Mortal Wounds — Nikki Soarde

Veronica Lichty has never fit in. Born and raised in the restrictive and unyielding world of the conservative Mennonites, Veronica's independence and fiery spirit have always set her apart. She loves music and longs to sing, but has no way to express the passions that drive her.A chance encounter and a secret romance with a young, handsome reprobate who loves fast cars and rock and roll changes all that. She falls in love and tastes excitement for the first time in her life and begins to see glimmers of true happiness and of realizing her dreams. But it only takes a moment for the dream to shatter.The discovery of their secret begins a series of events that spiral out of control and rob Veronica of everything. Her innocence, the man she loves, her child. Forced to abandon everything she has ever known, she ventures into a strange and frightening world all alone in search of her dreams-vowing never to return.But eventually Veronica must return to confront those who abandoned and betrayed her. Gradually she discovers that beneath the peaceful façade of the tiny Mennonite community lurks an insidious evil. An evil that will do anything preserve its secret.Anything. . .including murder.