Mac

by Melanie D. Snitker

For Christian singer Sedona Reeves, the final leg of her tour in Texas becomes a terrifying ordeal when a stalker's menacing messages turn into a direct threat on her life. Desperate yet unwilling to back down, she hires private security. Mac Durham is assigned to protect her, but he quickly finds himself battling not only a mysterious enemy but also his growing feelings for his client. With the clock ticking and a killer closing in, Mac must put everything on the line to keep Sedona safe and confront the possibility that falling for her could be the most dangerous risk of all.

The agents of Durham Private Security are a family in more than just name. Driven by their faith and a deep-seated commitment to justice, they've dedicated their lives to protecting the vulnerable. Mac is the first book in this new series by Melanie D. Snitker

Durham Private
Mac - Book 1
Asher - Book 2

Genres: Contemporary, Christian Fiction

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Melanie D. Snitker is a USA Today bestselling author who writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense. She and her husband live in Texas with their two children. They share their home with three dogs and a variety of small animals. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, training her dog, playing computer games, and hanging out with family and friends.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac is a wonderful start to Melanie Snitker’s new series Durham Private Security. The story is fast-paced, with suspense, twists, and romance. Mac and Sedona are wonderful characters, and their trials give us a look into the world of music performance, dealing with a stalker, and seeing how Mac handles protecting Sedona and her band, all while their feelings for each other develop. I look forward to more books featuring members of the Durham family as they provide protection for others and each find their own HEA’s. A sneak-peak into this series can also be read in Gavin’s story, which is part of the Don’t Blink anthology.

[Abigail Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read.
While there is intrigue and mystery, the story does not read in a cliff hanger way.
The main character is a singer and she is struggling to find who her stalker is.
Mac is hired for security but is there is more to this job than expected?
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean suspense romance novel. It is the start of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Sedona is an indie singer that seems to have a stalker. Though she has one security guy that is being paid by for by her parents. Seems thing to be escalating, so she decides to hire her own security when she arrives in Destiny. Mac is assigned to help her. He makes her feel safe. However, the threats continue. Will they ever figure out who the stalker is? As Mac protects her, he grows closer to her and respects her. Is this growing into love?

This was a great story. Another great suspense novel and trying to figure out who the stalker is. I enjoy the cleanness of her stories and the Christian theme throughout the book. Another great story and I’m looking forward to the next story.

I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.

[Beverly Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Mac was such a great hero! He was protective, but also so steady and kind. He and Sedona clicked pretty quickly, and they were able to actually “see” each other and sense when the other had more to say. Sedona cared a lot for her band and certainly did not want anyone to get hurt, so decisions had to be made in order to keep everyone safe as danger and threats escalated. The author did an excellent job of keeping me guessing throughout this story. It was very well written and came to a very satisfying conclusion. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac is an edge of your seat, amazing, romantic suspense novel. I love the premise of Durham Private Security - a family that works and prays together. I also love music and seeing it from Sedona's perspective gives me a new appreciation for the performers. Sedona has acquired a stalker. Despite the security hired by her parents. Sedona hires Mac when she tours in Destiny. I liked the way these two saw the person behind their public personas. I also enjoyed not being able to figure out who the stalker was. I stayed up way too late reading one more paragraph, one more page, one more chapter and suddenly I was done. I am looking forward to the next books in the series!

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.

The main characters were realistic and charming. They were slowly falling in love as he protected her from a stalker while she was on tour.

The danger was exciting but not overwhelming, and the resolution made sense.

I really enjoyed this first book in the series and look forward to more.

[Kathi McNeel · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book

The ending was a surprise. I never saw it coming who the villain turned out to be. Overall, a really good book and one I know you’ll enjoy.

[Donna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Mac and his relationship with Sedona. I just love a good romance with mystery and suspense and this story had it all. This is a sweet, clean romance.

[Becky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to Keep Turning the Page!

This is a book that I hated too put down, and had to keep turning the pages! It was suspenseful, sometimes intense, and kept me guessing until close to the end. Great storyline, and great characters.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

When I read Don’t Blink a couple of months ago, I really enjoyed Gavin, the prequel novella to Melanie D. Snitker’s new Durham Private Security series. And after meeting Gavin’s siblings in that story, I’ve been especially eager to read Mac and see what his story would be. I liked Mac in the prequel novella and I liked him even more while reading his eponymous novel. He’s a genuinely good guy, steady in his strength but not overpowering, kind in his interactions with everyone, and wise in his work. He loves the Lord and prays with Sedona (swoon!) and even though he has regrets over a past marriage, it was refreshing to me that this didn’t bog down his growing feelings for Sedona. (I love it when emotionally healthy adults act like emotionally healthy adults!)

