About the Book
Book: Forged in Darkness by Kendra Warden
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christian Romance
Release Date: November 15, 2023
The gang is her family now…
Lauren Ortega has served the Iron Prophets faithfully for years, but when her boyfriend pushes her to take part in a major drug smuggling job, she knows it’s finally time to get out. With the help of a childhood friend in law enforcement, she meets a man who offers her a chance at freedom–but walking away from her past is not going to be easy.
For security professional Reilly Forge, there is no gray area when it comes to right and wrong. Risking an undercover informant’s life for the greater good is just part of the job. But when he meets Lauren, he realizes that the line between criminal and victim isn’t always as clear as he once thought.
As deadly enemies close in on all sides, can Reilly protect the troubled woman who has shattered his assumptions and stolen his heart?
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My Review
5 stars
Kendra Warden writes a page-turning romantic suspense in this prequel to the Forge Brothers Security series.
I’ll admit I was nervous when I first started reading this, as I’m not typically a fan of gritty suspense and usually stay away from topics like drugs and gangs. Turns out I had nothing to fear. Kendra Warden masterfully weaves a tale of life in a drug gang without leaving the reader feeling dirty or horrified. It’s realistic enough to help the reader identify with Lauren’s plight.
I loved the way the author used Reilly’s character to symbolize hope for Lauren. She had to trust him (much like we have to trust Jesus) if she hoped to escape the clutches of the gang. It wasn’t without risk.
I also loved the internal conflict for Reilly. As he finds himself drawn to the troubled Lauren, his head acknowledges that his feelings could be heightened by the danger of the situation, but he just can’t get his heart to agree. If the rest of the heroes in the series are as real as Reilly, I’m gonna love reading it.
I would strongly recommend this for fans of Christian romantic suspense, inspirational romantic suspense, and clean romance. Don’t let the topic of drugs, gangs, and cartels scare you off. The author handles those subjects in a wonderfully delicate way.
Romance: Cleanly described attraction.
Faith: Lauren’s character draws on her roots of attending church with her grandmother and takes a chance on prayer and God.
About The Author
Kendra Warden writes romantic suspense with real danger and fearless faith. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, three young children, two cats, and a whole lot of books. She's passionate about (very) early mornings, long walks, and buffalo sauce.
Find Kendra on her website: https://kendrawarden.com/
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