The Girl Who Ran Away

Red Heeled Rebels #1

by Tikiri Herath

A web of little lies. A family secret. Don't believe everything they tell you...

The day her parents die in a suspicious car crash, young Asha’s perfect life is shattered.

She’s the lone survivor. The authorities have no choice but to thrust her into a distant family she never knew existed. Frightened and alone, all she wants is to belong again, but she soon discovers her new home hides a vicious secret.

Asha plots an escape from her chilling fate, but just as she’s running out of options, a stranger comes to help.

It’s only when she finds herself on a plane to an unknown destination, she realizes what she's done.

She’s made the biggest mistake of her life.

From the frying pan into the fire….

Will Asha survive the betrayal of her own family?

*This book is the first in this series.*

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There is no graphic violence, heavy cursing, or explicit sex in this book. No dog is ever harmed but the villains always are.
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What readers are saying about this book:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Oh my goodness! This is definitely a have to read. This thriller will definitely get your attention from start to finish. I am excited to read the next book in the series.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I haven't been able to put this series down. I was at the edge of my seat saying "no! no! no! like they could hear me.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book is amazing. I loved every second. It kept me in the edge of my seat from start to finish.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The writing is superb & the story draws you in from the very beginning. If you like suspense you must read this book!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Suspenseful and exciting! from the very beginning, I was hooked! it is exciting, thrilling, and a wonderful new series for me to read!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Holy heroine, where do I start? This is a fantastic read that will have you travelling the globe… I absolutely loved this book , it is the first of three stories from the Red Heeled Rebels Series and you will not be able to put it down!”

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The RED HEELED REBELS international crime thrillers from the award-winning author of twisty thrillers and mesmerizing mysteries.
• Prequel Story: The Girl Who Crossed the Line
• Book One: The Girl Who Ran Away
• Book Two: The Girl Who Made Them Pay
• Book Three: The Girl Who Fought to Kill
• Book Four: The Girl Who Broke Free
• Book Five: The Girl Who Knew Their Names
• Book Six: The Girl Who Never Forgot

The Red Heeled Rebels international crime thriller series is now complete.
Prepare for a heart-pounding journey through betrayal, deception, and danger in this gripping international crime thriller from award-winning author, Tikiri Herath.

*This book is the first in this series. You may enjoy the series best if you read the books in order, starting from book one.
The prequel story is available directly from the author as a gift to anyone who picks up the novels.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

Unknown Binding

First published December 25, 2017

About the author

Tikiri Herath is the award-winning author of the best-selling crime thriller, HER DEADLY END.

Tikiri is an adrenaline junkie who has rock climbed, bungee jumped, flown upside down in a stunt plane, and parachuted solo.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria, Canada, and a master’s degree from the Solvay Business School in Brussels. She’s worked in risk management for Canada’s top federal intelligence agency and for NATO in Europe.

A fifth-culture kid raised across four continents, Tikiri now calls Canada home.

When she’s not plotting her next murderous twist, you’ll find her baking decadent treats in her kitchen, vintage jazz on the speakers and a glass of red Shiraz in hand.

Her globetrotting adventures and real-life brushes with danger inspire her mystery thriller novels, infusing deadly menace and psychological suspense into every page she writes.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/8/2020)! 🎁

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (07/18)

In “Disowned” by Tikiri, Asha loses her parents in a deadly car crash while living in Tanzania. Having no other family there, her grandmother reluctantly allows her to live with her in a poor apartment, in Goa, India. Her grandmother never forgave her son, Asha’s father, for marrying a foreigner and is awful to her. Asha tries to prove her worth by learning how to cook for the family, but his is not good enough for the grandmother. As soon as she is able she goes through a marriage broker to marry Asha off to a nasty old man. Asha makes a mistake in trusting a man to help her with her escape. As a result of this, she ends up as a house slave in Toronto, Canada. After a time, she escapes from this situation, but once again she soon realizes that she has placed herself in a precarious position and must figure out a way to not only rescue herself but another woman with whom she has become close. They both flee the country, but only time will tell where their next adventure takes them.

