High Exposure

Jagged Edges #1

by Kelly Borjas

The riveting start to an adventure-driven romantic suspense series from a debut author

Determined travel blogger Julia Stevens is on her final assignment in snowy Silverberg, Colorado. She's running from her past-and God-but the charm of small-town life brings little comfort when she's face-to-face with the winter sport that killed her skiing. Upon her arrival in town, she discovers a dead body and is compelled to research the situation, give justice to the man's story, and kick off her new career in journalism.


Cade Haskins is back home after a failed mission and his subsequent retirement from the DEA. His father's declining health has pushed Cade to prioritize family, and he helps at the historic Silverberg Hotel on his dad's behalf. When Julia shows up at the hotel, Cade becomes her local contact. He quickly realizes she has a knack for sniffing around where she shouldn't, and he attaches himself to her side.


With the local death connected to a meth ring, Julia's investigation has unknowingly put a target on her back. As the danger increases and she begins to learn more about Cade and his family, she finds herself trusting the God she was running from. And Cade? He doesn't want to get dragged back into DEA work, but it seems like he may not have a choice if he wants to protect Julia . . . and his growing attraction to her.


"Debut author Kelly Borjas raises the bar with High Exposure. It’s a fast, twisty romantic suspense, set in the snowy Colorado mountains, that blends high tension with a satisfying, hard-won romance."


—Lynette Eason, New York Times best-selling and award-winning author

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2026

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun]

This debut novel will knock your socks off! 


I had to double check for myself that this was written by a debut author. 


What I loved:

💜snowy setting

💜Spunky FMC

💜MMC with a secret

💜Perfect pacing

💜great suspense

💜Characters I connected with quickly

💜An intriguing mystery to solve

💜Adventure

💜twists

💜characters with family challenges/responsibilites


I’ll remember this book for (1) Cade’s advice to see people for who they could be rather than seeing their limitations and (2) for the warning about struggles; they create either endurance or termination and it’s up to us to pursue the challenge or give up! 


This is book one of the Jagged Edges series and I’m excited to have found a new author to follow and for book two in this terrific series. 


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

[Vickie]

The intense suspense in this debut novel had me captivated from the beginning. Julia’s story of running from her grief is relatable and relevant and was heart-wrenchingly realistic. In the small town of Silverburg, Colorado, Julia Stevens plans to conquer her fears, face her past and move on with life. What she did not count on was finding a dead body and encountering non-stop threats and danger as a result. Julia attracts the attention of former DEA Agent Cade Haskins who is running the local hotel and also tasks himself with keeping her safe. The plot is a fast-paced race to the bottom of a black diamond ski slope as the two protagonists try to find the source of the threats while also safeguarding their own secrets from the past. The romance is a slow burn and predictable, but such a satisfying and swoonworthy part of the story. The characters were realistic and my favorite was the spunky and fearless Julia who faced fear even when it was foolhardy and perilous for her. the ending was a slam dunk and I really enjoyed the intro to the next book in the series. I will definitely look for Ami’s story as I enjoyed Julia and Cade’s story so much. This book was hard to put down and thought-provoking as Julia and Cade both dealt with feeling responsible for things in their past that they could not change. The genre is Christian romantic suspense and this book hit all the targets for the genre as it enticed me to read with the suspense, entertained me with the romance and filled my need for a book with a faith foundation as the characters struggled with their faith but knew intrinsically that God was in control. I would give more than five stars if I could because this book is a must read for fans of Lynette Eason, Elizabeth Goddard and Nancy Mehl.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[DevotedToHope]

Some books make me notice the setting first. Others make me notice the suspense first. High Exposure made me notice the writing.

Kelly Borjas writes with an ease that made me slow down and actually notice the way scenes were built. Snow, silence, fear, grief, awkwardness, attraction, danger. Nothing felt hurried onto the page just to get me to the next twist. The details gave the story weight, and the emotional moments had room to breathe.

Julia interested me because her hurt had edges. She is grieving, angry, searching, and not especially interested in neat answers. Her struggle with God mattered to me because it was allowed to remain difficult for a while. She did not move from pain to peace in three tidy pages. Her questions had consequences.

