Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Tessa Lancaster’s skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her Uncle Teruo’s Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Now, three months after her release, Tessa’s abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for wealthy socialite Elizabeth St. Amant and her three-year-old son. But there’s a problem or two … or three …. There’s Elizabeth’s abusive husband whose relentless pursuit goes deeper than mere vengeance. There’s Uncle Teruo, who doesn’t understand why Tessa’s new faith as a Christian prevents her from returning to the yakuza. And then there’s Elizabeth’s lawyer, Charles Britton, who Tessa doesn’t know is the one who ensured that she did maximum time behind bars. Now Tessa and Charles must work together in order to protect their client, while new truths emerge and circumstances spiral to a deadly fever pitch. Factor in both Tessa’s and Charles’s families and you’ve got some wild dynamics—and an action-packed, romantic read as Tessa and Charles discover the reality of being made new in Christ.

Who's joining me in reading Protection for Hire? I'll be reading it for the second time as I read it back in 2016 when I first met my good friend, Camy Tang (also writing Regency suspense as Camille Elliot). Camy is a strong Christian, and it is obvious in this wonderful suspense series.

I love that book and would like to reread it. I remember REALLY hoping that Camy would write a sequal to it.
If I can find a copy .. I am in for a reread :) !

I love this book! Definitely time for a reread :)

I'm planning to join! Protection for Hire sounds like a good one.

I would love to read this one since I do love Camy's writing and have yet to read her take on suspense. I'll try to join in for sure, I'll just have to see how the month goes.

I hope to join! We shall see how my exams go..😂 I may not be able to hop in until later in the month.

Yes, I will be joining! I just read this earlier this year, so it's still quite fresh, although I did read book 2, so will be careful not to get ahead of myself.

I spoke with Camy, and she plans to drop in to say hello and introduce herself when she has a free minute.

Wonderful news Loraine!

This was good--I am looking forward to the discussion and want to read the next book in this series :)

Loraine wrote: "I spoke with Camy, and she plans to drop in to say hello and introduce herself when she has a free minute."

I hope I am around at that time! I am hoping that she'll have more books out someday. I've read both of these and all but one of the Sushi series so far.

Hi everybody! Thank you SO much for picking Protection for Hire for a Buddy read this month! I hope you all enjoy it! This book was really fun to write since I got to pull in a lot of Japanese American culture into the story and characters’ backstories. However, I fully admit some of the yakuza stuff was made up since I don’t actually know anyone in the yakuza. :)

I actually did plan a 3rd book in this series, but it’s unfortunately more of a near-future dystopian take, so I’m not sure how many of the fans of the first two books would enjoy it. I apologize to those of you who might be disappointed.

But for Protection for Hire fans, I’m planning a new Christian Romantic Suspense series set in Hawaii, called the Warubozu Spa Chronicles. It will be very similar in tone to the Protection for Hire series (humorous, with action and suspense), with the “family” feel of the Sushi series. The prequel for the Warubozu Spa Chronicles is releasing first in the anthology Save the Date: A Christian Romance Anthology of Faith-Filled Weddings, and then I’ll write the rest of the series sometime next year, hopefully.

If you have any questions about Protection for Hire, just ask! And thanks again for picking my book!

Thanks so much for joining us Camy. Looking forward to your Warubozu Spa Chronicles!

Thanks for joining us Camy. I pre-ordered the Save the Date series, so I am looking forward to reading the prequel for the Warubozu Spa Chronicles.

Camy wrote: "Hi everybody! Thank you SO much for picking Protection for Hire for a Buddy read this month! I hope you all enjoy it! This book was really fun to write since I got to pull in a lot of Japanese Amer..."

Good to know!

I'd have been fine with the near future dystopia, but I may be atypical. Looking forward to your new series.

I don't mind reading a future dystopia either :) And I'm looking forward to your Warubozu Spa Chronicles!

Thanks for joining us Camy!

