!”
“I’ll hear no more of it.” Angela checked her watch. “I’m going. Be ready.” She slipped from view, her canine pack following.
Dot’s guard goat gave a very goat-like nicker as she munched on weeds bold enough to dare grow in their pen.
It might have been a year since the crash. She might have been released from physical therapy with a clean bill of health two months ago. And she might be in the best physical shape of her life since basic training and flight school. Still, Dot hadn’t spent more than two hours horseback in the last six months. Riding into the foothills of the Payette National Forest and getting to that valley her mother spoke of meant at least an eight-hour ride. Probably longer if this new hunting party wasn’t used to long hours in the saddle.
Dot groaned. Good thing she loved her mother.
She rose from the goats’ favorite climbing stump and vacated the lean-to. At the corner, she glanced back at the spot where Aitona had appeared.
He’d died while she was away at training. It ate at her for years that she hadn’t been here to see him crossed over to the other side and be with his beloved Dorothy—Dot’s namesake. Though somehow he hadn’t quite left the ranch.
He wanted to know. Or maybe she was using his specter to ask herself the question.
Why did she do this thing? She was hale and hearty, ready to get back in the air. God knew the forest service hadn’t stopped calling. Yet she couldn’t pull herself away from her current predicament.
Why?
“I’m doing it for Ama,” she said to the air.
***
Excerpt from Ride a Dark Trail by Winter Austin. Copyright 2025 by Winter Austin. Reproduced with permission from Winter Austin. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope,” but believe her, there is a story behind her name.
A lifelong Mid-West gal with strong ties to the agriculture world, Winter grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around a table or a campfire. As a published author, she learned her glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller writer. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic suspense, mysteries, and thrillers.
When she’s not slaving away at the computer, you can find Winter supporting her daughter in cattle shows, seeing her three sons off into the wide-wide world, loving on her fur babies, prodding her teacher husband, and nagging at her flock of hens to stay in the coop or the dogs will get them.
Get lost in the lively world of The Scandalous Stringhams in this light-hearted Regency romance
How to woo a countess
In fifty questions…
Lady Rebecca Stringham is stunned when a beautiful man falls from his horse and practically into her lap! The notorious Earl’s reputation precedes him, so their instant bond must remain secret from her overprotective family.
Phineas has never danced to anyone else’s tune before, yet he’s entranced by Becca’s intelligence and wit—not to mention her curves! Could fifty courtship questions be enough to unravel her inner world? With each answer Becca gives, his feelings for her only deepen, but can he trust her with his secrets—and ask her the most important question of all?
Book Details
Publisher : Harlequin Historical
Publication date : July 29, 2025
Series: The Scandalous Stringhams
Edition : Original
Language : English
Print length : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 1335831401
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
I've devoured every book in The Scandalous Stringhams miniseries. Each book spotlights one sister from the family. The Stringham family is my favorite! They feel so real, and I connect deeply with them—above all, Becca, the youngest in this latest story.
Let me share my feelings from this read... Pure joy! I adore the leads, Lady Rebecca Stringham and Lord Norwich, who is known mainly in the book by his first name, Phineas. Sparks fly right from their first encounter. Their playful jabs? Utterly charming. When we find out that Phineas has never known real love in his life, it makes their relationship even more special. As the family's youngest, Becca often got babied too much. I adore how she gains strength and self-love through Phineas.
I also really enjoyed the Fifty Courtship Questions from Phineas, tucked at the book's end. It felt like the perfect bonus. The very strong epilogue wrapped things up beautifully, too. Samantha Hastings excels at sweet romances with lively characters you root for and never forget. Grab the whole series—I promise you'll adore the Stringhams, just like me.
****Meet Author Samantha Hastings****
Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She writes cozy murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen.
Learn more at www.SamanthaHastings.com or connect with her on social media: Twitter @HastingSamantha, Instagram @SamanthaHastingsAuthor, and Facebook @AuthorSamanthaHastings
~*~*~*~*Purchase Becoming His Bluestocking Countess ~*~*~*~*
A deeply personal middle-grade novel by award-winning author McCall Hoyle affirms the powerful and enduring relationship between dogs and humans.
