Forged in Peril

Forge Brothers Security #1

by Kendra Warden

She can’t keep running…

Ambitious paralegal Bristol Chaplin knows that achieving her dream of becoming a lawyer won’t be easy, but there’s a price that even she isn’t willing to pay. When a dark secret threatens to destroy her career, she’s forced to seek help from the man she thought she’d left behind forever.

Private security operative Cameron Forge is content to spend his life serving God and protecting the innocent. But as the woman who broke his heart brings danger straight to his doorstep, he realizes that keeping her safe might be his toughest mission yet.

With hidden threats lurking behind every shadow, they have no choice but to uncover the truth about who is hunting Bristol before it’s too late. Even if it means putting their lives–and hearts–on the line.

Serve. Protect. Redeem.

Each book in the Forge Brothers Security Christian romantic suspense series can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Romantic Suspense, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2024

About the author

Kendra Warden writes romantic suspense with real danger and fearless faith. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, four young children, two cats, and a whole lot of books. She loves Monday mornings and getting up early, and she's convinced that if she only figures out the perfect planning system, she'll mysteriously have the time to write every Christian romance idea that pops into her head.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ticked all the boxes for me:

✔️fantastic Christian romantic suspense
✔️Canadian author
✔️clean read
✔️second chances
✔️workplace romance
✔️family first

Allow Kendra Warden to show you why we should never underestimate someone from humble beginnings!

When Bristol Chaplin discovers that none of her hard work will ever get recognized as a paralegal at Droling & Porter, Attorneys at Law she begins to look elsewhere for validation and advancing her career. Bristol’s departure is anything but a smooth transition; she’s traumatized and victimized. Putting her heart on high alert, she resolves to take a position at her former boyfriend’s firm, Forge Brother’s Security. It’s been seven years since she broke up with Cameron. Can they set aside their differences to work together?

Cameron is a cinnamon roll with a flicker of hope still hidden away in his heart. He firmly believes that “even the most broken things could be mended” and that “real love is worth all the suffering and sacrifice it demands.” He still loves Bristol.

Unfortunately, there are sinister forces at work and everyone needs to value the opportunity to work together and trust so that they can move ahead.

This book may mainly be focussed on trust and second chances, but it’s also about:

✔️greed
✔️vulnerability
✔️grief
✔️intuition
✔️choices
✔️keeping family together
✔️learning to be the people God intended us to be
✔️Being the bigger person


“Have you ever considered that sometimes our goals change as we figure out God’s plan for our lives?”

“All we can do is decide if we are going to try and choose our own crosses, or let God choose them for us.”

I loved Boris The Taurus, had my spidey senses on alert with the sociopathic behaviour, and loved the reminders about letting go and letting God. I enjoyed my time in Silver Grove and loved Warden’s story about never underestimating a paralegal from humble beginnings as well as her message about God’s protection and love.

I truly can’t wait for Ben and Grace’s story in Forged in Secrets Spring 2024!

[Amanda (BookLoverAmanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forged in Peril - Kendra Warden
4 Stars
BLOG POST: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...

I really enjoyed this Christian romantic suspense! Kendra's writing style is great! Bristol and Cameron knew each other some time ago....she broke his heart and is back - but she's not the same girl he once knew. She has been through some very traumatic things in her past and a dark secret threatens her career. She needs help from Cameron as someone is obviously after her...is it the man from her past assault she has tried to heal from for so long? She's a paralegal and he a private security operative. He will do anything to keep her safe and she finally feels safe for the first time in a long time with him....

This is the first book in the Forge Brothers Security series and I found myself really connected to these characters and loved the romance! It was just the right amount for me. Very sweet, protective MMC Cameron and Bristol had really been through some heartbreaking things. We had a lot of focus on second chances and I really liked the faith thread with prayers, bible verses and that no matter what, God's plan is always at work through our suffering.

I will definitely be continuing in this series soon!

