Lora Penn

Faces in the Shadows Lora Penn

Faces in the Shadows Book Description "Alyssa, you do have a special gift," said Sydney Jackson, administrator of the children's hospital. Alyssa Layton, teacher and hospital volunteer, comes in to see twin girls. They were found home alone, presumed abandoned, and won't talk. Alyssa works her magic. She learns a man kidnapped their mother from her home. With this information, police close a human trafficking scam operating off the coast of Florida. The children's mother is rescued along with other hostages. Nightmares plague Alyssa's dreams. Faces drift with the shadows not allowing recognition. Chad Staley moves to the condo next door. They renew a college friendship. Chad, child psychologist, recognizes similarities in Alyssa's fears to those of the children he treats. Is this why she reaches those who have been harmed? Just when Chad and Alyssa become involved, Sydney's handsome brother, Greg, shows up for a visit. An artist from New York, he falls hopelessly in love with Alyssa. When Alyssa's father dies and leaves an inheritance, including property in New York, she fulfills her dream to help abused children. It breaks her heart seeing terror in their eyes when they leave the hospital with their abusers, or to be sent to the unknown, a foster home. They need a safe place to go for further recuperation. She builds the "Next Step Center," which becomes that place. Will Greg Jackson be a part of this dream? He lives in New York and offers to paint murals of animals on the walls for the children. Will the faces in the shadows follow Alyssa to New York? Will Chad?