Searching for love in all the wrong places. Scarred from the past. Damaged goods.
Those phrases describe how Jayna’s story begins in Hold Your Breath. Her story was uncomfortable to write at times, and yet I felt compelled to write it for the reader who relates to Jayna: someone who feels “less than” and needs to know her true worth.
That true worth is what private investigator Liam Bracken tries to help Jayna see as he points her to the One who redeems and restores.
Liam reminds me of the person Jesus describes in Matthew 25:35-36. “…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (NKJV).
Jayna finds herself a stranger among Liam’s Tampa church group, and yet they treat her like a friend. She finds herself trapped in what once seemed a paradise, and Liam doesn’t give up on her.
I said those phrases describe how Jayna’s story begins, because they do not describe how it ends—or how anyone’s story needs to end, praise Jesus. Yes, Jayna must face the consequences of her mistakes, but she doesn’t have to dwell there. Hope and a future are available to all who call upon God as their Savior. As Psalm 86:5 says, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (NKJV).
Have you felt “less than” because of a past mistake? Be encouraged by Jayna’s story that your past doesn’t have to define you, and let God’s redeeming love transform your story into one of hope and healing.
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. Her own suspense story involved waiting on God into her thirties to meet her husband, and she desires to keep embracing God’s plan for her life when it’s not what she expects. Kristen’s books have won the Selah Award and the Grace Award, among others. An educator at heart, she also teaches English online and enjoys being a podcast guest. Kristen lives in the Tampa, Florida area with her husband and young son. Visit her online at KristenHogrefeParnell.com.
The end justifies the means—or does it?
Serial dater and travel blogger Jayna Scott lands a dream assignment in Bimini, Bahamas at Mario Delgado’s resort. But after she falls hard and fast for her host, she discovers his terrible secret. Her flight instinct sends her to the mountains of North Carolina on a trip with a Tampa church group, but Mario pursues her, determined to prove his actions were justified.
Private investigator Liam Bracken helps his best friend plan a surprise engagement in Beech Mountain to the woman he once liked. Now, the mysterious Jayna, the new addition to their group, tugs at his heart, but his instincts warn him she’s running from something. When Jayna emerges at the epicenter of his agency’s high-profile drug investigation, Liam prays he can save her-and guard his heart at the same time.
