Dangerous Amish Showdown is high-octane romantic suspense stand-alone by Mary Alford. US Marshal Mason Shetler and his partner, Erik Timmons return to an Amish community from Mason’s past to protect a six-year-old witness.

I loved the relationships involving the six-year-old and the different adults. Children often bring out the best in people, and this is certainly true of little Samantha. It is heart-warming to see the interactions between Mason and Samantha, Willa and Samantha, and Beth and Samantha.

I loved the strength portrayed by not only the main characters but by Beth, who has a huge issue of her own, and by little Samantha. I did think perhaps Samantha was expected to “be strong” a few too many times for a child of her age.

The premise of the novel seemed very realistic as Alford sets it up. This is one romantic suspense story I could envision all too well. My grandfather’s house had a root cellar with a trap door in the kitchen. It was covered by a rug when we were little. This enabled me to live out the action in my head way too well!

One thing I wished for, was some humor to break the tension in a few spots. I felt like I was in a bad dream, playing the same scene over and over again, without resolution for the longest time. This stretched my perception of plausibility.

Alford writes in an easy-to-read style and shows growth in her characters. Willa must help Mason deal with his own doubts and guilt before he can consider returning home. I also appreciated the growing role of faith in Mason’s life as he progresses through the standoff.

The resolution is sweet and endearing. If you are a fan of romantic suspense, Amish, or children, this might be a good novel for you to add to your
reading list.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required and all thoughts are my own. ( )

Two US Marshals attempt to keep a six-year-old witness safe until she can testify against the men who killed her parents. When safe houses prove unsafe, and danger finds them again, Morgan Shelter seeks refuge in his own Amish community. Having experienced tragedy in the past, he left his community and made his way into the world, and became a marshal. Now he finds himself seeking refuge with Willa Lambright and her mother.

From the very first words in this book until the conclusion, this book will keep you in suspense. The author does an excellent job of merging fear and faith in this book. I found myself unable to put this book down until I finished reading it. So if you enjoy reading books about the Amish and ones filled with suspense and danger, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Imagine a little girl who has witnessed her parents being murdered, and is now being pursued by the killers. Throw in two US Marshals who are unsuccessful in finding her safe shelter, because there's a mole who keeps revealing where they are. The first pages of this book set the pace, and that pace is 'hold on to your hats'! Dangerous Amish Showdown is filled with non-stop action, constant danger, and questions with no easy answers, as Mason Shetler returns to the place where he grew up. Would Mafia hitmen think to look in Amish country for two US Marshals and a six-year-old girl? Mason and Willa Lambright once enjoyed a childhood friendship in their Amish community, and now, Willa and her mother may be their last chance. Are these Amish women willing to put their own lives at risk to help someone who had walked away from his Amish upbringing?

"No matter what happens here, you are an admirable man, and you are doing what Gott wishes you to do to protect this precious kinna. And us."

These very wise words from Willa's mother Beth remind Mason of the belief that he had once possessed, and a big part of this story is his return to faith in God. Author Mary Alford also shows the renewal of his friendship with Willa. Is it possible that there could be a second chance at romance?
Dangerous Amish Showdown is a heartwarming story that you won't want to miss. Fans of romantic Christian suspense, this book is for you!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a positive review, These are my own thoughts. ( )

“What dangerous events had taken place near her peaceful community to bring back a man who’d professed he would never return to the Plain life again? And what deadly effects would his return have on her simple world?”

A different take on the Amish romance novel, Mary Alford’s “Dangerous Amish Showdown” introduces readers to US Marshal Mason Shetler, his partner Erik Timmons, and a precocious six-year-old named Samantha. She is under their care as a member of the witness protection program due to witnessing the murder of her parents, and Mason is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Ironically, doing so leads him home to West Kootenai, the Amish community of his youth and the place that he fled thirteen years earlier, and his childhood friend, Willa Lambright. A faceoff against the Mafia on a remote Montana farm does not present good odds, but it may offer unexpected redemption.

When I consider the romantic suspense genre, Amish fiction is not the first thing that comes to mind, especially when the Mafia is involved! This anomaly is therefore intriguing, and I appreciate how Alford utilizes it to encapsulate a story about redemption and deliverance. Even though Samantha is ultimately the target, it is Mason’s faith that has been under fire since the events that caused him to leave his Amish upbringing, and “Dangerous Amish Showdown” highlights both the physical and spiritual battles that we face in this life. In many ways it parallels the Biblical story of the prodigal son, as Mason is slowly able to see the winding path of his life: “Through the years of beating himself up for the decisions he’d made back then, Mason hadn’t really thought about God directing each one of them, taking Mason’s missteps and using them for His purposes.” Even when those purposes include heartache and suffering.

Throughout the gripping narrative, Willa and her ailing mother, Beth, demonstrate the essential, life-giving power of godly faith in the midst of great trials, against overwhelming odds. As such, the sacrificial nature of these women and of the Marshals serves to remind readers of Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. As the situation becomes more dire for the characters, Matthew 19:26 kept coming to mind, wherein Jesus tells His disciples: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The same God who knows each sparrow that falls to the ground is the same God who watches over us, and nothing is too hard for Him. He is always the victor of showdowns with evil.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. ( )

When the sun set on this day, she wondered if any of them would be alive to tell the truth about what really happened here today.

Do not expect to put this aside until you have finished reading and have taken a moment to breathe. There is murder and enough non-stop action to keep you at the edge of your seat, wondering if the statement made at the beginning will come true - will anyone be alive? Mason and Erik are US Marshals tasked with the care and protection of a young witness. Repeatedly their safe houses have been breached - who is giving out this information?

Willa, an Amish woman, cares for her mother who is ill. The Amish are non-resistant. Finding herself in the middle of a shoot-out - will she manage to do what she needs to do?

This Love Inspired Suspense was received through Harlequin and CelebrateLit. These comments are my own and were in no way solicited. ( )