No Turning Back

Ambushed in the Night

Written by Rhonda Starnes

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense  Harlequin

Release Date: 01.27.26

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense & Mystery

5 Stars!

A terrified mother. A child who needs protection now, not later. Ambushed in the Night places its characters in circumstances where trust must be chosen before certainty arrives. Maxwell Prescott does not step forward because the situation feels safe or convenient. He steps forward because it is right. That decision carries weight through every single page.

Max is a former police officer carrying both skill and weariness, someone who understands threat assessment as well as moral responsibility. Brenda Granger carries a different burden: motherhood under pressure, grief, and the constant awareness that danger follows her steps. Having a small child in the middle of everything changes the weight of each moment. Every risk grows sharper, every protective choice more urgent. Watching them move through fear, responsibility, and reliance on God is marked by grounded sincerity. Their growth unfolds through action, prayer, and obedience, revealing faith lived out under pressure.

The faith content here is neither implied nor thin. Prayer appears as something personal and practiced, shaped by need and trust. Scripture anchors the story in a way that reflects lived belief, not borrowed language. The foundational verse, Jeremiah 17:7, quietly shapes the narrative, reminding the reader that trust placed in the Lord becomes steadiness when everything else feels unstable.

One prayer stood out for its honesty and humility: “Dear Lord, forgive me for my mood today. I know every negative situation I have experienced has had an equal blessing. Where there has been darkness, You have provided Light … find a church home in my new community that has fed my soul and helped me deepen my relationship with You was more than I ever could have hoped for. Thank You for always providing for my needs even before I realize I have a need.”

Another moment of spiritual grounding comes through Scripture spoken in fear and steadiness alike:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” she whispered, reciting the twenty-third Psalm—something she’d started doing after she’d entered WITSEC to ease her anxiety and remind herself God was in control.

This story understands surrender. Protection skills matter. Courage matters. Faith holds everything together. The result is a suspense novel where danger accelerates the heart and trust anchors the soul.

For readers who value clearly Christian suspense with prayer, Scripture, and dependence on God woven naturally into the story, Ambushed in the Night delivers with conviction and care.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.