Forged in Deception: Forge Brothers Security, Book 3

Forge Brothers Security #3

by Kendra Warden, Kim Churchill (Narrator), Tim Paige (Narrator)

The serpent isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping....

When it comes to finding a research breakthrough, scientist Karlin McKenna won’t let anything get in her way–at least not until her employer pressures her into crossing an ethical line. If she refuses to play their game, it could cost her everything. Including her brother’s life.

Private security operative Asher Forge has never been one to turn down a chance to go undercover, and taking part in a top secret medical trial sounds pretty sweet. Especially when his client happens to be a beautiful redhead who clearly hasn’t broken a rule since the second grade.

It doesn’t take long for Asher and Karlin to realize that taking down Senera Pharmaceuticals is going to be even more difficult than they expected. And little do they know that even darker secrets are lurking in the cold desert night.

Serve. Protect. Redeem.

Forge Brothers Security is a clean and Christian romantic suspense series. Each book is a standalone and can be listened to in any order. Tropes for Forged in Deception include he falls first, class clown hero, type A heroine, and opposites attract.

Content This book contains discussion of demonic entitles. If you are sensitive to this type of content, one of my other books might be a better fit for you!

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

Audible Audio

Published November 25, 2025

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]

This was an unexpected plot line with an unexpected point of view - and I loved the surprise!

I immediately identified with Karlin McKenna. I applaud the author for highlighting a female STEM main character and psychedelic psychosis, both of which are used infrequently in narratives. I’ll admit to feeling a little uncomfortable at first with the character of Mother and the discussion of hallucinogenics. I even wondered several times how Warden was going to sew it all together. I shouldn’t have worried; the plot was in the hands of a master storyteller.

The focus on trust issues and the reminder that God loves us unconditionally were well done and the ‘other’ topics were discussed sensitively and in line with Christian values. My skepticism soon turned to inquisitiveness and I was glad to have read Karlin and Asher’s journey.

Warden continually wows me with her ability to balance suspense, faith and romance.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Jesus Beach Girl Reads]

Forged in Deception was well worth the wait.
The Forge Brothers series gets better and better with each book. Amazing, well written story and characters.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Tina Lowery]

Kendra Warden truly left me wanting more as I finished reading Forged In Deception!! Karlin McKenna was a scientist at heart, a woman who believed that science could explain everything. Throughout this book, it seemed as if she relied on science to heal her brother and to keep him away from his problems. She believed science was the answer to this drug she intended to bring out to the public -- but deep down she knew that it could fail. Asher Forge had his share of problems since returning from Afghanistan, however, he jumped in with both feet to join his brothers' security company. Because he kept his painful military past a secret, he instead became the class clown or firm believer he could push through all to get it done. This book had plenty of twists, turns, and danger-- yet, the emotions shared by Asher and Karlin grew through every second of their time together. In addition, Karlin had a complicated relationship with her brother, whom Asher had served with. Though chaos was still reigning, problems with the medicine trial still existed, and more problems from the past and present were beginning to be collide. Warden tied all of the pieces together, saving innocent people, bringing it all together for the greater good. I loved this book and I just couldn't easily put it down. I gave Forged In Deception 5 out of 5 stars for this compelling Christian Romantic Suspense!!

[Charity]

Loved it! Different from her other books, and so good!

[noshelfcontrol]

WOW! Kendra Warden is so talented! Forged in Deception was fast paced and action packed! The characters were so cleverly written, the twists were so good, the suspense had me flipping through the pages, and the plot was incredible! This book was so unexpected but in the best way possible! I loved this book so much and I wish I could reread it again for the first time!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Gretchen Garrison]

"They did have to ride this thing until it was over, which would happen only when Asher and Karlin had the evidence they needed to bring Senera to justice, ensuring non one else could be hurt by DX* ever again. And until then, they would continue to walk the careful line between truth and deception. Human lives - and perhaps even human souls -depended on it."

Karlin has been working as a medical researcher for years, hoping to develop lifesaving medicines. But when Senera, her pharmaceutical company, begins trials on a drug with psychedelic qualities, she is not convinced that the path is right. The company is finding test subjects that should not be taking medicines that could overpower other symptoms.

Asher normally makes decisions on the spur of the moment. When he finds himself undercover as a part of a drug trial, he is uncertain of the circumstances. He doesn't want to face his own struggles. Helping Karlin take on big Pharma helps with his own avoidance. But the more time passes, the higher the stakes, the more he gives his heart to the woman who may not want it.