Cade gave the story a different kind of strength. He carries regret and responsibility differently than Julia does, and I liked the way his faith showed up in his choices, his prayers, and his his understanding that he would always need God to keep working in him. He was protective without becoming overbearing, and the humor between them kept the story from becoming emotionally heavy all the time.

I cared about Julia and Cade before I cared about how the danger would end. Once that happened, the suspense became personal. I was not just waiting to see what happened next. I wanted these two people to make it through.

The faith meant the most to me when Julia was at her rawest. Her grief and anger with God were not hurried past, and neither was the slow work of trusting Him again. Prayer, guilt, surrender, and hope came through pain that had to be faced, not skipped over. That made her learning to trust God again mean so much to me.

It is hard to believe High Exposure is Kelly Borjas’s debut. She gave me a story with emotional depth, real Christian faith, humor, danger, and characters I wanted to keep reading about.

Kelly Borjas is officially on my radar after High Exposure. Bring on the next Jagged Edges story.

I received an eARC and paperback copy of this book for review. I also received an Amazon e-gift card to preorder the Kindle edition. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dana]

Sometimes you never know what you’ll get with a debut author BUT Kelly Borjas’s HIGH EXPOSURE absolutely blew me away. This very suspenseful and romantic book was so good. It had just the right amount of danger, swoony kisses, tension and faith. Julia, a travel blogger shows up at Cade Haskins’ family Silverberg hotel and he becomes her contact to help her write her blog on the idyllic town. Cade Haskin is a DEA agent has decided to retire after his last failed assignment and now he’s back home helping his family run the hotel since his dad’s sickness. Julia happens upon a dead man at the house she rents, this subsequently a case Cade and his former partner, Ace are working on. I’ll let you decide from the rest you gotta read it! So good!! I can’t wait for book 2 in the Jagged Edge series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

[Melmo2610]

This is an excellent debut novel. As someone who reads a a lot of Christian fiction suspense(it’s my most read genre), this one was a lot of fun. I loved the Colorado winter setting, the mystery was well done, and the villains and motive had some surprises along the way. This story also features a great cast of characters and ones I’m going to look forward to seeing getting their stories in future books. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this Author. I will also be adding this book to my husband’s TBR because he’ll really enjoy this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

[Alyssa Amey Madjeski]

4.5 ⭐️

Ever since I heard about this story, I’ve been anticipating it. I’m always on the lookout for new voices in Christian Romantic Suspense, and this one set in a small mountain town in Colorado sounded right up my alley. Right from the start, Kelly Borjas grabbed my attention! This did not feel like a debut novel! A meth lab, a murder, sabotage… all in the first few chapters l! I couldn’t get enough.

Best of all is the chemistry between the main characters. Cade and Julia have this crazy flirty frenemies energy going on that crackles and feels alive. And it never lets up, even when they disappoint one another. Despite mistakes on both sides throughout that had me yelling at both of them, their relationship builds and changes and evolves into love. I loved how they were able to be mature enough to forgive one another.

Great faith content in this one- at the start both Cade and Julia had fallen away from their faith due to circumstance. But over the course of the story, they both find their way back. It’s rewarding without being preachy and felt true to life.

The villain POV was very well done throughout. The glimpses it provided only increased my intrigue as to who it could be! I had multiple theories throughout, but none of them were exactly right. There’s one thing the villain does that doesn’t feel consistent and I would have maybe changed a few small details, but it didn’t bother me too much, especially as a debut!

Overall, I’m so excited to follow Borjas’ writer journey going forward and I already can’t wait for book 2. I am expecting great things from her in the future.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Kregel Publishing. I was not required to review it. My opinions are my own.

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore]

High Exposure by Kelly Borjas was such a fun five star read for me!

The snowy Colorado setting immediately pulled me in and gave the whole story that wonderfully atmospheric feeling I love in suspense. Add in a spunky heroine, a hero carrying a secret, and an intriguing mystery that kept me trying to figure everything out, and I was hooked.

One of my favorite things about this book was the pacing. It moved along perfectly for me. There was always enough happening to keep the suspense building, but I also had time to connect with the characters. Julia and Cade were both characters I became invested in very quickly, which made the danger and adventure even more exciting.

The mystery kept me curious, the suspense kept me turning pages, and the snowy setting was the perfect backdrop for it all.

If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense with adventure, mystery, engaging characters, and plenty of tension, High Exposure is definitely one to put on your list.

