About the Book
Book: Shadowed Secret (Mirror Estate Series Book 5)
Author: S.F. Baumgartner
Genre: Christian Suspense Thriller
Release date: May 13, 2025
In a world of secrets and shadows, a priest, two accountants, and an elite task force must protect what’s hidden or risk it all.
Fr. Phil, a former Navy SEAL turned priest, finds his quiet life at Mirror Estate shattered when a priest from the Vatican pays him a visit. Asked to retrieve a secret book before it’s auctioned on the dark web, Fr. Phil must face lethal adversaries and race against time, knowing his life is on the line.
Tommy Rivers’s date with Mia Granger turns deadly when they’re attacked upon discovering a colleague murdered at the office. Assuming they have the book, ruthless operatives have Tommy and Mia in their sights.
With the exposure of the secret book threatening the lives of countless operatives, Fr. Phil, Tommy, Mia, and an elite FBI task force must prevent a catastrophic intelligence leak before time runs out.
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About the Author
S.F. Baumgartner crafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets—Book 1 of her Mirror Estate series—named a Top Pick in the thriller category at Killer Nashville, 2024. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson’s style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work.
More from S.F.
Unraveling Secrets: The Journey of Writing This Book
Some books come together effortlessly. Others take their time, demanding patience, persistence, and more rewrites than I care to admit. This latest installment falls firmly into the latter category. The story simply didn’t gel the first couple of times I attempted to write it. I knew where it needed to go, but the journey to get there felt off. Characters resisted the paths I initially set for them, subplots unraveled at the seams, and the pacing never quite clicked the way I wanted it to.
It took several drafts and a fair amount of frustration before things finally started falling into place. Looking back, I realize that part of the struggle was that this book needed to do more than just continue the story—it had to weave together past threads while setting the stage for what’s to come. That’s a delicate balance, and it wasn’t something I could rush.
Why I Wrote This Book
The simplest answer? It’s the next chapter in the story. After everything that has happened in previous installments, there were lingering questions that needed answers, loose ends that needed to be tied up—or, in some cases, unraveled even further.
This story is about Fr. Phil. He’s no longer just the priest of Mirror Estate’s chapel; he’s once again being pulled into the shadows of his past. Old alliances resurface, and new threats emerge. At the same time, Olivia and Simon’s upcoming wedding adds a deeply personal layer to the story. In many ways, this book is about past decisions catching up with the present—whether in matters of faith, espionage, or personal relationships.
And then there’s the Ghost. Marge Beaumont remains as enigmatic as ever, and while she’s playing by the rules—for now—it’s clear she’s still ten steps ahead of everyone. The question isn’t just whether she can be trusted, but whether anyone can truly outmaneuver her.
The Challenge of Getting It Right
What made this book particularly challenging was the complexity of the narrative threads. There’s a missing book that may or may not contain dangerous secrets. There’s an auction on the dark web that threatens national security. There’s a decades-old mystery involving hidden treasure. And, of course, there’s the ever-present undercurrent of trust and betrayal—who’s telling the truth, who’s working an angle, and who’s about to make their next move?
Balancing these elements while keeping the pacing tight and the stakes high took longer than expected. Some subplots had to be reworked entirely, others had to be trimmed down, and a few surprises emerged that even I didn’t see coming in the early drafts.
What’s Next?
Now that this book is finally complete, I can say with confidence that the struggle was worth it. The twists, the revelations, and the character moments that emerged from this process have made it stronger than I initially imagined.
For readers who have been following this series, I hope you enjoy the ride. Expect high stakes, hidden agendas, and a few moments that might just leave you breathless. And as always, thank you for sticking with me on this journey—because the story is far from over.
Interview with the Author
1)Which character did you connect to best in this book?
It’s hard to say. I’m thinking Olivia, but then I’m not a spy.
2)Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?
That would be those fight scenes.
3)What inspired this book?
This is the fifth installment of the series. So I already have a general idea of what needs to happen.
4)What is your vacation spot?
We don’t have one vacation spot. But my favorite is the time we went to southern Italy.
5)Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.
Where I sit overlooks our street, so I always know who comes and goes.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 10
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 11
Stories By Gina, May 12 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 12
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 13
Texas Book-aholic, May 14
Simple Harvest Reads, May 15 (Author Interview)
Betti Mace, May 16
Artistic Nobody, May 17 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 18
Blogging With Carol, May 19
Guild Master, May 20 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 21
For Him and My Family, May 22
Fiction Book Lover, May 23 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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Multi-published, award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley has had more than 1,000,000 copies of her 50+ books sold. Her books have appeared on the CBA, Publisher’s Weekly, and ECPA bestseller lists, as well as Amazon bestseller lists. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the local chapter, ACFW – DFW. She’s a member of Christian Authors’ Network. She likes to create characters and stories that grip her readers hearts.
To celebrate her tour, Lena is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
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To celebrate her tour, K.J. is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Since he married, author and pastor Scott LaPierre has supported his wife and ten children on a single income. He’s witnessed the stress that accompanies financial insecurity, yet he’s learned firsthand that even those with a limited income can eliminate monetary worries when they abide by biblical principles.
How can I take control of my impulsive spending habits? How do I make up for not saving sooner? How should I prepare in case of an unplanned financial burden? Money can easily become a source of anxiety, but a sound understanding of your finances and a proactive plan for your future will put those fears to rest!
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Blossom Turner is an award-winning novelist who loves to jump out of planes, garden, and sing… all for fun. She is published in a variety of anthologies, a former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, and a personal trainer. With a passion for words this gifted author brings to life this new series on spiritual warfare with thought-provoking plots and twists that will keep you guessing. Love and deep relationships sprinkled with hope permeate her novels. Check out the award-winning Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their love stories. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, with their Shepherd/Bernese dog named Lacey.
To celebrate her tour, Blossom is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an autographed copy of the book!!
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Chawna Schroeder loves exploring the wonder of God through the intersection of imagination and faith. When she isn’t reading or writing, she may be found practicing piano, reading biblical Greek or Hebrew, preparing for the Bible study she teaches, or working onone of her handwork projects while enjoying a movie.
To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away the grand prize of a 2.5” x 9.5” poster of Psalm 46:5 and 10-11 illuminated by artist and calligrapher Timothy Botts, a signed copy of the book, a $25 Amazon gift card, a glass stylus, and 5 bookish stickers!!