Chasing Shadows

by Bertie Stein

She built a sanctuary. He's about to blow it apart.

Sheila McBride knows the cost of trusting the wrong man. Three years ago, a Border Patrol agent she loved used her secrets to destroy the immigrant families she'd been protecting. Now she runs Chiricahua Coffee & Covers in Willcox, Arizona, quietly helping those who need it most and trusting no one with a badge.

When her young cousin Maria vanishes, Sheila fears the worst. The cartels have been circling closer, and Maria is exactly the kind of target they prey on. But Sheila can't go to the police. Reporting Maria missing would expose every family she's been sheltering and tear apart everything she's built.

Then Matt Morrow walks into her cafe. Dangerous. Guarded. And clearly hiding something.

Matt has spent ten years running from the night he lost everything. His parents. His sister. His faith. Now he's DEA, deep undercover in a cartel operation that stretches far beyond what anyone realized. His mission is to bring them down from the inside. His problem is the stubborn cafe owner who's about to get caught in the crossfire.

As Sheila and Matt circle each other with suspicion and reluctant attraction, the cartel tightens its grip on the border town the McBride family has called home for seven generations. When Sheila discovers Matt's true identity, it doesn't bring relief. It brings fury. He's law enforcement. He lied. He's everything she swore she'd never trust again.

But Maria is still missing. The cartel is closing in. And Matt might be the only one who can help... if Sheila can find the faith to let him.

The McBride Legacy, Book 1 A clean Christian romantic suspense novel

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt’s life as an undercover DEA agent inside a cartel was never simple, but it suddenly grows much harder when the cartel takes the niece of a woman who doesn’t know how to back down and will put her life on the line to try to save others. Sheila is frantic when Maria disappears, and not even warning visits from a threatening stranger will make her stop looking for her. But when he turns up injured on her doorstep and tells her Maria has escaped, she’s forced to review her opinion of him. Only by working together do they have any hope of bringing down the cartel and saving the hundreds of girls it’s trafficked – but the danger is only going to grow as they get closer…

This drew me in from the start and held my attention throughout. Matt's dilemma of wanting to save Maria but also not wanting to waste everything he's worked towards inspired sympathy in his early predicament, while Sheila's combined determination despite very reasonable fear had me rooting for their success - and very glad the immediate enemy is a friend in disguise. I also appreciated her family's support, however overprotective they could be. My one minor quibble was that a few things didn't quite hang together for me (the final takedown seemed much too easy, for a start), but it didn't stop me enjoying the book. I'm intrigued to see what the family face next. 4.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is intense! Chasing after human traffickers, Sheila is trying to save her cousin. Her ex Matt ends up helping her. But Matt doesn't tell her everything upfront, and Sheila is determined to get her cousin back. When Matt puts everything on the line to help her, they both end up in witness protection. However, the twist at the end will totally shock you. This was a really intense but great read!

[Jodi]

Another great and intense read by Bertie Stein! This is the start of a new series, which is a spinoff from the Angels Among Us series. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put the book down. Both Sheila and Matt are running from past hurts, but they learn to work with each other to save her cousin Maria.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margarita Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an action packed and fast paced read. Its about trusting even when you have no reason to. Maria is kidnapped and Sheila is determined to find her and get her back from the traffickers. Sheila is getting in Matt's way and putting his life in danger. She causes him to get found out and blow his undercover assignment. Great visual description and personable characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book can be read as a standalone, it is part of an interconnected series with overlapping characters. Can't wait for the next book.
Drug trafficking
Human trafficking
Undercover
Large family with widespread influence
Dangerous cat and mouse game.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. This is the first in the series and I was quickly pulled in. I am looking forward to finding more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Christian Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the McBride Legacy series. I really got into this story, and I enjoyed getting to know all the characters. This book had a great mix of suspense, drama, and romance. I really enjoyed reading this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.