I also loved Sedona’s career and her integrity as a Christian music artist who walked away from a lucrative contract when she was asked to compromise her values. Now independent, she’s singing the music she loves, on tour with two of her closest friends, as well as a newcomer to the band and their manager. Sedona is such a sweetheart, and I felt for her as she reflected on her lonely childhood but I could also see how it helped shape her into someone who cares about others so much and knows what – and who – is important to her. She and Mac together have such great chemistry, even as their relationship develops from a professional one to a friendship before anything romantic happens. Once they do act on their feelings though? Whew! Their romance is the perfect mix of tender, respectful, and swoony, and I confess that I melted into a happy puddle during that first kissing scene. (I may have also read it a couple more times just to make sure it was as delightful as I remembered in the two seconds that had passed since I first read it. Spoiler alert: it was. Haha!)

The suspense in Mac is top-notch as well. I stayed on the edge of my seat, even catching myself mid-nail-bite on occasion, as Sedona’s stalker escalates his (or her) activity. I wanted so badly for her tour to succeed in spite of her stalker’s attempts to derail it, and I HAD ZERO IDEA who it was. But I suspected… well… pretty much everybody. And yet STILL ended up being stunned at the truth. Snitker does a great job of building the suspense surrounding the text messages and notes and other, more dangerous, incidents involving the stalker. I could feel the tension crackling among Sedona, her bandmates, Lou (her manager), and her security team as this person keeps getting closer and closer and more and more reckless. And through it all, there’s Mac in all his protective goodness, sticking by Sedona’s side and also making her smile and feel safe. (Seriously, his hugs radiated ‘safe’ even through the pages.) Don’t mistake Sedona for a shrinking violet though – she is fierce in her determination not to let this stalker dictate her life, but she’s smart about it too. And still manages to show her sense of humor in the process, a trait I adore in people whether they’re real or fictional.

Bottom Line: In case you couldn’t tell, I absolutely enjoyed reading Mac by Melanie D. Snitker. The tender romance moved at a pace that made sense, and the suspense escalated at precisely the right times, while the genuine expressions of faith and the layered characters felt grounded and real. I especially loved how the author balanced humor, friendship, and meaning with the rising stakes and growing feelings, and the end result is a pace that keeps you eagerly turning the pages without rushing you through it either. And wow, I still haven’t quite recovered from the stunning reveal of the stalker’s identity or the sweet-swooniness of that first kissing scene. Sedona and Mac make a wonderful team – in life, in faith, and in love – and I can’t wait to (hopefully) see glimpses of their happily-ever-after as this series continues.

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"With a grin that made her cheeks ache, Sedona Reeves exited the stage with her guitar in her hands and a bounce to her step. They'd just finished a performance in front of their largest audience to date, and she had a feeling she'd be floating for a long time."

Sedona loves performing at various venues. But when a stalker seems to follow along with her tour, being on stage become scary. This is why she hires Durham Private Security.

Following around a musician is not always ideal due to all of the concert locations. Mac is determined to make sure that Sedona is protected. But who is going to protect him from losing his heart? The more he sees the woman behind the stage, the more impressed he is. Can he trust himself to keep her safe even as he develops feelings for her?

I enjoyed the concert aspects of this series. Clues were scattered throughout the book, but I still was surprised when the stalker was revealed. The romance was sweet. Since the two were spending so much time together, the pacing almost made sense. (Still a bit fast for me!) But I did really like the characters.

This might be the first official book in the Durham private security series, but this is actually the third book featuring some of this family. Since I have read all of the author's mysteries, I knew some of the storylines. But I was glad that the author caught me up on the characters in a way that did not feel repetitive. Cole is found in "Caught in the Crosshairs," and "Gavin" is a novella that is currently found in the Don't Blink collection.

I was provided with an ARC of this book. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stellar beginning to a new series! I so enjoyed Melanie's Danger in Destiny series and couldn't wait to dive into the Durham Private Security series. A prequel, Gavin, was published in the Don't Blink anthology as a teaser last month and I was hooked. Christian singer Sedona Reeves has struck out on her own - independent from a recording label - and her first concert series has been fraught with problems from day one. When her estranged parents arrange for a security guard, she is less than thrilled but chooses to acquiesce to keep the peace. But when attacks escalate, she takes matters into her own hands and hires Durham Private Security on her own. Mac Durham has loads of experience and tackles the job with ease - but finds it a challenge for his heart. As the concert tour progresses Mac is challenged as the killer grows bolder while Sedona wonders if cancelling all together would be best. Can the two work together to figure out who is stalking her before it turns deadly? A great start to a new series.

