Perilous Healing

Coastal Hope #5

by Jessica Ashley

She broke his heart. But now, this former SEAL is her only hope of surviving what's coming.

Shortly after returning home from being held captive overseas, former Navy SEAL Silas Williamson found himself sole guardian of his four-year-old niece.

Moving to Hope Springs was supposed to be a safe haven for them both, but then she showed up. The woman who has haunted every moment of his life since they parted ways a decade ago.

Bianca Theodore has certainly suffered through her fair share of dark times. As a military trauma surgeon, she's saved more lives than she can count. However, there was one life she refused to save. And after years of hiding...those who know she's responsible have found her.

As Bianca faces down with the nightmares of her past, she turns to Silas who is haunted by his own. Together they stand a chance at surviving the coming battle, but only if they turn to the One who can bring them the peace they so desperately crave.

If you are looking for a sizzling (but not spicy!) romantic suspense, with a protective hero struggling with his faith, a talented surgeon fighting to survive, a small town that protects their own, and a team of wounded veterans turned private security officers, then Perilous Healing is for you!

This Christian Romantic Suspense deals
-Coping with trauma
-Discovering your worth
-Seeking God in everything
-Healing from your past

The Coastal Hope series can be enjoyed in any order!

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Audiobook, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Military Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2024

About the author

Jessica is an Army veteran who lives in Texas with the love of her life and their three children.

After spending nearly a decade writing spicy paranormal and fantasy romance as a USA Today bestselling author, she felt the desire to do something completely different.

She will still tell heartbreakingly beautiful stories with strong women and protective men, but this time they will also feature the joy of faith, and the importance of following God in whatever journey He sets you on.

Reviews

[DevotedToHope · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Perilous Healing by Jessica Ashley, the intensity of danger and redemption wrapped around my heart like vines in the jungle, as Jaxson Payne and Margot Anderson ran for their lives—both literally and spiritually. This story is filled with suspense and romance – an adventure for anyone seeking a captivating read that dives deep into themes of faith and healing. It beautifully navigates the tangled vines of life, where a faith so strong that even the darkest parts of the jungle can’t smother it.

From the moment Jaxson limps into Hope Springs, you sense the weight of his past. This is a man with a heart of gold who has been broken, both physically and emotionally. The fact that he was told he’d never walk again but defied those odds symbolizes something deeper—his journey with God. His resilience isn’t just in his ability to stand on two feet; it’s in his unwavering belief that God has a purpose for him, even after everything he’s endured.

Margot’s world has splintered in a different way. I found myself cheering for her, too, as she fought to rebuild her life after heartbreak. Her quiet strength and reliance on prayer during moments of fear and uncertainty echoed with me. Her journey to trust God’s promises, even when the future seemed unclear, mirrored my own struggles—learning to surrender and lean on His will instead of my own understanding.

At one poignant moment, Margot reflects: “No matter where you are, no matter what you face, His will is what will prevail.” That hit me hard. It’s easy to feel trapped in the thicket of life’s struggles, but this book beautifully reminds us that when we fully surrender to God, His love is unwavering, His eyes are always on us, and He walks with us through every trial, never leaving us alone.

The suspense kept my heart pounding, yet the real beauty lay in how Jaxson and Margot's relationship with each other—and more importantly, with God—blossomed amidst it all, trusting Him to guide and protect them through the unknown.

One of my favorite quotes, “If you want to truly move into your new life, then you have to accept your Savior, ask for forgiveness, and let the past go,” encapsulated the core message. Both Jaxson and Margot had to release their pasts to embrace the hopeful future God had for them—a future filled with amazing love.

The faith woven into the heart of Perilous Healing transformed it from a mere story into a vibrant testament of faith in motion. The jungle, alive with danger and beauty, served not just as a setting but as a rich metaphor for life’s chaotic twists and turns. Each uncertain step mirrored our own struggles, yet amidst the shadows, God’s unwavering presence brightened the path forward. The truths about His provision and love resonated with me long after I closed the book, reminding me that even in the wildest of circumstances, we are never alone when we are His.

