Welcome to the JustRead Blog Tour for ...

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.

K-9 Search and Rescue

Hello all! Thank you for having me today and helping me celebrate the release of Tracing a Kidnapper’s Trail.

I thought I would give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of the main characters, including the K-9s!

So let me introduce you to:

Hunter Shelton

Hunter’s days look rugged and practical, but they’re also deeply purposeful. A typical day for Hunter starts before sunrise. He’s up checking weather reports, trail conditions, and SAR call logs while the coffee brews. Libby, his bloodhound, is already alert, tail thumping as soon as Hunter reaches for his boots. Training runs, scent work, and readiness drills are part of his daily rhythm—because when a call comes, someone’s life may depend on how prepared they are. Between searches, Hunter tends his ranch, repairs fences, and maintains equipment. Quiet, honest work. It’s during these moments that his faith shows up with thoughtful prayers, Scripture reading, and a steady reliance on God to guide him when he’s carrying more guilt than he lets on.

Marlee Price

Marlee’s days are far more unpredictable—and that’s exactly how she likes them.

As a DEA agent, her mornings often start with briefings, intel updates, and strategic planning. Gustav, her narcotics K-9, is her constant partner. Every stop for fuel, every diner, every dusty roadside pull-off is a potential crime scene in Marlee’s mind. She’s always scanning, always calculating, always prepared to act. But Marlee’s day doesn’t end when the badge comes off. She’s driven by a need to make things right—to stop the evil that took her brother from her. That means late nights and pushing her body past its limits, even when she shouldn’t, catching every drug dealer on the streets. Marlee is someone who looks fearless but is actively fighting trauma. 

Life in Harmony, Texas & the Canyon

Harmony looks peaceful at first glance. Mornings bring dusty pickup trucks, ranchers heading out early, and locals gathering at the diner where everyone knows your name—and your business. The town moves slower than the cities Marlee is used to, grounded in routine, loyal relationships, and tradition. But just beyond town limits lies the canyon. A place that is so vast and so beautiful, and so dangerous. Out there, life is harsher. The land is unforgiving. Search teams move in grids. Radios crackle. K-9s work tirelessly. Danger lurks behind boulders, within crevices, along the river, and the silence can be just as threatening as gunfire. Harmony feels like a place of contrast beside the canyon—a quiet town sitting beside deep darkness. It reflects the heart of the story: hope and evil existing side by side, with choices to make between the two.

Why were K-9s essential to the story?

From the very beginning, this story could not exist without the K-9s. Libby and Gustav aren’t sidekicks. They are partners, protectors, and catalysts, but they carry the emotional weight of the story as much as Hunter and Marlee do. Libby and Gustav follow scent, instinct, and training. They don’t care about excuses, reputations, or carefully constructed stories. When everyone else is chasing false leads, the K-9s are the ones quietly pointing to the truth. Several major plot turns only happen because a dog refuses to ignore what “doesn’t make sense.” The dogs force the humans to stop rationalizing and pay attention. As the humans grow, so does their reliance on their dogs—not as tools, but as teammates.

K-9s and Faith

Libby and Gustav quietly demonstrate what it looks like to move forward even when the path is dangerous—something Hunter and Marlee must learn to do in their own walk with God. The K-9s turn this from a suspense story into a family story. Because family isn’t just who you’re born to. It’s who shows up. Who stays. Who protects you when you’re at your most vulnerable. But most importantly, who will help you face the truth that might be right in front of you. And of course, the K-9s display perfect forgiveness, which is at the heart of the story.

“…God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." Col. 2: 13-14

Thank you for stopping in to hear about Tracing a Kidnapper’s Trail. I’d love to know what you think!

And if you are in the Orlando area, come see me with six other fabulous Christian authors. We will be at Barnes and Noble, Colonial Drive on March 17th @ 6 p.m.

We would love to see you!

Blessings!

Katy

The best way to stay connected is through my weekly email, Fireside News. You’ll receive cozy updates, behind-the-scenes book notes, and a complimentary historical romance novelette when you subscribe.

Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.