Dana Mentink

This new series of Security Hounds Investigations starts off with a bang. I love that the author’s humor shines through in the character of a funny bloodhound named Wally. Wally is quirky but comes through when needed and sometimes when not expected. He was the real hero of the story. I enjoyed the determination of Emery to uncover the truth to the secrets and believing in her family when no one else did. I loved how Roman was kind hearted, loyal, and compassionate towards others and how he stuck by Emery after rescuing her multiple times. It was evenly balanced with suspense, romance, and humor and made for an entertaining and interesting story. The story flowed well and kept my attention guessing who was the killer. I look forward to more in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.… (more)

Tracking the Truth by Dana Mentink is the first book in her Security Hounds Investigations series. Emery Duncan almost drowned in a lake when someone threw her overboard but private investigator Roman Wolfe rescued her. Now, that same someone doesn’t want her finding out what really happened to her sister. To keep Emery and her baby nephew safe, Roman must use all his resources including his quirky bloodhound, Wally! The action began from page one and continued until the very end. This was a nail-biter for sure! Wally was the showstopper. His indifference to Roman was hilarious! A much-needed reprieve from the intense suspense of the story. This was a great beginning to the series.

I received this book from Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.… (more)

“It’s not a question of can he find the trail, it’s a question of does he want to…He tends to decide which scents he’s interested in following.”

“Wally, the disobedient bloodhound…” the blurb read. I double-checked the genre for Tracking the Truth. Romantic Suspense. How is author Dana Mentink going to present a romantic suspense book with a search and rescue dog, Wally, who has a mind of his own? Not only is Wally the main K-9 representative from Security Hounds Investigation in this novel, but he provides much of the humor relief I so appreciate in a romantic suspense book.

The human main characters are Emery Duncan and Roman Wolfe. Having been close years before, Emery’s father’s confession of attempted murder sharply separates them. Roman’s bitterness towards Emery’s father almost keeps Emery from letting the Wolfes’ Security Hounds Investigation team take her case. Roman’s past threatens to capsize his future.

With her sister comatose, and her father in jail for attempted murder, Emery is forced to return to her father’s cabin with her sister‘s baby. Instead of a place to call home, Emery finds someone is out the kill her, and the townspeople hold her father’s crime against her.

As someone else had said, Wally is my fave character. He’s a hoot, but can he get the job done when the chips are down?

I find Emery’s strength of character and determination to keep going amazing. When she thinks she can’t go on, she revisits her father’s words: “If there’s too much, Ree Ree, pick the top three things you have to do for that day. Three is easy, right?” Sometimes, we can find life so overwhelming, we have to focus on just doing the next, most important thing. I love that Emery doesn’t give up on her dad, despite his confession. “This might rock your world but I’d love him just as much if he was guilty…
“Love doesn’t turn on and off like that. It doesn’t with God and it shouldn’t with us.” Wow, words to chew on!!

I tried to solve the case. Let’s just say I would have arrested the wrong person(s). Great job, Ms. Mentink!!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via Netgalley. I also bought my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“You have to look in the mirror and decide you’re worth loving because God said so and He’s the only one that’s going to do it perfectly. No man, or woman, can deliver.”

“Patience wins over force.”

“Home is the people who chose you.”… (more)

Everyone who loves to read mysteries, prepare to be hounded by Dana Mentink's heart-pounding novel, Tracking the Truth. It’s an emotional odyssey that will leave you breathless and begging for more.

Emery Duncan isn't your average heroine. Ripped from her life in a terrifying abduction, she finds herself grappling with a past shrouded in secrets and a chilling present that threatens her very existence. Yet, even in the face of unimaginable fear, Emery's spirit flickers like a defiant ember. Her unwavering determination to unearth the truth ignites a fire within you, urging you to race alongside her on this perilous quest.

Enter Roman Wolfe, a knight in slightly worn armor. This rugged PI, with a heart as fierce as his loyalty, throws himself into the case, vowing to shield Emery from further harm. His canine companion, Wally, the bloodhound with a heart of gold, becomes their silent but loyal partner.

As the investigation twists and turns, danger lurks around every corner. The stakes climb higher with each chilling revelation, forging an unbreakable bond between Emery, Roman, and Wally. Theirs is a story of unwavering courage, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a heartwarming ode to the power of friendship found in the most unexpected places.

Get ready to laugh, cry, and hold your breath as Tracking the Truth takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, and you'll probably find yourself missing Wally's slobbery kisses and ear-flapping enthusiasm for justice.

I received a digital copy of Tracking the Truth via Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.… (more)