Introduction

A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there's no precedent for what's about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he's transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history--with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee--will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

Endorsements

"Grace-filled storytelling and strong suspense at its best!"
--TitleTrakk.com

"Compelling. The kind of novel 'ripped from the headlines' was meant to describe."
--James Scott Bell, best-selling author of Try Fear

"Sparks and bullets fly with equal abandon. Robin Caroll's talent for building romantic tension is second to none, her plot twists intriguing, and her faith elements quite uniquely woven into the tale."
--RelzReviews

"The perfect blend of romance and suspense!"
--Colleen Coble, author of The Lightkeeper's Daughter

"Caroll knows what suspense readers want. A keeper!"
--Romantic Times (Top Pick)

"Started out with a big punch of adrenaline and didn't let up 'til the last page!"
--GoodReads

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

one

Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.

FBI Field Office

Knoxville, Tennessee

Jonathan’s throat c losed as he stared at the building from

the parking lot. He gripped the package tight in his arthritic hands.

Could he do this? Turn over evidence that would implicate him?

His heart raced and he froze. Not the best time for his atrial

fibrillation to make an appearance. Despite being on the heart transplant

list for eight months, it looked like his progressed heart disease

would do him in. The most important reason he couldn’t go to

prison—he’d never get a heart and would die. While Carmen wanted

him to confess his crimes, she wouldn’t want him to die. The memory

of saying good-bye to his beloved mere hours ago scorched his

soul.

Her eyes fluttered open. Those blue orbs, which had once sparkled

even in the absence of light, now blinked flat and lifeless.

He swallowed hard.

“Jonathan,” her voice croaked, “it’s time.”

Tears burned the backs of his eyes, and he rested his hand over her

parchmentlike skin. “No, Carmen. Please, let me get the medicine.”

Her eyelids drooped and she gasped. Air wheezed in her lungs.

“Sweetheart, the fight’s . . . gone from me.” She let out a hiss, faint and

eerie. “The cancer’s . . . won.”

Jonathan laid his lips against her cheek, her skin cold and clammy,

as if in preparation for the morgue. How could she continue to refuse

the medicine? Even though she didn’t approve of his means of acquisition,

the drugs had kept her alive for five years. Five years he cherished

every minute of. He’d do anything to keep her alive and the pain at bay—the intense pain that had become her constant companion these

last two weeks. It killed him to witness her agony.

She licked her bottom lip, but no moisture soaked into the cracked

flesh. “You’ve done . . . your best by me, Jonathan. I know . . . you

meant . . . no harm to . . . anyone.” Her eyes lit as they once had. “Oh,

how I’ve enjoyed loving you.”

His insides turned to oatmeal. Stubborn woman—she’d allow

herself to die, all because she discovered how he’d gotten the money.

“Promise me . . . you’ll . . . tell the . . . truth. Admit what . . .

you’ve done.” Her breath rattled. “What you’ve . . . all done.”

Pulling himself from the wretched memory, Jonathan breathed

through the heat tightening his chest. He’d secure himself the best

deal possible—immunity—or he wouldn’t decipher the papers.

And without him no one could make sense of the accounting system

he’d created more than five years ago. Officials hadn’t a clue.

With a deep breath he headed to the guardhouse in front of the

fenced FBI building. His legs threatened to rebel, stiffening with

every step. He forced himself to keep moving, one foot in front of

the other.

At the guardhouse, a man behind bulletproof glass looked up.

“May I help you?”

“I need to . . . see someone.”

“About what, sir?”

“I have some information regarding a crime.” He waved the file

he held.

“One moment, sir, and someone will be with you.”

Jonathan stared at the cloudy sky. He could still turn back,

get away scot-free. His heartbeat sped. The world blurred. No, he

couldn’t lose consciousness now, nor could he go back on his promise.

He owed it to Carmen. No matter what happened, he’d honor

Carmen’s dying wish.

“Sir?” A young man in a suit stood beside the fenced entry,

hand resting on the butt of his gun. “May I help you?”

Jonathan lifted the file. “I have some evidence regarding an

ongoing crime ring.” The agent motioned him toward a metal-detector arch. “Come

through this way, sir.”

Jonathan’s steps wavered. He dragged his feet toward the

archway.

A car door creaked. Jonathan glanced over his shoulder just

as two men in full tactical gear stormed toward them. He had a

split second to recognize one of the men’s eyes, just before gunfire

erupted.

A vise gripped Jonathan’s heart, and he slumped to the dirty tile

floor, the squeezing of his heart demanding his paralysis.

Too late. I’m sorry, Carmen.

Two Weeks Later—Wednesday, 3:45 p.m.

Golden Gloves Boxing of Knoxville

Ooo f !

Brannon Callahan’s head jerked backward. She swiped her

headgear with her glove.

“You aren’t concentrating on your form. You’re just trying to

whale on me.” Steve Burroughs, her supervisor and sparring partner,

bounced on the balls of his feet.

“Then why am I the one getting hit?” She threw a right jab that

missed his jaw.

He brushed her off with his glove. “Don’t try to street fight me.

Box.”

She clamped down on her mouthpiece and threw an uppercut

with her left fist. It made contact, sending vibrations up her arm.

He wobbled backward, then got his balance. “Nice shot.”

It felt good to hit something. Hard. Sparring with Steve was the

best form of venting. The energy had to be spent somehow—why

not get a workout at the same time? She ducked a right cross, then

followed through with a left-right combination. Both shots made

full contact.

