Oh my goodness, Ari! It’s so nice to see you out and about. You have gone through one ordeal after another. I honestly didn’t expect to see you any time soon!
Yes, it’s been… a lot.
Life hasn’t been easy for you, has it… I know you have doubts–of whether you will ever feel safe. Of how there could be a loving God…
It’s a struggle. I’m grateful for my Aunt Sheila, for some of the other agents who check in on me, and for my counselor. But yes, life isn’t easy. Closed in spaces. Sudden, loud noises. I still get triggered.
I heard you have another assignment, though. That’s good, right? You must be getting through the trauma of your last assignment okay, or you wouldn’t be able to be active with the FBI. I know that because my husband is also in law enforcement.
Yes, my counselor says I’m making good strides. But trust me, I’m not back in full force. They basically gave me the job of a bodyguard — to a spoiled, wealthy teen. She’s really a piece of work.
Tell me about your partner–the man who is helping you on the case.
Nick of Time. [huffs a dry chuckle] Nicholas Trueheart was an escape artist in Las Vegas.
What? Oh my goodness! I saw him perform on TV once. He’s swoony. I haven’t heard about him in ages.
That’s because he complete dropped out of showbiz for a couple years now. Didn’t you hear what happened to his wife?
No! What?
She died tragically, and it’s still not clear if it was an accident or murder.
Terrible. Oh man. So two people with tragedy in their lives are now partnering to protect a teen girl because…
Her life has been threatened. It’s a long story and I really can’t disclose details. I can tell you that watching her and her two friends in a pop-up escape room was quite an experience.
Oh, I love escape rooms! I’ve done several with my family, and we always have a blast.
Try being locked in a very small room.
Well, we were. In fact, one of the escape rooms we were in resembled a tiny office way underground in an anthracite mine, and we had to pretend the shaft going down had collapsed and find another way out.
[Shudders] I would have had a breakdown. Another breakdown.
Well, you probably need to get to work soon, so I better not take up any more of your time. What have you decided from our menu?
I can’t believe that you have a breakfast dish similar to what Aunt Sheila ordered from the Taj Mahal Grill one night. Tikka Masala.
Yes! I love omelets, and the Indian Masala Omelet is sooo good! https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/indian-masala-omelette.html
I’ll definitely take that.
What about a tea?
Umm… I’m not much of a tea drinker. I usually stick to water or Coke.
Well, we don’t serve cold drinks here at Character Cafe, sorry! But, I’ve had many soda lovers enjoy Earl Grey with vanilla (a.k.a. “London Fog” if served latte-style) – The citrusy bergamot mimics Coke’s brightness, and vanilla smooths it out. We love The Republic of Tea’s mix: https://www.republicoftea.com/earl-greyer-vanilla-black-tea-bags/p/v20467/dpn/40025/
Thank you. It actually sounds lovely.
Thank you for stopping by the cafe, Arizona. I sure hope everything goes well with your assignment. I hope you and Nick of Time hit it off — and maybe even feel a spark or two.
[Blushes] We’ll see. Thanks for having me, Amy.
Readers, you will love this book! The psychology is so interesting. The puzzles keep you guessing, and the villain is so creepy… Here’s my review:
What if an escape room or murder mystery game wasn’t just a weekend thrill—but a deadly race against time? Gina Holder’s The Puzzle Within, the first in her Game Master’s Series, delivers that heart-pounding experience from page one.
FBI Agent Ari Powers is on her last chance to save her career when she’s assigned to protect the daughter of an ambassador from a dangerous figure known only as Enigma. Partnered with her is Nick Trueheart, a former circus magician turned Diplomatic Security Services agent whose skill for analyzing threats is unmatched. Ari’s impulsive, rule-bending style and Nick’s careful, calculated approach make them an unlikely team—yet when the danger escalates, they must blend their strengths to outwit a cunning adversary.