Read if you like:

- Dual POV Romances
- Christian Romantic Suspense
- Books with heavier topics and a faith thread
- Second Chance Romance
- Protective MMC
- Paralegal FMC
- Workplace Romance

*Trigger Warning: Previous sexual assault discussed, kidnapping.

[Brittney (booksta.britt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christian suspense was just the perfect amount of everything. I couldn’t put this one down. I knew whenever I started reading it that it was going to be one I quickly finished. Bristol gets a new job and Cameron is her boss. She has secrets & Cam wants to be the one to protect her. Bristol is stubborn and doesn’t want any help though - especially from him.
They have a history and do not want hearts broken. Again.
I loved the brotherhood in this book. I loved the patience & tenderness of Cameron as Bristol navigated really hard things. I loved his protectiveness - ugh 🥹 This one had me on the edge of my seat! I was trying to figure out the “who did it?” during the whole book but turns out I wouldn’t be a very good investigator 😂 I’m very excited to read the next book in this series! Thank you, Kendra for this wonderful book!
••Honorable mention lines

✨It felt right being here, next to her, her face scrubbed free of any makeup, her hair out of place, her feet bare. It felt like a glimpse at the future he had prayed for, for so many years, where she was his wife, and she was happy.

✨She had no one else to be, nowhere else to go. She was done running.  She was home.

••Content
Rape (in the past)
Mentions of suicide

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

The vibes:
- dual pov
- Christian romance suspense
- second chance
- Closed door
- workplace
- Brothers
- Themes of faith & forgiveness
- Stalker

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this one in the beginning and was interested in where the story would take me. We follow Bristol and Cameron as they reconnect after years of being apart. There’s so much that we the reader are clueless on as the story unfolds. We know something split them up years ago- but don’t know what. We know Bristol is being haunted by something in her past- but don’t know what. So following the story as it unfolds initially kept me interested in what happened in all the main plot points. But also I just really wanted to know what the heck was going on and felt majorly in the dark.

I felt like the goal was for the characters to grow- specifically Bristol- but the change of heart came so suddenly for me that I wish we had seen more of what she was thinking and feeling throughout the story. I felt similarly about the romance aspect also. It seemed like Bristol and Cameron had a history together and loved eachother in the past- but I don’t see any of that connection in the current timeline other than the physical attraction that they have towards eachother. We’re told that they have this care for eachother and we see it a lot in Cameron’s protectiveness of Bristol, but I don’t really know these characters well or know why they care about eachother romantically.

Cameron and Bristol just didn’t make a lot of sense as a couple for me. The way he would tell her “don’t be like this” when she gets emotional or defensive. I’m not sure. It just bothered me a little bit. The way they fought the entire book and didn’t see eye to eye for some major things made me feel like they weren’t super compatible and I didn’t feel on board with them as a couple.

It’s a heavy story. The plot. The backstory. It’s so sad. So you’ll want to check TW on this one. Concerning the plot- the themes of faith and Christianity are very heavy. I’m not increasing or decreasing my rating for this - but there’s Bible verses mentioned, prayers, mentions of God’s plans/will, etc… I enjoyed some of it, but it felt a little bit inorganic or forced for me at moments.

The focus of the book is definitely more on the plot of danger than the romance. Also faith and Christianity plays a big role in the story and characters. It’s advertised as a Christian romance suspense, and I do think it’s labeled appropriately. If you’re looking for a Christian fiction book with an element of danger, you might enjoy this one.

[Mandi Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet romantic suspense! These characters drew me in from the start, and I loved the mysteries and action. Looking forward to more in this series!

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second time I've read this book, and it was just as good this time around as the first! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering all the "w" questions: who, what, when, where, and why.

I loved the growth that happened in Bristol. She was initially so [understandably] prickly and stand-offish and only SELF-reliant until she let God do a work in her. Which is another great thing about this suspense book: it is unashamedly Christian.

This book is great, and I definitely recommend it. I also recommend the prequel, Forged in Darkness, that you can get when you sign up for Kendra Warden's newsletter.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~

[Rachel Luke Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this debut novel from Kendra! It was written well and definitely held my attention.

