Every Captive Freed
by B.D. Lawrence, Shannon McNear, Angela Shelton
Publisher: Brave Author Books
ISBN: 979-8999132413
I'm one of those readers who appreciates authors who write stories about hard topics. That certainly applies to this novella collection! Every Captive Freed covers the topic of human trafficking. Yes, a hard, but realistic topic with a strong faith thread. Thanks to the publisher for sending me the ebook ARC for review.
Summary:
Sara's Story by B.D. Lawrence
Once a nameless girl surviving the brutality of strip clubs and street corners, Sara Hanley has been snatched from the darkness and given a second chance. Now eighteen, she’s using her hard-earned strength to reach and rescue others caught in the same trap. Sara’s Story is a raw and redemptive look at one young woman’s journey from exploited victim to fierce advocate.
My Review:
The reality of knowing life for kids in foster care can be awful, it's show just how bad in Sara's Story. Boys and girls are looking for love and unfortunately, it often comes at a price. It certainly did for Sara. From one bad situation to another, life unravels for her piece by piece until she's finally snatched from the streets thanks to Calvin Rockport and his "team." If a story will pierce your heart and make you want to get involved in the dangerous business of rescuing people from these types of situations, this one will do it! Being part of Sara's journey did my heart in! Knowing that there are people in this world who thrive on evil makes me want to beg for Jesus to come soon. And the Lord is in this story, even from the start. He's with her, but she has to claim Him as her own. Thankfully, through her physical rescue there is also spiritual rescue! There is hope!
Streams of the Heart by Shannon McNear
During the winter of 1804-05, a young Native woman stepped onto the stage of American history and helped shape the course of an equally young nation. Sacagawea proved an invaluable asset to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, not just as an interpreter but also with her knowledge of the land, a cool head in times of crisis, and as a sign of peace to the peoples of the West by her mere presence. Her strength and resilience are legendary. Though her name is well known, some are unaware that she was a survivor of slavery, twice over.
My Review:
I hadn't expected a story about Sacagawea (Streams of the Heart), someone we all think we know in one way or another. I knew the very basics, that she was a teen who helped Lewis and Clark. What I didn't know was that her people were killed and she, along with a few others, were taken captive. From there, she was given to a man who already had a Native American woman who was his wife. Just the thought of a grown man with a young girl makes my blood boil. Needless to say, reading this story gave me a new appreciation for all that Sacagawea did in the time she was with Lewis & Clark. Before this story, I never realized she had been a victim in human trafficking. All that she endured at such a young age made my heart so sad. Her sacrifice at the end of the story still has me baffled! I appreciate stories like this that give us new insight to historical people!
Unbroken by Angela Shelton
Seventeen-year-old Nova Stone thought she knew how her story would go—faith,
volleyball, and finding where she belongs. Then Damien Blackwell walked into her life,
charming and protective, making her feel seen. Special. Loved.
When Nova’s world shatters, her dream date evaporates, and she finds herself imprisoned in a nightmare, far from home and hope. As Nova fights to reclaim her life—and her voice—she must face a terrifying Can she risk everything to escape, even if it means leaving someone behind?
My Review:
The last story, Unbroken, shows just how easy it is for a young person to have the wool pulled over their eyes with smooth talk. Young people (and frankly even older people) can be easy prey for someone with ulterior motives, especially when someone is desperate to be seen and loved. Somehow evil people are able to sniff that out, and is exactly what happened to Nova. Just your average teen falling for a handsome "older" guy. Those older people isolate their victims and pounce! It was just so awful to travel that path with Nova. And where there are more victims along the way, I get so riled up. Just waiting for these evil people to get what's coming to them. Here on earth and when they meet the Creator! I loved how God worked in the midst of the evil in an unexpected way and how He gave her the opportunity to hear the Truth being preached in a way that you wouldn't expect in Nova's situation.
10% of all proceeds go to the anti-human trafficking arm of the Tim Tebow foundation.
About the Authors:
B.D. Lawrence has always loved reading fiction. Ironically, though, his worst subject in high school was English. One night, sitting in a master's level computer programming class, daydreaming about vigilantes, he decided to give writing a try. Out of that came his first novel, which went nowhere. That was many years ago.
During his writing journey he’s dabbled in several genres, including mystery, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction. He currently is focusing on crime stories of justice, vengeance, and redemption. He hopes his Lefty Bruder private detective series will not only entertain lovers of P.I. fiction but will also help fight the scourge of human trafficking, as B.D. Lawrence is going to donate half of all his profits from that series to organizations helping to fight human trafficking.
Learn more about B.D. Lawrence and his work at https://www.bdlawrence.com
Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. A Midwestern farm girl who lived in Charleston, South Carolina, for more than two decades before being transplanted to North Dakota, she's a military wife, mother of 8, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers. When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.
Angela Shelton: Rancher by Day, Bestselling Dreamer by Night 🌾📚
She’s the faith-filled force behind heart-pounding romantic suspense and thought-provoking dystopian tales. With one foot planted firmly in Georgia cattle country and the other chasing publishing dreams, Angela blends hope, grit, and grace into every story she tells. Whether she's decoding healthcare billing like a pro or plotting her next YA twist under starlight with Carly (her loyal black lab) curled at her feet, Angela’s always crafting something meaningful — something that connects.
Champion of clean reads. Master of subtle faith threads. And on a ten-year mission to land among the bestsellers.
