Melissa Corcoran is at a crossroads in life, and plans to write a novel in order to give her life a sense of renewed purpose. In a chance encounter with a young house cleaner, she hears about children being abused every night in the United States. As Melissa is propelled into a search for information about this terrible problem.... Ruth is a young girl thrust into the social service system who has never felt the love and guidance of parents. Her desire to find love and stability leaves her open to the promises..and lies...of the men who manipulate her. Ten year old Manny wants to be a soccer star, until a disaster tears his world apart and puts his young life at risk. Kristin's parents are divorcing, and as she tries to cope with the pain and confusion of a new family dynamic a predator sees her vulnerability and makes his move. As different as these children and Melissa are, their worlds collide when each of them is caught up in the terrifying world of child sex trafficking, putting all of them risk. As they become enmeshed in the web of something they never imagined, their lives will be changed forever by the traffickers and buyers who are an increasing threat in every city in America. Shadow Children will educate you about the lures of the traffickers, the efforts of law enforcement officers to stop this attack on our children, and help you learn how to protect the children you love.