What boy-crazy young girl wouldn’t be flattered by the interest of a good-looking older “boy”?
Very few, and as Margaret Daley’s newest romantic suspense so deftly illustrates, sometimes the consequences are your worst nightmare.
Here’s the book’s back cover blurb:
When a teenager goes missing from the Beacon of Hope School, Texas Ranger Wyatt Sheridan and school director Kate Winslow are forced into a dangerous struggle against a human trafficking organization. But the battle brings dire consequences as Wyatt’s daughter is terrorized and Kate is kidnapped. Now it’s personal, and Wyatt finds both his faith and investigative skills challenged as he fights to discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil destroys everyone he loves.
Saving Hope deals with the harsh reality of human trafficking in an informative and tasteful way that leaves you aching for the girls whose innocence is being stolen, without filling your mind with gritty images.
I’ve told my daughter that I want her to read the novel, and I’m recommending it to mothers of preteen and teen girls. Why?
Because Margaret has done a superb job of showing how innocently and easily a young girl can be lured into a trap.
Young men make quick cash, working for trafficking rings by seeking out girls at a mall, for example, and showing interest in them. As I asked in my opening, what boy-crazy, young teen isn’t going to be flattered?
We had exactly such a scenario make headlines here in Canada recently, because the father found out what was going on, sought out the house and pounded on the door, demanding they release his daughter. At the time, the daughter was embarrassed, unaware of the danger she was in. Her father was lucky he wasn’t shot.
Your Turn: Wyatt Sheridan is having problems with his daughter. She wants more independence, but he isn’t ready to give it to her. How would you let a teenager become independent, but still safe?
Please join me again on Wednesday. I’ve invited Margaret to stop by and share why she wrote this story.
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This book sounds good. A difficult subject, but needed to be brought into the light.
Somehow I managed to survive the teenage years of my kids…you never stop worrying, even when they are grown and independent.
I look forward to hearing more from Margaret.
That’s so true. My in-laws say they still worry about their children and now their grandchildren and great-grandchild!
A timely book, and I hope it does saves lives! Thanks for the review, Sandra.
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for this review, Sandra. I’m eager to read this book and also place a copy in my Church library (lots of parents of teen girls in my Church). Such a scary, heart-wrenching topic but one that cannot be ignored. I’m sure Margaret has done an excellent job with this (love that sweet lady!). ~ Blessings, Patti Jo
It’s a great idea, Patti Jo.
Well you know I’ve read Saving Hope and loved it but I’m not sure that I can answer your question. I’d guess that protecting your teen in the here and now would have to start back in infancy. You’d have to build a bond with her that’s strong enough to survive those turbulent teen years — at least enough to have her comfortable confiding in you.
I think the real problem is that teens feel like they’re invincible. This is talked about at school, at home,it’s on tv, in the movies, but there’s something in that teen DNA that says “yeah, but it won’t happen to me!” How do you battle that?
The parenting experts say that children shouldn’t have a computer in their room. That it should be in a public place like the family room however nowadays with iphones and laptops how can you enforce that?
I think all families with teenage girls need to go live on a desert island. How about that?!
There’s a novel solution! 🙂
My apologies to anyone who has been trouble posting comments!! Katy Lee emailed me this comment to share. Thanks Katy, for introducing us to WAR!
This is such a powerful storyline, and I am looking forward to reading this and sharing it, not only with my preteen daughter, but also my local Aglow Women’s Group.
We sponsor the organization WAR (Women At Risk) by holding jewelry and craft fairs that women who have been sold and rescued have made, helping them earn a living, but also raising money and awareness of this crime.
Okay, I’ve taken that annoying word verification off of comments. Sorry, I didn’t realize it was on, since blogger doesn’t make me do it. Hopefully, this won’t open the door to spam and will make it easier to have a discussion.
Katy, it’s organizations like WAR that will help spread the word and help the ones affected.
Kay, I’d better be looking for a desert island for my granddaughters. They’ll be teens in no time. I agree a parent has to start from the get go to forge a strong relationship with their children to weather the tough times.
Patti Jo, it’s nice to see you there. I still remember our talks at ACFW conference.
Loree, I haven’t stopped worrying about my grown son. It’s a mother’s job.
Jeanette, I hope my book reaches the right person I was meant to write it for.