Several of the characters struggle with PTSD. They are trying to find ways to cope. The cast of characters are interesting, and trying to determine the back story made certain scenes tense with the right amount of suspense. The romance is expected but understated and does not take over the point of the plot.

This book starts with darkness and contains several scenes of a spiritual ceremony. At first those scenes threw me off, but they are an important part of the plot. Opening up our mind to the possibilities can take us down paths we don't want to travel. Faith in God prevails for many of the characters.

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

[It's Sunrise Again]

Content warning: this novel discusses psychedelics and their uses in medical treatment. It also has a heavy spiritual storyline.

Karlin and Asher's story is an intriguing, suspense-filled mystery! There are multiple layers to this mystery, and despite glimpse from the villain's perspective, I didn't guess who they were or their motive.

The romance between Karlin and Asher was slower in nature and a great contrast to the fast pace of the suspense. This sweet storyline wasn't as prominent compared to many stories, yet it was wonderful.

My only complaint is that we didn't see enough of the other Forge Brothers. These family moments are some of my favorites. I can't wait for Gabe's story next!

If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense, with fantastic characters, a riveting mystery, and a sweet love story, then I'm sure you'll enjoy Forged in Deception.

I received an ARC from the author, but I wasn't required to leave a review. This does not impact my thoughts or opinions on this novel.

[Kendal Sheldon]

I really enjoyed this one. The suspense kept the pages turning. I was a little weary at first with the psychedelic drugs being used on page, but the whole book is Karlin and Asher trying to take down this company. There were some twists and turns I didn’t really see coming. Very entertaining. Can’t wait to read the earlier books in this series. This is my first book from this author and I’m excited to read more from her. If you like suspense with characters that have depth and personal things to work through as well then definitely add this one to your list!

Thank you again to the author for a signed copy and all of the goodies sent with it, including this super cute cactus necklace I’m wearing in the photo above. 🌵

FMC: Karlin - Senior research scientist
MMC: Asher - military now private security

What you’ll find:
🧪 Dual third person POV
🧪 FMC in STEM
🧪 He falls first
🧪 Slow Burn
🧪 Ex-military
🧪 Close proximity
🧪 Psychedelic Medical Science experiments
🧪 Danger & Action
🧪 Praying to God

INFO:
📚: Book 3 - “Forge Brothers Security” series
🔹: Connected Standalone
📖: 349 pages

CONTENT:
🌶️: kissing only
🤬: hel* (2x used correctly)
⚠️: psychedelic drug trial (used on page), PTSD from war, drug overdoses (past)

"𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘖𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯."

[LuluLobbesReads]

Must Read!

🌷This is one of those let's get lost together books. I can honestly say that I was lost up until the last few chapters and I loved every minute of it!

🌷Once again Kendra has written a page-turner of a book, filled with difficult topics yet all written with tact and faith.

🌷If you are looking for suspense, romance, faith, and a big mystery then this is the book for you.

🌷This is book 3 of the series but it can be read completely on its own.

🌷Spice:0

🌷Language:0

[Emily Lauterbach]

I was completely captivated by Forged in Deception from the very first page and finished it quickly. Karlin’s journey toward trusting in God was deeply moving, and I truly appreciated how Asher played a key role in nurturing that growth. As a STEM girl myself, I especially enjoyed reading about a science-minded, Type A female main character—it made the story feel authentic and relatable. The charming banter between Karlin and Asher, combined with the intricately woven mystery, kept me eagerly turning the pages throughout. The thoughtful blend of faith, character development, and suspense made this a truly memorable read.

[Barbara Campbell]

This series is wonderful. But I have to say this book was very different. Not different bad. There’s a spiritual warfare element in this story that adds a level of intensity and tension. There are scenes that honestly are creepy. They’re not graphic. It’s more the conversations held. If you’ve read Frank Perretti’s “This Present Darkness “ the scenes. Here are similar to ones in that book.

I say that not to dissuade someone from reading this. It really is a wonderful story. But this is more a bit of a warning to know that there’s an intensity here that might be difficult for some.

[funkelbunt.liest]

4,5 stars rounded to 5

This series is getting better and better!

Karlin is probably the character out of the series that I relate the most to so far. Her struggles are real and her grief and pain palpable. She powers through for her brother, but she feels angry and lost and it was so easy to empathize with her.

Although she slowly begins to let Asher in, it’s God who she needs. His love, His grace, His forgiveness.

I loved the faith aspects of the story, the healing both main characters experienced and the suspense part kept me intrigued. This book deals with difficult topics in a sensitive way but I still think it needs a content warning, which I will put at the end of my review.

