Luana Ehrlich is the USA Today bestselling author of the Titus Ray thriller series, the Silas McKay suspense series, and the Mylas Grey mystery series. I’ve read nearly all her books over the past few years, and man, if I’d known about them when I was younger, my spy-loving kid/teen self would have gobbled them up like dark chocolate Kit Kats.

While these books are written for adults, they’re clean enough that I would hand them to a younger reader in a heartbeat. Some books contain more action or mature themes than others, and most books include light romance or love story, but I’ve never read anything that would have made young me uncomfortable.

Let me admit up front: if you see my name in the acknowledgements, yes, it’s because I’m her proofreader. I LOVE reading Luana Ehrlich’s books, however, and I even put off other projects to keep (proof)reading her last release, Three Good Lies, book #12 of the Titus Ray Thriller series.

Now I know what you might be thinking: twelve books? And that’s just the Titus Ray series; the Mylas Grey series has eight books, and book #6 of the Silas McKay series releases this fall. (Not to mention the three Ben Mitchell companion books to the Titus Ray thriller series.) When do these series reach the point where they shouldn’t . . . you know . . . keep going . . . ?

They don’t. And that’s one of the reasons I love these series. While Titus Ray’s Three Good Lies is freshest in my mind, I’m going to review generally enough to cover all three series.

One reason this series does—and should—keep going—is because it’s an ongoing story. While a series of standalone stories is fine, my cup of tea is a series that tells one big story from start to finish. (Usually that format belongs more in epic fantasy than crime or spy fiction.) Well, Titus Ray’s story has started, but it hasn’t finished yet, and I don’t think it will any time soon. The same can be said for Mylas Grey and Silas McKay. You see the main character change and grow as people come and go, events happen, and time passes.

Unlike the Hardy Boy heroes who stay eternally the same age, or the Alex Rider heroes who go through the same copy-paste plot, these protagonists are real people whose lives, jobs, and surroundings continually generate unique stories that connect, build on each other, and maintain momentum.

Another reason this series has lasted for so many books—and may it last for many more—is because each book gets better than the last. I’m not kidding. I’ve been proofreading for Luana Ehrlich for three years now (she typically releases three books a year, one in each series), and as I started, I went back and read earlier books in each series. So as I said, I’ve read almost every book in these series. And typically, my email feedback will include a remark along the lines of, “This is your best book yet.”

This is especially true of Titus Ray’s most recent release earlier this year, Three Good Lies. I was so sucked into the story with its complex situation, multilayered threat, twisty plot, rich cast of old and new characters, and moral issues. Seriously, the layering of the threat to the U.S. was worthy of Eugenides—an evil-spy, take-over-the-world version of Eugenides.

Okay, so why else do I enjoy these books and wish I’d had them on my bookshelf years ago?

1. Every book takes place around events that are or could be real to our time. I don’t know where the author gets her ideas, but they’re not far off from the news, if not taken from the news itself. From border immigration issues to foreign war threats, from local terrorists to overseas hostages, these books cover a range of topics true to modern life. And each book is thoroughly researched, with details of procedure, geography, technology, and international affairs that bring the story to life.

2. Every book has real characters. And I’m not just talking about the main characters—I’ll come back to them in a minute. Each side character, whether new to the book or reoccurring throughout the series, has a real backstory or side issue that not only makes them 100% human but also contributes to the overall story. There are no cardboard-cutout side characters in Luana Ehrlich’s writing. Rather, every character from the secretary to the boss, from the colleague to the villain, lives and breathes as a 3D human.

3. Okay, now those main characters. Every book features a main character who serves as a positive role model for readers. Whether Titus Ray the covert operative of the CIA, Mylas Grey the owner of his own investigation company, or Silas McKay the head of operations for Discreet Corporate Security Services, these men are good workers, good friends, good romantic partners, and good patriots. (And let’s not forget, good dog owners.) They’re not perfect, but that’s part of the beauty of their stories; we see them grow as men, as Christians, as interested party/boyfriend/fiancé /husband, and as employees or employers.

What stood out to me in Three Good Lies is how well Titus treats the people around him: his wife, his coworkers, his friends, even strangers. Was he always that way? He’ll be the first to admit no. And that’s part of why I love his books: we don’t get a Christian main character who was always a Christian and doesn’t have any flaws to work on. We meet Titus as a recently saved Christian in book 1, and we watch him grow throughout the series, working on his faults, developing his character, and learning more about the Lord. While he’s still not perfect—and neither is Mylas or Silas—these men stand strong in fiction as positive role models showing what it means to be a good man. We need more men like them in today’s fiction.

Let me wrap up before I write my own book about these series.

4. Every book has elements of light romance, well balanced with the action and intrigue of the mystery/thriller/suspense plot. I’ve loved seeing each relationship progress, and whether dating or married, the light romance in each series—realistic with both its joys and its challenges—is truly heartwarming. A particular shoutout to Titus’s marriage and eventual albeit unique journey into fatherhood; I find this part of his story both grounding and refreshing in contrast to so much spy fiction that features a single MC with a different femme fatale every book (looking at you, James Bond).

5. Last but not least, every book features Christian themes and bedrock elements of Christianity. Yes, these characters pray, read the Bible, go to church, and talk about God. No, none of these elements is ever overbearing, distracting, or preachy. In my opinion, Luana Ehrlich has struck the perfect balance between showing Christian life as it is and telling a good story.

6. Oh, and the humor. Whether their interactions with their dogs, their jokes with their coworkers, or simply their way of commenting on events, these guys show a gentle, fun sense of humor that makes me laugh and adds another touch of warmth to their characters and their stories.

I will say, these books are not Jason Bourne or Jack Reacher, so if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush from non-stop gunfire and jumping out of planes and hospital-visit-inducing explosions, go read Jason Bourne or Jack Reacher. Sometimes my action-loving self would like to see a few more gunshot wounds and tactical takedowns, but there are still big events with high stakes, and these books never fail to captivate me from start to finish with the plot and character development.

Overall, if you or someone you know is looking for wholesome spy fiction with realistic characters, current events, and ongoing stories, go look for the Titus Ray thrillers, Mylas Grey mysteries, and Silas McKay suspense series by Luana Ehrlich—starting with the most recent Titus Ray novel, Three Good Lies. (All available on audiobook as well.) Any one of these books can be read on its own, but of course, you’ll get the best experience if you read the books in order.

Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy settling into a good story—and, if you’re like me, into your younger self too.