🚨🎄 "Covert Amish Christmas" (2020) 🎄🚨 - Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (November 10, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335403159

ISBN-13: 978–1335403155

Click Picture for Order Information

 

 

“Fleeing to Amish country

might be the only way to survive Christmas…

 Hiding in Amish country, former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman’s determined to find evidence to catch the corrupt agents who killed her partner. But when her Christmas refuge is discovered, the sole person she can trust is Amish widower Aaron Shetler. With ruthless—and dangerously powerful—enemies after them, Victoria must use all her training to make sure they live through the holidays.”

 

I intended on getting this book when I came upon the JustRead tour posted and decided to get the book since I had an Amazon gift card. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE romantic suspense!

It was about 20 years ago that I started with Harlequin’s Intrigue line – I read quite a few of those books, but I have more that I haven’t – among other books from 2000-2006.

 

I also wanted to get this book as I had previously read Amish Country Murder by the author and enjoyed that book! These are standalone books and do not need to be read together. As it is LOVE INSPIRED, there will be references to God, themes of salvation, redemption, second chances, and some prayer.

 

Immediately it being the genre it is, the plot, as well as an “Amish” story – I was really excited to read this. There are Amish terms (Pennsylvania Dutch), and thankfully I do understand them Gott/God; gut/good; bruder/brother. Part of my grandmother’s family settled in the Pennsylvania Dutch country over 150 (or more) years ago.

 

Anyway …

 

Alford’s descriptive and engaging writing draws the reader right in from the beginning. The non-stop action begins with a literal bang and does not stop until the very end. This is more suspense than romance, but that doesn’t really matter to me.

 

Englisch stories mixed with the Amish are always interesting reads, adding in law enforcement ups the excitement. But, in this story, one of the main characters is with former CIA. That definitely ups the interest. And, to be honest, I read about 80 pages before I was able to really take notes for the review. I takes notes as I don’t want to forget anything that interests me or I want to highlight.

 

Don’t let the calm scene on the bottom of the book fool you – this is anything but calm. The woman on the top of the cover (Victoria) – her intense mood sets the stage for this story.  

 

Victoria is hiding in Amish country from rogue C.I.A agents, with only one contact she can trust. She has some evidence left to her; by her late partner (and boyfriend) that sheds some light on shady dealings. But, she cannot yet decipher it.

 

But, as always – before she (or anyone) can get a handle on it – the bad guys come calling. And, these ones are not so polite about it.

 

After being wounded, she is found by Aaron, who instantly decides to help her despite the danger. And, danger there is – thus putting Victoria, Aaron, and his family on the run throughout the Amish territory/farms they live.

 

Despite her insistence on not accepting Aaron’s help, he wants to help her. And, with his help she’s able to retrieve the evidence that got David killed. It definitely points to the shady dealings – and those involve others, perhaps the very men after her.

 

With the “death squad” on her trail, Victoria knows that after it is over – she’s done with the spy business. Still, she is grappling with the fact she sometimes misses Amish life, but feels she isn’t worthy to return to it. It is through widower Aaron that she starts seeing the way to a second chance – her past doesn’t define her.

 

All is revealed, as usual, and I was right about a character I didn’t trust. For some reason as soon as the person was mentioned, I didn’t trust them. And, there was a character I knew what side he was on, again, I was right. Despite having the feelings I did – I did find the end rather exciting and satisfying. At times it is pulse-pounding, heart-stopping, and definitely riveting.

 

I couldn’t put this quick paced, super-addictive read down for too long without feeling an urge to pick it back up.

 

Of course the parts not liked are minor – how many times they “ALMOST” get caught. But, without those, the book would be fairly boring, especially for a suspense novel. Given the subject, Alford made sure it remained exciting without being redundant. It definitely kept my interest.

 

I wanted just a little bit more background on her, was Victoria’s past Amish life. The author did a great job in explaining part of it, but I did have a question as to why she really couldn’t stay with the Amish family “friends” after her parents’ deaths given the differences in the lifestyle – the people who raised her, despite being cousins, were Englisch.  

 

There was also a little “issue” with weapon terminology that some might find questionable – particularly those who work around weapons. It is a common faux pas with most fiction work – magazine vs. clip terminology. While it is nothing that really affects the overall plot or advancement of the story; still, it does need to be addressed, as it is a contentious point for some.

 

On page 105 it states “the magazine held half a clip”. A clip is different than a magazine, which is what semi-automatic pistols (Glock, Sig Sauer, etc) use. A clip is simply a storage device you use to load ammunition into the magazine of a firearm such as what the Glock (the weapon referred to in the story) uses. As Victoria had been with the CIA, it is possible she had a Glock 17 (standard for law enforcement), thus the magazine would hold 17 rounds (bullets), so HALF A MAGAZINE (not clip) would have been around 8-9 bullets.

 

Again, a minor snafu for some; major for others.

 

I don’t know about the indestructible claim or firing after being dropped in water. This is something I did hear Tommy Lee Jones’ character in the movie U.S MARSHALS (1998) state about them firing under water and I have read some articles as to the claim, still that one I am leaving untouched.

 

Overall, fans of the author and genre won’t want to miss this one! I look very forward to reading her future books. I do have Amish Country Kidnapping and look forward to someday reading it.

 

I hope that the author plans to have a book about Aaron’s brother who is a U.S Marshal. I’d like to know how that happened as it seems very interesting.

RATING:

 

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  

Mary Alford was inspired to become a writer after reading romantic suspense greats Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. Soon, creating characters and throwing them into dangerous situations that tested their faith came naturally for Mary. In 2012 Mary entered the speed-dating contest hosted by Love Inspired Suspense and later received “the call”. Writing for Love Inspired Suspense has been a dream come true for Mary.

 

 

 

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAlfordAuthor/

 

Instagram: https://twitter.com/maryalford13

 

 

 

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