I checked out the additional resources about psychedelic drugs and demonic entities that Kendra listed in the author's note. I think this book is much needed in this day and age. We have to take mental illness seriously, but as Christians we have to be mindful of how to deal with this and be very careful with the treatments that are offered.

The one thing that made me remove half a star (I know, it’s kind of pointless on Goodreads and Amazon, it’s still how I review and there are sites like StoryGraph and Librarything that allow half stars) is that Asher pursued Karlin while she was still opposed to the idea of there being a God. I know this is a book and we as readers all knew Karlin would eventually become a Christian, but as a Christian who has been married to a nonbeliever for over 10 years now, this is something that makes me a bit uncomfortable since we never know if someone will turn their life over to God.
If you’re a Christian and you know someone who isn’t - pursue a friendship and most importantly help other people seek God. But don’t start a romantic relationship with someone who didn’t accept Jesus yet. The day may never come and if it will, it’s all in God’s perfect time. Not when we want it.

I still loved this book, it’s even my favorite of the series yet with a very important message and I’m looking forward to the next two installments!

Content/trigger warning: PTSD, suicide, suicide attempt, addiction, death of loved ones, psychedelic drugs, mental illness in different forms

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading)]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-Christian romantic suspense

CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: kisses
-⚠️: parental abandonment, mentions of suicide, PTSD nightmares, panic attack (on page), stabbing (on page)

This book was a trip (pun completely intended)! Karlin is a research scientist studying, developing, and testing psychedelic drugs. When her employer begins pushing her to do unethical things, she reaches out to Asher Forge from Forge Brothers Security. He agrees to come (undercover) on her company’s “retreat,” where they’ll be testing the drugs, to help her get information to take down Senera Pharmaceuticals.

Though their love did develop quickly, the forced proximity in a freaking weird environment definitely helped move that along.

There were so many twists that happened that I was not expecting. I really enjoy Kendra’s writing! It’s super engaging. Once I hit 60%, I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I finished the book.

If you’re a fan of Christian romantic suspense, you absolutely need to pick up this series. Though this wasn’t my favorite in the series, it’s still a gripping read. And you’ll love these Forge men. 😉

PS: Asher uses rocks to help ground him during a panic attack in the story, so this song felt perfect.

Favorite Quotes:
❤️”Even if you had no one at all, not one single person, you wouldn’t be alone,” he said quickly, hoping desperately that the words would come out right. “I know He might be hard to see or hear some times, but God is always there. God loves you unconditionally.”

😏 “In my defense, I’m kind of struggling to keep my distance, now that I know what it’s like to hold you in my arms.”

✨ Beauty would follow the darkness and gloom, and shine all the more brightly for it.

💎”Of course it’s a lot. So what? I want you. I want you, always. And if it costs me something? That’s even better. A treasure worth having never comes cheap.”

#forgedindeception #kendrawarden #forgebrotherssecurityseries

[Danika]

4 STARS

Wow.

First book I've ever read by Kendra Warden, and I really enjoyed it. As someone who is majoring in Biology, I find it interesting and unique, especially since it is a Christian book.

First of all, I just want to say that I LOVED Asher's personality. He had me laughing my butt off several times, but when it comes to seriousness and his faith, I fell for him. He was there for Karlin (unique name btw).

Karlin, oh Karlin, there were so many things that I related to her. To feel and have all of the burden to yourself is hard. To have trouble trusting someone because of disappointment and feeling alone is someone that some of us struggle with. "She'd always kept them at arm's length. Because at least when she was alone, the only person who could fail her was herself" and "You want to do everything on your own, because if you let people care about you, you also risk letting them let you down or leave you." Man, these sentences hit me. Hard.

This book reminds us that when times get tough, when the decisions you make bring you chaos, when you feel lonely, you are not. God is working behind the scenes. Yes, it is hard. Yes, we can't see it. Yes, you will cry and feel hopeless but one day, we will see it. We will see the reason and understand why God made us go through it. There is always a reason.

Now, the writing: very beautiful and easy to understand. At first, there were so many names that caught me off guard but like i said, it was the first book I've ever read written by her so it is understandable.

Oh, and the plot twist? Did not see that coming. OH, and the medical terminology and infromation? Good job. For a moment I thought the author worked or had any medical experience.

Now, let me add Asher to my Book-Boyfriend list. :p

*Oh, and thank you for the ARC!