I loved that it dealt with heavier topics with such a delicate hand. I loved that we were able to see Bristol let down her walls and allow others to help her through her trauma.

I love that Cameron was so patient with her and that he wanted to do all he could to protect and cherish her.

I love that this book brought in the Christian aspects and shows that we all need to rely on God to help us find our way in this life and that we are never alone.

Physical Intimacy Lvl 1 (Sweet Kisses)
Mild Swearing (One use of bast*** - correctly used to describe someone's lineage though)
Dual 3rd person POV

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

The relationship felt unrealistic. They confirm why they could never be together, they try again, say "this is why I made the right choice in saying we could never be together," then suddenly their love is undying and strong.

I was also annoyed with the set-up of the "bad guy"- I guessed who it was fairly early on but didn't want it to be them. I wanted that character to show growth/ build a relationship instead.

[Emma Walz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this suspenseful romance between a paralegal and her highschool sweetheart turned Security Firm Owner. It’s been 7 years since Bristol declined Cameron’s proposal and moved across the country, but now she’s back, and working for him. Containing plenty of heart pounding suspense scenes, a plot twist or two, and intentional Biblical redirection during conflict, this read was hard to put down and I breezed right through it!


Content warning: rape (past and no explicit details described) and kidnapping


This book has:
- dual POV
- second chance lovers
- heavy themes surrounding SA
- workplace romance
- found family
- plenty of faith themes


*I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. A positive review was not required!*

Special thanks to Kendra Warden for letting me get my hands on his beautiful story early!

[gianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!! this was a really sweet listen! absolutely love cameron and bristol! i also liked how there was a lot of action in this keeping me on my toes! the fight that happened between the two of them i was not a fan of but i liked how everything came together! i feel like i’m apart of this little family/universe and i wanna listen to more of this series 🤭

[Chandra Laidlaw (caffeinated.chapters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the description for Forged in Peril, I was excited! A Christian romantic suspense novel. I really enjoyed this debut novel by Kendra Warden! Bristol and Cameron have a history and now Bristol ends up working for Cameron’s security company. Some recent trauma in Bristol’s life has left her vulnerable and a target. Cameron works to break down the walls that Bristol has put up, while protecting her. The story comes to a dramatic climax when Bristol and Cameron find out who is behind the attacks on Bristol, and why.

I can’t wait for the next book of the series to read about Ben and Grace’s adventures.

*I received an ARC copy for my honest review*

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forged in Peril is a debut romantic suspense by Kendra Warden. The series is off to a great start, if this book is typical of what we can expect! I loved the characters and found the story to be fast-paced, intriguing, and turning pages! I will anxiously await the next book!

[Kaelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adding this to my list of favorite books!!

This book is so well written and intriguing. The pace is perfect and the characters are so relatable and lovable. The suspense had me turning the pages with such determination because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. The character arcs are beautiful and the romance is swoonworthy! I love a story with a bone-deep good guy who would do anything to protect the people he loves, and this book definitely delivered. I can't wait to continue the series and see what the other Forge brothers get themselves into!

[Stuart Pringle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Forged in Peril for free in exchange for an honest review.

Forged in Peril is the first book of the Christian romantic suspense series Forge Brothers Security by Kendra Warden (after a novella called Forged in Darkness). Typically I read high fantasy and science fiction, so this was a bit of a genre hop for me, but it was a genre hop I enjoyed. I found the story compelling, and appreciated the way Warden tackles some difficult topics in the book: she doesn’t gloss over them by any means, but neither does she dwell on them too long or even revel in them, as some authors are wont to do. It was also good to read a Christian romance book in which God is not an afterthought or included just to get the word ‘Christian’ in the genre. While not the main focus of this book, the characters’ faith is a large part of who they are and is a major theme woven throughout it.

I’ll try to break down specific things I did or did not like below. Be aware there will be spoilers ahead. I’ll try to keep them minor, but still: you have been warned. As a literary pirate might say: ‘here be spoilers!’

