S.F. Baumgartner's Blog
May 16, 2025
Show me love and vote for my Book Cover at the Cover Of The Month!
Shadowed Secret: A Thriller (Mirror Estate Psychological Thrillers Book 5) made it to the third round. Top 24 move to the Final Round.
Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover here:
May 10, 2025
Shadowed Secret Celebration Blog Tour
I am blown away by this book!
Superior- My version of six stars!!
Read the full review and blog post here
April 1, 2025
Tangled Secrets – 1st place in Thriller (clean) category – Incipere Awards
This is so exciting!
Tangled Secrets snagged another award! This time, 1st place in the Thriller (clean) category, Incipere Awards.
This is book 3 in the Mirror Estate series following a great cast of core characters. You’ll read about abduction, amnesia, murder, espionage, bioterror, human trafficking, organized crime and so on. Readers love the short chapters and the cinematic feel. The first few books are also available in German. Audiobooks for Buried Secrets and Living Secrets are also available. Ebooks are available on Amazon. Read free on Kindle Unlimited. Print books, including large print, are available at my store and major online retailers.
March 18, 2025
Tangled Secrets – 2nd place in Christian Indie Award – Mystery/Suspense category
This is so excited!
Tangled Secrets won 2nd place in the Christian Indie Award – Mystery/Suspense category.
This is book 3 in the Mirror Estate series following a great cast of core characters. You’ll read about abduction, amnesia, murder, espionage, bioterror, human trafficking, organized crime and so on. Readers love the short chapters and the cinematic feel. The first few books are also available in German. Audiobooks for Buried Secrets and Living Secrets are also available. Ebooks are available on Amazon. Read free on Kindle Unlimited. Print books, including large print, are available at my store and major online retailers.
January 8, 2025
New Website!
Check out my redesigned website! Same URL (https://sfbaumgartner.com). Same tabs. What do you think?
November 27, 2024
Chat with Julia Heart
As many of you know, my Christmas novella, Christmas Murders, was released yesterday. It hit #4, #5 & #12 in three categories on Amazon the first day! Thank you so much!
Before release, I had a brief chat with Julia Heart. Here’s the video.
November 26, 2024
Chat with Julia Heart
October 4, 2024
Interviews
October 3, 2024
Interviews
September 18, 2024
The International Review of Books
Full review will be published in the magazine. But here it is:
Hidden Secrets
Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
His eyes dimmed, glazing with an age-old pain, even as his squared shoulders and stiffening spine displayed his certainty. “You don’t forget the man who killed your parents.”
General Summary for Context:
The book captivates readers with its fast-paced narrative, following the protagonist as she is thrust into a harrowing abduction and a web of international intrigue and terror. Though she initially tries to lead a simple, normal life, her world is turned upside down when she is captured by a deranged antagonist. Trapped in a bunker with a young child, she must navigate a series of tunnels in a desperate attempt to escape. The tension builds as they face numerous challenges while trying to outwit their captor. The story is both thrilling and gripping, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Concise Review:
Hidden Secrets is the fourth installment in the Mirror Estate series and a gripping Christian suspense thriller that follows the protagonist’s harrowing abduction. This is no random act of violence—it ties into a larger conspiracy involving the murders of a congressman and his staff, which the FBI is investigating. The story skillfully weaves together the protagonist’s fight for survival with the FBI’s efforts to uncover the shocking connections that threaten international stability.
Trapped in a byzantine bunker system alongside a child who knows the secrets of the tunnels, the protagonist must navigate a web of dangers while evading her deranged captor. The captor believes that by holding them, he can prevent vital information from coming to light—information that could expose the conspiracy and jeopardize his plans. The abduction, far from a random act, is a calculated move to neutralize any threat she poses.
The author’s storytelling keeps readers on edge, with the protagonist’s resilience and determination driving the tension as she confronts her fears and fights for her freedom. Her journey of survival also becomes one of self-discovery, as she draws on inner strength in the face of impossible odds. Supporting characters, including FBI agents and family members, add depth and complexity to the narrative, each playing a role in the broader conspiracy.
While Christian themes are woven into the plot, they serve as a subtle backdrop to the main narrative, which remains focused on suspense, crime, and survival. Overall, Hidden Secrets is a compelling and thrilling read, ideal for fans of Christian suspense who appreciate a blend of faith, intrigue, and resilience in their crime stories.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
The story is well-written, with a complex and globally focused plot. It delves into themes of survival, resilience, and the lasting impact of trauma. The relationship between the protagonist and the child adds emotional depth, showcasing the bond that forms under extreme circumstances. As the protagonist navigates the intricate dynamics between friends and enemies, the narrative skillfully blends suspense with character-driven storytelling, highlighting themes of perseverance and survival.
The author’s clean, straightforward writing style, paired with well-developed characters, makes for a thrilling experience, especially for mystery genre fans. The captor’s erratic and deranged behavior significantly heightens the tension, creating an atmosphere of constant fear and unpredictability that keeps readers on edge.
One potential challenge for readers is the sheer number of characters and subplots, which can feel overwhelming, particularly for those unfamiliar with the previous books in the series. Since this book follows a prequel, newcomers may find the initial chapters difficult to navigate due to the introduction of multiple perspectives and backstories. However, as the plot progresses, the pacing picks up, and the intricacies of the narrative come together in a satisfying and well-executed conclusion.
Overall, this is a gripping and layered thriller, recommended for fans of Christian suspense who appreciate a blend of high-stakes drama, intricate plotting, and strong character development.