[Diane]

Solid B

I give this book a solid B. It has a lot of potential as does this author, but in my opinion needs some tweaks.

For example Asher swore at one point which as a believer he would not hopefully be doing. At another point they were coyotes howling, then they turned to wolves, then they turned back to coyotes. The book is a little long and repetitive

Instead of being lighthearted Asher often came across as irresponsible and immature.

The author often uses cliched phrases such as, "mind racing 100 miles an hour" and, "the truth was a luxury she couldn’t afford."

It bothered me that the author made a big deal about the character Ned and that he might be shady, but he  developed into nothing. Also there was a point where Ned returned Asher's necklace which seemed to have some implications but nothing ever came of that either. They were both rather unnecessary elements to the story.

Ch 32 Implies that Asher was interested in Pursuing a relationship with Karlin yet she was not a believer at that time. I have a problem with this theologically.

Also theologically I have a problem with this;
"He couldn’t turn back time and help her now, but he could certainly make sure that justice was truly served on her behalf, even as she awaited it in death." She was not waiting in death for justice, justice had already been served at the point of her death.

No self-respecting person would put their handgun in the waist of their pants. That's a good way for body parts to get shot off.

All that said, I would recommend her books and I did enjoy the suspense of this one. If you don't mind a formulaic stereotypical romance this is a pretty good one.

[Erica]

I give this 4 1/2 Stars!

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a Christian Romantic suspense book and part of Forge Brothers Security series. The main characters are Asher and Karlin. Asher works for Forge Brothers security and has PTSD. Karlin works for a pharmaceutical company. Karlin starts notices some things are off and reaches out to Asher. Asher goes undercover at the retreat the pharmaceutical company is having. Will Asher and Karlin be able to find the information they need to bring justice? Will Asher be able to avoid taking the psychedelic drugs that the people in the retreat are getting? As they investigate they realize there is a lot more going on then they expected. Will they come out of it alive? This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was different as I don’t know much about psychedelic drugs but it opened my eyes. I loved how Asher shared about his Faith and God with Karlin even though she didn’t have a relationship with God. I loved watching her realize just how much God has been there for her when she didn’t realize it. God is so great! I will say I teared up because I was blessed to have this author name a character after me. I would’ve loved to see more into the future and more of the brothers but it was still a great book. I can’t wait to read the next book.

[Terry T]

Is a sweet clean, he falls first, opposites attract, secret identity, Christian suspense romance with no cliffhanger.
Some of the lines I really like --- “Puttin’ the Lord first will always pay off.” --- “You know, there are worse people than me you could be forced to partner with,” --- “Do you really want to get smoked by a bunch of old people and two women?” --- Men were way, way too complicated. --- “You really have been through a lot. You should be so proud of everything you’ve been able to accomplish. You’re…it’s amazing," --- “It’s not always easy to use the gifts that God has given you. Especially when there are easier paths you could follow instead.” --- “But there are some things that the natural sciences can’t touch. Like the beauty of a sunrise. Or love.” --- “I know He might be hard to see or hear sometimes, but God is always there. God loves you unconditionally.” --- “There’s always a solution. You just have to find it,” --- “Avoiding your fears won’t solve anything,” --- "And if it costs me something? That’s even better. A treasure worth having never comes cheap.” ----
Who's the Woman? Is Senera legitimate or shady? What's Bajwa up to? What's Cora up to? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Karlin and Asher's/Axel's story and I'm sure you will too. I've loved everyone of her books that I've read and can't wait to read her next book.

[Heidi Sjostrom]

Forged in Deception is book 3 in the Forge Brothers Security series. I am truly enjoying this series. I just love the family dynamics in this series and the author does a fine job of immersing the reader into the high stakes of the story - particularly with this book. Knowing what was at stake and the risks involved, I was filled with dread and unease. This story deals with the use of psychedelic drugs to treat different mental illnesses. I found the subject matter both relevant and unnerving. I thought the author did a great job of handling it and I particularly appreciated her author’s note at the end. Highly recommend reading that.

Karlin is a brilliant scientist working on a psychedelic drug but is concerned that the pharmaceutical she works for may have questionable practices that put the health of the test patients at risk. Asher Forge goes undercover as a test patient to help Karlin uncover the truth. One of the aspects I liked about their relationship was how Asher reminded and showed Karlin that the Lord still does work in miracles. While she (like most of us) was looking for the big flashy miracles, the Lord’s miracles are often perfectly orchestrated details and timing.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author. No positive review was required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jordan Fiest]

Forged In Deception is book three of the Forge Brothers Security Series.

