After growing up in foster care, investigative reporter Naya Michél has learned there’s usually more to a situation than meets the eye. When she’s assigned a story about the current water contamination crisis in town, Naya is ready to show her boss she has what it takes to secure a promotion—especially since the events surrounding the story have personal ties to her childhood. When her investigation makes her the target of someone who wants the truth kept quiet, how far will Naya’s determination take her before the cost becomes too much?

Rescue Squad firefighter and former foster kid Zack Stephens is ready to step up his game at work when his boss hands him a cold case for hazmat training. As Zack delves into the case, he uncovers a shocking revelation—his parents’ deaths weren’t accidental. Determined to find their murderer, Zack throws himself into the investigation. But he doesn’t expect his search to collide with Naya, the girl he promised to protect when they lived in foster care together.

As threats mount and Naya is caught in the crosshairs, can Zack reconcile the mistakes of his past and find a killer before someone deals a lethal blow? And can the two of them learn to trust—and love—each other again despite the pain of their past?

Rescued Duty is a pulse-pounding tale of second chances, found family, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the face of adversity.

The inspiration behind each book is always its own story.

Zack and Naya’s story came to me after talking with some friends about foster care and adoption—a topic that has become near to my heart as I see the beauty of welcoming people into our families and showing them love.

So I did some research and came across a blog post sharing a Chinese Proverb. The proverb says that there is an invisible red thread that connects those destined to meet. The use of this proverb in the adoption world is seen through children being destined to meet the family they are meant to be with.

Immediately, my mind was spinning with ideas and I asked myself what does it look like to have a family when you have no blood relatives? 

From there, Zack and Naya’s story of loss, family, and rescue was born.

Of course, I had to add in a healthy dose of suspense with a cold case, a water contamination crisis, and a murderer who will do anything to keep the truth buried.

There’s a duty to find the truth.

There’s a rescue waiting to happen.

The best way to get insider news first on Rescued Duty and any other writing projects in the works is to sign up for my monthly newsletter.

Pre-order Rescued Duty and get ready for this heart-pounding suspense story releasing March 11!

Rescued Duty will be available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook.

Want a copy of Rescued Duty before it releases on March 11? Purchase it from the Sunrise Publishing website and get it ONE month early!

Felicia Rae is a successful adjunct college professor enjoying the beautiful life she’s built. But one night is all it takes for her world to come crashing down. Waking up unable to remember the events of the night before, she discovers someone has ransacked her apartment and left an unsettling note—with a promise to return. As the killer closes in, Felicia must work to recall the hidden memories that hold the key to unlocking the person’s identity. But when she discovers the truth, she’s not prepared for what it will cost her. Will she be able to look past the pain and declare the goodness of God even in her bleakest moments? 

Hudson Taylor is an acclaimed sketch artist for the metro D.C. police force. It’s been five years since an accident stripped him of the life he once dreamed of and now he’s left with grueling chronic pain as a reminder. When he’s summoned to produce a composite drawing of an intruder, his past collides with his present when he realizes his former girlfriend, and high school sweetheart, Felicia, is the attacker’s target. All the evidence points to a serial killer but will Hudson be able to put the pieces of the case together fast enough to stop the killer from snuffing out the life of the woman he loved and lost once?  

Hudson and Felicia are good at pushing each other away, but now their lives depend on working together. Against all odds, will they find a way to sacrifice their pride and set aside their hurts? And are the broken pieces beyond mending or can they discover a way back to the love they once shared and redeem the shadows?  

This story was birthed after reading about the life of Joseph in Genesis 37 - 50. He still chose to give God glory even when his circumstances warranted a different response. He chose to live with integrity even when his circumstances could have caused him to give in. He counted the cost of following Yahweh, even when the road ahead looked bleak.

We all make decisions every day. And those decisions require us to count the costs and the sacrifice involved. 

Read Hudson and Felicia’s story to see what sacrifices they’re willing to make and finish this story empowered to count the costs in your own life and take a step of bold faith.

Redeeming the Shadows is only available to read through Laura’s newsletter community.

Redeeming the Shadows is only available through joining Laura’s newsletter community!