What I liked:
- Warden has a strong writing style that keeps the book moving forward. I’ve read several of the Storm and Spire series Warden wrote under a different name, and found the writing lacking, especially in the early books in the series. Here, I did not find the writing lacking at all; it served its purpose well and really kept the book fast-paced and engaging.

- I felt the portrayal of the emotional trauma and guilt experienced (and driving) Bristol throughout the book was well done. Bristol felt like a well fleshed-out character, relatable in many ways, who has very real flaws. She’s not a Mary Sue and she’s not a Strong Independent Female Character in the modern sense of the term (which is a good thing, in case you couldn’t tell by this being included in the positives section), but she’s not a demure push-over, either. It was a nice balance. The one small down-side to this (which isn’t really a down-side, but does include a spoiler) is that at the end of the book I wasn’t actually sure if I should be celebrating her new relationship or not because she’d (realistically) gone back and forth so frequently before in the book. I know, I know, she’s had resolution now and so things are better, but she still has a decent chunk of healing to do!

- As touched on above, God is an ever-present theme in the book. He’s not simply a backdrop; He’s a major part of the characters’ lives. At one point Bristol is even thinking about how, without His will, everything would fall apart instantly. Since this is true, it means that God is the primary plot and actually the main character in the book, if you think about it. I come from a slightly different Christian background from the author, but very much enjoyed her portrayal of Christian values and practical religion in this book.

What I didn’t like:
- Cameron felt less well-rounded as a character than Bristol. The struggles he experiences in the book (avast! Spoilers do lie ahead!) are all about her: how she made him feel when she broke up with him; how he wishes he hadn’t argued with her; how he wants to keep her safe when she’s in danger. While Bristol feels well-rounded and realistic in her portrayal in the book, Cameron is more of a one-dimensional hanger-on. I would have enjoyed a little more of a dive into who he is and what’s important to him (other than Bristol).

- The use of the word ‘bro’. To be fair, this is really a personal quibble and has nothing to do with how good the story (or book) is, but every time I read “hey bro” in the book, I shook my head slightly. I shook my head more than once due to this, so I decided it merited a place in my review. There certainly are men who refer to each other as ‘bro’, but in my experience they tend to be few and far between, and not always the sort of men I enjoy hanging out with.

- The action sequences felt slightly underwhelming. They’re by no means the focal point of the book, so this is more a minor issue, but it felt a little frustrating reading about a professional security firm run by men who are constantly working out and well-built, but who can’t ever seem to catch a bad guy in a foot race.

- Finally, another small quibble I had was that the theme of (ahar, another small spoiler ahead) Bristol being poor is mentioned throughout the book, and several times there’s phrasing such as ‘she really needed that paycheck to come in’ (not a direct quotation), but there’s no sense that she ever actually does get paid. Maybe the timeline is just extremely short so she never gets a paycheck, but to my mind it would have been nice to have some sort of acknowledgement that the work she’s doing (which she puts in crazy hours for) is actually paying off. It doesn’t have to be much; just a mention how she was able to afford a better outfit, or maybe she treats someone else to lunch or something. The premise of the book in the beginning is that she desperately wants to make money to get out of her current circumstances, so it would have been nice to have a bit of a follow-through on that. Again, it’s not a big problem with the book and (again spoilers I guess? Err, I mean… Spoilers, matey!) she probably won’t have to worry about money ever again after the book ends, but it was something I thought about throughout my reading of the novel.

So that’s my (somewhat lengthy) review! To be clear, the ‘bad’ things I noted above weren’t deal-breakers for me, and some of them are likely the result of different genre expectations. I found the book engaging, fun, and a quick read (which is a testament to good and fast-paced story and writing rather than a short page count). I’m now looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

[Kyliegh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian romantic suspense

If you love Christian romantic suspense then you’ll love Forged In Peril! It is really well written and the plot moves at the perfect pace. I’ve been in a slump lately so it took me a bit to get into it. Once the action started though, I didn’t put the book down until it was over. Kendra Warden has a new fan and I cannot wait for the next book in the Forge Brothers Security series.