“Disowned” by Tikiri, is a heart stopping, coming of age tale that was impossible to put down. As a Soroptimist, who lives in a border town, I am well aware of human trafficking issues. “Disowned” isn’t just a fascinating, well written novel, it is a book that will educate the reader on how trafficking can happen all over the world. If your eyes aren’t open before you read this, they will be afterwards.

The heroine in this story will also leave the reader feeling empowered to do something to help this cause, even though her character is fictional, there are amazing women like her who are fighting for the rights of trafficking victims. The author even donates a percentage of her sales to this cause.

“Disowned” by Tikiri is the first novel in the author’s Red Heels Rebels series and I look forward to reading her next volume. I highly recommend that “Disowned” be given as a gift to readers who enjoy novels involving intrigue. I also suggest that this book be chosen as a selection for reader’s groups. It will definitely trigger a lot of interesting discussions and perhaps more people will be educated on this subject.

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book that mothers should read and then encourage their daughters to read. Protecting our daughters from the dangers the world heaps upon them is naïve and results in women who are not prepared for a world that sees them as not worthy of consideration, let alone protection. It is sad indeed that providing a loving and nurturing home is not enough, especially when that home is ripped away by unforeseen events.

Women's issues are all over the news these days. Let us never forget that all women were once little girls with parents that ran the gamut of loving and nurturing to indifferent and abusive. As hard as it may be to believe, the girls brought up in less than ideal surroundings would seem to have a better understanding of what they will face as women. Reading this book while observing the daily demeaning of women and girls in the media provided a stark counterpoint to the sensitive treatment of abuse presented in DISOWNED.

I guess I've been a feminist for a very long time… longer than I have even admitted to myself in the past. I didn't start reading this series because it has a strong female protagonist but because it sounded like a great story. In the end, it IS a great story, and it DOES HAVE a strong, intelligent female protagonist. To see a young woman who grew up loved and nurtured go through a process of overcoming the naivete that having a loving, supportive mother and father engendered is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Sometimes it is difficult for a septuagenarian like myself to put aside the years and remember what it was like to be 12 or 13 or even 18. We all start out with dreams, hold onto those dreams as long as we can. Little by little those dreams are shattered. We can either pick ourselves up and forge a path, or we can give up in despair. Which do you choose?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story opens with Asha watching the car she was in with her parents totally engulfed in flames!! She wakes up in the hospital over hearing conversations about her. She has no one! And no where to go .She is only 12 years old. There's a distant relative Aunt Shlipa in Goa,India Asha is sent there and cared for by her aunt her grandmother and her cousin preeti.Its bad enough what Asha has gone through so far, but her hardship and cruelty continues. She is beaten at the school her family sends her too.The grandmother makes an arrangement for Asha to be married to the next door neighbor. He totally is repulsive to Asha and she will run away if she has too.Another man named Franky who says he will help her leave Goa. she is railroaded by him and sent to Toronto under the care of Mrs Rao's.She is involved in smuggling of young girls and sales them into the human trafficking business.The only good thing that comes from Asha's situation.She has a gift for baking.She loves it.And her best friend Katy from school are inseparable.They have to escape and make the last flight out to London and onto India. I love the loyalty between these two great characters.They are head strong and learn how to survive in a Ruthless World.At a very young age.Make sure to read the next book to find out what happens to Asha and Katy. Page Turner! A Absolute Must Read!! Love your stories Tikiri. Thanks for sharing.I received this book from Ebook Discovery.I volunteered to review and this is my honest review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me reading! Didn't want to put it down. The characters were well written. The story kept moving. I was so afraid of what else might happen to Ashe, the young orphan. She didn't have anybody she could trust and not old enough to make good decisions. I am looking forward to the next book - Abducted.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, well-written, heartbreaking, and. super compelling, this is an incredible story. I have a lot of trouble reading these stories but yet, the story itself is a reality because this does happen, how can you put it down? Ignoring their story does not make it go away.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lindsey Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this series.

It's well written. The subject matter is extremely important. Asha is such a strong character. I felt for her. I wanted her to succeed, to thrive.

It's a great book. I'm so glad I read it.