I received a complimentary copy is under no obligation to a positive review.

[Deena Peterson]

Kelly Borjas is an author to watch! This is her debut novel and it reads like she’s been publishing for years.

One of the reasons I’m now a lifelong fan is the way she designed the mystery. I had my eye on a particular character, just sure I’d found the culprit.

But no. And once the reveal came I couldn’t believe I’d missed it!

Borjas also has an uncanny way of turning a phrase that perfectly captures the meaning behind the words in a clever and fresh way.

Julia and Cade clashed immediately and hard. Watching them work together—kind of—was interesting. Oil and water don’t tend to mix well, but when they do you have a delicious combination!

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited. Highly recommend!

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama]

This is this authors first book and all I can say is WOWZA!! I am so glad this is a series because I need more. She had me turning the pages just so I can find out who the culprit was and boy did she throw some surprises along the way I was not expecting some things towards the end.

Suspense is not the only this book deals with. There is good romantic thread happening as well. Julia and Cade's relationship definitely falls into the meet-cute trope and develops throughout the storyline. Julia is a former Olympic skier but she hides that part of her life. Currently she is a journalist and comes to the town to promote their town for future tourists. She stumbles into a dead body and cannot help herself into investigating what happened. Cade is a former government official but keeps that part quiet.

The characters both carry some baggage but they do have growth throughout the story. The side characters are wonderful and I cannot wait to see them in future books.

The book has a great faith thread and the theme of God's sovereignty is ever present. One of the characters does have cancer and there are mentions of him being weak. I know that can be a trigger so just mentioning it for that reason.

If you enjoy Romantic Suspense books then I would give this one a try!

I received a copy of the book for review. All views expressed are my own.

[Joy Burke]

What a way to start a series, especially from a debut author. I enjoyed the start of the story when Julia first meets Cade. Julia is on assignment as a travel blogger where she writes about the different places she goes. This is supposed to be the last blog and the editor wants her to write about winter sports and her actually trying them out as she writes about them. But first she needs to overcome her past that she has been running away from for the last two years. When she decides to conquer her fear before getting into town, that's where she meets Cade and he thnks she doesn't have a clue as to what she is doing. Cade has just come back home after a tragedy while he was on the job and to also help run the motel for his Dad who is really sick. This story had me reading as quickly as I could to find out who is behind the multiple accidents that keeps happening to Julia. Are they only accidents or something more sinister? Why is there more bodies showing up in this little town than they have ever had? Can Julia and Cade both work through their past long enough to see a future together? These couple of sentences really touched me and I think everyone should read them. " He would choose to be thankful today for all that he had. No one ever knew how much time was left. But they had today." We aren't promised tomorrow, but we do have today. I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are what I thought of the book. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

[Becky Lewis]

“The time had come—to face her past … and her future.”

Why should you pick up High Exposure, Bk 1 of Jagged Edges, from debut author Kelly Borjas? To be honest, covers can make or break a book. This one lets you know you’ll be frozen cold along with the characters before you’re very deep into this great romantic suspense novel. Brrrr! And a travel blogger? Right now, in America, there are some very successful individuals visiting different sites, taking pictures, trying local food offerings, and describing local scenery to invite tourists. And this is exactly what our determined heroine, Julia, is doing for a living. Plus, the locale? A small, obscure town in the wintry Colorado mountains. Yes, please! I want to visit Silverberg! Or maybe not, there may be a little too much tension and cooking going on in that small town, and not the legal kind! Now, attach the Kregel publishing name to a book, and I am convinced I am going to love the book. Last, but not least, Kelly’s literary agent is Lynnette Eason. There’s a very well-known name in romantic suspense that promises this book will be well-worth the read!

And it is! While Julia’s attempt to outrun a tragedy in her past sends her touring the States as a photo-journalist for a travel magazine, her real desire is to become a news journalist. Can her depiction of a dead-in-the-winter Colorado mountain town boost the town’s winter tourism and help the town’s hotel (that Cade’s family owns)? Will that be enough to move her into the realm of serious reporting? Little does Julia know the avalanche that will begin to build slowly when she first enters town to find a very unpleasant surprise in her rental air bnb!

