The Broken and Damned (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780646724669)

"Life breaks everyone..."

Nikita was too young to understand when it happened. Her father taking her to a house. Money changing hands. The promise that these nice people would look after her until he returned. Father never did come back...

Now an adult after years of brutal education, Nikita goes where she's told, does what she's told, without question. When sent to her next assignment, Nikita is given just one instruction; keep John in St. Petersburg, or else.

Australian conservationist John Wilson is a damned man, haunted by the choices that destroyed the life he never deserved. Eighteen months later a job at a Russian Zoo offers him a small chance at rebuilding his life on the other side of the world. That is, if he can manage his staff and navigate a working relationship with Nikita, his terrified personal assistant.

As days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months, John and Nikita are forced to face the question...

What happens when the broken meets the damned?

The first instalment of the "My found family" series by debut author N.J. Sauld.

Contains descriptions of: war, torture, sexual abuse, death of children, murder, mental health episodes. Reader discretion is advised.