I received a digital version of Perilous Healing from the author. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content -- ensuring transparency and reliability.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome faith-filled read with suspense, danger, and romance. Silas and Bianca have a history between them, and I enjoyed their separate spiritual journeys as they searched for the Truth. Silas endured many losses in his life and has fears about losing what matters to him. Bianca has a secret of her own. I enjoyed the plot and the characters were well-developed with struggles of their own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dana Leet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series in this book was absolutely amazing. If you would like Christian fiction suspense, that truly talks about the gospel and truly speaks about salvation being the only way to spend eternity with Jesus, these characters are amazing. This author is phenomenal. I will read everything she ever writes.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was BEAUTIFUL!!!! One of my favorites

[Kassidy Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that keeps you up all night—trust me, I’m still recovering from mine! This romantic suspense novel is an absolute masterpiece, and here’s why you need to add it to your TBR:

🌟 Incredible Characters
The characters are so raw and relatable, and their growth throughout the story is truly satisfying. You can’t help but feel every emotion right along with them.

📖 Addictive Plot
The pacing is fast, the twists are gripping, and “just one more chapter” quickly turns into reading until the early hours. It’s impossible to put down!

🤗 Swoony Romance + Found Family
I loved the romance and protective hero trope. If you’ve read Ashley’s previous books, you’ll love seeing familiar faces—it’s like reconnecting with old friends.

🙏 Thoughtful Themes of Faith
Faith is woven beautifully into the story, adding a layer of depth that balances perfectly with the romance and suspense. It’s inspiring without ever feeling heavy-handed.

If you love romantic suspense with heartfelt characters, a gripping plot, and just the right touch of faith, I can’t recommend this book enough!

[It's Sunrise Again · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perilous Healing is one of the best christian fiction romantic suspense novels I've read. It was the perfect conclusion to the Coastal Hope series, and it blew it me away. I was very excited to see what happened with Bianca and Silas after the hints we got about their past in earlier books. I finished Perilous Healing with tears in my eyes, and I will miss the coastal hope crew, but I'm excited to see what Jessica writes next.

I received an ARC from the author, but this did not impact my thoughts or opinions on this review.

[Kathy Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silas is mentally tortured because he has to listen to his fellow Navy Seals die at the hands of a vile & ruthless man. The torture he ensures sounds unbearable. I think I would be begging for death myself. And as a Christian that's not easy to say. Until one day a stranger comes & lets him out. He tells him how to get out of the building & leaves. On his way out he hears a woman screaming. Being the good guy that he is he can't leave her there. Together they spend a month being pursued before they are rescued. Bianca happens to be a military doctor, without her he wouldn't have made it out. She had to constantly sew up seven long gashes he had that kept reopening. They fell in love while fleeing. However, that changed the minute Silas found out that her father was the one who had killed his Seal brothers. Which is completely irrational because you can't blame someone for who their parents are. He spent time in another state in a secluded cabin trying to get over her. He had a bunch of anger inside him from losing people he loved. And to top it all off he lost his twin sister & brother in law while he was in another state. His sister had a daughter he had never met. His sister had made him her guardian. He was going to sign his rights away without even meeting her. I wanted to reach through the book to slap him! As luck would have it she was there & he saw her crying in a playpen. He knew it was her immediately because they looked so much alike they could be father/daughter. Bianca never got over the heartache of loosing Silas. She helped a security firm find a missing friend of hers. And later took the firm up on their offer up on a permanent job. It just happened to be the same small town Silas decided to settle with his niece. And he worked for the same security firm. He was not happy she was there. He was trying to forget her & move on with his life. Bianca never gave up on the possibility of getting back together with him. She had looked into where he was after a few years. Needless to say growing up with a crime boss for a father she had a lot of baggage. And after her father murdered her mother she ran away. She changed her name & joined the military to get as far away from her fathers reach as possible. Yet her uncle tracked her down & kidnapped her from an Army base to save her dad's life. She purposely decided to let him die in the end because the world would be a better place. Now she thought she was as much a monster as he was. The security firm they worked for, was made up of mostly Christian ex military men & women. Bianca became intrigued by how everyone found so much joy and comfort from the Bible that she secretly started reading it. However, it was just a bunch of words on a page to her. Until she talked to the pastor of the local church. It was after that that she was able to believe in God. And a huge weight was lifted from her. Of course, this is when her uncle finds her. He kidnaps her & Silas & takes them to an undisclosed location. When they get there they are told why. And because I hate to ruin an ending you will have to read the book to find out.

[Chelsey D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Struggling to understand why God let things happen? Ever went through something and wonder WHY you and/or others go through difficult times? Well, this is a sign for you to pick this book up!