Asher goes through a lot as he suffers from PTSD from his time in the military. He also slightly struggles with his faith because of this and I enjoyed seeing him get it back by the end of the book. He was afraid of disappointing his family, so he hid his problems, but I enjoyed how he finally decided to take a leap of faith and admit his faults and actively work on resolving them instead of hiding them.

Karlin is an amazing smart individual. However, she knows something bigger is happening at her workplace and she needs to stop it before it goes too far. She enlists the help of Asher and from there the relationship between the two starts to develop. They find they have some deeper connections to each other and stand by each other with the guilt they both hold onto in their lives.

I liked the bigger mystery of who Mother and The Woman were. We get to see their viewpoint but they are only identified by these names and I was riveted to solve the mystery of who they really were and what was really going on with them.

This was a very mysterious and intriguing read and I enjoyed the task of working out what was going on and seeing the big revelations throughout the story.

[Laura Anderson]

The latest addition to the Forge Brothers Security series by @kendrawardenauthor is out now! I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it, from witty banter and crackling chemistry to a super intriguing plot. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Karlin McKenna is a medical researcher working on a psychedelic drug she hopes will treat PTSD and other anxiety disorders. She has a personal stake in the success of the drug—her brother is a veteran suffering from severe PTSD. She wants to find a way to help him, but when she begins to suspect that DX8 is more harmful than it appears, she turns to Forge Brothers Security to help her expose the corruption of the pharmaceutical company behind the drug.

Asher Forge is trying to prove his competence in the field by going undercover as a trial patient for DX8. Mistakes in the field before have put other clients on jeopardy, and he refuses to let Karlin become another casualty of his failure. As the two strive to untangle the web of DX8 and how it ties to a cult, they learn to that each other and rely on God for protection.

This is a wonderful book filled with beautiful truths about God’s love regardless of our flaws. Add it to your TBR!

[Lisa]

Asher Forge has been back from Afghanistan for awhile. He is part of the family security company, but he hides the fact that he sometimes suffers from PTSD. When he receives a call from Karlin McKenn, a research scientist at a pharmaceutical company that she wishes to covertly investigate, he goes to check it out on his own. I admired Karlin’s courage to discover the practices of the clinical trials for psychedelic drugs because things just aren’t adding up. There are some pretty intense and suspenseful scenes that kept me turning the pages.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the other two in the series due to the cult practices that were being practiced. There were also some other heavy topics, but they were tastefully addressed. I liked how Asher and Karlin faced these difficult things together through their developing relationship. I am looking forward to the next book in the Forge Brothers Security series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Hannah Crawford]

This story is fantastic, it is still mulling around in my head. It is a little darker and deeper then some of her other works, so make sure to check out the disclosures at the bottom of this review. Despite some of the heavier material, the story has some great moments of levity and romance.

Karlin suspects her company of shady dealings so she calls Asher at Forge Brothers Security to come check it out. He enters the drug trial undercover to collect evidence. As dangers pop up, Asher finds himself drawn to Karlin. Can they both get out of this safely?

Highlights:
When they watch the sunrise 🌅
The witty banter
Message of Hope

I love Karlin for being smart and brave. I love how much she cares for her patients.

I love Asher for how cheerful he is. I love how he stands by his convictions.

““I’m a scientist, so yeah. Trying to know things is what I do.
It’s how I live my life.”
“There’s nothing wrong with knowing things,”
Axel said. “But there are some things that the natural sciences can’t touch. Like the beauty of a sunrise. Or love.”

[Cheryl]

Book 3 in a series and can be read as a standalone with no issue. This is Ashers story aka Axel and Karlin. Asher is ex-military; has some issues he refuses to see and has his faith. Karlin is a scientist desperately trying to help her brother John who is also ex-military and attempted to take his life. Karlin has lost her faith, her brother has his. The very beginning takes you on a dark faithless ride. Then we have Asher and his humor. Karlin not willing to go against her ethics and struggling to help her brother. All of a sudden, we are thrown back to the darkness. It through me out of the book and I wasn't sure I would finish. I am glad I did. In a way, to me, this like life. Darkness - faithless. We reach out and have light knowing the devil is not far away. Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #Forgedin Deception #ForgeBrothersSecurity #KendraWarden #Inspirational #ChristianSuspense #FearlessFaithPress #Bookfunnel

[Jennifer]

4.5✨

In this book we follow Asher (Axel) and Karlin. Karlin finds out that she is in way over her head at Senera Pharmaceuticals, but she also feels responsible for her brother's well-being, as well as hers. She is scared to death that she'll lose everything.