What you’ll find in Forged in Peril:
🚨 Security Operative MMC
🚨 Paralegal MFC
🚨 Second chance romance
🚨 Biblical truth about God’s grace and forgiveness
🚨 Suspense
🚨 Sweet kisses
🚨He makes her feel safe

[funkelbunt.liest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I rushed through the prequel novella ‘Forged in Darkness’ I was really looking forward to the first ‘real’ book of the series and if anything it only got better.

The book starts with a scene that has you hooked immediately and it takes some time until we figure out what this was all about.
I love that the twists and turns aren’t predictable and you keep questioning yourself how new clues fit in everything you already figured out.

So we’re not completely blindsided by the revelations in the last chapters but we also didn’t see it coming all along. At least it was like that for me. I had some inklings and suspicions but there were still open questions and I think this is not an easy task to do with suspense novels (and movies too). I get easily bored when it’s too obvious but I also don’t like it when the revelation comes out of nowhere because I had zero chance as a reader to figure it out.

So for me Kendra did a great job keeping up the suspense, giving us hints here and there but always leaving some questions open until the end.

I loved the characters, especially Cameron. He was so genuinely caring, understanding and thoughtful. Very rarely personally offended and always tried to see his own mistakes in situations that caused some kind of harm even though he was the one who could have been resentful toward Bristol.

Bristol was a bit harder to like or harder to understand. You can see she is struggling to trust, to be open, to overcome her trauma and to not let it define her and she really really tries and I admire that about her. She questions her faith, her life decisions and what she really wants but in relation to Cameron she is very stubborn and doesn’t doubt her decision from years back to not only leave her hometown but also her boyfriend who just proposed behind.

“Bristol, have you ever considered that sometimes our goals change as we figure out God’s plan for our lives?”

But when she starts opening up to him again she seems to behave erratically. Like she reacts this way one second and the next Cameron has to be so careful how to phrase things. On the one hand she is a very rational character, on the other it’s like walking on eggshells with her. She is so adamant about being this independent career woman that she is blind to what could be and makes stupid mistakes (in regard to her relationship with Cameron but also to the whole danger she was in). First it annoyed me but the more I thought about it the more I could relate to her. People aren’t only rational or only emotional or whatever and usually it’s the people closest to us who can trigger irrational responses. So I think Bristol is a bit exhausting to be around but a very authentic character who tries very hard and that is actually what matters.

Cameron emphasizes this at least two times and it’s such a refreshing view of things when it’s such a mainstream thing to say “you’re perfect as you are, just love yourself” and so on, when simultaneously a lot of people are struggling with not being perfect. So I love the approach of always trying to improve but not despairing if we’re not perfect.

“You don’t have to be perfect,” Cam said, shaking his head. “You just need to try. That’s all I could hope to ask of you.”

“... but I know I still have a long way to go. I’m trying. I just need you to let me.”

Like in the prequel novella I loved how important faith and God were to the characters and to the story and that Bristol decided to trust in God again as she opened up to Cameron as well.

“Once I lost the habit of talking to God, it just got easier and easier to forget about Him completely.”
“Do you ever think about coming back?” he asked. “To the Lord, I mean?”
Her voice was a whisper. “All the time.”

Cameron doesn’t shy away from speaking the truth and talking openly about his faith. I especially love the prayer he speaks over Bristol. Not because of the prayer itself but because he was so nervous and didn’t feel too comfortable praying aloud but he does it anyway because of what this means to Bristol and her relationship to God.

He had never liked praying in front of other people, and no matter how much he always tried to speak from the heart, his brain had a way of second-guessing his words the second it was too late to take them back.

If you haven’t already guessed - I really loved this book and can’t wait for Grace’s and Ben’s story to come out!

* I received an advanced copy of the book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you Kendra for letting me read your amazing debut suspense novel!