Oh boy, where do I start? Every single time I am shocked about how UNIQUE Jessica’s books are! Each book is so different and to this point I don’t know what to expect. Her stories and each character have their own unique story, I mean the PLOT TWIST just WOW. Like is that even possible - to have all different stories and characters and then bring them all together. *Chefs kiss*


Silas, to the majority of people, was one of us at some point. We wondered, why there is so much violence, poverty, injustice around the world and why is God letting all of that happened. Why could there not be a perfect world free of all that? Why, if God really loved us, are children suffering? Does God even exist?

Yes, He does exist and He loves us so much that He gave us FREE WILL. He didn’t want us to be robots and be programmed to do things in certain ways without feeling anything - without having a purpose. Perilous Healing will explain and give you more insight and understanding if you are or once been a Silas. You are not alone.

Also, I loved how Jessica introduced the Hunt Brothers! (Currently reading and loving Bradyn and I know you all will too) see! Everything is interconnected that’s why you’ll love her books even more!

The reason that I chose 4.5 stars is because I felt like I needed more of Bianca’s relationship with God, for example, she kept reading the Bible and praying but I felt like her faith was sudden and as someone who read the Bible several times, I still struggled with strengthening my faith so I felt like if we had more of her daily routine with God then it would inspire others aka non believers to really understand and develop their faith.

Nonetheless, perfect as all of Ashley’s books are :)

*I wished I had read it sooner but finals and homework were piling up :(

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

So my review today is on the Christian Romantic Suspense, Perilous Healing. This is the final book in the series Coastal Hope. It's hard, you can't wait to get to the next book in the series only to finish the last one and be so sad its over. I did read the two short stories that went with the series but I'm still disappointed its over. I loved these characters, they are like family. As a single seventy nine year old great grandma I really liked the short story A Coastal Christmas. It gives me hope. I know you are going to love this one.

Former Navy SEAL, current security agent for Knight Security. Silas Williamson was captured and tortured ten years ago by a cartel. His SEAL team were killed but he had miraculously escaped. He took with him a beautiful captive. They survive out in the jungle for a month and are then rescued by his cousins. What he learned of the woman who was with him that month haunts him even after ten years. Unfortunately she is now working with him.

Bianca Theodore was captured by the cartel to perform a surgery. The patient dies. Silas rescues her and they run for their lives. Silas was in bad shape from the torture he had endured. She did all that she could to keep him alive. When they are again captured, the men reveal her secret to Silas and changes everything. Will he ever be able to forgive her?

Ten years later the cartel comes after these two threatening to destroy the small town and kill everyone in it. A terrifying journey to save the people they love. God has a plan for these two, a good plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. A plan for peace and not for destruction. give Him your heart and watch Him turn your life around.

[Joanna White · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWOWOWW! BEST OF THE WHOLE SERIES!
AHHH! So, I looooove this book! It’s definitely my favorite in the whole series. I remember feeling a bit disappointed by the ending of the last book and felt the plot was starting to get repetitive and thus, predictable, and hoping that the author would do something different to change things up and boy she really did that!
Man, I mean, the romance and suspense in this story was absolutely perfectly balanced, and it was way different than the other books and so intense. I love Bianca and Silas and both their romance and their personal stories. I love the Christian theme in this one and did feel this one is a lot more grounded in reality than the others (likely because the characters but especially Silas come at it starting off as non-believers growing in their faith and journey with God). Silas’ story is heart wrenching and tragic and beautiful. I feel like Jessica handles the trauma so well (she did in all the books but especially this one).
And even when I thought it was gonna end and be over (which feels like the point in the story when the other books ended) this one kept going and amped up the suspense and intense plotline. I couldn’t get enough!
5 stars for me!
Eventually, I do plan to jump to her other series which is about Silas’ cousins and their rescue team, so that sounds really interesting! I plan to keep following Jessica Ashley, and I’m interested to see where she goes with her other books!

