I am a fan of Tracy Hunter Abramson and have read the vast majority of her books. This book contains three suspense novellas. Abramson often uses crossovers in her stories showing that her different series exist in the same world. For example a senator who later becomes the President appears in several of her novels. The tie together for these novellas are they feature Doug and Jill Valdez. Doug is an FBI agent and his wife is a second grade teacher. They are a childless couple and I know them from reading the author’s Saint Squad series.

Hunted: Jill and Doug are at a cabin in the woods when a young teen, Reagan, stumbles out of the trees. She is fleeing for her life and has information about an attack that is going to happen in Washington DC.

Secrets of St. Augustine: Jill and Doug are technically on vacation in France with their adopted daughter Reagan. But Doug makes time to check out a boarding school where there is suspicion of money laundering. Layla, a student there, hasn’t heard from grandmother in over a year. She hears the headmaster making plans that threaten her. She stows away in the back of Doug’s car. Of course he and the family offer help.

Shadows of Trust: The Valdez’s are now in Washington DC and they get to know two orphan siblings. The boy is a student of Jill’s and his sister is a classmate of Layla’s. When there is a kidnapping attempt on the boy, Jill and Doug come to the rescue again.

I found all of the stories interesting and exciting. I have read Hunted and Secrets of St. Augustine in previously published anthologies. Hunted in “Twisted Fate” (06-2014) and Augustine in “Sinister Secrets” (08-2022). I remembered the later one more, as it was read more recent, but I still read each of the stories again. Shadows of Trust is seemingly a new story. I am giving full marks because I’m invested in Abramson’s world and enjoy the characters. If I was reading this without reading her other works I might feel the stories were a little repetitive because of the children in danger scenarios. But it fits as part of the connection for the stories is the Valez's taking in the kids and growing their family. Abramson doesn’t always include religion in her books but Hunted has them attending church, and uses terms that would be familiar to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).

I enjoyed the collection and Abramson fans will as well.

This is a set of 3 short stories that follows a couple and how they met and adopted their 4 children. The husband is an FBI agent while the wife is a school teacher. It is Christian based, specifically The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so you have to understand there is language specific to worship in that church.
All of the children they adopted were found in traumatic situations, so the FBI side of things adds suspense and drama.
The stories are enjoyable, and are actually solved in a relatively quick time frame. It is an enjoyable anthology. The characters are fun and you root for the children to be saved.

I lOVED this book! It had me hooked from the very first page. It was very suspenseful the whole way through!

The Shadows of Trust is a collection of three novelas written by author Traci Hunter Abramson. They are each about a young childless couple Doug and Jill Valdez, and their experiences saving children in danger and making them part of their family.

I loved all 3 stories. They were very touching and also full of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat! This is a book you don’t want to miss!

Another book review! I give this one 🌟🌟🌟/5. This book has 3 novellas following the same family, Doug and Jill Valdez. I enjoyed reading the intense, and ultimately heartwarming stories. But I must admit, it was pretty predictable. They all had practically the same plot with just a few differences in the middle. Thanks again to #NetGalley !

#ShadowsofTrust #NetGalley

This is a series of longer novellas about Doug Valdez and his wife Jill. The childless couple always wanted a family

HUNTED

A cabin in the woods holds secrets, and Reagan knows them. Reagan finds herself running for her life and away from her stepfather.
Reagan doesn't trust easily after the kind of environment she has lived in.

SECRETS OF ST AUGUSTINE

Layla attends a private school for girls. While everyone is away on a school break, and she stays behind because she has nowhere to go, she hears a conversation that wasn't meant for her to hear. She must get away before they can find her. She finds an unlocked vehicle and climbs inside.

SHADOWS OF TRUST

Sophie and her younger brother Mason lived with their grandmother until she had to go to a care home. They live with Aunt Hillary, who is addicted to drugs. Sophie gets creative in trying to feed and take care of her brother Mason. What she doesn't know is someone is watching and waiting in the shadows.