Author explores long-term effect of kidnapping
For author Elizabeth Heiter, every book she writes must feel unique.
“Even with a series, the characters have to grow and change from book to book,” says Heiter, a Bloomfield Hills resident. “I spend a lot of time doing research before and during each book, both to educate myself and to get the small details right. I also think that helps each book feel fresh because there’s an endless stream of topics and themes I’d like to tackle.”
Harlequin recently released Heiter’s latest novel, “Alaska Mountain Rescue,” her 13th overall and the second in her “K-9 Alaska” series, which began with “K-9 Defense.” The third and fourth novels in the series will debut in April and July.
“Each of my ‘K-9 Alaska’ books features a canine in a key role and is set in the remote town of Desparre, Alaska,” says Heiter, an alumna of Groves High School in Beverly Hills and the University of Michigan. “I loved writing the scenes with Chance (the dog) and also getting a chance to return to Alaska — at least in my mind! Ever since I visited the state — jumping from bigger cities to tiny, remote towns far off the typical tourist routes — I knew I wanted to set a book here. It’s been a lot of fun to set a whole series in Alaska.”
The plot has civilian investigator Alanna Morgan — the younger sister of Kensie, who debuted in “K-9 Defense” — and her therapy dog, Chance, going after Darcy Aliter, who broke out of prison. Darcy kidnapped Alanna as a child and raised her as her own. Alanna cannot, in good conscience, let other helpless victims be abducted.
“Originally, ‘K-9 De
fense’ was going to be a standalone book, one that I wanted to end happily for Kensie, (protagonist Colter Hayes) and Alanna. So, when I considered how Alanna’s life had progressed during the years Kensie and her family had searched for her, I wanted it to have been relatively happy,” Heiter says.
However, as she got further along in “K-9 Defense,” Heiter knew she wanted to write Alanna’s story. She researched the long-term psychological effects of kidnapping to bring authenticity to her writing, particularly in Alanna’s situation.
“I really became intrigued by how conflicted Alanna had been all her life,” Heiter says. “She was stuck between a memory of the family she’d been stolen from when she was only 5 and the family she’d come to know, including ‘siblings’ she loved. I knew that internal conflict and the guilt she felt — both over leaving a note to try to get back to her real family and also for not doing it sooner — wouldn’t go away just because she’d made her choice. It was something I wanted to explore.”
Along the way, Alanna forms an uneasy alliance with rookie cop Peter Robak, who’s also after Darcy but has his own agenda. They must learn to trust each other while braving challenging elements.
“Once I decided to write Alanna’s story and that it would center around the woman who’d kidnapped her — the woman she’d called ‘Mom’ for most of her life — I knew I needed a hero,” Heiter says. “Peter Robak had once been a war reporter (who) lost part of his hearing reporting on a hostage exchange, where the hostage had blown herself up. … Peter and Alanna reluctantly work together and, in the process, Peter begins to understand Alanna’s divided loyalties. But he’s also facing his own challenges, in a police department that doesn’t think he belongs because he’s hard of hearing.”
Heiter enjoyed creating the dog character, Chance.
“It made sense that Alanna would struggle to reintegrate into a life she’d last known when she was 5, especially with the media hounding her. So, I decided she would (get a dog).,” she says.
“Chance is a St. Bernard for two reasons. First, I knew he’d be going to Alaska during a snowy season and St. Bernards are historically known as snow rescue dogs. Second, I grew up with St. Bernards and wanted to write one!”
At its heart, the book is about being torn between doing what’s right and bringing harming to someone you love.
“Alanna doesn’t want to see the woman who raised her hurt or killed, but she’s willing to risk her own life to prevent Darcy from getting away with more kidnappings,” Heiter says. “To help her, Peter is forced to choose between risking her life or (his) career.”
In the end, Peter and Alanna develop feelings for one another.
Publishers Weekly bestselling author Dana Corbit Nussio of Novi praises Heiter’s novels.
“Elizabeth Heiter is earning a group of loyal readers by guaranteeing them a thrilling ride with each of her books,” she says. “Liz and I have been friends for years, but I am also one of those dedicated readers.”