Thanks to his dad’s cancer battle, Cade has recently returned home to Silverberg to help run the hotel. Now, in his dad’s sickness, former DEA agent Cade needs to show newly arrived photo-journalist Julia all the alluring winter possibilities of Silverberg. Unfortunately, getting stalked, threatened, and facing constant danger from an unknown source might put the town in the most positive light. Can Cade run the hotel, protect Julia, protect his DEA association, and protect his heart from the beautiful travel blogger as well?

Borjas quickly got me invested. The town seems so picture-perfect in so many ways. Until Julia’s present begins to unravel, a bit at a time, just as she’s struggling to put it back together. “If she were still a praying woman, she’d ask God for a solution. But she’d abandoned that faith element the day Nikki had died.” Julia convinces a grudging, hot-and-cold Cade to help her investigate the mystery she lands in the middle of. But the deeper they delve into trying to solve the oddities of the town, the more complex their relationship becomes, as both try to keep secrets yet work together.

Themes running through the novel are family, belonging, faith, secrets, meth, DEA, travel photographer, skiing, and Colorado.

I’m already looking forward to Borjas’s second book, Dark Chasm. I need more of Cade’s family! I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through JustRead Tours via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“…you don’t have to be all things to all people. You’re human and can ask for help, even if you’ve messed up before.”…
“Especially if you’ve messed up before.”

“He would choose to be thankful today for all that he had. No one ever knew how much time was left. But they had today.”

“Men like to give solutions to problems. Women just want to be heard.”

“As a writer, I work to convey the beauty around me—sometimes it’s in the orthodox; other times it’s in the unorthodox that beauty shines. Most of all, truth and love showcase beauty, shining through despair and lies.”

“Struggles create either endurance or termination. As humans we must decide whether to pursue the challenge or give up.”

[Crystal]

I really enjoyed High Exposure! Kelly Borjas is a new-to-me author, and I was impressed by how quickly she pulled me into the story.

I absolutely loved the Colorado mountain setting. The snowy small-town atmosphere was such a great backdrop for the suspense, and I especially enjoyed all of the winter activities woven into the story. It gave the book a really fun, adventurous feel while still leaving plenty of room for the mystery and danger surrounding Julia.

I also really enjoyed the romance between Julia and Cade. Cade was probably my favorite part of the book. He’s extremely likable, protective without being overbearing, and I loved watching his relationship with Julia slowly develop. I didn’t always love the secrets he was keeping from her, but knowing his background with the DEA made it easier to understand why he couldn’t tell her everything. I liked that their relationship had to develop through learning to trust each other.

Julia was an interesting character too. She’s determined and definitely has a tendency to get herself into situations she probably shouldn’t, especially once she starts investigating the death she discovers. Her grief and her struggle with God added another layer to her character that I appreciated. I liked seeing her wrestle with her faith rather than having everything neatly resolved from the beginning.

The suspense kept things moving, with Julia becoming more and more entangled in something much bigger than the story she originally came to write. Between the mysterious threats, the connection to the drug operation, and Cade trying to protect her while dealing with his own past, there was plenty to keep me turning the pages.

Overall, I thought this was a really strong debut. I enjoyed the combination of suspense, romance, faith, and the setting, and I’m definitely interested in seeing where the Jagged Edges series goes next!

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

[Catherine Graham]

This book is an amazing debut for Kelly Borjas. It quickly drew me into a story filled with drama, suspense and some sizzling romantic chemistry. It was a read page turner that kept me reading and the suspense and mystery was so good it kept me guessing right to the end.

Julia arrives in the town of Silverberg to experience some outdoor adventures, write about it for her blog and articles and then leave again without any scars. Sounds simple right, except she starts it off getting stuck in the snow and being rescued by a handsome stranger. And then arrives at her accommodation to find a body. Yep that plan has officially derailed. Cade, aka the handsome stranger, has lots on his plate with an unwell father and hotel to manage and doesn't need to babysit the reporter. Except there is something going on in town that needs to be investigated and well the reporter is hot.
They both have issues or secrets though and in trying to keep them and protect themselves both Cade and Julia run hot and cold for each other. Add in some mysterious and threatening events and neither really know which way is up anymore.

I loved the storyline that really did keep me guessing. The characters were really well written with depth and flaws that kept them relatable. The chemistry between Cade and Julia was entertaining to read and I felt for them both at times. I loved the faith components throughout the book and how in their times of trouble they turned to God for support - a great reminder for all of us.