[Lettie Loo · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK...I had high hopes for Silas and Bianca, but this...I'm not overwhelmed, I'm not underwhelmed, I'm just whelmed with Perilous Healing.
Silas and Bianca have a history that they've kept from Lance and the rest of Knight Security. Now they're living side-by-side in a duplex; she's on one side while he's on the other with his 4-year-old niece.
Silas has a lot of grief and anger relating to the sudden loss of his sister and brother-in-law in a car accident several years earlier, leaving him as the sole guardian for his 1-year-old niece. Bianca has a backstory that she's only ever shared with Silas, in the jungle when they didn't think they would make it home alive.
10 years later, and her past has caught up with them. Bianca and Silas are invi-told to come to a fancy dinner in Boston with her uncle where they are then drugged and taken to his compound somewhere overseas. They are told they will be there for the next two months: Bianca to serve as doctor and Silas as her bodyguard. They request one phone call, so Silas calls Lance back at Knight Security, telling him to "Say hi to Bravo."
What does that mean? I kept it in the back of my mind, figuring it was some sort of pre-determined code the two men had. The weeks go by, and there is no rescue from the Knight team.
Will they manage to escape, and save the villagers being held captive by Bianca's uncle? Will her uncle honor his word and let them go home at the end of the two months?
Grab yourself a copy and find out!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing ending to this great series. This was the author's first Christian series, and she did an excellent job.

I loved all 5 books and the characters in them, but this is by far the best of the 5. Bianca and Silas were such awesome characters with so much depth and past history that had made them practically enemies.

And the plot of this one...man. At one point the author had tossed Silas and Bianca into such a mess that I silently contemplated burning the book if they didn't get out safely. Yes, I am not forgetting the book was fiction, but what they went through, how they came through it...it was encouraging.

Last but not least, the faith element. Personal observation: My faith has been very shaky the last 8 years or so. In the book, Silas and Bianca were both far from God. She was moving in the right direction, but he was still a huge skeptic. The message of faith and the faith journey of two fictional characters really spoke to me. The author did an amazing job on bringing the Gospel out in this awesome suspense novel that kept me on the edge of my seat.

And now, truly lastly....the author introduced her readers to the Williamson brothers, the main characters from her upcoming Hunt Brothers Search and Rescue series starting in February. She made a nice segue into that series by making the 5 brothers cousins of Silas of this story.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a Christian Romantic Suspense book. This book is about Silas and Bianca who we met earlier in the series. Silas and Bianca met while being held captive years ago. Now they have been reunited thanks to Knight Security. Silas is now raising his niece and trying to fight his feelings for Bianca after feeling betrayed. When the past catches up to them and they face danger will they be able to put the past behind them? Will they come to see no matter how much bad stuff they go through God is always with them? Will they realize their past and family don’t define them? This book is one of my favorites in this series. Silas and Bianca were great for each other. Eloise is such a sweetheart and she loves her uncle like crazy. The side characters of course are amazing as always. We did get the see Sila’s cousins who we will be getting a book series about and I’m excited. This book is the last in the series and I’m sad to see it end. If you love Christian Romantic Suspense then I recommend this series.

[Nicole T · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the last book in this series it broke me to finish it, but I absolutely could not put it down, but that's a trend with every book in this series. This book might also be my new favorite, the struggle they had with their faith felt so personal to me at this point in my life, getting a beautiful romance, plus testimony, plus Scripture, plus real world application of faith examples, who could want more in a book?! I'm terribly sad to say goodbye to everyone I've fallen in love with in this series as I could stay in this world forever, but excited to learn more about and get to know Silases cousins! Just when I thought I had this book figured it it took a turn and that turn held events I could have never expected, in the best best best ways possible! I can't thank this author enough for writing these stories, and God for leading me to them.

[Allegra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this one down! This is the final book in this series, and I will miss these characters. I think this one is my favorite from the series. This is a Christian, closed-door, retired military POW single dad, retired military trauma surgeon, SUSPENSE!, second chance, found family, meddling friends, an understanding pastor, small-town vibes with a God-glorifying happily ever after. This one was heart-wrenching from the very beginning when both characters were searching for peace from their traumatic pasts. There were many conversations on whether God is good and why He allows evil and suffering. Watching both characters find peace in God was an emotional journey but very worth it. Jessica just keeps bringing it with these books. I love the intro to the next series and can't wait to read it!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book! I believe this is the best one yet. This entire series just keeps getting better and better. Bianca’s path to peace and her journey to get there is inspiring. Her life has had some very dark chapters and she finds herself up against true evil, but embracing her faith helps her find light in the darkness. This is a really powerful story. As things get darkest, Bianca hands the reins to God and her faith brings light to the entire village. Once she realizes He is the way, she helps Silas to accept the past and embrace the future. He learns he has more to live for and the ending is the most powerful in this series.