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔫Forged in Peril🔫 by #KendraWarden is a suspense filled novel with hidden threats and uncovered truths.

** I would like to express my thanks to ☆ Kendra Warden ☆ for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review **

I think this book was unlike one I ever have read. It is a Christian novel, so I was a bit worried how full? the book would be, but I think everything was wonderfully written. This book had suspense, mystery, and crazy adventure. I think the author really did a great job of showing trauma and how people around you can react to trauma. Some people say that it is all in your head, or they think that you aren’t capable of making your own decisions. But I think the author did a good job of showing that though people are traumatized, they are still rationally thinking human beings and can make decisions rationally.

I really liked the relationship with all of the family members and the MMC, as it was sweet and supportive, telling the truth even though it hurts. The relationship between the main MC and FC characters was nice as well, though at times I wish their fights wouldn’t have been so drawn out, but then trauma (so I get the direction the author was going). At times, I really felt the suspense that the author set up and the plot twist was actually pretty wild. You have got to read it to find out. And though it was a Christian book, I didn’t really feel that it was too down your throat. I think the author did a great job of explaining God’s relationship with the characters which made my heart feel good. And finally, I think the book was really well written and the setting of the novel was great at a security firm, so things made sense plot wise. When I finished the book, I right away looked into her other books that she wrote.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a second chance romance, along with a suspense filled novel.

Repost of Review from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C30pA2zoWW7/

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kendra Warden is not just a new author to me, she is a new author in Christian suspense. She has written fantasy under her real name. I did read the free prequel to this series (available on her website) before reading this book. I highly recommend reading it first.

This is an awesome read. I love suspense novels that are about security/bodyguards, and this series is right up my alley.

The main characters are Cameron and Bristol, and they are great and likable characters, but the author has come up with a great roster of characters for this series, especially the Forge brothers. And cousin. Reilly Forge, from the prequel, is referred to as a brother, but he is actually a cousin.

This book did have it all: suspense, bad guys, a lot of drama, great characters, great setting, and a terrific plot. This really isn't a spoiler, but possibly borders on being one: To understand the reason behind the attacks, one should read the prequel. I read it, and I was still surprised at the who and why. 😏

There is of course romance. It was done well, and was not a "hero meets heroine, falls in love while fleeing bad guys, and live happily ever after." Those kind are fine, but in this one, the couple had dated years ago and broke up. (Well she did the breaking).

The story comes to a very tense, suspenseful, and dramatic point near the end of the book, and the author pulled out all stops to bring the story to a very satisfying and awesome ending.

I am looking forward to more from this series and author, and highly recommend this book. (And the prequel).

Special thanks to the author for an advance e-book copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

[Sarah Cudlipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bristol was an amazing main character and I was rooting for her success and happily ever after from moment one. It was so clear right from the beginning that she was such a hard worker but she wasn't being recognized and the truth was that she was probably never going to be recognized if she stayed there. So I say all the more power to her for looking into other avenues to get the recognition she so deserved.

But I didn't expect for her new position to be at her ex-boyfriend's firm. Cameron was such a secret sweetheart and I loved him from the jump. And it was so clear that he was still madly in love with Bristol. So I knew this romance was going to be swoon-worthy. But it also had the perfect amount of suspense added in there with some trouble on the horizon coming in to threaten what could be a reunion between Bristol and Cameron.

I found it hard to believe that this is Kendra's debut novel because it certainly didn't read that way. It was so good and kept me completely enthralled throughout the entire novel. I cannot wait for the next book in this series, but also just the next book from Kendra. I have found another author to add to my list of favorites and she has found a forever reader in me! I strongly recommend this book! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the opening page of Forged in Peril tension begins in this Christian suspense with romance. Bristol Chaplin takes a job that places her in the office of her high school ex, Cameron Forge. Her only goal is to earn enough money as a paralegal to go back to school and get her law degree. She’d prefer to avoid her ex while doing that, yet when danger surfaces, help from Cameron and his brothers may be the only thing to keep her safe.