I am excited that this is book 1 of the Jagged Edges series (I love series) and that we have some hints as to who is up next. I eagerly await book 2. I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.

[Amanda Geaney]

High Exposure introduces Kelly Borjas as a promising new voice in Christian romantic suspense. I am always pleased to see a debut author enter the genre, and Borjas gives readers a solid first novel with a snowy Colorado setting.

Although the story includes threats, suspicious accidents, and a drug investigation, I felt it leaned slightly more toward romance than suspense. Julia and Cade’s relationship begins with a meet-cute and develops quickly. Cade’s assignment to guide her on wilderness excursions for her article shifts into protective duty as their separate investigations merge. Their banter and more vulnerable conversations lay the foundation for their romance.

Both carry guilt over circumstances they believe they should have prevented, and both must learn the difference between responsibility and control. Julia’s grief has affected her relationship with God, while Cade’s past failure drives his need to protect those around him. Their spiritual growth enriches the story, and the theme of God’s sovereignty plays out well on the page.

There were a few places where the characters’ internal thoughts felt repetitive, but the glimpses into the villain’s perspective helped keep me guessing. Overall, I enjoyed Borjas’s debut and look forward to reading more from her. Readers who enjoy Terri Reed, Darlene L. Turner, Christy Barritt, Laura Scott, and Robin Patchen should give High Exposure a try.

4.5/5 ⭐️

I received a free review copy of this book from [Publisher/NetGalley]. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own, and I am disclosing this per FTC 16 CFR Part 255.

[Kendra Neal]

Christian Romantic Suspense is a genre that I really enjoy. I also LOVE reading books from Debut Authors. High Exposure by Kelly Borjas is Book 1 in the Jagged Edge Series. It is also Kelly's Debut Novel.

The storyline is ACTION packed from the beginning and throughout the book. The setting is in the Snowy Mountains of Colorado. The main characters are Julia Stevens and Cade Haskins. Julia has been a travel blogger for a long while and is pivoting her career into Journalism. Silverberg, Colorado is Julia's last destination as a blogger. Julia has been through a lot in the last few years and she is wanting to leave the past behind and start a new life in a small town. The action begins immediately upon arrival as Julia comes upon a Dead Body and is intrigued enough to want to figure out the case and tell the story using her journalistic skills. Cade Haskins is a retired DEA Agent, he now runs the Hotel that his Family owns. Cade becomes aware of the Dead Man and he joins Julia on trying to solve the mystery of who the man is and what happened. Cade didn't want to do another investigation, although he felt he needed to. I really LOVE that Cade and Julia have an instant attraction to one another. The relationship builds rather quickly, as they are spending quite a bit of time together on the investigation. Julia sees her Faith in God growing as the relationship grows. Julia had given up on her Faith in recent years, so seeing her Faith come back was heartwarming. The story is one of Mystery, Trusting others, Finding Faith, and LOVE. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an ACTION PACKED Suspense and Romance book. GREAT BOOK!

[Fiction Fellowship]

Julia Stevens is a travel blogger on her last assignment in Silverberg, Colorado. Cade Haskins is asked to meet with her to show her around the town and showcase everything it has to offer. She walks into the house she’s rented for the next several weeks and sees a man dying in front of her on the kitchen floor. Cade, former DEA agent, is asked to check on a reported meth lab where a body was found. Julia wants to look into what was going on with the dead man but Cade wants her to leave it to the cops. She notes the dead body in her blog and since the body is related to a crime, he thinks if someone reads it, she might be in danger.

Sure enough, Julia finds herself in dangerous situations and receives cryptic warnings from people to leave the investigation alone and stop trying to figure out what happened to the dead man. Now Cade has to try to dissolve the meth ring and try to keep Julia alive without her finding out about his past life.

If you enjoy adventure-driven stories, you will love this fast, twisty, romantic suspense book. It really held my attention throughout and I was impressed with how well she blended faith and a riveting storyline, considering she is a debut author. The characters experienced suffering like we all do and sometimes wonder why God allows it. We are reminded that God gives and takes away and life is precious. Great quote: “Having God with us through troubles beats not having Him at all.”