John 14:6 Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the father except through me.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting to love this story as much as I did. Silas is a bit stuck in his ways, but willing to learn and uncover where his faith lies. Bianca is such a strong fmc and so patient and helpful to Silas.

There were several moments where I started tearing up. Jessica does a great job at incorporating faith within her writing — not just incorporating it but making it the center of these stories. It is so refreshing! The ending was absolutely beautiful. I wish we got to see an epilogue/bonus chapter of Silas, Bianca, and Eloise, but we'll leave that up to my imagination.

Not my #1 of the series, but it was a great one to wrap up the Coastal Hope series. NOW onto the Hunt Brothers....

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a clean book this sure had me involved. I loved the action and the suspense in this book.

Silas just back from the war gets sole custody of his four year old niece when his ex Bianca is in trouble and needs his help.

This book really speaks for itself. I enjoyed the action, danger and suspense of the plot but the relationship slow build was so good. Silas and Bianca although having history that wasn't exactly good, had to build their bridges along with recovering from trauma.

So well done I truly enjoyed the dynamic they established as a family unit, and a great plot as well.

Highly recommended!!

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic and exciting finale to one of my favorite Christian Fiction suspense series. This was a doozy of a read. Knight Security has faced some villains in the course of this series, but the villains in this series are truly evil. The team definitely has their hands full fighting this foe. The drama, romance and backstory of Silas and Bianca all wove together to create a story that I could not put down. Do not sleep on this series, I LOVED every second of it. I will be investing in this series for my keeper shelf, no question!

I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was probably my favorite in the series. I like how these two MCs had to work hard to overcome some serious obstacles. And, while it’s a book and some things have to move a bit faster in order to get the tale across fully, I liked the way these two come to faith and how the ending unfolded so fantastically. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a clean suspense romance that packs a punch with action. The inspiration element is woven in beautifully, showing both the struggles and what the characters learn as they simply live life. Well done!

[Cathy Kessel · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best one yet

What I love about the characters in this book is how prayer is interwoven into their daily life. The 2 center characters are just learning about each other and the gospel. Facing fear and danger from the weather and evil men, they call on each other and the Lord for direction and a way to process past trauma without it blocking access to the lives God has planned for them.

[Rhonda's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely my favorite Jessica Ashley novel so far! The Journey that Silas and Bianca take to find their faith is so heart wrenching. By putting their faith in God, they were able to overcome.
This book touched me on so many levels. Thank you Jessica for writing so a heart-warming story.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

About 2/3 thru, I didn’t think I liked this one as much as the others. Then the ending happened and the epilogues and yes, yes I do like it as much as the others. Bianca’s (MFC) past came roaring back in causing problems and not just for her but for Silas, as well. Neither were believers when this book started and watching their journey was really good! Epilogues were A+!

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve love this entire Coastal Hope series by Jessica Ashley but this final book! WOW! 5 stars! “Perilous Healing” is a suspense romance but even more it is a powerful Faith journey and has a strong Gospel message. It could easily be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading the entire series. Also.. the audiobooks are well done.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I didn’t find my faith in a church pew on a sunny Sunday morning -not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course- it’s just not how it worked for me. No, I found mine walking through a fiery furnace, feeling like I was going to lose everything. But just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, I was not burned by the flames. I was saved.”

[Kat Schmoyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite book in the series, I think!! I didn’t know what to expect but I LOVED how prevalent the faith element was (I felt it more than any other book). I also really loved seeing their relationship blossom.

I wish we got a scene where Silas learned the truth of her history with Yarrow.

I’m super excited to move to Bravo in the next series now, too!

[Ifeoluwa Shobande · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series's pages to page, the words of encouragement, the prayers, the love inside this series, the work done, the support and encouragement. That is how much I love this series, the characters, the work done, the prayers, the research, the love pour in this book, the teaching, everything.

All I have to say is thank you, Jessica Ashley, for this series

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense situations and troubled main characters who have new insights into faith and their futures. I enjoyed this book and the rapid pace of action.
It wrapped up too quickly without enough detail of the bad guys at the end but enough to tie up all loose ends.
I liked the epilogues which explained more and definitely added to the story.
Can’t wait to read the next book

[Anna Kaaiakamanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think I could love one of the men of Coastal Hope more than an another, but then we met Silas. He is the sweetest man with a troubled past. The way he is with his niece is adorable. I really love Bianca and the chemistry she and Silas have.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

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