Secret Refuge

This book was supposed to be the first book I read by Dana Mentink. I saw a post here on Goodreads that she was looking for reviewers and signed up. I was so excited when it popped up in my mailbox.

Sadly, I didn't read the first book first. I got stuck at the halfway point, when one scene has a number of characters show up from the other book (Hazardous Holiday). It was at a busy time in my life, with a job change, and I let it get shuffled to one side instead of reviewing like I was supposed to. Shame on me.

However, though I got stuck, I did promise myself that I would try another Mentink book. This past year, I did. I was quickly addicted to her writing style and have been devouring them ever since. She's now firmly in my favorite-authors group. I finally went back to this book and read it all over agin—after reading book 1. Though I still don't find it a favorite, it's a good mystery. The focus on birds in this mini-series was a fun addition for bird-loving me. Also, I really enjoy when authors put in special-needs characters, especially kids.