Thanks to Kregel Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Cathy R Morgan]

When Julia took her last assignment for her travel writing job, in Silverberg, Colorado, she knew it would require facing her demons. What she didn't realise was that it would inadvertently put her in the crosshairs of a killer. Cade came back to Silverberg both to escape his past and to look after the hotel for his dying father. He didn't expect the ghosts of his past to find him there. When Julia finds a dead man and Cade discovers evidence of a drug ring in the house, he's thrust back into the job he left - but this time with the life of the woman he's beginning to wonder whether he might love on the line. And he can't tell her. Can he keep her safe long enough to be able to tell her his past and the future he hopes for?

An enjoyable read that kept me turning pages eagerly right through to the end. Despite a rocky start the two clearly belong together, but each has past issues to overcome before they can manage it. And the mix of romance, suspense and coming to terms with the past was very well done and made for a great story. I appreciated how much they each supported the other, though perhaps I appreciated her parents' response even more. The identify of the culprit kept me guessing, which was good. My one more negative comment would be that Julia seemed kind of slow on the uptake in terms of either recognising the danger or understanding the drug situation. (Okay, and Cade was painfully clueless as to what might be expected near the end.) All in all, a good read.

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

[Jo|Ruth Reads]

Total 5 star read for me! I was obsessed with Julia and Cade’s story and chemistry. These two started out totally at odds, but forced proximity, crime, and killings all around had these two pairing up and falling for each other in the process! Loved it!

Julia is finishing up her career as a travel writer and heads to Silverberg to report on the little town and its winter activities. But what should be a simple assignment is anything but when she sees something she shouldn’t, triggering a criminal out of hiding and making her the target. Cade wasn’t interested in spending all this time with Julia, who seems to have trouble follow her wherever she goes, but the more time he spends with her, the more invested he becomes in figuring out who is behind the criminal activity and why Julia is a target. As their walls start coming down and sparks start to fly, they both have to face the pasts they’ve been running from before a future together is possible.

The chemistry between these two was off the charts! Cade is crazy swoony, and if one protective man on the scene wasn’t enough, Ace enters! I better see him return in the next book because I sense some chemistry between him and Ami! Lol! The suspense was a total page turner, and the mystery of who was behind it all had me guessing. Loved this! Book 2 couldn't come fast enough!

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Veronica]

I enjoyed this suspenseful start to a new series by a debut author! The book starts almost right away with a mysterious death and dangerous incidents keep happening to Julia, ratcheting up the suspense. I thought she was a little naive to write about the dead man when she didn't know what had happened to him and to keep writing about events; I also thought Cade could have warned her somehow without revealing too much or putting her in more danger but then again, she was trying to be a reporter so that could have made it worse. She also had a stubborn streak and felt like she could take care of things on her own. She and Cade had that in common. While Cade was a strong believer, he struggled with letting go of control and felt like he had to handle everything himself. Julia had turned away from God after her sister's death and, through talks with Cade and situations they found themselves in, had started to reach out to Him again. I liked the moments of attraction and banter sprinkled in and that we got to read what they were both thinking. The small town community felt cozy, especially nestled in the mountains and made me want to visit. I liked that we got to know Cade's family and I look forward to reading about his sister more in the next book. I recommend this story if you like romantic suspense!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I wasn't compensated for my review. All opinions are my own.

[Michaela (Reading in the Heartland)]

I enjoyed this no spice Christian romantic suspense. It’s always fun to read a debut author. I loved the setting of this book in the avalanche-prone mountains of Colorado during the winter. We got to experience a lot of snowy, wintery, mountain activities in this book as our journalist FMC is promoting this small town in a big publication. Our MMC is back in his hometown after leaving the DEA after an incident, and is not prepared to first, rescue a young lady and then, be stuck showing her the ropes and protecting her, all while keeping his past a secret. Both of our characters have grief and regrets to work through and I love the way this was handled with faith. I really enjoyed the plot line of this book and the side characters were phenomenal – I cannot wait for book two! This book had a good balance between romance, suspense, winter activities, and family. I enjoyed figuring out this mystery and living these wintery experiences vicariously through our characters. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level two.

Content Notes: Loss of Family Members, Death, Drugs, Assault, Attempted Murder, Mention of Infidelity, Cancer

I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Julie]

I always enjoy reading a debut author … and Kelly knocked it out of the park! The synopsis completely hooked me & the execution of the story kept me!