Finished it this week and I enjoyed it. It had the same humour and family dynamics feel as the sushi series but the suspense/action was an well liked addition. Some of the scenes were really done well.

Sarita wrote: "Finished it this week and I enjoyed it. It had the same humour and family dynamics feel as the sushi series but the suspense/action was an well liked addition. Some of the scenes were really done w..."

I loved the Sushi series!

Just started it last night, and I am enjoying it so far.

Oooh! This one looked good! Let me know how it is. ;P

Winter it is very good!

Loraine wrote: "Thanks so much for joining us Camy. Looking forward to your Warubozu Spa Chronicles!"

Thank you so much Loraine!!!!

Ordered both books today.

jenn wrote: "I don't mind reading a future dystopia either :) And I'm looking forward to your Warubozu Spa Chronicles!"

Karin wrote: "I'd have been fine with the near future dystopia, but I may be atypical. Looking forward to your new series."

Thanks Karin and jenn! If you’re on my email newsletter, you’ll be sure to hear when the new series is available, but it won’t be until next year at the earliest. (After a few welcome emails, I only send out one email a month.) (I hope it’s okay to post a link to my newsletter? https://mailchi.mp/camytang/camyfb)

Staci wrote: "Thanks for joining us Camy!"

Thanks so much, Staci! I’m super excited to have my book chosen as a Buddy Read!

Sarita wrote: "Finished it this week and I enjoyed it. It had the same humour and family dynamics feel as the sushi series but the suspense/action was an well liked addition. Some of the scenes were really done w..."

Thanks Sarita! And I didn’t get a chance to say so earlier, but thanks for recommending my book for the June Buddy Read!

Emma wrote: "Just started it last night, and I am enjoying it so far."

Thanks Emma!

Winter wrote: "Oooh! This one looked good! Let me know how it is. ;P"

I hope you try it, Winter! It was published by Zondervan, so it might be at your library. It’s a little bit more expensive to purchase than my self-published books.

Camy wrote: "Sarita wrote: "Finished it this week and I enjoyed it. It had the same humour and family dynamics feel as the sushi series but the suspense/action was an well liked addition. Some of the scenes wer..."

You're welcome! :-)

Looks like we have had lots of people reading Protection for Hire and enjoying it.

Here are some discussion questions. Please feel free to answer any or all or bring up your own question or comments.

1. What do you think was Tessa’s reasoning for taking the fall for her cousin and going to prison? Was it the right decision? Why or why not?

2. What did Tessa gain from her time in prison?

3. How difficult would it be to disassociate yourself from family members who were making bad decisions or involved in illegal activities? How did Tessa stay strong as she made this choice?

4. Charles Britton had helped put Tessa in prison. What changes does he see in Tessa now? How does he support her?

5. How will Tessa’s faith help her as she moves forward with her bodyguard business?


If you want to find out more about Tessa and Charles, read the second book in this series:

1. What do you think was Tessa’s reasoning for taking the fall for her cousin and going to prison? Was it the right decision? Why or why not?

I think if she didn't, the consequences from her uncle would have been far worse.

2. What did Tessa gain from her time in prison?

I think finally time away from her mafia family gave her time to reflect and make better choices.

3. How difficult would it be to disassociate yourself from family members who were making bad decisions or involved in illegal activities? How did Tessa stay strong as she made this choice?

I think it will be very difficult, but I think because Tessa was a strong person, she was able to stand strong in her decisions. If she wasn't such a strong person, she would probably have fallen back to her old ways.

4. Charles Britton had helped put Tessa in prison. What changes does he see in Tessa now? How does he support her?

I think he could see a softness to her. He supported via representing her and helping her to protect her client and I think most importantly, believed in her innocence when others questioned it.

5. How will Tessa’s faith help her as she moves forward with her bodyguard business?

I think to give her inner strength and guidance to which clients to protect.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Sarita!

