A Cross to Kill (Shepherd Suspense Novel #1), by Andrew Huff

(Paperback, 256 pages, first published in 2019)

John Cross is a small-town pastor, bent on leading his flock to follow God's calling. He's not the sort of man one would expect to have a checkered past. But the truth is that the man behind the pulpit preaching to his sheep was once a wolf—an assassin for the CIA. When John decided to follow Christ, he put that work behind him, determined to do penance for all the lives he took. He vowed never to kill again. Now someone wants the peaceful pastor to pay for his sins with his own life. And when a terrorist out for revenge walks into the church, John's secrets are laid bare. Confronted with his past, he must face his demons and discover whether a man can truly change. Can he keep his vow—even when the people he loves are in mortal danger? Will his congregation and the brave woman he's learning to care for be caught in the cross fire? In the end, John's life may be the only sacrifice he has left to offer. . .

Andrew Huff's thrilling debut is not only a riveting story of suspense, it's also a deep exploration of the moral quandaries that face those who choose to follow the Prince of Peace in a violent world.

Considerations: "These books are remarkably clean in terms of language and sexuality. Reference is made to cursing, but no actual words are printed. As per the genre, there is plenty of violence in this series. That being said, John Cross’s determination to avoid lethal action (including not carrying a gun) is an admirable contrast to most action-packed thrillers." —Redeemed Reader. See full review here 

Ages: 14+