[Home School Mum 3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

I have read the first two and woah, really well written with such a fast moving story you want to read and read. I have plenty of time to read now, given that we are under lockdown due to a bad virus spreading around the world

[Lata Terni]

Fantastic novel, artfully and successfully weaves the story that takes you round the world to places. Fast pace, interesting, could not put it down till the end

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first full book in the Red Heeled Rebels series and covers what happens to thirteen year old Asha, after the car crash that killed both of her parents. Decisions are made as she lies in her hospital bed and it is the child psychologist who escorts her to a plane for a journey to Goa and onwards to her father’s old home town of Vasco de Gama. None of her relations actually want her as she is a half caste, born of parents from Goa and Sri Lanka, in a union neither family agreed to. Her grandmother finally agrees to take her, but only after being paid to do so and makes her life hell, beating her for every little difference or lack of knowledge and doing things wrong! Also in the household are her Aunty Shilpa and her cousin Preeti. Shilpa had been married off to a much older man who died before she could produce a child and she only just escaped being thrown onto his funeral pyre, as they weren’t out in his village setting. !

Preeti is still at school and a couple of years older than Asha. But school in Goa is a complete shock to Asha, compared to her life at the International School in Tanzania. They are lined up before school starts and examined by a very cruel monitor who uses a metal ruler on any child she chooses, for whatever she considers under par appearance! A bit like school days in the seventies and eighties here. She is told to never look at a boy or any man, in the eyes, in case they think she is a whore or easy. Child marriages are still common place and only her aunty confirming her brother’s wishes for Asha to finish school, keeps her grandmother off her case. That is only until a horrible old man and neighbour insists on marrying Asha before she is even fourteen or finished school! He is already married, but wants Asha and not in a nice way. Her grandmother agrees to the match. As the date gets closer and closer, Asha tries to figure out a way of getting away, but her cousin begins to distance herself from her and tells her she should do as she’s told.

Asha tries to start making money, making and selling cupcakes, from the recipes she can remember making with her mother, before she would barter them away in the local market. This doesn’t give her enough money to return to Africa, but then she finds the paperwork she was sent to Goa with and it has details of an account set up abroad for her to access when she is eighteen. As she is under eighteen, she has to get her aunty to come and authorise the access to her funds, but her aunty is illiterate and unsure of the man making the deal with Asha. The man supposed arranges for her to go back to Tanzania and live with a well off couple and to work in an admin job. It is all a pack of lies and seeing his employee and a past bully Franky meets her at the airport gives her the first bad feeling. It is either fly away or get married against her will. The destination has suddenly changed as nothing could be found for her in Tanzania is what she is told. Not much of a choice and she is out of time!

She ends up in Toronto, Canada and ends up working as a slave for a Mrs Rao, an Indian woman. She works from dusk till dawn, until a social worker comes to question why she is not at school. She ends up being able to go back to school, but still has to do all her jobs cleaning the house, the cars, keeping the grounds maintained and also cooking every day. Waiting on Mrs Rao’s every demand, day and night. She has to make a special menu for her boss’ dinner parties and she uses the large library in the house to learn more about recipes. She only works in the house or goes to and from school. That is her new life. But on one day a month, on the full moon, she is locked in her room in the basement and told not to come out at all! Something strange is going on, but she has no idea what at that time! A boyfriend called Tim, who she met at school, comes to the house to take her to a party at another friend Katy’s house, for her sixteenth birthday, but has forgotten it is the night of the full moon and Mrs Rao catches them!

This causes problems with Mrs Rao and Asha overhears plans to sell her off to someone else and knows she needs to get away. She has less than two weeks until she finishes high school and just needs to last until her promise to her father is completed. She ends up having to run off to where Katy works at a bakery, as time runs out and this starts her biggest break yet, of making her own cupcakes, with flavours from her childhood and influenced by a famous baker Chef Pierre, she has seen in magazines! Katy falls for the owner of the bakery, which doesn’t seem like it ever made any bakery goods before Asha arrived, but seems to have someone there at night, moving her stuff about. Something is off, but Katy is too smitten to realise anything is off. A chance of a big contract for the small bakery, gives Asha the chance to make more money to help her aunt and cousin escape their lives, and leads to some high placed contacts.