I enjoyed the journey of Bristol and Cameron in Forged and Peril as they reentered each other’s lives and were forced to work through the past. Bristol had lots of growth spiritually and emotionally. Cameron is a good balance for her with his stable and patient demeanor. Romantic tension fills the book and the ending doesn’t disappoint.

If you’re looking for action, danger, suspense, mystery, and romance then you will enjoy this book. Kendra Warden does a great job with her first Christian suspense and I look forward to reading about the other Forge brothers. This book has kisses only and is filled with faith.

Trigger warning/ spoiler: Backstory of rape. It is not descriptive.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a debut novel that didn’t feel like a debut! I loved this inspirational suspense romance between Cameron and Bristol. Bristol is coming home, which was not part of any of her plans. She finds a job with the man she thought at one time she was in love with, Cameron. When danger finds her, she reluctantly leans on him, certain the only way to find her way back to her dreams is to guard her heart against the feelings for him that never went away. Will Bristol find peace and love in this unexpected detour or will a villain come in the way of her future?
🥧
I was such a fan of Cameron’s! His faith and forgiveness were shining lights in this story and for Bristol’s journey. The suspense was incredible! It kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing what would happen next!
🥧
Even better news, more stories are coming! I can’t wait to read what comes next for these brothers and from this author!
🥧
“That’s the one thing I know to be true: real love is worth all of the suffering and sacrifice that it demands of us.”
🥧
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bristol Chaplin is returning home to San Antonio and has taken a job with her former boyfriend’s security company out of necessity. Right from the beginning there is tension between Bristol and Cameron. Will they be able to put aside the past, work together, and look to a new future?

The author handled the issue of sexual assault with compassion and realistically portrayed the after effects of emotions that Bristol was experiencing. It took real courage for her to share and not let that event steal more of her life. I admired her tenacity and determination throughout the case.

Cameron is my favorite character because he never gave up on Bristol. He embodies the motto of his family’s security business, “Serve. Protect. Redeem.” He not only sees it as his duty to protect Bristol, but also his honor. I loved his protective and kind heart.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more stories in this action packed, faith-filled series. I received a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was not required.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed "Forged in Peril" by Ms. Warden, a new (to me) author. The book started out with suspense and didn't stop. Cam and Bristol had a past long ago and have become reacquainted after she's left her previous posh job, moved back in with her mother, and began working for the security company Cam and his brothers (& cousin) run. Actually, Cam is Bristol's boss. Both Cam and Bristol are depicted with caring and kind personalities, and the Forge brothers are supportive of each other, though they may not always agree on everything. I had a small thread of suspicion about who the villain was from the beginning, but the ending still was a surprise in how it played out with edge-of-my seat suspense. I couldn't put this book down with its riveting twists and turns, and I highly recommend this clean romantic suspense. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series! I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Sonya Wasden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new author now that I absolutely love. This book was packed with lots of drama, suspense, danger, bad guys and a good dose of romance.

On Bristol Chaplin's first day at the new job, her tires are slashed and the danger continues to escalate from there. Someone is out to get her and it isn't who she thought it would be.

Cameron Forge is one of the owners of the private security form, shared with his brothers and cousin. He has history with Bristol but when she broke his heart seven years ago, he thought she would be forever out of his life. Now, she is back and she needs protection from an unknown danger. He is determined be her protector, but he may have a hard time protecting his heart.