Ripley, an aging German Shepherd Dog, spent her life guarding the wildlife refuge with Max, the best man she’s ever known. But that was before the accident, before he gave her one final job: “Take care of the girls.”
And Ripley has done just that—especially for Charlie, the girl Ripley loves even more than peanut butter. Ripley watches over Charlie with dedication, especially when faced with bullies who threaten the refuge. But Ripley is slowing down. She knows dogs don’t last forever.
Sensing their time together is running out, Charlie plans a farewell adventure filled with Ripley’s favorite things—fried chicken, sandpiper chasing on the beach, and ice cream in Nags Head. Through it all, they learn that love isn’t about holding on—it’s about lifting each other up.
A heartwarming tribute to love, resilience, and the joy of a life well lived, Forever Ripley proves that even in goodbye, there is beauty, courage, and the promise of new beginnings.
Book Details
Publisher : Shadow Mountain Publishing
Publication date : September 2, 2025
Language : English
Print length : 208 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639934162
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
"Some friendships last a lifetime. Others last forever"
I have a soft spot in my heart for author McCall Hoyle and her stories. I've shared a few of them as read-alouds with my second-grade kids. I was thrilled to pick up her latest, Forever Ripley. But I had no idea it would hit me so hard. By the end, tears streamed down my face. I could barely catch my breath.Like the characters, I once lost a dear 15-year-old dog who was everything to our family. Chance crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2009.
This middle-grade tale explores grief and recovery and how to release loved ones with care and love.Forever Ripley sweeps you through a rollercoaster of feelings. Ripley is an old German Shepherd facing her final days. We see the story through her eyes. She shares her life from puppyhood, when Max—a wildlife refuge worker—chose her. Just before Max died, he told Ripley to watch over his wife and young daughter, Charlie. Now, five years later, Ripley battles cancer. She knows her time is short. I adored how Charlie and her mom made Ripley's last moments special. They checked off her bucket list: munching fast-food chicken tenders, chasing sandpipers, eating birthday cake, and sitting by the creek at sunset. Hearing it all from Ripley's view was touching. Love bound Ripley tight to her people.
A subplot involves bad guys poaching animals from the refuge to sell. They even endanger Ripley and her family. McCall Hoyle paints a clear picture of how loss shakes a home. She shows the tough goodbyes we all face with loved ones. I often read Hoyle's books to my second graders. But for this gentle tale, I suggest you gather your family to read it aloud. Sure, I shed plenty of tears at the close. Yet it warmed my heart, recalling my own dog. I recommend that Forever Ripley belongs on every family bookshelf.
****Meet Author McCall Hoyle ****
McCall Hoyle is an award-winning author and teacher librarian. She writes heartfelt books for kids of all ages and believes one of the best ways to spread hope is by writing about the special bond between dogs and their humans. When McCall isn't writing or teaching, you can find her training one of her four-legged friends for agility, obedience, or dock diving in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains she calls home. You can learn more about her at mccallhoyle.com or visit her on Facebook or Instagram @McCallHoyleBooks.
A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives
My Review
I've read this author's books before, and that's why I jumped at the chance to read and review her new book. Canyon of Deceit begins with danger and action as a rescue team is sent into the Guadalupe Mountains National Park to rescue a kidnapped girl. Therese Palmer, a wilderness survival expert, and Texas Ranger Blane Gardner are leading the search for eight-year-old Alina Ivanov, who has presumably been kidnapped. The father of the missing girl was a member of the ROC a Russian Crime organization that was operating in the U.S.
This book offered many surprises. The action became explosive at times. Therese and Blane tracked a killer as they navigated the rough, mountainous terrain. Things quickly became worse. Therese's faith helped her cope and Blane also found strength. They had a past romance but it ended due to differing beliefs. Events in the mountains draw Blane nearer to Therese and her faith. The story reaches a point where it feels like it's been resolved. However, the adventure was far from over. Their lives were in great danger until the end.
Canyon of Deceit delivers bold actions. It includes lies, fear, and growing affection. Moments of strengthened faith are present. It is a truly exciting adventure that I know you'll also want to read.
