tracing a kidnapper's trail | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book

Solving an abduction case

means a relentless K-9 manhunt…

When search and rescue worker Hunter Shelton and his bloodhound Libby are called to a crime scene, he discovers his ex-fiancée murdered and her young daughter missing—and he’s attacked. Soon, he realizes the little girl may have been taken by drug runners, and could possibly be his own child. With no one else to turn to, Hunter teams up with DEA Agent Marlee Price and her narcotics K-9, despite their rocky history. As they face escalating threats and uncover a rising body count, an old enemy from Marlee’s past resurfaces. Will they be able to rescue the child and bring dangerous criminals to justice before time runs out?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

publisher: love inspired suspense

release date: february 24, 2026

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other books in the series

desert rescue

trailing a killer

mountain survival

search and defend

following the trail

dangerous mountain rescue

wilderness hunt

alaskan mountain search

alaskan avalanche escape

tracking stolen treasures

alaskan wilderness rescue

lethal mountain pursuit

tracking the missing

k-9 alaskan defense

searching for justice

detecting deadly threats

hunting a killer

excerpt

Bark exploded from the tree into flying bits… The echo of a gunshot bounced between the canyon walls.

“Get down!” Marlee yelled. She shoved Hunter and her K-9 down as bullets whistled over their heads. They were open targets, unprotected. With each blast around them, she felt her body tense. Her gun arm trembled like never before. She was always a sure and steady shot.

What was going on with her?

Hunter sprawled low beside Marlee and the concern in his eyes told her he saw it, too. She wanted him to stop looking at her like that…like something was wrong with her.

The rapid beat of her pulse echoed through her head and she forced her breath to slow. She became aware of her erratic breathing.

“Marlee, talk to me,” Hunter said, glancing around, bracing for the next shot. The sniper was still around.

Yet she couldn’t respond…

“Do you always react this way to gunfire?” he asked.

The words formed on her lips, but two did in her mind. I’m ruined.

about the author

#1 Publishers Weekly, best-selling author Katy Lee writes character-driven romantic suspense that thrills and inspires her readers, keeping them coming back for more. She is a multi-award winner and nominee for the Rita Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, Holt Medallion, and Selah Award, celebrating excellence in mystery and suspense. Katy lives in Utah’s beautiful, rugged mountains and is also a special education teacher. She runs a literary nonprofit called Story Haven Writers, helping people write their healing stories from trauma. Keep up with Katy and her latest news, including her monthly newsletter, “Novel Ideas” at www.KatyLeebooks.com.

giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 VISA gift card with a plush Bloodhound and a matching signed bookmark!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 24, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 3, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

tour schedule

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