Valor Through the Darkness, Grace in the Light

Seal of Honor

Written by Jessica Ashley

Series: Iron Tide of Brotherhood, Book 1

Published by B.A.D. Publishing

Release Date: 02.23.26

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance

5 Stars!

This story begins with erasure. A man written out of the world’s records. A woman who vanished on the morning her future was supposed to take shape. And the one true God who does not retreat. Who does not forget. Who does not loosen His grip when belief collapses and fear tightens its hold.

Zane Knox’s life has been reduced to classified shadows and borrowed identities, yet his faith remains startlingly clear and compelling. One of the most arresting moments comes when prayer rises calmly in the presence of death: “Lord, please be with us here in this room. If it is Your will, please let us walk out of this. Amen. As I pray, peace washes over me. Death doesn’t scare me … Maybe that’s why I’m as good at this as I am? Because I know that, no matter what happens to me here, I’m going somewhere better.”

That prayer arrives without theatrics. No bargaining. No urgency. Just trust spoken plainly in a room where death is possible and heaven presses near.

Tessa Lane’s body survives, yet her sense of worth has been stripped away piece by piece. The danger chasing her feels relentless, but the deeper wound lies in what was spoken over her long ago. Watching her move through fear, guardedness, and exhaustion felt achingly real. When Zane prays for her, the love is quiet and reverent: “Lord, please wrap Tessa in Your arms. Please help her focus on You.”

When truth is spoken aloud, it carries authority and tenderness: “You’re Tessa Lane, an imperfect daughter of the King …. Jesus died for every sin you committed and every sin you will commit. All you have to do is repent and believe in Him.” That moment matters. Identity is restored through Jesus Christ.

What surrounds Zane is a brotherhood formed under pressure and sustained by their shared faith in their Savior. These men protect because they love, stand firm when choices are costly, and remain because walking away has never been an option.

Jessica Ashley writes with precision and heart. The pacing is relentless. The suspense is sharp. The faith content is treasured and clear. Every prayer feels personal, tender, and true. Every risk is carried in the body and the soul. Every step toward redemption is grounded in grace and mercy.

Seal of Honor earns an easy five stars from me. Jessica Ashley’s stories reach places that greatly matter to me, and as always, the Author’s Note spoke straight to my heart. Ashley remains a must-read author whose stories consistently remind me what it looks like to live faith out loud and pour it outward into real relationships.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the author. 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 superb writing and story’s excellent content, ensuring transparency and reliability.