Deadly Amish Reunion - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #862 - Dec 2020)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 9)

Separated by amnesia…

reunited by a lethal holiday threat.

Jennie Beiler's husband was supposed to be dead, so she's shocked when he rescues her from an attacker. Although Luke has no memories of his Englisch wife, it's up to him to protect her from someone who won't stop until she's dead. Can the peaceful Amish community he returned to after losing his memory shelter them and their son this Christmas when danger strikes again?

This was a gripping combination of suspense and a second chance romance. Jennie receives a horrifying shock when she finds out that the stepfather who raped and attempted to kill her escaped from prison. She vividly recalls his promise to get even with her if he gets the chance. She would be dead if she weren't rescued by Luke Beiler, the man she later fell in love with and married. Unfortunately, he died in an explosion five years earlier before he knew about their son. When she's attacked inside her apartment, she is stunned when Luke comes to her rescue again.

Five years earlier, Luke woke up in a ditch, thinking he was seventeen and on his rumspringa. He was shocked when he returned to his parents' home to find out he was twenty-two and had left the Amish community. Luke had no memory of where he'd been and what he'd done since then. He remained with his family and joined the Amish church. But when he caught part of a news program talking about an escaped prisoner, he knew who it was and that there was someone he had to warn. He remembered Jennie from when they were teens, so he and his brother went to find her. They arrived just in time to save her again.

I loved how Luke's subconscious led him to Jennie, even though he didn't remember their life together. He was shocked to learn of their marriage and their son, but there was no way he would leave them unprotected once he did. Both Luke and Jennie were wary of each other, Luke because he doesn't remember, and Jennie because she does. Luke and Jennie are thrown together under extreme circumstances, and as they get to know each other again, they discover that their love is as strong as ever. But Luke is an Amish man now, and Jennie is Englisch, making it impossible for them to be together. I wasn't surprised by the solution, but it didn't come easily. Luke allows his fears to throw up roadblocks, even after Jennie makes a surprising offer. I loved his brother's reaction to what Luke did and the kick in the pants Raymond provided. I loved Luke's big moment at the end and the decisions they made for their future. The epilogue was a great peek at that future.

The suspense was intense and nearly non-stop from beginning to end. Jennie's stepfather's quest for vengeance was terrifying in its determination. From the first attack to the last, it seemed that Luke and Jennie could barely stay one step ahead. Steve appeared to have an infinite number of resources he could call on for help, while Luke and Jennie had few. I loved the scenes with Luke's family, who immediately embraced Jennie and LJ despite their shock. There were multiple twists along the way, but it was the last one that really took me by surprise. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages until it was over.

Plain Refuge - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #826 - June 2020)

Series: Amish Country Justice (Book 8)

On the run from hired gunmen, can she find safety in Amish country? 

After overhearing an illegal weapons deal, Sophie Larson knows two things: her uncle's a dangerous criminal…and he wants her dead. Now undercover cop Aiden Forster has no choice but to blow his cover and protect Sophie by hiding her and her deaf sister in Amish country. But with a mole in the police force, danger isn't far behind. 

Terrific book with intense suspense, nonstop action, and a sweet romance. The story started with a bang and kept the intensity throughout. Aiden is an undercover cop working on getting enough evidence against the man responsible for the death of his partner. He is very close and is ready to be done with it. As he arrives for a meeting with his boss, he sees Philip's niece, Sophie, arrive unexpectedly. 

Sophie is early for a meeting with her uncle. He doesn't like changes to his schedule, but she just needs to drop off some papers. Rather than sit around for half an hour, she goes on into the house. She is horrified when she hears her uncle making a weapons deal, and threatening to kill a man. She is discovered before she can make her escape, and one of her uncle's men is told to "take care of her." I could feel Sophie's fear as Aiden forced her back to her car at gunpoint and made her drive. She is terrified that she and her younger sister, Celine, are about to be killed in cold blood. Aiden's frustration was also evident. He was sure he'd blown his cover, but there was no way he could allow the women to die. 

The suspense kept me hooked from beginning to end. Sophie is hopeful when she realizes that Aiden is one of the good guys, but her relief is short-lived. Her uncle's men are hot on their trail, and it seems that no matter what they do, they can't escape for long. Even asking for help from Aiden's ex-Amish friend, Levi, doesn't keep them safe for long. It quickly becomes apparent that there is a leak somewhere in the police department, making it difficult for Aiden to know who he can trust. When Aiden is arrested, accused of murder and kidnapping, Sophie and Celine are left unprotected. Aiden's release was one of the lighter moments (gotta love his chief!), but Sophie and Celine are in grave danger. I was on the edge of my seat as Aiden raced to reach them in time. I loved the final confrontation. Sophie kept a clear head and was able to help with her rescue, while Aiden had to bury his emotions to do what had to be done. 

I loved the development of the relationship between Sophie and Aiden. Neither was looking for romance. Sophie is still reeling from the deaths of her parents and brother while stepping up to take care of her sister. She feels guilty about putting her career before family and is determined to change her ways. This includes putting Celine first. But Aiden's protectiveness and kindness toward her sister soon break down her walls. Meanwhile, Aiden is blessed? cursed? with an overabundance of protectiveness. When something happens to someone on his watch, he takes it personally. When Sophie meets him, Aiden already feels guilty over not protecting his sister (he was a kid!) or saving his partner. He is determined that nothing will happen to Sophie and Celine. However, he also resists his growing feelings for Sophie, claiming that he isn't good for her. I ached for Sophie, who loved him but couldn't get through to him. Though eventually, something she said did make an impact. I loved the scene with his sister, and the shove she gave him. His big scene with Sophie was terrific. The epilogue was great. 

There is a religious component of the book, being a part of the Love Inspired line. What I liked most is that faith was simply an essential part of the characters' lives, not something that the reader needed to be beaten over the head with. Aiden has no problem calling on God for help or guidance. That faith is part of what keeps him from succumbing to the darkness of his secret life. Sophie was at the other end. She lost her faith for a while, especially with the loss of most of her family. But being around Aiden, and the Amish folks who aided them, helped her find her way back. 

There wasn't as much Amish involvement in this book as some of the earlier books, but that which was there was good. I especially liked Levi, Aiden's ex-Amish friend. It is unusual to find someone Amish-raised who has served in the military. I loved his willingness to help and how he was all-in. I worried about him during the river scene and its aftereffects. There was a satisfying twist involving him at the end, and I would love to see more about him. 

My favorite of all the secondary characters was Celine. Despite her deafness, she is very much an average twelve-year-old. She's glued to her phone, has her rebellious moments, doesn't like change, and is good at pushing Sophie's buttons. But she also holds it together under extremely trying circumstances. I loved her part in the epilogue and seeing her getting back to a normal life.