An overheard conversation leads the girls to find out that something not too nice is about to happen to them and they run off, grab their passports and money and race to the airport. But they have been spotted and various people from Asha’s past and present are colluding together to get them both. If they get caught, then their lives are not going to be worth living! It certainly won’t be as pleasant as Asha’s time with Mrs Rao, even though she worked as a slave and so hard every day. There are some things that are far worse and it seems this group of people have been mixed up in matters much worse than Asha or Katy ever thought and have been doing so for years. They are in danger and need to escape. Asha has no real experience of the world or people and Katy always chooses the wrong men to get mixed up with. They have been taken advantage of due to their vulnerable positions and will need all their strength to escape.

This is a hard hitting look at the use of vulnerable people, who are given no choice in where they end up or with who, sexual assault and rape from a young age, human trafficking and drug running. Parts of it are very disturbing, but reflect issues that occur in countries all around the world, even in these modern times. Some of these issues are hidden even in countries where you might not expect it and could even be happening next door to you. Asha and Katy are examples of some of those who are caught up in this sort of thing, whether through poverty or simple bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The story continues in the next instalment and readers will find out if the girls make it to safety or not.

[Maria Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series. These stories are very different than your typical thriller. Very refreshing. Highly recommend.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of Shattered the first book in the series Asha has just lost her parents in a horrific car accident. She wakes alone and it takes her a little while to remember what has happened. She is an orphan and not only that but with her being mulatto from an Indian father and Sri Lankan mother, she is not wanted by her grandmother her only living relation. Deals are struck and Asha finds herself alone and on her way to India to a relation who has been paid to take her. Everything here is different from Tanzania where she grew up and she must learn all the ways to stay alive and not disobey her grandmother who thinks nothing of slapping her over nothing. My heart truly went out to this child who had just turned 12. It was hard enough watching her parents die in a fiery accident but then to be put on a plane and sent to another country to live where she wasn't wanted. This story is full of non stop action as Asha learns to do what she must in order to survive. I was so nervous of what would the girl have to deal with next. But learn to survive she does as she takes dangerous chances. I felt for Preeti and Aunt Shilpa life in India is hard and there is so much to be on the lookout for. Females have no worth it seems other than to cook, clean and have babies. I like Katie and I was so glad that Asha found a friend. Teen women going on a trip without adults would do well to read this book/series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series so I can see what is going to happen with Asha and Katie.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher but I was not asked for anything in return. I wrote this review hoping it will help others decide if this is a book they might enjoy. This review is totally my own opinion.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written and takes the reader on an amazing journey. The reader gets to experience life from within a young orphaned girl's eyes. Asha is what most refer to as a half breed as her parents are from different cultures. They are killed in a car accident on Asha'a birthday. Asha believes this is karma for her misdeed. This story follows Asha through her relocation to her father's family in India where she is an outsider but makes a place for herself. She then finds herself engaged to be married at the age of 14. She avoids this by getting sucked into slavery and shipped to Toronto Canada. This story contains some harsh but realistic topics. I love being able to read the story from Asha's view and seeing her learn how the world works and how make her way through the hurdles she finds in her way. I cannot wait to read more.

[Lissa Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this arc for an honest review
Holy heroine, where do I start?
This is a fantastic read that will have you travelling the globe rooting for Ashsa who lost her parents in a horrific car accident and suddenly becomes an orphan set in Tanzania. From there she is sent to live with distant relatives, or at least that is what she is told. As cruel fate would have it her grandmother wants to marry her off to a most undesirable man.Asha makes a deal to flee the country to escape her impending doom but it becomes very complicated and she is no better off. With her new friend Katy in tow she puts a plan in action to escape once again! I absolutely loved this book , it is the first of three stories from the Red Heeled Rebels Series and you will not be able to put it down!

[Toyenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashanti is a young girl that has gone through a lot at a tender age, she lost her parents in a ghastly accident in Tanzania. She had to be sent to live with her grandmother at India,Goa. Her grandma was not friendly and accommodating because she never forgave her dad for marrying a foreigner. She wanted to marry her off to an old and nasty man, on knowing this she planned her escape with a man who claims to run an immigration office not knowing that the man is not who he said he is but a man that smuggles girls out of the country. She escaped but ended up as a house slave in Toronto. She had it rough but in all she remained strong and always persevered. "I received this book for free from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review ".

