From California to Peru is a long way for LEXI DIETRICH to run but a secret past, a prostitution ring, and a handsome cartel boy all hunt her down. Running South is about the beauty and tragedy of Latin America, and about finding grace there.Lexi is a piece of work-tattoos, piercings, hair dyed red-she fights with her mom and leaves home at eighteen to search for her missing father. She hitchhikes to Mexico City but sex traders nab her. Does she escape, get sold, die in captivity? Anything is possible in this crazy beautiful-ugly world that lies south of all Lexi's borders.Lexi will take you into the jungles of Costa Rica, through the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia, and finally into the catacombs under an ancient cathedral. Her enemies will become your enemies-a cartel drug runner, child abusers, and corrupt police-and her friends will become your friends-a grandfatherly trucker, an abandoned child, and an enlightened priest.Lexi ran south to forget her past and reclaim the love of her father. At the worst possible moment, he failed her, but what she gained in Latin America was more than she ever dreamed possible.**** SPECIAL NOTE - The characters in this novel are based on real people. The ebook Annotated Version with photos and backstory of the real characters is also available. (Search Amazon for Running South Annotated.) More info at: Don-Goulding.com