hanksgiving has come to the south and Lara hopes to spend a relaxing holiday with her family but her sister makes an unexpected announcement that changes everything. Renee had given a baby up for adoption. Thrown into an emotional tailspin, Lara must grapple with her own feelings over being adopted while helping Renee prepare for the sudden and unforeseen visit from the daughter she gave up seventeen years ago. Through it all Lara has Brian, the dark handsome police detective that entered her life so unexpectedly, but their relationship hangs in the balance. The happiest time of year becomes a nightmare when Lara leaves, unable to accept the love he’s offering. Brian has little time to consider it as he and Detective Ballard are on the hunt again this time for a serial killer. Solid evidence links a suspect to two murders and a kidnapping but not everything is as it seems and while Lara struggles through her own darkness Brian must find his way through an intricate web of lies before the killer strikes again. To My Readers: The Lara Martin series is semi-autobiographical dealing with personal experiences that I have overcome. Personalities of my main characters are based on people I know who have guided me, given me strength and sometimes grief but overall help Lara overcome self doubts to realize her full potential. Reader Alert! Lara’s journey continues. At home for the holidays she is dealt a precarious blow when she learns her sister gave a baby up for adoption. Overwhelmed with her own feelings about being adopted she could either make or break the young girl who has come to meet her mother. Detective Brian Hammond is on the hunt again, this time for a serial killer. Solid evidence links a suspect to two murders and a kidnapping but not everything is as it seems and while Lara struggles through her own darkness Brian must find his way through an intricate web of lies before the killer strikes again. About the Author: Deborah Van Heest was born 6 November 1970. She is an American author. Her first novel, “Secret of the Kings” is fantasy published in 2010. She recently completed the second book in the three book series, Lara Martin. This mystery/romance novels starts off true to life, dealing with real issues like divorce, separation, child custody and adoption and she incorporates a brilliant and cloying list of characters that round her first series in true mystery fashion. The series starts off with “One Step Closer” that leads into “Through the Darkness”. She is writing the final book in the series currently untitled.