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful and exciting!

from the very beginning, I was hooked! It starts with Asha, as a young teenager. We are already involved with her life, rooting for her, and hanging on every suspenseful turn of the page! it is exciting, thrilling, and a wonderful new series for me to read! The book ends, like the old TV shows from the past. We are left with a definite cliffhanger. A television program, from years ago, would leave us with a season finale that had us anxiously waiting for the new season to start. This is how the first book ends. You will anxiously pick up the second book and continue on reading.

[Disney14604 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? It is really fast moving and takes you right there. I am glad to know that the author has talked with people which explains the reality in the book. I think it is a shame that this still happens today. It will make you think!!!!!!

Definitely reecommending this series to everyone.

Book does stand alone but is helpful if you read Beginnings first. It will help explain the start of the book. Cannot wait to start reading the next book.
Sorry but I do not like to rewrite the synopsis of the book.

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Young girl, had a great life. Parents who loved her dearly, and planned for her future. Glad they did. Her parents died. She went to live in India, with her Grandmother, Aunt and cousin. Was not a good life for the girl. Only baking cakes made her happy. Left India, sold to a woman as a maid. Escaped. Ended up in another bad situation. Made a friend, they then after some problems, escaped together. They are going to India, to make a new life. Baking cakes.

[Star Shining Forever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really captivating story of a girl who runs from an arranged marriage in India and ends up sold into slavery in Canada, which she also escapes to try and make a life for herself as well as reunite with her family. Asha is a plucky heroine and though inexperienced, she makes up for it in courage and hard work.

It’s also a really cool origin story for a heroine who could go around handing sh*tty m*en their asses for being abusive jerks. This would make a cool YA movie tbh.

[Bookworm Avdm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Really enjoyed the last few chapters. Was tense moments for Asha. A young girl driven by passion to enrich the lives of her family, gets a raw deal when trusting too many people. Sad to see her innocence being stripped from her at a young age. She soon learns what drives people...money and her will to work for payment.

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book really makes you think. This is a heartbreaking story of loss of innocence, trafficking, and child brides. It's non stop action and kept me fascinated throughout and turning the pages. This story is intriguing and there is never a dull moment, it's thoroughly entertaining, with powerful characters. Such an emotional read one I definitely recommend.

[nickiknackinoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was sad to think that these things happen for real but this story was an easy read and written so well that I'd finished the book before I knew it!! Thank you to Tikiri Heath for letting me have this review book for free.It was an honour to review it for you! Highly recommend the Red Heeled Rebels books!!

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asha is forced to leave Africa and move to India to live with her father's relatives. Asha is being forced to marry a man older than her father. A world where men rule and women are subservient. What Asha had to endure, no one should have to go through. Human trafficking, abuse, and survival. This book was hard to put down.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

This is an adventure I never would want to take. Young girls so brave, just trying to stay free. Tikiri has opened a dark and scary world for us to glimpse at. I haven't been able to put this series down. I was at the edge of my seat saying "no! no! no! like they could hear me. Heart wrenching and a must read.

[Janeandjerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl Who Ran Away

Okay at first it hooked me then it got boring THEN it hooked me again and I just couldn't let go I had to find out what was happening with these girls... So I now found another series to read but before I read the next book I must stop and refresh... Thanks for sharing your work with us your readers...DOUBLE G

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a strong start to a series. Asha is such a strong young woman and displays amazing determination. The author’s work is wonderful. If I learned anything it would be be careful what you do and a situation can always be worse.

[Denise DeJonge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Asha. She has been bounced from one life struggle to the next. Her tenacity and will have managed to assist her through each trial. Unfortunately, this story reveals some common theme of human trafficking, slave laboring and cultural circumstances that exist even today.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...what a great read...interesting book that all parents and young teens should read ..my heart went out to this young girl who has lost so much but keeps her fiery spirit even when things look there worst ... I want to read more to see what happens to this young girl !

[Diane Gorsuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic Read!

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The writing is superb & the story draws you in from the very beginning. If you like suspense you must read this book!

[Debra H. Wruble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Well written story about a poor girl from India who is sold into slavery after escaping from an arranged marriage to an older man. Brilliant beginning to a continuation of her adventures.