Asher has been through a lot lately and has ended up having to work late to finish up on some paperwork for a case he and his brothers have been working on, when he gets a call from Karlin that puts him on a path that changes his future.

Both of these characters have to learn to trust each other and work together if they are going to put away those pulling the strings that have already caused so much harm.

This book has beautiful faith content woven throughout the story. The backgrounds of both of our characters are deliciously intertwined and deal with some hard topics. I loved the way that anxiety and/or panic attacks, as well as PTSD were given room in this story because they effect so many people. Wonderful book!

**I received this book from the author, however this review is my honest opinion.

[Renee Gentry]

Forged in Deception is a solid next installment in the Forge brothers' series. Karlin and Asher are both dealing with old traumas, and while they come from different places spiritually, they end up supporting each other. Asher gently shares his faith with Karlin, which is beautiful, and while this makes for a strong faith thread, it doesn't come across preachy.

I love the relationship between Asher and Karlin. Despite Asher's issues, his top priority is protecting Karlin, even from the very beginning when she was a total stranger. The story started a little slow, with the suspense building more gradually than the last book, but it still kept my attention. The suspense thread deals with several heavy topics, such as suicide, addiction, drugs, and demonic cults and rituals, so this one isn't for you if those things would be triggering.

[Denise A]

suspense with a dose of spiritual warfare!

What an eye opening story about the medical use of psychedelic drugs and the spiritual darkness that can be behind it! This book will keep you up late at night as you just want to read “one more page”! Very well written and I could tell that the author researched the subject and had the facts straight. The characters had depth and personality that came alive as I read. And the plot kept me guessing. My favorite part of the story was the spiritual aspect of the story, showing behind the scenes of the physical world to things that happen in the spiritual world!! As Elisha prayed “Oh Lord, please open his eyes so that he may see” 2Kings 6:17, we need to be aware of the spiritual world as well. Overall I really enjoyed this story and I definitely recommend it as well as the rest of the series!!

[Evelin]

“Forged in Deception“ is a fast-paced, emotionally grounded romantic suspense that keeps the tension high without losing sight of character depth or purpose. The chemistry between the main characters feels natural and immediate, with a steady, believable connection that deepens as the story unfolds.

Themes of healing, protection, and trust are woven seamlessly into a plot that balances intense moments with genuine emotional depth. The suspense builds steadily, reaching a gripping final stretch that’s hard to put down. While the romance could have used a little more room to grow, the story still delivers a satisfying arc that blends danger, faith, and heart in a meaningful way.

It’s a clean, engaging read with just the right mix of grit and grace—perfect for readers who enjoy romantic suspense with substance.


*Huge thanks for providing a free e-copy for a honest review!

[Brittany Searfoss]

This next book in the Forge Brothers Security series was different, shocking, and in my opinion, a story that needed to be told. There are not many Christian books that tackle the topic of drug use, much less the use of psychedelic drugs, and I believe caution and concern are warranted. Many do not address the issue of demonic activity either, and it takes courage to do so. I was horrified by the extent to which some people are willing to go to gain wealth and prestige, even when harming others is inevitable. I appreciated the care and tactfulness that went into addressing these topics which are usually taboo. I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the previous books in the series, but only if these topics are not a trigger or too upsetting. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Ethelann]

Forged In Deception is a suspenseful story that keeps you wondering who's the bad guys.

Karlin McKenna is a research scientist who won’t let anything get in her way in her work to help people. At least not until her employer starts pressuring her to cross the ethical line. If she says no it could cost her everything she's worked for and stop her from helping her veteran soldier brother who is in crisis.

Asher Forge never tires of going undercover and is happy to help his new client, find out what is going on at her work, Senera Pharmaceuticals. All the while trying to hide his secrets that may keep him from doing his best on the job.

As they keep investigating, they find out there's a whole lot more going on than meets the eye and it's very dark.

[Reads lotsa stuff]

Wanna take a trip. Even though this is the third book in the series it could be read as a standalone. It is based on the Forge Brothers Security company out of San Antonio but the bulk of the story is with a single Forge brother going to Amarillo basically undercover. The format is essentially two person with random chapters throw in as “woman”. The content is intense with a bit of sleuthing done by the main characters. There are scenes depicting psychedelic drug experimentation in a very loosely controlled environment. There are some religious and cult discussions. There is a past that is thought of but not revealed until much later. There is mystery that unravels. There are some questions never answered. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end.