I was gifted a copy of this novel by the author. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely by own.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac, the first book in the exciting new Durham Private Security series, is terrific. We meet Sedona, a Christian Artist, touring across several southern states. She has picked up a large following, including a stalker who is getting more brazen and terrifying as time goes on. She hires Mac for the final weeks of the tour, hoping he will have more luck tracking and stopping the threats before someone gets hurt. Mac's brother Asher, the tech guru also works on the case. Mac and Sedona are attracted to each other, but try to keep it contained as they have different life paths. The security company is located in Destiny where we meet up with some of the people from Melanie Snitker's Danger in Destiny series. All in all, this book is great. It has the right amount of danger, action, and attraction. Will Mac keep Sedona safe and will they work out the logistics of a relationship? Check out this great read to find all the answers.
I received and early copy of this book, and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our characters - Sedona (lead singer), band members-Chloe, Joel, Nick, and Lou, as well as Mac from Durham Security along with his siblings Cole, Asher, Livi, Gavin and parents Greg and Ruth, all come together to help find a stalker who has Sedona in their sights, but her entire group is at risk. So they go through findings, deep dive into people's pasts, and share happenings throughout the concert tour. I had my doubts or questioned Connor's involvement almost to the end, mainly because of the relationship between her parents and letting a "friend" help, then consequences happen.
The friendships that form both old and new get stronger, even during the rough patches.
This is a very good start to a spin off from the author's previous series and so far, I really am enjoying the plot and characters!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Mac is a great start to the new Durham Private Security series. Mac and Sedona are well-developed characters that are very likable. The plot is exciting with a major, major twist. Author Melanie D. Snitker's writing flows smoothly and makes for an enjoyable reading experience. The dialogue feels natural and fits each character. The mystery is solved. Mac and Sedona get a happy for now ending with strong hints of an HEA in their future. I would definitely read more in this series and more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this thrilling romantic suspense.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sedona is a rising Christian music star. Someone is stalking and threatening her. Mac is hired to protect her. Can he stay by her side day in and day out and not fall in love with her? Can his security company, family owned and operated, find out who is the culprit?

This is a wonderful addition to the series. The characters are well-written, and the plot is exciting, suspenseful, and extremely enjoyable, with a few unexpected twists. I especially appreciate the Christian aspects of putting your trust in God and staying faithful to Him.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Elizabeth Fiscus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sedona, a Christian music artist, has a relentless stalker. She makes the decision to hire Mac to protect not only herself, but the whole band as well. No matter what, it seems like they can't shake the person who is determined to make her life miserable. Mac and his family are top notch in private security and the reader knows it is just a matter of time before they put all the pieces together to stop the stalker. But will it be too late when they do? This book kept me guessing as to who the stalker was until the very end. Pick up this book if you like clean inspirational suspense! I received an advance copy of this book from the author. That in no way influenced my review.

[Carlien Peens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sedona is faced with every woman's worst nightmare . . .  A stalker has set his sights on her and the suspense keeps on building as he is getting bolder and bolder.
One bodyguard alone doesn't help to reassure her thus she hires Mac from Durham Private Security.
The first book in this new series is going to be a smash hit! The stalker keeps them all guessing and on their toes to try and keep Sedona safe! Will Mac succeed but more importantly will he be able to keep his heart safe as well?
Recommended read to keep you spellbound until the end!

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginning of a new series by Melanie D Snitker called Dunham Private Security.
Sedona is an up and coming singer who started getting threatening letters so her parents sent Connor to provide security.
When things get more intense, Sedona hires Dunham Private Security.
Mac is one of the sons in the family security business. He’s tasked with keeping her safe. They feel an instant attraction but know they have to keep it strictly business.
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Lyn Herbohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to the series!

Although Gavin’s story was technically the first, Mac’s is the first full-length one. There was plenty of action and danger without being too overwhelming. I liked how Mac’s family welcomed Sedona and showed her what a real family is like. The side characters added depth and the suspense kept me turning the pages! Looking forward to the next instalment.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great suspense story with a stalker, threats, and danger. Sedona, a Christian singer, hires Mac from Durham Private Security for extra protection because someone is stalking her. I enjoyed how Mac and Sedona's relationship progresses throughout the story. Sedona's family dynamics is different from that of Mac and his family, and I love how Sedona and her grandmother are close. Snitker crafted a wonderful suspense story with faith elements that left me guessing who the stalker was.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series! This book is full of action, suspense, drama and romance. Sedona and Mac's story hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the end.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Karilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What are great start to a new series! I love this troup! Mac seems like such a strong, sweet, steady, protective hero. I couldn't put it down and got hooked from the start!! I can't wait for the rest of the series!!

[Sandra Arbeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

It is such a truly amazing work of Christian fiction. It's a thriller and love story rolled into one book.
I'm already ready to read the text one in the series.
I highly recommend it and you won't be disappointed.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series…Durham Private Security, a family run business. Christian romantic suspense at it’s best. Intrigue, mystery and danger with escalating threats, riveting! A well-written faith life story. Highly recommend.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in what is going to be a great series! Don't miss it.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read, loved it from start to finish. Look forward to reading the rest of the series. Highly recommend

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good romantic suspense! I love Mac and Sedona! I tried guessing who was the stalker! I must have "blamed" at least 5 people and I was wrong!! Holy cow! So good!!

[Faith R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Liked Best

The characters were great. Sedona and Mac were interesting and likable. The book was a good distraction with just the right amount of atmosphere and intrigue.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet Christian Romantic Suspense filled with plenty of twists and surprises and interesting characters.