Welcome to the Blog Tour for Watch Your Back by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Watch Your Back
Series: Crossroads Suspense #3
Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
You can’t watch your own back.
Private Investigator Avery Reynolds leads the charge to expose Tampa’s supposedly “extinct” mob. The crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death is within her grasp—until she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot.
Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to focus on ending the crime boss’s reign of terror. But working together exposes her trust issues and his PTSD stemming from a comrade’s tragedy. When Avery goes solo into a prisoner exchange operation, she discovers her vulnerability too late—and must lean on Ethan and the God she thought had abandoned her. But will that help reach her in time?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
More In This Series
My Thoughts
I love a good redemption story, and Watch Your Back was just that, combined with a sweet love story and a wild ride through Tampa’s underworld. Books that mention human trafficking are always a little hard to stomach, but Watch Your Back treats this subject with taste and class.
Neither character is a Christian in most of the book, so there are a few “words” used to help with that perception of their character. I love the change shown in Ethan after he accepts Christ—it’s realistic and hopeful. Avery is a little more hard-headed and it takes her a while longer to fully grasp God’s love.
Watch Your Back is book 3 in the Crossroads Suspense trilogy, and the first two books would add so much to the story and getting the full picture. This group of friends thrown together by “fate,” each take a personal journey that leads them home.
I loved that Watch Your Back begins at a wedding. It’s a unique setting and had some suspenseful twists connected to it. The story begins with a bang, then builds in suspense as you move through it until you get to the heart-pounding, edge of your seat climax. I couldn’t read fast enough!
Watch Your Back is a shorter novel, perfect if you need something that takes less time, but it still has all the things readers love about the romantic suspense genre. Watch Your Back is the perfect wrap up for this series.
I recommend this novel for readers of Christian romantic suspense. The faith element is prevalent in the story and God’s love is felt on every page.
About the Author
Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. A former English teacher, she now designs curriculum for a Christian academy and spends most of her time at her favorite assignment to date: being a mom to her toddler. Her books have won the Selah Award and the Grace Award, among others. She lives in the Tampa, Florida area with her husband and son.
Connect with Kristen by visiting kristenhogrefeparnell.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Watch Your Back & a $25 Amazon e-gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 5, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 12, 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!

Book sounds like a great read hope read in print so I can review
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Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
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Sounds great. Thank you for sharing.
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lovely review, Gina! thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
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I love the cover.
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sounds fantastic jcp
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Wow—this sounds exciting and great for when I’m sure on reading time.
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