Praise for Canyon of Deceit:
"…Time was running out, and the chilling certainty settled in Alina’s life depended on them unraveling the truth before the ruthless men hunting them closed in. With danger at every turn, Therese and Blane had no choice but to trust each other, even as the secrets they carried threatened to pull them apart…" ~ Sue Garland, Christian Novel Review
"Set against the rugged, dangerous beauty of the Guadalupe Mountains, Canyon of Deceit is a riveting tale of high stakes, survival, and trust that I couldn't put down. DiAnn Mills has crafted a page-turning novel. This is romantic suspense at its finest!" ~ Elizabeth Goddard, award-winning author of Storm Warning
"A pulse-pounding blend of romance and suspense, Canyon of Deceit has a gripping plot and unforgettable characters with a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page." ~ Carrie Stuart Parks
"Buckle up, readers! Canyon of Deceit is a heart-pounding suspense packed with intrigue on every page. Danger, action, and adrenaline-fueled drama make this a must-read for fans who crave edge-of-your-seat adventure." ~ Natalie Walters, bestselling, award winning author of the SNAP Agency series
Canyon of Deceit Trailer:
Plus, Canyon of Deceit includes two original songs written by the heroine, Therese—one from her childhood and one that captures the depth of her love and transformation as an adult. These heartfelt lyrics come to life in custom-recorded tracks that reflect the emotion and spirit of the novel.
New Caney, Texas
October, Thursday, Current Day
Therese
The shrill ring of my mobile phone jolted me awake at 2:00 a.m., a haunting prompt that emergencies seldom emerged in daylight. Someone had ventured into the wilderness and needed me to lead a rescue mission. My skills of trekking over precarious terrain to find victims who suffered from physical injuries, dehydration, starvation, or all three, kept me on alert. At times I viewed my life like a Star Trek tagline, “Where no man has gone before.”
I grabbed the phone off my nightstand. Unidentified caller. “Hello?”
“Ms. Palmer, this is Professor Rurik Ivanov from Houston Leonard University. We met nearly a year ago. You taught a course in wilderness survival as an adjunct professor.”
I captured a mental image of the Russian man—gray-blue eyes, stone-gray hair, angular face. “Yes, sir. How can I help you?”
“I apologize for the hour, but I’m in a desperate situation.”
The angst in his voice zapped me into guarded mode, especially when I barely knew the man. I snapped on my bedside lamp. “Are you all right?”
“No, ma’am, which is why I’m calling you. Do you remember my wife and daughter?”
“I met them both at a faculty dinner last Christmas. A lovely family.”
“My wife was murdered today, and kidnappers have taken my daughter.”
I inhaled sharply, and alarm for the professor’s family fired hot from the soles of my feet. “Daria? Alina? What happened?”
“A man called me late this afternoon while I prepared to leave for home. He said he’d taken Alina. Then he sent a link to a video showing my wife’s execution—”
He stopped abruptly, his final words drumming into my senses. The seconds ticked by, and I waited.
“I watched Daria grab her chest and struggle . . . The blood rushed from her precious body—my dear Daria’s life gone forever.” He grappled again to control his tear-filled voice. “He said they would release Alina unharmed if I paid three million dollars. They’d call with instructions. When the man hung up, I hurried home thinking it had to be a terrible mistake or someone had used AI to generate the video. On the way, I phoned Daria and the call went to voice mail. I also redialed the man who’d contacted me. The phone rang repeatedly, but the number offered no way to leave a message. I contacted Alina’s school and learned Daria had picked her up before noon.
“At home, reality rooted. A lamp and a table in the living room lay in pieces. Daria would have fought hard, but there were no signs of blood. I didn’t recognize the place in the video where they killed her. I even checked for geotag information on the clip, but it had been stripped. I later clicked on the link . . . the video had disappeared.”
I ached for his loss. “What do the police say?”
Silence answered me, then Rurik finally said, “Contacting them is impossible. The man warned me against telling anyone who works in law enforcement, or I’d never see Alina again.” He sobbed into the phone. “Please, give me a moment.”
“Take all the time you need.”
The professor taught Russian language and literature at Leonard University and was highly respected and liked among faculty and students. I’d enjoyed our occasional chats, and he’d observed some of my classes. What had he done to upset the wrong people?
“Thank you. I can talk now,” he said. “I have no idea where the killers have taken Daria’s body or how to find Alina. Neither do I suspect anyone.”