Steve spit out his mouthpiece and leaned against the ropes.

“I think that’s enough for today, girl. I’m an old man, remember?”

She couldn’t fight the grin. Although only in his late forties, the

chief ranger looked two decades older. With gray hair, hawk nose,

and skin like tanned leather, Steve had already lived a lifetime.

She removed her mouthpiece, gloves, and headgear before sitting

on the canvas. “Old? You’re still kickin’ me in the ring.”

He tossed her a towel and sat beside her. “So you wanna tell me

what’s got you all hot and bothered this afternoon?”

She shrugged.

“Come on, spit it out. I know something’s gnawing at you, just

like you were picking a fight with me in the ring. What’s up?”

How could she explain? “I’m not exactly keen that the district

feels there’s a need for another pilot in the park.” She tightened the

scrunchie keeping her hair out of her face.

“That’s a compliment—having you on staff has been so successful

they want to expand.”

“But I have to train him. Did you notice his arrogance?” She

ripped at the tape bound around her knuckles. “He’s nothing more

than a young upstart with an ego bigger than the helicopter.” While

only thirty-six, she often felt older than Steve looked.

“You’re so good, you can come across a bit intimidating at first,

girl.” Steve grabbed the ropes and pulled to standing, then offered

her a hand. “Give him a chance.”

She let Steve tug her up. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Even if he had

maturity, I still have to train him. With all the rescues we’ve been

called out on of late . . . well, I really don’t have the time.” She

exited the ring. “Like those kids yesterday.” She shook her head as

she waited for Steve to join her on the gym floor. “Their stupidity

almost cost them their lives.”

“They were young, Brannon.”

“Please. Any amateur with half a brain should know better than

to try to climb Clingmans Dome in winter.” Didn’t people realize

if something happened to them they’d leave behind devastated

family and friends? Loved ones who would mourn them forever?

She fought against the familiar pain every time she participated

in a search and rescue. All because people hadn’t taken necessary

precautions. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

1. In the story, Brannon and Lincoln were loyal friends. Lincoln helped Brannon get through a personal tragedy, using Scripture and faith to strengthen her resolve. Many times in life, we need a friend to speak to us in truth and encourage us. Looking at your own friendships, how can you be more of a biblical blessing to your friends? See Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24, and John 15:13.

2. The loss of loved ones can have a profound effect on people. In the book, Brannon chose her professions based on an emotional need to save people. This need stemmed from losing loved ones. Roark's loss of the little girl triggered a physical response of becoming claustrophobic. Have you ever lost someone you loved? What effect did it have on you-physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

3. It's no secret that parents' attitudes rub off on their children. Congressman Warren McGovern lost his mother at a vulnerable age and had to live with his militant father who had strict ideas about living life to a particular code. Reflect upon how your own parents' ideals (good and bad) affected your childhood. What about this would you have changed if you could? How has this followed you into adulthood?

4. Child trafficking is a very serious and real tragedy. In the story, Roark has an opportunity to bring those involved to justice. Do you think our current laws are too easy or too harsh on those involved with exploiting children? Discuss how you can help with this issue. See Psalm 127:2-4 and Matthew 19:14.

5. Brannon was afraid to open her heart again after losing the man she'd loved. Fear can paralyze people, yet what does Scripture tell us about fear? See Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, and Isaiah 41:13.

6. Yanisa and Kanya were children, innocents, but in a horrible situation over which they felt they had no control. Yet, they were determined to improve their quality of life. Have you faced a situation you felt you had no control over, yet struggled to improve your life despite the situation? What did you do?

7. Lincoln and Brannon not only had deep faith, but lived it. Why should we live according to our faith? How can we exhibit our faith in everyday life? See Proverbs 14:25, Isaiah 44:8, and Acts 1:8.

8. When Brannon meets Jefferson for the second time, she thinks he's the same tormenter that he once was. But as she listens to him, she realizes she'd judged him too quickly. How can we avoid judging others without getting to know them? What does the Bible say about judging others? See Matthew 7:1-3 and Luke 6:37.

9. In the story, Roark had chosen to move away from God because of something bad that happened in his life. Have you ever felt disappointed or angry with God because of your circumstances? How did you deal with your emotions? What did you do to move back into a relationship with God?

10. While the congressman's motives were greed and power, Jonathan Wilks's participation in the child trafficking ring was a means to provide special medication for his wife. Do you believe doing something wrong for the right reason is okay? What does Scripture have to say on the subject? See Genesis 2:1-3, 1 Kings 15:11, and Isaiah 1:17.

11. Brannon witnessed to Roark, and Lincoln questioned her motives. See 1 Philippians 1:18. Why do you think God can use selfish motives to further His purposes?

12. Roark and Brannon felt a quick, emotional connection to one another. Do you believe people can become connected that quickly? Why or why not?

13. Brannon had instances in the story where she lacked self-confidence in her job as well as in her status with her best friend. Why do you think she felt that way? What in our own lives can cause us to lack confidence?

14. What do the following tell us about true confidence: Psalm 40:3-5; Isaiah 30:15; 2 Corinthians 1:9-11.

15. When Brannon hurt her ankle and had to use crutches for a short time, she felt helpless. What do you do when you feel helpless? How can we overcome such feelings? How easy is it for you to ask for help. What do Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Proverbs 17:17, and Proverbs 27:10 say to you about this issue?

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Author Robin Caroll's web site

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