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Maximus
She thought hiding him would be enough.
She thought the danger could be managed.
She was wrong.
Maximus Jeffries spent years proving he belongs at Northern Guardians Security.
Written off as a trust-fund kid and beach bum, he’s determined to earn respect the hard way. So, when he’s assigned to protect a frightened woman and her infant son, Maximus knows this case is his chance to finally be taken seriously. If he doesn’t blow it first.
Ellie has spent her entire life learning how to blend into the woodwork.
Raised in a home where control was disguised as love, she grew up believing obedience was normal and safe. When her husband John warned her that he’d kill her if she ever got pregnant, she believed him. Now she’s done the she hid her pregnancy, and now her little boy.
But hiding doesn’t erase the past. It only increases suspicion.
In a remote cabin a half hour from Duluth, Ellie is certain it’s only a matter of time before John finds her and keeps the promise he made. Especially now that terrifying truths about her “marriage” are beginning to surface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew.
The last person Ellie wants to trust is Maximus, a far too-handsome protector who drives a classic Corvette and looks more like a movie star than a bodyguard. Yet as danger closes in and secrets come to light, she must decide whether to keep relying on her instincts shaped by her past…or risk trusting a man who refuses to give up on her.
With a child’s life on the line and a deadly enemy closing in, Maximus and Ellie will confront their pasts, their prejudices, and the faith it takes to believe freedom is possible.
Because this time, hiding may not be enough.
If you like fiercely protective heroes, trauma-survivor heroines, and heart-pounding danger, you’ll love this Christian romantic suspense.
She thought the danger could be managed.
She was wrong.
Maximus Jeffries spent years proving he belongs at Northern Guardians Security.
Written off as a trust-fund kid and beach bum, he’s determined to earn respect the hard way. So, when he’s assigned to protect a frightened woman and her infant son, Maximus knows this case is his chance to finally be taken seriously. If he doesn’t blow it first.
Ellie has spent her entire life learning how to blend into the woodwork.
Raised in a home where control was disguised as love, she grew up believing obedience was normal and safe. When her husband John warned her that he’d kill her if she ever got pregnant, she believed him. Now she’s done the she hid her pregnancy, and now her little boy.
But hiding doesn’t erase the past. It only increases suspicion.
In a remote cabin a half hour from Duluth, Ellie is certain it’s only a matter of time before John finds her and keeps the promise he made. Especially now that terrifying truths about her “marriage” are beginning to surface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew.
The last person Ellie wants to trust is Maximus, a far too-handsome protector who drives a classic Corvette and looks more like a movie star than a bodyguard. Yet as danger closes in and secrets come to light, she must decide whether to keep relying on her instincts shaped by her past…or risk trusting a man who refuses to give up on her.
With a child’s life on the line and a deadly enemy closing in, Maximus and Ellie will confront their pasts, their prejudices, and the faith it takes to believe freedom is possible.
Because this time, hiding may not be enough.
If you like fiercely protective heroes, trauma-survivor heroines, and heart-pounding danger, you’ll love this Christian romantic suspense.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2026
26 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Kari Trumbo
127 books430 followersKari Trumbo is a writer of historical and contemporary Christian romance and romantic suspense. She's a mom to four wonderful children. When she isn't writing or editing, she loves to read, sing, and knit. Kari loves curling up with a fluffy blanket when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, many cats and one sweet bunny.
She also writes women's fiction under the name Teri Blake.
She also writes women's fiction under the name Teri Blake.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 14, 2026
Evil hides in plain sight
This story of Ellie and Maximus tells how easy it is to allow the enemy to lead you to fall for his lies and schemes, to make assumptions that affect your judgement until you get to know someone, and to easily be manipulated. Being told your whole life you aren't worthy and then jumping into a marriage without much thought or prayer and finding yourself being degraded and threatened can take all a person's dignity just Ellie realized she had and could get out! Kari Trumbo writes on hard subjects and tells the Word of Jesus that brings hope, justice and second chances to the love and joy He promised. Thank you for writing these story to find their way to readers who need encouragement and the hope of Jesus.
This story of Ellie and Maximus tells how easy it is to allow the enemy to lead you to fall for his lies and schemes, to make assumptions that affect your judgement until you get to know someone, and to easily be manipulated. Being told your whole life you aren't worthy and then jumping into a marriage without much thought or prayer and finding yourself being degraded and threatened can take all a person's dignity just Ellie realized she had and could get out! Kari Trumbo writes on hard subjects and tells the Word of Jesus that brings hope, justice and second chances to the love and joy He promised. Thank you for writing these story to find their way to readers who need encouragement and the hope of Jesus.
March 24, 2026
Max and Ellie both came from simular backgrounds of abuse. It wasn't until they were working together that they both realized it and were able to take comfort from each other. Max could see through Trace's anger for what it was loneliness and not feeling like he was trusted., and so ask him to do things that would help the both of them. Through the abuse of his childhood Max never learned what love was about and so had a difficult time understanding his feelings for Ellie. Excellant story and well worth the five stars.
March 15, 2026
Maximus is the guy that when you,first meet him you think of a guy who has everything going for him some think he is arrogant, cocky and has the looks, personality and money to show it. The North Guardians are hired to protect Ellie from an abusive husband that she is working on leaving. Maximus is chosen to protect her. We get to see an entirely different side of Maximus and you end up liking him. He has quite the case to untangle as a lot of info begins to appear against her husband!
February 24, 2026
Loaded with danger.
Ellie went through a lot in this story, and Max could relate to her abuse. They both had healing to do and truths they needed to believe. I liked how Trace was involved. There was danger from multiple sources, lots of action and suspense, romance and faith. I really enjoyed it.
Ellie went through a lot in this story, and Max could relate to her abuse. They both had healing to do and truths they needed to believe. I liked how Trace was involved. There was danger from multiple sources, lots of action and suspense, romance and faith. I really enjoyed it.
February 26, 2026
Really Enjoying This Series
I'm really enjoying this series and all the characters. I'd been waiting for Maximus to get his story and it didn't disappoint. The story is full of suspense and mystery as well as a little romance. I look forward to seeing Trace get his story.
I'm really enjoying this series and all the characters. I'd been waiting for Maximus to get his story and it didn't disappoint. The story is full of suspense and mystery as well as a little romance. I look forward to seeing Trace get his story.
March 23, 2026
Awesome
I think this was the best book yet. Trusting and having faith is very hard as special if someone broke that trust. But God will never leave you or forget about you. And that by itself is a blessing. Thanks for the story.
I think this was the best book yet. Trusting and having faith is very hard as special if someone broke that trust. But God will never leave you or forget about you. And that by itself is a blessing. Thanks for the story.
February 22, 2026
Awesome read
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews