In Sheep's Clothing

Mission: Russia series
In Sheep’s Clothing
ISBN 0-373-78544-5
Steeple Hill
Thriller

Her best friends are murdered and a serial killer is on her tail, and she’s got a secret that could save millions of lives. The last person Gracie Benson is about to trust is a cynical FSB agent. Pursued by his own demons, Vicktor isn’t going to let the killer escape, not again. Revenge or Love…which one will win?

read chapter one | buy the book

Awards

Winner of 2006 INSPIRATIONAL READERS CHOICE Contest - Romantic Suspense
2006 Christy Award Finalist
A Romantic Times Magazine TOP PICK – 4½ stars

Reviews

Romantic Times Magazine:
Warren's latest thriller is a nail-biting, fast-paced chase through the wilds of Russia. A deft combination of action and romance provides superb balance. The main characters' discovery of God's guidance adds a realistically human tone to the story. Spectacular descriptions place the reader in the center of the intriguing setting.

www.ARomanceReview.com:
A 5 Rose Review! –In Sheep's Clothing is an incredible read. It is a thriller in the truest sense...Susie Warren did an excellent job keeping the writing quickly paced, and the reader’s interest held. I couldn’t put the book down, and when my children needed my attention they had to call me three or four times before they managed to pull me from the pages of this book. Way to go, Susie! I am looking forward to reading more books in this exciting series—and hope that some more are planned! Pick up In Sheep's Clothing for a page-turning read that won’t disappoint.

Endorsements

“In Sheep's Clothing is a fast paced thriller that keeps you involved the whole way through. Author of some of my favorite romantic suspense novels, Susan May Warren proves with each new book that she is the name to watch in this genre.” —Rebekah M.

“This book kept me up all night...When you start this book there is no putting it down. It may sound all mushy-gushy, but heck no! This is definitely a romance/suspense book. If you pass this book up you're missing out on a lot!” —Germaine J.

Behind the Pages

King David is one of my favorite Biblical heroes. Throughout the Psalms and through his mistakes and victories, he displays emotions I can embrace. And, whether he is dancing (half-naked!) or moaning that his heart has turned to wax, he displays a faith in God that astounds me. David made no bones about it– he needed God. God was his entire life, and he had no problem saying, “God, I’m you’re guy…so please come and help me!”

I have to admit, David’s brazen faith astounds me. It wasn’t like he was without sin (murder and adultery come immediately to mind). So where did this confidence come from?

From God’s unfailing love– which He proves to David, and to his chosen people. Psalm 22, verse 23 gives me hope that this confidence can be mine, also. “For He has not despised or disdained his afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”

David didn’t deserve God’s love. He didn’t earn it. He simply needed it…and received it.

I wrote In Sheep’s Clothing in Russia, back in 1998 when we were missionaries. At the time, I had four children under the age of seven, was home schooling, and lived on the ninth floor of a high-rise apartment that only had water pressure from midnight to 4am. (Which meant I did my laundry and dishes in the middle of the night). I had no telephone (read: no email!), no car, and my husband worked over an hour away in a tiny village. I felt a little…um…overwhelmed.

I’ll never forget the day he came home, weariness and distress in his eyes. He told me a horrific tale of espionage and a KGB plant in the church he’d been working in. Right then, the seeds for Sheep were planted, along with a deep grief over what the members of that church had suffered at the hands of their so-called Pastor.

Also living in Russia at the time were two missionaries. Not long after we moved there, they were murdered. This rocked my world. Here I was, “suffering” for the Gospel, and everything I’d counted on (namely, the safety of my family in this foreign land) seemed to crumble.

I was tired and afraid. And, like Gracie, or Vicktor, I had my own gaggle of ‘demons’ that whispered lies into my ears. Like…you were foolish to bring your children so far overseas. Or, what do you hope to accomplish?

Truly, I was in a place of need. What could I do to make my family safe, and leave a lasting impression on my world when it seemed that darkness stalked me on all sides?

Nothing– except trust the Lord. Writing Sheep became a catharsis for me. I learned, as Gracie and Vicktor do, that God’s favor (or his forgiveness) can’t be earned. It’s a gift. And in order to receive it, all I have to do is need Him. I learned that God was my strength when life felt too big, or too dark. And I learned that with God, there is always hope.

That’s the secret David had. The belief that when he got on his knees and asked, God would provide. Just because we asked.