Got both books today .. reading :)

This book is SO good! Snappy dialogue and a plot that is strong and moves .. no “filler” here.
I love Tessa .. so strong and yet vulnerable.
She is one of my favorite heroines and I have read thousands of books so far in my lifetime.
Yes. I am gushing :) And this unlikely attraction between lawyer Charles and Tessa is written so well.
Also Tessa and her family! We get some insight into the Japanese culture and her trials as a “tomboy” girl.
I love how Elizabeth can bring some fresh air to those strained relationships by showing her Mom and Alicia how she sees Tessa .. and defending her with her Southern charm.

I am on page 121 .. enjoying this hugely .. my 5 star rating definitely stands as I reread this.

Just finished .. it has been too many years since I read this .. really enjoyed this reread.
I really like Tessa. She was the standout character for me in this story .. tough but real.
She was heading towards disaster .. so even though she took the fall for Fred, I am glad she was sentenced to prison .. because there she had time to reflect, listen to truth and be saved.
I identified with her struggles and found myself cheering her on.
All the surrounding characters were great ..
Now to A Dangerous Stage.
[Kudos to Camy Tang for writing this excellent book.]

Nancy wrote: "Just finished .. it has been too many years since I read this .. really enjoyed this reread.
I really like Tessa. She was the standout character for me in this story .. tough but real.
She was he..."

I agree on Tessa!

Camy wrote: "jenn wrote: "I don't mind reading a future dystopia either :) And I'm looking forward to your Warubozu Spa Chronicles!"

Karin wrote: "I'd have been fine with the near future dystopia, but I may be..."

I did, which is rare, but not only did I enjoy these and the three Sushi ones I read, I spent a few years in San Francisco when I was growing up. Sure, many things have changed, but it's still fun to go back to that area in Christian fiction.

Sarita wrote: "1. What do you think was Tessa’s reasoning for taking the fall for her cousin and going to prison? Was it the right decision? Why or why not?

I think if she didn't, the consequences from her uncle..."

Thanks for your thoughts Sarita!

I wrote this book because I grew up in a non-Christian family (they are predominantly Buddhist), so I did not grow up with traditional Christian values. When I became a Christian in college, it was a very rough transition for me to go back home and explain my new faith to my family, who didn’t understand it at all. I wanted to show the conflict of coming to grips with my past sins and moving forward in Christ in an environment that was at best, indifferent, and at worst, a little hostile toward me.

Nancy wrote: "Just finished .. it has been too many years since I read this .. really enjoyed this reread.
I really like Tessa. She was the standout character for me in this story .. tough but real.
She was he..."

Wow thanks so much Nancy! I’m so glad you enjoyed this series!

Karin wrote: "I did, which is rare, but not only did I enjoy these and the three Sushi ones I read, I spent a few years in San Francisco when I was growing up. Sure, many things have changed, but it's still fun to go back to that area in Christian fiction."

That’s so neat! Since I grew up in Hawaii, I’ve only been in California since college, but I really love it here. I really enjoy reading a novel and having it happen in places I know!

Thank you all of you again for doing this group buddy read of my book! I’m sorry I couldn’t drop by sooner, I’ve been pretty sick with IBS for the past few weeks. I’m feeling better now, though.

I hope you all have lots of great reads in the rest of July!

Camy wrote: "Winter wrote: "Oooh! This one looked good! Let me know how it is. ;P"

I hope you try it, Winter! It was published by Zondervan, so it might be at your library. It’s a little bit more expensive to ..."

Glad you're feeling better! ~ Will definitely have to read this one in the near future! :D

Winter wrote: "Glad you're feeling better! ~ Will definitely have to read this one in the near future! :D"

Thanks Winter! I hope you enjoy it!

Camy wrote: "Karin wrote: "I did, which is rare, but not only did I enjoy these and the three Sushi ones I read, I spent a few years in San Francisco when I was growing up. Sure, many things have changed, but i..."

I was in Hawaii once as a child, but only for a week, so 2 places in common!