I willed my pulse to slow. “Professor, the police are trained in handling confidential matters and how to find who is responsible. They have families and understand what you’re going through.”
“And endanger my daughter?” Panic throbbed in his ragged voice.
“I’m sorry.” My grief over losing Kate many years ago surfaced raw and bleeding. “Are you alone?”
“Yes. At home.”
“Are there family or friends who can stay with you?”
“My family is in Russia, and I do not trust anyone.”
“You could very well be in danger too.”
“My welfare is unimportant.”
“Who are these people, and why has your family been victimized?”
“I have no idea. The man refused to identify himself, but he did say ‘we.’ Maybe he thinks I have money or believes I have done something criminal to my country or to the US.”
What was he not telling me? I tossed off my blanket and stood in my bedroom, shivering, not from the cold but the horror of this unfolding story. “Professor Ivanov, I’m confused. Why call me? This is a job for the police or the FBI.”
“I cannot risk my daughter’s life. You are my only hope to find Alina. You have the skills to get her back.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’m a wilderness-survival specialist, nothing more. I’m not equipped to carry out a hostage negotiation without backup, which is another reason you need to involve the authorities.” More questions bolted into my mental space like a landslide. “How would I find her?”
“That’s where I can help you. Alina has GPS trackers hidden in her shoes. Not even Daria knew about them.”
“Why would you track your young daughter?”
“Alina’s biological mother died when she was a baby, and I’ve been consumed with protecting my daughter ever since. I checked my phone app and learned at one thirty this afternoon, Alina was taken to a private landing strip west of Houston. I called there, and a woman who worked in the small office said no one had filed a flight plan. But she made a mistake. The tracker had stopped registering.” He coughed and asked me to wait while he got a glass of water.
A connection at Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management popped into my consciousness. They had the technology to confirm the date and time a plane took to the skies and where it landed.
“I’m better. I apologize for my lack of control,” the professor said. “My app showed tracking again near an abandoned airstrip in a remote area south of Hobbs, New Mexico. The tracking indicated ground-speed movement for two and a half hours to a section on the north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park called Dog Canyon. That’s where the tracking ended, and I’ve detected nothing since. I assume the kidnappers parked the vehicle and proceeded on foot with Alina. Research shows the area is off-grid. Ms. Palmer, did they remove her shoes? How would they expect her to walk in bare feet?”
My thoughts trailed to the worst possible scenario. Why take Alina to a remote location unless they planned to dispose of her body there? Another argument lay with logic. Why go to the expense of transporting a kidnap victim there when they had the ability to dispose of her body in their backyard? A morbid idea, except true. Whatever the reason, they risked exposure from security cameras until they reached an off-grid area.
“I can’t stress enough how the authorities have technology and skills to find Alina. They can unravel valid threats and comprehend the danger of taking your story to the media.”
“The man who called me said they’d be watching my every move. I bought a burner phone tonight to call you.”
His anguish rippled through me, interfering with my ability to think clearly. “What about the ransom?”
“I can liquidate assets here and in Russia to meet their demands, but the statistics on kidnappers returning my Alina alive are not good. Perhaps they would accept what I can put together now. I’m sorry . . . I wish I had an answer. Why harm an eight-year-old little girl?”
“I have empathy for your grief.” Daria’s lovely face and the white-blonde-haired little girl refused to leave me alone. “Although I could lead you into Dog Canyon, I have no idea how to pull her out of the clutches of dangerous men. You’d need armed law enforcement and possibly a negotiator.”
“That would draw attention. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
“Money is not the issue, Professor—”
“Alina means more to me than anything else in this world. What is love but to take ownership of a problem and do all I can to stop those men?”
“What if I fail?” The terror of not finding his daughter alive resurrected an echo from the past that had shaped my career.
“Can you live with yourself if you don’t try?”
Unaware, he’d pressed my weakest button. “I’ll hear you out. But I don’t believe you’ve given me the whole story, and I need the truth before I risk my life.”
“I’ve . . . I’ve given you all of it.”
“You’ve stated what you want me to know. What have you done or not done in this tragedy that Daria is dead, Alina is missing, and you can’t go to the police?
***
Excerpt from Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills. Copyright 2025 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers, DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions:
