Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Mistletoe and Malice
Series: Guarded Hearts Series #1
Author: Lori DeJong
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense
He’s sworn to protect her life … but guarding his heart may be his biggest challenge.
After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father’s demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence.
Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper … and far more perilous.
When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can’t outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again … before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub
My Review:
Thanks to JustReads and the author for my review copy.
Wow what a read I didn’t want to put this book down. The book starts with a prequel and then the book starts a couple years later. We meet Riley who is an attorney but also from a wealthy family who escapes an attempted abduction. Her father hires a private security company with a 3-man detail for her protection much to her disgust. Colton is the head of the security team and instead of reading all the dossier assumes Riley is an airhead socialite. Which is so far from the truth. He figures it will be easy to keep up with her and admits he was so wrong.
Riley is convinced the attempted abduction was random until she receives a card left at her office. It takes a while but she realises she is indeed in danger. While there isn’t the nonstop action of some suspense books there is still the constant threat of danger. I was constantly waiting for the next call, note or attempt to get to her without needing the constant physical danger. Reading how the security team work with screening venues and people working at venues Riley had to visit was interesting.
The personal side of the story was well written too. Colton is in a bad place emotionally and works to keep busy. Watching him work through some of his past and dealing with the emotions was interesting to see. It wasn’t quick fixes but true growth. Riley too has things she needs to deal with.
The faith element is well woven into the story and is authentic. The story plays out well with the suspense ramping up to a satisfying ending. We also meet Riley’s friends who are also an important part of the story. I can’t wait for book 2 in this series which is out next year.
A refreshing Romantic Suspense. If you enjoy this genre, give this book a try.
About the Author
Lori DeJong is a contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies, with a daughter and son-in-love in DFW. Lori’s debut novel, Love’s True Calling, was the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, a double finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards, and was named the 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year. Love’s True Home, Book 2 of the True Calling Series, was a 2025 Selah finalist. Love’s True Measure released in June. Lori’s Christmas novella, Jingle Bell Matchmakers, a part of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection, was named a 2025 ACFW Carol Award finalist.
Connect with Lori by visiting loridejongwrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Mistletoe and Malice, and a signed copy of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection (released in Oct 2024)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
I like the sound of constant threat but not constant physical threat. The full on action all the times gets a bit much for me sometimes, so thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Jenny, Lori’s new book sounds really good and I’m adding it to my TBR list. I like romantic suspense with the bodyguard trope and an intriguing story premise. Thanks for sharing your review with us. 😊
How do you approach character development in your stories?
Thanks for commenting Hopefully Lori will come back and answer your question.
Oh, that’s the fun part! I absolutely love developing characters. I start with a loose plot idea, usually, then start with how I think my characters look. Once I have that, I go first to Enneagrams. I figure out which ones work together (as in, may cause the most conflict!), then I determine their birth order, love language, their favorites, their occupations, their hobbies. I develop a backstory including their upbringing, education, past relationships, any trauma or tragedy that might have befallen them before the story even starts, and that sort of thing. And I love to shop for them! I find them houses, cars, furniture, the type of clothes they would wear for business, casual, around the house, and if they need formal attire. I do a ton of development. And the plot will usually start to firm up as my characters come to life. Most of the stuff never ends up on the page, but it helps me know them so well that I know how they would react in a given situation, how they would speak, etc.
I love that question! Thanks for asking!!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Jenny! I appreciate your time so much. And thank you to those who commented. Good luck in the giveaway!
Thank you for such a good book. I really enjoyed it because it was different from the constant in danger at every turn but still had the same danger tension.
Sounds like a book I would love.
Thanks for stopping by. I loved this book
This looks like an awesome read. Thanks for sharing.
It is thanks for commenting.
Lori seems super nice!
She does doesn’t she. You can check out an interview on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKV4ZK8lPc&t=2s
Aww. Now I’m all blushing. 🙂 Thank you for the kind comment.
Sounds terrific
I’m really looking forward to giving this a read! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Thanks for stopping by. I am sure you will enjoy the book