Ransomed Dreams (Defenders of Hope Series #1) [Paperback]

Amy N. Wallace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2007

Chained To Yesterday

When tragedy struck and Gracie Lang lost everything, her faith crumbled, and nothing but the drive for justice propelled her forward. But after two years of dead-end searching, the truth Gracie seeks is the very thing her stalker will stop at nothing to hide.

Forgiveness Unlocks the Future

An FBI agent in the Crimes Against Children Unit, Steven Kessler spends his days rescuing other people’s children and nights caring for his son. He’s through with God, embittered by his ex-wife who abandoned them both, and definitely doesn’t expect what’s coming next.

The Past Is the Key

A plot to kidnap a British ambassador’s daughter dangerously intersects Steven and Gracie’s worlds–a collision that demands a decision. But are they willing to pay the high ransom required to redeem dreams and reignite hope?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Steeped in police intrigue and rich characters, Ransomed Dreams entertains, educates, and captivates. Amy Wallace is a fresh, vibrant voice in the Christian market.”
- Mark Mynheir, homicide detective and author of The Void.

“Ransomed Dreams had me hooked from the start and didn’t let go until the deeply satisfying ending.”
- Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants

About the Author

Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises, a homeschool mom, and self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books including God Answers Moms’ Prayers and Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (April 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159052747X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590527474
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up all over the world, moving every three years of my life. But home for me was Louisville, KY. That's where my family always transitioned to for a time and where I graduated from high school and college. What moved me from Louisville to Georgia was a gorgeous blue-eyed missionary named David. We met and married in ten months time and started a whirlwind romance that has been much like a supersonic roller coaster. Fourteen years and three precious children later, we're still learning how to love well and enjoying the days we get it right.

I'm also a homeschool mom, author, speaker, and avid chocoholic. I love crafting high-action suspense that delves deep into heart issues, but who I really am can be summed up in a few short words: I'm a daughter of the King learning to live and love with laughter. I'm the author of the Defenders of Hope series: Ransomed Dreams, Healing Promises, and Enduring Justice, a contributing author of God Answers Mom's Prayers, God Allows U-Turns for Teens, Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes, and A Cup of Comfort for Expectant Moms. Visit Amy at www.amywallace.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Paced Suspense, May 20, 2007

By 

Barbara Warren - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ransomed Dreams (Defenders of Hope Series #1) (Paperback)

Gracie Lang was driving behind her family when they were killed in a terrible accident. She's run from the memory ever since. Now she's determined to bring the hit and run killer to justice. It's a cold case. The police don't give her much encouragment, but she has to try.

FBI Agent, Stephen Kessler's wife walked out on him when their son was just a baby. He's an agent with the Crimes Against Children Unit, and spends his working hours trying to rescue other people's children and his nights being a single father to his son James.

Then both Gracie and Steven are caught in a battle with an unknown, mutual enemy. They struggle to learn the name of the person determined to destroy them before he can strike again. Amy Walace knows her stuff. Ransomed Dreams is a fast paced story of danger and intrigue seasoned with romance.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buckle your seat belt and hang on...., April 13, 2007

By 

Love 2 Read Novels "Sherry" (a small town in Kansas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ransomed Dreams (Defenders of Hope Series #1) (Paperback)

Amy Wallace takes you on a wild ride in her new book Ransomed Dreams. It held my attention from page one to the closing of the book!!!!

The story centers around Gracie Lang, who experiences what a person might call their worst nightmear ... watching her family killed right in front of her.

As Gracie tries to heal she moves to a different place and begins working as a teacher at a special school. It's at this special school she meets the father of one of her students. FBI agent Steven Kessler works in the Crimes Against Children Unit and struggles with many heart issues, such as, how could God let terrible things happen to children as well as resentment toward an ex-wife who walked out on him and their infant son several years earlier and guilt for the times he didn't solve a case in time which resulted in a victim rather than a victory.

As Gracie continues to seek justice for her family's death and Steven tries to solve a major case, their paths come dangereously close.

This story is their journey through some very painful issues. Steven and Gracie felt very real. They were not saints but very much struggled with things you and I struggle with. Their feelings and emotions were completely realistic.

The secondary characters were ones you want to know better. Clint and Sara were a great couple. Clint makes a great partner and best friend for Steven.

I highly recommend this page turning novel. It will be a tough wait for book two (Clint and Sara's Story)... due out April 2008.

[...].

Get the book...you won't be sorry. Thanks Amy! Great work!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-healing, August 10, 2007

By 

Sharon Hinck "Sharon Hinck, author" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ransomed Dreams (Defenders of Hope Series #1) (Paperback)

"Her quest to see him pay, the anger that still simmered below the surface, gave her more strength than crumpling in her sadness...She wasn't ready to give that up." (p. 256)

When people face tragedy, they look for someone to blame. Gracie Lang didn't have to look far, because she witnessed the hit and run that changed her life. Now she's obsessed with finding the man who took everything from her. She rebuilds parts of her life, but her heart is far from healed. Her path keeps crossing with FBI agent Steve Kessler who has his own past horrors to deal with.

Their struggle toward wholeness is set against a tense kidnap and murder plot.

Ransomed Dreams grabbed me by the throat in the first few pages, and kept me entertained with a complex interweaving plot. I was especially impressed with the authentic feel of the FBI interactions.

But beyond the external storyline, Ransomed Dreams also whispered themes of healing and hope. The characters wrestle with honest questions and face the limits of their own attempts to deal with pain. The author's core focus of "heart healing" is portrayed with compassion and power. A great story that challenges the reader to let go of bitterness.