A Heartbeat Away — Rachel Ann Nunes

That's the way it was with my family -- at least until the year I turned thirteen.

When their young daughter, Kristin, is kidnapped, Gary and Angie Marshall struggle to make sense of the unthinkable. Who could do such a thing? And why Kristin? As more time passes in their desperate search for their daughter, their hopes slowly dwindle. They are left with "if onlys" and a glaring uncertainty that damages their marriage and their relationships with their other children, especially their oldest daughter, Meghan.

Meanwhile, Kristin is having new experiences of her own. Her first assignment in her new "life" is to heal the hearts of her family. But doing so turns out to be more of a challenge than she ever expected. How can she get them to let her go so they can all find happiness? Or can there ever be healing after such a devastating trial?

Looming above them all is the question -- who is responsible for Kristin's disappearance? Is it their beloved uncle? Their neighbor Dale Loveridge, who once dated Angie Marshall? Or is it Jay, the young man with a colorful past? Or perhaps someone else entirely?

Time is running out. As she blames herself for Kristin's disappearance, Meghan turns down a road that can only lead to more unhappiness. Kristin must find a way to help her sister find healing -- and perhaps love.

Rachel Ann Nunes has taken a difficult subject and woven intrigue, romance, and joy to create a story with realistic characters who will live in your mind for years to come.