Targeted by Evil, Strengthened by God

Targeted in the Swamp

Written by Kerry Johnson

Series: Forest Ranger Rescuers, Book 3

Published by Love Inspired Suspense | Harlequin

Release Date: 03.31.26

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

5 Stars!

The swamp setting made the danger feel close, heavy, and hard to escape. Laurel’s first day as a wildlife photography ranger should have been a beginning, but it becomes the moment her hidden life cracks open and survival turns urgent.

I loved how Kerry Johnson wrote both the danger and the faith. This was not a quiet, cozy kind of suspense. Laurel is nearly drowned, hunted, exposed, and forced to keep moving while fear keeps rising around her. Heath’s determination to protect her becomes even more powerful when his daughter is pulled into the danger, and the stakes feel painfully personal.

Laurel’s prayer stayed with me because it came before everything was safe. She was still in danger, still overwhelmed, still facing enemies who wanted her gone. And in that place, weakness became the doorway to dependence on Jesus.

Laurel thought: “Weak. She felt so weak. How could being weak allow Jesus to be strong? Because admittedly, she couldn’t do this – life, any of this – on her own. ‘God, I’m so weak. I need You. I need Your strength.’”

That is where 2 Corinthians 12:9 felt alive in the story. Grace did not remove the danger from the page. It met Laurel inside it.

Great writing, lovable characters, meaningful Christian faith content, and suspense that kept moving. I loved this story.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via 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 the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.