Julia Stevens is a travel writer on assignment in snowy Silverberg, Colorado. She is tasked with highlighting the town’s winter activities, but upon her arrival, she finds a dead body in the house she has rented for her stay. Nothing adds up with this mysterious death … so, of course, Julia begins digging.

Enter Cade Haskins, a retired DEA agent who is also Julia’s towny contact & tour guide. He’s not super excited about his role in Julia’s assignment, but he knows things about the dead body Julia found. He also knows that her digging has put her in danger … and to keep her safe, he’s got to keep her close.

The balance in this book is everything. The suspense, the romance & the faith-filled message all were spot on. It’s fast-paced with lots of exciting action … but written with emotional layers of heart & hope. And all the side characters were extremely likable as well. I loved Cade’s parents … I just wanted to hug them!

The mystery part of the story was shaded just enough to keep me guessing all the way through and the sprinkling of the bad guy’s pov was a nice little addition that really added to the eerie, suspense vibe. I was very invested to see who was behind everything & the wrap-up was very satisfying!

A great debut that is also book one in the series … can’t wait to spend more time with these characters!

Thank you to Kregel Books and Kelly Borjas for the gifted copy!

[Emily]

If you love a great Christian romantic suspense, then you do not want to miss out on this new series. High Exposure by debut author Kelly Borjas was the perfect high-stakes read. I could not put it down. This story has me hooked, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Julia Stevens is a travel blogger, travelling to hide from her past, and has come to Silverberg, Colorado, to help boost their tourism. While trying to portray the beauty of this town to her readers, she has stumbled upon the secret local meth ring. That is when everything starts to snowball.

Cade is helping Julia see the town and show her spots to help with the article. Each time they are out, they seem to find themselves in danger. Cade has recently retired from the DEA but is working to help rein in the meth operation going on in his small town.

High Exposure was the perfect story, full of mystery, suspense, romance, and faith.  

The romance had great chemistry, with kisses only.

Kelly Borjas did a great job intertwining faith throughout the story. It showcases Julia’s journey back to faith.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

[Carolyn Bryant]

What an exciting, suspenseful ride Ms. Borjas' debut novel took me on! I became completely immersed in the story early on and kept turning pages expectantly and guessing at the outcome all the way to the reveal! The story features head-strong yet vulnerable heroine Julia Stevens, a travel writer/photographer, and Cade Haskins, a determined, protective former DEA agent, who become embroiled in high-stakes danger involving murder and a drug ring while dealing with haunting memories from their pasts and navigating a "one step forward, two steps back" romantic relationship with undeniable chemistry. I fell in love with Cade's parents and truly appreciated their example of lived-out faith. The skillful blending of a gripping, multi-faceted storyline, characters with depth, a beautifully sketched remote, small-town Rocky Mountain winter setting, and a strong and encouraging faith thread made this an inspiring, entertaining read for me. This book easily gets my highest recommendation, and I look forward to reading the next book in the Jagged Edges series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Kelly Bridgewater]

3.5 stars

High Exposure by Kelly Borjas fits into the Romantic suspense genre. There is a mystery surrounding the main characters Julia and Cade. Readers will enjoy the small town with all the winter glory and sports that the main character, Julia, tries. As an avid fan of winter and snow, I love the tiny details that made me sigh for the concept of the winter wonderland. As for the romance, emotions between the two happened really quickly and predictable. Readers of any romantic suspense or romance knew how the romance would play out. Similarly, the suspense felt predictable and done before. It really didn't take me for surprise at all. Yes, there were plenty of moments where Julia and Cade were thrown into death adventures, but reading tons in this genre, it was easy to predict what was going to happen and who the bad person was. Overall, High Exposure by Kelly Borjas had a chilling, yet warm setting, but the romance and suspense just did not hit the mark for me.

I received a complimentary copy of High Exposure by Kelly Borjas from Kregel Publishing through JustRead Tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.