From the opening escape room scene to the final reveal, the story unfolds like a jigsaw puzzle—each clue snapping into place with satisfying precision. Holder layers the suspense with clever codes, unexpected twists, and a race-against-the-clock intensity that will keep readers hooked. The action is cinematic, but it’s the character depth that truly shines. Ari’s toughness is tempered by her willingness to seek help, while Nick’s steadfast nature and fascinating background as an escape artist bring a unique flair to the narrative.
The book also weaves in meaningful conversations about faith, morality, and free will, adding emotional resonance to the chase. Ari’s personal struggles and Nick’s unwavering convictions create sparks—both in conflict and in moments of understanding.
Fans of NCIS will appreciate the banter and investigative energy, while those who enjoy National Treasure will love the layered puzzles and treasure-hunt feel. Fast-paced, brain-teasing, and heartfelt, The Puzzle Within is an exhilarating start to a promising series. Highly recommended for anyone who loves their suspense with both adrenaline and heart.
About the Book
Book: The Puzzle Within
Author: Gina Holder
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: June 13, 2025
FBI agent Arizona Powers is haunted by nightmares—fragments of a childhood kidnapping no one believes ever happened. Still recovering from a nervous breakdown, she accepts a protection assignment for Bridgette Van Sloan, the strong-willed teenage daughter of a U.S. ambassador who’s been receiving threats signed: Enigma.
Nick Trueheart, a former escape artist known as “Nick of Time” turned diplomatic risk analyst, is grieving the loss of his beloved wife—and obsessed with finding her killer. When assigned to Bridgette’s security detail, his biggest concern isn’t the threats—it’s the unstable agent with a vendetta against kidnappers.
When Bridgette disappears from an escape room, Nick and Arizona become entangled in a high-stakes puzzlehunt and a race against time. They must confront their own failures and unravel the secrets hidden within themselves to rescue Bridgette … and survive a madman’s twisted game. Because one thing becomes clear: Enigma’s real target is much bigger — and far more personal.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Gina Holder is an indie author and stay-at-home mom. She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.
More from Gina
The story of The Puzzle Within began four years ago with the seed of an idea based on my enjoyment of Escape Rooms. I imagined a villain that moved an escape room into the “real world” and an FBI agent with nightmares that no one could or would explain.
In 2023, I entered the first five chapters into Scrivening Press’s “NovelStarts” contest and won first place in the Mystery/Suspense category. In the last three months of 2023, I wrote the entire novel, then spent the next couple of months in editing mode. My beta readers gave me feedback, and I incorporated their thoughts. In June of 2024, I entered The Puzzle Within into Scrivening Press’s “GetPubbed” contest and won the grand prize, a publishing contract.
It’s been my dream since a young age to be a traditionally published author, but it’s God who gets all the glory. I write for Him and His glory, and it’s my prayer that The Puzzle Within will touch lives as well as entertain readers.
A large focus in The Puzzle Within are the riddles, puzzles, and ciphers Enigma leaves for Arizona and Nick in their pursuit of a kidnapped teenager and the truth behind Arizona’s nightmares.
This message below is coded in Caesar Cipher. To solve, take each letter and shift it by four letters, wrapping around from Z to A. So, A=D, B=E, C=F… and so on. (Traditionally, the Caesar Cipher shifts by thirteen letters, but I didn’t want to make it that difficult.)
Once you solve the code, leave a comment below with an emoji if you’ve figured it out—but no spoilers!
Somewhere in the story, a truth waits to be uncovered.
It’s simple. It’s powerful. It’s hidden.
Can you crack the code?
Ksh mw Ksh—erh xlex’w kssh irrsxl jsv qi.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 1
For Him and My Family, August 2
Life on Chickadee Lane, August 3
Texas Book-aholic, August 4
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 6
Cover Lover Book Review, August 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 7
Leslie’s Library Escape, August 8
Life, Love, Writing,, August 9
Bizwings Book Blog, August 10
Holly’s Book Corner, August 11
Pause for Tales, August 12
Just Your Average reviews, August 13
For the Love of Literature, August 14 (Author Interview)
Mornings at Character Cafe, August 14
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Gina is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of books 1 and 2 of the series, Handmade Mayhem and Home Baked Bribery!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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