It’s a topic no one enjoys talking about. Most of us prefer to pretend it doesn’t happen in our own communities. But human trafficking—a.k.a. modern-day slavery—is all too real, and it can happen anywhere. And with traffickers increasingly using social media and other online platforms as a means of recruiting and exploiting victims, it’s a topic teens and young adults absolutely need to be aware of.
Which is why three authors have stepped up to raise awareness and fight back. The Brave Author Novella Collection has an new release called Every Captive Freed: Three Novellas About Human Trafficking, and I caught up with one of the authors, Angela D. Shelton, who was eager to tell us a little more about this project.
(Read through to the end to see how you can obtain a copy of Every Captive Freed.)
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and blogger for teens with higher aim.
In This Article
Interview With Angela D. Shelton
Lauren: Angela, why don’t you share a little about yourself?
Angela: By trade, I’m an accountant and have spent my entire career in healthcare. Outside the office, I help run our family’s Black Angus cattle ranch in a small Georgia town. My true passion, however, is crafting stories and bringing fictional characters and their struggles to life on the page.
I am also the wife of an extraordinary man who has served in law enforcement for more than twenty-five years. Early in our marriage, he worked in the sex crimes division. Those years were both demanding and deeply unsettling. From the stories he shared, I gained a sobering awareness of the realities of sex trafficking in the United States. Many of those truths have quietly shaped the way I write, giving my fiction both grit and compassion.
Lauren: Tell us about Every Captive Freed.
Angela: I was honored to join the Brave Authors for the second book in their three-part series, Every Captive Freed. While the anthology addresses the harsh realities of sex trafficking in the United States, it also points toward hope and healing. Before I met my husband, Tom, I had little idea how widespread this crime is here at home. Learning the truth was heartbreaking, especially the knowledge that so many children suffer at the hands of those who should have protected them. Yet this collection of stories reminds readers that light can pierce even the darkest places and that freedom is always worth fighting for.
Lauren: What inspired you to write a story about human trafficking?
Angela: Two local cases, one within my husband’s jurisdiction and one nearby, still linger in my heart. I never met the girls, yet I felt compelled to give them a voice. Writing became a way to honor their stories and to shine a light on the reality so many others continue to face. Through this anthology, my hope is not only to raise awareness but also to generate funds that will help bring freedom and healing to survivors.
When we think of childhood, we picture stuffed animals, fairy tales, and afternoons filled with laughter. Teen years usually bring sports, school dances, and the excitement of learning to drive. For children trapped in the darkness of trafficking, those milestones are stolen. Their days are filled instead with pain, fear, and despair. By writing, I pray to remind readers that their suffering must not be ignored. Each of us has a part to play in bringing hope, dignity, and restoration where it is most needed.
Lauren: What were the difficulties in writing a YA story on such a sensitive topic?
Angela: My goal was to sound a warning for young adults and remind them to be cautious about whom they trust. Traffickers often hide behind flashy cars, expensive clothes, and persuasive words. They prey on those who are most vulnerable and longing for love. I wanted readers to recognize those dangers without stripping away their hope.
At the same time, I knew I could not include the graphic realities of what truly happens to victims. My husband has seen and heard things in his work that he can never forget, and even the glimpses he has shared are heavy to carry. Instead of burdening young readers with that level of trauma, I chose to write in a way that raises awareness while still offering light, resilience, and the assurance that healing is possible.
Lauren: Anything else you’d like young adults to know about this subject, the anthology, or your story specifically?
Angela: I do not want young adults to live in constant fear, but I do want them to live with awareness. My heroine’s longing for love and acceptance left her vulnerable, and the cost was devastating. Her story is a reminder that trust should be given carefully and that real love never demands the loss of freedom or innocence.
I hope readers will walk away more cautious and more watchful, but also more empowered. Through this anthology, we also aim to raise funds for organizations that help teenagers who have been rescued from trafficking. Every dollar makes it possible for them to build new lives filled with safety, dignity, and hope.
Lauren: Tell us about your other books and writing.
Angela: I’ve published a young adult post-apocalyptic series titled Collapse. It follows a family of preppers who must defend their home against invaders while also holding on to their faith and humanity.
My second series, The Y Chronicles, is a young adult dystopian romance set in a world where the government dictates every part of life, including careers and marriages. At its heart, it is a story about freedom, individuality, and love in the face of control.
Right now, I am also working on an adult romantic suspense series, which I hope to release in 2026.
Lauren: What hobbies, interests, or passions do you have outside of writing?
Angela: I sometimes joke that I have too many hobbies and not nearly enough hours in the day. Alongside my full-time job, my husband and I raise cattle, which keeps us busy year-round. I also enjoy gardening, tending to our chickens, traveling, and spending time with family. Writing is my deepest passion, but I find joy in simple, everyday rhythms that keep me grounded. There are dozens of other hobbies I would love to try, though time rarely allows it.
Lauren: Anything else you’d like to share?
Each of us has a role to play in watching out for one another.
Angela D. Shelton
Angela: Much like the airport reminders say, “If you see something, say something.” Each of us has a role to play in watching out for one another. No one should feel so isolated that they become vulnerable to the kind of predators I wrote about. My husband often noted during his years in the sex crimes division that women, especially, need to look out for each other more. A kind word, a listening ear, or a protective presence can make all the difference.
Where to Purchase Every Captive Freed
Every Captive Freed is available on Amazon now! Ten percent of all proceeds go to the anti-human trafficking arm of the Tim Tebow Foundation, and every preorder helps amplify the stories within and supports the mission to bring awareness and hope.
Content Advisory for Every Captive Freed
Every Captive Freed contains three novellas surrounding the theme of human trafficking. While all three authors took great care to omit graphic details, teen readers should be aware that the characters encounter numerous mature situations, including physical violence. Sexual scenes are closed-door/fade-to-black. If you wish to support this project but aren’t comfortable reading strong subject matter, the second story of the book (Streams of the Heart) contains the least amount of violent and sexual content.
Learn More About Angela D. Shelton & Her Books
Visit Angela’s website at AngelaDShelton.com. To learn more about Angela’s books, check out her Amazon page.
Human Trafficking: More Resources For Teens
***If you suspect you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please contact local law enforcement or visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline for help.
The Homeland Security website is a good source for current information and statistics on human trafficking.
More Christian YA fiction about human trafficking: Read Billy’s story in Something I Am Not by Cher Gatto. (See my review in Christian Teen Fiction Spotlight: Author Cher Gatto.)
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