Welcome to the Blog Tour for Special Target by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Special Target
Author: Jerusha Agen
Publisher: ‎ SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: March 26, 2026
Genre: Christian Suspense Thriller

She’s trying to save the boy’s life. What if he’s supposed to save hers?

For tough-as-nails Chicago social worker Ashley Sorenson, it’s nothing new to risk her life for hurting children. Seeing innocent kids suffer every day may have made her a little cynical, but she’ll stop at nothing to rescue children from miserable circumstances.

But Ashley faces a special challenge when Matthew Borden, a sixteen-year-old with Down syndrome, is orphaned. Finding a suitable foster home for the boy becomes the least of her problems when someone starts threatening her and Matthew.

The sudden appearance of a mysterious FBI agent confirms Ashley’s growing suspicions that Matthew is no ordinary teen. The boy she thought no one wanted is wanted by many…dead or alive.

Dodging danger at every turn, Ashley races to find the secrets that could save Matthew’s life. When the truth unearths her own dark past and threatens more than their lives, the God Matthew trusts may be her only hope for rescue.

A gripping and gritty standalone Christian suspense thriller from the bestselling author of the Guardians Unleashed Series.

Also Available

About the Author

Jerusha Agen is a Christy Award finalist who imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.

Interview with Jerusha

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I wrote a story as a youngster that made my mom cry! No, I wasn’t sadistic—at least not overly so. 😊 But that experience taught me that stories are powerful. So powerful that my words in a story, even as a child, could move an adult to tears!

I’ve wanted to wield the power of story ever since, and I always try to wield it for good and God’s glory.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on the book! My longest books (over 100,000 words) take me about 7-10 weeks to write, depending on how much time I can spend writing each day during that time. (That’s only writing time, not outlining and editing.)

What are your favorite books to read?

Usually, my favorite books to read are Christian romantic suspense novels. Lately, though, I’ve been feeling more drawn to escaping through a story, so I’ve gravitated toward historical romance with suspense (think Karen Witemeyer) for more of that old-fashioned, other time and place feel.

When did you write your first book?

I started writing and creating my own “books” during my early childhood, when I added poorly drawn illustrations to stories and made the book covers out of cardboard and construction paper.

I graduated to writing short stories by middle school, and then I wrote my first completed novel (a Christian contemporary romance) in high school.

How do you create your main characters?

The initial ideas for my central characters come about in many different ways. For that very first novel I completed as a teen, for example, the image of the heroine standing and being very sad in a particular location came to me (when I was at that location myself). I instantly saw her very clearly in my mind as a dancer who was a blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty.

Other times, my main characters have been inspired by hearing about a true event in the news, by learning of a unique profession, or by meeting someone who has an appearance or some traits that I think would make for an interesting protagonist.

Once I choose to focus on that raw idea of a character, then I get to fill in who that character actually is, and—the key to my stories—what the protagonist’s spiritual and emotional journey will be.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

I think the answer to that question definitely varies depending on the author. I sometimes think the plotting/outlining phase is the biggest challenge, as it’s mind-bending work.

But I’d say the most difficult part of writing a book for me is…well, the writing! 😊 My writing process is made much easier and faster by outlining the story first. But the writing phase is still the most delicate and sensitive to outside and internal interference.

The writing stage requires the most creativity, so anything that hinders creativity can dramatically slow or harm the writing. Emotions can distract me and inhibit my creative abilities. Interruptions destroy the flow that is best for heightened creativity. And the busyness of life can reduce writing time to intervals that are too short to allow for immersion into the story and maximum creativity.

Given all of the challenges that can hinder the writing phase, it’s no wonder that some authors struggle with also becoming anxious about the writing phase. I’m thankful that I can trust God to provide me with the creativity and everything I need to bring the stories together in His timing!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I most enjoy watching movies while eating good food. I find that watching films recharges my creative juices like nothing else!

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating this book?

For one of the secondary characters in Special Target and an important plot sequence in the book, I got to do a deep dive into research about luxury boats and yachts. It was pretty astounding to see the opulence of some real-life yachts!

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I’d love for readers to visit my website at JerushaAgen.com or my store (now selling book merch, too!) at JerushaShop.com.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

Now that Special Target is out in the world, I’m most excited about my next big release this September.

Readers will be excited to know I’m returning to my usual romantic suspense with Watched, Book Three in the Windy City Westons series.

I’m looking forward to revisiting the five Weston siblings and telling Robert Weston’s thrilling story!