The twists and turns in this story kept me guessing who the bad guy was. I also enjoyed how the Christian values were interwoven into the story but weren't preachy or pushy. I can't wait to read more and hope this is the start of a new series to enjoy.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

[September Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mini Review:
This was my first Christian Romantic Suspense in several year and the storyline was great. You have mystery,suspense, and a second chance at love. Bristol is a paralegal who’s in need of a new job. She returns home and finds a job working for her ex-boyfriend’s family owned security company. Bristol's goal isn’t to reunite with her old love Cameron but to eventually go to law school and become a lawyer so she can help people. But as the two reconnect old feelings resurface. Bristol is going through a lot and including being in danger from an unknown source. Cameron is determined to keep her safe.
As a reader Bristol was hard for me to understand at first but as the story continues you come to understand her feelings.
Things I loved
*Cameron’s faith in God
*the growth you see in both Characters
*the mystery and suspense was great I didn’t see the end coming.
*Grace she was a wonderful minor character & friend to Bristol and I’m excited for her own story.
Tropes Include: cinnamon roll hero, second chance romance, Christian suspense, second chance romance, workplace romance
*Content Warning: mention of SA

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am impressed with this debut. The character development was crafted rather well. Bristol is a good heroine even if she was contrary on occasion. That she and Cameron had a history allowed some romance obstacles to quickly develop. Warden's writing style is clear and kept my interest to the end. The plot was pretty well crafted although I was surprised that an informative revelation near the end clarified the villain and the reason for the suspense. The information was previously hidden. I prefer a more subtle lead up to the villain identification with hints along the way.

This is a good debut effort. There will be more novels about the Forge brothers and I will be looking for them.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Book Sirens. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Megan Crofton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this one down! Perfect combo of suspense and romance to keep me one my toes and coming back for more.

I love the sweet romance blossoming between Bristol and Cameron. And the suspense was well done as were the faith elements. I loved the fast-paced nature and I was so curious on how it would all unfold. Warden definitely kept me guessing in the best way, wish so many twists. The action was fun to read and definitely had me up past my bedtime to see what would happen next.

I loved seeing the individuality between Cam and Bristol play out, it made for a realistic and relatable relationship. I was glad when Cam finally spoke his mind but he was always so gentle with her, considering her past. Though he also always did so well pointing things back to God and Christ. Really related to the themes of finding our identity in Christ and putting our full trust in God. Seeing Bristol hold back and then come to a full reconciliation with her past was beautiful to see.

Such a great romantic suspense book and I will definitely be reading more of Warden's series!!

[Bookswithaudreyb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bristol is a lawyer who is currently struggling and the last thing she wants to do is ask Cameron Forge for help. The only problem is, she has no one else to offer her a job. With her leaving D&P the biggest firm in San Antonio, she doesn’t have any other options left. So she takes a job at Forge Brothers Security.

Cameron gets his hopes up with Bristol coming back into his life and taking the job offering. He has to remember that she turned down his marriage proposal and moved to New York. He tries to keep his distance from her but he notices that she’s always looking over her shoulder and looking paranoid.

I really loved the suspense in this story. It was perfect to keep you hooked and wanting to read more. I had a hard time with Bristol since we are complete opposites but I loved her character growth!

Tw: talks about past SA off page.

[HummingMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forged in Peril by Kendra Warden 4 out of 5 stars. I read this book through Kindle Unlimited. I would definitely reread this again, especially as the next books come out.

Bristol and Cameron are such down to earth, relatable and loveable characters. Engaging from the first sentence, I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, not just with their romantic relationship but also in their lives (and survival). This is going to sound awful, but I enjoyed their struggles and the believable way in which they relied on and turned to God for guidance and protection.

Kendra Warden does an excellent job of creating characters that have a realistic faith that make them very relatable and realistic. It is a sweet romance that introduces the readers to the world of The Forge Brothers Security.

I highly recommend this for anyone 12+ (there are some intense scenes).

[Snow Eaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The suspense element saved this book for me. I feel like it was super well done.

However, given that their age is pretty close to mine I felt like the main characters acted immature when it came to interacting with each other. Neither seemed willing to budge when it came to what they wanted or how they acted. I feel as though they would make better friends than they do a couple for now and maybe when they both get to know each other again as adults (maybe some therapy) they could have another chance together.


I also felt like some of the faith related moments felt forced and not a naturally flowing part of the story. Granted, it could be because I didn’t connect with the characters so it felt out of place to me sometimes. I did heavily relate to Bristol’s journey with struggling with her faith because it relates to mine.