[Michelle]

I am always up for a new suspense read and the cover and setting of this novel captured my interest. I grew up in Colorado so I enjoy reading books in that setting. I also love that this book is set during the winter! The first few chapters had me pretty interested. The meet cute is fun and the different winter activities were good additions. There is a drug ring situation that Julia somewhat stumbles in on without even realizing it and Cade happens to have worked with the DEA. So there is plenty of suspense because the reader knows what is happening but Julia does not. About half way through I was getting a little bit or a lot irritated with Julia and Cade. I really didn't want to but the complete foolish way that Julia goes about investigating and posting things on social media drove me up the wall. The romance is sweet and not the main plot which was good but I just didn't love it. The second part of the book just moved a little slow for me with it being suspense. I really wanted to love this story but it ended up being just an okay read. I think many others will love it and I will happily read this author's next novel, this one just wasn't for me.


Three Stars.

"I received a complimentary copy from Kregel Publishers. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

[Billi (toevery_book_thereisaseason)]

❄️✨Book Review✨❄️
Book Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Recommended Age: 17+
Series: Jagged Edges 1

I love that I have been introduced to new authors recently. This time I got introduced to High Exposures by Kelly Borjas. For Kelly Borjas, this is her debut novel, which I am surprised by. Her writing felt confident and full of experience. I look forward to her future work.

I liked the setting that this book had. From the very start, I could feel the coldness seeping from the pages. As it’s getting close to the winter months, I recommend reading this one now if you are needing a book with this setting.

I love the romance between Cade and Julia. From the start, I could feel a bit of flirtiness even if Cade came off as hostile towards her. I love how their relationship progressed into something that was beautiful.

Kelly Borjas reminded me of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard’s writing style. I love that it is full of action and suspense.

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

[Brenda]

High Exposure by Kelly Borjas is an atmospheric Christian thriller set in the small town of Silverberg, Colorado. Travel blogger Julia has more than one reason to spend time in ski country. She felt it was time to face her fears as her past wouldn't let move forward. But even more importantly, she knows she cannot outrun God. Until He brought her to her knees in surrender, she felt scattered. God had rescued her before and would do so again. She meets Cade, a personality profiler with the Drug Enforcement Agency. His gruffness is a bit off-putting at first yet was a kindly godly man who had lived a lot. They "got" each other, past and all.

The story is about courage, family, belonging, and faith. I like the faith elements which firmly point to Christ. Flawed characters are realistic and the thriller elements are exciting, though a bit predictable. Still, a refreshing read where God is number one!

[Jane Weaver]

Julia Stevens, a travel blogger is on her last assignment before hanging up her traveling shoes. She has been asked to feature Silverberg, CO as her last trip. Easy, right? Wrong. When she enters town, the house she is renting has a strange smell and a dead body. Cade Haskins, former DEA, is recuperating at his parent's lodge in Silverberg and takes it upon himself to show Julia around. When he finds out about the dead body, he knows something isn't right in his hometown and wants to put a stop to it. Julia vows to write about the dead man but needs more information. Someone doesn't like her looking into this and does their best to stop her. Following that trail leads to more dead bodies. Julia has a history with the mountains, but Cade doesn't know it. Follow their story to find out who the killer is and why he's killing people. I was given an advance copy by the author, but these are my own thoughts and words.

[Lindsey]

High Exposure is Kelly Borjas' debut novel and had me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time. A dying man, a discovered meth lab and numerous acts of sabotage all in the first few chapters! I genuinely had no idea who the villain was or the why behind their actions.

Aside from the intrigue and suspense, what stood out to me was Borjas' writing; well paced, details added weight to the story all while balancing the emotional moments. Both main characters had layered histories that made them realistic and relatable. I personally found Julia, the FMC, annoying as she naively walked straight into danger repeatedly, because she wanted to do her own thing. What I did appreciate were the faith-centered themes woven throughout and how reliance on God was a focal point, reminding us all of where we can find strength and guidance when life gets challenging. I’m excited to see where this series will go with the hints given for book two!

[Lisa]

When travel blogger Julia Stevens is assigned to highlight a small town in the Rocky Mountains she doesn’t know she’ll be walking into a dangerous situation that quickly escalates. Cade Haskins finds himself having to protect Julia from unknown forces that are willing to do whatever it takes to keep her from finding the truth.

Tropes and Tidbits:
grumpy MMC
former DEA agent
slow developing romance
danger
faith of characters

This is the first book in the Jagged Edges with more high adventure and action-packed books to follow. Readers of clean romantic suspense will enjoy seeing if they can determine who is behind the threats to Julia.

I received a copy of the book from Kregel and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.