What do you think?
Rate this book
Trace
Trace has seen it all . . . except success and love.
He's done the training. He's tried to fit in. He even had to watch the woman he loves marry another man. Sometimes life isn't fair. When he completes his training, it seems like things might turn around, until his boss finds out Trace went behind his back to get an endorsement from someone else. Now, his new career is at risk. One job. That's all he gets to prove himself.
Lupe Pena is hiding in plain sight from her father. He's threatened her multiple times and now, he wants to marry her off to a man in El Salvador, just to be rid of her. All she can figure is that she reminds him too much of her mother, who died in childbirth. Life hasn't been easy, but she will not leave the only home she's ever known so he can be comfortable.
When she hires the Northern Guardians, she isn't sure about the young man they assign to her. He's only three years older than her and has a temper like her father. But he channels it for good, not evil. Can she learn to trust him and can he manage the anger that seems to take over when things don't go right? Or will Lupe's father succeed in sending her far away where he doesn't have to think about her anymore?
If you're looking for a story of transformation, love and forgiveness through the love of Christ (all wrapped in a heart-pounding suspense), read on!
He's done the training. He's tried to fit in. He even had to watch the woman he loves marry another man. Sometimes life isn't fair. When he completes his training, it seems like things might turn around, until his boss finds out Trace went behind his back to get an endorsement from someone else. Now, his new career is at risk. One job. That's all he gets to prove himself.
Lupe Pena is hiding in plain sight from her father. He's threatened her multiple times and now, he wants to marry her off to a man in El Salvador, just to be rid of her. All she can figure is that she reminds him too much of her mother, who died in childbirth. Life hasn't been easy, but she will not leave the only home she's ever known so he can be comfortable.
When she hires the Northern Guardians, she isn't sure about the young man they assign to her. He's only three years older than her and has a temper like her father. But he channels it for good, not evil. Can she learn to trust him and can he manage the anger that seems to take over when things don't go right? Or will Lupe's father succeed in sending her far away where he doesn't have to think about her anymore?
If you're looking for a story of transformation, love and forgiveness through the love of Christ (all wrapped in a heart-pounding suspense), read on!
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Kari Trumbo
128 books435 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 2, 2026
Love this series
I'm really enjoying this series and all the characters. I'd been waiting for Trace to get his story and it didn't disappoint. I enjoyed watching how things came together for him and Lupe. A captivating read full of danger and intrigue.
I'm really enjoying this series and all the characters. I'd been waiting for Trace to get his story and it didn't disappoint. I enjoyed watching how things came together for him and Lupe. A captivating read full of danger and intrigue.
June 2, 2026
Two kids looking for a way out of the lives they had been dealt
That was my impression when I started this book. Trace has been such a screwup in every other story, I couldn't see him attempting to change. He had so many issues, but God never gave up on him. He knew Trace needed a Lupe in his life. Yes her life had been privileged, abuse comes in many forms and her's was a case of severe abuse by someone she should trust to protect her not have her killed. Her faith awaken her to her situation and she learned to lean on the One who could save her, both physically and spiritually. Turns out the one Trace needed was the same God he felt had abandoned him. As Trace learned how to listen and follow God's direction it became clearer the man he was to become.
Kari Trumbo can shape a story from her knowing just how God works all things for the good. You have to know His heart and His Word to see the way to think as God does. It's so good to be able to read stories where life's change and good comes out of bad things.
That was my impression when I started this book. Trace has been such a screwup in every other story, I couldn't see him attempting to change. He had so many issues, but God never gave up on him. He knew Trace needed a Lupe in his life. Yes her life had been privileged, abuse comes in many forms and her's was a case of severe abuse by someone she should trust to protect her not have her killed. Her faith awaken her to her situation and she learned to lean on the One who could save her, both physically and spiritually. Turns out the one Trace needed was the same God he felt had abandoned him. As Trace learned how to listen and follow God's direction it became clearer the man he was to become.
Kari Trumbo can shape a story from her knowing just how God works all things for the good. You have to know His heart and His Word to see the way to think as God does. It's so good to be able to read stories where life's change and good comes out of bad things.
May 13, 2026
Learn to Trust Before You Give Trust
Lupe was really just a prisoner in a guided cage, never learning to fend for herself but having everything done for her by her abusive father. Trace had the hardest time believing he could be loved and to not be romantically in love with those he deeply cared about. While protecting Lupe, his emotional reset button tripped enabling him to no longer be the angry reactionary member of the team. This is an excellent book and truly worthy of the five stars
Lupe was really just a prisoner in a guided cage, never learning to fend for herself but having everything done for her by her abusive father. Trace had the hardest time believing he could be loved and to not be romantically in love with those he deeply cared about. While protecting Lupe, his emotional reset button tripped enabling him to no longer be the angry reactionary member of the team. This is an excellent book and truly worthy of the five stars
May 5, 2026
Trace and Lupe's story has action, danger, romance, faith, and suspense as Trace does his best to protect Lupe from her father who wants to marry her off to a much older man. Trace had a rough past. From the previous books in this series, he also was angry, but he did a lot of maturing in this story. Great read.
May 17, 2026
Trace and Lupe
This is an exciting story with plenty of action and danger. Also a little bit of romance. I enjoyed getting to know Lupe and Trace and how they each grew and learned who they were and how to be themselves.
This is an exciting story with plenty of action and danger. Also a little bit of romance. I enjoyed getting to know Lupe and Trace and how they each grew and learned who they were and how to be themselves.
May 14, 2026
A fitting ending to the series.
I’m glad Trace was able to put his trust in God and others, work on his healing, and find love. He deserved it!
I’m glad Trace was able to put his trust in God and others, work on his healing, and find love. He deserved it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews